USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 30
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On October 9, 1876, Mr. Jansen married Miss Anna Laschansky, a daughter of August and Katherine (Lenfer) Laschansky. both natives of Germany. Her father farmed in that country and there spent the greater part of his life, but in his old age came to America and made his home with his children until his demise, which occurred in 1874. Mr. Lasehansky died when Mrs. Jansen was but five years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Jansen were born twelve children, namely: Emma, the wife of Luverne Cunningham, of Creston; Maggie, who gave her hand in marriage to John Carstens and lives near Genoa, this state; Minnie and Clara, twins, the former the wife of John Barrett, a farmer of Creston township, and the latter the wife of Vic Palmateer, of Creston; Rose, the wife of Julius Engle, a farmer of Creston township; Dora, now Mrs. Fred Henry, of Creston; Henry, at home, who married Laura Summer, who passed away leaving three children, Charles, Raymond and Norman; Herman, Lillian and Harry, all at home; Anna, who died in infancy : and Mary, who died in 1895, when two and a half years old.
Mr. Jansen was a republican in his political views, a Presbyterian in his re- ligious faith and fraternally was identified with the Sons of Herman and the Mod- ern Woodmen of America. In all relations of life he measured up to high standards of manhood and was not only respected for his ability but honored for his integrity
CHARLES F. JANSEN
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and his regard for the rights of others. Mrs. Jansen, who is an excellent business woman, has made further improvements upon the home farm, and she, too, has gained the esteem of all who know her.
GUSTAV WILLIAM VIERGUTZ.
Gustav William Viergutz, the period of whose residence in Columbus covers more than a quarter of a century, has been successfully engaged in the lumber business here since 1908, building up an extensive enterprise of that character. His birth occurred in Germany on the 31st of December, 1868, his parents being August Carl and Wilhelmine (Krueger) Viergutz, who were likewise natives of that country, the former born on the 31st of December, 1838, and the latter in 1836. They emigrated to the United States in 1870, locating first in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and in 1876 took up their abode in Polk county, Nebraska. In 1910 they came to Columbus, where Mr. Viergutz passed away in 1913 and where his widow still makes her home. The paternal grandfather of our subject spent his entire life in Germany.
Gustav W. Viergutz acquired his education in the public schools of Polk county, Nebraska, and in 1888 came to Platte county, this state, continuing his studies in Columbus for one year. Here he learned the carpenter's trade and sub- sequently followed that occupation as a contractor, etc., until 1898. In that year he entered the employ of G. A. Hoagland, a lumber merchant of Columbus, remain- ing in his service for nine years. On the expiration of that period, in 1908, he embarked in the lumber business on his own account and has since conducted an enterprise of that character with gratifying and growing success. He is likewise the vice president of the Columbus Land, Loan & Building Association and enjoys a reputation as one of the substantial and representative business men of his adopted city.
On the 26th of February, 1891, in Columbus, Nebraska, Mr. Viergutz was united in marriage to Miss Anna Catharine Huntemann, a daughter of Henry H. Huntemann. To them have been born five children, namely: Walter A., Arthur H., Vera E., Alva E. and Gustav W., Jr. In politics Mr. Viergutz is a republican, while his religious faith is that of the German Lutheran church.
BERT LEROY PARKER.
Bert LeRoy Parker, well known in the business circles of Columbus, was born at Kingman, Kansas, January 1, 1887. His parents are Joseph and Anna (Moore) Parker, the former a native of Kansas, while the latter was born near Millersburg, Ohio. They are now residing in Kansas City, where the father is engaged in busi- ness as a building contractor.
Bert L. Parker acquired a fair education while spending his youthful days in his parents' home and entered the workaday world as an employe of the Wells Fargo Express Company in Kansas City, with which corporation he remained for Vol. IT-15
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two years. He then went to Chicago and began work with the United Electric Company, learning the electric construction work thoroughly, becoming quite expert in that line. After three and one-half years spent with that company he returned to Kansas City for a year, was afterward in Hutchinson, Kansas, for two years, then again went to Kansas City and to Omaha and to Pratt, Kansas, remaining four years in the last named place. He was in business in Pratt and in Hutchinson, Kansas, at the same time and in 1910 he came to Columbus, where he established his present business. He does electrical contracting and also has a retail store and has prospered in his undertakings.
On the 10th of October, 1906, Mr. Parker was united in marriage to Miss Ruth F. Soden, a daughter of Charles H. and Bertha May (Warren) Soden, the former being a ranchman of Montana. To this union have been born two children: Elton, whose birth occurred March 27, 1909; and Kenneth, born October 31, 1910.
Politically Mr. Parker is a republican, maintaining a citizen's interest in the questions and issues of the day but without aspiration for office. He belongs to the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a member of the Methodist church. The course which he has followed throughout his life shows that his principles measure up to high standards, his worth being recognized both as a man and as a citizen. In his business career he has been stimulated by lauda- ble ambition and guided by industry and thus step by step he has advanced until he is now at the head of a substantial enterprise.
FRANK J. GERHARZ.
Frank J. Gerharz is successfully engaged in business in Columbus as pro- prietor of an up-to-date and well appointed clothing and men's furnishings estab- lishment, being senior member of the Gerharz, Flynn Company. His birth occurred in Lemont, Cook county, Illinois, on the 19th of February, 1865, his parents being Joseph and Helen (Kanney) Gerharz, both of whom were natives of Germany, the former born in 1833. Joseph Gerharz emigrated to the United States in 1851 and in 1858, at Lockport, Illinois, wedded Miss Helen Kanney. His demise occurred in 1912, but his widow is still living and makes her home in Lemont, Illinois.
Frank J. Gerharz attended school in his native town until fourteen years of age and then entered the furniture and undertaking establishment of his father, in whose service he remained until 1887. In that year he came to Nebraska and for two years worked as an electrician at Omaha. In 1889 he secured employment in the clothing store of John Flynn, who is now his partner at Columbus, being thus engaged for thirteen years, on the expiration of which period the Gerharz, Flynn Company was formed and a clothing and men's furnishings store was opened in Columbus. They have since conducted a well appointed and modern establishment and are accorded an extensive and gratifying patronage.
On the 16th of April, 1905, in Columbus, Nebraska, Mr. Gerharz was united in marriage to Miss Julia Strauley, by whom he had four children, namely : Mary, who died in infancy ; Leo Henry ; Helen K .; and Jeseph, who also passed away in infancy. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and in religious faith is a Catholic, while fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Columbus,
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the Sons of Herman, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Maccabees. He is likewise a member of the Maennerchor and also belongs to the Orpheus Society. Mr. Gerharz is popular in both business and social circles of his adopted city, having won many friends during the period of his residence in Columbus.
CORNELIUS HEESACKER.
A representative, valued and honored citizen of Platte county was Cornelius Heesacker, who for a considerable period followed farming and in his later years lived retired in Humphrey. He was born in Brown county, Wisconsin, January 24, 1854, a son of Martin and Lomberdina (Theisen) Heesacker, who were natives of Holland. In early life they came to the new world and settled in Wisconsin, where their remaining days were passed, the father devoting his attention to gen- eral agricultural pursuits. He died March 27, 1898, having long survived his wife, who passed away in 1857.
The youthful days of Cornelius Heesacker were spent in Wisconsin and his education was acquired in the public schools. He remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-two years, when he was married and came to Nebraska, taking up a homestead in Grand Prairie township, Platte county. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon the place, but with characteristic energy he began its development and converted it into productive fields, which he carefully cultivated until 1900, when he retired from active life and removed to Humphrey, there residing until his death, which occurred in October, 1909.
On the 14th of February, 1876, Mr. Heesacker had wedded Miss Johanna Minten, a daughter of Mathias and Minnie (Burgass) Minten, who were natives of Holland. The father was a farmer and came to America in 1868, at which time he made his way to Wisconsin. Eight years passed and in 1876 he came to Nebraska, where he secured a homestead in Grand Prairie township, cultivating that tract for many years. He afterward removed to Sheridan county, Nebraska, where he purchased land and engaged in farming throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in March, 1891. His wife died in Holland in 1861 and it was in that country that Mrs. Heesacker was born in November, 1854. By her mar- riage she became the mother of four children: Minnie, born November 24, 1876, and now at home with her mother; Lambert, who was born August 12, 1878, and is cultivating the old homestead farm; Mary, who was born April 9, 1880, and is a member of the Franciscan Sisters at Omaha; and Elizabeth, who was born August 4, 1882, and died ten days later.
The family adhere to the Catholic faith, of which Mr. Heesacker was a loyal representative. He belonged to the Catholic Order of Foresters and took a helpful interest in promoting the cause of his church and lodge. In politics he was a democrat and served as county supervisor in Platte county for one term. He also served as postmaster in Grand Prairie township, at St. Mary, and was appointed to the position of postmaster of Humphrey after his removal to that city. He like- wise did duty as a member of the school board and was interested in all that per- tained to the political, intellectual, social and moral progress of the district with
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which he was allied. He displayed many sterling traits of character, not the least of which was his capacity for warm friendships. He was always true to those to whom he gave his confidence and regard and he enjoyed to the full the com- panionship of his friends. Mrs. Heesacker still makes her home in Humphrey, where she owns a good business block, and she also has farm lands in this county.
FERDINAND MUETING.
Ferdinand Mueting, of Humphrey, is a native of Burrows township. He was born August 15, 1884, of the marriage of John and Frederica (Schutte) Mueting. of whom mention is made in connection with the sketch of Joseph G. Mueting on another page of this work.
Ferdinand Mueting was reared and educated in Platte county and may well be numbered among its self-made men, for at the age of eleven years he started out to earn his living and has since been dependent upon his own resources. When he reached the age of twenty years he and his brother began farming together and later he was engaged in the well and windmill business for three years, during which time he conducted his interests as a member of the firm of Thelen & Mueting. Subsequently he purchased a bus and transfer line, which he conducted for three years.
Mr. Mueting was married January 12, 1910, to Miss Ludwina Heinen, a daugh- ter of John and Phillipina (Osterhoff) Heinen, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Mueting have two children: Eddie Marie and Maynard.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church, and Mr. Mueting gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He and his family occupy an attractive home in Humphrey, and his wife also owns a residence there which they rent. They are well known socially, and the best homes of the city are always open for their reception.
WILLIAM H. L. POESCH.
The name of William H. L. Poesch is well known in Columbus and Platte county as a wholesale and retail dealer in confectionery, bakery goods and ice cream. He is now doing business on the principal thoroughfare of the city in a modern three-story brick building, which he erected in recent years, and his is one of the successful enterprises of this section.
Mr. Poesch was born in Postville, Iowa, June 10, 1879. His father, Lorenz, Poesch, was born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1850. and was a youth of fourteen years when he accompanied his parents to the United States, the family home being established in Postville, Iowa. There Lorenz Poesch grew to mature years and was married to Miss Minnie Best, by whom he had two sons, the brother of our subject being Charles, who makes his home in Omaha. The father departed this life in 1895, at the comparatively early age of forty-five years, but the mother survives and makes her home with her son Charles in Omaha.
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William H. L. Poesch acquired his education in the schools of Omaha but put aside his textbooks at the age of sixteen to learn the confectioner's trade. He was twenty-four years of age when he located in Columbus and here opened a confec- tionery and ice cream parlor. He began in a small way but he put forth every endeavor toward developing the business and from year to year it grew until today he occupies a modern brick building, three stories and basement, on a corner of the main thoroughfare. The upper stories are devoted to the manufacture of confec- tions and to the bakery, his products being disposed of to both the wholesale and retail trade. The ground floor is devoted to the display and sale of a full line of candies. bakery goods, cigars, etc., while the rear of the room is most tastefully fitted up for serving dainty luncheons and soft drinks. It is true that Mr. Poesch has had to overcome many difficulties and obstacles in his path and his success has not come as the result of fortunate circumstances, for he has worked most untiringly to reach the desired end, often devoting eighteen hours a day to his business. His plant is worth thirty-five thousand dollars and he also owns two substantial resi- dences worth eight thousand dollars, and all this has been acquired through his own ciforts.
In 1897, at Staplehurst, Nebraska, Mr. Poesch was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Scheumann, and their children are Stella Sophia, Lydia, William, Lester and Vernetta. In politics he is a democrat, while in religious faith he is a Lutheran. His fraternal relations connect him with the Sons of Herman. He has never taken an active interest in public affairs, for his business and home interests have claimed his entire attention. He possesses a jovial, social disposition and makes friends by the score. The people of Columbus look upon him as an exemplary man and are proud to number him among their substantial citizens.
STEFFES BROTHERS.
One of the most important business enterprises of Platte county is the large and well appointed store of Steffes Brothers at Humphrey. It is the property of John T., Jacob P., Henry C. and Nicholas J. Stoffes. A sketch of the first named appears on another page of this volume. Jacob P. is a native of Michigan, born October 24, 1874, while the other brothers are natives of Madison county, Ne- braska, Henry C. having been born March 6, 1879, and Nicholas J. on the 28th of June, 1881. The parents were Jacob and Mary C. (Wagner) Steffes, who are mentioned in connection with the sketch of John T. Steffes.
The son, Jacob P. Steffes, was reared and educated in Humphrey and at the age of fifteen years started out in business life as a clerk in a general store, spend- ing seventeen years in that way, at the end of which time he and his brothers formed a partnership and purchased the stock of merchandise owned by the Mckillip- Ewing Company of Humphrey. They have since conducted the store, which they have made one of the best and largest mercantile establishments in the state, enjoying a very extensive patronage. They carry a stock valued at thirty-eight thousand dollars, and their store is splendidly equipped in every particular, lacking none of the accessories and conveniences of a modern mercantile establishment. They are most careful in the personnel of the house, in the character of goods handled
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and in the treatment accorded patrons, and their success results therefrom. In addition to their Humphrey establishment they also conduct a large store at Cedar Rapids, Nebraska, of which Henry C. Steffes acts as manager. There they carry a stock worth twenty-five thousand dollars. The brothers, Jacob P. and Nicholas J. Steffes, manage the Humphrey store, and the eldest brother, John T. Steffes, devotes his time mostly to real-estate transactions, all four ranking with the leading and representative business men of this part of the state.
Henry C. Steffes was reared and educated in Humphrey and California. He, too, started in the business world as a clerk in a general store in Humphrey and was thus employed until the brothers embarked in business on their own account. He is married and has one child.
Nicholas J. Steffes was also reared in Humphrey and attended the public schools, while later he completed his education in Fremont, Nebraska. He then returned to Humphrey and worked as a clerk in a general store for a time, after which he turned his attention to the real-estate and insurance business, in which field he remained active until the brothers formed the present firm of Steffes Brothers and opened their store in Humphrey, since which time he has been one of the managers of the business at this place. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Bering, a daughter of Ferdinand R. and Catherine (Biermann) Bering. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas J. Steffes were married on the 24th of June, 1908, and they now have two children, Edwin and Carola. Nicholas J. Steffes is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
The religious faith of the brothers is that of the Catholic church and all vote with the democratic party. Aside from their mercantile interests they are stock- holders in the Farmers Elevator Company of Humphrey. Alert and enterprising, they carry forward to successful completion whatever they undertake. Their business methods measure up to high standards of commercial ethics, and in an incredibly short space of time they have developed an enterprise of extensive pro- portions, making theirs one of the foremost mercantile establishments in Nebraska. The family has long been one of prominence in Platte county and the name has become a synonym for indefatigable energy and for successful accomplishment.
CHARLES E. POLLOCK.
Charles E. Pollock, a successful business man and representative citizen of Columbus, has here conducted a drug store for nearly three decades, building up an extensive and profitable enterprise. His birth occurred in Forreston, Ogle county, Illinois, on the 11th of March, 1862, his parents being Thomas Caldwell and Elizabeth C. (Carnahan) Pollock, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in 1820. They passed away at Ashton, Lee county, Illinois, where they had taken up their abode in 1867. The father's demise occurred in the year 1884. The Pollocks are of Scotch-Irish descent, and Richard Pollock, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Scotland.
Charles E. Pollock acquired his early education in the schools of Ashton, Illi- nois, and subsequently entered the Chicago College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated in 1883. He worked in a drug store at Ashton for three years
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and in 1884 came to Columbus, Nebraska, being here employed in a drug store for two years and three months. On the 1st of April, 1886, he opened a similar establishment of his own and has conducted it continuously since, carrying a com- plete line of drugs and druggists' sundries and being accorded a most gratifying patronage.
On the 7th of September, 1887, in Columbus, Nebraska, Mr. Pollock was united in marriage to Miss Eva R. Hudson, a daughter of H. J. Hudson, who is deceased. To them was born a son, Elmer Hudson Pollock, who died in infancy.
In politics Mr. Pollock is a stanch republican, while his religious faith is that of the Episcopal church. Fraternally he is a Knights Templar Mason and an Elk, and as a business man he is energetic, competent and trustworthy and has won the respect of the best citizens of his home city.
MAX J. THELEN.
Max J. Thelen, conducting business as a contractor and builder in Humphrey, where he is also interested in a pool and billiard parlor, was born April 12, 1888. in the town in which he still makes his home, his parents being Gustav and Josephine Thelen, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume in connection with the sketch of their son Frank.
The early life of Max J. Thelen was spent in his parents' home, and in the public and parochial schools of Humphrey he acquired his education. He then began learning the carpenter's trade, which he has since followed, increasing his efficiency and expertness with the experience that years have brought him. He is now conducting business as a contractor and employs four men. He is accorded a liberal share of the public patronage and has done some excellent work, evidence of his skill being found in the buildings which he has erected. He also owns a half interest in a pool and billiard parlor of Humphrey and as a member of that firm handles cigars, tobacco, confectionery and ice cream, having a well equipped store which brings to them a liberal and well merited patronage.
Mr. Thelen is interested in all that pertains to the welfare of his town and its best interests, and his cooperation can be counted upon to further public progress. He is now a member of the fire department of Humphrey. Politically he main- tains an independent course, while his religious faith is that of the Catholic church.
HERMAN B. MILLER.
Honored and respected by all, no resident of Lindsay occupies a more enviable position in business and financial circles than Herman B. Miller, not alone by reason of the success which he has accomplished, but also owing to the straightforward business policy which he has ever followed. He is now the president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank, in which connection he is maintaining a safe yet pro- gressive policy whereby the interests of depositors are carefully guarded and the success of the bank is substantially promoted.
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Mr. Miller is a native son of Nebraska, his birth having occurred in Dodge county, December 20, 1872, his parents being Wazlav and Margaret (Pojar) Miller. On leaving Bohemia, his native land, the father crossed the Atlantic and established his home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1865. Four years later he came to Nebraska, settling upon a farm near the city of Dodge, in Dodge county, where he resided until 1906, devoting his time and energies to general agricultural pur- suits. In that year he retired and removed to Dodge, since which time he has enjoyed a rest that he has truly earned and richly deserves.
Herman B. Miller continued upon the home farm until he reached the age of fifteen years, when he accepted the position of clerk in a general store at Dodge, where he was employed for seven years. During that period he carefully saved his earnings until economy and industry had brought him a sufficient sum to enable him to engage in business on his own account. He then established a restaurant, which he conducted for a year, when he purchased a hardware and implement busi- ness at Clarkson, conducting his store at that place for five years. After selling out there he went to Cache, Oklahoma, where he engaged in general merchandising for two years, at the end of which time his store was destroyed by fire. He then removed to Lindsay, where he bought out Mr. Hau, who was then president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank. He has since been at the head of the institution as its president and is now actively engaged in the conduct of a successful banking business. His establishment is liberally patronized and is regarded as one of the safe and reliable financial institutions of the county.
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