The land upon which the town site was located was obtained from the Government by pre-emption. George W.
      Van Guilder, E. J. Stone, N. W. Brass and Bart Mosher being the pre-emptors. These parties proved up on their
      property in September, 1871, at which time they received Government patents for the same.

      During the fall of the same year, the land was sold and became the property of the South Platte Town Company.
      But, as in other instances, the settlement upon the property was made by these men at the expense and instigation
      of the company, who, by the terms of the grant, were required to located town sites on the Government sections.

      In the fall of 1871, the town company laid off the site into lots and advertised its location. At this time, only the
      four pre-emption houses were to be seen, to note the spot where, hid in the tall grasses, were the surveyor's
      stakes, marking out the features of the future village of Harvard. Little more than a decade of years brings one
      back to the time when that whereon now stands a thriving village, encircled by all that adorns and embellishes her
      civilized life, was an uninhabited prairie, the grazing-grounds of wild herds and the hunting lands of savages. How
      marked the change! How wonderful the progress! With what spirit of satisfaction must the pioneer and early
      settler, supplied as he now is with comfort and plenty, look back to the time when in the canvas-covered wagon,
      he made his way across the monotonous prairie scene, unadorned by human habitation. With what delight did he
      who was here already welcome him that had newly come! With what pride and satisfaction did they watch the
      progress of development as wrested from the hands of untamed nature, converting the land into a garden and
      paradise, blooming with the lily and the rose, and where peace and plenty find undisturbed lodgment at the
      hearthstone of every home.

      To recount the steps of progress in the development of any new country is a matter full of interest to any one, and
      particularly to those whose lives and labors have been identified with the work, who have endured its trials and
      hardships, performed its labors, and, in due season, gathered the fruits.

      Future generations, too, look back and bless with grateful recollections those dead sires whose hands wrought
      out and transmitted to them these beneficent inheritances.

      The fertility of the land surrounding the place gave it wonderful advantages and augured favorably for its future.
      Being well adapted to agriculture it was soon settled with many thrifty and industrious farmers, and, in the
      supplying of these with necessaries, naturally induced the upbuilding of the town and gave it prosperity.
 

      The first building erected on the site was the railroad station, which was built in the fall of 1871, directly after the
      place was laid off. In February of the following year, E. H. Birdsall established the first business house, having
      erected a small storeroom in which he placed a small stock of goods, consisting of general merchandise. During
      the same spring, O. G. Peck and A. Meston started a lumber yard; F. Mann and J. Decker started a feed store,
      and William Rowe opened a shoeshop. Later in the spring, L. J. Keeny built a storeroom and established the
      second business house, with general stock. W. F. Gue located a land and real estate office in the interests of the
      Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company near about the same time. The influx of population was now
      almost continuous, during the spring and summer of the year 1872. Those coming in and establishing in business
      were W. E. Welton, who was an artificer, skilled in the handling of iron, after whom came A. H. Myers, also a
      blacksmith; I. J. Starbuck was the next man to settle in the town, and began business as a land agent and was
      engaged in locating homesteads.

      The first hotel was built in the place during the spring by E. W. Dimick and Brad Stone, and was called the
      Harvard House. Mr. Estes put up the next building, which was occupied by C. K. Morrill with a drug store, and
      in which the post office was kept by E. J. Stone.

      In July, J. D. Todd opened a furniture establishment. The next to settle in the town was E. P. Burnett, who
      opened a law office as the first attorney in Harvard. Following Burnett was J. F. Sawtell, who came later in the
      summer and erected a large two-story frame building to be used as a business house; this was the first two-story
      structure built in the place.

      In the fall of the year, a man by the name of Strickland came and opened a small grocery store. Mr. Strickland
      lived in Michigan and had emigrated from that State to Nebraska under peculiar circumstances. When living in
      Michigan, his occupation was that of a Methodist preacher, but he became enamored of a lady--a grass widow--
      in whose treacherous charms he became ensnared. Turning his back upon his wife and four or five children, and,
      in company with his paramour, they twain emigrated to Nebraska, taking up their abode at Harvard as man and
      wife, when he began business as a small grocer. During his stay in town, he very cleverly ingratiated himself into
      the good graces of the people, passing himself off as a worthy citizen and won the respect of many. He was also
      accustomed to take part in church affairs, often supplying the place of the regular pastor in his absence. By this
      and other means, he, in a short time, came to be regarded as the pillar of the Methodist Church. Things passed
      off pleasantly to the guilty pair for a time, but it was not always to continue thus. Were they surely not to be
      discovered in their guilt and overtaken in their iniquity? In about three or four months following their advent, the
      Postmaster received a letter from a son of the reverend gentleman, relating the circumstances of the departure of
      his father, giving a description of him and sending a photograph and making inquiry if such person was living in
      Harvard. The description and all corresponded exactly, and the Postmaster replied that the parties were here.
      Thus was the recreant husband and father exposed in the disgrace of his own and his accomplice's crime.
      Confronted by these facts by those upon whose generosity and credulity they had so deceitfully imposed, and
      threatened with social ostracism, they took a moonlight departure and fled the town, their whereabouts having
      since remained a mystery to the citizens of Harvard.

      During the summer and fall of 1872, building was quite brisk, about thirty houses having been erected in that time,
      and, by the end of the year, the town had accumulated a population of about 200. The town being located on the
      main line of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, is possessed of abundant shipping facilities. The road was
      built and in operation just before the town was started, and thus it did not want for the advantages arising from
      such source, which also in great part accounts for the rapidity of its growth.

      Directly following the completion of the railroad, the tide of emigration set in more briskly, and soon the
      surrounding country was teeming with an industrious population of settlers. From these accumulated advantages
      the village flourished with renewed vigor and grew with increased rapidity.

      From the beginning, the place has built up gradually, with a stability denoting permanence, and for this reason the
      town has not experienced that retrogression so common with new towns. At present it contains a population of
      nearly 1,000, and in all is a live and prosperous business town.

      But few incidents of historic merit have transpired within the village since its establishment. Generally speaking,
      the settlers are quiet, peaceable and cultured in civility, so that the pages of her record are free from the stains of
      crime or the marring presence of startling or sensational escapades.

      The earliest celebration held by the settlers of Harvard and vicinity was on the 4th day of July, 1872. The people,
      though wrapt up in the pride of their newly adopted State, did not forget their mother country or the heroic deeds
      of their fathers whose memory they assembled together to celebrate in appropriate and venerating ceremony.
      There were about 300 people present on the occasion, and the exercises consisted of an oration by the Hon. N.
      H. Harwood, of Lincoln, martial music, picnic dinner, dancing, pyrotechnic display, etc. The celebration was held
      in a rude pavilion, constructed of poles, wagon-covers and brush, in which a temporary floor was laid for
      dancing. Even here, on the frontier of the wierd and lonely Western prairies, the spirit of freedom animated those,
      who, as vet, were strangers in a far-away and uncivilized land, and the day was one of general enjoyment and
      rejoicing.

      Not a little mirthfulness was aroused on that day by the eccentric actions of a couple of Russians, who had but
      lately come to this country, and, being unused to the customs and manners of the people, were likewise objects
      of curiosity to others. The old Russian and his wife had come to the celebration presumably to promulgate the
      fact that, in adopting the American Union as their home, they also indorsed the cause which gave it existence.

      The ceremony, however, was new and odd to the foreign couple, and, not feeling inclined to take active part,
      they went apart a short distance from the rest of the people, and assumed a prostrate position side by side, on the
      ground, with their forward side downward.

      As they thus lay stretched out flat upon the earth, resting their heads in their hands and propped up by resting
      their elbows on the ground, they watched with much interest in everything that passed, occasionally giving vent to
      remarks of such ludicrous character as to excite outbursts of hilarity by those within hearing.

      Although the day was not fruitful of remarkable incidents, yet it is one long to be remembered as the first Fourth
      of July celebration that was ever held in the village of Harvard. The music for the day was under the direction of
      L. S. Backus, who went into the country a distance of six miles to procure a melodeon belonging to Thomas
      Majors, to be used on the occasion. The Declaration of Independence was also read as a part of the exercises,
      this honor being conferred upon E. J. Moger.

      The day passed off very orderly under the police regulation of O. G. Peck, who had been chosen to act as
      Marshal for the day. Since that time a Fourth of July celebration has been held at Harvard regularly every year
      except one.
 

      On the 2nd day of July, 1873, in accordance with a petition signed by E. H. Birdsall and eighteen others, the
      Commissioners of Clay County granted a village charter to Harvard, and appointed a board of five Trustees,
      composed of E. H. Birdsall, E. P. Burnett, J. D. Bain, W. A. Farmer and G. W. Howard. At a meeting of the
      board July 19, 1873, E. H. Birdsall was chosen Chairman; E. P. Burnett Clerk; William Mulliken, Treasurer; W.
      F. Gue, Assessor; C. W. Gardener, Marshal; and S. M. Risley, Pound Master. G. W. Howard resigned as
      member of the board, and Rev. B. F. Haviland was appointed in his place. S. M. Risley failing to qualify as
      Pound Master, E. P. Davison was appointed.

      Harvard became organized as a city of the second class in the spring of 1879, and on the 7th of April and
      election was held for the choosing of officers for the city government. W. J. Turner was elected Mayor; W. H.
      Hammond and Ezra Brown, Councilmen for the First Ward; C. J. Scott and P. B. Lyon Councilmen for the
      Second Ward; T. R. Hall, Clerk; L. A. Payne, Treasurer; T. A. Barbour, Police Judge, and J. T. Fleming,
      Engineer. On July 7, T. A. Barbour resigned, and D. T. Phillips was appointed to the office of Police Judge. T. R.
      Hall, Clerk, removed outside of the corporate limits and resigned the office, and was succeeded by L. A. Varner.

      Harvard had now grown to be a city, possessed of all the dignity of her youthful aspirations. But alas for the
      uncertainties of human affairs. For one year she held her position, until the ruthless voice of the Legislature
      announced her incapable of maintaining such a position, and in the pride of her importance she was stripped of all
      that made her a city and again returned to her earlier proportions as a village. The law making this change, among
      its provisions, fixed the limit for the incorporation of cities and towns, requiring that places with a population of
      1,500 might be incorporated as cities of the second class, and declared all places with less population as villages.
      Unfortunately, Harvard lacked the requisite population, and was forced to succumb to the pressure which so
      uncharitably robbed her of the glories she had assumed.
 

      The following shows the names of those who have held official positions in the village government since its
      incorporation up to the present time, with the dates of service:

      1873--Trustees, E. H. Birdsall, E. P. Burnett, J. D. Bain, W. A. Farmer, G. W. Howard; Chairman of Board, E.
      H. Birdsall; Clerk, E. P. Burnett; Treasurer, William Mulliken; Marshal, C. W. Gardner; Assessor, W. F. Gue;
      Pound Master, S. M. Risley. Howard resigned Aug. 20, and Rev. B. F. Haviland was appointed and took the
      oath of office as member of the board June 7, 1874. S. M. Risley failed to take the oath of office as Pound
      Master, and the office being declared vacant, E. P. Davison was appointed.

      1874--Trustees, W. H. Hammond, W. A. Mulliken, C. W. Gardner, E. P. Burnett; Chairman, W. H. Hammond;
      Clerk, W. R. Mulliken; Treasurer, J. F. Sawtell; Assessor, C. K. Morrill; Pound Master, E. P. Davison;
      Marshal, L. Webster. At the regular election for the choosing of a Board of Trustees, only four men were
      elected, the vote on the fifth man being a tie. Accordingly an election was called to take place May 19, at which
      time W. A. Farmer was elected as the fifth member of the board. L. Webster resigned the position of Marshal
      and Joe Spotts was appointed July 1. C. K. Morrill also resigned, and on July 16 E. C. Morse was appointed to
      fill the vacancy.

      1875--Trustees, W. H. Hammond, M. Estes, L. Stein, C. D. Moore, T. J. Dowd; Chairman, W. H. Hammond;
      Clerk, T. J. Dowd; Marshal, Joe Spotts; Assessor, E. C. Morse. Afterward Dowd resigned the Clerkship on the
      board, and O. W. Birmingham was appointed. T. A. Barbour was appointed Treasurer June 9, and W. A.
      Farmer was appointed Attorney. T. A. Barbour was appointed Assessor in place of E. C. Morse, who moved
      away.

      1876--Trustees, M. Estes, M. D. Kellogg, C. D. Moore, L. Stein and G. W. Howard; Chairman, M. Estes;
      Clerk, G. W. Howard; W. H. Hammond, appointed Treasurer; Marshal, Joseph Spotts; Assessor, T. A.
      Barbour. W. H. Hammond resigned the position of Treasurer November 15, and on December 21st, C. D.
      Moore was appointed.

      1877--Trustees, T. A. Barbour, C. D. Moore, P. M. Culvard, L. C. Howard and L. G. Hurd; Chairman, T. A.
      Barbour; Clerk, L. G. Hurd; Treasurer, H. R. Wheeler; Marshal, Joseph Spotts.

      1878--Trustees, W. J. Turner, L. G. Hurd, A. D. Davidson, E. J. Moger and W. H. Disbrow; Chairman, E. J.
      Moger; Clerk, L. G. Hurd; Marshal, Joseph Spotts.

      1879--It was during this year that the organization as a city of the second class took place, with the following
      officers: Mayor, W. J. Turner; Clerk, T. R. Hall; Treasurer, L. A. Payne; Police Judge, T. A. Barbour; Engineer,
      J. T. Fleming; Councilmen of the First Ward, W. H. Hammond and Ezra Brown; Councilmen of the Second
      Ward, C. J. Scott and P. B. Lyons. On July 7, D. T. Phillips was appointed Police Judge, vice T. A. Barbour,
      resigned. City Clerk T. R. Hall removed outside of the city, and the office of Clerk being declared vacant, L. A.
      Varner was appointed.

      1880--During this year, after the existence as a city of the second class, and the place again became a village, the
      following officers were elected: Trustees, W. J. Turner, Ezra Brown, H. G. Starkey, H. R. Wheeler and J. A.
      Swope; Chairman, W. J. Turner; Clerk, I. B. Littler; Treasurer, L. A. Payne; Attorney, L. A. Varner; Marshal,
      C. W. Gardner. July 19, Gardner resigned, and Joseph Spotts filled the office of Marshal, and William Gallap
      held the position of Night Patrolman.

      1881--Trustees, W. T. Perry, L. G. Hurd, B. C. Oyler, L. A. Varner and O. M. Gilchrist, Chairman, W. T.
      Perry; Clerk, F. W. Burdick; Treasurer, L. A. Payne; Attorney, L. A. Varner.
 

      The educational advantages of Harvard are of a very superior character. The people, realizing the value of such
      institutions, are liberal and generous in their support. Excellent buildings are provided and teachers of the highest
      standard are employed, and who are thoroughly qualified to impart valuable instruction.

      The first school was taught in the winter of 1872-73 by Mrs. C. K. Morrill, and was kept in Morrill's residence.
      There were about thirty-nine pupils in attendance during that winter. The contract for building a schoolhouse was
      given to O. G. Peck and A. Meston, and work began upon it in the winter of 1872-73, with J. W. Massey as
      foreman upon the building. During the year 1873, the building was completed, at a cost of about $5,000. Bonds
      to the full amount had been voted by the district for building purposes, but which have since been nearly all
      discharged.

      The building is a large two-story frame, with a main building forty-seven feet long by twenty-seven feet wide, to
      which are built a front and rear wing, each twenty-four feet wide by twelve feet in length, and two stories high.
      The house contains three large recitation rooms, with suitable cloak and ante-rooms, and is furnished throughout
      with patent seats and desks and is provided with the latest improved apparatus, maps, charts, etc.

      The organization of the district was effected in July, 1872, and embraces a territory six miles square. The design
      in making the district of so large size was to accommodate the then sparsely settled country districts with school
      advantages. The territory is now divided into five subordinate districts, four of which are comprised of the
      surrounding country and one made up of the village, and all under the same management.

      The first school board, consisting of three members, was E. J. Moger, Alexander Meston and M. L. Latham,
      who, as now, acted in conjunction in the management of the affairs of all the districts. The size of the board has
      since been increased, and now contains a membership of six persons. The following are the names of those on
      the present School Board: H. C. Brown, M. Estes, Ezra Brown, E. J. Stone, T. R. Wyckoff and William
      Newton. H. C. Brown is Moderator, M. Estes, Treasurer, and Ezra Brown, Director.

      The schools in Harvard were graded, and are made to comprise the primary, intermediate and grammar or high
      school grades. There are at present nearly two hundred pupils in the village schools, who are under the
      management of a Principal and three assistant teachers. Those at present in control of the village school are F. L.
      Forman, Principal; Ella McBride, assistant; L. A. Varner, teacher of the intermediate department; and Clarey
      Geary, teacher of the primary school.

      In the entire district, including the country districts, and known as District No. 11, the enrollment for the year
      1881 was 471, under the management of eight teachers.
 

      The spirit of religious principle was not without its many adherents among the early settlers of the town. At a very
      early date in the period of its existence, religion received attention and found liberal support. By no means, as is
      too frequently misjudged of these new towns, was Harvard filled with that class of ruffians and boors who spurn
      things sacred with basest contempt, and look upon Christian teaching with eyes blinded to its importance and
      feelings hardened against its benign influences. On the other hand, the character of its people from its earliest
      existence was of the best, which has not only remained so, but also has witnessed material advancement. Even as
      early as August, 1871, was established the practice of religious worship in the place. The exercises took place
      under the more especial direction of the Rev. Numan Brass, a Methodist, and were conducted in his shanty on
      the claim which he pre-empted.

      This was the germ--the beginning of that practice of spiritual teaching, which, with the progress of settlement, has
      since grown to such wide extension, wielding a mighty influence in giving the character and tone to the place
      which it at present maintains. Following this, services were held in private dwellings, and for a time they were
      conducted in a railroad passenger coach, after which they were held in the school building upon its completion,
      where they were continued until the erection of a regular church edifice.

      The establishment of a regular church organization took place among the Methodists in July of 1871, with Numan
      Brass as pastor. The congregation at that time comprised ten members. The organization took place in the
      pastor's residence, and it was following this that services were held in the railroad coach, then at the residence of
      Alexander Meston, after that in the school building. This denomination has continued to advance slowly, and at
      present numbers about sixty members and is under the charge of Rev. Mr. Wilkinson. Two other church
      organizations were effected in the following year in the month of July, and near about the same time, by the
      Baptists and Congregationalists. The Baptist Church became organized at the residence of Charles H. Warner,
      under the direction of Rev. J. N. Webb. Services were held during the day, following which a conference was
      held by those present, and a number expressed a desire to have a regular church established. Accordingly,
      pledges of faith were drawn up and signed by about ten persons, which completed the organization. The first
      service held as a church body was on the 26th day of January, 1873, at which time the Rev. J. D. Newell
      officiated. By a vote of the church, Mr. Newell was retained as their regular pastor. This body as yet have no
      church house of their own, and conduct their services in the other churches and in the school building.

      The Congregationalists, headed by Prof. D. B. Perry, of Crete, Neb., established a church body with about
      twenty-five members. The place where the organization took place was in the residence of Alexander Meston,
      where meetings were afterward held for some time. The congregation began upon the erection of a church
      building in the early part of the year 1882. The building is a large frame, thirty-four feet wide by forty feet long,
      and cost about $2,500. The architecture is handsome and showy, and the house is surmounted with a belfry and
      steeple. The house is supplied with a large bell, and is comfortably furnished with all needful appliances for the
      conducting of services. Until the completion of the building, the congregation used the chapel belonging to the
      Presbyterians, in which they held meetings in the afternoons of Sundays.

      The Presbyterian body in Harvard became established on January 13, 1878, with a membership of fourteen. The
      work of organizing took place in the schoolhouse and was led by Alvin M. Dickson, D. D., of Edgar, and H. M.
      Giltner, of Aurora. Edwin H. Nye, was elected Elder. The first Board of Trustees that was elected failed to serve,
      and in the fall of 1878 a new board, consisting of H. R. Wheeler, T. A. Barbour, C. H. De Groff, L. A.
      Campbell and W. H. Chadwick were elected.

      Services were held in the schoolhouse up to September 1, 1878, when they were conducted in Phillips' Hall for
      one year. The building of a chapel began in the summer of 1879, and was completed in the fall, and dedicated in
      November of the same year. The building is a small frame, and cost about $600. The dedicatory sermon was
      preached by Rev. G. L. Little, of Omaha. The church was established by the Rev. J. L. Lower, whose labors
      ever since have been confined to this field.

      The present officials of the church are Edwin Updyke and D. M. Waggoner, Elders; C. H. De Groff, L. J. Titus,
      D. J. Hume, N. H. Pontius and J. Gardner, Trustees.

      The present membership is forty-three. The total of those who have been identified with the church since it started
      is about seventy, including those who have moved away, died, discharged and present members.

      The Catholics also have recently effected an organization, but as yet the body is weak, and are ministered to by
      priests from other places. They have no church building.

      The Episcopalians established themselves as a body on the 20th of September, 1881. At that time, the St. John's
      Episcopal Church was organized with Rev. John Greenwood, of Hastings, Pastor, and had a membership of
      fourteen. The officers elected were John D. Hayes, Senior Warden; and D. Nichols, Junior Warden; N. H.
      Lewis, F. L. Forman, William Newton, Vestryman. W. H. Canfield, Treasurer, and W. E. Orwin, Secretary. The
      congregation has a present membership of twenty-five, and is in all respects in a healthy condition as a body. The
      congregation is without a building, and uses the Presbyterian Church.

      The first attempt at church building in the town occurred in the fall of 1878. The plan upon which the building was
      to be effected was, that all denominations were to contribute, and that the one which gave the largest amount
      toward the enterprise was to hold the deed to the property. The title fell to the Congregationalists, who gave the
      largest amount. There was yet, however, considerable indebtedness on the church for lumber, etc., and the
      congregation being unable to pay it off, the building was suffered to be sold at sheriff's sale to satisfy the liens of
      those who furnished the material for its construction. The building was bid in by the Methodists at a reduced
      figure, and is now occupied by that body.

      As an aid in the propagation of the spirit of religion among the people, it was thought judicious to sow the seed in
      early years in the minds of the youth, so that in after time it might yield its fruits in abundance. To this end a
      Sunday school became organized at a very early date. In the fall of 1872, a Union Sunday school was instituted,
      in which all denominations participated. The organization of the school took place at the residence of Alexander
      Meston, and for the first year was kept in Sawtell's Hall, and then in the schoolhouse. For a period of about eight
      years the institution flourished in this united capacity, and in the year 1880, when the strength of the various
      church bodies became sufficient, the school broke up and was superseded by schools, established and supported
      by the various church societies.

      The Presbyterians were the first to break off from the Union School and institute one of their own. This took
      place in January, 1879. The school began with eighty members, which has since increased to one hundred, and is
      under the superintendence of D. M. Waggoner. The school has also a library of one hundred and thirty volumes,
      and is in a flourishing condition. Following this in January of 1881, the Methodists also established a school of
      their own, which has continues successfully ever since.
 

      The history of journalism in Harvard is but a repetition of several unsuccessful and short-lived attempts in the
      publication of newspapers.

      Some four efforts have been made to publish a newspaper at different times since the establishment of the town,
      but only a solitary one has held out to the present time.

      The first undertaking of this kind was made in the spring of 1873, by Webster Eaton, who established a paper
      called the Harvard Leader.

      This institution, however, was of short duration, and, after running about seven months, suspended issue, and the
      editor and proprietor, whose sense of manhood and honor seems not to have been the highest order among the
      citizens of the community, quietly "fled the country."

      In the spring of the following year, a second attempt was made toward the editorial work, by W. A. Connell, in
      the publication of a paper called the Harvard Advocate. But Connell seems not to have met with much better
      success than his predecessor.

      Although a man of some ability as an editor, yet he, like many of his craft, had his signal failure in the love of
      ardent drink, and spent too much of his time within the dominion and reign of spirits to be successful. Losing his
      patronage mainly on account of his intemperate habits, his paper, after an existence of about two years, "passed
      in its types," and the editor emigrated to other fields of labor.

      After Connell had taken up his departure, he was succeeded in the enterprise of journalism by D. T. Sherman,
      who established a paper in the fall of 1876, called the Harvard Sentinel. This sheet, however, like all the others,
      had a somewhat limited existence, but enjoyed a reasonable share of prosperity. After running for about two
      years, it was sold to G. W. Limbocker. Limbocker, previous to his purchasing the Sentinel, had already begun
      the publication of the Clay County Journal. After the exchange of the Sentinel was made, it was joined with the
      Journal, which gave the latter sheet a reasonable patronage.

      The Journal has already had an existence of over three years, and is now in successful operation, and promises
      to maintain prolonged continuance, being liberally patronized and supported by an intelligent and reading public.

      The paper is Republican in politics, as were also each of the others that preceded it, that being the almost
      universal sentiment of the community.

      In justice to the people of Harvard and vicinity, it may be added, that, in no instance can it be imputed that the
      cause of the failure of so many attempts at journalism in their midst, is due to a want of encouragement or support
      on their part. On the contrary, it is due altogether to the character, both of the editors and papers themselves, to
      which alone belongs the stigma.
 

      A post office was established at Harvard in December, 1871, and E. J. Stone was appointed to the position of
      Postmaster.

      Upon its first establishment, the office was kept in a storeroom erected by M. Estes, and occupied also by C. K.
      Morrill with a stock of drugs.

      The office at first was somewhat migratory, and the location depended largely upon the whereabouts of the
      Postmaster, since he was accustomed to carry the mail in his plug hat.

      Previous to the establishment of the office at this place, settlers usually got their mail at Grand Island, at a distance
      of about thirty miles.

      Stone held the position of Postmaster until June 1, 1872, and was succeeded by M. Estes, whose appointment
      lasted till the winter of 1876-77, when the commission was given to S. C. Sloat, the present incumbent. The
      office was made a money order office in July, 1875.
 

      Until comparatively a recent date, the village has escaped the destructive influence of the flames.

      Not until the spring of 1880 did the all-consuming conflagration arouse the people to the cry of fire! At that time,
      a building occupied by P. Lyons and J. W. Wigman as a hardware store, was burned. Having no means by which
      to extinguish the fire, all the people could do was to stand aside and watch the darting flames as they fitfully
      played through the frail timbers of the wooden structure.

      During the same spring, a residence belonging to Henry Disbrow was burned.

      Again in the month of January, 1882, the fiery demon set about the work of destruction, and a large frame grain
      elevator, belonging to W. J. Turner, was completely consumed.

      With these three instances terminate the losses the town has sustained from burnings. The lack of a well-regulated
      fire department or other means with which to extinguish fire, and prevent its spreading, leaves the village in a very
      unsafe situation. The continuous lines of frame buildings, together with the gales of wind characteristic of the
      country, add vastly to the unsafe condition of the place, and, in case the occurrence of fire, would render its
      extinguishment almost impossible, even with proper means, and much more so without any such conveniences.

      The people, however, are fully awake to the unsafe condition of the town in emergencies of this sort, and steps
      have already been taken to establish a fire department.

      Bonds to the amount of $3,000 have already been voted for this purpose, with which water cisterns are to be
      constructed, and an improved hand fire engine procured.

      The organization also of a well-regulated fire company is to be made in the near future.
 

      The spirit of fraternal and social feeling nowhere finds more liberal or better cultivation than among the citizens of
      Harvard.

      No better illustration of this truth can be given than to point to the existence and condition of her social and
      fraternal institutions. Chief among these are those of the Odd Fellows and Masons, while more particularly for the
      benefits than as a social body is also the existence of the society of Good Templars. The social and hospitable
      character of the people is of the highest and most praiseworthy type.

      Harvard Lodge, No. 44, A., F., & A. M., was the first of the secret orders to become established here.

      This lodge was instituted in October, 1873, under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge.

      The officers chosen for its management were:

      A. J. McPeak, Worshipful Master; F. M. Davis, Senior Warden; Ezra Brown, Junior Warden; W. C. Massey,
      Secretary; S. C. Sloat, Treasurer; L. B. Munger, Senior Deacon; A. P. Davidson, Tiler.

      The lodge became chartered in October of 1874, with the same officers as under the dispensation.

      The first meetings were held in Sawtell's Hall, and afterward the society moved into their present quarters in
      Sloat's Hall, and now occupy rooms in conjunction with the Odd Fellows. The present officers are:

      L. B. Munger, Worshipful Master; J. H. Washburn, Senior Warden; J. D. Hayes, Junior Warden; O. W.
      Birmingham, Secretary; J. D. Bain, Treasurer; G. W. Limbocker, Senior Deacon; N. H. Lewis, Junior Deacon;
      C. D. Moore, Tiler.

      Harvard Lodge, No. 70, I. O. O. F., was established November 8, 1878, in Phillip's Hall, by Special Deputy D.
      M. McElhinney, of Hastings, assisted by about ten members from Hastings and about twenty from Sutton.

      The charter members were D. W. Dalton, J. S. Filler, J. D. Hayes, W. H. Hammond, J. H. Jordon, B. F.
      Hockett, D. T. Phillips, E. Austin, T. H. Matters and F. W. Burdick.

      The first officers elected were: J. S. Filler, Noble Grand; D. W. Dalton, Vice Grand; F. W. Burdick, Recording
      and Permanent Secretary; William H. Hammond, Treasurer.

      On the night of the first initiation, eight members were admitted into the order. The lodge has grown steadily,
      handling its finances carefully, and now numbers forty-five members, and is in possession of a fine regalia, and the
      rooms in Sloat's Hall into which the society moved, from that in which it was instituted, are nicely furnished, with
      all the appliances for the use and comfort of the lodge.

      The lodge has lost W. A. Farmer, one of its members, by death.

      In 1879, the lodge was represented in the Grand Lodge by D. W. Dalton; in 1880, by F. W. Burdick; and, in
      1881, by W. H. Hammond.

      In the year 1880, the west half of the county was made to comprise District No. 12, and F. W. Burdick was
      appointed District Deputy Grand Master for this district. The present officers of the lodge are: W. T.
      Shackelford, Noble Grand; N. H. Lewis, Vice Grand; T. H. Matters, Recording Secretary; B. F. Hockett,
      Permanent Secretary; J. H. Jordon, Treasurer.

      The Olive Branch Lodge, No. 16, of the Degree of Rebekah, of the Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted March
      18, 1881, by the District Deputy Grand Master, F. W. Burdick.

      The charter members were N. H. Lewis, J. D. Hayes, B. F. Hockett, W. T. Shackelford, F. W. Burdick, W. H.
      Hammond, G. H. Washburn, W. H. Wade, E. Austin, J. H. Jordon, E. D. Moore.

      The officers elected for this branch of the order were: E. Austin, Noble Grand; Mrs. N. H. Lewis, Vice Grand;
      Mrs. Lydia A. Hayes, Secretary; J. H. Jordon, Permanent Secretary; Mrs. J. H. Jordon, Treasurer. The lodge,
      since its establishment, has continued to work harmoniously, and is now in a flourishing condition with a
      membership of forty-five. The present officers are Mrs. N. H. Lewis, Noble Grand; Mrs. Lydia A. Hayes, Vice
      Grand; Mrs. Kate Shackelford, Secretary; Mrs. J. H. Jordon, Permanent Secretary; Mrs. E. Austin, Treasurer.

      Good Templars.-- For the suppression of the scourge of intemperance in the town, which, to an extent, had
      taken fast hold upon it, and for the purpose of harmonizing efforts in this direction, a number of the more
      law-abiding and peaceable people formed themselves into a society of Good Templars, called Harvard Lodge,
      No. 92, of the Independent Order of Good Templars. The following persons were chosen to exercise official
      control over the lodge: C. P. Baldwin, Worthy Chief Templar; Mrs. J. D. Moore, Worthy Vice Templar; W. H.
      Chadwick, Worthy Chaplain; E. P. Burnett, Worthy Secretary; B. R. Sloat, Worthy Financial Secretary; T. A.
      Barbour, Worthy Treasurer; J. J. Starbuck, Worthy Marshal; Mrs. S. Backus, Worthy Deputy Marshal; Mrs. B.
      R. Sloat, Worthy Inside Guard; M. L. Latham, Worthy Outside Guard; Mrs. L. B. Legrant, Worthy Right Hand
      Support; Mrs. E. H. Manchester, Worthy Left Hand Support; Ezra Brown, Past Worthy Chief Templar.

      Much faithful work has emanated from this lodge, which has been attended with the most gratifying results. There
      is yet, however, very much before it calling for further efforts in the same direction, for, although much good has
      been done, much more remains to be done.

      The lodge is still in operation, with about twenty-five members. The society has not provided any regular hall or
      rooms in which to hold its meetings, but has continued to meet in the residence of Mrs. Sadie Likens.

      The present officers of the lodge are: George Nye, Worthy Chief Templar; Miss Emma Keebler, Worthy Vice
      Templar; Miss Mary Burdick, Worthy Secretary; Mrs. Rilla Gattis, Worthy Financial Secretary; V. L. Carr,
      Worthy Treasurer; L. Gattis, Worthy Marshal; Ella Jordan, Worthy Deputy Marshal; George Moore, Worthy
      Inside Guard; Miss Kate McKenzie, Left Hand Support; Miss Laura Barber, Right Hand Support; Mrs. Sadie
      Likens, Lodge Deputy.
 

      The first public house in the town of Harvard was erected in 1872, by E. W. Dimick and Bradford Stone, and
      was called the Harvard House, but has since changed to Commercial. The building, after its completion, was sold
      to Ira. F. Pearsall. The house now stands unoccupied, except by the myriad vermin which infest its walls.

      Previous to the erection of this house, however, a sort of place of public accommodation was kept by F. M.
      Davis in one of the houses belonging to the railroad company.

      In the winter of 1872-73, Jacob Goehring, erected a small house where the Metropolitan Hotel now stands,
      which he ran as a public house. This building was afterward moved from its location, and at present is occupied
      by a saloon belonging to Goehring.

      On the ground occupied by this building, Goehring began the erection of a large hotel in the summer of 1879,
      which he completed that year and opened for the accommodation of guests. Goehring, after running it for a time,
      rented the building to J. B. Spafford, and he and the hotel were run in very good style by his wife, and most
      everything that guests of pliant associations desired were usually supplied. After Mrs. and Mr. Spafford gave up
      the house, possession was taken by E. P. Church, the present proprietor.

      The next house built for public accommodation was the Grand Central Hotel, which was erected in the summer
      of 1881 by D. T. Phillips, and this house, although newly started, is fast growing into popularity for its excellent
      accommodations.
 

      Harvard numbers among its monetary institutions two banks. The first of these was established in the city on
      February 1, 1878, by L. A. Payne and W. A. Farmer, under the firm style of L. A. Payne & Co. Farmer died in
      the fall of 1880, and on the 1st of April of the next year a new firm was organized, consisting of L. A. Payne, W.
      H. McBride and J. R. Penfield. The institution is private and has a cash paid-up capital of $20,000, with deposits
      of about the same amount. A banking building was erected in the fall of 1878, and is a two-story brick,
      substantially constructed. The building was remodeled in 1880, specially fitting it up for banking uses. In
      connection with a regular banking business, the firm are also engaged in general insurance, steamship agencies,
      and deal in general exchange, both foreign and domestic.

      The Exchange Bank was established in December, 1881, by Edward Updyke and L. J. Titus. Previous to this the
      firm had been engaged in the broking business, which they abandoned for the purpose of banking. The cash
      capital of this institution is $35,000. This also is a private bank, and as a financial institution is on a solid basis and
      is conducted on fair and business principles.
 

      As a manufacturing village, Harvard makes no pretensions. But, at so early a period in the existence of the place,
      little, or rather nothing, in this line could be, in justice, expected. Yet a start has been made in this direction in the
      establishing of the White Lion Flouring Mills. The mill was built in October, 1879, and was completed and ready
      for operation in December of that year. The capacity of the mills is forty-five barrels of flour per day, besides
      from 120 to 150 bushels of feed, and is engaged in a custom and merchant trade, making large shipments to
      Chicago, besides doing a general trade in the State. The mills have three run of stones and are run by steam
      power.
 

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