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Stephenson County
George Zahler occupies a pleasant rural home in section 24, Reading township, Butler county, Nebraska, which he secured under the homestead law in 1871, and which he has tilled for twenty-seven years, making it a delight to the critical eye, and a source of profit to his careful management. His early life was spent in Germany, and he has brought to his work in Nebraska old world thoroughness and the enthusiasm of youth, and a very large measure of success has crowned his labors.
Mr. Zahler was born in Prussia in 1844, and when he had reached the age of thirteen accompanied his mother to this country. His father had been killed by a kicking horse when young George was only two and a half years old. He was her only child, and the companionship between them was very close and cordial. They made their home in Stephenson county, Illinois, where they lived until 1871. Mr. Zahler desired to have a home and own a farm, and he felt he could most successfully struggle for it in a new state. By this time he was twenty-seven years old, and had a wife and three children. On their account as well as his own, he struck out for the west and when he reached Butler county had five dollars in his pocket. It was a small sum with which to undertake the founding of a home and the winning of an independent fortune. Yet it was enough. And his is the story of many thousands who faced the same obstacles, met the same discouragements, and overcame them in the same bold and hardy spirit. He built a sod house, and lived in it until he could earn money to put up something better.
When he had money he bought what the family absolutely needed, and when he was without money he did not buy. His wife, Mary Lapp, was born in Ohio, and is of German extraction. Her father, John Lapp, was a shoemaker, and, moving west from Pennsylvania, spent some years in Ohio. And from that state he removed to Illinois, where he kept a shoe shop at the house for many years. She was the mother of eight children. Three of these, Elizabeth, John and Annie, were born in Illinois, and five are natives of Nebraska, Grace, Charles, Alfred, Francis, and Edward L. Mr. Zahler is a Democrat, and takes a strong interest in the welfare of the public schools.
Contributed by Paula Zahler
GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Mr. and Mrs. George Zahler, highly esteemed residents of Butler county 42 years and of David City five years, observed their golden wedding anniversary today (Thursday), a company of relatives and old-time friends being entertained by them at their home in observance of the anniversary. Mr. and Mrs. Zahler were married 50 years ago in Freeport, Ill. Mrs. Zahler's maiden name was Mary Jane Lapp.
Eight years after their marriage in Illinois, Mr. and Mrs. Zahler came to Nebraska and Butler county, taking a homestead claim that year (1871) in Reading township; three miles south-east of the present town of Rising City. They made a fine farm of it and resided there 37 years and until 1908 when they moved to David City.
They still own the old homestead. Their sons, Alfred and Francis, live on it.
Mrs. Henry W. Helming, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Zahler, came from Landsford, North Dakota, to attend the golden wedding observance. Mrs. Anna Hunt, a sister of Mrs. Zahler, came from her home near Medina, North Dakota.
Mr. and Mrs. Zahler have eight children living. Five of them live long distances from the parental home and could not be present at the golden wedding observance, the three children in attendance being Alfred and Francis Zahler, of Reading township, this county, and Mrs. Henry W. Helming, of Landsford, North Dakota.
In attendance from Rising City were Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Bauer, Mr. Edward Brakefield, Mr. and Mrs. E.S. Jones, Mr and Mrs. Charles Kuhl, Mr. and Mrs. William Lemley, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Ohm, Mr. and Mrs. B.F. Noddings, Mr. Peter Reinheimer, Mr. and Mrs. George Smith and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Want.
Mr. and Mrs. R.E.Pillar and Mr. and Mrs. Reinhault Pillar were present from Millerton and Mr. and Mrs. Adolf Pillar form Garrison.
David City people who were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Zahler at their golden wedding observance included Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Aerts, Mr. and Mrs. R.B.Coe, Judge and Mrs. A.J.Evans, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Flynn, Mayor and Mrs. L.S. Hastings, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Hoker, Mr. John Hilger, Mr. and Mrs. John Litty, Judge and Mrs. Matt Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Myer, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Miller, Mrs. Daniel O'Keefe and family, Supt. and Mrs. F.A. Stech and Mrs. H.H. Smith.
An elaborate dinner of four courses was served. The table decorations were chrysanthemums, a large wedding cake with fifty lighted candles as centerpiece.
Among the presents received by Mr. and Mrs. Zahler as tokens of love and esteem were $10 in gold, articles of cut glass, various articles of silverware, a gold watch chain, a silk umbrella and two handsome rocking chairs.
Contributed by Paula Zahler - from newspaper clipping (probably David City, Nebraska)
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