The above monument reads:
Nebraska Historical Marker

ORIGINAL TOWNSITE
OF WOOD RIVER

Between 1844 and 1866 thousands of emigrants, gold seekers, and Mormons moved west through the Platte Valley. The first settlers along Wood River 1858-60 operated road rances to serve travelers. They included Patrick, Richard, and Anthony Moore; James Jackson; and a Mormon, Joseph E. Johnson. In this immediate vicinity was Jackson's store, opened about 1865, and Moore's Ranche, Johnson's Ranche, also known as Wood River Center, was at the present site of Shelton, Nebraska

The original town of Wood River, named for the tree-lined river directly north, was platted around a station established here by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1866. Jackson moved his store to the settlement, and a log Catholic Church and settlers' school were built by 1869.
    In 1874-75 the Union Pacific platted the present town of Wood River about three miles east. The station, post office, and Jackson's store were placed on skids and moved to the new location. In 1990 only St. Mary's Cemetry and the District 5 school marked the original townsite.

Hall County Historical Society. Nebraska State Historical Society.
The marker is located 4 miles east of Wood River on Hwy. 30.
The above photo is courtesy "Tawnya" Thank You!

WOOD RIVER-FIRST WOOD RIVER EARLY HISTORY OF VILLAGE OF WOOD RIVER BY O. M. QUACKENBUSH-SETTLEMENT OF TOWN-OFFICERS OF TOWN -- EARLY BUILDRS OF WOOD RIVER-JAMES JACKSON-HENRY O. GIFFORD-O. W. EATON-N. T. BRITTIN-RICHARD MANKIN -- W. L. G. TRAPP -- S. MACMURRAY -- PATRICK HOYE-WM. AND FRED THORPE -- W. L. SPRAGUE -- EWING FAMILY-JAMES EWING-O. M. QUACKENBUSH -- FIRST GENERAL STORES-W. W. MITCHELL-S. A. SHERRARD-HARDWARE AND -- IMPLEMENT STORES -- DRUG STORES -- EARLY COMMERCIAL INTERESTS, 1879 -- FIVE -- YEARS LATER, 1884-ANOTHER FIVE YEARS, 1889-TEN YEARS LATER, 1899-TEN -- YEARS LATER, 1909-ANOTHER TEN YEARS, 1919

WOOD RIVER COMMUNITY

The town of Wood River practically began its history with the advent of the Union Pacific railroad in the 'sixties, but it was not until 1874 that it began to exist at its present location.

FIRST WOOD RIVER

The town of Wood River was first laid out in 1868 about two and a half miles west of its present site, but it grew very slowly at first. A depot was located there and James Jackson had been keeping a sotre in that locality since 1864 and it became a factor at once. A. A. Baker, a Canadian, is said to have built the first store building there, in 1871. But James Jackson had been conductin his store a half-mile from there, and while this was the second building in town, when he moved it over, Mr. Jackson in some particulars might be regarded as the oldest resident of the old Wood River station community. A Catholic church was established at that locatin, which gained a large membership. The town grew to thirty buildings in 1874 when the Union Pacific depot was moved to the present site. The town immediately followed it, and thus was established the present Wood River. Its early story will be told in the works of one of its own residents:

EARLY HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE OF WOOD RIVER
BY O. M. QUACKENBUSH

Wood River, Hall County, Nebraska, is situated in the beautiful and extremely fertile Wood River Valley, on the main line of the Union Pacific railway, distant abut sixteen miles from Grand Island, and has a population of about 800 (now probably in excess of that). The Wood River runs to the northward less than a mile, while the broad and shallow Platte River wends its way to the southward distant some five miles.

The townsite was platted by the Union Pacific railroad in the fall of 1874. the station at Old Wood River was moved to the new townsite, W. B. Hollister being the first agent. James Jackson, who was located at the old town, immediately moved his store and residence to Wood River, his buildings being the first in the town. He was followed by Postmaster James White, who moved a little building on Main street and in addition kept a small stock of general merchandise. He soon sold out to A. G. Hollister, who also became postmaster. Shortly afterwards Pat Neville brought his liquid refreshment stand down from the old town of Wood River and commencced business in the new. He soon sold out to James Kennedy, who continued the business for a number of years. In 1877 Chas. Horn of Grand Island came to Wood River and started a shoe shop. Some time in 1878 John Roach followed and engaged in the general merchandise business, and soon after Mr. Trapp and F Scwartz did likewise. Dr. Carter and son established the furst drug store, W. Hollister the first hardware, and Dr. Carter was the first physician. James McKinney was the first butcher, John O'Connor was postmaster under Clevland's first administration, N. T. Brittin under Harrison's administration, Patrick Finan under Cleveland's second administration, and S. A. Sherrard under McKinley. [Succeeding postmasters have been I. C. Spetts, Seth W. Wilson, and David D. O'Kane who has served for the past five years.-Ed.] The first school was taught by John Allen. The first sermon was preached by Rev. J. N. Allen at the school house. He was a Baptist. The first boy born was Charles Horn, in 1881, and the first girl baby was Maggie Horn. The first death was that of Hannah Jackson, mother of James Jackson, who had been satying (sic) with her son for a short time before her death, in 1876. The first marriage in the village was that of Fred Riesland and Miss Rosa Jessup, in August, 1876. The first church erected was the Methodist Episcopal, in May, 1880. W. & F. Thorpe built their flouring mill in 1881 and Dick Dodd erected the first elevator, in 1884. The first newspaper was published by R. H. Miller, in September, 1881. the first bank in Wood River was called the Wood Rivr Bank and ws established in 1883 with C. H> Bell as cashier. For the first few yers the growth of the town was slow but along about 1881 the business greatly increased and a number of new business men and residents were added to the thrifty little village. In the fall of 1882, articles of incoprporation were filed and the incoporated village commenced business with the followin named trustees: James Jackson, N. T. Brittin, J. B. Furman, W. L. G. Trapp, and James Ewing.

OFFICERS OF EARLY WOOD RIVER

C. H. Bell was appointed clerk, Dr. Gibson treasurer and Ryan Kelley attorney. the village was so peaceable and law abiding that for a number of years it did without a marshal. Isaiah Lewton was the firt weigh-master and James Williams was pound-master, his livery stable being designated as a pound. John M. Brett was granted a saloon license in November, 1882.

The Board in 1883 was as follows: J. B. Furman, James Ewing, Wm. Hollister, Dick Dodd and Stoddard. Stoddard failed to qualify ad H. P. Chapman was appointed in his stead. In May, 1883, A. C. White was appointed street commissioner, and in July of the same year, H. Janss & Co. were granted a duggist permit. James Kennedy was granted a sollon license in August, 1883. On January 21, 1884, C. J. Low was appointed marshal and shortly after he resigned and A. C. White wa appointed in his stead. Wm. Thorpe, in the same year, was appointed clerk, which job he still holds.

SUCCEEDING CITY OFFICERS OF WOOD RIVER

To those men who have devoted their time and energy to the exacting and yet pleasant service of the governmental affairs of the town in which they reside, all credit is due. The trustees who served the village since the intitial two years of its corporate existence have been:

1884

James Ewing, C. H. Bell, C. W. Stoddard, James Little and Geo. Groves.

1885

Ewing, Dodd, Bell, Howard and Wells

1886

Cross, Ewing, Hackenberger, Howard and Williams

1887

Ewing, Jackson, Williams, Howard and Penney

1888

Ewing, Jackson, Williams, Howard and Penney

1889

Penney, Mitchell, Parker, Boone and Johnson

1890

Mitchell, Penney, Taylor, Chamberlain

1891

Penney, S. Jones, Chamberlain, Taylor, Jackson

1892

Jackson, Dunn, Jones, Eaton, Penney

1893

Joe Rounds, Mitchell, Marshall, Smout, Sherrerd

1894

Marshall, Mitchell, Smout, Sherrerd, J. Rounds

1895

Sherrerd, Mitchell, Burkerd, Spelts, Smout

1896

Spelts, White, Mitchell, Wingert, Mullen

1897

Spelts, Sherrerd, White, M. Diefenderfer, Rounds

1898

Ed Rounds, M. Diefenderfer, S. A. Sherrerd, Spelts, White

1899

Spelts, Jackson, A.C. White, Burkerd, Rounds

1900

Jas. Jackson, MacMurray, Mitchell, Mullen Kinz

1901

Same as 1900

1902

Jackson, MacMurray, Mitchell, Mullen and Wilson

1903

MacMurray, Mitchell, Brett, Mullen and S. W. Wilson. The latter two resigned in July and August,1903 and were succeeded by John Harper and J. W. Cunningham

1904

Brett, MacMurray, Conrad, Jewett and Quackenbush

1905

Jas. T. Brett, E. S. Leavenworth, Geo. Conrad, Jno. R. Jewett, R. R. Root

1906

Brett, Leavenworth, Jewett, Root and Jno. Mullen

1907

Brett, Jewett, Root, H. S. Eaton and Jno. Mullen, who resigned in June, succeeded by Dan Lyons

1908

Brett, Root, Eaton, Diefenderfer and Mitchell, latter succeeded in November by Dr. Redfield

1909

Brett, Redfield, Diefenderfer, Eaton and W. T. Spelts

1910

Brett, Diefenderfer, Spelts, Eaton and J. A. Rounds

1911

Brett, J. A. Rounds, H. S. Eaton, Spelts, and I. C. Williams

1912

Brett, Rounds, Eaton, Williams and J. J. Carter

1913

Jas. T. Brett, J. J. Catrter, H. S. Eaton, J. A. Rounds and John Hopper

1914

Brett, Carter, Hopper, Eaton and F. J. Miller

1915

Brett, Carter, Eaton, Miller and F. E. Fulton

1916

Jas. T. Brett, J. J. Carter, F. E. Fulton, H. S. Eaton and S. A. Sherrerd

1917

Jas. T. Brett, J. J. Carter, H. S. Eaton, A. Fairbanks and S.A. Sherrerd

1918

Brett, Carter, Eaton, Fairbanks and Sherrerd

1919

Jas. T. Brett, J. J. Carter, H. S. Eaton, A. Fairbanks and S. A. Sherrerd

The other town offices have been filled by fewer men in Wood River than in many towns of its size. Thomas Whalen served for a great many years as marshal and street commissioner. J. W. Cuningham, A. H. Wallace, Mark Ryan, P. H. Bridger, C. A. Penwell, A. D. Riddle, J. M. Wiggins, and W. T. Dunn have also served in one or both of those capacities. Since 1913 Mr. Dunn has been marshal except for the time he was away in the military service of his country.

Wm. Thorp was town clerk for a long period. In 1903 Wm. O'Connor undertook the work for a short time, and in August, 1904, David D. O'Kane became town clerk and kept the records of the community until 1910. During 1910 and 1911 G. G. Gard was clerk, in 1912 D. D. O'Kane, 1913 and 1914 A. H. Wingert, 1915 G. G. Gard, 1916 G. G. Gard and 1917 and 1918 D. D. O'Kane, and the present clerk in 1919 is C. W. Mercer. W. L. Sprague served as treasurer for around fifteen years; then for two years, 1913 and 1914, H. P. Burmood, and he was followed by E. B. Pearson and C. W. Mercer, and at present A. H. Wingert is treasurer.

On October 9, 1907, the community voted for $3,800 water works bonds by a vote of 158 for, 31 against. The election board at that election were W. W. Mitchell and C. W. Mercer clerks, and J. H. Shick, J. W. Cunningham, and A. C. White judges. Frank H. Wheeler was the contractor to erect a building 40 x 44 for the Wood River Electric Light and Water system, and a very substantial plant resulted from this effort. W. T. Dunn is the present electric light and water commissioner.

EARLY BUILDERS OF WOOD RIVER

Even more than is useally the case, the very early history of Wood River radiated around one man, who placed the first building i the present community of Wood River, started the first store in the present town, and was a pioneer in almost every phase of the town's infant activities. the history of Wood River would not be complete without recurring (sic) to the life and activities of James Jackson.

JAMES JACKSON

JAMES JACKSON was born at Chatsworth (near Manchester), England, April 21, 1837, being the day on which Queen Victoria was crowned. He came to the United States with his parents when he was eight years of age. They first settled in Bureau County, Illinois, and after three years residence there removed to Alamakee County, Iowa, and later of Floyd County in that state in 1855.

In 1860 Mr. Jackson moved to Hall County and settled three and a half miles west of the present site of Wood River, where he took a claim. His worldly possessions were limited to a yoke of oxen, a wagon, and a few dollars in money. He built himself a log house and until 1864 confined himself to farming, putting up hay, hunting, etc. In the fall of 1864 he started a store, hauling his stock of goods by wagon from Omaha. This store was located at what is known as "Old Wood River." He continued in the stock business until 1874, when he sold approximately 450 head of cattle and closed out that business. When the new townsite was platted in 1874 Mr. Jackson immediately moved his business institution to the new town. His store and residence were brought into town and were the first buildings of the infant village. From the time of starting his little store in 1864, Mr. Jackson remained continuously in business up until the time of his death, on December 22, 1910, at the age of 73 years, 8 months, and 1 day.

Mr. Jackson was married in Floyd County, Iowa, in 1858, to Miss Mary J. Clark, who died on February 18, 1880. They had two children, Henry J. Jackson, who now resides in Chicago, Illinois, and Anna (Mrs. Dr. Schuyler), now residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1882 he was married to Miss Susan M. Corfman, who survived him and is still a resident of Wood River. They had two children, Richard W. Jackson, at present living in Wood River, and Mary Lydia (Mrs. M. I. Evinger, of Des Moines, Iowa.

Mrs. Evinger's husband is an engineer of established ability, and during the recent Great War he enlisted in the engineering service, and has been placed in charge of sanitation matters at Camp Dodge, Iowa.

Mr Jackson served on the first board of trustees of Wood River, and on eight of the succeeding boards. He served the entire population of Hall County as a county commissioner. He took a lively interest in the upbulding of the schools of Wood River and devoted time to the work of the school board. He was a member of the original board of directors and was president of the Citizens State Bank during the first three years of its existence. He served as the first postmaster of Old Wood River. He was first a member of the Grand Island Masonic lodge and then a charter member of the Wood River Masonic lodge. He always took a keen interest in religious activities and was instrumental in the building a church home for the Episcopal church, about 1898. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. L. A. Arthur of Grand Island.

Mr. Jackson came to the present territory of Jackson and Wood River townships when altogether less than a dozen settlers had picked out that particular section of the prairie wilderness for a home. He started out the business activities and the community, and upon his suggestion the name of "Wood River" was adopted. In 1869 he killed a wild buffalo upon the ground where the new town now stands, and he helped each phase of community life start out, and watched the community grow until he was called beyond. Mr. Jackson was a great reader and lover of Shakespeare, and could repeat many of the passages of that writer's works. He was known to all, and bore a reputation for fair and honorable dealings. His entire career was one that left its stamp upon the community which he helped to build, and became an indelible part of its history.

OTHER EARLY COMMUNITY BUILDERS

Henry O. Gifford and O. W. Eaton were two other early residents of Wood River who played a prominent part in the early growth of the town. Mr. Gifford was born in New Haven, Vermont, October 23, 1824, where he resided until 1873. Mr. Eaton was also born in New Haven, Vermont, on August 27, 1835. In 1873 Messrs. Gifford and Eaton came to Kansas and engaged in the sheep feeding business. In the year 1888 they came to Wood River and founded the First National Bank. Mr. Gifford became president of that institution on January 9, 1890. His associate, Mr. Eaton, was his successor in that capacity, having already served the bank as vice-president. For many years Messrs. Gifford and Eaton were heavy sheep-feeders in the Wood River community. Mr. Eaton's son, H. S. Eaton, is the present cashier of that institution. Mr. Eaton, Sr., has also been president of the Merrick County Bank at Clarks, Nebraska.

N. T. BRITTIN

Mr. Brittin began business in Hall County in 1880, and served as postmaster of Wood River. He located on a homestead one-half mile south of Wood River in 1871, where he followed farming and stock raising until he began trade in the village. He was born in Madison County, near London, Ohio, October 4, 1838. When he was eighteen years old he moved with his parents to Clinton, Illinois, where he lived until he came to Nebraska. He enlisted in August, 1862, in Co. B, 107th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry; participated in the siege of Atlanta, Reseca, Georgia, Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, and was mustered out at Washington, D. C., May 20, 1865.

JOHN ROACH

John Roach was an early dealer in general merchadise, who opened business in Septmber, 1879. He first came to Nebraska in 1868, worked for the Union Pacific out of Omaha at various times until 1879. He was born in Ireland in 1849 and came to America in 1865, settling in Baltimore, Maryland, for a year. He was married in Wood River, January, 1881, to Mry Dermody, a native of near Ottawa, Canada.

RICHARD MANKIN

Richard Mankin was born in Hanover, Germany, on April 6, 1849, and came to America at the age of twekve, locating in New York City. In 1872 he came to Hall County and was section boss for the Union Pacific Railroad until 1890, living in the section house about five miles east of Wood River. In 1891-92-3 he was employed by the Grand Island Beet Sugar plant, when he came to Wood River and engaged in the liquor business. In 1894 he built the fine two-story brick hotel building which still bears his name. Aside from the hotel business Mr. Mankin was a heavy real estate holder in Hall County and assisted in developing the farming community as well as the town.

WILLIAM L. G. TRAPP

was another early merchant who helped materially to build up the community. He was born in Germany, May 2, 1846, came to America in 1865, lived in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and went to school in Illinois at Naperville. He travelled in Wisconsin for about four and a half years for American Bible Society of New York City. For a time he lived at Camden New Jersey, then in 1876 he was engaged in the commission business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Then he opened a store in Camden, where he remained until he came west. He opened trade in Wood River in 1879.

S. MACMURRAY

was born of Scotch-Irish parentage in Belfast, Ireland, January 25, 1850, and wheb but a babe with his parents came to this country, locating at Philadelphia. IN 1892 he came to Wood River as the local agent for the Omaha Elevator company. Besides his activity in the grain business, he devoted several years to very satisfactory service as a member and chairman of the board of trustees of the town.

PATRICK HOYE

is one of the older residents of Wood River who has played a very prominent part in upbuilding the community. He was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, March 17, 1849, with a clear title to the name "Patrick." At the age of twenty he came to New York City, where he worked for two years as a laborer, and afterwards in Pennylvania until 1879. Then he came to Nebraska, buying an 80-acre farm four miles north of Wood River. His first house was a sod one and his capital was very limited. By good management he pushed along until he acquired a goodly amount of land, and a fine home. He served the county as supervisor, and helped actively in local civic affairs. He served as a director in the Citizens State Bank, and since 1911 has been vice-president of that institution. His son, John Hoye, is a leading business man of Wood River, engaged in the drug and wall-paper and paint business.

WILLIAM AND FRED THORPE

were not only early settlers in Wood River but also gave the town an active industrial start. William came to Wood River in the fall of 1881, the machinery was in place in June, and the milling of flour and feed at once commenced. In March, 1882, his brother, Fred joined him, and the two brothers personally conducted the Atlantic Roller Mills until 1895, when Fred moved to Chicago. William then continued the business.