Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II, Part 33

Author: Phillips, G. W
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago : Clarke
Number of Pages: 682


USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 33


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That well deserved success has come to her is indicated in the fact that she is today the owner of the finest residence in Platte Center, and business men say with a smile and mean it as a compliment that "she is the biggest business man in Platte Center." Her course proves that honesty will eventually win and is after all the best policy. Her intelligence, which is keen and strong, was applied to the solution of difficulties such as few women face and all who know her rejoice that hers is the victory.


JOHN HENRY BROCK.


John Henry Brock is a well known contractor of Columbus, living at Twentieth and Olive streets. He was born in Osage county, Missouri, March 12, 1874, and is a son of J. R. and Louisa (Moeschi) Brock, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. The family lived upon a farm, and during his early boyhood John H. Brock assisted his father in the work of the fields. He afterward went to St. Louis, where he was employed at different occupations and soon became active in the line of carpentering. In 1890 he removed to Platte county, Nebraska, where he re- sumed work at the carpenter's trade, and for the past ten years he has conducted business as a general contractor. In this connection he has erected some of the finest buildings of the town, including the Carnegie library, the Masonic Temple and numerous residences which add to the architectural adornment of the city. He thoroughly understands every phase of the business in its practical and technical relations and is thus able to direct the efforts of those whom he employs.


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There is an interesting military chapter in the life history of Mr. Brock, who on the 5th of May, 1898, following the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, en- listed at Lincoln, Nebraska, becoming a member of Company K, First Nebraska Volunteers. His regiment was sent direct to the Philippine islands, landing at Camp Dewey. Mr. Brock is credited with active service in twenty-two engage- ments between Manila and Cavite, and he went through all of the hardships and experiences of campaigning on the islands. He has a fine collection of relics from the Philippines and relates many interesting tales concerning the people and their mode of living as well as their methods of warfare. Mr. Brock joined the army as a private and when discharged in the fall of 1899 had reached the rank of first sergeant.


In August, 1894, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Brock and Miss Emma Smith, a daughter of Henry Smith, one of the old settlers of Colfax county, Ne- braska. They now have five children; Julius; George and Ida, twins; Ruth; and Margaret.


In his political views Mr. Brock is a republican and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never aspired to office. He belongs to Columbus Tent, No. 55, K. O. T. M., and to Columbus Encampment of the Spanish War Veterans. He ranks with the most active and energetic residents of Columbus and is numbered among the most progressive contractors, his work not being confined to the city in which he lives but also extending over the surrounding territory. Opportunity has always been with him the open road to advancement. He has ever readily and carefully utilized the chances which have come to him and by the exercise of his native powers and talents has reached a most creditable position among the business men of his town.


RAY P. BURCH.


Ray P. Burch, a well known representative of newspaper interests, owning and publishing the Creston Statesman under the name of the Burch Printing Com- pany, was born in Anamosa, Jones county, lowa, September 25, 1888, a son of L. G. and Nell (Patterson) Burch, who were also natives of that county. The father was a farmer, devoting his life to the tilling of the soil in lowa until 1905, when he went to Cedar county, Nebraska, where he followed farming for a short time. He then retired and now makes his home at Magnet, Nebraska, where he and his wife are pleasantly situated.


Ray P. Burch, spending his youthful days in his native town, acquired his edu- cation in the public schools, but at the early age of thirteen years started out in the business world by securing employment in a newspaper office, and he has con- tinued in the same line since, covering a period of fourteen years. In 1913 he went to Magnet, where he published the Magnet Mail, but afterward removed the plant to Creston and has since continued newspaper publication, his paper being known as the Creston Statesman. It is the property of the Burch Printing Com- pany and in connection with the publication of the paper they conduct a general job printing business and make a specialty of bank work. Their work is of the


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highest character of the printing art and is highly satisfactory to their patrons, who are constantly growing in number.


On the 8th of July, 1913, Mr. Burch was married to Miss Carrie Clark, a daugh- ter of F. P. and Carrie (Rooth) Clark, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Canada. The father engaged in farming for a considerable period in Gage county, Nebraska, but is now living at Royal, Nebraska. There has been one child born of this marriage, Gwenneth E., born May 31, 1914.


Mr. Burch has membership with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Knights of Pythias and is loyal to the teachings and purposes of those organiza- tions. In polities he is a democrat, strong in his advocacy of the party and sup- porting its measures through the columns of his paper. He stands at all times for progress and improvement, and his labors have been an element in advancing the civic interests of Creston, particularly those things which promote its welfare along material, intellectual, social and moral lines.


FRANK WURDEMAN.


Frank Wurdeman is now living on section 8, Sherman township, and his birth occurred on section 10, the same township, his natal day being February 3, 1873. He represents one of the old pioncer families of the county, established here in 1869. Through the period of his boyhood he was a pupil in district school No. 23, in Sherman township, and he remained at home until he reached the age of fif- teen years, when he became a pupil in the high school at Columbus, there continu- ing his studies for two years. At the end of that time he secured a position in the old Commercial Bank at Columbus, entering the institution as a bookkeeper and filling the position of assistant cashier when, at the end of seven years, he severed his connection with the bank.


Called to public office, Mr. Wurdeman was the efficient city treasurer for two years, capably guarding the public funds. Upon his retirement from that posi- tion he joined Bey Martin in the real-estate and insurance business under the firm style of Wurdeman & Martin and when he retired from that connection he resumed his residence in Sherman township, where he is now cultivating three hun- dred and sixty acres of land, a part of which came to him from his father's estate. His farm comprises eighty acres on section 8, two hundred acres on section 9 and eighty acres on section 16. It is a valuable farm property, well developed and highly improved, and stock-raising is made a special feature of his business. He has recently turned his attention to shorthorn cattle and feeds four or five car- loads annually. He raises full blooded stock of the Lavender and Cumberland breeds and sells considerable to people of this part of the state. He also handles Duroc Jersey hogs and makes a specialty of fine poultry, raising Rhode Island Red chickens and Mammoth Bronze turkeys. He has splendid equipment for the care of his stock and has studied out the best methods to produce the desired results. His work is done in a systematic, methodical manner and he understands fully both the practical and scientific phases of stock-raising and farming. In addition to his home interests he is a stockholder in the Columbus Telephone Company and in


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the Blau Gas Company of Creston, and he helped to organize the Boheet Local of the Farmers Union of Platte county, of which he is treasurer and secretary.


In 1900 Mr. Wurdeman was married to Miss Meta Pohl, a daughter of Emil and Anna Pohl, who were natives of Breslau, Prussia. The father died in 1899 but the mother is still living in Columbus. They came to the United States in 1867, the father having previously served as a member of the German army in the war of 1866, acting as musieal director of the regimental band. On crossing the Atlan- tie he settled in Wisconsin but afterward removed to Columbus, where he engaged in the implement business in partnership with Gerhard Schutte for several years. He afterward turned bis attention to the grocery business and was recognized as one of the foremost merchants of the town. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and upon its ticket he was elected to the office of county clerk. He belonged to the German Reformed church and was active in all affairs relating to the material. intellectual, political and moral welfare of his community, so that his death was the occasion of deep regret in the community where he lived and where he was recognized as a representative eitizen.


Mr. and Mrs. Wurdeman have become the parents of a son, Richard, who was born May 21, 1905. The family are members of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church, and Mr. Wurdeman is also identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks at Columbus, the Modern Woodmen of America at Creston, the Woodmen of the World at Columbus and the Knights of Pythias and the Sons of Veterans. In both the Woodmen and Pythian lodges he has filled the office of treasurer. He has served as director of his school district and has ever been a cooperant factor in all plans and measures for the public good and has worked along those lines which advance material progress and promote individual and community uplift. He displays many sterling traits of character and is justly accounted one of the fore- most residents of Sherman township.


ADOLF JAEGGI.


Adolf Jaeggi was born August 2, 1818, in Canton Bern, Switzerland, and in the year of 1869 emigrated to the United States, homesteading one hundred and sixty aeres of land in Platte county, Nebraska, eight miles southwest of Columbus, where he lived for several years, later entering the real estate firm of Sam Schmidtt, with whom he was employed for two years. A few years later he entered the Columbus State Bank as the first bookkeeper, which position he held for a number of years.


In 1882 Mr. Jaeggi visited his native land, where he was married to Constance Chiffelle, of Canton Bern, Switzerland, returning a few months later to what is now the city of Columbus. Here he engaged in the lumber and grain business for a number of years, but disposed of the lumber business a little later on, and in 1885 was one of the organizers and builders of what is now known as the Elevator Roller Mills Company, which he operated and managed successfully until his death on the 18th of January, 1910. The period of his residence in this county covered four decades, and in his passing the community lost one of its substantial business men and esteemed eitizens.


ADOLF JAEGGI


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His widow, who still makes her home in Columbus, also enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance in the city. To the above couple were born three sons, Paul A., Walter C. and Ernest L. Jaeggi, all residents of Platte county. They received their education in the public and private schools of Columbus, later on graduating from business colleges.


In January, 1910, Paul A. and Ernest L. Jaeggi succeeded their father in the ownership and management of the Elevator Roller Mills Company, Inc., the former holding the position of president and manager, and the latter as secretary and treasurer. They have conducted the business with splendid executive ability and good judgment, which have been the factors of its continued success.


Walter C. Jaeggi, after completing his common school education, entered the State Agricultural School of Lincoln, Nebraska. After completing his course in agriculture he chose the life of farmer and is now the owner and manager of a well improved one hundred and twenty-acre farm four miles northeast of Columbus.


In 1870 the Jaeggi family were among the organizers and charter members of the German Evangelical Protestant church of Columbus, in which they have held various offices and to which they have ever given their loyal support. Being up- right and honorable in all relations of life, they enjoy the confidence and respect of all those who come in contact with them in either church relations or social affairs.


JOHN A. ZAVADIL.


John A. Zavadil is one of the owners and editors of the Democrat, published at Humphrey, and the greater part of his life has been devoted to the printing business. He was born at Yankton, South Dakota, June 21, 1886, a son of I. W. and Blanche (Latimer) Zavadil, who were natives of Bohemia and Pennsylvania respectively. At an early period in the development of Nebraska they came to this state, I. W. Zavadil making the journey with his father during his childhood days. The paternal grandfather was a farmer by occupation and devoted the remainder of his life to general agricultural pursuits in this state. I. W. Zavadil learned the tinner's trade and afterward went to Yankton, South Dakota, where he was em- ployed along that line for several years. He afterward patented and manufactured . a music rack, the sale of which brought him a very handsome income. He re- moved to Portland, Oregon, where he engaged in the hardware business for a year and a half, but was unable to stand the climate there and returned eastward, settling at Wahoo, Nebraska, where he again worked at the tinner's trade for some time. He afterward came to Humphrey and entered into partnership with Judge Ratterman in the hardware business, this connection being maintained until 1893, when Mr. Zavadil traded his interest for a farm in Boone county. He then removed to Hamilton, Missouri, where he worked at his trade for two years, when he went to Washington, Missouri, spending six years at his trade there. On the expiration of that period he once more became a resident of Humphrey, where he passed the remainder of his days. He was accidentally killed by a train at Platte Center on the 24th of July, 1912. His widow survives and yet makes her home in Hum- phrey.


Because of the various removals of his parents John A. Zavadil pursued his


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education in many places and when fourteen years of age began to learn the print- er's trade, which he mastered. He was afterward employed in a wholesale dry goods house in Minneapolis for a year and then went to South Dakota, where he again worked at his trade for a time. Later he returned to Humphrey, where he was employed at the printing business until 1910, when he went to Fremont, Nebraska, where he had charge of the Herald office until the fall of 1913. He then purchased the plant of the Post at Lindsay, Nebraska, continuing the pub- lication of that paper until February, 1914, when he again came to Humphrey and took charge of the office of the Democrat, which he had previously purchased in October, 1913. He has since continued the publication of this paper, in which he has as a partner Mrs. Louise Karthaus, their business being conducted under the firm style of Zavadil & Karthaus. The paper has a circulation of one thousand and is an attractive sheet in its mechanical construction and in the character of the news furnished the public. The office is splendidly equipped with all modern im- provements known to the printing business and contains a unitype machine.


In January, 1910, Mr. Zavadil was married to Miss Lillie Karthaus. a daughter of Casper and Lillie ( Reiss) Karthaus, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Elgin, Illinois. On coming to the new world her father settled at West- point, Nebraska, which was then a frontier town, and in that locality worked as a farm hand for some time, but later removed to Humphrey, where he engaged in the liquor business throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Zavadil have one child, I. Wayne, who was born March 9, 1911. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Zavadil is a member of the Knights of Columbus. He is prominent in local political circles and is now serving on the democratic central committee in his district. His paper is published in the interests of that party and he does all in his power to secure the adoption of its principles.


JOSEPH A. BELLER.


Joseph A. Beller is accounted one of the most progressive real-estate men in his part of Platte county and is also actively and successfully engaged in the livery business, having purchased a livery barn in 1912. Energy and progressive- ness have enabled him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he un- dertakes and his plans of business are always well defined and promptly executed. Mr. Beller is a native of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Lee county, April 19, 1875. His father, Ignatz Beller, removed with his family to St. Bernard town- ship, Platte county, Nebraska, in 1879 and there purchased eighty acres of land, .


for which he paid five hundred dollars. Since that date the family have been closely connected with the development and upbuilding of the county.


Joseph A. Beller acquired a common-school education and in his youthful days worked upon the home farm. Later he engaged in farming on his own account for a year. but felt that commercial pursuits would be more congenial and in 1903 took up his abode in Lindsay, where he opened a hardware store in connection with M. J. Weidner, remaining active in that business for four years, at the end of which time he sold out. In 1907 he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty


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acres in South Dakota and there resided for sixteen months, receiving title to that property, which he still owns. Seeing a good opening for activity in the real-estate business, he began dealing in property in South Dakota and afterward transferred his activities to Platte county, where he has since dealt in farm lands. In 1909 he established a record for real-estate transactions, when in a short time he sold nineteen quarter sections of land, a record which has not been equaled since. He still owns considerable land in Colorado and in Texas in addition to his holdings in Nebraska. He is a progressive young man and his industry and progressiveness enable him to overcome many obstacles and difficulties that bar the path to pros- perity. He now has an office in the Lindsay State Bank building and is familiar with all phases of the real-estate business. He places a correct valuation upon property and has handled many important realty transfers.


In October, 1913, Mr. Beller was married to Miss Marilda Miller and they have one child, Imogene. In politics he is a democrat, but while he votes with the party he is not an active worker in its ranks. He holds membership in the Catholic church. He finds recreation in baseball, being an enthusiast concerning the national sport, and is now acting as manager of the Lindsay baseball team. He never allows outside interests, however, to interfere with his business affairs and his enterprise and thorough reliability are well known features of his active career.


OSCAR LOUIS BAKER.


Oscar Louis Baker is proprietor of the North Theatre, in which connection he has ever given to the public attractive and high-class entertainments, including moving pictures, vaudeville and the drama. He closely studies the public taste and, catering to public opinion, has made his house very attractive.


Mr. Baker is a native son of Columbus, born March 7. 1892, his parents being Oscar and Laura Belle (Paynter) Baker, the former a native of Columbus, Ohio. O. L. Baker completed his more specifically literary education by two years' study in the local high school and afterward devoted two years to a commercial course in the Columbus Business College. He entered the workaday world as a clerk in a clothing store in Omaha and for two years thereafter was connected with the picture show business in Shenandoah, Iowa, and in Nebraska City.


Mr. Baker then returned to Columbus, where he conducted a moving picture house for a year and through the succeeding year and a half was proprietor of the Oxford Hotel and Cafe. He next leased the North Theatre and also bought out the H. & G. Poster Advertising Company. The theatre is situated at the corner of West Thirteenth and Murray streets and has a stage thirty-seven feet in depth, sixty feet in width and forty-five feet in height. The capacity of the theatre is one thousand and many attractions tax the house to its utmost. In the winter seasons he secures the high-class road shows in addition to attractive vaudeville features and the best pictures that are making the film the best patronized entertainment of the country. He is constantly upon the alert to secure the new and novel as well as the purely entertaining or instructive films and his business management leads to growing success.


On the 16th of June, 1915, Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Fred-


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erica Stenger. Mr. Baker is a member of the Orpheus, a local German musical society, and of the Maennerchor. He is also connected with Columbus Lodge, No. 1195, B. P. O. E., and his religious belief is indicated in his connection with the Congregational church. He votes with the democratic party nor is he neglectful of the duties of citizenship, yet he does not seek nor desire public office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which are bringing to him grow- ing and well merited prosperity.


JOHN M. HEFLEY.


John M. Hefley is the well known editor of the Post published at Lindsay, Ne- braska. He is a western man by birth, by training and by preference and he possesses the spirit of enterprise which has characterized the development of the middle west. He was born at Emmetsburg, Iowa, April 14, 1883, a son of William and Mary Heffley, and his grandfather was one of the first settlers west of the Boone river.


Reared in his native town, John M. Hefley there pursued his education and afterward learned the printer's trade on the Emmetsburg Tribune. He subse- quently worked on various papers while traveling over the country and on the 1st of September, 1914, purchased the Lindsay Post. which was an independent sheet and which has a good subscription list and liberal advertising patronage. In addi- tion to publishing this paper, which is a bright, newsy journal, he does a job business, his excellent work and reasonable prices gaining for him good support in that branch of his chosen occupation.


On the 4th of April, 1910, Mr. Hefley was united in marriage to Miss Neva Stemets, a daughter of J. T. and Nettie Stemets, of Emmetsburg, who were also early settlers of Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Hefley have two children: Mary Ellen, born December 7, 1911 ; and John, born July 8, 1914. The religious faith of the parents is that of the Catholic church. Mr. Hefley stands at all times for improvement in public affairs and personally, as well as through the columns of his paper, cham- pions any movement for the general good.


CLAUS PETERSON.


Claus Peterson, who has won a gratifying success as a farmer and stock- raiser in Walker township, was born in Vesterjorland, Sweden, July 7, 1865. His parents, August and Johanna Peterson, came with their family to the United States in 1867 and first settled in Kane county, Illinois, where the father engaged in agri- cultural pursuits for eleven years. Removal was then made to Platte county, Nebraska, the family home being established on section 19, Walker township, where the father engaged in farming and in raising cattle and hogs until 1905, when he retired to Genoa.


Claus Peterson received his education in the common schools of Kane county, Illinois, and of this county, and since putting aside his textbooks has devoted his


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entire time to farming. He operates the home place and gives considerable atten- tion to stock-raising, selling a large number of eattle annually. He owns a half section of land in Cheyenne county, Nebraska, and also holds title to a good resi- denee in Newman Grove, his prosperity indieating his enterprise and business ability.


On the 31st of October, 1891. Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Borg, a daughter of G. A. Borg, an early settler of Platte county. To this union have been born five children: Wallace, a resident of Minnesota ; and Edward, Leonard, Reuben and Goldie, all at home.


Mr. Peterson gives his political allegiance to the republican party, and his religious faith is indicated by the fact that he holds membership in the Methodist church. His public spirit is one of his salient qualities, and he has the esteem of all who have been associated with him.




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