Fillmore County

Chester C. Stephens of Fillmore County

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

Chester C. Stephens, originally from Pennsylvania, moved to Michigan before settling in Nebraska in 1871. He homesteaded the northwest quarter of Section 4, Town 7, Range 1, west, initially living in a 10×12 ft. dugout. Early in his Nebraska life, Stephens encountered prairie wolves and deer near his homestead. He contributed to local efforts, assisting neighbors and dealing with harsh weather conditions. Notably, he and Patrick Murphy are among the few original homesteaders still residing on their land in Liberty Township. His pioneering experiences highlight the challenges and adventures of early settlers in Nebraska.

Colonel N. S. Babcock Arrived in 1871

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

In 1871, Colonel Babcock arrived in Nebraska from New York State, walking from Seward to find a family near Indian Creek. He discovered a well-furnished dugout home before settling near Exeter, where “Boss” Woodard had the only visible house. Babcock’s journey with his wife involved a fifty-mile trip in a wagon without springs, cooking meals on a hillside, and using shingles as plates. They lost track of Sundays and encountered numerous rattlesnakes. During the Grasshopper Plague, Babcock sent evidence to skeptical relatives back East, proving the severity of the infestation.

Doctor O. P. Baker of Fillmore County

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

Dr. O. P. Baker first visited the Exeter, Nebraska, area while accompanying grain buyer Joe Shaub. During his visit, he purchased a quarter section of land east of town. Returning to Morrison, Illinois, he successfully sold five farms based on his descriptions of Exeter’s potential. In 1874, Dr. Baker built a house on his land and continued promoting Nebraska, bringing large parties of land seekers from Illinois in 1874 and 1875, selling numerous farms. Moving to Exeter in 1880, he became the town’s first practicing dentist, working for 46 years until selling his practice due to failing eyesight. His efforts significantly contributed to the area’s settlement and development.

Charles Eberstein of Fillmore County

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

Charles Eberstein, born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, joined the army young and served during the Indian uprisings of 1865. In 1867, he moved to Omaha, Nebraska, and later homesteaded in Fillmore County in 1869. Eberstein narrowly avoided a fatal surveying expedition and became a pioneer in Fillmore County, where he broke the first prairie. He joined the State Militia, helping establish Fort Butler during conflicts with Native Americans. Eberstein also worked on the Burlington Railroad and contributed to the early settlement and development of his region alongside his family.