USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 31
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Jacob Erismann received his education in the common schools of Germany and remained in that country until he was sixteen years of age, when he accom- panied his parents to the United States. He assisted his father in farming and after he had reached mature years largely took over the operation of the farm in Bureau county, Illinois. In 1868, however, he removed to Livingston county, near Forrest, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw land which he at once began bringing under cultivation. For a number of years his energy was devoted to the improvement of that place but in 1892 he disposed of it and in 1893 came to Saltillo precinct, Lancaster county, and bought two hundred and forty acres on sections 35 and 36. This place was already well improved but he continued its development and as the years passed its value increased. He engaged in general farming, meeting with gratifying success in his work, and in 1900 retired, purchasing a fine home in the northern part of Hickman, where he has since lived, while his son operates the farm.
In Washington, Tazewell county, Illinois, on the 24th of June, 1869, occurred the marriage of Mr. Erismann and Miss Anna Jantzzi, who was born in the district of Metz, Lorraine, then French territory, on the 26th of June, 1844. Her parents, Michael and Catherine (Naffziger) Jantzzi, were born respectively in Lorraine, in 1792, and in Strassburg, Alsace, in 1807. Her paternal grand- father was also a native of Lorraine and passed away there when seventy-five years of age, and his father was likewise born in that country. Michael Jantzzi died in his native land in 1848 and a year later his wife emigrated with her
MR. AND MRS. JACOB ERISMANN
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family to America, locating first near Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. In 1850, however, they came to the States and took up their residence at Peoria, Illinois, Mrs. Jantzzi passed away while on a visit at the home of her daughter, at Washington, Illinois, in December, 1865, and is buried there. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Erismann were John and Catherine ( Gringrich ) Naffziger, both born near Weisenburg, Lorraine. In 1830 they emigrated to America and after living for a time in Canada located in Davis county, lowa, where the father engaged in farming. Later he retired and both spent their last days with their eldest son, Christian, a resident of Davis county, Iowa. Both reached the advanced age of ninety-one years and lie buried in Davis county. Mrs. Erismann accompanied her mother and twelve brothers and sisters to Canada in 1849 and to Peoria, Illinois, in 1850. She was married at Washington, Illinois, at the home of her sister.
Mr. and Mrs. Erismann have become the parents of six children. Alfred J., who was born near Forrest, Illinois, on the 22d of May, 1870, came to Nebraska in 1892 and for six years made his home with an uncle, who resided near Hick- man. In 1898, at the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, he enlisted in Company I, First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry, and went with the regiment to the Philippine islands. At the time of his enlistment he was a student in a commercial college at Lincoln, but his patriotism prompted him to put aside all personal interests and offer his services to his country. He took part in a num- ber of engagements with the Spanish forces, fought in the trenches before Manila, August 2-5, and participated in the assault and capture of that city on the 13th of August. He contracted malaria fever and died on the 22d of Oc- tober, 1898, some time before the outbreak of the Philippine insurrection. His body was brought home in 1899 and he was buried at Hickman with military honors. He held membership in the Knights of Pythias lodge at Hickman and was a young man of fine character and his demise was deeply regretted by all who knew him. Ella, the second child, was born on the 26th of July, 1872, and is now the wife of Mitchell Franey, a farmer of Lancaster county. May Katherine was born September 18. 1874, and gave her hand in marriage to William R. Morrison, a farmer of Idaho. William was born October 30, 1878, and died on the 15th of September, 1880. Edgar Eugene was born on the 20th of January, 1880, and is now operating his father's farm in Saltillo township. Anna Elizabeth was born April 30, 1884, and died on the 7th of Jannary, 1905.
Mr. Erismann is a democrat in politics and although he has the interest of a good citizen in public affairs he has never been an office seeker. He is one of the oldest residents of Hickman and so well has his life been spent that he enjoys the unqualified esteem and the sincere respect of all who know him.
WILLIAM FROIIN.
Among the enterprising and self-reliant men who settled in Lancaster county in early days and who laid the foundation for its present prosperity was William Frohn, who became the owner of several hundred acres of land here. He was born in Muenchhansen, near Kben MORKOWY. MGKQsoft Oh of Novem-
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ber, 1839. When he was ten years of age he accompanied his parents. Gottfried and Cecelia ( Klank) Frohn, to the United States, the voyage being made on a sailing vessel, which required forty-six days to cross from Bremen, Germany, to New York city. The family located in Clayton county, lowa, which had been thrown open to white settlers only a short time before. The father bought land from the government and passed his remaining days upon his farm.
William Frohn grew to manhood in Clayton county and as a boy and youth divided his time between attending the public schools and helping with the farm work. In 1869 he came to Lancaster county and purchased two hundred and forty acres of wild prairie land in Centerville precinct which he at once began to bring under cultivation. As the years passed his resources increased, for he was a practical and efficient agriculturist and seldom failed to harvest large crops. He invested his capital from time to time in more land and at his death held title to several hundred acres.
Mr. Frohn was united in marriage on the 14th of June. 1860, in Clayton county. Jowa, to Miss Amelia Kreuger, who was born in Westphalia, Germany, on the 27th of March, 1841, and was a daughter of Frederick Kreuger. JIer death occurred in 1878 and later Mr. Frohn was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Lepsey. His living children are as follows: Mary, the wife of William Ober- meyer, a resident of Lancaster county: William, who is living in White City, Kansas : Ernestine, the wife of Fred Reiss, of Oklahoma ; Cecelia, now Mrs. Hubert Kann and a resident of Oklahoma : Henry and Hubert, both of whom are living in Lancaster county; and Amelia, the widow of Edward Bohl, of Lancaster county. By her former marriage Mrs. Frohn had a daughter Mary, and by the second marriage there is a son Gottfried.
Mr. Frohn cast his ballot in support of the democrat party and was never remiss in any of his duties as a citizen. However, he never sought public office as his farming interests demanded his undivided time and attention. Ile gained financial independence and in 1896 removed to Lincoln, where he lived in honor- able retirement until his demise, which occurred in October. 1915. He was a communicant of the Roman Catholic church and his many sterling qualities gained him the sincere respect of all who came in contact with him.
JOHN E. ENGLISH.
Among the well known and substantial farmers of Grant precinct is John English, whose birth occurred in Ireland, in July, 1860. His parents, Thomas and Delia ( MeNulty ) English, were also natives of the Emerald isle and there the father followed agricultural pursuits throughout his active life. IJe passed away in 1913 and the mother's death occurred two years later.
John E. English grew to manhood in his native country and received his education in its public schools. In 1876 he came to America and located in Cleveland, Ohio, where he served on the police force for several years. He then went to Chicago where he lived for twelve years, but at the end of that time came to Lancaster county, and began farming on rented land. Seven years later he purchased four hundred and eightyCacresfon Gection 24. Grant precinct,
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which he is still operating. He has brought the place to a high state of improve- ment, has carefully conserved the fertility of the soil and in his work uses the most up-to-date machinery. He is both progressive and practical and although dependent entirely upon his own efforts has gained financial independence.
In November, 1883, Mr. English was united in marriage to Miss Delia McNamara, who was born in Ireland, in August, 1862, a daughter of Patrick and Margaret ( Dwyer ) McNamara, also natives of that country. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, died there in 1872, but the mother subsequently came to America and passed away here in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1892. To Mr. and Mrs. English have been born eleven children, as follows: Margaret, Cath- erine, Thomas, Michael, Amos, John, Mary, Anna. Sylvester, Edward and Charles.
Mr. English is independent in politics and has confined his activity in public affairs to the exercise of his right of franchise. Ile is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church, to the support of which he contributes. He has never regretted his emigration to this country for here he has found opportunity and through the exercise of enterprise and good judgment has gained prosperity.
PETER E. AUCHMUTY.
Peter E. Auchmuty, manager of the Home Lumber Company, is successfully directing the business of that concern and is considered one of the successful men of Waverly. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Snyder county, on the 5th of December, 1851, and is a son of James and Lucy ( Strauser ) Auchmuty. The father's birth occurred in Pennsylvania, and in early manhood he engaged in teaching there, while later he turned his attention to farming. He passed away in the Keystone state in 1861, and the mother, who was also a native of that state, died there when our subject was about two years old.
Peter E. Auchmuty attended the district schools in Pennsylvania but his educational opportunities were limited as he had to begin earning his own liveli- hood when he was still a child. When about sixteen years of age he was employed as a farm hand and worked in that capacity for two years. At the end of that time he began learning the plasterer's trade, which he followed until 1878. He then came to Lancaster county, Nebraska, and for a year engaged in farm work. Subsequently he resumed work at his trade, which he followed until 1800, when he turned his attention to the butcher business in Waverly. Ten years later he became connected with the Marty & Walker Lumber Company in the capacity of yard man. When the business passed to the ownership of Foster & Smith he continued with the new proprietors and was promoted to the position of manager, which he still holds, although the business is now owned by the Home Lumber Company. Ile gives the most careful attention to every detail of the business and is constantly seeking opportunities to expand the trade of the company. He owns valuable city property in Waverly and is in excellent cir- cumstances financially.
Mr. Auchmuty was married in 1872 to Miss Sarah Catherine Hollenbach, who was born in PennsyDigitized bir Microsoft® largaret Eva
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(fluffman) Hollenbach, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and of Bavaria. The father engaged in shoe manufacturing in the Keystone state and passed away there. The mother died when Mrs. Auchmuty was a small child. Mr. and Mrs. Auchmuty have had six children. Howard C. married Miss Ora Reiter and is now cashier and bookkeeper for the Clay-Robinson Commission Company of St. Joseph, Missouri. Henry Huber and Clarence L., the second and third in order of birth, are both deceased. William E. is a resident of Omaha and is employed by a large commission company as hog salesman. Lettie May is the wife of F. F. Cooley, a resident of Lincoln, Nebraska, who is in the distributing department in the postal service. Martha E. is at home.
Mr. Auchmuty indorses the principles of the republican party but votes inde- pendently when he believes that he can best serve the public welfare by so doing. lle was reared in the Lutheran church but is not now identified with that organization. In all relations of life he has measured up to high standards of manhood, and the respect and esteem in which he is held are fully deserved.
WILLIAM HENRY KIRTLEY.
William Henry Kirtley has been very successful as manager of the hardware, lumber, coal, implement and elevator business at Cheney, belonging to T. C. Wilson, of Walton, and his energy and sound judgment are generally acknowl- edged. He was born in Taylor county, Kentucky, on the 11th of February, 1865, and is a son of B. F. and Ella ( Underwood) Kirtley, also natives of that state. The father passed away there in 1904, after a busy life devoted to agricultural pursuits, and the mother died in 1877.
William Henry Kirtley was reared under the parental roof and attended the common schools in the acquirement of his education. For several years he worked as a farm hand, but later engaged in the sawmill business in partnership with his brother for three years. In 1866 he came to Lancaster county, Nebraska, and for three years thereafter he worked on A. H. Wilson's farm. At the end of that time he began operating a tract of land near Walton on his own account and for sixteen years concentrated his energies upon farming and stock-raising. Later he was for two years engaged in the hardware business in Burchard, but at the end of that time sold out and formed a partnership with C. M. Knowlton for the conduct of a general store at College View under the name of Kirtley & Knowlton. That association was maintained for two years but on the ist of May, 1914, Mr. Kirtley came to Chency and took charge of the hardware, lumber, coal, implement and elevator business belonging to his nephew, T. C. Wilson, of Walton. Since assuming his duties as manager he has materially increased the volume of business and is constantly seeking means of still further extending the trade.
In 1895 occurred the marriage of Mr. Kirtley and Miss Alice Jenkins, who is a daughter of Charles William and Ann Jenkins, early settlers of Lancaster county. Her mother is still living at the advanced age of eighty-three years. To Mr. and Mrs. Kirtley have been born four children, as follows: Walter D., Ellen, Esther and Violazed by Microsoft ®
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Mr. Kirtley exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democratic party but has never sought office as a reward for his fealty. He is a member of the Baptist church and fraternally is connected with the Masons and Modern Woodmen of America. Ile has a wide acquaintance throughout the county and all who have come into close contact with him hold high in the highest esteem.
GEORGE W. SHAVER.
George W. Shaver, who is living retired in College View, is well and favor- ably known not only in the town but throughout Lancaster county. He was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, on the 22d of March, 1845. of the marriage of Isaac and Eliza A. (Beswick) Shaver, also natives of the Empire state. The father followed agricultural pursuits there until 1858, when with his family he removed to Clayton county, Iowa, where he purchased land. After operating that place for several years he sold out and went to Kansas, where he farmed for ten years. He then returned to Iowa and located in Franklin county, where he bought land which he cultivated during the remainder of his active life. His death occurred in 1903, when he was eighty-six years of age, and his wife passed away in 1897.
George W. Shaver was reared under the parental root and received his educa- tion in the public schools of New York and of Clayton county, lowa. When only sixteen years of age he began his independent career and purchased on time eighty acres of land at ten dollars per acre. For five years he concentrated his energies upon the operation of this farm but at the end of that time he sold the place and bought land in Franklin and Wright counties. He made a number of improvements upon that farm, which he operated for many years, and as he was practical and progressive in his methods and managed his business affairs well his capital increased steadily. He invested in more and more land until at one time he held title to seven hundred acres. In 1900 he sold his interests in lowa and came to College View. He purchased land in this locality and also bought town property. Much of his time and attention was given to the raising of fruit and he was also active to a considerable extent in the real estate field but for the past two years has lived retired.
Mr. Shaver was united in marriage, in September, 1808, to Miss Mary F. Rice, who passed away in September, 1913, after a long illness. To them were born eleven children, as follows: Reuben W., who is living in Nashville. Ten- nessee ; Amon A., who resides in the state of Washington : George, who died in November, 1909; Belle, the wife of Charles Peters, of Gary, South Dakota; Anna, the wife of Turner Howe, a resident of University Place; Walter, who is living at College View; Emil, who died in September, 1902; Albert of Ames, Iowa; Clara, the wife of Archie Morrow, of Platte Center. Nebraska : Daisy, who gave her hand in marriage to George Ridgeway, a contractor, who is engaged in business in Lincoln; and Frank, a resident of that city. Of the married children Reuben has six children and one grandchild ; Amon has five children : George has one child andiwithzodiby Microsoft DIren and one
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grandchild: Anna has one child: Walter has three children; Albert has three children; Clara has three children; and Daisy has two children. There are therefore thirty grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Mr. Shaver supports the democratic party at the polls and has served as chairman of the town council for seven years and as mayor, as justice of the peace and as member of the school board. He has kept in touch with various forward movements of the day and is recognized as a man of marked public spirit. His life has been one of useful activity and the esteem in which he is held is well deserved.
PHIL R. EASTERDAY.
Phil R. Easterday, cashier of the First National Bank of Lincoln, was born in Carthage, Hancock county, Illinois, January 25, 1877, a son of L. F. M. and Abbie Warren ( Hunsaker) Easterday. The father was at that time professor of mathematics and astronomy in Carthage College, an educational institution of the Lutheran church, of which he was one of the organizers and the first teacher. In the fall of 1883 he removed with his family, then consisting of wife and three sons, to Lincoln.
Phil R. Easterday, then a little lad of six summers, pursued his entire educa- tion in the public schools of this city, continuing his studies until he completed the second year of the high school. In the summer of 1893, at the age of six- teen, he obtained a position in the American Exchange National Bank, an insti- tution controlled and managed by S. H. Burnham. He had previously acquired in spare moments some knowledge of shorthand and typewriting and in addi- tion to the usual duties which devolve upon the messenger the boy of the bank he did stenographic work for Mr. Burnham. This led to the development of a very close relationship between Mr. Easterday and Mr. Burnham in various successful business operations which have extended over a period exceeding twenty-three years. When he entered the bank on the 31st of July, 1893, he did not consider that his school days were over but that he was merely covering the vacation period, but the banking business proved so attractive that he decided to remain and his life work was therefore begun at a much earlier age than falls to the lot of most young men. In 1899 Mr. Burnham and his associates in the American Exchange National Bank purchased all the stock of the First National Bank of Lincoln and merged the two institutions under the name of the First National Bank. Soon afterward Mr. Easterday became auditor of the institution and later, in 1907, became assistant cashier, which position he held until January, 1913, when he was elected cashier of the bank and has since continued in that capacity, proving an efficient and popular officer. In addition to his duties as cashier he is treasurer of the First Trust Company, one of the affiliated institutions of the First National, and he is interested in various other business enterprises of the city which contribute to Lincoln's material advance- ment and to the individual success of the stockholders. During his continuous connection with what has practically been one institution Mr. Easterday has seen the bank grow from a small beginning, with less than seven hundred thou-
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sand dollars in deposits, to an institution having deposits in its various depart- ments aggregating over five million dollars.
On the 2d of October, 1904, Mr. Easterday was married to Miss Leta Trigg, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry B. Trigg, early residents of Lincoln. Mrs. Easterday has been prominent in musical circles, having for two terms acted as president of the Matince Musicale, the oldest musical organization of the city and one of the largest in the west. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children, two daughters and a son, Phyllis, Marion and Donald Philip. The family attend the First Congregational church and they are inter- ested in those forces which work for the development and improvement of the city along social, intellectual and moral lines. Mr. Easterday's success is attrib- utable in large measure to the fact that he has always continued in that line in which he embarked in early manhood, never dissipating his energies over diverse fields but concentrating his efforts in such a manner that splendid results have been achieved.
PETER H. NISSEN.
Peter H. Nissen, an efficient and up-to-date farmer of Grant precinct, was born in Germany, in June, 1862. His parents, Frederick and Christina ( Schmidt) Nissen, passed their entire lives in that country, where the father worked as a laborer. He died in 1882 and the mother four years later. Peter Il. Nissen was reared and educated in his native land but in May, 1884, eimgrated with a brother to the United States. They at once made their way to Lincoln, and after working at different jobs secured employment as farm hands.
Peter H. Nissen worked in that capacity until 1887, when he began farming on his own account, renting his present place, which he purchased in 1903. It comprises one hundred and sixty acres on section 24. Grant precinct, and is thoroughly modern in its improvements. Mr. Nissen has also cultivated rented land and for ten years farmed eight hundred acres, raising grain and stock on an extensive scale. He has lived upon his present place for twenty-nine years and has made it one of the most highly developed and most valuable farms in his locality.
In March, 1897, occurred the marriage of Mr. Nissen and Miss Mary Willers, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Willers, who were born in Germany but came to America in 1883 and located in Seward county, Nebraska. The father farmed there for many years but is now living retired at the age of eighty-two years. The mother has passed away. Mrs. Nissen died on the 2d of January, 1915. leaving four children, namely : Christina, who is eighteen years old ; and Fred, Henrietta and Henry, aged respectively fifteen, thirteen and ten years, all of whom are attending school.
Mr. Nissen votes independently, supporting the candidates whom he deems best fitted for office, regardless of party allegiance. He holds membership in the Lutheran church and his fraternal connection is with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, to which he has belonged since 1894. Ile has never regretted emigrating to this country /for tuiz Boe found fortuniostur utilization of
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which has enabled him to gain financial independence, and he has thoroughly identified his interests with those of his community, promoting the public wel- fare in various ways.
AUGUST FREDERICK HOFFMAN.
August Frederick Hoffman, who is living retired upon his farm on section 28, Nemaha precinct, has reached the advanced age of eighty-one years and his long. active and useful life fully entitles him to the high place which he holds in the estimation of his fellow citizens. He was born in the province of Branden- burg, Prussia, on the 30th of January, 1835. a son of August and Christina (Gerish) Hoffman. The father was born in Prussia in 1813 and followed the shoemaker's trade at Luckau, where he lived until his death in 1845. His wife was born there in 1814 and died in that town in 1870.
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