The Washington times., 1904-05-11
MAN WHO TOOK Up
i FIRST HOMESTEAD
Still Lives on Ranch Near
Beatrice, Neb
FILED CLAIM JAN. |, 1868
Papers Made Out at Midnight Through
Kindness of Clerk to a
Union Soldier.
FILED CLAIM JAN. /, 1868

CHICAGO, May 1.-THE flrSt man 10
make an entry under the homestead
land act is still in the land Of the living
and still resides upon the farm 10 which
he laid claim, where he is in the enjoy
ment of good health and fair share
OF material prosperity. He is Daniel
Freeman. and the tract he became pos
sessed of under the provisions OF the
law Is situated near Beatrice, Neo
Here Mr. Freeman has lived for over
forty years. and Is known among his
neighbors as a frugal. industrious and
intelligent tiller of the soil. He was
born in Preble county. Ohio, in 1876,
where he resided with his parents until
1886. when his father left the Western
Reserve and moved TO the far West OF
southern Illinois.
Mr.. Freeman grew to manhood in
Knox county, H., where he enjoy ed
the privilege of a country school and
later took a course in a business college
in Rock Island. after which he went to
Genesee county, H., and attended col
lege He had six brothers and one sis
ter. all of whom are dead. In 1855 Dan
lei Freeman went to the territory OF
ACKNOWLEDGMENT. He settled in what
is now Gage county. With flight OF
years he has increased his holdings I'M
iii now he has included in his home
place 1.4O0 acres Of the choicest land in
the. garden spot OF Nebraska.
Served in the War
Upon Mr.. Freemah's return from the
war, where he served from 1861 to 1865,
he was married, and to this union six
sons and three daughters have been
born. all of whom are now living and
prosperous. Having lived in the midst
OF political strife from his earliest days,
Mr.. Freeman has ever remained an in
dependent voter. Always frank and
open. he has convictions. and always
gives them voice. He is a most open
and avowed agnostic. the God of revela-
ton ne does not believe In. For the
Bible as a book he has a profound re-
spect. but does not accept its teachings
as the word Of God, nor as a canon of
daily life. In his opinion the teaching
of the Bible in the public schools is in
direct violation Of the constitution OF
Nebraska.
He has championed legislative action
locking 10 its elimination and the OIL
fering of prayer in the public schools
Mrs G. w. Strain, of Lincoln, is nov
Pointing a large picture OF the old
homestead and OF the new and COM
fol table mansion in which MIR. Freeman
now resides. which Will be forwarded
10 Mrs. John A. Logan. at her request.
Mr.. Freeman has been prominently
4, ldeuthed with public affairs OF this
county. having been sherifr and coroner
anC justice OF the peace Of his town
ship Tor twelve years
A Squatters Right.
Mr.. Freeman has complied with the
spirit and letter Of the law in taking
this piece of land. having made 1t his
home continuously since his discharge
from the army of the United States at
the close of the war. The homestead
act was approved on May 20, 1862. and
became effective January 1. 1853; in
July, 1862, Mr.. Freeman purchased
..suuatter's right" which he held until
December 81 following. The rights OF a
'-squatter' consisted in his possession
OF the land by actual settlement there
on and whatever improvements he had
made, In this case the improvements
being a log cabin. a log stable. and
lutte breaking" The Government
land Office was located at Brownsville,
Neb.. and on December 81. 1862, Mr.
freeman went TO that place 10 make
entry and nile his application under the
homestead law.
At this time he had been regularly en-
listed IN the United States army and
was in Nebraska on special duty. He
was under orders 10 report 10 mead
quarters the next day and was therefore
IN some ndSLf 10 HE us dPPi4NelN4O4ai 10
which purpose he had gone 10 Browns
Vile
At the MOTEL where AIr. Freeman was
stopping there was a ball and upon In
vitation he joined the party. During the
evenings entertainment Mr.. Freeman
was introduced to a young man who
was 10 be clerk TO the land office re-
ceiYer.
During the interview with this young
man ne was informed that the next day,
being New Year Day. legal holiday,
the office would not be open for busi-
ness. He then stated the urgency OF his
business and that he was ordered TO re-
port 10 the army headquarters without
delay and represented the great accom-
modation IL would be TO him II he could
file his application before leaving for
the army. and upon this representation.
the clerk sent for the register and at
midnight the Office was opened. and be-
fore-fiVe minues past u O'Clock on the
morning of January l, 1853. Daniel Free
man had made his filing upon the first
homestead ever taken under the pro-