USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 14
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WILLIAM R. FREY.
William R. Frey is the owner of a bottling works at Humphrey, his native town. He has always resided there and, active along business lines, has made for himself a creditable position in commercial circles. He was born December 31, 1890, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Schmitz) Frey, natives of Germany. The father came to America when eighteen years of age and made his way to Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand. He afterward cultivated a rented farm for several years and later removed to Platte county, Nebraska, where he purchased land which he continued to develop and improve until 1905. He then retired and removed to Humphrey, where he and his wife now make their home, enjoying a well earned rest.
William R. Frey was reared and educated in Humphrey and attended both the public and parochial schools. He started out in the business world in connec- tion with the implement trade and a year later he entered the employ of Mr. Baekes, a nurseryman with whom he remained for a year and a half. He next purchased a dray and engaged in teaming for two or three years, after which he bought out the Humphrey Bottling Works and has since conducted business along that line. He bottles soft drinks, all of his own manufacture, including soda water,
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pop and various other light beverages. He has a well equipped plant and does a good business. The excellence of his product insures a ready sale of the output.
On the 10th of November, 1914, Mr. Frey was united in marriage to Miss Josie Foley, a daughter of John and Rachel (Johnson) Foley. The father, who has been in the service of the Illinois Central Railroad Company as section foreman for the past twenty-eight years, now makes his home at Anthon, Iowa. The mother passed away in 1905.
In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Frey are Catholics and he holds membership with the Knights of Columbus. Politically he is a democrat, voting for the men and measures of the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is well known in Humphrey and this part of the county and has many friends among those who have known him from his boyhood as well as among the acquaint- ances of later years.
JUDGE ERNST C. HALM.
Judge Ernst C'. Halm is one of the substantial and highly respected citizens of Humphrey, where he is filling the office of justice of the peace and also conducting an insurance agency. His life, having always been well spent, has gained him warm regard and he has the faculty of winning the friendship of those with whom be comes in contact. He was born in Dansville, New York, December 14, 1861, a son of John Baptist and Marie (Kling) Halm, who were natives of Prussia. It was about 1848 that the father came to America, settling in New York city, where he became associated with the German Staats-Zeitung, the largest German daily paper in this country. He acted as traveling representative for the company, vis- iting all parts of the United States in the interest of the paper. While at New Orleans he accidentally slipped from a gang plank and the injuries which he sus- tained resulted in his death in 1863. His widow survived him for many years, pass- ing away at Mount Vernon, New York, in August. 1905.
Judge Halm was reared and educated in New York city, in Elmira, New York, and in Blossburg, Pennsylvania, the last named town being just across the boun- dary line from New York. His time was passed in the three places until he reached the age of fifteen years. His mother had married again about 1865, and in 1877 the family removed to Boone county, Nebraska, where his stepfather home- steaded a quarter section of prairie land and also secured an eighty-acre timber claim. Judge Halm remained with his mother and stepfather until he attained his majority, when he started out in life on his own account, going to Columbus, Ne- braska, where he was employed in a grocery store as clerk for two years. He then entered into partnership with C. G. Hickok and Julias Rasmussen, and in addition to conducting a grocery business at Columbus they established a store at Platte Center, conducting both places for three years. On the expiration of that period they sold out to C. C. Carrig, with whom Judge Halm remained for six years or until September, 1895, when he removed to Humphrey to work in a general store. There he remained for seven years, after which he returned to Columbus and was employed in a dry goods store for five years. He then again came to Humphrey and accepted a position in the general store of MeKillip & Ewing, with whom he .
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continued for three years, when he turned his attention to the fire insurance busi- ness, in which he has since been engaged. In 1911 he was elected justice of the peace of Humphrey and has since occupied the position, with office in the city hall. He has made a most creditable record, his decisions being strictly fair and impar- tial, based upon the law and the equity in the case. At the same time he is sue- cessfully conducting an insurance agency. handling life, accident and fire insurance and writing many policies annually.
Judge Halm has been married twice. In January, 1882, he wedded Miss Jen- nie Johnson, a daughter of John Johnson, who was a native of Sweden. To them was born a son, Eugene W., who is now thirty-one years of age and acts as adver- tising manager for the Bankers Realty Investment Company of Omaha. The wife and mother passed away in 1889 and in 1893 Judge Halm was again married, his second union being with Ada Todd Farrell, a daughter of John and Jane (Almond) Todd, natives of England. They emigrated to the United States in an early day and the father worked at the machinist's trade in Illinois during the remainder of his life. After his death Mrs. Todd became the wife of Mathew Farrell, a pioneer agriculturist of Platte county, Nebraska, who took up a homestead claim here in the late '60s. He is an honored veteran of the Civil war and since putting aside the active work of the fields, in 1905, has resided at the Soldiers Home at Grand Island. His wife passed away in the year 1907. Judge and Mrs. Halm have a daughter, Burdetta M., who is twenty-one years of age and is engaged in teaching school.
Judge Halm is a Catholic in religious belief and is identified with the Knights of Columbus and with the Modern Woodmen of America. In community affairs he has taken a deep and helpful interest, has served on the school board and when a resident of Platte Center was a member of the town council and also mayor of the town, largely furthering its interests by his public-spirited devotion to the gen- eral good. He now owns two fine residences in Humphrey, one of which he rents, occupying the other, which he and his wife have made a most hospitable home, its doors being ever open for the cordial reception of their many friends.
COLUMBUS CLUB HOUSE.
The Columbus Club House is one of the most enterprising business interests of the county seat of Platte county. It is owned by the firm of Whitcomb & Ells- worth and is the only undertaking of that character in the city. It furnishes a place of elean amusement and is splendidly equipped for the purpose for which it is intended. There are three bowling alleys of the finest maple and they were used in the national tournament at Peoria, Illinois, held in March, 1915. The alleys are equipped with the latest pin-setting devices and all around the room is a large bal- cony for the comfort and pleasure of those who desire to watch the game but do not care for the moment to participate therein. The alleys are liberally patronized by gentlemen and ladies. In fact it is the purpose of the firm to maintain an amusement house that the people of highest standing will attend. There are three pocket billiard tables on the first floor and a liberal patronage is also accorded in that department. In addition to the billiard tables on the first floor there is also one
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in the rear of the balcony which is always in usc. The club house also maintains one of the finest equipped cigar and tobacco stores in Nebraska and their soda foun- tain can scarcely be surpassed. Both proprietors are very considerate of the wishes of their patrons, doing everything to further their comfort and pleasure, and there is no convenience lacking that is usually found in an establishment of the kind. In a word, the Columbus Club House is an establishment worthy of and receiving the patronage of the best and the city has reason to be proud of this well conducted and ordered business carried on by the firm of Whitcomb & Ellsworth.
P. H. L. MEYER.
P. H. L. Meyer is the owner of one of the splendidly improved properties of Humphrey township, his home farm being on section 35. He there has a fine modern residence, while other equipments and accessories of the model farm add to the attractive appearance of his place. He has gained prominence as a breeder and raiser of registered stock, his name in this connection being known throughout western Nebraska. Germany has furnished a large percentage of citizens to Platte county and among this number is Mr. Meyer, who was born near Hamburg on the 25th of April, 1867. His father, Henry Meyer, was also a native of that place. He was a farmer by occupation and was left a large fortune by his father, who was with Napoleon in his march against Russia. Henry Meyer became a very exten- sive landowner and attained large riches in the old country.
P. H. L. Meyer pursued his education in the schools of the fatherland and in 1885, when a young man of eighteen years, crossed the briny deep to the new world, settling in Platte county, Nebraska, where he engaged in merchandising. While living at Creston and at Humphrey he visited every family in this part of the state, selling to them all kinds of merchandise, and he still has the covered wagon from which he disposed of five hundred thousand dollars worth of goods. His busi- ness affairs were most carefully and wisely conducted, hence his success. In 1902 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land on section 35, Humphrey township, and removed to that farm, upon which he has since resided. He carried on general farming and stock-raising until 1914, when he retired from active farm work and rents out his land, while at the present time he is engaged in the piano and sewing machine business as a retail dcaler. In 1915 he built a new residence upon his farm and has also erected a large cattle and horse barn. In addition he has built a hennery eighty feet long and is raising pure blood Rock Island Reds, his chickens being famous throughout this part of the state. He also breeds pure blooded Duroc Jersey hogs, keeping registered stock and selling for breeding purposes all through this part of Nebraska. He began breeding pure- blood hogs in 1907 and success has attended his efforts in large measure.
In February, 1892, Mr. Meyer was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Westmeyer. who came to this country from Germany, her native land, when a little maiden of eight years. To them have been born twelve children, nine of whom still survive, as follows: Ernest, who follows farming in Humphrey township; Ida; Hilda; Regina; Dora; Elmer; Allen ; Raymond ; and Lonis.
In his political views Mr. Meyer was for many years a stalwart republican
P. H. L. MEYER
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but is now independent. He and his wife and children are members of the Ger- man Lutheran church. He thinks out along independent lines and is a progressive man in thought, purpose and action. Indefatigable industry has ever been one of his salient characteristics and upon it he has builded his success, becoming one of the prosperous residents of his part of the state.
ADAM HYDO.
When sixteen years of age Adam. Hydo came alone to the new world and has since been dependent entirely upon his own resources, so that whatever success hc has achieved and enjoyed is the merited reward of persistent, earnest effort. At the present time he is manager of the Omaha Elevater Company at Tarnov. He was born in Austria in December, 1891, and is a son of Andrew and Anna (Fida) Hydo, who were natives of that country, where the father was a hotel proprietor. He never came to the new world but passed away in Austria in 1912, while his wife's death occurred there in 1911.
Adam Hydo attended school in his native country and in 1907 bade adieu to friends and family and sailed for the United States, being then a youth of sixteen years. He settled first at South Omaha, where he worked on a Polish weekly paper, and later he removed to Fullerton, Nebraska, securing employment in that locality as a farm hand. He was afterward employed in different stores for five years and on the 28th of December, 1914, he came to Tarnov, where he accepted the position as manager of the Omaha Elevator Company of Omaha, having charge of their business at this place. He buys grain and is developing a good business at this point.
Mr. Hydo holds membership in the Catholic church and is a member of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America. He also belongs to the Fraternal Order of Eagles, while his political support is given to the republican party. He has worked carnestly to advance along business lines and already has attained a credit- able position for one of his years.
ALBERT F. PLAGEMANN.
Albert F. Plagemann has since the fall of 1908 been identified with the German National Bank of Columbus, its stockholders representing some of the best known and wealthiest citizens of Platte county and, since April, 1909, he has served as cashier of this financial institution. Mr. Plagemann was born on a farm in Polk county, Nebraska, November 26, 1871, and is a son of Frederich and Augusta (Schulz) Plagemann, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father, who was born in Mecklenberg in 1813, engaged in milling in the fatherland. He was there married and about 1864 emigrated with his family to the new world. He took up a homestead claim in Polk county, Nebraska, and was identified with agricultural interests until the time of his death, which occurred in that county in 1878, when he was about sixty-five years of age. The mother survived for more
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than a quarter of a century and passed away in Columbus in 1905, at the age of seventy-two years.
Albert F. Plagemann was rearcd on the home farm in Polk county and at the usual age entered the country schools there. Subsequently he pursued his studies for one winter in the public schools of Columbus. At the age of sixteen he became a clerk in a hardware establishment of this city, there remaining two years. He then spent eight months in a commercial college in Omaha, where he pursued a business course. Subsequently he went to Kansas and for two years was employed at farm labor. In November, 1897, he once more returned to Columbus and became collection clerk for the Columbus State Bank, remaining in that capacity for twenty- six months. He next entered the employ of the First National Bank of this city as bookkeeper, being thus engaged eight years, and in September, 1908, he was employed by the German National Bank in a similar capacity. His ability was soon recognized and in January, 1909, he was made assistant cashier, while in April following he was made cashier and has since filled this important and responsible position. His career has been a constant progression. From the time of his en- trance into business circles he was keenly alive to the interests of his employers, at the same time safeguarding his own, and this is the key which always unlocks the door to promotion. Mr. Plagemann is also a director in the Home Savings Bank of Columbus.
It was on the 16th of December, 1908, that the marriage of Mr. Plagemann and Miss Mary A. Schneider occurred. She is a daughter of August Schneider and by her marriage has become the mother of one daughter, Martha Augusta Rosetta.
In politics Mr. Plagemann is a democrat, while in religious faith he is a Luth- eran. He has never been active in public affairs, and the only office he has held was that of a member of the school board. His life has ever been characterized by integrity, accuracy, promptness and courteous treatment of customers. Quiet and unassuming in manner, he has raised himself to a prominent position with one of the strongest financial institutions in Platte county.
WILLIAM KLUG.
All of the substantial improvements which are seen upon the farm of William Klug on section 25, Bismark township, are the work of his hands and he is ac- counted one of the enterprising and progressive agriculturists of the community in which he lives. Nebraska numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Colfax county, August 4, 1873. His father, John Klug, whose name indicates his German nativity, was united in marriage to Miss Annie Gisen, a native of Switzerland. They came to America in or about 1868, arriving on the 3d of July, and in that year John Klug homesteaded in Colfax county, Nebraska. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon his place, but with char- acteristic energy he began its development and in course of time converted it into productive fields. Both he and his wife passed away in the same year, 1913, the former at the age of seventy-seven and the latter when fifty-eight years of age.
William Klug was reared in his native county and the usual experiences of the farm boy were his, his time being spent in the enjoyment of youthful pleasures, in
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the work of the fields and in the duties of the schoolroom. His training brought to him a knowledge of the value of industry, economy and perseverance, and the lessons which he thus early learned have proven of value to him in his later years. He has always devoted his life to farming and is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 25, Bismark township, constituting a good farm property. The improvements thereon, all made by himself, stand as a monument to his thrift, industry and progressive spirit. He carries on general farming, produc- ing good crops, and his labors are being attended with substantial success. He also owns other land, including one hundred and twenty acres in a body in Colfax county and two or three smaller tracts.
In 1899 Mr. Klug was married to Miss Anna Schutte, who was born in Colfax county, a daughter of Henry and Gesine Loseke. Her father is now deceased, but her mother resides in Columbus. Mr. and Mrs. Klug have become parents of six children: Ewald, Louis, Laura, Esther, Alvina and Raymond. In politics Mr. Klng is independent, voting according to the dictates of his judgment and the re- quirements of the situation. He has served as a member of the school board and believes in the employment of good teachers and the maintenance of schools which shall be of practical value in training the young for the duties of life. He has also served as a member of the board of the German Lutheran church, in which he holds membership. and his life is guided by the teachings of that organization.
JOSEPH BROCKHAUS.
Among the active, energetic farmers of Humphrey township is numbered Joseph Brockhaus, who is living on section 31. He arrived in this county when a youth of fifteen years, his birth having occurred in Wisconsin, February 2, 1861, his parents being G. H. and Annie G. (Summers) Brockhaus. He began his education in the schools of his native state and there had the usual training of the farm lad, remaining in Wisconsin until 1876, when he came with his parents to Platte county, Nebraska. He has always remained with his parents but started in business inde- pendently at the age of twenty-five years, when he took charge of the home place, which he has since cultivated, his father turning over two hundred and forty acres to him at that time. He now has a splendidly developed farm on which are lacking none of the accessories and improvements of the model farm of the twentieth cen- tury. He has added to his original holdings by the purchase of one hundred and twenty acres adjoining, so that he now has an excellent farm of three hundred and sixty acres situated on section 31, Humphrey township. He afterward bought two hundred and twenty acres on section 3, Humphrey township, which is also improved and which he rents. His work has been carried on along systematic lines, and the results of his carefully and intelligently directed labor are seen in the success which has crowned his efforts, his five hundred and eighty acres of land being the visible evidence of a life of well directed energy and thrift. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Humphrey and of the Farmers State Bank there.
On the 16th of February, 1886, Mr. Brockhaus was joined in wedlock to Miss Josephine Fangmann, who was born in Kentucky, June 7, 1868. a daughter of Anton and Carrie Fangmann, who were natives of Germany. They came to America at
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an early day and located in Kentucky. The father was a cigar maker by trade and became the owner of a cigar factory and store in Kentucky, where he resided until he removed to Nebraska, settling in Omaha, where he engaged in the same busi- ness. He afterward came to Platte county and purchased land, which he cultivated for several years and then retired, at which time he removed to Humphrey, where he has since resided, being now eighty-five years of age. His wife died in Septem-' ber, 1913, at the age of eighty-three years. Their daughter, Mrs. Brockhaus, passed away March 18, 1909, after an illness of only four days, her death being a matter of deep regret to her many friends as well as to her relatives and imme- diate family. She had become the mother of nine children: Mary, the wife of John Wemhoff, a resident farmer of Idaho; Annie, the wife of August Weiser, who fol- lows farming in Humphrey township; Gertrude, the wife of Edward Weiser, a resident farmer of Grand Prairie township; and Lizzie, Katie, Johanna, Frank, Ferdinand and Theresia, all at home.
The Catholic church claims the allegiance of Mr. Brockhaus, who has been a lifelong member thereof. He gives his political support to the democratic party but aside from casting his ballot in defense of its principles is not an active politi- cian, for he does not seek nor desire office as a reward for party fealty. On the contrary, he prefers to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs and, work- ing persistently along the lines of modern farming, he has become one of the most prosperous and progressive agriculturists of his part of the county.
FRANK H. MORROW, B. S., M. D.
Dr. Frank H. Morrow is an able and successful representative of the medical profession in Columbus, where he has practiced continuously for the past seven years, specializing in surgery. His birth occurred in Turin, New York, on the 5th of February, 1880, his parents being Thomas and Mary (McDonald) Morrow. The father, born in County Sligo, Ireland, in 1839, emigrated to the United States with his mother in boyhood and was married in the Empire state. In 1881 he removed with his family to Holt county, Nebraska, and in 1905 took up his abode in Scotts Bluff county, this state, where he has since resided.
Frank H. Morrow acquired his early education in the country schools of Holt county, Nebraska, afterward pursued a high-school course in Atkinson and subse- quently entered the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1906. He prepared for a professional career in the medical department of the same institution, winning the degree of M. D. in 1908. He then opened an office in Columbus and has here re- mained during the intervening years, specializing in surgery and being accorded an extensive and gratifying practice in recognition of his superior skill. That he keeps in close touch with the work and progress of his profession is indicated in his mem- bership in the Columbus City Medical Society, the Platte County Medical Society, the Nebraska State Medical Association and the American Medical Association.
On the 4th of November, 1914, in Columbus, Nebraska, Dr. Morrow was united in marriage to Miss Marie Catharine Rusche, a daughter of F. H. Rusche. He gives his political allegiance to the democracy and fraternally is identified with the
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Royal Highlanders, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Knights of Colum- bus, the Catholic Knights of America and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is also a devout communicant of the Catholic church. Both the Doctor and his wife are well known in social circles of Columbus and have a host of warm friends.
JACOB OLK.
Jacob Olk is proprietor of the only hardware and implement store at Cornlea and is conducting a gratifying and growing business. He was born in Germany, October 12, 1859, and is a son of Nicholas and Angella Olk, who were also natives of that country. The mother died there thirty-five years ago, but the father is still living in Germany at the very advanced age of eighty-seven years.
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