London, Nebraska History

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London was a social center of the London precinct. It was named by an Englishman, Robert Heap, for London, England. The following advertisement appeared in "The Nebraska Advertiser", May 7, 1857: LONDON - This beautiful town site is situated 5 miles Northwest of Brownville on the Territorial road leading to Nemaha City, St. George, Glen Rock and Nebraska City. It is well supplied with excellent water, is near the center of Nemaha County, which is the best settled and improved county in the Territory and from its location and close proximity to timber and building material, cannot fail to become a good and flourishing inland town. Measures have been already taken to erect a Meeting and School house, a blacksmith's shop, dwelling houses and stores immediately. All parties desirous of locating or purchasing can be accommodated on reasonable terms by making application at the Tavern (in London). Plats can be seen by applying to JOHN HAUMAN, or ROBERT HEAP." 

The first settler was John Hauman in July of 1856. He was soon followed by William Wilson, William Bachanan, Eli Lauker and Wyatt Nosier. Mary Nosier was the first child born there in March of 1857. James Cook and Louisa Snyder were married in the new town on April 25, 1858. An infant child of William Buchanan was the first death in 1857. An unknown man, claim jumped, was shot and received the honor of the first funeral (1857). London was incorporated in District Court at the April term of 1858. 

The first town officers were Robert Heap, James Cook, Nathaniel Minick, Eli Lauker, and John Hauman. The post office was established September 2, 1867, in Edmond Money's store. He was the first postmaster. He was followed by Charles H. Bacon (there may have been a possible substituting by his son Amos), John Harding and Mrs. John (Jeannette) Harding. Service was discontinued September 16, 1895. One of the first buildings built (1857) was by Wyatt Nosier and was used as a tavern. A store of T. C. Lee was bought by George and Jane Emerson in 1876 and used as a residence. 

The Nosler tavern was used as the first school, taught by Miss Louisa Snyder. The first school house was erected in August of 1857 and was accidentally destroyed by fire in 1861. Dr. S.W. McGrew, London's physician and Nemaha County school superintendent reported the following in 1870: "London school, higher department . . . held in the Christian church... 23 pupils.. .two good teachers.. .wages 50 dollars per month... 3 month school." A new school was then built. 

In the early days of London's history there was a United Brethren Church, in which the first sermon was given by Rev. J. Wells. The Methodist Protestant Church was organized in 1856 and disbanded about 1894. They built the first church building in 1857. The Christian church of "Campbellites" organized in 1866 and was active until about 1899. 

The town and area had many families with intelligent and enterprising people. Mrs. Jeanette (Barlow) Harding, born in New York, was well educated at Canajohairie Academy and Baldwin University. She was trained in the missionary field and had been recruited by Susan B. Anthony, but in 1859 she married and came to Nemaha County with her husband John. Here she influenced people religiously, politically and as an educator. 

Amos Bacon, whose uncle Samuel Bacon started the Blind School at Nebraska City, was an active figure in the growth of the Christian Church and the London community. He came to Nemaha County in 1856. 

Mrs. Jane Loveless, a noted Nebraska Horticulturalist, had 1650 acres west of the town of London. In 1877 London had a Good Templers lodge, no. 136, with 14 members, and also a literary association. As early as 1873 alleys and streets were being partitioned to be closed. London had been plated with 64 blocks, a public square (of one block), with named streets of North, Hauman, Jackson, Main, John, Vine, Adam, Locust, South and numbered streets running north and south. 

London was active well into this century, but with the growth of the Bethel Church and the closing of the post office the area became known as the Bethel Community. 

A story remembered by Ruth (Harding) Whitmore tells of the early day London Precinct. The George Hodgkinson and James Coulthard families had settled near the new town of London in the early 1860's. With the men of the area they were working together harvesting crops. The women and children had gathered at one house to cook and feed the men. One day just before noon a band of Indians rode in on horseback and demanded "Firewater!" They told the Indians they had none. The Indians were persistent and became angry. Some of them entered the cabin and demanded whiskey or they would take the children. The women distracted the Indians by giving them food which gave Mariah Coulthard (Coulter) time to hide the children in tall grasses nearby. The men came to dinner in due time and by giving the Indians all the cooked food, they finally left.

Submitted by Bill Coulter for the Nemaha County History Book; copied with permission.