B. B. OGG was born in Sangamon County, Illinois, January 10, 1850. When a young man he came to Fillmore County and engaged in stock buying. He was Sheriff of Fillmore County for four years and has been elected County Assessor on the Fusion ticket.

      W. E. HENRY was born in Fairmont, Nebraska, October 7, 1882. He removed from there to Geneva and took up by appointment the office of Clerk of the District Court, left vacant by the death of his father, W. C. Henry, May 21, 1904. He was educated at the Fairmont High School and held the office of Deputy Clerk of the District Court prior to this appointment.

      E. D. BEACH was born in Columbia, Wisconsin, December 8, 1865. In 1870 he removed with his parents to Sterling, Illinois, and nine years later came to Fillmore County, where he engaged in farming and the insurance business. He is connected with the Republican party and has served his constituents as County Commissioner and Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors.

      M. V. KING is a native of Iowa, having been born in Lee County, January 24, 1844. When eleven years of age he removed to Taylor County, Iowa, with his parents and in 1884 came to Geneva, his present home. He has held various positions, such as Sheriff and Treasurer of Taylor County, Iowa, Postmaster at Geneva, Nebraska, four years, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors two years and is now Deputy Treasurer. He is the publisher of the Fillmore County Republican.

 

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

      In the first place, Franklin County was settled by three colonies, composed mostly of Omaha men, the Thompson Colony, the Republican Valley Land Claim Association and a colony composed entirely of colored people. The first homestead claim was taken by Barnet Ashburne of the Thompson colony. All three colonies laid out towns, but Franklin, of the Republican Valley Colony, was the only one which materialized. The colored colony becoming disheartened and financially embarrassed, left the county. Franklin County was organized in 1871, with an area of 576 square miles. The surface is mostly composed of rolling upland, which slopes gradually in terraces to the bottom. Eighty per cent of the soil is tillable, and the rest, comprising ravines and sandy places, is suitable for grazing purposes. The farm products are corn, wheat, rye, sorghum, hay and alfalfa. The Republican River flows through the county from west to east. This river has a large number of tributaries, many of which have underground passages in portions of their courses. During 1871 provision was made against the Indians by the stationing of a military guard about two miles above the mouth of Turkey Creek, although this precaution was found to he unnecessary. At this time most of the houses were either log or sod, but they proved warm enough to withstand the hard winter of 1871 and 1872. There was plenty of native timber for fuel, and though food was scarce, buffalo, antelope and wild turkeys were to be obtained. The county was quite thickly settled in 1872. At first the county seat was at Franklin, but after a long contention it was transferred to Bloomington. In 1875 Franklin County was given first place at the State Fair as to the quality of its farm produce and again the next year it had the honor of being the banner county in this respect. The soil is especially fertile, and land has increased to the value of one-third since 1897. There are 3,396 school children, 2,834 of whom are enrolled in the county schools. Over forty pupils received the common school diplomas at the close of the year 1902.

      EDWARD M. SHORT was born in Polo, Illinois, May 20, 1867, In 1869 he removed with his parents to Iowa and two years later came to Nebraska. He is a graduate of the Nelson High School and the University of Nebraska. In the Sioux Indian War he served as Lieutenant of the First Nebraska National Guard, Company H, and afterwards became Captain. In 1901 he married Miss Mamie Fager of Franklin, Nebraska. He was admitted to the bar in 1892, but never practiced law, engaging instead in teaching. He is connected with the Republican party and has been elected County Superintendent.

      DAVID F. WALRATH was born in Wisconsin, May 29, 1857. In 1887 he came to Nebraska, engaging in the livery and feed busi-

ness until 1898, when he began farming. In 1876 he married Miss Jennie Kisor of Minnesota and has four children. He is connected with the Democratic party and holds the office of Sheriff of Franklin County.

      J. E. THOMPSON was born in Franklin County, Nebraska, July 6, 1874. In 1885 he moved to Franklin, residing there with his parents until 1894, when he began teaching school. He received his education in the Franklin High School and Franklin Academy. He has held the office of Deputy Postmaster of Franklin, Nebraska, and is affiliated with the Republican party. He has been elected Clerk of the District Court.

      JOHN PARKER, JR., was born in Cass County, Michigan, April 14, 1853. In 1878 he came to Nebraska, engaging in farming until 1887, when he went into the real estate business. He was educated in the common schools He married Miss Mary Williams in 1875 and they have four children. He is affiliated with the Republican party and was elected County Clerk of Franklin County.

      MYCHEL HUFFMAN was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, February 10, 1826. He came to Nebraska in 1875, engaging in farming in Franklin County, where he has since resided. He received a common school education and in 1847 married Miss Sarah Shelley. They are the parents of six children living and have about forty-one grandchildren and thirty great-grandchildren. He is a member of the Populist party and has held the office of County judge at different times for five terms.

     CHARLES C. BROWN was born in Peoria

@ 2002 for the NEGenWeb Project by Pam Rietsch, Ted & Carole Miller