Exeter Archives – Page 3 of 3 – Nebraska Genealogy

History of Exeter Nebraska

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

Exeter, Nebraska, became an incorporated village on April 1, 1879. Situated between the Blue River and Turkey Creek, it initially struggled to grow. Despite this, dedicated residents promoted the town enthusiastically through local newspapers, attracting new settlers and businesses. Early promotional efforts included poetic invitations to homestead and optimistic reports of growth, which successfully drew many to Exeter. By 1889, Exeter had established a robust business community, including notable figures such as Dr. E. S. Higley and Mr. W. H. Taylor. Over time, Exeter flourished, boasting modern amenities, a strong local economy, and a vibrant community.

James W. Dolan of Fillmore County

James W. Dolan, originally from Corning, Iowa, arrived in Lincoln, Nebraska, on February 1, 1871. After learning about available Government land, he traveled to Crete and then westward with John F. Evans to Fillmore County. Dolan homesteaded the Northeast Quarter of Section 20, Township 8, Range 1, West, and preempted land for his brother. In April 1871, he built a $65 house on his claim with lumber hauled from Lincoln. Despite hardships, including rattlesnakes and scarce resources, Dolan farmed successfully and engaged in community development. He co-founded Exeter, established its first store and post office, and served on the school board. In 1880, he moved to Indianola, Nebraska, and later to Los Angeles, California.

C. A. Songster of Fillmore County

C. A. Songster moved from Centerville, Appanoose County, Iowa, to a farm near Exeter, Nebraska, in 1871 with his wife and two children. The family initially lived in a tent, then a dugout, and eventually a sod house. The first school in the district was held in their home. Cattle roamed freely, and tall Bluestem grass posed risks for children. Songster Sr. hauled lumber for the first house and store in Exeter, owned by Dr. H. G. Smith. He died in 1898 and is buried in the Exeter cemetery. Bert Songster, his son, provides these reminiscences.

Mr. Charles Hole of Fillmore County

Charles Hole, originally from West Pennard near Glastonbury, Somersetshire, England, immigrated to America in 1870. After spending two years in Detroit, he moved to Exeter, Nebraska, in April 1872, where he homesteaded 80 acres of land south of town. He was joined by three other Somerset natives: Alfred Corp, Bill Haimes, and Frank Appleby. Frank Appleby, a carpenter, tragically died in 1872 and was the first white man buried in the district. Charles Hole married and settled in Exeter in 1878, building a home in 1881, where he lived for over 33 years. His long-used cook stove, bought on his wedding day, still serves him.

Charles N. Phillips of Fillmore County

In 1871, Charles N. Phillips and his wife journeyed from Pennsylvania to near Exeter, Nebraska, arriving on June 1. They built a sod house on their homestead with just $10. Despite hardships, they found support in the community, notably from Mrs. Smith at the local store. They ground corn in a coffee mill for flour and endured severe winters, including the notable 1873 snowstorm. The Phillips faced prairie fires and floods, and Charles sold the first load of wheat in Exeter in 1872. Despite his disability from the Battle of Gettysburg, Charles thrived in this new frontier.

Colonel N. S. Babcock Arrived in 1871

In 1871, Colonel Babcock arrived in Nebraska from New York State, walking from Seward to find a family near Indian Creek. He discovered a well-furnished dugout home before settling near Exeter, where “Boss” Woodard had the only visible house. Babcock’s journey with his wife involved a fifty-mile trip in a wagon without springs, cooking meals on a hillside, and using shingles as plates. They lost track of Sundays and encountered numerous rattlesnakes. During the Grasshopper Plague, Babcock sent evidence to skeptical relatives back East, proving the severity of the infestation.

Doctor O. P. Baker of Fillmore County

Dr. O. P. Baker first visited the Exeter, Nebraska, area while accompanying grain buyer Joe Shaub. During his visit, he purchased a quarter section of land east of town. Returning to Morrison, Illinois, he successfully sold five farms based on his descriptions of Exeter’s potential. In 1874, Dr. Baker built a house on his land and continued promoting Nebraska, bringing large parties of land seekers from Illinois in 1874 and 1875, selling numerous farms. Moving to Exeter in 1880, he became the town’s first practicing dentist, working for 46 years until selling his practice due to failing eyesight. His efforts significantly contributed to the area’s settlement and development.