Platt, J. T.

Born June 19, 1817 in Harrison County, Ohio.
Died May 30, 1901 in Geneva, NE
Married to Lavonia E. Lindsley about 1847-1852
Parents to three sons: only Miner W. survived.
Married to Mary Phillips on Jan. 27, 1853-1873.
Parents to eight children: James E., Charles N., Ida, Harriet, Mina, and infant son Joseph (dec)
Married to Lydia Evans on June 27, 1877.

Son of a farmer, but took on a clerkship in Ohio.
About 1870 moved to Orland, Indiana engaged in the hardware trade.
In 1874 moved to Geneva with his children after the death of wife Mary.
In 1875 J. T. purchased 180 and 188 on South 8th Street and built a building to be used for general merchandise on Lots 1 and 2.
Platt built another building on Lots 3 and 4.
He was a manufacturer and dealer in copper, tin, sheet iron ware, eave troughing, and tin roofing.

Notice buildings to the far left Photo courtesy of Bill Turek

He was associated with Dr. H. L. Smith in the general merchandise business under the name J. T. Platt and Co.
They advertised general merchandise, dry goods, and groceries at the southwest corner of the courthouse square.
In 1884, Smith and Platt dissolved their partnership. Platt continued, but eventually had a close-out sale at 866 G Street.
In 1885, Platt converted his building into a hotel known as the Platt House. This hotel was known by several names over the years and belonged to various people (finally being torn down in 1920).
In 1890 J. T. moved to Kansas, but returned from Phillips County when the crops failed.

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