USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 13
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On the 8th of September, 1883, in Columbus, Nebraska, Mr. Hockenberger was united in marriage to Miss Amelia L. Metz, a daughter of Philip and Josephine (Becher) Metz, her father being one of the founders of the Metz Brothers Brewing
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Company of Omaha. To our subject and his wife have been born six children, as follows: Lottie M., who gave her hand in marriage to Julius S. Nichols, of Columbus, Nebraska; William E .; Philip R .; Elaine K .; Paul H .; and Josephine Charlotte.
Politically Mr. Hockenberger is a staunch prohibitionist and a member of the state committee of prohibition. He has also served on the Columbus school board and the library board, being now a member of the latter. In 1881 he joined the Columbus Militia and was connected therewith for two years or until his company was disbanded, doing service in Omaha during two weeks of strike riots in 1882. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and he likewise belongs to the Men's Club, the Young Men's Christian Association and the Com- mercial Club and is an honorary member of the fire department, having served thereon for eight or nine years. He attends the Grace Episcopal church, in which he is serving as vestryman, but he is a member of the Baptist church. His energy, enterprise and progressive spirit have carried him forward into important relations with various interests of the community and have made him a citizen whose worth is widely known.
JOHN JANICEK.
John Janicek is a resident of Columbus, his home being at the corner of Seventeenth and Platte streets, but he is proprietor of a garage at Humphrey, where he spends three or four days each week. He was born in Austria, January 21, 1868, and is a son of Frank and Caroline Janicek, who were natives of the same country, there remaining until the year 1877, when they bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the new world. They did not tarry on the coast but made their way at once into the interior of the country with Butler county, Nebraska, as their destination. The father had followed farming in Austria and on coming to this state he purchased and improved eight hundred acres of land, which he continued to cultivate until 1899, when he retired and removed to Columbus, there residing for thirteen years. His wife died in 1901, after which he made his home with his children until he, too, passed away in March, 1912.
John Janicek was a lad of nine years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, after which he was reared in Butler county, Nebraska, where he remained, assisting his father in the development and improvement of the home farm until he reached the age of twenty-seven years, when he removed onto a tract of one hundred and sixty aeres given him by his father. This he improved and later extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchase until he owned a half section of land, which he further developed and cultivated for about sixteen years. At the end of that time he sold his farm and invested in a section of land in Greeley county, Nebraska, an improved farm that he still owns and now rents, deriving therefrom a good income. At the end of that time he removed to Columbus, where he has since resided, being now pleasantly located in an attractive home at the corner of Seventeenth and Platte streets. In April, 1915, however, he established a garage at Humphrey for his son and now spends about
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three or four days each week in supervising the business there. He also has the agency for the Ford cars and he is a stockholder in the Portland Cement Com- pany of Superior, Nebraska.
In November, 1894, Mr. Janicek was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Thanel, her father being Emanuel Thanel, a native of Austria, who is still engaged in farming in that country. Our subject and his wife have three children, namely: Frank, who is engaged in the automobile business at Humphrey, Nebraska; and Annie and Rudolph, both attending school.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and politically Mr. Janicek is independent, voting according to the dictates of his judgment and the demands of the times. His life has been one of persistent energy and his efforts have been fruitful of good results, bringing him substantial return for his labor as the years have gone by.
EDGAR HOWARD.
Edgar Howard, owner and publisher of the Telegram of Columbus since 1900, was born at Osceola, Iowa, September 16, 1858, a son of James Dakin and Martha (Daniel) Howard. They were natives of Ohio and Virginia respectively and were born on the same day-July 9, 1824. The father spent his boyhood days in Ohio and afterward removed to Indiana, whence in 1853 he went to Iowa, where he engaged in the cattle and merchandise business. He had previously been a school teacher and merchant. For more than three decades he remained a resident of Iowa, passing away in Des Moines in 1884. His wife long survived and died at Enid, Oklahoma, in 1913.
Edgar Howard attended private and public schools and afterward became a student in the Iowa College of Law, a department of Drake University, but did not graduate. He was admitted to the bar at Papillion, Nebraska, in 1885. He first became connected with newspaper publication on the Glenwood (Ia.) Opinion and as a boy printer traveled extensively over the country, never remaining long at any place. He filled the positions of printer, reporter and city editor, and for quite a time was connected in the last named capacity with the Daily Herald, of Dayton, Ohio. He first began newspaper publication on his own account at Papillion, Nebraska, where he was owner of the Times in partnership with George Magney, now county attorney at Omaha. After remaining there for three years he went to Benkelman, Nebraska, and established the first democratic paper pub- lished between MeCook and Denver. He also spent three years there, after which he returned to Papillion and again purchased the Times, which he published until 1900, when he came to Columbus and purchased the Telegram from Senator Pascal, since which time he has edited that paper. He has attracted some attention as a political writer. His writings have always shown forth strong antagonism to special interests and trusts menacing the welfare of the masses. In politics he has ever been an earnest democrat, giving stalwart support to the party principles and never hesitating to express clearly and forcibly his convictions. In 1891 he was cleeted to the state legislature from Sarpy county, and was the only member
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elected as a straight democrat. He resigned his legislative seat to take the office of probate judge of the same county, which he filled from 1895 to 1900.
On the 11th of November, 1884, at Clarinda, Iowa, Mr. Howard was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Burtch, her father being Alexander Burtch, who was a pioneer postmaster at Bellevue, Nebraska, in 1857 and 1858. To them have been born three children, namely: Findley Burtch, whose birth occurred October 8, 1885, and who is now in the United States treasury department service at Cristobal, Panama (canal zone) ; Mary Burtch, who was born February 5, 1888, and gave her hand in marriage to Harry Rex, of Creston, Iowa; and Helen Burtch, who was born November 2, 1893, and lives at home.
In religious belief Mr. Howard is an Episcopalian. He enjoys Bohemian life and cares little for the conventionalities which are based upon custom rather than common sense. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, having attained the Knight Templar degree of the York Rite and the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. He is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Woodmen of the World and the Imperial Mystic Legion. Mr. Howard has become well known in newspaper circles in Nebraska.
LOUIS F. PHILLIPPS.
The attractiveness of Platte county as a place of residence is evidenced in the fact that many of her native sons have remained within her borders, finding here business conditions and opportunities which have enabled them to win success and gain a creditable position among men of affluence. To this class belongs Louis F. Phillipps, who is now living retired in Columbus after long connection with mercantile interests in his native county.
He was born December 29, 1863, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Phillipps, in whose family were six children, and three sons and two daughters are still living. The father, a native of Baden, Germany, died in 1907, at the age of eighty-two years, having long survived his wife, who was a native of Switzerland and died at the age of sixty-eight. He was a shoemaker by trade and on coming to the United States settled in Missouri but in 1856 cast in his lot with the pioneer residents of this county, having made the journey by team to Nebraska. He secured a home- stead claim in Loup township, where he faced the conditions and hardships of frontier life. The Indians were still numerous in this part of the state. Wild game of all kinds could be had in abundance and there were many other evidences of the fact that civilization was just beginning to push its way into the western region. Mr. Phillipps used ox teams in cultivating his farm of one hundred and sixty aeres, which was situated a half mile from the Platte river. His early home was a dugout and it contained few comforts and conveniences, but with resolute spirit he set to work to develop his land and provide a living for his family. He carried on general farming and when the grasshoppers destroyed his crops he removed to Columbus and worked at his trade. In time he established a store for the sale of shoes and later added a stock of groceries, becoming one of the enter-
LOUIS F. PHILLIPPS AND FAMILY
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prising merchants of the town, continuing active in business until fifteen years prior to his death, when he retired. His religious belief was that of the Catholic church.
Louis F. Phillipps attended the public schools of Columbus and when fifteen years of age became an apprentice in a painter's and carpenter's shop. He con- tinued to engage in painting until twenty-one years of age, when his health became poor and he took up carpentering, at which he worked for six years. In 1893 he engaged in the sporting goods business, carrying a stock of guns, bicycles, phono- graphs and other merchandise of similar character. He had practically no capital with which to start in this business but his enterprise, diligence and honorable deal- ing carried him through and he won success, remaining active along that line until 1909, when he retired. His trade in the meantime had increased to extensive pro- portions, bringing to him a gratifying annual income. He is still the owner of valuable landed possessions, having three hundred acres in Nance county, Ne- braska, together with two hundred and thirty-five acres on what is known as Buck Island, at the mouth of the Platte and Loup rivers.
In 1894 Mr. Phillipps was joined in wedlock to Miss Margaret Wellmann, who was born on the same lot in Columbus on which their home now stands. To them have been born two children: Harold, who is a graduate of the Columbus high school; and Catherine, at home.
Mr. Phillipps is a prominent and well known figure in fraternal circles. He has been a very active and zealous member of the Knights of Pythias lodge, in which he has held all of the offices. He also belongs to the Woodmen of the World, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Sons of Herman. His con- nection with the Maennerchor indicates his activity in musical circles and he is likewise a charter member of the Orpheus Society. His political indorsement has been given to the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of fran- chise and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his ability, have several times called him to public office. For six years he served as a member of the city council, exer- cising his official prerogatives in support of various movements for the public good. He has also been water commissioner and for six years was a member of the school board, serving for one year as its president. He stands at all times stanch in support of those measures which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride.
TIMOTHY JOSEPH CRONIN.
Timothy Joseph Cronin, of Platte Center, who is conducting a livery and feed business and is also a breeder of fine horses and mules, was born in County Kerry, Ireland, on the 11th of May, 1872, and spending his youthful days in that country pursued his education in the public schools. He was a young man of nineteen years when he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the United States in 1891, settling at Erie, Pennsylvania. There he learned the boiler maker's trade and for two years was in the employ of the Erie City Iron Works, after which he sought the opportunities and business advantages of the growing west.
It was on the 12th of December, 1893, that Mr. Cronin arrived in Platte county, Nebraska, where he engaged in farming for his uncle, Mike Cronin, for about three years. He then began farming on his own account by renting land in 1897 Vol. II- 7
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and for about a year carried on general agricultural pursuits. At the end of that time he accepted a position in the general store of Bruckner & Greisen, with whom he remained for two years, when he entered the livery and feed business and began breeding horses and mules. He is an excellent judge of stock and has bred some very fine horses, his business having now reached large and profitable proportions.
On the 15th of November, 1910, Mr. Cronin was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Fenton, a daughter of Simon and Mary Fenton. They have two children, James Jeremiah and Fenton Thomas. The parents hold membership in the Catholic church and Mr. Cronin belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp No. 3264 and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is a democrat in his political belief and has filled the office of road supervisor. He is now serving as chief of the Platte Center fire department and manifests at all times a progressive citizenship, giving carnest and effective support to public movements which tend to benefit the com- munity.
FRANK M. LEACH.
On the roll of Creston's leading citizens appears the name of Frank M. Leach, an enterprising merchant now engaged in the hardware and implement business under the firm name of Leach & Palmatecr. He was born in New York, September 7, 1864, a son of L. B. and Ann P. (Dickinson) Leach, who were natives of New York. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, removed to the middle west in 1865, settling in Clinton, Iowa, where he purchased land which he owned and cultivated until 1871. He then sold that property and came to Platte county, where he secured a homestead in Humphrey township. He then bent his energies to the development and improvement of that place, continuing its cultivation throughout his remaining days. He died December 6, 1906, while his wife survived until June 10, 1910.
Frank M. Leach was reared and educated in Platte county, Nebraska, being but seven years of age when his parents came to this state. He remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority and then started out in life for himself by renting land, which he continued to cultivate for five years. Removing to Boyd county, he there homesteaded and spent two years in cultivating a new tract. He then returned to the old home place in Humphrey township, which he later purchased, and continued to develop and further improve that farm until he decided to put aside agricultural pursuits and enter commercial circles of Hum- phrey, where he purchased the Humphrey Buck Works, which he conducted for three years. He then sold that plant and bought land in Creston and Humphrey townships, carrying on general farming for three years, after which he once more sold his farm and removed to Creston. Here he purchased the hardware and implement business of G. W. Smith and has since conducted it, having a well appointed establishment and a good trade. In the spring of 1912 he admitted Arthur Palmateer to a partnership under the firm style of Leach & Palmateer. They carry a full line of shelf and heavy hardware and they also handle the Ford and Studebaker cars, both branches of their business bringing to them substantial returns. Mr. Leach is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of
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Creston and in the Citizens State Bank of Creston, and is a stockholder and vice president of the Humphrey Telephone Company. Throughout his entire business life he has ever been watchful of opportunities and has improved many which others have passed heedlessly by. His time has been well spent and deserved success erowns his efforts.
On the 13th of February, 1887, Mr. Leach was married to Miss Frances M. Hummel, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Snyder) Hummel, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer by occupation and in an early day left the east, removing to Jackson county, Iowa, where he purchased land, there carrying on general farming throughout the residue of his days. He passed away in June, 1895, having for almost three years survived his wife, who died in Sep- tember, 1892.
Mr. and Mrs. Leach have six children: Vera, born December 31, 1887; Pearl, whose birth occurred April 1, 1889; Stella, who was born on the 10th of February, 1893; Clifford, born April 24, 1895; Raymond, born January 4, 1898; and Ruth, October 1, 1907. In his religious faith Mr. Leach is a Presbyterian and fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and with the Modern Woodmen of America, having been identified with the latter organization for twenty-two years. Politically he is a demoerat and is the present assessor of Creston township, while for the past five years he has been a member of the town board. For several years he has served on the democratie county central committee and takes an active and helpful part in advancing the principles in which he believes. He is a man ever loyal to his honest convictions and his position is never an equivocal one, for he fearlessly announces his course and adheres thereto.
JOSEPH BENDER.
Joseph Bender owns and occupies a fine residence in Humphrey and is today enjoying a well earned rest-the fruits of his former toil. He was long actively and prominently identified with agricultural pursuits and as the years went on his carefully directed efforts brought to him a substantial measure of success. He was born in Henry, Marshall county, Illinois, June 7, 1866, and is a twin brother of Henry C. Bender, of Granville township, and a son of Peter and Catharine (Mallmann) Bender. The father was born in Menamebach, Germany, October 3, 1825, and the mother's birth occurred in Wenhausen, Germany, February 17, 1832. He was a farmer by occupation and he served for three years in the German army. In 1856 he came to America, settling in Henry, Illinois, where he rented land and engaged in farming until the spring of 1886. In that year he came to Hum- phrey and purchased large traets of land in Humphrey and Granville townships, owning at least one thousand aeres. He afterward gave each of his eight children eighty aeres of land as they became of age. He located in the town of Humphrey and carried on general farming with the help of his sons, being known both in Illinois and Nebraska as a prominent stockman and farmer because of his extensive interests and the able manner in which he managed his affairs. He retired from active business life at the death of his good wife December 29, 1906, and was making his home with his son Joseph at the time of his death on the 7th of
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November, 1910. He was a man of keen business discernment, readily recognizing the possibilities of a situation, and his energy and enterprise brought to him sub- stantial and gratifying success.
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bender became the parents of nine children, as follows: Peter, who was born June 12, 1853, and died on the 9th of April, 1915; Phillip, whose birth occurred June 24, 1855, and who passed away November 3, 1912; John William, who was born May 11, 1858, and follows farming in Humphrey township; Mary, whose natal day was July 5, 1859, and who died on the 17th of September, 1863; Catharine, who was born May 23, 1862, and gave her hand in marriage to Edward Leible, of Elgin, Nebraska; Annie, who was born July 11, 1863, and is the wife of Stephen L. German, a farmer of Granville township; Joseph, of this review; Henry C., who was born June 7, 1866, is a twin brother of Joseph and is engaged in farming in Granville township; and Lizzie, who was born February 22, 1876, and is the wife of Fred Van Ackeren, of Cedar Rapids, Nebraska.
Joseph Bender attended the common schools of Marshall county, Illinois, and assisted his father in the cultivation and improvement of the home farm until twenty years of age, when he located on the eighty-acre tract given him by his father, situated on section 22, Humphrey township. There he lived and farmed for twenty years and to his original holdings he kept adding until he owned three hundred and twenty acres of good land, which he brought under a high state of cultivation and to which he added many modern improvements. Year by year his farm work was systematically and carefully carried on. He studied soil conditions, knew the crops best adapted to climate and became acquainted with the needs of all kinds of cereals raised in this part of the country. His work was directed by intelligent judgment and brought splendid returns. In 1907 he retired and removed to Humphrey, where he purchased eighteen acres of town property, ineluding a fine residence. He then rented his farm and today lives retired, enjoy- ing a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. For years while upon the farm he handled registered Poland China hogs and took many premiums thereon. He also owned a thoroughbred Percberon stallion, Black Champion, and all of the stock which he kept upon his farm was of high grade. He now has another property in the city besides his home, which is one of the finest residences of the county.
On the 21st of January, 1890, Mr. Bender was united in marriage to Miss Katie Wunder, a daughter of Simon and Paulina (Yachter) Wunder, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father became an agriculturist of Henry, Illinois, and there spent the remainder of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Bender have two children, namely: Tracie, who was born on the 30th of March, 1891; and Irene, who was born March 25, 1894, and gave her hand in marriage to Tony Schacher, of Hum- phrey.
Mr. Bender and his brother Henry challenge any pair of twins in the state for weight, the former tipping the scales at two hundred and forty and the brother at three hundred pounds. In his political views Joseph Bender is a democrat and has filled a number of local offices. He was a member of the township board for six years, was road boss of Granville township for seven years and has been constable and justice of the peace in Humphrey township. He is a member of the city council, now serving his seventh year, and at the present time he is mayor
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of Humphrey. He has also been officially connected with the schools as director and trustee. He and his family are identified with St. Francis Catholic church of Humphrey, of which he is a trustee, and he is a member of Humphrey Council of the Knights of Columbus. His has been an active and useful life, fraught with good for the district in which he has lived, his labors being farreaching and important along lines that have led to public progress and improvement.
JANET CLAIRE McALLISTER.
Janet Claire McAllister is filling the position of assistant postmaster at Columbus, proving most efficient in that connection. She was born May 26, 1890, in the city which is still her home, a daughter of William Alexander and Mary (Coalter) McAllister, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work. Passing through consecutive grades in the public schools, she became a student in the Columbus high school and was graduated therefrom on the 6th of June, 1908. Later she attended the Nebraska State University and for one year engaged in teaching, but turned from that profession to accept a clerkship in the Columbus postoffice, with which she is now connected, having been appointed assistant post- master on the 19th of November, 1913. She knows every phase of postoffice work, is most systematic and careful in conducting the interests of the office and has maintained a most creditable and satisfactory record in the discharge of her duties. Miss McAllister is a member of the Presbyterian church of Columbus and has a very wide acquaintance in this city, in which her entire life has been passed and in which her attractive qualities have gained her wide popularity.
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