USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 11
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Richard Olmer was reared and educated in Wisconsin and remained with his parents on the old homestead farm through the period of his minority, during which time he gained a fair English education in the public schools. In 1873 he arrived in Nebraska, settling in Platte county, where he preempted land, but after two years he sold that property and returned to the Badger state, where he engaged in farming from 1875 until 1878. He then again came to Platte county and purchased a homestead right of eighty acres. With the change in the land laws he secured eighty aeres more situated in Granville township and at once began the task of breaking the sod and converting the place into productive fields. It was not long before his labors wrought a marked transformation in the condition of his land, which year by year yielded him good erops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestowed upon it. In 1910, however, satisfied with the success which he had already achieved and which placed him among the men of affluence in the county, he retired and removed to Humphrey. Later he bought another one hundred and sixty aeres of land and now owns three hundred and twenty aeres constituting a splendidly improved property. When he took up his abode in Humphrey he pur-
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chased a good home about a block from the main street and has remodeled and added to it until he now has a very attractive residence. While upon the farm he made a specialty of raising shorthorn cattle, this being one of the principal features of his business. He is now a stockholder and director of the Farmers Elevator of Humphrey and a stockholder and director in the First National Bank of the town.
In February, 1873, Mr. Olmer was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Pfeifer, a daughter of George and Frances (Wieser) Pfeifer, both of whom were natives of Austria. The father there followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his active life and passed away in 1864. His widow and children subsequently emi- grated to the United States, taking up their abode in Wisconsin, in which state Mary Pfeifer became the wife of our subject. Mrs. George Pfeifer came to Ne- braska in 1873 and here died the following year. To Mr. and Mrs. Olmer have been born eleven children, as follows: Frederica, who is the wife of Joseph Fang- mann, an implement dealer of Humphrey; William, who operates the old home farm; Mary, who is the wife of Joseph Schaefer and resides in Texas; Frances, who is the wife of Killion Ottis and resides on a farm in Platte county; John and Annie, both at home; Joseph, whose demise occurred in 1909; and Julia, Robert, Bryant and Cecelia, who died in infancy.
For several years Mr. Olmer served as assessor of Granville township, discharg- ing his duties with promptness and fidelity. He has always been a democrat since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and in religious faith he is a Cath- olic, also holding membership with the Catholic Order of Foresters. It has been earnest work that has brought him his success, while a well spent life has gained him the favorable regard of his many friends.
HENRY SCHMIDT.
Henry Schmidt, a resident farmer of Burrows township, his home being on sec- tion 28, was born in La Salle county, Illinois, October 4, 1889, a son of Peter and Anna (Koebbemann) Schmidt. The father was born in Germany, September 1, 1863, and was a son of Matthew and Sybilla (Schwamborn) Schmidt, who were also natives of the fatherland, where they resided until 1873, when they came to America, making their way to Peru, Illinois, where Matthew Schmidt worked for several years in the coal mines. In 1886 he arrived in Nebraska and his remaining days were spent in this state, his death occurring in 1889.
Peter Schmidt began his education in the schools of Germany but was a lad of only ten years when the family came to the new world, so that his education was continued in the schools of Peru, Illinois. In his boyhood days he went to work in the mines and later he was employed as a farm hand. earning his living from an early age. He afterward came to Platte county, Nebraska, in the year 1891 and took up his abode near St. Mary, where he rented land for one year and then located near where his widow now lives. During that period he carefully saved his carnings, practicing close economy as well as industry, and at the end of seven years he had a sum sufficient to enable him to purchase one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 28, Burrows township. He then bent his energies to the further development and improvement of that place until his death, which
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occurred May 31, 1911. On the 27th of November, 1888, he had wedded Anna Koebbemann, a daughter of Henry and Maria M. (Lenz) Koebbemann, both of whom were natives of Germany. During his aetive life Peter Sehmidt added one hundred and sixty aeres to his original farm. He displayed sound business judg- ment, was diligent and persevering and won the legitimate rewards of labor. His widow still resides upon the old homestead with her children, who are five in num- ber, namely: Henry, of this review; William, who operates a part of the home place; and Hilda, Otto and Albert, all at home.
The eldest son, Henry Schmidt, was reared to farm life and early took up the active work of the fields. He now carries on general farming and stock-rais- ing, renting from his mother one hundred and twenty aeres of land which he eare- fully and systematically eultivates. His work is seen in well tilled fields which return golden harvests. Everything about the place is kept in good condition and his enterprise and careful management are continuously in evidence.
On the 4th of June. 1912, Mr. Schmidt was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Pillen, a daughter of William and Gertrude (Ripp) Pillen, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Platte county, Nebraska. Mr. Pillen first purchased eighty aeres of land near Tarnov and subsequently bought a traet of one hundred and twenty aeres in Burrows township, whereon he still makes his home. His wife passed away in the year 1897, leaving the following children: Mrs. Lizzie Sehmidt, Agnes, Annie and Henry. In 1900 William Pillen was again married, his second union being with Josephine Wans, by whom he has three children, namely: Jacob, Johanna and Gertrude.
Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt have but one ehild, Harold, born April 10, 1914. The parents are consistent communieants of St. Anthony's Catholie ehureh, and in his political views Mr. Schmidt is a democrat. His time and attention, however, are mostly taken up with his farm work and, busily employed, he is making steady progress along the path of affluence.
MELCHIOR JENNY.
Melchior Jenny, a well known representative of farming interests in Sherman township, living on section 24, was born in Canton Glarus, Switzerland, on the 29th of January, 1852, a son of Rudolph and Magdalena (Aebli) Jenny. The parents always remained residents of the land of the Alps, although the maternal grandfather, Henrieh Aebli, became a pioneer settler of New Glarus, Wisconsin.
Melchior Jenny spent the first twenty years of his life in his native country and then erosscd the Atlantic to the new world, arriving in February, 1872, making his way to New Glarus, Wisconsin, in company with his twin brother, Rudolph. When a lad he had learned the cheese making trade and after arriving in the United States he worked upon a farm and engaged in the manufacture of cheese. After a year spent in Wisconsin he came to Nebraska in 1873, settling in Platte county, where he entered eighty aeres of land. He has sinee engaged in general farming, and as the years have passed on he has purchased property from time to time, until he is now the owner of six hundred aeres of rich and valuable land in Sher- man township. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and has
MELCHIOR JENNY AND FAMILY
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an excellent property, equipped with all the accessories and conveniences of, a inodel farm. He makes stock-raising an important feature of his business, handling Hol- stein cattle and Jersey Red hogs.
On the 4th of December, 1880, Mr. Jenny was united in marriage to Miss Anna Maria Marty, who was born in Switzerland on the 10th of February, 1864. They became the parents of six children, of whom one daughter, Rosie, died erc the mother's death. The others are: Mrs. Anna Dasenbrock, Mrs. Lena Weber, Mrs. Mamie Weber, Rudolph and Benedict. The family circle was again broken by the hand of death when, on the 3d of April, 1915, Mrs. Jenny passed away at the age of fifty-one years, one month and twenty-three days. She had been ill of pneumonia for only a few days and her death was a great shock to the com- munity. She was widely known and greatly loved, and her first interests were ever her family and her home. She was also most loyal in friendship and was a kind and helpful neighbor whose place will be hard to fill and whose kindly influence will live long in the memory of those with whom she came in contact. She had many admirable traits of character and her life was filled with good deeds, endearing her to all.
In his political views Mr. Jenny is a democrat and has been called to a num- ber of public offices. He served as road overseer for several years and for many years had the postoffice at Neboville. He was also a school director for twenty-six consecutive years and did everything possible to advance the interests of public education in the district. His life is guided by the teachings of the German Luth- eran church, of which he is a devoted member, and his many sterling traits of char- acter are attested by his friends, who recognize in him a progressive farmer and stock-raiser and a loyal and public-spirited citizen who in every relation of life is upright and reliable.
FRANK ANSON.
Frank Anson, a well known and worthy citizen of Creston, who contributes much to the business development of the town, is now engaged in buying cream, butter, eggs and poultry, in which connection he has built up a business of large and gratify- ing proportions. His undertaking furnishes a market for producers and the enter- prise and diligence which he displays in the conduct of his interests has made the business one of the foremost commercial enterprises of this part of the county.
Mr. Anson was born in New York, August 21, 1847, a son of Leonard and Sarah (Lord) Anson, who were natives of New York. The father was a farmer and fol- lowed that occupation in the Empire state until his removal to the middle west, at which time he took up his abode in Mills county, Iowa, where he remained for three years. In 1872 he brought his family to Platte county and secured a homestead claim in Creston township which he developed, improved and operated for many years. His wife died upon that farm in 1880, after which he sold the place and removed to Creston, living with his children until his demise, which occurred in 1890.
Frank Anson was reared and educated in New York, remaining with his parents until after he attained his majority. He went to Mills county, Iowa, with his Vol. 11-6
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father and in 1871 arrived in Platte county, coming a year prior to the removal of his parents. In 1872 he also secured a homestead on the same section with his father and improved and developed the property, carefully cultivating the fields until 1885, when he left the farm and went to Columbus, where he turned his atten- tion to the hotel business, becoming proprietor of the Lindell Hotel, which he con- dneted for six years. He then sold out and went to Georgia, where he carried on farming for two years, after which he returned to Platte county and engaged in the hotel business at Creston for two years. He also operated a dray line for a year and on the expiration of that period turned his attention to the business in which he is now engaged-buying cream, butter, eggs and poultry. In this connection he has won substantial success, handling a large amount of such produce annnally. He owns a nice home which he erected. He hauled the lumber thirty-two miles from Schuyler county in order to put up the buildings upon his farm. In all that he has undertaken he shows a spirit of unfaltering enterprise and perseverance and in his business affairs has ever been prompted by laudable ambition.
In January, 1881, Mr. Anson was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Felt, a daughter of William and Matilda (White) Felt, natives of Ohio. At an early day in the development of Iowa the father removed to that state and for many years engaged in farming in Muscatine county. Subsequently he took up his abode at West Liberty, where he conducted an elevator for several years. He then went to Lee, Colfax county, Nebraska, where he made his home for some time and later, retiring from active business, he went to live with his children, with whom he spent his remaining days, passing away in 1898. His widow now makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Anson at the age of eighty years. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Anson, namely: Robert, a resident farmer of Humphrey township; Nellie, the wife of Clarence Hogle, living in Rising City, Nebraska; Frank R., a farmer whose home is in Keith county, Nebraska; Arthur, employed by the Crowell Elevator Company at Creston; William, who died in February, 1891; Mina, the wife of J. P. Schmidt, living in Benson, Nebraska; and Ruby and Edward, both at home.
The family are widely and favorably known and the hospitality of the best homes of Creston is freely accorded them. Mr. Anson is a republican in his political views, having firm faith in the principles of the party, yet never desiring office as a reward for party fealty. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church and in its teachings he finds the guiding principles of his life, which make him at all times observant of the rights and privileges of others and find expression in consid- eration, kindliness and business integrity and justice.
GERHARD LOSEKE.
Gerhard Loseke, a retired farmer living in Columbus, was born in Oldenburg, Germany, May 6, 1852, his parents being John H. and Anna M. (Grotclueschen) Loseke, who were also natives of Oldenburg. Both have now passed away, the father having died March 18. 1891, at the age of eighty-one years and three months, while the mother's death occurred Angust 8, 1879, when she had reached the age of sixty-nine years and twenty-two days. The father worked as a farm hand in Ger-
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many and devoted three years of his early manhood to military service. In 1858 he brought his family to the new world and after landing in the east traveled by rail to Iowa City and thence across the country to Platte county, Nebraska. He settled on a stream that is now called Loseke creek, in Bismark township, being one of the first settlers of that district. All around him was the unbroken prairie. Indians were still to be seen in the neighborhood and there were a few buffaloes and much wild game. Railroads, however, had not yet been built in this section of the state. He settled on government land and built a dugout, the family beginning life in America in that crude pioncer home. He was a member of the German Lutheran church and after he had resided in the county for some time a house of worship for that denomination was erected on land which he owned. His political allegiance was given the democratic party. In his family were three sons and a daughter, Henry, Herman, Anna and Gerhard, and it was at the home of the last named that the parents passed away. The mother's brother, Henry Lueschen (the name being Grotelueschen in Germany) built one of the first log cabins in Columbus in 1856.
Gerhard Leseke was a little lad of but six summers when brought by his father to the United States. He attended the district schools in Bismark township, in district No. 2, which was one of the first schools established in the township, the schoolhouse being built of logs. The methods of instruction, too, were somewhat primitive, but there were also many lessons to be learned in the school of experi- ence, as he assisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm. Being the youngest son, he remained at home and assisted in the work of the farm. At the age of seventeen years he began farming for himself with ox teams, and his parents lived with him until they were called to their final rest.
As his financial resources increased as the result of industry and economy Ger- hard Loseke kept adding to his farm, making purchases of land at from four to one hundred and twenty-five dollars per acre. In this manner he acquired over one thousand acres in the county, being numbered among the most extensive landowners. He has since given all of his children good farms, retaining only one hundred and twenty acres for himself. He concentrated his efforts upon the development and cultivation of his fields and to his farms added many modern improvements so that all became valuable properties. In addition to tilling the fields he engaged exten- sively in stock-raising and whatever he undertook he carried forward to successful completion, for industry and determination enabled him to overcome all of the diffi- culties and obstacles in his path. He raised high grade Hereford cattle and always topped the market. He was one of the first in the county to begin shipping stock and his success in that undertaking constituted an example that others profitably followed. When a boy he used to see many Indians, the redskins far outnumber- ing the "palefaces" in his locality. There were few of the comforts and none of the luxuries of life to be enjoyed and existence on the Nebraska prairies at that time meant earnest, persistent labor in order to gain a living. Mr. Loseke continued to make his home by the side of the creek which was named in honor of his family until 1913, when he retired from active business and took up his abode in Columbus. He started out empty-banded, but by hard work won a gratifying measure of success.
On the 11th of July, 1873, Mr. Loseke was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Mueller, who was born in Hanover, Germany, May 2, 1855, and died June 2, 1893. Her father, Henry Mueller, came to Platte county in pioncer times and took up
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a homestead in Bismark township, remaining upon his farm until his death. To Mr. and Mrs. Loseke were born eight children: E. Wilhelmina, is the wife of Charles Wurdeman, an architect of Columbus, and has three children. Emeline Josephine is the wife of Adolph Frese, of Bismark township, by whom she has six children. Edward Gustave, who was born December 23, 1881, and is engaged in farming and the raising of Hereford cattle on the home place, married Emma Luers and has three children. George E. was born February 17, 1884, and married Lillie Korte. who died February 25, 1909, leaving a daughter, Violet. Edwin Gerhard, who was born May 4, 1886, and follows farming, married Alma Huntemann and has three children. Emma Eliza is the wife of William Luckey, a farmer, and has two chil- dren. Emil Gottfried, a farmer by occupation, was born January 21, 1891, and married Anna Mueller, by whom he has one child. Ernst Walter, who was born March 19, 1893, and after attending the Lincoln School of Agriculture began farming, married Martha Arnold. All are now residents of Bismark township. In 1913 Mr. Loseke was again married, his second union being with Miss Emma Hanstadt.
In his political views Mr. Loseke is a republican and while never an active party worker has always been a progressive citizen and is a broad-minded, intelli- gent man. His activity has been a source of public benefit as well as of individual success, for his efforts demonstrate what can be accomplished by the utilization of the natural resources of the county. Hc is one of the honored pioneer settlers and his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progres- sive present, for he has lived in the county through fifty-seven years, during which a marvelous change has occurred, for the wild prairie, dotted with millions of flowers in June and covered in winter by a dazzling, unbroken sheet of snow, has been converted into rich and productive fields, in the midst of which stand substan- tial farmhouses, while here and there towns and villages have sprung up and all of the evidences of modern civilization are to be found on every hand.
WILLIAM S. EVANS, M. D.
Dr. William S. Evans is a prominent physician of Columbus who has practiced his profession in this city continuously since 1905, devoting special attention to surgery. His birth occurred in Tarentum, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, on the 17th of October, 1863, his parents being John C. and Nancy A. (Gilliford) Evans, the former born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1838, and the latter in that state on the 29th of July, 1840. Their marriage was celebrated on the 23d of December. 1862. The year 1879 witnessed their arrival in Columbus, Nebraska, where John C. Evans passed away in 1914 and his wife in 1903. More extended mention of them will be found on another page of this work.
After completing the high-school course in Columbus, Nebraska, William S. Evans went to Baltimore, Maryland, for professional training, being graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1903. During the years of 1903 and 1904 he was resident surgeon of the Baltimore City Hospital and subsequently practiced in Pittsburg for a year. In 1905 he returned to Columbus and has here remained continuously since, largely specializing in surgical work. With the con-
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stant progress of the profession he keeps in close touch through his membership in the Columbus Medical Society, the Platte County Medical Society, the Nebraska State Medical Association and the American Medical Association.
Dr. Evans has been married twice. In 1890, in Salt Lake City, he wedded Miss Imogene Williams, who passed away in 1907, leaving four children, namely: Robert G., Leland H., Imogene W. and Ira Kenneth. In 1908, in Los Angeles, California, he was again married, his second union being with Miss Florence Whit- moyer, a daughter of Colonel Michael Whitmoyer, of Columbus, Nebraska. In politics Dr. Evans is a progressive and his religious faith is that of the Federated church. He is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, being identified with the York Rite and also belonging to the Mystic Shrine. He is past commander of the commandery at Salt Lake City, Utah, and he is likewise a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
BERNARD LOHAUS.
Many of the residents of Platte county have had their nativity in or trace their ancestry to Germany, among which number is Bernard Lohaus, who was born in Humphrey township on the 1st of January, 1878, a son of Henry and Mary (Elpers) Lohaus, natives of Germany. The father came to America in early life, crossing the Atlantic about 1865, at which time he took up his abode in Baltimore, Maryland, where he remained for two years. He then went to Iowa, where he engaged in farming for a decade, at the end of which time he came to Platte county, Nebraska, and purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Humphrey township. He then concentrated his energies upon the cultivation and improvement of his farm, which he operated throughout his remaining days. He also secured a timber claim of one hundred and sixty acres and thus became the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of rich land, which he converted into a valuable farm property. He died in March, 1906, while his wife survived for seven years, passing away in March, 1913.
Under the parental roof Bernard Lohaus spent the days of his boyhood and youth and his education was acquired in the parochial schools at Humphrey. As his age and strength increased he assisted more and more largely in the work of the home farm and upon the death of his father he came into possession of the old home place by purchasing the interest of the other heirs in the property. His farm comprises one hundred and twenty acres on section 18, Humphrey township, and one hundred and sixty acres on section 13, Granville township. For the past nine years he has been in entire control of the place, which he is now carefully and systematically cultivating. He has wrought a marked change in its appearance by the many improvements that he has put upon it. He has but recently com- pleted a five thousand dollar residence, modern in every respect, and he has other good buildings upon his farm, providing ample shelter for grain and stock. Well kept fences divide the farm into fields of convenient size, and he uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of developing and caring for his crops. He makes a specialty of raising Polled Durham and Shorthorn cattle, Duroc Jersey hogs and White Orpington chickens, and his work in this direction sets a standard
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