USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 19
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remaining days, his death there occurring in 1886. His widow continued on the old homestead for eighteen years or until 1904, when she went to Humphrey, where she passed away August 7, 1910.
George A. Wittler attended school in Stanton county, Nebraska, and was also a pupil in the parochial schools of Humphrey. He received good business training on the old homestead farm and worked for his mother there until he attained his majority, when he rented the place and engaged in farming on his own account for four years. He was afterward employed for eighteen months as bartender at Creston, Nebraska, by John Mattheissen and in like capacity was employed for two and one-half years by George N. Smith, of Humphrey. He then entered into partnership with Mr. Smith, since which time the business has been conducted under the firm style of Smith & Wittler. He owned and conducted a pool hall in Humphrey until 1911 and then went to Columbus, where he was em- ployed by Christ Wunderlich until 1915. On the 1st of May of that year he removed to Cornlea and opened a retail liquor store, which he still conducts. He is also agent for the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Lincoln and for the Security Mutual Company of that city.
On the 7th of January, 1909, Mr. Wittler was united in marriage to Miss Mollie Olk, her father being Jacob Olk, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work. They now have two children, namely: Jacob, who was born December 14, 1909; and Sedona, whose birth occurred Angust 20, 1911. The parents are members of the Catholic church and Mr. Wittler gives his political support to the democratie party.
JOHN JAMES GALLEY. .
John James Galley is a prominent representative of financial interests in Colum- bus as president of the Commercial National Bank. His birth occurred in Utah on the 29th of August, 1858, his parents being George W. and Mary Ann (Pyatt) Galley, who were married in that state. The father, born in England in 1831, emigrated to America in 1851 and in 1859 brought his family to Platte county, Nebraska. Here he continued to reside until his death nearly a half century later. being widely recognized as one of the substantial and esteemed citizens of the com- munity. He passed away on the 1th of March, 1907, having long survived his wife, who was called to her final rest in the year 1866.
John J. Galley, brought to this country in his infancy, here attended school to the age of eighteen years and after putting aside his textbooks followed farming until 1879. Subsequently he undertook other occupations and sojourned in various places, spending a year in Idaho and being largely engaged in railroad work. In 1884 he was married and began farming on his own account, devoting his attention to the work of the fields with excellent snecess until 1909. In 1912 he was chosen vice president of the Commercial National Bank and in 1914 became president of the institution, having since remained at its head. He keeps well informed on the financial interests of the country and in his management of affairs has followed a safe, conservative policy which has won the commendation of the patrons of the bank and gained the confidence of the general public.
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On the 14th of March, 1884, in Columbus, Nebraska, Mr. Galley was united in marriage to Miss Emily L. Button, her father being Stephen G. Button, who is deceased. To them have been born three children, as follows: Charles Button Galley, whose birth occurred in 1884; Alfred Ernest, born in 1887; and Nellie Lobine, who died November 19, 1909, when nineteen years of age.
Mr. Galley is a democrat in polities and for eleven years held the office of justice of the peace in Columbus township, this county, while for four years he served as county assessor, making an excellent record as a capable and trustworthy public official. From 1879 to 1880 inelusive he was a member of Company K, First Regiment Nebraska National Guards. His salient characteristics are such as have gained for him the friendly regard and goodwill of all with whom he has been associated in the various relations of life and he is entitled to a place among the representative and valued citizens of Platte county.
REV. GUSTAVE F. F. MUELLER, D. D.
Rev. Gustave F. F. Mueller has largely devoted his life to the work of the ministry and has not been denied the full harvest of his labors nor the aftermath as a preacher of the German Evangelieal Lutheran church. He is a man of very liberal education, broad-minded, looking at life from the standpoint of sympathy and charity. He was born September 27, 1860, near Marienwerder in West Prussia. His collegiate and university work were extended and developed the talents with which nature endowed him. He has been at different periods a student in Jena University, in Greifswald University, in Breslau University and in Berlin University, studying law and later theology after determining to devote his life to the ministry. In 1885 he went to Chicago, where he completed his theological studies by graduation from the German Theological Seminary of the General Synod with the class of 1888, and in the year 1912 Midland College of Kansas conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity.
Having prepared for the ministry. Dr. Mueller accepted the pastorate of the church at Lanham, Nebraska, where he remained for two years and nine months. He then came to St. John's church, Bismark township, Platte county, where he continued for nine years, and later in Russell, Kansas, during his year's stay there, he organized the congregation and built the church. He was afterward for two years and two months engaged in werk as a traveling missionary, at the end of which time he was called to the pastorate of the church at Yutan. Saunders county, Nebraska, where he continued for five years and three months. He then went to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he had charge of the Tabitha Home for nine months, and in 1909 he returned to Platte county and again took up his work at St. John's church, where he is now living, his home being on section 21. Bismark township.
On the 22d of March, 1886, the Rev. Mueller was united in marriage to Miss Deborah Greiner, who was born in the grand duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, May 5, 1864. To them was born a daughter, Margaret, who is now the wife of George Engel. In politics Dr. Mueller may be termed an independent democrat, for while he usually votes along party lines, he does not consider himself bound by party ties and easts an independent ballot if his judgment so dictates. He is not remiss
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in the duties of citizenship. In fact he looks out broadly over the field of public concern and gives his aid and his influence where he can further the public welfare. It would be tautological in this connection to enter into any series of statements showing him to be a man of broad scholarly attainments, for this has been shadowed forth between the lines of this review; but it is only just to say in a history that will descend to future generations that he combines with his strong intellectuality a marked human sympathy that has gained for him confidence and high regard. He is ever ready to extend a helping hand, to speak a word of encouragement, and his understanding of human nature tells him how, when and where to do this.
LESTER A. GATES.
Lester A. Gates, a partner of George D. Hoar in the ownership and conduct of the Diamond Bar, was born near Central City, Merrick county, Nebraska, October 26, 1877, a son of Amos and Emma (Whiteaker) Gates. The father was a native of New York, born near Buffalo. The son acquired a fair education, being graduated from the high school at Silver Creek. Nebraska, with the class of 1896. He learned the barber's trade, which he followed for sixteen years at Silver Creek and then in 1910 came to Columbus, where he established a saloon. He has since been connected with this line of business and in 1912, in company with George D. Hoar, bought out the Diamond Bar, which is liberally patronized, making his business one that yields substantial profits.
On the 26th of June, 1899, Mr. Gates was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Lundy, whose birth occurred in Missouri, May 24, 1877. To them have been born four children, namely: Ila, Dorothy. Wilma and Nina, all attending school. Mr. Gates belongs to Columbus Lodge, No. 1195, B. P. O. E., is a charter member of Platte Acrie, No. 1834, F. O. E., and also belongs to the Columbus Gun Club. In politics he is independent, voting according to the dictates of his judgment without regard to party ties.
FRED W. LUEDERS.
Each community has its representative citizens, men who are the leaders in business enterprise and are therefore most active in advancing the welfare and npbuilding of the town. Such a one is Fred W. Lueders, proprietor of a harness shop. He is thoroughly acquainted with the trade, is able to manufacture harness of the highest grade and is accorded a liberal and desirable patronage. He was born in Quincy, Illinois, December 7, 1885, and is a son of Fred W. and Anna M. (Bonhoff) Lueders, who were natives of Germany. In carly life they left the fatherland and crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling in Iowa, but finally removed to Quincy, Illinois, where the father worked in the stone quarries and also engaged in teaming for many years. He still resides in that city at the age of sixty-five years, but his wife passed away in October, 1906.
Fred W. Lneders was reared and educated in Quincy, his youth being unmarked
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by any event of special importance until he started out in the business world on his own account. He decided that he would like to learn the harness maker's trade and spent three years in a shop in Quincy, during which he gained a comprehensive and accurate knowledge of the business. On the expiration of that period hc went to Omaha, Nebraska, where he worked at his trade for four and a half years and then removed to Fremont, where he spent three and a half years in a harness shop. On the expiration of that period he came to Cornlea, where he established a business for himself, opening a harness shop and putting in an entirely new stock. He has the only shop of the kind in the town and enjoys a very gratifying patronage, for his business methods are thoroughly reliable, his prices are reason- able and his enterprise is unfaltering.
Mr. Lueders has not only won for himself an enviable position in business circles, but is also attractively situated in his home life. He was married in June, 1911, to Miss Gesche C. Moller, a daughter of Frederick and Anna M. (Deirks) Moller, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Nebraska. In early life her father crossed the country to this state in company with his parents, the family home being established in Fremont county, where he now lives, filling the position of city mail carrier. His wife also survives. Mr. and Mrs. Lueders have become the parents of a son, Wade Frederick, now an interesting little babe in his first year.
Mr. Lueders is a member of the town board of Cornlea, to which position he was elected on the democratic ticket, making an excellent record in office. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and he is ever loyal to its teachings and its purposes. His life is at all times honorable and upright and the success which has come to him is the merited reward of earnest, persistent labor.
JAMES EDWARD MAHER.
One of the enterprising merchants of Platte Center is James Edward Maher, who owns and conducts a harness shop. He has led a busy and useful life since put- ting aside his textbooks and making his initial step in the business world. He is one of Platte county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Lost Creek township, January 26, 1874, his parents being John and Catherine (Butler) Maher. The father was a native of Ireland and when a youth of sixteen left Dublin and sailed for the new world, making his way to Keene, New Hampshire, where he worked in a tannery. He afterward became a resident of Lowell, Massachusetts, where he was living at the time of his marriage. In 1871 he removed westward to Nebraska and took up a homestead of eighty acres in Lost Creek township, Platte county, thereafter devoting his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits. He dicd in October, 1904, while his wife survived for less than a year, passing away in September, 1905. In their family were eight children, of whom seven are still living.
James Edward Maher, who is the second oldest, is indebted to the common- school system of the county for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. During vacation periods and after his school days were over he worked npon the home farm until he reached the age of twenty years, when his father sold that
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place and removed to Platte Center, after which James E. Maher engaged in farming with his brother for several years, while for five years he worked in or near Platte Center. In 1906 he purchased the harness shop of D. P. Mahoney and has sinee condueted the business. He carries a large line of well-made harness and the thorough reliability of his business methods and his earnest efforts to please his customers have brought him a substantial trade, his business being now a large and desirable one.
On the 10th of November, 1908, at Platte Center, Mr. Maher was united in marriage to Miss Mary Alice Weddell, a daughter of S. A. Weddell, who was formerly a resident of Whiteside county, Illinois, and removed with his family to Nebraska when his daughter Mary was a maiden of fifteen summers. Mr. and Mrs. Maher have become parents of two children, Norbert and Roberta.
In his political views Mr. Maher is a demoerat and has filled the office of city and township assessor for sixteen consecutive years, his public service being marked by the utmost fidelity to duty. He belongs to the Highlanders Lodge of Platte Center and to the Catholic Order of Foresters. while his religious faith is indi- eated by his membership in the St. Joseph Catholic church. He is a progressive man, constantly seeking to make advancement along all those lines which affeet the general interests of society and promote individual welfare. He is social and genial by nature and is therefore well liked.
CAMDEN J. GARLOW.
Camden J. Garlow, who has been an active representative of the legal profes- sion in Columbus for the past three deeades, has the reputation of being one of the three most prominent attorneys in this part of the state and makes a specialty of insurance litigation, He likewise enjoys an enviable reputation as a leading and successful business man, his ability in this direction being no less pronouneed than as a member of the bar.
His birth occurred in Marion county. Virginia (now West Virginia), on the 23d of March, 1859, his parents being Joseph and Retta (Morgan) Garlow, the former a native of Virginia and the latter a daughter of Colonel David Morgan, who served in the Union army together with his five sons. In 1863 Joseph Gar- low served for three months in the West Virginia Infantry with the rank of major. His demise occurred in 1889, while his wife was ealled to her final rest in 1878.
Camden J. Garlow acquired his early education in the schools of his native county and subsequently attended the Fairmont State Normal School at Fairmont, West Virginia, until within a month of graduation, when he left college on account of the death of his mother. In 1881 he came to Creston, Platte county, Nebraska, and for about four years followed the profession of teaching in the country sehools, while for one year he aeted as an instructor in the third ward school of Columbus. He had begun studying law and afterward entered the office of the late Judge John G. Higgins, heing admitted to the bar in 1886, sinee which time he has prae- tieed in Columbus continuously to date. He makes a specialty of insurance litigation, in which branch of the profession he has won recognition and snecess in gratifying degree. Ilis manifest ability and sound judgment have also been called into requisi-
CAMDEN J. GARLOW
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tion in the conduet of important business enterprises and at present he acts as chief executive officer of the Platte County Independent Telephone Company, the Columbus Gas Company, the West End Sewer Company, the Humphrey Telephone Company and the State Telephone Association.
On the 14th of September, 1886, in Columbus, Nebraska, Mr. Garlow was united in marriage to Miss Mamie A. Winslow, her father being Henry M. Winslow, a native of Vermont, who has passed away. They have one daughter, Ethel Gwen- dolyn, who is the wife of Grover Long.
Politically Mr. Garlow is a staneh republican and for two years he served as a member of the city council in Columbus. For two years he was a member of Company K, First Regiment of the Nebraska National Guard, acting most of the time as quartermaster. His fraternal connections come next in importance to his professional and business interests. He has taken the degrees of the York and Scottish Rites in Masonry, also belongs to the Mystic Shrine and has held the highest offices in the lodge, chapter, commandery and council. He is past master of Lodge No. 58, A. F. & A. M .; past high priest of Orient Chapter, No. 18, R. A. M .; past eminent commander of Gethsemane Commandery, No. 21, K. T .; and thrice illustrious master of Gebal Council, No. 12, R. & S. M. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. Such in brief is the record of one of Platte county's lending attorneys, business men and citizens -- a gentleman who in every relation of life has manifested the high principles which govern his conduct.
HERMAN LOSEKE.
Herman Loseke is numbered among the pioneer residents of Platte county and for many years has been an interested witness of the growth and development of this section of the state. He devoted his attention to farming for an extended period but is now living retired, making his home in Columbus. A native of Germany, he was born in Oldenburg, July 9, 1810, and is a son of John Henry Loseke, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. On coming to the United States Herman Loseke settled in Bismark township, Platte county, on Loseke ercek, at which time the survey of the county was just being made. He secured a homestead claim and began farming in accordance with the primitive methods of the times, using ox teams and machinery that is very erude in comparison with the farm implements of the present. At that day all merchandise was hauled from Omaha and the most farsighted could scarcely have dreamed of the wonderful changes which would oeeur, converting wild prairie land into richly cultivated fields stretching away for miles and miles. He engaged very extensively in stock- raising and became the owner of large tracts of land, adding to his possessions from time to time as his financial resources permitted, but he has given most of his farm property to his children.
His wife, who bore the maiden name of Anna Johannes, was born in Olden- burg, Germany, November 18, 1811, a daughter of Henry and Katrina Johannes. Her father was a native of Germany and in 1867 left the fatherland to become a resident of the new world. Making his way to Nebraska, he secured a home- stead claim and lived with his sons in Shell Creek township. where he remained Vol. II-10
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until his death. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Loseke are nine children, as follows. Emma is the wife of August Schutte, an agriculturist of Colfax county, Nebraska, by whom she has five children. Gustav, who was born April 11, 1870, follows farming in Columbus township, is married and has three children. William, who was born March 6, 1872, follows farming in Colfax county, is married and has six children. Otto, who was born January 7, 1875, follows farming near Creston, this county, is married and has seven children. Anna is the wife of William Hespe, an agriculturist and hardware merchant of Leigh, Nebraska, by whom she has five children. Ida gave her hand in marriage to Henry Hespe, who is a brother of William Hespe, and is an agriculturist of this county, and they have two children. Bertha is the wife of William Asche, who is a farmer of Platte county and by whom she has two children. Herman, who was born October 1, 1884, follows farming in Platte county, is married and has one child. Clara is at home.
Mr. Loseke was active in public affairs of the early days, was a stalwart sup- porter of the democratic party and a zealous member of the German Lutheran church. He retired and removed to Columbus, November 1, 1911. At different times he held some local offices and from the beginning of his residence in the county he has taken an active and helpful interest in movements relating to the general welfare. His work has been especially helpful along agricultural lines and yet he has not neglected his duty in promoting political and moral advance- ment. He can look back to the past when the highly cultivated farms of Platte county were tracts of wild prairie, starred with a million wild flowers in June and covered in December with a dazzling and unbroken sheet of snow. But as the years passed, settler after settler came to take up the land and use it for the purposes of civilization and conditions of pioneer life gave way until now all of the con- veniences and comforts of the older east are to be obtained in Platte county.
EDWARD JOHNSON.
Edward Johnson is president of the First National Bank, which position he has held during the past six years. His birth occurred in Dexter, Maine, on the 15th of July, 1861, his parents being Samuel and Sarah Ann Johnson, who were born, reared and married in England. The father was born in 1825 and in the year 1857 crossed the Atlantic to the United States. He passed away in January, 1912. having for nearly a half century survived his wife, whose demise occurred in 1864.
Edward Johnson acquired his education in his native state and following the completion of a high-school course at Bridgton entered the medical department of Bowdoin College, from which he was graduated in 1883. He then made his way to Shell Lake, Wisconsin, and there began the practice of medicine but a few months later removed to Andover, South Dakota, where he followed his profession for three years. On the expiration of that period he located in Fullerton, Nance county, Nebraska, where he remained for about twenty-three years. In 1908 he came to Columbus and was made vice president of the First National Bank, of which institution he became president the following year and has since so remained. He studies the banking business from every possible standpoint and is thoroughly informed concerning the money market. While he seeks progress, his progressive-
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ness is tempered by a safe conservatism and none ever questions his business integ- rity or the honesty of his methods.
In November, 1885, in Andover, South Dakota, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Fannie R. Boyington. His political allegiance is given to the democracy, while fraternally he is identified with the Knights Templar Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. In all matters of citizenship he stands for that which works for the best interests of the community and he holds to high ideals of life in every relation. Anyone meeting Mr. Johnson face to face would know at once that he is an individual embodying all the elements of what in this country we term a "square" man-one in whom to have confidence, a dependable man in any relation and any emergency. His quietude of deportment, his easy dignity, his frankness and cordiality of address, with the total absence of anything to conceal, foretoken a man who is ready to meet any obligation of life with the confidence and courage that come of conscious personal ability, a right conception of things and an habitual regard for what is best in the exercise of human activities.
MICHAEL J. CLARK.
Michael J. Clark is now living retired in Cornlea but still has extensive landed possessions, his holdings embracing five hundred and sixty acres in Platte county. This indicates what was formerly the nature of his business, for through many years he was actively engaged in general agricultural pursuits. He has lived on this side of the Atlantic since early manhood, his birth having occurred, however, in Ireland in September, 1847. His parents were Michael and Julia Clark, also natives of the Emerald isle, where the father followed the occupation of farming until his life's labors were ended in death. He passed away in 1889 and for six years was survived by his wife, who died in 1895.
Michael J. Clark spent his youth in his parents' home and obtained his educa- tion in Ireland. He continued to work with his father until he reached the age of twenty-seven, when he came to America, attracted by the favorable reports which he heard concerning business conditions and advantages on this side of the Atlantic. Landing at New York, he there remained for a month, after which he went to New Jersey, where he resided until he heard and heeded the call of the west, making his way to Platte county, Nebraska. However, the grasshoppers totally destroyed the crops of the state and he returned to Omaha, where he was employed until August 25, 1875. Believing it would then be possible to carry on farming advantageously, he took up a homestead in Platte county and sought to improve his land, which he operated until 1913, when he retired and removed to Cornlea, where he has since lived. In the meantime he had won a place among the progressive and substantial farmers of the county. He performed the ardnous task of converting the wild prairie land into productive fields, breaking the sod and planting the seed and in due time gathered rich harvests. As time passed his financial resources increased and he kept adding to his holdings until he had five hundred and fifty-six acres in Joliet township. This he still owns and has rented, so that he now derives therefrom a very gratifying annual income. When
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