Dixon County, Nebraska - Chapter 18, 1896

Chapter 18

Bounded on the north by Ponca township, east by county line between Dixon and Dakota counties, south by Emerson and west by Galena and Springbank. It is nine miles north and south, and three miles east and west.

Otter Creek is hilly in the main, but has some fine bottom land. It has abundant cold, clear water in the creeks, as also in wells from ten to twenty feet below the surface. There is a small amount of timber along the streams, and nearly every farm has a fine grove. The soil is good even to the top of the hills.

The fertile South Creek valley passes across the northwestern part of the township, and settlement was there made iu the early days of the county. Prominent among the first settlers may be mentioned P. J. Winston, the Bigleys and Maurice Scollard, all of whom are dead. Maurice Scollard was one of the county commissioners in lS60-'61-?62-'63. Of his nephews. John Scollard still resides there, and Patrick Scollard died several months ago. In the northwestern part of the township is the South Creek Catholic church, built in the spring of 1875.

The townsite of Waterbury. about eighty acres, was on May 29, 1889, donated to the Pacific Townsite Company, by George Herrick. The location is in a beautiful valley, twenty miles from Sioux City, twelve miles west of Jackson, seven and one-half miles from Allen, and eight miles south of Ponca.

The village is still small, containing only about forty buildings and 125 inhabitants, but it is a No. 1 market for grain, produce and live stock. It has a railroad depot, two

The Waterbury Creamery company completed this season a large creamery at the cost of $4,000. An M. E. church costing $1,200 was also built this year. (1895). Waterbury is especially favored as to water, which from the "big spring*' (SO called) near the railroad depot, ever Hows a copious stream, pure and cold, which winter cannot freeze nor summer warm.

George Herrick, formerly of Racine, Wisconsin, and afterwards of Yankton, Dakota, removed from the latter city in August, 1S74 to where he now lives adjoining the townsite of Waterbury. There he has 880 acres of land, admirably improved and a residence not surpassed in the county.

C. C. Cleveland, from Wisconsin about 1875 located where he now lives. Has half a section, good improvements, and the best orchard in the township. His apples took the first premium at the Sioux City corn palace fair in 1892.

H. J. Stinger came in October, 1880, from Webster county, Iowa. Taught school three years and then bought a farm. He now has 120 acres, well improved by grove, orchard, fences, buildings, etc. Has a wife and four children. Has been supervisor for Otter ('reek for three years, up to the re-organization in 1895.

Patrick Scollard And His Sister, Mrs. Blake

Jacob Pegley located in Otter Creek in 1881 and in 1895 moved to Allen. Has a large family of grown up sons and daughters, all married and mostly living in the county.

John Delaney. 1870, bought and settled on the 1(50 acres where he now is. Large family, mostly living in his vicinity. Has a magnificent grove of 80 acres.

Patrick Scollard, one of the wealthy and prominent citizens of the county, died at his home in Otter Creek township. May 1 . 1 895. Mr. Scollard was born in Ireland, and at an early age crossed the ocean to this country. He was one of the pioneers of Dixon county, coming here in 1856 with his brother and his uncle Maurice Scollard. who, during several of the first years of the county, was one of the commissioners. In 1862 the subject of this sketch enlisted in Co. I of the 2nd Nebraska cavalry, and was honorably discharged after a service of thirteen months. During his youthful experience as a pioneer, he and his mother and sister traveled across the plains with ox teams to Montana, While there, he was in the business of hauling freight to Fort Benton. On such trips he would be on the road five days without seeing a white person or white settlement. During those lonely trips he carried his provisions with him and slept in his wagon bed at night. He followed this hard life five years. Afterwards he returned to Dixon county and became a farmer. He was shrewd and careful and was generally successful in all business matters. He was married in January, 1875, to Isabella Tracy, from Holly, New York. They have eleven children living, seven boys and four girls, the youngest two of whom, twins, were born seven months after his death. His death was very sudden. In the morning at about 8 o'clock he was busy at work in the field, riding a corn planter, and apparently in good health. Suddenly he was prostrated by paralysis, and was brought to the house, where he died at 1 o'clock, five hours after he was attacked. At the time of his death he left 440 acres, most of it fenced and cultivated, fine buildings, groves, orchard, etc.. together with cattle and horses and other property there and elsewhere. Mrs. Scollard and the family now reside on the pleasant farm which his energy provided for them. His portrait is s(>i>\\ in this chapter.

1\. P. Williams, a native of Iowa, came to Dixon comity in 188] and bought a, farm in Otter Creek of 12Q acres, which he lias since made valuable by improvements. In 1894 he was appointed superintendent of Dixon county's poor farm for a year, and gave entire satisfaction. Mr. Williams was all over Nebraska while a soldier of Uncle Sam during the war.

Fred Hall came to Otter Creek with his father, Geo. W. Hall. 24 years ago from Iowa. Each took homesteads of 160 acres. Ceo. YV. Hall died in 1SSS, leaving one son and seven (laughters, all of whom but one reside in that neighborhood.

.John Hones, Fred Bollmier, M. Benton, Pat Bergen, Henry Marron, David Curry. Thomas Casey, J. B. Fleming, C. H. and H. A. Harper, J. C. Harrington, J. E. McGruire, Michael Mnllaly, John O'Hara, L. P. Harper (now lives in Allen) and Samuel Roberts.

The township has the same kind of productive land which is general throughout the county and is well watered by creeks and springs. There are no more beautiful valleys than those along South Creek, Dailey and their tributaries, and no better water powers in the country for mills and machinery than are afforded by those streams. The land in the valleys is nearly level, back of which are low hills and rolling prairie. Throughout the township are excellent farms, good residences, orchards and groves, some of the latter along the creeks being of natural growth. The township has one village, Martinsburg, the commencement and growth of which has been traced in former chapters.

Illinois. Be was born at Fall River, Mass.. in 1822. Came west as far as Chicago in L839, when that place was a frog pond, and land there could be bought for $8 an acre. He stopped there a number of years, worked at carpenter work and became a contractor and builder. Afterwards went to Peoria and was engaged in the distillery business, which in due time became extensive and profitable, and employed forty men for several years. In '66 he was assessed as worth $70,000 but was soon after defrauded of a large amount, and selling out he removed to Dixon county, saving about $20,000 with which to commence life anew. His first enterprise here was to build a mill two miles east of Ponca. In 72 he started Martinsburg. and built a grist mill and opened a store, which latter he still continues, and was postmaster several years. He was one of the county commissioners during '75. '76 and "77. Mr. M. was married in LS4S to Amanda Douglass of Onondaga county. NewT York. They have had five children, three of whom, daughters, are living and married. Mr. Martin is a citizen whose business energy in the past has been valuable to that locality, and he is rewarded by the general respect of the citizens.

Another prominent citizen of Galena township was P. G. Wright, who died in 1891 at his residence near Martinsburg. aged 73 years. Mr. Wright came from Iowa and had been a resident of Galena about fourteen years. During that lime he was county commissioner several years and represented the county in the legislature one term. Hewasajust and reliable man and clearly understood his duties as an officer of the county.

John Duren owns and runs the Martinsburg grist mill- He came from Wisconsin in 74. His mill is doing a large business and furnishes excellent flour.

Harry Filley. a soldier during the war. came in 1866 from Alamakee county. Iowa, and has in Galena a large farm on which he lived until a few years ago. He has since been landlord of the Martinsburg Hotel. In list of pioneers which is published in one of the first chapters, Mr. Filley's

Martinsburg has two churches, viz: The Congregational, Rev. Nichols, and the Lutheran, Rev. Hansen. Both of the church buildings are good and are largely attended. In the village is a well built, well arranged school house with two teachers and about fifty scholars.

Martin and William Lockwood came here from Wankon. Iowa in 70. Martin first lived in Springbank township and in 74 moved to Martinsburg and purchased an interest in the town site and mill. Afterwards was in the drug business at Ponca and in '89 went to South Sionx City where he now is. Wm. Lockwood first settled and still resides on a farm in Galena. Martin Lockwood Jr., a son of Wm. Lockwood, is also a good farmer of Galena township.

David Murphy, one of Galena's most thorough farmers, was born in Ireland, came to New York in '56; to Chicago in '51) and to Dixon county in '66. He has 480 acres in South ( 'reek valley where he resides.

Frank and John Jourdan, born in England came to I lalena about thirty years ago. Both took homesteads which they made into valuable farms. Frank Jourdan died August 1, ls(.)4. leaving a wife and one daughter. He owned at the time of his death 311 acres of land all in a fine state of improvement. John Jourdan still resides on the farm he first

Bernard Cavanagh, once a prominent citizen of Galena now lives in Allen. The large farm in Galena of several hundred acres to which he devoted many years of improvement he still owns.

I). Hurley, a prominent citizen of the county, was born in Ireland, and at an early age came with his parents to Watertown, Wisconsin, and in 1866 to Galena township. He was treasurer of the county from January, 1S76, to January, 1882, six years, and afterwards represented Galena township on the board of supervisors one term. Mr. Hurley has a very valuable farm of 200 acres about a mile northeast of Martinsburg, on which he and his family reside.

Wm. Donlin, the first born in the county, as heretofore mentioned, now lives near Martinsburg and on the farm where that event took place. He has 240 acres.

Daniel Crowley, from Watertown, Wis., settled here in 1880. He has a good farm of 300 acres and is one of the leading citizens of the township. He was supervisor from January. '1)4. to January, '96.

Nick Wallenstein came in 1873 from Germany, where he was a soldier. Has 570 acres of valuable land, a fine house costing $1,300, and other good improvements, among which is a mammoth barn, 58x60 feet. He is one of the most successful farmers in the county.

In addition to the foregoing are B. Dunlavey who came in '79 or 'SO; Hiram Wright, '76; Wm. Witham, '65; Wm. Krause and his sons, Gottleib, Henry and William, Jr., '75, and Joseph Prue, '68; all of whom have farms of from 160 to 320 acres.

The farms above referred to are generally all well improved and desirable for profitable farming, and are pleasant homes for families. As a general thing also, the residents are in good circumstances and have enjoyable surroundings.

[s six miles square and is between Galena on the north and Wakefield on the south, and has Emerson and Otter Creek on the cast and Concord on the west. The Pacific Short Line h\ |{. passes through the north half of the township. The business center of Springbank in Allen.

small settlement where is the old Springbank post office, a school house, church, (Friends,) and a few dwellings. A few miles south of this settlement is another church of the same kind, (the South Valley church.)

Like most of the farmers of Dixon county, the residents: of Springbank have devoted much time and energy to improving their farms and surroundings. Good dwellings, houses and barns, large groves and orchards, good fences and nicely arranged and cultivated fields are almost invariably seen.

It was not until 1869, that this township could boast of more than a handful of settlers. Some had come in the earliest days of the county but from fear of Indians or distaste for the lonely lives they had to lead, remained but a short time. Andy O'Conner and his brothers, James and John, are said to have been the first settlers. They took claims there in '56 or '57, two or three miles south of the Cavanagh farm in Galena, remained but a short time, and removed to new claims between Ponca and New Castle.

E. E. Ellis, '69. He has been a prominent farmer and was Dixon county's representative in the legislature in 1893 and lsl.)4. His farm (280 acres) is three miles from Allen village.

John Herl'el, brother of the above, moved here the same vear, settled on 160 acres and now lives there. His family consists of a wife and seven children.

Wm. H. Pomeroy, prominent farmer and citizen. Was supervisor of Springbank several terms and chairman of the board of supervisors in 1887 and 1888. He now resides in Allen.

A. D. Whitford, 1871. Came from Wisconsin; lives one and one-half miles south of Allen where he has a farm of 240 acres; large family. Represented Dixon county in the legislature in 1889-90. '

John F. Pomeroy, 1871. Farmer, has 240 acres. Was sheriff of Dixon county in 1884 and 1885, and was supervisor of Springbank live years and chairman of the board in 1890, '91 and '92. An excellent and popular county officer.

S. 1. Hart, in 1877. Came from Dakota county where he had lived since 1867. Has 280 acres of choice and well cultivated land two and one-half miles from Allen, in which village he now resides.

Allen is situated on a slight elevation from which a view is had of a fine farming country, beautiful valleys and rolling prairie. It is on the Short Line railroad, and hence is a good market town, being in the centre of a very rich country in id one which is thickly settled by well to do citizens. Allen naturally has a large business and a continued growth.

As in all localities where education and religion are conscientiously looked after and advanced. Allen has a line. new. two story school house, a graded school and good teachers. The town also has two churches, viz.: Catholic and Methodist, and the Campbellites have an organization. All have good attendance. There are also the Masonic. 1.0. of 0. F., and M. W. A. societies, each of which has a good hall and a large membership.

Among its prominent business men is W. A. Morgan who came to Allen about three years ago from Dakota county where he wras born. Since coming here, he has been actively engaged in the mercantile business, and is a member of the firm of Armour & Morgan. He has been an efficient supervisor of Springbank for '94 and '95, and under the new law relating to supervisors, was in the fall of '95 elected to represent Springbank and Galena on the board of Supervisors for two years longer. With the other members of '95. his portrait is seen on another page of this book.

Another of Allen's prominent young business men is H. H. Hart, whose popularity with the citizens last fall elected him sheriff of the county. Mr. Hart was born in Richland. Keokuk county, Iowa, April IS, 1S!>7, and came to Dakota county with his parents the same year, and to Springbank, Dixon county, in 1876. Was married. November 24. 1SS7. to Nellie Isom. who was born in Dane county. Wis., and came with her parents to Springbank. Mr. and Mrs. Hart have one child. A portrait of the group is in this chapter.

Mr. And Mrs. H. H. Hart And Child

In Allen resides Henry Allen the founder of the town, S. 1. Hart, Bernard Cavanagh, one of the first settlers of the county, and many other worthy and respected citizens.

In addition. Allen has a good railroad depot and telegraph office, freight office, warehouses, etc. A number of trades and kinds of business not above referred to are well represented in town.

The village of Emerson is situated in the extreme southeastern part of the county, on the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha railroad, with a population of about 800. The Winnebago reservation, Thurston county, borders it on the south, and the county line between Dixon and Dakota counties is its Main street north and south. It was established in 1881 and is the junction of the Chicago, St. Paul. Minneapolis & Omaha railroad and its Norfolk branch. The first building erected was the depot, followed by three section houses. Boyle brothers built the fifth building where they kept a store, and Wm Warnock built the sixth, which was the first dwelling house there.

In 1883 R. E. Kuhn platted the original town site and commenced the erection of a bank, which was completed in 1884, since which time additions have been made by D. W. Mathews, Atlee Hart, W. Warnock, Emerson Mill & Improvement Company. James Monier and others. The first lumber yard was started by J. J. McCarthy and M. L, Rossiter, which is now known as the Edwards & Bradford

Lumber Company. A man by the name of Dean opened a real estate office at the same time, and afterwards removed to Sioux City, la. Two general stores were then opened, .me by 0. B. Morey and one by Paul & Flint. Flint dying soon after, the business was conducted by Paul.

The Echo was the first newspaper venture in the town. established in the spring of '83 by Nelson Feauto who was succeeded by Joshua Leonard, July 21. '85. Mr. Leonard - -hanged the name of the paper to the Emerson Era and conducted it until *(.>2. when it expired. In a few weeks thereafter Harry S. Swanson and Chas. S. Packard started the Emerson Enterprise, and the paper was sold to Frank Bancroft, who in December of the same year sold to H. W. Conley, he selling to S. E. Cobb, June 2, '93. The Emerson Times was established March 25. '1)3. with A. L. Moore as editor, but two weeks of journalistic life was enough for him. and the paper was sold to Z. M. Baird. he selling to E. E. Smith in March. '95, who is its present editor.

There are three good church buildings in the town. The Presbyterian, L. W. Scudder. pastor; St. Paul Lutheran, -I. Bohnstengle, pastor; Catholic, J. Barry, pastor. The Presbyterians and Catholics have erected parsonages for their pastors. In '85 the school district was bonded for $5,000 and a large, fine school building was erected which is a credit to the district.

The first secret society organized in the town was the Grand Army of the Republic, which established C. K. Weaver Post 185 on April 111. '1)4; J. F. Warner, then commander of the post at Dakota City, being installing officer. Among the charter members were William Warnock. B. F. Goodwin. John Bennett, 1. M. Shockley, N. Feauto. J. Dixon, Charles Boyle. E. Barber and John Ward. The Masons organized

In November, '92, a meeting was held in the town at which time the Emerson Mill & Improvement Company was organized, and the following spring, work was commenced on the Emerson Roller Mills, which were completed Jan. 1. '94. The mill completed cost $15,000: has a capacity of 100 barrels per day and bin room for 10,000 bushels of wheat. The officers of the company are (J. Y. Bonus, president; R. L. Currie, vice president; P. U. Fancher, secretary and treasurer.

Emerson has four general stores; Davis & Fuller, Kuntz & McCarthy, E. H. Monroe & Co., and the "Fair," with J. K. Lenox, proprietor; two hardware stores, Painter & Isenberg, and Krattle & Brustkern; two drug stores, John Connor and H. 0. Armour & Co.; laundry, D. Beck, proprietor; two boot and shoe repair shops, Aug. Yenger and A. Assenan; one furniture store, Parmalee Bros.; two banks, Farmers State Bank. Ceo. H. Haase, president, Fred Bloom, vice president, C. C. King cashier, German American Bank, J. J. McCarthy, president, Wm. Warnock, vice president. H. F. Moseman, cashier; two physicians, M. H. Evans and W. A. Lee; three attorneys, W. A. Martin, Paul Bergin and Joshua Leonard; two saloons, 0. E. Danielson and McCoy & Ha mm; meat market, Aug. Paul; two blacksmith shops, J. C. Winters and Doyle & Wellington; two lumber yards, Edwards & Bradford, Wm. Crahan, manager, and Jansen & Wiseman; two livery barns, Mark Engelen and Robt. Poole; contractors and builders, Jansen Bros.. I. A. Omsted, Chas. Anderson, John Schaub; grain, flour and feed, L. F. Demers; two elevators, L. F. Demers and F. H, Peavey & Co., J. H. Ritchie, manager: school, T. E. Stevens, principal; S. E. Cobb, Myrtle Foget, Lulu Neihart, teachers; real estate, Wm. Warnock, Joshua Leonard and Boyle Bros.; dress making and millinery, Mrs. 0. H. Lowe, Mrs. I, F. Squires and Miss Anna Clark; station agent. F. 0. Paulger: operators, F. J. Hayden and F. B. Smith: live stock, Kellogg, Jensen & Schopke, Davis <fc Fuller; brick and tile works, M. A. Mines; creamery, Wxm. Warnock; hotels. B. J. McDonald, Frank Jones, Mrs. Fligg, Enoch Beals; mail carrier, Chas. Varvais; postmaster, P. Kerwin; loan and insurance, notary public and justice of the peace, W. Warnock; wagon shop, windmills and pumps, A. X. Carlile; harness shop, W. Metz; confectioners, .John Estaque and Frank Jones; barbers, II. Parmalee, Jack Butler, Geo . McPherron; masons. Englen & McCallough; village board, II. 1\ Moseman, chairman; Jacob Jensen. Louis Swartz, L. V. Demers, A. A. Davis, trustees: H. Parmalee, clerk; ('. C. King, treasurer; W. A. .Martin, attorney: K. A. Toole, marshal.

We have been unable to obtain the particulars concerning the residents of Emerson township outside the village, except in a very few instances. Among them is J. I. Brown who has lived in the township about nineteen years, and has 200 acres nicely located and improved.

Patrick Kerwin has also been a farmer and land owner there for years before the village was started. He has been and is now a leading citizen of the township and is well known and well liked throughout the county. Aside from farming he has had other business enterprises, in all which he has had success. He is now the postmaster there. To Mr. Kerwin we are greatly indebted for valuable assistance in collecting facts in relation to Emerson village.

Another popular and influential citizen of Emerson is Wm. Sweeney, who has been the supervisor for that township during '92, '93, '1)4 and '95. His portrait is seen with the other members of the board for that year.

Wm. Warnock who from the foregoing is seen to be one of Emerson's most enterprising citizens, came there in 1SS1 and served as postmaster ten years, giving entire satisfaction to the citizens.

Emerson has many other worthy citizens in the township and village, than those wTe have mentioned. Outside the town is a tine region of country, good farms and farmers, and the buildings and improvements show unmistakable prosperity. In the town there are many tine residences and business houses.

Being an important railroad point. Emerson, has an assured future growth. The time is not far distant when its business and population will be at least double what it now has.