USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 27
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The following year Mr. Talbitzer was married and resumed work in the mills. From 1883 until 1888 he was night manager of the Falcom Iron & Nail Works and then withdrew from active connection with industrial interests and made his way to Oconee, Nebraska, purchasing land on what was then section 5, Lost Creek township. At that time the town of Monroe had not been established. He en- gaged in farming, carefully tilling his fields year after year with good success until 1906, when he retired from active business and is now enjoying a well earned rest.
On the 28th of September, 1915, Mr. Talbitzer celebrated his golden wedding, for on that date fifty years before he had wedded Susan A. Morris, who was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, a daughter of William S. and Charlotte (Otter- son) Morris. The former was born in Philadelphia and the latter in the north of
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Ireland. When a maiden of ten years Mrs. Morris was brought by her parents to the United States. Mr. Morris was a cigar maker and always lived in Pennsyl- vania save for a short period which he spent in Niles and Warren, Ohio, during which time he was employed as a nailer in a nail factory. He died at Butler, Pennsylvania, at the age of eighty-four years, while his wife passed away at the age of seventy-five. To Mr. and Mrs. Talbitzer were born nine children. William W., the eldest, is doing expert work in the pumping department of the Union Pacific Railroad Company at Council Bluffs. He is married and has three children. At the time of the Spanish-American war he joined Company K, First Nebraska Infan- try, at Columbus and went to the Philippines, where he saw active service for a year. Charles John died in infancy. Sarah is the deceased wife of Charles Pot- ter of Platte county, and was the mother of four children. Alice is the wife of Saxe Percy, of Valley, Nebraska, and has two children. Anna is the wife of Frank Crowshaw, of Washington. and has four children. John, who remains upon the home farm, is the leader of the gymnasium with the Monroe Athletic Association. Susan is the wife of Lester Kelley, postmaster of Monroe, and they have two chil- dren. Lydia became the wife of Oliver Ifland, of Columbus, and died leaving two children. Frank H. died when five years old.
Mr. Talbitzer is a prominent representative of Masonry in this county, hav- ing been affiliated with the order since 1875. He demitted to Columbus and now belongs to Lebanon Lodge, No. 58, A. F. & A. M .; Orient Chapter, R. A. M .; and Gethsemane Commandery, K. T. He has also been commander of Atlanta Post, No. 275, G. A. R., for several years and is one of the leading members of that organization. In politics he has always been a stalwart republican and was appointed postmaster of Monroe, filling that position for six years and one month. He has always been more or less active in politics and stands fearlessly in defense of his honest convictions. All of his life he has been active in the Presbyterian church and for the past twenty years has been one of its elders. His wife, an equally loyal member, has been an earnest worker in the Sunday school and in the Ladies' Aid Society of that church and both are held in the highest regard wherever known, their circle of friends being coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance.
CHAUNCEY H. SHELDON.
Chauncey H. Sheldon, of Columbus, is an honored veteran of the Civil war who during the past third of a century has been actively identified with farming and stock-raising interests in Platte county. His birth occurred in Jefferson, Ohio, in August, 1811, his parents being John B. and Sarah Ann (Seely) Sheldon, who were natives of Vermont and New York respectively. Their marriage was cele- brated in the Empire state and the year 1837 witnessed their removal to Ohio. In 1862 they established their home in Clifton, Illinois, there spending the remainder of their lives.
Chauncey H. Sheldon attended the district schools of his native state until fif- teen years of age and worked on the farm in Ohio until April, 1861, when he re- sponded to President Lincoln's first call for troops to defend the Union, enlisting as a private of Company B, Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. With that com-
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mand he served until mustered out in August, and in August, 1862, he reenlisted as a member of Company D, Eighty-eightl. Illinois Volunteer Infantry, remaining therewith until honorably discharged in February, 1863, on account of physical dis- ability caused by wounds received at Perryville. In February, 1865, he again en- listed for service in the Union army, joining the One Hundred and Fiftieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and serving as adjutant of his regiment until February, 1866, when he was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois. He had made a most creditable military record, never faltering in the performance of any duty whether it took him into the thickest of the fight or stationed him upon the lonely picket line. Re- turning to the home farm in Illinois, he remained thereon until 1882 and then came to Columbus, Nebraska, and purchased three thousand acres of land in Platte county. The highest price paid was ten dollars per acre for land some of which later sold for one hundred and seventy-five dollars an acre. Farming and stock-raising inter- ests bave claimed bis attention throughout the intervening third of a century and his undertakings in this connection have been attended with success. He acts as vice president of the German National Bank and is the chief executive officer of the Columbus Sewer & Drainage Company.
In 1868, in Oxford, Ohio, Mr. Sheldon was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary McDill, by whom he has two children, namely: Charles C .; and Elizabeth, who is the wife of Reuben M. Campbell, superintendent of schools at Columbus, Ne- braska. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and fraternally is known as a Master Mason, while his religious faith is that of the Federated church. Mr. Sheldon is of ideal physical development, being over six feet tall and still as vigorous and alert in body and mind as many men only half his age. His fellow citizens honor and respect him and wherever he is known he has an extensive circle of friends.
JOHN BUNKER.
John Bunker, residing on section 15, Granville township, is the owner of a valuable farm, his landed possessions in this county embracing four hundred acres. His property constitutes the visible evidence of an active and well spent life. He was born in Muscatine county, lowa, September 6, 1858, and is a son of Andrew and Sarah (Howe) Bunker, who were natives of Pennsylvania. In 1856 they be- came residents of Iowa, where the father, who was a farmer by occupation, pur- chased land in Muscatine county and improved a farm, devoting his attention to its further development throughout his remaining days. He died in December, 1896, having for about nine years survived his wife, who passed away in 1887.
John Bunker was reared and educated in Muscatine county, remaining with his parents until he attained his majority, when he started out in life on his own account by renting land. After living upon that place for two years he purchased the prop- erty, which he continued to cultivate for two years longer. In 1893, however, he sold out and came to Platte county, where he invested in one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 15, Granville township. He paid thirty dollars per acre for that tract, which is today worth two hundred dollars per acre. He lost no time in beginning the work of cultivation and improvement and soon converted his fields
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into a productive section bringing forth good crops annually. The ready sale of his harvests supplied him with a capital that enabled him to add to his possessions and he now owns four hundred acres of land on sections 10 and 21, Granville town- ship, his attention being given to the continued cultivation and improvement of his property. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Humphrey.
In February, 1883, Mr. Bunker was united in marriage to Miss Eva Wunder, a daughter of John and Sybil (Miller) Wunder, both of whom were natives of Ger- many. They emigrated to the United States in an early day, locating in Scott county, Iowa, where Mr. Wunder followed farming during the remainder of his life. Mrs. Wunder passed away in Boone county, Nebraska, in 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Bunker became the parents of six children, as follows: Laurence J., who operates one of his father's farms; Mary, Ralph B. and Elsie, all at home; Nettie, who gave her hand in marriage to Moses Choat and resides in Boone county, Ne- braska; and Walter, at home. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in May, 1910, passing away after a three years' illness, her death being deeply regretted by many friends as well as her immediate family, for she was ever loyal to those to whom she gave her friendship and at the same time was a devoted wife and mother. Mr. Bunker exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day.
HENRY C. BENDER.
The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the records of Platte county without learning how prominently and actively the Bender family have been connected with agricultural and other business interests. Moreover, the name has long been synonymous with business enterprise and reliability. A rep- resentative of this family and one who in his business career fully sustains the fam- ily reputation is Henry C. Bender, proprietor of the White Lawn Stock Farm situated on section 30, Granville township.
He was born on a farm near Henry, in Marshall county, Illinois, and is a twin brother of Joseph Bender, born June 7, 1866. Their parents were Peter and Catharine (Mallmann) Bender, natives of Germany. The father was born in Menamebach, October 3, 1825, and the mother's hirth occurred in Wenhausen, Febru- ary 17, 1832. According to the laws of his native country concerning military service, Peter Bender was for three years connected with the German army and in 1856 he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling in Marshall county, Illi- nois. There he rented land and engaged in general farming for three decades or until the spring of 1886, which year witnessed his arrival in Humphrey, Nebraska. He made extensive investments in land in Humphrey and Granville townships, becoming owner of at least one thousand acres, and to each of his eight children he gave eighty acres of land as they attained their majority. Mr. Bender estab- lished his home in the town of Humphrey and with the aid of his sons cultivated his extensive landed interests. Both in Illinois and Nebraska he was known as a prominent farmer and stockman. He possessed excellent business judgment, un- faltering energy and indomitable perseverance and his judicious investments brought
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to him substantial sueeess. At the death of his wife, which occurred on the 29th of December, 1906, he put aside active business cares and retired to private life, making his home with his son Joseph to the time of his death, which occurred on the 7th of November, 1910. His business interests placed him among the most sub- stantial citizens of Platte county and his sterling worth was recognized by all who knew him. The most envious could not grudge him his success, so honorably was it won and so worthily used.
He had a family of nine children, namely: Peter, who was born June 12, 1853, and died on the 9th of April, 1915; Phillip, whose birth occurred June 24, 1855, and who passed away November 3, 1912; John William, who was born May 11, 1858, and follows farming in Humphrey township; Mary, whose natal day was July 5, 1859, and who died on the 17th of September, 1863; Catharine, who was born March 23, 1862, and gave her hand in marriage to Edward Leible, of Elgin, Nebraska; Annic, who was born July 11, 1863, and is the wife of Stephen L. Ger- man, a farmer of Granville township; Joseph, who was born June 7, 1866, and is a retired agriculturist residing in Humphrey ; Henry C., of this review; and Lizzie, who was born February 22, 1876, and is the wife of Fred Van Aekeren, of Cedar Rapids, Nebraska.
Henry C. Bender pursued his education in the public schools of Marshall county, Illinois, and during the periods of vacation worked in the fields, being thoroughly trained in the labors of the farm until he was acquainted with every phase of the business. He remained upon the old home place with his parents until he reached the age of twenty years. after which he rented a farm from his father for a year and at the end of that time was given a traet of eighty aeres. He sold that to his brother Peter and bought one hundred and fifty-two acres on section 30, Gran- ville township, taking possession of it in 1888 and making his home thereon to the present time. He has added another traet of one hundred and fifty-two aeres to the place and with the aid of his sons now cultivates the entire tract, covering a little more than three hundred acres. He breeds shorthorn cattle and these are thoroughbred and are eligible to registration. He feeds both cattle and hogs and is most successfully and energetically carrying on general farming and stoek-rais- ing, having one of the best improved farms in Granville township. His place pre- sents a most neat and thrifty appearance and the farm methods which he follows are thoroughly up-to-date in every particular.
On the 24th of July, 1888, Mr. Bender was united in marriage to Miss Margaret M. Rossbach, a daughter of John Adam and Catharine (Miller) Rossbach, both of whom are natives of Germany. Both emigrated to America and were married in Illinois, while subsequently they took up their abode in Iowa and in 1888 came to Granville township, Platte county, Nebraska. Mr. Rossbael condneted a gen- eral mereantile establishment in Cornlea for fifteen years and later went to Madi- son, where he retired from active business life. Both he and his wife now make their home in Omaha, Nebraska, being eighty-four and sixty-seven years of age respeet- ively. To Mr. and Mrs. Bender have been born eight children. Joseph, whose birth occurred August 13, 1889, wedded Miss Mary C. Dohman and follows farming in Granville township. Catharine, born May 20, 1891, became the wife of Guido Gilsdorf, an agriculturist of Granville township, by whom she has one child, Marie. John A., who was born June 8, 1893, is still at home but is engaged in farming on his own account. George H., whose natal day was December 28, 1895. is also on
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the home farm. Frederick J., who was born December 4, 1897, was graduated in 1915 from the commercial department of the Fremont Normal College and now acts as assistant cashier of the Cornlea State Bank. Moxalinda, who was born Decem- ber 8, 1900, attends the Cornlea parochial school of the Sacred Heart Catholic church. Henry W., whose birth occurred February 9, 1903, is at home and attends the same school. Edwin, whose natal day was October 23, 1908, is also a student in that school.
Henry C. Bender exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democratic party and is now serving for the eighth year as justice of the peace, in which position he has rendered decisions that are strictly fair and impartial and have won for him golden opinions. He also served for four years as a member of the school board and the cause of education has found in him a stal- wart champion. He helped to organize the Cornlea State Bank and for years was one of its stockholders. He and his family are all members of the Sacred Heart Catholic church of Cornlea, which Mr. Bender aided in organizing eight years ago and throughout the entire period he has been one of its trustees. He and his twin brother. Joseph, challenge any twins in Nebraska to beat their combined weight, for Joseph weighs two hundred and forty pounds, while Henry C. Bender tips the scales at three hundred. They are not only big men physically but also mentally and morally-broad-minded, upright and honorable. Their worth is widely rec- ognized by all and their lives bear the test of long acquaintance, for their stanchest friends are those who have known them throughout the entire period of their resi- dence in this county.
GUSTAVUS R. PRIEB.
Gustavus R. Prieb is successfully engaged in business at Columbus as a dealer in paints and wall paper and is also serving for the third term as a member of the city council. His birth occurred in South Bend, Indiana, in 1874, his parents being Louis and Matilda (Henning) Prieb, both of whom were natives of Germany, the former born about 1840. Their marriage was celebrated in South Bend, Indiana. Louis Prieb passed away in 1875 and five years later his widow, together with her three daughters and son (Gustavus) and her parents, came to Columbus, Nebraska, where she had a brother, Fred Henning, who is now a resident of Platte Center. Mrs. Prieb has lived in Columbus during the intervening period of thirty-five years and enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance in the city.
Gustavus R. Prieb, who was a little lad of six years when he came to this state with his widowed mother, acquired his education in the country schools of Polk county, just across the river from Columbus. His opportunities in this direction were very limited, however, for he spent only one month each season in school. During one winter he attended a German school in Columbus. When thirteen years of age he put aside his textbooks and started working at the painting and wall paper business, making his home with his mother in Columbus, and he has since engaged in that business. In 1902 he opened a paint and wall paper store in Columbus, which he has conducted to the present time in addition to working at the painter's trade, being now accorded a gratifying and well merited patronage.
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On the 29th of November, 1899, in Columbus, Nebraska, Mr. Prieb was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary White, her father being Robert White, a native and resi- dent of Scotland. They now have four children, namely: Lorena, Louis R., Mary and Carroll. Mr. Prieb is a democrat in politics and is now serving for the third term as a member of the city council, having made a most creditable and commend- able record in this connection. He is known as a Master Mason and also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Sons of Herman, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, as well as to the Maennerchor and the Orpheus Society. His religious faith is that of the Episco- pal church. He is a progressive citizen, an able business man and one whose life has always been in keeping with high standards, so that he deserves the full meas- ure of confidence and respect entertained tor him by all who know him.
PATRICK M. McDONALD.
Patrick M. McDonald, who is engaged in general farming on section 15, Gran- ville township, is one of the worthy citizens that New England has furnished to this state. He was born in Vermont in January, 1848, a son of Patrick and Mar- garet (Haley) McDonald, who were natives of Ireland. In early life the father crossed the Atlantic to the new world and settled in Vermont, where he engaged in railroad work for several years. He afterward went to Indiana and purchased land in Montgomery county which he cultivated throughout his remaining days. He was drafted for service in the Civil war but hired a man to go in his place. He died in 1887, while his wife, surviving for many years, passed away in 1911.
Although born in New England, Patrick M. McDonald largely spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Indiana and remained at home with his parents until September, 1879, when he made his way to Columbus, Nebraska. He then went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad, with which he remained as a track man until 1898, when he took up his abode upon a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres that he purchased upon his removal to the west. His farm is situated on section 15, Granville township, and when he determined to take up farming in 1898 he resolutely set to work to develop and improve the place and now has one of the best farms in the county. He has given his attention to it for seventeen years and its well kept appearance indicates his practical, progressive methods and far- sighted business judgment. He has two fine orchards upon his land which he set out and there are many modern improvements which indicate his progressive spirit. He makes a specialty of raising Poland China hogs and in his fields produces good crops of grain.
On January 8, 1884, Mr. McDonald was united in marriage to Miss Theresa Mayberger, her father being Carl Mayberger, a native of Germany, who was an agriculturist by occupation and emigrated to the United States in an early day. He purchased a tract of land in Platte county, Nebraska, and cultivated the same during the remainder of his lite, passing away in 1906. To Mr. and Mrs. McDonald have been born three children, namely: James P., who is twenty-seven years of age and is a practicing attorney of Seattle, Washington; Katherine, the wife of Ben- jamin Van Ackeren; and Carl, whose demise occurred in 1895.
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The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Mr. McDon- ald also holds membership with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In politics he is a republican, giving stanch support to the party, but he does not seek nor desire public office, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his farming inter- ests. He has never regretted the fact that he severed his connection with the rail- road to take up agricultural life, for therein he has found good opportunities and won success and he now agrees with George Washington, who said that farming is the most useful as well as the most honorable occupation of man.
GEORGE J. HAGEL.
George J. Hagel, who owns two finely equipped billiard and bowling halls in Columbus, was born in Middletown, Wisconsin, May 16, 1869, a son of William and Matilda Hagel, who in 1875 removed with their family to Columbus, Nebraska.
George J. Hagel was educated in the common schools but when eleven years of age began working on a farm, so continuing for nine years. He was then connected with the saloon business for twelve years, after which, on the 6th of May, 1901, he established a bowling alley on Twelfth street, the first in the town of Columbus. He remained at that location for a year and a half and then erected a two story business block on West Thirteenth street, where he had three alleys, to which he subsequently added pool tables and a fountain. He sold out there in December, 1910, but on the 12th of July, 1912, opened a billiard parlor and bowling alley in the basement of the Thurston Hotel, the furniture and fixtures being the finest in the city. He also has a similar place in the basement of the Evans Hotel and derives a good income from his business.
Mr. Hagel was married in May, 1899, to Miss Lucy Kuenzli. He is independ- ent in politics, voting for the man rather than the party, and he is a veteran mem- ber of the Columbus fire department. Fraternally he is connected with the Royal Highlanders. He takes the interest of a good citizen in public affairs and is willing to cooperate in movements seeking the business expansion of Columbus.
ERNEST C. BERGMAN.
Ernest C. Bergman has been engaged in the monument business at Columbus since 1907 and has built up an extensive enterprise in this connection. His birth occurred in Sweden on the 2d of March, 1866, his parents being Gustaf J. and Gustava (Ceasar) Bergman, both of whom passed away in that country. The former died January 24, 1892, while the latter was called to her final rest on the 24th of June, 1914.
Ernest C. Bergman acquired his education in the schools of his native country and there spent the first twenty years of his life. In 1886 he crossed the Atlantic to America, making his way to Concordia, Kansas, where he worked for some time at the trade of marble cutting. Subsequently he spent a year on the Pacific coast and then returned to Concordia, Kansas, where he again worked at his trade for
ERNEST C. BERGMAN
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two years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Hastings, Adams county, Nebraska, and two years later to Schuyler, Colfax county, this state. At the end of another year he embarked in the marble business on his own account, conducting an enterprise of that character at Schuyler for fifteen years or until 1908, when he came to Columbus. Here he has been engaged in the monument business to the present time and has built up an enterprise of profitable proportions.
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