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Full text of "History of Seward county, Nebraska, together with a chapter of reminiscenses of the early settlement of Lancaster county"

NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES 



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HISTOKY 



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OF 



SEWAKD COUNTY, 



NEBRASKA. 



TOGETHER WITH 

A CHAPTER OF REMINISCENSES OF THE EARLY SETTLEMENT 

OF LANCASTER COUNTY. 



BY 



Av. w. cox. 



AiTHOK OF Papers on Labor and Capital, and "Addresses to Young People. 



LINCOLN, NEB: 

bTATE JOURNAL COMPANY, PRINTERS 
Ib88. 



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ORK 

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ASTOR. Lt NOX AND 
TILDEN FOUNDATIOHi. 
R 1902 L 



DEDICATION. 









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To the young people of Nebraska, and especially those of Seward 
county, the children of the pioneers, is this little book humbly dedi- 
cated by their friend and well-wisher, 

THE AUTHOR. 



PREFACE. 



The author would ask the reader to not be unreasonably critical. 
All historical works are imperfect and subject to criticism, and why 
should this be an exception? We have done the best we could with 
the material at hand. Many incidents herein related are obtained 
from people now living, and are generally correctly related, but the 
memories of men are sometimes faulty, and people are frequently led 
to see matters and things from diiferent standpoints. 

The best authorities frequently conflict, and many matters of im- 
portance were never recorded, and we are left dependent on the 
memory of men for matters that occurred twenty or more years ago. 
We have searched diligently and patiently, and have given you 
the result of our eflPorts. 

We would not say that we are entirely satisfied, but hope that we 
have measurably succeeded in establishing many landmarks for the 
future historian, and conveyed an intelligent idea of the early settle- 
ment and the more important events of our history. 

We cheerfully acknowledge our obligations to the friends that 
have so kindly aided us in our work, for the many valuable historic 
letters and papers furnished us ; to Hon. C. H. Gere, for his sketch 
of Lancaster county; and also to the editors of the various newspapers 
for the use of their files, and the county and state officers for courte- 
sies shown ; and last, but not least, the great host of friends that have 
met us with words of encouragement and liberal patronage. 



CHAPTER 1. 



FIRST VISIT TO LANCASTER COUNTY — SETTLEMENT — SALT BASINS — MAKING 
SALT — COMERS AND GOERS — IMPROVEMENT — FOURTH OF JULY, 1862 — 
ELDER YOUNG AND PARTY — FOUNDING LANCASTER— COUNTY-SEAT FIGHT 
— CLAY COUNTY DESPOILED— INDIAN SCARES — FIRST DISTRICT COURT — 
SCENES AND INCIDENTS IN JUSTICE COURTS — GROWTH AND PROGRESS — 
REMOVAL TO SEWARD COUNTY. 



In the last days of June, 1861, we chanced to meet Wra, T. Don- 
ovan on the streets of Nebraska City, and upon our learning that he 
lived on Salt creek, and in the neighborhood of the wonderful salt 
basins, we speedily arranged to accompany him, that we might see 
for ourself the country and the basins of which we had heard so 
much. 

If we remember correctly, after passing the old Majors farm, four 
miles out, we passed over an unbroken wilderness, save Wilson's 
ranch at Wilson creek, until we reached McKee's ranch on the 
Nemaha, where widow McKee and her sons lived. James Her also 
lived near the same point. This was twenty miles out and near the 
present town of Syracuse. The next improvement was that of John 
Roberts, on the Nemaha, near the present sight of Palmyra, and 
five miles further to the west, lived a Mr. Meecham, a weak-kneed 
Mormon who had fallen out by the way. These were all the people 
that we saw on that trip until we reached Salt creek. After enjoymg 
the hospitalities of our friend's home for the night, a somewhat novel 
mode of conveyance was improvised for our trip to the basin. A 
tongue was fastened to the hind axle of a wagon, and a pair of springs 
was made of short ash sticks with a board across the ends of the 
sticks for a seat, and our carriage was complete, and Buck and 
Bright served for motive power. On the second day of July, 1861, 
we followed a dim track down — to Lincoln? — no; to Lancaster? — 
no — but down Salt creek (we hardly ever go up Salt creek), to the 
mouth of Oak creek, where we forded the stream. There was at that 
time a magnificent grove of honey locust timber on the west side of 



S HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

Salt creek, and just south of Oak creek; and a little to the south of 
the foot of O street, the large bend of the creek, there were perhaps a 
hundred majestic elms and cottonwoods, with here and there a hack- 
berry and honey locust. Those lovely groves would now, if they 
could have remained in their natural grandeur and beauty as we saw 
them, be of priceless value to the city for a park. Joseph, the elder 
son of Wm. T. Donovan, was our teamster and guide. The big flies 
that infested the low bottoms were a great help as persuaders of our 
oxen, and at times our ride was exciting in the extreme, as the oxen 
would dart first to the right, then to the left, to get the benefit of 
a brush to rid themselves of flies. 

It brings peculiar thoughts to mind as we look around us now and 
consider the changes that twenty-six years have wrought. 

One dim track only crossed the site of the future city from east to 
west, that had been made by hunters and salt pilgrims, and the one 
already mentioned running up and down the creek. As we viewed 
the land upon which now stands this great busy city, we had the ex- 
citing pleasure of seeing for the first time a large drove of the beauti- 
ful antelope, cantering across the prairie about where the government 
«quare is. We forded Salt creek, just by the junction of Oak creek, and 
what a struggle we had in making our way through the tall sun- 
flowers between the ford and the basin. There was something en- 
chanting about the scene that met our eyes. The fresh breeze 
sweeping over the salt basins reminded us of the morning breezes at 
the ocean beach. The basin was as smooth as glass, and resembled 
a slab of highly polished, clouded marble. 

The wrecks of some old salt furnaces and two deserted cabins were 
the only sign of civilization. All m as wild and solitary, but our soul 
was filled with rapturous delight. The geese, brant, and pelicans 
had undisputed sway, and the air was filled with their shrill notes. 

The nearest human habitation to either the basin or the present 
city, was that of W. T. Donovan, on the Cardwell place on Salt creek, 
about five miles up the creek or south of the ford. Joel Mason 
lived a mile farther up. Richard Wallingford lived at his present 
home. A. J. Wallingford also lived just across the creek. John 
Cadman lived just across the county line, as the counties were first 
constituted, in old Clay county, and where the village of Saltillo now 
stands. Dr. Maxwell lived in that neighborhood; also Festus Reed; 
and above Roca, J. L. Davison and the Pray family had located. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 9 

Wm. Shirley, ou Stevens creek, was the nearest settler to the east- 
ward. Charles Retslef and John Wedencamp, also, Judge J. D. 
Maine, held the fort a little farther up the creek, and Aaron Wood 
was located near the head of Stevens creek. John and Louis Loder 
lived down Salt creek near Waverly; also Michael Shea and James 
Moran. To the westward it was a complete wilderness. 

In company with Darwin Peckham (now of Lincoln) we com- 
menced making salt on the 20th of August, 1861. We pre-empted 
one of the log cabins and " bached " it during the fall. Salt was very 
scarce during war times, and was high in price, and of a necessity 
great numbers of people came to scrape salt. They came from all the 
settled portions of the territory, from Kansas, Missouri, and as far 
east as central Iowa. At the time of the second visit we found the 
roads well broken by pilgrims in search of salt. Going for salt in those 
days was like going fishing — it was all in luck. If the weather 
were perfectly dry, they could get plenty of it, for it could be scraped 
up by the wagon load, but three minutes' rain would end the game. 
We have seen a drove of men that came a full hundred miles arrive 
just in time to see a little rain clear all the salt oflp the basin in a 
moment, and they left to liold an empty sack. We found a goodly 
number there when we arrived, and they were holding the empty 
sack, for it had just rained and the basin was as black as ink. We 
remember Milton Langdon as one of the disconsolate pilgrims. The 
next morning all except our party pulled out, and " we were monarchs 
of all we surveyed." 

We immediately built a small furnace, made a sheet-iron salt pan, 
and began boiling salt, and by the time the next drove of pilgrims 
came we had salt to sell or trade them. Many farmers would bring 
their sorghum pans to make their own salt, and when they would 
get enough, or tired, we would trade salt for their pans and all 
their spare provisions. When the weather was dry many would 
scrape more than they could haul home, and we would trade for 
their scrapings at twenty-five cents per hundred and pay in boiled 
salt at two dollars per hundred. In dry times we would accumulate 
a mountain of scraped salt, and as soon as the first rain came our 
scraj)ings would be worth from fifty cents to one dollar per hundred. 
Pilgrims would grab for it. They brought all manner of provisions 
to trade for salt — meat, flour, chickens, butter, fruit, potatoes, eggs; 



10 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

and odiers wove willing to go to the groves and cut and haul wood 
and trade us; others would haul up'a large pile of wood and then 
rent our furnaces for the night, and would work all night, and thus 
get a supply. So we had salt to sell, scrapings to sell, furnaces to 
rent, and, generally, provisions to sell. One man we remember 
brought a fine suit of clothes and traded us for salt. A party 
brought two four-horse wagon loads, 5,000 pounds, of flour from 
Winterset, loWa, and we made him an even exchange of 5,000 pounds 
of salt for it. It was a lively time, for hundreds were coming and 
going continually during the fall. 

We remember several distinguished visitors of that fall, among 
whom were Hon. 0. P. Mason and Hon. J. Sterling Morton. We 
treated them to slap-jacks of our own make, which the judge seemed 
to relish, but our friend Morton didn't seem to appreciate our cooking; 
just why has always been a mystery. Hon. P. W. Hitchcock, after- 
wards U. S. senator, and his excellency, Gov. Saunders (he was then 
our governor), also made us a visit. They were not repairing fences, 
but quite likely they were examining J. Sterling Morton's fence 
around the saline land. Many of lesser note visited us during the 
fall. 

Late in the fall we moved our family to Salt creek, and wintered 
in one apartment of the log cabin that W. T. Donovan occupied, 
and as the salt business always quits when winter begins, we put in 
the time as best we could, chasing rabbits, etc. Uncle Dick Walling- 
ford, learning that we had graduated at the carpenter's bench, 
besought us to build him a house. We suppose we have the honor of 
building for Uncle Dick the first frame buildiug in Lancaster 
county, in the winter of '61 and '62. We made the doors of black 
wahnit lumber that was about as hard as glass. We also call to 
mind the struggle we had one night the following summer in making 
a coffin for Grandmother WalHngford out of that hard lumber. 

We took up our abode at the basin with tiie wife and two cliiklren 
on the first day of May, 1862. That same day a county convention 
was held at the basin, and nearly every man in the county was there, 
but we remember none of the proceedings, as we were occupied in 
setting our house in order. Two or three days later, Milton Langdou 
arrived with his family, and took up their abode just west of the 
B. & M. bridge, north of Oak creek. The season of 1S62 was- 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 11 

exceedingly prosperous. Great numbers of people came and went 
every day. Numerous other furnaces were started, and the salt works 
presented quite the appearance of business. 

Here we must beg indulgence, while we relate a little story. In 
the winter of '62 and '63, there was an old fellow by the name 
of Ben Vanthusen, camping and boiling salt, and there was an 
Indian camp a little distance away, and the Indians had been bother- 
ing Ben until he had become impatient with them, A young stalwart 
brave thought to play a trick on him, and approached him with the 
usual aboriginee's salutation, "How!" and at the same time offered 
Ben a finely polished ramrod, which he read ed out to take, when 
Mr. Indian struck him a violent blow with the rod across the knuckles. 
Ben couldn't stand that, and quickly as thought returned the compli- 
ment with his fist, propelled by his stalwart arm ; the blow took 
effect just under the ear of the young brave, and he reeled backward 
and sat down in a pan of boiling salt water. A sharp shriek, and 
Mr. Indian jumped for life, and ran wildly into the swamp hallooing 
all sorts of bloody murder in the Indian tongue. Other braves went 
to his relief, and carried him to camp. He. was thoroughly cooked 
and well salted. The little settlement soon became alarmed, fearing 
that the Indians would be enraged and seek vengeance. A hurried 
consultation w^as had, and the camp was visited to learn, if possible, 
the temper of the red-skins. We found the man almost dead, 
and while he was writhing in agony, the other Indians were making 
all sorts of fun of him, calling him squaw man, etc., and point- 
ing their fingers at him ; and finally Ben Vanthusen appeared on the 
scene, and they began at once lionizing him, as if to further tantalize 
the poor unfortunate. They finally made a litter of a buffalo robe 
and carried him away with them, while in a dying condition. 

On the morning of the Fourth of July, wife suggested that we 
celebrate by gathering a lot of gooseberries, of which there were 
great quantities. Just as we had filled our buckets, w^e heard some- 
one hallooing, and as we emerged from the brush, who siiould we see 
but Elder Young and party, consisting of Rev. Peter Schamp, Dr. 
McKesson, Mr. Warnes, Luke Lavender, and Jacob Dawson. They 
were in search of a suitable location for a colony. They were 
patriotic, and had not forgotten the flag. Dinner was quickly pro- 
vided and disposed of, the neighbors called in, and we had a celebra- 



12 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

tion that was a least to the soul. As the dear old elder talked 
to us of our blessed flag, and how it had been trailed in the dust by 
recreant hands, and the mighty struggle that was going on to main- 
tain its supremacy, how our hearts swelled with emotion as we real- 
ized that our country and our all was at the moment trembling in the 
balance. This was probably tiie first time our national flag ever 
kissed the breezes of Lancaster county, and it was an occasion long 
to be remembered by all the participants. 

Some, we know not how many, of that little group have gone to 
their long home. Uncle Jacob Dawson lived just long enough to 
see the foundations of Lincoln well laid, and was called away. 
Our dear old friend, Elder Young, lived to see the city of his found- 
ing great and strong, and marching forward to greater achievements, 
and "he was gathered to his fathers full of years and full of honors." 

In the second week in July, and after making a thorough exami- 
nation of the surrounding couutry, the party made settlement on the 
land where Lincoln now stands, and dedicated a portion of section 

twenty-two for a town site, and christened it " Lancaster. " 

Lancaster did not grow as more modern towns do. A few settlers 
began to arrive, and settled on the beautiful lauds in the vicinity, but 
not many cared to try their hands at building a city just then. Town 
building was a slow process in those days so far inland. 

It must be remembered that the bill providing for the Union 
Pacific railroad had passed but the previous winter, and the eastern 
terminus had not been fixed by the president. Our nearest railroad 
was at St. Joseph, Mo., and Ottumwa, Iowa. And further it was 
yet very questionable as to whether our upland prairie was of any 
value for agricultural purposes. The farms were all yet confined to 
the creek bottoms. Prairie fires would sweep the prairies just as 
soon as the grass was dry in the fall and leave the roots exposed to 
the scorching rays of the autumn sun and then to the frosts of winter. 
The snow would gather into huge drifts, there being nothing to hold 
it except the ravines. Tliis resulted in very short grass crops on the 
upland, and frequently there was scarcely grass enough to hide a gar- 
ter snake in midsummer. People saw the fact that the prairie pro- 
duced but little grass, but were slow to discover the causes, and were 
ready to condemn the land as worthless for cultivation. Some are 
led to believe that great changes have taken place ii. the general 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 13 

character of the soil, as well as in the climate. We have frequently 
been asked if this land was not all covered with buffalo o;rass. To 
this question we answer most emphatically, no. It misjht have been 
at some remote period, but never since white men have known it. 
Many are of the opinion that it scarcely ever rained in those early 
days. That is certainly a mistake. The summer of 1860 produced 
scarcely any rain (we well remember the year of the Kansas famine; 
we resided at Nebraska City at the time), and to help matters along 
there were sixteen days and nights of continuous hot south wind. 
It was almost insufferably hot, so stifling it was that people could not 
bear to sit in the wind, even late in the evenings, but would be com- 
pelled to seek a wind-brake. Except that memorable year, rains 
were just as plentiful and as well distributed through the growing 
seasons in those years as now, and vegetation, where it had a fair show, 
made the same luxuriant growth. But we do not wonder that the 
overland immigrant who passed through this country in the early 
spring or late in the fall pronounced this a desert land, for as far ag^ 
the eye could reach, in all directions, nothing could be seen but black 
prairie. Most dreary indeed was the spectacle. There being nothing 
to retain the moisture, and the sun bearing down on the defenceless 
head, and the mirage playing in the distance like some specter, it 
did not seem that it ever could be a fit abode for civilized man. It 
took men and women of strong nerve and great faith to attempt to 
build a home in this wilderness then, but there were some brave souls 
that were equal to the hour, and such were the men who founded 
Lancaster. 

The story of the founding of the embryo city, and the struggle 
over the location of the county-seat, is an interesting theme. The 
settlement at Yankee Hill (where the insane hospital now stands), 
under the leadership of John Cadmau and Wm. Fields, made an 
interesting and energetic fight for the prize. These men looked with 
jealousy upon the Lancaster colony. Our friend Cadman was wide- 
awake, and with a fertile brain was ready for almost any emergency. 
It will be remembered that the boundaries of the county were mate- 
rially changed in the winter of 1862-63. Friend Cadman secured 
the election to the legislature from old Clay county, John S. Gregory 
was by some trick of legerdemain elected to represent Lancaster, and 
Hon. H. W. Parker was sent from Gage. The trio each had an axe 



14 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

to grind, Parker wanted to make the county-seat secure for Beatrice, 
and Cad mam wanted to spoil Elder Young's little game and make a 
new town and clothe it with the honors of the county-seat. So they 
arranged and carried through the scheme to eliminate Clay county 
from the map of Nebraska, and give to Gage the south twelve miles, 
and the north twelve miles to Lancaster, in the interest of Cadman 
and his friends. Thus it came that Gage and Lancaster are each 
thirty-six miles long, and that Clay county was buried out of sight, 
to be resurrected at a later day farther to the west. We have never 
been able to learn just what interest our friend Gregory was to have, 
but suppose he was to be endorsed for the post office at the basin at 
a salary of one dollar per month, and also to have his name perpet- 
uated by renaming the great salt basin "Gregory Basin," both of 
which he secured ; but the honors of his office and the name were 
very much like a soap bubble — they got away from him in a very 
short time. Cadman and his friends lost no time in fixing upon a 
point for their new town at Yankee Hill, and then came the tug of 
war. About this time what was known as the steam wagon road was 
located from Nebraska City to the west, and the crossing of Salt creek 
fixed at Yankee Hill. An appropriation of five hundred dollars was 
secured by the legislature for a bridge on Salt creek in Lancaster 
county, to be located by territorial commissioners. When these gen- 
tlemen came to fix the location of the bridge, the Lancaster party, 
headed by Elder Young, and the Yankee Hill folks, led by Cadman, 
each made an earnest showing why they should have the bridge, and 
we take it for granted that each succeeded in convincing the commis- 
sioners that their claim was the best, for they divided the money 
between the two points, and thus, with the aid of private help, two 
good bridges were secured. 

Each place made slow progress; a little store and a blacksmith 
shop were secured by each. Lancaster had the help of the salt 
interest to assist it, while its rival had the freight road. Each had 
energetic men as leaders, and they were equally well situated, but Lan- 
caster had the sympathy of the greater number of the people of the 
county. Friend Cadman had roused the ire of all his old neighbors 
on the head of Salt creek. They were very sore over having all 
their pleasant dreams of a county-seat at Olathe suddenly vanish, and 
tlieir county disappear, or torn in two and swallowed by her greedy 



HISTORY OF SEWAED COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 15 

sisters. When the county-seat problem came before the people for 
settlement, the Lancaster folks had a walk-away, and secured a grand 
triumph at the polls. 

This county-seat election occurred in the summer of 1864, and 
was held at the house of the writer, just south of the great basin. 

jS^otwithstanding his defeat in his pet project of founding a county- 
seat, Cadman secured a return to the legislature for several terms 
and had an honorable part in moulding the destiny of the county, in 
helping to secure the capital removal bill, and securing the location 
of it within her borders; and while Elder J. M. Young may justly 
be honored as the founder of Lincoln, to John Cadman belongs the 
honor of doing splendid work in securing a grand triumph in remov- 
ing the capital and securing the principal benefits to his county ; and 
while he did not realize the full fruition of his hopes in getting it at 
Yankee Hill, we are glad to know that he has been duly rewarded, 
and that in his green old age he is blessed with plenty of this world's 
goods, and friends innumerable to brighten his pathway. Long live 
Hon. John Cadman ! 

In the early summer of 1862, we had the pleasure of helping to 
raise a log house for Charles Calkins, on Middle creek, on what 
was afterwards known as the Horton farm, and about five miles west of 
the city. This was the first log cabin between the basin and the Grand 
Island settlement. 

In the beautiful month of June our good wife made a visit to 
Nebraska City, and left us alone "with our glory" for a little sea- 
son. One afternoon a vast throng of Omahas camped at the head 
of the basin, but we thought nothing of it as it was a common thing 
to see great numbers of Indians on their way to their summer hunt- 
ing grounds on the Republican river. John Chambers' family lived 
a little way from our cabin. We went to bed as usual that night, 
with our bright saber under our pillow, and a rifle standing within 
easy reach. Near midnight we heard a (not very) " gentle tapping, 
as of some one rapping at our cabin door." "What's the matter?" 
we cried. "Matter enough," says poor trembling John, his wife 
clinging to him like grim death, an<l crazed with fear; "the Indians 
are upon us. For God's sake what shall we do?" Whether we 
dressed or not, you may guess. We forgot that we ever had a saber 
or a gun. When we awoke our ears were greeted with the most un- 



16 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

earthly sounds, as if ten thousand devils were turned loose. We all 
run, as most folks do when badly scared, and we hid as best we could 
among the bills and awaited the coming of events, which we 
expected every minute. The pandemonium continued, but came no 
nearer. We waited patiently for the enemy, but they did not come. 
We were disappointed. The Indians were expecting to meet their 
mortal foes (the Sioux) on their hunting grounds, and were having 
a war dance. " Only this, and nothing more." 

Salt creek and its principal tributary, Oak creek, were wonder- 
fully well supplied with fish. Black suckers and buffalo were the 
leading varieties. The settlers had plenty of sport and much profit 
in fishing. We all had plenty of fish. Great numbers were caught 
that would weigh ten to fifteen pounds, and we have seen them that 
tipped the beam at thirty-five pounds. 

Elk and antelope were plentiful, and the nimrods of that day had 
great and exciting sport in the chase. Some of the settlers spent a 
great portion of their time roaming the prairies in search of game» 
Many of them never came home without a supply of meat. If elk 
could not be found or captured, some luckless freighter's steer had 
to suffer the ordeal of being converted into elk meat. Many a 
steer has undergone the change in short order, and Mr. Steer's only 
safety was in staying close to camp. The basin was a great place for 
wild water fowls to congregate. Geese, brant, swan, ducks, and 
pelicans were there by the thousands, and it was the hunter's para- 
dise. Wild fruits, such as grapes, plums, gooseberries, and elderber- 
ries, were abundant along the streams, and were gathered by the 
bushel. 

As the Union armies regained the rebel strongholds of Missouri^, 
great numbers of rebels found it convenient to find other quarters, 
and many of them seemed to have the idea that salt would save their 
bacon, consequently hordes of them would congregate at the basins^ 
and frequently they would show their rebellious spirit in acts and 
words that it was very unpleasant for Union men to endure. At one 
time they became so insolent and threatening that the Union men of 
the valley thought it necessary to organize for self-defense. Our 
Missouri friends came to the wise conclusion that ''discretion was 
the better part of valor," so nothing very serious occurred. 

Elder Young preached the first sermon of the locality at our house. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 17 

on the Sabbath following the 4th of July, 1862, to a fair-sized con- 
gregation. A Sabbath-school was organized very soon afterwards, 
and was of great value to the youth of the little community. This 
was the first Sunday-school between the Missouri river and the 
mountains. Religious services were held quite frequently under the 
leadership of Elder Young, Rev. Dr. McKesson, and Rev. Peter 
Schamp, and other ministers that chanced to stray so far into the 
wilderness. 

As a general rule the settlers enjoyed themselves very well, and 
were reasonably prosperous, but it was not always so. Sonietimes^ 
winter storms would shut us off from communication with the world 
at large, and provisions would get short, and we would be driven to 
desperate straits. We have known families to live on boiled corn or 
wheat for a week at a time with no seasoning but salt. The winter 
of 1863-64 was a most desperate one. The cold was extreme. The 
last day of December, 186^:5, was a memorable day for the intensity of 
the cold. We had no thermometer except our own blood, and that 
told us that it was the most bitterly cold of any day of our life. We 
afterwards learned that at Burlington, Iowa, the thermometer indi- 
cated thirty degrees below zero. 

That winter was one of much suffering. Salt had declined! 
materially in price, and the demand had fallen off; while wood for- 
boiling it had become scarce, and the weather was so severe that it 
seemed as if all things conspired against the people, and for a time 
the whole settlement was on the verge of starvation. The spring of 
1864 found the settlement in rather a dilapidated and inipoverishec! 
condition, but hope soon revived. Immigrants began to arrive in 
goodly numbers and began opening up farms, and that gave new life 
and hope to all. Settlements began to extend westward, and all the 
people began to have more faith in JSTebraska. It may be well here 
to relate a common saying of those days, just to show how absurd the 
expressed views of many people were in regard to this country: 

If an incoming immigrant talked of going over to the Blue valley 
to look for a location, he was told at once that it was of no use to 
look at that country, for it never rains west of Salt creek. That foci 
notion had become so thoroughly embedded in the minds of many of 
the early settlers that we expect some of them firmly believe it tf> 
this day. 
2 



18 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

It has been claimed that F. Mortou Donovan was the first white 
child born in this locality, but this locality was rather large, for the 
fact is he was born on Stevens creek, ten miles distant. The first 
white child born at the basin, or in the immediate vicinity of the 
present city, was a son born to Joseph Chambers in the winter of 
1862-63. He died in infancy. Our sou, Elmer Ellsworth Cox, was 
born March 3, 1863, and was the first white child born in the im- 
mediate vicinity who is now living. 

Tliere were some exciting and almost ludicrous scenes in the courts 
at the basins, Milton Langdon and J. S. Gregory were the two 
prominent attorneys, and in all matters of a judicial nature they 
were arrayed against each other. They were both of them keen and 
tricky, ever on the alert to catch the enemy napping, and they 
had some high old times. Occasionally a case would arise that tried the 
mettle of the court, attorneys, and officers. A rough customer, who 
it was said had graduated in the rebel army, put in an appearance, and 
made some violent threats, in which he promised to kill some citizen. 
An information was filed, and a warrant was issued and placed 
in the hands of the sheriff*. A crowd gathered at the court-room, and 
it soon became known that the culprit refused to surrender to the 
sheriff. All became excited, and while the court was giving some 
directions to the citizens about assisting the sheriff, the fellow came 
stalking into the court-room, carrying his rifle in a position for im- 
mediate use. The sheriff followed at a convenient distance of prob- 
ably ten rods. The court invited the man to take a seat, which was 
promptly declined, but he took a careful survey of the court and all 
the surroundings, and with the rifle ready cocked and finger on the 
trigger, he began a retreat, and all hands seemed ready to stand out 
of his way. The justice remarked to the sheriff and posse, "You 
will be justified in taking that man, if you have to kill him to do it," 
but they didn't take him ; he backed off with drawn weapon, and bid 
defiance, and no one was willing to take the risk of his capture. 
He was bout on vengeance, and had no intention of leaving until he 
had wreaked it on somebody. He became angry at the justice lor 
saying take him dead or alive, and during the next morning, while 
his lionor was busy at his salt furnace, he happened to observe 
the sneaking scoundel creeping up a small ravine in the rear, with a 
view of getting a sure shot at hiu), but finding that his victim had 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 19 

•observed him, .he started off at a rapid pace across the basin. His 
honor quickly halted him. He instantly cocked his rifle, but sternly 
and most emphatically his honor commanded a truce, and marched 
straight up to the fellow, who curled down like a whipped cur, re- 
-ceived a court blessing in the open air, and then took his tiual 
departure to parts unknown. Had it not been for a good degree of 
firmness on that occasion, it is quite probable that some other writer 
would have iiad the honors of this occasion, instead of us. 

On the morning of August 20, 1862, there was a heavy frost, 
which killed all the corn on the lowlands throughout Nebraska. 

During the spring of 1863, J. S. Gregory built the first frame 
house in the vicinity of the basin, and made quite extensive im- 
provements. Mr. Eaton, of Plattsmouth, an uncle of our friend 
•Gregory, became quite well acquainted with him during these years, 
«.nd their fraternal relations are spread upon the court records of 
Lancaster county for many years. 

Settlements increased rapidly during the spring and early summer 
•of 1864, but took a serious set-back later in the season, on account 
of the Indian troubles, so that the number wintering here in the 
■winter of 1864-65 was hardly greater than in the winter previous. 

The first term of the district court was held on the 8th day ot No- 
vember, 1864 (the day Lincoln was elected to the second term), in Jacob 
Dawson's double log cabin, and was presided over by his honor, 
Judge Elmer S. Dundy, with the same dignity as is manifest in 
these days in the great government court-house. Members of the bar 
present were Hon. T. M. Marquett and Judge Potteuger, of Platts- 
mouth. Uncle Jake's cabin stood just where the Commercial block 
now stands. Uncle Jake was put to straits to properly entertain the 
judge and the attorneys. We remember that he came over and bor- 
rowed all the store coffee at the basin. As if to add to the pleasures 
of the occasion, we enjoyed a regular blizzard of whirling, drifting 
•snow. 

The judge appointed Pottenger prosecuting attorney, and friend 
Pott, as we called him, drew up one indictment against one Pember- 
ton, for shooting into a Bird's nest. The charge was malicious assault 
with intent to kill. His honor allowed Pottenger seventy-five 
■dollars. Marquett defended Pemberton for ten dollars, and quashed 
the indictment, and Pemberton skipped the country belore other pro- 



20 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

ceediugs could be had. The story of the crime is as follows : Old 
man Bird had some difficulty with Pemberton about the chickens^, 
and one of the young Birds (a pullet) sung some unsavory songs for 
Pemberton's benefit. Pemberton met the old Bird one morning at 
the door and demanded satisfaction, and finally drew a revolver and 
shot, the ball missing the old Bird, but passing through the door and 
}odging in the wall just above a bed full of young Birds. Then he 
hit the old Bird a lick on the head with the butt of the revolver. 
The old Bird flew to the justice's office, all covered with blood, just 
as his honor was being seated with his little family at the break- 
fast table, and, of course, a little scene occurred, which we will not 
relate. 

In the summer of 1864, the whole West was very easily excited 
after the horrible massacre in Minnesota. Wild rumors were afloat 
continually, and the scattered settlements were harassed with fears 
throughout the whole summer and fall. The most trifling circum- 
stances were magnified as they were related by the panic-stricken 
people into general massacres, or wholesale slaughtering of some 
neighboring settlement. The impression prevailed that the rebel 
government at Richmond was inciting the red-skins to a merciless 
warfare all along the frontier. Tomahawks and scalping knives of 
the red devils were vividly pictured in all our dreams. We knew 
this much, that the dark hours of the war presented a grand oppor- 
tunity for them to clean us out, root and branch. We also knew that 
they were in no friendly mood ; or, in other words, we were quite 
sure they were thirsting for our blood, and all that kept them 
back was their fear of a terrible retribution ; and further, the fire we 
saw was not all fox fire. There were people murdered by them in 
Nebraska, and not a few. At Plum creek of the west, on Turkey 
creek, on the Little Blue, there were murders and kidnapping, such 
as make our blood boil to this day as we think of them. We had 
just cause to fear, and it would have been toolhardiness to be other- 
wise than on the alert. 

On one occasion, when the writer was at Nebraska City with a load 
of salt, we had arranged to help Jacob Dawson haul a steam saw-mill 
out from Little Wyoming, which was a few miles north of the city. 
While we were yet loading the boiler, word was current that there 
had been murders at Plum creek. Now there were two Plum creeks, 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 21 

and we all feared it might be the Plum creek in Seward county. 
However, it proved to be the other. But it answered the purpose 
of getting up a big scare. We were uneasy and hurried up all we could 
with loads. AVe reached Stove creek ranch, thirty miles east of salt 
basin that nio-ht at about eleven o'clock, and had it not been that we 
dare not attempt the crossing in the night we probably would have 
traveled all night. In the morning it was raining and we could not 
-cross until about noon. We were eating dinner when we saw a long 
train of teams coming over the hills from the west. We knew mischief 
was to pay. W^e hailed the first that approached us to learn what we 
■could. 

"Oh, all the people on Blue river are killed, and all the settle- 
ments of Salt creek have lied from their homes and are at Shirley's 
ranch on Stevens' creek." " Do you know anything about my fam- 
ily," asked the writer, hurriedly. " Yes, they are at Shirley's ranch 
with the rest." Hurrah, boys, now for Shirley's ranch on a double 
-quick. 

We tumbled the engine out of one wagon, unhitched from the 
boiler and put four yoke of oxen on an empty wagon, and if ever 
•oxen traveled it was there and then. 

There \vas four of us, and we took turns whipping, and the won- 
der is that we did not kill the oxen, for it was extremely hot. We 
reached the ranch just after dark, and a motley crew we found; at 
least a hundred people were there, men, women, and children. They 
were well over their scare, but were well along in the mad state. 
Everybody was cross almost to ugliness. Shirley had built a new 
house, but had not moved into it. This was stowed full above and 
below. His old house was full and the yard was full. The clothing 
was all wet and also the bedding. Many were suffering with hun- 
ger. We found wife and babes stowed away up-stairs in a bed that 
was wet as wet could be. The story of their panic was told, and 
was as follows : The night before word came to the neighborhood 
that the settlement on the Blue were all murdered, and to all appear- 
ances the red-skins would bounce on the Salt creek settlers that 
night; it was then nearly dark; wife and children were at the mercy 
of some good neighbor, as they had no team. Uncle Peter Bellows 
<;ame nobly to the rescue. With his broad German accent he said, 
■" Mrs, Coax, you shall go wid us." Blessed be the name of Uncle 



22 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

Pete forever! But Uncle Pete had his peculiarities. He was a 
great hand to gather up things, such as old log chains, old plowshares,, 
broken pitchforks, horseshoes (he hadn't a horse in the world), ox 
yokes, and all sorts of old irons; he was rich in old irons. Well, in 
packing up to go Uncle Pete had to take the last one of his old irons, 
but in his hurry he forgot to take any provisions for the family. 
When he comes for wife he says: " Mrs. Coax, ve takes you and de 
childern, but ve can't take noting else; veil dot is so, hurry up. Mine 
Cot, the Ingins is coming shure enough." 

Wife protested that she must take something to eat and some 
bedding, and finally persuaded him to take a sack (50 lbs.) of flour 
and a ham of meat and a bed, if she would walk herself. We then 
had three children, aged respectively, a girl five years, a girl three 
years, and a boy sixteen months old. 

The oldest girl walked, the second one was perched up on the load 
of goods ; wife carried the babe on her right arm and with the left 
hand carried one end of a trunk a mile and a half. The babe she 
carried the full ten miles that dark stormy night. Wild with fright 
they went pell-mell. Imagine if you can the terrors of that awful, 
night — the rolling thunder, the lurid lightning, with a mortal dread 
of the savage foe. Weary and fainting they arrived at the ranch late 
in the night. In the morning it developed that that sack of flour 
and ham of meat were all the provisions in camp for a hundred hun- 
gry souls, except some green corn purchased of Shirley. But they 
had plenty of old irons. 

It further developed that there were no hostile Indians within less 
than a hundred miles. By the morning after we arrived in camp the 
panic had entirely subsided and all were ready to return to their 
homes. 

Within the following two weeks things were quiet. The writer 
had a quantity of salt that it was necessary to haul to market. Our 
bread and butter for the coming winter depended on it. It was per- 
ilous to leave home. It was certain starvation to stay at home. We 
must go and take our chances. 

One bright summer afternoon we made ready with a big load or 
salt and started for Nebraska City, arrived at Wood's ranch at night, 
turned the oxen out to grass, ate su])per and went to bed. Near mid- 
night. Dr. Crimm, wife, and her sister, came as if Satan was after 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 23 

tliera. "The Indians are upon us sure enough this time," they 
shouted. "You must go for your wife and little ones or they will 
all be slaughtered."' All was wild excitement. The writer was 
somewhat incredulous, but standing between doubt and fear, there 
was only one course to take. We must fly to the rescue. We hastily 
hitched up old " Nig " and " Darb," and went on the dead run for 
home. Just as the morning light was breaking we passed Uncle 
Jake Dawson's cabins, standing on the ground now occupied by Com- 
mercial block. There was a sleep-and -go-easy sort of fellow by the 
name of John Giles in the neighborhood at the time. John was 
standing sentinel at the west end of the cabin. We hailed him and 
asked what was the matter, rather derisively. We were somewhat 
provoked at what we thought to be a useless scare. He sharply 
retorted, " You'll find out before you get to the basin." We went on 
feeling that it was another sell out. When we reached home we 
found everything in dire confusion. Many had left and all the bal- 
ance were hurriedly preparing for flight. In the anguish of despair 
we said, " Wife, what shall we do?" She answered, "I will stay if 
others would stay, but we can't stay if the place is deserted by all the 
neighbors." A hurried consultation resulted in this, that we would 
all go to the river with the salt and remain there until matters had 
become settled. 

Uncle Pete here appears on the scene again. Wife had gone over 
the hill to drive up the cow that we might take her, while we were 
busy loading up our bed clothing and provisions. We were talking 
over the situation, when all of a sudden several Indians j)ut in an 
appearance. They were some twenty rods distant when first discov- 
ered. We were just then sorry for our incredulity. The dread mo- 
ment had come, we said to ourselves. Uncle Pete started on the 
double quick, but we commanded him to iace about and dance to 
whatever music might come. " It's too late to run," we said, and 
at the same moment we jumped into the road ahead of the red-skins, 
and commanded a halt. 

The leader pulled out a dirty white rag and began swinging it and 
hallooing that, "Me good Ingin," " me good Omaha," "me no 
Sioux." Oh, how our hearts fluttei-ed just then. The Indians were 
about as much frightened as we were ; they knew the people were 
wonderfully excited. " Mo good Omaha" was sweet music in our ears 



24 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

fust then. We loaded up our little stuff, tied the old cow behind the 
■wagon, loaded on the children, and pushed out for the river, leading 
■almost a forlorn hope. The load of salt was left at Wood's ranch. 
When we had piled our beds, provisions, and children on top of a 
liuge load of salt we must have presented a grotesque spectacle. It 
"was no laughing matter then, but now it's no matter if you laugh. 
Suffice it to say we were welcomed by our friends in Nebraska City 
just as cordially as if we had ridden in a gilded carriage to their door. 

When it became certain that the Union would triumph over the 
Tebellion and there would be ample security here as elsewhere for 
life and property, then great numbers came. Also a further stimulus 
to settlement was the certainty of the building of the Union Pacific 
R. R. Its eastern terminus had been fixed in the fall of 1864, and 
the first ground was broken, and it may fairly be said that Nebraska 
iiad awakened to a new and vigorous life. During the spring of 
1864, having become convinced that it occasionally rained on Blue 
river, we made up our mind to cast our lot with the little settlement 
"in the neighborhood where now stands the beautiful little city of Sew- 
ard, and made preparation during the summer, accomplished our 
object, and made the removal Dec. 1st. 

Thus ends our immediate connection with the struggling pioneers 
of Lancaster county, and there it begins with those of Seward county. 

Of those good old days of pioneer life we have many, yea very 
many, pleasant recollections. There were some dark clouds over- 
spreading our skies at times, but every cloud, let it be never so dark, 
■" had its silver lining." 

Friendships there sprang up that will remain true so long as life 
shall last. To have been a pioneer in Nebraska in helping to open 
the way of civilization, we consider an honor, and looking back 
through the years — years of pleasant sunshine and prosperity, years 
of dark clouds, of danger, and adversity, we rejoice that we came to 
[Nebraska and helped to lay the foundations of this mighty common- 
wealth — "our own, our loved Nebraska." 

There were quite a number of the early settlers that should have 
Ihonorable mention in these reminiscences, and we can hardly forego 
the pleasure of mentioning some of them. 

J. N. Beatty and W. R. Davis spent the autumn of 1861 in mak- 
ing salt. The former is now a resident of Osage, Kansas. Hon. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 25 

Wm. Imlay conducted the salt business at the little basin near the 
stock yards during 1862-63 and until the spring of 1864. John S. 
Gregory located on the north side of the big basin in 1862, and put 
up quite extensive improvements, and built the first fi'ame house in 
that part of the county. Mr. Gregory was a unique character, and 
cut quite a figure for some years both in business and later in the 
litigation of the county, wherein a Mr. Eaton, of Plattsmouth (now 
deceased), was an interested party. To show the brass of some of our 
early citizens, we must relate that while the basin was known as the 
Great Salt Basin for years throughout the country, our friend thought 
to perpetuate his name and perhaps make it famous, secured the help 
of our congressman and got a postoffice under the name of Gregory 
Basin. The name didn't stick worth a cent, neither did the post- 
office. Milton Langdon (now deceased) was connected with the salt 
interests from the spring of 1862 to 1864, and afterwards filled the 
office of treasurer of the county. Dr. Crimm and a Mr. Diers, of 
Brownville, Nebraska, ran quite an extensive salt business during the 
year of 1864. Hardenburg and Liudermau, of New Jersey, com- 
menced operations in 1866. These we believe to be the principal 
operators in the manufacture of salt until after the formation of the 
state government in 1867. 

In future chapters, while they will relate to the settlement of 
Seward county, we will have frequently to refer to Lancaster, as they 
are so blended in interest. 



26 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 



CHAPTER 11. 



SEWAKD COUNTY — NAME CHANGED — FIRST SETTLERS— FIRST HOMESTEAD — 
FIRST DEATH — FIRST BIRTH — FIRST REPRESENTATIVE IN LEGISLATURE — 
WINTER FLOOD — MILFORD FOUNDED — CAMDEN FOUNDED — EARNEST WORK 
TO SECURE SETTLERS— ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY — FIRST OFFICERS 
ELECTED— UNORGANIZED TERRITORY TO THE WEST— FIRST COUNTY SEAT 
ELECTION — IMPEACHMENT OF COUNTY CLERK — STORM OF INDIGNATION — 
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARRESTED — LUDICROUS SCENES — THE WINTER OF 
DESOLATION, 1866 AND 1867— LOSS OF STOCK — THE CAPITAL LOCATED — IN- 
CREASE OF SETTLEMENT— SEWARD SURVEYED — ITS FIRST SETTLERS AND 
BUSINESS— SEWARD OUTGENERALED — ATLAS FOUNDED— FIRST RAILROAD 
BOND PROPOSITION — SECOND BOND PROPOSITION — THIRD PROPOSITION — 
COUNTY SEAT FIGHT AND SEWARD'S FINAL TRIUMPH — MIDLAND ROAD COM- 
PLETED—BLUE VALLEY RECORD FOUNDED— REPORTER FOUNDED— NEWS- 
PAPER WAR— CHURCHES ESTABLISHED — SCHOOLS — GRASSHOPPER SCOURGE 
— CLOUGH MURDER — UTICA FOUNDED — LEADING THE MORMONS — CASSLER 
MURDERS MONROE — HIS TRIAL AND EXECUTION. 



Seward county was an attache of Lancaster until its organizatiou 
in 1865. It originally bore the name of ''Greene," having been 
named for Gen. Greene, of Missouri, under the administration of 
President Buchanan. When Gen. Greene cast his lot with the rebels, 
the Nebraska legislature concluded that none of her fair counties 
should bear the dishonored name of a rebel, therefore the great secre- 
tary was honored by having his glorious name (Seward) perpetuated 
in one of the brightest and fairest of the noble counties of our beau- 
tiful Nebraska. 

It is a matter of dispute whether Thomas West, who located on the 
South Blue at what is known as West Mills, or Daniel Morgan, who 
settled on the North Blue about four miles north of Milford, were the 
first permanent white settlers. We think it very doubtful if either 
party kept the right date of their settlement. Mr. Morgan claims to 
have made his settlement as early as 1858. Mr. West also claims to 
have made his in 1859. We think Mr. West is much nearer correct. 
At a very early day it was our understanding that Mr. West was the 
first permanent settler, and that he dropped out of the throng of gold 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 27 

seekers that were on their way to the mountains in 1860. Tradition 
tells us that a Mr. McKinley and a Mr. Morton lived on the North 
Blue, near where Ruby station now is, for a little time in about the 
year 1858, and that they got into trouble with the Indians and killed 
two of them, and were compelled to vacate. 

The graves of these Indians (or the supposed graves) have been 
pointed out to us on the side hill near the old Morgan settlement. J. 
L. Davison opened a ranch one mile west of the old Camden bridge 
in the autumn of 1862, and W. J, Thompson opened one about the 
same time near the mouth of Walnut creek. 

In the same fall A. J. Wallingford also opened his ranch at the old 
Camden bridge, John E. Fouse at the mouth of Beaver creek, and 
Daniel Millspaw opened what was known as the Hole in the Ground, 
farther to the west and near the line of York county. The Hole in 
the Ground puts us in mind of a little story connected therewith. 
One dark night some freighters were stopping with Uncle Daniel, as 
he was called, and while Uncle Dan was cooking supper on his great 
fire-place the boys were out looking after their teams, and concluded 
to have some sport at the old man's expense. The chimney was very 
large and with an uncommonly wide mouth. The boys were pre- 
tending to be groping their way around in the dark, and all at once 
one of them purposely blundered into the great chimney mouth and 
came down like some fiery demon into the fire and scattered Uncle 
Dan's supper right and left. The old man thought Satan had come 
for him. 

The old Camden bridge was built in the summer of 1860 by Ne- 
braska City enterprise, and to secure a shorter and better route for 
the overland traffic. Wm. E, Hill was the builder. Prior to this 
all the travel across the plains went via wdiat is now Ashland and the 
Platte valley. Job Reynolds and Samuel Long located on the North 
Blue in the spring of 1863; also C. J. Neihardt and T. L. Rogers. 
Jesse R. Johnson and David Barton made settlement on the South 
Blue in 1864. 

Robert T. Gale made the first homestead entry on the 2d day of 
January, 1863, and the second day that homesteading was fashiona- 
ble. The homestead law took efiect Januarv 1, 1863. His entrv was 
No. 7 in this land district, and comprised a portion of section 21, 
township 11, range 3 east, and is partly occupied by the eastern por- 



28 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

tion of the city of Seward. Mr. Gale, however, was not able to make 
his permanent home on his claim until the spring of 1864. Mr. 
Gale is entitled to the honor of being the first permanent settler in 
this portion of the county, where he resided until his death, which 
occurred in the spring of 1867. Mr. William Imlay and his father, 
David Imlay, Sr., and their families, made their settlement in the 
same spring. A Mr. William Wymore and a Mr. Olmstead win- 
tered in this neighborhood the previous winter, but vacated in the 
«arly spring. 

The first entry of public lands was made in the summer of 1861 
by E. L. Ellis, a part of section 18, township 11, range 3 east. Mr. 
Ellis did not make his settlement until the spring of 1865. 

John Scott made the first permanent settlement at Oak Groves in 
the spring of 1864. 

During the cold and dreary winter of 1863-64 the writer and wife 
were in a deep study to know just what to do. The salt business 
had completely played out, and they found "their occupation gone," 
uu ever-increasing family on their hands. Sickness had blighted 
their home, and it was a question of deep solicitude as to what could 
be done to secure a competency for the future. After discussing the 
pros and cons of a life on a homestead, we made the firm resolve to 
try and build for us and our children a permanent home. 

It was an earnest struggle, for we knew but little about farming, 
■and the long siege of sickness of the wife for nearly a year had so 
impoverished us that it would have taken a full dozen like us to 
make one respectable shadow. But the resolve was taken, and one 
bright morning in February, on foot and alone, the writer started to 
look up a claim. At that time timber was deemed a prime necessity, 
^nd it was so. Be it remembered that there were no railroads to 
bring lumber and coal. The settler must have timber. 

We took Mr. Greeley's advice and went west. Our way led across 
the Middle creek hills and the great plains to the west, and just as 
the bright sun was sinking behind the western hills, there opened to 
our view the grand valley of the North Blue, with its long lines of 
timber stretching far away to the southward and northward, and the 
diverging lines of Lincoln creek and Plum creek. Oh! to us it was 
a grander view than Moses had from Pisgah's top. It was an en- 
chanting, rapturous scene. We said in our heart, "this is the ]>lace 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 29 

we long have sought," and we will go and possess it. As we stood 
gazing at the meandering streams converging to the common center, 
we saw a city in the future crowning that beautiful plateau by the eye 
of faith. That faith was with us from that moment '' like an anchor 
to the soul, both sure and steadfast." It's right there, and a magniti- 
cent little city it is. Shortly after this we secured our choice of 
claims by purchasing of a prior claimant, and we struck for Ne- 
braska City on foot to file our papers on our new home. 

We are happy to say that we still own that old homestead, and 
while we have not lived on it for fourteen years, the nine years' residence 
with the joys and sorrows has made it to us the dearest spot of all this 
earth. It was our privilege and pleasure to guide some others to our 
chosen home, among whom were Hon. William Imlay and his father, 
Grandfather Imlay, as we called him, and his family, and others. 
We had a tedious preparation to make before it was possible to move, 
and the Indian troubles of that summer were ever before us like a 
horrid nightmare. After our return from the last stampede, we vis- 
ited our new home to put up our hay for winter, and a pathetic inci- 
dent occurred, the story of which we quote from the History of Ne- 
braska, to which the writer contributed it some years ago. 

Father Dunaway, as he was familiarly called, settled on his home- 
stead in section 3, township 11, range 3, about three miles north of 
the site of Seward, in July, 1864. His family had not yet arrived. 
He had made a small lumber shanty and "was making other improve- 
ments. In the month of September, the writer, being yet a resident 
of Lancaster county, was here putting up hay preparatory to moving 
later in the fall. 

Grandfather Imlay was taking a stroll for recreation, and made it 
a point, as had been his custom, to call on Father Dunaway and have 
a chat. He went to the shanty, but the old man was not to be seen. 
He supposed the old man was hunting his oxen. He sat down and 
read a book that his eye chanced to meet. Waiting awhile, he went 
out and hallooed, but heard no response. He then began a search, 
and a little way to the south of the shanty he found the tall grass 
wallowed down. His suspicions being aroused, he continued the 
search, and following a slight trail further to the south, he found the 
old man dead and cold, in the midst of a large patch of wallowed* 
grass. 



30 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

He Inirried home and told his son, David P. Inilay. Dave 
mounted a horse and hurried to Lincoln creek (the land that is now 
Lewis Anderson's farm), where R. T. Gale, William and Joseph 
Imlay, and the writer, were patting up hay. 

"What shall we do? was asked by one and all. It was suggested 
that Mr. Cox, being a justice of the peace for Lancaster county, would 
probably come nearer having a coroner's jurisdiction than any other 
available person, there being no officers yet in Seward county. 
Where can we get enough men for jurors? was the next question. 
Mr. Gale thought they could be found at the Morgan settlement, 
about six miles down the river. A venire for a coroner's jury (the 
first, last, and only one ever issued by this officer) was issued (in 
rather a crude form, we expect). Mr. Gale was sworn in as a special 
constable, with power to fill in names as occasion might require. 
All was hurry, and horseflesh was not spared, and just as the sun was 
setting behind the western hills that beautiful September evening, the 
little company arrived at the scene of the death of their friend and 
neighbor. Parties present were: R. T. Gale, special constable, David 
Imlay, Sr., D. P. Imlay, William Imlay, Joseph Imlay, Job Rey- 
nolds, Thomas Morgan, William Morgan, and W. W. Cox. 

It was a solemn scene. A little meadow nearly surrounded by a 
fringe of beautiful timber, a calm autumn evening, a sad stillness in 
the presence of death. With uncovered heads and uplifted hands the 
jury took their solemn oath, which, considering all the surroundings, 
made a deep impression upon all present. The inquest resulted in 
finding a verdict that the death of Father Dunaway was caused by 
cramp colic, as they verily believed. 

A rough board coffin was improvised from lumber of the shanty, 
and we buried him beneath the waving branches of a sturdy oak, 
there to rest until called on the morning of the resurrection, and we 
returned to our homes sadly, because the death angel had so early 
visited our little settlement. The goods and chattels of the deceased 
were properly cared for and turned over to the wn'dow upon her 
arrival. 

On the morning of the last day of November, 1864, we loaded up 
the remainder of our earthly goods, assisted by our old friend and 
neighbor, Hon. William Imlay, and started for our new home in the 
wilderness, where we arrived on the fii-st day of December. Tiie 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 31 

day we reached the homestead was a cold and gloomy one, and the 
sight of our beautiful grove made our hearts glad. We hastily 
built a huge fire of dry wood at hand, and while the north wind 
whistled around, making a melancholy sound, rustling through the 
timber, we rejoiced in the pleasant comfort of a good fire at our own 
home. Our little cabin with its huge fire-place was a home of com- 
fort and many pleasant memories. 

We must return to Lancaster county and relate a little incident 
■which secured to Seward county her first representative in the legis- 
lature of 1865. As before stated, Seward was attached to Lancaster 
for judicial and legislative purposes. The writer was a delegate to 
the Lancaster county convention in the autumn of 1864, and we 
urged upon the convention the propriety of giving Seward county 
the float. It was conceded. William Imlay was nominated and 
elected without opposition. We were somewhat chagrined, however, 
when we learned that at the election in Seward county (held at the 
house of R. T. Gale) there were only seven votes cast. This election 
was held near the house, in a wagon belonging to Mr. Wooley. A cigar 
box served for a ballot box. Fred Wooley, then a lad, held the box 
while the men voted. They were all for Mr. Imlay, and he made a 
good member. The Lancaster fellows felt rather cheap that Seward 
county, without a delegate in their convention and only seven votes 
at the polls, should furnish a member to help represent them. 

There were four families of us in our neighborhood. We put in 
the time as best we could during the winter. Mr. Imlay put in most 
of the winter at Omaha. 

For the benefit of modern legislators we would remark, our mem- 
ber walked from his home to Plattsmouth and thus squarely earned 
his mileage. 

Inasmuch as we were to blame for his election he required of us 
that we should do his chores, chop the firewood for the family, etc. 
We did it like a little man. Indians were strolling thr ugh contin- 
ually, and were a great annoyance. They were intolerable beggars. 
During the early part of the winter the first white child was born in 
this settlement to Mr. and Mrs. Gale, viz., MIhs Clara Gale, now a 
resident of Oregon. 

March 16, 1865, our son, Lincoln W. Cox, was born, and was the 
first boy born in the north half of the county. 



32 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

In the mouth of February, just after Mr. Imlay had returned 
from Omaha, there came a heavy winter rain, which raised the Bhie 
river to a then unprecedented height. Messrs. Imlay and Gale had 
each built their cabins on low ground, as they never once dreamed 
that the river would get on such a bender. On the second night of 
the rain the river flooded all the bottoms and caught the people 
napping. 

Mr. Gale discovered water rushiug into his cabin, carried his wife 
and young babe to the roof of his cabin, wrapped upas best could be 
done with bedding, and himself waded out and reached Father 
Imlay's house, where a team was obtained and the family rescued 
from a most perilous situation. A few hours more nothing was to- 
be seen of the cabin, as the wild waters rolled entirely over it. Mr. 
Imlay's family were awakened by a child crying that was sleeping in a 
trundle bed. Mr. I. jumped out of bed to attend to the child, and 
to his horror he stepped into water knee deep. He rushed to the 
door, opened it, and a flood of water rushed in. The family made 
their escape by crawling out of a window at the rear of the house^ 
where the ground was much higher. The family took refuge on a 
hay stack, and were entirely surrounded by water, where they were 
compelled to remain four days and nights. They were on the west 
side of the river and beyond the reach of human help. Were it 
not getting in too much of self we could relate how we struggled to- 
rescue them from their perilous position and came very near losing 
our life in two unsuccessful attempts in their behalf. Mr. Imlay 
may tell you about that. After spending four nights of sufl'eriug 
with cold and hunger, we, i.e. Mr. Imlay and myself, succeeded in 
making a foot crossing by cutting tall trees on each side and inter- 
locking their branches. We carried the children over, and happy 
they were to get to a warm fire and a good breakfast. 

Durincr the winter Lewis Moffit visited the settlement and entered 
the townsite of Seward, and filed papers on a homestead near what i& 
now Marysville, on Lincoln creek. Mr. Mofiit moved his family to 
the neiofhborhood in the following Julv. 

Lincoln creek received its name about the first of March, 1864^ 
the time of the second visit of the writer to this locality. In com- 
pany with William and David Imlay, we were exploring the valle}' 
of Lincoln creek and admiring the beauty of the stream, and all at 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 33 

once we ha'ppenetl to remember that the stream had no name, and we 
christened it then and there with the name immortal (Lincohi). 

In the early spring of 1865, Richard Sampson, Thomas Skillman, 
John Roberts, Jr., and John Durland, together with their families, 
arrived from Illinois, and each made settlement on their present 
farms. The family of Mr. Dunaway, deceased, also came and took 
possession of the homestead. The first sermon preached in the 
neighborhood was in the month of June, 1865, by Rev. Dr, Mc- 
Kesson, in a grove near the residence of the writer. The second by 
Rev. E. L. Clark, dnring the autumn, at the house of the writer. 
Mr. Clark joined our settlement in October, 1865. 

In the summer of 1864 Thomas West erected a saw-mill and 
attached acorn burr and was prepared to grind a little corn for us. 

Milford was founded by J. L. Davison in April, 1864, and then 
the long struggle commenced between the people of the south part of 
the county and those of the north part as to whom the prize of 
county seat should belong. Milford had many advantages over its 
rival (Seward). The southern part had by far the most settlers, and 
Milford had the great steam wagon road with the overland traffic 
passing through it. Besides it had a very superior water power. It 
also had such men as the irrepressible John Cadman and William 
Fields to back it and render it great assistance by pointing out to in- 
coming immigrants its superiority over other localities on the Blue; 
and, by the way, J. L. Davison was no slouch in making the best of 
an opportunity. He was always ready for any enterprise. 

During the summer of 18 o6 Hon. H. W. Parker made settlement 
at Camden, near the old bridge, and commenced the erection of a 
grist-mill. Camden for a time had the promise of the B. & M. rail- 
road, and it aspired to become the principal city of the Blue valley. 
It was in the best settled portion of the county, near the junction of 
the North and West Blue rivers, and seemed to be on the great na- 
tional highway. Parker was wide-awake and full of business pluck. 
He put up a fine flouring mill for that day, and by his own energy 
succeeded in building up quite a little town. Camden aspired to be 
the county seat, but its geographical position forbid that, and the mo- 
ment she discovered it to be impossible to gain that prize, she deter- 
mined to throw her votes and influence against Milford and in favor of 
Seward, and from an early date Camden and Milford were at war. 
3 



34 HISTOllY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

Seward aud Camden were fast friends. Thus Milford was between 
two fires, and they were pretty hot ones at that. Seward had secured 
the friendly aid of the Lancaster folks, aud had quite the advantage in 
being more centrally located in the county. Her friends were ready to 
dare and do any Avork to secure the coveted prize. For the years of 
1865, 1866, and 1867 the principal public business was to secure set- 
tlers for the various localties. In that line there was lively work. 
The lauds were equally good north and south, and it would be 
most amusing at this day to see the strategy resorted to to catch 
settlers and get them located. Every cabin was a free hotel, " the 
latch string was always out." We would drop all holds and go a 
mile or five miles to meet a prairie schooner and invite them 
to stay all night. We would just make the immigrant think 
we were the best folks in all the world. We made no charges 
for showing land. We all had the story of the coming grandeur of 
our locality thoroughly learned, and when we had finally secured our 
new made friend to our neighborhood, he at once became so interested 
in the coming struggle that he would willingly sacrifice all his wife's 
relation to secure an advantage for his pet locality. Each party made 
free use of the press of the territory in setting forth the special 
advantages and beauties of their neighborhood. Some of their 
articles were quite spicy reading. Each writer was careful to im- 
press the reader with the central idea that his was just the place 
above all others in the Blue valley to locate. These newspaper 
articles helped to rally to the county many intelligent citizens. They 
also helped to inflame the people to impassioned zeal to work and 
win or die in the harness. Thus matters stood prior to the organiza- 
tion of the county. The lines were as sharply drawn between the 
north and south as in national affairs. 

During the summer of 1865 the preliminary steps were taken to 
effect a partial organization, and at the territorial election that year 
first county officers were elected. The board of county commission- 
ers elected were three men that were thoroughly representative in 
their make-up. They were each of them identified with the interests 
of the people. All had the benefit of a long residence in the terri- 
tory. Two of them had served terms in the territorial legislature 
(Sirs Parker and Imlay), and Mr. Thompson was a business man of 
more than ordinary ability. Mr. H. W. Parker repz'esented the in- 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, "NEBRASKA. 35 

terests of the Camden people, W. J. Thompson those of Milford, and 
Wm. Imlay those of Seward. While each of these gentlemen were 
thorougiily in earnest in matters pertaining to the interest of their 
own particular constituency, they were truly loyal to Seward county. 

Thomas West was honored by being elected county clerk ; C. J. 
Neihardt, treasurer; J. L. Davison, probate judge; and — Chapin, 
sheriff. The first meeting of the commissioners was held at Thomp- 
son's ranch, on Walnut creek; afterwards they met at Thomas 
West's, and at C. J. Xeihardt's, on the Xorth Blue. Our commis- 
sioners at this time had jurisdiction over an immense scope of unor- 
ganized territory, including York, Hamilton, Adams, and a part of 
Hall counties. 

We notice buried up, as among "the ancient and forgotten lore" 
of the county clerk's office, a petition asking to have a precinct 
formed and a justice of the peace appointed for the following described 
district of country : Commencing at a point on the Platte river at the 
north-east corner of township eleven north, range seven west of the 
sixth principal meridian; thence south to the south-east corner of 
township eight; thence west to the east boundary line of Kearney 
county ; thence north to the Platte river ; thence eastward to the place 
of beginning. Please examine the map and trace the boundaries of 
that precinct. You will find that it includes the southern portion of 
Hall and the northern portion of Adams counties. We find that the 
first tax levy was six mills on a dollar, and it would produce, if it 
was all collected, $423. This was for the general county fund. At 
this time there were no legal roads in the county, no school-houses,, 
no bridges except on the old freight road at Camden, Walnut, audi 
Beaver creeks, all of which were built by private enterprise. Also a 
low water bridge on North Blue, on the farm of Wm. Imlay, 

The spring of 1866 brought many new'-comers to all parts of the 
county, among whom were John Roberts, Sr., Joseph Sampson, Rev.. 
E. W. Johnson, James A. Brown, E. B. Shafer, Roger Cooper, George- 
Rogers, and Wm. Cooper, who settled in the Seward settlement; and 
the Milford settlement had a goodly number of valuable acquisitions,, 
among whom were William Reed, Abram Courtright, Henry Wor- 
tendyke, Samuel Brown, and others. Milford Mills were built by 
Messrs. Davison & Reed, and the nucleus of the town of Milford was. 
formed. The county seat question was agitated during that year, but 



36 HISTORY OF REWARD COUNTY, KEBRASKA. 

as the settlements were so sparse, it was deemed inexpedient to submit 
the location of it to a vote until another year. The southern portion 
of the county was anxious to have the matter brought before the peo- 
ple at the earliest possible date, but the northern portion of the county 
thought there would be luck in leisure. They knew that they were 
gaining steadily, and it would only be a question of time when 
they would be able to more fairly cope witli them single-handed. 
It was finally agreed that the county seat should be voted for at the 
October election of 1867. Milford, Camden, and Seward contested 
for the prize. We very much regret that we find it impossible to get 
from the records the number of votes cast at that election. The 
returns of the election of that year seem to have been entirely lost. 
We remember that Milford led and Seward was second, with Camden 
in the rear, having about thirty votes; and we also remember that 
the whole vote cast did not much exceed one hundred. A special 
election was then called, and Camden from that time threw her votes 
in favor of Seward. 

W. H. Reed here comes upon the scene, and cuts a very important 
figure. He was elected county clerk at the October election, conse- 
quently at the special county seat election he had an important part 
in the canvass of the votes. He chose the canvassers, and so arranged 
that Milford's interests should be well cared for. Seward had a clear 
majority of the votes cast of ten votes, but our friend Reed was not 
to be trifled with. So he, together with his canvassers, concluded to go 
behind the returns and throw out such votes as they found or thought 
to be illegal. They found a sufficiency, of course, and threw out 
twelve votes, which left Milford two majority. 

At the next meeting the commissioners and clerk wrangled over the 
matter, and it is very hard to tell just what they did do. Two of the 
board, Imlay and Parker, assert one thing, and Thompson and Reed 
assert to the contrary. The clerk, however, made a record of the fol- 
lowing import: "It was resolved that the county clerk be instructed 
to post notices of the location of the county seat in the various pre- 
cincts." 

At the next meeting of the board Mr. Imlay offered the following: 
"That so much of the record of December 2 as relates to posting 
notices of the location of the county seat be expunged from the 
record." 



HISTORY OF SEAVARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 37 

Imlay and Parker supported the motion, and insisted that no such 
resolution had been passed at the meeting above stated. Mr. Thomp- 
son voted in the negative, and the clerk also assumes to record his 
vote in the negative in the language following: "And so saith the 
county clerk." 

Articles of impeachment were filed against the clerk for falsifying 
the record, and then commenced a long, tedious litigation that assumed 
different shapes at every change of the moon, and continued for four 
years with varying successes. Interested parties threw their whole 
soul and lots of their money into the contest. Reed's trial lasted un- 
til late in the winter. Much bitterness was manifested on the part of 
partisans of either side. The first session of the court of impeach- 
ment was held at Seward, in the old log school-house, and the jury 
of course disagreed. 

The second trial was held at Camden, and resulted in a verdict of 
acquittal. There were numerous arrests of commissioners and clerk 
at different times during the next year, first on the one side, then the 
other. Every court in the county and in Lancaster county was 
brought into requisition at various stages of the game. One fracas 
we must relate, it being so full of fire and vinegar that it ought not 
to be lost to the children. "Warrants had been issued by Judge Cad- 
man (then a probate judge in Lancaster county) for the arrest of 
Messrs. Parker and Imlay, on some charge — we forget what. Officers, 
under the guidance of Lawyer P., of Lincoln, and in company of 
that gentleman, went one dark night to the residence of H. W. Parker, 
in search of him. Mr. Parker had smelled a rat and was not there. 
Lawyer P. was very anxious to secure his game, and believing Parker 
was in the house, rushed into the bedroom and stripped the clothing 
off the bed in which Mrs. Parker's hired girl, now Mrs. Dan, Harris, 
was sleeping. This raised a storm of indignation at Camden and 
Seward that would have cost the sleek young lawyer his life had he 
been seen at either place before the blood was cooled. 

Parker came to Seward neighborhood and put Imlay on his guard. 
It seems that one object was to hinder these commissioners from 
attending a suit that was to take place at the office of Judge J. D. 
Maine, at Oak Grove, the following dav. Parker and Imlav evaded 
the officers and posse and made their way to Judge Maine's office. 
Court was duly opened, and the trial of the case was in progress, 



88 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

M'lien these officers, led by the young attorney and a large posse from 
Milford, broke in upon them and arrested the two commissioners and 
started with them for Lincoln. John Oluey, we believe it was, 
mounted a horse and rushed over to Seward and spread the news, and 
the settlers rallied at the house of Lewis Moffit just at dark, and it 
was a dark, dreary night, having rained much during the day. About 
a dozen of us resolved to go to Lincoln that night to the relief of the 
prisoners. We went way around by the Oak Grove settlement, and 
rallied them to our assistance. The night was so very dark that one of 
the company.had to go on foot ahead and carry a lantern. We reached 
Lincoln just at daylight. It was raining. We were mad when we 
left home, and by the time we had reached Lincoln we Avere ready to 
fight a tiger. Our crowd was the biggest, and we were probably the 
maddest. You ought to have seen those Milford fellows keep out of 
our way. The sympathy of the Lincoln people was with us, and we 
had everything our own way on the streets. In due time Judge Cad- 
man opened his court. 

We remember that Judge Pound was employed by our folks to 
conduct the defense, and he made on that occasion probably the ablest 
speech of his life, and probably that speech gave him the boost that 
has resulted in his splendid success in life. 

We have never been able to find out where Judge Cadman got his 
jurisdiction over cases arising in Seward county. Mr. Imlay was 
dismissed, but Parker was held to bail for his appearance at the dis- 
trict court. This he peremptorily refused to give. The Seward boys 
said, "They can't take you to jail, Mr. Parker," and they didn't try. 
Tiiev wanted us all, including Parker, to go home. We were in no 
hurry, but we went when we got ready. The Lincoln folks cheered 
us, and the Milford fellows went home chop fallen. That case was 
never heard of in the courts afterwards. 

This was only one of the many ludicrous scenes connected with the 
contest. It seemed in many instances that each party vied with the 
other to see which could act the most ridiculously. Both parties were 
fleeced out of hundreds of dollars by smooth-tongued Lincoln lawyers, 
which only helped to complicate matters and get us all into deeper 
trouble. This sectional strife so embittered the people against one 
another that they could not reason about the matter as intelligent men 
should. Looking backward through the years, we can see many 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 39 

things that were done in haste and anger, that were born of prejudice, 
that we should all be heartily ashamed of. We were many times 
misled by unscrupulous lawyers into snares which cost us dearly. 
Our time and our treasure were sacrificed without stint. In many 
instances our prejudice and our ambition got away with our better 
judgment. The county seat cost many of us that got it more money 
and time and hard labor than it has ever been worth to us, while 
those that lost it were still worse off. It is our advice to the children 
to never engage in a county seat contest, for when a stubborn fight 
ensues it will cost more than it will be worth. 

The winter of 1866-67 was one long to be remembered by all the 
old-timers. The snow began falling December 1st, and continued 
with short intervals until April. It was a succession of storms fol- 
lowing each other rapidly through the whole winter, and on the first 
day of April there were two feet of solid snow. As an index of what 
some of the storms of that winter were we will relate this instance: 
We were teaching the first school that winter in a little log school- 
house that stood near Mrs. Spear's residence. The building was com- 
paratively tight, with a sod covered roof. It began snowing during 
the day on Friday, and continued over Saturday and Sunday, but 
calmed down so that we thought we must go to the school on Monday 
morning. 

We waded through the drifts to the school-house, and attempted 
to open the door. It would not open, and upon investigation we 
found the house full to the roof of snow. 

We were compelled to abandon the school. On the 6th day of 
April the waters began to find their way through the huge drifts into 
the river, and it was a sight to behold the torrents of water rolling 
down from the high lands. The bottom lands became a sea of water 
— every ravine was a river. All the settlers on the bottom lands 
were driven from their homes. Communication was entirely cut off, 
provisions were very short, and much suffering ensued. Breadstuff 
had become entirely exhausted. Some painful scenes of suffering oc- 
curred, among which we note the removal of Mother Rogers from 
her death-bed from her home, which was inundated by the rising waters 
near Ruby station. Her deliverers barely escaped being overwhelmed 
by the floods. They took her to Milford, where she died a few days 
afterward. No such an amount of snow has accumulated in this 



40 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

country since that winter, and Blue river has never been on such a 
wild rampage since. It was a happy circumstance that all the settle- 
ment was handy to the timber, else they would have perished. It 
would have been uttei'ly impossible to have opened a road anywhere 
across the high prairie during January, February, and March. Small 
game, such as rabbits, quails, and prairie chickens, nearly all per- 
ished. The settlers lost a large proportion of their stock. Cattle 
and horses that lived through the terrible ordeal were but walking 
shadows when grass came to their relief in the spring. We were all 
in a sorry plight that spring. The people were half starved them- 
selves, so that they had but little strength or courage to work, and 
their teams were still worse off, and it was almost next to impossible 
to get in crops. The summer proved to be a good one for crops of 
all kinds, and we were all blessed with an abundant harvest. We 
soon forgot our trouble, and renewed our courage, and from that time 
fair success crowned the efforts of the early pioneers. The formation 
of the state government and the location of the capital in an adjoin- 
ing county gave a wonderful impetus to settlement during the sum- 
mer and fall of 1867. 

The Seward folks held out all possible inducements to the commis- 
sion to locate the capital on section 16, just north of Seward, but 
their efforts were of no avail. While our location was acknowledsfed 
to be by far more central in the state, and in every way more desir- 
able for the building of a great central city, convenient to the people 
of the whole state, and surrounded by scenery most magnificent, the 
influence brought to bear from Nebraska City was so great that the 
commission yielded to their demands to locate on Salt creek. Ne- 
braska City has had occasion to regret her own fatal mistake, for her 
child has grown so great as to suck her life-blood and left her to 
mourn her departed greatness. While we were cheated out of what 
we were justly entitled to by our position, yet we were in condition 
to be largely benefited, and we gracefully accepted the situation, and 
went to work with a will to make the best of our opportunities. The 
building of a city so near us must facilitate development and advance 
values very greatly. A flood of immigrants poured in upon us dur- 
ing the fall and following spring. These were happy days for all 
who had produce to sell. Those fellows that were building Lincoln 
were awfully hungry, and they had plenty of money. They would 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 41 

buy anything good, bad, or indifferent, if it could be eaten. Hay, 
grain, meat, and wood brought very high prices. The oak groves 
that filled the canons in the north-east part of the county were stripped 
of timber to keep Lincoln warm and cook her victuals. Under the 
stimulus of high prices and the general prosperity a large proportion 
of the government land in the county was taken up during the sprino- 
of 1863. 

During this summer Seward was surveyed and platted. It was a 
misfortune that the place had not been surveyed and platted two years 
previous. Had this been done we would have probably fared better 
in our county seat contest, for while we were fighting for a prospective 
town, one that only existed in the minds of men, Milford was a town, 
in fact, ready to welcome anyone that desired to make it their home. 
We would also have been better prepared to contest for the capital 
prize, but this the community could not help. This matter was, of 
course, in one man's hands, and he was inclined to move slowly. But 
better late than never. The new town was popular from the first with 
all the people north of what we called Mason & Dixon's line. Mr. 
John Roberts built the first frame building in June, 1868, and rented 
it to Beatty & Davis for a general store. It was a small affair, and 
occupied the lot on the west side of the square, where Mrs. Tressler's 
restaurant now stands. J. N. Beatty built the first frame residence 
on the Windsor hotel block. 

This was followed by the residence of W. R. Davis, at his present 
home. The Commercial house, in embryo, was built by W. H. Tut- 
tie. Dr. L. Walker had located on a farm three miles north-east of 
town, and what proved to be a lucky wind blew his house to pieces, 
and scattered it and the family all over the prairie. The doctor was 
induced to gather up the fragments and rebuild his house in town, on 
the site of the opera house. By the 4th of July we could fairly say 
that we had a town, and were ready to celebrate. A flag staff was 
found in an adjoining grove, and our fair women hastily made a flag. 
We raised the pole where its many successors have stood and fallen 
and sent our little flag skyward to flutter in the gentle zephyrs for 
the first time. A pile of dirt from the public well served as a plat- 
form, and many eloquent speeches were made to the assembled multi- 
tude (about twenty persons). Sweet songs were sung, and a general 
jolly good time was had. Seward grew and prospered, and was the 



42 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

joy and pride of the neighborhood. H. L. Boyes located in the early 
spring, and built a saw mill, which proved to be of great value to the 
people. The first frame school-house was built in the fall of 1 869. 

Up to the spring of 1869 the old log school-house had answered 
the triple purpose of school-house, meeting-house, and town hall. 

The Milford folks had possession of the county books, and claimed 
the county seat by virtue of the count made by Reed and his can- 
vassers, while the Seward folks made most desperate efforts to have 
the election declared in favor of Seward or entirely invalidated and 
again remanded to the people. 

A strong effort was made in the election of 1868 to elect H. W. 
Parker to the legislature, that we might get such legislation as would 
hasten a final settlement of the vexed question. He was tlie republi- 
can nominee for the district comprising Saunders, Butler, and Seward 
counties. Marcus Brush (now deceased), of Ashland, was his oppo- 
nent. A sharp and bitter sectional fight terminated in the election of 
Mr. Brush in a strong republican district. The Milford fellows for- 
got their republicanism, and swallowed Brush, democracy, and all. 

Thus we (outgeneraled) were for a further time destined to hold an 
empty sack. We must fight on and wait through weary years for 
the prize we so much coveted. Meantime Seward prospered and was 
gathering strength from month to mouth. Samuel Manly opened a 
grocery store during the winter of 1868-69, also a Mr. Humphrey 
opened a drug store, and Samuel Stevenson started a blacksmith shop 
on the ground now occupied by the Pritschau block. Frank ]\[. 
Elsworth opened the first law office during the summer of 18G9. 
March 10, 1870, Hon. O. T. B. Williams issued the first number of 
the Nebraska Atlas. It was a rather small affair, but it was a begin- 
ning, and served a very good purpose in its day. It was a very up- 
hill business to publish a paper in so new a community, and in order 
to keep the Atlas from winter killing we made a festival, and devoted 
the proceeds to relieving its wants. 

Seward was a great place for sociables and festivals in the early 
times, and they were quite enjoyable, being always attended by old 
and young without distinction of race or color. All stood upon an 
equality, and they were always successful, both financially and other- 
wise. 

On the 20th of September, 1869, the people voted on the first rail- 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 43 

road bond proposition. This was the first proposition by the Mid- 
land Pacific company, in which tiiey agreed to build their road to the 
west bank of the Blue river in Seward county for $50,000 in 10 per 
cent bonds. 

The proposition was so indefinite that it created neither opposition 
nor enthusiasm. It sort o' went through by default, having fifty-two 
majority. But the railroad company did not build the road, and our 
railroad matters rested until the winter of 1871-72, when Dr. Con- 
verse requested the business men of Seward and other citizens of the 
county to meet him at Lincoln, when he offered to build the Midland 
road through Seward county via the city for $150,000 in 10 per cent 
twenty year bonds. This proposition was submitted to a vote of the 
people in the spring of 1872, when a most bitter sectional fight en- 
sued. There were so many of the folks that were opposed to railroad 
bonds from principle living in and around Milford and Beaver Cross- 
ing, and in fact all over the south half of the county, that the propo- 
sition Avas defeated, and Seward was clothed in sackcloth and fairlv 
rolled in ashes for a little season. We remember, when the election 
returns came in showing our defeat, the' long faces of some of our 
prominent citizens. It would seem that they had lost the last friend 
they had on earth. A photograph of W. H. Tuttle, J. N. Beatty, Dr. 
Walker, W. R. Davis, and Jim Harris, together with some others 
(the writer not included), would, if taken that morning, clearly show 
how woe-begone our little city appeared, but " behind the clouds wee 
all the stars," and the day of deliverance was near at hand. 

AVe must return to the county seat embroglio. Every effort to get 
the decision of Reed's board of canvassers overruled by the courts iiad 
proved unavailing, and we w^ere in a dilemma to know just what to 
do. We were afraid to attempt the lemoval by a two-thirds vote. 
They understood voting too well over at Milford. We must get the 
assistance of the legislature, and finally we got their help in the win- 
ter of 1870-71. One day while the enemy was napping we got such 
legislation as gave us the privilege of locating anew the county seat 
by majority vote. 

Now we must measure swords on an even plane, but we had a 
wily foe. A new project was sprung to locate a B. & M. tow^n at 
the exact center of the county, about two and a half miles south-west 
of Seward, with Mr. Phillips, of Lincoln, at the head. This new 
enemy had for a time most terrible proportions. 



44 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

Milford had made up her mind to die happy if she could effectually 
kill Seward, and now was her opportunity. She would throw all her 
force in favor of the new town. Seward men trembled for awhile, 
but the clouds rifted. TJie B. & M. concluded to build her road 
through Saline county, and was content to take a lion's share of our 
land — her road she would give to others — and leave us to settle our 
own domestir affairs. The day of final battle came, and on the 10th 
day of October, 1871, in one of the most hotly contested elections ever 
held in Nebraska, we triumphantly established the county seat at Sew- 
ard by twenty-two more than two-thirds of the votes cast. Then was an 
hour of rejoicing. Seward was now the " big Inguu," and poor Mil- 
ford was sorry. But she had made a brave fight and left no stone 
unturned. 

There is an old saying that, "everything is fair in war." Many 
people in Seward county acted upon that principle, and they were 
not all Milford people, either, but it is safe to say she had her full 
share, and if many of her generals and soldiers didn't throw as much 
dirt as the Seward folks, it was because they were not smart enough. 
Their intentions were to keep their end up. It is our pleasure, how- 
ever, to note the fact that in all the bitter fight of tour years we 
believe there was not a fist fight connected with the contest, and, 
what is to the credit of all concerned, the most bitter partisan of 
Seward was cordially entertained by all the better class of the Mil- 
ford people, and vice versa. Hosjiitality was so much a part of their 
very nature that their sectional enemy must be fed and kindlv cared 
for. This was the universal rule among the whole people, and we 
are heartily glad that it -svas so. Weare also glad to know that those 
who fought one another the hardest are to-day the warmest of 
friends. 

Among the notable workers in the interest of Milford, those that 
were ever ready to bear her banner aloft and fight her battles, first 
we mention Hon. J. L. Davison, the founder of Milford, and one of 
the best citizens the county ever possessed ; Judge Henry Wortendyke; 
Abram Courtwright, now resting from his labors in the better land; 
Hon. D. C. McKillip, now of Seward; Wm. H. Eeed, the irrepres- 
sible county clerk. He was a "Hector" in the fight. His watch- 
word and battle cry was "Greece or Troy must fall." His buttles 
fought, he rests with his fathers. Then conies Hon. J. H. Culver, 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA, 45 

who was at the head of the firm of Culver & Parsons, who had the 
honor of printing the Bhie Valley Record. The Record was sent 
out to an admiring world on the 29th day of December, 1870. 
Friend Culver tells us that the Record was a financial success, that 
they started it on a cash capital of twenty-five cents, and when the 
paper w^as retired some years afterward the cash balance was thirty- 
three and one-third cents and lots of experience. It was a good 
paper and used to whoop it up for the Seward fellows lively. 

The Record steadfastly refused to pander to the whisky interest 
in any way, but was forever pouring broadsides of hot shot into 
their camp, and the " Shogo Island Picnickers" thougiit it rather 
thin. 

There were many others worthy of mention, such as Uncle Sammy 
Brown, Father Merriam, L. D. Laune, Lee Smiley, George B. France, 
now of York, Father Hazlewood. These men and many others 
acted well their part and strove manfully to make Milford the prom- 
inent city of the valley, but stern fate was against her. But if Mil- 
ford could not be what her founders desired to make her, she has 
accomplished very much in the race, and is to-day a fine village with 
pleasant surroundings — a pleasant home place, a beautiful resort. 
Her splendid water power has helped her to one of the largest and 
best flouring mills in the state. Her sanitarium and her pleasure 
grounds will make her prominent through all the years to come. 

Seward, now happy in the possession of the prize she long had 
sought, was on a genuine boom (in a small way). A comfortable 
court house was built, principally by subscription, new enterpises 
were started and new people flocked in by the score. 

In the summer of 1872 the third proposition of the Midland rail- 
road was made to the people, and was somewhat difi^erent from the 
previous ones and was more liberal and more definite. Its salient 
points were are as follows: 

One hundred thousand dollars in 10 per cent twenty year optional 
bonds, to be issued and delivered, first $75,000 when track was com- 
pleted to the city of Seward, or within one-half mile of the public 
square, if said track was completed and cars running regular trains 
by the first day of March, 1873, and $25,000 to be turned over to 
them when said track was comj)leted and trains running to the west 
line of the county. Time indefinite. Also coupled with this prop- 



4() HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

osition was a like proposition for $25,000 for Seward preeiuct, com- 
prising what is now F and G precincts. One notable specimen of 
cntting off one's nose to spite one's own face was manifest in this bond 
fight. Dr. Converse offered to bind himself to build this road to 
within a half mile of Milford, thence up the river to Seward, if our 
southern brethren would Avithdraw their opposition, but they had voted 
so unanimously on principle a few months before that they would not 
yield, but treated the offer with contempt. Therefore the doctor made 
overtures to the Oak Grove people and took the road just as far north 
as the ground would permit, and promised a station at Gerraantown^ 
thus securing their votes, to the discomfiture of Milford. 

The old-time bitterness was manifested again in this contest. 
Every family in the county was visited, and the most desperate 
struggle ensued. Victory perched upon Seward's banner again, and 
Milford was in deep distress and refused to be comforted. She had 
made a most fatal mistake. In her fit of anger she had seriously 
blundered^ and it well nigh cost her her life. She was in splendid 
condition to have fairly rivaled Seward had she taken the tide at its- 
flood. The cars rolled into Seward on the first day of March, 1873, 
according to contract, and the future of Seward was assured. The 
first brick building (Joel Tishue's) was built during the summer of 
1873. Wooden structures sprang up as if by magic. This remained 
the terminus of the road for four seasons, and trade centered with us- 
from all the regions round about. Butler, Polk, York, and Ham- 
ilton counties hauled their grain here and were supplied by our mer- 
chants. It was a common thing to see the public square fairly blocked 
with loads of grain. 

The capacity of the railroad was insufficient to carry away the 
wheat, and we have seen thousands of sacks of it piled up around the 
grain houses. Money was plenty and everybody was prosperous. 
Our first bank (state bank) was opened that June by Claudius Joues^ 
in a little wooden shanty which was about twelve feet square, but it 
held plenty of money. Mercantile establishments multiplied and 
everything was hurrah. The little town began to put on metropolitan 
airs. The year had been an exceedingly prosperous one with the 
farmers. Crops were most excellent and brought good prices. 
Improvements went on at a rapid rate in town and county. Sod 
houses and log cabins were rapidly disappearing, being replaced by 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 47 

substantial frame buildings. Groves of timber were springing up in 
all directions all over the great prairies, roads were opened and im- 
proved, bridges were built on the streams. Mills were built, orchards 
were planted, and all nature hereabouts seemed transformed. New 
school houses were shining from the hill tops throughout the county. 
This transformation reminds us that we had lived in the West twelve 
years (from the spring of 1858 to 1870); that we never heard the 
locomotive whistle, and you may be assured that its shrill notes made 
sweet music for oar ears, and we hailed the glad day when we saw the 
first train penetrating the wilderness, and we still say, God bless the 
railroads and multiply them and give them honest and intelligent 
management that they may be a blessing to all the people, for they 
are indispensable to our civilization. 

The schools of which Seward is so proud had a beginning in the 
old log cabin in the winter of 1866-67, with thirty-two scholars. 
The children that composed that little school are all now men and 
women, that are living, but several of them are numbered with the 
dead, among whom were Miss Lucy Clark, daughter of Rev. E. L. 
Clark, Leroy Moffitt, and Jasper Roberts. It is still our pleasure to 
personally know numbers of those children who are to-day occupying 
honorable positions in life, among whom are, Rev. Moulton Clark, 
of Wisconsin; Rev. Victor Clark, of Illinois; James, Marion, and 
Douglas Roberts, of Colo.; Rolla Cooper, of Custer county, Neb.; 
Addison Imlay^ of Montana; Mrs. Elsie Boyes, of Seward; Mrs. 
Myron Stubbs, of Bradshaw, Neb.; Mrs. Laura Hickman, of Sew- 
ard; Mrs. Sarah Anderson, of Seward; Mrs. Josephine Williams, of 
Chase county. Neb.; Mrs. Mary Imlay, of Seward; Mrs. Kate J. 
Ruby, of Marquette, Neb.; and Mrs. Nettie M. Pingree, of Colby, 
Kan. We should be glad to remember all other members of our little 
flock in these pages, but they are lost to us among the hurrying 
crowds of men and women of the world. We hope, however, that 
they are enjoying good health and they are all useful and happy. 

Our first resident minister of the gospel was Rev. E. L. Clark, the 
founder of the Baptist church of Seward. During the summer of 
1866 he preached for us at the house of Lewis Moffit. Rev. Skaigs, 
a young Methodist minister, also preached occasionally at the same 
place. We had an organized union Sunday-school as early as the 
spring of 1866, which continued to flourish until the organization of 



48 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

the cliurches. This was the first between Lincoln and Denver. 
Nearly all the peoj^le, old and young, met at the Sabbath-school, and 
they were greatly benefited. The old log school-house was brought 
into use during the fall of 1866, and was our meeting place until 
the summer of 1869, for all public purposes. 

The Presbyterian church was organized in the summer of 1868, by 
Rev. Dr. McCandlish, of Omaha, with a very small membership, and 
Rev. George B. Smith was called to the pastorate and filled their 
pulpit very acceptably for several years. 

Under the leadership of Rev. E. L. Clark, the missionary Baptist 
church was organized March 1, 1870, with seven members. The 
good old man continued pastor of his flock until the close of his 
honored life, which terminated in the early spring of 1873. Elder 
Clark was a great favorite with all the people, and was honored by 
the county with a seat in the last territorial and first state legislature. 
He was highly respected by all his colleagues and honored with a place 
on several important committees. 

The Nebraska Bejwrter was first issued in the summer of 1871, by 
Charles Crony, shortly after the platting of the Harris, Moffitt & 
Robert's addition to Seward. Mr. Crony was here with his paper 
in time to take a hand in the county seat fight in our last campaign. 
Also in the railroad fight of 1872. The Reporter was a good fighter 
in its younger days. It was continually at war with the Bhie Valley 
Record and with its contemporary, the Atlas. 

About this time Cloyd and Ingham purchased the Atlas and tried 
to convert it into a mammoth literary paper, which proved a splen- 
did failure. Later Prof Ingham withdrew from it and Mr. Cloyd 
converted it into a Democratic paper, and so it remained during the 
remainder of its romantic career, which terminated in 1874. 

About this time the Reporter fell into the hands of Thomas Wolfe, 
and under his guiding hand it improved its fighting qualities. Born 
in times of excitement, its chief joy was to have a hand in all political 
and sectional strife. Its life was a vigorous one. It came to stay, 
and was ever ready to give or receive the hardest of blows, and like 
all vigorous papers, had the warmest of friends and the most bitter 
enemies. 

Its contemporaries, the Atlas and Record, had given up the ghost, 
and left it master of the field for a little season, but its rest was of 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 49 

short duration. In February, 1877, W. S. Walker, a peculiar and 
erratic character, emerged from his mountain home, and started the 
Seward Advocate. The two papers soon found occasion to declare 
war, and they kept the air fairly blue. Notwithstanding both 
papers were Republican in politics, they were out of their element 
unless they were in the midst of a fight. In June, 1879, J. H. 
Betzer bought the Advocate, and rechristened it with the name, 
Blue Valley Blade. From the first the Blade seemed to have both 
edges sharp, and was prepared to cut a wide swath. 

The bright glimmer of the Blade had about the same effect on the 
Reporter as the shaking of a red rag in the face of an angry bull. 
It seemed that both these papers were born to fight, and fight they 
must. Mr. Wqlfe retired from the Iteporter in 1882, and F. G. 
Simmons became the manager, when the hatchets were buried, and 
tlrese two bright and valuable jjapers have found more congenial and 
profitable employment than scratching for each other's eyes, in working 
for the interests of Seward, the county, and the state. They have each 
made for themselves a splendid record in the later years. There 
have been several other attempts to maintain newspapers here, but 
none have succeeded until H. E. Maclellan started the Seward Dem- 
ocrat during the campaign of 1884. It seems to have good staying 
qualities. 

In the winter of 1876-77, Rev. Mr. Haw made a futile attempt to> 
start a Democratic paper, and again in the winter of 1881-82 James. 
Brinkerhoff tried the same experiment, but failed. 

Under the leadership of Rev. Mr. Skaigs, a class of the M. E. 
church was formed in the summer of 1867, but we fail to find the 
records of the same, and consequently all that we are able to say 
of the matter is from personal recollection. We remember that our 
young friend Skaigs was a wide-awake young fellow, and worked 
faithfully for his little flock. The next important epoch in the his- 
tory of the M. E. Church, was under the pastorate of Rev. Combs 
(now deceased), in about the years 1874-5. When their church 
edifice was built, our friend Combs was a zealous and fearless worker in 
the vineyard, and his church flourished remarkably under his pastorate. 
Among the noble men that have honored the pulpits of Seward 
through so many years, there are none that more surely won the 
affections of the whole people than Brother Combs, and his early re- 
4 



50 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

moval from the labors of life was keenly regretted by all that knew 
him. In connection with the building of the M. E. church, there 
was a peculiar character who certainly deserves more than passing notice. 
The person alluded to still lives, and is a member of this community 
and the church, but her life is so secluded that she is almost lost to the 
world, and but few of the present membership of the splendid con- 
gregation that worship within the walls of the edifice know of her 
existence, much less of her sacrifices in behalf of the church she so 
dearly loved. We are apt to forget our benefactors when we have be- 
come independent of them, but inasmuch as the business of the 
church is labors of love, we suggest that it would be well that the 
church should call to mind the debt of gratitude it owes to Mother 
Herrick in her old age. The principal part of all her worldly goods 
were freely laid upon the altar of the church, and were used to 
build its walls, and now she is living under its shadow in poverty, 
and we fear in sad neglect. 

Great progress was made in town and county from the time of the 
completion of the Midland Pacific road in March, 1873, until mid- 
summer, 1874, when the grasshopper scourge fell upon us. The 
summer of 1874 was dry and well suited for the development of 
grasshoppers, much more so than for a vigorous growth of vegetation. 

It is an old saying that calamities never come singly, and it was so 
with us that memorable year. In the early days of July it was exceed- 
ingly hot, and the wheat crop was seriously injured, so that the yield 
was light,and thequality was very poor; thusa very large slice of profits 
was clipped from each side of the wheat crop. Wheat at that time was 
the main dependence of our farmers, and they felt the loss seriously, and 
a general stagnation of business was the immediate result; this loss we 
could have borne, but in the hour when "we thought not," an invading 
army came on the wings of the north-west wind. The sun almost re- 
fused to give her light at noonday. The whole heavens were a living 
sea of insect life. As far as the eye could penetrate the skies, there seemed 
scarcely room for another hopper. They had come a long distance and 
were hungiy and tiiey proposed (like all hungry tramps) to dine with us. 
We were not pleased with our guests, but little did they care. They 
came for corn, and they took what we had, and made dessert of our 
garden truck, such as cabbage, turnips, onions, and in fact about 
every living plant, and finished by each taking a chew of green to" 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 51 

bacco, i. e., if the few tobacco patches furnished each a chew, at least 
they took the last vestige of it, aud our observation showed that they 
all spit tobacco juice, or something like it. 

Of this we are sure, they are the worst lot of tobacco chewers we 
have met. Those who never saw a swarm of grasshoppers can form 
no idea of the immensity of their number; we should judge Seward 
county cannot produce the same heft in cattle in fifty years as would 
these insects weigh that foraged on our fields, meadows, and gardens 
in those memorable days of August, 1874. This calamity fell like a 
wet blanket on all interests in the county, not only in Seward county, 
but the whole AVest. 

Great numbers of our people were very poor, and the loss of a 
crop was virtually losing their all. Lands depreciated in value, and all 
classes of personal property were a drug in the market, except grain, 
of which we had none to sell, aud hardly half enough for home use. 
Hogs were sold as low as one and one-half cents per pound, and slow 
sale at that. 

Quarter sections of land that would now readily bring $4,000, 
were begging for a market at $800 to $400. Destitution and want 
stared the people in the face, and had it not been for kind people in 
the old states, the suffering would have been fearful to contemplate. 
Thousands of noble men and women came to the rescue, and sent of 
their stores food, clothing, and fuel for the relief of the people, and 
right here it is fitting that we should acknowledge the important part 
the railroads had in this work of relief. They generously brought 
thousands of tons of coal, and millions of pounds of merchandise to 
the very doors of these famishing people without money and without 
price, and in those dark hours of sorrow they earned the lasting 
gratitude of all concerned. 

The well-to-do people of our own county and state were divided 
into two distinct classes. One class, and we are happy to say the 
larger class, were ready and anxious to do all in their power for 
the relief of their less favored neighbors. Many of them gave freely 
of their own scanty store of money, food, and clothing, and organ- 
ized relief associations, and used their influence with their eastern 
friends, and denied themselves of ease and comfort to save others 
from cold and hunger. These people are entitled to the gratitude of 
all recipients of their good tavors. 



52 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

Then the other class are entitled to remembrance, but in a different 
way. We mean the vultures that were not only blessed with plenty, 
and ought to have been anxious to give of their bountiful store, but 
instead of that, they were ever on the alert to steal from famishing 
children and helpless widows what better people were sending to 
them. We speak what we know, for it was our fortune or misfortune 
to be brought into very close relations with thousands of the suffering, 
and we well remember what a fight we had to keep these vultures at 
bay. There were scores of them who richly deserve to have their 
names published, that they might enjoy the just execration of man- 
kind. Their names should be covered with everlasting shame. 

During the year 1875, everything pretty much was at a standstill, 
both in business circles and with the farmers. The railroad lands 
that had been purchased were nearly all abandoned, and hundreds 
of homestead entries were shifted off at whatever they would bring, 
and a feeling of despondency was brooding over all our laud. Many 
fields were permitted to grow up to tall weeds. 

A mortal dread of a return of our implacable enemies was imbedded 
in the minds of the people, and the best of them were cogitating in 
their minds as to whether they had not made a mistake in coming to 
Nebraska. Some brave spirits were able to look through and be- 
yond the gloom to brighter days, and such did all they could to en- 
courage people to hold their lands. 

Fair crops blessed the faithful efforts of the husbandmen, and hope 
revived, and in the spring of 1876 things began to move again as 
in other years. New people began to come forward and occupy the 
vacant places. 

Some valuable improvements were made during the summer and 
fall in town and county. Walker's opera house and one or two 
other brick blocks were added to the permanent structures in Seward. 
The Midland road had been graded to York in the summer of 1875, 
but no track was laid until the summer of 1877. 

Grasshoppers visited us again in 1876 in great numbers, but they 
came a little later in the season ; and while the devastation wrought 
was great, it was not so complete as before. They left us a sufficient 
amount of corn with which to tide over. Our small grain was fairly 
good that year, and it was secure, and our people were able, with close 
pinching, to get through the winter without assistance. The centen- 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. bo 

nial year brought many new people into the county, who were at- 
tracted by our cheap lands, and generally they were men of more 
means than emigrants of former years, and they began making more 
extensive improvements in the way of building better houses, build, 
ing barns, fencing pastures, introducing the tame grasses, bringing in 
improved breeds of cattle and horses, planting trees, forest and fruit. 
One special event of this season was our centennial celebration on the 
4th of Julv. This was the most notable gathering that had ever met 
in the county, both in numbers present and in the general interest 
manifest. At least five thousand assembled to celebrate the hundredth 
anniversary of our independence, and it comprised much more than 
half the entire population of the county. All the people took hold 
■of the matter with an enthusiasm that was truly commendable, and 
we think that celebration is worthy to be marked as an epoch in our 
history. 

Now it becomes a painful duty to record the most sorrowful event 
in all our history. Thus far no tragic event had occurred to mar the 
peace of our people. We had been noted for sobriety, industry, and 
general good behavior, notwithstanding we were drawn together from 
so many localities in our own country and foreign lands. With all our 
diversified peculiarities, and with all our diiferent, and in many cases 
antagonistic, interests, no human blood had been shed in all our bor- 
ders until the sad event of which we now write. One beautiful morn- 
ing in the month of May, while all nature was smiling with gladness, 
and our little city was basking in the sun, enjoying the fragrance of 
the opening buds of spring, there breaks upon our ears the astounding 
news that a man, a neighbor, had been murdered. A chill of horror 
ran through the community as the news rapidly spread that Nathan 
Clough was the victim, and that he lay in the loft of the Blue Valley 
House barn wrapped in a bloody mantle of death. Suspicion was 
fastened upon various characters who harbored around the hotel, and 
a close surveillance was kept upon many while the coroner and his jury 
were trying to fathom the mystery. 

The air was filled with rumors, and the people were almost wild 
with excitement. The jury was in session for about nine days. Mean- 
time the excitement spread from Seward throughout the county, and 
then to the uttermost bounds of the state, and far into adjoining states, 
and it was the absorbing theme of conversation everywhere through- 



54 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUXTY, NEBRASKA. 

out the couutry. The newspapers were full of it. The pleasant sun- 
shine of that morning was turned into a dark cloud that hung like a 
pall over our fair city. There was apparently an instantaneous suspicion 
arising in the minds of the people far and near that the foul deed was 
committed by the brother of the deceased. It seemed to float in the 
very air, without the aid of the telephone. The business men of 
Seward were wisely cautious of their words, but the women and chil- 
dren would indiscreetly say, upon the spur of the moment, "It's 
nobody but Warren Clough." People from far in the country would 
3ome in and whisper, "I believe it's Warren Clough." Traveling 
men on the cars wuuld read in a daily paper of the murder in Seward, 
and they would exclaim, "It's Warren Clough." Without evidence, 
or in advance of evidence, it was whispered into the ears and hearts 
of thousands of persons that Warren Clough was the murderer of his 
own brother. We confess that the impression darted through our 
mind unbidden, and entirely without evidence, and fastened itself 
upon us so firmly that we have never been able to shake it off. Why 
it was so it is impossible to explain. The jury traced every shadow 
to its substance, or until it entirely disappeared in the mist, and finally 
fastened the crime where the multitude had placed it without evidence. 
Warren Clough, after a long and tedious trial in another coimty 
(York), was convicted and condemned to death, which sentence was 
commuted to imprisonment at hard labor for life. We hope the jury 
acted only on evidence, and not preconceived impressions. Now long 
years have passed, and Warren Clough has become an old man. His 
punishment has certainly been severe. He was convicted entirely on 
circumstantial evidence or impressions. We are not certain which 
had the most weight. Is it not time to remember mercy? We do 
not know whether it would be a mercv to restore him to the world, 
considering that his friends and property are gone, but, should he 
desire it, would it not be proper to give him the last few days of his 
life to enjoy freedom? Let us remember the sentiment of Pope's 
universal prayer, "That mercy I to others show, that mercy show to 
me." 

Tiie year of 1877 brought several changes of importance, and 
marked a new era in the development of the county. The Midland 
Pacific railroad passed into the hands of the B. & M. company, the 
road pushed on to York and the town of Utica was founded. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 55 

Among the first settlers of Utica we mention Hon. G. A. Derby, 
who settled on a homestead, a little to the north and west of the town, 
in 1872, and was among the first to commence improvement on the 
great prairie between Seward and York. Mr. Derby made very cred- 
itable improvements for that early day, and his house was the genial 
home of many a weary traveler, it being the only stopping place be- 
tween Seward and York. He was a wide-awake man, and as soon as 
the railroad was assured, he projected the town of Utica. He saw at 
a glance that the rich farming country that surrounded the place must 
of necessity have a trading point, and he went to work with that 
energy and determination that always brings succcess, and the flour- 
ishing town is the result. Mr. Derby has always been to the front 
as an enterprising citizen of that part of the county, and has used the 
best energies of his life for its development and advancement. Utica 
has grown and prospered until it has become an important village, 
with many fine business houses, good schools, commodious churches, 
and many excellent residences, with an intelligent and busy popula- 
tion, and is the third town in the county in population, business, and 
wealth, beautifully situated, surrounded Ijy a splendid farming coun- 
try on all sides. Of her business interests we will speak more fully 
in a future chapter. 

Howard M. Colman was also one of the first to settle on a home- 
stead in the locality of Utica. The date of his settlement was May, 
1871. Mr. Colman has been thoroughly identified with the improve- 
ments and progress of Utica. We remember him when he was a 
homesteader and had to haul wood from the Blue river to keep the 
family from freezing. We are happy to note the fact that he don't 
have to haul wood now fifteen miles to keep the wife and baby warm. 

George Liggett, who commenced the grain trade in Utica in the 
fall of 1877, took up a homestead on Lincoln creek in 1869, and 
after one year's enjoyment of a farmer's life, he moved to Seward and 
tried his hand at making harness for a time, when he thought he 
could see wealth or glory in Antelope county, and removed to that 
county; after securing all the glory he needed he gave up the idea 
of getting wealth there, and returned, like a sensible man, to Seward, 
and studied the art of buying grain, and after graduating among 
the grain-buyers of Seward, commenced the practice of his profes- 
sion at Utica, with marked success, as his ample possessions demon- 
strate. 



56 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

Oscar Ragan, another of the first business men of Utica, settled on 
Lincoln creek as early as 1867. Mr. Ragan commenced the grain 
trade on a small scale in the fall of 1877, and has gradually grown 
rich, and may fairly be counted as one of the rich and prosperous 
men of the county. We must tell a little story of him that demon- 
strates some of the hardships of pioneer life. Mr. R. was very poor 
when he located on the homestead, as were all the neighbors. Many 
times the entire settlement would get very short of provisions, and at 
this time Oscar's family had been without meat for a long time. The 
elk and antelope had taken their departure, but Oscar thought he 
•must have meat, and he went hunting. A long day's tramp, and 
nothing could be found except a chicken-hawk. Oscar said to him- 
self: "We're out of meat. I don't know how hawk will taste. I 
have heard of politicians eating crow. Guess it's all right." So he 
takes the hawk home, and it was prepared for the next day's dinner. 
A nice hawk pie was prepared, and, as Oscar was a generous soul, 
some of the neighbors were invited to the feast. The good wife had 
made all things ready, and the guests were seated at the table, with 
Oscar in liis place at the head of the table. Each person was served 
with a plate of the dainty dish, and all commenced eating at the same 
moment. One mouthful partly swallowed, and Oscar, with a heav- 
ing breast, found it necessary to find the way to the door. The hawk 
showed great discontent in his stomach. Oscar was quickly followed 
by his guests, but they were not going to see what was the matter 
with Oscar. They each had serious business interests of their own to 
look after, Oscar has always, since that dinner experience, wondered 
how it can be that men can eat crow without wincing, as so many 
politicians have to do. He is quite sure that he never hankers after 
a hawk pie. 

Thomas Standard and Joseph Jones have the honor of erecting the 
first building on the new town site, and opened the first stock of mer- 
chandise in the mouth of August, 1877. These enterprising gentle- 
men were homesteaders, each settling, in the year 1870, on lands in 
the western part of the county. We remember Mr. Standard, at an 
early date, as being the Standard thresherman of the county, and we 
are glad to be able to say that he proves Standard in all his under- 
takings. These men have proved to be quite successful as farmers 
and business men, and have helped, in no small measure, in building 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 57 

up Utica. George Goodbroad erected the first hotel in the same 
month, and Fritz Beckord opened a lumber yard at the same time. 
In the month of September Messrs, Goehner & Wilkins opened the 
second store, and C. C, Turner opened a blacksmith shop in October. 
Wm. Alexander also opened a grain iiouse, and some other business 
interests were inaugurated during the same fall, and Utica at once 
assumed quite respectable proportions as a business center. It enjoyed 
from the beginning a large grain trade, and what is peculiar, her 
grain dealers have been prosperous in a marked degree. 

We believe that Rev. C. E. Phinney was the first resident minister. 
He located in the neighborhood in 1874, and organized a Protestant 
Methodist church. However, a class of the M. E. church was organ- 
ized in 1872, at what Avas known as the Kincade school-house, three 
miles east of town, in the summer of 1872, by Rev. A. J. Folden, 
which class was re-organized by Rev. G. M. CoufFer, of Milford, and 
established its permanent quarters at Utica in 1878. The church was 
quite prosperous and built a very creditable church edifice in the season 
of 1881. They had previously built a parsonage. The United Brethren 
church was organized in the summer of 1873 by the Rev. E. W. John- 
son (now an honored presiding elder in his denomination), at the Oliver 
school-house. Rev. Father C. J. Quinn established a Catholic mis- 
sion about the spring of 1880, and they now have a very neat house 
of worship. Miss Clara Derby taught the first school in that section 
of the county, in 1873, and Miss Rosa Hartley was the first teacher 
of Utica, in the spring and summer of 1878. The schools of Utica 
have kept pace with other improvements, and they now have a first- 
class graded school and a commodious building, with ample accom- 
modations. 

We can hardly forego telling how and when we got our impressions 
of the great prairie upon which the fair little city stands. 

Early in the summer of 1864, while yet a resident of Lancaster 
county, a project was set on foot to open a great freight road from 
the Missouri river leading through Lancaster (now Lincoln) and 
prospective Seward, and to the west. Uncle Jacob Dawson, of Lan- 
caster, made terms with the Mormon freighters, who had established 
their outfitting headquarters at Wyoming, five miles north of Ne- 
braska City, and led one of their great freight trains through Lancas- 
ter, and then secured our assistance as a pilot to conduct the train 



58 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

over the unbroken prairies through Seward county, and to a western 
connection with the great overland trail to the mountains. We led 
the train in triumph as far as the mouth of Plum creek, a-half mile 
south of the present city of Seward. Here we had hoped to find an 
easy fording place, but when the trainmaster saw the river, he said 
that it would be out of the question, and a bridge must be built. So 
we summoned the entire neighborhood to our assistance, consisting of 
Wm. Iralay, R. T. Gale, David and Joseph Imlay, with Grandfather 
Imlay to watch the maneuvers and give words of encouragement, and 
with the help of sixteen stalwart young Mormon teamsters, we 
slashed down a hundred or more fine trees and built a log bridge and 
crossed the river with the huge wagons, and wended our way to the 
westward. Night overtook us on the great plain a little to the south 
and east of the future Utica. A corral was formed and supper pro- 
vided, and it fell to our lot to be stationed as one of the outer pickets 
to guard the cattle. The night was exceedingly hot, and we were in 
our shirt-sleeves. A heavy thunderstorm was rapidly approaching. 
The heavens were all aglow with the flashes of lightning. The 
thunder drums began to play at a fearful rate. Only when the sharp 
flashes would light up the ghostly surroundings could a thing be 
seen. The very blackness of the darkness veiled all from our sight, 
when, all at once, a terrific peal of thunder, with stunning eflect, 
stampeded the cattle, ninety-eight head of great steers, and they came 
directly toward us, with all the fury of a full grown cyclone. Few 
and short were the prayers we said, and we thought not of writing 
these reminiscences, but thought good-by to all this Avorld, but 
fortunately for the reminiscences, when, like a solid wall, like a great 
avalanche, they had reached within twenty feet of us, there was a 
vivid flash that lightened np the whole heavens, and our white shirt, 
we sup])ose, caused the herd to divide, and they thundered by us on 
either side so close as to almost graze our shirt sleeves. We devoutly 
thanked God for that flash of lightning and the white shirt. We 
are free to acknowledge tluit we were badly frightened — so much so 
that it effectually stopped our growth, and perhaps that night's ex- 
perience accounts for our diminutive stature. 

It only took our party two days to get the cattle back to camp. 
The next morning the level prairie was a sea of water. It certainly 
would have convinced any unbeliever that it rained occasionally west 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 59 

of Salt creek. When Uncle Jake Dawson, Mr. Imlay, and myself 
got rid of that Mormon train, we were fully satisfied with our ex- 
perience in leading trains through the wilderness. We tried it no 
more. 

In the forepart of July, 1878, a stranger from the state of Kansas, 
by the name of G. L. Monroe, was traveling through this neighbor- 
hood, and happened to fall into the company of Orlando J. Gassier, 
a resident of the south-western portion of this county. The two 
camped just west of the city on the river bank, on the afternoon of 
July 7th, and during the night, while a violent thunder storm was 
raging, Gassier murdered his comrade and new-made friend, sunk the 
body in the river, and took possession of the team, telling his neigh- 
bors that he had bought the team. Some of the citizens of the city 
happened to be fishing a day or two after the occurrence, and found 
the body floating in the river. The coroner's jury soon found a clue 
to the murder, and Orlando was arrested, tried, and convicted, and 
sentenced to be hanged on the 20th day of May, 1879. The black 
Friday arrived, and a great host of people gathered into the city from 
all the surrounding country, as word had gone out that the barracks 
would i)robably be torn down. The sheriff had taken what he sup. 
posed to be ample precautions for the protection of the barracks. He 
had placed quite a large number of deputies and policemen, properly 
armed with billies, around the barracks, and had constructed a barb- 
wire fence around a space surounding the building, which was denom- 
inated a dead line, and all the people were warned not to step over 
that line ; but little did they heed the mandate. There seemed to be 
an inordinate desire to see the wretched man hung, and five or six 
thousand men, women, and children surged back and forth with an 
irresistible force, and just before noon some reckless fellow gave a 
whoop and a hurrah, and those barracks were scattered as if a cyclone 
had struck them in far less time than it takes to write a line of this para- 
graph. The sherifi^^' saw in a moment that he was in the hands of the 
mob, to do the will of their good pleasure; their pleasure was to see 
Orlando hung, and if the sheriff was unwilling to transact the busi- 
ness in their presence they would do the work for him in his presence, 
and that right soon. So he assured the mob that the execution should 
occur in proper time, and that he did not need their help. The drop 
fell in due time, and Orlando J. Gassier paid to the full, as far as pos- 



60 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

sible, the penalty of his crime, but the demoralizing spectacle of a 
public execution produced a bad effect upon our people, and brought 
out a spirit of lawlessness that barely missed producing another mur- 
der before the day closed. 

We do not wish to mince matters, or in any way excuse the lawless 
spirit of many people on that occasion in tearing down the enclosure, 
but we would say that the governor was short-sighted, that provisions 
to maintain the dignity of the law were not made, and especially so 
when a like occurrence had happened at Minden only a short time 
previous. If the law is worth a place on our statute books, then 
when necessary use all the powers of the state to enforce it, and not 
allow lawless ruffianism to control. 

We quote for the curious the last words of the doomed man : ^' Well, 
now this will finish Orlando Cassler's life. Behold the scatfold with 
Orlando Gassier standing on it here. This is the last of trouble and 
sorrow. I am forry, gentlemen, that I have to die here, but there is 
a world above, where there is no trouble and no sorrow. Good-bye, 
gentlemen." His spiritual adviser was Rev. Shank, of the M. E. 
Church, who delivered an eloquent and fervent prayer. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 61 



CHAPTER III. 



GKKERAL IMPE0V:EMENT— DEMANDS FOE ANOTIIEE EAILROAD— STEUGGLE BE- 
TWEEN FEIENDS OF THE UNION PACIFIC AND THE ATCHISON & NEBRASKA — 
THE A. & N.'S TEIUMPH — JONES CARICATURED — INJUNCTION AGAINST BONDS- 
— OFFICERS VISIT BUTLER COUNTY TO SIGN BONDS — INJUNCTION MADE PER- 
PETUAL — THE B. &M. SWALLOWS THE A. & N. — DEPRESSION AND DESPOND- 
ENCY—DUST STORMS— POOR CROPS— SEWARD SICK— THE TRAGEDIES OF 1880- 
— BATES' SLAUGHTER PEN — THE BOWKER MURDER — SMALL-POX SCARE — 
SMALL-POX IN EARNEST— "a" PRECINCT TRAGEDY — MRS. PATRICK'S MUR- 
DER — TERRIBLE SNOW BLOCKADE — REVIVAL OF BUSINESS AND ADVANCE IN. 

EEAL ESTATE — MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE TO THE WEST, AND THE RESULTS 

STOCK BREEDING AND FEEDING — NEW INDUSTRIES — TOWNSHIP ORGANIZA- 
TION — F., E. AND M. V. E. R. — JONAH CAN'T SWALLOW THE WHALE. 



So far as business was concerned everything moved along smoothly 
during the year 1878, but nothing of special note occurred, yet there- 
was general advancement in the city and county in a quiet way.. 
The Norval block and Goehner block were added to the brick struc- 
tures, and they made quite an addition to the business houses of the 
city. 

During this year the feeling began to gain ground with the people 
generally that the county needed another railroad, and negotiations 
were opened with the Union Pacific managers, and also with the 
managers of the Atchison and Nebraska company. The projected 
line of the Union Pacific was to connect Seward and the south-west 
with the Kepublican Yalley line at Brainard, on very nearly the 
same line that is now occupied by the Northwestern road. The 
Atchison and Nebraska running from Lincoln, via Milford, through 
Seward, David City, and Columbus. Our people were divided in 
sentiment. In the city each project had warm adherents. Our 
Milford friends had suddenly been converted, and were no longer 
opposed to railroad bonds from principle, and like all new converts 
were very enthusiastic for the A. & N., and they were manfully 
backed by the dwellers up the Blue Valley. Outside of the city but. 
feeble efforts were made in behalf of the U. P. project. 



62 HISTORY OF SEAA^ARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

A great mass meeting was called in the spring of 1879, to deter- 
mine which of the two schemes the people would most heartily endorse. 
The public square of Seward was filled with people. Hon. S. B. 
Galey, of Lincoln, assisted by Judge O. P. Mason, represented the A. 
& N. road, and Claudius Jones, of Seward, the U. P. Excitement 
ran high that day, and there were some scenes enacted that were not 
very creditable to our people. 

Unfortunately the person representing the U. P. interests did not 
enjoy the full confidence of the people, and they looked at the rail- 
road through the man, and unwisely refused to listen to his proposition, 
but hooted him down and caricatured him most scandalously, even 
carrying the joke so far as to bring the matter up in the Fourth of 
July celebration and representing him in a hoodlum procession as a 
mammoth hog. 

The pressure was so very great that commissioners and all were 
swept along without let or hindrance, and the proposition in favor 
of the A. & N. Co. was submitted under the corporate name of the 
Lincoln and Northwestern. The amount of bonds asked for was 
seventy-five thousand dollars in county and precinct bonds, divided 
up in a satisfactory manner between the county and C, G, J, O, and 
I precincts. The propositions were carried in the county and all the 
five precincts by good majorities, The railroad was speedily con- 
struct ed and the cars rolled up the beautiful valley to Seward early 
in October, when there was general rejoicing all along the line. 
Milford was now happy, as she was connected with the outside world 
in general, and with the county seat in particular, by rail. There 
M'ere enemies of the road steadily and persistently at work, however. 
We will not attempt to divine their motives. It may have been the 
dear pe()j)le that they were interested in, or it may have been spite 
work. Be that as it was, an injunction suit was commenced against 
the issuing and delivering the county bonds, and also those of C, G, 
J, and precincts, leaving I to look out for itself. 

It was the undoubted right of a citizen and tax payer in the county, 
or any precinct thereof, to commence an injunction suit, and have all 
matters thoroughly sifted in the courts as to the legality of the prop- 
osition, and also the legality of the election and the returns, and it 
was without question the duty of all officers having the custody of the 
bonds to obey the order of the courts, and let consequences take care 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 63 



of themselves; but in this case there was some trickery that will 
hardly bear the light of day. It seems that the county clerk, Thomas 
Graham, was away from home, and the business of the office was left 
in the hands of his deputy. Perhaps it is not expedient to state all 
we know, yet it seems clearly proper that these historical sketches 
should be true, and we can hardly pass over this important matter 
without relating the whole truth so far as we know it. 

It seems that there was an inordinate desire on the part of the 
deputy clerk (Ed. O'lveefe) and the board of county commissioners 
to evade the injunction, and in the night-time these persons took the 
seal of the county, and slipped away to David City in Butler county, 
and signed and placed the seal of the county upon the bonds there, 
and then returned to Seward and made their record of their proceed- 
ings as if all had been regular. What motives prompted these gen- 
tlemen to perform the important duties of their office in Butler county, 
the reader may judge for himself It is sufficient to say that they 
left the way open for censure, and accomplished nothing except a long 
lawsuit, in which the injunction was made perpetual. There was 
talk that bribes had been used with certain parties, and that attempts 
were made to induce other ])rominent men to help along this bond 
scheme by large bribes. In fact, some individuals have told us that 
they had been approached by offers of large amounts if they would 
assist in carrying the scheme through to a successful termination. 

As time rolled on, it developed that the people had been victim- 
ized, and that they had given seventy-five thousand dollars, or at 
least they had agreed by their votes to give that amount, for another 
B. & M. R. E. For a few months only did the A. & N. maintain 
control of the road when it had passed in its checks, and we all awoke 
to find ourselves sold, and with two B. & M. roads on our hands. 

The competition given our people during the fall and winter of 
1879-80 was noticeable, and was a great benefit to the farmers. The 
markets of Seward county that winter were about the best in the 
state. This had the effect of stimulating the business of the city, and 
a rapid growth was the immediate result. Scores of new buildings 
sprang up, and all went merry as a marriage bell in the spring of 
1880. But when it became known that the B. & M. had swallowed 
its competitor, we all heard something drop, and it hurt most fear- 
fully. One noticeable effect was that it reduced suddenly the number 



64 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

of grain dealers from about a full dozen to two, and the competition 
in the grain trade of Seward became a thing of the past. 

Seward became suddenly sick, nigh unto death. This change fell 
like a dead weight on all interests, and to further aggravate our 
trouble we had a series of dust storms during the spring. The 
weather was exceedingly dry, and heavy winds prevailed to such an 
extent as had never been known before. Great ridges of dust were 
carried from the fields and piled up along the hedges and fences like 
huge snowdrifts, some of which remain visible to this day. Crops 
were not satisfactory that season, and times were hard. Lands be- 
came a drug in the market again, and all classes of business languished, 
and there were more vacant houses in the city than at any time in all 
her history. Mechanics and laborers were compelled to seek employ- 
ment elsewhere, and the city was wrapped in a mantle of gloom for 
a season. 

The Windsor house had been commenced before the depression had 
fully set in, and it was fully completed during the following winter, 
but remained idle for a full year, as no one could be induced to open 
it under the circumstances. 

The building of this branch of the B. & M. R. R. was of great ad- 
vantage to some portions of the county. It made but .^ittle difference 
to Milford, Pleasant Dale, or the people of the north-western por- 
tion of the county whether the road was an Atchison & Nebraska 
or a B. & M. They wanted a railroad, and now they had it, and 
they were happy; but it made all the diiFerence in the world to- 
Seward. She had B. & M. roads to her full satisfaction, and she did 
not need any more in her business. What the city wanted was com- 
petition in freight, and this hope being deferred again had the ten- 
dency to make the heart sick. 

However, this road has proved of great value to the county. It 
has added directly one hundred and thirty thousand dollars to the 
taxable projierty of the county, and has opened up four new stations, 
brought into life and activity three new towns, infused into Milford 
new life, and added largely to the value of the lands all along its line,. 
and now is, after years of waiting, of great benefit to the city. Since 
the completion of the Northwestern, we now have three railroads for 
all practical purposes, whereas before we only had one, and so, as will 
appear further on, the building of the Northwestern was equivalent 
to giving us two new roads for most purposes. 



HISTOEY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 65 

During the financial depression we were doomed to other troubles 
that are most sickening to relate, but essential facts of history cannot 
be left untold. The year of 1880 could not pass without its tragedy. 
In B precinct, in what is known as the Bates school-house, there was 
a protracted meeting in progress, and there were some young men in 
the neighborhood who lacked the proper training, or at least had for- 
gotten that the very genius of our government guarantees the privi- 
lege of worshiping God as seemeth good to us, and that no man may 
interfere with these sacred rights. They had on several occasions 
molested the meetings and were rather incorrigible in their efforts to 
break up the same, and we are of the opinion that they were not met 
with a Christian spirit by the church people, as the sequel proves. 
Perhaps had the admonition of Paul, "Overcome evil with good," 
been practiced on that dreadful night, it is quite probable that instead 
of a horrible tragedy there might have been good results. 

It seems that the rough fellows who should have stayed away went 
armed with revolvers, and some of the church people had provided 
themselves with clubs, and at least one of them (William Bates) car- 
ried a revolver. 

\Yhen people are anxious to get into difficulty they can always find 
an opportunity. As was expected, the belligerent feelings soon 
found vent in hot words, which were quickly followed with blows; 
revolvers were brought into play, and a scene of desperation ensued 
that was revolting to our civilization, resulting in the killing of Wil- 
liam Bates, and so wounding Hilliard Thomas that he died of the 
the wound. James Thomas also received a flesh Avound in the hip; 
Israel Bates also had a flesh wound in the thigh, and Luther Bates 
received a heavy blow on the head with a shovel or spade. It seems 
that the Bates family and the Thomas family were not on friendly 
terms, and who may have been most to blame for their former trouble 
it is impossible to say, but in this horrible tragedy it is evident 
that in a degree at least both parties were at fault. The Bates 
family were of good repute as citizens, and were very zealous church 
people, but they had the fault of letting rash tempers get the better 
of them, and were quick to resent an insult or injury — rather too 
much so for followers of Him who taught us to do good to those who 
would despitefully use us. They did wrong in carrying clubs zud 
revolvers into a Christian meeting in this land of law and order. 
5 



66 ' HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

They had no right to do it. It was uncliristian and nnlawful and 
entirely unnecessary. If the unruly persons had shown themselves 
to be so incorrigible that kind words and Christian courtesy could 
not reach their case, it would have been easy to obtain the assistance 
of peace officers. 

The Thomas family personally we know but little about, but of 
this we are certain, we have no words of excuse for any party that 
will go into a religious meeting for the purpose of disturbing it. The 
personal enmity of certain members of the congregation is no valid 
excuse for such outlawry, and however much the Bates family erred 
in their rashness, still it must be the just judgment of an unprejudiced 
world that the Thomas family and their abettors were the cause of 
this fearful catastrophe. 

Just M'hy this trouble has never become a matter of judicial inves- 
tigation we are not able to say. It seems very curious to us that 
such a scene of lawless butchery, with such far-reaching consequences, 
shoukl not be thoroughly sifted by the courts and the responsibility 
placed where it properly belongs. 

Also in March, 1880, a bloody tragedy occurred at East Milford, 
which terminated in the murder of Samuel Bowker, by two brothers, 
Milton and John Granger. This difficulty grew out of a quarrel be- 
tween the old man Granger and Bowker, in which Bowker knocked 
Granger down. Somehow Mr. Granger was dissatisfied with the mar- 
riage of his daughter, and this is supposed to be the beginning of the 
trouble. This had occurred some months before. Mr. Bowker was 
quite a pugilist, and was at all times ready to resent what he considered 
an insult or an injury, with his fist. He was some days after this fracas 
passing the store of the young Grangers, and was invited to alight 
from his wagon, which he promptly did, and pulled off his coat and 
announced himself ready for the two Grangers. 

Some hot words were followed with blows, when Milton drew a 
revolver and shot twice at Bowker, when his antagonist knocked the 
revolver from his hands. Then John opened fire and fired five or 
six shots, two of which took effect, one striking near the shoulder blade 
and passing down the spine, which caused his death. The Granger 
brothers were arrested and put upon trial, when they pleaded guilty to 
manslaughter, and received a sentence of ten years in the state ])rison. 

In the spring of 1880 there was a small-pox scare in Seward that 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 67 

worked great mischief. In the southern part of the city a family 
were reported to be stricken with the dread malady. Physicians 
reported, after a thorough examination, that it was a genuine case of 
small-pox. This resulted in breaking up the school and creating 
almost a panic, which was a serious injury to all the business interests 
of the city. We have no right to dispute the judgment of skilled 
physicians in such matters, but there were some things connected 
with this matter that brought their views into discredit, and very 
many people think to this day that instead of small-pox the victim 
had the itch, and was rotting with it. It was reported that the 
patient broke away from the guards and left the town in hot haste. 

This panic worked a hardship to the graduating class of that year. 
A goodly number had just finished their course of study and had fairly 
earned their degree, and while the examination was in progress the 
school was broken up and the class were robbed of the honors they 
had justly earned. In justice to one of the brightest classes that 
ever earned diplomas in our high school, some plan should have 
been adopted to provide its members with their diplomas. 

In H precinct, in the winter and spring of 1882, small-pox did 
break out for certain and worked ruin to a large settlement. Many 
people died and many more were stricken, but by good nursing were 
saved from death. The county authorities furnished medical and 
pecuniary assistance, and kept a close surveillance, and it was con- 
fined to the one settlement. Drs. Hastings and Monteith were given 
charge of the patients, with proper police powers. This terrible 
scourge nearly ruined the settlement for a time. There were reported 
by Dr. Hastings sixty-two cases and seven deaths in all. 

In June, 1882, a peculiar accident occurred near Marysville. A 
young man by the name of Mentz was plowing corn near the river 
bank. His team became frightened and by some means dragged the 
young man into the mill-pond, where man and team were drowned. 

Scarcely had the excitement attending the horrible Bates tragedy 
died away when, in the spring of 1882, the same locality was called 
to witness another scene of horror and bloodshed. It was a most 
unfortunate occurrence that one neighborhood should be the scene of 
two such terrible catastrophies within two short years, but in justice 
to the people we can truthfully say tiiat the masses of B and A pre- 
cincts are just as worthy and law-abiding citizens as are to be found 
anywhere. 



68 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 



This last trouble grew out of a family wrangle, in which the 
father, mother, and children were at variance. Just who were most 
to blame for the beginning of the trouble nobody knows. Mr. Pat- 
rick and wife and some other members of the family were returning 
from Seward, and a quarrel arose on the way home, which resulted 
in the old lady being shot to death. It seems that several members 
of the family were mixed into the affair. Many shots were fired at 
the old man by the boys, and he fired several shots, one of which 
killed his wife and the mother of his children. There being some 
discrepancy in the evidence in regard to the condition of affairs, and 
the embroglio that led to the shooting, etc., the old man's life was 
spared, and he is now serving a sentence in the state's prison for life. 
The murder occurred in the first days of April, 1882. 

In the month of February, 1881, this western country experienced 
a series of terrible storms of drifting snow. The wagon roads were 
all blocked, and railroad traffic was abandoned. Seward was eight 
days without mail. The loss of mail was a serious inconvenience, 
but was nothing compared to the want of fuel. In city and coun- 
try the people were put to straits for fuel, and had not relief reached 
us just as it did, very much suffering would have occurred. 

The year 1881 was rather dull and monotonous, but fair crops and 
a gradual advance in price once again revived the drooping spirits of 
the people, and as 1882 was ushered in tliere were brighter skies and 
cheering promises of better days, which put a new phase on all 
interests. 

New people flocked in, property began to change hands freely, and 
soon prices advanced, slowly at first, but later, as the demand 
increased, prices ran up in many cases over a hundred per cent. 
Good crops in 1882 set things fairly booming, which continued to 
the fall of 1884. 

Much valuable improvement was accomplished in both town and 
country. Prices of pro})erty reached the maximum in the winter and 
spring of 1884. After the presidential election in the fall of 1884, 
all property matters were at a stand-still. But few immigrants 
came among us, and great numbers of our people were violently 
attacked with western fever, and in the spring of 1885 multitudes 
pushed for the frontier. While this seemed to work to our disad- 
vantage for a time, it will prove a great blessing to us. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 69 

It has now demonstrated in a measure the value of western 
lands for agricultural purposes, and thus practically expunged from 
the map the last vestige of the great American desert, which was 
such a bugaboo to us during all our younger years. It has helped to 
plant farms all the way to the foot of the Rockies, and scores and 
even hundreds of bright towns and cities to-day dot the great plains, 
where the most credulous thought a few years ago that white men 
would never attempt to make homes. This all adds stability and 
value to this region. Any and every improvement in the West can 
but add value to our homes and lands. 

Since 1880 many individuals have turned their attention to feeding 
cattle and hogs, also to the production of the tame grasses. 

Feeding is carried on quite extensively now, there being many 
herds fed in various parts of the county, and this industry adds largely 
to the value of our staple, the corn crop. 

Timothy and clover are rapidly taking the place of the wild mead- 
ows, and blue grass that of the wild pastures. The soil and climate 
are especially well adapted to the production of grasses. 

Within a few years, also, the honey bee is receiving attention, and 
honey is produced profitably on many farms, and the industrious lit- 
tle servants find our luxuriant meadows and cornfields just the place 
for them to thrive. 

In the fall election of 1886, by popular vote the people determined 
to try township organization, and during 1887 Ave had a board of 
supervisors, consisting of one member from each of the sixteen towns 
and two members from the city. It is yet too early to form any just 
conclusion as to whether it will prove more satisfactory to the people 
than the commissioner system. 

For some years our people had been looking anxiously for an op- 
portunity to secure to the county a competing line of railroad. We 
had parleyed with the U. P. folks, but could get no definite answer 
from them, but finally when the Northwestern company were building 
their Lincoln branch, fortunately, Mr. Goehner, being a senator, 
while at Lincoln formed the acquaintance of some of the officials, 
and secured a hearing, which resulted in further negotiations, and finally 
a proposition was submitted to build during 1887 the F., E, & M. V. 
branch through our county, provided sixty thousand dollars in twenty 
year six per cent bonds were voted to the company. The proposi- 



70 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

tions were submitted to the city and B, G, K, and M towns, as fol- 
lows: City, $15,000; B, G, K,and M, $10,000 each, and L, $5,000. 
The propositions were voted by large majorities in each township, and 
the road was completed in the fall of 1887 and regular trains running 
in connection with the great system in the East and North. We are 
happy to say that the road is well built in every particular, and we 
believe the people have made a good bargain in securing it. Since 
it has been opened for business there has been a marked change in the 
freight tariffs for the better. AVe are all satisfied that we now have 
a road that the B. & ]\I. cannot swallow, for it would be like Jonah 
attempting to swallow the whale. 

Now we have three railroads, because while two are under one 
management they give us additional outlets, and the new line Avill 
hold prices down just as well as if both its competitors were in differ- 
ent hands. Tlie new road adds directly a large amount of taxable 
property to the county, opens up a vast new field for enterprise, and 
gives a new impetus to all classes of business. 

Of the opening of four new stations we speak fully in other chap- 
ters; also of the improvements of 1887. We kindly refer the reader 
to the special papers on various subjects, institutions, and things; 
also the very interesting historical letters and personal notices of men 
and women. These all go as j)art of the history of our county. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 71 



CHAPTER IV. 



CLIPPINGS FROM THE "NEBRASKA ATLAS," THE "BLUE VALLEY KECOKD," AND 

THE "NEBRASKA KEPORTEK." 



We clip from the first number of" the Nebraska Atlas the following 
communications and items which we deem of interest. The date is 
March 16, 1870: 

"The new school-house is to be commenced shortly. We are 
greatly in need of the building, and hope the committee will prose- 
cute the work with vigor. We trust it will be complete in time for 
the summer school." 

This was our first frame school building, and it was afterwards sold, 
and is yet occupied as a residence by Hugh Hunter. 

" There are nearly seven hundred dollars subscribed for the Baptist 
church edifice. This is most encouraging. Our citizens have taken 
hold of this matter in earnest, and there is no doubt but this summer 
will see the church edifice completed. Mr. Mofiitt gives three lots 
on which to erect it." 

" A petition is about to be started for the incorporation of our town. 
We hope to see every name on it." 

In the same issue Judge J. D. Maine is credited with having raised 
on his farm in the Oak Grove settlement one hundred and fourteen 
bushels of corn to the acre, in the previous summer. 

We select the following correspondence, which in the light of sub- 
sequent events, reads a little like prophecy: 

"Seward, March 15, 1870, 
"Dear Atlas: 

"We are glad to welcome your appearance among us. It makes 

us feel as if we were getting out of the wilderness. We have been 

watching and waiting through a long night of anxiety, and now 

behold a ' sign of promise.' The darkness is giving way, the 

skv is brightening, the clouds that have overshadowed us are dis- 



72 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

appearing, the day is dawning, and we rejoice. Now let us put our 
shoulders to the wheel of progress, and these waste places shall be 
made glad, tliis ' wilderness will smile/ and instead of the yelping 
of the coyote, or the hoot of the owl, or whoop of the wild man, as iu 
days past, we will behold a city suiTounded by thousands of splendid 
farms. Here we will see springing into life factories, seminaries, 
churches, and here will concentrate workshops and multitudes of mer- 
chants, and here will soon be heard the approaching tread of the iron 
horse. As the icy fetters of winter are giving way before a genial 
sun, we can already hear the sound of approaching iootsteps from the 
far-off East, coming to find homes with us, and soon we shall hear 
the thundering tread of the mighty army that is coming to possess 

the laud. Truly, 

" W. W. Cox." 

We give also a letter from the county, which throws much light on 
the situation of things in general of that day: 

" HiCKMANViLLE, March 10, 1870. 
''Mr. Editor: 

"Presuming that the Atlas is to be published for the general infor- 
mation of the whole country, and the inhabitants of Seward county 
in particular, I propose to give your readers a feM^ items from this 
settlement, the ' land of promise.' This place lies five miles north 
of Seward and seven miles from Ulysses, and derived its name from 
its large influx of Hickmans from the state of Iowa, John D. Hick- 
man being the pioneer, who settled on his land (homestead) in 1868. 
Since that time immigrants have come so rapidly that all the govern- 
ment land in this immediate vicinity has been taken up, principally 
as homesteads. Some twenty buildings have already been erected, 
and several more are in course of erection. 

"A school district was organized in the spring of 1869, with Thos. 
J. Poore as director. A school-house (sod) was built iu the fall of 
that year, and a teacher hired, who commenced his labors January 1, 
1870. We learn that the average attendance was twenty. A lyceum 
was also organized about January 1st, wiiich was christened the 
Pioneer Lyceum, and which has been in lull blast ever since, meeting 
weekly, and as far as I can learn, giving general satisfaction. Iu 
connection with the lyceum a paper was established [Pioneer Banner) 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 73 

■devoted to literature, fine arts, general news, and advertisements. 
The paper has been well and ably edited, but an exchange of editors 
being necessary according to the by-laws, a Poofe man was placed 
in the editorial chair. 

"Our school closed its winter term February 25th, with honor to 
both teacher and scholars, the exhibition — the first in the county — 
taking place on Monday, the 28th. The house was crowded, and 
everything passed off harmoniously, and to the entire satisfaction of 
all, Hon. W. K. Davis delivering the oration. 

" Thrift and enterprise seem to prevail. No less than seven wells 
have been sunk within sixty days, with gratifying results. 

"The weather for the past few weeks has been magnificent. Prep- 
arations will be made for seeding soon if the weather continues good. 
We are looking for an early spring. 

" Plenty of good land to the north and west of us, but none in this 
immediate vicinity. 

"And now, Mr. Editor, having given you our situation, we trust 
that your endeavors to establish a first-class county newspaper will 
prove successful, and that your career may be honorable and pros- 
perous to yourself and those you represent, is the wish of your cor- 
respondent. N." 

Clippings from old numbers of the Nebrasha Atlas: (Only part of 
the files have been preserved.) 

Feb. 27, 1871 — Addie, wife of J. P. Losee, died. Mrs. Losee 
leaves a husband and a wide circle of friends to mourn her loss. She 
had been married but a year. 

Mrs. Abram Wallick also died same day. She was in her thirty- 
sixth year, and was the mother of thirteen children, r.nd a very esti- 
mable Christian lady. Her husband, large family, and a host of 
friends mourn for her. 

July 21st — Warren Clough's wedding occurred. 

July 28th — The first brick dwelling is mentioned, D. C. McKillip's 
residence. 

Sept. 1st — Notice is given of the appointment of W. W. Cox as 
statistical correspondent of the Department of Agriculture 

Sept. 22d — John Robert's new farm house is looming up. 

Nov. 3d — Notes the advent of a man, wife, and nine girls, and 
only one son-in-law. 



74 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

The Presbyterian church is raised. 

June 18, 1873 — I. B. Compton has just finished the first tin roof 
in Seward. (The old post-office building, just west of the Butler block.) 

Same date notes that fourteen Bohemians loaded up with building 
material for their houses, for Hamilton county. 

The visit of Thomas Scott, the railroad king, and ex-Gov. Deuison, 
of Oiiio, is commented on. 

July 2d — Four fights in the streets are mentioned. 

Aug. 27th — The Seward grain-buyers get a rough overhauling. 

Sept. 3d — 15,000 school bonds were voted by a majority of twenty- 
one. 

July 23d — State Bank is opened for business. 

Aug. 13th — The purchase of the Presbyterian bell is noted. Also, 
that the telegraph is completed to Seward. 

Dec. loth — The Mohawk Lumber Co. have unloaded one hundred 
and seventy cars of lumber since March 1st. 

Jan. 21, 1874 — John N. Edwards is advertised for a free lecture 
at the church. 

Jan. 1st — John Tressler and Carrie Olmstead are married. 

Jan. 28th — The Baptist church was completed. 

March 4th — The paper is badly nettled by the "crusade move- 
ment," and its columns are full of burlesque notices of them. They 
were evidently making it difficult for him to get his regular drinks. 

April 22(1 — War was declared by Foucet's saloon against the cru- 
saders, and a shameful scene ensued, which reflected no credit upon 
the town or its officers. 

May 13th — The incoming Midland train ran over a pole-cat, and 
the passengers need no perfumery for some time. 

May 20th — The injunction in the case of Monteith, in regard to 
planting trees on the square, is yet unsettled. 

May 27th — Work on the M. E. church is being pushed with vigor. 

May 29th — Leroy Moffit, the only son of Lewis Moffit, died. 
Leroy was a kind-hearted boy of about twenty years, and the loss is 
sadly felt by his parents, the friends of the family, and the young 
people, with whom he was a favorite. 

June 3d — Little, Brock & Cursou's elevator is under construction, 
the first in town. 

July loth — The drowning of Peter Gerken in Blue river, just 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA 75 

south of town, is noted. Also, that Pricheau's block is going up 
rapidly ; that Seward has three select schools; and also, that the comet 
is visible and growing brighter. 

From the Blue Valley Record of December 29, 1870, the first 
number ever issued, we extract the following interesting items: 

The editor opens his paper with a three-column history of the 
county, in which he claims that Thomas West made the first settle- 
ment in 1859, and Daniel Morgan in 1860. He also credits J. I--. 
Davison with being the third settler. This we are quite sure is a mis- 
take, for we were at Mr. Davison^s house on Salt creek as late as the 
autumn of 1861, a little to the south-west of the present town of 
Roca. Mr. Davison opened his old Camden ranch in the fall of 
1862. James West located in 1860, near his brother Thomas; and 
Orin Johnson as early as 1860. 

The editor says that Mr. Davison, with a man by the name of Ellis, 
located the territorial road from Nebraska City to Fort Kearney, but 
fails to state the time. We are quite sure this occurred in the spring 
of 1860, for we distinctly remember thatWm. E. Hill and party, of 
Nebraska City, went and built the old bridge on the Blue near Cam- 
den, just above the forks of the river and just by the county line, in 
the early summer of 1860. So it is quite probable that the road was 
then located. The editor says that Mr. Davison as he returned from 
this trip pre-empted a place near Camden, which was afterwards the 
ranch. This is undoubtedly correct, but pre-emptors did not have to 
so carefully watch their claims then as later. There were scarcely 
any to molest or make afraid. The changing the name of the county 
is noted, and the building of the West mills; Parker and Roper's 
mill at Camden, and the Milford mills are all mentioned, and the 
agricultural resources and possibilities of the county are discussed at 
length. It is noted that immigration set in in earnest in 1866, and 
that all the eastern and northern states were represented, and it was 
claimed that the closing of the year 1870 found full three thousand 
souls in the county. 

It was claimed that in the summer of 1870 there were broken over 
four thousand acres of land. The average crop report was noted as 
follows: wheat, twenty bushels per acre; oats, forty; corn, forty- 
five. Numerous groves had been planted. Osage, plum, cotton- 
wood, and walnut were experimented with for hedges. Our soils 



76 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

are described as rich sandy loam, largely composed of decayed vege- 
table matter and underlaid with a clay subsoil, and well adapted to 
withstand drouth. The peat deposits west of Milford are noticed. 
The surface and drainage of the county are favorably commented 
upon, and it was claimed that the waste lands were all in some other 
county, which was very correct. The water-powers of the rivers 
receive favorable mention. The red sandstone of Middle creek, and 
the white limestone in the southern part of the county, also the shell 
limestone of the north-east, are all noted. The indications of coal 
are mentioned. 

The school system and first school are mentioned as follows : 

" The county being so thinly settled, the formation of a school dis- 
trict was not to be thought of until the year 1867, when a few fam- 
ilies combined and formed an independent school at Camden, and 
employed Miss Eva Hooker as teacher. This we believe to be the 
first school in the county." In this the editor is mistaken. There 
was one up near West mills prior to this; also one at Seward as early 
as the previous winter. The people are represented as wide-awake in 
educational matters, and every individual was a committee of one to 
see that there was a school at the earliest possible date, and the result 
has been a healthy growth of educational interests in the young 
county. At the date of writing there are sixteen organized districts 
and one academical association. The teachers are highly commended, 
and also the patrons, for their zeal. The Southern Nebraska C. C. 
Academy, under the supervision of Hon. Geo. B. France, is spoken 
of as highly creditable to the county, and as already well spoken of 
abroad. 

Three villages — Camden, Milford, and Seward — are all spoken of 
in the highest terms; a compliment is paid to the Nebraska ^^fa.s, 
the pioneer newspaper of the county. INIilford was well described as 
the county seat, and with two good water-powers and splendid possi- 
bilities. 

In summing up the growth it is noted that from three families in 
1862, now three thousand bright intelligent people have united their 
fortunes with the interests of the county. 

The editor claims to have set squarely before the world the county 
of his choice, and he certainly did it; and even now we remember 
his efforts with gratitude, as he was so earnestly striving to make this 
wilderness to smile 



HISTOEY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 77 

CLIPPINGS. 

"We notice a motto on a prairie schooner as follows: 'York 
county or bust.' " 

" The apportionment of school money to Seward county for 1870 
is $1,452.42 to 782 scholars." 

We also note from same table that whole number of scholars in 
Nebraska was 32,762. 

The editor's salutatory contains these words : " Morally we shall 
labor for what we believe to be truth and justice, and shall act upon 
what we profess." Also it says : " We shall labor for the best inter- 
ests of the republican party, not in a partisan spirit, but in a firm 
belief that it is the true party of progress and reform." 

January 5, 1871. — "J. L. Davison, of Milford, has nearly com- 
pleted the largest and best dwelling house in the county." The 
house spoken of is the square house just west of the bridge. It don't 
look the largest or the best in 1888. 

" A number of prominent Seward people are in town (Milford) 
attending probate court." That reads strangely now. 

" Wm. G. Keen is recommended for postmaster at Nelden, the new 
office on Walnut creek ten miles west of Milford." 

January 12th. — " Fresh buffalo meat is on sale, at three cents per 
pound." 

From a communication by Fair Play, it is claimed that Miss Agnes 
Baily (now Mrs. Cornelius West) taught the first school in Saline 
county, near the county line, and was patronized by citizens of both 
counties. This was in the spring of 1861. She also taught a school 
near West's mill in 1863. So she has the honor of teaching the first 
school of both Saline and Seward counties ; and Miss Englehouft 
taught the West Mills school in 1865-66. In 1866 the residents of 
Camden district organized under the school law, bought the old build- 
ing in Saline county and moved it over, and Thomas Graham taught 
during the winter of 1866-67. 

The same article mentions that Thomas Graham has a fine orchard 
of apple and pear trees which are doing well, and that J. W. Low- 
rie has peaches of his own planting, probably the first in the county. 
It is also mentioned that Mrs. Graham, Mrs. Lowrie, and Mrs. 
Parker are making the prairies blaze with the variety and beauty of 
their flowers. 



78 HISTORY OF SEACARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

The county superinteudenl reports the school fund as follows: 

Apportioned by state $1,452 42 

Dog fund 193 38 

Fines and licenses 1 00 00 

Total $1,745 80 

This was distributed to twenty-six directors as follows: 

District No. 1, F. L. Roper, Camden $ 85 25 

" 2, Orin Johnson, West Mills 44.58 

" 3, Sam Englehaught, on West Blue 51 15 

" 4, W. J. Thompson, on Walnut creek 74 65 

" 5, Kev. T. M. Skinner, Milford 150 67 

" 6, Matthew Hackworth (east of Ruby) 110 00 

" 7, Geo. W. Lesenby, north of Milford 44 58 

« 8, Wm. Anderson, west of Seward 87 32 

9, H. L. Boyes, Seward 125 92 

10, J. D. Thurman, on Lincoln creek 58 72 

11, W. W. Cox, north-west of Seward 44 58 

12, Thomas Poore, six miles north of Seward... 76 42 

13, C. C. Berkey, center of " A " 88 79 

14, E. C. Archer, west of Staplehurst 74 65 

" 15, wanting 

" 16, A.Montgomery, north-west of "N" 78 19 

« 17, M. M. Neeves.' 62 28 

18, Sam Strohm, center of "O" 33 96 

19, Ed. Healy, south-west of "P" 56 95 

*' 20, J. N. McCauley, center of "M " 58 73 

21, J. A. Reymer, south-east of "I" 53 42 

22, Wolsey Weyant, southern ''H" 46 35 

23, Thos. Healey, northern "N" 55 19 

24, R. J. McCall, west of "M" 44 58 

25, Wm. Halle, south-east of "N" 34 10 

26, George W. Losy (Batchelor) 51 65 



(( 
(I 






(( 

(( 
(I 
t( 



This was done at Milford, January 7, 1881, by George B. France, 
suj)erintendent. 

The reader will please compare the above table with the present 
showing of the disbursements to ninety districts. It will be noticed 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 79 

that Milf'ord district at that date was the most populous and had the 
most money, while Seward was second. 

In March, 1871, it is noted that James Her was appointed post- 
master at Pleasant Dale. 

April 6th — The organization of the American Bible Society by Rev. 
McCandlish, of Omaha. Messrs. Birge Keyes, S. Brown, and D. 
C. Tift were elected executive committee. Culver and Parsons were 
appointed to care for the books. 

Editor noting a visit of Geo. McKay, A. D. Sperry, and E. H. 
Noxou, of the north county, says: " Perhaps we can visit you by 
rail before another century." The century prov^ed to be a short one. 
You can do it now, my friend. 

April 13th — "S. W. Huston has received his appointment as 
postmaster at Oak Grove." Now a town. 

April 20th — " Wm. Knight has received his appointment as post- 
master at Groveland north of Seward." 

May 4th — The return of a hunting party consisting of J. W. 
Hickman, Mr. Davis, Ellis Gaudy, Elias Frane, and others, with 
three loads of buffalo meat. Their game was caught on the Kansas 
border, south of the Republican. 

One hundred and eighty-nine immigrant wagons passed through 
Milford during April. 

Tuesday, May 2d — The second terra of the district court met. 
Judge Lake on the bench. Twenty- four cases on the docket. 

We glean from the county superintendent\s report for the year 
ending April 1st, the following interesting educational statistics: 

Whole number of children of school age 1,2'47 

Number attending school : 697 

Number of teachers employed (male) 19 

" " (female) 20 

Average daily attendance 457 

Total amount paid teachers during year ^$3, 717.00 

We also glean from an editorial note that there are twenty school- 
houses — six frame, four log, seven sod, and three dug-outs. The 
editor remarks that the people must have an inordinate desire to edu- 
cate the children, to face winter storms across the blighted rail- 
road lands, long distances to a dug-out or sod shanty to school. 
We think as much. 



80 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

From a Seward correspondent of June 1, 1871, that Seward 
is a bright town of three summers, and has about one hundred 
and seventy people. 

We also note that at that time H. M. Coleman was principal of our 
school. 

The organization of the Odd Fellows' Lodge, with L. G. Johns as 
Noble Grand. 

Tuesday, June 13th — At Milford the Good Templars organized a 
lodge. Rev. J. M. Yearnshaw, Dist. D. G. W. C. T., assisted by D. 
W. Araesbury, of Lincoln. Officers elected were: J. L. Davison,. 
W. C. T.; Miss Mattie Drake, W. Y. T.; H. G. Parsons, W. R. 
Scribe ; G. B. France, W. F. Sec; Mrs. J. Laune, W. Treas.; F. 
J. Culver, W. Chaplain. Ouaway was the name chosen. 

Beaver Crossing was mentioned as " Nicholsville," and it is re- 
ported that work on the mill was progressing finely. Main street is- 
being surveyed, and everything is bidding fair to make a youthful 
city in a short time. 

June 15th — H. W. Parker's nomination as registrar of Beatrice 
land office is noted. 

June 20th — ''Corn stands about six feet high in the Blue valley.'^ 

July 6th — " JefP Stevens, a resident six miles north-west of here,, 
was found dead under a load of overturned lumber, about four 
miles east of town, near the bridge on Middle creek. Mr. Stevens 
leaves a wife and ten children to mourn his loss." 

The June apportionment of school moneys shows $2,021.10, 
divided among forty districts. 

We also notice that in this apportionment Seward leads with $132.- 
90, and Milford takes the second place with $125.25. Fourteen, 
new districts had been formed since January. 

This number contains a sharp letter from " Well Wisher," on the 
county seat embroglio. Also a long editorial on a newly discovered 
coal mine, which it was claimed iiad been found by Mr. Stockton,, 
forty-seven feet below the surface, and Mr. S. claimed they had bored 
four feet and six inches into solid coal. 

July 27th — INlilford is announced as a money order office. 

August 10th — Dr. Woodward i.s announced for a lecture. Sub- 
ject: " Immateriality of the mind and its relation to the body." 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 81 

August 19th — The Record gives some heavy hits at the Seward 
liars for reporting small-pox at Milford. 

August 24th— Gold is quoted at $1.12. 

Same date, we find the report of a railroad meeting at Camden, 
W. C. Scott, chairman, and Ed. Healy, secretary. Judge Hooker 
and Gen. Yifquain offered the following resolutions: 

Whereas, We, citizens of Seward, Saline, York, Hamilton, and 
Hall counties, have been fraudulently deprived of the benefits that 
might have arisen out of the construction of the B. & M. R. R. on 
their original survey ; and 

Whereas, We settled along the line with the full understanding 
that the road should be built on said survey, according to act of 
congress, donating to them half our national inheritance; and 

Whereas, The said corporation is assisted by Nebraska poli- 
ticians, in its schemes to plunder the people. 

Be it resolved, That we pledge our sacred honors, without any re- 
gard to party ties, to send to oblivion by the strength of our ballots 
any man that comes before us for office who is in any manner con- 
nected with said corporation. 

Resolved, That we authorize S. M. Boyd to commence proceedings 
in Nebraska and at Washington against said B. &. M. R. R, Co. for 
the purpose of compelling them to build a line of railway on their 
original survey, or that they be deprived of the lands received under 
this j)ledge. 

Resolved, That the people of the United States, looking for loca- 
tions in Nebraska, are hereby notified that we hold the purchase oi 
said railroad lands to be a dangerous bargain for the purchaser. 

Resolved, That these resolutions be published in all Nebraska pa- 
pers, and in three in Iowa, and at least two iu Illinois. 

Resolutions adopted unanimously. 

It was a swindle on the people of this and western counties, tc» 
give up half their lands to the rapacious corporation, and then not 
get a mile of the road. 

Sept. 7th — The county commissioners order an election on location 
of county seat, and the editor gives them a terrible scolding. 

Report of the election on the new constitution. At this time there 
were seven precincts, as follows: 
6 



82 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

Mil ford, for constitution 122 Against 

WalmitCreek " •. 37 " 

Beaver Crossing " 36 " 1 

Oak Grove " 33 " 

Camden '' 30 " 

Seward " 68 " 8 

North Blue " 25 " 3 



Total 358 Total 12 

First number of Nebraska Reporter is received, and is unfavorably 
commented on, on account of harsh epithets and coarse language 
used. 

Oct. 5th — S. E. Douglas caught a coon. 

Oct. 19th — The Record has heard of the county seat election, and 
has its war paint on. 

Oct 25th — " County commissioners have re-districted the county 
into eight precincts, as follows: Townships nine and ten, range one, 
form Beaver Creek ; townships eleven and twelve, Lincoln Creek ; 
township twelve, ranges two and three. North Blue; township eleven, 
ranges two and three, Seward ; townships nine and ten, range two. 
Walnut creek; townships nine and ten, range three, Milford; town- 
ships nine and ten, range four, Camden ; townships eleven and twelve, 
range four. Oak Grove." 

The editor takes a ride over to Beaver Crossing, and finds the new 
town flourishing. Ross Nichols, Daniel Millspaw, Roland Reed, 
John E. Fouse, McCauley, John Leonard, and Osborne, are men- 
tioned as thrifty farmers. The new mill of Mr. Smith is highly 
spoken of. Thomas Tisdale's store is noted as one of the best store 
buildings in the county. 

Oct 26th — The election of officers of the county agricultural 
society, at Seward, is noted as occurring on the 16th inst., when W. ^V'. 
Cox was elected president ; Henry Worteudyke, vice president ; 
James A. Brown, recording secretary, A. L. Strang, corresponding 
secretary; Robert McCrossan, treasurer; directors — E. B. Shafer, J. 
W. Lee, George W. Standard, and Thomas Graham. 

Nov. 30th — There is a long correspondence from Seward about the 
court-house location, wherein Croney, Williams (0. T. B.), and Ells- 
worth, are discussed at large by Mortimer. Wm. liornburg, one of 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 83 

the commissioners, also gets a rub. At that time there was a struggle 
between Harris on the one side and Cloyd on the other as to where 
the court-house should be located. We note in the commissioners' 
proceedings of Nov. 21st, that a resolution passed the board by the 
votes of Imlay and Hornburg to accept the proposition of W. C. 
Cloyd, to place the court-house on block 35 in Cloyd's addition, just 
west of the M. E. church, provided a good title to the property 
should be made to the county without expense. This resolution 
must have beeu re-considered at some other and later meeting, for 
the court-house evidently was not placed on that block. 

Dec, 7th — Notice is given that a lodge of Good Templars will be 
instituted at Beaver Crossing, Dec. 16, 1871. 

Dec. 14th — Contains a report from County Superintendent France, 
from which we glean that during the year 102 teachers had been 
examined, seventy-four of whom obtained certificates, sixty third 
grades, and fourteen second grades; fifty-two were employed during 
the year. Superintendent's salary, $200. A healthy growth and 
improvement is noted, and many new school-houses were erected. 
An appropriation is recommended for charts, globes, and other fix- 
tures for the schools. 

Jan. 4, 1872 — The railroad bond proposition gets an overhauling 
by the editor. 

Jan 11th — There was a wide-awake meeting at Beaver Crossing, 
wherein the bond proposition receives the following send-off : 

Resolved, That the county commissioners have disgraced them- 
selves in the eyes of the tax-payers, etc., etc. 

Resolved, That this scheme to vote bonds is to aid a monopoly, a 
one-sided railroad affair, a disgrace to the people, and a binding curse 
upon our county, etc., etc. 

This interesting document was signed by W. J. Thompson, T. H. 
Tisdale, and Daniel Millspaw, committee. 

Also notices that Col. Vifquain will stump the county against 
bonds. Bond meetings, pro and con, will be held throughout the 
county. 

" Monday last a crowded house voted unanimously against bonds. 
A committee, consisting of W. H. Reed, D. C. McKillip, P. J. 
Goodrich, Ed. Healy, and Cummins, were appointed to hold meet- 
ings for defeat of the bonds." 



84 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

The burden of the song for all the weeks prior to the election day,. 
February 22d, is down with the bonds, and on that day they downed 
them. 

We notice among the writers and speakers that were conspicuous 
in opposition to bonds, was Rev. T. N. Skinner. 

Result of the election is noted as follows: 

Milford, for bonds 5 votes. Against bonds 147 

Camden " 6 " " 138 

Walnut Creek" 10 " " 13a 

Beaver Creek « 2 " « 185 

Seward " 232 " " 3 

North Blue " 136 " " 

Oak Grove " 47 " « 60 

Lincoln Creek " 109 " " ^ 

Total vote 540 Total 622 

Majority against, 82. 

This ended the first chapter in this desperate sectional struggle^ 
with Seward the under dog. 

March 7th — The first issue of the Beaver Tribune, a semi-monthly 
paper at Beaver Crossing, is noticed. This was published by V. W» 
Wilson & Co. 

March 11th — A mass meeting of the people of Camden is held, in 
which the county commissioners are handled without gloves for dis- 
franchising Camden precinct in the bond matter. It has always been 
supposed that a young Seward lawyer stole from the clerk's office the 
returns from Camden precinct, and when the canvass of the vote 
was made, there were no returns from Camden, so the commissioners 
felt obliged to ignore the Camden election, and this Camden mass 
meeting was ready to take up arms, as it seemed that ballots had 
failed. 

Rev. T. N. Skinner heads an epistle to the people, "Ballots or 
Bullets." 

April 4th — Seward correspondent says another bond proposition 
will be submitted; and also says the commissioners will dismiss their 
county attorney, because he is such a consummate liar that they can't 
believe a word he says; and he is also accused of taking fees on two 
sides of a case. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 85 

Milford money order office shows business for three months to be : 

■Orders issued $2,653 38 

Orders paid 961 61 

Amount deposited 2,140 00 

Total business $5,755 19 

April 4th — Also has the minutes of a mass meeting in Seward to 
express their abhorrence of the idea of stealing an election. The 
meeting resolved that the people of Seward firmly believe in a free 
and untrammeled election, and in jealously guarding the purity of 
the ballot box ; and 

"56 it further resolved. That we here assembled express our disap- 
probation of any scheme or plan for the purpose of defeating the ex- 
pressed will of the county at the late election ; and further we are 
-desirous to know the truth or falsity of the charges preferred, and 
will heartily engage in any movement to ascertain who are the guilty 
.parties, whether in Seward, Camden, or elsewhere, and to bring them 
to merited punishment." Signed by J. N. Beaty, Chairman; T.J. 
Hamilton, Secretary. 

April 18th — Appears a clipping from the Atlas on the bond elec- 
tion, in which Prof. Ingham says: "Blessed, yea, thrice blessed, are 
the peace-makers, and most benign would be the labors of any, if only 
•successful in allaying that bitter animosity and uncompromising hos- 
tility which excites the diiferent sections of our county. This spirit of 
evil which pervades our county, will, we fear, unless exorcised by a 
gentle spirit oi forbearance and reconciliation, become so powerful as to 
utterly ruin the highest prospects of the whole county." The editor 
of the Atlas takes occasion to charge in this article the blame on the 
older settlers of both sections, and charges them with being narrow- 
minded, etc. This waked up a hornet's nest, and the learned 
professor soon heard a tremendous buzzing around his ears, and in a 
subsequent issue he takes everything back, and gets down on his knees 
in good shape to the old settlers ; not only asks forgiveness, but at- 
tempts to " bring forth fruits meet for his repentance," aud pitches into 
Milford like a wild cat, and so the battle rages. 

May 2d — It is noted that the commissioners have divided Lincoln 
Creek, Oak Grove, and Camden precincts, so that there are now 
eleven. Also, it is noted that Prof. Ingham has retired from the 



86 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

Atlas, and assumed the role of instructor. It is also noted that t^e 
History of Seward County, by O. T. B. Williams, is just out, and 
was printed at the Record office, which has disgusted many of the 
Seward people. The county superintendent reports thirty male and 
twenty-eight female teachers employed, and an expenditure of $4,- 
721.95 between April 3, 1871, and April 1, 1872. Whole number of 
scholars were 1,731. Approximate number of inhabitants, 5,203. 

May 9th — The erection of Tuttle's new hotel is noticed in the 
Seward correspondence ; also the near completion of the Presbyterian 
church edifice; also a call for the corporation election of the town of 
Seward ; also that Miss Lizzie McKillip (Mrs. Buck) is engaged for 
the summer school. 

May 16th — It is noted that the injunction suit against commission- 
ers in the railroad bond case is made perpetual by Judge Lakej and 
everybody is satisfied. 

June 13th — Notice of a new railroad bond proposition is given. 
The Seward correspondent calls Hon. Wm. Imlay the county com- 
missioners. The same gentleman, whoever he was, predicted that the 
same blunderers would in like manner come to grief again. He 
remarks, no one has any idea that they will carry. The drowning of 
Miss Hattie Tift is commented on. She was partially insane. 
Croney's sale of the Reporter is noted, and of Prof. Ingham assuming 
the post of editor again. 

July 4th — The Record says, in flaming head-lines: "Stop the 
reaper and protect yourselves," thereby meaning that they must stop 
their work and go and vote against bonds again. 

July 11th — The second bond election is reported, in which the 
famous " Mortimer " is buried under an avalanche of votes, bonds^ 
having carried by a majority of 123 votes. It puzzled the editor to 
know how Seward could swell her vote 81 since last February. 

September 19th — The division of Beaver Creek precinct is noted. 

September 26tb — The removal of D. C. McKillip is commented 

on. 

October 3d — Specimens of peat from Walnut creek are examined 
and pronounced good. 

October 10th — Reporter has again changed hands. 

October 17th — Two wild deer were seen just west of Milford. We 
also quote: "The second annual fair at Seward was a success, witb 
a line display, especially of stock, and a large att' idance." 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 87 

December 5th — The Record announces the death of Horace Greeley, 
with a fitting eulogy. Mortimer says in same number that a scandal- 
ous story is afloat about one of our county officials. This must mean 
McPherson, county treasurer. 

December 12th — A discovery of free lime, phosphates, and silicon, 
a vein twenty-two feet thick. This is on West Blue, in sections 7, 8, 
and 9, in town 9, range 2 east. The French leave taken by our 
county treasurer is reported, with a probable loss of five or six thou- 
sand dollars. 

December 26th — The action of the county board in the removal of 
the treasurer, McPherson, and the appointment of Wm. B. Thorpe, 
is commented on. 

January 9, 1873 — It is noted that a silver-headed cane was voted 
to W. W. Cox, as the homeliest man in the county. The same paper 
notes the scalding of the child of Thomas Osborne on Lincoln creek ; 
also the resignation of W. J. Thompson as representative; also the 
removal of E. L. Clark, Jr., from the Seward post-office, for embezzle- 
ment. Said defalcation is thought to be about $2,000. L. G. Johns 
was appointed to the place. The apportionment of school money to 
Seward county is, to 1,701 scholars, $3,690.07. 

January 16th — Announcement of the election of D. C. McKillip, 
representative, to fill vacancy. 

January 23d — School moneys apportioned among fifty-nine districts. 

February 13th — It is mentioned that at the commissioners' meet- 
ing held on February 3d, the geographical townships were made 
into precincts, and were named from the first sixteen letters of the 
alphabet. The same issue mentions four marriages in Seward, viz.: 
Ethan Atwater, Walter Briggs, Mr. Spear, and Andrew Wright. 

March 6th — The bill incorporating Seward is noticed by Mortimer, 
who also says that the railroad track is just being laid into Seward. 
This letter is dated March 4th. Mortimer made a mistake, as the 
track was complete and the cars reached Seward on the evening of 
March 1, 1873. He also notes that Rev. Hockwell preached his fare- 
well sermon to the Methodist congregation. 

April 10th — The editor publishes his valedictory. 

We have looked through every page of the files of the Record from 
first to last, and it is our pleasure to say that the paper was a credit 
to the county and the state. While the editors worked manfully lor 



88 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

the interest of Milford in all her battles, yet they manifested a gentle- 
manly and courteous attitude towards all. We wish the Record had 
continued its publication. In quotingso liberally from its columns, we 
feel that we are giving bits of history, both interesting and profitable, 
and we hereby extend our warmest thanks to Mr. Culver for the use 
of his files. 

The following items are taken from the Nebraska Reporter. We 
regret to say that the earlier files are only fragmentary, most of them 
are destroyed, but we are able to get from what we have at command 
some items of interest: 

December 13, 1872 — The Baptist church is up and nearly enclosed. 
A letter from Shoe String Joe complains bitterly of the manage- 
ment of the Seward post-office. He says the P.M. is an inveterate 
novel reader and don't like to be bothered by people asking for mail. 
January 4, 1873 — A mush and milk sociable for the benefit of 
Rev. J. H. Rockwell was a success, and from fifty to sixty dollars 
realized. 

Also, that homely man getting the cane is noticed. 
The organization of the Seward Literary Club is noticed, of which 
V. Danniels was chairman, and in which Wm. Leese, T. L. Norval, 
H. C. Page, D. C. McKillip, T. F. Buck, J. W. English, and C. P. 
Dick each figured. 

The New Year's address, by O. S. Ingham, is also given. 
January 11th — Returns show a total vote of 396 in the special 
election, wherein D. C. McKillip was elected to fill vacancy in this 
legislative district. D. C. M. received 208 votes and there were 
three opposinp- candidates, viz., Elsworth Hamilton, T. J., and 
Campbell. 

January 18th — The editor is impressed with the number of dead 
torn cats in the streets. 

The marriage of E, M. Spear, of Seward, to Miss May R. New- 
land, of Rochester, N. Y., is noticed. 

May 8th — The charter election of the town of Seward is reported 
as follows: resulting in the election of V. Daniels, Sara Stevenson, 
Herman Diers, Wm. Hays, and T. L. Norval, as trustees of the 
village for the coming year. There were 93 votes cast. 

May 22d — The air is filled with grasshoppers, also that work is 
being pushed on Tishue's store, and the ctlitor says wo may well be 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 89 

proud of such a fine building. Well, we were, but have got bravely 
over it. 

The advent of Claudius Jones is welcomed. 

May 29th — The new jail is nearly enclosed. 

It is noted that the grasshoppers are doing some damage in a few 
localities, 

June 12th — Sixty buildings in two months, by actual count. 

June 26th — Ed. Ingham gets eloquent over a little street fight. 
"We quote : " On the morning of the 21st of June the sun in unclouded 
splendor issued from the pearly portals of the Orient to pursue his 
daily journey through the shining concave heavens, past the lofty 
zenith, down to his purple, cloud-draped ocean couch, behind the 
western hills," etc. 

July 3d — The M. P. R. R. depot and water tank are about 
completed. 

Sept. 30th — The county fair is pronounced a success. 

Sept. 4th — Says from one to two hundred loads of grain received 
daily, and threshing hardly commenced. 

Feb. 1st, 1873 — F. M. McPherson joins the editorial force of the 
Heporter. 

The marriage of Ethan Atwater is noted. 

The town council is scored for voting a hundred dollars to W. C. 
■Cloyd for his pamphlet. 

Feb. 13th — H. T. Clarke is building a bridge west of town on the 
river. 

The city is full of strangers. 

The organization of the Seward cemetery association is noted. 

McPherson, our defaulting treasurer, receives encouragement and 
is assured that he has plenty of friends. 

May 8th — The editor complains that the Atlas man calls him a 
lunatic. 

Sept. 4th — Dick Norval is building a cosy cage for his prospective 
bird. 

July 31st — School report from district number 9, with J. A. 
Brown director, shows 139 scholars in district; enrolled 66; present 
that day 14; average attendance 33. 

The following was clij)ped from the Toledo Blade: 

^' Out at Seward, Neb,, they build houses for editors in about eight 



90 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

days. The editor of the Reporter gave an order for a residence to a 
building firm, and in less than two weeks the editor moved into the 
house, and his wife immediately presented him with a fine pair of 
twin babies. They do things up in a hurry in Nebraska." 

The above clippings are not in their regular order, but they were 
jotted down from miscellaneous papers. 

Nov. 15th, 1887— Total vote cast in G precinct, 286, of which 
Judge Lake received all but one for judge of supreme court. Total 
vote of county, 1,156, of which Judge Lake received 1,130. 

Nov. 22d — Discusses in detail the street fight at Utica, which oc- 
curred some days before, in which railroaders and citizens exercised 
their pugilistic ability. Also, a stabbing affray north-west of the 
city, in which the Manning boys stabbed Frank Slonecker five times 
with a pocket knife. In same paper it is noted that township organ- 
ization carried by a large majority. Also the result of the liquor 
damage case of Eliza Perkins, wherein she gains a judgment of $3,000 
against three saloons (this is the first case of the kind ever tried in the 
state) for selling her husband liquor and thereby causing his death. 

Dec. 6th— We notice that R. R. Shick sold, in 1873, bonds for 
school district number AQ (now the Purdam district) $1,000 for $750, 
in order to build the little frame school-house. We quote the above 
to show just how our people were bled in the early days by capitalists. 
These bonds were ten ])er cent bonds and run for ten years. 

April 10th, 1879 — School census shows in district number nine 
(Seward) four hundred and eighty- nine school children. The same 
census gives the total population of the city at 1,250 and of the entire 
district at 1,666. 

April 17th — Is noted financial condition of the city. Amount 
on hand April 22, 187«, $68.14; collection to date, $1,101.11; paid 
out, $885.86; balance on hand, $283.29. 

April 24th — Chronicles the arrest of P. B. Thompson for robbing 
the mails in Seward post-office. 

May 15th — Gives Orlando J. Cassler's autobiography. We will 
not quote it. 

May 22d — A full history of the execution is given. 

May 29th — Is noticed the purchase of the fire aj)paratus. 
Also the shooting of Mcintosh by Gordon on the road from the 
Gassier execution. Whiskey is charged with being the cause. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 91 

June 5th — The triumph of the A. & N. bond election is dwelt on 
at large. The total vote cast on county bonds was !1,798. 

The commencement ot Goehner block, on the corner of 7th and 
SeNvard streets, is noted. Also Henigan & Ashton's meat market 
on the east side. 

June 26th — The injunction suit commenced by Claudius Jones 
against the commissioners in the matter of issuing railroad bonds to 
the Lincoln & Northwestern company is fully commented on, with 
severe strictures. 

The arrest of Isaac Whitman for making counterfeit fifty cent 
pieces is announced. His factory was a dugout near West Mills, 
He worked over pewter and ground glass into silver half dollars, and 
Mas doing a thriving business. 

July 10th — We clip the following from the description of the 
Fourth of July celebration parade. It speaks for itself, and shows to 
what extremes people can be led in hours of wild excitement. We 
trust those responsible for this scene have long since become ashamed 
of it. 

"An immense hog, which some of the people mistook for an African 
elephant instead of a Seward county swine, on each side of its back 
were hung large letters * B. & M.' A gaudily arrayed man was 
leading this hog by a strong rope, and this disguised personage was 
labeled ' U. P.' Following the hog came a man with a large shovel 
on his shoulder, with his hat festooned 'Banker,' and carrying a 
banner on which was inscribed the device, 'I do the dirty work for 
this hog, but it pays.' 

"A large caricature representing first the figure of a man striking a 
lively gait, holding in his hand a roll inscribed 'Injunction,' which 
he is handing to an attendant near, accompanied with the exclamation^ 
'My only refuge is Salt Lake — serve this.' Following comes a 
woman with a carpet sack, and hanging to the coat-tails of the first 
described figure, exclaiming, ' Run, I smell tar !' In hot pursuit come& 
a crowd in the distance carrying buckets marked tar and leather beds. 
On the other end of this large standard was a large sleek man who 
liad 'U. P.' on his hat, and held a rope that had been tied around a 
partly finished man inscribed 'A. & N.,' but the rope was broken in 
trying to hold the 'A. & N.' man, and the 'U. P.' figure exclaming 
'the A. & N. must be stopped at all hazards.'" 



"92 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

Also, the departure of Claudius Jones and family for Salt Lake is 
noted. 

July 24th — It is noted that Fred D. Grant, a young lad living in 
N precinct, was killed by being dragged by a runaway horse. 

July 31st — Says the contracts for the Norval block are completed. 
Also, the death of Mrs. M. W. Warner, in M precinct, which oc- 
curred July 23d, 1879. This lady was the former wife of our late 
school superintendent. 

Aug. 7th — It is reported that $60,000 had been received for 
freight at the B. & M. depot in Seward during the year ending July 
31st, 1879. 

Oct. 16th — Is noticed at length the shooting by accident of Miss 
Lizzie Welty, which resulted in the death of a noble young woman. 
Also the completion of the railroad to Milford. 
Oct. 23d — The visit and speech of Hon. De La Matyr is com- 
mented on. 

Nov. 6th — Is noted the completion of the A. & N. road, and the 
visit of fifty distinguished citizens of Lincoln. 

Nov. 13th — It is mentioned that th^ following two-story brick 
buildings have been erected during the season : Henigan & Ash- 
ton's, John Cattle, Sen., Goehner Bros.' engine house, Bischof 's, John 
Roberts', and Norval Bros. 

Dec. 15th — We find an estimate of the corn crop of that year as 
follows : 2,300,000 bushels. The highest reported yield was eighty- 
five bushels per acre. In the same article it was estimated that the 
reduction in freight, consequent upon the building of the A. & N. 
R. R., was three cents per bushel, or $69,000 on the crop of that 
year. According to our memory the estimate was rather low than 
high. It was a noteworthy fact that the Seward grain dealers of 
that fall and winter were able to pay from three to five cents more for 
corn than any town on the main line of the B. & M. west of Lincoln. 
Jan. 8, 1888 — The founding of Staplehurst and the shipment of 
eight cars of corn is recorded. Also the death of Mrs. Thomas Best, 
at Pleasant Dale, which occurred Dec. 18, 1879, aged sixty years. 
We also append from its columns the following useful information: 
" Edmund Mclntyre has made the following statement for the 
B. & M. Land Department of the acreage and yield of cultivated 
lands in Seward county for 1879: 



HISTORY OF SEWAED COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 93 

" Total acres in county, 368,640 ; under cultivation, 109,590 acres : 
in rye, 1,283 acres, yield 1,924 bushels; in spring wheat, 43,825 
acres, yield 482, 362 bushels; in barley (must be a mistake, too many 
acres or not enough barley), 8,900 acres, yield 17,800 bushels; in 
oats, 5,718 acres, yield 227,720 bushels; in buckwheat, 112 acres, 
yield 2,240 bushels; in flax, 2,109 acres, yield 18,981 bushels; in 
broom corn, 160 acres, yield 53J tons; in corn, 46,584 acres, yield 
2,096,280 bushels; in potatoes, 966 acres, yield 36,840 bushels; in 
turnips, 28 acres, yield 4,200 bushels; in blue grass, 17 acres; in 
timothy, 1,272 acres; clover, 1,189 acres; cultivated timber, 4,500 
acres. ISTumber of apple trees 30,500, pears 300, peaches 26,450» 
plums 8,000, cherries 16,000, grapes 33,000 vines; 175 miles of 
hedges. 

" These estimates are made on the returns of 1877 and estimates of 
the proportionate increase." 

Sept. 9th— Is recorded the death of E. N. Wingfield, of "K" 
precinct, aged seventy-five years. His death occurred Sept 4, 1880. 
Mr. W. was a worthy Christian, and a member of the M. P. church. 

Aug. 12th — The dedication of the U. B. church by Bishop Wright 
is favorably mentioned. 

Also the death of Robert Walker, at the residence of his son 
James, aged seventy-seven years. The deceased was one of our old 
settlers, and was the father of W. H. Walker of our city. • He was 
well known and highly respected. 

Also, in D precinct, Aug. 2d, Henry Newjahr, of cancer, aged 
fifty-five years. He was one of the first settlers of that part of the 
county. 

Aug. 25th — The editor, speaking of his contemporary, calls him 
"the bay-windowed, brazen-faced liar." 

July 29th — Is recorded the death of Mrs. L. E. Tisdale, of Beaver 
Crossing, aged forty-five years. Mrs. Tisdale settled in Seward 
county in 1869. Her death occurred July 23d. Also the death of 
John S. Bartlett, at Milford, on July 25th, aged thirty-six years, of 
quick consumption. 

June 10th — Records the freaks of the wind, the heaviest gale in 
many years, in which the Catholic church was partially wrecked, and 
many buildings damaged. 

Feb. 19, 1880— Is recorded the death of Wilber McNall, by acci- 
dental shooting. 



94 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 



April 8, 1880 — Records the result of city election, in which the 
anti-license party elects the whole ticket. 

April 22d — Records the suicide of Chas. L. Docken. It was the 
result of unappreciated love. 

April 22d — Also records the death of Ira AVendall, caused by get- 
ting his hand caught in machinery at West's mill. Deceased leaves 
a wife and two children to mourn his sad fate. 

May 6, 1880 — Is recorded the death of Mrs. Joseph H. Ballard, 
after a long and painful illness. Mrs. Ballard was an estimable 
Christian lady. 

The visit and lecture of ex-Vice President Colfax is discussed at 
large. 

The small-pox scare with its attendant results is noted, 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 95 



CHAPTER V. 



AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY — FIRST OFFICERS — ITS HISTORY AND GROWTH — NAMFS 
OF ITS PRESIDING OFFICERS— VALUABLE PROPERTY ACQUIRED— WATER AND 
WATER-COURSES OF THE COUNTY— ALTITUDE— LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE — 
HEALTIIFULNESS OF CLIMATE— NO CHILLS AND FEVER— COOL NIGHTS IN 
SUMMER — RAINFALL IN SUMMER — WELLS — POLITICS OF THE COUNTY— INDE- 
PENDENT CHARACTER OF VOTERS— TABLES OF COUNTY OFFICERS— SENATORS, 
REPRESENTATIVES, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, JUDGES, CLERKS, TREASURERS, 
SHERIFFS, SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS, CORONERS, SURVEYORS, SUPERVISORS 
— ASSESSMENTS FROM 1665 TO 1887— TAXES PAID STATE TREASURER IN 
1887— CENSUS RETURNS BY PRECINCTS— COMPARATIVE TABLES OF WEALTH 
AND POPULATION — SEWARD COUNTY AS IT IS NOW. 



Seward County Agricultural Society was organized August 7, 1871, 
by the adoption of a constitution and set of by-laws, and the election 
of" the following officers: Milton Langdon, president; F. M. Ells- 
worth, vice president; T. F. Hardenburg, secretary; Geo. W. Stand- 
ard, treasurer. The first fair was held from the 21st to 23d of Sep- 
tember, in the grove south-west of Seward. By referring to the 
Nebraska Atlas oi Sept. 29, 1871, we find in its columns that the fair 
was a success, and that there were over a thousand people in attend- 
ance. We have our memory refreshed also by finding in a later issue 
of the same sheet that our secretary got away with some of our funds. 
We have no means of learning just how much. 

At the regular annual meeting in October, 1871, we find that W. 
W. Cox was elected president. There is no record of who were the 
other officers, but we remember that James A. Brown was chosen 
secretary, and Hon. T. L. Nerval clerk; that we held the second 
annual fair at the same place as the first, and that it was quite success- 
ful. We arranged a very creditable premium list, and were able to 
pay all the indebtedness caused by the default of the former secretary, 
and every expense of the fair, including the premiums, and turned 
over sixty dollars to our successors in office. The exhibits were good, 
especially in farm products and in the fine arts. The trees of the 



96 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

beautiful grove fairly blossoined with the handiwork of our women^ 
The editor of the Nebraska Farmer delivered the annual address. 

It is most unfortunate that all the records of the society from the 
date of its formation until 1881 have been lost or destroyed; and 
what is more surprising, the most diligent search through the files of 
the newspapers of those years discloses nothing from which we can 
learn anything of importance, except the first organization in the sum- 
mer of 1871, in the Nebraska Atlas. We remember, however, that 
Mr. Campbell was elected president in the fall of 1872, and Joseph. 
Lessee was secretary, and that they held a fair in the fall of 1873. 

James A. Brown was elected president in the fall of 1873, and a 
fair was held in the fall of 1874. If we remember correctly, Mr. 
Brown was re-elected, but of this we have no means of being certain.. 
They held a fair in the fall of 1875, and Mr. Brown delivered an. 
address, which we find in the Nebraska Reporter in full, but not 
another word about the fair. The speech was a good one, and full 
of good hints and suggestions. 

If memory serves us correctly (and we have searched diligently and 
taxed the memory of all who would be most likely to remember), Ed.. 
Mclntyre was elected president, and re-elected in the fall of 1876, or 
held over on account of there being no election in 1876. There was- 
no fair held that year. In the fall of 1877 a fair was held, and was 
quite a success. 

During the summer of 1877 an association was formed known as- 
the Seward Trotting Park Association. This association bought forty 
acres of land of the B. & M. R. R. Co. at ten dollars per acre, and 
raised the money by selling stock in five dollar shares. Arrange- 
ments were made with the agricultural society to hold the fairs oni 
these grounds for a certain consideration, and our fairs have been held 
there since that time. 

There is much unwritten history connected with this trotting park 
association. In the first place the railroad folks were induced to j)art 
with the land at half price, because it was apparently for a public 
benefit. Men subscribed for stock in small quantities, just to help the 
enterprise, and had no thought of realizing any income from the 
investment. The stock was transferable, and it was but a short time 
until it was discovered that one man had a majority of the stock, and 
enjoyed complete control of the whole concern ; so the association largely 



HISTORY OF SE^VARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 97 

consisted of one man. The community did not take kindly to the 
matter in that shape, and it was a source of continual trouble and 
annoyance until the citizens made up funds the second time and pur- 
chased the property outright for the agricultural society, in 1886, when 
the county commissioners made a liberal appropriation for improve- 
ments. 

Claudius Jones was president in the fall of 1877, and held the fair 
in the fall of 1878, when William Gill was elected, and held the 
fair in the fall of 1879. In that year John Henderson was elected, 
and held the fair of 1880, when Wm. Redford was elected president. 
In that year we find a record (the first) of their proceedings. 

The fairs were measurably successful as exhibitions, but the society 
was generally hard pressed for means, and frequently the more enter- 
prising members were taxed almost beyond endurance to keep life in 
the society. Among the more notable persons who always had a 
shoulder to the w^heel were James A. Brown, Ed. Mclntyre, Wm. E. 
Gill, E. M. Hickman, and Claudius Jones. These men, and perhaps 
some others, are entitled to much credit for untiring energy and a free 
use of their money in keeping the society alive through many years of 
adversity. 

We see by a record of a meeting held August 6, 1881, that Ed. 
Mclntyre was elected secretary pro tern. We notice that J. A. Brown 
offered a resolution that the offices of secretary, treasurer, vice presi- 
dent, and three of the directors be declared vacant, on account of their 
negligence in performing their duties. Resolution adopted. Where- 
upon Geo. C. McKay was elected vice president, Ed. Mclntyre, sec- 
retary, J. A. Brown, treasurer, and Wm. Gill, J. B, Courtwright, 
and Allen Price, directors, to fill vacancies. The fair was held Sept. 
29th, 30th, and Oct. 1st of that year. 

We notice in the report of their October meeting that the receipts 
were as follows: Total receipts, including $300 from county, were 
$1,135.10; total expenditures, $1,016.36; leavingabalanceof $118.74. 

At their December meeting Wm. Redford was re-elected president,, 
and Ed. Mclntyre was re-elected secretary, and R. S. Norval was 
elected treasurer. The time fixed for the fair of 1882 was Sept. 27th 
to 30th. J. S. Henderson was chosen superintendent. AVm. Gill 
was elected delegate to State Board of Agriculture. It was resolved 
at this meeting to hold a farmers' institute in February next, and the 

7 



98 HISTORY OF SEWAED COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

secretary was instructed to correspond with Gov. Furuas and Prof. 
Thompson, and they voted to tax themselves fifty cents each to defray 
the expenses. 

At a meeting of the board in August, 1882, $40 was appropriated to 
pay expenses of a county exhibit at state fair. 

Records of the meeting in July, 1883, show that there was received 
at last fair $1,407.50, and expended, $1374.10, leaving a balance of 
$32.67. Wm. Redford was re-elected president; also, Mr. Mclntyre 
was re-elected secretary by acclamation, and Wm. Gill was re-elected 
delegate to state board. 

At the August meeting, 1883, Wra. Gill was employed to take 
charge of exhibit at state fair. 

At the annual meeting of January 5, 1884, the report showed 
$1,849.45 received from all sources, and $1,744.20 paid out. E. M. 
Hickman was elected president, and C. S. Ailing was elected secretary 
and treasurer. Wm. Gill was again elected delegate to state board. 

At a called meeting in April the time for holding the annual fair 
was fixed at Oct. 1st, 2d, 3d, and 4th. 

At a meeting in August the president was instructed to conclude a 
contract with C. Jones for sixty shares of the Driving Park Associa- 
tion stock at $1,000, and authorized to draw on the treasurer for $50 
to bind the bargain. 

At a meeting in October an order was voted to Ed. Mclutvre of 
$50, to help pay expenses of exhibit at World's Fair at iSTew Orleans. 

At the annual meeting in January, 1885, Geo. Pickerel was elected 
president, and C. S. Ailing was re-elected secretary and treasurer; 
E 1. Mclntyre was elected superintendent, and J. H. Culver was 
elected delegate to state board and instructed to cast his vote to re-elect 
Gov. Furnas as secretary of said board. Dates fixed for the fair of 
J 885 were Sept. 2d, 3d, 4th, and 5th. We find no report of treas- 
urer, although it is recorded that report was approved. 

At the annual meeting, February 6, 1886, Claudius Jones was 
elected president, C. S. Ailing, secretary, and H. T. Jones, treasurer. 
Here again we find no report of treasurer, but a record that his report 
was approved. 

At a special meeting held in July, a resolution is passed acce])ting 
a donation of $2,000, secured by the Board of Trade of Seward, by 
its president, G. Babson, for the purchase of the Driving Park Asso- 
ciation's grounds. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 99 

A general meeting of the society was authorized to be called by the 
secretary for Julv 23d, we suppose to finish the purchase of the 
grounds, but the secretary is silent about that, and we find no record 
of said meeting. 

At the annual meeting in January Mr. Wra. Eedford was elected 
president, and the secretary's office was left vacant, which was filled by 
the Board — H. T. Jones. J. N. Edwards was elected treasurer. Again 
we have no record of treasurer's report. An invitation was voted to the 
citizens to plant trees on the fair grounds on Arbor Day. The fair 
was held in October, 1887, and was a very successful show. It was 
without doubt one of the best stock exhibits at any county fair in the 

West. 

The society have met and overcome grave obstacles within the two 
last vears. First, a vast amount of money was raised to pay for the 
grounds and improve them, and during the last summer a heavy 
wind wrecked all the buildings, which were rebuilt at great expense, 
but now the society has the grounds and they are fairly improved 
and measurably free from debt, and with bright prospects for the 

future. 

At the annual meeting in 1887 J. B. Courtwright was elected 
president, H. T. Jones was elected secretary, and George Dickm;ui 
was elected treasurer. Treasurer's report showed : Total receipts of 
$8,300 ; total expenditures, $8,400. 

Considering the valuable property and improvements, it is fair to 
say that the society is in a very prosperous condition. 

WATER AND WATER-COURSES. 

The drainage of the county is supplied by the following rivers and 
creeks: The west fork of the Blue river enters the county in sec- 
tion 30, in "L" precinct, passes into "M" precinct, in section 
4, and passes through it in a south-east direction into "N" 
precinct in section 18, continues in a general south-east course, 
enters " O " precinct in section 30, and crosses the Saline county 
line near the south- east corner of section 32, and joins the JSTorth 
Blue just at the county line on the south line of section 32, in "P" 
precinct. Its principal tributaries are Johnson creek, which ikei 
in western Saline county, passes through '*M" and "N" precincts, 
and joins with the river just at the county line. Beaver creek passes 



100 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

through the southern portion of York county and through " L," and 
joins the main stream just west of the village of Beaver Crossing in 
"M" precinct. Walnut creek rises in "L " precinct, and joins the 
river near the south line of section 7, in " M " precinct. Indian 
creek traverses the south-western portion of " M " and empties into 
the West Blue just south-west of Beaver Crossing. West Blue is a 
most excellent mill stream, and carries two flouring mills in this 
county, and furnishes drainage to all the south-western portion of 
the county. The river and tributaries are furnished at convenient 
distances with bridges. The river is noted for an abundant supply of 
superior fish. The North Blue enters the county in section 3 in " C" 
precinct, and its course is south-easterly through "C" and "G," and 
gracefully swings to the west and south of the city of Seward, and 
passes through " J," " O," and " P " precincts. Its principal tribu- 
tary, Lincoln creek, enters the county in section 34 in " D " precinct, 
and traverses the southern portion of " D " and " C " precincts and 
the north-western portion of " G," and joins the river just west of 
Seward. Lincoln creek is a beautiful mill stream, and its broad val- 
ley is grandly beautiful. One mill in this county, at Marysville, 
only as yet responds to its invitation. Plum creek enters the county 
in section 3 in " B " precinct, and cuts the precinct centrally and 
empties its water into the river just south of Seward. Various other 
small streams join the main river and help in the excellent system of 
drainage. 

Blue river furnishes ample power for mills and factories, but these 
water-powers are only utilized at three points, viz., Seward, by H. L. 
Boyes & Son, with a very creditable mill ; at the Cooper & Hender- 
son mill, and at Milford, where Messrs. Johnson & Co. have, at 
least, one of the most extensive merchant mills in the West. 

Several branches of Oak creek traverse "A " precinct, and numer- 
ous branches of Middle creek have their rise in " H " and " I " pre- 
cincts, furnishing ample drainage and supplying numerous running 
streams of pure water, making the eastern portion of the county par 
excellent as a stock growing region. 

The general surface of the country is a slightly undulating plain, 
with a southern inclination, and probably presents as many acres of 
first-class tillable land as any county of our state. The altitude of 
the county is from 1400 to 1500 feet above tidewater. Our geo- 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 101 

graphical ])ositiou is sixty miles west of the Missouri, tweuty-five south 
of the Platte, and forty-eight miles north of the Kansas line. The 
forty-first parallel of north latitude forms our northern boundary, and 
our western limit is the sixth principal meridian line. The ninety- 
seventh meridian of west longitude from Greenwich passes through 
the eastern portion of the county and about three and one-half miles 
east of Seward. Our elevation seems to be just about right; we are 
generally free from malaria; chills and fever are scarcely known 
since the pioneer days. At the dates of the early settlement, when 
great quantities of the new prairie sod were in the process of decay and 
the people had to endure unreasonable exposure, we were subject to 
chills and fever, or ague. We are free from that close, humid 
atmosphere of lower elevations, and yet we are not high enough to 
produce the inconvenience in breathing experienced in the higher 
altitudes. Our atmosphere is peculiarly bracing and energizing. 
Nights are cool, yet we are not subject to early or late frosts. We 
have usually a very small amount of snow, and scarcely no winter 
rains. Occasionally we have winter storms that are simply terrific, 
but they do not often occur. Our principal rainfall is between 
March 1st and September 1st, and is usually as well distributed 
through the growing season as in any portion of this continent. 
Our streams are not subject to disastrous overflows, as they are deeply 
imbedded and of rapid current. Our wells are of moderate depth, 
varying from twelve to twenty-five feet on the bottom lands and 
from forty to one hundred feet on the upland ; however there are but 
few that exceed sixty feet. The water is uniformly very excellent 
and abundant. We are especially fortunate in the all-important ele- 
ment of water and water-courses. 

POLITICS. 

There are some peculiarities connected with the politics of Seward 
county. On the national ticket, also the state ticket, the county has 
been thoroughlj' republican from the beginning. In fact at our first 
and second elections every county officer elected was a republican. 

Our first presidential election Grant received a very large majority, 
and likewise in 1872. The abstracts of election returns of 1865 to 
1875 are not to be found in the county clerk's office. In 1876 
Hayes received 905, and Tilden 593; in 1880 Garfield received 



102 HISTORY OF SEWACD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

1,352, and Haucoek 699; iu 1881 Blaine received 1,630, and Cleve- 
land 1,332. 

Governor Butler received a large majority in 1866 and 1868; also 
Furnas in 1870; also Garber; and Nance in 1878 received 105 over 
all, and in 1880 he received 353 over all. Dawes majority over all 
iu 1884 was 186, and Thayer's in 1886 was 279 over all. In fact 
every candidate on a state or congressional ticket of the republican 
party has secured fair majorities, yet strange as it may seem the dem- 
ocrats controlled the important office of county clerk for nine con- 
tinuous terms, or eighteen years, from January, 1870, to January, 
1888. Hon. Thomas Graham served five continuous terms, Ed. 
O'Keefe one term, being an anti-monopolist, but supported by the 
democratic party, and Joseph Dupin served three successive terms. 
Also the office of sheriff has been in the hands of the democrats ten 
years continuously. They have also controlled the state senatorshij) 
three terms out of six. The only explanation that we are able to give is 
that we are a wonderfully independent people, and determined to do 
just as we please on election day, without asking any odds of con- 
ventions. Notwithstanding the majority has always been strou'^ly 
republican, the party never succeeded in electing the whole ticket 
since the fall of 1868, till the fall of 1887, when they made a clean 
sweep. It is perhaps proper to say that the democrats elected were 
very strong men, and many of them at least made excellent officers; 
and further, it is fitting to say that our county records are acknowl- 
edged to be equal to the best in the state. 

Below we give as com])lete a list of senators, representatives, and 
county officers as it is possible to obtain. We give the year rf the 
election of the several officers, and where parties held more than one 
term the terms are noted. Parties representing &"c\vard county con- 
jointly with other counties, but citizens of other counties, are gener- 
ally not noted, especially in the senate. 

STATE SENATE. 

1st. — Hon. E. C. Cams, elected 1876. Republican. 
2d. — Hon. T. L. Norval, elected 1878. Republican. 
3d. — Hon. Thouias Graham, elected 1880. Denioci-at. 
4th. — Hon. R. E. Dumphy, elected 1882. Democrat. 
5th. — Hon. J. F. Goehner, electe<l 1884. Republican. 
6th. — Hon. C. J. AVright, elected 1886. Democrat. 



HISTORY OF SEAVARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 103 

REPRESENTATIVES TERRITORIAL. 

Igt, — Hon. AVm. Imlay, 1864. Republican. 
2d.— Hon. E, L. Clark, 1866. Republican. 

REPRESENTATIVES STATE. 

Igt. — Hon. E. L. Clark, 1867, Republican. 

2d. Hon. Marcus Brush, 1868, from Saunders county. Democrat. 

3d.— Hon. A. Roberts, 1870, from Butler county. Republican. 

4th. — Hon W. J. Thompson, 1872, resigned. Republican. 

5th. — Hon. D. C. McKillip, 1873, to fill vacancy. Republican. 

6th.— Hon. D. C. McKillip, 1874. Republican. 

7th. — Hon. T. A. Healy, 187'!, resigned. Republican. 

8th. — Hon. Wm. Hickman, 1877, to fill vacancy. Republican. 

9th. — Hon. Thomas Wolfe, 1876, two members. Republican. 
lOtb. — Hon. Wm. Hickman, 1878. Republican, 
nth. — Hon. H. A. French, 1878. Republican. 
12th. — Hon. Henry Bick, 188(>. Republican. 
13th. — Hon. H. P. King, 1880, resigned. Republican. 
14th. — Hon. L. Chaduck, 1881, to fill vacancy. Republican. 
15th. — Hon. J. Swearingen, 1882. Republican. 
Igth. — Hon. D. J. Brown, 1882. Republican. 
17th. — Hon. Thomas Carr, 1884. Republican. 
18th. — Hon. C. M. Turner, 1884. Republican. 
19th. — Hon. Nicholas Wolenweber, 1886. Democrat. 
20th. — Hon. Henry Bick, 1886. Mugwump. 

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. 

1st. William Imlay, H. W. Parker, and W. J. Thompson, elected 

1865. Republicans. 

2d. — Wm. Imlay, 1866, re-elected. Republican. 

3(1. — W. J. Thompson, 1867, re-elected. Republican. 

4th. — ,J. L. Bandy, 1868. Republican. 

5th. — Wm. Imlay, 1869, re-elected. Republican. 

gth. — Wm. Hornburg, 1870. Republican. 

7th. — D. H. Harris, 1871. Republican. 

8th. — Samuel Manley, 1872. Republican. 

9th. — Benj. Hunkins, 1873. Democrat. 
10th. — M. Dunigan, 1874. Democrat. 
11th. — W. G. Hazelwood, 1875. Republican. 



104 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

12th.— G. F. Hulburt, 1876. Republican. 
13th.— L. D. Bates, 1877. Republican. 
14th.— Geo. C. McKay, 1878. Republican. 
15th. — B. N. Learned, 1879. Republican. 
16th.— M. Dunigan, 1880. Democrat. 
17th. — O. E. Bernecker, 1881. Democrat. 
18th.— E. L. Blanchard, 1882. Republican. 
19th.— D. B. Palmer, 1883. Republican. 
20th.— Wm. Redford, 1884. Republican. 
21st.— H. G. Hosford, 1885. Republican. 

PROBATE JUDGES. 

1st. — J. L. Davison, 1865. Republican. 
2d.— J. D. Maine, 1867. Republican. 
3d. — Henry Worteudyke, 1869. Republican. 
4th.— J. W. Shields, 1871. Democrat. 
5th.— O. T. B. Williams, 1873. Republican. 
6th. — George W. Lowley, 1881. Republican. 
7th.— C. E. Holland, 1887. Republican. 

COUNTY CLERKS. 

1st. — Thomas West, 1865. Republican. 

2d.— Wm. H. Reed, 1^67. Republican. 

3d. — Thomas Graham, 1869, five terms. Democrat. 

4th.— Ed O'Keefe, 1879. Greeubacker. 

5th. — Joseph W. Dupin, 1881, three terms. Democrat, 

6th. — R. T. Cooper, 1887. Republican. 

COUNTY TREASURERS. 

1st.— C. J. Niehardt, elected 1865. Republican. 
2d.— E. L. Clark, Jr., elected 1869. Republican. 
3d.— M. A. McPherson, elected 1871. Republican, 
4th.— W. B. Thorp, elected 1873 and 1875. Republican, 
5th. — L. G. Johns, elected 1877 and 1879. Rejnibliciin. 
6th.— R. T. Cooper, 1881; re-elected 1883. Republican. 
7th.— D. H. Figard, 1885; re-elected 1887. Republican. 

SHERIFFS. 

1st. Chapin, elected 1865. Republican. 

2d.— A. J. Wallingford, elected 1867. Republican. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 105 

3cl.— W. H. Tuttle, elected 1869. Republican. 
4th. — J. W. McCabe, elected 1871. Republican. 
5tli. — I. D. Niehardt, elected ]873, two terms. Republican. 
6th. — John Sullivan, elected 1877, two terras. Democrat. 
7th. — John Brown (died in office), elected 1881, two terms. Dem- 
ocrat. 

8th. — C. H. Adams, elected 1885. Democrat. 
9th. — J. M. Smiley, elected 1887. Republican. 

SUPERINTENDENTS OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 

1st. — Thomas Graham, appointed 1867. Democrat. 

2d. — Geo. B. France, elected 1869, three terms. Republican. 

3d. — J. D. Messenger, elected 1875, two terms. Republican. 

4th. — E. Benson, elected 1881. Republican. 

6th. — M. "Warner, elected 1883, two terms. Republican. 

6th. — G. F. Burkett, elected 1887. Republican. 

CORONERS. 

1st. — W. W. Cox was elected, but did not qualify, in 1867. 

2d. — J. M. Evans, elected 1869. Republican. 

3d. — E. L. Clinton, elected 1871. Republican. 

4th. — Leland Walker, elected 1873, two terms. Republican. 

6th. — J. H. Woodward, elected 1877. Republican. 

6th. — G. B. Brandon, elected 1879. Democrat. 

7th. — A. K. Siep, elected 1881, four terms. Republican. 

SURVEYORS. 

1st. — R. T. Gale, elected 1865, two terms. Republican. 

2d. — J. H. Anderson, elected 1869, two terms. Republican. 

3d. — J. V. Ainsworth, elected 1873. Republican. 

4th. — G. A. Kilpatrick, elected 1875, two terms. Republican. 

6th. — E. Jull, elected 1881. Republican. 

6th. — G. A. Kilpatrick, elected 1873, three terms. Republican. 

SUPERVISORS ELECTED IN 1886. 

It will be noted that the commissioner system was changed in 
January, 1887, to that of township organizations. 

A precinct — E. W. Olney. Republican. 



106 HISTORY OF SEWARD OOUXTY, NEBRASKA. 

B precinct — M. Dunigan. Democrat. 
C precinct — W. H. Dobson. Democrat. 
D precinct — A. D. Sperry. Republican. 
E precinct — B. 0. Fa^an. Republican. 
F precinct — W. H. Miner. Democrat. 
G precinct — Wm. Redford. Republican. 
H precinct — Carl Koch. Democrat. 
I precinct — Fred Fosler. Democrat. 
J precinct — O. E. Bernecker. Democrat. 
K precinct — J. H. Robertson. Democrat. 
L precinct — Adam Seed. Republican. 
M precinct — W. H. Mygatt. Republican. 
N precinct — F. W. Upton. Republican. 
O precinct — J. L. Burkey. Democrat. 
P precinct — Henry Rogge. Democrat. 

SUPERVISORS ELECTED IN 1887. 

A precinct — J. J. Martin. Democrat. 
B precinct — C. J. Wright. Democrat. 
C precinct — Andrew Schultz. Republican. 
D precinct — A. D. Sperry. Mugwump. 
E precinct — B. C. Ragan. Republican. 
F precinct — Morris Underbill. Republi 



lean, 
icaii. 



J: prcciucL — ivxuiriw uuueiiim. ±vt:j 

G precinct — Chas Lyon. Republica 
H precinct — Carl Koch. Democrat. 
I precinct — D. Dankers. Republican. 
J precinct — O. E. Bernecker. Democra;:. 
K precinct — John Florin. Republican. 
L precinct — Adam Seed. Republican. 
M precinct — D. Blanchard. Republican. 
N precinct — R. C. Rhea. Republican. 
O precinct — Cyrus Wyandt. Republic"- 
P precinct — Henry Rogge. Democrat, 



lean. 



SEWARD CITY TWO MEMBERS. 



J. F. Goehuer, Republican. 
W. R. Dickison, Republican. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 107 

ASSESSMENTS. 

1865 — Total number of acres deeded land, 4,728. This was all or 
about all speculator's land. Tlie assessment on land that year was 
$18,867, or nearly §4 per acre; personal assessment, $10,880; total 
assessment, $29,747 ; total tax levy for the year, $423, or nearly 
thirteen mills on a dollar for all purposes. We have no means of 
ascertaining just how much of the tax of that year was collected. 

We now skip over to the year of 1870, and find 33,670 acres on 
the list, and together with the personal property (they were not 
divided) amounts to $120, 160, or an increase of 28,942 acres of 
land, and a total increase of assessed value of $90,413 in five years, 
or an average of increase of more than $18,000 per year. 

In 1885, we have assessed 275,203 acres of land, at $1,025,439, 
or about $3.72 per acre. This year town property begins to cut 
some figure, and we find it assessed at $92,091 ; eleven miles of rail- 
road, $67,480; personal, $412,234; making a total of $1,597,244. 

In 1880, we find upon the assessment rolls 338,799 acres of land 
valued at $3.56 per acre, or $1,216,669; town property, $130,905; 
personal, $506,316 ; railroad (fifty-four miles), $183,447. A grand 
total of $2,037,337. In this year we find that 155,193 acres were 
improved, and the following acreage of crops reported: wheat, 53,- 
877; corn, 67,294; oats, 6,824; meadow, we suppose it to be tame, 
but it is not so stated, 1,614; number fruit trees, 53,176; forest 
trees, 1,053,853. 

1885. — We find the lands assessed at $4.01 per acre, and total 
land assessment, $1,391,385; town property, $197,175; personal, 
^805,610 ; railroad, $270,437. Total, $2,664,607. 

1887. — Lands were assessed, $1,489,287 ; town property, $234,- 
651; personal, $805,311; railroads, $271,965. Total, $2,801,214. 

These figures are sufficient to show something of the growth of 
property for the twenty-two years, from 1865 to 1887, and that Avill 
answer our purpose without an overdose of tables, which are usually 
rather dry reading. 

We find that there was paid to the state treasurer during the year 
1887, as our share of state tax, the snug sum of $21,821.74, and that 
there was paid in collecting on principal and interest on school and 
other state lands the additional sum of $11,380.90. We are quite 
well satisfied with this showing. 



108 llISTOliY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

CENSUS RETURNS. 

YEA.R. POP. 

1st returns for the county 1870 2,953 

2d returns for the county 1874 7,429 

3d returns for the county, after grasslioj)])ers 1875 6,601 

4th returns for the county 1876 6,875 

5th returns for the county 1878 7,991 

6th returns for the county 1880 11,095 

7th and last returns for the county 1885 15,225 

Estimated returns for the county 1887...... 18,000 

PRECINCTS BY CENSUS OF 1885. 

POPULATION. KO. FARMS FACTORIES. 

A 394 76 

B 571 112 

C (including Staplehurst) 1,076 139 11 

D 777 140 

E (including Utica) 1,225 160 10 

F (including Taniora) 882 190 

G (including Seward) 2,728 169 61 

H 1,095 155 

1 690 131 

J 776 149 

K 672 130 

L 843 139 

M 750 91 

N 748 134 

O (including Milford) 1,462 146 15 

P 536 93 



Totals 15,225 2,154 97 

Or about one improved farm to every seven persons. Now de- 
ducting the population of the towns, viz., 3,567, and it leaves a county 
poj)ulation of 11,658, making a farm for a little less than five and 
one-half poi)ulation. It is fair to presume that the number of farms 
has increased ten percent since this census was taken, and that would 
make the present number of firms at this time 2,369. 

The manufacturing industries, as given in the census tables, 
include every class of manufactuVing, such as mills, creameries, wagon 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 109 

shops, blacksmith shops, shoe sho])s, tinners' shops, etc. We are 
sorry that it seems impossible to obtain the amount of capital invested 
in manufacturing industries. The growth of such industries within 
the last year has been most remarkable. Of these we will treat 
fully in another place. 

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF WEALTH AND POPULATION. 

In 1883 Seward had $2,346,480, and was No. 13 in the list of 
counties of our state. 

1884, $2,513,184 and 12th. 

1885, 2,664,607 " 9th. 

1886, 2,722,020 " 8th. 









POPULATION. 


1870, Seward 2,953 and 


was 15th. 


1874, ' 


7,429 


u 


8th. 


1875, ' 


6,601 


(I 


10th. 


1876, ' 


6,875 


a 


9th. 


1878, ' 


7,991 


u 


llih. 


1880, ' 


' 11,095 


u 


nth. 


1885, ' 


' 15,225 


a 


12th. 



SEWARD COUNTY AS IT NOW IS. 

As the chiming bells ring in the glad New Year of 1888, we find 
well-nigh twenty thousand just about as intelligent, and certainly 
just as happy, people as may be found anywhere in all our vast 
domain. 

We are pleasantly situated in the state, and now have easy access 
to all the markets of the country. We have been especially blessed 
with an abundant harvest. Certainly "our barns are filled with 
plenty," and the needs of the world are such that we command a good 
price for our vast surplus. The general health of the people is most 
excellent. Prosperity, peace, and good-will reign in all our borders. 
The advance we have made in developing the wilderness into fruitful 
fields and blooming gardens, is truly wonderful. 

We are now, while yet in our infancy, the happy possessors of 
nearly twenty-five hundred farms, as good in all essential elements of 
wealth as can be found in the north-western states, and that means 



110 HISTOEY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

the wide, wide world. We generally have pleasant and comfortable 
homes, with nice yards and gardens. Most of us have orchards. We 
have beautiful and very luxuriant tame meadows. We have at least 
two thousand groves of planted timber, so dotting the plain that it 
almost looks like a timber country. We have excellent roads, as 
good as could be desired. We have excellent bridges generally, at 
convenient distances on all the streams. We have good drainage, 
and our soil is just good enough. An abundant supply of pure 
health-giving water. Three grand mill streams. A magnificent and 
ever-increasing school fund, with ninety organized school districts 
and ninety-five school-houses, thickly set like sparkling gems on hill- 
top and plain. Thirty Christian churches, shedding their beams of 
holy light among the people, and pointing them upward toward God 
and heaven. Three great lines of railway traversing the county in 
all directions and furnishing to the people twelve stations for shipping 
produce and receiving merchandise. Three telegraph and one tele- 
phone line running through the county, bringing all the people, as it 
were, right at the focus of intelligence and the general news of the 
world. 

We have nine thriving villages, and one grand city within our 
borders. We have abundant water-power awaiting development. 
Although we have many fine mills, and one perhaps the best in the 
state, yet the utilizing of this precious gift is scarcely begun. 

With the capital of our state almost at our door, and Avith all our 
varied resources of grains, grasses, vegetables, and fruits, of cattle and 
swine, with plenty of clear cold water to drink, why should we not 
have a happy New Year ? 

We are a favored people. Ours is most truly a land of milk and 
honey. Our aggregate wealth surpasses ten millions of dollars, and 
is constantly growing with the years. Our towns and city are grow- 
ing and expanding, and are from month to month adding new conven- 
iences, comforts, and luxuries to lessen tiie burdens of all our people. 
Our ])rogress is the wonder of the age, yet its progression will be 
accelerated from year to year. We have added during the year just 
passed very many valuable improvements, and we may fairly say 
that 1887 has marked a new epoch in our rapid advancement. 

We see signs of new life, activity, and vigor, here, there, every- 
where within our borders. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. Ill 

A new railway has been commenced and completed, cntting the 
county centrally from north-east to south-west, opening up a great 
new artery of traffic, and bringing in its train joy and gladness for 
thousands of our people, building up three new villages along the 
way and infusing new life and activity into the fourth, and adding 
new life to the city. Truly this was a grand achievement, and will 
pay many times its cost to the people. "B," Goehner, and llunkins 
have been added to our list of villages. 

Beaver Crossing has been thoroughly awakened from her Rip Van 
Winkle sleep of years and years, and now bids fair to become a city 
of no mean proportions. 

Good depots, elevators, business houses, and numerous dwellings 
already grace the new towns, and in one at least {'" B") a new church. 

Milford shows new life and activity, valuable improvements and 
additions to the great grain elevators at the mill, a great livery barn 
that looks large for Omaha, the new sanitarium building, some pala- 
tial residences, and the final assurance of the new Industrial Home, a 
state institution; and with the grade complete of a new railroad con- 
necting the town with Crete and the south, she has much to gladden 
the hearts of all her sons and daughters. 

Pleasant Dale, while not pretentious, but modest, is fitly named. 
She is the " gem " of that beautiful valley, is constantly growing, and 
day by day becomes more beautiful. 

Utica, always prosperous, is enjoying substantial prosperity, and to 
its other grand achievements of the past has added a live newspaper. 

Tamora continues the young "wonder" of the prairie. She never 
ceases to grow. She will never cease to prosper, adding to her acqui- 
sitions month after month churches, residences, schools, and new 
homes of taste and elegance. 

Staplehurst, nestling in the valley of the upper Blue, while not 
growing rapidly, is in a prosperous condition, and has a strong vital- 
ity, and will always maintain her position as a splendid grain and 
stock market. 

Germantown is coming to the front in splendid shape. Although 
having received a baptism of fire, which may prove a good and' pre- 
cious gift as a cleanser and purifier, she has just completed a beauty 
of a school-house, and manv new residences have been added to her 
number. She is prosperous and happy. 



112 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

The county is prosperous in all its parts. Many fields of new sod 
have kissed the bright plowshare during the past summer, tens of 
thousands of fruit trees planted, hundreds of miles of new pasture 
fences have been built, new bridges have spanned the streams, much 
of grace and beauty has been added, and all sections seem determined 
to push forward to grander results. 

Seward county, the home of our choice, chosen when we were in 
the prime of our manhood's strength, the home where the most of our 
children were born, the home of pleasant memories, and where peace 
and plenty have generally rewarded our efforts, but where at times 
we have been overshadowed with dark clouds of want and sorrow, 
when first we set foot on thy soil we loved thee, and now when long 
years have passed and we are on the shadowy side of the hill of life 
we love thee still. God bless Seward county and all her people, is 
our humble prayer. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 113 



CHAPTER VI. 



HISTOEY OF PRECINCTS FROM " A "* TO "p" — THEIR FIRST SETTLEMENTS — IN- 
CLUDING HISTORIC LETTERS FROM "A " BY E. W. OLNEY — FROM "b" BY F. 
M. TIMBLIN — FROM "g" BY JAMES A. BROWN— FROM "n" BY I. M. K. 
JOHNSON — FROM " P " BY MRS. H. W. PARKER, AND FROM "g" BY MRS. 
SARAH F. ANDERSON. 



" B " PRECINCT. 

The ten first settlersin " B " precinct, or town twelve north, range 
three east, were as follows : 

John D. Hickman, in 1867; AYilliara, Joseph, Andrew, Henry, 
and Wesley Hickman, Thomas Poore, and Duncan McVaine, in 1868 ; 
John Qnillon and F. M. Timblin, in 1869. 

The first school-house (a sod house) was built in the fall of 1869, 
and the school was taught by F. M. Timblin during the following 
winter. The teacher was paid by subscription. 

A literary club and debating society was formed, and the settlers 
often met for mental culture and entertainment. Herewith we ap- 
pend the instructive letter of F. M. Timblin, and also a communica- 
tion taken from the first number of the Atlas. 

In 1887 the F., E. & M. V. railroad was built through the precinct, 
and a station located at " B," which is rapidly coming to the front as 
a business point. They now have a good depot, a grain elevator, a 
lumber yard, two stores, and several dwellings, and it bids fairly to 
become quite an important village. The new church is nearly com- 
plete, of which we give the history elsewhere. 

The precinct has six miles of railroad, has on the census rolls 571 
inhabitants with 112 farms, wliich rank among the best, and has five 
school-houses, all good frame buildings. The farmers are most uni- 
versally prosperous. 

" C " PRECINCT 

Was first settled by Frank Shields in the winter of 1863 and 1864, 
on what is known as the " Casey place." His settlement was not 

* For the history of " A " precinct the reader is referred to the valuable letter of E. W. Olney, 
Esq. 

8 



114 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

very permauent. Among the first to make permanent settlement 
were Wm. Eeed, Judge John W. Shields, Geo. Reed, John A. Dur- 
land, and Frank E. Pitt. These all settled in 1864 and I860, and 
were soon followed by Moses Mitchell, Walter Hoops, and two or 
three others whose names have escaped our memory. These early 
settlers all located by the river, for the sake of the timber and water. 
Settlements did not penetrate the high prairie much until 1868, when 
people came like a flock of pigeons. 

*' C" precinct is cut in two unequal parts by Blue river, and has 
excellent water-powers that are yet undeveloped. Lincoln creek also 
cuts the south-west corner of the precinct, and furnishes a splendid 
water-power, which has a fine mill at Marysville. This mill was 
built by Luke Agur in 1870, and has been lately rebuilt, enlarged, 
and much improved. It is now a first-class country flouring mill 
with all modern improvements. 

Marysville is the nucleus of a large German settlement that extends 
far up and down the creek, and overreaches the boundaries of the 
precinct. They had located a store and church, with a school-house, 
soon after the founding of Seward. Wm. Hornburg, John Schoepp, 
and old Mr. Hartman's family were among the flrst to settle there. 
George C. McKay, John Gladwish, Father Archer and his family, 
and some others settled on the prairie between the river and Lincoln 
creek, and further up the river Thos. Corr and John Gillbanks set- 
tled in 1868. Marysville remains a trading point and post-offlee, and 
the Lutheran church makes it a prominent gathering place for the 
people. 

Staplehurst was founded by George C. McKay in the autunju of 
1879, immediately after the completion of the A. & 'N, R. R. Mr. 
McKay erected the first dwelling. T. W. Lowrey opened a grain 
house the same fall. Staplehurst grew slowly at first, but in 1882-83 
it began to assume imj)ortauce as a shipping and trading point. 
Messrs. Goehner & Co. laid out a large addition to the town, and 
many business houses sprang up immediately, including two first class 
elevators, a good hotel, a fine church, and a host of dwellings. They 
have two school-houses, and maintain a graded school. The place 
contains near three hundred inhabitants, and is organized as a village; 
enjoys a good trade, and is prosj^erous. 

*'C" jH-ecinct has 1,076 inhabitants, with 139 farms and eleven 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 115 

manufacturing industries, and six school-houses. Many of the farms 
are well improved with fine orchards and many good barns. The 
precinct has six miles of railroad. 

T. C. Allen is responsible for the following story : Probably the 
first time a religious meeting was held old Father Worley, of Ulysses, 
was preaching in a sod school-house, and was talking of hell and 
heaven in an old-fashioned way, and had the congregation pretty well 
excited, when a serpent fell into the lap of one of the ladies, from the 
brush covering of the house. The audience were worse scared at the 
snake than at the preacher's hell, which he was so ably describing. 
For further particulars the reader is referred to the Rev. Father 
Worley. 

" D " PRECINCT. 

This is the north-western precinct of the county, and is principally 
situated on the great divide between Blue river and Lincoln creek; 
however, the latter creek runs through the southern portion of it. 
This precinct is a most excellent farming region, and is the home of 
many of our best and most successful farmers. It has no village 
within its borders, and only a short piece of railroad. The F., E. & 
M. V. just clips the corner of the precinct. The people are provided 
with five rival markets, viz.: Ulysses, Surprise, Postou, Utica, and 
Staplehurst; so that all portions of the precinct are handy to good 
market towns. 

The census tables give the precinct 777 po])ulation, 140 farms, and 
5 schools, all with good frame buildings. The post-office is named 
Orton, and is kept at a farm house, and the mail service is by star 
route. 

The first settlement was made in 1867 by Mr. Wm. Jackman and 
Mr. Jesse Horton. We remember his moving to the county with a 
pair of oxen harnessed like horses. Mr. Wm. Reynolds settled in 
1868. He it was who committed suicide in Utica some years ago 
while in a fit of temporary insanity. Also Mr. Johnson, a lame man, 
who bought the first harvester ever taken to the Lincoln creek set- 
tlement, in 1870, and O. C. Ragan, of the hawk story, came the same 
year; also Wra. Hornburg; and in 1871 the Richies — A. D., Wm., 
and his brother — with T. C. Allen and several others, made settlement 
on the high prairie, among whom were E. B. Hatch, who taught the 
first school in Jackmau's dug-out in 1872. 



116 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

This portion of the county is finely developed, and we are free to 
say that it is our favorite precinct for farming purposes. 

" E " PRECINCT. 

Town eleven, range one east, is an unbroken plain without a 
running stream, and with the exception of a few marshes is wholly 
an excellent body of farm land. 

M. C. Wright, Joseph Jones, Samuel Gleason, G. A. Derby, Mr. 
Greenwood, and H. M. Coleman were among the first to settle, in 
1871, and were followed in 1872 by great numbers. About the 
time of the first settlement the state road was located from Seward to 
York and passed through this precinct. 

In the early history of " E " there were no such incidents of 
thrilling interest as occurred on the great freight roads, and the few 
settlers on the prairie were not so isolated from the world, as Seward 
was quite a town when the settlement of this prairie began. Yet the 
first settlers saw some rough times, although they were free from 
Indian scares and not in any positive danger of starving, as older 
settlements were near at hand. The growth and development of the 
farmers' portion has been steady and kept full })ace with other por- 
tions of the county, and now has fine improvements throughout. 
Finely improved farms, innumerable groves of planted timber and 
orchards, etc., etc. 

Miss Clara Derby had the honor of teaching the first school in the 
precinct, in the summer of 1873. There are now outside of Utica 
three school-houses, and two others in which the people are interested. 

Population, including Utica, 1,225, with 160 farms and ten 
manufacturing industries, and six miles of railroad. Their railroad 
station and village is the bright town of Utica, which was founded 
in the autumn of 1878. The first beginning and growth of Utica is 
related in another chapter, but its present status may be named here. 
The village contains between 600 and 700 jjeople, and is third in 
population and business importance in the county, and has many live 
and energetic business men ; maintains a graded school with a fine 
structure, a large steam grist mill, an opera house — a commodious 
brick structure, three grain elevators, two lumberyards, two banks, 
quite a large number of mercantile establishmeuts, several churches, 
a fair-sized hotel, two livery stables, nnmerous shops, and many 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 117 

fine dwellings. The A. F. and A. M., the I. O. O. F., and G. A. R. 

each have themselves established orders. Flourishing Sabbath- 
schools are maintained by the churches, and taken all together Utica 
is a pleasant village and is fa'irly prosperous. 

"f" PRECINCT. 

Thomas Skillman made the first settlement on Sec. 13, in the spring 
of 1865. Joseph Roberts either pre-empted or homesteaded the land 
now owned by Rev. E. W. Johnson, in the fall of 1864, but failed 
to make settlement, and the place was homesteaded by Rev. Johnson 
in 1866. Mr. Roberts built or partly built a log cabin on his claim. 
George and Russell Rogers and their mother, Widow Rogers, each 
made settlement in the autumn of 1866. D. H. Figard, James 
Anderson, and Charles and Joseph Thurman each settled in the spring 
of 1867; also Abram Wallach. During the spring of 1868, a large 
number came, among whom were George Slonecker, Sam Stevenson, 
Aaron and Allen Anderson, Mr. Shockey, and Mr. Osborne. 

The first school was taught in the summer of 1868, in the old log 
cabin on Rev. Johnson's place. 

The first church organization was effected by Rev. Johnson, at the 
Slonecker school-house. It was the United Brethren church. 

"F" precinct, according to the last census, has 882 inhabitants 
and 190 farms, being the banner precinct in that she has the largest 
number of farms of any precinct in the county. She has five school 
districts, each with a creditable building; has seven miles of railroad j 
has one excellent mill stream, but it is not utilized in the precinct at 
present. Some years ago a mill was built by Mr. Jull, but it burned 
down and as yet has not been replaced. It has probably the largest 
belt of excellent wild meadow of any one of our precincts. 

Tamora, '' F " precinct's railroad station and village, was surveyed 
into lots in 1879, and during the fall of that year, Mr. J. W. Scott 
built a small grain house, put in scales, and bought grain, and Wm. 
Butler opened a small store. P. G. Tyler's family was the first to 
settle in the new town. There was very little growth until the sum- 
mer of 1882; however Morrisey Bros, built an elevator in 1881. 
T. W. Lowrey built his in 1882. The first school in the town was 
opened in the spring of 1884. The Presbyterian church was organ- 
ized in 1880, and they bought a little building and used until the new- 
church was built, in 1883. This church was dedicated Nov. 9, 1883. 



118 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

The M. E. church was built in 1882. In 1886 the new two-story 
four-room school-house was built, at a cost of ^2,100. A graded 
school is maintained, with two teachers, and is in a flourishing con- 
dition. There are now three elevators, a good depot, three general 
stores, one first-class hardware store, a fair-sized hotel, a good livery 
barn, two banks, a lumberyard, a drug store, and various shops, with 
a goodly number of cosy dwellings. 

Tamora is a beautiful village with a good trade, and is a very de- 
sirable place in which to live. The people are universally intelligent 
and wide-awake. Have always been free from the contagion of saloons. 
They say that they never had any use for saloons, and they throw 
their surplus energy into beautifying their homes and maintaining 
their schools and churches. The village contains near three hundred 
inhabitants, and is surrounded by a beautiful and rich farming country. 
Anyone desiring a neat, quiet home, with excellent church and school 
facilities, where they are within a few minutes ride of the city, and 
where they are free from the influence of saloons, we cheerfully 
recommend Tamora as the place where they can find a genial home. 

" G " PRECINCT. 

So far as is definitely known, William Wymore and a brother-in- 
law of the name of Olmstead made the first settlement, in the fall of 
1863 — Mr. Wymore on Sec. 8, what is now part of W. W. Cox's 
farm, Mr. Olmstead on Sec. 1 7, Mr. John Roberts' north farm. These 
parties were deserters from the Union army and the provost marshal 
(Hon. O. P. Mason) had discovered their whereabouts, and they 
having learned this, hurriedly made their escape early in March, 1864. 
Mr. Cox purchased Mr. Wymore's claim for seventy-five dollars, and 
Mr. O. abandoned his, and the land was entered by John Roberts in 
1865. 

In the first half of April, 1864, Hon. Wm. Imlay and his father's 
family moved to their claims, and Mr. R. T. Gale moved to his at 
about the same time. Father Dunaway settled in July, and W. W. 
Cox on the first day of December. In April, 1865, Thomas Dun- 
away and wife made settlement, and \vere followed in May by Ridiard 
Sampson and J. N. Roberts. Lewis Mofiitt came in July, and built 
a log house on the future site of the city, and Rev. E. L. Clark came 
in October. This completed the settlements of 1865. In the early 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 119 

spring of 1866 the settlement was increased by the addition of E. L. 
Ellis, John Roberts, Sen., Joseph Sampson, and, later in the season, 
James A. Brown on Sec. 20, J. F. Duncan who settled on Sec. 8, 
Stites Wooley on Sec. 15, and Roger Cooper on Sec. 12. E. B. 
Shafer settled just south of the present city, and Wm. Cooper just 
north-east of the city. 

The first homestead entry was that of Mr. Gale, of January 2, 
1863; Stites NYooley (lately deceased) was the second; W. W. Cox, 
third, dated March 27, 1864; Father Dunaway, fourth; David P. 
Inilay, fifth; Wm. Imlay, sixth ; David Imlay (Grandpa), seventh ; 
Richard Sampson and J. N. Rolierts, eighth and ninth ; Thomas 
Dunaway and Joseph Imlay, tenth and eleventh. 

Dunng the summer of 1864, there were broken thirty acres of land 
on three farms, viz., Wm. Imlay's, D. P. Imlay's, and Mr. Gale's. 
The following summer there were broken about one hundred and 
fifty acres, on seven farms. It may be a matter of surprise that no 
more land was broken, but it is equally surprising, to us that under- 
stand fully all the conditions, that so much was accomplished. In 
the first place, we were all as poor as church mice. We had but few 
and very poor teams, and very few and miserably poor breaking 
plows. Had the reader seen the writer with a pair of plowshares, 
wending his way on foot to old man Morgan's to get them sharpened 
by a corn-cob fire, then seen the vexation and delays in adjusting 
them to the work on our return, then followed us in our perambula- 
tions hunting for the lost oxen, and then accompanied us with our 
old ox team seventy-five miles to mill, and watched all our struggles 
to keep soul and body together, menaced by Indians on the one side, 
begging us out of countenance, and frequently showing a spirit of 
arrogance and impudence, so that we hardly dare leave our families 
any length of time. Frequently we were compelled to scour distant set- 
tlements of Lancaster, Otoe, and Cass counties for meager supplies of 
provisions, fording streams and camping out nights. With very little 
or no money, no credit (there was no one in reach to credit us), a 
scanty supply of provisions, and still more scanty supply of clothing, 
we struggled against wind and tide through the weary years of our 
first settlement. In many instances we had to make " bricks without 
straw." Houses were to be built without proper tools, also bridges, 
and every class of work was accomplished under the most discourag- 



120 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

ing circuiustauces. The wonder is that we did not all become so much 
discouraged as to pull up stakes and go back to our wife's relations, 
as some of the more weak-kneed folks did. 

During August, 1864, the little settlement of four families became 
seriously alarmed on account of the Indian panic, at the same time of 
the exodus from Salt creek. Mr. Gale was away from home at Salt 
basin. The families had all gathered on Plum creek, at Grandpa 
Imlay's house, and were hurriedly preparing for flight, when suddenly 
Wm. Imlay's wagon tire burst, and while they were all dismayed at 
the catastrophe it proved a blessing in disguise, for the rest of the 
company could not leave him and family to perish alone, and before 
they succeeded in getting the old wagon in shape to travel the scare 
was over, and all were ready to return to their homes. Thus the in- 
fant settlement was saved from abandonment by this lucky accident. 

A few days after our arrival with our family at the new home, 
about the night of the 8tli of December — a very cold winter night — 
the gentle rapping of Joseph Imlay was heard in the small hours of 
the night, with the refreshing news that a child was about to be boru 
at the house of Mr. Gale. Wife hurriedly dressed, and Joseph 
hitched our old "Nig" and "Darb" to the wagon, and away they 
went down the bottom and across the present city to the bank of 
Plum creek, just to the east of Mr. Bemis' home, where a huge snow 
drift was encountered. The oxen were chained to the wagon, and 
Our good wife was compelled to slide down the sleep bank over the 
great drift of snow to reach the creek. When she reached the house 
she found that Miss Clara Gale had come to life and light to bless 
the home of her parents. We are happy to say that the young lady 
is yet living, and is highly accomplished and a resident ot East 
Portland, Oregon. 

During 1867 and 1868 settlement increased quite rapidly. The 
latter year witnessed the birth of the future city, and the history of 
the precinct from that time is so blended with that of tiie city that 
we couple them in a future chapter. This, in connection with the 
earlier chapters of " remiuiscenses," we deem a sufficient history of 
the early times of this immediate locality. However, there are many 
incidents of those days that it would be gratifying to the author to 
see ill print, but it is not our aim to bore the reader with details 
unnecessarily. 



history of seward county, nebraska. 121 

"h" precinct or town, 

Or town eleven, range four east, is one of the eastern townships, and 
situated on the head of the north fork of Middle creek. It is roll- 
ing land, with numerous springs and bright running streams, many 
of them frino-ed with nice vouno- timber. The settlement is largely 
German. The first settler was Lewis Leibrock, on his present farm 
near the stone church. Conrad Grant and Deidrick Brant settled 
soon afterwards. Wm. Luber, Gillman Garland, B. W. Walker, 
Fritz Ropke, and Wm, Leppe made settlement in 1868, and in 1869 
Chris. Thomas and Jacob Thomas, John Westerhoff, and C. C. Davis; 
also Chas. Ruchtassel made settlement just at the edge of the plain on 
the west side of the precinct ; also Henry Petrie and John Olwiler. 

The first school was organized in 1869, with Wolsey Wyant, L. 
Leibrock, and Conrad Grant as school officers. They erected a school- 
house on section 28, and Thos. Cowen taught the first term. The 
second school-house was built in 1873, in district No. 32, and Mrs. 
J. P. Loose, then Miss Kate Miller, taught the first term. The stone 
church, ot whicii we give elsewhere a history, was built under the 
pastorate of Rev. Theo. Gruber, in 1872, valued at $3,000. The 
Lutheran society laid out a cemetery in 1868, on the farm of Mr. 
Leibrock. July 14, 1869, the two sons of Conrad Grant were killed 
by lightning, and these were the first deaths in the precinct. 

Charles Grant was the first child born in the settlement, in 1868. 

The Midland railroad was built through the precinct in 1873, and 
Germantown was laid into lots in 1874, by Hila'nd Frazier. F. Bick 
opened the first store. John Westerhoff was appointed postmaster. 
Charles Rowland opened the second store in 1878. The first frame 
house was built in the precinct by Conrad Grant, in 1870. The 
precinct now has 1,095 inhabitants and 155 farms, with seven school- 
houses, all frame. 

The village of Germantown now has near two hundred inhabitants. 
They have just erected a fine two-story school-house. They have two 
large grain elevators, two general stores, one drug store, a blacksmith 
shop, and numerous good dwellings. The town is in a prosperous 
condition. The j^recinct has near seven miles of railroad track. 

"l" PRECINCT, ' 

Town ten, range four east, is one of the eastern precincts of the county. 



122 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

The north fork of Middle creek cuts it in two unequal parts, and the 
south branch cuts the south-east corner. 

These streams furnish ample water supply and drainacre. The 
north-western portion is a wavy plain, and is well adapted for farm- 
ing purposes; and also the valleys are very rich, producing corn and 
grass to perfection. The eastern portion is somewhat broken, and is 
well adapted for stock growing. The creeks are bright and pure 
water, and the banks are lined with a growth of young timber, adding 
a charm to the scenery. 

This precinct has but two and one-half miles of railroad, but 
has a station at Pleasant Dale. The eastern part is only twelve miles 
distant from the capital, and the western part is in close proximity to 
Seward and Milford. They have four schools, with good frame 
buildings. The population is 690, with 131 farms. 

Deloss Brown and old Mr. Bird, now deceased, were the first set- 
tlers of whom we have record. They each settled as early as 1863, 
on the south branch of Middle creek. Joseph Forest settled in 1864, 
and James Her about the same time ; also one or two others. Abrara 
Courtright settled on the farm near the railroad, where the stone 
house stands, in 1866. 

"j" PRECINCT. 

A Mr. Horton, Daniel Morgan, and his two sous, Louis and 
Thoinas, were the first to make permanent settlement near where 
Ruby station now stands. They claim to have located in 1858, but 
of the correctness of this there is doubt. Evidently they were the 
first that made permanent homes on the North Blue in this county. 
Job T. Reynolds, J. C. Neihardt, Thomas L. Rogers, and Samuel 
Long settled in 1863. Mr. Rogers and wife have been dead many 
years. Mr. Long died in the early part of last year. 

Blue river runs centrally through the precinct, and furnishes ex- 
cellent water-powers, but there are none of them improved at this 
time. 

According to the census reports there are 776 inhabitants, with 149 
farms. They have no village, but a railroad station with a store, 
two elevators, and a post-office. Ruby. They have six miles of rail- 
road and five good school-houses. They have excellent land and 
good farms, and are very handy to the city. They rank third in 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 123 

number of farms in the county. An excellent precinct with many 
advantages, although no thriving village. It seems impracticable to 
make a town in a precinct that nearly reaches both the city and Mil- 
ford, and where thirty minutes drive will reach either of them. 

" K '' PRECINCT. 

This beautiful township has 130 farms, 672 population, six miles 
of railroad, and one station (Goehner). It has five school-houses, 
with the same number of schools, all in a prosperous condition. 

This precinct is nearly all level land, and it has many of our most 
beautiful and valuable farms. There is but very little running water 
within its borders. 

Goehner, its station, was platted in the fall of 1887, upon the com- 
pletion of the railroad, and now it contains several business houses 
and several dwellings, including a depot, elevator, two general stores, 
two grocery stores, one hardware, and one drug store. 

Abram Windsor built the first house in the precinct, in the spring^ 
of 1869. Wm., George, and Alfred Livesey made settlement the 
following summer. L, Allison, Martin and Edward Jensen, S. S. 
H. Williams, Martin Madson, C. Tunecliff, and Peter Oglesby made 
settlement in 1870; also some others whose names we have failed to 
obtain. 

The progress of " K " precinct has been rapid, both in settlement 
and improvement. There are many very fine farm houses and good 
substantial barns; many excellent orchards, and over a hundred fine 
groves of planted timber. 

This precinct can boast of the only regular cheese dairy in the 
county. Jerome Aldrich, near Goehner, has in successful operation 
a cheese dairy, in which he made and sold forty thousand pounds of 
excellent cheese during 1887, and he proposes to enlarge the capacity 
to 140,000 pounds in the near future. Mr. Aldrich finds a ready 
sale for his product, which is accounted number one among the dealers.. 

" L " PRECINCT. 

Town ten, range one east, was first settled by John E. Fouse, at 
the crossing of Beaver creek, in 1862, where he opened a ranch on 
the old freight road. Mr. Fouse lived here many years in a sort of 
a rough-and-tumble way, trading with travelers and Indians. The 



124 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

writer was at his place in 1864, and at the time the ranch was kept 
in an immense dug-out on the bank of the creek. There were a great 
many tough stories tokl in connection with this ranch in the pioneer 
days, but we will not reiterate them, as we are hardly able to vouch 
for their truthfulness. Mr. Fouse was a peculiar character, and his 
place became somewhat famous for the many tragic events there en- 
acted. Whiskey was an important article of trade at the ranch. 

Thos. Tisdale opened his little store and the post-office in 1869, 
^nd a Mr. Donovan also settled in the neighborhood about the same 
time. The real substantial settlement began in 1870, when the prairies 
began to be homesteaded. Thomas Foster built the first frame house 
in April. His mother, Widow Foster, and family, and F. M. Hor- 
ton made settlement shortly afterwards. In 1871 there were great 
numbers who made settlement. The first school of which we can 
learn was taught by John Turner, on what is knoMU as the Norman 
Cassler farm, in the summer of 1873. While " L " is one of our fore- 
most farming precincts, it has no railroad and no village within 
its borders, but is happily situated convenient to four stations on 
two different railroads, and has a choice of markets within an hour's 
drive from any point. The south-western portion is somewhat rough, 
but the lands are good. The other and larger portion is as fine farm- 
ing land as can be found anywhere. It contains 139 farms and 843 
people, with five schools. The precinct has the choice of Utica, 
Tamora, Goehner, and Beaver Crossing for market places, and the 
farthest farm from a station does not exceed six miles. 

" m" precinct 

Is the south-western geographical township of the county. Daniel 
Millspaw settled in 1862, just west of Beaver Crossing, on what is 
now J. W. Thompson's land, and opened a ranch. In 1863 John 
Leonard made settlement a short distance further west. In 1865 a 
Mr. Buzzard settled north-east of town, and Mr. G. Clark and Col- 
umbus Clark settled just to the south-east of Ross Nichols' farm, and 
about the same time Isaiah and Phillip Michael located on the Migatt 
farm, east of town. Ross Nichols came in 1869, and located on the 
present town site, and had a small portion of his land surveyed into 
a to\yn site in 1871, its first name being Xicholsville. Smith and 
lugalls opened a store, and Mr. Smith built the flouring mill the 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 125 

same season. Thomas Tisdale had a little store at John E. Fouse's- 
ranch, and was postmaster, and the store and post-office were moved 
to the town in the fall of ]871. They had a weekly, or iceaUy, mail 
carried on horseback. 

Beaver Crossing was a rather dull and sleepy cross-roads trading^ 
point, where a few families have resided — two little stores, a black- 
smith shop, a small hotel, and a doctor's office, with the grist-mill, 
and so it remained until the spring of 1887, when the building of 
the F., E. & M. Y. R. R. Avas assured, then it awoke to a new life,. 
and now all is vigor and activity. Beaver Crossing now supports a 
newspaper, The Bugle, a bank, presided over by T. E. Sanders, eight 
or more mercantile houses, and some pretty good ones, two large ele- 
vators, two lumber yards, two smith shops, a hotel, and two livery 
barns, and is growing in earnest, bidding fair to become one of the 
important towns of the county. A church and school-house adoro 
the place. 

" M " precinct is abundantly supplied Avith water-courses, and the 
drainage is most thorough. The West Blue and its tributaries, John- 
sou creek, Indian creek, and the Beaver, furnish ample water and 
drainage. There is quite an amount of natural timber along these 
streams. The south-western portion of the precinct is a broad plain,, 
and contains very many beautiful farms. The northern portion is 
somewhat broken. The population is 750, and there are 91 farms, 
according to the last census, but the population has increased greatly 
within the last year. There are six scliool-houses, each good frame 
buildings. The precinct, so long isolated and kept back by circum- 
stances, will now take a forward step, and become from this time one 
of our most important possessions. The precinct has seven miles of 
railroad. The new town of Hunkins, named for Benj. Plunkins, is 
situate near the extreme south-west corner of the county in the midst 
of a splendid farming country, and will bean important shipping 
point. 

" N " PRECINCT, 

Part of the old historic ground of the county, is largely noticed in 
the valuable and instructive letter of Mr. Johnson, but there are- 
some points that should be mentioned. 

This precinct at an early day was part of Walnut Creek precincts 
W. J. Thompson was the first to settle and open a ranch on Walnut 



126 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA, 

creek, in the foil of 1862. The Johnson family came in 1864, also 
David Barton and Samuel Englehoupt; and in 1865 the Campbells, 
the Wilsons, and McCrackeus; and in 1869 and 1870 large numbers 
came — Irwin Stall, George Foster, S. C. Tremper, J. D. Black- 
burn, the Richardson family, and many others. The first school 
was taught by Miss Agnes Baily, now Mrs. C. West, at the school- 
house on David Bartiu's farm in 1863, in M'hat is district No. 
3. The precinct has no village or post-office at present, but in the 
early days it had one at Walnut creek, called Weldeu, with S. G. 
Keen as postmaster, and at a later date one at Pittsburg. There was 
a town surveyed at Pittsburg in 1873, by Chris Lezenby, where a 
peat deposit had been discovered, which for a time was thought to 
be of great importance, but its life was ephemeral. 

" N " precinct is well situated so far as markets are concerned. 
The southern portion is very near and handy to Friend and Dor- 
chester, the eastern part to Mil ford, the western portion to Beaver 
Crossing, and the northern portion is within easy reach of Goehncr, 
and it is only i'rom ten to twelve miles to the county seat. 

The 1885 census gives the precinct 748 inhabitants and 134 farms, 
with five frame school-houses. There is splendid water-power, but 
as yet it remains unimproved. There are great numbers of very 
superior farms and orchards. 

" O " TOWN 

Is happily situated, so that it takes in a long stretch of our two 
largest streams. The North Blue cuts the north-east corner, and the 
South Blue cuts the south-west corner, each stream furnishing very 
superior water-powers of immense capacity, and they are improved 
at Milford and at West's mills, yet there is ample room for more ex- 
tended improvement. Had a population of 1,462 at the last census, 
and 146 farms, with fifteen manufacturing establishments. Has 
three post-offices, two flouring mills, at present only two miles of rail- 
road, but has the track graded for about three miles additional on 
the Crete line down the valley. Has five schools, including one 
graded school, each with a good building. There are many very 
beautiful and tastefully arranged farms, with good buildino-s and 
orchards. 

The historic town of Milford is its principal place of trade. Mil- 



HISTORY OF SEWAED COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 127 

ford was oue of the first settled portions of the county, and was for 
many years the leading town of the county. Held the county seat 
from 1867 to the fall of 1871, and was the only town in fact until 
the summer of 1868. Was established as a ranch and trading point 
in 1864. Built the bridge in the spring of 1866, and the first mill 
the following summer. Now has a population of near 800 souls, a 
central trading point with many mercantile houses ; a station on the 
A. & N. division of the B. & M., with two very large elevators. 
The largest flourino- mill in the state, with elevator attached, with a 
capacity of ninety-five thousand bushels of wheat, several fine brick 
blocks, the sanitarium, and the assurance of the State Industrial 
Home. Milford has become noted for a pleasant summer resort for 
tourists, where parties can fish, bathe, or take pleasure rides on the 
great pond, or ramble to their heart's content in the beautiful groves. 
Hotel accommodations are good. The surrounding scenery is very 
pleasant to look upon. The village is situated ou a commanding hill, 
where the eye can feast ou the beauteous landscape either northward 
or southward. There are very many pleasant and commodious 
dwellings, with several very tastefully built churches, a commodious 
graded school-house; maintains two banks, and many shops of differ- 
ent kinds, among which are two large livery barns and several im- 
plement houses. We can see many reasons why Milford should, in 
years to come, be a very important town, and enjoy wonderful pros- 
perity. If she will grasp the opportunities that present themselves, 
she will become a fine city ere another decade. 

"P " TOWN 

Is old historic ground. Camden neighborhood was one among 
the earliest settlements. J. L, Davison located a ranch one mile west 
of the old bridge in 1862, and A. J. Wallingford opened oue at the 
bridge shortly afterwards. James Johnson settled near the bridge in 
the spring of 1863, and also old Mr. Bingaman. The great freight 
trains and thousands of movers across the plains made Camden 
bridge a noted place, as it was a favorite camping ground. Gen. 
Vifquain lived just across the county line; also Mr. Stanton and 
James West lived a couple of miles or so west of Camden. It was a 
common sight to see a hundred camps in the vicinity of the bridge. 
All classes of people were among the throngs of passengers, some 



128 HISTORY OF SEAVARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

very rich and some miserably poor. They were with all sorts of ve- 
hicles ,with gilded carriages, with finely caparisoned horses, and 
others with an ox and a cow yoked together, wdth old rickety wagons; 
sometimes from thirty to sixty great freight M'agons, with six yokes 
of steers to each, loaded with meat, flour, machinery, and merchan- 
dise ; great droves of cattle, and once we saw an immense drove of 
turkeys, several thousand, wending their way to the mountains^ 
Some of these pilgrims were of the best of people and some were of 
the worst. Many of them were refugees from Missouri, fleeing^ 
from the wrath that their crimes had engendered in the bloody 
work of that state in the early years of the war. Some of these fel- 
lows were blood-thirsty and vicious in the extreme. All classes of 
men carried weapons for defensive and offensive purposes, and occa- 
sionally fearful crimes were committed. Grain and hay were ii> 
great demand and brought extremely high prices. We have known 
corn to sell at $2.50 per bushel, and hay to bring six cents per pound. 
The traffic on the road was immense, and continued to increase iD 
volume until the U. P. railroad reached Grand Island. Then this 
business all ceased. 

H. W. Parker and Ford Roper, of Beatrice, commenced the erec- 
tion of the Camden mills and founded the village of Camden in 1866. 
For a time Camden seemed to be a very important point, and bid 
fair to be the great city of this valley, but the change in the route of 
the main line of the B. & M. railroad changed the whole face of 
matters and killed Camden as dead as a mackerel. Mr. Parker did 
much to build Camden, and his mill was of incalculable benefit to 
the early settlers. 

At the old bridge w^as the first post-office of the county established,, 
and for several years Camden was the distributing point for a vast 
area of country. James Johnson was the first postmaster. AVm. 
Buchanan was the first regular merchant of the county. Thomas 
Graham tauo-ht Camden's first school in the winter of 1866 and 1867. 

" P " precinct has much rough land, and consequently has fallen 
behind many other precincts in population. The census gives her 
536 population and ninety-three farms. The mill was sold to Lord 
Jones and moved off, and now one of the finest water-powers of our 
state lies idle, but we trust that when the track is laid from ]\Iilford 
to Crete that that splendid power may attract attention. The pre-^ 
cincthas six school-houses and one church edifice. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 129 

HISTORIC LETTER FROM THE PEN OF JAMES A. BROWN, FORMERLY 
OF SEWARD, BUT NOW OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. 

Los Angeles, Cal., Dec. 12, 1887. 
W. W. Cox: 

Dear Sir — Yours of Dec. 5th came to hand a few days ago. 
WheD I declined to write you a historical letter upon the early his- 
tory of Seward county, I then hoped that you would not further 
insist upon my writing, as at present I have but little inclination in 
that way. But as you still insist that I must do it, I will attempt to 
record some of my first experiences connected with my making a home 
in Seward county. In February, 1866, as I was on my way from 
Leavenworth, Kan., to Denver, Colo., and while waiting at Fort 
Kearney for teams enough to get together to make a train large 
enough to defend ourselves from the Indians, who were very bad at 
that time, I became acquainted with Ramsey Grant, who lived on 
the south side of the Platte, opposite Columbus, and who was after- 
wards killed by the Indians. He described to me in glowing terms 
the country, to such an extent that I promised to visit him on my 
' return from Denver, and take a look at his country. In the month 
of April, 1866, I came down and spent a few days with him, and 
spent the time in looking at the country. While there I heard that 
a settlement had been started on the Blue River to the south of them, 
and that there was considerable timber there, Avhich was a main con- 
sideration, as the soil was good everywhere in the country. I 
resolved to go and see it, and when I saw it considered it good, and 
resolved to remain and help develop it. 

I found in the north half of the county the following families, at 
the time of my visit: David Imlay, Sen., and two unmarried sons 
and a daughter, and being a bachelor, I " corralled" the daughter, and 
whether it was for my everlasting happiness or eternal misery is none 
of your business;* Wm. Imlay, W. W. Cox, R. T. Gale, E. L. 
Clark, Sen., Thomas Dunaway and Mother, Richard Sampson, Lewis 
Moffitt, J. N. Roberts, Thomas Skillman, John Durland, and F. E. 
Pitt. A number of other families came in that spring, among whom 
were the Hagamans, E. L. Ellis, John Roberts, Sen., J. C. Sampson; 
and in the fall a few more families arrived — Roger Cooper, Wra. 



* The author happens to know that Mr. Brown made no mistake in choice of a wife. 

9 



130 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

Cooper, E. B. Shafer, aud Geo, W. Rogers. There were also a few 
people at the Oak Groves, among whom were J. D. Main, Mr. John 
A. Scott, and a few others, I think, but am not positive about it, as 
I did not become acquainted over there the first year. After that 
year it would be difficult to keep track of all that came. 

In April, 1867, the river was higher than I ever saw it afterwards, 
caused by the heavy snows of the previous winter, which was the 
coldest winter that I ever saw there or anywhere else. In fact it was 
terrible, and as the people had poor houses, I was glad there were no 
more of them at the time. In 1867 there was a good crop of wheat 
and some corn and vegetables, but the grasshoppers got most of the 
corn. With the experience of the winter before, and with the time 
to prepare for it, the people were in better condition for the next 
winter, which being a mild one in comparison with the preceding 
one, but little suifering was experienced. 

In the summer of 1868 the first buildings were erected on the town 
site of Seward. I think there were five that year, and on the Fourth 
of July a few of the people congregated on the public square and 
elevated a pole that waa used as a flag staff for a number of years.- 
Yearly additions were made to the town by buildings aud people, till 
at present it has become as fine an inland town as can be found in 
Nebraska, Lincoln excepted. As I notice that you have described 
the county seat troubles I will not mention them. 

In August, 1869, Mr. S. G. Mathewas and T. L. Norval first 
made a visit to Seward. At that time "Op," now the honorable 
judge of the sixth judicial district of Nebraska, looked like a school 
boy just out of school, but since that time he has acquired enormous 
pi'oportions. The Norval Bros, were among the first attorneys who 
located in Seward, though F. M. Elsworth was there about a year 
before, but we had but little use for lawyers, as it took all we could 
make to feed ourselves, and as to clothing, we will not mention the 
*' old rags" that we covered our nakedness with, for we were truly 
what the people of Colorado called the Nebraskans when meeting 
them on the plains, " ragged Nebraskans." In fact the name was 
applicable to us for a number ol years after I went there, and I do 
not think I should feel at home in Nebraska now unless I could be 
allowed to let my rags float in the breezes as of yore. 

I omitted to chronicle the advent of H. L. Boves and family in the 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 131 

fall of 18G7, who started a saw-mill, I think iu the following sum- 
mer, which was a great convenience to the people iu getting lumber 
to make themselves and stock more comfortable. Said saw-mill after- 
wards gave place to a flouring mill, which enabled the people to feed 
themselves better. All the people owe Father Boyes a debt of grat- 
itude for first providing them with means to erect houses and then 
with bread, and may he and his estimable lady long live to sit upon 
their porch and listen to the whir of the old mill wheel, and enjoy 
the society of their hosts of friends. While the people had grass- 
hoppers to contend with, Mr. Boyes had the Blue river to watch dur- 
ing freshets. His first grist-mill was so ruined as to be comparatively 
worthless, but the old man had the " sand" in his crop, and went to 
work with energy and rebuilt the structure, which he has again 
replaced with the present splendid structure to take the place of the 
old saw-mill. In the freshets above mentioned the people were 
frequently put to straits by the bridges on the streams washing out, 
when they would often have to travel many miles to cross the river, 
or swim it. A little cotton wood skiff that I made in the spring of 
1867 aided a great many people to cross the river, which they other- 
wise could not have done. 

Although we were all poor, and at limes had hard work to make 
ourselves comfortable, yet I think we enjoyed ourselves as well as 
Claudius Jones does to-daj with his fine houses and barns and pre- 
mium Short-horns and untold treasures. This teaches us that wealth 
is not indispensable to happiness. 

In the year 1874 the whole country west of the Missouri river 
suffered severely with drouth, which nearly annihilated the corn and 
vegetable crop, but the grasshoppers came in August and took what 
the drouth had not already destroyed, and unjustly the loss of the 
whole crop was charged to them. 

Since 1876 the grasshoppers have not visited the state, and from 
that time Nebraska can date the dawning of her prosperity. With 
her fine soil, even if the climate is at times severe, it must soon rank 
as an agricultural state second to none. But as Hon. Geo. Geddes 
remarked some years ago, in a communication to the New York 
Tribune: ''Any country that will produce grass will sustain a popu- 
lation," and Nebraska has become a better grass producing country, 
especially for the tame grasses, than the most sanguine dared hope 



132 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

for fifteen years ago. With the surety of producing cheap food for 
stock, Nebraska must ever take rank among the first as a stock pro- 
ducing state, and the people of all stock countries may at least become 
independent. 

I have written more than I first intended. I mean more words^ 
but I fear that when you come to use the critic's eye of a historian 
you will find but little that you can use in your book. I hope you 
will thus treat it, for this is not intended for publication without such 
treatment, as I hardly know what to write, my not knowing what 
you have written, but if I have even furnished you with some ideas 
and expressions I shall be pleased. 

I hope some day to visit Nebraska again, as, " with all her faults, 
I love her still/' even if I do like the winters of Southern California 
better. With my best wishes for the success of your efforts, and for 
the future of that fair land and her prosperity, 

I am yours, 

James A. Brown. 

LETTER FROM E. W. OLNEY, OF " A " TOWN. 

December 18th, 1887. 
W. W. Cox: 

Dear Sir — John A. Scott located on his claim on section twenty, 
township twelve, range four east, in the spring of 1864, and John 
Owens settled on section twenty-eight in the summer of 1864. Asa 
Muun made settlement on section two in 1866 ; John Royce on sec- 
tion twenty-eight, J. D. Maine and J. D. Olney on section twenty- 
two, Warren Brown on section twentv-three. Boval Dart settled on 
section thirty-two in 1867 ; S. M. Darnall on section twentv-two, 
and John Darnall on section twelve, the same year. 

The first school was taught by Miss Sarah A. Scott, on the Jack 
Royce place, in a log school-house, in 1867. Rev. George Clapp 
preached the first sermon in the old log school-house, in the same 
year. Rev. Robert Rowbottom organized the first church (M. E.) 
in 1875. 

Until 1869 we had to goto Lincoln for our mail. At that time an 
office was established. G. B. Hardenburg was our first postmaster, 
and held his office in the old house of Milton Langdon, on section 
twenty-one. A steam saw-mill was established in 1868, by Kirkam 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 133 

and Hughes, and proved of great help to the people. Our mail was 
•carried by a buck board lirst, and later by a stage. 

Our growth and progress have been slow but sure. Our growth has 
been steady. Quite a number of the first settlers have passed off' the 
stage of action, among whom were Milton Langdou and wife, Mrs. 
Gillman Garland, David Hawkins, J. D. Maine and wife, and Simeon 
Munn. 

This region has always been known as the Oak Groves, and it is 
•quite historic ground. It is unlike any other portion of the county. 
The laud is what we term rough or broken, has many quite deep 
canons, and each of these has a beautiiul rippling brook of clear 
spring water. Excellent springs are numerous. When the settle- 
ment began in 1864, these canons were all thickly set to oak timber. 
This timber was hauled to the salt works for fuel, and to the table- 
land for iill purposes, and finally, when the capital was located at 
Liancaster (Lincoln), scores of teams were kept busy hauling wood, 
and before the cars had reached the new city, these fine groves were 
all, or nearly all destroyed. There was a vast amount of valuable 
timber all through this section of country, and it seems sad that it 
should have been so ruthlessly destroyed. Many of these hills are 
full of a very superior quality of limestone Many kilns of lime 
were burned, and the lime found a market at Lincoln, Seward, and 
throughout the farming region roundabout. While this is not 
deemed as desirable for farming purposes as the level plain to the 
•westward, yet we have very many excellent farms in the valleys, and 
for stock purposes our advantages are unsurpassed. 

We have three railroad stations within easy reach — Germantown, 
on the B. & M., Eaymond, on the U. P., and " B," on the North- 
western. 

Our soil is excellent, our water is of the very best, and abundant, 
and we generally have happy and comfortable homes. How we got 
our start of hogs was related by Mr. Cox, the author of this book. 
There was an old Missourian, we forget his name, wanted to get his 
hogs out of reach of the soldier boys in war time, so in about the 
spring of 1863, he drove forty or fifty shoats up to the Groves, 
moved his family along with them, and sojourned there while the 
war clouds hung heavily over Missouri. The hogs, like the family 
ran wild, and were rather more untractable, and when the old man 



134 HISTORY OF SEWAED COUNTY, KEBEASKA. 

found it convenient to move again the hogs were faring so well in 
the timber and tall weeds that they concluded not to move on 
uncertainties ; they would rather stay, and they did stay. So the 
early settlers found the timber full of fat hogs, and they did not 
suffer for meat ; and frequently an old sow with a fine litter of pigs 
was captured, and a start of hogs was secured. 

letter feom mes. h. w. paekee. 

Beateice, Nov. 28, 1887. 
jMr. W. W. Cox: 

Deae Sie and Feiend — Mr. Parker received your letter, and 
being very much engaged in a public way, as city councilman, etc., 
and just on the eve of his departure for California on a visit, he has- 
delegated me to answer yours. 

I am truly interested in your letters of " Then and Now," and am 
very willing to contribute my remembrances if they will add interest 
to your work, but I have forgotten exact dates and have not the 
faculty of condensing and making brief my letters, so as to be suit- 
able for publication, but I will do the best T can. 

At one time (perhaps you remember), the Camden Mills was a 
popular resort for social and Christmas parties, dances and New 
Year's gatherings, etc. One time at a large dance, when there were 
over a hundred and fifty people present, after the dance Major Strunk 
read a beautiful poem, after which he read a notice which a Methodist 
circuit preacher had handed me, giving notice that there would be 
preaching at the Mill two weeks from the following Sunday, and re- 
questing as large a turn out as was there on the present occasion. 
The result was we had a large congregation, but it was hard to get a 
second audience, for in those days they came from ten miles distant 
and seemed to be attracted by amusement and recreation, rather than 
stale would-be 'preaching ; but we were all interested in having good 
singing and enjoyed that part immensely. In those days there were 
no paid chorister or select singers, but all the audience joined whether 
they could sing or not. Ha ! Ha! 

The raising the mill, the washout, the high water, the losing of all 
our lumber, so that we had to live in a dugout two years more, 
made a deep and feeling impression on my mind. Proj)ping up the 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 135 

roof of our dugout with six or eight posts inside, to keep the roof 
from falling in, and burying us up with the wagon loads of sod and 
soil that formed the roof. 

FI.EAS. 

For six months I know I suffered torture enough to atone for the 
sins of a life-time. Did I believe in eternal punishment I should 
sav fleas had filled the bill. 

The venison, elk, and antelope meat were pleasant attractions 
with our Indian friends, who camped one winter for about' three 
mouths near Camden. The squaws used to come over and cut wood 
for us. At one time I had two chopping wood at the door, and I 
had the papooses strapped on their boards and kept inside for me to 
watch. When they cried, the squaws would motion me to tilt the 
board, and the little fellows would go to sleep. 

There were many little incidents of interest, but 'twas so long ago 
that I cannot remember them well enough to fix them up in shape to 
put them into print. I forget their proper connections. 

It was not me that Lawyer P. pulled the bed clothes from, but my 
hired girl, Miss Anna Bingaman, now Mrs. Dan Harris. I had not 
yet retired, but I was terribly frightened that night, and I have had 
a dislike for some of those folks ever since. 

Fordyce Roper and my husband (Hiram W. Parker) built the first 
saw and grist-mill in the county, in 1865 and 1866, at a cost of $15,- 
000. High water delayed the completion of the grist-mill by wash- 
ing out the dam and cutting out a perfect race around the mill, sub- 
merging their lumber yard, carrying down the river $2,000 worth of 
lumber. But with indomitable energy and will to overcome obsta- 
cles, such as losses and high prices of machinery, etc., the mill was 
finally completed and in successful operation, turning out good flour, 
which caused general rejoicing of all the settlers for many miles 
around, who had been compelled to go Irom fifty to sixty miles to 
mill. We had to board mill-wright, carpenters, and other hands 
more than a full year, instead of two or three months as we had ex- 
pected, produce being extremely high. For potatoes we had to pay 
$3 per bushel, 40 cents for butter, and I remember we paid Uncle 
Billy Stanton 27 cents per pound for bacon ; coffee, sugar, flour, and 
all other provisions in proportion. We paid the commonest carpen- 
ter $2 per day and board, and the mill-wright much more, and this 



136 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

was what swelled the expense of the mill. We paid S3 per day for 
our sawyer, $3 per week for kitchen girl, and we had no spacious 
mansion, our home being a dug-out. I do not remember the date 
they got to making flour. I know they had just succeeded in getting 
the three-story frame up the day before the ice went out of the river, 
which was in March, 1866. I know they felt safe, as the river was 
clear of ice, but the water kept rising for three days, which we could 
not account for, but when weeks had elapsed news reached Camden 
that there had been continuous rains on the heads of the river. This 
was explained too late for us to remedy the destruction of the prop- 
erty by the flood. 

FROM THE PEN OF I. M. K. JOHNSON. 

Thomas West and family, consisting of his wife, Catharine, and 
sous, Cornelius, Thomas, John, Charles, and James, and daughter, 
Isabella, settled at West Mills on the West Blue, in the spring of 
1860. They had many hardships to endure in 1861 ; their log cabin, 
together with about all their worldly goods except a few cattle, were 
burned by the Indians, supposed to be Omahas disguised as Sioux. 
This was in the fall, and the family suffered great hardships during 
the following winter. The Indians were very troublesome, and stole 
much of Uncle Tommy's crops of that year. With the exception of 
the families of Orin Johnson and James West, who lived near, there 
was no settlement nearer than Victor Vifcjuain, near the forks of the 
Blue, and the Morgans on the North Blue, from eight to ten miles 
distant. 

Their place of trade was Nebraska City, eighty-two miles distant. 
Uncle Tommy started a supply store (this was in 1862, according to the 
best information attainable), and once a month sent a team for sup- 
plies of such goods as were in demand by frontiersmen. An invoice 
of a load of goods would read about as follows: Powder, two kegs; 
lead, from one to two hundred lbs. ; percussion caps, from one to two 
hundred boxes; one bbl. whiskey, flour, bacon, one hundred lbs. to- 
bacco, fifty or a hundred traps, and some miscellaneous articles. 
When roads were good a trip could be made in five days. Although 
the Indians committed many atrocities on the Platte and the Little 
Blue, and were very threatening, Uncle Tommy's family never de- 
serted their home nor abandoned it during the darkest hours, but in 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 137 

times of great danger guarded their stock and goods as best they 
could, and at last got on such good terms that they were able to do 
3. thriving trade with the Indians. They buried their sou John in 
1862. This was a sad affliction. This was probably the first white 
person buried in the county. John was buried iu what is now West 
Mills cemetery, 

Mr. West -built a saw-mill, and j)ut in a small burr and ground 
corn as early as the summer of 1864. 

He is remembered by all the old settlers as a genial, kiud-heaited 
man. The latch string of his cabin door was always out, and no one 
in want ever called on him in vain. By his energy a post-office was 
established in 1865 at the mill and store. He was elected county 
■clerk at the first organization in 1865. He died in 1879, and was 
buried beside his son, being followed to the grave by all his old neigh- 
bors as mourners of one they had known to love and respect. His 
widow followed him to the tomb iu the winter of 1885. These dear 
old people have gone to the better world, leaving very many sad 
hearts at their departure. Uncle Tommy acted well his part in the 
development of this new laud, and for the many acts of kindness 
shown he will ever be remembered by all the earlier settlers. 

(The author of this little book has a very warm place in his heart 
for the memory of the kind old people.) 

UncleTommy and family came from Maryland to Missouri, thence 
to Nebraska. They started for California to seek gold, but became 
disgusted with the company that they started with, and left it, and 
made their home in this wilderness. His sou Charles lives now on 
the old farm, and James and Thomas live within a mile. Isabella, 
now Mrs. Orin Johnson, still lives on a homestead which her husband 
settled upon in 1861. Her husband went to Oregon many years ago, 
and has not been heard from since he left, and it is supposed that he 
is dead. Cornelius lives in Missouri. Orin Johnson's family lost 
several children iu an early day — 1867 — with the measles. Only 
two of the children yet live, and they, Fanny and Ida, are living 
with their mother. There was no doctor nearer than Salt Basin. A 
messenger was sent, and made the round trip, fifty-six miles, in eight 
hours, bringing back a Frenchman who claimed to be a doctor, and 
the people expected that he knew his business. He proved to be a 
fraud in all but his charges. All the children whom he doctored 
died. 



138 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

In the years 1864 and 1865 settlers began to locate all along the 
"West Blue valley. At that time the idea prevailed that the uplands 
were worthless for cultivation. It was thought that the sliowers only 
followed the valleys of the streams, and that the high prairies could 
not be made to produce grain. The early settlers on Salt creek used 
to say that it never rained twenty miles west of Salt creek. 

William J. Clark moved to his homestead just below West's mill in 
1862. Mr. Clark came from New York state to Illinois, when Chi- 
cago was about the size of Seward. He run a fishing boat on the 
lake until he moved to Seward county. He had buried his wife at 
Chicago, and was accompanied to this county by his three daughters. 
Mr. Clark proved to be a thrifty and successful farmer. He raised 
a large amount of vegetables and supplied the travel on tlie great 
road. He was a model frontiersman. He had had the misfortune 
to have his right hand crippled, yet he could do and did about as 
much work as other men. Mr. Clark died in 1886, leaving quite a 
handsome property and some money in the bank for his daughters. 
He was highly respected by all his neighbors, and mourned by a host 
of friends. 

Samuel Englehouft and wife (Amanda) and their five children, 
Ellen, Mary Anne, George, Daniel, and Albert, moved to this 
county in the spring of 1865. Alice, their younger daughter, was 
born here in 1865. Albert died in October, 1882. When they arrived 
in Seward county they had only a team and wagon, a few sacks of 
corn meal, and not a dollar in money. He bravely went to work 
and raised a patch of sod corn, and worked in Mr. West's mill, 
and in a few vears became well to do. He was very fond of hunt- 
ing; was an excellent neighbor and well respected. He died 
September 16, 1885, and was buried in the cemetery bearing his 
own name, leaving his aged widow, who, with her son George, still 
lives on the old homestead. The other children are all married and 
doing well. The family originally came from Pennsylvania to 
Manona, Illinois; from there to Vinton, Iowa, thence to Nebraska. 
It is said to the credit of the family that no one was ever permitted 
to leave their house hungry. 

Jesse R. Johnson and wife, Rachel, with family, William P. and 
Clara B., came to their present home, two and a half miles above 
West's mills, in 1864. Mr. Johnson came from Cincinnati in an 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 139 

early day to Illinois. At tiie time they settled in Seward county, 
provisions were scarce and high in price, and times were very hard, 
but by great energy the family lived it through until brighter days 
dawned, and now they are the happy possessors of a goodly heritage, 
having a fine farm and a magnificent orchard that has been bearing 
fruit for many years. He was the first (we believe) to plant an or- 
chard in the county. Fruit w^as a hobby with him, and he always 
insisted that this would prove to be a splendid fruit county. Others 
watched his success, and now this county compares very favorably 
with any portion of Nebraska or the West. Mr. J. served several 
terms as justice of the peace, and was the first elected in the south 
part of the county. He was a good hunter and trapper and bis 
table never was without meat. The furs and pelts secured were a 
source of ])rofit. Through his energy school district No. 3 was 
formed, and a log school-house, which still stands as a landmark, 
was built mostly by himself. This old school-house stands on the 
farm of David Barton. His daug-hter Clara is now Mrs. A. C. 
Smith, and lives in the same neighborliood. 

James \yest, brother of Thomas West, and his wife, Margaret, set- 
tled on a nice farm in the vicinity of his brother's farm in the spring 
of 1860. They then had two daughters, Eliza and Kate. Alexan- 
der, their oldest son, was born November 7, 1860, and was the first 
white child born in the county. Alexander continued his res- 
idence in the county until the fall of 1887, or about twenty- 
seven years. The father and all the family, consisting at present of 
eight children, moved to Kansas, whither they were followed by the 
kindly wishes of all the neighbors. Mr. West was a very generous 
man, and any weary stranger found a hearty welcome under his roof. 
The family had their full share of privations and hardships of a 
frontier life. 

David Barton moved to the neighborhood in the spring of 1864; 
was, and still is, a bachelor, but built a log house on his homestead; 
came with but a pittance, and has been remarkably successful; is now 
the owner of a large estate, and is at this time the heaviest taxpayer 
of "N" precinct. Mr. Barton came from England, in 1858, almost 
a penniless lad, and by his industry and careful management he has 
acquired a handsome fortune, although a generous man. Young men 
may take pattern of him. Mr. B. has no relative in this county. 



140 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

Israel M. K. JohnsoD, son of" Jesse R, Johnson, followed his pa- 
rents to the new liome in July, 1865, and took a homestead. He had 
just returned from the army, where he had served three years; first 
in Company K, 138th Ills. Vol., and afterwards in Company E, 34th 
Ills. Israel was fond of hunting and trapping, and in company with 
the West boys he frequently made long trips to the Little Blue, in 
Kansas, and to the Platte, and once as far as the Dismal river, where 
he had a close call for his scalp. As he had been through the war, 
he had become somewhat reckless. He often guided trains to Denver, 
was a success as a buffalo hunter, and never returned from the chase 
«mpty-handed. At this time they were plentiful some distance west- 
ward, but only occasionally one would appear within fifteen or twenty 
miles. Thomas West, Jr., killed the last one ever killed in Seward 
•county, in 1866, Elk, deer, antelope, and wild turkeys were plenti- 
ful, and were frequently killed. " Id," as they called him, was a great 
hunter; his rifle or revolver was never out of reach. He thought 
that a man that could not take horse, gun, and blanket, and rough it 
for three or four weeks at a time, had no business so far west as Sew- 
ard county. At one time he and Mr. McFaddeu had their wagon 
wheel and harness burned by prairie fire while a hundred miles from 
home on a hunt, south of Kearney, and they came home with a raw- 
hide harness and a pole under the wagon axle. It was a hard- looking 
outfit, but they were glad to reach home even in this sorry plight, as 
it was at the time of the Indian massacre on the Platte. They had a 
hard fight with the Sioux, and if it had not been for timely assistance 
from Buffalo Bill (Hon. Wm. Cody) and his Pawnees, the Indians 
would have taken their scalps. They helped to bury two men, a 
woman, and a child that the Indians had murdered, just below Mar- 
tin's ranch, on the Platte. Travel on the great roads was about sus- 
pended, on account of the Imliau troubles. 

E-ev. L. Oliver, a Methodist minister, settled near West's mill in 
1869. He had a large family. His wife died in 1871, and he in 1874. 
He was one of the pioneer ministers of the south part of the county. 
Mr. Oliver was a good man, and did much in moulding the moral 
and religious sentiment of the community. We are sorry that we can 
give so little of his history. 

Abner M. Richardson came from Iowa in June, 1869, and made 
his home in the south part of the county. His wife (Maria) died 



HISTORY OF SEWAED COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 141 

Sept. 19, 1885. They had lost their son Benjamin with small-pox in 
February, 1879. Mr. Richardson still lives on the old homestead 
with his children, John, Emeline, and Emarette. He is now eighty- 
three years old and very feeble. He has been a very industrious man. 
In his old age he suffers from rheumatism. 

From 1867 to 1869 great numbers of homesteads were taken along 
the Blue. Alonzo Clark, with a large family, settled near Jesse R. 
Johnson; also, a man by the name of Euland; and later, George 
Campbell and his brother Jacob, and Andrew Davenport, from Iowa. 
George Campbell was a blacksmith, and was of great help to the set- 
tlement, as before this we all had to go to Camden or to Louis Mor- 
gan's, on the North Blue, ten miles away. We usually went to 
Morgan's, as we could get the work the same day, and at Camden 
there were so many mules to shoe, and so many wagons to mend for 
travelers on the road, that we were compelled to remain over night or 
make the second 'trip. Mr. Campbell was just the man we wanted. 
From that time our community has prospered. We boast of no large 
towus or cities, but we have as beautiful homes as any part of the 
state, and enjoy many luxuries. We had in early days to struggle 
for food and clothing, and were often severely pinched, and had it not 
been for Uncle Tommy West many of us would have been compelled 
to leave our homes. David Barton, W. J. Clark, Samuel Englehaupt,. 
and my father did all that was possible to assist the people, and 
whether the settler had money or not, they were supplied so long as 
the supply lasted. Frequently corn meal was the principal diet. 

Nearly all our first settlers were poor, and consequently times be- 
came very hard with them. AVe have known families to live a whole 
winter on corn meal and what rabbits they could kill with clubs. 
Salt was scarce, and we had to make pilgrimages to the salt basins for 
our supplies. On one of these trips we first became acquainted with 
Mr. Cox, the author of this history, but in what year we have for- 
gotten. We do not know if he recollects or not. Our first doctor, in 
any reasonable distauce, was Dr. Band, of INIilford. The Otoes and 
Omahas frequently brought their whole village of tents and would 
camp for weeks at a time near the mill, and run all the game out of 
the county, so that we would not be able to kill any for our use. We 
then, as now, thought the only ''good Indian was a dead one." But 
for all that, we believe they were no worse thieves than the same 
number of whites under no more restraints. 



142 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

What a change twenty-three years has brought! New-comers to 
Seward county can liardly realize the wonderful chaug-es that have 
occurred in these years. 

Hampton, Neb., Nov. 27, 1887. 
W. W. Cox, Esq., Seward, Neb. : 

Dear Friend — Your kind letter asking me to write a history of 
*'B " precinct, in Seward county. Neb., w^as received several days ago. 
First. I did not move into that precinct until April, 1869, and there 
was considerable settlement there before that time. Second. I have 
forgotten the dates of a great many interesting events of early times. 
Yet, being always ready to assist a friend in any laudable enterprise, 
I will try to give you a few points and incidents which may assist 
you in your undertaking. 

The precinct, as first organized, comprised township 12 in ranges 
1 and 2, and the west half of range 3 east of the tith principal merid- 
ian, being six miles wide by fifteen long, and was known as ''Lincoln 
creek, or Plum creek, precinct." The first settlement was made along 
the Blue river, about 1864 or 1865, John and Thomas Shields, Kobert 
McCrosson, and George Read being among, if not the first settlers. 
A few settlers also went up Lincoln creek, among the first of whom 
were Charles Shaifer, the Horn burgs, Jackmans, Ragans, Reynolds, 
and Hartmans. In 1870 I assessed this whole territory (6x15 miles) 
in about five days, and by going up Lincoln creek on one side and 
down the other, got all the inhabitants west of the Blue river. In 
1868 the Hickmans (J. D., William, Joseph, J. W., and H. W.), T. J. 
Poore, John and Thomas Quillen, John and Peter Varuer, and William 
Moore settled on the "divide" between the Blue and Plum creek, iu 
what is now B precinct proper, and in 1869 F. M. Timblin, H. G. 
Dawley, Elias McClure, Amos Colman, William and Jesse Knight, 
E. H. Noxon, J. T. Davis, and James Read completed the settlement 
of government land on this divide (Shoestring prairie), while the 
Bates brothers, Amos Donaldson, Mike Duuigan, Esquire Batchelder, 
S. D. Love, Sabin Stanwood, and others settled the divide between 
Plum creek and Oak Grove. 

The first school-house built in the precinct was a small sod house 
in the north-east corner of section 32, in the fall of 18tj9, and was 
built by the settlers, who, having no money, each did his share of 
breaking, hauling, aud laying the sod, while some furnished poles 



HISTORY OF SE'W'ARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 143 

and brush for the roof, others a door or window frame, or door or 
window, and each furnished seats and desks for the scholars he had 
to send to school. The house was built and seated in this wa}-^, but 
as yet there was no way provided to warm it. A stove must be had, 
but how? It was decided that those having timber should cut a load 
of cordwood, and those who had no timber of their own should so 
out onto section "37" and cut a load, and thev would take it to Lin- 
coin, sell it, and buy a stove. This plan was carried out, and in the 
latter ])art of November nine wagons loaded with cordwood wended 
their way to Lincoln through about eight inches of snow, and re- 
turned with a second-hand wood stove, and the first school-house in 
the precinct was ready for occupancy. 

The first term of school was taught by F. M. Timbliu, and was 
paid for by subscription. The house was small, poorly furnished 
and lighted, but I doubt very much if the people ever enjoyed 
themselves any better, spent their evenings more profitably, or formed ■ 
ties of friendship which will be more true or lasting than when they 
met in the little old sod school-house. 

The election which decided the county seat contest was held for 
this precinct in a house on the hill just east of the Blue river. The 
river happened to be very high at that time, and the only bridges 
were one at Seward and one at Ulysses. In order, therefore, to get 
the voters out, it was necessary to have a crossing near the place of 
voting. For this purpose ropes were procured and logs floated to a 
narrow place in the river, and a "drift" or "gorge" formed on each 
side of the stream, and connected by boards or poles laid from one to 
the other; and men stayed there all day to help the timid across, 
while wagons ran regularly between this "crossing" and the place of 
voting, thus taking voters to the polls and returning them to their 
own conveyances on the other side of the river. Elections in those 
days were fully as interesting and exciting as at present. At the 
election to vote bonds in aid of the Midland Pacific railroad every 
vote in B precinct Avas polled except five, and these five men were not 
in the precinct on that day. Men drove over the precinct with two 
or three men in a wagon, and when they found a man who was in 
favor of the bonds (and they all were, but had not time to go to elec- 
tion), some one of the party stayed and worked in his place while the 
balance took him to the polls, let him vote, and returned with him. 



144 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

Tliey called this ''working for the railroad," but they never got any- 
pay for it, except the benefits derived from the building of the road. 
The foregoing may assist you some in your work, and I might have 
added that it was in the sod school-house that the Hon. T. Y. Darnell 
made his maiden speech. If there is anything further, please let me 
know, and I will do what I can to accommodate you. 

Yours respectfully, 

F. M. TiMBLIN. 



HISTORIC LETTER FROM THE PEN OF MRS. SARAH F. ANDERSON. 

At the time of the great Indian scare of 1864, ray father's family was 
one of the families which the Nebraska City people heard were killed. 
It had been rumored throughout the little settlement that there were 
bands of hostile Indians approaching, that they were committing 
great depredations wherever they went. 

On Sunday morning my uncle and Thomas Shields started down 
the river on a scouting expedition. After an all-day search, just at 
night-fall they came suddenly upon an Indian camp. The men 
thought their time had come, but the red-skins were equally scared. 
There was no chance to back out, and they resolved to know whether 
the Indians were friendly or hostile. As they bravely approached 
the cam]), the Indians began to halloo, " Heap good Omaha." The 
men then concluded to camp over night with them, and they partook 
of a square Indian supper. The next morning they went home sat- 
isfied that there were no hostiles in the country. 

A day or two after this my father (Mr. Wm. Imlay) and his 
brothers were on upper Plum creek, haying, when Grandfather Imlay 
became frightened and hastened over to our house and said the Indi- 
ans were coming upon the settlement. He then hastened home to 
protect his family. About 3 p.m. we saw a drove of them approach- 
ing. They were about where the B. & M. depot now stands. We 
were living about eighty rods above the present iron bridge. My 
mother, thinking to escape them, locked the cabin door, and took all 
the children across the creek to the spring where she kept her milk. 
To kill time she commenced churning. Very soon four Indians 
(great, big, ugly creatui'es) came riding up to the spring, and told 
mother that she was wanted over at the house. She said, "No, I 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 145 

can't go. I am at work;" but they iusisted in such a menacing man- 
ner that she felt obliged to yield and go. They said "Come, come," 
in a most determined manner. The children all clinging to her, she 
started, and those great, sneaking braves guarded her by one riding 
on each side, one before, and one behind. Poor mother and we four 
children had a slim show to escape. They watched our every move- 
ment, step by step. When we reached the cabin, there sat sixteen 
burly Indians in a circle around the door. When we came up, they 
all arose and saluted mother, then sat down again. They had a 
young Indian interpreter. As they thought they had the family all 
thoroughly frightened, the young Indian began in good shape to tell 
just what they wanted. They would like to have two cows, two sacks 
of flour, and some meat. Mother saw that she must guard the pro- 
visions with desperation, as they had cost such great effort, having 
hauled our provisions fi'om the Missouri river. The Indians said 
" the Sioux are coming and will take all anyway, and we want some." 
"No," said mother, "we will take our cattle and provisions and goto 
Plattsniouth." "But," said the Indian, "they will be here to-night 
and you can't get away." Mother at this point began to get as much 
angry as frightened. "I will not give you anything. You are lying 
to me. If the Sioux were so close, you would all be running your- 
selves." At this point another brave, who had been pacing the yard, 
seeing mother grow so warm, picked up our axe and marched straight 
up to her, and threw it down at her feet. She picked it up and stood 
it beside her. Mother said afterward that her every hair stood on 
end, but knowing that Indians respect bravery, she resolved to show 
no cowardice. We could all see that the whole river bend was 
swarming with Indians. Mother said, with emphasis, "I now want 
you to take your Indians and begone at once." Then they said,. 
"You are a brave squaw," and the old chief motioned to his braves 
and they all marched oif to camp. The next day our family all went 
over to Plum creek and remained until things became settled. 

The following winter father was at Omaha attending the legisla- 
ture; and I am sure that over a thousand Indians passed our place 
during the winter. It required pluck to withstand the thievish beg- 
gars. Sometimes they would sneak up and j)eep in at the window. 
Then others would beg for hours to get into the house. 

A great amount of snow had fallen, and shortly after father's re- 
10 



146 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

turn home a heavy winter rain inundated all the bottom lands. We 
all came pretty near being drowned, but succeeded in crawling out of 
the cabin at the rear window, at midnight, and our only refuge was 
a haystack, where we remained several days entirely surrounded by 
water, with no possible means of escape. Mr. Cox made several at- 
tempts to rescue us. First he tried to cross the river in a molasses 
pan, and narrowly escaped being drowned, as the wind was high and 
the stream was filled with floating ice. The next day he made a raft 
and tried to cross, but the current was so rapid that he could not 
manage it. It drifted against a tree where the water was ten feet 
deep, and the jar threw him off his balance, and the upper edge of 
the raft sank so that the rapid current caught it and turned the raft 
on its edge up against the tree. Mr. Cox caught hold of a limb of 
the tree and saved himself from drowning. A desperate struggle en- 
sued, but he finally kicked and stamped until he got the raft on top 
of the water again, but it was wrong side up. AVe all then gave up 
hopes of getting help till the water subsided. The fourth day tall 
trees were chopped by father on one side and Mr. Cox on the other, 
and their branches interlocked, and we made our escape to his 
friendly cabin, where we found a kindly greeting, rest, food, and fire. 



The author of the above sketch was born in Wabash count}', Indi- 
ana, August 20, 1854. In 1856 her father moved to Harrison 
county, Iowa, and in 1858 to Cass county, Neb., and in the spring 
of 1863 to Salt Basin, and to his present home in April, 1864; and 
there on the frontier Miss Sarah grew to womanhood. She taught 
two terms of school in 1872, in her home district. At nineteen was 
married to Allen S. Anderson, one of the soldier boys that made 
Seward county his home after the war. Mr. Anderson enlisted in 
company D, 205th Penn. volunteers, and served during the war. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have been born four children, all girls, viz.: 
Jessie, Nellie, Adie M., and a young babe, Mary J. The family now 
have a beautiful home, ouly about a mile from tlie scenes of her 
childhood which she has so ably depicted. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUXTY, NEBRASKA. 147 



CHAPTER YIL 



SEWARD CITY — EAKLY HISTORY — FIRST BUILDINGS — FIRST STORE — THE GROWTH 
THE FIRST SUMMER — CONDITION OF THE SURROUNDING COUNTRY — THE PUB- 
LIC WELL AND WINDMILL — SAW-MILL — SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. NINE ORGAN- 
IZED— GRIST-3IILL BUILT — PEDDLER'S DILEMBIA — LOTS GIVEN AWAY — NEWS- 
PAPER ESTABLISHED — CHURCHES BUILT— CLOYD'S ADDITION — HARRIS, THE 
BENEFACTOR — THE B. & M. IGNORES SEWARD AND THE COUNTY, BUT LEAVES 
US HARRIS — MIDLAND PACIFIC R. R. — THE BOTTOM OF THE MILL FELL OUT — 
THE GROWTH OF 1873— SOUTH SEWARD AND ITS EFFORT TO SUPPLANT THE 
ORIGINAL TOWN — INCORPORATION AS A VILLAGE — INCORPORATION AS A 
CITY — LIST OF TOWN AND CITY OFFICIALS — FINANCIAL STANDING OF THE 
CITY — POST-OFFICE AND MAIL ROUTES — FIRST SABBATH-SCHOOL — TEMPER- 
ANCE WORK — POSSIBILITIES AS A MANUFACTURING CITY — SCHOOLS — SEW- 
ARD AS WE SEE IT JANUARY 1, 1888. 



SEWARD, 

The county seat aud principal city of Seward county, was founded 
by Lewis Moffitt, and surveyed as a town site in the spring of 1868, 
by Hon. Thomas Graham. At this time one hewed log cabin graced 
this beautiful plateau, which was the home of its founder, Mr. Mof- 
fitt. Lots were freely oiiered to those who desired to make improve- 
ments. John Roberts, Sr., built the first building for the new town. 
We well remember passing over the "site" one morning in June and 
seeing the pile of lumber lying just where Joel Tishue's store now 
stands, aud how our heart swelled with emotion as we witnessed 
the signs of the coming birth of a new^ city; and well do we remem- 
ber standing in our cabin door and watching frame after frame arise, 
as they appeared week after week, and rejoicing to see what we long 
had waited for ; and how exhilarating it seemed as we would leave 
the field for dinner, and on approaching the house and casting our 
eyes toward the embryo city, we would exclaim, "Mother, just see, 
there is another house going up in town." We remember that David 
Figard helped do the carpenter work on that little store. Beaty & 
Davis (J. N. Beaty aud W. R. Davis) were the pioneer merchauts. 
They sold groceries and dry goods, aud were right clever fellows, too; 



148 HISTORY OF SEWAED COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

they used to credit us, and then take their pay in butter, eggs, cotton- 
wood lumber, fire wood, and promises, and the promises were the 
most plenty of any article produced in those days. I shouldn't won- 
der if they have some of those same promises yet. 

J. N. Beaty built the first residence, and if you desire to see it 
just call at our house some day at dinner time and you will see the 
same old residence (our dining room). W. R. Davis erected the 
second where his house now stands, but in the march of progress it 
has given way for a better one. (Orlando Pierce claims his to be the 
third house.) Then Dr. Walker and W. H, Tuttle each commenced 
building about the same time. The Doctor's old house now stands 
on 4th street, just east of the opera house, and Mr. Tuttle's house 
was the beginning of what is now the Commercial House, but it was 
named the Blue Valley House. A public well was dug by E. L. 
Ellis and paid for by subscription. This old well stood in the cen- 
ter of the square. Some subscribed work, turning windlass, others 
Cottonwood lumber for curbing. The well was a prime necessity to 
all the people, but the residents of the town were not able to pay all 
the cost of the well, and the farmers were invited to chip in, which 
they did freely. At first a bucket and windlass were used, but A. L. 
Strang, now of Omaha, had settled on section 9, just north of town, 
and he had secured an agency for the famous Halliday windmill, 
and he began to talk windmill for the public well. Mr. Strang had 
already put up one on his farm, which the people were invited to go 
and examine, and it being tlie first windmill whose sails were un- 
furled in all this great region, people were not slow to go and exam- 
ine its work. The windmill was bargained for, by Mr. Strang being 
the principal subscriber to the fund. It proved to be "a thing of 
beauty and a joy for years." 

Will the reader just imagine how things looked around here, with 
only eight or nine small buildings on the town site, and all the great 
prairie to the north and west yet almost an unbroken wilderness, with 
only one low water bridge on Blue river within ten miles (the one 
where the iron bridge now spans the river) ; not a grove of planted 
timber or a shrub, except along the water-courses ; not a single legal 
road yet leading to tlie town ; with but about five hundred inhabit- 
ants in the county, and nearly all of them in the southern half; no 
church spire yet pointing toward heaven ; only a log school-house. 



HISTORY OF SEAVARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 149 

with turf-covered roof — and this was the situation when we went into 
winter quarters in December, 1868. 

The spring of 1869 brought recruits. School district No. 9 was 
organized, and L. G. Johns built a little shanty where Butler block 
now stands, and the district rented it, and Mr. Johns opened a school 
in it. Mr. Manley built three small houses, one for a drug store, 
one for a hardware store, and one to live in. He painted them red, 
and that svas the first attempt at ''painting the town red." About 
this time H. L. Boyes & Son got their little mill to grinding grain, 
after a long and tedious struggle. Their saw-mill had been running 
the previous season, and had been of great value to the settlement. 
The grist-mill was a God-send to the village and country, as previous 
to this we had depended largely on the Camden mill, although it was 
five miles further from us than Milford mill. Our reasons were that 
the Camden folks were our iast friends, and Milford folks were our 
rivals, and our prejudice could easily carry us five miles through a 
blizzard. 

We must give an incident of one of our trips to mill. In the sum- 
mer of 1868 we were on the way to Camden with a load of wheat, 
and when nearing Clark's branch, two miles below Seward, a peddler 
<;ame rushing past in a tremendous hurry, fearing, we suppose, that 
we would get stuck in the mud at the ford, and that he would be 
hindered. There was a short turn in the road just where it went 
down the bank, and his ponies gave a sudden spring, and over went 
the wagon, and Mr. Peddler went sprawling into the soft mud ; his 
wagon-box burst, and his fine jewelry, dry goods, laces, etc., were in 
like fix with himself, hopelessly imbedded in the mud. We rushed 
to his assistance, secured the team, and helped to pick his jewelry, 
combs, brushes, silks, and linen out of the horrible pit and spread 
them on the grass, and lamented with him the sad loss, when he finally 
gave way to grief in the following strain : " Mine Gott ! Vat shall I 
do? Vat shall I do? I is in debt for dese goots. Mine Gott! 
Mine Gott! I goes and gets a rope and hangs mineself. Mine Gott! 
Mine Gott! " He refused to be comforted, and when we finally left 
him he was still giving vent to his feelings in loud lamentations. We 
would like to know whether he found a rope while he was yet in the 
notion of hang-ing; himself. 

When the town was first platted it comprised eighty acres, the 



150 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

north half of the south-west quarter of section 21, town 11, range 3 
east, and was made into thirty-two blocks, including the public 
square, Avhich was dedicated to public uses. Great numbers of the 
more valuable lots were given away in order to get improvements 
started. John Roberts received several valuable lots. J. N. Beaty 
received block 22 entire, for his residence; W. R. Davis, E. |- 
block 23, and the firm also received other valuable lots ior business 
purposes; Tuttle received the quarter block now occu])ied by the 
Commercial House, and many others received lots, and perhaps it is 
not out of place to mention that W. W. Cox was presented with the 
lot upon which stands the Butler block, for services rendered in getting 
Seward started. We wish we had kept that present. Liberality and 
energy were manifested on every hand, and were more than anything^ 
else the cause of the success of the infant city. 

The year 1869 gave us quite a number of new citizens and business 
enterprises. Fred Lankins opened a new general store. Mr. Hum- 
phrey put in a stock of drugs, and Mauley a small stock of hardware. 
Charles Beaty was born in the spring of 1870, and received the gift of 
a lot, as an inducement to others to be born. Joel Tishue opened his 
store on the east side of the square. Ewing built a hotel (St. Nicholas) 
one block south of the square. Beaty and Davis built a new store 
building (now the harness-shop of Mr. Landes). Several new resi- 
dences were also built, and the i'rame school-house. This vear brouy^ht 
the Nebraska Atlas, and the Presbyterian church was built. During 
this summer Wm. C. Cloyd bought of Lewis Moliit the south half of 
the south half of the north-west quarter of section 21 (40 acres), and 
laid out Cloyd's Addition. Cloyd platted a great number of business 
lots on Jackson avenue, surrounded block 35 with business lots facing 
it, and made a struggle to change the business center to that point, 
which created strife and contention during that fall and following 
winter. It was Mr. Cloyd's intention to secure the location of the 
court-house on block 35, should we ever get the county seat. Mr. 
C. made a public sale in the fall of 1870, and a large number of lots 
were sold, at prices ranging from $15 to $30. 

In the early spring of 1871 James H. Harris, "our one-eyed bene- 
factor," put in his appearance and played a well-devised scheme on the 
proprietors and citizens. We very much dislike to be obliged in this 
work to be compelled to say anything that would in the least reflect 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 161 

upon the life and character of the dead, and in this case we will say 
just as little as is possible for a historian to say and do justice to the 
subject. Mr. Harris was a brother of the land commissioner of the 
B. t^ M. R. R., and about this time our people were much scared on 
account of a project being sprung to make a railroad town just at the 
center of the county. With much show of plausibility, Mr. Harris 
represented himself to be a man of ample means, and that he was in 
position to make Seward or kill it; that he could bring the B. & M. 
company to Seward or keep it away; and he worked upon the almost 
panic-stricken people until they were ready and anxious to do any- 
thing to gain his influence and co-operation. The result of the final 
negotiations was that Mr. Moffit deeded Mr. Harris an undivided 
one-half of the S. E, quarter of section 20, and also the undivided 
half of the forty acres north of Cloyd's addition, the only considera- 
tion being his influence and an agreement that he should make all 
public bequests necessary in all public enterprises, and be at all the 
expense of surveying the same into lots, but we understand that Mrs. 
Moffit did exact, and obtained, a silk dress pattern. But all this 
magnificent gift was not enough ; Mr. Roberts must be wrung into the 
scheme, but he came out pretty well. Mr. H. must have the south 
eighty of Mr. Roberts' homestead, or half interest in it. A compro- 
mise was effected by which the south half of the N. E. quarter of sec- 
tion 20 should in like manner be deeded to him and become a part of 
the new addition; but Mr. Roberts hardly ever drives a bad bargain, 
and he will only do it provided Mr. Harris will secure a deed in fee 
simple of eighty acres where Mr. Roberts liv&s, Mr. R. to pay only 
S300 for it. Well, this is all fixed up, but o.ur "benefactor" is not 
yet satisfied; he wants Mr. Cloyd's interest at other people's expense, 
and it would take something over $600, and this he did not have, or 
if he had, he did not propose to use his own money while other peo- 
ple were so ready to do him any kindness. This money must be 
raised by popular subscription, but the people did not have money. 
Well, a good note would be taken. So a note of six hundred dol.'ars 
was made and was presented to the business men, while the terrible 
B. & M. club was held over their heads, and about twenty block- 
heads, ourself included, signed it. The miserable sell was soon dis- 
covered, and there was some very unpretty words used and a great 
amount of self-abuse indulged in, but the note was in a Lincoln bank 



152 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

and must be paid, or a racket would ensue. When the note became 
due there was some stubbornness manifest, and a suit Avas commenced. 
A large number of the signers were not to be found, and others were 
financially played out; still there were enough yet to fight, but after 
com])aring notes with one another, ten of us offered to pay $30 each, 
or 1300 in full satisfaction, and accept as our pay the experience. 

Well, the large new addition known as Harris, Moffit & Roberts' 
addition was laid out, which comprises two hundred and eighty acres 
of land. A great number of our present residents know how valua- 
ble that influence has been. 

But one good result followed: confidence was restored for a little 
while, and we all were resting under the impression that we had done 
something very smart, when all of a sudden we woke up to find that 
Mr. H. had about the same influence with the B. & M. folks as any 
other dead-beat; that their road would not touch Seward county, 
much less Seward. But this much was settled: we had Harris on 
our hands, and the railroad would not kill us, for it was out of reach- 

This year we had the acquisition of the Heporter, quite a goodly 
number of new buildings, many new people, and in the fall by sharp 
turns of the wrist we got the county seat. We were naturally gath- 
ering force and wealth as the county settled around us, but the pro- 
gress was slow. Our railroad bond battles occupied our time and 
thoughts pretty effectually during the first half of 1872, and not 
much was done while the railroad was an uncertainty. 

[The bond fights are discussed in another place, and we pass them 
here.] When it became a certainty that we were to be blessed with 
a railroad there was a marked improvement. 

We must now go back to 1870 and notice a calamity that befell the 
town and community. Mr. Boyes' mill had become so loaded with 
grain, principally grists, that the bottom fell out of it, and the com- 
munity were surprised one morning to see perhaps a thousand sacks 
of grain and all the machinery of the mill in the river. This was a 
sad blow for the owners and for the community, but inmiediate steps 
were taken to rebuild the mill, and during the fall everything was 
set to rights and at work. 

Perhaps it is well here to describe the capacity of the water-power 
of the river here. Mr. Boyes informs us that with only eight-foot 
head they have fifty horse power, and a head of sixteen feet can easily 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 153 

be obtaiued, which would make its capacity immensely great. Mr. 
B. savs Blue river is the most certain mill stream that he ever saw. 

During the autumn of 1872 there were numerous accessions to our 
business houses, and great numbers of residences were also added. 
W. H. Tuttle built a new hotel on the corner of Seward and 8th 
streets (Park House); many new workshops of various kinds were 
opened in anticipation of the new business when the cars should ar- 
rive. A new lile was infused into the community, everybody's step 
was more elastic, all classes of people wore smiles on their faces, prop- 
erty advanced rapidly in value and was ready sale. We were happy 
in the anticipation of a glorious future. 

Just as the sun began to shine out brightly in the early spring of 
1873, we were gladdened by the whistle of the locomotive. ''Oh! 
was sound ever so sweet!" Inasmuch as the situation was discussed 
in a former chapter we will only add points not mentioned there. 
We rejoiced that we had a railroad, and it was a great blessing to us, 
although it cost us a large sura of money, yet it was worth much 
more to us than the cost. In other words, we made a good bargain, 
and yet our freight and passenger tariifs were scandalously high. 
The fare to Lincoln was $1.25, and freight on wheat, our staple pro- 
duct, was fifty-four cents per hundred pounds in car lots to Chicago, 
and all other rates correspondingly high. 

The depot being placed at the foot of the hill, near Boyes' mill, 
Mr. Boyes thought wise to lay out what should properly have been 
an addition to Seward, but it was platted as an independent town and 
named South Seward, and what was still more strange, a margin was 
left between the new town and the old of sixty feet, which has been 
known as the "dead line." There were some other peculiarities 
about the new town. The proprietor carefully left his mill and his 
own residence outside of the platted town. There was great energy 
displayed on the part of the proprietor and the new-comers to over- 
shadow the old village. Several grain houses were erected, a mam- 
moth lumber yard (Mohawk) was opened, and a large hotel erected 
by Geo. Boyes; also great numbers of dwellings; and it having the 
depot, mill, grain houses, and the great lumber yard, they had some 
show to rival Seward, but their efforts all proved abortive. Seward 
was too firmly planted and deep rooted to be overshadowed by a 
sprout of a summer's growth. South Seward, however, was very 



154 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

tenacious of life, and although her greatness (what she had) and all 
her exjiectations were gone, yet she maintained her separate organiza- 
tion for many years, and never united her destinies with the city until 
May 30th, 1885, when she became attached, "dead-line" and all, to 
the city, and henceforth she is a part of our city. 

Having noted in the "Reminiscences" the more important events 
in the growth and advancement, and as there are special chapters on 
the more noteworthy institutions of the city, and on the city govern- 
ment, which will comprise as much of interest as it would be possible 
to crowd into tlie limited space, we refer the reader to the interesting 
chapters furnished by able pens of the history of our churches, 
schools, G. A. R. post. Odd Fellows, and Masons; also chapters on 
post-office, agricultural society, etc., etc., and finally the closing chap- 
ter on Seward as we see it January 1, 1888. 

INCORPORATION OF SEWARD AS A VILLAGE 

Occurred in the first days of April, 1870. (The records are con- 
flicting: in one place they say April 2d, and in another they say 
April 5tii.) The county commissioners passed an order as the statute 
provides declaring tiie village incorporated, and Dr. L. Walker, F. 
F. Larkins, W. R. Davis, Geo. Crumb, and Sam Manly were ap- 
pointed trustees, and O. T. B. Williams, attorney for the corporation. 

June 5, 1871, we find S. E. Ewing and Wm. Olmstead on the 
board, but can find no record of their election. We also find W. B. 
Thorpe, clerk, L. Parish, marshal, H. A. Lewis, treasurer, H. P. 
Kennard, assessor, and Thomas Darnall, attorney. Street commis- 
sioner, E. W. Clinton. 

May 10, 1872, L. G. Johns, W. H. Tuttle, V. Daniels, Sam Ste- 
venson, and H. Diers took the oath of office as trustees, and at their 
first meeting O. T. B. Williams was elected clerk, Geo. Whiting, 
marsiial, and I. B. Compton, fire warden. O. T. B, Williams was 
also elected assessor. 

March 20, 1873, the council voted an apj)ropriation of fifty dollars 
for a free dinner to a party of Lincoln excursionists. 

May 5, 1873, Wm. Hays, Vinal Daniels, T. L. Norval, Herman 
Diers, and Sam Stevenson were elected trustees. Sam Stevenson was 
elected chairman of the board on the tenth ballot; L. G. Johns, 
treasurer, O. T. B. Williams, clerk. J. W. McCabe was elected 
marshal. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 155 

September 22, 1873, R. S. Nerval took the census of the town, and 
his returns show a population of five hundred and seventy-five. 

September 24, 1873, ordinance No. 28, organizing Seward as a 
city of the second class, was offered by T. L. Norval and adopted, 
and an election was ordered for October 18, 1873, for city officers. 
At said election A. Castle was elected mayor, W. R. Davis, police 
judge, J. W. McCabe, marshal, T. L. Norval, clerk, Y. Daniels, city 
engineer, and W. B. Thorpe, treasurer. Thos. Graham and A. J. 
Combs, council men in 1st ward, and Wra. Leese and J. R. Paul in 
the 2d ward. 

The city council passed their first ordinance January 2, 1874, pro- 
viding for a poll tax. 

Feb. 17th, a resolution of inquiry in regard to protection from 
fire was passed, in which they required of J. N. Edwards that he 
furnish information about the cost of a dozen rubber buckets, 48 feet 
of ladder, and some other tools, etc. 

April 7, 1874, the following persons were elected city officers: 
Thos. Graham, mayor; T. J. Hamilton, police judge; S. H. Marshall, 
city engineer; N. C. Rogers, clerk; Wm. Wright, marshal; W. B. 
Thorpe, treasurer; Sam Stevenson and Joel Tishue, councilmen in 
1st ward; J. M. Strong and Ed. Mclntyre, in the 2d ward. 

Nov. 23d, city council voted to donate their salary to the city on 
account of hard times. 

Recapitulation of the financial condition of the city since it was 
incorporated : 

Warrants drawn to date $1387 52 

Amount warrants canceled. $674 54 

Amount outstanding to balance 712 98 

Delinquent tax of 1873 122 61 

Delinquent tax list of 1874 559 53 

Total 682 14 

Amount in treasury 106 24 

Total resources $788 38 

Dated March 30, 1875. 

At the April election of 1875 the following persons were elected 
to fill the various offices: Ed. Mclntyre, mayor; S. B. Mills, judge; 
AV. B. Thorpe, treasurer; T. L. Norval, clerk; J. W. Gladwish, 



156 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

marshal; R. S. Nerval and H. W. Hagamau, councilraen in 1st 
ward ; and H. W. Ragau and J. F. Goehner, councilmen for 2d 
ward. 

During 1875 the grades of the principal streets were established. 

April 8, 1876, the following persons were declared elected city 
officers: I. B. Sarter, mayor; Thos. Osborne, marshal; F. H. New- 
ton, clerk; William Leese, police judge; E. A. Polly, city engineer; 
W. B. Thorpe, treasurer; James Reed, councilman for 1st ward; 
J. F. Goehner, councilman for 2d ward. 

Amount of taxes, including licenses and fines, during 1876, 
13,196.39. 

April, 1877, E. Mclntyre was again elected mayor; J. D. Ed- 
wards, clerk; police judge, O. T. B. Williams; treasurer, A. J. Cal- 
lender; marshal, Wm. Ashton; street commissioner, E,. McCrossou; 
councilmen, N. C. Rogers and H. W. Ragan. 

And in 1878, T. L. Norval, mayor; clerk, J. D. Edwards; 
•Councilmen, John Kribbler, S. W. Long, and I. B. Sarter; treasurer, 
L. G.Johns; police judge, L. W. Hart. 

In 1879, mayor, E. K. Dunbaugh; police judge, J. D. Edwards; 
clerk, J. L. MoPheely; treasurer, W. R. Herrick; councilmen, J. S. 
Henderson and T. E. Saunders. 

In 1880, C. W. Barckley, mayor; J. D. Edwards, clerk; L. G. 
Johns, treasurer; police judge, T. L. McClean; councilmen, S. R. 
Douglass, L. Walker, R. R. Shick, and J. G. Berdrow. 

In 1881, W. O. Whitcomb, mayor; E. A. Polly, clerk; police 
judge, J, L. McPheely; treasurer, T. E. Sanders; councilmen, W. 
E. Chapin, J. Tishue, and Herman Diers. 

In 1882, W. O. Whitcomb, mayor; T. E. Sanders, clerk ; treas- 
urer, Wm. Leese; councilmen, J. S. Henderson and R. E. Dunphy. 

In 1883, Whitcomb was for the third time elected mayor; clerk, 
A. J. Callender; treasurer, J. N. Edwards; councilmen, John Mul- 
finger and John Zimmerer. 

In 1884, mayor, W. R. Davis; clerk, C. S. Ailing; treasurer, 
J. N. Edwards; police judge, Frank P. Pingree; councilmen, Samuel 
Welch and T. E. Sanders. 

In 1885, O. C. Reynolds, mayor; clerk, C. W. Bain ; treasurer, 
J. N. Edwards; police judge, Louis Stahl; councilmen, G. A. Mer- 
riam and J. C. Mulfini>er. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 157 

In 1886, Ed. Mclntyre, mayor; clerk, C. W. Bain; treasurer, 
J. N. Edwards; police judge, I. D. Neihardt; councilmen, J. H. 
Betzer and Peter Goehner. 

In 1887, Ed. Mclntyre, mayor; clerk, G. F. Dickman ; police 
judge, I. D. Xeihardt; treasurer, J. N. Edwards; councilmen, Sam- 
uel Pen'^e and J. C. Mulfinger. 

post-office and mail facilities through the years of 

seward's life. 

In 1864, 1865, and 1866, the settlers of this vicinity got their mail 
in a sort of hap hazard way. Some of it was directed to Camden,^ 
some to Lancaster, and some to Nebraska City, and perhaps some to 
Plattsmouth; and it was the custom for every person visiting any of 
the offices to enquire for all the neighborhood. 

In the winter of 1866-67 the citizens met and consulted about get- 
ting a post-office. It was urged that Lewis Moffitt ought to take the 
office, as he lived on the prospective town site, but he declined the 
honor, and the settlement was nonplussed and did not know just 
what to do. 

During that winter the writer took it into his head that he would 
try and find a solution to the question, and wrote to our delegate in 
congress (John Taffe) and begged him to go over to the department 
and secure the appointment of Lewis Moffit as postmaster for Sew- 
ard, Neb., which he immediately proceeded to do, and all of a sudden 
Mr. Moffitt received his appointment. He felt sold, but it would 
not do to back square out, so he qualified and accepted the inevitable; 
and when he fully realized the munificent salary of $1 per month 
or twelve dollars year he became fully reconciled. Now we had a 
post-office, but no mail route. Government allowed two dollars per 
quarter for mail service, but men were not quite so anxious for place 
then as now, and we had to hold out other and better inducements. 
So we made up a pony purse sufficient to pay one dollar and fifty 
cents per week, and hired E. L. Clark, a one-armed soldier, to make 
the trip once a week to Camden at the freight road. Mr. Clark 
made his trips on foot and carried the mail in an old haversack, so 
we were pretty well supplied with mail facilities, but it cost many of 
us pretty dearly. Mr. Moffitt retained the office until July, 1868,. 
when he resigned his lucrative trust to W. R. Davis. Mr. Davis 



158 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

held tlie office in the store of Beaty and Davis. His salary was 
twelve dollars jier year at first, but under fine manipulation an ad- 
vance to twenty-five dollars Avas soon secured. At that time the pay 
of the postmaster was gauged by the amount of postage sold, and 
friend Davis urged everbody to take just as many postage stamps as 
possible in the way of change, etc. He had to make a good showing 
and he did. Postage stamps were good property and everybody had 
plenty of them. 

Our first government mail route was established in July, 1869, be- 
tween here and Lincoln, via the Oak Groves. At first it was a 
weakly concern, and within the following year it became a semi- 
weekly, and finally a tri-weekly. Some said it was tri-weekly be- 
cause they tried every week to get mail through but frequently failed. 
Mr. Davis retained the office until the spring of 1871, when he re- 
signed and E. L. Clark secured the appointment. The salary had 
advanced to fifty dollars per year under Mr. Davis' administration, 
and his last quarter had shown such an increase of business that the 
salary was raised to $240 per year, and in 1872 it was further ad- 
vanced to $-320. L. G. Johns was appointed in January, 1873, and 
held the office until January, 1877. His salary was increased by de- 
grees until it reached $1,300 per annum and $240 per year for clerk 
hire. When he took possession there was one daily mail from Lin- 
coln. During 1873 railroad mail service was introduced. There 
were established during his administration star routes as follows: To 
York, tri-weekly; Crete to Columbus, tri-weekly ; Orton and Stroms- 
bui'g, semi-weekly; Seward and Dorchester, tri-weekly. 

Money order office was established in July, 1872. The largest 
money order business \vas done in 1873, prior to the opening of our 
lirst bank. 

When Mr. Johns took possession the fixtures of the office consisted 
of a desk and a case of pigeon-holes worth about $20. He placed 
about $300 worth of fixtures in the office. 

Redford received his appointment in January, 1877, and held the 
place about four years, when Chas. Vaupelt received the appoint- 
ment, in 1881. During Mr. Y.'s tenure the Morris keyless lock was 
introduced into the office. During his term the salary was at the 
maximum, or $1,700 per annum, where it remains to the present. 

There were two semi-weekly star routes until about 1884, and there 
were during his whole term four daily mails by rail. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 159 

John Kittle received liis appoiutment July 1, 1885. Star routes 
all closed. Six daily mails, aud arrangements nearly perfected for 
two more. Present value of fixtures, about $2,000, having just put 
in a new and most complete outfit of improved Morris lock boxes, 
which is said lo be one of the finest in the West. Box rent now 
amounts to |170 per quarter. Money order business is about $2,000 
per quarter. 

Thus we have endeavored to trace as nearly as possible, step by 
step, our post-office business and mail service, through all its stages 
from the beginning of our settlement here until the present. 

We cannot close this chapter without a word in regard to other 
post-oflices in the county. 

The first office was established at the old Camden bridge, just by 
the south line of the county and at the forks of the river, at the old 
ranch, in 1863. 

We now have eleven offices, viz.: Seward, Milford, Pleasant Dale, 
Ruby, Germantown, Tamora, Utica, Staplehnrst, Orton, Marysville, 
Beaver Crossing, aud three new offices that will come into existence 
ere this will be read, viz.: "B," Goehner, and Huukius, each on the 
¥., E. & M. Y. road. 

FIRST SABBATH-SCHOOL IN SEAVARD. * 

In the mouth of May, 1866, a union Sabbath-school was organized 
at the log cabin of Lewis Moffitt. The families engaged in the en- 
terprise were Grandfather Imlay's, Rev. E. L. Clark's, R. T. Gale's, 
AVm. Imlay's, Mr. Moffitt's, and W. W. Cox's. We believe this 
was the first Sabbath -school between Lancaster (Lincoln) and Denver. 
The school was a success and produced excellent results. Previous to 
this, meetings for Bible reading had been held at the different houses 
in the neighborhood. 

There are now in the county about thirty Sabbath-schools in flour- 
ishing condition. Most of them have good libraries and nearly all 
of them maintain their schools all the year. 

TEMPERANCE WORK. 

Temperance work commenced at a very early day in the history of 
Seward county. As early as J 869 a lodge of Good Templars was 
organized in the old school-house, and flourished for a number of 



160 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

years, exerting a wide and salutaiy influence, especially on the 
younger people. We remember that many people were regular at- 
tendants who lived from seven to ten miles distant. About the same 
date there was a lodge instituted at Milford. In 1874 a lodge of 
Sons of Temperance was started and did good work, which was fol- 
lowed by another Good Templars' lodge. 

In 1874 the women's crusade was made, and created a wide inter- 
est. Many of the best Christian ladies of the city united in their 
efforts to suppress the liquor traffic, by visiting daily the saloons and 
earnestly pleading with the saloon-keepers and their customers. 
These ladies would fervently pray with these abandoned men, and 
implore them in the name of their divine Master to abandon their 
ungodly ways, and lead better lives. These efforts were persevered 
in for about six weeks, and exerted a good influence. It was sowing^ 
good seed, and it did not all fall on stony places, but some found 
lodgment in good ground and is bringing forth good fruit. 

In 1872, after a night's carousal on the part of a number of men,, 
they were suddenly awakened by a sense of their own shame, and 
they agreed with one another that that night's debauch should be 
their last, and they bound themselves by a most solemn oath, which, 
was attested by an officer with his official signature, in which they 
pledged not only their sacred honor but their solemn oath that they 
would forever abstain from the use of intoxicating drinks as a bev- 
erage. This same document emerged from that place the next morn- 
ing to be signed by the people in sympathy with the movement, and 
was signed by a large number of people, and we are happy to say 
that Ave believe that many have sacredly ke[)t that oath, and it hap- 
pily proved to be a good turn in the lives of some who may be 
counted among our best citizens. It is our pleasure to have the cus- 
tody of that old document. 

The Good Templars did a noble work for many years, and in 1876 
the Temple of Honor was instituted, and created a sensation, and was 
the means of much good for a year or more. Internal dissensions 
caused its early demise and cut short a life that promised valuable 
service in the temperance work of the community. Very many were 
rescued and many saved from falling by the Temple of Honor.. 
Other attempts were made later to revive the Temple and rebuild its 
broken walls, but a deep-seated prejudice so filled the minds of the 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, XEBRASKA. 161 

people that the Dew organization failed to accomj)lish its purpose. A 
Red Ribbon club was organized by the lamented John B. Finch, in 
1879, and secured a very large membership, and was a power in Sew- 
ard for a year or more. The Good Templars' lodge was again organ- 
ized and nourished for a year, and was followed by the Women's 
Christian Temperance Union and the Young Women's Christian Tem- 
perance Union. Of these the reader will learn more from a chapter 
devoted to their work, furnished by their order, as their organization 
is yet a working force. A Prohibition club was organized about 
1883, and a Reform club was organized by C. J. Holt in 1885. The 
Reform club work is remembered by our people for grand work and 
grand results. They secured columns in the city papers and pub- 
lished many productions on different phases of temperance work, and 
together with the lectures and discussions at their weekly meetings 
were instrumental in doing much good. 

Just as the year 1887 is closing an Anti-license club is organized 
that promises to be a power for good. 

POSSIBILITIES OF SEWAED AS A MANUFACTURING CENTER. 

The wiser political economists have concluded that the best inter- 
ests of the whole people demand that the farm and the workshop 
should be as nearly side by side as possible. Where the crude mate- 
rial is grown or digged, there it should be wrought into proper shape 
for the use of man. Here in Seward county are countless millions 
of material that needs to be transformed into products of use and lux- 
ury. The cattle grazing upon a thousand hills call for dairy products, 
and packing-houses, tanneries, and soap factories. Our sheep call 
for carding machines, spinning-jennies, and cloth factories, and tailor- 
ing establishments. Our hogs are inviting packing-houses. Our flax 
demands oil mills, and twine mills, and rope factories. Our huo-e 
straw stacks speak loudly in behalf of paper mills. Our illimitable 
corn fields are a standing invitation to more and more feeders, corn 
starch factories, hominy mills, etc. Our inexhaustible soils, rich in 
all ingredients favorable for the production of vegetables and fruits 
of the best, call for more canning establishments. 

We have done remarkably well during the year 1887. Our pro- 
gress in the direction of manufacturing has been very satisfactory 
11 



162 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

but we have only commeaced, and it seems to us to be no stretch of 
the imagination when we venture the prediction that ere the close of 
the century we may have a hundred manufacturing establishments 
within the city. At present we have six arms of railway reaching in 
as many directions, and a certain promise of more in the near future. 
We are happily situated in the midst of the finest fields for the pro- 
duction of raw material in tlie West, and with such grand facilities 
for reaching out to the world's markets, nothing should hinder the 
investment of capital in these enterprises. 

SEWARD SCHOOLS. 

The first school-house built on the town site was the frame house 
that is now the residence of Hugh Hunter, and it stood on same 
ground now occupied by the high school building. The schools, pre- 
vious to the fall of 1870, were taught in the old log cabin, in the 
winter of 1866-67 by W. W. Cox, and in the following summer by 
S. C. Ross, and by Miss Ella Tuttle (now Mrs. Martin Liggett, of 
Broken Bow) in 1868. In the summer of 1869 the old cabin was 
moved away, and what was known as the old sway-back house, on 
the site of H. Vanderhoof's house, was rented, and Miss Mattie 
Boyes (now Mrs. Kellogg Olmstead, of Orleans, Neb.) taught. Then 
L. G. Johns taught in a little building where Butler's block now 
stands; also, Miss McKillip (now Mrs. L. G. Johns) taught in the 
same place. 

H. M. Coleman taught the first term in the frame school-house, 
and was followed by J. D. Messenger. Prof. O. S. Ingham taught 
several terms of a private school in the old court-house, in 1872; also, 
Miss Ella Benson (now Mrs. C. L. Lewis, of Rai)id City, D. T.) 
taught one or two terras in the same place, and this lady was after- 
wards employed in the various departments of the schools for twelve 
consecutive years. 

The high school building was erected in 1874, and Prof. Ingham 
was principal for two years, with three assistants — Mrs. Paddock, 
Mrs. Morrill (now of California), and Miss Benson. The principals 
since that date have been: — . Phillips, H. H. Wilson, J. M. Scott, 
H. Cummings, W. J. Wise, and N. F. Daum. 

The board of education have found it necessarv to add more and 
more buildings, until at present there are four primary buildings, and 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 163 

thev liave also added to the high school building so that it has near 
double its original capacity. The building is amply supplied with 
all modern apparatus and improvements. It requires twelve teachers 
to manage the various departments of the schools. Ten respectable 
classes have graduated from the high school. The present cost of 
maintaining the schools is about $5,600 per annum. The attendance 
has increased through the years from 32 to about 500, and is still 
rapidly increasing. 

Some of the more distinguished members of the school board 
throusch the vears were — Claudius Jones, R. S. Norval, H. L. Boves, 
G. Babson, Jr., Mrs. E. M. Spear, Mrs. S. C. Langworthy. 

From the able corps of teachers that have helped to build our 
schools, and that have finished their work, we mention A. A. Der- 
shimer, who died at his post, and the noble and intelligent Miss Birge, 
of Milford, and Miss June Taylor. 

SEWARD AS AVE SEE IT JANUARY 1, 1888. 

Beautiful city ! She that has been celebrated in j)oetrv and song 
as the "sleeping beauty of the Blue valley" has awajjeued to a new 
life. She has awakened from her restful sleep refreshed and streno^th 
ened, and to-day she sits a " very queen" upon this commandino- hill 
overlooking vast stretches of scenery most magnificent, with the me- 
andering river gently gliding by her feet and stretching from away 
in the northward to the southward, marked by 'its long line of timber 
in graceful curves, loops, and bows, singing in its ripples a sweet song- 
of her power to turn the wheels of mills and factories as she wends- 
her way toward the sunny south ; Plum creek, coming from the 
north-east, adding a charm as it winds among the beautiful farms- 
and meadows, with its clusters of timber and varied landscapes* and! 
from the north-west comes that grand stream, with name immortal 
Lincoln creek, through "verdant fields," a "very paradise." 

Here she sits rejoicing in the richness and splendor of the surround- 
ings. These lands, rich in verdure, rich in all things necessary to- 
make happy homes, orchards, meadows, and fruitful fields, rich in 
the " cattle upon a thousand hills," rich in hogs and horses rich in 
its pure, sweet water and running streams, rich in railways and all 
the means of an extended commerce, rich in factories and workshops- 
rich in merchant princes, rich in churciies with their spires pointing- 



164 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

to the only better land, rich in schools and all opportunities for men- 
tal culture and advancement, and "last, but not least," rich in strong 
arras and brave hearts, ready and willing to pursue in the pathway 
of j)rogress and achievement. 

In the blazing light of the electric torch we may count to-night 
near three thousand souls within the city, and quite a large number 
in its immediate environs, which will soon become a part of the city. 
Forty substantial brick business houses grace our streets, many of 
which would be a credit to the largest cities. Three great lines of 
railway reaching in six directions, and making accessible to us the 
whole business of the world — the silks and teas of the Orient, the 
fruits of the Occident, the gold, silver, and rich gems of the mount- 
ains, the products of the great plains, the factories of New England, 
and all the vast and varied interests of our great country. Three 
lines of telegraph bearing to us on lightning's wing Avords of hope 
and cheer from all lands. A telephone through which we may talk 
to one another and to a hundred cities beside. An electric licrht to 
brighten our j)athway. Well may \ve exclaim in the language of the 
old prophet, "Our light is come and the glory of God is risen upon 
us." 

Our Morris keyless lock factory, one of the most extensive manu- 
facturing institutions in the West, and the most national in its char- 
acter of any lactory in Nebraska, in fact we may say the field of its 
operations is the world. Its trade will soon reach into all lands, even 
to the islands of the sea. It is a matter of pride that the inventor of 
the lock is a citizen of Seward. Our oat meal mill, with its capacity 
of a hundred barrels of meal per day and using a thousand bushels 
of oats ])er day, freighting in and out from six to eight hundred car 
loads of grain and products per year. Our canning establishment, 
with its enormous capacity for using vegetables and storing them up 
for winter food tor tens of thousands, and giving a grand market for 
the produce of the farms and gardens, and giving out labor for hun- 
dreds of men, women, and children. A machine shop and foundry 
of large capacity, a creamery, four banks, with a multitude of mer- 
cantile establishments in all the various lines of trade, with one 
of the best hotels in the West, "The Windsor," and several smaller 
ones, anil numerous boarding houses, six restaurants, and nearlv a 
hundred workshops, large and small, including factories, etc., etc. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 165 

We mention blacksmiths, wagon makers, wire fence, tailoring, dress 
makers, millinerv, cigars, broom makers, tinners, barbers, carpenters, 
newspapers, butchers, photographs, etc. With one of the best graded 
schools of our state, with a fine structure for the high school, seven 
departments, and four primary buildings, and employing twelve 
teachers. With eight church edifices, with large congregations of 
worshipers and flourishing Sabbath-schools. A magnificent Odd 
Fellows hall, a good opera house, three weekly newspapers, an excel- 
lent flouring mill, many splendid residences and beautiful yards, 
splendid streets, and handsome parks, all amply supplied with trees 
and shrubs lending their enchantment and refreshing shade. 

During the year just closed the growth in population and improve- 
ment has been wonderful. Her waste places have been made glad 
by the accession of a splendid new railroad, of three great new fac- 
tories, of a host of new buildings, several almost princely dwellings, 
one grand church, a great host of new people, and best of all a perfect 
restoration of confidence, and closing the old year with the electric 
torch — a grand triumph. We close this sketch of this beautiful city, 
our home, feeling the inspiration of our hope, always buoyant, now 
doubly sure that the possibilities of Seward are grand. 



166 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 



CHAPTER Vlll. 



TRIBUTE TO THE MOTHERS AND WIVES OF THE PIONEERS — CLOTHING OF THE 
PEOPLE — THE FOOD OF THE PIONEERS — THEIR VISITS AND CUSTOMS— OUR 
PEOPLE, GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS — FIRST MARRIAGES — FIRST TERM OF 
DISTRICT COURT — OLD SETTLERS' REUNIONS — EXI 
W. W. COX AT OLD SETTLERS' REUNION IN lb86- 
IN CHILDHOOD," BY MRS. NETTIE M. PINGREE. 



The mothers and wives of the pioneers are justly entitled to kind 
remembrance. They were devoted and self-sacrificing beyond meas- 
ure. The labor they performed and the hardships they endured 
should live in the hearts of the people to the remotest generation. 
Here is a picture not overdrawn : A young bride of tw'enty has left 
her father's home of comfort and luxury in the East, and with her 
young husband has turned her face toward the setting sun, with the 
determination to assist in hewing out a new home in the wilderness 
of the West. With no capital except a strong resolution to win and 
strong faith in the future, they bid adieu to friends and kindred, and 
with a steady eye fixed upon the star of empire they penetrate the 
wilderness. A little log cabin or a sod house or a dugout has been 
hastily built for shelter. A parlor, sitting room, kitchen, and bed 
room are all combined in one. The bare walls of this rude home are 
brought in contrast in the mind of the young wife with the beautiful 
home of her childhood, but in her young breast ''hope is like an an- 
chor to the soul." When the first Sabbath dawns she may listen in 
vain for the sweet chimes of the church going bell, but looking out 
on the broad expanse of prairie all is solitary. Sometimes with 
heaviness of heart she labors on iind on, and cheers the faltering 
heart of her husband in his endeavors. The little means that they 
have brought are rapidly melting away before any return for their 
labor is in sight. The beautiful garments of her youth are fading 
and becoming tattered. By and by she becomes a mother, and while 
the beautiful gift of heaven may bring joy and gladness, yet in the 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 167 

same train it brings anxieties and sorrows, a constant care by day and 
by night. The young fatlier must sometimes go long distances from 
home, to be gone days at a time, to a mill fifty or a hundred miles 
away, or to a city far away, and the young mother and her darling 
must stay weary days and long nights in the lonely home, with no 
protector but her God. And now comes a strolling band of hungry 
Indians to frighten and annoy her, and while her child is screaming 
with fright she must stand in the door and face these ferocious wild 
men. She must frequently leave her child to cry, while she goes 
long distances after the cows, or to a distant spring for water, or 
carry the baby on her arm and a heavy bucket of water with the 
other. Then again harvest time comes or something else occurs 
when several work hands must be provided for, when, with scanty 
means at command she must perhaps carry the babe upon her arm 
and with the other do the work of cooking for the hands. And again 
when night comes she must divide her bed and make beds upon the 
cabin floor for the men, and as her husband keeps a "free hotel" for 
all strangers, she must deny herself and little ones ease and comfort 
to wait upon strangers, and frequently make her children wait at 
meal time while strangers eat their bread, and the mother and chil- 
dren make their meal from the scraps. This is no fancy sketch, it 
has occurred ten thousand times, of which there are plenty of living 
witnesses. 

Oh! who but a mother can tell of the weariness of a mother's life 
on the frontier; so often struggling to keep the wolf from the door, 
so often beset with dangers, so often overworked with slavish labor, 
and so often overwrought with anxious care. No wonder that un- 
timely gray hairs appear, and that her cheeks are lurrowed while she 
should yet be in the prime of her womanly strength and beauty. 

Young men and maidens of Nebraska, you that have such pleasant 
homes to-day, will you please remember what it has cost your mothers 
in the years gone by to prepare these homes for you. In your grate- 
ful hearts will you in a becoming manner reverence and love them? 
If you can fully realize what they have done for you in your imagina- 
tion it will surround their gray heads with grace and beauty, inter- 
mingled with a halo of holy light. 



168 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 



THE CLOTHING OF THE PEOPLE 

during the first years of the settlement should perhaps receive some 
notice. It must be borne in mind that clothing was extremely high 
in price from 1863 to 1868. The commonest calico was worth from 
forty to fifty cents per yard. A pair of brogan shoes cost five dol- 
lars ; common domestic was worth from seventy-five cents to one dollar 
per yard, and all articles at about the same rate. Fine clothing was 
entirely out of reach of the common peo])le, and were unseen in this 
country. The men were usually provided Avith a (condemned) soldier's 
overcoat, Avhich were the cheapest garments in the market. Con- 
demned soldiers' blankets were also used to considerable extent. 
We have seen them made into overshirts, and then used for under- 
shirts. We have also known them to be made into pants. Our 
hats and caps were just what happened to come handy — sometimes 
caps of coon or badger skins; at other times some old garment would 
be ripped up and made into a cap; occasionally a chip hat was seen, 
but usually in a weather-beaten condition, and frequently it was minus 
a large part of the rim. A gray horse-blanket frequently served as 
a coat. Mittens were made rudely of skins of animals — elk, coon, or 
whatever came handy; sometimes they were made of old bits of cloth, 
and faced with pieces of old meal sacks, and meal sacks were fre- 
quently converted into pants. Strips of bed-ticking furnished us 
with suspenders. Our feet, perhaps, had the hardest time of it, as 
they were brought more directly into contact with frost and snow. 
The man that had a j>air of good cowhide boots was fortunate, but he 
was an exception. We improvised moccasins, which at times we were 
fortunate enough to trade for with the Indians; then we would make 
them ourselves out of elk hides, or of cloth or sheep skins. Our poor 
feet were often in a sorry plight. 

If our wives were fortunate enough to have two calico dresses in 
one year they were truly thankful. Sunbonnets of calico were com- 
monly worn to church, as well as the faded shawls of other years. 
Cloth slipj)ers frequently served for shoes, or moccasins. We have 
known the old chests to be rummaged and old bedspreads, such as 
the dear old grandmothers wove, brought out as a last resort and 
made into skirts and worn. In summer, men, women, young men, 
and maidens went barefoot to a (fveat extent. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 169 

Such clothing as we wore, even the best of us, would now be a 
laughing stock for you all, but then it was no laughing matter; now 
it's no matter how much you laugh. Should you see one dressed in 
the usual garb of 1864 and 1865 you would certainly think it to be 
a scarecrow, yet we were powerless to have it otherwise. We all felt 
the sting of the situation. We had many of us been used to better 
fare. We had just as noble aspirations as any of our present people. 
We all wanted to do better, and just as soon as it was possible we did 
do better. 

Our food was usually plain and healthful. We used as a matter of 
necessity a great amount of corn bread and lye hominy. We gener- 
ally had a good supply of wild fruits, such as plums, grapes, gooseberries, 
alderberries, and raspberries. We made sorghum molasses for sweet- 
ening. Our new ground produced melons in grand profusion, and 
when we were fortunate enough to keep the Indians from stealing 
them, we enjoyed eating melons such as a king might admire. Our 
wives were almost universally good cooks, and they would come 
nearer getting up a good dinner out of poor material than most women 
do out of a well-supplied larder. At times our tables were supplied 
with delicious meats of antelope and wild turkeys, frequently of elk, 
and occasionally of buffalo. Then again we would have to depend 
upon smaller game, such as prairie chickens, rabbits, squirrels, etc- 
After the first year pigs began to accumulate, also domestic fowls, 
and occasionally a beef would be slaughtered, anil also vegetables 
were produced, and the skies became brighter. 

Later comers usually brought a little money, and we proved a 
blessing to them, as we usually had something to sell them that they 
most needed, such as grain, hay, poultry, a pig, a cow perhaps, some 
potatoes for seed, and we welcomed them heartily, for they brought 
us some money, which we sorely needed, and they brought us society, 
which we had longed for so patiently. They brought us hopes of 
schools and church privileges, for which we were hungry indeed. 
We began to renew our dilapidated clothing and live more like folks, 
and our lives were brighter and more cheerful for their coming. 

Visiting on the frontier was a feature worth noticing. With all 
our poverty, we enjoyed visiting one another. We made no fashion- 
able calls, just to show what fiue clothes we could wear. We were 
all ragged alike. When we went we aimed to put in the whole day, 



170 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

aud took the whole family, and we iuv^ariably had a good time. Oue 
feature of these visits was that our good wives all knew oue another's 
circumstances. If the neighbor to be visited was out of butter or 
meat, or any other article necessary to make a square meal, it was 
never an oflfense to look the cupboard over and take such things along 
as would supply a deficiency. That would now be considered an 
insult. Then it was the most common thing to take a roll of butter, 
a piece of meat, a few eggs, or anything that parties were fortunate 
enough to have, and that was known to be lacking at the place to be 
visited. People were always welcome at their neighbors' hearths. 

OUR PEOPLE. 

We are a mixed multitude. We have drawn our population from 
nearly all of the northern and eastern states — have representatives 
from Kentucky, Virginia, and the Carolinas. We have drawn more 
heavily on Illinois and Iowa than other states. Of our foreign-born 
people, the Germans perhaps exceed all others, although we have 
<]|uite a respectable number from England, Ireland, and Sweden, with 
a few from France. We have drawn from the best blood of all lo- 
calities from which we emigrated. It certainly is the best class of 
people of any state or country that have a longing for a home of their 
■own and that have the courage to break away from old home and old 
associates and face the dangers of the wilderness and all the privations 
of the frontier for the sake of a home, and of such are the masses of 
our people. Our Germans were principally thoroughly schooled in 
American ways of life in Illinois and Iowa, where they had a long 
residence prior to their coming here, and it is rarely that we find one 
who cannot talk our language fluently and has not an intelligent idea 
of our institutions. They are most universally an energetic and thrifty 
people, stepping to the front as farmers and business-men. They 
have done much toward developing and enriching the county. They 
sustain in their various denominations ten churches, each with a 
creditable house of worship. There are quite a number of English 
people, ,who are among our most thrifty aud valuable citizens. The 
same may be said of many Irish families, also Swedish, Danish, aud 
French. All are represented by the intelligent and valuable of their 
respective countries. They are all here with a full purpose of becom- 
ing Americans and identified with the institutions of their adopted 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 171 

borne. They are all makiug rapid progress in adopting American 
ways and methods, and we are fast becoming a homogeneous people. 
There are a very few families of colored people, probably not to ex- 
■ceed six, and they are very worthy and industrious people. So far 
as we are advised all of them had been slaves when young, and it 
certainly is to their credit that they are doing so well. 

The Americans of course largely preponderate in numbers, and 
they are universally intelligent and progressive, and the great mass 
of them are prosperous. There are hundreds who came to the county 
with little more than their bare hands and with large families, who 
now have beautiful homes and a great abundance of this world's 
goods. Their children have grown up inte]ligently,and the old folks 
are enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life. 

We have in all parts of the county great numbers of the old soldiers, 
and it is a matter pride that they are so universally respected and 
honored for the honorable part they had in saving for us a home and 
a country, and for their sterling qualities as citizens. 

FIRST MARRIAGES. 

The first marriage in the county, as shown by the records, was 
that of John W. Pitt and Miss Elva S. Long, at the residence of 
Samuel Long, on the 12th day of November, 1866. The ceremony 
was performed by C. J. Neihardt, J. P. 

The first marriage in G precinct and city of Seward was at the 
Iiouse of Lewis Moffitt, ou the 20th day of March, 1867. The con- 
tracting parties were David P. Imlay and Miss Mary Moffitt, W. W. 
Cox, justice of the peace, officiating. On the 20th of April, 1867, 
the second wedding in '"G" precinct was that of James A. Brown 
and Miss Sarah A. Imlay, at the residence of the bride's father, one 
and one-half miles north-east of the present city. We had the honor 
of officiating on that occasion. 

PROBATE COURT RECORD. 

We glean from the probate court records that the first letters of 
guardianship were issued by Judge Henry Wortendyke, on the 29th 
of January, 1870, to Sarah C. Wilcox, in matters of guardianship of 
the minor heirs of Svrel Tift. 



172 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

FIRST DISTRICT COURT. 

The first term of the district court was held in Seward county, at 
Milford, November 15, 1869, Judge Geo. B. Lake presiding. Frank 
M. Elsworth was appointed district attorney. First case on the 
docket was John W. Shields vs. J. L. Bandy. The only state case 
was against W. H. Tuttle, for an assault on Jonathan Gordon. Mr. 
Tuttle got clear of the charge, but the prevalent impression was 
that he ought to be fined for not doing a more thorough job. 

J. C. Cowin, of Omaha, was the first district attorney of the dis- 
trict who attended our court, w'hich was held in the year 1870, at 
Milford. 

The first term held at Seward was in the spring of 1872, Judge 
Lake on the bench. T. L. Norval w-as appointed district attorney. 
At that term the famous Courtwright injunction case came up, in 
which Judge Lake made the injunction against the Midland R. R. 
and the county commissioners perpetual. 

Judge Lake held the office of judge of this judicial district uutil 
the year 1876, when the districts were changed and the sixth district 
was formed. Geo. W. Post was elected, and he was re-elected and 
served until the spring of 1883, when he resigned, and T. L. Norval 
was appointed by Gov. Dawes to fill the vacancy. Judge Norval 
was elected in the fall of 1883 and has held the office since that date, 
and was re-elected in the fall of 1887. M. B. Reese was elected dis- 
trict attorney, and held the office until 1882. Thos. Darnall was 
elected to the place in the iall of 1882, who held the place until 
January, 1887, when the law took effect making county attorneys, 
at which time R. P. Anderson was elected to the office of county 
attorney. 

Prior to 1879, the county clerk performed the duties of district 
clerk. H. P. Lewis was appointed in 1879, and elected in 1880 and 
re-elected in 1882, after which Geo. A. Merriam was elected, and was 
re-elected in November, 1887. 

OLD settlers' reunions. 

The first meeting of the reunion of old settlers was held in the 
public square at Seward in October, 1884, with W. W. Cox as presi- 
dent. The meeting was not largely attended, but was of great inter- 
est. Many touching incidents of early times w'ere related. In 1885 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 173 

there was no meeting, but in October, 1886, the society was reorgan- 
ized aud placed on a more permanent basis. Officers elected were: 
W. W. Cox, president, Geo. A. Merriam, secretary, and Mrs. Thos. 
Graham, treasurer. The society that year opened a registry of the 
old settlers, giving name, time of settlement, where located, age, etc. 
Great numbers availed themselves of that privilege. A very large 
aud enthusiastic meeting was held in Roberts' grove, west of the 
city. The officers for 1887 were: J. H. Culver, of jVIilford, presi- 
dent; George A. Merriam, secretary, and Mrs. Thos. Graham, treas- 
urer. In October, 1887, the annual meeting was held at Milford, 
was very largely attended, and a very enjoyable meeting was held. 
Gov. Thayer made the address of the day. Many new names were 
added to the registry. Officers elected for 1888 were: W. R. Davis, 
president, aud Geo. A. Merriam and Mrs. Graham were again re- 
elected, and Seward was chosen as the place of the meeting of 1888. 
These meetings bid fair to grow in interest from year to year, and in 
the long years to come the registry will become of priceless value. 

The four counties of Butler, Polk, York, and Seward have held 
conjointly three reunions, at Lord's grove, near the four corners, 
where vast numbers of the people of all these counties have held 
very profitable meetings. 

At the meeting in 1886 it was estimated that over four thousand 
were present. The meeting of 1887 was postponed on account of a 
heavy rain storm, and the adjourned meeting met with same obstacle, 
when it was determined to defer the meeting to the summer of 1888. 

EXTRACT FROM AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY W. W. COX AT AN 

OLD settlers' reunion AT LORD's GROVE, NEAR THE 

FOUR CORNERS OF BUTLER, POLK, YORK, AND 

SEWARD COUNTIES, 1886. 

Young friends, children of the pioneers, we would ask you to bear 
in kind remembrance the hardships and struggles that these grey- 
iieaded fathers and mothers have endured in other years to provide 
homes of comfort and luxury for you. Their heads are fast becom- 
ing silvered with age. Their steps are not so elastic as in other 
years. Tlie great duties with which they so manfully grappled in 
the prime of their manhood's strength must now be accepted by you. 
AVill you accept them like men and women, worthy the honored 
names vou bear? 



174 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

The improvemeuts on these prairies, these houses aud barns, these 
groves and orchards, these smiling fields, these churches and school- 
houses, these thrifty towns and cities, that, like jewels of a crown, 
are scattered over the plain, all attest that the pioneers have not lived 
in vain. They have laid well and firmly these foundations. You 
must go on with the superstructure. 

There is yet plenty of work for you. These beneficent institutions 
are to be guarded, and great undertakings are yet to develop intO' 
achievements that will bless mankind. This vast empire must in 
the near future teem with its millions of people, and it will require 
great wisdom to guide them to a proper destiny, and upon you, our 
sons and daughters, must devolve the duty of going forward wisely 
and energetically to complete the task we have so well begun. Oh,, 
for the glory of the future of our native land ! 

May you, fathers and mothers, spend your declining years amidsts 
peace and plenty, surrounded by earnest, loving, and intelligent chil- 
dren, carrying forward with master hands the enterprises that are so 
dear to your hearts, and may he who shall stand here in the far-off" 
years to come, to tell the stories of our first settlement, of our joys 
and sorrows, of our labors, trials, and discouragements, aud the final 
triumphs, "be able to still look around upon a great, intelligent, free^ 
and happy people." May he with all the enthusiasm of poesy 
exclaim : 

" Here is still my country, 
' Zealous yet modest, 

Innocent though free, 
Patient of toil, 
Serene amidst alarms, 
Inflexible in faith, 
Invincible in arms." 

THE WILDERNESS HOME OF MY CHILDHOOD. 

FROM THE PEN OF XETTIE M. PINGREE. 

"The hills lire dearest whicli our childish feet 
Have climbed the earliest ; and the streams most sweet 
Are ever those at which our young lips drank, 
Stooped to their waters o'er the grassy bank." 

— Whittkr. 

Though years have passed since our last visit to the old home- 
stead, visions come to us of the woods and valleys by the sparkling 
waters of the beautiful Blue. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 175 

The river winds its crooked way through the valley with many a 
curve, forming broad acres of Avoodland which were a perfect para- 
disic to us during the whole year. There, in the spring-time, the 
green grass and violets formed a beautiful carpet for our feet, while 
around us the alder and wild plum blossoms made fragrant the air 
with their sweet scented odor. 

Down the garden path bordered with moss roses and morning glo- 
ries, we would speed away to the river, bait our hooks for fish, and 
cross the foot log and follow the path through the woods to the 
school-house. That little rough board shanty, sodded all around, and 
the home-made, knife-marked desks have given place to new and 
better ones. The children upon the playground are strange to us, 
but the same games of "blind man's buff" and "drop the handker- 
chief" are played by them as we played long years since. 

The grape-vine swing must not be forgotten, for there, with choicest 
flowers, was crow^ned the queen of May, and also, in childish sport, 
were wedded two schoolmates, just twenty years ago. 

Under the welcome shade of the old walnut tree by the ford we 
studied our Sunday-school lessons, and were often lulled to sleep by 
the merry song of the wild birds. 

During the long summer days, wading around the sand-bars and 
gathering shells afforded us a most delightful pastime, and as the sun 
was seeking the western horizon we would mount old Ned, the family 
horse, ford the river, and go to the farther pasture after the cows. 

Each land hath its shadows, and each home hath its ghosts, and 
ours was not an exception. The "Big grove "was the most beautiful 
of all the "bends," on account of the heavy timber and dense foliage. 
There the sugar maple trees abounded, and there grew the most ber- 
ries, the latter being very important, for many a new dress and coat 
were bought with the profits realized from their sale. 

One evening at dusk something large and white, resembling a great 
bear, was seen to come out of those woods, and although we afterward 
learned that it was only a neighbor boy with a bed-tick over his head, 
we never ventured again into that grove without company. 

When the autumn suns changed the foliage and ripened the fruits, 
then was our harvest. It would be difficult to decide who worked 
the harder to store away the winter's supply of walnuts and acorns, 
we children or the squirrels. Perhaps we tired of the labor more 



176 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

quickly, than our little forest friends, for frequently the restful shade 
of the great oaks Avould be too tempting, and we seated ourselves by 
their roots and weaved wreathes of the brilliant-hued leaves, while the 
autumn winds siijlied and rustled the branches overhead, making: a 
beautiful accompaniment to our fancies. But when winter came with 
its hoary frosts and covered the earth with its blanket of snow, and 
the cold winds whistled through the barren timber, then, like all the 
children of the woods, the most comfortable place for us was home. 
That little log cabin, with its great fireplace and clay-chinked walls, 
is the most cherished of all places. The dove-cote upon its roof, the 
cave behind it, the box-alder and cottouwood trees, and the old-fash- 
ioned well will always be remembered. 

It seems but yesterday that father brought in the huge back-log 
and built a brilliant fire in front of it, then popped the corn for our 
first Christmas eve in our new home. He took us children on his 
knee and told us of Santa Clans, and how he would come down 
that huge chimney and fill our stockings, if we would hurry off 
to bed. Mother tucked the covers carefully about us and resumed 
her knitting, while father read aloud, by the light of the blazing 
brushwood, the latest news of the I'ebellion, which was then raging 
with all its horrors. 

We watched the shadows cast by the flickering light of the burn- 
ing embers upon the hearth till we fell asleep, dreaming, as all chil- 
dren do, of Chris Kringle and his sleighful of toys. In the morning, 
when the sun's first rays jjceped through the curtains of the one 
window in the cabin, with a bright Christmas greeting, we hastened 
to our stockings, to find them overflowing with popcorn and dough- 
nuts. Away down in the toe we found a stick of candy and a pair of 
lovely red mittens with little snowflakes all over them. We were a 
happy little band, and though many Christraases have come and 
gone, and Santa Clans has filled our stockings with a far more lavish 
hand, yet none will have the same place in our memory as the one 
of '04. 

But now, far removed from tliose loved scenes of childhood, and 
looking out Ujwn a broad exjianseof prairie and corn land, our minds 
will naturally wander back to tiie old homestead, and decide that, 
though home is home where'er it may be, yet that halo cannot be 
taken away from our father's hearthstone. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 177 



CHAPTER IX. 



FRUITS OF SEWAED COUNTY — SNOW STORMS — STOCK FEEDERS — STOCK BREED- 
ERS — IMPORTERS OF FINE HORSES — FIRE DEPARTMENT OF SEWARD — MONEY 
PAID TEACHERS BY VARIOUS DISTRICTS IN 1887 — MILFORD NEWSPAPERS — 
TROOP A, NEBRASKA NATIONAL GUARDS — NOTES FROM DIARIES OF E. L. 
ELLIS AND HON THOS. GRAHAM, KEPT IN 1858 TO 1863. 



THE FRUITS OF SEWARD COUNTY. 
FROM THE PEN OF J. B. COURTWRIGHT. 

The county is yet in its infancy so far as fruits are concerned, but 
it can be readily seen that it compares iavorably with other counties 
of the state. We have a good climate, our winters are not so cold as 
many of the older states of our latitude, and the fruits already raised 
are of better flavor and more free from specks than in Illinois, Iowa, 
or many of the more eastern states. It is true that many of our pres- 
ent varieties are not as hardy here as in the eastern states. However, 
they had many failures there until they learned what trees were 
adapted to their soil and climate, and we must learn by their expe- 
rience, and not plant such as have been proven to be worthless. Hardy 
trees of apple or plum will do well here if the proper varieties are 
selected and projierly cared for. I have seen as fine apples raised here 
as I ever saw anywhere. We cannot grow an orchard in one or two. 
years; it takes time and watchful care, but when grown, there is. 
nothing that an enterprising man feels more pride in than showing his 
orchard to his friends. Then, what is more delicious than a finely 
flavored apple, or a nice bunch of grapes, or a fine peach ? 

We think that he who plants and prunes an orchard is a true bene- 
factor, and no citizen of Seward county can do a more praiseworthy 
act than by planting an orchard and doing his part in making 
Seward the best fruit county of our noble state. If we only do our 
duty we will soon have plenty of both large and small fruits. The 
following varieties we have found to be hardy and prolific: For 
12 



178 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA, 

summer apples — Red Astrachau, Duchess of Oldenburg, Early Peu- 
nock, Early Harvest. I would recommend as fall apples — Snow, 
Maiden's Blush, Bailey Sweet, Hass, Roman Stem, Cole's Quince, 
Fallsware. And for winter — Ben Davis, White Pippin, Winesap, 
Rawle's Genett, Jonathan, and Mann apple. There are many others 
that will do well. 

There are a few varieties of tame plum that do very well, but I 
have succeeded best with wild varieties. I hardly ever fail of getting 
a good crop the third year from planting the pits, and they have 
always proved to be of an excellent quality. I have had but partial 
success with tame plums. 

Have succeeded well with strawberries, goose and raspberries, and 
grapes. In fact I have never seen a failure here. I think the grape 
merits a more extensive cultivation in our county. The grape rot is 
unknown with us. The Concord and Clinton are the leading varie- 
ties. Have seen Catawbas do well, but they are not as hardy as 
some others. I prune in February. 

Peaches are very uncertain, but have had some to measure seven 
inches in circumference. I get a crop every few years, which pays 
me well for all my trouble. I think the trees and buds kill in the 
fall, as they grow too late and they have too much sap in the tree, 
I had peaches this year, and they grew on the topmost limbs, with 
none on the lower branches. The fruit was from ten to fifteen feet 
from the ground, and of course in the most exposed condition. Some 
of the fruit was very nice. 

I am hopeful of the future. I found my hope in the belief in the 
old adage, " What has been done can be done again." Orchards 
jdanted by the early settlers have done well, and are producing good 
results in both quality and quantity. Care should be taken in pro- 
curing healthy trees, and then good judgment in setting and pruning, 
and also ])lanting at proper distances, say from 25 to 30. feet apart, 
and last, but not least, secure of the hardy varieties, and only ex- 
periment with other and more costly kinds than those mentioned. 

We predict that in a few years our people will be feasting on 
apples of the best quality, the products of our own soil. Consider- 
ing everything, the outlook is most encouraging, and the observer 
can see a marked improvement in the interest manifest in starting 
and caring for orchards. The exhibit at our fair in September last, 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 179 

and the twc previous years, would put the blush to the cheeks of our 
sister counties in the eastern part of the state. 

Xotwithstandiug the frequent warnings, unprincipled and irre- 
sponsible agents — " tree peddlers " — are from year to year beating 
people out of thousands of dollars, that are virtually thrown away, 
by getting worthless stock. But for all this we are making progress 
and no one familiar with the business can doubt that our county can 
become a very successful fruit county. Very many orchards have 
been so loaded that it was necessary to i)iv.pthe branches. 

SNOW STORMS. 

Since the stormy winter of 1866 and 1867, we have had only oc- 
casional storms of great severity. In April, 1873, a rain commenced 
in the early morning, which turned to sleet during the day, and 
raged so fiercely that man nor beast could hardly withstand it. As 
night approached it turned to snow, and the night and following day 
were appalling. The whirling and drifting snow drove the un- 
sheltered stock before it to destruction. Mr. A. D. Richie had a 
large herd of sheep drift with the storm until they rushed over the 
bank into Lincoln creek, where they perished. Peter Henegen, of 
Butler county, lost a herd of cattle in the same way. They took 
shelter under a high bank on the upper Blue, and the snow drifted 
entirely over them. 

The worst snow storm of this generation struck this county a little 
after 3 p.m. on the 12th day of January, 1888. A damp snow had 
been falling since near midnight previous. The weather was quite 
warm and pleasant, and up to 3 o'clock the snow fell in great 
feathery flakes, such as school children rejoice to see, with no breath 
of wind; and while we were all watching the beautiful snow coming 
so gently, little did we think of the terrors of the night, when 
all at once, as if some demon had been turned loose upon the world, 
there came a blast from the north-west, such as was never seen before 
in this fair land. All hearts were terror-stricken at the fury of the 
storm. The atmosphere was so thick with drifting snow that nothing 
could be seen, and the mercury immediately fell near fifty degrees, 
and it seemed for a time that no mortal exposed to its terrors could 
survive its fearful ravages. This continued till near midnight. 

So far there has been no loss of life recorded in Seward county, 



180 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

but there were numerous hair-breadth escapes. We have two victims 
in this county, who suifered more than death : Lena Webbeke, of 
"I" precinct, a girl of eleven years, undertook to make her home 
from the school-house, and became bewildered and remained out in 
an open field, partially drifted under the snow, and was rescued in 
the morning. This is one of the most remarkable incidents of record. 
That she should survive seems a miracle. At this writing one of 
her legs has been amputated, and she bids fair to recover. Miss 
Ettie Shattuck, who was away in Holt county, teaching, was caught 
in the storm, and by chance ran on to a hay stack and burrowed 
into it, remaining there seventy-two hours, and was accidentally found. 
She was brought to her home in Seward, and it was found necessary 
to have both feet amputated. She is now slowly recovering. She 
remains cheerful under the terrible ordeal. Her case has created a 
wide-spread sympathy, and large amounts of money have been raised 
at Seward, Omaha, Fremont, Nebraska City, and among the travel- 
ing men on trains, and at many other places in the state. Poor Ettie 
died February 6, 1888. 

The State Journal started a subscription also for the Webbeke 
girl, which was caught up at Seward and other places, and will result 
in ample funds for her proper care and education. All that willing 
hands and loving hearts can do will be done for her relief and 
tender care. 

The storm was of such short duration that the stock stood it 
through with scarcely no loss in this county, but in the great north- 
land it swept men and beasts to destruction by thousands. The 
people of our county are very grateful for the generous contributions 
from all parts of the state. 

STOCK FEEDERS. 

Stock feeding has grown to be an important industry in this county. 
There are being fed at present from thirty- five hundred to four 
thousand cattle, and a corresponding amount of hogs. The principal 
feeders are Phillip Unitt, Simeon True and Brown, General True, 
Marsh B. Palmer, David Palmer, 11. Nabb, E. M, Hickman, C. J. 
Wright, C. M. (iorden, Frank W. Upton, Jacob JNlundheuke, Joseph 
D. Speltz, John Williams, Lewis Anderson, E. M. Olney, John D. 
Oluey, Warren W. Brown, and J. N. Edwards. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 



181 



FINE STOCK BREEDERS. 

This business is assuming importance, and there are many fine 
herds in the county. We mention among the leading fine stock 
breeders, Claudius Jones and Son, Friesian-Holstein and Shorthorns; 
J. N, Edwards, Short-horns; G. W. Bartow, Herefords; E. M. 
Hickman, Short-horns. 

The fine horse breeders are led by A. Rogy, an importer and 
breeder who has done much to improve the horses of this and adjoin- 
ing counties. Other breeders are Geo. Abott, Frank W. Upton, and 
others. The Norman and Clydesdale are the leading breeds. 

THE FIREMEN *OF -SEWARD 

deserve honorable mention in these pages for valuable services ren- 
dered. The organization dates back to 1879, when the engines and 
hooks and ladders were purchased by the city. The organization is 
divided into three companies — Engine companies No. 1 and No. 2, 
and the Hook and Ladder company. When duty calls the boys are 
always ready, and have been instrumental in saving much valuable 
property. They maintain a reading room, and have about 500 
volumes in the library, besides valuable periodicals, papers, etc. 

We would gladly give a full history of the Association, but the 
records were unattainable. 

SCHOOLS. 

Below is the amount of money paid teachers in Seward county for 
the year ending July 11, 1887: 



DIST. AMOUNT. 

1 §160 50 

2 220 00 

3 120 00 

4 388 00 

5(Milford) .....1985 00 

6 304 00 

7 305 00 

8 180 00 

9 (Seward) 5561 00 

10 195 00 

11 280 00 



DIST. AMOUNT. 

12 210 00 

13 220 00 

14 360 00 

15... 315 00 

16 210 00 

17 210 00 

18 265 00 

19 215 00 

20 320 00 

21 180 00 

22 210 00 



182 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 



DIST. 



AMOUNT. I DIST. 



AMOUNT. 



23 425 00 

24 305 00 

25 307 00 

26 275 00 

27 277 50 

28 340 00 

29 265 00 

30 195 00 

31 247 50 

32 240 00 

33 218 00 

34 233 00 

35 180 00 

36 250 00 

37 240 00 

38 195 00 

39 300 00 

40 333 00 

41 335 00 

42 350 00 

43 259 00 

44 330 00 

45 105 00 

46 315 00 

47 290 00 

48 221 00 

49 254 00 

50 210 00 

51 (Malcolm P.O.) 531 00 

52 280 00 

53 260 00 

54 270 00 

55 227 50 

56 235 00 

57 225 00 



58 294 00 

59 304 00 

60 (Utica, all female 

teachers) 1395 00 

61 265 00 

62 180 00 

63 200 00 

64 190 00 

65 142 00 

66 210 00 

67 210 00 

68 130 00 

69 210 00 

70 180 00 

71 260 00 

72 245 00 

73 197 00 

74 175 00 

75 84 00 

76 160 00 

77 200 00 

78 198 50 

79 260 00 

80 210 00 

81 305 00 

S-2 (Germautown) 345 00 

83 (Staplehurst) 735 00 

84 257 50 

85 210 00 

S6 245 00 

87 265 00 

88 156 00 

89 150 00 

90 (Tamora) 417 50 



The teachers employed are fully three-fourths ladies, and outside 
the city ot Seward the wages are fully equal to that paid gentlemen. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 183 

Oue of the graded schools (Utica) is presided over by a lady. In 
the city of Seward eleven of the twelve teachers are ladies. 

MILFORD NEWSPAPERS. 

From the time that the Becord ceased to exist, in April, 1873, 
which able and valuable paper has already been very fully noticed, 
Milford had no paper until February, 1882, when the Seward County 
Democrat, a seven-column folio, was issued by Alexander Brothers. 
It was true to its name, a straight-out democratic paper, and had a 
successful business for two years, when its proprietors sold it out to 
Prof. Geo. F. Burkett, of Michigan. The profiessor changed its 
name to that of 3IHford Ozone, and its political career thencetorward 
was republican. A few months later, the editor having been elected 
principal of the Milford high school took in as partner an erratic in- 
dividual by the name of Horace Boyle, who played a brief engage- 
ment of three months, when his interest was purchased by H. C. 
Hensel, of Omaha, the present editor and proprietor. An amicable 
partnership of two months ensued, when Prof. Burkett's interest was 
purchased, and then the name wan changed to that of Milford Ne- 
bniskan. Its politics remained republican. 

Ed. Hansel has had twelve years' experience in newspaper work, 
and has become quite efficient as a public writer and editor. He 
continues the successful publication of the Nebraskan, an eight-page, 
seven-column paper, and long may it live to disseminate light and 
truth among the people of the county. The Nebraskan is to be en- 
larged January 1, 1888. 

TROOP A, NEBRASKA NATIONAL GUARDS. 

In pursuance to special order No. 3, issued by Gov. John M. 
Thayer to J. H. Culver, of Milford, Troop A of the Nebraska Na- 
tional Guards was organized and mustered into service by Adjt. Gen. 
A. V. Cole, on July 22, 1887. 

The company then elected J. H. Culver, captain; Wolsey Weyant, 
Jr., 1st Lieut.; and C. L. Smith, 2d Lieut.; who were duly com- 
missioned. The iollowing non-commissioned officers and j)rivates 
complete the personnel of the company: 

S. B. Lauue, 1st sergeant; Jas. A. Ilaselwood, Q. M. sergeant; 
John R. Handy, 2d sergeant; W. A. Morgan, 3d sergeant; J. J. 



184 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

Dunnegan, 4th sergeant; J. Luebben, 5th sergeant; Craven Stream, 
6lh sergeant; W. S. Kinney, 1st Corp.; Scott Garland, 2d Corp.; 
Geo. C.^Fosler, 3d Corp.; John W. Wykoff, 4th Corp. 

Privates — Chas. H. Anderson, Richard Armstrong, Edmund J. 
Ashton, Wm. G. Ashton, John Armstrong, Lauren Brown, A. F. 
Brooking, H. Blackburn, A. T. Baldwin, Robt. G. Cox, Ralph E. 
Deniston, Chas. E. Hans, George Leger, Louis Leger, Roscoe Langley, 
W. G. Morgan, J. C. Morford, A. E. Patrick, Geo. H. Paisley, 
Geo. A. Suddith, Robt. W. Stall, Geo. Stueck, M. R. Sharp, W. J. 
Vosburg, Henry Weyant, Chas. Weyant, John Wright, Simon D. 
Yordy. 

This troop was assigned to the First Brigade, and ordered in camp 
at Lincoln on August 29, 1887. 

The company took up the line of march August 30th, in the midst 
of a drizzling rain storm, camping the first night at the Quick farm, 
near Emerald, and reaching "Camp Thayer" the next morning at 
9 A. jr. The week was spent in drill and camp discipline. The 
troop performed excellent service on vidette duty in keeping the dis- 
orderly in camp, receiving the highest compliments for their appear- 
ance and soldierly bearing on grand review by Gen. Wheaton, of the 
regular army, who was detailed by the war department to inspect the 
Nebraska National Guards. Breaking camp on Saturday, September 
3d, the troop marched to its rendezvous at Milford, a distance of 
twenty miles, in six hours, which would be considered rapid enough 
for a forced march in military parlance. 

Seward county has the honor of having the only troop of cavalry 
in Nebraska, and the members of the company are noted for their 
steady habits and moral force, therefore possessing the necessary req- 
uisites for eifective military service. 

Capt. Culver participated three years in active service during the 
war for the Union, and having taken an academic military course 
after retiring from the war, and being a strict disciplinarian, will 
bring the troop up to the required standard of efficiency. 

The troop is M-ell equipi)ed with excellent regulation uniforms and 
cavalry sabers and bridles, and are quartered when on duty at the 
new brick armory on ]\Iain St., Milford, where a military air prevails 
when the "Yellow Jackets" are assembled. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 185 

FROM E. L. ELLIS' DIARY, KEPT IN 1859 TO 1861. 

Mr. E. landed in Nebraska on May 12, 1859, aud on May 17th 
we find him and party on the Nemaha creek, near where Pabuyra 
stands, which is described as a wikl country with howling wolves. 
He finds in all that county just one deserted cabin. He savs the 
roads leading to Nebraska City are lined with an innumerable host 
of returning Pike's Peakers. Was favorably impressed with the 
■quality of lands. Party arrived at the house of A. J. Wallingford, 
on b'alt creek, on the 17th. The party, consisting of E. L. Ellis, 
A. J. Wallingford, F. C. Simpson, Wm. Jones, and C. L. Barrett, 
visited Blue river on June 10th. Their way led across the rough 
land along Haines branch and South Middle creek, and except a 
drove of deer they saw nothing to please them until they reached the 
Blue valley. We infer by the time they were traveling that they 
struck Blue river somewhere between Old Camden and Milford. 
At six o'clock they reached an improvement that was conmienced on 
the farm of A. J. Rogers, and Avas occupied by a Mr. Norton. The 
party camped at the mouth of a branch putting into the river, which 
we infer was Plum creek. On the eleventh they traversed the table- 
lands east of Plum creek, and were well pleased with the country. 
He njentions the old town site at the junction of creek with river. 
Party saw one wolf and ten elk. Mr. E. says he killed one of them. 
They camped on ground where Mr. E. claims to have camped a year 
before. 

Mr. Ellis was left alone at camp a day witiiout ammunition, and says 
it was blue enough, twenty-five or thirty miles from settlement. 
Three elk came within two hundred yards of camp. June 13th, 
worked on his claim, which is by the present iron bridge. Returned to 
Salt creek on the 14th, and learned that five hundred Cheyennes and 
Ara])ahoes had passed on their way to butcher the Pawnee tribe. The 
settlers at Salt creek are fearful that these Indians will rob and kill 
them as they return, and are preparing fortifications, and had also 
sent spies to watch the movements of the red-skins. This scare con- 
tinued until the 19th. August 4th, Mr. Ellis rode a stray mule to 
Rock Bluff, sixty miles, for a doctor, and carried cold johnny cake in 
his pocket to eat. 

September 4th it is noted that nearly everybody in the settlement 
is sick. Mr. E. visited Blue river again in November, and he camped 



186 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

on Plum creek on the 3d; was hunting that day. Next we find hira 
building a little house on his ^laim. The company saw, on the 6th, 
near three hundred elk, and killed one that netted 500 pounds. 

On the 11th two men were attacked by five hundred Indians, and 
taken prisoners, held one day, robbed of all they had except their 
guns, which were given back to them, and they were charged by the 
brave Pawnees to never come to Blue river again. 

Salt creek, Christmas day, and no snow, warm and pleasant, roads 
dusty. 

On the 22d of February a few Indians came and bought twelve 
bushels of corn, which six squaws carried three miles without resting. 

April 3d a terrible dust storm is noted. The atmosphere was fairly 
darkened by it. Fearful prairie fires on the 12th, damaging the 
settlers greatly, and came very near burning a house where a dead 
man lay at the time. 

June 10th Mr. Ellis visited Blue river again, and had quite an 
experience ferrying Salt creek at the basin, as it was very high. Fer- 
ried over in the wagon box and pulled the gears over with ropes. 

On the 15th killed an elk and an elk calf. 

On the 16th found four head of stray cattle somewhere near the 
future site of Seward. The party also found an old wagon worth 
about $45, that had been abandoned. They found a settlement on 
the Blue, where parties had planted forty acres of corn, but the record 
gives no names. 

On the 23d, went over to Judge J. D. Maine's, on Stevens creek, 
and had the stray property appraised. 

July 25th, killed a buck deer and tried to carry it to wagons nine 
miles distant, but failed. 

On the 28th our party got lost on the prairie, and laid out all 
night. 

September 3d, was again on his claim. 

September 10, 1860, entered the claim. Soon after this Mr. E. 
returned to Missouri, where he found a wife and had some romantic 
experience with the intended father-in-law, who opposed the match. 

FROM TilE DIARY KEPT BY HON. THOMAS GRAHAM, 

In July, 1858, while he was examining government surveys in 
Seward county and the counties surrounding it, we quote as follows: 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 187 

Thursday, July 1, 1858 — This day promises to be rainy and dis- 
agreeable. We ran over to range line in town five, between ranges 
two and three, and one mile up north to town corner, which we did 
not quite reach on account of its getting too dark to see. 

July 4th — "We are spending our 4th to-day in Sec. 1, town 5, R. 3 
east. We have mulberry pie for dinner, which tastes nice. Day 
sunny and warm. 

July 13th — Camped in Sec. 34 or 35; town ten, range 3 east. 
[This was probably about a mile from Milford.] 

July 14th — Spent the day examining town nine, range three. 
[This is O precinct.] 

July 15th — Examined town 13, range 3 [J precinct,] and dis- 
covered a small settlement on the east bank of the Blue, where we 
got some milk for supper. 

[Mr. G., we regret to say, fails to give us the names of the settlers, 
but we suppose it was the McKinly and Morton families spoken of 
in chapter five of this work. It is barely possible that it was the 
Morgans.] 

July 16th — Raining. Went up to T. 11, R. 3 [G precinct], and 
up as far north as T. 12. [The balance of this day's record is so 
badly eifaced that we can not read it, but we decipher the word creek, 
which we understand to be our Plum creek.] 

Sunday 18th — Spent the day fishing in the Blue. [Sorry friend 
G. would fish on Sunday.] 

Mr. Graham tells us that he remembers that there were some town 
site stakes near the mouth of Plum creek, but knows nothing of how 
they came there. These same stakes and two foundations were yet 
visible in February, 1864. They covered the slope in what is now 
Moffitt's pasture, north of the B. & M. road, and extended west to 
near the river at Boyes' mill. 

Later in the season we find Mr. Graham and party again in Seward 
county, and at that time they heard of the French settlement being 
formed at the forks of the Blue, but did not visit it. This was Vif- 
quain settlement, just below the Saline county line. If Mr. G. had 
supposed that Seward county had so many honors in store for him, 
his notes would have been more elaborate, but we are thankful for 
small favors. ^ 



188 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

BEAVER CROSSING BUGLE 

Was established April 27, 1877, by H. C. Hensel, and is one of the 
largest county papers in the state, being an eight-page seven-column 
paper, ably edited, and republican in politics. We understand that 
it will be enlarged January 1, 1888. It makes the fur fairly stand 
on end among the Beavers to hear the "Bugle notes" calling them 
into active life from week to week. Long may the Bugle blasts 
awaken the hills and valleys of tha,t region, and be a great helper in 
the development of the long neglected, yet interesting and valuable 
portion of our county. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 189' 



CHAPTER X. 



CHURCHES— ADVENTISTS, SEVENTH DAY — AMISH MENNONITES — BAPTIST MIS' 
SIONAKY—CONGREGATIONALISTS— GERMAN EVANGELICAL FRIENDES — GER- 
MAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN— METHODIST PROTESTANT — UNITED BRETH- 
REN— PRESBYTERIAN — METHODIST EPISCOPAL — PREDESTINARIAN BAPTIST. 



SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS CHURCH 

organized a class May 23, 1875, near Ruby station, which was named 
Seward church. Local elder, Mathew Hackworth; first deacon,. 
Alexander Hackworth ; first secretary, Ella L. Hackworth. Organiz- 
ing members in addition to the above officers were : Francis Morton, 
Drucilla Morton, Martha Rider, Alice Rider, Rebecca Hackworth, 
Abiatha Kennison, and Anginette Morgan. Present membership, 
about twenty. Prominent members that have died are: Abiatha 
Kennison, who died Jan. 26, 1877; E. D. Hoagland, in 1884. The 
denomination design to build a house of worship as soon as they feel 
able to do so. They have an active missionary and tract society of 
fifteen members ; also a Sabbath-school of full fifty scholars, which is. 
in a prosperous condition. 

AMISH MENNONITES. 

A small colony of these people settled two miles west of Milford, 
April 8, 1873. Eight families constituted the first settlement. Their 
first communion was held October, 1875, by Rev. Christian Kopf, 
of McLean county, Illinois, who was sent by the conference held in 
Illinois that year. Membership at that time was eleven. In the 
spring of 1876, Rev. Paul P. Hershberger came from Henry county, 
Iowa, and that spring a church was organized with twenty-three 
members, and Rev. Hershberger became pastor for the season. Late 
that fall communion was held by Rev. Noehzecker and Rev. Zeher, 
from Woodford county, Illinois. Three converts were baptized oa 
this occasion. In the spring of 1877, Rev. D. C. Miller, of Howard, 



190 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

county, Indiana, visited the church and held communion, when two 
new members were received into the communion. 

Rev. Hershberger conducted services until the spring of 1878, 
when Rev. Joseph Gersho came, who assisted Rev. Hershberger, and 
that season the church was built. It is situated on Sec. 9 in '*0' 
precinct. 

At that time the membership Avas fifty-five. Rev. Samuel Zoeher 
conducted the first service in the new church. In the fall, Bishop 
Joseph Schlezel bought a home with us. He held communion and 
baptized five persons. He took up his residence here in the spring 
of 1879, and has been pastor to the present time. We have enlarged 
the church and it is now 28x56 feet. The present membership is 
two hundred and forty. 

The society is very prosperous, having at this time the largest 
membership of any single church in the county. 

THE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH OF SEWARD 

was organized March 1, 1870, with seven members, viz.. Rev. E. L. 
Clark and wife, Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Pitt, Mr. and Mrs. Dr. L. 
Walker, and B. B. Archer. One hundred and seventy-six members 
have been received into the church during its existence up to January 
1,1888. Present membership, 43. Pastors in charge have been: 
Rev. E. L. Clark, followed by Rev. H. W. Brayton ; then Rev. J. 
D. Newell, who was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Hall ; then Rev. H. L.. 
Badger. For a time the church was without a pastor, when Rev. E. 
Hapgood was called to tiie pastorate, and served for about two years. 
The church was again left for a time without a pastor, when Rev. 
John Barr was called, who served two years, and was succeeded by 
Rev. J. N. Webb. The church edifice was erected in the north part 
of town in 1872, and removed to its present location in 1876. Notable 
members that have died were. Rev. E. L. Clark and wife; Vinal 
Danniels, killed while at work on the church belfry, by a fall; Mrs. 
F. E. Pitt, Mrs. Elsie T. Walker, Stephen Payne, and Mrs. B. B. 
Archer. The first board of trustees : Dr. L. Walker, Rev. E. L. 
Clark, and B. B. Archer. First clerk. Dr. L.Walker. 

Milford church was organized in Septen)ber, 1870, with nine 
members, viz.. Rev. W. Z. Hazelwood and wife, A. A. Messenger 
and wife, Joiin Burkett and wife, S. K. Keyes and wife, and Mrs. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 191 

E. Davison. The church flourished for some vears and erected a 
house of worship, but many of the members moving away, and other 
causes, caused the church to disband. 

Blue Valley church was organized in May, 1872, with six mem- 
bers. This little church flourished for four or five years, and at one 
time had eighteen members, but it disbanded and its members found 
homes in other churches. 

CATHOLIC CHURCHES. 

The Catholic congregation built a very creditable church edifice a^ 
Seward in 1877. They also have a substantial parsonage. 

The Utica church was built in 1882. Each church has a large 
membership. 

We would have been glad to give a more extended account of 
their churches, but the data were not attainable. 

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES. 

The first members were: Wm. H. Reed, Patrick Davidson, A. J. 
Waterman, Lee H. Smiley, Nancy C. Reed, Sophia Davidson, Eliza- 
beth J. Waterman, Mary J. Smiley, Ester Smiley, Sallie M. Smith, 
Marian Hooker, and Sophia D. Hooker. A. J. Waterman and 
Patrick Davidson were the first deacons, and Lee H. Smiley was 
first clerk. A new- brick church was erected in 1884, at a cost of 
$3,500. The membership at present is 64, and under the pastorate 
of Rev. S. G. Lamb, the church is in a flourishing condition. 

HISTORICAL SKETCH, BY EEV. H. A. FRENCH. 

On the 10th day of April, 1869, a council met at Milford to assist 
in perfecting the organization of the Congregational church of Mil- 
ford, and receive it into the fellowship of Congregational churches. 
Twelve persons entered into covenant with the church at its organiza- 
tion. 

During the remainder of the year 1869, nine persons were received 
into membership by letter, and none dismissed. In 1870, ten persons 
were received into membership by letter, and two removed by death. 
In 1871, none were received, and four dismissed. In 1872, four 
were received by letter, one upon profession of faith, and two were 
dismissed. In 1873, eleven were received upon profession of faith, 



192 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

and four were dismissed. In 1874, nine were received upon profes- 
sion of faith, and four were dismissed. Thus it will be seen that up- 
to January 1, 1875, fifty-seven persons had been connected with the 
chuich, and sixteen dismissed, leaving the church with a membership 
of forty-one at the beginning of the present year. 

liev. T. N. Skinner became ])astor of the church at its organiza- 
tion, and continued to sustain this relation till February, 1872, when 
the pastoral office became vacant. In the following May, H. A. 
French (a licentiate) was chosen to fill this office. 

At first the church had no rules or regulations, except such as- 
were found in the ecclesiastical society connected with it. In 1870,. 
it adopted a code of by-laws. In January, 1873, it adopted a con- 
stitution and revised its by-laws ; and in January, 1874, it agaii> 
revised its polity and became incorporate. 

During the year 1869, a house of worship — 24x36 — was built for 
the church, and situated on lots one and two, of block one, ^lilford, 
Seward county, Nebraska, and, according to the statement ot the 
building committee, costing over sixteen hundred dollars. Of this 
amount, four hundred dollars came from the American Congrega- 
tional Union. 

There was at an early day a church at Beaver Crossing, but we are 
unable to learn anything of its history. There also appears to have 
been one at an early day at Germantown, which has disbanded. 

Utica church was organized December 9, 1886, with the following 
charter members: Mrs. Nora Wright, Mrs. Emma Wright, Miss 
Barbary Davis, Miss Lillie Davis, Miss Hattie Davis, Clarence 
Wright, Charles Burnham, Mrs. Carrie Burnham, Mrs. Adie Brant,, 
and Mrs. J. N. Liggett. Rev. A. B. Show organized the church 
and was the first pastor. 

Seward church was organized INIay 9, 1887, with thirty-five mem- 
bers, most of whom had seceded from the Presbyterian church. The 
first officers were: Alex. M. Darley, pastor; J. C. Bradley and A. 
H. Jiemis, deacons; F. H. jNIcLain, clerk ; S. R. Douglas, treasurer. 
Trustees, S. R. Douglas, Edmund Mclntyre, L. R. Cottrell, Henry 
Morris, and R. P. Anderson. Present membership, forty. They 
now have enclosed and nearly completed tiie finest church in the 
county, being a two-story brick structure with belfry. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 193 

GERMAN EVANGELICAL FRIEDEN's CHURCH AT SEWARD 

[by key. p. speidel] 

was organized ou the 22d of September, 1878, by ReY. Christian 
Bek, with the following luenibers, viz. : John Schmidt, George 
Goetz, Mathias Schmidt, Heinrich ISIeinberg, and Carl Maier. Soon 
after the organization was completed, the congregation bought lots 1, 
2, and 3, in block 43, in Cloyd's addition, and built a neat little 
church edifice, and in 1885 they also built a parsonage, at a cost of 
^1,000. A flourishing Sabbath-school is maintained, and also an 
elementary day school, and preparation for confirmation is maintained 
during the winter months. Present membership, forty. Charities 
consist in general church work, supporting the pastor, contributions 
to home and foreign missions, seminaries, orphan homes, and other 
benevolent institutions. The pastors were, Rev. Christian Bek, from 
1878 to 1881; Rev. J. P. Welsch, from 1881 tu 1883, and Rev. P. 
Speidel from June 1, 1884, to the present. The church is in a 
flourishing condition. 
i 

THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL FRIEDENS GEMEINDE CHURCH,. 
[written BY REV. J. P. WELSCH,] 

on the West Blue, is located in the south-east corner of Sec. 36, iu 
O precinct, Seward county. The society was organized in the year 
1874, by twelve members, viz.: Frank Bushboom, Andreas Budde,. 
Heinrich Kemper, Arnold Kubitz, Herman Pruning, Heinrich 
Rogge, Robert Danekas, Heinrich Kartman, Gerhard Bruning, Wil- 
helm Kemper, John VanDeest, Wilhelm Riege. In a meeting of thfr 
society held on the 21st of June, 1874, it was resolved to buy the- 
ten acres of laud in the south-east corner of Sec. 36, in O precinct,, 
then owned by Victor Vifquain. Up to the year 1876 the society^ 
held its meetings in school and private houses, during which time 
several different ministers preached here, viz.: Rev. Regier, of Lin- 
coln ; Rev. Schaster, of Swan creek ; Rev. Irion, of Gerraantown.. 

On the 22(1 day of December, 1875, Rev. Gaertner was chosen pas- 
tor, and in 1876 a ])arsonage and house in one was built, 16x28. la 
1877 Rev. Gaertner accepted a place in Concordia, Kansas, and the 
society was without its own pastor, but was served alternately by Rev. 
Vertz, of Crete, and Rev. Bek, of Seward. In 1878 Rev. J. P. 
13 



194 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

Welsch, of Burlington, Iowa, bought the south-east | of Sec. 36, O 
precinct, as by some particular circumstance it was again sold, and he 
allowed the society to retain its land. This gentleman was unani- 
mously elected pastor November 3, 1878. 

We are at present building a church 28x40, with a steeple fifty-five 
feet high, at an estimated cost of from $1,800 or $2,000, including a 
bell and organ. Of the first twelve members there are at present but 
seven. Frank Bushboom died, Andreas Budde returned to Germany, 
Arnold Kubitz moved west and was killed by the Indians, Herman 
Bruningand Gerliard Bruning moved west, where the latter died 
shortly afterwards, John VanDeest moved away. There are now 
eighteen members. A Sabbath-school was organized about five years 
ago, and now numbers thirty-six children as scholars. The hopes 
for the future are encouraging. 

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. 

[BY KEY. K. T. GEUBEE.] 

The Evan. Lutheran Emmanuel's Congregation of Middle Creek, 
and the Evangelical Lutheran Zion's Congregation were both organ- 
ized in the fall of 1870, the latter on Lincoln creek, near Marysville. 

Trustees of INIiddle Creek Congregation were : Louis Leibrock, 
Diedrich Brandt, Conrad Roehrkasse. Members were: Conrad 
Grots, Franz Thomas, August Waldman, Diedrich Wilkens, Freder- 
ick Roepke, August Make, Conrad Bagle, Earnest Boese, Wilhelm 
Lubbe, Andrew Schultz. 

Trustees of the Lincoln Creek Congregation were : Fred Hart- 
man, Fred Schueman, John Schoepf Names of first members were: 
August Daeling, Win. Daeliug, Mr. Burgaenger, W. Meyer, Mr. 
Heitman, Mr. iJerman, Mr. Fehlhafer, F. Mayland, F. liartman. 

Rev. Karl Theodore Gruber was pastor of both congregations. 
Emmatmel's Congregation on Middle creek built a parsonage on Rev. 
Gruber's homestead, near Grots' school-house, in 1871. 

The foundations of the stone church were laid May 8, 1873. The 
church, 24x36, was dedicated June 14, 1874. They maintain a pri- 
vate religious school, four days in a week. Present membership or 
number of families, 45. Present pastor, H. Bode. A second parson- 
age was built in 1882. 

The Evangelical Lutheran Zion's Congregation, near Marysville, 



HISTORY OP SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 105 

had at first in charge Rev. Karl Theodore Gruber, next Rev. J. 
Seidel, next Rev. Haessaler, and at present Rev. G. Weller. The 
first church was built and dedicated in the fall and winter of 1870. 
A parsonage was erected in 1872. A second and larger church was 
erected in 1874. The congregation is composed of 63 families at 
present. Prominent members that have died are : F. Scheumann 
and J. Schoepf. This congregation sustains a school, taught by Rev. 
Weller. 

The Evangelical Lutheran Emmanuel's Congregation was organized 
by Rev. L. Huber. First trustees were: Henry Neujahr, R. Heit- 
mann, and F. Gierhahn. A sod house, as a church, was erected in 
1874, a frame church in 1876, and a frame parsonage in 1881. A new 
church was built in 1887, with a steeple 80 feet in height, and was 
dedicated December 4, 1887. First members were: K. Heitmann, 
H. Xeujahr, D. Dey, F. Suhr, J. Suhr, F. Gierhahn, F. Stephens, 
A. Klebe, W. F. Yoelske, Gustave Toenniges, A. Schultz, F. Neu- 
jahr. Number of members exceed 40. Rev. J. Seidel, Rev. Haessa- 
ler, and Rev. G. F. Gruber, my brother, born in Germany 1835, 
liave been the pastors, and the latter is still holding the place. H. 
Neujahr died in 1884. 

The Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Seward, was organized 
by Rev. K. T. Gruber, December 10, 1877. First trustees were: 
Herman Deirs, O. E. Benecker, and C. Kroeger. First members, 
F. Goehner, Wm. Schultz, H. Kimrael, Mr. Kortge, and Mr. Be- 
necker, Sen. and Jr., etc. The church was built in the fall of 1879, 
and dedicated November 9, 1879. Ministers were, from 1875 to 
1880, Rev. K. T. Gruber, from 1881 to 1883, Rev. C. Bode, and at 
present, Rev. F. Koenig. The congregation is erecting a fine 
j)arsonage. 

A number of the members of the church on Lincoln creek held a 
meeting near Orton and organized themselves as Evangelical Lu- 
theran St. Paul's Congregation, April 8, 1885. Trustees were: 
J. Metzner, F. Neujahr, and W. Neujahr. Other prominent members 
were: J. Schukai, G. Durher, etc. Number of families belonging 
to congregation, 12. A parsonage and church were built in 1885. 
The church was dedicated August 16, 1S85. Present pastor is K. T. 
Gruber. They have a private school of 22 pupils, four days in a 
week, taught by Rev. Gruber. 



196 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

There is also a small Evangelical Lutheran Congregation four miles 
south of Milford. They built a frame church in 1881, Pastor in 
charge, E,. Gruber. Prominent members: A. Goldhammer, F. 
Krumirde, K. Kaiile, etc. 

METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH. 

[by eev. c. e. phinney.] 

Our firsf church was organzied February 22, 1872, in L precinct 
at Prairie Grove. The class comprised nine members, and was or- 
ganized by Rev. D. H. Walker. In September, 1873, Rev. C. E. 
Phinney received his appointment from the annual conference and 
took charge of the Seward mission, and under his care the following 
classes were organized: At Westfield, York county, January 10, 
1874, a class of twenty-two members; in February of the same year. 
Pleasant Prairie class, at what is now Utica, with fourteen members, 
and April 29th following, a class Avas organized at Northfield, York 
county, in T. 11, range 1 west, with twelve members. He also or- 
ganized a class in what is now J precinct, called South Prairie class, 
with eighteen members. In 1876 he organized Mound Prairie class, 
in what is now K precinct, with sixteen members. At this time the 
membership was 94. Rev. Phinney continued pastor until 1878, when 
Rev. C. S. Bradly served one year very efficiently. Rev. Phinney 
again took charge of the Avork for one year, when his health failed, 
and he was followed by Rev. Wynn, for one year, who was succeeded 
by Rev. A. L. Beggs, who had charge two years, and was followed by 
Rev. H. G. Claycomb, who had charge of the work nearly four years. 
C. E. Phinney again took the work in the last quarter of 1887. Jan- 
uary 1, 1888, Rev. A. Byers is pastor. 

The work has changed somewhat. In York county the classes 
have all united at Waco, where they have erected a good house of 
worship under the pastorate of Rev. Phinney. 

That part in Seward county was united, and they have a tine church 
elifice that was dedicated September 12, 1877, on Sec. 14, in L town- 
ship, which cost about nine hundred dollars. The church is in a 
flourishing condition. They maintain a good Sabbatli-school. 

UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH IN SEWARD COUNTY. 
[by rev. e. w. .iounsox.] 
Rev. E. W. Johnson organized the first church at the Slonecker 
school-house, in 1872. This was four miles west of Seward. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 197 

The Seward chureli was organized by Rev. Johnson in 1878. 
Their church edifice was erected and dedicated in 1880, by Bishop 
Wright. The present membership is seventy-five. 

The church at Slonecker school-house removed tiieir membership to 
Seward in 1882. Rev. E. W. Johnson was the first pastor, in 1872, 
and continued in charge until 1875, wiieu Rev. Henry Lahr served 
the church one year. Rev. P. P. Landen was in charge in 1876, and 
was followed in 1877 by the Rev. E. L. Austin, when Rev. E. W. John- 
son was again placed in charge in 1878, and served the church three 
years. Rev. M. Waltemire was pastor in 1881, and in 1882 Rev. J. 
M. Eads had charge. In 1883 Rev. O. D. Cone was pastor, and was 
followed in 1884 by Rev. J. M. Duffield. In 1885 Rev. Cone was 
again placed in charge, and died while in charge. He was followed 
by Rev. J. R. Hamer, who completed the year 1885. Rev. J. J. 
Lohr served in 1886, and was followed by the present incumbent, 
Rev. F. W. Jones. 

A ciiurch was organized in 1886 at a school-house in the north 
part of "B" precinct, by the Rev. Lohr, and in the fall of 1887 
the church have undertaken the erection of a house of Avorship at the 
new railroad station in " B" town. 

Rev. 0. D. Cone, who died at the post of duty, was a very worthy 
and intelligent minister, and was universally honored wherever known, 
and dearly beloved by all his parishioners. Jn his death the church 
sustained the loss of one of its most able and valuable defenders, and 
the community one of its most highly honored citizens. 

[by rev. F. W. JONES.] 

The history of the church in "B" precinct has been a varied one. 
The United Brethren in Christ has been no exception. The cause 
has chiefly been the unsettled state of society. That restless spirit 
that obtains in the western people has led in the past many of the 
settlers of "B" jirecinct to seek homes elsewhere, and a large majority 
of the church membership were among the number. But a better 
day has dawned on the U. B. church in '^B" precinct. It has within 
the last year taken on a permanent character. In the month of Feb- 
ruary, 1887, Rev. J. J. Lohr, responding to the pressing calls of the 
few faithful brethren that were holding the ground against great oppo- 
sition, held a series of meetings at what is called and known as Bach- 
elder's school-house near the present railroad station, "B," on the F., 



198 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

E. & M. V. R. R. This meeting resulted in a great awakening through- 
out the corarauuity. Many started in the way of a better life. The 
permanent work of Mr. Lohr at this place is most satisfactory. The 
result of his labors was the organization of a church of fifteen mem- 
bers, the most prominent citizens of the community being among the 
number. ' 

The closing of the conference year, in March following, closed Mr. 
Lohr's labors at this point. The conference held in Lincoln, Neb.^ 
in the same month, appointed F. W. Jones as the successor of Mr. 
Lohr, and up to this witing he is still in charge of the church. The 
work has been very prosperous so far this year. The church has a 
prosperous Sunday-school connected with its work. In August, 1887, 
the quarterly conference appointed a prospective board of trustees for 
said church. The names of these trustees are, J. W. Bachelder, W. 
S. Ford, T. J. Drake, D. T. Johns, and R. Cessna. As we have 
said, the object was only prospective, but after they, in conjunction 
with the pastor, had spied out the land, it was decided to proceed at 
once to build a churel. house, and to locate it in the town of ''B.'' 
A subscription was circulated for that purpose, and within six days 
after starting over six hundred dollars were secured. 

The style of the building is modern in its architecture. The build- 
ing when completed will be a neat frame structure, twenty-eight by 
forty-six feet, fourteen foot studding. The building has a tower in 
front, eight by twelve, and is about forty-three feet high. The building 
is now ready to plaster, and will be finished as soon as the spring opens 
sufficiently. It will cost when completed and furnished about thir- 
teen hundred dollars. Tiie outlook for the U. B. church in'^B'^ 
precinct is flattering indeed. The church building will be a credit 
to the denomination and the communitv that are working so faithfullv 
in its completion. This church has a bright future before it, and 
with its efficient and consecrated membership will go forward to 
bless and help many a weary soul on the way to a better life. 

PRESBYTEETAN CHURCH. 
[by rev. T. L. sexton, D.D.] 

The work of the Presbyterian church in Seward county began very 
soon after the state was admitted into the Union. On the 2oth of 
July, 1868, the Presbyterian churcli of Seward Mas regularly organ- 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 199 

ized by the Rev. William McCandlish, district missionary of the 
presbytery of Missouri river. The public services on this occasion 
were conducted by jNlr. M. C. Wilson, a licentiate of the presbytery of 
Huntington, Pa., after which the following named persons were regu- 
larlv organized as the First Presbyterian church of Seward, viz.: David 
Imlay, Dorcas Imlay, Sarah Ann Brown, Stites Wooley, Mary Ann 
Wooley, Wm. Imlay, Mary E. Imlay, Mary E. Pierce, Moulton N. 
Ciark, and Louisa Josephine Imlay. David Imlay was elected elder, 
and Stites Wooley and Moulton N. Clark were chosen deacons. At this 
time an invitation was extended to Mr. M. C. Wilson to supply the 
church for one year, in connection with the Presbyterian church of 
Lincoln, but the records do not show that he accepted. From May 
12 to September 2, 1870, Mr. G. B. Smith, a licentiate otBlairsville 
presbytery, supplied the church, and after completing his seminary 
course, in 1871, he returned and took permanent charge of the work. 
Kev. Geo. B. Smith continued to labor as pastor of the church of 
Seward and throughout the county till May 1, 1876. The Rev. Chas. 
S. Marvin had charge of the church from June 1, 1876, to December 
5, 1876. Rev. Enoch Benson was the minister in charge from May 
1, 1877, to May 1, 1882. Vacant from May 1, 1882, to September 
1, 1882. On the 16th of July, 1882, a unanimous call was extended 
to the Rev. Thos. L. Sexton, of Kossuth, Iowa, which was accepted 
by him, and he began work on the 1st of September, 1882. The 
church became self-supporting one year from this date, paying its 
pastor a salary of .$1,000 without any aid from the Home Mission 
board. After laboring for three years and a half, till IVIarch 1, 1886, 
the Rev. T. L. Sexton resigned his pastorate to accej)t the position of 
superintendent of mission work in the state. After hearing several can- 
didates, the cliurch called the Rev. Alex Darley, of Storm Lake, Iowa, 
who began work June 1, 1886. This was unfortunate for the church, 
as it was divided by internal troubles before the expiration of the first 
year, and part of the members withdrew and organized a Congrega- 
tional church. After being vacant several months, the Presbyterian 
church called the Rev. Xathaniel Chestnut, of Missouri Valley, Iowa, 
who entered upon the work September 11, 1887, and is the present 
pastor. 

During all these years there have been added to the original mem- 
bers two hundred and fifteen names, many of which represent persons 



200 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUXTY, NEBRASKA. 

who have doue much in mouldiDg the moral character of the com- 
munity. Many excellent families have gone forth from this church 
to render faithful and valuable service in other cities and communi- 
ties. Tile present membershij) is seventy-five. 

The Presbyterian ohurcli of Tamora was organized September 5, 
1880, by Rev. Geo. L. Little, synodical missionary, with the follow- 
ing members: Mrs. Margaret Scott, Johnston W. Scott, JNIrs. Nan- 
nie E. Scott, James B. Scott, Mrs. Carrie A. Scott, William Scott, 
Miss Mary Scott, Miss Anna B. Scott, Mrs. Cora I. Bisset, Mrs. 
Mary J. Bisset, Geo. W. Parker. Rev. Enoch Benson had charge 
of the church till January, 1884. Mr. W. C. Brass, a licentiate of 
the Binghamton presbytery, siipj)lie(l the church from January to 
September, 1884. Rev. Oscar B. Thayer had charge from Novem- 
ber 25, 1884, to November 25, 1885. Rev. B. F. Sharp began work 
November 29, 1885, and continued till November, 1887. Rev, Mark 
E. Milford is the present minister. The ciiurch building was erected 
in 1884, and was dedicated November 9, 1884, by Rev. T. E, Sex- 
ton, of Seward. The church is joined with Staplehurst in one pas- 
toral charge. 

The Presbyterian church of Staplehurst was organized by Rev. 
Geo E. Eittle, synodical missionaiy, assisted by Rev. E. Benson, on 
the 16th of April, 1882, with the following named members: W. 
W. Hoops, Mrs. Eydia J. Hoops, Marcus Richtmyer, Mrs. Hannah 
M. Richtmyer, Martin Castle, Mrs. Emma Castle, H. G. Hosford, 
Mrs. Emma Hosford, Geo. Richtmyer, Miss E. Burhans, Mrs. 
Rachel McKay, J. W Gladwish, Mrs. Lena A. Gladwish, Thos. 
Corr, Mrs. M. Corr, Mrs. E. Young, Albert E. Bradley, Mrs. Mary 
A. Bradley, Mrs. E. A. Jull, and Mr. Slupe. Nine of these are now 
left. The church building at Staplehurst was dedicated free from 
debt on the 29th of October, 1882, the sermon being pi'eached by the 
Rev. Thos. L. Sexton, at that time the pastor at Seward. Staplehurst 
has been uniteil with Tamora, and has enjoyed the services of the 
same ministers, and for the same length of time. The Presbyterian 
is the onlv church in the village. 

M. E. CHURCH. 
[by EEV. J. ir. PRESSOK.] 

The liistorv of INIethodism in Seward countv commences with its 
first settlement. It came with the first camp-fires that lit u]> the groves 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 201 

and prairies, it was found iu the hearts of many of the rugged pio- 
neers, wlio sang the sono-s of the AA'eslevs while they iollowed the 
plow that broke the virgin soil. The Methodist itinerant, with his 
saddle-bags, bible, hymn book, and discipline, helped to lead the ad- 
vance of civilization, and to establish in this beautiful land the gospel 
of tlie Son of God. Some of this number — preachers and laymen 
and devoted wives and mothers — have passed over and are numbered 
among the redeemed. Others are still with us, and are rejoicing in 
their well-earned victories. They see and enjoy this beautiful land 
which they have helped rescue from the wilds of nature, and have 
transformed into a paradise of christian civilization, a land of home 
and plenty, where God dwells in the hearts of many people, and where 
all may enjoy the benefits of our blessed Christianity. 

In the year 1870 Seward was the head of a very large circuit. It 
was then a place of two or three hundred inhabitants. The preacher 
was the Rev. C. W. Comstock, his charge consisted of the north half 
of Seward, west half of Butler, all of Polk, and the north half of 
York counties. Milford at this time was the head of another laro-e 
circuit, embracing the south halt of this county, part of Saline and 
York counties. The Rev. A. Blackwell was the pastor. The entire 
membership reported living within the bounds above mentioned was 
(85) eighty-five, except a few who lived in the extreme south-west 
corner of the county under the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Oliver. 

In the spring of 1871 the Rev. Josiah Burlingame was appointed 
to Seward charge, then a mission, embracing the north-west part of 
Seward, south-west part of Butler, and all of Polk counties. The 
society at Seward at this time was the possessor of four lots situated 
just west of where our high school building now stands. These lots 
were the gift of Louis Mof^itt, the original owner of the town, for the 
use of the society for a church and parsonage. 

Milford this same year was supplied by the Rev. P. C. Brannon, 
under whose labors a great revival took place, and many of the best 
families of the town were converted and became members of the 
church. In 1872 Seward was left most of the year without a shep- 
herd. In 1873 Rev. A. L. Foldeu was the pastor. During his ad- 
ministration the present church, a brick structure, was completed and 
dedicated. The Rev. Bishop Andrews, who was master of ceremo- 
nies, found it a hard task to provide for the debt, but through the 



202 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUXTY, NEBRASKA. 

liberality of a few of the members, some of whom are vet hving- in 
this vicinity, the amount asked for was subscribed, and the first M.E. 
church of Seward county was dedicated to the service of God on the 
29th day of December, 1874. Some of the trustees are still living in 
Seward, among whom is the Hon. W. R. Davis, who with one or 
two others became personally responsible for the debt, which took a 
number of years to wipe out. Too much praise can not be given the 
men and women who did so much for the cause of Christ in those 
early days. 

This same year there was a church built at Milford, under the 
pastorate of the Rev. John Gallagher. 

The Rev. T. L. McLean, who will be kindly remembered by many 
of the old residents as a man of ability and fine social qualities, 
served as pastor at Seward during the years 1875-6-7. 

In 1878 Rev. J. W. Shank was appointed to Seward. Utica was 
made an appointment, and attached to Milford, with Thos. H. Worley 
as pastor. At the close of that year there were reported 184 mem- 
bers in the county. The jjarsonage — the main part of it — was built 
that year. It is amusing now to hear the ladies tell of the various 
methods used in order to raise money to pay for the home of their 
])astor. The following preachers have been from time to time ap- 
pointed since at Seward: Rev. j. P. Roe, Peter Van Fleete, E. J. 
Willis, G. W. Selby, Geo. M. Morey, and the present pastor. Rev. 
J. H. Presson. At Milford, Van Fleete, Conifer, Rowe, Badeon, 
Morrison, and Campbell. 

Milford is now an excellent charge, has a good frame church and 
parsonage valued at $4,000, a membership of 76, and in the midst of 
a nourishing district of country is bound to soon become a power for 
good. Utica, as an appointment, embraces at present the town of 
Tamora, has a neat and comfortable church and commodious parson- 
age in the town of Utica, and a church building at Tamora valued at 
$4,000; has over 100 membership, and is building up very rapidly. 
Many of the best families of both towns find a home and place of 
worship in the Methodist church. The pastors have been men of 
courage and ability. Germantown has no church building, and in 
consequence of this they have had a struggle to maintain themselves, but 
they have a parsonage and with three other appointments connected, 
all within this county, she is doing well for the cause of Christ and 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 203 

Methodism. The membership at present is 100. There are now in 
the county five churches and five hundred members; seven Sunday- 
schools, with seventy ofiicers and teachers, and 500 scholars. 

REGULAR PREDESTINARIAN BAPTIST CHURCH, 

Called New Hope, was constituted by Elder James M. True and 
Isaiah Wagoner, in the early part of 1884, with twelve constituent 
members. It now numbers about thirty members, and has as its 
pastor and moderator. Elder J. M. True, and as deacon, M. A. Mc- 
Bride. The regular meetings are held on the second Sunday of each 
month, and the Saturday before, near the Butler county line, in 
Seward county. 



"204 HISTORY OF SEM^ARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 



CHAPTER XL 



"G. A. R. — SEWARD POST NO. o — "WINSLOAV POST NO. 56— KEENAN POST NO. 
137 — MASONIC — OLIVER LODGE NO. 38 — UTICA LODGE NO. 96 — I. O. 0. F. 
— UTICA LODGE NO. 101 — SEWARD LODGE NO. 26 — W. C. T. U. OF SEAVARD 
— ANCIE NT ORDER UNITED WORKMEN— SEWARD LODGE NO. 16. 



SEWARD POST NO. 3, G. A. R., 

"Was organized Dec. 16, 1880, by Capt. John S. AVood, of" Omalia, 
Assistant Adjutant General, Department of Nebraska. The follow- 
ing were chosen officers: 

J. N. Edwards, Commander; Wm. Hays, Senior Vice Commander; 
S. D. Love, Junior Vice Commander; D. H. Figard, Q,. M.; A. W. 
Hageman, Surgeon ; Jeif. Ogg, Adjutant; A. H.Edwards, Officer of 
the Day ; J. D. Edwards, Sergeant Major; H. Vanderhoof, O. G. 

The charter members were: H. M. Hinsdale, Jefferson Ogg, 
Thomas Corr, A. W. Hageman, Henry Vanderhoof, S. D. Love, 
Abraham AVallick, C. C. Jobes, J. C. Ford, C. K. Humhpreys, G. 
W. Hoover, J. M. Fletcher, Wm. Hays, J. D. Messinger, J. X. Ed- 
wards, Wm. demons, A. H. Edwards, D. H. Figard, J. D. Ed- 
wards, Geo. W. Fuller, Geo. W. Whiting, Geo. H. Sidle, A. J- 
Williams, Thos. B. Siddons, Chas. Lyon, and Cyrus Fetternian. 

The post started out with the above-named veterans, with the full 
hope of bringing in all the boys who wore the blue and that lived in 
reach of the post. The boys had camp-fire meetings, sung songs of 
the long ago, and mustered during the year 1881 the following mem- 
bers : Daniel W. Crouse, S, H. Marshall, Wm. Leese, H. M. Brooks, 
John H. Morri.s, S. N. Welsh, Benj. W. AValker, Henry Morris, L. 
G. Johns, E. H. Horn, Alfred Stephens, Jacob Andrews, John Lar- 
son. R. T. Cooper, Robt. W. Pound, J. L. S. Jackson, E. C. Archer, 
Ed. Cooper, J. C. Lockhart, Wm. Redford, L. G. Castle, M. Richt- 
meyer, J. H. Anderson, C. C. Terniclitf, Jas. W. Woods, A. M. 
Simpson, P. H. Steele, Henry Jett, John Ohlwiler, W. H. R. Phil- 
lips, John M. Thurman, Henry Creighton, Jas. Wright. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 205 

January 1, 1882, the following having been elected to fill the 
various offices of the post, were duly installed: 

J. N. Edwards, Commander; Cyrus Fetterman, Senior Vice; Wm. 
Woods, Junior Vice; S. D. Love, Q. M. ; A. AV. Hageman, Surgeon; 
J, M. Fletcher, Chaplain; II. Vanderhoof, O. D. ; C. K. Humphreys, 
O. G.; Wm. demons, Adjt.; D. W. Crouse, Q. M. S. ; C. W. 
Lyon, Sergeant Maj. 

The post continued to hold meetings during 1882, with some draw- 
backs, which were happily adjusted during the year by the men 
getting into a hall by themselves, and began to gather an outfit 
peculiarly needed in a post room. 

The following were mustered during 1882 : Daniel Brady, John 
Hanley, Jacob Cox, 

In December, 1882, the post elected the following officers to serve 
for the ensuing year of 1883: S. D. Love, Commander; M, Thur- 
man, Senior Vice; AVm, Woods, Junior Vice; C. K. Humphrey, Q. 
M.; A. W. Hageman, Surgeon; Daniel Brady, Chaplain; E. H. 
Horn, O. D.; H. M. Brooks, O. G; H. Vanderhoof, Adjt. 

During this year the post mustered a number of new members, and 
many good social gatherings were had, long to be remembered by the- 
boys. The following were mustered in: Jas. Moorhead, John West- 
erhoof, S. J. Ashton, C. Chapin, S. R. Philips, Chas. Emerson, W, 
T. Olmstead, W. S. Saunders, Wm. Silence, John Welsh, D. C. Mc- 
Killip, Plenry Sanders, E. C. Parkinson (by transfer), M. Pilgrim, 
John Knobbs, Wm. Morgan. 

December 1, 1883, the following were elected officers for the year 
1884: E. C. Parkinson, Commander; C. C. Jobes, Senior Vice; A. 
W. Hageman, Junior Vice; H. Sanders, Chaplain; J. H. Welsh, 
Surgeon; C. K. Humphrey, Q. M.; A. H. Edwards, O. D. ; M. 
Pilgrim, O. G. ; H. Vanderhoof, Adjt. 

The post started out for the year in good trim, and had many good 
camp-fires, tending to revive the veterans up and bring in some old 
comrades from the outside. Durinj; the year the following were 
brought in by muster, etc. : E. A. Hitchcock, John Riioades, B. 
Chattuck, J. M. Strayer, Leander Callaghan, S. C. Stan wood, S. H. 
Carter, J. A. Mick (by transfer), Chas. P. Stephenson (by transfer), 
S. G. Jones, Wm. Wait, S. D. Dutton, G. W. Boyes, J. J. Beddings 
R. R. Schick, J. H. Walker, L. A. Welden, A. Crawford, C. Turner, 



206 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

W. H. Walker, Geo. W. Lowly, P. Cameron, W. B. Barrett, Gen. 
Jas. M. True, J. P. Losee, J. C. Thomas, J. B. Ireland, C. E. Van- 
pelt, S. C. Burlingim, J. T. Dunrig, M. Millspaugh, C. C. Davis. 

September 6, 1884, E. C. Parkinson resigned the office of Com- 
mander, and C. C. Johes, who was then Sen. Vice, was elected to fill 
the vacancy until the next annual election, which occurred December 
6, 1884, by the election of A. H. Edwards as Commander ; A. W. 
Hageman, Sen. Vice; A. Crawford, Juu. Vice; C. Turner, Surgeon; 
J. M. Fletcher, Ohap.; E. C. Parkinson, Q. M.; Lee Welden, O. D.; 
T. B. Siddons, O. G.; W. H. Walker, Adjt. This year was a pleas- 
ant one with the veterans. They added many needed improvements 
to the post room, gathered in members, and got the post on a firm 
foundation. The following were mustered in during the year: 
John N. Halliday, John W. Gladwish, S. M. Caldwell, B. Smith, 
Rev. T. L. Sexton, C. Dunn, C. H. Goldsmith, W. P. Christian, M. D. 
Monley, Alf. Wilcox, Chas. Scribner, H. G. Hosford, W. R. Davis, 
E. Faust, W. J. Eatinger, Geo. W. Anderson, Jededia Austin, 
Joseph Miller (by transfer). 

Dec. 5, 1885, election of officers resulted as follows: A. H. Ed- 
wards, commander; S. R. Phillips, Sen. Vice; Wm. Redfbrd, Jim. 
Vice; Wm. Wood, Surgeon; H.Saunders, Chap.; E. C. Parkin- 
son, Q. M.; L. A. Weldon, O. D.; M. D. Monley, O. G.; W. T. 
Olmstead, Adjt. The year of 1886 was an auspicious one for the 
post. Many valuable improvements were made and many good old 
camp-fires were had. There were mustered during the year as fol- 
lows : B. Lindsey, D. C. Conley, Orrin Squires, C. M. Clark, Rev. 
John Lohr, Alex. Davis, Rev. J. H. Presson, D. C, Work, Jacob 
Lawsha. 

Dec. 4, 1886, the election resulted as follows : A. W. Hageman, 
Commander ; Wm. Redford, Sen. Vice ; T. B. Siddons, Jun. Vice ; 
J. M. Strayer, Q. M.; Wm. Woods, Surgeon; J. H. Presson, Chap.; 
E. C. Parkinson, O. D.; B. Lindsey, O. G.; D. C. Work, Adjt. 
During this year many were brought in who liad long been on the 
outside and found that they needed a home among the " boys." The 
following were mustered: Jesse Knight, Amos Collmau, J. W. 
Wharton, Nelson Taylor, Robert O'Dell, John Woods, A. A. Palmer, 
R. H. Woodward, L. J. Grant, C. F. Dawley, I. D. Xeihardt (by 
tannsfcr), John R. Weiieikor, A. L. Goss, J. G. Baylis, B. Fuller, 



HISTORY OF SEM'ARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 207 

F. Mortoii, A. G. Comptou (by transfer), L. V. Bolon (by transfer), 
Jas. Devine. 

Dee. Md, 1887, the following were elected for the ensuing year: 
Henry Morris, Commander; Wm. Redford, Sen. Vice; D. H. 
Figard, Jan. Vice; J. H. Presson, Chap.; S. N. Welsh, Surg.; J. 
M. Strayer, Q. M.; A. H. Edwards, O. D.; M. Millspaugh, O. G. 

The post has exerted a great influence for good during its existence, 
and has always demonstrated the principles of the organization, to- 
wit, fraternity, charity, and loyalty; and in extending the helping- 
hand totiioseof its membership, or the old veterans outside, has done 
so in such a manner as to exemplify the adage, "that it is more 
blessed to give than receive," and that it was a privilege to aid the 
needy comrades or their families. Several hundred dollars have 
been expended by the post in helping the old veterans and the 
widows and orphans living in the vicinity. The post has a burial 
plat in the Seward cemetery in which to lay the remains of those 
comrades that were without means to provide the same. 

In the department encampment the post has been conspicuous for 
its ability and influence. During the year 1882, the state re-union 
came very near being held at Seward through the eflbrts of its rep- 
resentatives and the citizens of Seward. 

The post has been honored by the selection of J. N. Edwards 
and E. C. Parkinson as members of the department council of ad- 
ministration, and J. H. Presson as Chaplain of the department; also 
having elected J. N. Edwards several times a delegate to the national 
encampment. 

The membership in good standing, as shown by the quarterly re- 
port dated September 30, 1887, was one hundred and three (103) 
and the desire to join the G. A. R. seems to increase on the part ot 
many old veterans that have heretofore hesitated to connect them- 
.selves with any soldier organization. 

Since the post has been established there have been mustered out by 
death only two of its members — Daniel Brady and John F. Haney. 

The prospects of the post for the future seem bright, and it hopes 
to gather in all the old veterans in its vicinity, realizing the fact that 
the material from which recruiting can be made is fast passing away, 
and it is desirable that all the old veterans should stand ell)ow to 
elbow. As age demonstrates that many years have passed since their 



208 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

interests began, and as there is strength in united action, it is greatly 
to their mutual good that they should combine themselves together ta 
exemplify loyalty to country and to each other. 

Approved by Post, Dec. 14, 1887. 

D. C. Work, 

Adjutant. 

WIXSLOW POST no. 56, G. A. R., 

Was instituted Sept. 1, 1880 — the first post of the G. A. R. organ- 
ized in the county — and was composed of the following veterans as 
charter members: J. H. Culver, Co. K, 1st Wis. Inft; J. S. Di Hen- 
beck, Co. L, 20th X. Y. Cav.; G. W. Lazenby, Co. L, 7th Iowa 
Inft.; J. C. Hogoboom, Co. A, 95th Ills. Inft.; A. F. Diiryea, Co. 

A, 5th N. Y. Inft.; J. B. Mitchell, Co. C, 112th Ills. Inft.; S. D. 
Eastman, Co. C, 23d Wis. Inft.; John T. Wilson, Co. G, 21st Mich. 
Inft.; Charles Phoenice, Co. F, 57th Penn. Inft.; Sam'l Stadler, Co. 
C, 25th Mich. Inft.; J. G. Howard, Co. K, 5th Mich. Cav.; E. R. 
Brown, Co. K, lOth Wis. Inft.; J. A. Miller, Co. F, 211th Penn. 
Inft.; G. V. Hagernan, Co. D, 103d Ills. Inft.; H. C. Atwood, Co. 

B, 45th Iowa Inft.; E. Swank, Co. E, 133d Penn. Inft.; Joha 
Harmon, Co. C, 78th Ills. Inft.; Jos. Svvearingen, Co. H, 140th 
Penn. Inft. 

The post is named in honor of Capt. Winslow, commander of the 
U. S. ship Kearsage, that captured and sunk the famous rebel cruiser^ 
Alabama. At the time of her capture the Alabama had taken refuge 
in the port of Cherbourg, France, and was ordered to leave by the 
French government. As soon as she reached the high seas, Capt. 
Winslow pursued her, and an engagement took place which resulted 
in her ca])ture and destruction. 

As Milford is the acknowledged watering place, it was thought 
appropriate to give the post the name of some hero of the n;ivy. 

The following commanders have presided over its deliberations r 

J. H. Culver, two terms; G. M. Couffer, one term; J. H. David- 
son, one term ; D. C. Work, one term ; J. A. Miller,one term; A. 
Hiller, one term; Dr. A. K. Seip, now in command. The post is in 
a flourishing condition. 

MAJ. KEENAN POST NO, 137, G. A. R., 

Department of Nebraska, was instituted at Jk-aver Crossing, April 5,. 
1883, by Commander D. C. Work, Deputy, the following old soldiers 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 209 

and comrades having petitioned the Department Commander for a char- 
ter, which had been dnly granted : P. H. Steele, J. L. S. Jackson, C. 
H. Reed, W. P. Ostrander, T. J. McQuillan, J. C. Boicourt, Alonzo 
Coon, J. W. Draper, Tiios. Tydyman, Jas. Irrom, Daniel Nelson, T. 
J. Foster, W. H. Mygatt, O. Culver, E. Atwater, J. M. Hunter, Wra. 
Collier, J. F. Sloan, J. T. Pinkerton, J. G. Burkett, E. D. Blanch- 
ard, J. T. Gibbs, J. H. Waterman, and F. Tremper. 

The following comrades were elected and installed as officers of the 
post at the next regular meeting, held on April 10, 1883, by muster- 
ing officer J. H. Culver: Commander, P. H. Steele; Sen. Vice 
Commander, E. Atwater; Jun. Vice Commander, J. L. S. Jackson; 
Adjutant, C. F. Reed; Quartermaster, T. J. Foster; Surgeon, D. 
Nelson ; Chaplain, J. T. Pinkerton ; Officer of the Day, J. C. Boicourt; 
Officer of the Guard, Wm. Collier; Sergeant Major, T. J. McQuillan ; 
Quartermaster's Sergeant, W. P. Ostrander. 

The name Keenan was adopted in honor of the brave major who 
gave his life for his country. 

The post continued to prosper and soon numbered thirty-four mem- 
bers, and afterwards increased to thirty-eight. Many of the charter 
members have removed to other localities, so that now but twenty 
members are upon the rolls. Various causes have helped to reduce 
the membership. The present condition of the post is flourishing, 
and it expects to continue the organization until the last comrade has 
responded to the last roll call, and that grim mustering out officer, 
death, has made his last demand upon our number. 

The present officers are as follows: Commander, E. Atwater; Sen. 
Vice Commander, R. Jones; Jun. Vice Commander, M. Gibbs; Quar- 
termaster, J. T. Gibbs ; Adjutant, F. Tremper ; Surgeon, Wm. Runi- 
sey; Chaplain, George Foster; Officer of the Day, W. P. Ostrander; 
Officer of the Guard, O. Culver; Sergeant Major, G. W. Winand. 

MASONIC FRATERNITY. 

Oliver Lodge No. 38, A. F. and A. M., was organized under dis- 
pensation July 29, 1871, by the following members, to-wit: C. J. 
Richmond, W. H. Tuttle, J. W. Dupin, Samuel Manley, A. W. 
Sperry, L. W. Manning, Thos. Corr, H. S. Faucett. 

In September, 1872, it seems there was a new dispensation or a re- 
newal of the first granted to the following members: Thos. Corr, 
14 



210 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

William Hayes, H. C. Page, T. L. Nerval, L. G. Johns, S. D. 
Paddock, Samuel Manley, Wm. I^eese, John Helms, James Hackney, 
J. W. Dupiu, and W. H. Tattle. 

June 18, 1873, a charter was granted, which bears the following 
names of members and officers: William Leese, W. M.; T. L. Ner- 
val, S. W.; Aurelius Roberts, J. W.; J. W. Shields, Treasurer; J, 
W. Pupin, Secretary; Thomas Corr, Nathan Clough, O. P. Cope, 
M. Dunigan, James Hackney, Wm. Hayes, L. G. Johns, J. C. 
Langton, Horace Lester, Samuel Mauley, L. W. Manning, Geo. 
Miller, S. D. Paddock, H. C. Page, C. J. Richmond, Madison Rogers, 
Robert Rowbottom, W. T. Shields, I. B. Sorter, Sam. Stevenson, J. 
C. Sullivan, Joel Tishue, A. B. Sutton, Joseph Whitson, and O. T. 
B. Williams. The first Worshipful Master was G. J, Richmond; 
first Sen, Warden, W. H. Tuttle; first Jan. Warden, Sam. Manley. 

The lodge at this writing has 90 members, and is in good financial 
condition. The present officers are: Wm. M. Rosborough, W. M. 
F. G. Simmons, S. W. ; A. J. Williams, J. W. ; S. D. Atkins, S. D. 
A. D. Hicks, J. D.; W. B. Barrett, Treas.; W. H. W^alker, Sec'y 
L. A. Weldon, Tyler. The order has decided to build a fine hall 
this year, and has chosen the lots just north of the Windsor house, 
on the corner of Main and Sixth streets. 

UTICA LODGE NO. 95, A. F. AND A. M. 

On the 14th day of July, 1882, a dispensation was granted by the 
Grand I^odge of Nebraska to Joseph Jones, E. J. Porter, Thomas E. 
Standard, Stephen H. Hobbie, Lyman Calder, Robert Marler, Samuel 
H. Beaver, James E. Hibbard, Joseph J. Pounder, David M. Roland, 
George A. Verbach, and Edmund L. Blanchard, all Free and Ac- 
cepted Masons, to assemble as a lodge of Free Masons at Utica, Neb. 
Having [)asscd the proper term of probation, a charter was granted 
on the 19th day of June, 1883, to the above-mentioned petitioners, 
together with the following members: Thomas 0. Allen, Andrew 
Austine, John C. Bicourt, Cyrus Black, Thomas Black, Thomas J. 
Brant, William Dingman, Ira Lapham, James E. Murphy, Calvin E. 
Phiuney, Presley Pindell, and Harvey Robinson. They were organ- 
ized as a regular and constitutional lodge of Master Masons by the 
name of Utica Lodge No. 96, with the following officers: Joseph 
Jones, W. M. ; E. J. Porter, S. W.; Lyman Calder, J, W.; Samuel 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 211 

H. Beaver, Sec; Robt. Marler, Treas.; Stephen H. Hobbie, S. D.; 
James E. Hibbard, J. D.; Tliomas E. Standard, Tyler; Joseph J. 
Pounder and Edmund L. Blanchard, Stewards. 

The lodge thus organized steadily progressed under a fair state ot 
prosperity until the year 1888. The lodge lost one — John Davies — 
by death April, 1887, and some have been demitted and moved to 
other parts of the country, leaving a present membership numbering 
forty-six (46) January, 1888. The present office bearers are as fol- 
lows; Joseph Jones, Master; Charles H. Wray, S. W.; Daniel J. 
Hartrum, J. W.; James E. Hibbard, Treasurer ; Thomas J. Brant, 
Secretary; John W. Runyan, S. D.; Frank M. Cougill, J. D.; Darius 
D. Potter, S. S.; James E. Murphy, J. S.; Daniel P. Sherwood, Tyler. 

UTICA LODGE NO. 101, I. O. O. F. 

Instituted July 10, 1882, at Utica, Neb., by J. T. Hedrick, G. M. 
of G. L. of the state of Nebraska, assisted by T. C. Evans, D. G. M., 
A. T. Rice, Y. G. M., J. J. Brown, R. S., C. J. Elkart, G. G., and 
J. C. McCord, G. C. 

The charter members were: G. A. Derby, Joseph Kimmell, E, L. 
Blanchard, David Doan, E. C. Whitnah, John G. Allison, John A. 
Boon, C. C. Berrard, Wra. J. Deriraer, and Geo. Goodbrod. 

After the organization the lodge received the petition of J. R. 
Toman and Julian E. Phinney, who were initiated as members and 
received all the degrees and became full members, constituting a lodge 
of twelve (12) members to start with. 

The next business was the election of officers, and resulted as fol- 
lows : J. A. Boon, N. G.; G. A. Derby, V. G.; J. R. Toman, Sec; 
Geo. Goodbrod, Treas., who were duly installed into their several 
offices by Grand Master J. T. Hedrick. 

When the lodge was organized they, together with the Masonic 
lodge, had built a hall 24x48 ft., but they were in debt for the larger 
portion of it. Since their organization they have taken in some twenty 
new members and had withdrawn by card some ten members, leaving 
present membership twenty-two. They have paid for the hall and 
are clear of debt, and now have |233 in the treasury. 

The present officers of the lodge are: R. S. Nier, N. G.; Geo. 
Goodbrod, V. G.; W. H. DeBolt, Sec; and G. A. Derby, Treas. 
Officers elected for the ensuing year : J. A. Boon, N. G.; Chas. 



212 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

Humberger, V. G.; R. S. Nier, Sec; G. A. Derby, Treas.; G. A. 
Derby, Dist. Dept. 

While it is a fact that there has been a kikewarm indiiference in 
the interest and attendance at the lodge for the past six months, the 
lodge is now again in a prosperous condition. 

SEWARD LODGE NO. 26, I. O. O. F. 

The Odd Fellows of Seward became an organized body May 30', 
1871, having L. G. Johns, W. E. Davis, T. D. Green, J. H. Ander- 
son, D. H. Figard, Lewis Anderson, J. W. Shields, and J. K. Mc- 
Gavren as charter members, and L. G. Johns, N. G., D. H. Figard, 
V. G., J. H. Anderson, Secretary, and T. D. Green, Treasurer, as 
its first officers; Samuel Pence was the first initiated candidate. The 
lodge is now progressing rapidly, and holds a membership of 60 ; a 
fine hall was built by this order in 1886, which is used by nearly all 
the other secret societies for their meetings. The order is in a good 
condition, and has a degree staff which vastly improves the rendition 
of its work. The present officers are : Noble Grand, J. S. Kittle ; 
A'ice G., E. P. Smith ; Secretary, Walter A. Leese ; Treasurer Sam- 
uel Pence. 

Milford Lodge ISTo. 18, I. O. O. F., was the first organized body 
in Seward county. 

woman's CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION. 

In April, 1884, an auxiliary branch of the Woman's Christian 
Temperance Union was organized in Seward, with thirteen members. 
President, Mrs. C. M. Woodward; Vice Pres., Mrs. T. L. Sexton; 
Rec. Sec, Mrs. E. B. Ireland; Cor. Sec, Mrs. Ada Van Pelt. 

Through the efforts of this society, in 1886 a Y. W. C. T. U. was 
organized, a Band of Hope, and also a Reform Club. Present mem- 
bership, 25'. The society has done much good work in the temperance 
field and in charitable ^vorks. 

ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN. 

Seward Lodge No. 16, A. O. U. W., was instituted on September 
27, 1883, by T. A. Forman, Deputy Grand Master Workman. The 
organization started with twenty-five charter members, as follows: 
J. S. Leonhardt, L. M. Smith, R. S. Norval, C. N. Erailton, W. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 213 

A. Schell, E. A. Poller, C. M. Hovey, W. N. Walker, Louis Stahl, 
W. J. Taylor, J. R. Erfort, Louis Leibrock, Henry Petri, Bernhardt 
Kohn, V. Miner, S. D. Atkins, A. J. Senter, F. G. Simmons, \Vm. 
Clemmous, E. H. Fletclier, Wm. Schultz, CGrabenstein, H. Hartwick, 
H. M. AVaring:, and W. O. Whitcomb. Henry Hartwick was the iirst 
Master Workman, and Smith D. Atkins was the first Recorder. The 
blaster Workmen since that time have been E. A. Policy, C. N. 
Emilton, F. G. Simmons, and J, F. Stevens. 

The Ancient Order of United Workmen is a fraternal organization, 
and combines with the usual features of such organizations a system 
of protection for the families of its members, which has made it very 
popular. The order was instituted about seventeen years ago, in 
Pennsylvania, John J. Upchurch being the man who conceived the 
idea and put it into oj)eration. The order rapidly spread, and its 
founder lived to see it carried into every part of the United States, 
as well as into Canada. 

At the time Seward Lodge was instituted, the state of Nebraska 
was under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Missouri. In 
1886 Nebraska organized a Grand Lodge of her own, and since 
that time has had a separate jurisdiction. The order in Nebraska has 
grown more rapidly since then than ever before, and the Lodge of this 
city has kept pace with the general growth in the state. It has now 
over eighty members in good standing, and is in a very prosperous 
and healthy condition. It has lost no members by death since its or- 
ganization, having been particularly fortunate in this respect. Among 
its members are many of the best business men of the city. It may 
certainly be' considered an element of good in the community, and 
something of which the city of Seward may be proud. 



214 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 



CHAPTER XI [. 



LANCASTER COUNTY — ITS GROWTH AND PROGRESS SINCE THE LOCATION OF THE 
STATE CAPITAL WITHIN ITS BOUNDS IN 1867 — STATE INSTITUTIONS — EDUCA- 
TIONAL INSTITUTIONS — RAILROADS — BUSINESS ENTERPRISES — ORGANIZATION 
AND POLITICAL HISTORY. 



BY HON. C. H. GERE. 



The author of this work, who pictures with so much vividness the 
primitive struggles of the early settlers of Lancaster county, says that 
it is a very difficult matter for him to realize, when he traverses the 
scenes of these personal experiences, that all the changes wrought by 
the enterprise of the people and the rapid settlement of this section 
of the state have been witnessed in less than a generation, and that 
the young men who commenced the improvement of the valley of 
the Salt are still in the vigor of manhood. Certainly the progress of 
Nebraska, as exemplified in the brief history of Lancaster county, is 
upon the whole the most marvelous that has been seen in this country 
since its original settlement. From that August day in 1867, when 
its central point and county seat was selected by the commissioners for 
the site of the state capital, the growth of Lancaster has been 
phenomenal. 

That there was something in her geographical position that tended 
to the metropolitan, is proven by the fact that Lincoln has made far 
more than the customary progress of a country town selected from 
its central location and convenience of access as the seat of a state 
government. In twenty years she has outstripped the large majority 
of the capitals of the older states, stands to-day with a population of 
45,000, one of the important commercial centers of the Northwest, 
and is beginning to lay the foundations of important and extensive 
manufacturing enterprises. 

The act that made Lincoln a " fiat city," located the state house 
within her limits, and provided that it should be built from the pro- 
ceeds of the sale of the lots in the odd numbered blocks, provided 
also that reservations should be made in and around the " permanent 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 215 

capital " from the state lands or lots of sites for a state university, an 
insane hospital, and a penitentiary. 

The state house and the university reservations consisted of four 
blocks each, containing about twelve acres situated on two of the 
most prominent elevations within the old city limits, and about a mile 
apart as the streets run. The university was placed near the north- 
east corner of the original plot, and the state house toward the south- 
west corner. The two other prominent elevations were marked with 
the sites of the " market square " now the Federal reservation for a 
court-house and post-office building, and by the court-house reserva- 
tion, also one block, on which the county is about to erect a fine 
county building. In this way the commissioners desired to scatter 
the concentrating points for the future city and prevent the tendency 
to huddle all the business in one small neighborhood. This distribu- 
tion of centers was an assistance in the lot sales, for no one could 
definitely say just where the business of Lincoln would concentrate, 
and there was a larger latitude for private judgment and good guess 
work in the selection of lots on which to make tlieir speculative 
ventures. 

As was the case in the infancy of Washington City, the distribu- 
tion of these points gave the town a very straggling and ragged ap- 
pearance for several years, but at present the wisdom of the commis- 
sioners is apparent. There is really no convenience in the huddling 
together of all the public buildings in a large city. 

The wing of the State House, provided for by the act of location, to 
be built out of the moneys received from the first lot sales, was fin- 
ished and ready for occupany by the time the legislature of January, 
1869, gathered for its session. That legislature proceeded to organize 
the University of Nebraska, and passed a bill providing for the erec- 
tion of the first universitv buildino;, which now stands in the center 
of the campus. It also provided for the building of the first insane 
hospital, which stood on the site of the present immense building, but 
was destroyed by an incendiary fire, soon after its occupation. 

The same legislature, in an extra session, passed an act for the 
commencing work on a penitentiary building. The commissioners 
had selected eighty acres of land on a prominent elevation for the 
site of the hospital, about two miles from the center of the city south- 
west, and the penitentiary was given a forty-acre tract south of the 



216 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

city tliree miles away. Over a million dollars have been expended in 
enlarging the first erections on these sites, and the city has extended 
its additions until they reach to the very edge of these two state 
reservations. 

A few years later an association of ladies, with their headquarters 
at Lincoln, but with auxiliary branches in nearly every county in the 
state, organized a charity known as " The Home of the Friendless," 
the object being to care for helpless women and children stranded by 
the misfortunes or the vices of those who should be their guardians. 
A building was erected by private subscription, and for a time the 
institution did much in a quiet way to relieve distress among these 
classes. The legislature then came to the assistance of the ladies, 
appropriated liberal sums for the enlargement and the extension of the 
buildings, which are situated in the southern part of the city, and 
paid regular salaries to the matrons and assistants. The Home now 
shelters an average of a hundred women and children, keeping the 
latter under its wing until suitable provision can be made for them by 
adoption or they can go out to learn some trade or useful occupation. 

The first university building was constructed of brick, at a cost of 
$139,000, was completed in 1871, and in September of that year the 
board of regents inducted a chancellor and faculty into possession of 
the premises, and the university commenced its great work. It has 
made steady progress in the number of its faculty, instructors, and 
students, keeping time to the march of the great commonwealth, and 
at present about three hundred students are enrolled, of whom over 
two hundred are members of the regular collecre classes, the number 
of the preparatory students, in comparison with the university 
students, constantly diminishing as the high schools in the state are 
attaining sufficient numbers and effectiveness to prepare students for 
the freshman class in the university. 

At the time of its organization the State Agricultural or In- 
dustrial College was attached to it as one of the group of colleges. 
In course of time a farm of three hundred and twenty acres was 
acquired by the regents as an experiment station and a working place 
for such students of agriculture as desired to obtain practical knowl- 
edge and at the same time earn sufficient in odd hours to pay their 
expenses in whole or in part. The original improvements of the 
farm have been added to for the accommodation of the station, and 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 217 

the instructor in agriculture resides tliere. The station is al)out two 
miles east of the original site, but is now surrounded by " additions " 
and the city actually extends to its gates. 

A recent act of congress appropriated $15,000 per annum to 
€ach state experiment station connected with the state agricultural 
or industrial college, and the regents, by immediately complying with 
the conditions of the act, were able to avail themselves of the appro- 
priation and add much to the usefulness of the corps that are investi- 
gating the diseases of domestic animals, the injurious insects and 
fungi, the geological formations and chemical components of soils, and 
the possibilities of profitable irrigation from our natural streams, or 
from artesian wells and artificial reservoirs. A building for the in- 
vestigation of animal diseases is being erected on the farm the present 
season, costing about $3,000. 

A chemical laboratory was erected on the university campus in 
1886, at a cost of $35,000, and a large sum spent in its equipment. 
It is a model in its arrangement and equipment, and has attracted the 
attention of educators all over the country to the perfection of its de- 
sign and the carefulness of its detail. The legislature of 1887 pro- 
vided the sum of fifteen thousand dollars out of the general funds of 
the state, to be added to $5,000 appropriated by the regents, to erect 
an armory and gymnasium on the university grounds for the use, 
primarily, of the cadets in military tactics, on condition that the 
building should be a memorial to Gen. U. S. Grant. It is rapidly 
approaching completion, as is also another large university building 
designated as ''Industrial Hall," which will be occupied in part by 
the departments of agriculture, horticulture, botany, and geology, the 
high basement rooms being intended for the accommodation of a 
manual training department, where the use of tools will be taught, 
and rudimentary mechanical instruction will be given to students in 
the industrial department. This building will cost about $50,000. 

One educational institution draws another, and the Nebraska con- 
ferences of the Methodist Episcopal church accepted a donation of a 
large body of land lying just beyond the university experimental 
farm, as a site for their chief institution of learning, the Wesleyan 
University, and have erected a building thereon of great architectural 
beauty, costing 875,000. It will soon be opened and it is expected 
that it will start out with an attendance of two hundred students. A 



218 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

street railway is beiug built to it past the college farm, and a large 
"addition" to Lincoln has been laid out in lots and sold in|its imme- 
diate vicinity, and is being dotted with residences. 

The Christian church has already accepted a site in the same neigh- 
borhood for its denominational university, and expects to put up its 
buildings in a short time. The Baptists are also negotiating for a 
university site, and it is probable that they will also establish their 
college or university near Lincoln. The Episcopal Diocese contem- 
plates the establishment of an academical school for boys in or near 
this city. In short, the prospect is good that in a few years Lancas- 
ter county will be one of the principal educational centers of the 
West, and will have within its boundaries more classical institutions 
than any other county in the country. 

The common school buildings of the county are none the less the 
peculiar pride of her citizens. They were the first costly buildings 
erected, and in Lincoln and the other towns and villages scattered 
over her broad expanse, the fine brick and stone structures that 
accommodate the schools are the wonder and admiration of eastern 
visitors. 

Much as the political and educational importance of the capital 
city has contributed to the prosperity of Lancaster county, the value 
of the farming land that could a few years ago be bought from the 
first settlers for a trifle per acre, has been still more enhanced by the 
commercial importance of the city and by the numerous stations on 
the several railroads that traverse it, which gtves every farmer in the 
twenty-four townships access to a market not far removed from his 
door. The Burlington and Missouri River Railway, the Union 
Pacific 1{. R., the Atchison and Nebraska R. R., and the ^Midland 
Pacific R. R. traverse the county from side to side, while the Missouri 
Pacific and the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley railroads are 
extended as far as Lincoln from St. Louis and Chicago. These, with 
a north-western branch of the Burlington, form nine concentrating 
lines to the capital and connect it with almost every county seat in the 
state. The two lines last mentioned will soon extend to the west and 
south, the Lincoln, Red Oak, and Des Moines company will shortly 
construct an eastern air line route toward Chicago, and the Chicago, 
Rock Island and Pacific has made a survey from Omaha, via Lincoln, 
to Fairbury, increasing, when these are finished, the number of spokes 
to her commercial wheel to Iburteen. 



HISTORY OF SEAVARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 219 

Od these roads outside of Lincolu there are twenty-tive stations or 
distributing points within the boundaries of Lancaster county, au 
average of a little more than one station for every six miles square, or 
township, each of which is growing into a village, and several of 
which are already towns of considerable commercial importance for 
local trade, having regular town governments. In the near future, 
when the lines now in contemplation shall be completed, there will be 
from thirty-five to forty of these traffic centers in Lancaster. With 
such wonderful facilities for marketing their produce, the farmers of 
the county may rest assured that their possessiohs will always com- 
mand the highest value and be of ready sale. 

At West Lincoln, two miles from the city, a manufacturing suburb 
is rapidly growing that is destined to add much to the wealth of the 
county and to the value of its farming lands. Extensive stock yards, 
two packing houses, a brick and tile factory of great capacity, a can- 
ning and provision establishment, a vinegar factory, and other estab- 
lishments have drawn in two years a population of several hundred, 
and many other similar enterprises are on foot to make it one of the 
busiest spots in the West. 

Seven Lincoln houses are engaged in the grain business, owning 
among them seventy-five elevators at various convenient points on the 
railroads for collecting and shipping the staples of Nebraska, while ten 
eastern firms, located in Chicago, St. Louis, Baltimore, Toledo, and 
Burlington, have branches here, competing in the great grain market 
of Nebraska. 

Eighty-four wholesale and jobbing houses in Lincoln were doing 
business in 1887, and they sold goods to the amount of fifteen 
million dollars. The grocery and agricultural implement branches 
of the jobbing trade did business to the amount of five millions. 

The majority of these houses are still in their infancy, and there is 
no doubt that they will double the aggregate amount of their sales 
for the year 1888, while many new firms will commence operations, 
as the field for business is an immense one, covering, by close estimates, 
in Nebraska, north-western Kansas, eastern Colorado, and Wyoming, 
an area of more than 80,000 square miles and a population of one 
million. 

In manufacturing, Lincoln has made so far only a start, but is doing 
something. The record of 1887 shows sixty-nine establishments 



220 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

whose aggregate product was nearly eight and a half million dollars. 
About three million dollars were expended during the same year in 
public and private buildings in the capital city. The aggregate value 
of churches and church lots belonging to the various religious denom- 
inations in Lincoln is half a million. 

There are about twelve miles of street railway in Lincoln already 
down, and the mileage is largely to be increased during the present 
season. Twenty miles of street paving has been ordered and is being 
laid down as rapidly as the season permits. On an average a train of 
passenger or freigiit cars leaves the city every fifteen minutes during 
the twenty-four hours, an aggregate of 100 trains daily. 

The old capitol building, the erection of which frqm the sales of 
city lots was mentioned in the beginning of this article, has been 
taken away and a new structure is being finished on its site during 
the present season, at a cost of |440,000, and a sale of the remnants 
of the state lots last year, ordered by the legislature, realized about 
$75,000, which will be spent in 1888 for embellishing the capitol 
grounds. 

Lancaster county, after waiting all these years in the multiplicity 
of her public improvements, has voted a court-house, which will be 
erected the present season on the reservation granted by the state in 
the center of Lincoln, at a cost of $200,000 for building and furniture. 

This is the year of the real majority of the county, that had a name 
it is true before the location of the seat of government for Nebraska 
in her midst, but hardly an existence, and this slight sketch of her 
progress indicates that she has put in these twenty-one years to good 
advantage, and though she has not ceased growing, has made a record 
of which her sons and daughters may well be proud. 

ORGANIZATION AND POLITICAL HISTORY. 

In the fall of 1859 the first movement toward county oiganization 
was made. A public meeting was held under the "Great Elm " that 
stood on the east bank of Salt creek near the north-west corner of the 
B. & M. R. R. depot grounds in Lincoln. Festus Reed was elected 
chairman, and after a strong speech predicting the future greatness 
of the little commonwealth they were preparing to organize on the 
frontier, the business in hand was proceeded with. A. J. Walling- 
ford, Joseph J. Forrest, and W. T. Donavan were appointed a com- 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 221 

mission to select a location for the county seat, and they chose the 
present site of Lincoln, which was laid off in 1864 and named " Lan- 
caster." An election was ordered by the commissioners of Cass 
county, to which the unorganized county Avest was attached for elec- 
tion and judicial purposes, to be held at the house of William Shir- 
ley, on Stevens creek, and judges and clerks of election duly commis- 
sioned. At this election, held on the 10th day of October, 1859, A. 
J. Wallingford, J. J. Forrest, and W. T. Douavan were elected a 
board of county commissioners, and Richard Wallingford was elected 
county treasurer, L. J. Loder, county clerk, and John P. Loder, re- 
corder. No record of this election or of the official proceedings of 
the county officers are on file, except the certificates of the election 
and the qualification of L. J. and J. P. Loder, in the archives of the 
county. It is probable that little or no business was done under this 
temporary organization. On the 9th day of October, 1860, a general 
election took place, and was held at the house of W, T. Donavan for 
Lancaster county. Twenty-three votes were cast and the following 
names are found on the official poll list : 

Jeremiah Showalter, Richard Wallingford, J. D. Main, C. F. Retz- 
laff, Jonathan Ball, Hiram Allen, Benj. Eaves, Festus Reed, Daniel 
Harrington, James Coultard, Benj. Hemple, Wm. Shirley, James 
Moran, J. J. Forest, E. L. Reed, Michael Shea, L. J. Loder, John 
Dee, A. J. Wallingford, Aaron Wood, Lucius AVest, J. P. Loder,, 
and W. T. Donavan. 

For delegates to congress, J. Sterling Morton received eleven votes, 
and Samuel G. Dailey twelve, showing a close contest. For council- 
man, equivalent to senator in a state, T. M. Marquett received 13 
votes, and W. R. Davis 2. For "joint," or float councilman, Samuel 

H. Elbert received 15 votes, and Cozad 1. For representative, 

Wra. Gilmore had 16 votes, Louden Mullen 15, W. R. Davis 16,, 
AVm. Reed 16, E. W. Barnum 12, and J. N. Wise 6. 

For county officers the following were selected without opposition: 
Commissioners, one year, J. J. Forest; two years, A. J. Wallingford ; 
three years, W. T, Donavan; treasurer, R. Wallingford; clerk, J. 
P. Loder. No candidate for sheriff, prosecuting attorney, or coro- 
ner appears to have been running, and probably there was not 
business enough expected in the legal line to pay for the trouble of 
getting up a ticket. Festus Reed and R. Wallingford were elected 



222 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

justices of the peace, and C. F. Retzlaff and James Coultard, cousta- 
bles. Had all the .offices the county was entitled to been filled, they 
would have gone more than half way round the entire voting popu- 
lation. There are no records of any official acts of these officers elect. 

On the 8th of October, 1861, the county election was held at the 
house of James Moran, and only fourteen votes were cast. The new 
names appearing on the poll list preserved in the office of the county 
clerk are E. Galviu, E. L. Barrett, T. G. Maxwell, and Michael Mc- 
Donald. Donavan, Wallingford, the Loders, Ball, Reed, Moran, 
Harrington, Dee, and Shea, again exercised the right of suffrage. 

J. J. Forest was elected county commissioner; Festus Reed, probate 
judge; L. J. Loder, sheriff; J. P. Loder, clerk; C. L. Barrett, asses- 
sor; T. G. Maxwell and J. Moran, justices of the peace, and Jonathan 
Ball and 0. F. Retzlaff', constables. 

A record of an adjourned meeting of the county commissioners, 
after this election, held May 1, 1862, is the first sign of official life 
in Lancaster county to be found in the county clerk's office. This 
record occupies fifteen lines on a page of small commercial note paper, 
and informs us that the county was then and there divided into two 
election precincts, by a line running east and west through the centre 
of ''town 10," and that a petition for a road from the south-east cor- 
ner of section 31, town 9, range 7, and another from the south-east 
corner of section 36, town 9, range 6, and one from the south-east 
corner of section 16, town 12, range 6, were received. In what direc- 
tion, and whither these roads were to run, the record saith not, and 
County Clerk J. P. Loder forgot to append his signature to the docu- 
ment. Tlie board adjourned till July first, but probably did not meet 
again until after the October election. 

At the election of 1862, held on the 14th of October, the division 
of the county into two precincts was disregarded. Fourteen votes 
were cast by Messrs. Cox, Mason, Foster, Calkin, Chatterton, Blunt, 
M allingford. Ball, Chambers, Loder, Maxwell, YanBenthuseu, Dona- 
van, and Coultard. J. F. Kinney, independent democrat, received 
10 votes, and Sam. G. Dailey 4, lor delegates to congress. T. M. 
Marquett received 12 votes for councilman for the district. Geo. L. 
Seybolt received 10 and J. E. Doom 3 votes for joint or float council- 
man. Five other Cass county statesmen received from one to seven 
votes for representative, and T. G. Maxwell received 13, all it is pre- 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 223 

suined but his own suffrage, for the same office, but the other counties 
in the district not doing so well for him, he was not elected. Joel 
Mason was elected commissioner. 

The next record is of a meeting of the board of county commission- 
ers, held November 3, which ordered a special election to be held on 
the 17th of January, 1863, to fill vacancies in the offices of coroner, 
surveyor, and justices of the peace, and constables, as those previously 
■elected had not qualified. 

The next meeting was held February 5, 1863, and the officers 
■elected at the special election, of which there is no record, are said to 
have been sworn in. The clerk was directed, at this meeting, to 
notify Judge Festus Reed to stop his depredations on the timber in 
school section, in town 9, range 6. 

Another meeting was held September 12th, of the same year, and 
the county divided into four precincts, named Lancaster, Salt Basin, 
Stevens Creek, and Salt Creek, and the various places for holding 
elections were designated. 

In 1863 the county election was held October 13, and an entire new 
set of officers were selected, fifty-five votes having been cast in the 
county. 

J. S. Gregory was elected county commissioner for three years, 
William Shirley for two, and P. S. Schamp for one year. Clerk, 
Milton Langdon; treasurer, R. Wallingford; sheriff, Josiah Cham- 
bers; surveyor, J. J. Forest; coroner. Dr. Jno. Grim; probate judge, 
J. D. Main. 

J. S. Gregory was elected to the state legislature for the representa- 
tive district to which Lancaster belonged, and John Cadman, who 
lived in that part of the county then belonging to Clay, was elected 
for Clay, Johnson, and Gage counties, and took with him a petition 
from the residents of the northern and southern parts of Clay county 
for the wiping out of that county, and dividing it between Lancaster 
and Gage. This measure was consummated and the addition to Lan- 
caster made her a county of no mean proportions, extending thirty-six 
miles from north to south, and twenty-four east to west. 

The assessed valuation of Clay county at the time of its transfer 
was $36,129.82, of which $22,637.82 fell to the share of Lancaster. 
Her debt was $295.11, of which Lancaster assumed $185.70. The 
commissioners of Lancaster and Gage county held a meeting at the 



224 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

house of H. W. Parker, clerk of Clay county, near Olathe, July 19, 
1864, and made a final settlement of the affairs of the county. The 
document setting forth the terms of this settlement was signed by 
Fordyce Roper, F. H. Dobbs and William Tyler, commissioners of 
Clay county, and John W. Prey, of Lancaster, and attested by Oliver 
Townsend, clerk of Gage county, and duly filed. Copies of the offi- 
cial records of Clay county were made for Gage and Lancaster coun- 
ties, but the latter were lost in Salt creek while en route, and have 
never been filed among the archives of this county. 

At the time of the division of Clay county, the principal settlements 
were in the extreme north and south of its territory, and a large ma- 
jority of its tax-payers were undoubtedly favorable to its division. 
But after the lapse of a few years, when the central part filled up with 
inhabitants, much discussion ensued as to the propriety of restoring 
the county, and several attempts have been made in that direction, but 
it is probable that the majority of the people in the territory involved 
are well satisfied with their present status. The clause on county di- 
vision in the constitution adopted in 1875, will probably preclude 
any future agitation, and will establish our present boundaries for all 
time to come. 

In 1864, at the territorial election held October 11th, eighty votes 
were polled, of which P. W. Hitchcock received 53, and Geo. L. 
Miller 27, for delegate to congress. 

John Cadman was elected to the house of representatives for Lau-^ 
caster county, and Wm. Imlay for the representative district composed 
of Lancaster, Seward and Saline counties. Richard Wallingford was 
elected county commissioner, P. S. Schamp, surveyor, and Milton 
Langdon, prosecuting attorney. 

At the general election, October 10, 1865, one hundred and twenty- 
five votes were polled. Augustus Kountze, for territorial treasurer, 
John Gillespie, for auditor, received each 100 votes, and S. G. Good- 
rich and John Seaton, their opponents, 6 votes each. 

John Cadman was re-elected representative for Lancaster county, 
and Joel Mason for the district of Lancaster, Seward, and Saunders 
counties. 

The county officers elected were — Milton Langdon, clerk; Luke 
Lavender, probate judge; S. S. Snyder, county commissioner; Wm. 
Guy, treasurer; W. Ingram, coroner: J. S. Gregory, prosecuting 
attorney; and P. S. Schamp, surveyor. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 225 

June 2, 1866, an election was held under the state constitution, pre- 
pared by the territorial legislature of '65-'66, at which 166 votes were 
polled in the county, of which David Butler received 112 and J. 
Sterling Morton 53, for governor; for the constitution 95, against 53. 
John Cadman was elected senator to the first state legislature, which 
met July 4th. James Queen, of Lancaster, was returned elected as 
representative from Lancaster, Seward, and Saunders, and his seat 
was contested by his opponent, J. L. Davison, of Seward, and the 
contest was pending when the legislature adjourned, after an eight 
days' session. Ezra Tullis was elected representative from the 
county. 

At the October election of the same year, pending the admission of 
Nebraska as a state, 199 votes were cast, of which T. M. Marquett, 
republican, received 129, and J. Sterling Morton, democrat, 69. 

J. E. Doom, of Cass, was elected territorial councilman and state 
senator from Cass and Lancaster; E. L. Clark, of Seward, rep- 
resentative from Lancaster, Seward, and Saunders; and E. H. Har- 
denbergh, representative from Lancaster county to both United and 
state legislatures. Hardenbergh resigned at the close of the session 
of the territorial legislature, in March, 1867, and John Cadman was 
elected to fill the vacancy in the state legislature, which was called 
immediately after. 

John W. Prey;was elected county commissioner in [third district. 

At the county election of 1 867, held October 8th, 235 votes were 
cast. 

The officers elected were — Silas Pratt, commissioner ; John Cad- 
man, probate judge; S. B. Galey, county clerk; J. H. Hawke, sheriflP; 
M. Langdon, treasurer; Ezra Tullis, surveyor; F. A. Bid well, school 
commissioner; and Emil Lange, coroner. 

At the state election of 1868, held October 11th, 460 votes were 
cast. David Butler (Rep.) received 320, and J. R. Porter (Dem.) 123. 
C. H. Gere, of Lancaster, was elected senator for the district composed 
of Lancaster, Saline, Gage, Pawnee, and Jefferson counties; Ezra 
Tullis, representative from the county; W. R. Fields, county com- 
missioner. 

Seth Robinson, of Lancaster, was appointed attorney general by 
Governor Butler. 

At the county election, October 10, 1869, 562 votes were cast, S. 
15 



226 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

B. Pound (Rep.), for probate judge, receiving 392; J. M. Bradford 
(Dem.), 170. Capt. R. A. Bain was elected clerk; John Cadnian, 
treasurer; Sam. McClay, sheriff; M. Langdon, surveyor; Robert 
Faulkner and D. H. Sudduth, county commissioners; Allen M. Ghost, 
superintendent public instruction; Dr. D. W. Tingley, coroner. 

At the state election, October 11, 1870, 1,116 votes were polled, 
David Butler (Rep.) receiving 798, Jno. H. Croxtou, (Dem.) 318. 
Col. A. J. Cropsey, of Lancaster, was elected senator for the district, 
and S. B. Galey representative for the county. 

An election was held May 2, 1871, for delegates to the constitu- 
tional convention, which met in June, and Seth Robinson and J. N. 
Cassell were elected to represent the county; Col. J. E. Philpot, of 
Lancaster, from the 11th senatorial district of Lancaster and Seward; 
and W. H. Curtis, of Pawnee, for the fourteenth representative dis- 
trict, composed of Lancaster, Saunders, Johnson, Pawnee, and Gage. 

At the election on the new constitution, held September 19 of same 
year, 1,415 votes were cast — 1,237 for the new constitution, and 178 
against. The constitution was not adopted. 

At the county election of October 10 of same year, 1,259 votes were 
cast. The officers elected were — J. D. Lott ridge, county commis- 
sioner; A. L. Palmer, probate judge; R. O. Phillips, clerk; R. A. 
Bain, treasurer; A. M. Ghost, superintendent public instruction; J. 
T. Murphy, surveyor; and Dr. J. G. Fuller, coroner. 

At the state election, October 8, 1872, 1,736 votes were polled, L. 
Crounse (Rep.) receiving 1,189, and J. L. AYarner (Dem.) 535, for 
member of congress. S. B. Pound, of Lancaster, was elected senator 
for the eleventh district; S. G. Owen and A. K. White, representa- 
tives for the county; and M. H. Sessions, of Lancaster, representa- 
tive for the fourteenth district. Henry Spellman was elected county 
oommissioner; J. J. Gosper, ot Lancaster, was elected secretary of 
state. 

At the county election, October 14, 1873, 1,927 votes were polled. 
The officers elected were — J. Z. Briscoe, commissioner; A. L. Palmer, 
probate judge; R. O. Phillips, clerk; Chas. C. White, treasurer; 
Sam. McClay, sheriff; Dr. J. O. Carter, coroner; Tom I. Atwood, 
surveyor; J. W. Cassell, superintendent public instruction. 

At the state election, October 13, 1874, 2,038 votes were polled, 
Silas Garber (Rep.) receiving 1,382; Albert Tuxbury (Dem.), 287; 
J. H. Gardner (Ind.), 170; and Jarvis S. Church (Prohib.), 139. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 227 

C. C. Burr, of Lancaster, was elected senator for the llth district; 
Alfred G. Hastings and Louis Helmer, representatives for the county; 
and Thomas P. Chapman, of Saunders, for the 14th representative 
district. 

Dr. H. D. Gilbert was elected county commissioner, and A. G. 
Scott, superintendent of public instruction to fill vacancy. On the 
■question of a constitutional convention there were 1,069 ayes to 558 
noes. 

At the election for members of constitutional convention, held on 
the 6th of April, 1875, S. B. Pound and C. H. Gere, of Lincoln, C. 
W. Pierce, of Waverly, and J. B. Hawley, of Firth, were elected 
to represent the county. 

At the state election under the pro])osed new constitution, and the 
■county election, both occurring October 12, 1875, 2,360 votes were 
polled, S. B. Pound (Rep.), of Lancaster, receiving 1,533, and G. 
B. Scofield, of Otoe, 727, for judge of the second judicial district; 
Judge Pound was elected. The county officers elected were — W. E. 
Keys, county commissioner; A. G. Scott, county judge; Wm. A. Shar- 
rar, clerk; Charles C. White, treasurer; Sam. McClay, sheriff; Dr. 
A. C. Gibson, coroner; S. G. Lamb, superintendent public instruc- 
tion; J. P. Walton, surveyor. For the new constitution, 2,119; 
against, 109. S. J. Tuttle, of Lancaster, was elected a regent of the 
universitv. 

At the state election, November, 1876, 2,911 votes were polled, of 
which Silas Garber (Rep.), candidate for governor, received 1,947, 
Paren England (Dem.), of Lancaster, 712, and J. F. Gardner (green- 
back), 252. The senators elected from the county, which was now 
entitled to two, were Thos. P. Kennard, of Lincoln, and Cyrus N. 
Baird, of Oak Creek. The representatives elected were R. O. Phil- 
lips and W. C. Griffith, of Lincoln, and John Cadman, of Yankee 
Hill, and Henry Spellman, of Saltillo. J. N. Wilcox was elected 
commissioner. 

At the county election of 1877 A. D. Burr was elected clerk; 
Louis Helmer, treasurer; J. S. Hoagland, sheriff"; J, R. Webster, 
county judge; G. S. Lamb, superintendent ])ublic instruction; J. P. 
Walton, surveyor; E. T. Piper, coroner; H. D. Gilbert, commis- 
sioner; and C. W. Pierce, state senator to fill vacancy. 

At the state election of 1878 Albinus Nance (Rep.), candidate for 



228 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

governor, received 1,971 votes, W. H. Webster (Dem.), 433, and L.. 
G. Todd (greenback), 409. Whole number of votes cast, 2,818. 
Amasa Cobb, of Lancaster, was elected a justice of the supreme court. 
M. B. Cheney and E. E. Brown were elected to the senate, and S. G. 
Owen, W. W. Carder, M. H, Sessions, and T. R. Burling, to the 
house. John McClay was elected commissioner. 

At the county election, November, 1879, W. J. Weller was elected 
county commissioner; J. E. Philpot, judge; L. E. Cropsey, clerk; 
Louis Helmer, treasurer; Granville Ensign, sheriff; A. D. Burr, 
clerk district court; E. T. Piper, coroner; H. S. Bowers, suijerintend- 
ent public instruction; and J. P. Walton, surveyor. Araasa Cobb,, 
of Lancaster, was re-elected justice of the supreme court for the full 
term. S. B. Pound, of Lancaster, was elected judge of the second 
judicial district for a second term. 

At the state election of 1880, 4,778 votes were cast, of which Albinu& 
Nance (Rep.) received 3,397, and T. W. Tipton (Dem.), 1,381. The 
senators elected were C. H. Gere and C. W. Pierce. Representatives, 
N. C. Abbott, C. 0. Whedon, N. T. M'Clunn, and R. B. Graham. 
Commissioner, W. E. G. Caldwell. 

At the county election of 1881 the following officers were chosen : 
Treasurer, R. B. Graham; clerk, John H. McClay; judge, C. M. 
Parker; commissioner, H. C. Reller; superintendent public instruc- 
tion, H. S. Bowers; sheriff, Gran. Ensign; surveyor, J. P. Walton; 
coroner, A. J. Shaw. 

At the state election of 1882, 4,818 votes were cast, of which James 
W. Dawes (Rep.) received 3,328, J. Sterling Morton (Dem.), 1,099, 
and |E. P. Ingersoll (Anti-monop.), 391. Senators were E. E. 
Brown and P. H. Walker. Representatives, C. O. Whedon, A. W. 
Field, H. Wissenberg, J. W. Worl, M. H. Sessions, and M. H. Wes- 
cott. Commissioner, W. J. Miller. W. W. W. Jones, of Lancas- 
ter, was elected state su{)erintendent of j)ublic instruction, and C. H. 
Gere, of Lancaster, a regent of the LTui versify. 

At the county election of 1883, the officers elected were: R. B. 
Graham, treasurer; J. H. McClay, clerk; E. R. Sizer, clerk of dis- 
trict court; Sam. M. Melick, sheriff; C. M. Parker, judge; W. E. 
G. Caldwell, commissioner; H. S. Bowers, superintendent public in- 
struction; J. J. Walton, surveyor; N. J. Beachley, coroner; Levi 
Snell, senate, to fill vacancy. S. B. Pound was elected to a third 
term from this county as judge of the second judicial district. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 229 

At the state and legislative election of 1884, the whole number of 
■votes cast in the county was 6,401. Dawes (Rep.), for governor, re- 
ceived 4,012, Morton (Dem.), 2,180, and J. G. Miller, of Lancaster 
(Prohil).), 209. C. C. Burr and Alva Smith were elected senators, 
and S. W. Burnham, Wm. B. Brandt, H. J. Liesveldt, A. W. Field, 
and J. B. Wright to the house. Commissioner, H. C Reller. Allen 
W. Field, of the Lancaster delegation, was, on taking his seat, elected 
speaker of the house. 

At the county election of 1885, the following officers were chosen: 
Treasurer, Jacob Rocke; clerk, 0. C. Bell; sheriff, S. M. Melick; 
judge, C. M. Parker; register of deeds, J. H. McClay ; surveyor, J. 
E. Walton ; coroner, E. T. Roberts; superintendent public instruction, 
Frank McCluskey ; commissioner, Alva Brown. C. H. Gere, of Lan- 
caster, was re-elected a regent of the University. Amasa Cobb, of 
Lancaster, was re-elected to the supreme bench. 

At the state election of 1886, the whole number of votes cast was 
6,834, of which John M. Thayer (Rep.) received, for governor, 3,985, 
James E. North (Dem.), 1,424, and H. W. Hardy, of Lancaster 
(Prohib.), 925. R. E. Moore and S. W. Burnham were elected to the 
senate, and J. L. Caldwell, J. Shamp, I. M. Raymond, J. Dickinson, 
H. J. Liesveldt, and G. W. Eggleston to the house. Commissioner, 
H. J. Shabero;. 

At the county election of 1887, the following officers were chosen: 
Treasurer, Jacob Rocke; clerk, 0. C. Bell; sheriff, S. M. Melick; 
judge, W. E. Stewart; register of deeds, John D. Knight; commis- 
sioner, Thos. Dickson ; superintendent of public instruction, Frank 
McCluskey; surveyor, J. P. Walton; clerk of district court, E. R. 
Sizer. Allen W. Field, of Lancaster, was elected a judge of the sec- 
ond judicial district. 



230 HISTORY OF SEWAKD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 



CHAPTER XIIL 



TRIBUTES TO THE MEMORY OFOUR DEPARTED FRIENDS AND FELLOW PIONEERS — 
R. T. GALE, REV. J. M. YOUNG, DAVID IMLAY, SEN., MRS. J. F. DUNCAN, MRS. 
E. T. WALKER, MRS. ADALINE LINDSAY, MRS. MARY H. WALLICK, ABRAM 
COURTWRIGHT, MILTON LANGDON, MRS ANNE LANGDON, REV. A. J. COMBS, 
STITES WOOLEY, WM. HAGEMAN, MRS. MARGARET BOYES, SAMUEL MANLEY, 
ROGER COOPER, MRS. MARY STANWOOD, MRS. E. D. DONALSON, MRS. E. W. 
BOUGHTON, WM. MORRIS, ROLAND REED, REV. J. E. MITCHELL, JASPER 
ROBERTS, STEPHEN PAYNE, REV. O. D. CONE, E. M. SPEAR, F. S. JOHNSON, 
WM. H. REED, REV. E. L. CLARK, MRS. L. M. BACHELDER, REV. ABRAM 
TOWNER, MRS. JANE SNODGRASS, MRS. AMOS COLEMAN, REV. T. N. SKINNER. 



ROBERT T. GALE. 



It pains us to be unable to learn anything of the early life of our departed 
friend. We first became acquainted with him at Nebraska City, in 1860. We 
had the pleasure of his acquaintance for seven years, or until his death in the 
early spring of 1867. We learned to appreciate him for his unusual intelligence 
and worthy Christian character. He was a member of the Missionary Baptist 
church. Was a surveyor by trade. Took up the first homestead in Seward 
county on the 2d day of January, 1863, which was the seventh In the South 
Platte land district. Made his residence in this county in the spring of 1864. 
Was elected justice of the peace in the following fall, and in 1865 was elected 
county surveyor, which office he held until his death. 

He married Miss Amelia Wooley, daughter of Stites Wooley, of Seward, now 
deceased, in the spring of 1861. There were two children born to them. Miss 
Clara, now of Oregon, and the younger a son who died in infancy. Mr. Gale did 
much in the early days to help develop Seward county, and is remembered by all 
the older citizens with afi'ectionate regard. His homestead comprised the land 
just east of the Presbyterian church in Seward. His funeral services were con- 
ducted by Rev. E. L. Clark, and his remains were followed to the grave by all the 
neighbors as mourners. 

THE AUTHOR'S TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF HIS DEAR FRIEND, REV. 

J. M. YOUNG. 

[From the State Journal of Feb. 27, 1884.] 
Our hearts are very sad as we read in yesterday's Journal that our dear old 
friend, Elder Young, has passed away. Among the useful and good he was among 
the best. All that knew him well, loved him well. He was a worker in all use- 
ful fields. Where any good was to be accomplished no task was too hard for him. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 231 

He would face winter storms, camp oiit at night, or do anything to further the 
work his hands found to do. He was among the most enterprising, helping other 
people to help themselves. He loved to make money for the sole purpose of doing 
good with it. Place a mountain of gold at his door and he could not be rich 
while any one was in need or there was a laudable enterprise to help. The city 
of Lincoln owes its existence more to him than any other man living or dead. We 
say what we do know. Had it not been for him, there is no doubt that the cap- 
ital of our state would have been placed elsewhere. 

It was our good fortune to make his acquaintance in 1860 at Nebraska City, 
and in 1862 we were living at the salt basin, where the elder made his home with 
us when he first visited the land where your splendid citj^ now stands. His com- 
pany reached our place at noon on the Fourth of July, 1863. They expressed 
themselves glad to see us, and God knows we were glad to see them. We, that 
day, raised the stars and stripes to kiss the breeze for the first time in that new 
land, and we had a celebration. A celebration meant something in those dark 
days, when the war clouds hung like a pall over our land. As the Elder talked 
to us, we would cheer or cry when reference was made to the dear boys at the 
front, of their brave deeds, and their sufferings, and of our blessed flag that was 
being trailed in the dust by recreant hands. The company remained with us over 
Sabbath, and the Elder preached the first sermon in that vicinity. After viewing 
a wide extent of country, they located their colony on the site of your city, and 
dedicated a portion of section 22 for a town site and christened it Lancaster. 

It was our pleasure to continue an intimate acquaintance with him for a num- 
ber of years. While his colony was in its infancy he was the soul of it. His 
presence was an inspiration to all the struggling pioneers. Always ready with 
words of cheer and a little cash, when needed. He would always find some work 
for those willing to work. He would manage somehow to make work for them. 
His every day was full of good works. His noble Christian example (he lived 
the religion he professed) was valuable to all that knew him. Your beautiful city 
is to-day a monument to the memory of its founder and faithful friend. 

IMLAY. 

David Imlay (more especially known in Nebraska as Grandpa Imlay) was born 
Feb. 15, 1792, in Allegheny county, Penn. Miss Dorcas Johnson, his wife, was 
born at the same place. They were married in 1814, and removed to Muskingum 
county, Ohio, and resided in the woods nine years, and opened a farm. They 
then returned to the old home and took care of his aged parents while they lived, 
and at the end of nine more years they started westward, stopping in Muskingum 
county until 1841, when they pushed westward to Wabash county, Indiana. 
There were born to them twelve children, eight of whom are yet living, viz., 
Elizabeth, now Mrs. Spinks, of Harrison county, Iowa; Fannie J., now Mrs. 
Brady, of Wabash, Indiana ; William, now of Seward; Sarah A., now Mrs. 
James A. Brown, of Los Angeles, Cal.; Solomon, of Dakota; David P., of Seward, 
and Joseph, of Dakota county, Nebraska. The old people followed their children 
to the West in 1856, and settled in Harrison county, Iowa, and in 1864 they set- 
tled upon a homestead two miles north-east of Seward, and there spent the 
remainder of their days. Grandmother Imlay died May 6, 1871, and Grandfather 
followed her to rest June 10, 1872. 



232 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

They each united with the Presbyterian church in the days of their youth, and 
through all the chequered scenes of their long life they kept the faith to the end. 
It was our pleasure to have a familiar acquaintance with these good old people, 
and we are warranted in saying that Grandfather Imlay was one of the best 
Christian men that it has ever been our pleasure to meet. 

They were laid to rest side by side in the Seward cemetery, and were mourned 
by their large family of children and a great number of grandchildren. 

DUNCAN. 
Miss Elizabeth Evans was born October 4, 1838, near Logansport, Ind. Was 
married to John F. Duncan in 1850, in Mercer county. 111., where her parents had 
taken up their abode during her early childhood. Eemoved to Seward county and 
settled on a homestead in May, 1866. To her were born six children, only one, 
Mrs. EfHe Manley, of Iowa, now survives. Three of the children were buried at 
Seward; a bright little tjirl (Mary) of eight years, a young son, Isaac, who bore 
sad affliction during his whole life, and a young infant. Her death occurred in the 
summer of 1872, and she was buried at Seward. Mrs. Duncan was a most noble 
woman, a faithful wife and loving mother, suffering and laboring in the midst of 
poverty with all meekness and earnestness of soul, and while she was denied the 
luxuries and many of the comforts of life, she labored on patiently and lovingly 
for her household. She united with the Missionary Baptist church in her early 
life. She possessed many of the Christian graces in a marked degree, and when 
her sweet life ebbed away all were sure that she had gone to dwell with her 
blessed Savior. She left a husband and two children to mourn her loss, one of 
which, the infant, soon followed her to the tomb. 

ELSIE T. WALKER, WIFE OF DR. LELAND WALKER. 

It becomes our sad duty to chronicle the death of another of Nebraska's brave 
pioneers, and one of our most efficient temperance heroines. She died at Kansas 
City, Mo., Sunday, Feb. 14, 1886, while homeward bound from Hot Springs. 

Elsie T. Cooper was born at Mount Yernon, Ohio, January 12, 1831. She was 
converted at the age of fourteen, and united with the Missionary Baptist church. 
Was married to Dr. Walker, Sept. 14, 1853. Five children were born to them, 
Homer A., now of Ord, Neb.; Ida E., now Mrs. Dr. Avery, of Ulysses, Neb.; 
Warren M., of Seward, and Elmer E., who followed his mother to the tomb dur- 
ing the last autumn. Their youngest, a daughter, died in infancy. 

The family removed to Seward county the first of December, lb67, and located 
on a homestead three miles north-east of the present city. In the summer of 1863 
their house was blown to pieces in a violent storm. INIrs. Walker and the children 
came near losing their lives. The Doctor concluded to rebuild their house in the 
embryo city, and here our friend has' lived and labored with us for eighteen years. 
Hers was a life of remarkable labor. While she was physically frail, she had 
unbounded ambition, and was always among the foremost in all public enter- 
prises and labors of love. With uncompromising fidelity to principle, she was 
generous to the faults of others. She was an active and working member of the 
church, was always ready to give battle to the rnm traffic, was one of the leaders 
of the crusade in 1874, and one of the noble band of Christian mothers that form 
the W. C. T. U. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 233 

In her younger days she -was a great help to the Doctor in his professional 
labors, especially among the poor. She was a frequent visitor to the abodes of 
suffering and poverty, and would carry sunshine. Many a time has she given 
freely of her means and of her strength and labor to .restore the sick, and thus 
bless mankind. We rejoice that her good works will follow through the years to 
come. She was followed to her resting place by a host of old neighbors and 
friends. Eev. G. M. Morey, an old friend of the family, officiated. She sweetly 
sleeps in Seward cemetery. 

LINDSEY. 

Mrs. Adaline Lindsey was born a slave in Eastern Missouri. By dint of her 
■o wn perseverance she learned to read and write, by stealth, with the assistance of 
white children. Was married to a Mr. Taylor at seventeen, and in 1856 her hus- 
band was sold and taken south. Years rolled on and she supposed her husband 
to be dead. She was again married to a Mr. Tate. She suffered slavery in its 
most cruel form, doing the hardest kind of drudgery and receiving most barbar- 
ous treatment. Once she was beaten and left for dead, and from this she never 
fully recovered. At the opening of the war she heard of some Union people living 
in a distant neighborhood. She made arrangements with them to furnish her 
with northern papers. They would place papers in the hollow of a certain tree, 
and she would borrow her master's horse at dead of night and ride six miles, get 
the papers, and then slyly read them to the slaves of her neighborhood. Imagine 
the rising hopes and fears of those slaves as the eloquent young woman would 
unfold to them the thrilling events of such vital importance to them. 

In 1862 she made ready, and one dark, rainy night she saddled her master's 
"best horse, with her mistress' sixty dollar saddle, and strapped her six year old 
boy to the saddle, and rode eighty miles before the next noon, through a drench- 
ing rain. She went fairly flying through the rebel pickets. Once she ran near a 
squad of boys in blue. They gave chase, but had hard work to convince her that 
they were friends, but finally succeeded. They were about to raid the village 
just ahead, and the captain said to her that they would ride through the town and 
for her to follow in their wake. On nearing the town, at the word of command 
a bold dash was made, and the boys went tearing and slashing through at a fear- 
ful rate, and our heroine made the best use of time and rushed her panting steed 
through the scene of carnage. She reached the city of Hannibal in safety, where 
her mother lived. The old woman had previously secured her freedom. With 
assistance of her mother she was secreted until night. The master arrived during 
the day. He found the horse, minus the saddle. His principal game he could 
not find. She owed her mistress a spite for an unmerciful whipping she had 
received for borrowing that saddle on a former occasion. A stone had been tied 
to the saddle and all was sunk in the river. She afterwards wrote her mistress to 
drain the " father of waters " and get her saddle. She crossed the river at night, 
and made her way to Galesburg with her boy. 

In 1863 she united with the African M. E. church, where she became an hon- 
ored and useful member, until she moved to Seward in 1874. After the war she was 
rejoined by her second husband, Mr. Tate, who accompanied her to Seward, where 
he died in 1880. In 1884 she was married to Mr. B. Lindsey, a very worthy col- 
ored man. 



234 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

She became a leading member of the W. C. T. U., and was a most earnest 
Christian lady. She was a woman of rare intellectual abilities, and was honored 
by all who knew her. She rejoiced when her work was done, and was fully ready. 
She chose her own text: " Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord," and gave 
personal directions about the funeral and burial. She lies beside her former hus- 
band in Seward cemetery. She was followed to the tomb by a very large concourse 
of people, including a large delegation of the W. C. T. U. Her death occurred 
April 25, 1886. 

WALLICK. 

Mary H. Johnson was born Jan. 3, 1834, in Fulton county, Illinois^ Was mar- 
ried to Abram Wallick, July 26, 1850. Moved to Iowa in 1853. Joined the Bap- 
tist church in 1858. Moved to Seward county in 1868, where she died in Feb- 
ruary, 1871. 

Mrs. W. was the mother of thirteen children, as follows : Elizabeth V. Smith, 
now dead. Christian J., John F., Ellen, Abram M., Martha N., Elvira, Melville,. 
Wallace, Mary L., Henry C, Ada, and Jane. 

Mrs. Wallick is remembered by all the older settlers as a very worthy Christian 
lady, who went through great tribulation to her brighter home in the skies to re- 
ceive her crown. 

COL'ETRIGHT. 
[Written by Edith M. France, of York, Neb.] 

Abram Courtright, the oldest son of Elisha and Sarah Courtright, was born Feb- 
ruary 1, 1819, at Wilkesbarre, Luzerne Co., Pa. ; in 1840 moved to Illinois, settling 
at Dixon, Lee county; the year 1847 entered the Mexican war, serving until its 
close; was married in 1849 to Miss S. H. Gaunt, of Dixon, 111., there being born 
to them two children, a son and daughter — Elisha Courtright, resident of Milford, 
Seward county, and Edith M. Courtright (Mrs. Geo. B. France,) of York, York 
county. Neb. In 1863 Mr. Courtright decided to move West, and in the fall with 
his family came to Nebraska, settling at that time in Cass county, buying a farm, 
remaining in this county until 1866 ; moving at that time to Seward county, im- 
proving the opportunity of the homestead law, and locating four miles east of Mil- 
ford. He spent the remainder of his life cultivating and improving his farm, and 
on .January 25, 1882, after a short illness, there passed fi'om this life to a life be- 
yond, a kind and loving husband, an indulgent father, a true friend, and loyal 
republican. In 1846 he became a charter member of the brotherhood of the A. F. 
and A. M., remaining a staunch member all his life. Having traveled all over 
the United States, he always said, "All things considered, I think Nebraska the 
finest state in the Union." Having been an early settler he ever felt a great in- 
terest in the development of the state and especially the county in which he lived. 
At his fireside the stranger and the early settler could always tind shelter and a 
hearty welcome. 

LANGDON. 

Milton Langdon was born in Sugar Grove, Warren county, Penu., on the 28th of 

April, 1823; removed in an early day to Janesville, Wisconsin, whei-e he married 

Miss Anna Mitchel,on the 26th of April, 184^; here their four cliildren were born,. 

viz., Andrew, now of Lincoln, Neb.; Carrie, now Mrs. Hugh Hunter, of Sewardj 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 235' 

Kate, now Mrs. Melick, wife of Sheriff Melick, of Lincoln, and John M., now of 
Seward. In the early spring of ISo'i, they removed with their young family to 
Kichland Centre, Wis., and there remained until the spring of 1858, when he took 
the western fever and loaded up his wordly goods and family and traveled all the 
weary way with an ox team to Civil Bend, in Fremont county, Iowa. He took up 
his abode at the salt basins in May, 1862. The writer had met him several times 
during the fall and early winter of 1861 and 1862. He was engaged in the manu- 
facture of salt for three seasons. He was at one time a partner in business with us. 
He continued his residence in that locality until the founding of Lincoln, when he 
took up his residence in the city; was elected treasurer of Lancaster county in 
1868, and held the office two terms; removed to the Oak Groves in Seward county, 
in 1872, and was engaged in the manufacture of lime and brick, and invented a 
novel and valuable brick kiln, in which straw and hay could be used for burning 
brick with very little cost. Mr. Langdon was a man of much more than ordinary 
intelligence. We used to call him a walking encyclopedia in all historical mat- 
ters. He was a genial companion, a good neighbor, wide awake and full of energy. 
His death occurred in December, 1880, and he was buried at Oak Grove cemetery, 

MRS. ANNE LANGDON. 
[From the State Journal. Contributed by W. W. Cox.] 

The subject of this sketch was born April 26, 1821, in Bucks county, Pa.; .died 
in Seward, Neb., July 16, 1884, She removed at an early age to Rochester, N. Y.,. 
and while yet young to Janesville, Wisconsin, where she was married to Milton 
Langdon, in 1848. [The reader is referred to the biography of Mr. Langdon for 
many particulars.] After the death of her husband, she lived -with the children. 
She kept house for her son John, at Seward, until prostrate with her sickness,. 
when she was kindly cared for by her daughter, Mrs. Hugh Hunter. Deceased 
joined the Congregational church in her youth, and her lile has been that of an 
every-day Christian. Her noble self-sacrificing labor through the many years of 
her pioneer life are to be remembered by all who knew her. She was the light 
and joy of the home and the community. She was loved and honored by all. In 
hours of prosperity or deep adversity, she was ever the same kind, affectionate 
lady, with words of counsel for the erring, with words of sympathy when needed, 
and works of charity among the suffering. Hers was a beautiful life, full of the 
Christian graces. Her crown will be thickly set with precious gems. With work 
all well done,. she was ready to depart and dwell with her Savior, whom she had 
loved, faithfully served, and confidingly trusted. Funeral services were conducted 
by Eev. T. L. Sexton. She was laid to rest beside her husband in Oak Grove 
cemetery. Peaceful be her rest in the arms of her Blessed Master. 

KEY. A. J. COMBS 

Was born in Indiana, November 12, 1845; was converted and united with the M, 
E. church in 1865; was married to Miss Mary Robinson in 1869- He was an 
earnest and eloquent preacher, and was honored and loved by all that knew him. 
His death occurred at David City, in 1879, and he was the same year lollowed to 
the tomb by his young wife, and three little orphan boys were left to mourn their 
loss 



236 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

WOOLEY. 
Stites Wooley was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, June 6, 1807, and died at 
Seward, Neb., December 10, 1887, being eighty years, six months, and three days 
old. In 1839 he was married to Miss M. Stevenson, who survives him. In 1841 
they removed to Cincinnati, where he worked at his trade (a brick mason), and 
in 1856 the family settled at Nebraska City, remaining until their settlement at 
Seward, in 1866, where they improved a homestead on Sec. 15, "G" precinct, for 
many years, when he sold the farm and moved into the city, and there resided 
in his old age. There were eight children born to them. The two oldest died at 
Cincinnati, and the two youngest at Nebraska City. Their only daughter, Amelia, 
now Mrs. Ross, resides at Albina, Oregon. Fred is at Seward, and Oliver and 
Henry are in the West. Father Wooley was highly respected, was an honorable 
and upright citizen, and a consistent Christian. United with the Presbyterian 
church during his early manhood. Funeral was held at the Presbyterian church, 
Eev. Chestnut, the pastor, officiating. He was buried in Seward cemetery. 

HAGEMAN. 
William Hageman was born November 6, 1805, in Somerset county, New Jersey; 
was married at his native place to Miss Nettie A. Quickstriker. To them six 
children were born, viz., Maria, now Mrs. M. Young, of Earitan, Ills. ; John S., 
now dead; G. Vandvere, now of Milford, Neb.; Jane N., now dead; Abraham V., 
of Seward, and Miss J. A., now the wife of Gus. Brokaw, of Ruby, Neb. The 
family removed to Fulton county, Illinois, in 1839, where he buried his wife, 
January 19, 1850. In the year following, he returned to New Jersey, and married 
Mrs. M. V. Skillman, a young widow, and the sister of his former wife. He 
brought her to the Fulton covin ty home, where were born to them. Miss Helen V., 
now Mrs. F. Garner, of Ruby, Neb. ; Chris. S. and Simon P., now of Seward, and 
Wm. W., now of Lincoln county, Nebraska. He removed to Seward county and 
settled on a homestead four miles south of Seward in the spring of 1866, where he 
lived until 1880, when he made his residence in the city of Seward, residing there 
until his death, which occurred November 15, 1882, at the advanced age of seventy- 
seven years. Mr. Hageman united with the Dutch Reformed church in his early 
life, and was an exemplary Christian through all the changeful scenes of a long 
life. His aged widow, a large family of children and grandchildren, together 
with a host of friends, mourn his loss. He was buried in the Hageman cemetery, 
near Ruby station. 

BOYES. 

Margaret Broadhead was born in Bethany, Indiana, June 15, 1842. Removed 
with her parents to Story county, Iowa, in 1855. Married Geo. W. Boyes in 
April, 1857. To them were born four children, all yet living: Manuel, now of 
Wraj-, Colo. ; Alice, now Mrs. Underbill, of Utica, Nebra.«ka; and a pair of twins 
Harvey and Harris, now of Ruby, Nebraska. The family moved to Seward in 

1868, where her husband built a saw-mill, and resided at Seward until February, 

1869, when they returned to Story county, Iowa, where she died June 29, 1869. 
We well remember the subject of this sketch as a very amiable lady. She was an 
invalid and suffered greatly, yet patiently. She was beloved by all who had the 
pleasure of her acquaintance. She was l)uried in Story county, and mourned by 
her luisband and four vouug children. 



HISTORY OF SEAVARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 237 

MANLEY. 

Samuel Manley was born in Humelstown, Penn., May 21, 1836, and died at 
Ulysses, Nebraska, July 31, 1877. Mr. Manley lived at the old home until he 
■was eighteen, when he, with his parents, removed to Muscatine, Iowa, where 
he learned the carpenter's trade. Married Miss Harriet Cromer in 1862. There 
were born to them Frankie, now Mrs. Frankie Roberts, of Colorado, and Iba, now 
dead. The young people removed to Seward county in the fall of 1868, and set- 
tled upon a homestead three miles north-west of Seward. In the summer of 1870 
he burnt the first kiln of brick in the county, shortly after which he built the 
first brick house of the county, and also built the first brick structure in the city- 
(the old Reporter office, on Jackson avenue). He also built two small frame 
buildings on the corner where Goehner's hardware now stands, in one of which he 
opened a grocery store, and Mr. Humphrey opened a drug store during the winter 
of 1868. There were born to them three children, Samuel, now with his mother 
at Seward, Euth and Luther, both now dead. Mr. Manley was twice elected 
county commissioner for Seward county. Was a member of the Masonic frater- 
nity, and attained the high degree of Knight Templar. Mr. Manley was a very 
active business-man, and did much toward the development of the county. Was 
killed while examining an excavation for a mill flume at Ulysses, Neb., where 
he was engaged in building a mill. Was buried in Seward cemetery, under the 
auspices of the Knights Templar. He left a widow and four children, two of 
whom soon followed him to the tomb. A fine monument to his memory was 
erected by his widow. 

ROGER COOPER 
Was bom August 1, 1800, in Vermont; was married to Sarah W. Babcock, July 5 
1826, in Salem, W'ashington county. New York. The family moved to Knox 
county, Ohio, in 1829; from thence to Carroll county. 111., in 1856, and to Jones 
county, Iowa, in 1857. They settled on section 12, in G precinct, Seward county, Ne- 
braska, in October, 1866. There were born to them, Mary C, June 16, 1827, now 
dead; Wm. H., at one time a resident of Seward county, now a resident of Grant 
county, Wis. ; Elsie T., the wife of Dr. L. W^alker, now dead, born Jan, 12, 183J ; 
Lucretia, born Dec. 6, 1833, now dead; Leonard, born June 19, 1835, now dead- 
Hannah E.,born Sept. 11, 1836, now of Fremont county, Iowa; Edward, born 
March 24, 1839, now of Ulysses, Neb.; Isaac M., born March 22, 1841, now dead; 
Clark E., born May 19, 1843, now dead; Sarah, born March 13, 1846, now dead;^ 
J. K., born April 24, 1848, now of Ortello, Custer county, Neb. Mr. Cooper was 
a man of remarkable vigor, even in his old age. His death occurred at L^lysses, 
where the old people were living with their son Edward, on June 2, 1885, being^ 
84 years, 10 months, and 2 days old. He leaves his aged widow and his remaining 
children and a great host of grandchildren to mourn his loss. Mr. Cooper was a 
member of the M. E. church. He was buried at Seward. 

STAN WOOD. 
Mrs. Mary, daughter of David and Dorcas Imlay, was born in 1820, in Muskin- 
gum county, Ohio. Was married to James McFadden in 1848, at Wabash, Indiana. 
Removed to Calhoun, Iowa, in 1856, where she buried her husband in 1857. She 
was at this time the mother of .six children, viz., Henry, now of Holt county. Neb. ; 



238 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

Lydia, now Mrs. Hoops, of Stapleburst, Neb. ; James W. and Marcus, both of 
Omaha; Mary, now Mrs. Hecocks, of Seward; and Dethula, now INIrs. Nelson, of 
Montana. She married Sabin Stanwood in 1H60, in Harrison county, Iowa, and to 
them were born Andrew and Joseph, now of Seward. They settled in Seward 
county, on a homestead three miles north-east of Seward, in 1867, where she died 
in 1874. She united with the Presbyterian church in early life, and died in the 
triumph of a living faith, and mourned by a large family and a host of friends. 

DONALSON. 
Elizabeth Denning Donalson, mother of Mrs. Wm. Imlay, of Seward, was born 
June 12, 1797, at West Union, Ohio. Was married at the age of twenty-seven to 
Wm. Doualson, and became the mother of six children, four of whom are now 
dead, viz.. Job, John H., Eebecca E., and Samuel A., leaving but Mrs. Sarah Fow- 
ler, of Windsor, Mo., and Mrs. Mary E. Imlay, of Seward. In 1826 the family 
moved to the wilds of Indiana, and hewed out for themselves a home in Decatur 
county, residing there about ten years, when they moved to Wabash, where she 
buried her husband. She, by industry and frugality, managed to keep the family 
together until the two surviving sisters were grown and married. She resided at 
Wabash until 1875, when she followed her daughters to the West. She sojourned 
At Windsor for six months, when she made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Imlay 
•until her death, which occurred Dec. 23, 1879. She sufi'ered great aifliction during 
the last months of her life Irom a iall she received. She united with the Presby- 
terian church in her early youth, and served her Master faithfully through her 
long and eventful life. She was buried in Seward cemetery. 

BOUGHTON. 

Eliza W. Bent was born in Sterling, Cayuga county, New York, May 22, 1815. 
On October 3, 1839, she was married to Rev. Newell Boughton, a minister of the 
Baptist church. For fifteen years she ably assisted him in his ministrations in the 
various churches of which he had pastoral charge. Mr. Boughton's health failing, 
he thought a change of labor would be beneficial, and accordingly settled on a 
farm near Baraboo, Wisconsin. There Mr. Boughton died Oct. <j, 1854, and there 
the widow continued to reside until the fall of 1876, when she'removed to Seward, 
where she resided until her death. 

In November, 1878, she was afflicted with a stroke ol paralysis from which she 
partially recovered, and a second stroke prostrated her in January, 1882. F'rom 
the latter she never recovered , and during the five years after its occurrence she 
was almost unable to walk, and was confined to the house much of the time. 
During this time her strength rapidly failed, and during the last three years she 
was incapable of taking any care of herself. Her only daughter, who had never 
been separated Irom her mother, took care of her during this period with great 
devotion. On Monday, July 4th, she was attacked with severe bowel troubles, 
and took to bed. All that medical skill and loving care could do for her was done, 
l)ut to no avail. The severe heat of the weather and her extreme weakness com- 
bined to make the disease irresistible, and she quietly passed awaj' on Saturday, 
July 9, 1887, aged seventy-two years. Throughout the years of her invalid life 
she had sufiered little pain, aiul her last sickness and death were unattended by 
suflering. Paralysis had so deadened the nerves that .sensation was weak, and 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 239 

consequently no pain was felt. "When very young Mrs. Boughton became a Chris- 
tian, and united with the Presbyterian church at the age of fourteen. After her 
marriage to a Baptist clergyman she transferred her membership to that church, 
and remained a faithful and consistent member of that denomination all her life. 
Though in her later years deprived of the privilege of attending divine service, she 
never lost her interest in religion, nor her faith in God. Only a few hours before 
losing consciousness she expressed her entire confidence in Christ, and her belief 
that she was about to be taken to a better world, where she would be reunited to 
her husband, to whose memory she had been faithful during the thirty-three years 
of her widowhood. Mrs. Boughton was the mother of seven children, of whom 
three survive her, Clarence E. Boughton, of Baraboo, Wisconsin; Augustus S. 
Boughton, of Indianola, Neb., and Mrs. F. G. Simmons, of Seward, Neb. Funeral 
services were held at the Baptist church, conducted by Rev. J. N. Webb, who was 
an old friend and co-worker with Mr. Boughton, from the text, " Let me die the 
•death of the righteous, aud let my last end be like his." 

MOKKIS. 

At his home in Seward, Neb., Wednesday morning, at 9 A.M., July 28, 1880, of 
cancerous affections, William Morris, aged 46 years. Mr. Morris was born in 
Harrison county, Ohio, in 1834, residing there until he was about eight years old, 
after which his parents removed to Tuscarawas county, Ohio. Up to 16 years of 
age he attended public school, when he was apprenticed to a blacksmith to learn 
that trade ; working at this business until the breaking out of the war, he enlisted 
in the 145th Illinois infantry and served nine months, seeing military service in 
Missouri. While in the army he contracted chronic diarrhea, from which he 
never entirely recovered. On leaving the army he engaged in the hardware busi- 
ness at Elkhart, 111., with his brother John H. Morris, in which they continued 
for two years. Since that time William and J. H. Morris have been engaged for 
short times in other mercantile pursuits, but devoted most of their time to inven- 
tions. Morns'" reverse buckle for harness was produced by them, and is now 
principally used in the construction of harness, and other valuable inventions, in- 
clnding the " Delusion " and " 15th Amendment" mouse traps; and another 
valuable invention which they were on the eve of manufacturing at Seward. He 
was married in Ford county, 111., in 18f)7 to Miss Eliza J. Higdon, and the fruits 
of their marriage are a son and daughter, six and eleven years old respectively. 
In the fall of 1874 he removed to Seward, Neb., with his brother John and fam- 
ilies. Last June a form of cancerous or hard malignant tumor appeared on his 
left arm, which necessitated the amputation of the arm, but this proved of no 
avail, and after long and patient suffering he died. Mr. Morris' inventive genius 
•was of the highest practical order. 

EOLAND EEED. 

The subject of this sketch was born at Bainbridge, New York, in 1819, and 
there he lived until his majority, when he pushed out to Tioga Co., Penn., and 
made his home at the town of Shipping, where he remained five years, and mar- 
ried Miss Jane Wetherbee, at the age of twenty-three. He changed his place of 
residence to Delmer in the same county, and there remained until he moved to 
Seward county in 1866. He located on a homestead two miles west of Beaver 



240 HISTORY OF SEAVARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

Crossing, where he spent the remainder of his days. There were born to him nine 
children. He was a stalwart republican in politics. His religious sentiments 
were Presbyterian, although he never united with the church. He left a widow 
and family to mourn his loss. Was buried in the Beaver Crossing cemetery on the 
ninth day of February, 1884. 

MITCHEL. 

James Emery Mitchel was born in McDonough county. Ills., Sept. 4, 1B54 ; re- 
sided in that county until five years ago, when he made his residence in Seward. 
He entered the ministry in 1882, and was stationed at Germantown, where he 
resided until his death. Was married Feb. 22, 1879, to Miss Sarah E. Dunahugh, 
and to them were born four children, three boys and one girl, all of whom are 
with their mother. Mr. Mitchel suffered greatly for several years from a honey- 
comb enlargement of his leg. He found it necessary to have the leg amputated 
in the winter of 1883, and then the case became more and more aggravated, causing 
tumors, and affected his lungs, finally caused his death, which occurred Nov. 22, 
1886. He was buried in Seward cemetery, and left his widow, four little chil- 
dren, and a wide circle of friends to mourn his loss. Mr. Mitchel was a very 
zealous Christian worker. While his sufferings were terrible, yet he remained 
cheerful and seemed always to rejoice in a bright hope. He was cut down in his 
early manhood, but he earned the gracious favor of the Master, and died 
triumphantly. 

JASPER EGBERTS 

Was born March 24, 1849, in Fulton county, 111., and died at Seward, Oct. 15, 
1884, from a wound received while examining a revolver, which was accidentally 
discharged. Mr. Koberts came to Nebraska with his parents in the spring of 
1866. He resided with the old people until he was of age, when he took a home- 
stead near the present town of Staplehurst. Was married to Miss Mattie E. 
Davis, daughter of Hon. W. E. Davis, June 25, 1871. There were born to them 
five children, two of whom live and are with their mother, Claudius and Kalph, 
two bright boys. Shortly after the sad death of the father, the oldest living 
child, a boy of ten years (Wilber), was accidentally killed by the wreck of a 
building in a heavy wind storm. Mr. Roberts moved to Ulysses in 1830, and run 
a meat market, then he dealt in stock and grain, and afterwards he started a gro- 
cery store which he continued to manage to the time of his death. Mr. Roberts 
was a very successful and popular business-man, and his loss was sorely felt by 
the community in which he lived. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, 
and great numbers of his beloved order followed him to the tomb. He left a 
wife, three children, and a wide circle of relatives and friends to mourn his un- 
timely death. His last expressions as he neared the dark river were that he was 
ready to go, and his only regrets were to leave the family and friends. Rev. 
Selby, of David City, officiated at the burial. 

PAYNE. 

Steven Payne was born in the state of New York, .July 11, 1811, He early in 
life united with the Missionary Baptist church, and although never ordained as a 
minister, he for many years held a license to do work in that line. His course has 
always been open, frank, and sincere. Whatever he believed to be right that he 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 241 

did with all his might, regardless of what others thought or did. For a long time 
he had been in poor health, and for some weeks had been confined to his bed, and 
after much sufi"ering quietly passed away, honored and respected by all for his 
many good traits of character. Father Payne settled at Seward in 187 — His 
death occurred Nov. 23, 1887, and he was buried Nov. 26th, Rev. J. N. Webb 
oflSciating at the funeral. 

REV. O. I). CONE 

Was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, April 16, 1842. His father. Rev. Edwin 
Cone, was a local preacher in the W^estern Reserve conference of the church of the 
United Brethren in Christ. At an early age he was converted, and joined the 
church of his father. His boyhood and youth were not altogether devoid of hard- 
.ships, but they were well calculated to develop the symmetrical and self-reliant 
character for which he was noted in the years of his vigorous manhood. Oct. 9, 
1861, he was married to Miss Sallie H. Citerley, in Lake county, Ohio. Three 
children, one girl and two boys, blessed this union. A few years later he felt that 
he was called of God to preach the gospel. Ever ready to respond to the call of 
duty, he connected himself with the Western Reserve conference about 1871, and 
at once entered the active work of the ministry. Eight years he traveled in this 
conference, his last circuit being Richfield, Summit county, Ohio, on which he 
labored three years. These were years of abundant prosperity for the church, 
and Rev. Cone earned for himself a reputation subordinate perhapsj to that of but 
few of his co-laborers. In the fall of 1879 he moved his family to Nebraska, buy- 
ing a farm one-half mile from Unadilla, Otoe county. He at once joined the East 
Nebraska annual conference, and the following spring was appointed to Unadilla 
circuit. Here he remained two years, during which time a commodious house of 
worship was built in Unadilla. At the annual conference in the spring of 1882, 
he was elected one of the presiding elders. In this capacity he was as successful 
as before, and won the esteem of not only the people with whom he came in con- 
tact, but of the ministers under his charge as well. At the expiration of the year 
he was appointed to Seward station, where he served the people one year with gen- 
eral satisfaction. Feeling that the general state of his health required him to take 
a short rest, in the spring of 1881 he located for one year, but in August he ac- 
cepted the position of general soliciting agent for Western College, Toledo, Iowa, in 
which he worked during the fall and winter, doing good service for the educational 
interests of the church. At the meeting of the annual conlerence, in March, 1885, 
a lengthy petition from the people of Seward station was presented, asking that 
their former pastor be returned to them for the ensuing year. Conference com- 
plied, and Rev. Cone, feeling that his duty lay in the active work of the ministry, 
yielded to the call of the church, and again became the pastor at Seward. May 
31st, while preaching one of the most powerful sermons of his life, he was taken 
sick in the pulpit, and was carried from the church to the house of Bro. George 
Slonecker. By June 8th he was able to return to his home at Unadilla. On Sat- 
urday, the 13th, he was stricken with paralysis of the lower limbs, and on Sunday 
evening, with the .setting of the sun, he peacefully and triumphantly passed the 
boundaries of mortal existence, and entered that heaven whose beauties and 
glories he had so often and so eloquently portrayed to his delighted hearers. 
16 



242 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

EDGAR M. SPEAR 
Was born in Webster, Monroe county, N. Y. , June 7, 1840. Served in the war of 
the rebellion under Commodore Farragut, and was on the gunboat Sciota, at Mobile, 
when it was blown up. Came to Seward in March, 1872, and planted a nursery. 
Died Dec. 20, 1880. We are sorry that we can give no further account of a life 
so eventful as his must have been. Mr. Spear is remembered as a very worthy 
citizen. 

FREDERICK S. .JOHNSON, 

Senior member of the firm of F. S. Johnson & Co., proprietors of Quenchaqua 
flouring mills, and bankers at Milford. The subject of this sketch came to Milford, 
Nebraska, in March, 1880, and, in company with James F. Johnson and H. D. 
Perry, purchased an interest in the above flouring mills from the original proprie- 
tor, J. L. Davison. In the following August the firm of Johnson, Perry & Co. 
bought out the other partners, and the mill was operated bj' them until the death 
of Mr. Perry, which occurred December 22, 1881, since that time the firm being 
F. S. Johnson & Co., consisting of F. S. Johnson and James F. Johnson. The mill 
is a brick and frame building, four stories high, 36x46. It is run by water power, 
with a fall of fourteen feet and 150 horse power. Since April, 1881, have been 
turning out 260 barrels of flour per day. They use steel rollers instead of buhrs 
for the manufacture of flour, and have nine sets of these rollers, which only require 
dressing once in five years. They are very much superior to the old style of mill- 
ing, and produce better results, as 100 pounds of this flour is equal to 122 pounds 
ground by buhrs. The " Shogo" flour took the first premium at the Nebraska 
State Fair lor the best spring wheat made in the state, and the bread from this 
flour also took the premium. The names " Shogo" and " Quenchaqua," stamped on 
these sacks, excited considerable curiosity at the exhibition, as everyone wished to 
know the meaning of them. They are Aztec words, " Shogo " the brand of flour, 
meaning the very best, and " Ineuchaqua," the name of the mills, meaning num- 
ber one. The subject of this sketch was born in Oswego, N. Y., September 15, 
1856, and received his literary education at Union college, Schenectady, N. Y. 

WILLIAM H. EEED 

Was born in Hartford county, Connecticut, in 1810. Our record of his younger 
years is very meager. Lost his first wife in Ohio, and was there married a second 
time. Lost the second wife in Washington county, Iowa. Married Mrs. Watson 
in 18.57, who still survives him, and now resides at Weeping Water, in Cass county, 
Nebraska. Mr. Reed came to Weeping Water Falls in 1861, and built a grist- 
mill, which was the second one in Cass county. In 1866 he moved the old mill to 
Milford, and built a fine stone mill at the Falls in its place. Mr. Reed was a 
partner with Mr. Davison in Milford, and he helped -start the town. He took a 
lively interest in all public matters, was always wide-awake and in earnest with 
regard to the development of the county and his town. Was elected county clerk 
in the fall of 1867, and had a very important part in the county seat contest. Mr. 
Reed will be remembertd as a man of will power; was very determined and ener- 
getic in all his undertakings. 

While he lived at Milford he was the leader in all her enterprises, and foremost 
in all her b&t^les with her rivals. He always fought to win, but stern tate .seemed 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 243 

to be against him in the contest, and when the battle was lost irretrievably the 
blow was so crushing that the old gentleman could hardly endure to remain in 
the county, so he spent his last days at "Weeping Water, where he had large inter- 
ests. Air. Reed was a kind-hearted, genial man. We would take it that he was a 
an excellent neighbor and a good business-man. While it was the province of the 
•writer of this sketch to often cross swords with Mr. Reed in the struggles of the 
past, yet we always admired his untiring energy and determination to win or die 
in the last ditch. We always found him a pleasant man in his every-day life, 
and one Avith many traits of character to admire. His life was active, and he acted 
•well his part in the development of Nebraska. When he had outlived his three 
score and ten years he died, at the good old age of seventy-three, at Weeping 
Water, Nebraska, and leaves an aged widow, a large family, and a wide circle of 
friends and acquaintances to mourn his loss. 

, REV. E. L. CLAEK 

Was born in 1810, in Addison Co., Vt. His father died just before his birth, and 
the lad was raised by a stepfather. Was raised on a farm, and went to school in 
Addison until he was of age, when he began studying for the ministry with a 
Baptist clergyman. Married Miss Nancy Munger in 1831, at Whiting. Miss 
Munger was born in 1812, at Whiting, Vt. Commenced his ministry at Troy in 
rthe Baptist church. Preached at various places in Vermont until 1851, when his 
health failed, and he moved to the Adirondack country in New York, and opened 
a farm in the wilderness. Some time aiterwards the family took up their residence 
at East Constable, N. Y., and remained there until they removed to Seward county 
in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Clark raised eleven children, six boys and five girls. Mr. 
Clark was the first resident minister of the county, and preached the second ser- 
mon in the neighborhood of Seward, in the fall of 1865. The family had many 
hardships to undergo in the early days, but he was a faithful worker and did very 
much in moulding the moral and religious sentiment of this new country. Organ- 
ized the first Baptist church, in 1870, at Seward, and remained its faithful pastor 
until his health entirely failed, in the winter of 1872 and 1873. He died in the 
^spring of 1873, and was followed to the tomb by a sorrowing people. His wile died 
in 1875 and was buried by his side. 

BATCHELDER. 

Louisa M. Whitwood was born near Ithaca, N. Y., April 17, 1831. In about 
1846 her father's family moved to Rockford, Ills., where she was married to J. W. 
Batchelder, by Rev. H. M. Goodwin, Feb. 18, 1852. The family moved to Seward 
county in 1870, and settled in "B" precinct, where Mr. Batchelder still resides. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Batchelder were born five children, as follows: Wm. H., born in 
Rockford, Sept. 18, 1855; he now resides at Hoxie, Sheridan Co., Kansas; Flora I., 
born at Rockford, Feb. 8, 1858; died of scarlet fever April 18, 1860; Whitwood J., 
born at Rockford, March 10, 1861; resides now at "B;" Frank C.,born at Burritt, 
HI., Dec. 5, 1864; now resides at Grant, Keith Co., Neb.; Edward G., born March 
11, 1867, and still resides with his father. The deceased was for many years an 
exemplary member of the Congregational church, and at the time of her death she 
was a member of the Presbyterian church. She cheerfully bore the trials and pri- 
vations of a frontier life. The kindness of her disposition and her readiness to as- 



244 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

sist in alleviating sorrow of others won for her the love of all who knew her. She- 
truly in the spirit of her Master went about doing good. She died triumphantly 
■when her ivork was well done, and left her husband, children, and a wide circle ot 
friends to mourn her loss. 

REV. ABEAM TOWNER. 

Born June 13, 1806, in Bradford Co., Pa. Married Miss Hester Vought, of his 
native place, Jan. 1, 1826. Moved to Ohio in 1829, to Missouri in 1832. Was 
licensed to preach in the M. E. church in 1844. Settled in Cass Co., Neb., in 1854,. 
when he preached the first sermon ever delivered in Cass county. His wife died 
Feb. 7, 1866, at Eock Blufls, in Cass county. The old gentleman moved to Butler 
county in 1867, and had the honor of naming Ulysses. Smce that date has several 
times visited California, where he married a second wife, who lived but a short 
time. Since that time he has made his home with his sons, Abram and Mc. D., 
at Ulysses, and with his daughter, Mrs. Tishue, of Seward. There are six children 
living, viz. , Achatias, of Washington Territory ; Abram, of Ulysses ; Emily, now 
Mrs. L. Patterson, of Kansas; Mc. D., of Ulysses; Susan, now Mrs. S. C. Cutter,, 
of Rapid City, Dak.; Lucy, now Mrs. William Gilmour, of Piattsmouth, Neb., and 
Rannie, now Mrs. J. Tishue, of Seward. Mr. Towner lived a faithful Christian 
and died in the triumphant faith of a blessed immortality. His death occurred. 
Aug. 29, 1886, at Ulysses, Neb. 

MBS. JANE SNODGEASS, 

The mother of Rev. E. W. Johnson, was born Aug. 4, 1812, in North Carolina. 
She was the daughter of Elijah Wilcoxsen. When she was eighteen her parents 
moved to Kentucky, from thence to Fulton county, 111., and located near the 
present town of Lewiston. Here she married Moses C. Johnson, in 1831. In 1851 
her husband was killed by a runaway team. She was the mother of nine children,, 
two sons and seven daughters. Among these children were Rev. E. W. Johnson, 
Mrs. Abram Wallich, now deceased, and Mrs. Thomas Skillmau. In 1853 she was 
again married to Mr. James Snodgrass, and by him had one daughter. The old. 
lady died at Seward, Oct. 16, 1874. Her death was caused by injuries received 
from a fall from the car steps at Seward depot one dark night. She suifered much, 
pain for several months from the injuries. When death came to her relief it found 
her ready, and she quietly fell asleep in the arms of her Savior. 

MR.S. AMOS COLEMAN. 

Mary C. Poisal was born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, June 13, 1839. She removed, 
with her father's family to Iowa in an early day, and to Ca.ss Co., Nebraska, in 
1864, where she engaged in teaching until her marriage to Amos Coleman in 1867, 
July 30th. She was the mother of seven children, all boys, the oldest nineteen, 
and the youngest three years. Mrs. Coleman was converted at the tender age ot 
thirteen , and lived a consistent and earnest Christian life. Her home was with 
the M. E. church, of which she was a valuable member. The family, consisting of 
her husband and one child, settled on their homestead in " B '' precinct in the 
early spring of 1870, and they had their full share in the labors and trials of the 
new settlement. She has been in poor health for near three years, her disease be- 
ing a cancer of the breast. While a great sufferer she has been very patient and. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 245 

-cheerful. Her chief concern was that her hus])aud and children should join her in 
the better world. Her death occurred March 26, 1888. She is mourned by the 
family and a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. 

REV. THOMAS X. SKINNER 

Was born is St. Lawrence county, Vermont, and was educated at Potsdam Col- 
lege. At the age of twent\- years he was converted to Christ. A few years later 
he was married to iliss Ocha L. Bell, and emigrated from his native state to Illi- 
nois, where he commenced his ministerial work. At the age of thirty he re- 
moved to Iowa, still continuing his chosen labor. In 1867 he was sent to Milford 
in this county, to take charge of the Congregational church there and remained 
its pastor for several years. In 1873 his wife died, leaving a family of five chil- 
dren. On the 27th of March, 1877, he was married to Miss Nancy A. Dngan, who 
still survives him. Later he removed to the north-western part of this state, 
where he continued his labor of establishing churches and Christian institutions, 
faithfully laboring lor the salvation of sinners until his health became so impaired 
from overwork and exposure in that new and sparsely settled country, that he 
was obliged to retire from his field of labor, and he returned to this county in 
hopes of regaining health to continue the work in the Master's fold. His con- 
stitution had been overtaxed and he never regained his old-time vigor. At every 
opportunity he was at his post, preaching and warning sinners to repentance, 
feeling that he had a call from God to fight the good fight until he was called 
home to the Master he served so faithfully on earth. He leaves a wife and seven 
children to mourn his loss. The five children by his first wife are all grown, and 
he has two little girls as the fruits of the second union. 



246 HISTORY OF SEWAED COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



MEN WHO HAVE ACTED WELL THEIR PART IN DEVELOPING THE COUNTY, AND 
WHO HAVE DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES BY UNTIRING EFFORTS IN BEHALF 
OF HER INTEREST AND ADVANCEMENT. 



LEWIS ANDERSON 
Was born in Bedford Co., Pa., April 15, 1833. Married to Miss Sarah A. Ed- 
wards, of Huntington Co., Pa., April 7, 1853. Moved to Fulton Co., 111., in 1864^ 
and to Seward county in the spring of 1866, and made settlement on his present 
farm. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson seven children, four of whom 
are now dead, viz., Edson and Lewis died while very young; Susan, who became 
the wife of Norman A. Smith, died in 1880 ; and "Wilson, who had been a cripple 
for many years, died in the spring of 1887. Those living are Lizzie, now Mrs. 
John Metz ; Clara, now Mrs. E. A. Butler, of Ansley, Neb. ; and Bell, yet with 
her parents. Mr. Anderson joined the I. O. O. F. the day he was twenty-one,, 
and takes great interest in the Order. Is a working member of the U. B. church 
and is among our most highly respected citizens. 

G. BABSON, JR., 

Is our oddity. As a business-man he has no superiors. He is especially gifted with 
the knack of being everywhere present. He is ever on the fly, and always up to 
his eyes in business. Euns the leading implement business of the county, is 
manager of the Morris Lock Company, and has a leading hand in the canning 
factory, and also the electric light company. Always to the front in all public 
enterprise, and free with his money in every laudable undertaking. Mr. Babson 
is a native of Massachusetts, where he received a thorough education. Has taken 
an active interest in the public schools of our city, and was lor many years a 
member of our board of education. Has a bright, intelligent family. With all 
his oddities, we could wish we had many more like him. Mr. Babson's wife died 
during the early spring, and thus leaves the home of our friend desolate and hia 
young family without a mother. 

JOHN W. BATCHELDER 

Was born in Sullivan Co., N. H., in 1828. When he was but ten years old his 
father's family moved to Winnebago Co., 111., near Rockford, where he continued 
his residence for thirty-two years. Married in 1852 to Miss Louisa M. Whitwood- 
To them were born five children, four of whom yet live. Mr. Batchelder moved 
to Seward county in 1870, and located in "B " precinct, where he still resides. 
His wife died in 1878, and in 1885 he married Mrs. Mary J. York. Mr. B. is a 
member of the United Brethren church, and one of its leading members in this 
county. He has improved his farm in a very creditable manner, and has a very 
fine orchard of the various fruits. 



HISTORY OF SEAVARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 247 

JAMES H. BETZER 

May justly be considered the veteran newspaper man of Seward county. He is the 
oldest man that is now an editor, and has been at the helm running ihe Blade longer 
than any of his contemporaries, and has been in the newspaper business when all 
othera of the craft here were young lads. Twenty-two j'ears he has edited and 
published a newspaper, eight years at Seward. Mr. Betzer is an uncompromising 
republican, and fights the party battles manfully. Gives the hardest of blows, 
and ever ready with his pen and Blade to give the reason of the faith within him. 
His hostility to saloons is uncompromising. Ever ready and faithful helper in 
public enterprises and charities, we trust he may many years wield the " shining 
Blade "' in the interest of Seward and her people. 

WILLIAM D. BOWERS 

Came from Maryland, in 1878, and was in the employ of Claudius Jones for two 
and one-half years, and since that time has been with Mclntyre & Seeley. Wil- 
liam is one of our most intelligent young men, and we trust that a bright future 
is before him, as he has been found entirely trustworthy and competent. 

HIRAM L. BOYES 

Was born in Hillsboro, New Hampshire, Jan. 9, 1812. Was from the Scotch- 
Irish and French descent. His father moved to Cattaraugus county, N. Y., when 
Hiram was but three years old. Was married in 1836 to Miss Esther L. Hibbard, 
of Erie county, N. Y. The young people made their way to the wilds of Michi- 
gan, and settled in St. Joseph county in 1844, Made the trip around Cape Horn 
to California in 1849, spending four years in the mines, and upon returning home 
removed to Story county, Iowa, and was among the first to penetrate the western 
wilderness. In 1867 came to Seward and built the mill, and from that time his 
interests have been identified with that of the city and county. Is still the prin- 
cipal owner of this most valuable property. The history of the mill enterprise is 
set forth in other pages of this work. Mr. Boyes has long been identified with the 
Seward schools as a prominent and efficient member of the board of education. 
Has for twenty years labored faithfully to build up Seward and Seward county. 
We could heartily w ish the old gentleman and his noble wife many long years to 
enjoy the prosperity they have so well earned. His son Carlos is a partner and 
manager of the business. Carlos has grown from boyhood at Seward, and has been 
identified with the mill from the day its foundations were laid. 

ABANES J. CALLENDER 

Was born in Bucks county, Pa., May 1, 1842. HiS father's family moved to Mar- 
shall county, 111., in 1854, and there the lad grew to manhood aud received liis 
education in the schools of that neighborhood. He came to Seward in the autumn ■ 
of 1871, and for two years clerked in Tishue's dry goods store. Commenced the 
coal and stock trade in 1873, and has continued to do a thriving business in that 
line for fifteen years. Was married to Miss Phcebe M. Nichols, who was born 
and raised in Herkimer county. New York, near Utica, and who came to Nebraska 
in 1875. The marriage took place Sept. 6, 1877. There have been born to themi 
four children, two of whom died while young, and Mary E. and Lloyd J., who 



248 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

are with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Callander are members of the Missionary 
Baptist church and are among the useful members. Mr. C. has been city clerk, 
also city treasurer. 

EDMUND C. CAENS 

Was born in Butler county, Penn., in 1844; removed to Mercer county, 111., in 
1858; worked as a farmer boy until 1864, when he went to Minnesota; was a soldier 
from that state, where he was engaged afterwards in government and Indian trans- 
portation. After this he visited the Pacific coast. Made settlement in Seward iu 
the spring of 1873, and engaged in the grain trade for several years, and afterwards 
was connected with the grain and coal trade at various points on the U. P. K. R 
Was chosen member of the constitutional convention in 1875, and elected first state 
senator of .Seward county in 1876, and was a very efficient member. Was very 
active in committee work. In 1878 was nominated unanimously and elected lieu- 
tenant governor of Nebraska, and unanimously nominated and re-elected iu 18~0. 
Was remarkably active as an oflicer, and made many warm friends and some 
bitter enemies. Very active and wonderfully energetic in whatever he found to do, 
he has done much for Seward county and Nebraska. Very genial and social in his 
nature, and a wonderful memory of namesand faces, he perhaps has a more widely 
extended acquaintance than any other citizen of the county. Some may not like 
Cams, but with all the faults he may have we must accord him the credit of being 
an enterprising, honest business-man, and one who has done much to bring Seward 
county to the front. By his own push he worked his way into the front rank with 
the prominent men of the state as a politician and a busine.ss-man. Is now the 
owner of a large herd of cattle in Merrick county and a fine farm in Seward county. 
Always ready to give a helping hand in matters of public enterprise, and was 
never known to refuse in matters of charity. Is always ready to help a friend. 
Was happily married to Miss Margaret J. Burke, of Forestville, N. Y., in 1880, 
a noble lady, who is ever to the front in charitable enterprises in our city. They 
have a bright young family of three children — Margaret Elizabeth. Edmund 
Burke, and Rachel Florence. 

JOHN CATTLE, SEN., 

President of the State Bank at Seward, is an Englishman by birth. Was born in 
Yorkshire, in March, 1817. Married Miss Alice Sarby, of same place, in 1846. 
There were born to them three sons and three daughters, only two of whom are 
now living. Came to Nebraska in 1876 and settled on section 4 in G precinct. 
One of the sons, Mr. Robert Cattle, died several years ago at the mountains, where 
he was sojourning on account of ill health. Mr. Cattle brought a large amount of 
wealth from the old country, and has made with his means large improvements on 
his farm and also in the city. Has built several brick business houses and a num- 
ber of dwellings. Mr. Cattle is universally known to be a very lenient man with 
his customers. While he is considered very close in his dealings, he is never 
known to oppress any one who strives to do his part. He retains his relations 
with the Wesleyan church of England, but worships with the Methodist congre- 
gation, and renders liberal aid in supporting the church. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 249 

I. G. CHAPIN. 

This young man came to Nebraska and located at Crete, in 1882, where he 
lie worked for a lumber firm for a year and a half, when he came to Seward and 
■was with the firm of W. H. Walker & Co., where he proved so efficient that he has 
"been promoted to the important trust of manager of seven yards of the great lum- 
ber firm of S. K. Martin & Co. He controls yards at Ulysses, Poston, Utica," B," 
Waco, Tamora, and Beaver Crossing. Pretty well done for a young man. 

FEANK p. COMPTOX 

Came to Nebraska with his parents when a young lad, in 1858. The iamily re- 
sided at Nebraska City until 1868 when they made their home in Lincoln, and 
moved to Seward in 1872. Frank learned the tinner's trade, and worked at the 
business a number of years, but not liking the business he learned the printer's 
Irade and has for twelve years followed that trade. In 1885 owned and edited the 
Staplehurst Xews, and in 1887 removed the office to Utica, where the field was 
wider and is now editing the Utica Sun, a bright newsy paper. The writer of 
this sketch has known Mr. Compton since his early boyhood days and we take 
pleasure in saying that he is coming to the front in good shape. Is a young man 
of excellent habits and full of energy. We trust that a bright future is iu store 
for him. He has largely received his education in the school of adversity, but 
has the will power to overcome every obstacle in the way, and we are heartily 
glad to see him succeed. 

CAPT. ROBERT T. COOPER 
Was born in Stephenson Co., 111., in 1842, where he grew up to manhood. He en- 
listed at Freeport in 1861, in the 46th 111. Infantry, in Co. B. In a short time was 
promoted to the second then to the first lieutenantcy, and in 1865 was promoted 
to the captaincy. Was discharged in 1866. The young man returned to his 
native home, where his county honored him twice with the office of county treas- 
urer, in 1869 and 1871. Settled at Seward in 1874 ; built the Cooper and Hen- 
■derson mills, south of Seward ; helped organize Seward G. A. R. Post No. 3 ; was 
elected twice county treasurer of Seward county, in 1681 and 1883 ; was defeated 
for the county clerkship in 1885, but was triumphantly elected in l.'-87, over the 
same opponent. Is a republican in politics. A man of good parts, generous and 
obliging, wide-awake to public enterprise. The fall of 1887 brought him many 
favors, first he gained the favor of a splendid woman and was married to Miss 
Emma D. Brenizer on September 24th ; next he was voted a gold headed cane 
for good looks, and later was voted the clerkship of the county. Pretty well done 
for one season. 

THOMAS CORR 

Was born in Washington Co., 111., in 1844. Was a farmer boy. Enlisted in the 
11th 111. Infantry in 1861, in Co. C, on the first call. Re-enlisted in August fol- 
lowing, in the lUth Missouri, and served three years. Being discharged at the end 
of his service, he returned and commenced a course of study in Washington Sem- 
inary, but in a short time he answered the last call and enlisted for the third time 
in the U. S. Vol. Veterans. Was promoted to second then to a first lieutenancy 
for bravery and meritorious service. Was in Gen. Hancock's corps, and was one 



250 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNT\% NEBRASKA. 

of the guards that were detached to hang Mrs. Suratt, Payne, Herald, and ArrofT, 
for their part in the assassination of Lincoln. At the close of the war he returned 
to Illinois, and in 1869 he made his home in Seward county, settling on his pres- 
ent farm in C precinct. Has had the honors of notary and justice of the peace 
for ten years. Was in 1884 elected to represent the county in the legislature, and) 
was a wide-awake and energetic member, doing much valuable work for the 
county and state. Is one of the leading members of Seward Post No. 3, G. A. R.^ 
and was a charter member of Oliver lodge No. 38, of the A. F. and A. M. Wa» 
married in Illinois in 1868, to Miss Mary Adams. They have eight children, 
three boys and five girls. Mr. Corr is full ofenterpri.se and push as a farmer and 
business-man, and a very worthy citizen. 

WILLIAM WALLACE COX. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., November 12, 
1832, and was named for the great Scottish chieltain. In 1835 he moved with 
his father and mother, Mordeci and Catharine Cox, to the then wilderness of 
Sangamon county, Illinois, where his father died a few months alter, and the- 
widowed mother soon moved and settled with the children near Monroe, in Green 
county, Wis., where she died May 8, 1838, being the first white worilan buried !& 
that county. Young William was given by his mother on her dying bed to the 
care of James Hawthorn, a wealthy and respected farmer of the neighborhood, 
with whom he lived until he was eleven years old, when becoming dissatisfied 
with Mrs. Hawthorn, he made his home for the next two years with relatives 
near Winslow, Stevenson county, Illinois. He then accompanied Samuel Phillips 
to Chautauqua county, N. Y., where for more than a year his life was that of a 
slave, when he found a splendid home with Elias Carrington, of Forestville. In 
1848 he returned to Illinois, and the following year was a pupil of Hon. H. C. 
Burchard, at the opening of Monroe Seminary. Mr. B. was since member of con- 
gress from the Galena, Illinois, district, and afterwards superintendent of U. S. 
mint. Mr. Cox, in 1850, commenced teaching near Monroe. After two years 
resided at Belvidece, and taught in Boone county, Illinois, and afterwards in Mer- 
cer and Knox counties. Was a student in Oberlin College, Ohio, lor a time; also 
at Knox College, at Galesburg, Illinois. In 1855 we find him as principal of pub- 
lic schools in Abingdon, Illinois. He was married in 1856 to Miss Rebecca Samp- 
son, and the young couple moved to Page county, Iowa, a couple of years later, 
where they lived until the 28th day of February, 1860, when they moved to Ne- 
braska City, and the year following to the Great Salt Basin, and to their homestead 
near Seward in 1 864. When fifteen years old he united with the Missionary Bap- 
tist church, at Forestville, N. Y. To the happy union with a noble wife were born 
eight children, viz.: Kate J., now Mrs. James A. Ruby; Nettie M., now Mrs. 
Frank P. Pingree; Elmer E., Lincoln W., Omar L., Charles B., and Nora A., who 
are living, and Carrie, the youngest, died in infancy. Mr. Cox has been ever a con- 
sistent and ardent republican and an earnest advocate of the cause of temperance. 
He has ever been a friend to the best interests of Seward county aiul Nebraska, and 
has wielded his pen freely for their advancement. For many years he was engaged 
in the grain and implement business at Seward, but met with financial reverses in 
1874, which swept away nearly all of his property. His family has seen all sides 
of pioneer life, its brightest sunshine and its darkest shadows. In hours of gloom. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 251 

and general despondency, Mr. Cox was always cheerful and ready to encourage 
his neighbors to have faith in Nebraska. Never urged his claims for political pre- 
ferment, but was always an earnest advocate of progress in all matters pertaining 
to his county and state. A man of generous impulses, and can never saj' no wheni 
an appeal is made to him in behalf of the needy. 

JACOB H. CULVEE 

Was born in Mercer county, Ohio, in Ii-f45. The family removed to Wisconsin when 
Jacob was but two yeaj-s old. They settled in Sheboygan county, and his father 
engaged in the lumber business. The lad received his early training in the dis- 
trict school of the neighborhood. At the tender age of sixteen he enlisted as a 
drummer boy in Co. K. of the First Wis. Infantry, serving one year in that capac- 
ity, and at the battle of Perryville the color-bearer being killed, Jacob dropped 
the drum and grabbed up the flag and bore it aloft in triumph, and continued to 
carry it through the service. Was in the battles of Chaplain Hills, Chickamauga,. 
Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, and Chattanooga, and also in the Atlanta cam- 
paign. Eeturning from the war he entered the Wisconsin University in 1866. 
Was elected engrossing clerk of the Wisconsin senate in 1869. In 1870 he came 
to Seward county, and made Milford his home. Was postmaster at Milford in 
1870, and in December of that year, in company with H. G. Parsons, commenced 
the publication of the Blue Valley Becord, which was Milford's first and best paper. 
In the spring of 1873 the Becord was consolidated with the Daily Leader, at Lin- 
coln, which Culver and Parsons succeeded in bringing up to a paying business, 
when Mr. Culver sold his interest, returned to Milford in 1874, and bought an 
interest in the flouring mills with J. L. Davison. He continued with the mill 
until 1879. when the mill was sold to Johnson, Perry & Co. Mr. Culver was the 
organizer of Winslow Post No. 56. and was its first commander. Married Miss 
Ada Davison in 1870, and they are the happy parents of five children, viz. : Clar- 
ence C, Elvin E., Harry H., Fred D.. and Lulu. His wife was raised from early 
childhood in Seward county. They were among the organizing members of the 
Congregational church of Milford. He is now vice pi'esident of the Morris lock 
factory, of Seward; is a stock farmer and also coal dealer at Milford. He is one 
of the most widely known of our citizens, and is the most untiring in his efibrts 
to build up his town and county. His zeal knows no bounds. Milford owes 
very much to him for her prosperity, for by his bull dog determination the great 
mill was secured, and in no small degree he helped to secure the A. & N. railroad, 
and the Sanitarium owes its existence to him. Also the Industrial Home. Mr. 
Culver is a man of pronounced views on all questions of public importance, a 
strong republican in politics, and a radical temperance man. Is a man of fine 
social qualities, and has many friends and of course some bitter enemies. 

HERSCHEL B. CUMMINS, M.D., 

Was born in Green county, Pa., in March, 1859. Lived in Washington county,. 
West Va., six years during his boyhood. Moved with his father's family to Hen- 
derson county, 111., where he attended school. Came to Seward county in May, 
1874. Studied medicine for .several years at Seward, then took a regular medical 
course in the University of Nebraska, graduating in the class of 1884 and 1885,. 
with honors. Has practiced his profession in Seward with marked success since 



^52 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

finishing his course. We are glad to see one of our own Reward boys coming to 
the front and able to build up a good practice at his own home. Is now honored 
by the appointment as county physician. 

w. E. DAVIS, 

Was born in Yadkin county, North Carolina, Nov. 26, 1824, Was married to 
Miss Margaret A. Bohannon, of his native place, and to their union were born eight 
children, two of whom died in infancy; Rebecca, now Mrs, J. N. Beatty; Annice, 
now deceased, the former wife of Mac Towner, of Ulysses; Mattie, now Mrs. Jas- 
per Roberts; Abner Y., of Decatur county, Kansas; Major A. V., of Beaver Cross- 
ing, Neb; Josephine, now Mrs. A. C. Hull, of Hastings, Neb. The young couple 
moved with their family to Iowa, in the year 1852, going all the weary way with 
an ox team. In 1857 they settled in Cass couuty. Neb., being among the lirst set- 
tlers of the infant territory. He was elected to the third, fourth, and fifth sessions 
of the territorial legislature, appointed assistant assessor of internal revenue in 
the summer of 1862, and enlisted in the army in 1864. His wife died December 
10, 1864, while he was in the army. He was discharged by his own request, under 
special order No. 155, April 17, 1865. He then returned home and was immedi- 
ately appointed assistant assessor of internal revenue in the Plattsmouth district. 
When making one of his first trips across the plains, while performing his ofiicial 
duties, he made the acquaintance of the author of this book. He had lost his way 
and blundered on to Mr. Cox's cabin about 11 o'clock at night. To add to his 
comforts he had a lame horse and was nearly starved. In August, 1866. he mar- 
ried Miss Hannah C, Coleman. To them were born two children, Nellie R. and 
Frank R., who reside with their parents. In the summer of 1868 he and his son- 
in-law, J. N. Beatty, put in a general stock of goods at Seward, it being the first 
store in the new town and the second in the county. They continued in business 
under the firm name of Beatty & Davis most of the time until 1S78. Mr. Davis 
is yet an active business-man, although near sixty-four years old. Has done much 
to build up Seward, always taking a leading part in all laudable business enter- 
prises. The oldest merchant of our city, and may be fairly considered one of the 
best. His two younger sons are associated with him in business. He united with 
the M. E. church when young, and has through the years been one of the most 
earnest working members. Prominent as a temperance advocate, frequently speak- 
ing in public on temperance and kindred subjects with good effect. Mr. Davis 
has had an honorable part in the development and advancement of this couuty, 
iisiugtime, energy, and money freely in public enterprises and charities. We may 
fondly hope that Mr. Davis may live long to enjoy the fruits of his well-spent life, 
and enjoy the associations of the people he has worked so faithfully to benefit. 

AMOS W. DONALDSON 

Was born in Hocking county, Ohio, in 1828. Was raised on a farm at his native 
place. Moved to Indiana and remained two years, when he returned to Ohio and 
•opened a store at Maysville. Had formed the acquaintance of Miss Sarah A. 
Dunaway, in Indiana, and in 1858 he went back and was married. Shortly after 
this the young couple moved to Missouri, where it was not healthy for northern 
people at the opening of the war, and they moved to Iowa, and there he enlisted 
in the I33d Iowa infautrv and served three vears. Made their home in Seward 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 253^ 

connty in 1869, and settled at their present home. They have raised six sons, viz., 
Jared. William. Amos. Henderson, Oscar, and Arthur. Mr. Donaldson has been 
one 0/ onr most worthy citizens. He now has a good farm and a very pleasant 
home. 

JOHN DUNBAUGH 

Is the oldest man in Seward county, and was born in Lancaster county, Pa., Oct. 
22, 1798. He claims to have been a playmate of James Buchanan. The old gen- 
tleman lives with his son Elijah, and seems quite robust. Somewhat deaf, but 
retains his eyesight reasonably well ; can read coarse print. His descendants are 
becoming a great host, and are composed of four generations, having at least four 
great-great-grandchildren. Has resided at Seward since the summer of 1873. 

MICHAEL DUNIGAK 

Was born in Ireland, in 1836, and came to this country in 1853. Looked over sev- 
eral states, and finally located in Knox Co., Illinois, in 1856. In 1862 he enlisted 
in the 64th Illinois Infantry, in Company D, and served during the war, being at 
the front in all the sanguinary engagements of his regiment. . In April, 1871, 
he located in the north-east portion of Seward county, and was among the first in 
that locality. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M. , and is a charter member of 
Oliver Lodge No. 38. Has served three terms as county commissioner, and one 
term as supervisor from "B" town. Married Miss Mary E. Shumaker, in Illi- 
nois, in 1866. They have eight children. Mr. Dunigan is universally regarded 
as a thorough-going business man of more than ordinary ability. The fact that 
he, a democrat, was three times elected as commissioner in a strongly republican 
county, speaks well of the man. Mr. Dunigan is a successful farmer, and very 
enterprising and liberal in his dealings ; loves his adopted home, but never for- 
gets the wrongs of his native land. The new town of " B," on the F., E. & M. 
V. railroad, is situated on part of what was his farm, and to all appearances a 
bright future awaits him, and we rejoice that success crowns his honorable efforts 
to advance the interests of his county. 

RODERICK E. DUXPHY 

W"as born in Lafayette county, in the territory of "Wisconsin, in 1848. He learned 
the blacksmith trade in his native county, and remained there until 1872, when 
he went to Rockford, III. Returned to the old home and married Miss Elizabeth 
A. Gregory, in 1873. In 1879 the family moved to Seward, where Mr. Dunphy 
opened a wagon and carriage shop, and has conducted a successful and growing 
business to the present time. He has served four years as member of our city 
council, and was elected state senator irom this county in 1882, and served with 
much credit. He is one of the few Wisconsin democrats, but not very radical — a 
very moderate one. indeed, we should say. As a business-man and citizen Mr. 
Dunphy is very popular. His wife died in December, 1886, and he is left alone to 
care for their two children — Miss Gabriel B. and Homer G. Mr. Dunphy i& 
always ready to lend a helping hand in all public enterprises, and it is a pleasure 
to see such men prosper. 



'254 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

JOHN N. EDWARDS 
'^\'as born in Huntington county, Pa. . January, 1847. Settled in Iowa while a young 
man, and enlisted in the 7th Iowa Cavalry and served three years. At the close 
of the war went to school and taught alternately, and thus acquired an educa- 
tion by his own exertions. Married Miss Nannie Kirkpatrick, the daughter of a 
pioneer Methodist minister of Iowa, in December, 1869, at Mount Pleasant. After 
his marriage he graduated in the Ohio Law School. The young people settled in 
Seward in 1873, where he practiced his profession, and afterwards opened the Bank 
•of Seward County, Neb. Such success crowned his eftbrts that in 1887 he also opened 
a bank at Wray, Colorado. Mr. Edwards also is an extensive breeder of fine stock, 
in which business he takes great delight. He is one of the most active members 
•of the G. A. R. of Nebraska, and has beeu honored by his comrades with many 
honorable and responsible positions. He has been in poor health for some years, 
yet his ambition is so great that he is considered one of the most active and ener- 
getic citizens. Is a man of extraordinary financial skill, and one of our most 
generous and charitable citizens. To him and his amiable wife have been born 
Jive children, two of whom are dead, one boy and one girl. Willie, Mattie. and 
Ealph still bless their home. 

ELISHA L. ELLIS. 

Was born in Henry county, Indiana, in 1834. Was raised a farmer boy. Came 
to Lancaster county, Nebraska, in 1858. Made choice of a claim (the farm near 
i;he iron bridge, owned by Mr. Castle) on the 25th of June, 1858, and entered the 
same in 1860, it being the first land entry in Seward county. He returned to 
Missouri in 1864, and married Miss Artemesia Harrison. Returned to Seward 
•county with his young wife in the spring of 1866, and took a homestead (his 
present farm). We quote in another chapter sketches from his memorandum 
l?ept from 1858 to 1864 of scenes and incidents on this wild frontier. Mr. and Mrs. 
JEllis have raised four children, all girls, viz., Mary L., now Mrs. B. F. Hickman ; 
Nancy E., now Mrs. J. I. Hickman (she was born here); Eflie E. and Lilly E., 
both with their parents. Mr. Ellis has had quite an important part in the devel- 
•opment of our county and city. He was ever watchful and earnest in all matters 
where Seward's interests were at stake. At one time he saved Seward from ruin by 
•detecting a fraud in a railroad bond proposition, where it was designed to have the 
people of Seward sign her own death warrant, by leaving such a loop-hole as would 
permit the railroad to cross Blue river four or five miles south of the present city, 
and thus have ruined our city forever. He was ever ready to dare and do any- 
thing for Seward, and is entitled to much credit for the energy displayed. He 
is a kind neighbor and a good citizen, somewhat odd in his manners, but a good, 
whole-souled man for all that. 

JAMES M. FLETCHER 

Was born in Pendleton county, Kentucky, Oct. 14, 1838. His father was a farmer, 
and James had the ordinary duties of a farmer boy in that rough region of coun- 
try, which may best be expressed in his own language, as rolling logs, grubbing, 
burning brush, and biting the heads oflf tobacco worms. Was married at nine- 
teen to Miss Lidea Smalley. In 185!) the young people moved to Indiana, and 
settled in Fayette county, with two babes, Edward H. and Abey. Enlisted in 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 255 

•Co. H, Seth Ind. Vol., and served in the army of the Cumberland. "Was in the 
-awful struggle at Pittsburg Landing, and was paralyzed by the concussion of a 
bursting shell. Soon after the battle he was discharged on account of his disabil- 
ity. Has been a sufterer ever since, and for two years he was entirely helpless, 
many years ago. He displayed wonderful determination in his struggle to sup- 
port his young family, tending one crop while on his crutches. He engaged in 
packing pork in the seventies, and the panic of 1873 swept his all from him. 
Struggling with disease and financial embarrassment for seven years, he turned 
his face toward Nebraska and settled at Seward in 1880, where he has been from 
that time the head of the firm of J. M. Fletcher & Co., butchers and dealers in 
meats. Four of their nine children died while young, three being buried in In- 
diana and one in Nebraska, and the five, viz., Edward H., Abey, Emma, William, 
and Delia, all remain with the old folks, although all grown. Mr. Fletcher is a 
member of the M. E. church, and until his total disability was an enthusiastic 
worker in the Sabbath-school. Is a working member of Seward G. A. E. Post. 
Is an enthusiastic republican, and gives his political opponents some terrific blows. 
When able to get into the field he throws his whole soul into the political cam- 
paign. For two years past he has been helpless most of the time, and unable to 
lie down on his bed, but rests in a reclining chair. One strange feature of his 
•case is, he cannot sleep. He never gets a good night's sleep. He remains cheer- 
ful and enjoys the society of friends and neighbors. Is peculiarly gifted with con- 
versational powers, and is a very entertaining public speaker. Has a happy 
faculty of telling stories, with good effect, and can keep an audience in a roar of 
laughter. The business of the firm has been so well conducted that the old people 
are financially in comfortable circumstances, and have a pleasant home. His 
noble wife has been a sure staif upon which to lean in all the dark hours of his 
afH^iction. Ever faithful and watchful to him, she has always proved a tower of 
strength. 

JEROME C. FOED 

Was bom at Algonquin, McHenry Co., 111., in 1840. Enlisted in Co. H, 111. In- 
fantry, in 18(J1, just after his majority, and participated in the bloody battles of 
Pea Eidge, Perry ville, and Stone Eiver, where he was wounded and taken pris- 
oner and enjoyed prison life awhile at Libby. Was paroled in February, 1863. 
Was then sent to Annapolis Hospital, where he received a furlough and was sent 
home. In 1864, returned to duty, and was in all the engagements of the Atlanta 
campaign until the 23d of June, when he received a second wound. In September 
1864, his time expired. Was married Dec. 28, 1864, to Miss Clarinda Beebe, of 
his native place. To their union have been born Lydia M., now Mis. E. C. Mil- 
ler ; Frederick S., Elmer E., and Harry E., all at home. Settled at Seward in 
1874, where the family resided seven years. They now reside on a farm five miles 
north-east of the city, where they have a pleasant home. Mr. Ford was a charter 
member of Seward Post, and is highly respected by the brotherhood. His aged 
mother, now eighty-three years old, resides with him. She has been blind for 
thirty-three years. The old lady is in fair health and retains her faculties reason- 
ably well. 



256 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA, 

JOHN F. GOEHNER 
Was born is Germany, in 1850. Came to America in 1869, while yet a lad, and' 
worked as clerk in a grocery store in St. Louis. Came to Nebraska in 1871, and 
clerked at Nebraska City until the summer of 1873, when he opened a small gro- 
cery store in Seward, and in 1875 commenced the grain trade. Made a success of 
his business, and in 1879 built the first Goehner block, on the corner of Seward 
and Seventh streets, and in 1884 built the fine block on the corner of Seward and 
Sixth streets, and placed an immense stock of hardware. The young German lad 
has grown to be a splendid business-man and displays unbounded energy and en- 
terprise in building up the county and his adopted city. Is a leading member of 
the Lutheran church, has twice been honored as member of the city council, and 
once the county has honored him with a seat in our state senate. Is one of our 
most enterprising citizens, always in the lead in all matters that tend to build up 
Seward, and to his indomitable perseverance we owe the construction of the F., 
E. and M. V. railroad. Has lately been honored by having one of our bright 
towns named for him. Pretty well done for the German boy. 

THOMAS GRAHAM 

Came to Seward county in 1866, and settled on a homestead near Old Camden. 
Taught the first school at that place in the following winter. Was appointed 
school superintendent in 1869, and elected county clerk in the fall of 1869, which 
office he held continuously for five terms, or ten years. This may be considered 
rather remarkable, as he has been an unflinching democrat and this has always 
been a strongly republican county. Mr. Graham has been mayor of the city. Is 
a surveyor by trade, and was in the employ of the government at various times 
in surveying western lands. Was honored ^by a seat as state senator one term. 
We are pleased to quote in another place from his memorandum while in govern- 
ment service. Married Mrs. Denison. They have one son, Walter, now pursuing 
a course of study in the University of Nebraska. 

REV. KARL THEODORE GRUBER 

Was born a.d. 1832, in Suxonj^, Germany. His father was a minister of the gospel 
in Germany, and emigrated with a hundred and sixty souls of his and other con- 
gregations (on account of religious intolerance in the Fatherland), in 1839, and 

settled in county, Missouri, where the subject of our sketch was raised. 

Was a student at Concordia college four years, and moved with it to St. Louis in 
1849, and studied three more years. Was pastor of several congregations in M is- 
souri and Illinois, then came to Nebraska in November, 1870, and had charge of 
several congregations of Lancaster, Seward, York, and Hamilton counties. ]\e- 
turned to Illinois in 1880, on account of poor health; in 1885 returned to Nebraska, 
and is now pastor of the congregation near Ortou, in Seward county. Was 
ordained minister of the gospel. May 29, 1855. Was married October 21, 1856, to 
Miss A. M. Kipp. To their happy union were born ten children, of whom two are 
now dead. Mr. Gruber, or Father Gruber, as we all love to call him, is a mau of 
wonderlul perseverance, and is loved and honored not only by his own people, but 
by all of his acquaintances, and they are numbered by the thousands. As a 
spiritunl teacher he has exercised a wonderful influence for good over the Ger- 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 257 

man people of this whole county- He has the honor of founding more churches 
of his denomination probabh' than any other minister in Nebraska. We trust 
that he may yet live many years to labor for the Master and enjoy the society of 
his host of friends, and may his last days be his brightest and happiest, and he 
receive at last the welcome applaudit, '' Well done, my good and faithful servant, 
come up higher." 

AVILLIAJI C HARTMAN 

Was born of German parents, in Clayton county, Iowa, in 1857. His father's 
family moved to Seward county and settled on a homestead near Marysville in 
1866, and there William grew up and was married to Miss Nancy Kennison in 
November, 1877. To this happy union were born four children, one of whom 
died in infancy. Three bright little ones, viz., Callie, Eosa, and Florence, remain 
to bless the home of their parents. Mr. Havtman has grown to manhood among 
us, and is a splendid type of our progressive citizens. Although reared in 
a pioneer settlement, with meager opportunities for mental culture, yet he 
is far above the ordinary in intelligence and possessed of superior business 
ability. A man of excellent morals, and full of enterprise, wide-awake 
with regard to all public enterprises, honorable in all his dealings, he has been, 
very successful as a manager of his large business interests, and we confidently 
trust that his prosperity may increase with the years. The author of this sketch 
has known him since his early childhood, and the bright, energetic, and manly- 
German boy has had a fast hold on our admiration through all these years. 

JAMES A. HAZELWOOI) 

Came to Seward county with his parents (Rev. W. G. Hazel wood) in 1869, when 
he was but eleven years old. Worked on the farm until of age, and by industry 
and careful management is now at the head of one of the largest business interests in 
the south half of the county. Mr. Hazel wood is full of push and enterprise, and 
ranks among the foremost business-men of the county. Has just completed the 
largest and best livery barn in the county, a mammoth brick structure. He is 
also a dealer in farm machinery. 

WILLIAM HICKMANJ 

Was born in Randolph couuty, Indiana, in March, 18:^1. Learned the carpenter's 
trade in his youth. Settled in Jasper county, Iowa, in 1851. After three years he 
laid aside his tools and engaged in farming. Came to Seward county in 1868. and 
was one among the first to settle in " B " precinct. Resided on the farm and im- 
proved it until the summer of 1887, when he moved to Seward and embarked in 
merchandising. Mr. Hickman was twice elected to represent his county in the 
legislature, was a member of several important committees, and was accounted 
one of the most valuable members. Is a stalwart republican. Was always con- 
sidered as one of our leading farmers, and now is one of our leading business-men. 
Married Miss Louisa E. Moffit, in 1853, and they have children as follows : Charles 
F., Arlepha A., Eldora E., Barclay M., Alice E., and Elzena, who died in 1877. 
He is a member of the A. F. and A. M. Has by industry and careful manage- 
ment got one of our best improved farms. 

n 



258 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

LEVI HAFER. 

Mr. Hafer was born in Northumberland county, Pa., in 1844, where he was 
raised on a form. Married Miss Sarah L. Huffman, of his native place, in Janu- 
ary, 1866. The young people came west to grow up with the country in 1868, and 
settled on a homestead, where they now reside (Walnut Grove Farm). They have 
raised seven children, all yet at home, viz., Martin A., Louis R., Irvin R., Ida M., 
John, Susie, and Charles. Mr. Hafer and wife helped organize the first U. B. 
church in the county, and they are yet among the most honored and useful mem- 
bers. While they are cheerful givers, they have been remarkably prosperous. He 
now owns four hundred acres of excellent land and has fine improvements. They 
have grown up with the county, sure enough. Mr. Hafer is among the honorable 
and worthy citizens. 

ISAAC HOLT 

Was born in Waterbury, Conn., in 1820, where he remained until his removal to 
South Bend, Ind., in 1869. He came to Seward in 1879. Has one son, Edward I., 
who is now in the West. Mr. Holt is one of our heaviest capitalists, and takes 
pride in giving generously to public enterprises and charities that meet his 
approval. Married his second wife in 1880, Mrs. M. McKinley. The old folks 
have a pleasant home. He commenced life for himself without a dollar, at twen- 
ty-one. 

WILLIAM HORNBUEG 

Was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, January 4, 1829. Immigrated to America 
in 1856, and settled in Clayton county, Iowa. Came to Nebraska City in 1865, 
and to Seward county in 1867, took a homestead in " D" precinct, and was among 
the first to locate on upper Lincoln creek. His aged parents came with him, and 
had a home with him while they lived. The old gentleman died ten years ago, 
and the old lady four years ago. Mr. Hornburg remained a bachelor until about 
ten years ago, when he married Mrs. Dora Hornburg, the widow of his brother 
Henry, who was drowned in 1877 in Lincoln creek. Mr. Hornburg has no chil- 
dren of his own, but has been a kind father to the four children of his brother. 
He helped organize the Lutheran church at Marysville, was one of its principal 
officers, and remains one of its most worthy members. Was elected a county 
commissioner in 1870, and had quite an important part in the county seat strug- 
gles. Was always a firm friend of Seward. He owns a valuable farm, and is 
pleasantly situated. A very genial and companionable man, worthy of the esteem 
of all. 

WILLIAM IMLAY 
Wa,s born in Pennsylvania, in 1830. Removed with his father's faifiily to Ohio at 
an early age, and some years afterwards to Indiana, where he became acquainted 
with Miss Mary Donaldson, to whom he was married in 1853. In 1856 the young 
people moved to Harrison county, Iowa, in 1858 to Cass county, Neb., and in 
1863 to Salt Basin, Nebraska. In 1864, early in the spring, he settled on his 
homestead (the present home). Was in the iall of 1864 elected to represent Sew- 
ard and Lancaster and a vast area of unorganized territory to the westward in the 
territorial legislature. Had a prominent place on several important committee.s, 
and was considered a vahuilile member. In 1865, at our organization, he was 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 259 

elected a county commissioner, which office he held three terms, and took a leading 
part in all matters pertaining to our development and advancement. Because of 
his energy and will power as an officer, he was frequently spoken of as the county 
commissioners of Seward county. In later years Mr. Imlay has taken but little 
part in county aflairs, but has thrown all his energy into the improvement of his 
farm. He united with the Presbyterian church when young, was one of the 
founders of their church at Seward, and remains one of its most worthy and use- 
ful members. Mr. and Mrs. Imlay, during the early years, underwent many of 
the privations incident to pioneer settlements, but they have come off more than 
victorious. They have a nice comfortable home, have raised a large and intelligent 
family of children, and the old people are highly respected and honored by a wide 
circle of friends and acquaintances. We honor them for their sterling qualities 
as citizens, as good neighbors, and as earnest laborers in laying the foundations of 
Nebraska. 

EEV. E. W. JOHNSON 

\yas born in Fulton county, 111., Oct. 8, 1838. Was raised a farmer boy. While 
young was in poor health, and for some time it was thought that he would not 
live to become a man. His school privileges were meagre. His father was killed 
by accident when the lad was but twelve. At fourteen he resided with his grand- 
parents at Lewiston. At eighteen commenced teaching in his native county, and 
until he was twenty-six he taught and went to school alternately, at the Lewiston 
Seminary. His -health failing, he was compelled to abandon teaching. Married 
Miss Jane Street, in October, 1861. Shortly alter their marriage they were both 
converted, under the pastorate of Rev. J. V. B. Flock, of the U. B. church, at 
Johnson school-house in Fulton county. He .soon became impressed with the 
idea that it was his duty to preach the gospel. Was licensed in Augu.st, 1864. 
His health was so very poor that a change of climate was a necessity, and in 1866, 
May 13th, the family settled in Seward county. For six years his health was so 
poor that he could do but little preaching. He organized the first U. B. class at 
the residence of C. J. Neihardt. Commenced his regular work in the ministry in 
1872 and 1873. Organized several churches in the county in the years 1874 and 
1875. Conducted some revivals, in which a hundred or more were converted, and 
seventy-five were organized into classes. Was elected presiding elder in 1875, and 
was appointed to the south-east district of Nebraska. His labors were very suc- 
cessful, and during that year over four hundred were added to the church. Was 
re-elected in 1876, and sent to Fairmont district. This embraced Polk, York, 
Seward, Saline, Jefterson, Fillmore, and part of Hamilton counties. Overcome 
with labors, he rested during 1877, but was in the pulpit nearly every Sabbath. 
Was again elected elder in 1878, and sent to Omaha district, but was compelled to 
resign on account of ill health, but did service on West Blue circuit in York 
county. His labors were blessed, witnessing fifty conversions, and under his lead- 
ership Bethel church was erected. In 1879 was as.signed to Lincoln creek circuit, 
and labored in Seward county and this year organized Seward church. In 1880 
was appointed to Seward circuit, and that year their church was built and wit- 
nes.'^ed a revival. Was again elected presiding elder in 1881, and was assigned to 
Omaha district, but was' unfortunately compelled again to resign. In 1882 was 
sent to Crete circuit, and labored with success, witnessing forty conversions. 



260 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

Remained in charge of Crete circuit during 1883. In 1884 was again elected pre- 
siding elder, and sent to Plattsmouth district, where he remained in that honored 
position until the present. Was elected for fifteen consecutive years as corres- 
ponding secretary of the conference. Mr. Johnson has now regained his health 
and is quite rugged. His life has been thus far a very useful one in spreading the 
gospel in this new land. 

CLAUDIUS JOXES. 

This gentleman was born in the state of New York, migrated to the West in his 
early manhood, and had for many years a chequered life. Was at one time a mem- 
ber of the Chicago board of trade. His career is a marvel, his financial success won- 
derful. His character is unlike that of the most of mankind — that is, he is a man of 
strong likes and dislikes, never known to forget or forsake his friends, nor is he for- 
getful of his enemies. He has the warmest of friends and some bitter enemies. He 
came to Seward during the suu;mer of 1873, and opened the State Bank, the first 
bank in the county. One peculiarity of the State Bank, it always had plenty of 
money provided the security of the borrower suited Mr. Jones. He is a man of 
remarkably quick perceptions, and of business ability equal to the best. Natur- 
ally generous, making large donations to charitable purposes and such public 
enterprises as meet his approval. A man who cannot be irritated by hot words: 
personal abuse affects him no more than pouring water on a duck's back affects the 
duck. Mr. Jones has become independently rich among us, and is our heaviest 
capitalist, being the president of the Jones National Bank at Seward. Is also our 
largest farmer. His farms consist of over six thousand acres of land, and he is 
also our largest stock raiser and fine stock breeder. He has a great admiration for 
fine stock, and spends many pleasant hours among his herds of Short-horns and 
Holsteins. He has raised a bright and intelligent family of joung people. Upon 
the whole we are satisfied that Seward county is the better and richer for his 
coming. 

JOHN M. LANGDON 

Was born in Janesville, Rock Co., Wis., in 1853, and came with his father's family 
to Salt Basin, Nebraska, in 1862, when he was less than nine years old. The lad 
grew up to manhood in this new country, where it has been our pleasure to be in- 
timately acquainted with him all these years, and it is with pleasure we write of 
the boy who has grown up[in the wilderness under the many adverse circumstances, 
with limited opportunities for an education, yet by dint of his own will ha-s grown 
up to be an intelligent business-man. John moved with the family to Seward 
county in 1872, when they settled in "A " precinct, in what was known as the 
Oak Grove settlement, where he remained until he was grown. Came to Seward 
in 1882, purchased a home and took care of his aged mother while she lived, and 
provided her with a pleasant home. Was married to Miss Lucy Manning in 1885, 
an estimable young lady of Seward. Mr. Langdon has been some years extensively 
engaged in supplying the people of Seward with fruit trees, in which business he 
has justly earned an honorable reputation as a trustworthy citizen and gentleman. 
Mr. Langdon is a highly respected member of the Presbyterian church of Seward. 
We can heartily wish the young man many years of prosperity and usefulness. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 261 

ALEXANDER D. LAXGE 
Was born at Bloomington, 111., in 1855. Came to Seward in 1880. Married Miss 
Louisa Kinjel in 1882. They have one bright little son, Phillip C. Mr. Lange 
commenced the grocery trade in 1886, and is last gaining a reputation as a valu- 
able and worthy business-man. 

HON. WM. LEKSE 

Came to Seward many years ago, a young man without money or family prestige, 
and commenced at the bottom round of the ladder to climb. With indomitable 
energy he determined to amount to something in life. With poverty and many 
attendant discouragements staring him in the face, he commenced the study of 
law. Many, not knowing of the mettle of the young man, could not see anything 
but failure in his designs. He struggled with adverse circumstances through years 
of preparation for the high duties of his exalted profession, and the resulting 
achievements have been grandly successful. Occupying the exalted position for 
the second term of attorney general of our state, and performing heroic work in 
behalf of the people, he stands to-day the central figure in Nebraska. All eyes 
are fixed upon him, and he is fast acquiring a national reputation. All because 
hehas been faithful to duty and full to the maximiim of determined energy. Mr. 
Leese was born at Athens, Tenn. Married Miss Margaret L. Wilson, at Palmyia, 
Neb. Came to Nebraska May 11, 1868. They have four children, all yet at home, 
EfiSe, Ray, Clara, and Leo. 

LOUIS J. LEGEE, 
Born in France, Department of L'Eure, Canton of Comfort, Parish of Appeville, 
the 11th of July, 1818. Was raised a farmer boy until about sixteen, when he 
learned a trade, making weaver's reeds. Took a regular course of study in the 
normal schools of Paris, after which he became a teacher and was principal of the 
Gospel Society's school at St. Denis, near Paris, where he was in charge twenty- 
four years. Was secretary of the Protestant Institute of Paris nine years, and was 
associated with many of the leading men of France during the reign of Napoleon 
3d. Was professor four years of phototenic association. For his effective work 
received three silver medals. He also received one bronze medal for his efficient 
work in the deaf and dumb a.sylum. He lelt Paris the year before the Franco 
Prussian war, and came to this country in 1869. Made his settlement iu Seward 
county in 1873, and took a homestead in "I " precinct. Mr. Leger has a family 
of twelve children, seven boys and five girls. Mr. Leger is a very intelligent gen- 
tleman, being thoroughly versed in all European affairs, and familiar with French 
history especially. 

GEORGE W. LOWLEY 
Was born in Leeds, England, March 5, 1842. His parents came to this country 
when George was very young, and settled in Pennsylvania, but .soon changed their 
residence to Indiana, in 1854. Commenced the study of law while in his teens, 
but was quick to hear his country's call to arms, and enlisted in the 11th Ind. Vol. 
Was with the brave boys at the capture of Ft. Donaldson, and was there wounded 
and upon receiving his discharge he returned to his law study. However, just 
before enlisting he edited and nublished the Tipton Kepuhlimn awhile. Soon after 
returning home from the war he was admitted to practice in all the courts of 



262 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

Indiana, and the curious can find his name frequently in the reports of the supreme 
court of that state. Mr. Lowley came to Nebraska in 1870, and settled in Lin- 
coln. Made his home at Seward in 1871, where he tried life on a homestead for 
awhile, but it not agreeing with him he opened a law office in Seward, and prac- 
ticed in all the courts of Nebraska. "Was elected probate judge in 1881, and held 
the office three consecutive terms with much credit. It has been universally con- 
ceded that he was one of the most efficient probate judges of our state. He has 
now returned to take his place in the front rank among the able barristers of Ne- 
braska. Mr. Lowley is an enthusiastic republican. Was married to Miss M. W. 
Long in 1867, and they have seven children, viz., Joseph S., May M., Stephen, 
John L., Millie, Earl, and George W. Mrs. Lowley has been an invalid many 
years, but she bears her suffering with patience. 

HON. EDMUND MCINTYRE 

Is thoroughly known to have the courage of his convictions. He is full of energy 
and enterprise. Whatever his hand finds to do he just goes at it with all his might. 
It matters not whether friend or foe opposes. While it is often our duty (as we see 
it) to bitterly oppose many of his public acts, yet we must admire the proud spirit 
that knows no such word as fail in his undertakings. Has filled the office of mayor 
of our city five terms, and has for many years been one of the most active officers 
of the state agricultural society and once its president. We cannot he mistaken 
when we say that among the foremost of our state he has acted well his part in 
bringing his county and city to the front. Full of enthusiasm in all public enter- 
prises, wide-awake as a citizen and business-man. With all the fiiults we may 
think we see we could not aftbrd to spare him from our city or county. He has 
through all the years of his long residence been one of Nebraska's best builders. 

GEO. A. MEERIAM 

Came to Nebraska in 1868, when a boy in his teens, and resided with his parents 
at Milford, where he worked in his father's store (the second store in Milfbrd) 
summers, and taught school winters. In 1876 he settled in Seward, clerked for 
several years, and in 1884 was elected district clerk ; was re-elected in 1887, and 
makes an excellent clerk. Has grown to manhood in our county, and we are glad 
to see him come to the front. He is full of energy, and is universally considered 
one of the best clerks in this judicial district. Was married to Miss S. F. Martin, 
in 1874, and they now have two bright children. His aged father and mother, 
Mr. and Mrs. S. G./Merriam, reside at Milford. 

KEY. WESSON G. MILLER, D.D., 

At this time presiding elder of the Lincoln district of the M. E. church, was born 
in Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1822. His literary education was received at Gallupville, 
in his native state. Taught school five years, then moved west, and settled at 
Waupun, Wisconsin, and engaged in lumbering. Entered the ministry in 1845. 
Was ordained deacon by Bishop Wangh, in Chicago, in ls47, and in 1849, was or- 
dained elder at Platteville, Wis. La))ored in the Wisconsin Conference thirty- 
five years. Was stationed seventeen years in Milwaukee. Was transferred to 
Nebraska in 187!), and served two years as presiding elder in the Omaha district. 
Was then appointed presiding elder of York district. He purchased a farm near 



HISTORY OF SEWAED COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 263 

Utica, where he built a home known as Sunnyside. Was made Doctor of Divinity 
b}' Lawrence University, in "Wisconsin. Is the author of several valuable books and 
pamphlets, such as "Thirty Years in the Itinerancy," "Milwaukee Methodism," 
"Temperance Cyclone," and the " Gian.t Wrong," etc. Married Miss Mary E. 
Bowman in 1847. To them were born three children, viz., Mary E., now Mrs. 
Capt. F. P. Lawrence, late of Wisconsin ; Laura E., the late Mrs. Jesse Smith, late 
of Fond du Lac, Wis- ; Mrs. Smith died at Utica in November, 1879: and Wesson G., 
Jr., who lives with the old folks. The reverend father has "had a long and varied ex- 
perience in his Master's work. He stands in the church among the most honorable 
and worthy of its faithful servant.'^. We trust that his declining days may be 
bright and happy, and we are sure that when his Lord calls, he will be fully ready 
and prepared to render a good account of his stewardship. 

JAMES MOORHEAD 

Was born in Stark Co., Ohio, Oct 21, 1830. His father's family moved to Han- 
cock Co., Ohio, in lf<35, where James remained until 1859, when he came to Ne- 
braska and settled in Sarpy county. The following year he went to Colorado, and 
engaged in mining for two years. In 1862 he went back to Ohio, and enlisted 
August 14th, in Co. G, 99th Ohio Vol. Infantry. Was in the battles of Perry ville, 
Chickamauga, and Lookout Mountain. Was at Washington on duty when Early's 
raid occurred, and waited thirty-six hours for his dinner, but was busy all the 
time sending compliments (leaden) to the enemy. Was a member of Lincoln's 
body guard for a time. Discharged in July, 1865, when he made ready and in 
the spring of 1866 returned- to Nebraska, settling near Omaha, and moved to 
Seward county in 1870, where he has led the peaceable and quiet life of a farmer. 
Was married to Mi.ss Sarah Campbell, of Wood Co., Ohio, Jan. 20, 1870. They 
have raised two children, Elizabeth L. and William H., both yet at home. Mr. 
and Mrs. Moorhead helped to organize the Presbyterian church of Seward, and 
remain among the useful and honorable members. Mr. M. has been quite suc- 
cessful, and the family are now pleasantly situated and are enjoying a good degree 
of prosperity. 

EEV. GEORGE M. MOREY 

Has been all his active life in the ministry of the M. E. church. His father was 
born in Maine, and his mother in New York, and himself was born in Union Co., 
Ohio, July 25, 1835. His father moved to Fulton county, 111., when our lad was 
two years old, and he had all the usual experiences of a frontier lile. In 18.58 he 
entered the ministry, in which calling he has devoted the best energies of his life. 
Married Sept. 1, 1858, to Miss Louisa E. Wright, of Avon, 111., who wa-s born in 
Ohio, in 1837. They have raised five children, viz., Eva, Osman B., Byron J., Lydia 
B., and Grace E., all yet with their parents at home. They have four dead. On 
Oct. 1, 1883, he was transferred from the Central Illinois Conference to the Nebraska 
Conference, and stationed at Seward for three years, where his labors were very suc- 
cessful and acceptable to the church and people. Mr. Jlorey owns a farm three 
miles north-east of the city, where he resides, and with the sons he conducts the farm. 
Is interested in tine stock, and makes the Red Polled Angus cattle his specialty. 
Mr. Morey was an earnest republican, casting his first vote in 1856 for John C. Fre- 
mont. Has all his life been very active in all reformatory work. Was very earnest 



264 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

in his opposition to human bondage, and in favor of human liberty. Was a Union 
man with all his heart during the war. Ever an earnest advocate of temperance, and 
ever in deadly opposition to the liquor traffic, in 1880 he became convinced that 
men should vote as they pray, so he joined the prohibition party, and now stands 
thoroughly committed to the cause of temperance, as he was to the breaking of 
the bondsmen's shackles in the time of the rebellion. 

FRANCIS MORTON 

Was born in Vermilion county. 111., in 1833. His parents moved to Green county, 
Wisconsin, when Frank was but ten years old. Here he became a playmate 
of the author of this book. Was raised a farmer boy until he was seventeen 
years old, when he was taken violently with the gold fever, and in company with 
many of the neighbors made an overland trip to California, where he remained 
three years Saved and brought home some money. Married Miss Drucilla 
Divan in 1854. Lived in the old neighborhood until their removal to Seward 
county in 1872, when they settled on a homestead about five miles south-east of 
Seward. Mr. and Mrs. Morton helped organize the Seventh Day Advent church 
at Seward. Mr. Morton enlisted in Company D, Wis. Vol., and served until 
wounded at Cedar Mountain. Was in Banks' famous retreat from Winchester, 
and had several close calls. Is now a member of Seward post. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Morton were born ten children, nine now living, as follows: Lucinda, now Mrs. 
A. Skillman, of Seward ; Catherine, now Mrs. Alex Hackworth ; Mary, now Mrs. 
John Hand, of Seward ; Urias, now of Wray, Col.; Francis, Jr.,of Rubj', Neb.; 
Thomas, of Wray ; Ada, now Mrs. M. Boyes, of Wray ; and Charles and Ira, of 
Ruby. 

ISAAC D. NEIHARDT 

Was born in Williams county, Ohio, January 5, 1837. His parents moved to St. 
Joseph county, Ind., when the lad was seven j'ears old. His mother died 
when he was ten years old, and Isaac had to shift for himself. When 
eighteen he returned to Ohio and taught school a year, after which he 
made his home at South Bend, Ind., where he studied law with .Judge 
Li.ston. Was admitted to the bar at LaPorte, Ind., in 1860. Next we find the 
young man over in Illinois, where he enlisted August 9, 1862, in Co. F, 76th HI. 
Inft. , where he served as sergeant till November, 1863, when he was promoted to 
the lieutenancy, and in January, 1865, he was commissioned captain. Was in the 
battles of Hatchie Run, Black River Bridge, Champion Hill, Raymond, at the 
siege of Vick.sburg in both charges. Was wounded at Cross Bayou, La., Aug, 5 
1864. Was mustered out of service in April, 1866. Made his home in Arkansas 
until his removal to Ne1)raska in 1871. Was quite prominent in the political 
struggles in Arkansas, and came within one vote of being elected to congress at 
one time. Mr. Neihardt was twice elected slierilf of Seward county, and has 
served eight years as justice of the peace in "G " precinct, and is now serving his 
second term as police judge. Was married to Miss Kate Rogers, at Essex, Indiana, 
Jan. 3,1858. They have raised three children, Schuyler C, died in Seward; 
Mary C, now Mrs. J. A. Divan, of Ruby; Emma A., one of our accomplished young 
teachers. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 265 

EICHAED S. NORVAL 
"Was born in 1849, in Fulton county, Illinois. His early boyhood was spent on the 
farm of his father. Received his early education in the log school-house of the 
pioneer days of Fulton county, but while in his teens pursued a regular course of 
study at Hedding College, at Abingdon, Knox county, but did not graduate. 
Taught several terms of school in the old neighborhood. Took a regular course 
with his older brother (Judge Norval) in the law department of the University of 
Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and graduated in the same class with honors. In 1871, 
in company with his brother, he settled at Seward, and opened a law office, where 
success has crowned his eftbrts in a marked degree. In less than sixteen years he 
has risen from the humble beginning of a student to the front rank among the 
legal lights of Nebraska. Mr. Norval was married in the fall of 1873, to Miss 
Martha A. Gray, of Knox county, Illinois, and to their union have been born eight 
children, three of whom died while young. The five are with their parents, viz., 
Eva M., Oliver Gray, Ethel, Cloyd, and Leona. 

HON. T. L. NOEVAL, JUDGE OF THE 6TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT, 
Was born in Fulton county, Illinois, in 1847, August 26th. He attended 
the public schools and worked on his father's farm until he was seventeen 
years old, when he commenced a course of study at Hedding College, at 
Abingdon. At twenty he commenced teaching, spending all leisure moments study- 
ing Blackstone and Kent. Visited Nebraska in 1869, and being so well pleased 
<with the country he determined to make it his future home. In the fall of 1869 
he entered the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where 
■he graduated with honors in March, 1871, receiving the degree of Bachelor of 
Laws, and was admitted to practice in the supreme court of Michigan, a few days 
a.fterward. He returned to his old home and taught a year to earn money to get 
a library, and in the spring of 1872 he located at Seward, and engaged in the 
practice of his profession with his younger brother, Richard S. Married Miss 
Ella Godfrey, Feb. 5, 1875. They have two little girls, viz., Winnie, born Feb. 16 
1878, and Merle, born May 10, 1883. Mr. Norval has been engaged in many very 
important trials, such as the Midland bond injunction, the Lincoln & N. W. R. R. 
bond injunction, the Jones tax case, the Clough murder, the Cassler murder, the 
Patrick murder, and many others. As a lawyer he has been very successful. He 
is a republican in politics. Has been honored with many offices, viz., city clerk, 
councilman, mayor, was state senator in 1879, and was appointed in the spring of 
1883 bj' Gov. Dawes to succeed Judge Post as judge of the 6th judicial district of 
Nebraska. In the following fall he was nominated by acclamation, by the repub- 
lican convention at Aurora, for the same office, and was elected by a large majority 
over Hon. M. A. Mills, having in Seward county alone near 1,000 majority. Was 
again elected in 1887, by increased majorities, getting every vote in Seward county, 
and all but three in Polk county. Mr. Norval has proved a success wherever 
tried, as a teacher, as a lawyer, a senator, and a judge, and in a marked degree en- 
joys the confidence and esteem of the whole people. 

EEV. C. E. PHIXNEY 

Was one of our pioneer ministers, who settled at an early day in the western part 
of the county. He went to work bravely and earnestly in his "Master's vine- 



266 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

yard," and reared the standard of the cross. Would face winter storms and en- 
dure poverty and fatigue to better the condition of the people and bring them up 
to a higher standard in moralitj" and religious life, and the community owes him 
its grateful remembrance for the good work done in their behalf. He has justly 
earned the high esteem with which his church and the people hold him. Long 
may he live to enjoy the society of friends and neighbors, and at the last receive 
the welcome embrace of the Savior he has served so well. 

KEY. JOSEPH H. PKESSON 

Was born in Warren Co., Ohio, in 1840. His father was a Methodist preacher. 
The family moved to Rushville, Ills., in 1846. The lad's life was void of special 
incidents, other than that of preachers' boys in general. Just as he became of age 
the war broke out, and he enlisted in 1861, and was in the famous 15th Army Corps 
under Gen. Sherman, participating in all its marches and in many of its con- 
flicts until after the capture of Atlanta. Was in the following battles: Shiloh, 
Shelby Depot, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, May 19th and May 
22, 1863, the siege ending July 4, 1863, Jackson, Miss., Amsterdam Ford, Mission 
Kidge, Kenesaw, and Atlanta. Was mustered out of the service at Chattanooga, 
Oct. 30, 1864, and within sixty days he had found his way to the territory of Ne- 
braska, and settled at Tecumseh. Here he resided six years. Was twice elected 
county clerk, and served four years. He had the honor of nailing on the first lath 
that ever was placed upon the wall in Johnson county. He waa converted and 
became a member of the M. E. church in 1866, and was the same year licensed to 
preach. Joined the Nebraska Conference in 1871, and was appointed junior 
preacher under Rev. A. L. Folden, at Tecumseh. Was afterwards sent to Platts- 
mouth, to Omaha 18th street church, to Nebraska City, and Pawnee City, and then, 
by special request of the official board, to his old home at Tecumseh. While at 
this charge his health failed, and he was compelled to engage in secular business 
for five years, but retaining his membership in the Conference. Returned to the 
work of the ministry in 1886, and was sent to Seward, where he has labored with 
great success and to the entire satisfaction of the church and the people to the 
present time. He is a man of marked ability as a public speaker, and scarcely 
ever fails to have a large and appreciative audience. His intelligence takes in a 
wide range, and he is unusually apt in his illustrations. At times, when he be- 
comes warmed up, his eloquence holds his audience spell-bound. Is a member of 
Seward G. A. R. post, and takes a warm interest in its work. Is enterprising, 
always interested in the advancement of every good work of the city or county. 
Is an every-day worker in the vineyard, foremost to lead all charities, very aft'able 
and genial in all his intercourse with the people. Was married to Miss Maggie 
Ilufi" in 1866. They have three sons. His amiable and intelligent wife is a great 
help to him in his ministerial work. 

JOHN ROBERT.S, SEN. 

Was born Nov. 29, 1813, in Henry Co., Kentucky. His father was from tlie old 
Virginia stock that moved to South Carolina and thence to Kentucky when it was 
a wilderness. John was raised a farmer boy in that new region, where school op- 
portunities were meager, and his early education was limited. The family moved 
to Fulton Co., 111., in 1835, and again pitched their tent in the wilds of that new 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 267 

land among the first settlers. John here married Miss Susan Hall, daughter of 
John and Prudence Hall. She was born April 30, 1818, in Franklin Co., 111., 
where her parents had settled in the territory of Illinois some years before. Susan 
•was born just before Illinois was admitted as a state to the Union, 1818. The 
young people made themselves a farm and resided in Fulton county until their 
removal to Seward county in 1866. All their ten children were born at their Ful- 
ton county home, viz., Lucy Jane, now Mrs. John Durland; John N., of Seward; 
Mary, the ibrnier wife of Kichard Sampson, now deceased; Susan, now Mrs. J. C. 
Sampson, ot Seward; Prudence, now Mrs. J. M. Palmer, of Ulysses, Neb.; Jasper, 
now deceased; James T. ; Marion, now of Elbert Co., Col.; Laura I., now Mrs. A. 
M. Hickman, of Seward, and Douglas H., of Elbert, Col. The old people have a 
great number of grandchildren who are now grown, and quite a number of great- 
grandchildren. Mr. Eoberts erected the first frame building on the site of Seward, 
which is spoken of elsewhere in these pages. He has had quite an important part 
in the building of our city. In 1871 he platted the south half of the homestead 
into lots, as part of the Harris, Moffit, and Eoberts' addition. Has built three sub- 
stantial brick business houses. He was quite fortunate in his selections of lands 
when he first came here and they have made him a handsome fortune. He had a 
prominent part in the struggles of the pioneer days, when everything was so un- 
handy. He hauled lumber with teams from Nebraska City for his first building. 
The old people now have a comfortable and beautiful home, just by the splendid 
city they helped to build. 

JOHX X. ROBERTS, 

Son of John Eoberts, Sen., was born in Fulton Co., 111., in 1838. Married Miss 
Margaret A. Shreves, who was born in Bedford Co., Pa., and with her parents set- 
tled in Fulton county while she was a child. Their wedding occurred August 6, 
1863. The young couple moved to Seward county in the spring of 1865, and set- 
tled on a homestead (their present farm). There have been born to them eight 
children, two of whom died in infancy. Those living are: Samuel O., Cora A., 
now Mrs. Peter Sampson (she is one of the few born in this neighborhood that are 
married); Maggie L., Lillie V., Julian E., and John F. Mr. Eoberts may fairly 
be counted among our most prosperous farmers. Has an excellent farm, finely 
improved, and he is very prosperous. 

FRANK G. SIMMONS 

Was born in the city of New York, on May 31, 1854. His parents were people of 
good family, though in moderate circumstances, his father being of a Massachusetts- 
family, while his mother traced her descent to the early Dutch settlers of New 
Amsterdam. At an early age his mother died, but her place was taken by her 
sister, who took care of the children so devotedly that they never felt the loss of 
their mother. The boy began to go to school at four years of age, and was a con- 
stant attendant until twelve years old. At that time the death of his father com- 
pelled him to .seek his own living, and he went to work in a book-binding estab- 
lishment in New York. He remained there but a .short time, and in l'-67 went to- 
Illinois, where he worked on a farm for about eight years, going to school as he 
was able to during the fall and winter seasons. In 1874 he came to Nebraska, 
and located at Seward, and has resided here ever since. For about three years he 



268 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

taught school, aud then went into the printing business, going into the office of the 
Nebraska Reporter. After learning the printer's trade he worked iu the office for 
several years, and finally, in 1832, bought the paper, which he still owns. In the 
spring of 1887 Mr. Simmons was appointed steward of the Nebraska Institution 
for Feeble-Minded Youth, located at Beatrice, and is now devoting his time 
mainly to that business, though he still continues to edit his paper. He was mar- 
ried Jan. 1, 1879, to Miss Anna W. Boughton, and they have four children, viz., 
Euby M., Iva E., Arthur L., and Beulah. Mr. Simmons is a growing man. He 
was but a mere boy when he came to Nebraska, and with no help but his own 
determination he has steadily advanced step by step until he is among the best 
known editors of our state. We predict a bright future for him. 

THOMAS SKILLMAN, 

The first settler in F precinct, was born in New Jersey on Nov. 1, 1843. His wid- 
owed mother moved to Fulton county, 111., in 1851, where Thomas was a resident 
until the spring of 1865. Married Miss America Johnson in December, 1864. The 
young couple moved to Seward county the following spring, and Mr. Skillman 
made his claim (the present farm) on Lincoln creek, and was for a time our most 
western settler. These young people had many hardships to endure, as they were 
just beginning life and had but little means, but by perseverance and energy they 
have succeeded in making for themselves a pleasant home and are now quite inde- 
pendent. They have only one child (a son), Jerry T., now past twenty-one, and is 
one of the few grown men that were born in this settlement. 

GEN. JAMES M. TRUE 

Was born in Scott county, Kentucky, Oct. 14, 1823. Moved with his parents to 
Coles county, 111., in 1834, and there grew up to manhood, living and working on 
a farm. In 1852 commenced the mercantile business in Charleston, 111. This bus- 
iness he followed until he enlisted as a private at the opening of the war, in Co. 
E, 38th 111. Infantry Vol., and was elected captain of the company. Was mustered 
into the service at Springfield, Aug. 2, 1861. His command operated in south- 
east Missouri. December 1, 1861, Gov. Yates, of Illinois, sent him a commission 
as colonel of the 62d 111. Infantry Vol., for meritorious service. He at once joined 
his regiment and took command. The regiment was mustered into service April 
10, 1862, by Capt. John Watson, of the regular army. Served this regiment until 
March 5, 1865, when President Lincoln sent his name to the senate for Brigadier 
General of volunteers, and on the 18th of April, President Johnson signed his com- 
mission and forwarded it to him in the extreme southern part of Arkansas, where 
he was iu command of a section of country, having a brigade aud division com- 
mand most of the time for two years previous. His operations were in the 
western army under its difi'erent commanders, much of the time with and near 
General Grant. In the sanguinary engagements, marches, and counter-marches of 
the bloody campaigns of the noble western army, our subject had a very impor- 
tant part, and acted it well. Was a brave soldier, and a good general, and had 
the respect and love of all the boj'S under his command. At the close of the war 
he returned to his former business in Mattoon, 111. Within the first year he was 
elected to the legislature from the district composed of Coles, Edgar, Vermilion, 
and Douglas, by two thousand majority. This was the 25th general assembly of 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 269 

Illinois. He served in the first, second, and third sessions. He declined a reuom- 
ination. February 10, 1874, Gen. Grant appointed him U. S. Consul to Kingston, 
Canada. In March of that year he reached his consulate, and filled the responsi- 
ble duties of that office until April, 1878. In 1883 he became a citizen of our 
county, and has been engaged in stock feeding. He devotes his spare time to the 
ministry, having been ordained by the Predestinarian Baptist church soon after 
his return from Canada, in 1878. AVe believe Mr. True is our only citizen who 
earned the title of general by actual service in the field. While he is compara- 
tively a new citizen of our county, he has done so much for his country that he is 
fully entitled to recognition in these pages as one worthy of all praise. 

PHILLIP UNITT 
Is one of our leading stockmen. Came to Nebraska a young man without means, 
and by enterprise and good judgment ranks as among the foremost stock men of 
Nebraska. Owns one of the finest barns in this country, and handles hogs and 
cattle by the thousand. He is an Englishman by birth — the fattest and jolliest 
Englishman of whom we know. 

KEV. J. N. WEBB, 
The veteran preacher of Seward county, and probably of our state, was born in Jef- 
ferson county, N. Y., in 1811. Commenced preaching in 1832, fifty-six yeai'sago, 
and has been in active work of the ministry ever since. In 1834 was settled as 
pastor of the church at Smithsville, where he labored five years; was pastor for six 
years at Carthage; was twenty years at work in the St. Lawrence Association, 
then three years at Titusville, Pa. , when he came to Nebraska in the interest of 
home missions, and in that work he traversed Nebraska through and through for 
nine years, at all times of year and in all kinds of weather. Whether in the 
scorching sun of mid-summer or the chilling blasts of winter blizzards, he was 
ever about his Master's work, visiting and encouraging feeble churches and render- 
ing them aid and encouragement, and gathering the scattered membership together 
and establishing churches. When he was baptized his pocket-book was baptized 
with him, and his life and all that he possessed was consecrated to the Master's 
use, and while his financial talent has been most remarkable for a minister, he has 
distributed it among the poor. Has from his own purse scattered in the mission 
work ten thousand dollars in Nebraska alone. Since 1879 he has labored for fee- 
ble churches and the educational interests of his people. Shall we state to what 
denomination Elder Webb belongs? Perhaps so, but it is more important to 
know that his long and valuable life has been wholly given to preaching the ever- 
lasting Gospel of Christ (o the people, and while the Missionary Baptist church is 
his home, yet his field of usefulness was the world, and his work has been won. 
derfully blessed. He is yet in the harness, and is a tower of strength, holding 
aloft the Standard of the Cross among the people. He first visited Seward in 1869, 
and this has been a part of his field of labor since that date, and he has made 
Seward his home ior the last two years having been pastor of Sewaid church. 

DR. JAMES H. WOODWARD 
Settled at Milford, Neb., in 1871, and was one of the first physicians in the county. 
In 1873 he removed to Seward, where he has enjoyed a successful practice ever 
since. Was a native of Indiana, born January, 1835. Married in 1861 to Miss Emma 



"270 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

•Glifford. Graduated at Ciuciniiati Eclectic Medical College in the class of 1866. 
Had been through the St. Louis medical schools. Delivered a series of lectures 
before the St. Louis Medical College from 1875 to 1877. Has delivered many lec- 
tures before the Seward school of medicine and surgery. Is a member of the E. 
M. Society of Nebraska, and an ex-president of that honorable body. Also a 
member of the National E. M. Society. Is al.so a member of the K. of H., and 
is their examining surgeon at Seward. Has delivered a series of lectures before 
the school of medicine of the State University. Is author of a work on " Eclectro- 
Therapeutics. " Is the owner of the famous electric belt. 

HENRY WORTENDYKE 

Was born April 6, 1828, in Ontario county, New York. When he was a young lad 
'his parents moved to Genesee county, N. Y. In 1851, while yet a j'oung man, he 
came West, and settled in Chicago. Was first employed by the government in 
locating and surveying a national road in Minnesota territory from St. Paul to 
Crow Wing. Also from St. Paul to Stillwater. After this service he returned to 
Chicago, and was engaged in a mercantile house for several years. Next we find 
him at Dixon, selling goods for two years. Came to Cass county in 1857, and 
worked, improving a farm near Weeping Water, for three years. In 1860 he took 
the gold fever and went to the mountains, where he sought and found some gold. 
Returned to Nebraska in 1866, and has made his home in Seward county since 
that time. He helped build the finst mill at Milford. Was elected probate 
judge in 1868. Married Mrs. Emily J. Badgley in 1867, a young widow lady who 
had the grit to come to Nebraska and get a homestead. To the happy union 
were born three children, the oldest, Henry J., died when fifteen years of age; 
Diantha, now a young lady of sixteen years, and John O., eleven years old. Mr. 
Wortendyke has been quite successful as a farmer and business-man, is at 
present one of our most wealthy citizens, and is quite enterprising. At an 
■early day he helped improve the West's mill property. A man of generous 
impulses, and gives much to public enterprises and charities. Is a strong 
republican in, politics, an earnest temperance man, and withal a highly 
respected citizen. Mr. Wortendyke and wife are among the honored mem- 
bers of the M. E. church of Millbrd. It has been the privilege and pleasure 
of the writer to enjoy the intimate acquaintance of Mr. Wortendyke and 
family for over twenty years, and we have always appreciated their sterling qual- 
ities as citizens and neighbors. We can truly wish them long, happy, and useful 
lives. 

CALVIN J. WRIGHT 

Came to Nebraska in 1879, and settled in " B" precinct, where he owns a large 
stock farm. He is largely interested in cattle and hogs, and may be fairly counted 
among our most enterprising farmers. One thing that speaks volumes for the 
man is this, he is an uncompromising democrat, and while his county is strongly 
republican, he was elected in the tall of 1886 by a handsome majority to represent 
the county in the state senate, in opposition to a man of sterling qualities. Was 
born in ls:?l, in I'ortage county, Ohio. Was a merchant for a time, then a 
photograjiher. In 1861 he moved to Marshall county, Ind., where he was en- 
gaged in the services of the government as a detective otlicer. Was married to 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 271 

Miss Elizabeth Church, in Madison county, Iowa. Is a member of the A. F. and 
A. M. in good standing. Is thoroughly awake in all matters of public enterprise. 
AVhile we may widely difter with him in many re.spects with regard to public 
matters, we can see in him sterling qualities as a business-man, legislator, and 
citizen. 

JOHX ZIMMERER 

Came to Seward in 1873, a mere boy in the employ of the firm of Bishoff and 
Zimmerer. The latter gentleman was an older brother of our friend. Some time 
afterward John was admitted to a partnership with the firm. His business ability 
developed rapidly, and in a short time he was placed in full charge of their large 
and ever expanding business. John proved faithful to every trust, and not many 
years had elapsed until he was accounted one of the leading business-men of 
Seward. His business ability and his remarkable success is almost a prodigy. 
Before ten years had passed he became sole proprietor of the immense hardware 
business, and is now owner of the finest business block in the city and is 
among the foremost of the business-men of Central Nebraska. He is a 
German by birth, wide-awake and progressive, very liberal in all public 
enterprises and charities. Has a leading part in every enterprise that tends 
to build up his county and his city. We could heartily wi.sh for hundreds 
more just like him. Herein lies the secret of his success : Twenty years ago he 
commenced work in a hardware store at $5 per month and board and clothes. 
The first year he saved and sent his father $50, money he had borrowed to pay his 
way to America. Young men, please learn a lesson from his example. 



272 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 



CHAPTER XV. 



LIST OF STATE OFFICERS, U. S. SENATORS, REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS, AND- 
U. S. MARSHALS FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF THE TERRITORY VP TO THE 
PRESENT TIME. 



We append the following lists taken from the State Legislative- 
Manual of 1887, by permission: 

GOVERNORS. 

Francis Burt, appointed Oct. 16, 1854. Dem. 
Mark W. Izard, appointed Feb. 20, 1855. Dem. 
Wm. A. Richardson, appointed Jan. 12, 1858. Dem. 
Sam. W. Black, appointed May 2, 1858. Dem. 
Alvin Saunders, appointed May 15, 1861. Rep. 
David Butler, elected, took seat Feb. 21, 1867. Rep. 
Robert W. Furnas, elected, took seat Jan. 13, 1873. Rep. 
Silas Garber, elected, took seat Jan. 11, 1875. Rep. 
Albinus Nance, elected, took seat Jan. 9, 1879. Rep. 
James W. Dawes, elected, took seat Jan. 4, 1883. Rep. 
John M. Thayer, elected, took seat Jan. 6, 1887. Rep. 
The elected governors were elected at the fall elections previous to- 
their inauguration, the dates of which are indicated above. 

LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS. 

Othman A. Abbot, Jan. 4, 1877. Rep. 
Edmund C. Cams, Jan. 9, 1879. Rep. 
A. W. Agee, Jan. 4, 1883. Rep. 
H. H. Shedd, Jan. 8, 1885. Rep. 

SECRETARIES. 

Thomas B. Cuming, appointed Aug. 13, 1854. Dem. 
John B. Motley, appointwl March 23, 1858. Dem. 
J. Sterling Morton, appointed July 12, 1858. Dem. 
A. S. Paddock, appointed May 6, 1861. Rep. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 273 

T. p. Keunard, elected, took seat Feb. 21, 1867. Rep. 
W. H. James, elected, took seat Jan. 10, 1871. liep. 
John J. Gosper, elected, took seat Jan. 13, 1873. Rep. 
Bruno Tzschuck, elected, took seat Jan. 11, 1875. Rep. 
S. J. Alexander, elected, took seat Jan. 9, 1879. Rep. 

E. P. Roggen, elected, took seat Jan. 4, 1883. Rep. 
Gilbert L. Laws, elected, took seat Jan. 6, 1887. Rep. 

AUDITORS. 

Clias. B. Smith, appointed March 16, 1855. Dem. 

Samuel L. Campbell, appointed Aug. 3, 1857. Dem. 

Wm, E. Moore, appointed June 1, 185S. Dem. 

Robert C. Jordan, appointed Aug. 2, 1858. Dem. 

Wm. E. Harvey, appointed Oct. 8, 1861. Rep. 

John Gillespie, appointed Oct. 10, 1865. Rep. 

John Gillespie, elected at organization of state government. Rep. 

Jefferson B. Weston, elected Jan. 13, 1873. Rep. 

F. W. Liedtkie, elected Jan. 9, 1879. Rep. 

John Wallichs, appointed to fill vacancy, Nov. 12, 1880. Rep. 

John Wallichs, elected Nov., 1881. Rep. 

H. A. Babcock, elected, inaugurated Jan. 8, 1885. Rep. 

H. A. Babcock, re-elected Nov. 8, 1887. Rep. 

TREASURERS. 

R. p. Rankin, appointed March 16, 1855. Dem. 

Wm. W. Wy man, appointed Nov. 6, 1855. Dem. 

Augustus Eountze, appointed Oct. 8, 1861. Rep. 

Augustus Kountze, elected state 1867. Rep. 

James Sweet, elected, inaugurated June 11, 1869. Rep. 

Henry A. Koenig, elected, inaugurated Jan. 10, 1871. Rep. 

J. C. McBride, elected, inaugurated Jan. 11, 1875. Rep. 

Geo. M. Bartlett, elected, inaugurated Jan. 9, 1879. Rep. 

Phelps D. Sturdevant, elected, inaugurated Jan. 4, 1883. Dem. 

Chas. H. Willard, elected, inaugurated Jan. 8, 1885. Rep. 

Chas. H. Willard, re-elected 1887. Rep. 

LIBRARIANS. 

James S. Izard, appointed March 16, 1855. Dem. 
H. C. Anderson, appointed Nov. 6, 1855. Dem. 
John H. Kellom, appointed Aug. 3, 1857. Dem. 

18 



274 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

AloLizo D. Luce, appointed Nov. 7, 1859. Dem. 
Kobert S. Knox, appointed 1861. Rep. 
T. P. Keunard, appointed June 22, 1867. Rep. 
Wm. H. Jones, appointed Jan. 10, 1871. Rep. 
Guy A. Brown, appointed March 3, 1871. Rep. 

ATTORNEY GENERALS. 

Champion S. Chase, elected 1867. Rep. 
Seth Robinson, elected 1869. Rep. 
Geo. H. Roberts, inaugurated Jan 10, 1871. Rep. 
J. R. Webster, inaugurated Jan. 13, 1873. Rep. 
Geo. H. Roberts, inaugurated Jan. 11, 1875. Rep. 
C. J. Dilworth, inaugurated Jan. 9, 1879. Rep. 
Isaac Powers, Jr., inaugurated Jan. 4, 1883. Rep. 
Wm. Leese, inaugurated Jan. 8, 1885. Rep. 
Wm. Leese, re-elected 1887. Rep. 

SUPERINTENDENTS OF PUBLIC. INSTRUCTION. 

Seth W. Reals, elected 1869. Rep. 

J. M. McKenzie, elected, inaugurated Jan. 10, 1871. Rep. 
S. R. Thompson, elected, inaugurated Jan. 4, 1877. Rep. 
W. W. W. Jones, elected, inaugurated Jan. 6, 1881. Rep. 
Geo. B. Lane, elected, inaugurated Jan. 6, 1887. Rep. 

COMMISSIONERS PUBLIC LANDS AND BUILDINGS. 

!F. M. Davis, elected, inaugurated Jan. 4, 1877. Rep. 
A. G. Kendall, elected, inaugurated Jan. 6, 1881. Rep. 
Joseph Scott, elected, inaugurated Jan. 8, 1885. Rep. 
Joseph Scott, re-elected 1887. Rep. 

JUDGES OF SUPREME COURT. 
CHIEF JUSTICES. 

Fenner Furguson, appointed Oct. 12, 1854. Dem. 

Aug. Hall, appointed March 15, 1858. Dem. 

Wm. Pitt Kellogg, appointed May 27, 1861. Rep. 

Wm. Pitt Kellogg, re-appointed May 8, 1865. Rep. 

Wm. A. Little, appointed 1866. Dem. 

O. P. Mason, appointed 1866. Rep. 

O. P. Mason, elected 1867. Rep. 

Geo. B. Jjake, elected, inaugurated Jan. 16, 1873. Rep. 



HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 275 

Daniel Gantt, elected, inaugurated Jan. 3, 1878.* Rep. 
Samuel Maxwell, elected, inaugurated May 29, 1878. 
Geo. B. Lake, elected, inaugurated Jan. 5, 1882. Rep. 
Amasa Cobb, elected, inaugurated Jan. 3, 1884. Rep. 
Samuel Maxwell, elected, inaugurated Jan. 4, 1886. Rep. 

ASSOCIATE JUSTICES AND JUDGES. 

Ed. R. Harden, appointed Dec. 4, 1854. Dem. 

James Bradley, appointed Oct. 25, 1854. Dem. 

Sam M. Black, appointed, date not given. 

Eleazer Wakeley, appointed April 27, 1857. Dem. 

Joseph Miller, appointed April 9, 1859. Dem. 

Wm. F. Lockwood, appointed May 16, 1861. Rep. 

Elmer S. Dundy appointed June 22, 1863. Rep. 

Geo. B. Lake elected, inaugurated Feb. 21, 1867. Rep. 

Lorenzo Crounse, elected, inaugurated Feb. 21, 1867. Rep. 

Daniel Gantt, elected, inaugurated Jan. 16, 1873. Rep. 

Samuel Maxwell, elected, inaugurated Jan. 16, 1873. Rep. 

Amasa Cobb, elected, inaugurated May 29, 1878. Rep. 

Amasa Cobb, elected, inaugurated 1882. Rep. 

M. B. Reese, elected, inaugurated Jan. 3, 1884. Rep. 

Samuel Maxwell, elected 1887. Rep. 

CLERKS OF SUPREME COURT. 

H. C. Anderson, appointed 1856. 
Chas. L. Salisbury, appointed 1858. 
E. B. Chandler, appointed 1859. 
John H. Kellom, appointed 1861. 
Wm. Kellogg, Jr., appointed 1865. 
Geo. Armstrong, appointed 1867. 
Guy A. Brown, appointed 1868. 

REPORTERS SUPREME COURT. 

J. M. Wool worth, appointed 1870. 
Lorenzo Crounse, appointed 1873. 
Guy A. Brown, appointed 1875. 

U. S. MARSHALS FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEBRASKA. 

Mark W. Izard, appointed Oct. 28, 1854. Dem. 



*Died in ollice. 



276 HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA. 

Eli E. Doyle, appointed April 7, 1855. Dem. 
Ben. P. Rankin, appointed March 29, 1856. Dera. 
P. W. Hitchcock, appointed Sept. 19, 1861. Pep. 
Casper E. Yost, appointed April I, 1869. Pep. 
J. T. Hoile, July 1, 1861. Pep. 
Wra. Dailey, 1870. Pep. 
Ellis Bierbower, 1885. Pep. 

TERRITORIAL DELEGATES TO CONGRESS. 

Napoleon B. Gidding, elected Dec. 12. 1854. Dem. 
Bird B. Chapman, elected Nov. 6, 1855. Dem. 
Fenner Furguson, elected Aug. 3, 1857. Dem. 
Experience Esterbrook, Oct. 11, 1859. Dem. 
Samuel G. Daily, Oct. 9, 1860. Pep. 
Samuel G. Daily, re-elected Oct. 1862. Pep. 
Phineas W. Hitchcock, .elected Oct. 11, 1864. Pep. 
John Taffe, elected Oct. 9, 1866. Pep. 

REPRESENTATIVES TO CONGRESS. 

Lorenzo Crounse, Oct. 8, 1872. Pep. 
Frank Welch, Nov. 7, 1876. Pep. 
Thos. J. Majors, Nov. 5, 1878. Pep. 
E. K. Valentine, Nov. 5, 1878. Rep. 
A. J. Weaver, March 7, 1883. Rep. 

James Laird (re-elected 1884 and 1886), first took his seat March 
7, 1883. Pep. 

G. W. Dorsey (re-elected 1886), March 5, 1885. Pep. 
John A. McShaue, elected Nov., 1886, Marcii 5, 1887. Dem. 

U. S. SENATORS. 

John M. Thayer, 1867 to '73. 
T. W. Tipton, 1867 to '75. 
P. W. Hitchcock, 1871 to '77. 
Algernon S. Paddock, 1875 to '81. 
Alvin Saunders, 1877 to '83. 
C. H. VanWyck, 1881 to '87. . 
Chas. F. Manderson, 1883 to '89. 
A. S. Paddock, 1887 to '93. 



IISTDEX. 



PAGE 

"A" Precinct 87, 132 

Advocate founded 49 

Atchison & Neb. E. K 61 

Agricultural Society 95 

Arrest of county commissioners 37 

Atlas founded 42 

Assessments of county 107 

Ancient Order of United Workmen 212 

Anderson, Lewis 30, 246 

Anderson, Allen S 146 

Anderson, Mrs. Sarah F 144 

Anderson, J. H 105 

Anderson, James 117 

Addition (Cloyd's) 150 

Addition (H., M., and R.'s) 150 

Addition South Seward 153 

August Irost 18 

Antelope 8, 16, 140 

Agricultural College 216 

Armory and gymnasium 217 

Anderson, R. F 172 

"B" Precinct, its history 87, 113, 142 

Bates tragedy 65 

Baety, J.N 24, 41, 147 

Bellows, Peter 21, 23 

Bitterness of sectional strife 36, 38, 84, 86 

Beginning of county seat embroglio 33 

Bond proposition, hrst 42 

Bond proposition, second 43 

Bond proposition, third 45 

Bond proposition, A. & N 62 

Bond proposition, F., E. & M. V 69 

B. &M., Turns a cold shoulder 43 

B. &M., Swallows the M. P 54 

B. &M., Swallows the A. &N 63 

B. & M., Extended to York 54 

Becard, Fritz 57 

Blue Valley, Where it never rains 17 

Blue Kiverou a wild rampage 32, 39 



278 INDEX. 

PAGE 

Brush, Marcus, Elected to legislature 42 

Bridge, First on Salt creek 14 

Bridge, First on Blue river 27 

Bridge at Seward, First 148 

Brown, James A 119, 129 

Boyes, H. L. (his mill) 42, 149 

Boyes, Geo 153 

Bugle, Beaver Crossing 188 

Boyes, Margaret • 236 

Boughton, Eliza 238 

Boyes, H. L 247 

Bartlett, John S 93 

Ballard, Mrs. J. H 94 

Buffalo, Last killed in county 140 

Buffalo meat 79 

Buffalo hunt 140 

Buffalo Bill saved the boys 140 

Bible Society, Its organization 79 

Beaver Tribune 84 

Ballots or bullets 84 

" Blessed are the peacemakers " 85 

Blighted R. R. lands 79 

Babson, G., Jr 163, 246 

Blade, Blue Valley 49 

Bfctzer, J. H 49, 157, 247 

Bachelder, Mrs. L. M.. 243 

Bachelder, John W 246 

Bowker murder 66 

Between two fires 34 

Brick store. First 46 

Bank, First in Seward 46 

Bottom fell out 152 

Best, Mrs. Thomas (her death) '. 92 

Baily, Miss Agnes 72 

Bowers, W. D 247 

"C" Frecinct 113 

Cadman, John 13, 14, 15 

Cadman, probate judge of Lancaster county 38 

Calkins, Charles (his cabin) 15 

County officers of Seward county 102 

Chambers. .John (awful fright) 15 

Chambers, Joseph 18 

Gassier, Orlando, murder and execution 59 

Camden (old freight road and bridge) 57 

Camden post-oflice 33 

Camden Mills 33, 134 

Crimm, Dr 22 



INDEX. 279 

PAGE 

Clay county (division of it) 14 

Cooper, Eoger 35, 237 

Cooper, Wil 1 iam 35 

Cooper, R. F 104, 249 

County organization 34 

County seat of Lancaster county 15 

County commissioners, First 34 

County clerk. First 35 

County board, First meeting 35 

Courtright, Abram 44, 234 

Courtright, J. B. (fruits) ;... 177 

County seat question agitated 36 

County seat election, first, second, third 36, 44 

Comparative statement of wealth and population 109 

Clough, Nathan (murdered) 53 

Clough, Warren, (murder trial) 54 

Coleman, H. M , 55, 80 

Coleman, Mrs. Amos 244 

Confer, Rev. G. M 57 

Church, First in county 191 

Church, First in Senard 198 

Churches — 

Adventist, Seventh Day 189 

Amish Mennonite 189 

Baptist Missionary 190 

Baptist Predestinarian 203 

Catholic 191 

Congregationalist 191 

Evangelical Friedens 193 

Evangelical Lutheran 1 94 

Methodist Episcopal 200 

Methodist Protestant 196 

Presbyterian 198 

United Brethren 196 

Clippings from the Atlas 71 

Clippings from the Record 75 

Clippings from the Reporter 88 

Cone, Rev. O. D 241 

Combs, Rev. A. J 49, 235 

Cloyd, W. C. (his addition) 150 

Center of county 43 

Colfax, Schuyler (visits Seward ) 94 

Coal mine 80 

Caught a coon 82 

Chroney, Chas 48 

Camden disfranchised 84 

Constitution (vote on same) 82 

Corporation election for Seward 154 



2S0 INDEX. 

PAGE 

Corr, Thos 103, 249 

Cams, E. C 102, 248 

Cars reach Seward 153 

Cummins, Dr. H. B 251 

Culver, J. H 44, 88, 251 

Clark, Rev. E. L 33,103, 243 

Clothing of the pioneers 168, 130 

Calico (its price) 168 

Cotton cloth (its price) 168 

Coroner's jury 30 

Crop estimate oi Reporter 92 

Crop estimate by Ed. Mclntyre 92 

Counterfeit money factory 91 

Chemical laboratory 217 

Christian university 218 

Common school buildings of Lincoln and Lancaster county 218 

Court-house for Lancaster county 220 

Callender, A. J 247 

Cattle, John, Sen : 248 

Chapin, I. G 249 

Compton, F. P 249 

Cox, W. W 250 

"D" precinct 115 

Davis, W. R 24, 41, 148, 154, 157, 252 

Davison, J. L 8, 27, 77, 80, 104 

Dawson, Jacob 11, 12 

Donevan, W. T 7, 10 

Dunaway (his death) 29 

Dec. 31, 1863 (intensely cold) 17 

Desert land 13 

Derby, G. A 55, 116 

Derby, Miss Clara 57 

Diary of E. L. Ellis 185 

Diary of Thos. Graham 186 

District No. 9 organized 149 

Dundy, Judge E. S 19 

Durland, John 33 

Dunaway's (settlement) 108 

District court, First in Lancaster county 19 

District court, First in Seward county 172 

De Lamatyr (Hon.) speaks 92 

Dedication of the U. B. church 93 

Docken, C. L., suicides] 9* 

Dunigan M '. 102, 106, 252 

Donaldson, A. W 252 

Donaldson, Mr.s. E. D 238 

Dunbaugh, John 252 



INDEX. 281 

PAGE 

Duncan, Mrs, E. E 232 

Dedication 3 

Dust storms 64, 186 

Distribution of state buildings 215 

Dunphy, R. E 102, 252 

"E" precinct 116 

Ellis, E. L 2H, 129, 185,254 

Elsworth, F. M 130 

Efforts to locate capital at Seward 40 

Extract from an address at old settlers' reunion 1T3 

Efforts to change the business portions of the city 153 

Earned his mileage 31 

Electric lights 164 

Emigration from Seward 68 

Election on new constitution 82 

Election on county seat, First 36 

Election on county seat. Second 36 

Election on county seat, Third 43 

Editor's valedictory 87 

Edwards. J. N 74, 99, 155, 254 

Empty sack 9 

Editor's twins 89 

Evans, Elizabeth 

Ewing's hotel 150 

Exodus of citizens 64 

Energy displayed in securing settlers 34 

Elk and elk meat 16, 140, 185, 186 

Entered the first land 186 

Episcopal academy 

Elsworth, F. M 42, 172 

Experiment station 217 



"F" precinct, its history 117 

First homestead 27 

First sermon at Lancaster 17 

First sermon at Seward 33 

First representative in legislature 31 

First births at Lancaster 18 

First births at Seward 31 

First births on town site 150 

First saw-mill and corn burr in Seward county 33 

First saw-mill at Seward. 42 

First tax levy 35 

First store in Seward county 128 

First store in Seward 41, 147 

First store in Lancaster 14 

First post-office in Seward county 128, 159 



282 INDEX. 

PAGE 

First post-office in Seward 157 

First residence in Seward 42, 148 

First celebration in Seward 42 

First visit to Lancaster county 7 

First visit to " G" precinct 28 

Firemen's Association 181 

Fifty Lincoln citizens visit Seward 92 

Fine stock and breeders 181 

Freshet in winter 32 

Fruits of Seward county 177 

Freight road and travel 14, 127 

Folden, Eev. A. J 57, 201 

Fouse, John E 27, 123 

France, Geo. B 76, 78, 105 

Fairplay's letter 77 

First census of Seward 155 

First census of county 109 

Finances of Seward 155 

First school in Saline county 77 

First school in Seward county 76, 77 

First school at Seward 39, 47, 162 

Ford, J. C 254 

Food of pioneers 169 

Fourth of July, 1862 11 

Fourth of July, 1868 • 41 

Fourth of July, 1876 53 

Free hotels 34 

Fletcher, J. M 254 

First Sunday-school at Lancaster 17 

First Sunday-school at Seward 47, 159 

First church organized in Seward 49 

First hotel in Seward 41, 148 

First marriages in county 171 

First marriages in "G " precinct 171 

First frame house in Lancaster county 10 

Five hundred Indians attack two men 186 

French, Rev. H. A 191, 103 

Fourteen spokes in the wheel 218 

" G " precinct, its early history 118 

Gage county 13, 14 

Gale, K. T 27, 30, 32, 230 

Giles, John 23 

Game 15 

Goehner, J. F 69, 102, 157, 256 

Goehner & Wilkins 57 

Graham Thomas 77, 102,104, 105, 256 

G. A. 11., Seward Post, its history 204 



INDEX. 283 

PAGE 

G. A. R., Winslo%v Post, its history 208 

G. A. R., Major Keenan's Post, its history 208 

Good Temphirs 159 

Grand view 28 

Goodbrod, Geo S"? 

Grasshopper scourge 50 

Greeley's advice taken 28 

Green (the rebel) 26 

Gregory, J. S 13, 18 

Gregory basin 25 

Growth of Seward county 107, 108, 109 

Growth of the city 89 

Geographical townships made precincts 87 

GrovelandP. O "79 

Gruber, Rev. T. K 194, 256 

Grangers, The murderers 66 

Grant, Fred, his death 92 

Gerken, Peter, drowned 74 

Government court-house 215 

Grain trade of Lincoln 219 

Gere, Hon. C. H., His paper on Lancaster county 214 

" H " precinct, its history 121 

Happy days for settlers 40 

Herrick, Widow 50 

Hitchcock, Hon. P. W 10 

Harthey, Miss Rossa 57 

Hawk pie 56 

Hartman, W. C 257 

Hosintality of the people 44 

Historic letter, J. A. Brown 129 

Historic letter, E. W. Olney 132 

Historic letter, Mrs. H. W. Parker 134 

Historic letter, I. M. K. Johnson 136 

Historic letter, F. M. Tirablin : 142 

Historic letter, Mrs. Sarah F. Anderson 144 

Hornburg, Wm 103, 115, 142, 258 

Hauling cord wood to Lincoln 143 

Harris, J. H., his enterprises 150 

Harris, Daniel H 103 

Hunters 16, 79, 140 

Hunter's paradise 16 

Huston, S. W 79 

Hagaman, Wm 236 

Humphrey, our first druggist 42 

Hill. Wm. E 27 

Hooker, Miss Eva 76 

Hickman, Wm 113, 103, 257 



284 INDEX. 

PAGE 

Hickman, J. D 113 

Holt, Isaac 258 

Hazelwood, Rev. J. D 45 

Hazelwood, J, A 257 

Honey bee 69 

Hensel, H. C 183 

Home of the Friendless 216 

Half a million in church property 220 

Hafer, Levi ; 258 

" I '■ precinct 121 

Imlay, David, Sr 28, 231 

Imlay, William 25,28, 30, 32, 258 

Imlay, D. P 30 

Imlay, Joseph 30 

Ingham, Prof. O. S. (his somersault) 85 

Increase of settlement 76 

Impeachment of county clerk 37 

Incorporation of Seward 87, 154 

Incorporation of Seward as a city 155 

Injunction in the M. P. bond matter 86 

Injunction in the A. & N. bond matter 63, 91 

" I hangs mine self," (astory) 149 

Indian anecdotes 11, 15 

Indian scares 15, 19, 140, 144 

Ingham's eloquence 89 

Industrial Hall 217 

"J" Precinct 122 

Jones, Joseph 116 

Jones, Claudius 46, 131, 260 

Jones, Lord 128 

Jackson avenue 150 

Jones caricatured 62 

Johns, L. G 149 

Johnson, Rev. E. W 117, 259 

Johnson, Jesse R 27, 138 

Johnson, I. M. K 136, 140 

Johnson, James 128 

Johnson, F. S 242 

"Jonah can't swallow the whale " 70 

Langdon, Milton 234 

Langdon, Mrs. Anne 235 

Langdon , Joh n 260 

Lake, J udge 172 

Langworthy, Mrs. S. C 163 

Lincoln city compared with other capitals 214 

Lincoln, "the fiat city" '214 



INDEX. 285 

PAGE 

Lindsay, Mrs. Adeline 233 

Lanjie. Alex 261 

Leese. Wm 2fil 274 

Leger, L. J 261 

Lowley, Geo 261 

"M" Precinct 124 

Masonic Fraternity 209 

Mason, Judge O. P....! 10 

Mason, Joel H 

Mclntyre's report to B. & M 92 

Maine. .Tndge J. D 9, 37, 104, 132 

Manley. Samuel 149 237 

Midland road completed 46 

" Me good langian " 23 

Morton. J. Sterling 10 

Men ^vlio helped make Seward county 246 

Mohawk lumber yard 153 

Marquett, T. M 19 

M. E. church founded 49 

McKesson, Rev. Dr ,3.3 

McKinley and Morton 27 

Missouri rebels 18 

Moffitt, Lewis .32 

Morgan. Daniel 25 

Mil ford founded ,33 

Milford Mills (built) 35 

Milford newspapers 183 

Metz was drowned 67 

Moving to homestead 30 

McNall fhis death) 93 

McCandlish, Rev 79 

Money order office at Seward 158 

Money order office at Milford 80 

Majority against bonds ... 84 

Majority for bonds 86 

Mass meeting in Seward to condemn fraud 85 

Mortimer's letters 87 

McKillip, D. C 87 

McPherson. M. R 87 

Mayor, first of Seward 155 

Mc Intyre, Edmund 96, 97, 98, 155, 156, 262 

Miller. Rev. Dr. W. G 262 

Merriam, S. G 45 

Merriam, Geo. A 172,. 262 

Morton, Francis 264 

Morris, William 2.39 

Mitchel, Rev. J. E 240 



286 INDEX. 

t 

PAGE 

Mothers and wives of pioneers 166 

Millspaugh, Daniel 27 

Mass meetings at Camden 81, H4 

Moffit, Leroy (his death) 74 

McKay, Geo. C 114 

Morris keyless lock factory •. 164 

McLean, Kev. T. L 202 

Milford churches -. 191, 202 

Manufacturing in Lincoln 219 

Morehead, Jas 263 

Morey, Rev. G. M 263 

"N '• Precinct 125 

Nebraskan founded 183 

" Never rains on Blue river" 17 

Norval, Judge T. L 95, 102,130, 155, 172,. 265 

Norval, R. S 89, 130, 155, 265 

Newjahr, Henry (his death) 93 

Nichols, Ross 124 

Nicholsville 80 

Nelden post-office 77 

Notable workers for Milford 44 

Nine spokes in the wheel 218 

Neihardt, L D 264 

"O" Precinct, its history 126 

Oak Groves... 28, 37, 130, 132 

Olney, John 38 

Olney, E. W 105, 132 

Omaha Indians 15 

Old log school-house 39, 47, 148, 162 

Our people, general characteristics 170 

Odd Fellows, Seward Lodge 212 

Odd Fellows, Utica Lodge 211 

Old State-house 215 

Oldest man in Seward county 253 

Old settlers' reunions 172 

Oat meal mill 164 

One hundred trains per day 220 

Organization of Lancaster cou nty ; 220 

"P"precinct, its history 127 

Parker, H. W 13, 33, 80 

Parker, H. W., defeated 42 

Patrick murder 67 

Peckham, Darwin 9 

Peat deposits 76 

Possibilities ol Seward as a manufacturing city 161 

Pound, Judge S. B 38 



INDEX. 287 

PAGE 

Politics of Seward county 101 

Prairie fires 12, 186 

Phinuey, Rev. C. E , 57, 265 

Post-office and mails 157 

Peddler's dilemma (a story) 149 

Precincts changed 82, 85, 86, 87 

Pleasant Dale P. 79 

Presson, Rev. J. H 266 

Payne, Steven 240 

Persuader-s] 8 

Pembertou (his crime) 20 

Public well 148 

Probate court record 171 

Prairie breaking 75, 119 

Perkins, Mrs., sues the saloons 90 

Pingree, Mrs. Nettie M 174 

Penitentiary 215 

Political history of Lancaster county 220 

Rapid development of county 41, 46, 76 

Ragan, O. C 56 

Roberts, John, Sen 35, 75, 151, 266 

Roberts, J. N., Jr 33, 267 

Roberts, Jasper 240 

Reynolds, Job T 27 

Record, Blue Valley, founded 45 

Reed, Wm. H 3' , 242 

Record, its salutatory 77 

Record, its valedictory 87 

Reed, Roland 239 

Reporter founded 48 

Railroads of Lincoln 218 

Skinner, Rev. T. N 245 

Salt Basin 7, 8 

Samson, Richard 33 

Sampson, J. C 35 

Saunders, Gov 10 

Schamp, Peter 11 

Scott, John 28 

Sweet music 23 

Seward county as it is now 109 

Storm of indignation 37 

Seward as we see it in 1888 163 

Shirley's ranch 9 

Shafer, E. B ; 35 

Seward schools and names of first scholars 47 

Seward schools, history of 162 

Seward's early history and growth 147 



288 INDEX. 

PAGE 

Seward surveyed 41 

Seward out-generaled 42 

Skillman, Thomas 33, 268 

Stephenson, Samuel 42 

Standard, Thos 56 

Serpent's fall (story) 115 

Struggle to secure settlers 34 

Sufferings of the pioneers 39, 40 

Skaigs, Rev., first M. E. minister 49 

School moneys paid out in 1871 78 

School moneys paid out in 1887 181 

Snow storms t 68, 179 

Stock feeders 180 

Strang, A. L 148 

Shattuck, Etta 180 

Smallpox 66, 67 

Staplehust founded 114 

Stephens, Jeff (his death) 80 

Seward liars 81 

Sales of the Eeporter 48, 49 

Stop the reaper ! 86 

Special papers — 

Agricultural Society (its history) 95 

Drainage and Water Courses 99 

County Officers 102 

Assessments from 1865 to 1887 107 

Poli tics of the Coun t j^ 101 

Census Tables 108 

Comparative Tables of Wealth and Population 109 

Tem pcrance Work 159 

Seward Sick 64 

State and Territorial Officers 272 

Wilderness Home in Childhood 174 

Scenes in justice court 18 

Simmons, F. G 49, 267 

Stanwood, Mrs. Mary 237 

Spear, E. M 242 

South Seward 153 

Schick sold the bonds 90 

School raone5's appropriated 78, 86, 87, 181 

Shooting of Mcintosh 90 

Squaws carry the corn 186 

Smith, Chas. L 183 

Spear, Mrs. E. M... 88, 163 

Street railways of Lincoln 220 

Stock yards 219 

Street paving 220 

Snodgrass, M rs. Jane 244 



INDEX. 289 

PAGE 

Town painted red 149 

Tramp to Lincoln in the dark UH 

Tributes to the memory of the dead 230 

Troup "A," Neb. National Guards 183 

Tisdale, Thomas 83, 125 

Tisdale, Mrs. Thomas (her death) 93 

Thompson, W. J 27, 83,125 

True, Gen. J. M 203 

Towner, Rev. Abram 244 

Tishue, Joel (his brick store) 88 

TwoB &M. E. R's 63 

Trying to carry a buck deer 186 

Tribute to the wives and mothers of the pioneers , 166 

Township organization 69 

Timothy and clover 69 

Trustees, First, of Seward 154 

Telegraph completed to Seward 74 

Twen ty school-houses 79 

Twenty-five stations 219 

Tile works 219 . 

Three millions in improvements 220 

True, Gen. J. M 268 

Union Pacific R. R. located ' 12 

Union restored, its efi'ect on Nebraska 24 

Utica founded 54 

Unorganized territory under control of Seward county 35 

Utica street fight 90 

Unitt Phillip.... 269 

University of Nebraska 215 

Utica Sun Ill 

Vifquain, Col 81,83, 127 

Visiting in old times 169 

Value of farms in Lancaster county 218 

War among the newspapers 4K 

Wallingford, Richard 8, 10 

Wallingford,A. J 8,27, 134 

Wallick, Mrs. Abram 234 

Whipping the oxen 21 

Williams, O. T. B 42, 104 

Winter of 1863-4 17 

Winter of Desolation 39 

Well, first in Seward 148 

West, Thomas 25,33, 136 

West, James 139 

West, Alexander 139 

West's mill, built 33 

19 



290 INDEX. 

PAGE 

Wind-mill, first in the county 148 

Wortendyke, Henry 44, 104, 270 

Wrangle with county clerk 37 

Webbeke, Lena 180 

Welty, Bessie (killed) 92 

Wingfield, E. W. ^his denthj 93 

Walker Kobert (his death 93 

Wendall, Ira (his death) 94 

Woodward, Dr. J. H 80, 269 

Walker, Dr. Lehuid 41, 43, 154 

Wright, C. J 102, 106, 270 

Webb, Rev. J. N 269 

Walker, Mrs. Elsie T... 232 

Woolejs Stites 31, 119, 236 

Windsor house 64, 164 

Wesley an un i versi ty 217 

West Lincoln 219 

Wholesale houses 219 

W. C. T. U 212 

Young. Rev. J. M 11. 12, 14,17, 230 

Zinimerer, .Toh n 271 



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