USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 40
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Fraternally Mr. Carlson is connected with the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and appreciation of his public spirit on the part of his fellow townsmen is shown in the fact that for eight years he has served on the village board. He is now serving as a
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school director and his active interest in the cause of education is manifest in his earnest efforts to uphold the school standards in Lindsay. The brothers are well known and prominent business men of the town, enjoy an nnassailable reputation and also have the warm personal regard of many with whom they have been brought in contact.
ALBERT S. FLINK.
Albert S. Flink owns four hundred and fifteen aeres of fine land in Walker township and is now living retired on his farm on section 7. A native of Sweden, his birth occurred in Elfsborg on the 2d of January, 1861. His father, Anders Flink, served in the Swedish army for over thirty-five years and is now living re- tired in that country. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Anna Marie Johnson, is deceased.
Albert S. Flink, who is the only one of the family residing in the United States, passed the days of his boyhood and youth in his native land, where he attended the public schools, thus acquiring his education. In 1882, when twenty-one years of age, he crossed the Atlantic to America and, making his way westward, settled in De Kalb county, Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand for five years. At the end of that time he went to Kansas and remained in that state for six years, home- steading a quarter section of land there, which he still owns. In the fall of 1893 he came to Walker township, Platte county, and bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 18 for twenty-five dollars per acre. The place had few improvements upon it when it came into his possession but it is now one of the finely developed farms of the locality as he has made many excellent improvements thereon. The farm buildings are substantial and of modern design, and everything about the place is well kept up. He bought one hundred and forty acres more on section 18 and eighty acres on section 7 and still later he purchased thirty-five acres on section 7, for which he paid eighty-five dollars per acre. In 1912 he erected a fine modern residence and barn on his farm on section 7 and is now living there in honorable retirement from active life, having rented all of his land. While engaged in farm- ing he not only produced a large amount of grain annually but he also raised Berk- shire hogs and shorthorn cattle, the sale of his stock adding materially to his income.
Mr. Flink was married on the 2d of October, 1894, to Miss Amanda Sophia Aberg, a daughter of Peter J. Aberg, an old settler of Walker township. Mrs. Flink passed away on the 2d of May, 1912, and her demise was not only an irreparable loss to her family hut was also deeply regretted in the community as she was loved by all who knew her. Her sympathies included all who were in need or distress, and she also shared the joys of her friends and acquaintances, finding pleasure in their hap- piness. She was a devout member of the Swedish Lutheran church and took an active part in its work. Although she has passed to her reward the influence of her life remains, and her memory is cherished by all those who came into close contact with her. She was the mother of three children: Anna, at home; and Helen and Frank William, both of whom are attending school at Wahoo.
Mr. Flink is a republican and for seventeen or eighteen consecutive years served as school director, doing much in that time to increase the efficiency of the public
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schools. He retired from the office in 1913 but is still interested in educational prog- ress. For eleven years he has been a trustee of the Swedish Lutheran church, and he does all within his power to further its growth and to promote the spread of its influence. He is widely known and there is no more highly respected resident of Walker township than he.
ANTON BELLER.
Anton Beller is meeting with gratifying success in his work as a farmer and stock-raiser and is recognized as a substantial citizen. He was born in New York city on the 25th of September, 1868, a son of Ignatz and Josephine Beller, both natives of Germany, who on emigrating to the United States settled in New York, where they remained for about a year. At the end of that time they came west- ward and took up their residence in Fort Madison, Lee county, Iowa. After work- ing in a lumberyard there for ahout two years, the father engaged in farming with a brother for some time but subsequently removed to Madison county, Nebraska, where he passed away on the 13th of December, 1889. The mother is still living and makes her home in Lindsay, Nebraska.
Anton Beller received the greater part of his education in Lee county, Iowa, but attended school for one year after removing to this state. Since beginning his in- dependent business career he has followed agricultural pursuits and now owns one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land in St. Bernard township. His place is well improved, and his residence and farm buildings are commodious and well built. In addition to growing the usual crops he raises cattle and Chester White hogs, and both branches of his work yield him a good return.
Mr. Beller has been twice married. On the 19th of January, 1893, he wedded Miss Louisa Husemann, who passed away on the Ist of May, 1894, leaving a daugh- ter, Elizabeth. On the 17th of February, 1895, Mr. Beller was united in marriage to Miss Theresa Sueper, a daughter of Frank Sueper. She died on the 8th of Feb- ruary, 1914. She was the mother of twelve children, as follows: Louise, Edward, Anton, Clara, Anna, Lawrence, Agnes, Stanislaus, Helena, Antonia, Kasimir and Mary, all at home.
The democratic party has in Mr. Beller a stanch supporter, and he is now serving as school treasurer. Fraternally he is identified with the Foresters, and in religious faith he is a Catholic. His many sterling traits of character gain him the respect of those who have been associated with him, and he has many personal friends.
FERDINAND R. BERING.
Ferdinand R. Bering, deceased, was born in Germany, July 4, 1855, a son of Frederick and Francisca (Soms) Bering. The father was a native of Germany, and he and his wife spent their entire lives in that country, many years having come and gone since they passed away, the mother having died in 1872, while the father's death occurred in 1887.
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Ferdinand R. Bering was reared and educated in Germany and became an in- spector on a large ranch, having charge of the labors of two hundred men. At length he determined to seek a home beyond the Atlantic, having heard favorable reports concerning business opportunities in the new world. It was in 1883, when he was about twenty-eight years of age, that he made the voyage and came to Ne- braska, settling at Westpoint. Later he removed to Humphrey, Platte county, and engaged in the real-estate business for five years, at the end of which time he was appointed postmaster and made Humphrey a third class office. He also continued in the real-estate business and was thoroughly conversant with property values in this district and negotiated many important realty transfers. He never enjoyed robust health and died after an illness of two weeks, in March, 1897.
In 1884 Mr. Bering was married to Miss Catherine Biermann, whom he wedded on the 18th of September. She is a daughter of Christopher and Margaret (Stin- ner) Biermann, natives of Germany. Her father was inspector of a large timber tract and had charge of planting trees in the forests. He died in his native country in 1881, while his wife passed away in 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Bering became the par- ents of eight children: Elizabeth, the wife of Nicholas Steffes, one of the prominent merchants of Humphrey, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; Theresa, at home; Amanda, Joseph and Hugh, all of whom died in infancy; Alma, who is teach- ing in the Humphrey schools; Frederick, who is a carpenter by trade and is living at home; and Walter, who is clerking in the Steffes Brothers' store.
Mr. Bering belonged to the Catholic church and also held membership with the Catholic Order of Foresters. His political indorsement was given the democratic party and his fellow townsmen, appreciating his worth and public spirit, called him to the office of road supervisor, in which he served for four years. Eighteen years have come and gone since he passed away, and his memory is yet cherished by those who knew him, for at his death he left behind a large circle of warm friends. He was devoted to the welfare of his family and to the best interests of the community, and his sterling worth gained him a firm hold upon the affection and esteem of those with whom he was associated.
CHARLES JACOBS.
Almost thirty years have come and gone since Charles Jacobs arrived in Platte county and with its agricultural development he has since been closely associated. He now makes his home on section 24, Humphrey township, where he owns and cultivates a good farm. He was born in Marshall county, Illinois, October 26, 1858, a son of Frederick and Julia A. (Orgon) Jacobs, the former a native of New York and the latter of Pennsylvania. On leaving the east the father became a resident of Marshall county, Illinois, where he located at an early period in its develop- ment, there purchasing land which he improved and cultivated throughout the re- mainder of his days. He was a miller by trade and was accidentally killed in a mill in Kansas in the '70s. His wife survived him for many years, passing away in 1892.
Charles Jacobs is indebted to the public-school system of his native county for the educational privileges which he enjoyed and to good home training for many .
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of those principles which have made him an honorable man, worthy of the respect of his fellow citizens. After attaining his majority he began farming on his own account by renting land in Marshall county, Illinois, for two years, and in 1886 he came to Platte county, Nebraska, where for three years he cultivated a rented farm. During this period he carefully saved his earnings and at the end of that time was able to purchase land, becoming the owner of a farm in Creston township, which he operated for two years. He then fell heir to his present farm of eighty acres on section 24, Humphrey township, and for a long period gave his time and attention to its further development and improvement but now rents the land.
On November 28, 1887, Mr. Jacobs was united in marriage to Miss Eva K. Maynard, a daughter of Asahel and Pearl (Collar) Maynard, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New York. The father was a farmer and in an early day settled in Washington county, Nebraska, after which he removed to Colfax county and seeured a homestead, which he cultivated for several years. He then came to Platte county, where he continued farming until his death in 1888. His wife passed away in September, 1908, having survived him for two decades. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs are the parents of four children: Nettie, who is employed in the Nay- For store in Creston, Nebraska; and William F., Asahel and Eugene, all at home.
In his political views Mr. Jacobs is a republican and fraternally is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, while his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. In these associations are indicated the rules and principles which govern his actions. He enjoys a well earned reputation as an honorable business man and public-spirited eitizen, and he has a circle of friends almost co- extensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
NICHOLAS J. HEMMER.
In connection with the farming and stoek-raising interests of Platte county the name of Nicholas J. Hemmer has been well known, for through a long period he was actively engaged in general agricultural pursuits. While he has now retired from the farm and makes his home in Cornlea, he still owns two hundred aeres of rich and valuable land but is leaving the active work of the farm to others and is living somewhat retired from business, although he is now vice president of the Cornlea State Bank. He was born in Cascade township, Dubuque county, Iowa, October 8, 1855, a son of Nicholas and Mary (Kremmer) Hemmer, both of whom were born on the banks of the river Rhine in Prussia, where the father condueted business as a eloth weaver. He came to America in 1852, settling in Duhuque county, lowa, where he turned his attention to farming, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which his remaining days were passed. He lived in Iowa for forty-four years or until ealled to his final rest in 1896. He had retired from active business and removed to Worthington, where his widow now resides.
Nicholas J. Hemmer was reared in the usual manner of farm lads and remained at home until 1879, when at the age of twenty-four years he removed to Platte county, Nebraska, taking up his abode in Columbus. After working there for a time he went to Madison county, this state, and engaged in farming for six years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Platte county in 1886, establishing
NICHOLAS J. HEMMER
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his home in Granville township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty aeres of land on seetion 18, there making his home until 1912, when he retired from active business life and removed to Cornlea, renting his place to his son. He had added to it a tract of forty aeres and in 1892 purchased one hundred and sixty acres more. He thus became owner of three hundred and sixty aeres but afterward sold a quarter seetion. While living in Granville township he carried on general farming and stoek-raising, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation and gathering therefrom rich erops as a reward for his eare, labor and capable manage- ment. After removing to the village he assisted in organizing the Cornlea State Bank, of which he now serves as vice president.
In 1882 Mr. Hemmer was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Gilsdorf, a daughter of Matthias and Elizabeth Gilsdorf, both of whom were natives of Bingen on the Rhine. Emigrating to the United States, the father followed both farming and earpentering in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, until 1883, when he came to Granville township, Platte county, Nebraska, where both he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Hemmer were born teu children, as follows: Matthias, whose birth occurred October 13, 1884. lives in Lindsay, Nebraska, and wedded Miss Catharine Korth; Catharine, who was born December 2. 1886, and gave her hand in marriage to Andrew Hiermier, a clerk in Bender's store of Cornlea; Anna, who was born October 9, 1888, and is the wife of Fred Schultz, a ranehman of Cherry county, Nebraska; Guido, who was born March 27, 1893, wedded Miss Catharine Brandl and lives on his father's farm in Granville township; Clara, who was born Mareh 21, 1896, and is at home; Albert, who was born July 12, 1899, and is also under the parental roof; John, twin brother of Albert, who is at home; Angle, who was born February 10, 1902, and is at home; Henry, who died at the age of fourteen years; and Matthias, who passed away in infaney. The wife and mother passed away March 19, 1906, when they were liv- ing upon the farm. For six years thereafter Mr. Hemmer continued to live upon the old homestead but in 1912 turned the place over to his children, who now cultivate it.
In his political views Mr. Hemmer is an earnest demoerat and served as road boss of Granville township for several years. He and all of his family are members of the Catholic church of Cornlea and he belongs to the St. Joseph's Men's Society of the Catholic church at St. Bernard, Nebraska. There have been no spectacular phases in his life's history, but his record shows what may be accomplished when determination, perseverance and industry are arrayed against poverty and draw- backs. He worked hard and as the years passed on success rewarded his efforts, so that he is now the possessor of a comfortable competence.
JOSEPH BORER.
Joseph Borer owns a large farm on seetion 10, St. Bernard township, and is one of the prosperous agrieulturists of Platte county. He was born in Carver county, Minnesota, August 9, 1866, a son of Joseph and Helena (Jeurisen) Borer, the for- mer a native of Switzerland, who at an early age became a resident of Minnesota. In 1880 he removed to St. Bernard township, Platte county, Nebraska, with his Vol. 11-20
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family and located on one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 10, for which he paid eighteen hundred dollars. Both he and his wife are deceased. They had five children, of whom Joseph is the third in order of birth.
Joseph Borer was educated in the common schools and early in life gained val- uable training through assisting his father. The latter gave all of his sons a good start in life and the subject of this review has been very successful as an agricultur- ist. He now owns four hundred acres of excellent land on section 10, St. Bernard township, where he engages in general farming and raises high grade Duroc-Jersey hogs. He is practical and progressive and receives a good income from his land. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Lindsay and for many years has owned and operated a threshing outfit and cornsheller, thus adding mate- rially to his income.
On the 30th of April, 1889, Mr. Borer was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ramackers, a daughter of J. W. Ramaekers, Sr., a sketch of whom appears else- where in this work. To this union fifteen children have been born, as follows: Mary, the wife of William Kirzeder, a farmer of Madison county, this state; Lena, who is in a convent in Chicago; and Joseph A., Hubertina, Clara, Philip, Louis, Louise, Anton, Alphonse, Edward, Bernard, Angela, Lidwina and Leander, all at home.
Mr. Borer is a democrat but has never sought public office. He is a communi- cant of the St. Bernard Catholic church and contributes to its support and seeks to advance its welfare. For thirty-five years he has resided in this county and dur- ing that time has gained many loyal friends, who hold him in high regard because of his sterling worth.
JENS BUHL.
Jens Buhl, who has gained a gratifying measure of success as an agriculturist and owns a well improved farm on section 1, Walker township, was born in Den- mark on the 24th of April, 1874. His parents, Christian and Maren (Jensen) Buhl, were also natives of Denmark, where they remained until 1881, when, with their family, they crossed the Atlantic and became residents of the United States. For a year they lived in New Jersey and for a similar length of time made their home in Council Bluffs, Iowa, but in 1883 came to Platte county, Nebraska, and bought one hundred and sixty acres in Walker township. Their first home was a sod house but subsequently a good frame building was erected. The father became the owner of several hundred acres of good land and gave each of his sons a farm. He was one of the organizers of the Danish Lutheran church in Walker township, and when he passed away in Joliet township there was much sincere regret. His wife also died in that township. To them were born eight children, three of whom died in childhood, the others being: Jens; Hans C., who is farming in Joliet town- ship; Anton, a resident of Minnesota: Marinus, a farmer in Joliet township; and Karen, the wife of Peter Petersen, also of that township.
Jens Buhl was reared upon the homestead and during his boyhood and youth assisted his father, thus gaining much practical knowledge of farm work. His edu- cation was acquired in the district schools. Following his father's demise he in- herited one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he has since operated and which
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he has brought to a high state of development. He is energetic and progressive, and his well directed labors return to him a good profit.
On March 18, 1898, Mr. Buhl was married to Miss Mariane Christensen, a native of Denmark and a daughter of Kristen and Pauline (Nelson) Christensen, both of whom are now living in Joliet township. To Mr. and Mrs. Buhl were born six children, all at home, namely: Christian, Valborg, Carl, Helga, Arne and Uffe.
The republican party has a stanch adherent in Mr. Buhl, and he does all in his power to further its success at the polls. His religious faith is that of the Danish Lutheran church and the sincerity of his belief is attested by the integrity of his life. For over three decades he has lived in this county and during that time has not only witnessed but has also been a factor in its remarkable development from a region that retained many of the characteristics of the frontier to an agricultural district in which all of the conveniences and comforts of the older east are common.
JOHN EDWARD DACK.
John Edward Dack is now living retired in Monroe, where he took up his abode in 1894. He had previously been one of the most extensive landowners of the county, his possessions at one time aggregating more than one thousand acres, which he carefully tilled and improved, adding to his success year by year through the careful management which he displayed in carrying on the work of the fields. He was born upon a farm in Stark county, Illinois, November 29, 1810, and is a son of John and Jane (Nicholson) Dack. His father's birth occurred in Dublin, Ire- land, about 1810 and his life record covered the intervening years to the 16th of June, 1872, when he was called to his final rest. His wife, who was a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, born about 1819, passed away in 1900, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. They became pioneer residents of Henry county, Illinois, and were numbered among the representative farming people of that district.
John E. Dack was reared in his native state and had but limited educational privileges, for his aid was early needed in the work of the home farm. He was continuously employed at farm labor until 1864, but carefully saved his earnings after he attained his majority until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase land in Stark county, Illinois. There he carried on farming for two years, after which he sold that property and bought land in Henry county, Illinois, on which he lived for two years. He afterward rented this farm for four dollars per acre and for one year lived in the town, after which he spent two years in work as a farm hand. In 1872 he arrived in Monroe town- ship, Platte county, Nebraska, where he secured a homestead claim of eighty acres and bought one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land. He afterward added eighty acres through homesteading and he at once began to break the sod. In the course of time the fields were plowed and planted and brought forth good harvests, and as his financial resources increased he added to his holdings, purchasing two other eighty-acre tracts and a third tract of one hundred and sixty acres. His vari- ous purchases made him the owner of more than one thousand acres of land and later he generously divided with bis three children, giving to each of them two hundred acres. Carefully and persistently he carried on the work of the farm
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until 1894, when he retired and came to Monroe, where he is now enjoying a well earned rest.
On the 24th of December, 1862, Mr. Dack was married to Miss Jane Wiley, of Henry county, Illinois, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 27, 1842, a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Wiley) Wiley, both of whom were natives of County Antrim, Ireland. Her father was a wagon maker of Illinois, but spent his last days in Platte county, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Dack have become the par- ents of two daughters and a son: Sarah Jane, now the wife of Sam C. Terry ; Ma- tilda Nora, the wife of Curt Hollingshead; and Edward Robert, living on a farm in Monroe township.
Mr. Dack votes with the democratic party and has filled the office of township treasurer in Monroc township. He has long been interested in the cause of educa- tion and for twenty-one years has served on the school board, doing all in his power to advance the standards of educational training in his district. He has displayed many substantial qualities of manhood and of citizenship and the high regard uni- formly tendered him is but the legitmate result of a well spent life.
JACOB TSCHUDIN.
The attractive home of Jacob Tschudin, situated on section 14, Loup township, is surrounded by fine trees and well kept flower beds, indicating that the attention of the owner is not fixed entirely upon the attainment of wealth, but that the inmates of the home have appreciation of beauty and the ennobling influence which it brings. Mr. Tschudin is a native of Switzerland, having been born on a farm in Canton Basel, July 7, 1840, a son of Martin and Farina Tschudin. The father served for the required time in the Swiss army and for a considerable period was a government employe. He also devoted some time to farming.
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