USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. I > Part 57
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. I > Part 57
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93
A. G. Peterson has been interested in mercantile business in Aurora for thirty- seven years. For twenty-seven years he has been engaged in banking here. The sale is made to give him an opportunity more nearly to retire from the cares of business and relieve him from responsibilities that he was finding irksome. He has always been one of the leading citizens of the community. He has built up industries, as well as erected buildings, and the city will never become so large that his impulse along lines of solid prosperity in its early days cannot be dis- tinctly traced. What buildings he has been concerned in he has favored per- manence of construction, and his influence has always been in favor of industries that would endure. He still retains interests in lumber, merchandising, real estate and other things, and as ever expects to make Aurora his life-long home, but he will, as he has earned the right to be. take a course that will less actively identify him with the stress of business life, and that will enable him to enjoy more of the fruition of his labors. All honor, success and happiness to A. G. Peterson.
The purchase does not include the real estate and building, the banking rooms of which have been leased by the new owners for two years with privilege of five. It is understood that if any of the other stockholders desire to sell their interests will be taken over. The date of the transfer of operation is set for August 1. Additional men may be employed, but it is said that the working force will be retained by the new management. As the Aurora National bank has been a great factor in our growth and progress, so also the transfer will be intimately con- nected with our future.
Banks like persons and cities have a distinct individuality and it is of vital importance to all Hamilton county what may be expected from this new source of financial life blood. The Grand Island National bank is the oldest in that city and never has it been under more progressive management. The head of the institution was a pioneer settler of Hamilton county. At one time he owned eighty acres of land here. Jacob K. Hansen, whose family is still living on the old homestead seven miles north of Hampton, was his brother. There is acquain- tanee with some of the old Danish neighbors and families of the early day, and all of them have been aware of his subsequent rise in worldly prosperity after he went to Grand Island, without capital, to begin his struggle with the world. At one time he was an employe of the Wolbach establishment. When he went to Dannebrog, in 1885, he engaged in the mercantile line, but afterward drifted into banking.
The list of stockholders in the old Aurora State Bank in the early nineties furnishes an interesting historical glimpse of those in the community financially active then.
DIRECTORS
Andrew G. Peterson ; John B. C'ain ; Fritz Hoefer; Edward Bignell ; Frank C. Putnam ; Van O. English ; D. E. Thompson.
471
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
STOCKHOLDERS
Alfred W. Agee ; Andrew G. Peterson ; Harvey Cole ; Fritz Hoefer; Frank C. Putnam; Simpson M. Day; E. E. Mighell; A. A. Hartquest; William Glover; Swan Youngquest ; K. J. Cain; C. C. Coon; J. B. Cain ; J. W. Trammell ; L. J. McKern; Van O. English ; William Kramer; E. Thompson; Edward Bignell ; J. L. Tidball; C. D. Mullen; W. L. Dayton ; E. Cain ; D. E. Thompson ; S. P. Ilough ; Martin Hanawald.
A comparative statement of deposits of the various Hamilton County Banks, their officers, and other notations of changes for 1910, 1916 and 1921 will serve to show their proportionate progress in recent years: In 1910, Aurora National Bank, A. G. Peterson, President ; F. IJoefer, Viee-president ; W. C. Keck, Cashier ; deposits, $154,000. Farmers State Bank, J. L. Evans, president ; J. A. Isaman, Vice-President ; G. Wanek, Cashier; started in 1909, deposits $34,000. Fidelity National Bank, A. E. Seikman, President; V. Swanson, Vice-president; C. S. Brown, Cashier; deposits, $83,000. First National Bank, T. E. Williams, Presi- dent ; J. D. Ferguson, Vice-president ; T. R. Work, Assistant Cashier; deposits, $532,000. First National Bank, started in 1884, A. B. Houghton, President ; S. C. Houghton, Cashier; Deposits, $210,640. Bank of Bromfield, William Glover, President ; E. A. Glover, Vice-president ; C. O. Glover, Cashier ; B. M. Glover and Eric Wright, Assistant Cashiers, started in 1886; deposits, $135,000. Citizens' Bank, started in 1906, J. S. Marvel, President ; M. Wagner, Viee-president ; L. J. Gallentine, Cashier; deposits, $113,000. First National Bank, since 1889, W. I. Farley, President; A. W. Iliekman, Vice-president; J. J. Refshauge, Cashier ; deposits, $160,000. Bank of Phillips since 1884, L. E. Otto, President; J. A. Camft, Vice-president; Harry Peard, Cashier; deposits, $110,000. Stoek- ham State Bank, A. B. Houghton, President; S. C. Houghton, Vice-president ; J. D. Hamilton, Cashier, started in 1904; deposits, $61,000.
In 1916, the deposits were : Farmers' State Bank, Aurora, $200,000. Fidelity National Bank, Aurora, $390,000. First National Bank, Aurora, $489,000. First Savings Bank, with W. C. Wentz as President ; F. E. Quinn, Vice-presi- dent; C. W. Wentz, Cashier; started in 1913, had $53,000 deposits. Bank of Bromfield, Giltner, $185,000. Citizens' Bank, Giltner, $137,000. First National Bank at Hampton, $245,000. A second bank at Hampton, started in 1912, Farmers' State Bank with A. E. Seikman as President ; C. S. Brown, Vice-presi- dent; A. S. Gausman, Cashier, had reached $156,000 deposits. First National Bank, Marquette, $225,000 and it also had a rival started in 1913. Farmers' State Bank, with H. Smith, President ; Ira Smith, Vice-president, and A. W. Jenson, Cashier, and deposits of $60,000. Bank of Phillips, deposits $135.000. This bank in 1916 had a new management, F. W. Shnster, president; W. T. Deering. Vice-President ; C. M. Carlson, now of Doniphan, Nebraska. Cashier, and Ethel Peard. Assistant Cashier. Stockham State Bank had deposits of $45.000; and a new rival, Farmers' State Bank, Wm. Tucker. President : A. Grosshans. C'ashier, had started in 1913.
In 1921 the status of llamilton County Banks is: Farmers' State Bank. same officers, deposits, $530,000. Fidelity State Bank, $740.000. First National Bank, $660,000. First Trust Co., E. J. Hainer, President ; P. J. Refshange, Secretary and Treasurer, and Dr. E. A. Steenburg, Vice-president. The new American State Bank, fostered by the Wentz family, failed in 1920, with disastrous results
172
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
to many people. Giltner State Bank, more fully accounted for hereafter, $250,- 000. Citizens' State Bank $215,000. Farmers' State Bank of Hampton, $260,- 000. First National Bank of Hampton, $300,000. Hordville, First State Bank, started in 1907, W. I. Farley, President; A. W. Hickman, Vice-president; L. G. Crampton, Cashier; R. C. Gustafson, Assistant Cashier, has in 1921 deposits of ยท $220,000. First National of Marquette, $310,000. Farmers' State Bank of Marquette with Henry Smith, President; John Benson, Vice-president; A. W. Jensen, Cashier, and C. W. May, Assistant Cashier, had deposits of $140,000. The Bank of Phillips, with E. C. Huxtable, Cashier, $190,000 deposits, and Stockham State Bank with Frank W. Sloan now President; Geo. B. Miles, Cashier; Wm. Tueker, Vice-president, had $180,000 deposits.
The old Bank of Bromfield for so many years under the charge of the Glover family was recently changed to the Giltner State Bank, with Charles S. Brown, as first President, and Fred Burr, Vice-president, and John Wnlstein, remaining as Cashier. More recently Fred Burr has assumed Vice-presidency and Cashier- ship together.
First State Bank of Murphy, started in 1915, W. I. Farley, President ; A. W. Hiekman, Vice-president ; I. M. Bengston, Cashier, and Ethel Moore, Assistant Cashier; deposits in 1921, $175,000.
INDUSTRIES
The Ancora Roller Mills were built in 1884 by Curry & Glover. The mill was equipped with first-class modern machinery, but in 1888 the flouring machinery was removed to Dakota, and the mill has since been adapted to grinding corn and feed. In the late 'eighties it was owned by a Chicago commission house and used as a grain elevator.
The Aurora Machine Shops of H. T. Jensen were established in 1884. The business consisted largely of repairing farm machinery and the manufacture of "patent feed steamers," the "right" to which was owned by Mr. Jensen.
The Aurora Foundry was established in the fall of 1886 by F. W. Wilson. Later Mr. Wilson erected a good brick building, which he moved his machinery into as soon as it was completed.
There were also three extensive brick-yards here, all doing a good business.
The Aurora Creamery Company was organized in the spring of 1887, the stock being owned by a large number of the business men of the city. In the fall of 1888 the building-a frame structure-was entirely destroyed by fire. The stock was then bought up by a few of the original stockholders, who procceded to erect a brick building suited to the needs of the business. The owners of the stock in later years were, llon. J. H. Smith, E. J. Hainer and W. A. Carpenter.
AURORA BRICK YARD
When the Aurora brick yard was started in 1904, Adolph Blunk was put in charge of it. He remained here until 1909 and developed the local business into one of much profit. Later the Blunk family moved to Grand Island where Mr. Blunk died.
C. W. Lakin, who had been at Klose & Company's plant at Doniphan previously, came to superintend the Anrora brick yard. It is in the selection
OLD AURORA FLOUR MILLS JACOB MOSES MARKETING WHEAT
AURORA
OLD AURORA WASHING MACHINE FACTORY OLD FERGUSON GRAIN ELEVATOR
.
475
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
of such capable and faithful men as Mr. Lakin that the company has been able to produce such remarkable results. Chas. Lakin came to Aurora about five years ago and in that short time he has built up a business and a close friendship such as few men are able to make in a community in a lifetime.
Messrs. Klose and Schwynn of Doniphan organized the Klose Brick Company about 1900. Three plants were built from time to time, one at Lincoln, one at Doniphan and in 1904 the one at Anrora. The Aurora and Doniphan plants each cost about $40,000.00 and the big plant just west of Lincoln is a half million dollar concern.
Mr. Schwynn died about 1911. Mr. Klose became a millionaire and spent his late years largely in Florida and other points, in ease. Charles Lakin managed the Aurora plant for seven years, and Henry Mapes has managed it the last two years. Mrs. Klose is the owner of the Aurora plant, and the C. Klose Company own the Lincoln plant. The capacity of the Aurora plant has reached five million bricks per year, but of course in 1921 work is slack, due to the financial depression, and with two million brieks on hand it does not expect to open work very early in the summer of 1921, if at all.
AURORA'S STORES
The business industries in Aurora in 1895 were: General stores: Kim Kay Company, N. P. Spaffon, W. W. Thamberger, Peterson Brothers, J. R. Davidson, W. H. Alden & Company, E. H. Jackson, W. H. Fairchild. Dry Goods: The Racket, J. E. Dean. Drugs : C. A. Goodens, Dr. D. S. Woodard & Sons, C. K. McKee & Company. Clothing: Westewelt Brothers, Forbes Clothing Com- pany. Furniture : Munson Brothers, B. A. Munson. Hardware: Temple Block Hardware, George Venton, MeErew & Nickols, J. B. Hunter. Shoes: Thomas & Vandell, O. H. Darling. Groceries: V. Swanson, Farmers' Exchange, J. Sheen & Son. Meat Markets: Everybodys' Meat Market, Wm. Weingarten. H. M. Jeffry Photo Gallery, Barlyton Hotel, City Hotel, Tuttle House, Aurora House. C. N. Deitz, lumber. Aurora Business Association, Dalkey & Jensen, flour and feed. Wales & Eaton.
The business industries of Aurora from 1900 to 1905 were : Farmers' Alliance Mutual Insurance Company, B. F. Isaman, secretary; The Hub Department Company, J. R. Davidson & Company, Fair Store, D. A. Johnson & Company, J. Krasne, general store, J. E. Dean, dry goods, W. J. Palmer, drugs, C. K. McKee, drugs, Chapman Furniture Company, Sehrand & Miller, hardware, Jacob Petly, shoemaker, C'ole & Welkins, meats, Everybodys' Meat Market, Frank S. Doyd, restaurant, A. Dahl & Son, bicycle, Holmes & MeLaughlin, groceries, Aurora Land Company, A. B. Cowley & Company, F. Hoefer Jewelry Company, J. Peesey & Chapman, furniture, H. N. Bell, Rutherford & Shear, implements, S. B. Chapman, implement, Aurora Milling Company, E. C. Rhin- hart.
PETERSON STORE
The Peterson store was established in 1879 by A. G. Peterson, a brother-in- law being associated with him for a short time only. The business started in a modest way, as most of them at so early a date did, but from the day of its Vol. 1-31
416
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
entrance in the field it has ever kept abreast of the advancing community inter- ests. The floor space occupied by the store at the present time is about six times greater than was necessary at the beginning, and the volume of business now would have to be multiplied by a much larger figure. In the early day, when the country was sparsely settled and people lived long distances apart, customers came from all corners of the county to buy their supplies. Now, with the country thickly populated and the auto taking the place of the broncho, they still come from the same long distances to buy.
Three years after the establishment of the business Mr. and Mrs. Peterson were married. That was in 1882. They had planned a trip abroad, and the three brothers of Mr. Peterson became partners in the business, having charge of it during the absence of the founder and his wife. Fred and Gust retired some years later, and seven or eight years ago Einer retired to establish his own business. From that date until the retirement of Mrs. Peterson the first of the year the stock was all held by members of the family, Harry and Nell Peterson having acquired stock in the business.
Mr. Schwynn, who for seven years had been with the Wolbach store in Grand Island, bought the stock of Mrs. Peterson in January, 1918, and a little later became actively identified with the business.
BUSINESS WHICH GREW FROM SMALL BEGINNING IN '94 WINDS UP IN 1915
DAVIDSON STORE
Much favorable publicity was given J. R. Davidson by the press of the state in connection with the closing out of his $40,000 Aurora department store, which event was completed in December 1915, with free lunch to about 1,000 friends and former customers. Several of the daily papers have carried good pictures of Mr. Davidson with stories of his remarkable career sent out by their local correspondent, Frank E. Edgerton. The following, taken from the Omaha Bee, is a concise and accurate statement of facts upon which The Republican is un- able to improve :
"Mr. Davidson started in business in Aurora in 1894, just before the hot wind of that year came along to destroy the erops of this county. His stock of goods at that time was invoiced at $140 and he was proprietor, janitor, delivery boy, bookkeeper for his store.
"From that small beginning in that year of famine, Mr. Davidson has ad- vanced until, when he decided to close out, he had a department store employing thirty clerks and doing a business of $90,000 a year. But he decided to quit and retire to his fruit ranch near this city. He sold his stock and not his business, and now he is through. In the 21 years of his life spent in business here his trade expanded until he counted as his customers many farmers from outside of this county.
"Mr. Davidson was born in Monona, Clayton county, Iowa, 59 years ago. His father was a Congregational minister, a graduate of Yale college and Yale divinity school. In 1878 Mr. Davidson came to this county and farmed for three years. Ile then went to Sherman county and took a homestead. On this homestead he established a store. freighting his goods across the country from
477
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Kearney. Later the little town of Hazard was established close to his home- stead and he moved his store to that place. He was compelled to sell out and quit business about 1892 by reason of poor health. But the lure of the store business was in his blood and he came to Aurora and bought out a stock of goods worth $140. Other merchants quit when the hot winds came along, but Davidson stayed."
Aurora's business industries from 1905 to 1920 were: Peterson Brothers general store, Hub Department Store, J. R. Davidson & Company, Fair Store, Bargain Store, D. A. Johnson, general store ; J. E. Dean, dry goods; C. K. McKee & Company, drugs; Woodard Drug Company, Magee Clothing Company, Chap- man Furniture Company, Diamond Shoe Store, Olson Tailor Shop, V. Swanson, groceries; S. J. Jolinson, groceries; W. P. Isaace, meats; Waddle Brothers, Deitz Lumber Company, Grosshans Lumber Company, Aurora Spe- cialty Store, McKee & Hartquest, drugs; H. F. Bachen & Company, clothing; Aurora Mercantile Company, H. H. Donner, jewelry; Huffman & Sims, restau- rant; Peterson Brothers & Company, Einer Peterson Store, Wilkins Drug Store, W. C. Willis, paint shop; Hedland, hardware; Anderson Company Jewelry Store, Stewart Shoe Company, H. L. Sampson, groceries; Sandin Anto Com- pany, W. S. Shaneyfelt Lumber Company.
BUSINESS HOUSES IN 1920
The great growth of Aurora is evidenced by its increased roster of business institutions, late in 1920, which is appended for that purpose. Adams Candy Kitchen ; American State Bank, failed in 1920; American Express Co. office; An- derson Livery & Taxi Co .; Aurora Cash Meat Market; Aurora Co-operative ('reamery Co. ; Aurora Elevator Co., elevator and mill; Anrora Exchange Store ; Aurora Hardware Co .; faithful old Aurora Honse, hotel; Aurora Junk & Iron Co .; Aurora Printing Co. (Republican office) ; Aurora schools; high school, David Stone, east school and Robert Miller, west school; Aurora Sun office; Aurora Tire & Repair Co .; Bergson & MeCarthy, real estate; Best & Williams, feed barn ; Dr. G. E. Bigsby, office; Burlington freight and passenger depots and round house; Burlington Restaurant; Burr Publishing Co. (Hamilton County Register office) ; Cass Bros., real estate; Central Hotel; Chapin-Colglazier Con- struction Co .; Chapman Furniture Co .; City Municipal Plant; Dr. J. F. Cole, dental office; Commercial Club rooms; M. D. Crossett, jeweler; DeWaters & Howard, hardware; L. A. Enderle, shop ; Farley Investment Co .; Farmers Truck & Tractor Co., Farmers Union Association Store; Fidelity National Bank; First National Bank; First Trust Co .; Grosshans Lumber Co .; Gunnarson & Call, office; Gunnarson Bros., implements; Hainer, Craft & Edgerton, law offices; Grand Union Tea Co. agency; O. F. Hartquest, drug store; Haworth & Sons, jewelers; Dr. I. W. Haughey, office; J. S. Hedgecock, dairy; Hockenbary & Miller, meat market ; T. B. Hord Grain Co., elevator; The Hub, dry goods and department store; Dr. C. D. IInstead; W. P. Isaac, meat market; J. A. Isaman & Co., abstract and insurance offices ; Johnson Clothing Co .; Frank Johnson, miller ; Joseph Johnson, contractor ; E. J. Jones & Son, plumbing shop; Kenney Novelty Co., store ; Frank LaBelle, florist; Dr. W. M. Lenser, chiropractor; C. C. Mc-
428
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Cray, jeweler and optometrist ; Magee Clothing Co .; Dr. G. H. Marvel; Mazda Theatre ; Milner & Ryan, oil station; B. A. Munson & Co., undertaking; Dr. L. G. Myers, dentist ; J. C. Neilson, tailor shop ; C. E. Neir, druggist ; Joseph Neptune, contractor of state wide reputation ; Newman Bros., dentists; Dr. II. V. Nothomb, veterinarian ; Olympia Candy Kitchen ; M. C. Otto, store; Pablo Parlor; Pence Cash Ilardware Store; Peterson Bros. & Co., store ; Einer Peterson Store; (. A. Peterson, battery station ; F. E. Quinn, restaurant ; Mrs. R. E. Ramgren, millin- ery; W. E. Reber, harness shop ; Chas. Rutherford, drug store ; Sandin Auto Co., garage; C. R. Scoville, poultry house; Wm. Seibler, blacksmith shop; II. E. Sims, garage ; Sinelair Refining C'o., oil office; Smith & Hare, law offices; M. F. Stanley, law office; Drs. E. A. and D. B. Steenburg; Swanson's Bakery & Cafe ; Seander Swanson, store; Vie Swanson, store; S. Y. A. Garage; Thomas Phar- macy; Updike Grain Elevator; Dr. J. J. Waters, veterinarian; W. C. Wentz Co., offices, failed late in 1920; C. L. Whitney, law office ; Walter (". Willis, store ; Drs. D. S. & J. M. Woodard : Harle W. Wright & Co., store.
CHAPTER VII
OTHER TOWNS
ORVILLE CITY - HAMPTON - STOCKHAM - BROMFIELD-GILTNER - MARQUETTE - PHILLIPS-HORDVILLE-HAMILTON-OTHER TOWNS.
ORVILLE CITY
Orville City, the first eounty seat, was located by the county commissioners in 1870, and surveyed. platted and recorded as a town by them. The site lies on a beautiful platean overlooking both forks of the Blue River, on the south half of the northeast quarter of Section 22, Township 9, Range 6, west. It was de- clared the county seat of Hamilton County May 3, 1870, by a vote of the people at the first election held in the county, and remained such until January 1, 1876, at which date the county seat was removed to Aurora by a majority vote in compliance with a general act of the legislature of Nebraska approved February, 1875.
The site was pre-empted by the commissioners and surveyed by John Harris. The first to locate there were T. II. and William Glover. T. H. Glover opened the first store, in the fall of 1872, with a stock of general merchandise. He was followed shortly after by William Glover, who inaugurated the second business enterprise of the town, that of a hotel and boarding house. The court-house was erected in May, 1872, which was the first building put up, and in November of the same year, the first frame house was built by T. H. Glover. In 1873, it was a thriving town containing three grocery and general merchandise stores, one drug store, hotel, blacksmith shop, real estate and law office and saloon. A school house was erected in 1873, in which Miss Nettie Hileman taught the first term of school in 1874. After the removal of the county seat to Aurora, the buildings were removed to Aurora and elsewhere, and the site of the sometime city, later the county poor-farm, on which the county established a poor-house in 1884 at a cost of about $2,500.
COUNTY SEAT REMOVAL
IIamilton county was organized in the year 1870. At that time it was thought that all lands of any value were those which lay next to the Blue river, and that the table lands of the central and northern part of Hamilton county were entirely valueless as agricultural lands. In fact so strong was this belief at the time of which we write that settlers bought B. & M. lands located on the Blue from five to six dollars per aere, while the whole territory around Aurora and extending to the Platte, or the north, was open to homestead and pre-emption
479
180
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
and left untaken because supposed to be valueless. IIence it was not strange that when the county seat was located that it should have been located near the south line of the county. But two or three years changed the opinion of every- body. The bleak uplands of the '70s became cultivated farms in '73, and it was apparent to all that the county seat must be removed to some point nearer to the center of the county. Accordingly in the year of 1873, a petition to remove the county seat was filed. The question submitted to the committee was "Shall the county seat be removed?" Those in favor voting "For removal of county seat," those opposed "Against removal of county seat."
The friends of Aurora, which was platted during the year 1872, either by mistake or design, instead of having tickets printed as per call, that is "For removal of county seat," printed and voted a ticket as follows: "For county seat, Aurora," and after a canvass of the vote, it was found that Aurora had received two-thirds of the votes cast. The committee, however, refused to move. A writ of mandamus was issued against them and the matter taken to the supreme court.
The following is the opinion rendered by Maxwell : The testimony shows that while two-thirds of the votes cast on the question of county seat were cast for Aurora, yet a larger number voted only "For or against removal." It is certainly apparent from the evidence also, that the matter was not fully under- stood by the people of the county, and that there was no fair submission of the question .- 3rd Neb. Rep .- People ex. rel. v. Hamilton County.
Hence the seat of government still remained at Orville City. In the fall of '74 the question was again submitted with the following results: Total number of votes cast 599, number necessary for choice 3991/2, Aurora received 399, Hamilton received 147, Orville received 53. Aurora having failed to obtain the two-thirds vote required by law, the committee refused to move. At this point Aurora very imprudently organized a company of some 150 of her citizens and friends and went to Orville City, and by violence and force took possession of the county court house and loaded up the records and safes and brought them to Aurora. A writ of mandamus compelled them to be taken back to the county seat the following spring, and a third election was called May 20th, 1875, which resulted as follows: Whole number of votes cast 765, number necessary for choice 510, Aurora 394, Hamilton 361, Orville 5, W. E. 6-10-6 3, Sec. 6-12-5 1, blank 1. There still being no choice, another election was held on June 28th, which resulted as follows: Total number of votes cast 841, number necessary to choice 561. Hamilton 434, Aurora 404, Orville 3. Hamilton for the first time had received a majority and considering the victory was as good as in her grasp failed to put forth the required exertion, and when the fifth election was called, October 12th, 1875, only a majority vote was required to elect.
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.