EBSTER
COUNTY, in the southern tier of Nebraska counties bordering the
Kansas state line, is 150 miles west of the Missouri river and is
approximately midway between the east and west boundaries of the
state. On the north it is bounded by Adams County, on the west by
Franklin, on the east by Nuckolls and on the south by Kansas.
Webster County is twenty-four miles square, with an area of 576
miles, 368,640 acres. The county was named in honor of the
statesman, Daniel Webster.With level bottom lands, terraced fields, rolling plains and curving hills, the topography of the county offers an ever-changing scene to the traveler. The Republican river passes through it from west to east. A large number of creeks flow into the Republican and the river increases regularly in breadth and volume. At flood stage it is destructive and on June 1, 1935 swept everything, homes, barns, bridges, cattle--before its angry rush. Other streams include one branch of the Little Blue in the northwest corner of the county; Elm creek, which furnished water power for the Amboy mill; Crooked creek, a spring fed stream, and Walnut creek.
In 1870, when the first settlers came to this community, the trees to be found along the rivers and creeks included burr oak, water elm, cottonwood, willow, box elder, hackberry, wild plum, red elm and chokecherry. The remainder of the county was mostly covered by buffalo grass and by a sort of slough grass in marshy places. The valley was almost devoid of timber, because of prairie fires and the beavers. Trees any distance from the bank of a stream were destroyed by fires, and if they grew close to the water, were cut down by the industrious beaver. In recent years numerous varieties of trees have been planted and add much to the beauty of the region.
Sorghums are now produced on large acreages; grasses of many different kinds, both for pastures and lawns, sweet clover and alfalfa have been introduced, and much of the land has been cultivated. In addition to the regular farm products of corn, wheat, oats, rye and barley, there is considerable raising of stock and dairy cattle, hogs, sheep and poultry. Turkey raising is one of the major undertakings and many thousands of these birds are shipped to the markets each year. The first crop in the valley was turnips, raised by Abe Garber who broke an acre or more of sod in August 1870.
It is believed that A. T. Hill of Hastings recently discovered the location of the lost Pawnee village, which was visited in 1806 by Zebulon Pike, a United States army officer who there hoisted the American flag where the Spanish flag had previously waved. The site is believed to have been six miles southwest of Guide Rock. Chief Caracterish lived in this village and ruled Pawnee tribes over a vast area. It was the mission of Pike and his hardy band to visit this chief and to inform him that the land over which he and his people roamed had been purchased from the Spanish and that the Indians had become subjects of the United States.
However, the true location of the Republican Pawnee Indian village has been questioned by Kansas, which claims that the site is near Republic, Kas., and has erected a $3,000 granite monument to commemorate it. The Nebraska State Historical Society board believes that the true site is in Nebraska, between the towns of Guide Rock and Red Cloud. Students have reached the conclusion that the Indian village site in Webster County filled all the requirements of Pike's narrative and map while the Kansas Historical Monument site totally failed to fill them.
Explorations in this county of the Indian graveyard have brought to light many interesting things. The pottery work, flint and stone implements, bone awls, picks and hide tanning tools are of the same design and workmanship as those of the Pawnees on the Platte and Loup Rivers. Several articles foreign to Indian workmanship were found, among them Spanish bridle bits, and spurs, United States, British and Spanish peace medals, coins, soldiers' buttons and two brass medallions. On the buttons and medallions are fifteen stars and on one is the raised figure "1" the number of Pike's infantry.
The following is a description of the Pawnee Indians, as published in 1812 in the Louisiana Gazette: "The Pawnees seem to be a sober good kind of people; the men are not so stout as the Osages and Kansas, nor so active and enterprising, though they are handsome and well formed; the women are ugly and filthy but very ingenious and industrious." The Pawnees were a race distinct from the other Indians and their language was radically different. This tribe consisted of at least three distinct bands, distinguished by the appellations of the Grand, the Republican and the Loup Pawnee. The two former acknowledged a common origin, but the latter denied any affinity, although their habits and language were said to indicate the same ancestry. These bands were further divided
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into sub-bands and families, each of which had its appropriate
mark or token, such as the sun, the bear, the eagle, the beaver,
etc. The Pawnee carried on a predatory warfare with the Sioux, the
Cheyennes and the Arapahoes, for many years.
The site of the Pawnee village said to have been
visited by Pike is not on any well-traveled or improved highway,
but many people have viewed it. A. T. Hill, the present owner, has
dug up the site of a large Indian ground house, complete down to
the original floor and showing the decayed stumps of the outside
circle of large posts and the fireplace in the center. Quantities
of pumpkin seeds were found together with other articles which
indicated that the occupants of that house had died of the
smallpox and no one cared to use the supplies left.
The cemetery of this village is unusually large,
covering acres of ground; there are three sections, the women and
children buried near the base of the bluff, the braves on the
higher slopes and the chiefs on the top of the hill.
Indian relics of all kinds which have been found
in many parts of the county afford an interesting study for the
archeologist, and a large display of Indian relics obtained in
Webster County, is featured at the museum in Hastings.
Settlers were lured to Webster County by tales
of great herds of buffalo, deer, elk and antelope, the large
number of prairie chickens and wild turkeys, and occasional tales
of gold. At that time the national government had been selling the
public domain to anyone willing to buy. Any group of men wishing
to settle close together had to go beyond the west line of
Nuckolls County, as nearly all the land east of there had been
purchased by speculators. The land west of this line had, by act
of Congress, been reserved for homestead entry. The western
two-thirds of Nebraska was then one vast prairie, uninhabited
except for bands of Indians.
Webster County was the first in the Republican
valley to be organized with a county government, the date of its
organization being April 19, 1871. The preliminary steps toward
the organization of Webster County were taken at meetings held in
the dugout of Silas Garber, who a few years later became governor
of Nebraska.
In the spring of 1870, nineteen members of the
Rankin colony left Omaha, to settle near the Republican river, May
16 they arrived at a large elm grove south of the present town of
Guide Rock and established the first settlement in the county. An
Indian scare caused considerable uneasiness and induced all
members of the colony to return to Omaha, with the exception of
four, Emanuel Peters, George Gardiner, Richard Paine and Donald
McCallum, a surveyor. Only two, however, Messrs. Peters and
McCallum, remained permanently. They constructed as living
quarters, a dugout, the first of its kind in the county. They
called the place Guide Rock, named for a conspicuous landmark, the
large rocky bluff on the opposite side of the river.
About this same time Silas, Joseph and Abram
Garber made an extended trip through the valley. Returning to
Beatrice they found several other men desirous of locating on
frontier lands, and in May 1870 the Garbers, A. M. Talbott, Albert
Lathrop, Sam Davis, Thomas Comstock, and William McBride arrived
at Guide Rock, where they found Peters and McCallum still living
in a dugout. To protect themselves from the Indians they built a
stockade on Soap creek.
The first white woman to come to the county was
Mrs. Joseph Garber, who, with her husband, located at the stockade
in Guide Rock. Another feminine first settler was Mrs. Sarah Rich,
a widow who took a homestead near Guide Rock. Soon afterward came
Mrs. Abram Garber and two children, Ida and Edward, Grandma Mick
and son Luther, and Maggie and Minta Reiser, grandchildren of Mrs.
Mick.
Silas Garber later in the season pushed on up
the river to the present site of Red Cloud. On July 17 the first
homestead entries were made in this settlement by Garber, Dr.
Peter Head, W. H. Brice, August Roats and David Heffelbower. On
Aug. 9, W. E. Jackson and James Calvert arrived with their
families. That same month the settlers erected a stockade on a
creek which flowed through the homestead of Governor Garber.
After the stockade was built immigration to the
valley was rapid and the covered wagons or prairie schooners were
seldom out of sight. Some of the conveyances were pulled by oxen,
others by horses, cows or steers. The first winter was a lonely
one for the settlers, the weather was cold, and provisions with
the exception of meat were scarce. Butter and milk were unknown.
Flour was cheap at Beatrice, but hauling it from the nearest mill
a hundred miles away, was expensive.
In 1871 a settlement was formed on Elm Creek,
between Guide Rock and Red Cloud, and a stockade was built
there.
April 19, 1871 an election was held to organize
Webster County and to locate the county seat. Forty-five votes
were cast and it is thought that every legal voter in the county
voted on that day. Silas Garber was chosen as judge, A. W. Brice,
treasurer, Thomas B. Williams clerk, William E. Jackson
superintendent of schools, Emanuel Peters sheriff, Donald McCallum
surveyor, George Taylor assessor, Joseph Garber justice of the
peace and A. Lathrop constable. A. W. Brice and William E. Jackson
did not qualify for their respective offices, so Edward Kellogg
was appointed county superintendent and Mr. Jackson county
treasurer.
At the time of the election the territory of the
county was all in one precinct. The settlements
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were mostly adjacent to the Republican, and as Red Cloud was
the most nearly central and convenient place for the holding of
this first election, it was named the county seat, with no
objections voiced.
On May 20, Joseph Garber, Peter Head and William
Fennimore, the commissioners elected, met in the office of the
county clerk in Red Cloud for their first session as officers and
divided the county into three commissioner districts. On Sept. 11
they ordered that an election be held in the several precincts of
the county on the 19th of the month, to adopt or reject the
proposed new state constitution.
The first regular election of the county, after
its organization, was held Oct. 10, 1871 and resulted in the
election of Peter Head, Joseph Garber, and Allen T. Ayers county
commissioners, T. B. Williams clerk, Silas Garber judge, William
E. Jackson treasurer, James Calvert sheriff, Donald McCallum
surveyor, Edward Kellogg superintendent of schools, and Dr. Peter
Head coroner. That same day the electorate voted to authorize the
county commissioners to issue bonds in the sum of $2,000 for the
erection of county buildings. The dugout of Silas Garber was used
for some months for the courthouse and county offices. Later the
offices were moved to a small log building which stood on the
northeast corner of Webster and Third Avenue, Red Cloud, and on
April 16, 1872 to the first structure owned by the county, a frame
building purchased by the commissioners for $250. This was used
until 1878, when a two story frame building was erected by the
Burlington and Missouri River Railroad Company for and in
consideration of the release of all the taxes that had accrued on
their lands within the county prior to the year 1877. This
structure was later torn down and the modern three-story brick
building was erected in 1914.
In January, 1873, Webster County was again
subdivided into road districts and four new precincts were formed.
Subsequently from time to time, the old precincts were reduced in
size and new ones were created to suit the needs of the increasing
population. Early in the history of the county the political
divisions of the county were called townships. Until 1885 the
court conducting business for the county consisted of three
commissioners elected at large by the electors of each of the
three commissioner districts, which extended from the northern to
the southern boundary of the county. Then, due to the fact that
the commissioners were nearly always chosen from the more populous
southern section of the county, leaving the northern part without
representation, it was decided that it would be better for each
township to have a representative on the board. There were
eighteen men on the board under this system and due to the expense
of paying this large group, the county form of government, after
several years trial, was again changed to the commissioner system.
The county is now divided into five commissioner districts and
each district is represented by one commissioner.
The county court was established under the name
of probate court Nov. 16, 1871 and continued under that name until
1875, when it was changed to the present name.
The first term of the district court in Webster
County was held June 6, 1873 with Judge Daniel Gantt presiding.
The county first belonged to the first judicial district, then the
eighth and now to the tenth.
The first trial in Webster County was that of
Peters and McCallum vs. Hicks, where the former sought to recover
the proceeds from the sale of buffalo meat in Beatrice from Hicks,
who had negotiated the sale and refused to make settlement beyond
a sack of flour and a few trinkets. Captain Munson and a Mr. Reid,
the judges, decided in favor of the plaintiffs. William Hicks was
killed on Ash creek by Richard Bobier July 4, 1871 during a
quarrel over an oak tree. This was the first homicide in the
county and Bobier was taken to Beatrice, where he was tried and
acquitted on the grounds of self defense.
In 1884 William O. Cox, using a billiard cue,
killed a Mr. Tobin at Blue Hill. Cox was brought to Red Cloud,
waived a preliminary hearing and was taken to Lincoln for
safekeeping. He was later brought back to Red Cloud, tried and
found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to the penitentiary for
five years.
In 1888 William Cole, a desperado, fired five
shots from his revolver across the street in Guide Rock into a
crowd of men, wounding two. Two nights later he was taken from the
village prison by a mob and hanged at a railroad bridge east of
town.
The first real law suit in the county was held
in 1872, Rutherford vs. Fennimore, a suit for debt. Rutherford
won. The first legal trial was that of a man named King, who was
arrested on the charge of selling liquor without a license. This
was brought before the county commissioners, who dropped the
matter after ascertaining that they had no authority to try the
case.
The great Easter storm of 1873 and the
grasshopper visitation in the summer of 1874 caused many of the
settlers to move away. Many of the remaining persons, even though
practicing great economy, no doubt would have starved had it not
been for the provisions, clothing and seed sent by residents of
more fortunate states.
The Cheyenne were the tribe of Indians most
feared in the South Platte valley. During the summer of 1868,
according to Emanuel Peters, government surveyors who were
sectionizing Webster County, were killed near Red Cloud. Peter's
group discovered the site where the slaughter took place
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the camp grounds were strewn with parts of burned wagons and
other things belonging to the surveyors.
The first wagon road that became marked by
travel was from the hills where Hardy now is located to the
stockade at Guide Rock. Beyond that to the west there was no trail
of any kind until late in the fall of 1870, when the stockade was
built near Red Cloud. All the early roads, like the schoolhouses,
were made by free labor. No bridges were built by county funds,
except those over the Republican River; these first bridges all
washed away. It required many years to learn to build bridges
strong enough to withstand the floods that occur nearly every
spring.
Schoolhouses of that early day were covered with
poles, hay and dirt roofs. The dirt roofs were cool in summer and
warm in winter, but were not waterproof. Mice often gnawed holes
which were not discovered until it rained and the water poured
through, However, the furniture was home-made and the floor was
the earth, so sometimes the moisture was needed to settle the
dust.
Dugouts and "soddies" were the most common types
of homes at first but with the advent of the railroads, the
settlers began to come out of the ground, i. e., they built houses
of timber. However, it was many years before all the dirt homes
were abandoned.
A branch line of the Burlington & Missouri,
or Republican Valley railroad was completed in 1878 from Hastings
to Red Cloud and Inavale. The first train ran over this road in
December that year, but the road was not fully finished until
early in 1879. The county commissioners, in April 1878, ordered a
special election to be held May 4 to vote on the question of
raising bonds to the amount of $47,500 (at that time ten percent
of the assessed valuation of the county) for the purpose of aiding
in the building of the first railroad from Hastings to Red Cloud.
It took about two years before the track was extended down the
valley to Guide Rock and Superior. The CB&Q railroad now has
approximately ninety miles of track in the county, and the
Missouri Pacific tracks cross the extreme northeast corner.
The town of Blue Hill was surveyed and platted
in September 1878 by A. B. Smith, the railroad town surveyor.
Cowles, two and a half miles east of the geographical center of
the county, was also surveyed that same month by Mr. Smith. Bladen
was laid out by Mr. Smith in May, IL886 for the Lincoln Land Co.
Inavale was laid out May 15, 1884 by W. H. Strohm for W. J. Vance,
the original proprietor. Guide Rock was laid out by Daniel
McCallum in September, 1873 and the site of Red Cloud was entered
under the homestead laws July 17, 1870.
The first school district formed in the county
was at Guide Rock, the next at Red Cloud and the third on Walnut
creek, all in 1871. The first school in the county was taught in
the Guide Rock district by Miss Mary Kingsley. In 1874 the first
teachers' institute was held for three days and a teachers'
association formed--just four years after the first white settler
stepped upon its soil. Today there are seven accredited high
schools in the county: Bladen, Cowles, Inavale, Red Cloud, Blue
Hill, Guide Rock and Eckley (minor accredited). Two other high
schools, Dist No. 25 and Rosemont, are approved high schools. In
addition, modern well-kept and well-taught schools are the usual
thing in all districts of the county.
It is a far cry from the present time, when well
laid out roads provide excellent transportation facilities to that
day in July 1872 when George W. Hummel hauled the first load of
goods from the Burlington & Missouri River railroad at Juniata
in Adams County to Red Cloud, for Messrs. H. Kaley and Saddler
& Co.
Rev. Mr. Penney preached the first sermon in the
summer of 1871 but Rev. C. W. Wells was the first Methodist
minister to labor in Webster County. He arrived at Red Cloud in
1871 and on Aug. 1 organized the first religious society in the
county. In 1872 and 1873 Father Lechlietner of the Roman Catholic
Church held services in the log cabin of William E. Jackson. Other
denominations soon had ministers and began to hold regular church
services and a number of these pioneer pastors became well known
over the county and state.
The first marriage was that of William J. Norris
and Hulda J. Rennecker on July 14, 1871 and the ceremony was
performed by Judge Silas Garber.
The first child born in the county was a son of
W. D. McKinney, born in 1871 on Walnut Creek.
The first sawmills were built in 1872, one at
Guide Rock by J. L. Columbia and M. Stratton, and one at Red Cloud
by J. G. and J. Potter.
The first newspaper published was the Red Cloud
Chief, established in 1873 by C. L. Mather. The Webster Argus was
established in 1878 by A. J. Kennedy. There are now three
newspapers in the county, The Commercial Advertiser, published at
Red Cloud, The Blue Hill Leader and The Guide Rock Signal.
The first liquor license was granted to Silas
Garber on March 20, 1872 for $25 for one year.
The horse drawn street car in Red Cloud
attracted the attention of travelers from far and near. Not only
was it the first in this section, but was practically the last in
the United States and as such received much publicity in
metropolitan papers. It was in active operation from 1889 until
October 1917, when the tracks were torn up for paving operations.
The street car line at that time was owned by R. W. Koontz. In
September 1887 the board of trade endorsed the street car project
and in October of that year the city council decided to submit to
the voters the question of granting a
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franchise. Nov. 8, 1887 the proposition was practically
unanimously endorsed--only four votes were cast against it. By
June 1888, trips were made from the depot to the principal hotels
in the business section. The business, however, soon "went on the
rocks" and the car line was sold at a sheriff's sale in September
1889 to Lloyd Crabill, who successfully managed it for many
years.
Among outstanding men who stamped the force of
their personality upon the history of the county was W. N.
Richardson, who came here in 1871, erected a building for banking
purposes and influenced bankers of established character to start
operation of a bank in Red Cloud; for some time this was the only
bank in the Republican valley. Richardson's credit abroad was
practically the only fund upon which the public business of the
county was transacted for the first six years of its existence. He
provided all the market there was for the farm produce until the
coming of the railroad and was the principal feeder, buyer and
shipper of cattle in the South Platte valley. Another such man was
Attorney James S. Gilham, who was regarded as having one of the
state's keenest and most outstanding legal minds, and whose
eloquence and command of the English language were not often
surpassed. This made his services as a public speaker much in
demand. He served as state representative from this district, was
the instigator of the formation of the county's Old Settlers
Association and added much to the intellectual life of the
community. J. L. Miner, a merchant, banker and rancher, was also
of this same classification. He was the owner of one of the
largest stores in the valley and later became an influential
banker well known in other states. His advice and backing
established a number of the community's residents in various
enterprises and some of them became wealthy by following his
suggestions.
ADAMS, RALPH EMERSON: County Judge; b Harrodsburg, Ind June 24, 1883; s of Ed L Adams-Alta A Strain; ed Minden HS 1904; U of N, BA 1907; conf course of study for Methodist ministry 1923-28; m Irene K Boasen Sept 20, 1904 Minden; d Grace Margaret (Mrs R C Kirkbride), Gwenn Alta (Mrs B J Harvey), Gladys Irene; m Rebecca Jensen Jan 1, 1923 Alma; s Ralph E Jr; 1907-13 prac law with father, Minden; 1913-19 indep law prac, Minden; 1920-23 farmer & stock raiser near Minden; 1923-33 asst pastor Hendley, Bloomington & Cowles; 1927-29 Meth conf evangelist in Neb; 1933 Webster Co judge; Neb Assn of Co Judges; Webster Co & Neb St Bar Assns; Lions; AF&AM 83, past master; Meth Ch, trustee & elder; Rep; hobbies, reading, sports; parents came from Ind to Minden 1885, father was Kearney Co atty & judge & 10th dist judge 2 terms; off Courthouse; res Red Cloud.
AMACK, GEORGE: Retired; b Franklin Co, Ind Apr 13, 1867; s of James Amack-Mary Ann Abrahms; ed Webster Co; m Florence E Stanser Feb 21, 1888 Webster Co; s Russell George, Lester J, Stanser, Edgar R; 1888-1930 farmer, Webster Co; 1930- ret; past mbr 15 years sch bd dist 85; Meth Ch; Rep; hobby, reading; parents came from Ind to Webster Co 1880; father Civil War veteran; res Red Cloud.
AMACK, IVAN T: Funeral Director; b Franklin Co, Ind Jan 24, 1874; s of Tabor Amack-Rachael Clark; ed Webster Co; m Daisy Craft 1896 Red Cloud; s Ora (dec), Ralph R; 1892-1900 emp in various vocations, Webster Co; 1900-10 farmer, Webster Co. 1910-18 farmed in Canyon Co Ida, 1918-22 farmer, Webster Co; 1922- owner & opr funeral home, Red Cloud; past mbr city coun 4 years; Neb Funeral Dirs Assn; AF&AM 53, past master; Meth Ch; Rep; hobby, gardening; parents came from Ind to Webster Co 1881; res Red Cloud.
AUKES, JOHN G: Dentist; b Cortland, Neb Oct 31, 1895; s of Ehme E Aukes-Anna Ruhaak; ed U of N Tchrs Coll HS, Lincoln 1913; U of N, DDS 1918; Delta Sigma Delta; m Jessie E Lewis June 10, 1919 Western; s John Jr (dec), Lewis Ehme; 1919-24 dentist, Orleans; 1924- dentist, Red Cloud; past BSA scoutmaster; during World War in US army service; Amer Leg post 238; SW Neb Dist Dental Soc, past pres; Neb St & ADA; Lions; ARC, Webster Co chmn; AF&AM 53; KT; Tehama Shrine; Congl Ch; Rep; hobby, sports; res Red Cloud.
AULD, JAMES WILLIAM: Retired; b Marion Co, Ia Apr 27, 1876; s of Benjamin G Auld-Mary M Schmidt; ed Griswold Ia HS; Simpson Coll, Indianola Ia; m Jessica Cather Oct 4, 1904 Red Cloud; s William Thomas, Charles Cather; d Mary Virginia (Mrs R H Mellen); m Gertrude Sanford Dec 17, 1933 Red Cloud; s James Sanford; d Carolyn Jean; 1898-1938 clk in State Bank of Red Cloud, later pres; 1938- ret; bd mbr & treas Farmers Inst & Webster Co Agrl Soc 20 years; mbr cemetery bd 25 years; mbr lib bd 15 years, pres 10 years; bought land & org pub lib for which W T Auld donated money, Red Cloud; AF&AM 53, past secy; Rep; res Red Cloud.
BARCUS, WILLIAM ARTHUR: Merchant; b Harrison Co, Mo Mar 4, 1872; s of William Henry Barcus-Elizabeth Jane Norris; ed Webster Co; m Mattie Melissa Horn Nov 20, 1890 Guide Rock (dec); s Harry H, Lee A; d Gertrude B (Mrs R E Randall); 1890-94 farmer, Webster Co; 1894-1902 with Blue Hill Creamery Co, 1902 mgr; 1902-18 in livery bus, sold horses & livestock, Blue Hill; 1918- in clothing bus, also livestock & sales bus & auctioneer, Red Cloud; past mbr Blue Hill city coun 10 years; during World War pur horses for war countries; Allied Clothiers Inc; Lions; Meth Ch; Rep; hobby, good stock; parents came from Mo to Neb 1880, settled near Guide Rock; res Red Cloud.
BENNETT, WILLIAM LOWE: Grocer; b Marion Co, Ind Dec 10, 1872; s of David Oliver Bennett-Jemima Anderson; ed Saline Co; Grand Island Bus Coll; m Mary Manetta Hoffman Oct 27, 1895 Webster Co; s Radford L, Rollo V, Challen F, V Meredith, Clayton F; d Mildred O (dec); 1895-1902 & 1920-24 farmer, Webster Co; 1902-13 P M, Bladen; 1913-17 shipping clk Dempster Mill Mfg Co, Beatrice; 1917 RFD carrier, Cortland; 1917-20 clk for J C Penney Co, Beatrice; 1924-30 clk, J A Denton & Son, gen store, Bladen; 1931- owner & opr groc, Bladen; past mbr city coun 9 years; 1931- mbr Bladen sch bd; secy Webster Co Fair Bd 1 year; IOOF, past noble grand & ch mbr; Meth Ch, trustee; Rep, mbr Webster Co Central Com; hobbies, baseball, sports; res Bladen.
BOLES, ARTHUR EDWIN: Osteopath; b Stockton, Kas May 7, 1880; s of George W Boles-Ellen Purcell; ed Malvern Ia HS 1899; Kirksville Mo Coll of Osteopathy & Surgery, DO 1904; m Gold Elsie Arnold Aug 20, 1914 Hastings; 1890-1904 emp in various vocations & farmed 7 years; 1904-05 osteopath at Pender, 1905-09 Blue Hill, 1906- osteopath, Red Cloud; Neb Osteopathic Assn; ch mbr, dist dep Lions, past pres; Izaak Walton; Episc Ch, past deacon; hobbies, fishing, hunting; res Red Cloud.
BULLARD, JOHN WALDO: Merchant; b Valentine, Neb June 8, 1890; s of John Bullard-Stella Noble; ed Kearney HS; Kas St Coll; Oregon St Coll; m Hazel Barnes Feb 25, 1914 Smith Center Kas; s Dale, Darrel; 1909-23 farmer, Webster CO; 1923- owner & opr gen store, Inavale; Rep, mbr Webster Co Central Com; maternal grandfather homesteaded in Webster Co; mother was sch tchr & trained nurse in Indian service; hobby, fishing; res Inavale.
BURR, DANA LESLIE: Hardware &
Furniture Dealer & Mortician; b Webster Co, Neb Feb 1 5, 1887;
s of Edwin E Burr-Ellen Fordyce; ed La Harpe Ill; Williams Inst of
Mortuary Science, Kansas City Kas; m Blanche Ferguerson Oct 5,
1910 Guide Rock; s Dr Neil Maynard; 1905-25 with father in horse
bus, farmer & mcht near Guide Rock; 1925- ptr of Glen A Ely in
hdw, furn & mortuary bus, Guide Rock; holds 2nd oldest active
embalmers
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license in Webster Co; past mbr town bd 6 years; past mbr sch bd 9 years; mbr lib bd 2 years; Neb Funeral Dirs Assn; Neb Retail Hdw Assn; Comm Club; AF&AM 128, past master; Rep; hobby, good cattle; parents came from Ill to Webster Co in early 1880's; res Guide Rock.
BUSH, NELSON BURT: Railway Agent; b Ellington, N Y June 25, 1877; s of Collins L Bush-Ella Ernestine Round; ed Oberlin Kas; m Elsie Louise Burgess Apr 17, 1901 McCook; s Lynn Herald, Eugene Carl; 1894-95 appr teleg opr & station helper, Oberlin Kas; 1895-98 relief agt & teleg opr McCook div CB&Q RR, 1898-1901 relay teleg opr, dispatch off at McCook, 1901-09 station agt at Almena Kas, 1909-14 station agt at Oberlin Kas, 1914- station agt, Red Cloud; an org Webster Co ARC; BSA supvr & appointer of scout leaders; helped re-org Webster Co Agrl Soc; Lions, ch mbr & 1st pres 4 years; AF&AM 53; Meth Ch, choir dir 35 years; hobbies, civic activities, music; off CB&Q Depot; res Red Cloud.
COPLEY, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: Insurance Agent; b Inavale, Neb Aug 7, 1891; s of John Robert Copley-Mary Elizabeth Blakewell; ed Inavale; m Sarah Ann Harvey Dec 29, 1915 Inavale; s Robert Edgar, Benjamin Eugene, Glenn Elton, Hugh Fenton; d Orfa Irene, Ila Merle, Phyllis May; 1919-21 farmer, Webster Co; 1921-23 distributor, Shaffer oil & Refining Co, Red Cloud; 1923-29 part owner & mgr sales & service dept Smith Brothers, Ford dlrs, Red Cloud; 1929-30 ptr of Charley Moffett in Moffett Motor Co, Mankato Kas; 1930 owner & opr Ford agcy, Burr Oak Kas; 1930-31 head salesman Chandler Motor Co, Mankato Kas; 1932 agt for Fuller Brushes, Red Cloud territory, head floor wax salesman in US; 1933 salesman with H B Kaley, Chevrolet dlr, Red Cloud; 1933- John Deere tractor salesman with Farmers Union, Red Cloud; 1935- ins agt, Red Cloud; 1931- police judge; past mbr vol fire dept 8 years; Lions; IOOF, past noble grand; Meth Ch; Dem; hobby, impersonations; father came from Manchester England to Neb, homesteaded in Webster Co 1873; res Red Cloud
CRARY, JOHN HAMILTON: Insurance & Real Estate Agent; b Hardin Co, Ia July 18, 1869; s of Alexander Hamilton Crary-Fannie T Jewell; ed Webster Co; LBC; m Marguerite Helton May 24, 1891 Red Cloud; s George Brewster (dec Oct 6, 1899); d Nellie M (Mrs F M Portman), Lucille (dec Sept 9, 1897), Velma Bernice (Mrs C E Greenhalgh), Cora Louise (Mrs A M Gourley), Mary Leone (Mrs George E Hall); 1890-96 clk & bkkpr in I W Crary Gen Store, Guide Rock; 1896-1906 farmer & stockman, Webster Co; 1906-17 ptr in I W Crary Merc Co, Guide Rock; 1917-30 farmer & livestock raiser; 1930- ins & real est agt, Guide Rock; past mbr city coun; past mbr sch bd 35 years, chmn 10 years, secy 20 years; 1930 twp census enumerator at Guide Rock & Beaver Creek; com mbr Agrl Conservation Program 1934-38; chmn Auld-Doudna lib bd 4 years; past master AF&AM 128, secy since 1928; Chris Ch; Rep; hobbies, reading, good stork; res Guide Rock.
DOERING, GEORGE FRANKLIN: County Clerk; b Burchard, Neb Feb 2, 1892; s of Frank Doering-Bertha Korber; ed Burchard; m Maude Ward June 7, 1917 Esbon Kas; 1912-17 teleg opr for CRI&P RR in central Kas; 1919-20 farmer with father, Burchard; 1920-34 teleg opr for CB&Q RR, Red Cloud; 1934- Webster Co clk; during World War in Co D, 353rd inf, in service 18 mos, O/S 10 1/2 mos; Amer Leg post 238; Neb Assn of Co, Commrs, Co Clks, Co Registers of Deeds & Co Highway Commrs; Lions; Meth Ch, trustee; Rep; father came from Germany to Neb 1883, settled at Burchard; off Courthouse; res Red Cloud.
DOUDNA, MRS MARY CRARY: Homemaker; b Whitten, Ia Aug 4, 1871; d of Alexander Hamilton Crary-Fannie T Jewell; ed Guide Rock HS; m Nathan M Doudna Sept 28, 1892 Guide Rock (dec 1914); s Howard (dec 1896); d Beulah Crary (Mrs A L Guy), Ruth Jeanette, Oma Jane (Mrs T D McCarl), Mary Frances (Mrs E D Detour), Nathana (dec 1910); 1892- homemaker; mbr & chmn book com Auld-Doudna lib bd 21 years, 20 years VP; dir Bank of Guide Rock 25 years, secy bd of dirs several years, 1901-03 clk; during World War chmn federal food com Guide Rock pct, twp chmn YWCA fund drive; Garden Club; VP, WCTU; OES; Bapt Ch; Rep; listed in Who's Who in the Central States 1929; direct descendant of William Brewster of the Mayflower; husband cash Bank of Guide Rock 25 years, also helped org Guide Rock Tele Co; parents came from Ia to Neb 1871, homesteaded near Guide Rock; res Guide Rock.
ELY, GLEN ALLEN: Hardware & Furniture Dealer & Mortician; b Guide Rock, Neb Jan 10, 1898; s of Lewis Watson EIy-Alice M Garber; ed Guide Rock HS 1916; U of N, BA 1920; Sigma Chi; m Helen Grace McCall July 16, 1924 Smith Center Kas; d Margaret Ann, Dorothy Jean, Barbara Jane; 1921- ptr of father in hdw, furn & mortuary bus, Guide Rock; mbr sch bd 2 years; past mbr vol fire dept; during World War in SATC 2 mos; Amer Leg post 278, mbr soldiers & sailors relief com; Neb Funeral Dirs Assn; Neb Retail Hdw Assn; Comm Club; AF&AM 128, past master; Bapt Ch; Rep; hobby, sports; res Guide Rock.
ELY, LEWIS WATSON: Elevator Owner; b Webster Co, Neb Apr 10, 1875; s of Charles Taylor Ely-Adeline Watt; ed Guide Rock; m Alice M Garber Dec 27, 1896 Guide Rock; s Glen Allen, Lewis Richard; d Helen J (Mrs P M Smith); 1896-1908 gen mgr R S Proudfit Elevator, Guide Rock; 1900-03 mgr W C Moore Elevator; 1903- owner & opr L W Ely Elevator; past mbr city coun 16 years; Comm Club, secy; Rep; hobby, work; parents came from Ia to Webster Co in early 1870's; res Guide Rock.
FARROW, MERTON GEORGE: Superintendent of Schools; b Osmond, Neb Sept 30, 1903; s of James A Farrow-Edith Stiles; ed Randolph HS 1922; U of Chicago 1923-25; WSTC, BSc 1933; U of N, MA 1938; Sigma Chi; Iron Sphinx; Phi Delta Kappa; m Orrel Rose Jack May 11, 1930 Atwood Kas; d Anne Lou; 1928-30 HS tchr, wrestling & asst sports coach, McCook; 1923-25 physical dir Hyde Park YMCA, Chicago; 1926-26 physical dir of YMCA, Lincoln; 1930-32 Jr HS prin & head coach at Red Cloud, 1932-35 prin Jr & Sr HS & head coach, 1935- supt; past scoutmaster & troop dir since 1930; Webster Co Men Tchrs Assn, past pres; NSTA, past VP dist 5; NEA, dept of secondary sch prins; Natl Assn of Pub Sch Bus Ofcls; Neb Schoolmasters Club; Lions; AF&AM 53, jr deacon; Presby Ch; hobby, sports; res Red Cloud.
FAUSCH, CARL NATHANIEL: Secretary & Treasurer of Farm Loan Association; b Orleans, Neb Dec 16, 1895; s of Robert T Fausch-Minnie Christophelsmeier; ed Guide Rock HS; U of N Sch of Agr, Lincoln, 1914; 1914- farmer, Webster Co, 1920- purebred livestock raiser; 1936- with Natl Farm Loan Assn of Webster Co, 1939- secy-treas; 1934-36 chmn Webster Co AAA; recd 4-H Club purebred livestock prizes at Neb St Fairs; with brother Henry, helped org one of 1st 4-H beef clubs in Neb; Farmers Union; Co-op Oil Co, dir; pres, ch mbr & 1st secy, Webster Co Farm Bur; Neb Shorthorn Breeders Assn; Evang Ch; off Red Cloud; res Guide Rock.
FITZGERALD, DENIS GERALD: Retired; b County Cork, Ireland Mar 3, 1858; s of William Fitzgerald-Mary Kelleher; ed Ireland; Ushaw Coll, Durham England 1883; 1883-90 asst priest, Macclesfield England & chaplain at Manley Hall; 1890-91 priest, Lincoln diocese; 1891-94 pastor, Falls City, 1894-97 Auburn, 1897-1906 Grafton, 1906-38 Red Cloud; 1938- ret; author The Quest of Coronado, 1901; promoted Webster Co oil projects; during World War chmn coun of defense; Neb St Hist Soc, Cath Ch; hobbies, music, stone collecting, hist information, instrumental in furnishing Neb St Hist Soc with Spanish sword believed to have been lost by mbr of Coronado Expedition 1540 & found in Redwillow Co; res Red Cloud.
FOE, EDWIN THORNTON: Retired; b Meaford, Ontario, Canada Apr 7, 1870; s of Edward H Foe-Lois Hurd; ed Webster Co; m Jessie M Squires Apr 6, 1913 McCook; winters 1890-97 tchr Webster Co; 1890-1901 & 1913-20 farmer, Webster Co; 1901-02 P M, Cowles; 1902-04 real est & ins agt, Cowles; 1904-13 cash Cowles Bank, 1920-30 cash & pres; 1930- ret; past mbr city coun, chmn of bd several years; chmn Farmers Elevator bd several years; past mbr sch bd; Red Cloud Golf Club; Meth Ch, trustee; Dem; hobby, golf, city champion 1937 & 1939; parents came from Ia to Webster Co 1873, homesteaded near Cowles; res Cowles.
FOE, HOWARD S: Attorney; b Red Cloud,
Neb Jan 3, 1892; s of Samuel W Foe-Elizabeth Heim; ed Red Cloud HS
1910; U of N, LLB 1915; Phi Delta Phi; Acacia; m Vernon Storey
June 26, 1919 Norfolk; s Adrian Alan, Richard B; 1915- prac law,
Red Cloud; 1919-28 Webster Co atty; 1934-37 city atty; 1938-
mayor; 1931- mbr bd of edn; 1915- secy lib bd; during World War in
field arty Camp Zachary Taylor Ky, in service 6 mos, comm 2nd lt
field arty; Amer Leg post 238, past comm; Neb St Bar Assn; Lions;
AF&AM 53, past master; Episc Ch; Rep; father & grandfather
came from Canada to Webster Co, homesteaded in the late 1870's;
res Red Cloud.
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in Nebraska |
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FRINGER, ALFRED FRANK: Merchant; b Red Cloud, Neb Aug 13, 1901; s of Adam Fringer-Anna Yetter; ed Guide Rock HS 1920; m Hulda Frey Aug 19, 1932 Gladstone; 1913-22 delivery boy & clk for Cady Gen Store, Guide Rock; 1922-29 asst mgr Farmers Union; 1929- ptr of Muriel Fringer in gen store; mbr city coun 6 years; mbr vol fire dept; 1918-19 mbr state 4-H champion judging team; Comm Club; IOOF; Luth Ch; hobbies, hunting, fishing; res Guide Rock.
FRISBIE, SYLVESTER WILLIAM: Miller; b Grandview, Ia Nov 2, 1873; s of Ichabod Frisbie-Hannah Patmor; ed Red Cloud HS; m Mary Florence Beal Feb 12, 1903 Red Cloud; s Howard I; d Patricia Gertrude (Mrs Glenn Turner); 1874 came with parents to Neb; 1890-93 tchr, Webster Co; 1893-95 tchr, Inavale; 1895- VP & part owner Amboy Milling & Elevator Co; 1924- with brothers Charles H & Frank S in hog feeding & raising bus; pres Republican River Pub Power & Irrigation Dist; Farm Bur, past dir; AF&AM 53, past master; RAM high priest; KT; Meth Ch, pres bd of trustees; Rep; hobby, irrigation; res Red Cloud.
GARBER, DANIEL: Farmer & Stockman; b Nelson, Neb Apr 3, 1875; s of Joseph Garber-Catherine Schaefer; ed Red Cloud HS 1893; U of N 1897; m Ruth Inez McCracken Dec 12, 1915 Lincoln; s Daniel J Jr; d Kathryn Frances, Ruth Inez, Cora Jean, Martha Lee; 1893-94 tchr, Webster Co; 1894-95 tchr, Cowles; 1895-96 tchr, Inavale; 1898-1900 farmer & stockman, Webster Co; 1900-02 foreman Tremain Cattle Ranch in Colo, rode round-up & followed chuck wagon; 1903-06 in real est & farm loan bus, Nelson & Superior; 1906- farmer & stockman, Webster Co; 1923-24 representative in Neb legislature; 1939-40 mbr 2nd unicameral legislature; Farmers Union; C of C; Congl Ch; Rep, past chmn Webster Co Central Com & past secy old 5th congl dist, del to natl conv 1912 & 1916; hobby, reading; parents came from Ia in June 1870, mother was 1st white woman settler in Republican valley; father Civil War veteran sgt Co D 27th Ia vol inf; uncle, Silas Garber, Civil War veteran, capt Co D 27th Ia vol inf, 1st Webster Co judge & later 1st gov of Neb. under new state constitution; res Red Cloud.
GERLACH, HERMAN FREDERICK: Livestock & Grain Dealer; b Cowles, Neb Feb 25, 1890; s of Fred Gerlach-Henrietta ___; ed grade sch; m Lena Knigge Dec 22, 1921 Cowles; s Ashton, Clinton; d died in infancy; prior to 1913 farmed with father; 1913-19 indep farmer; 1919-21 in garage bus, Cowles & Red Cloud; 1921- elevator owner, also grain, feed & livestock dlr at Rosemont & Delphia; 1936 Webster Co commr; AF&AM 296, Cowles; Scot Rite 14o, Hastings; Presby Ch, trustee since 1934; Dem, pct committeeman since 1920; hobbies. hunting, fishing; res Rosemont.
GRICE, FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS: Druggist; b Kankakee Co, Ill Oct 11, 1869; s of Daniel Griffith Grice-Birilda Matilda Taylor; ed Ill & Neb; m Fannie May Hutchins June 1, 1926 Webster Co; d Charlotte May; 1879 came with parents to Webster Co; 1894-92 farmed with father, Webster Co; 1892-94 in various vocations, Red Cloud; 1894-1907 clk for brother in H E Grice Drug Store & learned pharm; 1907-18 ptr of H E Grice & E L Grimes in Grice & Grimes Drug Store; 1918- ptr of E L Grimes in Grice & Grimes; Neb Pharm Assn; past master AF&AM 53; past high priest, RAM; past comm KT 14; Sesostris Shrine; Meth Ch; Rep; hobby, tennis; res Red Cloud.
GRIMES, EDWARD LYNN: Pharmacist; b Blue Hill, Neb Apr 25, 1883; s of John Franklin Grimes-Myra Lynn; ed Blue Hill HS 1900; Creighton U, PhG 1904; m Nellie Warren Apr 25, 1906 Red Cloud; s Edward Warren; d Myra L (Mrs K A Wolcott); 1898-1907 with father in drug bus, Blue Hill; 1907- 18 owner int in H E Grice Drug Co, Red Cloud; 1918- ptr of F J Grice in Grice & Grimes Drug Store, Red Cloud; past mbr bd of edn 6 years; Neb Pharm Assn; Neb Rexall Club, past pres; Lions; AF&AM, treas 15 years; Episc Ch, vestryman; Rep; hobbies, golf, sports; father came from Ill to Hastings 1876, 1878 came to Blue Hill, oprd drug store; res Red Cloud.
GUY, MRS ADA: Superintendent of Schools; b Crab Orchard, Neb Nov 12, 1891; d of John Wesley Davis-Lavina Victoria Dodds; ed Neb Wes Acad 1909; Neb Wes, BA 1912; grad work Hastings Coll & U of N; m Andrew Jackson Guy June 20, 1919 Lincoln; step s L E; d Margaret; foster d Edna B; 1912-17 tchr at Bloomington, Palmyra, Trumbull; 1918-19 tchr State Comml Coll, Whitewater Wis; 1922-24 HS tchr, Cowles; 1924-25 supt of Eckley consolidated sch, Webster Co; 1925-33 HS tchr, Cowles; 1935-36 HS tchr, Orafino; 1936- supt of schs, Cowles; NSTA; ch mbr & past pres Womans Club; Meth Ch; Rep; hobby, 4-H work, hooked rugs; parents came from Ia to Neb in late 1870's, father was minister; res Cowles.
GUY, ALBERT LEE: Merchant; b Guide Rock, Neb Mar 16, 1892; s of Clarence Guy-Mary Ellen Horn; ed Guide Rock HS 1911; Neb Wes 1912; m Beulah C Doudna Aug 9, 1916 Guide Rock; s Nathan D; d Mary Jean, Audrey Lee; 1912-13 clk in Charles Hodges Gen Store, Guide Rock; 1913-16 clk & bkkpr E E, Burr Hdw Store, Guide Rock; 1916-21 clk, in P L Gebhart Hdw Store, Salina Kas; 1921-27 farmer, Webster Co; 1928-35 dept head Montgomery Ward, Hastings; 1935- mgr Gamble Store, Red Cloud; 9136 (sic)- holds 1st place in Gamble Stores for tire sales; 1938- chmn city coun; 4 years mbr sch bd dist 61; Lions; AF&AM 53; Bapt Ch, past deacon; Rep; hobby, good horses; parents came from Ia to Webster Co in early 1870's; off Gamble Store; res Red Cloud.
HADLEY, MRS SUSAN BURR: Homemaker; b Defiance Co, O Feb 15, 1870; d of Phillip Reagle-Elizabeth Bacher; ed Farmer O, HS 1887; Defiance O Normal Coll; m Edwin E Burr Dec 19, 1894 Hayes Co (dec); m Luther F Hadley Nov 16, 1939 Mankato Kas; 1887-93 tchr, Defiance Co O; 1893-94 grade sch tchr, Hamlet; 1894- homemaker, Guide Rock; ch mbr Auld-Doudna pub lib bd, past secy 12 years; NFWC, pres 5th dist 1920-22; ch mbr, past pres Womans club; Garden Club; OES, ch mbr & 1st worthy matron; Bapt Ch; Rep, chmn Webster Co Central Com; hobbies, reading, flowers, needlework; Mr Burr early settler in Webster Co, farmer & stockraiser, later furn dir & mortician; res Guide Rock.
HAYES, FRANK M: Editor; b Fairfield, Neb July 4, 1909; s of Charles D Hayes-Beatrice Corder; ed Fairfield HS 1927; Standard Secretarial Coll, Long Beach Cal; Johnson Sch of Bus, Billings Mont; m Cleora Vaughan June 14, 1931 Smith Center Kas; d Beverly Joan, Virginia Lee; 1927-31 sign painter & interior decorator, Fairfield; 1932 clk for Yeager Brothers Clothing & Shoe Store, Billings Mont; 1932-37 linotype opr, Guide Rock Signal, 1987- editor & publisher; ch mbr vol fire dept; Comm Club; Dem; 1st treas Webster Co Y D Club; hobby, oil painting; res Guide Rock.
HOUSEHOLDER, FRED BRYAN: Postmaster; b Bladen, Neb Nov 30, 1894; s of William B Householder-Selena Ray; ed Bladen HS 1911; U of N, Sch of Agr, Lincoln 1914; m Ollie Spence Feb 12, 1919 Goshen Co, Wyo; d Dorothy Carol, Irma Jean; 1916-19 farmed for mother, Webster Co; 1919-35 indep farmer, Webster Co; 1935- P M, Bladen; 8 years past mbr dist sch bd; 1933-35 mbr Webster Co Wheat Program; past dir Farmers Grain & Supply Co 2 years; 1918-25 secy Webster Co Farm Bur; past dir Webster Co Fair bd 9 years; Farmers Union, secy 7 years; Neb ch Natl Assn of P Ms; Neb League of Dist P Ms; hobbies, hunting, sports; parents came from Ill to Webster Co 1878, father helped build Meth Ch on his farm, org & 20 years dir sch dist 42; 1900-01 representative in Neb legislature; res Bladen.
IVERSON, MRS HATTIE: Telephone Operator; b Webster Co, Neb May 14, 1880; d of W B Cramer-Adelia Garloch; ed Webster Co; m Oley Iverson Sept 24, 1904 Webster Co; 1904- homemaker, Bladen; 1911-32 bkkpr in husband's garage; 1932- tele opr, 1933- treas Glenwood Tele Exchange, Bladen; 1920 & 1930 pct census enumerator, Glenwood & Harmony; past mbr Webster CO Fair bd, pres home economics div 3 years; ARC; pres USWV aux 15; pres Kensington Club 10 years; Rebekah, past noble grand; RNA, Meth Ch; Dem, past pct committeewoman, Glenwood; hobby, travel; father came from Ill to Neb, homesteaded S of present site of Bladen; mother came from Ohio to Webster Co 1872; res Bladen.
JIMERSON, DALE LYTLE: Superintendent
of Schools; b Liberty, Neb Apr 9, 1906; s of Marion Dallas
Jimerson-Mary Elizabeth Lytle; ed Liberty HS 1923; Grand Island
Coll 1925-26; Doane Coll, BA 1929; D Club; grad work U of Colo
& U of N; Delta Kappa Phi; m Pauline McBride June 3, 1933
Western; s Donald Dale, Gordon Kent; 1929-36 HS prin & coach
at Ohiowa, 1936-38 supt of schs; 1938- supt of schs, Guide Rock;
NSTA; Ohiowa Comml Club, past pres & past trustee; Comm Club;
Congl Ch Rep; hobbies. hunting, fishing, sports; res Guide
Rock.
Part 1 County History (Adams-Jimerson) | Part 2 (Kailey-Wonderly)
Who's Who in Nebraska (introduction & directory, list of abbreviations)
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© 1999, 2000, 2001 for the NEGenWeb Project by Ted & Carole Miller