Franklin, Harlan,
Kearney & Phelps

Counties, Nebraska

New 39 Page Illustrated Booklet

Early days in the four-county area of Franklin, Harlan, Kearney and Phelps, NE, are recalled through colorful tales, factual data and individual biographies in this NEW 39-page spiral bound booklet excerpted from the rare 1882 book: History of the State of Nebraska, originally published by the Western Historical Co. of Chicago, and Nebraska, a Guide to the Cornhusker State, a 1939 project of the Federal Writers of the Works Progress Administration. The booklet is printed on 60# paper. A vinyl sheet has been added to protect the full-color front cover.

Among the topics included are:

FRANKLIN COUNTY: Description of the area; First settlements and first settlers; County Organization and early officials; a failed colony of African Americans; Early events and "firsts"; Dispute over location of county seat; County treasurer with sticky fingers; Progress between 1874 and 1882; County Societies; Bloomington -- history, crime, local institutions, newspapers, businesses, societies; Riverton -- early history, churches, societies; Naponee -- history, churches; Franklin -- early settlement, Franklin Machine Shops, Franklin Academy, the newspaper; HARLAN COUNTY: Location and Natural Features, First Settlements, Early history; County organization and officers; Early events, such as the severe winter of 1871-72 and the dispute over the county seat; Alma, the county seat -- history of the town, town officials, the press of Alma, local interests; Orleans -- early history, ; Republican City -- early history; Melrose -- history; KEARNEY COUNTY: Description of area, Early Settlements, Organization; The Indian War; Crime; Central City, Lowell -- early history; Minden and Newark; PHELPS COUNTY: Location and Description; Early history, County organization and early officials; Progress of the county; Phelps Center, Rock Falls and Sacramento.

Besides the many names mentioned in the history portion of the booklet, there are biographies of many residents. While primarily of interest to descendants, these often contain clues to the area and the times. Where pictures are included (pix) follows the name. Biographical sketches include: FRANKLIN COUNTY: Bloomington-- F.J. Austin, B.F. Blackledge, William A. Cole, John W. Deary, Uriah H. Malick, Richard W. Montgomery, Basil Schobel, Simon W. Switzer, Frank M. Vancil; Riverton -- Arthur J. Benjamin, J.G. Childs, William F. Harsch, Joseph F. Pugsley Sr., S.R. Razee; Franklin-- James F. Zediker; HARLAN COUNTY: Alma -- Bradford & Burr, John Dawson, Fletcher & Courtright, C.C. Flansburg, George S. Fisher, A.D. Gardner, J.M. Hiatt,, Joel A. Piper, W.H. Price, John A. Randall, Samuel L. Roberts, Samuel Sadler, Frank Shaffer, Wells Willits; Orleans -- David E. Bomgardner, Calvin Bowman, John W. Carrothers, Albert F. Gorham, John S. Hoyt, Lewis H. Kent, H.J. McKee, Michael Manning, J.H. Moss, J. Mc.C. Preston; Republican City -- Lafayette Cady, John McPherson, A.E. Pickney, John D. Stoddard; KEARNEY COUNTY: Minden --B.F. Williams, R. M. Hardman.

The final part of the booklet is excerpted from Nebraska, a Guide to the Cornhusker State. It includes brief tour stops at Franklin, Bloomington, Minden, Alma, P. Axtell, and Holdredge.

We've also included a small map of these counties from the 1882 book and some current statistics.

Wouldn't this make a unique gift?