History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 97

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 97

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).

Edwin A. Jones was born at Diamond Springs, Morris County, Kansas, December 26, 1873. He attended the public schools of Chase County, Kansas, and the Salina Normal University, at Salina, Kansas. After leaving school he taught for four years. He then be- came acquainted and connected with the Singer Sewing Machine Company and in 1903 moved to Grand Island to take charge of the com- pany's business at that place, remaining with the company for five years, following this he ized by

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JOHN ELLSWORTH

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CHARLES F. BENTLEY

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was western traveler for Tryber Piano Com- pany five years. In 1913 he accepted .the management of the Gaston Music Company and is at the present time connected with this well known establishment. Mr. Jones has kept well abreast of the times in music develop- ment and recognizes the special demands brought about in the public taste by the changed and changing social conditions. He has made it his business to see that the com- pany has issued and handled the very best productions.

In 1903 Mr. Jones married Miss Georgia L. Collins, who was born at Hot Springs, Arkansas. They have five children : Edwin A. a representative of the Gaston Music Com- pany; Mabelle Gertrude, a highly educated young lady, whe teaches in the Grand Island High school; Estel O., who entered military service February 9, 1918, was released and re- turned home the following December after special taining at Princeton University; and Bertram W., who is in school. One child died in infancy.

Mr. Jones is a member of the Odd Fellow and Modern Woodmen lodges.

ALBERT V. D. HEYDE, for years one of Grand Island's active business men, has been prominent also in civic affairs. Six years he served as a member of the city council, repre- senting the third ward, and for one year was president of this important body. Although now living retired, he has not lost his interest in what concerns Grand Island, and still retains ownership of valuable real estate in this city.

Mr. Heyde was born at Pyrmont, Germany, November 13, 1862, one of a family of six chil- dren born to George and Mannie (Snitker) Heyde, both natives of the Fatherland. The father of Mr. Heyde was a cigar manufac- turer, and both he and his wife belonged to the Lutheran church. He died in Germany in 1886, at the age of fifty-six years. The vener- able mother still lives in her old home in Germany. It may be mentioned here that her son Albert, accompanied by his wife, paid her a visit in 1913. She was then eighty-six years old. Of her four living children there are two in the United States : Albert V. D. who lives at Grand Island; and Lena, whose home is in New York.

Albert V. D. Heyde obtained his education in his native land before coming to the United States in 1883 and the year following worked as a carpenter at St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1884 he came to Grand Island, spending the winter cutting ice on the Platte river at $1.20 a day.

After a short time he entered the employ of the Burlington Railroad as a builder when the bridge was constructed across the Platte river. For a number of years subsequently he fol- lowed a contracting business in Grand Island. During 1893-1895 he conducted a retail liquor business at Chapman, and also was in the meat business there. During 1896 he engaged in the liquor business in Grand Island, conduct- ing a popular saloon here for many years, and then took the agency for the Dick Brothers Brewing Company, but sold out prior to his visit to Germany in 1913. In earlier days he wes secretary of the Hood and Lader Com- pany and in 1912, assisted in the organization of the Grand Island Brewing Company, of which he was president for three years and is yet a director of the company, which is a large corporation with numerous interests.

In 1887 Mr. Heyde was united in marriage with Miss Amelia Lucas, who was born in Germany, a daughter of August Lucas. Mrs. Heyde's father settled in Brooklyn, New York, when he first came to the United States, but later he took up a homestead in Merrick County, Nebraska, on which the family lived for many years. The following chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Heyde: Anna, the wife of Jesse Calkins, who is in the employ of the government, building docks at Norfolk, Virginia; George, in the United States service as a sailor at Great Lakes; Minnie, the wife of Bliss Springer, a teacher in the commercial department in the high school at Grand Island; Ella, bookkeeper for a Grand Island busi- ness firm; Albert, who entered military ser- vice in June; 1918. arrived in France, Septem- ber 2, 1918, being attached to the Sixty- seventh coast artillery, and Alice and Her- bert, both of whom are yet in school. All the children have been confirmed in the Lutheran church.

In his political views- Mr. Heyde is a strong Democrat. He has long been identi- fied with the old German societies of a social nature that have been established at Grand Island for many years. He is a member of the Sons of Herman, of which he was president four years and grand president of the State of Nebraska. He also is a member of the Liederkranz society, of which he has been a trustee.

HENRY H. FALLDORF for many years was active in business in Grand Island as a contractor, now lives somewhat retired, re- siding in a handsome residence on South Digitized by

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Locust street, which he completed in 1907. He owns valuable farm property adjacent to Grand Island and is regarded as one of the capitalists of Hall County.

Mr. Falldorf was born in Hanover, Germany, September 7, 1864, the second born in a family of three children. His father, Henry Falldorf, also a native of Germany, came to Hall County, Nebraska, in 1873, be- ing engeged in farming until he retired to Grand Island in 1903, where he still resides, having reached his eighty-sixth year. The mother of Mr. Falldorf, Mrs. Mary (Mor- man) Falldorf, was born in Germany and died there in 1872. Their three children were named Fred. Henry H., and Annie. Fred Falldorf died in 1918, at the age of sixty- three years. Annie is the wife of M. Riefers, of Boulder, Colorado.

Henry H. Falldorf attended school in Germany and afterward in Hall County. He learned the stairbuilder's trade, a vocation he followed for twenty years, when he became a general contractor, and now points with pardonable pride to many handsome substan- tial buildings in Grand Island, for the con- struction of which he was responsible, among which may be named the following: the Grand Island Library building, the new Hall County Courthouse, and extensive business blocks and private residences. In addition to the local structures he also was the contractor for the exceptionally fine high school build- ing at Norfolk, Nebraska. Recently he re- tired from active business, taking with him a reputation for business integrity and per- sonal honesty.

In 1887 Mr. Falldorf united in marriage with Miss Mary Timpke, who was born at Grand Island, a daughter of Henry Timpke, a pioneer farmer of Hall County. They have had two children : Amelia, the wife of Albert Hein; a farmer in Merrick County, Nebraska, and Fred, who died at the age of thirteen. Mr. and Mrs. Falldorf were reared in the Lutheran church and attended there. In poli- tics he is a Republican, as is his fatner. He belongs to the Low German social organiza- tions in the city, and is identified also with the Masons and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

RICHARD GOEHRING, JR., an enter- prising and popular young business man of Grand Island, bears the name of his honored father, a sketch of whom is found in this work.

Richard Goehring was born in Grand Island, August 18, 1887. He was educated in the

public schools of his native city, subsequently taking a business course in the Baptist Col- lege in Grand Island. His industrial training was thorough and practical and when but twenty-three years old he became associated with such carpenters and contractors as Will- iam C. Southmann and E. J. Voss. In 1910 they built the Hedding building and other large structures in Grand Island. After dis- posing of his interests here Mr. Goehring went to Columbus, Nebraska, where for three years he was the manager of the lumber yards of G. H. Hoagland Company, but in 1914 he re- turned to Grand Island as manager of the George A. Hoagland lumber interests here. A large wholesale lumber business is carried on and great credit is due Mr. Goehring for the excellently organized system that prevails. The greater part of his time is devoted to this business although he is additionally inter- ested in some other directions, being secre- tary and treasurer of the Central Storage Company.

In March, 1911, Mr. Goehring married Miss Ina Kaiser, who was born in Hastings, Adams County, Nebraska. Her father George Kaiser, was formerly an electrician for the Burlington Railroad Company and now occupies the same position with the Oregon Short Line and resides in the state of Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Goehring have one daughter, Helen, who was born August 13, 1913. Mrs. Goeh- ring is a member of the Episcopal church. He is very popular in musical circles in Grand Island. It was mainly through his efforts that a local orchestra was organized which for many years supplied fine music for dances and other entertainments, Mrs. Goehring also be- ing an accomplished musician. Mr. Goehring belongs to a number of fraternal organizations including the Elks, the Eagles and the Lieder- kranz. He is a foremost member of the Y. M. C. A. and has been earnest in his efforts to further the work of this great and helpful organization in the year just closing.

AUGUST BECKER is one of the younger generation who is making a success of agri- cultural pursuits in operating the old home place in Washington township. He is a native of Hall County, his natal day being April 4, 1876, a son of Fritz Becker, a record of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume.

February 27, 1901 August Becker was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Ewoldt, like her husband a native of Hall County, a daughter of Cay and Elizabeth Ewoldt, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this vol-

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T. M. HAINLINE

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ume. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Becker has been blessed with five children, whose names are: Alfred, Matilda, Bertha, Bernard and Walter, all of whom are at home.

Mr. Becker is engaged in general farming and the raising of Poland China hogs and Short Horn cattle, both branches of his busi- ness bringing him good annual returns. His place is well equipped having been improved by his father, the barn being one of the land- marks of the neighborhood, its erection hav- ing been made more than forty years ago.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Lutheran church, and Mr. Becker is serv- ing his school district as treasurer, holding this responsible position for the last seven years. The family are held in the highest esteem, and their friends to-day are they who have known them since childhood.

JAMES MICHELSON was one of the pioneers of Hall County and for many years was an active force in the business affairs of Grand Island. He was a native of Den- mark where he grew to manhood and mar- ried. He and his wife were members of wealthy families and were both well educated. About the time of the Civil War he decided to try his fortune in America. Not as many emigrants who had only the money to pay their passage across the waters, James Michel- son was well provided with capital and to add to the comforts of the family two maid serv- ants were brought along. Arriving at Omaha he purchased an outfit consisting of a spring wagon, a team and provisions and taking his family with him located in Montana where he engaged in the sheep business. He hired as interpreter a scout and from this man learned to speak the Indian, French and Eng- lish languages. After spending two or three years in Montana he returned to Omaha where he built up a blacksmithing enterprise and found it very profitable shoeing horses for the soldiers. On his way west he had passed through Hall County and was very favorably impressed with the country so he returned to establish himself in the blacksmith business at a time when both horses and oxen were brought in to be shod. When the Union Pacific Railroad was being built Mr. Michelson found it profitable to supply ties for the construction of the road. He had purchased land with trees on it and the entire supply of timber was converted into ties for the railroad com- pany. The second hotel in Grand Island was erected by Mr. Michelson; "The Nebraska House" will be remembered by many of the

older settlers. He also followed mercantile pursuits for many years, being prosperous in all of his undertakings. At one time he was the heaviest tax payer in Hall County.

He was a Republican in politics and a liberal contributer to churches and all worthy enter- prises. In his native land he had served nine years in the Danish army and fought for his country in the war with Germany. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and ex- emplified the benevolent spirit of that craft in his daily life.

In this family were six children: Laurena, married Joseph Killian and is now a widow residing in San Bernardino, California ; Carrie Maria, residing in California, is the wdow of James Lambert, who was one of the first engineers on the Union Pacific Railroad; Anker, who passed away in 1894, was for many years a conductor on the Union Pacific Railroad; McLena, now Mrs. Wilkins, resides in Grand Island; Fred, who was born in Grand Island, in 1864, is now engaged in the real estate business in that city; and Rose Minnie, born in Idaho, is deceased.

The above record has been furnished by the daughter of this pioneer settler who ac- companied the family to Grand Island. She was united in marriage to Edward B. Hirst who died in August, 1880. Of this marriage there were four children: Anker Hirst, a res- ident of Tulsa, Oklahoma, a machinist em- ployed by an oil company; Fred, one of the organizers and member of the Sapho Chemical Company, died in St. Louis in 1913; Edward W., a mining promoter, also a member of the chemical company, residing at Mansfield. Missouri, and George, who had just entered college when he passed away in 1899.

January 25th, 1886, Mrs. Hirst was mar- ried to Mr. M. H. Wilkins, a native of Bristol, England. He was brought to the United States by his parents when one year old. the home being established in Utica, New York, later in St. Joseph, Missouri. Mr. Wilkins learned the machinist's trade which he fol- lowed until he retired in 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins are the parents of two children ; Vina Meta, married Charles Conklin, a salesman for the Nebraska Mercantile Company, and Isaac James, a partner with his father in the man- agement of the billiard parlors.

HERMAN C. GOEHRING, who is one of the substantial men of Prairie Creek town- ship, Hall County, owns a large body of well improved land where he carries on general farming and stockraising. He was born in

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Germany, in 1865, the son of Ernest W. and Katherine (Easser) Goehring, who emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1874. The father died in 1892, when aged sixty-nine years, and the mother in 1911, at the hale old age of eighty-four years. Of their five chil- dren Herman C. was the second in order of birth, the others being: Richard; Ernest, who lives retired at Ravenna, Nebraska; Lena, a resident of Buffalo County, Nebraska, and Paul, who lives at Sheridan, Wyoming.

Herman C. Goehring was nine years old when he accompanied his parents to Nebraska where his father took up a homestead in Buffalo County, which he improved so that his farm was one of the finest in this locality. He was a well educated man and believed in the principles of the Socialist party as they were understood in his day. He was a faith- ful member of the Lutheran church. Herman C. Goehring had attended school in Germany and had further educational advantages after coming to Nebraska. He remained in Buffalo County until 1913 when he sold his interests there and removed to Hall County, purchas- ing a well improved farm of 160 acres, to which he has added from time to time until he now owns 320 acres. He has always been careful in his farming and stockraising as a result of which he has been signally success- ful in this chosen vocation ..

In 1893 Mr. Goehring was united in mar- riage to Miss Hulda Wutcler, who was born in Germany and came to the United States with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Goehring have had ten children born to them, those whom survive being: Emma, the wife of Richard Schroeder, of Hall County ; Clemens, who is at home; William, who is operating one of his father's farms; Lida, who resides at home; Rose, the wife of Louis Biering, a farmer in Hall County, and Elsie, Fred, Frieda and Richard, all of whom are at home. Two otheres died in infancy. Mr. Goehring and his family belong to the Lutheran church. In politics he is a Republican and while living in Buffalo County served as school treasurer. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen lodge in Grand Island.

MAX GREENBERGER, a man of enter- prising and progressive personality who illus- trates what energy and application to business can accomplish is representative of Grand Is- land's prospering business men, conducting a first class tailoring establishment and haber- dashery, with attractive quarters on one of the leading business streets of this city. He

has beeen a resident of the United States since 1883.

Mr. Greenberger was born in Hungary, the son of Samuel and Frediel (Berkowitz) Greenberger, who still live in their native land, where the father is a merchant. In 1883 he visited the United States and remained one year looking over business prospects but de- cided to return to Europe. Of his family of twelve children eight are living and four of these are in the United States : Samuel, vice- president of the Grand Island Culvert works; Max, in business in Grand Island; Anna, the wife of J. Berkwitz, associated with Mr. Greenberger in business, and Rose, who is a nurse and now detailed to hospital work in New Jersey. The family is of the Jewish faith.

Max Greenberger attended school in his native land, until he was twelve years old when he began to learn the tailor's trade. As he grew older he sought better business oppor- tunities and to find them came to the United States in 1883, landing in the city of New York. He found countrymen there, and re- mained one year in the metropolis to become accustomed to new world methods before mak- ing his way to Omaha, Nebraska, in which city he remained until 1907, when he came to Grand Island. For one year he worked at his trade for John Alexander, then embarked in the tailoring business for himself, and, as he saw a favorable opening, added a haber- dasher's stock. Being a keen business man as well as a skillful tailor, Mr. Greenberger has built up a very profitable trade connection, while his circle of friends is constantly en- larging because of his honest methods and courteous manner.

In 1905 Mr. Greenberger married Miss Flora Graetz, who was born in the state of New York. They have two children : Louise and Miriam. The family attends the Jewish synagogue and keeps up the observances of their religious faith. Mr. Greenberger be- longs to the Masonic fraternity but practically takes no part in politics.

WILLIAM SHEFFEL, one of Grand Is- land's most respected residents and influential business men, has claimed this city as his home for the past thirty-four years. His life has been one of great industry, by which he has gained well earned prosperity.

William Sheffel was born at Baden, Ger- many, March 19, 1863, His parents were Jacob and Sophia (Kranmer) Sheffel, the former of whom was born in Germany in 1830,

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and died there in 1903; the latter, born in 1835, died in 1905. The father's trade was that of a stonecutter. They had six children, two of whom live in the United States, these being Jacob and William. The parents reared their children in the Lutheran church. In his native land, William Sheffel attended school and then worked under his father until he was eighteen years old, learning the trade of stone mason. Realizing broader opportunities were open for young men in the new world he left his native country for that "land of prom- ise," America, coming to the United States. For three years he worked for an aunt, who resided at Alexandria, Virginia, but decided to carve his own course and in 1885 he came to Grand Island, Nebraska, and for thirty two years engaged in stone contracting.

Since 1917 he has been in the monument business. His yards are situated on the corner of Clearburn and West Point streets. Mr. Sheffel has been concerned for over a quarter of a century in almost all of the important stone and brick construction work in Grand Island. This has been accorded to him be- cause of his expert knowledge of stone and stone work. He has cut and placed many monuments. At the same time he has con- tinued his work along other important lines.

In 1889 William Sheffel married Miss Mary Scroeder, who was born in Canada. Their family consists of four children: Katie, the wife of Erich Meyer of Grand Island; Carl, in business with his father, a civil engineer who has recently returned from Nitre, West Virginia where he built a power plant ; Flora, who lives at home; Tillie, who also lives at home; and William, who is a student in the high school. Mr. Sheffel's first wife died in 1906 and a year later he married Miss Katie Rickman who was born in Illinois, a daughter of Christofer Rickman, a pioneer in Buffalo County. Mr. and Mrs. Sheffel have two chil- dren: Rudolph and Louis. They are attend- ing school and both are doing well.

Mr. Sheffel was for five years a member of the board of education. Also, he served as chief of a volunteer fire department for four years, and of which he has been a member for twenty-nine years.

JULIUS REESE. - One of the few trades in which factory work has not yet been able to equal skilled hand work, is harnessmaking, and in the shop of Julius Reese, No. 215 West Second street, Grand Island, may be found some fine specimens that have been turned out by the owner. He is an expert workman and

conducts the only exclusive shop of this kind in the city, having established a general harness business here in 1902.

Mr. Reese was born September 26, 1880, at Kiel, Germany. His parents are Christian and Margaret (Kruse) Reese the former of whom was born in Germany, May 7, 1852, and the latter in October, 1852. They came to America and to Hall County, Nebraska, in 1884. The father works in Grand Island as a tailor for A. W. Sterne. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and is a Socialist in his political views. Of his five children, the following are living: Julius, residing in Grand Island; Anna, who is the wife of Louis Poff, a steamfitter in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad in Grand Island; Elizabeth, the wife of H. B. Alexander, a machinist in Grand Island; and William who is a mail clerk in Grand Island.

Julius Reese was but a child when his par- ents left their native land for America, soon after which they located in Grand Island. He obtained his education in this city and after- ward learned the harnessmaking trade. There is a great demand for such work as he turns out and he has prospered in his chosen busi- ness to a most satisfactory extent. Like many other Germans, he has a talent for music, be- longing to bands and orchestras, and takes an active part in the Liederkranz and Platts- deutchen social organizations. He is also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

In 1906, Julius Reese married Miss Marie Mollie Rickert, who was born at Grand Island, her father, Jacob Rickert, was an early settler here and shoemaker by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Reese have four children : Florence, Frederick, Dorothy and Lorraine. The members of the family are identified with the Lutheran church.

ALBERT THARP. - A busy, eventful, useful life has been that enjoyed by one of Grand Island's most esteemed citizens, Albert Tharp, who came to Thomas County, Ne- braska in 1887, and in 1884 established him- self in business in Grand Island. Business success has attended him, and many calls to public office have indicated the confidence re- posed in him by his fellow citizens. He is an honored veteran of the Civil War, and has served as commander of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is a member.

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History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 97

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