USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 63
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Frank Broekhaus was reared and edueated in Wisconsin, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routme of farm life for him in his boyhood days. He remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-five years and then, thinking to find another pursuit more congenial, he began work at the car- penter's trade, which he learned in Wisconsin, following that business for ten years. He next became a hardware merchant of Humphrey, conducting his store for two years as a member of the firm of Brockhaus & Gilsdorf. Finally, however, he sold out and removed onto a farm of one hundred and sixty acres given him by his father, his land constituting a quarter of section 36. Granville township. He then ener- getically began the work of improving the place and, being a carpenter by trade,
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he has erected all of the buildings himself. He now has a well improved prop- erty on which is found a comfortable residence, substantial barns, well kept fences and carefully cultivated fields. He has also purchased more land until he now owns an entire section, of which four hundred acres is in Granville township, one hundred and sixty acres in Humphrey township and eighty acres in Grand Prairie township. He now farms three hundred and twenty acres and rents the remainder. He is also a stockholder and director of the Farmers Elevator Company.
On the 26th of June, 1883, Mr. Brockhaus was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Fuchs, a daughter of Matthew and Rosalia (Steinbeck) Fuchs, both of whom were natives of Austria. They emigrated to the United States in 1867, locat- ing in Wisconsin, where Mr. Fuchs worked as a farm hand until May, 1873, when he came to Platte county, Nebraska. He took up a homestead and timber claim in Humphrey township and began clearing and improving the property, operating the same successfully until 1884, when he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in the town of Humphrey. The remainder of his life was there spent in honorable retirement, his demise occurring on the 16th of January, 1898, when he had attained the age of eighty-five years, five months and two days. His widow is now eighty-seven years of age and makes her home with Mr. Brockhaus. To our subject and his wife have been born ten children, as follows: Joseph M., who was formerly a merchant of Humphrey and now follows farming in Granville township; Henry, Roselia, Bernard, Mathew, Anna, John and Cecelia, all at home ; Mary, who died in 1891; and Mary, who passed away in 1901.
On election days Mr. Brockhaus is found at the polls depositing a ballot for the candidates of the democratic party, and on Sundays he is found among the attendants at the services of the Catholic church. His interests outside of business are thus indicated and he is found as a worthy citizen and reliable man who adheres to a most commendable course in life. His extensive possessions are the merited reward of his labor, for his time has been well spent and in all of his dealings he has been found just and trustworthy.
CHRIST WUNDERLICH.
Christ Wunderlich has been a resident of Columbus since 1908 and is proprietor of the Park Buffet. He is also active in fraternal circles, being now president of the Sons of Herman. A native of Bavaria, Germany, he was born September 2, 1879, and is a son of William and Lissette (Thirm) Wunderlich, who are still residents of Germany, as is the grandmother in the maternal line.
Christ Wunderlich acquired a fair education in the schools of his native country and there learned the trades of a brewer and cooper. He also served for two years in the German army as a Sharpshooter before coming to the new world. Crossing the Atlantic in 1902, when twenty-three years of age, he made his way to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he worked at his trade for four months and was afterward employed in similar manner in Chicago for a year and a half. On the expiration of that period he removed. to Westpoint, Nebraska, where he was engaged in the saloon business for four years, and in 1908 he came to Columbus,
CHRIST WUNDERLICH
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where he purchased the Park Buffet which he has since conducted. A liberal patronage is bringing him substantial success.
On the 16th of May, 1904, Mr. Wunderlich was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Long, of Chicago, by whom he has four children, namely: William, Rosa, Louisa and Christopher, Jr. In politics Mr. Wunderlich is independent. His religious belief is that of the German Lutheran church, in which he holds mem- bership, and his name is also on the membership rolls of Columbus Lodge, No. 1119, B. P. O. E., the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Sons of Herman. Of the last named he is now serving as president and is proving a popular and capable official. He has wide and favorable acquaintance among the German- American residents of Columbus and has gained many friends during the seven years in which he has made this city his home.
STEPHEN L. GERMAN.
Stephen L. German is a representative farmer and stockraiser of Granville township, living on section 22, and the excellent and well kept appearance of his place indicates his careful supervision and practical, progressive methods. Ile was born in Stark county, Illinois, December 14, 1860, and is a son of Vasilius and Gertrude (Saeger) German, both of whom were natives of Baden, Germany, where the father followed the occupation of farming. In the year 1848 he left his native country and came to the United States, settling at Buffalo, New York, where he lived for a short time. He then continued his journey westward, settling in Stark county, Illinois, upon the farm of one hundred and sixty acres that is still in pos- session of his children. He also had an cighty-acre tract in Peoria county but made his home upon his Stark county property, where he followed farming until he retired about twenty years ago, removing to Princeville, Illinois, where both he and his wife passed away. In their family were eleven children, eight of whom still survive, namcly: Frank, who is a resident of Saint Mary, Nebraska; Rickey, liv- ing in Kickapoo, Illinois; Joe, who makes his home in Princeville, Illinois; Mag- gie, also living in Princeville; Stephen L., of this review; Gertie, who gave her hand in marriage to Henry Foltz, of Granville township; Tina, who is the wife of Nick Fehringer, of Humphrey township; and Mox, a farmer living in Humphrey township.
The youthful days of Stephen L. German were spent in the usual manner of farm lads of that age and locality. He attended the public schools of Illinois and remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-five years. When not occupied with his lessons he was learning the practical work of the farm and in the school of experience gained much valuable knowledge. In 1886 he came to Ne- braska, settling first in Burrows township, Platte county, where he cultivated rented land for four years, but during that time he carefully saved his carnings, being anxious to purchase property. He made his first investment in one hundred and sixty acres on section 22, Granville township, where he now resides, but he has since extended the boundaries of his place by the additional purchase of three hundred and twenty acres, so that he now owns four hundred and eighty acres of valuable land. All of this he has placed under cultivation and he has put all of
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the improvements upon his farm, having erected a large barn in 1901, while in 1908 he erected a commodious residence. He has also built other buildings for the shelter of grain and stock and he has an excellent farm property. He culti- vates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and then feeds what he raises to his stock. He keeps on hand only high grades of cattle, horses and hogs and he ships a large number of hogs annually. In addition to his other interests he has become a stockholder in the Farmers State Bank of Humphrey, and he bought and owns the old home in Humphrey where Peter Bender and his wife lived.
On the 6th of November, 1888, Mr. German was united in marriage to Miss Annie Bender, whose birth occurred in Marshall county, Illinois, July 11, 1863, her parents being Peter and Catharine ( Mallmann) Bender. of whom more extended mention is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Joseph Bender, a brother of Mrs. German. To our subject and his wife have been born eleven children, nine of whom still survive, as follows: Ida, who is the wife of Nick Van Dyke; Nellie, who was born November 8, 1890, and died on the 21st of January, 1893; Katic, the wife of Albert Boesch, living near St. Bernard; John, who is at home; Charles, who was born February 16, 1895, and died on the 6th of March following; Rosie, who attends St. Francis school; Cecilia, who is also a student in St. Francis school; Eddic, who is at home; Albert, Victor and Jerome, who are also attending St. Francis school.
The family are members of St. Francis Catholic church of Humphrey, and Mr. German belongs to St. Joseph's Society. His political indorsement is given the democratic party and for four years he served as road boss in Granville town- ship. His has heen a busy and active life and success has rewarded his resolute, persistent efforts, so that he is now one of the prosperous farmers of his community.
C. VAUGHN CAMPBELL, D. D. S.
Dentistry may be said to be almost unique among other occupations, as it is at once a profession, a trade and a business. Such being the case, it follows that in order to attain the highest success in it one must be thoroughly conversant with the theory of the art, must be expert with the many tools and appliances incidental to the practice of modern dentistry and must possess business qualifications adequate to dealing with the financial side of the profession. In all of these particulars, Dr. C. Vaughn Campbell is well qualified and therefore has attained prestige among the able representatives of dentistry in Columbus. His birth occurred at Mount Pleas- ant, Iowa. on the 22d of July, 1875, his parents being Philip F. and Mary M. (Mont- gomery) Campbell, both of whom are natives of Perry county, Ohio, and who were married at Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The father was born in 1817 and married in the year 1873. He is now living retired with his wife at Ashland, Saunders county, Nebraska. Daniel Campbell, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was also a native of Ohio.
C. Vaughn Campbell acquired his more advanced education in a four years' course of study at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and received his profes- sional training in the Omaha Dental College, from which he was graduated in 1895.
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In that year he opened an office in Columbus and has here since remained, enjoying an extensive and gratifying practice that has come in recognition of his skill and ability.
On the 9th of June, 1909, in Columbus, Nebraska. Dr. Campbell was united in marriage to Miss Lillian M. Saffran, a daughter of Frederick Saffran, who was born in Berlin, Germany, but emigrated to the United States. The Doctor's military record covers five years' service as a member of Company F, Second Regiment Nebraska National Guard, while fraternally he is known as a Master Mason, being now junior warden of Lodge No. 58, A. F. & A. M., and also belonging to the royal arch chapter. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, and he has a host of friends who have been attracted to him on account of his manly qualities.
FRED C. HILL.
The attractiveness of Platte county as a place of residence is indicated by the fact that many of her native sons have remained within her borders, not trying to seek homes elsewhere, feeling sure that the opportunities here offered are equal to those to be found in other sections of the country. Among this number is Fred C. Hill, who was born on seetion 24, Monroe township, May 11, 1881, and still makes his home there. He is a son of Hugh Hill, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. His boyhood days were passed in the usual manner of farm lads and his education was nequired in distriet school No. 39. During the periods of vacation he was trained in the work of the fields and when he had attained the age of twenty-one years began farming the homestead. his father retiring from the active management of the place. He now eultivates two hundred and forty aeres of rich and productive land and is one of the leading and progressive farmers of the community. He is also widely known as a prominent horseman and has bought and sold many fine horses, always handling good stock. fle took the first prize and sweepstakes on a Percheron horse at the Platte County Fair in 1915 and he is an excellent judge of horses.
In 1905 Mr. Hill was united in marriage to Miss Ella Gates, a lady of superior accomplishments, especially in the art of music. They have one daughter. Carol Edna. In religious faith Mrs. Hill is a Presbyterian. Fraternally Mr. Hill is an Odd Fellow and his political allegianee is given to the democratic party. He is interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the community and cooperates in many movements that have been factors in general progress and improvement. In a word he is an alert, energetic business man and a publie-spirited citizen, whose efforts have been effective forees in promoting individual success and publie progress.
FRED A. WEBER.
Fred A. Weber, conducting a profitable business at Monroe under the name of the Monroe Mercantile Company, of which he has been sole proprietor since July, 1915. belongs to that class of representative business men who readily recognize opportunities and use every legitimate chance for advancement, while at the same
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time their labors are an element in promoting public prosperity. Mr. Weber is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred at Frankfort on the 21st of December, 1878. his parents being Peter and Mary Weber, who are now residents of Columbus. They came to Platte county during the boyhood days of their son Fred, who pursued his education in the public schools of Columbus until he reached the age of fifteen years, when his textbooks were put aside and he started out in the business world on his own account. He earned his first money by selling newspapers and afterward engaged in elerking for several years. In 1912 he came to Monroe to take charge of the business of the Monroe Mercantile Company, in which he owned a half in- terest. His careful management resulted in the growth of the trade and on the 19th of July. 1915, he purchased the interest of his partner and is now sole pro- prietor. He has a well appointed store, splendidly equipped, carries a large and attractive line of goods and makes it his first object at all times to please his patrons, knowing that satisfied customers are the best advertisement.
On the 12th of September, 1906, Mr. Weber was united in marriage to Miss Anna Boyd, of Columbus, and they have become the parents of a daughter and a son, Lucille and Russell, both now in school. In his political views Mr. Weber is inde- pendent. supporting men and measures rather than party, but he is not remiss in the duties of citizenship and at all times gives active support and cooperation to plans and measures for the public good. At the present writing he is serving as village treasurer. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past grand, his life being guided by its teachings. He ever endeavors to follow the golden rule. doing unto others as he would have them do unto him, and his many sterling traits of character have established him firmly in the regard of those with whom he has come in contact. Moreover, he is accounted one of the representative business men of the community and is contributing to the commercial development of his town.
DAVID HEFTI.
David Hefti, who owns and operates one hundred and sixty aeres of good land on section 6, Joliet township, is a native son of the county. His birth occurred June 13, 1874, and his parents were Henry and Barbara (Hefti) Hefti. The father, who was born in Switzerland, April 21, 1844, was left an orphan when but two years of age and was reared by his maternal grandmother. In 1866 he emigrated to the United States and made his way to St. Louis, Missouri, where he remained until 1869, when he came to Columbus, Nebraska. He homesteaded eighty acres of land near Duncan but ten years later removed to Colfax county, where he owned three quarter sections. In 1873 he was married to Miss Barbara Hefti, who was born in Switzerland, March 18, 1854, but, although of the same name, was not a relative. She emigrated to the United States in the year of her marriage. She is still living at Clarkson, Colfax county, but Mr. Hefti is deceased. To them were born seven children: David; Kate, the wife of William Kramer, of Boone county, Nebraska; Barbara, now Mrs. N. B. Balzer. of Stanton county; Sarah, a twin of Barbara, who died in infancy ; Henry, who is living on the old home farm in Colfax
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county ; Fred, also a farmer in Colfax county; and Anna, now Mrs. Charles Schma- deka, of Boone county.
David Hefti was five years of age when the family removed to Colfax county and there he grew to manhood. He received his education in the common schools and through assisting his father he gained a valuable knowledge of farming. On beginning his independent career he rented land from his father but it was his ambi- tion to own land and he saved his money carefully to that end. In 1902 he pur- chased one hundred and twenty acres in Colfax county, which he cultivated until 1910, when he purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 6, Joliet township, Platte county, where he has since resided. He is practical and progressive and finds farming profitable as well as congenial.
Mr. Hefti was married February 7, 1907, to Miss Anna Koch, a native of Ger- many and a daughter of Richard and I.ena (Gross) Koch. Her father died in that country but her mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Hefti have two children, David, Jr., and Alfred.
The religious faith of Mr. Hefti is that of the Lutheran church, to the support of which he contributes. He takes the interest of a good citizen in public affairs and is respected by all who know him.
CHARLES G. MOORE.
Charles G. Moore is a retired farmer living at No. 122 West Seventeenth strect, Columbus. He came to this county in 1880 and for a long period, covering more than a quarter of a century, was actively identified with agricultural interests, winning thereby the success which now enables him to rest from further labor and yet enjoy all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. He was born in Leamington, England, March 6, 1833, and is a son of William and Ann ( Black) Moore, who were also natives of that country, where they spent their entire lives.
Charles G. Moore was a youth of fourteen years when in company with a brother he came to the United States. He soon returned to England, however, but after three years and when seventeen years of age he again crossed the Atlantic. Again, however, he became homesick and in a few months joined his family in England. But the lure of the west was upon him and a little later. accompanied by his parents, he once more came to America, the family home being established in Utica, New York. Mr. Moore has crossed the ocean five different times and tells most interesting incidents of these voyages. After living in the east for a time his parents removed to Illinois and passed away when residents of Ottawa. La Salle county.
The year 1880 witnessed the arrival of Charles G. Moore in Nebraska. On the 8th of May he reached Columbus, where the family lived for a month, at the end of which time he purchased forty acres of land four miles north of the city and there began the manufacture of brick, in which business he continued for a year. At the end of that time he sold out and invested in eighty acres of land on section 31. Bismark township, after which he engaged in farming. Year after year he carefully tilled the soil and success attended his efforts, so that he added to his holdings until within the boundaries of his farm were comprised two hun-
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dred and forty acres of land. The value of his farm methods was seen in the productiveness of his fields, which returned to him gratifying harvests annually. In 1908, being possessed of a comfortable competence, he retired, removing to Columbus, where he now occupies a pleasant home at No. 122 West Seventeenth street.
In Ottawa, Illinois, Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Sarah E. Dickinson, whose birth occurred in New York on the 14th of June, 1843, her parents being Charles and Mary (Baker) Dickinson, who spent their entire lives in the Empire state. When a maiden of eleven years Mrs. Moore went to live with a sister in Scott county, Iowa. She first gave her hand in marriage to Isom Dickinson, who, though of the same name, was not a relative, and to them was born a daughter, Roseltha, now the wife of Edward Stickley, of Cushing, Nebraska. To Mr. and Mrs. Moore have been born the following children: William, living at Genoa, Ne- braska, who wedded Miss Anna Sissle, by whom he has four children; James, who died when twenty years of age; Etta, who gave her hand in marriage to John Lotz, of Kansas City: Maud. who is the wife of Charles Rounds, of Norfolk, Nebraska, by whom she has one child, Lucile; Jessie, the wife of Otis Clark, of Columbus, Nebraska; and Charles C., who is married and lives on his father's farm in Bis- mark township.
The history of Mr. Moore is that of one of the pioneer settlers of the county and he contributed in no small measure to its development along agricultural lines. There were no fences on the farm when he took possession of the place and the fence which he built was the first for miles around. An Indian trail crossed the land, showing that not long before the red men had lived in this part of the coun- try. In many ways the work of development and improvement had advanced but little in the county, but the opportunities and possibilities were there and time and man have wrought many changes, for the spirit of progress now reigns supreme here and each year chronicles an advance in the work of civilization in Platte county.
PETER SCHMITT.
Peter Schmitt, the proprietor of the Shell Creek Valley Roller Mills, is one of the leading citizens of his part of the county. A native of Germany, he was born in Bavaria, April 19, 1858. a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Tiehl) Schmitt. The father was a landowner and miller and was the heaviest taxpayer in his province. Both he and his wife died in Germany.
Peter Schmitt was educated in his native land and served in the German army for two years, from 1878 to 1881, being called out again in 1882 for maneuvers. He became the owner of his father's milling business after the latter's death and conducted it for some time. In 1884 he emigrated to the United States and made his way to Columbus, Nebraska. Although he came to this country with considerable capital, he at length found himself without money and obtained work in the flouring mills in Lincoln, receiving a dollar and a half per day for his services, out of which he had to board himself. He knew the milling business thoroughly, as from his boyhood he had worked in his father's mill. He was subsequently employed in large mills at different places throughout Nebraska and Kansas and eventually became
MR. AND MRS. PETER SCHMITT
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head miller at a mill in Winfield, Kansas. In that capacity he had fifty-six men under him and his salary was one hundred and fifty dollars per month.
In 1891 Mr. Schmitt returned to Platte county and purchased what is known as the Shell Creek Valley Roller Mills, which were erected by Joseph Bucher in 1878 and were in badly run-down condition when they came into the possession of Mr. Schmitt. He has since made many improvements in the property, which is now in excellent condition, and has built four dams on Shell Creek, constructing the last in 1914 at a cost of over five thousand dollars. The mill is run by water power and is equipped with two McCormick wheels, one of forty-four horse power and the other of thirty-two horse power. A full roller plain sifter system is used and the capacity of the mills is from fifty to seventy-five barrels of flour per day. He also manu- factures corn meal, Graham flour and grinds considerable feed for stock. Mr. Schmitt owns forty acres of land where his mill is located and is engaged in farming to some extent. He has his own irrigating plant, which is run by water power, the pumps forcing twenty-two hundred gallons of water per minute through six and four-inch pipes on his land. His residence and farm buildings are commodious and well designed and were erected by him. He also owns four hundred and eighty acres of land in Kansas and is now one of the substantial citizens of Platte county.
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