Nemaha County Archives – Page 2 of 6

Biography of Charles August Wey

A Biographical and genealogical history of southeastern Nebraska

Charles August Wey, a retired butcher from Peru, Nebraska, was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1837. He immigrated to the United States in 1867 and initially settled in Peru, Indiana. After a brief stay in St. Louis, he moved to Brownville, Nebraska, and then to Peru, Nebraska, in 1869, where he established the town’s first meat market. Wey’s successful 20-year career in butchering was marked by perseverance and hard work. He married Mary Margaret Wissig in 1884, and they had nine children, six of whom survived to adulthood. Wey was a respected community member, known for his integrity and reliability.

Biography of William M. Kauffman

William M. Kauffman, a leading merchant in Brownville, Nebraska, was born on February 2, 1848, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Of Swiss descent, he moved to Nemaha County in 1868. His father, John M. Kauffman, was also from Lancaster County, born in 1818. William worked as a clerk before establishing his own business in 1887. He married Teresa McLaughlin in 1881, and they had two sons, William and John. Kauffman was active in community affairs, serving as treasurer of Brownville and the school board, and was a prominent Mason and Democrat. He and his family have lived in Brownville since 1894.

Biography of Guilford Lilly

Guilford Lilly, a retired farmer residing in Auburn, Nebraska, was born on October 3, 1829, in Old Deerfield, Oneida County, New York. He moved to Nebraska in 1859 after farming in Wisconsin. Lilly served in the Civil War as a member of the Second Nebraska Cavalry. In 1861, he married Elizabeth Johnson, originally from Vermont, and they had one daughter, Encie. Lilly retired from farming in 1893 and has lived in Auburn since 1897. He was active in his community as a school director and a Mason, and he was a Republican.

Biography of Benjamin T. Skeen

Benjamin T. Skeen was a prominent farmer and stockman in Nemaha County, Nebraska, having lived in the region since 1855. Born in Tennessee in 1851, Skeen moved to Nebraska as a child and witnessed the transformation from prairie to prosperous farmland. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, with a lineage tracing back to Revolutionary War patriot Alexander Skeen. Benjamin married Hester V. Blount in 1873, and they had six children. An active community member, Skeen was a Master Mason and a former school director, contributing significantly to the local agricultural development.

Biographical and Genealogical History of Southeastern Nebraska

This compilation, titled “A Biographical and Genealogical History of Southeastern Nebraska,” presents 457 biographies of individuals who have significantly contributed to the region’s development. Published in a two-volume set by the Lewis Publishing Company, the work aims to provide a reliable historical account through the lens of personal achievements and contributions.

Biography of Abner R. Loofbourrow

Abner R. Loofbourrow, born January 2, 1829, in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, was a respected farmer who lived in or near Peru, Nebraska, for over 30 years. He moved to Nebraska in 1869, having previously resided in Iowa. Loofbourrow initially bought and improved prairie land in Jasper County, Iowa, before purchasing a farm in Richardson County, Nebraska, and later settling in Peru. He married Mary Jane Carr in 1851 and had six children. After her death in 1889, he married Millie Carl in 1892. Loofbourrow was known for his contributions to the community and involvement in the Baptist and Methodist churches.

Biography of John W. Barnhart

John W. Barnhart, born November 8, 1856, in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, was the proprietor and publisher of the Nemaha County Herald in Auburn, Nebraska. Descended from Alsace-Lorraine immigrants, Barnhart’s family has deep American roots, with one ancestor serving under Washington in the Revolutionary War. Barnhart started his newspaper career in Pennsylvania before moving to Nebraska in 1877. He established several newspapers, including the Nemaha County Herald in 1888. Barnhart married Clarabel Foster in 1883, and they had five children. A dedicated Democrat, Barnhart was active in local politics and community affairs, including serving in the state legislature.

Biography of John Edward Lambert

John Edward Lambert, born August 19, 1837, in Franklin County, Virginia, was a leading agriculturist and stock-raiser in Nemaha Precinct, Nebraska. Lambert moved to Nemaha County over 35 years ago, transforming his initial poor health and financial state into prosperity through hard work. He served in the Union Army during the Civil War, experiencing capture and imprisonment by the Confederates. In 1867, Lambert relocated to Nebraska, eventually acquiring 586 acres of farmland. He married Tena Webber in 1873, and they had five children. Lambert’s success in farming and commitment to community marked his long residency in the county.

Biography of Louis H. Rohmeyer

Louis H. Rohmeyer, born February 5, 1860, in Hanover, Germany, was the editor and publisher of the Westlicher Beobachter, a prominent German newspaper in southeastern Nebraska. He immigrated to America in 1890, initially working as a compositor in St. Louis before moving to Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1898. In 1900, he purchased the Western Observer in Auburn, significantly increasing its circulation and elevating its standards. Rohmeyer was married to Johanna Tieman in 1884, and they had five children. He was active in several fraternal organizations and a member of the Republican Party.

Biography of Hon. John H. Pohlman

Hon. John H. Pohlman, born August 25, 1839, in Neumuenster, Germany, settled in Washington precinct, Nemaha County, Nebraska, in 1867. A veteran of the 47th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War, he established a successful farm, raising cattle, hogs, and fine horses. Pohlman married Elizabeth Crawford in 1863, and they had fifteen children. Known for his integrity and community involvement, he served two terms in the Nebraska legislature and nine years as a county commissioner. A staunch Republican and Lutheran, Pohlman made significant contributions to the agricultural and civic life of Nemaha County.