Fillmore County

L. T. Mead of Fillmore County

Pioneer Stories of the Pioneers of Fillmore and adjoining Counties title page

L. T. Mead, from Fort Branch, Indiana, moved to Nebraska in March 1870 with his wife and son, later joined by their two daughters. Initially working as a wagonwright in Lincoln, he secured a homestead in March 1871 on the southeast quarter of Section 4, Town 8, Range 1. Their first house was a small, 18-foot-square wooden room, often hosting passing travelers. Despite harsh winters, including one where their cow’s mouth froze, they persevered. Mead built a sod workshop and did wagon repairs. After eleven years, they moved to Exeter, where Mead passed away in 1901 and his wife in 1913. Both were active in local churches and traced their genealogies to notable historical figures.

Biography of Leonard Bradley Sage of Fillmore County

Pioneer Stories of the Pioneers of Fillmore and adjoining Counties title page

In November 1871, Leonard Bradley Sage left Waukesha, Wisconsin, to explore southeastern Nebraska, traveling by mule from Lincoln. After surveying the area, he returned home and, in May 1872, embarked on a second journey with his family. They traveled through Iowa, enduring a near-drowning incident and a severe storm. Settling on a homestead in Liberty Township, they built a home and planted crops. Despite early hardships and illness, they adapted to frontier life, engaging with neighbors and attending Sunday school. Leonard Sage eventually passed away, but Mrs. Sage fondly recalls their pioneering spirit and community bonds.

Mr. and Mrs. James Alexander

Pioneer Stories of the Pioneers of Fillmore and adjoining Counties title page

In June 1872, James Alexander and his family left Aberdeen, Scotland, for Exeter, Nebraska. After a challenging sea voyage and arriving at Pacific Junction, Iowa, they slept on an open platform. Reaching Lincoln, they stayed briefly at the Burlington Immigration House before moving to Exeter. They rented a sod house and later built a dugout on their homestead. Despite hardships, including a broken land deal and primitive living conditions, they found community and established their home. They hosted many visitors, including Native Americans and fellow settlers, and experienced the hardships of frontier life, such as the blizzard of 1873 and the grasshopper plague of 1874.

Mr. and Mrs. James Nolan of Fillmore County

Pioneer Stories of the Pioneers of Fillmore and adjoining Counties title page

On June 12, 1871, James and Mrs. Nolan settled in Fillmore County, Nebraska, after traveling from Iowa by wagon. Bringing nine cattle and four horses, they established a homestead six miles south of Exeter. Initially, they lived under wagon covers and cooked over a campfire. Their first log and sod house had one room. They dug a well with lumber from Lincoln, during which Mrs. Nolan’s mother broke her leg. Despite many hardships, including prairie fires, harsh winters, and a grasshopper infestation, the Nolans built a new sod house and contributed to their community by establishing the first schoolhouse on their land.

Mr. and Mrs. John K. Barber of Fillmore County

Pioneer Stories of the Pioneers of Fillmore and adjoining Counties title page

John K. and Mrs. Barber arrived in Fillmore County, Nebraska, from Woodstock, Illinois, on October 14, 1870, after a five-week journey. They initially lived in a sod shanty near Turkey Creek until their dugout home, barn, and cellar were ready in January 1871. The Barbers hosted the first religious services and Sunday School in the county. Their initial farming efforts were thwarted by a severe hailstorm in July, but they persisted. Despite challenges like grasshopper infestations, they thrived, hunting local game and contributing to the community, including organizing the county and securing the county seat at Geneva.

Mrs. M. L. Roper of Fillmore County

Pioneer Stories of the Pioneers of Fillmore and adjoining Counties title page

Mrs. M. L. Rogers, known in the earlier days as Mrs. Roper, came with her husband to this neighborhood in 1873, locating on what is now the McGhie farm; they built a sod house with a roof through which the rain made its way; this roof fell in one night, much to the discomfort of the family. In their district the people used open wells these were from seven to ten feet deep, on one occasion a horse fell backward into a well, and as a result of the great strain necessary to pull it out, it died. Dogtown lying … Read more

John Redfern of Fillmore County

Pioneer Stories of the Pioneers of Fillmore and adjoining Counties title page

John Redfern emigrated from England to Peoria, Illinois, before moving to Nebraska in 1870. Initially settling near Nebraska City, the Redfern family crossed the frozen Missouri River on foot, waiting for their goods to arrive. They eventually homesteaded three miles north of Exeter, building a sod house and enduring numerous hardships, including crop destruction by hail, blizzards, and grasshopper infestations. The Redferns hosted preaching services and Sunday school in their home, contributing to the local community. John Redfern passed away on November 17, 1901; his widow retained ownership of the land while residing in town.

John T. Borland of Fillmore County

Pioneer Stories of the Pioneers of Fillmore and adjoining Counties title page

John T. Borland arrived at his homestead near Pleasant Hill, Nebraska, on May 12, 1871, after traveling from Illinois with his wife and goods in a mule-drawn wagon. They initially lived in a makeshift sod tent before building a more permanent sod house with a shingle roof and a board floor. Borland’s early days included a scare when he accidentally disturbed his wife’s sleep after returning home late. They celebrated the first local July 4th at Turkey Creek. Despite challenges like coyote raids, blizzards, and grasshopper infestations, the Borlands established a well-equipped home and contributed to the community, including bringing the first load of lumber to Exeter.

Biography of John Ziska of Fillmore County

Pioneer Stories of the Pioneers of Fillmore and adjoining Counties title page

John Ziska emigrated from Bohemia to the United States in 1853, settling first in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Initially farming in Racine County, he later worked in coal mining near St. Louis before moving to Nebraska in 1869. He homesteaded on the county line in Fillmore County, living in a dugout while establishing his farm. Despite hardships, including grasshopper infestations, prairie fires, and severe weather, Ziska and his family persevered. He contributed to the community by helping neighbors, donating land for a cemetery, and witnessing the last buffalo in the area. His son, Fred, later transitioned from farming to a successful career in business.

Job Hathaway, Willard Payne and Elam Wilcox of Fillmore County

Pioneer Stories of the Pioneers of Fillmore and adjoining Counties title page

In the spring of 1871, Job Hathaway, Willard Payne, and Elma Wilcox journeyed from Greenwood, Illinois, to Exeter, Nebraska, in covered wagons. They settled on section 30, sharing a frame house built by Payne, strategically placed so each could meet homestead requirements. Mrs. Hathaway joined later, traveling from Lincoln in a covered wagon. A notable incident involved a stranger who, in a dream, mistakenly attacked Payne, causing Mrs. Hathaway to flee the house. Another settler, Clark, a former English shipbuilder, struggled with pioneer life and returned to England after losing family members and facing harsh conditions. Job Hathaway later moved to Lincoln and served as a city police chief before his passing.