Wilson's History of Waterloo, Nebraska

Written by Ralph C. Wilson, Waterloo's Historian and my dad.
This page is going to take a while, so bear with us as we gradually add to this page. This information comes from brochures that were prepared by Ralph C. Wilson.

Chronicle
      The Elkhorn and Platte Rivers and the entire valley was formed due to the many glaciers that hit this area.

        Prior to the arrival of the white man, the Omaha and Ponca Indians inhabited this area.

        1739 - The first European explorers to leave a record of traveling through the Elkhorn River Valley were the Mallet brothers.

        1763 - France who claimed this area was defeated by Spain. Thus Spain declared ownership.

        1795 - James Mackay spent the winter with the Omaha Indians and explored much of the lower Elkhorn and Platte rivers.

        1800 - This area was part of Louisiana. It was Napoleon who obliged Spain to cede all of Louisiana. It was purchased for $15,000,000, about two and a half cents per acre.

        1804 - Lewis and Clark Expedition came up the Missouri River.

        Many explorers, trappers and hunters were to cross over or around the great valley. By 1832 Cather Pierre Jean De Smi, a Catholic Missionary, was aware of this valley as he worked among the Indians.

        1840's - It was during the mid 1840's that the Mormons made Florence their "Winter Quarters." The area of Elk City, north of Waterloo was heavily traveled by the Mormons and others as they crossed the Elkhorn River in several places there.

        1852 - People were settling in the Waterloo area. Some moved on, others stayed, and some returned. The Denton and Payne families were settled near the river. Ezra Meeker traveled through here with his covered wagon and oxen team. He returned again in 1912. The Pawnee Indians, north west of Waterloo, skinned a white man by the name of Rhines, alive. This creek today is known as Rawhide Creek.

        1856 - Eli Johnson came to the Waterloo area. William Donnelly was living east of the Elkhorn river. The Elstons were here.

        1857 - Isaac Noyes arrived north of Waterloo and staked out a claim. He returned back east, married and later returned here. He became a Nebraska State Senator and a successful farmer.

        1858 -Isaac H. Truman and Matt Crook were living in the Waterloo area. R. W. Barber came from New York state to settle here.

        1859 - John C. and George B. Weston were living here as well as Joh McGuire, also spelled Maquire, and J. C. Tuck.

        1860 - A few other families living here were the John S. Jennings, Michael L. Kean, Albert L. King, William E. Smothers and Thomas J, Donahoo.


        1861 - E. Hartford came to the Waterloo area.

        1862 - The Shut family was living here. The first settlement was west of the present day Waterloo, John C. Weston's farm.

     John H. Logan enlisted in the Second Regt., Nebraska Calvary Volunteers, Company B. He fought the Sioux Indians at the battle of Whitestone Hill.

        1863 - John H. Logan was mustered out of the service and came to Waterloo.   He is one of the founders of Waterloo. At this time in history there were about twenty families in the area.

        1864 - The first post office was established with John H. Logan as post master. He had a private library, thus loaning his books.

Doctor J. W. Agee arrived in Waterloo, living at what today (1989) is the area of 807 Second Street where Norman Rowell an his wife live. (2010)

A large band of Indians appeared west of the Elkhorn River between what today is Waterloo and Valley. The settlers fled to Omaha. The Christian Church held services in homes. W. A. Denton preached but David R. Dungan was the first official minister. Services were discontinued in 1871. The Methodist Church held their first services in Waterloo in 1864 in private homes, and in the first log and sod school house at the Weston farm. Rev. Adriance assisted in erecting this building, as he was a Methodist circuit rider. Rev. Boaz later conducted services.

    1865 - The first school in the Waterloo Area was taught by Miss H. H. Thomas, who married John H. Logan. It was in 1865 and 1866 that surveyin, grading and laying of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks was taking place. Th Weston brothers of Waterloo did grading for the railroad.

        1866 - The Dyer and Adams family were early settlers of the area, as was Adam Odenrider and William B. Delong. By March of 1866, the railroad tracks reached Omaha to North Bend, Nebraska. W. A. Denton was in the House of representatives, elected from Douglas County. David Warren was married at the John Weston home. West of Waterloo was a settlement called Primrose, located where Donald Leistra and his wife live today (1989).

        1867 - E. A. Kelsy arrive in Waterloo, and became one of its founders, along with John H. Logan.
Nebraska became the 37th state of the Union.
Samuel and Nancy Coy came here.

        1868 - E. A. Kelsey located a mill on the Elkhorn River, at the far east end of Lincoln Street and to the north.
John Hollenbeck and Henry Wells were here.

        1869 - W. A. Denton opened the first general store in Waterloo. M. L. Weaver was the first blacksmith. Miss H. H. Adams was teaching here at that time. The Fouts and John Slaven families were here.

        1870 - John H. Logan and E. A. Kelsey laid out the village of Waterloo, but it failed to be incorporated. Logan built and operated the first hotel, known as the "Waterloo House." It was located at Fifth and North Front Street where Mrs. Marvin Moore lives today. (1989) Another school was erected at Third and Washington Street where Publication Printing of Nebraska is located today. (1989). The cost of the school was $2,000.

       1873 - During the month of June, the Elkhorn River was high and flooding the low lands. A Union Pacific Train was crossing over the river when the bridge gave way. The engine and several cars fell in. Roadmaster Kelly was killed and a cargo of 300,000 fish were lost.

       1874 - A second attempt to incorporate Waterloo was under way.
William Finney was living here.
Newcomers to the vicinity were, Mrs. Roxanna Fay, Adam Stenglein and hs wife Johanna, and James C. Herrington.

        1875 - During the month of October a plot of the village of Waterloo was filed for record. It was signed by Elias A. and Sally Kelsey. Isaac L. and Rachel Thomas, and John and Amanda Maguire.    It was not successful.

Rev. Foster of Fremont conducted the first services for the Presbyterian Church in Waterloo. Rev. C. H. Crawford was the next minister in charge of church services.

John H. Logan completed a deal with the Union Pacific Railroad, which caused the first depot to be built, south of Fourth and North Front Street. A. H. Lee was the first depot agent.
Doctor J. McLaughlin arrived.
Elam Clark and sons built a larger mill on the Elkhorn River east of town, thus improving the old one.
John H. Campbell and family came to Waterloo.

       1876 - The railroad enlarged their depot.
Doctor C. H Clark started the first newspaper called the "Centennial". Clark also started the first drug store.

       1877 - Sterling Richardson was teaching in Waterloo.

       1878 - C. P. Coy started in the seed business in Waterloo. Doctor A. B. Elwood arrived as did George Johnson and T. D. Todd and family.

       1879 - In the spring Rev. S. B. Neilson arrived in Waterloo. He is considered the first official minister of the Presbyterian Church.

John H. Logan sold his hotel to T. D. Todd.

A second newspaper was started by C. L. Cano of Waterloo, it was called, "The Elkhorn Valley News." It died after three months.
J. G. Herrington opened the second general store at Second and North Front Street.
Doctor R. H. Huddleston arrived in Waterloo, as did B. F. Bell and family.
E. C. Nelson was living here

       1880 - E. J. Messenger was publishing the newspaper known as, "The Waterloo Sentinel."
John H. Hopper opened the first carpenter shop.
Feruary 17, the Waterloo Immigration and Improvement Association was organized. Doctor Huddleston was president, J. R. Watts vice president. W. H. Clark secretary, and J. R. Herrington treasurer.

George Bell and his wife settled in Waterloo.

       1881 - The Waterloo Loan and Building Association was organized and incorporate with $100,000 capital stock. W. H. Clark was president, J. M. McLaughlin treasurer, and G. A. Bryant secretary. August, the Christian Church was reestablished by Rev. R. C. Barrows who was a traveling missionary. Rev. W. H. Winters held services in the school house. Two lots were purchased to erect a church on. The Presbyterian Church edifice was built at a cost of $1800. John flood built the South side Hotel at a cost of $2,000. He owned and operated it at Third and South front Street. The Waterloo Brass Band was organized under the leadership of George Johnson. The Masonic Lodge was being formed.    The library was reorganized as "The Waterloo Public Library Association." doctor Huddleston's cousin Charles Westfall was shot and killed in Missouri by the Jesse James gang. Waterloo was struck by a flood. E. N. Holliday developed an addition to Waterloo, it extended southfrom Second and Madison Street. October work started on the new school, at the old site by Third and Washington Street. Thus in 1881 Waterloo had two general stores, one drug store, two physicians, two minister, ne attorney at law, one millinery store, one restaurant, one hardware and tin store, two harness shops, two meat markets, one boot and shoe store, and one blacksmith shop. C. A. Bryant started a newspaper called, "The Waterloo Gazette." William A. Myers and his wife Mary Jane came to Waterloo from Lambertville, New Jersey.

     1882 - Waterloo did more business in railroad traffic and shipping than any other point between Omaha and Columbus, even more than Fremont.

E. A. Kelsey, one of Waterloo's founders, died February 15.

The Masonic Lodge was officially organized.

     1883 - This being the third and final attempt. Waterloo was incorporated. The first board of trustees was appointed. W. H. Clark was chairman, D. C. Kerr, J. M. Hopper. C. A. Bryant and T. D. Todd, all trustees. L. S. Smith was clerk. H. Hagenbuck, treasurer and J. R. Watts, Justice of Peace. John H. Campbell, who has been a Constable since 1880, continues in service as such. John H. Logan, one of the founders of Waterloo, moved to Nevada, Missouri.

       1884 - April 1, the first Village of Waterloo election was held, H. H. Hagenbuck was elected to serve as chairman, T. D. Todd, J M. Hopper, C. A. Bryant and George Johnson were trustees. G. B. Bailey was Justice of Peace and John C. Weston marshal. The Nason family was living here. Alfred Mayhew moved from the farm in into Waterloo. He had an opera house here, later a hotel and a saloon.

       1885 - A new school was built on block Number 19, between Sixth and Seventh, and Jefferson and Madison Street, where the park and water tower is today (1989). The school housed ten grades at this time.

John C. Weston, Waterloo's fire marshal, served for 1883, '84, and now in 1885.

       1886 -J. C. Robinson arrived in Waterloo, from New York State.

       1887 - Due to high water in the Elkhorn River, the Waterloo mill dam gave way. John Bell and his family came to Waterloo to live.

       1888 - January 12, one of Nebraska's worst blizzards hit this area.

March 24, W. P Aysworth of Council Bluffs, Iowa, shot Superintendent George W. Hill at the Todd Hotel, located at Fifth and North Front Street, Marshal John H. Campbell then shot W. P. Aysworth, west of Third and North Front Street.

The first jail in Waterloo was erected.

The bull dog and wild cat fight was staged at Third and Washington Street.

J. C. Robinson started his seed business.

       1889 - K. Jacobsen came to Waterloo.

       1890 - During the month of Kune there were three large picnics in the Waterloo area. The June 24 picnic for the colored folks of Omaha, a young man and girl were drowned.

Hively Seed company was doing a good business here.

Christen and Gertrude Buus Hvilsom (Wilson) came to Waterloo from Terndurp, Denmark.

       1891 - G. W. Hill was chairman of the Waterloo Board of Trustees. The board granted certain rights and privileges to the Nebraska Telephone company by the approval of ordinance number 32.

       1892 - Waterloo was flooded.

Isaac Noyes was the republicans choice from Douglas County, as a candidate for the govenor of Nebraska, but he declined.

       1893 - J. C. Robinson was chairman of the Village Board. Ordinance number 37 was passed, which prohibited the discharge of fire arms in Waterloo.
saac Noyes was elected as a State Senator, not only in '93, but also in '94 and '98.
The Emerson Seed Company of Waterloo changed their business name to Western Seed and Irrigation Company. The Stimmel Seed Company of Omaha had warehouses in Waterloo and was in financial difficulties. Stimmel Seed Company became involved with Emerson's Western Seed and Irrigation in a long and bitter fought law suit that lasted over five years. Over two hundred farmers were involved.
       1894 - March 19, the first nomination to the Village Board of Trustees by petition, was given to the Chairman of the Board, Eli Johnson.

       1895 - B. B. Hopper entered the elevator business. His elevator was west of Emerson's seed house at Fifth and North Front Street.

       1896 - September 19, the first fire equipment was purchased. J. S. Nesbit was chairman of theVillage Board.

       1898 - August 5, two hundred people gathered at the Christian Church tobid, Rev. Stephen T. Corey of said church, farewell before his departure for New York.    A. H. Campbell was constable and marshal in the Waterloo area. Adam Stenglein, who owned considerable property here, served as Judge. Two very successful farmers south of Waterloo were Gus (Gustava) Sumnick and C. C. Safford. J. R. Watts was auctioneer here. J. a Nelson was the manager of Edwards and Bradford Lumber Company. Mayhew's opera house was a popular dance spot, located at Third and Jefferon Street. John C. Traber had a general merchandise store. Frank Sibert had a blacksmith business. Andrew Foster had the Waterloo Meat Market. J. G. Nicholson had the barber shop. J. M.Park had the pharmacy. Doctor G. A. Harris was a Physician and Surgeon at this time. L. W. Denton was a livestock dealer. B. B. Hoppers, grain, farm implement and coal. T. D. Todd, proprietor of the Waterloo House or the Todd Hotel and livery barn. J. S. Nesbit, hardware and implement dealer. Oberg had a blacksmith shop as well as Jim Purchase. The Waterloo Creamery was owned by Frank Corliss. Hively Seed Company, Coy Seed Company, J. C. Robinson Seed Company, and the corn elevators were all doing a brisk business.

       1899 - B. B. Hopper sold his elevator to the Omaha Elevator Company. He retained his implement business. R. E. Pratt and Company of Omaha was still operating, buying and selling corn in Waterloo. Emerson of Western Seed and Irrigation Company and over two hundred farmers won the law suit against the Stimmel Seed Company.

P. H. Dubois of Waterloo recieved a patent on his horse collar fasterner that he invented. J. H. Taylor has purchased half interest in the patent collar. They plan to manufacturer it here in Waterloo.

July 1, the new 18 by 26 foot post office was completed

The Union Pacific Railroad Company built a new steel bridge over the Elkhorn River east of Waterloo.

The Village Board of Trustees of Waterloo discussed the matter of fire protection

       1900 - The first part of February, T. W. Barton shot Hezikiah Hively. Hively lived but the bullet was never removed.

The Waterloo Band was reorganized. the ol Union Pacific Railroad depot was sold and moved. A new depot was constructed.
April Hudson Feather also called Hudfeather, shot Louis Cass Christman. Christman recovered. A number of fights were occurring at the Sunday picnics. The Waterloo barbers fight ended in a trial. Waterloo's jail was moved.
The month of August the old mill at the east end of town on the Elkhorn River was torn down.
William A. Headley and family came to Waterloo to live.
December 8, twelve year old Emmet Bradburn, while playing at hooking rides on train cars being switched on the side rails, was killed. Will Jacobson demolished and removed the old bandstand from the Presbyterian Church lots.
       1901 - During the month of February, Govenor T. Roosevelt, known as, "Teddy the Terror," whizzed through Waterloo on a Wednesday afternoon on the Union Pacific train number 6, enroute to the east. B. B. Hopper, Chairman of the Village Board of trustees ordered three lights for the streets.
He also had hitching posts, placed on main street, as the metal rings used in the board walks were pulling out.

The first telephone exchange in any rural Douglas County village was installed in Waterloo.
Doctor Harris disposed of his drug store and other interest in Waterloo to Doctor W. H. Parchen.
The month of April the village purchased and installed two pumps. One was placed at the Old Fellow Lodge corner at Third and Washington Street, and the other at Mayhew's corner on Third and South Front Street.

June 28, The Citizens State Bank of Waterloo was duly organized. Isaac Noyes was elected president , J. C. Robinson, vice president, and H. B. Waldron cashier. Directors were H. B. Waldron, H. G. Coy, B. F. Bell, J. C. Traber, and B.b. Hopper.

The Woodman of the World Lodge was very active in Waterloo at this time.

There was talk of a rural mail route being established southwest of Waterloo.

October 4, Mrs. Garfield, widow of the martyred president of twenty years ago, passed through Waterloo in a special car attached to the Overland Train number 3, on route to California.

Waterloo was Nebraska's largest seed processing center and the shipping point for more seeds than any other place in the United States.

The Masonic Lodge approved the erection of a new building.

       1902 -The hardware store owned by J.S. Nesbit and the Waterloo Mercantile Company building owned by E. Truehoft were both destroyed by fire. J. S. Nesbit rebuilt while Truehoft did not.

The Waterloo Improvement Association was organized with capital stock of ten thousand dollars.

The American Order of Protection had a local harbor established in Waterloo.

William Hopper built a new elevator in Waterloo at Third and North Front Street.

The month of September the Eastern Star was organized.

The past spring the Masons had dedicated their temple here in Waterloo.

Waterloo was very proud of their two baseball teams.

September 1, 1902 the first free rural mail route was announced as Waterloo Rural Route Number 1, with R. A. McWhorter as the first rural route carrier.

       1903 - March 4, the Waterloo Woman's Club was organized and federated.

      James H. Riggs of Waterloo was serving as a State Senator. Waterloo suffered a flood.

      The bill in the Nebraka State Legislature to merge the governments of the City of Omaha and Douglas County failed.

      During the month of June the State Bank of Waterloo was robbed.

       1904 - Margaret Stenglein Koneig was the first woman from Waterloo to become a doctor. She was also the first woman to receive a gold medal from Creighton University, in pathology.

Mr. and Mrs. P. E. Lacy of Bedford, Iowa, parents of Mrs. Charles Wells of Waterloo, drove their team of mares from Bedford to Waterloo, a distance of 163 miles in three days. The team was capable of traveling 50 to 60 miles a day, with little fatigue.

E. J. Bodwell, Douglas County Superintendent of Schools, reported that there were 62 school districts in Douglas county; 22, 091 children between 7 and 15 years of age, and a total of 654 teachers.

The Waterloo Gazette office was moved to Nichols building, this would be west of the present day (1989) Black Horse Antiques at Third and Washington Street.

The Waterloo Public Library was moved from the Carrigan-Butterworth building to the home of the librarian, Mrs. Moore.

       1905 -






Copyrighted 1989 Ralph Campbell Wilson