Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 70

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

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As might be well imagined, the life during the first few years of a settler in a new country is by no means tempered with the conveniences and com- fort making surroundings that one finds now in a well-developed district. Consequently the life of Mr. Dierks for the first four or five years was one of privation and hardships. He then made his home in a dug-ont, being unable to provide better,

and in fact the material for doing so was both difli- eult to get and very expensive. By his diligence and economy, however, he garnered from his fer- tile field a few crops which enabled him to erect a more comfortable dwelling, and now the farm upon which he turned the first furrow is well improved, and in fact may justly be termed a splendid farm. As might be inferred Mr. Dierks is a hard-working. economical man, and all that he has to-day is the result of his own labor. Besides the 160 acres first secured from the Government, he has an additional quarter-section in Buda.

Mr. Dierks has taken great interest in whatever has in view the improvement of the county, and in the elevation of its people socially, intellectually and morally. He has devoted considerable time to the educational interests of his district. and has served as Moderator of District No. 61 for nine years, and it may be said to his credit that he ren- dered efficient and valuable service. In his political views he may be classed as an Independent, voting generally in local elections for the best man. In the National campaign, however, he may usually be found voting with the Republican party.

ACOB PLANK. It is often remarked that the agriculturist and husbandman are at the foundation of all national prosperity, and that a country's wealth must come primarily from the soil through the farmer. Be this as it may, and we do not challenge it, it is equally cer- tain and most undeniable that an indispensable ne- cessity of modern times is the man who will bring to us the various articles of every-day requirement usually found upon the shelves and in the bins and canisters of the drug and grocery store, and he who can intelligently and successfully keep such a store in good working order is as certainly a public bene- factor as the farmer. The subject of this sketch is a representative of this class of benefactors, to which he has added that of druggist, and whose store is situated in Raymond.

John Plank, father of our subject, was a native of the Quaker State, Pennsylvania, where he was born about 1802, and after a few years, while still

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quite young, accompanied the family upon their re- moval to Logan County, Ohio. Here he received his early education in the common schools, after- ward continuing for some time as teacher. Ile now turned his attention to another employment, and we find him working during the summer at the car- penter's bench, and during the winter engaged in shoemaking. At this place he became acquainted and was most favorably impressed with the many virtues of Miss Sarah Shoup. Their marriage was celebrated in 1825. The fruit of this union comprised eleven children, six of whom they were allowed the privilege of rearing to maturity. Their names are recorded in the order of their birth as Barbara, Elizabeth, Lydia, Jacob (our subject), Sarah and John.

Another change was made in 1851, at which time Mr. Plank left the bench and lapstone and pur- chased a farm, which he set to work to improve, and continued to make his residence until the warn- ing came by which he recognized that he was no longer a young man. He accordingly sold his farm and bought a small place. From that time until his death, which occurred in the year 1870, at the age of sixty-eight years, he lived a very quiet life. It was not very long that his widow was left to mourn in loneliness, for she was soon called upon to rejoin him in the world that knows no parting. Her hus- band died in the spring, and in the early fall they were reunited.

Mrs. Sarah Plank was the daughter of Jacob Shoup, and was born in Pennsylvania about 1807. Early in her life the family removed to Ohio, and her education was obtained in that State, and until her marriage she continued to reside at home.

Our subject was born on the 9th of June, 1833, in Holmes County, Ohio, near Bellefontaine. IIis education was received in the usual institution, where he obtained, if not an elegant and extensive education, a practical one. After school days were over he continued to live with the family, and as- sisted his father until he came to manhood. In the year 1861 he sought an alliance with Miss Sarah Strickland, a native of Pennsylvania, but from youth a resident of the Buckeye State. The con- summation of this most unregretable selection and happy choice took place upon Dec. 15, 1861, when

they celebrated their marriage at her home, in Lo- gan County, Ohio. After his marriage he bought a farm, which he continued successfully to operate until the spring of 1873, with the exception of the time spent at the front in defense of the old flag.

Our subject enlisted in Company E, 132d Ohio Infantry, as a private, in which capacity he con- tinued. He saw considerable service and was at- tached at different times to the 13th, 17th and 18th Army Corps, and was honorably discharged on the 10th of September, 1864. In 1873 he was enabled to sell to advantage his farm, came West, and purchased property located some two miles south of Raymond, and there he was among the early pio- neers. The farm now purchased he began imme- diately to improve; he put up a very comfortable residence and convenient barn, proceeding with other matters from time to time, and continued to live on this property thirteen years, i. e. until the year 1886, when he sold his farm and came into the city to engage in his present business, in which he is very prosperous. His is the only drug-store in Raymond. To our subject has been born one daughter, now Mrs. J. W. Montgomery, who has become the mother of two children, a son and a daughter.

Sarah (Strickland) Plank, the beloved wife of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, Aug. 12, 1831. When she was two years of age her parents removed to Logan County, Ohio. Her education was received in the school of that district, and upon completing her education she continued to reside at home until her marriage, She is still living and in the enjoyment of all her faculties, and in good healthı. IIer father, George Strickland, was a na- tive of Maryland, and was there educated and reared. At the close of his school term he was ap- prenticed and learned tailoring, after which he re- moved to Pennsylvania and worked at his trade. Hle was married to Mary Ann Strayer. From Pennsylvania they removed to Ohio. He discon- tinued his original business and bought a farm. This he continued most successfully to operate until the weight of years imperiously forbade fur- ther toil in that direction; he therefore retired from active labor, but remained in farm life until his death, after completing a cycle of 100 years.

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Our subject. Mr. Plank, is and always has been a stanch Republican, and always votes the ticket of his party. With his family, he is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, where they are held, as in the community generally, in the highest possible esteem.

ILLIAM D. HAYES. When the outlying Territories of the West began to fill up. and the wild prairie was caught within the network of the farm fence and made subject to the plow, when the seeder and cultivator had trav- ersed the broad acres, and in the harvest time the headers and self-binders had gathered in the golden store, the farmer found himself face to face with a difficulty which was none the less pressing or re- duced in its dimensions because it had been present in his mind while the grain had been maturing. It was the question of a profitable market for the treasures now gathered and lying upon the thresh- ing floor in a mountain of beautiful, ripe grain.

In the present sketch it is our pleasure to present an outline of the history of one who has helped to solve this problem. The corporations and heavy grain buyers for the world's markets have been busy connecting the East and the Far West with a chain of outposts, until nearly every town, even the smaller ones, became possessed of grain eleva- tors, which, although very infants when placed beside the mammoth concerns of the great shipping points, were. nevertheless, the key of hope to the door of release from the difficulty above stated. In these elevators were stationed men who were well acquainted with the various kinds and quali- ties of grain, and who were kept posted by their employers regarding the market price of their com- modity, and it was their business to buy from the farmer the reward of his toil, and see it shipped in due form to the East. Thus he stood, the con- meeting link between the farmer on the prairie and the market.

Alonzo Hayes, the father of our subject, was born in the year 1810, in Barrington, N. II. He received a liberal education, passing by regular gradation from the common to the High schools,

and thence to Andover, from which institution he graduated with honors, and then was ordained to the ministry of the Congregational Church. IIe first located at Barnstable, Mass., where he con- tinued for several years, and after holding some other charges retired from the ministry and bought a farm in Virginia, which he worked so that he became quite a prosperous man. He continued in this occupation until his death, in 1858.

Alonzo Ilayes was united in marriage with Mal- vina E. Gilman, at Washington, D. C. She was born Sept. 18, 1810, in Alexandria, Va. Their children were named Annie M., Mary H., Alonzo ( .. and William D., our subject. Mrs. Hayes is still living, and enjoys, considering her age, good health; she is residing in Alexandria County, Va. Mrs. Ilayes is the daughter of Ephraim Gilman; was born in Alexandria, in 1810, and received her education in its school, although some time was subsequently spent in an educational institution near Washington, D. C. With the exception of our subject, all the family continue to reside in the same place.

W. D. Hayes entered this life May 4, 1853, at the home of his parents just outside the limits of Washington, D. C. After the usual course of study in the common school had been pursued he was apprenticed to a machinist, and learned the trade. After about four years he came West, and started to work as an engineer at the State's Prison at Lincoln, in which appointment he con- tinued for eighteen months. In the year 1878 he purchased a farm in Clay County, and began to work as an agriculturist. After a period of two years he sold out and went to .Johnson County, where he remained one year, and then purchased his present property, a fertile farm well sitnated on section 5, Oak Precinet, a mile southeast of the village of Raymond, comprising eighty acres. He has ef- fected several improvements of value, among which may be mentioned that he has put out an extensive orchard of choice trees, which are in a thriving condition, also, a considerable number of forest and shade trees, has also erected a substantial resi- dence, suitable barn and stable, and brought the whole farm under cultivation.

The associations of Alexandria. Va., were such that our subject did not sever himself utterly from

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them, and upon the Ist of October, 1878, he led to the altar Miss Etta M. Cameron, a resident of that place. This lady was born in Chariton, Lucas Co., lowa, on the 14th of November, 1857, and is the daughter of Anderson and Emily Cameron. While she was quite a child the family removed to Henry County, Iowa, where she had to face irreparable misfortune and loss in the death of her parents. After this mournful experience she removed to Washington and made her home with her grand- parents, where she continued until her marriage. She has presented her husband with three daughters and one son ; the eldest has been named Emily M .; the son Douglas C., and the two youngest Marga- ret and Janet.

Mr. Hayes is at present the principal agent for the firm of Himebaugh & Merriam, of Omaha, who are extensive grain buyers, and has been with them three years. He has had extensive experience in grain buying, and is, perhaps, the largest buyer in the whole valley. Our subject is Director of the Raymond school, which office he has held since July past, and has filled the duties of the same in a manner most complimentary to himself and re- flecting favorably upon the judgment of those by whose suffrage he was elected. In politics he affili- ates with the Republican party, and is an ardent, adherent and outspoken advocate of the cause. In the Presbyterian Church Mr. and Mrs. Hayes are among the most consistent and active members, and are held in very high regard. The same is true, also, of their general social relations to an eminent degree.

OIIN G. MULLER. Highland Precinct has been the home of the subject of this sketch for the last nineteen years, where he has operated with more than ordinary success as an agrienlturist, tilling the soil of 160 acres of good land on section 12. He is a thorough and skillful farmer, a man upright in his business trans- actions, and one who holds a good position among his fellow-citizens.

Mr. Muller came to Sonthern Nebraska in the spring of 1869, and secured eighty acres of land

from the Government, settling upon it and being determined to remain until he accomplished the task of securing a good homestead for himself and his family. Providence smiled upon his efforts, so that he now has one of the best developed farms in this part of the county, with suitable and con- venient buildings, fruit and shade trees, and all those little embellishments which go to make up a complete rural home. Ile had formerly resided in Muscatine, lowa, where for a period of four years he was occupied as a mechanie and machinist, being a skillful workman and master of his business. He left that place amid the regrets of many friends, and the business men who had often availed them- selves of his labors.

Our subject, a native of the Kingdom of Wur- temberg, was born in the city of Nelimersbach, April 25, 1838, and is the son of Jacob and Mary (Beiswanger) Muller, who spent their entire lives upon their native soil in Germany, and died before our subject emigrated to the United States. The father was a successful farmer, owning his own land, and a man of more than ordinary intelligence and business capabilities. He was prominent in public affairs, often holding positions of trust and responsibility, especially in connection with the settlement of estates. He also held the post of Superintendent of the Orphans' Home, and was Treasurer of the above-mentioned city. In religious matters he belonged to the Lutheran Church.

The parental family of our subject included six children, of whom John G. was the youngest. lle came to the United States at the age of seventeen, with his brother George. Two of his brothers, Ja- cob and George, during the late Rebellion served as soldiers in the Union Army : George, being eapt- ured by the rebels, met death by starvation in one of the Southern prisons. Jacob lost part of a hand; he is now a resident of Philadelphia, Pa., living upon a competence, retired from active labor. IIis sister Mary became the wife of Frederick Pound, a wealthy citizen of Philadelphia, who followed the business of a butcher and is now deceased; Chris- tian Muller is a successful farmer of Johnson County, Iowa, residing near Iowa City; a sister Katie died in Germany two years after her marriage.

Our subject was reared and educated in his na-

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tive town, and upon coming to America located with his brother George in Philadelphia, Pa. Not long afterward he began working as a farm hand in Bucks County, where he was employed for a period of five years. Then he turned his steps westward, and for eighteen months lived in the vicinity of Iowa City, employing himself at whatever he could find to do. With genuine German thrift and pro- dence, he managed not only to keep his head above water but always to have a little something in his pocket-book, and, being desirous of establishing a home of his own, he was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Herzer, the wedding taking place in Iowa City, on the 16th of November, 1861.

Mrs. Maller is a native of the town of Bretten, in the Grand Duehy of Baden, which place had been honored by the birth of Melancthon, the Ger- man reformer and the close friend of Martin Luther. She was born May 16, 1839, and is the daugh- ter of Frank and Sophie (Kesler) IIerzer, the for- mer of whom was of French parentage and closely allied to royalty. The IIerzer family prior to the seventh century owned large estates, but during the troubles incident to the Reformation were driven from their possessions and fled to Germany, where they might enjoy freedom of religious thought. The Keslers also were people of high standing in Germany, and likewise sympathized with the reformed faith, on account of which they sacrificed much property and met practically with the same misfortunes which the Ilerzers encoun- tered.

The father of Mrs. Muller was prominent in pub- lic affairs and acquired a good property. At one time he was closely connected with the Govern- ment, and a representative of one of the Dukes of his native Province. Both parents spent their en- tire lives in the Grand Duchy of Baden, the father passing away in the prime of life, when forty-seven years of age, and the mother dying at the age of fifty-seven. Religiously, they were connected with the Evangelical Church, in the success of which they took an active interest. Their family con- sisted of eleven children, who were carefully trained and educated, and of whom Mrs. Muller was one of the younger members. Only four survive.

The wife of our subject came to the United States

with her sister Sophie, when a young lady twenty years of age, and they lived for the first nine months in Macoupin County, Ill., then changed their residence to Iowa City, where Mrs. Muller met her future husband. She is a very intelligent lady, and reealls many of the incidents of her early life in her native Empire, and the matters connected with the history of her parents. She has been the efficient helpmate of her husband, and his chief assistant in the building up of the homestead. Of their union there have been born eleven children, and they reared another child besides.

℮ IIARLES A. PIERCE, Cashier of the Citi- zens' Bank at Bennet, a young man capable, business-like and energetic, is the son of one of the leading citizens of Waverly Precinct, Hon. Charles W. Pierce, a sketch of whom appears else- where in this volume. Ile was born at Havana, Ill., Dec. 8, 1860, pursued his early studies in the common schools, and was graduated from the Uni- versity of Nebraska in the class of '83.

Mr. Pierce commenced his business career as an Assistant Division Engineer on construction in the employ of the Burlington & Missouri River Rail- road Company in Kansas, but a year later was obliged to return home on account of failing health. When recovered he was made an attache of the County Clerk's office at Lincoln. In April, 1886, he was appointed Cashier of the Citizens' Bank of Bennet, in which institution he is also a Director. In 1883 he was appointed Notary Public, and is also a member of the Village Board of Bennet. Cool- headed and conscientious, the friends who are watching him with kindly interest predict that he has before him a ereditable and prosperous career.

Our subject was married in Shepardsville, Clin- ton Co., Mich., Ang. 25, 1886, to Miss Ida Shepard, who was born in Waterford, Pa. Mrs. Pierce is the daughter of B. M. Shepard. now living in Shepards- ville, Mich. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are now the proud parents of twins, a boy and girl, Charles S. and Olive, who were born Sept. 17, 1887. Mrs. Pierce is a member of the Episcopal Church, and Mr. P., politically, affiliates with the Republican

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party. He identified himself with the Masonic fraternity in 1882, being now a member of Blue Lodge No. 94, at Bennet, and also of Delta Lodge, A. A. S. R., at Lincoln. He also belongs to the Loyal Legion of the United States.

D HILLIP ROIMAN. Among the Provinces which have gone to make up the consoli- dated German Empire there were probably none that could surpass that over which ruled that passionate lover of music, Ludwig, of Bavaria; just, honorable and well-balanced as a man and ruler, the peasantry of his domain were bright, happy and prosperous. The subject of this sketch is a native of Bavaria, as was also his father and immediate ancestry. To-day he is the owner of a magnificent farm on section 15, West Oak Precinct, his property comprising 320 acres, chiefly devoted to the raising of stock.

Peter Rohman, the father of our subject, was born in the above section of the German Empire, in the year 1813. He was by occupation a farmer, and owned his own farm in his native land. He was the husband of Miss Anna Arnold. The home circle comprised nine children. all of whom accompanied him to this country. This event transpired in the year 1846, shortly after the death of his wife. With his children he proceeded to Peoria, Ill., where he followed his usual avocation and continued in the same until his death, at the age of seventy-seven years.

Our subject was born Oct. 24, 1825. Ilis edu- cation was received in a private academy in his na- tive country, and upon its completion he was ap- prenticed to learn the trade of blacksmith, which he continued until the journey to America. Then he gave his time and attention to farm work, assisting his father at Peoria, but shortly after he took up a farm of 160 acres for himself and began the im- provement of the same. It was situated in Wood- ford County and was covered with a timber growth of many years, he had, therefore, literally to hew out a farm, which he gradually did, and was very prosperous for a period of eighteen years, when he

purchased a farm near Peoria, which he set to work upon immediately, erecting a good, substantial and comfortable farm dwelling, besides other necessary buildings, set out fruit and sbade trees in abun- dance, and continued to make it his residence until he came here in the year 1881, where he immedi- ately took up his present property, which has been transformed from wild prairie land to one of the best preserved and cultivated farms in this district, which is saying a great deal, for as a whole the com- munity is much above the average.

For a period of three years past our subject has lived in Lincoln, and this in order that his children might have the benefit of the excellent city school. During that time his new residence has been built on the farm and he has just moved into it. The new dwelling shows most clearly that the owners possess much of the refinement of life, taste and culture, whether we gaze at the exterior, its archi- tecture and decoration, or examine the interior with its modern adornments and artistie tinting ; its furn- ishing also is entirely in keeping, the whole forming a home dwelling worthy of such a successful life.

Upon the 29th of June, 1847, our subject took to his heart and home Miss Barbara Egstine, of Woodford County, Ill. This lady was born Nov. 13, 1832, in Germany, and in 1837 came to America with her father, Michael Egstine, who took up land in Woodford County in that year, and continued to work the same until his death in November, 1869. The marriage of our subject has been consolidated and rendered more felicitous by the additions which have been made from time to time to the home cir- cle. Ten children have been born, of whom eight are living, whose names are here appended in the order of birth: Mary, Peter, Frank, Charles. Eflie, Maggie, Emma and Fred. Charles the fourth child of our subject, is now the husband of Edie Steiner, and resides in Lincoln ; his sister Effie was united in marriage to John Costello, and resides in Illinois; the three younger children are still at home with their parents. Mary, the oldest child, is now Mrs. William Stark, and lives at Colorado Springs; she has be- come the mother of three children. Peter is mar- ried to Josephine McGoogan ; Frank is the husband of Elizabeth Lyon, and resides on section 15, and has become the parent of three children; his next

Yours Truly

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door neighbor is his brother Peter, whose family comprises a like number. The political sympathies of our subject are with the Republican party, which finds an ever ready supporter in him. Both he and his family are the recipients of the entire confidence . and high regard of their neighbors.

HILIP FINK, JR., a well-known and pros- perous farmer of Buda Precinct, is a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. Ile was born to Philip and Gertrude Fink upon the 23d of January, 1850. His parents emigrated to this country in the year 1868, journeying from their home to Antwerp, and thence to Liverpool, England, where passage was taken upon one of the trans-Atlantic steamers, which, after a voyage of fourteen days, landed them in New York City. The mother is now deceased.

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Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska, Part 70

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

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