Hall County, Nebraska - Chapter 28, 1920 (part 9 of 16)

Mr. Knuth is operating one of his father's farms, which lies in section 33, Washington township, where he is meeting with deserved success, devoting special attention to his fine herd of Hereford cattle. He has never taken any very active part in politics, but keeps well informed on current events. He belongs to the order of Sons of Herman and also the Plattsdeutch society.

JOHN C. NEUBERT, a native son, a man of ample means, a heavy breeder of Hereford cattle and a factor in the sugar beet industry, has been the builder of his own fortune, beginning his business career on borrowed capital, and through thrift and industry, honesty and good judgment he has attained his present state of prosperity. Mr. Neubert was born in Hall Coutny, Nebraska, October 22, 1874.

The parents of Mr. Neubert were John and Wiebke (Alpen) Neubert, Germans, who came to the United States in April, 1872, made their way to Nebraska and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 32, Washington township. Hall County. In the old country the father had worked as a winemaker and also was on a sailing vessel that plied between Burg and Hamburg. After coming to America he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, living on his land in Hall County until his death, which occurred in June, 1906. His political affiliation was with the Democratic party, and he belonged to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Both parents of Mr. Neubert were members of the German Lutheran church. They had nine children and of the six survivors John C. Neubert is the second in order of birth, the others being: Annie, the wife of Herman Hehnke, of Grand Island; Minnie, the wife of Edward Boltz, of Alda township. Hall County; Celia, the wife of Richard Boltz, of Alda township; Henry, who lives at Wheatland, Wyoming, married Dora Scheel, now deceased, and Marie, the wife of Otto Weise, of Alda township. The Neuberts, like other early settlers, had to face many hardships and an early experience was the great snowstorm of April 13, 1873. Fortunately the log house had been finished by that time, but so violent was the storm that the inmates soon found themselves unable to use the door and Mr. Neubert had to crawl out of the window in order to get to his tethered mules to dig them out of the snow. It was a blizzard experience never to be forgotten by those who endured it.

John C. Neubert worked for his father until he was twenty-one years old, in the meanwhile having some schooling during the winter seasons. He then borrowed a dollar and with this capital started out to shape his own career. He worked on a farm near Omaha, then went to Aberdeen, in South Dakota, where he remained a few months, going from there to Iowa, where he remained one year and then came back to Hall County to engage in the business of raising sugar beets, which occupied him for one year before he accepted a position from Martin Schimmer, at Sand Krog. In the meanwhile his industry was being rewarded and his success continued. At the present time Mr. Neubert owns two hundred and sixty-four acres of the best improved land in the county, seven acres of which he devotes annually to sugar beets. He is a breeder of Hereford cattle, and mules, a ready market always awaiting his livestock.

On December 20, 1898, Mr. Neubert married Miss Lena Hann, a daughter of John C. and Catherine (Pahl) Hann, natives of Germany. The Hanns came to Hall County with the second German colonization party in the state of Nebraska. Mrs. Neubert is the eldest of the seven survivors of her parents' family of eleven children, the others being: Adelia. the wife of Adolph Gehrt of Custer City, Oklahoma ; Christian, who lives at Custer City also, married Augusta Beberness; Celia, the wife of Emil Boltz, of Alda township ; Dora, the wife of William Gulzow, of Washington township; Emil, who lives on the old home place, married Amanda Beberness ; and Freda, the wife of John Falldorf, of Washington township. Mr. and Mrs. Neubert have eight children: Clara, Malinda, Kathryn, Frieda and Marie, twins, Glenn, Hazel and Reuben, all of whom live at home except Clara, the wife of Otto Falldorf, of Washington township. Mr. Neubert and family are people who stand well in their community. He is a member of the non-partisan league in politics but has never accepted any public office except that of school director in which he is now serving. He belongs to the Plattsdeutchen society of Grand Island.

PETER SHULTZ, who is prospering as a general farmer and is recognized as one of the reliable and enterprising citizens of Center township. Hall County, belongs to a pioneer family of this section that has been well and favorably known here for many years.

Peter Shultz was born in Alda township, Hall County, Nebraska, December 4, 1885, and is a son of John and Emma (Thomssen) Shultz, an extended sketch of the family being found in this work. His father was born in Germany but has resided in the United States since he was eighteen years old and now lives in comfortable retirement near Alda. Peter Shultz attended the public schools in the county and grew to manhood on his father's homestead. Some ten years ago he rented his farm in Center township from his father, and since then has been successfully carrying on important farm industries. He has his farm well stocked and makes use of modern farm machinery, which is his own property, and keeps well posted concerning agricultural matters generally.

In 1913 Mr. Shultz was united in marriage to Miss Theckla Stange, who was born in Germany and came to the United States in 1909 with her parents,' wlio live at Grand Island. Mr. and Mrs. Shultz have three children: John, Evelyn and Albert, aged respectively six, four and one year. Mr. Shultz is not identified with any political party but that does not indicate that he is indiiTerent concerning public matters, especially in Center township, where he wants good schools by the time his bright little children are old enough to attend them, and the best of roads over which he must transport his produce and stock to market. He is a practical, sensible young man who casts an independent vote because he desires to choose public officials by the measuring rule of his own good judgment.

AUGUST REHER. a representative of one of Hall County's fine old pioneer families, owns one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land situated in Washington township, on which he carries on general farming and stockraising. Mr. Reher was born in Hall County, Nebraska, March 15, 1882.

The parents of Mr. Reher were Christian and Christina (Kroeger) Reher, natives of Germany, where the father followed the carpenter trade. They came to the United States in the spring of 1873 and reached Washington township, Hall County, on April 17, just two days after the memorable snowstorm of that year. The father homesteaded on section 26, where he lived for a few years before removing to section 36, where he started a summer resort at a point known as Platte Krog. After a few years there he removed to section 10, Washington township, where he bought 160 acres and resided on the place until the close of his life, which occurred April 16, 1903. Two of his four children, William and August, survive. Their mother lives alternately with them, in Grand Island and on the old home farm. Mr. Reher was known as a hardworking, upright man, becoming well acquainted over a wide neighborhood during the twenty-five years he hauled cream for Oscar Roeser of Grand Island. He was a Democrat in politics and served several years as a school director.

August Reher attended the public schools. He lived at home and worked for his parents until he was twenty-one years old, when he started farming on his own account on the old home place. He has made many improvements here but has never removed the old log cabin in which his parents lived. He cultivates his land intelligently, raising the grains that do well in this soil and climate, devoting some attention to raising stock of good grade.

On September 15, 1905, Mr. Reher married Miss Lucy Aye, who was born in Hall County after her parents, Peter and Lena (Bifeldt) Aye, came here in 1882. The father of Mrs. Reher died January 13, 1916. She has two brothers and one sister: Theodore, who lives in Grand Island, married Annie Wilhelmy; Martha, the wife of August Thavenet, living near Grand Island ; and Herman, who lives with his family, in Palmer, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Reher have two daughters, Helen and Sadie. Mr. Reher has never taken a very active part in politics, but votes with the Democratic party. As a good citizen, he is interested in everything that promises to be of substantial benefit to his township and county.

WILLIAM HEESCH, a progressive farmer and business man of Washington township, is a member of one of the old and prominent families of Hall County, which has had much to do with the substantial development of this section since the early seventies. He was born in Hall County, March 17, 1878.

The parents of Mr. Heesch, Peter and Annie (Goetsche) Heesch, were born in Germany. They came from that country to the United States, reaching Nebraska in 1870. The father homesteaded in section 24, Washington township. Hall County, where the family lived until 1884, when he sold and bought land in section 36, subsequently adding to his holdings until he owned two hundred and forty acres. This land he held until 1902, when he sold, retired from active farm life and removed to Grand Island. During his many years in Washington township he had been active politically, had served on the township board and for many years was road overseer. In association with William Stolley, he organized the German Mutual Fire & Tornado Insurance Company, which has always been a growing concern and at the present time has not less than $4,000,000 insurance risks on its books, operating in Hall and adjoining counties. For some time in early days he operated the place started by Christian Reher, known as Platte Krog, which was largely frequented by Indians as it was located very near the Platte river. Mr. Heesch still resides in Grand Island. His wife died on the farm on October 22, 1890. They had eight children : Amelia, the wife of Ferdinand Stollenberg, of Alda township; John, a farmer in Hamilton County, married Annie Falldorf ; William, who has always lived in Hall County; Adelia, the wife of August Kroger, of Grand Island; Olga, the wife of August Peters, of Taloga, Oklahoma ; Dora, the wife of George T. Bauman, of Grand Island ; Annie, the wife of Henry Lucks of Grand Island; and Clara, the wife of John Baasch, of Alda township. Hall County.

William Heesch attended the public schools in Washington township, and grew to manhood on his father's farm. On February 16, 1903, he married Miss Anna Beckman, the fourth in a family of seven children born to August and Amelia (Vieregg) Beckman, the former of whom was born in Germany and now lives retired in Grand Island. The mother of Mrs. Heesch was born in Iowa and died on the Beckman homestead in Merrick County, near the Hall County line, in December, 1889. Mrs. Heesch now has the following brothers and sisters : Diedrich, who lives in Grand Island, married Emma Bruhn ; Elizabeth, the wife of Herman Sass, lives in Washington township; John E., who lives in Hall County, married Alma Grosch ; Olga H., the wife of Henry Menecke, lives in Howard County ; and Augusta, lives with her father in Grand Island.

Mr. and Mrs. Heesch have two children: Hildegard E., who was born November 9, 1908 ; and Evelyn A., who was born November 27, 1910. They have a beautiful home on the two hundred and forty acre farm that Mr. Heesch owns and successfully operates. He bought the first traction plow used in this neighborhood and in many other ways has shown enterprise in carrying on his agricultural undertakings. He sells his' products at prices that make a fair profit. He is justly proud of his high grade Orpington chickens and no less so of a flock of wild geese and ducks which he has thoroughly domesticated. Mr. Heesch conducts the supply store on his farm, in the interest of the Farmers' Union, which is doing an extensive business among the members of the union, as only these can avail themselves of this privilege. Mr. Heesch has been storekeeper for the past two years. He is a member of the fraternal order of Eagles, and of the Plattsdeutch society in Grand Island.

MARTIN SCHIMMER, whose life record illustrates what may be accomplished by industry and perseverance, has been a resident of Hall County for more than a half century, and from a humble position has become one of the largest land owners of the county.

Mr. Schimmer was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, June 24, 1841. His parents were Peter and Marie (Hofl'man) Schimmer, natives of the same country in which they spent their entire lives, where the father was a farmer. They were members of the Lutheran church, and reared a family of seven children, of whom only two are now living, Martin and a brother James who lives in Germany. The

Martin was reared in his native land acquiring his education in the schools of that country and when old enough found employment on the farm. At the age of twenty-two, having saved sufficient money to pay his passage, he decided to come to the United States. He spent the first year and a half in Scott County, Iowa, and then started west. It was his intention to go to Oregon, but experiencing some difficulty in learning where to take the stage, as there were no railroads in Nebraska at that time, he arrived in Hall County in March, 1866, and soon found employment on a farm. He often saw the stage coaches and freighting outfits crossing the plains to the west, but his money was gone and it was necessary for him to remain where he was. That he made no mistake, and that it proved rather fortunate that he was a poor man and obliged to stop in Hall County, is evidenced by the success that has come to him with the passing years.

Mr. Schimmer took a homestead in what is now Alda township, and in true pioneer style began the task of subduing the soil and preparing to establish a home. He resided on this place until 1875, when he removed to Washington township, his first purchase here being one acre, the only improvement being a shanty. The pursuit of agriculture and other interests have been carried on successfully, and today Mr. Schimmer is the owner of three thousand acres in this county, a section of land in Buffalo County and a quarter section near North Platte. The public spirit and enterprise of Mr. Schimmer has been manifested in many ways which have had to do with the development of the country. The people of Grand Island and vicinity are especially indebted to Mr. Schimmer for Schimmer's Lake and the beautiful resort known as "Sand Krog." The lake covers an area of twenty-five acres and was made by Mr. Schimmer who after excavating the sand built a dam to retain the water. The shore of the lake is dotted with cottages which are owned by Grand Island people who find great pleasure in coming here to enjoy the cool breezes of the lake and get away from the heat and dust of the city. Mr. Schimmer is the principal stock holder in the Grand Island Manufacturing Company.

In 1870 Mr. Schimmer was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Wolf, a daughter of Henry Wolf, who came to Hall County in an early day. Of this marriage there were four children: Emma, the wife of Phillip Sanders, a resident of Merrick County; John, married Anna Thavenet, and resides at Sand Krog;

Dora, the wife of Robert Shipton, of Washington township; and Lena, the widow of Hans Scheel, living at Sand Krog. The mother of these children passed away in 1884, and February 15, 1885, Mr. Schimmer married Miss Emma Wiese, who has become the mother of one child, Bertha, the wife of John Schaupdach, of Washington township.

The family are members of the Lutheran church, and in politics Mr. Schimmer exercises the right of franchise in support of men and measures of the Republican party, in national affairs, while in local elections he casts an independent ballot.

Mr. Schimmer is one of the few remaining real pioneers of Hall County, and has witnessed some vast changes. He used oxen when he first came here, and that first winter made ties for the Union Pacific Railroad which was being constructed and later hauled cord wood which was used for fuel in the engines in those, days. He bore his share of the hardships, including the grasshopper scourge, drouths and crop failures and has lived to see Hall County become one of the leading communities of this great state. Indians were numerous though peaceable, buffalo and antelope roamed over the prairies and the beautiful city of Grand Island was only a hamlet. And in the work of progress Mr. Schimmer has contributed his full share and enjoys the honor that comes to those who helped make Hall County a better place in which to live.

CARL ROSENKOTTER, a prominent farmer in W^ashington township, and one of Hall County's well known residents, came here many years ago when conditions were very different, and has done his part in bringing about the many improvements. He was born at Minden, Germany, January 20, 1849. His parents were Carl and Katie (Bode) Rosenkotter, both of whom were born in Germany in 1814, and died there, the father in 1861, and the mother in 1880. The father was a farmer all his life. Both parents were kind, good, worthy people and were members of the Lutheran church. Of their family of six children two came to the LTnited States, these being Carl and Mary, the latter of whom is Mrs. Casper Meyer, who lives in Grand Island.

Carl Rosenkotter had excellent educational advantages in his native country, where he was mainly engaged in farming until 1883, when he came to the United States. Shortly after reaching Hall County he bought eighty acres of land and still lives on that property although he has a residence and two improved lots in Grand Island, and until recently owned in addition two hundred and forty acres of valuable land which he has disposed of. Mr. Rosenkotter has been very successful in his business undertakings and has been a liberal supporter of the German parochial school and served on the school board for six years. An honest, upright man in business and a good neighbor, he has always enjoyed the respect of all who have known him.

On December 13, 1883, Carl Rosenkotter married J\Iiss Johanna Bulk, a daughter of Frederick and Wilhelmina (Sass) Bulk, and the}' have had the following children : William, JNIinnie, Henry, Martha, Anna, Mary, Carl, Emma, Fritz and Ella.

HANS SCHEEL, who has sptnt the greater part of a busy, useful life in the United States, came to this country and to Hall County, with his parents, in the spring of 1867. Here he has lived ever since, with the exception of a few years prior to 1881. He has long been considered one of the best farmers of Washington township. He was born in Holstein, Germany, March 19, 1854, the son of Detlef and Lucy D. (Lilenthal) Scheel, natives of Germany, who were in humble circumstances there when the father realized that across the Atlantic ocean he could secure land of his own and would no longer be compelled to labor for others, hence, with great effort and much self denial he brought his family to America. At that time many of his countrymen were securing farms in Nebraska, and here the Scheels decided to locate. He bought one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land in Hall County and hopefully looked forward to independence in old age. His hopes for himself were not realized, however, for his death occurred in August, 1871, before he could move his family on the land he had purchased for a home. The mother did not survive him many years, her death occurring in April, 1877. Of their four children, Hans is the only one living.

Hans Scheel was thirteen years old when the family came to the United States and had already attended school. He grew up on the farm and remained in Hall County as a farmer until about 1878. when the discovery of gold in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming attracted thousands to that section, and among those who went from Hall County were Hans Scheel and Claus Frauen. Mr. Frauen covered the whole distance with a team of eight oxen, and although this was a slow mode of travel, it had advantages over those who went by foot, though thousands did so. While Mr. Frauen was in the gold region he hauled supplies to the miners and before he returned to Nebraska, had disposed of his oxen for beef. In 1881 Mr. Scheel returned to Hall County, homesteaded and bought railroad land, living in section 22, Doniphan township for ten years. He then moved to his father's old property, in section 27, Washington township, where he has since resided. He now owns two farms, aggregating four hundred and sixty acres, both of which are highly improved. His farming operations have always been carried on intelligently and systematically, for he has taken deep interest in his vocation, and, while never sparing himself when necessary, he has made use of the best obtainable farm machinery. On April 3, 1883, Mr. Scheel married Miss Emma Dorothy Reher, a daughter of John and Sophia (Vogt) Reher, who came from Germany to Hall County in April, 1883. They bought the farm in section 36, Washington township, on which their son Ernest Reher now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Scheel have had children as follows : Anna, the wife of Henry Schimmer, of Phillips, Nebraska; Otto, who liyes at Doniphan, married Freda Schimmer; Lena, the wife of Otto Martens, lives in Alda township; Dora, deceased, was the wife of Henry Neubert and she left four little children motherless; Emil, unmarried, lives at home; Herman, who lives in Doniphan township, married Minnie Schimmer; Alinnie, the wife of Albert Rohweder, lives in Washington township; and Bernard, Harry, Max and Viola, all of whom live at home. Mr. Scheel is one of the county's dependable men and for fifteen years he served as a member of the township school board. In politics he is a member of the Non-Partisan League, and for many years he has belonged to Plattsdeutchen. the old German organization of a social nature in Grand Island.

PAUL FRAUEN, claimed by both Hall and Merrick counties, resides in Merrick County but is financially interested and a director of the First National Bank of Grand Island. Mr. Frauen has been widely known in both counties for many years, owning large bodies of land in both sections, and at the present time has two sons living on his land in J\Ierrick and one in Hall County. His recollections of early days in Nebraska are exceedingly interesting.

September 22, 1846. He was one of a family of six children born to his parents, Paul and Cecelia (Janss) Frauen, both of whom died in Germany, on their dairy farm, in 1898. Four of their children are living but only Paul and his brother came to the United States. Mr. Frauen had school training in his native land. In May, 1864, he came to America, and after three years in Scott County, Iowa, located in Hall County and in 1867 worked on a farm which is now the site of the Grand Island stockyards. In that year came the grasshopper invasion and the country was so stripped by The insects that crop harvesting was a farce. In the fall of 1867 he went to Merrick County and homesteaded eighty acres. The law restricted homesteaders to eighty acres within twenty miles of the railroad, while outside that limit, one hundred and sixty acres were allowed. This eighty acres is the homestead on which Mr. Frauen now lives. He recalls that when he went to Lone Tree, south of Central City, to secure his first homestead papers before Judge Brewer, he made the journey with oxen, in fourteen hours. Within the last year he covered the same ground in less than one hour, in his automobile.

After securing his claim, Mr. Frauen put up a log house and the next winter built what was then the largest barn in Merrick County, at no cost to him except time and labor. The round trip with oxen from Dannebrog, where logs were obtained, consumed twenty-four hours, and he and his brother worked on barn building all winter. It served its purpose for twenty-five years, and in later years when the magnificent improvements of the present were made on the homestead, the old log house was used for a granary. In 1876 the brothers were in partnership and raised their first corn crop. They fattened eight steers, butchered them and when they olYeped the meat for sale, could get no price over three cents per pound. That seemed too low even then. So the following April Mr. Frauen's brother started with a load of meat to the Black Hills and there was able to sell it for six cents a pound live weight. The brothers had planned to invest their meat money in mines, but before doing so Mr. Frauen investigated and found that the company in which he had thought to invest had made no money that far and the whole proposition failed to interest him. Therefore when the.brother returned to Merrick County, he yet had their joint capital in his pocket.

\\' ith this money the brothers bought cattle, fed, fattened and sold in the following spring and still had fifty head left. They invested their money in land that the government had put on the market near Fullerton, Nebraska, at one dollar an acre down and the balance at six per cent interest, and in that and the following year bought two sections of land in Nance County. With these responsibilities they became land poor, and early in the eighties sold the land with the improvements they had put onl it, to John Riemers. Later Mr. Frauen bought more land in Merrick County, and still later in Hall County, at one time owning about 2,000 acres in Merrick County. He has sold all this land to his children, retaining for his lifetime the old homestead. His Hall County land had absolutely nothing on it when he bought and all the improvements he made himself.

In the fall of 1877 Mr. Frauen married Miss Catherine Paustian, who died in 1898. They had children as follows: Otto, who lives in Merrick County ; Cecelia, deceased, was the wife of Max Cornelius; Henry, a farmer in Lake township, Hall County ; Annie, the wife of Christian Sass, of Merrick County ; and John J., who operates the home farm of 520 acres, raising Hereford cattle and Duroc- Jersey hogs. Mr. Frauen formerly favored Shorthorn cattle, thoroughbred, but sold his herd in 1904. Another contrast is presented when memory goes back to the wearying work on the farm that had to be done with ox strength, when Mr. Frauen was a young farmer, while now the most modern of fami tractors solves every problem.

Since he became an American citizen, Mr. Frauen has valued his political privileges and has conscientiously supported the candidates and upheld the principles of the Republican party. He has been active in the affairs of Merrick County and frequently has served in public office. Early in the eighties he was a member of the county board, for many years was assessor, and for fully twenty years was a school director. He has lent his influence in support of more than one worthy enterprise in the county, has always worked for sobriety, law and religion.

JAMES GARFIELD ERION, whose agricultural activities include the operation of a large farm in Lake township. Hall County, a dairy in connection, and the raising of Holstein cows for the same, came to this county in 1883, when three years old. With the exception of seven years this has since been his home.

former of whom was born in Ohio, April 6, 185 L and died in 1890. The mother of Mr. Erion was born in Linn County, Iowa, October 12, 1860, and resides in Hall County. Of their six children, James Garfield was the second in order of birth, the others being: Leota, the wife of Robert Plummer, of Elkton, Maryland ; Edward E., who lives north of Grand Island, married Elva Rice ; Nellie, the wife of R. R. Hanna, of Grand Island; Harriet, who lives in Hastings, Nebraska ; and Addie L., the wife of George Stevenson, of Simla, Colorado. The father of this family, came to Iowa from Ohio when fourteen years old, and to Hall County, in 1883, purchasing eighty acres situated two miles north of Grand Island. He was a man of sterling character, a member of the Presbyterian church and a Republican in politics.

James G. Erion obtained his education in the schools of Lake township, and grew up on the homestead on which he now lives. He engaged in farming here and continued until 1909, when he learned the carpenter trade and afterward worked at the same in Grand Island for seven years. Mr. Erion then returned to the farm. This was in September, 1916, and he proposes to continue in agricultural life. He is interested in Holstein cattle and has built up a fine dairy business in addition to conducting farm operations on his one hundred and forty acres, and is regarded as one of the very busy men of his neighborhood.

On November 28, 1911, Mr. Erion married Miss Cora Ophelia Rice, a daughter of John D. and Carrie (Martin) Rice, pioneers in iMerrick County but now residents of Grand Island. Mr. and Mrs. Erion have two children Robert R., born May 10, 1916 and Jane E., born March 29, 1918. In politics Mr. Erion is a Republican, but like his late father, has no desire for political office.

JOHN QUANDT. - One of the solid, substantial citizens of Lake township, where he carries on general farming, is John Quandt, who belongs to a pioneer family of this section that is well and favorably known all over Hall County. He was born in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, May 19, 1876, the son of August and Henrietta (Klemp) Quandt, natives of Germany.

August Quandt was nineteen years old when he came to the United States in 1855. After his marriage he bought land in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, on which he and his family resided for twenty-five years, then sold and came to Nebraska, reaching Hall

County on March 24, 1880. Here he bought the farm in Lake township on which his son John now lives, and here both he and wife spent the rest of their lives. His death occurred in 1900. They had children as follows : Louise, the wife of Charles Niemoth ; Augusta, the wife of August Witzke, of Hall County ; Frederick, who lives in Lake township ; Gustave, who died at the age of twenty-one years, was a graduate of the Nebraska City Blind school, having become blind when two years old ; William, who lives in Oklahoma ; Ida, the wife of Emil Dankert, a farmer near Palmer, Nebraska ; Albert, who lives in Hall County ; and John, who lives on the old home place. In politics the father of the above family was a Republican. He was regarded with confidence and esteem by all who knew him and for years held school and church offices. He belonged to the Missouri synod of the Lutheran church. Crop conditions were so discouraging the first year after the Quandt family came to Hall County, that they seriously considered the advisability of returning to Wisconsin. In the second year, however, the father cleared $1,300 on his farm and the family has prospered ever since.

John Quandt obtained his education in the Hall County schools. He has been a farmer all his life and now operates 160 acres of land with first class farm machinery, in great contrast to the way his father worked in early days, with one team of horses and a yoke of oxen. The Quandt homestead is one of the most vanuable farms in Lake township.

On October 31, 1902, Mr. Quandt was united in marriage to Miss Clara Ruff, a daughter of John A. and Wilhelmina (Beyer) Ruff, and a granddaughter of John H. and Anna (Miche) Ruff. The Ruffs have been prominent people in this section for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Quandt have six children, namely: Agnes, Radbalt, John, Milton, Carl and Edwin. Mr. Quandt has always been active in township affairs and served three years on the school board. He is a member of the Farmers' Union, and the entire family belongs to the Lutheran church.

JOHN C. C. HANN enjoys the distinction of being one of the first two white children brought to Hall County ; his sister Mary, now deceased, being the other. Today Mr. Hann is one of the best known residents of this section of Nebraska. There are few men so well infomied as to the county's early life and history, and it may be added, there are not many who can recall past events in so interesting a way. Mr. Hann's home has been in Hall County for sixty-one years, and since 1899 he has been owner and conductor of the popular amusement park in Grand Island, known as Lion's Grove.

John C. C. Hann was born in 1856, in Mecklenburg Schwerin, Germany, the son of John and Katherina (Boehl) Hann, the former of whom was bom in Germany April 5, 1823, and died in Hall County, Nebraska, December 22, 1888. The mother was born in Germany November 15, 1825, and died in Hall County October 12, 1908. They had five children, three of whom are living: John C. C, whose interests are important in Hall County ; Henry, resides in Grand Island, married Hedwig Keuster; and Lena, the wife of Benjamin Brandow, of Leavenworth. Kansas. John Hann and his family came to the United States in 1857 and made their way to Davenport, Iowa, where many of their countrymen had settled, and five months later, as members of the second German colonizing party in Nebraska, came to Hall County, reaching here July 6, 1858. j\Ir. Hann homesteaded six miles southwest of Grand Island where the family lived nine years, spending the entire first year in the wagon in which they had been transported by oxen, from Chicago to Davenport. Then a log cabin was built which still may be seen on the farm of William Stolley. While they endured many pioneer hardships the first winter was the most trying period. There were no mills to grind the corn and when it was necessary to prepare this staple, a hand operated coffee mill had to be utilized, the resulting mush serving as food only because there was nothing else. When actual necessity arose the father of Mr. Hann hitched up his oxen and started for Omaha, sometimes being able, if the condition of the roads was favorable, to make the jounrey back and forth in three we.eks. Meat was a luxury and Mr. Hann remembers his mother trapping snow birds to add to the lean bill of fare. At times it was possible to secure buffalo meat from the Indians, who paid in this way, and in blankets, for his mother's services as a midwife. She was a capable, big-hearted woman who, when called upon, hastened to the relief of suffering for many miles around, and Mr. Hann is certain that through her ministrations at least eight hundred children were added to the population of Hall County, ten of these being born to Indian and four to colored parents. There were some things, however, that this resourceful, untiring mother cound not do, an instance being inability to restore her son's hearing after a boyhood attack of scarlet fever. To its partial restoration Mr. Hann gives credit to an old Indian doctor, who was faithful in his eft'orts, although, of course, he lacked all scientific knowledge of the real cause of the deafness. In the course of years the parents of Mr. Hann became prosperous. In the later sixties the father bought twenty acres of land near Grand Island, which he improved by setting out trees and it was long managed by him as Hann's Park in connection with a licensed saloon. He remained in the business until his death. He was a Republican in politics and in many ways was an influential man. Both parents were members of the Lutheran church.

John C. C. Hann was too young to be able to recall at the present day the long voyage across the Atlantic ocean, consuming thirteen weeks and three days, in an old sailing vessel, by which he reached America, nor the further journey by railroad across the country to the end of the line, Chicago, nor later the ox-team journey to the wild prairie land in Hall County, but he remembers his first subscription school teacher was named Mr. Nogle, and that for three months instruction, his father had to pay the sum of $40. There were but three other pupils in the school, which Mr. Nogle conducted in his owfi log cabin. The young man helped his father on the farm until 1868 when he accompanied his parents to Grand Island, in which city his first work was selling milk and vegetables. Later he assisted his father in the saloon at Hann's Park, continuing there until 1899, when he bought the five acres near Grand Island which is widely known as Lion's Grove. This he has converted into a first class amusement park. Mr. Hann has been in business here ever since and is interested also in the Grand Island Brewing Company. He still owns the old muzzle-loading rifle with which he has killed many elk, deer and buffalo. As an incident of the unusually severe winter of 1870 he tells of the freezing of all the fish in the river when the ice measured a depth of four feet and the freezing of the water in the pipes of the city water works, when relief was obtained through the use of an old threshing machine engine, using oxen for motive power. The contrast between city facilities at that time and the present is marked indeed. Mr. Hann was ever active in civil affairs, having been instrumental in calling the meeting which organized the old volunteer fire company, the first one in Grand Island. In October, 1882, Mr. Hann married Miss Lena Boehl, who died at Spokane, Washing- ton, leaving one son, Otto, who lives in that city. Mr. Hann's second marriage took place October 30, 1891, to Mrs. Minnie Augusta (Pankratz) Stepel, who was the widow of Herman Stepel and a daughter of Frederick W. and Edith (Hapke) Pankratz. They have one daughter, Pauline Augusta, the wife of John F. Koehler. Mr. and Mrs. Hann are members of the Lutheran church. He belongs to the fraternal order of Eagles and the sons of Herman, and Mrs. Hann is a member of the Royal Highlanders. ,

JACOB J. LORENTZEN, who came to Hall County, Nebraska, with his parents, when seven years old, has lived here since with the exception of three years in Denver and Grand Island. Few men are better known and none more favorably, in Lake township, where he carries on extensive agricultural operations. He was born in the city of New York, May 13, 1868.

The parents of Mr. Lorentzen were Jacob and Elizabeth (Mindt) Lorentzen, both of whem were born in Germany. After coming to the United States, the father worked as a carpenter and shipbuilder in New York city, finding much opportunity there for his trade skill, but he desired a farm on which to rear his children, and with this ambition he came to Nebraska and on May 2, 1875, secured school land situated in section sixteen. Lake township. Hall County, on which he lived until his death in 1896. He was a Democrat in politics, but never was willing to accept a public office, and both he and his wife were faithful members of the Lutheran church. She survives and resides with Jacob J., on the homestead. They had the following children : Jacob J., the first born ; Henry, who lives in Grand Island ; Charles, died at the age of nineteen years ; Christina, the widow of August Ritterbusch, resides on the homestead ; and Amanda, who lives in California.

Jacob J. Lorentzen attended the public schools in Lake township and assisted his father on the farm, assuming entire charge when the latter died. He has one hundred and eighty-seven acres of well improved land, which he devotes to general farming and stock raisiilg. He has additional business intertests and is a stockholder in the Loup Valley Packing Plant. Formerly he was a leading factor in Democratic circles and yet is active politically but more independently. He has served in numerous township offices, for five years being township assessor, while for four years he was a county supervisor.

He has been chairman of the Liberty Bond drive in Lake township, and his personal popularity has had its weight in making the record of Lake township such a creditable one. He is a valued member of the several German social organizations that have been in existence in Grand Island for many years.

HENRY C. J. STOLLE, worthy representative of an old Hall County family, is one of the most efficient farmers and stockraisers in Lake township, which has been his home all his life. He was born here July 1, 1889, was educated in the public schools, and is now serving in the office of township clerk.

The parents of Mr. Stolle, Charles and Mary (Rickert) Stolle, were natives of Germany, the former of whom was born in Hanover and the latter in Holstein. Of their family of ten children Henry C. J. was the seventh in order of birth, the others being as follows : Alvina, the wife of Otto Kruse, of Grand Island ; Herman, who lives in Grand Island ; Minnie, deceased, was the wife of Otto Frauen ; William, who lives in Lake township, married Mary Brabander; Anna and John, both of whom are unmarried ; Otto, a farmer in Howard County, married Theresa Sassen ; and Emil and Louis, both of whom live in Hall County. The mother of this family died in the spring of 1909, from the effects of fright when automobiles caused the team of horses behind which she was riding, to run away. She was an estimable woman and was much esteemed in her neighborhood. In 1869 the father, Charles Stolle, came from Germany to the United States, and after spending two years at St. Louis, Missouri, came to Hall County, Nebraska. At that time he was without capital and the fact that when he died, in the fall of 1914, he owned four hundred and ninety-three acres of well developed land, indicates that his industry and thrift were supplemented by good business judgment. In 1871 he homesteaded the eighty acres on which his son Henry now lives, to which he kept on adding until he was one of the county's large landowners. He was a man of sterling character and was respected by everyone. Although he would never accept any public office, he was strong in his support of the Republican party's principles and candidates. Both he and wife were faithful members of the Lutheran church. To build his first house and barn, he hauled logs by ox team from Loup and Oak creeks, the last of these log structures being taken down in order to make way for substantial modern improvements, about 1909.

Henry C. J. Stolle was 'born on the homestead and has lived there with the exception of two years, when he resided on one of his father's other farms. He obtained a good common school education and ever since has devoted himself to general farming and stockraising with much success.

On December 18, 1912, Mr. Stolle married Miss Anna Schloemer, who is a daughter of Sophus and Mary Schloemer, residents of Grand Island. Mr. Stolle, like his late father, is a sound Republican and on that party ticket was elected township clerk, an office of considerable importance in Lake township. He is a member of the Farmers' Union, the Non-Partisan League, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Plattsdeutchen society, and carries insur-ance in Globe Life Insurance Company.

GEORGE A. TILLEY, one of Lake township's representative citizens, has passed almost his entire life here and is well and favorably known all over Hall County. He was born in Otsego County, New York, September 26, 1871. He was three years old when his parents came from New York to Hall County. They were Adin D. and Maria A. (Perkins) Tilley, a record of whom will be found on another page of this book.

George A. Tilley was educated by his father and his older sister, who also was a well known teacher in Hall County prior to her marriage. He worked on the farm and assisted his father in setting out the many beautiful trees* in Grand Island and in the vicinity, which will be a perpetual memorial of the Tilley name. Mr. Tilley has heard his mother tell of the sad lack of trees that so unfavorably impressed his father and herself when they came to this section. The only two standing on the homestead were landmarks from the fact that they were the only trees within a radius of miles. Mr. Tilley has practically been engaged in farming all his life and on his own account since his twenty-seventh year. He is operating his own eighty acres and an additional eighty acres which he rents, carrying on general farming and moderate stockraising.

On February 14, 1899, Mr. Tilley married Miss Lida Nickle, who is a daughter of William and Mary (Black) Nickle. They have one son. Lawrence. Mr. Tilley and his family belong to the Baptist church. In politics he is a Republican and takes hearty interest in public affairs. Like his father before him, he values his privilege of real Ainercan citizenship, and is proud of his ancestral names

RUDOLPH SASS is a representative of one of the earliest families of Hall County, as he was born on the old homestead near Grand Island, December 23, 1874, and is a son of Detlef Sass, a record of whom will be found elsewhere in this history.

Rudolph was reared on the farm and remained at home til! he was twenty-five years of age, when he became a farmer on his own account, and is operating one hundred twenty acres of land in Alda township.

January 23, 1900, was solemnized the marriage of Rudolph Sass and Christina Clausen. Mrs. Sass is also a native of Hall County, and is a daughter of Juergen Clausen, of whom further mention is made on other pages of this volume.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Sass has been blessed with four children, namely: Helen, Tony, Detlef and George, alF of whom are still under the parental roof.

The family are held in the highest esteem by all who know them, and their friends are those who have known them since childhood days. Mr. Sass has been elected justice of the peace in his township and his neighbors have given him the title of "Judge."

CHARLES WYLEY SMITH is one of the successful farmers of Hamilton County, has since boyhood resided in this section of Nebraska. He was born in Union County, Ohio, April 18, 1870, and was but three years old when his parents established their pioneer home in Hall County. His father, James Wyley Smith, came to Nebraska in 1873 and secured a homestead in Hall County where for many years he carried on fanning operations. A record of this pioneer family will be found on other pages of this volume, in a biography furnished by Mrs. Nancy Smith, the mother of our subject who is living in a comfortable home in the village of Doniphan.

Charles Wyley Smith was reared on his father's farm, attended the public schools of the neighborhood, and under the instructions of his father learned the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for crops, as a result of which upon attaining landlord's estate he was well qualified to enter upon the task of farming on his own account. That he chose wisely and has made a success of the business is proven by the fact that today he is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land under a high state of cultivation equipped with the necessary buildings and machinery for an upto-date farm. The success and prosperity that has come to IMr. Smith is the result of his own efforts and the logical outcome of perseverence and industry.

Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Amy Harris, a native of Hall County, a daughter of Thomas and Emily (Starky) Harris, who were among the pioneers of this section, taking up their abode here in 1872 on a homestead. Thomas Harris is now deceased but the mother of Mrs. Smith resides in Doniphan.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Smith has been' blessed with three children: Emily May, Nancy Anna and Geneva, all of whom are still under the parental roof. The family are held in high esteem by all who know them and their circle of friends is co-extensive with their circle of acquaintance.

ALBERTUS E. EDWARDS, who carries on an extensive greenhouse business, devotes his entire fifty-four acres of richly' cultivated land, situated in section four, Washington township, to gardening purposes. Although not a native of Hall County, he has spent the greater part of his life here, and it is his opinion that there are no finer people anywhere.

Albertus E. Edwards was born in Wood County, Ohio, September 18, 1861. His parents were Edson and Jane' (Cleveland) Edwards, the former of whom was born in the state of New York, and the latter in Cleveland, Ohio. The late Hon. Grover Cleveland, twice prsident of the United States, was her cousin. Edson and Jane Edwards had three children, two of whom survive: Albertus E. and Eva N., the wife of R. I. Evans, residing in South Dakota. Li early manhood Edson Edwards learned the shoemaking trade but afterward became a farmer. He came to Hall County, Nebraska, in 1871, homesteading thirteen miles west of Grand Island, where he secured one hundred and sixty acres, on which the family lived until 1877 and then moved to Grand Island. For one year he conducted the Crescent Hotel, and for three years a shoe store, moving then to Custer County, where he resided three years. He finally located permanently at York, where he was engaged in the insurance business until his death, in April, 1886. His widow survived until December 22, 1897.

old when he accompanied his parents to Hall County, and sixteen when the family moved into Grand Island. At that time he says that when the hunting trips of the Indians were over, they came in from the Republican River in such numbers that the streets were crowded and he has seen valuable skins and pelts piled four feet high. That would be a strange sight today on the busy, modern thoroughfares of Grand Island. He lived with his parents until he was twenty-three years old, in the meanwhile working for three years in the drug store of Barker & Hait, in Grand Island. He had a strong predilection, however, in favor of the business in which he is now engaged, and when he started his gardening enterprise, on ten acres of land, it was with a debt of $150 hanging over him. His natural gifts in this direction, however, soon made his venture a splendid success, and his business has continued to expand until now he dominates the trade in this section and furnishes both retail and wholesale to dealers in Grand Island and elsewhere. He has a greenhouse one hundred and twenty-five by sixty feet in dimensions, making specialties of choice early lettuce and French asparagus, also supplying cut flowers ' and bedding plants.

On March 30, 1886, Mr. Edwards married Miss Mollie- A. Roush, whose people came to Hall County in 1883. She is a daughter of David and Marie (Lowery) Roush, who were born near Letart Falls, in Meigs County, Ohio. The father of Mrs. Edwards died December 19, 1900, and the mother, November 10, 1916. They were the parents of eight children.

Mr. and Mrs. Edwards have no children of their own, but they reared one as a daughter and she is now married and lives at Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. Edwards has never been active in politics but is a good citizen who is ever mindful of the welfare and good name of Washington township.

WILLIAM F. STOLLE, whose fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, situated in section three, Lake township, Hall County, gives evidence of careful cultivation and intelligent management, is a member of a fine old family of this section, that has been identified with Lake township affairs for almost a half centur}^ Mr. Stolle was born in Hall County, May 3, 1883.

The parents of Mr. Stolle were Charles and Mary (Rickert) Stolle, the former of whom was born in Hanover and the latter in Holstein, Germany. Of their family of ten children, William F. was the fourth born, the other members being: Alvina, the wife of Otto Knise, of Grand Island ; Herman, a resident of Grand Island ; Minnie, deceased, was the wife of Otto Frauen ; Anna, who lives in Hall County ; John, a farmer in Lake township ; Otto, a farmer in Howard County, Nebraska, married Theresa Sassen ; and Emil and Louis, both of whom live in Hall County. The mother of the above family died in the spring of 1909, from the rupture of a blood vessel, when an accident occurred, while the father passed away in the fall of 1914. He had been of considerable importance in Lake township and was one of its largest landowners. He came to the United States in 1869, lived at St. Louis, Missouri, until 1871, removed to Hall County, Nebraska, taking up a homestead of eighty acres in Lake township. Through industry and business ability he increased his possessions and when he died left an estate of four hundred and ninety-three acres of well improved land. He was a Republican in politics and was loyal to his friends but accepted no offices for himself. For many years the log structures he built in early days remained on the farm, but the last one was torn down in 1909 when modern buildings were erected.

William F. Stolle attended the public schools in Lake township, and ever since has devoted himself to farm pursuits. His land is well adapted to the industries he carries on and his annual crop and stock products are very satisfactory from their owner's point of view. On October 26, 1910, Mr. Stolle married Miss Mary Brabarider, a daughter of Garrett and Louise (Manke) Brabander, and they have three children : Alfred, Carl and Blanche. They belong to the English Lutheran church. Politically Mr. Stolle is a Reptiblican. He is a member of the Farmers Union, the Nonpartisan Leagvie, and a German society.

AUGUST STOLDT, who represents large agricultural interests in Lake township, is representative of a family that has been known and respected in Hall County for many years. He was born in the city of New York, June 12, 1873, the son of Hans and Magdalene (Suehlsen) Stoldt, the former of whom was born in Germany, August 13, 1839, and the latter September 19, 1840. Their marriage took place in Germany, September 30, 1865. They became! the parents of five children, three of whom died in infancy. The two survivors are August and Johanna. The latter is the wife of Asbjorn Heiberg, who lives at Big Sandy, Montana. A few days after marriage, Hans Stoldt and his wife left Germany for the United States and safely reached the harbor of New York. He was a cabinetmaker skilled in his trade and had no difficulty in finding employment in the big piano manufacturing houses of Steinway and Kroenig & Bach, of New York City. In 1878 he came with his wife and family to Hall County. He purchased a part of what is now the farm of his son. Both he and his wife were very industrious, letting no opportunity go by to add to their income. While not engaged on his farm, Mr. Stoldt worked as a carpenter and helped in the erection of the present substantial Wolbach store building at Grand Island. In those early days, when there were no public means of transportation, it was a heavy task to procure fuel. The custom was for the householder to start with his team at three o'clock in the morning for the Loup River, trirty-two miles away, making the round trip, loading logs which cost nothing at that time, and usually reaching home in the night. This was but one of the many hardships of early settlement in Lake township. Nevertheless, when Mr. Stoldt retired in 1903, he owned two hudred acres of well improved land in Hall County, the direct result of his industry and thrift. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. He belongs to old German social societies in Grand Island.

Augusit Stoldt attended the common schools near his father's farm and later a business college in Grand Island, after which he accepted a position in a grocery house in Brooklyn, New York, having an ambition to become a city business man. During the six months that he worked for the Brooklyn firm, his hours were from five in the morning until eight at night, and half of Sunday, for which he received the meager salary of $10 a month. He remembers how tiresome this service was on account of the city customers purchasing in small quantities for their daily needs, and the repetition, day after day. finally became too much to stand and he decided to return to a real man's work on the home farm, where he has continued to reside. He now owns and operates three hundred and eighty acres of fine land, all well improved, and has a profitable, growing business in the breeding of Hereford cattle. Mr. Stoldt carries on his operations with first class machinery. He says the first binder in this neighborhood was owned by Henry Ahrens, and further, in contrasting old days with the present, recalls that the first top '^'-'ggY' ^ great luxury and extravagance at that time, was owned by Fritz Buckow.

Anna Mohr, a daughter of John and Margaret (Lemburg) Mohr, very early settlers in Hall County. They are now living retired at Grand Island. Mr. and Mrs. Stoldt have had three children, two of whom died in infancy, the one surviving being his father's name sake, August, Jr., who was born February 11, 191L In politics Mr. Stoldt is a Democrat. He has served Lake township in the office of assessor several terms and for a number of years has been treasurer of his school district. He is president of the Farmers Union and one of the board of directors, and also is president of the Anti-Horse Thief Association, which has a hundred members. He is a member of one of the old German social societies in Grand Island.

ALBERT J. NIEMOTH, whose farm activities are large and important in Hall County, and who stands among the foremost farmers and cattle breeders of Lake township, has been a resident of Nebraska nearly all his life. He was born in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, September 28, 1872, a son of John and Wilhelmina (Lindstedt) Niemoth.

Both parents of Mr. Niemoth were born in Germany. John Niemoth came to the United States when fourteen years old and for seven years worked in a Norwegian settlement in Wisconsin, where he learned the Norwegian language. He was twenty-two years old when he married. In May, 1873, he came to Hall County, Nebraska, buying one hundred and sixty acres of land at first, afterward owning two whole sections. His wife having passed away on the farm June 25, 1912, in 1916 he retired to Grand Island. They had ten children : Anna, the wife of August Buchfink, of Grand Jsland ; Frank, who lives in Merrick County; Clara, the wife of Ernest Wagner, of Greeley County, Nebraska ; Emily, who lives in California ; Albert J., a farmer and stockman of Lake township ; Frederick, who lives at Gordon, Nebraska ; Robert and Richard, twins, the former of whom lives in Lake township, and the latter is deceased; Augusta, the wife of Rhinehart Kunze, of Lake township ; and Ernest, who lives in Lake township.

Albert J. Niemoth obtained his education in the Hall County schools and remained with his father until grown, then went to Grant County, where he took up a homestead on which he lived for nine years. In 1904 he sold his interests there and returned to Hall County, since which time he has been operating five hundred acres in Lake township, all well improved. Mr. Niemoth is justly proud of his

Red Polled cattle, this breed, in his opinion, being the most profitable in Hall County as well as in Grant, where he began in the cattle business.

On September 16, 1897, Mr. Niemoth married Miss Bertha Loescher, a daughter of Frederick and Louise (Raatz) Loescher, who live in Grand Island. Mr. and Mrs. Niemoth have the following children : Frederick, Laura, Minnie, Ella. August, Bertha, Elizabeth and Pearl. The eldest son is attending college in Grand Island. Mr. Niemoth and his family are members of the German Lutheran church. For many years he has been a Republican in his political connection and on that ticket was elected to the office of treasurer of Lake township, in which he has served for two years. He is vice-president of the Lake township local of the Farmers Union and belongs also to the Non-Partisan League.

JOHN A. RUFF, one of the highly esteemed older residents of Lake township, came to Hall County almost a half century ago, having chosen to make this locality his home to the present day. He has had varied experiences in the passage of a long life, and his reminiscences are both interesting and enlightening. His birth took place in Germany, September 24, 1847, the son of John H. and Anna M. (Miehe) Ruff, the former of whom was born in Germany, March 26, 1801, and the latter, January 26, 1806. They came to the United States in 1856, settling near Peoria, Illinois, with a son, who was pastor of a church there. He afterward built a house in Bloomington, Illinois, in which the family resided a number of years, the son, in the meanwhile filling pastorates in Wisconsin, then in Michigan, in which state he died, having spent some years in the family home. All the rest of their children have also passed away except John A. and Elizabeth, the latter being Mrs. Hoft'- man, a resident of Jacksonville, Illinois. In Germany Mr. Ruff's father had been an eminent physician and surgeon, also carying on a mercantile business, but he had retired from general practice before coming to this country. Both parents died at the home of their son, John A., the mother on May 3, 1888, and the "father on January 18, 1890. Their burial was in the Grand Island cemeter)'.

John A. Ruff had school training at Peoria and Bloomington, Illinois, and in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. When sixteen years old he went to Chicago, where he learned the mattress making trade, subsequently making a specialty of this line, and also worked at upholstering. In the meanwhile the Civil War was in progress and at Nashville, Tennessee, he enlisted for six months service in the army. Within two months, however, his health failed, and later he became so ill that he was discharged on account of disability. At Jeffersonville, Indiana, he met an acquaintance and together they went to Indianapolis, Mr. Ruff being on his way home to Bloomington, but in that city he met with misfortune, being robbed of his army pay, and was left with only fifty cents which had been concealed in an inside pocket. Although he did not recover from his army illness for two years, a year later he left Bloomington for Chicago, where he worked irregularly at his trade, also in Dwight and Bloomington, Illinois, until he came to Hall County, Nebraska, in 1870. Here he homesteaded eighty acres situated three miles north of Grand Island, where he lived for seven years, later he bought land on section 17-12-9, and on this farm he yet lives. Mr. Ruff owns more than four hundred acres of land, the greater part of it being well improved.

In the fall of 1871, when meat and provisions were scarce in the region around Grand Island, he did as other men of the neighborhood who had families to provide for, bought a trusty rifle for $5 from an Indian chief, and thus fitted out he started after game. When some sixty miles from home he killed three elk and other game including a blacktail deer. The latter he traded to a party to ferry him across the river with his load, as there were no bridges in this section at that time, and the meat he brought home from this trip kept their larder supplied all winter. On another occasion, when stalking an elk, he had to walk through weeds and sunflowers fully eight feet high, and came suddenly to a cliff in the canyon. Hearing a noise above his head he discovered a herd of at least thirty elk looking at him. The sudden view and unusual sight almost unnerved him, but he managed to get two of the elk before they dashed away, a tribute to his good marksmanship.

In Grand Island, November 26, 1870, Mr. Ruff married Miss Welhelmina Beyer, of Bloomington, Illinois. They became the parents of fifteen children, all but two of whom survive : John, a minister, lives at Secord, Gladwin County, Michigan ; Charles, a teacher, lives in the great city of Chicago; William, a preacher, lives at Chase, Kansas ; Henry, a resident of Grand Island; Mary, the wife of William Sielaff, lives at Grand Island ; Clara, the wife of John Quandt, of Lake township; Paul, who lives in Howard County, Nebraska ;

Waher, who lives at Vergas, Minnesota; Albert, who lives on the home place; Rosa, the wife of Reverend Nau, of Holstein, Nebraska ; and Fred, who is in the United States army.

Mr. Ruff' owned and operated the first furniture store in Grand Island, which he opened in 1870. He made his own mattresses and supplied stores at other places. He and James Cleary rented a store room from a IMr. Arnold, who was the United States register in Grand Island at that time. Mr. Cleary occupied one side of the building, conducting his tin shop and selling stoves, while Mr. Ruft' occupied the other. He did very well in this business venture, a natural sincere and courteous manner that yet distinguishes him, making both business and personal friends very easily. His political convictions have come from close observation and wide reading. The only public ofiice he ever consented to hold was that of school director. He was reared in the Lutheran faith and his religious duties have always been a part of his daily life.

ADIN DORRINGTON TILLEY. - One of the prominent early settlers in Hall County . who had much to do with its substantial develpoment and educational progress, was the late Adin D. Tilley, whose long and useful life of seventy-eight years closed on June 8, 1914. He lived to see Grand Island emerge from a little sun-dried hamlet, with a grass-grown wagon track as its main thoroughfare, into one of the busy, modern cities of the state. In later years he walked along beautiful treelined streets and avenues that owed their shade to the work of himself and sons, who brought this condition about.

Adin Dorrington Tilley was born at New Lisbon, Osage County, New York, August 29, 1835, and was liberally educated in his native state. In March, 1873, he came to Hall County, Nebraska, and secured the homestead of eighty acres, on which his widow yet lives. He divided his time between farming and teaching school, his services being in demand both in Hall and Merrick counties, teaching fourteen terms in one district in Merrick and thirteen in one district in Hall County. To the younger generation this profession is one that possesses no danger and oft'ers little excitement, but had they been with Mr. Tilley and fourteen of his pupils in the little unsheltered schoolhouse on the prairie, when the sudden blizzard of 1888 so rapidly enveloped them with blinding snow that they could only leave at the peril of their lives, they might have changed their minds and like the others remained during the entire night. Another severe storm that the Tilleys lived through after reaching Hall County, was the memorable one of April. 1873. In their little cabin three families were domiciled at the time. With great good fortune Mr. Tilley reached home before the storm fell, with a load of corn, that was intended for fuel, because nothing else could be secured, hence they were much better off than the majority of their neighbors. When Mr. Tilley retired from the educational field, he went into the nursery business, and he and his sons subsequently set out almost all the trees in Grand Island and its vicinity. The two trees standing on his homestead when he came here, were the only ones for many miles. He was a lover of trees and they responded to his care.

On April 10, 1860, Mr. Tilley married Miss Maria A. Perkins. Her parents were Ransom and Elizabeth (Tenbroeck) Perkins, of Edmeston, Ostego County, New York, both families being old and prominent in New York to the present day. Mrs. Tilley's father came later to Hall County, living here fourteen years. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Tilley, the following survive : Lydia, the wife of John Reaugh, of Savannah, Missouri ; George, a substantial fanner in Lake township, Hall County ; William, who is a farmer in Lake township, married Floy Wilcox ; Sadie, the wife of Arthur Hanna, of Lake township; and John, who lives in Arthur, Nebraska, married Anna Brabander. In politics, Mr. Tilley was a Republican. He was a man of firm convictions and ever courageous in carrying them out. He was a faithful member of the Baptist church, as is his widow. She still resides on the old homestead and is well known and affectionately regarded all through this neighborhood.

ARTHUR DAY HANNA. - Never before in the history of the world have farm products been in such demand as today. Among the capable farmers of Hall County who are contributing to the supply of life sustaining foods for the populations both at home and abroad, the gentleman whose name' introduces this record is found in the front rank.

Arthur D. Hanna was born in LaSalle County, Illinois, August 12, 1877, a son of James E. and Etta M. (Day) Hanna, a record of whom will occupy other pages of this volume.

Mr. Hanna is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred sixty acres, in section twentyone. Lake township, where he successfully carries on general farming and stockraising. His farm is provided with a substantial set of buildings and he is accounted one of the progressive men of his community.

The family are members of the Baptist church, of which Mr. Hanna is a deacon. He exercises the right of franchise in support of men and measures of the Democratic party, and in every relation of life measures up to the full standard of citizenship .

CASPER HONGSERMEIER, a highly respected retired farmer of Lake township, has been a resident of Hall County since 1885. He was born in Westphalia, Germany, February 28, 1854, one of a family of ten children born to Heinrich and Marie (Unferther) Hongsermeier. Both parents died in Germany^ where the father had been a general farmer. Only two sons came to the United States,. Casper and Henry. The latter settled in Kansas and recently died there.

During boyhood Mr. Hongsermeier attended, the common school near his home and afterward engaged in farming in the old country. In 1885 he came to the United States and settled in Hall County, where he bought land at $2 an acre, which is now worth over $150 an acre because of the excellent improvements he has m.ade. He has always carried on farming, being most successful. Although now retired he still lives on his farm of one hundred and sixty acres, where he has every comfort of life and can oversee farming operations as he feels inclined.

On April 25, 1879, Mr. Hongsermeier married Miss Marie Mettenbrink, a daughter of Frederick and Anna M. (Schwe'ndeniek) Mettenbrink, who spent their lives in Germany. Her father was a prosperous farmer there at one time. Mr. and Mrs. Hongsermeier have the following children : Henry and Charles, both of whom live in Buffalo County, Nebraska ; Mary who lives with her parents ; Frederick who is a farmer in Hall County, married Louise Hamann ; Anna, who lives at home ; Augusta, the wife of Ernest Hoerst, of Hamilton County, Nebraska ; Lena, the wife of Fletcher Thurley, of Custer County ; and Emma, William and Albert, all of whom reside at home. This is one of the fine families of the township, parents and children alike being highly respected and welcome in every circle. They all belong to the Lutheran church. Mr. Hongsermeier casts an independent political vote. He is a member of the Farmers Union and the Non-Partisan League.

HENRY C. AHRENS, who owns one of the well improved farms of Lake township, where he carries on general agriculture and makes a specialty of raising Rhode Island Red chickens for the market, was born in this county July 8, 1885, and the same year his father was accidentally killed by a rvmavvay team of horses owned by a neighbor.

The parents of Mr. Ahrens, Henry C. and Alagdalena (Dierks) Ahrens, were born in Germany. On their way to America they were married in the city of Liverpool, England, Niovember 19, 1868, before sailing for the United States. Theif children were: Alida, the wife of Frank Niemoth of Merrick County, Nebraska ; Alexander, a substantial farmer in Lake township, married Sophronia Lorenzen ; and Henry C., who has spent his hfe in Hall County.

Under the care of an admirable mother, Henry C. Ahrens grew to manhood, attended school and worked on the home farm. When twenty-three years old he removed to his mother's second farm and operated it for her imtil 1917, when he bought it and" today is the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of highly improved land where he engages in general agriculture.

In March, 1914, Mr. Ahrens married Miss Maria W. Hintz, who was born in Germany and came to Hall County May 5, 1911. She is the only one of her family to come to the United States. Her parents are Claus and Amelia (Anderson) Hintz, highly respected residents of their neighborhood in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Ahrens have no children. They are members of the Lutheran church. In politics he has been a Republican for a number of years and now belongs to the Non-Partisan League.

DETLEF SASS. - The life record of the first settlers of Grand Island all have their values from the standpoint of being historical, and none are more interesting than that of the man whose name heads this biography.

Detlef Sass was a native of Holsetin, Germany, the same country that furnished nearly all of those pioneers who laid the foundation of the present Hall County. The date of his birth was June 16, 1831, the youngest of a large family. His father conducted a bakery establishment. It was intended that the son should take up this trade, but the life of a baker did not appeal to him, so he learned the trade of a weaver. He served an apprenticeship, and as was the custom in that country, traveled three years as a journeyman weaver. When the province of Holstein arose against Danish misrule, young Sass enlisted in the service of his country, serving a term in the German army. Soon after his period of service ended he joined a party of his countrymen who were to leave for America. Their first home in the new country was at Davenport, Iowa. In 1857 Detlef Sass became a member of the little band who came to Nebraska and founded the city of Grand Island. The story of this settlement will be found on other pages of this history, and suffice to say that through the trials and hardships that met these early settlers, Mr. Sass always contributed his full share. In speaking of the pioneer days, Mr. Sass often told this story. "Joachim Doll was one of the first settlers, and once he was obliged to make a trip to Omaha. When the time came for him to go he came to me and told me that his wife was sick and asked me to go in his place. I told him if I had soles on my shoes I could go all right. He was a shoemaker and put wooden soles on my shoes and I made the journey to Omaha for him." It was the promise of ^ home and land that induced these men to come to the then barren wilds of what was called the Great American Desert.

Mr. Sass, like many others, took a homestead and his first home was a primitive log house. He carried on farming until the grasshopper scourge came upon the country but he was one of those who thought that a better opportunity awaited them further west, and with a neighbor went to Fort Steele, Wyoming. Having taken a few cows with them the men went into the business of supplying milk to the soldiers of the fort. It was while residing here that he was joined in marriage to Miss Eliza Kuhl, whom he had met at Grand Island. Life in Wyoming became very lonesome for the young wife with her husband gone all day, and" as the Indians were becoming troublesome, they decided to return to Grand Island. He found employment conducting the saloon at Sand Krog for a short time when he moved into the city and erected the Wyoming House. This he and his wife conducted for a time and prospered, but misfortune came to them when the hotel took fire and burned to the ground. This left them with nothing but the clothes on their backs. With a large family of boys he decided that the city was no place to raise them so he moved to a farm. He later bought one hundred sixty acres, to which he added another tract of the same size. But he seemed to be possessed of a desire for a change and went to Oregon. Llere he made investments but was not long permitted to enjoy the new country for his death occurred there September 4, 1894.

Mrs. Sass was also a native of Gemiany, her birth occurring July 20, 1844. By her marriage she became the mother of nine children : Dan, resides in Michigan ; John, is a business man of Grand Island ; Minnie, is the wife of William Keuscher, of Hall County; George, who owns and operates the old farm; Rudolph, a farmer of Alda township; Herman, a fanner of Hall County ; Antonia, is the wife of Ernest Sankbeyer, of Merrick County; Chris, who resides in Merrick County; and Freda, who passed away when a young lady of twenty-one

Mrs. Sass has capably managed the affairs since her husband's death, and though she has disposed of the property, makes her home on the old farm. Coming to a new country when a young woman, and having lived in so many different places in this country hers is an interesting story of pioneer days, as she is one of those who have witnessed the vast changes that have taken place during a half century. She and her husband were reared in the faith of the Lutheran church and their family were brought up to have the same religious belief. Mr. Sass belonged to the old- German societies Grand Island, and in politics was a Republican, though he took no part in the affairs of government. He will long be remembered as one of the first stttlers and a man who in all the years he lived in Hall County, could always be counted upon to do his full share toward building up and developing the community.

HENRY C. FRAUEN, numbered with the representative citizens and good farmers of Hall County, was bom in Merrick County, Nebraska, December 13, 1879, and has lived his present well improved farm in Lake township since February, 1907. He is one of a family of five children born to Paul and Catherine (Paustian) Frauen, whose record will be found elsewhere in this volume, the latter of whom died in 1898.

in Lake township, Hall County. He carries on general farming and raises fine stock, devoting close attention to all his industries, following modern methods and making use of the best farm machinery on the market, all his hauling and heavy work being done by a modern farm tractor.

On February 20, 1907, Mr. Frauen married Miss Lydia Spatholt, a daughter of Frederick and Charlotte (Scheel) Spatholt, residents o£ Hall County. Mrs. Frauen was born on the farm on which she yet lives. Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Frauen only two are living: Paul, who bears the honored name of his grandfather, was born February 11, 1908, and Irene, who was born September 20, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Frauen are members of the Lutheran church. In politics Mr. Frauen is a Republican, as is his father. He belongs to the Farmers Union and the Nonpartisan League.

MRS. MAGDALENE AHRENS, a very highly esteemed resident of Grand Island, living in her comfortable home at No. 108 West Tenth street, is the widow of Henry Ahrens, who homesteaded in Hall County in 1872. Left a widow with a family of small children, Mrs. Ahrens for many years had heavy responsibilities to bear. She is a woman of great strength of character and safely guided her little family to mature years so husbanding the resources of the land Mr. Ahrens had left that she found ease and ample fortune awaiting them all.

Mrs. Ahrens was born in Holstein, Germany, November 1, 1847. Henry Ahrens was born in Hanover, Germany, December 5, 1839. Both started for America and they were united in marriage on November 19, 1868, in Liverpool, England, before sailing for the United States. Their first home was near Yorkville, Illinois, where they lived for three years, then started westward, travelling with horses, taking three weeks to reach Shelby County, Missouri, where they remained thro.ugh the following winter. In the spring they came on to Hall County, Nebraska, Mr. Ahrens taking up a homestead in Lake township, in February, 1872. Mrs. Ahrens remembers well the hardships of those early days. A good housekeeper, she had to do without many conveniences to which she had always been accustomed and at first longed for one of the big clean cellars that she had had in Germany. As soon as possible Mr. Ahrens set out trees to please her, which have now grown into a beautiful grove. Before coming to America he had been a valet for wealthy employers, but after settling in Nebraska he accepted changed conditions and worked as hard and efficiently as if he had always been a farmer. During the winter time he earned a dollar a day digging cellars, working the entire week in Grand Island, while Mrs. Ahrens directed afifairs on the homestead. She remembers how fearful she was of prairie fires, as they had few neighbors to help them out in time of need and were seven miles away from Grand Island. During the grasshopper invasion her garden was completely eaten up, the insects crawling under a blanket she had spread over her young onion bed also devouring the tubers in the ground.

Mr. and Mrs. Ahrens continued to add to their first farm by hard work and frugality, until they had one hundred and eighty-five acres. They were well on their way to a much more comfortable manner of living, when the accident occured which cost Mr. Ahrens's life, on June 9, 1885. It was caused by a runaway team belonging to a neighbor. The children who survived him were as follows : Alida, the wife of Frank Niemoth, of Merrick County; Hellene, who died when 17 months of age; Alexander, who resides on the old homestead in Lake township, married Sofine Lorenzen; and Henry C, who bought his mother's second fann of one hundred and eighty-five acres and resides on it. Mr. Ahrens was a Republican in politics and a member of the Lutheran church.

After her husband's death, Mrs. Ahrens manged affairs until her health gave out. With her sons she later bought additional land and now each one has a fine farm. In 1907 she visited her old home in Germany and after her return she removed to Grand Island, where she has a valued church connection. She has made warm friends because of- her kind and helpful nieghborliness.

CHRISTOPHER BAUER. - In order to properly realize the phenomenal development within the space of a few decades not only in Hall but in other neighboring counties of Nebraska, one has but to turn back the pages of history a little way, and consider what the fathers and mothers faced in the way of living conditions when they came to Nebraska. Christopher Bauer, one of Hall County's representative men, can tell of pioneer days in York County, and of experiences that might just as well be applied to Hall County. Mr. Bauer was born at Theresa, Dodge County, Wisconsin, January 19, 1856.

The parents of Mr. Bauer, Christian and Dorothy Bauer, were natives of Germany. He was born near Stuttgart and she near Hiedelberg. They came to the United States in 1855, locating on the land the father bought in Dodge County, Wisconsin, where the family made their home until February, 1880, when removal was made to York County, Nebraska. There were three children in the family: Freda, Christopher and Mary. Freda is the widow of William Kastner, and lives at Jamestown, North Dakota. Mary is the wife of Frederick Spoerl, they live at Marion, North Dakota. When the Bauers located in Wisconsin, the country was heavily wooded and the great trees had to be cut down in order to make clearing on which the primitive log cabin could be built of green logs. The roof of the cabin was of rough timbers covered with hand made shingles, while the earth was the only flooring. After locating in Nebraska the cows the family brought with them from Wisconsin, had, at first to be used as beasts of burden, for oxen were high priced and scarce. Wild animals were by no means extinct, bears sometimes being seen, while a watch had to be kept in order that deer did not invade the newly cleared fields and trample the growing grain. There were many Indians, but they were never menacing to the Bauer family, who divided their food with the travelers as they came to their cabin door, even when they had but little themselves. In spite of hard work, toil with their hand and nmny privations, Mr. Bauer's parents lived into comparative old age, the mother dying in 1887 and the father in 1889. At that time he owned eighty acres of improved land.

Christopher Bauer attended school in Wisconsin and remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years old. In 1877 he came to York County with a team and covered wagon, spending over three weeks on the way. He invested in land and worked for other settlers up to 1880. when he married. The ceremony uniting Miss Lydia Wissmann with him took place February 21, 1880, at Long Hope, York County. Her parents were George and Catherine (Gesberg) Wissman, natives of Gemiany who at an early day came to Iowa and later to York where the father died in 1883, The mother died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Bauer, in July, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer became the parents of six children : Frank, who lives in Western Nebraska ; Laura, the wife of Frederick Ehlers, of Prairie Creek township, Hall County ; Rena, the wife of William Hardekopf, near Palmer, Nebraska; Edna, the wife of Reverend Goef- fert, of Culbertson, Nebraska; and Paul and Myrtle, both of whom are at home. Mr. Bauer and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, as did his parents.

Mr. Bauer continued to live in York County until 1890, when he came to Hall County and bought one hundred and sixty acres in section two. Lake township. Here he has carried on general farming and stockraising ever since. While living in York County he was quite active in public affairs, serving frequently as school director, road overseer and treasurer, but he has confined his energies entirely to business since coming to Lake township. In his political convictions he is a Republican. On many occasions he has demonstrated his good citizenship and neighborly feeling, and with his family is held in much esteem in Lake township. As he looks over his well cultivated fields and notes his fine stock, his improved machinery and commodious buildings, his thoughts often turn to the little log cabin in the woods, and the courageous, resourceful people who made it an endearing home, so many years ago.

.EDITH SAUNDERS SPENCE, M. D., active and successful in her practice, is one of the leading members of the medical profession in Grand Island and Hall County. She has a large private practice, and has, also, capably filled positions of great public responsibility, commanding the confidence and enjoying the esteem of all who know her either professionally or personally. As a woman of enlightened mind and intellectual vigor, she has always been interested in cultural activities, and her ideas frequently find expression in her poems and short stories. Dr. Spence was born at Bellaire, Ohio, a daughter of Dr. Alcinon Jackson and Mary Caroline (Hayman) Saunders.

Dr. Alcinon Saunders was born at Williamsburg, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1837. and died September 12, 1900. He provided by his own efforts for his college education at Richmond, Ohio. He studied chemistry and during the years 1861, 1862 and 1863, was pharmacist in the Central Ohio Insane Asylum. From there he entered Starling Medical College, at Columbus, and was graduated in medicine and surgery from that institution. Subsequently he was graduated from the Long Island College hospital, and for five years remained there taking graduate work. He entered into practice in Ohio and became very successful. In 1880 he came to Grand Island, where his professional skill won immediate recognition and his personal character shed distinction on everything with which he was identified. For many years he was a member of the school board ; a member of the United States Pension Bureau ; physician at the Soldiers and Sailors Home, and surgeon at St. Francis Hospital. In 1889 he went to Europe to attend lectures and clinics at Vienna, Austria, and on his return became a specialist in chronic troubles of the ear, nose and throat. In 1896 he opened an office at Leavenworth, Kansas. He was there stricken with paralysis, from which he never recovered. He was a Knight Templar Mason. A leader in his profession, he was called as a consuhant all over the state. On November 13, 1866, Dr. Saunders was united in marriage to Mary Caroline Hayman, who was born at Letart Falls, Ohio, and died in August, 1900. Of their surviving children Dr. Spence is the youngest, the others being: Lucy, the wife of J. P. Bruchert, of Portland, Oregon; Bertha, the wife of Robert Fontaine, of Grand Island; Florence, who resides in Grand Island ; Austin, a resident of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Alanous, who lives at Chicago, Illinois.

After completeing the high school course in Grand Island Dr. Spence entered the medical department of Creighton University in Omaha, completing her medical course in the Nebraska State University in Lincoln. In 1901 she entered into medical practice in Grand Island. Afterward she was appointed physician for the . State Industrial home at Milford, by Governor Savage, which exacting office she filled for some years, then resigned to return to Grand Island. Here she continued in active practice until 1917, since which time she has practically retired from the medical field. For a number of years she was grand medical examiner for the Degree of Honor lodge. She was a member of the Hall County Medical Association and at all times with professional equality took part in its proceedings. For a number of years she was the only lady member of the medical fraternity of her college.

On November 13, 1906, Dr. Spence was united in marriage to Daniel E. Spence. Jr., in Grand Island. He is a son of Daniel E. and Sarah (McLaughlin) Spence, former residents of Fairbury, Nebraska. The mother of Mr. Spence is deceased, but his father survives and lives at Portland, Oregon. Mr. Spence came to Grand Island from Kansas, and for twenty-five years has been passenger engineer on the St. Joseph & Grand Island Railroad. By a former marriage he has twin sons, Harry and Howard, who are in school. In politics Mr. Spence is a Republican, is a Knight Templar Mason and a