Peru History
Home > History
Early settlers came to Fort Kearney, Nebraska but were turned away from the
fort. These pioneers headed downstream from the fort and ended up at
Sonora Island near today's Peru. When the area did open, several families
returned including Swans, Mellick, Combs, Horn and Hall.
By 1855, Mt. Vernon was settled by Carpenter, Session, Gridley and McKenny. A
post office was established in 1857 by the Rev. Hugh Doyle. As common in
many pioneer villages, the post office was located in the local trading
post.
It was W. H. Dunbar was actually surveyed Peru in 1857. Peru was named
after another community, Peru, Illinois. Early leaders included:
- William Ball - Mayor
- Lewis Reade - Justice of the Peace
- J. W. Bliss - Notary Public
Mary Medley, born Nov. 16, 1857, was the white child born in Peru.
Reed Cemetery, located 1/2 mile east of Oak-dale School on the south side.
Some legible names on stones include:
- Lash
- Redfern
- Rolston
- Coatney
- Edwards
- Reed
- Warren
- Snyder
- Ashley
- Karns
- Skatt
Other notable events included the Lewis and Clark exploration which passed
through this area on their trip to the northwest. In 1855 a cross of cedar wood
engraved "Ourian- 1812" was found. In 1858 the grave was located. It
was thought possibly he had been a member who died in later years.
Otoe Indians inhabited this area before settlers came to southeast Nebraska.
A burial ground was unearthed on Indian Hill where District 3 school was
located.
According to the "Directory and Gazetteer of 1880" :
"Peru is in Nemaha County on the line of the Brownville branch of the B
& M Railroad. Peru is located on the Missouri River 8 miles above
Brownville, the county seat. It is a pretty little town of six hundred
inhabitants. It is surrounded by bluffs on which a goodly number of elegant
homes can be seen."
"The products of the soil are cereals of every kind and the steady
growth of the place is therefore assured. A good quality of coal is found
nearby. An abundance of limestone and water exists.
"The chief feature of the place is the State Normal School building,
which is an elegant three story brick surmounted with a cupola and set in a
beautiful square which is thickly studded with shade and ornamental trees of
vigorous and healthy growth. It is regarded as one of the most desirable places
of residence in Nebraska."
"Peru is strictly a temperance town, the sale of liquors being
positively forbidden by a town ordinance."
Some of the early businesses and persons mentioned were:
George and Jerry Berlin, George Brown, J.F. Bunn, J.W. Bum, H. Burch, J.P.
Burdick, Willis Carter, George Clary, I.C. Cole, William Compton, Sam
Culbertson, Robert Curry, Mrs. Dulugue, G.F. Dustin, James Fisher, M.J. Fenn,
Hutchinson, Jack, Knott, Majors, McCarty, Moody, Mears, Mutz, Neal, Patterson,
Peterson, Prouty, Purviance, Reed, Ressegue, Scott, Smith, Spicer, Stites,
Strine, Vance, Van Fleet, Wey, Wiles, and Wyne.
Historical Postcards:
Extracted form work Submitted by Floyd Nincehelser to the Nemaha Valley
Historical Society Copied from the Nemaha Valley History Book with permission.
|
