USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 18
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Company. He remains in this connection today and handles annually two hundred and twenty-five car loads of grain. He not only buys and sells grain but also coal and hogs and is in control of an extensive and growing business.
On the 16th of February, 1910, Mr. Cruickshank was united in marriage to Miss Emma Jones, a daughter of Cassamer and Sarah Jones, both of whom now reside at Uehling. Nebraska, where the former owns and operates a dray line. Mr. and Mrs. Cruickshank have one child, Cecil, born July 13, 1915.
The parents are members of a Presbyterian church in Dodge county and socially they are highly esteemed wherever known. In politics Mr. Cruickshank is a democrat and fraternally he has connection with the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Snyder, Nebraska. He greatly enjoys athletics and manly outdoor sports and is a member of the Cornlea Baseball Club, while at Snyder, in 1912, he threw Anton Stecker, brother of Joe Stecker, the world's champion, in three minutes in a wrestling bout. While greatly interested in these things, he never allows them to interfere with his business duties. He is fortunate in possessing character and ability that command respect and the simple weight of his character and ability has carried him into important business relations.
JOSEPH W. SMITH.
Within a few decades Platte county has been converted from a broad tract of wild prairie land into highly cultivated farms, the productiveness of which is con- stantly being enhanced by the efforts and labors of a class of energetic and persistent men. Among these is Joseph W. Smith, who makes his home in Gran- ville township. It was in that township that he was born October 13, 1893, a son of Joseph W. and Anna (Lachnit) Smith, the former a native of Holland and the latter of Austria. The father was a fisherman in the old country, but when a young man came to America and took up his abode in Keokuk, Iowa, where he worked for a short time as a laborer. He afterward continued his westward journey to Platte county, Nebraska, where he became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land situated on section 36, Granville township. With charac- teristic energy he set about improving the place and devoted his remaining days to its further cultivation and development, making it a productive and valuable farm. In his passing on the 12th of April. 1902, the community lost a worthy citizen. His widow survives and now makes her home in Humphrey.
Joseph W. Smith spent his youthful days under the parental roof, meeting with the usual experiences of the farm boy who divides his time between the work of the fields and the acquirement of an education. He attended the district schools and afterward became a pupil in the parochial school at Humphrey. When his text- books were put aside he became active in the work of the farm, which he now rents from his mother. He is busily engaged in its further cultivation and his labors are responsible for the excellent appearance of the farm, which is a well kept property. His sister Mary acts as his housekeeper. There are six children in the family: William, now a resident of Humphrey ; Joseph W. ; Mary; Anthony, also living in Humphrey; and Clara and George, who are with their mother.
Joseph W. Smith is a communicant of the Catholic church and belongs to the
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Catholie Order of Foresters, while his political allegiance is given to the demo- eratie party. He has always lived in Platte county, where he has worked steadily and persistently to gain a living and lay up something for the future. Life is to him purposeful and his efforts have brought good results.
A. J. ZELLER.
A. J. Zeller is now living retired in Creston but for a long period was identified with agricultural pursuits in this state and in the careful conduet of his farming interests won success, whereby he is enabled to rest without further recourse to business affairs to yield him a comfortable living. Born in Bavaria, Germany, his natal day was February 29, 1845, his parents being Conrad and Magdalena (Honge) Zeller, who were also natives of Germany. In early life the parents eame to the new world and settled in Trenton, New Jersey. The father was a blacksmith and worked at his trade for a long period in New Jersey but finally removed to the middle west, settling in Jones county, Iowa, where he lived retired for a considerable period. He then returned to New Jersey, where he passed away in February, 1888, at the age of eighty-seven years, having long survived his wife, who died in 1855.
A. J. Zeller spent his youthful days in his native country and in New Jersey and acquired a public-school education. He continued with his parents until he attained his majority and then removed westward to Jones county, Iowa, where he rented land for a time. He next purchased one hundred and sixty aeres and thereon followed general farming until 1882, when he removed to Nebraska, settling in Platte county. He purchased three hundred and twenty aeres on seetion 2, Creston township, and with characteristic energy began to till the soil, for at that period not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon the place. He afterward rented the land and has continued to lease it to the present time. Having purchased two hundred aeres just across the line in Madison county, he also rents that property and derives therefrom a good ineome. He also had eighty acres more in Creston township, adjoining the town, which he gave to his son. Erecting a fine residence in Creston, he has since made his home in the eity and is widely and favorably known there, taking an active and helpful interest in all affairs calculated to benefit the community.
On November 29, 1869, Mr. Zeller was united in marriage to Miss Monica Wolf, a daughter of Kadros and Christina (Zeller) Wolf, who were natives of Germany. They came from Germany in early life and settled in New York, where the father soon afterward passed away, his death occurring in 1852. The mother married again and became a resident of St. Louis. Her second husband died in that eity, after which she and her children went to Jones county, Iowa, where she now makes her home. She has reached the advanced age of eighty-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Zeller have beeome the parents of five children: Mary M., the wife of S. T. Fleming. a banker of Creston; Addie, the wife of Henry Cashman, living with her father; Fred, a farmer of Creston township; Frank, who was a twin brother of Fred and died in 1892; and Ida, who was a twin sister of Addie and died in Jannary, 1875.
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In his political views Mr. Zeller has always been an earnest democrat and has served on the town board in Creston but otherwise has not held nor sought public office. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Methodist church, and an honorable, upright life has won for him the high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact, while in business affairs his capable management and wise investments have gained for him substantial and well merited prosperity.
JAMES G. LEE.
Business enterprise in Platte Center finds a worthy representative in James G. Lee, who is conducting a restaurant there and who closely and carefully watches over his business, seeking success along well defined lines of trade. Ne- braska claims him as a native son, for his birth occurred upon a farm near Schuyler on the 11th of November, 1885. His parents, Patrick and Anna Lee, were early settlers of Colfax county and the father is now living at Lce this state, but the mother is deceased. He pursued his education in the schools of Coltax county, dividing his time between the mastery of the lessons thercin taught and farm work in the fields as he assisted his father in cultivating the home place. He was actively identified with farming in Colfax county until 1907, when at the age of twenty-two years he removed to Platte county, where for a time he carried on farm work. Later he took up his abode in Platte Center and engaged in the dray and transfer business but eventually purchased the restaurant of which he is now proprietor. He caters to the wishes of the people, supplies his table with the best the market affords and is now enjoying a liberal patronage.
On the 25th of October, 1905, Mr. Lee was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Hennessy, a daughter of John and Mary Hennessy of Platte Center. They have one son, James Francis Ronald, who was born on the 11th of April, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Lec are communicants of the Catholic faith and he is a democrat in his political views. His life has been quietly passed without any spectacular phases or connections. He has depended upon business for the attainment of success, and close application and indefatigable energy have been used as the salient features to win for him a comfortable competence,
JOHN RUDOLPH LUSCHEN.
John Rudolph Luschen is identified with business interests of Columbus as proprietor of a large and well appointed grocery establishment. His birth occurred at Shellereck. Colfax county. Nebraska, on the 8th of November, 1873, his parents being John H. and Anna Maria (Borchers) Luschen, both of whom were natives of Saage, Oldenburg, Germany, and were married at Gross Kneten. in the grand duchy of Oldenburg. The father, born in 1833, emigrated to the United States in August, 1869. and took up his abode at Shellcreek, Colfax county, Nebraska, where he still makes his home. The mother passed away on the 1st of June, 1900.
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John H. Lütjelüschen, the. grandfather of our subject, emigrated to America in company with John H. Lutjeluschen and passed away in 1876 when eighty-eight years of age, while his wife died at the age of seventy-six years. He was the oldest man buried in Platte cemetery.
John Rudolph Luschen attended school at the old Becker & Welch mill in Shell Creek township and after putting aside his textbooks followed farming until 1900. In that year he came to Columbus, Nebraska, and he engaged in the stock business, buying cattle, etc., until 1908. Subsequently he returned to his farm in this county, carrying on agricultural pursuits for three years or until 1913, when he returned to Columbus and purchased a grocery store which he has since con- ducted. He carries an extensive line of staple and fancy groceries and is accorded a most gratifying patronage.
On the 12th of March, 1908, in Columbus, Nebraska, Mr. Luschen was united in marriage to Miss Martha Catharine Zollars, a daughter of David Zollars. They have three children, namely: Lillian W., Alice Gertrude and Norris Wade. In politics Mr. Luschen is a progressive republican and he has twice been chair- man of the republican central committee. He has also taken an active part in state politics. He is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen and an energetic and capable business man, and his worth is widely acknowledged.
JACOB GLUR.
On the list of Platte county's honored dead appears the name of Jacob Glur, who was a self-made man, strong and resourceful in business, active and enter- prising in his connection with the public. He was born May 24, 1856, in the canton of Bern, Switzerland, and there spent the days of his boyhood and youth, coming to the new world when a man of twenty-seven years. He made the voyage across the Atlantic in 1883, accompanied by his sister, Caroline, and immediately after reaching the American coast traveled over the continent to Columbus, Platte county. His sister became the wife of Max Scherrer, of Columbus, who was at that time operating a dairy in the city. Mr. Glur went west to California, where he remained for a time and later traveled north to Oregon and on to Washington, where he engaged in herding sheep. He was also employed in a logging camp but after the close of his sojourn in the northwest he returned to Platte county, Nebraska, in October. 1884, and established cement works, making the enterprise one of continued and substantial success. He put in nearly all of the cement walks in and around Columbus and also built cement walks in some of the smaller towns in this part of the state. He had a well equipped plant supplied with the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work, and as the years passed he carefully managed his interests so that his product found a ready sale upon the market. He continued active in the business until his death, which occurred December 22, 1913.
On the 1st of January, 1885, Mr. Glur was united in marriage to Miss Anna Urech, who was born December 27, 1860. her parents being John and Elizabeth Urech, of Canton Aargau, Switzerland. In June, 1884, she came alone to the new world and by her marriage she has become the mother of nine children, as
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follows : Elizabeth, who is the wife of John Egger, of this county; Bertha, at home; Anna, who gave her hand in marriage to William Ernst, of Columbus. Nebraska; Minnie, who wedded T. F. Askew, of Ogden, Utah; John and Rosa, both at home; Lena, the wife of Lewis Criss, of Benedict, Nebraska; and Jacob and Carl, also at home.
Mr. Glur was a democrat in his political views and kept well informed con- cerning the questions and issues of the day. He belonged also to the Maennerchor Society, to the Swiss Verein and to the Modern Woodmen camp. In all of these organizations he was popular, for he had the faculty of making friends owing to his kindly spirit and many good qualities. He never regretted his determination to come to the new world, for here he found good business opportunities and in their utilization worked his way steadily upward, so that his daily toil returned to him a good living.
GEORGE BORCHER.
The population of Columbus includes a large percentage of retired farmers- men who have recognized and improved the agricultural advantages offered by Platte county and who have gained thereby substantial success. For a considerable period George Borcher carried on general agricultural pursuits and became the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land. He belongs to the German colony that came from Oldenburg, his birth having there occurred on the 21st of July, 1852. His parents were John and Anna (Eilis) Borcher, who were also natives of the fatherland. The former was a laborer and never came to the United States. his death occurring in Germany, in 1867, when he had reached the age of forty- nine years.
George Borcher was the third in order of birth in a family of five children. After attending school in his native country he worked as a farm hand there until he came to the United States, settling in Macon county, Illinois, in 1881. Again he secured employment on a farm, remaining in that locality until 1886, when he removed to Shelby county, Iowa, living near Defiance. He was identified with farming interests of that locality until 1892, which year witnessed his arrival in Platte county. He first rented land near Tarnov in Burrows township but after three years removed to the vicinity of Platte Center, where he rented and occupied a farm for six years. During all this time he was carefully saving his earnings and at length his industry and economy enabled him to purchase land. He then invested in one hundred and twenty acres in Sherman township and carried on general agricultural pursuits in most successful manner until he put aside business cares, removing to Columbus in 1914.
In 1885 Mr. Borcher wedded Miss Lena Hulsebus, who was born in Friesland, Germany, a daughter of Peter and Mary (Prehm) Hulsebus. Her father owned a small traet of land and engaged in farming in Germany but before his marriage was a sailor and as a member of the crew of old-time sailing vessels visited many of the larger seaports of the world. Of the Baptist church he was an active mem- ber. Mr. and Mrs. Borcher have become parents of a daughter and son: Mary. the wife of August Woodlich by whom she has one child. George; and John, who is
GEORGE BORCHER AND FAMILY
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married and lives on a farm in Platte county. A niece, Miss Anna Borcher, now makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. George Borcher.
The religious faith of the family is that of the German Baptist church and Mr. Borcher aided in organizing the congregation which met near his home when he was upon the farm. He held various offices in the church and at all times he has been active in advancing the cause of religion, taking deep interest in the moral progress of his community. Since 1911 he has lived retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves, his residence being at 1707 Olive street.
JOSEPH G. MUETING.
Joseph G. Mueting is a leading merchant of Cornlea, where he is also filling the position of postmaster. In the community where he lives he is recognized as a man of influence and the part which he has played has constituted an important one in advancing the material interests of the district. He has ever displayed sterling qualities, which have won for him regard, and his course is one which may well be followed by others. He was born in Clayton county, Iowa, August 11, 1872, a son of John and Frederica (Schutte) Mueting, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father came to America in the spring of 1861 and made his way to Clayton county; lowa, where he worked as a farm hand for many years. However, he carefully saved his earnings, being ambitous to engage in farming on his own account, and eventually his capital was sufficient to enable him to purchase land, which he owned and cultivated until 1880. He then disposed of his Iowa property and came to Platte county, Nebraska, where he made other investments in land in Burrows township. This he continued to improve and develop, converting it into one of the excellent farms of the district, and thereon he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1895, when he had reached the age of sixty-one years. His wife survived him for two decades, dying in May, 1915. at the age of seventy-three years.
Joseph G. Mueting was a little lad of eight summers at the time of the removal of the family to Nebraska, so that his education was largely acquired in the district schools of Platte county. He remained with his parents upon the home farm until he attained his majority, when he began working as a farm hand for others, spending three years in that way. He afterward rented land, which he cultivated for six years, after which he purchased eighty acres in Burrows township and thereon followed general farming for four years. Once more he sold out and removed to Cornlea, there establishing a saloon, which he conducted for one year. Disposing of that business, he next operated a dray line for two years and later opened a general mercantile store, which he has since conducted. He carries a carefully selected line of goods, buying the best that the market affords and at all times studying the wants and wishes of his patrons in making his purchases. His stock is attractively arranged and his honorable business methods bring to him growing success. On the 15th of March, 1910, he was appointed postmaster of Cornlea and has since occupied that position, conducting the office in connection with his store.
On the 30th of July, 1901, Mr. Mueting was joined in wedlock with Miss Ida
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Kruse, a daughter of Joseph and Carrie (Hay) Kruse, who were natives of Germany. The father was a farmer by occupation and came to America in the '50s, making his way to Illinois, where he purchased land across the river from Dubuque, Iowa. There he carried on farming until 1878, when he came to Platte county, Nebraska. In this county he purchased land, which he developed and improved until 1900, when he retired from active business life and is now making his home with his children. His wife passed away in 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Mueting have become the parents of six children, Joseph, Lawrence, Leota, Mar- cella, Lavera and Adelia.
Mr. Mueting and his family in their religious faith are adherents of the Catholic church. Politically his indorsement is given to the democratic party and he has served on the town board of Cornlea. He is actively interested in all that per- tains to the welfare and upbuilding of the town and of the county and his influence is always given on the side of advancement and progress.
DIRK ALBERS BECHER.
Dirk Albers Becher has been a resident of Platte county for the past thirty- five years and since 1911 has held the position of cashier of the Commercial National Bank of Columbus. He has likewise been a prominent factor in public life, representing his district in the Nebraska legislature for two terms. His birth occurred in Hanover, Germany, on the 17th of January, 1859, his parents being Siefke Dirk and Johanna (Mohlman) Becher, who were born, reared and married in that province. The father passed away in Hanover, in 1874, and six years later the widowed mother emigrated to the United States, her demise occurring in Platte county. Nebraska, in 1886.
Dirk A. Becher acquired his education in the schools of his native province and was twenty-one years of age when in 1880 he accompanied his mother and four sisters on their emigration to the new world. In the fall of that year the family established their home on a farm in this county, and our subjeet devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits continuously and successfully until 1904. During the following four years the Bechers lived in Columbus and then all returned to the farm. At the end of three years. in 1911, D. A. Becher came back to Columbus and entered the Commercial National Bank as cashier, having since served in that capacity and being also a director of the institution. He has proved an able and popular official of the bank and his efforts are an element in its continued success.
Mr. Becher has been married twice. In 1880, in Illinois, he wedded Miss Anna Johnson, who passed away in 1887, leaving three sous: John S., Frederick and Dietrich. In 1888, in Platte county, Nebraska, Mr. Becher was again mar- ried. his second union being with Miss Catharine Gesine Johannes, by whom he has two sons and four daughters, as follows: Herman; Anna, the wife of William Inselman; William; Hannah; Emma; and Louise.
Mr. Becher gives his political allegiance to the democracy and has been an active worker in party ranks. In 1901 he was chosen to represent his distriet in the state legislature, serving for two terms and ably advancing the interests of
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his constituents as a member of that body. In 1904 he was chosen county treasurer of Platte county and by reelection was continued in the office for two terms. His religious faith is that of the German Evangelical Lutheran church, the teachings of which find exemplification in his honorable and upright life. No breath of suspicion has ever assailed his good name and on the contrary he stands as a splendid type of the honorable, reliable, successful man, the public-spirited citizen and the trustworthy friend.
ANDREW JAROSZ.
Although of Austrian descent, Andrew Jarosz has spent his entire life in Platte county, his birth having occurred in Burrows township on the 12th of September, 1891. His parents, William and Agnes (Garka) Jarosz, were natives of Austria and came to the United States in early life. They settled in Platte county, Nebraska, where the father followed farming upon rented land for two years, during which period he carefully saved his earnings and then bought property in Burrows township, developing and improving a good farm there. He spent his remaining days upon that place and died in 1901. His widow still ocen- pies the old homestead.
Andrew Jarosz was reared on the old home farm and pursued his education in the district school and in the parochial school at Tarnov. When not busy with his textbooks his attention was given to the work of the fields, and he continued to assist his parents until he reached the age of twenty-one, when he went to Omaha, where he learned the barber's trade. He then came to Tarnov, bought out the pool hall at that place and also established a barber shop. He is still con- tinuing business along both lines and is liberally patronized.
Mr. Jarosz is also the present marshal of Tarnov, in which position he has served for two years. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party, while his religious faith is that of the Catholic church, and he is a member of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America. He has always been a resident of Platte county and is widely known among the citizens of Tarnov and that locality.
GEORGE A. WITTLER.
George A. Wittler, a retail liquor merchant of Cornlea and also conducting an insurance agency, was born in Chatsworth, Illinois, March 30, 1879, his parents being Frank and Mary (Weibel) Wittler. The father was a native of Germany, while the mother's birth occurred in Switzerland, but in early life they came to the new world and were married in Chatsworth, Illinois. They began their domestic life upon a farm in that district and in fact Mr. Wittler became identi- fied with agricultural pursuits near Chatsworth almost immediately after reaching the new world. His entire life was devoted to the work of the fields and he re- mained in Illinois until 1880, when he removed to Staunton county. Nebraska, becoming owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land upon which he spent his
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