|
|
George Miners, deceased, became identified with Saunders county during the period of its pioneer development
and with the passing years he so directed his farming interests that he became one of the prosperous citizens of
his community. He deserved much credit for what he accomplished and justly earned the proud American title of a
self made man, for he started out empty handed and ere his death had become the owner of more than seven hundred
acres of valuable land. A native of Germany, he was a son of Wilhelm Meiner and was born at Hanover, September
19, 1845, and was there reared upon a farm, but in August, 1869, when twenty four years of age, left his native
country for the United States. He landed in New York and proceeded at once to the Mississippi valley, settling
at La Prairie, Illinois, where he had a brother living. There he remained until the spring of 1870, when he came
to Saunders county and purchased a relinquishment claim of eighty acres in Center precinct. He at once began to
break the sod and till the soil and prosperity attended his efforts so that after two years he bought eighty acres
adjoining. His first home was a sod house and it had no luxuries and few comforts, but he resolutely and bravely
faced the hardships and privations of pioneer life in order to gain a start. From early morning until late at night
he worked in the fields, breaking the sod, preparing it for cultivation and then planting and in due time harvesting
his crops. Whenever his financial resources permitted and good opportunity offered he added to his original holdings
until he became the owner of seven hundred and two acres of land, and upon all of his farms he made excellent improvements
in keeping with the ideas of modern, progressive farming. He continued to manage his agricultural interests until
1905, when he rented his land and came to Wahoo, where be purchased a home in which he spent the summer seasons.
During his last four years, however, he was in ill health and spent the winter months in California or in Colorado.
In June, 1870, Mr. Miners was united in marriage to Miss Lena Wempen, who was born August 12, 1847, in Germany,
where she was reared. They had been betrothed ere he came to the new world, and she came over alone in May, 1870.
She is one of the pioneer women of Saunders county and can relate many interesting incidents of conditions and
events of the early days. By her marriage she became the mother of thirteen children, of whom four died in childhood,
the others being: Minnie, the wife of Fred Behrens, a farmer of Saunders county; Anna, the wife of Herman Koenig,
also farming in this county; Lena, the wife of Chris Neben, a resident farmer of Cass county; Lizzie, the wife
of Harry Widman, a farmer of this county; William, who married Miss Nellie Craig and operates the home place; Frederick,
who married Miss Ada Larson and is also a farmer of Saunders county; Emma, who married Emil Miller of Cass county;
and Margaret and Clara, both at home.
The death of Mr. Miners occurred August 20, 1910, when he was sixty five years of age, and he left behind him many
warm friends who esteemed him for his sterling traits of character and admired him for the substantial success
which he had won along honorable business lines. In politics he was a republican and was a member of the Evangelical
church, endeavoring always throughout his life to follow the golden rule and do unto others as he would have them
do unto him. Mrs. Miners belongs to the same church and, like her husband, she enjoys the goodwill and friendship
of many with whom she has been brought in contact during the long years of her residence in Saunders county from
pioneer times to the present.
From:
Past and Present Saunders County, Nebraska
A Record of Settlement, Organization,
Progress and Achievement
Charles Perky Supervising Editor
Vol. II
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Chiago 1915
Privacy Policy for
OnlineBiographies
|
NAVIGATION
Saunders County, NE
Biographies
Online
Biographies
Iowa
Biographies
New York
Histories
New York
Biographies
Maine
Histories
Pennsylvania
Histories
Pennsylvania
Biographies
For all your genealogy needs visit Linkpendium
|