MCPHERSON COUNTY HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

*None Listed

McPherson County, Nebraska: A Genealogical Overview

Situated in the heart of the vast and beautiful Nebraska Sandhills, McPherson County is a testament to the history of American cattle ranching. With its rolling, grass-covered dunes, it is one of the most sparsely populated counties in the state, and its history is defined by the hardy individuals who adapted to this unique and challenging environment. Genealogical research in this area is intrinsically linked to the open-range cattlemen of the late 19th century and the “Kinkaiders” who arrived after 1904 to establish the family ranches that still dominate the landscape today.

I. County Formation and Evolution

McPherson County was one of the last areas of Nebraska to be formally organized, reflecting the difficulty of settling the Sandhills region with traditional farming methods.

  • 1890: County Formed: The county was officially organized on March 8, 1890. The legislative act defining its boundaries was passed in 1887, but it remained unorganized for three years.
  • Parent County: McPherson County was created from the vast territory of Logan County. Prior to the formation of Logan County in 1885, the entire region was unorganized territory often attached to Lincoln County for judicial and revenue purposes. Therefore, the earliest records (pre-1885) for this geographic area may be found in Lincoln County.
  • Subsequent Formations: The county’s boundaries have remained stable since its organization.
  • Name Origin: The county was named in honor of Major General James B. McPherson, a distinguished Union Army officer who was killed during the Battle of Atlanta in the American Civil War.
  • County Seat History: Upon its organization in 1890, a central location was chosen for the county seat and named Tryon. It has remained the county seat throughout the county’s history. The current courthouse in Tryon was built in 1957, replacing an earlier frame structure from the 1890s.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The Sandhills were the traditional hunting grounds of the Pawnee and various bands of the Sioux (Lakota), who hunted the vast bison herds that roamed the region.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy: The sandy soil was unsuitable for traditional 160-acre homestead farming, which delayed settlement. The first significant American presence began in the 1870s with the arrival of large-scale, open-range cattle operations. Cowboys and ranch hands were the area’s first pioneers.
  • Key Historical Events:
    • The Kinkaid Act of 1904: This was the single most influential event in the county’s history. Recognizing the land was best suited for grazing, this federal act allowed settlers to claim larger 640-acre homesteads in western Nebraska. This brought a wave of “Kinkaiders” who established the smaller family ranches that form the backbone of the county’s population and economy.
    • Ranching Economy: The county’s economy has always been almost exclusively based on cattle ranching. The culture, social life, and settlement patterns all revolve around the cattle industry. The population peaked in the decades following the Kinkaid Act and has gradually declined since.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

This section provides practical information for locating ancestral records. Due to the county’s low population, several functions are often combined in single offices.

  • County Courthouse: The McPherson County Courthouse, located in Tryon, NE 69167, is the central repository for all local historical records.
    • County Clerk: This is the most important office for genealogists. In Nebraska, the County Clerk holds land records (deeds, mortgages) from 1890, marriage records, and may also have school census records. They are also the custodian of birth and death registers recorded at the county level.
    • Clerk of the District Court: Maintains court records for major civil and criminal cases, as well as divorce decrees.
    • County Court: Holds all probate records, including wills, estate administrations, and guardianship papers, dating from the county’s organization in 1890.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration in Nebraska began in late 1904. Records from 1904 to the present are held by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records Office. The McPherson County Clerk may hold some earlier county-level registers, but these are often incomplete.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage licenses and records from 1890 to the present are held by the McPherson County Clerk.
  • Libraries and Societies:
    • McPherson County Historical Society: The primary local organization dedicated to preserving the county’s history. Contact information can be found through county resources.
    • Regional Libraries: Due to the county’s small size, researchers often benefit from visiting larger regional libraries, such as the North Platte Public Library in neighboring Lincoln County, which has more extensive genealogical resources.
    • History Nebraska (The Nebraska State Historical Society): Located in Lincoln, this is the premier state-level repository. It holds vast collections of Nebraska newspapers on microfilm (the most valuable source for this area), state archives, photographs, and other essential genealogical materials.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Hooker County (north)
    • Thomas County (north)
    • Logan County (east)
    • Lincoln County (south)
    • Arthur County (west)

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