The town of Abbott, established in Hall County, Nebraska, emerged as a trading center along the Burlington line between Grand Island and Cairo. Named after Othman A. Abbott, Nebraska’s first Lieutenant Governor, it developed from Prairie Creek Township. By 1920, Abbott featured a general store, hotel, and grain elevator, with various local businesses and community organizations active. Key figures included the Vandling family and Peter Todsen, who managed multiple businesses. This historical account highlights Abbott’s growth and community dynamics as detailed in the 1920 History of Hall County.
The history of this town comes from the 1920 History of Hall County and you should consider that date in context of the information presented. The words like “now” “today” refer to 1920, not today.
The community of Abbott is a trading center on the Burlington line between Grand Island and Cairo and was formed out of section 30 of Prairie Creek Township in 1887. It was likely named after Othman A. Abbott, a resident of Hall County who would become the first Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska. Sidings have been placed at Taylor’s Spur (the Robert Taylor ranch, more fully described in biographical sketch of Robert Taylor in another part of this work), and local passengers stop there. At that place Mr. Taylor maintains a small store and loading facilities for his shipments. But the town of Abbott sprang up shortly west of his ranch. For more than twenty years there has been a well-stocked general merchandise store at Abbott. The proprietor has at most times also been postmaster, and agent for the grain elevator.
About 1900 this store was handled by Reed & Vandling; T. J. Vandling conducted the hotel; Reed & Vandling were agents for Wilson Grain Co.; Nellie Vandling, teacher, and J. A. Reed, postmaster. By 1904 Bert E. Watson was conducting the store, the telephone office, and the elevator for McCloud Grain Co., and Hera Kroger, the feed and livery stable. A Union Sunday school had been conducted in Reed’s Hall and the Royal Neighbors Lodge was flourishing. In 1910 Peter Todsen had the store, hotel, elevator, livery barn, express office, and post office. His successor was Frank Hitchler, who has been conducting this group of businesses for some years.
Herman Tagge who has been farming near Abbott for 28 years has sold his 400 acres to C. B. Freeman, real estate man of Grand Island. The price was $155 an acre and Mr. Freeman is to get possession March I. Mr. Tagge has been raising some blooded stock of high rating in the county, Angus and Jerseys, and will have a sale of these in the fall. He plans to retain some of the Jerseys. The total sum received for his place was $62,000.
Local No. 1320 of the Farmers’ Alliance was formed in Abbott on 27 Jan 1919 with 17 members. In 1920, A. Jepson was the secretary and the Alliance had 27 members.
Source: Buechler, August F., and Barr, Robert J., editors-in-chief; and Stough, Dale P., associate compiling editor; History of Hall County Nebraska: a narrative of the past with special emphasis upon the pioneer period of the county’s history, and chronological presentation of its social, commercial, educational, religious, and civic development from the early days to the present time, and special analysis of its military and civil participation in the late world war; Lincoln, NE: Western Publishing and Engraving Company, 1920.
Back to: 1920 Hall County History
Back to: Hall County History & Genealogy