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 11

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 11
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 11
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 11
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 11

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).

Dixon County is in the northwestern part of the State, and was organized in 1858. Previous to the advent of the whites Dixon County was the abiding place of several tribes of Indians, chief among which were the Poneas. The settlement of the county was considerably retarded in 1862, by fears of a general Indian massacre, and in pursuance to a call of the general government a military company was raised in the county for the protection of the inhabitants. Ponca, the county seat, was platted in 1856, but the growth of the town was slow until 1876, at which time the Covington, Columbus & Black Hills Rail- road was completed to the place. Wakefield and Martinsburg are also thriving towns in Dixon County.

Dodge County is located in the second tier of counties from the Missouri River, and has an area of 540 square miles. The first settlement was made in 1856. On September 3, of that year, a town com- pany was formed and the future city named Fre- mont, in honor of the distinguished explorer. The citizens of Fremont led a troubled existence for a time, as the Pawnee Indians had their principal vil- lage on the opposite side of the Platte River, and looked upon the advent of the pale face with consid- erable disfavor. A military company was stationed there until all fears of an outbreak were allayed. The financial panic of 1857 retarded the growth of Fremont and Dodge County considerably, some of the settlers being compelled to borrow money at 60 per

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

cent to tide them over their difficulties. The Union Pacific Railroad was built through the county in 1866, and from that time the population rapidly in- creased. In 1869 the Sioux City & Pacific Railroad was built into Fremont, and the same year the con- struction of the Elkhorn Valley branch of that line was commenced. To-day Fremont has a population of 10, 000, and is growing rapidly. The other towns of Dodge County are North Bend. Scribner. Pebble and Hooper.

Douglas County, in the eastern part of the State, was one of the original counties proclaimed by Act- ing Governor Cuming. The first important settle- ments were made at Florence by the Mormons in 1844; but after the exodus to Salt Lake City the county was uninhabited for a number of years. The particulars of the permanent settlement of Douglas County are given in another chapter of this volume. Omaha, the county seat of Douglas County, and the metropolis of the State, was founded in 1854 by Jesse and Enos Lowe, A. D. Jones and others. In that same year the Territorial capital was located at Omaha, and the city at once became the principal town of the Territory. In 1856 the young city began to grow rapidly. Early in that year a num- ber of brick blocks were put up. Banks and news- papers were established, and schools and churches erected. The panic of 1857, of course, had its depressing effect on Omaha's prosperity, but the tide which had set in was not checked long. In 1859 business of all kinds revived to a wonderful extent. In 1860 it was estimated that the city had 1,500 buildings, and 4,000 inhabitants. During the war the growth of the city was slow. On December 3, 1863, ground was broken for the Union Pacific Railroad, and from that time onward Omaha grew more rapidly. In 1867 the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad was completed to the city. In 1870 the city had a population of 16.000. In the decade that elapsed from 1870 to 1880 the growth of the place was but little short of wonderful. In the latter year the population had increased to 36,000. To- day Omaha is a city of 150,000 people, and is growing at an unprecedented rate.

Dundy County is situated in the extreme south- western part of the state. It is one of the newer

counties, having been settled and organized since 1883. Its county seat is Benkleman. The Burling- ton & Missouri Railroad was completed through the county in 1882.

Fillmore County is located about twenty-four miles'north of the southern boundary of the State, and has a superficial area of 576 square miles. The first settlements in the county were made in June, 1866, by William Bussard and William Whitaker. These two men were the only settlers of the county until 1868, when a few more settlers came to the locality. It was not until 1870, however, that the rush of immigration commenced. The county was organized in 1871. In that year Geneva and Fair- mount were laid out, Geneva being made the county seat. The other towns of the county are Grafton, founded in 1874, and Exeter, founded in 1871. The Burlington & Missouri River Railroad was built through the county in 1871. In 1888 the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley line was extended through the county.

Franklin County is in the southern tier of coun- ties of the State, 175 miles west of the Missouri River, and has an area of 576 square miles. It was settled in 1870 by a colony from Omaha, and in the following year a military company, including every man in the colony, was formed for protection against the Indians. The county was formally organized in September, 1871. Bloomington, the county seat, was laid out in 1872. The Burlington & Missouri Railroad was extended through the county in 1879. The United States land office is located at Bloom- ington, but at the present writing nearly all of the public lands have been taken up. The principal towns of the county are Franklin, Riverton and Naponee.

Frontier County is situated well toward the southwestern part of the State, and has an area of 576 square miles. It was organized in 1872, at that time there being but a few settlers in the county. Stockville is the county seat and Curtis the princi- pal town. The Burlington & Missouri River Rail- road was built through the county in 1888.

Furnas County lies in the southern tier of coun- ties, and contains 720 square miles. The first set- tler of the county was Benjamin Burton, who located

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

there in 1870. Other settlers followed in the same year. In the following year fully 150 settlers with their families came to the county. The county was formally organized in 1873, and the name was given it in honor of Robert W. Furnas, then governor of Nebraska. For several years the location of the county seat caused considerable strife between the citizens of Arapahoe and Beaver City, the contest being finally decided in favor of the latter. The principal towns are Arapahoe, Oxford, Beaver City and Hendley, the latter place being established by a Hastings town site company in 1888.

Gage County is in the third tier of counties west of the Missouri River, and contains 864 square miles. Its location, wealth and population make it one of the most important counties of the State. The first settler was David Palmer, who came to the county in 1854 or 1855. In 1857 a colony of thirty-five men, a number of them with families, formed a set- tlement which was named Beatrice, in honor of a daughter of Judge Mckinney, a member of the colony. In the same year another settlement was made seven miles north of Beatrice, and still an- other at Blue Springs, ten miles southeast of Be- atrice. The Indians caused some trouble in the early history of these settlements, but the treaties made by the government soon brought peace to the county. To a citizen of Gage County belongs the honor of having secured the first homestead entered in the United States. The homestead law went into effect on Jannary-, 1863, and on that day Daniel Freeman took his claim. His patent is numbered 1, and is recorded in volume 1, page 1, of the records of the general land office at Washington. Beatrice, the county seat, is one of the principal cities of Nebraska,' and has a population of about 12,000. The other towns of the county are Blue Springs, Wymore, Liberty, Odell, Holmesville, Adams and Caldwell.

Greeley County is situated a little northeast of the center of the State, and contains 576 square miles. Its original settlement dates back to 1871. The county was organized on October 8, 1872. The county seat was located at Scotia. The other towns of the county are O'Connor and Spaulding.

Gosper County is in the western part of the

State, and contains an area of 448 square miles. It was settled in 1872 and was organized in 1873. Owing to the lack of railroad facilities, the county's population increased slowly until after the year of 1882, since which time it has enjoyed a rapid and steady growth. Homerville is the county seat.

Hall County boundaries were established by the aet of November 4, 1858, with the Platte River forming the southern boundary. The aet of Febru- ary 1, 1864, re-defined such boundaries. This act was repealed on February 15, and not until March 1, 1871, were the present Congressional boundaries fixed. The settlement dates back to July 2, 1857, when a party of Germans and a few Americans arrived here. During the first decade of pioneer life the Indians committed some depredations and mur- ders here, and would have extended the work of rapine had the people not erected Fort Independ- ence and O. K. Fort. The county forms one of the richest agricultural districts west of the Missouri, and here, in 1889, the headquarters of the beet sugar industry were established. In early years the Spaniards are said to have explored this section, but not until 1739 are there records of actual explo- ration. In that year the French party, referred to in other pages, traversed the valley of the river and named the broad stream La riviere Platte.

Hamilton County is located nearly in the ceu- tral portion of the State, aud contains an area of over 500 square miles. Its first permanent settle- ment was made in 1866. The county was organ- ized in 1870, the county seat then being located at Orville, but after a bitter contest lasting for several years it was moved to Aurora, in 1876. To-day Aurora is a thriving town of 2,000 inhabitants, and the junction of two branch lines of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad.

Harlan County is located in the southwest part of the State, and contains an area of 576 square miles. Its first settlement dates back to 1870. The county was organized in 1871. Alma, the county seat, was founded in 1872. The other towns of the county are Orleans, Republican City and Melrose.

Hitchcock County is located in the southwestern part of the State and contains 720 square miles.

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

It was first permanently settled in 1869 by ranch- men. It was not until 1872 that the farmers settled in any numbers. The county was organized in 1873. In the fall of that year the memorable fight between the Sioux and the Pawnee Indians took place, in which the latter were defeated with terrible loss. Culbertson is the county seat and principal town.

Howard County is situated in the fertile Loup Valley and contains an area of 576 square miles. It was settled in 1870 and formally organized in the following year. St. Paul is the county seat and the principal city. The other towns are Dannebrog and St. Libory.

Hayes County is in Southwestern Nebraska and contains 576 square miles. It has been settled and developed since 1882. Hayes Centre is the county seat and principal town.

Holt County is one of the largest counties in the State, containing 2,412 square miles. It was set- tled in 1872 and formally organized in 1876. O'Niell is the county seat, and the other towns of the county are Stuart, Paddock, Ford and Atkinson.

Jefferson County was first known as Jones County in the early history of Nebraska, but in 1871 the boundaries of the present county were de- fined by an act of the Legislature. The county con- tains 576 square miles and was originally settled in 1855 or 1856. The Indians were extremely trouble- some in the early history of the county. Fairbury, the county seat, was laid out in 1869. It is a thriv- ing young city of about 5, 000 inhabitants and quite a railroad center. The other towns of the county are Steele City and Endicott.

Johnson County is situated in the southeastern part of the State and contains 378 square miles. It was first settled in 1856 and formally organized in 1857. Its county seat is Tecumseh and its other towns, Sterling, Elk Creek, Helena, Vesta and Spring Creek.

Keith County is situated in Western Nebraska and contains an area of 2,016 square miles. It was organized in 1873. Ogalalla is its county seat and principal town.

Knox County was organized by the Territorial Legislature in 1857, and named L'Ean Qui Court, that being the French name for the River Nebraska.

The name was changed to Knox in 1873. In its early history the white settlers disputed with the Ponca Indians for the possession of their lands, but happily no bloodshed occurred. The Santee Sioux reservation is situated in the northern part of the county. Niobrara is the county seat, while Creighton and Bazile Mills are thriving towns.

Lancaster County is situated fifty miles west of the Missouri River and contains 864 square miles. It was first settled in 1857 and formally organized in 1859. Lincoln was chosen as the State capital in 1867. It is the second city of Nebraska and is growing rapidly. The State house was completed in 1889, and is one of the handsomest buildings of the kind in the West. The State University, State Pen- itentiary and State Insane Hospital are located at Lincoln. The Wesleyan and Advent Colleges are also located in the city. Lincoln is also the most important railway center in the State, the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad and numerous branch lines, the Union Pacific, Fremont, Elkhorn & Mis- souri Valley and Missouri Pacific roads centering here. The United States court house was erected in 1889, at a cost of $200,000. The other towns of Lancaster County are Bennet, Waverly, Firth and Roca.

Lincoln County is located in the western central part of the State and contains an area of 2,592 square miles. It was originally settled in 1858, although the county had been repeatedly visited by fur traders and explorers, as far back as the year 1762. The great overland trail passed through this county, over which from 1,000 to 2,000 emigrant and freight wagons traveled daily. Fort McPherson was established in the county by the government in 1863. The county was organized in 1860. North Platte, the county seat, was laid out in 1866, and is the leading city of Western Nebraska. It is the home of William F. Cody, or " Buffalo Bill."

Madison County is east of the central part of the State and contains 576 square miles. It was settled in 1865 and formally organized in 1868. Norfolk is the principal town of the county, as well as of Northern Nebraska. The other towns of the county are Madison, which is the county seat, and Battle Creek.

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

Merrick County is situated in the Platte Valley and contains 468 square miles. It was first settled in 1859, but formally organized in 1858. Central City is the county seat and principal town and was laid out in 1866. The other towns of the county are Clark's, Silver Creek and Chapman.

Nance County lies near the central part of the State and contains an area of 450 square miles. It was first settled in 1857 and was formally organized in 1879. Fullerton is the county seat. Genoa, one of the principal towns, was first settled in 1860. One of the principal Indian schools of the country is located at this point.

Nemaha County was known during the early years of the Territorial organization as Forney County, but its present name was given it at the first session of the Territorial Legislature. The particulars of the settlement of the county are given in the main body of this sketch. The principal towns of Nehama County are Brownville, Carson, London and Peru (the State Normal school being located at the latter place), Auburn, Broek, Aspinwall, Johnson, Clif- ton, St. Deroin, Febing and Bedford.

Nuekolls County is situated in the southern tier of counties, 100 miles west of the Missouri River. Its settlement dates back to 1858. It was formally organized in 1871. The earlier settlers had considerable trouble with the Indians, and in 1866 every settler was driven from the county. Many settlers were killed during the Indian troubles, and it was not until 1869 that hostilities entirely ceased. Nelson is the county seat, although Supe- rior is the principal town of the county. Hardy is also a thriving town.

Otoe County is centrally located on the Missouri River in Southwestern Nebraska. It has a river frontage of eighteen miles and contains about 390,- 000 acres. The first settlement was made in 1846, when the United States government established, on the present site of Nebraska City, a military post, called Fort Kearney. In the fall of 1848, the post was abandoned for new Fort Kearney on the Platte River. Nebraska City is the county seat of Otoe and also its principal town. Other towns of Otoe County worthy of notice are Syracuse, Palmyra and Dunbar.

Pawnee County is in the southeastern part of the State and contains 276,480 acres of well watered and tillable land. It was first settled in 1854, at a little village called Cincinnati, about fourteen miles from the present site of Pawnee City. The county seat is Pawnee City. Table Rock and Cincinnati are thriving towns.

Pierce County was created in 1859, by the Terri- torial Legislature. It contains 368.640 acres of land. The first settlement was made in 1866. Pierce, the present county seat, was founded in 1870. Plainview and Colbergen are post offices in this county.

Phelps County is situated on the divide between the Platte and Republican Rivers. The early set- tlers were much troubled with the Indians, and little was done toward the settlement till 1872-73, when a heavy immigration commenced, and the country is now nearly all occupied. Holdrege is the county seat.

Platte County is the fourth in the tier of eastern counties. It comprises 684 square miles or 437,- 760 aeres of land. Its settlement dates back to 1856. In the summer of 1863, the Sioux made numerous raids, murdering settlers and burning property. The Union Pacific Railway reached Col- umbus, the county seat, in June, 1866, and from that time the growth of the county has been rapid. Columbus is the county seat and a thriving city. Other points of business importance in the county are Humphrey and Platte Center.

Polk County is the fourth county west of the Mis- souri River, in the fourth tier of counties from the south. It contains 450 square miles or 288,000 aeres of land all susceptible of cultivation. It was originally part of Butler County, but. by act of Legislature, was included in its present boundaries, and the county seat was located in August, 1870, at Osceola. In 1887 Osceola furnished Nebraska with a speaker of the Ilouse of Representatives in the person of Hon. Albinns Nance, who later filled the gubernatorial chair. Stromsburgh, a large, thriving town, was organized in 1872.

Red Willow County is in the southern tier of counties, and lies in the Republican Valley. In ex- tent it is twenty-four miles from north to south and

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

thirty miles from east to west. It was first settled in 1871, and organized as a county in 1873. In- dianola is the county seat of Red Willow County. McCook being the end of the division, midway be- tween the Missouri River and Denver, on the Bur- lington & Missouri River Railroad in Nebraska, is a prosperous town, with machine shops and large round house.

Richardson County occupies the southeastern corner of the State, and comprises 550 square miles. The county was settled in 1854. The first election was held in the fall of 1854, ten votes being cast. Falls City, the county seat of Richardson County, was incorporated in 1858. Other towns worthy of mention are Humboldt, Rulo, Salem, Dawson and Stella.

Saline County lies in the third tier of counties from the Missouri River, and in the second from the south line of the State. The first permanent settle- ment began in 1858, but the country was not organ- ized until February 18, 1867. The early settlers suffered somewhat from the depredations of the In- dians. Saline County in its early days was greatly agitated over the location of the county seat, and several contests were the result. The seat of gov- ernment was first located at Swanton, where it re- mained until 1871, when, after a spirited contest in which the city of Crete was a competitor, it was removed to Pleasant Hill. In 1877 another election was held and Wilber and Crete contested for the honor. Wilber was the choice and is now the county seat. Crete is a large and growing town, with unrivaled water facilities. It is a railroad cen- ter and has important educational interests. Here is located Doane College, which was opened in 1872, under the auspices of the Congregational Church. Other places of business importance in the county are De Witt, Dorchester, Friend, Pleasant Hill, Swanton and Western.

Sarpy County was named in honor of one of Nebraska's pioneers, Col. Peter A. Sarpy, who came to Bellevue in 1823 as agent for the American Fur Company. This company had had a trading post at this point since 1810, and there are also accounts of the exploration and settlement of Sarpy earlier than that date. Although it was among the earliest

to be settled, it was not until 1857 that it was or- ganized as a county, being until that time a part of Douglas County. The first Nebraska postoffice was established at Bellevue in 1848. It was at Bellevue that the first Territorial governor died, having only been in the Territory ten days. Bellevue expected to secure the capital, but owing to the death of Gov. Burt was disappointed, as Gov. Cuming lo- cated it at Omaha. Sarpy indulged in a county seat contest, and the county seat was located at Papillion, where it now remains. Springfield is a thriving town.

Saunders County is in the second tier of counties west of the Missouri River. It embraces 483,840 acres of rich, loamy soil. The first settlers arrived in March, 1857. The county was organized by a general election held October 8, 1867, and the county seat located at Ashland. The county seat was removed to Wahoo in 1873, and that place is the present county seat of Saunders County. Other towns worthy of mention are Weston, Valparaiso, Clear Creek and Mead.

Seward County is located about sixty miles west of the Missouri River. It includes an area of 576 square miles, rich in agricultural resources, being watered by the Big Blue River with its numerous tributaries. The first settlement made in the county was by Daniel Morgan and his three sons, who lo- cated a preemption claim in the fall of 1858. Sew- ard is the county seat of Seward County. Milford and Utica are also located in this county.

Sherman County lies nearly in the center of the State, and is twenty-four miles square. The county was first settled by a party of men from Grand Island, who had received authority from the State government to form a county organization. The day appointed for the election was April 1, 1873, and resulted in the organization of Sherman County, and the county seat at Loup City, where it still re- mains.

Stanton County has an area of 432 square miles, or 253,303 acres. Its date of settlement is 1865. Stanton is the county seat.

Thayer County is about one hundred miles west of the Missouri River. It is twenty-four miles square, and contains 368,640 acres of land well

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

watered with numerous streams. The Indians gave a great deal of trouble in the early history of the county. The first settlers came in 1858, but the county was very little settled until after the close of the Civil War, when the United States government could protect the frontier from the depredations of the Indians. The first election held in Thayer County proper was in October, 1871 .. The county seat is Hebron. Alexandria, Hubbell, Carleton, Belvidere, Davenport, Chester, Friedensau and Har- bine are the other towns in Thayer County.

Valley County is located not far from the center of the State, and is in extent twenty-four miles square. It is one of the best watered counties in Central Nebraska, the North Loup River with its numerous creeks crossing the county. The first actual settlement in the county was in April and May, 1872, by a party of Danes. The county was organized in 1873, and the county seat was located on the site of the present town of Ord. North Loup is also a prosperous town in Valley County.

Washington County is situated on the eastern border of the State, midway from north to south. It contains 400 square miles, or 256,000 acres. In 1859 the settlers and Indians engaged in what is known as the "Pawnee War," after which the set- tlers were unmolested. Blair is the county seat of Washington County.

Wayne County lies in the northeastern portion of Nebraska. It embraces 322,560 acres of land. Its date of settlement is the summer of 1868. Wayne is the county seat.

Webster County is situated in the southern tier of counties, about 150 miles west of the Missouri River. It is in extent twenty-four miles square, and consists of land well watered by the Republican River which flows across its entire breadth. The first settlement made in the county was in the spring of 1870 by the members of the Rankin Colony. They located at Guide Rock. The same season, Silas Garber, afterward the governor of the State of Ne- braska, pushed on up the river to where Red Cloud now is, and made a settlement. Webster County was organized in 1871. Red Cloud is the county seat and largest town. Guide Rock, Blue Hill, Cowles and Amboy are located in Webster County.

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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