History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 119

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 119

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).

Conrad Lassen was born in Davenport, Iowa, December 20, 1863. He is one of a family of fourteen children born to John and Catherine (Heuricks) Lassen. The father was born in Germany in 1823 and the mother in 1833. They came to the United States in 1855, landing at the port of New Orleans. They then came up the Mississippi river as far as Davenport, Iowa, where the father worked at the brickmason trade until 1864, when he de- cided to locate in Nebraska and secure land on which his large family of children would have a chance to develop. He came into Hall County driving a team of oxen. Here he homesteaded and later bought some good land and in the course of years acquired one hun- dred and sixty acres. With the help of his sons he improved his land and was permitted to live long enough to enjoy the comforts won by his industry. Of his children, Conrad was the sixth born, the others being as follows : Margaret, the wife of Hans Obermiller, of Farwell, Nebraska; Anna, the wife of Aleck Shoemaker, a native of Canada; Mary, de- ceased, was the wife of Dirk Schweiger, of Grand Island; John, who lives in Canada ; Katie, deceased, was the wife of Claus Clau- sen, of Grand Island; Hannah, the wife of Dedloff Mathiesen, Hall County; Sherman, who lives in Washington township, Hall Coun- ty; Agatha, the wife of Hans Pahl; Dora, who died at the age of ten years; Lydia, married Jake Wright; Harry who lives in Canada; Eveline, who is the wife of John Bushman, of Grand Island; and a child that died in infancy.

Conrad Lassen began to make himself use- ful on the farm in boyhood. As opportunity offered he attended the country schools, but his time was mainly taken up in assisting his father. In 1885 he established himself on a farm and through hard work and business pru- dence, finally became the owner of three hun- dred and sixty acres, which he placed under cultivation and has substantially improved. Mr. Lassen carries on a general line of farm pro- duction and is classed with the best agricul- turists of the county. He is a self made man, having accumulated his comfortable fortune through his own efforts.

In 1885 Mr. Lassen married Miss Ida Roby, sister of Gustav Roby, who belongs to a promi- nent old Hall County family, and they have two children, Dora and Nancy. Dora was married first to Rudolph Werner and after his death she became the wife of Paul Schweiger. Nancy is the wife of Hanney Lindaman, of Grand Island. Mr. Lassen and his family be-

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GUSTAV ROBY AND FAMILY

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long to the Lutheran church. Although inde- pendent in politics, his personal popularity has been shown by his election to important offices. In 1906 he was elected to member- ship on the county board and served two terms, at times being chairman of the board, and recently has been again elected and is serving on the board with his accustomed efficiency. He has served as president of the Platts- deutchen society at Grand Island.

GUSTAV ROBY. - The farming interests of Hall County are in safe hands as long as sound, practical men like Gustav Roby devote their time and energies to their development. From ancient times agriculture has been the most important of all industries, and as the world grows older and more populous its in- creasing importance becomes evident. The Roby family has been an agricultural one in the main, ever since its founder came to Hall County in pioneer days. A leading represen- tative, well known all over the country, is found in Gustav Roby, whose two hundred acres of land lie not far from Grand Island.

Gustav Roby was born in Hall County, April 14, 1865. His parents were Frederick and Johanna (Lillienthal) Roby, both of whom were born in Germany. They came to the United States in 1861, finding this country then in the throes of civil war. They were humble, peaceful people in search of better living conditions than their own land had afforded them, and as quickly as their resources permitted, made their way as far west as Davenport, Iowa. They were not satisfied there, however, as farm land was the desire of their hearts, and two years later found them in Hall County, ready to claim a homestead. It is told in the family of the father that when they came here, the expendi- ture of ninety-five cents for the purchase of a mesquito net. was a serious drain on his capital, but before he died his signature at any bank would have been gladly honored, for he owned a thousand acres of land. To his origi- nal homestead he added tract after tract of land and went into the stock business, proving to be a fine man of business when he had sufficient opportunity. Of the eight children born to Frederick Roby and his wife, the fol- lowing are living: Gustav, who lives in Hall County ; Dora, who is the wife of HenryStolt- enberg, formerly of Hall County, now of Mer- rick County; Arthur, who lives on the old home place in section eight, Washington town-

ship; and John, proprietor of Harmony Hall, at Harmony, in Hall County, Nebraska.

Gustav Roby grew to manhood on the old homestead in Washington township and at- tended the country schools. It has been thirty years since he started out as a farmer on his own account and all these years have been busy ones. Thirty years ago the farmer knew less about soils than he does now and fewer types of farm machinery were on the market, yet Mr. Roby found profit in his farm under- takings, although, perhaps, he had to labor harder than now. He is a man of progressive ideas and has his land well improved and well stocked. The buildings which give a substan- tial appearance to his place were all erected by him, and all the other improvements are the work of his hands. His two hundred acres are carefully cultivated and his annual yield is very satisfactory.

On March 13, 1889, Mr. Roby married Miss Catherine Schroeder,, born in Germany, who came to the United States when nineteen years old, whose people came to Hall County in 1881. To this marriage the following children have been born : John, who lives with his own family in Center township, Hall County ; Anna, the wife of Alfred Werner, lives at Doniphan; Bernhardt, who lives with his family in Washington township; Linda, at home; Johanna, the wife of Emil Lucht, of Cairo, Nebraska; and Ida, Daniel and Irma, all of whom live at home. Mr. Roby is a good citizen and is interested in everything that promises to benefit Hall County, but he is not active in politics and belongs to no political party. He decides public questions for him- self and votes according to his own judgment.

FRANK EWOLDT, a well known resident and highly respected farmer of Center town- ship, is operating the old homestead that his father secured in 1870, where he was born, November 23, 1876, the son of Claus and Dora (Schroeder) Ewoldt.

The father of Frank Ewoldt was born in Germany, eight miles from Kiel, March 5, 1837, a son of Paul Ewoldt. He came to the United States in 1864 and lived in Davenport, Iowa, until 1870, when he came to Hall County soon buying one hundred and twenty acres of land, subsequently he added to this until at the time of his death he owned one hundred and sixty acres, all of it having been improved through his own industry. He retired in 1909 and bought four lots and a spacious resi-

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dence in Grand Island where he passed his last years in great comfort. His death occurred July 31, 1917. He frequently told his children of his first coming to Hall County and of driv- ing back to Iowa with his span of mules, and when he returned to take up his permanent residence, a railroad had been built. In early time he hauled his grain to market at Fort Kearny. In 1868 he married Dora Schroeder, a native of Germany and a daughter of Fred- erick and Margaret (Stroben) Schroeder, and the following children were born to them: Augusta, who is deceased; Elizabeth, the wife of Paul Mohr, of Montana; Frederick, who is deceased; Dora the wife of Ernest Matthiesen, of Washington township; Frank, who is a farmer in Hall County; Mate, the wife of Frank Schwieger; Paul, who is deceased; Mary, the wife of William Otis, died in Texas leaving four children, three boys and a girl, also three others who died in infancy .; Will- iam, who is deceased; and Frieda, the wife of Fred Dreibus, of Grand Island. The mother resides with Mr. and Mrs. Dreibus.

Since boyhood Frank Ewoldt has been inter_ ested in farm pursuits. In 1901 he rented one hundred and sixty acres of land and operated that until he took charge of the old homestead, which he rents and conducts very successfully. In 1901 he married Miss Daisy Graham, and they have had four children, the only survivor being Frank, a manly youth of fourteen years who is attending school. The Ewoldts are all prominent and substantial people, making no particular display but possessing solid qualities.

AUGUST SCHOEL, a member of a very prominent family in Hall County, which lo- cated here in an early day and has always been respected and esteemed, is a successful farmer and stockraiser in Center township. His par- ents were Henry and Mary (Becker) Schoel, natives of Germany, who after coming to the United States lived for a short time in Iowa. In 1857 they came farther west to Hall County where Henry Schoel homesteaded near Grand Island. They had four sons, all of whom are farmers in Hall County: Charles, northeast of Grand Island; Fred, on the old homestead; William, near Alda; and August, on section thirty-two Center township.

August Schoel began to assist his father on the farm when he was a schoolboy, for in those days, when there was little labor saving ma- chinery to be procured, the industry of all hands was needed. Mr. Schoel, like other members of his family, is in independent cir-

cumstances, owning a finely improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres.

On March 12, 1899, Mr. Schoel married Miss Emma Luth, a daughter of Fred and Minnie Luth, who reside in Hall County, southwest of Alda. Mr. and Mrs. Schoel have an adopted son, Charles Schoel, now aged nine years, who has found a good home and kind foster parents.

JOHN THOMSSEN, a representative citi- zen of Hall County, having large business interests and at times having served in offices of trust and responsibility, belongs to one of the real pioneer families of this section. His father settled here in 1855 or 1856, when the entire county was practically a wilderness.

John Thomssen was born in Hall County, May 6, 1870, the son of John and Anna (Stehr) Thomssen, natives of Holstein, Ger- many. Both came young to the United States, the father in 1860 and the mother in 1857. Of their five children, John was the youngest, the others being: Henry, who died when about forty-seven years old ; William, a farmer in Hall County; Fred, who lives in Hall County ; and Emma, the wife of John Scholtz. The parents were people of industry and thrift and uncomplainingly endured the many hard- ships that pertained to pioneer life. The father took up a homestead and kept adding to his original farm until, at the time of his death, he owned eight hundred and forty acres of finely improved land. While he was well known as a shrewd and careful business man. he was also known as a man whose word was as good as his bond. His mother is still living in Alda at the age of eighty-four, one of the four surviving women of the original thirteen in the colony that settled here in 1857.

John Thomssen attended the country schools and grew up on the old homestead where he afterward engaged in farming. In 1895 he was called from the farm to public office, hav- ing been appointed deputy county treasurer. in which position he served four years, when he was elected county treasurer and continued to engage in public business for two years longer. When he retired from the treasurer's office he returned to the farm and interested himself for the following seven years in agri- cultural pursuits. In the meanwhile, however, he made plans to enter business in Alda, and in 1909, when he had perfected them he founded the Alda State Bank, since which time he has given his attention to financial affairs entirely. The working capital of the

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bank is ample, capital stock being $12,000 with surplus $8,000. The establishing of this bank filled a definite need and its affairs are well managed by Mr. Thomssen and his asso- ciates, who command public confidence.

Mr. Thomssen married Miss Christina Qlt- mann, who was born in Hall County, a daugh- ter of John Oltmann, an old settler in this sec- tion. Mr. and Mrs. Thomssen have three sons : Eli, Emil and Arthur, aged respectively eleven, nine and five years. The family attends the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Thomssen has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for many years and belongs also to the order of Highlanders.

EDWIN F. NEWTON. - Each passing year marks the thinning of the ranks of the pioneers of Hall County, who journeyed here in covered wagons to live in sod houses while the first hard years of preparation and culti- vation were being passed. Real interest at- taches to the careers of these venerable men, for they were the forerunners of the civiliza- tion that has since been brought about ; theirs was the first work of development, which had to be done before Hall could take its place among the fertile, productive agricultural counties of the West. While he was not among the earliest settlers, Edwin F. Newton shared in the hardships, and passed through the same discouragements that beset those who first located. His arrival in Hall County was in 1887, but his early years here were attended by all the experiences that made life for the pioneers at the same time strenuous and inter- esting.

Mr. Newton was born November 26, 1849, in Painesville, Ohio, a son of Nathan B. and Margaret Newton, the former born in Ohio, August 29, 1819, and the latter in the same state, December 29, 1822. Following their marriage, the parents removed to Illinois, and subsequently to Seward County, Nebraska, where the wife and mother passed away in 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Newton drove from Illi- nois to Nebraska in a covered wagon. They lived in Seward County during the grasshop- per scourge. In that year Nathan B. Newton came to Hall County, but after a short resi- dence removed to Iowa, where his death oc- curred in 1894, when he had reached the ripe age of seventy-five years. In his younger years he had followed the life of a sailor but after leaving the sea learned the trade of a brick mason, but in later life took up farming a vocation in which he won a measure of suc-

cess by reason of his industry, while at the same time he attained and held the friendship and esteem of those with whom he came into contact.

Edwin F. Newton was educated in the pub- lic schools and grew to manhood as a farmer's son. He married in Wisconsin, in 1872, Miss Melissa Robbins who was born in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, June 27, 1855, a daughter of Welcome and Mahala (Willits) Robbins. Mr. Robbins, who was a miner in Illinois, died at the age of eighty-one years in that state, while Mrs. Robbins passed away at the age of sixty- four years. Following their union, Mr. and Mrs. Newton resided in Seward County, Ne- braska, and were engaged in farming until 1887, at which time they took up their resi- dence in a sod house, or "soddy." For several years they resided thus, while Mr. Newton was engaged in doing preliminary work on his eighty acre tract, but eventually the little struc- ture that they had known as home was re- placed by a more pretentious residence, and this later also gave way to a comfortable dwel- ling, with which were made other improve- ments, both as to structures and machinery. The farm is now a model one and during his active years Mr. Newton cultivated the soil in a manner that made it highly productive. He died December 23, 1918, and the farm is now operated by his son. Mr. Newton is a Democratic voter and a member of the Modern Brotherhod of America.

Mr. and Mrs. Newton have been the par- ents of seven children: Alice, now Mrs. Beer- up of Garden County, Nebraska ; Minnie, now Mrs. Rickard of Hall County; Leon, now Mrs. Siebers of Chappel, Nebraska; Mabel, now Mrs. Searson, of Hall County ; Charles, who resides at home and operates the farm; Jessie, who is deceased; and Macyl, Mrs. Hammond, of Davenport, Iowa.

JASPER EGGERS. - Some men are des- tined never to leave the ordinary paths of life, but in pursuing simple and homely duties along them to accomplish as much perhaps as those whose responsibilities carry them into larger fields. One of the men who for years worked faithfully and well as a farmer and did much to raise agricultural standards in Hall County, is Jasper Eggers, who is now living in comfortable retirement in his home in Grand Island.

Mr. Eggers was born in Holstein, Germany, July 24, 1848, a son of Jasper Eggers, a gen- eral farmer who never left that country. Mr.

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MR. AND MRS. JASPER EGGERS

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Eggers's mother, who died when he was two years old, was, prior to her union with his father, a Miss Behrens. Educated in the public schools of his native land, Mr. Eggers had just passed his majority when he set sail for the United States. His first location was in Davenport, Iowa, where he worked on a farm for three years, but in 1872 came to Hall County and homesteaded eighty acres in Harrison township. To this he later added by purchase one hundred and sixty acres, and still owns this tract of two hundred and forty acres, all under a splen- · did state of cultivation and with permanent and modern improvements installed by him. He now has his farm rented and is living re- tired in his home at 721 West Louisa street, Grand Island. Mr. Eggers was a most in- dustrious and painstaking agriculturist, won his success solely through individual effort, and at the same time obtained and held the esteem and confidence of those with whom he came in contact.

Mr. Eggers was united in marriage with Miss Lena Vitt, a native of Germany, where her parents were also born. Mr. and Mrs. Eggers have had no children. Mrs. Eggers died and in 1912 Mr. Eggers married Christine Oltmann, a native of Schleswig-Holstein who came to America when twenty-five years of age. They are faithful members of the Lutheran church. In past years Mr. Eggers has been a Democrat, but is inclining toward the socialist ticket.

EARL A. MECHAM. - Many of the sub- stantial and rapidly progressing agriculturists of Hall County are those who either own or are carrying on operations on the homesteads taken up and formerly operated by their fath- ers, and in this class is found Earl A. Mecham, of Center township. He has been a resident of Hall County since the spring of 1907, and during the period that has intervened has made rapid strides toward the attainment of success and high standing.

Earl A. Mecham was born at Kenesaw, Adams County, Nebraska, June 30, 1884, a son of Clinton P. Mecham, a sketch of whose career will be found on another page of this work. He was given the educational training securable in the public schools of Adams County, then attended the agricultural school of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln from which he graduated. He was brought up as a farmer's son, his boyhood and youth being passed in assisting his father in the work of the home place. Mr. Mecham came to Hall

County in the spring of 1907, and since that time has been engaged in general farming, at present being engaged in tilling one hundred and twenty acres of land belonging to his father, in section 7, Center township. Like other progressive men of his calling, Mr. Mecham uses modern methods. The funda- mental industry of farming is becoming gen- erally recognized as being so important as to loom up large among other vocations of the world, and not only are all the leading colleges and universities including agricultural depart- ments in their courses of study, but there are numerous educational institutions practically devoted to agriculture alone. The government of each state, following the policy, of the national government, is giving attention to the encouragement of farmers, and the men who till the soil are feeling the effect of this uni- versal impetus and working accordingly. With such examples, Mr. Mecham feels secure in the advisability and wisdom of using the most modern methods and machinery, and the re- sults that he is obtaining from such a course substantiate his faith. Mr. Mecham takes an independent stand in regard to political ques- tions, but is a supporter of good movements which benefit his community. The family be- longs to the Methodist church at Alda.

Mr. Mecham married in Hastings, Ne- braska, November 27, 1907, Nettie Ball, who was born in Adams County, September 26, 1886, a daughter of Daniel and Laura Ball, who are now residents of Hastings. Mr. Ball was born in 1854, at Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana, and up to the time of his retirement was an educator, teaching in schools at various places in the country, but prin- cipally at Kenesaw and Hastings, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Mecham are the parents of four children: Marion, who was born in 1911; Florence, who was born in 1914; La- vonne, who was born in 1915, and Lucile, who was born in 1917.

JOHN W. DANGLER has been a resident of Hall County since 1906. Mr. Dangler belongs to the progressive class of men who are always eager to improve their properties according to the latest improved standards. In answer to his efforts the soil of this sec- tion makes quick response. He has not only been successful and progressive in his personal affairs, but as a citizen has been quick to sup- port movements which are calculated to benefit his locality.

John W. Dangler was born in Logan County, Illinois, August 26, 1867, a son of Digitized by

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Daniel and Martha (Quisenberry) Dangler. The father was born in Ohio, November 30, 1843. As a young man he went to Logan County, Illinois, where he married a native of that county and settled down to a career in farming. After many years passed there, in 1882 he came to Hamilton County and pur- chased a quarter-section of land. On this he followed farming until his retirement, since which event he has been making his home with his son. Mr. and Mrs. Dangler were the par- ents of three children : John W .; Anna, who resides at Fall City, Nebraska, and Belle, who is married and a resident of Newton, Iowa.

John W. Dangler was educated in the public schools of Logan County, Illinois, where he grew to manhood and engaged in farming. He was still a young man when he removed to Hamilton County, Nebraska, and settled down to a career as a general farmer. For the business of farming he was singularly fitted by nature, training and inclination. After several years in Hamilton County he bought land in Hall County, but did not move here until 1906, in which year he settled in section 10, Wood River township, where he has since made his home. At this time he is the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of valuable, productive and highly cultivated land, where he raises the standard crops and also engages in stockraising to some extent. He has a commodious and comfortable home, attractive and substantial barns and outbuild- ings and other modern improvements. The general air of prosperity which surrounds his farm testifies to his good management.

Mr. Dangler married in Hamilton County, Nebraska, December 26, 1900, Miss Etta Davison, born in Hall County, September 11, 1881. They are the parents of several chil- dren : Blanche E., Ethel M., Percy A., Leonard A. and Thelma O. For a sketch of the par- ents of Mrs. Davison, the reader is referred to the review of Henry Davison, to be found on another page of this work. Mr. Dangler is a Republican in his political affiliation. A man who has never spared himself in working ahead, keen to embrace every opportunity, and able to plan good business combinations, he is one of the capable men of the Wood River Valley. He holds and merits the confidence of his associates. He and Mrs. Dangler are consistent members of the Methodist church.

EBER PAULK .- Hall County land has proved an excellent investment of both time and money, and those foresighted enough to secure farms before prices increased to their

present quotations have been able to acquire a competence commensurate with their labors. One or those in the past whose good judg- ment in securing a location made it possible for him to pass his declining years in the midst of advantages and comfortable surroundings and left his family in excellent financial cir- cumstances was the late Eber Paulk. His death occurred at his home in Wood River township April 20, 1919.

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History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 119

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