History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume I, Part 1

Author: Buss, William Henry, 1852-; Osterman, Thomas T., 1876-
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago : American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 504


USA > Nebraska > Dodge County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume I > Part 1
USA > Nebraska > Washington County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume I > Part 1


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49



Gc 978.201 D66h v.1 1269375


ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01103 3211


History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska And Their People


Editors REV. WILLIAM H. BUSS, Fremont THOMAS T. OSTERMAN, Blair


Advisory Editorial Board


L. D. RICHARDS, Fremont


C. D. MARR, Fremont JAMES M. BEAVER, Scribner W. J. CRANE, Arlington


EDMOND C. JACKSON, Blair WM. E. SWIHART, Kennard


T. L. MATHEWS, Fremont M. T. ZELLERS, M. D., Hooper ROY CUSACK, North Bend CHAS. E. MAJERS, Scribner J. C. ELLER, Blair C. M. WEED, Kennard


VOLUME I


THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY CHICAGO 1921


1269375


DEDICATION THIS WORK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED TO THE PIONEERS MOST OF WHOM HAVE LONG SINCE DEPARTED. MAY THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHO LAID DOWN THEIR BURDENS BY THE WAYSIDE EVER BE FRAGRANT AS THE BREATH OF SUMMER FLOWERS FOR THEIR TOILS AND SACRIFICES HAVE MADE THESE COUNTIES A GARDEN OF SUNSHINE AND DELIGHTS


-$27.50 (2Mg)


9/25/64


PREFACE


All life and achievement is evolution ; present wisdom comes from past experience, and present commercial prosperity has come only from past exertion and suffering. The deeds and motives of the men that have gone before have been instrumental in shaping the destinies of later communities and states. The development of a new country was at once a task and a privilege. It required great sacrifice and privation. Com- pare the present condition of the people of Dodge and Washington counties, Nebraska, with what they were threescore years ago. From a trackless prairie it has come to be a center of prosperity and civilized life, with millions of wealth, systems of railroads, telegraphs, telephones, with tens of thousands of automobiles for the convenience of a happy and contented people. It has come to be a subdivision of a great com- monwealth with its thousands of God-fearing people worshiping in scores of beautiful church edifices; with its thousands of intelligent chil- dren attending high-class standards of public free schools, with excellent instructors to impart useful and practical knowledge to them. Can any thinking person be insensible to the fascination of the study which dis- closes the incentives, hopes and aspirations as well as the efforts of the early pioneers who so strongly laid the solid foundations upon which has been builded the magnificent prosperity of later days? To perpetuate the story of these people and to trace and faithfully record the social, politi- cal and industrial progress of the community within the boundaries of Dodge and Washington counties, from their first inception is the function of the local historian. A sincere purpose to preserve facts and personal memoirs that are deserving of perpetuation, and which unite the present to the past, is the motive for the present publication.


A specially valuable and highly interesting department is the one devoted to the sketches of representative men and women of the two counties under consideration. These biographies have for the most part been prepared under the direction of the subjects themselves, or by their near relatives and finally submitted to them for correction and approval before being printed, hence are considered accurate.


On account of ill health, when the work of compiling the Dodge County section of this work was commenced, Rev. William H. Buss, of Fremont, who had been selected as its editor, was unable to engage in the duties of an active compiler, hence the publishers were obliged to engage other competent compilers to do the work of gathering material and writing most of the chapters, aided, however, by a number of local writers whose contributions have embellished and made doubly valuable the work now within your hands. After the compilation had been written in full, the important chapters were then all carefully read and approved by Mr. Buss, who acted simply as supervising editor, and had nothing whatever to do with the biographical or financial part of the publication, yet to him the reader is indebted for many timely sugges- tions and changes, as the work was being prepared for Dodge County and the same may also be said concerning the supervising editor of the Washington County section, Mr. Thomas T. Osterman, of Blair We especially wish in this connection to acknowledge the great aid


iii


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PREFACE


rendered us in the compilation of this work by Hon. L. D. Richards of Fremont and Judges Jackson and Eller, of Blair.


It has been the aim of the writers of this work to seek out the most useful information regarding these two counties from their earliest set- tlement to the present day, believing this to be of first and prime con- sideration for all local history, rather than to produce a work of high literary excellence. We have aimed to be fair and faithful to the interests of all whose names appear herein-whether dead or living. Therefore throw the mantle of charity over the work and believe it to be, as nearly as possible, a true, unbiased record of the comings and goings of the men and women who have lived and labored in the goodly counties of Dodge and Washington.


Our work is done-it is yours to read, to criticise and then leave as a legacy to your sons and daughters.


Believe us, faithfully,


THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY.


1921.


CONTENTS


DODGE COUNTY


CHAPTER I


GEOLOGY, TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL FEATURES


GEOLOGICAL ERAS-COAL MEASURES-GLACIAL PERIOD-AGRICULTURAL VALUE OF THE SOIL-SCENERY OF THE LOESS DEPOSIT-CHARACTER OF DEPOSIT ALONG THE RIVERS- FORMATION OF THE PLATTE VAL- LEY-BOTTOM LANDS-LAST BUFFALO HUNT-SAND CHERRIES- SOAP WEED-ALKALI LANDS-MODERN CHANGES-TIMBER-TOPOG- RAPHY AND NATURAL FEATURES-EXTREME TEMPERATURES-MEAN TEMPERATURES-NEBRASKA WINDS-MOISTURE AND RAINFALL- RANK AMONG THE STATES IN THE UNION - FORESTS - WILD FRUITS-STATE INSTITUTIONS-LEGAL HOLIDAYS-"BLUE BOOK" PARAGRAPHS-STATE SEAL-STATE FLOWER-STATE CAPITOL BUILD- INGS-VEGETATION-GRASSES OF NEBRASKA-WILD FLOWERS-GOV- ERNORS-ABSTRACT OF COUNTIES-COUNTY POPULATION-ALTITUDE AND AREA 3


CHAPTER II DISCOVERY AND OCCUPANCY BY WHITE MEN


THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE-OTHER VIEWS OF THE "PURCHASE"-THE MISSOURI COMPROMISE AFFAIR-THE NAME "NEBRASKA"-TERRI- TORIAL ORGANIZATION-ADMITTED AS A STATE-THE CONSTITUTIONS -EARLY EXPLOITATIONS-FUR TRADERS-GREAT EXPLORING EXPE- DITIONS-MORMON ADVENT-GOLD HUNTERS' PANIC, 1849. .. .36


CHAPTER III INDIAN OCCUPANCY AND FINAL DEPARTURE


CONCERNING THE INDIANS-PAWNEES-PIKE THE EXPLOROR AMONG THE INDIANS-THE PONCAS-THE ALGONQUIN FAMILY-SAC AND Fox PURCHASE-OTHER INDIAN TRIBES-THE KIOWAN FAMILY- HALF-BREED TRACT, ETC .- STILL OTHER TRIBES-CHARACTER AND RELATION WITH THE WHITES-IMPLEMENTS AND WEAPONS-HOSTIL- ITY TOWARD THE WHITES-INDIAN WAR OF 1890-91 43


CHAPTER IV EARLY SETTLEMENT


FONTANELLE SETTLEMENT - THROWN INTO WASHINGTON COUNTY - FIRST HOUSES-FIRST LAND BROKEN-EARLY CROPS-MILLING MARKETS-TOWNSITE PROJECTS-NORTH BEND-FREMONT-FIRST


vi


CONTENTS


BIRTHS-DEATH-HARD WINTER 1856-57-PAWNEE INDIANS-1857 PANIC-1857 SETTLEMENT-PIONEER HIMEBAUGH'S EXPERIENCES- SIXTY PER CENT INTEREST-PIKE'S PEAK-IMMIGRATION DAYS- UNION PACIFIC 52


CHAPTER V


ORGANIZATION OF DODGE COUNTY


ORIGINAL AND PRESENT BOUNDARIES-COUNTY SEAT CONTEST-MEET- ING OF FIRST COUNTY COMMISSIONERS-PLATTING OF FREMONT- AGITATING ERECTION OF COUNTY BUILDINGS 56


CHAPTER VI


DODGE COUNTY GOVERNMENT


COUNTY ORGANIZATION PERFECTED - PROSECUTING ATTORNEY AND COUNTY ATTORNEY SYSTEMS-ACTS OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS- MAKING OF FIRST PRECINCTS-FIRST ROAD DISTRICTS-NAMES OF COMMISSIONERS-CREATION OF "TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION"-FIRST COUNTY SUPERVISORS-THE BURNING OF COURTHOUSE IN 1887- BUILDING A NEW COURTHOUSE-SECOND COURTHOUSE FIRE, 1915- PRESENT STRUCTURE - THE NEW JAIL - HIGHWAYS - BRIDGES - LADIES' REST ROOMS-PROPERTY VALUATIONS-COUNTY FINANCES -BOARDS' ESTIMATE, 1891-COUNTY TREASURER'S REPORT, 1892- COUNTY SEAT AND COUNTY BUILDINGS-COURTHOUSES AND JAILS- BIDS FOR PRESENT COURTHOUSE-DEDICATION-COUNTY POOR FARM -COUNTY OFFICIALS, 1920-COUNTY OFFICERS' SALARIES-TAXES- ASSESSED VALUATIONS-BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR 1920-STATE AND COUNTY LEVIES-AVERAGE VALUE FARM LANDS, 1920. 60


CHAPTER VII


THE RAILROADS OF DODGE COUNTY


VALUE OF RAILROADS-THE UNION PACIFIC RAILWAY AND ITS CONSTRUC- TION-LIST OF NEBRASKA LAND GRANTS-SPEECHES MADE IN STARTING THE CONSTRUCTION-WORK OF GENERAL DODGE-INTER- ESTING INCIDENTS-COST TO DODGE COUNTY-OLD SIOUX CITY AND PACIFIC-OLD FREMONT, ELKHORN AND MISSOURI VALLEY-DIVERG- ING BRANCHES-THE BUILDING OF THE LATEST RAILROAD, THE "BURLINGTON" FROM LINCOLN TO SIOUX CITY, IOWA. MILEAGE 75


CHAPTER VIII AGRICULTURE AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES


NEBRASKA COMPARED WITH OTHER STATES-PRODUCTS OF THE RICH SOIL-FARM STATISTICS-A LARGE NUMBER OF TOTALS-COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES-DODGE COUNTY FARM NAMES-OFFICERS


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CONTENTS


OF DODGE COUNTY FARM BUREAU-DIRECTORS-FARM BUREAU'S AGENT-CHIEF CO-OPERATORS OF FARM BUREAU-THE RACE TRACK 85 1


CHAPTER IX


HISTORY OF THE DODGE COUNTY BAR. .91


CHAPTER X


MEDICAL MEN OF THE COUNTY


FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT DOCTORS OF DODGE COUNTY-LIST OF PHYSI- CIANS-SHORT PERSONALS OF SOME OF THE COUNTY'S MEDICAL MEN -LIST OF PRESENT PHYSICIANS THE DODGE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY-HOSPITALS, ETC. 99


CHAPTER XI BANKING IN DODGE COUNTY


UTILITY OF BANKING-THE FIRST BANK OF THE COUNTY-SUBSEQUENT INSTITUTIONS - PRESENT BANKS OF DODGE COUNTY - SUMMARY OF BANKS IN 1920 - BUILDING & LOAN ASSOCIATIONS - TRUST COMPANIES 107


CHAPTER XII DODGE COUNTY NEWSPAPERS


THE FIRST NEWSPAPER IN DODGE AND ADJOINING COUNTIES-THE FREMONT WEEKLY AND DAILY TRIBUNE-THE OLD TRI-WEEKLY- GROWTH OF THE PIONEER PAPER PLANT-THE FREMONT WEEKLY HERALD-THE NORTH BEND EAGLE-THE HOOPER SENTINEL-THE UEHLING POST-THE SCRIBNER RUSTLER. 123


CHAPTER XIII


SOIL AND DRAINAGE OF DODGE COUNTY 128


CHAPTER XIV


DODGE COUNTY AND MODERN ROADS


133


CHAPTER XV


POLITICAL


GENERAL COMMENT-VOTE ON GOVERNORS-STATE SENATORS-HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES-PARTY VOTE OF COUNTY BY DECADES SINCE 1868-COUNTY JUDGES-COUNTY ATTORNEY-COUNTY TREASURERS


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CONTENTS


-COUNTY CLERKS-CLERK OF THE COURT-SHERIFFS-SURVEYORS- SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION-REGISTRAR OF DEEDS- COUNTY COMMISSIONERS-BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. . .. .. . 137


CHAPTER XVI


THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS


PRESIDENT MCKINLEY'S ESTIMATE OF FREE SCHOOLS-SCHOOLS OF FREMONT-THE PRESENT CITY SCHOOLS-NORTH BEND SCHOOLS- SCRIBNER SCHOOLS - HOOPER SCHOOLS - OTHER FIRST SCHOOLS- DODGE-SNYDER-CROWELL-NICKERSON-COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERIN- TENDENT'S ANNUAL REPORT - BUILDINGS - PUPILS - EXPENSES- OTHER SCHOOL STATISTICS-GRADED SCHOOLS IN COUNTY-PRIVATE AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS-TEACHERS' WAGES NOW-VALUATION AND TAX LEVY OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN 1920-FREMONT NORMAL SCHOOL AND BUSINESS INSTITUTE-FREMONT BUSINESS COLLEGE-MIDLAND 152 COLLEGE


CHAPTER XVII


MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS


DODGE COUNTY POSTOFFICES-MARKET PRICES-PAST AND PRESENT- POPULATION OF COUNTY-ORIGINAL VILLAGE PLATS-EARLY MAR- RIAGES - GRASSHOPPER PLAGUE - ELKHORN FLOOD OF 1873- OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION-DAYS OF MOURNING-PRESIDENT GARFIELD'S DEATH - PRESIDENT GRANT'S DEATH - PRESIDENT MCKINLEY'S DEATH-HYMN TO NEBRASKA BY REV. W. H. BUSS. 168


CHAPTER XVIII


VARIOUS CHURCHES IN DODGE COUNTY


FIRST CHURCHES IN DODGE COUNTY-THE CONGREGATIONAL DENOMI- NATION-METHODIST CHURCHES OF THE COUNTY-FREE METHODIST CHURCHES - UNITED PRESBYTERIAN - PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES - BAPTIST CHURCHES-LUTHERAN CHURCHES-VARIOUS BRANCHES- CATHOLIC CHURCHES-CHRISTIAN CHURCH-ADVENTIST CHURCH 178


CHAPTER XIX


THE CIVIC SOCIETIES OF THE COUNTY


FREE MASONRY-ODD FELLOWSHIP-KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS-THE WOOD- MEN - WORKMEN - KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS - EASTERN STAR CHAPTERS-REBEKAH DEGREE LODGES-BEN HUR-WORKMEN AND VARIOUS OTHER SECRET AND SEMI-SECRET LODGES 188


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CONTENTS


CHAPTER XX MILITARY HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY


CIVIL WAR-LOYALTY OF SETTLERS-ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN-THE INDIAN TROUBLES-THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR -THE GREAT WORLD WAR-1917-18 200


CHAPTER XXI


CRIMES COMMITTED


212


CHAPTER XXII THE CITY OF FREMONT


THE NAME-ORIGIN OF CITY-ENTERING LAND FOR PLAT-MONEY SCARCE-FIRST HOUSES-LOTS DONATED-FIRST EVENTS-CITY'S DEVELOPMENTS - MANUFACTURING IN 1886 - POSTOFFICE - CIVIC SOCIETIES - MUNICIPAL HISTORY - INDEBTEDNESS - CITY HALL - WATER WORKS-CITY BUILDING-ORPHAN'S HOME-CLASSIFIED BUSINESS IN 1892-BUSINESS DIRECTORY, 1920-REMINISCENCES- INDUSTRIAL INTERESTS - COMMERCIAL CLUB - POPULATION - THE


CITY LIBRARY .218


CHAPTER XXIII


FREMONT TOWNSHIP


.246


CHAPTER XXIV NICKERSON TOWNSHIP


DESCRIPTION-BOUNDARY-EARLY HISTORY-POPULATION-SETTLEMENT -FIRST THINGS-EDUCATIONAL AND RELIGIOUS-VILLAGE OF NICK- ERSON-PRESENT DEVELOPMENT-THE TWO RAILROADS. 250


CHAPTER XXV CUMING TOWNSHIP


DESCRIPTION -BOUNDARIES -- POPULATION -- NATIONALITY OF PEOPLE- RAILWAYS-HOMESTEADERS-FIRST SETTLEMENT-FIRST AND EARLY EVENTS-PIONEER SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-VILLAGE OF SCRIBNER -BUSINESS INTERESTS-1920 COMMERCIAL DIRECTORY-MUNICIPAL HISTORY-WATER WORKS-POSTOFFICE HISTORY-PRICE OF FARM LANDS TODAY-PUBLIC LIBRARY 254


CHAPTER XXVI COTTERELL TOWNSHIP


ITS BOUNDARY-POPULATION-PIONEER SETTLEMENT-ONCE INCLUDED VILLAGE OF NORTH BEND-GENERAL NATURAL FEATURES AND PRES- ENT CONDITION OF TOWNSHIP 260


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CONTENTS


CHAPTER XXVII PEBBLE TOWNSHIP


LOCATION - DESCRIPTION - BOUNDARY-RAILROAD-POPULATION-VIL- LAGES OF CROWELL AND SNYDER-"PEBBLE" NOW DEFUNCT-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-MILLING INDUSTRY-THE FIRST SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWNSHIP 263


CHAPTER XXVIII WEBSTER TOWNSHIP


LOCATION-BOUNDARY-RAILROADS-ORGANIC-EARLY SETTLEMENT- VILLAGE OF DODGE - POSTOFFICE - INCORPORATION - SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT-ROLLER MILLS-COMMERCIAL INTERESTS IN 1920-POPULATION 268


CHAPTER XXIX


ELKHORN TOWNSHIP


.272


CHAPTER XXX HOOPER TOWNSHIP


ITS BOUNDARY - DESCRIPTION - POPULATION - ORGANIZATION-RAIL- ROADS-FIRST SETTLEMENT-LATER SETTLERS-VILLAGE OF HOOPER -BUSINESS BEGINNINGS-ORIGINAL FLOUR MILL-COMMERCIAL IN- TERESTS, 1920-MUNICIPAL HISTORY-WATERWORKS. 274


CHAPTER XXXI EVERETT TOWNSHIP


BOUNDARIES-ORGANIC-POPULATION-SETTLEMENT - FIRST EVENTS- SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-POSTOFFICE-GENERAL CONDITION TODAY -LAND VALUES, ETC. 280


CHAPTER XXXII RIDGELEY TOWNSHIP


LOCATION-BOUNDARIES-POPULATION-ORGANIZATION - SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-RIDGELEY POSTOFFICE, ETC .- WEBSTER POSTOFFICE- MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS - MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY - EARLY SETTLEMENT OF TOWNSHIP. .283


CHAPTER XXXIII UNION TOWNSHIP


LOCATION-BOUNDARY-ORGANIZATION-FIRST DEATH-FIRST BIRTH- FIRST LAND PLOWED-FIRST RELIGIOUS SERVICES-SETTLEMENT- SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, ETC .- POPULATION. 286


CONTENTS


CHAPTER XXXIV PLEASANT VALLEY TOWNSHIP


DESCRIPTION-POPULATION-ORGANIZATION-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES -POSTOFFICES - GENERAL CONDITION TODAY - LIST OF EARLY SETTLERS 289


CHAPTER XXXV


LOGAN TOWNSHIP


ITS EXTENT - BOUNDARIES - POPULATION - RAILROAD FACILITIES - SWEDISH COLONY-LATER SETTLEMENT-VILLAGE OF UEHLING -- GENERAL CONDITIONS TODAY-ORGANIZATION OF TOWNSHIP OR PRECINCT AS THEN KNOWN-FIRST TOWNSHIP ELECTION-SWA- BURGH POSTOFFICE 292


CHAPTER XXXVI MAPLE TOWNSHIP


DESCRIPTION-BOUNDARY-OLD PRECINCT OF MAPLE-CENSUS RETURNS -SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-POSTOFFICES-SETTLEMENT .... 295


CHAPTER XXXVII NORTH BEND TOWNSHIP


FORMERLY NORTH BEND PRECINCT-ITS INTERESTING HISTORY-FIRST COLONY-FIRST ELECTION-CITY OF NORTH BEND-PIONEER HIS- TORY-EARLY EVENTS-COMMERCIAL INTERESTS OF NORTH BEND- BUSINESS INTERESTS IN 1920-POSTOFFICE HISTORY-MUNICIPAL HISTORY-MISCELLANEOUS IMPROVEMENTS-PARKS, ETC. .298


CHAPTER XXXVIII PLATTE TOWNSHIP


BOUNDARY - ORGANIZATION - SETTLEMENT - EARLY EVENTS - FIRST BIRTH-FIRST DEATH-FIRST MARRIAGE-FIRST SCHOOL-VILLAGE OF AMES - STANDARD CATTLE COMPANY, ETC. - POPULATION - INDIANS 306


WASHINGTON COUNTY


CHAPTER I


TOPOGRAPHY, GEOGRAPHY, NATURAL PRODUCTIONS AND ORGANIZATION


LOCATION-BOUNDARY-TOPOGRAPHY-NATURAL RESOURCES-COUNTY ORGANIZATION-FIRST CENSUS-PRESENT RESOURCES WITHIN THE COUNTY-PRESENT CIVIL TOWNSHIPS NAMED. 312


CHAPTER II


INDIAN TREATY AND EARLY SETTLEMENT


LEWIS AND CLARK EXPLORERS HOLD COUNCIL WITH INDIANS IN 1804- BURIAL OF BIG ELK, LAST CHIEF TO DIE IN WASHINGTON COUNTY -BURIED NEAR FORT CALHOUN IN 1854 EARLY SETTLEMENT BY WHITE MEN-FORTS ATKINSON AND CALHOUN-SETTLEMENT IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE COUNTY-AN INTERESTING REMINISCENCE ON EARLY DAYS-WHERE THE PIONEERS EMIGRATED FROM-THE MORMON'S SOJOURN-THE QUINCY COLONY-CLAIM-JUMPING AND


EARLY MURDER 316


CHAPTER III COUNTY GOVERNMENT


COUNTY BUILDINGS-FIRST COURTHOUSE-PRESENT BUILDING-VARIOUS COUNTY JAILS-LIST OF COUNTY OFFICERS-VALUATIONS OF COUNTY -FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR 1920, ETC. 323


CHAPTER IV RAILROADS OF THE COUNTY


THE OLD SIOUX CITY & PACIFIC-THE OLD OMAHA & NORTHWESTERN -THE PRESENT CHICAGO & NORTHWESTERN SYSTEM THROUGH THE COUNTY 332


CHAPTER V AGRICULTURE AND STOCK RAISING


GENERAL FACTS - COMPARATIVE AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS - THE GRANGE MOVEMENT-ANNUAL PREMIUM LIST-REGISTERED FARM NAMES 334


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CONTENTS


CHAPTER VI


THE ATTORNEYS OF THE COUNTY 338


CHAPTER VII PHYSICIANS OF THE COUNTY


CONCERNING THE SCIENCE OF MEDICINE-ITS ADVANCEMENT-SUR- GERY-OLD-TIME PHYSICIANS-SADDLE-BAGS-LONG DRIVES-THE MEDICINE CHESTS-LIST OF PHYSICIANS-THE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY-PRESENT PHYSICIANS-THE HOSPITAL. 342


CHAPTER VIII BANKING IN WASHINGTON COUNTY


EARLY BANKS IN NEBRASKA-FIRST BANKING IN WASHINGTON COUNTY -PLATEAU STATE BANK-THE HERMAN STATE BANK-WASHING- TON STATE BANK-FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK, KENNARD- HOME STATE BANK-ARLINGTON STATE BANK-FIRST NATIONAL BANK-WASHINGTON COUNTY BANK-CITIZENS STATE BANK -- FORT CALHOUN STATE BANK-STATE BANK, BLAIR-FARMERS STATE BANK, BLAIR-BANK SUMMARY 345


CHAPTER IX WASHINGTON COUNTY NEWSPAPERS


NEWSPAPERS OF BLAIR-THE REGISTER-WASHINGTON DEMOCRAT (DEFUNCT)-THE PILOT-THE ENTERPRISE-THE TRIBUNE-THE TIMES-THE COURIER-KENNARD WEEKLY NEWS-HERMAN RECORD -THE CALHOUN CHRONICLE-THE COUNTY'S EARLIEST NEWSPAPERS -THE DE SOTO BUGLE-DE SOTO PILOT-THE SUN-ENQUIRER- REGISTER-NEBRASKA PIONEER-CUMING STAR 350


-


CHAPTER X POLITICAL AFFAIRS OF COUNTY


PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS-SPECIAL ELECTIONS-LISTS OF SENATORS- REPRESENTATIVES IN STATE GOVERNMENT, ETC. 354


CHAPTER XI PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS


FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY-LATER DEVELOP- MENTS IN MATTERS OF EDUCATION- THE FORT CALHOUN SCHOOLS -THE DE SOTO SCHOOLS-FONTANELLE SCHOOLS-CUMING CITY SCHOOLS-BLAIR CITY SCHOOLS-OTHER SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY - CONDITION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN 1920 - SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT-SCHOOL BUILDINGS-TEACHERS-PUPILS-WAGES-PARO- CHIAL SCHOOLS-THE COLLEGE 356


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CONTENTS


CHAPTER XII


SECRET SOCIETIES OF COUNTY


FREE MASONRY-ODD FELLOWSHIP-KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS-WOODMEN OF THE WORLD-MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA-DANISH BROTH- ERHOOD-ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN-EASTERN STAR- REBEKAH DEGREE LODGES-ETC. 362


CHAPTER XIII CHURCHES OF WASHINGTON COUNTY


THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES-THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES-THE BAPTIST CHURCHES-THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES- THE LUTHERAN CHURCHES - DANISH LUTHERAN CHURCHES - EPISCOPAL CHURCH 370


CHAPTER XIV MILITARY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY


ITS PART IN THE CIVIL WAR-INDIAN TROUBLES-SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR AND THE LATE WORLD WAR-1914-18-FORT CALHOUN-ITS RUINS .375


CHAPTER XV MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS


POPULATION OF WASHINGTON COUNTY-HARD WINTER OF 1856-57- ORIGINAL VILLAGE PLATS-MARKETS AT VARIOUS TIMES-DAYS OF MOURNING-GARFIELD, GRANT AND MCKINLEY. 389


CHAPTER XVI


INDIAN TROUBLES


.394


CHAPTER XVII


BLAIR TOWNSHIP AND CITY


BOUNDARY-STREAMS-RAILROAD LINES-POPULATION-GENERAL FEA- TURES-DRAINAGE DITCH-CITY OF BLAIR-PLATTING-COMMERCIAL INTERESTS - RAILROADS - POSTOFFICE AND MUNICIPAL HISTORY - FACTORIES, ETC. .399


CHAPTER XVIII CUMING CITY TOWNSHIP


BOUNDARY-STREAMS-RAILROAD-BIG DRAINAGE DITCH-POPULATION -TYSON STATION-CUMING CITY (DEFUNCT )-HIGHLAND ..... 412


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CONTENTS


CHAPTER XIX


DE SOTO TOWNSHIP


BOUNDARY-STREAMS-RAILWAY LINE-POPULATION-EARLY HISTORY OF THE TOWNSHIP AND DE SOTO VILLAGE-FIRST EVENTS-ONCE SETTLED BY FLEEING MORMONS-MILLS-NEWSPAPERS-INCORPORA- TION-PIKE'S PEAK BOOM-FIRST CHURCH SERVICES-LIST OF EARLY


PIONEERS 414


CHAPTER XX


ARLINGTON TOWNSHIP


BOUNDARY-POPULATION-TOWNS AND VILLAGE-A FARMING SECTION- MARKET FACILITIES-SURROUNDED BY A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY AND A LARGE CITY TO TRADE AT-CITY OF ARLINGTON-BOWEN HAMLET- THE MARSHALL NURSERIES-RAILROAD LINES 417


CHAPTER XXI


HERMAN TOWNSHIP


BOUNDARIES-STREAMS-LAKES-RAILWAY LINE-BIG DRAINAGE DITCH -POPULATION-HUDSON-THE "PAPER TOWN"-VILLAGE OF HER- MAN-HAMLET OF FLETCHER. 422


CHAPTER XXII


FONTANELLE TOWNSHIP


HISTORIC LOCATION-CORRECT SPELLING OF NAME-BOUNDARY-POPU- LATION-STREAMS, SOIL-IMPROVEMENTS-VILLAGE OF FONTANELLE -TALBASTA-REMINISCENCES BY EDA MEAD-EXTRACTS FROM BELL'S HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY IN 1876-DEATH AND BURIAL OF LOGAN FONTENELLE 426


CHAPTER XXIII


FORT CALHOUN TOWNSHIP


BOUNDARIES-OLD FORT CALHOUN-VILLAGE HISTORY-LAKES AND STREAMS-SCHOOLS-MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS OF VILLAGE-RAILROAD- POPULATION-BUSINESS OF VILLAGE TODAY-CENTENNIAL CELEBRA- TION-POSTOFFICE HISTORY-REMINISCENCES-ACCOUNT OF PLACE BY W. H. ALLEN, MRS. E. H. CLARK AND W. H. WOODS. ..... 435


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CONTENTS


CHAPTER XXIV RICHLAND TOWNSHIP


AN OLD SETTLEMENT-HOW IT OBTAINED ITS NAME-FIRST TO SET STAKES-BEAUTY AND ACTUAL VALUE OF TOWNSHIP AGRICUL- TURALLY-POPULATION-BOUNDARY-ORGANIZATION - FIRST A PRE- CINCT THEN A TOWNSHIP-VILLAGES OF KENNARD AND WASHING-


TON 448


CHAPTER XXV GRANT, SHERIDAN AND LINCOLN PRECINCTS


GRANT TOWNSHIP-ITS CHARACTER-ITS NAME-ITS ORGANIZATION- ITS POPULATION AT DECADE PERIODS-FIRST SETTLERS-GENERAL FEATURES-SHERIDAN TOWNSHIP-BOUNDARIES-POPULATION-SET- TLEMENT-POSTOFFICE-LATER SETTLERS-KILLED IN INDIAN SCARE -LINCOLN PRECINCT-ORGANIZATION-BOUNDARY-PIONEER SET- TLERS-POPULATION-SETTLERS OF 1856-57 AND 1858-EXPERIENCE WITH INDIANS-GOING AFTER PROVISIONS. .452


INDEX


Abbott, Charles E., II, 540 Abbott, L. J., I, 101, 106 Abels, Bernhard, II, 890 Abstract of counties, I, 30 Adams, Frank C., II, 906 Adams, W. R., II, 549


Admah, I, 390, 454


Adventist Church, Fremont, I, 186 Agricultural Societies, Dodge County, I, 86; Washington County, I, 334 Agricultural Statistics, Dodge County, I, 85; Washington County, I, 335 Agriculture: Dodge County, I, 85; Washington County, I, 334 Albers, A. J., II, 722


Algonquian tribes, I, 43, 48 Alkali lands, Nebraska, I, 12


Allen, Roland G., II, 659


American Fur Company, I, 41


American Red Cross, Dodge County, I, 211; Washington County, I, 386 Ames, banks, I, 117; location, I, 171; platted, I, 171; history, I, 309


Ames Methodist Episcopal Church, I, 182


Ancient Order of United Workmen, I, 195, 368


Andersen, A. M., II, 819


Anderson, James B., II, 870


Anderson, Ove T., II, 689 Anderson, P., II, 670


Anderson, William O., II, 509 Antill, George M., II, 912 Area of Nebraska, I, 19


Arlington (village), platted, 390; loca- tion, I, 417; municipal history, I, 418; business and professional in- terests, 1920, I, 419


Arlington High School (illustration), I, 418 Arlington Nurseries (illustration), I, 420


Arlington State Bank, I, 347


Arlington Township, history, I, 417; boundary, I, 417; population, I, 417 Arndt, F. W., II, 812


Arnot, Charles, II, 493


Assessed valuations of Dodge County, I, 64; Washington County, I, 330


Attorneys: Dodge County, I, 92; Washington County, I, 328, 338 Aughey, Samuel, I, 3, 12


B Line, Fremont to Blair, I, 135 Bader, Frederick, II, 787 Bader, Jacob R., II, 736 Bader, John H., II, 754 Badger, James C., II, 847 Baird, Guy B., II, 518 Balding, James, II, 538


Balduff, Charles H., II, 469 Ballard, Grace, II, 630 Banghart, Vangilder, II, 510 Bank, summary of Dodge County (1919-20), I, 119; Washington County, I, 349


"Banking House of A. Castetter," I, 345


Banks, Dodge County, I, 107; Fre- mont, I, 108; Nickerson, I, 113; Snyder, I, 114; Dodge City, I, 115; Winslow, I, 115; Uehling, I, 116; Ames, I, 117; Hooper, I, 117; North Bend, I, 118; Washington County, I, 345; Blair, I, 345, 348; Herman, I, 346; Washington (village), I, 346; Kennard, I, 346; Arlington, I, 347; Ft. Calhoun, I, 347


Baptist Churches, Dodge County, I, 184; Washington County, I, 372


Barnard, E. H., I, 219, 246


Barry, Mary, II, 918


Barz, William E., II, 565


Basler, George F., II, 502


Beales, Austin W., II, 899


Beales, Hannah H., II, 899


Beaty, E. S., II, 850


Beebe, Henry L., II, 757


Beet sugar industry, I, 228


Belknap, William H., II, 595


Bell, N. H., I, 91, 95


Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Fremont, I, 198 Ben Hur, I, 196


Benner, Henry, II, 752


Bergmann, Christof, II, 911


Bergquist, H. O., II, 516


Berry, Leslie T., II. 897


Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church, 1, 182


Beyersdorfer, C. A., II, 690 Black Hills Trail, I, 135


Blaco, Harry C., II, 885


Blaco, John, II, 880


Blaco, Mattie, II, 881


Blair: Newspapers of, I, 350; Schools, I, 358; Masonic Lodge at, I, 362; platted, I, 390, 399; county seat of Washington County, I, 399; rail- roads, I, 401; first events, I, 401; municipal history, I, 402; water works, I, 403; fire department, I, 403; present city officers, I, 405; commercial interests, I, 405; 1920 business interests, I, 405


Blair City Hall (illustration), I, 403 Blair Congregational Church, I, 370 Blair Courier, I, 351 Blair Enterprise, I, 351 Blair Pilot, I, 350


xvii


xviii


INDEX


Blair Postoffice, I, 407


Blair Public Library, I, 408


Blair street scene (illustration), I, 401


Blair township: boundary, I, 399; pop- ulation, I, 399


Bleyhl, Arthur, II, 496




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