USA > Nebraska > Gage County > Portrait and biographical album of Gage County, Nebraska : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 57
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. A. FUNKHOUSER
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GAGE COUNTY.
The subject of this sketch was born at Lehigh Gap, Pa., April 22, 1841. His primary studies were conducted in the schools of his native town. Later he became a student at Allentown Seminary, and completed his education in the Agricultural College in Center County. He then began teach- ing, but subsequently, in company with his brother John, embarked in general merchandising at Lehigh Gap, to which he added the business of boat-builder and railroad contractor. These interests he oper- ated extensively and successfully, and subsequently dealt largely in lumber and coal at the same place, where he continued to live until the fall of 1882. Socially and politically, he was prominent in this county and community, and in fact the entire family were widely and favorably known through- out that region as comprising a portion of its best element. Three of his brothers were in the Penn- sylvania Legislature, and two were elected to the State Senate.
Mr. Craig in 1882 disposed of his interests in the Keystone State, and coming west into Southern Nebraska located at once in Blue Springs, this county, establishing himself in his present business. Each year has added to his stock and his patronage, and he is rapidly approaching the point where, if he so wishes, he can retire, having already a com- petence. His promptness and reliability in his business transactions have made him a general favorite with the men of his community, while socially, together with his family, he occupies an enviable position. He takes a warm interest in the building up of the town, and does whatever lies in his power to further its moral and educational inter- ests. He cast his first Presidential vote for Mc- Clellan, but changed his politics and sustained the Republican party until 1880, when his strong tem- perance proclivities led him to give his support to the Prohibitionists. He has been a member of the School Board almost from the time of coming here, and was elected to his present position of Mayor in the spring of 1888. The fact that the Republicans lead in this locality speaks well for his standing in the community. Religiously, he belongs to the Evangelical Association and is an energetic laborer in the Sunday-school.
Mr. Craig was married, Sept. 26, 1867, to Miss
Mattie E. Gish, of Berlinsville, Pa., and they are now the parents of five children, viz : Annie E., Will- iam A., Frederick G., Jesse V. and Mattie F. They are all living at home with their parents, and being given the training and education which will qualify them for useful and worthy members of society. Mrs. Craig was born .Jan. 29, 1844, in Berlinsville, Northampton Co., Pa., and is the daughter of Abram and Elizabeth (Hummel) Gish, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and are now deceased. Her father was a man of prominence, farmer and merchant combined, and officiated as a Justice of the Peace for many years. He was, with his excellent wife, a member of the Evangelical Church, and departed this life at his home in Berlinsville in 1878. The mother was a member of the same church, and departed this life in June, 1884.
During the six years' residence of Mr. Craig in this county, he has fully established himself in the esteem and confidence of the people about him. He was nominated by the Prohibition convention of 1888 as candidate for Senator, an indication of the estimation in which he is held, and a great compliment to his worth and ability.
OHN P. WAGNER. The firm of G. W. Maurer & Co., dealers in farm implements, is recognized as one of the most enterprising and prosperous in the city of Beatrice, and is closely identified with the growth and pros- perity of the city. Our subject was born in New Brunswick, March 15, 1848, where he lived until a lad ten years of age. His parents then removed to Kenosha County, Wis., and settled on a farm, remain- ing in the Badger State until coming to this county in April, 1867. They are now living on a farm one mile and a half northeast of Beatrice. The father, John W. Wagner, was born in Ireland, and married Miss Ellen Lane, who was a native of New Bruns- wick. They are the parents of eleven children. John P. was reared to farm pursuits, and acquired his education in the district school. He remained under the parental roof until about sixteen years of age, then repaired to Racine, Wis., where he learned the machinist trade, and worked two years. After-
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ward he became traveling salesman for the Geiser Thrashing Machine Company, and in their interests compassed a large proportion of the Northwest, go- ing through Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan, and was thus employed for a period of four years. Subse- quently he was engaged in the retail trade at Syl- vania, Racine Co., Wis.
Mr. Wagner, in the spring of 1878, established his present business in Beatrice, in the building which he now occupies. The house carries a gen- eral line of everything pertaining to its branch of trade, Mr. Maurer became a partner in the business in February, 1888. Their square dealings and eor- rect business methods have made the house one of the most popular in the city.
The subject of this sketch was married, Jan. 16, 1880, to Miss Nettie D. Shear, who was born in Lock- port, N. Y., and is the daughter of J. D. and Mary Ann (Spickerman) Shear, natives of New York State, and now living in Thomas County, Kan. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner occupy a snug home on North Eighth street, and are the parents of one child, a son, Lee E., born in July, 1882. The Wagner Block was put up by our subjeet in 1883. It is 50x100 in dimensions, and two stories in height with base- ment. The latter is occupied by other parties. Be- sides his town property Mr. Wagner owns two farms which are largely devoted to stock purposes. He makes a specialty of fine horses, principally trot- ting stock.
R. ROBERT S. ALBRIGHT, physician and surgeon, holds a good position among the members of the profession in the city of Beatrice, where he enjoys a good practice, and numbers among his friends and patrons its best people. Ilis earliest recollections are of a modest home in the vicinity of Martinsburg, Blair Co., Pa., where his birth took place Oet. 21, 1861, the youngest of a family of seven children, six of whom are living. His parents were John and Saralı (Hamın) Albright, who were also natives of the Keystone State, and traced their ancestry to Ger- many.
When our subject was a little lad five years of
age, his parents removed to Ogle County. Ill .. set- tling on a farm, where they lived until 1876, the father dying that year. In the spring of 1884 the mother removed to Beatrice. A more extended record of their lives will be found in the sketch of Rev. G. H. Albright, a brother of our subject, and which will be found elsewhere in this volume. Robert S. grew to manhood in Ogle County. Ill., where he attended the common schools, completing the scientific course at Polo. He began the study of medicine at Polo, under the instruction of Dr. J. B. Snyder, and subsequently took a course of lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago. from which he was graduated in 1884. In the spring of that year he came to Beatrice, and unaided and alone made his way slowly upward to his present position. He is a close student, and keeps himself well posted upon modern theories and methods. Politically, he supports the Republican ticket, and is a member of the Nebraska State Medical Society. He is still single.
OHN SCHMUCK, of Beatrice, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, near the beau- tiful blue Rhine, April 2, 1834. and is the son of Peter and Mary E. (Bader) Schmuck. His father was by occupation a shoemaker. He left his native country for the United States, and his family never after saw or heard from him. Abont six years after this event the mother emigrated to America with her children, and settled at Mendota, Ill., where she died in her sixtieth year. She was the mother of six children, three sons and three daughters, our subjeet being the second born. Ile commenced to lay the foundation of his education when he was six years of age, and continued with fair regularity until his fourteenth birthday. He was then apprenticed for the usual term of three years to learn his trade, after which he traveled as a journeyman shoemaker until he reached his twen- tieth year.
In the year 1854 our subject emigrated to Amer- ica, this being four years before his mother and the rest of the family came, and landed after an ocean voyage of thirty-seven days in New York ; thence he
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went to Lyons, N. Y., and after a time on to Water- loo, in the same State, working at his trade in each place. From the latter place he transferred the sphere of his operations to Mendota, Ill., where he remained about three years, and then went to Bloom- ington in the same State, and from there be went to Tennessee, where he remained one winter, and then returned to Illinois, stopping at Peoria, in each of these places working at his trade. In 1873 he found his way to Nebraska, and went onto a farm which be purchased. This was just before the ever- memorable grasshopper visitation, and as they went to work and ate up every green blade and leaf upon the farm, he returned to the city, to the bench, lap- stone, awl and wax-end, and began again uniting upper to sole. In this he continued up to 1887, every year witnessing a marked increase in his sales and business.
In 1887, our subject having invested his savings from time to time in the purchase of city property, realized in the increased values quite a handsome profit, and from that time he has continued to be interested in real-estate transactions with a most unusually fortunate experience. In the same year he built what is known as the Schmuck Block, a very fine brick structure three stories in beight, and covering a ground surface of 23x94 feet. The first floor of this building is occupied by Schmidt & Jones' store; the second is built into offices, and the third is used for dwelling purposes. Over against the present success, prosperity and ease of circum- stances, must be placed in remembrance, in order to the full appreciation thereof, the practical nothing- ness possessed, excepting only his trade, at the time when he started in life for himself at the age of seventeen, and to-day he can look back and know that his life has been financially a perfect success. He has recently sold his farm.
The companion of our subject for the last twen- ty-eight years, one who has shared the trials, diffi- culties and hardships with him in the past, as she enjoys also the prosperity of the present, is Anna (Kemp) Schmuck, who was united to him in mar- riage on the 15th of February, 1860. This lady was born in Butler County, Ohio, near Cincinnati, June 7, 1839, and is the daughter of Christian and Mary (Somers) Kemp. Through all the years
of her faithful wedded life she has considered at all times their interests and happiness one. This highly respected family might serve as an example and inspiration to many just starting in the path of life. In one especial feature is the success of our subject noticeable and worthy of thoughtful imita- tion-it is the fact that he began life with a thor- ough knowledge of a trade, and was from the beginning a skilled laborer. The world always has room for and will welcome such.
B ENJAMIN F. HERTZLER is the youngest of a family of eight children born to Chris- tian and Barbara (Myers) Hertzler, natives of Lancaster County, Pa. The father of our subject was a farmer by occupation, and upon his marriage settled in Cumberland County, and so managed bis business that financially he was quite well-to-do. He was one of the most intelligent and efficient practical farmers in the county, and his advice was often sought and usually followed. He spent his last days, as did also his wife, on the Cum- berland County farm, and died at a good old age. Their family included eight children: Mary, the wife of Jacob Eberly, of Mechanicsburg, Pa .; Christian, who is one of Cumberland County's prosperous farmers; Samuel; Elias; Barbara, wife of John Myers, of Cumberland County, Pa .; Jacob and our subject; all but the latter are residents of Pennsylvania. The second eldest child, Abram, died in the year 1871, aged thirty-three years.
Our subject grew up surrounded by all the work and worry, bush and rush, light and shadow, of farm life. At an early age he was given a place in the common school of the district, and from that went to farming, continuing to reside with his par- ents until he attained his majority. In Mechanics- burg, Pa., in 1874, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Nisley, who was born in Cumberland County, Pa., to Johu and Rebecca Nisley, who were natives of that State. Their daughter was born at Mechanicsburg, Jan. 25, 1856.
After their marriage, which was celebrated at Mechanicsburg, our subject engaged in farming,. and dealt more or less extensively in live stock
JE A FUNKHOUUZA
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until the year 1884, when he came to Nebraska and purchased his present farm, which had been some- what improved, but since that time our subject has largely remodeled everything and added not a few valuable improvements to those already made. He works his farm in the interest of general agri- culture, to which is added some dealings in stock, although this is not extensively engaged in by Mr. Hertzler. Mr. and Mrs. IIertzler have a very inter- esting family of four children, who have received the names, Bertha, Joseph, Annie and Benjamin Franklin.
The life and home of Mr. and Mrs. Hertzler pre- sent some idea of the sentiment in the mind of Henry Payne when he wrote his world-renowned poem concerning " home." The underlying princi- ple that makes their home so pleasant and their lives so cheerful and beautiful is the fact of their whole-hearted belief in the Christian religion, and their continned practice of its tenets, which it has been frequently remarked seem always to have that effect. They are members of the United Brethren Church, and have been from the time of their resi- dence in Pennsylvania. In all matters of civic and political nature Mr. Hertzler is deeply interested, and is usually found to vote with the Republican party, of which he has been a stanch and firm sup- porter for many years, and upon all occasions of special interest he is found devoting even more than his usual energy to the advancement of its interests.
E BER E. HILTON. The name of our sub- jeet is most intimately connected with the modern improvements along the line of en- gineering triumphs introduced into the city of Wymore, and without question he has had more to do with the efficiency of the appliances in use in the city than any other. He first came to the city in the year 1884, having previously been here and purchased property in the employ of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad as civil engineer in charge of the work of that company at Diller. then of the finishing and examining of all the work from that place to Blue River. He has held the position
of City Engineer for three consecutive terms, and while holding this office was also employed by Messrs. Reynolds Bros. to take charge of the en- gineering and laying down of the Wymore Street Railroad.
Eber Hilton, the father of our subject, was born in Ohio, in the year 1818. He was educated and reared in his native State, and after completing his schooling became a farmer, remaining with his mother, who was a widow, operating the home farm until he was almost of age. Ile then married Miss Elizabeth MeMacken, when he took a farm in Defiance County, Ohio, where he spent the re- mainder of his life, dying at the age of thirty years, in 1848. To them were born three children, all of whom live, and one son, Joseph J., who met his death at the age of nineteen in the United States service.
Elizabeth McMacken, the mother of our subject, , was the daughter of Judge Joseph MeMacken, of Ft. Wayne, Ind .. and was born about 1821, and resided with her parents until the time of her mar- riage. Upon the death of her husband she was left with three children, and in order to their support tanght school for several years, and about 1854 married Judge W. D. Haymaker, after a widowhood of six years. Iler children always had a home with her in this new relation, and found as near as such a thing is possible a second father in the second husband of their mother. Judge Haymaker has since been twice to the Legislature from De- fiance County, in which district his home was made after his marriage.
The grandfather of our subject, Joshna Hilton, was born in Maine, and removed about the year 1812 to the Miami Valley, in the vicinity of the city of Dayton, Ohio, and afterward went to a farm upon the banks of the Maumee River in the north- western part of the State. The condition of the country could not perhaps be better expressed than by stating the fact that between his house there and Ft. Wayne there was but one house, and between his home and where Toledo now stands only two houses. The first house erected by him was of the logs he had hewn in clearing his farm, but after- ward he made brick sufficient, and put up a larger and more comfortable dwelling, which still stands.
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Our subject was born on the 9th of January, 1849, about three months after the time of his father's death. which occured in the above-men- tioned brick house at Defiance. As soon as he came to a proper age he was given a good, practical, common-school education, gradually helping in the various duties of the farmn until he was enabled largely to take control. Ilis step-father died when he was about ten years of age, and he remained at home thus employed as above until he was about twenty-one years of age. From there he went to the city of Washington, and spent one year as clerk in the agricultural department. The next eight years were spent in the office of the City Engineer of Toledo, in hard and diligent study in order to an intimate acquaintance with the details of his chosen calling. In the year 1879 he camne West and worked for the Atchison & Nebraska Railroad Company, and upon the 1st of November of the same year engaged with the Burlington & Missouri River Rail- road Company, and continued in their employ for two and a half years, and then went to Montana on the Northern Pacific Railroad for five months, when he returned home to his mother, who was lying very sick. He staid with her until the spring, and then returned to the employ of the Bur- lington & Missonri River Railroad Company, and continued in their employ until quite recently, whenever there was any work to do, and the value they set upon his services is shown in the fact that he has only been unemployed ten months in over seven years, and was engaged principally in charge of grading and bridging, he holding the position of Division Engineer of the company. For the last three years our subject has held the office of City Engineer, and had charge of everything pertaining thereto.
At Defiance, Ohio, Sept. 7, 1854, there was born to Herman and Ann Willerling a daughter, named Rillia. Her father was a native of Germany, and came to the United States about the year 1842, took up a tract of land and settled in Ohio. As their daughter grew she was given a practical edu- cation, and as she advanced to years of womanhood began to develop and manifest those traits of char- acter and personal qualities which first attracted the attention of our subject, and have since encircled
his life with a halo of happiness. This lady was married to our subject at Defiance, Ohio. Sept. 14, 1883.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Hilton are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and active in its enterprise, prominent in its Sunday- school work, and very efficient in any engagement of a similar nature. Our subject is one of the Trustees of the church, and discharges the duties connected therewith with that conscientious thor- ougliness that has marked his whole life, with the nat- ural result that he and Mrs. Hilton are most highly esteemed, not so much on account of their pro- fession as their practice.
SAAC N. McCONNELL. The real-estate busi- ness of Beatrice forms no unimportant portion of its transactions, and the subject of this sketch is one of its oldest representatives. IIe is a native of Ohio, and was born near Bucyrus, in Crawford County, April 21, 1846. He was the sixth child in a family of five sons and eight daughters, only two of whom are now living, our subject and his sister, Maria B., wife of Dr. O. O. Wells, of Beatrice. The parents were Alexander W. and Maria G. (Glass- gow) McConnell, both of highly respectable fami- lies, and the descendants of substantial Scotch-Irish ancestry. The father was a carder and fuller by occupation; he also carried on a woolen-mill for several years. He departed this life at his home in Bucyrus, June 10, 1882. The mother is still living, and makes her home with our subject at Beatrice.
The boyhood of Mr. McConnell was spent in his native town, where he attended the public school during his earlier years; his business experience began when, but a lad of thirteen, he entered a store of general merchandise as clerk. Later, when sev- enteen years old, he enlisted in the Union Army, becoming a member of Company E, i36th Ohio National Guards, and was mustered into the service of the United States May 2, 1864, and with his comrades was sent to Ft. Worth, Va., where they were assigned to garrison duty ; he gained an insight into the methods of general warfare, but did not par- ticipate in any active engagement. He was mustered
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out Ang. 21, 1864, and returning to his native town in the Buckeye State resumed his old position in the store where he had been employed formerly, continuing there for a period of five years and un- til coming to this county. .
Mr. McConnell came to Beatrice in January, 1869, and at once opening a real-estate office began . entering land for non-residents. When this began to change hands he operated on commission, and was thus actively employed until the city and country began to develop, when he handled city property, and to this kind of real estate has of late years given most of his attention. He has been consid- erably interested in farming lands, and has a busi- ness which extends 100 miles west of this point. He has a fine residence in the city besides his farm property. The grounds around the former are greatly admired, and are not only a matter of pride in the town but highly indicative of the taste and means of the proprietor.
Mr. MeConnell, politically, votes the straight Re- publican ticket. and has been prominent in the political affairs of this locality, representing his party in the State Convention. Mr. McConnell was elected Mayor of the city of Beatrice for two terms.
HRISTIANNAS L. HUTCHINSON is an enterprising farmer who has recently located on his fine farm, which he purchased some years ago on section 15, Paddock Township. He is a sagacious, clear-headed, wide-awake man, and it is his pride that he is classed among the self-made men of the country, he having acquired all his property by hard labor and judicious management while still a young man. He was born June 5, 1852, in Berks County, Pa., being a son of John S. and Sarah E. (Van Hart) Hutchinson, natives of Penn- sylvania.
The parents of our subject moved from Pennsyl- vania to Macoupin County, Ill., in 1854, and staid there for about ten years, the father being engaged in agricultural pursuits. Thence they removed to Logan County in the same State. They subse-
quently, however, took up their abode in Champaign County, Ill., where they still reside. They are now enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life, and are held by all around them in respect and esteem for their many sterling qualities of mind and heart. They are faithful members of the Presbyterian Church, and are known to be true Christians by their work.
Christiannas Hutchinson, of whom we write, was reared on an Illinois farm and has made agriculture his business ever since he became a man. Ile re- mained an inmate of the parental household until he was twenty-three, rendering his father great as- sistance in the management of his farm, as he was strong, active, and knew how to work to the best advantage. At the age mentioned Mr. Hutchinson began life for himself without money, but with plenty of pluck and muscle, and to these lie attrib- utes his success. April 7, 1881, he took a very important step toward establishing the cozy home that he now enjoys by his marriage to Miss Anna C. Johnston. She is a daughter of Hale and Lucy Johnston, who live in Champaign County, Ill. 'They are members of the Presbyterian Church, and are highly esteemed people. The marriage of our sub- jeet and his wife has been blessed to them by the birth of two daughters-Ella and Anna B.
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