My Genealogy Hound

FREDERICK LEBHART, a representative young business man of Kearney, Buffalo county, is a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, and was born December 31, 1855. He is a son of Christian and Barbara (Straehle) Lebhart, natives of the same place, who lived and died in the old country. His father was born July 1, 1813, and died April 2, 1886. He was a wine-maker, an upright, industrious, useful citizen, and a zealous member of the Lutheran church, having been for twenty-four years a ruling elder in the local church where he worshiped. Mr. Lebhart’s paternal grandfather, Frederick Christian Lebhart, a native also of Wurtemburg, was a wine-maker; served in the Russian war of 1812-15, and was taken prisoner in that war, but afterwards released and returned to his native country, where he passed his remaining years in the peaceful pursuit of his calling. Mr. Lebhart’s grandfather Straehle also served in the Russian war of 1812-15, and was wounded near Moscow, in April, 1813, losing his left lower limb; but he survived many years to tell to his descendants the thrilling story of the burning of Moscow and the famous retreat.

The subject of this sketch was reared in his native country, coming to the United States in 1880. He made his first stop at Mason City, W. Va., and found his first employment, as a salt-maker, at that place. A year later he went to Toledo, Ohio, where he secured a position in the piano and organ factory of Whitney & Courrier, remaining with them a year. He then went to Peru, Ind., and lived there a short time, and in 1882 came to Nebraska and settled at Kearney. He has been variously engaged since settling in Kearney, mostly in the hotel and liquor business. He began as clerk, but by saving his means he was enabled, on May 1, 1888, to engage in business on his own account, opening a saloon at that date, at which he has since continued. He is succeeding beyond the average, and has a large circle of friends. He keeps an orderly house, and gives his time and attention strictly to his business. He is pleasant, accommodating, and observes and insists on a strict observance of all of the social amenities that should obtain among gentlemen.

Mr. Lebhart married, May 31, 1886, Miss Catherine Roeck, of Kearney, and this union has been blessed with three children, born as follows — Minnie, born May 14, 1887; Annie, January 4, 1888, and Louisa, August 4, 1889.

Having been reared in the Lutheran church, Mr. Lebhart naturally leans towards that faith, and he has been very liberal in his donations to that church. He is kind and charitable and gives freely to all benevolent purposes.