Hall County, Nebraska, 1890 History, Chapter XXVII USGenWeb Project NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the internet, data may be used by non-commercial researchers, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, nor for presentation in any form by any other organization or individual. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than as stated above, must obtain express written permission from the author, or the submitter and from the listed USGenWeb Project archivist. *************** Transcribed by Kaylynn Loveland, audriana@ginetworks.com NEGenWeb Project Hall County "Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton Counties" Published 1890 by the Goodspeed Publishing Co., Chicago, Ill. (Note: Includes Hall County Only) HALL COUNTY CHAPTER XXVII WOOD RIVER-COMMENCEMENT-SOME FIRST THINGS-GROWTH AND UPBUILDING-EARLY COMMERCIAL INTERESTS -PIONEER MERCHANTS-THE GAZETTE-INCORPORATION-POPULATION-PRESENT BUSINESS-BANK --RELIGIOUS SOCIETES-SECRET AND BENEVOLENT ORGANIZATIONS-DONIPHAN-LO CATION, ELEVATION, ETC.-EVENTS OF IMPORTANCE-EARLY HAPPEN- INGS-FIRE OF 1887-CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS-OTHER VILLAGES-ALDA-UNDERWOOD-SPEN- CER-CAIRO-RUNNELSBURG AND SHELTON Touch us gently, Time! Let us Glide adown thy stream Gently-as we sometimes glide Through a quiet dream Page 598 Wood River was commenced at the old site of the Union Pacific dept, two miles west of its present location, in 1871. A. A. Baker, a native of Canada, erected the first store there, a small general merchandise establishment. James A. Jackson, who had conducted a general merchadise store a half mile from the old town, abandoned his old store building and erected one in the new town. This was the second building, and Mr. Jackson was the second resident of old Wood River. The town had grown to some thirty buildings in 1873, when the Union Pacific depot was moved to its present site. The town followed it. James A. Jackson was the first to reach the new town with store building and stocek, the same building he still occupies. He also moved his dwelling house. Others followed his example until the old town was abandoned. The new town grew slowly, Mr. Jackson and family and Mr. G. A. Hollister, the first postmaster of the place, being the only inhabitants for some time. After the year 1876 the town grew rapidly until in 1882, when it was incorporated with a population of something less than 700. N. T. Brittin, who entered his homestead one-half mile south of Wood River in 1871, established a business house in the village in 1880, and was appointed postmaster. John Maher, who on June 28, 1862, settled on Section 23, Wood River, near the California trail, well remembers the days of primitive Nebraska. There were only a few settlers in the whole county. Herds of buffalo, deer, antelope and wolves roamed at large, chsed by Indians in small and large bodies. On one occasion he and family were driven from home and did not dare to return for about fifteen months. James Jackson, who in 1864 built a store-house and opend the first stock of goods at Wood River, settler there in 1860. In 1869 he killed a wild buffalo on the site of the present town, and the following year erected the first modern store. Page 599 Wood River in 1879 comprosed the following business men: Bush & Paine, grain dealers; A. M. Hanscom and E. J. McDermott, blacksmiths; A. G. Hollister, postmaster and grocer; W. B. Hollister, railroad agent; C. M. Horn, shoemaker; J. Kennedy, saloon and hotel, and James Jackson, general merchant. Wood River in November, 1884, was popularly credited with 700 people. C. W. Stoddard was the new proprietor of the Commercial House, and J. H. Shick of the Wood River House; Stoddard Bros., Thomas J. Dunn, Thomas Langan and Henry Janss were engaged in mercantile trade; R. H. Dodd, in the grain trade, and C. C. Bense in the lumber trade; W. W. Hollister was president of the Wood River bank, Miss Simpson carred on the millinery business; Dr. Gilligan was physician; Claus Fransenberg, butcher; E. C. White, drayman, and James Williams, livery stable owner, and J. B. Hurman, shoe dealer. The Catholic church completed this year, after pans by Architect Ebert, is the leading building; Rev. J. G. Tate is pastor of the Presbyterian society, who own a small building, and Mr. Worths of the Methodist society, who own a smaller building. Wood River post-office was established in 1874 by A. T. Hollister. He was succeeded by N. T. Brittin, Mr. Hollister subsequently following him. During President Clevland's administration John O'Conner occupied the position of postmaster, and since Harrison was made president the post-office at this point has again been in the hands of N. T. Brittin. Wood River Gazette, a weekly Republican journal, was established in September, 1882, by R. H. Miller. Subsequently the paper was bought by James Ewing, who was editor and proprietor until his death, October 31, 1888. The Gazette was conducted by the Ewing estate till July, 1889, when it was purchased by W. W. Mercer, the present proprietor. The circulation is estimated at 600. this is one of the bright newsy journals of this portion of the State, and is conducted with a faithful regard to the interests of the citizens. Wood River was incorporated October 14, 1882, and James Jackson, W. L. G. Trapp, N. T. Brittin, J. B. Furman and James Ewing named trustees. James Ewing acted as president of the board until October, 1888, when F. M. Penney secceeded him. The president, with N. J. Parker, A. L. Johnson, W. W. Mitchell and Henry Chamberlin, form the present council (February, 1890). The Merchant & Custom Steam Power Roller Mills were built by Fred and William Thorp, in 1882, the present proprietors. The capacity of these mils is 100 barrels per day. The elevator at Wood River is owned by W. W. Mitchell, and the grain house by the Omaha Elevator Company. Wood River is now conceded to have 800 population. The First National Bank has a capital of $50,000; F. M. Penney and James Jackson are among the leading general merchants; Riley Wescoatt also has a large business; other general merchants are Fred Schwartz, T. J. Dunn and Jonn Maugham; O'Neal & Nolan and J. F. Langan are liquor dealers; H. Janss and Jerry Bown, drugs; Hollister & Howard and A. C. Murphy, hardware; Watts & Willimas, Williams & White and James Shick, prprietors of livery stables; Commercial Hotel, conducted by Fred Thorp; Wood River Hotel, by James Shick; O. B. Desoe and W. Paris, implement dealers; William Senseny, confectionery store; Austin Ryan, grocery store; Burkerd & Hooten and James Williams, meat dealers; M. J. Parke, coal and grain dealer; W. W. Mitchell, grain and elevator; Wood River Gazette, by W. Mercer; Maddock & Taylor, harness; Miss Annie Simpson, Miss Sherry and Miss McGuyre, dress-making; A. M. Hamscon, John Wilinson and J. D. Sanburn, blacksmiths; J. N. Harrison and C. W. Corman, physicians; Howell Lumber Company; A. Harper and Juckett & Jenks, barbers; John O'Connor, C. A. Bakdin and J. R. Jewett, carpenters and builders; Ed Bribelow and W. F. Curtis, painter; G. W. Miller, Brett & Johnson and N. J. Costello, real-estate; Charley Horn and A. C. White, shoemakers; N. T. Brittin, postmaster; John Quinn, stock-dealer; Tom Langan, restaurant; N. and F. Thorp own the mills; E. Baldwin, jewelry; C. A. Tracy, funiture. Among the improvements anticipated for the Page 600 town in the future are a number of much neede residences for rent and sale. These are to be put up by the building and loan association and also by private individuals. The Omah Elevator Company expect to erect anothr building here. Wood River has three churches, and a graded public school with six teachers. The First National Bank of Wood River was organized November 19, 1888, with H. O. Giffin, president; Patrick Moore, vice-president, and H. Chamberin, cashier. There are twenty-three stockholders reported and a cash capital of $50,000. The White River Land and Cattle Company purchased 400 acres from William powell, on the island in July, 1887, and introduced 1,000 head of cattle. The Union Pacific Stock Yards were established in August. In the neighborhood are a number of heavy sheep growers. In January, 1890, the Gazette published a list of feeders and a number of sheep fed by each grower in the vicinity as follows: Gifford & Eaton, 3,000; Young & Matthews, 3,000; C. Durbin, 2,300; F. C. Dodge, 9,500; G. F. Dodge, 3,000; Oswald Bros., 11,000; ---- Ferris, 2,000; L. F. Stockwell, 3,000; total, 36,800. Besided this number of sheep here the number of cattle being fed in this vicinity will amount to several thousand head, so it is plain that Wood River is a feeding point second to none in this section of the country. The amount of money paid out by this industry is no small matter in Wood River business circles. The Catholic Church dates back to 1861. Patrick Moore and his brother, Richard, were the first Catholic settlers in the county. They came here from Iowa City in 1859. The first Catholic priest to visit the county was Father Furman, a Frenchman, who came in the fall of 1861. He held the first mass in a log house, the residence of Anthony Moore, three miles west of what in now Wood River depot. The regular station for the priest was Columbus, Platte County, Neb. There were services here about once in three months by the priests located at that point, until 1877. The priests to follow Father Furman until 1877, were Fathers Smith, Kelly, Eflach and Ryan. In 1877 the station for the priest was moved to Grand Island, and after this there was mass once evry two weeks until 1887, when the present pastro, Father Lynch, was appointed to the parish at Wood River. The priests located at Grand Island from 1877 until 1887, were in order, Fathrs Erlach, Phelan (who came first in July, 1880, and died here March 10, 1884, from a stroke of paralysis), Smith (who was located at O'Connor for a few months), and the present pastor, Father P. Lynch. He was located first at Grand Island and took charge here in 1887. The furst church was built in the parish in 1868, by subscription. There were then only ten Catholic families: Patrick Walsh, James Crean, Patrick Nevills, Anthony Moore, Richard Moore, Patrick Moore, John McGinnis, Like Burns, Hohn Maher and Edward O'Brien. The new church was commenced here in the fall of 1883, and completed in 1884. An old pastoral residence stands in the town and a new one has just been completed. The valuation of all the church property is $13,000. There are 110 families in the parish. Bishop O'Gorman was the first bishop who visited the place. He came about 1870, and confirmed twenty children. There was an early organization of the Presbyterian Church here sometime in the decade ending in 1870. This was disbanded soon after, and the only reliable data in regard to the old Presbyterian body dates from the second organization in 1882. Members who helped to organize it at that date were: B. L. Caldwell and wife, Charles E. Townsend and wife, James Allan and sister Jessie, Mrs. Maggie Minor and W. A. Caldwell. The first minister was Rev. Fulsome, followed by J. G. Tate, C. G. S. Hullhurst, Rev. Woldr, and the present minister, J. Hatch. The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in January, 1872, with the following-named members: N. T. Brittin, R. Mitchell, B. Light, Isaac King and A. B. Ross, with their wives. The preachers in charge of this mission were: Revs. Fairchild, Marsh, Clarksen, Hancock, Marsh, Burlenson, Summers, Marsh, Dresler, Dudley, Davis, Worts, Leedom and Harper. The recorders were Rev. Page 601 Harman and G. W. Miller. The church house was erected in 1879, Messrs. Brittin, Barrick, Ewing, Harman and Jackson forming the building committee. Wood River Lodge No. 158, I. O. O. F., was organized February 1, 1888, with the following named charter members: R. Wescoatt, J. B. Leedom, G. r. Maddock, B. Compton, Elva Baldwin, O. B. Desoe, J. J. Workman, J. H. Wisong, Lewis Brockelhurst and S. N. Nelson . The first noble grand was Rev. J. B. Leedom; second, G. L. Maddock; third, S. N. Taylor; fourth, B. Compton; fifth, N. L. Sprague, who is the present incumbent. The lodge has now fifty-four members. Vulcan Lodge No. 34, A. O. U. W., was organized April 3, 1884. The charter membrs were: C. D. Gibson, W. F. Wells, James Williams, John Ewing, F. W. Cooley, C. W. Stoddard, N. T. Brittin, H. P. Chapman, J. W. Honnold, R. H. Dodd, J. B. Furman, H. D. Hollister, David Barrick, J. R. Jewett, C. J. Lowe, C. E. Taylor and Stephen Jones. The masters since organization are named as follows: J. W. Honnold, Stephen Jones, H. M. Jones, C. A. Baldwin, J. C. Boone, D. Barrick, S. N. Taylor and George Miller. There are eighty members in the lodge at this time. Wood River Lodge No. 704, M. W. A., was organized September 17, 1888; G. L. Maddock, the first counsel is still presiding. The carter members were G. D. Maddock, George Plummer, William Thorp, J. A. Shortess, Wilbur Mercer, Thomas Whalen, Oliver Mead, J. N. Harrison, John C. Bone and H. M. Jones. Wood River Building and Load Association, temporarily organized in June, 1889, was permanently organized January 1, 1890, with F. M. Penny, president; W. W. Mitchell, vice-president; W. L. Sprague, secretary, and Edward Baldwin, treasurer. Directors were F. M. Penny, W. W. Mitchell, R. wescoatt, George H. Howard, John R. Jewett, Henry Kuntz, William Thorp, J. Smoot and A. L. Johnston. The attorney for the association is M. J. Costello. The limit of stock is $25,000. The operations of the company are entirely local. B. B. White Camp 29, Sons of Veterans, was organized June 2, 1885, and a charter granted on the same date to H. C. White, captain, J. W. Hart, sergeant; R. J. Clark, corporal; A. B. Templeton, high private, William Searl, lieutenant; William Kunz, H. Hartz, color-bearer; C. W. Stoddard and E. C. Jonte. Woman's Relief Corps No. 61 was organized April 19, 1889. The charter members were N. J. Wescoatt, Jennie Trout, H. J. Tracy, Augusta Stephens, Mary Kunz, Mary Plummer, L. Ransdell, A. White, E. Taylor, F. Mathews and Emma Bly. The first president was Mrs. Kate Ross and the second Mrs. N. J. Wescoatt. Transcribed by Kaylynn 2000 © Kaylynn Loveland, Hall County NEGenWeb Project (End of File)