Springfield-Greene
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GEORGE WESLEY NIEDERHUTH. The evolutions in the industrial world and the improved modes of manufacturing things have been marvelous in the past half century, and scarcely an industry exists that has been left untouched by the spirit of reform. The demand of the age is for labor-saving devices, improved appliances, machinery, and short cuts generally to desired ends. George Wesley Niederhuth, chief engineer at Drury College and agent for a number of standard makes of motorcycles, is one of Springfield's young men who is giving much thought to these things and has a comprehensive understanding of modem mechanical industries in general.
Mr. Niederhuth was born on August 2, 1889, at Eldora, Iowa. He is a son of Rev. Otto Niederhuth, who was born in Hanover, Germany, on February 12, 1862, where he spent his boyhood and attended school, emigrating to America when eighteen years of age, and he became a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, having studied theology at Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham, Massachusetts, in 1884; also studied at the German college and the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; then, being well equipped for his serious life work, he went to Bismark, North Dakota, having charge of the Grand Forks Mission, extending sixty miles north and south and one hundred and fifty miles east and west. He drove over this large field with horse and buggy and during winter often with thermometer registering thirty degrees below. Later he filled appointments at Crookston, Minnesota, Eldora, Iowa, also Olderbolt, Colesburg, Burt and Burlington, of that state; Brighton, Illinois; Hermann, Mt. Vernon and Truxton, Missouri, being still the pastor of the German Methodist church at the last named place. He has done an excellent work in all these charges and is a learned and eloquent expounder of Holy Writ. Politically, he is a Republican, and fraternally a member of the Modern Woodmen. His wife was known in her maidenhood as Louisa Launroth, a native of Burlington, Iowa. To them nine children were born, and were named as follows: Lulu is the wife of Rev. Herman Langer, a Missouri Methodist minister; George W., of this sketch; Esther is the wife of Louis Schultz, a farmer of Madison, Nebraska; Oscar, deceased; Otto, deceased; Irwin, deceased; Raymond, Earl and Alberta are all three at home with their parents.
George W. Niederhuth received his education in the common schools, then studied two years at Central Wesleyan College at Warrenton, Missouri, and after that took the International Correspondence School course in electrical, and mechanical engineering. His first employment was at Nokomis, Illinois, as assistant night engineer at the electric power plant there, later being promoted to engineer and then to the position of chief engineer, remaining there three years. He then came to Hermann, Missouri, as assistant engineer at the Starr Roller Mills, where he remained nearly a year, then went to Warrenton, Missouri, and entered college, working his way through, and also worked at spare times at the city electric plant there. He then came to Springfield, and secured a position as engineer at the Woodruff building in January, 1911, filling this position until December 11th following, then accepted his present position, that of chief engineer at Drury College. He has given entire satisfaction in all these places, being faithful, trustworthy and having an excellent working knowledge of both electrical and mechanical engineering. He has for some time also been agent for the best makes of motorcycles and does high-class motorcycle repairing at his home at 1090 East Harrison street. He handles motorcycle accessories, such as lamps, tires, horns, etc., and he has built up a good business in this line. He has furnished motorcycles to the special police of this city for some time.
Mr. Niederhuth was married on September 14, 1911, to Ella Boehm, a daughter of John Boehm, a veteran of the Union army, formerly of Hermann, Missouri, now of Springfield.
To our subject and wife two children have been born, namely: John Wesley and Allyn Edison.
Politically, Mr. Niederhuth is a Republican. Fraternally, he formerly belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America. National Association of Stationary Engineers. He holds membership with the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
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