Pioneers of Fillmore Archives – Page 3 of 5

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

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.

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

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.

Job Hathaway, Willard Payne and Elam Wilcox of Fillmore County

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.

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.

Biography of John H. Anderson of York County

John H. Anderson arrived in York County, Nebraska, in February 1865 with his father, John Spencer Anderson, and four brothers, becoming the first to homestead in the county. Settling on the bottom lands of the Blue, Anderson faced the challenges of frontier life, including frequent trips to Nebraska City for supplies and encounters with Native Americans. He participated in a memorable buffalo hunt in Kansas in December 1870. The Anderson home was a community hub, hosting the first sermon in York County in April 1869 by Rev. William Worley. Despite the hardships, the family thrived, with Anderson later moving to Exeter in 1899, where he became well-known as the town’s drayman.

John Redfern of Fillmore County

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.