CHARLES HENRY ARMANN 
Charles Henry Armann, who is successfully engaged in farming the family homestead in Centerville precinct, Lancaster county, has never had occasion to regret his choice of an occupation, for he has found agricultural pursuits congenial as well as profitable. His birth occurred in Zaleski, Vinton county, Ohio, on the 10th of May, 1878. His father, Henry Armann, was born in the city of Bremen, Germany, March 21, 1838, and remained there until he was sixteen years old, when he came to the United States, landing in New Orleans. For a short time he resided in Cincinnati, Ohio. There he followed the cabinetmaker's trade, which he had learned in Germany, and later he went to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he worked in the mines and also as a wagon maker in the employ of the mining company. 

Subsequently he went to Kentucky, where he followed his trade for some time, after which he returned to Ohio. He worked in the coal mines there and also gave some attention to cabinet work, specializing in making coffins. Following the outbreak of the Civil war, he enlisted in 1861 in the Fifty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and remained at the front until the close of hostilities. He fought in the engagement at Fort Donelson, participated in the capture of Fort Henry, in the battles of Shiloh and Corinth and in the Vicksburg campaign. In the engagements which preceded the taking of that Confederate stronghold he was twice wounded, losing part of one finger and being shot through the head. 

He recovered from his injuries, however, and after the close of that campaign was assigned to convey prisoners to Ship Island. During the early period of his military service he was in General Hancock's corps and General Osterhaus' brigade, but he was at length transferred to General Banks' command and went on the famous Red River expedition. He also served under General Franz Sigel and was a member of what was known as the Pioneer Corps. He was in all of the battles of the Red River campaign, including that of Pleasant Hill, and subsequently went to New Orleans, where he was discharged in December, 1864. He returned to Cincinnati and soon afterward went to Scioto county, Ohio. In 1865 he reenlisted for another year, this time becoming a member of the Eighth United States Regiment. 

He was assigned to the defense service and remained with the colors until the end of the war. Mr. Armann then returned to Ohio and took up his residence in Vinton County, where he conducted a general store. Later he removed to Portsmouth, Ohio, and operated a brewery there for some time, but at length removed to Zaleski, where he was employed in the car building shops of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad until 1880. He then came to Lancaster county, Nebraska, and  purchased two hundred and forty acres on section 17, Centerville precinct, which was unimproved railroad land. He soon returned to Ohio, and in 1883 came with his two eldest sons to Lancaster county and began placing his homestead under cultivation. They also erected a residence and in the following spring Mrs. Armann and the other children arrived here. 

Mr. Armann was actively engaged in farming until 1899, when he retired, but he resided upon the homestead until 1910. He then removed to Lincoln and there he made his home until his death, which occurred on the 12th of May, 1916. On the 18th of April, 1866, he married Miss Mary Deutchel, who died February 22, 1875. Of the five children born to them one died in infancy and another at the age of seven years. Those still living are: Frank, a resident of Wheatland, Wyoming; and Mrs. Dora Betten and Abraham, both residents of Martel, Nebraska. Mr. Armann was again married in September, 1876, his second union being with Mrs. Ruhamah Livingstone, a sister or his first wife and a native of Walsa, Germany. She was nine years of age when she accompanied her parents to Ohio, where her father worked in the furnaces for a time and later turned his attention to farming. She is still living and makes her home in Lincoln. 

The children of the second marriage are: C. H. Armann and Mrs. Emilie Wittsbruck, both of Martel. By her first marriage Mrs. Armann had four children, who are still living, namely: Mrs. H. H. Sieck, of Lincoln; Mrs. S. F. Griffin, of Martel; and Frank and John Livingstone, both of Martel. Besides these children there is also a foster son, William Siecksmeyer, of Martel. Charles H. Armann has resided in Lancaster county since 1884 and received the greater part of his education in the public schools here, although he attended school for six months in Ohio. As a boy and youth he assisted his father on the home farm and after reaching mature years continued to work for the latter until he was twenty-six years old. He then took charge of the operation of the homestead and has since farmed that place, with the exception of one year, which he spent on the Pacific coast. 

He understands thoroughly the methods of farming which are most efficient in this section and as he is energetic and businesslike he has met with a gratifying measure of success. He grows the usual crops and also raises shorthorn, Red Polled and Holstein cattle and Hampshire hogs. Mr. Armann was married in Lincoln on the 19th day of March, 1903, to Miss Emma Mae Griffin, who was born in Centerville precinct on the 14th of September, 1883. Her parents, S. S. and Mary Emma (Walker) Griffin, were both born in Iowa. The mother has passed away, but the father is still living and is recognized as one of the leading citizens of Lancaster county, Nebraska. 

He founded the village of Martel and owns and operates a grain elevator there and also conducts a general store under the name of the Martel Mercantile Store. To Mr. and Mrs. Armann have been born two children: Delton Leroy, whose natal day was the 24th of  October, 1903; and Esther Treva, born March 12, 1905. Mr. Armann is a stanch republican in politics and for two years has served in the office of deputy tax assessor. 

He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally belongs to Damocles Lodge, No.60, K. P., at Hickman, in which he has served as master at arms, and he was formerly identified with the Modern Woodmen of America at Martel. He is not only respected for his energy and ability, but is also highly esteemed because of his integrity and public spirit.

CHARLES CHRISTIAN BETTENHAUSEN. 
Charles Christian Bettenhausen, the popular and efficient cashier of the Princeton State Bank, was born in Princeton on the 4th of July, 1888. a son of Christian and Katherine (Hein) Bettenhausen. The father came to the United States with his parents when fourteen years of age and the family located upon a farm in Witt county, Illinois. In early manhood he farmed for some time in Benton county, Iowa, but in 1879 he came to Lancaster county, Nebraska; having purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 12, Buda precinct, the year previous. The place was originally railroad land but he bought it from Henry Schraeder, who had made some improvements thereon.

Mr. Bettenhausen brought all of the land under cultivation as soon as possible and is still engaged in farming there. His wife came to America in girlhood and they were married in Benton county, Iowa. She, too, survives. Charles C. Bettenhausen was educated in the district schools of Buda precinct and gave his father the benefit of his labor until the fall of 1915, when he was chosen cashier of the Princeton State Bank, which position he has since filled. He