USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 22
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In the fall of 1862 he enlisted as a private of Company K. Second Regiment, Nebraska Cavalry, and participated in the Indian war and in the battle of White Stone Hills in South Dakota under command of General Sully. After being hon- orably discharged at Omaha in 1863 he returned to Columbus and devoted his at- tention to farming until the spring of 1866. He then embarked in merchandising in partnership with Vincent Kummer, who at that time was county treasurer of Platte county. A year later. however, they disposed of their store to Dale & Wil- lard and Mr. Galley resumed agricultural pursuits. In 1873 the firm of J. H. Galley & Brother was established for the conduct of a mercantile business and suc- eess attended the new enterprise so that in 1880 they established a branch store at Creighton. Their partnership was continued until 1892, when the firm dissolved, Samuel Galley taking the Creighton store. while James Galley retained the owner- ship of the Columbus establishment. Here he has since continued business and is one of the prosperous merchants and one of the most reliable, progressive and en- terprising business men of this section of the state. Not to know J. H. Galley in Platte county and this part of Nebraska is to argue oneself unknown. He is one of the oldest pioneer merchants and has a most extensive acquaintance, being held in the highest esteem by all with whom he has come in contact.
On the 22d of February, 1871, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Galley and Miss Helen Hudson, a danghter of the late Judge H. J. Hudson, of Columbus, who was one of the pioneers of Platte county. They have become parents of eight chil- dren, six sons and two daughters. Albert J .. who is a graduate of the Columbus high school and of Rhoebaugh's Commercial College of Omaha, is now secretary and treasurer of the Galley Dry Goods Company. Vincent H. also attended the Rhoc- baugh Commercial College, but has passed away. Walter, who completed a course in the Gem City Commercial College at Quincy, Illinois, is now living in St. Joseph, Missouri. Ethel G., who was graduated from the Columbus high school and from the University School of Music at Lincoln, is now the wife of Mark H. Rathburn, of Columbus. Earl R. occupies a clerical position in the First National Bank. Wil-
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liam H. has been called from this life, Maud E. is a graduate of the Columbus high school and is now teaching in the public schools, and Clifford R., who was grad- uated from the high school of Columbus, is in Seattle, Washington.
Mr. Galley rejoices in the fact that he was able to give his children much bet- ter educational advantages than were accorded him. He has always stood for that which works for progress and improvement and his efforts have been an element in public advancement. For twelve years he was a member of the board of education of Columbus and was treasurer of school district No. 9 for several years. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party and he was elected on its ticket to the office of coroner of Platte county in 1867. He has also served for several terms in the Columbus city council, exercising his official prerogatives in support of many plans and measures for the general good. Fraternally he is connected with Baker Post, No. 9, G. A. R., and was honored with the office of com- mander for two terms, during which period he was instrumental in procuring the erection of a monument in the public park of Columbus in honor of the soldiers and sailors of the Civil war. Since 1878 he has been a member of the Royal Arcanum, has held all of the offices of the local lodge and has twice been a member of the grand council, but was forced out by the excessive rates imposed by the grand council on all members over sixty-five years. Aside from his commercial in- terests he has been vice president of the First National Bank of Columbus and over his business and political record there falls no shadow of wrong nor suspicion of evil. His life has indeed been well spent and is fruitful of good results, gain- ing for him not only a substantial competence but the merited respect and esteem which are the reward of a well spent life.
JOHN W. EGGERS.
John W. Eggers, living in Humphrey, is proprietor of a delivery line and de- livers goods for all of the stores and meat markets of the town. He has conducted this business for three years, meeting with growing success in the undertaking. He is one of Platte county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Lindsay, October 27, 1888. His parents were John H. and Augusta (Wendt) Eggers, who were natives of Germany. The father came to America when eighteen years of age, crossing the Atlantic in 1882. Attracted by the opportunities of the growing west, he made his way into the interior of the country, settling at Lindsay, Platte county. He was a wagon maker, having learned the trade in the old country, where he fol- lowed it until he crossed the Atlantic, and he resumed work along that line in America. He also engaged in carpentering and worked at that business during the greater part of the time of his residence in Lindsay and in Humphrey. In 1911 he removed to Bellingham, Washington, where he now resides at the age of fifty- one years, and his wife has also reached the same age.
John W. Eggers was reared in Humphrey, attending the public schools, and when his textbooks were put aside he began work as a farm hand, following that occupation for four years. He afterward carried on farming on his own account for one year, at the end of which time he removed to Humphrey and bought out the delivery line which he now owns and conducts. He has secured a liberal patronage,
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delivering goods for all the stores and the meat markets of the town, continuing this business with gratifying success for three years.
On the 12th of February, 1912, Mr. Eggers was married to Miss Anna Braun, a daughter of Joseph and Eva (Scheidemantel) Braun, natives of Wisconsin. Her father engaged in teaching school in that state, in Iowa and in Nebraska. After coming to Platte county in 1878 he put aside the work of the schoolroom and se- cured a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in Humphrey township, which he has since owned and cultivated, making many modern improvements upon it and developing a farm according to enterprising agricultural ideas of the present. He is now sixty-five years of age, while his wife has reached the age of sixty- two years.
Mr. and Mrs. Eggers have become the parents of one child, Dennis Jean, who was born June 4, 1915. Mr. Eggers is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and his religious belief is that of the Catholic church, to which his wife also adheres. His political faith is that of the democratic party, but he has never sought nor desired office, preferring always to give his attention to his business affairs. He has worked earnestly and persistently and his success has its root in his diligence.
GEORGE G. ENGELHORN.
For an extended period George G. Engelhorn was actively identified with indus- trial interests in Platte Center, where for twenty years he engaged in wagon manu- facturing. He then retired and is now resting from further labor, his previous success having been sufficient to supply him with all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. He was born in Baden, Germany. November 2, 1850, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Engelhorn, who in the year 1852 brought their family to the United States and settled in Lansing, Iowa, where the father purchased one hun dred and sixty acres of land. He at once began to till the soil and carried on gen- eral farming until his death.
George G. Engelhorn was only two years of age when brought to America and at the age of fourteen he put aside his textbooks and began learning the wagon maker's trade, which he followed for several years as apprentice and employe. He afterward removed to Albion, Iowa, where he established a wagon factory, conduct- ing business at that place for eleven years. He next went to Hay Springs, where he continued in the same business for several years, and in 1893 he came to Platte Center, where he began the manufacture of wagons, continuing in the business up to the time of his retirement in the year 1913. During all this period he held to a high standard of excellence. His wagons were thoroughly constructed and well finished, having qualities of stability and endurance that recommended them to the public patronage. He therefore won a good trade and his business became a profit- able one.
On the 22d of January, 1878, Mr. Engelhorn was united in marriage to Miss Mattie Rippie, her parents being George and Katherine Rippie, of Germany. To them have been born six children, as follows: Lizzie, who is the wife of Peter Anderson, a farmer residing near Monroe, Nebraska; George; Edward, a resident
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of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; Charles, who is on the United States battleship, Ten- nessee; William, living in Winnipeg, Canada; and Clarence, at home.
Fraternally Mr. Engelhorn is connected with the Royal Highlanders of Platte ('enter, being a charter member of that organization. His political views coincide with the principles of the democratic party. He belongs to the German Lutheran church and his life measures up to its standards, for he has closely followed its teachings and has taken an active part in furthering its work and extending its in- fluence. Mr. Engelhorn deserves great eredit for what he has accomplished and may well be termed a self-made man, for he has been both the builder and architect of his own fortunes. Starting out empty-handed at the early age of fourteen years, he gained thorough knowledge of the business in which he ever afterward continued until he put aside business eares, and his concentration of purpose and close appli- eation were salient features in his prosperity.
PETER RIPP.
Peter Ripp is numbered among the early settlers of Platte county, and the farm upon which he now lives and which is one of the well developed properties of Bur- rows township was a traet of raw prairie covered with wild grasses when it came into his possession. He has lived to witness almost the entire development and improvement of the county and has contributed in large measure to its progress along agricultural lines.
Mr. Ripp was born on the Rhine, in Prussia, September 12. 1839, a son of Henry and Gertrude (Hoch) Ripp. who were likewise natives of that country. The father was reared to the occupation of farming and in 1855 he came to the United States, settling in Springfield. Dane county, Wisconsin, where he purchased land and carried on general agricultural pursuits, making his home there for about fifteen years or until 1869, when he removed to Platte county, Nebraska. taking up his abode six miles northwest of Columbus. There he purchased railroad land and settled upon it. concentrating his efforts upon its cultivation and improvement, his labors bringing a marked transformation in the appearance of the property, which he converted into produetive fields. Upon that farm the father passed away and after his death the mother removed to Humphrey, where her demise occurred.
Peter Ripp attended school in Germany and was reared upon the home farm. He came with his parents to the United States and continued to assist his father until he reached the age of twenty-three years, when he secured a homestead of one hundred and sixty aeres on section 26. Burrows township, and has since resided there, covering a period of more than a half century. He afterward cultivated, developed and improved this place until 1900. when he gave up active farm work and retired from business life, renting his land to his sons. In the meantime he had added one hundred and iwenty aeres to the original farm, but he has since divided his property with his children and now owns only one hundred and sixty acres.
On the 31st of October. 1862. Mr. Ripp was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Warringer. a native of Germany. They celebrated their golden wedding in 1912, on which occasion their children and grandchildren were all in attendance. A big
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feast was held and the bride and groom of fifty years before received many beau- tiful and valuable gifts from friends and relatives. Mrs. Ripp was the daughter of Mrs. Gertrude Warringer, a native of Germany, who with her daughter Agnes came to the United States. settling in Chicago. Later they removed to Madison county, Wisconsin, where Mrs. Warringer passed away. She lost her husband during the early girlhood of Mrs. Ripp. To Mr. and Mrs. Ripp were born eleven children, of whom six are yet living, as follows: Henry, who was born August 6, 1865, and who is now a farmer of Buffalo county. Nebraska; Jacob, who was born July 28, 1865. and also follows farming in Buffalo county, this state: Annie, who was born in 1868 and is the wife of August Hamling. an agriculturist of Platte county ; Eliza- beth, whose birth occurred in 1870 and who gave her hand in marriage to Henry Juchter, a farmer of Burrows township; Katie, who was born May 7, 1871, and who now lives with her parents. being the widow of Joseph Leoffelholz. who died August 20, 1913; and William, who was born July 2, 1879, and is an agriculturist of Madi- son county, Nebraska.
Mr. Ripp was one of the organizers of St. Anthony's Catholic church of Bur- rows township, to which he and his family belong. and for several years he served as one of the trustees of the church. In politics he is a democrat and has filled the office of road supervisor. There are few residents of Platte county who have re- mained within its borders for a longer period than Mr. Ripp, whose farm at the time he took possession of it was a tract of raw prairie covered with the native grasses and starred with a million wild flowers in June, while the winter months brought a sheet of snow. Comparatively few roads had been laid out and only here and there was a settlement to show that the work of improvement had begun. Mr. Ripp built house and barns upon his place and carried on the work of general im- provement upon his farm for many years, gaining therefrom a good living, but in the evening of his days he is now retired and he well deserves the rest and com- forts that are his.
HENRY W. ABTS.
Henry W. Abts, who is at the head of the H. W. Abts Company, a wholesale grocery concern, has been a potent factor in the commercial development of Co- lumbus. He was born in Cassville. Wisconsin, September 4, 1863, and is a son of John P. and Elizabeth (Greenhack) Abts, both natives of Germany, the former born in 1833. They were married in their native land and continued to reside there until 1858, when they emigrated to the United States, making their way to Wisconsin, where they located and where the father followed agricultural pursuits. In 1870 they removed to Cedar county, Nebraska, whence they came in 1877 to Platte county. The father died here in 1906 and the mother passed away in this county in 1900.
Henry W. Abts received his education in the public schools of Cedar and Platte counties, Nebraska, but at the age of sixteen years put aside his textbooks and began providing for his own support. He followed agricultural pursuits until 1882, when he came to Columbus. Nebraska, where he engaged in the drayage business for about seven years. In 1888 he entered the wholesale grocery field and has built
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up a large business which is conducted under the name of the H. W. Abts Company. Their goods are of high quality, their prices reasonable and their methods thor- oughly honorable, and their line is popular with the trade.
Mr. Abts was married October 26, 1887, in Columbus, to Miss Mary Henkel- man, a daughter of the late John Henkelman, and they have six living children, namely: Matthew C., Clara C., John, Mary O., Henry J. and Dorothea B. They lost a daughter, Lizzie, who died July 8, 1900, when nine and a half years of age.
Mr. Ahts is a democrat but has been too much absorbed in his business affairs to take an active part in politics. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Knights of America and to the Foresters, and, as these affiliations indi- cate, is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church. He is a man of. great capacity for work and unfaltering determination, and, although he began with nothing, le is now at the head of a large and growing business. He has not only gained finan- cial independence for himself but has also contributed in no small measure to the commercial expansion of Columbus.
GEORGE M. SMITH.
George M. Smith, who for a number of years was connected with the business interests of Humphrey, passed away on the 20th of June, 1913. He was then but forty-seven years of age, his birth having occurred in Missouri on the 22d of May, 1866. His parents were Benedict and Rehida (Wingburg) Smith, both natives of Germany, whence they came to the new world in early life, settling in Kansas. The father resided in that state for several years and followed the occupation of farming there, but his property holdings were entirely destroyed in a cyclone. He afterward came to Platte county, Nebraska, where he carried on general agri- cultural pursuits for several years or until his life's labors were ended in death in September, 1913. His widow still survives and now makes her home in Humphrey.
George M. Smith spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native state, acquired a public-school education and remained with his parents much of the time until his marriage. However, before that event was celebrated he went to Omaha, Nebraska, where he learned the butchering business and followed it in that city for a time. He was afterward employed as a butcher in Columbus and in 1886 he came to Humphrey, where he opened a meat market in partnership with Walter Gehr. This they conducted for a year, at the end of which time Mr. Smith purchased his partner's interest and continued business alone for several years. He then sold out and established a saloon, which he conducted throughout his remaining days.
On the 25th of April, 1886, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Snyder, who was born in Buffalo, New York, February 22, 1863, her parents being Phillip and Catherine (Natcher) Snyder, natives of Germany. They emigrated to the United States in the late '40s, locating in Sheldon Center, New York, where the father carried on general agricultural pursuits until his demise in July, 1888. The death of the mother occurred in November, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Smith reared
GEORGE M. SMITH
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two adopted children, Minnie M. and Thomas, who are now eighteen and nine years of age respectively.
Mr. Smith was a communicant of the Catholic church and passed away in that faith. Politically he was a democrat and at one time was a member of the town council of Humphrey. Many of his fellow townsmen entertained for him warm regard and felt deep regret when he was called to his final rest.
DAVID T. MARTYN, JR., M. D.
Dr. David T. Martyn, Jr., who stands in the first rank of the medical frater- nity in Columbus, has there been engaged in general practice since 1902 and has won an enviable reputation as a skilled and successful representative of the profes- sion. His birth occurred in Columbus, Nebraska, on the 13th of January, 1878, his parents being David Thomas and Susan P. (George) Martyn. A sketch of the father, "than whom no other physician was ever more loved and respected," is given on another page of this work.
David T. Martyn, Jr., completed the high-school course in Columbus by graduation in 1897 and four years later received the degree of M. D. from the medical department of Creighton University at Omaha. In 1901 and 1902 hc pursued post-graduate work in Chicago and then located for practice in Columbus, where he has since remained and where he has won merited recognition as a prom- inent and able physician. His skill has brought to him a liberal and gratifying practice, while his close conformity to the ethics of the profession has gained for him the high regard of his brethren of the medical fraternity. He is a man of broad ideals, scrupulous conscientiousness and superior professional attainments and has advanced through his own efforts to a place of distinction in his chosen field.
On the 21st of October, 1909, in Mount Sterling, Illinois, Dr. Martyn was united in marriage to Miss Winifred P. Rottger, by whom he has two children: Eugenia Susan ; and Lucy R., who was born June 18, 1915. In his political views the Doctor is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party, while fraternally he is known as a Master Mason and an Elk.
BRUNO ZUERLEIN.
The name of Zuerlein has become a synonym for high standard of work at the trade of a brick and stone mason. It is this pursuit which Bruno Zuerlein follows and it is also the chosen occupation of his brother, Joseph Zuerlein, and was followed by their father before them. Bruno Zuerlein understands every phase of the business and the excellence of his work has gained for him a liberal patronage.
Mr. Zuerlein was born in Germany, March 2, 1856, and is a son of George and Catherine Zuerlein, of whom mention is made on another page of this work in con- nection with the history of Joseph Zuerlein. His youthful days were spent in his native land and when his public-school education was completed he began learning the stone and brick mason's trade, which he followed in Germany until 1882. In
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that year he bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for America, taking up his abode in New Jersey, where he was employed until March 2, 1884, when he started across the country with Humphrey, Nebraska, as his destination. Here he has since followed his trade and has won a liberal measure of success. Hc built and owns a two-story brick residence in Humphrey and his property holdings inelude three vacant lots in the city.
In November, 1880, Bruno Zuerlein was united in marriage to Miss Dora Zuerlein, a daughter of Michael Zuerlein, who was a native of Germany. He, too, was a stone and briek mason and in 1884 eame to the new world, working at his trade in Humphrey for many years. He is now living retired, having reached the advanced age of eighty-four years. The mother of Mrs. Zuerlein passed away in 1893. To Mr. and Mrs. Bruno Zuerlein have been born eleven children: Joseph, Christina, Michael, Frank, Agnes, Herman, Catherine, Henry and Cecelia, all of whom are living, and Anna, the third born, and Margaret, the fifth in order of birth, now deceased.
In his political views Mr. Zuerlein is a democrat, having given stalwart support to the party since he became a naturalized American citizen. He and his family are communieants of the Catholic church and he belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters. He is widely known in Humphrey, where he has now made his home for thirty-one years, and his substantial qualities as a business man and citizen have gained him the warm regard of all.
JAMES MCDERMOTT.
That Platte county is an excellent agricultural district is indicated in the fact that among the citizens of Columbus there is a large percentage of retired farmers, men who in cultivating their fields have won substantial prosperity that now enables them to rest from further labors. A representative of this class is James McDermott, who now makes his home at 1922 Platte street. He was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, April 10, 1844, a son of Bernard and Anna (Murphy) McDermott. He was the youngest in their family of nine children and, like the others of the household, acquired a common-school education. He has been a resident of America sinee reaching the age of twenty-one years. Settling in Lafay- ette county, Wiseonsin, he was employed as a farm hand for eleven or twelve years and in 1889 came to Platte county, securing one hundred and sixty aeres in Gran- ville township. This was railroad land for which he paid five dollars per acre. With characteristie energy he began its development, broke the sod, planted the seed and in due course of time gathered good harvests. Year after year he care- fully and persistently continued the work of the farm and as time passed gained a substantial competence as the reward of his labors. He continued to live upon the old homestead until the spring of 1907, when he removed to Columbus. He is still interested in lands in Madison county, Nebraska, and derives therefrom a good income. He is also a stockholder in the German National Bank of Columbus.
In Lafayette county. Wiseonsin. Mr. MeDermott was united in marriage to Miss Jane Donohue, her father being Edward Donohue, an old settler of that county. To them have been born seven children, as follows: Bernard, who wedded
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