History of the State of Nebraska Collections

History of the State of Nebraska

This collection represents 187 biographical sketches of Nebraska’s important early residents from Antelope, Boone, and Burt Counties.

Biography of Hon. B. R. Folsom

Hon. B. R. Folsom, retired, was born, February 23, 1809, in Fumbridge, Orange Co., N. Y. His parents soon after removed to Wyoming County, where he was raised; carried on farming, milling and merchandising about twenty-five years; September, 1854, came to Omaha, and, October, 1854, removed to Burt County, where he has since resided, and is now the oldest settler in the State north of Omaha. He, with a party of nine others, made a claim of 640 acres, on which the town of Tekamah now stands. William N. Byers, surveyor, one of this party, surveyed the town site. They … Read more

Biography of D. L. Mclaughlin, M. D.

D. L. Mclaughlin, M. D., was born in West Winfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y., May 28, 1834. From the age of thirteen, he attended school in New York City until the age of seventeen, when he commenced the study of medicine under Alonzo Clark, M. D., of New York City, which he continued up to the year 1854, during the time also attending a course of lectures in the Berkshire Medical College and also University of Louisiana. In 1855, he graduated from Berkshire Medical College, and at once commenced the practice of medicine in Point Coupee, La., at the same … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William S. Craig

William S. Craig, farmer, Section 13, P. O. Craig, is a native of Harrison County, Ohio; was there engaged in farming; in 1870, came to Nebraska; located on this farm. He owns about 1,800 acres of land and donated the land where the station and town of Craig are now being built. Mainly through his exertions the station was located here. He has under fence about 450 acres, which are largely used for pasture. His attention has been largely directed to raising sheep. Lately the number has been largely reduced. He now owns about 500. Is Treasurer of the Presbyterian … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William N. Haywood

William N. Haywood, live stock; is a native of Knox County, Ohio; in 1847, came with his parents to Jefferson County, Iowa; first assisted on their farm; afterward worked out, receiving $9 a month; in 1857, he removed to Burt County, Neb., and pre-empted 160 acres of land. He now owns 367 acres. He, with Mr. Templeton, also controls about 4,000 acres on which their cattle pasture. They are now feeding from 1,000 to 1,200 head, the largest stock feeders in Northern Nebraska.

Biographical Sketch of Will B. Daniels

Will B. Daniels, Sheriff of Boone County, Albion, was born in Westfield, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., August 7, 1843; lived there until 1860, when he went to Dunkirk, N. Y., working in the machine shops at that place until February, 1861; he then went to Delaware County, Iowa, and in August, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Thirteenth United States Infantry, of which W. T. Sherman was at that time Colonel; he was with Sherman’s army until May 19, 1863, when he was wounded in the left shoulder at Vicksburg, Miss.; from the effect of this wound he lay in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Watson Parrish

Watson Parrish, attorney at law and banker, is a native of Tennessee. At about the age of two years he came with his parents to Whiteside County, Ill. After receiving a preparatory course of studies, he attended the Knox College at Galesburg. At the breaking-out of the war, he enlisted in Company G, Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, and served three years and four months. He then went to Ann Arbor and entered the Law Department of the University of Michigan; graduated in the class of 1866. In September 1866, he came to Decatur, Neb.; opened a law office, and has since … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. W. Mason

W. W. Mason, farmer, Section 34, P. O. Tekamah, is a native of Summit County, Ohio; in 1855, came to Jackson County, Iowa. In 1858, he removed to Kansas; in 1865, came to Burt County, Neb.; located in Arizona Precinct, where he has since resided. He owns 160 acres of land and is largely engaged in live stock. He is now feeding about eighty head of cattle.

Biographical Sketch of W. W. Latta

W. W. Latta, livestock and farming, is a native of Ashland County, Ohio; in the fall of 1853, came to Jackson County, Iowa; followed farming. July 1857, came to Burt County, Neb., and located on 160 acres of land which had formerly been pre-empted by his brother. He now owns about 2,100 acres, and for the past sixteen years his business has principally been livestock. He now owns 630 head of cattle, and feeds an average from 200 to 300 head. He also owns a half interest in the hotel block, and other valuable property in town. He had but … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. N. Buck

W. N. Buck, farmer, Section 36, P. O. Tekamah, is a native of Medina County, Ohio. In 1857, came to De Witt County, Ill. In 1860, removed to Missouri. In 1862, came to Harrison County, Iowa. The following year came to his present locality, where he has since resided. He owns 105 acres of land, which he has improved. He is feeding about fifty-two head of cattle and about 30 hogs.

Biographical Sketch of W. L. Handy

W. L. Handy, hardware, stoves, tin ware, etc. Is a native of Albany, Mo.; in 1872, he came to Blair; worked for Reordan & Kerney, hardware, about five years; the firm of W. L. Handy & Co. was then established, they buying out C. A. Meyers & Co.; this business continued till January, 1880, when Mr. Handy came to Oakland; worked for Blanchard & Latta about one year; W. L. Handy then bought out Blanchard & Latta, and has carried on the business ever since March 12, 1881; he does a business of about $17,000 a year.

Biographical Sketch of W. J. Nelson

W. J. Nelson, attorney at law, general land and loan agent, Albion, has been engaged in the practice of law since 1866. He moved to Nebraska, locating at Columbus, in April, 1871. During that year, he located his farm in Boone County, on the northeast quarter of Section 28, Township 20, Range 6, of which 100 acres are under cultivation. He also owns the southeast quarter of Section 27, of which twenty acres are under cultivation. His home farm is well improved, having a good frame house, being, at the time it was built, the best house in Albion and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. H. Marshall

W. H. Marshall, of the firm of Marshall & Shaw, dealers in general merchandise, is a native of Hampton County, Mass.; removed to Connecticut, where he learned the blacksmith trade. In 1867, he came to Washington County, Neb.; worked for T. B. Bailey about one and a half years. He then took a homestead claim of eighty acres in Belle Creek Precinct, where he remained six years. In November 1875, he came to Tekamah, opened a shop, and carried on that trade till 1879, when he, with Mr. Flint, opened a general store. They continued the business till May 1881, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. E. Peebles

W. E. Peebles, dealer in general merchandise, was born in Elgin, Ill. When one year old his parents came to Bremer County, Iowa. His father practiced medicine. In 1867, they came to Decatur, Neb.; in 1868, he attended Parson’s College at Cedar Rapids; remained there two years; then returned to Decatur, and clerked in a drug and grocery store till 1875. He then bought out his employer, giving notes for $500, the amount of the stock, he being then but eighteen years old, and having no money to pay down. By strict attention to business, he was enabled to meet … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. E. Drury

W. E. Drury, of the firm of Drury & Lewis, attorneys at law, and of the firm of Drury & Ashley, bankers, is a native of Erie County, Penn. At the age of eight years he came with his parents to Michigan. At the breaking out of the war, he enlisted in Company G, Ninety-sixth Illinois Infantry; served about one year; was discharged on account of physical disability. He re-enlisted in the Ninth Illinois Cavalry; served till November 1865, then returned to Chicago, and in the spring of 1866, came to Decatur and homesteaded 160 acres of land and improved … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. B. Roberts

W. B. Roberts, County Clerk is a native of Dearborn County, Ind. When a child, came to Illinois with his parents; in the fall of 1868, removed to Kansas; there engaged in farming; came to Burt County in 1872; located at Decatur; there held the office of Postmaster. In 1875, he was elected County Clerk, and has since been a resident of Tekamah, holding the office of County Clerk for six years.

Biographical Sketch of W. B. Newton

W. B. Newton, Postmaster, blacksmith and farmer, Section 2, P. O. Arizona, is a native of Chautauqua County, N. Y.; came to Barry County, Mich., in 1851; came to Tekamah, Neb., in 1857; the following year removed to his present locality. He owns 267 acres of land; about two hundred twenty of this he has improved. In 1868, he opened a general store; continued this business till 1879, when he sold out to Mr. Ellis. He was appointed Postmaster in 1869, which office he still holds. He opened a blacksmith shop in 1865, which he has since continued. He owns … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. B. Atwater

W. B. Atwater, of the firm Atwater & Byram, dealers in general merchandise, is a native of La Porte County, Ind. In 1857, he came to Minneapolis, Minn. In 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Ninth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry; served one year in the Sioux war and two years in the South; was six months in Andersonville and other prisons, then returned to Minnesota and engaged in lumbering. In 1867, he removed to Chicago, Ill., and engaged in contracting and building; in 1877, he came to Decatur, Neb., and engaged with his brother in general merchandising. In 1879, he commenced … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. A. Mears

W. A. Mears, of the firm of Loran Clark & Co., Albion, was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., in 1849; was raised in Wisconsin, where he learned the lumber business in which he is still engaged. He was married in St. Louis, Mo., in 1878, to Miss Annie O. Whipple, who was born in Rockbridge County, Va.

Biographical Sketch of W. A. Clark

W. A. Clark, farmer, Section 14, P. O. Craig, was born in Harrison County, Ohio; in the spring of 1868, came to Burt County; entered two sections, 14 and 15; located on Section 15. He afterward sold the south half of this section; in 1869, removed to Section 14, where he has since resided and made extensive improvements. The lumber used in building his house he hauled from Omaha; occupied three days in making the trip. He has two tenants working his land; from four to six teams are employed. In June 1874, he was appointed Postmaster here. This office … Read more