Pioneers of Fillmore Archives – Page 3 of 5

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.

Biography of John S. Beardsley of Saline County

John S. Beardsley, born in Ohio, moved to Iowa with his parents in 1856 and grew up there. In April 1870, he secured a homestead in Nebraska on the southwest quarter of Section 22, Town 7, Range 1 west. He relocated his family from Iowa to Crete, Nebraska, bringing livestock and his sister-in-law, Miss Knox. Initially living in their wagon, they endured dust storms while setting up their new life. Beardsley established a nursery and later farmed land for Colonel Doane before moving to his homestead in 1871. Despite challenges, including grasshopper infestations, Beardsley successfully planted an orchard and a 16-acre grove, though many trees later died. Mrs. Beardsley, familiar with pioneer life, recalled her early years in Iowa and interactions with Native Americans.

John T. Borland of Fillmore County

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

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.

Mrs. M. L. Roper of Fillmore County

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

Jonathan A. Horton of Fillmore County

Jonathan A. Horton, originally from Pennsylvania, homesteaded in Nebraska on November 23, 1870, after moving from Illinois with his wife. Settling on Section 2, Township 8, Range 2, they lived in a sod house for eleven years before building a frame house. Horton donated land for a school, which also served as a church. He was a key figure in organizing the “Church of God” and contributed land for a cemetery. Despite hardships, including injury and traveling for work, Horton thrived, engaging in the local community and witnessing the region’s wildlife, including antelope and elk.

L. T. Mead of Fillmore County

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

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

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

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.