History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 62

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 62

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).

The third session of the legislative assembly, January 15, 1857, at Omaha, adopted a code of civil procedure formulating the law on

this subject very much as it remains today. Requirements have since been added providing 'for examination before a state board, only, and doing away with the somewhat informal examination held in the district courts in early days and providing for admission without examination to graduates of Nebraska State University and Creighton College of Law. In recent years the colleges have been increas- ing the educational requirements for admis- sion to their courses of study, and thus tighten- ing up further on the pathway of admission to the bar.

The mention of examination before and admission by the district courts will explain the presence in this list of Hall County lawyers of numerous members of the bar who came to Grand Island to be admitted, but never opened a law office in this county. Upon reflection the reader will remember that in the late 'sixties and early 'seventies there were not terms of district court being held in very many counties within a hundred or two hun- dred miles of Grand Island.

AT THE BEGINNING OF HALL COUNTY COURT WORK

When the first session of district court to transact business for Hall County was held in 1868 at Columbus, Nebraska, or for that matter a few months later when resident ses- sions of court were first held at Grand Island, the resident bar of Hall County consisted of one member. It is a most unusual fact that this one member, O. A. Abbott, Sr., should still be practicing very actively at this bar, fifty-one years later. Other attorneys noted in the court records as having been present at these early sessions in 1868 were Chas. H. Brown, from Omaha, never a member of the Hall County bar, E. F. Gray of Fremont, who was then district attorney, there being no county attorney to represent the state for some years later. John L. Martin, of Ohio, was admitted to practice in November, 1868. He lived in Merrick County and never lived or opened an office in Grand Island. Albert Swartzland, an atorney from Omaha, also ap- pears to be mentioned.

Digitized by Google

424

HISTORY OF HALL COUNTY NEBRASKA

The next member of the Hall County bar here, in 1877. He soon formed a law partner- to arrive who afterwards attained a long ship with Hon. O. A. Abbott, which contin- ued until the fall of 1881, when Mr. Caldwell was elected county judge. He left Grand Is- land in later years and returned to his former home state, West Viginia, where he spent the remainder of his life. record of noteworthy service, was William H. Platt. We was born in Rochester, 'N. Y., October 16, 1835, the son of William A. and Mary E. (Pierce) Platt, who came to Grand Island in 1872. The father died in 1875. William H. Platt had served in the civil war, and October 16, 1892, while on a visit to his parents at Brighton, Mich., was married to Miss Fannie E. Bidwell. He had moved to Grand Island in the fall of 1866 and conducted a drug store, with which he remained identified until 1872. But in the meatime he prepared himself and entered upon the practice of law, being admitted on May 24, 1870. He served as county judge from 1872 to 1876, and in 1877 formed a law partnership with George H. Thummel. He served the community in many capacities, as mayor of the city, and for many years as a member of the school board. In recent years he has resided at Santa Rosa, California. His long-time partner, George H. Thummel, was the next lawyer to come, his admission being on May 3, 1871. Mr. Thummel served the community in so many capacities that his name appears in a great many places throughout this work. After he served the federal government first as U. S. marshal and then as clerk of the United States circuit court for Nebraska until that office was abolished, he stayed in Omaha, and in recent years has made his home there, but still retains property interests in Grand Island.

THOSE WHO CAME DURING THE SEVENTIES

The next admission in 1871 was that of Mr. Sparks of the Illinois bar who came out to Central City, but came over here to be ad- mitted.

W. C. Buderos came to Grand Island and practised a number of years. He was a very genial, active lawyer who left behind a trail of memories for his old-time associates.

Geo. H. Caldwell had completed his studies in a law office at Parkersburg, W. Va., after the close of his service in the war with the 140th Ohio National Guards, and removed to Hall County and was admitted to the bar

George W. Trefren was admitted here but stayed only a short time. By way of review, up to this point : In 1871 the resident attorneys were O. A. Abbott, W. H. Platt and G. H. Thummel; by 1873, to the three just named, should be added W. C. Buderos, W. H. Mitch- ell, John D. Hayes, who had been admitted to the bar before he came here, who was elected county superintendent during the early 'seven- ties, and also served as probate judge, later leaving here and going to Clay County, and Henry Nunn, who came here about that time, from Illinois, and later practiced at St. Paul, Nebraska.

J. H. Darnell from the Iowa bar was ad- mitted to practice here upon motion of John D. Hayes; C. D. Culver was admitted in Octo- ber, 1875, and is shown on the records as being from Illinois. Neither he nor Chris- topher T. Hall, of Wyoming, shown as ad- mitted on January 12, 1876, practiced here. . Loring Gaffey came here, studied law in the office of Thummel and Platt and was admitted in September, 1876. He later moved to the Black Hills and was elected judge in his new home. He married a' sister of Mrs. Geo. Thummel. Arthur Pinkney was shown ad- mitted in 1876, and at the same time, Septem- ber, 1876, A. M. Stevenson was admitted. He studied under O. A. Abbott, later moved to . Denver and there has had a very succesful career.

George H. Caldwell's admission here, which occurred in February, 1877, has already been noted.

Thus in, 1876 the llawyers practising in Grand Island were: O. A. Abbott, W. H. Platt, G. H. Thummel, Henry Nunn, John D. Hayes, W. C. Buderos, Loring Gaffey and A. M. Stevenson.

In February, 1879, John R. Thompson was admitted to practice in Nebraska. Mr. Thomp- igitized by

425

HISTORY OF HALL COUNTY NEBRASKA

son had been schooled at Upper Iowa Univer- sity at Fayette, Iowa, and at the law depart- ment of Iowa State University. After his graduation he opened a law office with his brother W. H. Thompson, at Arlington (then Brush Creek) Iowa, and moved to Grand Island, and the well-known office of Thomp- son Brothers continued until 1892, when John R. Thompson went on the district bench and remained there for twelve years of very effi- cient service to the people of the eleventh judicial district. W. H. Thompson has been one of the best known members of the Hall County bar throughout the state. He served one term as county attorney, was candidate for Congress in the "big third" then compris- ing about half the state, in 1890, delegate to the national convention which nominated Grover Cleveland in 1892, and likewise a dele- gate to the convention which nominated Bryan in 1896, 1900, and Parker in 1904. He has been the candidate of the democratic party for United States senator and governor. His interest in the democratic party has never waned because he has borne its standards in most all of its hopeless campaigns. His ability and record as a jury trial lawyer has been as well-known and more successful than his po- litical endeavors. In recent years he was as- sociated in the practice with his son, Lloyd G. Thompson, and the firm is now Thompson & Thompson.

Geo. H. Barr was admitted March, 1889. He had studied under Governor Abbott but did not practice here to amount to anything. He went into the banking business in Dawson County and more recently to Omaha. D. H. Burrough was admitted in September, 1881, never lived here, but belonged in Sherman County.

James H. Woolley, who comes next to Governor Abbott in length of practice at Grand Island, came here in September, 1878, and opened a law office. He was appointed deputy district attorney in July, 1881. He lived in his native state of Illinois until he was seventeen, then near Poughkeepsie, N. Y. and attended an academy near there; he then came to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he attended

the State University for a time, and for two years he studied law in the office of Gen. John R. Webster, meantime he had taught school for four years and studied law at the same time. With this splendid preparation he was admitted to the bar June 3, 1878, and chose Grand Island as his permanent location. After forty-one years of service to his clientele, Mr. Woolley is still very actively engaged in the practice of his profession. In recent years he has moved his office to the Equitable Building and Loan Association for which institution he is attorney.

ARRIVALS . DURING THE EIGHTIES

Herschel A. Edwards was admitted here in September, 1881, and is still engaged in the practice, with offices in the McAllister build- ing, for which he is business manager.

Henry E. Clifford was admitted January 9, 1883, and has had a long active career since that time. In the past few years he has effi- ciently served the city of Grand Island as its city clerk and handled his own business affairs in addition.

Richard C. Ganville came in April, 1883. He praticed here for a number of years, was appointed to serve on the supreme court com- mission, and later removed to Dawson County, and then to Oregon, and now is located at Hood River, Oregon.

W. R. Bacon came about this time; he had studied law in the office of Thummel & Platt before his admission ; he practiced a short time, holding the office of county attorney for a term, and later went to Los Angeles, Cali- fornia, and is now located at San Francisco.

The arrival of Ralph R. Horth and Charles G. Ryan and their subsequent formation of a partnership has been noted in another place in this chapter. A detailed sketch of Mr. Horth appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. Ryan has served the city as Mayor and both of these men have become leaders of the Hall County bar, and among the best known lawyers in central Nebraska. In recent years they have associated together, and have offices in the fine brick block built on North Locust street by Mr. Ryan.

Digitized by Google

426

HISTORY OF HALL COUNTY NEBRASKA

Winfield S. Hayman was admitted to the bar in October, 1884, never maintained an office for general practice, but has been very active in the business affairs of the community during these thirty-five years. Seth P. Mobley was admitted to the bar, but his main efforts in Grand Island were directed toward the advancement of Hall County press rather than the profession of law.

A list of the lawyers practicing here in 1887 shows a number not already mentioned seperately : O. A. Abbott, W. R. Bacon. J. H. Bowron, who had left before 1890, J. W. Bartholomew, who left here and went to East St. Louis, J. A. Busselle, who had left before 1890, Geo. H. Caldwell, Henry E. Clifford, H. A. Edwards, R. C. Glanville, T. O. C. Har- rison, who had come in during the eighties - a more detailed sketch of Judge Harrison ap- pears in this work elsewhere - W. S. Hayman, R. R. Horth, A. W. McNeel, whe became a very well known figure during his location here, he later returned to Iowa, S. P. Mobley, Chas. Rief, who was admitted, but confined his main energies to business interests rather than law work, Thompson Bros., Thummel & Platt, L. M. Whitney, now deceased, but who left here a good many years ago, H. B. Will- son, who went from here to the state of Washington, and J. H. Wooley.

During the last three years of the decade of the 'eighties other lawyers to locate here were: Madison T. Garlow, who was later county judge of Hall County, who came about 1890. In recent years he dropped his law prac- tice here and went to Mead, Kansas, where he has large interests in the silica mining industry.

Willard A. Prince first opened in the Michel- son block, about this time. In his thirty years of practice here he has become one of the best known trial lawyers in central Nebraska and has built up a practice which extends through many surrounding counties. In recent years his son, Harold A. Prince has become associated with him, and the firm name is now Prince & Prince.

There were other lawyers who were admit- ted through the early years, but the dates can- not be given here.

Virgil K. Stone practiced here awhile and went to Lander, Wyoming. Henry Garn was a well known figure at this bar for a time, but now is deceased .. J. F. Walker and Frank J. Byrd are lawyers who were located at Shelton, but figured on Hall County court records to some extent. J. E. Moncrief prac- ticed here for a time, and became chairman of Hall County Board of Commissioners. T. P. Lanigan, in recent years a prominent attorney at Greeley, was in the banking business here about 1890.

Other names appearing on the court records here are M. Randall, who practiced at Grand Island and Ord, and later went south, Attorney Marston of Kearney, T. J. Doyle, a prominent attorney of Greeley, and now in Lincoln.

George J. Spencer came in at a rather early time. He had been admitted first at Bing- hamton, N. Y., then came to Illinois and on out here, practiced awhile and moved away.

ARRIVALS SINCE 1890

Shortly after 1890 and before 1895 the fol- lowing members were added to Hall County bar: C. W. Wieckong, E. J. Hatch, who later went to Omaha, in 1892 was a member of the firm of Hatch & Shangle, Higgins & Garlow Bros. was a firm in 1892, though C. J. Garlow always practiced at Columbus and never lived at Grand Island, R. J. Millard, who later lo- cated at Hartington, Nebraska, where he is now practicing, Ralph Platt, who followed his father's footsteps into the law profession, L. E. Moyer, another Randall, given as Frank, but the older lawyers here think this was J. H. Randall, J. W. Edgerton, who removed to Idaho and became a judge, Herbert Harrison, who was admitted to practice, but has devoted his energies very successfully in recent years to the banking business, being cashier of State Bank of Ravenna for a good many years, recently cashier of the new People's State Bank in this city, but resigned to become cashier of the new Security State Bank at Ravenna.

Fred W. Ashton was admitted here in 1895. Mr. Ashton has built up a very pleasant law practice and devoted his attention to matters Digitized by in the general interest of the community very

427

HISTORY OF HALL COUNTY NEBRASKA

much. He was at one time candidate for Grand Island families to enter into the law Congress, and during the recent War left his practice and make a successful record in that honorable profession. He is now serving as mayor, and has been identified with some im- portant litigation. Mr. Cleary offices in the same suite of rooms with Mr. Ashton and during Mr. Ashton's absence on war service, Mr. Cleary took care of his practice. practice to serve as a judge advocate general in provost marshal's office at Washington, and near the close of the war was assigned to the Clemency Board, and later assigned the task of assisting in the preparation of the revised articles of war, so strongly advocated by General Ansell. This was a very creditable honor for the Hall County bar to have attached to one of its members.

E. E. Thompson, since deceased, was admit- ted about 1895. He practiced here for a num- ber of years. W. S. Pearne, a former court reporter, was admitted about 1897, for a time was associated with Mr. Thummel (Thummel & Pearne), and later went to Minneapolis.

O. M. Quackenbush was admitted about 1897 and located at Wood River. For almost twenty years he edited and published the Wood River Interests, and took care of some law practice. Following the recent death of Judge Harrison, Mt. Quackenbush moved to Grand Island and took over his office and library and started to practice at Grand Island.

Arthur C. Mayer was admitted about 1897, after recieving a degree of Master of Laws from Yale University. For a few years he was member of firm of Ashton & Mayer. In recent years he served as county attorney, and has officed since he left that position in the First National bank building. Mr. Mayer is serving for the second period as referee in bankruptcy.

O. A. Abbott, Jr., was admitted to practice . police judge, and Mr. Joseph is the present

in 1897. Mr. Abbott had heretofore served as a clerk in the U. S. Land office here; he afterwards served as police judge, and for fifteen years last past has been court reporter with Judge J. R. Hanna, but for a time prac- ticed with his father, O. A. Abbott, Sr.

A few years later a second son of Governor Abbott was admitted to practice here, Arthur G. Abbott. He practiced for a number of years with his father, then went to Chicago for a period, but in 1918 returned to take up prac- tice in Grand Island, and offices with his father now.

John Leo Cleary is not the son of a lawyer but he is another of the second generation of

Findley Howard, son of Ex-Lieut .- Gov. Edgar Howard of Columbus, came to Grand Island in 1909, and for a time was associated with M. T. Garlow. He went to government service in Panama Zone and in recent years has successfully ventured into practice in New Mexico.

Bayard H. Paine opened a law office upon the close of his service as district court re- porter for Judge John R. Thompson. He served as police judge for four years, and for ten years as referee in bankruptcy in this dis- trict, but for the last three years has been judge of district court in the 11th judicial district.

Benjamin J. Cunningham graduated at Creighton Law College in 1910, returned to his home at Wood River where he practiced for a year, and in 1911 opened offices in the Ryan building, and from that date to this has forged ahead steadily in his profession. He served two years as county attorney.

Ernest G. Kroeger and Arthur L. Joseph, upon their graduation from Nebraska Univer- sity, located in Grand Island about ten years ago. Mr. Kroger served for eight years as city attorney of Grand Island.

In 1910 T. B. Bird came to Grand Island but did not remain long. Samuel P. Brigham was listed here about that time, for a short period. Dale P. Stough came to Grand Island, in 1911, upon his graduation from Creighton College of Law, but after a few weeks located at Ravenna, Nebraska, and later went to Broken Bow where he was associated with Judge J. R. Dean, now of the supreme court of Nebraska. In 1917 Mr. Stough returned to Grand Island and became court reporter with District Judge Bayard H. Paine, which work he is still performing.

During 1915 and 1916 there were several Digitized by Google

428

HISTORY OF HALL COUNTY NEBRASKA

accessions to the Hall County bar. C. J. South- ard came here from Omaha, and remained for several years, but in 1918 returned to Omaha. Mr. Southard's former residence in Howard County assisted him in building up a good practice while he was here. William Suhr and Vernon Bascom came here upon their admission to the bar of this state. Mr. Bascom only stayed a short time, as did Homer L. Kyle, another graduate of that time. Mr. Bas- com has gone to the Pacific coast, and Mr. Kyle to Lincoln. Mr. Suhr remained and is now serving as county attorney and building up a good practice.

John S. Stidger practiced here a few years and went to Denver in 1917. Clifford N. Hale was here a short time, but went south in 1918. F. D. Williams, who was court reporter a short . time with Judge Paine, is a member of the bar, and now associated with F. M. Hall in Lincoln. The latest accession to this bar is W. J. Wilkin- son, from Marengo, Iowa, who opened here upon his return from military service.

Hall County has furnished one of the twenty-four Nebraska lawyers who have been members of the state supreme court, Judge T. O. C. Harrison, and one of the supreme court commissioners, R. C. Glanville. Hall County court circles have had considerable interest in numerous other members of the court and commission.

Of the present court, Judge Dean, from Broken Bow, has been associated in many important cases with several of Grand Island's leading lawyers, and was a classmate in Ann Arbor law school ( Michigan) in the 'eighties with Mr. Horth and Mr. Ryan. Judge Hamer, who died in 1918, was for many years district judge and a leading trial lawyer at Kearney and appeared in many forensic battles in Grand Island. Judge Aldrich, former gover- nor, is a distant relative of Mr. Prince of this city. Judge Letton's son, W. A. Letton, now lives in Grand Island and is employed with the First National bank of this city ; and Judge Crounse held the first court in Hall County.

A COUNTRY SCHOOL HOUSE, JACKSON TOWNSHIP

Digitized by

Google

CHAPTER XXV

CHRONOLOGICAL SURVEY OF HALL COUNTY'S PROGRESS

1857 - May 28 - Party of five loaded teams left Davenport. July 4 - Party of set- tlers located south of present town of Grand Island; first settlement of white people in Hall County. July 27 - Houses occupied. Men- dotte located, four houses built there. Sep- tember 21 - Four teams started for Omaha for supplies. November 7- First death in Hall County - Mr. Painter perished in a storm.

1858 - January 25 - Supplies arrived. Mormons settled in Wood River country. W. G. Eldridge came to Alda region. March 3 - First child born in county, Nellie Steier, daughter of Wm. Stier. 1500 Pawnees passed through county. November 4- Act estab- lishing Hall County passed. December 9- County organized.

1859 - First officers take office. January 10- Prairie fire, settlement lost 8 houses. Moores settle near present Wood River. Post office established for Grand Island. Contract to sell 2,000 bushels of corn at Fort Kearny at $2, bushel

1860 -First artificial grove in county set out on Wm. Stolley place. Population of county given at 116. Sept .- Pawnees and Sioux have battle on the Grand Island. Stage line established, Omaha-Ft. Kearny - first through transportation line for Hall County.

1861 - Catholics start.church services near Wood River - first church in county.

1862 - February 5, first massacre of whites in county - Smith-Anderson near Wood River. August - O. K. Store built by Koe- nig & Wiebe - beginning of commercial his- tory of county. August - First swarm of grasshoppers visits county since settlement. Geo. Martin settles south of Platte river. First

fruit trees set out -produced first cherries, 1867, peaches, 1871 and apples and pears, 1872.

1863 - Mormons moved on to Salt Lake. Platte river dry, for 50 or 100 miles below and above Grand Island. Second saw mill on Wood River - first windmill erected. August 29 - Frost killed corn. November - Snow came and covered ground until next March, very severe winter.

1864 - James Jackson built store and opened stock of goods near old Wood River post office then called White Cloud. Name Wood River then only connected with Wood River Center (now Shelton). Fort Independ- ence built on Stolley farm; O. K. Store forti- fied and Indian attacks averted in Grand Is- land settlement. General Indian attacks in Wood River valley and above there, westward. Martin boys south of Platte river attacked by Indians. August 22-Gen. Curtis with First Cavalry, arrived. July 15 - Grasshop- pers attacked buckwheat crops - other crops escaped then, but pests reappeared August1.

1865 - Settlers along Wood River Valley who fled eastward, mostly return.

1866 - July 8 - First train pulls into Grand Island on new Union Pacific Railway. July - Grasshoppers re-visit county. July-August. Government survey of land commenced. No- vember - Postoffice established at Grand Is- land - new location on railroad. D Schuller appointed postmaster.

1867 - M. S. Hall, railroad contractor, puts in store, Grand Island. O. K. Store moves up to new townsite. Koenig starts State Cen- tral Flouring mill (now Glade Mills) and lum- ber yard, of which Goehring -Sothman yard is successor. July 24 - Indian raid on Camp- bell family, west end county Diğniżed by Google

429

430

HISTORY OF HALL COUNTY NEBRASKA

1868 - Wood River laid out - site about two miles and half west of present town. Jack- son moves his store in to this site. November 30- First district court held in Hall County -Judge Crounse presiding.

1869 - Union Pacific railroad finished - joined Central Pacific. James Jackson killed a buffalo on present site of Wood River. June 16 - Frost damaged crops. Grasshoppers de- stroyed corn fields. December 6 - U. S. Land office opened at Grand Island.

1870 - May 21 - Bonds voted by county to build a bridge over Platte river - issue $15,000. July 5- H. P. Handy authorized to contract for bridge 1900 ft. across Platte, to be built between Ranges 9 and 10. Platte 1876 - February - Expedition organized Grand Island and Wood River to colonize in Black Hills. Maj. Foote returned in March. Fall - Fair ground located on a ten acre tract. Valley Independent founded - predecessor of Grand Island Daily Independent. First Ma- sonic lodge organized - first lodge in the county. Building used by Catholics in Grand . O. A. Abbott of Hall County elected first Island blown down.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 62

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