John H. Mickey, a businessman and politician was an influential and respected citizen of Osceola and president of the State Bank of Osceola. He was elected Nebraska governor on the Republican ticket in 1902, serving two terms.

The John Hopwood Mickey House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built by Mickey about 1883-84, and is now the Polk County Historical Society Museum.

A museum, sod house, log cabin, country church, restored country school, a Union Pacific caboose, and the Governor's Arboretum are some of the local attractions that can be seen at the Polk County Historical Society grounds.