USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 39
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Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Sander has voted with the democratic party and is a stalwart advocate of its principles. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. His has been a well spent life, and he has gained many friends during the period of his residence in Platte county, now covering a third of a century.
HENRY KNIGHT.
Henry Knight, living on section 24, Humphrey township, dates his residence in this county from 1883, or for a period of nearly a third of a century. He was born in Canada, near Ottawa, on the 15th of February, 1852, and is a son of Charles and Bridget (Doyle) Knight, who were also natives of that country. The father was a farmer by occupation and cultivated land in Canada throughout his entire life, passing away in 1879, while his wife died in 1875.
Henry Knight was reared and educated in Canada, remaining with his parents until he reached the age of eighteen years, when he began to earn his own living by working as a farm hand. He carefully saved his earnings and at length was able to purchase a farm, which he continued to cultivate for three years, when, think- ing that he might have better agricultural advantages in the United States, he came to Nebraska, reaching Platte county in 1883. Here he invested in one hundred and sixty acres of land in Creston township and at once began to develop and improve the place, which he owned and cultivated until 1908. He then sold that property and bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 21, Humphrey township, since which time he has bent his energies to its further improvement. It is an excellent property, the fields being carefully tilled, while the buildings upon it indicate his careful supervision and progressive spirit.
On the 25th of December, 1882, Mr. Knight was united in marriage to Miss Malissa Jordan, a daughter of Patrick and Elizabeth (Becker) Jordan, natives of Ireland and Canada respectively. The father was an educator and on coming to the new world in 1848 settled in Canada. He became superintendent of schools at Chesterville, filling the position for five years, and prior to that time he had proved himself an able educator in other schools. He taught altogether in Canada for thirty-three years and then received a teacher's pension. His work was of far- reaching effect and benefit, for he imparted clearly and readily to others the knowl- edge that he had acquired and was regarded as one of the able educators of the section in which he lived. He held the office of commissioner of the high court of justice and was also a pension agent for a time. His last days were spent in re- tirement in Canada, where he passed away October 27, 1897. His widow still sur- vives and yet makes her home in Canada at the age of seventy-five years.
Mr. and Mrs. Knight have become the parents of one child, Elizabeth M., who was born May 2, 1884, and is the wife of Wade Pruitt, who is operating her father's farm. He was born September 21, 1877, and they have two children: Ma- lissa M., who was born November 22, 1911; and Minnie L., born December 3, 1914.
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Mr. and Mrs. Knight are also rearing an adopted daughter, Ruth Loydon, who is now twelve years of age and is attending school.
Mr. and Mrs. Knight are people of kindly spirit and generous impulses. They hold membership in the Catholic church and Mr. Knight gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. To him and his wife is accorded the hospitality of the best homes of Humphrey township, and they have a large circle of friends within its borders.
ANTON LOEFFLER.
Anton Loeffler, a well known farmer residing on section 8, St. Bernard township, was born in Baden, Germany, January 17, 1852, and remained in his native land until 1870, when, as a young man of eighteen years, he emigrated to the United States and, making his way to the middle west, settled in Mercer county, Illinois, whence he removed to Peru, La Salle county, that state. After remaining there for five years he made his way to Marshall county, Iowa. where he farmed for one year, after which he drove across the country to Madison county, Nebraska, with wagon and team. For about seventeen years he resided in that county and successfully car- ried on general agricultural pursuits there, but at length he came to Platte county and located on section 8, St. Bernard township, where he owns an excellent farm comprising a quarter section. He raises both grain and stock, and as his labors are intelligently directed, his land yields him a good return.
Mr. Loeffler was married in 1879 to Miss Lena Sent, a daughter of Bernard and Mary Sent, and to this union have been born thirteen children: John and Frank, both of whom are in Cedar Rapids, Nebraska; Henry, a resident of British Colum- bia : Mary, the wife of John Team, of Humphrey, this state; Anna ; Clara, now Mrs. Frank Keneptaliner. of Greeley county, Nebraska; and William, Maggie, Lena, Fritz, Louis, Raymond and Sarah, all at home.
Mr. Loeffler casts his ballot in support of the democratic party and has served as school director. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church, and he exem- plifies its teachings in his daily life. The gratifying measure of success which he has gained is richly deserved, as he is enterprising and energetic and also possesses excellent judgment.
GEORGE MURIE.
George Muric is a retired farmer living in Columbus and for forty years he has been closely associated with the agricultural development and progress of Platte county. He was born in Ardrie, Scotland, on the 14th of December, 1844, and he had a brother, James Murie, now deceased, who became a resident of the new world and served as an Indian scout on the western frontier. The family was founded in America in 1848, when the parents came with their children to the new world and settled near St. Louis, Missouri.
In that locality George Murie pursued his education and continued his residence
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until 1857, when he came to Platte county. In 1862 he went to Colorado, where he engaged in prospecting for over five years, returning to Platte county in 1868. This was still a frontier district in which much of the land was as yet unclaimed, and he se- cured from the government a homestead of eighty acres. With characteristic energy he began to break the sod and develop his fields, and for forty years thereafter he continued active in general farming, his labors bringing about a notable transforma- tion in the appearance of his place, which became a tract of highly cultivated fields, adorned with excellent modern improvements. He continued active in farm work until 1907, when he removed to Columbus and retired from active life.
On the 4th of July, 1873, Mr. Murie was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Green, a daughter of William and Martha Green, of Marshall county, Indiana, and they have become the parents of seven children: George William, who is residing in Mon- tana ; Charles Albert, of Billings, that state; Lillie A., the wife of Charles Gilbert, of Seattle, Washington; Hattie, who is now Mrs. Edward Brown, of Billings, Mon- tana; Adabell, the wife of John Nauenberg, of Shell Creek township, Platte county, Nebraska; John Alexander, a resident of Boulder, Colorado; and Maggie May, the wife of George Wilson, of Topeka, Kansas.
The parents belong to the Church of Latter Day Saints, and in his political views Mr. Murie is a republican. He has always stanchly supported the party but has never sought or desired office. He has served, however, as school director and at all times is deeply interested in the welfare and upbuilding of the community in which he makes his home, to which end he has co-operated in many movements for the general good.
PETER SCHAD.
Peter Schad, manager for the Nye-Schneider-Fowler Company at Lindsay, was born May $1, 1876, in Colfax county, Nebraska, a son of Peter and Margaret Schad, who in the year 1870 removed from Wisconsin to Colfax county, where the father homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres, after which he carried on general farm- ing until March, 1893, when he sold that property and removed to Platte county. At Lindsay he established a saloon, which he conducted for a year and a half, and at the end of that time he opened an implement house, which he conducted for two years. He then retired from active business, spending the remainder of his days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest, his death occurring November 16, 1903. His wife survived for less than a year, passing away in October, 1904.
Peter Schad is indebted to the district-school system of Colfax county for the educational privileges that he enjoyed during his boyhood and youth. He assisted his father upon the home farm until the removal was made to Platte county, at which time he took up his abode in Lindsay, where he worked for his father in the saloon until the business was sold. He was afterward employed by Pat Ready until 1895 and then worked along various lines until 1897, when he became proprie- tor of a saloon, which he conducted for two years. In the spring of 1899 he re- moved to Dodge county, where he remained for four years, and on the expiration of that period he returned to Lindsay and for about six years followed farming. He next went to Oklahoma but again came to Platte county in 1910 and on the 13th
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of October entered the employ of the Nye-Schneider-Fowler Company. He after- ward went to Cornlea, Nebraska, where he took charge of their elevator until March 1, 1914, when he returned to Lindsay as manager of the company's business here and has since directed the interests of the business at this place.
On the 29th of April, 1895, Mr. Schad was married to Miss Margaret Con- nolly, a daughter of Samuel and Alice Connolly, who were among the early settlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Schad became the parents of five children, Alice, Ed- ward Joseph, Martha Gertrude, Irene Mary and Monica Frances, all yet at home.
On the 8th of October, 1910, Mrs. Schad died but Mr. Schad has continued to keep his children together. He holds membership in the Catholic church, of which his wife was also a member, and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus and to the Catholic Order of Foresters, being secretary of the local organization. In politics he is a democrat and is now serving as clerk of Lindsay. Practically all of his life has been spent in Nebraska. He has depended upon his own labors for financial advancement and his has been a busy life, while his present position is one of re- sponsibility.
FRED H. MUELLER.
Fred H. Mueller is among those who have contributed to the development of the agricultural resources of the county, from which the greater part of its wealth springs. He was born in Montgomery county, Illinois, on the 12th of November, 1870, a son of Fred and Julia (Stickle) Mueller, both born in Germany in 1832, the former on the 13th of August and the latter on the 30th of September. Not long after they emigrated to the United States the father enlisted in the Union army and served for three years in the Civil war. He took part in many battles and was wounded in the foot. In 1872 he came with his family to Platte county, Nebraska, and took up land on section 26, Grand Prairie township, on his soldier's warrant. He gained a grati- fying measure of success and won many friends, and his demise was sincerely regretted when he passed away on the 2d of September, 1890. His wife died on the 18th of October, 1893, and their three children are living: Carl, F. H. and Otto, sketches of all of whom appear elsewhere in this work.
Fred H. Mueller was reared at home and gained his education in the public schools of this county. When twenty-two years of age he went to work for an uncle, Gottlieb Stickle. This uncle, his sister Annie and their father, John Stickle, emi- grated to the United States from Germany and settled in Platte county at an carly day in its history. The three homesteaded adjoining eighty acre tracts and following their demise Mr. Mueller inherited two hundred and forty acres, which is located on section 24, Grand Prairie township. He keeps everything about the place in excellent condition and the buildings are substantial and well designed, while the fertility of the land is carefully conserved.
On December 20, 1892, Mr. Mueller was married to Miss Sinney Beecher, who died leaving two children: Ernst; and Freda, who married Gerhardt Kopples, of Creston township. Mr. Mueller married the second time December 15, 1898, Miss Martha Hellbusch becoming his wife. She was born in Grand Prairie township, a
FRED H. MUELLER AND FAMILY
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daughter of John Henry and Anna Hellbusch, both of whom are deceased. To their union have been born four children: Hilda, Lucy, Albert and Werner.
Mr. Mueller casts an independent ballot, supporting the candidates and measures that he believes will best promote the public welfare, and his interest in public affairs is that of a good citizen. He is one of the substantial men of his locality, and all who know him recognize his good qualities and hold him in high esteem.
MORRIS HOLLORAN.
During the years of an active life Mr. Holloran was well known in the business circles of Platte county and when death called him the community mourned the loss of a representative and valued citizen. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on the 13th of October, 1866, a son of Daniel and Mary Holloran, who came with their family to Platte county in 1872 when their son Morris was a little lad of six sum- mers. The father secured a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres four miles west of Lindsay and there carried on general farming and stock-raising. Hc also engaged in freighting with team and wagon from Omaha to Tarnov and he hauled his grain from Lindsay to Columbus.
In his youthful days Mr. Holloran pursued his education in a little sod school- house which stood upon his father's farm and when not busy with his textbooks as- sisted his father in cultivating the home property. After reaching his majority he engaged in farming.
On the 23d of February, 1896, Mr. Holloran was united in' marriage to Miss Kate Lucid, a daughter of John and Bridget Lucid, who were early settlers of Platte Center. To Mr. and Mrs. Holloran were born a son and daughter, Daniel and Viola, both of whom are at home with their mother. The husband and father passed away June 29, 1905, when in the thirty-ninth year of his age. He belonged to the Cath- olic church and also had membership with the Modern Woodmen, while his political faith was that of the democratic party. Almost his entire life was passed in Platte county, where he was widely and favorably known, his many good qualities gaining for him the warm friendship of a large circle of acquaintances.
GEORGE MICHAELSEN.
George Michaelsen, a progressive and efficient farmer of Sherman township, was born in Shell Creek township, Colfax county, Nebraska, on the 28th of July, 1878. His parents, Ludwig and Catherina (Hollman) Michaelsen, were both natives of Germany. The father was born in Oldenburg in 1851 and many years ago emigrated to America, now living at Odessa Station, Washington.
The subject of this review received his education in the district schools and dur- ing the period of his boyhood and youth also devoted considerable time to assisting his father with the work of the homestead. He thus gained valuable knowledge which enabled him to succeed when he rented a farm at the age of eighteen years. After cultivating rented land for a few years he purchased one hundred and sixty
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acres on section 18, Sherman township, Platte county, which he has since cultivated, and he also operates a farm of one hundred and sixty acres belonging to his wife. He uses the most improved machinery to facilitate his work, and the sale of his grain and stock returns to him a good income.
Mr. Michaelsen was married on the 19th of February, 1901, to Miss Anna Hembd, and their children are Julius Ludwig, Emma Louisa, Elsa Alvina, Walter George and Melvin Milton. Mr. Michaelsen is a stanch democrat and is now ably serving as township treasurer. He holds membership in St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church, to the support of which he contributes, and his influence is always on the side of right and justice.
JOSEPH HECKER.
Joseph Hecker, of the Windolph-Hecker Drug Company of Humphrey, was born in Albert Lea, Minnesota, May 28, 1891, a son of Joseph J. and Mary (Kamp) Hecker, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father was a wagon maker in the old country, where he remained until 1875, when he determined to try his fortune in America and crossed the Atlantic, making his way to Minnesota, where he established and conducted a wagon shop at Albert Lea. There he carried on busi- ness for several years, and then removed to Boyd county, Nebraska. There he pur- chased a farm, upon which he has made many improvements, his attention being still given to the development and further cultivation of that property.
Joseph Hecker was reared and educated in Boyd county, Nebraska, being quite young when his parents removed to this state. He supplemented his early school training by study in Creighton College at Omaha, where he pursued the arts and science course for two years. He then took up the study of pharmacy and was graduated with the class of 1915. Later he came to Humphrey, Nebraska, and bought a half interest in a drug store, his partner being Oscar A. Windolph. Their interests are conducted under the firm style of the Windolph-Hecker Drug Company and they carry a large stock and enjoy a liberal patronage. Their store is tastefully arranged and well appointed in every particular and their business methods conform to the highest standard of commercial ethics.
Mr. Hecker is a Catholic in religious faith and belongs to the Knights of Colum- bus. He votes with the democratic party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon the further conduct of his business, in which he is meeting with growing and gratifying success.
GUSTAVUS G. BECHER, JR.
Gustavus G. Becher, Jr., is secretary of the Becher, Hockenberger & Chambers Company at Columbus. He was born June 18, 1882, in the city which is still his home, a son of Gustavus G. Becher, Sr., and after attending the public schools until he had mastered the work of various grades he was graduated from the high school
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and later pursued a short course in stenography. He then became a stenographer in the employ of the firm of Becher, Hockenberger & Chambers in February, 1901, and from January, 1903, until March, 1904, was in the employ of F. H. Peevey & Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota. In the latter year he returned to Columbus and again entered the employ of Becher, Hockenberger & Chambers, with whom he continued until November, 1912, when he purchased his father's interest in the busi- ness and became a member of the firm under the old name. The business has since been incorporated.
On the 16th of November, 1913, Mr. Becher was united in marriage to Miss Dorothy Post, a daughter of Judge A. M. and Ella Post, of Columbus. Her father, who was at one time supreme judge of the state of Nebraska and is one of the prominent attorneys here, is represented on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Becher have one son, Gustavus G., who is the fourth of that name in the family and was born August 10, 1915.
Mr. Becher is a member of Columbus Lodge, No. 1195, B. P. O. E., which he joined on its organization. He also belongs to the Columbus Maennerchor, the Co- lumbus Orpheus Society and Thusnelde Lodge, No. 12, of the Sons of Herman. He attends the Episcopalian church and in politics is a liberal republican. He keeps in touch with the thought and progress of the times and that he stands for upbuilding and improvement in his home city is indicated by his active co-operation in the work of the Commercial Club, of which he is a member. In a word, he is a representa- tive young man of the county and the spirit of enterprise actuates him at all times. His labors, therefore, have contributed not only to the material but also to the social and cultural interests of the community.
JOHN CRAIG.
John Craig, who resides on section 8, Creston township, is one of the wealthy landowners of Platte county and has to some extent retired from active life, renting the greater part of his land, although he gives personal supervision to his fine apple orchard. He was born in Wisconsin in March, 1851, a son of John and Elspeth (Cooper) Craig, both natives of Scotland. Many years ago they emigrated to America and first located in Canada, where the father, who was a wagon maker, followed his trade and also worked at carpentering to some extent. After residing for seven years in the Dominion he removed to Wisconsin, where he purchased land, which he cultivated for some time. He next removed to Minnesota and for four- teen years operated a farm there which he had purchased. At length he took up his residence in Mills county, Iowa, and again bought land, to the cultivation of which he devoted the remainder of his life. He was accidentally killed by the kick of a horse in 1903. His wife survived until 1910.
John Craig was reared and educated in Minnesota and remained with his parents until he became of age. He then rented land in Mills county, Iowa, which he oper- ated for five years, in the meantime carefully saving his money. He next bought one hundred and sixty acres but after farming that place for one year he sold it and bought another farm which he operated for a year. In 1885 he came to Platte county, Nebraska, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of his present place
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on section 8, Creston township. He at once began improving his farm and derived a gratifying income from its cultivation. Later he purchased an adjoining eighty acres and has continued to reside upon that place with the exception of three years, which he spent in Lincoln county. He also owns a quarter section of land on sec- tion 2, Columbus township. For many years he personally operated his farms and in addition to growing grain raised pure blooded shorthorn cattle. Now, however, as he has accumulated more than a competence, he rents the greater part of his land, although he himself looks after his orchard of one hundred and sixty-five bearing apple trees. His home place is one of the best improved farms in the county and he has always found farm work pleasant as well as profitable.
In January, 1878, Mr. Craig was united in marriage to Miss Emma Parks, a daughter of Alfred and Sarah (Sims) Parks, natives of England, who on emigrating to America located in Wisconsin. Her father was employed on a boat for many years but later purchased land and devoted the remainder of his life to farming. Both he and his wife are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Craig have become the parents of five children: Fred, who is now a resident of Madison county, Nebraska, but was for eight years engaged in banking in Texas; William, who passed away in 1905 at the age of twenty ; Everett, who is farming in Madison county, this state; Arthur, who is in the employ of Leach & Palmatecr at Creston; and Lela, the wife of J. W. Larson, station agent at Miller, Nebraska.
Mr. Craig is a republican and served acceptably as township assessor. as a mem- ber of the township board and as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is well known and highly esteemed through- out the county, and his personal friends are many.
P. A. CARLSON.
P. A. Carlson is the junior partner of the firm of Carlson Brothers, general mer- chants of Lindsay, and is a representative citizen, possessing the spirit of enterprise that has characterized the upbuilding and development of the middle west. He was born October 30, 1873, in Sweden, a son of Carl and Christina (Johannson) Carlson, in whose family were seven children. He acquired a common-school educa- tion and was a youth of seventeen years when in 1890 he arrived in Nebraska, mak- ing his way to Newman Grove, where he was employed in a general store. This gave him initial training and experience along the line of the business in which he is now engaged and qualified him for the successful conduct of his individual inter- ests. Joining his brother, Carl J. Carlson, and Peter Johnson, they purchased the store of Henry Ehlers in 1896 and after three years he and his brother became sole proprietors by purchasing the interest of their partner. They have since con- ducted the business along well defined lines and their carefully formulated plans are carried forward to successful completion.
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