John E. Fouse of Seward County
John E. Fouse, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was the son of Ezekiel Fouse, a professor at Philadelphia College. He married Isabella McMichael from Belfast, Ireland, and they moved to Page County, Iowa, in 1865 before establishing the Fouse Ranch in Seward County, Nebraska. The ranch, situated near Beaver Creek and the Blue River, became a key stop for overland stagecoaches. John served in the Mexican and Civil Wars, while Isabella managed the ranch’s operations, hosting travelers and managing frequent Indian encounters. The ranch also hosted the first post office and store in the county. John E. Fouse passed away in 1898.