Philip Schwab a native of New York State went first to Michigan
where he lived about three years, and then came to Nebraska, in
1871.
He was employed for a time at the sawmills near the
West Blue; afterwards homesteading two and a half miles west of
Exeter, where he built a sod house 16 ft. by 20 ft., to be followed
by a frame building, besides many other improvements. Mr. Schwab
married Melissa Whitaker, whose grandmother was the first white
woman to take up land in Fillmore County. This Mrs. E. A. Whitaker
came in 1868 with her two sons and took the fourth homestead in the
County; the land being situated in the West Blue Township. She was
for two years the only white woman in the county, and lived an
eventful life, her trials, privations and perils during those early
days were very great, she was often exposed to the attacks of
surrounding Indians. She was however of great courage and
determination, and was able to gain the confidence of her Indian
neighbors. She declared after having lived in several States that
she liked Nebraska best of all.
On one occasion, Mr. Bussard
a relation had a team of oxen tied at the side of the Whitaker
dugout, the men had gone somewhere, and Mrs. Whitaker saw a herd of
Buffaloes making towards the cattle. Fearing that something serious
would happen to the cattle; she went out with outstretched apron as
though she were shooing a brood of chickens, she managed to chase
them till they turned their course and ran away. A band of Indians
who had been chasing them followed in pursuit.
James and
William Whitaker the sons before mentioned, came first to Nebraska
in 1866, but had gone East, and returned bringing their mother with
them. James was the father of Mrs. Schwab. William the uncle had the
claim adjoining his mother's so he built a sod house of three rooms;
half of which was on each claim, and in that way the mother and son
lived out their separate homestead rights under one roof.
Mrs. Schwab's sister, "Emma," was the first white girl born in
Fillmore County (now Mrs. J. K. Hall living west of town.) This
event was not only of interest to the white settlers, but also to
the Indians. There were two old squaws; who lived near the Whitaker
home and were very sociable; would come over to the house to see the
baby, and nothing pleased them more than to be allowed to hold the
white "papoose." They gave several of their bead ornaments for the
baby's decoration, and in many ways showed their interests in the
child.
Mrs.
A. Whitaker, The First White Woman to Take Up Land in Fillmore
County, and the Only White Woman in the County for Two Years After
Her Arrival in 1868. Mr. Whitaker Died in Illinois.
Mrs.
J. K. Hall, Husband, and Family. Mrs. Hall, (Emma Whitaker) was the
First White Girl Born in Fillmore County.
William O. Bussard a cousin to Mrs. Schwab, was a native of
Aermantown, Ohio, and at the age of ten years was taken by his
parents to Marshall County, Illinois. In 1866 he came to Nebraska
and made the first homestead entry in Fillmore County, living on the
homestead till 1887,when he moved to Lushton, York County, where he
died on February 11, 1911. He was described as a man of
conscientious principles, and respected throughout the district.
John Brubaker Kauffman was born in Lancaster County, Penn., and
moved with his parents to Miamisburg, Ohio. He was married to
Malissa Carman Whitaker, a daughter of the first lady pioneer, and
aunt to Mrs. Schwab. The Kauffman's came with their family to
Nebraska in April 1870, taking a homestead in the West Blue
Township. Mr. Kauffman was the twelfth man to settle in Fillmore
County. He was described as a man of great industry and sterling
honesty, many there were who spoke in high terms of his life, he
died on March 14, 1904. His wife also was held in great esteem
throughout the district.
Mrs. Schwab died on February 10,
1893, leaving a family of young children; she was described as a
good mother and a true Christian, it being a pleasure for her to do
good especially among the sick and afflicted. , Mr. Schwab lives in
retirement in Exeter. The homestead is now in charge of his two
sons.
Jacob Pflug, a cousin to Philip Schwab, came from New
York State to Nebraska City in 1865, where he lived until 1869, he
then moved to Lincoln, and in 1870 he went to Seward, afterwards
coming to work on the West Blue. He homesteaded west of town in the
year 1872. ke remembers the first Revival Services held in the
"Horton" School house, a sod building; with seats made of rough
slabs secured at the Blue River Sawmill. The preacher was the Rev.
D. S. Warner from Ohio, representing the "Church of God." The
meetings were decidedly successful, about fifty people professed
conversion, many of them joining the new society which was formed as
a result of the mission, and some of which remain to this day loyal
and faithful Christians. Mr. and Mrs. Pflug were actively engaged in
this organization as long as it lasted, afterwards joining the M. E.
Church.
Mr. Pflug worker for five or six years in the Smith
and Dolan store, this give him a close relationship with the early
development of the 'town. There were many interests in Exeter's
first store to keep him busy, for besides carrying on the business
of General Merchandise. They were Agents for the Town Site Company,
and the Burlington and Missouri Railroad lands, the Express Company,
and had the Post Office, Mr. Smith being Post Master. Among the many
and varied experiences of the early days, was the building of a
"Russian" heating stove. Dr. Smith had seen one such stove at Sutton
and thought it would be the very thing to meet the requirements of
the store. The stove was made of brick, and bid fair to give the
desired service had it not been for the drafts being wrong. This of
course was a very serious fault, instead of the stove being a source
of comfort on cold days, it made the place just as habitable for a
white man as the inside of an Indian wigwam. The smoke persisted in
coming into the store instead of going up the chimney, so that the
"Russian" stove was no better in that regard than the Indian's open
fire.
Pioneers of Fillmore and Adjoining Counties
Source: Pioneer Stories of the Pioneers of Fillmore and adjoining Counties, by G. R. McKeith, Press of Fillmore County News, Exeter, Nebraska, 1915
