Franklin County, Nebraska

For Another Day

Franklin County in 1900 was about to reach its peak of population growth. At that time the county was becoming more mobile. The little bergs in our county: Amazon, Brooklyn, Orange and Rockford were already history for old timers to write about. A man by the name of Thomas Ashby wrote a column in a local newspaper around 1900 called "Way back in the '70's" Some day I will tell you what he wrote of life in the 1870's. But for now, there's more from Veda's file of old 1900 newspapers;

"Memorial services were held last Sunday by the G. A. R. Post of this place, at the Methodist Church. There was a good turnout of old soldiers who marched from their headquarters at the courthouse in a body. I. V. Smith, an old Confederate soldier, carrying a shattered arm as a memento of the Vicksburg Siege, marched in the rear by the side of an honored member of the G. A. R. Post. Rev. Grigsby preached a very able sermon, Which was duly appreciated by a large audience." I.V. Smith homesteaded in the N.W.1/4 of section 26, Bloomington Township. Today we know that farm as the home of Terry Harms.

"U. H. Malick is in the middle of his alfalfa harvest and like wise are C. H. Douglas, Myron Weed, W. W. Morse, C. E. Moffett, James Owens, and numerous others who are growing this plant in vicinity of Bloomington." U. H. Malick owned a large farm south of the West ½ pf section 17, Oak Grove Township, and 160 acres in the same Township, Section 18 on the east side. There used to be a road a little west of the Bloomington Bridge that went south for at least 2 miles. There was a house on that road and I once saw that road, from that house going south. I wanted so to walk it. I love old untrodden roads of years gone by. W. W. Morse lived west of Bloomington on the old highway about ¼ mile on the south side of the road. The rest of the people isted above are stories for another day.

" Mrs. Eli Brown is enjoying a visit from her mother, Mrs. Coon, and her sister, Mrs. Rynearson of Peoria, Illinois, who arrived a few days since, and will remain about three weeks."

Eli Brown lived in the N.W. 40 acres of the N.W.1/4 section 6, of Oak Grove Township. Sources have told me that his might be where the first town of Bloomington was located. It was called Brooklyn. I am still looking for the east edge of Big Cottonwood Creek on the old highway, about a mile west of Bloomington on the north side of the road, close to the location of the old Mill.

"The Akers Martial Band was down. Decoration Day was duly observed in Bloomington by a large assembly of people from the surrounding country. There was quite a lengthy procession to the cemetery, and a great many bouquets and wreaths decorated the graves of the soldiers who have gone before. It brings a feeling of sadness to note the rapidity with which the little band wearing the blue with brass buttons of the G. A. R. gets smaller, and we note how age is telling on those who remain and how many are not able to obey the summons to 'fall in' and 'march' to the grounds." Almost a hundred years ago the writer of the article felt remorse that the infirmities of age kept some of them away and some were deceased. Today, I also feel sorry that all our pioneers of Franklin County who fought in the Civil War are dead.

"It is now reported that the following named gentlemen will be candidates for the Bloomington Post Office, Provided W. T. Britton should resign as it is understood he will some time next fall to wit: O. T. Patterson, Conrad Huber, Ed Homes, C. E. Moffett, George Green, A. K. Frigly, J. P. A. Black, C.K.Hart, J. B. McGrew, Merrick Davis, John Sawyer, D. M. Gregg, H. H. Waldo, H. M. Crane, John Kirkbride, Todd Hunt, Perry Hildreth, Ira Cadman, U. Koelmel, Dan Hallock, F. H. Ludeke, J. H. Jones, Carson Hildreth, George Cole, W. H. Miller, and E. Hebb. There are probably a number of other candidates who will come in as dark horses, but are modest about placing their names before the public just at the present time. We hope each and every one of them success and unhesitatingly say they are the best man for the place." Ed Holmes ran the stage line in and out of Bloomington, and H. M. Crane was to later run the newspaper of Bloomington for many years. George Green ran the lumber yard of the same town. Verna Donovan now lives in his house on the road into Bloomington. I look at the pretty woodwork in that house and remember he would have had access to the best. A. K. Feigly ran a grocery store in the town I am forever talking about, simply because its so easy to study this time period. John Kirkbride was in the banking business. And, we all know what Carson Hildreth did. He built the Donovan house in Bloomington that was lived in by J. B. McGrew and later the Harts then the Murphys, then the Donovans. He is the namesake of Hildreth. The man later built the lovely home that Doug and Lucile Plank are in process of remodeling in Franklin. Carson Hildreth's life is a story for another day.

"A quiet wedding took place in this city on the 21st. The contraction parties and just those that were most interested was Miss Carrie Britton the accomplished daughter of W. T. Britton, our worthy postmaster at this place. During the ceremony, the young lady agreed 'to love, cherish and obey' a man by the name of George T. Smith 'and leaving all others keep herself unto him alone until death doth then part.' The bride was born and raised in this neighborhood and has won a host of friends. We know nothing about the groom except his name, but consider that to be all the recommendation needed. Congratulations are hereby extended." November 23, 1900.

Rena Donovan, For Another Day.

Return to For Another Day main page

Return to Franklin County NEGenWeb Main Page