USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. I > Part 48
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. I > Part 48
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The park, which was planned and built by Mr. Skelton, is the only part of St. Joe that still remains.
These people enjoyed the day so much in talking over "why they came west," "leaving their homes in the east," of how they first scratched the ground with their old walking plows, which were as often drawn by oxen as by horses or mules, how the grasshoppers ate the meagre crop, how the dutiful housewife cooked the green weeds, johnny-cake and buffalo beans, they decided to meet once each year and remind each other of the hardships and pleasures of the past, and dream of the fortunes for their prosperity in the future.
To make these meetings a success they formed what was kuown as "The Old Settlers of West Hamilton County." They elected George L. Levee, president, O. P. Duncan, vice-president, and R. II. Peard, secretary. This organization held together until, I think, 1899. So many of the old settlers have drifted from our community, there has only been one reunion until two years ago, when we reor- ganized, and we hope that the organization will never lose interest again.
George L. Levee was the first to place his name on the membership roll. Then the next year the ladies decided they should have the "right to vote," and Mrs. Levee's name was written on the roll. Mr. Levee was the first black- smith in this part of the county. Though Mr. Levee refused to sharpen plows several years ago, the old shop stood as a landmark until two years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Levee are the only homesteaders in Deepwell precinct on their home- stead who have lived there continuously.
O. P. Dunean was second to write his name on the "roll of honor." But in 1895 his name was written on the roll of honor above the skies.
The third name was that of J. W. Skelton, who founded the little town of "used-to-be," three miles southwest of here. Mrs. Skelton was also a member of this association. It was the regret of their many friends that they should sell their beautiful home in the early '90s. The town had been moved to Phillips, but this move seemed to take St. Joe off the map, though never from the memories of the old settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Skelton moved to Broken Bow and later to Los Angeles, Calif. Last winter Mr. Skelton was summoned to his final home and his body was laid to rest in one of the beautiful cemeteries of Los Angeles. Mrs. Skelton still lives in Los Angeles near her children.
Then came "Uncle" Jonathan Foster, whose home for so many years was southwest of Giltner, but like so many of our old friends he has been called to the place of final rest.
Then the name of T. Darnell, one of Hamilton county's first lawyers; one time was district attorney for Hamilton and adjoining counties. Mr. Darnell moved with his family to Lincoln and later to University Place, but now he, too, is at rest.
Another farmer, N. T. Lane, added his name to these records in 1885, also did his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Lane homesteaded on Section 26, Town 11, Range 8, but spent many years in Phillips, being in business of different kinds. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lane have recently been called home.
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Ben Wilson is another of our homesteaders who, with his wife, has been called to mansions above.
Martin Ennis, whose homestead was just across the line in Hall county, is another to be called home, but his wife, who helped in laying the foundation of this country, is living in Grand Island.
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Dearing, Sr., are still with us in heart and hand, though they moved from the farm in the early '90s to find life less strenuous in Grand Island. I have been told that Mr. Dearing could take the biggest bite of pie of anyone in the crowd. Ile and his wife were always welcome at the picnics, and always will be.
A. C. Bacon and his father, A. S. Bacon, were old settlers who removed from Deepwell to Lincoln county. Both have passed from this life.
The next name on the roll was that of R. H. Peard. He and Miss Albetina James came to this community with her parents in 1872, and soon after were married; took a homestead on Section 8 in Deepwell. In selling their home- stead they did not move away, but bought land on the section south, which was their home for many years. The good people of Hamilton county chose Mr. Peard to be sheriff, and later three times for county clerk. Later Mr. Peard with his family moved to his late home near Phillips, where Mrs. Peard still resides. Mr. Peard was called to his home beyond in 1913.
W. J. Carver and F. O. Jenison were a couple more bachelors who came west to get rich quick. They took homesteads on Section 24 in Deepwell. Talk about "Hooverizing"-it was the early settlers that knew economy. These fel- lows took homesteads side by side, made their little one-room dugout and well on the line between the two homesteads, part of the time sleeping on one side of the house and then on the other, so each would live on his homestead the required time. They got tired of "turning their own flapjacks," and in 1876 William J. Carver was wedded to Miss Flora Skelton. From this time on he found things more prosperous. Mr. Carver was chosen treasurer of our county a couple of terms. In 1902 Mrs. Carver was called home. Later Mr. Carver was married to Mrs. Lora Ferguson, and now you will find them on a neat little ranch in the outskirts of Seattle, Wash., enjoying the beautiful elimate and just work enough to keep healthy.
Then in November, 1876, Mr. Jenison was married to Lizzie Sellars. They later moved to the tree claim on Section 14. Though they tried town life in Phillips, and one year on a ranch in Custer county, you'll find them back on the old tree claim, still eating substitutes.
George Wartnaby, the pioneer carpenter, as well as homesteader from Deep- well, moved with his family to Grand Island, where he and his wife still reside. and where he can still find pleasure in sawing a board when he wants a little recreation.
W. D. Myers, a homesteader from Hamilton precinet, moved away from here many years ago. He and his wife are now living at University Place.
Then came F. C. Putnam and wife. He was another pioneer carpenter: found his homestead on Section 12 in Deepwell. Mr. Putnam was also a suc- cessful politician and was interested in the G. A. R. of Hamilton county. Mr. and Mrs. Putnam finally moved to "the land of sunshine and flowers," Long
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Beach, Calif. About five years ago Mr. Putnam was called to the haven of rest. Mrs. Putnam still lives in Long Beach with her son Freeland.
Hamilton West took a homestead on Section 2 in Deepwell. He sold it and bought land on Section 5, then sold that and left Hamilton county. A year ago we heard from Mr. West. He was then in business in Tucson, Ariz.
A. C. Adams was another bachelor who took a homestead on Section 34 in Phillips precinct. He, too, soon tired of batching, went back to Iowa visit- ing, captured a good-looking young lady and returned to Nebraska, living on the old homestead until 1910, when they moved to University Place. City life was not as rosy as it might be, and now you will find Mr. and Mrs. Adams on a farm near Lodgepole, Nebraska.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Tompkins homesteaded on Section 4 in Deepwell. Had one of the first post offices; it was known as Lincoln Valley, mail being brought overland by Mr. Spafford, father of N. P. Spafford. He made the trip from his home near Aurora to Grand Island by way of "nine bridges," at first twice a week and later three times per week. Lincoln Valley post office was transferred with Bunker Hill to St. Joe. Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins moved to St. Joe and ran a small store and the post office, later to Phillips and ran a flour mill, then to Missouri. Mr. Tompkins has gone to his eternal rest. As near as we can learn, Mrs. Tompkins is living with her children.
J. C. Jeffers, with his good wife, homesteaded on Section 34, in Phillips precinet, later with their children drifted from Hamilton county, finally landing at Altoona, Iowa, where they can eat hazelnuts as in childhood days.
Mr. and Mrs. James Loyd, other old homesteaders from Deepwell, moved to Cnster county. Mrs. Loyd was called home a year ago. Mr. Loyd is living with his children near Broken Bow.
Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Noble homesteaded near Aurora. People were unusually healthy in those days. It has been said, "they had to kill a fellow to start the Aurora cemetery." Yet the services of Dr. Noble were highly appreciated. Mr. and Mrs. Noble retired from their heavy labors to Seattle, Wash., where Mrs. Noble was called home. Later, when Mr. Noble was here on a visit his sum- mons came and he was laid to rest in the family lot in the Aurora cemetery.
Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Higley homesteaded in Deepwell and cared for Bunker Hill post office until it moved to St. Joe. They spent many years in Lincoln, but their last happy years were spent together with their sons at Davenport, Iowa. Now they are both at home in heaven.
C. C. Pierce homesteaded near Aurora; later moved to Grand Island. He and his wife spent their last years in the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home at Grand Island. Both are now at rest.
A. V. B. Peck was a farmer from Union precinct when he joined this society. lIe was for many years postmaster at Bromfield, now Giltner. He was called to his reward in 1909.
D. B. Parks, a farmer from the southeast corner of Deepwell, later moved to Bromfield; was county surveyor of Hamilton county for several years. He then moved to Harvard, where he was called to his final sleep.
John Garliek, another homesteader in Deepwell, moved to southwestern Nebraska and has answered the final roll call.
Walter Finch, often called Walter Clark, moved with his foster-father to the
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
western coast state. A year ago he was in Washington, while his father was in California.
Newton James spent his life on his father's homestead in Deepwell precinct, but left this world in 1899.
William T. Dearing was just large enough to leave off wearing skirts when he came to Hamilton county, but in time grew to manhood and married Miss Emma Kirkpatrick. They tried farming, then handling a general store in Phillips, but there is no place like the farm. Though Mr. and Mrs. Dearing live in Phillips, they own the farm just south of town and are full-fledged farmers.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wilson moved from Deepwell to the state of Washing- ton, where trees grow as fast as our Nebraska corn and it rains strawberries and cream.
R. P. MeC'utcheon, another old settler, with his wife moved to Grand Island after several years on the farm. Mr. MeCutcheon owned a small molasses fac- tory for several years, and many a sweet tooth has been satisfied from his lahors. Mrs. MeCuteheon still lives in Grand Island but Mr. MeCutcheon was ealled home a few months ago.
James Kirkpatrick and wife are now residents of Grand Island, though for many years they lived on Section 3 in Deepwell. The only kiek Mr. Kirk- patriek has is that his age won't let him enlist in the army.
Then the fellow we used to enjoy hearing play the violin, Eugene E. Eaton, decided he could make more money in Hitcheock county than in Deepwell, so with his family spent several years in Scoville preeinct, then moved to Aurora, where they lived until they were both called to rest. Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth were the parents of Mrs. W. L. Stark, now of Aurora.
A. J. Spanogle and wife, one-time farmers in Deepwell and for many years influential in business and social circles in St. Joe and Phillips, both were ealled home several years ago.
L. C. Floyd used to live on a homestead in Hamilton precinct, but with his family moved to Virginia many years ago.
Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Williams used to live on a farm bordering St. Joe. They spent several happy years in Phillips. About twelve years ago Mr. Wil- liams was called home. Mrs. Williams is now well contented in the Proetor Endowment Ilome at Peoria, Ill.
A. G. Sims was a young man when he eame to Nebraska to take up a resi- dence here. Ile soon captured Miss Lizzie Dixon for his wife. They now reside in a palatial home in Aurora.
Ed Price was a farmer of Town 11, and like the rest of the young farmers got him a wife. He married Lizzie Horn, who was taken from him in a few years, leaving two daughters and a son to cheer him in later years. Mr. Price was commissioner from our Third district and has also been in business in both Phillips and Aurora, but at present is spending the summer with his sister, "Aunt" Jane Priee.
We next come to the name of William Richardson, who with his wife and sons made enough on their farm in Deepwell to retire to city life in Phillips and later to California, where Mr. Richardson answered the final roll call. Mrs. Richardson's home is at East Highlands, near that of her son David. She
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
has been spending the summer in Nebraska visiting her two sons and other friends.
Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Peterson found their homestead on Section 4 in Town 11. They will always be remembered by the early settlers for their great work in the Sunday school and church. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson moved to Aurora, where Mrs. Peterson was called to her home in heaven. Mr. Peterson was again married and is living quite comfortably in Aurora.
George Crumrine came to Town 11 with his little family and took a sol- dier's homestead on Section 34. Ilis wife soon departed this life, leaving him with three small children. Later he married Jane Malcott, who helped him raise a fine family. Mr. and Mrs. Crumrine now live very happily in each other's company. I think Mr. Crumrine is the only homesteader in Phillips preeinet still living on his homestead except W. J. Miller.
J. W. Alden and wife came here with their two sons and took homesteads. Mr. Alden also owned what is now the north part of Phillips. He and his wife are now at rest. William Allen is living with his family at North Platte, and Charles Alden and wife are living in Lincoln.
B. N. Miller came to Ilamilton county with an ox team and a pancake griddle, dug a hole in the ground and crawled in; soon tired of batching and went to Iowa and got a wife. The Lord decreed their happiness to be short and his wife and little ones were soon called from the toil of this world. Later Mr. Miller married Miss Belle Sweezey from Illinois. Their life has been full of happiness and sunshine. They have now turned their farms over to their children and are preparing to live in a modern home in Grand Island.
James Madison was a homesteader from Deepwell who moved with his fam- ily to Colorado, then to South Dakota, where he departed this life. Mrs. Madison still lives near Redfield, S. D., with her children.
Elmer Ball was a very small boy when he arrived in this county. When he grew to manhood he won the heart and hand of Miss Margaret Horn. For awhile he tried pulling weeds on a farm, but now, with his family, is living in Des Moines, Iowa, an expert at pulling teeth.
James Allen found his homestead on Section 34 in Town 11. He brought with him his bride and by main strength and ingenuity won for himself a home worth living for. But in 1899 Mr. Allen succumbed to heart failure. Mr. and Mrs. Allen were the parents of the second white child born in this part of the county. That baby is now Mrs. Cora Dixon. Mrs. Allen was again mar- ried, this time to her brother-in-law, and for the last few years has been living very contentedly in her home in Phillips.
There used to be a man and his wife on a farm just across the road east of Phillips. They used to live on apples and oatmeal. Whenever he got thirsty he would walk to the town pump for a good, cool drink, and get the fashions of the day. This was Mr. and Mrs. Eli Decker. Now they have found an easier way; are living in Grand Island, where their daughter, Mrs. Sherrick, serves their oatmeal and they can get the fashions from the daily papers. (Mr. Decker is objecting; says he had lots more to eat.)
Then came Millard Hunt and wife. They missed the grasshoppers and johnny-cake and buffalo beans, but endured with us some of the later trials in homesteading. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt still live on Section 22 in Phillips precinct.
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
D. C. Huffman and his wife and grown children came to Hamilton county in 1873 and bought Section 19 in Hamilton precinct. Though Mr. and Mrs. Huffman are now with the angels, they did many kind deeds, never to be for- gotten.
Levi Cox, a farmer living east of Phillips, got tired of farming and with his wife and daughter moved to Omaha, where he was connected with the Cox- Jones Commission Company. Like so many of his friends he is now at rest.
E. J. Bebb with his wife and children settled on Section 17 in Monroe pre- cinet, but later moved to Phillips and for several years was an influential busi- ness man of that burg. He and his wife have both been called to that home that knows no sorrows and where troubles never come.
Mrs. C. Ward was a little braver than most of her sex; she came west and took a homestead; as she grew older she divided her property with her two daughters and moved with Mrs. Tompkins to Missouri. She is now with her brother, Jake Jeffers, at Altoona, Iowa.
When William Ball eame west he bought railroad land on Section 33, Town 11. Mr. Ball was one of our first school teachers. His schoolhouse was the basement of his own home. He and his wife left this community for sunny California, where both have answered the final summons.
William Arnold settled on Section 1 in Deepwell. He soon won Miss Nora Arnold for his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold sold this farm and bought another adjoining the town of Phillips, where their son does the farming while "Billie" walks up town every day to read the latest war news from the bulletin boards.
You all know of Scoville precinct. in the southwest part of the county. In the early days a man with his good wife took a homestead on Section 24, Town 9, Range 8, and later when the precinet was looking for a name they chose that of their honorable citizen. Mr. Scoville. He was very prominent in political circles, having served the county as sheriff, was twice representative and once state senator. Ile was also commander at the Soldiers' and Sailors' IFome for a few years. He lived in Aurora many years, a prominent attorney, devoting a great deal of his time to temperance work. Mr. Scoville was ealled to the better world in April, 1903. Mrs. Seoville is now living with her daugh- ter, Mrs. Lyle, wife of the county clerk of Hall county, at Grand Island.
George W. Pierce, a cousin of Mrs. Harvey Bell of Aurora, found a home- stead on Lincoln creek near Aurora for himself and family. Mr. Pierce followed the trade of painter for several years before leaving Aurora for their present home at Lincoln.
Another member who faced the hardships of a homesteader's life was George W. Quigley, who with his wife found their first home in Beaver precinct. They sold this and bought land near what is now the city of Murphy. Mr. and Mrs. Quigley were both summoned to their final home several years ago.
J. C. Hein did not live in this part of Hamilton county long. During his stay here he had a "dram shop" under the "big brick" store at Phillips. After one year he left with his family for parts unknown to us.
Miss Sarah Jane Price was another of our first lady land owners in Town 11, as Phillips precinct was then called. "Annt Jane" was also one of our first schoolma'ams. She has always been interested in Sunday school and church work. Is now living comfortably in her home in Phillips.
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Another bachelor was John T. Price. He was also one of our first "school- ma 'ams," and one of our first county superintendents. Then he decided he needed an assistant teacher and persuaded Miss Nannie Lutz to be his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Price lived in Greeley Center for several years, but at present are living with their youngest daughter near Sholes, Nebraska.
Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Stark were also members of this worthy institution. Once upon a time they lived on a farm, but Aurora has been their home for many years. Many a time has the publie been pleased to hear Mrs. Stark's voice blending in song with that of her father's, Mr. Ellsworth, at public gath- erings. Mr. Stark has been a prominent attorney for many years and served several terms as congressman. He is now deeply interested in the Home Guard of Aurora, only lamenting he is above the age permitting him to enlist along with his son, Dr. Lucien Stark.
A. F. England, an early settler who found his bride at Naponee, Nebraska, will be remembered as farmer, carpenter and "schoolma'am." Ile and his family are now living quite comfortably at University Place.
George K. Eaton found his homestead on Section 6 in Hamilton precinct. Ile, too, was a bachelor, who later married Miss Margaret Woods, and lived for many years on the old home place. Mrs. Eaton was called home twelve years ago. Mr. Eaton continued to live on the same place until last January, when he, too, was called home.
N. B. Payne found his home in Union precinct. Mr. Payne was not only a farmer but spent a great deal of his time in church work. Mr. Payne and his family moved to Oklahoma about eighteen years ago, where they still reside.
D. E. Preston was another homesteader near Aurora. His wife died many years ago, and a few years ago he, too, was called to rest.
W. J. Donglas, who prospered for many years on his farm in the southern part of Deepwell, spent a few years in California for his wife's health. After her death he returned to his farm with the children, who are now grown, then he, too, was called to rest.
N. P. Spafford is the last name on the records. Ile came west with his father when he was but a small boy, and grew up with the country. Mr. Spafford was married and for many years was proprietor of Aurora's principal book store. For the past several years he and his wife have been living at their ease in sunny California.
There were eighty-nine members of the old association. Forty-one of this number have been called to rest, and only three are still living on the land they earned from Uncle Sam.
Now, I may have made a few mistakes. If I have I hope those who know will correct me, as I wish to keep this as a record.
I love the man of nerve who dares to do,
The moral hero, stalwart through and through, Who treads the untried path, evades the rut, And in a forest clearing builds a hnt ; Removes the tares enenmbering the soil, And finds an empire based on thought and toil, Then let me, once for all, propose this toast :
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
"Here's to those men of all we love the most, Those living for the future, not the past, Surmounting obstacles, however vast ! And so, through joys and sorrows, smiles and tears I say, 'God bless those sturdy pioneers.'" -G. F. Rhinehart in The Pioneers.
Ernest Hoagland was the first white ehild born in this part of the county. He was born on Section 30, Town 11, Range 7, now known as the Dan Devore place. His parents are both dead. A brother was for many years a member of the police force in Grand Island.
CHAPTER IV
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
IN THE SEVENTIES-IN THE EIGHTIES-ROSTER OF COUNTY OFFICERS-COUNTY CLERK -COUNTY TREASURER-SHERIFF-COUNTY JUDGE-COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS-SURVEYOR-CORONER-LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION-COUNTY GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS-ELECTIONS DURING THE NINETIES-ELECTIONS FROM 1900-1910-OFFICERS FROM 1910 TO 1921-WAS A VERY LONESOME DEMOCRAT, A. M. GLOVER-POLITICAL REVIEW OF HAMILTON COUNTY.
IN THE SEVENTIES
Prior to the fall of 1872 only the east half of the county had been settled, and parties were an unknown element in the selection of candidates to fill the various offices. At the election of that year all that part of the county west of Range 6 constituted one election preeinet; the election was held at the house of D. A. Seovill. There were only six legal voters in the preeinet at the time. They were D. A. Seovill, George Jaekett, W. P. White, A. V. B. Peek, David Wright and David Boag. As it required five of them to constitute the election board, it left one man who received no pay for his day's time. This man was W. P. White, and the "board " put in their time during the day electioneering the one man who constituted the constituency. During the year 1873 the towns of Aurora and Orville began to gird up their loins for the contest, which each knew to be in- evitable, and which meant the death of one or the other. For the first time in the history of the county two conventions were held in that year, one at Orville and one at Aurora. At the election which followed the Aurora tieket proved victorious, the following men of that place being elected : William R. Mitchell, elerk; J. II. Faris, treasurer; J. M. Smith, sheriff; J. T. Price, superintendent, and B. F. Isaman, commissioner. During the succeeding two years the "county seat fight" had developed into open and bitter warfare, with Hamilton in the fray fresh and vigorous, Aurora thriee defeated, but cool and determined, and Orville "badly disfigured, but still in the ring."
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