In the spring of 1880 the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad extended its line of road from Aurora to Central City. At the time of the completion of the road to the latter place there was a post-office located on the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 21, Township 12, Range 6, on the section line between  Sections 16 and 21, a few rods west of the line of the railroad, and known as “Avon,” kept by Mrs. Nancy Carnahan.

 

The company being desirous of locating a station as near the post-office as possible, but being unable to secure any lands for that purpose for the first six months after the completion of the road, trains were stopped merely to throw off and receive mail.

 

A “station” was then opened, which for a year consisted of a hand-car house, located on the section line between Sections 16 and 21, with O. H. Wirsig as agent. He was soon after appointed postmaster. Early in 1882 the Lincoln Land Company secured from J. W. Marquis 100 acres of land on the southwest quarter of Section 16, Township 12, Range 6, and surveyed and platted the town of Marquette.

 

The railroad company moved an old depot building from Dorchester to this place, which remained for many years as an early land mark of the village.

 

 

The first person to buy a lot in the new town was Geo. Shears. He built a little shack in the middle of his lot, lived here with his family and started the first grocery store; stock of goods worth about $10.00.

 

First dwelling, built by James Ruby, was a one-story structure, since made into a two-story building and owned and occupied by C. O. Larsen.

 

About the same time Elias Farr and O. T. Greer built homes, Mr. Farr east of James Ruby, and this is now the home of Wm. Herbig. O. T. Greer, west of J. Ruby, which is the home of Mrs. M. Dixon.

 

 

R. Hughes started the first drug store in 1882. Store situated west of C. A., Wilson’s store. Sold to James J. Luff in 1895. Original wooden building replaced by brick.

 

J. D. Hickman started drug store about the same time, located across street from R. Hughes.

 

In 1882 George Thorp brought in a stock of hardware, and sold to C. T. Greer & Sons, who later bought the Van Buskirk implement store on the lots now occupied by the Opera House. Greer sold to Berryman & Patterson, who two years later sold to H. C. Deal.

 

In 1884 Fred Larsen and James Peterson started with blacksmith shop and implements; sold to C. O. Larsen in 1905 or 1906.

 

In 1896 Sanderson & Jones carried implements and did blacksmithing. Sold implements to Olsen Bros., who later sold to Farmers’ Union store in 1920; on site of Aurora Lumber Co. yard. Olsen Bros. then bought the C. O. Larsen implement business.

 

 

First furniture store opened in 1882 by Rollo Goethe, who sold in 1883 to Andrew Johnston. Johnston & Greer put in hardware in 1886. Johnston sold his interest in 1888 to H. D. Hall. In 1894, Hall sold his interest and Greer ran the business until the spring of 1901 when he sold to Isaman & Neptune. They sold in 1903 to Will Long. Austin Bros., bought out Mr. Long and erected a brick building in 1906; used the first floor for his stock of furniture and hardware; the upper part is Fraternal Hall and Opera House.

 

Austin Bros. sold in 1908 to Simpson & Buerstette. They sold in 1912 to Carl Krogh. In 1916 Krogh moved into the new brick building west of First National Bank. Sold to Mercantile Company in 1919. The Mercantile Company carries a large stock of furniture, hardware and groceries.

 

 

Mr. Sweeney, first grain buyer, built a shovel house near railroad track, east of where First National Bank now stands.

 

First elevator, Morrissy Bros. They sold in 1892 to W. A. Tarbell. Tarbell sold to T. B. Hord in 1894 or 1895.

 

Shovel house was sold to Mr. Wells and H. Hiscock.

 

Next elevator was built by Mr. Wells. It was not substantial and bursted. It was rebuilt by Mr. Ferguson, on the ground where Hord’s elevator now stands. Ferguson sold to Mr. Hord.

 

Farmers’ elevators built in 1909, situated south of Hord’s.

 

 

Mr. Pangburn started first blacksmith shop in 1882; sold in 1883 to Arnold & Snigs. They sold in 1884 to Fred Larsen. See Larsen & Petersen, implements.

 

Louie Nielsen operates the present blacksmith shop south of post-office.

 

 

First hotel erected in fall of 1882 by Lou Bonner on north side of street and moved in 1915 to the east side of block, to make room for the large brick building owned by First National Bank. Jesse Weaver, proprietor.

 

S. M. McCain had restaurant and confectionery in Boyd & Sons old building on north side of street; sold to C. Stalnaker in 1897. He sold to J. Gorin. Building was destroyed by fire in 1910. Henry Larsen erected a new building of brick and started a restaurant; there have been changes since and Mrs. M. Stalnaker has had charge for four or five years.

 

 

F. D. Reynolds opened first meat market in 1884. Later D. W. Brunk had the market and sold to S. Grafe in 1888. In 1896 G. A. Dorsey took the meat market and ran it for several years. Has changed hands several times since and now M. Hemingsen is proprietor. The building is on the site of Lind and Wells’ old store.

 

 

L. A. Chatfield had the first harness shop in 1884. Sold in early ‘90s to U. Fink. He sold to A. Eichelberger in 1892. Hans Jensen bought business in 1904. Building burned in 1910, replaced with brick and H. Jensen is still the owner. Site of Eichelberger building.

 

In 1884 or ’85 J. W. Nicholson started first livery barn. Later it was carried on by S. Stalnaker and after his death it was run by son, C. Stalnaker.

 

 

 

Sandin Auto Co., was first in 1909. Sold to Ekburg Brothers in 1916. Located south of postoffice.

 

Moving pictures were started years ago by W. A. Young; business was discontinued and started again in 1920 by A. Nelsen. Located under Opera House.

 

 

 

Independent Telephone incorporated in 1904.

 

Waterworks and light plant in 1912.

 

 

 

 

The Christian and Presbyterian churches organized in 1882.

 

The Christian has been moved away. The Presbyterian was sold to the Methodists in 1899.

 

The United Brethren came to Marquette in 1882.

 

 

There have been several, but they did not live long enough to deserve a name. Marquette Independent started in 1884. Dr. T. W. Line, publisher and editor; it lived three years and papers which give early history of Marquette have been given to Historical Society at Lincoln.

 

The A. B. C. Monthly, published by A. B. Cowley, lived for a year or two.

 

 

Bank of Marquette started by Elias Farr in 1881 or 1882 changed to Farley’s Bank in early 90’s; was located in building now occupied by post-office; became First National in 1916 and moved into its handsome brick building, erected 1915, on site of old hotel.

 

Farmers State organized in 1913.

 

 

 

First school house was built in 1884, was a two-room structure and was replaced by a fine modern brick building in 1913.

 

First teachers were Miss Lulu Moor, principal, Minnie Fenton, primary.

 

At present Fred Schmockle is superintendent. It is a twelve grade school.

 

 

Town was incorporated in 1889. First town board: M. E. Farr, H. D. Hall, R. Cox, S. P. Boyd and Dr. T. H. Line, mayor.

 

Present town officers: H. C. Orbin, mayor; M. E. Isaacson, Ed Hilligas, C. A. Stewart, Peter Larsen, Jr.

 

 

Pioneers now living here: Mr. and Mrs. O. T. Greer, 1883; D. W. Long, 1883; Benjamin Long, 1883; Mrs. Anna Larsen, 1884; Mr. Peter Larsen, 1884; Mrs. Fred Larsen, 1884.

 

In 1906 Austin Bros. and others built the Austin block, now used for movies and Opera House; on site of original hardware and implement store.

 

In 1906 I. O. O. F. remodeled the old white hall, situated on first lot sold in Marquette, the ground floor of which is now used for a dwelling and office by Dr. Kelley, and the upper story by I. O. O. F. and Rebekahs.

 

In 1906 Methodist Episcopal and United Brethren churches were remodeled.

 

In 1917 United Brethren sold their old edifice and erected a fine church building.

 

In 1917 Danish people bought United Brethren church, moved building to site of Christian church, used for social functions.

 

 

One of the earliest institutions was that of carpet weaving. Started in 1883 by D. W. Long, and still carried on by him in his home in the north part of town.

 

 

First barber shop in 1883 by D. W. Long in place where I. O. O. F. building now stands. Business was sold to W. A. Young in 1891, who carried it on until building was burned in 1910. Mr. Rasmussen, the present barber, has an up-to-date shop on site of old Farley Bank building.

 

In original town of Marquette the residences were mostly north and west of the town but in the last fifteen or twenty years most of the building has been across the railroad track, where we have a number of fine modern residences.

 

Fraternal Orders

 

1904: I. O. O. F.—Officers: Geo. Rollen, Noble Grand; Geo. Lewis, Vice-Grand; T. W. Seiver, Recording Secretary; H. O. King, Chaplain; Peter Petersen, Conductor; D. W. Long, Warden.

 

1906: Rebekahs—Mrs. Etta Stalnaker, Noble Grand; Mrs. Elen Lewis, Vice Noble Grand; Mrs. Tom Ferrell, Secretary; Mrs. J. Weaver, Treasurer; Mrs. M. Larsen, Chaplain.

 

Abt. 1897: Modern Woodmen of America—J. Weaver, Counsel; John Esacon, Advisor; L. Ferrell, Banker; Erick Ekberg, Clerk.

 

1899: Royal Neighbors—Mrs. Weaver, Oracle; Mrs. Dixon, Past Oracle; Mrs. Scanlon, Vice Oracle; Mrs. Clara Wilson, Chancellor; Mrs. Tunall, Recorder; Mrs. E. Reynor, Receiver; Mrs. Pearl Tunall, Inside Sentinel; Mrs. Alta Hiatt, Outside Sentinel; Mrs. Oliver, Manager.

 

1884: A. O. U. W.—Hold no meetings; Mr. Walter Colby, Financial Secretary.

 

Degree of Honor—Mrs. Frank Young, Chief of Honor; Mrs. Alex. Power, Financial Secretary, Recorder and Secretary.

 

In 1920, leading business institutions were Pete Djernes, Ekbert Auto Co., Farmers Elevator Co., M. Hemingsen, meat market, Hord Grain Co., Jacobsen Lumber Co., J. J. Luff, drug store; Marquette Mercantile Co., Marquette Community Club; G. F. Null, store; Olsen Bros., implements; Chas. Schertz, garage; restaurant, C. A. Stewart, store; Ca. A. Wilson, store.

 

Source: History of Hamilton and Clay Counties Nebraska, 1921, pages 490-496, transcribed as printed.

 Transcribed and Contributed by:  Cathy Danielson