1870
Florian Fuchs in the St. Polten, Lower Austria, Catholic Church Records, 1628-1955
Gender ~ männlich (Male)
Record Type ~ Taufe (Baptism)
Birth Date ~ 25 Apr 1870
Baptism Date ~ 25 Apr 1870
Baptism Place ~ Kirchbergamwalde, Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), Österreich (Austria)
Diocese ~ St Poelten
Father ~ Johann Fuchs
Mother ~ Anna Fuchs

1887
Florian Fuchs in the Hamburg Passenger Lists
Name ~ Florian Fuchs
Departure Date ~ 15 Mai 1887 (15 May 1887)
Birth Date ~ abt 1870
Age ~ 17
Gender ~ männlich (Male)
Residence ~ Ullrich, Böhmen
Occupation ~ Schmied (Blacksmith)
Ship Name ~ Hammonia
Captain ~ Schwensen
Shipping Line & Clerk ~ Hamburg-Amerikanische Packetfahrt-Actien-Gesellschaft
Ship Type ~ Dampfschiff
Accommodation ~ Zwischendeck
Ship Flag ~ Deutschland (Germany)
Port of Departure ~ Hamburg, Germany
Port of Arrival ~ New York City, New York
Volume ~ 373-7 I, VIII A 1 Band 058 B

1899
Naturalized as United States Citizen
Name ~ Florian Fuchs
Place ~ Pierce, Nebraska
Date ~ 5 Apr 1899

1912
Florian Fuchs in the New York City Passenger Lists
Name ~ Florian Fuchs
Arrival Date ~ 3 Dec 1912
Birth Date ~ abt 1870
Age ~ 42
Gender ~ Male
Port of Departure ~ Bremen,Germany
Date Left ~ November 24, 1912
Port of Arrival ~ New York City, New York
Ship Name ~ Kronprinzessin Cecilie ( Crown Princess Cecilie )

1912
COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY of Nebraska, page 213
Florian Fuchs
http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ne/topic/resources/OLLibrary/Comp_NE/cmp0213.htm

Florian Fuchs, a well to do farmer, energetic and industrious, who came to this county to establish a home and accumulate competence for his old age, resides on his fine farm in section four, township twenty-five, range two, where he owns six hundred and forty acres. He also has three hundred and twenty acres in Sheridan county, western Nebraska, a quarter section near Rushville and another near Hay Springs.

Mr. Fuchs was born April 26, 1870, in the village of Ullerichs, [Ullrichs] near the city of Kirchberg Walde, Lower Austria, and is the son of John Fuchs, senior, who was born in 1844, and who served in the army from 1864 to 1866, participating in the war between Denmark and Prussia. His mother, Anna Pommasl, was born in 1846 and died in 1876. The elder Fuchs kept the village inn for a number of years, and was formerly engaged in the merchandise, and later the buttermaking industry in Austria. Florian Fuchs learned blacksmithing in the old country and worked at the trade two and a half years before emigrating to America.

Sailing from Hamburg to New York in the steamship "Harmonia," [Hammonia] Mr. Fuchs came to Pierce county from Lower Austria in 1887. On reaching Nebraska he visited for a few days near Humphrey with the brother of a fellow voyager, and incidentally met his future wife during this visit. He found work on the farm of his uncle, Charles Hoffman, senior, near Pierce, and then for a year was engaged in construction work on the railroad. After this he was engaged in farm labor for various settlers in Pierce county, including Owen Brothers, ranchmen and railroad contractors, serving two years as foreman on their large feeding ranch near Stanton.

Mr. Fuchs began for himself on the old Scheiber place near Pilger, which he rented for one year, and for a like period cultivated the Barnhardt farm near Hoskins. Coming to Pierce county, he cultivated land rented from his uncle, Charles Hoffman, some nine or ten years, when he moved to his present location, which he had begun purchasing some years before. He had also bought a farm nine miles northeast of Pierce, and for a time cultivated both, working constantly, day and night at times.

Mr. Fuchs was married February 29, 1892, to Miss Johanna Widhalm, a native of the village of Schwaetza, Lower Austria, daughter of Leonard and Anna (Pfeifer) Widhalm. To Mr. and Mrs. Fuchs nine children were born Mary, John, Julia, Lizzie, Johanna, Amanda, Anna, Maggie and Francis.
[ Note : first 5 names in correct order, but then should be Monica, Mike, Anna, Frances and when this went to print in 1911 for 1912, Ceil was not born until late November of 1911.]
They are of the Catholic religion, and Mr. Fuchs is a democrat.

Our subject gives all his time to the building up of his home and the management of his farm, and everything he now has is due to his own unaided efforts, as he had absolutely nothing to start with, and he deserves much praise for his success. As before stated, Mr. Fuchs began buying his present farm while a renter, and added a good tenant house and other buildings on the northeast quarter. He began breaking ground in 1898, and three years later moved onto the place which he has continued to improve. He has three hundred acres under cultivation, an orchard of two acres, and over ten acres of trees, including some two thousand evergreens which are planted in groves and around the outer lines of the farm. He raises annually from ten to fifteen hundred bushels of wheat, four to seven thousand bushels of oats, and six to eight thousand bushels of corn. This he feeds mostly on the place, shipping two to three car loads of cattle and over a hundred hogs per year.

An elegant ten room house has been built on the place, with running water throughout, as well as in all the larger barns and in the various feed lots. The granary, holding from eight to ten thousand bushels, is one of the best equipped in the state, with elevator and spouts to the various bins. All kinds of implements for advanced farming are to be found on the place, and every labor-saving device is installed as soon as it is on the market. A view of this fine residence, barns and groves, is published on another page.

Mr. Fuchs has aided materially in the development of the region where he has spent many years, and is one of the leading old-timers. He was instrumental in organizing the Farmers' Elevator Company in Pierce, of which he sold most of the shares and serves as director.

1914
United States Indexed Counties of Land Ownership
Year ~ 1914
Owner's Name ~ Florian Fuchs
State ~ Nebraska
County ~ Sheridan
Location ~ Southeast corner of Section 9 of 36 sections
Acreage ~ 160 acres

1915
Sunday World-Herald; Omaha, Nebraska; November 14, 1915, page 6
Event Raises Money for War Victims
Names Listed ~ Florian Fuchs

1920
Florian Fuchs in the Scottsbluff, Nebraska City Directory
Residence Year ~ 1920
Residence Place ~ Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Name ~ Florian Fuchs
Location ~ SW 1/4 9-21-54-160*

1921
Omaha World-Herald; Omaha, Nebraska; Saturday, January 15, 1921, page 14
Higgins Packing Company Members
" Walter V. Hoagland of North Platte was re-elected president of the Higgins Packing company at the annual meeting held yesterday. Florian Fuchs of Pierce is vice-president and E. E. Howell and
J. W. Pepperdine of Omaha, secretary-treasurer and general manager. The company declared a dividend."

1926
Florian Fuchs in the Scottsbluff, Nebraska City Directory
Residence Year ~ 1926
Residence Place ~ Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Name ~ Florian Fuchs of Pierce, Nebraska
Property Owned ~ 25-22-53-120

1928
© Sunday World-Herald; Omaha, Nebraska; April 8, 1928, page 5 of magazine insert section or page 61 of Digitized Newspaper.
"Pierce County Farmer Has Record of Voices of His Friends and Relatives Long Since Dead"
2 page article contains Florian's photo along with photos of his corn & phonograph.

1928
© Pierce County Call; Pierce, Nebraska; Thursday, June 28. 1928, Front Page
Was Drowned in A Supply Tank

FLORIAN FUCHS MEETS A TRAGIC DEATH LAST WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON

This community was greatly shocked last Wednesday afternoon to learn of the death of Florian Fuchs, a well known and highly respected farmer living southwest of Pierce.

Mr. Fuchs that forenoon started to repair the roof of his large water supply tank and in some manner broke through the same and fell into the water. The tank was some twelve feet high and contained some seven or eight feet of water. There was no way for Mr. Fuchs to get a hold of the sides of the tank to get himself up and out of the water, and as no help was nearby to answer his call, death came by drowning.

His body was found in the tank later by Messrs. Ed Reed and Ben Weston, neighbors.

County Attorney E. D. Beech and Sheriff E. A. Lambrecht drove out to the place Wednesday and after inquiring into the facts of his death, Mr. Beech decided an inquest was unnecessary.

Florian Fuchs was born in the village of Ullrichs, Lower Austria, on April 26, 1870, being the son of Mr. and Mrs John Fuchs, Sr. At the time of his death he was 58 years, 1 month and 24 days. At the age of seventeen years he resolved to seek a home in the United States and accordingly sailed from Hamburg, Germany in 1887 and landed in New York City. From there he came directly to Nebraska. He visited a few days near Humphrey with a brother of a fellow voyager and incidentally met his future wife.

He found work on a farm of his uncle, Chas. Hoffman Sr., near Pierce and then for a year was engaged in construction work on the railroad.

After this he engaged in farm labor for various settlers in Pierce county including Owen Brothers, ranchmen and railroad contractors, serving two years as foreman of their large feeding ranch near Stanton.

Beginning for himself he rented land one year near Pilger and another year near Hoskins---after which he rented land of his uncle, Chas. Hoffman near Pierce. The land he has been residing on was purchased at this time.

At one time Mr. Fuchs was the owner of land near Hay Springs, Rushville, Scotts Bluff and Sheridan county in Nebraska.

Mr. Fuchs became a large stock owner and in recent years shipped three or four loads of cattle and over one hundred of hogs to the Omaha market per year.

Mr. Fuchs also was interested in raising the best varieties of corn---corn that would stand the drouth and make exceptionally large ears.

Another hobby was music. He used the old fashioned cylinder records for his Edison phonograph and while in Europe before the World War, collected records from England, Sweden, France, Germany, Austria and Italy.

Mr. Fuchs was always genial and a very pleasant man to meet. He had a good word to say to all. In 1911 and 1918 he was the Democratic candidate for Representative to the Nebraska legislature.

Mr. Fuchs was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Widhalm at Humphrey on February 29, 1892. To this union were born twelve children---two of which died in infancy. The children are Mrs. John Promes, of near Hartington, Mrs. R. B. Ronspies, of Pierce, Mrs. George Hahn, of Albion, Mrs. Herman Sudbeck, of Hartington, Mrs. Joe Schott, of Osceola and John, Mike, Ann, Frances and Cecelia, of Pierce.

Funeral services were held last Saturday morning at 9 o'clock at St. Joseph's Catholic church---the service being conducted by Rev. Theo Mester, the parish priest, and Rev. Father Benedict [Pfeifer of Columbus, Nebraska], a cousin of Mrs. Fuchs.

The services were attended by a great company of old friends of the deceased who came to pay their last respects to this one they had know so long and so intimately.

After the services the remains were tenderly laid to rest in St. Josephs' cemetery, southwest of Pierce. The pall bearers were Messrs. Karl Arnberger, John Hoffman, Frank Nave, Carl Hoffman, Peter Hahn and Frank Hoffman.

1928
©The Wayne Herald; Wayne, Nebraska; Thursday, June 28, 1928, page 3 of Second Section
Man Is Drowned In Fixing Tank
Pierce, Nebraska, June 20---While fixing the roof of a water supply tank on his farm about noon today, Florian Fuchs, 58-year-old farmer, accidentally fell into the tank and was drowned.

Fuchs had been repairing the tank during the morning and when missed by his wife, a hunt was started. His body was found by one of his sons in the seven feet of water contained in the tank.

At first Pierce county officials thought Fuchs had committed suicide, but a verdict of accidental death was returned following an inquest. E. D. Beech, county attorney, presided at the inquest.

Fuchs was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic church. He was a long time resident of Pierce and lived several miles out of town.

Besides his widow, Mrs. Johanna Fuchs, there are eight [ten] children.

1928
© Pierce County Leader; Pierce, Nebraska; Thursday, June 28, 1928

FLORIAN FUCHS DROWNED IN TANK

Well-Known Farmer Meets Death by Falling Into Supply Tank on June 20, 1928

This community was shocked last Wednesday to learn that Florian Fuchs had met death about 11 o'clock that forenoon, by falling into a supply tank and drowning. He was on top repairing the tank when a board gave way and he fell into the tank. There was about twelve feet of water in the tank at the time. There was no one present at the time of the accident, and it is not known for a certainty how long the body was in the tank. His son Mike came in from the field for dinner and noticing that his father was not to be seen, he became suspicious that something had happened and began a hunt for him. He noticed an opening in the tank and went there and discovered that his father had meet death by drowning.

The funeral was held Saturday morning at St. Joseph's church, at 9 o'clock, and the church was taxed to its utmost capacity, by neighbors and old friends. Burial was made in the Catholic cemetery, southwest of Pierce. The pall-bearers were Karl Arnberger, John Hoemann, Frank Hoffmann, Carl Hoffmann, Peter Hahn, and Frank Nave.

Florian Fuchs was born April 26, 1870 in the Village of Ullerichs, [Ullrichs] near the City of Kirchberg-Walde Austria. He learned blacksmithing in the old country and worked at the trade two and a half years before emigrating to America.

Sailing from Hamburg to New York in the steamship "Harmonia," [Hammonia] Mr. Fuchs came to Pierce county from Lower Austria in 1887. On reaching Nebraska he visited for a few days near Humphrey, NE with a brother of a fellow voyager, and incidentally met his future wife during this visit. He found work on the farm of his uncle, Charles Hoffmann, senior, near Pierce, and then for a year was engaged in construction work on the railroad. After this he was engaged in farm labor for various settlers in Pierce county, including Owen Brothers, ranch-men and railroad contractors, serving two years as foreman on the large feeding ranch near Stanton, NE.

Mr. Fuchs began for himself on the old Schelber place near Pilger, Nebraska, which he rented for one year, and for a like period cultivated the Barnhart farm near Hoskins, Nebraska. Coming to Pierce county, he cultivated land rented from his uncle, Charles Hoffmann, some nine or ten years, when he moved to the farm southwest of Pierce, which he began purchasing some years before. He had also bought a farm nine miles northeast of Pierce, and for a time cultivated both, working constantly, day and night at times.

Mr. Fuchs was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Widhalm on February 29, 1892 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Humphrey, Nebraska. To this union were born twelve children, two of whom died in infancy. The surviving children are as follows: Mrs. John (Mary) Promes, Mrs. Reinhold [Reinhard] (Julianna) Ronspies, Mrs. George (Elizabeth) Hahn, Jr., Mrs. Herman (Joann) Sudbeck, Mrs. Joseph (Monica) Schott, John, Mike, Anna, Frances, and Cecilia. He is also survived by his widow, two brothers, Joseph of Wein [Vienna, Austria] and Frank of Ulericks [Ullrichs, by Kirchberg am Walde of Lower Austria] and two half sister of Ulrichs [Ullrichs].

Mr. Fuchs was an energetic and industrious farmer. He was big-hearted and many times has assisted those who were poor and in distress. He was a kind and loving husband and father and will be greatly missed in the home.

The out-of-town relatives and friends were: Rev. Father Benedict [Pfeifer] of Columbus, Nebraska, Brother Salomes of Humphrey, Mr. and Mrs. John Promes, Mrs. and Mrs. Herman Sudbeck, Leo Sudbeck, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis [Louis] Uhing, all of Hartington, Nebraska.

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Schott, Mr. and Mrs. Emil Schott, Mr. and Mrs. John Gable [Gabel] all of Shelby, Nebraska along with Alvin Schott and Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Schott of Osceola.

Mr. and Mrs. George Hahn, Junior and Senior, of Petersburg, Nebraska.

Family members of wife, Johanna (Widhalm) Fuchs, included brother-in-laws, Ambrose Abldinger [Ableidinger] of Perry, Oklahoma and Joe Lehnerts [Lehnerz] of Mariental [Marienthal], Kansas; and her two brothers Mr. and Mrs. Mike Widhalm and John Widhalm of Hugo, Colorado.

Mrs. Mary Pfeifer, Mr. and Mrs. John Pfeifer, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Pfeifer, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Pfeifer, Frank Pfeifer, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Widhalm, Gus Widhalm, Mr. and Mrs. Jake Widhalm, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Widhalm, Joe Widhalm, Mr. and Mrs. Will Olmer, Mrs. Tunning, Vincent Bruckner, all of Humphrey and neighboring vicinity.

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Zimmerer, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wagner, Mr. and Mrs. George Talge [Tatge], Mr. and Mrs. Pat Sullivan and daughter Nellie, Mr. and Mrs. M. Sutherland, all of Norfolk.

Mr. and Mrs. Anton Ronspies and family of Randoph, Casper Promes, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Promes of Wynot, Mr. And Mrs. Adam Weitfield [Wietfeld] of Osmond, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bals of Madison, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Sellentine [Sellentin] of Norfolk.

The Leader extends sympathy to the relatives in their hour of sorrow.

1928
© The Hartington Herald; Hartingon, Nebraska; Thursday, June 28. 1928, Front Page
FLORIAN FUCHS DROWNS IN TANK

Father of Mrs. John Promes and Mrs. Herman Sudbeck meets Tragic Death

Florian Fuchs of Pierce, father of Mrs. John Promes and Mrs. Herman Sudbeck of Hartington, was drowned at his home last Wednesday, June 20th, when he fell into a supply tank containing 12 feet of water. The fatal accident occurred when he was fixing the lid on the tank. In some way, he took a misstep and fell into the 12 feet of water below. By the time his son, Mike, who was plowing corn near the house, reached the well and got help to pull Mr. Fuchs out, he was dead.

Florian Fuchs was born in Germany 58 years ago. At the age of 17 years, he came to America, where he engaged in farming near Pierce. He was married to Johanna Widhalm a number of years ago. At the time of his death, he owed several farms near Pierce. Both his parents are dead.

The late Florian Fuchs leaves to mourn his death by his wife, Johanna, and 10 children, Mrs. John Promes, Hartington; Jack [John] Fuchs, Pierce; Mrs. Reinhard Ronspies, Pierce; Mrs. George Hahn, Petersburg; Mrs. Herman Sudbeck, Hartington; Mrs. Joseph Schott, Osceola; and Mike, Anna, Frances and Cecelia Fuchs of Pierce.

1929
© Evening World-Herald; Omaha, Nebraska; Friday, August 2, 1929, page 4, 2nd column, 9th line
Life Insurance Payments at Omaha
Florian Fuchs, Pierce, Nebraska ~ $49,519

Note ~ The St. Joseph's cemetery land was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Florian Fuchs sometime around 1906 or 1907.

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