This town is the only one in Dundy County. The first settlement was
made in January, 1880.
The town was then located in the forks of the
Republican River, and named
Collinsville, in honor of
Moses Collins, one of the early settlers.
Among
the very first settlers were Moses Collins, J. G. Benkleman, J. R. King,
E. E. Miller and A. King.
In January 1880, a store was established, by W. Z. Taylor & Co.,
and early in the spring, a post office was established, and E. E. Miller
appointed Postmaster.
During the year 1881, and the early part of 1882, Collinsville was of
considerable local importance as
a business point, the railroad company
having made this their supply station during the construction of the
railroad through the county.
There are now four stores and a hotel.
Early in the spring of 1882, the railroad company, having built a
depot, changed the name from Collinsville
to Benkleman, in honor of J. G.
Benkleman, the stock raiser, who has thousands of cattle roaming over the
adjacent prairies.
The town is pleasantly located on the north side of the Republican
River, on the level valley land.
The business houses have a good trade
with the cattlemen, this being their point for provisions and supplies.
The town is destined to be one of importance in the shipment of
stock.