USA > Nebraska > York County > York County, Nebraska and its people : together with a condensed history of the state, Vol. I > Part 59
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COUNTY TREASURERS
This important financial office of the county has been graced with fewer changes of personnel than some of the county offices. The first county treasurer, Julius Frost. served until B. M. Elliott assumed the office in 1871, and in a short time he yielded to L. J. Gandy. Mr. Gandy served for ten years, and in 1882 yielded to John W. Bennett. In 1886 N. M. Ferguson took the office, and in 1890 N. P. Lundeen became county treasurer. D. S. Zimmerman became treasurer in 1892 and remained until 1896, when N. Johnson succeeded him. In 1900 Herman Behling became treasurer, and in 1902 Robert Henderson began a tenure to last for four years, and in 1906 his deputy. R. R. Cropsey, assumed the office. In 1910 W. E. McCloud became treasurer and had the office for four years, and in 1917 A. A. Metz became treasurer, and was succeeded in 1919 by his deputy, the present treasurer. Frank L. Propst.
SHERIFF
This is an office in which the inemmbent comes peculiarly in personal touch with the people of the county, and the manner in which its ineumbent may endear him-
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
self to the constituency is evidenced by the tributes herein included, paid to Sheriff Hamilton, to evidence this fact.
The first two sheriffs of the county, holding short tenures, were George Flock and C. D. Aikins. In 1873 Sheriff J. P. Miller took the office and served faithfully for ten years. Then in 1882 J. H. Hamilton assumed the duties, and likewise served faithfully until his death in 1888. His son, Thomas E. Hamilton, finished out his term and in 1890 yielded the office to George W. Shreck, who had served as deputy with J. H. Hamilton. In 1894 Thomas Price assumed the office, and in 1898 W. I. Lancaster became sheriff. Il. W. Brott became sheriff in 1902 and after four years of service was succeeded by J. H. Afferbach, and in 1910 his successor was W. F. Sweet. The present sheriff, J. C. Miller, assumed the office in 1915, and C. A. Peterson has been his deputy.
SHERIFF HAMILTON DEAD
The Sad Death of the Popular Sheriff of York County Was Reported by the Local Press as Follows :
"An earthquake could have created no greater consternation in the city than the announcement that James H. Hamilton had suddenly died at his residence on Iowa Avenue in this city, at half-past eleven on Sunday, May 20, 1888. Everybody was paralyzed upon hearing the awful news, and it was hours before the people could fully realize the terrible itruth. It may not be generally known that Mr. Hamilton has suffered for some time with what is called fistulous piles. His physicians decided that an operation was necessary to remove the cause of the disease. On Sunday forenoon, the time decided upon to perform the operation, Doctors Shidler and Davis were called and prepared to begin work. It was thought necessary to put the patient under the influence of chloroform, and the drug was provided and administered by inhaling. A few minutes after the chloroform had been placed to his face, a sudden flush was noticed upon the cheeks, and the further application of the drug was stopped, and in less than a minute the noble spirit of James H. Hamilton had flown to the Maker that gave it. The chloroform had the effect to cause paralysis of the heart, and before anyone could realize what had taken place, the heart and pulse had stopped forever. The strong and healthy con- stitution of the man could avail nothing, after the heart had stopped, and no power on earth of medicine or science could start the vital organ. An examination of the heart was made before the chloroform was administered, and the physicians pro- nounced it sound. The deplorable result of the case is a terrible blow to the physicians, and they are deserving of all the charity the public can bestow. The facts having become distorted by the different stories circulated upon the streets, a council of prominent physicians was called to make an examination. The following statement was unanimously signed by all the physicians taking part in the post mortem :
York, Neb., May 20, 1888.
Upon the occasion of the death of James H. Hamilton, the undersigned physi- cians of the city met, and after due examination of the body, are prepared to say that death took place before any operation had been begun. We are of the opinion
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
that all due precautions were used in the administration of chloroform, and that no undue amount was used, that proper restoratives were employed.
B. F. FARLEY, D. E. SEDGWICK, A. O. FAULKNER,
D. E. FORISTALL, R. MCCONAUGHEY.
JAMES H. IIAMILTON
James II. Hamilton was born in Shelby County, Indiana. April 6. 1842. When but a baby his parents moved to Illinois, and there remained until 1855, when they went to Wapello County, Iowa. Here they remained, their son living with them until his country demanded his services. He enlisted in Company E, Seventeenthi lowa Infantry, March, 1862, in answer to the first three months' call for that state. At the expiration of this term, he re-enlisted and remained in the service until the close of the war, returning to his home in August. 1865. He was a brave, fearless soldier, and although young, was first rewarded with the office of second sergeant, then of second lieutenant. On the twenty-sixth day of October, 1865, shortly after his return from the army, he was married to Incy A. Graves, at their home in Wapello County, Iowa. There they lived on a farm until 1876, when they removed to York County and located on a farm near York. Besides his estimable wife, two children survive him-Thomas E., the well-known stenographer, and Miss Katie, an interesting and lovable daughter. In 1878 he was appointed by Sheriff J. P. Miller to the office of deputy sheriff, and served with such marked ability and dis- tinetion that, at the fall election of 1881, he was elected sheriff, and has ever since filled the office to the entire satisfaction of the entire state, being elected for the fourth term last November. Of late years Honest Jim Hamilton has had prae- tieally no opposition. His nomination made, his election was always conceded. During his term of service no man has served his county and the state at large with such marked success. Probably no executive officer in the Northwest has achieved the same reputation in running down criminals. It became a by-word that if Hamilton was detailed to find a man, he was sure to "bag his game." No criminal, no matter to what part of the Union he had fled, ever escaped him. Ile was firm in the execution of his duty, but always kind and considerate to those who were unfortunate enough to be in the power of the law.
Resolutions by County Officers
A meeting of the county officers was held Monday morning for the purpose of taking appropriate action with reference to the death of the late Sheriff Hamilton. Hon. W. T. Scott was elected chairman and A. J. Newman secretary. A committee of four on resolutions was appointed, including the chairman, who have drafted the following :
Whereas. It has pleased an all-wise Providence to remove from our midst the efficient sheriff of this county, James HI. Hamilton ; and,
Whereas, in order to express our opinion of his worth as an officer and eitizen. we, the county officers, in meeting assembled, unanimously
Resolve, That in the death of James II. Hamilton the county has lost an officer
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
whose ability, integrity, and strict attention to the duties of his office has always, during his more than six years' ineumbency of the same, reflected great credit upon himself and honor to the county and state.
Resolved, That in his death we feel no less has been the loss of this community, for he was a good citizen and an honorable man, as well as a most capable officer.
Resolved, That we deeply deplore his demise, and our hearts are deeply touched ; that our sympathy and friendship are with his estimable wife and children in their great affliction and irreparable loss.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the records of the county board and a copy published in each of the city papers, and one sent to the family of our deceased friend.
W. T. SCOTT, County Attorney, M. SOVEREIGN. County Clerk,
A. J. NEWMAN, Clerk District Court,
D. W. HOYT, Chairman Board of Supervisors.
Resolutions by York County Bar
A meeting was held by the bar of the county in Judge Bates' office on Monday afternoon to make arrangements for attending the funeral of Sheriff Hamilton. Judge Post was elected chairman and Judge Giffen secretary. It was moved and carried to meet at the courthouse at 1 o'clock tomorrow, and attend the funeral. A committee of three on resolutions was appointed by the chair, who drafted the following :
Whereas, Our friend and official co-laborer, James H. Hamilton, has been sud- denly called from this mortal life; and,
Whereas, By reason of our intimate and constant association with him we have learned to esteem and honor him for his true manly worth, sterling integrity, and generous impulses; therefore, be it
Resolved, By the members of the Bar of York County that it is with unfeigned sorrow we mourn his loss and deplore the sad and sudden circumstances of his demise ; and,
Resolved, That in his death the county and also the state has lost .an efficient and upright official and the best interests of the community one of its strongest supporters ; and,
Resolved, That the court of which he was the ever faithful executive officer and the bar, whose ready and courteous co-laborer he was in the administration of justice, have sustained an irreparable loss ; and,
Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with his widowed wife, son, and daughter, who have been so sorely afflicted by the loss of a kind, indulgent and loving hus- band and father ; and,
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be published in each of the city papers and presented to the family of the deceased, and that the honorable district court
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
of York County be requested to order the same spread upon the journal of said eourt.
F. C. POWER, N. V. HARLAN, E. A. GILBERT, Committee.
COUNTY ATTORNEY
This office was created about 1888, its duties having theretofore been assigned to the district attorney. J. F. Hale and W. T. Scott exercised its functions until Fred C. Power was elected to serve, beginning in 1890. In 1896 N. V. Harlan sueeeeded to the office, and in 1900 Power again began service. C. F. Stroman assumed the office in 1902 and served until C. E. Sandall succeeded him after two terms. In 1915 Oden S. Gilmore beeame county attorney, and in 1919 Charles F. Stroman, the present incumbent, again returned to the office.
COUNTY JUDGE
A very important spoke in the wheels of justice in Nebraska is the county or probate judge. D. T. Moore was first to administer local justice in this position, and shortly afterwards S. P. Buckmaster assumed the judicial functions. W. E. Morgan served two years and then W. B. Cummins in 1875 became county judge. Ile served until 1882, when W. W. Giffen became the county judge. T. Eddy Bennett in 1886 became the next county jurist, and in 1888 Edward Bates assumed the judgeship. In 1890 A. C. Montgomery began a tenure of office which lasted six years, and he was succeeded by M. M. Wildman, who also served six years and yielded to A. B. Taylor in 1901. He stretched the customary tenure two years, and after eight years of service in 1909 yielded to Arthur G. Wray. He served six years, and his successor, the present county judge, Harry G. Hopkins, has now served six years, but has recently been re-elected for another four years, so he may be able to assume at least a ten year tenure.
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT
This important office, county superintendent of publie instruction, the office in charge of the administration and upbuilding of the public school system of the county, is one of unparalleled importance. Its roster of incumbents displays names of educators who have extended their sphere of usefulness beyond the service of York County.
The superintendent chosen with the organization of the county, W. Il. Arm- strong, was succeeded in 1821 by H. H. Tate. In 1873 T. A. Parkinson assumed the office, and in 1875 J. E. Cochran. Ile served until 1879, when his successor, E. E. Armour, began a term of service that lasted six years, and then E. S. Franklin assumed the office and filled it for eight years. George Holdeman served from 1894 until 1898, and Mary Holdeman finished his term. E. C. Bishop, later state superintendent of publie instruction, held the office from 1900 to 1904. C. O. Stewart then served four years, and was succeeded by Alice Florer, who after eight
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
years of service, in 1916, went to Lincoln and became a deputy in the state superintendent's office there. The present county superintendent, Telfer C. Lord, succeeded Miss Florer.
COUNTY ASSESSOR-SURVEYOR-ENGINEER
During the few years county assessor has been a separate office it has been held by W. O. Downing, Harry G. Hopkins, A. J. Martin and J. W. Bennett. John C. Peterson assumed the office on January 4, 1921.
The roster of county surveyors is completed with three names. Frank Manning started in this office and served a short time, then Frank Connelly, and then Manning served again: but in 1875 A. B. Codding assumed this office and has held it continuously since then, a record of tenure perhaps unequaled in Nebraska history.
Since the recent statute enabling a county to have an experienced, trained civil engineer as county engineer and supervisor of public highways, the York County authorities have been so fortunate as to secure the services of Glenn I. Voyles of Phillipsburg, Kan. Upon his resignation Fred V. Voyles, the present incumbent, was employed.
CORONER
An office since abolished by legislative action, but in the early history of every county a stormy petrel, was that of coroner. Doctors, undertakers and plain politicians vied with each other to secure this berth for such patronage real or imagined as it carried. Randolph Fairbanks was the first occupant of the office in York County. Francis Brooks secured it in 1873 and held it four years, then Win. H. Keckley secured it. * Charles LeCount next occupied the official position. D. E. Forristall assumed it in 1884, F. S. Morris in 1888, and then came George Flock, who held it until 1894, when Doctor Holbrook assumed the office. In 1898 it fell to Dr. W. R. Knapp. Robert S. Hirsch served from 1902-1907. In 1907 J. E. Smith assumed the office and yielded it in 1911 to A. A. Metz. Olin Hitch- cock was last to serve in this office, from 1915 until its abolishment. It is now annexed to the duties of the county attorney, who is coroner ex-officio.
THE CLERK OF DISTRICT COURT
A. J. Newman assumed this office in 1884 and served faithfully for a period of practically sixteen years. Ile then yielded the office to I. A. Baker, who served for twelve years. In 1912 it was taken over by Fred Strobel, who after five years of service was succeeded by the present very efficient clerk of district court, Richard O. Allen. This roster presents a wonderful record of faithful service for such a long period, by practically a minimum number of officers.
REGISTRAR OF DEEDS
N. P. Lundeen took this office upon its creation and in 1906 was succeeded by H. A. Belcher. In 1908 W. W. Feaster assumed the office, and in 1914 Roy Davis began a five year tenure, and in 1919 the present registrar, Ed. C. Knight, assumed the office.
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
ELECTION OF 1920
The result of the election of November 2, 1920, in York County was as follows: President : Warren G. Harding, 4,265; James M. Cox, 1,85%: Aaron S. Watkins, 113; Eugene V. Debs, 140.
Governor: Samuel R. McKelvie, 2,374; John H. Morehead, 1,315; J. D. Graves, 68; Arthur G. Wray, 2,653.
Lieutenant Governor: P. A. Barrows, 2,988; Cass G. Barns, 1.211; D. B. Gilbert, 193; Robert D. Mousel, 1,791.
Secretary of State: Darius M. Amsberry, 3,968; L. A. Larson, 1,877.
Auditor of Public Accounts: Geo. W. Marsh, 3,791; J. W. McKissick, 1,549; Flora D. Porter, 551.
Commissioner Public Lands and Buildings: Dan Swanson, 3.992 : Fred Hallier, 1,794.
State Treasurer: D. B. Cropsey, 3,876: J. S. Canaday, 1.217 ; HI. Floyd Miles, 342.
Attorney General: Clarence A. Davis, 3,322: Richard S. Hunter, 1,279 ; Floyd L. Bollen, 1,463.
Railway Commissioner (Long Term) : Thorne A. Browne, 3,294; Roy M. IJarrop, 1,701 : A. H. Albertson, 275.
Railway Commissioner (Short Term) : Harry L. Cook. 3,808; Harold A. Kent, 1,867.
Congressman Fourth District: M. O. MeLaughlin, 3,656; A. P. Sprague, 2,478.
State Senator 17th District : Perry Reed, 2,891; Herman Diers, 1.666; W. Q. Detrick, 1,554.
Representative 40th District : Fred E. McFarland, 2,891; W. C. Heiden, 1,451; F. W. Romsdal. 1,726.
Representative 43d Distriet : Peter Hakanson, 3,630; George Landgren, 2,065. Clerk of District Court: R. O. Allen, 4,318; H. P. Dearing, 1,627.
County Assessor: J. C. Peterson, 4,052; C. W. Flick, 1,839.
NON-PARTISAN BALLOT
Chief Justice of Supreme Court : Grant C. Martin, 2,270; Andrew M. Morrissey, 2,510.
Indge of the Supreme Court: George A. Day, 2,424: William C. Dorsey, 2,015. Judges Fifth Judicial District: Edward E. Good, 3,299; George F. Corcoran, 2,698; M. M. Wildman, 2,571.
County Judge: Harry G. Hopkins, 4,781.
State Superintendent: John M. Matzen, 2,680; Owen P. Stewart, 2,016.
Regents State University : William L. Bates, 2,218; Geo. N. Seymour, 2,243; E. H. Gerhart, 1,966; Victor G. Lyford, 1,468.
Referendum on Primary Law: Yes, 182 : no, 2,921.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS ELECTED
Stewart: Justice of peace, J. E. Sperry ; assessor. A. A. Hawley; clerk, C. C. Brittell ; treasurer, Ralph C. Thompson.
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
Thayer : Supervisor, A. J. Prather; justice of peace, C. M. Horsfall ; assessor, O. B. Leidke : clerk, L. B. Gaskill ; treasurer, Paul Schmidt.
Morton : justice of peace, J. E. Hoover ; assessor, H. B. Bottum : town clerk, Ray Schock : treasurer, W. L. Meyer.
Arborville: Supervisor, Homer Ramsey: justice of peace, C. W. Recknor; assessor, S. A. Charles ; town clerk, R. E. Merchant; treasurer, Chris Wahl.
Bradshaw: Justice of peace, A. M. Strunk; assessor, R. W. Finley; town clerk, Ray Newcomer; treasurer, C. W. Rogers.
Lockridge: Supervisor, J. C. Brown; justice of peace, Fred C. J. Voss; assessor, IT. V. Price : town clerk, Rudolph L. Sandall ; treasurer, J. E. Barr.
New York: Justice of peace, A. F. Brunk; assessor, W. B. Houston; town clerk, Ray Newcomer: treasurer, C. W. Rogers.
Beaver: Justice of peace, S. W. Obermeyer; assessor, Henry Burhoop; town clerk. F. H. Hoffschneider : treasurer, Fred Hoffschneider.
Leroy: Supervisor, J. W. Deboer; justice of peace, W. C. Foster; assessor, Geo. Geis : clerk. R. H. Ellis ; treasurer, Gene Anderson.
Baker: Justice of peace, D. J. Broadwell ; assessor, W. C. Towle : clerk, F. D. Saddoris; treasurer, W. A. Spelman.
Brown: Supervisor, D. J. Kroeker; justice of peace, P. C. Friesen ; assessor, G. J. Friesen : clerk, D. B. Peters ; treasurer, A. J. Friesen.
Henderson: Justice of peace, J. J. Klippenstein : assessor. F. II. Tuschoff : clerk. J. J. Iluebert : treasurer. P. L. Friesen.
Hays: Supervisor, F. M. Churchill; justice of peace, I. E. Whittemore ; assessor, W. R. Anderson ; clerk, G. Jenkins ; treasurer, Elias Baker.
McFadden: Justice of peace, B. J. Ledford; assessor, Jas. Wolstenhohn ; clerk, Geo. Ilenry ; treasurer, R. F. Lord.
West Blue: Supervisor, John Schultz; justice of peace, Pete Rasmussen ; assessor, Martin Peterson : clerk. Walter Peterson : treasurer, Fred Dainton.
York City: Justice of peace, R. C. Stewart : police judge, B. A. Ward.
First Ward: Supervisor, R. M. Rankin : second ward, supervisor, Mt. L. Diehl; third ward, supervisor, W. R. Furman ; fourth ward, supervisor, Chas. Broehl.
CHAPTER VIII
YORK COUNTY'S PART IN STATE AND NATIONAL AFFAIRS
POLITICAL PARTICIPATION-DISTRICT COURTS-JUDGE S. II. SEDGWICK-JUDGE BATES' CASE-LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION-OTHER PARTICIPATION IN STATE AFFAIRS -POSTAL SERVICE-PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS-CUSTODIAL HOME-MOTHERS JEWELS' HOME-I. O. O. F. STATE HIOME-COUNTY WELFARE WORK.
YORK COUNTY'S PART IN STATE GOVERNMENT
It will not be necessary to go very deeply into the state governmental matters of Nebraska during the existence of York County. That subject has been covered in another section of this work. But suffice it to say that York County arrived at the state of county organization during the administration of Nebraska's first eleeted governor, after she reached statehood. During the territorial regime, except for two years, there were no settlements in York County. During the first two years of statehood only the few settlements along the established trail comprised the population of York, and until she reached the state of needing local county government, she was not concerned with any participation in statehood mat- ters.
But York County has been more or less concerned with the administration of every governor who has been chosen to administer the affairs of the state. York County has never furnished the state with a governor.
POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
While York County has never furnished any great number of state candidates to make the race on the various political tickets for state office, she has had a considerable number of very able, adroit political workers who have played a con- siderable part in shaping the affairs of state government and molding the tickets. platforms and course of action of both of the major political parties of the state.
In 1920 Mayor Arthur G. Wray of York was nominated for governor on an independent ticket. with the support of the farmers' organization. non-partisan league and labor unions of the state and made a very creditable race for a candidate without a party cirele. York furnished a lieutenant governor to the state in 1899, when E. A. Gilbert was elected to that office. F. W. Liedtke of York County was chosen state auditor in 1878. E. C. Bishop, who had been county superin- tendent of schools in York, was chosen state superintendent of public instruction in 1909, as had Supt. II. R. Corbett of York City Schools theretofore been elevated in 1895.
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
DISTRICT COURTS
York has furnished several district judges to the judicial district of which the county is a part. The first York County attorney elevated to the district bench was George W. Post, in 1875. Edward Bates was elected judge in 1890. Samuel H. Sedgwick was chosen to his honor in 1896, and Judges Bates and Sedgwick served concurrently at one time. George F. Corcoran has been district judge since 1908.
The elevation of Judge Sedgwick extended beyond the district bench, and he later served the state as one of the twenty-seven attorneys of Nebraska who have been made judge of the Supreme Court of the state. He was occupying this exalted post at the time of his death Dec. 25, 1919. The compiler has deemed it fitting to include at this point, not only a press account of the funeral services for Judge Sedgwick, but a verbatim copy of the minutes of the proceedings held upon March 1, 1920, in the Supreme Court of the State of Nebraska, in memoriam of the life and services of Judge Sedgwick :
The funeral services for Judge Sedgwick were held at his late residence in Lincoln conducted by the pastor of the First Congregational Church of which the deceased was a member. Doctor Holmes took entire charge of the services both at Lincoln and the last at York, and was assisted here by Rev. Mr. John, pastor of the Federated churches. The chief justice and surviving five members of the Supreme Court were honorary pallbearers. The active pallbearers in Lincoln were the three judges of the Supreme Court commission and Messrs. Seacrist, Richard- son and W. B. Price. The services held in Lincoln were held Saturday morning at 9:30 and consisted of a solo, prayer and short address by Doctor Holmes. The services were held in the Congregational Church, (this city) at 2:00 o'clock. The active pallbearers in York were Messrs. W. A. Harrison, M. M. Wildman, A. G. Wray. C. E. Sandall, C. F. Stroman and G. M. Spurlock. The music was under the direction of Prof. Parks, and was rendered by a quartet composed of Mr. Parks, Doctor Wildman, Mrs. Price, and Mrs. Moore.
Mr. William Jones of Rockford, Ill., a brother of Mrs. Sedgwick, and Mr. Bebb, an attorney of Chicago, and a brother-in-law, arrived in Lincoln in time to be present at the funeral and accompany the friends to York. Miss Catherine Sedgwick, the elder daughter, is in Beirut, Syria, in government relief work, and was notified by cable. Interment was made in Greenwood Cemetery.
JUDGE S. H. SEDGWICK
And now on this first day of March, 1920, at the hour of nine o'clock a. m., the same being the time fixed by the court for hearing the report of the com- mittee heretofore appointed to draft resolutions in memory of Honorable Samuel H. Sedgwick, deceased, the court being in session and members of the bar in attendance, said committee makes the following report, which is duly approved by the court and ordered spread upon its records and published in its reports : May it Please the Court:
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