USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 26
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family circle was again broken by the hand of death, when on the 25th of October, 1903, the wife and mother passed away, leaving behind her many warm friends who mourned her loss because of her excellent traits of character which had en- deared her to those with whom she came in contact.
Mr. Heibel has been a democrat since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and is recognized as one of the local leaders of his party. For twenty- nine years he has filled the office of assessor of Bismark township, making a most creditable record by his promptness and fidelity. For a quarter of a century he has been treasurer of the school district and he is always interested in progressive education. He belongs to the German Lutheran church and his life has been one of high and manly purpose.
WILLIAM FOLTZ.
William Foltz is living on section 22, Granville township, where he owns and cultivates one hundred and sixty acres of good land. In the midst of the place stands an attractive modern residence and all of the improvements of a model farm are there found. A native of Indiana, he was born in Ripley county, May 14, 1863, a son of Ignatz and Caroline (Cook) Foltz. The father, a native of Baden, Germany, was a farmer by occupation and also learned and followed the butcher's trade. He came to America in 1824, settling in Cincinnati, Ohio, and in that city he was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Cook, also a native of Baden. While living in Cincinnati he worked at the butcher's trade but afterward removed to Ripley county, Indiana, where he turned his attention to farming, spending his remaining days there. He passed away in that county in 1907, when he had reached the very venerable age of ninety-four years. He had long survived his wife, who died upon the home farm in Indiana in 1878.
William Foltz remained with his parents until he reached the age of thirteen years and then, at a time when most boys are busy with the duties of the school- room, he started out to earn his own living, working as a farm hand for six dollars per month. He continued to work at farm labor until he reached the age of twenty-two years, when he rented land for two years. He was then married and removed to Princeville, Peoria county, Illinois, where he again engaged in farming upon rented land for five years. In 1892 he came to Platte county, Nebraska, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 22, Granville township, upon which he has since resided. He has also purchased four hundred acres iu Western Nebraska, near Alliance. His place was raw prairie but he converted it into rich and productive fields and has continuously carried on general farming and stock-raising, following practical, progressive methods that produce good results. In addition he owns a fine town residence in Humphrey and he is one of the stockholders in the Farmers State Bank of that place. His attention is now largely given to the breeding and raising of high-grade stock and he feeds both cattle and hogs. When he purchased his place there were no improvements upon it worthy of mention but in 1904 he erected a fine new residence and in 1909 built large and commodions barns. He also has the best machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and everything about the place is indicative of the spirit of
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enterprise which has characterized him in the conduct of his farming interests since he started ont on his own account.
On the 21st of April, 1887, Mr. Foltz was united in marriage to Miss Julia Stenger, a daughter of Frank and Mary Stenger, both of whom were natives of Germany, the latter being now deceased. Frank Stenger, who followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career, is now eighty years of age and makes his home in Kickapoo, Peoria county, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Foltz have been born six children, as follows: Carrie, whose birth occurred March 6, 1888, and who is now the wife of Ruckus Pfeifer, a farmer of Granville town- ship; Amelia, who was born June 4, 1890, and died October 15, 1898; Edward, born March 28, 1892; Annie, born February 17, 1894; Theresa, who was born June 19, 1896, and died in infancy; and Rosie, whose birth occurred on the 2d of March, 1898. Edward, Annie and Rosie are at home. In addition to their own children Mr. and Mrs. Foltz are rearing a little boy, August, an orphan whom they brought from New York on the 16th of December, 1913, and he is now eight years of age.
Politically Mr. Foltz is a democrat, while his religious faith is that of the Catholic church, he and his wife and children all being communicants of 'St. Francis Catholic church of Humphrey. For years he has served as one of its trustees, is a member of St. Joseph's Men's Society of that church and does all in his power to further the work of the church and promote its upbuilding. There have been no unusual chapters in his life history but the record proves what may be accomplished when determination and industry constitute the salient traits of character of the individual.
JOHN J. BURKE.
The value of industry and enterprise is well illustrated in the career of John J. Burke who, starting in life with no capital and with but a limited education, has so capably managed his business interests that today he is a prominent stock- man of Columbus and Platte county, meriting the esteem and respect which is everywhere accorded him. He was born in Champaign county, Ohio, September 6, 1854, and comes of Irish parentage. His father, Patrick Burke, was a native of the Emerald isle, as was also his mother, who bore the maiden name of Johannah Carrig. They were married in the land of their nativity and subsequently emi- grated to the United States, choosing Champaign county, Ohio, as their home. In 1864 the father, with his wife, three sons and three daughters, removed to a farm in Shell Creek township, Platte county, Nebraska, and was identified with agricul- tural pursuits throughout his remaining years. He was permitted to enjoy his new home for less than a decade, however, for he passed away in 1873. The wife and mother survived and departed this life in 1898.
John J. Burke was a lad of ten years when he accompanied the other members of the family to Platte county. At an early age he was assigned the tasks on the home farm that usually fall to the farmer hoy and the educational advantages he received were somewhat limited, as he was only permitted to attend school for cight or nine terms and that only during the winter seasons. He spent forty-two
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years on the home farm and then in April, 1906, took up his abode in Columbus and began buying and shipping hogs and cattle, having engaged in the stock busi- ness continuously since that time. In recent years, however, he has given his attention exclusively to buying hogs and is meeting with splendid success in this business venture.
Mr. Burke is a democrat in his political belief and is a communicant of the Catholic church. His fraternal relations connect him with the Knights of Colum- bus. For four years he acted on the board of supervisors of Platte county and also served on the school board of districts Nos. 12 and 4. He may truly be called a self-made man, for in his earlier life he was obliged to perform the hardest kind of physical labor on the farm, but he has gradually worked his own way up in the business world until he is numbered among the prominent stockmen of this section and is looked upon as a shrewd business man, who fully merits the confi- dence and esteem of his fellow citizens.
TONEY SCHMITZ.
Toney Schmitz is proprietor of the only dray line at Cornlea and, having no competition, is doing an extensive business, while his honorable and reliable methods commend him to the confidence of all. Platte county numbers him among her native sons, for he was born within her borders September 21, 1891, being a son of Joseph and Margaret Schmitz, natives of Germany. The father came to the new world in an early day and when a young man took up his abode in Wisconsin. He was a blacksmith by trade, having learned the business ere coming to the new world. After living for some time in Wisconsin he removed to Platte county, Nebraska, and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres which he at once began to develop and improve, continuously and successfully operating the land until 1906, when he rented his farm and retired. He now lives with his son on the old home place and has reached the age of sixty-eight years. His wife passed away June 1, 1906.
There were nine children in the family, namely: Peter, a resident farmer of Boone county ; Mary, the wife of George Shacher, living in Boone county; Annie, the wife of Henry Besch, of the same county; Joseph, who is cultivating the old homestead farm; Matt, who follows merchandising at St. Bernard; Kelly, a resi- dent farmer of Platte county; John, who is engaged in farming near Petersburg; Nicholas, who is residing in Cedar Rapids, Nebraska; and Toney.
The last named was reared on the old homestead farm and at the usual age became a pupil in the district schools, thereby acquiring an education which fitted him for life's practical and responsible duties. He remained at home until his mother died in 1906 and then went to work as a farm hand in the neighborhood, being employed in that manner for eight years. On the 21st of June, 1915, he came to Cornlea and bought out the dray line. This is the only business of the kind in the town and he is accorded a liberal patronage, so that he derives a good annual income from his labors.
On the 7th of September, 1915, Mr. Schmitz was united in marriage to Miss Mary Thieman of Phillipsburg, Nebraska. Politically he is a democrat, while his
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religious faith is that of the Catholic church. He is well known in the county, having spent his entire life here, and his friends, and they are many, speak of him in terms of confidence and warm regard.
CARL F. EWERT.
Among the representative citizens whom Germany has given to Platte county is Carl F. Ewert, who is dealing in agricultural implements in Columbus. He was born on the 26th of September, 1879, a son of Carl and Caroline (Boettcher) Ewert, who were married in Germany and continued to reside there until 1884, when they crossed the Atlantic to America. They located on a farm in Platte county, Nebraska, where they have since lived, their home being at present in Columbus. The father served in the German army during the Franco-Prussian war. To them were born six sons and seven daughters but four of the daughters have passed away.
Carl F. Ewert was but five years of age when brought to this country and the greater part of his life has been passed in Platte county. He remained under the parental roof until 1910, when he went to Monroe and established a general store, which he conducted for two years. At the expiration of that period he sold out and came to Columbus, where he has since resided. He is engaged in the agricultural implement business and has been accorded a large patronage. He understands thoroughly the needs of the farmers in the county and as he is also familiar with the various lines of implements upon the market he always has in stock the machines and implements which his customers desire.
On the 7th of May, 1905, Mr. Ewert was married in Platte county to Miss Minnie Hake, a daughter of Henry Hake, a native of Germany, who also served in the Franco-Prussian war. To this union have been born six children, Esther. George, Walter, Margaret, Oscar and Eleanora.
Mr. Ewert casts his ballot in support of the democratic party but has never been an aspirant for public office. His religious faith is indicated in his member- ship in the Lutheran church, in the furtherance of whose work he takes a great interest. He ranks among the successful business men of Columbus and his pros- perity may be attributed entirely to his capacity for hard work, his wise manage- ment of his affairs and his earnest desire to satisfy his customers.
JOHN PETER BECKER.
No history of Platte county would be complete were there failure to make reference to John Peter Becker, who was one of the founders of Columbus and for many years an active and prominent business man, his enterprise and industry contributing in marked measure to the development and upbuilding of the city. He also left his impress upon the history of Nebraska as a member of the territorial legislature and as a member of the constitutional convention. In fact his efforts
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were far-reaching and at all times proved beneficial to the community and to the commonwealth.
Mr. Becker was a native of Warsau, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, born on the 29th of May, 1833. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Phillip Becker, born on the 13th of March, 1804, and on the 4th of June, 1809, respectively, were married in 1828. In the year 1837 they emigrated with their family to America, settling in Columbus, Ohio, where the father worked at the carpenter's trade. There John Peter Becker attended a private school, receiving instruction in English and German in the common branches. When he was fifteen years of age his textbooks were put aside that he might learn the more arduous and difficult lessons in the school of experience. He was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, at which he served for three years, after which he was employed at his trade and at nineteen years of age, when his father became ill, he took his place and superintended the erection of a four-story brick building known as the Quyne block, which is still standing at the corner of Town and Third streets in Columbus, Ohio. It is a monument to the marked ability, expert workmanship and enterprise of Mr. Becker and displayed one of his strong characteristics-his willingness to undertake any duty that came to him and to carry it forward to successful completion. During the years 1854 and 1855 he worked as a journeyman carpenter in the middle west and in October, 1856, became one of the original members of the Columbus Company that came to Nebraska and founded the city of Columbus.
For miles around stretched the wild, unbroken prairie, hardly a settlement having been made in this section of the state, which was still the hunting ground of the Indian. The most farsighted could scarcely dream of the changes which were to occur and transform this into a populons, prosperous district. Mr. Becker lived in a sod house and walked to Omaha for supplies. He experienced all of the hardships and privations attendant upon life in a new country without railroad connection and with no towns upon which to draw for the necessaries of life. The early settlers had to depend upon what could be raised and amid ungenerous surroundings they fought conditions of pioneer life but at length won the victory. In 1860 Mr. Becker went to the mountains in search of gold but was unsuccessful and, returning home, he resumed work at his trade, utilizing every means at hand that would promote legitimate advancement in a business way. He entered all the land for the Columbus Company and at one time was the owner of the tract from Olive street west that was laid out as Becker's addition. In 1863 he opened a grocery and general mercantile store in Columbus and also began dealing in grain. He never feared to venture where favoring opportunity led the way and continually broadened his activities, while at all times his business interests were of a character that contributed to general prosperity as well as to individual success. In 1869 he entered into partnership with Jonas Welch and built the first grist mill in the central part of the state. This proved a blessing to the isolated frontier community and was patronized by farmers who came from one hundred miles in every direction. It proved a profitable undertaking and was conducted by them until 1886, when they sold out. They also bought cattle, hogs and sheep and as dealers in live stock also won prosperity, the firm of Becker & Welch con- tinuing its existence until 1892 and ranking throughout the entire period as one of the foremost business combinations of the county.
Mr. Becker was most happily situated in his home life and was devoted to the
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welfare of his family. At Columbus, on the 15th of April, 1875, he wedded Miss Phillipina Schram. by whom he had four children, two of whom died in infancy. The surviving children are: Minnie Fredericka, the wife of Professor Weaver of the Morrison (Ill.) schools; and Albert D., assistant cashier of the Commercial National Bank of Columbus. Mr. Becker took the greatest interest in the welfare of his children and gave to them every possible advantage, educational and otherwise, thus qualifying them for the responsibilities that come with mature years. The family still own lands near the town which were entered from the government by Mr. Becker.
In his political views Mr. Becker was an earnest democrat, recognized as one of the leaders of his party in the state. He was the first recorder of deeds in Platte county and in 1864 was chosen a member of the territorial legislature, thus aiding in shaping the policy of the state during its formative period. In 1866 he was appointed by President Johnson to the position of Pawnee Indian agent, serving in that capacity for a year. In 1875 he was made a member of the con- stitutional convention, in the work of which he took a very active part, leaving the impress of his individuality and ability upon the organic law of the state. His opinions carried weight in democratic councils, his advice being listened to by those who were most active in directing the interests and policy of the party. For one term he served as mayor of Columbus and was called to various other positions of honor and trust. He was a charter member of Lebanon Lodge, No. 59, A. F. & A. M., and was a devoted, faithful and generous member of the Lutheran church. His cooperation could always be counted upon to further any plan or project for the public good and he measured up to the highest standards of citizenship. He also held friendship inviolable and was a great lover of home and family. He delighted to recount to the members of his household the story of pioneer days, and all must needs honor him for the part which he played in bringing about the present development. He died January 14, 1892, when in the fifty-ninth year of his age, and thus ended a life of great usefulness and worth. Time gives the perspective which places all things in their true value and relation, and time has but served to heighten the fame and win recognition of the worth of John Peter Becker, long one of the foremost citizens of Platte county.
PETER J. TERNUS.
The name of Ternus has become a synonym for business enterprise and progress in Platte county and in his life record Peter J. Ternus displays the substantial qualities of industry, close application and firm purpose. He is one of the native sons of Platte county, his birth having occurred in Granville township, April 10, 1888, his parents being John and Rose (Maier) Ternus, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. His youthful experiences were those which usually come to the farm lad. He acquired his education in the district school near his father's home and in the parochial school at Humphrey and finished his course in the Omaha Commercial College. He then entered the Cornlea State Bank, where he served in the capacity of bookkeeper for a year and a half. He next became bookkeeper in the First National Bank of Humphrey, where he remained
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for a year, and afterward entered the Otis & Murphy Bank at Humphrey, in which he served as assistant cashier for three years. He afterward went to Tarnov and organized the Bank of Tarnov, in which be accepted the position of cashier, continuing in that connection for three and one-half years, or until May, 1915, when he sold out and came to Humphrey, where he organized the Farmers State Bank, which was opened on the Ist of October in a new building erected on Main street especially for the purpose and splendidly equipped for the conduct of a modern banking business. The institution is capitalized for fifty thousand dollars and the officers are: P. L. Kelly, president; Vincent Weiser, vice president; and Peter J. Ternus, cashier. These officers, together with Oliver Alderson and Frank Ternus, constitute the board of directors.
On the 20th of October, 1909, Mr. Ternus was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Fangmann, a daughter of Anton and Kate (Brachle) Fangmann, who were born in Illinois. The father came to Platte county at an early period in its development in company with his parents and here was reared to manhood. He purchased land in Granville township and cultivated and developed it for a long period but in 1899 removed to Humphrey, where he was proprietor of a store for some time. He is now acting as manager for the Nye-Schneider-Fowler Company, dealers in lumber, grain and coal, and he and his wife are well known and highly . respected in Humphrey. Mr. and Mrs. Ternus have two children: Mildred, born February 20, 1911; and Alvin, born in June, 1913.
Politically Mr. Ternus is a democrat and while living at Tarnov served as chairman of the board of trustees. He belongs to the Catholic church, to the Catholic Order of Foresters and to the Knights of Columbus. Throughout his entire business career he has been identified with banking and is thoroughly acquainted with the business in every phase, so that his experience well qualifies him for his present position and gives to the patrons of the bank a sense of security and sat- isfaction.
CHARLES W. TALBITZER.
Charles W. Talbitzer is a retired farmer living at Monroe and is also one of the prominent members of the Grand Army of the Republic, proudly wearing the little bronze button that proclaims him a veteran of the Civil war, and still main- tains friendly and cordial relations with his comrades who wore the blue. He has always been actuated by a spirit of patriotism from carly youth, although he is an adopted son of America. His birth occurred in Canton Bern, Switzerland, November 13, 1841, his parents being Charles J. and Anna (Haggar) Talbitzer. The father's birth occurred at Heyday, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, in 1806 and the mother was born ncar Bern, Switzerland, in 1816. The father learned the trade of a miller and millwright and built and operated wind and water mills. He traveled quite extensively over Europe, at length reaching Switzerland, where he lived for some time. He rebuilt and operated a mill about six miles from Neu- chatel and for some time also conducted a hotel, but was forced to leave that coun- try because of a political entanglement and came to the United States in 1846. For a brief period he tarried in New York and then went to Pittsburgh, Pennsyl-
CHARLES W. TALBITZER AND FAMILY
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vania, after which he was employed in the salt works near Tarentum, Pennsylvania, for about two years. While there he took out his first naturalization papers. He afterward removed to Niles, Ohio, and in 1856 took out his final papers at Warren, Ohio, thus becoming a citizen of the American republic. He worked in the rolling mills at Niles, being employed in the old MeKinley furnace works at that place, but in 1857 he turned his attention to gardening near Niles, fol- lowing that pursuit until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he offered his services to his adopted country, enlisting in September, 1861, as a member of Company C, Nineteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which command was at Camp Denison. From that point they proceeded to Louisville, Kentucky, where they arrived about Christmas, 1861, being attached to the brigade commanded by Gen- eral Mitchell. Later they proceeded to Columbia, Kentucky, where the winter of 1861-2 was spent. Mr. Talbitzer was wounded at Shiloh on the second day of the battle, April 8, 1862, and was sent home, for the government did not have hospital facilities to take care of the troops. Hospital boats conveyed the wounded to Cincinnati and from that point Mr. Talbitzer made his way home, where he arrived on the 4th of May, his death occurring the following day.
His son, Charles W. Talbitzer of this review, was the eldest in a family of cight children. He attended school at Niles, Ohio, from 1854 until 1857, when he was a classmate of President William McKinley. He then began working in the mills and through the winter seasons continned his education. From 1857 until 1861 he was employed in a nail factory. He would contract for machines and hire the men to feed the machines, while he acted as overseer of the floor. His youth was a period of earnest and unremitting toil and responsibilities devolved upon him at an early age, but with the outbreak of the Civil war all personal inter- ests and ambitions were put aside and on the 27th of April, 1861, at Warren, Ohio, he enlisted for three months. When it was seen that the war was not to be speedily ended he reenlisted on the 17th of September, 1861, at Niles for three years in the same company, joining the army as a private and coming out as a corporal. He and his father were in the same company. He served until October 12, 1864, when he was honorably discharged from Company K, Fifth Regiment of the Vet- cran Reserve Corps, to which he had been transferred in 1863. He participated in the battle of Rich Mountain in 1861, Shiloh in 1862, Perryville, Kentucky, and Murfreesboro and on the 2d of January, 1863, was wounded in the left leg. He had kept a diary up to that time but when he was captured the book was rifled by the enemy. When his three years' term had expired he returned to Niles in 1864.
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