Tekamah and Vicinity, Noteworthy Men of

either to the community or his fellow man. For years his home was the harbor for belated travellers (sic) and none were so late or so poor that they did not find hospitality extended them.
   "Mr. Harrington was active in farming for years and left quite an estate. He was the first postmaster at this place and for several terms was district prosecuting attorney. Of late years he has been failing in health but seldom confined by sickness. During all these years the Major has been a well known personage on our streets, and deference was paid him by all. The smallest tot and the brother in hoary locks, knew and loved him.
   In his old age, as in his earlier day he was independent. He was a sharp, pointed, conversationalist and decided in his opinions. He was fond of the young folks and the society of his grandchildren was a source of much comfort to him. In his family he was kind, and earned the loving tenderness that his children ministered to his latter days. The funeral services were held Sunday, September 14th at the residence of his son Wellington and a large concourse of people were in attendance, among them many old settlers of the county. Several very handsome floral offerings were presented by friends, two crosses, an anchor and a sickle. The anchor was presented by Mrs. A. B. Cooley and was made by her from flowers gathered at the old home. Pall bearers were N. B. Morehouse, David Pruner, Niles Folsom, A. B. Cooley, W. B. Beck and Barton Park, all pioneer friends of the deceased and his family. The remains were interred in the Tekamah cemetery.

   BENJ. R. FOLSOM was born, February 23d, 1809, in Orange county, New York. His parents soon after removed to Wyoming county, the same state, where he was raised. In September, 1854, he came to Omaha and in October of the same year removed to Burt county and was one of the first white men to settle in Ne-

braska north of Omaha. Mr. Folsom engaged in farming and stock raising and, with his brother, erected a steam saw mill along the river east of Tekamah. He was the first probate judge of the county, being appointed by the governor; he was also a member of the legislature of 1861. Mr. Folsom was united in marriage, November 14th, 1831, to Miss Mary Rathbun, of Onondago county, New York. He passed from this life November 20, 1882.

   GEORGE P. THOMAS was born in Wyoming county, New York, April 10th, 1827. He came to Tekamah, Burt county, Nebraska, in the fall of 1856. He brought with him a saw mill which he located in the timber along the river, two and one-half miles east. After operating it about a year it was destroyed by fire. He also engaged extensively in farming and stock raising; built an elevator and engaged in the grain trade for several years. Mr. Thomas, with W. W. Latta, erected the Merchants Hotel block. He was a member of the first state lagislature (sic); was county commissioner for three years, sheriff two years and county treasurer four years. Mr. Thomas passed from this life at the age of 57 years. Of him, the Omaha Herald of that date, spoke as follows:
   "Meeting Judge Hyde on the street last evening it was from him that we received the sad news that our valued friend of many years, George P. Thomas, of Tekamah, died at his home in that place after a brief illness.
   "Mr. Thomas belonged to the best citizenship of the state, of which he was among the leading pioneers. He was also one of the original founders of Burt county and of Tekamah, here he spent the best years of an honorable and useful life. As our recollection is he became a citizen of that place as long ago as 1856, and has resided there always since. Honest, intelligent. energetic and exemplary in every relation, kind and devoted as husband and father, this new land has not


© 2002 for the NEGenWeb Project by Pam Rietsch, Ted & Carole Miller