History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 19

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co.
Number of Pages: 1011

USA > Nebraska > Hall County > History of Hall County, Nebraska > Part 19

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).

alternated so that cars would pass the points in the business section where the routes doubled every half hour.

During the depression of the 'nineties the business dropped down, and financial institu- tions which financed and backed the street car company, and in which some of its officers had their large business interests, went under, and these facts cumulated to accomplish the gradual disappearance of this company, and during the late 'nineties it stopped operation. The tracks were finally sold to parties who had use for the material in them.

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CHAPTER VII

OTHER TOWNS OF HALL COUNTY

WOOD RIVER -FIRST WOOD RIVER - EARLY HISTORY OF VILLAGE OF WOOD RIVER, BY O. M. QUACKENBUSH - SETTLEMENT OF TOWN - OFFICERS OF TOWN - EARLY BUILDERS OF WOOD RIVER - JAMES JACKSON - HENRY O. GIFFORD - O. W. EATON - N. T. BRITTIN - RICH- ARD MANKIN - W. L. G. TRAPP - S. MACMURRAY - PATRICK HOYE - WM. AND FRED THORPE - W. L. SPRAGUE - EWING FAMILY - JAMES EWING - O. M. QUACKENBUSH - FIRST GENERAL STORES- W. W. MITCHELL -S. A. SHERRARD - HARDWARE AND IMPLEMENT STORES - DRUG STORES - EARLY COMMERCIAL INTERESTS, 1879 - FIVE, YEARS LATER, 1884 - ANOTHER FIVE YEARS, 1889-TEN YEARS LATER, 1899 - TEN YEARS LATER, 1909 - ANOTHER TEN YEARS, 1919 - DONIPHAN - TOWN STARTED - EARLY EVENTS IN COMMUNITY - DONIPHAN'S BIG FIRE, 1887 - INCORPORATION OF TOWN - SUC- CEEDING TOWN TRUSTEES - COMMERCIAL CHANGES - CAIRO - FIRST SETTLEMENT - TOWN GOVERNMENT - VILLAGE CLERKS, TREASURERS, MARSHALS - BUSINESS HOUSES - BUSI- NESS DIRECTORY, 1907 - BUSINESS DIRECTORY, 1919 - NORTH & ROBINSON CO. - ALDA - ABBOTT - SCHAUPPSVILLE - UNDERWOOD - SPENCER - ORCHARD - EASTON - RUNNELSBURG

WOOD RIVER COMMUNITY

The town of Wood River practically began its history with the advent of the Union Pa- cific railroad in the 'sixties, but it was not until 1874 that it began to exist at its present location.

It had hitherto been located two and a half miles west of its present location. As early as 1861 a number of Irish families had begun to settle in that locality.

FIRST WOOD RIVER

The town of Wood River was first laid out in 1868 about two and half miles west of its present site, but it grew very slowly at first. A depot was located there and James Jackson had been keeping a store in that lo- cality since 1864 and it became a factor at once. A. A. Baker, a Canadian, is said to have built the first store building there, in 1871. But James Jackson had been conduct- ing his store a half-mile from there, and while this was the second building in town, when

he moved it over, Mr. Jackson in some par- ticulars might be regarded as the oldest resi- dent of the old Wood River station com- munity. A Catholic church was established at that location, which gained a large member- ship. The town grew to thirty buildings in 1874 when the Union Pacific depot was moved to the present site. The town immediately followed it, and thus was established the pres- ent Wood River. Its early story will be told in the words of one of its own residents:

EARLY HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE OF WOOD RIVER.

BY O. M. QUACKENBUSH

Wood River, Hall County, Nebraska, is situated in the beautiful and extremely fertile Wood River Valley, on the main line of the Union Pacific railway, distant about sixteen miles from Grand Island, and has a popula- tion of about 800 (now probably in excess of that). The Wood River runs to the north-

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ward less than a mile, while the broad and shallow Platte River wends its way to the southward distant some five miles.

The townsite was platted by the Union Pacific railroad in the fall of 1874. The sta- tion at Old Wood River was moved to the new townsite, W. B. Hollister being the first agent. James Jackson, who was located at the old town, immediately moved his store and residence to Wood River, his buildings being the first in the town. He was followed by Postmaster James White, who moved a little building on Main street and in addition kept a small stock of general merchandise. He soon sold out to A. G. Hollister, who also became postmaster. Shortly afterwards Pat Neville brought his liquid refreshment stand down from the old town of Wood River and commenced business in the new. He soon sold out to James Kennedy, who continued the business for a number of years. In 1877 Chas. Horn of Grand Island came to Wood River and started a shoe shop. Some time in 1878 John Roach followed and engaged in the general merchandise business, and soon after Mr. Trapp and F. Scwartz did likewise. Dr. Carter and son established the first drug store, W. Hollister the first hardware, and Dr. Carter was the first physician. James Mckinney was the first butcher, John O'Con- nor the first carpenter, and N. W. Lewton the first furniture dealer. James Shick was the first hotel keeper and Mr. Harman the first harness maker. N. T. Brittin bought out A. G. Hollister in 1880 and was appointed post- master. John `O'Connor was postmaster under Cleveland's first administration, N. T. Brittin under Harrison's administration, Patrick Finan under Cleveland's second ad- ministration, and S. A. Sherrard under Mc- Kinley. [Succeeding postmasters have been I. C. Spetts, Seth W. Wilson, and David D. O'Kane who has served for the past five years .- ED.] The first school was taught by John Allen. The first sermon was preached by Rev. J. N. Allen at the school house. He was a Baptist. The first boy born was Charles Horn, in 1881, and the first girl baby was

Maggie Horn. The first death was that of Hannah Jackson, mother of James Jackson, who had been satying with her son for a short time before her death, in 1876. The first marriage in the village was that of Fred Riesland and Miss Rosa Jessup, in August, 1876. The first church erected was the Meth- odist Episcopal, in May, 1880. W. & F. Thorpe built their flouring mill in 1881 and Dick Dodd erected the first elevator, in 1884. The first newspaper was published by R. H. Miller, in September, 1881. The first bank in Wood River was called the Wood River Bank and was established in 1883 with C. H. Bell as cashier. For the first few years the growth of the town was slow but along about 1881 the business greatly increased and a number of new business men and residents were added to the thrifty little village. In the fall of 1882 the town had a sufficient num- ber of inhabitants to incorporate and in Oc- tober, 1882, articles of incorporation were filed and the incorporated village commenced business with the following named trustees : James Jackson, N. T. Brittin, J. B. Furman, W. L. G. Trapp, and James Ewing.

OFFICERS OF EARLY WOOD RIVER

C. H. Bell was appointed clerk, Dr. Gibson treasurer and Ryan Kelley attorney. The village was so peaceable and law abiding that for a number of years it did without a mar- shal. Isaiah Lewton was the first weigh- master . and James Williams was pound- master, his livery stable being designated as a pound. John M. Brett was granted a saloon license in November, 1882.

The Board in 1883 was as follows: J. B. Furman, James Ewing, Wm. Hollister, Dick Dodd and Stoddard. Stoddard failed to qual- ify and H. P. Chapman was appointed in his stead. In May, 1883, A. C. White was ap- pointed street commissioner, and in July of the same year, H. Janss & Co. were granted a druggist permit. James Kennedy was granted a saloon license in August, 1883. On January 21, 1884, C. J. Low was appointed marshal and shortly after he resigned and

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A. C. White was appointed in his stead. Wm. Thorpe, in the same year, was appointed clerk, which job he still holds.

SUCCEEDING CITY OFFICERS OF WOOD RIVER

To those men who have devoted their time and energy to the exacting and yet pleasant service of the governmental affairs of the town in which they reside, all credit is due. The trustees who served the village since the initial two years of its corporate existence have been :

1884 - James Ewing, C. H. Bell, C. W. Stod- dard, James Little and Geo. Groves. 1885 - Ewing, Dodd, Bell, Howard and Wells.

1886 - Cross, Ewing, Hockenberger, How- ard and Williams.

1887 - Ewing, Jackson, Williams, Howard and Hollister.

1888 - Ewing, Jackson, Williams, Howard and Penney.

1889 - Penney, Mitchell, Parker, Boone and Johnson.

1890 - Mitchell, Penney, Taylor, Chamber- lain.

1891 - Penney, S. Jones, Chamberlain, Taylor, Jackson.

1892 - Jackson, Dunn, Jones, Eaton, Penney. 1893 - Joe Rounds, Mitchell, Marshall, Smout, Sherrerd.

1894 - Marshall, Mitchell, Smout, Sherrerd, J. Rounds.

1895 - Sherrerd, Mitchell, Burkerd, Spelts, Smout. 1896 - Spelts, White, Mitchell, Wingert, Mullen.

1897 - Spelts, Sherrerd, White, M. Diefend- erfer, Rounds.

1898- Ed Rounds, M. Diefenderfer, S. A. Sherrerd, Spelts, White.

1899 - Spelts, Jackson, A. C. White, Burk- erd, Rounds.

1900 - Jas. Jackson, MacMurray, Mitchell, Mullen, Kinz.

1901 - Same as 1900.

1902 - Jackson, MacMurray, Mitchell, Mul- len and Wilson.

1903 - MacMurray, Mitchell, Brett, Mullen and S. W. Wilson. The latter two re- signed in July and August, 1903 and were succeeded by John Harper and J. W. Cunningham.

1904 - Brett. MacMurray, Conrad, Jewett and Quackenbush.

1905 - Jas. T. Brett, E. S. Leavenworth,

Geo. Conrad, Jno. R. Jewett, R. R. Root.

1906 - Brett, Leavenworth, Jewett, Root and Jno. Mullen.

1907 - Brett, Jewett, Root, H. S. Eaton and Jno. Mullen, who resigned in June, succeeded by Dan Lyons.

1908 - Brett, Root, Eaton, Diefenderfer and Mitchell, latter succeeded in Novem- ber by Dr. Redfield.

1909 - Brett, Redfield, Diefenderfer, Eaton and W. T. Spelts.

1910- Brett, Diefenderfer, Spelts, Eaton and J. A. Rounds.

1911 - Brett, J. A. Rounds, H. S. Eaton, Spelts, and I. C. Williams.

1912- Brett, Rounds, Eaton, Williams and J. J. Carter.

1913- Jas. T. Brett, .J. J. Carter, H. S. Eaton, J. A. Rounds and John Hopper.

1914- Brett, Carter, Hopper, Eaton and F. J. Miller.

1915 - Brett, Carter, Eaton, Miller and F. E. Fulton.

1916- Jas. T. Brett, J. J. Carter, F. E. Fulton, H. S. Eaton and S. A. Sher- rerd.

1917 - Jas. T. Brett, J. J. Carter, H. S. Eaton, A. Fairbanks and S. A. Sher- rerd.

1918 - Brett, Carter, Eaton, Fairbanks and Sherrerd.

1919 - Jas. T. Brett, J. J. Carter, H. S. Eaton, A. Fairbanks and S. A. Sherrerd.

The other town offices have been filled by fewer men in Wood River than in many towns of its size. Thomas Whalen served for a great many years as marshal and street com- missioner. J. W. Cuningham, A. H. Wallace, Mark Ryan, P. H. Bridger, C. A. Penwell, A. D. Riddle, J. M. Wiggins, and W. T. Dunn have also served in one or both of those capacities. Since 1913 Mr. Dunn has been marshal except for the time he was away in the military service of his country.

Wm. Thorp was town clerk for a long period. In 1903 Wm. O'Connor undertook the work for a short time, and in August, 1904, David D. O'Kane became town clerk and kept the records of the community until 1910. During 1910 and 1911 G. G. Gard was clerk, in 1912 D. D. O'Kane, 1913 and 1914 A. H. Wingert, 1915 G. G. Gard, 1916 G. G. Gard and 1917 and 1918 D. D. O'Kane, and

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the present clerk in 1919 is C. W. Mercer. W. L. Sprague served as treasurer for around fifteen years; then for two years, 1913 and 1914, H. P. Burmood, and he was followed by E. B. Pearson and C. W. Mercer, and at present A. H. Wingert is treasurer.

On October 9, 1907, the community voted for $3,800 water works bonds by a vote of 158 for to 31 against. The election board at that election were W. W. Mitchell and C. W. Mercer clerks, and J. H. Shick, J. W. Cunningham, and A. C. White judges. Frank H. Wheeler was the contractor to erect a building 40 x44 for the Wood River Electric Light and Water system, and a very sub- stantial plant resulted from this effort. W. T. Dunn is the present electric light and water commissioner.

EARLY BUILDINGS OF WOOD RIVER

Even more than is usually the case, the very early history of Wood River radiated around one man, who placed the first building in the present community of Wood River, started the first store in the present town, and was a pioneer in almost every phase of the town's infant activities. The history of Wood River would not be complete without recurring to the life and activities of James Jackson.

JAMES JACKSON

James Jackson was born at Chatsworth (near Manchester), England, April 21, 1837, being the day on which Queen Victoria was crowned. He came to the United States with his parents when he was eight years of age. They first settled in Bureau County, Illinois, and after three years residence there removed to Alamakee County, Iowa, and later to Floyd County in that state in 1855.

In 1860 Mr. Jackson moved to Hall County and settled three and a half miles west of the present site of Wood River, where he took a claim. His wordly possessions were limited to a yoke of oxen, a wagon, and a few dollars in money. He built himself a log house and until 1864 confined himself to farming, putting up hay, hunting, etc. In the fall of 1864 he started a store, hauling his stock of goods by wagon from Omaha. This store was located

at what is known as "Old Wood River." He continued in the stock business until 1874, when he sold approximately 450 head of cattle and closed out that business. When the new townsite was platted in 1874 Mr. Jackson immediately moved his business institution to the new town. His store and residence were brought into town and were the first buildings of the infant village. From the time of start- ing his little store in 1864, Mr. Jackson re- mained continuously in business up until the time of his death, on December 22, 1910, at the age of 73 years, 8 months, and 1 day.

JAMES JACKSON

Mr. Jackson was married in Floyd County, Iowa, in 1858, to Miss Mary. J. Clark, who died on February 18, 1880. They had two children, Henry J. Jackson, who now resides in Chicago, Illinois, and Anna (Mrs. Dr. Schuyler), now residing in Pittsburgh, Pen- sylvania. In 1882 he was married to Miss Susan M. Corfman, who survived him and is still a resident of Wood River. They had two children, Richard W. Jackson, at present living in Wood River, and Mary Lydia (Mrs. M. I. Evinger), of Des Moines, Iowa.

Mrs. Evinger's husband is an engineer of established ability, and during the recent Great World War he enlisted in the engineering service, and has been placed in charge of san- itation matters at Camp Dodge, Iowa.

Mr. Jackson served on the first board of

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trustees of Wood River, and on eight of the succeeding boards. He served the entire pop- ulation of Hall County as a county commis- sioner. He took a lively interest in the up- building of the schools of Wood River and devoted time to the work of the school board. He was a member of the original board of directors and was president of the Citizens State Bank during the first three years of its existence. He served as the first postmaster of Old Wood River. He was first a member of the Grand Island Masonic lodge and then a charter member of the Wood River Masonic lodge. He always took a keen interest in re- ligious activities and was instrumental in the building a church home for the Episcopal

INTERIOR VIEW OF JAMES JACKSON'S STORE

church, about 1898. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. L. A. Arthur of Grand Island.

Mr. Jackson came to the present territory of Jackson and Wood River townships when altogether less than a dozen settlers had picked out that particular section of the prairie wild- erness for a home. He started out the busi- ness activities and the community, and upon his suggestion the name of "Wood River" was adopted. In 1869 he killed a wild buffalo upon the ground where the town now stands, and he helped each phase of community life start out, and watched the community grow until he was called beyond. Mr. Jackson was a great reader and lover of Shakespeare, and could repeat many of the passages of that writer's works. He was known to all, and bore a reputation for fair and honorable deal- ings. His entire career was one that left its stamp upon the community which he helped

to build, and became an indelible part of its history.

OTHER EARLY COMMUNITY BUILDERS

Henry O. Gifford and O. W. Eaton were two other early residents of Wood River who played a prominent part in the early growth of the town. Mr. Gifford was born in New Haven, Vermont, October 23, 1824, where he resided until 1873. Mr. Eaton was also born in New Haven, Vermont, on August 27, 1835. In 1873 Messrs. Gifford and Eaton came to Kansas and engaged in the sheep feeding busi- ness. In the year 1888 they came to Wood River and founded the First National Bank. Mr. Gifford became president of that institu- tion on January 9, 1890. His associate, Mr. Eaton, was his successor in that capacity, having then already served the bank as vice- president. For many years Messrs. Gifford and Eaton were heavy sheep-feeders in the Wood River community. Mr. Eaton's son, H. S. Eaton, is the present cashier of that institution. Mr. Eaton, Sr., has also been president of the Merrick County Bank at Clarks, Nebraska.

N. T. BRITTIN

Mr. Brittin began business in Hall County in 1880, and served as postmaster of Wood River. He located on a homestead one-half mile south of Wood River in 1871, where he followed farming and stock raising until he began trade in the village. He was born in Madison County, near London, Ohio, October 4, 1838. When he was eighteen years old he moved with his parents to Clinton, Illinois, where he lived until he came to Nebraska. He enlisted in August, 1862, in Co. B, 107th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry ; par- ticipated in the siege of Atlanta, Reseca, Georgia, Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, and was mustered out at Washington, D. C., May 20, 1865.

JOHN ROACH

John Roach was an early dealer in general merchandise, who opened business in Septem- ber, 1879. He first came to Nebraska in 1868, worked for the Union Pacific out of Omaha at

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various times until 1879. He was born in Ireland in 1849 and came to America in 1865, settling in Baltimore, Maryland, for a year. He was married in Wood River, January, 1881, to Mary Dermody, a native of near Ottawa, Canada.

RICHARD MANKIN

Richard Mankin was born in Hanover, Germany, on April 6, 1849, and came to America at the age of twelve, locating in New York City. In 1872 he came to Hall County and was section boss for the Union Pacific Railroad until 1890, living in the sec- tion house about five miles east of Wood River. In 1891-2-3 he was employed by the Grand Island Beet Sugar plant, when he came to Wood River and engaged in the liquor business. In 1894 he built the fine two-story brick hotel building which still bears his name. Aside from the hotel business Mr. Mankin was a heavy real estate holder in Hall County and assisted in developing the farming com- munity as well as the town.

WILLIAM L. G. TRAPP

was another early merchant who helped ma- terially to build up the community. He was born in Germany, May 2, 1846, came to Amer- ica in 1865, lived in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and went to school in Illinois at Naperville. He travelled in Wisconsin for about four and a half years for American Bible Society of New York City. For a time he lived at Camden, New Jersey, then in 1876 he was engaged in the commission business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Then he opened a store in Camden, where he remained until he came west. He opened trade in Wood River in 1879.

S. MAC MURRAY

was born of Scotch-Irish parentage in Belfast, Ireland, January 25, 1850, and when but a babe with his parents came to this country, locating at Philadelphia. In 1892 he came to Wood River as the local agent for the Omaha Elevator company. Besides his activity in the grain business, he devoted several years to very satisfactory service as member and chairman of the board of trustees of the town.

PATRICK HOYE

is one of the older residents of Wood River who has played a very prominent part in up- building the community. He was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, March 17, 1849, with a clear title to the name "Patrick." At the age of twenty he came to New York City, where he worked for two years as a laborer, and afterwards in Pennsylvania until 1879. Then he came to Nebraska, buying an 80-acre farm four miles north of Wood River. His first house was a sod one and his capital was very limited. By good management he pushed along until he acquired a goodly amount of land, and a fine home. He served the county as supervisor, and helped actively in local civic affairs. He served as a director in the Citizens State Bank, and since 1911 has been vice-president of that institution. His son, John Hoye, is a leading business man of Wood River, engaged in the drug and wall- paper and paint business.

WILLIAM AND FRED THORPE

were not only early settlers in Wood River but also gave the town an active industrial start. William came to Wood River in the fall of.1881 and made arrangements for the erection of a mill. The main building was completed some time in the early part of 1882, the machinery was in place in June, and the milling of flour and feed at once com- menced. In March, 1882, his brother Fred joined him, and the two brothers personally conducted the Atlantic Roller Mills until 1895, when Fred moved to Chicago. William then continued the business.

W. L. SPRAGUE

came to Hall County in 1882. A native of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, born March 29, 1861, he began to teach school in Hall County when twenty-one years of age. In 1886 he was elected principal of the school at Doniphan, and in 1888 he was elected to the principalship of the Wood River schools. He served in that capacity until 1894 when he accepted the cashiership of the Citizens State Bank, which position he continues to fill very

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acceptably. He served for fifteen years as city treasurer, and has been very active in all phases of community life.

THE EWING FAMILY

Among the families that emigrated west- ward early in the decade of the '70s and located in Hall County, one of those whose members played a most distinctive part in building up the Wood River community, was the Ewing family. They were native New Yorkers and hailed from Alleghany County. In 1866 they settled in Cedar County, Iowa, where they farmed until 1871 when they came to Nebraska and settled in Hall County in 1872. Robert Ewing, the father, died in 1871. Robert Jr., William, Charles, and Edwin Ewing became landholders in the community.

JAMES EWING

One of the Ewing family rose to a distinc- tion in the early development of Hall County that entitled him to credit for being one of the leading spirits in its early history. Num- erous duties, both public and private, imposed upon him became more than the physical man could endure, and death called him in the midst of his public duties and in the zenith of his career, on October 31, 1888. He was born in Alleghany County, New York, July 7, 1850, and assisted his father on the farm until at sixteen years of age the family removed to Cedar County, Iowa. He was about twenty- three years of age when he came to Hall County and secured employment as a teacher in the Moore district, and after a few terms took charge of the school at Shelton. His success in this work and his deep interest in education led to his election as superintendent of public instruction of Hall County in the fall of 1877. After two terms in that office he took charge of the Wood River Gazette, then a five-column folio struggling for ex- istence, and with his editorial ability, good judgment, and sagacious management he built that sheet from a 200 to a 700 circulation. At that time he also served for three years as deputy county treasurer which necessitated his leaving Wood River early in the morning and returning late in the afternoon, and during

that period his readers received the benefit of midnight productions of his pen. He had a short respite from such arduous duties after his retirement as deputy treasurer. In 1886 he was elected to serve Hall County in the state legislature, receiving every vote in Wood River township except ten. His public service in that capacity was so satisfactory that he was re-nominated by acclamation by the Re- publican convention at Grand Island, but did not live to discharge his duties. On January 10, 1884, he was married to Miss Alma E. Thompson, of Hall County, and the result of this union was a son, Arthur (who died December 31, 1888). Mr. Ewing served the town of Wood River as a trustee, for the first seven years, generally as chairman, and gave it valuable service as a justice of the peace. During his long service as chairman of the town board, justice of the peace, and town- ship trustee his advice was always found to be sound and to the best interests of the town. Such a man as James Ewing could not as- sociate with the younger men of the com- munity without inspiring them to lead better lives, and without being a decided factor in moulding the community life.

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History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 19

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co. Number of Pages: 1011

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co.
Number of Pages: 1011