USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 31
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On the 7th of May, 1912, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Cora Clayton, a daughter of Alexander Clayton, of Saline county, Illinois, and they have a daugh- ter, Magdalene Grace. The parents adhere to the Catholic church and Mr. Miller is a charter member of the Catholic Order of Foresters of Dodge. He also has membership with the Catholic Workmen of Clarkson and with the Knights of Columbus at Humphrey and for the past four years has been state treasurer for the Catholic Order of Foresters, to which position he was reelected in June, 1915, for a three years' term. In politics he is a democrat but not an active party worker. He never neglects his duties of citizenship, however, and for the past four years has been secretary of the Lindsay Commercial Club, in which connection he is putting forth earnest and effective effort for the advancement of the best interests of his city, doing everything possible to promote its growth and upbuilding.
WILLIAM BARRETT, SR.
William Barrett, Sr., one of the wealthy farmers of Platte county, resides on section 9, Creston township, and is still actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. A native of Ireland, he was born in Ulster. February 12, 1838, a son of William and Frances A. (Pringle) Barrett, both natives of that country. The farm which our subject owned for some time before emigrating to America was in the family for three generations and both his father and grandfather lived thereon. The father devoted his life to farming and passed away in 1870. The mother died in 1848.
William Barrett, Sr., was reared and educated in Ireland and when his father
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM BARRETT, SR.
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became too old to look after the operation of the farm he took charge of the place, which later came into his possession, and continued to cultivate it until 1880. In that year he came to America and, making his way across the country, settled in Kansas. He only remained there a short time, however, and his next location was Platte county, Nebraska, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 9, Creston township. He has since resided upon that farm and has made many improvements thereon. He is energetic and efficient, and from time to time has invested in more land until he now owns five hundred and sixty acres of excellent land, from which he derives a handsome income. He also has other business interests, as he owns stock in both the Farmers Elevator Company of Creston and the Humphrey Telephone Company.
Mr. Barrett was married in Ireland to Miss Margaret Donaldson, a native of that country, by whom he had six children, namely: Minnie J., now the widow of Daniel B. Gorman, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; William, Jacob and John, all farming in Creston township: Isabella, who is employed in a store in Creston; and Albert, who is operating a farm belonging to his father. The mother of these children died in Ireland in 1878. On the 20th of June, 1879, Mr. Barrett was united in marriage to Miss Rose Anna Megaw, who was born in Ireland on the 8th of April, 1850, and is a daughter of John and Hannah (Porter) Megaw, also natives of the Emerald isle. Her father, who devoted his life to farming, died in Ireland in 1872 and was survived by her mother until 1903. By the second marriage there were the following children: Margaret E., who died in 1880; Cassie R., the wife of Theodore Wagner, a merchant of Creston; Charles and Robert, both of whom died in 1884; James, who is farming one of his father's places ; and Sarah A., Francis E. and Leonard W., all at home.
Mr. Barrett is a republican and takes the interest of a good citizen in public affairs. For one year he served as assessor of Creston township. He is identified with the Presbyterian church and his religious faith finds expression in his daily life. He has gained a gratifying measure of success in his chosen occupation and has also won the high regard of his fellowmen.
SAMUEL T. FLEMING.
An active factor in banking circles is Samuel T. Fleming, president of the Citizens State Bank at Creston. He was born in Forest county, Pennsylvania, in August, 1855, a son of John and Ruth (Thompson) Fleming, who were natives of Pennsylvania and New York respectively. The father was a farmer by occupation and engaged in following that pursuit in the Keystone state until his death, which occurred in 1860. His wife survived him until 1868.
Samuel T. Fleming spent the major part of his youth in New York, where he went to live with relatives after his parents' death. After completing his educa- tion he went to Iowa, settling in Ringgold county, driving through from New York in 1876. He there purchased land and carried on farming until 1881, when he sold his interests in that state and drove seventy-five head of cattle through to Platte county, Nebraska. Here he invested in two hundred acres of land in Creston township, which he improved and cultivated for four years. At the end of that
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time the town of Creston was established and he took up his abode in the village and founded what was known as the Bank of Creston, which was later sold and finally suspended business. In 1903 he established the Citizens State Bank, which is capitalized for thirty-five thousand dollars, has a surplus of five thousand dollars and undivided profits of two thousand dollars. Its deposits amount to two hundred and twenty-eight thousand dollars, and the business from the beginning has been a paying one. The bank was started twelve years ago with a capital of six thousand dollars, and the earnings have brought the capital up to the present amount-thirty- five thousand dollars. The officers of the company are: Samuel T. Fleming, presi- dent ; E. T. Graham, vice president; and H. W. Luedtke, cashier.
In March, 1882, Mr. Fleming was united in marriage to Miss Lena Zeller, a daughter of Anthony and Monica (Wolf) Zeller, natives of Germany, whence they came to America with their parents in childhood days. The father became a resi- dent of Platte county, Nebraska, in 1886, removing to this state from Jones county, lowa. For some time he carried on general agricultural pursuits but is now living retired and makes his home in Creston, as does his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming have become the parents of three children: Oliver, who was born Decem- ber 27, 1894; and Frank and Flora, twins, born in March, 1901.
Mr. Fleming votes with the republican party and has served as township treas- urer of Creston for twenty years. For several terms he has been on its town board and has also served on the school board. He stands for progress and im- provement in everything connected with civic affairs and has supported many causes and interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, and the guiding principles of his life are found in his membership in the Methodist church. He has many sterling traits of character and in every relation his life conforms to high standards, for his princi- ples are those which in every land and clime awaken confidence and regard.
JOSEPH KURTENBACH.
Joseph Kurtenbach, who is farming on section 14. St. Bernard township, is a native of Prussia, Germany. He was born March 19, 1852, and is a son of William Kurtenbach, also a native of Germany and a carpenter by trade. On the 8th of January, 1881, the subject of this review arrived in America with his brother, William Kurtenbach, Jr., and they made their way to La Salle county, Illinois, where for several years Joseph Kurtenbach worked on farms. In 1885 he came to Platte county and for about a year was employed at Humphrey and Cornlea. At the end of that time he had accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to rent land and he began farming on his own account. For the first year or so, however, he was in straitened circumstances and as he only had enough money to buy one horse he had to borrow a horse and thus he secured a team with which to carry on the work of the farm. He continued on that farm for five years and then removed to another farm, upon which he remained for three years. He operated rented land until 1893, when he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of his present farm, paying therefor twenty dollars per acre. He operated that place during the years 1894 and 1895 and then removed to a farm near Lindsay, but in 1897 he
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returned to his farm in St. Bernard township and has since remained there. He has purchased additional land and his farm now comprises three hundred and sixty acres and is one of the valuable and well improved properties of the town- ship. He has erected a beautiful residence and a good barn and outbuildings, and in his work he uses improved machinery and follows up-to-date methods. As is but natural, he receives a good income from his land and is one of the substantial farmers of his district.
On the 17th of April, 1888, Mr. Kurtenbach was united in marriage to Miss Katie Schacher, a daughter of Henry and Helen Schacher, who were early settlers of Platte county, removing here from Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Kurtenbach have nine children, namely: Helena, the wife of Joseph Dietrich, of Granville town- ship; William, who married Mary Dietrich, of St. Bernard township; and Joseph, Elizabeth, Katherine, Mary, Matilda, Edward and Anthony, all at home.
Mr. Kurtenbach is a democrat and is now serving as school treasurer. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church, to the support of which he contributes. He has thoroughly identified himself with the interests of his adopted county and manifests a commendable public spirit. His many good qualites have gained him the respect of those who have come in contact with him, and his personal friends are many.
OSCAR A. WINDOLPH.
Oscar A. Windolph, senior partner in the Windolph-Hecker Drug Company of Humphrey, was born at Grand Island, Nebraska. in June, 1882, a son of John and Kate (Kellner) Windolph, who were natives of Saxony, Germany. The parents came to the United States in 1870, landing at New York, whence they made their way across the country to Grand Island, Nebraska. The father occupied the position of dye master in a dye works in his native land, but on coming to the new world turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, cultivating a rented farm for five years. During that time he carefully saved his earnings and with the money thus acquired bought a farm in Hall county, to which he devoted his time and attention throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in 1882. His widow still survives.
Oscar A. Windolph spent his youthful days in Grand Island and is indebted to its parochial and public schools for the educational advantages he enjoyed aside from a commercial course. He was less than a year old at the time of his father's demise. When his education was completed he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for five years, and soon afterward he became editor of a German newspaper in Grand Island, which he conducted for three years. He later on entered the Creighton College of Pharmacy at Omaha and on the comple- tion of his course was graduated with the class of 1912. He immediately sought employment along that line and worked in drug stores in various places for a year or more, after which he came to Humphrey and purchased the drug store which he has since conducted. In May, 1915, he admitted Joseph Hecker to a partnership under the firm style of the Windolph-Hecker Drug Company, and they are now the owners of one of the leading mercantile enterprises of their city.
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Their liberal patronage is well deserved, and they have guided their business on the principle that "satisfied customers are the best advertisement."
In May, 1912, Mr. Windolph was married to Miss Agnes Burkhard, a daughter of Frank and Genevieve Burkhard, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Poland. In early life they came to America, settling in New York, where the father engaged in business as a cement contractor. Finally he removed to Grand Island, Nebraska, where he spent his remaining days, his life's labors being ended in death in 1910. His widow still survives.
Mr. and Mrs. Windolph have become the parents of two children: Rita G., born May, 1913; and Norberta, whose birth occurred in August, 1914. They hold membership in the Catholic church and Mr. Windolph is financial secretary of the Knights of Columbus. having been instrumental in organizing the lodge at Hum- phrey. He also has membership with the Woodmen of the World, and he gives his political indorsement to the democratic party. Ambition and energy have pointed out to him the way to success, and persistency of purpose keeps him in the path that leads to further prosperity.
WILLIAM ALEXANDER MCALLISTER.
William Alexander McAllister, a leading and highly esteemed citizen of Colum- bus, was here actively engaged in the practice of law for about three decades and has also represented his district in the state senate. His birth occurred in Glasgow, Scotland, on the 7th of June, 1847, his parents being James and Mary (Carson) McAllister, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of northern Ireland. James McAllister, born in 1815. followed the sea in early manhood, crossing the Atlantic from England twenty-one times. In 1849 he brought his family to the United States, locating first in St. Louis, Missouri, and a year later in, Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he resided for eight years. Subsequently he spent two years in Genoa, Nance county, Nebraska, and then took up his abode on a farm in Platte county, now Colfax county, this state. In 1872 he established his home in Colum- bus, passing away in this city in 1897, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1895. In this country he had devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits from 1849 until 1872 and in the latter year became proprietor of a grocery store in Columbus which he conducted successfully until 1890, when he retired from business. He held the office of justice of the peace in Platte county for twenty years and made an excellent record in that capacity. His demise, which occurred when he had attained the age of eighty-two years, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. John McAllister. the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Scotland and emigrated to the United States with his family about 1849, here making his home with a daughter and passing away in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1854.
William A. McAllister was brought to the United States by his parents when but two years of age and acquired his early education in the schools of Council Bluffs, Iowa. In 1862, when a youth of fifteen years, he enlisted for nine months' service as a private of Company B, Second Nebraska Volunteer Cavalry, and for about ten months was engaged in active duty between Omaha and Fort Kearney
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in the warfare against the Indians. In 1872 he entered the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, being graduated from that institution in 1877. He next spent two and one-half years in post-graduate work in Europe and there learned the German language. On returning to Columbus, Nebraska, he took up the study of law and in 1882 was admitted to the bar, practicing his profession until 1911 or for a period of twenty-nine years. He won an enviable reputation as a successful and learned member of the bar and an extensive and gratifying clientage was accorded him.
On the 30th of April, 1885, in Columbus, Nebraska, Mr. McAllister was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary E. Coalter, a daughter of Thomas and Ann (Cameron) Coalter. The latter, a native of Pennsylvania, was related to the Simon Cameron family of that state. Mr. and Mrs. McAllister have three children, as follows: Donald Cameron, born in 1888, who married Miss Clarice Heintze and has two children, William Cameron and Donald Coalter; Janet Claire, who acts as assistant postmaster in Columbus, Nebraska; and Helen E.
Mr. McAllister has always been a stanch republican in his political views and in 1882 was honored by election to the Nebraska legislature, in which he served during one term of two years. In 1884 he was sent to the state senate and in that body also served for a two-year term and made a most commendable record, ably furthering the interests of his constituents. He was appointed postmaster of Columbus, Nebraska, by President Taft in February, 1911, and held the position until his retirement on the 7th of April, 1915. In addition to his connection with Indian warfare his military record covers service as a member of Company K, First Regiment of the Nebraska National Guard, which on two occasions was called out to quell strike riots in Omaha. Mr. McAllister is past commander of Baker Post, No. 9, G. A. R., of Columbus, and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity. His life record is inseparably interwoven with the annals of Platte connty and no history of this part of the state would be complete without extended mention of him.
CHARLES ALFRED PETERSON.
Charles Alfred Peterson is one of the excellent citizens that Sweden has given to Platte county. Although for a number of years he was successfully engaged in farming and still owns four hundred acres of land in this county and has a half interest in three hundred and twenty acres more, he is now devoting almost his entire attention to his duties as supervisor and has done unusually effective work in that office. He was born in Oland, Kalmar Lan, Sweden, a son of Jonas and Johanna Peterson, the former of whom died in April, 1911, while the latter is still living and makes her home with the subject of this review. In 1880 the family emigrated to America and in the spring of the following year arrived in Columbus, Nebraska. Not long afterward they settled upon a quarter section of land in Walker township, Platte county, for which they paid one thousand dollars.
Charles Alfred Peterson is the only son of his parents but has a sister, Hilda, who is now Mrs. John Hagland. He assisted with the work of the farm in his boyhood and long before he became of age he had taken charge of the home place and on his marriage, in 1898, he purchased eighty acres, for which he paid eighteen
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hundred dollars. In 1907 he purchased another quarter section, paying therefor fifty-five dollars per acre, and this with the home place makes four hundred acres which he owns. He also has a half interest in one hundred and sixty acres on seetions 16 and 22, Walker township. For a number of years he operated his farms and in connection with general farming raised full blooded Aberdeen-Angus cattle and Berkshire hogs. In 1912 he retired from the active work of the farm and sold all of his stock. His land is now cultivated by tenants. He is connected with a number of local business concerns, holding stock in the Farmers Elevator Association at Lindsay, the Farmers Union Store at Newman Grove, the Monroe Independent Telephone Company of Monroe, of which he was formerly a director, the Scandia Mutual Fire & Lightning Insurance Company and the Farmers Insur- ance Company, of which he has been secretary since 1905.
Mr. Peterson was married on the 11th of September, 1898, to Miss Olive Anderson, by whom he has two children, Enor and Pauline. He is a stalwart republican and has taken an active part in politics since attaining his majority. For six years he served as township assessor, for over fifteen years was treasurer of the township board, from 1908 until 1910 held the office of county supervisor, and in 1914 was again elected to that office for a term of four years. He has de- voted the greater part of his time to the work devolving upon him in that capacity and his district, comprising the townships of St. Bernard and Walker, shows the result of his work and oversight in good roads and well kept bridges. Whenever called to public office he has given the same careful thought and strict attention to the conduct of the office that he has to the management of his own personal under- takings. In 1913 he erected a fine modern home and is now enjoying all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, which he has won by many years of well directed labor. He is widely known throughout the county and is held in the highest esteem and regard by all who have been brought into contact with him.
LOUIS J. ROZMARIN.
Louis J. Rozmarin is an enterprising young business man, watchful of oppor- tunities pointing to success, and by reason of this quality he has worked his way upward to the responsible position of manager at Tarnov for the T. B. Hord Ele- vator Company. He was born March 19, 1888, in Clarkson, Nebraska, a son of Frank and Fannie (Novotny ) Rozmarin, both of whom were natives of Bohemia. The father dirceted his attention to mereantile lines in early life but afterward became a farmer. Seeking the opportunities of the new world, he erossed the Atlan- tic and settled at Stanton, Nebraska, where he engaged in the saloon business but subsequently resumed general agricultural pursuits. He bought land which he tilled for a time and then sold. Later he removed to Clarkson, where he opened a general mercantile store which he conducted for several years. He then removed to a farm a mile from Clarkson, upon which he was living at the time of his death, which occurred in 1903, resulting from a runaway aceident on the home place. His wife still survives and yet remains on the old homestead.
Louis J. Rozmarin attended the common school at Clarkson and afterward pur-
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sued a course of study in the Omaha Commercial College. When twenty years of age he started out to make his own way in the world, entering the employ of the Nye, Schneider & Fowler Company of Clarkson, dealers in grain and lumber, with whom he continued for five years. In 1915 he came to Tarnov as local manager for the T. B. Hord Company and in this connection is engaged in buying and selling grain and also in the sale of coal, lumber, cement and hardware. He controls a good business and is proving capable and faithful in the conduct of the enterprise.
On the 6th of November, 1912, Mr. Rozmarin was joined in wedlock to Miss Marie Brihacek, a daughter of Frank and Barbara (Klima) Brilacck, both of whom were natives of Bohemia. The father, who was for years a successful farmer of Colfax county, Nebraska, is now deceased, but the mother still survives and makes her home in Howell, this state. Our subject and his wife have a son, Marian, who was born on the 10th of August, 1915.
Mr. Rozmarin votes with the republican party and sees in its principles the best elements of good government. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church at Howell. Mr. Rozmarin devotes his entire time to his elevator business and kindred industries and enjoys a big trade in the various lines he handles. He is justly accounted one of the progressive young business men of Tarnov and has gained the goodwill and warm regard of many with whom he has there come in contact.
JOHN WILLIAM RAMAEKERS.
John William Ramaekers is one of the large landowners of Platte county, hold- ing title to eight hundred acres of excellent land. He was born in Limburg, Hol- land, December 16, 1861, a son of John Gottfried and Kathrine (Schukens) Ramaekers. The father was a carpenter by trade. Our subject is the oldest in a family of ten children and has one sister living in Platte county, Mrs. Jacob Borer. Coming to America, the family located in St. Bernard township, this county in 1879, and the father purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 7, paying there- for six hundred and twenty dollars. As the place had no buildings, it was necessary to erect a residence and the lumber for this purpose was hauled from Columbus. As the father never did much of the farm work, our subject from early boyhood had charge of the operation of the farm. Both parents are now deceased, the father's death occurring in January, 1909, and that of the mother in 1881.
John W. Ramaekers has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits and has gained an enviable measure of prosperity. From time to time, as his capital has increased, he has purchased land and now owns eight hundred acres, or five quar- ter sections, as follows: one on section 7, his home place; one on section 6 and one on section 5, St. Bernard township; and two in Walker township, both of which he rents. The one hundred and sixty acres on section 5, St. Bernard township, is farmed by his son Fred. As before stated, his father paid six hundred and twenty dollars for the quarter section which he purchased and some idea of the rapid rise in land valnes in this county may be gathered from the fact that our subject paid thirteen hundred dollars for the second quarter section which came into his posses- sion and ninety-two hundred dollars for the third, while for the two tracts in Wal-
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