USA > Nebraska > Seward County > History of Seward County, Nebraska, and reminiscenses of territorial history > Part 53
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Nicholas Wullenwaber and Wife
A German born lad that found the way to the United States when twelve years old to find a better home. Was born February 20, 1845 in Prussia. In 1869, we find the young man in Taswell County, Illinois where he found a girl from the Fatherland, Miss Hannah Shoemaker. Uncle Nick talked very nice to her and she consented to be his bride and they were married, February 7, 1869. She was born in Prussia, June 10, 1848. They have six children, viz: Frederick N., Sophia, Maria, now Mrs. D. Brainard ; Minnie, now Mrs. W. A. Blunkenship; Augusta and Bertha.
Mr. Wullenwaber came to Seward County in 1876 and settled in "K" precinct, where he improved a model farm. Some years ago he moved to Seward and engaged in the implement trade but has now re- tired and is taking life easy, enjoying the fruits of a well spent life.
Mr. Wullenwaber is rather a model citizen wide-awake, full of enter- prise. We wish we had ten thousand just like him. He is a member
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
of the Modern Woodman. The church home of the family is with the Evangelical church.
PHILIP WULLENWABER
Another plucky German lad that crossed the deep sea at nine years of age. Was born April 20, 1849. His parents settled in Taswell County, Illinois in 1858. There Philip grew to manhood and married Miss Elsie Hendricks, November 30, 1872. She was a German girl that came from the old home in childhood, born July 21, 1849.
They are the parents of nine children, viz: Philip P. N., who died near Seward at eighteen, Annie E., now Mrs. C. Gembler; William A., Emma, now Mrs. O. Hoos; Lewis H., Julia, now Mrs. A. Eckles ; Lucy, Henry and Frederick C. They came to Seward County in 1877 and settled in "K" town on section 23, on railroad land, where Mr. Wullenwaber has a most excellent farm and well improved. He is one of our enterprising wide-awake citizens. Has a membership in the M. W. A.
F. N. Wullenwaber
This young man came to Seward County, when a lad of seven sum- mers, in 1877, and grew to manhood on his father's farm southwest of
197
HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
Seward. After getting all the good possible out of the country schools, he spent two years at the Seward high school. . Commenced business with his father in the farm implement trade at Seward in 1894, and in the spring of 1904, became the sole proprietor and is doing a large busi- ness. It is very pleasing to note the steady advancement of this Sew- ard County boy to the prominent place he holds among the business men of this city.
Mrs. F. N. Wullenwaber
Was married to Miss Lena A. Bechtel of Seward, at Omaha, June 8, 1898. These young people both were born in Illinois. Mrs. Wullenwaber came to Seward County when fourteen years old. The future historian may name their children. We can't wait to do that.
THOMAS M. WIMBERLEY
One of the lads that played on the streets of Seward in the long ago. Is now one of the live real estate men of University Place, Ne- braska. He was born in Christian County, Illinois, but was sharp enough to find Nebraska in his early childhood. Came to light and life, October 2, 1859.
When Thomas got big enough he won the heart of Miss Ina E. Haynes of Butler County and was married, December 3, 1883. She was
198
HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
born among the everlasting hills of York state, April 27, 1865, and came to Nebraska in early childhood. They have one daughter, Miss Bertha May.
AUGUST ZALMAN
This energetic young German was born, August 14. 1880, in Shelby County, Illinois. Came to Nebraska when eight years old, and with the parents made his home at Blue Hill, and in 1901 came to Ger- mantown, where he captured a young widow, Mrs. Lillie Tucker, No- vember 15, 1902. She was a Nebraska born girl of Nuckols County, born in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Zalman are members of the Lutheran church.
JOHN ZIMMERER
Has been fully identified with the interests of Seward and the county since it was a small village in 1873, when a mere boy came here with the firm of Bishoff & Zimmerer as chore boy and clerk. His older brother, Anton Zimmerer. being one of the firmn. Some years later John was admitted to the firm as partner. His business ability developed rapidly and it was not long till he was placed in full control of their large and expanding business. John proved so faithful to every trust that he soon was acknowledged as one of the leading business men of the hustling young city. His success was a prodigy. Before ten years had past he became sole proprietor of one of the largest hard- ware houses in central Nebraska. He built one of the best double bus- iness blocks of the city on Seward street and filled it from cellar to roof with merchandise.
Mr. Zimmerer takes a leading part in enterprises of his city and is part owner of the great cereal mills besides he is a land owner and much interested in agriculture. We could heartily wish for a hundred just such men with judgment and energy to make things move. Young men of Seward County please learn a lesson from this German lad that worked for five dollars per month in his boyhood and saved fifty dollars the first year and sent the same to his father in payment for money borrowed to pay his way to America in 1868. Mr. Zimmerer was born in Germany in 1854. He came to this county in 1873 and has grown to be a man of wealth. Was a charter member of the First National Bank of Seward and of the Building and Loan association.
Was married May 17. 1881, to Miss Philomena Sand. She was born in Atchison County, Missouri, Jannary 10, 1859. Her parents moved to Nebraska City in 1860, where she grew to womanhood, however she spent some years in Europe in school. Mrs. Zimmerer is an accom- plished lady and is high minded and energetic in her church work. She is a leading and valuable member of the Catholic church in Seward.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
DIETRICK ZIMMERMAN
A good type of our German-American citizen. Was born in Han- over, Germany, October 12, 1841. Just as he had filled the requirements of his native country in the common schools, he at fifteen on his own hook, came to America. He had plenty of sea experience on a sail vessel for over seven weeks. Landing at New Orleans, thence he took a ride up the great river to St. Lonis from there to Alton, Illinois, after some farther wandering, he found a home as farm hand at sixty-five dollars per year. Here he began to learn our language. In about eigh . teen months, the green German lad was ready to rent a farm and work for himself When about eighteen, the old folks came over and he en- joyed the parental home until he was twenty-six, when he married Miss Catherine Stillahan. Now he buys a farm of one hundred and fifty-two acres.
In 1871, Mr. Zimmerman sold out his farm and made Nebraska his home, or rather prepared to move and 1872, we find him in "G" pre- cinct. Mr. Zimmerman paid cash for a piece of R. R. land and re- ceived the first deed made by the company in Nebraska. He has met with remarkable success in all his undertakings, and has acenmalated much wealth. He now owns clear of incumberance over thirteen hun- dred acres of valuable farms in Seward and other counties.
Takes great interest in the Agricultural Society, and has been its president. He has from youth been an active member of the Evangeli- cal Lutheran church. Has been a trustee and is now an elder. When a school district was first organized in his district, he was elected treasurer and held the place for nearly thirty years. Cast his first vote for Grant and still adheres to the republican faith. He took out natur- alization papers the day Lincoln was assassinated.
Was married, October 29, 1867, to Miss Stillahan and nine children came to biess the home, viz: Annie D., Sophia M. K., now Mrs. H. Weise; Mary M., Dorotha S., Albert H. D., died in infancy ; Lena D. W., Minnie M., Mettie M. L., and Wilhelm D. H.
The following sketches were received too late to be arranged alphabetically:
W. EDWARD BURKHOLDER
Was born on the banks of the Wabash in the Hoosier state, May 7, 1879. In his youth he learned the photographer's trade and began the career of a wanderer in many lands. Has visited in his business forty- one states. Old Mexico and Central America, where he secured in his brain, a very complete photograph of the Isthmian canal and surround- ings.
Ed. came to Seward County in 1902, and has settled at Milford, where he has a very complete gallery. Where you may secure a fine photograph, an oil painting, a pastel or crayon in first class style.
JONATHAN L. DAVISON
A farmer and stock raiser at Milford. Was born in Limetown,
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
Connecticut, and is the son of Johnathan L., and Sarah M. Davison, the former being of Scotch and Irish descent, the latter, whose maiden name was Miller, of French extraction. The subject of this sketch mnoved to Bloomfield, Ontario County, with his parents when two years of age, and here received a common school education, and afterwards attended the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary.
J. L. Davison
In 1842 was married in New York to Miss Gerusha A. Weeks, who was a native of that state, and in 1847 moved to Dodge County, Wis- consin, where he farmed until 1857, that being the time of his removal to Nebraska. First located on Salt Creek, and took up a claim twelve miles south of Lincoln, working it until 1862, then went to Camden, Seward County, and started a ranch, being one of the very first settlers in the county. During the same year, he was appointed by the Terri- torial Legislature as one of the commissioners to open a road from Ne- braska City to Fort Kearney, which was known as the old Freight Trail and crossed the Blue River at Milford.
Mr. Davison established the first post office at Camden, being the first in the county, and was the first postmaster of the same. Here he lived until April, 1864, then went up the Blue River and took up a home- stead, which forms a part of the present village of Milford.
In 1867, in company with William Reed, he had the site of Milford surveyed and laid out in town lots. Mr. Davison has the honor of being the first Probate Judge in the county.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
In 1884 he moved to Los Cruses, New Mexico, where he purchased a ranch, and operated it for a couple of years. Then sold that and his interests at Milford to J. H. Culver, and moved to California, and now resides at Los Angeles, in that state.
J. A. FLOREN
Was another of the brave lads that was born in old Sweden, but had got his eyes fixed on "old glory, " and when he arrived at the age of manhood, determined to brave the dangers of the deep that he might find a home in this goodly land. He was born, January 8, 1845, and September 15, 1871, we find him the proud possessor of a homestead on section 30, "K" precinct. Three years later, September 2, 1874, he found his best girl, Miss Anna Norin and was married at Seward. She was a Swedish lady born in the Fatherland, December 10, 1845 and came to America in her youth. They have six children, viz: Minnie E., now Mrs. McChestney ; Nettie, Carl F., Jessie, Arthur and Frank.
Mr. Floren and his good wife were highly prized as citizens of Seward County for thirty years, but somehow they have taken up with Red Oak, Iowa and have lived there three years. They belong to the Presbyterian church.
MILTON LANGDON
Was an early pioneer of Lancaster County. The family came to the Salt Basin in May, 1862, and he was one of the men who helped the people of Nebraska to salt during war times. For a time he was a partner with this author in the salt business. Was one of the early county treasurers of Lancaster County.
Took up his residence at Oak Grove in Seward Comty in 1872, and was a manufacturer of lime for many years. He invented a novel fur- nace for burning brick and lime in which hay or straw could be util- ized to great advantage. Mr. Langdon was a man of marked intelli- gence and was known as our walking encyclopedia. He was a most thorough historian. Was born in Warren County, Pennsylvania, April 28, 1823. Found the way to Janesville, Wisconsin, at an early day where he was married to Miss Anna Mitchel, April 26, 1848. Mrs. Lang- don was born near Rochester, New York, April 26, 1821. She went to Janesville when a child and like her husband knew all about pioneer life.
They raised four children, viz: Andrew, Carrie, now Mrs. Hugh Hunter of Omaha ; Kate, now Mrs. Samuel Melick of Lincoln and John. Mrs. Langdon was a most worthy and intelligent christian lady. Mr. Langdon died in December, 1880. His wife survived him nearly four years, and died July 16, 1884, at Seward. Mrs. Langdon joined the Congregational church in her youth. She was a faithful servant of the Master to the end. She was the light of the home, and a blessing to the communities in which she lived.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
CULVER BOYS
Clarence C. Culver was born December 25, 1872. Received a com- mon school education ; attended the state university of Nebraska from 1891 to 1896. Took a course in the military department of the univer- sity, and was a member of Troop A, N. N. G. At the close of his col- lege course he went to Denver and engaged as a cashier for a packing firm.
At the breaking out of the Spanish War, he resigned his position and came back to Milford, and enlisted as a private in the troop which his father commanded. A few days later was made Quartermaster Ser- geant of the regiment, and served as such until the regiment was mus- tered out ; then was sent to Washington by the Colonel to verify the ac- counts of company officers. At the close of this duty, he was sent to Camp Meade, Pennsylvania, to straighten up the accounts of the Quar- termaster of General Coles' brigade. He accompanied the General to Columbia, South Carolina, where he was placed in charge of the Quar- termaster and Commissary Supply Depot. On the muster out of this brigade, he reported back to Washington, and at his own request, was assigned to transport service ; served as Quartermaster Clerk transports running to Savannah, Cuba and New York, until July, 1899, when he was ordered to the Philippines in company with Captain Horton, and was made Division Quartermaster Clerk for General Lawton's division, serving through the campaigns with this officer in Northern Central Luzon, enduring many hardships.
At the close of this tour of duty, he was ordered to Manila, and re- ported to Colonel Miller, Chief Quartermaster. for service, when he was commissioned as 1st. Lientenant, Volunteer, and authorized to or- ganize a troop of Macabe scouts, which he soon accomplished and joined Major Batsen's squadron of Filipino scouts, and operated with this offi- cer through Central Luzon.
Was recommended for a position in the regular service, passing his examination successfully, and was commissioned as second lieutenant of Cavalry and assigned to the 15th Regiment, February 2, 1901. Was soon after sent to Zamboanga, Mindanao, on quartermaster's duty. He was assigned to a Spanish boat, and on a trip of 800 miles, was caught in a typhoon. The officer of the boat being taken sick, he took hold and succeeded in navigating the ship and was quite successful in bring- ing it into port.
He was placed in command of a detachment of cavalry in Colonel Baldwin's advance against the Moros. Returning from this service, he was ordered to Jolo, and reported to his regimental commander for duty. Was health officer during the rage of cholera in that vicinity. This duty was quite arduous and dangerous.
He participated in the various skirmishes and duties devolving upon the officers of this far away post, until the regiment returned to the United States in December, 1903, having heen in the Philippines four years and a half, without experiencing a day's sickness. A portion of
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
the regiment to which he was attached, was sent to Fort Myer, Virginia, where he served until he received the promotion as 1st Lieutenant, and was then transferred to the 3rd U. S. Cavalry, stationed at Fort Assinniboine, Montana, where he is at present on duty as Post Com- missary, Engineer and Signal officer, and Post Exchange officer.
Elwin E. Culver was born at Milford, Nebraska, January 1, 1875. He received a common school education and attended the State univer- sity for two years. He enlisted in Troop A, N. N. G., when he was thirteen years of age, as trumpeter, serving as such and private, cor- poral and elected 2nd. Lieutenant in 1897. Was mustered into the U. S. service with the troop, which became Troop K of the 3rd U. S. Volunteer Cavalry, commanding the troop in the absence of his fath- er, as the 1st. Lieutenant was sick during most of the service.
Returning to Milford at the close of the Spanish War, he engaged in business, which he turned over to his brother Harry, September 1, 1899, and enlisted as a private in Company L. 32nd U. S. Infantry. Was promoted to Corporal, Quartermaster Sergeant, and 1st. Sergeant, serving with his regiment in the Philippine insurrection, which was actively engaged in the Magalang and Tarlac campaigns in Central Luzon against Muscardo in Zambales and Bataan provinces.
Was mustered out with his regiment and returned to active busi- ness life at Milford. Was made assistant cashier of the First National Bank at Sutton, Nebraska, which positon he still holds. He is also Quartermaster of the 2nd Regiment, N. N. G., with the rank of Captain.
Harry H. Culver was born at Milford, Nebraska, January 22, 1880. Attended the common school at Milford also Doane college and State university. He also enlisted in Troop A, N. N. G., serving as Trum- peter, private, corporal and sergeant. Was mustered into the U. S. service with the troop. On reaching Chickamauga, was made Squad- ron Sergeant Major, which position he held until the muster out of the regiment. Near the close of the service, he was taken with typhoid fever, and came very near dying on Lookont mountain, where he was taken for the benefit to be derived from the high altitude and better care. Recovering, he returned home and took up his course of study in the university. The following year, he started on a wheeling trip to Galveston, Texas, where his comrade was taken sick; passed on through the Gulf state, and up the Atlantic coast to New York, break- ing all previous records for long distance riding. He returned to Mil- ford, Nebraska, and took charge of his father's business, and resumed his course of study in the university.
In 1901, he left for the Philippines, engaged in the merchantile business at Olongapa ; then went to Manila, assuming the duties of a reporter on the Manila Times, in which position he made rapid ad- vancement until he reached the head of the reportorial list; then was appointed special agent, Customs Department of the Philippines.
Was married to Miss Eunice Richardson of Lincoln, Nebraska. Af-
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
ter three and a half years' service in the Philippines, was compelled to return to the United States on account of his wife's health. He was assigned to special duty in the customs service at St. Louis and De- troit, which position he resigned last winter to engage in private en- terprise.
Fred D. Culver was born at Milford August 20, 1882. Attended the public schools at Milford. Enlisted as Trumpeter Troop A, N. N. G., at fourteen years of age, and was serving in that capacity when the Spanish War broke out a year after. He was mustered in with the troop, went to Chickamauga, serving a short time as Chief Trumpeter for the regiment; then on the organization of the mounted band, as second cornetist, in which capacity he served until the close of that service. Returning to Milford again, took up his school work, but be- coming restless when his father and brothers entered the Philippine service, begged to join them, and being only sixteen, he was granted special permit by the Secretary of War to enlist. He entered the 32nd Regimental Band, in which organization he served throughout the Phil- ippine service, during the different campaigns in which the regiment was engaged, and during the latter part of the service, was stationd at Bolanga, a low bay town, where he contracted malarial poison, and was discharged two months before the regiment's time expired.
The next year or two was spent in Southern California. Then he returned to Lincoln, took a course of study at the university, and has been assisting his father in the Adjutant General's office.
CHARLES W. AND BRUCE C. BEAVER
Charles W. and Bruce C., sons of Samnel Beaver, Enlisted in the 2nd U. S. Volunteer Engineers, in July, 1898, and went to Cuba, where they were among the first to enter Moro Castle after the sur- render. Charley had charge of the repair work in the fort and other forts in the vicinity. While there the boys secured some valuable rel- ics, among which was a cane made from timber that had been in the old fort two hundred and fifty years. The boys did not get to go to Manilla but were discharged in June, 1899, at Augusta, Georgia. Charley was promoted to the lieutenancy of Company C. Bruce was a musician.
GEORGE W. AND CHARLES PICKEREL
George W. Pickerel enlisted in 39th U. S. Volunteer Infantry in Company H., in 1899 and served on the Island of Luzon and was in two battles and six skirmishes. Served two years and was honorably dis- charged.
Charles enlisted and served two years in Luzon. Was detailed as scout with nine of Company G. He got into close quarters once where the ten boys had a battle with three hundred Filipinos. Thirty of the enemy were killed and eighteen were wounded and the rest were stam- peded. Honorable mention of Charles heroic work was made by his commanding officers.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
INDEX TO PART ONE
Advertiser, Brownville
14
Alexander Majors
30
Antelopes on sight of Lincoln
38
Alone in our glory
49
A bad scare
49
A rough customer
52
A lawyer, first sight of hin
73
An editor appeared in the wilderness
78
A little lecture
74
A little story, saw the devil coming
113
A tough place
114
A motly crew
115
"A" precinct first settled
115
A story of frontier life
125
A great big precinct formed
129
About frozen
135
A young cyclone
138
Alone to tell the tale
145
An advancel step
153
All roads have a turn
154
Acthison and Nebraska bond case
170
A. and N. injunction sustained
170
Another murder
175
A curious feature about Bates' innrder
177
Accidental death near Marysville
179
Another foul murder, Patrick
179
Anderson, Mrs. S. F.
201-203
April blizzard
208
"A" precinct
345
Advocate, history
314
Address at reunion
338
Agricultural Society, its history
345
Assessments and financial condition
354
A story of John and his gun
359
Boundaries of territory
9
Boulware, Colonel
12
Block House
12
Bull Whackers.
30
Boydston, J. L.
33
Bewitchingly beautiful
39
Beautiful grove
39
ยท
206
HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
Baking slap-jacks
42
Burd and the little burds
54
Beanty & Davis
60 64
Bull trains
Ben Holliday, the old stages
67
Beal, Rev. Byron, his scraps
68
Boyd Governor James E. his home
68
Boys pinned together
76
Burt, Gov.
80
Buffalo hunt-Moses
97
Borrowed or bought it-school house
130
Brush, Marcus elected
138
"Behind the clouds"
151
Bonds carried
152
Borrowing money
163
Beckard. Fritz
164
Bonds take a ride to Kansas City
172
Business langnised
175
Bates, William killed
175
Bates, Israel, wounded
176
Brighter skies
180
Bonds, F. E. and M. V.
181
Beaver Crossing comes to the front
182
Beaver Crossing's change of heart
182
Brown, James A., letter
208
"B" precinct by F. M. Timblin .
236
"B" precinct history
246
Blue Valley Record history
291
Blue Valley Record. clippings
294
Beaver Crossing papers ..
315
Banks of Seward county
361
Burlington railroad busines
395
Brick Yard
400
Building and Loan Association
402
Bee
411
California Emigrants
11
Cabanne trading post
12
Chief Artaketa
27
Chip sack
30
Characteristics of pioneers
34
Carder, W. W.
35
Commonwealth founded
35
County seat at Lancaster
45
Clay county despoiled
47
Cadman, Hon. John
49
Courts of confusion
51
Coming of the Union Pacific railroad
73
Coward turned the cut throats free
75
207
HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
Cummins, Governor
Creating counties.
80
Court house
108 110
Change name of county
111
Child to be born, stormy night
121
Camped on housetop
123
Camped on hay stack
123
County commissioners, first
128
County board on wheels
130
Camden's first teacher
130
Camden's prosperity
129
Camden's mills built
135
Cattle on the lift
137
Capital moved
142
Complaint against Parker
144
Can't take you to jail !
147
Cost a mint of money
147
Court honse sold
149
Clothed in sackcloth
151
Centennial year, 4th of July
158
Clough, Warren and trial
159
Clongh, Nathan
159
Coleman, H. M.
161
Competition in grain trade, played ont
170
Competing railroad wanted
181
Corn 9 to 15 cents
186
Came near being drowned
209
Cooper, Roger
209
Coralled the daughter
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