Johnson County, NE; Union Pacific Railroad Business Gazetteer

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Submitted to the USGenWeb Nebraska Archives, January, 2002 by 
Bill Wever (negenie@inetnebr.com)


1885 U. P. R. R. BUSINESS GAZETTEER, JOHNSON COUNTY, BUSINESS LISTING

CRAB ORCHARD is a town of 300 inhabitants, situated in the
southwestern part of Johnson county, on a branch of the B. & M. R.R.
running from Beatrice to Tecumseh.  It is 14 miles from the latter
place, which is the county seat.  Crab Orchard is of steady and
substantial growth, and enjoys a healthy trade.  Like all places in
the state, the building boom recently struck this village, and many fine
business and residence structures were erected.  Among the public buildings
may be mentioned a fine school house, which was erected at a cost of $2000.
The Baptists are the strongest religious organization here.  They have 
lately built a house of worship in which services are regularly held. 
A. L. Mason Post, No. 169, G. A. R., is a flourishing organization. The News
is edited by R. H. Mitchell. Crab Orchard is the center of a grand grain
country, and shipments from this point are quite large.  There is a systemati-
cally appointed elevator on the side of the railroad track, which is kept
constantly in use.

Bank of Crab Orchard, J D Russell pres, W M Rothell cashier.
Commercial Hotel, J R Johnston propr.
Connell & Murphy, Hardware.
Crab Orchard News, R H Mitchell Pub.
DeCamp D C, genl mdse.
Dennett Geo H, agl implts.
Dilworth J M, druggist.
Ellis F H, blacksmith.
Ervin E, carpenter.
Hanna M A Mrs, restaurant.
Henderson A, Sta, tel and ex agt.
Hunt & Dulin, livery stable.
Johnston J R, propr Commercial Hotel.
Kearney Jno, shoemaker.
Lemon Geo W, meat market.
McGee E M Dr, drugs.
McClure & Griffin, grain elevator.
Miller K L, harnessmaker.
Minkler J M, dry goods, groceries.
Mitchell R H, editor Crab Orchard News, justice of the peace.
Muhlenbrock H, lumber.
Occidental Hotel, J A Van Osdol propr.
Petit Thos, contractor.
Phillips & Smith, blacksmith.
Rathbun I H, physician.
Rathbun & McConnel, drugs and groceries.
Redfield F A, groceries.
Rothell W M, notary public.
Sharrett F M, hardware.
Sharrett Geo, carpenter.
Thorp J C, barber.
Van Osdol J A, propr Occidental Hotel, groceries.
Warriner & Son, furniture.
Williamson A M, genl mdse.
Williamson A M Mrs, milliner.
White Lake Lumber Co, Hugh Bellos mgr.

     ELK CREEK is a place of about 350 inhabitants, located in the
southeastern part of Johnson county, 8 miles south of Tecumseh, the
county seat.  It is an important station on the A. & N. division of the
B. & M. R.R., and is quite a grain shipping point. The Echo furnishes 
the domestic and foreign news to the good people of Elk Creek, and its 
editor and proprietor, J. W. Barnhart, has reason to be proud of his
journalistic success.  There are several flourishing secret societies in 
Elk Creek, among the prominent being Elk Creek Lodge No. 90, A.F. & A.M.;
Elk Creek Lodge No. 11, K. of P.; Wright Woolsey Post No. 49, G. A. R.,
and M. Super Camp No. 28, Sons of Veterans.  The religious congregations
are the Presbyterians, of which the Rev. S. H. Thompson is pastor; the
Dunkard, the Rev. B.F. Flora pastor, and the Baptist, the Rev. Mr. 
Coffield pastor.

     Badger Lumber Co, lumber.
     Bank of Elk Creek, Russell & Holmes, proprs.
     Barnhart J W, postmaster, editor Elk Creek Echo.
     Beams G G & Co, grain dealers.
     Bock W H, sta, tel and ex agt. 
     Brown H E, groceries.
     Burress J T, livery stable.
     Carter G G, flouring mill.
     Commercial House, John Reilly propr.
     Conger & Ferrell, barbers.
     Eade E, carpenter.
     Elk Creek Echo, J W Barnhart propr.
     Fisher George L, drugs.
     Gregory G T, painter.
     Hall John, genl mdse.
     Hall J Mrs, millinery.
     Heacock P S, grain.
     Hogston J H, blacksmith and carriage mfr.
     Hoke W H, carpenter.
     Holmes S F, notary public.
     Karas A & J W, meat market.
     Lawrence & Colbert, blacksmiths.
     Lawrence J W, saloon.
     Libby H N, genl mdse.
     McClanahan W T H, hardware, furniture.
     McClure & Griffin, grain elevator, coal.
     Ogden & Smith, harnessmakers.
     Peery M, physician.
     Pentecost Ida B Miss, millinery.
     Phelen A, livery stable.
     Reilly John, propr Commercial House.
     Reilly Robert, painter.
     Russell & Holmes, proprs Bank of Elk Creek.
     Seiss Erhart, wagonmaker.
     Smiley T, blacksmith.
     Trice C W, physician.
     Weitz T T, agl implts.
     Whyman C A, live stock.
     Wind Bros & Co, genl mdse.
     Woolsey J G, painter.
     Woolsey W H, confectionery.
     Wright S G, drugs.
     Young J L, agl implts. 
     Youngman J W, physician.
     
     HELENA, a postoffice in Johnson county, 12 miles from Tecumseh, the
judicial seat and near the northern boundary line.

     Jansen Jurgen, postmaster. 
   
     SMARTVILLE is a short distance northwest of the center of Johnson county,
on a branch of the B. & M. R.R., running from Lincoln to Tecumseh, the county
seat, and it is 8 miles from the latter place.  There is a good hotel here,
the Wisconsin House, kept by H.L. Spencer.  Considerable grain is shipped
from Smartville, and McClure & Griffin have just erected a three story elevator
which is systematically appointed in every way.
 
     Aaron M M, physician, drugs and justice of the peace.
     Bratt W C, barber. 
     Collester Robt, blacksmith.
     Heacock P S, grain, J price Agt.
     McClure & Griffin, grain. 
     Smart Robt, genl mdse, postmaster.
     Spencer H L, propr Wisconsin House.
     Thomas G W, sta, tel and ex agt.
     Wisconsin House, H L Spencer propr.

     SPRING CREEK, in the northeastern part of Johnson county, is 11 miles
from Tecumseh, the county seat. (Note: according to 'Perky's', SPRING CREEK
changed name to COOK in 1888.)

     Hall P, genl mdse.
     Shaw E M, justice of the peace.
     Wiklund E A, blacksmith, wagonmaker.
     Yarwood N B, postmaster, genl mdse.
     
     STERLING, in the northwestern part of Johnson county, has a
population of 800.  It is in the fertile valley of the Nemaha,
surrounded by a superior agricultural country, and is an important
station on the A. & N. division of the B. & M. R.R., 10 miles from
Tecumseh, the county seat. There is a good flouring mill in this 
village, which is successfully run by M. H. Gartrell.  Sterling has 
good schools and two banks.  The Press published by Cassell & Moore,
is one of the enterprising journals of the state.  There is a fine 
brick yard here, and good elevator accommodations.  The pastor of the
Methodist church is th Rev. W. K. Lofborrow; the Presbyterians are 
under the spiritual guidance of the Rev. A. Herrick, and the Baptists
have the Rev. W. J. Evans for Pastor.

     Alford A B, propr Sterling House.
     Allison L Mrs, millinery.
     Amos W S, live stock.
     Angle J P, loans.
     Bales M E, harnessmaker.
     Bank of Sterling, C A Holmes pres, W M Rothell cashier.
     Bartling F L, clothing, shoes.
     Beams G G, ValJohnson agt, grain.
     Benner J F, wagonmaker.
     Biggs J C, wellborer.
     Boatsman & Johnson, genl mdse.
     Borland J M, justice of the peace.
     Borland W W, blacksmith.
     Bowman & McCoy, poultry.
     Burks J M, Implement Co., H. A. Allen manager.
     Carter John P, livery.
     Cassell & Moore, proprs Sterling Press.
     Cassell Laura Miss, milliner.
     Central House, C W Moore propr.
     Chicago Lumber Co, H A Bower agt.
     Christy M H, drugs.
     Clark E M, collection agt.
     Cowel L W, barber.
     Davis J M, physician.
     Ehlers Fred, shoemaker.
     Ellis C C, genl mdse.
     Ensminger L, brickmaker.
     Fletcher W A, pianos and organs.
     Ford J R, drugs.
     Gartrell M H, propr Sterling Mills, Manufacture of flour.
     Hall T R, physician.
     Hariss F A, agt T W Lowrey.
     Haye David, pumps and wind mills.
     Heacock P S, grain.
     Hershey & Catchpole, meat market.
     Heward C C, blacksmith.
     Hitchcock N F & Co, proprs Johnson County Bank.
     Jangen John, shoemaker.
     Johnson B M, hardware.
     Johnson County Bank, N F Hitchock & Co proprs.
     Johnson J W, livery stable.
     Johnson Val, agt G G Beams.
     Lee T C, genl mdse.
     Lester Z M, mason.
     Lowrey T W, grain.
     McCoy H I, agt White Lake Lumber Co.
     McIntyre J W, carpenter.
     Merrick & Dort, genl mdse.
     Merrill & Bowman, genl mdse.
     Moore C W, propr Central House.
     Moore E J, attorney at law.
     Moore E J & Co, real estate.
     Moorman S C, harness mfr.
     Muggy Nathan, boarding.
     Muggy & Long, meat market.
     Mumma Robbins, dressmaker.
     Noble A B, genl mdse.
     O'Connell D, agt P S Heacock.
     Palmer A B, blacksmith.
     Pearson A, hardware.
     Renshaw T P & Son, genl mdse.
     Rice J M, barber.
     Risser R S, meat market.
     Robbins E G Mrs., physican.
     Roberts Ida, millinery.
     Roberts L, auctioneer.
     Roberts T J & Co, furniture & jewelry.
     Rowel Wm, painter.
     Rowland D W, goceries.
     Sanford Allen, restaurant.
     Schlasman Adam, live stock.
     Skinkle G L, physician.
     Snoderly J R, billiards.
     Sterling House, A B Alford Propr.
     Sterling Mills, M H Gartrell propr.
     Sterling Press, Cassel & Moore proprs.
     Stinson F D, carpenter.
     Storms & Sanford, livery.
     Townsend J F, real estate.
     Tripp Chas P, genl mdse.
     Truitt A C, physician.
     Tyler J P, drugs, propr opera house.
     Varner L A, atty at law.
     Ward & Fraser, hardware.
     Watson R B & Co, furniture.
     Wheeler W D, photographer.
     White Lake Lumber Co, H I McCoy agt.
     Wigginton G W, harnessmaker.
     Wiggington & Whitney, livery stable.
     Wilson Chas C, books, postmaster.
     Wilson C M, sta, tel, and ex agt.
     Woodverton S E, insurance.
     Zink V, groceries and baker.
     
     TECUMSEH, the county seat of Johnson, is located at the junction of
the Brownville and A. & N. divisions of the B. & M. R.R., 48 miles from
Lincoln, near the center of the county, in the valley of the great Nemaha.
Population, 1,700.  Among its important features may be mentioned its court
house, an elegant stone school house, the opera house, and numerous churches.
A prosperous business is carried on by the Centennial Flouring Mills, James
Hill, proprietor, and the flouring mills of H. Summers & Co.  Other
manufacturing enterprise is evinced by the Tecumseh Manufacturing Co.; a
washing machine company, and the Tecumseh Creamery Association.  There are
two banks - the First National and a private institution.  There are excellent
hotel accommodations to be found at the Sherman House, while the Railroad
Eating House of S. W. Carney is worthy of the good reputation it enjoys.  
There are, besides, several other hotels.  The press has able exponents here
in the Tecumseh Chieftain, A. S. Swart, proprietor; the Johnson County Journal,
C. W. Pool, editor; and the Tecumseh Republican, Ball & Wright, proprietors, 
exerting a strong influence.  Their circulation is not confined to Johnson
county, but may be felt in adjoining sections where they circulate freely.
The religious organizations having churches are: Methodist, Rev. Asa Sleet,
pastor; Presbyterian, Rev. J. G. Krum, pastor; Universalist, Rev. Roripaugh,
pastor; Baptist, no pastor; Christian, Rev. Dr. Zeilie, pastor; Episcopal, 
no pastor; and Catholic, Rev. Father John Crowley, pastor.  The following
are the societies: Hamlin Lodge No. 24, I.O.O.F.; Harmony Encampment, No. 6,
I.O.O.F.; Tecumseh Lodge No. 17, K. of P.; Tecumseh Lodge No. 2, A. O. U. W.;
Tecumseh Lodge No. 17, A.F.& A.M.; Furnas Chapter No. 9, R. A. M.; Mount Horeb 
Commandry No. 10, R.A.M., and Heckethorne Post, No. 47, G.A.R.

     Alexander F P, hardware.
     Appleget T & Son, attorneys.
     Arnup & Hedrick, groceries, boots & shoes.
     Ball & Wright, proprs Tecumseh Republican.
     Baltreall & Ferguson, barbers.
     Berry Edward, grocer.
     Berry J J, restaurant.
     Blanford & Hoffman, saloon.
     Blume Fred, contractor, builder.
     Bridges, Jones & Combs, barbers.
     Brown & Runnion, auction, commission.
     Buerstetta Wm, genl mdse.
     Buffum Bros & Co, grocers.
     Burks J M, agl implts.
     Callihan & Sullivan, dry goods.
     Canfield A, agl implts.
     Carney W S, R R Eating House.
     Chamberlain C K, attorney.
     Centennial House, Mrs S E Ingrahm proprss.
     Chicago Lumber Co, C M Wilson mgr.
     Chittenden T J, furnishing goods.
     Chubuck C K, physician.
     Clark A D, blacksmith.
     Cochran C, physician.
     Cochran J, physician.
     Cody P H, wagonmaker.
     Colhapp D B, cigar mfr.
     Commercial Hotel, G W Tate propr.
     Conrad Wm, jeweler.
     Cottage Hotel, W E Worthen propr.
     Crow J H, wood, coal.
     Cummings & Cunningham, meat market.
     Dafoe P V R, drugs.
     Davidson S P, attorney at law. 
     Davis L M, postmaster.
     DeVenney James, billiards.
     Deveraux & Parker, groceries.
     Dorner Fred, harnessmaker.
     Dorr Bros, loan brokers.
     Ellsworth E A & Son, furniture.
     Egge C, wagonmaker. 
     Fairall T E, physician.
     Fingle S P, groceries.
     First National Bank, Jas M Irwin pres,
                          Wm A Wolf cashier.
     Forbes John, photographer.
     Freemole Saml, wagonmaker.
     Frost R M, saloon.
     Frownfelter D W, marble works.
     Gaiser Albert, dentist.
     Glass, Hull & Co, drugs, groceries.
     Goodman & Canfield, proprs Tecumseh Opera House.
     Goodman H, clothing.
     Gottula L, painter.
     Grosjean L, restaurant.
     Halsted Bros, livery stable.
     Harman J S, hardware.
     Harris J S, attorney at law.
     Hassett W H, lumber.
     Hawley & Co, restaurant.
     Headrick C M, physician.
     Headrick C M, druggist.
     Hill James, flouring mill.
     Hill A M Mrs, millinery.
     Hover W M, photographer.
     Ingrahm S E Mrs, proprs Centennial House.
     Johnson Charles, blacksmith.
     Johnson County Journal, C W Pool editor.
     Johnson Frank S, books, etc.
     Jolly, Swan, Dew & Hardin, hardware.
     Jolly, Swan, Dew, Hardin & Co, furniture.
     Jones P S, propr Tecumseh Iron Works.
     Kazda Thos, soda water mfr.
     Kehmeir F E, harnessmaker.
     Kiler & Baker, genl mdse.
     Lavender L W, sta, tel and ex agt.
     Littlefield R A, dentist.
     McAlister M Mrs, dressmaker.
     McCrosky, Wright & Leach, genl mdse.
     McLanahan Richard, genl mdse.
     Mason W, blacksmith.
     Montz J S, saloon.
     Muhlenbrock Henry, lumber.
     Nebraska Land and Loan CO, S S Steward mgr,
                            real estate and loans.
     Offill Mat, meat market.
     Osgood Bros, attorneys.
     Parker L S, grocer.
     Parkinson H B, photographer.
     Patterson C F & Co, meat market.
     Perkins B F, real estate.
     Pfifer & White, blacksmith.
     Philpott C H, dentist.
     Pinero & Chapman, attorneys.
     Pool C W, pub Johnson County Journal.
     Ralston Geo W, restaurant.
     Ralston J P, physician.
     Reckewey Bros, model makers.
     Reese J L, physician.
     Roberts & Graff, genl mdse.
     Robinson A G, furniture.
     Rogers, Coffey & Milks, drugs and groceries.
     Rotton Geo, boarding.
     Russell A, skating rink.
     Russell & Holmes, bankers.
     Sandifer W E, drugs.
     Scott C B, boots and shoes.
     Scott S A, jeweler.
     Sherman House, K Tienary & Son propr.
     Simson Andy, agl implts.
     Smith C M, physician.
     Smith Fred, hardware.
     Snyder F A, physician.
     Starrett S B, contractor.
     Stewart S S, mgr Nebraska Land and Loan Co.
     Summer H & C, flouring mill.
     Swart A H, proprietor Tecumseh Chieftain.
     Tate G W, propr Commercial Hotel.
     Taylor J J, groceries.
     Tecumseh Chieftain, A H Swart propr.
     Tecumseh Iron Work, P S Jones propr.
     Tecumseh Republican, Ball & Wright proprs.
     Thurber S W, physician.
     Thurman H C, physician.
     Tierney K & Son, , propr Sherman House.
     Viele Otto, carpenter.
     White & Ponn, millinery.
     Wilson C M, mgr Chicago Lumber Co.
     Wilson & Ellsworth, genl mdse.
     Woltemath J C, agl implts.
     Woodley C, real estate.
     Worthern W E, propr Cottage Hotel.
     Zutavern Geo C, livery stable.
     
     VESTA is located on a branch of the B. & M. R. R., in the western part
of Johnson county, 9 miles from Tecumseh, the county seat.

     Bellard Emma Miss, dressmaker.
     Camp Mary D Mrs, hotel.
     Danielson J A, Sta, tel and ex agt.
     DeCamp I R, blacksmith.
     Fanning A J, postmaster. 
     Hardenburg & Williams, genl mdse.
     Heaton W J, grain.
     Nelson John, justice.
     Price John, grain.
     Stevens S Y, genl mdse.
     Stewart D M Dr, drugs.
     Wilson George, grocery.