USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 37
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After the first settlement in Humphrey Township, which was in 1870, Humphrey Precinct began to grow quite rapidly. Edward T. Graham, a native of Prince Edward's Island, just married, mi- grated to Nebraska and located on section 12, in this township, where he improved a farm and became one of the prosperous and influen- tial men of the community, owning at one time some fifteen hundred acres of land. A few weeks thereafter came J. M. Alderson and these two made strenuous efforts to induce settlers to come and locate here. After he had been here about four years Mr. Graham was highly gratified to note the unexpected inflow of people to this part of the county. He said at the time, in speaking of the efforts of his neighbor and himself: "We resolved to use our influence to induce a few more people to come in, hoping that we might enjoy the social privileges of a neighborhood, though small. But we expected to see a good many years go by before houses dotted the prairies as thickly as now (1874). The progress of the precinct you may judge from the following sta- tisties, which I gleaned while assessing: Number acres assessed, 26,487 ; assessed value, $132,435; assessable personal property, $10,- 050.80; number of acres under cultivation, 1,700; sown to oats, 200: balance to be planted in corn, potatoes and garden stuff. We have
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PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY
a population of 250 and can poll over sixty votes at the next election. If there is any other precinct that has made greater progress in the same time, let us hear from it."
WALKER TOWNSHIP
On petition of John Walker and forty-five others, Walker Pre- cinct was created August 1, 1871. It was comprised of the north half of town 19, ranges 3 and 4 west, and all of town 20, ranges 3 and 4 west. The commissioners selected James Walker's house for the place of election; John M. Walker, Matt Farrell and James Collins, judges; Pat Ducey and M. Murray, clerks.
Later it lost the south half of township 19, which was given to Joliet, and all of town 20, range 3 west, which is now St. Bernard. Walker Township is bounded on the north by Madison County; on the west by Boone County; on the south by Woodville; and on the east by St. Bernard township. Shell Creek, with tributary streams, waters the northeastern part of the lands in this community and the Lookingglass with its tributary streams supplies abundant water and drainage to the south half. About one-half of the land is rolling and one-half level upland rich loam soil. Here are to be found many well improved farms and the products of the soil are yearly, adding vastly to the wealth and prosperity of the community. There are no trading points in this part of the county but contiguous thereto in Madison County on the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Rail- road is the Town of Newman Grove.
The earliest settler in this section of the county and for whom the township was named, was John Walker, who left Ireland and came to this country by way of Canada in 1845. John Walker served all through the Mexican war and helped bear away from the field Gen- eral Shields, who was quite seriously wounded. He fought Indians in Texas and in May, 1870, came to Nebraska and settled in what was then known as Pleasant Valley Precinct, on land contiguous to the precinct, now bearing his name. He was a man of stamina and ability, and took a considerable part in local public affairs during the early years of the county's growth.
Within a few years after the coming of Walker, this township was pretty well settled. In 1878 only 1,600 acres of Government land was left in the township, and almost all of the Union Pacific Railroad land had been purchased. Schools for the children had been provided and the people in the northern part had places of religious worship to attend at Newman's Grove, where the United Brethren
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PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY
and the Methodist Episcopals held services, each alternating every two weeks. A postoffice had been established in the southern part, with Joseph E. Jacobs as postmaster.
The St. Ansgar's Church, Danish Lutheran, of Walker Township. was organized on October 14, 1884. The church was at first without a regular pastor, but was supplied by a minister from Hamilton County until 1889. Upon this date Rev. P. Kjolhede came. The present pastor of this congregation is Rev. J. J. Lareger: there are about sixty families in the church, making a membership of nearly 300. The first church building was erected in 1889 and dedicated August 11th of that year: the second and present church structure was dedicated September 24, 1911.
The Bethania Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church, on Section 13, Walker Township, was organized November 13, 1879. The first trustees were: H. Christensen, J. B. Kock, and P. Christensen. The first pastor was Rev. O. E. Torgerson, and following him have been: Revs. Udahle, J. J. Dalbo, P. P. Thisted, J. P. Jensen, J. Marcces- sen, and the present pastor, A. Rasmussen. The first church build- ing was constructed in 1881 and in 1899 was remodeled. The first membership of this organization was only fifteen; now there are twenty-four members and sixty-seven in the parish.
Some time in the year 1879, the Evangelical Lutheran Salem Congregation of Walker Precinct was organized, and on January 3, 1881, the church was incorporated, at a special meeting, held in the house of worship, located on section 5. At this time the society was under the pastorate of Elias Peterson, and the following persons took part in the organization: John Blomquist, N. D. Anderson, C. E. Carlson, W. P. Carlson, John Newman, Andrew Anderson, Hans Peterson, August Egman, Charles Grif, Peter Johnson, Lars John- son, Oscar Eng, Peter Anderson, L. G. Pansard, Ludwig Swenson, Erik Sodergren, S. E. Nelson, N. C. Knudson, Jonas Eng, August Jacobson, C. Jacobson, John Swenson, J. P. Anderson, Lars Ander- son, Ole Olson, Gus Wallgren, Henry Anderson, J. Anderson, Oscar Blomquist, John Hendrickson, C. Erik Grif, A. G. Peterson, C. W. Nelson, A. G. Rockstrom, J. Alberg, C. J. M. Samuelson.
The character of the names given above shows upon its face the nationality of the people who organized this church, and it is also a good indication of the class of people that early became settlers in this township. A large part of the men and women who opened the lands here to cultivation and improvement were of the Northland, principally of Sweden. They are good farmers, frugal and thrifty, and are numbered among the best citizens in the county.
ST. ANSGAR'S DANISH LUTHERAN CHURCH, LOOKINGGLASS
L
SWEDISH METHODIST CHURCH, LOOKINGGLASS
BETHANIA DANISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, WALKER TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XXXIII
THE CAUSE OF TEMPERANCE
The question of temperance has been pretty thoroughly discussed in Platte County from the early days to the present. On the 22d day of February, 1873, Division No. 29, Sons of Temperance, was organized in the City of Columbus, with a charter membership of fifteen, which in two years reached 125. Good Templars Lodge No. 176 was organized in Columbus, September 16, 1874. Neither of these orders is now in existence.
RED RIBBON MOVEMENT
The services of J. B. Finch were secured by the Sons of Temper- ance to deliver a series of temperance lectures at the opera house in Columbus. These meetings commenced November 19, 1878, and con- tinued for twelve days. Meetings were held in the afternoon and evening. A great interest was awakened in the cause of temperance and all classes of citizens crowded to hear Mr. Finch. The opera house was filled to overflowing for twelve nights. Hundreds of sig- natures were secured to the red ribbon pledge and the moral tone of the whole county was greatly strengthened and improved.
Captain Bontecou worked faithfully in Platte County for a few weeks after Finch left, securing many signers to the pledge. Col. John Sobieski visited Platte County a number of times, delivering temperance lectures to crowded houses, with marked success.
St. John's Total Abstinence Society was organized by Father Ryan, in July, 1872. Much good was accomplished.
The Band of Hope, a juvenile temperance society, was organized at the Congregational Church in Columbus in 1874. Quite an enthu- siasm was awakened among the young people in favor of temperance. The only temperance organization existing in Columbus at the pres- ent time is the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, which was Vol. 1-25
393
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PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY
organized October 17, 1881. Regular meetings are held, where the faithful few keep up the organization.
THE FIRST PICTURE TAKER
The pioneer picture taker of Platte County, and the only one for many years, was A. J. Arnold, a sketch of whom is given elsewhere in this volume. His photograph gallery was built on a wagon. As early as 1863 he was taking the pictures of the pioneers from Colum- bus to Genoa, and the settlements on the road. A few years later he located permanently in Columbus. It is reported of Mr. Arnold that on one occasion a gentleman appeared at his gallery for a picture. Mr. Arnold asked him if he wanted a full-length, half-length, bust, face or what. Being a little nervous, he said he would take "or what." Mr. Arnold yanked his camera around, recklessly poked the skylight curtains this way and that with a long stick, and then ordered the man to sit down. Mr. Arnold presented a revolver to the head of the gentleman who was sitting for his photograph, with the cheering remark: "Sir, my reputation as an artist is at stake. If you don't sit perfectly still and not move a hair, and look smiling, I'll blow your brains out." It is unnecessary to state that the gentleman "smole" a ghastly smile, and thus saved the artist's reputation and his own life.
PARTITION OF TOWNSHIPS
1. Columbus-Towns 16 and 17, range 1 east.
2. Bismark-Town 18, range 1 east.
3. Sherman-Town 19, range 1 east.
4. Creston-Town 20, range 1 east.
ɔ̃. Shell Creek-Town 18, range 1 west.
6. Grand Prairie-Town 19, range 1 west.
7. Humphrey-Town 20, range 1 west.
8.
Lost Creek-Towns 17 and 18, range 2 west.
9. Burrows-Town 19, range 2 west.
10. Granville-Town 20, range 2 west.
11. Monroe-Town 18 and part of town 17, range 3 west.
12. Joliet-Town 19, range 3 west.
13. St. Bernard-Town 20, range 3 west.
14. Woodville-North half of town 18, south half of town 19, range 4 west.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY
15. Walker-North half of town 19, range 2 west, and town 20, range 4 west.
16. Loup-Town 17, range 2 west, and town 17, range 3 west.
17. Butler-West half of town 16, range 1 west, and town 16, range 2 west.
18. Oconee.
INFORMATION
Population, 19,006; area, 682 square miles; miles of railway, 97.16.
Towns
Population
Columbus
. 5,014
Platte Center
388
Lindsay
465
Oconee
71
Boheet
43
Palestine
28
Woodville
48
Hill Siding
26
Woodburn
48
Lookingglass
48
Tarnov
121
Humphrey
868
Creston
338
Duncan
100
Cornlea
90
Postville
47
Kay
31
Munroe Station 282
Oldenbusch
27
St. Bernard
105
Rosenburg
12
Neboville
47
DESCRIPTION OF TOWNSHIPS
Those in range 1, township 17, one-half rich black loam; one-half mixed with sand.
Township 18-Two-thirds level upland; one-third rolling rich loam soil.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF PLATTE COUNTY
Township 19-About one-half rolling; one-half level upland, rich loam soil.
Township 20-Fine level upland, rich black loam.
Range 1 west, township 17, one-half good black loam; one-half sandy.
Township 18-Fine level upland, rich black loam.
Township 19-Fine level upland, rich black loam.
Township 20-Fine level upland, rich black loam.
1996
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