Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties, Part 10

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co.
Number of Pages: 820

USA > Nebraska > Adams County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 10
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 10
USA > Nebraska > Hall County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 10
USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 10

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 (link on the Part 1 page).

Alvin Saunders was born in Fleming County, Ky., on July 12, 1817. At the age of twelve his parents removed to Springfield, Ill., where they re- mained until he was nineteen. In 1836 he went to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, to engage in mercantile busi- ness. He was appointed first postmaster at Mount Pleasant. In 1846 he was elected to the State con- stitutional convention, which formed the constitu- tion under which Iowa was admitted into the Union as a State. He was elected to the State Senate in 1854, and re-elected in 1858. He served as dele- gate to the first Iowa Republican State convention, and also to the Chicago convention in 1860, where he voted for Lincoln. He was appointed governor of Nebraska in 1861, and served in that capacity until Nebraska was admitted into the Union as a State, six years later. He was an earnest advocate of the Union Pacific Railroad. In 1868 he went as delegate to the Republican National convention at

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Chicago. In 1876-77 he was elected United States Senator. He has, for many years, been identified with the banking interests of Omaha,

Charles F. Manderson was born in Philadelphia, February 9, 1838, where he lived until nineteen years of age, when he removed to Canton, Ohio. Here he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1860. In April, 1861, he raised Company A, Nineteenth Ohio Infantry Volunteers, and subse- quently became major of that regiment, and lieuten- ant-colonel after the battle of Shiloh, and colonel after the battle of Stone River, in January, 1863. He was made brevet brigadier-general in February, 1865, but resigned from the service, on account of wounds, in April, 1865. Gen. Manderson removed to Omaha, in 1867, continuing his law practice. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1871 and 1875. In 1882 he was elected to the United States Senate to succeed Charles H. Van Wyck. He was re-elected in 1888 and is still serv- ing the people of the State in the Senate.

Charles H. Van Wyck was born and grew to manhood in the State of New York. He represented the State in Congress for several terms, after which he moved to Nebraska, locating in Otoe County. He has represented the people of Otoe County in the Legislature several terms, and in 1880 was elected to the United States Senate to succeed Algernon S. Paddock. He championed the anti-monopoly eanse during his term of office. In 1886 he was a candidate for re-election, but was defeated by his former opponent, A. S. Paddock, after one of the hottest political contests ever witnessed in the State.

James Laird, for six years member of Congress from the Second Congressional district of Nebraska, was born at Fowlerville, N. Y., on June 20. 1849. While he was yet a child his parents removed to Michigan. He had received a good academic ed :- cation before the breaking out of the war, and on July 24, 1862, entered the service as a private in Company G, Sixteenth Michigan Infantry, in which regiment he served during the war. After serving in the ranks two years, he was several times pro- moted and reached the rank of brevet-major before he was seventeen years of age. Two of his older

brothers entered the service at the same time, and both were killed in action. Mr. Laird was engaged in all the battles of the Potomac except when dis- abled by wounds received in action. He received several severe wounds at Gaines Mill, was shot through the body and left for dead. He was twice wounded at Gettysburg, and at Laurel Hill received a sabre thrust through the right shoulder; had his horse shot from under him at Hatch's Run, and was wounded in the ankle. All his promotions were received for service. He was, upon several ocea- sions, mentioned in general orders for bravery and conduct.

After the war he received a good education at Adrian College and the University of Michigan, graduating from the law school of that institution as a law student in 1871. In 1872 he emigrated to this county and commenced the practice of law. His first public service in this State was in 1875, when he was elected a member of the constitutional convention. In 1880, after the taking of the census. the State of Nebraska was re-districted and three Congressional districts organized. In 1882 Mr. Laird was elected to the XLVIIIth Congress and re- elected in 1884-86-88. This district embraces twenty-five counties. The demands of so large a district impose an arduous duty upon its member, but Mr. Laird has been able to meet all demands made upon him.

It has been noticed of late years that many of the younger members of the House have shown more good sense in the framing of laws than some of their older colleagues are willing to give them credit for. Among this class of young statesmen was Ilon. James Laird. In the XLVIIIth Congress, as mem- ber of the committee on military affairs, he displayed great zeal in the interest of ex-Union soldiers in his efforts to secure them back pay and bounty. He championed the rights of settlers on the public lands in the West, and more especially in Nebraska, Kan- sas and Colorado.

In the season of 1885-86 he was active in behalf of the working men throughout the country, and as a member of the military committee of the House, rendered valuable service in- behalf of his comrades. The debate over the bill for the relief of certain

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officers and soldiers of the volunteer army was led by himself, and was considered remarkable in the House. The bill carried relief to veteran soldiers who were promoted from the ranks after re-enlist- ment, and also bouuty to the privates who were dis- charged prior to two years' service and not on account of wounds.

The Southern members, after fillibustering over this measure until nearly morning, offered to allow the bill to pass, giving relief to the officers, if Mr. Laird would permit them to strike out that portion of carrying the benefits to the private soldiers. This Mr. Laird emphatically refused to do and the bill was defeated. Mr. Laird was always regarded as a good parliamentary debator, and a hard worker. During the hours of session he was always found in his seat unless occupied with committee work. His course in Congress was most creditable to him- self and the State of Nebraska. At each re-election he was returned to Congress with a large and in- creased majority. He was becoming strong and in- fluential with his party in the House, and would soon have become one of the foremost men in Con- gress had not death ended his career while he was in the prime of life. During his last term in Con- gress his arduous labors undermined his health. Every effort was made by his friends to restore his health, and the best medical talent in the United States was called into service ; but his usually robust constitution had received too great a shock, and on Saturday morning, August 17, 1889, the breath of life left his long suffering frame, and James Laird was at rest. He was buried in Parkview cemetery at Hastings, Neb., on August 19, 1889, with the most imposing funeral rites ever witnessed in Ne- braska.

Hon. T. M. Marquette, Nebraska's first Congress- man, came to Nebraska in 1856 and located at Plattsmouth. He commenced the practice of law in 1857, and took an active interest in politics. He represented Cass County in the Territorial Legisla- ture in 1857, 1858 and 1859. In 1860 he was elected to the Council, and held that position four years, declining a fifth nomination. Upon the admission of the State he was elected to represent Nebraska in Congress. His term of office expired

two days after he had taken his seat, and he declined re-election. He has been the general attorney for the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad ever since that road was built into the State. His bome is at ' Lincoln.

Hon. Lorenzo Crounse represented Nebraska in Congress from 1872 to 1876. He was born in New York State on January 27, 1834. He received his education in that State, and was admitted to the bar in 1856. He continued in the practice of his pro- fession until 1865, when he removed to Nebraska, settling in Richardson County. He was elected from the latter county to the Territorial Legislature in the fall of 1856, and served one term. He helped frame the first constitution of the State, and advocated its adoption. In May, 1866, he was unanimously nominated for associate justice of the Supreme Court, and was elected in June of the same year. He held the office for the full term of six years, and at the expiration of his term was elected to represent his State in Congress. At the comple- tion of his service of four years in Congress he was appointed internal revenue collector for the State, holding the position for a number of years.

Hon. John A. McShane, who represented Ne- braska in Congress from 1887 to 1889, was born in New Lexington, . Perry County, Ohio, August 25, 1850. He lived in that State until 1874, when he removed to Nebraska, He engaged extensively in the cattle industry, and amassed a comfortable competency. He was elected to Congress on the Dem- ocratic ticket in 1887, and held his seat for one term.

Hon. William J. Connell was born at Cowans- ville, Canada, July 6, 1846, and removed to New York in 1857, where he received an academic educa- tion. In 1867 he came to Omaha, Neb., where he has since resided. He was admitted to the practice of law in 1869, and has been engaged in his profes- sion since that date. In 1872 he was elected dis- trict attorney of the Third judicial district, and re- elected in 1874. Was appointed city attorney of Omaha in 1883, and held that position until 1887. In 1889 he was elected to the LIst Congress as a Republican.

Hon. Gilbert Lafayette Laws was born in Rich-

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land County, III., on March 11, 1838; removed with his parents to Wisconsin in 1846, where he re- ceived his schooling, completing his education at Haskell University and Milton College. Leaving college, he taught school until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he enlisted in the Fifth Infantry, Wisconsin Volunteers. At the battle of Williams- burg, Va., on May 5, 1862, he received wounds which incapacitated him from active service. Ile returned to Wisconsin, where he resided until 1876, when he removed to Orleans, Neb., and assumed editorial management of the Republican Valley Sentinel. In 1881 he was appointed register of the United States land office at MeCook, and served in that capacity until 1886, when he was elected secre- tary of State. He was re-elected in 1888, but re- signed in 1889 to accept a seat in Congress.

Hon. George W. E. Dorsey, of Fremont, was born in Loudoun County, Va., January 25, 1842. He received his education in Preston County, W. Va., and entered the Union army in 1861, as first- lieutenant of the Sixth West Virginia Infantry ; was promoted to the rank of captain and of major, and was mustered out of service with the Army of the Shenandoah, in August, 1865. He removed to Nebraska in 1866, studied law and was admitted to practice in 1869; has engaged in the banking busi- ness for the past ten years ; was elected to the XLIXth, Lth and LIst Congresses, and still occu- pies his position.

John M. Thurston, general solicitor of the Un- ion Pacific Railroad Company, and one of the lead- ing members of Nebraska's legal profession, was born at Montpelier, Vt., August 21, 1847. He moved to Wisconsin in 1854 and received his educa- tion and was admitted to the bar in that State. Re- moved to Omaha in 1869. Being a close student, a profound thinker and a brilliant orator, he rose rapidly in his profession. Held the position of city attorney of Omaha from 1874 to 1877, serving one term in the State Legislature in the meantime. In 1877 he resigned his city attorneyship to accept the position of assistant general solicitor of the Union Pacific Railway Company. In 1888 he succeeded A. J. Poppleton as general solicitor, a position which he still holds. He was elected a presidential

elector in 1880. In 1888 he was a delegate to the National Republican convention and was elected temporary chairman. In the year 1889 he was elected president of the National Republican League.

Hon. O. P. Mason, the first chief justice of Ne- braska after the admission of the State, was born in May, 1829, in Madison County, N. Y., and made that State his home until 1852. He was admitted to the bar in the State of Ohio in 1854, and came to Nebraska the following year, making his residence at Nebraska City. He served in the Territorial Legislature for eight years, and in 1868 was elected chief justice, an office which he held until 1872. Since his retirement from the bench Judge Mason has practiced his profession and holds a high rank among the lawyers in the State. He is at present one of the secretaries of the State railroad com- mission.

J. Sterling Morton, at one time Territorial secre- tary and acting governor of Nebraska, was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., April 22, 1832. IIe moved to Michigan where he graduated at the State University, at Ann Arbor. He subsequently took a post-graduate course at Union College of New York. He came to Nebraska in November, 1854, and as- sumned editorial management of the Nebraska City News. In 1855 he was elected to the Territorial Legislature. In 1858 he was appointed Territorial secretary and became acting governor within a few months by the resignation of Gov. Richardson. IIe was the first democratie candidate for governor of the State and was defeated by but a few votes. He has been prominently identified with State and National politics, and is a member of the famous Cobden Club, of London.

Hon. Amasa Cobb, ex-justice of the Supreme Court of Nebraska, was born in Crawford County, III., September 27, 1823, and resided in that State until 1841, when he removed to Wisconsin. In 1847 he enlisted for the Mexican War. At the close of the war he returned to Wisconsin and continued the practice of law until the opening of the Civil War, when he recruited a regiment and was its colonel. In the fall of 1862 he was elected a member of Congress, but remained with his regiment a greater portion of the time. He was re-elected to Congress

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in 1864, and again in 1866 and 1868. In 1869 he removed to Nebraska and continued in his profes- sion. He was elected to the supreme bench in 1878 and served two terms.

George B. Lake, the second chief justice of Ne- braska, was born in Greenfield, Saratoga County, N. Y., September 15, 1826. His only schooling during his minority was in the district schools of Ohio; but after he reached his majority he took a two years'

course at Oberlin College. He commenced the study of law in 1849, and was admitted to the bar in 1851. He came to Omaha in 1857 and at once assumed a high place in the ranks of the attorneys of the Ter- ritory. He served in the Territorial Legislature and was speaker of the House in 1865. In 1867 he took his place on the supreme bench, to which he had been elected the year previously. He became chief justice in 1873, and held the position until 1878.

IHISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

CHAPTER IX.

COUNTIES IN THE STATE-BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCHES-DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OF THEIR ORIGIN-LOCATION, COUNTY SEATS, ETC .- FIRST SETTLEMENTS-GENERAL DEVELOPMENT-ADVENT OF RAILWAYS-A COM MERCIAL NECESSITY-SURVEYS OF 1853-54-BUILDING OF THE PACIFIC RAILROAD-HISTORY OF THE ENTERPRISE-CENTRAL PACIFIC RAILROAD-THE CONSOLIDATION.

Not chaos-like, together crush'd and bruised, But as the world, harmoniously confused ; Where order in variety we see, And where, though all things differ, they agree .- Pope.

the following pages will be found a very brief descrip- tion and historical sketch of a number of the counties of Nebraska.

Adams County is named in the State records for the first time February 16, 1867, when the south bank of the Platte was fixed as its northern boundary. There were no inhabitants there at the time, although Mortimer N. Kress, Joe Fouts, James Bainter and others united or made tem- porary camps here. In 1871 it was de- elared a county by executive proclama- tion and the first elections were held that year. During the days of Indian warfare there were no residents to injure, but the county is not without evidence of war. In Angust. 1864, numbers of immigrants were given up to slaughter at the hands of the Sioux and their prop- erty, which could not be easily removed, given to the flames. In 1870 the pioneers of progress began to pour in-the earlier adventurers locating on the Blue, at Juniata, and at the point now known as Hastings City. Within a few years the county took a leading place among the political divisions of the

State, and after the county seat wars were ended, Hastings bloomed into the Queen City of the State.

Antelope County is situated in the northeastern part of the State. It contains 864 square miles, or 552,960 acres of land. The first recorded settle- ment was made by a French Canadian named "Ponca George," April 25, 1868. Other settlers fol- lowed in the same year. The county was raided by Indians in 1870 and 1871, but no serious depreda- tions were committed. The county was organized by the Legislature in 1871. Its county seat is Ne- ligh, and its principal towns are Oakdale, Neligh, Burnett, St. Clair and Clearwater.

Boone County is in the fifth tier west of the Mis- souri River and the third north of the Platte. It has an area of 634 square miles. The first settle- ments were made in April, 1871, by a party consist- ing of S. D. Avery. Albert Dresser, N. G. Myers, W. H. Stout, W. HI. Prescott and others. Albion, the county seat, was platted in October, 1872, by Loran Clark. The other towns are St. Edwards, Petersburg and Cedar Rapids.

Burt County is located in the eastern part of Ne- braska and contains 512 square miles. It was named in honor of Francis Burt, and was organized in 1854 by Gov. Cuming, it being one of the eight original counties. Tekamah, the county seat, was

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founded in 1855 by A. B. Folsom, Z. B. Wilder, John B. Folsom and others. The other towns of the county are Arizona, Decatur, Oakland and Lyons.

Buffalo County is located in nearly the central portion of the State and has an area of 900 square miles. It was first settled in 1858 by the Mormons who located at Wood River. In 1864 the county was overrun by the Indians who did a great deal of damage and frightened most of the settlers from their homes. The county was organized in 1870, with the city of Kearney as county seat. The Un- ion Pacific Railroad was completed through the county in 1866, and the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad in 1872. In common with the other coun- ties of the State Buffalo County was devastated by the grasshoppers in 1873 and 1874. Kearney, the county seat, was settled in 1870 and is to-day a city of nearly 10,000 inhabitants. By the enterprise of its citizens it has secured a fine water power by the construction of a canal from the Platte River. The prospects for Kearney becoming an important manu- facturing center are bright. The other important towns of the county are Gibson, Shelton, both on the line of the Union Pacific, and Ravenna.

Butler County is located in the eastern part of the State, fifty-one miles west of the Missouri River, and contains an area of 377,600 acres. It is well watered by the Platte, Blue and other streams. The county was first visited by the Fremont exploring expedition in 1842, and the first permanent settle- ment was made in 1857. The county was not organ- ized until 1868. Savannah was the county seat, but after a bitter struggle lasting four years that distinction was conferred upon David City. The first railroad built through the county was completed in 1880 by the Burlington & Missouri Company. The principal towns of Butler County are David City, Ulysses, Rising City, Brainard, Bellwood and Oc- tavia.

The boundaries of a county named Clay were fixed by the act of March 2, 1855, and the county seat established at an imaginary town called Clayton. The act of 1856 transferred the name to the present county and defined its boundaries. By an act of February 15, 1864, an old county in the eastern part

of the State was abandoned, when the northern half was attached to Lancaster and the southern half to Gage, and by the act of February 16, 1867, the name was confirmed to the present county. The procla- mation to organize was issued September 11, 1871, while the population was 356. The county seat wars were carried on up to 1879, when the center of the county was selected as the seat of justice. During the pioneer days (1857-66) the Indians inflicted many injuries on the whites, and during the raid on the California trail carried murder and rapine into the homes of the settlers. The county seat, outside the court-house, is a primitive village, but throughout the county are several towns-Sutton, Harvard, Fairfield and Edgar being the principal business centers.

Cass County, one of the original counties of the State, is located on the Missouri River. It was visited by white men as early as in 1804. The first attempt at a permanent settlement was made in 1853 by Samuel Martin. In 1856 Cass County had a population of 1,251. The county was proclaimed in 1854 by Acting Governor Cuming. Plattsmouth was selected as the county seat in 1861. The first company of Nebraska volunteers in the War of the Rebellion was organized at Plattsmouth on the same day that the news of the breaking out of the war was received. The Burlington & Missouri Railroad was built through the county in 1869, the principal shops of that company being located in Plattsmouth. The Missouri Pacific Railroad was completed through the county in 1882. Plattsmouth was founded in 1853, and contains a population of from 8,000 to 10,000. The other towns of the county are Weep- ing Water, Louisville, Greenwood, Rock Bluff and Avoca.

Cedar County is located in the northeast corner of the State, and has an area of 730 square miles. It was organized in 1857. In the years 1858, 1862 and 1863 the Indians committed many depredations in Cedar County, burning homes, stealing stock and murdering a few settlers. St. Helena is the county seat, and the other principal towns are St. James and Hartington.

Cheyenne County is located in the extreme western part of the State. Previous to the construc-

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

tion of the Union Pacific Railway the settlements in the county were few and far between. The county was organized in 1870. Sidney, the principal town, was laid out in 1867, a United States military post being established there in that year. When the Black Hills excitement was at its height Sidney be- eame a young city, doing an immense business. But other routes to the Hills have been opened, and Sidney has lost much of the traffic that onee thronged her streets.

Custer County is one of the largest counties of Nebraska, and is located in the geographical center of the State. It contains 2,590 square miles. It was not settled by the whites until 1877 and 1878. In the early days of its history Custer County was the scene of much lawlessness, but to-day is one of the most prosperous and orderly counties in the State. Its county seat is Broken Bow, a city but a few years old, but giving evidence of remarkable prosperity. The Burlington & Missouri Railroad was built through the county in 1887.

Colfax County is one of the eastern counties of Nebraska, and contains 276,480 acres of land. It was settled in 1856, but the early settlements did not flourish until the completion of the Union Pacific Railway through the county in 1868. With the advent of that road, however, the county grew rapidly in population. Schuyler, the county seat, was founded in 1869. It is a thriving little city. The only other town of importance is Benton.

Cuming County is in the northeastern part of the State, and contains 504 square miles. It was originally settled in 1856, although its boundaries were defined by a Territorial act in 1853. West Point, the county seat, was platted in 1869, and is one of the best known towns in the northeastern part of the State. Bancroft is the only other town of importance in the county.

Dakota County is situated in the northeastern part of the State, and was one of the original coun- ties of the State. It was settled previous to 1855, and was organized on March 7 of that year. The county seat is Dakota City, founded in 1856. The other principal towns of the county are St. John's, Jackson, Homer, Hubbard and Covington.

Dawson County is situated 215 miles west of the

Missouri River, and contains 1,008 square miles. In the times of the old overland freight and emi -. grant traffic. Dawson County presented many lively aspeets. Ranches were established every few miles along the route. The county was settled in 1861-63. On August 7, 1864, the Indians made a general attack upon all white settlements along the Fremont trail, the first attack being made in Dawson County on eleven emigrants in one party. Troops were sent to the scene of the outbreak, and the Indians were finally driven back. Plum Creek, the county seat, was established in 1871. In 1889 the name of this town was changed to Lexington. The other towns of Dawson County are Overton and Cozad. The latter place from its location was formerly known as Hundredth Meridian.

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Author: Goodspeed Brothers Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co. Number of Pages: 820

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co.
Number of Pages: 820