USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Lincoln > Lincoln, the capital city and Lancaster County, Nebraska, Volume II > Part 70
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OTTO H. MEYER.
Otto H. Meyer, who through his well directed efforts has acquired one hundred and twenty acres in North Bluff precinct, which he is cultivating, was born in Marshall county, Kansas, on the 17th of September. 1881. His parents, John 1. and Sophia ( Bartels) Meyer, were born and reared in Ger- many, where their marriage occurred, but in 1865 they came to the new world and located in Illinois. After working for others for three years in that state the father removed with his family @to Marshall county,SKansa@where he pur- chased land and farmed there successfully until the death of his wife in 1906,
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when he retired and took up his residence in the town of Hanover, Kansas. He made his home there for about seven years, or until his demise on the 25th of January, 1913.
Otto H. Meyer, who is the seventh in order of birth of a family of nine children, attended a German school in his home district in Marshall county, and the high school at Marysville, Kansas. When fourteen years of age he began earning his living and worked for others in Kansas until 1901, when he came to Lancaster county. He was employed as- foreman on the county farm for three years and proved very capable in the discharge of his duties in that connection. Desiring, however, to engage in farming on his own account, he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of fertile land in North Bluff precinct, and has concentrated his energies upon its operation and improvement for a number of years. He annually harvests good crops and also raises high grade stock, for which he finds a ready sale on the market.
Mr. Meyer is an independent republican, supporting the party where national issues are at stake, but otherwise casting a non-partisan ballot. For three years he held the office of township commissioner and he keeps well informed as to public affairs and the questions and issues of the day. He holds membership in the German Lutheran church, whose teachings guide his life, and his genuine worth has enabled him to gain and retain many warm friends. He has depended entirely upon his own resources for advancement and the success which he has gained attests his industry, his knowledge of farming and his good judgment.
CHARLES H. SCHLICHTEMEIER.
Charles H. Schlichtemeier, one of the foremost citizens of Olive Branch precinct, is identified with financial interests as cashier of the Farmers State Bank of Kramer, of which institution he was one of the organizers. His birth occurred in Olive Branch precinct, Lancaster county, Nebraska, on the 21st of July, 1874. his parents being Frank and Catherine Schlichtemeier, natives of Germany. They emigrated to the United States in the years 1865 and 1867 respectively and made their way direct to Nebraska. They were married in Nebraska City in 1867, shortly after the mother's arrival in this country. Frank Schlichtemeier located in Olive Branch precinct, this county, in 1865, purchasing a relinquishment on a claim and making this his home continuously until 1910. since which time he has lived in Kramer. The period of his residence in Lan- caster county covers more than a half century and he has long been numbered among its substantial, respected and representative citizens.
Charles H. Schlichtemeier acquired his education in the common schools and also spent a term as a student in the Lincoln Business College. He then returned to the home farm and a year later was married. In the spring of 1897 he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section II, Olive Branch precinct, and-started out as an- agriculturist on his own account. He still owns that property but operated the place for only nine years and in the spring of 1906 took up his abode in Kramer, where he was prominently identi-
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fied with the live stock business during the following decade, disposing of his interests in this connection about the Ist of February, 1916. In November, 1911, he entered the Farmers State Bank of Kramer as assistant cashier and one year later was made cashier of the institution, in which capacity he has ably served to the present time. He is also one of the stockholders of the bank and his efforts have contributed to its continued growth and success in no incon- siderable degree. In addition to his farm property he owns sixteen town lots in Kramer, as well as his residence property, and he is widely recognized as one of the substantial and progressive citizens of the community.
On the 8th of November, 1896, Mr. Schlichtemeier was united in marriage to Miss Anna Freese, of Olive Branch precinct. He gives his political allegi- ance to the republican party and is a member of the present school board, while for nine years he has acted as treasurer. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Lutheran church, to which his wife also belongs. He has lived in Lancaster county from his birth to the present time and his record is that of one of its worthy and esteemed native sons.
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MARTIN TALMADGE GILBERT.
Martin Talmadge Gilbert of Denton precinct is devoting considerable atten- tion to raising thoroughbred Berkshire hogs and has been very successful in that connection. His farm is thoroughly improved and his home, provided with all modern conveniences, is the most attractive residence of the locality. He was born near Peru, in Bureau county, Illinois, on the 23d of September, 1862, a son of Daniel A. and Sarah F. (Coon) Gilbert. The father was born in Sara- toga county, New York, was there reared and educated, but became a resident of Bureau county, Illinois, in the early days of that section. Subsequently he conducted a grocery store in Boone, Boone county, Iowa, for nine years, and in 1872 he came to Lancaster county, Nebraska, and established a grocery store in Lincoln, on the corner of South Eleventh and N streets. In 1882 he sold out and in partnership with Maxey Cobb took charge of the Cobb homestead, com- prising ten hundred and forty acres of good land in Denton precinct. They engaged in raising stock until 1890, when Mr. Gilbert again turned his attention to merchandising, establishing a general store in Denton. He remained active in that connection until 1906, when he retired. His remaining days were spent at the home of his son, Martin T., and his death occurred on the 8th of April, 1913, when eighty-three years old. He was married in Saratoga, New York, to Miss Sarah Coon, who was a native of Saratoga county, and taught school there previous to her marriage. She passed away in Denton in March, 1911. They had seven children, as follows: James C. and Charles A., both deceased ; Carrie B., who became the wife of Maxey Cobb of Lancaster county, both now deceased ; Willis I., deceased; Martin T .; Lillie, deceased; and Mattie F., the wife of R. H. Moffett of Moberly, Missouri.
Martin Talmadge Gilbert was ten years of age when the family removed to Lincoln and received the greater part of luis education in schools of that city. He assisted his father in the grocery store there and later was associated with him
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in the conduct of a general store at Denton. For six years after his father's demise he continued to manage the business, but at the end of that time sold out. In 1913 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 28, Denton precinct, which is part of the old Cobb home place, and here he has erected an up-to-date residence which is conceded to be the finest home in the precinct. It is equipped with all modern improvements and is beautifully fur- nished. All of the other buildings upon the place are well designed for their pur- pose and of modern construction, and in his work. Mr. Gilbert follows the latest methods. He does general farming, but specializes in raising Berkshire hogs, which he sells for breeding purposes, and it is his intention to devote his entire time to the raising of hogs in the near future. He is farming in partnership with his nephew, Harry M. Gilbert, the son of his brother, Charles A. Gilbert, who owns a half interest in the place.
Mr. Gilbert was married at Denton on the 22d of March, 1914, to Miss Marie Dawson, who was born in Wisconsin, but came to Lincoln in girlhood. He supports the democratic party at the polls but has never been an aspirant for public office. He has concentrated his energies upon the management of his private interests, which have returned a good profit, and he now ranks among the substantial men of the county. He has conformed to the highest standards of business ethies in all of his business transactions and his many good qualities have enabled him to win and retain the friendship of those who have been closely associated with him.
J. HARRY SMITH.
J. Harry Smith, an up-to-date and prosperous farmer of Denton precinct. was born in Pennsylvania on the 9th of May, 1861, a son of John and Mary Frances (McDonald) Smith, the former born in England and the latter in Pennsylvania. In 1850 the father came to the United States and located in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, where his marriage occurred and where he resided until 1884, when he removed with his family to Lincoln, Nebraska. He soon afterward rented a tract of land cast of Lincoln, in Lancaster county, and in 1889 purchased three quarter sections of land in Denton precinct, which are still in the possession of the family. He passed away at the home of his son J. Harry on the homestead in 1910, but his wife is still living. He was a local preacher in the Methodist church, and his life was a strong influence for right- eousness and moral advancement. To him and his wife were born four chil- dren, namely: Ravil, who is a Methodist minister stationed in Philadelphia ; Mrs. Elizabeth Gleason, of Lincoln; J. Harry ; and J. Howard, who is farming land adjoining the homestead. Ravil, the oldest son, remained in Pennsylvania when the family came to Nebraska.
J. Harry Smith has always had charge of the operation of the homestead. Hle now holds title to part of the place, and the value of his farm is greatly enhanced by its splendid buildings, all of which he has erected. He raises both grain and stock, and his thorough knowledge of Aftural pursuits, his integ- rity and his sound business judgment insure his continued success.
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Mr. Smith was married in Denton to Miss Sadie M. Hocking, a daughter of James Hocking, deceased, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. To this marriage have been born six children, as follows: Francis E., Elizabetlı R., Ravil, Margery, John Ernest and J. Harry, Jr.
Mr. Smtih casts his ballot in support of the candidates and measures of the republican party and has served acceptably as school director. His religious faith is indicated by the fact that he holds membership with the Methodist church at Denton, and his conduct is guided by the teachings of that organization. He is respected for his ability and enterprise, esteemed for his probity, and his personal characteristics are such that he has gained the warm friendship of many.
ANTON DIEDRICH FLACHMAN.
Anton Deidrich Flachman was connected with railroading as section boss for many years, but during the latter part of his life concentrated his energies upon farming. He owned one hundred and twenty-three acres of good land on section 8, Olive Branch precinct, and there he passed away on the 10th of November, 1911. He was born in Westphalia, Germany, December 7, 1851, a son of Anton Flachman, who was a lifelong resident of the fatherland, where he engaged in farming.
Anton D. Flachman learned the baker's trade in Germany and followed that occupation there until 1883. when he came to America. He was employed in Lincoln, Nebraska, for some time, and later followed his trade in New Mexico, but in 1888 came again to Lincoln. Subsequently he worked as a baker at Seward and Fairmont, Nebraska, and still later he was section boss at Kramer. He held that position until 1903. and during the greater part of the time also engaged in farming. He made his home, however, in Kramer and lived in the first resi- dence built in that town. In 1903 he bought one hundred and twenty-three acres of land in section 8. Olive Branch precinct, and gave up his railroad work and devoted his entire time and attention to agricultural pursuits. He engaged in farming and stock raising there for eight years, or until his death, which occurred on the 10th of November. 1911. He was buried in the Methodist cemetery at Kramer.
Mr. Flachman was married on the 2d of September, 1888, in Wilber, Saline county. Nebraska, to Miss Anna Bittner, who was born in Bohemia, Austria, on the 12th of March, 1869. Her parents. James and Mary ( Tisvey) Bittner, were also natives of that country, but came to America with their family in 1885. taking up their residence upon a farm in Olive Branch precinct, where the father subsequently passed away. The mother survives and makes her home with Mrs. Flachman. The latter was sixteen years of age when she came to this country, and has since resided in Nebraska. She still lives upon the Flachman homestead, which adjoins the town of Kramer, and has erected a beautiful mod- ern home upon the farm. To Mr. and Mrs. Flachman were born ten children : Mary, the wife of George Lunbeck, who is farming in Lancaster county : Gustina, the wife of Elmer Hollman, atfarmer of Buda township: James and Charles, who are operating the home place : Barbara and Lydia, at home: Joseph, Mar-
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garet and Frederick, all of whom are attending school; and Frank, who was born in New Mexico and died in Kramer.
Mr. Flachman supported the democratic party at the polls and was for four- teen years a member of the school board of Kramer, serving in that capacity until his death. He was identified with the Modern Woodmen of America at Crete and in religious faith was a Methodist. He was a man of progressive spirit and could be counted upon to further projects calculated to promote the gen- eral good. He was highly esteemed and his friends still cherish his memory.
ANCIL L. FUNK.
Ancil L. Funk occupied a position of prominence in commercial circles as a traveling salesman, having the management of twenty states. He represented a clothing house and was familiar with every phase of the trade, while at the same time he possessed a genial nature and cordial disposition that, added to his business ability and enterprise, made him very successful in his chosen field of labor. Success and advancement came to him as the merited reward of earnest and intelligently directed effort and his example proves what may be accomplished when determination and energy point out the way. Mr. Funk was born in Greenville, Darke county, Ohio, December 25, 1849, a son of Isaac and Eliza ( Dearduff ) Funk, who were also natives of the Buckeye state. The father there followed the occupation of farming and gave his entire life to that work. His death occurred in 1893, while his wife passed away in 1883.
Ancil L. Funk was reared and educated at Lebanon, Ohio, and in early manhood took up the profession of teaching, becoming quite prominent as an educator. lle taught in the University of Virginia for some time and about 1878 removed to Red Cloud, Nebraska, where he took charge of the public schools, remaining there for seven years. He taught, however, for only three years during that period and at the end of that time turned his attention to the agricultural implement business, which he followed until 1890. He then removed to Lincoln, where he conducted a real estate office but afterward went upon the road as a traveling salesman. A few years later he went to Colorado, where he became connected with mining interests but lost his health in that state and returned to Lincoln, after which he again went upon the road. He traveled as a salesman for fifteen years or until his death and had a large busi- ness, being manager of twenty states and employing all the salesmen in that territory for the house which he represented. He was connected with the clothing trade and was regarded as one of the most efficient salesmen in that line in the country. His ability was widely recognized and it would have been easy for him to have secured a position with almost any house. He was prompt, systematic and reliable, studied the wishes and wants of his patrons and was always courteous and obliging. Thus he won a constantly growing patronage and at the same time he gained the friendship and regard of those with whom he was associatedigitized by Microsoft ®
On the 20th of March, 1883. Mr. Funk was married to Miss Laura Ellen Thornburg, a daughter of Dr. George W. and Mary (Wright) Thornburg.
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who were natives of Ohio. The father was a physician and practiced medicine in Ohio for many years, passing away in 1870, while his wife died in 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Funk had but one child, Robert T., who was born June 5, 1887, and has succeeded to his father's position in business. He is married and resides in Lincoln.
The family circle was broken by the hand of death when Mr. Funk passed away very suddenly April 23, 1914, at the age of sixty-four years. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Ancient Order of United Work- men. His political indorsement was given to the republican party and reli- giously he was a Methodist, being a very active and helpful member of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church. In the Sunday school he taught a class of one hundred young men and his teaching and example were a most forceful element in their lives. His career was an exposition of the cheer of Christianity. He saw the beauty and joy of life and gained much happiness therefrom. He never regarded Christianity as a depressing influence but a force that counted for the expansion of one's powers and the development of one's resources, so that life was fuller and better for those things which have true value. He held friendship inviolable and always appreciated sterling worth in others, while to those who needed assistance he generously extended a helping hand. Of him it might well be said :
"His life was gentle and the elements So mixed in him that Nature might stand up And say to all the world: This was a man."
JOHN A. SITTLER.
John A. Sittler, deceased, became a resident of Lancaster county in 1877, and for almost three decades thereafter was continuously engaged in farming. He was born in Germany, August 1, 1840, a son of John Y. and Elizabeth ( Glaser) Sittler, who came to the United States when their son John was but four years of age. They settled in Ohio and the father was employed at farm work there, but in 1850 removed with his family to Adams county, Illinois, and engaged in farming on his own account near Quincy, where both he and his wife . spent their remaining days.
John A. Sittler attended a parochial school of Quincy and was reared to the occupation of farming, which he took up as a life work. He began cultivating land in partnership with a brother, and remained in Illinois until 1877, when he came to this county, which was then largely a frontier region. He home- steaded in Centerville precinct and ten years later purchased another farm which adjoined his original tract. thereon residing until 1906. Throughout the entire period his time was given to the development and cultivation of his land and his untiring industry and perseverence brought good results. At length he put aside business cares and lived retired in the capital throughout his remain- ing days, his death occurring therezon the 4th of july,Ggis.ft ®
On the 20th of November, 1870, in Quincy, Illinois, Mr. Sittler was united
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in marriage to Miss Caroline Vollrath, a native of Quincy, and a daughter of John and Mary Vollrath, who were born in Prussia, Germany, and became early settlers of Quincy, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Sittler had the following children : John .A., born February 29. 1872; Obed, whose birth occurred April 1, 1873; Edom, whose natal day was March 16, 1876; Julied, born July 8, 1879; Emma, whose birth occurred December 1, 1882; John Carl, born June 7, 1887; and Anna S., born October 16, 1800. Mrs. Sittler and her youngest daughter reside in a comfortable home which was erected by the husband and father at No. 1134 Peach street. He attended the Methodist Episcopal church and he gave his political allegiance to the republican party.
REV. D. B. O'CONNOR.
Rev. D. B. O'Connor, pastor of St. Patrick's church of Havelock, was born in Crete, Nebraska, April 17, 1875, a son of Patrick W. and Margaret (Brown) O'Connor, who are mentioned at length on another page of this work. He was only about a year old when his parents removed to Lincoln, where he was reared, and during his youthful days he attended the public and parochial schools and St. Mary's Seminary.
Having determined to devote his life to the church, he prepared for holy orders, which were conferred upon him in St. Louis, Missouri, by Archbishop Kain in June, 1901. During the succeeding twelve years his time was devoted to parochial duties and to a professorship. In 1913 Father O'Connor returned to the Lincoln diocese and resumed the active work of a priest at David City. He also had charge of a congregation at Friend and on the 14th of December. 1914, he was assigned to St. Patrick's church at Havelock, where he is now located, doing excellent work in this connection, his labors being a strong force in the upbuilding of the church at that place and the extension of Catholic influence in the neigh- borhood.
FRANK B. HOLLENBECK, M. D.
Dr. Frank B. Hollenbeck, an alumnus of Rush Medical College of Chicago, has engaged in the practice of medicine in Lincoln since the 8th of January. 1900, at which date he accepted the position of medical examiner for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. During the past eight years, however, he has concentrated his efforts upon surgical practice, in which he displays marked ability. He was born at Green Lake, Wisconsin, April 14. 1868, a son of Benjamin F. and Lucy M. ( Bradbury ) Hollenbeck. The father, a native of Vermont, devoted his life to the occupation of farming. The mother belonged to the Bradbury family of Maine, one of whom was a United States senator. The progenitor of the family- in America came to the new world as agent for Sir Fernando Gorgas, "proprietor of and since that time his descendants have been identified with the Pine Tree state.
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Dr. Hollenbeck completed his more specifically literary education in Iowa College at Grinnell, lowa, from which he was graduated in 1895 with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. Immediately afterward he entered upon preparation for the medical profession and won his degree upon completing a course in Rush Medical College of Chicago with the class of 1898. He gained broad prac- tical experience during eighteen months' service as interne in the Presbyterian Hospital of Chicago, one of the most excellent institutions of this character in the country, immediately after his graduation, and during that period was for four months interne for the distinguished surgeon, Dr. Nicholas Senn. On leaving the hospital he came to Lincoln to accept the position of medical examiner with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company and thus for more than sixteen years has been a resident of this city. He resigned his position October I, 1908, to concentrate his efforts upon the private practice of surgery, in which connection he has won a notable place, possessing marked skill and ability in that field. He was honored with the presidency of the Lancaster County Medical Society in 1915 and he holds membership also with the Nebraska State Medical Association and the American Medical Association.
Dr. Hollenbeck was married on the 27th of December, 1899, to Miss Alice M. Doty, of Marion, Ohio, who traces her ancestry back to a Mayflower passen- ger. They have one child, Alexander Doty, born September 1, 1903.
The Doctor is a member of Lincoln Lodge, No. 19, A. F. & A. M., and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Lincoln Consistory, No. 2, A. & A. S. R. He also belongs to Lincoln Lodge, No. 80, A. O. U. W., and to Mistletoe Lodge, No. 104, Degree of Honor. He makes all interests, however, subservient to his profession, his duty in that connection being ever foremost. Colleagues and contemporaries speak of him in terms of high regard, recogniz- ing his natural and acquired ability.
TOM WELTON.
Tom Welton, who owns two hundred and eighty acres of land in Waverly precinct, is engaged in both grain and stock farming and is meeting with gratify- ing success in his chosen occupation. His birth occurred at Cambridge, Illinois, on the 17th of October, 1887, and he is a son of Francis Graves and Mary Ella ( Clark ) Welton. The father was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, and in early manhood engaged in merchandising. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in the Forty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served with that command for nearly four years. He was with Sherman on his memorable march to the sea and in the battle of New Hope church in that campaign was wounded. After being honorably discharged he returned to Illinois and subsequently became inter- ested in banking. He was chosen by his fellow citizens as clerk of Henry county and made such an excellent record in that capacity that he was reelected time and time again, holding office in all for thirty-nine years. He was also a prominent Mason. attaining the thirty second degree in The scottish RiteRand was a past grand master of the Grand Lodge of Illinois. His death occurred in Illinois in
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