JOSEPH BRAUN

Among the well known citizens of Humphrey township is Joseph Braun, who lives on section 30, and, as those who know him entertain for him warm regard, the history of his life cannot fail to prove of interest to his many friends. He was born in Wisconsin, April 1, 1850, a son of John P. and Anna M. (Schrueder) Braun, both of whom were natives of Germany, where they remained until 1848 when they sailed for the new world. They did not tarry on the Atlantic coast but made their way at once into the interior of the country, settling six miles south of Milwaukee, where Mr. Braun purchased twenty acres of land, which he continued to develop and improve until 1861. He then went to Dane county, Wisconsin, and invested his savings in eighty acres of land, which he continued to cultivate until 1879. He then sold that property and came to Platte county, Nebraska, where he homesteaded eighty acres and also secured a timber claim of one hundred and sixty acres near St. Mary's. With characteristic energy he bent his efforts to the immediate development and improvement of the land, which he converted into a fine farm that he cultivated throughout his remaining days. He died in 1893, being survived for five years by his wife, who passed away in 1898. Joseph Braun was reared and educated in Wisconsin. He remained upon his father's farm until he reached the age of nineteen years, when he entered college in preparation for teaching, which profession he afterward followed in Wisconsin, Iowa and Nebraska for nine years. He then put aside the work of the schoolroom and in 1878 took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres on section 38, Humphrey township. He set about improving his land and has since continued its cultivation with good results, his fields annually bringing forth golden harvests as the result of his early plowing, planting and unflagging care. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Humphrey and one of the stockholders of the First National Bank of Humphrey. In the thirty-seven years which have come and gone since he turned his attention to farming he has won success as the reward of persistent, earnest labor. In addition to his home place he owns a half section of land in Boone county, Nebraska.

On the 25th of February, 1878, Mr. Braun was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Scheidemantel, a daughter of Henry and Cunnigunda (Meyer) Scheidemantel, who were natives of Bavaria. They came to America in early life and settled in Wisconsin, where the father purchased land, upon which he lived for some years. Later he removed with his family to Iowa and became the owner of a farm in Winneshiek county, devoting his remaining days to its development and improvement. He died January 16, 1888, and was long survived by his wife, who passed away in November, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Braun have become parents of ten children: Cunnigunda, the wife of Bernard Lohaus, a resident farmer of Humphrey township; Peter J., who is living in Chicago; Henry J., a resident farmer of Granville township; Mary, the wife of Henry J. Haferland, who follows farming in Humphrey township; Minnie, a trained nurse located in Atlantic, Iowa; Leo J., a farmer of Boone county, Nebraska; Anna, the wife of John Effers, residing in Humphrey; Josephine, who is studying in Omaha for the profession of nursing; Joseph F. E., at home; and Anna Rosa, who died in August, 1894.

Mr. Braun has been very prominent in community affairs. He is a member of the Catholic church, and his political support is given to the democratic party, on which ticket he has been elected to serve in positions of honor and trust. In 1881 and 1885 he served as county supervisor and for sixteen years he filled the office of justice of the peace. He also served as township treasurer and as clerk, acting in the latter position for ten years. The fact that he has been again and again chosen for public office indicates the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen, who regard him as a capable and faithful official, his loyalty standing as an unquestioned fact in his career.

*Source: PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY NEBRASKA
A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement
ILLUSTRATED VOLUME II
CHICAGO THE S.J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1915

Copy of book located in Columbus, Nebraska Public Library & Nebraska State Historical Society Library.