Historic and Descriptive Review of Nebraska

References by permission: Columbus State Bank, State Insurance Co., Des Moines: German Insurance Co., Freeport; Phenix Insurance Co., Brooklyn.

     THE THURSTON. Geo. Lehman, Proprietor.--The Thurston, of Columbus, for comfort and elegance is surpassed by few hotels in the West. It is the only solid brick hotel in the city. It is steam-heated throughout. It contains seventy-five sleeping apartments, while the dining room will seat seventy-five persons. Sixteen polite employes are required. The house is lighted throughout with both the electric light and gas, and has billiard parlors, bathrooms, barber shop, fire-alarm and bells (return call system). The cuisine is attended to by experienced cooks. Mr. Geo. Lehman, proprietor, is a native of Des Moines, Iowa. where he was raised. He has been in the hotel business twenty-one years, and is the oldest hotel man in the State of Nebraska now in business. He is identified with the K. P.'s and G. A. R., and served in the 129th Ohio Infantry. Mr. Lehman has lived twenty-six years in Columbus.

     HAGEL & CO., Wholesale Shippers and Buyers of General Produce--Established ten years, occupy premises 22x80 feet in extent, supplied with all requisite facilities for the advantageous handling of large consignments of general produce, embracing butter, eggs, poultry and fruits. This firm possesses extensive cold storage rooms. Three to five salesmen are kept busy in the interests of the business. Mr. Hagel is a native of Germany, and is a K. P.

     ALBERT & REEDER, Attorneys and Counsellors-at-Law. Rooms 1 and 2, over First National Bank.--Among the legal lights at the bar of Columbus, we note Albert & Reeder, successors to Sullivan & Reeder. I. L. Albert, born in Pennsylvania, came to Nebraska from Iowa, and formerly practised at Albion, Neb., and was admitted to the bar in 1881 in Iowa, and is identified with the K. P. J. G. Reeder, born in Pennsylvania, has been practising nine years here, and formerly practised at Hutchinson, Kansas. He is also a K. P.

     WHITMOYER & GONDRING, Attorneys at Law.--The above combination is one of the best in the city and stands in the front rank of the Columbus bar. Colonel M. Whitmoyer, born in Pennsylvania, studied law in his native State, where he was admitted in 1865. He is a K. P. and has been practicing in Columbus since 1873. J. M. Gondring was born in Chicago, Ill., and was admitted to the bar in 1884 in Indiana. They command the confidence of the people and the respect of their law brethren, and have ever proven a decided acquisition to Columbus.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK--The First National Bank of North Bend was organized in 1884. The capital is $50,000. The general appointment of the premises embraces all the modern adjuncts of convenience and safety. From its establishment the bank has received a large and liberal patronage from the best city and suburban custom, and it is classed among the leading financial institutions of the State. M. E. Fuller, president, is a native of Wisconsin; H. W. Nieman, vice president, is well-known in the milling business at Schuyler, Nebraska; C. Cusack, cashier, born in Canada. has been engaged in the banking since July, 1886. As cashier, he has shown much good management and enterprise, and that he is eminently the right man in the right place. The bank is committed to a wise and prudent management and its officers are justly esteemed in social and mercantile circles as men of the strictest honor and integrity.

ROBERT McVICKER, Real Estate, Loans and Insurance. Mr. McVicker has been established at North Bend fifteen years. He buys and sells all descriptions of city and suburban realty, and does renting and a general collection business. Money to any desired amount is loaned on real estate at fair terms, while in insurance Mr. McVicker represents numerous reliable and standard companies. He is Scotch-Irish and is one of the early pioneer settlers

here. He is highly esteemed in trade circles and is numbered among the representative business men of the county.

CHERNY & KAVAN, Lumber, Implements and Coal.--A leading establishment of North Bend is that of Cherny & Kavan, founded seven years. They employ competent help at their various yards throughout the State. They are native Bohemians. Mr. Cherny, who manages the North Bend yard, has lived here twenty-one years. They are among the foremost in their business today in this section, and merit the patronage of our many readers, to whom it is a great pleasure to recommend them.

HOTEL HILLDUM.--In compiling a review of this State, due mention should be made of the leading North Bend Hotel. The sleeping apartments are nicely furnished, and all the appointments are first-class. Commercial men a specialty. Mrs. Thew, proprietress, has lived here seven years, and in the State twenty years. Since she took the Hotel Hilldum, one year ago, her well-directed efforts in the promotion of the guests' comfort are substantially appreciated.

     Ashland is a city containing about 2,000 inhabitants, and is located on the B. & M. Railroad, about mid-way between Omaha and Lincoln. Twelve passenger trains stop at this station daily.
     The soil of the country surrounding Ashland is of a rich, black loam, and well adapted to the successful growth of all cereals. As a grain and stock market Ashland is not excelled by any. A large portion of the products of Saunders, Lancaster and Cass Counties are marketed here and the highest market price is always paid by Ashland buyers.
     Probably there is not another city the size of Ashland in the State that has as many commodious and expensive homes.
      Of the natural facilities mention must be made of the excellent water power afforded by her close proximity to Salt and Wahoo Creeks. The power afforded by these streams is pronounced the best in the State; and, capital properly applied and judiciously managed, Ashland could be made an important manufacturing center. On each of these streams are located large flour roller mills.
     Besides the two flour mills there are numerous enterprises of which we might speak, but we will merely refer to some of the more important: A splendid system of Water Works; Ashland Electric Light Co., 700 incandescent lights in use; Loan and Building Association; Swift & Co 's Ice House employing 200 men during the busy season: The Miner Institute; The Ashland Wind Mill Factory.
     There are six churches in Ashland: Methodist, Episcopal, Christian, Congregational, Protestant Episcopal, First and Immanuel Baptist, also a prosperous Y. M. C. A.
     Ashland is well represented by secret societies as follows: Pomegranite Lodge No. 110, A. F. & A. M.: Jewel Chapter No. 18, R. A. M.; Saunders Lodge No. 17, I. O. O. F.; Ashland Encampment No. 5, I. O. O. F.; Hoga Lodge, Daughters of Rebecca; Star Lodge No. 9. K. of P.; Ivy Lodge No. 62, K of P.; Ashland Division No. 23, U. R. K. of P.; Bob McCook Post No. 81, G. A. R.; Robert McCook W. R. C. Department of Nebraska; Dina Camp No. 286, M. W. of A.; Ashland Lodge No. 119, A. O. U. W.
     City officers: Mayor, J. C. Railsback; clerk, E. P. Folsom; treasurer, C. N. Folsom; police judge, Thomas Johnson; city marshal, Robert Hinkley. Aldermen: J. H. Snell, George Derleth, J. H. Oliver and H. H. Cone.

QUALITY HILL, Owned and conducted by A. S. v Mansfelde, M. D. A Retreat for the Cure of Diseases Peculiar to Women.--In selecting the City of Ashland, and the location adopted, Dr. Mansfelde made a happy choice, and Ashland gained a worthy citizen. The retreat is situated on the highest part of the gently sloping site upon which Ashland is located, where the air is dry and bracing, a position remarkably well adapted to the purpose, and the building is large and commodious, with an air of solid and homelike comfort about it. From five to fifteen patients are constantly being accommodated. Dr. Mansfelde gives personal attention to operations and treatment, and has also a graduate lady assistant and two nurses. Dr. Mansfelde was born in Prussia, Germany, Dec. 21, 1845. On completing his classical education he came with his parents to this country, where he entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, graduating from that institution in 1872, in the so-called "fire class." He practised for eight years in Chicago, then came to Lincoln, Neb., where he practised for three years, and came to Ashland, April 28, 1878. As a writer on medical subjects, he is widely known-and quoted, and his library includes over 1,000 volumes. Dr. Mansfelde was one of the original nine members of the faculty of the Nebraska School of Medicine, and for a number of years held the chair of pathology and histology in the Omaha Medical College. He was editor of the Omaha Clinic for about four years, and is a member of the American Medical Association, National Association of Railway Surgeons, Railway Surgeons of Nebraska, an honorary member of the Lancaster County Medical Society, and president of the Medical Society of the Missouri Valley, a member of the State Medical

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NEBRASKA'S ENTERPRISING CITIES.

Society, and was secretary from 1879 to 1889. He is also surgeon for the B. & M. Railway. The State Board of Health presented him with Certificate No. 5, being the first certificate issued to any physician in Nebraska, outside of the four members of the board.

     THE NATIONAL BANK.--The handsome structure which this bank occupies was built and is owned by itself, and would be a credit to any city. The bank, as a National Bank, was organized April 10, 1883, having formerly been known as the Bank of Ashland for many years. It has a capital stock of $100 000, and a surplus of $10,000. its officers including such well-known capitalists as Mr. O. M. Carter, of Omaha, president; Mr. S. S. Fales, vice-president; Mr. D. D. Cooley, cashier, and Mr. G. D. Lawson, assistant cashier; and its directors are: Messrs. O. M. Carter. S. S. Fales, D. D. Cooley, A. B. Fuller and J. J. Brown,

     JEFF. SMITH, Harness, Saddles, Collars, Five-A Horse Blankets, Carriage Lap Robes, Fly Nets and. Dusters, Whips, Brushes, Etc.--This establishment would take rank among those of any city, and Mr. Smith enjoys the prosperity that his enterprise deserves. Occupying all the building, on the main floor are displayed the various articles of the harness makers' goods manufactured and handled, while in the rear and second floor are the workshops and storage rooms. The firm has about ten men connected with it in various capacities, four traveling men introducing the goods to the trade in Nebraska. Iowa, Kansas and Colorado. Mr. Smith manufactures harness exclusively. He is a practical workman of twenty years' experience. He is patentee and manufacturer of the Adjustable Pad Skirt for slip tug harness, which can be made to fit a horse of any size by a quick and simple adjustment of the straps and buckles. Mr. Smith is a native of Illinois, and came to Ashland about five years ago, having been engaged for some time in the same business in Sioux City.

     S. B. HALL. Pension Attorney, Proprietor of Star Drug Store.--Mr. Hall, besides being proprietor of one of the finest drug stores in this section, as a pension attorney has secured many claims for the deserving heroes of our late war in this and other States. He has now over 100 claims pending. His drug store is centrally located and well stocked with a first-class line of drugs and sundries, toilet articles, oils, paints, varnishes, hanging and standing lamps. The storeroom is 20 x 120 feet. including the storage room in the rear, and the stock occupies all of the available space. Mr. Hall was born in New Hampshire, and during the Civil War served in the 41st Illinois Regiment. He has been a resident of Ashland for fourteen years, and established his present business about four years ago. He is an active member of the G. A. R., M. W. A, I. O. O. F. and Knights of Pythias.

     F. LEMON, Jeweler and Optician: Watches Jewelry, Clocks and Silverware: Spectacles Scientifically Fitted to the Eye: Fine Watch Repairing a Specialty.--Mr. F. Lemon is one of Ashland's enterprising business men who know how to keep abreast of the times, and he is patronized accordingly. His store is in the Wiggenhorn Block and is one of the most spacious and commodious in the city, the stock occupying half of the large store room. Mr. Lemon has been a resident of this city for the past four years and came here from Aledo, Ill., his native State. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity and Knights of Pythias

     C. J. EDOFF, Photographer.--Mr. Edoff's gallery and studio occupies two rooms and is the only business house in Ashland that has attained the elevation of a third floor. Mr. Edoff is a skilled artist and is prepared to furnish all kinds of photos at the most reasonable rates and finished in the best style, he having had many years' experience. Mr. Edoff was born in Sweden, but has made this country his home for many years past. He came to Ashland from Wahoo about one year ago, having been engaged in the business in that city.

     T. J. PICKETT, Editor of Ashland Gazette, Postmaster,--Was born in Peoria, Ill., and engaged in the newspaper business in Fulton, Ill., removing thence to Nebraska City, and came to Ashland in June, 1880, where he took the Saunders County Reporter, then a Greenback organ, changed it to Republican. It is a nine column folio sheet and has its main circulation in Saunders, Lancaster. Sarpy and Cass Counties. Mr. Pickett was appointed postmaster in 1883 and held the office until 1887. He was reappointed February 8, 1892. The postoffice is in the rear of the opera house block, fitted up with over 500 Seward combination lock boxes, and the furniture is of handsome rosewood finish. Mr. Pickett is a member of Pomegranate Lodge, No. 110, A. F. and A. M.

T. L. BLODGETT, Carriage Trimmer and Upholsterer. Manufacturer and Dealer in Harness, Saddles, Bridles, Etc.--This gentleman came to Ashland eleven years ago, and has been actively engaged in the harness business since. By fair and square business methods and careful attention to the wants of the public, he has built up a large and growing patronage, and a reputation for good work and reasonable prices. He occupies a building 20x60 feet. He is assisted in his work by his son. Mr. E. E. Blodgett. Mr. Blodgett is a native of New York, learned his trade in New Hampshire, but has been in almost every section of the country, and, like many others, has concluded that Ashland is about as good a town as can be found anywhere.

BRUSH BROTHERS, Drugs, Medicines, Paints, Glass, Eldorado Engine Oil.--The drug firm of Brush Brothers is a business house of reliability and high standing. The firm was organized as Brush Brothers in 1879, but previous to that the business had been conducted for several years by Mr. L. R. Brush, and both gentlemen have been residents of Ashland and Saunders County since 1864. Mr. H. Brush was born in Buffalo, New York; Mr. L. R. Brush in Wisconsin; but their long residence here has made them Nebraskans both in feeling and interests. They have all the requisites of a first-class drug store, while the prescription department is given the most careful attention. Mr. L. R. Brush is a member of the Masonic Order and I. O. O. F.. while Mr. H. Brush affiliates with the Masons and Knights of Pythias.

     One of the solidest little towns which dot the surface of our "Great American Desert" is pleasantly and attractively located fifty miles west of Omaha near the junction of the Wahoo and Sawa Creeks. It is the county seat of Saunders County and is located near its center. It is an enterprising city of nearly 3 000 inhabitants whose appearance has nothing of the speculative or ephemeral but is substantially and well built, standing upon a series of elevations proudly overlooking the landscape of the surrounding prairie and stands a monument to the pluck and untiring energy of the citizens of Saunders County. In 1853 it was made the county seat.
     The streets are regularly laid out crossing each other at right angles: they are of good width and have good side walks. The business portion consists of commodious brick blocks affording ample room for the display of the large stocks carried The residences are such as we find in most of our wealthy county towns where the inhabitants take a pride and pleasure in making comfortable and beautifying our homes. The professions of law, medicine and dentistry are filled with men of talent, while the business houses carry heavy and varied stocks of goods in their separate lines. The town has always been conspicuous for its banking interests: it has four banks at the head of which stands the State Bank of Wahoo with a paid in capital of $25,000.
     Wahoo has splendid railroad connections; no less than three roads give her transportation to all points of the compass. She has the Burlington, running from northwest to southeast of the county connecting with the main line at Ashland. The Elkhorn running directly north and south ending at Lincoln on the south and connecting with the main line at Fremont on the north. The Republican Valley division of the Union Pacific runs east and west.
     In early days the site of the Wahoo was a favorite camping ground of the Indian tribe, the Otoes, who then owned all the land south of the Platte River. From them it received the name Wahoo, which was the name of the burring bush which grows in such abundance along the banks of the Wahoo Creek. It is a fact of prehistoric lore that the creek received its name from the "Wahoo" and that this shrub was their favorite medical plant. There are advanced some other derivations of how the city got its name but none of them seem to us worthy of consideration. The Indian village was built right beside the creek. On its site the circular mounds showing its position and location still exist as a monument to the power of a once famous tribe, whose extensive territory has dwindled down to a small reservation containing about seven townships.
     The first settlement took place at Wahoo in 1865 and in 1869 the site was properly platted and laid out. In 1879 having over the requisite number of inhabitants (1,500), it was organized as a city of the second class.

     JOHN SCHRAM & CO., Hardware, Tinware, Stoves, Paints, Oils, Glass, Tools, Etc.--This is the largest hardware house in Wahoo, with a trade that would be creditable to any city, and managed in accordance with the enterprising and active methods which lead to success in any business. The firm was established in May, 1891 and at its head is Mr. John Schram, who has long been in this county. His son, Mr. C. Fred. Schram, is associated with him. He was for four years engaged with James Morton & Son Co., of Omaha. as special contract hardware salesman. The standing of this house is unquestioned, and their large and


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