One of the most colorful leaders in the early development of Nebraska was General John O’Neill, founder of O’Neill. After leading several ill-fated raids against British military posts in Canada, 1866-1871, O’Neill lost his leading position in the Fenians--an American organization promoting Irish independence. Born in Ireland in 1834, he was a U. S. Army Officer from 1857 to 1864, when he became active in the Fenians. In 1871, though in disfavor with the leading Irish-American society, O’Neill did not give up the cause.

In western Knox County, Nebraska, between the now ghost towns of Walnut and Venus, near the Grimton Cemetery, is the most impressive park of all, Oak View Park in Knox County at times attracted 10,000 to 30,000 people in a single day during the Depression era. It is the subject of a book written by Linda Wostrel, an Omaha historian.