USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 54
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In the Keystone state Peter Eisenmenger. Jr., attended the public schools and afterward worked upon his father's place until he reached the age of seventeen years, when he made his way westward to Peoria county, Illinois, where he rented land and engaged in farming. Later he removed to Champaign eounty, Illinois, where he purchased land and carried on general agricultural pursuits until death ended his labors on the 12th of July, 1913. He had beeome the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of rich and arable land in Illinois and also had a farm of one hundred and sixty aeres in Minnesota. His wife died in the former state in 1868. To them were born six children, as follows: Anthony, of this review; Frank, an agriculturist of Sherburn, Minnesota; Joseph, also a farmer of that place; Peter, who is engaged in farming in Granville township, Platte county : Mary, who died at the age of two years; and Wendell, who passed away when six weeks old. Having lost his first wife, the father married again, his second union being with Miss Mary Meister, a daughter of John Meister, of Woodford county, Illinois, whom he wedded in the spring of 1869 and who yet survives her husband, living on the old home place in Pesotum township, Champaign county, Illinois. They became the parents of eleven children, as follows: John, who is a resident of Sherburn, Minnesota; George, living in Humphrey; Mrs. Kate Laley, of Doug- las county, Illinois; Michael, deceased; Otto, who died at the age of thirty-four years ; Mrs. Anna Kelly, who makes her home in Mattoon, Illinois; Mrs. Abhie Riemke, of Pesotum, Illinois : William, a resident of Pesotum, Illinois; Charles, of
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ANTHONY EISENMENGER AND FAMILY
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Champaign county, Illinois ; Leo, also a resident of Champaign county, Illinois ; and Frederick, who died at the age of three months.
Anthony Eisenmenger is indebted to the publie-school system of Champaign county, Illinois, for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. His youthful days were spent under the parental roof and when he attained his majority he began farming on his own account, renting eighty aeres of land which he thus eon- tinued to cultivate for five years, at the end of which time he purchased the prop- erty, having earefully saved his earnings until his eapital was sufficient to enable him to make the investment. The year 1891 witnessed his arrival in Platte county, at which time he took up his abode on the farm where he now resides on section 1, Burrows township, becoming owner of two hundred and forty aeres which he today cultivates. In 1910 he erected a fine residenee in attractive style of architecture and modern in every way. He has engaged in breeding full blooded shorthorn cattle sinec 1903 and feeds both cattle and hogs. His live-stock interests consti- tute an important branch of his business, bringing to him substantial financial return. He devotes his entire time to farming and stock-raising but is a stoek- holder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Humphrey, which he aided in organizing.
On February 16, 1886, Mr. Eisenmenger was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Schelkopf, a daughter of John and Walburga (Heiermeier) Schelkopf, both of whom were natives of Bavaria. They passed away in Peoria county, Illinois, where the father had been sueeessfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Eisenmenger are the parents of nine children, namely: Rose, the wife of Joseph M. Brockhaus, a farmer of Granville township, by whom she has a son, Gerald; Cecelia Mary, who is employed as a clerk in the Braun & Brockhaus store of Humphrey ; Bertha, who is a teacher in the Tarnov public school; Theresa, who attends school in Kearney, Nebraska ; and Rita, Regina, Mark, Esther and Romana, all at home.
All of the family are members of St. Francis Catholic church of Humphrey, and Mr. Eisenmenger belongs to the Knights of Columbus and to the Catholic Order of Foresters at Humphrey. He is also a member of St. Joseph's Men's Society of his church. In politics he is independent and the only office that he has ever filled has been that of justice of the peace in Burrows township for one term. He has always preferred to devote his entire time to farming and stock-raising and in that connection has so directed his efforts that he has met with substantial and growing suecess, being now one of the leading farmers of Burrows township.
AUGUST F. SWANSON.
Angust F. Swanson is the proprietor of Fairview Farm, a very desirable prop- erty situated on section 26, Monroe township. The place comprises one hundred and sixty aeres of land naturally rich and arable and its productiveness has been enhanced through the capable efforts of the owner, who is a farsighted and enter- prising business man. Mr. Swanson was born in Helsingborg, Sweden, January 2, 1856, and is now the only surviving member of his father's family. His parents were Carl and Nellie (Anderson) Swanson and both passed away in 1868. Of
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their children, Carl and Anna came to the new world before their brother August and established their home in Nebraska City, where both passed away.
August F. Swanson obtained a common-school education. He was only twelve years of age when his father died and the following year he began providing for his own support. He went to sea as a sailor and served on fourteen different ships, visiting China, East India and the west coast of South America, being an able sea- man. That life brought him valuable experience and wide knowledge concerning different countries, their peoples and modes of life.
It was in the year 1878 that August F. Swanson arrived in the new world, leav- ing his vessel at Wilmington, North Carolina, whence he proceeded to New York and from that point made his way direct to Nebraska City, his brother and sister having already become residents of that place. For a year he worked as a farm hand for an uncle near Dunbar, but was anxious to engage in business for himself and bought eighty aeres of land in Otoe county, near Dunbar. He did not locate thereon, however, until 1882, spending the preceding years at work as a section hand and as a farm hand, his time being divided between the two kinds of labor. After taking up his abode upon his farm in 1882 he remained there for thirteen years and wrought a marked transformation in its appearance by his methods of cultivating the fields and by the improvements which he put upon the place. He then removed to Platte county and settled on section 26, Monroe township, where he now has one hundred and sixty acres of land which he calls Fairview Farm-a place well named, for he has an excellent view of the surrounding country and looks out over his own well tilled fields and excellent farm improvements, which make his place one of the desirable farm properties of the township. He raises mule-foot hogs and keeps on hand good grades of other stock. He has a large orchard and in a word his farm is one of the valuable and attractive properties in that part of the county. Aside from his agricultural interests, Mr. Swanson is a stockholder in the Monroe Inde- pendent Telephone Company and the Farmers Elevator Company of Monroc.
On the 17th of March, 1884, Mr. Swanson was united in marriage to Miss Christina Johnson, of Nebraska City, Nebraska. Her parents were John and Christina Johnson, neither of whom ever came to America. To this union have been born ten children, five of whom survive, namely: Fred, Lilly, Alice, Mabel and August.
Mr. Swanson is independent in politics and has never been an office seeker. He belongs to the Lutheran church and is interested in the moral progress of the com- munity. In a word, he stands for all that is best for the individual and for the commonwealth and his influence is always on the side of right and order. In busi- ness he has displayed a most progressive spirit and at all times has followed a course which has made him most highly respected.
FRANK WILLIAM SCHOLZ.
Working along well defined lines of labor and placing his dependence upon the safe, substantial qualities of industry and determination, Frank William Scholz has gained a place among the representative business men of Platte county, being now engaged in the general hardware trade at Duncan. He has always lived in this
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county, his birth having occurred in Loup township on the 20th of September, 1879, his parents being John and Anna (Olbrich) Scholz. His early education was acquired in District No. 16, Butler township, and later he continued his course in the parochial schools of Duncan. When his textbooks were put aside he began learn- ing the carpenter's trade, which he followed for about fifteen years, displaying excellent workmanship and becoming recognized as one of the foremost builders of the district. In the spring of 1904 he went to Pierce, this state, but in 1913 he returned to Duncan and purchased the hardware store of W. H. Thomas, and he now conducts a general hardware business, dealing also in paints and oils. His trade has grown rapidly and he has won a well earned reputation for enterprise and thorough reliability.
On the 9th of May, 1905, Mr. Scholz was united in marriage to Miss Emma Ida Engle, who was born in Duncan, October 9, 1880. They have two children, namely : Milton Frank, whose birth occurred in June, 1906; and Clarence, whose natal day was October 22, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Scholz hold membership in the Methodist church and guide their lives according to its teachings. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, while in politics he is an earnest republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party. At all times it has been a recognized fact that his cooperation and aid could be counted upon to further measures and movements for the public good. He has served as school director in District No. 7 and when the town was incorporated in May, 1913, he was elected its first mayor. In April, 1915, he was reelected to the office, so that he is the present incumbent in the position. He is likewise president of the Duncan volunteer fire department and in managing public affairs he displays the same interest and fidelity and the same spirit of enterprise and progress which characterize the conduct of his individual interests. He is making a most excellent record in office and well merits the high regard which is so uniformly tendered him.
JACOB MADURA.
Jacob Madura, whose home is pleasantly situated on section 26, Loup township, where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, was born in Austria in 1857. His father, John Madura, was a farmer of that country. Jacob Madura worked for his father until he reached the age of twenty-seven years, when, attracted by the opportunities of the new world, he decided to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic. Bidding adicu to friends and native country, he sailed for America and made his way to Columbus, Nebraska, where for five years he was in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad Company. At the end of that time he secured em- ployment at farm labor by the month, but after a time left Platte county for Omaha, where he continued for three years, employed in a packing house. He then returned to this county and with the money which he had saved from his earnings purchased two hundred and eighty acres of land. He has since bent his energies to the devel- opment and improvement of the place, which, in its neat and thrifty appearance, indicates his careful supervision and practical and progressive methods. He carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes and his diligence and energy have constituted the basis of his growing success.
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On September 25, 1889, occurred the marriage of Mr. Madura and Miss Sophia Kusrak, a daughter of George Kusrak, and to them have been born the following children: Julia, now deceased; Balinda, living in Omaha; John, who has also passed away; and Mary, Alvin, Elenora, Felemona, Joseph, Alfan, Julia and Michael, all yet at home.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church, of which Mr. Madura has been a lifelong communicant. He votes with the democratic party, for his study of the political issues and situation has led him to the belief that the best interests of the country would be promoted by the adoption of its principles. He has never taken an active part in politics, however, but has concentrated his energies upon his business affairs and thus has gained a fair measure of success in the con- duct of his farm.
E. T. GRAHAM.
E. T. Graham, residing on section 12, Humphrey township, is perhaps the weal- thiest man in this part of the country, now owning and cultivating ten hundred and forty acres of valuable land in Humphrey and Creston townships. The period of his residence in Platte county covers forty-four years, for it was in 1871 that he took up a homestead claim in Humphrey township. His birth occurred in Prince Edward Island on the 20th of February, 1845, his parents being John and Ann (Bernard) Graham, likewise natives of Prince Edward Island. The father, an agriculturist by occupation, removed to Wisconsin at an early day and in that state purchased land which he cultivated during the remainder of his life.
E. T. Graham was reared and educated in the Badger state and remained under the parental roof until twenty-five years of age. During the period of the Civil war he had served for one year as a member of the Forty-second Wisconsin Infan- try. In 1867 he bought a tract of land, which he cultivated for a few years or until 1871, when he came to Platte county, Nebraska, taking up a homestead claim in Humphrey township. This he improved and as time passed on and his financial resources increased, owing to his well directed industry and capable management, he augmented his holdings by purchase until they now embrace ten hundred and forty acres, although he has sold some of his land. His property lies in sections 12 and 13, Humphrey township, and section 7, Creston township, and his agri- cultural interests are conducted in a manner that brings him a most gratifying income annually. In connection with the production of cereals he feeds about thirty car loads of cattle and seven hundred hogs each year. He is likewise the vice president of the Citizens State Bank of Creston and has long been numbered among the influential and leading citizens of the county.
On the 22d of December, 1869, Mr. Graham was united in marriage to Miss Laura B. Morris, a daughter of Thomas and Mary A. (Todd) Morris, who were natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, removed to Wisconsin at an early day and there successfully carried on agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his life. passing away in 1879, when seventy years of age. His widow long survived, her demise occurring in June, 1914, when she had attained the remarkable age of ninety-five years. Mr.
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and Mrs. Graham are the parents of seven children, as follows: James, who is a resident of Wyoming; Lola B., who is the wife of E. H. Farnsley and lives in Kansas; Elmer T., at home; Marshall, living in Wyoming; Anna, the wife of H. W. Luedtke, who is a banker of Creston; Leila, the wife of S. E. Ewing, who is engaged in the drug business at Creston; and Mary, who gave her hand in mar- riage to C. L. Galbraith, of Beemer, Nebraska.
Politically Mr. Graham is a stanch republican, exercising his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of that party. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church, the teachings of which he exemplifies in his daily conduct. Throughout his life he has manifested qualities which have won for him high regard, which have gained for him success in business and which have established him as one of the prominent and respected citizens of Platte county.
J. H. DRINNIN.
J. H. Drinnin is a resident farmer of Columbus township, his home being on section 3, where he now has two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land. He bought one hundred and sixty acres of this place in 1882, paying ten dollars per acre and having ten years in which to make the payments. Today the property is worth many times that sum owing to the settlement of the county, which has created a demand for land, and also owing to the excellent improvements which he has placed upon it.
Mr. Drinnin was born in a log cabin in Stark county, Illinois, August 5, 1844, and from the experiences of his boyhood as well as of later years he has become thoroughly familiar with the different phases of pioneer life. His parents, John and Christine (Acker) Drinnin, were both of foreign birth. The father, a native of Queens county, Ireland, was born in 1812, while the mother was born on the Rhine, in Germany, in 1811. John Drinnin had no educational opportunities, but that he possessed the ambition to improve his condition is indicated by the fact that he came to the United States, having heard favorable reports concerning business oppor- tunities in the new world. He worked with several yoke of oxen on the grading and construction of the Erie Railroad and in 1843 went from Buffalo to Chicago by boat and thence drove with two yoke of oxen and a wagon to Stark county, Illinois, which was then a pioncer district. He had to travel an entire day to find a dozen families and the work of development and improvement scemed scarcely begun there. He had purchased one hundred and sixty acres of timber land on Spoon river, which he traded for eighty acres of prairie and then turned the first furrows upon that tract, broke the sod and planted the seed. He built a house of white oak and while there residing was greatly annoyed by the Indians in the early days. He was truly a pioneer settler and took an active and helpful part in all affairs pertaining to the upbuilding and settlement of the district. In politics he was an active democrat and in religious faith a devout Catholic, holding membership in the church at Wyoming. He died in 1881, while his widow survived until 1903.
J. H. Drinnin was the third of their children and he pursued his education while sitting on a slab bench in one of the old-time log schoolhouses. He lived upon the home farm in Stark county to the age of twenty-four, assisting his father in the work
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of the fields, and then turned his attention to the trades of plastering and bricklaying, which he followed for some thirteen years, both as an employe and as a contractor. He was also active in the affairs of the county and entered most earnestly in Sunday- school work, teaching in three Sunday schools which were held in schoolhouses.
Hoping to benefit by a removal to the west, he arrived in Columbus on the 28th of February, 1883, having purchased his present farm on the 12th of June, 1882. All was open prairie between his place and Columbus and only about six families lived in the vicinity. The purchase price was ten dollars, but he was allowed ten years in which to make payment. After he had paid car fare and the other expenses of the journey west he had two hundred and sixty-five dollars remaining. He broke the prairie and began the development of the home farm, making progress, although he had to overcome many difficulties and obstacles. On the 13th of July, 1883, his crops were entirely destroyed by hail and this and other conditions brought on very hard times. After the hail he began working on the second ward school in Columbus and was thus employed until the 15th of December, 1883. He also did the mason work on the homes of J. P. Biehers and Charles Speice and by such labor he eked out his income and was thus able to tide over the difficult days before his farm became productive. He is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of rich and valuable land in Platte county and is also interested in land in Holt county, Nebraska, and in Illinois. He has a fine large orchard upon his place and specializes in the produc- tion of Wolfe River apples, Baldwins and Jonathans. His place is known as the Home Farm and is now one of the attractive properties of Columbus township, equipped with all modern accessories and improvements. He is still directing the work of the fields and keeps abreast of the times in every particular. He brought Knoxville corn from Illinois and crossed that with Leaming, the result being Read's Yellow Dent corn. This he crossed with Gold Dust, which makes an unusually nice clean early yellow corn. He is now largely producing this corn, having an extensive sale in his home locality, while in California he is represented by agents who ship to neighboring states. Mr. Drinnin personally gives his supervision to the sale and shipment of his seed corn and this branch of his business is a profitable one.
On the 2d of September, 1868, Mr. Drinnin was joined in wedlock to Miss Har- riett L. Pomeroy, who was born in Vermont in 1846 and died March 2, 1901. She possessed many admirable traits of heart and mind, was very active in neighborhood Sunday-school work and her beautiful Christian character endeared her to all who knew her. She was a daughter of Elijah and Catherine Pomeroy, natives of Ver- ment, where the father followed carpentering until he removed westward to Stark county, Illinois, and there engaged in farming from 1870 until his death. He was a very active and earnest member of the Methodist church, in which he served as deacon, and he took a helpful interest in all the progressive and beneficial affairs of his community. To Mr. and Mrs. Drinnin were born five children: Samuel P., who is engaged in agricultural pursuits near Home Farm, is married and has four children whom he has brought up himself and who are a great credit to him. Eliza is the wife of Burt Stevenson, who has a farm of eighty acres in Colfax county, and their children are six in number. George and Evelyn remain upon the Home Farm. Plessie is the wife of Henry Yonkie, a farmer of Colfax county, by whom she has two sons.
Mr. Drinnin has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1878. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, of which he is an
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active supporter. He has served as town clerk, as township treasurer and as justice of the peace and, in fact, is active in all affairs relating to the upbuilding and pro- gress of his community. He attends the Congregational church and his influence is ever on the side of right, truth, reform and progress. He keeps well informed on current events and is abreast of the times in every particular, being a most energetic and progressive citizen, alive to every interest that affects the community. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished as he started out empty handed, depending entirely upon his own resources for his advancement and his success.
NELS PEARSON.
Nels Pearson, of Monroe township, who has won gratifying success as a farmer and stock-raiser, was born in the northern part of Jemtland, Sweden, December 8. 1861, a son of Andrew and Sarah (Nelson) Pearson, the former of whom was born in central Sweden in 1821. In April, 1882, he left his native land and emigrated to the United States, making his way to the middle west and remaining for a time near Des Moines, Iowa. Subsequently he removed to Monroe township, Platte county, Nebraska, and bought one hundred and forty-four acres of land, for which he paid five dollars per acre for eighty acres and twelve dollars and a half per acre for the remainder. In addition to farming he devoted some time to carpentering during his active life and his well directed labor enabled him to gain financial independence. He passed away about 1890. His wife was born in central Sweden in 1810 and is now living in Genoa, Nebraska. She still owns the old homestead, which is well im- proved and in a high state of cultivation.
Nels Pearson attended the common schools of Sweden for about five years and subsequently worked as a farm hand. In 1882 he accompanied his parents to the United States and for the first year thereafter assisted his father in the development of the home farm. He then worked on the farms of others for three years, after which he was again on the homestead for a year. In 1887 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 21, Monroe township, and later he bought an additional eighty acres, all of which he still owns. He raises graded Red Polled cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs, and the sale of his stock nets him a good profit annually. He also grows the usual crops and employs improved methods and ma- chinery in his work.
On the 7th of May, 1887, Mr. Pearson was married to Miss Christina Peterson, who was born in Kewanee, Illinois, September 18, 1867, a daughter of Louis and Katherine (Person) Peterson. Her parents emigrated from northern Sweden to America in 1867 and first located in Kewanee, Illinois, where they remained until 1869. In that year they came to Platte county. Nebraska, and homesteaded eighty acres of land on section 3, Oconec township, which the father farmed for about thirteen years. He then sold that place and purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Monroe township. He went to Columbus to buy lumber with which to make contemplated improvements on his farm and coming hack fell from the wagon and broke his neck. He was but forty-seven years of age when his life was thus tragically ended. and he was survived by his wife for many years, her demise oc- curring in 1912 when she was seventy-seven years old. Mr. and Mrs. Pearson have
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