Person:Cyrus Lee (6)

Andreas "History of Nebraska", 1882 SILVER CREEK

Eleven miles west of Clark's on the Union Pacific Railroad is the station of Silver Creek. It contains about 150 people, and is the center of a good country. A fine wagon bridge across the Platte, noted elsewhere, brings it into communication with the counties to the south. The town was platted by the Union Pacific Railroad Company in November, 1866. The first building erected after the section house, was built by B. F. Hobart during the early part of 1870. In September, 1870, Cyrus Lee erected a hotel called the "Lee House," which is at present unoccupied. Silver Creek has, however, one public house for the accommodation of travelers. Soon after the erection of the Lee House, Thomas Lee built a dwelling house, and located also at Silver Creek.

Among the earliest settlers in and around Silver Creek were the Shaw brothers, Mr. Lathrop (who kept a ranch two miles below the town), J. and Ed. Howland (who located one-half a mile north), and James Brown (who built a house in the spring of 1871). It was during the year 1870 that Rev. H. C. Shaw, one of the pioneer Episcopalian ministers of this region, organized the society which has remained in his charge up to the present time. It now has a membership of about twenty. A district school was organized in 1871, which is now under the superintendency of Dr. E. L. Robinson. The attendance is about thirty. The first marriage

The Congregational Church was formed in March, 1874, with the following charter members: Asa Nichols, Thomas W. Lee [Dr Cyrus Lee's brother], Mrs. Thomas W. Lee, C. H. Lee [Possibly Dr Cyrus Lee's son], Mrs. C. H. Lee, James A. Brown, Mrs. J. A. Brown, Joseph Gardner, Isaac Brown and Mrs. I. Brown. Rev. L. H. Jones was the first regular pastor. Between 1875 and 1878, no regular services were held. Rev. C. C. Starbuck next took charge of the society, and after one year's service was succeeded by Rev. J. P. Dyas, the last pastor. There is no settled pastor at present. The church building was erected in 1879, at a cost of $2,000. The membership of the society is about fifteen.

Silver Creek derived its name from the clearness, sparkle and color of the little stream which meanders over the prairie near the town. The first post office was established at Lathrop's ranch, two miles below Silver Creek. It was called "Silver Glen," but after Silver Creek was platted, the post office was removed to that point.

The business houses of Silver Creek consist of two grain elevators, a flour mill one half mile east of town, lumber yard, two general stores, two blacksmith shops, one harness shop, one drug store, a butcher shop, etc., etc. The flour mill is operated by Crawford & James, has three run of stone and was built in 1879.

Silver Creek is in the midst of a rich stock-raising country, and does a large business in the pressing of hay.

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