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FRANK BROCKHAUS. Frank Brockhaus is one of the extensive landowners of Platte county, having six hundred and forty acres of rich and valuable land returning to him a gratifying annual income. His home is on section 36, Granville township, and the property is well improved, all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm being there found. Mr. Brockhaus is a native of Wisconsin, born March 15, 1858, and is a son of G. H. and Anna (Summers) Brockhaus, who were natives of Germany. the father came to America in 1848, making his way to Baltimore, after which he drifted around the country for seven years, finally becoming a resident of Wisconsin, where he purchased and improved land. There he carried on farming for twenty years and on the expiration of that period came to Platte county, purchasing land in Grand Prairie and Humphrey townships. His remaining days were devoted to the further development and improvement of the property until three years prior to his demise, when he put aside the active work of the fields. However, he continued to live on his farm in Humphrey township and at the time of his death was the owner of a section of land, which he divided among his children. He passed away January 16, 1913, having long survived his wife, who died in 1879. Frank Brockhaus was reared and educated in Wisconsin, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of farm life for him in his boyhood days He remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-five years and then, thinking to find another pursuit more congenial, he began work at the carpenter's trade, which he learned in Wisconsin, following that business for ten years. He next became a hardware merchant of Humphrey, conducting his store for two years as a member of the firm of Brockhaus & Gilsdorf. Finally, however, he sold out and removed onto a farm of one hundred and sixty acres given him y his father, his land constituting a quarter of section 36, Granville township. He then energetically began the work of improving the place and, being a carpenter by trade, he has erected all of the buildings himself. He now has a well improved property on which is found a comfortable residence, substantial barns, well kept fences and carefully cultivated fields. He has also purchased more land until he now owns an entire section, of which four hundred acres is in Granville township, one hundred and sixty acres in Humphrey township and eighty acres in Grand Prairie township. He now farms three hundred and twenty acres and rents the remainder. He is also a stockholder and director of the Farmers Elevator Company. On the 26th of June, 1883, Mr. Brockhaus was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Fuchs, a daughter of Matthew and Rosalia (Steinbeck) Fuchs, both of whom were natives of Austria. They emigrated to the United States in 1867, locating in Wisconsin, where Mr. Fuchs worked as a farm hand until May, 1878, when he came to Platte county, Nebraska. He took up a homestead and timber claim in Humphrey township and began clearing and improving the property, operating the same successfully until 1884, when he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in the town of Humphrey. The remainder of his life was there spent in honorable retirement, his demise occurring on the 16th of January, 1898, when he had attained the age of eighty-five years, five months and two days. His widow is now eighty-seven years of age and makes her home with Mr. Brockhaus. To our subject and his wife have been born ten children, as follows: Joseph M., who was formerly a merchant of Humphrey and now follows farming in Granville township; Henry, Roselia, Bernard, Mathew, Anna, John and Cecelia, all at home; Mary, who died in 1891; and Mary, who passed away in 1901.
On election days Mr. Brockhaus is found at the polls depositing a ballot for the candidates of the democratic party, and on Sundays he is found among the attendants at the services of the Catholic church. His interests outside of business are thus indicated and he is found as a worthy citizen and reliable man who adheres to a most commendable course in life. His extensive possessions are the merited reward of his labor, for his time has been well spent and in all of his dealings he has been found just and trustworthy.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY NEBRASKA |