History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 118

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co.
Number of Pages: 1011

USA > Nebraska > Hall County > History of Hall County, Nebraska > Part 118

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

On March 24, 1874, Carl Krueger married Miss Lena Wiese, a daughter of Henry and Anna (Celia) Wiese, natives of Germany, who came to the United States in the sixties. To Mr. and Mrs. Krueger the following children were born: Otto, a farmer in Center town- ship; Charles, who lives in Alda township; Henry, who lives on the homestead with his mother, in Alda township; Matilda, the wife of Herman Ewoldt; Caroline, the wife of Hugo Schuchman; William, who lives in Lanner County, Wyoming, and Herman, who lives with his mother. The family is a prom- inent one in Alda township.

WILLIAM LUTH, classed with the suc- cessful farmers of Hall County, belongs to a highly respected old family of this section. He was born in Marshall County, Iowa, February 16, 1878. He is the son of Fred and Minnie Luth, and a grandson of Henry and Sophia (Yohn) Luth.

Fred Luth was born in 1844 in Germany and was twenty-two years old when he came to the United States. He followed farming in Marshall County, Iowa, until 1886, when he came to Hall County, where, in the course of time, he became the owner of four hundred

acres of land, all of which has been well im- proved. In 1869 he married Minnie Runfeldt, also a native of Germany, and they have had the following children: Augusta, the wife of William Stuhr; Henry, a prominent farmer in Hall County; Sophia, the wife of Edward Stuhr; Charles and William, both of whom are prosperous farmers in Alda township ; Emma, the wife of August Schoel; a babe who died in infancy ; and Alvena, the wife of Rudolph Kay.

William Luth was about eight years old when he accompanied his parents to Hall County, where he had winter schooling for several years. While still a boy in years he began hard work on his father's land and has always followed agricultural pursuits in this county. At present he is in partnership with his brother, Charles Luth, and together they carry on extensive operations on two hundred and thirty acres of land which they rent from their father. They are: quiet, industrious, practical men who are well thought of every- where. Mr. Luth belongs to no political party.

Mr. Luth was united in marriage with Miss Dora Nissen, July 19, 1911; they have five children : Lawrence, Helen, Elsie, Minnie and Clarence, are all attending school near home.

HERMAN LILIENTHAL successfully carries on farming operations in Alda town- ship, Hall County, where he rents land from his mother, one of the largest owners of real estate in this locality. Mr. Lilienthal belongs to a fine old family of this section which set- tled here almost sixty years ago.

Herman Lilienthal was born in Hall County, January 25, 1878, the son of Frederick and Dora . (Gilthaw) Lilienthal, both of whom . were born in Germany. Of their children, Herman is the eldest, the others being: Mrs. Lena Boltz, who lives in Alda township ; John, who lives in Wyoming, and Toney, the wife of Charles Kay. The father came to this county in 1861 and homesteaded, and at the time of his death, in May, 1894, owned a val- uable farm of one hundred and twenty acres. Industry was the rule in his household and Herman was not very old when he stopped going to school in order to help on the farm. He thus had excellent instruction and dis- cipline and is considered a farmer of ripe judgment, understanding how to make his industries very profitable.

On February 27, 1907, Mr. Lilienthal mar- ried Miss Anna Clausen. They have two very bright, intelligent sons: Alfred Fred, eleven

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years old, and Ervin Herman, six years of age. Herman is said to be as much interested in his school duties as is his older brother. Mr. and Mrs. Lilienthal are members of the Lutheran church.

FREDERICK LILIENTHAL. - One of the early settlers and thrifty, enterprising farmers of Hall County, was the late Frederick Lilienthal, who was born in Germany, March 25, 1852, the son of Claus and Christina Lilien- thal, who had three sons, Henry, Frederick and Charles, all of whom are deceased.

Frederick Lilienthal came to the United States in early manhood and was among the first settlers of Hall County. Here he bought railroad land, which he worked hard to im- prove, and at the time of his death, in May, 1894, owned eighty acres of finely improved land. In those early days he had much to contend with, one disadvantage being his long distance from market, for he had to haul his grain to Fort Kearny. He is remembered as a hard working, honest man and a kind and helpful neighbor. He was twice married, his first union being with Dora Gilsthaw, and they had the following children: Herman, a farmer in Alda township; a babe that died un- named; Lena, the wife of August Boltz ; John, lives in Wyoming, and Toney, the wife of Charles Kay. The mother of these children died and his second marriage was to Mrs. Margaret (Mathiesen) Struve. Her parents were Fred and Anna (Hanson) Mathiesen, who were born in Germany, but were married in 1857 at Davenport, Iowa, as they came sep- arately to America. Mr. Mathiesen had prac- tically no capital when he came to Hall County but through thrift and industry, he accum- ulated a large body of land. His death oc- curred June 14, 1914.

To Mr. and Mrs. Lilienthal five children were born: Julius, Fred, Ernest, Laura and Anna, all living except Fred. Laura is the wife of Benjamin Ewoldt, and Anna is the wife of Frederick Schoel. Mrs. Lilienthal resides in her comfortable home on West Charles street, Grand Island, one of the highly esteemed and estimable women of the city.

HERMAN EWOLDT, one of the progres- sive agriculturists of Hall County, owning a fine, well developed farm near Grand Island, belongs to a very old county family that has always been noted for its industry and sound, practical qualities. Mr. Ewoldt is not only a

good farmer but is an intelligent, far-seeing one, realizing that for many years to come the American farmer, with his mighty yields of life-giving grain, and his herds and other stock, must practically feed the world.

Herman Ewoldt was born in Hall County, Nebraska, August 1, 1882. His parents were Cay and Elisa (Stuben) Ewoldt, both of whom were born in Germany. The father came to the United States in 1854 and located first in Davenport, Iowa, from which place he removed to Hall County, in 1857. He early secured a pre-emption claim of one hundred and sixty acres, and to this original farm he kept on adding throughout his life. When his death occurred in 1914, at the age of eighty-two years, he left an estate of four hundred and sixty acres of well improved land. For many years he had been considered one of the township's substantial and representa- tive men. The mother of Mr. Ewoldt died in August, 1915. The parents are survived by seven of their eleven children.

Herman Ewoldt obtained his education in the public schools of Hall County. During his youth and the lifetime of his father, he worked on the homestead, but now he owns a farm of one hundred and fifteen acres, to which he devotes his entire attention. He carries on a general farming line and has raised some fine Hereford cattle. If he suc- ceeds in carrying out his present admirable plans, he will make a feature of raising cattle. Mr. Ewoldt is a hard worker and is thoroughly interested in all his farm activities, keeps abreast of the times in agricultural progress and makes intelligent use of the knowledge he acquires.

In 1905 Mr. Ewoldt married Miss Matilda Krueger, whose parents also were early set- tlers in Hall County. They have six children : Edwin, Helen, Carl, Rudolph, Lillian and Daniel, four of whom go to school, the three older never having missed a day since they started. They all are unusually.intelligent and fond of their books.

WILLIAM SCHOEL, a prosperous gen- eral farmer in Center township, owns and carefully cultivates a large farm in Center township. He was born in Hall County, Octo- ber 9, 1974, on his father's homestead, his people having been early settlers here. Ex- tended mention of this prominent family will be found in another part of this work. .

William Schoel believes he was no more than seven years old when he went to work on

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the farm. All the family worked and he re- members seeing his mother binding grain by hand on many an occasion. In those days the grain was cut with the old-fashioned scythe or a mowing machine, and all the corn was planted by hand. Much of the modern machin- ery that Mr. Schoel now makes constant use of on his farm, had not yet been invented in his boyhood and it was many years before the ordinary Nebraska farmer could afford to buy it. The family had settled far from a center where provisions could be purchased, and Mr. Schoel remembers one occasion when his father and a neighbor had driven to Omaha for flour, and on the return trip in fording the Loup river because there was no bridge at that time, became swamped. Mr. Schoel walked thirty miles to Wood River before he secured help and it was with difficulty that the wagons and teams were dragged out of the water. At that time there were many Indians passing up and down the river but the Schoels were kind and friendly and never had any trouble with the savages.

William Schoel married Anna Schweiger, whose parents, August and Caroline Schweiger live in Grand Island. They have two children, Helen and Olga, aged nineteen and fifteen years respectively. Mr. Schoel has one hun- dred and sixty acres of land and every acre, under his efficient management, gives a profit- able account of itself. He feeds cattle and hogs and averages a car load a year. The farm surroundings indicate thrift and the improve- ments are suitable and substantial. Mr.Schoel has the reputation of being a hard worker and sensible business man. He is an independent voter but his ballot is sure to be cast in sup- port of law and order and good citizenship.

FRED LUTH. - Thirty-three years have slipped away since Fred Luth came to Hall County. They have not been idle years for hard work has marked the passing of many of them and thrift and efficiency were observed in each and every one. Mr. Luth is not only a widely known and highly respected resident of the county but is also one of the most sub- stantial, being the owner of many acres of highly developed land, as the result of his own industry coupled with good judgment.

Fred Luth was born December 15, 1844, in Germany, and is a son of Henry and Sophia (Yohn) Luth, and the only one of their eight children to come to America. He remained in Germany throughout his schooldays and military service period, being a youth twenty-

two years old when he reached the United States. He located in Iowa and worked on farms there until 1886, when he came to Hall County, where he has since lived and has en- gaged in the business of farming. The first land he bought was a tract of two hundred and twenty acres and at the present time he owns four hundred acres. Mr. Luth has not been satisfied with merely owning this large body of land and enjoying the ordinary yield of the same, but has subsequently improved it all. and with thorough going methods has in- creased the fertility until he has some of the most productive farm land in the county.

In 1869 Mr. Luth married Miss Minnie Runfeldt, who was born in Germany, they have had the following children : Augusta, the wife of William Stuhr; Henry, who lives in Hall County; Sophia, the wife of Edward Stuhr; Charles, a resident of Alda, Ne- braska; William, a farmer in Alda township; Emma, the wife of August Schoel; a babe who died in infancy; and Alvina, who is the wife of Rudolph Kay. Mr. Luth has never interested himself greatly in politics and has never been willing to accept a public office.

JULIUS EWOLDT, one of Hall County's well known men and successful general farm- ers, belongs to one of the first families who located here at a time when Nebraska was con- sidered a part of the wild west, having to break the prairie sod for first crops in the country. For sixty years the Ewoldts have owned and operated land here and all of the sons of the old pioneer of that name, are sub- stantial farmers and respected citizens.

Julius Ewoldt was born in Hall County, Nebraska, July 23, 1874. His parents were Cay and Elizabeth (Stuben) Ewoldt, natives of Germany, where the father was born in 1831 and the mother in 1841. Her people came to Hall County with the early settlers and she grew up and was married here. The father left Germany when twenty-three years old, reaching the United States in 1854. It was his intention to acquire land but he lacked capital at first and for three years worked as a laborer in Davenport, Iowa. In 1857 he came to Hall County to settle permanently, later taking up a pre-emption claim and im- mediately beginning to make improvements. He was a careful, industrious, honest man, took pride in his farm and surroundings which show his love for agricultural life. Gradually he added to the original tract, continuing to improve the land as soon as it came into his

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possession, thereby adding to its value. When his death occurred in 1914, after a long life of honest industry, he left an estate of four hundred and sixty acres, all well improved. The mother of Julius Ewoldt died in August, 1907. She was the devoted mother of eleven children, three of whom died in infancy.

Julius Ewoldt obtained his education in the country schools and grew up on his father's farm. Agricultural pursuits have engaged his entire attention from boyhood and through careful methods he has made this business very profitable. He carries on diversified farming which includes the raising of stock for his own use and a little dairying and fruit growing. Every inch of his valuable farm of one hundred and fifteen acres is utilized in some way. He has substantial farm buildings and in 1911 erected a fine modern residence.

In 1901 Mr. Ewoldt married Miss Minnie Schweiger, who was born in Germany and came to the United States with her parents when young. They have four children : Harry, Max, Lydia and Elizabeth, all of whom attend school. Mr. Ewoldt is a member of the Low German society.

FERDINAND STOLTENBERY, a pros- perous farmer of Hall County and a well known and respected citizen, has spent his life in this part of Nebraska. He is a repre- sentative of an old family of the county that came here sixty years ago, and did its part in overcoming the wild conditions. that then pre- vailed. The older members have passed away but the family is still well known here and its characteristics of sturdy honesty and persever- ing industry are yet in evidence.

Ferdinand Stoltenbery was born in Hall County, September 25, 1863, the son of Claus and Etta (Paustun) Stoltenbery, both of whom were born in Germany and came to the United States before their marriage. Claus Stoltenbery came across the Atlantic ocean in 1859 and immediately came on to Hall County, where a German colony had settled in 1857. He had enough capital with him to enable him to buy some land and he also took up a pre- emption claim. Here his long and industrious life was spent and when he passed away he left an estate of three hundred and seventy acrs of highly improved land. His marriage had taken place in 1860, in Hall County, and six children were born to him and his wife: Alvina, who is deceased; Etta, the wife of Emanuel Heimke; Ferdinand, who lives in Hall County; Cecelia, the wife of Bernhard

Wersia ; Wilhelmina, the wife of Chris Raher ; and Carl, who lives in Washington township, Hall County.

Ferdinad Stoltenbery had a rudimentary schooling, but nothing to compare with the ad- vantages his children are having. He began farm work when a boy and has kept at it ever since, beginning on his own account about twen- ty-five years ago. He has worked hard but feels somewhat repaid when he looks over his fine farm of four hundred acres, which he has excellently improved. He carries on general farming and is rated with the substantial men of his township. He married Amelia Hirsch, who belongs to an old county family, and they have the following children : Richard, Esther, Rudolph, Barney, Anna, Dora and Angela, all living at home except Esther, the wife of William Mitfoldt.

FRED SCHOEL, a well known citizen and substantial farmer of Hall County, has spent his entire life here, belonging to one of the oldest pioneer families of this section. Today on every side productive farms and comfort- able homesteads may be seen, but it was very different sixty-two years ago when the parents of Mr. Schoel came here with other German colonists. They faced many dangers and bore uncomplainingly for the most part privations and great hardships, but they were resource- ful and persevering and founded homes and families that are now inseparable from the his- tory of Hall County.

Fred Schoel was born here, February 3, 1867, a son of Henry and Mary (Becker) Schoel, the father of Mr. Schoel was born in Germany, April 1, 1828. He heard of the many opportunities for a young man in Amer- ica so emigrated from his native land in 1855. He came west two years after reaching the United States, taking up land in Hall County. At that time he was entirely without capital and the fact that thirty-nine years later he died owning two hundred acres of the best improved land in the county, proves that his. industry in Nebraska was well rewarded. There were many Indians here when he came; herds of buffalo were frequently seen, and buffalo meat was frequently found in the larder of the settlers. It was a number of years before the family could live in comfort but both parents were hard working people and did not ask for the luxuries of life. They were good neighbors and honest in their deal- ings with every one. The mother passed away in 1887, and the father died on January 10,

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1894. They had the following children : Charles, the first white male child born in Hall County ; Henry, who is deceased; Fred, who resides in Hall County in the vicinity of Grand Island; Emma, the wife of Albert Felske, of Hall County ; Mary, who is the wife of Henry Luth, of Alda, Nebraska; and August and William both of whom live north of Alda.

Fred Schoel grew to manhood on the home farm and obtained his education in the public schools. He has made farming the business of his life, always taking a deep interest in his work, and has found his methods very satis- factory. He owns a large body of land, four hundred and twenty acres in all, which is well improved, his residence being one of the best in the township. He makes no feature of either stockraising or dairying, but carries these industries on as a part of his general farming line. He owns many modern farm implements which greatly facilitate farming as carried on today.

On June 16, 1896, Mr. Schoel married Miss Anna Matthiesen, and two daughters and one son have been born to them: Hulda, the wife of Albert Marth; Elsie, the wife of William Marth; and Harry, a student in the high school at Grand Island. Mr. Schoel has never taken much interest in general politics but is always ready to do his duty as a good citizen in neighborhood affairs. The family is one that is held in friendly regard all through this section.

BERNHARD EWOLDT, one of the Hall County's reliable, substantial citizens, is a mem- ber of an old pioneer family that has had much to do with the material development of the county. From the beginning the family has been an agricultural one and some of the finest farms in this section of the county are held in this old and respected name.

Bernhard Ewoldt was born in Hall County, Nebraska, April 25, 1863. His parents were Cay and Elizabeth (Stuben) Ewoldt, the former of whom was born in Germany in 1831 and the latter in 1841. The father em- igrated to the United States in 1854 and came as far west from the Atlantic seaboard as Davenport, Iowa, where he found employ- ment and remained until July 4, 1857, before coming to Hall County. Within a short time he took up a pre-emption claim of one hundred and sixty acres, which was but the beginning of his large fortune in land, for through hard work and wise management he kept adding

one tract of land to another as he recognized a good investment, and when he passed away on November 1, 1913, he left an estate of four hundred and sixty acres highly improved. He was a sober, industrious, honest man and was highly thought of in his neighborhood. The mother of Mr. Ewoldt came to Hall County with her parents at an early day also and she survived until August 30, 1915. Of the eleven children born to his parents, Bern- hard was the oldest, the others being: Cecelia, deceased, was the wife of Henry Wiese; Henry, who lives at Alda, Nebraska; Minnie, the wife of Carl Stoltenberg, Cairo, Nebraska; Julius a general farmer in Hall County; Amelia, the wife of August Becker, of Wash- ington township, Hall County; Clara, the wife of August Schimmer; Herman, a farmer in Hall County ; and three who died in infancy.

Bernhard Ewoldt attended the country schools when a boy and began to assist his . father very early. Farming has been his busi- ness all his life and the appearance of his well improved farm of one hundred and fif- teen acres gives testimony that he is careful and competent in his work. He carries on a general farming line and raises stock for his own use.

On March 9, 1889, Mr. Ewoldt married Miss Laura Matthiesen, and they have five children: Arthur, Linda, Albert, Emil and Eddie. All the sons are now at home although two of them were in military service during the World War, Albert being with the Ameri- can Expeditionary Force in France, and Eddie in training at Camp Funston. They are all fine young men who are a credit to the family and county.

WILLIAM WRAGE. - Hall County has an unusually large proportion of well de- veloped, finely. improved farms, indicating that the business of farming is carried on here by men who have made a study of agriculture and take a deep interest in their vocation. One of the successful farmers of this county is William Wrage, who bears a fine old pioneer name that has been held in respect here for over sixty years.

William Wrage was born in Hall County, September 18, 1863. His parents were Hans and Abirline (Stoltenberg) Wrage, both na- tives of Germany and were young people when the came to the United States, the father in 1857 and the mother about 1861. They were married after coming to Hall County, and be- came the parents of the following children:

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William, who has spent his life in Hall County ; Frederick and Hammond, both of whom died in infancy; Anna, the wife of Claus Tagge, of Prairie Creek, Nebraska ; and Emily, who lives with her brother William. Hans Wrage came to Hall County in 1857 with the large German colony that settled here at that time, and like the majority of them, was pessessed of little money. He was equipped with a good trade, however, and after he had secured a pre-emption claim and a tract of railroad land, he worked for his neighbors as a carpenter, not only putting up houses for them but cutting logs with which to build. All the first houses were built of logs, frame houses were not erected until a sawmill was put in operation some time later. He was honest and industrious all his life and acquired two hundred acres of land which he greatly im- proved. He became well known in the county and was highly respected. Mrs. Wrage died when forty-seven years old, the father sur- vived until the age of sixty-two years.

William Wrage was reared on the home farm and began farm work while yet a young boy, taking responsibility when his father was engaged in carpenter work. He obtained his education in the country schools and was twenty-five years old before he started out to farm for himself and has never desired to change his vocation. He now owns two hun- dred acres of fine land on which the improve- ments are modern and substantial, and carries on a general farming line according to methods which he has proved to be most profitable.

On June 12, 1889, Mr. Wrage married Miss Annie Arp, who was born in Germany, and the following children have been born to them : Hermiene, the wife of Gustave Baasch, of Alda township, Hall County; Alvin, who lives at home; Arnold, who assists his father ;. Max, who was a soldier in the Amer- ican Expeditionary Force in Europe, now at home; and Ebiline, Linda, Hulda and Alvia, all of whom reside with their parents. Mr. Wrage is a good citizen, always interested in township matters, such as schools and good roads, but he has never been willing to accept public office and has kept out of politics.

CONRAD LASSEN, a leading farmer, highly respected citizen and trustworthy public official of his township, is a representative of a family that was established at an early day in Hall County, and ever since its members have been prosperous and self respecting citizens of their various communities, sound, reliable people.

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History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 118

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co. Number of Pages: 1011

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co.
Number of Pages: 1011