USA > Nebraska > Polk County > Centennial history of Polk county, Nebraska > Part 2
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The first child born in Osceola was Evan Mickey, son of John H. and Morinda Mickey, January 26, 1874.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1872, with L. F. Whitehead as pastor, and with a membership of seven. Their present number is about ninety. Present pastor, J. Q. A. Fleharty.
The Congregational Church was organized in Oc- tober, 1872. Pastor, C. C. Humphrey. Member- ship sixteen at organization. Present membership largely increased. Rev. Simon Barrows present pastor.
At the end of the year 1871 not over fifty acres of land were under cultivation. It is estimated that at present over 9,000 acres are being cultivated.
The postoffice at Osceola was established in 1872, William E. Loring, Postmaster. The office he held at his residence. Osceola was the terminus of the mail route from Lincoln via Ulysses, and the ser- vice thereon was once a week.
Most of the natural timber in the precinct is I found along Davis creek, and comprises about five acres. Of artificial timber now growing there are about 300 acres.
Present population, according to census of 1876, 473.
STROMSBURG PRECINCT.
The first settler in the precinct was Wm. H. Records, who made settlement in the fall of 1869. B. F. Smith, Thomas Records, J. P. Smith, A. P. Buckley, P. T. Buckley, J. C. Smith and A. L. Lar- son made settlement early in the spring of 1870.
The town of Stromsburg was located and sur- veyed, in the summer of 1872, by Lewis Headstrom, who acted under the instructions of the Stromsburg Town Company. The first building in the town was erected in the fall of 1872, but was not occupied
The town of Osceola was located at a general elec- ' until the winter of 1873.
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Centennial History of Polk County, Nebraska.
Nearly everything in the business line is repre- ) with E. J. Hancock as pastor, membership about sented, and the town enjoys a large and lucrative twenty. trade from the surrounding country. The present population is about 100, and increasing rapidly.
The first school district organized was District No. Ten (10), in the winter of 1872, Mr. J. A. Palmer. teacher. Number of scholars in school six (6). Messrs. J. P. Smith, Thos. Records and Wm. A. Shoemaker were members of the first school board. There are now six (6) school districts in the pre- cinct, with a total of 180 scholars.
The first church organization was formed in the summer of 1873; denomination Baptist, wiih an original membership of fifteen (15). The present membership is seventy-three (73). Charles Lund- gren was the first pastor.
The second church organized was the Lutheran, which was formed in the fall of 1874, J. Lundberg, pastor. This denomination has a membership of about 30.
The Congregational Church of Pleasant Prairie in this precinct was organized in the fall of 1873, with a membership of seven (7). Rev. Simon Barrows, pastor. This church has largely increased in num- bers, and is in a flourishing condition.
The Methodist Episcopal Church formed a society of considerable numbers during the winter of 1875-'76. Rev. Mr. Brannon, pastor.
The Baptists and Lutherans have each a church building worth together over $3,000.
In the year 1871 about fifteen acres of prairie were under cultivation. At present 8,386 acres.
The first postoffice was established in Stromsburg in the winter of 1873. J. C. Smith, Postmaster.
There are about fifteen acres of natural timber in the precinct, principally found along Blue river. There are at present 500 acres of artificial timber in the precinct.
Total population of the precinct, according to cen- sus of 1876, 559.
PLEASANT HOME PRECINCT.
Pleasant Home precinct is in the southwestern part of the county, and S. C. Davis has the honor of being its first settler. He came into the county the 29th of October, 1870. Shortly after Milo Barber, William Maston, J. N. Nickell, John and Henry Marty, J. D. Darrow and J. N. Skelton made settle- ment.
In the fall of 1872 School District No. 6 was or- ganized with fifteen scholars. Jay N. Skelton, teacher. The members of the School Board were C. J. Doremus, J. N. Nickell and S. C. Davis.
In the summer of 1872 Pleasant Home Postoffice was established, with S. C. Davis as Postmaster.
The United Brethren was the first church to form an organization, which they did in the fall of 1872, with a membership of four. Henry Spafford was their pastor. Their present membership is about thirty-four.
There is also an organization of Adventists, with a membership of fourteen ; Rev. Mr. Boyd, pastor.
During the year 1871 abont sixty-five acres of prairie was broken. At present between 5,000 and 6,000 acres.
There is no natural timber of any account in the precinct. Between 350 and 400 acres of artificial timber.
Present population of the precinct, 420.
PLATTE PRECINCT.
The precinct of Platte derives its name from Platte river, and is situated in the northern part of the county.
Messrs. P. C. King and W. T. Dodge took Govern- ment claims in March, 1871, and Messrs. Guy, Faus- tus and James Beebe in April following. J. A. Powers and A. G. Sherwood, Geo. W. Cadwell, Oli- ver Scott, and others, came in shortly after.
School District No. 7 was organized in the fall of 1871, although the school house was not built until 1872. The school consisted of eight scholars, John P. Heald, teacher.
The School Board consisted of the following gen- tlemen : Moderator, Guy Beebe; Director, John Lohr; Treasurer, Oliver Scott.
The first postoffice in the precinct was established at Thornton, in August, 1874, J. N. Hurd, Post- master, who is still in charge of the office.
The first church organized was that of the United Brethren, with a membership of six. The organiz- ation was made in December, 1872, Hem y Spafford, pastor.
A Methodist organization was effected in March, 1875, with a membership of eleven. Present mem- bership nearly doubled. First Pastor, E. J. Han- cock.
The Lutheran Church (Swede) organized a few months since, and has quite a large membership. This denomination is now building a church in the southeastern part of the precinct.
Number of acres of prairie under cultivation at the end of the year 1875, 47 ; number of acres now under cultivation, 3,350.
There is but little natural timber in the precinct ; what there is consisting of willows and small brush, growing along Platte river.
There are about eighty (80) acres of artificial tim- bar in the precinct.
Present population, 250.
VALLEY PRECINCT.
The first settler in Valley precinct was B. H. Keller, who made settlement in the spring of 1871. Charles R. Clark, J. W. Sheldon, Levi Kelley and James Bell came in about the same time.
W. B. Daymude, James Harmon, William Stevens, D. C, Place, Andreas Horst, John and Joseph Cur-
The Methodists, in the fall of 1875, organized |ran, M. C. Stull, John Benson, Collin and Robert
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Centennial History of Polk County, Nebraska.
Beebe and Thomas Clark were among the first settlers.
The first school district organized was Number Five (5), in June, 1871, with James Bell as teacher, Members of School Board-James Harmon, Mod- er ator ; James Bell, Director ; and William Stevens Treasurer.
The first church organized was the Methodist: Rev. Mr. Whitehead, pastor. Original member- ship, 7.
At the end of the year 1871, there was less than 200 acres of prairie under cultivation. At present, over 9,000 acres.
Number of acres of natural timber, 100; arti- ficial timber, 80 acres.
Population, 1871.
20
Population, 1876. 326
RECAPITULATION.
Number of people in the county at the end of year 1870. 90
In 1876.
3,353
Increase .3,263
Percentage of increase, 6 years .3,625 per cent. Average increase per year. 604 per cent. Number of scholars in county, 1871 120 In 1876 . 1,141
Increase. 1,021
Percentage of increase, 5 years 850 per cent. Average increase per year. 170 per ceut.
Number of acres of prairie broken at the end of year 1871 742
In 1876.
53,906
Increase, 5 years. . 53,164
Value of school property, 1871
$
800
Value of school property, 1876.
15,142
Increase 5 years. .$14,342
Acres of natural timber, 1871 785
Acres of natural timber, 1876. same
Acres of artificial timber, 1871 none
Acres of artificial timber, 1876.
2,020
Valuation of personal property, 1871 .$ 6,960.00 Valuation of personal property, 1876 195,454.60 Total valuation of real and personal prop- erty, 1876 .$810,236.00
We have thus detailed as correctly and in as re- liable a manner as possible the history of Polk county, from her formation to the year 1876, the centennial year of the nation.
Our progress, although it has been marvelously rapid, has nevertheless been solid and substantial. We, or those who may come after us, need have no cause to be ashamed cf the origin and development of our county, as exhibited in her advancement of the past five years.
That the next centennial year of the republic may see Polk county in the front rank and the peer of any in the State, in civilization, culture, wealth and refinement. as she is to-day, is the wish of your historiau.
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APPENDIX.
We herewith append as items of interest to those contemplating emi- gration, a few facts in regard to lands, wages of mechanics, prices, etc.
LAND.
There is some Government Land in the county, but the choicest tracts have been occupied.
Three classes of Government claims can be taken-Homestead, Pre- emption and Timber claims.
Eighty (80) acres can be taken as Homestead by any citizen of the United States, or one who has declared his intention to become such, and one hundred and sixty (160) acres by any person who has been in the mili- tary service of the United States 90 days during the rebellion. Govern- ment fees $14.00 and $18.00 respectively. Pre-emption claims consist of 160 acres and must be paid for at the rate of $2.50 per acre. Any . person above the age of 21 years, can enter 160 acres as a Timber Culture claim upon setting out 40 acres of forest trees on the tract so taken, and at the end of ten years will receive a patent from the Government.
All of these claims are exempt from taxation until a patent is received from the United States.
Railroad lands can be purchased in the county at from $2.50 to $6.00 per acre, according to location, on from 5 to 10 years time. with 6 per cent. interest.
Lands can be bought from other parties at prices ranging from $3.00 to $10.00 according to location, improvement, etc.
Messrs. John H. Mickey and A. Nance of Osceola and Lewis Head- strom of Stromsburg, are agents for the sale of lands in the county.
WAGES.
Carpenters' wages are from $2.50 to $3.00 per day; Stone Masons' and Plasterers' $4.00 to $5.00; Painters' $2.50 to $4.00. Common labor is not very ninch in demand, as farmers, until their farms are more thoroughly improved, can do most of their own work.
Farm labor commands from $16.00 to $22.00 per month and board. Day laborers from $1.00 to $1.50.
PRICE LIST.
Lumber
$22.00 to $27.00.
Lime. $2.25 to $2.50.
Brick $11.00 per M.
Horses. $200 to $300 per pair.
Work Oxen. $75.00 to $140 per yoke.
$25.00 to $40.00.
Milch Cows.
Groceries, Dry Goods, Furniture, etc. etc., are about the same in price as in the East.
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THE
OSCEOLA RECORD
IS THE ONLY PAPER PUBLISHED IN POLK COUNTY,
AND AFFORDS
THE BEST POSSIBLE MEDIUM FOR ADVERTISING IN TIIIS LOCALITY.
It furnishes FULL and DEFINITE INFORMATION concerning the resources of the County and its advantages as a location for those who desire to settle
IN THE STATE OF NEBRASKA.
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE :
$1.50 PER ANNUM.
S. F. FLEHARTY,
Editor and Proprietor.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 0 016 087 747 9
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