USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 51
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65
518
PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY
He has added to his possessions from time to time until he is now the owner of four hundred and fifty-five acres, having two hundred and forty acres in the home farm, which is nicely improved. He there raises Duroc-Jersey hogs and shorthorn cattle and also feeds considerable stock, becoming recognized as one of the representative dealers in live stock in this community. The active work of the farm he has now largely put aside, his sons relieving him of that labor. In addition to his other in- terests he is a stockholder in the Monroe State Bank.
In the year in which he became a permanent resident of Nebraska Thomas Hill was married in Boston, Massachusettes to Miss Elizabeth Wilhelmina Blanckenberg, who was born in Cape Town, South Africa, a daughter of James and Hester (Schultz) Blanckenberg. Mr. Blanckenberg was in the civil service and was for many years recorder of deeds in the registrar's office. He was a well educated, widely traveled man, very progressive, and his enterprise contributed in large measure to the development and improvement of Cape Town, where he lived until his death. He was an active member of the Episcopal church. To Mr. and Mrs. Hill have been born five children: William, Hester and Gordon, all at home; Charles, a druggist of Monroe; and Roland, at home. All of the children have been given good educational privileges.
The parents are consistent and faithful members of the Episcopal church and Mr. Hill gave the lot on which to build the church in Monroe. He has been a generous contributor of time and money to the advancement of the cause and both he and his wife have been most active in furthering its interests, while in various church offices he has been a worthy incumbent. Both are held in high esteem and the hospitality of the best homes of this locality is freely extended them, while the good cheer of Longview Farm makes it a favorite resort for their many friends.
HERMAN G. LUESCHEN.
Herman G. Lueschen, proprietor of a general stock farm on section 8, Sherman township, was born in Oldenburg, Germany, January 22, 1838. a son of Henry and Kate Margaret (Kuhlman) Groteluschen. After spending his youthful days in the fatherland. Herman G. Lueschen of this review came to the new world in 1858. settling at Mayville, Wisconsin, where he was employed at farm labor. He emigrated to America in order to become an American citizen and his interest in his adopted country was such that when the safety of the Union was menaced he joined the army almost immediately after the outbreak of the war, enlisting in April. 1861, as a member of Company E, Third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, With his command he went to the south and in the operations of his regiment in the Shenandoah valley in Virginia was captured. For four months he was im- prisoned at Lynchburg, Virginia, and at Bell Island, after which he was ex- changed. He took part in a number of hotly contested engagements and at the battle of Chancellorsville was wounded in the left leg, which incapacitated him for field service for three months. He was afterward called to New York to aid in the suppression of riots attendant upon the enforcement of the draft. Later he was on duty in Virginia, and under Sherman he participated in the siege of Atlanta. The entire regiment reenlisted, continuing at the front until the close
MR. AND MRS. HERMAN G. LUESCHEN
521
PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY
of the war, at which time Mr. Luesehen and his comrades participated in the grand review in Washington, where thousands of vietorious soldiers marched through the streets of the city-streets that were lined by a cheering multitude, while over broad Pennsylvania avenue there hung a banner hearing the words "The only debt which the country owes that she cannot pay is the debt which she owes to lier soldiers."
Mr. Luesehen returned to Wisconsin but in 1869 removed to Nebraska and entered one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm on seetion 8, Sherman township. He has sinee extended the boundaries of his place until it now comprises two hundred and thirty aeres, much of which he has brought under a high state of cultivation, producing good crops annually. He also engages in general stock- raising and makes large shipments to the markets. His business has been care- fully and persistently eondueted, and sound judgment has directed his efforts at all times, so that he has won substantial success.
Mr. Luesehen was married December 3, 1865, to Miss Bertha Spanhake, who was born October 28, 1847. and who by her marriage hecame the mother of nine children. Her death occurred May 12, 1910.
In politics Mr. Lueschen is independent but is not remiss in the duties of citizenship, aiding in various plans and measures for the general good. For a long period he served as postmaster at Boheet and for over twenty years was school director. He belongs to St. Paul's Evangelieal church and has ever guided his life according to its teachings. He has now passed the age of seventy-seven years, and his has been a ereditable and honorable record, marked not only by loyalty to his country in times of war but also in times of peace and by equal loyalty to every eause that he has espoused.
JOHN AHRENS.
A student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the annals of Platte county without learning that the Ahrens family have taken active and prominent part in advaneing the agricultural development of this part of the state and thereby contributing to the material wealth and prosperity of Platte county. A worthy repre- sentative of this family is John Ahrens, a most enterprising and successful general farmer, stoek-raiser, feeder and shipper. Sound judgment characterizes him in the management of all of his business interests, which are bringing to him gratifying and well earned success.
The old Ahrens homestead was one of the early settled farms of the county and it was upon that place that John Ahrens was born January 20, 1863, his par- ents being Edwin and Auna (Loseke) Ahrens, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of their son, Edwin Ahrens, Jr. At the usual age John Ahrens entered the distriet schools and to that system is indebted for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. He worked upon the home farm, continuing to assist his father until he reached the age of twenty-five years, when he started out in business on his own account. He has since carried on gen- eral agricultural pursuits. At first he operated one hundred and sixty acres of the home farm, to which he devoted his attention for a few years, and then he made Vol. 11-25
522
PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY
his first investment in property, to which he has added from time to time until he is now the owner of four hundred and forty acres in Bismark township and forty acres in Columbus township, his home being situated on section 6 of the latter township. Upon his farm he has one of the best barns to be found in the county. All of the outbuildings are equally good, furnishing ample shelter to grain, stock and farm machinery. His home is attractive, the building being thoroughly modern in every respect. He raises the various cereals best adapted to soil and climate and he feeds hogs for the market, making a specialty of Duroc-Jerseys. He also does a good dairy business, milking a number of cows, and he likewise feeds cattle. In a word, his business is carefully systematized, well managed and ably conducted, so that substantial results accrue.
On the 18th of October, 1888, Mr. Ahrens was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Wurdeman, by whom he has six children, namely: Edward H. and E. Arthur, who follow farming in Bismark township; and Emil H., Anna A., Bertha W. and E. Melton, all of whom are attending school.
Mr. Ahrens is an independent democrat, usually voting with the party yet not hesitating to follow an independent course if his judgment so dictates. He has served as township treasurer of Bismark township and yet is not an office seeker in the usually accepted sense of the term. However, he is not neglectful of the duties of citizenship and does not hesitate to give his time and energies for the benefit of the public. He and his family belong to the German Evangelical Lutheran church and his interest in the moral development of the district is shown in his generous support of the church and his cooperation with its lines of work.
HECTOR BLASER.
An excellent farm of three hundred and five acres situated on section 22, Loup township, is the property of Hector Blaser, who for forty-six years has lived in this county, an interested witness of its growth and development and an active factor in its agricultural progress. He was born in Switzerland on the 3d of February, 1862, and came to the United States with his parents, John and Rosa Blaser, in 1867 when a little lad of five summers, the family home being established in Kane county. Illinois, where they remained for two years. In 1869 they arrived in Nebraska and the father homesteaded eighty acres in Platte county. He carried on general farming, converting a tract of wild land into richly cultivated fields, in which he annually gathered good harvests. He died October 28, 1886, while his wife passed away November 11, 1888.
Hector Blaser was a lad of but seven years when the family came to this county and throughout the intervening period he has here remained, having the usual ex- periences of the farm-bred boy who worked in the fields through vacation periods and attended school in the winter seasons. Hc early acquired habits of industry and thrift and learned many practical lessons in the school of experience. He has never sought to change his occupation but has always continued active along agricultural lines and is now successfully engaged in general farming and to some extent in stock-raising. He has three hundred and five acres of rich and productive land, the greater part of which is planted to the crops best adapted to soil and climate, and he
523
PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY
annually gathers rich harvests. He also has good improvements upon his place, which is one of the desirable farm properties of the county.
In November, 1888, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Blaser and Miss Ida Martin, a daughter of J. G. Martin, and they have become parents of six children: Clara, the wife of Charles Schmid, living in Platte county; and John, Hector, Samuel, Otto and Edward, all at home. In his political views Mr. Blaser is a democrat, always voting for the men and measures of the party. His fraternal relations are with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Tribe of Ben Hur, and he is a member of the German Reformed church, a fact which indicates the principles that govern his life and control him in all of his relations with his fellowmen.
FRED G. STENGER.
For an extended period Fred G. Stenger was one of the most prominent and extensive farmers and stock-raisers of Platte county, carefully conducting his business affairs along well defined lines of labor, his efforts being most intelligently directed. He is now living practically retired save for the supervision which he gives to his interests. He still resides in Columbus township, occupying one of the beautiful homes of the county. He was born in Alsace-Lorraine, June 15, 1857, and in his native country pursued his education save for one term, during which he attended school after coming to the new world. He accompanied his parents to the United States and lived for a brief time in Cleveland, Ohio, after which they made their way to Columbus, Nebraska, where they arrived on the 4th of March, 1873.
Fred G. Stenger continued at home until he reached the age of twenty-nine years and during that period had ample training in all the work of the farm, so that he became thoroughly familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. When he started out in life independently he began farming on section 10, Columbus township, having three hundred and twenty acres of land, which con- stituted the nucleus of his present extensive possessions now aggregating fifteen hundred acres. This he purchased at prices ranging from eight and a half to sixteen dollars per acre. He has always been one of the extensive stock-raisers of the county and in earlier years was accounted the largest stock feeder in his locality. He has displayed excellent judgment in buying and selling stock and has thus added ma- terially to his financial resources. He also bought lands when all was raw prairie and when there were few substantial improvements made in the entire community. He performed the arduous task of converting these wild tracts into productive fields and highly improved farms, his labors being attended with excellent results which added immeasurably to the attractive appearance of the county and contributed much to its wealth. In 1900 he retired from the active work of the farm and removed to Columbus, where he owns a nice home, the purpose of his removal being to educate his children in the Columbus high school. In 1915 he returned to the farm where agricultural interests are extensively conducted, with the raising of shorthorn cattle as the feature of his place.
In 1886 Mr. Stenger was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Benning, and they have become the parents of seven children: Matilda ; Fredericka, the wife of O. L.
524
PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY
Baker, of Columbus; Martin, in the Columbus State Bank; Ernest, who is a graduate of the Nebraska Agricultural College; and Fritz, Edward and Margaret, all high- school students in Columbus.
Fraternally Mr. Stenger is connected with the Modern Woodmen, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, all of Columbus. He has no political aspirations but has always been interested and active in affairs for the benefit of the community. He belongs to the Congregational church and is in hearty sympathy with every movement that relates to the moral as well as the material progress of the district in which he lives. In all his business affairs he has been thoroughly reliable as well as enterprising and he maintains an unassail- able reputation among those with whom he has had dealings in any way.
ALFRED SIVERS.
Alfred Sivers, who is living retired in Newman Grove, Madison county, this state, was formerly engaged in farming and stock-raising in Walker township, this county. His birth occurred in Sweden, and he remained in that country until June, 1881, when he emigrated to the United States. He first settled in Dodge county, Nebraska, where he rented land until 1891, in which year he went to Platte county and took up his residence upon a farm on section 4, Walker township, where he carried on general farming for two years. At the end of that time he removed to section 15, that township, purchasing two hundred and forty acres of excellent land which he cultivated until 1906. In addition to growing the usual crops he raised considerable stock and both branches of his business have proved profitable. In 1906 he retired and removed to Newman Grove, where he is now living.
Mr. Sivers was married to Geraldine Johnson, who passed away in 1899. His political views are independent and he has always taken the interest of a good citizen in public affairs. The period of rest and leisure which he is now enjoying is richly deserved, as for many years he labored diligently.
EDMOND HIGGINS.
Edmond Higgins, who follows general farming on section 23, Lost Creek town- ship, was born in County Cork, Ireland, on the 27th of October, 1849, a son of John and Elizabeth (Upton) Higgins, who were also natives of County Cork, where the father followed the occupation of farming. The son, Edmond Higgins, the only one of the family that ever came to America, worked upon the home farm until April, 1871, and at the age of twenty-one years left Ireland for the new world, making settlement in Middletown, Connecticut, where he engaged to drive a team for a contractor. After a brief period, however, he went to Portland, Connecticut, spending two months in the quarries, and later he made his way to New Haven, Connecticut, where he drove a team for a brewery. He also worked in a tin shop for a time. He next went to Pittsburgh, where he was employed in the steel mills
525
PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY
for seven months, on the expiration of which period he made his way westward to Chicago, being sent by the firm to work in the steel mills of that city. But the wide- spread financial panic of 1873 caused a delay in the work of the company and Mr. Higgins proceeded to Seneca, Illinois, and worked on the Rock Island Railroad that winter. In 1874 he secured a position in a general store in Seneca and in 1876 he was there married, after which he removed to Oskaloosa, Iowa, and worked for the Rock Island Railroad Company as foreman of a fencing gang. In 1877 he tried to get work at fifty cents per day but could not get any even at that. Finally he obtained employment in the car repair department and later he determined to try his fortune in Nebraska. On the 22d of June, 1877, he reached this state. having only five dollars left after paying for his ticket. He gave half of that amount to his wife and with the other met his expenses.
From Columbus he made his way out to the home of an uncle, Michael Upton, who lived in a honse that was partly of sod. It was this uncle who owned the one hundred and sixty acres which the Union Pacific Railroad Company bought for the Platte Center townsite, and after working for him for a short time Mr. Higgins began work as a farm hand. Later he took up farming on his own account. He found that the neighbors were good to him, being ever ready to extend a helping hand. He bought eighty acres of railroad land without money, agreeing to make payments on the installment plan, becoming the owner of the property in March, 1878, the transfer being made by James E. North, of Columbus, who was agent for the former owner. He acknowledges his indebtedness to his kind neighbors, who assisted him to raise a small amount of money to make his first payment on his land. There was nothing on the eighty acre tract but wecds and prairie grasses, but with characteristic energy he began to develop the place. He built a small house, hewing the sidings and rafters himself, and he performed the most arduous labor in order to make his start as a farmer. At times hard luck seemed to follow him, but he kept on and his perseverance, industry and energy at length overcame all difficulties and obstacles that confronted him. After making his first payment of forty-eight dollars three years passed before he felt able to make another payment. He farmed with oxen in the early days, turning the first furrows in the fields, harrowing the land and getting the soil in condition for planting. The closest economy was practiced and his work was of the hardest kind, but he utilized every possible moment to the best advantage and prosperity has at length rewarded his efforts. He now has two hundred and forty acres of rich and valuable land on section 23, Lost Creek town- ship, one hundred and sixty acres east of the home place, twenty acres of valuable hay land west of Platte Center, and also one hundred and twenty acres of pasture near the river. Today his farm is splendidly improved and the value of his land has constantly increased. His fields now put forth rich crops and he also has high grade stock upon his place. He is likewise president of the mill at Platte Center and is accounted one of the substantial citizens of his community.
Mr. Higgins was united in marriage in Illinois in 1875 to Miss Kate Conley, who was born in New York, of the marriage of John and Katherine ( Kelly ) Conley. Mr. and Mrs. Higgins have become the parents of eight children: Bessie. the wife of Jobn Thomas Gleason, a resident farmer of Monroe township, by whom she has two children; Abbie, who was educated in the St. Francis Academy and is at home; Edward, living on the home farm; Fannie, at home; William P., who is a graduate of the Creighton College of Omaha and is now practicing dentistry at Atchison,
526
PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY
Nebraska; John; Grace, who is a graduate of the schools of Hastings; and Loretta, who is a graduate of St. Mary's Academy at O'Neill, Nebraska. All of the children have been given good educational advantages, for Mr. Higgins realizes how valuable is mental training as a preparation for life's practical and responsible duties.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church, their membership being at Platte Center, and Mr. Higgins is also a member of the Knights of Colum- bus. In politics he is a democrat, recognized as one of the active party workers in his locality, yet, without aspiration for office. He has served, however, as assessor and has been a member of the school board. He is interested in all that pertains to public progress and improvement in his locality and cooperates in many move- ments that have been beneficial. His life should well serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what may be accomplished through energy and determination in spite of obstacles and difficulties. Arriving in this county with a cash capital of but two dollars and a half, he has steadily worked his way upward until he is now the possessor of a handsome competence as the reward of his persistent, earnest efforts.
NORIS S. FIFIELD.
One of the most progressive farmers of Platte county is Noris S. Fifield, owner of The Maples, a highly improved farm that is the expression of modern progress along agricultural lines. The place embraces one hundred and fourteen acres of rich and productive land which he purchased in 1912 and its excellent buildings, its highly cultivated fields, its rich pasture lands and all of the equipments upon the place indicate his practical and progressive methods-methods that are bringing substantial and gratifying results. This place is situated on section 1, Oconee town- ship. Mr. Fifield has always lived in Nebraska, his birth having occurred upon a farm in Merrick county, June 27, 1880, his parents being Richard W. and Mary R. (Beadle) Fifield. The father was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1846 and died March 13, 1912. He came to Nebraska in 1880 and before the advent of railroads was a stage driver for sixteen years. He afterward engaged in threshing through the summer months and in work in the woods in the winter. His wife was of Irish lineage and they were married at the age of eighteen years. She, too, has passed away.
Noris S. Fifield acquired a common-school education, completing the work of the eighth grade in Monroe. His practical training was in the line of farm work and the school of experience brought to him many valuable lessons. As soon as old enough he began work in the fields and as the years passed constantly gained a broader knowledge of farm duties. He found the work congenial and at the age of twenty-one years rented a farm west of Monroe, upon which he lived for a year and a half. Later he occupied a rented farm north of Monroe, on which he lived for a year, and subsequently cultivated a farm east of Monroe for two years, during which period he also ran the school wagon. At the end of that time he took up his abode in the town, living there for four months, when he turned his attention to the real-estate business as agent of a company, with which he was connected for about a year, and during that period he sold over sixteen hundred acres of land in six months. He then removed to the George S. Truman farm west of Monroe, on which
527
PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY
he lived for three years and for three years previous to engaging in the real estate business he had lived on the Sutton farm north of Monroe. In 1912 he became the owner of his present property known as The Maples. It is a tract of land of one hundred and fourteen acres on section 1, Oconee township, all of which is improved. It is devoted to general agricultural pursuits, including the production of crops and the raising of grain. He also makes a specialty of growing asparagus and has large, fine beds, his annual sale bringing to him a gratifying return each spring. He is a believer in the use of cement and employs it liberally in improving his farm. In fact, he is progressive in all of his methods, which is evidenced in the appearance of his place. He has erected upon his farm a new barn, a large silo and a cement hog house, and has one hundred and twenty-five head of high grade hogs. He also specializes in raising chickens and ducks-the Rhode Island Reds and the Indian Runner ducks. The various features of his farm are winning for him well deserved prosperity, for he is very industrious, energetic and resolute and carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.