USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 37
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and also breeds Red Polled cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. He is living retired to a large extent, leaving the actual work of the farm to his sons. In addition to his landed holdings he owns stock in the St. Bernard Telephone Company, the Farmers Elevator Association of Lindsay and the Farmers Union Store of Lindsay.
On the 9th of February, 1892, Mr. Herchenbach was married, in La Salle county, Illinois, to Miss Mary Happ, an early settler of La Salle county, who came to this country from Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Herchenbach have the following children: Carrie. Henry, Peter, Eva, Helen and Edward.
Mr. Herchenbach and family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church at St. Bernard and in politics he is independent. Although he has never been an office seeker he has always taken a commendable interest in public affairs and is willing to aid in movements seeking the community advancement. His agreeable personality and strict integrity have won him many warm friends and he is respected by all who know him.
ROBERT PINSON.
Robert Pinson is a retired farmer and ex-postmaster of Platte Center and is a well known citizen whose genuine personal worth, as well as his business ability and his creditable official record, have gained for him a high position in public regard. Platte county has many citizens of foreign birth and among this number is Mr. Pinson, who was born at Norfolk, England, on the 14th of February, 1842, his parents being James and Mary (Anderson) Pinson, in whose family of five children Robert is the eldest. He has one brother, William, who is still living, a resident of Lost Creek township, this county.
Robert Pinson is indebted to the public-school system of his native country for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. He learned the molder's trade in England, serving an apprenticeship of four and a half years, after which he worked along that line until 1865. He was then married in August, 1865, in Eng- land, to Mrs. Susan Everhard and turned his attention from industrial to commer- cial pursuits, becoming proprietor of a general store, which he conducted for five years. He then sold out and came to the United States, landing at Portland, Maine. He was accompanied by his brother William and it was their intention to visit an uncle living in Toronto, but on reaching that city they could not find him, as they had lost his address. While in the depot at that place they saw a number of people buying tickets for Nehraska and, thinking that there must be something to attract them in large numbers to that state, they followed the example of the others and purchased tickets for their passage from Toronto to Omaha. On reaching the lat- ter city they were informed that homesteads could be secured near Columbus and, making their way to Platte county, both Robert and William Pinson took up eighty acres of land in Lost Creek township. Later Robert Pinson added sixty acres more and continued to engage actively and successfully in farming until 1890, when he accepted the position of postmaster of Platte Center, to which he was appointed by President Harrison. He served for four years and upon the expiration of his term of office again took up the occupation of farming but in 1898 he was once more appointed postmaster by President Mckinley and served continuously for
ROBERT PINSON
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seventeen years, or until he resigned on the 1st of January, 1915. He had made a most creditable record in that position, caring for the mails in a most prompt and systematic manner and performing every duty of the office in the most conscien- tious and able way. Immediately after his retirement from the position of post- master he was appointed justice of the peace. He was also township clerk for seven years and township assessor for four years, and while living on the farm held the office of school director for ten years. He still owns his farm in Lost Creek township and he also owns one hundred and sixty acres in Holt county, Nebraska. His farm property in Platte county is well improved and is a valuable and productive tract of land.
Mr. and Mrs. Pinson became the parents of one son, Tom J. E., who was born . in England in 1868 and is now living on the home farm. He married Miss Lena Scheidel and has three children. By her first marriage Mrs. Susan Pinson had one daughter, Jane Mary, now the widow of Willard Chapin and a resident of Walla Walla, Washington. She has a son and two daughters. Mrs. Pinson passed away June 4, 1910, and Mr. Pinson was married again on the 8th of October, 1911, his second union being with Mary C. McCarty, a native of Maryland, who lived for a time in Ohio.
Mr. Pinson is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, having mem- bership with the lodge in Columbus, in which he has passed all the chairs. His long connection with public office made him widely known and he was ever a courte- ous and obliging official, while his record has at all times been that of a commendable citizen loyal to the best interests intrusted to his care.
CHARLES L. LUND.
Although one of the more recent acquisitions to the industrial circles of Column- bus, Charles L. Lund, as proprietor of the Columbus Planing Mill, has become well known in this section and has built up a good business in his particular line. He was born in Sweden, August 16, 1867, a son of Lars Hansson and Louise (Person) Lund, who were there born and reared, and the father is still living in the land of his nativity. The mother, however, is deceased, her death occurring in 1903.
Charles L. Lund was reared in the parental home and acquired a common-school education. At the age of twenty years he had a strong desire to become allied with American interests and accordingly set sail for the new world, landing on American soil in 1887. He spent the first few years in Leigh, Nebraska, but the year 1900 witnessed his arrival in Columbus, where in connection with C. C. Hardy he opened a planing mill, the business being conducted under the name of The Columbus Planing Mill. This partnership existed for only one year, however, at the end of which time Mr. Lund purchased Mr. Hardy's interest in the business, which he has since conducted alone under the original firm style. His plant is equipped with modern machinery, and in the years that have come and gone he has built up a good business, being now classed among the enterprising and successful representatives of indus- trial interests in this city.
Mr. Lund was married in Brooklyn, New York, in May, 1900. the lady of his choice being Miss Hildeborg Frederika Person, and this union has been blessed
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with eight children: Helen Louise, Robert E., William C., Carl V., John H., Theo- dore R., Ruth E. and Albert O.
His study of the political questions and issues of the day has led Mr. Lund to give his support to the republican party, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church. He is identified with the Fraternal Order of Eagles and is a man of strong and forceful character, determined and aggressive. He has kept pace with the city's progress because he has equipped himself for the march and The Columbus Planing Mill is today considered one of the valuable additions to the industrial and business interests of the city which Mr. Lund has chosen for his home.
ROBERT C. MORAN.
Robert C. Moran, conducting a successful business as a live-stock dealer at Cres- ton, was born in Marion county, West Virginia, on the 11th of October, 1856, a son of Robert and Sarah (Pride) Moran, both of whom were natives of West Virginia. The father was a farmer by occupation but put aside personal and busi- ness interests at the time of the Civil war and served for a year as a lieutenant in Company M, Second West Virginia Volunteer Infantry. He afterward resumed agricultural pursuits and in 1876 came to Nebraska, settling in Creston township, where he secured a homestead. This he developed and improved. devoting his remaining days to the further cultivation of that farm. He became recognized as a valued and influential citizen of his community and for two terms filled the office of county commissioner. He died December 5, 1902, while his wife survived for a number of years, passing away in January, 1911. Their many good qualities had endeared them to all with whom they came in contact, and they were recognized as people of the highest respectability.
Robert C. Moran is indebted to the public-school system of his native state for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. His youthful days were spent in the home of his parents and when he attained his majority he started out in life inde- pendently by renting land, which he cultivated for a few years. During that period he practiced economy as well as industry and thus secured the capital that enabled him to become the owner of a farm, investing in one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 27, Creston township, for in the meantime the family had removed to Platte county. With characteristic energy he began to develop and improve that property, and as his financial resources increased he purchased eighty acres across the road on section 33, Creston township. He continued the work of the farm for about fifteen years, and the place underwent a most attractive and gratifying change owing to the care and labor which he bestowed upon it. In 1910, however, Mr. Moran rented part of his land and removed to Creston, where he has since engaged in the live-stock business. He is an excellent judge of stock, and his careful pur- chases enable him to make profitable sales, so that his business is now bringing to him a substantial return. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Com- pany of Creston. He has never been afraid of hard work, and unfaltering industry has been the basis of his financial advancement.
In September, 1881, Mr. Moran was married to Miss Fanny A. Jackson. a
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daughter of William C. and Hulda (Drake) Jackson, the former a native of England and the latter of Newark, New Jersey. When Platte county was in the period of pioneer development they came to Nebraska and purchased land in Creston town- ship, Mr. Jackson there carrying on general farming until 1909, when he retired from active business life and has since rented his one hundred and ninety acres. Upon his retirement he removed to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he and his wife are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Moran have become the parents of eight children: J. Clyde, born Angust 10, 1882; Charles, whose birth occurred in September, 1885; Camden, born March 10, 1887; Roy, born in July, 1889; Ralph, born in January, 1891 ; Robert, April 15, 1891; Hattie, July 25, 1901 ; and Ernest, February 12, 1906.
Politically Mr. Moran is a democrat, and for two terms he filled the office of treasurer of Creston township, while for seven terms he was school treasurer. He is always mindful of the duties and obligations of citizenship and is willing to aid and co-operate in any measure that tends to advance the general welfare. His life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the Masonic fraternity, to which he belongs, and his membership relations extend to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In religous faith he is a Presbyterian. All who know him feel that his life measures up to high standards of manhood and citizenship and that he may well be numbered among the valued and representative residents of Creston. His business affairs have been most carefully conducted. Keen interest has enabled him to recognize the possibilities of a situation, and laudable ambition has prompted his ready utilization of every opportunity that has come to him.
CHARLES G. MICEK.
Prominent among the enterprising, progressive and far-sighted business men of Columbus is Charles G. Micek, a hardware merchant, conducting business at the corner of West Eleventh and North streets. He displays sound judgment in business affairs and his indefatigable energy and earnest desire to please his patrons are the qualities that are bringing him substantial success.
Nebraska numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Polk county, on a farm five miles south of Columbus, on the 21st of April, 1881, his parents being Philip and Mary (Boro) Micek. The father was born in Poland, January 6, 1851, and was therefore a young man of twenty-two years when in 1873 he crossed the Atlantic and made his way to Polk county, Nebraska, where he home- steaded one hundred and sixty acres. His first residence was a sod house, and he had the usual experiences of pioneer life, meeting many hardships and privations in early days when he was attempting to break the sod and cultivate the fields. In time, however, his labors were rewarded and his land brought forth good crops. At length he sold that property and bought another tract of one hundred and sixty acres and to his holdings he added from time to time until he became the owner of nine hundred and twenty acres. He has given to each of his children one hundred and sixty acres and retains a similar amount for himself. His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party, while his religious faith is that of the Catholic church. He was married in 1872 to Miss Mary Boro, who was born in Poland in 1856 and also survives.
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Their son, Charles G. Micek, reared on the homestead farm, acquired a public- school education in Polk county, Nebraska, and during his youthful days met the usual experiences of the farm boy. He lived at home until 1904, when he received one hundred and sixty acres of land from his father, after which he engaged in farming on his own account for two years. In 1906 he removed to Columbus, where he established a saloon, continuing in that business for nine years. In 1915 lie purchased the hardware store of M. M. Rothleitner, which is one of the old estab- lished hardware stores of the city. He carries a large and well selected line of both shelf and heavy hardware, dealing in Monarch and South Bend ranges, Radiant Home base burners, German heating stoves, Perfection oil heaters, Diamond Edge tools, Union cutlery, Voss electric washers and Heath and Milligan paints. His store is tastefully and conveniently arranged and all patrons have at their disposal the best brands of special and general hardware, and courteous treatment is at all times accorded them. Mr. Micek recognizes the fact that satisfied customers are the best advertisement and through that means and through honorable dealing is build- ing up an excellent trade.
Mr. Micek was married on the 27th of January, 1903, to Miss Anna Siemek, who was born in Polk county, Nebraska, May 13, 1890. This union has been blessed with seven children: Clara and Victoria, both attending the parochial school; Thomas and Anna, who are in the public schools ; and Carl, Edward and Leonard.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church, and in political belief Mr. Micek is a democrat. He gives earnest support to the party but does not seek nor desire office, preferring always to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which, carefully directed, are winning for him substantial and well deserved prosperity.
SAMUEL GASS.
Samuel Gass, who is conducting a retail liquor business in Columbus, was born in Switzerland, on the 3d of June, 1854, a son of Christian and Anna (Giesin) Gass, who were also natives of the same county. The father was a general farmer, owning land there. The son attended school in Switzerland and at the age of sixteen years began to learn the cooper's trade, working as an apprentice for two years. He afterward followed his trade in the employ of others in Switzerland until he reached the age of twenty years, when in 1874 he sought the opportunities of the new world, becoming a resident of Columbus, Nebraska.
Here Mr. Gass worked in the furniture business with his brother until 1875, when he went to California, remaining in that state for more than two years, work- ing at his trade in San Francisco and also on a wine ranch, making kegs and casks. He returned to Columbus in 1877 and was engaged in the saloon business on Eleventh street until 1879. The three succeeding years were spent in the employ of his brother Henry in the furniture store and in 1882 he returned on a visit to Switzerland, there visiting the scenes and renewing the acquaintances of his youth. In 1883 he once more came to Columbus, married and established a furniture store which he conducted until 1890 and then sold out, living retired for two years. He was not content, however, without some business interest and in 1892 he again
SAMUEL GASS
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opened a saloon, which he has since conducted, devoting all of his time to this business and to the supervision of his real estate. He owns the building which he occupies, together with other city property, and his real-estate holdings are the visible evidence of his business activity and enterprise.
In 1883 Mr. Gass was married to Miss Anna Hofer, a native of Switzerland and a daughter of Henry and Barbara Hofer. The year 1883 witnessed her emi- gration to the United States. Her mother is still living in Columbus and celebrated the ninety-third anniversary of her birth in June, 1915. While a resident of Switzerland, his native land, Henry Hofer worked for many years in a tannery and after coming to the United States in 1885 lived retired in Columbus until his death. He sent all of his children to the parochial school for a German education and then to the high school, wishing them to have the good start in life which a liberal education would give them.
Mr. and Mrs. Gass have become parents of seven children, as follows: Anna, who is employed as a stenographer in the state banking department at Lincoln, Nebraska; Christian, who is associated in business with his father; Elizabeth, who is employed as bookkeeper by the Columbus Mercantile Company; Martha, who is the wife of Frank Bullington, of New Orleans, Louisiana; Freda, who teaches music, plays the organ in her church and has manifested much natural ability in the musical art; Walter, who will graduate from the Columbus high school in 1916; and Edward, a student in the Columbus schools.
Mr. Gass has never been interested in politics and takes no part in political affairs. He belongs, however, to the German Reformed church, has been one of its active workers and has served as its president. He also has membership with the Sons of Herman, the Columbus Swiss Verein and the Orpheus Society. He aided in organizing and is one of the prominent members of the Swiss Verein, of which for ten years he served as president. He has indeed been very active in affairs of this kind and is prominent and influential among the citizens of his nationality residing in this part of the state.
PETER SCHMIDT.
In a history of Platte county it is imperative that mention be made not only of those who are today active in business life but also of those who have contributed to the development and upbuilding of the county in former years. On the list of hon- ored dead appears the name of Peter Schmidt, whose life of intelligently directed thrift and industry brought him substantial success and gained him place among the leading farmers of the community.
He was born in Germany, September 1, 1863, and is a son of Mathew and Sybilla (Schwamborn) Schmidt, who were natives of Germany, where they remained until 1873 and then came to the new world, settling first at Peru, Illinois, where the father worked in a coal mine for a few years. In 1886, however, he determined to come to Nebraska, after which he made his home with his children in Platte county until called to his final rest in 1889. He had long survived his wife, who died in 1875.
In the schools of Peru, Illinois. Peter Schmidt continued his education, which he had begun in Germany, and on starting out in the business world he found em-
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ployment in the coal mines of Illinois, where he worked for four or five years, being afterward employed as a farm hand. Finally he married and then began farming on his own account by renting land, which he continued to cultivate for five years. He next removed to this county, arriving here in 1894, after which he rented land for seven years, during which period he carefully saved his earnings, practicing close economy as well as industry. Thus at length he was enabled to purchase property and became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres on section 28, Burrows town- ship, which he at once began to convert into productive fields, carefully and syste- matically tilling the soil. He also added substantial improvements to the farm and later bought more land until at one time he owned and cultivated three hundred and twenty acres. Upon that farm he spent his remaining days, continuing active in business until ten days prior to his demise, which occurred May 31, 1911.
On the 27th of November, 1888, Mr. Schmidt was married to Miss Anna Koeb- bemann, a daughter of Henry and Marie M. (Lenz) Koebbemann, who were natives of Germany and on coming to the new world settled in Troy Grove, Illinois. The father was a farmer and there obtained a tract of land, to the further improvement of which he devoted his remaining days. He died February 20, 1903, and his wife's death occurred September 8, 1891. Their daughter, Mrs. Schmidt, was born at Mendota, Illinois, September 19, 1865, and by her marriage became the mother of eight children: Henry F., who is now farming a part of the old home place; Wil- liam M., who is also farming on the old homestead; Hildegard K., at home; Ger- trude S., who died in February, 1904, at the age of seven years; Carl, who passed away August 5, 1900, aged two years; Clara M., who died May 19, 1902; and Otto and Albert M., who are attending school.
In addition to his farming interests Mr. Schmidt was president of the Monroe Independent Telephone Company for a number of years and was recognized as an able, progressive business man, so that he left to his family a substantial property. Mrs. Schmidt still owns the homestead farm, on which there are now three sets of good buildings. In politics Mr. Schmidt was a democrat, while his religious belief made him a communicant of the Catholic church. Although born across the water he was only ten years of age when brought to the United States and was thoroughly loyal to American interests.
SWAN NELSON.
Swan Nelson, who was for a number of years actively engaged in agricultural pursuits in Walker township, was born in Hoemstrom, Sweden, November 11, 1832. He continued to reside in his native country until 1866, when he decided to take advantage of the opportunities offered to a young man of energy and ambition in the United States. He made his way to Michigan and for eleven years worked in lumber camps in the vicinity of Manistee, but in 1878 he came to Platte county, Nebraska, and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he brought to a high state of cultivation. He raised the usual crops and also considerable stock. He planned his work carefully and received a good income from his land.
Mr. Nelson was married in June, 1859, to Miss Johanna Peterson, and they became the parents of nine children: John Alfred, deceased; Josephine, who is
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living at Albion, Nebraska; Nellie, the wife of Fritz Quiding, a resident of South Dakota; Charles, deceased; Elmer; Axel, a resident of St. Edward, Nebraska; Anna, the wife of Verne Peterson, of Albion, this state; Alveda, the wife of Theo- dore Saltstrom, of this county; and Sarah, now Mrs. John E. Bengtson.
Mr. Nelson was a republican in politics, and his religious faith was that of the Lutheran church. His demise, which occurred on the 26th of July, 1897, was deeply regretted as he had many friends in this county. His widow and his daugh- ter, Mrs. Bengtson, still live upon the home farm.
VALDEMAR LAUESEN.
One of the well appointed stores of Lindsay is the general mercantile establish- ment owned and conducted by Valdemar Lauesen, who dates his residence in Ne- braska from 1901. He was born in Odense, Denmark, on the 5th of May, 1879, his father being engaged in the dry-goods business in that place. The son was afforded good educational opportunities and in 1901, when a young man of twenty-two years, he arrived at St. Edward, Nebraska, where he had an uncle living who was engaged in general merchandising. Entering his uncle's employ, he continued in the store for six years and in 1907, in company with Albert Rasmussen, bought out the general store of Greve Johnson, which they conducted for about two years under the firm style of Laeusen & Rasmussen. In 1909, however, Mr. Lauesen purchased the interest of the junior partner and has since been conducting the business under his own name.
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