NSGS Ancestree

Nebraska State Genealogical Society Journals

The following information is taken from "The Independent Era" of North Platte, Thursday May 6, 1897. Submitted by: Ruby Coleman, North Platte, NE

The following is a list of persons who attended the West Nebraska Educational Association's fifteen regular, annual meeting in Keith's Hall, North Platte, Nebraska in May of 1897. They were westNebraska teachers.

Big Springs
J.G. Eads, Belle Henry, E.D. Harrison, Alice Bower and Lucy Gunnel

Brady Island
Gertrude Hooper, H.A. Worrel, E.A. Johnson, Salina Holcomb and Birdie Stapleton

Brule
Jennie Richmond

Chappell
Justina Ottman

Eddy
Wm. Kerr

Elsie
J.A. Chesman and Lena Gueck

Elizabeth
Nina Garrison

Gandy
Wm. Porter and Jennie McNicol

Gothenburg
J.E. Deizell, Mrs. Eva Turner and Agnes Costen

Grand Island
A.H. Waterhouse

Grant
B.R. McGrath, F.N. Arterburn, Maggie Stuman and Chas. Perkins

Haves Centre
Clara Rhea, J.H. Christner and Jennie Iveson

Hershey
Olive Muir, Jennie Ware, Emma Frolkey, Allie Beach and A.F. Beeler

Julesburg Colorado
Marie Jenson

Kimball
B.K. Busten

Lodgepole
H.O. Slawson, R.C. Newman, A.E Slawson, W.P. Killen and Jennie Durkee

Madrid
A. Softley and J.W. Pugh

Maxwell
H.J. Kinley, Ella McCullough, Mary Dolan, Mamie Nugent and Lottie Lewis

Myrtle
Jessie Waite, A. McMichael and Stella McCain

North Platte
Flora A. Franklin, Wm. Ebright, J.O. Orr, E.D. Snyder, R.H. Langford, G.A. McMichael, Mrs. M. Oberst, Bertha Thoelecke, Minnie Sorenson, Eunice Babbitt, Jennie White, Lizzie Burke, Blanche Buckworth, Gertie Baker, Tillie Blankenburg, Ruth Patterson, Ida VonGoetz, Bertha Peters, Elizabeth Peters, Bernice Searle, Cora Sturgis, Nellie Grace, Jennie Frazier, Adda

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West-Nebraska Educational Asso Meeting - 1897 (continued)

Kocken, Josie Day, Abbie Day, Thea Hansen, Bettie Macomber, Mina Mills, N.E Workman, Jennie Hansen, Lena Schatz, Laura Murray, Sarah Ferguson, Laura Irish, Julia Muphy, Nellie Lonergan, Ida Walker, Eva Fenwick, Grace Duncan, Avis Duncan, Ella Blake, J.C. McGue, Herbert Votaw, Blanche Widmyer, A.M. Scharmann and May Cooper

Ogallala
Carrie Robertson, Anna Theis, Annie Beckius, Anna Clark, Rosa Dodds, Maud Feather, Emma Sewd, Arta Blackburn, Anna Purdee, Eva Gilliard, Mary Armstrong, Hettie Armstrong and Bertha Hollingsworth

Palisades
J.H. Tighe

Paxton
Nellie McLain, H. McVey, A.E. Ledugh, Cora Martin, Nellie Martin, Wesley Tressler, F.N. Slawson, Emma Eimpkins, Mary Lebrout, Maggie Lute, Annie Lute, Cordelia Dowlen, Irma Pierson and Bertha Pierson

Potter
Louis Voeltz

Red Cloud
J.F. Minden

Sidney
Mary E Tobin, C.F. Chambers, J.C. Newbanner, Justina Whitehead and Minnie Echease

Somerset
Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Rhodes and A. Heed

Sutherland
Eunice Johnson and Ada Fransen

Wallace
J.H. Bixby, F.N. Wallace, Julia Felt, Maggie Smith, Eva A. Putman, Nules Bundy, C.G. Reynolds, O.O. Buedy, EA. DeFord and Laura Easton

Wellfleet
Mrs. W.D. Page, Roy Bickford, A.J. Blougher and Mrs. J. McMichael

Whittier
S.R. Derryberry and Ada Hardin

Willard
Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Lewis

President of the Association was Miss Bertha Thoelecke of North Platte.

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Source: DUST TO DUST Ghost Towns of Eastern Nebraska
By: Lowell Greunke

CASS COUNTY TOWNS

BROOKLYN--Brooklyn, essentially a paper town, had a distinction of being different from any other town in the interior of the United States. It was a town wholly surrounded by water. It was located on the west end of Cedar Island with Main Street running east and west, the only east and west street, The cross street ran north and south with First Street at the west end and Twelfth Street at the east end of town.

Continued on page 93

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Submitted by: Georgene Morris Sones, Omaha

Douglas County, Nebraska County Commissioners minutes abstracted from the 19 August 1881 issue of the "Waterloo Weekly Gazette", published in Waterloo, NE.

The county commissioners at their last meeting:

     Draw $12.04 and $3.85 from general fund and devote amount to payment of delinquent taxes of M. J. BILLETER & R. MORRIS for work on road.

Other accounts allowed: (many for road/bridge work)

Reprinted from the "Omaha Bee"

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Submitted by: Georgene Morris Sones, Omaha, NE

Old Tavern near Elk City Douglas County Nebraska

From WPA Records at Nebr. State Historical Society in Lincoln. Compiled 20 October 1938 by Hulah Estle.

"The site of the old tavern, about one mile northwest of Elk City, is now occupied by the neat story and a half white frame farm home of H. F. TURNER. This land (N1/2 NW1/4 Sl0 T16 R10) was preempted by Samuel FIFIELD and, having been sold to Eliza K. MITCHELL in 1860, was purchased by Thos. BOYER in August, 1866. There are no records to prove just when the tavern was built but in view of the fact that BOYER purchased the land for $1,200 and in May, 1868, scarcely two years later, sold it to Wm. R. TURNER for $2,500, it is reasonable to suppose that the jump in value was caused by the erection of the building.

Be that as it may, the tavern was a going concern when it became the property of Mr. TURNER.

It was a typical tavern of the day, providing rest and refreshment for the weary traveler and his team. In connection with the hotel facilities a bar was maintained; also a store where staple groceries and other necessities could be obtained. It was a favorite stopping place of freighters, who enjoyed, on warm summer days, loafing for a short time in the shade of the great tree which grew just outside the kitchen door. Tall tales are told of men who rode into the bar room and downed their drinks, sitting astride their horses, of brawls and fights and the sudden flashing of guns; all the legends of those roistering days which inevitably become attached to such a site.

Nothing remains of the tavern today, though the great tree that shaded the door of the kitchen still stands guard near where the road curves north.

H. F. TURNER, the present owner of the property, is a son of the Wm. R. TURNER who owned the tavern."

**Elk City Cemetery records:
William R. TURNER 19 Jan. 1831-15 June 1908 (one of the founders of the cemetery)
Mercy J. TURNER, his wife, 29 April 1844-30 Jan. 1922

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CASS COUNTY TOWNS continued

FACTORYVILLE--This town was situated on the Missouri River, eighteen miles south of P1attsmouth, five miles southwest of Union and on the south branch of the Weeping Water River. The first settler In the area in 1859 erected a frame mill on the Weeping Water. It was torn down in 1880. The next settler in 1869, George Jennings, also built a mill and called the quarter-section it was situated on "Factoryville." A third mill, a very large one, was built in 1880. In addition, Fractoryville had one general store, two blacksmith shops, one doctor and about fifty inhabitants in 1882.

Continued on page 100

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Submitted by: Ralph Wilson, Waterloo, NE and Georgene Sones, Omaha, NE

Abstracted from: "Waterloo Weekly Gazette" published Friday at Waterloo, Douglas County, Nebraska.

Newspaper dated 8 July 1881:

Valley Pct. settled about 1863, then part of Chicago Pct., east of the Elkhorn River.

Lands taken by Homestead & Pre-emption law. Some early settlers were: Eli JOHNSON, Isaac THOMPSON, W. A. DENTON, Wm. SHEET, FOUTS Bros. & others. Many are still here.

In the early days there was no railroad, schools or churches. The nearest market was at Omaha, 30 miles by wagon road.

Church services were held in homesteader's cabins. Old gov't. freight wagons were drawn by 2 yoke of cattle with a large hay rack seating 20-40 persons were used to haul people to church.

House raisings were the order of the day and everyone attended.

The precinct contains 36,854 acres.

Population is about 1500.

The value of the real estate increased from $1.25 an acre in 1865, or about $46,000. with no pesonal property, to $387,319. in 15 years.

 

Newspaper dated 6 January 1882, article by J. H. LOGAN.

First settlers to Elkhorn Valley came 20 June 1863 to the Western part of Douglas Co. between the Platte and Elkhorn Rivers. Many improvements have been made in the 15 years since:
1. A wagon road built across the Elkhorn River.
2. The Union Pacific RR arrived.
3. From the early 20 people to now about 1500.
4. In May 1881 the pct has: 700 horses, 5000 cattle, 3000 hogs and real estate value of $200,000. There are still 1000's of acres of unimproved lands available for $8. to $15. per acre.
5. Waterloo:
     Located on west bank of Elkhorn River on UPRR, west of Omaha, 31 miles by rail.
     Waterpower on river owned by Elam CLARK & Sons and this water power is partially utilized in driving Waterloo Mills.
UPRR built a depot Jan. 1876.
     Town has 400 inhabitants.
Waterloo has:
2 schools with about 100 pupils. Prof. G.G. BURTON, supt.
Presbyterian Church & site for Christian Church.
Mr. C. P. COY, raises & ships garden seeds.
Ben. F. Bell, Ed. Nelson, H. Young of Wash. Co. NY also opened up garden seed enterprise in Nebr.
Mr. FELKEN, Mr. DAVIS & J.T. CLARKSON bailed & shipped large amounts of hay.

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J. R. TRABER, grows trees for transplanting.
W. C. B. ALLEN of Omaha, preparing ground for a park in west edge of town.
Town lots are selling for $25. to $50.
Waterloo Bldg. & Loan was inc. Sept. 1881 by W. H. CLARK, J. McLAUGHLIN, G. A. BRYANT.
General merchandise: James G. HERRINGTON & Wm. R. HOLLIDAY who employ Mr. J. R. TRABER & Mr. W. B. WORKMAN.
General merchandise: Mr. M.W.E. PURCHASE & R. H. BARBER for 6 years. Also have cattle, hogs & agric. implements.
Dr. R. H. HUDDLESTON, drug store. Son, Harry, clerk.
Waterloo Mills: owned by Elam CLARK & Sons for 5 years. Employ 11 men on average. Also have grain business at Weston, named CLARKS, EATON & Co.
D. C. KERR, hardware
S. M. GILBERT, groceries
W. W. KING, harness & saddlery
F. GOETZ, blacksmith & wagon maker
T. D. TODD, Waterloo House Hotel & livery
John FLOOD, new Southside Hotel & feed stable
Dr. James McLAUGHLIN, lumber, groceries
Wm. FINNEY, broom factory
G. G. BURTON, importer, breeder & shipper of various breeds of hogs
L.W. DENTON, butcher & stock dealer Messrs.
BARBER & YOUNG, butchers
J. M. HOPPER, contractor & builder
George JOHNSON, coal dealer
J. R. WATTS, greenhouse & vegetable plants
SUTTON & LYONS, masons & plasterers
Dr. J. E. VERMILYEA, dentist
W. H. McCURDY, painter
E. S. STOUT, fine hogs & poultry
Mrs. BRYANT, dressmaker
A. LEE, station agent & agent for UPRR lands
E. A. KELSEY, one of proprietors of the town & one of founders, came 1867

Town also has: 2 ministers; 1 attorney; 1 restaurant & confectionery; 1 boot & shoe store; 1 broom factory; 1 barber; 1 painter; 8 carpenters; 3 land agents; 1 loan agent; 2 insurance gents; 1 fresh fish dealer; 1 millinery store; 2 physicians; 1 hardware & tin store; 2 harness shops.

6. Building improvements in 1881:

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Submitted by: Georgene Sones, Omaha

"Grave Robbers" , News Service, The Callawa Courier, 23 February 1894, page 2, column 3. Prepared by R. I. McPherson, 25 June 1940. Article found in the WPA records at the Nebr. State Hist. Soc., Lincoln.

"Grave Robbers. Omaha, Feb. 16.... The old Morman (sic) cemetary (sic), located just west of the Village of Florence, was entered by a couple of grave robbers Tuesday night and the body of a woman was disinterred and removed to some medical college dissecting table. The name of the woman is unknown, as no record of deaths is kept. She was the wife of a farmer who lives a short distance west of Florence. Mr. McGregor, who lives in the village, was returning home late the night of the robbery. As he passed the cemetary (sic) he heard footsteps. He concealed himself and awaited developments. Two men carrying what is commonly called a gunny sack and a pick and shovel emerged from the cemetary (sic) and proceeded in the direction of North Florence.

Mr. McGregor informed the town marshal and an effort is being made to locate the grave robbers. The authorities are firmly convinced that the work was done by a gang now living in Florence. The Florence cemetary (sic) is one of the oldest burial grounds in the West, having been established by the Morman (sic) settlement in the days when Omaha was not. The cemetary (sic) is only used now by those who are too poor to afford a lot for burial elsewhere.

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STAR SCHOLARS

Source: Beatrice Weekly Express Oct 28, 1871

Star scholars are those who have neither been absent nor tardy and whose conduct has been satisfactory to the respective teachers. Star scholars were listed in the Beatrice Weekly Express each week school was in session.

Star Scholar (continued)

February 5, 1874 - Grammar Department - J ELLIS, teacher

Intermediate Department - Miss CHURCH, teacher

Primary Department - Miss ROPER, teacher

March 13, 1876
Week ending March 10, 1876 - Highschool

Grammar Department:

Intermediate Department:

Secondary Department:

Primary Department:

BEATRICE BUSINESSES ------1873

Compiled from: BEATRICE WEEKLY EXPRESS

July 31

BUCHANAN & LASELLE--started merchandising business in log house, June 1867--general stock of merchandise and agricultural implements

SAUNDERS & DRUM--business started Mar 1872--general merchandise, hardware, leather goods, furniture, ag implements

REYNOLDS-McCONNELL-DAVIS--business started Sep 1872--dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, hats, hardware, tin ware, ag implements

GEO W PLACE--business started July 1870--dry goods, groceries

BLAKELY-HILL--general merchandise for county & city trade, delivery wagon

MARSH & WOOD--business started Sep 1872--groceries, boots, shoes, hats, cloth, dry goods

L P PRUYN--business started Sep 1872--groceries, stoneware, willow ware

BUCHANAN--business started Sep 1872--clothing

J K LIGGETT--business started Nov 1872--groceries, queenware, wood-willow ware

J J RYAN--business started Apr 1873--general goods, jewelry, hardware

J KLEIN & CO--business started amay 1873--groceries, notions, queenware, wooden ware, willow ware

Aug 14

G W HINKLE--druggest--business started 1868

J Q THACKER & CO--business started Apr 1870--drug store

J F KING--business started Oct 1870--hardware

FLETCHER & PARKER--business started Apr 1872--furniture

S W WADSWORTH--business started Dec 1869--jewelry

Sept 4

GRIGOS & WEBB--1868-bankers

SMITH BRO-- 1872--bankers

C C DORSEY--1868--real estate

HOMERS & ELLIS--1872--real estate & law

T O WALLIS--1871 --real estate

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Beatrice Businesses--1873 continued

GR1GGS & ASHBY--Jun 1873-lawyers

S C DEAN--lawyer--mayor of Beatrice

GALBRALTH & HAZLETT--187I--lawyers

COLBY & SALE--1872--law firm for almost a year

EVERETT & BOYD--1870--Mfg boots, shoes, harness

J H ROOSA-1870--boots & shoe shop

Pacific House--hotel--K N Stage co

J A MCMEANS & SON--1870--Emery House

JACOB SHAW--came in 1858--blacksmith

AL SNOW--blacksmith

Fred BACHLE--Mar 1873--blacksmith

P L MAZON--carpenter

J R KIDD--casrpenter (sic), joiner

PATTERSON & HICKMAN--masons

T C PARKER-- 1870--stone mason & cutler

W C K1DD--1872--stone & brick mason

Wm HAGY--brick & lime brickyard, lime kiln

BRYAN-RITCHIE--mfg bricks

HALLADAY & DODGE--billard hail & bar

Wm HOWELL--"Blue Front" Billards

C N EMERY--livery & feed stables

DUNBAR & WALDO--livery firm

C W LYMAN--1871--lumber

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CASS COUNTY TOWNS continued

OREAPOLIS--This town, north of Plattsmouth, had at one time fifty substantial buildings of brick and frame structure and an endowment for a university provided. A seminary 89 by 34 feet was constructed and hope of a beautiful city was pictured by the promoters and citizens. Today, 1937, there is not a building upon the townsite. It is all plow-land.

Continued on page 101

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BEATRICE BUSINESSES - 1873 continued

Sept 4, 1873

Wm BRADT--lumberyard

PAST & MARSH--manufacture of native lumber

J B MCDOWELL--Representative to legislature--farmer

J O DEARBON--farmer, livestock raiser

Peter SHAFER--Pioneer city dray

S MYERS--saddlery & harness business-- 1869

S MINEHART--confectionery & fruit store, ice cream

Israel BLYTHE--restaurant & boarding house

E S CHADWICK--judge of probate court

O A AVERY--marshall

J W CARTER--judge of probate court

W D COX--county clerk & recorder

WEHN & PHILLIPS--Blue Valley Queenware store

BRADT BROS--meat market-- 1870

A TOWLE & CO--postoffice & book store ("PapTOWLE")

Henry REIMUND--tailoring

WETHERALD & SONS--Beatrice flour & grist mill, & elevator

COLEMAN-PALMER--proprietor of Beatrice Express & Nebr. Teacher (newspapers)

Beatrice Cement Co

Geo NICHOLS--artist, photographer

MAIIANA Bro--painting business

Louis WEHN--wagon, carriage maker - 1870

Mrs BURKE--millinery

Wm LAMB--agricultural implements

John SCHEVE-farmer 6 miles west of Beatrice

FARR & Co--restaurant

Lum FIELDS-barber shop

William HERWEKERL--bakery & beer hail

G W JOSEPH--gardener, raises vegetables, came in 1863

A G SPELLMAN--barber shop

Chancy T1NCHER--Pioneer drug store

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CASS COUNTY TOWNS continued

KANOSHA--Kanosha was located three miles down the Missouri River from Rock Bluff. It was an old steamboat town that at one time bid well to become a leading town inthe state. It had large stores, a school, wagon and blacksmith shops, saloons, doctors, and many residences. A ferry boat was operated here in 18551856 and the traffic was very heavy. Representatives in the territorial legislature tried unsuccessfully to get the penitentiary located in Kanosha. The post office was established in 1855 and discontinued in October, 1868. The town was possibly named for Kenosha, Wisconsin. Kanosha died with the re-routing of the railroad and the decline of Missouri River traffic.

Continued on page 103