THE PLATTSMOUTH JOURNAL -THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY EDITION.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PLATTSMOUTH PEOPLE
There are thousands of peopie who
are just starting out in life, or per
haps desire to change their locations;
some with limited mtans and a laud
able ambition to possess a home;
others with capital and a desire to
"get In on the ground floor,"' and se
cure property that must of necessity
in the next few years increase one
hundred fold in values. The city's
growth has been strong and health
ful, and In nowise extraneous or
transient. The people are, as a
class, contented, and among the muni
conservative in the west.
Many of our people have not stud
died the art of attracting people and
capital and many have gone over the
country without a knowledge of the
true worth and the opportunities of
fered for Investment and manu
farturing enterprises.
Every community has a few para
litica! pigmies, w ho are taking the
back track of progress and advance
mcnt, and Plattsmouth Is no exception
to the rule.but it Is a noteworthy fact
that they are few and far between.
There Is wide room here for the In
dustrious to gain a foothold and op
portunity to achieve success. We
want men of courage, energy, brains
and character to come, and will wel
come such with wide-open arms.
One will find well represented In
Plattsmouth most of the secret and
benevolent organizations composed
of the best citizens, business and
professional men, banded together
for the purpose of friendship and
brotherly love.
We have the Masons, Odd Fellows,
A . 0. U. W., Woodmen of the World,
M. W. A., Elks, Eagles, Redmen, Sons
of Herman, Degree of Honor, Ladles
and Knights of Security, and several
other lodges. Silent In their work
ings, but ameliorating distress In the
bour of need and working In har
mony for the good of mankind and
the welfare of the community. The
world cannot know how much It
owes to these organizations. A com
munity In which these Institutions
exist and flourish their Influence can
always be trusted as peaceful and
law-abiding. Plattsmouth at the pre
sent time contains three as sub
stantial banks as there are In the
state, several real estate and loan
Arms, three large commodious hotels,
five dry goods stores, three cloth
ing stores three drug Btorcs.two jew
elry stores, six grocery stores, three
hardware stores, seven barber shops,
two harness shops, two exclusive shoe
stores, three meat markets, two tailor
Bhops, four livery barns, one exclusive
wngon sn carriage manufactory, one
Ream laundry, two second-hand
Btores, live cigar factories, three
blucksmlth and repair shops, three
racket stores, two book anil station
ary stores, four restaurants and lunch
counters, two or three Implement
dealers, three dentists, two feed
Hores.three coal dealers, six doctors,
two abstractors, ten lawyers, six
saloons, two telephone exchanges
the Nebraska and Plattsmouth the
latter company having their general
headquarters In this city, two seml
weckly newspapers and one dally, the
finest opera house In a city of Its size-
In Nebraska or any other state, the
Burlington car shops, that employ
from Ave to six hundred men the year
round, two lumber yards, gas and
electric light plant, water works,
three photograph galleries, the Ma
jestic theater, pool hall, the Olson
post card factory and the finest
locations In the west for manufac
turing enterprises of all kinds. Fol
lowing will be found extensive men
tions made of the most enterprising
business and professional men of tin
city:
lion. It. It. Win.lhani.
Mr. Wlndhnm was born July 5th,
1846, In St. Joseph, Mo.
At the age of 9 yenrs he moved
with his parents to Glenwond, Iowa.
In .1863 he entered in the Iowa
State Militia, and was In active ser
vice during the draft troubles. In
1864 he enlisted In the 46th Iowa
Infantry under Col. 1. 11. Hender
son, late spvaker of the national
house of the representatives. Mr.
Wlndhnm nerved In Northern Mis
sissippi n:nl Western Tennessee and
fe4
RESIDENCE OF
wus at Memphis at the tine cf its
captured by the noted rebel cavalry.
la the spring of 1867 Vr. Wlnd
hasi l';atd In Plattsmouth, where
he attained his majority a,nd cast
his first vote- He tcok a position
as deputy county clerk under It.
Spurlock, which he held until 1870,
at which time he commence! the
study of law in the office of Hon.
Samuel Maxwell, late Judge of the
Supreme Court of Nebraska. After
a year's study he matriculated In the
law department of tb University
of Michigan, from which Institution
he graduated in 1873. He then re
turned to Plattsmouth and optned a
law office, where he has since con
tlnously made his home. For 30
years Mr. Windham was in active
practice of his profession, but in re
cent years he has devoted his atten
tion to his real estate Interests.
Mr. Windham was city attorney
under five administrations; those of
J. W. Johnson, J. V. Weckbach,
Captain John O'Rourke and twice un
der that of General George S.
Smith.
He made the first revision of the
city ordinances. Mr. Windham Is
now president of the Plattsmouth
bar association; has been a member
of the school board, and is now a
member of the Park Commission.
He was a member of the 15th,
16th and 17th sessions of the Ne
braska legislative and was elected
to fill the unexpired term of Hon.
George M. Spurlock to the 28th ses
sion and was re-elected and served
In the 29th session.
In 1900 Mr. Windham was nomi
nated and elected as a McKlnley and
Roosevelt presidential elector. He
was one of twelve delegates from
Nebraska to the National Republi
can League at the convention held In
Cincinnati.
Mr. Windham has been a delegate
from Cass County to most of the
Republican State Conventions during
the past 25 years. He has two
times by appointment represented
Nebraska In river Improvement con
ventions at St. Louis and Washing
ton City and twice by appointment
from the Plattsmouth Doard of
Trade to conventions held at St.
Joseph, Mo., and Sioux City, Iowa.
At the present time Mr. Wind
ham Is a member of the board of
trustees of the following State In
stitutions. The school for the Deaf
and Dumb at Omaha, and the school
for the Blind at Nebraska City.
Mr. Windham has been an active
and progressive man all his life, and
has always stood in the front rank
when anything to the advantage of
Nebraska or Plattsmouth was under
consideration.
John Waterman.
Mr. Waterman was born In Albany
County, New York, and spent his
early life In that state. When 24
years old he removed to Ottawa,
Illinois, and lived there five years.
Shortly after that time Mr. Water
man came to Nebraska and settled In
Plattsmouth In 1870. Dnrlng the
same year he located here and went
Into the lumber business with his
father, Mr. H. A. Waterman, and the
firm was known as H. A. Waterman &
Son. In 1894 the senior Water
man died, and since that time the
business has been run under the
name of John Waterman alone. Since
the first establishment of the firm
of Waterman It has always been
known as a first-class concern, al
ways progressive and up with the
times.
Mr. John Waterman has always
been a leading citizen and has taken
his part In the upbuilding of the
town. He built the first store here
of any modern character, and when
it burned, replaced It with the build
ing now occupying the southwest
corner of Fourth and Main streets.
Mr. Waterman handles the best
grades of both hard and soft lumber.
He keeps It all under sheds and con
sequently It Is always dry and mer
chantable. Mr. Waterman handles both hard
and soft coal of the best quality and
all fuel Is from mines celebrated
1 for their butput.
He carries cement,
u
HON. U. II. WINDHAM
VIEW OF MAIN STREET
ime and all kinds cf building material
which may be had at the lowest
market prices.
Mr. Waterman Is a good citizen
and highly respected by all who know
him.
Michael Archer.
This gentleman was born Decem
ber 3rd, 1836. In 1854 his family
removed to Des Moines County, la.,
about twelve miles west of Burling
ton. The family lived there two
years.
In the fall of 1856, Judge Archer
came with his parents to Nebraska,
and settled In Cass County, and he
has lived here ever since, except for
a trip he made to Kansas in the
latter part of 1869. He remained in
Kansas six months and returned to
Cass County early In 1870.
In 1887, on the first day of March,
Judge Archer moved Into Platts
mouth to live. He was admitted to
practice law In 1890. In 1889
Judge Archer was elected Justice of
the Peace for Cass County and since
that time he has been re-elected re
gularly as election time comes
around.
During all that time with the ex
ception of a period of two years,
Judge Archer has also held the office
of police magistrate of the city of
Plattsmouth. It Is extremely likely
V
CENTRAL AND HIGH
that so long as he cares to serve he
will continue to be elected both
Justice of the Peace and Police Judge.
His administration of both offices
bas been all that the most critical
citizen could ask and so long as this
(act Is true it would be poor policy on
he part of the voters to call for a
change.
Judge Archer has been admitted to
practice in the United States Interior
department, and does the principal
oart of the pension law practice in
Plattsmouth and this vicinity.
Judge Archer lost his first wife
nome years ago. He has eight liv
ing children all married and well to
do.
The Judge has married a second
ime and lives a contented life. .
The Judge Is an estimable citizen
and has the respect and good will of
ill classes In the community.
Streight Ktrcight.
Mr. Henry J. Streight came to Ne
braska In 1862, and settled in Platts
mouth. His first mercantile ven
ture was the harness business, which
he run for sometime. Afterward he
had a confectionary store which he
operated successfully for a number of
years. He went Into the hotel busi
ness In 1876 and leased the Brooks
house which stood on the location
now occupied by the First National
bank. After selling out the hotel
Mr. Streight moved to South Bend
and engaged In the general mer
chandise business for ten years.
At the end of that time he moved
back to Plattsmouth and went Into
a canning factory with Frank Car
ruth. During this time he was ap-
appolnted postmaster of the Platts
mouth office, and occupied that Im
portant office for five years.
At the end of that time he rcignod
and he and John P. Puttier bo'ight
out the furniture store and run It
until August 1898, when Mr. Will J.
Streight bought Snttler's Interest.
Since that time the firm has been
known under its present n;ime.
The firm carries a wll slotted
line of furniture of standard manu
facture and all goods sold by this
firm are of the beFt. In connection
with the busimss an undertaking
! department Is conduded and every-
r
' V 4 it i
l IV
11 II II
"V-.
thing In undertaking good's ftrc kepi
constantly on hand. The Messrs.
Streight :s a progressive iirra and
fully alive to the interests of Platts
mouth. J. V. Egenberger.
This gentleman was born in Baden,
Germany, In 1854. He came to this
country in 1872. Shortly after land
ing in the United States, he deter
mined to locate in the west and ac
cordingly came to Nebraska.
For three years after his arrival,
he worked on a farm. He then came
Into Plattsmouth and commenced
tlerking for Guthmann & Weckbach,
general merchandise dealers. Mr.
Egenberger worked for this firm as
clerk for a period of about ten years.
In 1897, Mr. Egenberger opened a
business for himself, establishing at
that time the business be still fol
lows, the well and favorably known
Plattsmouth Coal and Wood yards.
Starting In a rather small way, the
business has steadily grown until Its
present favorable condition.
Mr. Egenberger looks after his
trade carefully and sees that every
thing connected with his establish
ment Is properly conducted.
He handles the best grades of hard
and soft coal and at the lowest prices
possible to make for a first class qual
ity. He also carries Rtove wood of
all kinds, kindling, etc. He car-
.. ;.- a--
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
rles a full line of baled hay and all
kinds of teed for horses, cattle and
poultry.
He Is agent for the celebrated Wil
bur stock food which has a famous
reputation whenever used.
Mr. Egenberger bears a fine repu
tation as a man, in all the relations oi
life. ' '
He Is a good husband, a kind father
and a first class neighbor and citi
zen. He has now a well earned posi
tion In life to which he Is justly
entitled.
Ii. It. Kitenberger.
Mr. Egenberger came to Platts
mouth with his mother in 1872.
He went to school for a number of
years and then decided to learn a
trade. He chose that of cigar-
inaker and went to work In the fac
tory of Julius Pepperberg. He stay.
ed In that factory for three years
and during that time became an ex
pert cigar-maker. He wanted to see
California and he went to th coast,
staying In that country for fourteen
months. At the end of that time
he returned to Plattsmouth, when he
and Mr. A. H. Weckbach bought out
the grocery business of J. V. Weck
bach, which they managed together
for six years. At the end of that
time Weckbach bought the Interest of
Mr. Egenberger. In 1887 Mr. Egen
berger started a cigar factory and
conducted It successfully until 1895
when he bought out the firm of
Egenberger (a brother) & Troop.
This Is the business Mr. Egenber
ger still owns and runs. It is n
general stork of goods, comprising n
full line of dry goods and groceries
of the highest quality.
Mr. Egenberger lias been In the
j same location for fourteen years, and
j be will continue to remain there, lie
j Is well and favorably known to the
trade and his word Is as good ns Ills
bond.
k iS
0
-
He has a good trade and U grow
ing steadily from year to yenr. lie;
Is satisfied with a moderate profit ;
and doea not care to get rich in n ;
year or two like some peoplt . i
Mr. Egenberger is a good citizen i
and always has the lntert of liatts-
mouth at heart. i
j H. M. Soennlchsen.
J This gentleman was born In Ger
many in 1866, and came to Platts
mouth In 1882.
After his arrival he clerked for
about four years, and then decided
to go into business for himself.
He and the late A. II. Weckbach
formed a partnership and for years
was the most popular grocery In
Plattsmouth.
After the death of Mr. Weckbach
Mr. Soennichsen bought his interest
from the heirs and bas since con
tinued to conduct the business as sole
owner.
Mr. Soennichsen is a thorough busi
ness man and everything about his
store is run In a methodical manner.
Every department Is kept up In
stock and no line of goods are al
lowed to run out. It Is very an
noying for a customer to call for a
certain article and have the clerk
say "we are Just out of that." No
such thing occurs at Soennichsen's as
he keeps his stock up in first class con
dition all the time and he handles
nothing but a number one quality
of goods which he sells af the most
moderate prices. Mr. Soennichsen
stands at the top of the list among
the merchants of Plattsmouth and
every year but adds to prestige of his
name.
His store is a credit to the town
and the patronage bestowed on it
Is ample evidence of this fact.
While not a politician Mr. Soen
nichsen is the tax assessor, of Cass
County, having been forced to accept
the nomination at the last election
which in his case was equivalent to
an election. He Is administering the
office to the satisfaction of every
one. .
J. W. Crablll.
This gentleman was born In Nuck
ells county, Nebraska, May 23rd,
1873. He passed his early years in
his native county.
In 7 888, Mr. Crablll came to Platts
mouth with his parents and followed
different avocations and finally took
up the Jeweler's trade.
Mr. Crablll went into business for
himself In 1897 and has grown stead
ily from year to year, both in In
fluence and extent of trade.
His present location is one of the
best In town and has been occupied
by his store for the past ten years.
Mr. Crablll has a beautiful store.
A short time since he discarded his
'- fixturen and nut in a Ret of mod
ern wall cases and show cases
fit for any store of simi
liar kind in a town five times as large
is Plattsmouth. The show ascs
are mostly plate glass, and the fit
ting which are of quarter sawed oak,
are hand polished and plain finish
ed. Mr. Crabill's stock Is very fine and
includes all kinds of jewelry, silver
ware, watches, diamonds, etc. There
is a department devoted to artistic
hand painted china of the very finest
kind and it Is both a pleasure and a
matter of profit to look over this ex
ceedingly handsome ware.
Orders may be made for any thing
'n china, to be exactly as desired by
patrons and work Is guaranteed to
be entirely, satisfactory In every re
spect. I). C. Morgan.
Mr. Morgan was born in Platts
month, July 2nd, 1867. After at
tending public school for a time be
went to work as a telegraph mes
senger boy In February, 1881. On
January 16th, 1883, he took a posi
tion as telegraph operator. In Sep
tember of the same year he entered
Simpson College at Indiuiiula, Iowa,
but stayed at that Institution but
one term. In January, 1884, he en
tered Bellevue College and continued
there until April. 1886. He worked
in the summer vacation months to
pay for his tuition In the college.
After quitting college In 1886 he en
tered the service of the B. ft M. R. R.
In Nebraska as telegraph operator
being employed at various points on
the road. In January, 1888, he be
came one of the day operators In; of It Is shown elsewhere In this Is
Plattsmouth, and In February of the sue. Mr. Richey has served as mayor
same year was called to the superin
tendent of motor power's office as
operator where he worked through
the trying time of the engineer's and
firemen's strike on the Burlington,
i
RESIDENCE
which bpgan February 28, 1S88. A
little later when the Burlington vol
untary relief department was estab
lished Mr. Morgan had charge of the
department of the Missouri River for
the mechanical department. Still
later he was given the position of lo
comotive performance sheet, this pro
motion pertaining entirely to the cost
of running engines west of the Mis
souri River He had charge of this
very particular work at the time the
road changed from what was known
at the "car mile" basis to the "ton
mile basis." In addition to these
onorous duties he had supervision
of charges for the mechanical de
partment pertaining to operating ac
counts. Quitting the service of the Burling
ton he entered Into the clothing busi
ness In company with his brother, Mr.
Frank J. Morgan, and continued in
that trade until the death of his
brother in October, 1904, when be
sold out both the business in Platts
mouth and also the one the firm had
established at McCook.
Mr. Morgan took the position ef
deputy county clerk In January,
1906, under W. E. Rosencrans and
Is holding that position at the pres
ent time.
Mr. Morgan's father, Miles W.
Morgan was born in Virginia and his
mother, Sarah C. Morgan, was born in
Ohio.
Mr. Morgan is well known and uni
versally esteemed In Plattsmouth and
Cass County and It Is more than like--ly
that evidence of his popularity will
soon be made manifest by the citizens
of the city and county
Miss Carrie Greenwald.
Miss Greenwald came to Platts
mouth from Falls City, Nebraska, on
March first, last, and bought the
photograph gallery so long run by
Mr. Soper.
Miss Greenwald Is an expert artist
In her profession and It certainly is
an art to make a finished photograph.
There is a different at once appar
ent between good ond poor work in
this line, and an artistic product
appeals to all persons who like to
have the best.
Miss Greenwald has carefully stud
led her art for years and comes to
Plattsmouth determined to build up
a reputation for. merit which will al
ways rebound to her credit.
She takes all sizes of pictures and
all varieties usually found In a first-
class gallery. Miss Greenwald re
tains the negatives of pictures made
by Soper extending over a period of
nearly eight years and persons may
order pictures from them at any
time.
Miss Greenwald has a pleasing
personality and is sure to make many
friends and patrons.
F. M. Rlclicy.
This gentleman was born in the
state of Ohio in 1841. After spend
ing his early youth In his native
state, he removed to Plattsmouth,
Nebraska, In September 1882.
Shortly after his arrival here he
went Into the lumber business with
his brother, J. G. Richey, and con
tinued the partnership until 1891,
when he bought the latter out and
has continued the business ever since
under the firm name of F. M. Richey.
Sometime since Mr. Richey retired
from any very active participation in
the conduct of the business and turn
ed It over to Mr. E. J. Richey, his
son.
The latter gentleman Is a young
and active business man and fully
abreast of the times.
The yard Is equipped with suffi
cient thed space to keep all the
lumber tinder sheds and the advant
age so gained is largely beneficial
to the purchasers, In the fact that he
gets thoroughly dried lumber. The
Richey yard handles all kinds of
lumber and building material and the
prices are always right as com
mensurate as the market will allow.
Mr. Richey owns one of the finest
homes In Plattsmouth and a picture
of Plattsmouth three times and
would be accorded further political
preferment If he would allow his
name to be used but he does nut want
It.
OF F. M. RICHEY
"1