USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 25
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REV. CYRIAC STEMPEL, O. F. M.
Rev. Father Cyriac Stempel, O. F. M., has charge of St. Bonaventure's Catholic church in Columbus. He was born in St. Libory, Illinois, a son of Joseph and Gertrude (Pohlmeyer) Stempel, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father was born December 8, 1800, and the mother was born February 5, 1819. The father emigrated to the United States in 1829 and was married in St. Libory, Illinois, in 1859.
The son was educated in the parochial school of his native place and at the age of thirteen was sent to Teutopolis, Illinois, to take a college course, which he completed in 1878, when he joined the Order of St. Francis. From 1881 until 1883 he studied philosophy in Quincy, Illinois, and from 1883 until 1886 he studied theology in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was ordained priest April 26, 1886. His first charge was Bishop Creek, near Teutopolis, Illinois, in 1887, for one year. At the same time he was made professor in the college at Teutopolis, filling the chairs of Latin, English and German until July, 1893, when he was made chaplain of the Illinois State Penitentiary at Joliet, Illinois. In September, 1900, he was made pastor of St. Francis church at Petoskey, Michigan, where he remained until August, 1906, when he became assistant to St. John's church at Joliet, Illinois. On the 5th of January, 1911, he came to Nebraska and took charge of Platte Center parish until August, 1912, when his superiors made him pastor of St. Bonaventure's church in Columbus. This is one of the largest parishes in Platte county. It numbers at present about two hundred and fifty families, com-
REV. CYRIAC STEMPEL
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posed of English, German and Polish. A hospital conducted by the Sisters of St. Francis and a parochial school and academy are in connection with the church. The work in these various institutions makes heavy demand upon the time and attention of Father Cyriac, as he is commonly called. Although he has made his home in Columbus for only a brief period, he has gained the esteem of his parish- ioners and of all with whom he has come in contact.
CAPTAIN LUTHER H. NORTH.
Fictien furnishes no more interesting or thrilling tales than those offered in our own western history. The record of the experiences of Captain Luther H. North are such as would claim the attention of any youth if given in detail. There is no phase of scout life or of Indian warfare in the west with which he is not familiar, and he is numbered among those who have aided in shaping the history of this section of the country. He now makes his home at No. 918 West Fifteenth street in Columbus but is a native of Richland county, Ohio, born March 6, 1846, his parents being Thomas J. and Jane (Townley) North. The father was born in 1812, in Tompkins county, New York, which was also the birthplace of the mother, whose natal year was 1820. Removing to Ohio, the father engaged in business at Rome, Richland county, and was there county surveyor for many years. He was an active representative of the democratic party, taking a helpful interest in promoting the interests of the party in that locality. Removing west- ward to Chicago, he afterward became a resident of Nebraska, making the journey by rail,to Iowa City, Iowa, and thence by stage to Omaha in 1855. He was with a surveying party that helped sectionize all the country between Omaha and Elkhorn, Nebraska. The year after his arrival in this state his family joined him in the west and in March, 1857, he started out with a party of surveyors who were laying out claims. One of this party, John Davis, gave out, after which Thomas J. North aided him to reach a deserted log cabin and then set out to bring help from the ranch house where they were staying but became lost in the deep snow on the Little Pappipio river and was frozen to death. When found by a searching party he was less than a mile from the house he was looking for. His widow long survived him, passing away in 1908.
Captain North of this review began his education in Ohio and attended school to a limited extent in Florence, Nebraska, to which place the family removed after the father's death. He was the third in order of birth of five children. When only thirteen years of age he came to Columbus and became a mail carrier on the Star route between Columbus and Monroe. There were many Indians in the state at that time and in 1859 the Pawnee outbreak occurred. Captain North became familiar with all of the experiences of life on the frontier and with every phase of pioneer existence. After carrying the mail for a year he became associated with his brother James in running a big bunch of cattle on the prairie. In those days all kinds of wagon trains passed through the district on their way to Cali- fornia, Pike's Peak and other places in search of gold. In the fall of 1862 Captain North responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting at Columbus in Company K, Second Nebraska Cavalry, being mustered in at Omaha. He returned from
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that city to the Pawnee Indian reservation, then near Genoa, in Nance county, Nebraska, the Second Regiment being assigned to guard duty against the Sioux, who were then harassing the Pawnees. In the spring of 1863 the command was ordered to Sioux City and joined General Sully's forces, proceeding up the Missouri river to head off a band of Indians. A battle occurred at White Stone Hill in Dakota, in which the Second Nebraska and the Sixth Iowa participated, many Indians and some soldiers being killed.
In 1861 Captain North began freighting from Omaha west to Columbus, Kearney and Cottonwood Springs, the name of the latter place being ultimately changed to Fort McPherson. When hauling grain for an outfit that was going to Virginia City, Nevada, he turned back at Pawnee Springs and was camped near what is now Gothenburg, then known as Brady Island, where he ran into a band of about twenty hostile Sioux. One of the number drew his gun and Captain North was certainly at his mercy, as he had no weapon, but another of the band told his companion not to shoot and nothing was done. However, with reinforce- ments that same band attacked an emigrant train the next day near Plum creek and killed thirteen. There was always the possibility of an attack when he was engaged in freighting and one had to be continually on the alert.
In 1866 Captain North went to Michigan, where he attended school. The following year his brother Frank recruited four companies of Pawnee Indians and Luther H. North became captain of Company D. First Battalion Indian Scouts. That year, with his command, he participated in several skirmishcs. When at Ogallala, Nebraska, doing guard duty for the supply trains, a running fight was held with some Indians under Spotted Tail, the Ogollala Sioux chief, and his son was killed in the encounter. In 1867 Turkey Leg and a band of warriors killed the crew of a train at Plum creek. Captain North's brother, with forty-five men, gave chase and seventeen Cheyennes were killed, while Turkey Leg's squaw and his son were captured. Later in 1867 a council was held between Generals Sher- man, Sheridan, Harney and several of the Indian chiefs, among them Turkey Leg. and his squaw and son were exchanged for three white boys and two girls. After a year Luther H. North was made captain of Company A. All of the service was in the spring and summer months. as the Indians would not go on a winter campaign. In 1869 a battle was fought against Tall Bull at Summit Springs, Colorado. The battle was originally called Susanna Springs, as in the encounter a woman named Susanna was recaptured from the * Indians. In that engagement about one hundred of the red men were killed.
Captain North continued in active service until 1870 and then, retiring from the army, came to Columbus, where he engaged in the livery business until 1876. In that year General Sherman called him and his brother Frank to Chicago and they went to the Indian territory, where the Pawnees were then upon a reservation. They were sent to Fort D. A. Russell after being equipped at Sidney. Nebraska. Frank North, who was an unusually fine pistol shot, was post guide at Fort Russell. From Sidney the troops went north to Fort Robinson and drove Rcd Cloud off Chadron creck and back to Fort Robinson. They proceeded on to Fort Laramie and then joined the command of General Crook. On the 26th of November they found a band of Cheyennes under Dull Knife and a big battle was fought on the Powder river in the Big Horn mountains, in which more whites were killed than Indians. After the Indians were forced to surrender the village was destroyed,
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together with about fifteen hundred buffalo skins. Captain North was mustered out of service in 1877. Between the years 1870 and 1876, although not an enlisted soldier. he did some scout duty for a company of infantry and cavalry located at Fort Hartsuff on the Loup river at St. Paul, Nebraska. In 1877 he engaged with his brothers and W. F. Cody, better known as Buffalo Bill, in the cattle business on Dismal river in Nebraska. In 1882 he returned to Columbus and bought and sold horses and cattle. In 1886 he was appointed by Cleveland as deputy internal revenue collector and upon his return to Columbus in 1889 he engaged in the live- stock business. In 1900 he began farming, to which he devoted his attention until 1910, when he entered the service of the United States government as storekeeper ganger at Omaha. However, he has called Columbus his home since 1859 and is now living retired here, occupying a pleasant residence at No. 918 West Fifteenth street.
In 1898 Captain North married Miss Elvina Sprague, a daughter of James K. Sprague, who went west to California and afterward returned to Nebraska, becoming a blacksmith and farmer at Silver Creek, Merrick county, where he also conducted a store. When Captain North can be prevailed upon to enter into reminiscences concerning his life as scout and Indian fighter, his tales are most interesting. He thoroughly knows the red man, his hahits, his methods of warfare, his customs, his beliefs and his ideas. He speaks the language of some of the tribes and takes a fair and impartial view of the Indian problem, having his information concerning the red race at first hand. His efforts have been an effective force in reclaiming this region for the purposes of civilization and his name deserves a prominent place on the pages of Nebraska's history.
JACOB GREISEN.
Jacob Greisen, a well known merchant of Columbus, was born on the Rhine, in Germany, June 10, 1849. His parents. Christian and Mary (Mouss) Greisen, were married in the fatherland and there resided until 1868, in which year they crossed the Atlantic to America and made their way to Dane county, Wisconsin, where they located upon a farm. Three years later they came to Platte county, Nebraska, and took up their residence upon a farm here. The father died in 1878 and the mother in 1891.
Jacob Greisen received his education in his native land and in 1868 accom . panied his parents to the new world. He remained under the parental roof until 1871, when he went to Chicago, arriving in that city just after the great fire which devastated it. He remained there until August, 1872, and then came to Columbus, Nebraska, where in 1874 he opened a shoe store which he has since conducted. During the forty-one years that he has been engaged in business here he has won recognition as a merchant of sound judgment, enterprise and unquestioned relia- bility. He carries a complete and well chosen stock, and his liberal policy has enabled him to build up a large and representative trade.
In November. 1894, in Columbus, occurred the marriage of Mr. Greisen and Miss Anna Wagner, a daughter of Robert Wagner, deceased. To this marriage have been born two children, Marie and Katharyne.
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Mr. Greisen is a democrat and for three terms, or six years, served on the Columbus city council, proving an efficient and public-spirited alderman. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Knights of Columbus and the Sons of Herman, and his religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. For more than four decades he has been intimately connected with the commercial growth and develop- ment of Columbus, and he is also identified with its financial interests as a director of the First National Bank. He possesses the characteristic virtues of his race, being sagacious and dependable, and the city owes much of its prosperity to men such as he, men who quietly and steadily perform the duties that devolve upon them and manage their business affairs with sound judgment.
JOHN TERNUS.
Through well directed effort John Ternus became one of the extensive land- owners of Platte county and now ocenpies a highly improved and valuable farm situated on section 20, Granville township. His life record might serve as the text of a valuable lesson, for it shows what may be accomplished through hard work intelligently directed. He was born in Germany, March 12, 1852, a son of John and Annie (Wagner) Ternus, also natives of that country, where the father followed farming throughout his entire life. He passed away in 1885, while his wife died in 1900.
John Ternus was reared and educated in Germany, remaining with his parents to the age of twenty years, when in 1872 he crossed the Atlantic and became a resident of Marshall county, Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand for six years. During that period he carefully saved his earnings until at length he had money sufficient to enable him to purchase seventy-two acres of land in Marshall county. Taking up his abode thereon, he cultivated that farm for nine years, at the end of which time he sold out and removed to Platte county, Nebraska, investing in two hundred and forty acres of land on scetion 21, Granville township. With characteristic energy he began to develop and cultivate that tract and soon wrought a marked transformation in its appearance. To his original holdings he added from time to time as his financial resources increased until he now owns eight hundred acres of land, four hundred of which lie in Granville township, one hundred and sixty acres in St. Bernard township and the remainder in Humphrey township. He continued the cultivation of his farm until 1905, when he retired and removed to Humphrey, where he lived for four years. He afterward spent a year in Omaha but he could not be contented without some occupation, for indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to his nature and he returned to the old homestead, building a nice residence on another part of his farm, on section 20, Granville township, near Cornlea. He has since occupied that home and is now again content in the supervision of his place. His has been an active, busy and useful life crowned with well merited success. He is a stockholder in the new bank of Humphrey, known as the Farmers State Bank, and at one time he was extensively engaged in feeding cattle, shipping about two car loads annually. He now largely leaves the work of the farm to others, however, but manages to
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keep busy in the care and general supervision of his property. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator company of Humphrey.
In February, 1878, Mr. Ternus was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Maier, by whom he had eight children, two of whom are deceased. The surviving are as follows: Frank, who follows farming in Humphrey township; John H., an agri- culturist of Granville township; Mary, who is the wife of Conrad Frey, of Hum- phrey township; Elizabeth, who gave her hand in marriage to John Van Dyke, a farmer of Humphrey township; Peter J., who is a banker of Humphrey and a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work; and Conrad, a farmer of Granville township. The wife and mother passed away April 29, 1892, and in September, 1900, Mr. Ternus was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Monica (Schraffe) Nick. To them have been born two children, Edward P. and Herman L.
In religious faith Mr. Ternus is a Catholic, while his political belief is that of the democratic party. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he found good business opportunities and in their utilization has won a very gratifying and substantial measure of success, all of which he well deserves.
REUBEN MARSHALL CAMPBELL.
Reuben Marshall Campbell, who has held the position of superintendent of schools in Columbus since the fall of 1910, has been engaged in educational work for a number of years with splendid success. His birth occurred in Adams county, Indiana, on the 20th of March, 1866, his parents being Sylvester and Mary (Wood) Campbell, both of whom were natives of Ohio, the former born in Guernsey county in 1830. Their marriage was celebrated in Indiana in 1861. Sylvester Campbell passed away in November, 1913, but is survived by his widow. The family comes of Scotch origin in the paternal line, and John Campbell, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of New York.
Reuben M. Campbell acquired his early education in the public schools of his native state and in 1892 was graduated from Franklin College of Franklin, Indiana, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Subsequently he pursued post-graduate work in Chicago University and then took up the profession of teaching, first acting as teacher in the high school at Winfield, Kansas, for two years. In 1894 he returned to Franklin College, studying in that institution for one term and receiv- ing the Master of Science degree. The same year he came to Platte county, Nebraska, and after serving as principal of the high school at Platte Center for two years became assistant principal of the high school in Columbus, teaching Latin and chemistry. He next acted as principal of schools at Humphrey, this county, for four years and afterward spent a similar period as superintendent of schools at Westpoint, Cuming county, Nebraska. In the fall of 1910 he took his present position as superintendent of schools at Columbus, in which connection he has made a most creditable record, the efficiency of his work being manifest in the improvement of the school system of the city. He is a director of the German National Bank and of the Young Men's Christian Association.
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On the 27th of June, 1907, in Columbus, Nebraska, Mr. Campbell was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth G. Sheldon, a daughter of Chauncey H. Sheldon. They have one son, Donald Clarence Campbell, who was born June 27, 1910. Mr. Campbell gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while his fraternal connections make him a Master Mason. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church. He is a man whose life has always been in keeping with high standards and he justly deserves the full measure of confidence and respect now entertained for him by all who know him.
AUGUST RUNGE.
Angust Runge is numbered among the substantial citizens that Germany has furnished to Platte county, where for many years he carried on general farming but is now living retired in Columbus, having reached the eightieth milestone on life's journey. He was born in Prussia, October 7, 1835, a son of Charles and Eva (Schwartz) Runge. The father died at the age of sixty years and the mother passed away at the age of fifty-five years, five months and five days. The educa- tional opportunities of August Runge were very limited. He worked as a farm hand in Germany and was engaged in active military duty in the war of 1861 and 1866.
At length he determined to come to America, attracted by the reports which he heard concerning opportunities in this country. His brother-in-law, Charles Reinke, one of the early settlers of Platte county, sent him money for the trip and he crossed the Atlantic in 1867, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers whose ef- forts were bringing about the development of this section of the country. Hc secured a claim of eighty acres on section 26, Bismark township, built a sod house and there lived for thirteen years, experiencing all the hardships and privations incident to settlement on the frontier. He was poor and had to work hard to get a start and he practiced the closest ceonomy in the early days, but as time passed on his labors were rewarded with good crops and the sale thereof enabled him to purchase additional lands until he became the owner of a farm of three hundred and sixty acres in Platte county and another of two hundred acres in Colfax county. He made splendid improvements upon his land and engaged extensively in the rais- ing of stock. Earnest, persistent labor at length won him prosperity and he has been most generous with his children, dividing his lands among them since he has retired from active farm life.
In 1860 Mr. Runge was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Reinke, who was born in Germany in 1833 and passed away in 1899. Her father, Sam Reinke, was a sheep raiser and farmer in Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Runge were born six children, as follows: August, who lives on a farm in Bismark township, is married and has four children-Arthur, Sophie, August and Katherine; Emma, the wife of Kasper Karl, of Colfax county, by whom she has four children-Arthur, Walter, Kate and Emma; two who died in infancy, while the parents were still resi- dents of Germany ; and two who died in America as infants.
Mr. Runge now lives alone in Columbus, having retired from active business. He has ever been a devoted member of the German Lutheran Evangelical church,
AUGUST RUNGE
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uniting with the church near his home that stood on land which was given for the purpose by Charles Reinke. One of his most cherished possessions is a medal of honor sent him by William I, emperor of Germany, for bravery as a soldier in the German army. Although now eighty years of age, Mr. Runge docs not look more than fifty and in spirit and interests seems yet in his prime, keeping in touch with all questions and issues of the day and with local affairs of moment. His life reeord should serve to inspire and encourage others who have to start out empty-handed as he did, for his career shows what may be accomplished when determination and energy lead the way.
SIEBERT HEIBEL.
A large proportion of Platte county's citizens are of German descent or have had their nativity in the fatherland, and in the new world they have found the opportunity for advancement and progress along business lines and have aided in upbuilding a substantial commonwealth. To this number belongs Siebert Heibel, who was born in Hessen, Germany, July 1, 1856. His father, Valentine Heibel, also a native of the same country, came with his family to the United States in 1867 and for two years was a resident of Illinois, after which, in February, 1869, he came to Platte county and secured a homestead claim in Bismark township. With characteristic energy he began the development of the farm and his labors were attended with good results. He had become a well known and highly esteemed citizen long ere he passed away in Bismark township in the fall of 1883. His widow, Mrs. Angelica Heibel, also a native of Germany, survives and is now making her home with her youngest son at the very advanced age of ninety years. In the family were five children: Anna, the wife of Charles Dittberner, living in Madison county; John, whose home is in Columbus; Katie, the wife of John Rickert, also of Columbus; Siebert, of this review; and Julius, who occupies the old home farm in Bismark township.
Siebert Heibel was a lad of about eleven years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, and was in the thirteenth year of his age when he became a resident of Platte county. He has remained within its borders throughout the intervening period and thus for forty-six years has been a witness of the growth and development of this part of the state. He knows what farming meant in the early days when farm machinery and implements were crude and when it was a most arduous and strenuous task to convert the wild prairie into productive fields. He has lived to witness many changes in the methods of farming and at all times has kept in touch with the trend of modern progress. He has always carried on general farming and is now the owner of two hundred and sixty acres of excellent land on seetion 24. Bismark township, known as the Charles Reinke place, having belonged to one of the earliest settlers of the township.
Mr. Heibel was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Lucke, a native of Germany, and a daughter of Gerhard Lucke, one of the early settlers of Platte county. Seven children were born of this marriage: Bertha, the wife of Paul Roth, of Columbus; Clara, the wife of Otto Korte, living on her father's farm; Mary, who died in young womanhood ; and Carl, Paul, Walter and Madeleine, all yet at home. The Vol. 11-13
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