YORK COUNTY NEBRASKA
OLD SETTLER'S HISTORY

     (159) E. D. Copsey was born at Litchfield, N. Y., April 1, 1841 Came with his parents to Crawford county, Wis. Enlisted in the 8th Wisconsin Reg. in '61. Served three years; then re-enlisted in a N. Y. regiment where he served one year. At the expiration of his service he went back to Wisconsin where he engaged in farming for one year, but the "call of the wild" was stronger than the broken home ties, and in the spring of 1867 with a party of friends and their families he came to York County, Nebraska and filed in a homestead in the southwest corner of the county near the Blue river. Oct. 26th he was married to Janet Henderson, daughter of David Henderson, the senior pioneer of that township. From that date begins the story of We, I & Co. In addition to our homestead, we bought a quarter section of R. R. land at nine dollars per acre on ten years (160) time, our first house built of logs was neither roomy or elegant, but we "builded better than we knew," and it soon gave place to a commodous and comfortable frame dwelling, which we occupied for 25 years, and left it with some regrets. "Into all lives, some rain must fall." We had our share, but on the whole there was more of sunshine than shadow. Life did not always flow along like a song, but we were young; had strong hearts and willing hands. We had reverses; sometimes a little discouraged, but never waded so far in the "Slough of Despond" that we could not wade back. We were too busy. We did not have the time. Time went on, and many of our old friends and neighbors followed us, and met with a warm welcome.

Mrs. E. D. Copsey
E. D. Copsey

Strangers came and ties of friendship were formed that were only broken when one by one many dropped by the wayside. Our four children, three sons and one daughter, grew up and are following the trail we blazed for them so long ago. I cannot close this short bit of history without a word for my father and mother. Past middle age when they came here, my father went bravely to work to improve his land and make a home. We younger people little appreciated the fact that he was sowing for others to reap. With the help of his two sons, and my younger sisters, a fine farm home was built and belongs to the family yet. Mother was very homesick the first year, but the next summer brought her sister, Mrs. Waddle and family and other friends. Then it began to seem like home. She was happy and contented. Their hospitality was only bounded by the size of their house, and many were the strangers that were housed and feed at their home. Father, mother, one brother and one sister have crossed the bar. Five are left of a family of seven who came in '66. "Soon, we too will hear the last strong call" and hope to meet them again. After a lapse of forty-seven years, we can look back to the time when we stood, like children playing by the bank of a river, watching the golden sand as it floated by but, never realizing that it was golden. We, unthinkingly, were making history. Other hands are taking up the work where we are laying it down, and making York county as it has always been, the best county in Nebraska.

     Thomas William Smith was born at Ormstown, Province of Quebeck, Canada, Nov. 12th, 1853, and immigrated to Grundy County III., April 1869, married Fannie Lincoln at Morison, Ill., in 1873 and moved to York County, Nebraska April 18, 1874, and purchased theN. W. ¼ 21-9-3 from the B. & M. R. R. Co., and began his pioneer life by building a sod house and buying a yoke of oxen, and has grown up with the country" and now not only owns his own original farm, but owns 500 acres of improved farms in York County, besides one of the best residences in York.

     Mr. Smith has also interested himself in public affairs, was a delegate to the first Democratic Convention ever held in York County; this convention was held in 1878, William Armstrong, was Chairman and John Etherly, Secretary. The delegates were Elias Gilmore, John P. Cook. Ed. Bates, Peter H. Pursel, Josiah Lichtenberger, Dick Brabham, Phil Bohl, Ben Willis, Bert Campbell and T. W. Smith; of the 12 members of that convention only three are at this date (May 1913) living, Ben Willis, Ed. Bates and T. W. Smith.

    Mr. Smith was a member of the Board of County Supervisors 1885 and 1886, and was chairman of the Board the last year though a large majority of the Board were Republicans.

     In 1887 Mr. Smith, G. W. Post and Lee Love bought he Blue River Bank at McCool and he was elected Vice President and has held that position in the bank ever since, and for the last seven years has been a Director in he First National Bank of York.

T. W. Smith

     In 1887 Mr. Smith was employed by the K. C. & O. R. R., in buying its Right of Way through York County and it was through his influence the road was built from Henderson east to McCool, and he secured the location of the village of McCool Junction (the road was first surveyed direct from Henderson to York). Mr. Smith was the first to place the town lots on the market.

     (162) After the town of McCool was established he moved to the place and for 17 years was engaged in the grain business, and for 23 years was the popular' auctioneer in York County, in the mean time he moved to York and in 1905 was elected a member of the City Council and served on the council for two years, the last year, 1906 he ably assisted in securing the first paving district for the city.

     In 1909 Governor Shallenberger appointed Mr. Smith warden of the State Penitentiary and his administration was commended by both political parties, he, for the first time in the history of the institution, put it on a paying basis, and when Mr. Smith made his final report, its showing of the successful management of the penitentiary awakened an interest in other states, and a second edition of the report had to be issued to supply the demand.

     Daniel George was born in Hampshire, England, Nov. 25th, 1835, and came to America with his father, mother and six brothers in the fill of 1539. They settled in Green County, Wis. He and his brother grew to manhood in what was then a wild new country. They walked four miles to school, the school house being a log building; and, as lads, drove freight wagons drawn by oxen, hauling lead ore one way, and merchandise the other between Chicago and Milwaukee. Chicago at that time was a few shanties, and the conveyance that met the traveler at the landing on the lake shore, was drawn by an ox. When Dan grew to mans estate he followed firming as an occupation. He was married to Mary Henderson Dec. 31, 1859 and in the spring of 1864 he went with his family to Crawford County, Wis., where he had an 80 acre farm of poor hilly clay land. He lived there until he enlisted in Co. K 46 Wis. Vol. Infantry. he was honorably discharged in Sept. 1865 and as "Uncle Sam" had promised his soldiers a farm, thought it a good time to go after it. Accordingly he sold his hill farm, packed his family and belongings into a prairie schooner, drawn by two yoke of oxen and started out to find a new home in the county drained by the Big Blue River, that had been described in letters written by two (163) others, who had gone to Pikes Peak early in the year 1860.

     The little company of twenty people, six men, five women, five children, three young ladies and a lad of sixteen years started from the old home in Wisconsin, May 19, 1866, traveling in wagons drawn by horses and oxen. They ended near the site of their future homes in the southwest corner of York County, July 8 of the same year. When the county was organized, Dan, with his relatives, came across the prairie to be at the organization. There were no roads and twenty miles seemed farther than twice that many over a road.

     He carried his rifle, thinking he might see something to shoot, an elk, antelope or deer, and got back home sometime during the night following the day of the organization. He lived on the farm "Uncle Sam gave him thirty six years lived to see the treeless prairies dotted with groves and covered with comfortable farm homes, towns and cities. On account of failing health he sold the farm that he considered too good to rent, and moved to the city of York, where he died October 21, 1905, being survived by by his aged wife and three daughters.

     The girl that came with the oxen and the covered wagons.

     Hon. J. B. Steward, son of Isaac Steward (who on May 2, 1913 celebrated his one hundredth birthday at Selma, California) was born in York County, Pennsylvania on April 14, 1850, where he grew to manhood on a farm, attending the country schools during the winter. Shortly before he reached majority he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Meads. The young couple saw clearly that if ever they were to have a home worthy of the name, it would be necessary to go West where land was both cheaper and better, made in their minds to lose no time. So, in the Autumn of 1870, they came as far toward sunset as Columbus Junction, Iowa. Here Mr. Steward worked on a farm as a hired man for two years. At this time there (164) was a stream of "Movers" trekking across Iowa to the Government lands of Nebraska. Again the Stewards concluded that it would be wise to go West and finally grow up with the country. It was now pretty well along in the winter of 1872, but they loaded up a covered wagon and with a cow or two they started "for the promised land." March 8th, 1873, they halted upon the identical piece of land now occupied by Mr. Steward, and which has been his home ever since. Here he took off his covered wagon-box, and in this he lived until his house was completed. On the morning the third day after his arrival, he noticed a wagonload of men driving along the west line of the section and going North. In an hour or two later, he noticed two wagon loads of men coming down from the North and they drove onto his land and up to where he was camped. They constituted the Vigilance Committee, so they said, and he had squatted on a piece of land that was claimed by another man. He must vamoose, and that quickly, for they would not tolerate claim jumping. Mr. Steward called their attention to the fact that there was no filing on this land on record at the Lincoln Land office, and he would not vamoose a little bit. He was no claim jumper and they had not better accuse him of that again. It was plain to these gentlemen that they had run against a snag, and they changed tunes, now saying that he had best go peaceably for none of them would neighbor with him. The change was so sudden and so great that J. B. smelled a mice, and smilingly told them as tough as it world he to live without no neighbors, he would try to get along without them, perhaps other people would come after awhile who would not be so particular. This little speech convinced them that Steward meant to stay, and here they hauled down their flag and said they might as well all be friends, and one of the party sold him a ton of good hay, and getting his pay in cash departed in the best of spirits. The facts were that a certain family in which there were four men were trying to keep all the land on this section covered up until they could legally enter it either as tree claims or pre-emptions for there was but one Soldier in the family and the others could only homestead eighty acres each. Strange to relate there never was any further trouble with these men, and every one of them became fast friends of (165) J. B. Steward and so remained as long as they lived in York County. Of course the Steward family had their share of grief in the Easter storm of April 13, 1873. They had been located less than five weeks when this new sort of snow storm hit them, and the flour was all gone, no cornmeal and not a great deal of coffee left in the can. It was starve or eat potatoes, and for four days, John says, they had nothing but potatoes, salt and coffee. For years Mr. Steward  could not see potatoes brought upon his table without weeping, and even to this day, he regards the Irish potatoes as the most sacred thing in the vegetable kingdom.

     They prospered as did their neighbors, had their pleasures and hardships, and rejoiced in the possession of a spot that they could call "home."

     But a a cloud fell upon that happy little family, the wife and mother sickened and died. You who, today, are possessed of every comfort that money can buy, little realize what that death meant to a man with three small children living in a in sod house on these, then bleak prairies. Mary Steward was buried on the plat of land now owned by Dist. No. 43 in Polk County, but was removed later when the Benedict cemetery was laid out.

     A year later in 1878, Mr. Steward was married to Mrs. Margaret Bobo who for all these intervening years has been a faithful wife to him and a good mother to all of his children. There were three children by the first wife and four by the second. Two of his first family have died, but all of the of the second wife's children are yet living.

     Like most ambitious men, Mr. Steward thought he would like a flyer in politics and so when McKeighan ran for Congress in 1890, Mr. Steward made the race for the Legislature and was elected to the lower house from York County. Here he served on the Finance, Public Lands & Buildings, Penitentiary and Miscellaneous Committees, making a good record. One hitch at politics satisfied J. B. that it was no place for an honest man, and he straightway quit the deal, believing that he could make more money on the farm and make it easier. In 1892. Gov. Boyd appointed him as one of the eight commissioners to represent (166) Nebraska at the Chicago Exposition, and for two years he gave much of his time, serving as one of two men who built the Nebraska building. As soon as the State building was completed, the Chief Commissioner for Nebraska sent out appeals to the various counties to send in Exhibits of their farm and manufactured products. Not more than half a dozen counties had responded until Chief Com. Garneau realized that the building was too small by half and called his entire committee in to consult as to what should be done. He was in favor of sending out circular letters to the other counties that there was no more room and that they should not send their exhibits. This he thought, would be all that was necessary. Understanding human nature, Mr. Steward here craved a few minutes to make his say, which was to the effect that such a letter would surely bring an exhibit, and a large one, too, from every county in the state. The Majority of those present agreed with Mr. Steward and thanked him for saving their lives. It was plain that the only course was to not say a word to anyone about lack of room but take chances on any more coming in. This proved to be the solution of the matter for not another county reported. In 1908, Mr. Steward was elected President of the Nebraska Mutual Life Ins. Company, now located at Hastings, Nebraska, which he had helped organize in Stromsburg some ten years before. He has been twice re-elected to this office, and has had the satisfaction of helping to build up one of the most creditable of our State companies. Mr. Steward yet lives where he unloaded his emigrant wagon in March, 1873, and if he attains the age of his good old father, will be with us nearly forty years. Here's hoping that he will.

     Robt. W. Henderson came to Nebraska with his parents in 1866 when but a youth. Having left schools and boyhood companion far away he began a new life on the frontier. Owing to the very different surroundings, time seemed to pass away very quickly. His experience proved quite conclusively that all learning is not found in colleges and schools. 

Robert Henderson

The one boy on horseback was often found (167) available for making hardy trips back and forth to Milford d and Camden for the mail until arrangements could be made with the with the stage drivers to bring it from Porcupine Station, distance of twelve miles. For some time he served in the capacity of guide to the traveler and friend to the women and children. Game was plentiful; elk, antelope and wild turkey. On two different occasions buffalo were seen from the door. The winter of 1867 D. George, R. Fairbank and Robt. when on a hunting tour shot a fine elk near where the town of Stockham, Neb. now is. A noteworthy instance when neighbor Chaffees fine young team, strayed away and he had searched in vain for days with the help of other men, until strength and means were nearly exhausted. As a last resort he asked Robt. to assist. They quickly mounted horses and started in a northeasterly direction and after reaching what is now called the Baker farm, near York, they struck a trail made by a lariet rope, drawn by one of the horses. This formed a slight ridge in the snow which they followed as far as the Platte River when just at dark they found the horses grazing through the snow. Here they started a camp fire, intending to spend the night by it, when finally a light glimmed faintly in a window some distance away. They again started out, on the way to the house. Here they found two young men living, who bade them come in, and they were given comfortable lodging and a place for their horses. This was near where Central City now stands. The next day they reached home, tired and hungry, but victorious. Later on, when funds ran low, it became necessary for the young men to find employment on the Platte. On one occasion James Cummings, Robt. Waddel, Robt. Henderson and an "old timer" by the name of Harris, wishing to cross the Platte near Grand Island when the water was very high, they constructed a raft which was to carry their clothing. John Harris being a good swimmer, engaged to pull the raft by a rope held by his teeth, they to follow after by holding on behind. They were stranded on an island for several hours. Cummings saw his boots float away in the waters of the Platte never to return. However, they succeeded in reaching shore, none the worse for their experience. When the Sioux made the memorable raid on the Campbell ranch he went to the Platte on horseback. He (168) saw while there the desolated homes of settlers. A mother  Iying dead, her infant child playing in her blood. Another occasion while herding cattle for Fred Evans of Grand Island it was rumored that a great gathering of Indians were on the Blue river. He became anxious for the safety of the folks at home and abandoned work and started alone on horseback, well armed to be sure, thirty-five miles of treeless, trackless prairie, momentarily expecting to meet a band of red men but on reaching the settlement, found that several hundred Indians had been there, but were gone, and had been friendly to the whites. Among them being the great Chief, Peta-le-sharu. As firms grew more productive he turned his attention to stock raising, buying and shipping, as well as feeding, being his chosen vocation. He has filled offices of trust and honor, both County and State, with credit to himself and constituents. Here through privations and deeds of noble daring, men found character of high standard, they need no other monument than these, their works, the wonder of the West.

     For answer to a request for my experience during the pioneer days in York county, I will say, it was not that we were intending to profit by Horace Greeley's advice to "Go West and grow up with the counties" that brought us to Nebraska. We drifted in, as it were, intending to go on to California. We drove from Omaha by way of Fremont, over the Prairie from which the grass had recently been burned, and late one Sunday afternoon in April, 1870, we stopped at D. T. Moore's and asked for shelter for the night. It set in for a good rain, which continued for three days and during that time my husband, J. R. Read decided he would settle here. We pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres three miles north of York, built a two roomed sod house, a sod stable, dug a cave and had a well dug. We had to go to Lincoln for our housekeeping outfit and I tried every place while there, to buy feathers enough for two pillows, but not an ounce could I find, so when I returned home I made hay pillows and a hay bed which we used until we could get our bed and bedding shipped to us, which was a long tedious task, owing to our lack of mail (169) facilities and so far from a railroad. We received our mail at Beaver Crossing and only once a week, and it was there we sent our letters to be mailed. Upon one occasion when I was so anxious to get that precious bed and bedding here, I found myself without letter paper, but a letter must be sent, so it it was written on light brown wrapping paper.

     Prairie chickens were numerous and my husband, being a good marksman, we enjoyed many a feast on wild game. And here, I will relate my own experience in the "chase." One day, seeing a deer enter a ravine and her fawn by her side, I was filled with a wild desire to capture that baby deer. So I started out with a dog, and when I came to the ravine the old deer bounded away over the prairie with the dog in pursuit. After searching the weeds for a while I saw this little deer had slipped out and was going in the direction its mother had gone. Then came a race that I realized must be a "home stretch" from the beginning and I threw off my bonnet and bent every energy to the task. Then within a few yards from it the little animal seemed to realize its danger and dropped in the grass to hide. I took it home and it became my companion in many rambles over the prairies.

     When we had been here a year, grief came to us in the death of our three month old babe, our first born. No coffin could be procured nearer than Plattsmouth, so we sought the service of a carpenter, and that it might not look so much like a pine box, I sent a broad cloth cloak to cover it, it, but there were no tacks with which to fasten the cloth in place; none to be found nearer than Seward. Pins were cut in two and by crossing them made to do service. Another difficulty arose when time to close the coffin, there were no screws with which to fasten the lid. Judge Moore took one of his doors from the hinges, that the screws might be used.

     After paying for our hundred and sixty-acres, we homesteaded an eighty two miles farther north and virtually begin again at the bottom of the ladder to build, break prairie and plant trees.

     Then the grasshoppers came, but we were better prepared to meet the disaster than in previous years. We had (170) plenty of wheat, fattened two hogs on wheat and raised potatoes enough to last all winter and for seed at planting time.

     Of the hardships and privations that were the common lot of all who came in the early days, I will not write, it is too well known to those who stood so loyally together on the bleak, black waste of the York County of that day.

     Alfonso D. Wyckoff, son of Asher and Amarilla Wyckoff, was born in Brown County, Ohio June 17th, 1830 and in 1838 removed with his parents to Putnam County Illinois, where he spent his early life, being apprenticed to a cabinet maker when he was sixteen years of age. He joined the early gold seekers making the trip to California by the way of the Nicaragua Route in 1852. The sailing vessel on which he took passage on the Pacific being blown out of its course, finally put in at Honolulu where Mr. Wyckoff remained for six months, afterwards working his way to California as ship-carpenter on a sailing vessel. After working in the mines and at carpentering in California he returned to Illinois in 1855 and spent four years in acquiring a collegiate education at Wheaton College; he then entered the ministry, and was ordained in the Congregational church in 1863. He entered the army as Chaplain of the 64th. Ill., Vol. Inf., serving until the close of the war; returning to Illinois he served as pastor at different places until 1872, when his eyesight having failed he was compelled to give up the ministry, and after engaging in the furniture business for a year or two he went into the drug business with his brother in the town of Chebanse, Iroquois County, Illinois. He moved from this place to Robert, Ford County, Illinois, and from there came to York in 1850, purchasing the building and drug store of Dr. W. H. Geer. In 1883 he erected the brick building now standing at No. 103 East Sixth Street, which was one of the first brick buildings to he built in the city. Mr. Wyckoff retired from active business in 1888, disposing of his interest in the drug business to Dr. A. J. Ryan. (171) He was mayor of the city of York in 1888-1889. During his term of office the City Hall was built and the system of water works completed.

     Mr. Wyckoff was married in 1852 to Lovina Beresford, who died in York in the year 1890. His children are Helen L. Wyckoff, who has been a teacher in the Omaha schools for nearly thirty years; W. W. Wyckoff, a well known resident of the city of York; Flora M. Cameron, who died in 1891, and Rilla L. Boynton now residing with her husband, C. M. Boynton in Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Wyckoff was married to Mrs. Sarah M. McGraw in 1893, and in 1894 removed to Southern California where he is now living in Escondido, San Diego County.

     The writer of this sketch was born in Woodford County Ill.. May 18th, 1832; in 1846 moved to McClean County, Ill., with his father, who was an M. D., and who died in 1849 with cholera. On September 8th, 1859, the writer was married to Mrs. Sarah Price Stillwell, the mother of three children; two boys and one girl; the boys both having died in infancy, the girl (now Mrs. C. S. Hesser) lives in York, Nebraska. To Mr. and Mrs. Parker were born seven children three girls and four boys, one girl died of whooping cough at five weeks of age, the others are all living. Mrs. Parker died March the first 1901, aged 66 years. She was a member of the Christian church and lived a Christian life. Mr. Parker enlisted in Co H. 94th Ill. Inft., August 1st, 1862 and served in the army until August 9th, 1865. He moved to lowa in the fall of 1865, and in 1868 moved to Nebraska and settled on Sec. 34, Town 12, N. Range 2, W. April 14th 1869, where he still resides. At the organization of the county, one precinct voted at his house, there were cast in said precinct, 71 votes. This precinct (No. 3) embraced the entire north half of the county. Mrs. C. S. Hesser of York still has the old ballot box used at that election.

John H. Parker

The writer thinking York was too far away to go here for the mail, concluded to have a P. O. nearer, so he and Mr. Chancy Akin petitioned for a mail route from Seward to Mr. Akins house, asking for three Post Offices; (172) one at a place called Palo with A. H. Rogers as Postmaster, one at Parkers, called Thayer with Parker for Postmaster, and one at Akins, called Akins Mills with Chancy Alan for Postmaster. The petition was granted. When the C. & N. W. R. R. was built in 1887 the village of Thayer was laid out and named after the P. O. nearby. The village has a population of 200 but is too near York to grow very large, is a good business point, has one water mill, two elevators, one lumber yard, one flour house, one implement house, one drug store, two Hardware stores, two general merchandise stores, one cream station, one butcher shop, one barber shop, one blacksmith shop, one livery barn, one bank, a good depot, good electric light plant, good school building, and schools that include the 9th grade. The village also has three churches; the M. E. Church, German Lutheran and Presbyterian. The village also has a public hall, a M. W. A. Hall and the Township Hall is located in the village. Our Mr. Douglas looks after our health and we think him a good Dr. and a fine citizen. We have no saloons and our citizens being of high moral character, we never expect a saloon. The village has never been incorporated, but there is some talk now along that line.

     Harvey Pickrel was born at Galesburg, Ill., Dec. 31st, 1842. At the age of 20 he enlisted in Co. A., 74th Ill. Cav., and served through the war, participating in the battles of Knoxville, Tenn. Macon, Ga., Atlanta, Ga., Look-out Mountain and several smaller fights. On returning from the war he remained at Galesburg till 1872. He came to Seward county, Nebraska, and the same year came to York county and homesteaded the N W ¼ 20-10-1 and owns his old homestead together with enough land adjoining to make a farm of 400 acres, besides land in other places. Mr. Pickrel was always fond of horses, enlisted in the cavalry, and in an early day shipped into this county more than 300 head, buying and selling continually. He engaged in the fine trotting stock business and still has some of the best horses in York county.

Harve Pickrel

He, early, made a good race track on his farm, had a good speed barn and blacksmith shop, has had great sport in racing horses and has enjoyed the sport so well he is (173) still at it. Says he has lost many good race horses, but thinks they will come to him in the next world. He raced the first horses over the York race tracks, Osceola race tracks, and Seward race tracks; constructed and run the first race horses over the David City race tracks. Mr. Pickrel, in an early day used Lincoln avenue from the bridge to where the depot is for racing. Frank Southworth, an old sport, used to join with him in the fun. Mr. Pickrel also fed cattle in connection with his farming. His home in an early day, was quite a resort for dances, says the dances drew big crowds and they frequently used the barn for dances. Says that one night while the dance was going on two Irishmen, Dawson and Keefe got filled up a little too much and got into a fight over religion, one was a Catholic and the other an Orangeman, the fight did not interfere with the dance but was kind of a side show, the fight went merrily on till Keefe got licked and the Orangeman wore the ribbon and that ended the scrap. In those days they had no money to pay lawyers so did not appeal to the courts, but fought it out. Mr. Pickrel says when the country was being settled, he met a woman on the prairie carrying a bucket of water. He asked her what she was packing water for? She replied they had no well, and was getting water for dinner, said the nearest well where she got the water was two miles way. Mr. Pickrel has retired from active farming and lives in his nice home in York, but still owns and operates a horse barn, and says he intends to stay in the horse business as long as he lives.

     Retired farmer York, Neb. is a native of Wilkesbarre County, Pa., where he was born October 26, 1835, son of Jacob and Hannah (Hannis) Detrick both of German lineage, and the former a contractor and builder, who moved to Iowa in 1856 and engaged in farming. Horton M. Detrick enlisted in the Civil War in September, 1861, in Company D, 14th Town volunteer cavalry. In 1863 he reenlisted in the same regiment and served until the close of the war. In the last battle of the war at Columbus, Ga., he was wounded. He was mustered out at Atlanta, Ga., August 10, 1865. He resided in Iowa until the spring of 1870, when he moved to (174) Nebraska and homesteaded in York county. Mr. Detrick is a republican in politics. He served for six years continuously as a member of the York county board, representing the city of York; as a member of the York city council, and as postmaster of York from 1890 to 1895 by appointment of President Harrison. In 1902 he was elected to the lower house of the state legislature from the 38th district and was reelected in 1904. During the first session he served as chairman of the Soldiers' Home committee, and as a member of the committees on public lands and buildings, the judiciary, and county organization. During the second session he served as chairman of the committee on claims and a member of the Soldiers' home committee. Mr. Detrick is a member of York lodge No. 35, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the G. A. R., Robert Anderson post 32, of York. Mr. Detrick was married in Iowa October 25, 1865 to Miss Jennie C. Andrews, a native of Vermont. They are the parents of five children Effie E., a graduate of Wesleyan University, is now Assistant Registrar in said University; Jesse W., who has been in the U. S. Mail service for 13 years, is now assistant to Chief Clerk in the Railway Mail Service, with headquarters at Los Angeles, Cal.; Estella N., who was City Librarian at York for nine years, is now married to R. F. Lynds, their home is at Los Angeles, Cal.; Hiram E., now of the firm of Jerome & Detrick, Druggists, York, Neb.; and Lulu, who was deputy County Superintendent for four years, is now married to M. S. Hargraves. Their Home is at Alliance Nebr.

     Mr. Detrick is now retired and lives at the corner of 7th St. and East Ave., York, Nebraska.

     George F. Corcoran, was born at Rockford, Illinois, January 13, 1862, and settled with his parents in York county in February, 1879. The home place, was on section 27 in what is now Leroy township.

Geo. F. Corcoran

Here he assisted on the farm for a few years and taught district school. During busy times he assisted in the office of the county treasurer at different times during the time J. W. Bennett was county treasurer, commencing in 1882. Shortly thereafter he became interested in the York Democrat and identified (175) with its publication, and in 1886 became its owner, and has been identified with it ever since.

     Was active in the organization of the volunteer fire department in the city and was for many years its chief, and also served as a member of the city council.

     Was appointed Court Reporter by District Judge Robert Wheeler in January 1892, and served four years, and in 1896; was engaged in practice of law in York, and for a part of that year identified with the first national campaign of W. J. Bryan for president.

     In January, 1897 was appointed stenographer to Attorney General C. J. Smyth and later appointed by him to the position of Assistant Attorney General which position he resigned in 1900 to again become Court Reporter with Judge B. F. Good. in which position he remained for eight years, and in November 1907 was elected to the office of Judge of the District Court of the same district, and in November 1911 was reelected and is now serving his second term as judge of the district.

     Has been prominently connected with the organization the York Commercial Club, York Chautauqua, the York Base Ball club, the Elks, and other similar organizations .

  Table of Contents

  Index

  Memorial On-Line Library

  USGenNet.org - the First & Only 501c3 Host for Genealogical & Historical Sites

  Livingston County MI Historical & Genealogical  Project

© 2003 All Rights Reserved CFC Productions 

For more information about any of the sites please contact Pam Rietsch at: pam@livgenmi.com