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 66

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 66
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 66
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 66
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 66

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).

The officers of the fire company elected in March. 1888. were C. D. Moore, foreman; J. T. Fleming. secretary; I. R. Littler, treasurer; A. J. Moger, assistant; I. R. Littler, captain of hose com- pany, and John Richards, second assistant.

The Harvard board of trade was organized in May. 1887. with W. J. Turner. president, G. W. Updike and Ezra Brown, vice-presidents; L. J. Titus, treasurer; B. S. Harrington, secretary; J. D. Bain, E. Anstin, G. W. Limbocker, C. K. Morrill, E. Up- dike, T. A. Barbour. I. D. Howard, J. A. Rupiper, W. T. Perry, O. Johnson, L. J. Titus, L. G. Hurd, W. P. Shockey, B. R. Sloat, C. J. Scott, S. J. Rice, L. Webster, O. J. Riley. G. S. Babcock, C. W. Gardner, S. B. Weil, J. R. Donnelly, M. W. Wil- cox, Adam Herzog and C. Rockhill, directors. The list of unofficial members with the above named em- braced the entire business circle of the city.

A restaurant and house of entertainment was established in 1871 by F: M. Davis in a house erected by the railroad company.

The Harvard House, erected in 1872 by Dim- mick & Stone, was the first hotel. After its com- pletion it was sold to Ira F. Pearsall, and the name was ultimately changed to the Commercial House.

The Goehring House was built in 1872-73, but was afterward moved away, and became known as Goehring's saloon.

In July, 1879, Goehring erected on the site of his first house the large building known as the Metropolitan Hotel. J. B. Spafford leased this house from the owner, and in 1882 E. P. Church was lessee.

The Grand Central was erected in 1881 for D. T. Phillips.

The Raught House is referred to in the history of the Harvard Bnikling Association.

In March, 1888, the Harvard Building Associa- tion was organized with James Donnelly, president; B. S. Harrington, secretary; G. W. Updike, treas- urer; W. J. Turner, L. J. Titus, J. A. Rupiper, C. J. Scott and I. D. Howard, directors. A resolu- tion to erect a brick hotel building to cost not less $9,000, and not over $12,000, was adopted, and the site, where Moger's implement warehouse and the photograph gallery stood, selected. In May the

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building contract was sold to Mr. Frich, of Hast- ings, for $9.244. The house was finished in the fall and leased to A. W. Raught, of Syracuse, Neb.

1. A. Payne & Co's. bank was established Feb- ruary 11, 1878, by L. A. Payne and W. A. Farmer. Late in 1880 Mr. Farmer died, and on April 1. 1881, the company was re-organized with L. A. Payne, W, II. MeBride and J. R. Penfield proprietors. In the fall of 1878 a two-story brick building was erected for bank purposes, which was remodelled in 1880.

The Nebraska Mortgage Company was incor- porated in November, 1889, with L. J. Titus, presi- dent: N. D. Blackwell, vice-president: Edward I'p- dike, treasurer, and G. W. Updike, secretary. The capital and surplus amount to $100,000.

The Exchange Bank was founded in December, 1881. by Edward Updike and L. J. Titus.

The Exchange Bank and Commercial Bank were merged into the Union State Bank in April. 1889. Articles of incorporation were filed on March 23. and business commenced April 1. The paid up capital was $100,000. Edward Updike is now president, with N. D. Blackwell and C. W. Updike, vice-presidents, and L. J. Titus. cashier.

The First National Bank was established in 1889 with a paid up capital of $50,000 under charter 4,129. T. H. Matters is president, C. Rockhill, vice-president, and Jesse F. Eller, cashier. They. with Felix Grant and James H. Byram, form the board of directors.

The White Lion flouring mill was erected in the fall of 1879 by William D. Cook, and equipped with three run of stones and steam power.

The Patrick Egan elevator at Harvard was sold to J. C. Lincoln and J. W. MeKibben in June, 1889. On the completion of the Chicago & North- western Railroad to this point other elevators were erected.

The first sehool was opened in the winter of 1872-73 by Mrs. C. K. Morrill. at her house, and was attended by thirty-nine pupils. During that winter the contract for building a school house was sold to Peek & Meston, who completed the house early in the summer of 1873 for the contract price, $5,000, this sum being raised on bonds voted by the district. The distriet was organized in July, 1872.

with E. J. Mosher. Alex. Meston and M. L. Latham. directors or trustees. Some years later the number of members was increased to six, and in 1881 H. C. Brown. M. Estes, Ezra Brown. E. J. Stone. T. R. Wyckoff and William Newton formed the board. F. L. Foreman was then principal. with Ella Me- Bride, L. A. Varner and Clara Geary, teachers. District 11. at this time. claimed 471 school chil- dren and employed eight teachers.

The board of education organized in May, 1887, with L. J. Titus. president: T. A. Barbour, vice- president, and J. E. Wheeler, secretary. Mrs. L. A. Noyes resigned and Mrs. Traey refused to fill the office of trustee. William Newton, L. J. Titus and Louis Stein were appointed on the board.

Harvard Lodge No. 70. I. O. O. F., was insti- tuted in Harvard, Neb. , on the ISth day of October, 1878. by D. M. MeElhenny, assisted by F. Forcht. B. F. Bower and C. II. Paul. The charter members were D. W. Dalton, D. T. Phillips, F. W. Burdick, B. F. Hockett, J. D. Hayes, W. H. Hammond, Henry Matters, J. Il. Jordan, E. Austin, J. S. Filler, W. T. Shackleford. G. H. Washburn, N. H. Lewis. Peter Green, T. H. Matters. A. D. Munger. S. M. Risley. C. J. Scott. R. S. Johnson, J. D. Hume, T. H. Bennett, A. J. Moger, and at present George M. Jones, all Noble Grands. Lodge No. 70 is at present honored with having one of its members in the per- son of J. D. Hume as an officer in the Grand Lodge of the State, filling the office of that lodge as Grand Herald. The secretaries of the lodge in order of service have been F. W. Burdick. B. F. Hockett, W. E. Orwin, J. D. Hayes, J. H. Jordan. T. H. Matters, W. T. Shackleford, George H. Washburn. P. Green. J. D. Hume, A. D. Munger, S. M. Risley, C. J. Scott, R. S. Johnson, G. H. Bennett and A. J. Moger. The present membership is twenty- nine.

Olive Branch Lodge No. 16. of the Degree of Rebekah, of the Order of Odd Fellows, was insti- tuted March 18, 1881, by the District Deputy Grand Master. F. W. Burdick. The charter members were N. H. Lewis, J. D. Hayes, B. F. lockett. W. T. Shackleford, F. W. Burdick, W. II. Hammond, G. II. Washburn, W. H. Wade, E. Austin. J. H. Jor- don and E. D. Moore.

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HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

The officers elected for this branch of the order were E. Austin, N. G .; Mrs. N. H. Lewis, V. G .; Mrs. Lydia A. Hayes, Sec .; J. H. Jordon. P. Sec., and Mrs. J. H. Jordon, Treas. Mrs. N. H. Lewis presided over this lodge for a long period.

Harvard Lodge No. 92, I. O. G. T., was organ- ized some time prior to 1882, with C. P. Baldwin, W. C. T., and the following named officers in lodge rank: Mrs. J. D. Moore, W. H. Chadwick, E. P. Burnett, B. R. Sloat, T. A. Barbour. J. J. Star- buek, Mrs. S. Backus, Mrs. Sloat, M. L. Latham, Mrs. Legrant, Mrs. Manchester and Ezra Brown.

The Red Ribbon Club was presided over in July, 1879, by R. F. See, the I. O. G. T. by C. E. Cope, and the Temple of Honor by D. T. Sherman.

The W. C. T. U. officers in 1887, were: Mrs. L. A. Noyes, president; Miss Buck, vice-president; Mrs. Barbour, secretary; Mrs. Babcock, treasurer; Mesdames Soule, Moger, Scott, Pinekard, Bain, Church, Markle, Carr, Bradley, Southworth, Swal- low, Moore and Keebler, unofficial members. In the fall of 1888 Mrs. Anna Moore was chosen presi- dent, and Miss Jennie Babcock, secretary.

Harvard Lodge No. 44, A. F. & A. M., was first of the secret orders to become established here. It was organized March 25, chartered June 18, and instituted in October, 1873. The officers chosen for its management were: A. J. MePeak, W. M .; F. M. Davis, S. W .; Ezra Brown, J. W .; W. C. Massey, Sec .; S. C. Sloat, Treas .; L. B. Munger, S. D .; A. P. Davidson, Tiler. W. J. Turner was Master in 1878-80. The first meetings were held in Sawtell's Hall; afterward the society moved into quarters in Sloat's Hall, and later ocenpied rooms in conjunction with the Odd Fellows. The officers in 1882 were: L. B. Munger, W. M .; J. H. Wash- burn, S. W .; J. D. Hayes, J. W .; O. W. Birming- ham, Sec .; J. D. Bain, Treas .; G. W. Limboeker, S. D .; N. H. Lewis, J. D .; C. D: Moore, Tiler. The office of master has since been filled by G. H. Washburn, W. J. Turner, William Newton, L. G. Hurd, and in 1889 the following named officers were chosen: A. D. Davison, W. M .; O. P. Birming- ham, S. W .; J. S. Caterson, J. W .; J. H. Webster, Sec .; W. J. Turner, Treas.

The first regular meeting of the G. A. R. was

held in January, 1885. Lient .- Col. John Morrow was elected commander; S. H. Robertson, S. V .; George Evans, J. V .; M. Estes, Q. M .; Ed. Weimer, O. of D .; F. L. Allen, O. of G .; E. Austin, chaplain. The Post, however, was organ- ized in October, 1884. The officers of the G. A. R. elected in December, 1889, were: Com., C. S. Bradley; S. V., O. W. Birmingham; J. V., L. S. Backus; Q. M., J. A. Rupiper; surgeon, Alvin Gray; O. D., Ed Weimer; O. G., Silas Moore; chaplain, G. W. Martin, and adjutant, W. G. Willoughby. In February, this society, aided by the W. R. C., held a fair and lottery, to raise funds for building a hall. The roster is embraced in the gen- eral roster of ex-soldiers and sailors residing in the county in 1889. The office of commander has been filled by Ezra Brown, Col. Morrow, E. Austin, W. E. Welton, James Donnelly and C. S. Bradley.

A camp of the Sons of Veterans, organized here some time ago "was mustered in in July 1889 by James Donnelly with twenty-three members. The officers were. Dr. F. B. Rose, Captain; Julius Stone, First Lieutenant and Arch. Robertson, Second Lieutenant.

The W. R. C. preceded the Sons of Veterans, as an organization. In 1886-88 Miss Mercy Swallow was president. In December, 1888, the W. R. C. elected Mrs. Luceta Sloat, president; Laura H. Tur- ner, S. V. P .; P. J. Austin, J. V. P .; Mary O. Han- cock, treasurer; E. J. Moger, chaplain; Mary E. Gray, conductor; Mercy A. Swallow, guard; Mary G. Le Gate, A. G.

Harvard Lodge, K. of P., was organized July 9, 1887, with N. P. Shockey, C. C .; I. D. Howard, V. C .; S. W. Westrom, P .; W. II. Payne. K. R. and S. S. B. Weil, M. of E .; G. D. Webster, M. at A .; C. B. Morrow, P. C. The unofficial members were, C. D. Moore, J. H. Webster, T. H. Bennett, S. Rosen- baum, L. G. Hurd, R. II. Scott, C. J. Bills and O. J. Riley. The ceremonies of installation were at- tended by delegations from Hastings, Clay Center and Sutton.

In 1886, C. S. Babeoek presided over the A. O. U. W. The lodge elected in 1888, I. R. Littler, P. M .; J. F. Hickman, M. W .; with T. H. Matters, S. J. Rice, O. J. Riley, G. S. Babcock, J. T. Fleming,

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N. H. Pontius, John Bingston and C. J. Scott, fil- ling the remaining offices. Mr. Hickman is now serving as M. W., with A. J. Young, recorder.

A camp of M. W. of A. was organized in Febru- ary, 1888, with J. M. Markle, V. C., with C. A. Sharp, T. H. Matters, J. D. Hume, A. J. Moger, F. W. Rose, G. A. Herzog and W. J. Johnson, filling the other offices. F. W. Rose was vice-council in 1889 and N. H. Pontins in 1890.

The Al-nor-car-em Quartette was organized in the fall 1889, and the name based on parts of the vocal- ists names.

The first religious services here were conducted by Rev. Nnman Brass, a Methodist, in August, 1871, and the house of worship was his pre-emption shanty on his claim. In July of this year a class of ten members was organized by him and for some time services were conducted in a railroad coach until the school building was completed. In 1882 Rev. Mr. Wilkinson was preacher to a society of sixty-one members, who purchased the Union Church building at Sheriff's sale, and were owners in 1882. The Harvard and Glenville classes were organized in May, 1872. In April, 1873, Rev. E. J. Willis was sent by the conference to the Harvard Circuit, which comprised all of Clay County. First Quar- terly Conference of this church was held at Harvard June 21, 1873. Soon after this conference, the southern portion of the county was organized into the Little Sandy Circuit, Rev. Mr. Penny, (supply). There were, in 1882, twenty appointments in the county, with a membership of over 500. The preachers in charge since 1879 are named as follows: - Stevens, E. Wilkinson, S. B. Clay, J. K. Max- field, - Rippetoe, - Markle, J. B. Pinekard and Mr. Jones.

The Presbyterian Society was organized January 13, 1878, with fourteen members by Rev. A. M. Dickson, of Edgar, and Rev. H. M. Getner, of Aurora. At this time E. H. Nye was chosen elder, H. R. Wheeler, T. A. Barbour, C. H. De Groff, L. A. Campbell and W. H. Chadwick, trustees. In June, 1879, a church house was commenced, and during work thereon services were held in the school-house or in Phillip's Hall. The society's building cost $600, and was dedicated in November,

1879, hy Rev. G. L. Little, Rev. J. L. Lower, the pastor, assisting. In 1882 there were forty-three members. Edwin Updike and D. M. Waggoner were elders; C. II. De Groff, L. J. Titus, D. J. Hume, N. H. Pontins and J. Gardner, trustees. The church was built on the " Union Plan," the so- ciety contributing most to hold title to the property. The Congregationalists were the winners, but being unable to pay off the debts, the building was sold by the sheriff to the Methodists. Mr. Lower re- mained with the church until it ceased to exist, many of the members joining the Congregational Society.

A Baptist Society of ten persons was formed in July, 1872, by Rev. J. N. Webb in the dwelling of C. H. Warner. The first regular services were held January 26, 1873, by Rev. I. D. Newell, who was hired as pastor. This society has not been referred to in the local press of the county for some years.

The Catholic Church of Harvard was founded here in 1879, and Father Glauber attended the mis- sion for some years. Father Simeon succeeded, and Harvard was included in his mission. The congre- gation purchased the old Presbyterian Church house and refitted it for the purposes of Catholic worship.

St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church was or- ganized September 20, 1881, by Rev. John Green- wood, of Hastings. The officers chosen were John D. Hayes and D. Nichols, wardens, N. H. Lewis, F. L. Foreman and William Newton, vestrymen; W. HI. Canfield, treasurer, and W. E. Orwin, secretary.

The Union Sunday-school dates back to the fall of 1872, when a class was organized in Alex. Mes- ton's dwelling. Serviees were held in Sawtell's Hall until the school building was completed, and there until 1879-80, when denominational classes were formed, the Presbyterians leaving the Union in January, 1879. In January, 1881, the Methodists left the Union.

In the early months of 1872, when Harvard comprised but four or five small buildings. Rev. D. B. Perry, a Congregational minister then recently graduated from Yale University, now president of Doane College, had for his parish the whole of Ham- ilton County. Ile extended his field into Clay enough to include Harvard and Sutton. Services

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HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

were held on alternate Sabbaths, first in a railroad car, then in a private house. A Congregational church was organized July 13, 1873, with the follow- ing members: J. P. Todd, Alex. Meston, Mrs. Agnes Meston, C. H. Miner, W. A. McLeon, E. L. Brown and Margaret E. Decker. The names of elerks in order are S. Backus, 1872; L. G. Hurd, 1875; Mrs. C. K. Morrill, 1879; Mrs. C. K. Morrill, January 13, 1881; T. R. Hall, December 29, 1881; Mrs. G. E. Taylor, 1882; E. J. Moger, 1883; Mrs. Celia A. Hurd, C. R. Morrill, Henry Noyes, July, 1888; James Donnelly, January, 1889.

Names of pastors in order of services are Rev. D. B. Perry (supply), Rev. B. F. Haviland (supplied alternate Sabbaths for one year), Rev. John Gray (of Sutton, supplied alternate Sabbaths for two years), Rev. Thomas Pugh (Fairfield supply), Rev. H. P. Page (pastor February, 1887, to May, 1879). After this more than a year elapsed with no stated services.

In April, 1880, a meeting was held to consider the subject of disbanding. A motion to that effeet was lost, and in July, Rev. George E. Taylor be- eame pastor and continued to December 31, 1882. Rev. E. Southworth, April 1, 1883, resigned Janu- ary 21, 1888. George R. Parrish called April 12, 1888, ordained by council March 21, 1889, resigned October 10, 1889. Rev. O. V. Rice called Novem- ber 4, 1889.

A building committee was appointed July 20, 1881, with L. C. Howard, W. H. McBride, G. E. Taylor, T. R. Hall, J. Burdick and C. Rockhill, members. Under their supervision the church house was erected and dedicated May, 23, 1882. The parsonage was completed in 1889 at a cost of $1,- 222.35, while the church building eost $2,686. The number of members is sixty-five.

The Christian Church of Harvard was formally organized in October, 1883, and organized in May, 1884, with the following named members. Mrs. C. Rockhill, Mrs. M. W. Wileox, Miss Alice Eddy, Mr. and Mrs. Neri Smith, A. H. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Gantz, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Cline, Mr. and Mrs. D. M. Stiles, Miss Anna Stiles, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Moore, George C. Shetler, Miss L. C. Shetler, and Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Spieer.

The pastors in the order of services were C. B.

Lotspieeh, B. F. Bush, O. C. Hubbell, L. F. Van- Cleve and G. T. Black.

Mrs. M. W. Wilcox has served as secretary since organization. There are 126 members. In 1885, the ehureh house was erected under the direction of the following named building committee: C. Roek- hill, George LeBaron and T. H. Spicer.

Fairfield is the new name of the old postoffice center, known as White Elm. In point of settle- ment and progress it ranks with its sister towns of Sutton, Harvard and Edgar. It is the center of trade for the southwestern townships of Clay County and the towns adjoining on the south and west. Its grain market is celebrated and the surrounding country peopled by an industrious elass of citizens. Fairfield town site was entered by Maximilian Reed in 1871 (northeast quarter Section 4, Township 5, Range 7). He sold this claim to A. B. Smith, H. J. Higgins, R. Bayly, Cornelius Dunn and sixteen others who proposed to establish a town here. Fair- field was surveyed for the St. Joe & Denver Railroad Company, September 11, 1874, by A. R. Buttolph, and the first sale of lots was made September 18, J. H. Epley buying the first lot offered. John Clancy was the pioneer settler on the town-site, he being manager of the boarding car, and later of the section house during the construction of the road. In June, 1872, the railroad company erected a depot east of the old settlement, this was followed by the section house; Jaynes office and lumber yard followed in the fall, and then Chandler & Aiken's carpenter- shop. Early in 1873, T. E. Broderick purchased Jayne's building and later, McPeak & Sons estab- lished a hardware store in the carpenter shop. In Septemper, 1874, J. H. Epley and Smith & Spencer moved their stores from the old to the new town-site; J. C. Clark established a lumber yard; D. MeDonald a blacksmith shop; J. W. Small a real estate office, and Hopper & Conrad a drug store.

A postoffice was established in the fall of 1871, at a point two miles northwest of the present town ealled White Elm, and kept by J. P. Scott, post- master. The location of the office was changed and brought into town on June 27, 1873, at which time it passed into the hands of L. Brewer, who was com- missioned postmaster.

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CLAY COUNTY.

The office, after being variously called by the citizens, was finally given the name which it now bears. Mr. Brewer continued postmaster from his first appointment up to February, 1886. with the exception of about seven months in 1881, when II. S. Gould received the commission, but gave place to Brewer January 1, 1882.

Dennison Howe succeeded Leander Brewer as postmaster in February, 1886. The appointment of Dr. Prentice, his successor, was confirmed in Feb- ruary, 1890.

The petition of J. H. Conrad and twenty-five others, for the incorporation of Fairfield, was pre- sented July 1, 1878. L. F. Fryar, D. Howe, J. R. Maltby, John Epley and W. S. Prickett were named trustees. This board organized with J. R. Maltby, chairman; O. G. Maury, clerk; C. F. Shedd, treas- urer; A. A. Kelsey, marshal (succeeded by P. G. Hayes); W. S. Prickett, attorney. The board passed the first ordinance on the 23d day of July, 1878.

The officers elected for the year 1879 were: Trustees, J. E. Hopper, G. E. Glass, C. Palmer, (chairman), J. R. Madison and H. Spencer; clerk, O. G. Maury; treasurer, John Biddle. '

1880-Trustees, J. E. Hopper, Charles Palmer, Chairman; O. H. Judd, G. E. Glass, TI. Spencer; elerk, F. H. Willis.

1881-Trustees, J. R. Maltby, D. Howe, J. Tweed, D. Murdock, chairman, and E. L. Brewer; treasurer, J. HI. Case; clerk, J. C. Hedge.

1882-Trustees, W. S. Randall, chairman; T. J. Loomis, A. Broderick, C. F. Shedd and J. C. Hedge; clerk, D. Howe; treasurer, Charles Lewis.

In 1883 W. S. Randall was chairman; J. E. Broderick, J. E. Hopper, M. B. Gates and B. F. Rawalt, trustees; E. D. Judd, clerk; W. S. Prickett, attorney; C. L. Lewis, treasurer, and William Craw- ford, street commissioner.

In April, 1884, Henry Spencer, M. B. Gates, S. J. Anthony and A. J. Minor were elected trustees, while O. P. Alexander, W. Kentner and J. C. Clark received each forty votes for the fifth position on the board.

In 1885 Messrs. Randall, Gates, A. G. Sherwood, T. J. Loomis and D. Howe, were trustees; E. D.

Judd, clerk; C. L. Lewis, treasurer; W. S. Prickett, attorney; Thomas Myers. marshal, and E. Gates, street commissioner.

The trustees elected in 1886 were M. B. Gates, A. G. Sherwood, A. A. Randall, C. F. Shedd and Charles Lewis; E. A. Mitchell was appointed clerk; W. S. Priekett, attorney, and J. L. Epperson, treas- urer.

The trustees elected in April, 1887, were O. C. Hubbell, Dr. A. J. Bacon, A. B. Smith, II. M. Goldsmith and C. L. Lewis; E. A. Mitchell was re- appointed clerk; T. J. Loomis, treasurer, and J. E. Broderiek, marshal.

The election of April 3, 1888, resulted in the choice of the following named trustees: C. L. Lewis, B. J. Wright, M. B. Gates, George Avery and George J. Pielstick; James II. Brooks was appointed clerk; J. L. Epperson, attorney; J. E. Broderick, marshal; Elmer Gates, street commissioner, and T. J. Loomis, treasurer.

In April, 1889, J. E. Hopper was elected mayor; J. H. Brooks, clerk; T. J. Loomis, treasurer; C. M. Prickett, city engineer; Frank Phillips, A. R. Ray, S. H. Lewis and C. W. Potter, councilmen.

The first school building was erected in the fall of 1873, at a cost of $1,440, and the first school taught therein during the following winter. A new school-house was erected in 1881, and the pioneer building sold to the Christian Society in the fall of that year. The new house cost $5,000. Its posi- tion above the town commands a view of the country for twenty-one miles in some directions. It was opened by A. A. Randall, principal, assisted by Emma MeKee and Alice Cooper. E. S. Detwieler, principal, with Nellie Martin and Mrs. E. W. Lewis, presided over the schools in 1883-84. In April Prof. Hursh was principal, with Mrs. Case, Emma McKee and Nellie Martin, assistant teachers. The teachers of the schools in March, 1888, were Misses Sanderson, Torrey, Emma McKee, Louie McKee and J. A. Frame, with Louis Morgan, prin- cipal. The school directors, elected in April, were D. B. Gillette and S. H. Lewis, for three years, and J. P. Nixon (vacancy) for one year. The tax levy for school purposes was 25 mills per dollar. In 1889 B. McCartney, J. P. Nixon and S. Colegrove

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HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

were elected members of the school board. At the June meeting the district was declared out of debt and a balance of $285.47 in the treasury. The number of children of school age was 471. D. B. Gillette was chosen moderator and S. H. Lewis treasurer. J. R. McKee was appointed principal, with Fannie Sander- son, Fannie Dinsmore, Emma Mckee and Louie McKee teachers. Ida Martin was appointed assist- ant principal and A. W. Evans teacher for the east school.

In April, 1884, the sum of $17,000 was sub- scribed by twelve persons for the benefit of Fairfield College. The committe on collection comprised D. Howe, J. L. Epperson and M. B. Gates. In June, 1884, Prof. Hubbell resigned his position as princi- pal of the Hastings schools and moved to Fairfield. On September 24, the Normal Institute was opened here by him. The College Directory, published in November, 1884, gives the names of T. P. Nixon, president of the board; W. T. Newcomb, financial agent and secretary; C. W. Hemry, president of the faculty, and O. C. Hubbell, principal of the normal department. The first annual commencement exer cises were held June 3, 1885. In October, 1885, there were seventy students enrolled, where a year before the register contained only twenty-seven names. In April, 1886, the college board author- ized the employment of an architect to draw plans for buildings, and in July the contract for the col- lege building was sold to W. B. Schmucker for $9,675. Work was at once begun, and, within that year, the large brick building was completed.

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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