USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 6
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Daniel B. Gorman was reared and educated in Illinois and Iowa, remaining under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. Subsequently he culti- vated rented land until 1890, which year witnessed his arrival in Platte county, Nebraska. Here he continued the cultivation of rented land for three years and then bought a farm in Creston township which he operated for sixteen years. On the expiration of that period he sold the property and purchased a farm in Hall county, Nebraska, where he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits for five years. In 1908 Mr. Gorman returned to Platte county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 25, Humphrey township, operating the same until his death. He was killed accidentally, being kicked by a horse. His Joss was deeply deplored by many friends as well as his immediate family, for he was a well known and highly esteemed citizen of his community.
On the 23d of July, 1890, Mr. Gorman was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Barrett, a daughter of William and Margaret (Donaldson) Barrett, both of whom were natives of Ireland, in which country the mother passed away in 1878. In 1880 the father brought his family to the United States, loeating in Platte county, Nebraska, and purchasing a traet of land in Creston township which he improved and has cultivated continuously to the present time. He is now seventy-seven years of age and enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the substantial agricultur- ists and respected citizens of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Gorman became the
DANIEL B. GORMAN
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parents of ten children, as follows: Myrtle E., who was born August 4, 1891, and is the wife of Oscar Belknap, of Creston township; Paul R., whose natal day was October 7, 1893; Guy W., born November 25, 1895; Edith I., whose birth occurred February 9, 1898; Inez C., born April 5, 1900; Byron F., born July 13, 1902; Frank A., born November 28, 1904; Roy B., born May 7, 1907; Elmer E., born April 18, 1910; and George G., who first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 21st of May, 1912.
In his political views Mr. Gorman was independent, supporting men and meas- ures rather than party. Fraternally he was identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His widow still resides on the home farm in Humphrey township and her circle of friends is a wide one, for all who know her esteem her as a woman of many excellent traits of heart and mind.
JOSEPH M. VEIK.
The attractiveness of Platte county as a place of residence is indicated in the fact that many of her native sons have remained within her borders, finding here business opportunity as well as advantages along the lines of intellectual and social progress. Such is the record of Joseph M. Veik, who was born on section 32, Humphrey township, August 24, 1877, and still resides on that section. His parents are Joseph and Theresa (Falk) Veik, natives of Austria. The father was a weaver in the old country and came to America in 1876, settling in Platte county, upon land in Humphrey township which he purchased. Later he sold the original place and bought the farm upon which Joseph M. Veik now resides. He improved this and continued its cultivation for many years but finally retired and removed to Humphrey, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in January, 1911. His widow now resides in Oklahoma.
Joseph M. Veik is indebted to the St. Mary's parochial school for his educa- tional privileges. He remained upon the home farm with his parents until the father retired from active business, when he purchased the home place, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres on section 32, Humphrey township. Later he invested in eighty acres across the road on section 33. He has made splendid improvements upon the place since it has come into his possession and has carried on his farm work along the most progressive, modern lines. He is diligent and enterprising, and his work is so systematically managed that excellent results are achieved. He has stock in the Farmers Elevator Company of Humphrey and has become well known as a stock-raiser of Platte county, making a specialty of handling full blooded Poland China hogs.
On November 15, 1898, Mr. Veik was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Schilz, a daughter of John and Katie (Brier) Schilz, natives of Germany. On coming to the new world they settled in Illinois, where the father followed farming for a short time. He afterward removed to Platte county, Nebraska, and purchased land south of Platte Center in Lost Creek township. This he cultivated for many years but is now living retired in Platte Center, he and his wife being pleasantly located there. To Mr. and Mrs. Veik have been born nine children: John B., Frank J., William P., Henry C., Agnes M. and Celia M., all of whom are yet
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living; while those who have passed away are: Leo H., who died in October, 1899; Joseph F., in August, 1913; and Martin A., in November, 1914.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church, of which Mr. Veik has long been a communicant. His political indorsement is given to demo- cratic principles, and for several years he served as township clerk. He has also been one of the school directors and is interested in community affairs, cooperating heartily in many plans and movements which have to do with the upbuilding and development of the district in which he lives. He has always resided in Humphrey township and has an extended acquaintance among the residents of that locality.
JOHNNIE HEIBEL.
Johnnie Hcibel, carrying on general farming and stockraising on section 25, Bismark township, was born upon a farm in the township wherein he now makes his home, his natal day being August 21, 1877. His parents were John and Anna Heibel, natives of Germany, who, after crossing the Atlantic to the new world, made their way westward to Nebraska and became residents of Platte county in 1870. They secured land and the father devoted his attention to farming upon the place where occurred the birth of Johnnie Heibel. After remaining upon this farm for over thirty years the father purchased the place where our subject now lives and in the spring of 1915 removed to Columbus, where he now resides.
At the usual age the son became a public-school pupil and when not busy with his textbooks his attention was given to the work of the fields, in which he received thorough practical training. He has never sought to change his occupation, for he finds farming a congenial and profitable pursuit. He is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of good land and devotes his entire time to general farming and stock-raising, his labors being attended with substantial results. He produces the crops best adapted to soil and climate and in addition to cultivating his fields specializes in raising high grade horscs. Each day finds him busy about the farm, in field or pasture, and his diligence and determination are bringing to him growing and gratifying success.
In religious faith Mr. Heibel is a German Lutheran, having always continued in the church in which he was reared. In politics he is a democrat but has never had desire for office, preferring to concentrate his enegries upon his business affairs.
CAROLUS GALITZIN HICKOK.
When the Civil war ended and the victorious Union army marched through the streets of Washington, over broad Pennsylvania avenue there was hung a banner bearing the words, "The only debt which the country owes that she cannot pay is the one that she owes to her soldiers." Everywhere a feeling of respect is enter- tained for that great body of men who defended the country and preserved the Union intact. Among this number was Carolus Galitzin Hickok, now of Columbus,
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who in early manhood donned the nation's blue uniform and went to the front, put- ting aside his textbooks, for he was then a student in Oberlin College, to join the army. A native of Ohio, he was born in Peninsula, Huron county, August 16, 1843, his parents being Stephen C. and Luey M. (Gaston) Hiekok. The father passed away in 1850, at Hillsdale, Michigan, where he was occupying the position of superintendent of the high school and also aeting for a part of the time as min- ister of the Presbyterian church. His wife preceded him in death two weeks, her demise occurring in August and his in September.
Carolus G. Hiekok spent the sueeeeding two years with his aunt, Mrs. Emc- line Powers, and in 1852 went to Coldwater, Michigan, to live with Mrs. James Gilbert, with whom he remained until June, 1855. At that date he joined an unele, George B. Gaston, who was the founder of the town of Tabor, Iowa, and of the college there; and was there engaged in the milling business. Mr. Hiekok remained with that uncle until February, 1864, when he entered the Oberlin College at Oberlin, Ohio, in which he pursued his studies until the following August, when his patriotie spirit was aroused and he enlisted for service at the front as a member of Company C, One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer In- fantry. At Nashville, Tennessee, he was engaged in patrol duty and also partici- pated in the battle of Nashville in December, 1864. While there he suffered an attaek of lung fever, but he remained with his eommand until honorably discharged in June, 1865, following the eessation of hostilities.
When the country no longer needed his aid Mr. Hickok returned to Oberlin College, where he spent two years in preparatory work and one year in pursuing the college course. In the fall of 1867 he became a resident of Omaha, Nebraska, and during the succeeding winter taught sehool near Clarinda, Page county, Iowa. When the school term was ended he made his way to Columbus and soon afterward began work for an uncle, L. W. Platt, in a general store near the Pawnee Indian agency, trading with the Indians there until the fall of 1871. In the spring of 1872 he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres on section 2, Columbus township, Platte county, and later pre-empted another one hundred and sixty aeres, thus becoming the possessor of a half seetion of land. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon his elaims, but with characteristie energy he began to break the sod and till the fields, bringing his land to a high state of cultivation. While thus engaged he met many of the usual experiences and hardships of frontier life but persevered in his work and substantial results attended him. For a time he was proprietor of a fruit store in Columbus and for nearly two years engaged in selling windmills and pumps for A. W. Lawrence. He was afterward con- neeted with a grocery store where the Evans Hotel now stands, devoting six years to that business, at the end of which time he entered into a partnership under the style of Hickok, Halm & Company for the eondvet of a grocery store which they carried on for two and one-half years. In 1889 Mr. Hickok turned his attention to bookkeeping and clerking and from 1892 was employed as a bookkeeper in various stores of Columbus. He entered upon his present connection with J. R. Lusehen in 1913 and has there remained through the intervening years.
On the 7th of December, 1871, Mr. Hickok was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Church Gates, of Tabor, Iowa. She was born December 2, 1846, at Oberlin, Ohio, a daughter of William James and Emily Parsons (Hall) Gates, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts. They removed to Iowa in 1853, making
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the journey by boat via the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri rivers and reaching their destination at the end of four weeks. Both have now passed away, dying in California. To Mr. and Mrs. Hickok was born one child, who died in infancy. .
In his political views Mr. Hickok was for years an earnest republican but has never been an aspirant for office. He is a prominent member of Baker Post, No. 9, G. A. R., of which he is now commander, and he is an active member of the Congregational church, in which he is serving as treasurer and deacon. A broad- minded man, he has ever been a great reader and finds delight in pursuing the pages of the Literary Digest. the National Geographic Magazine and other works which keep him in touch with the trend of modern thought and progress. He also possesses a good general library and occupies a beautiful home in Columbus where the spirit of hospitality is supreme, cordial welcome being ever extended to the many friends of the family.
CLARENCE NEWTON McELFRESH.
In a history of those whose course has made for the bar of Columbus a most creditable showing, the name of Clarence Newton McElfresh appears. He is a comparatively young man but in his profession has attained a place that many an older practitioner might well envy. He was born in Marion county, West Virginia, December 9, 1881, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth Tamer (Bartlett) McElfresh, who were both natives of Virginia, the former born in 1848. He became a farmer and stockman, following that pursuit throughout his active life. His wife died in 1885. The emigrant ancestor of the MeElfresh family came from Scotland and first settled in Pennsylvania, while later a branch of the family was established in that section of the country which was then Virginia but is now a part of West Virginia.
Clarence N. McElfresh pursued his education at Fairmount and at Morgan- town, West Virginia, completing a course in the State Normal at Fairmount by graduation. He afterward entered the law department of the West Virginia Uni- versity at Morgantown and was graduated in 1903. He then sought the oppor- tunities of the growing west and made his way to Columbus, where he was admitted to the bar in 1904, after having taught a term of school in Platte county, Nebraska. In the fall of that year, however, he opened a law office in Columbus, where he remained until 1907, when he went to Omaha, where he practiced for three years. He then returned to Columbus, where he has since followed his profession as a general law practitioner. From 1910 until 1914 he was county attorney of Platte county. He can scarcely be termed an orator but he has in an eminent degree that rare ability of saying in a convincing way the right thing at the right time and his mind is analytical, logical and inductive.
On the 19th of June, 1909, in Columbus, occurred the marriage of Mr. McElfresh and Miss Ethel Burill Elliott, a daughter of Hanson S. Elliott, who died in 1912. To this union was born a daughter and son, Helen Elizabeth and Hanson Elliott.
The family attend the Federated church, an organization formed by the Pres- byterians and Congregationalists of Columbus, and that Mr. McElfresh is deeply interested in the moral progress of his community is shown in the fact that he is serving as a director of the Young Men's Christian Association. In Masonry he
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has taken the degrees of the York Rite and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine, and he is past master of Lebanon Lodge No. 58, A. F. & A. M., of Columbus, and past commander of Gethsemane Commandery, No. 21, K. T., at Columbus. His political endorsement is given to the republican party. His acquaintance is wide and high regard is entertained for him because of his professional ability and his personal worth.
JACOB AERNI.
Jacob Aerni is connected with the farming interests of Bismark township, his home being on section 33. He has been a lifelong resident of the county and has witnessed much of its development and progress. He was born in Columbus town- ship on the 23d of December, 1884, and in his youthful days received only a meager education, for when in the fourth grade he was obliged to leave school and assist in the work of the home farm .. His boyhood, therefore, was largely a period of earnest and unremitting toil and he soon came to know the value of labor. In the years which have since come and gone his attention has been given to general agricultural pursuits and in crop production he makes a specialty of raising winter wheat. He also has shorthorn cattle upon his place, with a fine registered bull, Rover, at the head of his herd. He is also interested in the Mutual Life Associa- tion of Lincoln and is an enterprising business man of sound judgment and recog- nized capability.
On the 24th of February, 1912, Mr. Aerni was united in marriage to Miss Lenora Gragert, whose birth occurred in Boone county, Nebraska, July 7, 1894. They have one child, Syvilla Anna Clara, who was born on the 14th of February, 1915. Politically Mr. Aerni is a democrat, voting with the party and keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day but never seeking office. He belongs to the German Reformed church and guides his life according to its teachings, being at all times honorable in his dealings with his fellowmen and straightforward in every relation of life. He is a worthy representative of one of the old-time families of the county and deserves representation among those who exemplify the spirit of modern farming.
JOHN P. POLITIS.
John P. Politis, a representative and enterprising business man of Columbus, has for the past eight years been successfully engaged in the manufacture of candy and ice cream, conducting both a retail and a wholesale establishment. His birth occurred in Magouliana, Greece, on the 21th of April, 1882, his parents being Peter J. and Marjorie (Liaromati) Politis. The former passed away in that country in 1894, and the latter still resides at her home in Greece.
John P. Politis completed a high-school course in Athens, Greece, by gradua- tion in 1897 and was subsequently employed in a grocery store there until 1902. In that year, then a young man of twenty, he decided to test the truth of the many
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favorable reports which had reached him concerning the advantages and oppor- tunities of the new world and emigrated to the United States, locating in Lowell, Massachusetts, where he worked in a cotton mill for one year. Subsequently he spent two months in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and in May, 1903, came to Nebraska, settling in Omaha, where he operated a fruit stand on his own account for four years. On the expiration of that period he sold out and in June, 1907, came to Columbus, here embarking in business as a wholesale and retail manufacturer of candy and ice eream. In this connection he has since built up an enterprise of extensive and profitable proportions and the success which has attended his efforts is indeed well merited.
On the 12th of November, 1911, in Omaha, Mr. Politis was united in marriage to Miss Christina Kajakes, a native of Greece, by whom he has two children, namely: Peter J., who was born August 18, 1912; and Marjorie J., whose birth occurred on the 11th of August, 1914. Mr. Politis belongs to the Greek Orthodox church and fraternally is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a young man of enterprise and ambition and has won many friends in both business and social circles of his adopted city.
JOSEPH LACHNIT.
Joseph Lachnit, deceased, was long a respected and worthy citizen of Platte county and his life record should find place upon the pages of the county's history. He was born in Germany, February 17, 1862, a son of Frank and Josephine Lachnit, both of whom were natives of Austria. The mother died when her son Joseph was but two months old. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, came to the United States with his family in 1874, settling on a farm near Columbus, Platte county, Nebraska, where he rented land and carried on general agricultural pursuits for a time. Carefully saving his earnings, he then bought property and continued farming until 1900, when he retired and removed to Columbus, there continning his residence until called to his final home on the 28th of February, 1910. His second wife, who bore the maiden name of Josephine Meir, passed away February 2, 1910. They were among the early settlers of Platte county and took an active and helpful interest in the pioneer development and progress of the locality.
Joseph Lachnit attended school in Germany and continued his education in Platte county, Nebraska, where he arrived when a lad of twelve years. He worked upon the home farm during vacation periods and early gained practical knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. When only fifteen years of age he started out to earn his own living, working by the month as a farm hand for a time, while later he came to Humphrey and in 1889 opened a retail liquor store in connection with a partner under the firm name of Lachnit & Kart- house. This connection was continued for seven years, at the end of which time he purchased his partner's interest and continued the business alone until his death, which occurred June 20, 1912. Prior to engaging in the saloon business he had worked as an insurance agent and had also conducted a livery barn in Humphrey.
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He was a man well liked and highly respected by the people of Humphrey and vicinity.
It was in Humphrey on the 3d of November, 1891, that Mr. Lachnit was married by Father James Rudolph, pastor of St. Francis' church, to Miss Mary Hollatz, a daughter of John and Antonia (Pollahofski) Hollatz, both of whom were natives of Germany. Her father followed farming and in 1891 came to America with Platte county as his destination. Making his way to Granville township, he rented land for a few years and then purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land near Tarnov, whereon he resided for three years. He afterward sold that property and removed to a farm in Humphrey township in the vicinity of Creston, his time and energies being devoted to its further cultivation and improve- ment until he retired from active business life in 1908, since which time he has made his home with his children. To Mr. and Mrs. Hollatz were born the following named: Apollonia, the wife of John Meir, of Madison county, Nebraska; Martha, the wife of William Labenz, of Humphrey township; Annie, the wife of George Schweda, of Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Lachnit, who was born in Germany and came to the United States three years before her parents, living with her sisters near Tarnov; Cecelia, the widow of Joseph Rohda, of Cleveland, Ohio; Antonia, the wife of Jacob Trittler, also of Cleveland; John, living in Humphrey township; and Joseph, who makes his home with his brother John.
To Mr. and Mrs. Lachnit were born the following named: Oscar, who was born October 27, 1892, and died August 24, 1901; Leo, who was born November 22, 1893, and works in an auto shop and also conducts the Lyric theater; Arnold. who was born May 26, 1895, and is a clerk in the storc of Steffes Brothers of Humphrey; Joseph, who was born November 12, 1896, and died seven days later; Hilda, who was born February 12, 1898; Amanda, born December 3, 1899; Eveline, who was born January 25, 1903, and died on the 26th of December of the same year; and Cyril, who was born November 8, 1909.
In politics Mr. Lachnit was a democrat and for twelve years, or from 1895 until 1907, he served as treasurer of Platte county, being a faithful custodian of the public funds, his duties being discharged with promptness and fidelity. He belonged to St. Francis' Catholic church, of which his wife and children are still communi- cants, and he was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Catholic Order of Foresters, of Humphrey. He served as an officer in the Nebraska State Liquor Dealers Association and he was popular among those with whom he was associated in business, church and social relations. He stood very high with the German citizens and others of his locality and appreciation for his worth was manifest in the friendship given him.
ERNST FISCHER.
Conducting a profitable lumber, coal, hardware and furniture business at Platte Center, of which he is owner and manager, Ernst Fischer has made for himself a creditable position in business circles as one who is both enterprising and thoroughly reliable. He was born August 12, 1868, in Pommern, Germany, and was twenty years of age when in 1888 he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, with Nebraska
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as his destination. He first settled at Norfolk, where he engaged in the lumber business, remaining there for ten years. He afterward removed to Wisner, where he remained for five years and in 1903 came to Platte Center, where he accepted the position of manager with the Edwards & Bradford Lumber Company. He represented the firm in that capacity for eleven years and in 1914 bought out the business, which he now owns and manages. He has a well equipped lumber yard and store and is accorded a liberal patronage in recognition of his business integrity and industry.
In September, 1892, Mr. Fischer was united in marriage to Miss Martha Nitz, who is a native of Pommern, Germany, and emigrated to the United States in 1888. They now have three children, Frank, Anna and Esther, all at home.
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