Town: Crete

Biography of W. H. Miner

1890s Sod House in Southern Boone County

W. H. Miner came from Illinois in 1870 and located on the North West quarter of Section 12, Town 8, Range 1, West, and lived through the first summer in a tent, which became a well known land mark and place of call for many of the incoming settlers. That was the time when this country side was one vast open plain without a house or tree, the wild animals being glad of any shade afforded them by the kindly weeds. An antelope was so enjoying what shads a large sunflower could give when Mr. Miner crept up and shot … Read more

Biography of John S. Beardsley of Saline County

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

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.