The naming of Antelope County has an historical setting. In 1871, while it was in process of organization, the Indians made a raid on some stock belonging to a settler. Leander Gerard, a member of the Senate, was one of the pursuing party. Their route lay through this county, and on the way one of the party killed an antelope. When Mr. Gerard returned he suggested the name "Antelope" for the new county, and so it was called. The county is situated in the north-eastern part of the state. It extends twenty-four miles from north to south, making an area of about eight hundred and sixty-four square miles. The land is rolling, with ranges of hills in the southern part. The elevations, for the most part, consist of gradual inclines, yet in some places the hills are too steep to be cultivated. However, their wealth of grasses makes up for this deficiency. The first election was held in the fall of 1871, at which two hundred and two votes were cast. Oakdale was chosen for county seat because it was thought to be in the richest part of the county, and it was so named from its back ground of oak timber. The first permanent settlements were made at Cedar Creek and West Cedar Valley, while the first postoffice was established at Twin Grove. Settlement was greatly interfered with by the contest between the Union Pacific Railroad and the Burlington and Missouri Railroad in regard to ownership of lands. This was also a great hindrance to the building up of schools which depend upon taxes for maintenance. The grasshopper pest in 1874 was also responsible for the slow progress of the county, in early times, settlement at Pleasant Valley being entirely broken up on account of this plague. Antelope county has an inexhaustive water supply, and its main river is the Elkhorn. There are many hard water springs, and the number of rivers and creeks gives power for many mills. Some remains have been found which indicate that the Mound Builders were the original inhabitants of this county.

      R. H. RICE is a native of Indiana, born in Elizabeth, August 25, 1868. Here he was educated in the common schools and removed to Nebraska in 1884. In 1902 he married Miss Nelle L. Staples and they have one daughter.

He is identified with the Populist party and is serving as Clerk of the District Court two terms.

      JAMES M. FINCH is a native of Illinois, having been born in Andover June 4, 1864. His parents removed to Iowa in 1867 and in 1871 they homesteaded near the present site of Bellwood, Nebraska, and settled in Antelope County, about ten years later. He studied one year at Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois, one year at Yankton College, South Dakota and graduated from Gates College, Neligh in 1893. In 1895 he married Miss Kate G. Nicol. He is Judge of Antelope County.

      J. M. RICHARDSON was horn in Albia, Iowa. April 17, 1869. He attended the Central College, Centerville, Iowa, and after his removal to Nebraska, the Lincoln Normal and the State Normal at Peru, graduating in 1894. In 1873 he removed to Webster County, Nebraska, in 1887 toured the Southern States. then settled in Albia, Iowa and came to Nuckolls County, Nebraska in 1892. Was principal of schools at Reynolds, Guide Rock and Oakdale and is now County Superintendent of Antelope County, serving his second term on the Republican ticket. In 1897 he married Miss Gertrude M. Calder of Hardy, Nebraska. Mr. Richardson is President of the County Superintendent's organization of Nebraska.

      E. E. BECKWITH was born in Dodge County, Nebraska, July 2, 1871. Two years later his father homesteaded in Antelope County and after residing for a time at Oakdale and Lincoln, Nebraska, settled in Neligh in 1894. He acquired his education in the Oakdale high school, the Fremont Normal and Yankton College, South Dakota. He was County Superintendent of Antelope County in 1897 and 1898, City Superintendent at Neligh from 1901 to 1903, when he was elected County Clerk on the Republican ticket. In 1902 he married Miss Edith E. Best.

      S. D. THORNTON was born at Depuyster, New York, February 4, 1854, removing to Delaware County, Iowa, in 1865. He came to Antelope County in 1873. After his graduation from the Delaware County high school, he read law and was admitted to the bar. In 1880 he married Miss Florence Putney and has six children. Mr. Thornton is a member of the Republican party and has been County Judge two terms and is now serving his second term as County Attorney.

      S. I. NIES was born in Dakota County, Nebraska March 28, 1873. Five years later his parents came to Antelope County. He attended the Omaha Commercial College and is a graduate of Gates College, class of 1894. He engaged in teaching and in 1902 was appointed Deputy County Treasurer. In 1904 he was elected county Treasurer on the Republican ticket.

      G. H. M'GEE was born in Dubuque County, Iowa, September 30, 1848 and was educated in the common schools and Cornell College. In 1871 he came to Nebraska and settled in Antelope county. That same year lie was elected Surveyor of Antelope county which position lie held for ten years. He has been County Supervisor six years and was in the State Legislature in 1896 and is now County Assessor. He was the first man to use water power in Antelope County, using it to operate a sawmill six years and a flouring mill fourteen.

      J. W. LAMSON, a native of Ohio, was born August 25, 1872. In 1877, he moved to Indiana and in 1880 his father took out a homestead in Antelope County. Mr. Lamson was raised on the farm and attended school at Gates Academy, Fremont Normal and the Lincoln Business College. He is a member of the republican party and is serving the County as Deputy Clerk.

      N. D. JACKSON was born at Bryant's Pond, Maine, May 18, 1854 After migrations to Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska, the family took a homestead in Antelope County in 1879. He is a graduate of Cedar Valley Seminary, Osage, Iowa, class of 1877, and of the Law School of the State University of Iowa, class of 1879. In 1882 he married Miss Hattie Bissell and they have three daughters and two sons, one of whom is serving in the United States Army in the Philippines. He is a republican and has filled the offices of District Attorney and District Judge.

      J. F. BOYD is a native of Pennsylvania, born August 8, 1853. His parents moved to Illinois, and in 1883 he came to Antelope County. He graduated from Abington College, Knox county, Illinois and then studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1878 and in 1881 married Miss Mabel Ayres. Judge Boyd has served the public as County Attorney of Antelope County and later as judge of the District Court in the Ninth Judicial District. He is now serving his second term.

     M. B. HUFFMAN was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, July 28, 1853. In 1856