USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 64
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On the 7th of September, 1886, Mr. Schmitt was married in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Miss Carrie Meyer, a native of Germany and a daughter of Henry and Louise (Hiemaear) Meyer, of Phillipsburg, Kansas. To this union have been born seven children, namely: Arnold; Hilda, now the wife of George Saalfeld; Edwin; Edna, the wife of Walter Loseke; Herman; Elsie; and Arthur.
Mr. Schmitt has been president of the Soldiers Society of Columbus, a German organization, for seven years. His prosperity is due to his intimate knowledge of milling, to his foresight and sound judgment, to his energy and aggressiveness- qualities which go far toward securing success in any line of business.
JOHN C. DAWSON.
John C. Dawson, who follows farming on section 10, Oconee township, was born in Jones county, Iowa, near Monticello, on the 30th of March, 1860, his parents being Francis and Jane (Boyd) Dawson, the father a native of England, and the mother a native of Pennsylvania, born of Scotch parentage. In early life the father was employed as power loom boss in a factory and he also purchased furs for the American Fur Company of St. Louis, traveling all over the northwest for this purpose. He went up to the head of the Missouri river and sent the furs back to the St. Louis house by boat. He thus gained intimate knowledge of the country in the period of its pioneer settlement and development and in 1842 re- moved to Jones county, Iowa, which was a frontier region, the work of progress having scarcely been begun. The homes of the settlers were log cabins and there were long distances to be traversed to mill and to market. The Indians had not yet left that region and Mr. Dawson had his horse stolen by the red men soon after taking up his abode in Jones county. The pioneer condition of the district is shown by the fact that, while Dubuque had been laid out, it contained only two houses. Mr. Dawson assisted in organizing the first court in Jones county and was a true Vol. II-31
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pioneer, taking active and helpful interest in all of the early events which went to shape the policy and mold the annals of that district. He took a homestead by entering land from the government and in the course of years added to his prop- erty until he was the owner of about four hundred acres. So unsettled and unde- veloped was the region that he had to go to Bellevue, Illinois, to get his wheat ground. He handled Polled Angus cattle which were shipped from England to Kansas and thence to him. He became the owner of very fine stock and was prom- inent as a cattle raiser of his locality, his efforts doing much to improve the grade of stock handled in Jones county. His political allegiance was given to the repub- lican party and he was a most active and earnest worker in its ranks, doing all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. Both he and his wife were earnest, Christian people, and he was not only highly respected, but was honored wherever he was known because of his sterling worth and his upright char- acter.
John C. Dawson is the youngest son and the seventh in order of birth in a family of eight children. Reared upon the frontier in Jones county, Iowa, he there pur- sued his education in one of the old-time log schoolhouses until he reached the age of twelve years, when he was sent to St. Louis, where he attended school for three years, pursuing both a high-school and business course. He then returned home in 1875 and after working on the old homestead for several years began following the carpenter's trade. Later he removed to Colorado and for three years clerked in a hardware store at Colorado Springs. Later he engaged in the express business at Manitou, Colorado, for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad and afterward was sent to various points on the system as relief agent. He left the Denver & Rio Grande to enter the employ of the Wells Fargo Express Company, with which he remained until April 5, 1890, when he came to Platte county, Nebraska, and pur- chased land in Columbus township. He began farming, living upon that place for three years, and in 1893 removed to section 10, township 17, range 2, west, where he now has two hundred and fifty-six acres of good land that readily responds to the care and cultivation which he bestows upon it. He raises a good grade of Duroc-Jersey hogs and Hereford cattle and of the latter has a large herd. Prac- tically his entire time is devoted to his farm work and he has added many im- provements to his place, including the introduction of electric lights into his home. The house is surrounded by flower beds filled with many kinds of blossoming plants and ornamental shrubs and the place is in every respect a home. He is a great reader and there are many books, papers and magazines which indicate his taste along that line.
In 1893 Mr. Dawson was married to Miss Julia Murdock, a daughter of Daniel and Mary E. Murdock. Mr. Dawson is one of the best known men of Columbus township and has been active along many lines that contribute to public progress, to the uplift of the individual and to the advancement of community interests. He is a very enthusiastic Mason and was formerly active in lodge work. He has membership in Mount Nebo Lodge, No. 125, of Genoa, and he is also identified with the Eastern Star Chapter there. The cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion and he has put forth earnest effort in its behalf while serving as school director for six years. He has been very active in the ranks of the progressive party, is opposed to war and stands for advancement and improve- ment along all lines leading to the material, intellectual, political, social and moral
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progress of the community. The consensus of public opinion places him among the representative residents of his township and the rewards of his life have come in substantial success on the farm and in the goodwill and confidence of his fellow- men.
EDWIN HULL CHAMBERS.
Edwin Hull Chambers, who has been successfully identified with the business interests of Columbus for more than a quarter of a century, is now a member of the Becher, Hockenberger & Chambers Company, a real-estate, loan and insurance firm. His birth occurred in Dakota City, Dakota county, Nebraska, on the 11th of Jan- uary, 1863, his parents being Benjamin F. and Sarah A. (Hull) Chambers, who were born, reared and married in Pennsylvania. In 1856 the father made his way to Dakota City, Nebraska, and in 1879 took up his abode in Niobrara, Knox county, this state, where he spent the remainder of his life. His widow still makes her home in Niobrara. During the period of the Civil war Benjamin F. Chambers served as a member of a Nebraska cavalry regiment.
Edwin H. Chambers acquired his education in the schools of Dakota and Niobrara, Nebraska, and when about seventeen years of age entered the office of his father in Niobrara, the latter having been appointed register of the United States land office by President Grant. He was thus employed until 1881 and during the following four years he and his father practiced before the land office, which was then under a new head. In 1888 Edwin H. Chambers went to the state of Washington, spending one summer at Spokane in practice before the land office. In the fall of 1888 he came to Columbus, Nebraska, and he became one of the real- estate, loan and insurance firm of Becher, Hockenberger & Chambers, which in 1913 was incorporated as the Becher, Hockenberger & Chambers Company. The con- cern conducts a large and profitable business and its success is promoted in no inconsiderable degree by the sound judgment and able direction of the gentleman whose name introduces this review. He also acts as treasurer of the Columbus Land, Loan & Building Association.
On the 4th of January, 1888, in Columbus, Nebraska, Mr. Chambers was united in marriage to Miss Stella Gertrude North, only daughter of Major Frank J. North, who is deceased.
Frank North was born in Tompkins county, New York, on the 10th day of March, 1810, and while yet in his infancy his parents moved to Richland county, Ohio, where the family lived until 1856, when they removed to the then far distant city, looming like a star of unusual magnitude in the west-Omaha. All the educa- tional advantages he had were in the Ohio public schools, and the intelligence which a bright, grasping mind obtains from contact with the world.
In the spring of 1855, his father was frozen to death and he-with his brother James-was left to support their mother, two sisters and a younger brother. A year later he came to Columbus and took a preemption five miles west of the town and farmed for two years. In 1860 he abandoned the preemption and went to work for the agent at the Pawnee reservation. In a year's time he was so well posted in the Pawnee language that he was employed by the post trader as clerk and interpreter, in whose employ he remained until he went into the United States
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service, the major part of which time he managed the entire business of the post trader, who remained at his home in the east. In 1864, his military career commenced and he was chosen first lieutenant of the famous Pawnee Scouts under the com- mand of Major General Samuel Curtis. After the summer campaign was over, he was authorized to reorganize the Pawnee Scouts and on October 24th, he was com- missioned captain of Company A by Governor Saunders and placed in command.
In 1865 he went on the Powder river campaign with General Conner and in November of the same year, returned to the Pawnee reservation and took command of the post, remaining there until the following spring. In the fall of 1866 he was appointed post trader by President Jolinson. The following spring he organized a battalion of four companies of Pawnee Scouts and continued in the service until 1871, and it was at this time that he and Cody (Buffalo Bill) had their many won- drous adventures. During 1871 and the succeeding four years, he was acting as guide and scout for troops in the north and west, but in 1876, he reorganized the Pawnee Scouts and went with General Crook on his perilous winter campaign in the Yellowstone mountains and when he returned the following spring, and the scouts were mustered out of service, appreciation of his valuable services was shown in the following letter:
"Headq'ters, Dep't of Platte. "In the field. "Camp Robinson, Neb., "April 19th, 1877.
"Capt. Frank North,
"Com. Pawnee Scouts, "Sidney, Neb.
"Dear Sir: The muster out of the Pawnee Scouts was ordered by Lieut. Gen. Sheridan.
"There is no longer any necessity for the employment of scouts nor is there any appropriation on hand from which to pay them, for which reason I regret I shall not be able to retain you in service.
"I think it is just and appropriate to thank you for your excellent behavior during the time of your stay in the military service under my command, and to say that the soldierlike conduct and discipline of the Pawnee Scouts is the most eloquent testimony that could be adduced to prove your fitness for the position you have held as Commanding Officer.
"I remain very respectfully
"Your Obedient Servant,
"GEORGE CROOK, "Brigadier General."
The legislature of the state was also proud of Frank North's achievements and record, and in a joint resolution, passed and approved February 23d, 1870, is the following:
"RESOLVED, That the thanks of this body and of the people of the State of Nebraska are hereby tendered to Maj. Frank J. North, and the officers and soldiers under his command, of the Service Scouts for the heroic manner in which they have assisted in driving hostile Indians from our frontier settlement."
After Major North was mustered out of service, he engaged in the cattle busi- ness with Cody (Buffalo Bill) under the firm name of Cody & North and from
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that time until his death in 1885, he was closely associated with Mr. Cody, having assisted him in the organization of "The Wild West," traveling with said organ- ization in charge of the Indians and their affairs.
In 1882 the people of Platte county elected Major North to the Nebraska legis- lature. He died at Columbus, March 14, 1885, aged forty-five years, leaving a daughter-his wife having died two years earlier. All the people of Nebraska mourned his loss, for he was not only a brave soldier, but kind and just and true in all his life.
CARL O. HART.
Carl O. Hart is the manager of the Monroe Farmers Association, which posi- tion he has occupied since 1909, and he is also one of the stockholders and secre- tary of the company. He was born in Fremont county, Iowa, February 17, 1880, and is a son of Charles and Louise (Gustavson) Hart, who were natives of Sweden. The father, a farmer by occupation, came to the United States in the early '70s, settling in Fremont county, Iowa, where he carried on general agricultural pur- suits for a number of years. Removing to Nebraska in March, 1880, he settled in Nanee county, where he purchased land, there living for six years, or until 1886, when he came with his family to Platte county, establishing his home in Monroc township, where he owned one hundred and sixty acres. He devoted the greater part of his attention to stock-raising and in the later years of his life lived retired, making his home in Genoa at the time of his death, which occurred in 1907, when he was sixty-five years of age. He was very active in township affairs and was a worthy and respected citizen of his community. His wife passed away in 1902, at the age of fifty-two years.
Carl O. Hart was only a month old when his parents came to Nebraska, so that he was here reared and is indebted to the publie-school system for the educa- tional privileges which he enjoyed. When twenty-two years of age he took charge of the home farm and there resided for five years. He afterward purchased land in Oconee township, near the town of Monroe, and is now part owner of a traet of seventy-one acres. On the home farm he engaged in raising Poland China hogs, keeping a large number. In 1907 he gave up farming and after spending a year in California and Washington, came back to Monroe, Nebraska, and in July, 1909, became manager of the Monroe Farmers' Association, of which he is one of the stockholders and seeretary. He is now devoting his energies largely to this busi- ness, in which connection he carefully direets the interests of the farmers, making the business one of profit for them.
Mr. Hart was united in marriage to Miss Dora MeWilliams, a native of Dunbar, Nebraska, and a daughter of W. A. and Mary (Moran) McWilliams. The father was a farmer and real-estate dealer who in 1895 became a resident of Platte county, settling near Monroe, where he followed general agricultural pursuits. Later he removed to the town, where he engaged in the hardware business and in real-estate dealing, making his home there to the time of his death. He was an active, pro- gressive business man and citizen and was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church.
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Mr. and Mrs. Hart are loyal members of the Presbyterian church, in which he is serving as a trustee. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has filled all of the chairs. He has ever been found worthy of the trust that has been reposed in him in every connection and is recog- nized as a man who can be depended upon on all occasions and in any emergency.
CHARLEY LEWIS DICKEY.
Charley Lewis Dickey, who is a well known real-estate and insurance agent of Columbus, was born in South Whitley, Indiana, July 11, 1869. His father, William B. Dickey, was a son of William Dickey, who fought in the Indian wars under General W. H. Harrison. He in turn was a son of John Dickey, who took part in the Revolutionary war as a member of the Eighth Battalion, Cumberland (Md.) Militia, and who was with Washington's army during the terrible winter at Valley Forge. William B. Dickey was born in Ohio, and during the Civil war served as captain of the Home Guards near Steubenville, that state. He married Miss Frances Ann Stone, who was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1829. The history of the Stone family has been traced back to Thomas A. Stone, who was the fifth son of Lord Dunlane, of Sussex, England. His second son, William Stone, became colonial governor of Maryland and his third son was David Stone, father of Thomas A. Stone, who was born in 1743 and was one of the signers of the Declara- tion of Independence. The great-grandfather of Mrs. Dickey was Rev. Benjamin Stone, who served in a Virginia regiment commanded by Colonel Buford and who endured the hardships of the winter at Valley Forge. He also served for two years as a private in Colonel Roebuck's Second South Carolina Regiment and was for some time a sergeant in the regiment commanded by Colonel Francis Marion. William B. Dickey died in Oklahoma and his wife has also passed away.
Charley L. Dickey received his education in the public schools of South Whitley, Indiana, but when thirteen years of age put aside his textbooks and went to western Kansas, where he remained for a year and a half, being employed as clerk in a grocery store. At the end of that time he returned home and learned blacksmithing, after which he was operator for the Wabash at Montpelier, Ohio, and later at Detroit, Michigan. He then returned to Kansas and worked as a telegraph operator in that state for several years, after which he was stationed at Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he remained for two years as operator in the transfer office of the Union Pacific Railroad. At the end of that time he was given a place as operator in the train dispatcher's office at Grand Island, Nebraska, where he remained for two and a half years. Being threatened with pulmonary trouble, he was sent to Lexington, Nebraska, in 1895 and remained there for about three years. In June, 1899, he was stationed at Wood River, Nebraska, and after leaving there was agent for the Union Pacific at Valley, Nebraska. In 1901 he came to Columbus and for four years after arriving here filled the position of traveling freight agent for the Chicago Great Western Railroad. At the end of that time he resigned to become district manager for a Canadian land company, with which he was connected until 1911. In that year he went into the real-estate and insurance business for himself and has so continued until the present time. He is well informed as to realty values in this
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section of the country and has handled much valuable property and negotiated many important transfers of real estate. In the insurance field he represents a number of reliable companies and is an enterprising and efficient agent, having written many policies since entering the insurance business.
On the 27th of December, 1893, Mr. Dickey was married, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Miss Charlotte E. Pile, a daughter of the late David Pile. Her father, who was born in Tennessee in 1832, served for four years during the Civil war in the Confederate army. To this union have been born the following children: Frank Paul. Charley Lewis, Davida Elizabeth, Frances, Thomas Pile and Virginia.
Mr. Dickey is a republican but has never been able to spare the time from his business interests to take an active part in politics. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order, having passed through the various degrees of the York Rite and being a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is also affiliated with the Elks and is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. He is identified with the Methodist Episcopal church and no worthy cause seeks his aid in vain. He has at all times done his share toward promoting the commercial expansion of the city, and in April, 1915, was made secretary of the Columbus Commercial Club. He is a man of deter- mination and resolution and has carried to successful completion every project which he has undertaken. Since removing to Columbus he has gained recognition as a man of unswerving integrity and as a citizen of marked public spirit.
PAUL GERTSCH.
Paul Gertsch is the owner of the Willow Grove Farm, a tract of six hundred acres, situated on section 1, Monroe township, and he has other important busi- ness connections, being, in fact, regarded as one of the most progressive and enterprising business men of his part of the county. He was born at Glarus, Switzerland, October 12, 1852, his parents being Christ and Pauline (Meunig) Gertsch. The father, a native of Bern, was a farmer of that country, where he owned and cultivated land. On coming to the United States he made his way into the interior of the country, settling in Bismark township, Platte county, in 1873, securing a farm on Shell creek. The settlements were few and far between and pioneer conditions everywhere existed. Mr. Gertsch occupied his original homestead until 1879, when death ended his labors at the age of seventy-nine years. His place comprised one hundred and sixty acres of land, on which he made many improvements. He belonged to the Reformed church and guided his life according to its teachings, ever endeavoring to follow the golden rule.
Paul Gertsch was the eldest of the four sons of the family and acquired a common-school education. He dates his residence in Platte county from 1871, at which time he began working as a farm hand for Jacob Louis, being employed in a similar manner by other early settlers of the county. He was ambitious, how- ever, to own a farm and in 1877 bought land in Monroe township, investing the money which had come to him through persistent industry and close economy. That constituted a nucleus of his present possessions, for as opportunity has offered he has added to his holdings until he is now the owner of a fine farm of six hun- dred acres. The summer brings forth fields of waving grain, which in the autumn
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yield large harvests, and in addition to the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate Mr. Gertsch is engaged in the raising of a good grade of stock. He bought his land on time and has dug what he has out of the ground. In other words, his life has been one of earnest, persistent labor and, depending entirely upon his own resources, he has worked his way upward to his present success. In addition to his agricultural interests he is a director of the Monroe State Bank and is a stockholder in the Monroe Farmers Association and the Monroe Coal Company.
In January, 1878, Mr. Gertsch was married to Miss Elizabeth Von Bergen, who was born in Bern, Switzerland, and died February 15, 1913, at the age of fifty- five years. She was a daughter of Ulrich and Katherine (Naegly) Von Bergen. Her father was a cooper in Switzerland and in 1873 became a resident of Grand Prairie township, Platte county, where he secured a homestead claim and began life in true pioneer style. Mrs. Gertsch was thus a representative of one of the old families of the county and was very popular in the community in which she made her home because of her attractive social qualities and her gracious hos- pitality. To Mr. and Mrs. Gertsch were born eleven children: Lydia, the wife of H. Fennimore; Alma; Carl, who was born September 13, 1882, and is a farmer of Joliet; Ottylia, the wife of J. Brandt; Walter, who was born March 6, 1886; Martha, the wife of H. Weber; Paul, who was born November 1, 1890; Elinor; Verna; Helmuth, who was born November 6, 1897, and is in a bank at Monroe; and Esther.
In his political views Mr. Gertsch is a republican, active in the work of the party, his labors contributing to its success. He has served as township trustee and has filled various other local offices, the duties of which he has discharged with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He assisted in organizing the church in Lost Creek township, and takes a great interest in its work. He places a correct value upon the important things of life and he has wisely used his time, talents and opportunities not only for the attainment of individual success, but also for the benefit of the community in which he makes his home.
CHARLES FREDERICK ELIAS.
Since 1879 Charles Frederick Elias has made his home in Platte county and is now an esteemed and worthy citizen of Columbus, where he has a wide acquaintance and many friends. He was born in Dresden, Saxony, on the 15th of March, 1845, a son of Wilhelm and Wilhelmina (Silverman) Elias. The father, who was born in the year 1811. passed away in 1874 at the age of sixty-three years, while the mother died in 1854 at the age of forty-one years. For seventeen years Wilhelm Elias was a soldier of the German army, being drafted in 1831 and serving with the artillery. He acted as first duty sergeant and had charge of the battery. In 1845 he was accorded a medal for saving a civilian from drowning during the high water of that year. He also received a medal for valiant and meritorious service displayed during the charges of the barricades of revolutionists in the rebellion of 1848 and still another for his length of service, this being given him just prior to his death. He passed the required examination and was in the revenue service as a government
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