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 97

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 97
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 97
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 97
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 97

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).

574

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

Locust and Front Streets. During the fall the railroad house was erected, which was used until the completion of the present railroad house in December, 1875, when part of the old building was purchased by Fred Hedde and removed to the southwest corner of Locust and Third Streets, while another part was converted into a dwelling by P. Touhy, and occupied in 1876 by C. W. Thomas. The post-office was established in November, 1866, with D. Schuller, postmaster, and about this time the store of M. S. Hall, a railroad contractor, was opened, and the O. K. store was moved into the new town early in 1867, by Koenig & Wiebe, who also established the State Central Flouring Mills, and the pioneer lumber yard. William R. McAl- lister and C. W. Thomas opened their stores the same year. The United States land office was opened here December 6, 1869, and on January 1, 1870, the Platte Valley Independent was founded by Mrs. M. T. G. Eberhart and Seth P. Mobley. The State Central Bank was established in 1871 by H. A. Koenig, with Dorr Heffleman, cashier. The capital stock was placed at $45,000. The first church was the Catholic. The building was blown down during the storm of 1870. In 1869 the Pres- byterians organized. The Protestant Episcopal society completed a building in the fall of 1871, at a cost of $2,500; while the Baptists, who organized in 1870, erected a house at a cost of $2,800. In 1874 the Methodist Church was erected, but the class was organized in 1872; and on July 2, 1876, the United Brethren dedicated their house of wor- ship. In October, 1870, the first Masonic lodge was organized; in 1871 the A. & A. S. Lodge of ! Perfection; in 1872 Deuel Chapter; in April, 1872, Grange No. 6 was organized with S. P. Mobley, master, and on August 2, 1872. the State Grange was organized in the Independent Building. In November, 1870, the Liederkranz was organized; Protection Fire Company on June 8, 1874, and the Ladies' Society in September, 1875. In 1876 there was but one brick dwelling, that of R. C. Jordan, on the corner of Second and Locust Streets. Con- temporary with settlement was the school house. The old building is now a part of Windolph's tene- ment house. Iu 1876 there were three teachers

employed. The court-honse was erected in 1872-73, as told in the transactions of the commissioners, and completed June 28, 1873, the brick being freighted from the East.

The original plat of Grand Island was filed for record September 29, 1866, and recorded in Book B, page 13, by Clerk Fred T. Evans. The docn- ment was found by Abstractor William Frank, at Omaha. Prior to this time Grand Island had nothing to show title to streets and alleys, beyond twenty-one years' possession of same, the county records showing title only in the Union Pacific Railroad Company.

In 1872 several meetings were held to discuss matters relative to town organization. A final meeting to consider the question was held Novem- ber 25, 1872, when the committee previously ap- pointed reported in favor of presenting a petition to the commissioners. George H. Thummel, O. A. Abbott, A. Thorspecken and Henry A. Koenig were the members. The persons appointed to circulate the petition were W. A. Platt, A. Thorspecken and W. C. Buderus. On December 10, 1872, the peti- tion for incorporation was granted, and John Wal- lichs, R. C. Jordan, A. Thorspecken, H. N. Chap- . man and Christian Wasmer named as the first board of trustees. The elections of 1873 resulted in the choice of John Wallichs for mayor; W. H. Platt, police judge; J. O. Adams, marshal; Jay E. White, clerk; H. N. Chapman, L. Engel, H. P. Handy and J. C. Cornelius, councilmen, and J. C. Cornelius was elected school director, vice F. A. Wiebe resigned.

In April, 1874, W. A. Platt was nominated for mayor; W. H. Platt for police judge; W. A. Denel for marshal; N. P. Kelley for marshal; James Cleary for treasurer and N. Harris and R. S. Van Wie for conncilmen. Republican and Democratic tickets were also in the field, and the contest was one of the warmest known in the early days of the city.

The elections of April, 1876, show 115 votes for Ed Hooper and 72 for T. J. Hurford, can- didates for mayor; 112 for W. H. Platt and 71 for William Kelley, for the office of police judge; Will- iam A. Deuel was chosen marshal; John Wallichs,

575

HALL COUNTY.

clerk; William Hagge, treasurer; Joseph Killian and W. C. King, councilmen. The members of the board of education then elected were H. A. Koe- nig, E. R. Wiseman, R. C. Jordan and Joseph Fox.

In April, 1876, James Cleary was elected mayor by 125 votes, against 114 recorded for Ed Hooper; William Hagge was chosen treasurer; John Wal- lichs, clerk; John D. Hayes, chief of police; Joe Jenneman, marshal; Charles Rief, engineer; W. C. King and P. Dunphy, councilmen; R. C. Jor- dan, Joseph Fox, T. J. Hurford and W. C. King were chosen school trustees; W. H. Platt was di- rector. The two notorious ordinances of this year were met by strong protests.

The city officials chosen in April, 1877, were: W. H. Platt, mayor; John Wallichs, clerk; William Hagge, treasurer; T. O. C. Harrison, judge; P. D. Thomsen, marshal; William Wasmer, assessor; Charles Rief, engineer; P. Dunphy, George E. Wilson, D. Morgan and Chris Wasmer, councilmen.

C. D. M. Washburn was chosen mayor in 1878; T. O. C. Harrison, police judge; G. H. Bush and Chris Wasmer, councilmen; William Hagge, treas- nrer; John Wallichs, clerk; P. D. Thomsen, mar- shal; William Wasmer, assessor, and Charles Rief, surveyor.

In April, 1879, C. D. M. Washburn was elect- ed mayor; George E. Wilson and Ed Hooper, councilmen; T. O. C. Harrison, judge; C. W. Thomas, treasurer; Christian Schlotfield, clerk; C. L. Howell, marshal, and S. E. Reaugh, engineer. A vote of thanks to John Wallichs for efficient serv- ice as clerk was adopted.

In 1880 Messrs. Washburn, Harrison and Schlotfield were re-elected; Charles Rief was chosen engineer; C. Wiltse, councilman to fill va- caney in First ward, and P. Dunphy and James Michelson for the First and Second wards.

The elections of 1881 resulted in the choice of John L. Means for mayor; Charles Milisen and Ed Hooper, councilmen; C. F. Bentley, treasurer; Joseph H. Mullin, clerk; T. O. C. Harrison, judge, and C. E. Hart, engineer. The board of education then elected comprised S. H. Wolbach, B. C. How- ard, C. P. Handy, J. P. Kernohan, O. A. Abbott and T. J. Hurford.

In 1882 Michael Murphy was chosen mayor; D. Ackerman, clerk; C. F. Bentley, treasurer; H. Hald, engineer; James Cleary and O. A. Abbott, councilmen.

The elections of April, 1883, show 393 votes for M. Murphy and 7 for John Fonner, candidates for mayor; 414 votes for David Ackerman, clerk; 414 for Jay E. White, treasurer; 368 for John W. West and 40 for George H. Caldwell, candidates for police judge; 368 for H. Hald and 43 for Charles Rief, for city engineer; Charles Milisen, Eli A. Barnes, C. L. Howell and W. R. McAllister were elected councilmen, and C. J. Fetherston- haugh, C. F. Bentley, H. C. Held and J. P. Kerno han, members of the board of education.

The city election of 1884 was a civil war between the people's and the opposition's tickets. J. E. White (P.) was elected mayor; Lederman (P.), treasurer; D: Ackerman (P.), clerk; Brogden (P.), Vieregg (P.), Jordan (P.) and Veiths (P.) were elected councilmen; Platt (P.), Murphy (P.), How- ard (O.) and Bush, members of school board.

The election of April, 1885, resulted in the de- feat of J. W. West, for mayor, by J. L. Means; N. T. Estes was elected to the council from Ward 1, James Heisch from Ward 2, John Fonner and D. H. Veiths from Ward 3, and M. Taylor and C. Mil- isen from Ward 4; H. E. Clifford was chosen city clerk; H. B. Wilson, police judge; A. C. Leder- man, treasurer, and Messrs. Murphy, Ball and Martin, members of the school board.

In September, 1886, Water Commissioner Wil- helm and Councilman McAllister reported on the several water-works systems examined by them. A resolution endorsing A. A. Richardson as a com- petent engineer, and pointing out that the works gotten up for this city by him were satisfactory, was carried. A. L. Strang & Co., the contractors for the water-works system, made a final settle- ment with the council, on report of W. R. Me- Allister, F. W. Talmage and Henry Vieregg, .a committee of the council who reported the works complete .* In December the question of voting on

*The stand-pipe was completed September 17, 1886, This pipe is 116 feet high, with a capacity of 85,000 gallons. The pumps are ca- pable of filling it nine times per day, thus giving 765,000 gallons. The pipe was constructed by Mohr & Sons, of Chicago.

576

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

the matter of granting a franchise to the street railroad company was presented. An election was called for January 15, 1887. Of 497 votes cast, 482 favored the proposition, and City Clerk H. E. Clifford was instructed to give official information to the company.

In February a petition was presented by the saloon keepers remonstrating against the issue of druggists' permits for 1887. The protest entered by B. C. Howard, president of the school board, against the proposition of the council to levy an oc- cupation tax of $500 on liquor dealers, was con- sidered. Mr. Howard stated " so large a tax would decrease the number of saloons and deplete the school fund. He considered that a deficiency of $5.000 would result. Several liquor dealers also protested against the tax.

The election of April, 1887, shows 650 votes for W. H. Platt and 354 for Ed. Hooper, candi- dates for mayor; 1,002 votes for C. W. Brininger, clerk; 991 for J. W. West, treasurer; 701 for Henry Garn and 298 for George J. Spencer, candi- dates for police judge; 215 for Charles Wasmer, * 216 for H. J. Palmer, * 186 for J. W. Livering- house, * 186 for Charles Jervins, 119 for J. Y. Alexander* and 71 for E. Sarenson. The mem- bers of the school board chosen were Nathan Platt and George A. Mohrensticher. R. P. O' Niel was appointed chief of police; C. A. Leake, Jacob Barnett and Peter Braisted, policemen; John A. Matthews, chief of fire department; Ralph Horth, attorney; George Loan, Sr., water commissioner; D. Morgan, weigh master; George Clark, street commissioner; W. C. Van Pelt, engineer of water- works, and W. Ensign, city engineer.

In May, 1887, the questions of extending the water-works system and building a city hall were presented, and Messrs. Wasmer, Vieregg and Liv- eringhouse appointed a committee to learn the opinion of the people on the subjects. This com- mittee reported in June, showing that $22,000 would be required to extend the water-works and $18,000 to erect a city hall. At this time Messrs. T. O. C. Harrison, J. P. Kernohan, H. E. Clifford and W. H. Michael ended their terms as directors

of the city library. Mrs. Harrison was reappointed, with George B. Bell, D. H. Vastine and Charles Rieť to fill vacancies. The revenue for the year ending July, 1887, was $8,265, while that for the ensuing year was placed at $20,000. August 12 there were 231 votes cast in favor of issuing water-works bonds, third series, while 80 were cast against the proposi- tion. In April $3,409 was received as proceeds of sale of such bonds. The order to place flagmen at several street crossings of the Union Pacific Rail- road was issned in October, and in December of that year C. W. Scarff and others were permitted to construct a system of sewerage through Blocks 68, 69, 70 and 71. In April, 1888, W. F. McLaugh- lin, W. M. Geddes, W. R. McAllister and W. F. Banks were elected councilmen. Charles Rief and G. H. Geddes were elected members of the board of education; Chief O' Niel and Peter Braisted were retained on the police force, and Henry Cook, Joseph St. Germain and Joel Andrews appointed members of the force. The other city officers appointed in 1887 were re-appointed. The total receipts of the city for the year ending April 30, 1888, were $71,348.59, and the expenditures, $50, - 546. The bonds and interest then due amounted to $86,742.50, including $1,250 10 per cent water- works bonds of 1874, $2,500 10 per cent water- works bonds in 1879, $40,000 6 per cent water- works bonds in 1885, $8,000 refunding 6 per cent bonds in 1885, and $3,000 6 per cent water-works bonds in 1887.

At the beginning of 1890 W. H. Platt was mayor; C. W. Brininger, clerk; J. W. West, treasurer; William Ensign, engineer; George P. Dean, mar- shal; R. R. Horth, attorney; J. H. Mullin, judge; George Loan, Sr., water commissioner; John A. Matthews, chief of fire department; W. F. Mc- Laughlin, James F. Rourke, William M. Geddes, George Bartenbach, W. R. McAllister, Charles Rief, Thomas A. Oakes and George Reaugh, coun- cilmen. The board of education comprised Nathan Platt, president; G. A. Mohrenstecher, secretary; Charles Rief, vice-president, and Robert J. Barr, superintendent. What changes subsequent elec- tions will effect in the personel of the board must be imagined; but no one will deny the fact

* The councilmen whose names are marked thus * were elected.

577

HALL COUNTY.

that, in addition to the improvements completed under the present council and authorized by them, other improvements could be easily effected, and what is now immoral in the city removed or regu- lated, even though it may be thought that hypo- crites are the principal sinners.

In the pages of the general history and in this chapter, particularly, very many names connected with the settlement and progress of the old and new towns of Grand Island find mention. The progressive spirits of the city of 1881-82, however, should be especially noticed, and thus, largely from contemporary newspaper reports and the val- uable personal sketches published in the State history of 1882, the following brief notices are ah- stracted: O. A. Abbott came here late in 1867, and was State senator in 1872, having previously been a member of the convention of 1871 ; he was elected lieutenant-governor in 1876. He was born in Quebec, Canada, in 1842; in 1857 moved to Illi- nois with his parents, enlisting in 1861 in the Union service. He was one of the first members of the Hall County bar, and is said to have taught the first school at Grand Island.

William L. Arnold established his livery and sale stables in October, 1881. He settled in Ne- braska about 1861.

Eli A. Barnes may be considered among the pioneers, as he participated in many if not all of those affairs connected with the city's growth. F. M. Bacon established his lumber yards in Septem- ber, 1878. Early in 1873 he purchased lands near the city. Grove E. Barber, who was superintend- ent of city schools in 1881, reported ten schools, eleven teachers and 900 pupils. He came to Grand Island that year. Adam Blunk, who erected the Platte Valley Grist-mill in 1877, came from Germany to Hall County, in 1871. Henry D. Boyden established his drug and paint store here in 1881. He settled in Nebraska in 1879. H. L. Burket established a furniture store in 1878, and continued in this business until 1882, when he established a stock ranch in Howard County.

George H. Caldwell came to Grand Island in May, 1877, and in partnership with O. A. Abbott opened a law office. In 1881 he was first elected

county judge. James Cleary established his hard- ware house here in 1870. He came from Ireland in 1859, served in the Union army and after the war settled in Hall County. F. D. Collins estab- lished his clothing house in September, 1881, and with King & Berkenbuel owned the brick yards near the city at that time. George Cornelius came to Hall County in 1864 and entered upon farming. In January, 1880, he qualified as county treas- urer, and was elected that fall. A. J. Cushman opened a furniture store here in December, 1880. H. C. Denman, who settled in the State in 1859, located ten miles south of Grand Island in 1871, and in 1881 was elected sheriff. John Eggers & Bro. opened a meat market in the fall of 1874.

Henry Elsner (Conley & Elsner) came from Ger- many to Grand Island in December, 1881,and opened a grocery, tobacco and crockery store. James Ewing, who located at Wood River in May, 1871, taught school there until 1877, when he was chosen superintendent of schools for this county, was re- elected in 1879, and in 1881 was appointed deputy- treasurer. He issued the first number of the Wood River Gazette in March, 1882. Dr. M. J. Gahan, born in Ireland, came to Grand Island in March, 1875, and has practiced medicine here to the pres- ent time. Henry Giese settled at Grand Island in 1860, and H. H. Glover, of Wiebe & Glover, opened a dry goods house in 1879. Charles Gnen- ther came in 1869, and in 1876 established his building office. William A. Hagge appeared in 1857; was appointed treasurer in the fall of 1871 and elected in 1872 and 1874. In 1881-82 he was . collecting agent for the State Central Bank.

T. O. C. Harrison settled at Grand Island in March, 1873, taught school a few terms, and was admitted to the bar that year. In the history of the county and city Judge Harrison's dealings in public affairs are related.

Fred Hedde, the present owner of the Inde- pendent, came with the pioneers in 1857. He was engaged in farming until 1869, when he went to Hamburg, Germany, as immigration agent of this State. In 1873 he opened a general store at Grand Island, added a lumber yard in 1874, but in 1880 gave his sole attention to the agricultural imple-

578

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

ment trade and to real estate. About six years ago he purchased the Independent.

H. C. Held established his jewelry store in Sep- tember, 1872. Henry W. High, who located at Alda in 1873, was engaged in farming there until 1878, when he engaged in the live-stock trade. Edward Hooper opened a blacksmith shop on the bank of the Platte in 1861, moved to the new town in 1866, and engaged in selling agricultural imple- ments until 1879, when he aided in establishing a foundry here. John L. Houck was foreman of the blacksmith department of the Union Pacific shops in 1881. M. B. Hoxie was appointed register of the United States land office here in September, 1878. He secured the division of Platte County in 1868-69, and organized Colfax County. Chris- tian Ipsem established his drug business here in March, 1882. Charles Ivers came to Grand Island in 1871, opened a grocery store in June, 1881. and completed a store building in May, 1882. G. T. Jordan opened a hardware store in March, 1880, in partnership with E. W .. Justice.

James P. Kernohan, who, on October 1, 1878, opened a bank at Edgar, Clay County, in partner- ship with C. P. Packer, moved to Grand Island in 1880, and in 1882 suggested the building of the Grand Island Banking Company's brick office. Henry A. Koenig located here in 1862, and at once became the founder of many of the city's princi- pal industries and business enterprises. Dr. H. B. Lashlee settled here in June, 1881, and A. C. Led- erman established his hardware business in May, 1879. W. R. McAllister opened a general store in 1867. In 1858 he located two miles west of Fort Kearney, was freighting for a time, and later worked on the Union Pacific Railroad. From 1868 to 1878 he was the postmaster at Grand Island. Henry P. Makely was foreman of the car repair shops in 1881-82. In December, 1866, he settled at Grand Island. James Martin, who settled at Crete in 1877, opened a meat market here in 1880. James Michelson came in 1860, and kept a ranch for travelers, as well as a wagon shop on the old California trail. In 1866 he moved into the new town, built the Nebraska House (the first hotel), and in 1872 entered the mercantile circle.

Dr. Howard C. Miller may be called the pioneer dentist of the city, having located here in October, 1881. Seth P. Mobley is noticed in the chapter on journalism. John D. Moore was agent of the Union Pacific Railroad Company here in 1882. He entered the railroad service in 1868. M. Murphy settled here in 1877 and established a photograph gallery. James B. Murray & Co. established their grocery honse in March, 1882. Mr. Murray opened a store at Edgar in 1879. James C. Pederson opened his grocery store August 1, 1879. Rev. Richard Phelan had charge of St. Mary's Church at Grand Island and the missions attached to it. W. H. Platt came early in 1866, opened a drug store and law office, and continued the former business until 1870, when he was admitted to the bar. He assisted in building the first business house on the town site in July, 1866. John G. Raine opened a jewelry store in 1877. Matthew Riefers opened the State Central Brick yards in May, 1878. James R. Reniff came in December, 1881, and took charge of the car department of the Union Pacific shops.

Charles Rief settled here early in 1868, and taught school until 1874. He served as justice foy five years, was appointed city engineer re- peatedly, was county surveyor, and in 1879 was elected county clerk. Dr. H. J. Ring, who located at Hastings in 1879, moved to Grand Island in December, 1881. George F. Ryan moved from Merrick County to Grand Island in 1877. In 1881-82 he was a member of the produce firm of Thomas & Co. A. A. Sawyer opened his grocery house December 1, 1878. Frank Sears, who was clerk of Hall County in 1882, was land agent for the Union Pacific Railroad Company here, at Kearney, Hastings and other localities. Fred A. Sears was the owner of the grain warehouse and elevator at Grand Island, and Representative of the county in the Legislature.

Dr. A. L. Stevenson became a citizen early in 1877. William Stolley, one of the pioneers and leading farmers of Hall County, is referred to in other pages. Gen. John M. Thayer was one of the pioneers of Omaha in 1854. In 1855 he raised the volunteers who were sent against the Indiaus at

579

HALL COUNTY.

Fontanelle, and in 1859 was commissioned to raise another force to subdue the Pawnees. In 1859-60 he was a member of the State Senate, and of the convention of 1860. In 1861 he organized the First Nebraska Volunteers, and as colonel com- manded this regiment in Missouri, Arkansas and Tennessee. He was elected United States Senator in 1866; appointed Governor of Wyoming in 1875, and afterward located at Grand Island.

C. W. Thomas established his grocery and boot and shoe house here January 1, 1868, but sold to W. R. McAllister, September 1, 1869. On Octo- ber 19 that year he purchased the Koenig & Wiebe grocery house and erected a store- honse in 1871. He purchased a stock of dry goods and clothing from R. C. Jordan, agent, and Peterson & Ruelberg, but sold this department to H. H. Glover in 1879. In August of that year he, with Gregg Bros. and F. A. Sears, erected the grain ele- vator, but the latter purchased his interest therein in 1880. H. Thomas came here in 1871 and a few years later, with Hall, established a meat market. Later he established a grocery store at Alda and in 1880 joined his brother in the produce trade. Pat. rick Tuohy located here in 1868. Later he was road master of the second division of the Union Pacific including the St. Paul branch road.

D. H. Vantine located at Alda, Hall County, in 1880. He taught school five terms and was elected county superintendent in 1881. In 1882 he report- ed seventy school buildings in the county. O. U. Wescoatt opened his livery stable in December, 1878. J. W. West established a grocery store in March, 1874, in company with his brother. In 1877 he was elected justice and held that office in 1882. Charles A. Wiebe came with his parents in 1862, and located on the O. K. farm, one-half mile south of Grand Island. His father, Fred A. Wiebe, estab- lished the first lumber yard there, and for him Charles A. worked for some time. In January, 1882, he joined H. H. Glover in business. A. W. Wilhelm purchased Burkett's furniture store in April, 1882. In May, 1871, he opened a grocery store at Alda. In 1876 he engaged in the agricult- ural implement business at Grand Island. Chaun cey Wiltse, an old-time surveyor, came in 1874

and leased the Grand Island House. E. R. Wise- man opened his grain and lumber business in 1873. James H. Woolley established his law office here in September, 1878, having been admitted to the bar June 3, that year.

A few of the individuals mentioned have disap- peared under the stormy waves of life, but the ma- jority still reside here and many who left the young village returned after a little while to find the place a pretentious little city.

During the fall of 1870 the following improve- ments were made: Dwelling houses-H. P. Handy, $3,500; E. W. Arnold, $1,500; Mrs. Brewster, $1,300; C. W. Thomas (2), $1,600; Peter Peter- sen, $1,500; William Spiker, $1,200; J. D. Moore, $1.200; H. Banman, $1,000, and J. Heeb, $500. Business houses-Koenig & Wiebe's warehouse, $3,600; school-house, District 2, and furniture, $4,000; Baptist Church, $3,000; the Platte bridge, $15,000; Nelson & Hooper's blacksmith shops, John Kraft's ice-house, H. N. Chapman & Co's meat, slaughter and ice-houses, Tout & Baylor's carpenter shop, Spiker & Petersen's improve- ments on store, Walther's barber shop, and " Inde- pendent " office improvements. In 1872 work on the court-house, the first brick building in the county, was commenced, and the building era was introduced. The panic of 1873 stopped the wheels of progress for a time, but Grand Island not only held the position reached before the panic, but im- proved that position during the years of disaster. The business circle of the place in 1876 comprised those citizens whose substantial character left no doubtful uncertainty as to Grand Island's future. Among the lawyers then were O. A. Abbott, W. H. Platt, Henry Nunn, John D. Hayes, W. C. Buderus and Loring Gaffey; and the physicians, J. R. Laine, M. J. Gahan, J. P. Patterson, Henry Bruhns and A. T. Thorspecken. The population at this time was 1,204. In 1878 the shadows of the panic began to disperse and people from the East fled to the prairies to avoid a repetition of such troubles. In 1880 steps were taken to build the Union Pacific shops at this point, and work was entered upon. The opera house block was erected in 1882 by George Bartenbach. Prior to

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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