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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 1909)
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