Historic and Descriptive Review of Nebraska

The site of the town of Tecumseh has been a point of settlement from the earliest history of the county. Some of the first-comers into this region put up their log cabins on this spot. Situated on the old Brownsville and Marysville trail, much travel passed through the point, and the nucleus once formed, the development of a town was a matter of course. Jno. Maulding laid out the town site of Tecumseh in the summer of 1856. The name first given to the town was Frances, in honor of the wife of General Johnson, from whom the county had been named. The following year, however, the name of Tecumseh was fastened upon the embryo town, history having linked the name of the noted redskin warrior in indissoluble association with that of General Johnson.
On the 13th of February, 1858, Tecumseh was made the county seat of Johnson, by act of the legislature. This gave rise to considerable ill feeling, though no town constituted a worthy rival, and an election was called August 2d to settle the dispute. The result of this election was to perpetuate Tecumseh's title and make it the seat of justice for all time. Tecumseh was made a post office point in May, 1857. Late in 1856 a wooden bridge was thrown across the Nemaha at this point,

which was replaced by a substantial structure in 1866. The city of Brownville contributed $600. The trade of most of this county at that time centered in Brownville, whose merchants thus showed much energy in securing all the patronage possible. In 1857 the water power of the Nemaha River was first used for a sawmill. Later a grist mill was put on the same site, which is still in operation.
Hard times fell to the lot of the early settlers of Tecumseh for several years. The opening of the war found it a struggling hamlet of about 100 persons, away from all important lines of communication, harrassed by the presence of refugees, horse thieves and militia in turn. As the war progressed considerable fighting was carried on through the town between the river points and the military frontier posts. At the close of the rebellion it picked up quite rapidly, many soldiers coming to take up land or enter business.
The first church building was the Catholic, erected in 1868. The iron bridge spanning the Nemaha was finished in 1869. In 1868 the court house was finished at a cost of $2800, and the same year a newspaper was started. The present handsome court house of brick and stone, in center of the public square, cost $40,000. The town was incorporated Feb-

ruary 4th, 1867. In 1880, when the action of the legislature limited the population of cities of the second class to 1500. Tecumseh could only count 1450 souls. On the 25th of April, 1872, the Atchison & Nebraska Railroad (now apart of the Burlington), ran its first train to Tecumseh, the event being celebrated by an excursion of over 500 of the citizens to Atchison. The Burlington & Missouri River Railroad built its line from Nehama (sic) City in 1882, continuing it west to Beatrice. In 1872 the first brick stores were erected. In 1881, 1882 and 1883 quite a building boom was inaugurated. and many of the principal buildings then erected are still among the best in town.
     Tecumseh, as it stands today, is indeed an attractive town. Situated on high, rolling ground, on the east bank of the Nemaha, the ample stores and neat, cheerful dwellings of its 2500 inhabitants are visible from a long distance in the country on either side. The population is composed in a large measure of native Americans, and the air of enterprise everywhere manifest, gives the stranger a most agreeable impression. A large business is done in almost every line of trade. Two good-sized flouring mills, one steam and one waterpower, afford a convenient market for the neighboring farmers. A good foundry has been in operation fifteen years. It has three grain elevators, three banks, three weekly newspapers. The water works (stand pipe), cost $21,000. There between 500 and 600 incandescent lights; nine churches, Presbyterian, Baptist, Christian, Episcopal. Methodist Lutheran, Universalist. United Brethren and Roman Catholic. One large brick and three frame school houses take care of the children. There are some fine limestone quarries in the neighborhood. Good farming land in the county is worth from twenty-five to fifty dollars an acre.
     The secret orders are represented by a Mason Commandery, Royal Arch Chapter and two Blue Lodges. The Odd Fellows have an encampment and a lodge. The Knights of Pythias and Knights of Honor also flourish. The Johnson County Agricultural and Mechanical Association, founded in 1870. holds a yearly exhibit at the grounds near the town.
      The future prospects of Tecumseh are bright. Inhabited by energetic and ambitious citizens, with a good trade, there is no reason why the town should not continue to steadily grow, increase and wax wealthy
     The towns in the county who depend on Tecumseh for supplies are Sterling, twelve miles to the northwest, 800 inhabitants; Elk Creek, seven miles to the southeast, 300 inhabitants
     Helena, about fifty people; Vesta, composed of some ten families, and Spring Creek.

     C. K. CHUBBUCK. Physician and Surgeon.--No one is better known or more highly esteemed in this district than Dr. Chubbuck, who has been a resident of Tecumseh for the past twenty-one years. Born in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, his early inclinations led him to the study of medicine, and with a view to his fnture (sic) profession read with two of his uncles then practicing in the State of New York, and attended the Susquehana Medical College at Birminghampton, N. Y., graduating there in 1859. Shortly afterwards during the yellow fever epidemic he spent nearly two years at the prescription desk of a drug store in New Orleans, and afterwards, on coming north he practiced in the State of Illinois in Morrison, Lockport, Lyndon and Dixon and finally located in Johnson County, Nebraska, in February, 1871. He has been county coroner for many years, a trustee of the school board, is an Odd Fellow and a member of the A. O. U. W,, is superintendent of the city electric light department. is a member of the Nebraska State Eclectic Medical Association, and is Secretary of the Board of examing (sic) surgeons for pensions. The Doctor enjoys a large and lucrative practice, and the justly earned confidence of all around.

     JAMES HOWORTH & SON, Dry Goods' Clothing, Boots and Shoes. Notions, Flour, Groceries, etc.-- the front rank of the mercantile establishments of Tecumseh stands the firm of Howorth & Son. The business was established in March, 1888, by Eaton & Howorth, who were succeeded by Jas. Howorth & Son, March, 1892. They have a splendid store 24x90, conveniently located, and filled to overflowing with goods. James Howorth was born in Lancashire, England. and crossed the Atlantic when he attained his majority. A stone cutter by trade, he traveled in Ohio, Tennesee (sic) and other states, and finally settled in Nebraska near Tecumseh about thirty-eight years ago. Here he has been engaged in farming and stock raising ever since his arrival. He is one of Tecumseh's pioneers, having early engaged in the mercantile business, the firm being Daily & Howorth, and along with Mr. Bivens started the first grist or flouring mill in this district. While assisting in various other lines of business he never gave up the farm, upon which he still remains at the age of seventy-four and operates as vigorously as ever. He is a Mason. L. A. Howorth, his son, is a native of Tecumseh who gained his experience in the store of Eaton & Howorth, and finally became the active partner some months ago. He is a K. P. Alfred, another son, represents the interests of his father in the firm, and takes an active share in the management. William, another son, along with Bert Shaw and Mrs. Buffum, ably assist.

     W. R. BARTON, Mayor.--The marble works of Charles Neidhart are here in the capable charge of Mr. Barton. He was born in Vermont and learned the art of marble cutting in his native State. He worked at the same in New Orleans, Galveston and Denver before locating herein 1884. He is an Odd Fellow and a member of the G. A. R., having served over three years in the 2nd and 12th Vermont infantry as dispatch orderly. took part in the Peninsular campaign under McClellan, and the Virginia campaign under Burnside and Hooker,

and was twice wounded during the sanguinary struggle. He is a man of many qualifications, which have been recognized by his fellow citizens conferring upon him the highest civic dignity in their power. He was elected mayor in 1889, again in 1890, and after a year's rest, reelected in 1892.

     E. PFEIFER. Horse-Shoer.--A thorough, practical knowledge of the anatomy of the horses' hoof is indispensible (sic) to the expert horse-shoer. Such a knowledge is enjoyed by Mr. Pfeifer who has now had a long experience at the business. He was born in Germany, where he learned his trade, and came over to this country some fifteen years ago. After working for some time in Missouri he located at Tecumseh twelve years ago, and two years later started business along with Mr. Clark. He now runs the business by himself and is kept busily engaged, customers coming from far and near who can confidently trust their horses in the skillful hands of Mr. Pfeifer.

     W. F. NEEDHAM, Merchant Tailor.--The well-dressed gentlemen of this neighborhood can always secure a perfect fit, a stylish cut, and good material for wear so long as Mr. Needham is among them. He is doing a first-class business, which necessitates the employment of from four to six hands. He generally carries about $1,500 worth of tweeds, cassimeres (sic), meltons and other suitings. He was born in Racine, Wisconsin. learned the trade with his father in Iowa in 1872 and started business in Tecumseh in 1887. He is thoroughly posted in his business and a highly esteemed citizen. His father J. F. a practical tailor and cutter assists him in the office and in the general routine of the business. He belongs to the Red Men and the G. A. R.. being an old soldier of the 10th Iowa Infantry and a member of the Brigade Band, 16th Army Corps.

     DR. P. V. R. DAFOE. Pure Drugs, Wall Paper, Pianos. Organs and Sewing Machines.--In a handsomely appointed store, 22x80 feet, Dr. Dafoe carries a choice stock of drugs, also Estey organs Household and Standard sewing machines. Dr. Dafoe was born in Canada, graduated there in the Victoria University in 1864. practiced in Canada for two years, and came to the States in 1866. After practicing fourteen years at Elmwood, Illinois, he located in Tecumseh and opened up his present business in 1881. The doctor has given up his visiting practice, confining himself to his store.

     CURRAN & PETTIJOHN, Johnson County Clothiers.--Clothing of the best cut style and finish, furnishing goods of newest patterns and latest designs, hats and caps from the best manufacturers, and boots and shoes suitable for all mankind from the plowman to the dancing master, can all be found in endless variety, with a trunk to hold them in, at the popular clothing store of Curran & Pettijohn. C. E. Curran is a native of Iowa and a painter by trade his father being his prentice master He followed the business in Missouri and Nebraska until four years ago when after clerking two years in a clothing store started business the firm then being Curran & Co., who were succeeded by the present firm in January, 1892 J. Pettijohn was born in Missouri farmed in his native State. railroaded for some time in Iowa, and returned to Missouri where he farmed for twenty years previous to his locating in Tecumseh and joining Mr. Curran. They do a splendid business, keep two or three clerks. handle a stock of from $10,000 to $15,000. and sell the same at prices which render competition barely possible.

     JOHNSON COUNTY JOURNAL Pool & Cooper, Editors and Publishers.--This is a Democratic journal which has had a continuous existence in a Republican district since its establishment in March, 1879, when it was one out of five Democratic newspapers then existent in the State of Nebraska. It is a weekly, six-column quarto blessed with a splendid circulation 'and a lucrative advertising patronage. It was established by Barnhart & Pool, conducted for six years by C. W. Pool alone, and in 1887 taken in charge of the present firm. C. W. Pool was born in Henry County, Illinois, and has been a resident of Nebraska for the past twenty-seven years, with the exception of the time spent in learning the printers' art in Putnam County. Illinois. He belongs to the Masonic Fraternity. H. L. Cooper, a native of Fulton County, Illinois, has enjoyed twenty-five years' experience of the printing business and was one of the proprietors of the Clarinda (Ia.) Democrat, coming here in the spring of 1887. Mr. Pool, some three years ago, began the breeding of trotting horses, some of which already make their mark on the track. He now has some very promising colts, which he has entered at the State Fair and at Independence, Iowa.

     COMPTON & PORTER, Attorneys and Abstracters.--(COMPTON & BEATTY. Real Estate.)--A correct abstract of title can be easily secured at the office of Compton & Porter, where Mr. Compton, who is also an attorney, superintends the abstracts Mr. Porter the legal work of the office. and Mr. Beatty the real estate, each managing their departments with vigor and success. W. B. Compton was born in Pennsylvania, taught till he was twenty-two years of age, spent from 1879 to 1885 at the mines in Dakota and Idaho. then located in Tecumseh, and was elected county superintendent in 1886, holding the office until 1890. Meanwhile he had formed his present partnership, and. on being freed from his duties as superintendent at once devoted his time to the business of the abstract office. He is an Odd Fellow, a K. P., and a member of the A. O. U. W. S. D. Porter is a native of Ohio, and an attorney by profession. He has been a resident of Nebraska for about a quarter of a century and began the practice of his profession in Nebraska City and continued the same until his removal to Tecumseh some eight years ago. He was a gallant soldier during the war, and is now an enthusiastic member of the G. A. R., of which order he is the commander. Compton, Porter & Beatty are thorough men of business and of unquestioned integrity.


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