Willis M. Stebbins, Gothenburg businessman and early day homesteader of the Farnam community, died at a North Platte hospital on Wednesday night of last week after a brief illness at the age of 78 years.

He was born at Wattsberg, Pa. and started his career by teacher two terms of school in New York. In 1884, he located on a homestead and tree claim near the present town of Farnam, where he again taught two terms of school. After five years residence here, he moved to Gothenburg and entered the hardware and implement business.

Between 1911 and 1915, he served in the state legislature and a few years later represented Dawson county in the constitutional convention. In 1927, he was elected state treasurer and held that office four years, after which he engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Gothenburg.

In January 1891, he was married to Avis Wilcox at Hastings, and she together with two sons, survive him.

The Farnam Press, 1(42):4 July 10, 1941