USA > Nebraska > Lancaster County > Portrait and biographical album of Lancaster county, Nebraska > Part 86
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On the 6th of May, 1888, Mr. Buhmann was married to Anne Beekmann, who was also a former resident of Germany. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Lutheran Church, and are well known in society. The husband takes an active interest in public affairs, his education qualifying him to serve as Director of Schools of his district, in which position he is now serving his third year, also hav- ing occupied the office of Assessor for one year. Ile is joined with the Republican party in politics. He is meeting with good success in his business, and among active, self-reliant men he is entitled to a prominent rank, having accumulated all his pos- sessions by the genius of industry, and the habit of depending upon himself for whatever was to be done.
AMES GILES. This well-known and re- speeted farmer, whose property is situated on section 12 of Denton Precinct, was born in the city of London, England, on the 19th of February, 1835, and is the eldest son of Will- iam and Elizabeth Giles, natives of the same coun- try. Until he reached man's estate he continued to make his home in his native city, where he received as fair an English education as could be obtained by attendance at school until lie became twelve years of age, when he began clerking in a large wholesale bazar in that city, and continued thus employed for twelve years.
Our subject emigrated to this country in the spring of 1868, taking passage at Liverpool, and
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landing after a voyage of fifteen days in the city of New York. He came on at once to Nebraska City, where he remained about a month, then removed to Otoe County, and there continned to reside for several years, removing to this county in 1875, and settling upon his present farm in 1880. Ile is the owner of 160 acres of fine farming land, which he has improved almost solely by his own industry and toil.
Our subject found in Harriet Claridge one whom he believed most desirable in the near relationship of wifehood, and to her he was married before leaving his native country. They have become the parents of six children. viz: Harriet, now Mrs. Joseph Payne, of Denton Precinct; Emily, who is at home; Frederick, a resident of Lincoln ; Herbert, William and Nellie. For several years our subject has been School Moderator, serving with much credit to himself and satisfaction to the people. The religious home of Mr. and Mrs. Giles is in the Congregational Church. of which they are earnest members. Our subject thinks strongly upon the question of temperance, and is a stout defender and supporter of prohibition.
ENRY F. MITCHELL is a well-known far- mer and stock-raiser, residing on section 34 of Centerville Precinct. The result of his industry, and the general character of the man, are, perhaps, more forcibly illustrated in the view of his homestead, which will be found in this connection, than any words of which we might make use. That he has employed his time profit- ably there is no doubt, and he deserves eredit for the example of perseverance, which is one of the prominent points of his character.
John and Maria Mitchell, the parents of our sub- ject, reside in Licking County, Ohio, where they located during its early settlement. The father's native State is Ohio, and the mother, it is believed, is a native of Virginia. William Mitchell, the pa- ternal grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the War of 1812. To the parents of the gentleman in whose honor this sketch is written there was born a family of eight children, seven of whom are
living, namely : Henry F .; Newton, in Ohio; Jerome, in Lancaster County, Neb .; Isaac H., in Cheyenne County, Kan .; Ezra, in Ohio; Eber S., in Ilitchcock County, Neb .; Sarah E., at home in Ohio. The deceased was a son named William.
Henry F. Mitchell, the second child of his par- ents, was born on the 25th of October, 1845, in Licking County, Ohio, where he resided until he reached years of manhood, and then received an academic education. On Jan. 1, 1868, he was married to Miss Alice C. Buel, a daughter of Ed- win and Lavina Buel; the mother is now deceased. Mrs. Mitchell is also a native of Licking County, Ohio, and after her marriage with our subject they removed to Cherokee County, Kan., where they re- sided until 1873. In the fall of that year they came to this county, and in 1876 settled on their present farm. This comprises 240 acres of well- improved land, which is mostly devoted to stock- raising. Our subject has at present (1888) sixty head of Short-horn cattle, of which he makes a specialty, and a fine breed of hogs.
Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell became the parents of four children, one of whom, Sailey B., died Sept. 14, 1868; Clyde E. was born Sept. 5, 1873; Clinton J., Feb. 16, 1875. There is also an infant un- named. Our subject is one of the number of men who have largely assisted in developing the resources of a new country, and have gained for themselves and their families a competence. Coming as he did to Nebraska withont resources, except those innate qualities of manhood which are a host in themselves, he has labored diligently, and with much persever- ance, so that now he can enjoy without anxiety con- cerning the future the conveniences and luxuries with which he is surrounded.
The academic education which Mr. Mitchell re- ceived has been of as much moment to him in his present vocation as it would have been had he chosen a profession in the heart of the city. "Knowledge is power," and if rightly used there is scarcely a limit to its achievements. Thus our subject has been eminently qualified to serve as a member of the School Board for some ten years, and to take an active part in all the leading move- ments of the day, whereby the future welfare of the children now growing up can be assured. lle is a
RESIDENCE OF H. F. MITCHELL, SEC. 34. CENTERVILLE PRECINCT.
JONES
RESIDENCE OF FREDRICK LUCKE, SEC. 26. BUDA PRECINCT.
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member of the Republican party, and looks for- ward to the continuation of the National prosperity : as a Mason he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and has a large circle of warm friends and acquaint- ances. As an enterprising and honest man, he merits the highest esteem of his fellowmen, and deserves to continue for many years the gratified observer of the advancement of the precinct for which he has done so much.
REDERICK LUCKE. It is ever a pleasure to note in history the successive steps by which some men have risen from a lowly condition to one of comfort and wealth, and per- haps there is no more excellent illustration of the achievements of industry than that afforded by a glimpse into the lives of the German residents and land owners in this county. Many of them, either with or without their parents, took leave of their friends and relatives in the Fatherland, endured a long voyage across the water, and arrived in this country perhaps the only representatives of their respective families, with perhaps sufficient means to enable them to reach the part of this country which they had previously chosen to inhabit, but com- pelled sooner or later to engage in some occupation by which they might be enabled to meet the com- ing wants, and provide for themselves and their families a home.
Among those who are entitled to respect because of their strength of character and sterling qualities of manhood, is the gentleman who furnishes the subject of this sketch. He is a successful and en- terprising farmer of Buda Precinct, residing on sec- tion 26. He was born in Prussia, in the year 1851, and is a son of Louis and Charlotte Lueke, who were also of German birth, and the former of whom is deceased. Frederick remained in his native country until he was sixteen years old, then with his parents crossed the water to America and settled with his family in Cook County, Ill., where they lived for one year; thence they moved to Benton County, Iowa, where they resided for a number of years, an l in about the year 1879 they came to this county.
After spending a few years with his family in
their new home, the father of our subject was taken from them, his death occurring on the 5th of June, 1883. The mother is living, and still resides in Buda Precinct, her years numbering more than seventy. There were born to them nine children, two of whom are deceased. Those living are: August, Henry; Harmon, who is engaged in a merchant tailoring and clothing house, at Harlan, Iowa; Frederick; Charles, who is farming in Ore- gon ; Christopher, who is farming in the Far West; and Lonis. Both of the parents were members of the Lutheran Church, and exemplary Christian peo- ple. The mother is enjoying in her latter days the homage due to a life well spent.
Our subject went to Iowa with his parents, and remained there about three years. Then leaving them he started out alone to seek his fortune in another region. Ile came to this county in 1871 and homesteaded eighty acres of land, which he at once set about improving, and at which he has been so snecessful that he now has a splendid farm, with all needful buildings and machinery. He has been a careful manager, and added to his first possessions until he has now a traet consisting of 480 acres of land, the result of his own perseverance and industry.
When Mr. Lucke came to this county he was but a young man, and the world was before him. Ile made good use of his knowledge of farming, no doubt meeting with the hardships and discourage- ments incident to that time, and obliged to forego modern comforts and luxuries, and in the time that he has lived on his own land he has made here and there an improvement as he was able, and has the satisfaction of seeing it in almost as perfect a condition as the labor of man could secure. Ile has followed agriculture all his life, with the exception of a short time spent in earpentering.
On the 13th of March, 1873, our subjeet was joined in matrimony with Miss Mary Severin, a daughter of John C. and Elizabeth Severin, of whom further mention is made in another sketch. Mrs. Lucke has been a faithful helpmate to her hus- band, sharing his labors and encouraging him by her womanly smile and presence, and to them have been given four children, all with but one exeep- tion permitted to remain with them : Amanda, the eldest, was born Feb. 28, 1875; Clara, Dec. 23,
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1877; and Emil, March 10, 1880. Richard, the little one who was taken from them, was born Nov. 29, 1876, and died December 15 of the same year.
Mr. Lucke has taken a lively interest in the affairs of his community, having served as Treasurer of the School Board for several years, and as Road Supervisor for two terms. IIc is an active member of the German Family Club, at Cortland, and promi- nent among the members of the Agricultural So- ciety of Buda Precinct. In political matters he is Democratic in his views, although generally voting for the men whom he considers qualified to fill their respective offices without regard to the party to which they may belong. He is an esteemed member of the Lutheran Church, and honorably mentioned in society and among business men.
Probably no more correct idea can be gained of the character of Mr. Lucke than a glance at the view of his home and surroundings which is given on another page, and which indicates in a forcible manner to what good advantage he has labored. It forms a monument to his industry which his chil- dren in future years may look upon with pride and satisfaction, and a landmark to his credit in the county of his adoption.
LPIIONSUS J. COLE is one of the promi- nent general farmers and raisers of im- proved stock in West Oak Preeinct, where, upon section 6, he is the owner of a fine farm of 160 acres. lle is the son of Samnel C. and Maria ( Hass) Cole. Ilis father was born in Bucks . County, Pa., Feb. 2, 1829; having procured from the usual institution a practical education, he was apprenticed for three years to learn the trade of carpenter and builder, after which he worked at his trade in Doylestown and Philadelphia, making his headquarters at Bueksville, continuing there until the year 1884.
Mr. Cole, Sr., was united in marriage with Miss Hass, of Philadelphia. Their family numbered six children, four boys and two girls. His wife was born on Christmas Day, 1828, upon board ship in mid-Atlantic, while en route from Germany. She is the daughter of Jacob Hass, and until her mar-
riage lived at home in Philadelphia. Her father continued to live in that city from his first entrance to the country until his death in 1860. In 1884 Mr. Cole sold his property in Bucksville and came to Lincoln, where he lived with his family for three months, when they took up residence upon their present farm, but as age began to tell upon them they left their son, our subject, in charge of the farm, and again made their home in Lincoln. Both they and their family are devout members of the Catholic Church. The political sympathies of Mr. Cole are, and always have been, with the Demo- cratic party. The grandfather of our subject, Joseph Cole, was born in 1789, and continued to live in Pennsylvania until 1873, when he died at the age of eighty-four years.
Alphonsus. J. Cole, the subject of this sketch, was born in Bucksville, Pa., April 15, 1859. He re- ceived a good common-school education, which was followed by a full course at Notre Dame, Ind. From the school he graduated to the farm, the in- tricacies and details of which it was his purpose to master. He continued at this occupation until the removal West in 1884, when the family came direct to this place and took the property at present occu- pied, and also the eighty acres situated directly across the line in Saunders County. Immediately he began to improve the property and redeem the wildness of the rolling prairie. His work began with the erection of a residence, which was made to consist of a two and a half story frame building with no pretention to architectural fashions, and yet substantial and comfortable, and presenting when finished, painted and decorated, a very pretty and pleasant home. There followed afterward the build- ing of the barn, granaries and other out-build- ings; a select and extensive orchard was set out, and numerous forest and shade trees were planted. The whole farm is surrounded by beautiful trees of this description, and every acre brought to the highest state of cultivation.
November 25, 1887, our subject and Miss Jo- sephine Hoffman celebrated Thanksgiving Day with a new interest, and were united in the golden bands of wedlock. This lady is the daughter of John Hoffman, of Bauer, Iowa. She was born Ang. 10, 1959, at Bucksville, Pa. lIer mother died when
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she was small, and she made her home with Mr. Abner McCarty, of Haycock, Pa. Iler father came to America and settled in Bucksville, which was his residence until 1873, when he came West to Bauersville, where he still resides. He was called upon to suffer affliction in the death of his wife in the year 1860.
Our subject and wife are both consistent men- bers of the Catholic Church at Lincoln. Mr. Cole is at present Justice of the Peace for West Oak, and his many merits as a man and citizen, and his high sense of honor, are recognized by the commu- nity, so that for a number of years he has been Clerk of Elections, He is a friend of good order and morality, and is a warm supporter of the Democratic party.
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G EORGE W. CARR. This honored pioneer of West Oak Precinct came to this part of the county during its early settlement, and is now the owner of 240 acres of fine farming land on section 28. Thomas G. Carr, the father of our subject, is a native of the Buckeye State. He was born April 22, 1823, and spent his childhood and youth after the manner of most farmers' sons, ac- quiring a limited education in the common school and passing the greater part of the year in the vari- ous employments of farm life. His father dying when he was but a lad, he went with his mother, later, into the western part of Ohio, and remained with her until after his marriage. He married Miss Julia Heller, and they became the parents of nine children. In 1882 he changed his residence to Kalamazoo County, Mich., where he, together with his wife, is still living, and engaged in farming.
George W. Carr, our subject, was born in Han- cock County, Ohio, Sept. 19, 1844. He obtained a common-school education, and occupied himself at farm labor until a youth of eighteen years, when, the Civil War being in progress, he enlisted as a Union soldier in Company F, 21st Ohio In- fantry, and participated in many of the important battles of the war. At Stone River he was wounded and captured, but held only until the end of the engagement. After the expiration of his first term
of enlistment he veteranized and marched with the troops of Gen. Sherman to the sea. Ile saw much of hardship and privation, and endured bravely with his comrades the vicissitudes of war, receiving at the close his honorable discharge. Returning home he employed himself at the peaceful pursuit of carpentering.
In 1868, however, our subject turned his steps toward the farther West, and in April, 1868, lo- cated in West Oak Precinct, this county. The country was thinly settled and the houses were few and far between. The principal marketing for farm produce was to emigrants passing through the country, who were glad to be able to thus re- plenish their stores. Mr. Carr selected his land and put up a building 12x16 feet in dimensions, which was considered a fine structure for those days, es- pecially as, preparing it for an expected bride, he had added to it many little finishing touches, which an older man with a family would probably have omitted. Ilis land embraced eighty acres. In the fall of the year he went back to Ohio to marry the lady of his choice, Miss Margaret E. Strickler, and they were made one on the 4th of February, 1869.
Our subject and his young wife sought their Western home early in the spring of the above year, and here for a period of ten years they lived con- tentedly, until the death of this most estimable lady, which occurred March 21, 1879. They had in the meantime become the parents of one child only, a son, Clyde, who is still at home with his father. Our subject in 1881 contracted a second marriage, with Miss Axie Sutton, and they are the parents of three children-Elma, Jennie and Iva. The eldest is six years of age and the youngest fifteen months.
Mr. Carr in the summer of 1877 put up a mod- ern frame dwelling, and has from time to time added the other structures necessary for the successful prosecution of his calling. He also planted an or- chard and a fine assortment of forest trees, and has a homestead that would be a credit to any county in any Eastern State. Considering the manner in which be labored and managed, it is not surprising that his fellow-citizens recognized in him an indi- vidual eminently fitted for the various local offices, which he has held with credit, particularly in his
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school district, He belongs to the United Brethren Church, and uniformly votes the Republican ticket.
The wife of our subject is a sister of Mrs. V. A. Markel, a sketch of whom appcars elsewhere in this ALBUM. She was born in Poweshiek County, Iowa, May 12, 1864, and is the daughter of Schuyler and Sarah ( Warehime) Sutton, who were natives of New York and Ohio, and came to Nebraska in 1870. The father was a farmer by occupation, and departed this life at his home in West Oak Precinct, in 1882. Mr. Carr, in addition to general farming, keeps a herd usually comprising about forty head of good breeds of cattle, and also raises general purpose horses, and the swine requisite for home consump- tion.
ONN F. EGGER, a farmer on section 31, Saltillo Precinet, belongs to that elass of energetic young men whose business capaci- ties have expanded and blossomed into suc- cess under the mellowing influences of life in Amer- iea, while the blood of Swiss patriotism and romance courses warmly through their veins. Our subjeet distinguished himself as a pupil in the schools of Switzerland, and would, no doubt, have become a great scholar had his father's means permitted him to pursue his loved studies further. As it is, he is a broad and liberal-minded man, well informed on all topics of interest to intelligent and studious peo- ple, and fully appreciates the value of an education. He is a man whose personal habits are irreproacha- ble; he is honest, upright and industrious, and is a thoroughly practical and successful man, in good circumstances, and enjoys a comfortable and happy home.
Mr. Egger is the son of John and Mollie (Gygly) Egger, natives of the Canton of Berne, Switzerland, now residing in Buda Precinct, Lancaster County, where the former is a prosperous and well-to-do farmer. The father was one of the peasant patriots of his native land during the time of the Swiss Revolution, when he served as one of the supply men. He continued to reside in the place of his birth until 1866, when he came with his family to
America, sailing from Ilavre, France, on board the ship "Mercury," arriving in port at New York City, Dec. 19, 1866, having been tossed about on the ocean twenty-nine days. Cholera breaking out on board the vessel, it was quarantined, and the passengers were not allowed to land for thirty-one days. Our subject and his family arrived in Pekin, Ill., their destination, about Christmas time, and were kindly received under the roof of their uncle, Albert Egger. The father at once went to farming, and managed a large farm at Pekin for some time, eutting cord- wood in the winter, and prospered from the start. He remained in Illinois two years, and then, accom- panied by his wife and children, started still further west, having decided to make his home in Ne- braska. He came to Cass County and rented a farm, which, with the assistance of his sons, he man- aged for two years, making a fair thing out of it. In 1870 he went with our subject to Lincoln County, and after exploring the Platte River Valley quite extensively, he bought 160 acres of land in Buda Precinct, Lancaster County, and took a homestead claim, and moved there the following spring of 1871. Our subjeet rented a farm there, and, with two teams, they put in forty acres of corn, a little wheat, and oats enough to supply their own wants, besides breaking seventy acres of land. The father still resides on the old homestead with his good wife, he being now sixty-six years old, and she sixty-four. Nine children have been born to them, eight in Switzerland and one, the youngest, a daughter, in Cass County, this State.
Our subject, the eldest son and third child of these worthy people, was born Oet. 18, 1850, in the Canton of Berne, Switzerland. llis educational ad- vantages were excellent in the fine public schools of his native land. Ile was sixteen years old when he came with his parents to America, and he re- mained an inmate of the parental household until his marriage, in 1880, to Miss Matilda Grossman, when he set-up a separate establishment of his own. Mrs. Egger was born in Pomerania, Germany, in 1861, to Henry and Amelia (Rickert) Grossman. When she was six years old her parents came to America and settled in Woodford County, Ill., whence they removed to Saline County, Neb., in 1876. They afterward came to Lancaster County,
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where they are now living in prosperous cireum- stances on their fine farm in Stevens Creek Pre- cinet, he at the age of fifty-two and she at the age of fifty-three. They are the parents of five girls and three boys, Mrs. Egger being the eldest of the family. She is the mother of four children-Fred- eric A., Emma, Anna and John Rudolph.
Mr. Egger bought his present farm in 1878. It comprises 160 aeres of rich, remarkably productive soil, fifty acres of which, lying in Centerville Pre- cinet, are pasture land. It is admirably adapted to raising cattle and horses, and is well stocked. It is amply supplied with running water and good wells. The buildings are first-class, comprising a commodi- ous frame house, good horse and cattle barns, corn crib with a capacity of 3.500 bushels, granary, ete. Mr. Egger has a promising orchard of 120 choice fruit trees, and various other improvements on his farm too numerous to mention.
Mr. and Mrs. Egger are highly esteemed as neigh- bors and friends in this community, and no one looks to them in vain for succor and assistance in times of trouble or sorrow. They are church members, attending worship at Hickman. Mr. Eg- ger, coming from our sister Republie across the sea, early imbibed a love and respect for Republican insti- tutions in the free, pure air that blew from the glori- ous mountains of his native land, and, now a citizen of this country, is firm in his support of the Repub- lican party, believing that its principles are the safest by which to conduct National affairs.
L EWIS GRIFFIN. The young men of the West hold the key to the future; they form the larger part of the communities, and are shaping the history of the developing countries. Among those worthy of mention in a production of this nature is Lewis Griffin, a prosperous and rising farmer of Centerville Precinct, whose farm includes eighty acres of excellent agricultural land, and is situated upon section 16.
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