A surveyor’s instruments is on display at the Fullerton Museum. Photo provided
The Fullerton Museum has surveyor’s instruments on display that were donated by Marian Lepp of Central City. The items have been handed down for multiple generations. It was owned by Anson H. Ellsworth who homesteaded west of Fullerton and south of Belgrade on Timber Creek. He had a son, Anson B., who became a surveyor and served as Nance County Surveyor until 1926 and used this equipment. The museum has plat maps on display that are signed by Anson B.
Marian’s connection is through her father, Bertram E. Ellsworth, and his father, George W. Ellsworth. George was the brother of Anson B. Ellsworth. Since Anson did not marry, the surveying equipment passed down through George, Bertram and then to Marian.
The Ellsworth family moved to Timber Creek in April of 1880 from Windsor, Conn., and lived on Timber Creek for 15 years. Their daughter, Leila, was a teacher in Nance County for several years. Another daughter, Fannie, was the first teacher at Red Wing school. Anson H. moved to Fullerton and did surveying for the city of Fullerton in the late 1800s. This included of the city of Fullerton and the Fullerton cemetery where he and some of his family are buried.
Anson H. passed away in 1915 and his wife, Nancy, in 1917. They had 8 children, 2 passing away as children before they moved to Nebraska. In addition to being Nance County Surveyor, Anson B. was the city engineer in Fullerton. He was a part-owner of Fullerton’s first electric company, selling his interest around 1907. He enjoyed photography as a hobby and later as a semi profession. He owned one of the early cars in Fullerton and later when the golf course was constructed, he became an excellent golfer. He moved to Lincoln with his sisters, Ida and Leila, where his brothers, George and Gilbert, resided. He was buried in the Fullerton cemetery in 1953.
The museum thanks Marian for such a wonderful gift and the information she has provided. This is one of the many items found at the museum. The museum is available to visit by appointment, so if you would like to visit call one of the board members. They are listed on the door of the museum.