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 99

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 99
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 99
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 99
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 99

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).

5,000

Stram dye works.

2,000

Soap factory and rendering.

2,500

Bottling works ..

10,000

Two brickyards ...

30.000

100

In addition to the industries shown above there are numerous smaller manufacturing industries in the line of broom factories, planing-mill, cigar factories, bottling works, etc , giving remunerative employment to a number of men. An extensive business is also done in ice industry, which em- ploy during the season 300 men and 100 teams;

HALL COUNTY.

586

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

twenty acres of spring lakes give a capacity of 100,000 tons annually.

The manufacturing industries proposed com- prise a glucose factory, a starch factory, a paper mill, a chewing gum factory and a mammoth dis- tillery and packing house.

For some years past the few citizens of Hall County acquainted with the success of the beet sugar industry in Europe considered the question of establishing such an industry here. In Feb- ruary, 1873, there was published in the Independ- ent a description of the beet sugar industry in Enrope, and some reference to the growth of beets in Nebraska was made, but not until 1887 was there any practical action taken in the matter. The leading citizens at that time went about it in a sensible way to fully, thoroughly and satisfactor- ily test the feasibility of the undertaking. They had the soil of various sections of this and adjoin- ing counties analyzed, and the analysis demon- strated its adaptability to the culture of sugar beets; but they did not stop here, for, importing seed from France and Germany, many planted beets in various sections of the county, in the season of 1888, and had these beets carefully analyzed at Lincoln, at Washington and at other points, which tests were very satisfactory. Think- ing the season of 1888 might have been an excep. tionally favorable season, seed was again imported and planted upon a still more extensive scale in 1889, and an expert chemist, familiar with the culture and manufacture, as well as with analysis of the sugar beet, was brought here from Ger- many, to oversee the planting, culture and growth of the beets, as well as to examine the character of the soil, and attend to the analysis of the beets, etc. These tests showed still more satisfactory results, the percentage of saccharine matter reach- ing eighteen per cent.

The subject of the location of a beet-sugar fac- tory at Grand Island was considered, practically, in November, 1889, when the leading citizens de- cided to raise $100,000, and did raise about $60,000, before the question was formally submitted to the people. The subscriptions were voluntary, and ranged from $100 to $1,000 each, and in the aggre-

gate amount to $100,000, while the capital stock of the beet-sugar company is as stated, $1,000,000, and will no doubt at an early day be increased to double that amount.

During the time that the experiments were being made negotiations were also in progress to enlist gentlemen with the necessary capital and experience to take hold of the enterprise and build and operate the factory, which, when it is under- stood that half a million dollars are required for buildings and machinery alone, and as much more for land to make the company independent of individual farmers who might not choose to furnish a regular supply adequate to keep the factory in operation, was no easy task. Difficult as it was, however, the energy and stick-to-it-iveness of the Grand Island gentlemen who had the matter in charge proved equal to the emergency and their efforts were at last crowned with success, and on Friday, December 6, 1889, the contracts were signed, sealed and delivered which located in this city a mammoth beet-sugar factory, starting out with a capital of $1,000,000 and 5,000 acres of land to * be devoted exclusively to the culture of sugar beets. On Saturday, December 7, 1889, the site for the fac- tory buildings was selected, and on Monday, Decem- ber 9, ground was broken and work commenced. The dimensions of the principal factory building, the concrete foundations of which were completed by January 19, 1890, and upon the brick walls of which all the masons that can be had in the city were at work, are as follows: Length, 292 feet; width, eighty-five feet; height, four stories, fifty feet. The structure is being built of stone, iron and brick, in such a substantial manner that it will stand for hundreds of years. This does not in- clude the boiler house nor the engine house, which will be separate and apart from the principal fac- tory building. There are to be a lime house, beet sheds and a system of smaller buildings extending north from the principal building to the stock- yards, a distance of nearly half a mile.

The site selected for the factory buildings com- prises fifty acres, and is taken off the east ends of two tracts of land, one belonging to the United States Investment Company and the other to

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HALL COUNTY.

Messrs. Thummel & Platt, situated along the west side of the St. Joseph & Grand Island Railroad, and extending north to the Union Pacific stock-yards, thus touching both the Union Pacific and St. Joseph & Grand Island tracks, and also to be reached by the beet-sugar factory belt line, to be built at once by the Burlington & Missouri River, for which the right of way has already been secured. The northeast corner of the site is within a stone's throw of the new fair grounds, and the east line touches Gladstone Place, and the south line of the Packer & Barr, Shoemaker and Wasmer additions, so that within a few years the factory will be in the heart of the city, as it were.

The situation is an admirable one, the drainage being excellent, and the location both beautiful and convenient, and as to railroad facilities unsur- passed.

During the week ending January 20, 1890, the street-car line was extended to the factory grounds, and the St. Joseph & Grand Island Rail- way Company's track extended along the princi- pal factory building, from which abont sixty cars of brick and other material are unloaded each week, and will be until the entire system of build- ings is completed.

The machinery for the manufactory and sugar refinery is already on the way from Germany, France and Australia, and will be all placed and in perfect running order for the most advanced portion of the crop of the season of 1890.

H. F. Oxsnard, at the head of the syndicate who has this manufacturing industry in charge, and at the head of which he will be resident man- ager, is a man of rare business qualifications, and is possessed of thorough knowledge of the mann- facture of beet-sugar; associated with him is M. Disprez, an expert in the raising of sugar beets and beet sugar seed.

There have been many days when it looked dark, but there were a few men who never gave up hope, and at the head of these stood the quiet, sturdy, conservative, yet tenacious Henry A. Koenig, who had wonderful faith in sugar from the start.

From the best figures obtainable the mercan- tile business of Grand Island shows a magnificent

trade done in 1887, and an increase in volume of business of nearly 40 per cent over that done in 1886. The appended statistics are not accurate, as it is an impossibility to procure strictly reliable in- formation, but from a careful canvass of the bnsi- ness houses of the city the following figures can be relied upon as approximately correct.

The amount of business done in 1887 was: Jewelry and silverware, $60,000; books and sta- tionery, $32,000; hardware, wholesale and retail, $300,000; dry goods and clothing, $545,000; groceries and provisions, $840,000; liquors and cigars, wholesale and retail, $300,000; furniture and household goods, $230,000; agricultural im- plements, $248,000; lumber, $314,000; miscel- laneous, $400,000; total, $3.269,000. These fig- ures do not include manufacturers' products man- ufactured and shipped from this point. Were these items added, the grand total would exceed the sum of $5,000,000, a showing that speaks vol- umes for the trade and commerce of this pushing, thriving city. In 1888 an increase of about fifteen per cent on the above figures was notice- able, with a lighter increase in 1889 over that of the former year.

The amount of money paid the general govern- ment at Grand Island amounted in 1887 to nearly $200,000. The need of a suitable building for transacting the business was so manifest that a bill providing for the erection of a federal building at this point has been introduced.

The sources of revenue and the amounts re- ceived in 1887 are as follows: Brewers' stamps, $4,428.40; cigar manufactories, $1,575.20; whole- sale beer, $200; wholesale liquor, $200; retail liquor, $602.40; drug stores, $224; manufactured tobacco, $240; United States land office receipts, $173,302.80; post office receipts, $11,260.82, or a total of $191,933.62. In 1888 and 1889 the total revenue was found to warrant the erection of United States offices here.

The business of the railroads entering Grand Island is annually growing larger and more profit- able. Although wholesaling and manufacturing are yet in their infancy, the receipts of freight for 1887 show an increase of 19,686 tons over those

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HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

of 1886, and the shipments an increase of 10,755 tons, making a total increase in the year's business over 1886 of 30,441 tons. The total receipts and shipments of freight in 1887 amounted to 11,295 car loads. This extensive freightage has been ex- ceeded during the last two years, and the prospects for 1890 are still more flattering.

The hotels of the city were very modest in the days of 1866. The Nebraska House was built that year by Michelson. The first depot was a large canvass building, and near by was the small board- ing house for railroad men. In the fall of 1866 the old railroad eating-honse was erected, and, with some additions, continued in use until 1875, when it was moved away in two sections by Fredde Hedde and P. Touhy and the Union Pacific Hotel erected. This hotel is the first large structure ever erected in Hall County. In 1869 or 1870 the Tremont was opened. In 1878-79 Hugo Hald was proprietor of the Travelers' Home. The hotels of Grand Island in 1885 were the Pacific, 40 rooms; the Jordan, 35; the Commercial, 30; the Estes, 30 (opened in 1880); the National, 22; the Clarendon, 20; the Colorado, 18; the Omaha, 14; the Far- mers' 14; the City 12, and Power's, 10. The New England was re-opened in November by Jor- dan. Since 1885 the Cottage House on Plum Street, and the Wisconsin House on Front Street, have been opened. The old Grand Union Hotel was refitted in February, 1885, and opened by Mr. Baker, under the name of Commercial Hotel. The brick house erected by Mr. Dunphy is known as the Dunphy House. The Palmer House, on Second Street, is now the leading hotel. It was built in 1887 at a cost of about $80,000, and is con- ducted by Eno & Moulton. This house is an index to the progress of the city. It is modern in arrangement and equipment, and well managed.

The Grand Island land office was established December 6, 1869. The first receiver appointed in 1869 was followed by Jesse Turner, who was accidentally shot December 18, 1872. Joseph Fox was appointed to succeed, who served until Mr. Anyan was appointed April 23, 1877. He was re- appointed July 7, 1882, and served to July, 1886, when the present receiver, A. H. Baker, qualified.

Edward W. Arnold was appointed first register . in 1869, succeeded by M. B. Hoxie, now of Omaha. Christopher Hostetter was appointed to succeed Mr. Hoxie, and served up to August 15, 1885, when John G. Higgins was commissioned.

Elbert P. Brewster has been clerk in the regis- ter's office since April, 1888, succeeding S. R. Crego, who held the office for only a few months. Miss Higgins and Frederick Conrad held the posi- tion for some time, the latter succeeding Charles Brininger, who was register's clerk for about five years. William Campbell preceded Mr. Brin- inger and succeeded Jay E. White, the first clerk,

The clerks in the receiver's office were H. J. Gorman in 1869, succeeded by Frank Sears. David Ackerman, Jr., followed Mr. Sears, whose successor, Eli A. Barnes, was appointed in March, 1886.

The first office was built in 1869 by E. W. Arnold for the purpose of United States land office. The house is on the southwest corner of Third, and this land district embraces the following named counties and parts of counties: Colfax, Platte, south part of Boone and Township 20 in the north part, Greeley, Nance, Merritt, Howard, Sherman, Valley, Buffalo, Hall north of Platte River, Custer as far as Range 20, Dawson as far as Range 20 and part of Polk. The area unsold is about 30,000 acres.

Grand Island is singularly well endowed in re- ligious societies. There are no less than twelve distinct organizations here, and unorganized repre- sentatives of others. The Catholic, Presbyterian, English Lutheran, Protestant Episcopal, two German Lutheraus, German Evangelical, Meth- odist Episcopal, Trinity Methodist, First Baptist, Immanuel Baptist, Congregational, Christian and Liberal Association.

The Catholic Church, the early history of which is given in the sketch of Wood River, was the first established at Grand Island, in 1866 or 1867. The old building was destroyed in the storm of 1870 and never rebuilt. In 1876 the congrega- tion numbered about thirty persons and Father Ryan was pastor.

On December 23, 1876, a meeting was held to consider the question of building a new Catholic

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HALL COUNTY.

Church. Joseph Jeneman presided, with James Cleary, secretary, and P. Dunphy, treasurer. They with Messrs. Kraft, Windolph, McCarty and Doberstein were appointed a building committee. In July the building was completed and dedicated. The new church, one of the largest church build- ings in the State, was dedicated July 7, 1889, by Vicar- General R. Shaffel, representing the bishop. Dr. F. S. O'Callaghan preached the sermon. The ceremonies of dedication were participated in by Revs. Wolf, the pastor; Davos, of Spaulding: Dax- acher, of Omaha; Walshe, of Lexington; Lynch, of Wood River; Mueller, of St. Libory; Stuer, of Cognice, and Horek, of Kearney.

In April, 1876, the work of building a Catholic Church in Howard County, near the line of Hall County, on the St. Paul road, was begun.

Rev. Richard Phelan, who on July 4, 1880, took charge of St. Mary's Parish, Grand Island, found fifty-two families belonging to the congre- gation, while at St. Mary's, near Wood River, were seventy two families. Rey. W. Wolf, V. F., is pastor. The churches at Doniphan and at Kearney belonged to St. Mary's parish in 1889, and are in the diocese of Omaha. The hospital of St. Francis is mainly supported by the congrega- tion of St. Mary's, who also maintain the denom- ination schools, while contributing a full share to the support of the common-school system.

The Presbyterian Church was founded August 12, 1869, by Rev. Sheldon Jackson, with five mem. bers. Robert Mitchell and Samuel Hindman were elected ruling elders. Occasional services were held until February, 1875, when Mr. Griffes gave revival services and added five members to the society, and R. Mitchell, B. G. Rice and S. D. Rannels were elected ruling elders. In August, of this year, Rev. George Hutchinson came as stated supply and remained nine months. Rev. Samuel Wyckoff is the present pastor.

The Baptist Church was organized in 1870 by Rev. J. N. Webb, State missionary, with five mem bers, increased to forty members in 1876. The first Baptist Church building, dedicated September 16, 1888, stands on Seventh and Sycamore Streets. It is built in the form of a Greek cross, showing four

gables, a tower 103 feet in height and a minaret 71 feet. The main andience room, an amphithe- atre 54x43 feet, may be connected with the Sun- day-school rooms. The building is 54x72 feet, and claims a seating capacity of 750. Rev: L. W. Terry is the present pastor.

Immanuel Baptist Church is a modern organi- zation-an outerop of the first Baptist society. No sooner was organization completed, than the work of church building was entered upon, and to- day a very neat structure, modern in style, exists. The pastor is Rev. Fred. E. Britten; clerk, E. E. Cole; treasurer, L. M. Bryan; deacons, N. T. Estes and W. A. Whitney; trustees, J. F. Baillie, C. J. Keith and S. C. Shipman; superintendent of Sunday-school, J. F. Baillie; secretary of Sunday- school, Clarance Stevens; president of missionary circle, Mrs. E. Stearns, and president of aid society, Mrs. W. J. Estes.

St. Stephens' Protestant Episcopal Church was organized in 1871, and a church building com- pleted and dedicated September 3, that year, by Bishop Clarkson. R. C. Jordan was warden; D. T. Jamieson, junior warden; C. W. Thomas, George E. Wilson and Frank Ingram, vestrymen. In the five years ending July, 1876, the membership in- creased from ten to sixty-five. In 1888 the pro- ject of erecting a new church house was consid- ered and approved. Work was at once entered upon, and the building dedicated in July, 1889. The material is red Colorado sandstone, with gray Kansas stone in foundation. Rev. John Lyon, who was nominated for school superintendent in early years, was one of the first preachers of this society. Rev. J. Nelson Jones is rector at the present time.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organ- ized in February, 1872, by Rev. J. S. Smith. The class worshiped in the Baptist Church until March, 1874. when they obtained permission to worship in the court-house. On September 27, of this year, Bishop Bowen dedicated the first house of worship. James Hall, H. J. Miller, Dorr Heffleman, W. H West and J. W. Irwin were elected trustees. Rev. J. S. Donaldson was pastor in 1876 when the class comprised thirty-five members. The class has not made the same progress here as have

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HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

other denominations; yet it is strong in numbers and very aggressive. Few if any strangers arrive in the city, who do not receive a cordial invitation to attend services on Sunday. Rev. C. W. Savage, the pastor in 1889, was succeeded by Rev. W.H. H. Pillsbury.

Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church is one of the recent additions to religious societies. Their new church on the corner of Sixth and Sycamore Streets speaks plainly of the earnestness of this society. The church was organized August 7, 1887, with 132 members and 19 probationers, with Rev. H. L. Powers, pastor. C. H. Bailey, presi- dent of the Epworth League; Lenora Birney, sec- retary; J. W. B. Brown and A. A. Linn, commit- teemen, are active workers in this society.

The United Brethren Society may be said to date back to 1872, when Rev. Joseph Wesley came to Grand Island and organized a class here, one at Alda and one near the village of Cairo. Among the first members at Grand Island were Mr. Wes- ley, wife and son; A. B. Vider and wife, Wesley Miller and wife, Eugene Miller, Charles Ridell and wife, and others. The United Brethren So- ciety completed organization in 1876, and their house of worship was dedicated July 2, that year, by Bishop Glossbrenner and Rev. Joseph Wesley, the pastor. The work of building was begun by Rev. Jacob Bremser in 1875. In 1886 the society at Cairo erected a church house. The pastors who attended here in the order of service are named as follows: Joseph Wesley, - Trefren, W. S. Spooner; Joseph Wesley, Charles Ridd, J. J. Lohr, C. C. Kellogg, J. T. Squires, J. M. Witters, D. W. Smith, - Jones, - Dean and Jacob Bremser. The names of many connected with this society in early years are not now remembered.

The Congregational Church reported eighty members in January, 1890, or an addition of thirty-nine members during the year 1889. T. C. Shaw was chosen clerk; Andrew Cosh, treasurer; J. W. Alden, deacon; Thomas Robinson, trustee; T. C. Shaw, chorister, and Mrs. Shaw, organist. The present officers are B. F. Merrill, A. H. Bock, I. M. Ridlon, F. Randall and J. W. Alden, deacons; Gavin Geddes, Mrs. E. A. Stevens, Thomas Rob-

inson, F. W. Barber, H. E. Clifford and Andrew Cosh, trustees; T. C. Shaw, clerk; Andrew Cosh, treasurer; T. C. Shaw, chorister; Mrs. T. C. Shaw, organist; John Doane, Sunday school superin- tendent; E. A. Stevens, assistant superintendent; James Nicholson, secretary; Miss A. Geddes, assistant secretary; Robert Geddes, Jr., treasurer. Rev. W. L. Demorest, pastor in 1889, was suc- ceeded by Rev. John Doane. The church building was erected in 1888.

St. Paul German Lutheran Church may be said to date back to 1884. In May of that year Rev. William Roseutengle, of the Lutheran Church of Nebraska City, was called to Grand Island as first pastor of the St. Paul German Evangelical Lutheran Church. Mr. Lenker was then preacher in English. On July 6 the house of worship, 30x40 feet, was dedicated.

The Salem German Lutheran Church on the east side was struck by lightning July 15, 1888. The spire was shattered and some damage done to the main building. Rev. A. Baumhoefner is pastor.

St. Paul English Evangelical Lutheran Church was completed and dedicated March 14, 1886. The building committee of the Lutheran Church in August, 1885, comprised George H. Thummel, W. A. Heimberger, C. E. Lykke, George H. Hunter, Benjamin O. Anderson and J. N. Lenker. The corner-stone was placed October 3, 1885. Rev. A. B. Schrader was the last pastor. In January, 1890, the church was without a supply.

The Fifth Street German Evangelical Church is presided over by Rev. O. Radinski.

The North Sweden First Scandinavian Evan- gelical Lutheran Church, of Howard County (eight- een miles northwest of Grand Island), was dedi- cated in January, 1885.

The Salvation Army had headquarters in the old Baptist building at the close of 1888.

Ben Hogan, of Allegany Valley notoriety, preached here in November, 1885. Revs. J. C. H. Reed, Williams, Smith and Rhone supported Mr. Hogan, joined in the services and welcomed the repentant sinner. The earlier life of this evangelist was anything but godly, as the records

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HALL COUNTY.

of Tarport, Bradford, Oil City and other Pennsyl- vania oil centers point out.

In the pioneer history of Grand Island City a few of the early school teachers are named and something said of their lives in Nebraska. Shortly after the town was platted a small school-house was erected, which continued in use until late in 1870. The new school building was opened Sep- tember 19, 1870, and the dedication took the form of a ball or dance, with supper at the Railroad Hotel. The schools of the city in 1876 were pre- sided over by B. F. Bellows, assisted by Miss Meth. The students examined in the high school were H. P. Clark, H. C. Howard, C. G. Hurford, S. C. Huston and F. W. Cramer; and the female students, J. L. Bacon, J. Heffieman, A. E. Hooper, E. E. Howard, A. M. Hurford, M. C. Hurford, H. Shoemaker, H. K. Van Pelt, E. L. Watson and A. Wiseman. The city teachers employed in Au- gust, 1877, were Henry Garn, Mellie Butterfield, Belle Ferguson and Mrs. Cammeil Ballon Laine. O. A. Abbott, C. E. Lykke and John Wallichs were elected trustees in April, 1878, and William Anyan, T. J. Hurford and B. C. Howard were appointed to act with the trustees as school build- ing committee. The proposition to build a school- house received 141 votes, and was opposed by five votes. The contracts for the new house were sold in June for $17,000, and the beginnings of the city school system, as it now is, were made.

The enumeration of school membership at Grand Island in 1879 was 525; in 1880, 667; in 1881, 835; in 1882, 938; in 1883, 1,074, and in 1884, 1,313. There were five distinct buildings devoted to school purposes and one school-house completed that year. In 1885 there were 1,515 children enrolled.

When the south side school-building was erected in 1878, it was supposed that the requirements of education here would be fully met until 1888. The supposition was erroneous. Before the close of 1886 an addition to the old building, a new eight-room building on the north side, a two-room building on the west side and the old school-house in the eastern part of the city were all in use. Twenty-five teachers were employed. In 1884 the

first high-school class of five graduated, and in 1885 and 1886 there were seven graduates. The total enrollment in 1886 was 1,116, and the esti- mate of expenditures for school purposes in 1887 was placed at $25,000. In June, 1887, a com- mittee of the Liederkranz Society was appointed to prepare and obtain signatures for a petition to the school board, asking for the teaching of German in the public schools. L. Veith, H. C. Held, Ad. Egge, Frederick Hedde, George Cornelius and Henry Vieregg formed this committee.

The first annual commencement of the high school was held in June, 1883, and the fourth in June, 1886. In 1887 a small class graduated, while the class of June, 1888, comprised Kate A. Hurley, Clara D. Pierce, Mary E. Brennan, Hattie M. Clendenin, Carrie L. Fraser, Nellie M. White, Nellie M. Serviss, Ada C. Laine,. Jennie Oppen- heimer and John F. Mathews. The present school buildings are the Dodge, Howard, Platt, Wasmer and Evans. The Catholic schools here claim a large enrollment. The Grand Island Business College, A. M. Hargus, principal, is carried on in the Academy of Music building.

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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