USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 34
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WILLIAM R. NEUMÄRKER, M. D.
Dr. William R. Neumärker is a prominent physician residing in Columbus. Broad study, thorough investigation and experience have brought him prominently to the front in professional connections and his record is one of which he has every reason to be proud, as it has gained for him the high regard and confidenee of his professional brethren as well as of the laity.
He was born in the city of Luxemburg, in the principality of Luxemburg, Germany, May 18, 1878, and is a son of Rev. Richard and Elizabeth (Roth) Neu- macrker, who were married in Prussia in 1875. They came to the United States in 1884 and settled in Richardson county, Nebraska, where they lived for about fifteen years, removing to Columbus in 1899. Here they still make their home and throughout the period of their residence in this state, Rev. Richard Neumaerker, who is a minister of the Lutheran faith, has done much to further moral progress. He is still active in the pulpit and is recognized as the leading minister of his faith in this city.
Dr. Neumärker was fortunate in that his environment in his youth was that of a cultured home, in which high value was placed upon education as a prepara- tion for the responsible duties of life. He attended the public schools of St. Joseph, Missouri, and afterward became a student in Midland College at Atchison, Kansas He then determined upon the practice of medieine as a life work and in 1900 was graduated from the Ensworth Central Medical College at St. Joseph, Missouri. Having thus qualified for active practice he opened an office in Edge- mont, South Dakota, where he remained for about nine years, or until 1909, when he came to Columbus, where he has since continued. In the intervening period of six years he has gained wide and well merited recognition as an able physician and one who is most conscientious in his praetiee. He is continually studying and reading in order to keep in touch with the advanced work of the profession and his sound judgment enables him to readily discriminate regarding new ideas advanced. He spent one year abroad, taking a post-graduate course at the University of Berlin.
On the 26th of February, 1908, in Columbus, Dr. Neumärker was united in
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marriage to Miss Metta H. Hensley, a daughter of W. N. Hensley, of this city, and they have a son, William Hensley Neumärker.
Dr. Neumärker is a York Rite Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine, and he also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His religious faith is that of the German Reformed church, while his political views accord with the principles of the democratic party. He was county physician of Platte county, which office he filled from 1911 until 1913 inclusive. He concentrates his efforts upon his professional duties, and his standing is established in the success which has attended him and is indicated in the liberal patronage now accorded him.
JONAS WELCH.
High encomiums have been passed upon Jonas Welch, all of which have been well deserved, for his life was ever upright and honorable, actuated by high prin- ciples and worthy motives. He had, moreover, the qualities of consideration, kind- liness and generosity and the nobility of his character endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. Of him his friends might well say:
"This was a man. Take him for all in all I shall not look upon his like again."
From pioneer times he resided in Nebraska and his contribution to the development of the state was a valuable one. A native of England, he was born in Dorsetshire on the 22d of August, 1840, and was the eldest son in a family of seven children. His father, Moses Welch, who was born in Dorsetshire in 1815, was a blacksmith in moderate circumstances. He wedded Harriet Rawlings, who was born in the same locality in 1818, and both were descended from old English families. The parents came to the new world in 1847, landing at New Orleans after a voyage which consumed eight weeks and three days. From the Crescent City they pro- ceeded northward to St. Louis and two years later became residents of Alton, Illinois, where they resided for four years, when they took up their abode upon a farm near Brighton, Illinois. During that period Jonas Welch was a pupil in the public schools near his father's home. He was a youth of sixteen when in March, 1857, the family came to Nebraska, driving across the country with three yoke of oxen and reaching Florence on the 24th of April. Thence they proceeded to Genoa, in what was then Platte but is now Nance county, reaching their destina- tion on the 19th of May, 1857. They cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers, being among the first white people of the county.
For two years thereafter Jonas Welch was employed by the settlers at breaking prairie and for a year was a farm hand at the Pawnee Indian agency. In 1860 he joined a party that went to Colorado, attracted by the discovery of gold, but the same year he returned and again entered the government service at Genoa, work- ing for four years in the blacksmith shop and for four years as government miller. In 1869 he resigned his position and joined J. P. Becker in building and operating a water mill on Shell creek, in Colfax county, under the firm style of Becker & Welch. This was the pioneer grist mill of central Nebraska and its patrons came
JONAS WELCH
MRS. JONAS WELCH
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from many miles around, the business being continued until 1886. At the same time Mr. Welch owned and cultivated a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, whereon he engaged extensively in feeding cattle and hogs. After selling the mill he removed to Columbus, where he was connected with the grain and coal trade for six years, and from 1892 until his demise his attention was confined to banking and to the management of his farm properties. He was one of the first directors of the Commercial National Bank and remained an officer therein until his health failed.
On the 25th of December, 1862, Mr. Welch was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Shackelton, also a native of England .. They became the parents of nine children, as follows: Theresa Ellen, who is the wife of William S. Fox, of Council Bluffs, Iowa; William J., a resident of Genoa, Nebraska; Henrietta, who gave her hand in marriage to Harry Newman, of Columbus, Nebraska; Caroline, the wife of George W. Galley, of Columbus, Nebraska; Martha A., the widow of M. H. Watts ; Charles A., living in Columbus; Robert M., who is deceased; and two who died in infancy.
The family circle was again broken by the hand of death when on the 17th of September, 1911, Mr. Welch passed away. He was a devoted member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Lebanon Lodge, and when death called him his brethren of that organization laid him to rest with all the honors of the craft. Of his political views one of the local papers said: "In politics Mr. Welch was as devoted to the principles in which he believed as is the mother to the child. He was in a sense an intense partisan, and he regarded his duty to the democratic party as he regarded duty to his church or to his family. He was often honored by his party, holding membership on the county legislative board, serving often as chairman of his county committee, and in 1900 representing his congressional dis- trict as delegate to the national democratic convention. However, partisan as he was, he had the courage to hold his duty to his state higher than duty to party, and when his party named for high office a man whom he regarded as unworthy, such a man could not hope to win the vote or influence of Jonas Welch."
The Rev. S. D. Harkness, of the Presbyterian church, in the funeral service said: "The passing of Jonas Welch to that 'undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns' brings to my mind some of his own recitals of important incidents in his career. As a boy he saw and heard the great Lincoln and the mighty Douglas in that series of debates which shook the nation to its foundations. He was there at Freeport on that memorable day when Lincoln set the battle lines in array with that famous declaration: 'A house divided against itself cannot stand; this union cannot endure half slave and half free.' That boy traveled all the distance between Illinois and Nebraska by ox-team, and in order that the young people present may better appreciate the wonderful changes which have taken place in our own Nebraska since those days, I cite the fact that in all the journey from Omaha to Columbus the ox-cart caravan passed but five civilized human habitations. The trail he followed then was marked by the bleaching bones of the 'forty-niners.' Today the great Overland trains thunder over that same trail. Hc plodded the ox-team way to Denver, and found a straggling mining camp where now rises the gem city of the Rocky mountains. He played well his part with the pioneers in the upbuilding of this young state. He was of a generation which saw states born, and lived to see steam railroads upon the ox-trails, to see habitations Vol. II-17
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of comfort and luxury reared upon the sites where stood the tepees of the Aborigines. Within the life-span of that boy, whose walk was clean, whose manhood was strong, whose age was honored, and to whose memory we now pay tribute without reserve, were gathered and combined such marks of civilization as the world had not known in all the ages."
Many were the words of friendship and regard spoken of Mr. Welch by those with whom he had been associated. One said of him: "If to me might be given the privilege of living one thousand years, and changing my place of abode each year, I could not hope to find in all the thousand changes a man who would exemplify in his life the full measure of a neighbor and a friend more fully than that measure was met by Jonas Welch during the quarter century in which I was blessed by his presence as a neighbor and a friend." Mr. Welch never allowed personal interest or ambition to dwarf his public spirit or activities and he was ever actively inter- ested in plans and measures for the public good. In his career business ability was well balanced with humanitarianism and he could be said to be a most success- ful man when judged by this standard: "The measure of our success is not the good that comes to us, but the good that comes to the world through us." Such was his kindly nature that he spread around him much of the sunshine of life, for he was cordial, genial and kindly, had the tender sympathy of a woman and also the spirit of strong justice when occasion demanded.
FREDERIC F. FANGMANN.
Frederic F. Fangmann, who for the past five years has occupied a position on the mail route out of Humphrey, was born in Omaha, Nebraska, July 18, 1870, a son of Anton and Caroline (Becker) Fangmann, natives of Germany, whence they came to America in 1862, settling first at Baltimore, Maryland. The father was a cigar maker and worked at his trade in that city and also conducted a cigar store for four years. He then removed to Omaha, where he again engaged in the cigar business as proprietor of a store and factory for six years. On retiring from that field he removed to Platte county and took up a homestead of eighty acres in Burrows township. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon the place but with characteristic energy he began to turn the sod and develop the fields, transforming the wild land into an excellent farm, which he continued to cultivate and improve until 1896, when he retired and removed to Humphrey, where he has since resided, now making his home with his son, Joseph, at the age of eighty-four years. Before leaving his farm he had added to his original pur- chase from time to time until he was the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of valuable land, which he finally divided among his children after selling some. His wife died September 24, 1913.
Frederic F. Fangmann was but a little lad when brought to Platte county and was reared and educated in Burrows township, dividing his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. He continued to assist his father in carrying on the home farm until he attained his majority, at which time his father gave him eighty acres of land. This he at once began to further develop and improve and later he purchased more
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land until he now owns three hundred and twenty acres, of which one hundred and sixty acres is in South Dakota. He continued to cultivate his home place until 1901, when he rented that property and removed to Humphrey, being forced to abandon outdoor work because of a sunstroke which he had suffered and which disabled him for further work in the fields. After taking up his abode in Hum- phrey he engaged in the livery business for six years and then sold out, turning his attention to the implement business, in which he continued for two years, when he again sold. He then conducted a butcher shop for a year, at the end of which time he entered the federal service and for the past five years has carried the mail on a rural route. He is now owner of the garage conducted under the name of the Platte Center Auto Company at Platte Center, Nebraska, and he owns residence property in Lindsay, Nebraska.
On the 20th of June, 1893, Mr. Fangmann was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Enning, a daughter of Herman and Maggie (Weimeskirch) Enning, the former a native of Iowa and the latter of Germany, whence she came to the United States with her parents when three years old, the family locating in Bellevue, Jackson county, Iowa. In that state Mr. Enning was successfully identified with general agricultural pursuits until called to his final rest in 1886. His wife sur- vives at the age of sixty-three years and makes her home with our subject. To Mr. and Mrs. Fangmann were born ten children, of whom Caroline died on the 10th of September, 1909, when thirteen years of age. The others are Lcander, who is about twenty-two years old, resides in Norfolk, Nebraska, and is in the employ of the Northwestern Railroad Company; Antoinette, who is eighteen years of age; Leona, a maiden of fifteen; Elsie, Victoria, Linus, Cecilia, Eugene and Deulah M., who are thirteen, eleven, nine, seven, five and two years of age, respect- ively. The wife and mother passed away January 2, 1914, after an illness of but ten days. She was born in Bellevue, Jackson county, Iowa, January 1, 1873, and had won many warm friends during her residence in Platte county, so that her death was the occasion of decp and widespread regret.
Mr. Fangmann is a communicant of the Catholic church, also belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters and in politics is a democrat. His has been an active life in which have been few leisure hours and his diligence and determination have constituted the foundation upon which he has builded his success.
HENRY J. BRAUN.
Henry J. Braun, a highly respected farmer of Granville township, living on section 25, has always made his home in that part of Platte county. He is a native son of Humphrey township, born December 26, 1881, his parents being Joseph and Eva (Scheidemantel) Braun, who are mentioned in connection with the sketch of Joseph Braun on another page of this work. Henry J. Braun had the usual experiences of the farm bred boy. He worked in the fields in early youth and acquired his education in the public and parochial schools. He remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-five years and then started out in business for himself by operating rented land. For the past three years he has operated the Anton Pelle place, comprising three hundred and fifty-five acres on
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section 25, Granville township, and its excellent appearance indicates his careful supervision and practical methods. He is very energetic and resolute in what he undertakes and, working along modern lines of farming, is producing excellent results in the cultivation of his fields.
On the 22d of September, 1909, Mr. Braun was married to Miss Margaret E. Carroll, a daughter of Hugh and Mary (Grant) Carroll, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Ireland. Her father has been a lifelong farmer of Peoria county, Illinois, and has now reached the age of sixty-eight years. His wife died November 16, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Braun have become parents of a son, Joseph Hugh. born December 11, 1911. They are well known in Granville township, where they have many warm friends, who esteem them highly for their good traits of character. They hold membership in the Catholic church and Mr. Braun belongs to the Knights of Columbus. Politically his allegiance is given to the democratic party, for he believes that its principles contain the best elements of good government. He has no time for public office, however, preferring to con- centrate his energies upon his business affairs, which, well directed, are bringing to him substantial and deserved success.
DAVID WILLIAM JENKINSON.
David William Jenkinson, a resident farmer of Monroe township, is one of the self-made men whose life record proves that enterprise, resolute purpose and un- flagging energy will lead to success. He started out in life on his own account when a youth of thirteen years and since then has depended entirely upon his own resources. He was born in Auburn, New York, February 7, 1851, a son of John and Mary Ann (Morton) Jenkinson. The father was born in Ireland and the mother in Canada. She is now living in Madison, Nebraska, at the age of more than ninety years, but Mr. Jenkinson passed away in 1893, at the age of seventy-five. He chose farming as a life work and on coming to the new world settled in Canada, where he was married and began his domestic life. About 1849 he removed to New York and continued to reside in the Empire state until 1853, when he removed to Montreal, Canada, where he engaged in farming until 1864. In that year he went to Du Page county, Illinois, where he continued to till the soil, and on leaving that district he removed to Nebraska in 1874, settling in Grand Prairie township, Platte county, when the district was known as Stearns prairie. He homesteaded eighty acres, cast- ing in his lot with the few settlers who had penetrated into the region. Later he removed to the vicinity of Albion, where he continued his residence until called to his final rest. He was a member of the Episcopal church and a man of good qualities although of a retiring disposition.
David W. Jenkinson, the eldest of his eight children, attended school in Canada and for one winter in Du Page county, Illinois, but his school training was somewhat meager and he has had to learn the lessons of business life in the school of experience. At the age of thirteen he began earning his living as a farm hand, his moncy going to the support of the family until he attained his majority. He then went to Chicago and for four years worked as a teamster in that city. In 1874 he arrived in Platte county, where he began breaking the prairie after securing a homestead claim in
DAVID W. JENKINSON
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Grand Prairie township. He began farming with a team of green steers which he broke. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon the place when he took possession of it and there was much labor incident to its cultivation and im- provement. He lived in Grand Prairie township until 1881, when he sold his farm of two hundred acres there and removed to Monroe township. Later he returned to Chicago for one winter in order to obtain work as conditions here were such that he could not do anything. In 1894 he removed to Jackson county, Texas, where he raised cotton for three years and then took up his residence in Galveston in order that his sons might have better educational advantages. After spending a little over one year in that city he returned to Nebraska, where he has since lived. He occupies a nice home near Monroe, where at one time he owned four hundred and eighty acres of land but has since given two hundred and eighty acres of this to his sons, so that he now owns two hundred acres, which he rents to them. He is now practically living retired, although he still gives personal supervision to the management and further development of his farm. While in Grand Prairie township he raised Durham cattle and after locating in Monroe township he gave more attention to stock-raising than to the cultivation of grain. He helped to organize the Farmers Elevator Company of Monroe and became one of the original stockholders and first directors.
In 1878 Mr. Jenkinson was married to Miss Miriam D. Hollingshead, who was born in Indiana but was reared in Wisconsin. She is a daughter of William and Luzena Jane (Dennis) Hollingshead, who were early settlers of Monroe township. Her mother is living in Monroe at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, but her father is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkinson now have two children: Edward D., mentioned elsewhere in this work; and William J., who follows farming near the home place and is married and has three daughters.
Mr. Jenkinson is well known in fraternal circles. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp at Monroe, in which he has filled various official positions, and he has also passed through all of the chairs in the Odd Fellows lodge at Monroe, having been one of the charter members of Mystic Lodge, No. 321. His wife is active in the Presbyterian church. In politics Mr. Jenkinson is a prominent republican, working earnestly for the success of the party. His has been a well spent life and one which is crowned with a gratifying measure of prosperity. He came to Platte county with a cash capital of only thirty-six dollars and today is numbered among the substantial citizens of the community, his success having been acquired through his own persistent efforts and his unfaltering energy. His entire career is an indica- tion of the fact that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously.
J. W. CURTIS.
J. W. Curtis, connected with the Columbus Fuel & Storage Company and for- merly well known as an able, prominent and successful contractor, was born February 25, 1883, in Adams county, Iowa. His father, Jerome B. Curtis, was a native of Ohio, born October 6, 1838. He pursued his education in Knox county, Illinois, where he afterward worked for his father until the beginning of the Civil war, when he enlisted for service with an Illinois regiment. However, he was transferred to Company K, Eighth Missouri Infantry, as a sharpshooter and participated in a
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number of the most hotly contested engagements of the war, including the battles of Shiloh and Gettysburg. He was never wounded, but in the engagement at Shiloh his canteen was shot away and at Gettysburg he was knocked unconscious by a cannon ball striking so close to him that the result was as above stated. For six months he was held a prisoner of war in the south and after being exchanged he continued with his command until the stars and stripes were planted in the capital of the southern Confederacy and hostilities ceased. He then returned to Knox county, Illinois, where he purchased a tract of land and carried on general farming for several years. From there he removed to Adams county, Iowa, in 1878 and for ten years cultivated a rented farm, while later he made his home for four years in Atwood, Logan county, Colorado. On the expiration of that period he became a resident of Dawson county, Nebraska, where he operated a transfer line for about a decade, and in 1900 he came to Columbus, Platte county, where he continued in business as a railroad contractor until his death, which occurred on the 28th of April, 1913. He had led a busy and useful life and passed away when in the seventy-fifth year of his age.
J. W. Curtis was educated in Dawson county, Nebraska, and there worked for his father upon the home farm until his parents removed to Platte county, after which he assisted in the contracting business until his father's death. He then became manager of the business and remained active in that line until the spring of 1915. He is now connected with the Columbus Fuel & Storage Company and enjoys a liberal patronage.
Mr. Curtis married Miss Fannie Fay, a daughter of David and Flora (Mowery) Fay. She was born in Columbus, Platte county, on the 14th of May, 1885, and by her marriage has become the mother of a son, Jack Vernon.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist church and Mr. Curtis also holds membership with the Modern Woodmen and with the Fraternal Order of Eagles. His political indorsement is given to the republican party and, while he has never sought nor desired office, he has always been loyal to the princi- ples in which he believes and by his ballot champions the cause of his party. Much of his life has been spent in this state and the spirit of enterprise characteristic of the west finds expression in his business career.
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