USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 21
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EDWARD EDWARDS.
Edward Edwards had passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey when he was called by death to the home beyond. He had previously been elosely iden- tified with farming interests in Platte county for many years and his life reeord indicates what can be accomplished when energy and determination lead the way.
Mr. Edwards was a native of Wales, born in May, 1833, and his parents, Thomas and Mary Eggers, were also natives of that little roek-ribbed country, in which they have always remained, never crossing the Atlantic to the United States. The youthful days of Edward Edwards were spent in the land of his nativity and to the public-school system he is indebted for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. He was ambitious to make the most of his time and opportunities and when twenty-five years of age he resolved to seek a home beyond the Atlantic. When his arrangements were perfected he bade adieu to friends and native country and made the voyage to New York, whence he traveled into the interior of the country, settling near Iowa City, Iowa. There he worked for two years, at the end of which
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time he purchased a farm, which he cultivated with growing sueeess for sixteen years. He then sold that property and went to Red Oak, Iowa, where he also bought and operated land. Upon that farm he lived for fifteen years, after which he came to Platte county, Nebraska, and invested in another tract of land, which he at onee began to develop and improve, continuing its further cultivation with good suecess until his demise, which oeeurred in 1909.
Mr. Edwards was married in June, 1856, to Miss Ann Thomas, a daughter of Morgan and Margaret (Trutor) Thomas, who were also natives of Wales. Her father engaged in mining in that country, in which he spent his entire life, passing away there in 1843. His widow afterward eame to the new world and died in Iowa City, Iowa, in 1866. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Edwards was blessed with nine children, namely: Mary; William; John and Ed, twins; Lou, deceased; Mar- garet, who has also passed away; Albert; David; and Richard.
Mr. Edwards voted with the republican party but never sought or desired office, always preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. This was one of the seerets of his success and another was his unflagging energy and straight- forward dealing. He guided his life at all times by the teachings of the Congrega- tional church, of which he was a consistent member, and in his career he attempted to follow the golden rule, doing unto others as he would have them do unto him.
JACOB C. ASCHLER.
Jacob C. Asehler is now living retired in Columbus but for many years was actively connected with general agricultural pursuits in Platte county. He has passed the eighty-fifth milestone on life's journey and is therefore one of the ven- erable citizens of the state. His birth occurred in Canton Bern,. Switzerland, where he pursued his education and continued his residence to the age of twenty-four years. At the end of that time he determined to come to the new world and bade adieu to friends and native country, after which he sailed for America in 1854, set- tling first in Minnesota, where he secured a homestead elaim of eighty aeres. Tak- ing up his abode upon that tract, he there engaged in farming for sixteen years and in 1870 removed to Platte county, Nebraska, which was still a frontier distriet, much of the land being yet in possession of the government. He secured a home- stead claim of one hundred and sixty acres and later he bought eighty aeres more. With characteristic energy he bent his efforts to the development, cultivation and improvement of the place. He earefully tilled his fields and converted his farm into a productive tract of land, good crops annually rewarding his early planting and the later eare which he bestowed upon his fields. He carried on general farming and also eondneted a sueecssful dairy business until 1889, when he felt that his in- dustry and eapable management had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to spend his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. Since that time he has had no business interests save for the supervision which he has given to his investments.
On the 17th of March, 1870, Mr. Aschler was united in marriage to Miss Louise Disher, a native of Prussia, Germany, who passed away February 15, 1915. To
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them were born ten children, namely: Jacob; Samuel; Gottlieb; Ernst; Mary and David, both of whom are deceased; Bertha; Emma; Louise; and Ross.
On September 20, 1915, Mr. Aschler was again married, Mrs. Lena Anthon, of Columbus, becoming his wife. She has lived here forty years and is a representa- tive of one of the prominent old families of the county. Her parents. Adam and Josephine (Flicker) Lachner, came to Platte county in 1873.
After coming to the new world Mr. Aschler studied the political situation and conditions of the country and became a stanch ally of the republican party, feeling that its plan of government, if carried out, would work for the best interests of the community and the country at large. In religious faith Mr. Aschler is a Meth- odist and has long been a devoted follower of his church, attempting always in his life to adhere closely to the golden rule and do unto others as he would have them do unto him. He is now one of the venerable residents of Columbus, esteemed wher- ever known and most of all where he is best known.
OTTO GROTELUESCHEN.
Otto Groteluesehen was born September 1, 1881, on the farm on which he now resides on section 2, Bismark township, being a representative of one of the old fam- ilies long connected with the development and improvement of Platte county, espe- cially along agricultural lines. His father, John Grotelucschen, was born in Germany and married Anna Loseke. also a native of that country. They came to Platte county among its early settlers and the father homesteaded eighty aeres of land on section 2, Bismark township. His first home was a primitive one, a little sod house, but after the first years of struggle and hardships suceess attended his efforts and gradually he worked his way up financially. As his resources increased he added to his holdings and became one of the extensive landowners of the county, having nine hundred and twenty acres. His worth as a business man and eitizen was widely acknowledged. He passed away in August, 1902, while his wife survived until November, 1913. They had a family of eleven children: Louis, who is living in Iowa; Ida, the deceased wife of Fritz Otto, of Colfax county, Nebraska; Adolph, mentioned elsewhere in this work; Lena, the wife of Louis Loseke, a resident farmer of Sherman township; Lizzie, the wife of William Loscke; Emil, living in Colfax county, Nebraska; Otto; Clara, who died in childhood; Rosa, the wife of Henry Luehen; Bertha, the wife of Otto Korte; and Minnie, who completes the family.
Otto Grotelueschen, born and reared on the old homestead farm and educated in the public schools of this locality, is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of rich and valuable land which formerly belonged to his father. He resides on the old homestead property and carries on general agricultural pursuits, raising both grain and stock, while his work along both lines is attended with good results. He has acquainted himself with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops and diligence and perseverance have at all times characterized his life's labors.
Mr. Grotelueschen was married in 1909 to Miss Minnie Dirks, a native of Sher- man township, this county, where her father, Martin Dirks, is still engaged in farm- ing. Mr. Grotelueschen takes no active part in politics but is a loyal member of
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the German Lutheran church. His life is quietly and unostentatiously passed, but his sterling worth is recognized by his friends and neighbors among whom he has always lived.
JOHN M. VAN ACKEREN.
John M. Van Ackeren, who follows farming and stock-raising on section 7, Hum- phrey township, was born in Germany, June 24, 1876, a son of Joseph and Lena (Ocnting) Van Ackeren, the former born in the fatherland in May, 1848. Joseph Van Ackeren was reared and educated in Germany and remained with his parents to the age of twenty-four years, when he began farming on his own account, fol- lowing that pursuit in his native land from 1872 until 1881. He then crossed the Atlantic to the new world and, continuing his journey westward, at length reached Westpoint, Nebraska, where he was employed for a few months. He then went to Pierce county, Nebraska, where he cultivated rented land for three years, after which he returned to Westpoint, where he lived for a year. Removing to South Dakota, he secured a homestead and timber claim, which he improved, spending seven years in the development and cultivation of that property. He then disposed of his South Dakota land and came to Platte county, where for eight years he en- gaged in the cultivation of a rented tract of two hundred and forty acres. He next went to Cedar Rapids, Nebraska, where he engaged in farming for six years, after which he traded two sections of land for one hundred and sixty acres in Platte county and three hundred and twenty acres near Cedar Rapids. In 1911 he purchased his present place of one hundred and sixty acres on section 11, Granville township. and since that time has wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of the place. No finer improvements can be found upon any farm in the county. There is a large and commodious residence, substantial outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, well kept fences and the latest improved farm machinery . He is most care- ful in cultivating his fields and practical experience has brought him a knowledge of scientific farming, for he has learned to know the needs of the crops, the con- dition of the soil and other things which are now taught in the agricultural schools. He is extensively engaged in stock-raising, feeding about two car loads of sheep and two car loads of cattle annually.
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Van Ackeren are the parents of six children, namely: John M., of this review; Edward, who follows farming near Cedar Rapids, Ne- braska; William, who is also engaged in farming in Humphrey township; Ben, at home; Louise, the wife of Jim Gordon, a farmer residing near Cedar Rapids; and Cecelia, at home. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Van Ackeren gives his political allegiance to the democratic party but has no desire for office.
John M. Van Ackeren was a lad of five years when he accompanied his parents to the new world and through the period of his boyhood he attended the district schools, mastering the common branches of learning. In the summer seasons he worked upon the home farm, assisting his father until he reached the age of twenty- eight years, when a desire to benefit more directly by his labors led him to engage in farming on his own account. For two years he rented a farm in Humphrey town-
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ship and then removed to a place near Cedar Rapids, Nebraska, where by purchase and by gift he secured altogether three hundred and twenty acres of pasture land and bought one hundred and sixty acres of farm land. He remained thereon for three years, at the end of which time he sold all of his property and purchased two hundred and forty aeres in Humphrey township, where he now resides. He today has a well improved place equipped with a modern residence which he erected in 1910, a large eattle barn built in 1911 and other substantial outbuildings which furnish ample shelter to grain, stoek and farm machinery. He has secured the latest improved agricultural implements and his fields are highly cultivated, bring- ing forth good crops annually. He raises much small grain and also devotes his attention successfully to the raising and feeding of cattle and hogs, being regarded as one of the most successful of the younger farmers in the northern part of the county. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevators at Humphrey and at Cedar Rapids.
On the 24th of May, 1905, at the home of the bride in Westpoint. Nebraska. Mr. Van Aekeren was united in marriage to Miss Louisa M. Keller. a daughter of Henry and Johanna (Euvens) Keller, who were born, reared and married in Ger- many. On emigrating to the United States in 1881. they located first at West- point, Nebraska, where they spent a short time, while subsequently the father purchased land and took up farming in Pierce county, being thus engaged through- out the remainder of his aetive business carcer. He and his wife are now living retired in Westpoint. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Ackeren have been born six children. namely: Joseph, whose birth oeeurred March 2, 1907, and who attends St. Francis school at Humphrey; Carl Henry, who was born March 24, 1908, and died on the 21st of September following; Leona Mary Anna, who was born August 24, 1909. and attends St. Francis school ; Albert William, whose natal day was July 14, 1911; Beatrice Marian Eleanor, born February 13, 1913; and Agnes Johanna, born Jan- uary 30, 1915.
Mr. Van Aekeren exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democratic party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek or desire office. He and his family are members of St. Francis Catholic church of Humphrey and he belongs to the St. Joseph's Men's Society of that church and the Knights of Columbus. Much of his life has been spent in this county, where he has a wide and favorable acquaintance. His substantial business qualities, his progressive citizenship and his sterling traits of character have gained for him warm and enduring regard.
WALTER G. McCULLY.
Walter G. MeCully, the efficient manager of the local electric light, heat and power company of Columbus, is a native of Macon county, Missouri, and his natal day was August 24, 1850. His parents, Henderson and Mary J. (Harvey ) McCully. were born respectively in Tennessee and Missouri. The father engaged in farm- ing in Macon county, Missouri, and also operated a sawmill. He passed away in 1889 but was survived by his widow until 1907. The paternal grandfather of our
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subject was born in Tennessee but removed to Missouri when his son Henderson was an infant.
Walter G. McCully received his early education in the public schools of Bloom- ington, Missouri, and later attended Central College at Fayette, that state, for sev- eral years. When twenty years of age he left school but continued to reside in Macon county, Missouri, the greater part of the time until 1906. In that year he went to Kearney, Nebraska, where he assumed charge of the electric light plant. Three years later he was made manager of the electric light, heat and power plant of Columbus, Nebraska, and has since resided here. He understands thoroughly all phases of the business and under his management the plant has given excellent service to the people of Columbus.
On the 28th of April, 1875, Mr. MeCully was married in Macon, Missouri, to Miss Mary M. Miller, and the children of this union are: Walter M .; Richard O .; Louise M., the wife of H. H. Maxwell; Howard H .; Mary M., now Mrs. Claude I .. Freeman; and Allen M .. at home.
Mr. McCully is a democrat and served for a number of years as deputy tax collector of Macon county, Missouri, and for four years was tax collector. He is a man of high principles, and as a citizen manifests a commendable regard for the public welfare, while as manager of the electric light, heat and power plant his serv- ices have been very satisfactory to all concerned.
GUSTAV AUGUST SCHROEDER.
As sole proprietor of the Columbus Roller Mills, Gustav August Schroeder is conducting one of the important industrial concerns of Columbus and Platte county. As the name implies, he is of German birth, his place of nativity being Prussia, and his natal day December 11, 1848. His parents, Carl L. and Wilhelmina Hen- riette (Dittman) Schroeder. were likewise natives of that country and there the mother passed away in early life, her death occurring in 1855. The father con- tinued his residence there until 1865, when he emigrated to the new world and made his way to Cleveland, Ohio, where he joined his children. In that city the father's death occurred in 1868.
Gustav August Schroeder was only six years of age when he lost his mother and was a youth of fifteen at the time of his emigration to the new world. Upon landing on American shores he made his way at once to Cleveland, Ohio, where he spent two years learning the cigarmaker's irade. He then went to Youngstown. Ohio, and there learned the machinist's trade, remaining in the latter city until 1868. In December of that year he made his way westward to Columbus, Ne- braska, and after looking about for a location preempted one hundred and sixty acres of land in Bismark township, Platte county, paying for the same two dollars and a half per acre. He proved up on this land and subsequently, in 1872, dis- posed of it at five dollars an acre and the same land is today valued at two hundred and seventy-five dollars an acre. He then located on another homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Bismark township, but later disposed of it and took up his abode in Columbus. In 1878 he and his brother operated the first machine shop in the city. In 1875 he embarked in the implement business in this city,
GUSTAV A. SCHROEDER
MRS. GUSTAV A. SCHROEDER
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becoming one of the early merchants here. Two years later, in 1877, he added a stock of hardware and continued to conduct the two lines until 1883, when he sold out and engaged in farming for three years in Stanton county, Nebraska. In 1885 the Columbus Milling Company was organized and Mr. Schroeder was made seere- ยท tary of the corporation, with which he continued until the concern went out of business in 1891. He then secured the assets of the company and reorganized under the name of the Columbus Roller Mills, of which he has sinee been sole proprietor. Under his able management the mill has become one of the important industrial enterprises of that section of Platte county and the output has been increased from year to year until the capacity of the mill is now two hundred bar- rels of flour per day.
Mr. Schroeder was married in Columbus, in 1877, to Miss Ida E. Hagel, a daughter of William Hagel, by whom he has two daughters and one son: Louisa Mary, the wife of L. A. Gitzen, of this city; Walter H .; and Clara Louisa, who is a musician. By a former marriage Mr. Schroeder also has a daughter, Melissa, now Mrs. Eddy, a resident of Warren, Ohio.
In politics Mr. Sehroeder is a democrat where national questions are involved but at local elections he votes an independent ticket. He has taken the degrees in the Scottish and York Rites in Masonry and is a member of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise holds membership with the Elks and in religious faith is a Lutheran. Although he has led a busy and useful life in connection with his private business interests he has yet found time to cooperate in matters in which others are inter- ested, being a director in several manufacturing institutions, while for four years he was a member of the city council from the first ward. He put in the first arc light in Columbus and has always been up-to-date and progressive in his methods. He has ever been a tireless worker and has developed a robust constitution capable of undergoing much physical endurance. He started out in early life to make his own way in the world and perhaps the highest tribute that can be paid him is that he has been successful in all his undertakings and that he has so discharged his duties as a citizen and as a business man as to merit the confidence of those who know him.
JAMES HENRY GALLEY.
During the formative period in the history of the development of Columbus along commercial lines James Henry Galley established a store in the little frontier city and with its growth his business interests have developed. In a word, he has been an element in the commercial progress of his city and outside the strict path of business he has done much to further public improvement and uphold high stand- ards that have found expression in the city's welfare. A native of England, he was born in Macelesfield, April 23, 1810, a son of James and Ann (Whittaker) Gal- ley. His father was a native of Manchester, England, and the straitencd financial circumstances of his parents made it necessary that he begin earning his living at an early age. While employed in a cotton mill in Manchester he wrote upon the floor in front of him with ehalk problems and lessons which he sought to master. In the evenings he would walk three miles to seeure further instruction and it was Vo !. 11-11
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in this way and under sueh difficulties that he secured an education, eventually be- coming qualified to take up the profession of teaching. He pursued that ealling with marked sueeess for a number of years and displayed exceptional ability in the line of mathematies and noted skill as a fine penman. He wedded Ann Whittaker, a lady of liberal education, whose father was proprietor of a small store in Maccles- field and also owner of a number of brick residences in that eity. He was likewise a member of the militia there and his eommand was ordered to join the forces of Wellington at the battle of Waterloo, where he arrived just in time to witness the surrender of Napoleon. As stated, his daughter became the wife of James Galley and to them were born nine children, of whom seven reached adult age. Among the number was George W. Galley, now deceased, but at one time a resident of Columbus. Martha became the wife of John Barrow and resided in Utah but has also passed away. Mary was the wife of William Draper and is deceased. Samuel followed merchandising in Creighton, Nebraska, until his demise. Sarah Ann is a resident of Creighton. James H. completes the family.
In 1853 the father left England with his wife and children and on the 18th of January took passage on a sailing vessel, which reached the harbor of New Orleans on the 6th of March. From that point they proceeded up the Mississippi by steamer to St. Louis and six weeks later resumed their journey by steamboat to Keokuk. Iowa, from which point they traveled by team across the state to Council Bluffs, Iowa, which was then but a small steamboat landing. The Missouri river was then at high water the water spreading over the bottoms on the east side of the river as far as Florence. At that point the family erossed the river on a flat boat and then traveled on over the plains to Salt Lake City. Utah, from which place they soon afterward removed to Cedar Valley, where General Johnson established his eamp in 1857. Not pleased with conditions in Utah, the father determined to return to the States and in September. 1859, arrived at Columbus, Platte county, Ne- braska, where he purchased three hundred and eighty-nine aeres of government land and began the development of a farm. Not only did he give his attention to agricultural interests but also cooperated in many movements of benefit to the com- munity. He was a man of considerable ability and was elected one of the first justices of the peace in his part of the county. Death called him in 1861 and his wife survived him for only three months.
During his early youth James H. Galley received instruction from his father and at the age of twelve years came with his parents to the new world. He earned his first money in America by herding sheep about twenty miles south of Salt Lake City, along the mountain sides, his employer being Abraham Hunsaker, the owner of a sheep raneh. After about two years thus passed Mr. Galley received twenty sheep and a yoke of three-year old steers in payment for his services. Money was almost unknown in that loeality and Mr. Galley states that from the time of his arrival in Utah in 1853 until 1857, when General Johnson Joeated a camp in the valley in which he lived, he never saw any coin or eurreney.
When the family removed to Platte county in September, 1859, Omaha was their nearest trading point and they had to go to Calhoun or Milford to have their grist ground, it often requiring a week to make the trip. On one occasion, after going to the mill. Mr. Galley had to go into the woods and seeure fuel to be used in operating the mill. The winter of 1859-60. the first winter which he spent in the state. was memorable because of the severity of the weather. In January of
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that year he and a party of companions started to market corn, which they sold at Fort Kearney and at the ranches along the Platte. Mr. Galley was accompanied by his brother Samuel, his brother-in-law. William Draper, Tom French, of Plum Creek, and Pat Malloy. They took with them three wagons loaded with ear corn, each drawn by three yoke of cattle. After crossing the Loup river on the ice they camped for the night and ere morning broke a genuine blizzard had hemmed them in so that they were snowbound for three days. They just crawled ont of their wagons to prepare a little coffee and then back into them to roll up in their robes. At no time during those three days conld they see more than two rods from their wagon. They turned their cattle loose into the bushes to care for themselves, nor did the owners dare look for them until the storm was over, When the storm had passed, however, the cattle were found in safety and the young men proceeded to Fort Kearney, the snow laying upon the ground to a depth of two feet. They were obliged to sleep in their wagons at night, for there were few settlements along that route. When they reached the Platte river it required all day to ford the stream. which was accomplished by hitching the nine yoke of cattle to one wagon at a time. this being the only way in which they could get safely through the water and ice. Such were some of the hardships experienced by the early settlers and Mr. Galley could relate many another interesting tale of the conditions of pioneer times.
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