USA > Nebraska > Dakota County > Warner's history of Dakota County, Nebraska, from the days of the pioneers and first settlers to the present time, with biographical sketches, and anecdotes of ye olden times > Part 19
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ETHEL WOODARD with his wife and three child. ren came to Dakota county, August 15, 1878. Lives in Dakota City. Carried the mail between Dakota City and the Winnebago Agency, two years.
PETER CARNEY Was born in Ireland and settled in St. Johns precinct one and a half miles north of Jack- son in 1878. Married in 1858 to Catharine Cain, sis- ter of Michael Cain of Hubbard, and has six children,
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WARSURE IHEARD OF DARDIA OPUNTY.
four vous. Joseph P., deter F., Henry F. and Mi- chael; two daughters, Mrs. John Beacom and Mary. J. B. EBky cameto Burt county, Nebraska. in 1877 and settled in Dakota county, the following year, where he followed the milling business. Was married in 1866. Has one son and two daughters. Postoffice. Lester, Iowa.
SAMUEL RYMILL was born in England and came to Dakota county, November 1, 1879. Married to Mary E. Atkins of Ohio. Has two sons and four daughters. Lives on a farm four miles and a half south-east of Homer.
JOHN MANNING Came to Dakota county, February 19, 1880, and settled on Walker's Island northeast of Dakota City. where he now resides. Has three sons and three daughters. Emisted in company E. 88th Indiana Infantry, and served three years.
DR. D. C. STicos chie to Dakota county from Ohio. June 4, 1880. Was married to Lixd'o Moon in Kansas October 14, 1%75. Has three children living and one dead. Opened up a drug store at Dakota City. Graduated at K okuk, Iowa, Medical College. June 16, 1874.
Grs A. I.ENBREG was born in Germany April 4. 1867 and came to Dakota county, June 15, 1880. Farmer in . Emerson precinct. Married to Jennie Beetche at Dakota City February 12, 1890.
JAMES B. SMiru was born June 8, 1847. and set- tled in Dixon comply, Nebraska, in 1838 Came to Dakota county in 1800. Mariel in 1867. to Sasan J. Holmes and has five sous George, William, Burt. Chett and Josiah: tree daughters Mrs. Albert Ar- nold. Minnie and Blanche P. O. Jack on.
TERRENCE CULKIN Cafe to Dako county Angust 15. 1880, engaged in blacksmithing al Jackson. Mar-
303
OTHER SETLERS.
ried a second time in 1890 to Ann Dillon. Has three sons and three daughters.
BENJAMIN F. SAWYER came to Dakota county. August 21. 1880, and settled in Jackson. Married to Katie Boler. June 5. 1982. Has two adopted children. Was Deputy Sheriff three years and County Coroner two years. Engaged in the livery business and is pro- prietor of an undertakers establishment.
WILLIAM RENNIGER settled in Dakota county. November 1, 1880, on a farm six miles north of Jack- SON. Married in 1852, in Franklin county. Pennsyl- vania to Mary Weaver. Has three sons --- William W .. Simon R. and Henry; three daughters -- Mrs. Alice M. Bowles. Hattie and Emma C.
OTHER SETTLERS.
W. R. KINKEAD and wife, April 1881: Post- office Dakota City. Has four sons and three daughters. Enlisted in company F. 12th Michigan Veteran Vol. Infantry.
D. W. WAKEFIELD came from Indiana county. Pennsylvania, to Dakota county, March 14, 1881. Married to Blanche Smith, in 1880. Has four chil- dren living. Two children are dead.
WILLIAM WARNOCK was born March 12, 1844, and settled in Dakota county, November 1, 1871, where he took a homestead, which he sold, and moved to Emer- son in 1881, building the first residence in that town. When our flag was fired upon by rebel hands he en- listed in company I. 126th Illinois Volunteer Infantry and served three years. Married to Zilpha Brown. September 20. 1866, in Rock Island county, Illinois. Has one daughter, Mrs. Mattie Fales.
T. J. CLARK landed upon Dakota county soil, March 14, 1882. Was married to Katie Ryan. August.
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WARNER'S HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.
1885. and has two daughters. Keeps a general store in Jackson.
MR. AND MRS. CAPT. WILLIAM LUTHER settled in Covington coming from Arkansas. Mr. Luther at once took great interest in river matters as that was his calling. The people learned to rely on him for services and information in everything pertaining to navigation at that point. Ile also rendered valuable assistance on the pontoon bridges which have been constructed across the river there. On the 23rd of July, 1888 he and Ebenezer Ayres were granted a franchise to.run the ferry boat until April 1, 1891. In 1893 he constructed a pleasure steamer on Crystal lake, which furnished much pleasure for the people at the Old Settler meeting of that year. .. Mrs. Luther kept the Merchant hotel in South Sioux City two vears. They have four children. Marshall, Harry, Mrs. Rogers and Mrs. Bennett.
A. P. BACH was born in 1833, in Germany, and came to Dakota county, May 80, 1882. Settled on Fiddlers creek. Married to Olive Bailey' in Wiscon- sin. 3 Has one adopted child. Postoffice. Hubbard.
MICHAEL B. SMITH and'wife, April 8, 1882. Post- office Dakota City. Has eleven children. five living in Dakota county and six in Pennsylvania.
NEWTON L. CRIPPIN and wife; fall of 1882. Post- office Homer. His wife died February 15, 1890, leav- ing three children, two children having preceeded her to eternal rest. Ile was afterwards married to Nila Wilson, in Homer.
MECUNE THORN came to Dakota county, No- vember 22, 1882. Settled in Homer, where he now resides. Has one son-Ira Z. and three danghters. Mrs. Alzada McEntarffer, Izora and Lizzie. . Two children have died.
GEORGE A. KNAPP was born in Illinois, and
.....
BeNegen
CAPT. WILLIAM LUTHER.
BENEDICA
MRS. CAPT. WILLIAM LUTHER.
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OTHER SETTLERS.
cathe to Dakota county. February 15. 1883. 3 Married to Ida E. Elliott. Is at present engaged in the whole- sale commission business. Sioux City, Iowa.
"LEVI FRANCISCO and wife came to Dakota county. January 1884. las two sons-William and Henry : two danghters - Clara and Blanche. Postoffice, Jackson
ANDREW HARRIGFELD came to Dakota county. March 3, 1884, and settled on a farm two miles east of Emerson. Has three sons, Ernest, Chris and George.
SAMUEL A. STINSON came to Dakota county, in the spring of 1884, and was married to Josephine Gribble in 1886. . Hlas two sons John W. and Henry Guy. l'ostoffice, Dakota City.
JOHN S. DORAN came to Dakota county, April 16. 1884, and settled three and a half miles northeast of Emerson. Has a wife, two sons and one daughter.
JOSHUA LEONARD was born November 15, 1838. in New York and settled in Emerson May 25, 1884. where he established the Emerson Era. He has since lived in that town.
BENONE MCKINLEY came to Dakota county. May 25, 1884, and settled in Homer. Married to Bertha Kinnear 1878. Has four sons and two daughters.
WILLIAM A. FRANCISCO and wife, with one dangh- ter settled five miles south of Hubbard in October. 1884.
AMBERY BATES settled in Blyburg in 1884. although he had visited the county in 1857. Has five children living.
JOSEPH HI. MCAFEE came to Dakota county March 11, 1885, and settled on Elk creek. Married to Anna Stinson. Served three years in the 16th Ohio [Vol. Infantry. Has eight children.
D. L. ALLEN was born January 21, 1860. in. New
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OTHER SETTLERS.
York. and arrived in Dakota county July 28, 1885. Bought the old Sam Shull homestead, one mile north of Homer.
SAMUEL SHAFFER arrived in Dakota county in 1885. P. O. Homer.
ELI FRANCISCO came to Dakota county November 22, 1885. Was married in 1876 to Frances Lesley. Has two sons. Lives five miles north of Jackson.
JACOB ILER and wife arrived in the county Febru- ary 20, 1886. P. O. Dakota City. Came from La- grange county, Ireland. Has one child living.
W. M. WILSON and wife, six children-three sons and three daughters, arrived in Dakota county April 3. 1886, and settled on Omaha creek.
MICHAEL P. DORAN and wife, two sons and one daughter, settled one mile north of Emerson in 1886.
JOHN JORDAN and wife arrived in Dakota county April 20, 1888, farmer. P. O. Emerson. Ilas four sons and four daughters.
H. A. MCCORMICK was born May 22, 1863. in Linn county, Iowa. Came to Dakota county May 1, 1888, and located in Dakota City, where he took charge of the Argus. Moved to South Sioux City in January, 1891. Was married to Lina J. Flint January 14, 1884. Has two children, Ralph Edwin and Frances. Two children have died.
GEORGE HENRY came to Dakota county in July. 1888, and edited the Homer Herald. Married to Hattie E. Robinson June 5, 1887.
MICHAEL HARTY was born in Ireland and came to America in 1853. Settled on a homestead in St. Johns precinct where he resided until his death July 16, 1883.
WILLIAM CLAPP was born in Connecticut, June 5, 1842, and arrived in Dakota county May 1, 1866. Mar-
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OTHER SETTLERS.
ried at Dakota City, September 15, 1877, to Annie M. Shove. Has one son and two daughters, David, Mary and Mabel. Settled on a farm on Omaha creek south of Homer where he lives at the present time. He has a fine farm and pleasant home. It seems but a short time since he settled on this tract of wild land and be- gan to improve it. The change wrought there by his skill and energy is, indeed, marvelons.
WILLIAM HOGAN was born in the county of Tip- perary, Ireland, in 1803, and came to America in 1848. Settled in Dakota county in 1856. Died at his home in Jackson, September 11, 1880.
JOHN H. MAUN was born in New Castle, Limerick county, Ireland, in 1819, and received a good education in his native country. Came to America and settled in Miami county, Ohio. Enlisted in the Union Army, in 2nd Nebraska Regiment, and was promoted to Lieuten- ant of his company. Came to Dakota county in early times. Was a true friend of his native Ireland, and aided her people by his voice, pen and purse. Hle held a number of offices in the county, such as County Snr- veyor, Superintendent of Public Instruction. etc. Died at his residence in St. Johns precinct, April 29, 1887. The funeral services were held at the Catholic church in Jackson, Rev. Father Lysaght officiating.
THOMAS LONG, SR., was born in Kilkenny, Ireland. in 1836. Married his first wife in Ireland, who bore him five children, and died March 15, 1872. Was mar- ried again in 1874. Died at his home in Hubbard. April 13, 1883.
CHAPTER XVIII.
PIONEERS AND OLD SETTLERS ASSOCIATION OF DAKOTA COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
From time to time there was talk of organizing an old settlers association, but no action was taken in the matter until 1882, when the following call for a meet- ing appeared in the county newspapers:
FIRST CALL.
Dakota City, Neb., August, 1882.
At the suggestion of several of the pioneers set- tlers of Dakota county there will be a meeting at Homer on Saturday the 26th of the present month at 2 o'clock p. m. to effect an organization for this county and appoint a time and place for our first regular meeting. We will be glad if all those interested in this organization will make it convenient to meet with us.
GEORGE T. WOODS.
FIRST MEETING. At the meeting held in Homer on the 26th of
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PIONEERS AND OLD SETTLERS ASSOCIATION.
August 1992. pursuant to call heretofore made, the pioneers and old settlers assembled and effected a tem- porary organization by selecting Geo. T. Woods, chair. man; M. M. Warner, secretary, and agreed to organize a permanent association for Dakota county.
It was agreed to hold the first annual reunion on Saturday the 23rd day of Steptember at Baird's grove. A committee of the following named gentlemen were appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws for the association to report at the annual meeting: Joseph Hollman, J. F. Warner, Danniel Duggan, Joseph Brannan and E. B. Wilbur.
A committee of arrangements was then appointed to make all needful preparations for the rennion as follows: . From Omadi precinct -J. W. Davis. Thos. Ashford. Wm. Nixon: Dakota -- J. O. Fisher, John Joyce, K. W. Frazer; Covington-Win. Frazier. James McKenna. P Monahan; Jackson-Gerald Dil-
lon. P. O'Neill, P. Barry; Summit - Michael Mc- Kivergan, P. Twohig, John Dennison; Pigeon Creek -Tim Carrabine, Win. Minter, Wm. Farrel; Hub bard-John Howard, John Hartnett, James Lehey.
It was agreed that all who came into the county prior to December 31st, 1860, shall be denominated as pioneers and all who came after that date and prior to December 31st, 1868 be denominated as old settlers. The committee of arrangements is requested to meet at the Court House in Dakota City on Saturday, Septem- ber, 9th 1882, at 1 p. m. for the purpose of making the necessary arrangements for the reunion.
M. M. WARNER, Secretary.
SECOND MEETING.
The committee of arrangements appointed by the Homer meeting, met at the Court House in Dakota City, at 1 p. m. Saturday, September 9th. 1882, pur- suant to notice. Gerald Dillon was elected chairman. and by request John T. Spencer acted as secretary.
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WARNER'S HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.
C'ol. Il. Baird was selected to act as marshal, and Tim ('Connor, James Twohig, Henry ('Neil and E. B. Wilbur assistant marshals. L. M. Warner, Dut Lane, Daniel O'Connor and Tom McMahan were appointed a committee on grounds, music. dancing, etc.
The following programme was provided subject to changes hereafter if necessary :
Calling meeting to order by the president-Geo. T Woods.
Prayer by Chaplain.
Report of committee on constitution and by-laws.
Election of officers.
Introductory remarks by Gen. Joseph Hollman.
A fifteen minutes speech by Col. Jesse F. Warner, Excercises to be interspersed with music.
Every man, woman and child in the county is especially invited to be present and bring along baskets of provisions for self and visiting friends. The com- mittee hopes there will be a very large gathering at this, the first rennion of the old settlers of Dakota county. The place selected is Col. Baird's grove The exercises are to commence promptly at 10 o'clock.
GERALD DILLON, of Jackson, Chairman.
JOHN T. SPENCER, of Dakota City, Sec. pro tem.
FIRST ANNUAL REUNION.
Saturday, September 23rd, 1882, was the time and Baird's grove the place-in the southwestern part of the county, for holding the first annual reunion of the pioneers and old settlers organization of Dakota conn- ty. From early morn until nearly noon the roads from all directions leading to the beautiful grove was thronged with teams, loaded down with happy people going for a day's enjoyment. until good judges esti-
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PIONEERS AND OLD SETTLERS ASSOCIATION.
mated the crowd at 2,000 people. The grounds had been carefully cleared off for the occasion, and the committee had erected good comfortable seats besides the stands and dancing platform. After spending a few hours conversing and forming new acquaintances. the meeting was called to order by George T. Woods. one of the very oldest settlers of the county, who after making a few appropriate remarks introduced General Joseph Hollman who delivered the following address of welcome:
"PIONEERS, OLD SETTLERS AND FRIENDS :-
At the request of the committee of arrangements I have the privilege of extending a cordial and sincere Welcome to all present today, for I can assure you the latch string ever hangs ont to all old settlers and friends. Allow me to congratulate yon on this first coming together in Dakota county. and I predict the arrangements made here today for our annual coming together will be the source of many pleasant recollec- tions in the future.
More than a quarter of a century has passed away since 1 first met many of you whom I see before me today. Others of those have been gathered to their home, while many have left here for other localities. Twenty-five years ago I remembered it was no com- fortable task to pitch your tent and build your cabin west of the Missouri river, and it is said that on this ground where we have met was erected the first log cabin in this county, and for this reason this place was selected for our reunion today. The recollections of life in the early times of log cabin, puncheon floor, the sonr flour and corn bread, the dangers and privations undergone bind the old settlers together in a bond of friendship that cannot be understood by any people differentiy situated. While we may congratulate onr- seies on the improved conditions of Dakota county from pioncer days yet we may be certain that the
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WARNER'S HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.
friendship and brotherly love of the first settlers has not been improved upon or excelled in the county since it> settlement by the white man, but this can only be appreciated by those who lived here in an early day. The fields of waving small grain, and rustling corn have taken the place of the wild prairie grass; the log cabin has been replaced by a comfortable residence, and I might say the canoe by the steamboat: churches and school houses dot the prairies, unbroken then, by the teepee. the Indian, while the whistle of the iron horse was not heard west of the Mississippi. The old settlers under Divine Providence were the advance guards of civilization in opening up this country and performed their work fearlessly and well. I believe it was once said by Mark Twain that if the settlers were to go to heaven and find they could go no further west. they would not want to remain. There is great profit in these meetings. The old settlers meet and talk over the scenes of olden times and renew the friendship of their youth, detailing to one another the many hard- ships and privations they endured. which must and will be very interesting. In conclusion let me again say that in behalf of the committee I again extend to you a cordial welcome."
Col. J. F. Warner was then introduced. HIe spoke at length on the early settlement of the county. the rapid progress made by the pioneers; the constant increase in population, wealth and prosperity; the healthy climate and many other interesting points which was received with great applause. As soon as the Colonel had finished his brilliant remarks a recess was taken for dinner. The heavy laden baskets were soon emptied. and spread in different parts of the grove where the hungry ones were supplied.
After dinner the younger generations indulged in dancing, swinging. etc., while the older ones were seen around in groups talking over the scenes of early times with all its trials and privations, and pleasant memo- ries.
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PIONEERS AND OLD SETTLERS ASSOCIATION.
Hon. E. K. Valentine and his son Kim were visitors.
At 2 o'clock p. m. the meeting was again called to order, to elect officers, effect a permanent organiza- tion and to adopt a constitution and by-laws and receive members. The following was adopted :
CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE I.
See. I.' This organization shall be known as the Pioneers and Old Settlers Association of Dakota County. Nebraska.
ARTICLE II.
See. I. The object of this association shall be to promote friendly intercourse among its members. keep a record of events occurring in the early history of Da- kota county, and to preserve for our children and those who follow us, the memories, incident to the settlement of our prosperons state.
ARTICLE III.
Sec. I. All persons who settled in this county prior to the 31st day of December, 1860, are entitled to admission as "pioneers."
Sec II. All persons who settled in this county prior to the 31st day of December, 1868 are entitled to admission as sold settlers."
Sec. III. Any person of the classes named in the two preceding sections, who desire and shall pay into the treasury fifty cents, and shall sign this con- stitution, shall be members of this association.
Sce. IV. A membership of head of the family entitles all members of the immediate family to au honary membership in this association
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WARNER'S HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.
Sec. V. In all annual reunions and business transactions the classes named in sections one and two of this article third, are blended in this association.
ARTICLE IV.
Sec. 1. The officers of this association shall con- sist of a president, vice president, secretary, assistant secretary and treasurer.
Sec. II. The officers named in the preceding section shall be elected at each annual meeting of the association and shall hold their respective offices until their respective successors are chosen and installed in office.
Sec. III. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at all meetings of the association and when re- quested by five members in each precinct of the county to call special meetings of the association during his term of office.
Sec. IV. It shall be the duty of the secretary to keep accurate minutes of all business transactions, con- duet all correspondence, receive all monies due the society, and which may come to it, and pay the same over to the treasurer, taking his receipt therefor, draw all orders on the treasurer for disbursements. and to keep a careful record of all deaths or removals of mem- bers during the year and report the same to the next annual meeting of the society.
Sec. V. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to safely keep all monies and property of the association. to disburse the same upon on the order of the secretary countersigned by the president and to turn over to his successor, all books, accounts, monies and property of the association remaining in his hands at the expira- tion of his term of office.
ARTICLE V.
Sec. I. There shall be an annual meeting of the society at such a time as may be agreed upon by the association at their annual meeting and such special
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PIONEERS AND OLD SETTLERS ASSOCIATION.
meetings as provided in section three of article four of this constitution.
ARTICLE VI.
The association may adopt such by-laws of rules not inconsistent with this constitution as a majority of the members present at a regular meeting may agree upon.
ARTICLE VII.
Sec. I. This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the society by giving three months notice of the proposed amendments to the secretary. who shall canse the same to be published in some newspaper in the county, at least four consecutive weeks, and such notice to be complete thirty days prior to the annual meeting of the association.
The organization was perfected by electing the following officers for the ensuing year: President. George T. Woods; Vice President, Daniel Duggan: Secretary, A. H. Baker; Assistant Secretary, Chas. II. Potter; Treasurer. Thos. Ashford.
A motion prevailed that the next annual meet- ing of the association shall be held at Ashford's grove. August 25, 1883.
A large number of the pioneers and old settlers became members of the association, and when they departed for their homes were well pleased with their day's enjoyment at this their first annual reunion.
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION.
At the fifth annual reunion held at Hileman's grove, Saturday, August 14, 1886, William Holsworth offered the following amendment to the constitution. which was unanimously adopted:
"That the constitution be so amended as to admit all persons who shall have lived in the county for fifteen years, at the time of their enrollment as mem- bers of this society.
At the same meeting Sam A. Combs offered the following which was adopted:
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WARNER'S HISTORY OF DAKOTA COUNTY.
"That the society appoint a historian whose duty it shall be to write a short biography of the old settler- in a book, to be purchased for that purpose, and the compensation to be $25.00 per annum." Adopted.
SECOND ANNUAL REUNION.
Great interest was taken in the second annual reunion which was held in Ashford's grove, one-half mile east of Homer, Angust 25, 1883. David Boals acted as chaplain, and Miss Mary Warner and others rendered some beautiful music for the occasion. Col. J. F. Warner, Gen. Joseph Hollman and Col. B. Bates delivered eloquent addresses on the subject of pioneer times. Officers were elected for the ensuing year as follows: Jesse Wigle. President; A. HI. Baker, Sec- retary; C. H. Potter, Assistant Secretary; and Thomas Ashford, Treasurer. A memorial committee was ap- pointed, consisting of Col. J. F. Warner. A. T. Haase and William Holsworth.
THIRD ANNUAL REUNION.
The third reunion was also held in Ashford's grove, August 30, 1584. Caleb Antrim acting as chaplain. and Gen. Joseph Hollman delivering the annual address of welcome. O. C. Treadway, of Sioux City. lowa, delivered the orition of the day, which was received with marked attention. The following officers were elected: Col. Jesse F. Warner. President; Di Duggan. Vice President; A. II. Baker, Secretary; (. HI. Potter. As iMant Secretary; Thomas Ashford. Treas- urer. The memorial committee was chosen as follows:
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PIONEERS AND OLD SETTLERS ASSOCIATION.
William Holsworth, William Adair and Joseph Bran. 11:11.
FOURTH ANNUAL REUNION.
The fourth reunion was held in Hileman's grove. two miles north of Homer, August 22, 1885, Willianı Niffziger acting as chaplain. The president, Col. J. F. Warner delivered the annual address of welcome. which was followed by toasts and responses: "Ne- :waska," by Andrew Bevins of Omaha, Nebraska: .. The Old Settlers," Gen. Joseph Hollman; "The New Settlers." Mell C. Jay; "Dakota County," D. C. Dib- ble; "Onr Schools." Supt. A. Matthews; "Early Times." William Hollsworth; "The Old Settleresses and the New Settleresses." Col. B. Bates. The officers of the associa tion were al! re-elected.
Col. Warner's address of welcome was as follows: ". PIONEERS AND OLD SETTLERS OF DAKOTA COUNTY AND VISITING FRIENDS: --
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