USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 59
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his parents being John T. and Elizabeth Nunnally. They were farming people and died during the boyhood of their son James.
He acquired a fair education for that time and in his youthful days worked as a farm hand. After the outbreak of the Civil war he joined the military forces, en- listing as a member of Company A, Third Missouri Cavalry, under Colonel Tracy. He saw very hard service during the first of the war and remained with that command for four months. He afterward reenlisted as a member of Company C, Third Regi- ment of Missonri Cavalry, under Colonel Coffee, and remained at the front through- out the entire period of hostilities, surrendering at Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1865.
Mr. Nunnally then returned home and engaged in railroad work until 1868, when he removed to Cass county, Nebraska, where he turned his attention to farming, following that occupation for fifteen years. In 1900 he removed to North Dakota and later in that year came to Platte county, settling near Monroe, where he con- tinned to carry on general farming. His labors in the cultivation of the fields were attended with good harvests and the sale of his crops brought him a substantial annual income, so that he was able to save something year by year and is now the possessor of a good competence.
In Cooper county, Missouri, in 1870, Mr. Nunnally was united in marriage to Miss Artemesia Rickman and they became the parents of eight children, of whom five are yet living: Lee, a resident of Tacoma, Washington; Hezekiah, also living in Tacoma; Fairfield, who follows farming a mile west of Monroe; Jack, living in Sutherland, Nebraska; and Charles, who is clerk of the council at Monroe.
Mr. Nunnally has always supported the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, but has never been an aspirant for public office. He holds membership in the Baptist church and has lived an upright, honorable life, ever being loyal to his honest convictions and true to his professions.
GEORGE GRABE.
George Grabe, a well known and successful architect of Columbus, is now engaged in business as a member of the firm of Grabe & Helleberg. His birth occurred in Germany on the 28th of February, 1883, his parents being Frederick and Eliza (Ohlwein) Grabe, who were born, reared and married in that country. The father, whose natal year was 1858, brought his family to the United States in 1883, locating first in Gladbrook, Iowa, where he remained for three years. Sub- sequently he spent a period of thirteen years at Kilgore, Cherry county, Nebraska, and then took up his abode on a farm near Blair, Washington county, this state, where he has since resided. The paternal grandfather of our subject was William Grabc.
George Grabe acquired his education in the public schools of Kilgore, Nebraska, and in Omaha. He studied architecture and in 1905 began the practice of his profession, while the year 1910 witnessed his arrival in Columbus, where he was a member of the firm of Wurdeman & Grabe, architects, for four years. They prepared the plans for the high school at Humphrey, this county, for the third ward school at Columbus, and for the St. Francis Hospital at Grand Island, Nebraska, which cost ninety-six thousand dollars. In 1914 Mr. Grabe formed his present
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partnership with John Helleberg, under the style of Grabe & Helleberg, and among the many structures which stand as monuments to their skill are the Ragatz building in Columbus, the new forty-five thousand dollar high school at Schuyler, Nebraska ; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows building at Polk, Nebraska, and school buildings at Cairo and Cody, Nebraska.
In 1906, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Mr. Grabe was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Clare Peak. a daughter of Julius and Viola (Thompson) Peak. Their children are three in number, namely: Hazel, Pearl and Ruby Clare. In his political views Mr. Grabe is a republican, while his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. He enjoys an enviable reputation as an enterprising and 'capable young business man of Columbus and his continued success is assured.
CLAUD J. FENNEL.
Merit and ability have placed Claud J. Fennel in the front rank among the photographers of Nebraska. He has the artistic sense, the mechanical ingenuity and the unfailing enterprise which are indispensable in this field of art. He now has a splendidly equipped studio in Columbus, where he has been in business since 1912. He was born in Grundy county, Illinois, January 8, 1880, a son of William and Mary (Convis) Fennel, natives of Vermont and New York respectively. The father was a carpenter and wagon maker of the Green Mountain state and after the war removed westward to Illinois, settling in Grundy county, where he continued to follow his trade. In 1886 he came to Nebraska, establishing his home in Thayer county, where he lived until 1902, when he went to Schuyler and afterward became a resident of eastern Colorado, where he owned and cultivated land. From that state he returned to Columbus, where he is now living retired. In early life he was identified with the Baptist church, while later he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Claud J. Fennel completed his education in the high school of Hebron, Nebraska, and then began the study of photography with William Griffin of that place. In 1900 he removed to Schuyler, where he established a studio, continuing active in business there for twelve years, or until 1912, when he came to Columbus. Here he opened a photographic studio and the artistic character of his work has brought to him a liberal and growing patronage. In fact his ability has gained for him wide and well merited prominence in his chosen field. He is a member of the Tri-State Photographers Association, which includes Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri ; has been secretary, vice president and president of the State Association of Photographers; is a member of the National Photographers Association and has been twice a dele- gate to the national congress of photography. He keeps in touch with the most advanced thought, methods and scientific processes of his art and has won first prizes in both Class B and Class A at the state conventions. In addition to conducting business in Columbus he has branch studios at Silver Creek and at Spalding and is accorded a most liberal and well deserved patronage.
On September 26, 1906, Mr. Fennel was united in marriage to Miss Lou E. Williams, who was born near Rockville, Missouri, a daughter of John and Mary ( Biler ) Williams. The mother, who was born in Cooper county, Missouri, is now
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living in Columbus. The father, who was born in Tennessee and died in 1889, was a minister of the Baptist church in Missouri and Illinois. He was also prominent in political circles and was chosen to represent Bates county in the Missouri legisla- ture. In his business affairs he prospered and became the owner of farm lands. At the time of his death, which occurred in 1889, he was a resident of Rockville. Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Fennel have two children, Catheryn and Marjorie.
Mr. Fennel belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Tribe of Ben Hur. He has always been very active in the Methodist Episcopal church, especially in Sunday-school work, and is now Sunday- school superintendent. In 1915 he was elected lay delegate, from Nebraska, to the Methodist Episcopal General World Conference convening during the full month of May, 1916, at Saratoga Springs, New York. His religious belief has ever been the guiding force in his life and thus his career has measured up to the highest standards, winning for him the confidence and respect of all.
OWEN JONES.
Owen Jones is a retired farmer living on section 16, Joliet township. For a long period he was closely associated with agricultural interests and won the success that now enables him to leave the work of his farm largely to others. His example may well serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished when ambition points out the way and energy and deter- mination continue therein. Mr. Jones was born in Talbont, Conway, Wales, in February, 1851, a son of John and Mary (Owen) Jones, both of whom passed away in the year 1890. the father at the age of eighty-two and a half and the mother when eighty-one years of age. Mr. Jones carried on general farming and stock- raising, having a small tract of land. He lived a quiet life, was unassuming in manner but his entire course was directed by honorable principle in keeping with his professions as a member of the Methodist church.
Owen Jones was the fourth in a family of seven children. His educational privileges were extremely limited. for he had the opportunity of attending school for only two weeks and his lessons of life had to be learned in the school of experience, in which, however, he has picked up much valuable knowledge. He was only eleven years of age when he began to earn his living as a farm hand and when old enough he began work in the slate mines of his native country. In July, 1881, he became a resident of Iowa, settling in Montgomery county, renting a farm not far from Red Oak. There he lived for about five years and in 1886 arrived in Platte county. after which he continued the cultivation of a rented farm in Joliet township for three years. In the meantime he carefully saved his earnings and his diligence and economy enabled him in 1889 to purchase one hundred and twenty acres of land, constituting the nucleus of his present farm. To this he has added from time to time until he now has four hundred acres of land all well improved. Upon his place he has a good home and other substantial improvements. When he made his first purchase, only thirty acres of the land was broken and there were no buildings upon the tract, but with characteristic energy he set to work to break the sod, turning the furrows and developing the fields. He has added good improvements
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from time to time and is today the owner of a valuable farm property. At the present time he is largely living retired, leaving the actual work of the fields to his sons. In addition to his farm in Platte county he is the owner of land in Pierce county, Nebraska.
Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Jones, who was born in Wales, June 30, 1851, a daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Jones) Jones, and the second in order of birth in a family of five children. The father, who was born April 5, 1826, worked in the quarries in Wales and there spent his entire life, passing away in 1896. The mother's birth occurred March 25, 1826. By her marriage Mrs. Jones has become the mother of ten children: Mary, the wife of D. Jenkins, a farmer of Wayne, Nebraska, by whom she has five children; Richard, who is a street car conductor in Los Angeles, California: John. who is a farmer of Pierce county, Nebraska, and is married and has five children; William E. and Robert, who are on the home farm; Elizabeth. the wife of W. G. Jones of Joliet township: Dorothy, the wife of Arthur Nelson, who is farming in Joliet township, and by whom she has two children; Evan; Jane, the wife of H. Schmill, a farmer of Whitney, Nebraska, by whom she has one child; and Gladys, at home.
Mr. Jones has adhered to the religious faith of his fathers and is an earnest Methodist. His political views are those of the republican party but he has never aspired to office, preferring to leave office holding to others. He has ever concen- trated his attention upon his business affairs, working carnestly and persistently to achieve success. Starting out a poor boy at the age of eleven years, he has advanced steadily and is now numbered among the substantial farmers of Joliet township.
F. E. BELKNAP.
F. E. Belknap, who is successfully engaged in farming on section 8, Creston township, was born in Burean county, Illinois, November 23, 1864. His parents, Willard and Sarah (Martin) Belknap, were both natives of Ohio, but when eighteen years of age the father accompanied his parents to Bureau county, Illinois. In 1865 he removed to Iowa and purchased land in Marion county, which he cultivated until 1874, when he sold out and came to Platte connty, Nebraska. He took up a home- stead in Creston township, which he improved and operated until 1888. In that year he retired from active life and removed to Creston, where he lived until 1910, when he became a resident of Ogallala, Nebraska, where he is still living. His wife, however, passed away in May. 1902.
F. E. Belknap grew to manhood and received his education in Creston township, this county, and remained with his parents upon the homestead until he reached the age of twenty-two years. He then began his independent career by renting land, which he farmed until 1897, and then purchased two hundred and forty acres of land on section 8. Creston township. He has made many improvements upon the place and as it is always well kept up it is one of the most attractive farms of the county. In addition to growing grain he raises full blooded Hereford cattle, and both branches of his business yield him a good profit.
On the 23d of February. 1887, Mr. Belknap was united in marriage to Miss Carrie V. Keigwin, who died in 1892, leaving three children. Jessie B., John Oscar
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and Florence. Mr. Belknap was again married February 25, 1897, his second union being with Miss Isabella Langmuir, a daughter of James and Agnes (Angus) Lang- muir, who were natives of Scotland but came to America in childhood and were married in this country. They located in Minnesota, where Mr. Langmuir engaged in farming for some time, but subsequently took up their abode in Mills county, Iowa. There he purchased land, to the cultivation of which he devoted the remainder of his life. He passed away in 1889 but his wife still survives and resides on the homestead in Mills county, Iowa. By his second marriage Mr. Belknap has four children, namely: Mabel E., Lacy L., Ethel A. and Donald L.
Mr. Belknap supports the republican party at the polls and is much interested in all matters of public concern. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and of the Degree of Honor. A life of well directed activity and of strict adherence to high standards of condnet has brought him financial independence and the respect of all who are associated with him.
EDWARD ZYBACH.
An excellent farm of four hundred and sixty acres in Loup township pays tribute to the care and cultivation of Edward Zybach, who is working diligently along well defined lines of labor to attain success. He was born August 23, 1870, in the township where he still resides, his parents being Peter and Barbara Zybach. The father, a native of Switzerland, wasa watchmaker in his native country and came to America from the land of the Alps in 1868, and, making his way to Nebraska, cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Platte county, where he endured all of the hardships and privations incident to frontier life. He took up a homestead of eighty acres, which now constitutes a part of his son's farm, and with characteristic energy began to develop and improve the place, being one of those to take the initial step in converting the county into a prosperous agri- cultural district. In the family were but two children: Edward; and Mrs. Lena Hecker, now of Polk county, Nebraska. The father died in 1902 and the mother, surviving for seven years, passed away in 1909.
The son acquired a common-school education and from early youth assisted his father upon the home farm, early becoming familiar with all the, duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He was a young man of nineteen years when he left home and made his way to the northwest, spending some years in Yamhill county, Oregon. He engaged in farming during that period and then returned to Platte county, since which time he has continued to make his home in Loup township, where he has a farm of four hundred and sixty acres situated on sections 24 and 25. In addition to tilling the soil he also devotes considerable time and attention to the raising of registered Poland China hogs, for which he finds a ready sale on the market, commanding good prices because of the high grade of his stock. He carries on all of his farm work according to modern scientific ideas and his is a valuable and splendidly improved property, equipped with all modern accessories and conveniences found upon the model farm of the twentieth century. His buildings are large, adequate, comfortable and attractive and his farm presents a most pleasing feature in the landscape. He has a large
EDWARD ZYBACH AND FAMILY
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tractor which he uses in plowing and all of his farm machinery is thoroughly modern.
On the 24th of September, 1900, Mr. Zybach was united in marriage to Miss Lena Liebengoed, a daughter of John Liebengoed, one of the pioneer residents of Platte county. They have become parents of four children: Elvina, Frank, Edward and John. The family are well known in this county and Mr. and Mrs. Zybach have many warm friends. His political allegiance is given to the demo- cratic party and for two terms he filled the office of deputy assessor. He has also been a school director for four years and he is interested in everything that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding of the community. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to the camp at Colum- bus, and his name is also on the membership roll of the Tribe of Ben Hur. He is justly accounted one of the representative citizens of his community, standing at all times for progress and improvement along material, intellectual and social lines.
ALBERT HANKE.
Albert Hanke, residing on section 10. Joliet township, is a self-made man, who deserves much credit for the success he has attained as the years have gone by-a success that has come as the reward of carnest, persistent effort, and which finds tangible expression in the excellent appearance of his farm of three hundred and twenty acres. He devotes his attention mainly to the raising of high grade shorthorn cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs and is accounted one of the leading farmers and stock- raisers of his locality. He was born in Chickasaw county, Iowa, April 28, 1870, a son of August and Minnie ( Kohn) Hanke, who were natives of Prussia and are now residents of Phillips county, Kansas, the father having attained the age of seventy- nine years, while the mother has reached the age of seventy-three. He was a farmer in Germany and continued a resident of Prussia until 1865, when he severed his connections that bound him to his native country and sailed for the new world. Making his way into the interior, he settled in Chickasaw county, Iowa, where he was engaged in the cultivation of a rented farm until 1879. He then removed to Phillips county, Kansas, where he lived for a considerable period. In 1890, how- ever, he homesteaded in Platte county, securing a tract of land in St. Bernard town- ship, which he owned and cultivated until 1902. He then returned to Kansas and has become the owner of nine hundred and sixty acres in that state. In his political faith he is a democrat and his religious belief is that of the Lutheran church. He has always been very active in church work and though he had little educational opportunity and no advantages at the outset of his career, he has learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience, has become a successful business man and has made his life of worth and benefit not only to himself, but to others.
Although born in Iowa, Albert Hanke spent much of his boyhood and youth upon the old homestead farm in St. Bernard township, Platte county, meeting with the usual experiences of the farm lad who divides his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. In 1900 he began farming on his own account, renting land on section 10, Joliet township, and his industry and economy brought him the measure of success that enabled him Vol. 11-29
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to purchase the property in the spring of 1903. He has added to his original hold- ings until he is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres. All this he has made through his own efforts, having no outside help or assistance, but he possesses industry, determination, persistency of purpose and honesty and these qualities always win results. He started out with three horses, a wagon, plow and a few household goods and he now has a nice farm, which is known as Shell Creek Valley Stock Farm, on which he raises good grades of shorthorn cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. His life has been an active one and success crowns his efforts in substantial measure.
In 1900 Mr. Hanke was united in marriage to Miss Frances Melcher, who was born in Granville township, a daughter of John and Frances (Smeltzer) Melcher, natives of Germany. The father emigrated to the new world in 1870 and took up a homestead claim in Granville township, Platte county. That he has prospered in his undertakings is indicated in the fact that his possessions now aggregate twelve hundred and eighty acres of land. He is active in public affairs and assisted in the organization of the Catholic church in St. Bernard and gave a third of his profits from what he raised one year toward the erection of the house of worship. To Mr. and Mrs. Hanke have been born four children, Edward, Emma, Clarence and Roy.
In his political views Mr. Hanke is a democrat, but has never been ambitious to hold office. He has served, however, as treasurer of school district No. 42 and is a member of St. John's Catholic church in Joliet township. He is interested in its work, contributes generously to its support and at all times manifests a public- spirited devotion to the general good. He has concentrated his efforts, however, upon his farm work and has allowed no obstacle nor difficulty to bar his path if it could be overcome by persistent, earnest effort.
REV. JENS J. LERAGER.
Rev. Jens J. Lerager is the pastor of St. Ansgars Danish Lutheran church and makes his home on section 11, Walker township. He is well known in the county, and among the people of his denomination and in the community in which he lives he is held in highest esteem and regard. He was born May 31, 1883, in S. Aldum, Denmark, and is a son of Jens C. and Maren (Hansen) Lerager. His educational advantages of early boyhood were such as the Danish lad ordinarily receives. He was a young man of twenty years when, in May, 1903, he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the new world, making his way to Flynn, near Plankinton, South Dakota, where a brother was engaged in merchandising. Our subject took up his abode upon a farm in that locality, but, heing ambitious to direct his labors into a field of still broader usefulness, he later went to Des Moines and entered the Grand View Theological College, in which he took the regular course. Subsequently he pursued the study of theology in that institution, from which he was graduated in 1911. During his eight years in college he worked during the summer months, being employed at farming and tiling and during the latter years at teaching, and through his earnest, persistent efforts won the means that enabled him to pursue his college course. He was then assigned to duty at Elba, Howard county, Nebraska,
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where he remained from the 1st of July, 1911, until the 1st of April, 1913, when he came to his present charge, accepting the pastorate of St. Ansgars Danish Lutheran church.
In December, 1912, Rev. Lerager was united in marriage to Miss Anna Petersen, a daughter of M. Peter and Anna Petersen, of Cordova, Seward county, Nebraska, and they have one son, Carl. Rev. and Mrs. Lerager have become well known in Platte county during the period of their residence here and their attractive home is noted for its warm-hearted and generous hospitality. They do much to aid in the intellectual as well as moral progress of the community and Rev. Lerager is a most earnest worker in behalf of his church, consecrating almost his every effort and thought upon its upbuilding and the promotion of the cause for which he stands.
GEORGE WALTER PHILLIPS.
In many public offices George Walter Phillips has demonstrated his loyalty to the best interests of Platte county, his efforts ever being a potent force in promoting public progress. In business circles, too, he has figured prominently and, moreover, there is no one in this section of the state more conversant with the history of the county, for his residence in this part of Nebraska covers a period of more than a half century. His birth occurred in Lake county, Illinois, October 24, 1856, his parents being George Dinsmore and Julia Ann (Jackson) Phillips. His great-grand- father in the paternal line was Nicodemus Phillips, who removed from the state of New York to Illinois in 1840, settling in Chicago. John Jackson, great-grandfather on the maternal side, was born near London, England, and came to America in 1839. George Dinsmore Phillips was a native of Onondaga county, New York, and was a miller by trade. After living for some years in Illinois he came to Nebraska in 1864, settling in Elk City, Douglas county, where he resided until 1896, when he came to Columbus and made his home with his son, G. W. Phillips, until his death. His widow still resides with their son.
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