Auld Dave Primrose, was the youngest in his family and was born in Tatnabuda, Ireland. His home place had a spring on it and two sheds side by side. One was used as a house and the other as a barn. His older brother William, or Black Bill, as he was known, was killed in a fight by this creek in Tatnabuda. Dave was a practical veterinarian in England for a time before coming to America when he was around 25 years old, with his niece. He worked in Pittsburgh PA in the coal mines before coming to Nebraska at the urging of his uncle Hubert Reid. Hubert had been advertising the merits of the area to the young men coming over from Ireland.
Dave rode a horse to the Primrose area and picked out his homestead in the fall. He rode to Grand Island and filed his claims, a homestead and timber claim. In the spring, he came back with a bull, who carried his belongings of a coil of rope, a shovel, his clothing, etc. He settled for a time on the timber claim (SW 1/4 sec 10, R8W, T19-20N, now owned by Doug McIntyre) where he planted twigs off of cottonwood trees down by the river. Auld Dave had no cows, but lent his bull as stud for 1/2 of the calf crop. He bought a sow from his uncle Hubert Reid and dug himself a pig yard. He dug into the side of the hill and lived there for a while. He used dry cow droppings as fuel. He cut the prairie grass off with a shovel and planted corn for the animals and himself. He also raised onions.
When the railroad came through he would go down to the cattle yards, where neighbors would bring animals they wanted or needed to sell. Dave would buy a cow here, a horse another time. In time he built up a cattle business, which he continued to do until his death when Art was 10 years old. Dave got his leg twisted while working with cattle. He walked with one foot turned out to the side. He was around 6'1" and 190 lbs., according to Art and his son George Primrose resembled him as to shape and size.
Art remembers Auld Dave coming out to his family's farm and riding his horse through the cattle yard, looking over John J's purebred Hereford cattle.
---------By Art Primrose September 20, 2001 HISTORY OF PRIMROSE AND DUBLIN, NEBRASKA 2002 pages 357-358

David Primrose needs no introduction to the people of Nebraska. He is one of the leading men of affairs in the town of Primrose, which town was named after himself, he being one of its chief founders, and known throughout Boone and the surrounding counties as a man of broad mind, culture and ability. He is also one of the largest landowners in that section of Nebraska, and by virtue of his sterling character and honest efforts to better conditions in his locality has gained high esteem in the hearts of his fellowmen. Mr. Primrose was born in Ireland on June 16, 1844. He was the third child in the family of William and Margaret Primrose, who had six children and grew up in his native land. When he was twenty years of age he came to America, landing in New York City, where he spent a little time, and later lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Primrose came to Boone County, Nebraska, in March, 1874, and immediately filed on a hometead in section ten, township nineteen, range eight. He also took a timber claim in the same section, and developed both in good shape, He later settled on section sixteen, which is now his home farm, consisting of half a section, and four hundred and eighty acres on section ten, all being very choice land admirably located in the Cedar river valley.
Mr. Primrose is the owner of over three thousand acres of land in Nebraska, situated in Boone, Perkins, Greeley and Wheeler counties.
The town of Primrose was laid out in 1902, and occupies part of section sixteen, belonging to our subject, and the town was named in his honor. This is now a growing little town, and is beautifully situated on the Columbus branch of the Union Pacific railroad.
Mr. Primrose was united in marriage to Belle Jane Patterson, in Dublin Precinct, in July, 1876. Mrs. Primrose was born in Ireland and came to America with her parents when a small child. She was a woman of fine character, had many friends, and was deeply mourned at her death, which occurred on the home farm, July 6, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Primrose were the parents of eleven children all born in Boone county, and named as follows Belle G., Martha, John, William, Mary, David, Lucy, George and Sarah. Samuel and Sarah (No.1) are deceased. The family are among the prominent pioneers of Boone County, and Mr. Primrose has always taken an active part in the affairs of his county and state, in 1908 being appointed to fill the unexpired term of county commissioner. He was urged to accept the nomination the following term, but refused on account of his extensive business interests. He is vice president of the Primrose State Bank.
-----submitted by Eugene Rieck from COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY, REMINISCENCE AND BIOGRAPHY OF NEBRASKA

When the news was flashed over town last Thursday morning that David Primrose had died during the night, everyone realized that a man had been taken from our midst who had meant much to this town, which was named in his honor, and the surrounding community.
Many found it difficult to realize that this pioneer had departed from this life as he had been on the streets two days before, and while it was known that he was not feeling quite as good as usual, no one realized that he was in as bad condition as he was, as he was (a) man who never complained of his ailments.
Mr. Primrose had failed some in health in the past few years but was able to manage his large stock raising and farming business up to the last.
Mr. Primrose was 78 years of age and had resided in this community 45 years, being one of the earliest settlers in the valley.
-----obituary Primrose Press