Riverdale, Nebraska - Buffalo County, Nebraska, and Its People : a Record of Settlement, Org

Buffalo County, Nebraska, and Its People : a Record of Settlement, Org

In 191 5 there were three general stores, two grain elevators with a storage capacity of 20,000 bushels each, one bank, a telephone exchange, two churches and three fraternal lodges.

Riverdale is most appropriately named, located as it is in the beautiful and charming, fertile and fruitful Wood River Valley of the Platte.

School District No. 15 was organized by Dan A. Crowell, county superintendent, May 3, 1873. The territory embraced was four miles from east to west, extending to the north line of the county, twenty-two miles, embracing eightyeight square miles of territory.

Official notification of the formation of the district was delivered to J. R. King, directing that the first meeting be held at the house of said King, on Saturday, the loth day of May, 1873, at 7 P. M. The records seem to disclose that J. R. King was elected director of the district, that on the loth day of July, 1873, there were in the district seventeen children of school age and that the district had been apportioned $37.29 of the state school fund.

In 191 1 the number of grades taught was increased to ten, and in 1912 the school building was enlarged and improved at an expense of $1,200. Three teachers are employed. The present (191 5) district officers are: O. G. Knox, director; C. H. Pratt, treasurer; John Farrell, moderator. O. G. Knox has served as director since 1895.

The State Bank of Riverdale was organized in July, 1907, with a capital stock of $5,000. Its incorporators were: A. T. Reynolds, Fred Bargmann, W. H. Swartsley, C. H. Pratt, Thomas Pratt.

In 191 5 the bank had as capital stock, $5,000; surplus, $5,000; deposits, $50,000. its officers: Fred Bargmann, president; Thomas Pratt, vice president ; C. H. Pratt, cashier.

The Riverdale Christian Church was organized January i, 1898, with the following charter members : William Knox, Emma Knox, J. C. Burnell, Belle Burnell, W. A. Whitney, Mattie Whitney, Charles Larsen, Henrietta Larsen, W. T. Keyes, Flora Keyes, Homer R. Knox, Jacob Flury, Catherine Flury. The first pastor was Rev. J. W. Walker.

Riverdale Lodge No. - , I. O. O. F., was organized April 5, 1910, with charter members and officers as follows : W. H. Grassmeyer, N. G. ; John Farreh, V. G. ; C. S. Hubbard, Sec; A. E. Walters, Treas. ; Thomas Pratt, Fred Schirneker, W. O. Stephens, Sanford Merrill, W. H. Cottrell, Howard Wimberly.