CRAB ORCHARD is located in the western part of Johnson County on the B. & M. R.R., 14 miles from Tecumseh, the county seat, and the same distance from Beatrice. It has a population of 450, good school facilities, two churches-M.E. and Baptist-A.L. Mason Post G.A.R. No. 169, a hotel, bank and a weekly newspaper, the Crab Orchard Herald. A new two-story brick bank building is being erected, which will cost $4000.
- Bank of Crab Orchard, capital $15,000, C l Rothell, O A Bailey vice-president, Frank Rothell Cashier.
- Cannell Bros, hardware
- Commercial Hotel, Mrs. C M Thatcher, prop.
- Cooper O A, grain, coal
- Crab Orchard Herald, S G Howe, pub.
- Deulen James, delivery
- Dilworth J M, jewelery
- D'Ment D W, drugs, justice
- Emery R G, meat market
- Howe S Grey, editor Crab Orchard Herald
- Lattimer & Jones, pumps & windmills
- McConnel John, genl mdse.
- Miller W H, harness maker
- Nichols A B, blacksmith
- Petit Thomas, carpenter
- Rathburn I H, phys.
- Redfield F A, genl mdse.
- Rogers W P, veterinary surgeon
- Rothell Bros, real estate
- Rothell Frank, cashier,bank,notary
- Sharrett F M, postmaster, hardware
- Smith C B, furniture, undertaker
- Spence Alexander, genl mdse.
- Thatcher C M Mrs, prop Commercial Hotel
- Thomas G W, sta tel,ex agt.
- Thorpe Jacob, barber
- Williamson A M, gen mdse.
ELK CREEK is in the southeastern portion of Johnson county, and has about 400 inhabitants. It is on the Atchison and Columbus branch of the B.& M. R. R., seven miles southeast of Tecumseh, the county seat. The societies of the place are G.A.R., S. of V., K of P., A.F. & A.M. The churches are Methodist, Episcopal, Dunkard, Free-will Baptist, Lutheran and Christian.
- Bair M N, carpenter & contractor
- Bank of Elk Creek, Jas D Russell pres, S F Holmes, cashier
- Brown Harvey E, drugs and groceries
- Burress Jacob T, restaurant
- City Hotel, A Odgen, prop.
- Cody Z T, livery
- Cooper O A, grain elevator, T T Weitz, manager
- Dunn M E Mrs, millinery
- Hall Lewis G, postmaster, stationary
- Haras A & J W, meat market
- Lawrence John W, genl mdse.
- Libby & Jenning, genl mdse, lumber, coal and grain elevator
- McLanahan W T H, genl mdse.
- Marble H P & Co, H P and M H Marble, pubs. Weekly Sentinel
- Metropolitian Hotel, Mrs C E Perry, prop.
- Ogden Andrew, prop City Hotel
- Perry C E Mrs, prop Metropolitan Hotel
- Seiss Erhart A, agl implts, wagons
- Smiley Thomas, blacksmith
- Steininger G J M, sta agt.
- Thompson Francis M, hardware
- Tibbets & Libby, hardware
- Weekly Sentinel, H P Marble & Co, publishers
- Weitz Thomas T O, A Cooper mgr.grain elevator, agl implts, coal
- Williams Henry, barber
- Wright S G & Co, drugs and groceries
- Youngman John W, phys.
HELENA, a postoffice in the northern part of Johnson county, eight miles north of Smartville.
SMARTVILLE, a village in the central part of Johnson county on the A. & N. division of the B. & B. R.R. nine miles from Tecumseh, the county seat, has about 60 inhabitants. It is pleasantly situated in the midst of a fine grain growing country.
- Collester Robert, blacksmith and justice of the peace
- Cooper O A, grain
- Smart Robert, gen mdse.
- Wall W R, sta tel and ex agt.
STERLING has a population of 1,100 and is located in the valley of the Nemaha, in the northwestern part of Johnson county, on the A.& N. division of the B.& M. R.R.. 10 miles northwest of Tecumseh, the county seat. Fine crops manifest the excellent quality of the land in the vicinity. The Sterling flour mill does a large business. There are a national bank with a capital of $50,000 and a state bank with a captial of $25,000. The Sterling Press-Sun is the enterprising newspaper of the place. Two elevators, two hotels, an omnibus line and various other kinds of business houses are additional evidences of business energy. Good schools and the Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist churches supply the educational and religious needs of the people. A new school building is just being completed at the cost of $10,000.
- Alford A B, prop Sterling House
- Andres Fred, hardware, agl implts.
- Atkins A B, agl implts
- Bales D S, harnessmaker
- Bartling F L, clothing boots, shoes
- Beedy Robert, drayman
- Boatsman & Janssen, genl mdse.
- Bonner J Mrs., millinery
- Borland W W, blacksmith, wagonmaker
- Brown Otten, shoemaker
- Catchpole & Case, meat market
- Central House S J Porter, prop.
- Chicago Lumber Co, H A Bower, mgr lumber and coal
- Childs H M, notary
- Christy M H, drugs
- Cribbs James, livery
- Dollarhide, Walmsley & Gordon, barbers
- Ellis C C, genl mdse.
- Farmers and Merchants Bank, capital $25,000, H M Childs Pres, T B Fraser vice-pres, J R Pierson cashier
- First National Bank, capital $50,000 W M Rothell pres, Wm Freeburn
- Vice-pres, J P Renshau cashier
- Halsey F P, grain
- Harris F A, agl implts. and grain
- Hitchcock E Ross, justice, notary
- Hitchcock J Hall, attorney at law and notary
- Kiesel John G, meat market
- Lee T C, millinery
- Livingston John, confectionery
- McAuliffe M H, billiards
- McGee E M, phys.
- McGrew John, drayman
- Manzer S J, restaurant, confectionery
- Martin John, blacksmith
- Neff J G, dentist
- Noble A B, livery stable, omnibus line
- Norcross & Worl, grain, stock and agl implts.
- Pearson Allen, hardware and groceries
- Porter S J, prop Central House
- Rathe Henry, shoemaker
- Reid Robt R, jewelry
- Renshaw T P & Co, genl. mdse.
- Rice J M, barber
- Robbins E G Mrs., phys.
- Roberts T J & Bro., jewelry, drugs, furniture, undertaker
- Rokahr Conrad, blacksmith
- Rothell W M, pres First National Bank, and notary
- Rowel & Pratt, dressmakers
- Shepherd J H, justice, real estate and notary
- Sterling House, A B Alford Prop.
- Sterling Lumber Co, J M Borland mgr. lumber and coal
- Sterling Milling Co, C M Kauffman pres., H Norcross vice-pres., John
- Bridges treas, flour mills
- Sterling Press-Sun, Varner & Cassel pubs.
- Townsend & Bowman, genl mdse.
- Tripp Charles P, genl mdse.
- Truitt A C, phys.
- Tyler J P, drugs, furniture, groceries
- Varner & Cassel, pubs Sterling Press-Sun
- Varner L A, attorney, notary
- Wigginton G W, harnessmaker
- Wilson C M, sta, tel, and ex agt.
- Worthan S J Mrs, millinery
- Worthy W E, livery
- Wright E W, machinist, feed mill
- Zink V, postmaster, confectionary, stationary
TECUMSEH, the county seat of Johnson county, has a population of 1655. It is situated on the A. & N. division of the B.M &.R.R., 48 miles from Lincoln. The county has erected a handsome courthouse at a cost of $40,000. The city is now building a city hall which will be a handsome edifice to cost $4,350. The city owns its electric light plant and fine system of water works, and has an efficient fire department. Two banking houses, two flour mills, a machine shop and foundry, and several elevators are among the kind of business conducted here. The business buildings are nearly all of brick. The city is well supplied with hotel priveleges, the principal house being the Queen City Hotel, kept by D. V. Benscoter. The churches Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Christian, German Lutheran, Universalist and Catholic. The press is well represented in the Johnson County Journal, published by Pool & Cooper, Brundage, publishers, and the Republicans.
- Albers U L, phys.
- Alexander Frank P, hardware
- Appleget A M, city atty, notary
- Arnup & Hedrick, groceries and crockery
- Attebury Edward M, carpenter
- Auman John, carpenter
- Bailey & Allen, agl implts.
- Barton W R, mayor
- Battreal Bros,barbers
- Benscoter D V, prop. Queen City Hotel
- Berry Edward, dry goods, groceries
- Bradley C T, prop Bradley House
- Brillhart Jacob S, variety store
- Buerstetta Wm, genl mdse.
- Buffum & Grist, groceries
- Buffum J W, mfr confectionery
- Buffum & Townsend, drugs, paints
- Campbell Wm A, postmaster
- Canfield Alfred, agl implts.
- Chamberlain Banking House, Clarence K Chamberlain pres, Chas M Chamberlain, cashier
- Chamberlain Bros & Rood, attys.
- Chapman Lewis C, atty., notary
- Chicago Lumber Co, A C Mohrman mgr.
- Chittenden Thos J, grain elevator, coal, millinery, notions
- Chubbuck Carlton K, phys
- City Water Works & Electric Light Co., supply water and electric light
- Coffey A N, city clerk
- Compton & Porter, attys, abstracters
- Conrad Wm, jeweler, musical instruments
- Cook, Jennie Miss, dressmaker
- Crow John H, wood yard
- Cummings & Cunningham, meat market
- Dafoe P V R, phys, drugs, musical instruments
- Damon George F, boots and shoes
- Davidson S P, atty
- Davis Lewis M, groceries, crockery
- DeVenney James, saloon
- Dew & Hardin, furniture, hardware
- Dolph John E, confectionery
- Dorner House, Mrs S E Ingraham, prop.
- Dunlap W L, city engineer
- Dutcher W H, drayman
- Easterdy J H, loans
- Eaton & Howorth, genl mdse.
- Ellsworth L S, hardware, furniture
- Ernst Wm, importer of horses
- Farrall T E, phys.
- Ferguson Bros, barbers
- Fornefelt Wm, harness
- Frisbie Ida L Miss, dressmaker
- Frost Robert, saloon
- Frownfelter David W, marble works
- Gaiser Albert, dentist
- Glass James R, groceries, drugs
- Goodman Leopold, clothing, mgr Opera House
- Gottula Louis, painter
- Graff & Curran, genl mdse.
- Greene Clara M Miss, ins.
- Halsted Bros, livery
- Harman J S, hardware, furniture
- Harris James, atty, notary, ins.
- Hassett Wm H, lumber
- Hawkins & Beatty (W P Hawkins, F L Beatty), real estate, ins, loans and collections
- Hawkins K R Mrs, laundry
- Headrick C M, phys.
- Headrick & Hailman, drugs, paints
- Heaton Wm J, grain dealer
- Hill James, steam mill
- Hll M A Mrs, millinery
- Hill & Son (James and George HIll), prop. Model Roller Mill, grain, elevator and coal
- Hocker E A Mrs, dressmaker
- Holmes Dice Miss, dressmaker
- Hover & Shaw, photographers
- Howell & Co, collections and ins.
- Ingraham S E Mrs, prop Dorner House
- Johnson County Journal, circulation 1400, Pool & Cooper props.
- Jones P S, foundry, machine shop
- Jones P S Mrs, restaurant
- Kearney John F, shoemaker
- Lester Ory, meat market
- Ludlow W H D, jeweler
- McCrann Wm J, phys.
- McLanahan Richard, genl mdse.
- Mason Otis S, blacksmith
- Miller C M, sta. agt.
- Model Roller Mills, Hill and Sons, props, flour mfrs.
- Morhman Augustus C,mgr Chicago Lumber Co.
- Nebraska Land and Loan CO, R A and S S Steward props, real estate and loans
- Needham Wm F, merchant tailor
- Omaha Cash Store, G E Tourtelott mgr, dry goods
- Osgood Danl G, atty, notary
- Paine O & Sons, livery
- Parker L S, groceries
- Pearsall & Pearsall, restaurant and bakery
- Perkins B F, atty, notary
- Peterson N M, carpenter
- Pfiefer & Clark, blacksmith
- Phillips Jason L, feed mill
- Philpott C H, dentist
- Pool and Cooper, C E Pool, H L Cooper props Johnson County Journal
- Queen City Hotel, C V Benscoter, prop.
- Reynolds & Cowen, props Tecumseh Repblican
- Roberts & Spicknall, brick mfrs.
- Robinson Thomas, feed stable
- Rogers, Jansen & Surgin, agl implts, pumps
- Ross & Bryson, cigar mfrs.
- Scott Chas B, boots and shoes
- Scott Frank S, confectionary, news stand
- Seaver & Son, drugs and groceries
- Sherman House, K Tienary prop.
- Shoo Lun, laundry
- Simpson Andrew, livery
- Smith Fred, genl mdse.
- Snyder F A, phys
- Somers & Brundage(F M Sommers, P A Brundage), props The Tecumseh Cheiftain
- Somers F M, phys
- Stanton D Miss, dressmaker
- Stewart R A & S S, props Nebraska Land and Loan Co.
- Strong Bros, blacksmith
- Sullivan & Davis. genl mdse.
- Swan & Wheatley, meat market
- Taylor Wm, barber
- Tecumseh Canning co, creamery
- Tecumseh Cheiftain, Somers & Brundage props
- Tecumseh Milling Co, C Woodley Pres. John Graff sec and mgr., C M
- Chamberlain treas, flour mgrs.
- Tecumseh Republican, Reynolds & Cowan, props.
- Tierney K, prop, Sherman House
- Trank Andrew, lunch counter
- Trice Chas, phys.
- Viele Otto, carpenter
- Ward M Mrs, millinery
- Warren & Apperson, dry goods and clothing
- Webb J E, agl implts.
- Wilson John, police judge
- Woltemath John C, agl implts
- Zutavern George C, livery
VESTA is situated on the Holdrege & Nebraska City branch of the B & M R. R. in the western part of Johnson county nine miles west of Tecumseh, the judicial seat of the county. It is surrounded by a good agriculteral country, and has a population of 150
- Cooper O A, grain
- D'Camp A R, blacksmith
- D'Camp, Hotel, Mrs M A D'Camp prop.
- Hardenburg H D, genl mdse.
- Heaton & Labicker, grain, coal and agl implts.
- Long John, carpenter
- Reed & Williams, genl mdse.
- Roy L L, sta tel and ex agt.
- Stewart M, postmaster, drugs