USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 62
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The death of George Berney occurred February 13, 1915, at which time he was the oldest pioneer of Columbus. He was a member of the Catholic church and was laid to rest in the parish cemetery. His was indeed an active and useful life and as an agriculturist he contributed largely to the development and progress of Platte county, where he had a circle of friends who esteemed him highly for his many sterling traits of character and his genuine worth. No history of the county would be complete without extended reference to him and it is with pleasure that we present his history to the readers of this volume.
JOSEPH F. BERNEY.
There is no gainsaying that Joseph F. Berney is one of the most popular, re- spected and honored citizens of Platte county, for this faet was evidenced in his election to the office of county assessor, on which occasion he was nominated by the democrats and indorsed by the progressives and the republicans. This feeling of uniform regard entertained for him is the result of a well spent life in which the principal features have been enterprise and integrity in business, loyalty in citizen- ship and consideration for the rights and privileges of others at all times.
Mr. Berney was born June 7, 1867, on a farm five miles southwest of Columbus, his parents being George and Rosa Berney, who were among the oldest of the pioneer settlers of Platte county and of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work. He attended St. Francis Academy in the years 1879 and 1880 and in the fall of the latter year, when a youth of thirteen, he went to the state of Washington, where he was employed for six months on a hop farm six miles from Tacoma. He later spent a year working on a pack-train, packing provisions on mules and horses into the eoal prospect camps in the Caseade mountains from Newcastle, Washington. Subsequently he spent a year in working in sawmills and logging eamps and later he spent four years as a coal miner in the Black Diamond, Franklin and Newcastle
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mines of Washington. It will thus be seen that from early boyhood his life has been one of untiring industry and he early learned the value of persistent, earnest and honorable work. On leaving Washington he removed to California and spent four months in the gold mines at Forest Hill. After about five months on a farm near Antioch, California, during which period he attained his majority, he returned to Nebraska to see his father.
His educational privileges up to this time had been very limited, owing to the fact that he started out so early to earn his living, and upon his return to this state his father sent him to the Omaha Business College in 1889. After a year's attend- ance he was graduated and secured a position in the First National Bank of Colum- bus in 1890. He resigned as assistant cashier of that institution in 1901. In 1894, while in the service of the bank, he was elected city treasurer, in which connection he made so creditable a record that he was reelected and continued for two terms. retiring from the position as he had entered it-with the confidence and good will of all concerned. In 1901 he bought out the agricultural implement business of C. S. Easton on Eleventh street and continued actively in trade there for four and one-half years, at the end of which time he sold out. He afterward went upon the road as traveling salesman for the Acme Harvester Company, spending one year as representative of that corporation in the south half of the state. His next busi- ness move was in the lumber trade at Columbus in partnership with G. W. Viergutz. After a year, however, he disposed of his half interest in that undertaking and bought out the agricultural implement business of Mrs. K. A. Kehoe at Platte Center, Nebraska, conducting the store for two years, at the end of which time he sold out.
On the 6th of September, 1892, Mr. Berney was united in marriage to Miss Eva Schilz, whose birth occurred in Columbus, Nebraska, October 28, 1874, her parents being William and Elizabeth Schilz, of Columbus, who are natives of Germany. She is a graduate of St. Francis Academy of Columbus, Nebraska, and by her mar- riage has become the mother of six children, namely: Etheline Margaret, who was born April 3, 1894, and passed away on the 24th of November, 1896: Lillian Catherine, who was born January 22, 1896, was educated in St. Francis Academy of Columbus and is a school teacher by profession ; Joseph George, whose birth occurred September 8, 1898, and who is now attending the Catholic College for Boys at Spalding, Nebraska; Paul William, who was born May 3, 1901, and is a student in the Columbus high school ; George Anthony, who was born January 3, 1904, and is attending St. Francis Academy; and Edmond Godfrey, who was born November 18, 1906, and is now attending the Nebraska School for the Deaf at Omaha, Ne- braska.
. Mr. Berney has always been a stalwart supporter of the democratic party and his fitness for office is widely recognized, for he regards a public office as a public trust and moreover has ability to discharge the duties connected therewith. In 1912 he was nominated by the democrats for county assessor, and as the nomination was indorsed by both the republican and progressive parties, he was elected without opposition to the office. which he is now acceptably filling. In business he has been generally successful and as an employe was never discharged. He is now in com- fortable circumstances, having a good income which enables him to enjoy not only the necessities, but some of the luxuries of life. In the summer of 1915, in company with his wife, their daughter Lillian and son Edmond, he visited the San Francisco
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and San Diego expositions and other points of interest on the Pacific coast. He has a wide acquaintance in Platte county, where the greater part of his life has been passed, and that he is most popular and highly esteemed is indicated in his election without opposition to the office which he is now so creditably and acceptably filling.
THOMAS H. JOHNSON.
Thomas H. Johnson was a well known representative of agricultural interests in Platte county, where he lived for over thirty years, winning the respect, confidence and good will of all with whom he was associated. His entire life was passed in the middle west, his birth having occurred in Bureau county, Illinois, on the 19th of May, 1858, his parents being Hugh and Mary (MeNannie) Johnson. In attending the public schools he obtained a fair education and through vacation periods and after his school days were over worked upon the home farm, early becoming familiar with all the labor incident to the development of the fields. He remained a resident of his native state until he reached the age of twenty-four years, when in 1882 he came to Nebraska, making Platte county his destination. He settled in Columbus township, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land on which he engaged in farming. He bent his energies to the cultivation of the fields and the rich soil readily responded to the care and labor which he bestowed upon it. As the years passed he gained a fair measure of success and was thus able to purchase eighty acres more, owning his original farm until 1898, when he sold that property and removed to Columbus township, where he purchased two hundred acres of land, which he culti- vated until his death. He worked hard and his industry, indefatigable determination and unfaltering perseverance won him success.
On the 31st of January, 1883, Mr. Johnson was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary B. Fleming, a native of Lyndon, Whiteside county, Illinois. To them were born thir- teen children, namely: John, Arthur, Nellie, Hugh, Michael, Phillip, Edward. Joseph, Agnes, Lillian, Grace, Frank and one who died in infaney.
Mr. Johnson was a Catholic in religions faith and a democrat in his political belief. He died September 21, 1913, and his death was the occasion of deep regret to many friends as well as to his immediate family. He was faithful in his friend- ships and in his own household was a devoted husband and father, putting forth earnest effort in order to provide a good living for his wife and children.
JULIUS S. NICHOLS.
Julius S. Nichols is actively and prominently identified with industrial interests as the owner of the Columbus Brick Works, which he established in February, 1903, and has since successfully conducted. He was born in Livingston county, Michigan, April 22, 1872, a son of H. W. and Ellen Delight ( Boyden) Nichols. The father was born at Ann Arbor, Michigan, January 22. 1838, and was a representative of one of the early families of that state. At the outbreak of the Civil war his patriotic spirit was aroused and he enlisted for service with the Union army, becoming a
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lieutenant of Company A. Tenth Michigan Infantry, which was assigned to the Sec- ond Division of the Fourteenth Army Corps. His valor and loyalty won him pro- motion to the rank of captain. After the war he returned to his native state, where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, on which he still resides, having throughout the entire period given his attention to general agricultural pursuits.
Throughout the period of his boyhood Julius S. Nichols worked upon his father's farm, alternating his labors in the fields with attendance at the district sehoois. He remained at home until twenty-five years of age and then came to the west, settling in Omaha, Nebraska, where he filled various positions. After five years he removed to Platte county, establishing his home in Columbus in February, 1913. Soon after- ward he began business as a brick manufacturer, building a plant, which he has since successfully operated. He manufactures a fine grade of brick and the output finds a ready sale on the market, the business having now grown to gratifying proportions. Mr. Nichols has recently purchased a half interest in a section of land in Keith county, Nebraska, for which he paid fifteen dollars per acre. This is partially im- proved and it is his intention to use it as a stock farm, raising high grade cattle there.
On the 26th of April, 1905, Mr. Nichols was united in marriage to Lottie Metz, a daughter of H. F. Hockenberger, of Columbus, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols have become the parents of a daughter, Ellen Delight. In politics Mr. Nichols is a republican and has served as a member of the city council of Columbus. He belongs to Columbus Lodge, No. 58. F. & A. M., and to the Elks lodge, No. 1195, of which he is a past exalted ruler. Sterling qualities have gained him high regard. He is enterprising and reliable in business, progressive in citizenship and loyal to all the duties that devolve upon him in every connection.
THEODORE E. SALESTROM.
Theodore E. Salestrom, who carries on general farming on section 17, Walker township, his place being known as Sunny Slope Farm, was born in Sweden on the 26th of June, 1878, a son of Andrew and Anna ( Anderson) Salestrom. The father is still living at the age of seventy-five years, but the mother, who was born in 1836, passed away in 1911. He had followed the occupation of farming in Sweden, where he remained until 1881, when he crossed the Atlantic and made his way to Chicago, where he worked as a laborer. In 1883 he came to Platte county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land on section 17, Walker township, for which he paid six dollars per aere. Pioneer conditions confronted him here. His farm was largely undeveloped and unimproved and he set himself resolutely to the task of converting the wild prairie into highly cultivated fields. He there made a good home for his family and in addition to farming he has served for the past twenty years as janitor of the Swedish Lutheran church.
Theodore E. Salestrom acquired his early education in school district No. 65 and his boyhood days were spent upon the home farm. His father retiring from the active work of the fields. Theodore E. Salestrom took up the work of the home place when twenty-two years of age and has since been busily engaged in farming and stock-raising. He has purchased one hundred and sixty acres, which he culti- vates in addition to the home farm, and he is a very active, energetic young man,
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losing no opportunity to advance his interests along legitimate lines and winning his success by indefatigable effort and perseverance. He both raises and feeds cattle and that branch of his business is proving a source of gratifying profit.
On the 25th of October, 1899, Mr. Salestrom was united in marriage to Miss Alvida Nelson, a native of Manistee, Michigan, and a daughter of Swan P. and Marion Nelson, both of whom were born in Sweden. Emigrating to the United States, the father lived in the city of Manistee, Michigan, where he worked in the sawmill until 1889, when he came to Platte county, Nebraska, and took up his abode on section 17, Walker township, where he acquired one hundred and sixty acres of land which he eventually brought to a high state of cultivation and improve- ment. Mr. and Mrs. Salestrom are the parents of four children, namely: Marie, Rudolph, Theodore, Jr., and Arline.
Mr. Salestrom is a member of the Modern Woodmen camp at St. Edward and he belongs to the Swedish Lutheran church-associations which indicate much of the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct. He now has a nice home in Walker township and Sunny Slope Farm is one of the valuable and desir- able properties of that part of the county, its neat and thrifty appearance indicating the careful supervision which characterizes his efforts.
JOHN N. UMLAND.
John N. Umland is the owner of a well equipped machine shop and garage at Columbus and is meeting with gratifying financial success. He was born in Germany, February 18, 1866, a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Schroeder) Umland, who were likewise natives of the same country, whence they came to America in 1869, making their way to Wheatland, Clinton county, Iowa. There the father resided until 1879, when he removed with his family to Grundy Center, Iowa, where he remained for two years. On the expiration of that period he went to Tama county, Iowa, and in 1896 removed to Fort Dodge, that state, where he passed away in the year 1915, being still survived by his widow. In the family were fourteen children, of whom ten are yet living, five sons and five daughters.
John N. Umland was brought by his parents to the United States and spent his youthful days under the parental roof in the various districts in Iowa in which the family lived. In the fall of 1901 he removed to Columbus and here entered the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad Company as a machinist, continuing in that position until April, 1909, when he embarked in business for himself in the conduct of a well equipped machine shop and garage. He is both a machinist and black- smith by trade and does general machine and repair work and also general black- smithing. He possesses expert skill along these lines and will employ none but able workmen, with the result that every piece of work done in his shop is well done. He has just erected a fireproof garage, one of the best in the city, and in addition to doing repair work on automobiles he handles tires, gas, oil and, in fact, accessories and supplies of all kinds.
On the 14th of December, 1887, Mr. Umland was married to Miss Anna Welken, a daughter of Chris and Christina Welken, both natives of Schleswig-Holstein, Ger- many, in which country they spent their entire lives, the father having followed
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the occupation of farming there. Mr. and Mrs. Umland have become the parents of two children: Clarence, who was born September 14, 1891, and is now associated with his father in business; and Welken J., who was born June 30, 1902, and is attending the public schools.
The parents and children attend the Baptist church and in his fraternal relations Mr. Umland is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and with the Masonic lodge of Columbus, while both he and his wife hold membership in the local chapter of the Eastern Star. Their elder son is likewise identified with the Masonic fraternity. In politics Mr. Umland is independent, voting according to the dictates of his judgment and never seeking office, for he prefers to give his undivided attention to his business interests, which are of growing importance. He is recognized as a worthy representative of industrial activity in Columbus and through his enterprise and sound judgment has accumulated a competence, while his recognized business integrity has gained him the respect and confidence of all who have had dealings with him.
ERNEST PARSONS DUSSELL.
For the past twenty-three years Ernest Parsons Dussell has been engaged in the plumbing and heating business at Columbus, in partnership with his father, under the firm style of A. Dussell & Son. His birth occurred on a farm in Cedar county, Iowa, on the 9th of February, 1872, his parents being Andrew and Anna (Parsons) Dussell. The father, born in Switzerland in 1848, was brought to the United States by his parents in 1851, the family home being established in Davenport, Iowa, where the grandparents of our subject both died during the cholera epidemic. Their two children, Andrew and his sister, were thus left orphans and were adopted by dif- ferent families. Andrew Dussell was reared in Iowa and in that state wedded Miss Anna Parsons, a native of Pennsylvania. In 1883 they came to Platte county, Ne- braska, locating in Columbus, where Mr. Dussell still resides as one of the rep- resentative and substantial business men of the city. During the period of the Civil war he loyally defended the interests of the Union as a member of the Ninth Iowa Cavalry. To him and his wife were born three sons and three daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy. The surviving members of the family are as follows: Ernest P., of this review; Birdie, the wife of John B. Tschudy, of Columbus, Nebraska; Harley LeRoy, who wedded Miss Olivia Amanda Nelson; and Jessie Carrie, who is the wife of John Dow, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Ernest P. Dussell, who was a lad of eleven when he came to this county with his parents, attended high school in Columbus until seventeen or eighteen years of age and subsequently learned the plumber's trade, working first with his father in Columbus and later in Lincoln, this state, for two years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Columbus and in 1892 went into partnership with his father as a member of the firm of A. Dussell & Son, which has since conducted an exten- sive and profitable enterprise, doing all kinds of plumbing and heating. Both are capable and energetic business men and the success which has attended the under- taking is well merited.
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On the 23d of August, 1893. in Columbus, Nebraska, Mr. Dussell was united in marriage to Miss Maude Mae McCray, a daughter of Robert MeCray. They have one son, Francis Carrol, who was born March 26, 1895. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Dussell has supported the men and measures of the republican party and for one term he served as a member of the Columbus council. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights Templar Masons, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is a publie-spirited and progressive eitizen and his worth is widely aeknowledged.
CONRAD FUCHS.
Farming interests of Humphrey township find a worthy representative in Conrad Fuehs, who is living on seetion 28 and is the owner of four hundred aeres of arable and productive land, from which he annually gathers good crops. He . was born in Austria, November 25, 1859, and is a son of Matthew and Rosalia (Steinbeck) Fuchs, who are mentioned in connection with the sketch of Ferdinand Fuchs on another page of this work. He spent his youthful days in his native country to the age of seven years, when he accompanied his parents on the voyage neross the Atlantic to the new world in 1866, the family home being established in Wisconsin. It was in 1873 that they came to Platte county, Nebraska.
Conrad Fuchs remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty- four years, when he left home and began learning the carpenter's trade, at which he worked at intervals for three years. His father then gave him one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 28, Humphrey township, this county, and he resolutely set to work to develop and improve the property, which he has converted into one of the fine farms of the county. His success, however, has not been continuous. He suffered a heavy loss when he had a large barn, thirty-two by eighty feet, destroyed by fire, but he is now rebuilding. He has purchased more land from time to time until he is now the owner of four hundred aeres, including two hundred and forty acres of the old home place on section 28, and one hundred and sixty acres on seetion 33, Humphrey township. He has operated this farm continuously for forty-two years with good results, and his place indicates his careful supervision. He keeps in touch with the improvements that are being eon- tinnously made in farm methods, practices rotation of erops and studies the nature of the soil in order to know what sections of his farm will produce certain kinds of grain to the best advantage. He likewise raises high grade stock and derives from that braneh of his business a gratifying ineome. He is also a stockholder in the First National Bank and in the Farmers Elevator Company of Humphrey.
On the 24th of June, 1884, Mr. Fuchs was united in marriage to Miss Cecelia Froemel, a daughter of Joseph and Cecelia (Schiebel) Froemel, both of whom were natives of Austria. They came to America in 1879, making their way to Platte county, and the father, who had previously followed farming in his native country, here purchased land, which he developed and improved until 1900, when he put aside the active work of the fields, but he still continued to make his home upon the farm until 1914, when he removed to Humphrey, where he has since resided. His wife also survives. Mr. and Mrs. Fuehs have become parents of
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eleven children: Cecelia, who was born June 29, 1885, and is the wife of L. J. Veik, a farmer living in Grand Prairie township; Joseph M., who was born March 31, 1887, and died November 12, 1902; Mary, who was born March 7, 1889; C'lara, who was born August 11, 1891, and is now a Sister in a convent at Lafayette, Indiana; John, born July 23, 1893; Emil, born September 15, 1893; Magdalena, born May 26, 1898; Veronica, July 10, 1900; Matthew, who was born November 17, 1902, and died February 23, 1906; Regina, born May 16, 1905; and one child who died in infancy.
The family adhere to the faith of the Catholic church, and Mr. Fuchs gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He has served as township clerk of Humphrey township and also as justice of the peace, and in the latter office his decisions were strictly fair and impartial, his course winning him the commenda- tion of all those citizens who hold themselves amenable to law. Through the greater part of his life he has lived in this county and has long been connected with its farming interests, being now known as a representative agriculturist. His busi- ness affairs have always been wisely conducted, and in his dealings he is straight- forward and reliable.
FRANK BROCKHAUS.
Frank Brockhaus is one of the extensive landowners of Platte county, having six hundred and forty acres of rich and valuable land returning to him a gratifying annual income. His home is on section 36, Granville township, and the property is well improved, all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm being there found. Mr. Brockhans is a native of Wisconsin, born March 15, 1858, and is a son of G. H. and Anna (Summers) Brockhaus, who were natives of Germany. The father came to America in 1848, making his way to Baltimore, after which he drifted around the country for seven years, finally becoming a resident of Wisconsin, where he purchased and improved land. There he carried on farming for twenty years and on the expiration of that period came to Platte county, purchasing land in Grand Prairie and Humphrey townships. His remaining days were devoted to the further development and improvement of the property until three years prior to his demise, when he put aside the active work of the fields. However, he continued to live on his farm in Humphrey township and at the time of his death was the owner of a section of land, which he divided among his children. He passed away January 16, 1913, having long survived his wife, who died in 1879.
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