John was born at Warsaw, Germany in 1847 and came to the United States at a young age to escape the German military draft. He married Eva Horn in Illinois and later moved to Plattsmouth, Nebraska. Their four children were born there. They later moved to Hay Springs, Nebraska but because of the dry conditions there, John and his son, Jacob, went looking for a new location. They eventually bought some land south of Orchard. The first post office of Orchard was located on his farm. The family all moved to the area: John Phillip, Jacob, Maggie and Anna all married and established homes.
John William passed away in 1922. Eva lived with Anna and Harry Hamilton until her death.
Source Unknown: Originally submitted for this website in Aug 2007