USA > Nebraska > Buffalo County > Buffalo County, Nebraska, and its people : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 21
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
themselves into a church to be known as the First Regular Baptist Church of Gibbon, Buffalo County, Nebraska, adopting as their church government and articles of faith and practice those drawn by J. Newton Brown and published by the American Baptist Publication Society. Ira P. George, Mrs. Ira P. George, Jacob Booth, Mrs. Jacob Booth, C. Putnam, John P. Putnam, W. H. Sprague, Mrs. W. H. Sprague, Henry Winklebeck, George H. Silvernail, Amos D. George and Mrs. Amos D. George. At this meeting Dr. Ira P. George was chosen deacon and C. Putnam, clerk.
On Sunday, February 1I, 1872, after a sermon by Rev. J. Gunderman, the church granted a license to exercise his gifts in preaching the gospel, to Jacob Booth. On February 25, 1872, the church extended a call as pastor to Rev. J. J. W. Place, which was accepted. Mr. Place served the church, as pastor, until March S, 1874. After that date the following named served as pastors: Rev. O. A. Buzzell from June 6, 1874, to March 7, 1875; Rev. J. J. W. Place from April 14, 1875 to September 2, 1876; Rev. J. R. Shanafelt from February 3. 1877 to September 2, 1877; Rev. G. W. Read from September 8, 1880 to October 6, 1883; Rev. L. F. Compton from January 1, 1884 to November 8, 1885; Rev. G. W. Willis from November 15, 1885 to December 18, 1887. When the Nebraska Baptist College, which had been established at Gibbon in 1882, was removed to Grand Island, several members of the Baptist Church moved from Gibbon and those members who remained became discouraged because it seemed well nigh impossible to longer carry on the church work. On July 21, 1888, at a meeting held in the Presbyterian Church in Gibbon it was decided to reorganize and form a new church to be named the Baptist Church of Gibbon, Neb. The following named persons wishing to join the new organization, permission was obtained from the original first church by letter: Mr. and Mrs. Applegate, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Taylor, Rev. and Mrs. G. T. Willis, Rev. and Mrs. D. G. Sturte- vant, Rev. A. E. Carson, Mrs. Laura Carson, M. M. Carson, Mrs. S. E. Carson, W. B. Southwell, F. C. Overton, Mrs. A. M. Blue, Miss Lena Carson ; on Chris- tian experience, Mrs. M. M. Ingham; from the First Baptist Church, Ottawa, Kan., A. B. Carson; by letter from the First Baptist Church of Kearney, Neb., Mr. and Mrs. O. McConnaughey, Misses Thena and Hattie McConnaughey, Mr. and Mrs. D. Carson, H. F. Carson, Miss Nettie Carson. The church voted to call as pastor Rev. Joseph Smith, who served as pastor one year. During this period work was begun on a brick church in size 35 by 46 feet; this church was com- pleted at a cost of $4,500, and dedicated, free of debt on June 20, 1890. Follow- ing the pastorate of Rev. Joseph Smith the following pastors have served the church: J. H. Veder, George Vansickle, A. E. Carson, A. T. Norwood, C. P. Kirby, J. W. Graves, F. D. Kennedy and in 1910, U. G. Miller ; R. Richards and M. C. Powers, 1912.
ORGANIZATION OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CIIURCH IN BUFFALO COUNTY
The organization of the Presbyterian Church of Gibbon as appears from the church records was as follows :
"Church organization at Gibbon, Neb.
"This place was visited by Rev. George R. Carroll, district missionary of the
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, GIBBON
BAPTIST CHURCH. GIBBON
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, GIBBON
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
Presbyterian Board of Home Missions for Western Iowa and Nebraska, January 22, 1872. Some families were visited during the day and brief services were held at the schoolhouse (Gibbon) in the evening. On the following day after visiting and consultation with friends interested, it was thought best to proceed at once to the organization of a church. Accordingly at 4 o'clock P. M., January 23, 1872, the people came together and after reading the scripture with remarks appropriate to the occasion and prayer for the Divine blessing the following paper with names attached was read."
The paper referred to was a statement in favor of organizing a Presbyterian Church in this place (Gibbon) to be in connection with the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America.
The charter members signing this paper were D. P. Crable, Mrs. M. J. Crable, F. A. Schweinsbury, Mrs. C. Willard, Mrs. Mary Brady, D. B. Worley, Simon V. Seeley, Mrs. Martha O. Seeley, Henry Fairchild, Mrs. Emma Fairchild, and Miss Joana Rodig. D. B. Worley and Simon V. Seeley were duly elected and ordained as elders and the following resolution adopted :
"Resolved: That this church be called the Presbyterian Church of Gibbon, and that we request the presbytery of Missouri River to receive us as a church under its care."
As appears from the records the following persons became members of this church during the years 1873 and 1874: James E. Judd, Mary A. Judd, T. Dwight Thatcher, Flora M. Thatcher, Harriett M. Brown, Mary E. Marvin, Miss Adelia A. Putnam, James Ogilvie and Margaret Ogilvie, and on January 25, 1874, James Ogilvie and Henry Fairchild were elected and ordained elders. In 1873 was erected the first church building in Buffalo County. This church was erected by contributions from members of the church, citizens of Gibbon and vicinity and with funds furnished by the board of church extension of the Presbyterian Church.
The building was a wooden frame veneered with brick, and was built by H. B. Dexter who also was the builder of the first courthouse in the county. Rev. Charles S. Marvin, a Presbyterian missionary, who was pastor of the church for some years, beginning in January, 1873, was largely instrumental in securing the erection of the building, spending much time and effort and contributing liberally of his limited means. The first service held in this church was on March 23, 1873, conducted by Rev. Charles S. Marvin. This building was also used by the Methodist and Baptist Church organizations. The district missionaries and pastors in charge of this church are as follows, the date given being that of the beginning of their respective terms of service: Rev. George R. Carroll, June, 1872; Rev. C. S. Marvin, January, 1873; Rev. J. H. Rainard, April, 1878; Rev. Thomas Blayne, March, 1879; Rev. Arthur Folsom, Novem- ber, 1882; Rev. C. G. A. Hullhorst, March, 1885; Rev. Julian Hatch, January, 1894; Rev. C. F. Graves, 1896; Rev. Fred C. Phelps, 1897 ; Rev. J. L. Atkinson, 1898; Rev. F. A. Mitchell, April, 1898; Rev. John Steele, June, 1903; Rev. M. O. Reynolds, March, 1904; Rev. R. L. Purdy, 1909; Rev. E. F. Hammond, 1913.
It is related in the early history of the Presbyterian Church at Gibbon, owing to removal of members and from other causes the membership became small and but little interest manifested, that the presbytery had in mind to abandon
172
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
the church organization, there being at the time no resident pastor. The tradi- tion is that Mrs. Margaret Ogilvie, Mrs. Mary Traut and Mrs. N. I. Morrow, all widows, attended the session of the presbytery and urged that the church organization be not abandoned; their petition and prayer was granted and from that date the church organization seemed to take on new life and enter upon a larger sphere of usefulness. The membership increased and in the year 1909 the original "First Church in the county" was razed to the ground and a beauti- ful and commodious building, one of the finest in the county erected at a cost of approximately twelve thousand dollars.
GIBBON METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
A history of the Methodist Church at Gibbon quite properly begins with mention of Rev. J. Marsh who may appropriately be called the "Father" of the church both at Gibbon and the surrounding community. Mr. Marsh and family came to Nebraska from Erie County, Pa., in 1873 and took as a homestead claim on section No. 4 in Gibbon Township.
He at once entered into both the spirit and the work of organizing and build- ing up the Methodist Church, consecrating his life and all his energies in the cause; in this cause he labored for years far beyond his strength and received but little in the way of financial remuneration. On horseback he rode the prairies in all directions, in summer's heat and winter's cold, having one sole object in view, his Master's work and the building up of the Methodist Church.
It appears that under Rev. Wm. Morse's administration no church or class records were kept and to Rev. J. Marsh is due the credit of the brief written history of the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Gibbon and of the classes organized in the vicinity.
From the church records of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Gibbon, is copied the following history of the organization of the church as written by Rev. J. Marsh: "This church record was secured by Rev. A. G. White (presid- ing elder of Kearney district), for Gibbon charge in 1874.
"Gibbon the previous years with Kearney Junction but this year (1874) Gibbon circuit was formed with the following appointments : Gibbon, Erie, Wood River and Prairie Creek with J. Marsh as pastor, transferred Erie (Pa.) to the Nebraska conference the same year.
"The Gibbon and Erie classes were formed by Rev. Wmn. Morse of Wisconsin Conference in 1872. Wood River and Prairie Creek classes were regularly organized in 1873 by J. Marsh then a supernumerary of Erie (Pa.) Con- ference, though there had been a class temporarily formed by Brother Fairchild, but no record being found, the class was organized as above.
"At the foundation of Gibbon charge the entire membership numbered about eighty." "Signed, J. MARSH."
The writer is of the opinion that in the above statement, "At the foundation of Gibbon charge the entire membership numbered about eighty," that this in- cluded the members of classes at Erie, and Prairie Creek as well as at Gibbon. The records disclose that Rev. J. Marsh was returned to the Gibbon charge for 1875-76, and that there were about fifty conversions. Rev. Charles Riley was
-
allatta ifyou at tit
BALLOT BOX USED AT AN ELECTION HELD AT GIBBON IN SEPTEMBER, 1871, TO ADOPT OR RE- JECT A STATE CONSTITUTION. THIS BALLOT BOX-A FRUIT CAN-LABELED AND PRESERVED BY C. PUTMAN.
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
pastor in charge for the year 1876-77, Rev. J. Marsh being returned to the charge for the year 1877-78.
Rev. A. H. Summers was pastor in charge for the years 1879-80, and during this period it seems steps were taken to build a church building at Shelton, which up to that time seems to have been a part of the Gibbon charge. The Shelton church was completed in the year 1880.
It appears that Rev. J. Marsh was returned to the Gibbon charge in Sep- tember, 1880, and continued until September, 1882. It was during this period that the church at Shelton was completed. It appears that during his last pas- torate at Gibbon Rev. J. Marsh preached at Gibbon, at Buckeye Valley, Box Elder Valley and had regular appointments at three other schoolhouses. Rev. C. A. Mastin came to the Gibbon charge in September, 1882, and remained until September, 1885. It was during the pastorate of Rev. C. A. Mastin that the Methodist Church erected their first church building in Gibbon. This church was dedicated March 4, 1883, by Presiding Elder T. B. Lemon. At the dedica- tion a subscription of $1,200 was raised to pay off all indebtedness. For the building of this church great credit is due Samuel B. Lowell and wife for finan- cial assistance. It was during Mr. Mastin's pastorate that Charles E. Fulmer was licensed to preach and assigned to the Sharon charge, which had been a part of the Gibbon charge. The church building, erected in 1883, was struck by lightning in 1899. It is related that no great effort was made to put out the fire, the pastor in charge saying in substance, "Let it burn; we need a new church anyway." Another church building was erected on the same lots in 1900.
As no charter membership list is available, there is herewith given the list of members of classes at Gibbon, Erie and schoolhouse or School District No. 5, as appear in the class records prepared by Rev. J. Marsh. No date is given in the record, but it is assumed it was for the year 1874:
Class No. I, Gibbon, Helim Thompson, Leader .- Helim Thompson, Julia Thompson, Aaron Ward, Mrs. Sarah Ward, Elizabeth Cherry, Charles E. Bray- ton, Mrs. Charles E. Brayton, Lemuel S. Hough, W. H. Wheeler, Jane Wheeler, Mrs. S. A. Jackson, Jerusha Marsh, Milton D. Marsh, J. Eugene Marsh, R. Lu- vern Marsh, Henry H. Haven, Mrs. Henry H. Haven, Mrs. Ann Glanville, J. B. Wheeler, George Gilmore, Jane Gilmore, Cora La Barre, Pauline Wheeler, Monroe D. Breed, Rhoda Breed, Mrs. Mary Day, Mary E. Fee, Minerva Rice, Isaac D. LaBarre, Mrs. Mary LaBarre, Alva G. H. White, Henry J. Dunkin, Thomas J. Mahoney, Mrs. Laura Mahoney.
Class No. 2, Erie Schoolhouse, John K. Lux, Leader .- Samuel B. Lowell, Samuel R. Traut, Caroline Barrett, Clark Washburn, James H. Mills, Julia A. Washburn, John K. Lux, Valentine Armbus, Albert Washburn, John Smith. Nancy Fox, Mrs. Caroline C. Lowell, Mrs. S. R. Traut, Jane Barrett, Benjamin Whittaker, Susan M. Mills, Samuel T. Walker, Mrs. C. M. Lux, Olive Armbus, Sarah J. Washburn, Sarah T. Smith, Nancy Rollston, Abram Barrett, Sarah J. Barrett, Libbie Lowell, Mary Whittaker, Lois N. Ayer, Martha Walker.
Class No. I, No. 5 Schoolhouse, Sydney A. Barrett, Leader .- Sydney A. Bar- rett, Margaret Graham, Eugenia R. Silvernail, John Lucas, Stephen L. Lucas, Nora M. Graham, Cora J. George, Truman J. Hubbard, Cora Hubbard, Delia A. Barrett, C. T. Silvernail, Fred Silvernail, Matilda Lucas, Wesley G. Walker.
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
H. M. Chamberlain, Ida George, Jeanett Hubbard, Dorah Hubbard, Edward G. Graham, Abigal Silvernail, William Roach, Caroline Roach, John H. Graham, Flora A. George, George H. Silvernail, Marcia Silvernail, Hannah T. Walker.
Class No. 2, No. 5 Schoolhouse, Nelson W. Short, Leader .- Nelson W. Short, Martha J. Davis, Terry E. Davis, Emory D. Hubbard, Jeanett Losee, Martin Oard, Lucy A. Rosseter, Nancy M. Short, Lora E. Davis, William C. Wheeler, Frank Hubbard, Robert H. Hick, Hannah Oard, Walter George, Perce T. Davis, Esther Davis, Wilson J. Marsh, Warren A. Losee, Neta Hick, Shelburn Rosseter.
Pastors Methodist Episcopal Church, Gibbon .- William Morse, 1872-73; J. Marsh, 1874-76; Charles Riley, 1876-77; J. Marsh, 1877-78; A. H. Summers, 1879-80; J. Marsh, 1880-82; C. A. Mastin, 1882-85; M. G. Vessels, 1885-86; O. R. Beebe, 1886-89; Price A. Crow, 1889-91 ; James Leonard, 1891-92 ; Erastus Smith, 1892-94; A. B. Chapin, 1894-95; A. W. Coffman, 1895-98; G. F. Cook, 1898-1901; George H. Jones, 1901-02; T. M. Ransom, 1902-05; A. J. Clifton, 1905-08; R. H. Link, 1908-09; A. Gilson, 1909-13; W. E. Henry, October, 1913- November, 1913; O. E. Johnson, 1914 -.
EPISCOPAL
St. Agnes' Chapel (Episcopal) was organized by Reverend Doctor Oliver about the year 1890, with twelve charter members, among whom can be recalled Mrs. M. H. Noble, Mrs. R. J. S. McCallum, Mrs. G. W. Cherrington, Mrs. Doctor Dalrymple, Emma Masters.
It is related that a friend of the Episcopal Church, living in an eastern state, gave to the diocese a block of lots in the Village of Gibbon. These lots, with the exception of one on which the present (1915) church building stands, were sold and the proceeds used by Bishop Graves in the erection of a church build- ing, the people of Gibbon and vicinity contributing towards the expense, Bishop Graves himself contributing liberally. The church building was erected about the year 1892.
The church has had no resident pastor, being supplied from pastors residing at Kearney and Grand Island.
In 1915 the church had a membership of nine.
The St. Agnes' Guild was organized July 21, 1909, with a charter membership of nine. The first officers were: Mrs. Roy Smith, president ; Mrs. R. Carson, vice president ; Mrs. H. E. Hershey, secretary; Mrs. E. Tunks, treasurer. In 1915 the guild had a membership of seventeen. The officers: Mrs. R. Carson, president ; Mrs. I. A. Kirk, vice president ; Mrs. D. Dwiggins, secretary ; Mrs. E. R. Mercer, treasurer.
WOMAN'S CIIRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION
A local organization of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union was insti- tuted at Gibbon July 2, 1905, with eighteen charter members. The first officers were: Mrs. Ada Codner, president ; Miss Ella Codner, secretary ; Mrs. H. J. Dunkin, treasurer.
ECURAJES
SOLDIERS MONUMENT AT GIBBON Gift of the Woman's Relief Corps
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
In 1915 the officers were: Mrs. G. W. DeWolf, president; Mrs. Della Cory, vice president ; Mrs. Minnie Henson, secretary ; Miss Mattie Davis, treasurer.
GIBBON LODGE NO. 37, I. O. O. F.
Of the fraternal orders one of the first, if not the first, to be instituted in the county was Gibbon Lodge No. 37, 1. O. O. F., on May 30, 1873. The instituting officer was Grand Secretary John J. Evans, and the place of meeting the audience room in the newly completed courthouse. The date first fixed to organize the lodge was April 15th, but when that date arrived the memorable and historic blizzard of April, 1873, was raging, making it impossible to hold meetings of any kind, and a later date was taken. The charter members were: John W. Wig- gins, Robert Haines, Sergt. Michael Coady, Vernon T. Mercer, Henry L. Newell and Henry C. Green. The first applications for membership: A. J. Oviatt, H. D. Mercer, D. P. Crable, S. Rosseter, O. E. Thompson, R. E. Barney, I. D. Evans, G. S. Fox, Joseph Owen and I. D. Labarre.
The first officers: N. G., John W. Wiggins; V. G., Vernon T. Mercer; R. S., Henry C. Green ; P. S., Robert Haines ; T., Michael Coady.
During the grasshopper raids in 1875-76 this lodge received and distributed $1,000 among those of its members needing financial assistance.
In 1915 the lodge had a membership of eighty-five. Its chief officers: N. G., John Bauer ; V. G., H. G. Silvernail ; Sec., Earl G. Tunks.
MASONIC
The first Masonic lodge organized in the county was at Gibbon in the year 1873. The meeting was held in the newly finished courthouse. The name of the lodge was Robert Morris No. 46, C. Putnam being W. M.
In the year 1875 this lodge was relocated at Kearney, where it still is in existence.
On February 14, 1889, was instituted Granite Lodge No. 189, with a charter membership of twenty-three and the following officers: Joseph C. Carson, W. M .; James H. Davis, S. W .; Sherman D. Frederick, J. W .; J. E. Williams, secretary. In 1915 the membership was fifty-five. The officers: J. N. Ashburn, W. M .; C. P. Miller, S. W .; C. A. Gordon, J. W .; I. A. Kirk, secretary.
GIBBON CAMP NO. 708, M. W. A.
Gibbon Camp No. 708, M. W. A., was organized August 31, 1888, with twenty-one charter members. The officers: R. S. Woolley, V. C .; M. H. Noble, W. A .; W. H. Buck, clerk; W. C. Drury, escort; G. W. Cherrington, watchman; M. DeWyant, sentry; Thomas Kirk, H. P. Smith, J. H. Murnen, managers ; M. D. Marsh, banker ; Dr. E. Henderson, S. C. Bassett, delegates.
In 1915 the camp had a membership of 102. The officers: T. B. George, V. C .; E. F. Wiggins, W. A .; C. L. Wallace, clerk; W. C. Ogilvie, banker.
WILD ROSE CAMP NO. 38, ROYAL NEIGHBORS OF AMERIC.I
Wild Rose Camp No. 38, Royal Neighbors of America, was organized at Gibbon, August 16, 1893, with twenty-six charter members. Its officers: Carrie
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
M. Marsh, oracle; Martha Woolley, vice oracle; Mattie Pierce, recorder; Frank V. Avery, treasurer. In 1915 the camp had a membership of forty-one. Its officers: Flora Weller, past oracle; Anna George, oracle; Tillie Thomas, vice oracle; Pauline Little, chancellor; Carrie M. Marsh, recorder; Eliza B. Huett, receiver.
G. K. WARREN POST NO. 113, G. A. R.
G. K. Warren Post No. 113, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized August 12, 1882, with the following as charter members: M. V. B. Chapman, H. H. Haven, James H. Davis, U. A. Day, S. A. Berry, S. C. Bassett, D. Tague, T. J. Mahoney, Simon Uhrig, A. Watenpaugh, Dr. Josiah Slick, James Mills, Nelson Schooley, Col. W. T. Beatty, Wm. H. Kelly, Stephen Jones, W. B. Southwell, John Stern, Abram Thompson. Commander of post, M. V. B. Chap- man; adjutant, S. C. Bassett.
During the life of the post the membership reached fifty. The post owns a burial lot in Riverside Cemetery. In the year 1915 the membership of the post was five. Sixty-nine soldiers are buried in Riverside Cemetery, each grave marked with a headstone and each grave cared for at the expense of the Town of Gibbon.
Officers, 1915: S. C. Bassett, commander; Chester Holloway, adjutant.
G. K. WARREN W. R. C. NO. 159
G. K. Warren W. R. C. No. 159 was instituted August 13, 1892, with a charter membership of twenty-eight. Officers: President, Mary E. Mahoney; S. V., Lucia M. Bassett; J. V., Kate Blanchard; secretary, Frances Sturdevant ; treasurer, Mary Robb.
In the year 1915 the corps had a membership of eighty. Officers: President, Blanche McConnaughey; S. V., Louise Gibson; J. V., Lizzie Foxworthy ; secre- tary, Jennie Rodgers; treasurer, June Bassett.
The corps under the leadership of its first president, Mary E. Mahoney, and later under the presidency of Mrs. Ellen Holloway was largely instrumental in having erected, during the years 1894-96, at an expense of approximately $1,500, a soldiers' granite monument in Riverside Cemetery.
GIBBON LODGE NO. 35, A. O. U. W.
Gibbon Lodge No. 35, A. O. U. W., was organized March 28, 1884. Charter members: D. P. Ashburn, L. J. Babcock, S. C. Bassett, H. H. Clark, H. J. Dunkin, George E. Evans, H. F. Flint, J. O. Filer, J. W. Harrel, H. H. Haven, L. B. Hill, D. F. Ingles, Stephen Jones, M. D. Marsh, A. F. Ring, M. W. Win- chester, A. Watenpaugh. Officers: P. M. W., S. C. Bassett; M. W., D. P. Ash- burn; recorder, M. D. Marsh ; financier, L. J. Babcock.
In the year 1915 the membership is 132. Officers: E. E. Thompson, M. W .; R. S. Woolley, recorder; M. D. Marsh, financier.
Photo by S. D. Butcher
DECORATION DAY AT RIVERSIDE CEMETERY, GIBBON, 1912
Members of G. K. Warren Post, G. A. R., from left to right: Post Commander P. E. Fox- worthy; Past Post Commander James Holloway (supporting the flag); W. C. Rizer; Past Post Commander Emory Wyman; Post Chaplain D. G. Sturdevant; Post Adjutant S. C. Bassett; kneeling, A. Watenpangh; W. L. Randall, marshall of the day. Following the post are the members of the G. K. Warren W. R. C. In rear of the procession 140 boys and girls bearing wreaths and flowers with which to decorate the graves of seventy soldiers of the Civil war buried in the cemetery. More than one thousand people of the community were in attendance on the occasion.
FRONT STREET, LOOKING EAST, GIBBON
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
MARY TATE LODGE NO. 52, D. OF H.
Mary Tate Lodge No. 52, Degree of Honor, was instituted March 28, 1893, with a charter membership of eighty-seven. Officers: P. C. of H., Minnie Smith; C. of H., Lucia M. Bassett; L. of H., Metella Dean; C. of C., Emily Ashburn; Rec., Mattie Davis ; Fin., Emma Ring; Treas., Mary Reddy.
In 1915 the lodge had a membership of ninety-two, and insurance certificates in force amounting to $90,000. Officers : P. C., Metella Dean ; C. of H., Blanche McConnaughey ; L. of H., Love Winchester ; C. of C., Pauline Little ; Rec., Flora Fay; Fin., Jessie McComb; Treas., Robbie Dunkin.
EXCALIBUR LODGE NO. 138, K. OF P.
Excalibur Lodge No. 138, Knights of Pythias, was organized at Gibbon, March 24, 1892. The charter members and first officers were: S. D. Frederick, C. C .; G. W. Cherrington, V. C .; Dr. E. L. Robinson, prelate ; E. M. Prouty, M. of A .; B. E. Vesey, M. of E .; James A. Brady, M. of F .; C. C. Holloway, K. of R .; C. S. Steere, I. G .; A. Bigelow, O. G .; C. W. Preston, C. W. McMullen, B. E. Seaver, WV. L. Fox, Fred H. Cosgrove, J. D. Drury, H. W. Brayton.
In 1915 the lodge had a membership of fifty, its officers being: E. S. Harte, C. C .; George Hibberd, V. C .; C. S. Grow, P .; C. A. Webster, M. A .; L. C. Holloway, M. of E .; R. H. Webster, M. of R .; J. D. Drury, K. of R .; Frank Leonard, I. G .; Roscoe Lunger, O. G.
FAITHFUL REBEKAH LODGE NO. 89, I. O. O. F.
Faithful Rebekah Lodge No. 89, I. O. O. F., was instituted July 20, 1893, with a charter membership of twenty-seven. The first officers were: Mary E. Mahoney, N. G .; Phoebe Wiggins, V. G .; Franke Avery, Cor. Sec .; Blanche McConnaughey, Rec. Sec. ; Mary Robinson, Treas. In the year 1915 the lodge had a membership of fifty-four. The officers were: Emma Taylor, N. G .; Lillian Jones, V. G .; Lyllian Webster, Sec .; Mae Strong, Treas .; Olive Miller, Past N. G.
Vol. 1-12
CHAPTER XXXV
KEARNEY-KEARNEY JUNCTION TIMES-CENTRAL NEBRASKA PRESS-KEARNEY HUB-KEARNEY DEMOCRAT-KEARNEY ENTERPRISE-NEW ERA STANDARD- KEARNEY MORNING TIMES-WATSON RANCH-CITIZENS WHO HAVE GAINED OF- FICIAL STATE DISTINCTION-FOUNDING OF KEARNEY-INCORPORATION OF TOWN OF KEARNEY-NEWSPAPERS-EARLY REMINISCENCES-SCIIOOL ESTABLISHED- SOCIETIES-CHURCHES-BANKS-ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 7, KEARNEY-ORGANIZATION OF FIRST CHURCH IN COUNTY-ORGANIZATION OF W. C. T. U. IN COUNTY-VISIT OF MISS FRANCIS E. WILLARD, NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF W. C. T. U .- ORGANIZATION OF WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY-PRE- SENTED WITH A DEED OF FIRST LOT DISPOSED OF IN ORIGINAL TOWN OF KEARNEY JUNCTION.
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