There were no
settlers in this county prior to 1872. In 1873
immigration became so large that it was thought necessary
to organize into a county. The soil is a dark, sandy loam
with a silt subsoil. The people are engaged in stock
raising and agriculture, and alfalfa is covering a wider
range of land every year. The Platte and Elk, Turkey,
West and East Muddy Creeks water the land. The county is
situated on a high table land between the Platte and
Republican Rivers. In the eastern part there is a strip
of farm land from six to ten miles in width which is
quite level. West of this is some very rough land, in
which are found short, swift streams and many springs.
The hills, being covered with rich grass, make a fine
range for stock. The principal trees are the box elder,
walnut and cottonwood. The depth of wells here varies
from S to 325 feet. There are 1,778 county school
children and 5,301 of general inhabitants. Elwood is the
county seat.
W. L. TILDEN is
a native of Illinois, having been born in Henry County,
July 19, 1870, whence he removed to York County,
Nebraska, when twelve years of age. He was educated in
the high school of Bradshaw, Nebraska. After seven years'
residence in York County he settled in Gosper County,
where he has since been engaged in the banking business
at Elwood. He was in a bank at York for three years. He
was married in 1899 to Miss Cora B. Willard, and they
have one daughter. He is a Democrat in politics and is
serving his first term as Treasurer of Gosper County.
O. E. BOZARTH was
born in Pope County, Illinois, February 12, 1868, and
there grew to manhood, studying at the College of
Valparaiso, Indiana, and afterwards reading law. He was
admitted to the bar in 1897 and has practiced in both
Illinois and Nebraska. He also taught school in Illinois
for twelve years. In June, 1901, he came to Nebraska, and
in December of the same year was married to Miss Stella
Matthews of Lincoln, Illinois. Mr. Bozarth is the County
Attorney of Gosper County, having been elected on the
Independent ticket.
G. B. CHASE was
born in Ontario County. New York, April 1, 1839; went to
Michigan in 1843, and came to Nebraska in 1880. During
the Civil War he enlisted in Company C of the Fourth
Michigan Cavalry, being a member of the regiment that
captured Jefferson Davis. Five of his brothers also
served in the Union Army, all in different companies. In
1865 he was married to Miss Martha Drennan, and they have
eight children. Mr. Chase has also done considerable work
as a Methodist minister. He has been justice of the Peace
several times and was once County Commissioner and, as a
member of the Populist party, is serving his sixth term
as Judge of Gosper County.
W. T. NOTT is a
native of Henry County, Iowa, the date of his birth being
October 22, 1866. He grew to manhood in Iowa and received
his education in the public schools of Washington County,
Iowa. In 1888 he came to Nebraska, engaging in farming
and commercial work and also traveled for a harvester
company. He was married to Miss Lorinda Park of
Washington County, Iowa, in 1888, and they have two sons.
Mr. Nott is a member of the Populist party, and has been
elected Clerk of Gosper County.
MILTON WINSLOW
was born in Grant County, Indiana, December 23, 1853,
where he lived until his twenty-third year, when he went
to Iowa and two years later came to Nebraska. He was
educated in the common schools of Indiana. His ancestors
were among the early settlers of New England. Mr. Winslow
was married to Miss Viola May Miller in 1881, and they
have four children. He is serving his second term as
Sheriff of Gosper County, and is associated with the
Populist party.
W. M. UMBERGER
was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, March 31,
1855, and was brought up and educated there, coming to
Nebraska in 1891. In 1889 he was married to Miss Mary
Barber, and they have five
