Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 64

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 812

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When the war came on our subject practically illustrated his Abolition and Union sentiments by enlisting as a soldier in Company I, 24th Illinois Infantry, and participated in many of the impor- tant battles which followed, viz: Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga and Mission Ridge, besides innumerable skirmishies. Ile was captured in Ken-

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tucky, in 1862, by the Morgan raiders, and confined at Camp Bonagard about two weeks. At the close of his term of enlistment, in September, 1863, he received his honorable discharge, and returned to his home in Illinois with the comfortable convic- tion that he had discharged an honorable duty toward his adopted country. The German soldiery distinguished themselves as always brave and reli- able, and our subject was never found evading his duty or absent from his post during the memorable period of his army life. Since that time, as a pri- vate citizen, he has followed out the same principles which actuated him at a time when the eyes of a world were upon the defenders of their country.

UGUST L. AXTHELM is one of Buda Pre- cinct's successful agriculturists, and the owner of a fine farming property on section 19, comprising 160 acres. He is a native of Dutchess County, N. Y., where he was born upon the 16th of April, 1856. Ile is the son of Frederick L. and Theresa Axthelm, both of whom . are natives of the Kingdom of Prussia, but who emigrated to the United States early in the year 1853. For a considerable period after landing they made their home in New York State, as above, but when our subject was about five years of age they removed to Keokuk County, lowa. There our subject was reared to man's estate, and his parents still reside. They were among the very early set- tlers in the county, and have been privileged not simply to see but also to aid in its development.

The education of our subject was commenced in the common schools, and afterward supplemented by the Keokuk Normal School course, and com- pleted by the full curriculum of the Mt. Pleasant University, located at the town of that name. After his gradnation our subject followed the profession of teaching for about nine terms, devoting all his spare time to farming. In both of these he saw an increasing prosperity, and there laid the foundation of his after prosperity.

Mr. Axthelm was united in the bonds of matri- mony, on the 13th of February, 1879, with Minnie J. Hoffman, a native of Keokuk County This step

their subsequent family history proves to have been wise and unregretable. Their home has been blessed by the birth of four children, three of whom live. Their names are as follows: Edwin F., born Feb. 5. 1880; Alma, Oct. 17, 1881 ; Adelia, born Oct. 30, 1884, and died Oet. 27, 1886, and Elmer A., born Aug. 17, 1887. Mrs. Axthelm is the daughter of Andrew J. and Minnie lloffman, natives of Ger_ many, and who have been residing in Keokuk County since about 1850.

In the year 1879 our subject came to this county, and after prospecting settled upon his present farm. He is now the owner of 160 acres of excellent farm land, all under cultivation, and worked to the ut- most perfection of husbandry. Ilis farming is chiefly upon the line of grains, although consider- able attention is also given to stock-raising. What- ever success he may have achieved, whatever property he may have acquired, whatever character with its out-growing influence may be his, is, hu- manly speaking, the result of his own ambition and effort, although, doubtless, but for the companion- ship of his wife, and the higher interests she has brought to bear upon his life, many of these results would be found lacking. The only inheritance he received was that of his education. For three win- ters our subject taught night school in Buda, and met with considerable success in his work.

Our subject has served two terms as Justice of the Peace, and filled that office with a very impar- tial and honorable service. For a number of years also he has continued as School Director. His religious home and that of his family is in the Ger- man Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is at pres- ent a Trustee of the same. In political circles our subject is not prominent, but performs conscien- tiously his duty as a citizen. He is a strong and ardent advocate of the Republican party, and has so continued for many years.

AMES PEART. At the entry of the Genesee River, where it mningles with the waters of Lake Erie, is the lake port of Charlotte ; seven miles up the river. situated on either side of the same, in almost equal parts, is the beautiful and

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enterprising city of Rochester, the county seat of Rochester County. The first settler looked around upon the adjacent country and built his solitary cabin upon this site in the year 1788; twenty years afterward a small settlement began to form, which grew into a hamlet, advanced to the dignity of a village, progressed to the larger proportions of a town, finally reaching its maturity as a city. It now covers an extent of nearly nineteen square miles, and has a population of about 100,000. Its people and citizens are large-souled, public-spirited, enter- prising. and their city is widely and favorably known as a manufacturing and commercial center. It is surrounded by a very choice country, undulating, well wooded and watered, arable, tillable and fer- tile, and one of the most healthful sections of New York. In this county, and not far from this city, was born, Sept. 11, 1850, the gentleman whose bio- graphical compendium is herein offered.

James Peart, whose excellent farming property is . situated on section 3 of Denton Precinct, is a son of Edward and Elizabeth Peart, both natives of England, who emigrated to America about the year 1844, and settled in the county seat of Rochester. What the county of Kent is to London, as expressed by the phrase, " the market garden of London," that is the county of Rochester to New York. Gardens of all kinds and variety are found upon its broad acres, and in them the father of our subject found the employment which supplied his home and fam- ily with the necessaries of life. While their son James was a mere child they removed to LaSalle County, Ill., where they settled and were among the very earliest pioneers.

LaSalle County had been the residence of the Peart family when the husband and father was re- moved by death, and the home he had begun to establish would have been lost but his widow took charge with spirit, and executed the plans she had hoped to have completed with her husband. She is still a resident of the same county, at Mendota. Her family included thirteen children, of whom those whose names are subjoined survive: Richard, Thomas, and Eliza, now Mrs. Henry Duhart, make their homes in LaSalle County ; William, in Illinois; George, in New York State; Edward, in the Far West; Elizabeth, the wife of William Miune; Kitty,

now the wife of John Platt, both of New York State, and our subject.

Our subject was about eight years old when he lost his father, and since that time has been depend- ent upon his own resources, not simply for the ulti- mate success, but also the first start in life. The large number of children in the family rendered it impossible for his mother to do very much for the older ones. At the age of ten years James was engaged with a butcher, and learned the business, which he continued as his chosen occupation until he came to his present farm. For a time he ran a meat-market at Mendota with considerable success, but his work in the various departments of butchi- ering has been spread over quite a number of dif- ferent towns, and with various parties.

In 1871 our subject came to Nebraska, and began to work at his trade at Lincoln and elsewhere, and se continued for about fifteen years, when he set- tled upon his present property, which his prosperity and success in business had rendered possible. He is the owner of 160 acres of land in Furnas County. The farm upon which he resides is of equal extent, and is the property of Mrs. Peart. Both the home farm and that of Furnas County are worthy of remark, as indicating all those attributes in their owner which are necessarily indicative of character, intelligence and industry.

The matrimonial experience of Mr. Peart is of twofold recital. He was first united in marriage, in February, 1874, to Elizabeth Boodry, by whom he has one daughter, named Hattie M., who is being educated at Lincoln. About eight years after his first wife's death he was wedded to Mrs. Catherine A. Brown, a native of New York State, who is still living and, with our subject, in the enjoyment of the large measure of prosperity that has crowned their efforts in life.

The political sentiments of our subject lead him to affiliate with the Republican party and to vote conscientiously and continually their ticket. If there is one lesson more noticeable than another in this sketch it is the fact that our country is one- we might say the only one-where a boy, left as was our subject, in the tender years of life, to fight his way alone, can achieve by the exercise of those qualities which are necessarily concomitant factors of

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higher manhood and true citizenship, most brilliant success in self education and improvement, and the other needful parts of a successful and happy life. Our subject is accorded heartily by friends and eiti- zens the respect and esteem which his character, social status and financial prosperity. demand.

G EORGE P. LOOS owns 240 acres of as fer- tile and productive farming land as may be found in all Laneaster County. It is very pleasantly located on section 15, Yankee Hill Pre- cinet, and is admirably adapted to the various branches of agriculture which our subjeet is so suc- cessfully prosecuting within its bounds. Mr. Loos was born in Adams County. Ill., Nov. 16, 1850, being derived of good German stock. His par- ents, Michael and Mary M. Loos, were natives of Germany, the father born in Hesse-Darmstadt. Ilis mother came to America with her parents when she was only four years old, so that nearly the whole of her life has been passed in this country. The father of our subject emigrated to this country in the very prime of young manhood, being but twenty-four years old when he left the Fatherland behind to establish for himself a home and found a family in these United States of America. He be- eame an early settler of Adams County, III., where his death occurred March 19, 1873. Ile was in every sense of the word a good man, honest and upright in his dealings, and for many years a val- ued member of the Evangelical Church. To him and his wife were born eight children, of whom six survive, all, with the exception of our subject, mak- ing their home in Adams County, and the following is their record: Elizabeth is the wife of Frederick Smith; George F., George P., William, Louis; Rebecca A., wife of William Wolfmyer. The mother still makes her home in Adams County, and is held in the highest respect and esteem by all who know her.

Our subject was reared to the life of a farmer in his native State, receiving but a limited education in the public schools. He is essentially a self-made man, well gifted with the physical vigor, sound judgment and cool, clear-headed foresight that have led so many men born in humble circumstances on

to fortune. By his industry and wise frugality, at a very early age he was enabled to establish a home, and on the 29th of April, 1873, was united in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth Sittler, who has since been an important factor in aiding him to make his life a success, as she is capable, a good housewife, and ever ready to do all that she can to promote the best interests of her family. She is, like her hus- band, a native of Adams County, Ill., born Jan. 26, 1851, being a daughter of John J. and Anne E. Sittler, the former born Sept. 17, 1812, and the latter Nov. 15, 1816. Her parents were born and reared in Germany, and came to America after marriage, becoming early settlers of Adams County in 1844, and the father died in the pleasant home that he and his wife had, by their hard toil and thrifty management, built up there, his death occur- ring Oct. 2, 1871. His estimable wife is still liv- ing in Illinois. She is a devout Christian, and a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To her and her husband were born eight children, six of whom are living, as follows: John A. and John Julius, in Nebraska; Elizabeth; John Ed- ward; Mary C. P., wife of Andrew Hochgrave, of Adams County ; Anne M. To Mr. and Mrs. Loos have been born seven children, of whom the follow- ing is recorded: Anne E., born June 18, 1874; Sarah M., March 18, 1876 ; George O., May 1, 1878; Edwin, Sept. 13, 1880; Oska, Nov. 5, 1882; Ella C., Nov. 18, 1884; and Cora E., Nov. 19, 1886.

In September, 1879, our subject determined to try his fortunes on the fertile prairies of Nebraska, and here he has met with even more than the hoped- for success. His steady habits, sound business prin- ciples and well-known integrity have won for him the respect of the community, which respect is also shared by his wife. In his political views he is a firm adherent of the Democratie party. Mr. Loos is now building a fine residence on his farm.

OIIN KRUSE. The ambition that was Na- poleon's to make Europe one Empire was revived to some extent in the brain of Count Von Bismarck. llis ambition did not ap- parently reach to such an extent, but the object of his life seemed to be to consolidate and bring into

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one Empire all those lesser States and Duchies by which Prussia was surrounded, and the result of his effort is one of the mightiest European powers-the German Empire. Its people are among the most patient, persevering and practical of any nation, and the effect of emigrants coming into the newer States and Territories of this country has been to form and establish settlements of citizens who by these good qualities quickly take their places in the front ranks of their class. Among those who have come to this country, appreciate its institutions, and are willing to give in return their best efforts toward the success and development of the country, is the subject of this sketch, at present residing on section 36, in Buda Precinct.

The subject of this biography was born Feb. 15, 1849, in Sleswick-Holstein, one of the consolidated German States. He is a son of Hans and Annie Kruse, both natives of the same section, and the latter of whom is deceased. As their son grew to sufficient years he was given a good, solid prac- tical education in his own language. He emigrated to the United States in the year 1873, taking pas- sage from Hamburg on a steamer, and after an ocean voyage of nine days landed at New York City, and pushed on rapidly to Lancaster County, here took up a tract of land, and in connection therewith operated a mill. where he continued with growing prosperity until 1882, when he settled in his pres- ent home.

Mr. Kruse is the owner of 120 acres of well-situ- ated rolling prairie land, which he has brought to a very high condition. He is chiefly engaged in rais- ing grain crops, the average yield being about forty bushels per acre. Upon his farm are good buildings, including barn, stabling, granary, etc., all well built. His house is well situated, and com- mands a good view of the country, and makes one of the most comfortable farm dwellings in the district.

Mr. Kruse was united in marriage with Anne Alberts, who was born Aug. 10, 1852. Their family comprised seven children. of whom five are living. Their names are here appended : Mary was born Nov. 13, 1877, and died July 28. 1880; Min- nie, born Dec. 31, 1878; Ilenry J., born Aug. 31, 1880, and died Feb. 18, 1882; John F., born Sept.

7, 1882; Harry F., born Jan. 3, 1884; Anna R., born Sept. 21, 1885, and William H., born May 28, 1887. Mrs. Kruse is a native of Hanover, a daugh- ter of John and Rebecca Alberts. Her mother died when she was about twenty years of age, and about two years after that she emigrated to this country with her father and other members of the family. They proceeded direct to Nebraska, and here con- tinued to reside.

Mr. and Mrs. Kruse are members of the Congre- gational Church in good standing, are very attentive to their duties, and are held in high esteem by their fellow-members. He is a man of high character, sterling worth, and in all business circles is looked upon as perfectly honorable in every regard, and not infrequently is his word taken where in another his bond would be required.

ANIEL KELLY, of Grant Precinct, occu- pies a good position among the agricultur- ists of this part of Lancaster County, and is also a citizen full worthy of representa- tion in a work of this kind. He is an offspring of one of the best Scotch families who originated in Ar- gyleshire, the "land of the thistle," where his father, John Kelly, was born, and there married Miss Mar- garet MeNevin, a native of the same locality. They emigrated to America in 1851, after their marriage, and settled in Winnebago County, III., where the subject of this sketch was born July 3, 1854. The father died two years later, in 1856. The mother is still living, and makes her home with her son Daniel.

Our subject is the only child of his parents, and was reared mostly upon a farm. When five years old he crossed the Atlantic to the land of his fore- fathers with his mother, remaining there for a pe- riod of nine years, and until he was fourteen years of age. He then returned to the United States with his mother, settling again in Winnebago County, 111., where he completed a common-school educa- tion, and remained until the spring of 1878. In the first part of that year he crossed the Mississippi into this State, locating in Grant Precinct, where he purchased eighty acres of land on section 8, and

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where he has sinee remained. Eight years later he returned to Winnebago County, Ill., where he was married June 17, 1886. His wife was formerly Miss Mary, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth (Brown) Brown, who were also natives of Scotland. and the father a farmer by occupation. The mother died in Winnebago County, Nov. 9, 1880. Mr. Brown is still living and resides there. Their fam- ily includes ten children, of whom Mrs. Kelly was the seventh in order of birth. She was born in the above county, Jan. 12, 1858. and continued with her parents until her marriage. Her union with our subject has resulted in the birth of one child, a son, John E., who is now a bright boy six- teen months old.

Mr. Kelly cast his first Presidential vote for Hayes, and is a fervent supporter of Republican prin- ciples, and with his estimable wife is prominently connected with the Congregational Church. He rep- resents the best element of his community, where he is held in the highest respect.

B ENJAMIN F. SMITH is a pioneer of Lan- caster County, who has borne an active part in developing its great agricultural resources and making it one of the most productive regions in the whole country. He has developed for himself a fine farm on section 32, Yankee Hill Preeinct, of which he was one of the first settlers. Mr. Smith is a native of Blair County, Pa., Nov. 3, 1840, being the date of his birth. Ilis parents were Eli and Eva (Smith) Smith, natives of Pennsylvania, his paternal ancestry being English and his mater- nal ancestry German. There were twelve children born to his parents, of whom the following survive: Adam R., John, Zachary T., Eli W., Benjamin F., Andrew J., Martha, Catherine and Elizabeth. The father was a woolen manufacturer for many years, but finally turned his attention to farming. He was a man of solid worth, good business ability, and was highly esteenied as a man and a citizen.

Our subject grew to manhood in his native State, and in the public sehools received a fair education, which he has further supplemented by reading the best literature, he being a great lover of books, and

his mind is well stored with useful information, and he can talk as intelligently on the topics of the day. that require careful study and thought, as many a college-bred man. He was early set to work in his father's woolen factory, and was there employed until he was fourteen years old, when his father settled on a farm, and he began under his instruc- tion his first practical lessons in the work which he afterward adopted as his own, and which he is still prosecuting with great success. Before he had at- tained his majority the war broke out, and with youthful ardor and patriotism he sprang to the de- fense of the dear old flag, being among the first to respond to his country's eall, enlisting April 1, 1861, in Company D, 3d Pennsylvania Infantry, the term of his enlistment being three months. His regiment formed a part of the army under the com- mand of the gallant Gen. Patterson, operating in the Shenandoah Valley. Our subjeet was discharged in August, 1861, and subsequently enlisted, Feb. 1, 1863, in Company K, 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was then directly under command of the heroic Sheridan until Feb. 14, 1865, when his regiment was put under the brave Kilpatrick, who was then operating in North Carolina. Our subject took part in the battle of Fisher's Hill, and in numerous skir- mishes, and during the last three months of his serv- ice he acted as police guard to protect Government supplies at Fayetteville, N. C. After the close of the war he was honorably discharged from the army in August, 1865, and returned to his old home in Pennsylvania, to quietly resume the labors that had been interrupted by the breaking out of the Re- bellion.

On Christmas Day, 1866, our subject took unto himself a wife in the person of Miss Elizabeth Har- nish, who has, indeed, been to him a helpmate, and has ably assisted him in the accumulation of his property. She was born in Pennsylvania, Oct. 8, 1846, and is a daughter of Daniel and Susanna Har- nish, natives of Pennsylvania. Her mother died when she was twelve years old, leaving five chil- dren to mourn their loss, namely : Elizabeth ; Mattie, wife of William Heffner, of Ohio; Sarah and Zach- ary, in Pennsylvania; David, in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of seven children, of whom the following is recorded : Eli M., born Jan.

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8, 1868; Ida M., Oct. 22, 1869; Daniel L., Jan. 16, 1873; Marian C., Jan. 16, 1875 : Emma B., June 1, 1876; John Q., born Oct. 24, 1871, died Sept. 20, 1872.

In 1868 Mr. Smith came to Nebraska with his family and settled on his present farm, which was then a wild tract of rolling prairie land, not a sod of which had ever been turned by a plow. It is now a splendid farm. a standing monument to his industry, whose broad acres yield abundant harvests to his careful and wise cultivation. Our subject is, in the truest sense of the word, a self-made man, as his prosperity has been brought about mainly through his own exertions. He is a man of good mental endowments, is well gifted physically, and as in times of war he proved himself a brave sol- dier, so in times of peace he has proved a good citi- zen, one in whom his fellowmen can safely trust. He has interested himself in the cause of education, and has served as School Treasurer and Moderator in his district. In his political views he is a strong Republieau.

h ENRY SIECK. Highland Precinct was fort- unate in being settled up by a large pro- portion of thrifty German citizens, who have developed the soil in an admirable manner, and contributed to it that solid and substantial element which insures its standing among the com- munities around it. The subject of this sketch owns and operates a finc farm of 280 acres on sections 23 and 24, the greater part of which is in a productive condition, enclosed with good fences and supplied with snitable buildings.

Mr. Sieck came to this county abont 1868 or 1869, and purchased 120 acres of land from Uncle Sam. He was poor in purse, and his possessions to-day are the result of his own honest efforts. Upon taking possession of his land he contemplated a task requiring the labor of years, as there had been little attempt at cultivation and no improvements what- ever. The opportunities before him, however, ap- pealed to his strong common sense, as he saw that under proper management the soil would become highly productive, and the face of the country was

surely unequaled in point of beauty and natural advantages.

Our subject before coming to this county had been a resident of Clayton County, Iowa, three years, where he carried on farming, but not with the success which he desired. He was born on the other side of the Atlantic, in what was then the Kingdom but is now the Prussian Province of IIanover, Dec. 10, 1827, and is the son of Adam and Elizabeth (Gillen) Sieck, who were natives of the same place as their son, and of pure German ancestry. His father was a farmer by occupation, a hard-working, honest man, and passed away after reaching his threescore years. Both parents were members of the Lutheran Church. Their family included six children, of whom Henry, our subject, was the eld- est son and second child.

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Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 64

Author: Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers Number of Pages: 812

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 812