USA > Nebraska > Compendium of history, reminiscence, and biography of Nebraska : containing a history of the state of Nebraska also a compendium of reminiscence and biography containing biographical sketches of hundreds of prominent old settlers and representative citizens of Nebraska > Part 17
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Werner, E., Richardson county, session 22. West, F. S., session 31.
Westcott, M. H., Lancaster county, sessions 17, 18. Westover, H., Valley county, session 21.
Wetherald, F. M., Thayer county, session 20. Whedon, C. O., Lancaster county, sessions 16, 17, 18.
Wheeler, C. F., Furnas county, sessions 25, 26. Wheeler, C. H., Nehama county, sessions 9, 10. Whelpley, D. P., Platte county, session 14. Whitcomb, E. W., Saline county, session 14. White, A. K., Lancaster county, sessions 9, 10. White, E. O., Hall county, session 30. White, Francis E., Cass county, sessions 20, 21, 22. White, F. E., Knox county, session 19. Whitehead, J., Custer county, session 21. Whitford, A. D., Dixon county, session 21.
Whitham, J. W., Johnson county, sessions 29, 30. Whitmore, John A., Hamilton county, session 27. Whitmore, W. G., Douglas county, sessions 19, 20. Whitney, Howard, Sarpy county, session 30. Whitzel, I. J., Fillmore county, session 18. Whyman, F. E., Gage county, session 21. Wickham, J., Richardson county, session 8. Wiedensall, J., Douglas county, sessions 11, 12, 13. Wilbur, R. H., Dakota county, session 1. Wilbur, R. S., Dakota county, sessions 9, 10. Wilcox, Burton E., Douglas county, session 27. Wilcox, J. A., Redwillow county, session 21.
Wilcox, L. T., Douglas county, session 14. Wilcox, W. T., Lincoln county, session 26. Wilder, T. G., Webster county, session 24. Wiles, I., Cass county, sessions 2, 3, 4. Wilhelmsen, J., Howard county, session 20. Wilkinson, Richard, Cass county, session 27. Williams, H., Nemaha county, session 19. Williams, J. W., Gage county, sessions 21, 22. Willams, T. J., Franklin county, session 22.
Wilsey, A. E., (York, Hamilton) counties, sessions 16, 20. Wilson, C. G., Webster county, session 22.
Wilson, F. C., Custer county, session 30.
Wilson, J., Buffalo county, session 23. Wilson, J. L., York county, session 20. Wilson, V. E., session 31.
Wilson, W. H., Pawnee county, sessions 28, 29. Wimberly, T. M., Lancaster county, session 25.
Windham, R. B., Cass county, sessions 15, 16, 17, 29.
Winslow, W., Gosper county, session 25. Winspear, J. H., Douglas county, session 19. Winter, T., Brown county, session 21. Wissenburgh, H., Lancaster county, session 18. Withnell, C. H., Douglas county, session 23. Wolbach, S. N., Hall county, session 19. Wolenweber, N., Seward county, session 20. Wolfe, T., Seward county, session 14. Wolph, H. C., Cass county, session 18. Woodard, J. M., Hamilton county, sessions 25, 26. Woods, J. D., Sheridan county, session 23.
Woolworth, J. M., Douglas county, sessions 3, 4. Wooster, C., Merrick county, session 25. Worl, W., Lancaster county, session 18. Worthing, H., Dawson county, sessions 30, 31. Wright, J. B., Lancaster county, session 19. Wright, J. H., Nuckolls county, sessions 25, 26. Wright, P. G., Dixon county, session 20. Wright, W. F., Pawnee county, sessions 11, 12, 13.
Wyatt, C. C., Madison county, sessions 16, 17. Wyman, E., Buffalo county, session 26. Yeiser, J. O., Douglas county, session 25. York, W. R., Johnson county, session 15. Young, B., Thayer county, session 18. Young, L. J., session 31.
Young, J. R., Douglas county, session 20.
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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.
Young, T. T., Cass county, sessions 25, 26. Yutzy, J. C., Richardson county, sessions 20, 21. Zellers, M. T., Dodge county, session 26. Ziegler, J. A., Cedar county, sessions 15, 16, 17. Zimmerman, D. S., York county, session 25. Zimmerman, P. F., Madison county, session 27. Zimmerer, A., Otoe county, sessions 5, 6, 7. Zimmerer, F., Dawson county, session 27. Zink, J. W., Sherman county, session 24. Zink, V., Johnson county, session 24. Zuelow, Otto, Colfax county, session 29.
TERRITORIAL OFFICERS.
The following is a list of the various gentlemen who filled the most important positions in Nebraska during territorial times, viz:
Governors .- Francis Burt served from October 16, 1854, until the time of his death, October 18, 1854, and the vacancy was filled by Secretary T. B. Cuming to February 20, 1855. Mark W. Izard from February 20, 1855, to October 25, 1857,when he resigned, and the vacancy was filled by Secretary Cuming to January 12, 1858. Wil- liam A. Richardson from January 12, 1858, to December 5, 1858, when his death occurred, and the vacancy was filled by Secretary J. Sterling Morton until May 2, 1859. The next was Samuel W. Black, who served until February 24, 1861, when he resigned to enter the army, and the va- caney was again filled by J. Sterling Morton. Alvin Saunders was the next incumbent of the office of governor, and served until February 21, 1867.
Secretaries .- Thomas B. Cuming from August 13, 1854, to the time of his death, March 12, 1858. John B. Motley from March 23 to July 12, 1858. J. Sterling Morton from July 12, 1858, to May 6, 1861. Algernon S. Paddock until February 21, 1867.
Auditors .- Charles B. Smith, March 16, 1855, to August 3, 1857. Samuel L. Campbell to June 1, 1858. William E. Moore to August 2, 1858. Robert C. Jordan to October 8, 1861. William E. Harvey to October 10, 1865, when he was suc- ceeded by the last under territorial organization, John Gillespie.
Treasurers .- B. P. Rankin was the first territor- ial treasurer. Term of office began March 16, 1855. He was succeeded by William W. Wyman, whose term began November 6, 1855. Augustus Kountze was next. Term of office began October 8, 1861.
Librarians .- The first was James S. Izard, whose term of office began March 16, 1855. H. C. Anderson, term began November 6, 1855. John H. Kellom, term began August 3, 1857. Alonzo D. Luce, term began November 7, 1859. Robert S. Knox, term began June, 1861.
Supreme Court, Chief Justices .- Tenner Fer- guson, term began October 12, 1854. Augustus Hall, term began March 15, 1858. William Pitt Kellogg, term began May 27, 1861. William Kel- logg, term began May 8, 1865. William A. Little, 1866, died in office. Oliver P. Mason, 1866.
Supreme Court, Associate Justices .- Edward
R. Harden, term began December 4, 1854. James Bradley, October 25, 1854. Samuel W. Black, 1857. Eleazer Wakeley, April 22, 1857. Joseph Miller, April 9, 1859. William E. Lockwood, May . 16, 1861. Joseph E. Streeter, November 18, 1861. Elmer S. Dundy, June 22, 1863.
Clerks of the Supreme Court .- H. C. Anderson, 1856. Charles S. Salisbury, 1858. E. B. Chand- ler, 1859. John H. Kellom, 1861. William Kel- logg, Jr., 1865.
District Attorneys .- D. S. McGary, term of of- fice began May 10, 1855. Jonathan H. Smith, June 9, 1855. S. A. Strickland, June 11, 1855. John M. Latham, November 6, 1855. Jacob Safford, November 6, 1855. William Kline, November, 1855. James G. Chapman, August 3, 1857. William McLennan, August 3, 1857. George W. Doane, August 3, 1857. U. C. Johnson, October 11, 1859.
United States Marshals .- Mark W. Izard, term of office began October 28, 1854. Eli R. Doyle, April 7, 1855. Benjamin P. Rankin, March 29, 1856. Phineas W. Hitchcock, September 19, 1861.
Territorial Delegates to Congress .- Napoleon B. Gidding, elected December 12, 1854. Bird B. Chapman, elected November 6, 1855. Tenner Ferguson, elected August 3, 1857. Experience Estabrook, elected October 11, 1859. Samuel G. Daily, elected October 9, 1860. Phineas W. Hitchcock, elected October 11, 1864.
STATE OFFICERS OF NEBRASKA FROM ITS ORGANIZATION.
In the following pages we give a list of all the most important state officials of Nebraska from the time of its organization as a state :
Governors .- David Butler from February 21, 1867, to June 2, 1871. Elected in 1866, but did not enter upon the duties of the office until the admission of the state into the union. Wm. H. James, acting governor from June 2, 1871, to ary 13, 1873, to January 11, 1875. Silas Garber. January 13, 1873. Robert W. Furnas from Janu- term began January 11, 1875. Albinus Nance, term began January 9, 1879. James W. Dawes, term began January 4, 1888. John M. Thayer, term began January 6, 1887. James E. Boyd, term began January 8, 1891. Lorenzo Crounse, term began January 13, 1893. Silas A. Holcomb, term began January 3, 1895. William A. Poyn- ter, term began January 5, 1899. Charles H. Dietrich, term began January 3, 1901. John H. Mickey, term began January, 1903. George L. Sheldon, term began January, 1907. A. C. Shal- lenberger, term began January, 1909. Chester H. Aldrich, term began January, 1911.
Lieutenant Governors .- Orthman A. Abbott, term began January 4, 1877. Edmund C. Carns, term began January 1, 1879. A. W. Agee, term began January 4, 1883. H. H. Shedd, term began January 8, 1885. George D. Meikeljohn, term began January 3, 1889. Thomas J. Majors, term began January 6, 1891. Robert E. Moore, term
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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.
began January 3, 1895. James E. Harris, term began January 7, 1897. E. A. Gilbert, term began January 5, 1899. Ezra P. Savage, term began January 3, 1901. Edmund G. McGilton, term be- gan January, 1903. M. R. Hopewell term began January, 1907; re-elected, term began January, 1909; re-elected, term began January, 1911.
Secretaries of State .- Thomas P. Kennard, term of office began February 21, 1867. William H. James, term began January 10, 1871; acting gov- ernor from June 2, 1871, to January 13, 1873. John J. Gosper, term began January 13, 1873. Bruno Tehuck, term began January 11, 1875. S. J. Alexander, term began January 9, 1879. Edward P. Roggen, term began January 4, 1883. Gilbert L. Laws, term began January 6, 1887; resigned November 20, 1889, to fill unexpired term in congress caused by the death of James Laird. Benjamin R. Cowdery, appointed by Gov- ernor Thayer to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Secretary Laws, term began No- vember 20, 1889. John C. Allen, term began January 8, 1891. Joel A. Piper, term began Jan- uary 3, 1895. William F. Porter, term began January 7, 1897. George W. Marsh, term began January 3, 1901. A. Galusha, term began Janu- ary, 1905. George C. Junkin, term began Janu- ary, 1907; re-elected November, 1908. Addison Wait, term began January, 1911.
State Auditors .- John Gillespie, term of office began February 21, 1867. Jefferson B. Weston, term began January 13, 1873. F. W. Liedtke, term began January 9, 1879. John Wallicks, term began November 12, 1880. H. A. Bab- cock, term began January 8, 1885. Thomas H. Benton, term began January 3, 1889. Eugene Moore, term began January 13, 1893. John F. Cornell, term began January 7, 1897. Charles Weston, term began January 3, 1901. Edward M. Searle, Jr., term began January, 1905. Silas R. Barton, term began January, 1909.
State Treasurers .- August Kountze, term of office began February 21, 1867. James Sweet, term began January 11, 1869. Henry A. Koenig, term began January 10, 1871. J. C. McBride, term began January 11, 1875. George M. Bart- lett, term began January 9, 1879. Phelps D. Sturdevant, term began January 4, 1883. Charles H. Willard, term began January 8, 1885 John E. Hill, term began January 3, 1889. Jos- eph S. Bartley, term began January 13, 1893. John B. Messerve, term began January 7, 1897. William Steufer, term began January 3, 1901. Peter Mortensen, term began January, 1903. L. G. Brian, term began January, 1907. W. A. George, term began January, 1911.
Attorneys General .- Champion S. Chase, term of office began February 21, 1867. Seth Robin- son, term began January 11, 1869. Geo. H. Rob- erts, term began January 10, 1871. J. R. Web- ster, term began January 13, 1873. Geo. H. Roberts, term began January 11, 1875. C. J. Dilworth, term began January 9, 1879. Isaac
Powers, Jr., term began January 4, 1883. Will- iam Leese, term began January 8, 1885. George H. Hastings, term began January 8, 1891. Arthur S. Churchill, term began January 3, 1895. Con- stantin J. Smyth, term began January 7, 1897. Frank N. Prout, term began January 3, 1901. Norris Brown, term began January, 1905. Wm. T. Thompson, term began January, 1907. Grant G. Martin, term began January, 1911.
Commissioners of Public Lands and Buildings. -This office was created in 1875. F. M. Davis, term of office began January 4, 1877. A. G. Ken- dall, term began January 6, 1881. Joseph Scott, term began January 8, 1885. John Steen, term began January 3, 1889. A. R. Humphrey, term began January 8, 1891. Henry C. Russell, term began January 3, 1895. William V. Wolfe, term began January 7, 1897. George D. Follmer, term began January 3, 1901. Henry M. Eaton, term began January, 1905. Edward B. Cowles, term began January, 1909.
Superintendents of Public Instruction .- This office was created by the act of the legislature February 15, 1869. S. De Witt Beals was appoint- ed by Governor Butler, term of office began Feb- ruary 16, 1869. J. M. Mckenzie, term began Jan- uary 10, 1871. S. R. Thompson, term began Janu- ary 4, 1877. W.W.W. Jones, term began January 6, 1881. George B. Lane, term began January 6, 1887. A. K. Goudy, term began January, 1891. Henry R. Corbett, term began January 3, 1895. William R. Jackson, term began January 7, 1897. William K. Fowler, term began January 3, 1901. Jasper L. MeBrien, term began January, 1905. E. C. Bishop, term began January, 1909. James W. Crabtree, term began January, 1911.
Supreme Court, Chief Justices .-- Oliver P. Ma- son appointed by Governor Butler, term began 1867. Geo. B. Lake, term began January 16, 1873. Daniel Gantt, term began January 3, 1878. Samuel Maxwell, term began May 29, 1878. Geo. B. Lake, term began January 5, 1882. Amasa Cobb, term began January 3, 1884. Samuel Max- well, term began January 7, 1886. M. B. Reese, term began January 5, 1888. Amasa Cobb, term began January 9, 1890. Samuel Maxwell, term began January 7, 1892. T. L. Norval, term began January 4, 1894. A. M. Post, term began Janu- ary 9, 1896. T. O. C. Harrison, term began Janu- ary 6, 1898. T. L. Norval, term began January 4, 1900. John J. Sullivan, term began January, 1903. Silas A. Holcomb, term began January, 1905. S. H. Sedgwick, term began January, 1907. M. B. Reese, term began January, 1911.
Supreme Court, Associate Justices .- George B. Lake, term of office began February 21, 1867; re- elected 1872-1877. Lorenzo Crounze, term began February 21, 1867. Daniel Gantt, term began January 16, 1873. Samuel Maxwell, term began January 16, 1873; re-elected 1877-1887. Amasa Cobb, term began May 29, 1878; appointed to fill vacancy; elected 1878; re-elected 1879-1885. M. B. Reese, term began January 3, 1884. T. L. Nor-
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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.
val, term began January 9, 1890; re-elected 1895. A. M. Post, term began 1892. T. O. C. Harrison, term began January 4, 1894. John J. Sullivan, term began January 6, 1898. Silas A. Holcomb, term began January 4, 1900. Samuel H. Sedg- wick, term began January, 1903. John B. Barnes, term began January, 1905. C. B. Letton, term be- gan January, 1907. Jesse R. Root, term began January, 1909. W. B. Rose, term began January, 1911. Jacob Fawcett and S. H. Sedgwick.
Supreme Court, 1911-1912 .- M. B. Reese, chief justice ; J. B. Barnes, C. B. Letton, Jesse R. Root, W. B. Rose, Jacob Fawcett and S. H. Sedgwick.
REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS.
Territorial Delegates in Congress .- Napoleon B. Gidding, elected December 12, 1854. Bird B. Chapman, November 6, 1855. Fenner Ferguson, August 3, 1857. Experience Estabrook, October 11, 1854. Samuel G. Daily, October 9, 1869. Phineas W. Hitchcock, October 11, 1864.
United States Senators .- The following is a list of different parties who have represented Ne- braska in the United States senate since the ad- mission of the state into the union, viz: John M. Thayer, 1867-71; Thomas W. Lipton, 1867-75; Phineas W.
Hitchcock, 1871-77; Al- gernon S. Paddock, 1875-81; Alvin Saunders, 1877-83; C. H. VanWyck, 1881-87; Charles F. Manderson, 1883-95; Algernon S. Paddock, 1887- 93; W. V. Allen, 1893-99; John M. Thurston, 1895-1901; H. L. Hayward, 1899, died in office ; W. V. Allen, 1899-1901; Charles H. Dietrich, 1901; Joseph H. Millard, 1901; E. J. Burket, 1907; Norris Brown and Gilbert M. Hitchcock.
Representatives .- The following is a list of the different parties who have represented the vari- ous Nebraska districts in the house of represent- atives since the organization of the state govern- ment :
XXXIX Congress, 1865-67, T. M. Marquette. Mr. Marquette, who was elected to represent No- braska in the house, presented his credentials March 2, the day following President Johnson's proclamation of the admission of Nebraska, and thereby limited his own term to the short period of two days, as this session expired March 4, 1867. XL Congress, 1867-69, John Taffe.
XLI Congress, 1869-71, John Taffe.
XLII Congress, 1871-73, John Taffe.
XLIII Congress, 1873-75, Lorenzo Crounze.
XLIV Congress, 1875-77, Lorenzo Crounze.
XLV Congress, 1877-79, Frank Welch. Thom- as J. Majors to fill vacancy.
XLVI Congress, 1879-81, E. K. Valentine.
XLVII Congress, 1881-83, E. K. Valentine.
XLVIII Congress, 1883-85-First district, A. J. Weaver; second district, James Laird; third dis- trict, E. K. Valentine.
XLIX Congress, 1885-87-First district, A. J. Weaver; second district, James Laird; third dis- trict, Geo. W. E. Dorsey.
L Congress, 1887-89-First district, John A. McShane ; second district, James Laird; third dis- trict, Geo. W. E. Dorsey.
LI Congress, 1889-91-First district, W. J. Con- nell; second district, James Laird (died in office and Gilbert L. Laws filled vacancy) ; third dis- trict, Geo. W. E. Dorsey.
LII Congress, 1891-93-First district, W. J. Bryan; second district, W. A. McKeighan; third district, O. M. Kem.
LIII Congress, 1893-95-First district, W. J. Bryan; second district, H. D. Mercer; third dis- trict, George Meiklejohn; fourth district, E. J. Hainer; fifth district, W. A. McKeighan; sixth district, O. M. Kem.
LIV Congress, 1895-97-First district, J. B. Strode; second district, H. D. Mercer; third dis- trict, George Meiklejohn; fourth district, E. J. Hainer; fifth district, W. E. Andrews; sixth dis- trict, O. M. Kem.
LV Congress, 1897-99-First district, Jesse B. Strode; second district, David H. Mercer; third district, Samuel Maxwell; fourth district, Wil- liam L. Stark; fifth district, R. E. Sutherland ; sixth district, William L. Green.
LVI Congress, 1899-1901-First district, E. J. Burkett; second district, David H. Mercer; third district, John S. Robinson; fourth district, Wil- liam L. Stark; fifth district, R. D. Sutherland; sixth district, William L. Green (died in office, William Nevill to fill vacancy).
LVII Congress, 1901-03-First district, Elmer J. Burkett; second district, David H. Mercer; third district, John S. Robinson; fourth district, William L. Stark; fifth district, A. C. Shallenber- ger; sixth district, William Nevill.
LVIII Congress, 1903-05-First district, Elmer J. Burkett; second district, Gilbert M. Hitchcock; third district, J. J. McCarthy ; fourth district, Ed- mund H. Hinshaw; fifth district, George W. Nor- ris; sixth district, Moses P. Kinkaid.
LIX Congress, 1905-07-First district, Elmer J. Burkett; second district, John L. Kennedy ; third district, J. J. McCarthy ; fourth district, Edmund H. Hinshaw; fifth district, Geo. W. Norris; sixth district, Moses P. Kinkaid.
LX Congress, 1907-09-First district, E. M. Pollard; second district, G. M. Hitchcock; third district, J. T. Boyd; fourth district, Edmund H. Hinshaw; fifth district, George W. Norris; sixth district, Moses P. Kinkaid.
LXI Congress, 1909-11-First district, John A. Maguire; second district, Gilbert M. Hitchcock; third district, James P. Latta; fourth district, Edmund H. Hinshaw ; fifth district, Geo. W. Nor- ris; sixth district, Moses P. Kinkaid.
LXII Congress, 1911-13-First district, John A. Maguire ; second district, C. O. Lobeck; third dis- trict, James P. Latta ; fourth district, Chas. Sloan ; fifth district, George W. Norris; sixth district, Moses P. Kinkaid.
CHAPTER IV.
STATE INSTITUTIONS, SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS.
THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA.
The University of Nebraska, located at Lincoln, was founded by an act of the legislature passed in 1869. It was opened and students received in 1871. The various acts of the legislature provid- ing for its organization authorized the estab- lishing of various departments, and laid the ground work for one of the greatest educational institutions in the union. Allen R. Benton, Ph. D., was the first chancellor.
The university comprises the graduate school, the college of literature, science and the arts, the industrial college, the college of law, schools of agriculture, mechanical arts and domestic sci- ence. Collegiate courses preparatory to law and journalism and medicine, as well as the special teachers' course and summer sessions, are offered. The regents of the university have also entrusted to their care the U. S. experiment station, and the central office of the Nebraska section of the cli- mate and crop service of the U. S. weather bureau is located within its grounds. Courses in univer- sity extension, including farmers' institutes, are given as a means of education to those be- yond the bounds of the university., Admission to the university is by certificate from about seven- ty-five accredited schools or by examination. The degrees are A. B .; B. Sc .; B. Sc. in engineering courses ; LL. B .; A. M .; and Ph. D. Tuition is free except in the professional and special courses. where a nominal fee is charged. A matriculation fee of five dollars is provided by statute. A sys- tem of fellowships and scholarships exists, and in each county maintaining a first-class three or four year high school a scholarship is awarded the student passing the best competitive examina- tion. Several prizes are offered along certain lines of college activity, such as oratory and liter- ature. The university has a campus in the cen- ter of the city of Lincoln of twelve acres, and an experiment station farm of three hundred and twenty acres. There is a score of buildings, the most prominent being university hall, the chemi- cal laboratory, Grant memorial hall containing the armory and gymnasium, library building, Nebraska hall, mechanic arts hall, the library, the Pathotriological laboratory, dairy hall and soldiers' memorial hall.
The college farm (including the experiment
station farm) was secured by the exchange of state land and the payment of about $20,000 out of state funds. The property is now valued at about a quarter of a million dollars. On the farm are the buildings for the use of the experi- ment station. The total value of the entire prop- erty of the university is now estimated at over one million dollars.
THE STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
The fifth territorial legislature, in an act op- proved October 14, 1858, providing for the or- ganization of county agricultural societies, es- tablished a territorial board of agriculture to re- ceive and digest reports from, and of the several organizations, and to hold annual meetings for the purpose of deliberating and consulting as to the wants, prospects and conditions of the agri- cultural interests throughout the territory. This board as originally constituted, consisted of Thomas Gibson, Harrison Johnson, A. D. Jones, E. Estabrook, J. M. Thayer, Christian Bobst, Robert W. Furnas, Jesse Cole, S. A. Chambers, Jerome Hoover, Mills S. Reeves, Broad Cole, J. C. Lincoln, Harlan Baird, Joel T. Griffin and E. H. Chaplin, duly created a body corporate, with perpetual succession, empowered to fill vacancies in its membership, and to elect officers in its dis- cretion.
The first meeting of the board was held in Omaha, October 30, 1858, the election of officers for the ensuing year resulting as follows: Presi- dent, R. W. Furnas; secretary, A. D. Jones; treasurer, J. M. Thayer; board of managers, E. H. Chaplin, H. Baird, M. S. Reeves, Broad Cole and C. Bobst. It was determined at this meet- ing that the first annual fair be held three days in succession, in September, 1859, in such county as offered the largest donations, privileges and best accommodations. Under this arrangement Otoe county was selected as the location and the
first territorial fair was held at Nebraska City, September 21, 22 and 23, 1859. The amount actually awarded in premiums was $355, in ad- dition to a gold watch, saddle and bridle, and two sets of jewelry valued at $115, and a goodly number of diplomas. The address of the occa- sion was delivered by J. Sterling Morton. At the end of the report of the fair to the next legisla-
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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY.
ture, the committee "beg leave to say that this first territorial fair of Nebraska, though not a complete success, was far from a failure. Taking all things into consideration, it is a marvel that we have done half so well."
This was the only territorial fair ever held in Nebraska, no decided effort appearing to have been made toward another exhibition until 1868, when the board having been changed to a state organization by the admission of the territory, held a second annual fair, also at Nebraska City, October 7, 8 and 9, 1868. Under the state or- ganization the number of incorporated members was increased from sixteen to twenty-eight. In early days of the state's history, the state fairs were held at various places, including Nebraska City, Brownville, Omaha and Lincoln.
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