Book xf k ~V K , H <*• ^^►Hh-* W c^a- -^-e*- I yMJl- l' 1 ! AlA gh ©P •Mss|»- ^i 1 cc\\ yfr -IVY if ./_i ^ *~;..s&.-.is cfvb KJLXXtxxx mxxmxxmumJucxu r " ' ' l u^iM mjim nmiiinimiiiiii i - mmfc A ■ =li ¥ ¥ H. JI *v jp.'.-i: m y ALBUM yi ^iiicltiixrrrTTixixiiirTTTitiiriTririxTi rriiTMir^XJlJXilXkJrx^xiirrriiT^nriTriixxiTL— —OF- Johnson add Pawnee Goubties, Nebraska, CONTAiNiNC Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County, TOCETHEH WITH PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES OF ALL THE GOVERNORS OF THE STATE, AND OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. y/ CHICAGO: CHAPMAN BROTHERS. 1889. •"if* ■•► m «» i t «■ ■*•• *» 4* pi\Ep/^<5E. ■^>t^< +1' writers have gone to the people, the men and women who have, by their enterprise and industry, brought the county to ;i rank second to none among those comprising this great and noble State, and from their lips have the story of their life struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could he presented to an intelli- gent public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the imitation of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in poverty, by industry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited advantages for securing an education, have become learned men ami women, with an 3% influence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed and records how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of many very many, who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued "the even tenor of their way,' content to have it said of them as Christ said of the woman performing a deed of mercy — "they have done what they could." It tells how that many in the pride and strength of young manhood left the plow and the anvil, the lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's call went forth valiantly •■to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was restored and peace once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should not he lost upon those who follow after. Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from the fact that it contains so much that would never find its way into public records, and which would otherwise he inaccessible. Oreat care has been taken in the compilation of the work and every opportunity possible given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and the publishers (latter thera- selves that they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In addition to the biograph- ical sketches, portraits of a number of representative citizens are given. The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this the publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, s e refused to a\y C the information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasionally m • member of the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such opposition the support of the interested one would be withheld. In a few instances men could never be found, though repeated calls at their residence or place of business. <-■„„,.,„ m i , Q m„ CHAPMAN BROS. Chicago, March, 1889. were made ■►ftr^ """'•* '+""•*•' '+' ">'' '* '■'•- ''■' :;: xu&? •^Sr if l£^SK 21// 24. N^d r~ '', -71 *4r* o -3^ ««•• ^Hh-4« FIRST PRESIDENT. '9 TV V- r** 2s^zJ S&at ^ "v .»--«-.. '■: ;! .' i 1 ■■' 1 1 : 1' .•■>'. .•■i'.; .' ^i 1 : 1 1 : ■' : ■■ : .' : .' : i... :■•> : ■■ • ■■ -. '■ •..'■ •. v'.v, v. v., v. . ; v" v'. ■ HE Father of our Country was $) born in Westmorland Co., Va., Feb. 22, 1732. His parents were Augustine and Mary (Ball) Washington. The family to which he belonged has not / been satisfactorily traced in England. His great-grand- father, John Washington, em- igrated to Virginia about 1657, and became a prosperous t planter. He had two sons, Lawrence and John. The former married Mildred Warner and had three children, John, Augustine and Mildred. Augus- tine, the father of George, first married Jane Butler, who bore him four children, two of whom, Lawrence and Augustine, reached maturity. Of six children by his second marriage, George was the eldest, the others being Betty, Samuel, John Augustine, Charles and Mildred. Augustine Washington, the father of George, died in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on the Patomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon, and to George he left the parental residence. George received only such education as the neighborhood schools afforded, save for a short time after he left school, when he received private instruction in mathematics/ His spelling was rather defective. 2 Remarkable stories are told of his great physical strength and development at an early age. He was an acknowledged leader among his companions, and was early noted for that nobleness of character, fair- ness and veracity which characterized his whole life. When George was 1 4 years old he had a desire to go to sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him, but through the opposition of his mother the idea was abandoned. Two years later he was appointed surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. In this business he spent three years in a rough frontier life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very essential to him. In 175 t, though only in years of age, he was appointed adjutant with the rank of major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for active service against the French and Indians. Soon after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother Lawrence, who went there to restore his health They soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter who did not long survive him. On her demise the estate of Mount Vernon was given to George. Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie, as Lieuten- ant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was reorganized, and the province divided into four mili- tary districts, of which the northern was assigned to Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this a very perilous mission was assigned him and ac- cepted, which others had refused. This was to pro- ceed to the French post near Lake Erie in North- western Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed was between 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at hand, and the journey was to be made without military escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. The r -*•- ■•*- GEORGE WASHINGTON. trip was a perilous one, and several limes he came near losing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnished a full and useful report of his expedition. A regiment of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in com- mand of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was then begun against the French and Indians, in which Washington took, a most important part. In the memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Brad- dock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock were disabled early in the action, and Washington alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter to his brother he says : "I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped unhurt, though death was leveling my companions on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit him. After having been five years in the military service, and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he look advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, vo resign his commission. Soon after he entered the Legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an active and important part. January 17, 1759, he married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy widow of John Parke Custis. When the British Parliament had closed the port -if Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all." It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Con- gress of all the colonies was called to meet at Phila- del|ihia,Sept. 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties, peaceably if possible. To this Congress Col. Wash- ington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of England were plainly apparent. The battles of Con- cord and Lexington had been fought. Among the first acts of this Congress was the election of a com- mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and responsible office was conferred upon Washington, who was still a member of the Congress. He accepted it on June 19, but upon the express condition that he receive no salary. He would keep an exact account of expenses and expect Congress 10 pav them and nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to trace the military acts of Washington, to whom the fortunes and liberties of the people of this country were so long confided. The war was conducted by him under ever)' possible disadvantage, and while his forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest nation of earth. On Dec. 23, 17S3, Washington, in a parting address of surpassing beauty, resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the army to to the Continental Congress sitting al Annapolis. He retired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumed his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning all connection with public lite. In February, 1789, Washington was unanimously elected President. In his presidential career he was subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new government ; trials from lack of confidence on the part of other governments; trials from want ol harmony between the different sections of our own country; trials from the impoverished condition of the country, owing to the war and want of credit; trials from the beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His clear judgment could discern the golden mean; and while perhaps this alone kept our government from sinking al the very outset, it left him exposed to attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and very annoying. At the expiration of his first term he was unani- mously re-elected. At the end of this term many were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March, 1797, at the expiraton of his second term as Presi- dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there his few remaining years free from the annoyances of public life. Later in the year, however, his re[>ose seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France. At the prospect of such a war he was again urged to take command of the armies. He chose his sub- ordinate officers and left to them the charge of mat- ters in the field, which he superintended from his home. In accepting the command he made the reservation that he was not to be in the field until it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations his life was suddenly cut off. December 12, he took a severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling in Irs throat, produced inflammation, and terminated fatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eigh- teenth his body was borne wi'h military honors to its final resting place, and interred in the family vault at Mount Vernon. Of the character of Washington it is impossible to speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad- miration. The more we see of the operations of our government, and the more deeply we feel the difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interest, the more highly we must estimate the force of his tal- ent and character, which have been able to challenge the reverence of all parties, and principles, and na- tions, and lo win a fame as extended as the limits of the globe, and which we cannot but believe will be as lasting as the existehce of man. The person of Washington was unusally tail, erect and well proportioned. His muscular strength was great. His features were of a beautiful symmetry. He commanded respect without any appearance of haughtiness, and ever serious without being dull. T '":.■■ -«•• SECOND PRESIDENT. *fr *- 2 3 V if&j£i -*««- '**>> -jJfijV-f-f-f'-F'-f'rrfT •.i:»+'-+-T TTTT * "TY TTY -i-' T ¥ ¥ V ¥ 'f T'T T¥ '+' TT'f T n-f 'f V T '¥ 'f T 4 •;•;• %'^~" Jo ... ... : .., ^ ^@ Tiy,.t .f. A .t. .t.t.t ,t ■t-,.t,.t, ,.t...t. .t...t.t. I.t,t,i.t .t -t. A.*.h .;..'. .;.:■.:.;. ;..;. :.;-. ... :.;..;. ;.;. .:•..;•. m-'' a-^^C?^ 1 *" «»3Pg| OHM ADAMS, the second , President and the first Vice- ' President of the United States, was born in Braintree ( now Quincy ),Mass., and about ten miles from Boston, Oct. 19, 1735. His great-grandfather, Henry Adams, emigrated from England about 1 640, with a family of eight *1. sons, and settled at Braintree. The parents of John were John and Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His father was a farmer of limited means, to which he added the bus- iness of shoemaking. He gave his eldest son, John, a classical educa- tion at Harvard College. John graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a "school of affliction," from which he endeavored to gain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the study of law. For this purpose he placed himself under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He had thought seriously of the clerical profession but seems to have been turned from this by what he termed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun- cils, of diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,'' of the operations of which he had been a witness in his native town. He was well fitted for the legal profession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being ready and fluent of speech, and having quick percep- tive powers. He gradually gained practice, and in 1 764 married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his marriage, (1765), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa- tion turned him from law to politics. He took initial steps toward holding a town meeting, and the resolu- tions he offered on the subject became very populai throughout the Province, and were adopted word for word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos- ton in 1768, and became one of the most courageous and prominent advocatesof the popular cause, and was chosen a member of the General Court (the I.eg- lislature) in 1770. Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress, which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himself by his capacity for business and for debate, and ad- vocated the movement for independence against the majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies should assume the duties of self-government. He was a prominent member of the committee of five appointed June n, to prepare a declaration of inde- pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but on Adams devolved the task of battling it through Congress in a three days debate. On the day after the Declaration of Independence was passed, while his soul was yet warm with the glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wife, which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated by the spirit of prophecy. " Vesterday," he says, "the greatest question was decided that ever was debated in America; and greater, perhaps, never was or will be decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, ' that these United States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde- pendent states.' The day is passed. The fourth of July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty God, It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows, 24 JOHN ADAMS. r t games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward for ever. You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these States; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than all the means; and that posterity will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I hope we shall not." In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a delegate to France and to co-operate with Bemjamin Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money from the French Government. This was a severe trial to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home, compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex- posed him to great peril of capture by the British cruis- ers, who were seeking him. He left France June 17, 1779. In September of the same year he was again chosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readi- ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet might be found willing to listen to such proposels. He sailed for France in November, from there he went to Holland, where he negotiated important loans and formed important commercial treaties. Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed Jan. 2i, 1783. The re-action from the excitement, toil and anxiety through which Mr. Adams had passed threw him into a fever. After suffering from a con- tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he was advised to goto England to drink the waters of Bath. While in England, still drooping anddespond- ing, he received dispatches from his own government urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through storm, on sea, on horseback and foot, he made the trip. February 24, 1785, Congress appointed Mr. Adams envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met face to face the King of England, who had so long re- garded him as a traitor. As England did not condescend to appoint a minister to the United States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accom- plishing but little, he sought permission to return to his own country, where he arrived in June, 17 88. When Washington was first chosen President, John Adams, rendered illustiious by his signal services at home and abroad, was chosen Vice President. Again at the second election of Washington as President, Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash- ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was elected President, though not without much opposition. Serving in this office four years, he was succeeded by Mr. Jefferson, his opponent in politics. While Mr. Adams was Vice President the great French Revolution shook the continent of Europe, and it was upon this point which he was at issue with the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson. Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French people in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their power of self-government, and he utterly abhored the class of atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it. On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly enlisted in behalt of the French people. Hence or- iginated the alienation between these distinguished men, and two powerful parties were thus soon organ- ized, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies were with England and Jefferson led the other in sympathy with France. The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of party feeling had died away, and he had begun to receive that just appreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till after death. No one could look upon his venerable form, and think of what he had done and suffered, and how he had given up all the prime and strength of his life to the public good, without the deepest emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar good fortune to witness the complete success of the institution which he had been so 'active in creating and supporting. In 1824, his cup of happiness was filled to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest station in the gift of the people. The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the half century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde- pendence, arrived, and there were but three of the signers of that immortal instrument left upon the earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is well known, on that day two of these finished their earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. Adams had been rapidly failing, and on the morning of the fourth he found himself too weak to rise from his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " In- dependence forever." When the day was ushered in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, he was asked by one of his attendants if he knew what day it was? He replied, "O yes; it is the glor- ious fourth of July — God bless it — God bless you all." In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and glorious day." The last words he uttered were, "Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, re- signed his spiiit into the hands of his God. The personal appearance and manners of Mr. Adams were not particularly prepossessing. His face, as his portrait manifests.was intellectual and expres- sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and his manners were frequently abrupt and uncourteous. He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nor the engaging elegance and gracefulness which marked the manners and address of Jefferson. T 7/^7^&^t771- ■*•- THIRD PRESIDENT. *1 - <*?a — «m& HOMAS JEFFERSON was bum April 2, 1743, at Shad- spwell, Albermarle county, Va. His parents were Peter and Jane ( Randolph) Jefferson, the former a native of Wales, and the latter born in Lon- don. To them were born six daughters and two sons, of whom Thomas was the elder. When 14 years of age his father died. He received a most liberal education, hav- ing been kept diligently at school from the time he was five years of age. In 1760 he entered William and Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat of the Colonial Court, and it was the obodeof fashion and splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then 17 years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping fine horses, and much caressed by gay society, yet he was earnestly devoted to his studies, and irreproacha- able in his murals. It is strange, however, under such influences, that he was not ruined. \n the sec- ond year of his college course, moved by some un- explained inward impulse, he discarded his horses, society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had previously given much time. He often devoted fitteen horns a day to hard study, allowing himself for ex- ercise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out of the city and back again. He thus attained very high intellectual culture, alike excellence in philoso- phy and the languages. The must difficult Latin and Greek authors he read with facility. A more finished scholar has seldom gone forth from college halls; and «■ ' there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a more pureminded, upright, gentlemanly young man. Immediately upon leaving college he began the study of law. For the short time he continued in the practice of his profession he rose rapidly and distin- guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a lawyer. But the times called for greater action. The policy of England had awakened the spirit of resistance of the American Colonies, and the enlarged views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led him into active political life. In 1769 he was chosen a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. In 1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beauti- ful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow. Upon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, there was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, which commanded a prospec t of wonderful extent and beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected lor his new home; and here he reared a mansion of modest yet elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon, became the most distinguished resort in our land. In 1775 he was sent to the Colonial Congress, where, though a silent member, his abilities as a writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he was placed u|>on a number of important committees, and was chairman of the one appointed for the draw- ing up of a declaration of independence. This com- mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams. Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was appointed to draw up the paper, franklin and Adams suggested a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con- gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made in it by Congress, and it was passed and signed July 4, 1776. What must have been the feelings of that 4- THOMAS JEFFERSON. •►^ man — what the emotions that swelled his breast — who was charged with the preparation of that Dec- laration, which, while it made known the wrongs of America, was also to publish her to the world, free, Koverign and independent. It is one of the most re- markable papers ever written ; and did no other effort of the mind of its author exist, that alone would be sufficient to stamp his name with immortality. In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to Patrick Henry, ;.s Governor of Virginia. At one time the British officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to Monticello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five minutas elapsed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jef- ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses- sion of the British troops. His wife's health, never very good, was much injured by this excitement, and in the summer of 1782 she died. Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783. Two years later he was appointed Minister Plenipo- tentiary to France. Returning to the United States in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State in Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned Jan. 1, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi- dent, and four years later was elected President over Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In 1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity, and George Clinton, Vice President. The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra- tion was disturbed by an event which threatened the tranquility and peace of the Union; this was the con- spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a military expedition into the Spanish territories on our southwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there a new republic. This has been generally supposed was a mere pretext ; and although it has not been generally known what his real plans were, there is no doubt that they were of a far more dangerous character. In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined to retire from political life. For a period of nearly forty years, he had been continually before the pub- lic, and all that time had been employed in offices of the greatest trust and responsibility. Having thus de- voted the best part of his life to the service of his country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his declining years required, and upon the organization of the new administration, in March, 1809, he bid fare- well forever to public life, and retired to Monticello. Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole families came in their coaches with their horses, — fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and nurses, — and remained three and even six months. Life at Monticello, for years, resembled that at a fashionable watering-place. The fourth of July, T826, being the fiftieth anniver- sary of the Declaration of American Independence, great preparations were made in every pait of the Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity of the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara- tion, to participate in their festivities. But an ill- ness, which had been of several weeks duration, and had been continually increasing, compelled him to decline the invitation. On the second of July, the disease under which he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced state that his medical attendants, entertained no hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the next day, which was Monday, he asked of those around him, the day of the month, and on being told it was the third of July, he expressed the earnest wish that he might be permitted to breathe the air of the fiftieth anniversary. His prayer was heard — that day, whose dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land, burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for- ever. And what a noble consummation of a noble life! To die on that day, — the birthday of a nation,- - the day which his own name and his own act had rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him, as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings, was a)l that was wanting to fill up the record his life. Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin- dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear him company, left the scene of his earthly honors. Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of freedom ; hand in hand, during the dark and desper- ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and animated their desponding countrymen; for half a century they had labored together for the good of the country; and now hand in hand they depart. In their lives they had been united in the same grea-t cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not divided. In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes were light, his hair originally red, in after life became white and silvery; his complexion was fair, his fore- head broad, and his whole countenance intelligent and thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as well as personal courage ; and his command of tem- per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends never recollected to have seen him in a passion. His manners, though dignified, were simple and un- affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver- sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic; and his language was remarkably pure and correct. He was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is discernable the care with which he formed his style upon the best models of antiquity. .J J- <2yO(-^^" *t^t i^^^H CX^ «► i rvr FOURTH PRFSIDEA l. 3' pri]ES npmsoi}. i AMES MADISON, "Father of the Constitution," and fourth 'President of the United States, was born March 16, 1757, and died at his home in Virginia, June 28, 1836. The name of James Madison is inseparably con- nected with most of the important events in that heroic period of our country during which the founda- tions of this great republic were laid. He was the last of the founders of the Constitution of the United States to be called to his eternal reward. The Madison family were among the early emigrants to the New World, landing upon the shores of the Chesa- peake but 15 years after the settle- ment of Jamestown. The father of James Madison was an opulent planter, residing upon a very fine es- tate called "Montpelier," Orange Co., Va. The mansion was situated in the midst of scenery highly pictur- esque and romantic, on the west side of South-west Mountain, at the foot of Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of Jefferson at Monticello. The closest personal and political attachment existed between these illustrious men, from their early youth until death. The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of 18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey. Here he applied himself to study with the most im- ' prudent zeal ; allowing himself, for months, but three hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor of constitution. He graduated in 177 1, with a feeble body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning which embellished and gave proficiency to his subst' quent career. Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of law and a course of extensive and systematic reading. This educational course, the spirit of the times in which he lived, and the society with which he asso- ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work ol a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of mind, and his frail health leading him to think that his life was not to be long, he directed especial atten- tion to theological studies. Endowed with a mind singularly free from passion and prejudice, and with almost unequalled powers of reasoning, he weighed all the arguments for and against revealed religion, until his faith became so established as never to be shaken. In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, lie was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to frame the constitution of the State. The next year (1777), he was a candidate for the General Assembly. He refused to treat the whisky-lovir.g voters, and consequent!} lost his election; but those who had witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf, and he was appointed to the Executive Council. both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained member of the Council ; and their appreciation of his ■ » ■► i f^ - -•► 3 2 /AMES MADISON. intellectual, social and moral worth, contributed not a little to his subsequent eminence. In the year 1780, he was elected a member of the Continental Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of the most conspicuous positions among them. For three years Mr. Madison continued in Con- gress, one of its most active and influential members. In the year 1784, his term having expired, he was elected a member of the Virginia Legislature. No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no na- tional government, with no power to form treaties which would be binding, or to enforce law. There was not any State more prominent than Virginia in the declaration, that an efficient national government must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison carried a resolution through the General Assembly of Virginia, inviting the other States to appoint commis- sioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss this subject. Five States only were represented. The convention, however, issued another call, drawn up by Mr. Madison, urging all the States to send their delegates to Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to draft a Constitution for the United States, to take the place of that Confederate League. The delegates met at the time appointed. Every State but Rhode Island was represented. George Washington was chosen president of the convention; and the present Consti- tution of the United States was then and there formed. There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more ac- tive in framing this immortal document than the mind and the pen of James Madison. The Constitution, adopted by a vote 81 to 79, was to be presented to the several States for acceptance. But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected we should be left but a conglomeration of independent States, with but little power at home and little respect abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by the conven- tion to draw up an address to the people of the United States, expounding the principles of the Constitution, and urging its adoption. There was great opposition to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and went into effect in 1789. Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre- sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the avowed leader of the Republican party. While in New York attending Congress, he met Mrs Todd, a young widow of remarkable power of fascination, whom he married. She was in person and character queenly, and probably no lady has thus far occupied so prominent a position in the very peculiar society which has constituted our republican court as Mrs. Madison. Mr. Madison served as Secretary of State under Jefferson, and at the close of his administration was chosen President. At this time the encroach- ments of England had brought us to the verge of war. British orders in council destioyed our commerce, and our flag was exposed to constant insult. Mr. Madison was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retinng in his disposition, war had no charms for him. But the meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blood boil, even now, to think of an American ship brought to, upon the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser. A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchal- ance he selects any number whom he may please to designate as British subjects ; orders them down the ship's side into his boat; and places them on the gun- deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the battles of England. This right of search and im- pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce the British cabinet to relinquish. On the 18th of June, 1812, President Madison gave his approval to an act of Congress declaring war against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country in general approved; and Mr. Madison, on the 4th of March, 1 8 1 3. was re-elected by a large majority, and entered upon his second term of office. This is not the place to describe the various adventures of this war on the land and on the water. Our infant navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap- pling with the most formidable power which ever swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest by the appearance of a British fleet, early in Febiuaiy, 18 13, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole coast of the United States under blockade. The Emperor of Russia offered his services as me ditator. America accepted ; England refused. A Brit- ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into Chesa- peake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladens- burg, upon Washington. The straggling little city of Washington was thrown into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict at Bladensburg echoed through the streets of the metropolis. The whole population fled from the city. The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the White House, with her carriage drawn up at the door to await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers in a council of war. He met our troops utterly routed, and he could not go back without danger of being captured. But few hours elapsed ere the Presidential Mansion, the Capitol, and all the public buildings in Washington were in flames. The war closed after two years of fighting, and on Feb. 13, 1815, the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent. On the 4th of March, 1817, his second term of office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beau- tiful home at Montpelier, and there passed the re- mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi- son died July 12, 1849. ♦>- ^z^ ■*•■ FIFTH PRESIDENT. 35 * priQES njo^itoE. r* AMES MONROE, the fifth Presidentof The United States, was born in Westmoreland Co., Ya., April 28, 1 75S. His early life was passed at the place of nativity. His ancestors had for many years resided in the prov- ince in which he was born. When, at 17 years of age, in the process h of completing his education at William and Mary College, the Co- lonial Congress assembled at Phila- delphia to deliberate upon the un- just and manifold oppressions of Great Britian, declared the separa- tion of the Colonies, and promul- gated the Declaration of Indepen- dence. Had he been born ten years before it is highly probable that he would have been one of the signers of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left school and enlisted among the patriots. He joined the army when everything looked hope- less and gloomy. The number of deserters increased from day to day. The invading armies came pouring in ; and the tories not only favored the cause of the mother country, but disheartened the new recruits, who were sufficiently terrified at the prospect of con- tending with an enemy whom they had been taught to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through difficulty and danger, the United States owe their political emancipation. 'Che young cadet joined the ranks, and espoused the cause of his injured country, with a firm determination to live or die witli her strife *•— — ■ fur liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in the mel- ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and White Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled before its foes through New Jersey. In four months after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charg- ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the left shoulder. As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was pro- moted a captain of infantry; and, having recovered from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however, receded from the line of promotion, by becoming an officer in the staff of Lord Sterling. During the cam- paigns of 1777 and 177S, in the actions of Brandy wine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued aid-de-camp; but becoming desirous to regain his position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed owing to the exhausted condition of the State. Upon this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at that period Governor, and pursued, with considerable ardor, the study of common law. He did not, however, entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag; but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a volun- teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits. In 17S2, he was elected from King George county, a member of the Legislature of Virginia, and by that body he was elevated to a seat in the Executive Council. He was thus honored with the confidence of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and having at this early period displayed some of that ability and aptitude for legislation, which were afterwards employed with unremitting energy for the public good, 36 JAMES MONROE. f he was in the succeeding year chosen a member of the Congress of the United States. Deeplyas Mr. Monroe felt the imperfections of the old Confederacy, he was opposed-to the new Constitution, ihinking, with many others of the Republican party, '.hat it gave too much power to the Central Government, and not enough to the individual States. Still he re- tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition secured its adoption. In 1789, he became a member of the United States Senate; which office he held for four years. Every month the line of distinction be- tween the two great parties which divided the nation, the Federal and the Republican, was growing more distinct. The two prominent ideas which now sep- arated them were, that the Republican party was in sympathy with Fiance, and also in favor of such a strict construction of the Constitution as to give the Central Government as little power, and the State Governments as much power, as the Constitution would warrant. The Federalists sympathized with England, and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con- stitution, which would give as much power to the Central Government as that document could possibly authorize. The leading Federalists and Republicans were alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the good of the nation. Two more honest men or more pure patriots than John Adams the Federalist, and James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In building up this majestic nation, which is destined to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the com- bination of their antagonism was needed to create the right equilibrium. And yet each in his day was de- nounced as almost a demon. Washington was then President. England had es- poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi- ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was diawn into the conflict. We were feeble and far away. Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be- tween these contending powers. France had helped us in the struggle for our liberties. All the despotisms of Europe were now combined to prevent the French from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse than that which we had endured Col. Monroe, more magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous and noble nature. He violently opposed the Pres- ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in magnanimity. Washington, who could aporeciate such a character, developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness, by appointing that very James Monroe, who was de- nouncing the policy of the Government, as the minister of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr. Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention in France with the most enthusiastic demonstrations. « • Shortly after his return to this country, Mr. Mon- roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the office for three yeais. He was again sent to Prance to co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining the vast territory then known as the Province of Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob- tained from Spain. Their united efforts were sue • cessful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and district of Louisiana were added to the United States. This was probably the largest transfer of real estate which was ever made in all the history of the world From France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob- tain from that country some recognition of our rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those odious impressments of our seamen. but Eng- land was unrelenting. He again returned to Eng- land on the same mission, but could receive no redress. He returned to his home and was again chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon resigned to accept the position of Secretary of State under Madison. While in this office war with England was declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during these trying times, the duties of the War Department were also put upon him. He was truly the armor- bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient business man in his cabinet. Upon the return ol peace he resigned the Department of War, but con- tinued in the office of Secretary of State until the ex- piration of Mr. Madison's adminstration. At the elec- tion held the previous autumn Mr. Monroe himself had been chosen President with but little opposition, and upon March 4, 18.7, was inaugurated. Four years later he was elected for a second term. Among the important measures of his Presidency were the cession of Florida to the Lhiited States; the Missouri Compromise, and the " Monroe doctrine.'' This famous doctrine, since known as the " Monroe doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. At that time the United States had recognized the independ- ence of the South American states, and did not wish to have European powers longer attempting to sub- due portions of the American Continent. The doctrine is as follows: "That we should consider any attempt on the part of European powers to extend their sys- tem to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety," and "that we could not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing or controlling American governments or provinces in any other light than as a manifestation by European powers of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States." This doctrine immediately affected the course of foreign governments, and has become the approved sentiment of the United States. At the end of his second term Mr. Monroe retired to his home in Virginia, where he lived until 1830, when he went to New Vork to live with his son-in- law. In that city he died, on the 4th of July, 183T. •► J. 2, At i^m •4+- SIX TIT PRESIDENT. 39 4- 301)1) QHI1I6Y ^D7HTQS. ♦ OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the sixth President of the United 'States, was born in the rural home of his honored \ father, John Adams, in Quincy, Mass., on the i ith cf July, 17 67. His mother, a woman of exalted worth, watched over his childhood during the almost constant ab- sence of his father. When but eight years of age, he stood with his mother on an eminence, listen- ing to the booming of the great bat- tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on upon the smoke and flames billow- ing up from the conflagration of Charlestown. When but eleven years old he took a tearful adieu of his mother, to sail with his fatner for Europe, through a fleet of hostile British cruisers. The bright, animated boy spent a year and a half in Pan's, where his father was associated witli Franklin and Lee as minister plenipotentiary. His intelligence attracted the notice of these distinguished men, and he received from them flattering marks of attention. Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this country, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad Again John Quincy accompanied his father. At Paris he applied himself with great diligence, for six months, to study; then accompanied his father to Holland, where he entered, first a school in Amsterdam, then the University at Leyden. About a year from this time, in 1781, when the manly boy was but fourteen years of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our min- ister to the Russian court, as his private secretary. In this school of incessant labor and of enobling culture he spent fourteen months, and then returned !o Holland through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and Bremen. This long journey he took alone, in the winter, when in his sixteenth year. Again he resumed his studies, under a private tutor, at Hague. Thence, in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father to Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintance with the most distinguished men on the Continent; examining architectural remains, galleries of paintings, and all renowned works of art. At Paris lie again became associated with the most illustrious men of all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest temporal themes which can engross tin- human mind. After a short visit to England he returned to Paris, and consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785, when he returned to America. To a brilliant young man of eighteen, who had seen much of the world, and who was familiar with the etiquette of courts, a residence with his father in London, under such cir- cumstances, must have been extremely attractive; but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he pre- ferred to return to America to complete his education in an American college. He wished then to study law, that with an honorable profession, he might be able to obtain an independent support. Upon leaving Harvard College, a! the age of twenty, he studied law for three years. In June, 1794, be- ing then but twenty-seven years of age, he was ap- pointed by Washington, resident minister at the Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reached London in October, where he was immediately admit- ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay anil Pinckney, assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with Gieat Britian. After thus spending a fortnight in London, he proceeded to the Hague. In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal as minister plenipotentiary. On his way to Portugal, upon arriving in London, he met with despatches directing him to the court of Berlin, but requesting him to remain in London until he should receive his instructions. While waiting he was married to an American lady to whom he had been previously en- gaged, — Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughter of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul in London; a lady endownd with that beauty and those accom- plishment which eminently fitted her to move in the elevated sphere for which she was destined. T JL <+■ 40 JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ; where he remained until July, 1799, when, havingful- lilled all the purposes of his mission, he solicited his recall. Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to the Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and then was elected Senator of the United States for six years, from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, his ability and his experience, placed him immediately among the most prominent and influential members of that body. Especially did he sustain the Govern- ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach- ments of England, destroying our commerce and in- sulting our flag. There was no man in America more familiar with the arrogance of the British court upon these points, and no one more resolved to present a firm resistance. In 1S09, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres- idential chair, and he immediately nominated John Quincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resign- ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked at Boston, in August, 1809. While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu- dent. He devoted his attention to the language and history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the European system of weights, measures, and coins ; to the climate and astronomical observations ; while he Kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and Latin classics. In all the universities of Europe, a more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found. All through life the Bible constituted an important part of his studies. It was his rule to read five chapters every day. On the 4th of March, 1817. Mr. Monroe took the Presidential chair, and immediately appointed Mr. Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num- erous friends in public and private life in Europe, he sailed in June, i8t9, for the United States. On the iSth of August, he again crossed the threshold of his home in Quincy. During the eight years of Mr. Mon- roe's administration, Mr. Adams continued Secretary of State. Some time before the close of Mr. Monroe's second term of office, new candidates began to be presented for the Presidency. The friends of Mr. Adams brought forward his name. It was an exciting campaign. Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re- ceived ninety nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four; William H. Crawford, forty-one; Henry Clay, thirty- seven. As there was no choice by the people, the question went to the House of Representatives. Mr. Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and he was elected. The friends of all the disappointed candidates now combined in a venomous and persistent assault upon Mr. Adams. There is nothing more disgraceful in the past history of our country than the abuse which «*• ; was poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was an administration more pure in principles, more con- scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun- try, than that of John Quincy Adams; and never, per- haps, was there an administration more unscrupu- lously and outrageously assailed. Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab- stemious and temperate in his habits; always rising early, and taking much exercise. When at his home in Quincy, he has been known to walk, before breakfast, seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said that he was the first man up in the city, lighting his own fire and applying himself to work in his library often long before dawn. On the 4th of March, r829, Mr. Adams retired from the Presidency, and was- succeeded by Andrew Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice Presi- dent. The slavery question now began to assume portentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to Quincy and to his studies, which he pursued witli un- abated zeal. But he was not long permitted to re- main in retirement. In November, 1830, he was elected representative to Congress. For seventeen years, until his death, he occupied the post as repre- sentative, towering above all his peers, ever ready to do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of "the old man eloquent." Upon taking his seat in the House, he announced that he should hold him- self bound to no party. Probably there never was a member more devoted to his duties. He was usually the first in his place in the morning, and the last to leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could be brought forward and escape his scrutiny. The battle which Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, against the proslavery party in the Government, was sublime in its moral dating and heroism. For persisting in presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, he was threatened with indictment by the grand jury, with expulsion from the House, with assassination ; but no threats could intimidate him, and his final triumph was complete. It has been said of President Adams, that when his body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of fourscore yeais, yielding to the simple faith of a little child, he was accustomed to repeat every night, before he slept, the pra)er which his mother taught him in his infant years. On the 21st of February, 1848, he rose on the floor of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by paraly- sis, and was caught in the arms of those around him. For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious- ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and said " This is the endof earth .-"then after a moment's pause he added, "lam content" These were the last words of the grand "Old Man Eloquent." <2> &f^i~^=i^d-^~ -4- SE VENTH PRESinENT. ^^*"H r~^* 43 -1- ,^v •>•"" y . '",t? ,35; ^ *«2<&3=^ ,> *'^§ N £^^ (T,yx * : a^x)«jk^ fjMP^f*. 1^ NDREW JACKSON, the eventh President of the United States, was born in Waxhaw settlement, N. C, March 15, 1767, a few days after his father's death. His parents were poor emigrants from Ireland, and took up t heir abode in Waxhaw set- tlement, where they lived in deepest poverty. Andrew, or Andy, as he was universally called, grew up a very rough, rude, turbulent boy. His features were coarse, his form un- gainly; and there was but very little in his character, made visible, which was at- tractive. When only thirteen years old he joined the volun- teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In 1781, he and his brother Robert were captured and imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " I am a prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of the dauntless boy. The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate blow at the head of the helpless young prisoner. Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear- ful gashes, — one on the hand and the other upon the head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert with the same demand. He also refused, and re- ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which quite disabled him, and which probably soon after caused his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and were finally stricken with the small-pox. Their mother was successful in obtaining their exchange, and took her sick boys home. After a long illness Andrew recovered, and the death of his mother soon left him entirely friendless. Andrew supported himself in various ways, such as working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and clerking in a general store, until 1784, when he entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however, gave more attention to the wild amusements of the times than to his studies. In 178S, he was appointed solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, of which Tennessee was then a part. This involved many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear, and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmish witn the Sharp Knife. In 1791, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who supposed herself divorced from her former husband. Great was the surprise of both parties, two years later, to find that the conditions of the divorce had just been definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage ceremony was performed a second time, but the occur- rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr. Jackson into disfavor. During these years he worked hard at his profes- sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand, one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was espec- ially disgraceful. In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a con- stitution. Five were sent from each of the eleven counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the delegates. The new State was entitled to but one member in the National House of Representatives. Andrew Jai k- son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he rode to Philedelphia, where Congress then held its 4 44 ANDRE IV JACKSON. sessions, — a distance of about eight hundred miles. Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo- cratic party. Jefferson was his idol. He admired Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr. Jackson took his seat, Gen. Washington, whose second term of office was then expiring, delivered his last speech to Congress. A committee drew up a complimentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson did not approve of the address, and was one of the twelve who voted against it. He was not willing to say that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been " wise, firm and patriotic." Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned home. Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Supreme Court of his State, which position he held for six years. When the war of 1S12 with Great Britian com- menced, Madison occupied the Presidential chair. Aaron Burr sent word to the President that there was an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jackson, who would do credit to a commission if one were con- ferred upon him. Just at that time Gen. Jackson offered his services and those of twenty-five hundred volunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troops were assembled at Nashville. As the British were hourly expected to make an at- tack upon New Orleans, where Gen. Wilkinson was in command, he was ordered to descend the river with fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson. The expedition reached Natchez ; and after a delay of sev- eral weeks there, without accomplishing anything, the men were ordered back to their homes. But the energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire devotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him golden opinions; and he became the most popular man in the State. It was in this expedition that his toughness gave him the nickname of " Old Hickory." Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip Col. Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged, he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was "lingering upon a bed of suffering news came that the Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from Florida to the Lakes, to exterminate the white set- tlers, were committing the most awful ravages. De- i isive action became necessary. Gen. Jackson, with his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assis- tance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Alabama. The Creek Indians had established a strong fore on one of the bends of the Tallapoosa River, near the cen- ter of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strother. With an army of two thousand men, Gen. Jackson traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven days. He reached their fort, called Tohopeka or Horse-shoe, on the 27th of March. i8ij. The bend of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres of tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow neck the Indians had constructed a formidable breast- work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, with an ample suplyof arms were assembled. The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des- perate. Not an Indian would accept of quarter. When bleeding and dying, they would fight those who en- deavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morn- ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was awful and revolting. Some threw themselves into the river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war- rios were killed A few probably, in the night, swam the river and escaped. This ended the war. The [lower of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold plunge into the wilderness, with itsterriffic slaughter, so appalled the savages, that ihe haggard remnants of the bands came to the camp, begging for peace. This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con- centrate all our militia upon the British, who were the allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will than Gen. Jackson could have conducted this Indian campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he was appointed major-general. Late in August, with an army of two thousand men, on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson came to Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landed a force upon the beach, anchored near the little fort, and from both ship and shore commenced a furious assault The battle was long and doubtful. At length one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired. Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, And the battle of New Orleans which soon ensued, was in reality a very arduous campaign. This won for Gen. Jackson an imperishable name. Here his troops, which numbered about four thousand men, won a signal victory over the British army of about nine thousand. His loss was but thirteen, while the loss of the British was two thousand six hundred. The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be men- tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824, he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however, successful in the election of 1828, and was re-elected for a second term in 1832. In 1829, just before he assumed the reins of the government, he met with the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has perhaps never been surpassed. From the shock of her death he never recovered. His administration was one of the most memorable in the annals of our country; applauded by one party, condemned by the other. No man had more bitter enemies or warmer friends. At the expiration of his two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where he died Tune 8, 1845. The last years of Mr. Jack- son's life were that of a devoted Christian man. •► ^^J^JC* -«•■ EIGHTH PRESIDENT. ^HM» 47 #t ARTIN VAN BUREN, the , eighth President of the *^ United States, was born at Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5, 1782. He died at the same place, July 24, 1S62. His body rests in the cemetery at Kinderhook. Above it is a plain granite shaft fifteen feet high, beating a simple inscription about half way up on one face. v The lot is unfenced, unbordered or unbounded by shrub or flower. There is but little in the life of Martin Van I'.uren of romantic interest. He fought no battles, engaged in no wild adventures. Though his life was stormy in political and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those incidents which give zest to biography. His an- cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin, and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland to the banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer, residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel- ligence and exemplary piety. 1 Ic was decidedly a precocious boy, developing un- usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At the age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies in his native village, and commenced the study of law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven ve.us of study in a law-office were required of him before he could be admitted to the bar. Inspired with a lofty ambition, and conscious of his powers, he pur- sued his studies with indefatigable industry. After spending six years in an office in his native village, ««• he went to the city of New York, and prosecuted his studies for the seventh year. In 1S03, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years of age, commenced the practice of law in his native vil- lage. The great -conflict between the Federal and Republican party was then at its height. Mr. Van Buren was from the beginning a politician. He had, perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listening to the many discussions which had been carried on in his father's hotel. He was in cordial sympathy with Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently espoused the cause of State Rights; though at that time the Fed- eral party held the supremacy both in his town and State. His success and increasing ruputation led him after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, th. county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years constantly gaining strength by contending in the. courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned the bar of his State. Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mi. Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for beauty and accomplishments. After twelve short years she sank into the grave, the victim of consump- tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep over her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren was an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The re< ord of those years is barren in items of public interest. In r8i 2, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to the State Senate, and gave his strenuous support to Mr. Madison's adminstration. In 1S15, he was ap- pointed Attorney-General, and the next year moved to Albany, the capital of the State. While he was acknowledged as one of the most prominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had •k MARTIN VAN BUR EN. \ the moral courage to avow that true democracy did not require that " universal suffrage " which admits the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right of governing the State. In true consistency with his democratic principles, he contended that, while the path leading to the privilege of voting should be open to every man without distinction, no one should be invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue and some property interests in the welfare of the State. In 182 i he was elected a member of the United States Senate; and in the same year, he took a seat in the convention to revise the constitution of his native State. His course in this convention secured the approval of men of all parties. No one could doubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote the interests of all classes in the community. In the Senate of the United States, he rose at once to a conspicuous position as an active and useful legislator. In 1827, John Quincy Adams being then in the Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to the Senate. He had been from the beginning a de- termined opposer of the Administration, adopting the "State Rights" view in opposition to what was deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams. Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governorof the State of New York, and accordingly resigned his seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United States contributed so much towards ejecting John Q. Adams from the Presidential chair, and placing in it Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whether entitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was re- garded throughout the United States as one of the most skillful, sagacious and cunning of politicians. It was supposed that no one knew so well as he how to touch the secret springs of action; how to pull all the wires to put his machinery in motion ; and how to organize a political army which would, secretly and stealthily accomplish the most gigantic results. By these powers it is said that he outwitted Mr. Adams, Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which few thought then could be accomplished. When Andrew Jackson was elected President he appointed Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This position he resigned in 1831, and was immediately appointed Minister to England, where he went the snme autumn. The Senate, however, when it met, refused to ratify the nomination, and he returned home, apparently untroubled ; was nominated Vice President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election of President Jackson ; and with smiles for all and frowns for none, he took his place at the head of that Senate which had refused to confirm his nomination as ambassador. His rejection by the Senate roused al! the zeal of President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favor- ite ; and this, probably more than any other cause, secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief Execu- tive. On the 20th of May, rS36, Mr. Van Buren re- ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen. Jackson as President of the United States. He was elected by a handsome majority, to the delight of the retiring President. " Leaving New York out of the canvass," says Mr. Parton, "the election of Mr. Van Buren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen. Jackson as though the Constitution had conferred upon him the power to appoint a successor." His administration was filled with exciting events. The insurrection in Canada, which threatened to in volve this country in war with England, the agitation of the slavery question, and finally the great commer- cial panic which spread over the country, all were trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at- tributed to the management of the Democratic party, and brought the President into such disfavor that he failed of re-election. With the exception of being nominated for the Presidency by the "Free Soil" Democrats, in rS48, Mr. Van Buren lived quietly upon his estate until his death. He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits, and living within his income, had now fortunately a competence for his declining years. His unblemished character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned patriotism, and the distinguished positions which he had occupied in the government of our country, se- cured to him not only the homage of his party, but the respect ot the whole community. It was on the 4th of March, i84t, that Mr. Van Buren retired from the presidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald, he still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics of the country. From this time until his death, on the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of culture and of wealth; enjoying in a healthy old age, probably far more happiness than he had before experienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life. >fo. fc )9^z^c ri^s -*•■ NINTH PRESIDENT. ••*« 4- /£^tf*' - '* - >^vw^'wvv^^v^^^ J ..^ VN . s ^ fc , -Hr WILLIAAt HENRY HARRISON. ■^ Mffi*. :. f ■ Iff Pglf ILLIAM HENRY HARRI- SON, the ninth President ut the United States, was born at Berkeley, Va., Feb. 9, 1773. His father, Benjamin Harri- son, was in comparatively op- ulent circumstances, and was one of the most distinguished men of his day. He was an intimate friend of George Washington, w as early elected a member of the Continental Congress, and was conspicuous among the patriots of Virginia in resisting the encroachments of the British crown. In the celebrated Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har- rison and John Hancock were both candidates for the office of speaker. Mr Harrison was subsequently chosen Governor of Virginia, and was twice re-elected. His son, i William Henry, of course enjoyed in childhood all the advantages which wealth and intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- ing received a thorough conirrion-school education, he entered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduated with honor soon after the death of his father. He then repaired to Philadelphia to study medicine under the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of Robert Morris, both of whom were, with his father, signers of the Dei laralion of Independence. Upon the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not- withstanding the remonstrances of his friends, he doned his medical studies and entered the army, having obtained a commission of Ensign from Presi- -«•— dent Washington. From that time he He was then but hj years old. tassed gradually upward in rank until he became aid to General Wayne, after whose death he resigned his commission. He was then ap- pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This Territory was then entitled to but one member in Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to till that position. In the spring of 1S00 the North-western Territory was divided by Congress into two portions. The eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced in the State of Ohio, was called " The Territory north-west of the Ohio." The western portion, « hi< h included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil- liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was ap- pointed by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost .is extensive a realm as any sovereign upon the globe. He was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in- vested with powers nearly dictatorial over the now rapidly increasing white population. The ability and fidelity with which he discharged these responsible duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four times appointed to this office — first by John Adams, twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by Presi- dent Madison. When he began his .ulminstration there were but three white settlementsin that almost boundless region, now crowded with cities and resounding with all the tumult of wealth and traffii . < >ne of these settlements « 1,1111 the Ohio, ©site Louisville; <>ne at Vine enncs, on the Wabash, and the third a French settlement. The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrison id was tilled with many tribes of Indians. About 5- WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. t the year 1806, two extraordinary men, twin brothers, of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. One of these was called Tecumseh, or " The Crouching Panther;" the other, Olliwacheca, or "'J'he Prophet." Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomit- able perseverance in any enterprise In which he might engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm, and had long regarded with dread and with hatred the encroachment of the whites upon the hunting- grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was znorator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored Indian as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath which they dwelt. But the Prophet was not merely an orator: he was, in the superstitious minds of the Indians, invested with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a magician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter the Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went from tribe to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent by the Great Spirit. Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippe- canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter. October 28, 1812, his army began its march. When near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made their appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a short conference, arrangements were made for a meet- ing the next day, to agree upon terms of peace. But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with the Indian character to be deceived by such protes- tations. Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en- campment, he took every precaution against surprise. His troops were posted in a hollow square, and slept upon their arms. The troops threw themselves upon the ground for rest; but every man had his accourtrements on, his loaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa- tion with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi- ble, and just then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all the desperation which superstition and passion most highly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the little army. The savages had been amply provided with guns and ammunition by the English. Their war-whoop was accompanied by a shower of bullets. The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide- dus yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubting a speedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's troops stood as immovable as the rocks around them until day dawned : they then made a simultaneous charge with the bayonet, and swept every thing be- fore them, and completely routing th»* foe. Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked to the utmost. The British descending from the Can - adas, were ot themselves a very formidable force ; but with tneir savage allies, rushing like wolves from the forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn- ing, plundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier was plunged into a state of consternation which even the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive. The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagra- tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit. Under these despairing circumstances, Gov. Harrison was appointed by President Madison commander-in- chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake Detroit, and to protect the frontiers. It would be difficult to place a man in a situation demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but General Harrison was found equal to the position, and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re sponsibilities. He won the love of his soldiers by always sharinp with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while pursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a valise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket lashed over his saddle. Thirty-five British officers, his prisoners of war, supped with him after the battle. The only fare he could give them was beef roasted before the fire, without bread or salt. In 18 (6, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member of the National House of Representatives, to represent the District of Ohio. In Congress lie proved an active member; and whenever he spoke, it was with force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested the attention of all the members. In 1S10, Harrison was elected to the Senate of Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the presidential electors of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The same year he was chosen to the United States Senate. In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison brought him forward as a candidate for the Presidency against Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the close of Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re-nomit:ated by his party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated by the Whigs, with John Tyler lorthe Vice Presidency. The contest was very animated. Gen Jackson gave all his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; but his triumph was signal. The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webster at its head as Secretary of State, was one of the most brilliant with which anv President had ever been surrounded. Never were the prospects of an admin- istration more flattering, or the hopes of the country more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and joyous prospects, Gen. Harrison was seized by a pleurisv-fever and after a few days of violent sick- ness, died on the 4th of April; just one month after his inauguration as President of the United States. ^1^. (TTbfrl TENTH PRESIDENT. 55 A ®& JOHN TYLEMo^Kg^ 4 OHN TYLER, the tenth fL Presidentof the United States. He was born in Charles-city Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He was the favored child of af- fluence and high social po- sition. At the early age of twelve, John entered William and Mary College and grad- uated with much honor when but seventeen years old. After graduating, he devoted him- self with great assiduity to the study of law, partly with his father and partly with Edmund Randolph, one of the most distin- guished lawyers of Virginia. At nineteen years of age, ne commenced the practice of law. His success was rapid and aston- ishing. It is said that three months had not elapsed ere there was scarcely a case on the dock- et of the court in which he was not retained. When but twenty-one years of age, he was almost unanimously elected to a seat in the State Legislature. He connected himself with the Demo- 1 ratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of Jefferson and Madison. For five successive years he was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the unanimous vote or his countv. When but twenty-six years of age, he was elected a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and ably with the Democratic party, opposing a national bank, internal improvements by the General Govern- ment, a. protective tariff, and advocating a strict con- struction of the Constitution, and the most careful vigilance over State rights. His labors in Congress were so arduous that before the close of his second term he found it necessary to resign and retire to his estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He, however, soon after consented to take his seat in the State Legislature, where his influence was powerful in promoting public works of great utility. With a reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen by a very large majority of votes, Governor of his native State. His administration was signally a suc- cessful one. His popularity secured his re-election. John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of the United States. A portion of the Democratic party was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course, and brought forward John Tyler as his opponent, considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient popularity to succeed against the renowned orator of Roanoke. Mr. Tyler was the victor. In accordance with his professions, upon taking his seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposi- tion. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and voted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he stren- uously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resist- ing all projects of internal improvements by the Gen- eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr. Calhoun's view of nullification; he declared that Gen. Jackson, by his opposition to the nullifiers, had abandoned the principles of the Democratic party. Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a record in perfect accordance with the principles which he had always avowed. Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of his profession. There was a rplit in the Democratic *►*-* ■*•■ JOHN TYLER. party. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef- fersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli- ments upon him. He had now attained the age of forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In con- sequence of his devotion to public business, his pri- vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; and it was not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice of law, and devoted himself to the culture of his plan- tation. Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg, lor the better education of his children ; and he again took his seat in the Legislature ot Yuginia. By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in 1X39. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Har- rison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment ot the South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili- ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres- ident. It was well known that he was not in sympa- thy with the Whig party in the Noith: but the Vice President has but very little power in the Govern- ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre- side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap- pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a Democratic Vice President were chosen. In 1S41, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi- dent of the United States. In one short month from that time, President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler thus found himself, to his own surprise and that of the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential chair. This was a new test of the stability of our institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler was at home in Williamsburg when he received the unexpected tidings of the death of President Harri- son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of April was inaugurated to the high and responsible office. He was placed in a position of exceeding delicacy and difficulty. All his long life he had been opposed tc the main principles of the party which had brought him into power. He had ever been a con- sistent, honest man, with an unblemished record. Gen. Harrisoni had selected a Whig cabinet. Should he retain them, and thus surround himself with coun- sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own? or, on the other hand, should he turn against the party which had elected him and select a cabinet in har- mony with himself, and which would oppose all those views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub- lic welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He in- vited the cabinet which President Harrison had selected to retain their seats. He reccommsfided a day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and bless us. The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States. The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with his veto. He suggested, however, tli il be would approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval. It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture. It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- ure by a published letter from the Hon. John M. Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely touched the pride of the President. The opposition now exultingly received the Presi- dent into their arms. The party which elected him denounced him bitterly. All the members of his cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigs of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a meeting and issued an address to the people of the United States, proclaiming that all political alliance between the Whigs and President Tyler were at an end. Still the President attempted to conciliate. He appointed a new cabinet of distinguished Whigs and Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign, forced out by the pressure of his Whig triends. Thus the four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administra- tion passed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The land was filled with murmurs and vituperation. Whigs and Democrats alike assailed him. More and more, however, he brought himself into sympathy with his old friends, the Democrats, until at the close of his term, he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr. Polk, the Democratic candidate for his successor. On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from the harassments of office, to the regret of neither party, and probably to his own unspeakable lelief. His first wife, Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842; and in June, 1844, President Tylei -was again married, at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of many personal and intellectual accomplishments. The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly in retirement at his beautiful home, — Sherwood For- est, Charles-city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in his manners, richly furnished with information from books and experience in the world, and possessing brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was the scene of unusual attractions. With sufficient means for the exercise of a generous hospitality, he might have enjoved a serene old age with the few friends who gathered around him, were it not for the storms of civil war which his own principles and policy had helped to introduce. When the great Rebellion rose, which the State- rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Cal- houn had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed- erates. He was chosen a member of their Congress; and while engaged in active measures to desiroy, by force of amis, the Government over which he had once nresided. he was taken sick and soon died, father, Colonel Taylor, was a Virginian of note, and a dis- tinguished patriot and soldier of the Revolution. When Zachary was an infant, his father with his wife and two children, emigrated to Kentucky, where he settled in the pathless wilderness, a few miles from Louisville. In this front- ier home, away from civilization and all its refinements, young Zachary could enjoy but few social and educational advan- tages. When six years of age he attended a common school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, rather remarkable for bluntness and decision of char- acter He was strong, feailess and self-reliant, and manifested a strong desire to enter the army to fight the Indians who were ravaging the frontiers. There is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his childhood on his father's large but lonely plantation. In 1S0S, his father succeeded in obtaining for him the commission of lieutenant in the United States army ; and he joined the troops which were stationed at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady from one of the first families of Maryland. Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng- land, in 18 1 2, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder- ness by Gen. Harrison. on his march to Tippecanoe. It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians, ed by Tecumseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of whom were sick. Early in the autumn of 181 2, the Indians, stealthily, and in large numbers, moved upon the fort. Their approach was first indicated by the murder of two soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor made every possible preparation to meet the antici- pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort, waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that in the morning their chief would come to have a talk with him. It was evident that their object was merely to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept them at a distance. The sun went down; the savages disappeared, the garrison slept upon their arms. One hour before midnight the war-whoop burst from a thousand lips in the forest around, followed by the discharge of musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick and well, sprang to his post. Every man knew that defeat was not merely death, but in the case of cap- ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor- ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages suc- ceeded in setting fire to one of the block-houses- Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict continued. The savages then, baffled at ever)' point, and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt. Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the rank of major by brevet. Until the close of the war, Major Taylor was.placed in such situations that he saw but little more of active service. He was sent far away into the depths of the wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which empties into Green Bay. Here there was but little to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one best could. There were no books, no society, no in— •►Hl^ 6 4 ZACHARY TAYLOR. ^L* tellectual stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful years rolled on Gradually he rose lo the rank of colonel. In the Black-Hawk war, which resulted in the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part. for twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged in the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in employments so obscure, that his name was unknown beyond the limits of his own immediate acquaintance. In the year 1836, he was sent to Florida to compel the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re- tire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty, had promised they should do. The services rendered here secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of the Government; and as a reward, he was elevated to the rank of brigadier-general by brevet; and soon after, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief com- mand of the United States troops in Florida. After two years of such wearisome employment amidst the everglades of the peninsula, Gen. Taylor obtained, at his own request, a change of command, and was stationed over the Department of the South- west. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquarters at Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family to a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue. Here he remained for live years, buried, as it were, from the world, but faithfully discharging every duty imposed upon him. In 1846, (ien. Taylor was sent to guard the land between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the latter river being the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed by the United States. Soon the war with Mexico wis brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the Mexicans. The rank of major-general by brevet was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and Buena Vista in which he won signal victories over forces much larger than he commanded. His careless habits of dress and his unaffected simplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops, the sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready.' Tne tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista spread the wildest enthusiasm over the country. The name of Gen. Taylor was on every one's lips. The Whig party decided to take advantage of this wonder- ful popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un- lettered, honest soldier as their candidate for the Presidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an- nouncement, and for a time would not listen to it; de- 1 luing that he was not at all qualified for such an office. So little interest had he taken in politics that, for forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was not without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen who had been long years in the public service found their claims set aside in behalf of one whose name had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena Vista. It is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste re- marked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made." Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a fine writer His friends took possession of him, and pre- pared such few communications as it was needful should be presented to the public. The popularity of the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri- umphantly elected over two opposing candidates, — Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren. Though he selected an excellent cabinet, the good old man found himself in a very uncongenial position, and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed. His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably tended to hasten his death. The pro-slavery party was pushing its claims with tireless energy, expedi- tions were fitting out to capture Cuba ; California was pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found the political conflicts in Washington to be far more trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or Indians. In the midst of all these troubles, Gen. Taylor, after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of but little over five days, died on the 9th of July, 1850. His last words were, "I am not afraid to die. I am ready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He died universally respected and beloved. An honest, un- pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the affections of the people; and the Nation bitterly la- mented his death. Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful description of his character: — " With a good store of common sense, Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en- larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse- quence. The frontiers and small military posts had been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance. His sim- plicity was child-like, and with innumerable preju- di( es, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable, chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat a little on one side of his head; or an officer to leave a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out- side pocket, — in any such case, this critic held the offender to be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse), whom he would not, to use his oft repeated phrase, 'touch with a pair of tongs.' "Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dil- worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. In short, few men have ever had a more "comfortable, labor- saving contempt for learnirg of every kind." u^oC' jL£6i^ocrtx) -*•• THIRTEENTH PRESIDENT. 67 **+ MILLftRH FILLMDRE. 4- ** « ^ ILLARD FILLMORE, thir- §) teenth President of the United States, was born at Summer Hill, Cayuga Co., X. Y ., on the 7th of January, 1S00. Ills ^^ father was a farmer, and ow- ing to misfortune, in humble cir- cumstances. Of his mother, the daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard, of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been said that she possessed an intellect of very high order, united with much personal loveliness, sweetness of dis- position, graceful manners and ex- quisite sensibilities. She died in 1831 ; having lived to see her son a young man of distinguished prom- ise, though she was not permitted to witness the high dignity which he finally attained. In consequence of the secluded home and limited means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender ad- vantages for education in his early years. The com- mon schools, which he occasionally attended were very imperfect institutions; and books were scarce and expensive. There was nothing then in his char- acter to indicate the brilliant career upon which he was about to enter. He was a plain farmer's boy; intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible, and had laid the foundations of an upright character. When fourteen years of age, his father sent him some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds ol~ Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier. Near the mi 1 there was a small villiage, where some -<• enterprising man had commenced the collection of a village library. This proved an inestimable blessing to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read- ing. Soon every leisure moment was occupied with books. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate; and the selections which he made were continually more elevating and instructive. He read history, biography, oratory , and thus gradually there was en- kindled in his heart a desire to be something more than a mere worker with his hands; and he was be- coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed, educated man. The young clothier had now attained the age of nineteen years, and was of fine personal appearance and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened that there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample pecuniary means and of benevolence, — Judge Walter Wood, — who was struck with the prepossessing ap- pearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaint- ance, and was so much impressed with his abilitj and attainments that he advised him to abandon his trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The young man replied, that he had no means of his own, r.0 friends to help him and that his previous educa- tion had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had so much confidence in him that lie kindly offered to take him into his own offii e, and to loan him such money as he needed. Most gratefully the generous offer was accepted. There is in many minds a strange delusion about a collegiate education. A young man is supposed to be liberally educated if he has gi duated .it some col- lege. But many a boy loiters through university halls snd then enters a law office, who is by no means as f MILLARD FILLMORE. *t well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothing- mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during which every leisure moment had been devoted to in- tense mental culture. In 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he was admitted to the Court_ of Co'iimon Pleas. He then went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region, his practice of course was limited, and there was no opportunity for a sudden rise in fortune or in fame. Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station she might be called to fill, — Miss Abigail Powers. His elevation of character, his untiring industry, his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advocate, gradually attracted attention ; and he was invited to enter into partnership under highly advantageous circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in Buffalo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1829, he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the State of New York, as a representative from Erie County. Though he had never taken a very active part in politics, his vote and his sympathies were with the Whig party. The State was then Democratic, and he found himself in a helpless minority in t he Legislature, still the testimony comes from all parties, that his courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a very unusual degn e the respect of his associates. In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in the United States Congress He entered that troubled irena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our national history. The great conflict respecting the national bank and the removal of the deposits, was then raging. His term of two years closed ; and he returned to his profession, which he pursued with increasing rep- utation and success. After a lapse of two years he again became a candidate for Congress; was re- elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past expe- rience as a representative gave him strength and confidence. The first term of service in Congress to any man can be but little more than an introduction. He was now prepared for active duty. All his ener- gies were brought to bear upon the public good. Every measure received his impress. Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and his popularity filled the State, and in the year 1847, he was elected Comptroller of the State Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con- siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi- dent at the approaching election. Far away, on the waters of the Rio Grande, there was a rough old soldier, who had fought one or two successful battles with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be proclaimed in tiumpet-tones all over the land. But it was necessary to associate with him on the same ticket some man of reputation as a statesman. Under the influence of these considerations, the namesof Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was signally triumphant. On the 4th of March, 1849, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard Fillmore Vice-President, of the United States. On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, but about one year and four months after his inaugura- tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Con- stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi- dent. He appointed a very able cabinet, of which the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State. Mr. Fillmore had very serious difficulties to contend with, since the opposition had a majority in both Houses. He did everything in his power to conciliate the South; but the pro-slavery party in the South felt the inadequacy of all measuresof transient conciliation. The population of the free States was so rapidly in- creasing over that of the slave States that it was in- evitable that the power of th\e Government should soon pass into the hands of the free States. The famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr. Fillmcre's adminstration, and the Japan Expedition was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr. hill- more, having served one term, retired. In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres- idency by the " Know Nothing " party, but was beaten by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war, he was mostly silent. It was generally supposed that his sympathies were rather with those who were en- deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any cordial words of cheer to the one party or the other. He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe old age, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March S, 1874. •<- FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT. 7i ^B#- ^FRANKLIN FIEREE^ -^tf 1 RANKLIN PIERCE, the fourteenth President of the ' L'nited States, was born in Hillsborough, N. H., Nov. 23, 1804. His father was a Revolutionary soldier, who, with his own strong arm, hewed out a home in the wilderness. He was a man of inflexible integrity; of strong, though uncultivated mind, and an uncompromis- ing Democrat. The mother of Franklin Pierce was all that a son could desire, — an intelligent, pru- dent, affectionate, Christian wom- an. Franklin was the sixth of eight children. Franklin was a very bright and handsome boy, gen- erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the love of old and young. The boys on the play ground loved him. His teachers loved him. The neighbors looked upon him with pride and affection. He was by instinct a gentleman; always speaking kind words, doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact which taught him what was agreeable. Without de- veloping any precocity of genius, or any unnatural devotion to books, he was a good scholar; in body, in mind, in affections, a finely-developed boy. When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820, he entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me He was one of the most popular young men in the college. The purity of his moral character, the unvarying courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, and < • genial nature, rendered him a universal favorite. There was something very peculiarly winning in his address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de- gree studied: it was the simple outgushing of his own magnanimous and loving nature. Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierce commenced the study of law in the office of Judge Woodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers of the State, and a man of great private worth. The eminent social qualities of the young lawyer, his father's prominence as a public man, and the brilliant political career into which Judge Woodbury was en- tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci- nating yet perilous path of political life. With all the ardor of his nature he espoused the cause of Gen. Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced the practice of law in Hillsborough, and was soon elected to represent the town in the State Legislature. Here he served for four yeais. The last two years he was chosen speaker of the house by a very large vote. In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected a member of Congress. Without taking an active part in debates, he was faithful and laborious in duty, and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom lie was associatad. In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of age, he was elected to the Senate of the United States; taking his seat just :is Mr. Van Buren commenced his administration. He was the youngest member in the Senate. In the year 1834, he married Miss Jane Means Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom- plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every station with winch her husband was honoicd. Of the ■ '► •►Hf^ "•► 72 FRANKLIN PIERCE. 4 three sons who were born to them, all now sleep with their parents in the grave. In the year 1S38, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States; but the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous professional engagements at home, and the precariuos state of Mrs. Pierce's health. He also, about the same time declined the nomination for governor by the Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr. Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847. He took an important part in this war, proving him- self a brave and true soldier. When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo- cates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his oppo- nents. He resumed the practice of his profession, very frequently taking an active part in political ques- tions, giving his cordial support to the pro-slavery wing of the Democratic party. The compromise measures met cordially with his approval; and he strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa- mous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious sensibilities of the North. He thus became distin- guished as a "Northern man with Southern principles.'' The strong partisans of slavery in the South conse- quently regarded him as a man whom they could safely trust in office to carry out their plans. On the 1 2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven- tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the Presidency. For four days they continued in session, and in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained a two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown for Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation brought forward his name. There were fourteen more ballotings, during which Gen. Pierce constantly gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he received two hundred and eighty-two votes, and all other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with great unanimity. Only four States — Vermont, Mas- sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their electoral votes against him Gen. Franklin Pieice was therefore inaugurated President of the United States on the 4th of March, 1853. His administration proved one of the most stormy our country had ever experienced. The controversy be- tween slavery and freedom was then approaching its culminating point. It became evident that there was an " irrepressible conflict " between them, and that this Nation could not long exist " half slave and- half free." President Pierce, during the whole of his ad- ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate the South; but it was all in vain. The conflict every year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution of the Union were borne to the North on every South- ern breeze. Such was the condition of affairs when President Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term of office. The North had become thoroughly alien- ated from him. The anti-slavery sentiment, goaded by great outrages, had been rapidly increasing; all the intellectual ability and social worth of President Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad- ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also, unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advo- cated those measures of Government which they ap- ' proved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he had rendered himself so unpopular as no longer to be able acceptably to serve them, ungratefully dropped him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him. On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce re- tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, two had died, and his only surviving child had been killed before his eyes by a railroad accident ; and his wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption. The hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left alone in the world, without wife or child. When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di- vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr. Pierce remained steadfast in the principles which he had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to that pro-slavery party with which he had ever been allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov- ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until the time of his death, which occurred in October, 1869. He was one of the most genial and social of men, an honored communicant of the Episcopal Church, and o:ie of the kindest of neighbors. Gen- erous to a fault, he contributed liberally for the al- leviation of suffering and want, and many of his towns- people were often gladened by his material bounty. •»- tl^Tz^J (2^7u^ -&Z^Z^??// : JU FIFTEENTH PRESIDENT. 75 »>» ^V:-V-a'.-.,'.^.,'.-.,V^i' , .,' t -..' l , .' l •. V. .'•'•. ^*y v± .".' : v : v :,<:,< / .■ .- v : •> .• ,'..* , ',* v .•■i'..-i i .-i'..- 1' : i'.: ■'..-i i : i' ; i' .- ■■ :,<:,*. ..'■■•.. '■••■.' t -..V'..'i". -t *.,■■ ?-§> 1 V J — m>— 4 AMES BUCHANAN, the fif- teenth President of the United States, was born in a small frontier town, at the foot of the eastern ridge of the Allegha- nies, in Franklin Co., Penn.,on ■S> the 23d of April, 1 7 9 1. The place where the humble cabin of his father stood was called Stony Batter. It was a wild and ro- mantic spot in a gorge of the moun- tains, with towering summits rising grandly all around. His father was a native of the north of Ireland ; a poor man, who had emigrated in 1783, with little property save his own strong arms. Five years afterwards he married Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of a respectable farmer, and, with his young bride, plunged into the wilder- ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per- form his obscure part in the drama of life. In this se- cluded home, where James was born, he remained for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual advantages. When James was eight years of age, his father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where his son was placed at school, and commenced a course of study in English, Latin and Greek. His progress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle. Here he de- veloped remarkable talent, and took his stand among the first scholars in the institution. His application to study was intense, and yet his native powers en- abled him to master the most abstruse subjects with facility. In the year 1S09, he graduated with the highest honors of his class. He was then eighteen years of age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster, and was admitted to tlie bar in 181 2, when he was but twenty-one years of age. Very rapidly he rose in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand with the ablest lawyers of the State. When but twenty-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- cessfully defended before the State Senate 01 e of the judges of the State, who was tried upon article oi impeachment. At the age of thirty it was generally admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; and there was no lawyer in the State who had a more lu- crative practice. In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for ten years he remained a member of the Lower House. During the vacations of Congress, he occasionally tried some important case. In 1831, he retired altogether from the toils of his profession, having ac- quired an ample fortune. Gen. lackson, upon his elevation to the Presidem j , appointed Mr. Bu< hanan minister to Russia. The duties of his mission he performed with ability, which gave satisfaction to all parties. Upon his return, in 1833, lie was elected in a seat in the United States Senate. He there met, as his associates, Webster, Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He advocated the meas- ures proposed by President Jackson, of making repri- ' •» •►41^ 7 6 JAMES BUCHANAN. sals against France, to enforce the payment of our claims against that country ; and defended the course of the President in his unprecedented and wholesale removal from office of those who were not the sup- porters of his administration. Upon this question he was brought into direct collision with Henry Clay. He also, with voice and vote, advocated expunging from the journal of the Senate the vote of censure against Gen. Jackson for removing the deposits. Earnestly he opposed the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, and urged the prohibition of the circulation of anti-slavery documents bv the United States mails. As to petitions on the subject of slavery, he advo- cated that they should be respectfully received; and that the reply should be returned, that Congress had no power to legislate upon the subject. " Congress," said he, " might as well undertake to interfere with slavery under a foreign government as in any of the States where it now exists." Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, Mr. Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such, took his share of the responsibility in the conduct of the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that crossing the Nueces by the American troops into the disputed territory was not wrong, but for the Mexicans to cross the Rio Grande into that territory was a declaration of war. No candid man can read with pleasure the account of the course our Government pursued in that movement Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly with the party devoted to the perpetuation and extension of slavery, and brought all the energies of his mind to bear against the Wilmot Proviso. He gave his cordial approval to the compromise measures of 1050, which included the fugitive-slave law. Mr. Pierce, upon his election to the Presidency, honored Mr. Buchanan witli the mission to England. In the year 1856, a national Democratic conven- tion nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. The political conflict was one of the most severe in which our country has ever engaged. All the friends of slavery were on one side; all the advocates of its re- striction and final abolition, on the other. Mr. Fre- mont, the candidate of the enemies of slavery, re- ceived 114 electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received 174, and was elected. The popular vote stood 1,340,618, for Fremont, 1,224,750 for Buchanan. On March 4th, 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated. Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four years were wanting to fill up his threescore years and ten. His own friends, those with whom he had been allied in political principles and action for years, were seeking the destruction of the Government, that they might rear upon the ruins of our free institutions a nation whose corner-stone should be human slavery. [n this emergency, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly be- wildered He could not, with his long-avowed prin- ts ciples, consistently oppose the State-rights party in their assumptions. As President of the United States, bound by his oath faithfully to administer the laws. he could not, without perjury of the grossest kind, unite with those endeavoring to overthrow the repub- lic. He therefore did nothing. The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administration nominated Abraham Lincoln as their standard bearer in the next Presidential canvass. The pro-slavery party declared, that if he were elected, and the con- trol of the Government were thus taken from their hands, they would secede from the Union, taking with them, as they retired, the National Capitol at Washington, and the lion's share of the territory of the United States. Mr. Buchanan's sympathy with the pro-slavery party was such, that he had been willing to offer them far more than they had ventured to claim. All the South had professed to ask of the North was non- intervention upon the subject of slavery. Mr. Bu- chanan had been ready to offer them the active co- operation of the Government to defend and extend the institution. As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholders claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avow- ing that Congress had no power to prevent it, one of the most pitiable exhibitions of governmental im- becility was exhibited the world has ever seen. He declared that Congress had no power to enforce its laws in any State which had withdrawn, or which was attempting to withdraw from the Union. This was not the doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, with his hand upon his sword-hilt, he exclaimed. " The Union must and shall be preserved!" South Carolina seceded in December, 1S60; nearly three months before the inauguration of President Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless despair. The rebel flag was raised in Charleston: Fort Sumpter was besieged; our forts, navy-yards and arsenals were seized; our depots of military stores were plun- dered ; and our custom-houses and post-offices were appropriated by the rebels. The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of our Executive, were alike marvelous. The Nation looked on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to glide away, and close the administration, so terrible in its weak- ness At length the long-looked-for hour of deliver- ance came, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive the scepter. The administration of President Buchanan was certainly the most calamitous our country has ex- perienced. His best friends cannot recall it with pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his fame, that in that dreadful conflict which rolled its billows of flame and blood over our whole land, no word came from his lips to indicate his wish that our country's banner should triumph over the flag of the rebellion. He died at his Wheatland retreat, June 1, 1868. fa <^ G^^^^T^ h ■++ SIXTEENTH PRESIDENT. 4- 3IS3S38I3' ABRAHAM , LINCOLN, ^ r BRAHAM LINCOLN, the sixteenth President of the United States, was born in Hardin Co., Ky., Feb. 12, 1809. About the year 1780, a man by the name of Abraham Lincoln left Virginia with his family and moved into the then wilds of Kentucky. Only two years after this emigration, still a young man, while working one day in a field, was stealthily approached by an Indian and shot dead. His widow was left in extreme poverty with five little children, three boys and two girls. Thomas, the youngest of the )oys, was four years of age at his father's death. This Thomas was the father of Abraham Lincoln, the President of the United States whose name must henceforth forever be enrolled with the most prominent in the annals of our world. Of course no record has been kept of the life of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among the poorest of the poor. His home was a wretched log-cabin; his food the coarsest and the meanest. Education he had none; he could never either read or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for himself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his starving mother, and push nut into the world, a friend- less, wandering boy, seeking work. He hired him- self out, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a laborer in the fields of others. When twenty-eight years of age he built a log- cabin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the daughter of another family of poor Kentucky emi- grants, who had also come from Virginia. Their second child was Abraham Lincoln, the subject of this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created to adorn a palace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel. "All that I am, or hope to be," exclaims the grate- ful son "I owe to my angel-mother. When he was eight years of age, his father sold his 4* cabin and small farm, and moved to Indiana. Where two years later his mother died. Abraham soon became the scribe of the uneducated community around him. He could not have had a better school than this to teach him to put thoughts into words. He also became an eager reader. The books he could obtain were few ; but these he read and re-read until they were almost committed to memory. As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly family was the usual lot of humanity. There were joys and griefs, weddings and funerals. Abraham's sister Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mar- ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, and soon died. The family was gradually scattered. Mr. Thomas Lincoln sold out his squatter's claim in 1830, and emigrated to Macon Co., 111. Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age. With vigorous hands he aideil his father in rearing another log-cabin. Abraham worked diligently at this until he saw the family comfortably settled, and their small lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, when he announced to his father his intention to leave home, and to go out into the world and seek his fir- tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril- liant that fortune was to be. He saw the value of education and was intensely earnest to improve his mind to the utmost of his power, He saw the ruin which ardent spirits were causing, and bei ame strictly temperate; refusing to allow a drop of intoxi- cating liquor to pass his lips. And he had read in Cod's word, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Ix)rd thy Cod in vain;" and a profane expression he was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. His morals were pure, and he was uncontaminated by a single vice. Young Abraham worked for a time as a hired laborer among the farmers. Then he went to Springfield. where he was employed in building a large flat-boat. In this he took a herd of swine, floated them down the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mis- sissippi to New Orleans. Whatever Abraham Lin- coln undertook, he performed so faithfully as to give great satisfaction to his employers. In this adven- ■•* 8o ^ ABRAHAM LINCOLN. I con f Th tare his employers were so well pleased, that upon his return tney placed a store and mill under his care. In 1832, at the outbreak, of the Black Hawk war, he enlisted and was chosen captain of a company. He returned to Sangamon County, and although only 23 years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew l.ickson the appointment of Postmaster of New Salem, His only post-office was his hat. All the letters he received he carried there ready to deliver to those he chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and soon made this his business. In 1834 he again became a candidate for the Legislature, and was elected Mr. Stuart, of Springfield, advised him to study law. He walked from New Salem to Springfield, borrowed of Mr. Stuart a load of books, carried them back and began his legal studies. When the Legislature as- sembled he trudged on foot with his pack on his back o.ie hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In r836 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here it was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he re- moved to Springfield and began the practice of law. His success with the jury was so great that he was soon engaged in almost every noted case in the circuit. In 1854 I he great discussion began between Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, on the slavery question. In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois, in 1S56, he took an active part, and at once became one of the leaders in that party. Mr. Lincoln's speeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the con- test in 1858 for a seat in the Senate, form a most notable part of his history. .The issue was on the slavery question, and lie look the broad ground of .lie Declaration of Independence, that all men are created equal. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this con- test, but won a far higher prize. The great Republican Convention met at Chicago on the r6th of June, i860. The delegates and strangers who crowded the city amounted to twenty- five thousand. An immense building called "The Wigwam," was reared to accommodate the Conven- tion. There were eleven candidates for whom votes were thrown. William H Seward, a man whose fame as a statesman had long filled the land, was the most nrominent. It was generally supposed he would be the nominee. Abraham Lincoln, however, received the nomination on the third ballot. Little did he then dream of the weary years of toil and care, and the bloody death, to which that nomination doomed him: and as little did he dream that he was to render services to his country, which would fix upon him the eyes of the whole civilized world, and which would give him a place in the affections of his countrymen, second only, if second, to that of Washington. Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received 180 electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore, constitutionally elected President of the United States. The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this good and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was greater than upon any other man ever elected to this high position. In February, 1861, Mr. Lincoln started for Washington, stopping in all the large cities on his way making speeches. The whole journey was frought with much danger. Many of the Southern States had already seceded, and several attempts at assassination were afterwards brought to light. A gang in Balti- more had arranged, upon his arrival to" get up a row," and in the contusion to make sure of his death with revolvers and hand-grenades. A detective unravelled the plot. A secret and special train was provided to take him from HarrisL'urg, through Baltimore, at an unexpected hour of the night. The train statted at half-past ten ; and to prevent at.y possible communi- cation on the part ot the Secessionists with their Con- federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train had started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincoln reached Washington in safety and was inaugurated, although great anxiety was felt by all loyal people. In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave to Mr. Seward the Department of State, and to other prominent opponents before the convention he gave important positions. During no other administration have the duties devolving upon the President been so manifold, and the responsibilities so great, as those which fell to the lot of President Lincoln. Knowing this, and feeling his own weakness and inability to meet, and in his own strength to cope with, the difficulties, he learned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidance in determining his plans, and Divine comfort in all his trials, bo*h personal and national Contrary to his own estimate of himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the most courageous of men. He went directly into the rebel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving, with no guard but a few sailors. From the time he had left Springfield, in 1861, however, plans had been made fir his assassination, and he at last fell a victim to oneof them. April 14, 1865, he, with Gen. Grant, was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It was announced that they would be present. Gen. Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feel- ing, witli his characteristic kindliness of heart, that it would be a disappointment if he should fail them, very reluctantly consented to go. While listening to the play an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth entered the box where the President and family were seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the next morning at seven o'clock. Never before, in the history of the world was a nation plunged into such deep grief by the death of its ruler. Strong men met in the streets and wept in speechless anguish. It is not too much to say that a nation was in tears. His was a life which will fitly become a model. His name as the savior of his country will live with that of Washington's, ils father; his country- men being unable to decide which is the greater. -+ i £-Oo*~ r 4&>7l^ u SE VENTEENTH PRESIDENT. 83 i V^^vITi' 1 --/® T NDREW JOHNSON, seven- teenth President of the United States. The early life of Andrew Johnson contains but the record of poverty, destitu- tion and friendlessness. He was born December 29, 1808, in Raleigh, N. C. His parents, belonging to the class of the "poor whites " of the South, were in such circumstances, that they could not confer even the slight- est advantages of education upon their child. When Andrew was five years of age, his father accidentally lost his life while herorically endeavoring to save a friend from drowning. Until ten years of age, Andrew was a ragged boy about the streets, supported by the labor of his mother, who obtained her living with her own hands. He then, having never attended a school one day, and being unable either to read or write, was ap- prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion- ally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often read from the speeches of distinguished British states- men. Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of more than ordinary native ability, became much interested in these speeches ; his ambition was roused, and he was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read. He accordingly applied himself to the alphabet, and with the assistance of some of his fellow- workmen, learned his letters. He then called upon the gentle- man to borrow the book of speeches. The owner, pleased with his zeal, not only gave him the book, but assisted him in learning to combine the letters into words. Under such difficulties he pressed on- ward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hours at work in the shop, and then robbing himself of rest and recreation to devote such time as he could to reading. He went to Tennessee in 1826, and located at Greenville, where he married a young lady who pos- sessed some education. Under her instructions he learned to write and cipher. He became prominent in the village debating society, and a favorite with the students of Greenville College. In 1828, he or- ganized a working man's party, which elected him alderman, and in 1830 elected him mayor, which position he held three years. He now began to take a lively interest in political affairs; identifying himself with the working-classes, to which he belonged. In 1835, he was elected a member of the House of Representatives of Tennes- see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age. He became a very active member of the legislature, gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in 1 S40 " stumped the State," advocating Martin Van Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opposition to those of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired much readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased his reputation. In 1841, he was elected State Senator; in 1843, he was elected a member of Congress, and by successive elections, held that important post for ten years. In 1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and was re-elected in 1855. In all these res]>onsible posi- tions, he discharged his duties with distinguished abil- J= -*■ 1 84 ANDREW JOHNSON. *HJb«? ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the work- ing classes. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected United States Senator. Years before, in 1845, he had warmly advocated the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his reason, that he thought this annexation would prob- ably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sable sons of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom, and become merged in a population congenial to themselves." In 1850, he also supported the com- promise measures, the two essential features of which were, that the white people of the Territories should be permitted to decide for themselves whether they would enslave the colored people or not, and that the free States of the North should return to the South persons who attempted to escape from slavery. Mr. Johnson was never ashamed of his lowly origin: on the contrary, he often took pride in avowing that he owed his distinction to his own exertions. "Sir," said he on the floor of. the Senate, " I do not forget that I am a mechanic ; neither do I forget that Adam was a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Sav- ior was the son of a carpenter." In the Charleston- Baltimore convention of 1800, ne was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the Presidency. In 186 1, when the purpose of the South- ern Democracy became apparent, he took a decided stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap- pointed him Military Governor of the State, and he established the most stringent military rule. His numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In 1864, he was elected Vice-President of the United States, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15, 1865, became President. In a speech two days later he said, " The American people must be taught, if fhey do not already feel, that treason is a crime and must be punished; that the Government will not always bear with its enemies ; that it is strong not only to protect, but to punish. * * The people must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole administration, the history of which is so well known, was in utter inconsistency with, and the most violent opposition to. the principles laid down in that speech. In his loose policy of reconstruction and general amnesty, he was opposed by Congress ; and he char- acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly defied it, in everything possible, to the utmost. In the beginning of 1868, on account of "high crimes and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten- ure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were pre- ferred against him, and the trial began March 23. It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three months. A test article of the impeachment was at length submitted to the court for its action. It was certain that as the court voted upon that article so would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces- sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac- quitted, notwithstanding the great majority against him. The change of one vote from the not guilty side would have sustained the impeachment. The President, for the remainder of his term, was but little regarded. He continued, though impotent';- his conflict with Congress. His own party did not think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi- dency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar- alleled since the day s of Washington, around the name of Gen. Grant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten. The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was there presented to a man a better opportunity to im- mortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home in Greenville, Tenn., taking no very active part in politics until 1875. On Jan. 26, after an exciting struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten- nessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Con- gress, and took his seat in that body, at the special session convened by President Grant, on the 5th of March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-President made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was apparently in his usual vigorous health, but on reach- ing the residence of his child the following day, was stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious. He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at 2 a.m., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun- eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August, with every demonstration of respect. "T -?~ a>- ^7 EIGHTEENTH PRESIDENT. ^► ^ 1 1 < • 87 I LYSSES S. GRANT, the eighteenth President of the j* United States, was born on the 29th of April, 1S22, of Christian parents, in a humble home, at Point Pleasant, on the banks of the Ohio. Shortly after his father moved to George town, Brown Co., O. In this re mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses received a common-school edu- cation. At the age of seven- teen, in the year 1839, he entered the Military Academy at West Point. Here he was regarded as a solid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of sturdy, honest character. He took respectable rank as a scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated, about the middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of in- fantry to one of the distant military posts in the Mis- souri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating Indians. The war with Mexico came. Lieut. Grant was sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His first battle was at Palo Alto. There was no chance here for the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor at Resacade la Palma, his second battle. At the battle of Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that he performed a signal service of daring and skillful horsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am- munition. A messenger must be sent for more, along a route exposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut. Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians, grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging upon one side of the aniroa.1, ran the gauntlet in entire safety. From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry, to aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. In preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the battle of' Molino del Rey, he was promoted to a first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha- pultepec. At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re- turned with his regiment to New York, and was again sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The discovery of gold in California causing an immense tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt. Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im- migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt. Grant resigned his commission and returned to t lie States; and having married, entered upon the cultiva- tion of a small farm near St. Louis, Mo. He had but little skill as a farmer. Finding his toil not re- munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into the leather business, with a younger brother, at Ga- lena, 111. This was in the year i860. As the tidings of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, lie said, — "Uncle Sam has educated me for the army; though I have served him through one war, I do not feel that I have yet repaid the debt. 1 am still ready to discharge my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my sword and see Uncle Sam through this wartoo." He went into the streets, raised a company of vol- unteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield, the capital of the State, where their services were offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt. Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the volunteer organization that was being formed in the State in behalf of the Government. On the 15th of *H^ 88 UL YSSES S. GRA NT. » ifcj * June, 1861, Capt. Grant received a commission as Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol- unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who had served for 15 years in the regular army, were such ihat he was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier- General and was placed in command at Cairo. The rebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap- peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. The rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and stripes were unfurled in its stead. He entered the service with great determination and immediately began active duty. This was the be- ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond he was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor and effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he sur- prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was immediately made a Major-General, and the military district of Tennessee was assigned to him. Like all great captains, Gen. Grant knew well how to secure the results of victory. He immediately pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can- non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered, and opened up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. Gen. Grant was next ordered to co-operate with Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown from his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he was laid up for months. He then rushed to the aid of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas at Chattanooga, and by a wonderful series of strategic and technical meas- ures put the Union Army in fighting condition. Then followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels were routed with great loss. This won for him un- bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru- ary, 1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant- general, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant. He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials and enter upon the duties of his new office. Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of the army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National troops for an attack upon Richmond, the nominal capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to de- stroy the rebel armies which would be promptly as- sembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole continent seemed to tremble under the tramp of these majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field. Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains were burdened with closely packed thousands. His plans were comprehensive and involved a series of campaigns, which were executed with remarkable en- ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur- render of Lee, April 9, 1865. The war was ended. The Union was saved. The almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen. Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its sal- vation. The eminent services he had thus rendered the country brought him conspicuously forward as the Republican candidate for the Presidential chair. At the Republican Convention held at Chicago, May 21, 1868, he was unanimously nominated for the Presidency, and at the autumn election received a majority of the popular vote, and 214 out of 294 electoral votes. The National Convention of the Republican party which met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, r872, placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second term by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati- cally indorsed by the people five months later, 292 electoral votes being cast for him. Soon after the close of his second term, Gen. Grant started upon his famous trip around the world. He visited almost every country of the civilized world, and was everywhere received with such ovations and demonstrations of respect and honor, private as well as public and official, as were never before bestowed upon any citizen of the United States. He was the most prominent candidate before the Republican National Convention in 1880 for a re- nomination for President. He went to New York and embarked in the brokerage business under the firm nameof Grant & Ward. The latter proved a villain, wrecked Grant's fortune, and for larceny was sent to the penitentiary. The General was attacked with cancer in the throat, but suffered in his stoic-like manner, never complaining. He was re-instated as General of the Army and retired by Congress. The cancer soon finished its deadly work, and July 23, 1885, the nation went in mourning over the death of the illustrious General. t O is^gj^Sko IT* 1 JU NINETEENTH PRESIDENT. 9« Z I '.», ■,.'r,.'r. | l ",. v,. | l i, .iv:.w l ".w l ",. | i',. | i '. •: ■'.' .' .' : ■' . ■ ■.•■'■'•.' ■••i'ggi | ^i«^» t ^i'^ t ^i' : .' . j ra RUTHERIORD B % KA,Y'ES, fji UTHERFORD B. HAYES, >) the nineteenth President of the United States, was born in Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al- most three months after the death of his father, Rutherford Hayes. His ancestry on both the paternal and maternal sides, was of the most honorable char- acter. It can be traced, it is said, as far back as r28o, when Hayes and Rutherford were two Scottish chief- tains, fighting side by side with Baliol, William Wallace and Robert Bruce. Both families belonged to the nobility, owned extensive estates, and had a large following. Misfor- tune overtaking the family, George Hayes left Scot- land in 16S0, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son George was born in Windsor, and remained there during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar- ried Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of his mar- riage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel, son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufac- turer of scythes at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, son of Ezekiel and grandfather of President Hayes, was born in New Haven, in August, 1756. He was a farmer, blacksmith and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to Vermont at an unknown date, settling in Hrattleboro, where he established a hotel. Here his son Ruth- erford Hayes the father of President Hayes, was -4*- born. He was married, in September, 18 13, to Sophia Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi- grated thither from Connecticut, they having been among the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich. Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to 1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers in the Revolutionary War. The father of President Hayes was an industrious, frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me- chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stock- ing, or do almost anything else that he choose to undertake. He was a member of the Church, active in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con- ducted his business on Christian principles. After the close of the war of 181 2, for reasons inexplicable to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio. The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day, when there were no canals, steamers, nor railways, was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes deter- mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial fever, less than three months before the birth of the son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be- reavement, found the support she so much needed in her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the household from the day of its departure from Ver- mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted some time before as an act of charity. Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the tie I -•fr 92 lil'TllERFORD B. HAYES. 4* subject of this sketch was so feeble at birth that he was not expected to live beyond a month or two at most. As the..months went by he grew weaker and weaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of in- quiring from time to time " if Mrs. Hayes' baby died last night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on familiar terms with the family, after alluding to the boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of him, said in a bantering way, " That's right! Stick to him. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn't wonder if he would really come to something yet." " You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. "You wait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him President of the United States yet." The boy lived, in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy death; and when, in 1S25, his older brother was drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his mother. The boy was seven years old before he went to school. His education, however, was not neglected. He probably learned as much from his mother and sister as he would have done at school. His sports were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being his sister and her associates. These circumstances tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of dispo- sition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings of others, which are marked traits of his character. His uncle Sardis Birchard took the deepest interest in his education; and as the boy's health had im- proved, and he was making good progress in his studies, he proposed to send him to college. His pre- paration commenced with a tutor at home; but he was afterwards sent for one year to a professor in the Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en- tered Kenyon College in 1838, at the age of sixteen, and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842. Immediately after his graduation he began the study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow, Esq., in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he re- mained two years. In 1 845, after graduating at the Law School, he was admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re- mained three years, acquiring but a limited practice, and apparently unambitious of distinction in his pro- fession. In 1849 he moved to Cincinnati, where his ambi- tion found a new stimulus. For several years, how- ever, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at this period, had a powerful influence upon his subse- quent life. One of these was his marrage with Miss Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of Chilicothe; the other was his introduction to the Cin- cinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its members such men as^hief justice Salmon P.Chase, Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many others hardly less distinguished in afterlife. The marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as even body knows. Not one of all the wives of our Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did in' ire than she to reflect honor upon American woman- hood. The Literary Cluu brought Mr. Hayes into constant association with young men of high char- acter and noble aims, and lured him to display the qualities so long hidden by his bashfulness and modesty. In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to ac- cept the nomination. Two years later, the office of city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Council elected him for the unexpired term. In 1S61, when the Rebellion broke out, he was at the zenith of his professional life. His rank at the bar was among the the first. But the news of the attack on Fort Sunipter found him eager to take up arms for the defense of his country. His military record was bright aid illustrious. In October, 186 1, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and in August, 1862, promoted Colonel of the 79th Ohio regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, he was made Colonel oi his old regiment. At the battle of South Mountain he received a wound, and while faint and bleeding displayed courage and fortitude that won admiration from all. Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and placed in command of the celebrated Kanawha division, and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted Major-General, "forgallant and distil guished services during the campaigns of 1804, in West Virginia." In the course of his arduous services, four horses were shot from under him, and he was wounded four times. In rS64, Gen. Hayes waselected to Congress, from the Second Ohio District, which had long been Dem- ocratic. He was not present during the campaign, and after his election was importuned to resign his commission in the army ; but he finally declared, " I shall never come to Washington until I can come by the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1S66. 1. 1867, Gen Hayes \v is elected Governor of ( mio, over Hon. Allen G. Thurman, a popular Democrat. In 1869 was re-elected over George H. Pendleton. He was elected Governor for the third term in 1875. In 1S76 he was the standard bearer of the Repub- lican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a hi d long contest was chosen President, and was in ancjurated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his full term, not, hewever, with satisfaction to his party, but his admi nitration was an average on.= -*=•: 4 *-»-«- TWENTIETH rHESIHENT. 95 ^^//*\\L^ ^ I MIE'S^ A... ^ARFIEM). | *$::s<^::s«>s;s*s:;i^£;:j* AMES A. GARi'TELD, twen- tieth President of the United States, was born Nov. 19, 1831, in the woods of Orange, Cuyahoga Co., O His par- ents were Abram and Eliza (Ballou) Garfield, both of New England ancestry and from fami- lies well known in the early his- tory of that section of our coun- try, but had moved to the Western Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle- ment. The house in which James A. was born was not unlike the houses of poor Ohio farmers of that day. It . ds about 20x30 feet, built of logs, with the spaces be- .ween the logs filled with clay. His father was a aid working farmer, and he soon had his fields deared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built, the household comprised the father and mother and iheir four children — Mehetabel, Thomas, Mary and James. In May, 1823, the father, from a cold con- tracted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. At •his time James was about eighteen months old, and [Tiomas, about ten years-old. No one, perhaps, can tell how much James was indebted t' > his biothers mil and self-sacrifice during the twenty years suc- ceeding his father's death, but undoubtedly very much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two os- iers live in Solon, O., near their birthplace. The early educational advantages young Garfield enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of them. He labored at farm work for others, did car- penter work, chopped wood, or .lid anything thai would bring in a few dollars to aid his widowed mother in he' struggles to keep the little family to- gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of hi? origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug- gling childhood, youth and manhood, neither did they ever forget him. When in the highest seatsof honor, the humblest fiiend of his boyhood was as kindly- greeted as ever. The poorest laborer was sureof the sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, plain, modest gentleman. The highest ambition of young Garfield until he was about sixteen years old was to be a captain of a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious to go aboard a vessel, whi( h his mother strongly opposed. She finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with the understanding, however, that he should try to obtain some other kind of employment. He walked all the way to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the city. After making many applications for work, and trying to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with success, lie engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsylvania Canal. Here- mained at this work but a short time when he went home, and attended the seminary at Chester for about three years, when he entered Hiram and the Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in the meantime, and doing other work. This school was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1S50, of which church he wis then a member. He became janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his way. He then became both teacher and pupil. He soon "exhausted Hiram "and needed more; hence, in the fill of 1854, heenteied Williams < lollege, from which he graduated in [856J taking one of the highest hon- ors of his class, lb- afterwards returned to Hiram College as its President. As above slated, he early- united with the Christian or Diciples Church at ii and was ever after a devoted, zealous mem- often preaching in its pulpit and places where he happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, President of Vale College, says of him in reference to his religion: r g6 JAMES A. GARFIELD. 4- f " President Garfield was more than a man of strong moral and religious convictions. His whole history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to man and to God, and devotion to Christ and life and faith and spiritual commission were controlling springs of his being, and to a more than usual degree. In my judgment there is no more interesting feature of his character than his loyal allegiance to the body of Christians in which he was trained, and the fervent sympathy which he ever showed in their Christian communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty and noble who are called' show a similar loyalty to the less stately and cultured Christian communions in which they have been reared. Too often it is true that as they Step upward in social and political sig- nificance they step upward from one degree to another in some of the many types of fashionable Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the church of his mother, the church in which he was trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec- larian charity for all 'who love our Lord in sincerity.'" Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. rr, 1858, who proved herself worthy as the wife of one whom all the world loved and mourned. To them were born seven children, five of whom are still living, four boys and one girl. Mr. Garfield made his first politicalspeeches in 1S56, in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three years later he began to speak at county mass T meet- ings, and became the favorite speaker wherever he was. During this year he was elected to the Ohio Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland, and in r86r was admitted to the bar. The great Rebellion broke out in the early part of this year, and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he had talked, and enlisted to defend the old flag. He re- ceived his commission as Lieut. -Colonel of the Forty- second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug. 14, 1861. He was immediately put into active ser- vice, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in action, was placed in command of four regiments of infantry and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the work of driving out of his native State the officer (Humphrey Marshall) reputed to be the ablest of those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed- ily accomplished, although against great odds. Pres- ident Lincoln, on his success commissioned him Brigadier-General, Jan. 10, 1862; and as "he had been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years before, so now he was the youngest General in the army." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh, in its operations around Corinth and its march through Alabama. He was then detailed as a member of the General Court-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John Porter. He was then ordered to report to Gen. Rose- crans, and was assigned to the "Chief of Staff." The military history of Gen. Garfield closed with his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he won the stars of the Major-General. Without an effort on his part Gen. Garfield was elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio had been represented in Congress for sixty years mainly by two men — Elisha Whittlesey and Joshua R. Giddings. It was not without a struggle that he resigned his place in the army. At the time he en- tered Congress he was the youngest member in that body. There he remained by successive re- elections until he was elected President in 1880. Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Since the year 1864 you cannot think of a question which lias been debated in Congress, or discussed before a tribunel of the American people, in regard to which you will not find, if you wish instruction, the argu- ment on one side stated, in almost every instance better than by anybody else, in some speech made in the House of Representatives or on the hustings by Mr. Garfield." Upon Jan. 14, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elected to the U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of the same year, was nominated as the candidate of his party for President at the great Chicago Convention. He was elected in the following November, and on March 4, 1881, was inaugurated. Probably no ad- ministration ever opened its existence under brighter auspices than that of President Garfield, and every day it grew in favor with the people, and by the first of July he had completed all the initiatory and pre- liminary work of his administration and was prepar- ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams College. While on his way and at the depot, in com- pany with Secretary Blaine, a man stepped behind him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back. The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the left coat sleeve of his victim, but inflicting nofurlhei injury. It has been very truthfully said that this was " the shot that was heard round the world " Never before in the history of the Nation had anything oc- curred which so nearly froze the blood of the people for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit- ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and was at the summit of his power and hope. Foreighty days, all during the hot months of July and August, he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent bearing was teaching the country and the world the noblest of human lessons — how to live grandly in the very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpass- ingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept 19, 1883, at Elberon, N. J , on the very bank of the ocean, where he had been taken shortly previous. The world wept at his death, as it never had done on the death of any other man who had ever lived upon it. The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe- cuted, in one year after he committed the foul deed. t *Tr^ TWENTY-FIRST PRESIDENT. 99 , , 1^ • t^f^ 9 ^^^^-^^ ':M HESTER A. ARTHUR, twenty-first Presi^-m of the United States, was born in Franklin Courty, Vermont, on thenfthof Oc'ober, 1S30, and is the oldest of a family of two sons and five daughters. His father was the Rev. Dr. William Arthur, a Baptist d'.rgy man, who emigrated to tb'.s country fro r n the county Antrim, Ireland, in his 1 8th year, and died in 1875, in Newtonville, neai Albany, after a long and successful ministry. Young Arthur was educated at Union College, S( henectady, where he excelled in all his studies. Af- ter his graduation he taught school in Vermont for two years, and at the expiration of that time came to New York, with $500 in his pocket, and entered the office of ex-Judge E. D. Culver as student. After being admitted to the bar he formed a partnership with his intimate friend and room-mate, Henry D. Gardiner, with the intention of practicing in the West, and for three months they roamed about in the Western States in search of an eligible site, but in the end returned to New York, where they hung out their shingle, and entered upon a success- ful career almost from the start. General Arthur soon afterward nvw'-'d the daughter of Lieutenant Herndon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthur's nomination to the Vice Presidency, leaving two children. Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity in his first great case, the famous Lemmon suit, brought to recover possession of eight slaves who had been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Superior Court of New York City. It was in 1852 that Jon. athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided that they could not be held by the owner under the Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from the South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized the Attorney General of that State to assist in an appeal. Wm. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed to represent the People, and they won their case, which then went to the Supreme Court of the United States. Charles O'Conor here espoused the cause of the slave-holders, but he too was beaten by Messrs. Evarts and Arthur, and a long step was taken toward the emancipation of the black race. Another great service was rendered by General Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings, a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare. General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a verdict of $500 damages. The next day the compa- ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride on their cars, and the other car companies quickly t* ■^ f JL IOO CHESTER A. ARTHUR. followed their example. Before that the Sixth Ave- nue Company ran a few special cars for colored per- sons and the other lines refused to let them ride at all. General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention at Saratoga that founded the Republican party. Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of the Second Brigade of the State of New York, and Gov- ernor Morgan, of that State, appointed him Engineer- in-Chief of his staff. In 1861, he was made Inspec- tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas- ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered great service to the Government during the war. At the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr. Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney of New York, was added to the firm. The legal prac- tice of this well-known firm was very large and lucra- tive, each of the gentlemen composing it were able lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if not indeed one of national extent. He always took a leading part in State and city politics. He was appointed Collector of the Port of New York by President Grant, Nov. 21 1872, to suc- ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July, 20, 1 87 8, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt. Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous National Republican Convention held at Chicago in June, 1880. This was perhaps the greatest political convention that ever assembled on the continent. It was composed of the leading politicians of the Re- publican party, all able men, and each stood firm and fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their respective candidates that were before the conven- tion for the nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield re- reived the nomination for President and Gen. Arthur lor Vice-President. The campaign which followed was one of the most animated known in the history of our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer of the Democratic party, was a popular man, and his party made a valiant fight for his election. Finally the election came and the country's choice .vas Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated March 4, 1SS1, as President and Vice-President. A few months only had passed ere the newly chosen President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then c ime terrible weeks of suffering, — those moments of anxious suspense, when the hearts of all civilized na- tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re- covery of the noble, the good President. The remark- able patience that he manifested during those hours and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf- fering man has often been called upon to endure, was seemingly more than human. It was certainly God- like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr. Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to his credit that his every action displayed only an earnest desire that the suffering Garfield might recover, to serve the remainder of the term he had so auspi- ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested in deed or look of this man, even though the most honored position in the world was at any moment likely to fall to him. At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar- field from further suffering, and the world, as never before in its history over the death of any other man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty of the Vice President to assume the responsibilities of the high office, and he took the oath in New York, Sept. 20, 1881. The position was an embarrassing one to him, made doubly so from the facts that all eyes were on him, anxious to know what he would do, what policy he would pursue, and who he would se- lect as advisers. The duties of the office had been greatly neglected during the President's long illness, and many important measures were to be immediately decided by him; and still farther to embarrass him he did not fail to realize under what circumstances he became President, and knew the feelings of many on this point. Under these trying circumstances President Arthur took the reins of the Government in his own hands ; and, as embarrassing as were the condition of affairs, he happily surprised the nation, acting so wisely that but few criticised his administration. He served the nation well and faithfully, until the close of his administration, March 4, 1885, and was a popular candidate before his party for a second term. His name was ably presented before the con- vention at Chicago, and was received with great favor, and doubtless but for the personal popularity of one of the opposing candidates, he would have been selected as the standard-bearer of his party for another campaign. He retired to private life car- rying with him the best wishes of the American peo- ple, whom he had served in a manner satisfactory to them and with credit to himself. 7^rt6^T C/^tsz/^-C^l «*•■ TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT. 103 \ ffi j^* cln ::H imm OOP - ~""""c-^o TEPHEN GROVER CLEVE- LAND, the twenty- second Pres- ident of the United States, was born in 1837, in the obscure town of Caldwell, Essex Co., N. J., and in a little two-and-a- half-story white house which is still standing, characteristically to mark the humble birth-place of one of America's great men in striking con- trast with the Old World, where all men high in office must be high in origin and born in the cradle of wealth. When the subject of this sketch was three years of age, his father, who was a Presbyterian min- ister, with a large family and a small salary, moved, by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a larger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most straggling of country villages, about five miles from Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born. At the last mentioned place young Grover com- menced going to school in the "good, old-fashioned way," and presumably distinguished himself after the manner of all village boys, in doing the things he ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the capacity of the village school and expressed a most emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To this his father decidedly objected. Academies in those days cost money; besides, his father wanted him to become self-supporting by the quickest possible means, and this at that time in Fayetteville seemed to be a position in a country store, where his father and the large family on his hands had . considerable influence. Grover was to be paid $50 for his services the first year, and if he proved trustworthy he was to receive $100 the second year. Here the lad com- menced his career as salesman, and in two years he had earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness that his employers desired to retain him for an in- definite length of time. Otherwise he did not ex- hibit as yet any particular " flashes of genius " or eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy. But instead of remaining with this firm in Fayette- ville, he went with the family in their removal to Clinton, where he had an opportunity of attending a high school. Here he industriously pursued his studies until the family removed with him to a point on Black River known as the " Holland Patent," a village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Utica, M. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching but three Sundays. This event broke up the family, and Grover set out for New York City to accept, at a small salary, the position of " under-teacher " in an asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two years, and although he obtained a good reputation in this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not his f 104 ■** S. GROVER CLEVELAND. •f calling for life, and, reversing the traditional order, ne left the city to seek his fortune, instead of going to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as there was some charm in that name for him; but before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to jsk the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted stockbreeder of that place. The latter did not speak enthusiastically. "What is it you want to do, my boy?" he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study law," was the reply. "Good gracious!" remarked the old gentleman ; " do you, indeed ? What ever put that into your head? How much money have you got?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got any." After a long consultation, his uncle offered him a place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at $50 a year, while he could " look around." One day soon afterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers, Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told them what he wanted. A number of young men were already en- gaged in the office, but Grover's persistency won, and he was finally permitted to come as an office boy and have the use of the law library, for the nominal sum of S3 or §4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for his board and washing. The walk to and from his uncle's was a long and rugged one; and, although the first winter was a memorably severe one, his shoes were out of repair and his overcoat — he had none — yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular. On the first day of his service here, his senior em- ployer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him with a bang that made the dust fly, saying "That's where they all begin." A titter ran around the little circle of clerks and students, as they thought that was enough to scare young Grover out of his plans ; but in due time he mastered that cumbersome volume. Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleveland exhibited a talent for executiveness rather than for chasing principles through all their metaphysical possibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and do It," was practically his motto. The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was elected was that of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in which Buffalo is situated ; and in such capacity it fell to his duty to inflict capital punishment upon two criminals. In 1SS1 he was elected Mayor of the City of Buffalo, on the Democratic ticket, with es- pecial reference to the bringing about certain reforms 4* i in the administration of the municipal affairs of that city. In this office, as well as that of Sheriff, his performance of duty has generally been considered fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were fer- reted out and magnified during the last Presidential campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an iniqui- tous street-cleaning contract: "This is a time for plain speech, and my objection to your action shall be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of a mos bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme to betray the interests of the people and to worse than squander the people's money." The New York Sua afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve- land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there- upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire State. To the latter office he was elected in 1882, and his administration of the affairs of State was generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, if any, were made very public throughout the nation after he was nominated for President of the United States. For this high office he was nominated July ii, 1S84, by the National Democratic Convention at Chicago, when other competitors, were Thomas F. Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.: and he was elected by the people, by a majority of about a thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Repub- lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve- land resigned his office as Governor of New York in January, 1885, in order to prepare for his duties as the Chief Executive of the United States, in which capacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th of March, 1885. For his Cabinet officers he selected the following gentlemen: For Secretary of State, Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware ; Secretary of the Treasury, Daniel Manning, of New York ; Secretary of War, William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts ; Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, of New York ; Secretary of the Interior, L. Q. C. Lamar, of Mississippi; Postmaster-General, William F. Vilas, of Wisconsin; Attorney-General, A. H. Garland, of Arkansas. The silver question precipitated a controversy be- tween those who were in favor of the continuance of silver coinage and those who were opposed, Mr. Cleveland answering for the latter, even before his inauguration. *r txV^ ^^ <^3>.o*o.. EN.IAMIN HARRISON, the 1 , twenty-third President, is ij the descendant of one of the historical families of this country. The head of the family was a Major General Harrison, one of Oliver Cromwell's trusted follow- and fighters. In the zenith of Crom- well's power it became the duty of this Harrison to participate in the trial of Charles I, and afterward to sign the death warrant of the king. He subse- quently paid for this with his life, being hung Oct. 13, 1660.* His descendants came to America, and the next of the family that appears in history is Benja- min Harrison, of Virginia, great-grand - father of the subject of this sketch, and after whom he was named. Benjamin Harrison was a member of the Continental Congress during the years 1774-5-6, and was one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was three times elected Governor of Virginia. Gen. William Henry Harrison, the son of the -4. distinguished patriot of the Revolution, after a suc- cessful career as a soldier during the War of 181 2, and with a clean record as Governor of the North- western Territory, was elected President of the United States in 1840. His career was cut short by death within one month after his inauguration. President Harrison was born at North Bend, Hamilton Co., Ohio, Aug. 20, 1833. His life up to the time of his graduation by the Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful one of a coun- try lad of a family of small means. His father was able to give him a good education, and nothing more. He became engaged while at college to the daughter of Dr. Scott, Principal of a female school at Oxford. After graduating he determined to en- ter upon the study of the law. He went to Cin- cinnati and then read law for two years. At the expiration of that time young Harrison received the only inheritance of his life; his aunt dying left him a lot valued at £800. He regarded this legacy as a fortune, and decided to get married at once, take this money and go to some Eastern town and be- gin the practice of law. He sold his lot, and with the money in his pocket, he started out with his young wife to fight for a place in the world. He 108 BENJAMIN HARRISON. 4~ -t decided to go to Indianapolis, which was even at that time a town of promise. He met with slight encouragement at first, making scarcely anything the first year. He worked diligently, applying him- self closely to his calling, built up an extensive practice and took a leading rank in the legal pro- fession. He is the father of two children. In 1860 Mr. Harrison was nominated for the position of Supreme Court Reporter, and then be- gan his experience as a stump speaker. He can- vassed the .State thoroughly, and was elected by a handsome majority. In 18G2 he raised the 17th Indiana Infantry, and was chosen its Colonel. His regiment was composed of the rawest of material, but Col. Harrison employed all his time at first mastering military tactics and drilling his men, when he therefore came to move toward the East witli Sherman his regiment was one of the best drilled and organized in the army. At Resaca he especially distinguished himself, and for his bravery at Peachtree Creek he was made a Brigadier Gen- eral, Gen. Hooker speaking of him in the most complimentary terms. During the absence of Gen. Harrison in the field the Supreme Court declared the office of the Su- preme Court Reporter vacant, and another person was elected to the position. From the time of leav- ing Indiana with his regiment until the fall of 186 1 he had taken no leave of absence, but having been nominated that year for the same office, he got a thirty-day leave of absence, and during that time made a brilliant canvass of the State, and was elected for another terra. He then started to rejoin Sher- man, but on the way was stricken down with scarlet fever, and after a most trying siege made his way to the front in time to participate in the closing incidents of the war. In 18C8 Gen. Harrison declined a re-election as reporter, and resumed the practice of law. In 187G he was a candidate for Governor. Although de- feated, the brilliant campaign he made won for him a National reputation, and he was much sought, es- pecially in the East, to make speeches. In 1880, as usual, he took an active part in the campaign, and was elected to the United States Senate. Here he served six years, and was known as one of the ablest men, best lawyers and strongest debaters in that body. With the expiration of his Senatorial term he returned to the practice of his profession, becoming the head of one of the strongest firms in the State. The political campaign of 1888 was one of the most memorable in the history of our country. The convention which assembled in Chicago in June and named Mr. Harrison as the chief standard bearer of the Republican party, was great in every partic- ular, and on this account, and the attitude it as- sumed upon the vital questions of the day, chief among which was the tariff, awoke a deep interest in the campaign throughout the Nation. Shortly after the nomination delegations began to visit Mr. Harrison at Indianapolis, his home. This move- ment became popular, and from all sections of the country societies, clubs and delegations journeyed thither to pay their respects to the distinguished statesman. The popularity of these was greatly increased on account of the remarkable speeches made by Mr. Harrison. He spoke daily all through the summer and autumn to these visiting delega- tions, and so varied, masterly and eloquent were his speeches that they at once placed him in the foremost rank of American orators and statesmen. On account of his eloquence as a speaker and his power as a debater, he was called upon at an un- commonly early age to take part in the discussion of the great questions that then began to agitate the country, lie was an uncompromising anti- slavery man, and was matched against sonic of the most eminent, Democratic speakers of his Slate. No man who felt the touch of his blade desired to lie [lilted with him again. With all his eloquence as an orator he never spoke for oratorical effect, but his words always went like bullets to the mark, lie is purely American in his ideas and is a splen- did type of the American statesman. Gifted with quick perception, a logical mind anil a reads' tongue, he is one of the most distinguished impromptu speakers in (lie Nation. Many of these speeches sparkled with the rarest of eloquence and contained arguments of greatest weight. Many of his terse statements havealready become aphorisms. Origi- nal in thought, precise in logic, terse in statement, yet withal faultless iii eloquence, he is recognized as the sound statesman and brilliant orator of the day T -•» *- ■*•■ f JL^i^&C ^u/Sr JL =5=^ -m DAVID BUTLER S«s;-, at Pawnee City. Gov. Butler is a man of much reserve force, bright, clear intellect, possessing in no small measure the power that is indispensable in directing and managing enter- prises of magnitude. He is at all times a true gen- tleman, strong in friendship, ever genial, affable and courteous, both winning and retaining the ad- miration, respect and friendship of his fellows. T f? 4- ROBERT W, FURNAS- * .;*:;*> ^ON. ROBERT WILKIN- SON FURNAS was the second gentleman to re- ceive from the people of the State the high honor of being elected Gover- nor. He was chosen to fill this po- sition in the year 1873, and retired ^L^Sfi&S^? at the close of his term, having earned the good-will, respect and admiration of the whole people by reason of his excellent administra- tion. He was born in Troy, Miami Co., Ohio, on the 5th of May, 1824. His parents were natives of South Carolina, in which State also the grandfather had been born. His great-grandfather was a member of a good old English family, and was born at Stand- ing Stone, in the county of Cumberland, England. He was brought up and educated in his native place, and when a young man was there married, and then started with his wife for the New World. They landed in South Carolina about the year 1762. Thomas Furnas, the third child of John and Mary Furnas, was born in 170S, six years after the settle- ment of his parents in America, as above noted. William Furnas was the fifth child and only son of Thomas and Esther Furnas. The chosen occupa- tion of this interesting family for several genera- tions has been that of farming. The chief institu- tion, at that time, of the South, in connection with all labor, especially Held work, was i hat of slavery, and the members of the early generations of this family were most conscientious members of the Quaker Church, which looked upon it as an abomi- nation.. This was the occasion finally of their re- moval to Ohio, which they did in 1804, settling in the Miami Valley. It was in the home there estab- lished that the subject of this sketch was born. He is the eldest of a family of three children, and the only one now living. His twin brother died in in- fancy, and his younger sister at the age of fifteen. In 1832 the parents of our subject were stricken down by the ravages of that dreaded plague, the cholera, which swept over the country at that time, taking in its course, old and young, rich and poor, without distinction. In this trying time the natural guardians of the life of our subject, the directors of his footsteps, the instructors of his life, were re- moved, and he was left to struggle and battle in the conflict of life unaided by them. Then, when the clouds seemed darkest and thickest, his grand- father stepped forward in order to supply, at least in some measure, the place thus left vacant, and with him he remained until he reached his seven- teenth year, working on the farm during the sum- mer, and during the winter attending school. He seized every opportunity afforded for the increase of knowledge, and has ever continued to add to his store, and his reputation is that of a well-read, thoroughly educated gentleman. As soon as our subject attained the above-men- tioned age, he went to Covington, Ky., and there served an apprenticeship to the printing business, in the office of the Licking Valley Register, published by Richard C. Langdon. It was at that time one T= •4 *•■ 11 fi ROBERT WILKINSON FURNAS. 4 of the most noted newspapers, and its editor, one of the first newspaper men in the West or South. Young Furnas remained in this office until 1843, and acquired a large store of practical knowledge of trade, general business, and life, as well as con- siderable information upon all ordinary topics, be- sides the specific attainment desired in the knowl- edge of the business. The benefit of this schooling is perhaps clearly traceable even in the present, and the immediate past. Leaving Covington he pro- ceeded to Cincinnati, opened a book and job office, and continued in the printing business at that place for two years with good success. Near the close of that time, and in the year 1845, our subject was united in marriage with Mary S. McComas, a native of Ohio, and a most excellent lady, one who has the power and ability to assist him in life, and fitted to grace any position in so- ciety, however high. There have been born of this union five children. One of the first public engagements entered into by our subject when he became a voter was when, in company with several other young men, he felt the necessity of education as the means necessary to power in this life in any of its relations. They bound themselves to advocate the building of the school-house in Troy, and a lot was reserved for that purpose. Older citizens, perhaps not so well alive to the progressive spirit of the age, thought it unnecessary, and threw in the way a thousand ob- jections. The young men were defeated at the pules the first year, but nothing daunted continued the contest, and the next year carried their point by a small majority, with the result that a #1 7,000 school-house was erected, and has stood a monu- ment to the enterprise and foresight of these young men. Upon the success of the above undertaking, Mr. Furnas was elected one of the School Directors, which he continued to be until his removal to Ne- braska, when he resigned. Our subject was only twenty-three years of age when he became proprietor of the Troy Times, an organ of the Whig party, of which also he was the editor and publisher, and by his trenchant articles did much service in the Taylor campaign. In 1852 he sold this paper, and was engaged first as Freight and Ticket Agent, afterward as conductor for the Dayton & Michigan Railroad, continuing until 1856. In March of that year he emigrated to this State, established himself at Brownville, and in July of the same year established the Brownville Advertiser, and entered the arena of political life. He became a very zealous advocate of the agricultural and edu- cational interests of the State, and in the fall of that year was elected to the Territorial Legislature. Here the masterly qualities that have since distin- guished him before the State were made manifest. During his term of office, as noted in the foregoing paragraph, our subject originated the school system of the Territory, which was modeled in its general features after the sjstem of Ohio. In the year 1858 he was re-elected and again took his seat in the Legislature. In 1861 he was elected Chief Clerk, and early in the spring was commissioned Colonel in the United States Regular Army, and received orders from the Secretaiy of War to organize the loyal Indians and have them mustered into the serv- ice. He was successful in his mission and raised three regiments. These were fully equipped, and Col. Furnas commanded them in the Southern ex- pedition under Gen. Blunt, which took in the bor- ders of Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and the Indian Territory. Resigning his commission after having done splendid work with his command, he returned and went to work to recruit, and established the 2d Nebraska Cavalry, and added fresh glories to the already brilliant record of military achieve- ment. With this command he served under Gen. Sully in the now renowned "Sully expedition" against the Sioux Indians, wherein the}- were pursued to British Columbia. The next four years our subject was employed as Indian Agent for the Omaha and Winnebago Indians, which he resigned to take his place at the helm of the State as already recorded. Among the man}' honors worn so gracefully, and in such manly spirit, are: Regent of the State University, Presi- dent of the State Board of Agriculture, President of the State Agricultural Society, President of the State Soldiers' Union, Vice President of the National Pomological Association, Past Grand Master of the I. O. O. F., Past Grand High Priest, and Past Grand Commander of the Masonic bodies of the State of Nebraska. m» +*-*{*- -•*» 5^**^ SILAS QARBER. ■■«. -'*"-®V > V®^*i'- T HLAS GARBER. This (lis tinguished and well-known i- it. izen of Nebraska served the State most acceptably as its Governor for the two terms, from 1871 to 1878. He was born in Logan County, Ohio, Sept. 21, L888. There he passed his boyhood days, attending the common schools and developing into a sturdy and promising young man. At the early age of seven- teen years he was determined to strike out for himself and see what he could do toward making his own living, lie was ambitious, yet we very much doubt whether the beard less young man who turned his face Westward in 1850 ever had the remotest idea that he would himself some day be at the head of a great com- monwealth, that would be created still further toward the setting sun. At that time he came into Iowa, which was receiving such floods of emigrants from the older settled States. He located in Clay ton County and engaged in agricultural pursuits, the occupation which has done so much toward de veloping some of the best men our Nation has produced. His life for some years was uneventful. yet he was being disciplined and prepared for the honorable and useful positions he was to fill in after years. He took an active interest in all pub- lic matters, and was a well-informed, hard-working young man. When the stars and stripes which had so long Moated above Ft. Sumter were fired upon and the little garrison compelled to surrender, the patriot- ism of the North was aroused as never before in the history of the country. Thousands of the hesl men of the Nation immediately volunteered their services t.i aid in suppressing the monstrous rebell- ion, which had replaced the American banner with the stars and liars. Among this vast army of pa- triotic men might have been found Silas Garber, He was mustered into the .'id .Missouri Infantry, which was known as the famous Lyon Regiment He served with this regiment for one year, when he was mustered out and returned to Clayton County, lie. however, did not long remain in the quiet of that peaceful section, for we soon again find him at the front. Now he is First Lieutenant of Company 1). 27th Iowa Infantry, which he raised. His valiant services soon received recogni- tion, and he was promoted to be Captain of the company, which position he faithfully and ably tilled until the close of the war. He participated in all the battles of the Red River campaign, and ■» r 4= M 120 SILAS GARBER. Pleasant Hill., La., the battles of Old Oaks. Miss., Nashville, Tenn., and others under the command of Gen. A.J. Smith. Upon being mustered out of military service Capt. Garber returned to Clayton County, but soon thereafter went to California, where he passed the next four years. He came to Nebraska in the early part of 1870, and found a suitable location in "Web- ster County, where he still resides, being the oldest resident in Red Cloud. He was indeed a pioneer of the Great West, for when he located in Webster County there were but two settlers in the county. Upon locating in Red Cloud and ever since Mr. Garber has taken a most important part in both her business and political affairs. He engaged in farming and merchandising, and is to-day Presi- dent of the Farmers' & Merchants' Banking Com- pany of that city, and also largely identified with its material interests. He was chosen the first Probate Judge of the count}', and also represented his district in the Legislature, and served for one year as Register of the United States Land Otlice at Lincoln. Capt. Garber became popular both with the peo pie and the politicians, ami was nominated for Governor by the Republican Convention, which assembled at Lincoln Sept. 3, 1874, and was elected by a handsome majority. He served so acceptably that he was renominated by the convention which met Sept. 26, 1876. He was again endorsed at the polls in November, and served until the close of his term in 1878. He then retired to his home at Red Cloud, where he has since resided, a highly respected and useful citizen. •t 4 **'" ' CA^oOi^^L c/h^U^O *-•-«♦. : <^IH* albinus ust^hstoie / . ■••••«. pfe,.. ^^ Ifjco"- - l L -'- VjI '* ^-^ SS20 . . ALBINUS NANCE, Fourth Governor of the State of Nebraska, and in that connection the recip- ct&*=5^. ^J?£2!^^X{\< ient of the confidence, ad- ^eF^fir^-w^eyw^-c. .... miration and highest es- teem of the people, not simply of Nebraska, but wherever his most ex- cellent administration is known. If, however, it be but borne in mind that Gov. Nance is a descendant of a long line of noble representatives of a certain Huguenot family, whose members were of the stamp and stuff of which martyrs and heroes are made, and therefore persons of thought, con- viction and strength of character, it is not surpris- ing that he should (Kisses-, the same, which under the more happy regime of present government and liberality of opinion, should bring him into promi- nence and enable him in his high station to sustain a reputation most brilliant. The ancestors of Gov. Nance on his father's side were of that number driven from France by the religious intolerance and persecution that followed the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. With many others similarly situated they came to the New World and formed what became a very prosperous community in the State of North Carolina, their descendants moving North and Westward, ever in the vanguard of progress, as section after sec- tion and district after district were located. The subject of our sketch was born on the 30th of March, 1848, at Lafayette, Stark Co., 111., and he is the oldest son of Dr. Hiram Nance, for many years one of the most successful physicians and able surgeons in Central Illinois. His settlement in that State dates back to 1886. It was the Far West of that period, and was filled with far more of danger, difficulty and hardship, and demanded more spirit, bravery and self-denial than is con- ceivable in these days, when the bands of steel pass by the door of the Western pioneer, and thus bring him into almost immediate contact with the great world of civilization. The ancestry of Gov. Nance upon the maternal side of the family was English. The maiden name of his mother was Sarah R. Smith, who was born in the State of Ohio. At the outbreak of the Civil War Albums was but a lad of thirteen, hut his patriotic soul was fired with loyal enthusiasm, and he chafed severely at the restraint, of years that prevented him taking a more able stand in defense of the Union. At a later period of the struggle and when just sixteen years of age, he enlisted in the 'Jth Illinois Cavalry. The youthful defender and intrepid young soldier was mustered in contrary to both the wishes and continued earnest protests of his parents and friends. But he could know no restraint in this matter, and was determined to follow the stars and stripes, -^*h+ iL 124 -•*■ ALBINUS NANCE. and to defend them if so needed until the death. He continued in the service until the close of the war, and participated as an active combatant in the battles of Guntown, Hurricane Creek, Franklin, Nashville, Tupelo, Spring Hill and Columbia, Tenn. lie was one in the line that made one of the most daring and gallant charges at the battle of Nash- ville, and was slightly wounded in the same. The necessity for war being passed, Cavalryman Nance returned his saber to its sheath, and when the regiment disbanded returned to his home and became a student at Knox College, Galesburg, 111., where he took part of the classic course. Soon after leaving college he commenced the stud}' of law, and in 1870 was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of Illinois, after passing in the best possible manner a very rigid examination. Standing upon the threshold of life, the future stretching before him, animated by the grandeur of the prospect supplied by hope and ambition, the subject of our sketch was more fascinated and im- pressed by the opportunities and inducements held out by the newer country, and pursuant thereto he decided to come to Nebraska, as the most promis- ing of all the States and Territories of that mag- nificent field. This was in 1871. He secured a homestead in Polk County, devoting part of his time to fanning, but the larger part to the practice of his chosen profession; but his experience was such as almost invariably follows — his, ability was speedily recognized and his legal wink rapidly grew upon his hands, and before long he left his farm to sow and reap in other fields, at once more congenial and lucrative. In accordance with the decision referred to in the above paragraph, Mr. Nance removed to Osce- ola, the county seat of Polk County, where before very long he was fully established in legal practice. In 187.':! his friends submitted his name to the Republican Convention of the Thirteenth Dis- trict for Representative in the State Legislature. The counties of Adams, Butler. Clay, Fillmore, Hamilton, Platte, Polk and York sent their dele- gates, and these gentlemen thus representing the interests of a large body of citizens in those coun- ties, comprised the convention to which his name was presented. There were seven candidates in all, and each candidate had his circle of friends; these were diligent in season and out of season to advance the interests of the several candidates. Naturally a long and exciting contest was speedily commenced, and watched with deep interest by all. In order that the reader may appreciate the posi- tion occupied by the young lawyer in the estima- tion of the people, and the impress his character and ability had already made, we would notice that after several ballots had been taken the an- nouncement was made that Albinus Nance had received the nomination, and thus began his po- litical career with a clear sun and a fair sky. The principal opponent of our subject in the convention, urged b}- his friends, and spurred on by his own, doubtless, laudable ambition, determined to enter the field as an independent candidate, and the most strenuous efforts were made to defeat the regular candidate of the convention, but without success. The election showed a majority of about 2,000 in favor of the subject of this writing. In 187G Mr. Nance was one of the six delegates chosen by the Republican State Convention to represent this State at the National Convention at Cincinnati, and was by his fellows elected Chair- man of the delegation. During that year he was renominated for the Legislature, indeed, almost without opposition, and at the opening session of the Legislative body he was elected Speaker of the House. If he had made a reputation and record as a member, he more than established it, and added fresh luster in his more advanced position, thus necessarily bringing himself before the people, who at once recognized in him one worthy of additional honors. In 1878 the Republican State Convention nominated him for Governor, and he was elected by a large majority. In 1880 he was renominated by acclamation and with wild enthusiasm, and re- elected b}' a majority greatly in excess of any other candidate on the State ticket. One of the happiest steps ever taken by Gov. Nance was that of his union in matrimony in 1875, when he became the husband of Miss Sarah White, daughter of Egbert and Mary "White, of Farragut, Iowa, who presented her husband with a bright and beautiful little daughter, who bears the name of Nellie. ;*JU ««*&,-. ^>uA-d<) *-HI^ -•*• James W. Dawes, wk- 5*+ ••o*o.@ k y > v®..o*o. « 31 T *tf;'^^^f.^A'MKS W. DAWES. This gentle- 8S./v?,"g; ni an was elected Governor in the 3'ear 1883, anil such was his of- ficial deportment that he was renominated with enthusiasm, and re-elected by an apprecia- tive people. He continued to occupy his high position in the service of the State until the year 1887, and during the time gave every evidence that the confidence of those who had elected him in his honor, man- hood and ability, was indeed well founded, lie was the fifth Governor of the State. Gov. Dawes was born at McConnelsville, Morgan Co., Ohio, on the 8th of January, 1845. He went with his parents when they removed to Wisconsin in 1856. The rudiments and foundation work of his education were received in Ohio, bul in the Wiscon- sin schools the major part of the work was done, ami from them our subject was graduated with a good practical English education, such as would serve in the daily affairs of life. As he advanced inyearsand was capable of doing more service upon the farm, he attended school only in the winters, devoting the summers to husbandry. In October, I 804, he was engaged in clerking for G. .T. Hansen & Co.. who were engaged as general merchants at Kilbourn «• ■ City. Wis., where he continued until October, 1868, and in these four years gained invaluable experience of men and business, adding materially to his store of information, and, unknown to himself, but none the less really, preparing for days of larger oppor- tunity and more important engagements, The next employment taken up by our subject was that of the study of law, which he began and carried on with his cousin, Julius H. Dawes. Esq., of Eox Lake, Wis., a prominent and successful lawyer. Here our subject devoted every atten- tion, and became a careful, persevering and diligent student, so much so that his examination, which de- termined his admission to the liar, was unusually brilliant, and he was accordingly admitted with congratulations upon the 10th of January, 1871, and began the practice of his chosen profession, which, from its being eminently congenial and pe- culiarly well adapted to one of Ins ability and mental east, was that in which success in life was more completely assured him. Not long after the admission of our subject to the bar another, and if anything re important. event occurred. It was that of his marriage. In- stances are far too common where an error of judg- ment or a misplaced confidence at such time has been fraught with disastrous results to both con- tracting parties; results all the mure serious becau.-e of the nature and faults of the contract, It was the ^1 T 128 JAMES W. DAWKS. > i no •it* happiness of Mr. Dawes and the lady of his choice to be mutually compatible in disposition, tastes, desires, and in fact all the varied points where dif- ference of sentiment would in all probability lead, sooner or later, to a breach of confidence or worse. This union, therefore, has brought a more complete happiness, a more perfect felicity, into both lives, and has made the home all that could be desired. This interesting event occurred at Fox Lake, and was celebrated on the 1 Hh of May, 1871. Our subject located in Crete, of this State, on the 5th of September, 1871, with the intention of engaging for a time in mercantile pursuits. For some years he continued in this line of business with an ever-growing success and enlarging patron- age. In March of 1877 he transferred his energies from commercial pursuits to the legal profession, opening a law office at Crete, and lias since been one of the leading lights of the Nebraska bar. He became a member of the Nebraska Constitutional Convention of 1875, and the following year was elected State Senator. During his term of office he won from all golden opinions of his ability and power, and his sojourn in Senatorial halls was, if anything, more pleasant than usual, owing to his genial, affable and courteous manner, which won and retained many much valued friendships, and which was the means of affording him larger oppor- tunities than might have otherwise been possible. His record in this connection is upon the books of the session, and is well known, and does not there- fore call for detailed mention in such a writing as the present; suffice it here to remark that it was such as to ultimately lead to his election to the highest official chair in the State.. From May, 1870, to September, 1882, inclusive, the subject of this sketch continued to hold the po- sition as Chairman of the Republican State Central Committee of Nebraska. The long continuance and the number of consecutive terms embraced within the above dates speak more clearly and emphatically his ability and power than anything that might be said in addition. Mr. Dawes was further honored by being elected delegate to the Republican Na- tional Convention at Chicago, in June of 1880. This it will be remembered was the convention that nominated the noble, but ill-fated, James A. Gar- field. The delegation of which he was a member at this time unanimously named him as a member of the National Republican Committee for Nebraska for a term of four years, which it was his privilege to serve with every satisfaction to all parties con- cerned for that period. Few men ever felt more the need of education for a people who governed themselves than Gov. Dawes. The absolute necessity of universal educa- tion, wide in scope, complete in curriculum, ex- haustive in detail, practical in its aim and general utility, was evident to him, and he was therefore deeply interested in educational matters, and his sympathies were always assured for matters con- nected therewith. He has served in several offices connected with this department, the most important, perhaps, being those of Trustee and Secretary of the Doane College, which is situated at Crete. The duties of these offices have engaged his attention since the year 1875. The crowning glory of the official life and public service of the subject of our sketch was that which identified him with the chief office of the State. In the year 1882 he was nominated by the Republican party for Governor. His life was well known, li is character thoroughly understood, his past services remembered and appreciated, and accordingly he was received with much favor, and elected amid the plaudits of the whole people. He entered upon the duties of his high office in January, 1883, continu- ing to discharge the same throughout the usual pe- riod of two years. At the expiration thereof he was again nominated by his party and re-elected by the people, and for a second term continued to discharge his duties as before. Is any further proof of his ability, honor, manhood and faithful- ness demanded? Can any mere verbose compli- mentary eulogium express as much as this, especially when it is reinforced by all the accompanying marks of confidence and regard of the people ? Gov. Dawes will long be remembered, having won a warm place in the hearts and memories of the people, together with his most excellent administration of affairs, which from first to last materially assisted the onward march and development of Nebraska as a State, and aided in placing her among the very first of all States of the greatest Republic the world has ever known. ;/■£■;■■,•, £ , *-lf^ i*Hh-*» I JOHN M. THAYER. ■'■; .;*;*;. 4 JOHN M. THAYER. This distinguished gentle- man, whom Nebraska de- jhted to honor by the gift of the highest office in its power to bestow, was wJXf elected thereto by an overwhelming ^Tyav^ majority in the autumn of II jKs^ majority in the autumn of 1886, and ^r^irfrE^? '' v n ' s w ' se administration of affairs, his excellent executive ability, has since fully justified this enthusiastic choice. The place of the nativity of our subject is Bellingham, Norfolk Co., Mass. ;heis theson of Elias and Ruth (Staples) Thayer. The chosen occupation of the father was farming, and in the physical and moral healthful environment of pasto- ral life our subject was brought up. The smallest part of man is the physical, that can be weighed avoirdupois and measured with a tape line; a far greater and nobler is that of stamp di- vine — the mind, which is the true "standard of the man.'' Having in mind the importance of proper instruction, in order to the proper use of this most wonderful instrument, our subject, after the usual preparatory instruction, attended the classes at Brown University, from which institution he was graduated in 1 847. The law was the chosen profession of our subject, and at It he worked assiduously un- til the year 1854, still continuing a resident of his native State, and at that time he removed to the State of Nebraska. <*• ■ Omaha, then a rising young town, with a newly opened and undeveloped terrritory all around it, afforded a good field for a young man of education, enterprise, enthusiasm and energy, to " rise up with the country." In the year 1855 the political arena was entered. Mr. Thayer became one of four can- didates for Congressional honors; a splendid run for the office, however, resulted only in defeat, the suc- cessful candidate being Fenner Ferguson. The fol- lowing year was remarkable as that in which the now "grand old party" was organized. The con- vention was held at Bellevue, and our subject was a candidate for the party nomination, but was de- feated by Mr. Daily. This experience was repented in every particular in June of 1860. He was suc- cessful in receiving the nomination to the Territorial Legislature, and served the session of 1860—61. Our subject entered the service of the United States at the beginning of the Civil War, and re- ceived the commission of Colonel of the 1st Ne- braska Infantry. In the year 1855 he had been elected by the Territorial Legislature Brigadier Genera] of the Territorial Militia, and afterward promoted to that of Major General <>( the militia. While in these positions he was frequently led into engagements more or less serious on the frontier, the enemies being the aborigines of that section, who at that time had not entirely ceased their old habits of depredation. The intimate knowledge of our subject c cerning the Indians, their surround- ings, their attitude, their feelings, and their chiefs, were all of immense value to him. As a case in *r 132 JOHN M. THAYER. point, which we might mention, our subject was ap- pointed by Gov. Izard to act in conjunction with Gov. O. D. Richardson, to inquire into certain out- rages by Pawnees, to meet them in council and ef- fect a treaty with them ; in this they were fairly successful. But later events proved the lesson was but poorly learned by the Indians. In 1858, with a command of 194 volunteers, our subject went out after the same tribe, certain of their number having murdered, maltreated and robbed the settlers. He captured the entire tribe after a stubbornly con- tested battle, which was fought on the grounds oc- cupied by the town of Battle Creek, which derives its name from that event. As Colonel of the 1st Nebraska Infantry, our subject did good work in behalf of the Union, and it was not long before his superior military powers attracted attention, and he was promoted to be Brigadier General and breveted Major General. At Ft. Donelson and Sliiloh he commanded a brigade in such excellent manner as led to the above honor. Through the siege of Vicksburg and the capture of Jackson, Miss., he also commanded a brigade, and for a time a division. The confidence of the com- manders in him was such that at the assault at Chickasaw Bayou, one of the storming columns was confided to his care. In this tight he had his horse shot under him, and again while leading a charge at Arkansas Post. All the essential features, charac- teristics and traits of the successful soldier were possessed by him, and this being recognized resulted in the Army of the Frontier being given him to command. Throughout his service in military life he was a true soldier, a favorite with his men, who were confident that he would lead them to success ami victory ; respected by his officers, who well knew his sagacity and military genius, largely the result of his long experience on the frontier. In political matters our subject was a Democrat until the repeal of the Missouri Compromise. He sympathized with the Free-Soil movement, but be- ing in the Territory he could not vote. In the year 1856 he supported Fremont, and since that time has continued a stanch Republican. Upon the admis- sion of Nebraska as a State, Mr. Thayer was elected United States Senator in the election of 1866, and served faithfully until the close of his term. At the -*• — expiration thereof he was appointed by Gen. Grant the Governor of Wyoming Territory. In this office the qualities that had made him successful in civil life, that had made him a military leader and com- mander, the ability that had been developed for the handling of large bodies of men, the harmonizing (if heterogeneous elements, combined to make his Governorship one worthy of note, and, doubtless, was the cause of the confidence expressed by the peo- ple of Nebraska in after days. The home of our subject is one that bears in its every-day life and happiness a brightness and com- pleteness that is more to lie desired than the amass- ing of riches, the accumulation of power, or the right to sway the scepter of authority. He was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Mary T. Allen, a lady possessing a disposition, character and intelligence, most beautiful, admirable and clear, one who has been trained to follow closely the Great Exemplar of the true life. She is the daughter of the Rev. John Allen, a clergyman of the Baptist Church, a native of Massachusetts. Gov. Thayer, though not a member of any spe- cial denomination's a firm believer in the Christian religion, and always has been. His family adhere to the faith of the Baptist Church, of which also his parents were members. In that communion, also, he was trained and brought up, and he has al- ways retained a great desire to help forward every movement of religious nature ; whenever it has been possible to elevate the moral standard of the people, his active sympathies were engaged. One feature of his Governorship has been his evident anxiety that a more general and hearty acquiescence to a higher moral and religious standard should obtain, and whatever enterprises, projects, societies or asso- ciations, looked to this as their ami And Object, were at all times sure of his hearty sympathy and support. As noted above, our subject stood before the people of Nebraska in the year 1886 as candidate for Governor. He was warmly received, actively and heartily supported, and enthusiastically elected by a majority of 25,000, in which he ran about 2,000 ahead of his ticket. His administration has revealed the wisdom <>f this choice, and it is not too much to say that the citizens of Nebraska have at no time had occasion to repent of their choice. ~jU .►hU«- -** 1 ' •At*: *-ll^ : «» > <• tf^l W$ . - JOHNSON COUNTY, EBRASKA. #> ^S^Ep /f^S vSy^ 1 f -yr .^iNrc'' ^^ f* 4- H INTRODUCTORY. T HE time has arrived when it becomes the duty of the people of this county to per- petuate the names of their pioneers, to furnish a record of their early settlement, and relate the story of their progress. The civilization of our day, the enlightenment of the age and the duty that men of the pres- ent time owe to their ancestors, to themselves and to their posterity, demand that a record of their lives and deeds should he made. In bio- graphical history is found a power to instruct man l>y precedent, to enliven the mental faculties, and to waft down the river of time a safe vessel in which the names and actions of the people who contributed to raise this country from its primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly the great and aged men, who in their prime entered •the wilderness and claimed the virgin soil as their heritage, are passing to their graves. The number re- maining who can relate the incidents of the first days jf settlement is becoming small indeed, so that an actual necessity exists for the collection and preser- vation of events without delay, before all the early settlers are cut down by the scythe of Time. To be forgotten lias been the great dread of mankind from remotest ages. All will be forgotten soon enough, in spite of their best works and the most earnest efforts of their friends to perserve the memory of their lives. The means employed to prevent oblivion and to perpetuate their memory has been in propor- tion to the amount of intelligence they possessed. The pyramids of Egypt were built to perpetuate the names and deeds of their great rulers. The exhu- mations made by the archeologists of Egypt from buried Memphis indicate a desire of those people *•— to perpetuate the memory of their achievements The erection of the great obelisks were for the same purpose. Coming down to a later period, we find the Greeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and monu- ments, and carving out statues to chronicle their great achievements and carry them down the ages. It is also evident that the Mound-builders, in piling up their great mounds of earth, had but this idea— to leave something to show that they had lived. All these works, though many of them costly in the ex- treme, give but a faint idea of the lives and charac- ters of those wdiose memory they were intended to perpetuate, and scarcely anything of the masses of the people that then lived. The great pyramids and some of the obelisks remain objects only of curiosity ; the mausoleums, monuments and statues are crum- bling into dust. It was left to modern ages to establish an intelli- gent, undecaying, immutable method of perpetuating a full history — immutable in that it is almost un- limited in extent and perpetual in its action; and this is through the art of printing. To the present generation, however, we are in- debted for the introduction of the admirable system of local biography. By this system every man, though he has not achieved what the world calls greatness, has the means to perpetuate his life, his history, through the coming ages. The scythe of Time cuts down all ; nothing of the physical man is left. The monument which Ins chil- dren or friends may erect to his memory in the ceme- tery will crumble into dust and pass away; but his life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished, which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated by a record of this kind. To preserve the lineaments of our companions we engrave their portraits, for the same reason we col- lect the attainable facts of their history. Nor do we think it necessary, as we speak only truth of them, to wait until they are dead, or until those who know them are gone: to do this we are ashamed only to publish to the world the history of those whose lives are unworthy of public record. ■► r^ .► i r ^- VI JOHNSON COUNTY. 153 ^i*A* c 3ki ^~ T - ^^y^^* >^^. ^^ - -.^\ V ^ _, ^ "*4s> e ''rWvV cnm8en - He is :it present Sta t?^?-*\fj Senator, and has also served in tl { \ ■ '.&l c £? Lower House of the Legislature CHAS. A. IIOLMKS. "bis gentleman is proba- bly one of the most promi- ent and at the same time rnly honorable and es- teemed citizens of Te- te le He has also made his way to the front in the world of finance, being Vice President of the Tecumseh Savings Bank, which is a popular and solid institution, and is likewise one of the firm of Russell & Holmes, bank- ers, who, in 1871, established the first bank in John- son County, under the above firm name. It is the oldest bank in the Nemaha Valley, but one of the most solid. The first brick building in Tecumseh was erected by this firm, in 1872, on the corner of Third and Clay streets, for the use of the bank, and was so occupied. The bank has a paid-up capital of $25,000, and a surplus of $5,000. The home of our subject is one of the most ele- gant residences in the district, and is situated upon the summit of an eminence to the south of the city, and stands in its own grounds, comprising perhaps over twenty acres, devoted to the usual gardens, shaded walks and lawns, and is a very line property. In addition to his residence and the bank building 4» Mr. Holmes owns many pieces of valuable real es- tate 1 in the city and surrounding country. Charles A. Holmes was born in Lockport, Will Co., 111., on the 6th of June, 1840. When three .years of age his parents removed to Jefferson, Wis. There he was reared and educated in part, the in- struction he there received being supplemented by that obtained subsequently at Carroll College, Waukesha, Wis., and Lombard University, at Galesburg, III., from which institution he was graduated in June, 1802, with the degree of B. A. On the 11th of August, 18G2, our subject en- listed in the 29th Wisconsin Infantry. On the 5th of September he was commissioned Captain of his company, and was attached to the Western De- partment, lie served throughout the Vicksburg campaign, and also on the Red River, with Gen. Banks, in the spring of 1804. He was at the cap- ture of Mobile, at which his regiment and the 8th Illinois were the first to enter the city. He took part also in an endless round of skirmishes and les- ser conflicts. At the battle of Champion Hills, on the 16th of May, our subject was wounded so se- verely as to detain him from active service until the middle of September following. At the close of the war he was mustered out at Shrcveport, the date being the 27th of June, I860, receiving his final discharge at Madison, Wis., on the 17th of July following. Upon leaving the army Mr. Holmes returned to »*H 'A .► 11 ^ -+ 154 JOHNSON COUNTY. 4- Jefferson, Wis., and continued the study of law, which he had been reading with his father previous to his enlistment. He wns admitted to the bar of Wisconsin in 18GG, continuing in practice there until August, 1871, when he came to Tecumseh, and shortly after formed the present partnership. Those interested in reading further concerning the history of the firm will find additional particu- lars in the sketch of the life of J. D. Russell, to be found upon another page of this volume. Mr. Holmes was appointed by President Grant Postmaster at Jefferson, W T is. He received his ap- pointment in 1869, and continued to hold the posi- tion until he left Wisconsin. In 1*74 Mr. Holmes was elected to the Legislature on the Republican ticket, and took his seat on the 1st of January, 1 875. By the Legislature our subject was elected one of the Regents of the State University at Lin- coln. This position he continued to fill until the new Constitution went into force, when he was again elected, this time by the people, for a full term, serving in all a period of nine years in that capacity. In 1886 the people again expressed their sentiments of confidence and esteem by electing him to the State Senate. During his term of serv- ice he was made Chairman of the University Committee, the Committee on Common Schools, that on Education, and was second on the Commit- tee of Finance. His term expired on the 1st of January, 1889. Mr. Holmes has always been a very energetic, en- terprising, busy man, and yet withal has such ca- pacity for work as never to appear to feel the burden of the various responsibilities and duties devolving upon him. He is prominent in the Ma- sonic fraternity, and has received all the degrees of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery. He is also an enthusiast in the G. A. R., and very popular therein. In both the above orders he has held various offices, always with the greatest satisfaction to his fellow-members. On the 29th of August, 1866, our subject and Miss Jennie T. Hurd plighted their troth, since which time the two life .streams there united have [lowed as one. This event was celebrated at Jer- sey ville, Jersey Co., 111. There have come to them light children, the following of whom are still liv- ing: Althea M., Mary B., Kate E. and Ruth L. The deceased members of the family, with the ex- ception of Carl W., who died on the 20th of Au- gust, 1888, at the age of three years, all died in in- fancy. The surviving members of the family, excepting Althea M., now Mrs. G. D. Bennett, are at home and are receiving the best education it is within the power of their parents to give. Mrs. Holmes was born in Jerseyville, on the 26tli of February, 1842, and is the daughter of Jay M. Hurd. Her home until her marriage was made with her parents. She is a lady fitted by education, by her home training, and the many graces and womanly virtues that are hers by the gift of nature and heredity, to fill any position in society to which she might be called. She was educated at Galesburg, 111., and passed the years prior to her marriage en- gaged in teaching. She is prominent as a worker in the W. C. T. U., and takes the greatest interest in all works of charity and beneficence. With her husband, she is a member of the Universalist Church, and in that communion they are held in the highest possible regard. She is now serving her third term as President of the W. C. T. U., of Ne- braska. John E. Holmes, the father of our subject, was born in Hartford, Conn., in the year 1809. When a young man he went to Western New York, being alone in the world, and compelled to fight his own way, both parents having been removed from his side "by the arch- Destroyer Death. He found means to educate himself at Hamilton Academy, in the State of New York, after which he studied for the ministry of the Universalist Church. He sup- plied various pulpits in the States of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. After his marriage he began the study of law, and upon being admitted to the bar practiced at Loekport, 111., removing thence after a short period to Jefferson, Wis., in is t:;. Mr. Holmes was married, Aug. 30, 1836, to Ruth A. Hawley, of Milan, Erie Co., Ohio. Four sons were born of this union, all of whom are liv- ing. This lady is the daughter of Warren Haw- ley. and was born on the 8th of October, 1816. She still lives, making her home with our subject, and has reached the ripe age of seventy -two years. r JOHNSON COUNTY. 155 Upon the roll of the Constitutional Convention of Wisconsin, of 1847, will lie found the name of John E. Holmes. After that service lie was elected by the people to both Houses of the Legislature in that State, and served most satisfactorily. In 1848 he received the nomination, and was elected by a large majority, Lieutenant-Governor of Wisconsin, and was in fact all his life a prominent and re- spected citizen. Mr. J. E. Holmes entered the Union Army in June, 1802, and served as Quartermaster of the 22d Wisconsin Infantry. He was captured with his regiment at Brentwood, Tenn, by Gen. Forrest, anil thrown into Libby Prison. There he had to en- dure a severe attack of typhoid fever, unrelieved by any of those attentions needed under such cir- cumstances. He was liberated and exchanged on May 5, and died in the hospital at Annapolis, Md., on the 18th day of May, 1863. The portrait of Hon. Charles A. Holmes, on an adjoining page, is that of one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Johnson County. JLL RTHUK C. SULLIVAN, senior member of the firm of Sullivan it Davis, general mer- chants at Tecumseh, is a gentleman of line @/J culture and more than ordinary ability. Socially and financially he is a citizen upon whom the community look with great respect, both on account of his personal worth and his value as a factor among its business interests, lie is the off- spring of a good family, being the son of Aaron Sullivan, who was horn in Winchester, Ya., in 180(1. Aaron Sullivan received a good education, and in early manhood engaged in general merchandising at Madison, Ind. Later he moved across the Mis- sissippi into Clark County. Mo., of which he was a resident a number of years, and finally became County Clerk. lie disposed of his stock in trade when entering upon the duties of this office, which he held a number of years previous to his death, which occurred at his home in August, 1864. Ilis wife, Mrs. Sarah J. (Thorp) Sullivan, was :i native of Kentucky, and they were married about 18 If!. Of this union there were born seven children, three only of whom lived to mature years. Mrs. Sarah J. Sullivan is still living and makes her home with our subject in Tecumseh. Aaron Sullivan was a man prominent in his community, officiated as Postmaster and Justice of the Peace, and was finally elected County Judge, which otlice lie held several terms. The mother is a member in good standing of the Baptist Church. The subject of this sketch was born April 20, 1850, in Winchester, Clark Co., Mo., where he lived until lie attained to the age of fifteen years, and then moved to Warsaw, 111.; lived there one year, then moved to Keokuk, Iowa, thence to Alex- andria, Mo. lie was carefully educated, complet- ing his studies in a private school. He entered upon his business career as clerk in a store, where he continued five years. At the expiration of this time he embarked in business for himself in gen- eral merchandising, at Alexandria, Mo., where he operated successfully for a period of five years. Upon his withdrawal from this he made his way to Nebraska, and purchased the stock of a dry- goods firm at Tecumseh, and associating himself with a partner they carried on business five years, under the firm name of Calahan & Sullivan. Mr. Sullivan now purchased the interest of his partner, and in February, 1888, took in Mr. 11. C. Davis, and this firm is now recognized as standing upon asolid footing financially, and is in the enjoy- ment of a steadily growing patronage. Mr. Sulli- van is also interested in real estate at Alexandria, Mo. While a resident of that city he was a mem- ber of the Council ami identified with the School Board, lie takes a warm interest in educational matters, and all the enterprises tending to build up the community, morally and financially. At the age of twenty-one years, while a resident of Alex- andria, he identified himself with the Masonic fra- ternity, of which he is still an honored member, belonging to the lodge at Tecumseh. The marriage of Arthur C. Sullivan and Miss S. K. Gregg, Of Alexandria. Mo., was celebrated at the home of the bride in that city, Oct. 8, 1872. Mrs. Sullivan was born in Brownville, Fa.. I'd'. .'.. 1849, and is the daughter of John and Hannah (Lanning) Gregg, who were natives of Fennsyl- •svl- \ \ 1-56 JOHNSON COUNTY. n vania. Mr. ( tregg was a miller by occupation, and proprietor of the Valley Mill, at Brownville, Pa. He died at his home in Brownville, about 1850. Mrs. Sullivan when a young girl of fourteen years, accompanied her mother to .Missouri, ami lived at Alexandria until her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan there have been horn live children, of whom only three are living, namely: Herbert R.. Garnet and Mabel L., who are at home with their parents, receiving careful parental training and line educational advantages. •f NOREW COOK, a retired merchant and prominent resident of Tecumseh, first set foot upon the soil of Nebraska in May of 1 85*, locating in Otoe County, where he had become possessor of a tract of land. He began life on the other side of the Atlantic, in Tarn worth, Warwickshire, England, Nov. 9, 1 822, and received a good education in the schools of his native county. Upon leaving school he was employed at mer- chandising, and before reaching his twentieth year was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Clulow, Aug. 16, 1842. He still preserves the certificate of his marriage, which was issued forty-six years ago. Our subject with his young wife crossed the At- lantic in the summer of 1845, and they making their way directly westward located in Racine County, Wis., during the territorial days. There Mr. Cook engaged in farming, and resided for a period of thirteen years. In 1858 he sold out and purchased land in Otoe County, this State, where he resided with his family until the spring of 18G4, during which time Nebraska City slowly developed from a hamlet into a good-sized town. The next removal of Mr. Cook found him on the land which he now owns in Helena Precinct, this county. He has been prosperous in his labors as a tiller of the soil, and invested his spare capital in the erection of buildings and effecting the other improvements which were necessary for his comfort and convenience. In 1866 he put up a $2,000 house, which was for a number of years the best dwelling in Johnson County. The lumber for this was transported from Nebraska City by teams, and cost $100 per 1,000 feet, dressed. In its rough state the price was $60. Shingles were $10 per 1,000, and other building material in proportion. It is hardly necessary to state that during the first years of his residence here Mr. Cook was in- dustriously employed in the labors incident to per- fecting his homestead. Notwithstanding this he found time to interest himself in the welfare of the people around him, and in the fall of 1866 was elected County Commissioner, the duties of which he thereafter discharged for two terms of three years each. Johnson County at this time was compara- tively thinly settled, there being fewer people here in I860 than in 1858, some having become dis- couraged and moved away, and some having gone to the war. After the conflict had ended the popu- lation increased by the return of soldiers, many of whom made permanent settlement. In the latter part of 1872 Mr. Cook embarked in general merchandising, although principally hand- ling farm implements and road vehicles. Of these he carried a large stock, and did the most exten- sive business in the county for many years. He was thus occupied until the spring of 1886, when, having secured a competence he retired from active business, turning over his large landed interests to his sons. He has always taken a lively interest in politics, and was quite prominent in the Republican party in this county for a number of years. He has served as Mayor of Tecumseh, and occupied other positions of trust and responsibility in Helena Pre- cinct. A Free Soiler in early manhood, upon the abandonment of the old party he cordially endorsed Republican principles, and to this has given his uni- form support for a period of thirty years. For forty years he has been connected with the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, laboring earnestly for its best interests, and usually holding some office in connection therewith. In the Sunday-school he has maintained a warm and active interest for a period of fifty years, officiating a long period as Superin- tendent, and when not holding this office working outside quietly, to the best of his ability. Mr. Cook during the summer of 1882, thirty- eight vears after leaving his native land, recrossed =fcj- ■► W . 1820, and emigrated to America with her parents when a little child three r* J* 158 JOHNSON COUNTY. i*^H* years of age. Becoming homesick they returned to their native land, and in five years thereafter re- crossed the Atlantic once more, and this time set- tled in Greene County, III. Here Mrs. Gore Lived until her marriage. Her father. Alexander Thomp- son, was a fanner by occupation, and his wife in her girlhood was Miss Margaretta Stewart. They continued to make their home in Greene County, 111., where the mother died when about sixty-five years of age. The father survived his wife many years, his death taking place in L875, after he had reached the advanced ageof ninety-five years. Ed- win Gore died in 1860. I lis wife is still living on the old homestead with one of her sons, John W.. the fifth child. The parents were prominently con- nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which they contributed liberally of their means and their labors, and always took a lively interest in the prosperity of the Master's cause. William Gore, the paternal grandfather of our subject, and in honor of whom the latter was named, was a resident of Maryland for some time previous to his decease. He carried ou farming near Queen Anne, and died when our subject was too young to recollect anything of his history, lie was the father of two children only. The subject of this biography, William R. Gore, was born on Field's Prairie, near Havana, Mason Co., Ill, April it, 184*. He lived there with his father until the death of the latter, in 1K77. and until a man twenty-nine years of age. He had re- ceived a practical education, and made farming the business of his life. Upon coming to this county, in the spring of 1877, he purchased 160 acres of land in Lincoln Precinct, improved it, set out an orchard of 200 trees, and a grove of forest trees around the dwelling. He erected a substantial farm house, and later all the out-buildings necessary for the shelter of stock and the storing of grain. He availed himself of the improved machinery of the day to cultivate the soil, and before many years found himself in the enjoyment of a tine income'. lie has now one of the most beautiful homes in this part of Johnson County. Mr. (nire was elected to the office which beholds in the fall of L883, and in the spring following as- sumed the duties thereof, which he has discharged with great credit. lie was re-elected in 1N87 by a greatly increased majority, and is now serving his second term. His family consists of a most esti- mable wife and three bright children, two sons and a daughter — Grace, Roscoe and Harry. Mrs. Mar- tha J. (Hardin) Gore became the wife of our sub- ject Jan. 28, 1K77, in Mason County. 111. She was born there Feb. 1(1. 1852, and is the daughter of James M. and Martha (Micklam) Hardin, the for- mer a native of Maryland and the latter of Virginia. Mr. Hardin left his native State when a young man twenty years old, emigrating in company with Ed- win Gore to Mason County, 111., and settling on a tract of land adjoining that of Mr. G. There he opened up a good farm, where he still lives with his estimable wife. He was born about 1817, and his wife eight years later, in 1825. Both of them became prominently identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. The twelve children born to them all lived to mature years. Mr. Gore meddles very little with political affairs, but usually supports the principles of the Republi- can party. Socially, he belongs to the I. O. O. F., being a member of the lodge at Tecumseh. In so- cial and business circles he is a man highly spoken of, and contributes his full quota in sustaining the moral and financial welfare of his community. '/fteh IIAMBERLAIN BROS., Clarence K. and f((^ 1 Charles M., attorneys and counselors-at- ^^ law, are also proprietors of the Chamber- lain banking house, which is numbered among the solid institutions of Tecumseh. The elder brother came to this place in May, 1885, opened a law of- fice and was joined by the younger in April, 1886. They are talented as lawyers, capable as business men. and have fully established themselves in the esteem and confidence of their fellow-citizens. The father of these gentlemen, Lorenzo H. Cham- berlain, was born Jan. 10, 181'.), in Seneca Falls, N. Y. The family is an old and honored one, and the present representatives are descendants in the ninth generation of the family of the same name who came to America during Colonial days and settled in Roxbury, Mass., some time during the "7* f "1i JOHNSON COUNTY. 159 *t year 1647. We find them mentioned subsequently ns among the founders of Dudley and Oxford, Mass., and Woodstock, Conn., about the year 17:54. During the progress of the Revolutionary War ('apt. Jacob Chamberlain, the great-grandfather of the subjects of this sketch, served, as shown by the Dudley town records, on the Committee of Defense. IK- also did efficient service during Shay's Rebel- lion, and died from the results of exposure therein, .bin. 27, 1791. About the year 1 800 representatives of the Cham- berlain family, now a large one, removed in large numbers, indeed almost the entire representatives of the name, to Cortland and Seneca Counties, N. Y. Col. Jacob, the grandfather of Clarence and Charles, was then a young man twenty-four years of age, and settled in the vicinity of Seneca Falls, where he subsequently became the owner of large tracts of land, lie came honestly by the title of Colonel, which he earned as a valiant soldier in the State Militia during the War of 1812. Chamberlain Brothers on the maternal side are descended from French Huguenots, who, upon being driven from their native soil, took up their residence in Orange and Columbia Counties, N. Y. Their mother, Mrs. Elizabeth K. Chamberlain, was a native of Columbia County, N. Y., and the par- ents are now living. Clarence K. Chamberlain was born Jan. 4, 1857, at Seneca Falls, N. Y., and was given a fine educa- tion, being first graduated from Hamilton College, with the degree of B. A., in the class of 1881, and subsequently pursued his law studies at Boston University. He was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of New York State, and for a short time followed his profession in Waterloo, in that State. He removed thence, in 1885, to Nebraska. He was married, Sept. (i, 18*2, to Miss Maria C. Bachelder, of Maiden, Mass. The}- are the parents of two children, a daughter, Mildred, born April 12. 1880, and a son. Jacob Arthur, born Nov. 19, 1888. Mrs. Maria C. Chamberlain is the daughter of Isaac M. Bachelder and was born in Boston, Mass. Her father is a direct descendant of Rev. Stephen Bachelder, the first minister of Salem, Mass., who came from England to this country in 1032 fc Among his descendants are found many in- 4> dividuals of national fame, including Daniel Web- ster, John <:. Whittier and Caleb Cushing. Isaac M. was a member of the (inn of Palmer, Bachelder A: Co., one of the oldest jewelry houses in lloston. Clarence K. and his estimable lady are members of the Episcopal Church of Tecumseh. Mr. C. is Commander of Division No. (!, First Regiment, Uniform Bank K. of 1'.. and a member of Greek Letter Society, "l'si I'psilon." Charles M. Chamberlain was also born in Seneca Falls. N. Y.. Dee. 12. 1802, and with his brother has been admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of his native State. C. K, is a Republican, while C. M. is a Demqprat, although carefully abstaining from the responsibilities of office, preferring to give their undivided attention to their rapidly in- creasing law practice and their banking interests. The}' are the owners of considerable city property, and interested in Western lands. -?s- 7-7ir -*k~ ,41 ffelLBURN MORTON, who is well known \rJII throughout Spring (reek Precinct and vi- y»y\5 cinity. is the proprietor Of 299 acres of fertile land, 139 of which constitutes the home- stead. He came to Nebraska Territory with his family in the spring of 1865, and located first in Nebraska City. < (toe ( ountv. moved to McWilliams Precinct, same county, in the spring of 1866, and in 1870 to his present farm, which he secured as a homesteader, and which, it is hardly necessary to say, was in striking contrast to its present c tition. Twenty acres had been broken and some discour- aged settler had constructed a dug-out. and this constituted the only improvement. More than twenty years of persevering industry have left their mark upon the land, anil the dug-out was long since replaced by a set of substantial farm build- ings, which, with their surroundings, comprise one of the most comfortable homes in the northeast- ern part of tin' county. Mr. Morton commenced business for himself in Illinois ten years prior to coming here, with a horse worth about slid and a few imperfect farm imple- ments. He hail very little money, and ».is depend- ent entirely upon his own resources, not ha\ ing been ^ f 100 -JOHNSON COUNTY. *t the heir to any inheritance except the qualities of honesty and industry which descended to him from his ancestors. He is a native of Hawkins County, Tenn.. and was born June I. 1830. His parents, William and Celia (George) Morton, were natives respectively of North Carolina and Tennessee, and his paternal grandfather, John Morton, did good service as a soldier in the War of 1812. The lat- ter had two brothers in the Revolutionary War. The parents of our subject were married in Ten- nessee, whence they migrated about 1830 to Pike County, 111., when their son Wilburn was hut an infant of six months. They settled among the pio- neers of that region, where the father battled suc- cessfully with the elements of the primitive soil and where both parents spent the remainder of theii days. The mother died in middle life, in the win- ter of 1853. The father survived Ins wife a period of thirty years, his death taking place in the year 1883, in Tike County, 111. William Morton was a man prominent in his community, possessed of great perseverance and energy, and was no unimportant factor in the de- velopment of Tike County. He held the office of Constable a number of years, besides filling other positions of trust, and was ever ready to contribute to those projects having for their object the wel- fare of the people around him. The parental household included nine children, of whom the following survive, namely: Eliza, the widow of Mr. Lerv. of Pike County. 111.; Jackson, also liv- ing in thai county; Wllburn, our subject; Jeremiah, of Nemaha County, this State; and Sally, Mrs. John Cox, of Seward County. Our subjed was reared to manhood in the Prairie State, assisted in the development of the home- stead and secured a somewhat limited education in the pioneer schools. After the death of his mother he assisted in the support of the family, remaining with his father until his marriage. This important event in his life occurred April 26, 1856, the maiden of his choice being Miss Susanna Brown-, and the wedding taking place in Pike County, 111. Mrs. Morton was born in Brown County. Ohio, and is the daughter of Samuel and Diantha (Granger) Brown, who were natives of Ohio, and are now residents of Seward County, this State. Their family consisted of ten children, all residents of Nebraska except one. who lives in Cheyenne County, Kan. Our subject and his wife remained residents of Illinois until the spring of 1865, when Mr. Morton, disposing of his interests in the Prairie State, set his face toward the farther West, coming to Ne- braska. His subsequent movements we have al- ready indicated. His family circle was completed by the birth of eleven children, nine of whom are living, namely: William S., a resident of Gage County, this State; Charles, in this county; Martha, the wife of Frank Maris, of Gage County; Eliza- beth, Mrs. John Matthews, of this county; Adelia, Dora, Edward, James and Andrew. The two de- ceased are .Mary L. and Helen, who died in child- hood. Mr. Morton labored early and late for many years in order to gain a foothold upon the soil of Nebraska, and in due time found himself on the high road to prosperity. Not only has he con- tributed toward the development of Johnson County in the improvement of one of its finest farms, but has been a man liberal and public-spirited, encouraging the establishment and maintenance of schools and churches and contributing of his means to this end. He and his estimable wife are in their prime and well preserved as the result of temperate habits and correct lives, and enjoy the esteem and confidence of hosts of friends. Mrs. Morton is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. M., po- litically, is a Union Labor man. He was cradled under the wings of the Republican party, with which he labored and voted for many years. In connection with farming he makes a specialty of stock-raising, keeping good grades of cattle, horses and swine. He is amply supplied with the modern farm machinery, and in his home and surroundings is fulfilled the modern ideal of the complete rural estate where peace and plenty abide. rp=^j NOS L. LESTER lias been identified with the State since the year 1870, and has borne his full share of those discomforts, difficulties and hardships incidental to the age of the pioneer in every new district or section of country. He is »► i r* JOHNSON COUNTY. 1G1 working eighty acres of land upon section 5, Todd Creek Precinct, and has also a farm of 120 acres in Nuckolls County, situated within a mile of the city of Claramont. When our subject first came to the State he set- tled about seven miles northeast of Tecumseh, in Spring Creek Precinct. He remained there for about two j'ears, and then located as at present. He has been very enterprising in the operating of his farm and its redemption from its original prim- itive condition of raw prairie. His fields are well cultivated, fertile, and usually return him a fruitful harvest. The same is true of his orchards. He is not largely devoted to stock farming, but raises a number of hogs, sheep, cattle and horses, and has seen a continuous prosperity therein. In 1883 he saw his way clear to the erection of a new farm dwelling, and put up a good, commodious frame house, in which were not lacking many of the mod- ern devices for convenience and comfort. About the same time a new barn was necessary, and speed- ily it also arose from its foundation; it is very commodious and quite an ornament to the prop- erty. Our subject is feeding three carloads of fine cattle. Mr. Lester was born near Lansing, Mich., on the 4th of March, 1852, and was about seven years of age when his parents removed to Hancock County. 111. In the schools of that county he received a g 1 practical education, and then gave his atten- tion to farming, from which time until the present be lias chiefly been engaged therein, so that he is well informed upon all points connected with his chosen occupation, and is eminently practical. On the 4th of October, 1879, there was celebrated the marriage of our subject with Miss Victoria Piatt, of Spring Creek. She was bom in Indiana, on the 24th of August. 1852, coining to this State with her parents, with whom she remained until her mar- riage, when they migrated hither in 1872. There have come to brighten and bless the home of our subject two children, who bear the names Ada and Ibrshel. In politics our subject is a Democrat, and active where the interests of his party are concerned. lie is also a member of the social order of Masonry, and attends the local lodge of the fraternity. He -«•— is a man popular and respected in the community, and as a business man is considered of stanches! integrity. The father of our subject, Thomas Lester, was born in New York, in the year 1811, and was by occupation an agriculturist. He was united in wed- lock with Miss Harriet Kaywood, a native of the same State, who presented him with seven chil- dren, of whom four are still living. The family emigrated successively from the home State to Michigan, thence to Illinois, and finally to Ne- braska, where he is now living at Sterling, in this county. For many years he has been a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, but is now living retired from'aclive service, and has united with the Presbyterian Church, where he is accompanied by his wife, who is also a member of the same com- munion. UGUST KRAUSE. The German element, maintaining its characteristic enterprise and 4 spirit of sturdy adventure, was not long in penetrating the Territory of Nebraska as >oon as it was fairly opened for settlement. Among its notable pioneers is the subject of this sketch, who first arrived in this county in the spring of 1866, before Nebraska had been admitted into the Union as a State. The month was May, and he had journeyed in a covered wagon from Wisconsin, ac- companied by his parents, .Michel and Christina (Humboldt) Krause. They first sought the home Of William Krause, a brother, in Gage County, where our subject tarried until February, 1868, the parents in the meantime stay ing in Johnson County. Mr. Krause made this memorable journey when a youth of nineteen years, but previous to that he had made a far longer one when a lad of ten. having crossed the Atlantic Ocean from Germany, where his birth took place March I, liS47. On this voyage he was also accompanied by his parents, and they made their way to Wisconsin, where they lived until coming to Nebraska. The first land secured by our subject was a tract of eighty acres, which he purchased in the spring of 1867. The father homeMeadcd eighty acres ad- joining, and upon neither had there been the slight- -«•- 162 JOHNSON COUNTY. ~t est attempt at improvement. The latter, like his sod, proceeded with the cultivation of the soil, and lived to be quite aged, his death occurring June 10, 1880, after he had spanned seventy-five long years. The mother is still living, and has now at- tained the age of seventy-eight. She, with her hus- band, identified herself with the Methodist Epis- copal Church man} - years ago, and in the doctrines of this denomination their children were carefully trained. The latter consisted of two sons, who are now in Nebraska. When Mr. Krause and his father came to this county they had between them about $100. They had paid $250 for their land. With the remaining cash in hand the}' purchased a cook stove, a cow and some provisions, and began tillling the soil with a yoke of steers, which they secured on time. They operated in this manner for a period of three years, and then, going over into Richardson County, traded the steers for a span of horses, giving $100 to boot. The first dwelling of the family was a log cabin, which our subject put up in 18G7,and which he occupied with the family until the erection of the present residence, which is a substantial frame structure of six rooms, and which was completed in the fall of 1883. The log house was situated in the timber down on the creek. The Farm buildings which Mr. Krause now has are finely located, and in every way admirably adapted to the conveni- ence and comfort of the proprietor. Forty acres of timber add to the value of the estate, and the land which is not devoted to the growing of grain ex- hibits a fine stretch of pasture. The marriage of our subject with Miss Hannah Billing, of Pawnee County, this State, was cele- brated at the home of the bride, near the town of Pawnee City, on the 20th of July, 1875. This lady is the daughter of Leonard and Agues (Boden- dorfer) Billing, who were natives of Germany. The mother passed away some years before the marriage of her daughter Hannah, but the father is still living and a resident of Pawnee. Of this union there have been born five children, viz: Joseph, Sophia, Ida, Leonard and .Matilda. They are all living, and form an interesting group, of which the parents may justly be proud, Mr. Krause is a very intelligent man and pos- sesses considerable literary ability, being the corre- spondent of several papers as a reporter of country news. He lays no claim to being a politician, but entertains the interest which is felt by every intel- ligent man in the prosperity of his county and Stale, and usually votes the Republican ticket. He has served on the School Board of his precinct for a period of twelve years, officiated as Moderator nine years, and as Director three years. In the spring of 1871 he was elected Assessor of Sterling Precinct, and discharged its duties, as has been his habit in all the relations of life, in a praiseworthy and conscientious manner. ^^-S* — ^ SjASON L. PHILLIPS, widely and favorably known as the proprietor of the feed mill and store at the corner of Clay and Eighth streets, was born in 1831, in Oswego County, N. Y. He remained with his parents until twenty years of age, which time had been filled with the usual em- ployments of boyhood and youth. Upon leaving his native State he went to Lake County, 111., and purchased a farm. For the subsequent three years he made his home thereon, and was very success- fid. Selling that property, he went to Jackson County, Iowa, and later to Linn County. There he had a farm, but devoted more attention to threshing than was usual. He lived to see con- siderable improvement upon the threshing-ma- chines used when he first began, and was always deeply interested in them. He has himself invented quite a number of different improvements, and has made at least eleven different "separators." He holds a patent upon seven different points, which are much valued, and used upon almost every ma- chine constructed at present. Although he does not go out himself, our sub- ject still continues to run quite a large business in threshing. The most he does is occasionally, when circumstances press, to oversee the work until such pressure is removed. In 1807 Mr. Phillips sold his property in Linn County, Iowa, and came to Tecumseh. He purchased land in Nemaha Pre- cinct, and improved the same, living upon it in all about nine years. At the end of that period he '► f "4^ =a 4-* JOHNSON COUNTY. 163 sold the place and came to the city, where he has been engaged in the manufacture of wagons and washing-machines. He lias invented one of the latter, which has had quite an extensive sale and is much commended. He still runs a repair shop in connection with his feedmill, and turns out a large variety of work in excellent shape. Upon the 6th of March, 1861, our subject and Miss Julia McComber were united in marriage, and have become the parents of nine children, of whom six survive. Their names are recorded as follows: Hattie, Daniel, Julia, Addie and Emma (twins), and W. Sheldon. Mrs. J. L. Phillips is the daughter of Alonson and Sarah (Chase) Mc- Comber, and was born in the State of New York, on the 16th of May, 1834, and until her marriage made her home with her parents. Mr. McComber was by occupation a farmer, and held property in Oswego County, N. Y., but for the last ten years of his life resided in California, where he went for gold soon after 1849. Hattie Phillips, the eldest living daughter of our subject, is happily married to Oscar Whittin, a farmer of Oregon, and is the mother of four children; Daniel is living in Southern California, and is freighting with teams; he is married to Miss Nettie Carter, of Peru, Neb. The third child is unmarried, and resides with her uncle in Califor- nia; Addie makes her home with her sister in Oregon; the two younger members of the family are still at home. The eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, Florence J., died in April, 1882, in Oregon, and her remains were placed in the Oswego Cemetery, a beautiful city of the dead, ornamented witli ever- greens and fir trees. She was an interesting young lad}', beloved by all who knew her, Horace Phillips, the father of our subject, was born in Vermont, but migrated to the Empire State when about twenty-five years of age. He followed agriculture as the chosen occupation of his life. He was the owner of a good and ex- tensive farm in Oswego County, upon which lie continued to live until he attained a good old age, and then removed to his children in Illinois, and still later to Iowa. In that State he died at the age of seventy -seven. The maiden name of his «*•— wife was Susan Weed, a native of Vermont. They were the parents of eleven children, all of whom came to mature years, and all but one of them still survive. Mis. S. \V. Phillips died in Iowa, in 1861, at the advanced age of sixty-five years. The Phillips family has for several generations been representative of the best class of American citizenship, and that of our subject in no way de- tracts from so worthy a histoiy. Throughout the county he is much esteemed, and as a business man enjoys a fine reputation. In society at large both he and his are received and accorded sin- cerest regard. ^~»^3*£N§-<~^ ft JUDGE THOMAS APPELGET, of the First Judicial District of Nebraska, a gentleman whose history is here sketched, is in every way able to sustain the dignity of his office, and to deal with even-handed justice toward those who may stand before him in his official capacit}'. He was chosen to fill his present high position be- cause of his unusual ability as an attorney and counselor at law. His large mental capacity, his extensive reading and many years of practice in the profession, abundantly warranted the selection, and subsequent events have shown that it was right. Judge Appelget was born on the 22d of Novem- ber, 1832, in New Jersey. He was brought up on a farm, and remained at the old homestead until he was about eighteen years of age. He then went to Williston Seminary, in Massachusetts. Af- ter this he read law with Judge Van Dyke, at New Brunswick, N. J. In the intervals he taught school, and by that means was enabled to cover all his ex- penses during student days. He was admitted to the bar in New Jersey in the year 1866, after suc- cessfully passing a rigid, searching examination, and was ready to practice his chosen profession. Answering a call for men to defend the Stars and Stripes, and maintain the Nation's honor, our sub- ject enlisted in Company B, of the 28th New Jersey Regiment, serving for a term of one year, entering as a private, and by ability and military daring at- tracting such attention as to be advanced to the ?£**-** 164 -•* JOHNSON COUNTY. f rank of Lieutenant, and afterward made Adjutant of the regiment, a fact which speaks by no means uncertainly as to his character and military efficiency. In 1870 Judge Appelget came to Tecumseh and opened a law office, and since that time has been engaged in the practice of law. It was a very short time before his list of clients had lengthened to a surprising extent, and his receipts from his practice gave him entire freedom from any finan- cial anxiety. He is entitled to practice in all courts of the United States, and is an eloquent pleader, ready upon all point* of argument, and accounted quite an ultimate authority in almost any legal matter that may come under discussion. He was appointed to the bench in May, 1887, and was elected in November, 1887, to fill the full term of four years, beginning in January, 1888. The lady to whom our subject was united in mar- riage was Miss Helen Voorhees, of the State of New Jersey. This interesting event was celebrated at Windsor, March 1, 1855. To them have been born two children, both of whom are living. The elder child of Judge Appelget, Anthony M., was as- sociated with his father until he went on the bench, and now takes full charge of the office business. His daughter Mary is at home. The wife of our subject was born in the above State, in September, 1830. and is the daughter of John Voorhees, one of the prominent farmers of that place. She received a good education, and is a lady of culture and much innate refinement. Judge Appelget now lives near the city of Te- cumseh, and is the owner of a very fine residence on Fifth street, just outside the corporation limits. He has about five acres devoted to the lawn, be- sides the usual gardens and picturesque groves, etc. lie is also the owner of several important pieces of city property, and two extensive and well-cultivated farms in the county, possessing good buildings. Our subject has been the County Attorney for a number of years, but has always preferred to keep out of oflice. In his own private affairs he had as much as it was possible for him to attend to, and was eminently successful therein. By all who know him he is accounted one of the most valued and prominent citizens of Tecumseh, and enjoys the entire respect of the community at large, and, if anything, more than respect of his colleagues in his professional circles. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has been so for a long time. During the j'ear 1887 he was Commander of the G. A. R. Post, and served with much effi- ciency. Although exceedingly well liked in the city, being pleasant in manner, very social and af- fable, he at all times upholds the dignity which he feels is associated with the tribunal he represents. Anthony Appelget, the father of our subject, was born in the year 1802, on the old homestead in Middlesex County, N. J., which has been in the pos- session of the family since the year 1754. There he spent all of his days, occupying the position of a prominent farmer, much respected in the commu- nity, holding at different times various offices in the county, a man whose word was considered equal to his bond, a worthy sire of a no less worthy son. The maiden name of his wife, the mother of our subject, was Lena Riggs. She presented her hus- band with six children, and in this family the sexes were evenly represented. Of these two sons and two daughters came to years of maturity. Mrs. Appelget, Sr., died in the year 1835, and some time afterward he married again, and is still living upon the farm. Thomas Appelget, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born upon the same farm, and operated it tin- the greater part of his life, dying upon it in the year 1830. His father's name was Anthoivy Ap- pelget, a soldier in the Revolutionary War, in which be met his death. He also was ushered into this world at the same homestead. Thomas Appel- get, the father of Anthony, and great-great-grand- father of our subject, was a native of England, and was by occupation a blacksmith. He purchased the farm upon coming to this country, in the year 1 754, as above mentioned. Helena (Riggs) Appelget was born in Middlesex County, N. J., living there with her parents until the time of her marriage. She was the daughter of Lewis and Ida Riggs, to whom she was born in the year 1804. Her father was one of the prominent, successful and enterprising farmers of the county. Anthony M. Appelget, the son of our subject, re- I ceived an excellent education in the schools of r *J« i JOHNSON COUNTY. 1G5 Tecumseh, and afterward from the state University at Lincoln, Neb., then entering the law department of the Iowa University he was graduated with the class of '78, receiving the degree of LL. 15. He was the same year admitted to the bar in [owa and Ne- braska, to practice in all courts. Since that time he has continued in the practice of his profession with his father, assuming entire control of the busi- ness on the elevation of that gentleman to the bench. His wife was Miss Mary C. Paine, of this county. Their union was celebrated on the 27th of October, 1879. There have been five children born to them, of whom four are living, viz.: Thomas. Henry, Abbie and Clarence. For the past five years Mr. A. M. Appelget has filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned the office of City Attorney. ANIEL F. OSGOOD is a name known and respected in professional and social circles throughout Johnson County. In Tecumseh, the home of this gentleman, he is held in special regard as one of its most promi- nent attorneys and able counselors-at-law. He was District Attorney for this district, covering five counties, viz. : Johnson. Pawnee, Gage, Richardson and Nemaha. He was qualified on the 1st of Janu- ary, 1884, filling his office most acceptably until it was abolished, and the present office of Count} - At- torney created. The subject of this sketch was born on the 26th of September, 1858, in Wayne County, Pa. He was brought up and educated in his native count}', finishing his educational studies at Wyoming Semi- nary, at Kingston, Pa., alter which he taught School fur a time. lie came to this State in Au- gust, 1879, and continued to follow the same pro- fession of teaching until admitted to the bar in 1881, after having read carefully in various offices, among others those of Judge Davidson and B. F. Perkins of this city. Being admitted to the bar, he opened an office in Tecumseh. from which time his practice has been continually growing. His bright, clear intellect, strong memory, ready wit and no less ready speech, have greatly assisted in making him a successful pleader in the various courts, and, although comparatively a young man, he has already made a record worth}' of imitation. Mr. Osgood was united in the bands of holy matrimony with Miss Mary B. Krum on the 3d of February. 1885. This lady is the daughter of Rev. Dr. J. D. Krum, of this city, and was born in New York State, on the 23d of August, 1863. She was rpiite a child when her parents removed to Seneca County, N. Y., where they continued to live until May of 1879, when they removed to Lewisburg, Pa. There they made their home until 188"), and then came to this city, where Miss Krum was united in marriage to our subject. They are the parents of one beautiful daughter, to whom they have given the rame Mary Ellen. Rev. J. D. Krum was born in New York, and was graduated from Rutgers' College and Theological Seminary, where he prepared himself to follow his chosen pro- fession. He was a Presbyterian, and the changes of location above recorded were such as were inci- dental to removal to and from the various churches he has served in the pastorate. At present he is not engaged in active ministerial work. His wife, mother of Mrs. Osgood, was before her marriage Miss Ellen M. Blair, of Angelica, N. Y. This event was celebrated on the 26th of June, 1861, since which time two children have been born to them, who still survive. The father of our subject, John S. Osgood, was born in Wayne County, Pa. He continued to follow throughout the greater part of his life the calling he had selected, viz., husbandry, and for the most part hail clone so in his native county, where he was held in much regard. He has been called upon at various times to hold different town- ship offices, always doing so in a way most creditable and satisfactory. He. however, prefers to be allowed to attend to his own business, having no ambition to occupy official positions. His wife was Elizabeth Fairchild, of Luzerne County, Fa. They arc the parents of three children, who are still living. He has to-day a large dairy farm in Ster- ling Township, of Wayne < lounty, Pa., and with his wife enjoys much of the brightness of life. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, active, consistent and devout. He has «► 4 166 4- JOHNSON COUNTY. cheerfully and ably served the church in different offices when called upon. He is a man looked up to and respected by the entire community, admir- ing as they do his high character and consistent Christian walk and conversation. Daniel Osgood has before him a very bright prospect. "As the sun rises in the East " in the morning hours of the day, bathing the earth in glowing brilliancy and light, so has the sun risen on the professional life of our subject, throwing its rays far into the future, making it radiant with its promise. As a man and lawyer he is very highly esteemed by his fellows, and enjoys the confidence of quite a large clientage. He is an active worker in the various fraternities of the city, being a member of the Knights of Pythias, the I. O. O. F. and Encampment, of which he is a Past Grand and Past Chief Patriarch ; also Junior and Senior Warden of the Masonic Lodge, and also being a member of the Chapter and Conned. J "ft AMES IITLL, proprietor of the Tecumseh Elevator, so widely known throughout this i section of the country as a most worthj repre- ') sentative of the grain interest, is the son of George Hill, who was born in England in 1790, and when about forty years of age came to America. While still in his native country this gentleman was married to Miss Isabel Allen, a native of Edin- burgh, Scotland. They were the parents of eight children, some of whom were born on the other side of the Atlantic. They were only privileged to bring five of their children to years of maturity. Coining to this country in 1811, he settled with his family in Cass County. III., and was among the earliest settlers there. He took up a new farm, im- proved and operated it, seeing no little success at- tending his labors. There he made his home until his death in 1868, having survived his wife about six years. The place of the nativity of James Hill was Ed- inburgh, Scotland, and the date of that interesting event the 7th of March, L83 I. At the time of the settlement in Cass County lie was ten years of age. He has a vivid recollection of the early work upon the farm, when he was set to help grub out the land, and as far as lie was able, help prepare it for the plow. lie received a good common-school educa- tion, and did not leave the parental roof-tree until after he had attained his majority. Then he went into tin" milling business at Virginia, 111. On the 20th of November, 1861, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Needham, of Jacksonville, 111., who has presented him with seven children. Of these three sons ami three daughters are living. After spending about seven years in the town of Virginia, Mr. Hill sold out, and in 1871 came to this State. He took up a farm about ten miles northeast of Tecumseh, and continued to work the same for perhaps four years. In 187(1 he sold his property and came into the town and built the Cen- tennial Mill, and ran it for about five years. Until that time it had been a. stone mill, then he made it a roller mill, after which it became known as the Tecumseh Roller Mill. Not long afterward, in partnership with his sou. he went into business as a merchant on the corner of Clay and Fourth streets, and later into the coal business. In the spring of 1886 the mill burned, and upon its site Mr. Hill erected a new elevator, which business he attends to himself, leaving his son to carry on that at the store, which was established after the burning of the null. The coalyard he has also retained under his supervision. Miss Mary Needham was born on the 1 01 li of March. 1842, at Jacksonville, 111., and there lived until she was fourteen years of age, when with her father, Joseph Needham. she went to Cass County, 111., near Virginia, and there remained until her marriage. Her father was a native of England; he came to Illinois when he was about fifty years of age. In his native country he had been an agri- cult mist, and upon settling in Cass Comity took up a farm, which he is still operating with a large measure of success. His wife, however, was re- moved from him by death in the year 1876. George Hill, the eldest son of our subject, was born On Nov. I. 1862. lie was married to Ida Ashley, of Peru. Nebraska, and they are now the parents of three children — Ethel, Clarence and Edna. It is the son who is the member of the tirm of James Hill & Son. and lias charge of the store, as men- *•■ «*•- JOHNSON COUNTY. 167 fcioned abore. The next sun. James, Jr., assists his father at the elevator; John is attending school; the other members of the family are Matchel (known as Mittie), Isabel and Mary. All of them have been given a thorough education, and appreciate the power it has placed in their hands. As a fam- ily they are most happy and united, and their home is one of the pleasantest in the community. Mr. and Mrs. Hill are much esteemed members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in society they are at all times received with a cordiality that is born of a sincere regard. ... NDREW SALZMAN, one of the honored ^CJI, pioneers of Lincoln Precinct, may be found usually at his pleasant homestead on sec- tion 35, where he has resided since the spring of 18C8. A native of Butler County, Ohio, he was born Sept. G, 1829, and is the sou of Michael and Lena (Eiman) Salzman, the father a native of the Province of Lorraine, born while it belonged to France, and the mother a native of Prussia. The parents of our subject emigrated to Amer- ica shortly before the birth of the latter, settling in Butler County, Ohio, among its earliest pioneers, where they lived and labored until called hence. The father departed this life about 1861, and the mother in 1870. Andrew was the fifth of a family of seven children, five of whom are living, and residents of Ohio, Illinois and Nebraska. Our subject was reared to manhood in his native State, and enjoyed the advantages of the pioneer schools, from which he was enabled to obtain, how- ever, only a limited education. He has been quite an extensive reader all his life, and has thus kept himself well posted in regard to matters of interest to the intelligent citizen. Upon leaving his native State in the fall of 1856, he made his nay to Wood- ford County, III., and was there at the outbreak of the Rebellion. Soon after the first call for troops, he enlisted. Aug. 20, 1861, in Company K, 1 29th Illinois Infantry, and participated in many of the important battles of the war, being present at Re- saca, and thereafter through the entire campaign, including the siege of Atlanta, also going with Sher- man on his famous march to the sea. After the capture of Savannah he fought in the battle of Averasboro, N. C, where he received a gunshot wound, March 16, 1865, through the right thigh, and was confined in the hospital until the 16th of June following, when he was given his honorable discharge. He now draws a pension of 88 per month from the Government. He acquitted him- self as a brave and faithful soldier, receiving the approval of his superior officers and the respect of his comrades. After the war Mr. Salzman returned to Illinois, and settled in Livingston County, where he resided until the spring of 1868. He then came to Ne- braska with his wife and family, having been mar- ried in Woodford County, III., March 22, 1859, to Miss Mary E. Pogue. Mrs. Salzman was born in West Virginia, and reared in Illinois, and is the daughter of Londa J. and Rebecca (Kirby) Pogue, who were natives of Pennsylvania and New York, and are now deceased. Their family consisted of ten children, and the survivors are residents of Illinois, Indiana and Nebraska. To our subject and his estimable wife there has been born one child only, a daughter, Nellie, who is now the wife of Albert Russell, and who, with her husband, resides at the homestead with her parents. Mr. Salzman upon coming to this count} - at once homesteaded 160 acres of land in Lincoln Precinct, and began at once its improvement, putting up the necessary buildings and bringing the soil to a state of cultivation. He has been greatly prospered in his labors, and wisely invested his surplus capital in additional land, being now the owner of 480 acres, all of which is in a good state of cultivation, lie came to this county with very little capital, and has accumulated his possessions by hard labor and tin' exercise of the strictest economy. In common with the early settlers of Johnson County, he witli his estimable wife endured hardships and priva- tions, and they were obliged to calculate in the closest manner for a number of years in order to make both ends meet. They have emerged from the battle with flying colors, and are now sitting under their own vine and tigtree in independent circumstances, with the certainty of a competence in their declining years. Both united with the •►_ 4= 168 JOHNSON COUNTY. Presbyterian Church some years ago, and are num- bered among its most active contributing members. Mr. Salzman, politically, is a solid Republican, and although never ambitious for office, has served on the .School Board of his precinct a number of years, and also discharged two terms the duties of Justice of the Peace. Liberal and public-spirited, lie is among the first to encourage the enterprises calcu- lated for the advancement of his adopted county, and is numbered among her most disinterested citi- zens, having in mind the best interests of her peo- ple. — *' c' * 3 | l[ | S * S' * '" *t ylLLIAM GRIMES. This gentleman is now serving his second term of office as Sheriff of Johnson County, being first elected on the Republican ticket in 1885, and re-elected two years subsequently. He is one of the most able and active officers in the State, and has been unani- mously chosen Secretary of the Sheriff's Association of Nebraska, which held its annual meeting at Omaha on the 11th of August, 1888. lie is deeply interested in all that pertains thereto, and is much esteemed among his colleagues as he is in society at large. He is the owner of considerable real estate and residence property in Sterling, and some land in Kansas, in addition to his well-established busi- ness, which is that of dealer in farming implements and groceries. Perry County, Ohio, is the native place of our subject, where he was born on the 6th of Novem- ber, 1857. In the usual institution he received his education, filling the days of childhood and youth after the manner of his school companions. As he is a thorough man, he was then a thorough boy, and although frequently both teachers and parents realized that this was true, perhaps to an undesira- ble degree, they might well be proud of him from the time he was old enough to put away childish things. After school daj's were over he continued upon his father's farm until he was twenty years of age, and then he decided to push out into the world for himself. Upon leaving home Mr. Grimes went to Hastings, Neb., and was engaged upon the Hastings Gazette, now the Gazette Journal. He took the place of a compositor, and was thus engaged for two years. Then he went to Ohio, and while there married Mary Cleaver, the amiable daughter of William and Mar- tha Cleaver, of Ilarveyshurg, Ohio. Their nuptials were celebrated on Christinas Day of the year 1*78. There have been born to them three chil- dren, two of whom are still living, whose names are recorded as Flo and Thayer. Not long after their marriage the young couple removed to Clay County, this State, where they made their home for about eleven months, then came to Johnson County. They settled in the city of Sterling, where they have since continuously resided. Upon making their home in Sterling our subject engaged in the grocery business, to which he added the agricultural implement department, and saw much financial prosperity therein until 1885. His business was quite large and constantly growing, but in 1885, being elected Sheriff and tilling the office, he was compelled to make other arrange- ments. He gave his best attention to the various duties of his office, and sought to be thoroughly effi- cient therein. That he was successful in pleasing those who sent him there is evidenced by his re- election in 1887, with a very largely increased ma- jority over that which had been given him at previous elections. Although at the time of his election he was the youngest Sheriff in the State he has since proved himself to be by no means the least able. As an officer he is popular, aud yet at the same time is perfectly honorable in every de- tail of his office. In the fraternities he is quite well and favorably known, being a member of the Masonic. 1. 0. 0. F. and Sons of Veteran societies, and holding the position of Adjutant General of the Nebraska division of the latter. Mrs. Mary (Cleaver) Grimes was born in the Buckeye State, at Ilarveysburg, in Warren County, (in the 3d of March, 1857, and is the daugh- ter of William and Martha (Reason) Cleaver. Until her marriage she continued at home with her parents. Her father is one of the respected and much valued citizens of Warren County, Ohio, and has frequently been called upon by his fellow- citizens to the acceptance of some public trust. He is still living, in the enjoyment of comparatively good health considering his advanced age. His « • i JOHNSON COUNTY. 169 4 wife, however, died when Mrs. Grimes was but six days old. About eight years Later be remarried, the name of his wife being Mary Sears. The father of our subject, George W. Grimes, was born in Perry County, Ohio, on the 1 9th of October, 1824, and lived in that county, following the occupation of farming, until 1881, when he mi- grated to Sterling. Since then lie has lived a re- tired life, enjoying the fruits of his previous years of toil. He has throughout his life been a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has sustained a deep interest in religious matters. He has been enthusiastic as a Mason and as a mem- ber of the G. A. R. He enlisted in 1862, and served for one year and a half, seeing considerable service, taking part in many of the larger and more important battles during that period, and was finally discharged, owing to disability for fur- ther service. The maiden name of his wife was Sarah A. Smoot, born in Virginia. They became the parents of four sons and two daughters; one of the latter died shortly after reaching her fourth birthday; Mary V. Mason, nee Grimes, died in May. 1881; the remainder are still living. Mrs. Sarah (Smoot) Grimes was born near the Blue Ridge, Ya.. in 1829, and when quite a young lady went to Ohio to fill an engagement as school teacher, in which she continued employed until her marriage. Her father, Lofton Smoot. was a blacksmith by trade, and he also after a time migrated to the same State. Her parents afterward went still fur- ther west to Illinois, where they made their home until their death. The State of Virginia is that wherein John Grimes, the grandfather of our subject, was born. lie was one of the early pioneers, and went, some 700 or 800 miles into the woods of Ohio, and then 1 cleared a farm lor himself and family, and at the time of his death was operating about 2.000 acres of good Ohio land, in addition to which each of his twelve children had 160 acres of land, which he had prepared for them ami given them. He was quite a prominent citizen in the district where he settled, and had quite a reputation in connection with the gallant manner in which he had handled his men while holding the commission of a Captain in the War of 1812. The sword used bv him at that time is in the possession of the subject of our sketch. He died in 1876, having passed his ninetieth birthday. The great-grandfather of our subject was born in Ireland. When a young man he came to Virginia, where he became the owner of a fine plantation, continuing there until his death. This became the homestead of the family, to which ref- erence has been made above. Our subject, remem- bering the history of his faniil}' in the past, ami the honorable positions they have always occupied, has brought no blot upon the family escutcheon. *$*. ^ RS. ELIZABETH SAMPSON, for many years a much esteemed member of the com- munity of Lincoln Precinct, this county, and residing on section 1:5, township 5 north, range 1 1 east, is a native of Carroll County, Ohio, and was born on the 31st of May, 1835. Her parents, John and Susan (Castleman) Cook, were natives respectively of Virginia and Pennsylvania. Her father is deceased, her mother is living now in Oxford, Iowa. Until she was sixteen years of age she lived with her parents in her native State, at- tended school there, and passed successfully through the various classes of the usual institutions Of learn- ing. Then, in the fall of 1851, she went with her parents to Johnson County. Iowa, where they were among the early pioneer settlers. It was here that her father died in the year 1873. Of a large fam- ily of children born to Mr. and Mrs. Cook, the sub- joined alone survive: Barbara was married to Sam- uel Chrisinger, deceased, of Ft. Dodge, Iowa; Rebecca, who became the wife of the late Klias Lewis, of Carroll County. Ohio; Henry resides in Millersburg, Iowa; Elizabeth; Michael, of Oxford, and Susan, who was married to J. W. Ilenley, of Lansing, Colo. Our subject was married at Oxford, Iowa, on the 21st of February. 1858, to Mr. Ezekiel Sampson, a native of Erie County, Ohio, where he was born on the 2 1st of June, 1835. He was a son of Ezekiel and Margaret Sampson, who were respectively na- tives of New York State and Kentucky. His father died when he was but two years of age, and he was brought up by his mother, and remained with and *T •►J^ -•»• 170 JOHNSON COUNTY. *. assisted her in the care of their farm, from the time he was able to do so until his marriage, from which time he provided for her in his own family until her death, on the 17th of February, 1872. Owing to the circumstances above mentioned, Mr. Sampson received but a limited education, and that in the pioneer schools of Ohio. When he was seventeen years of age, with his mother and the other members of the family, he removed to Iowa County. Iowa, which became their home for a num- ber of years, and it was during that time that the acquaintanceship which finally resulted in his mar- riage was formed and consummated. To Mr. and Mrs. Sampson were born eight children, of whom the following survive: Susan, the wife of LaFay- ette A. Sharett, of Lincoln Precinct; Clinton E., George W., Elmer, Eugene and Minnie, all of whom are at home. The two deceased children were named John and Anna B. Mr. Sampson served for forty-two months in the late war under the stars and stripes. He was at the siege and battle of Vicksburg, and through the Red River campaign. He was with Sheridan when that illustrious General drove the Confederate forces out of the Shenandoah Valley. He was a true and brave soldier, and did good service for his country. The result, however, to him, from the hardships and privations endured, was to breakdown his constitu- tion, which was never the same after his service as it had previously been. Accompanied by his family, Mr. Sampson in the year 18G6 removed to this county, and took up a homestead claim of 160 acres in the northern part of Vesta Precinct, and continued farming there for about nine years, after which he settled on the farm that is now managed by the subject of this sketch. The}' were among the first settlers in that district, and at that time found all the usual hardships and difficulties incident to pioneer life. He was a self- made man in ever}' sense of the word, and was such a one that he enjoyed the confidence and true re- gard of all acquainted with him. He was a man of sterling integrity and deep piety, a member and supporter of the Baptist Church, and an advocate of all such institutions and organizations as would benefit the community. He was a true friend and a most exemplary citizen, faithful to a degree, and affectionate as a husband and father. He was sin- cerely mourned when he departed this life on the 17th of March, 1879. In his relation to the politi- cal welfare of the State, Mr. Sampson was a Repub- lican. For many years he was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and was interred by his brethren according to the rites of the order. His widow, the subject of this sketch, is an active member of so- ciety, greatly respected by all, true to every rela- tion of life. She is a devout member of the Baptist Church, and spends her life in tlje endeavor to bring by uniform unselfish kindness, brightness and hap- piness into the lives of others. -*-%£^tf» ■*<-v 0" RL( ) PAINE. This well and favorably known j citizen of Helena Precinct, resident on sec- tion 33. township G north, range 11 east, is a descendant of a good Connecticut family that has been identified with that section of the country for several generations. The paternal grandfather set- tled in Connecticut in the latter half of the last century. At the time of the War for Independence his family was represented in the ranks of the Col- onists, -who were the founders of the Republic. The maternal grandfather also served in that war, holding the position of Drum Major. Our subject was born in Litchfield County, Conn., on the 12th of January. 1834, and is the son of John and Abigail (Hendricks) Paine. They were the parents of nine children, and the sub- mentioned members of the family still survive: George, who resides in Cayuga County. N. Y., as does also his brother William; James in Litchfield County, Conn.; Edwin in Tecumseh; Hulda, the wife of II. O. Ward, of Litchfield County, Conn.; and Martha, now Mrs. E. C. Ferris, of the same county. Three members of the family are de- ceased, viz.: John. Sarah ami Frances. The father of our subject died on the 7th of March, 18.58, and the mother July 3, 1840, and were at the time of their demise aged seventy -one and forty -six years respectively. In his native State our subject made his home until he attained to manhood. As a boy he was carefully nurtured, and in the common schools re- ^CT^ •^^^ JOHNSON COUNTY. 171 *t ceived a fair practical education. Upon leaving school In' devoted himself to the carpenter and joiner's trade, Inthe-spring of 1856 be left his Eastern home and removed to Illinois, where he engaged at the same trade. On the 20th of Feb- ruary, 1862, at Farm Ridge, LaSalle Co., [11., he was united in marriage with Julia A. Wiswall, who was born in LaSalle County, on the lltli of No- vember, 1841, to Jason 1*. ami Julia E. (Dimmick) Wiswall. To our subject Mud wife there have been horn three children, viz.: Walter L.,on the loth of August, 1863; Herbert, Dee. 8, 1867; and Stella, Aug. 26, 187."). The parents of Mrs. Paine were natives of Penn- sylvania. Their family circle included eight chil- dren, Who are mentioned as follows: Adeline, the wife of Jacob Cadwell, of Sonoma County, CaL, where resides also Hannah, the wife of Alfred Sy- monds; Caroline, now Mrs. McMillan, of Guthrie County, Iowa; Julia, wife of our subject; Edwin, who resides in Ottawa, 111.; Harriet, who is mar- ried to Alexander Cadwell, and resides in Sonoma County, CaL; Jerusha, wife of James Garrison, re- siding in Southern California, and Eliza; the latter was the first-born child, and is the only one who has been removed by death, which came to her at Deer Park in infancy. Leaving their native State in 183.'i Mr. and Mrs. Wiswall migrated to LaSalle County, 111., and made their home among the pioneer settlers of the county. He was horn on the 23d of April, 1810, and is of English extraction ; Mrs. II. On the 2 1st of January, 1811. Her parents removed from Wayne County. Pa., to the State of Connecticut when she was three years of age, and she was there brought up. Prior to the death of Mr. Wiswall. which occurred on the 16th of July, 1886, they removed to Sonoma County. CaL. where the widow still resides, surrounded by her relatives and friends. She has reached the advanced age of eighty years, lint is Mill in the enjoyment of fairly g 1 health and strength. In the spring of 1878 the subject of our sketch left LaSalle County, 111., and. accompanied by his family, came to this county, making their home as at present, locating upon the farm he had purchased in the year 1870. which at thai time cost him at the rate of $6.25 per acre, lie bought eighty acres, hnt the success that has attended him has been such that he has now I CI) acres, well improved, highly cultivated, and under all ordinary circum- stances yielding him a large return. His buildings are good and complete, and hishomesuch as might well l»i' envied him by many apparently better cir- cumstanced. The chief attraction, however, and to our subject the chief beauty, is the wife and family, to whom he is devoted, and who on their part are equally devoted to him, so that it is a true home in the most complete meaning of the word. When a resident of Ford County, 111., our sub- ject served as Clerk of Peach Orchard Township for a year, and he is at present the Treasui t of the School Hoard of Helena Precinct, and has served upon the board for a number of years. Politi- cally, he is a Democrat, and as such is at all times ready to do his best for the party which he be- lieves to be governed by correct principles. The greater part of his life he has followed the trade of a joiner, in connection with his farming, and has been quite well prospered. He is among the well- to-do citizens of the district, and by reason of his high character is most favorably received by all who know him, as is also every member of his family. A ft <3=Hf ' 7 =£>- ^;. URDY PLATT. The fanning community i of Helena Precinct is well represented by the subject of this sketch, who resides on section 21, township 6 north, range 1 1 east, where he owns 3G0 acres of good farming land. He was born on the 3d of August, 184:S, to Peter and Sasan (Milliken) Piatt, of Dearborn County, Ind. His paternal grandfather, Gilbert Piatt, was a na- tive of New York State, and was one of the first to settle in Dearborn County, Ind., where the father of our subject was brought up, and is now residing in Tecuinseh. in the declining years of his life. While resident in Indiana that gentleman had Served in various county and other offices, render- ing good and efficient service. The subject of our sketch was reared to man- 1 1 in his native State, and in the schools thereof 172 JOHNSON COUNTY. ^Hh-*» received a good, practical mental training. Subse- quently he taught school for seven winters in In- diana, and also two in this State. On the 9th of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, 16th In- diana Infantry. This regiment was attached to the 15th Army Corps, and served first in Kentucky. They took part in the battle of Richmond, after which they were sent down the Mississippi River and next fought at Arkansas Post. He was al.su in the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and later in the battle of Mansfield. La., where he was wounded by a gunshot in the knee, and was in the hospital for some time, and upon leaving that institution re- ceived an honorable discharge, in October, 1864. He had entered the army as a private, but was early promoted, and continued to serve as a Corporal. Leaving the army, our subject returned home to Dearborn County, where, on the 24th of October, 1866, he was united in marriage with Mary Alex- ander, a native of the same count}'. She was born on the 31st of January, 1851, and is the daughter of Luther (deceased) and Phyllis (Gill) Alexander. Her father was born in Indiana, her mother in England, but she had come to this State when about three years of age with her parents, who migrated hither. The Alexander family originally looked to Kentucky as its native State. Three children were born to her parents, of whom only Mrs. Piatt and her sister Lulu, wife of Alfred Piatt, also of Helena Precinct, are living. To Mr. and Mrs. Piatt have been born four children: Alma L., March 28, 1873; Owen D., March 18, 187."); Roy C, Nov. 1, 1879, and Ralph R., Oct. 23, 1887. In the year 1872 our subject and his wife mi- grated to this county, making their home as at present. At that time fifteen acres of land were broken, but there were no improvements made upon the property of any description whatever. Now it is more like a modern model farm, splen- didly cultivated and fully supplied with all things necessary thereto. He has had his full share of difficulties as a pioneer, and has shown himself a thoroughly capable ami loyal citizen, as well as a practical and successful farmer. His home is one of the best among the farm dwellings of the county. The parents of our subject numbered in their family circle eight children, whose names we men- tion as follows: Purdy, our subject; Sarah, the wife of Clark Wicks, of Nemaha County; Alfred, of Helena Precinct; Daniel, who is residing in Dear- born County, Ind.; Victoria, who is married to Enos Lester, of this county; John, who is in Kan- sas; Emma, now Mrs. Ora Lester, of this county, and Ennis, also living in this county. Our subject assisted in the organization of the School District No. 64, and was the first to teach the school there. He is, with his wife, a member of the Universalist Church, and our subject is one of the Trustees of the church; both are active members of local society, and are everywhere highly es- teemed. He is serving as Treasurer of his school district, and for a number of years has been on the School Board. In the Tecumseh Post of the G. A. R., of which he is a member, he is very highl}' esteemed as a brave comrade, patriot, true man and citizen. _ REDERICK KOHN, of Western Precinct. P conducts his agricultural operations intelli- gently on a good farm of 160 acres, occu- pying eighty acres on section 18, and also eighty on section 19. Of Bohemian nativity, he was born on the other side of the Atlantic, Aug. 13, 1855, and is the sou of Joseph and Barbara (Smith) Kohn, who were also of German birth and parent- age, and whose family consisted of seven children. The parents spent their entire lives upon their na- tive soil, and passed away some years since. The surviving members of the family are residents of Nebraska and Germany. Young Kohn received a very good education in his native tongue, and after leaving school em- ployed himself at the cooper trade until a youth of nineteen years. In the spring of 1874, resolving to seek his fortune in the New World, he embarked on a steamer at the port of Bremen, and after a voyage of two weeks landed upon American soil, in the city of New York. After a very brief so- journ there he proceeded westward across the Mis- sissippi, and for three and one-half 3'ears there- after was employed on a farm in Pawnee Count}', this State. In the meantime, in order to gain a bet- ter knowledge of the English language, he at- *► O «- " 4 ►#"*• 'i ur subject upon reaching America made his way directly to Waukesha County, Wis., where he worked at his trade of carpenter until the summer of 1862. The Civil War being then in progress he enlisted in behalf of the Union, on the 21st of August, in Com- pany F, 28th Wisconsin Infantry, which was as- signed to the Army of the West, and which began operations in Arkansas. Mr. Webb first saw the smoke of battle at Helena, and subsequent!}- partici- pated, July 4, 1864, in the battle at Helena. Later he was at Little Rock, Mobile and Spanish Fort, besides meeting the enemy in minor engagements and skirmishes, from all of which he came out with- out a scratch. He, however, endured all the hard- ships and privations incident to army life, and performed his duty faithfully and bravely, and at the close received his honorable discharge, Aug. 21, 1865, at Brownsville, Tex. Returning now to his old home in Wisconsin our subject continued to reside there a year, then came to Nebraska. Here he battled with the difficulties of life in a new settlement, but allowed nothing to turn him from his purpose of establishing a home- stead west of the Mississippi. His labors in due time met with their legitimate reward. In addition to the thorough cultivation of his land he has set out about seven acres of forest trees, planted an apple orchard and the smaller fruit trees, and gath- ered around him all the appliances of the ideal, modern homestead. Besides the dwelling there i> a large, line barn and sheds for cattle, besides pens f 4 174 ^h-* JOHNSON COUNTY. 4 for swine, of which Mr. Webb makes a specialty, and from the proceeds of which he realizes a hand- some income. While a resident of Wisconsin Mr. Webb was united in marriage with Miss Eliza E. Home, on the 24th of November, L855. The five children of this union include four daughters and one son, who are named respectively: Caroline, Delia, Ida, Bertha and Walker dames. The latter is the eldest horn, and is fanning in Lincoln Precinct. He married Miss Mary Iloworth, of Tecumseh, and they have three children — Ruby, Carrie and Mabel. The eld- est daughter, Carrie, married Mr. James Henry, and they are living on a farm in Lincoln Precinct, be- ing the parents of three children — Roy, Nova and Myrl Edith. The other children are at home with their parents. They have all been given good ad- vantages, and will become useful members of their community. Mrs. Eliza E. (Home) Webb was born June 22, 1837, upon the present site of the city of Milwau- kee, and is supposed to be its first native white child. Her parents, Solomon and Elizabeth (Wood) Home, were of English birth and ancestry, and crossed the Atlantic in 1835, settling first on land near ITtica, N. Y., to which the father could not obtain a clear title on account of various mort- gages which it seemed impossible to adjust. On this account he moved to Wisconsin, settling upon the present site of Milwaukee, at a time when the now flourishing city was composed of a solitary log shanty. Then Mr. Home removed with his family to Pewaukee, in Waukesha County, where he took up land, from which he improved a farm, and there spent the remainder of his days. His death occurred in the year 1878, when he had nearly attained his fourscore and ten years. The wife and mother had passed away five or six years prior to his death. Their children, eight in number, are now in Ne- braska and Wisconsin respectively. George Webb, the lather of our subject, was also a native of Bedfordshire, England, and emigrated to America about 1854, joining his son James in Wisconsin. The latter in the meantime had re- turned to England on a visit, and persuaded his father to accompany him home. The latter was a farmer by occupation, and died about 1877, after *• having attained his threescore and ten years. The mother in her girlhood was Miss Elizabeth Rain- bow, and the parental family consisted of several children, but three of whom are living. The mother died when her son James was a babe of six months, and he was left principally to the care of strangers, being thrown upon his own resources as soon as old enough to fight his way in the world. He is thus a self-made man in the closest sense of the word, and he has made for himself a record to which his pos- terity may point with pride. eHARLES L. KING. The subject of this sketch is numbered among the representative farmers of Todd Creek Precinct, where he has made a good record also as a citizen, and where he is the proprietor of 160 acres of improved land comprising a fine farm on section 12. Of this he took possession when it was but slightly removed from its original uncultivated condition, and he has devoted the best years of his life to its improve- ment, with results that should satisfy any reason- able man. The farm is enclosed with a beautiful hedge fence, which, around the dwelling especially, is kept closely and evenly trimmed in artistic form, and which adds greatly to the attraction of a home which, with its surroundings, closely approaches the modern idea of the complete rural estate. Mr. King of late years has been greatly interested in fine stock, and usually keeps a herd of high- grade Short-horn cattle, besides excellent draft horses of the Norman and Clydesdale stock, to- gether with Poland-China swine. His stock opera- tions have been more than ordinarily successful, and from them he enjoys a handsome income. Mr. King first set foot upon the soil of Nebraska in the spring of 1878, having come here on a prospecting tour. He made no purchase, however, until the fall of 1880, and then secured possession of the land which he now owns. The improvements which the passing traveler views to-day with an ad- miring eye are the result of an untiring industry, and a very judicious outlay of capital. Upon what was once the low prairie, with nothing larger than a f »► ir^ t JOHNSON COUNTY. 175 blade of grass, now stand among other embellish- ments, 2,500 beautiful forest trees, planted by the hand of our subject, while he has devoted five acres to an apple orchard of the finest varieties, besides the smaller fruits which supply the family in their season with dainties which can only be grown under proper care and training. The subject of this sketch was born in Niagara County, N. Y., May 31, 1857, and lived there with his parents until a lad ten years of age, pursuing his studies in the common school. He then removed with his parents to Henry County, III., where he completed a practical education, and became fully acquainted with all the details of farm life. His father, Horace King, was born in New York State about 1811, and removed from its eastern portion to Niagara Count}' after his marriage with Miss Desire J. Burton. They -became the parents of three children, namely: Edward F., William L.,and Charles L., our subject. The mother and sons are all living, the latter carrying on farming success- fully in Todd Creek Precinct, this county. The parents continued residents of New York State until 1867, then removed to Henry County, 111., and from there in the spring of 1881 joined their sons in thiscount}', where the father died in the fall of 1886. The mother is still living on the farm in this precinct. Horace King, although a very intel- ligent man, was no politician, but kept himself well posted upon affairs of State and National in- terest and conscientiously voted the Republican ticket. The parents in earlier years identified them- selves first with the Methodist Church, and then with the Free Methodists. The family bears the highest reputation in this county, being careful and conscientious in their business transactions, prompt to meet their obligations, and in all respects peace- able and law-abiding citizens. Miss Mary J. Huntley, of Knox County. III., was married to our subject at her home in Walnut Grove Township, Nov. 27, 187!). This union resulted in the birth of one child, a son. Charles H., who is now living at home. The young wife only survived her marriage until 1888. Mr. King contracted a second matrimonial alli- ance, with Miss Cora B. Huntley, a sister of his first wife, and to them also there has been born one child, a son, Levi II., who is now four months old. Mrs. Cora (Huntley) King was horn in Knox County, HI., Nov. 10; 1864, and is the daughter of Levi A. and Elizabeth (King) Huntley, the former of whom was born in New York State, and re- moved thence to Ohio early in life, and from there to Knox County, 111., where he became prominent and well-to-do, and where, with his excellent wife, he is still living. They are people held in high respect in their community, and members in good standing of the Christian Church. Their family consisted of three daughters, namely : Mary J., Nellie E. and Cora B. -J-+£^0»3-M- -fl WATERMAN G. VAN NESS. The history |J| of Nebraska has many chapters of frontier \y${] life and experience, and they are in every way equal to those of other States, although possi- bly not so pretentious. One who has had much ex- perience in Nebraska frontier life is the gentleman whose life is here briefly sketched, who has been identified with the State since the year 1871. Mr. Van Ness was born in Columbia County, N. Y., in the month of June, 1833, and there resided during the first fourteen years of his life, and re- ceived the foundation of bis education. Then, with his parents he went to DeKalb County. III. He is a son of .Jesse and Rachel (Biglow) Van Ness, who were natives of New York. After three years of residence in Illinois the family removed to Colum- bia County, Wis. There the father died in Novem- ber, 1882, at the age of eighty years. The mother of our subject Still Survives, ami makes her home at that place. The family of which Mr. Van Ness is a member included four children, he being the second. From his youth he has been more or less upon a farm, in- termingling with the varied incidents of such a call- ing. In 1871 he came to Harlan County. Neb., and there entered a claim of 160 acres. He lived within one mile of Alma, the county seat. Upon the occasion of his first visit to Alma the town was infested by a herd of buffalo, and he had the keen satisfaction of a hunter in seeing two fall under his hand, lie remained among the buffaloes and In- -*^AU *-lh^ ■+> 176 JOHNSON COUNTY. 4- dians of that district until 1883. During the twelve years he lived there with his family they were not off the farm over night upon any occa- sion. There were many trials, difficulties, not a few dangers, but also many pleasures in those years. and in spite of grasshoppers, fires, storms and other minor incidents, he was fairly prosperous. In 1883 Mr. Van Ness removed with his family to Johnson, locating upon his present farm, which is situated upon section 18, Sterling Precinct, and 160 acres in extent; he also owns eighty acres on section 13. When he took his land there was a small house upon it, to which he has built an excellent addition. He has also erected stables and other farm buildings in a substantial manner, putting up such as will be of service in the Nebraska climate. He has also set up a windmill that is powerful enough to supply his stables, barn, cattle shed and residence. His orchard covers over six acres, and his home is very happily situated, and is one of the best in point of comfort, hospitality and homelike- ness. In the month of July, 1854, the subject of our sketch became the husband of Miss Jane Wright, the accomplished daughter of Lemuel and Experi- ence Wright, of Connecticut, who came West about the year 1851, and settled in Dane County, Wis. Mr. Wright departed this life in the year 1859, and his wife in Harlan County, this State, in 1872. Five children have been born of the above union, and bear the names here appended : Willis, Albert, Sher- man, Clara and Emma. When the call came for patriotic friends of the Union to defend it from secession, Mr. Van Ness enlisted on the 14th of February, 1865, in Com- pany A, of the 153d Illinois Infantry. He served through the Western campaign, being stationed at Nashville and Tullahoma. He was mustered out in September of the same year, and returned to his home. For the greater part of his life our subject has been a member of the Democratic party, but for the last few years, being convinced that definite and concerted action was necessary in dealing with the liquor question, he became an affiliate of the Pro- hibition cause. Since returning from military serv- ice our subject has broken the greater of his land and brought it to a high state of cultivation, has put one-quarter of his farm in tame grass, and made every provision for stock-raising, giving his atten- tion chiefly to horses and hogs, with every prospect of even more than ordinary success. ffi AMES R. GLASS. This gentleman, well known in the business circles of Tecumseh, where he is one of the enterprising business iMj men, being engaged in the drug business, to which he has added a grocery department, and also the owner of valuable real estate in the town, was born in Shelbyville, Ky., on the 29th of November, 1858. There he continued to live until he attained his majority. In its schools he was educated, and after leaving its institutions of learning began life. The fall and winter of 1878-79 were spent by him in the College of Pharmacy of Louisville, Ky., after which he engaged in business at Sabetlia. Kan., where lie continued for five years, building Tip an extensive trade, and enjoying the reputation of be- ing a most careful and accurate prescriptionist. While in Kansas the subject of our sketch be- came acquainted with Miss Jennie MeGuire, of Blairsville, Pa., and to her was united in wedlock on the 27th of May, 1881. They have become the parents of one bright and intelligent son, whom they have named Arthur. So successful was lie in Sabetlia that he was enabled to acquire several very valuable pieces of property, besides owning one of the best residences in the town. The removal to Tecumseh was effected upon the 30th of July, 1884, since which time lie has been engaged withincreas- ing prosperity and financial success as a druggist and grocer. His store is one of the attractive features in the business quarter of the town; his stock is always complete, and of the finest quality in either department. The store is situated on Clay street, almost, opposite the new court-house. Mr. tilass is a member in good standing of both the I. O. O. F. and Masonic fraternities, and has held important offices in both. His life has been molded largely after the guiding principles taught by the great light of masonry, in which he has been instructed. This has lightened the pathway of his -f •^r^ ■«HM» JOHNSON COUNTY. 177 4 life, as under its guidance he has gone on his way fearing no danger. He is :i devout member of the Christian Church, and for many years has been an active worker and able supporter thereof. Every worthy enterprise of a charitable or other com- mendable nature has received his Liberal support. The wife of our subject was born in Wisconsin. She is a daughter of the Hon. Miller and Mary 1!. McGuire. Her father was United States Senator for Wisconsin, and was still a Senator when he came home from Washington, was taken sick with pneumonia and died after a short illness. At this time his daughter was about live years of age. After iter bereavement Mrs. McGuire removed to Blairsville. She gave her daughter the liest edu- cation in her power, and had the happiness of seeing her graduate from the Blairsville Female Seminary. Senator McGuire was an energetic and prosperous business man, having a large connection as a hard- ware man and dealer in all kinds of agricultural im- plements. Miss Jennie went to Sabetha, Kan., on a visit to friends at that place, intending after a short. time to return home, but was unable to do so. owing to her meeting with our subject and her sub- sequent marriage. Her mother still resides in Blairsville, and is the wife of a Mr. Dixon, one of the wealth j' citizens of that place. •lesse A. (ilass, the father of our subject, was born on the 23d of March. 1817, in Virginia. He re- ceived his education in tin' Georgetown College. Ky., his parents having removed to that State in early childhood. After his education was com- pleted and he had graduated from that institution he engaged in farming, stock raising and dealing, and became quite extensively connected in that branch of business. Financially, he has been a most pro- nounced success. At present he is Director of the Shelbyville Bank, a position he has held for many years. He has also 250 acres of tine farming land, besides considerable city properly. The father of our subject has always avoided politics, but has been one of the Trustees of his city, lie is a trusted and honored man in the city. universally respected throughout the community. He has built and is still living in an elegant home. and enjoying the harvest of seed sown in other da\ s. His health, both physical and mental, Is iin- ««♦— usually good for one of his age. and all his sur- roundings are such as to enable him to enjoy to the fullest, possible extent this perhaps greatest blessing. The maiden name of his wife was Irene Reed. She was born in Versailles, Ky., ami until her marriage resided with her parents. Of this union there has been bom one child, the subject of this sketch, whose misfortune, however, it has been never to have known a mother's care, she hav- ing died when he was yet an infant. It is perhaps the more commendable in him that under such cir- cumstances he is what he is. and yet it is but just and right to say that in all things his father has sought to fill the place thus vacated, and to do his utmost for his son's best and highest, interests. -wvv -^fcej^MS^S^** "I ^gj^wnr**- w« ORNELIUS WOODLEY, Mayor of Tecum- seh, and Assistant Cashier of the Chamber- lain Banking House, came to this county in September, 1807. and cast his lot among its early pioneers. The greater portion of the country ad- jacent to the present nourishing city was wild and uncultivated, but Mr. Wood ley. believing in ils future prosperity, opened an office and engaged at once in real estate and insurance, in which In- has been mostly Interested since his residence here. Our subject was at, once recognized as a valua- ble and capable citizen, and the set 1 year of his resilience here was elected to the office of County Clerk, which position he held a period of four years. Subsequently he was elected Mayor, in which capacity he officiated several terms, w.-i- Chairman of the Board of Village Trustees, and prominent in the School Hoard. In fact he has been an office-holder most of the time for the last twenty years. In the organization of the First National Bank, in 1883, he was chosen Director and liter President. Politically, he advocates the prin- ciples of tin' Republican party, of which he has been a leading member in this county. He ha- accumulated a good property, owning a fine resi- dence on Jackson street, and Other real estate in the city. The subject of this sketch is (he son of Anthony Woodley, who "as born in l.\ coining County. Pa.. JL 178 JOHNSON COUNTY. 4- and made his home nearly his entire life in the vicinity of his native place. Williamsport, Ly- coming County. He was mostly engaged in farm pursuits, and departed this life in 1*863, when about sixty-five years old. The wife and mother, Mrs. Hannah (Van Fleet) Woodley, was also a na- tive of the Keystone state, and with her husband a member in good standing of the Presbyterian Church. Her decease took plaee in 1862. Their family included nine children, six of whom lived to mature years. Of these five are living, making their homes mostly in the West. Mr. Woodley was born near the town of Hughes- ville, Lycoming Co., Pa., April 25, 1822. He there received his early education, but completed his studies at the White Deer Valley School. Upon approaching manhood he tirst engaged in farming, 1 hi t subsequently learned blacksmithing, and busied himself at the anvil most of the time until 1863. lie had. however, in the meantime left his native State and taken up his residence in St. Paul. Minn., after traveling in the South and West. Later he spent his time mostly in St. Paul and Minneapolis, and in the latter city was quite extensively en- gaged for a period of fifteen years in the manu- facture of plows. His labors in this direction were very successful, and lie thus formed the basis of his present property. Mr. Woodley while a resident of Minneapolis was united in marriage with Miss Jane Sleight, who became the mother of one child, which died when six months old. Mrs. Woodley died at her home in Minneapolis in 1863. /ips& AMUEL MINER, a farmer in good circum- ^^L stances and residing on section 7, in Lin- mJ_J(I coin Precinct, is a native of what is now Monongalia County, W. Va., and was born Nov. 5, 1830. His parents, Samuel and Mary A. (Knock) Miner, arc believed to have been also na- tives of the Old Dominion. When our subject was an infant of but three months his father was drowned in the Monongalia River, and the mother about two years later was married a second time, to Josiah Worley. They moved to Harrison County, Ohio, where our sub- ject grew to the age of six years. The parents then became residents of Knox County, Ohio. Samuel acquired a common-school education as good as any afforded by the schools of that day, but when leaving school did not abandon his study of useful and instructive books. By a steady course of reading alibis life, he has become generally well informed, and is as intelligent a citizen as he is a skillful farmer. In the fall of 1851 our subject left Ohio and set- tled in Fulton County, 111., where he began farm- ing and operating a threshing-machine, besides other employments by which he could make an honest dollar. In Illinois also he met his fate in the person of Miss Mary J. Holmes, to whom he was married Aug. 7, 1856. This lady was born in Fulton County, 111., July 13, 1838, and is the daughter of Thomas and Rachel A. (Dairy) Holmes, who were natives of Kentucky and West Virginia, and the father spent his last years in Illinois. The mother resides with her son in this county. The parental family consisted of eight children, all of whom are living. To Mr. and Mrs. Miner there were born eight children, one of whom, Sylvester, died in infancy. The survivors are: William O., Thomas F., Hardin W. ; Minnie G., the wife of Liberty Grant; James S., Archie R. and Charles S. In the spring of 1871, our subject having disposed of his Illinois property, gathered together his fam- ily and household effects, and equipped with two lumber wagons and five horses, started overland for Nebraska. They camped and cooked by the wayside, sleeping in their wagons at night, and af- ter a journey of eighteen days landed in Bedford Precinct, Nemaha County, where Mr. Miner pur- chased a tract of raw prairie land, upon which not a furrow has been turned, and upon which conse- quently were neither buildings nor fences. They sheltered themselves in their wagons until a dwell- ing could be erected, and our subject then com- menced energetically the improvement and cultiva- tion of his purchase. By incessant industry, the strictest economy and general good management, he built up a valuable farm, which he occupied until the spring of 1882. Then being able to sell -*•- •** JOHNSON COUNTY. 179 4- at a good profit, he disposed of his farm property in Nemaha County and came to Lincoln Precinct, this count}', where lie has since resided. His farm here comprises 210 acres of fertile land under good cultivation, and lie lias, as before, been uniformly prosperous. Mr. Minor, politically, is a decided Democrat, and takes a genuine interest in the welfare of the people around him, being the friend of education, and the encourager of those enterprises calculated to advance the interests of the community. He is Moderator in his school district, and with his es- timable wife occupies an enviable position in so- cial circles. They are both active, intelligent, and held in high respect by their neighbors. —*> -#«#- •~~ |OBERT SMART is well known not only as a pioneer of Johnson County, but as the W\ founder of the pleasant and thriving town w|3) of Smartville, of which he is a highly hon- ored resident. He was born in England in March, 1812, and was there reared and educated. Among the pleasant recollections of that period of his life is the friendship that existed between himself and the eminent novelist, Charles Dickens, with whose early years he was fully acquainted. When our subject was twenty-four years old he paid his first visit to the United States, in 1836, and gpent a year in Philadelphia, Pa. He then returned to England, and did not conic back to this country until IS 12, when he staid a short time in Philadel- phia, selling carpets and woolen goods for an En- glish firm. He then recrossed the Atlantic to his old home, and we do not hear of him in the United States again until 1851, when he came back to make a permanent stay. He Stopped for awhile amid the Alleghany Mountains of Pennsylvania, and finally his business attracted him to Pittsburgh, in the same Nt:ite. where he assisted in building the railway from there to Allegheny, and thence to Cresline, Ohio. He subsequently traveled for several years through the Southern States, until he located in Ne- braska in 1854. He spent nine years in Peru en- |!«ged in the milling business, but about twenty-five years ago he came to Johnson County, and turned his attention to fanning, improving a valuable farm adjoining the town, which still belongs to him. He was one of the first settlers of this part of the State, and has been a very important factor in developing Johnson County. He shrewdly foresaw the many advantages possessed by the present location of the village named in his honor for the site of a thriving and busy town, and with characteristic energy and enterprise he laid out the town in 1879, and has done all that lies in his power to advance its inter- ests. He induced the railway company to build a station here by presenting $200 toward its erec- tion, and in many other ways he has contributed toward the growth of the town. Mr. Smart was twice married. He was first mar- ried in England, in 183;"), to Miss Eliza Dunton, who died in the laud of her nativity in 1838. She ..was a true woman in every sense of the word, and a devout member of the Episcopalian Church. One child was born of that marriage, Fannie, who mar- ried Lawson Cook, and subsequently died near Ne- braska City, leaving a husband and three children to mourn their loss, with many other friends. Mr. Smart's second marriage was to Mrs. Nancy Price, and she is still living, at the venerable age of eighty- nine years, to share his pleasant home. She has also been twice married, her first husband, to whom she was united in Kentucky when she was eighteen years old, having been Robert Price. They moved from their native State to Ohio some time after their marriage, but in the spring of 1856 they came to Nebraska to cast in their lot with its early pioneers, anil thus were among the first settlers of this part of the State. They located in Spring Creek, where Mr. Price took up some land with the intention of developing a farm. He was doing very well, and his prospects .if becoming a prosper- ous fanner were bright, when his useful career was cut short by his untimely death. The winter of 1856-57 was one long remembered by the early settlers of Nebraska as one of unex- ampled severity, and on the 11th of December. [856, Mr. Price and his son Stephen were frozen to death while on their way to a mill near Nebraska City. After the death of her husband Mrs. Smart still con! inued to live on the land that he had taken up. ami showed great ability in developing it into %> T « ► ir* *- i^lK-* 180 JOHNSON COUNTY. a fine farm. She sold from it the logs to build the first house in Tecumseh. But Mrs. Smart's claim to the high respect that is accorded to her by young and old does not rest solely on the fact that she was an early pioneer of Johnson County, but on her own good qualities as well. She has one son, John Price, who is a respected resident of this town. Mrs. Smart's grandson, James Price, son of Hans- ford and Permelia Trice, was the first white child born in Johnson County. He is now living in Smartville. Mr. Smart is a man whose sterling worth as well as his ability has brought him into prominence in tins part of the county, and he has hosts of friends. He is a deeply religious man, was brought up in the Episcopalian faith, and he is a communicant of that church. When the post-office was established in Smartville he was appointed Postmaster, which po- sition he still holds, much to the gratification of his fellow-citizens. f ffi OHN GOLDSBY. In the career of this well- to-do farmer of Western Precinct we behold . that of one of its oldest pioneers. He came (&gj/' to this section of country when Indians, deer, wolves and wildcats were numerous, and also saw a few specimens of the rare and graceful ante- lo{)e. Around him stretched a wild and unculti- vated prairie, eighty-five acres of which he secured, and lias transformed into a well-cultivated farm. This lies on section 13, and is provided with com- fortable buildings and the other appliances in keep- ing with industry and intelligence. Air. Goldsby has done a great deal of hard work, and in the af- fairs of his communit}' has been an honest and useful citizen, encouraging the projects calculated for its general welfare and progress. Our subject was born in Washington County, Ind., Jan. 28, 1821, and is the son of Briggs M. and Nancy (Solady) Goldsby, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, and now deceased. The parents some years after their marriage moved from Greene County, Ind.. to Illinois, settling in Clark County, where John attended school in a log cabin, the seats of which were made with boards pinned to the wall, and otherwise furnished after the primitive fashion of those days. The roof was of clapboards kept in place by weight-poles, and light was ad- mitted through holes cut in the logs, and covered with greased paper. His education was carried on mostly during the winter season, while in summer he assisted his father in the cultivation of the land and the building up of the homestead. He con- tinued under the parental roof until a man twenty- seven years of age. In 1847 he began to make preparations for an establishment of his own, and on the 2d of December, that year, provided him- self with one of its chief attributes, a wife, being united in marriage with Miss Matilda Summers. Mrs. Matilda Goldsby was born March 25, 1829, in Kentucky, and is the daughter of Matthew and Tabitha (Williams) Summers, who were natives of Kentucky, and the father now deceased. The mother is in Illinois. Our subject and his wife began the journey of life together in Illinois. They came to Nebraska in the spring of 18G6, settling in Western Precinct, upon the place which they now own and occupy, and have thus been residents here for a period of twenty-three 3'ears. They have now become widely and favorably known, and number their friends by the score in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Goldsby there have been born eleven children, eight of whom are living, namely: Ellen, George, Mary, Rachel, Harriet, Albert, Ta- bitha and Andrew J. One son, Charles, died at his home in Kansas, in August, 1887, at the age of twenty-nine years, leaving a wife and three chil- dren. The other members of the family are resi- dents of Texas, Kansas and Nebraska. Mr. Goldsby, although taking the interest which every intelligent man feels in the affairs connected with his country's prosperity, has never sought office, considering his duty done when exercising the rights of the American citizens at the public elections. He cast his first Presidential vote for James K. Polk, and has since given his support to the Democratic party. His has been a long and interesting experience in the settlement of a new country, and he has watched with the keenest sat- isfaction the growth and prosperity of the now important State which at the time of his coming ^)h+ -*•- t JOHNSON COUNTY. 183 # T^ r here was but a Territory. In the building up of one of its most comfortable homesteads lie has in this manner contributed his quota toward bringing about the present condition of Johnson County. iKNJAMIN J. BAKER is a veteran of the Mexican War. who some years subsequently became a pioneer of Johnson County, and one of the first settlers in the precinct of Sterling, where he is still actively pursuing agri- culture, and has a large, well-improved farm on section 17. He was born in Lancaster County, Pa.. Sept. 17, 1820, but when he was eighteen months old his parents removed from his birthplace to Cumberland County, in the same State. He was there reared, and until twenty-five years of age made his home there. He then enlisted as a private in the United States Army, and served five years, having in the meantime been promoted to Ser- geant of Company D, 4th Artillery, under Capt. John M. Washington. He took part in the Mexi- can War. and was discharged at Ft, Brow, Tex., in 1H50. He then returned to Pennsylvania and staid until the following spring, when he wended his way to Davenport, Iowa. From there he started the next fall, with four others, going down the Missis- sippi River to New Orleans, and by the Nicaragua route to the " Golden State." He was profitably engaged hi mining and farming there for some years, and at one time was employed at a salary of $100 a month as a foreman over other hands on a large ranch, whose owner raised 17,1)00 bushels of wheat one year. Mr. Baker staid in California nearly five years, and returned to his old home in Cumberland County. Pa., by way of New York, in the spring of 1856, and shortly after was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Montgomery, only chihl of William and Elizabeth Montgomery. Selecting Nebraska, then a wild and sparsely set- tled Territory, as the site of the future home they were to rear together, the genial, healthful climate. rich soil and other advantages of this prairie coun- try deciding their choice of a location, our subject and his bride started for their destination soon after their wedding, traveling by rail to Burlington, Iowa, the terminus of the railway. There Mr. Baker bought a team of horses and a wagon, with which they proceeded to within about I oo miles of the Mis- souri. At that point our subject traded his horses for three yokes Of oxen, with which they made the re- mainder of the lony and tedious journey, arriving on what is now known as the "Old Clark Farm," on section 31, two miles down the creek from Ster- ling. Mr. Baker and his wife staid there until the next spring, when he purchased his present place on section 17, to which they immediately removed. In the years that followed they experienced all the vicissitudes and hardships common to pioneer life in a wild, prairie country; but they patiently en- dured the absence of thecomforts, conveniences and luxuries that they had been used to in their old home, and the trials that they encountered but strength- ened their characters. It has been wisely stated that the experiences of such a life "after all make us belter fitted for the cares and responsibilities of after-life — make us have a warmer side for our fel- lowmen, and create in us a willingness to lend a helping hand to those who are in distress." This is eminently true of our subject and his wife, and their names arc synonyms of all love and charity, and many have cause to bless their benefactions. They have never had any children of their own blood, yet have reared three — Lydia Wagoner, August Rudy and Robert E. Krintz, giving them the advantages of a good home and a careful train- ing in the duties of life. Their adopted son Robert is still with his foster-parents. Mr. Baker now has his farm, comprising 240 acres, well improved, and in one of the most com- fortable homes in the precinct he and his wife are spending their declining years in the enjoyment of a well-earned competence. Mr. Baker is a pleasant and entertaining conversationalist, and is fond of talking Over earlj days in Johnson County, when the Indians were plentiful hereabout, and used to fre- quently give him a call as they passed through the precinct; when deer, antelope and an abundance of wild game roamed at will over the uncultivated prairies. The nearest mill was at Nebraska City, many miles distant, and in the fall of 1857 Mr. Baker and two of his neighbors. Mr. Boot and Mr. McClure. made a trip thither, from which they •► i -<- 184 JOHNSON COUNTY. *T did not return with their "grists" until the end of nine days. They also did their trading and re- ceived their mail at Nebraska City. Mr. Baker has borne an honorable part in the public life of this district, was its first Justice of the Peace, and has since served as Assessor. He was prominently identified with the Grange when it existed lure. His estimable wife is a faithful member of the Pres- byterian Church. The portrait of this honored pioneer appears on an adjoining page of this Album. JUDGE JOHN WILSON, who is both County and Police Judge for Johnson County and Tecumseh City, enjoys the utmost confi- dence of the citizens, as a clear, synthetical thinker, and one who holds the balance of Justice with a steady hand, and for the same reason is held in wholesome fear by the wrong-doer. The father of this gentleman, William Wilson, was bora in Scotland in 1772, and there lived through the whole of his life. He was an able attorney and counselor-at-law and enjoyed a large practice in the city of Glasgow. His wife was Isabella Brown, of Argyleshire, to whom he was married in the year 1821). The subject of this sketch was their only child. Mr. Wilson died in 1847, after a life that had continued for seventy-five years. His wife had preceded him to the silent land in the vear 1832. He was an enthusiastic member of the Masonic fraternity, and with his wife, was a devout member of the Presbyterian Church. In addition to his town house he had an elegant country seat at Neithercroy. which is situated about eight miles east of the city, on the Glasgow & Edinburgh Rail- way. Isabella (Brown) Wilson, the mother of our sub- ject, was the daughter of Archibald Brown, and was born at Islav. in the county of Argvle, about 1794, where she made her home until her marriage. Her father was quite an extensive farmer, operating an extensive property upon the above Island where he was born. Islav. it will be remembered, lies adja- cent to the Island of Jura, and is almost the most westerly of the group of islands which are in- cluded in the above county. His wife was a mem- ber of the historic Campbell family. They brought up eleven daughters and two sons, all of whom en- tered honorable paths of life and when of proper age joined the Presbyterian Church, of which her father was an Elder for sixty years. This venera- ble and honored gentleman died at the advanced age of one hundred and eight years. Judge Wilson was born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, on the 27th of August, 1821. The Scotch schools have been justly renowned for the completeness of their curriculum and the thor- oughness of their instruction. Our subject was an attendant at the Glasgow schools and received a good education. Upon leaving the school he learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, and after thoroughly mastering the same engaged in business as a contractor in that line. This he con- tinued to follow in Glasgow from 1845 to 1851. It was quite a lucrative business, and his success was very flattering to one who had so recently con- cluded his apprenticeship. The lady with whom our subject united his life was Miss Ellen Black, of Lesmore, Argyleshire. their nupitals being celebrated on the 22d of July, 1844. While in Scotland four children were given them. who brought additional brightness to their home, and if possible more completely cemented their union. Only two, however, of these children lived to come to America. Isabella and Catherine were laid away in a quiet Scottish graveyard, while John and Ellen were spared to their parents and in course of time accompanied them to this country. In 1851 Judge Wilson lauded in New York, and remained working at his trade until the following vear. He then sent for his wife and family and upon their arrival removed to Illinois, making his home at Galena, and being engaged as a carpenter by the Illinois Central Railway Company. lie continued to hold this position until the outbreak of the war. when hi' enlisted in defense of his adopted country, becoming a private in Company K. 12th Illinois Infantry. He was at Galena on the night of the 1 4th of April. L 861, when the order came from President Lincoln to raise (3,000 men. That was sufficient, and he was one of the first sixty who presented themselves for enlistment. The next morning the company was tilled out and the work of preparing them for the front was pushed with *•■ +^h+ JL 4«- JOHNSON COUNTY. 185 u all speed. After quite a number of skirmishes and lesser conflicts had been engaged in he entered his tiist hard-fought hattle in February of 1862. He was wounded and taken prisoner at Ft. Donelson; he was lirst sent to Nashville Prison, afterward to Andersonville, Richmond, Lacoon, Tuscaloosa and Montgomery, being finally exchanged on the 17th of October of the following fall, having- been a prisoner for eight months and two days. He was then sent to the hospital at Annapolis, and re- mained there recruiting until the following March, when he rejoined his regiment at Corinth, Miss., where he went on an individual foraging detach- ment; from Corinth they went to Pulaski and thence to Chattanooga and on to Atlanta. Every day brought with it a conflict of greater or lesser moment. His last battle was on the 22d of July, 1864, at Atlanta, where McPherson fell. On the 1 lth of August following that engagement he was honorably discharged at that city and immediately set out for Galena. Upon returning home our subject settled up his affairs, and on the 28th of September, 1864, took up homestead No. 16K. lying in Helena Precinct, comprising 160 acres. He immediately moved thereon and began the work of improving it. lie erected good buildings and brought his land be- fore long to a good state of cultivation. This property he still owns. lie operated it on the line of general and stock farming, raising only the best grades of animals. lie remained upon that prop- erty until March, 1885, and then removed to the city, retiring from active farm life. During that time he had added another quarter-section and he is also the owner of a half -sect ion of very fine land in Webster County. When he moved into the city Judge Wilson pur- chased one of the best residences he could find and was ready for work. He was elected County Judge in November, 1885, and served acceptably to those who had placed him there. SO much so that they elected him for a second term, which is yet unex- pired; he was elected Police .Magistrate in April, 1887, also represented this county in the Constitu- tional Convention held in Lincoln in 1871. He was Justice of the Peace of Helena Precinct for many years. In all these Offices he basso won the esteem and confidence of those with whom he has been connected therein that his continuance, re-election and appointment from time to time have simply been a natural effect and sequence. Since coming to this country Mr. and Mrs. Wil- son have had four children added to their family circle, but there have also been removals by death, so that now their son John alone survives; he is a rising and able lawyer. Mrs. Wilson is a very at- tentive and earnest, member of the Presbyterian Church, to which the Judge also is attached, though not a member. He is a liberal supporter of the same and takes great pleasure in aiding various enterprises connected therewith. He owns an ex- ceedingly fine residence on Lincoln street and also the farming property in this and Webster County, as above mentioned. An extract from a local pa- per remarks that '•Judge Wilson made his entry twenty-four years ago, and after fully searching the records the Judge says he believes his farm is the onPyone now owned in Johnson County by the per- son who made the original entry of the same date. The farm is in Center Precinct, eight miles north of Tecumseh." In the Masonic fraternity Judge Wil- son is quite prominent. He was raised to the Sub- lime Degree of a Master .Mason at Tecumseh in 1867, and has since been initiated into the mys- teries of the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and is affiliated with Furnas Chapter No. I), and the Council atTecumseh; is also Commander of the Little Phil Post No. 270, G. A. R. B$th in the fraternities, and society generally, and in the profession, Judge Wilson occupies a position most enviable, receiving every worthy regard and esteem. fiTJOHN McCONNKL. The merchants of Crab i Orchard have a worthy representative in the subject of this biographical epitome. Mr. McConnel was born in Washington County, Pa., on the 29th of May, 1854. The father, An- drew McConnel, now deceased, was a native of Ireland. He came to the United States when a young man, and located in Pennsylvania, where he was initiated into the mysteries of milling, with the idea of making it his business. He went to •Mr^ •►H*-* t 186 JOHNSON COUNTY. Rock Island County, 111., in L 861, arriving there on the 1st of April, having made the entire trip by boat. He settled upon a farm, anil in that county our subject was brought up; in its schools he was educated, attending both the common and High school, supplementing the instruction received in those institutions by a full course in the Commer- cial College of Bryant & Stratton, at Davenport, Iowa. In beginning life for himself the subject of this sketch took to farming and stock-raising, in which he was pre-eminently successful, but in the year 1883 he sold his interest in this to the heirs of his father's property, and came to Crab Orchard, where he engaged in business, opening a grocery and drug store. In this he had a continued and grow- ing success until August of 1887, when he sold his drugs and laid in a large stock of dry-goods, cloth- ing, boots and shoes, gents' furnishing goods, jew- elry, etc., to which he has since added musical in- struments and sewing-machines. In order to meet the growing demands of his business, in the year 1884 he built his uew store. It is a fine frame structure, standing 40x60 feet, and comprises two stories and basement. The lower part is required for his own store, while the upper is used for of- fices and an opera hall, the latter being 40x48 feet, with a ceiling elevation of thirteen feet, and capac- ity for 200 chairs. He carries a stock of about $8,000, aud his sales average $25,000 per annum. One reason for the large increase of trade is, that he is enabled to sell many articles cheaper than they can be found at either Beatrice or Tecumseh, and can duplicate any line of goods sold at either place. The 10th of March, 1886, was "a red letter day" in Mr. McConnel's experience, being that on which he celebrated his union in matrimonial bonds with Mary E. Ellis, daughter of Benjamin P. Ellis, of Vesta Precinct, this county. Of this union only one chihl has been born, lie was born at Crab Orchard Feb. 26, 1887, received the name of Herbert, and died March 22. L887. The mother of our subject before her marriage bore the name of Margaret Boyce, and is a daughter of Isaac Boyce. This lady was born in Allegheny County, Pa., and now lives in Reynolds, Bock Isl- and Co.. 111. Her marriage with Mr. Andrew Mc- Connel was fruitful in the birth of six children, three of whom survive. These are our subject, .Tames B. and Sarah I. Those deceased are: Jessie and Gertrude, twins, who died when quite small children; the other, Isaac, departed this life at the age of nineteen years. Mr. McConnel is promi- nent and enterprising as a business man, and no less so as a citizen. Although not a third party man, he is a stanch advocate of the temperance cause. For three years he filled with much satisfaction the office of School Treasurer, and for one year also that of School Director, which office he held at the time the school-house was built, aud had the hand- ling of the bonds. He has always been connected with the Republican party, and is a great admirer of its principles. Mrs. McConnel is one of the devout and highly esteemed members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and an active worker in that communion. I1ILIP DICKERSON, one of the earliest ^| pioneers of Nebraska, homesteaded a tract of land on sections 31 and 32, in Todd Creek Precinct, this county, as early as 1866. Here he has lived and labored for a period of twenty-two years, building up a good homestead from the uncultivated prairie, and acquitting him- self in a creditable manner as a member of the community. He has spent comparatively few idle days during the last, twenty years, most of which have been given to the development of his land, the planting of forest trees, the placing of fences and the erection of his farm buildings. He is at pres- ent engaged in stock-raising, keeping good grades of eattleand horses, giving particular attention to the latter, and proposes to still further enlarge his facili- ties for the I. reeding of the finer specimens of the equine race. Mr. Dickerson is a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, where he was born March 10, 1839, and there spent the first twenty-one years of his life. Later he was lor a period of six years a resident of Darke County, Ohio. He had in the meantime re- ceived a practical education, and become master of h * JOHNSON COUNTY. 187 the carpenter's trade, also at the same time gaining a good knowledge of general agriculture. When twenty-two years old he was united in marriage with Mrs. Charlotte Poyner, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in Van Buren Town- ship, Aug. 22, 1861. Soon afterward Mr. anil Mrs. Dickerson came to Nebraska, ami settled upon the land which our subject now owns and occupies. His career has been creditable to him as a man and a citizen, and the fact that lie is highly spoken of by those who have known him intimately since the time of coming to this county is one of the best recommendations a man could desire. He has been upright and honorable in his business transactions, careful and conscientious, courteous and obliging, fulfilling every known duty to the best of his ability. Mr. Dickerson comes from a good family, being the son of Joshua I), and Elizabeth (Dawson) Dickerson, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and the father born in 1804. The latter lived with his parents in his native State until their removal to Ohio, and then assisted his father in the building up of a homestead from the wilderness of Guern- sey County. Later he settled on his own land, and continued a resident of the Buckeye State until the spring of I860, when he accompanied his son Philip to Nebraska, and settled on a tract of land adjoining him. In the fall of 1881 he re- moved to Texas, where his death took place in 1884. The mother died in this county the year following their arrival here, in the fall of 1867. The father was a member of the Predestinarian Baptist Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Dickerson there have been born no children. ... .--: ;- r - |>p— ~~33-§WW*»- *t JjULK'S WOLFF is widely known in many j parts of the West as one of the most noted divines of the German Lutheran pulpit, lie ' is veiy active in denominational work, pos- sessing great executive ability, wonderful tact, and infinite patience, traits that are shown in the fad that he has probably organized more Lutheran Churches in different Western States than any of his brethren of like faith. He combines strength of character, an indomitable will and shrewdness, with sincerity, and a kind heart that prompts him to attempt to alleviate the sufferings of the weak. the unfortunate and the downtrodden. He is now engaged in the double capacity of teacher and preacher in the church which he organized in Ster- ling Precinct some yeats ago, besides successfully managing his farming interests here. Our subject was born in Germany, Jan. 30, 1823, and was reared, educated, and also married in the Fatherland, Caroline Land wig becoming his wife Jan. 2, 1850. Mr. Wolff taught school for twenty- one years in his" native country, and then turned his face to the United States in 1863, and after landing on these shores, accompanied by his wife, he located in Minnesota. He was engaged in teach- ing there for twelve years, and he also preached, and while a resident of that State organized eight churches. He came to Nebraska in 1876, having spent a year before that in traveling, and located in Dodge County. In 1877 Mr. Wolff came to Johnson County, and purchased 160 acres of land, which constitutes his present farm, on which he and his family live very pleasantly. He continued, how- ever, in the ministry, and as a teacher, conducting a school in the church which was established in this township under his supervision in 1888, with a membership of thirty-four. Under his minis- trations the church has prospered spiritually ami financially, and has been enabled to buy a house in which to worship and forty acres of land, and there is a line Sunday-school connected with the church. Mr. Wolff has also been instrumental in organizing three other churches since he came to Nebraska, all of which are in a flourishing condition. A- a teacher Mr. Wolff has acquired a good reputation, and is giving general satisfaction. He is well edu- cated, and has fine literary tastes. Our subject has been twice married. The patient and devoted wife, to whom he had been united in early manh 1 in the Fatherland, died during their residence in Dodge County in 1876, after a wedded lite of twenty-Six years. Shi' was a true Christian, and in every respect, a most exemplary woman, whom to know was to esteem. Mr. Wolff's mar- riage to his present excellent wife took place ID f* 188 JOHNSON COUNTY. Hr 1878. She was formerly Mrs. Catherine Breiden- stein, and was the mother of three children. Our subject has a family of three children by bis pres- ent marriage, but had none by his former marriage. Five of the children are at home, while the other is working on a farm. *t GEORGE D. BENNETT. Cashier of the Te- -, cumseh Savings Bank, and identified with ^J that enterprise from the time of its organi- zation, is the son of Abel B. Bennett, who was born at Bridgeport on the 12th of December, 1833, and there educated and brought up, after which he engaged in stock buying. He left his native town and went to Bronson, Branch Co., Mich., while yet a young man, and engaged in farming and stock raising, feeding and dealing. About 1863 he sold his Michigan property and interests, and went to La- grange County, Ind., where he has a finely improved and extensive farm, and is engaged with slock as before. The maiden name of his wife, the mother of our subject, was Mary A. Dryer, of Lagrange- Four children have been born to them who still live. Mrs. Bennett also is living, and with her hus- band is enjoying the prosperity which is the result of toil in the past years. This lady was born at Catskill, N. Y., in the year 1836, to Darius and Clarissa (Rogers) Dryer. They moved West to Indiana, where they made their home until their death. Their daughter Mary resided with them until the time of her marriage. Her husband has filled most of the township offices, is an esteemed member of the I. O. O. F., and also a prosperous and successful farmer and business man. Wildman Bennett, the grand father of our subject, was born in Lincolnshire, England. As a young man he came to America, settled at Bridgeport, and married Miss Nichols of that place, and to them were born eleven children. He removed to Branch County, Mich., where quite a large number of his descendants still reside. After sixty-three years of life he passed to his last rest from his home in that place in the year 1865, having survived his wife about five years. They had both been stanch mem- bers of the Baptist Church, in which faith his family- had been instructed from earliest years. This gen- tleman and his family were among the first to settle in Blanch County. George D. Bennett was born on Jackson Prairie, four miles south of Orland, in Steuben County, Ind., on the 17th of August, 1 859. He received his early education at Wolcottville and Lagrange, where he completed the full course as then pre- scribed, and was graduated, after which he taught school for two years, returning at the end of that time to join his father in cattle-dealing, which he continued for three years most successfully. In 1880 he came to Beatrice, and was engaged in the eastern part of Gage County raising fine stock of select breeds and high grade. Selling there he went to Crab Orchard, and for two years was in the bank at that place. After that he came to Tecumseh, in June, 1884, and has since made it his permanent residence. Mr. Bennett occupies a very high position in the business world, and is also much esteemed by the community at large. In Crab Orchard he filled the position of Assistant Cashier. Here there were no offices except in the savings bank, where Mr. Ben- nett is. He is a gentleman of undoubted business ability, honor and integrity, and being compara- tively young the future is spread before him glow- ing with the brightness of his prospects. He is abundantly capable, should he so desire, of occupy- ing the most prominent position his ambition might lead him to seek, and also has manhood enough to enable him to retain his balance and high personal character while holding the same. Our subject is a member of the Masonic and I. ■O. O. F. fraternities, and also of the Modern Woodmen of America; also of the Odd Fellows' Encampment, and has served as Senior Deacon in the Masonic Lodge, as Secretary in the Chapter, and holds the high degree of a Knight Templar. We cull the following from a recent issue of the Chieftain, without which this sketch would be en- tirely incomplete: "On Thursday evening, Sept. 27, 1888, a pleasant ceremony was performed at the residence of the Hon. C. A. Holmes. The occasion was the marriage of George D. Bennett to Althea, eldest daughter of the above-mentioned gentleman. The nuptials were celebrated at 8 P. M., r -*•■ JOHNSON COUNTY. 189 , , 4 at which the Rev. M. J. DeLong took the initiative. There was quite a large gathering of the friends and relatives of the family, all of whom brought with them some expression of the good wishes and congratulations that might be remembered after the vocal expression of them had passed. Later in the evening the happy couple were driven to their new home on Upper Third street, which the groom had pro.vided and arranged in keeping with their joint desires." The readers of tins volume, especially those personally acquainted with our subject and wife, will certainly not be behind the friends gath- ered on that auspicious occasion in their desire for a bright and happy future for them. Lts KNHY C. CARMAN ami bis family came to this county in the spring of 1876, Settling ' at their present farm on section is in spring •JggJ) Creek Precinct. The land was little re- moved from its primitive condition, and the fam- ily were first Settled in a dug-out bouse, and for a number of seasons lived and labored in true pio- neer style. Mr. ('. paid $10 per acre tor bis farm, which has. under bis wise management and inces- sant industry, more than doubled in value, and yields bountifully of the richest crops of Southern Nebraska. Our subject has been prominent in the affairs of his precinct, especially for the last ten years, serv- ing as ( (instable and .lust ice of the Peace two years, and holding various other positions accorded the trustworthy citizen, lie votes the straight Repub- lican ticket, and is a! presenl the School Treas- urer of his district. Both he and bis estimable wile have taken an active interest in the advancement and welfare of their community, being kind, hos- pitable and public-Spirited, and encouraging the projects calculated to elevate the standard of edu- ,:ii ion and morality. Mr. Carman, in addition to general agriculture. i~ especially interested in live stock, keeping good grades Of cattle and swine. lie is essentially a Western man. having been bom in .Mason County, 111., .lime 9, 1844. His parents, Libni and Eliza- beth (DeVall) Carman, were natives of New York, where they were reared, educated and married, and where they became the parents of a large family of children, of whom the following survive: Julia, the wife of Jacob GarrisS, of Logan County. Kan.; Solomon, of Fremont County, Iowa; Sarah E., Mrs. Wilkerson, also of that county, and a widow; Henry ('., of this sketch, and Mary, the wife of John L. Spicer, of Fremont County. Iowa. The father was a second time married, the only child of this union being a daughter, Annie. Lilmi Carman left the Empire State about fifty years ago. and from Illinois, about 1855. changed his residence to Fremont County, Iowa, settling among its earliest pioneers, and residing there until his death, which occurred June 15, 1888. He was successful in his labors as an agriculturist, and left a large estate to his heirs. He was a Republican in politics, probably from the time of the organization of the county, and a man lib- eral and public-spirited, one who interested him- self in the welfare of the people about him, con- tributing of his time and means, as opportunity afforded, in the advancement of education, and all other projects tending to their moral and religious welfare. The mother died in Fremont County, Iowa, in April, 1869. The subject of this sketch received but a limited education, but at an early age became strong of muscle and self-reliant in disposition, and by a course of general Heading familiarized himself with the important topics of the day. He was early im- bued with the principles of patriotism by his hon- ored father, and shortly after the outbreak of the Rebellion proffered his services as a Union soldier. enlisting, in the spring of 1861, in Company 1). 5th Missouri Cavalry, which became a part of the Western Army and operated largely among the bushwhackers. Young Carman participated in a number of engagements, meeting the enemy at Line Springs and on the Little Blue, acquitting himself creditably, ami receiving an honorable discharge in June. 1862, at the expiration of lii> ter f en- li.-t nient. After becoming a civilian again. Mr. Carman re- turned to Fremont County, Iowa, and prepared to establish a home of his own. With this end in view he was married. July 12. 1863, to Miss Emma •r t 190 JOHNSON COUNTY. Hh I. Jones, who was born in Hancock County, Ohio, July 18, 184(5. They spent the first fourteen years of their wedded life in Iowa, and from there came to this county, as already stated. They are the parents of six children, four of whom are living, namely: Marcus II., Lucy C, Etta L. and John L. William II. and Ami died when two and a half years and six months old respectively. — !•*& ^~ •►*♦ iUFUSHOWE. The people who settled in Johnson County during its earlier days gathered here from all points of the com- ^ilpass. The subject of this sketch, a well-to- do farmer of "Western Precinct, first opened his eyes to the light near the city of Toronto, Canada. Feb. 23, 1851. He is of New England ancestry, his father, Rufus Howe, having been a native of Vermont, and the son of Orson Howe, a second cousin of the noted Elias Howe, inventor of the celebrated sewing-machine which bears his name. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Evaline Miller. She was horn in Connecticut, and is now deceased. Rufus Howe spent his last years in Illinois, and died about 1857. Orson Howe, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was very much like his cousin Elias in point of mechanical genius. At the time of his death he had been working on a knitting-machine, aiming to effect greater improvements, in hopes that it might- he made available in time to come. He spent his last years in Illinois. The children of Rufus and Evaline (Miller) Howe, the parents of our subject, consisted of a son and daughter. The parents of our subject left the Dominion in 1854, and settled in Ashtabula County, Ohio, where the father carried on merchandising un- til 1857, when the family moved to Kankakee Count}', 111., where commenced the early educa- tion of our subject. He was a bright and studi- ous lad, fond of his books, and making good headway, entered Eureka College after having at- tended the High School at Monticello, Iowa, and the academy at Onargo, 111. Having become an orphan early in life he was thrown upon his own resources, and paid his way through the academy and college by teaching. In the fall of 1881 Mr. Howe crossed the Missis- sippi to Cedar County, Iowa, where be engaged in general work until the spring of 1883, at which time he made his preparations for settlement in Nebraska, and soon afterward took possession of the homestead where he now resides. He was married in Knox County, 111., Dee. 24, 1876, to Miss Louisa, daughter of Thaddeus Olmsted, of Maquon. Of this union there was horn one child only, Elizabeth E., who died Sept. 8, 1888, aged three years and six months. Little Bessie, as she was called, was a remarkably bright and interesting child, and her death was a severe blow to the stricken parents, in which the}' received the sym- pathies of the entire community. Mrs. Howe was horn March 30, 1853, in Knox County, 111., and is the sister of Dr. Theodore Olm- sted, who, in addition to his otherwise lucrative practice, is physician for the Central Illinois and the Southern Pacific Railroad Companies. He was for two years an assistant of the noted Dr. Lane, President of Cooper Institute, and conductor of •+ZT+ •>— lf^ «•■ 104 JOHNSON COUNTY. h clinics in that institution. Mrs. Howe is a lady of good education, having pursued her studies in Maquon, 111., and in Eureka College. Both she and her husband are members in good standing of the United Brethren Church. Their farm includes eighty acres of good land, with the necessary buildings and machinery, besides the other appli- ances in keeping with the complete rural home. They are recognized as among the intelligent peo- ple of the county, wherein they number a large circle of friends. HARLES 1'.. SMITH, the well-known furni- ture dealer of Crab Orchard, was born in <^? Licking County.* >hio, on the 28th of April, 1826. He is the son of Greenleaf and Lettice Smith, who were natives of Maine and Pennsyl- vania respectively. His parents migrated to Stark County, 111., in 1829, settling there when almost their only neighbors were the redskins and ani- mals native to that section of county. The nearest market was Peoria, thirty miles distant from their house, which was, however, not the Peoria of to- day, as may be well imagined. They were pio- neers indeed, and encountered hardships and ditli- culties that far surpassed those of the settlers in new countries in this decade. To obtain meal they mashed corn in a homing-block, and bolted it through a buckskin sieve. From Ibis they made their bread. In the little pioneer school-bouse, a mere log cabin, with split-log scats, puncheon floor, flat- board roof and oiled-paper window, our subject obtained bis schooling. It was just about enough to give him an appetite for more, and this he has continued in the endeavor to satisfy by general reading upon a large range of subjects, so that he is by no means uninformed upon general topics. He was married, on the 21st of September. 1848, to Sarah .1. Snyder, whose father. William Snyder, emigrated to Stark County, 111., from Richland County, Ohio. Our subject has become the par- ent of live children, three of whom are still living, viz.: Chloe M.. now Mrs. Thatcher, who has four children of her own — Nellie. Fannie. Fred and «» Orrie; the remaining two children of our subject are Edgar and Funest. who reside in Ilieo, Hamil- ton Co., Fix. The subject of our sketch came to Lincoln in the spring of L872, and visited various parts of the State during the summer, and in October was joined by his wife. They spent the winter in Te- cumseh, and settled where Crab Orchard now stands in the spring of 18*3. "When the town be- gan to spring up he built the first business house, and it was occupied as a hardware store by F. M. Sharrett. Mr. Smith engaged in his present busi- ness in duly of 1886. Previous to that he had been working at the carpenter's trade, which he had learned as a young man. He was well schooled in the use of the various tools employed in that busi- ness, and having a general idea of mechanics was a skilled workman. His present business has grown most favorably, and is upon a firm basis. The character sustained by Mr. Smith in the community, and the reputation he enjoys, are quite enviable, and as a result he is held in high regard. He is a strong Republican, and a firm friend to every enterprise which promises benefit to the community. Although not a Prohibitionist he is an earnest advocate of temperance, and always has been. jl/r^OBERT L. PENCE, editor and proprietor of ]|L^f the Crab Orchard Eagle, founded this lk> W, journal in the summer of 1888, and consid- ^^ering the brief time since its establishment, it is already in the enjoyment of a fine patronage, especially in advertising. The circulation is rap- idly increasing, the paper being an independent and newsy sheet, having little to do with politics, but being devoted to the interests of this section of Johnson County. It is essentially a paper for the people, one in which all may take an interest, and which aims to serve all alike. The subject of this sketch was born in Henderson County, III., April 13, 1864. His father, Robert T. Pence, a native of Indiana, is a farmer by occu- pation, and at the present time a resident of Park- field, Monterey Co., Cal. Robert, upon leaving the common schools, pursued his studies in the Western « » <- JOHNSON COUNTY. 195 Normal College and the Commercial Institute at Shenandoah, Iowa. He then experimented as a teacher one term, and in the winter of 1884—85 came to Dundy County, this State, and pre- empted 120 acres of land near Benkleman. In the fall of that year he took up his residence at Palis- ade, Hitchcock County, founded the Palisade Journal, conducted it eighteen months, then estab- lished the Frenchman Valley Times in the same place. This he sold in the summer of 1888, and changing his residence to Crab Orchard, began the publication of the Eagle. He evidently has a true conception of what a local journal should be, and his management of the Eagle is creditable to him- self and satisfactory to its patrons. Mr. Pence, while a resident of Palisade, was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Lamed, March 29, 1886. Mrs. Pence was born in January, 18G7, in Illinois, and is the daughter of Hiram and Abbie Lamed, who were natives of Massachusetts, and are now deceased. Of her union with our subject there is one child, a son, Robert L., Jr., born April 3, 1887. Our subject and his family occupy a snug home in the central part of town, and during their brief residence here have already made hosts of friends. They are members in good standing of the Baptist Church, and favorites in the social circle. JffiA HARLES W. ROBERTS, a resident of Crab < II Orchard, is employed as clerk in McConnel's ^^/ store, and is one of the must enterprising bus- iness men of this community. He came to this county in L869, settling first in Vesta Precinct. where he carried on fanning. Subsequently sell- ing out his interests there he returned to his old haunts in Illinois, and remained there two vcars without engaging in any regular occupation. At the expiration of this time he once more crossed the Father of Waters and settled on a farm in West- ern Precinct, where he carried on agriculture un- til the fall of 1884. Upon leaving tin 1 farm Mr. Roberts invested a portion Of his capital in a stock of furniture, but eighteen months later abandoned this business and for a time was engaged as clerk in the grocery store of Mr. McConnel, in Crab Orchard. He and his excellent wife are people of note in 1 hi- community. Both Mr. and .Mrs. Roberts give freely of their time and money b> charitable and religious work, taking a Leading part in Sabbath-scl I and tem- perance labors, and uniformly extending their en- couragement and support to everything leading to the advancement of education, morality and tem- perance, he having been Superintendent of theSab- bath-school for several years, and his wife now filling that position in the Methodist Episcopal Church. There are few enterprises set on foot with which the names of this excellent couple are not connected. Mr. Roberts is in the prime of life and the midst of his usefulness, having been born Nov. 8, 1841, at the modest home of his parents in Dearborn County, Ind. His father. Joseph Roberts, a native Of Kennebec County, Me., emigrated from New England to Ohio at a v^vy early day. and later pushed on farther westward to Indiana. There he pursued agriculture until 1856, then changed his residence to Whiteside County, 111., where the edu- cation of Charles W. was completed in the common schools. The maiden name of the mother was Rob- ertson. She passed away at their home in \Y> .i. Johnson Co.. Neb., in 1872. The father died in 1879, in Vesta. The parental household consisted Of five sons and six daughters, nine of whom are living, and are now distributed throughoul the West. During the progress of the late Civil War Mr. Roberts, while a resident of Illinois enlisted, Feb. 9, 1864, in Company E, ICth Illinois Infantry. He saw the smoke of battle first at Clinton. Miss., later at Mobile, Jackson Cross Roads, Champion Hills. Vicksburg, Spanish Fort. Ft, ISIakely and other important engagements. He fortunately es- caped wounds and capture, and on account of meri- torious conduct was promoted to Corporal. After a faithful service of nearly two years, and remain- ing with the army until after the close of the war. he received an honorable discharge Jan. 20, 1866. Upon retiring from the service our subject returned to his old haunts in Whiteside County, III., where he engaged in farming on his own account until I Mitt. In the meantime he had been married, and ■*•- ■*^±*+ JL 196 JOHNSON COUNTY. *t in the fall of that year came with his young wife to this county, settling in Vesta Precinct, where they continued to reside until May, 1880. In the meantime there had been born to them two children, Idella and Alineda, both of whom were taken from them by scarlet fever, and whose death was greatly mourned by their afflicted parents. They were bright little girls, aged ten and two years respectively. Desirous of removing from the scenes which constantly reminded them of their little ones, they now returned to Illinois, as we have stated. The marriage of Charles W. Roberts and Miss Sarah II., daughter of Alexander Thompson, was celebrated at the home of the bride in Whiteside County, 111., May 14, 18G8. Mrs. Roberts was born in Prophetstown, Whiteside Co., 111., May 5, 1850, where she received her education, and was reared to womanhood, and there taught school for two years, and has taught also at Vesta, this county, two years. Her father, Alexander Gr. Thompson, was a native of Missouri, but was reared in Erie County, Pa. The mother was in her girlhood Miss Alineda Gault, a native of Vermont. She became the wife of Alexander Thompson about 1841, their marriage taking place in Whiteside County, III. Their family included six children, of whom Mrs. Roberts was the third in order of birth. Mr. Thompson was a man of strong character and prominent in his community, being a Deacon in the Congregational Church a number of years, and sub- sequently an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. He spent his last years in Round Orove, Whiteside Co., 111., passing away in March, 1883. The elder living child of Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, Gertie T., was born April 8, 1880. The younger, Addie 1\. was born Dec. 16, 1882. They are bright little girls, and it is hardly necessary to say will be given those advantages in keeping with their station. Mr. Roberts as an ex-soldier is a member in good standing of the (1. A. R. Politically, he votes the straight Republican ticket. He has never been ambitious for office, although serving as As- sessor for two years in Western Precinct. He is fond of music and belongs to the Crab Orchard Band. He keeps himself well posted upon current 4* events, and is a gentleman with whom it is pleas- urable and profitable to converse. Mrs. Elizabeth (Robinson) Roberts, the mother of Mr. Roberts, was, like her husband, a native of Maine, and the parents were married Jul}' 27, 1822. Their family included eleven children, of whom Charles W. was the ninth in order of birth. Joseph Roberts de- parted this life at his home in Vesta, Sept. 22, lKT'J. The mother had preceded her husband to the silent land, her death taking place May 5, 1872. LMERON REED stands as one of the lead- ing stock-raisers of Lincoln Precinct, and makes a specialty of English draft horses, exhibiting some of the Onest animals of this kind to be found in Southern Nebraska. He has for the successful prosecution of his calling a fine tract of land, 320 acres in extent, and fully adapted to the general purposes of agriculture, at the same time being supplied with convenient and substantial buildings. He came to this section of country in March, 1882, and was at once recog- nized as a valued addition to the community. A native of Ontario County, N. Y., our subject was born Nov. 8, 1841, and is the son of Wheeler and Phila (Wimple) Reed, the former a native either of Connecticut or New York, and the mother known to have been born in Ontario County, the latter State. Both were of English ancestry, and the father of our subject traced his progenitors to one John Reed, who crossed the Atlantic in the "Mayflower" in 1620, and settled with the Pilgrims in New England. To the parents of our subject there were born eight children, six of whom are still living, namely : Emily, of Ontario County, N. Y. ; Almeron, our subject; Walter W., a resident of Otoe County; Louisa, the wife of E. Stevens, of Ontario County, N. Y. ; Harmon, of Saunders County, this State, and Norman, of Ontario County, N. Y. The two de- ceased are Amelia and Adelia, twins, who died when six months old. Wheeler Reed was a Colonel in the New York State Militia, and was one of the rep- resentative farmers of Ontario County, N. Y., a man of sterling worth of character and highly - respected. •4^ JOHNSON COUNTY. 197 4~ The parents reside on the old homestead in On- tario County, N. Y. The education of our subject, begun in the dis- trict schools, was completed in Naples Academy, Ontario County, N. Y., of which he was a student until the outbreak of the Civil War, having then six weeks to study before he could graduate. He, however, fired with youthful patriotism, left his studies to enlist in the service of his country, be- coming, .Inly 30, 1862. a member of Company K, 1st New York Mounted Rifles, and was soon there- after promoted, first to Corporal and then to Ser- geant. His regiment operated principally under the command of Gen. Butler in the Peninsula, pros- ecuting their warfare principally with the bush- whackers. They also fought at the battles of Harrison's Landing, Bottom's Bridge, Charles City Court House and Seven Oaks, and were in numerous other engagements and skirmishes. Our subject finally, with some of his comrades, was transferred to the army of Gen. Grant, where they met the enemy in battle at Cold Harbor, and continued under the command of Grant until the close of the war. They had also done valiant serv- ice at Petersburg and Spottsylvania Court House, and were present at the surrender of Gen. Lee at Appomattox, being on the left flank of the army at the time of this important action of the renowned Confederate. Mr. Reed received an honorable discharge in June, 1865, and at once returned to his old haunts in New York State. In the fall fol- lowing he migrated to Lenawee County, Mich.. where he sojourned a period of two years, and from there changed his residence to Henry County, III. In Henry County, 111., our subject was married, Jan. 25, 1869, to Miss Nancy Howard, who only remained the companion of her husband the short period of five years, her death taking place at their home in Henry County in May, 1874. Mr. Reed came to Nebraska in March, 1882, and settled on the land which he now owns and occupies the year following. He was married a second time, Feb. 20, 1884, to Miss Marian Williams, who was born in the Province of Quebec, Sept. 20, 1851. The par- ents of this lady were Winslow and Lucinda (Mat- thew) Williams, the father a native of Vermont, and the mother of New York State. They were of Welsh and English ancestry respectively, and be- came the parents of a large family of children, of whom the following survive, namely : James N.. a resident of Massachusetts; Ulysses, of Montana; Lafayette, of Tennessee; John, of Illinois; Charles, of this county; Mary J., Mrs. Calvin Johnson, of Illinois; Adelaide, Mrs. John Hastie. of Nemaha County; Henry, of the same; Amasa, of Omaha; Marian and Frederick, also residents of this State; Lillian, the wife of William Ravenserofft, of this county; and Isolina, Mrs. A. Miller, of Talmage, Neb. To Mr. and Mrs. Reed there have been born two bright and interesting children: Clarence W., July 22, 18»5, and Howard 0., Feb. 3, 18s,s. Mr. i;,. ( ,1 is a member in good standing of the Congregational Church, and both he and his excellent wife occupy a high position socially. He is a man of sterling worth and integrity, one who by his upright life and systematic manner of doing business has fully established himself in the esteem and confidence of those around him. 202 JOHNSON COUNTY. vania, and to them were born ten children, nine of whom, seven sons and two daughters, lived to ma- ture years. One son was killed in battle at Chicka- mauga when fifteen years old. Six of the sons served as Union soldiers during the late Civil War. The parents, while residents of Pennsylvania, were connected with the Presbyterian Church, but after coming to the West identified themselves with the Methodists. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Young are being carefully reared and educated in a man- ner befitting their station and surroundings. KW IS < 1. II ALL. This honored pioneer of Johnson County looked upon Nebraska thirteen years before it had lieen admitted into the Union as a State, first crossing the Father of Waters in August. L854. lie was then a youth of nineteen years, and made the journey from Bu- reau County, 111., with his parents, crossing the Missouri River on a fiat boat, at what is now the flourishing town of Peru, but what was then a col- lection of wooden structures designated as houses. The place was then called Mt. Vernon. The father of our subject in making his way to Nebraska Territory, came with the determination to stay, and persevered through every difficulty. These he realized were many and great, but he pos- sessed the disposition which admitted no such word as "fail." He settled with his family on a tract of land lying along Honey Creek, two miles south of the present town of Peru, and there Lewis G. re- mained with his parents until hismarriage. To go back to the early life of our subject, we find that, he was born Nov. 14, 1835, in Bureau County, III., and received the education common to the youth of that time and place. After marriage lie settled with his young wife in sighl of a little town called London, in this county, where he had pre-empted 1(1(1 acresof raw prairie land. Here the young peo- ple began their wedded life, and lived in true pio- neer style for a period of twelve years. They labored industriously early and late, and Mr. Hall succeeded in making good improvements, setting out a fine grove of forest trees with an orchard and the smaller fruits, laying fences and bringing the t *•■ land to a fine state of cultivation. Indians were quite plentiful, but gave the pioneers little trouble or apprehension. Their lives passed quietly and uneventfully until the outbreak of the Civil War. when Mr. and Mrs. Hall were the parents of three children. Notwithstanding his home ties, our sub- ject considered it his duty to enlist in defense of his country, and on the 1st of November, 1862, be- came a member of Company F, 2d Nebraska Cav- alry. This regiment was assigned mostly to duty on the frontier, and engaged principally in Indian warfare. Mr. H. enlisting only for a year, received his honorable discharge at the expiration of this time, and returned home. In the fall of 1866 our subject concluded to change his location, and accordingly selling out, moved to Arago, Richardson County, where he en- gaged in milling and lumbering, and put up one of the first fiouring-mills in that region, lie resided there three years, then located in the western part of Nemaha County, engaging in milling and farming combined. This experiment proved very successful, and he remained there until becoming a resident of Johnson County in the fall of 1X7(1, and settling at Butler's Mills, where he slill prosecuted the business above mentioned, and lived until purchasing, in the fall of 1881, the land constituting his present farm. It bore little resemblance then to its present condi- tion, being a tract of uncultivated prairie without a shrub or a building. Mr. Hall, when purchasing this land, had become fully accustomed to pioneer scenes and experiences, and entered with courage upon the task of its sub- jugation. He now has a model homestead with tasteful and convenient buildings, a fine large frame residence set in the midst of shrubbery and groves, a thriving apple orchard, and the smaller fruits in abundance. Each year finds some new embellish- ment adding to the attractiveness and value of the property. Mr. Hall of late years has given his at- tention largely to the breeding of fine stock, in- cluding half-grade cattle, Hambletonian horses and Poland-China swine. In the spring of 1888 Mr. Hall, deciding that he had contributed his quota toward the development of the agricultural inter- ests of Johnson County, retired from active labor, and moving into Elk Creek, invested a portion of _ ■» f ■*•- "•*" JOHNSON COUNTY. 203 •f his capita] in agricultural implements. His two miiis, William II. and John, are now operating the farm. The former married .Miss Fidelia Puryear, of Johnson County, Neb. Mr. Hall is a stanch supporter of Republican principles, and. with his excellent, wife, is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which be has officiated as (.'lass-Leader and Su- perintendent of the Sunday-school for many years. The bigh character of the man is known and recog- nized throughout the county, with whose business and agricultural interests he has been closely identi- fied for a long' period. Liberal-minded and public- spirited, he has ever been foremost in those projects tending' to ele\ ate the people. .Mis. Johanna (Horn) Hall, was born in (ass County. 111., Aug. 21, 1839, and is the daughter of .loci and Emily Horn, who lived there until about 1851. Thence they removed firsl to Mis- souri, and later lo Nebraska. Mr. Horn was one of the pioneer farmers of this Stale, and died in Mis- souri when about Seventy years of age. The wife and mother passed away about 1862. .loh n W. Hall, the father of our subject, was horn in Kentucky in 1808, and when quite young emi- grated first to Indiana and then to Illinois, settling in the latter State near Galena with his parents. I Ie occupied himself as a teamster in the lead mines, and the family lived there until the Indian out- break, when they started eastward, intent upon seeking a place of greater Safety. They had reached l.aSalle County, the home of a friend. .Mr. Davis, when the Indians overtook them and massacred all in the house with the exception of Mr. Hall and two of his si>ters. They were made prisoners, and two weeks later the sisters were sold to another tribe. John \V. made his escape with two brothers, and finally reached Bureau County, 111., where he settled and lived until 1851. The sisters were sold to another tribe of Indians, who returned them to their friends. Mr. Hall was married to Miss Mary L. Swan, and they became the parents of nine chil- dren, seven of whom lived to maturity. As soon as Nebraska Territory was opened up tq settlement, they came in and located near the present site of Peru, ~where Grandfather Hall continued to reside until about two years before his death. lie then 4* removed to Nebraska City, where lie spent hi- last days in retirement, lie was a man of deep piety, and a local preacher of considerable repute, work- ing early and late in the Master's vineyard, and be- ing a devout member of the Methodist Church., lie carried on farming extensively, and acquired a good properly. Grandmother Hall was a most efficient helpmate to her husband, sympathizing with him in the Christian work. She was a native of Tennessee, and the daughter of William Swan, who emigrated to Illinois during its pioneer days. Franklin L. Hall, the eldest son of our subject, married Miss Caroline 1.. Waidley, and is carrying on fanning in Todd (reek 1'rccinct ; hi' is the father of three children. Emma F. is the wife of Gran- ville C. Brittain, a farmer of Todd Creek Precinct, and the mother of four children; W. II. Hall was married to Miss Fidelia Puryear. and they have one child. Edgar. The other children of Mr. Hall con- tinue under the home roof, and have been given the training and education suitable to their circum- stances and position in life. •~VV-»4jica'®i(@ >*^§s$*iM737r»\~ vw. GEORGE GOERING. Among the farmers and stock-raisers of Lincoln Precinct few are more practical or prosperous than the subject of this sketch, whose farm is situated on section 12, township i> north, range 12 east. He was born in Germany on the 1st of April, 1854, and is the son of George and Barbara Goering. llis father is deceased; his mother resides in Illi- nois. He is the third son of four boys, and one girl born to his parents. His education, which was obtained in the schools of his native country, is fairly complete, and so far as it went was thor- ough. Our subject was about eleven years of age when his parents emigrated to this country. The ocean passage extended over fourteen days and the}' landed in New York City, from whence the family proceeded immediately to Bureau County, III., where the father died in l>s.S2. Besides OUT subject there are four children of Mr. and Mrs. Goering living, viz: Jacob, still residing in Bu- reau County. III.; Henry, of Platte County, Neb.; ^r 20 1 -•* JOHNSON COUNTY. f Sibella, the wife of Louis Kurupf, of Bureau County, 111., and Phillip, who resides in the same count}'. From early childhood our subject was brought up on a farm, and as earl}' as was possible was given such tasks to perform as were within his power, and as the mouths and years passed by these were insensibly increased, until he was abundantly capable of taking any part of such work and per- forming it properly, or indeed, to undertake the entire management of a farm. On the 25th of January, 1877, Mr. Goering was joined in matrimony with Katie Wunder, by whom he has become the parent of six children, whose names are given as follows: Henry, George, Fred- erick, Emma, John and^Louie. Mrs. Goering was born in Illinois, May 20, 1859, and is the daugh- ter of Adam and Elizabeth Wunder, of Bureau County, 111., and natives of German}'. Our subject is the owner of 160 acres of good land, which he has brought to_a high state of culti- vation. He takes rank among the best farmers in the precinct, and may be justly proud of the suc- cess that has attended him, for he has effected what has beenjjdone almost^entirely minus the usual aids given bj - parents and others, and is truly a self-made man. In politics he is a Democrat, clearly under- standing and fully appreciating the liberties, privi- leges and government of his adopted country. He is identified with the Evangelical Church, as were also his parents, while his wife is a member of the Lutheran Church. They are much esteemed members of society, and are recognized as capable and valuable members of the community. T 1 \f, OSIIUA J. VETTER. Among the names of the early pioneers of Nebraska will be found that of the gentleman whose life is herein briefly sketched. He is the owner of an ex- cellent farm, comprising eighty acres of well-tilled, arable land upon section 1 of Nemaha Precinct ; this he works along the line of general farming and stock- raising. In 1870, when he settled thereon, it was raw prairie, and he has brought it to its present state of cultivation by his continued assiduous, in- telligent effort. Near his dwelling he has set out a fine orchard, containing over 150 apple trees, besides various other fruits, and also has some five acres of thrifty, well-developed forest trees. The grade of cattle chiefly engaging the attention of our subject as most valuable is the Polled-Angus. When Mr. Vetter first came to the district he settled south of the town, living there for two years. In 1873 he went to Fillmore County and took up a homestead claim, which he kept until he came to this precinct, where he has made his resi- dence continuously from that time. He has long held the position of school officer, and being deeply interested in educational matters has so attended to the various duties of the office as to win the admi- ration and esteem of the community. He is an en- thusiastic member of the G. A. It. Berrien County, Mich., is the place of the nativ- ity of the subject of this writing. He was ushered into life on the 5th of April, 1840, and continued to live in his native county until 1871. In the common schools of his native place he received a good practical English education, the course of study covering all the branches usually studied at the time. In 18(31 he enlisted in defense of the old flag, on the 15th of September of that year becoming a member of Company K, of the 12th Michigan Infantry. He went through the follow- ing engagements, viz: Shiloh, Iuka, Middleburg, Tenn., Natchez, Vicksburg, Little Rock, Ark., be- sides an endless number of lesser engagements and skirmishes. He was mustered out at Little Rock on the 4th of May, 1865, and returned to Michi- gan. Mr. Vetter celebrated the 4th of July of the year 1867 in right royal style, being united with Miss Sarah A. lla/.en, of Buchanan, Berrien Co., Mich., in the bands of wedlock. Of this union four chil- dren have been born. Their names are recorded as follows: Dora B., Arthur W., Fffa Blanche and Myrtle O. Dora is now Mrs. George Thomas, of Firth, and is the mother of one child, to whom has been given the name Floyd. Mrs. Vetter is the daughter of Ezra Hazen, and was born on the 7th of August, 1850, at Buchanan, making her home with her parents until the auspicious Fourth of r *J=i= JOHNSON COUNTY. 205 4 Jul}' when she united her life with that of our sub- ject. Her father was a native of the Buckeye State, who in the early days of Michigan's settlement mi- grated thither. He was the father of thirteen chil- dren, of whom his daughter Sarah was the youngest. Jacob Vetter, the father of our subject, was born in Steucot, Wurtemberg, Germany, in the year 1791); there he lived until after his marriage with Miss Rachael Waggoner. Upon coming to America he staid for a short period in Philadelphia, and then removed to Michigan and later to Chicago, III., when it was a small town. In that vicinity he took up forty acres of land. Upon this land is now erected the well-known Union Depot, which is not only the finest in the city, but will compare most favorably with any depot in metropolitan centers in the country. Owing to sickness he determined to return to Michigan, where he owned a farm of some 1G0 acres, all well improved, situated about fifteen miles from St. Joseph, and also land where Ann Arbor now stands. He died in 1854, being fifty-five years of age. His wife departed this life at St. Joseph in the year 1845. The subject of our sketch is a prominent citizen and a very ardent supporter of the Republican party, and enjoys the respect and confidence of the community, and is one of the most successful and practical fanners in the county. k A\Tl) C. CONKLIN, of Helena Precinct, is meeting with fair success as a farmer and stock-raiser, and is operating 1 (JO acres of good land occupying the southwest quarter of section 32. lie is a self-made man in the strictest sense of the term, having been entirely dependent upon his own resources since starting out for himself in life, and in the hand-to-hand struggle with the eleine its of the world has made a fair record, meeting with a goodly measure of suc- cess. A native of the Keystone State, he was born in Susquehanna County, July 1, 1827, and is :i son of Leonard and Margaret (Weymcr) Conkliu, who were born in Orange County, N. V. The pa- rental household of our subject included a family of six children, of whom the following survive, namely : David C, our subject, was the eldest; Esther, the wife of Lemuel Vangelder, of Wayne County, Pa. ; Thomas, a resident of Pawnee County, this State; and Rebecca, the wife of John Ressequie, living in Wayne County, Pa. The parents spent their lasl years in Pennsylvania, and the father followed fann- ing all his life. Mr. Conkliu was reared to manhood in his native State, and received such education as was afforded the youth of his day under a school sj'stem vastly inferior to that of the present time. He was trained to habits of industry from his .youth up, and shortly before reaching the twenty-fifth year of his age began making arrangements for the establishment of a home of his own. The most important event leading to this end was his marriage, which occurred Jan. 10, 1852, the maiden of his choice being Miss Almeda Dickey, who was born Feb. 27, 1833, in Susquehanna County, and reared not far from the home of her husband. Her parents, Walter and Sail}' (Ressequie) Dickey, were natives of Connecti- cut, and the father a farmer by occupation. They spent their last years in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Conkliu commenced the journey of life together in a modest home in Pennsylvania, where our subject commenced farming. His plans, however, were broken in upon by the outbreak of the Rebellion, and in September, 1862, laying aside his personal plans and interests, he enlisted as a Union soldier in Company A, 137th Pennsylvania Infantry, becoming a part of what was designated as the Fatigue Corps. He was for a time under the command of Gen. Hancock, and fought at Fred- ericksburg and Antictam, besides meeting the enemy in other minor engagements and skirmishes. His regiment operated mostly in Maryland and Virginia. Mr. C. served six months, and received his honorable discharge in February, 1863. After retiring from the army .Mr. Conkliu re- sinned farming in Wayne County, Pa., where he resided for a time, then changed his residence to Luzerne County. In the latter he entered the em- ploy of the Pennsylvania Coal Company, with which he was connected for a period of seven years, attending mostly in the shipping department! He was thus occupied until the fall of 1 871), then, with a desire to see something of the Great West, crossed — «► T «#• 206 JOHNSON COUNTY. the Mississippi, and coming to this count}', located first in Nemaha Precinct. Thence he removed in the spring of 1883 to his present farm. This com- prises 160 acres of good land in a highly productive condition, and which, under the careful manage- ment of its present proprietor, yields bountifully the rich products of Southern Nebraska. With the assistance of his faithful and industrious wife he has accumulated a comfortable property, with some- thing for a rainy da}* and his declining years. He votes the straight Republican ticket, and is a mem- ber in good standing of the Christian Church. A man quiet and unostentatious in his demeanor, he is remarkable chiefly as a peaceful and law-abiding citizen, who gives his support to the cause of relig- ion and education, and in all respects deserves the appellation of an honest man and a good citizen. To our subject and his estimable wife there have been born ten children, three of whom — Mary,Orin and George — died at a tender age. Of the surviv- ors the record is as follows: Lovisa is the wife of John Daugherty, a resident of Scranton, Pa.; Nina. Mrs. C. H. Pickering, lives in Tecumseh, this county; Melissa married Edwin Mills, and together with her brother William, resides in Denver, Col.: Friend, Floyd and Ella are at home with their par- ents. — ~ fr o^h< - * ■■■ — *t JUDGE JOSEPH W. BUFFUM. The sub- ject of this biography is widely and favor- ably known thoroughout this county as one of its most prominent and useful citizens. He is a lifelong agriculturist, but of late years lias been giving his attention to live stock, carrying on his operations at a beautiful farm and homestead of 160 acres, on section 17 in Todd Creek Precinct. A native of Ashtabula County, Ohio, our sub- ject was born May 9, 1834, and when three years of age went with his parents to Knox County, 111. They settled upon a tract of land, where the father engaged in farming, and where were spent the boyhood and youth of Joseph W., during which time he acquired a good practical education, and became familiar with the various employments of rural life. The years of young Buffum were thus spent in a comparatively uneventful manner until the notes of civil war startled the country, and its young men began by hundreds to offer their services in defense of the Union. On the 11th of August, 1862, our subject enlisted in Company G, 83d Illinois Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. He first saw the smoke of battle at Ft. Donelson, and was thereafter engaged in many of the important battles of the war, ex- periencing many hairbreadth escapes, and at Claiks- ville, Tenn., was wounded in the left leg, and made a cripple for life. He has never been able to walk since that time as other men, but succeeded in getting around slowly by the aid of crutches, and for the past eight or nine years has been able to abandon their use. This occurred in the spring of 1865. Mr. Buffum was confined at Ft. Bruce, and after the close of the conflict received his honora- ble discharge at Chicago, 111., in July, 1865, and was mustered out of the service. His army ex- perience was similar to that of thousands, and has been recorded in a history that will never grow old to the American people. After being relegated to the ranks of civil life Mr. Buffum returned to his old home in Knox County, 111., for a brief period, and entered his father's store in Yates City, where, however, he remained only a short time, until starting for the West. He left the Prairie State on the 1st of April, 1868, and reached Nebraska twenty days later, settling in Tecumseh, where he resided for about twelve years. While residing there he im- proved the land of which he had become owner before leaving Illinois. Upon this there had been no attempt at improvement, and Mr. Buffum pur- sued thereafter the course common to the Ne- braska pioneer, battling with the difficulties of a distant market, imperfect farm implements, and the various other drawbacks which beset the new settler. He was possessed, however, of the sturdy courage and perseverance incident to the men of those times, and allowed nothing to deter him from his purpose of building up a homestead on the soil of Nebraska. After putting in his first crops lie began planting shade and fruit trees, erect- ing the buildings most urgently needed, put out several acres of forest trees and a large peach or- ' ■f Residenceof Charles Wi lkinson, 5 ec. 24. Maple Grove Precinct. Res i den v*f l ur A.Sharrett.Sec. .j U . ( 4 . 13. J LINCOLN rRECINCT. -*•■ -•*• JOHNSON COUNTY. 209 -f chard, and otherwise increased the value and beauty of his property. Upon this farm, however, he did not live, making his home in Tecumseh, and in addition to the supervision of his farming opera- tions, was engaged four years in the livery business. Later he took up merchandising, in which he was engaged three years. He sold this farm in the fall of 1880, and purchased his present homestead the year following. This latter property had undergone considerable improvements, hut Mr. Buffum has greatly added to its value by the erection of a large and band- some residence, which, with its surroundings, (•(in- stitutes one of the most attractive pictures in the landscape of this region. Here he has about eight acres of full grown forest trees, a fine apple or- chard and trees of the smaller fruits. His live stock includes about seventy-live head of choice Short-horn cattle, but he is working his way toward the breeding of road horses, having some fine and valuable specimens of Hainbletonians. In the care and feeding of his stock Mr. Buffum has gathered around him all the conveniences, having ample stabling, watering troughs, etc. In addition to his extensive farming interests Judge Buffum has always been a prominent man in public affairs, filling many positions of trust and responsibility. He was elected to the office of County Judge in the fall of 1873, and subsequently was elected County Treasurer, serving his full term with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Democratic in politics, the fact that he holds his office in a Republican stronghold is indicative of the estimation in which he is held by the people of the county. Almost from the time of his coming here he has been an incumbent of the local offices, a member of the School Board, etc. One of the most important events in the life of our subject was his marriage with Miss Sarah A. Mills, which was celebrated at the home'of the bride in Knox County, 111., Feb. 28, 1856. Of this union there have been born seven children, five of whom are living, namely: Esther Estelle, Clara Belle, Martha Lodema, Lou and Josephine. With the exception of the eldest daughter they are all at home with their patents. Esther 10. is the *•— wife of Mr. J. E. Davis, of Grafton, Neb., and the mother of one child, a daughter, Carrie L. The children of our subject have been given a thorough education, and are. bright and intelligent, doing- honor to their ancestry and parental training. Mis. Sarah A. (Mills) Buffum was born near Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 17, 1838, and lived there until reaching womanhood. She then removed to Illinois with her parents. The latter were John and Tern pa (Hatch) Mills, and the father was a na- tive of Vermont, and a farmer by occupation. Ik- spent his last years in Knox County, 111., dying in 1858, at the advanced age of sixty-three years. The mother had passed away when her daughter Sarah A. was but a child, in Madison County, Ohio. Stephen Smith Buffum, the father of our subject, was born in Vermont, Oct. 22, 1802. lie left the Green Mountain State earl)' in life, migrating to New York, and when about fifteen or sixteen years old sought the Far West. Ashtabula Count}', Ohio, at that time came under this description, and young Buffum, taking up a tract of land which was covered with timber, felled the trees and built up for himself a good homestead. He married Miss Esther Mann, of Ashtabula County, and they became the parents of six sons and two daughters. seven of whom lived to mature years. In 1830 he left Ohio, and settled among the pioneers of Knox Count)', 111., being the third family in Salem Town- ship. There again he proceeded as before, elimin- ating a homestead from the wilderness, although he had prairie land to work upon instead of timber. His first purchase was 160 acres, to which he sub- sequently added a like amount, becoming owner of half a section. Here lie lived :iii(l labored until quite well advanced in years, then, in 1860, sold out and removed to rates City, where he engaged first in the grain trade and later in general mer- chandising. He was a hale, hearty and intelligent old gentleman, and (lied in February, 1871, at the age of about sixty-nine years. Mrs. Esther (Mann) Buffum died in October, 1845, and the father of our subject was then mar- ried to Miss Diantha L. At wood, who is now in Yates City, III. He was prominent in local affairs in Illinois, holding the offices of Supervisor and ^r -•*• 210 JOHNSON COUNTY. Justice of the Peace for many years, and in the Masonic fraternity was a Knight Templar, high in the order. Religiously, he was a Universalist in belief during the later years of his life, although when in Ohio he attended the Episcopal Church, walking six miles to and from the house of worship. The grandfather of our subject, also Stephen Buffum by name, was a native of Vermont, and settled in Fulton County, 111., fully as early if not earlier than 1830. lie was married in Vermont, and reared a large family. He was one of the earliest pioneers of that region, and acquired a good property. lie spent his last days among his children, and had a sufficient income to maintain him comfortably. His death took place between 1850 and 18G0, after he had reached the advanced age of eighty-four years. He served -with one of his sons in the Black Hawk War. * -*• they emigrated to Pennsylvania during its early settlement. The parental family included four children, of whom but three are living, namely: Emma J., the wife of David McDonough, of Henry, 111.; Mary D., the wife of Robert McDonough, of the same place, and our subject. Maria A. died when about two years of age. The parents of our subject when James T. was a lad of seven years emigrated from the Keystone State to Peoria County, 111., and six months later to Marshall County, settling in Saratoga Township in the fall of 1854, during its pioneer days, and where they spent the remainder of their lives. James T. was reared to manhood in Marshall County, where he became familiar with the details of pioneer farm life and received a practical edu- cation in the schools of that day. Upon reaching manhood he was married, Nov. 6, 1867, to Miss Mary E. Divelbiss, who was a native of Peoria County, and born April 3, 1849. Her parents, Samuel and Rachel (Thomas) Divelbiss, were natives of Pennsylvania, and the father is deceased. The mother is still living, making her home with a daughter in Marshall County, 111. Their family consisted of eleven children, eight of whom are living, namely: Henry, a resident of Kansas; George, of Iowa; Catherine, Mrs. Ferris, of Iowa; Jane,. Mrs. Sanford Shaff, of Iowa; Harrison, of Nemaha Precinct, this county; Harvey, of Kansas; Maggie, Mrs. Gilbert Van Fleet, of Marshall County, 111.; and Mrs. Jones, of our sketch. Our subject and his wife commenced the journey of life together in Marshall County, 111., and are the parents of six children. Their eldest son, William S., was born April 21, 1809 ; Grace M., born May 10, 1871, died April 11, 1872; Charles L. was born Sept. 4, 1*74; Robert II., born March 4, 1877, died March 1(5, 1878: Daisy R. was born Dec. 25, 1881, and James H., Sept. 10, 1880. Mr. Jones and his family came to this county in the spring of 1 880, and settled upon the land which they now own and occupy. Our subject and his es- timable wife are active in all good works, and lend their aid and influence as opportunity affords in fur- thering those influences calculated for the general welfare of their community. Mr. Jones is President of the Johnson County Agricultural Society, and »► i r~ « ^ •HMi JOHNSON COUNTY. 211 -r takes an especial interest in the establishment and maintenance <>f schools; he has for yearsserved as a Director in his district. Politically, he votes and labors in support of the principles of the Republican party. <*p^HEODORE SMITH. The subject of this (f{mS!)\ biography and his estimable wife represent ^gsg?' 400 acres of land in Spring Creek Precinct and 100 acres in Cedar County, Neb., and are numbered among the most prominent people of Johnson County, not alone for their wealth and position, but on account of their sterling worth of character. Mr. Smith lias been remarkably success- ful in his agricultural operations, which embrace an experience of nine years. During his early man- hood he worked first at blacksmi thing, and later conducted a carriage manufactory. He is by no means aged, however, having been born Sept. 20, 1844. His native place was in Northampton County, Pa., and his parents were Valentine and Sarah (Ras- l.-v ) Smith, the father a native of Germany and the mother of the Keystone State. To the parents of our subject there were born live children, namely: Theodore, of our sketch; Sarah, the wife of William Powell, of Henderson County, 111.; Mary A., Mrs. John Fisher, of Atchi- son County, Kan.; Valentine, a resident of Helena Precinct, this county, and Oeorge, who is supposed to be a resident of Kansas. The father emigrated to America when a young man. ami located in Northampton County, Pa., where he was married, and lived until after the birth of one child. Then, resolving to push further westward, he removed with his family to Fulton County, III., landing there in 1840, and being among its pioneer settlers. He carried on agriculture until some time in the fifties, then changed his residence to Henderson County, where his death took place about 1871, and that of bis estimable wife about 1870. Our subject was a lad eight years of age when hia parents settled in Henderson County, 111., and remembers many of the incidents of pioneer life in that region. He remained the assistant of his father on the farm until Hearing the eighteenth year of his age, then, desirous of trying his band at some- thing else, repaired to Terre Haute in that county, and began an apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade under the instruction of Mr. Frank Jenkins. He served the appointed three years, then going to Henry, Marshall County, established a carriage manufactory, doing both a wholesale and retail business, and was thus engaged from 1804 until the fall of 1879. Selling out at that time he invested his capital in land. The marriage of our subject and Miss Etta Mc- Connell was celebrated at the home of the bride in Newport, Ind., Oct. 30, 18GG. Of this union there are three children : Clarence E., born Sept. 20, 1 8G7 ; William E., Feb. 21, 1872, and Roy, June 4, 1874. The wife and mother departed this life at their home in Henry, 111., April 5, 1875. Our subject contracted a second matrimonial al- liance, Sept. 17, 187G,in LaSalle County, 111., with Mrs. Louisa Smith, widow of Benjamin F. Smith, of Marshall County. This lady is a native of Brad- ford County, Pa., and was born May 5, 1848. Her parents were William G. and Clarissa (Warfield) Barnes, and the mother died at Henry, 111., Jan. 5, 1880. Mr. Barnes is still living, and a resident of Los Angeles County, Cal. Both parents were na- tives of New England, and it is supposed were both of English ancestry. They were among the early settlers of Marshall County, 111., having moved there when their daughter Louisa was a little girl eight years of age. Mr. Barnes was a very intelli- gent and ca|iable man. who accumulated a good property. He held the various local offices, and uniformly gave his support to the enterprises cal- culated for the general welfare of the people around him. Mrs. Smith was reared to womanhood in Marshall County, and was first married there Nov. 2, 1865. Of her union with Benjamin F. Smith there were bom two children: Minnie L., who died when ten months old, and Willard B., now a promising youth of eighteen years, pursuing his studies in the Nor- mal School at llolton, Kan. Benjamin F. Smith was a farmer and mechanic by occupation, and de- parted this life at his home in Marshall County, 111., in 1872. Theodore Smith and his family came to this county in the spring of 1880, and settled on the ■+*- i «► l f^ 4- 212 JOHNSON COUNTY. farm which they still occupy, and which comprises 320 acres of valuable land. The beautiful residence is the observed of all observers who pass through the northeastern part of this county, and with its fine surroundings fulfills the idea of the complete country home. Mr. Smith is a man of more than ordinaiy capabilities, and one who has been the architect of his own fortune, having from the begin- ning been compelled to depend upon his own re- sources, which, after all, is the best schooling a man can have. Mrs. Smith owns 240 acres in her own right, and this is located in Spring Creek Precinct and Cedar County, Neb. Both she and her hus- band occupy an enviable social position, and have made many friends since their comparatively brief residence in this county. Mr. Smith is a Repub- lican politically, and socially, a member in good standing of the I. O. O. F. at Tecumseh. -§-+ +-$- -r [/. s ENRY ROGGE. Among the prosperous, j 1 ' practical and wide-awake farmers who sus- tain the agricultural interests of Sterling Precinct, the subject of this sketch occu- pies no mean position. He is a native of Olden- berg, born May 18, 1840, and he there lived in the home of his parents, Jacob and Margaret Rogue until he attained manhood. His father died in 1857, and his mother then bought a small farm to which she retired with her family, and our subject remained with her most of the time until 1866. lie then determined to try life in the United States, and embarked on the "America," a sailing-vessel bound for this country, and after a tempestuous voyage of sixteen days, having encountered a heavy storm in mid-ocean which lasted four days, he landed in New York on the 25th day of April. He immediately proceeded to Henry County, Ohio, where he obtained work as a farm hand, and was thus employed for three years. At the expiration of that time he made his way to Nebraska, where he intended to become an independent farmer, tak- ing advantage of the cheap lands and this wonder- full}- fertile soil. He selected Johnson County as his future home, and entered a claim under the Homestead Act to a 160-acre tract of land, where he now lives, comprising the southeast quarter of section G, Sterling Precinct. He built a sod house, in which he kept "bachelor's hall" most of the time until 1872. In that year our subject took an important step toward establishing a more comfortable home by marrying, on the 25th of March, Miss Sophia Rogge. He had previously erected a small frame house, and in that he and his bride commenced their wedded life. Her parents, Henry and Cat- erina Rogge, are both dead, and the mother of our subject died in 1872. Nine children have blessed the union of our subject and his wife, namely: Willis, Edwin, Ola, Cora, Mary, Belle, Stella and Rowie, ami one who died at the age of three weeks. When Mi-. Rogge came here, although he was not among the first settlers, his was the pioneer task to develop a farm from the wild, unbroken prairie, and as he had but §200 he had to exercise the closest economy, and to manage with great frugality until his land would prove a source of income instead of outlay. But he was full of life and energy and not easily discouraged, so that he gradually became prosperous, and now none of his neighbors have a better tilled or more highly im- proved farm than he. It is supplied with a good house, barn and other necessary buildings, has a fine orchard and many forest trees, is well fenced, and every inch of soil is utilized. In these years of toil his wife has greatly aided him in the up- building of their home, both by cheerful assistance and ready counsel and encouragement. She is a woman of true Christian character, a devoted mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and one whose kindly heart makes her the friend of the needy ami suffering. Our subject is a well-informed man, and possesses a good fund of sound common sense and shrewd foresight, that make him invaluable as a citizen and as a neighbor. In his home relations he is a kind husband and wise father. He and his wife are de- termined that their children shall be well educated, and he thoughtfully provides them with good books. Mr. Rogge also takes an interest in general educational matters, and as a member of the School Board for several years has used his influence to provide good schooling for the children in this =f •*• ■*•- JOHNSON COUNTY. 213 township. He is Roatl Commissioner this year, and is faithfully performing his work In that direc- tion. Mr. Rogge takes an intelligent view of the political questions of the day, and sides with the Republican party. -3«*- HARLES WILKINSON. Among the en- terprising and effective agriculturists of Maple Grove Precinct must, lie named the subjecl of this sketch, whose property is situated on section 21. His father was John Wilkinson, a native of England, who came to America about the year 1830. He made his first home in the New World in Peoria County, 111. There *hc continued to reside for about fifteen years, and then moved to Walworth County. Wis., where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1885. His wife, the mother of our subject, was Harriet Egan, a native of Madison County, Ohio. This lady is now liv- ing in Knox County. 111. The subject of (his biography is the only son of the above, and was born on the 12th of March, IslT.in Fulton County, 111. He lived at home until he was thirteen years of age, when he com- menced to woilc upon a farm by the week. He continued thus employed until 1868, when he came to Tecumseh and took a homestead claim of 160 acres of raw prairie land, which he has transformed into his present valuable and highly cultivated farm. With the exception of seven years spent in Knox County, during which he rented his prop- erty, he has resided thereon continuously from the time of his entry. In October. 1875, the marriage of Mr. Wilkin- son with Abbie Mills, a daughter of John and Lena (Thomas) Mills, was celebrated. Mr. and Mrs. Mills were natives of Ohio, but for many years had been residents of Knox County. 111. Their daugh- ter Abbie was bom at Rome, Peoria Co., 111.. Sept. 11. L854. Our SUbjecl and wife are the parents of two beautiful children, who. as they develop from childhood to youth, and come to more ma- ture years, manifest capacity, intelligence and a disposition that mark them for honorable places in the community. Their names are Harriet L. and Guy W. At the conclusion of the seven years of his sec- ond residence in Knox County. III., our subject returned in 1X7'.) to Johnson County and to his farm. This he has long since brought to a well- nigh perfect condition for agriculture. He is careful, thorough and practical, and devotes much thought to the further improvement and cultivation of the same. In political matters Mr. Wilkinson favors the Union Labor party as that most likely to meet and carry out the desires of tin' major portion of the community. He has held the office of Assessor for two years, and has also been a member of the Scl I Board — the latter office in fact he has oc- cupied almost continuously. He is a member in good Standing of the Masonic fraternity, and is quite a good worker in the various departments where such is required, lie is a worthy and val- ued citizen, but- unassuming, and in nowise anxious to figure prominently in political circles. His chief delight is in his home and farm, and there he has always sustained the most worthy and happy temperament, so as to be a favorite and looked-for member of the household, and popular among those who work for him. His fine home and out-build- ings arc shown in a view elsewhere in this ALBUM. ■•■ g . l.fft . g. .- ANIKL RICHARDSON. The house and farm of this gentleman attract attention from the Stranger or visitor to the county, especially of those who may be in the vi- cinity of sections n;. I and 9, of Western Precinct, because of its position and topographical surround- ings. The house and farm buildings arc situated upon the summit of one of the highest hills in the district, and being substantially built and of tine appearance, have become quite a landmark, as they may be seen for many miles in either direction. Mr. Richardson was born in Knox County. 111., on the 25th of February. 1841. His father. Pliny Richardson, now deceased, was a native of Breck- inridge County, Ky. The maiden name of his wife. the mother of our subject, was Elizabeth Tierce. r*^U 214 ^*H|-*« JOHNSON COUNTY. 4 She is now living in Knox County, and is eighty- one years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson, Sr., made their home in Warren County, 111., in the year 1856, and there our subject was brought lip on the home farm. His education was received in the usual institutions of the district, and was of the ordinary practical char- acter. His patriotism led him to enlist in Company A, KI2d Illinois Infantry, fur a term of three years. He was present in the conflicts of the Atlanta cam- paign, and fought in the battles of Etesaca, Dallas. Peachtree Creek, and also those of the Carolina campaign and Sherman's march. He saw much service outside the larger battles, and has a very honorable war record. Upon leaving the army he located in Knox County, and was there engaged in agriculture until 1!">75. when he returned to War- ren County, carrying on a farm there until 1886, when he came to this county, and purchased and settled upon the property where he now makes his home, on section 16 of the above precinct, operat- ing 120 acres of fine arable land m general farm- inn' ami stock-raising. Upon the 18th of November, 1869, was cele- brated the marriage of the subject of this sketch with Sarah Ryner, who is the daughter of Spen- cer Ryner, of Warren County. 111. There have been given to them six children, live of whom arc- now living, viz.: Trueinan B., Sherman S.. Aha L., Frank S. and Daniel 1). The name of the de- ceased child was Oliver. The married life of our subject has been most happy, and in keeping with what would be a natural result for one of such character and disposition, so congenially allied. Mr. Richardson was formerly a member of the United Brethren Church, but has not joined him- self to any organization since coming to this State. Nevertheless both himself and wife take deep) in- terest in religious matters, and also in local Sun- day-school work, especially that carried on in the district school-house. They are liberal supporters of benevolent institutions and enterprises. Out- subject is a true and loyal citizen, and an enthu- siastic member of the Gr. A. R. He was always a strong Republican, and it so happens that some of his neighbors were with him in the army, and members of the same mess, who were of an oppo- site opinion, so much so as to often use the epithet of "Black Abolitionist" to him. Mrs. Richardson was born on the 25th of Au- gust. 181M. in Warren County, her father, who is a native of Pennsylvania, being one of the very early settlers in that county. The maiden name of her mother was Emily Butles, of Ohio. Both her parents are still living, and make their home in the town of Alexis, Warren County. Her brother, William Ryner. served with the Union forces in the late war, and has an honorable record in that connection. For a view of the home of our subject see another page in this volume. \|7 AFAYETTE A. SIIARRFTT, an Ohio man I (@ °f excellent antecedents, occupies a good ■l ^v position as a representative farmer and stock-raiser in Lincoln Precinct, where, since the summer of 1856, he has successfully cultivated a farm of eighty acres of land, which is in a highly productive condition, and supplied with convenient and substantial buildings. This is located on sec- tion 30. the center of as fine a farming community as is to be found in the county, and Mr. Sharrett lias been no unimportant factor in building up its present reputation. He is a self-made man, of in- telligence and good business capacities, and one who enjoys in a marked degree the confidence and esteem of his neighbors. Our subject was born in (ireene County. Ohio, Aug. 16, 1853, and is the son of John 15. and Eliza- beth (Straly) Sharrett, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. When in the third year of his age he came with his parents to this county, where he was reared and educated, and of which he has since been a resident, lie became early in life familiar with the various employments of the farm, and has been content to make agriculture his occu- pation, nothing delighting him more than to wit- ness the development of the soil, the flourishing fields with their growing crops, and the gathering in of the golden harvests. Mr. Sharrett when not quite thirty years of age was married. Feb. 21. 1883, to Miss Susie Sampson, 4 "*•- JOHNSON COUNTY. 215 who was I Kirn Jan. 27. L861, in Iowa County, Iowa, and is a daughter of Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Cook) Sampson, who are residents <>f Lincoln Precinct. and a sketch of whom appears on another page in this work. Mr. and Mrs. sharrett commenced the journey of life together at their present homestead, and are the parents of three children: Pearl M., In, in Dec. 1.".. 1883; Jessie M., June 25, 1885, who died A u<, r . 6, 1885; and Mabel L., horn June 1, 1888. Our subject states thai lie has been ably assisted by his estimable wife in attaining to his present position, both socially ami financially, and they are both members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have gathered around them many friends, who watch their progress with Kindly interest, and who extend to them their warmest wishes for their future prosperity. .Mr. Sharrett cast his first Presidential vote for P. B. Hayes, and politically, he uniformly votes the Re- publican ticket, lie, like his honored father, lends his aid and influence as opportunity occurs to those projects having for their object the elevation of society and the best good of the people around him. ()n another page may he seen a view of his pleasant home and its surroundings. I lU^ ARRISON J. jfj) ship north, %^ cinct, is- one CURTIS, of section 22, town- range 11 east, of Helena Pre- of the oldest pioneers of the (§§)) county. He was horn in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., on the 16th of August, 1830, and is the son of Henry and Eliza Curtis, who were natives of New York State and Vermont re- spectively. Originally three brothers emigrated from England to America; one settled in the South, another after a short sojourn returned to England, while the third located in New York State. Our subject is a direct descendant of the latter. To the parents of our subject were born six chil- dren, of whom three survive, viz. : Marietta, who is married to Samuel Ttinnan, of Churchill County, Nev. ; Henry A., of Cook, in this State, and Harrison J., who was about five years of age •*• when his father died. About a year later he was taken into the family of Lewis R. King, of Hunts- ville, Schuyler Co., III., by whom he was brought up until he reached his eighteenth year. His pres- ence in Illinois is accounted for by the fact that his parents left their New York home for the West about the year 184:1, and located in Schuyler County, 111., where, as previouslj' mentioned, the father died within a year of removal. The education of our subject, so far as school- ing was concerned, was necessarily somewhat lim- ited, Illinois being provided at that time almost without exception simply with subscription schools, and the winter months alone were devoted to study, but in all that went to make up the practical part of his training in farming, etc., he was per- fectly conversant from his youth, and it is not sur- prising that upon starting upon his own account, with all the interest and responsibility attaching thereto, he speedily made his way to the front in such pursuits. Devoted to bis country and patriotic to a degree, our subject enlisted on the 12th of August, 1862, in Company C, 99th Illinois Infantry, which was mainly composed of young men of Pike County. The regiment was attached to the Western Army, and first did service in Missouri. Later our subject was transferred to the army before Vicks- burg, and participated in the siege and battle at that place. He was detailed to act in the capacity of teamster, and carried provisions and ammunition, etc., for the troops, being what is called Quarter- master's teamster. Subsequently he participated in the siege of Jackson and later returned to Vicksburg, where he was in camp for a short time and then was transferred to New Orleans, where they lay in camp for a time and then were sent to Brazier City, La., where he was disabled by a kick from a mule, which was so severe that be was sent to New Orleans, where he remained in the hospital for over six weeks. He was then fur- loughed for sixty days and returned home, but at the expiration of that period being still unfit for service he received an extension of time, viz., thirty days, after which he returned to his regi- ment which was in Texas, going via New Orleans. He was now detailed to Serve as dispatch carrier for t 216 •a* JOHNSON COUNTY. a short time, and was wounded by an explosion of a torpedo in March, 18G4. This confined him to the hospital for some time, and resulted in his be- ing unfit for service. He was therefore honorably discharged in June of that year in Louisiana. Upon returning to his Illinois home our subject, after his complete recovery, engaged in farming. The marriage of our subject with Mary E. Can- non was celebrated on the 14th of March, 1860. This lady was born on the 14th of September. 1840, at Pleasant Hill, in Pike County, and is the daugh- ter of Bluford and Margaret (Kerr) Cannon. Her parents were respectively natives of Kentucky and Missouri. Upon her father's side she is of Scotch- Irish descent, and the original founders of the fam- ily this side the Atlantic settled in Maryland. They were the parents of several children, of whom the following are living: Patience, the wife of Henry A. Curtis, of Cook County, 111.; John, who is in Missouri; Henry, in Holt County, Colo. ; Benjamin F., of Logan County, Kan , and Mrs. Curtis. These are all children by the first marriage of her father. By his second alliance he became the husband of Sarah Triplet, and several other children were born, of whom three are living, viz. : Kate, who is married to LaFayette Jones; Cora, the wife of LcKoy Jones, and Smith; all reside in Smith County, Kan. To Mr. and Mrs. Curtis there have been given ten children, of whom they have lost four by death, viz.: William, Lily, Lutie and Samuel. The liv- ing children are as follows: Henry, who is married to Lydia Fleischer; Mollie, now Mrs. Nathan Douglas, of Cheyenne County, Kan. ; Frank, Lucius, Wesley and- Bessie. In 1866, accompanied by his wife and three children, our subject migrated from • Illinois to this county. The journey was performed by means of a wagon and four mule teams, and some three weeks were consumed in the journey. Upon reaching their destination 160 acres of land was taken as a homestead claim on section 28 of Helena Precinct. It was situated about six miles north of Tecumseh, and the primitive condition of things at that time ma}- be gathered from the fact that there was not a house between them and the village. This was their home until 1879, when they removed to their present farm and have re- ' sided there continuous!}' from that time. He owns f 160 acres and has every part of it well in hand. It is a fertile tract and yields good harvests. It is chiefly cultivated in the line of general farming. Throughout the years of their companionship Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have mutually assisted each other in all the affairs of life, and their home has been one of the happiest in the district. They are both members in good standing of the Baptist Church and take a deep interest in religious matters. Our subject has for a number of years been Deacon of the chinch, and still serves in that connection. For a number of years he has been a member of the School Board and lias done good service. In 1888 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and is more than fulfilling the hopes of his friends. Politically, he is a Democrat, and is an active member of the party. He is also identified with the Masonic fra- ternity and advanced to the degree of Master Ma- son. He is a man of character and personal worth, and is one of the esteemed and much valued citi- zens of the county. »*g£®***w RE5IDENCE OF J . W. KePLI NGER , SEC.22. N EM AH A PRECINCT. ■ Residence of E. G. Jury, 5ec.17.(4.=11.)Todd Creek Precinct. -*•- JOHNSON COUNTY. 219 rt with Lis father, and they practiced under the firm name of Appelget & Son. When the father as- sumed the judicial ermine the partnership was dis- solved, and the son has gradually dropped into the practice of the former. lie has already accumu- lated a line property, owning besides his handsome residence at the intersection of Fifth and Grant streets, other improved property in the city, and is' interested with his father in Kansas and Nebraska lands. He has been for five terms City Attorney, and as a leading member of the Republican party is almost invariably called upon to act as delegate to its conventions. On the 22d of October, 1879, Anthony M. Ap- pelget was united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Payne, and to them have been born five children. Of these but four are living, namely: Thomas, Harry, Abbie and Clarence. They have a very pleasant and attractive home, and enjoy the com- panionship of hosts of friends. Mr. A., socially, is a K. of P., Past Chancellor of Minerva Lodge No. 7-1, K. of P., and Colonel of the Nebraska Division of Suns of Veterans, and Judge Advocate General of Commander-in-Chief of Sons of Veterans. He has of late been the principal counsel in every prominent lawsuit in the city of Tecumseh and vicinity. He is a close student, an extensive reader, and keeps himself thoroughly posted upon the important points constantly arising in his prac- tice. As a man prominent in his community, he has occupied many positions of trust and responsi- bility, and during the existence of the First National Bank at Tecumseh was its Vice Presi- dent. JA.COBW. KEPLLNGER. The snug farm belonging to this gentleman embraces eighty acres of thoroughly cultivated land lying on section 22 in Nemaha Precinct. At present he is interested in graded stock, keeping choice breeds of Short-horn cattle, which he disposes of at hand- some profits. Although perhaps not the hero of any very thrilling event, he lias signalized himself as a useful and worthy citizen, and by his example of thrift and industry has contributed his quota to the well-being and reputation of his precinct. He *• has a very pleasant homestead, replete with modern conveniences, and is a gentleman held in respect among his neighbors. A view of the homestead forms one of the interesting features of this Album. Crawford County, Ohio, was the early tramping ground of our subject, and where his birth took place Dec. 2X, 1M.J2. He lived there until a man of twenty-live years, acquiring a practical educa- tion, and assisting his father in farm work. At this time, considering that he was justified in establish- ing domestic ties and a home of his own. he was married, and soon afterward started for the West. Crossing the Mississippi into this State he reached Humboldt on the 9th of January, 1878, and was there occupied in buying grain and stock one and one-half years. In the spring of 1879 he purchased the land which lie now owns, and which was then a tract of wild prairie upon which a furrow had never been turned. All of the improvements which the passing trav- eler observes to-day upon the farm of Mr. Kep- Linger have been brougbl about by his own industry and good management, lie has labored early and late, considering no effort too great for the end in view. At an early stage he planted between four and five acres Of forest trees, set out an orchard, and put up a substantial house and barn. He later added the various other conveniences which have so much influence in the comfort and happiness of a home. He was soon recognized as a valued ad- dition to this part of Johnson County, was made School Director and Supervisor, and given other positions of trust and responsibility among the affairs of a community which gradually grew up around him. Miss Catherine Grossman, of Crawford County, Ohio, became the wife of our subject on the even- ing of Christmas Day, 1*77. Their wedding was celebrated at the home of the bride, and a few weeks afterward the young couple set out for their projected home in the West. Their first child, Leila May, was horn Feb. 2.~>. 1879, while they were residents of Tecumseh ; Amy Viola was born in February, 1881, and Clara Kdith. Sept. 25, L886. They arc a bright little trio, the joy and pride of the parents' heart. Mrs. Keplinger is the daughter of Jacob and ■ — . » r o= 4- 220 JOHNSON COUNTY. Mary (Wagoner) Gossman. The father, a native of Germany, emigrated to America during his early manhood, and settled on a tract of land in Crawford County, Ohio, where he built up a good homestead, and continued to live until his decease, which occurred in the spring of 18G4. The mother is still living, and resides at the old homestead in the Buckeye State. Both parents identified them- selves with the Methodist Episcopal Church long years ago. The parental household included ten children, nine of whom are living, and residents mostly of Ohio. Charles Keplinger, the father of our subject, was born in York County, Pa., Feb. 2, 1809. He lived there until reaching his majority, then removed to Stark County, Ohio. He was there married to Miss Sarah Werstler, and thence removed to Crawford County, the same state where he carried on farm- ing, and spent a number of years. He eliminated a good homestead from the dense forest, and by a life of integrity gained the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens, who tendered him various offices of public trust. He served as Township Clerk and Treasurer, and was County Commissioner for six years. In religious matters he was. with his excellent wife, a warm adherent of the German Lutheran Church. Charles Keplinger departed this life at his home in Bucyrus, Ohio, to which he had removed after abandoning the active labors of the farm, on the 23d of May. 1886. The mother Ls Still living in Bucyrus. Their family consisted of eleven children, most of whom lived to mature years. -*«^*$- -$*^-C. *r=5! MAM hi. t.. j|U) in the front ra /1 L —■?■ tv. and is the 4 3 MANUEL G. JURY. This gentleman stands rank of stock-raisers in this eoun- the owner of an excellent farm of 160 acres on section 17 of Todd Creek Precinct. lie was horn in Lacon, 111.. May 1. 1852, and con- tinued to make that Ids home until 1883. He was educated in the schools of that district, and be- came possessed of a good practical knowledge of the ordinary branches of education. Leaving the school, he went on his father's farm until he at- *•■ tained his majority, and then started life for him- self. The first farm of our subject was in Livingston County. III., near Minonk, and was operated as a grain farm. His harvests were usually good, and he reckoned upon an average of forty-five bushels to t lie acre. He continued prosperously engaged there until he sold out in 1883, and came to Hum- boldt, Richardson County, this State. There he lived for one year, and then came to his present farm, upon which he has since been continuously engaged, thoroughly improving it. During the last year he has built a very fine barn, which stands 36x40 feet, ground measurement, with 16- feet posts, and the farm is all fenced and cross- fenced. His home he has doubled in si/.e and made one of the most comfortable farmhouses in the district. He is chiefly engaged in stock-raising, using mainly Short-horns and Red-Polled Norfolks, and is working largely toward the latter class. He lias between seventy and eighty head, lie lias also a number of Poland-China hogs, which variety he has raised for about fourteen years. .Mr. Jury was united in wedlock with Alice M. Barger, of Illinois, on the 11th of September, 1876. They are the parents of five children, all living, whose names are as follows: Herbert E.. Carrie May, George Lewis. Myrtle S. and Nellie Frances. Mrs. Jury was born in Peoria County. 111., on the 8th of May, is.")."), and is the daughter of Samuel \V. and Salvina Barger. Her father was by occupation a blacksmith, an expert workman, anil had ipiite an extensive business. He removed to Livingston County, and there our subject met and formed a friendship with the lady. Mr. Barger was a native of New York, and went West as a young man in search of the more adventurous turns in fortune's wheel usually expected in life in the West. Later he was married to Mi.-s S. Hen- dricks, of New York, and to them were born seven children. In 188:5 h*> moved to Sibley. Iowa, with his family, and there owns a thoroughly improved farm, although he has retired from its active work- ing. The father of our subject. George Jury, was born in England, and came to this country shortly after his marriage with Miss Margaret Matters. .►HI^ JOHNSON COUNTY. 221 ^n^r They settled first in Lacon, 111., residing there until his death, which occurred about one year after coming to this country. This event left his widow with their only child, our subject, who was then a year old. His mother continued to live there, but he was taken to his grandparents, with whom he lived until he was nine years old. Then, his mother having married Robert Thomp- son, of Livingston County. 111., he went back to the farm. Mrs. Thompson is still living, at Flana- gan. The subject of our sketch is a devout member of the Baptist Church, his wife being affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal communion. Mr. Jury is an active, enterprising and prominent citizen, and is held in high regard by his fellows. His char- acter and life are such as to make him an honor to the community of which he is a resident. His fine home is shown in a view on another page, /p^EORGE W. CARMINE. Todd Creek Pre- ||| <=-, cinct has many farms of an unusually fine V \^J) description, not the least of which is that owned by the subject of our sketch. It is 1 60 acres in extent, and is situated on sections 7, 4 and 12. It is thoroughly improved, and is either cross-fenced or hedged in all its divisions. The property was somewhat improved at the time he purchased it in 1883, but he has expended much time, thought and money to bring it to its present excellent condi- tion. Among the chief improvements made by our subject must be mentioned the erection and fur- nishing of his residence, which is one of the best in the district, and compares favorably with many in more Eastern States that are far more pretentious. It has four large reception rooms on the first floor. and four above for other purposes. The home is elegantly furnished, and abundantly supplied with the various devices insuring the greatest possible amount of convenience and ease. Externally, the gardens, etc., show it off to ad vantage, besides mak- ing the surroundings exceedingly pleasant. Ohio claims the honor of being the birthplace of the subject of our 'sketch, and the date of his na- tivity is the 21st of March, 18.31. He was fifteen years old when his parents left the Buckeye State for Fulton County, 111. His early life was shadowed by the loss of his mother by death when he was six years of age, and this has doubtless more or less affected his whole subsequent experience. He re- ceived a good English education, so far as such is obtainable in the usual institutions of the country. After leaving the classes and text-books, he learned the carpenter's trade, and worked at the same for a Dumber of years. When about twenty-five years of age Mr. Car- mine removed to Henry County, 111., where he made his home for about ten years, after which he went to Plymouth County, Iowa, remaining there for six years, then coming to this State. He has all his life been more or less acquainted with the vari- ous duties and responsibilities connected with agri- cultural life, and chose to make that his occupation, and has chiefly followed the same, with what success it is unnecessary to sa}*. His whole property, stock, and also his home, speak too eloquently to be mis- understood as to that matter. While a resident of Knox County, 111., Mr. Car- mine was united in the bonds of wedlock with Miss Abigail Kays, of Knox County, 111., the event occur- ring Jan. 21, 1857. There have come to them eight children, five of whom are living, viz. : Henry, Mary, Jennie, Susie and George. Henry married Miss Katie Pogue, of this county, and lives in this precinct; Mary became the wife of Mr. L. B. Ar- nott, of Johnson ; Jennie is the wife of Lor in Blake- ley, of Johnson Count}', Neb.; the remaining chil- dren are still with their parents on the home farm. The wife of our subject was born in Knox County, 111., in the year 1832. She is the daughter of Will- iam and Elizabeth (Bracken) Kays. She made her home with her parents until her marriage, was edu- cated in the schools in Knox County, 111., and is well prepared by this and her home training to fill any position in the home or society generally. Her father was a native of Kentucky, but removed with his family to Illinois in 1S24 or 1825, where he Still resides in Abingdon, Knox County, and although now retired from active engagements is still the owner of a large farm, lie was bereaved of his wife in the year L870, but subsequently married -*^ll^«. •»» m * 222 JOHNSON COUNTY. again. Within the communion of the Methodist Episcopal Church lie is perfectly at home relig- iously, having been a member of the same for about sixty years. Curtis Carmine, the father of our subject, is a native of Maryland, and was born in the year 1814. While yet a youth he migrated to Ohio, then the Far West, and in that State was married in 1833 to Miss Susannah Towers. Besides our subject, they had two children, viz. : Susannah and Maria. He was a mechanic, and always continued to follow his trade. The home was at Circle ville, DeWitt County, and there he died in 1873, when about forty years of age. Having lost his mother when so young, our sub- ject has largely had to depend upon himself. He is now one of the prominent and much esteemed men of Todd Creek Precinct, and indeed of the county, and also a very able citizen. He is chiefly engaged in general farming, and in the raising of cattle, horses and hogs. He raises the best breeds of cattle, and in horses confines himself almost en- tirely to the heavy road draft horses. Frequently has Mr. Carmine been called upon to 1111 various township and school offices, and is a member of the Republican party, but not active as a politician, nor eager to take any chief seat in the political synagogue. Religiously, he is affiliated with the Baptist Church at Long Branch, and is ac- counted an able and faithful supporter of the insti- tution. .!■ 4 \l]OHN W. PRATT, a well-known pioneer of I Johnson Count} - , was for many years promi- ! nently identified with its agricultural inter- ©y ests, whereby he acquired the wealth which has enabled him to retire to his pleasant home in Sterling to pass the evening of life free from the cares of an active business. Mr. Pratt has witnessed the growth of this part of the county from a bleak prairie to a flourishing little city, and he has as- sisted in the development of the country around it. When he first came to Nebraska, in 1853, and lo- cated in what is now Nemaha County, this State had not even been organized as a Territory, and there were but few signs of civilization. The small number of white settlers that had preceded him lived near the Missouri, the interior of the Terri- tory being given over to the Indians, buffaloes, deer, wolves, and other wild animals, so that al- most the entire growth of the State has passed un- der the notice of our subject. Brownville, where he lived for some years, was a mere trading-post, and after his removal to Johnson County, was the nearest post-office for some time. The hist post- office in Sterling was established in 1807, and was kept by John Bentz. The first merchant in the city was Charles Tripp, who is still in business here. The nearest milling point was below St. Joseph, Mo., on the river. Mr. Pratt comes of good old Massachusetts stock, and is himself a native of that New England State. He was born in the city of Boston, Nov. 10, 1830, being the eldest of the family of six children, four sons and two daughters, born to Enoch and Amanda (McGauph) Pratt. His parents went to Bureau County, 111., when he was a child of two years, and were pioneers of that part of the country, where the}' spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1801, at the age of sixty-seven years, and the mother in 1887, at the venerable age of eighty- seven years. The}- led quiet and unostentatious lives, guided by the highest principles, and merited and received the respect of all who knew them. Our subject was reared in Illinois, but in early manhood he came to Nebraska, and for some years was a resident of Brownville. The first year he was in the employ of the Government, under Kit Carson, herding cattle that belonged to the United States. March 0, 1850, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary O. Smith, and their wedded life has been blessed to them by the birth of four children, namely: Freelon M. ; Amanda J., now Mrs. Ilersha; Olive and Clysta, all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Pratt spent the first few years of their marriage in Nemaha County, where they were quietly living when the war broke out. Fired with patriotism and an earnest desire to serve his coun- try in her hour of need, our subject enlisted in 1801 as a member of Company G, 27th Iowa Infantry, and for three years was a brave and capable soldier on Southern battle-fields, taking part in many a hotly contested engagement, and winning a good mili- -*•■ ' *» B «• ■JOHNSON COUNTY. 223 tary record. After the war lie came to Johnson County and took up a homestead claim on section 23, Sterling Precinct, comprising ICO acres of land joining' the corporation of Sterling. He has im- proved this once wild piece of prairie into a valua- ble farm, which he still owns. lie erected a good, large frame house, a commodious barn, corn-cribs, etc.. and has the land under a fine state of improve- ment. After the marriage of his eldest daughter, who lives on the homestead, Mr. Pratt and his fam- ily moved into the city to their present attractive home. Our subject is a self-made man, having started in life without a dollar, and gained his present com- petence only through downright hard labor, sec- onded by shrewd management and wise economy. He is a man whose genialty, liberality and kind thoughtt'ulness have secured him the warm friend- ship of man}', and these pleasant social traits make hiii] a valued member of Sill Post No. 99, G. A. R., and of the F. & A. M., Sterling Lodge No. 70. In his political views he is a pronounced Republican. His wife and daughter Clysta are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his daughter Amanda and her husband belong to the Presbyter- ian Church. •^t£» t4P ->^^- — j^4 ICII AEL STANTON, one of the representa- tive and prosperous farmers of Todd Creek Precinct, one of the first settlers therein, is now the owner of 160 acres of fine agri- cultural land on section 18. This he took up as a homestead when he first came to the State. That his choice has been a wise one has been fully mani- fested by the course of events. It is all under cul- tivation, either in grain or tame grass, the latter for hay and pasture. The birthplace of our subject was in Oneida County, N. Y., where he was born July 26, 1838. There he spent the first seventeen years of his life, was educated in the district schools, and subsequently turned his attention to farming, pro- posing to make that his life occupation. Accom- panying his parents, he removed to Knox County, 111., in the year 1855, and continued to make his home in that State until he came here in 1867. In Knox Count}', 111., April 13, 1862, was cele- brated the marriage of our subject with Miss Emily Hall, of Knox County, 111. There have been born to them nine children, eight of whom are living, whose names are as follows: Lillian, Cora, Charles, Florence, Irena, Jennie, Harry and Pearl. The eld- est child, whose name was Eva May, is deceased. The children of our subject are receiving the best educational opportunities and excellent home train- ing it is within the power of their parents to give. Some are engaged in teaching, and that with con- siderable success. All are still under the home roof, and the family circle, with the above-named exception, is unbroken. The father of our subject, whose given name also was Michael, was a native of the Emerald Isle, *T^ JOHNSON COUNTY. 225 , and was born in Ireland aliout 1810. He came to this country when a youth, and subsequently be- came the husband of Catherine Ennis. He followed agricultural pursuits in Oneida County, N. V. They became the parents of six children, all of whom are now living and occupying honorable po- sitions in life. Mr. Stanton went West in the year 1854, locating in Illinois, where he made his home until his death. Coming to Nebraska in 1866, our subject made every possible effort to succeed, and has done SO beyOnd expectation. There is a splendid grove of seven acres which he put out when first taking the homestead, and they are now quite large trees. lie has not forgotten to plant an extensive orchard of apple, peach, cherry, plum, and other trees that are known to thrive well in this climate. The farm is utilized as a grain and stock farm. He usually has from thirty to forty head of high-grade Short-horns, besides other cattle. He is an earnest advocate of the practice of dehorning cattle. He was among the first to introduce the red polled Northup cattle in the county, which he now uses for breeding pur- poses. In horses lie prefers and uses the Percheron stock, and owns about six or eight head. His house, which he built in 1883, is one of comfort ami convenience, and has given him so far as the build- ing is concerned, a most pleasant and comfortable home. Mr. Stanton has not been forward in political matters, or a leader in political circles. He usually voles with the Democratic party, and has held the Office of School Director, and also some of the town- ship offices. He is well respected throughout the community, and held in regard as a man, friend and citizen, and also because he has made a success of his life so far as it pertains to his chosen occupa- tion. r 5 .. Chandler W. and Eunice. Mi>> Flora M. Seaver was born in the above county, oil the 13th of June, 1850. She is the daughter of Samuel R. Seaver. I ler mother died during the early infancy of t his daughter, and from then until her marriage she made her home with an older Bister. Her father was a native of Massa- chusetts, in which State he wa> born in 1800. In ^h-* a 226 ■*+ JOHNSON COUNTY. f the early days of settlement in Wisconsin he mi- grated thitherward and was among its first settlers. The maiden name of his wife was Diantha Thomp- son. They were the parents of seven children, six of whom attained their majority. His wife died about the year 1853, and he subsequently remar- ried. Mr. Seaver died in Jefferson in 1863. lie was an extensive and enterprising farmer, but dur- ing the last eight or ten years of life did not do any active work. Mr. Warren II. Holmes is the owner of a resi- dence property in Tecumseh, and is otherwise inter- ested in city real estate. His home is located on the corner of Fifth and Sheridan streets, and is one of the finest locations in the city, lie is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has served the latter in some of its offices, and is now Junior Deacon of his lodge. Mrs. Holmes, who takes the deepest in- terest in all benevolent enterprises, is a lady of position in the community, both admired and re- spected. She is ex-Secretary of the Women's lie- lief Corps, ■ and very energetic and thorough in everything that pertains to the order, more espe- cially her department of the work. -£3=Hr= kEWIS t— r $ +«■■•- ICHAEL CHILE began his hand-to-hand Struggle with a portion of the primitive soil of Lincoln Precinct in this county in the fall of 1870, when he purchased 160 acres of land on section 1(5, where he has since labored with the most admirable results. At that time his neighbors were comparatively distant, and the country around him bore little resemblance to its present condition He endured the hardships common to the people of that time and place, and for a series of years labored early and late to build up a homestead and acquire a competency for his declining years. He is still in his prime, having been born Dec. 3, 1839, at the modest home of his patents in Wayne County, Ohio. .John and Elizabeth (Reighard) Crile, the parents of our subject, were natives of Pennsylvania, and of substantial German ancestry. They were peo- ple occupying a good standing in the community, and after their marriage left their native State, probably about 1825, settling among the pioneers of Wayne County, Ohio, where they resided until about ten years after the birth of their son Michael. In 1849 the father changed his residence to Henry County, 111., whence in the year 1863 he migrated across the Mississippi to Central City, Col. He now, with his aged and excellent partner, is enjoying the comforts of a quiet home in Nebraska. The father has attained his fourscore years, while the mother is seventy-eight. They have been remarkable for their useful and active lives, wherein they have gathered around them hosts of friends, whose es- teem and confidence they enjoy in a remarkable degree. • To the parents of our subject were born twelve children, of whom the following survive: Michael, our subject; Maria, the wife of Jacob Fries, of this State; Catherine, Mrs. John Cochran, of Central City, Col.; Sophia, the wife of Lewis Graff, of this count}-, where also live Franklin and John; Sarah, the wife of Major Bitton, of Central City, Col.; George, in Henry County, 111., and Emma, wife of Jacob Summers, of this county. The parents were members of the German Evangelical Association, and held in highest respect among the early settlers of Wayne County, where they endured in common with their neighbors the lot of the pioneer, and as- sisted in the development of the country around them. Michael removed with his parents to Henry County, III., where he attained his majority, receiv- ing but a limited education, the advantages of the young men of that day being widely different from those enjoyed by the present generation. He assisted his father in building up the two homesteads in Ohio and Illinois, remaining a member of the parental household until the outbreak of the Civil War. On the 11th of August, 18(i2, our subject prof- fered his services as a soldier of the Union, enlist- ing in Company K, 112th Illinois Infantry, which became a part of Sherman's army, but later was as- signed to the command of Gen. Thomas. Mr. Crile participated in the battles of the Atlanta cam- paign, including the siege of that city, was also in the battles at Columbus and Franklin, Tenn., and the siege of Nashville. Later he was at Knoxville under Gen. Burnside, and subsequently at Ft. An- derson, N. C, also fighting at Goldsboro and at Ral- eigh, where the rebel General. Johnston, surrendered. He was twice cut off from his regiment by the rebels, first at Richmond, Ky., and the second time in the vicinity of Cumberland Gap. He, however, managed to escape capture, and rejoined his com- rades safe and sound. He endured in common the hardships and privations of life in the army, being found uniformly at the post of duty, and on the 20th of June, 1865, after the close of the war, re- ceived his honorable discharge. Mr. Crile upon leaving the army returned to Henry County, 111., where he engaged in farming until his marriage. This most important event in his life was celebrated in September, 1867, his bride being Miss Catherine, daughter of John Schumann, one of the pioneers of Lincoln Precinct, and of whom further mention is made in the sketch of Henry Schumann, which will be found on another page in this volume. After remaining the faithful =fcf* W-^- i*H|--*» JOHNSON COUNTY. 229 and affectionate companion of ber husband for a period of twenty years, Mrs. Crile departed this life at her home in Lincoln Precinct, Oct. 26, 1887. She was a lady greatly beloved by her friends and family, as one possessed of all the Christian virtues, a devoted wife and mother, and a kind and charita- ble neighbor. She left a vacancy in the home circle which can never be filled. She was the mother of five children, namely: Charles, .John, Nannie N., Frank and William. The eldest of these is twenty- one years of age and the youngest two, and they all remain at home with their father. The Crile homestead is especially noticeable for its fine improvements, the fruit and shade trees which surround the dwelling providing a shelter from the heats of summer and the storms of winter. Mr. Crile has planted an apple orchard of 140 trees besides trees of the smaller fruits, which haveyet to develop to their full capacities. The farm is well improved and under a good state of cultivation, indicating its owner to lie a man of untiring indus- try and excellent judgment. He commenced life dependent upon his own exertions, having been the recipient of no legacy to assist him to a competency, lie takes a genuine interest in the advancement of his adopted county, being the encourager of those enterprises which shall further the interests of its people. As an ex-soldier he is a member in good standing of the G. A. R., belonging to Ilickathorn Post No. 47, at Tecumseh, and politically, is an un- compromising Democrat. .^.•(erLA^A^-ofo.. K. CARLTON K. CHUBBUCK, well known as one of Hie oldest practicing physicians and surgeons of Teeumseli. has followed the duties of his profession at this point and vicinity for a period of seventeen years. He is in the enjoyment of a line patronage from the best people of this part of the county, among whom his has Keen a familiar figure, and whose confi- dence and esteem he enjoys in a marked degree. As a physician he is careful and skillful, and as a citizen has been no unimportant factor in advancing the best interests of his adopted city. Our subject is of New England ancestry, his father, James Chubbuck, having been born in the town of Wellington, Tolland Co., Conn., April 5, 1801. He lived there a few years after reaching manhood, then migrated to the vicinity of Orwell, in Bradford County. Pa., where he became owner of a trad of land, ami carried on farming success- fully until his death, which occurred Feb. 7, 1*7:!. He became a prominent citizen of that region, hold- ing many of its important offices, including those of Register of Deeds. Associate Justice. Supervisor, and all of the township offices, lie was a member in e 1 standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. in which he officiated as Class-Leader from 1837 to 1873, and Superintendent of a Sunday-school, which he organized, for a period of thirty-live years. He »as also Recording Secretary of the church thirty- three years. It will thus lie seen that his organ of benevolence was developed to a large degree, as these volunteer duties occupied a large portion of his time and attention. James Chubbuck in early manhood was married to .Miss Pamelia Keeney, the wedding taking place in Black Walnut. Pa., in 1820. They had a family of four children, all of whom lived until the year 1887, and of whom Carlton K.. our subject, was the youngest. The mother departed this life at her home in Orwell, Bradford Co., Pa., Oct. 21, 1837. Grandfather Keeney carried on general merchan- dising in Wyoming County, Pa. On the paternal side Nathaniel Chubbuck. the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Wellington. Conn., which had been the home of the family for several genera- tions. They were mostly farmers by occupation. The paternal grandmother. Mrs. Cliloe ( Katon) Chubbuck, died Oct. II, 1832, in Orwell. Pa., hav- ing survived her husband eigbl years, his death taking place in 1824. They were the parents of twelve children. Soon after the death of this worthy couple one of their children died, leaving a family of eleven — the first death occurring in the family within sixty-one years ami five months. The average age of the fen sons was seventy-five years and six months, the youngest dying when o\ er seventy-one years old. Rev. Austin E. Chubbuck. a paternal uncle of our subject, was a minister of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, belonging to the Central New York *►*-*• *~Hh 230 JOHNSON COUNTY. *t Conference. Rev. Francis S. belonged to the Wyoming (Pennsylvania) Conference. John is a practicing physician of Binghamton, N. Y.; Dr. II. S., of Elmira, N. Y. Rev. Nathaniel C. is a resident of Pennsylvania. These comprised the professional men among the ten sons. The others were engaged in mercantile business or fanning, with the excep- tion of Hon. Aaron Chubbuck, of Pennsylvania. who was Judge of the District Court for many years. The subject of this sketch was horn at Orwell, Bradford Co.. Pa., Oct. 31, 1*37. He pursued his studies in the Orwell Seminary for a time, and commenced the reading of medicine at Bingham- ton and Elmira, N. V.. under the instruction of two uncles, being with each about two years. He took a course of lectures in the Susquehanna Medical Col- lege at Binghamton, from which he was graduated in March, 1859. Subsequently he went to New Or- leans during the prevalence of yellow fever, and was employed in the prescription department of the drug-store of the Brewer-Diver Drug Company, being thus occupied one year and nine months. Then by the advice of friends he returned North, in advance of the Rebellion, locating in Morrison, 111. Dr. Chubbuck contracted a matrimonial alliance with Miss Frances F. Lawton, of Dixon, Lee Co.. 111., Feb. '21. 18(50. They took up their residence at Lockport, 111., hut one and one-half years later removed to Lyndon. Whiteside County, where, dur- ing a practice of five years Dr. Chubbuck built up a lucrative business. Desirous of a change, how- ever, he removed to Dixon, 111., and thence, in February, 1871, came to this county. Here he was at once recognized as a man of more than ordinary ability, and it was not long until he received calls from far and wide, compassing many miles. The country was comparatively new at the time of his coming here, and he has watched with the keenest interest the changes which have transformed the uncultivated land into productive farms, where at intervals have sprung up thriving villages. Dr. Chubbuck has held the office of Coroner in Johnson County for a period of thirteen years, and officiated as a Trustee of the School Board, besides occupy- ing other responsible positions, lie identified him- self with tin' I. O. O. F. while a resident ofTecmn- seh, and has" since become a member of the A. o. F. W. In religious matters he is in accord with the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been a member as Trustee in Te- cumseh since the time of taking up his residence here. He for five years officiated as Superintend- ent of the Sunday-school, and until he was obliged to withdraw on account of the pressure of other duties. .Mrs. Chubbuck is the daughter of Charles Law- ton, a native of England and now deceased. She was horn in Wyoming County, Fa., June 2. 1836, and accompanied her parents to Illinois in 1853, remaining with them until her marriage. Her father was horn in Lincolnshire. England, and emigrated to America in 183(5, settling in Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming for seventeen years. His deatli occurred near Dixon. 111.. May 2;!. 1888, after he had reached the aye of seventy-five years. The mother had preceded her husband to the silent land. her death taking place in Illinois in 1856. Mr. Lawton was a second time married, and the last wife survives him. He was a good man in the broadest sense of the term, and a prominent worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he was connected many years, holding its responsible offices. He was also prominent in local affairs. To our subject and his wife there have been born four children, two only of whom are living, daugh- ters. Jennie and Bessie. The former is the wife of Kev. P. ('. Johnson, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the Nebraska Conference. Mr. and Mrs. C. have an adopted son, Joseph F... who is now eighteen years of age. and continues with his foster parents. Bessie, aged fourteen years, remains witli her parents. SHOMAS GOODMAN. The240-acre farm of ^ this enterprising agriculturist is finely located on section 35 of Spring Creek Precinct. Upon coming to this locality, in the spring of 1875, he purchased first eighty acres for which he paid the sum of *1,200. He began in earnest the im- provement of his purchase, and assisted by a most •4- JOHNSON COUNTY. 231 ; 4 intelligent, sensible and industrious wife, has ac- cumulated the present fine property, and is num- bered among the leading men of his neighborhood. Mr. Goodman has found stock-raising especially profitable, and to this industry devotes particular attention. lie was reared from his youth up to habits of industry and economy, and is the de- scendant of substantial English ancestry, compris- ing honest men and virtuous women, people of temperate habits, and who generally accumulated a goodly amount of property, making comfortable homes for themselves and families. Our subject was born in (Sussex County, England, Aug. 9, 1843, and is the son of James and Esther (High wood) Goodman, natives of the same, where they were reared, married, and where the mother lived until their son Thomas was a lad four years of age. The father died when he was a child of two years. The family then removed from Sussex to Kent County, where they sojourned probablyabout six years, and then Thomas, returning to Sussex, began working for himself on a farm. He was then a lad of only nine or ten years old, and employed himself at whatever he could find to do until about fifteen years old. He was a thoughtful and ambi- tious boy, and not making the headway he desired, resolved to seek his fortunes on the other side of the Atlantic. Engaging passage on the steamer "City of Baltimore," bound from Liverpool to New York City, he set foot upon American soil about two weeks latter, and proceeded at once westward to Wisconsin, living on a farm in Wau- kesha County until the outbreak of the late war. Young Goodman, now a youth of eighteen years, and fully identified with the interests of his adopted country, proffered his service in support of the Union, and enlisted Sept. 16, 1861, in the 6th Wis- consin Battery Light Artillery, which became a part of the Army of the Tennessee. He participated in the capture of Island No. 10, was at the siege and the subsequent battle of Corinth after its evacua- tion, took part in the Yazoo expedition, fought at Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills, Black River, and at the siege of Vicksburg, being at the latter place under fire for some forty-seven days. Al- though experiencing some hairbreadth escapes he came out of the conflict unharmed, and with his company was transferred to the 3d Uivison, I5th Army Corps, being transferred from the command of Gen. Mcl'herson to that of the late lamented (Jen. Logan. Under the latter he participated in the fight at Mission Ridge, and met the enemy in various other minor engagements and skirmishes. He was always at his post for roll call, and was never con- fined in the hospital, and at the expiration of his term of enlistment received his honorable discharge in November, 18G4. After retiring from service Mr. Goodman re- turned to his old haunts in Wisconsin. His youth- ful experience in England had made him strong and self-reliant, although his education had been neg- lected, but he kept his eyes open to passing events, and we find him more intelligent and well informed than many with a more careful education. In Wis- consin, after the war, he employed himself at differ- ent occupations, having in view the establishment of a home and domestic ties, and on the 23d of Novem- ber, 1865, was wedded to Miss Phebe A. Phippin, a native of Waukesha County. Mrs. Goodman was born Jan. 1, 1845, and is the daughter of Thomas and Ann (Horn) Phippin, who were natives of En- gland. The father died in 1846 in Wisconsin, and the mother is now the wife of Worthy Luce, of Lincoln Precinct, this county. Mr. P. and his wile emigrated to America before their marriage, set- tling at once in Wisconsin with their parents. After marriage the father carried on niillwrighting in Wau- kesha County until his death in December, 1847. The mother came to Nebraska after her second marriage, having been a resident of this county, now (1889) about fifteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Goodman immediately after their marriage reft Wisconsin and settled in the vicinity of Hebron, Porter Co., Ind., where Mr. G. carried on farming, and in connection therewith conducted a broom factory about four years. He then re- turned to the State of Wisconsin, and resided there until the spring of the year 1875, which witnessed his advent in this region. He was welcomed to this community as a worthy addition to its ranks, and has interested himself in the general welfare of the people around him and encouraging the enter- prises calculated for the general good, contributing to this end as he has time and opportunity. He has T •►Hl^ ••*- 232 JOHNSON COUNTY. served as Moderator in this district a number of years, and uniformly votes the straight Republican ticket. Both he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. G. has served as Sunday-school Su- perintendent, and is now a Class-Leader, besides filling other positions of trust. The seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Goodman are recorded as follows: George T. was born Nov. 15, 1866; Esther A. and Arthur J. (twins) were born Nov. 9, 1870; Worthy E., Aug. 22, 1872; Jo- seph B., July 3, 1875; Pearl S., Dec. 18, 1877; So- phie Z., March 2, 1887. -i>»^»»^*a?< >^«f *>^«tf-< *t [P_ERMA:N ERNST. Among the representa- iTji tive German- American citizens of Lincoln £^' Precinct, the subject of our sketch is one (v§|) most worthy of mention in a volume of this description. He is a well-to-do farmer and the owner of a well-kept and productive property of Kill acres on section 8, township 5 north, range 12 cast. He was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 9th of August, 1843, and is the son of Martin F. L. and Josephine Ernst, and the second of three children born to them. Our subject was carefully and well educated in the schools of his native country receiving especially such instruction as would fit him for the commer- cial world and for the position of book-keeper, which he continued to hold for eight years in con- nect ion with a large retaii grocery and dry-goods establishment in Hanover. Upon making up his mind to emigrate to the United States, he took pass- age at Hamburg, in October, I860, in the steamer "Saxonia," which landed him after a voyage of twenty-one days in the city of New York, whence he proceeded direct to Moline, 111., where he began farming as a hired hand, continuing the same for three years. Leaving Moline he went to Benton County, Iowa, and there purchased a farm, which he continued successfully to operate until he re- moved to this county in the winter of 1872. On coming to Nebraska our subject purchased 160 acres of land which hestill owns. His marriage was celebrated on the 17th of August, 1869, when he was allied with Mary Delfs, a compatriot. Of this union there have been born three children, viz: William II.. born June 7. 1870; Josephine, Oct. 1, 1873, and Amanda, in 1874. There were but eight acres of ground broken upon bis farm at the time Mr. Ernst made his pur- chase. His commodious, well-built farm residence and all other improvements have been made by him. and are the effect, the cause of which must be sought in his determination to succeed and patient, persevering industry. His character is such as to command and receive the confidence and esteem of all who know him, especially such as have watched his upward progress. He has had good success in the raising of high-grade cattle and horses, and must certainly be classed among the leading stock- raisers and farmers of the precinct. Mr. and Mrs. Ernst are old and active mem- bers of the Lutheran Church, having been con- nected with it from their youth. He is at present serving as Moderator of the School Board in his district and takes deep interest in the work per- taining thereto, and for thirteen years has served with much satisfaction to all concerned as School Director. In politics he is a Democrat, but is too whole souled and liberal to be bound by party or policy where they conflict with personal worth and principle. — i .. ^r8gs=^ '*H — yplLLIAM C. REDFIELD is the son of the highly respected F. A. Redfield, of whom a Wyi sketch will be found upon another page of this volume. Our subject resides upon the old homestead, which is situated on section 22 of Western Precinct. lie is among the most promising of young farmers and stock-raisers in the county, and because of his many personal traits and char- acteristics is most favorably regarded by the com- munity. The place of the nativity of Mr. Redfield is near Elmwood, Peoria Co.. III., this interesting event occurring on the 30th of December, 1861. His father, Frank A. Redfield, lived there until the year L868, when he removed to Shenandoah, Iowa, and after some wanderings and perigrinations to and fro finally settled in the spring of 1 870 as stated above, -*•- JOHNSON COUNTY. 233 4- which has since continued the property of this family. The farm has by no means depreciated in value because it is under the care of our subject, nor is it any the less carefully cultivated, per contra, his ambition and enthusiasm have caused him to lend such care and labor so assiduously as to more than retain the high standard of excellency to which it had been brought by the father. Being attracted by the graces and virtues of Mary E. Barrett, daughter of Charles Barrett, of Urook- port, N. Y., and all necessary arrangements having been made, our subject was united in marriage with this lad\ on the 17th of June, 1885. She was born in Monroe County, N. Y., but always having lived upon a farm she is the better enabled to enter into the life of our subject and appreciate it in all its pails. She is a lady well educated, possessing much innate refinement, and has always moved in good society. Although she has never taught school she has been adjudged worthy of so doing. The livesofboth Mr. and Mrs. Kedlield have been more complete since their most happy union. The subject of our sketch has not at present taken a very prominent place in the political arena, although quite capable of so doing should he de- sire; being a comparatively young man with a bright future before him. there is yet opportunity for him in this direction. He has always been an ardent Republican, ever ready to do what lies in his power in support of its principles. ^sis^ /p^)EORGE W. SAPPcame to Nebraska when iff <=, a young man, in 1867, the year it was ad- \^|| mittcd into the Union as a State, and has practically "grown up with the country." He knows all about life in pioneer days, and endured his -hare of the difficulties incident to prosecuting agriculture in a new section of country. He now has a good homestead on section 12. Lincoln Pre- cinct, which he built up from the uncultivated prai- rie, and by untiring industry and perseverance has gained for himself a competency for his declining years. A native of Portage County, Ohio, our subject was born Dec. 21. 181(1. and is the son of Isaac and Susan (Miller) Sapp. Hie father' a native of Mary- land, ami the mother of Pennsylvania. Both were of German ancestry, and the mother's family espe- cially of note and prominence. The parental house- hold embraced five children, but two of whom are living, our subject and his brother Henry F., who is a resident of Nuckolls County, this Stale. The deceased children are Samuel, John and Loretta. The mother departed this life at their home in John- son County. Xeh.. in 187!>. .The father survived until 1884, dying when about seventy-three pears Of age. lie was born in 18(111, and his estimable wife two years later, in 1«1 1. The parents of our subject, when tin' latter was two years old, left, Ohio and took up their abode in Noble County, Ind., where the father carried on farming, and where they lived until 1856. In that year they decided to push on still further West- ward, and coming to the Territory of Nebraska, settled in Nemaha County when there were few in- dications of a white man's presence. They battled with the elements of a, new soil in that, region for a period of eleven years, then came to Lincoln Pre- cinct, this county, where they were numbered among iis most highly respected citizens. Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and adorned their profession by their Christian walk and conversation. The father usually held some church office, and in his neighborhood as well as the home circle, proved himself ever the consider- ate and capable man and citizen, whose memory is held in kindly remembrance by all who knew him. He was fairly successful in business, and was a mem- ber of the Republican parly from the time of its organization. ( )ur subject was reared to man's estate in Nemaha County, and remained a member of the parental household until his marriage, Which took place Dec. 6, isd.",, his bride being Miss Ellen M. Walters. Mrs. Sapp was horn Sept. 28, Is 17, in Sullivan County. III., and is the daughter of Aimer and Abi- gail (Walters) Walters. Isaac M.. the eldest son of subject, was bom Dec. l. 1864; Charles W., Jan. 8, 1 867, and Prank G.. June is. 1874. The farm of our subject includes eighty acres of fertile land under a g I Male of cultivation, and upon which he has resided since hi- marriage, lie 234 ■*+ =L JOHNSON COUNTY. ~t is the architect of his own fortune, having begun life dependent upon his own resources, receiving very little assistance from his father. Like his parents, lie and his excellent wife and three boys are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has officiated as Steward, and in which Mrs. Sapp lias sought to do good as opportunity presented. fiYLER C. BAKER. The finely cultivated farm of 320 acres which embraces the north- east quarter of section 22, and the north- west quarter of section 23, in Sterling Precinct, bears the reputation of having undergone the most careful management, perhaps, of any tiact in the county. In its management there have been exer- cised that wise judgment and forethought which have been the leading characteristics of the propri- etor since the beginning of his manhood's career. A native of Franklin County, Mass., he was born Nov. 11, 1833, and lived there with his parents until reaching his majority. About that time the latter changed their residence to Berkshire County, and two years later, leaving New England, cast their lot among the people of the Great West. The parents of our subject, when bidding adieu to their old home and associations made their way to Jackson County, Wis., their residence there dat- ing from the winter of 1858. Our subject secured employment at lumbering, working as a subordi- nate a period of four years, and was then raised to the position of foreman, a post which he held for a period of sixteen years, and which indicates in a marked manner the esteem and confidence in which he was held by his employers. Mr. Baker estab- lished matrimonial and domestic ties while a resi- dent of the Badger State, being married at the home of the bride in the little town of Columbus, Aug. 12, 186G, to Miss Betsey Russell. Mrs. Baker is a native of England, and was born in August, 1843. Her parents were also of English birth and ancestry, and emigrated to the United States in 1846, when their daughter Betsey was a little child three years of age. They also sought the West in which to make settlement, locating in Wisconsin while it was still a Territory. Here the father, William Russell, operated as a tiller of the soil, and died at the homestead which he had labored to build up about 1858. The mother later went to live with her chil- dren in Iowa, where her death took place in 1880, after she had arrived at the age of seventy years. Mr. and Mrs. Baker began the journey of life together in Wisconsin, and in 1883 changed their residence to this county. Their union has been blessed by the birth of five children, namely: Sabria E., Florence M.. Jesse M., Hugh P. and Allan. They are all living, and residents of Johnson County. Upon his arrival in this county Mr. Baker first secured 640 acres of land, and began in a manner suited to his means and requirements the labors which have resulted in his possession of one of the most valuable estates of his township. He was soon recognized as a citizen of more than ordinary worth, and has ever been the champion of truth and justice in whatever direction his attention has been turned, lie votes independently, aiming to support the men whom he considers best quali- fied for office, and has steadily refrained from plac- ing himself ostentatiously before the people. He is guiltless of the desire for office, but was pressed into public service as Assessor of his precinct in the spring of 1885. His culture of his land has been steady and persistent, and it yields in abun- dance the choicest crops of Southern Nebraska. He is thus in the enjoyment of a generous income, by which he is able to surround himself and his family with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. The farm buildings are neat and substantial, and indicate on all sides the exercise of cultivated tastes and ample means. It is a home- stead which invariably attracts the attention of the passerby, forming one of the most pleasing pictures of rural life presented to the eye. The parents of our subject, Horace and Mary A. (Curtis) Baker, were natives of the same county as their son, and made the journey from the Bay State to the wilds of Wisconsin accompanied by their five children. Of the five who survive our subject was the third in order of birth. Horace Baker, after becoming a resident of Wisconsin, was employed in various ways, and died at Black River ■•►—&-*• trlmr—i'. RE5IDENCE OF R. F. CuRRY, 5EC.2I.(-M1.)T0DD CREEK PRECINCT. Residence of L ew is Winter, Sec. 30. (G- 10.) Sterling Preci nct. J= JOHNSON COUNTY. •237 Falls, thai State, in the fall of 1871, at the age of seventy-one years. The mother later joined her children in Iowa; she died in Sterling, in March, isss. ;ii the advanced age of seventy-nine. — "i ' S ' I ' S • 1" *- f ffl EWIS WINTERS, who is well and favor- I (fa ably known in this pari of the country, was jl^Vj a pioneer of Johnson County, and is still actively engaged in the supporl i>f its greal agri- cultural interests as one of the leading farmers of Sterling Precinct. The development of this county is largely due to such practical, intrepid, capable men as our subject, who, while working hard in their own interests to evolve from the wild, un- broken prairie the farms upon which they have built up comfortable homes, have at the same time advanced the growth of their respective precincts, and have taken pride in promoting the various schemes for their improvement. It is with pleas- ure that a view of the Winters' homestead is pre- sented in connection with this sketch. Mr. Winters was horn in Stark County, 111.. Dec. 81, 1889, his parents being Daniel and Julia A. (Greenfield) Winters. His father was born May 12, 1*12, in Luzerne County, Pa., and he died in Stark County. III., in December, I860, in the midst of a useful life, in which he had gained thi' respecl ami esteem of his neighbors for his honor- able character and sterling worth. The mother of our subject, a most estimable lady, now makes her home in tins precinct. She was horn in New York. May 21. 1814. Our Subject is the second of the nine children horn to his parents, of whom six survive, and the following is the family record: George, horn in New York. Dec. 27. 1837; Lewis, our subject; Elizabeth, horn in stark County, 111.. June 11. 1846; Washington, born March 21. 1843, died Dec. II, I860; Mary, horn Dec. 29, 1849; Alonzo, Aug. 2'.), 1852; Delonville, Feb. 17. 1853. lie of whom we write was reared and educated in his native county, attending the c non sc] Is. lie was likewise married there, Aug. 25, 1868, to Miss Wiley Medearis. and of their union five chil- dren have been horn, namely: Dela. now Mrs. Edward Dewyer, of Vesta Precinct, this county; Mary. Adelaide. Nellie and Elizabeth, all of whom are living. .Mrs. Winter.-,' parents, John W. and Scrvilda (Harnett) Medearis, who live in Stark County, III., are natives of Brown County, Ohio, where the father was born -Inly 15, 1817, and the mother. Sept. 21. 1822. The record of their chil- dren is as follows: Martin, born Sept. 17, 1840; Aurora. April 27. 1842; William, March '.». 1844; Alexander. Aug. 26, 1846; Wiley (Mrs. Winters). March 2:!. 1849; .lames. June 27. 1851; all of whom were horn while their parents resided in Ohio. The remainder are: Joseph, horn Dec. 7, 1858; Frank. July 21, 1856; Eliza, March 1, 1859; Frances. May 28, 1862, and Sarah. July 3, 1865. Frances and Alexander are deceased. After marriage Mr. Winters and his young wife came to Nehraska to establish their home in John- son County. Mr. Winters purchased the farm on which In- now resides of a man wdio had entered it from the Government, and he then paid the remain- ing money due on it at the land-office, and got the patent signed by Gen. U.S.Grant, It com- prises 120 acres on the northern half of the south- east quarter of section 30, and forty acres of the southeast part of tin- southeast quarter of section 30, and also the northeast forty of the northeast quarter of section 31. At that time there was no town where Sterling now stands, and the nearest market was at Nebraska City, which was a dis- tance of forty miles away, where Mr. Winters used to team the produce of his farm and purchase his groceries, etc. Indians were frequent visitors in his home, and Mrs. Winters would trade coffee with them in exchange for some of their beadwork and trinkets. Mr. Winters had bul $ I 75 when he came here, and with that he paid for his land, so that he and his family had to endure all the privations of pioneer life in a new country until they could make the farm productive of an income. Iiut our subject was a man of action, a Steady and persist- cut worker, with a good practical knowledge of farming, ami he set to work with characteristic en- ergy to build up his fortune from the wild prai- rie. He has been more than ordinarily successful in his undertakings, as is shown by his farm, one Of the fines! in this locality, tin' land under good cultivation, and 120 acres of it neatly fenced, with _— ...» 1 ... -i 238 JOHNSON COUNTY. 1 for an excellent set of buildings, including one of the handsomest and most commodious residences in Sterling Precinct, which was erected at a cost o/ $2,000. Mr. Winters' intelligence, enterprise and capa- bility render him an invaluable citizen, and when- ever he is called to hold public office the duties in- cumbent upon him are discharged with promptness and efficiency, in a manner to call for the com- mendationsof his fellow-citizens. In him his neigh- bors find a friend, his family a thoughtful husband and indulgent father. Mr. Winters was elected to the office of Assessor of this precinct in the fall of 1884, and served one year, lie was again elected to the same position in 1887, and still holds the office. He is a valued member of the F. & A. M.. No. 70, and also of the I. ( ). ( ). F.. No. (1:1. at Sterling. He is identified with the Republican party, having a firm faith in the correctness of its policy. 1CIIAR1) F. CURRY. The stock-raising in- terests of Todd (reck and vicinity are well (.■presented by the subject of this sketch, yjwho owns a fine farm of 200 acres lying on sections 21 and 22. lie came to this locality in the summer of 1867, first taking up 120 acres of land to which he subsequently added eighty acres. It was then a wild stretch of uncultivated prairie, and he set himself industriously to work to accomplish its development and improvement. Looking upon his valuable estate to-day it is easy to believe that he has labored with the most persevering industry, and witli results which should be satisfactory to any reasonable man. The land now yields in abundance the richest crops of Nebraska, and the farm buildings an' first-class in every respect, in- cluding a large and handsome residence, which would be an ornament to any town or city, and a barn and other out-buildings finely adapted to the purposes and employments of rural life. About six acres have been devoted to the planting of groves, and there is an orchard of choice apple trees, together witli the smaller fruits, and every- thing about the premise- is conducive to the com- fort and happiness of the family. The fields ai-e enclosed with wire and hedge fencing. The land is well watered, and very little is left to run to waste, every acre being utilized either for grain or past- urage. Our subject is of excellent Scotch ancestry, although born in County Down, Ireland, July 26, 1829. lie continued a resident of his native county until a youth of eighteen years, receiv- ing a limited education. Then, not satisfied witli his condition or his prospects, he emigrated to America, and settled first in Upper Canada. He was a resident of the Dominion a period of nine- teen years, occupied as a carpenter and carriage- maker, and was at times in the employ of a railroad company, doing tine upholstering for their coaches. About the time Nebraska became a State Mr. Curry made his way across the Mississippi, landing in th is county on the 28th of June, lK(i7, with a cash capital of $62.50. He at once took up a tract of land, which is now included in his present farm, and since that lime has made it his home. It i.s hardly necessary to say that he labored for years under many difficulties, practicing the most rigid economy, working early and late, and exercising the most careful management in order to gain a foothold. The farm of Mr. Curry is now spoken of as be- ing one of the finest in Johnson County. It is 200 acres in extent, and in addition to raising large quantities of grain our subject has of late years given much attention to fine stock, including the best grades of cattle, mostly Short-horn, having a herd of about eighty head, some full- blooded. He has a few of the Polled-Angus breed, which is gradually working its way in this county and becoming popular. Mr. Curry's stables con- tain principally Norman horses, he keeping usually about twenty head, including some fine imported stock. lie keeps about 175 head of swine, nearly thoroughbred, and ships annually by the carload. The farm of our subject embraces ninety acres of o-ood pasture, while the balance is mostly in meadow and plowed ground. Not only has Mr. Curry established for himself the reputation of a first-class agriculturist, but he is a man eminently public-spirited and Liberal, taking a warm interest f *t JOHNSON COUNTY. 239 *t in those enterprises calculated to advance the wel- fare of the people. He has been prominent in local affairs, and in 1878 was elected a County Commis- sioner for the First District, to till a vacancy, and discharged the duties of theollice with such fidelity and good judgment that at the close of the term he was re-elected for the full term of three years. He has for years been a member of the School Hoard of his district. While Commissioner he succeeded in having a tine iron bridge built across the Ne- maha at Elk Creek, and smaller bridges in other parts of the precinct. He also caused foresl trees to be set out on the Comity Farm, besides a good orchard, and was instrumental in having' an addi- tion built to the house, an improvement which was greatly needed. Our subject, while a resident of the Dominion, was united in marriage, Feb. 2 1. 1843, with Miss Pamelia Libby, who was born in Upper Canada. This union has been blessed by the birth of ten children, six of whom are living, namely: Eliza, Richard .1.. Grace, William, .lane and George. Mrs. Curry was horn Feb. 4, 1827. Her parents. William and Weltha (Townsend) Libby, were of English birth and parentage, and came to America about 1819. The father spent his last years in Quebec, Canada. The mother now lives in this precinct. Eliza, the eldest daughter of our subject, is now the wife of 1'. s. Dimmock, a book-keeper of Ness City, Ness Co., Kan., wlnt also owns a lialf-section of land in that State; Richard .1. married Miss Orpha Craft, and is operating his own farm in No- County, Kan.; Grace is the wife of Frank Morlev. a farmer and nurseryman of Ness City; William, .lane and George are al home with their parents. These children were given a g 1 prac- tical education, and in their career as citizens ami members of the community will reflect honor upon their home t raining. Richard Curry, the father of our subject, was horn ami reared in the Scottish Highlands, and there married Miss Grace Carlyle. Later they re- moved to County Down, Ireland, where the father followed his trade of carpenter, and became owner of two good farms. He carried on agriculture ex- tensively, giving employment to from eight to ten «• ■ men. Selling out he emigrated to Upper Canada. about 1840, and worked at his trade of carpenter until his death, which occurred about L866, when he was seventy-eight years old. The wife and mother had preceded her husband to the silent land, her death occurring in 1864, when she was about sixty-five years old. Their family consisted of twelve children. When Mr. Curry lirst settled upon the land which he now owns anil occupies his nearest neighbors were a mile and a half away. He and his family lived in true pioneer style, denying themselves necessa- rily many modern conveniences and comforts, hut probably were fully as contented and happy as the people of to-day, who have luxuries a', their com- mand. What neighbors they had wen 1 friendly and obliging, and all were solicitous for each other, both in sickness and in health. Mr. and Mrs. Curry were among the early members of the Presbyterian Church of Tecumseh, with which they identified themselves over thirty years ago, and to the sup- port of which they have contributed in a generous degree. ( >ur subject votes t he straight Republican ticket, anil keeps himself well posted upon matters of State and National interests. A view of his line home and its surroundings is given on another page. OBERT HUSTON, a leading stock farmer of Nemaha Precinct, also carries on general !m\\ agriculture, on 100 acres of fine farming ^iand, occupying a portion of section 25. His homestead is embellished with modern im- provements, the pasture needed with tame grass, and the fields laid off with neat and substantial fencing, three miles of this being hedge. The corn and other grain which he raises is mainly devoted to the feeding of his stock, which is sheltered in good barns and other suitable buildings. His son. Paul 15., has a good home on the same farm, pro- vided with a residence and the other necessary buildings, put up by our subject. The Huston family is of Irish ancestry, and Paul, the father of our subject, a native of County Deny, was born about 1785. He emigrated to America in ITDO, with his parents, when a little lad five f 240 JOHNSON COUNTY. *f years of age, and they settled in Pennsylvania. Paul Huston lived in Cumberland County until 1821. Thence with his family he removed to Ham- ilton County, Ohio, and from there in 1826 to Lo- gan County, where he improved a good farm from a growth of heavy timber, and where, at the home- stead which he had built up from the wilderness, his death occurred in 1865. He had then reached his fourscore years. He married Miss Mary Carothers, a native of Pennsylvania. Of this union there were born fourteen children, Robert, our subject, being the third, and twelve lived to mature years. The wife and mother, who was born in 1801, died at her home in Ohio in 1872. She was the daughter of Andrew Carothers, a steady-going Pennsylvania far- mer, who spent his last years in Pennsylvania. Paul Huston and his wife identified themselves with the Presbyterian Church, in which the father was particularly active, being one of its Ruling Elders for many years, and Superintendent of the Sunday-school as far back as the earliest recollec- tion of his son Robert. In fact he was a prominent man. capable, industrious and enterprising, and held many positions of trust and responsibility, be- sides serving as Justice of the Peace for many years. Robert Huston was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, Oct. 23, 1822. He was four years of age when his parents removed to Logan County, where he lived until 1872. He acquired a good practical education, fitting himself for a teacher, which pro- fession he followed from the time he was seventeen years for a period of thirty years thereafter, with the exception of two years spent in the army. During this time he was the examiner of teachers for the county schools of Logan County ten years, and served as Justice of the Peace three years. At that period of his life he owned and occupied a farm near Bellefontaine, Ohio, and although not laboring upon it, superintended its operations. The second year of the Rebellion, Mr. Huston, on the Gth of August, 18G2, enlisted in Company H, 96th Ohio Infantry, and was much of the time assigned to the duties of Hospital Steward. He was with his regiment during the siege of Vicks- burg and the battle of Arkansas Post. After this he was discharged for disability, 'and after recover- ing his health he re-entered the service as a member of Company E, 132d Ohio Infantry, and was mustered out in October, 1864. This regiment served in Virginia, between Richmond and Peters- burg, and our subject was frequently under fire. Although receiving no wounds, he suffered greatly from hardship and privation, from the effects of which he has never recovered. Upon retiring from the service Mr. Huston re- sunjed teaching and made his home upon his farm until 1872. He then sold out and purchased a farm in Champaign County, Ohio, where he lived until the spring of 1880. Then selling out once more he crossed the Mississippi, and after looking around in the vicinity of Tecumseh, purchased the laud which he now occupies, at $25 per acre. Since that time he has been continuously employed in its improvement and cultivation, and has four acres of forest, besides a good apple orchard and the smaller fruits. He is mostly living retired from active labor, and sitting under his own vine and fig tree is enjoying the fruits of his early industry. Mr. Huston, on the 28th of September, 1843, was united in marriage with Miss Jane Campbell, of Logan County, Ohio, and to them there were born nine children, only five of whom are living. The eldest son, William H., was graduated from the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, and entered upon a successful practice in Scipio, Ind. lie married Miss Sena McKenny, of Mason, Ohio, and they became the parents of two children — Sarah P. and William P. The career of this promising citi- zen was cut short at the age of thirty-seven years, his death occurring in November, 1882, at his home in Scipio, Ind. Miss Nancy Huston was married to John Zeigler, a boot and shoe merchant and manu- facturer, of Champaign County, Ohio, and died in 1872. leaving one child, a son, Charles H. The sur- viving children of our subject are John A., George S.,NoahR., Mary and PaulB. These are all married, and are all in Nebraska except one son who resides in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Huston are members in good standing of the Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. II. has been a Ruling Elder for some time, like his father before him. John A. Huston married Miss Susan McDonald of Seymour, Ind., and is engaged as a photographi Id, I "*•■ JOHNSON COUNTY. 241 artist in Aubarn, this State ; George married Miss Nettie Calland, is [arming in Champaign County, Ohio, and is the father of four children — Samuel, Robert, Maiy F. and an infant; Noah married Miss Jennie West, of Ohio, and they have two children — Grace and Charles; they are living in Johnson County, Neb. Mary is the wife of John L. Jacka, a native of Cornwall, England, and a well-to-do fanner and land-owner of Nemaha Pre- cinct; they have two children — Clifton J. and Paul, Paul B. married Miss Lillian Ashley, of Tecumseh; they have one child, a son, Arthur, and are living on a farm in the vicinity of Tecumseh. It will thus be seen that our subject is the grand- father of twelve children, a fact of which he is quite proud. Mrs. Jane (Campbell) Huston, the wife of our subject, was born July '.), 1821, and is the daughter of William and Nancy (Robertson) Campbell, of Rockingham County, Ya. She lived there until ten years of age, then removed with her parents to Logan County, Ohio, where she con- tinued to reside until her marriage. Her parents were natives of Virginia and spent their last years in Ohio. Their family consisted of six children. ( >nlv two are now living. =-i- *-*-&« * j^fLliKWT II. DOLLARHIDE, a veteran of ' Ct/'-1 the Mexican War, who worthily represents ,1 » the industrial interests of Sterling as a gp prosperous and well-to-do farmer and butcher, was an early settler of this city, coming herein L872, when it was a small, insignificant place, with but few houses and scarcely any busi- ness. He may well feel proud of the fact that he has aided in it> development, anil is still contribut- ing to its material prosperity. Mr. Dollarhide was bom in Marion ( lounty, End., in 1825, his parents being Absalom and Lottie (Brown) Dollarhide. native- of North Carolina. His grandfather, A.sel, was born in Scotland, whence he went to England, and then came to the United States, spending his last years in Marion County. Ind. When our subject was about ten years old his parents removed to Louisa County. Iowa, where they died in 18.32 and 1858 respect- ively. They were people whose- sober, industrious habits and genuine worth of character rendered them invaluable members of the community where they spent their last years, and the highest re-pert was accorded to them. They had seven children, of whom our subject Was the fifth. He was reared in Iowa, and was there married. Sept. 17. 1849, to Miss Nancy A. Wornstaff. a native of Iowa, and a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Wilkinson) Wornstati'. Nine children were born of that mar- riage, of whom seven are living, all married but one. and settled in life. Previous to his marriage our subject served in the Mexican War for about a year, from 1847 to 1848, proving to be an able and courageous sol- dier. In 1872 he came to Nebraska, accompanied by his family, and purchased eighty acres of land adjoining the town of Sterling, forty acres of which is still in his possession. He )iaid $1,200 lor the entire tract, and in 1875 sold forty acres of it for $1,000 cash, thus making 66§ per cent, on the original cost. Immediately after coming here Mr. Dollarhide turned his attention to farming and butchering. In the latter he has built up an ex- tensive trade, which he conducts with good profit. In the meantime he has not neglected his farm, but has been constantly improving it, BO that it is un- der good culture, ami has a good house, barn and other necessary buildings, besides a g I orchard. His home is comfortable and cozy, and supplied with all the conveniences of modern life. Our subject has been twice married. The wife of his early manhood died in 1873, leaving behind her the record of a g I life, ami her memory is cherished by many friends. She was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, as are also .Mr. Dollarhide and his present wife. Mr. Dollar- hide's second marriage, which took place in No- vember, 1882, was to Alary H. Hutchison, a lady well meriting the respect of her family and friends, which is called forth by her numerous good quali- ties. Mr. Dollarhide i> honorable in his dealings, and upright in his daily walk, and the confidence of his fellow-citizens is accorded to him freely. He is prominently identified with the Sterling Lodge No. To. I'. A' A. M.. having been oue of the seven charter •►-i^ 242 JOHNSON COUNTY. 4r 4 members when the lodge was instituted in 1875. In his politics he is a stanch Republican, and has been ever since the formation of the party, having been a Whig before that. When Mr. Dollarhide first came here lie had his share of pioneer hard- ships and discouragements, he having been one of the few that were in this locality in 1873, when the grasshoppers took possession of the harvest fields and made way with the crops. LEXANDEK EATON is one of the well- known citizens and fanners of Spring * Creek Precinct, lie is the owner of I60acres on section 3:3, township 6 north, range 12 east. He was born in County Antrim, in the North of Ireland, on the 6th of August, 1830, and is the son of James and Mary Eaton, natives of that district, but of Scottish descent. There were seven children born to his parents, he being the fifth child and second son in the family. He was edu- cated and bought up in his native country, where he continued to reside until he attained to man's estate. After leaving school, where he received good training, he engaged in farming, in which he became quite an expert and thoroughly capable. Before coming to this country our subject was married. This event took place on the 6th of April, I860, the lady who then united her life's interests with his being Margaret Beggs, the estimable daughter of Hugh and Mary (Patton) Beggs. She was born March 5, 1837, in County Antrim, and until her marriage lived with her parents. To our subject and wife there have been born eight chil- dren, and the following arc their names: James. Hugh, John, Eliza. Margaret. Matilda. Sara and Mary J. Giving up his farm in 1879, accompanied by his family, Mr. Eaton took passage at the port of Lame, County Antrim, on the northeastern coast of Ireland, and came to the United States in the steamship ''Alabama." one of the State Line boats. Fourteen days sufficed for the ocean trip, and they landed at New York in October of that year. From the port of disembarkation they proceeded at once to Henry County, 111., where they remained a few 4» months, after which they came on to this county. where 160 acres of land was purchased, for which he paid at the rate of $5 per acre. Practically it was an unimproved tract at the time of settlement, but is now one of the best improved farms in the county. Our subject has served his school district as Di- rector for four years, and was the first to be elected to the office after its organization. He has always taken an active, untiring interest in school matters, and in fact in all matters that look to the advance- ment of the interests of the community. Politi- cally, he is a stanch Republican and has been from the first. With his wife, he is accorded hearty wel- come in every circle of society, and enjoys the confidence and regard of the community. They take true interest as members of the Presbyterian Church in the matters connected therewith, and are of those who endeavor to make their profession and daily conduct synonymous. ROF. WILLIAM II. GARDNER. Superin- Jl) tendent of the city schools of Tecumseh, ^!!#^ and Principal of the High School, is a very useful factor in his community, and has in charge those interests which are second to none. The educational system of Tecumseh consists of a High School and two ward schools. The former gives employment to six teachers besides the Prin- cipal, and inasmuch as the facilities for education determine in a large measure the standing of the community. Tecumseh has reason to be proud of her achievements in this line. The subject of this sketch became a resident of Tecumseh in the fall of 1885, when he entered upon the duties of his present position, which he has since discharged with credit to himself and satisfaction to the people, as evinced by their annual invitation for him to continue. A native of Lee County. 111., he was bom July 19, 1855, and there continued to live until reaching his majority. After being carefully educated in the schools of Illinois he entered upon the duties of his chosen profession as a teacher of a district school in his native county, and later taught two years at Elizabeth, 5£#-* 4= JOHNSON COUNTY. 24.3 , , .In Daviess Co., 111. He was next Located at Han- over, where he officiated as Principal of the High School. Prof. Gardner first set foot upon the soil of Ne- braska in July, L 881, taking up his residence first in Pawnee City, where he was Superintendent and Principal of the schools for a period of four years. In the meantime the High School under his charge increased greatly in nunihers, and lie grad- uated its lirst class in June, 1885. So successful had been Ids management, and Ids prospects for the future so encouraging, he purchased town lots and put up a dwelling, establishing a pleasant and attractive home. In 1879 he invested in land in Pawnee County. He has a farm of 225 acres in Mission Creek Precinct, which he built up from a tract which had been comparatively uncultivated. For a time this was devoted to stock-raising, lint there is now raised upon it quantities of grain each year. In the fall of 188.") Prof. Gardner changed his residence to Tecumseh to enter upon the duties of his present position. He devotes his entire time and attention to his educational work, and is a leading light in the cultured social circles of this place. Religiously, he is a member in good stand- ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. About 1888 he identified himself with the Masonic fra- ternity. He is also a K. of P.. and has held various Offices therein. He takes little interest in politics further than casting his vote with the Republican party, and has not the remotest desire for office. The lady who has presided with grace and dig- nity over the home of our subject for the last ten years was in her girlhood Miss Lizzie Nesbitt, and was married to Prof. Gardner in Hanover, 111., .Inly 3, 187s. .Mrs. Gardner was horn at Hanover, June 5, 1858, and is the daughter of John and .lane (Moffatt) Nesbitt. John Nesbitt was horn in County Monaghan. Ireland, was of Scotch descent. and emigrated to America when a young man twenty -one years old. He Settled near the then unim- portant village of Hanover, and engaged in farm- ing, residing there for a period of forty years. In the spring of 1 88:! he crossed the Mississippi, and taking up his residence in Pawnee City, this State, is now living in retirement upon a competence. Both he and his excellent wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Nesbitt has officiated as Senior Elder and been one of its chief pillars in Illinois. To our subject ami his wife there have been horn two daughters and two SOns, namely : Gertrude, .Minnie. John and Charles. Joseph Gardner, the father of our subject, was horn in Steuben County, N. Y.. July '••. 1822. and there lived until twenty-one years of age, acquir- ing a good education. Thence he removed to Lee County. 111., where he lirst taught school, and sub- sequently purchased a tract of land, which he im- proved into a good farm and occupied until moving to Colorado. He engaged quite extensively in stock-raising, and was a prominent man in his com- munity, officiating as Justiceof the Peace for many years. In 1878 he removed to Del Norte, where he Ls Still living, and dealing in real estate. The mother, Mrs. Hannah M. (Shaw) Gardner, was a native of Erie County. N. V.. and the parents were married in Lee County. 111., in 1851. Of the seven children horn to them, five are still living, and residents mostly of Colorado. Grandfather William Shaw was one of the well- to-do farmers of l.ee County. III. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of New York State, and a farmer by occupation. Prof. Gardner has a pleasant home in Tecumseh. and hosts of friends, lie keeps himself well posted in regard to modern methods of instruction, is an extensive reader and thoroughly devoted to Ids work, in which he takes pride, anil in which he excels. 2~r>£i~e ALTER C. ATKINS, a citizen of Sterling, W lz one of the leading stockmen and agri- ists of Johnson County, and is en- gaged with his brother in raising and dealing in blooded horses. He is a native, of Livingston County, 111., July 23, 1852, being the date of his birth. He grew to manhood in his native county, receiving a sound education in the public schools, and from his father a practical training in agricult- ural pursuits. The parents of our subject, John ami Lucy (Gil- lett) Atkins, had seven children, of whom he and ^ 244 JOHNSON COUNTY. "4* his brother A. B. and two of bis sisters, Mrs. Flora Bridges and Mrs. William Eames, are the only ones living in Nebraska. One sister, Mrs. A. A. Potter, lives in Kansas, and one sister, Mrs. Dr. Miller, lives in Massachusetts; bis brother J. H. is in California. Our subject staid at home and assisted bis father on the old homestead until after be was twenty-one years old. He was then united in marriage to Miss Mary Putman, their wedding occurring Dec. 25, 1873. Mrs. Atkins is a daughter of "William and Mary E. (Chambers) Putman. Her father died in Vermilion County, 111. Her mother still survives. and makes her home with her. At the time of bis marriage Mr. Atkins' father gave him a team of horses and a wagon, and his wife having a farm of 160 acres, they began their wedded life with fair prospects of a successful issue, as they also brought youthful health, sound intelligence, and unlimited energy, to bear upon the problems that would con- front them upon their way. Mr. Atkins continued to engage in farming in Illinois until the spring of 1883. He then disposed of bis interests in bis na- tive State, having decided to invest his money in Nebraska, and on its rich soil build up a new home. He selected Johnson County as a suitable location, where he could advantageously carry out his plans, and soon purchased a farm on section 1, township 5, range 9, situated about three miles south of Ster- ling. Some of the land had been broken, but there were no other improvements on the place. Mr. At- kins immediately entered upon the arduous task of evolving a liue farm irom the wild prairie, and the few years that he lived there witnessed a great change brought about by bis steady and well-di- rected industry. He erected a substantial dwelling, barn and other necessary buildings; planted an orchard of choice fruit trees, fenced bis land and stocked it with good grades of cattle. _ He now has G40 acres of land in three different tracts, all well improved, and also owns bis home in Sterling. In the fall of 1 887 Mr .Atkins moved into the city with his family in order to engage with his brother in handling blooded horses. They have three fine, thoroughbred stallions, which they imported at a cost of $4,500, and are doing an extensive business. Mr. and Mrs. Atkins have established a charming ' an 1 attractive home here, and the four children who have been born of their marriage complete the pleasant household circle, viz: Willie E. and Win- nie E. (twins). Fern and Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Atkins and their two eldest chil- dren are inembei-s of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and ever since they came here they have ■ been among the most active in promoting the cause of religion in this community, and they are fore- most in every good work. Mr. Atkins is Superin- tendent of the Sunday-school connected with his church, and under bis influence it is growing in numbers and strength. Our subject takes an intel- ligent interest in political affairs, and is in full sym- pathy with the Republican party. He was elected Justice of the Peace for this precinct last fall, and is performing the duties of this office to the satis- faction of the public. This brief record of his life will show Mr. Atkins to be a man of rare energy and stability of character, whose every act is honest and straightforward, whose relations with society, the church and the home win the highest respect of those about him. *-# -5- f, ACOB ALDER. The farm of the subject of this biography is pleasantly located on sec- tion 21, Helena Precinct, of which he has been a resident for the past five years. lie has carried on agriculture successfully and made a specialty of stock-raising, keeping good grades of cattle, horses and swine. A native of Franklin County, Ohio, our subject was born March 22, 1835, and is the son of Paul and Sarah (Francis) Alder, who are supposed to have been natives of Virginia. The grandparents on both sides of the house, it is known, were natives of the Old Dominion. Grandfather Jonathan Alder at an early day was captured by Indians, supposed to have been the Wyandottes, and lived with them for a period of twenty-four years. He spent his last days in Ohio. To the parents of our subject there were born eight children, four of whom are living, namely: Jonathan, a resident of Fultou County, 111.; Alma, Mrs. M. Ronan, of Fairfield, Iowa; Hester, Mrs. Thomas Ronan, of Osceola, Iowa, and Jacob, of our •►Ht^N -<- JOHNSON COUNTY. 245 i r I sketch. Tl.nc fatlit r died at the homestead in Mis- souri about 18 Ml, when middle aged. The mother survived her husband a period of thirty-five years. remaining a widow, and passing away at the home of her daughter, in Iowa, in the fall of 18, in Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Ilolloway there were born eleven children, and of the eight surviving the record is as follows: John continues a resident of Knox County, III. ; Minerva is the wife of Peter Bombarger, of Helena Precinct, this county ; Armal ; Mrs. Alder was the next in order of birth; Jonathan is a resi- dent of Knox County, 111.; David is married, and holds the position of Superintendent of the Poor Farm of this county; Nelson and Lon are living in Knox County. Mr. and Mrs. Alder came to Nebraska in ample time to form an acquaintance with the hardships and difficulties of life in a new settlement, and have witnessed many changes since their arrival in this county. Our subject has signalized himself as a liberal-minded and public-spirited citizen, giving his cordial encouragement to the enterprises calcu- lated for the good of the people. He votes the straight Democratic ticket, but cares so little for ollice, that upon being elected Justice of the Peace in 18S7 he failed to qualify, making no effort to assume the office. He has, however, served as As- sessor of Helena Precinct three years. To Mr. and .Mis Cox there were born four children, three of whom died in infancy. The survivor, a son, Wal- ter, now nineteen years of age, lives at the home- stead. Jlp^or.FUT M. ERWIN i^ one of the well-to- lyif' to-do agriculturists and stock farmers of (fcW, Lincoln Precinct, anil owns 170 acres of ^^valuable land, situated on sections 13 and 18, range ll east, township 5, range 12 north. He was born on the 2lst of November, 1*17, to Peter and Mary Frwin. at their home in Northumberland County. Pa., in which State the family had been resident for three generations. The great-grand- •►HP^ 246 JOHNSON COUNTY. f father of our subject came from Scotland, his na- tive country, to America in the year 177."). Subse- quently he participated in the cause of liberty in the War of Independence. To the parents of our subject were bom ten chil- dren, seven of whom are living, viz: Christopher G., now in Denver. Colo.; Sarah K., the wife of Se- bastian Detsch, of Mariposa County, Colo.; Alem B., of Nuckolls County, Neb.; our subject; John E. and Charles N.,of Logan County, Kan., and Daniel II.. of Nuckolls County, Neb. Those deceased arc- William 1'., who was killed in the charge at Mis- sion Ridge; he was at the time an Orderly Ser- geant in Company E, 93d Illinois Infantry: Alfred I. and Mary J. When about four years of age our subject re- moved with his parents to Jo Daviess County, 111., where they resided a number of years, removing from there to Whiteside County, where they made their home for three year.-. At the end of that period, and in the year 1865, they migrated to this State, and for a short time staid in Nebraska City. In 1KG7 they located permanently in this county, although several years before the father had become the owner of property here. In 18GG our subject went to Denver, Colo., remaining there for two and a half years. He then went to Laramie City, Wyo.. returning to Nebraska in the fall of 1871. On Christmas Day of the year 1*73 our subject was joined in wedlock with Ada E., the estimable daughter of Elihu P. Phillips. (See .-ketch of that gentleman upon another page.) There have come to Mr. and Mrs. Erwin seven children, whose names are recorded as follows: Angle M., born Jan. 12, 1*7.3; Minnie C, Aug. 16, 1*77: Robert P., Feb.*. 1**0; Ilaltie and Jennie M. (twins), Sept. 16, 1**3; George A.. Aug. 1. 1885, and Arthur C. May 10, 1**7. The farm of our subject comprises 170 acres of well-cultivated and highly productive land. In connection with his farm he is running a sorghum mill, in which he manufactures 800 gallons per season. He owns forty head of stock of grade varieties, and has had no little success in the rais- ing and feeding of cattle. Mr. and Mrs. Erwin are both members of the First Baptist Church of Tecumseh. and take an active interest in religious and general society matters. Our subject has been Treasurer of the church, and is greatly respected in that connec- tion. He has served his district as Overseer of Highways, and is now Treasurer of the School Board of District No. 19, and in the fall of 1867 he was a candidate for the Legislature of his dis- trict. In politics he is affiliated with the I'nion Labor party. He holds membership also in the A. O. U. W.. meeting with the lodge at Tecumseh. lie is an intelligent, whole-souled ami honorable gentleman, and this is generally recognized through- out the community, consequently there is accorded to him and his family general unfeigned regard. yr- chard. His farm comprises 120 acres of land, and he has four town lots in Crab Orchard. He oper- ated his farm until 1884. lie entered upon the duties of his present position with the Chicago Lumber Company in June, 1883. He retains his residence on the farm, hut rents the land to ten- ants. Included in the family circle is a young lady. Miss Ida K. Clawson. whom Mr. and Mrs. Dilworth took into their hearts ami home when she was a motherless babe of ten months, and with whom she has since remained. She was born Nov. 13, 1874, in Filley, Gage Co.. this state. Her mother was killed by lightning at her home in the vicinity of Filley. *^S JTOIIN DERR, of Maple Grove Precinct, has for the last twenty-one years prosecuted agriculture successfully on the northwest quarter of section 2, where he owns 280 acres of choice land. He is of German descent, his father, Boston Derr, having been born in Ger- many. His mother, however, whose maiden name was Mary Bradbury, was born in Scotland. The parents of our subject emigrated to Amer- ica in their youth, settling in Indiana, and the father, during the Indian troubles of 1840, served as a soldier under Gen. Harrison. Upon returning to civil life he engaged in farming. Both parents died in middle life, when their son John was but a small boy. Their family consisted of five chil- dren, three sons and two daughters, all of whom are living, and those besides our subject are resi- dents of the different States. John Deri', the fourth child of his parents, was bom in Parke County. Ind., Feb. 28, 1828. After the death of his parents he became a member of the family of James Strain, with whom he lived until a youth of eighteen years. In the meantime he learned the trade of tanner, which he followed until reaching his majority, in Indiana. He then migrated to Cass County, 111., ami worked at his trade about six years in Tannersville and vicinity. Later he engaged in farming in connection with his trade, and lived in Illinois until the fall of 1867. When twenty-four years of age Mr. Derr was united in marriage with Miss Matilda Mickey, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride near Chanlersville, 111, in February, 1852. This lady was the daughter of James and Lutitia (Wilson ) Ilickey, who were natives of Bunker Hill, Tenn. They were the parents of four sons and fourdaugh ters, three only of whom arc living, the two besides Mrs. D. being residents of Kansas and Illinois re- spectively. The family, about 1830, moved to Cass County, 111., where the death of Mrs. Hickey took place in 1862, and that of her husband a year later. Mrs. Derr is a native of the same place as her parents, Bunker Hill, Tenn., and was born Nov. 15, 1S29. She accompanied her parents to Cass Count} - , 111., and lived with them there until her marriage. Mr. Derr, besides carrying on the reg- ular cultivation of the soil, has planted ten acres of forest trees, and has an orchard of 237 fruit trees in good bearing condition. Mrs. Derr, for a period of eleven weeks after coming to this county, never saw the face of a white woman. Their neigh- bors were very few and far between. She was consequently not anno3'ed by neighborhood gossip, or made unhappy over the fashions. The country around abounded in wild game, buffalo, deer and antelope being plentiful, so whatever their larder might have lacked in other respects, they were always supplied with choice wild meat. Mr. Derr labored early and late in redeeming his land from its primitive condition, and was pros- pered. He added to his real estate, and the land for which he paid (5 per acre could now scarcely be purchased for live times that sum. He has a good residence, barns and outhouses, and a fair assortment of live stock, including horses, cattle and swine. Life's comforts and enjoyments have been meted out to him in a generous manner, as •+3¥-*+ 4= <- 250 -•*■ JOHNSON COUNTY. 4 the reward of his toil and sacrifices. The home circle was completed by the birth of six sons: Calvin J. is engaged at fanning in Bates County, Mo.; John II. carries on farming in Maple Grove Precinct, this county; James, Alonzo, Joseph C. and Charles are at home with their parents. Mr. Derr, when a lad of about thirteen years, proudly carried a musket under Gen. Harrison during the Indian troubles of 1 S40. He cast his first Presidential vote for Zachary Taylor, and has since that time been a stanch supporter of Republican principles. He has never been an office-holder in Johnson County, but with his excellent wife is a member in good standing of the United Brethren Church, although reared a Presbyterian. He is a strict temperance man, never indulging in card playing, whisky or tobacco. In his comfortable home, surrounded by the good things of life, and enjoying the confidence and esteem of his neigh- bors, he is but enjoying the regard which he has earned by an honorable and upright career. jjpsA AMUEL BERRIE.onc of the worthy and ^^2 representative citizens of Lincoln Precinct, lft/\3| residing on section 30, township 5 north, range 12 east, and owner of 200 acres there, is a native of Bucks County, Pa., where he was horn on the 30th of August, 1815. His parents, Thomas and Susan Berrie, were of English and German ancestry. They were the parents of eleven chil- dren, of whom the four below mentioned alone sur- vive, viz: Peter and Moses, both in Montgomery County, 111.; Elizabeth, who was married to E. R. White, a Mexican War veteran, now deceased; and our subject. Those deceased were named as fol- lows: George, Hannah, Susan, Thomas, William, Catharine and John. By the father's second mar- riage four children were born, viz: David and Margaret, both of Montgomery, 111., and Anthony and Mary A., deceased. Our subject was about six years old when with his parents he removed to Hamilton Count} - , Ohio, where he grew up until he attained to man's estate. He was brought up on the farm and educated in the district schools, lint it must be remembered that those were early days, and Ohio was in the then Far West, consequently his education was limited, and practically what has been done has been the result of his own ambition and effort. In the year 1837, and while yet a resident of Hamilton County, our subject was united in mar- riage with Lydia II. Moore, who presented him with eight children. One son only, William Henry, of Montgomery County, 111., is now living. The other members of the family were named as follows: George W., Harriet E., Abner, Emeline, Albert, Susan M., and one daughter who died in infancy unnamed. William II. was in the Gth Missouri, Company 11, and served four years in the late Civil War. Mr. Berrie was married a second time, the lady of his choice being Mary S. Brown, widow of Hiram Brown, of New York. This event was celebrated at Ilillsboro, 111., on the 11th of May, 1852. Mrs. Berrie is a native of Hamilton County Ohio, and was born on the 1 2th of September, 1823, to Jacob and Agnes Swallow. Her parents had seven chil- dren, of whom two alone survive, viz : Eliza, the wife of William Williamson, of Montgomery County, III., and Mrs. Berrie. The deceased members of the family were named as follows: Isaac, Ereminah, Martha, Margaret A. and John. To Mr. and Mrs. Berrie have been born six children, whose names are as appended: Camilah and Joseph, both de- ceased; Frank C, Laura; Ella, who is the wife of George Grim, of this county, and Samuel G. From his early manhood Mr. Berrie has taken a deep interest in political affairs. He was one who helped to elect William II. Harrison to the Presi- dency. During that campaign he helped to build a Buckeye canoe, which was lettered off with buck- eyes bearing the inscription, " Tippecanoe and 1'vlertoo." This was put on a wagon, and drawn b} r six horses from Springdale to Hamilton, Ohio, a distance of six miles, and was the event of the cam- paign in that district. Shortly after that event he left Ohio for Montgomery County, 111., where he lived until he came to Johnson County, where he purchased 200 acres of land, and settled to agricult- ural life. • Mr. and Mrs. Berrie have for many years been active members of the Presbyterian Church, in * *-•-«- ■*-Hh-* JOHNSON COUNTY. 251 which communion our subject was an Elder for four years, and still continues to hold oiliee. In politics it is hardly necessary to say he is a stanch Republican. Through the years of their wedded life Mr. and Mrs. Berrie have made it a life of mutual, affectionate confidence, and have assisted each oilier in the endeavor to make and sustain a home, and bring up their children amid the brightest possible influences. They are held in the highest possible regard by a large circle of relatives and friends, who recognize in them such character and personal worth as entitle them to a position among the representative citizens of the county. J HALL HITCHCOCK, a young lawyer of rare talent and brilliant prospects, is Judge of the Police Court of Sterling, and by Ins wise and able rulings in that capacity, show- ing a sound knowledge of the law, has already gained for himself a name and place among the leading legal luminaries of Johnson County. Mr. Hitchcock is a son of the well-known banker of Sterling, Col. N. F. Hitchcock, whose biography ap- pears on another page of this volume. He is a native of the great commonwealth of Ohio, born in Perry County, April 20, 18.">9. He was reared in the State of his birth, and there laid the founda- tion of a liberal education, attending the public schools, and later the High School of New Lexington, an excellent institution of learning, then under the management of the celebrated instructor II. F. Acker. Our subject was graduated from that school with honors, and a fine record for scholar- ship. At the age of seventeen he began his in- dependent career in life, as so main - of our eminent public men have done, as a teacher, and for some years was engaged in that profession in the Ohio schools. This, however, was but a means to an end, as he held steadily in view a strong purpose to become a lawyer, and he subsequently entered the law school at Burlington, Iowa, from which he was graduated after pursuing a thorough course of legal studies. He also fortified himself for his encounter With the world by a good, practical business edu- cation, obtained at the business college of licit city, from which he secured a diploma. In the spring of 1 883 he accepted thePrincipalship of the Sterling schools, which position he filled very satis- factorily until his resignation in the winter of 1883- 84, to become cashier of his father's (the Johnson County) bank. He continued to act in that capac- ity until July, 18.S7. He then turned his attention once more to the law, and in November, 1887, was admitted to the bar. and he has since devoted his attention exclusively to his professional work. The very month that witnessed his admission to the legal fraternity of Nebraska saw also his appoint- ment to his present responsible position of Police Judge. His manly dignity-, incorruptibility, clear judgment and learning, amply qualify him for this office, whose duties he is discharging with charac- teristic fidelity, and in a manner to win the enco- miums of his fellow-citizens. Mr. Hitchcock was married, March 27, 18*4, to Miss Flora Reed, a daughter of A. C. Reed. Her father was one of Sterling's pioneer business men, having established himself here in the general mer- chandise business at an early day. He died in September, 1885, leaving hosts of friends, as his character and disposition were such that none knew him but to love and admire him. A widow and six children were left to mourn the loss of a kind husband ami devoted father. One child. Pearl, has blessed the happy wedded life of our subject and his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock are among the leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and that their religion is a part of their everyday life is shown in many ways, especially by their friendliness to the poor and unforUinate. Mr. Hitchcock sympathizes with the Republicans in his political views. LIIII' P. PHILLIPS. This gentleman holds a leading position among the citizens of Lincoln l'reeinel of this county, and is one of the representative farmers and stock-raisers, and his residence and property are situated upon section L8, range II east, township 5 north, lie is a na- tive of Oswego County. X. Y.. and was born there at Richland, on the 20th of June. 1824, to Hon ace f -*•■ -•*■ 252 JOHNSON COUNTY *t A. and Susan B. Phillips, who were natives of Ver- mont. His paternal ancestry were of Scotch-Irish extraction, while upon the mother's side the family is of English descent. The history of the family in this country reaches back to the Revolutionary times, and the grandfather. Elihu Phillips, was a soldier in the War of 177(5. To the parents of our subject there was horn a large family of children, of whom but ten survive, viz: Susan, Lois, Amanda, Rebecca, Elihu P.,Elam D., Cynthia. Jason L., Jesse F. and James R. Susan is a resident of Oswego County, and was married to Orlando Kent, now deceased; Lois, the widow of Omar Douglas, who is living in Franklin County, this State, as is also Amanda, who was married to John C. Delano, now deceased; Rebecca is the wife of George Gurley, of Pulaski, N. Y.; Flam is a minister, and resides in Oswego County. N. Y.; Cynthia, relict of Caleb Fobes, makes her home in Tecumseh; Jason is milling in the same, county, as is also James R.; Jesse is in Oswego County. The subject of our sketch was reared in his na- tive county and State, and there was instructed in the common schools and grew to manhood. From his boyhood he was conversant with farm life, being reared upon the home farm, and therefore preferred to make agricultural pursuits the occu- pation of his life. With the exception of thorough instruction, practical and otherwise, in the engage- ments of farming, he is chiefly self-educated, and has always given careful attention to reading. On the 20th of March, 1815, Mr. Phillips was united in marriage with Angeline Douglas, a na- tive of New York State, and the daughter of San- ford and Clarrissa (Sanford) Douglas. of this union there have been born seven children, of whom the following survive: Frank N., who now resides at Riverton, Neb.; Horace A., now of Loup County; Ada, wife of Robert M. Erwin, of this county; George S., of Lincoln Precinct, and John, who is at home. The names of the deceased chil- dren were Omar and Onias D. In the year 1855, accompanied by his family, our subject turned his steps westward, emigrating to Lake County, 111., where he remained for about three years, and then went to Iowa and farmed in Jackson County until 1862. On the 15th of August of that year he enlisted in Company K, 26th Iowa Infantry, and the regiment became part of the 1st Division of the 15th Army Corps of the Army of the Tennessee. Gen. Sherman's old corps. He was pro- moted to the position of Corporal, which he con- tinued afterward to hold. During the time of his army life he fought in sixteen battles, among which were those at Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, the siege and battle of Vicksburg and Kenesaw Mount- ain. There he was wounded, and, being generally incapacitated, returned home to Iowa on a furlough. At the expiration of that term he 'returned to his duties, rejoining the forces at Nashville, Tenn., and his regiment some weeks afterward, continuing in the service until his discharge, in June, 18G5. Leaving Iowa in 1869, Mr. Phillips came to this county and settled at his present home. His farm comprises 120 acres of well-located, fertile land in a splendid state of cultivation. He formerly owned 320 acres, but gave a portion to his children. He is in every regard a self-made man, and is deserving of eveiy possible credit for the efforts and determina- tion that have so favorably resulted. The subject of this sketch lias served in the office of Justice of the Peace continuously for Lincoln Precinct, which fact eloquently voices the senti- ment of his fellow-citizens entertained respecting his character and personal worth. Politically, he is a member of the Union Labor party. He has al- ways taken the greatest interest in building up and advancing the educational and other interests of the county and State, and has done what lay in his power to that end. He is a member of Hieka- thorn Post No. 49, G. A. R., at Tecumseh, and is at all times well received by his comrades. In the community he and his family are much respected and esteemed. ^ «iH^ *~ vsg\\ W. M< >ORF,a prominent citizen of Sterling, 111 n waa IAtl one t'' me t' ie leading physician of this ^^Z' vicinity, but he has now retired from active practice, although he is still often called upon for medical advice by his old friends and patients. He comes of an old and well-known Pennsvlvanian family, and is a son of Dr. James Moore, of that i •» f* JOHNSON COUNTY. 255 Statu. ( hir subject was born in Huntingdon ('< unity, ami there he was reared and chiefly educated. He subsequently entered the Pennsylvania Medical College, where he pursued a thorough course of study, and from which be was graduated in 1852, with a high standing for scholarship. He imme- diately entered upon the practice of his profession in liis native state. From the beginning his suc- cess was assured; a young man of exceptional tal- ent, finely educated, and of an irreproachable char- acter, lie had no difficulty in winning his way, and making himself popular. The breaking out of the war found him in the enjoyment of an extensive practice', but in 1863 we find him pursuing his call- ing on Southern battle-fields, he having volunteered in the spring of that year, and been commissioned surgeon of the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry. He served in that capacity under the gallant Gen. Philip Sheridan, and was with him in all the battles of a year and a half, lie was often in the thick of a heavy engagement, affording relief to the wounded and dying soldiers, and at one time was under lire twenty-three days continuously. The Doctor subsequently resigned his commis- sion as regimental surgeon that he might accept the position as assistant surgeon in the regular army, and was stationed at Annapolis, Md.. where he had charge of the exchange of prisoners from Novem- ber, 1 864-, to the close of the war. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged, and was warmly welcomed hack to the bosom of his family and to his old friends in his Pennsylvania home. lie at once resumed his professional duties, and for several years led an exceedingly busy life, for he was the "beloved physician" in many a household where his presence seemed to bring healing. For some years he was surgeon for the Huntingdon & Broad Top Railroad Company in Pennsylvania. He at length decided to make his home in Nebraska for the benefit of its healthful, invigorating climate, and winding up his affairs in his native State, he came here and located in sterling in dune, l«7«. He opened an office in this city and practiced a short time, but being a man of quiet, scholarly taste-, and having an ample income for the enjoy- ment of them, he has withdrawn from the duties of his profession as nearly as possible, and lives in [partial retirement with his wife and children in one of the most charming homes in thecity. The Doc- tor was married in Pennsylvania in January, 1854, to Mi-- Margaret Stunkard, who has been to him a devoted companion. Their pleasant wedded life has been blessed to them by the birth of four sons and two daughters, all of whom are living. Our subject has the reputation of a man of in- tegrity, wisdom, ami unfailing courtesy, which traits have gained for him a warm place in the af- fections of all who have the honor to know him. He is ever ready to promote the interests of the community in which he lives, and all calls for aid in carrying out benevolent schemes find in him a ready response. -s~^H3>€H->~^ AK'.MON 1>. MARBLE, the able editor and publisher of the Elk Creek Sentinel, is the son of Milton and Maria B. Marble. His father was born in Ohio, on the 16th of March, 1839, and lived there until about 1863, when he migrated to Wisconsin, making his home there about five years, lie then went to Iowa Falls. Iowa. where he engaged in mercantile transactions. From Iowa he removed to Table Rock, in this State, in tin' year I Mi'.), and was one of the first, settlers there. He entered a claim of undeveloped and un- cultivated land, and continued farming from that time onward until 1882, when he retired from ag- riculture and embarked in the real-estate business at Table Rock. The father of our subject was twice elect. 'd Com- missioner of the county, and is now serving his second term in that office. In the year 1865 he was united in marriage with Miss Maria Bump, of Iowa Kails. Iowa. There have been given to them six children, of whom three are still living. His wife died in 1871, aged about forty years. She was the daughter of S. C. Hump, of Iowa Falls. our subject was bom at Table Rock, Neb., on the 5th of November, 1870, and he continued to live there until 1884. There he received his early education and home training, afterward giving his attention to the printing business, with a view of making it his occupation in life. He went to l'aw- J* 2.56 JOHNSON COUNTY. 4 nee City, where he entered the Republican office and there learned the trade of a printer, remaining for a little over two years, also getting considera- ble insight into the general work of the office, gain- ing considerable editorial experience, much more than would be usually expected in one so young and in so short a time. The following two years he was engaged in various places, and in July of the past year (1888) opened the office ahove men- tioned. Mr. Marble edits a bright, cheery, newsy paper, in inifesting considerable knowledge and tact, lie has an increasing subscription list, and is well pat- ronized l>v advertisers, which promises well for his continued and ultimate success. In his political sentiments he is firmly established upon a Repub- lican foundation, and takes the greatest possible interest in everything connected therewith. He i> a young man of character, ability and enterprise, and without doubt, has yet to be heard from in connec- tion with his chosen path in life. On another page appears a portrait of this live editor and native of Nebraska. ERNANDES 11. ELLIS, proprietor of the leading blacksmith and repair shop at Crab Orchard, is numbered among the younger citizens of this place, and established himself in business here in August, 1884. lie is in the enjoy- ment of a good patronage as the result of a thor- ough understanding of his trade, turning out excellent work and giving employment to two men. He has been a resident of Nebraska since a boy nine vears of age, most of this time being spent in Johnson County, to which his parents came in L868, settling in Vesta Precinct. Nebraska at this time had not long enjoyed its dignity as a State, and the country around was still wild and new. Mr. Kllis was born in Whiteside County. 111., Sept. 7. I859,and remained with his parents assist- ing his father in the various employments incident 1, , farm life until a young man twenty-three years of age, then going to Tecumseh, where he began his apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade, at which lie served two years, and then worked as a journey- man by the day nearly One year. In the meantime he had saved what he could of his earnings, and was then ready to establish himself in business. He is of that cheerful ami courteous mien which never fails of making friends, and he is conse- quently the center of a pleasant cirelcof acquaint- ances, where he is ever welcome', and is in the enjoyment of a large measure of esteem and confi- dence. Our subject is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he uni- formly votes the Republican ticket. Benjamin V. Kllis. the father of our subject, is a farmer by occupation, and resides on section 28, in Vesta Precinct. He was born in Dearborn County. Ind., in May. 1833, and is the son of David and Mary (Barton) Kllis, the former a native of Maine, and the latter born on the Atlantic Ocean while her parents were emigrating from their native Ire- land to America. They settled in Dearborn County, Ind.. during its pioneer days, where David Ellis carried on farming and also worked as a car- penter and wagon-maker. The mother of our subject was in her girlhood Miss Emily S. Roberts, and became the wife of Benjamin P. Ellis Nov. 26, 1856. Her father was Joseph Roberts, who was a carpenter by occupa- tion, a native of Maine, and spent his last years in Nebraska. To Benjamin P. and Emily Kllis there were born four children, three of whom are living, namely: Clara L.\ Fernandes H., our subject, and Lizzie. The elder sister married Charles IS. Strong, Of Cheyenne County, Kan., and they have two daughters — Mabel and Julia; Lizzie is the wife of John McConnel. of Crab Orchard. The father of our subject acquired his education in one of the primitive log school-houses of Dear- born County. Ind.. a structure built after the fash- ion of that day. with its slab seats pinned to the wall and the roof of clapboards held in place h\ weight-poles. The huge fireplace occupied nearly one side of the room, and the chimney was built of earth and sticks outside. Mr. Ellis removed from his native county to Whiteside County. 111., in 1856, where he carried on farming until the winter of 1868. Then coming to this county he homesteaded 160 acre s of land, which he still owns *•■ •►Hl^ JOHNSON COUNTY. 257 and occupies. IK' has now a fine farm with graded stock, and all the machinery necessary for the prose- cution of agriculture after the most approved meth- ods. As a citizen he is straightforward and upright, urn! held in high esteem. JOHN II. DIBLE, one of the representa- tive pioneers of this county, and who located in Spring- Creek Precinct in the fall of 1865, while Nebraska was a Territory, still resides on the land which he homesteaded at that time when not a furrow had been tinned, and upon which there had been no attempt whatever at im- provement, lie began in earnest the task before him of building up a homestead, and has now one of the finest farms in this region, which stands as a monument to his persevering industry. He oper- ated as a single man for a period of six years, re- solved to lay the foundation of a home before he invited a wife to share his struggles, and was then married. Feb. 25, 1*7:2. to Miss Beftie Iladen. This estimable lady has since been his helpmate, and their union has been blessed by six children, namely: Julia, Wilbur, Kate, Michael, Fanny and Esther. The eldest is fifteen years of age and the youngest two. Mr. Dible is the offspring of an excellent family, being the son of .John and Catherine (Ileekman) Dible, both of whom were of German ancestry, and spent the greater part of their lives in Penn- sylvania, where their decease took place. They were the parents of six children, five of whom are living, namely: Margaret, wife of William George, of Armstrong County, Pa.; Melinda, Mrs. John Loudin, also of that county; Zephaniah, a resident of Kansas: John II.. our subject; and (sabelle, Mrs. Robert Allison, of Marion County, Iowa. Mr. Dible was born in Armstrong County, Pa., Nov. 5, 1889, and then- Spent his youth and early manhood, receiving a common-school educa- tion and being thoroughly trained in all the em- ployments of farm fife. He remained a member of the parental household until a young m an twenty-three years old, but in the spring of 1862 started out for himself. Making his way to De- «■ Kalb County. III., he occupied himself there at farming several months, and on the 1st of August of that year, the Civil War being in progress, en- listed as a Union soldier in Company ('•, 95th Illi- nois Infantry. His regiment, under the command of (Jen. Grant, was present at the siege of Vieks- burg, and later, under Gen. Banks, participated in the Red River expedition and was a special guard on board the fleet of transports which operated from the mouth of Red River. Later their divis- ion was again assigned to the command of (Jen. Banks in Louisiana, where Mr. Dible, with his comrades, fought at Yellow Bayou, being also at the capture at Ft. Derusa. Later he was under the command of Gen. Sturgis, at the time of his defeat at Guntown, Miss. He was also one of the number who followed the rebel General. Price, on his last raid in Missouri. Subsequently the regi- ment was sent to reinforce (Jen. Thomas at Nash- ville, and Mr. Dible participated in the two days' fight at that point, which resulted in the defeat of Hood's army. At Spanish Fort he was under fire a period of thirteen days, and in all participated in sixteen general engagements, besides numerous skirmishes. He continued in the army until after the surrender of Lee at Appomattox, and received his honorable discharge at St. Louis in August, 1865. Returning now to his old haunts in Illinois, our subject remained there long enough to visit his friends and acquaintances, and a few months later made his way across the Mississippi to this county, of which he has since been a resident. Politically, he is a Union Labor man, and socially, belongs to the (;. A. R., Post No. 104, at Talmage, in Otoe County. He also affiliates with the Masons. ALMEE BLAKE.a well-known resident of 1 1 el ei i a Precinct, and a leading land -owner, came to Nebraska dining the days of its early settlement, locating in this county when his neighbors were few and far between, and when his estimable wife, who had accompanied him here, did not sec the face of a white woman for a period of three months. Indians were plentiful •►Hl^ 258 JOHNSON COUNTY. ami wild animals in abundance roamed over the country, which had been little disturbed by the in- roads of the white settler. The scenes and inci- dents u itnessed by this honored pioneer have passed before his eyes much like a panorama, and the years which to him seem comparatively brief have been filled with changes, mosl of them for the better, both in connection with his own personal history, and certainly that of the now important common- wealth of Nebraska. Of New England birth and ancestry, our subject first opened his eyes to the light in the little town of Brookfield, Vt.. June 1. L835. His parents. Joseph and Rebecca ( Williams) Blake, were uatives of Manchester. N. II., and the records indicate that the paternal ancestors did good service in the Revolutionary War. To Joseph ami Rebecca Blake there were born ten children, of whom the follow- ing survive: William, Amos. Seth M., Edward W., Joseph M., ami Palmer, our subject. Two children died in infancy. Those living are resi- dents mostly of Connecticut and New York. The father was a farmer by occupation, and spent his lasl year.-- in Vermont, dying about 1865, and the mother about 1 f Republican principles. lie is a promi- nent member of the Old Settlers' Association of Johnson County. Of sterling worth and integrity, be is accorded thai tacit respect earned by the pio- neers of Nebraska, and is a man whose word is considered as gfood as his bond. -~W ~v*££[2r@-5@ *g$^3/<5fl0*v--\/\/\^ t LLEN ('. BAKER. The Baker homestead, which is pleasantly located in Lincoln Precinct, on the eastern line of this county, occupies 320 acres <>f land on section 29, and is noticeable <>u account of one of the finest residences in the precinct, and which, with it s sur- roundings, shade and fruit trees, and a barn with all the necessary Out-buildingS, forms the modern idea of the complete country home. Mr. Baker i- n very industrious and energetic man. and in addi- tion to general farming is largely interested in stock-raising. Besides the home farm he has a half-interest in a quarter-section of land in com- pany with his brother-in-law, Mr. Frank M. Taylor. Mr. Baker, originally a New Englander, was horn Feb. 8, 1840, in Hawley Township. Franklin Co.. Mass.. and i> the son of Harvey and Ann K. (Carter) Baker, who were also natives of the Bay State, and were of English descent. Their ancestry crossed the Atlantic at an early period in the his- tory of America, settling in New England, some of t lii-m in time to take part in the struggle which se- cured to the Colonists their independence. Alien ('. supposes himself to he one of ahont the seventh generation, and was the seventh son in his father's family, which consisted of nine children, six of whom are still living. The eldest daughter, Mar- garet, is the wife of C 1!. Mayhew; and Angeline, the wife of W. I.. Day; lioth of these arc resi- dents of Franklin County. Mass. 'Martha. Mrs. George Snow, is a resilient of Boston; and Eliza, Mrs. John Wells, also lives in Franklin County. Mr. Baker was reared to man's estate ill his na- tive county, where he received a good education, and this, together with the lifelong habil of read- ing, has made him a man of more than ordinan intelligence, lie keeps himself well posted upon the can-rent events, and is one with whom it is both pleasurable and profitable to converse. He fol- lowed farming as an occupation from his youth, and began early in life to make arrangements for the establishment of a home of his own. When these had sufficiently advanced he was united in marriage with Miss Margarel 1>. Tavlor. the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in Franklin County. Mass.. in 1868. Mrs. Baker was born in the state of Michigan in 1847, and is the daughter of Milnor W. and Mar- garet T. (Taylor) Taylor, both of whom wen- Da- tives of Massachusetts, and her father a farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Baker left New En- gland inthespring of 1879, coming directly to this county, and settling where they now live. Air. Baker became quite prominent in the affairs of his native county, when- he joined the Re- publican party and was elected a County Commis- sioner, discharging the duties of his position in a manner creditable lo himself and satisfactory to all concerned, since coming to the West, however, In- has declined the responsibilities of office, al- though frequently solicited to take part in matters of public concern. I Ie and his excellent wife are both members of the Congregational Church, and occupy a good position, socially, among the intelli- gent and cultivated people of their community. ^AMES E. CARLYLE, whose well-kept and well-cultivated farm is situated on the north- wesl quarter of section 20, Maple Grove Precinct, is the son of Jonathan ( arlvle. who was born Dec. '-'"-'. 1814, in Scotland. I Ie continued to liye in his native county until he came to Ne- braska, cm the 12th of .lime. 1887. During his earl\ life he was a COttOU weaver, lint afterward followed gardening until 1884. His wife, the mother of our subject, was .Mary Smith, who was also born in Scotland. The elate of her nativity was Nov. 19, 181 I. and she- came to America with her husband in 1887. Their family comprised eight children, of whom four were ~<>us; three only now living. These are: John Smith Carh h-. one f- -»■► 260 4- JOHNSON COUNTY. of Chicago's prosperous grocers; Mary, the wife of Samuel Ewehank, of Barrow-in-Furness, Lanca- shire, England; and .lames E. of Maple Grove, whose biography is here traced. Mr. and Mrs. Car- lyle, Sr., have come to spend the remainder of their lives with our subject in his American home. Mr. James E. Carlyle was born in Annan, Dum- friesshire, Scotland, on the 7th of September, 1856. He lived at home for twenty-seven years, and attended school in his native place for about eighteen months. When thirteen years of aye he commenced cotton weaving in the steam mills of his native town, and continued to follow the same for about four years. From that he went into business as a nurseryman, following the same for about ten years. At the end of that period he determined to emigrate to the New World, and assure himself of the truth of the advantages offered there for bettering one's position in life. Accord- ingly lie set sail for this country on the 12th of January, 1883, -and landed about ten days later in New York City. From there he went direct to Chicago, where he remained until the 1th of June, being engaged during that time in the grocery business with his brother, at No. 328 W.Madison street, in that city. In June, 1886, our subject came to Johnson County, and settled in Maple Grove Precinct, and took charge of the stock farm of his brother, who owns one quarter-section, and is making a specialty of Hereford cattle for breeding purposes, at the same lime supplying quite a huge number for ship- ment to Kansas City. They have a very line bleed of pure Herefords, some of them imported stock. Besides those of pure blood there are many of very high grade and quite valuable animals. Mr. Carlyle is still unmarried, and is now pre- paring to engage extensively in stock-raising, even more so than ever before. His brother, of Chicago, who is deeply interested in the business, was born on the 12th of March, 1842, in Annan. After leaving school he learned the grocery business, and followed the trade in Scotland until August. 1872. when he went to Chicago and commenced business for himself, which he has ever since continued. lie has also carried on his stock farm with all its varied ' interests and responsibilities. At Red (loud, Web- ster County, he had a half-section, and used it chiefly for the breeding and feeding of Hereford grade cattle for the market, but has sold it. Mr. J. E. Carlyle is one of the prominent busi- ness men of the city of which he is a resident, and having commenced at the very foot of the ladder it is more to his credit that he has. unassisted and alone, made his way to his present position in the world of trade and society generally. —~pr • OllN M. ELLIOTT, whose general mercan- tile house in Crab Orchard is quite well and favorably known, and largely patronized, is I a native of Knox County, Ky. His whole life bears the marks of the State characteristics, and he is possessed of all the wide-awake, enterprising push of the Kentuckian, while the large-hearted and liberal, genial affability of that people is not wanting. The dateof his nativity was the 27lh of June, 1858. His father, Lewis Elliott, now deceased, was a native of the same State. This gentleman was the son of the Rev. Daniel Elliott, who was a Method- ist minister of reputation. He left Virginia, his native State, in early days, and made his home in the Blue Grass State. John Elliott, the subject of our sketch, left home when in his fourteenth year, and went to Moulton, Appanoose Co., Iowa. He attended school in the latter place for two years, and then went to Marshall County in the same State, where he worked for three years as a farm hand, during which time he still had opportunity to attend school during part of the winter. He came to this county in the spring of 18711, and fanned at Vesta until 1885, when he came to Crab Orchard, and established the present business under the firm name of DeCamp & Elliott. His partner afterward sold his interest to our subject, since which time he has been sole pro- prietor. He carries a stock of not less than fto.000,' and does an annual business of about $9,000. Miss Mary Mace and our subject were united in marriage Sept. 24, 1879. This lady is the daughter of Daviil and Susannah Mace, of North Carolina. She was born in the latter State on the 14th of March, 1850. It was her misfortune to lose ^U 4 JOHNSON COUNTY. ^r* 261 her father by death before the war. She lias pre- sented her husband with three children, of whom Eustace J. and Myo D. alone survive. For two years she was an invalid and a great sufferer, but is now completely restored to health, and able once more to take her accustomed place in the family circle, to the pleasure and delight of her family. Our subject began life at the lowest round of the ladder, having no friend to help or advise him, and to his honor be it said he has in every case made the disadvantages and discouragements but steps to renewed success. He is in sympathy with the Democratic party, and both feels and expresses himself forcibly upon the question of tariff reform. ,WEN 1'. RICHARDSON, of Western Pre- cinct, may usually be found about his ^J^ premises, which occupy a portion of section .'lii. His farm is noticeable for its good crops, its live stock and its comfortable buildings. Mr. R. is an Illinois man. having been born in Knox County, that State, Nov. 17. L845. His father, Pliny Richardson, a native of Kentucky, died about 1 !S7.">. aged sixty year-. Our subject received a good education in the dis- trictscl Is of his neighborhood and High School tuition at Knoxville, III. He remained under the parental roof until reaching his majority, then stalled out to see the country west of the Missis- sippi. Going id tdaho Territory he traveled from there through Montana, Oregon and California, spending the winter of 1869 in San Francisco. lie skirmished considerably witb the Indians at different limes in Idaho. lie was there employed in herding cattle, and upon one occasion the Indians stole the ponies of himself and comrades, Mr. Rich- ardson and three others pursued and attacked about forty savages, in the meantime hiding themselves from the missiles <>f their foes among the rocks of which they built breast works, and there fought two nights and days. At the expiration of this time the remainder of their company, sixteen in number, came to their relief. They made awaj with twenty-seven of the redskins. < >n the other side three cf the white men fell to rise no more. Mr. Richardson and his comrades recovered their twenty ponies in addition to taking twenty from the Indians. In December, 1869, Our subject returned to Illi- nois, where he carried on fanning until February, 1880. He then settled in this county and carried on agriculture iii the western part of Western Pre- cinct until the fall of 1884, when he secured the land which he now owns and occupies. In the meantime he was married, duly 18, 1870, ill Knox County, 111., to Miss Anna Powell. This lady was born July 15, 1849, in Fayette County, Ind., and is the daughter of George and Kigga (Copse) Powell, the latter of whom is deceased; the father survives and is living in Illinois. Of her union with our subject there were born nine children, six of whom are living, namely: Pliny, Alcy M.. Leonard, Clyde, Lloyd and Nina. The eldest is eighteen years of age. and the youngest fourteen months. They are living at home. Mrs. Eliza- beth (Pierce) Richardson, the mother of our sub- ject, is still living, and makes her home in Knox County, being now in tin' eighty-first year of her age, She has recently (October. 1888) been on a visit to her son. being sprightly and active and in the enjoyment of good health. The parental family consisted of eight children, seven hiving. Mr. Richardson cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, and uniformly continues his support of Republican principles, lie is numbered among the reliable citizens of his precinct, a man careful in his business transactions, honest and upright, and well thought of by his neighbors. -v ffiAMES STOLTENBERG. The subject of I this sketch came to Lincoln Precinct with his family in the spring of 1871. and settled on the farm which hi' now owns and occupies. purchasing eighty acres of raw prairie, which he has transformed into one of the finest farms in this precinct. Besides this property he has a quarter- section of good land in Nemaha County. He is classed among the representative German citizens of his county who have assisted largely in i'.s growth and development, bringing to h those f 262 *fr JOHNSON COUNTY. 4- qualities of sturdy industry and perseverance which have assisted so materially in the development of its soil and the general prosperity of its peo- ple. Mr. S., in addition to general farming, is largely interested in stock-raising, having the typi- cal fat horses and cattle which arc always associated with the German agriculturist. A native of the Duchy of Holstein, our subject was born Oct. 25, 1842. and is the son of Henry and Bertha (Schoel) Stoltenberg, who were of pure German ancestry, and natives of the same Province as their son. The father died when .lames was a little lad of seven years, but the mother lived until about 188(1. she spending her last days in Iowa. She came to America with her daughter about 1866. The parental family included three children, of whom .lames, our subject, was the eldest. Bertha died in [owa when about forty-two years old; Lena is the wife of .lames Kahler, of Benton County, Iowa. In common with the children of Germany our subject was placed in school at an early age. and received a thorough education in his native tongue. After leaving school he was occupied with farming pursuits until twenty-two years of age. near the place of his birth. He was not satisfied, however, with his prospects for the future, and determined to seek his fortunes on the other side of the At- lantic. Bidding adieu to his friends and associ- ates, he engaged passage on a steamer hound from Hamburg to New York City, landing upon Ameri- can soil after an ocean voyage of fifteen days, lie proceeded at once to Rock Island County, 111., and for four years thereafter was engaged as a farm laborer in that locality. There also he met his fate in the person of Miss Catherine Hanburg, to whom he was married Oct. 12, 1866. This lady was born in Germany, in Holstein. Dec. '.). 1844. and comes of a good family, being the daughter of Marx and Dorothea (Blank) Hanburg, and a sister of Eggert Hanburg. a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Stolten- berg commenced their wedded life together in Rock Island County, 111., whence they crossed the Mississippi, as we have already stated. Of their union there have been born four children, namely: Ferdinand G., Oct. 23,1867; Elizabeth, Aug. 24, 1869; John, May 21. 1873, and Emil, Oct. 7. 1877. John died when three and one-half years old. Our subject and his estimable wife were reared in the doctrines of the German Lutheran Church, to which they still loyally adhere, attending divine services in Washington Precinct. Nemaha County. Mr. S., -politically, advocates the principles of the Democratic party, and in all respects has built up for himself the record of an honest man and a good citizen. -*^W2/®ig~• — fe te — >~gfS/?5»»». AUGUST BEETHE. There is no more pleasing spectacle than that of a young man yj starting out early in life, with a well-bal- anced mind and good habits, and establishing him- self as a useful member Of his community — one who wins from the first the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. The subject of this sketch is a fine illustration of what a resolute will may accomplish, combined with great natural talents ami capabilities. Although but thirty years of age. he is already spoken of as one of the representative men of his township. He is the owner of a line farm, fully developed and improved, with hand- some and substantial buildings, pleasantly located on the southeast portion of section 27, Todd Creek Precinct. In addition to general agriculture he makes a specialty of stock-raising, keeping graded cattle, horses and swine. His cattle are of the Short-horn breed, the head of his herd being a full- blooded animal, and his horses, mostly draft ani- mals, are thoroughbred. I lis swine are the Poland- China. The residence is a fine large structure, and the barn and other out-buildings fully in keeping with the tastes and requirements of the progressive agriculturist. Mr. Beethe first set foot upon the soil of Ne- braska in the fall of 1869, when he was a lad of eleven years, lie was horn in DuPage County, 111.. Aug. 2.">. 18")8, and lived there with his par- ents until they all crossed the Mississippi. The journey from the Prairie State was made overland with teams to Tecumseh, the travelers crossing the river at Nebraska ( ity. The father, after looking r JL ■«HM« .lol IN SON COUNTY. 263 over tlii* country, linalh selected his location and purchased 280 acres it Todd Creek Precinct, which he brought to ;i productive condition, and upon which he effected good improvements, and later added to his landed estate, and subsequently divided even more than this among his sons. Our subjecl completed his education in the pio- neer schools of Todd Creek, becoming familiar with both the German and English tongues. Naturally bright and ambitious to learn, he improved his opportunities and became more than ordinarily well informed, tie assisted his father in the de- velopment of the new land, and remained a mem- ber of the parental household until the spring of 1879. He then took possession of his own land, which :it th:it time was .-in unbroken prairie, and upon which he has labored with incessant industry it is easy to believe, for it now closely resembles the well-developed farm of several years' standing. lie has several acres of foresl trees, a fruit orchard in good bearing condition, and in the summer of 1882 completed liis resilience. In his slock operations Mr. Beethe has been es- pecially successful. He provides carefully for the shelter and feeding of his animals, and in conse- quence enjoys from this industry a handsome in- come. His fields are divided with neat hedgefenc- ing. His domestic affairs are presided over by a very amiable and estimable lady, who became the wife of our subject on the 7th of December, 1884. She was formerly Miss Anna Duden, of Nemaha County, to which her mother emigrated from Ger- many in 1883, her father having come the previous fall. Mrs. Beethe was born in East Friesland, Ger- many, Oct. •>. 1867. She was sixteen years of age when her parents settled in the vicinity of II11111- boldt, Nemaha County, where she completed her education and lived until her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Beethe there have been born three children — Rosa and llaniia (twins) and Bertha. Our subject and his wife are members in good Standing of the Lutheran Church, and attend regularly upon the services held in the building which they assisted largely in erecting, and winch is near their home. It is a neat and tasteful struc- ture, and a credit to any neighborhood. .Mr. Beethe contributes liberally to those enter-prises having in view tin- moral and religious welfare of the com- munity. In company with his brother Carl II., a sketch of whom appear- elsewhere iii this volume, he i- at present putting up a building for the Ger- mania School, half a mile south, and a- contractors and builders the brothers have gained a reputa- tion fully equal to that which they possess as agri- culturists and business men. The parents of our subject, Carl and Wilhelmine (Bueltemeier) Beethe, were natives of Germany. The mother is deceased, hut the father is a resident of this precinct. Their family consisted of twelve children, ten of whom are living. The wife of our subject is the daughter of I lenrv Duden, who, with his wife, was also a native of Easl Friesland, Germany, from which he emigrated in the fall of 1882 to America, and was joined by his family the following year. The latter included the wife, four sons and one daughter. Mr. 1). came 1o this county, and with his estimable wife is still living, having their home near the Lutheran Church in Todd Creek Precinct, Occupying forty acres of land owned by our subject. Their sons arc resi- dents of Germany and Nebraska. Mr. Beethe, politically, is a stanch Republican, and has been prominent in local politics. He fre- quently represents his precinct in the County Con- ventions, has officiated as a Juryman, and tilled various other offices of trust, and responsibility. He and his excellent wife enjoy the friendship of the best people of their com 111 unity, and their home IS a most pleasant reSOl't, "hose hospitable doors are ever open, and whose surroundings indicate refined and cultivated tastes and ample means. ■ISRAEL GEHR is one of the representative farmers of "Western Precinct. His property is iii situated upon section 8. The family of which he is a member is of ( Jernian extraction. Joseph Gehr, the grandfather of our subject, was born in that country and came to the United States about 1840. He was able to trace his ancestry back to one of the noble Huguenot families, which lied from France to Switzerland in 1685, during the cruel perse- cution of that people by the French Catholic JL -a*- 264 JOHNSON COUNTY. ('lunch and Government. The family of Joseph Gehr was one of the firsl families in Lancaster Counts, Pa. lie himself served as a Captain throughout the War of the Revolution, and helped to draw up the Constitution of the Keystone Stale. His son John, the father of our suhject, was horn on the Pennsylvania homestead, and as a young man served in a militia company, of which he held the Captaincy for twenty years. This gentleman died in Crawford County. Pa., in the year 1852. The subject of our sketch was horn on the I'd of August, LSI l.in Crawford County. Pa, and was reared upon the home farm, so that he has from earliest years been more or less acquainted with agricultural life. His education was such as was to he obtained in the common schools of that time, and though perhaps not so extensive in the range of subjects as now, was thorough in the branches taught and practical. The marriage of Israel Gehr was celebrated on the 16th of May, 1839. He was then united in wed- lock with Ann. the estimable daughter of William Smiley. There have been seven children born to them, four of whom are living. The family record gives the names of the members of this family as follows: .lames \Y.. Sarah. Ella, Ktlie; Sanford L. S., who died at the age of twenty-four years; Hen- rietta K. who was married to J. W. Beatty, and after several years of happy wedded life died, leav- ing three children, whose names are Harland, Emma and Lily A.; the other daughter, Mary A., died at the age of fifteen years. Sarah Gehr was united in marriage with Alfred Robinson, of Nel- son, Nuckolls County, this State; she is the mother of two children, viz: Ethel Pearl and Jay. Ella is the wife of the Rev. Stokeley Roberts, of Beatrice, a Presiding Elder in the Methodist Episco- pal Church: they are the parents of four children — Walter W.. Guy, Herbert and Violet. The settlement of Mr. Gehr in this county dates from 1870. lie first bought land near Sterling, moved upon it and began to improve a farm, where he made his home until the spring of 1882, when he settled upon his present farm. lie is the owner of ->-2^ acres of g I agricultural land. The farm occupied by him at present lies adjoining the village of Crab Orchard: his improvements indi- cate the good taste and management of the owner. Our subject has retired from active labor and is living at case, and is now enjoying some of the fruits of the labor of former years. The subject of our sketch occupied the seat, Of Justice of the Peace for one term, and did so in a manner most satisfactory. Both he and his wifeare much respected members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and in the community at large are held in high regard. ^ L. ARCHER, a well-known and highly re- spected citizen of Sterling, is classed among the wealthy farmers ami extensive land-own- ers of Johnson County. His large farm, comprising GOO acres of land of unsurpassed fer- tility and productiveness, is finely located, and with its neat, commodious buildings, fine orchard, considered to be one of the best in the county, its grove of forest trees, and many other attractions, is, indeed, a valuable estate, and one of which the family may well be proud. Mr. Archer is a New Englander by birth, born amid the beautiful hills of Vermont, June 24, KS18. He was reared and educated in his native State, and there married Oct. 27, 1839. He was reared to the life of a farmer, and was actively engaged in that occupation until 1884, since which time he has led a more retired life in his home in the city, al- though still looking after his extensive agricultural interests. He continued to live in the Green Mountain State until 1848, when he removed with his family to Livingston County, 111., where he re- sided for many years, prosperously engaged in agriculture. In 1875 he came to Nebraska with his family, and located on his present farm, having bought 1,400 acres of land here in the year 1867. He has now reduced the area of his farm to 600 acres by generously providing homes for his chil- dren, of whom there are five surviving of the thirteen born to him, all of whom are married and settled in life. When he came here his farm was an unbroken prairie, but by hard work he now has it all in cultivation and pasture, and has an excel- lent orchard of about 500 trees, mostly apple trees -«•- i*H|--*» JOHNSON COUNTY. 265 of the besl varieties, and he also lias a grove of wild plums near the bouse. He planted twenty acres of timber, but most of the trees have died. He has, however, a beautiful grove of box elders, and it is said that lie has planted more trees than any other man in the county, having planted 30,000 in all of various kinds, thus giving practical evi- dence of his belief in arboriculture. If all of'our agriculturists would do as well in proportion it would have an important bearing upon the ques- tions discussed by scientists, who are carefully studying the means of preserving the forests. Mr. Archer's farm is amply provided with suitable buildings; he has a good farmhouse, barn, corn cribs (one of which is capable of holding 4,000 bushels), an ice house, and other buildings too numerous to mention. In 1884 Mr. Archer rented his farm and moved into the city of Sterling, where he bought a line property and has a commodious and comfortable home. Mr. Archer is a man whose judgment and busi- ness ability are of a high order, and he stands well in this community, where he has made many warm friends as a man and as a citizen. He and his family are among the leading members of the Bap- tist Church. Politically, .Mr. Archer is a straight Republican, and uses his influence to promote the best interests of his party. lie takes a genuine interest in the welfare of this city, and is the en- COIirager of all enterprises tending to its moral, in- tellectual or financial progress. lie has also assisted in the administration of its public affairs, having been elected to the City Hoard in 1*80, ami serving very efficiently, and to the acceptance of his colleagues during his term of office. ~~ t — ' •—w— &SF8— t— ■ • — --~- ON. CHARLES ('. ELLIS, Postmaster of V Sterling, is one of its foremost citizens, yr^ and was for some years prominently identi- (^) lied with its business circles. He is a New Englander by birth, breeding and descent, having been born in .Monmouth. Kennebec ( o., Me., dune I. 1842. His parents, Benjamin S. and Mary A. (Storms) Ellis, were natives Of .Massachusetts. His father died in .Maine, in 1886, at the age of seventy- seven.^ His mother is still living in that State, and is now seventy-one years old. Of her family of three children our Subject is next to the eldest. Our subject grew to manhood and was educated in bis native State, living there quietly until the second year of the war. when he. then but twenty years of age, shouldered his gun and knapsack and marched forth to assist in the defense of his coun- try on Southern battle-fields, enlisting, in August, 1862, in Company K. 7 th .Maine Infantry. He served three years or until after the close of the war, and took part in a number of heavy engagements, anionic which were Antietain, Fredericksburg, the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania. In June, 1864, he was captured near Beam's Station, in North Carolina, by the 1st North Carolina Cav- alry, and taken to Libby Prison. After staying there about two months he was transferred to AndersonviUe. whence he was subsequently sent to Florence, N. C, where he remained a prisoner about six months, lie was released in Novem- ber. 1*1! Land went home on a furlough for two months, lie rejoined his command in January. 1865, and remained in the South amid the active scenes of battle until after the .-lose of the war. being mustered out in June, 1*6.">. lie returned to his friends without a wound, but his health im- paired by exposure on the held of battle and in rebel prisons. After his return to his old home when he left theaiiny.be went to Central America. lie staid awhile in that semi-tropical country, an interested witness of the many strange scenes pre- sented to the eyeof a stranger reared in the North, but in 1*1!* he retraced his steps to Maine, lie lived there and in .Massachusetts until 1869, when lie came as far we-1 as Council Bluffs, Iowa, and in that city, in June. 1870, lie was united in marriage ).. .Mrs. Sarah S. (Gray) Tucker. In 1*72 he came to Nebraska and located in this county on a farm nine miles from Sterling, having decided to try agriculture on the rich -oil in this State. He was thus engaged for some years with capital success, but he finally turned his attention to mercantile pursuits in this city, first opening a grocery store. and subsequently adding a stock of general mer- chandise. He built up quite a large and profitable trade, and carried on the bu-iness until he closed it **Z**+ 4= 266 JOHNSON COUNTY. to accepl his presenl office. He soon became a con- spicuous figure in the councils of the Democratic party, of which he has been a supporter since he attained his majority, and in 1886 he was elected to the State Legislature to represent this county. His course as a legislator marked him as a candid, clear-headed, thoughtful man. who worked for the highest interests of his adopted county and State. regardless of party issues. After serving in the Legislature sixteen months. .Mr. Ellis resigned his seat, in onler to accept the postmastership of Ster- ling-, .May 23, 1887, and he is now filling that posi- tion to the universal satisfaction of the public. His geniality, courtesy and ready tact make him very popular, and he lias hosts of friends. lie is a mem- ber of Sill Post No. :»'.'. G. A. R., at Sterling, and, with his wife, occupies an assured position among the representative people of one of the most cult- ured and enterprising cities of Johnson County. * ^^ * *t W 'VILLI AM DROOK. Among the prominent and wealthy citizens of Johnson County must be mentioned the gentleman whose history it is endeavored clearly but succinctly to relate in this sketch, who has retired from active engagements in farming, and is enjoying the har- vest of former years. The beautiful residence of our subject stands at the end of Sixth street in the city of Tecumseh, is in keeping with his position in society, and speaks eloquently of the fact that suc- cess in life has been his. The position of his resi- dence is such as to command an extensive and excellent view of the city and its surroundings for many miles. The grounds connected with his resi- dence are most admirably laid out and kept, whether we turn from lawn to flower-beds, from these to the bowers and shady groves, or wander through the conservatory, everything is well-kept and admirably arranged, and comprises one of the nicest suburban residences in the district. Mr. Drook was born near Liberty, in Union County, Ind., Feb. 12, 1830, and continued to make his home in that place until he was about thirty-five years of age. The days of childhood and youth were spent much in the same manner as those of his companions, and were an alternate round of play and school tasks, interspersed with some of the lighter duties connected with the home. As soon as he was old enough he went to farming, and lias followed that occupation all his life. Upon moving from Liberty he went to Grant County and pur- chased a farm, where he enjoyed much success. Meeting with an advantageous offer he concluded to sell the property, and removed to Todd Creek Precinct, Johnson County, and upon the lGthof March. 1870, purchased 280 acres, which he imme- diately began to improve. The chief occupation of our subject has been along the line of general farming, of which his knowledge is thorough, and. being a man who by disposition will never do a thing by halves, he is reaping where perhaps others would have failed. Although not devoting his special attention to stock farming he owns some fine stock, and having a special liking for good horses has been careful to obtain some of the finest specimens possible. He keeps the finest driving-team of "browns" to be seen in quite a large distance. Their weight is about 1,000 pounds, and however often the}' may be seen will always attract attention and excite remark as being far above the average of even fine driving horses. The subject of this sketch staid upon this farm until the spring of 1887, then removed to his pres- ent home. All that he is or has become is the result of his own efforts, excepting as he received a good education, and w:rs throughout the years of their wedded life aided and sustained by the inspir- ing and enthusing companionship of the lady who w:is to every responsibility so nobly true and faithful. The lady to whom Mr. Drook linked his life was Miss J. Jerusha Snyder. Their nuptials were cele- brated on the 11 th of December, 1855. Of this union live children have been born, of whom, how- ever, but one survives. His wife and two grown children died here, the others in Grant County, Ind. The child living is his son Parker, who has received from his father a good education, and is now at home with him. Our subject was again married, to Miss Ann Steinberger, of Iowa, their union being celebrated in Johnson, Neb., in July, 1881. « ► ■*•■ i*Hh-*« JOHNSON COUNTY. 2G7 The grandfather of our subject was born on the 7th of June. 1787, in Virginia, and continued to reside in his native State until his marriage with Miss Salvine Farsher. After their marriage the young couple moved to and settled in Indiana, and there continued to make their home. lie departed this life in 1870, at the age id' eighty-three years, ami was survived by his wile until the year 1881, All his life lie followed the occupation of farming. and was thoroughly practical in every department Of his calling. His religious home was in the Ger- man Baptist or Dunkard Church. The home circle of this family included eleven children, all of whom are now living except the youngest. The subject of our sketch is a worthy representa- tive of this interesting family, and in the commu- nity is accorded general esteem, lie is not prominent in political circles, never Inning found much op- portunity while engrossed with his farm labors for SUCh engagements. lie is, however, a stanch sup- porter of the Republican party, and has always been, and is numbered among the most substantial, wealthy, and much valued citizens ofTecumseh. *!*- II.LIAM II. TALCOTT,a pioneer farmer Jll of Johnson County, located in vjy Precinct as earh as 1872, and is now the \rJll <>f Johnson County, located in Nemaha owner of 1 1- acres of good land lying on the south- east quarter of section ">. lie has been a resident of Nemaha Precinct since 1*72, when he settled on the virgin prairie, commenced breaking the sod. building the necessary structures and setting out an orchard and a grove of forest trees. The fields arc laid off with wire or hedge fencing, and the soil has been brought to a high state of cultivation. Besides general farming Mr. Talcotl has been con- siderably interested in stock-raising. In October, 1888, Mr. Talcotl -old out and took up his residence in Johnson Village, where he built a hotel, which he operated fifteen months, then sold out and purchased the farm when- he now lives. this becoming his property on the 25th of Febru- ary. 1885. Here, as before, he has been continually making improvements, conspicuous among which is a grove of fores! trees covering three acres of •»-**: ground, an orchard in good bearing condition and smaller fruits in abundance. Mr. Talcotl has been a very industrious man. and has freely given of his services to those ob- jects Inning in view the welfare of the people around him. lb' believes in the establishment and maintenance of schools, and since his residence in Johnson County has officiated as Director a greater portion of the time, lie votes with the Republican party, but has no aspiration for political honors. I loth he and his excellent wife are members in g I standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Tecumseh,and warmly interested in Sunday-school . work'. Our subject first opened his eyes to the light in tin' city of Rock Island. III., March 11, 1844, when it was an unimportant town, lie received his early education in Winnebago and Henry Counties, to the latter of which his father removed ami carried on farming, besides operating a ferry across the Rock River. William II. when large enough had charge of the boat, anil later was engaged as a traveling salesman. On the 5th of December, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha Ed- wards, at the home of I he bride in Johnson Count v. Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Talcott commenced the jour- ney of life together in a snug home in Henry County. III., and they arc now the parents of a charming group of children, five in number, two sons and three daughters, namely: Charles A.. Maude, Harry, Grace and Lottie. They are all at home with their parents, and being carefully t rained and educated. Maude was graduated from the Tecumseh High School in the class of '87, and is now employed as a teacher. Charles will graduate from the class of '89. Mrs. Martha (Edwards) Talcott was burn in Lewis County, N. 1\, Jan. 8, 1845, and is the daugh- ter of William S. and l'nmelia (Could) Edwards. Her father was a farmer by occupation, and upon leaving the Empire State emigrated to Illinois. He only lived there one year, however; then, crossing tin' Mississippi, Settled in the vicinity of Oxford, fifteen miles west of Iowa City, where he carried on farming a period of twelve years. Then, retiring from active labor, he disposed of his property. moved into the village of Oxford, and there lived — •» f 4 268 *» JOHNSON COUNTY. -f until his death, which occurred t>ct. 8, 1886. The mother had preceded her husband to the better land in August, 1881. Their family included five children, three sons and two daughters, four of whom are living and residents of Iowa. The mother of Mrs. Talcotl was a very excellent lady, beloved by all who knew her. and a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She had a kind and tender hear! for those in affliction, and was very efficient in sickness, being an excel- lent nurse, and always ready to volunteer her serv- ices to those in need. She is most tenderly re- membered by her children as the model wife and mother, and one whose example was well worthy of their imitation. Their father during his younger years was not a member of any religious organiza- tion, lint, through the patient example and good- ness of his life companion, finally joined the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, of which he was a member at the time of his death. The father of our subject, Asel Hubbard Tal- cott, was horn in Fairfield, Herkimer Co.. X. Y., March 15, 1804, and lived there until after his marriage. The wife and mother in her girlhood was Miss Jane Thayer. From the Empire State they removed to a farm in the vicinity of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and thence, in 1839, to Rock Island County, 111. Asel Talcott was one of the earliest pioneers of the western part of Illinois. lie made the journey by boat down the Ohio and up the Mississippi. Before removing his family, however, he had visited the State, making the trip on horse- back, during which he met a great many Indians. The wife and mother only lived two or three years after the removal of the family to Illinois. Mi-. Talcotl was then married to Mrs. Minerva Newton, and they became the parents of three children: William II.. our subject, and his two sisters. Lucy and Mary. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Minerva Shaw. She was born at Stockholm, St. Lawrence Co.. X. Y., March 18, 1815, and removed with her parents to Michigan, where she was married to Mr. Newton. Later they removed to Illinois, where the deatli of Mr. X. took place, and where she was married to Mr. Talcott. Her deatli took place at the home of her younger daughter, in Spring Hill. III.. April 7. 1885. Asel Talcott departed this life Feb. '.I. 1876, at his home in Illinois. Loth were members of the Presbyter- ian Church, in which the father was one of Hie chief pillars and a I >eacon. The paternal gram 1 fat her of our subject was John Talcott. a native of New York State, where he spent his entire life, lie carried on farming and dealt in fine horses. He married a Miss Hubbard, of Con- necticut, and they became the parents of live chil- dren, all of whom lived to mature years. -♦>->©sJ->~ fr "if ACOB BLAKELEY, of Todd (reek Precinct, seti led on the farm where he now lives during the pioneer days of Johnson County, and ' while laboring to build up his homestead watched with livcl\ interest the growth and pros- perity of this section of country. lie has been no unimportant factor in developing the agricultural interests of his adopted county, having transformed a portion of its wild prairie land into one of the tines! homesteads within its borders. His farm is 32(1 acres in extent, and occupies the northern half of section 8. The land possesses many natural ad- vantages, being well watered and extremely fertile, and most pleasantly located. Its improvements are first-claSS, and it has been brought to its present condition only by the most incessant industry, wise management, and a liberal outlay of money. Mr. Blakeley paid £."> per acre for his present farm, at a time when much of the land around him could be purchased at *:i. lie is in possession of the whole original purchase, with the exception of one acre on the southeast corner, which he donated for a school-house, and another acre on the southwest corner which he also donated for the Grand Prairie Cemetery. He has eighty acres of mostly lame and native pasture, besides groves of forest tree- of his own planting. The land was raw prairie at the time of his taking pos- session, upon which a furrow had never been turned, and there was nothing to indicate that the foot of a white man had ever passed over it. The improve- ments now include a handsome and commodious residence, which was erected in 1882, and stands in -?►*-«• -*•■ .JOHNSON COUNTY. 269 i. the midst of shrubbery and ornamental trees. Ad- jacent is an apple orchard of four acres, to which the proprietor is adding :it intervals by the plant- ing of additional trees, and the smaller fruits are enjoyed in their seasons. The farm in short is complete in every department, and fulfills the popular idea <>f the modern country estate. The subjecl of this sketch was born in Burling- ton County. N. J., Nov. 24, 1832, and when a child two years of age was taken by his parents to Sanga- mon County. 111., they settling upon a tract of land near the then embryo town of Springfield. The land, however, lay in .Mason County adjoining, and the father secured it at the regular Government price of $1.25 per acre. His first purchase was a quarter-section, to which he added until he had a farm of 100 acres, and brought the whole to a fine state of cultivation. I'pon this farm young Jacob was reared to manhood, obtaining his education in the pioneer schools, and becoming familiar with agricultural pursuits, lie lived there until making his way across the Mississippi in the fall of 1868. The early life of our subject passed in a com- paratively uneventful manner, and when ready to establish a home of his own he was united in mar- riage, April IS, ISO.*!, to Miss Cinderella Yallan- digham. This lady, a native of Indiana, became the mother of live children, and departed this life at her home in Todd Creek Precinct, May 1, 1884, when about fifty-two years old. Her illness was comparatively brief, she suffering from dropsy of the heart. Her children are all living. Franklin 1'.. the eldest, was born Aug. '2, 1859, and is farm- ing on his own land in Buffalo County, this State; he also conducts a livery business at Armada. He married Miss Ida Lester, of this county, and they have two children — Justus and Ollie. The second son. Sherman I... was born June 16, 1865, and is carrying on a farm of 160 acres in Dawson County, Neli.: he married a Miss Radcliff, of Illinois, and they have two children — Fairyand Eveline. Luther L. Blakelej was born Jan. 8, 1867, and has just l testeaded a quarter-section of land in Hayes County, although not having yel taken possession; Nathan II. was horn Nov. 24, [869; Walter A.. Nov. '21. 1871, and both are at home with their father. The mother was a lifelong member of the •4* Baptist Church, and a lady possessed of main es- timable qualities. Mr. Blakeley, on the 26tb of August, 1885, con- tracted a second marriage, with Miss Margaret .1. Swartz, who was born in Clarion County, Pa., .Ian. 18, 1840. She lived there with her parents until 1855, then came with them to Nebraska, and completed her education in the Peru Normal School. Later she engaged in teaching, being a pioneer in her profession in this county. Her par- ents, Fredrick and Margaret (Labaugh) Swartz, were natives respectively of Denmark and Penn- sylvania, and spent their last years in Nebraska and Pennsylvania. The father was ;i fanner by occu- pation, and the parental household included ten children, eight of whom are living and residents mostly of Nebraska. .lames Blakeley, the father of our subject, was born in New Jersey, May I'.'. ISO?, and married Miss Hannah Scott. March 22, 1828. They lived in New Jersey until L 834, then removed first to Ohio and later to Illinois, settling in the latter State in that part of Sangamon County which is now Mason County. There the father developed a fine large farm, where he spent the remainder of his days, his death taking place about 1871. The mother, who was born Feb. is. 1806, survived her husband about ten years. The latter was a de- voted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he served as Class-Leader many years, and to the support of which he contributed in a liberal manner, lie was a quiet and unassuming man. seldom meddling with politics, although keeping himself well posted upon matters of gen- eral interest. The parental family included nine children, seven of whom are living, making their homes mostly in Illinois and Nebraska. Jacob Blakeley has been active in the encourage- ment of every laudable enterprise in his community, and has contributed of hi- time, means ami inllu- ence for the furtherance of its general welfare. He ha- been for many long years a member of the Free Will-Baptist Church, and assisted in the erection of the church edifice, which stands exactly opposite his home. lie was ils first Deacon and Trustee, and for a number of years officiated as Sun- day-school Superintendent, withdrawing from its ^h-* 4 270 ■afr JOHNSON COUNTY. f duties and responsibilities about two years ago,and resting two years, when he was again persuaded to assume the harness. Like his father he has little taste for polities, although discharging the duties of the various township and school offices, and being care- ful to perforin his duties at the polls. He has been a member of the School Board nearly every year since coming to this State, lie is an active Sun- day-school worker, and believes in the careful re- ligious education of the young. In 1888 he was chosen President of the .lohnson (duntv Sunday- School Union, an association which is flourishing, and holds its stated meeting. .Mr. Blakeley, in addition to general' farming,has of late years given his attention largely to stock- raising, and has for the prosecution of this indus- try all the conveniences of this later day. His career has been thai of an upright, conscientious Christian gentleman, one wdio has secured the con- fidence and esteem of his community in more than an ordinary degree, lie forms one of the land- marks of Johnson County, one of those men to whom it is indebted for the position itoccupies to- day among the prosperous communities of the Great West. fflAMKS N.HOWARD. Among the promi- nent and much valued citizens of the Greal West may lie found many of the heroic pa- triots who survived the strife of battle, the scourge of camps and the barbarisms of the war prisons. In the following lines is briefly sketched the biography of one of the veterans of the Civil War. He is one of the prosperous farmers of West- ern Precinct, his property being situated upon sec- tion 4. He was ushered into the world on the 18th of December, 1839, in Henderson County. 111. His father. Robert Howard, since deceased, was a native of Jackson County. Ohio, hut emigrated to Hen- derson County. 111., soon after it was opened for settlement, and was numbered among its early pio- neers. The subject of our sketch was reared to man- hood upon the farm of his father; educational ad- vantages were small, and opportunities for mental training were limited and circumscribed. In the spring of 1854 he went to Butler County. Iowa, which was at that time still in a very wild state, and occupied almost Solely by Indians, wdio. al- though they had received some severe lessons con- cerning the power of the pale faces, occasionally allowed their wild pas-ions to run riot for the time being, totally disregarding the lessons of the past. In the late war Mr. Howard was among those who enlisted early in the struggle. He became a mem- ber of Company E, 32d Illinois Infantry, which was attached to the 2d Brigade. 3d Division. 16th Army Corps, and served for a period of- three years, lie was presenl and actively engaged in the battles at Ft. Derusa, La., and Pleasant Hill, at which hat- tie he was captured and kept in durance vile at Ty- ler. Tex., for thirteen months, realizing all the perils and horrors of that place, the name of which i- burned into the brain of so many Union vet- erans. At the end of that period he made hisescape by the favor of one of the guards, who, although having been forced into the rebel service, was, at heart, true to the old Hag. He discreetly turned his hack at the opportune moment, which allowed Mr. Howard ami some companions the long looked- for opportunity and escape. They leaped the wall close to the friendly sentinel, and secreted them- selves under cover of a thick hush. This occurred at about :'. o'clock in the morning. The escape be- gun so auspiciously ended almost as favorably, and two of the three still live to tell the tale, viz., our subject and T. A. Packard, of Ottawa County, Kan. The other companion. S. Jewett, continued until his death, in 1886, a resident and prosperous citi- zen of Wright County, Iowa, This gentleman was the only one of the three who met with an accident at the time of the escape, for he was afterward re- captured, tried, and condemned to be shot, but the Captain, who had a very tine thoroughbred horse, which he greatly desired to have taken to Ft. Smith. allowed Mr. Jewetl to ride it there and deliver it to his wife. After that, his escape was happily ac- complished. At the close of the war our subject returned home, and on the 1th of July, 1865, became the husband of Sarah, daughter of Elijah P.ishee; in August of the same year they came to this county Residence of 0. M. H o lm es , Sec. 2. 3.(4=11.) Todd Creek precinct. OF J . F. Macy,Sec.36.(6.9.j5terling Precin ■->.'"■ '-■ " ;-■■ &m Residence of Jacob J. Zinsmaster.Sec.29. Helena Precinct. JOHNSON COUNTY. 273 A and settled upon their present farm. This property is 150 acres in extent, and is operated as a general grain and stuck farm. Seven children have been born to Mr. and .Mrs. Howard, viz.: Mary I>. was born on the 1 Itli of August, 1866; Martha B., on the 1st of March, L868; Robert N., On the 26th of March, 1870; David E.,Feb. 17, L872; Olive J., on the 1 2th of August, 1878; James G., on the 26th of June, 1880, and .Inlia M., on the 3d of duly. 1882. Mary is the wife of F. Riley Jones, and is the mother of one daughter, Florence. She makes her home with her father. In various social circles Mr. Howard is most heartily received. He is a prominent and enthusi- ast ic member of the < '• . A. R. and also of the I. ( ). <1. T. The religious home of himself and wife is within the pale of the Methodist Episcopal Church, where they are looked upon as being among the very stanch supporters. Mr. Howard is a Re- publican, anil at all times ready to lake his part in advocating and advancing the principles and inter- ests of the party. lie is a man of undoubted loy- ally, fine character and unimpeachable honor, suc- cessful iii his calling in life, and in every regard a very worthy citizen. ^# -v- -7 ^ss^ TEPHEN W. EATON, of Spring Creek Pre- ^j£ cinct, came to this county in the spring of vM D) 1883, and for two years thereafter was a resident of Sterling Precinct, in the north- western part of the county. At the expiration of this time he removed to his present farm, on section .;:!, where he has 160 acres of good land with mod- ern improvements. He is a self-made man in the strictest sense of the word, and prominent in the affairs of his community, serving as School Director, and lilling other positions of trust. Politically, he is a solid Republican. He and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Christian Church, and take an active interest in everything tending to the social and moral elevation of the people around them. A native of I. ii/.crnc County , Pa., OUT subject was bom Feh. 1, is,", |. and is the son of Hugh and Phebe (Munson) Eaton, the former a native of County Antrim. Ireland, and the latter of Pennsyl- vania. llnyh Eaton, the father of our subject, emigrated to America when a youth of nineteen years, and for a short, time employed himself at whatever he could find to do in the city of New York. Upon leaving the metropolis he made his way to Luzerne County, Pa., where he was married, and carried on farming until 1865. Then disposing of his property and gathering together his family and household effects, he proceeded overland to Henry County, 111., of which he has since been a resident, carrying on farming successfully, and building up a good home for himself and his family. The latter originally included a large number of sons and daughters, of whom the following survive, namely: Mary, the wife of Joseph Rogers, a resident Of Henry County, 111.; Susan, Mrs. .1. N. Brown, of Holt County, this State; Stephen \V., our subject; .lames, who occu- pies the old homestead in Henry County, III.; George, also a resident, of that county; Matilda, teaching school in Henry County; Maggie, the wife of B. Hadley, cashier of the Fanners' National Bank, of Cambridge, 111.; Annie, Carrie, William and Oscar, residents of Cambridge, where the par- ents also live. The latter are now well advanced in years, and are surrounded by hosts of friends besides their large family of children, by whom they are held in the wannest regard for their sterling worth of character. Both are members in good standing of the Christian Church, in which the father has served as a Deacon, and taken an active part for many years. He was also prominent in local affairs while living on his farm in Burns Township, Henry County, serving as School Trus- tee, Road Commissioner, anil in other responsible positions. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, a man of decided views, fearless iii the expression of his sentiments, and earnest in the advocacy of what he believes is right. Our subject removed with his parents from the Keystone Slate to Illinois, where he was reared to manhood in Henry County, and assisted in the de- velopment of the farm. He acquired a common- school education, and when ready to establish a Inline and domestic tics of his own. was married J Jan. 12, 1876, to Miss Emma Wilson. This lady ■► ■ «« ~i 274 JOHNSON COUNTY was horn Sept. 28, 1856, in Henry County, 111., and is the daughter of Uri and Rebecca (Britton) Wilson, now residents of Cambridge, 111. Mrs. Eaton has proved in all respects the suitable com- panion and helpmate of her husband, encouraging him by her counsels and her industry, looking well to the ways of her household, and striving to make their home the pleasantest spot for them in the world. Thev have no children. 1 ing ^f)OHN F. MACY. The fine farm comprising the southwest quarter of section 36, Ster- ling Precinct, with its carefully cultivated i(^JI fields, its commodious buildings and other valuable improvements, is owned by the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this biographi- cal sketch. A view of the place may be seen in this Album. Although not among the very earliest settlers of this township, he is classed among its pioneers, as by developing his farm from the wild prairie he has materially aided its growth, and en- larged its agricultural interests. Mr. Macy was born in Woodford County, III., in 1 850, to Jonathan and Elizabeth (Polk) Macy, na- tives of North Carolina and Kentucky, respect- ively. When the father of our subject was nine years old, his parents moved to the State of In- diana, and there he grew to manhood and married, and in 1846 he removed with his family to Illinois, where they lived many years. They finally came to Sterling with their son. of whom we write, and here rounded out useful and lengthy lives, the father dying Feb. 1 'J, 1 880, at the age of sixty-nine, and the mother June in. 1881, at the age of sev- enty-two years. They were respected members of the Christian Church, and their daily conduct was guided by its precepts; they fully deserved the high esteem in which they were held. They were the parents of six children, of whom our subject is the youngest, and four survive. Their son Isaac E., wlni lives in Dakota, did good service in the late war as a soldier in Company K. 3d Illinois Cavalry. At the end of two years' hard campaign- ing in the South, he was discharged on account of sickness, but he subsequently re-enlisted in the last 100-days call, and served until the end of the war, thus winning an honorable record as a soldier. John F. Macy was reared in Illinois, and was married in bis native State, Jan. 5, 1876, to Miss Hannah J. Newell. In their pleasant home three children complete the household circle, namely: Clyde F., Bruce E. and C. Ray. In 1875 Mr. Macy wound up his affairs in Illinois, and came to the State of Nebraska to avail him- self of the many advantages of fertile soil, salu- brious climate, cheap land, and such agricultural facilities afforded by this favored part of the globe, to build up a better and more commodious home than he could otherwise hope to do. When he bought his present farm there were no improve- ments on it, save that sixty acres had been plowed. The great change that has since been brought about in the uncultivated prairie has been wrought pa- tiently by his own hands, the' result being one of the finest, best tilled, and best equipped farms for miles around. The buildings that he has erected are neat and ample, comprising a good dwelling, stable, corn-cribs, granaries, etc. He has a fine bearing orchard of about 150 trees of various choice varieties of fruit, which is already bringing him in money. Mr. Macy is a man whose strict probity of char- acter and upright life, guided by the highest prin- ciples, merit and receive the respect of all who know him. He and his excellent wife occupy a good position in the religious and social circles of this community, both being valued members of the Christian Church. Mr. Macy belongs to the K. of P., Sterling Lodge No. 31. Politically, he is a Re- publican. -^- ..o*o..^v > )..<*o *«— - V Atoll .1. ZINSMASTER, a leading farmer and stock-raiser of Helena Precinct, has a good property on section 29, and has been uniformly prosperous in his operations as an agriculturist. A native of the Kingdom of Bava- ria, he was born Feb. 1. 181:!. and is the son of John and Barbara (llocb) Zinsmaster, who were of •*•- ■•►HI-* JOHNSON COUNTY. 275 X SOC 1^ pure German ancestry, and spent their last years in < rermany. The subject of tliis sketch received a good edu- cation in his native tongue, and when a lad of Seventeen years started for America, taking pas- sage on a sailing-vessel at the port of Bremen, bound for New York City, where lie was landed after an ocean voyage of forty-nine days. lie at once left the metropolis and made his way to Tus- carawas Comity. Ohio. For a period of four years lie employed himself there at whatever he could find to do among the farmers of that region. Later he rented a tract of land for about six years. In the meantime, with genuine German thrift and prudence, laying something by each year, he became finally the proud possessor of a farm of his own in Tuscarawas County. Mr. Zinsmaster continued a resident of the Buck- eye State until the summer of 1885, then disposing of his landed interests set his face toward the farther West, and settled with his family on his present farm in Helena Precinct. He had been married in Tuscarawas County. Ohio. Aug. 25, 1856, to Miss Maria Cutavern. who was horn Aug. 2">. 1836, and by whom he has become the father of nine children, who arc named as follow^: John, in St. Joseph County. Mich.; William, in Tuscarawas County. Ohio; Ellen, Mrs. L. Maines, in Helena Precinct, this county; Mary, who died in Ohio in infancy; George lives in Helena Precinct; Clara, the wife of George Geoman, of Helena Precinct; Charles F., Susanna L. and Cora M., at home with their parents. The farm of our subject comprises 240 acres of good land in-a highly cultivated condition, yielding in abundance the rich crops of this section of the country. Mr. X. has accumulated this property by bis own industry and perseverance, beginning in life without other resources than his strong hands and determined disposition. He was reared iii the doctrines Of the ( • en nan Lutheran ( liureh. of which he and his estimable wife are members, attending Ben ices at 1 lelena. Politically . Mr. Z. i> a st raighl Republican. While a resilient of Ohio he was a School Director in his district, and has ever dis- tinguished himself as an encourager of education, and all the enterprises tending to the elevation of society and the good of the community, morally and financially. The farm would at once attract the attention of the passing traveler for the air of thrift and prosperity which surrounds il, the sleek cattle and horses which are always associated with the thrifty German farmer, and the substantial buildings, yielding comfort alike to both man and beast. A view of the place is shown on another page. RLANDO M. HOLMES, a prominent and influential farmer of Todd Creek Precinct. s *^/' established himself within- its limits during the pioneer days, and is now in possession of a beau- tiful farm of 182 acres, occupying a portion of sec- tions 23, II. I and 11. He homesteaded this on the 26th Of February. I M<>7. two or three weeks after Nebraska had been admitted into the Union as a State. lie believed in its future then, and subsequent years have proved that he was wise in his faith. The neighbors of Mr. Holmes at the time of his first settlement in this county were few and far be- tween, but like himself, they were mostly men of resolution and perseverance. In common with them, he labored in the cultivation of his land, and in the endeavor to make his family comfortable. His first dwelling was a small house built of lum- ber, and embracing an area of fifteen square feet, the material for which was transported laboriously mostly from Aspinwall. with the exception of a small quantity which Mr. Holmes obtained from a sawmill near his Intnl. He continued breaking the sod and bringing the soil to a slate of cultivation, and in due time realized the reward of his labors. There grew up gradually around him the comforts and conveniences of the modern I le. In the fall of 1S77 the present fine large frame dwelling was completed, and into it the family removed from the humble building in which they first took shelter. This residence is now esteemed one of the best in the precinct. In its vicinity is an apple orchard , if 500 trees, and the smaller fruits are enjoyed by tin- family in their season. Mr. Holmes planted eiffhl acres to forest trees, and his farm is enclosed mostly •► J 27G i JOHNSON COUNTY. with flourishing hedge fences, which addgreatly to the beauty of the landscape. The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Campton, Grafton Co., N. II.. on the 6th of March, 1* 12. and lived there with his parents until a youth of sixteen years. Then they all removed to Laconia, Belknap County, the same state, where our subject completed li is education in Guilford Academy. Afterward he taught school and farmed alternately, and in 1866, leaving New England, emigrated to -I" Daviess County, 111. Mr. Holmes, on the 2d of April. 1 86 7,. was united in marriage with Mi>s Jennie S. (ram. who was born in Sanbornton, X. II.. Aug. 21, 1841, and was educated in Guilford Academy. Sin- was there raared to womanhood, and in ls. 1843, and is the son of Henry and Katie Broadv. who were both natives of the Duchy of Holstein, Germany, whence they emigrated after their marriage, but several years previous to the birth of their son Frederick. He was their only child, and was deprived of his father by death when he wasabout one year old. The mother was subsequently married to Henry Frels. and they became the parents of seven children, six of whom are living, namely: Henry, a resident of Rock Isl- and County, III. ; William and George in Henry County, that State: Margaret, the wife of Marx Hauberg, of Rock Island County; Mary, who died when about forty-one years old ; and Ettie, the wife of Frederick Small, of Henry County, 111. Our subject made his home with his mother and stepfather until after the outbreak of the Civil War. they in the meantime having taken up their resi- dence in Rock Island County. 111. He then en- listed, Aug. 8, 1862, in Company K. 129tb Illinois Infantry, being first assigned to the command of Gen. Buell, later he was with Gen. Rosecrans, and finally under Gen. Sherman. He foughtin the bat- tles of Perryville, Stone River. Chickamauga. going also through the Atlanta campaign, and accom- panied Sherman on his famous march to the sea. **• *u* JOHNSON COUNTY. •J77 ! > Later be went up through the Carolinas to Wash- ington, being present at the grand review, and re- ceived h i^ discharge in Chicago, III., in .June, L865. In the meantime he had been promoted to Corporal, and had the satisfaction of feeling that he had done his whole duly as a soldier and a patriot. After leaving the army Mr. Broady returned to Hock Island County, 111., but six months later re- moved tn Henry County, where he farmed on a tract of nnted land until the spring of 1870. Then resolving to cast his lot with the pioneers of Ne- braska, he came to this 'county and purchased 120 Meres of land in Lincoln Precinct at $5.25 per acre. Upon this he at once settled, and for a series of years labored early and late in the improvement of his property and the building up of a homestead. He has added to his possessions by degrees, having [GO acres of land in Nemaha County, and the whole 280 acres has been brought to a good state of cul- tivation. The homestead proper is supplied with good buildings, and Mr. Broad}' has gathered to- gether those little com forts and conveniences which have so much influence in the happiness of a fain- ily. Our subject for the last twenty-two years has had for his companion and helpmate a very estimable lady, who in her girlhood was Miss Christina Ilau- berg, and to whom he was married in Rock Island County, HI.. Fell. 7, 1SG7. Mrs. Broady was born July l, 1847, in Holstein, Germany, and is the daughter of Marx and Dorthca (Blank) Hauberg, who were of pure German ancestry, and natives of the same Province as their daughter. They came to America in 1865, and for live years thereafter were residents of Rock Island County, III. They now reside in Lincoln Precinct Mrs. Broady came to Nebraska in 1870 with her husband, and has stood bravely by his side in their subsequent labors and sacrifices, and during their first years of struggle with the elements of .-i new soil was his most effi- cient helper and counselor. The}' are now the par- ents of seven children, one of whom, a sou. Charles, died in 1 873, an infant. The survivors are: Henry, who was born Aug. ■">. 1867 j John, Aug. 13, 1869; William. Oct. '.'7. 1871; Edward, July 18, 1875; Lewis, Feb. l'. 1H78, and Frank. April 8, 1880. There are few finer farms iu Lincoln Free 4» than that comprising the Broady homestead, which is largely devoted to gtock-raisiug. Our subject commenced at the foot of the ladder, and has climbed up step by step until he occupies a position very near the top. and no man is more highly re- spected among his neighbors, tie is genial and courteous alike to friend and stranger, a man with whom it is most pleasurable and profitable to con- verse, as he is well informed and intelligent, and has kept his C3'es open to what was going on around him in the world. Politically, he votes the Demo- cratic ticket, and has served as School Treasurer in his district. Although not a member of any church organization, he gives his influence and support to religious institutions in addition to more substan- tial aid. Mrs. Broady was reared in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church, to which she still loyally adheres, attending regular services and being iden- tified with the society. pfliRAM II. SWART, editor and proprietor till of the Tecumseb Chieftain, is a man prom- inent among the business portion and the property holders of the community, having been more than ordinarily successful in the battle of life, and blessed with the happy faculty of sur- mounting most of its difficulties. He is the off- spring of a respectable old New York family, and the >on of Abraham Swart, who was a native of Kingston, that State, and born in 1808. The father of our subject acquired a good edu- cation, and upon reaching manhood changed his residence to Wayne County, Pa., where he engaged in mercantile pursuits for many years. He also be- came proprietor of a glass factory near Honesdale, and was County Clerk of Wayne County for a period of six years. County Treasurer, and the in- cumbent of tin- various scl 1 otlices. He was aKo prominently connected with the [. O. O. F., and belonged to the Universalist Church. He ac- cumulated a good property and spent his last days at Honesdale. his death taking place in February, ]s."i7. The mother. Mrs. Lucinda (Arnold) Swart, was a native of Wayne County. Fa., ami the pa- rental household was completed by the birth of four 278 ^lk~« JOHNSON COUNTY. children, only three of whom lived to mature years, namely: Mary J., who married Rev. William M. DeLonar, of Binghamton, N. Y. ; our subject, and Rose C, who .is unmarried and makes her home at Oshkosh. Wis. The mother died at Honesdale in 1857. She was born in 1808. at Dyberry, and lived there with her parents until her marriage. Jonathan Arnold, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Connecticut about 1750, and carried on farming there until the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, when he enlisted in the army, and formed one of the bodyguard of Gen. Wash- ington, holding a Captain's commission. He was in the battle of Bunker Hill, and wintered with the Father of his Country during the famous encamp- ment at Valley Forge. He also participated in the battle of Long Island, and was in other engage- ments. After the independence of the Colonists had been established, he settled in Wayne Count}', Pa., where he was married, and became the father of a large family. There he carried on farming ex- tensively, and lived to the ripe old age of ninety years, his death taking place in 1 cS40. Abraham Swart, the father of our subject, was born in Kingston, N. Y., and the family trace their ancestry back to Holland. It is probable that the first representatives in this country crossed the ocean not long after the "Mayflower" made its memorable voyage, and subsequently their de- scendants were scattered all over New York State and the farther West. Abraham Swart became a man of wealth and importance, and was interested in many of the leading enterprises of his county. He carried on a large mercantile business at King- ston, and owned several vessels which plied the Hudson River. He married Miss S. A. Elting, the daughter of a prominent family, and they became the parents of three children. Grandfather Swart died in 1818, when about fifty years of age. His widow subsequently removed to Wisconsin, where her death took place at the age of eighty-seven. The subject of this sketch was born in Factory- ville, Pa., Aug. 31, 1838. His education was con- ducted in the public schools of Wayne County, and he began his business career in connection with a bank in New York City, where he was occupied for a period of thirteen years. Subsequently he engaged in merchandising at different points in the Empire State, until 1879. In the spring of that year he crossed the Mississippi, and coining to this county s i assumed proprietorship of the Tecum- seh Chieftain, of which he has since had control. He has greatly enlarged and improved the paper, and provided his office with the modern appliances for general job ami newspaper work. He has care- fully refrained from becoming an office-seeker, and meddles very little with politics, aside from casting his vote uniformly with the Republican party, and upholding its principles through the medium of his journal. The Chieftain has become one of the in- dispensable institutions of this section of Nebraska. Miss Catherine E. H olden, of Tecumseh, became the wife of our subject on the 19th of May, 1881, the wedding being celebrated at the home of the bride. Mrs. Swart was born in the city of Boston, Jan. 1,1850, and is the daughter of Richard and Caroline Holden, the former of whom died in 18(JG. She then took up her residence with her uncle, John II. Holden, of Tecumseh, where she resided until her marriage. Her mother also died when Mrs. Swart was very young. "* "£ , ; ' & ' ; ' l"" " IEDRICII KUHLMAN, one of the self- made men of Spring Creek Precinct, has been successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising at his present homestead, on which he settled in the pioneer days, securing Kid acres of land, and paying therefor $5 per acre. Upon if there had been no attempt at improve- ment, and he was forced to begin at first principles in the cultivation of the soil, putting np fences and buildings, and gradually adding those com- forts anil conveniences so essential to the happi- ness of a family. He. however, was blessed with good health, iron muscles and a courageous heart. and labored amid difficulties for a number of sea- sons, and then began to reap the reward of bis labors, lie is now numbered among the prosper- ous agriculturists of this community, and stands well among his neighbors. A native of the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, our subject was born Sept. 12, 1848, and is the ^t-*. JOHNSON COUNTY. 27'J son of Diedrich, Sr., and Annie ('. (Preg) Kuhl- man, who were also of German birth :ini\ nt whom are living, namely: John, a resident of Auburn, this State; Diedrich, our subject; Mary, .Mrs. John Frerichs, also of Auburn; Catherine, Mrs. Henry Lahmeyer, of Jackson County, Iowa; and Adeline, the wife of Diedrich Kracke, of (lane County, this Stale. When a lad eight years of age our subject emigrated with his parents to America, taking passage on a sailing-vessel at the port of Bre- men, and after an ocean voyage Of ahout ten weeks landed in the city of New Orleans. Thence they proceeded directly north up the Mississippi to Iowa, and the parents located in Jackson County, among its pioneer settlers. The father secured a tract of land, and set himself industriously to work to build up a homestead and rear his family. The parents are still living upon the place where they Hrsl settled, ami now in their declining years are enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life. They Lave made many friends during their long sojourn in the llawkeye State, and are members in g I Standing of the Lutheran Church. Diedrich Kuhl- man, Sr., was born in 1813, and his wife, Annie, two years later, in 1815. They are in possession of a good property. The subject of this sketch was reared to man- hood in Jackson County, Iowa, and assisted in the development of the new farm. He received a fair education both in German ami English, although bis advantages were far less than those extended the youth of to-day. He has. however, always been fond of reading, and thus keeps himself well posted upon matters of general interest. He re- mained with his parents in Iowa until the spring of 1873, then came to Nemaha County, this State, and began operating on rented land. With true Ger- man thrift he saved a little each year, and at the end of the seventh year had capital sufficient to purchase his present farm. As soon as Mr. Kuhlman found that he could comfortably support a family, he took unto him- self a wife and helpmate, Miss Mary Gutzmer, to whom he was married, at her home in Nemaha County, March 19,18ft. Mrs. K. was born Feb. '■'•■ 1846, in Prussia, and is the daughter of John Frederick ami Marj (Brunkow) Gutzmer, who were of German thrift and ancestry, and emigrated to America at an early day. coming to Nebraska Territory in the fall of 1856. Thej are now re- siding in Nemaha County. Mr. and Mrs. Kuhlman commenced their wedded life together in Nemaha County, this state, where they lived for a period of six years. Of their union there have been born four children: Ade- line. Feb.:;. 1875; John F., Aug. 15, 1876; Died- rich H.,Oct. 8, 1879, and Karl W. J., Aug. 2."), 1882. Mr. K. has been quite prominent in local affairs, being a member of the School Hoard for tin' last live years, and serving tun terms as Chair- man. A native of an Empire believing in c - pulsory education, he has always been in favor of extending to the young those advantages which Should make of them honest anil useful citizens - Both he and his excellent wife Were trained in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church, to which they still adhere, attending services in Nemaha County, ami giving liberally to the support of the society there. Our subject, politically, votes (he straight Democratic ticket. *3- *¥ :- fflOSlAII BRIGHAM. In the career of this substantial and well-to-do farmer and stock- raiser of Spring Creek Precinct, is presented that of a man who has been the architect of his own fortune, aided by asensible ami intelligent wife, anil they are now enjoying the comforts of a pleasant home, comprising a farm of ICO acres, with its necessary buildings, pleasantly located on section 35. In the building up of this estate there have been exercised great industry, economy and g 1 management, and the two who have labored for the mutual prosperity of themselves and their children are noted as among the most highly re- spected residents in the northeastern part of the county. A native of Allegany County, N. Y., our sub- ject was born Feb. 2, 1829, and is the son of Asa and Almira (Willard) Brigham, the father a native of Vermont and the mother of New York State. ■► i r ^ ^k-* •280 JOHNSON COUNTY. T Josiah was the second born in a family of six, four sons and two daughters, four of whom are surviving and of whom lie is now the eldest. His sister Lurinza is the wife of Elbridge Greene, of Boulder, Colo. ; Rosetta, Mrs. Washington Prather, of Iowa City, IowajBuell lives in Caldwell County, Mo. The parents spent their last years in Iowa, both dying in 1880, the mother January 27, and the father October 3. The parents of our subject left the Empire State when the latter was a mere boy, locating in Ashta- bula County, Ohio, where Josiah lived until a youth of nineteen years. Thence he made his way across the Mississippi into Johnson County, Iowa, settling in the spring of 1849 among its early pioneers. After a sojourn of seven years there he moved to Iowa County, and about two years later was married, Sept. 10, 1858, to Miss Mary W. Reniley. Mrs. Brigham was born in Montgomery County, Ala., Aug. 1'.), 1836, and is the daughter of John and Annie (Hoggshead) Remley, the former of whom, a native of West Virginia, was bom Feb. 7, 1803. He is still living, making his home in Iowa County, and is remarkably hale and active for one of his advanced age. The mother, a native of Vir- ginia, departed this life at her home in Iowa in 1886. The parental household included ten chil- dren, six of whom are living, namely: Calvin, a resident of Ottawa, Kan.; Eliza S., the wife of Ira Waldo, of Nebraska ; John W., of Arapahoe, Colo. ; Mrs. Brigham of our sketch; Elizabeth, the wife of Burton Hakes, of Iowa County, and Samuel II., of Humboldt, Kan. To Mr. and Mrs. Brigham there have been born eight children, six of whom are living, namely; Willie L. ; Mary E., the wife of William Barnes, of Arapahoe County, Colo.: Alice R., Mrs. Walter E. Smith, of the same; Carrie E., wife of James Busby, of Furnas County, this Slate; Annie E. and Elsie M., at home with their parents. From Iowa, in the fall of 1880. the Brigham family came to this county, and are now numbered among the most valued residents of Spring Creek Precinct. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members in good standing of the Baptist Church, attending services at Mt. Zton Church in Helena Precinct, where Mr. B. is a Trus- tee. He has been a member of the Republican party since its organization, and in Iowa was Town- ship Trustee a period of three years. He also served as a School Director in his district for a long period. Mrs. Brigham is a very capable and intel- ligent lady, hospitable and kind, and has contrib- uted her full share toward the. accumulation of their property, while looking well to the ways of her household and carefully training her children in those principles which have made of them honorable and respected members of society. 1; RS. SARAH M. REED and her husband, the late Aimer ('. Reed, well known as a pio- neer business man of Sterling, were among the early settlers of the city, and our sub- ject is still residing here. She presides with a gra- cious hospitality ove. a comfortable, well-appointed home, anil she and her family occupy a high social position in the community. Mrs. Reed is a native of Delaware County, Ohio, and a daughter of Solomon I), and Susan (Brinker- hoff) Brownell, natives of New York. They were among the pioneers of Nebraska, coming to this State in Territorial days, in 1857, and they are still honored residents here, locating near Syracuse, where they have ever since made their home. Our subject passed her girlhood in her native State, attending school, and under the careful in- struction of a good mother becoming an adept in housewifery. She came with her parents to Ne- braska in the early days of its settlement, and con- sequently underwent all the experiences of a pioneer life in a sparsely settled, wild country, where few of the luxuries and conveniences of modern times were obtainable. She has thus witnessed almost the entire growth of Southeastern Nebraska, and is indeed a fine representative of the pioneer women of this State who aided and encouraged their fathers, brothers and husbands in developing the wonderful and varied resources of their new home, and evolving from the wild Territory a grand and glorious commonwealth. July 2. 1864, our subject left the parental roof for a home of her own. having on that day wedded Abner C. Reed, an honored pioneer of Nebraska. ^/-* *-l^ JOHNSON COUNTY. 281 ~t who was a merclianl of Wyoming. He wasa native of Ohio. Mr. Reed had been married twice previ- ous to his union with our subject. His first wife was .Miss Dolly Andrews, who bore him one son. Charles, she died June 28, 1855. The maiden name of his second. wife was Caroline Mcintosh, to whom lie was united April 2, 18,50. She died Sept. 1-1, 1863, leaving three children: Ida L., now Mrs. Thomas Huberts; Rhoda A., now Mrs. Melvin Rice; and Harriet E., now Mrs. Mo'rman. In 1872 Mr. and Mrs. Heed came to Sterling to make their future home. This was then but an insignificant hamlet, and Mr. Reed, as a practical, sagacious, shrewd man of business became an im- portant factor in its upbuilding. He immediately opened a Store for the sale of general merchandise, and in a few years had established a large trade, which he continued to manage very successfully until his death. That sad event, which occurred Sept. 1, 1885, was a heavy blow to the best inter- ests of the city, as he was a man whose sterling qualities inspired the confidence and esteem of everybody with whom he had dealings. His mar- riage with our subject had been blessed by the birth of two children : Flora, wife of . I. Hall Hitchcock, Judge of the Police Court, of Sterling, a sketch of whose life appears in this work; and Abner C, who lives with his mother, and is engaged in the restaurant business in Sterling. Mr. Reed was a prominent member of the A. F. & A. M., of Ster- ling, and his liberality and public spiritcdness were well known. W EROY OTIS takes a pardonable pride in the I (@ t:l(,t "' : ' 1 '"-' '* :| pioneer of Johnson County, /!=£*, and lias borne an honorable part in develop- ing its- immense agricultural resources. He has a via \ line farm in Center Precinct, which is equal to the best in this pari of the county in point of cul- tivation, neat and substantial farm buildings, and all that goes to make a model farm. Mi-, otis is a native of the great commonwealth of Ohio, the place of his birth being in Washington County, and the date of that important event in his life Dec. 21, L829. He there grew toa strong and «• vigorous manhood, ami when twenty-five years old turned his back on the scenes of his youth, and with the same pioneer spirit, probably, that induced some of his ancestors to settle in the primeval forest.- of Ohio, he sought the wilds of Iowa, purposing to pursue his chosen calling, that of agriculture, on its virgin soil. He located in Clarke County, that State, where he took up a tract of land, and was soon busily engaged in developinga farm. Put our subject did not, however, confine his attention strictly to farming, his thoughts also being intent on matrimony, as is proved by the fact that May '.'. 1858, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Brown, a young lady whom he had met in that , county, and whose housewifely accomplishments well fitted her to be his helpmate in the task of building up a home, and their pleasant wedded life has justified the wisdom of his choice of a life com- panion. The following is the record of their ten children, eight of whom are living: Minnie C. Y.. bom May 12. 1859; Leroy E. P.. born Dec. 17. 1860, and died May 31, 1863; Lillie M.. bom Nov. 21, 1862; dames II.. Aug. 2i), 1864; Elsie J., Nov. 1. 1866; Dora .1.. Aug. 17. 1869; Carrol M., July If). 1871; Sadie 1'... Aug. 25, 187:'.; Frederic was born April 15, 1876, and died on the same date. In the fall of 1867 Mr. Otis disposed of his property in Iowa, including the farm that he had there improved, and again took up the lif e Of a pioneer, seeking "green fields and pastures new" in the then recently admitted State of Nebraska, ac- companied hither by his wife and children. lie located in .lohnson County on his present farm on section 18, Center Precinct, buying the I testead righl of a Mr. Prown who had previously Bled on it. It was then an open prairie, and only by per- sistent and energetic labor has it been brought to its present high stale of culture, and provided with the necessary farm buildings, among which may be mentioned a commodious frame house, a good stable, and ample granaries and corn cribs, i'he farm is neatly fenced, ami all in tillage, excepting that part which Mr. Otis devotes to pasturage, for he pays much attention to raising stock, which is a profit- able source of income to him. Poth our subject and his excellent wife enjoy the respect ami esteem of all who know them, as people * •<* 282 JOHNSON COUNTY. r of honest integrity and uprighl conduct in the everyday affairs of life. The cares and burdens of thetoilsome years of their pioneer life render the cozy homo that they have I mill, up on these Ne- braska prairies doubly precious and comfortable to them as a shelter in their declining years. Mr. Otis is public-spirited, and readily seconds any scheme for the improvement of the precinct that he has helped to develop. He lakes an intelligent interest in the affairs of his country, especially in regard to polities, wherein his sympathies are strongly with the Republican party, in whose favor he Invariably easts his vote. Sw) OSEPH GLASSON. Among the successful farmers of Lincoln Precinct is the gentleman whose life's story is here briefly set forth. lie is of English birth ami parentage, and was horn in Cornwall, England, where his parents still reside, on the 24th of September, 1849. lie is the second son of James and Nannie Glasson, and was carefully brought 141 by them; until he was six- teen years of age he was kept at school and received .■1 good common-school education. After leaving school he gave his attention to farming, and con- tinued thus engaged for some time. He did not leave his native country until he reached man's estate and was at that time a fairly experienced and quite practical farmer and stock-raiser. This he has continued to make the chosen occupation of his life. The subject of our sketch came to this country in the summer of 1872, on board the Allen Line steamer ■•Peruvian." landing after some eleven days' passage on the 1st of August at the city of Quebec, Canada, whence he came direct to this State, engag- ing in business as a butcher at Tecumseh. continu- ing thus for about three months, when he started in business for himself. After almost three years and that of comparative success, he engaged in milling and cattle feeding. He helped erect the lirst steam mill in Tecumseh in 1876, and ran under the name of the Centennial Mill. The firm name was Hill, Graff & Classon. lie continued his connec- tion with the lirm until 1878, when he sold his «■ interest. This line mill was destroyed by lire in the summer of 1888; until which time it had been in constant operation. In the month of June, 1877. Mr. Classon took a vacation of three months in order to return to En- gland and visit the old home. Upon his return he settled upon his present farm, which comprises 560 acres, situated on sections 18 and 19, and which is evidence of his ability and consequent success. He i> engaged chiefly in general farming, and has de- voted himself somewhat to stock-raising. The wedding of our subject and Nancy .1. Hays, of Nebraska, was observed on (he 24th of Septem- ber, 1878. There have been three children born to them: Emma S., deceased; William .1. and Charles. Loth Mr. and Mrs. Classon are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, taking the deepest interest in matters connected therewith. He is one of the Stewards of the congregation. Politically, he is a stanch Prohibitionist, taking an active pari with those like minded. In the summer of 1888, accompanied by his wife and children, our subject took passage on the steamship "City 6f New York." for England, landing at Liverpool on the 27th of August, visiting various points of interest and their old home, returning after about ten weeks, arriving at home on the 20th of October, after a most happy ami delightful trip. From these things it will be seen that our subject is one of the prosperous citi- zens of the precinct, and this is due mainly to his own effort and ability. The family is one of the most respected in the precinct, and their home is a repre- sentative one. **-B- 2*- IW 0N - ALFRED A. CARMAN, ex-member of .V the Nebraska Legislature, has distinguished himself as one of the most useful and ener- getic men of Johnson County. He has been prominent in encouraging the establishment of schools, has taken a warm interest in political af- fairs, and has exerted a sensible influence upon the people around him, while at the same time indicat- ing himself as a public-spirited and liberal citizen, always willing to aid in the enterprises calculated for the best good of the people. He owns and oc- ■<- •a* JOHNSON COUNTY. 283 cupies a good farm of 165 acres in Spring Creek Precinct, on section 30, where he has a well-regu- lated homestead ami is surrounded by all tin- com- forts of life. He at one time was the owner of ."> 17 acres of land, the greater portion of which he has divided among his children. Tompkins County, N. Y., was the early tramping ground of our subject, and where lie was horn Feb. 25, 1823. His parents, Israel and Charity (Cur- rev) Carman, were natives of the Empire State, and the father traced his ancestry to England, while the mother is supposed to have been of French descent. The first representative of the Carman family it is believed set foot on American soil in the seven- teenth century, and a number of them afterward participated in the struggle for American liberty. After this was over they settled in New England, whence they drifted to New York and other States further westward, and some of them participated, together with the Curreys, in the War of 1812. To Israel and Charity Carman there were born eight children, all of whom lived to mature years, and of whom the following named survive: Charles F., of Fremont County, Iowa; Edwin H., in Wash- ington Territory; Israel B., in Washington County, Kan., and Alfred A., our subject. The deceased were James, Lockwood and Emmor. In Decem- ber, 18:52. the parents with their children, leaving the Empire State, migrated to Sangamon County, 111., where the father operated upon the new prairie soil until the March of 1810. He then changed his residence to Mason County, where he was among the earliest pioneers, and where his death took place in September, 1849. The widowed mother contin- ued to reside upon the homestead until 1868, then crossed the Mississippi ami took up her abode with her children in this county. Her death occurred at her home in Spring Creek Precinct, Jan. 1, 187 1. The elder Carman was a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, widely and fa- vorably known as a useful and upright citizen, and successful in his operations as a farmer, leaving to his family a comfortable estate. Politically, in early manhood he was a member of the old Whig party, and remained such all his life. Our subject emigrated with his parents from his native State to Illinois in 1832, where he received limited school advantages, but being fond of read- ingand study availed himself of every opportunity to acquire useful information, lb- remembers dis- tinctly many of the incidents of pioneer life in the Prairie State, and lived there with his parents until his marriage. The most important event in his ca- reer occurred Oct. 5, 1843, the maiden of his choice being Miss Elizabeth Wheelock. This lady was born in Seneca County, N. Y., June '.I, 1 82 I. and by her union with our subject became the mother of five children, two only of whom are living and both sons, Israel and Enoch, who are residents of this county. The other children died at a lender age. Mrs. Elizabeth Carman departed this life at her home in Mason County, III., April 28. 1853. Mr. Carman in the fall of 1856 contracted a second matrimonial alliance, with Miss Margaret Cooper, a native of Scotland, who bore him one child, and who only survived her marriage little over a year, her death taking place Sept. 9, 1857. Our subject was married a third time in March, 1 858, to Miss Euphemia Campbell, who bore him one daughter, and died July 29, 1860. The child is likewise deceased. The present wife of our subject, to whom he was married Feb. 25, 1862, was in her girlhood Miss Nancy Needhani, who was born in England, Oct. 1G. 1836. This lady is the daughter of Joseph and Machel (Howarth) Need ham, and the sister of Mrs. J. C. Campbell of this precinct, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. When a child of three years her parents emigrated to America and settled in Jacksonville, 111., where they resided for a period of about twelve years. Thence they re- moved to the farm in Cass County, that State, where the death of the mother took place in Sep- tember, 1877. The father is still living at the old homestead in Cass County, ami has now attained the advanced age of eighty-five years, lie makes his home with his youngest son. and as the result of a well-spent life is surrounded by all needful comforts, including hosts of friends. To the parents of Mrs. Carman there were born ten children, of whom it is supposed seven are liv- ing. The eldest son, William, is a resident of Atchison County, Kan. ; of Elizabeth, Mis. (amp- bell, mention has already been made; Hannah is the Jc «•- 2S4 -•*■ JOHNSON COUNTY. 4 wife of Thomas McAllister, of Morgan County, 111. ; Nancy, Mrs. C, was the next in order of birth ; Mary is the wife of .lames Mill, of Tecumseh, Neb. ; Maria, Mrs. William Davidson, resides in Dickin- son County, Kan., and Joseph is in Cass County, 111. James and Sarah died when about twenty- three and nineteen years old, and of John it is not known whether he is living or not. To Hon. Alfred A. and Nancy Carman there have been born three children: James and William, who are farming for themselves in this county, and Maria, at home with her parents. Our subject left Illinois in the fall of 1865, his destination being the Territory of Nebraska, and made the journey hither equipped with four span of horses and three wag- ons, one team being held in reserve against times of need. He brought with him his family, consist- ing of his wife and three children, his farming utensils and his household goods, and riding into the county with these evidences of thrift and en- terprise, it is hardly necessary to say was joyfully welcomed by the people. The journey consumed sixteen days, and they camped wherever night over- took them, cooking by the wayside and sleeping in their wagons. They settled upon the land which they now occupy, and which Mr. Carman secured by a homestead claim on the 14th of August of that vear on a previous visit to this section. Their first dwelling was a dug-out house erected by himself for the reception of the family, and the first busi- ness of Mr. C. was to prepare for winter and make those dear to him as comfortable as possible. Their neighbors were few and far bet ween, and they will never forget their experience of that first winter in Nebraska, out of which, however, they came with flying colors and prepared to battle with the soil as spring approached. Our subject, in common with the people around him. labored early and late in the development of the farm and gradually added to his estate until his xms were grown. He now sees them comfortably settled about him, and in looking upon the past and his early struggles has little reason to complain of the manner in which he has been rewarded for his toil. Mr. Carman, politically, is a stanch Repub- lican, and has been a member of the School Board in his district for a period of twenty years. His <* course has been uniformly that of a man interested in the welfare of the people about him, and after filling many other positions of trust and responsi- bility he was chosen by his party in this county to represent them in the Lower House of the Ne- braska Legislature, serving from the fall of 1880 un- til 1882, with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. ^p^EORGE W. HARMON, a retired farmer, III g— . stock dealer and feeder, resides in a line ^\^4J residence on Third street, Tecumseh. In addition to this he is the owner of other valuable city property, and of a splendid farm of 480 acres near the city, all of which is under fence, and well improved, with good buildings. Our subject is the son of Nathan Harmon, who was a native of Knox County, Tenn., and a gunsmith by trade. He mar- ried Miss Rebecca Myers, of Greene County, Tenn., and the couple had seven children, of whom five grew to maturity. Nathan Harmon died about the year 1837, aged about forty-five. His widow sur- vived him many years, dying in 1875. in Missouri, where she was then living with her son George W., our subject. The latter was born in Monroe County, Tenn., on the 4th of April, 1818. He attended school onby two days; while yet a boy he began to learn the gunsmith trade under the in- struction of his father. In 1827 the family re- moved to Bond County, III., and were among the earliest settlers there. The business grew to be quite extensive, as at that time almost eveiyone kept one or more guns in constant use. They did quite as much for the Indians as for the settlers. From a history of Holt am! Atchison Counties, Mo., published in 1882, we make the following ex- tracts relative to our subject's life in that State: "On the 19th of October, 1840, Mr. Harmon re- moved to Missouri, and settled upon the land which now comprises his beautiful farm, upon which he lived' for many years, and which he yet owns. He, like his only neighbor of early days in Atchison County, Mr. Millsape, brought his young wife with him to the frontier, and his daughter Rebecca, now Mrs. Benson Bailey, of Brownville, was the sec- ■ » t* -^ JOHNSON COUNTY. -*-HK-4» 285 4 ond child bom in Atchison County, the son of Mr. Millsape being the first. Mr. Harmon built a log cabin and also a log workshop, where he worked for the Indians and settlers of the surrounding country for a long period, doing all their gun work and blacksmithing, they in return doing all his plowing and otherwise improving his land. The nearest mill was at Council Bluffs, sixty miles away, the trip to and fro under most favorable circum- stances taking eight days. Previous to using the mill they had for two years made their hominy by pounding corn in a mortar. He then purchased a large coffee mill, and attached it to a tree, and from that time it was in constant use. Among the pioneer experiences of Mr. Harmon that came about by simple circumstances, it is related by that gentleman that for seven years he was obliged to wear one pair of pants, and so often were they patched that the original cloth could not be dis- tinguished, and so greased and stiffened had they become that they would stand alone. About that time he got some deerskin of the Indians, and made a suit, and moccasins and a cap of coonskin. By reason of this cap and suit he was known for many miles around. "Among the first adventures of our subject was the purchasing of beeves for the Quartermaster of the United States Army, stantioned at a fort where Nebraska City now stands, and, in a purchase amounting to x.'SoO, he cleared for his services $200. This is where his life work commenced, and pointed out to him a road to success. Since that time cattle dealing and feeding have been his chosen calling. He has fed from 2,000 to 5,000 head annually, and is among the most practical, pro- gressive and prosperous of any similarly engaged. His farm in Missouri was among the most pro- ductive and best arranged for such purposes, while lie has also erected a very line brick residence, the third that was put up in the county. All his im- provements are after a generous plan, both as re- gards design, utility and convenience. "In 1870, with his two sons-in-law, Messrs. Mc- Gee and Bailey, of Brownville, the subject of our sketch bought the ferry-boat 'Mary J. Arnold,' and for nine years continued to run it in connec- tion with the transfer and bus line from Brown- *• ville to Phelps City. In 1880 Mr. II. bought out his partners in the business, and for one month everything went on as before; but at that lime the boat was snagged, and he lost sT.ooo. His former. partners again took hold, and tilled up a temporary llathoat. which was used until the present line struc- ture was finished. Since that time the business has been conducted by the three partners as before. "In 1881 Mr. Harmon rented his farm and moved to Tecumseh, Neb., not far from which he owned and improved a farm of 480 acres. There he built a large and commodious dwelling, and is having his farm improved on a very extensive scale, intending it for his only son, George Benson. He has also purchased one of the finest lots to be had in Tecumseh, and erected thereon a residence that will compare favorably with any in the city. " Mr. Harmon has been twice married. First to Sarah Roberts, of Montgomery County, III., in August of 1837. This lady died in the year 1847, leaving four children, viz.: Betsey Ann, Martha; Rebecca, now Mrs. Bailey, and Mary Angeline, now Mrs. J. L. McGee. In the month of August, is is, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Hughes, who has presented him with two children, Sarah and George Benson. The first Fourth of July cele- bration in Atchison County was held at the foot of the bluffs near Mr. Millsape's, our subject and that gentleman being the chief persons in the com- munity. This occurred in 1841. Corn bread baked in a 'p° ne ' an 'l w " ( ' honey formed the menu for this distinguished gathering. Every person in the county, and some from beyond the border, besides a large number of Indians, were present. Mr. Harmon was the orator of the day, and also Chief Marshal, and he has always continued to occupy a prominent place in the community. "In the Masonic fraternity the subject of our sketch is well known as a true and faithful member of the order. He is a supporter, in political mat- ters, of the Republican party, and for many years has been a friend to the Christian Church, and an ardent member and worker therein. There arc not many who have lived in this county who have nol at some time or other heard with pleasure from the lips of our subject interesting recitals of memories of other days, which, if it were possible to give ^4U. 4 -•*• 286 JOHNSON COUNTY. them in this sketch, it would take the form of a ponderous volume in itself, His reputation among all who know him as regards honesty, enterprise, character, and in fact everything that goes to make the true man, is beyond all question." Since becoming a' resident of Tecumseh Mr. Har- mon has been a prominent figure in its public life. He has been a member of the City Council, elected by the Prohibition element, and in other ways has identified himself with the community in which he has made his permanent home. In his domestic illations he is happy. His present wife, who was Miss Mary Ann Hughes, was born in Adams County, Ohio, July 1, 1829, and lived there until she was twenty years old, when she went with her parents to Missouri, where she became acquainted with and married our subject. Her father, John Hughes, was a farmer, and in Ohio was married to Sarah Beard, and they became parents of ten chil- dren, who lived to years of maturity. The father entered the Union Army on the outbreak of the Rebellion, and died in 1861, leaving his widow and eight small children. She proved equal to the task, and reared and kept her family together until they secured homes of their own. Of Mr. Harmon's children his son, George Ben- sou, was married, in 1886, to Miss Minnie Schloes- ser, of Tecumseh, has one child, Benjamin P., and is now living on his father's farm near the city. Mary A. is the wife of .James McGee, and they have three children — Minnie C, James L. and Dwight II. Sarah is wedded to William L. Thomp- son, lives in Tecumseh, and has one child, E. Mur- ray. Mr. Harmon, since taking up his residence in Johnson County, has become well known to its citizens as a public-spirited, upright and trustworthy man, who is a valued acquisition to its society. .„ LEXANDER MARKS. Among the early tillers of the soil of Spring Creek Pre- cinct came the subject of this sketch, lo- cating in the fall of lK6fi on 160 acres of land, which he secured by a homestead claim, and of which lie is still the owner, although he has added largely to its area, being now the possessor of 430 broad acres. Nebraska was still a Territory, and the land upon which Mr. Marrs settled was in its primitive condition, not a furrow having been turned, and there being upon it neither fences nor buildings. He realized in a measure the task be- fore him, but set about it with his characteristic energy, laboring early and late for a series of years, and finally beginning to realize the reward of his toil. He is now a man of wealth and standing iu a community of intelligent people, and among whom he was one of the first settlers of this region. Mr. Mans was born west of the Mississippi, in Newton County. Mo., April 17. 1840, and is the son of Hugh and Maria (Rice) Marrs, who were natives of Tennessee. The family is supposed to be of German ancestry. The parental household of our subject included six children, all of whom grew to mature years, and three of whom are still living, namely: Kn.eline, the wife of R. K. Ford. of Newton County, Mo.; Alexander, of this sketch, and Larkin II.. who continues also a resident of Missouri. The father died when Alexander was a boy about three years of age, but the mother, surviving her husband a period of over forty years, lived until Dec. 6, 188."). remaining a widow, and continuing to reside on the old homestead. Mr. Man's was reared to manhood in his native county, receiving a limited education, but becom- ing thoroughly familiar with the various employ- ments of Hie farm, which training was valuable to him in his struggle upon the soil of Nebraska. As soon as old enough he became the assistant of his mother in the management of the farm and the care of the family, and remained under the home roof until his marriage. This important event in his life took place Feb. 10. I860, the maiden of his choice being Miss Susan Rice, a native of Tennes- see, and the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Cams) Rice, who are now residents of Newton Comity. Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Maris began their wedded life in Missouri, where they lived until the fall of 1864, and then, owing to the strong I'nion sentiments of Mr. Marrs which he openly expressed in a com- munity made up largely of the rebel element, he was virtually obliged to leave his native State. T JL JOHNSON COUNTY. ^h-* 28* Having a family on his hands he considered that they demanded his lir>t duty, although he enlisted in the fall of 1861 in the Union service, and went into camp with liis regiment at Springfield, Mo. The Colonel, however, released him, with several others, and he was enabled t<> return to liis home and his family without seeing any active service. Mr; Mans upon leaving .Missouri took up liis abode in Davis County, Iowa, whence he removed a year later to this county, lie came here without means, with two families to look after. hlSOWn and that of his wife, and thus had even more difficul- ties to contend with than the ordinary pioneer. He has. however, surmounted them all. and it would seem has been amply repaid for the toils and strug- gles of his earlier manhood. He is a man of standing in his community, liberal and public- spirited, giving his encouragement to the establish- ment and maintenance of schools, and upholding all other enterprises calculated for the elevation of the people. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, and no man rejoiced more heartily at the success of the Union arms during the trying times of over twenty years ago. Mr. M. identified himself witli the Masonic fraternity in about 1*72. and he be- longs to the lodge at Talmage, in Otoe County. To Mr. ami Mrs. Marrs there were horn two children only; William. Dec. I I. 1870, and Mar- garet, June 17. 1«7 1. Both are living at 1 ie. •>*♦:• If EANDER P. MAV1TY. Among the wor- p thy and esteemed citizens of Lincoln Pre- Jt. cinct, favorably known throughout the dis- trict as a man and fanner, is the subject of our sketch, who resides on section 1, township 5 north, range 11 east, where his property, well situated and admirably cultivated, comprising eighty acres, is lo- cated. He is a native of Clay County, Ind., was born on the 22d of January, L836, and is the son of John and Martha Mavitv. His parents were born and brought up in the State- of Tennes- see and Kentucky respectively. After their mar- riage they settled in Clay County, Ind. They were the parents of nine children, of whom the follow- ing are now living: Leonard I., of Spring Creek f Precinct; Joseph A., of the same precinct; Caroline, wife of David Miller, of Bureau County, 111.; Mar- tha, now Mrs. George Show, of Chicago. 111. The deceased are: Wesley, Marcus, Maria, and it is sup- posed, also James, he having gone West after the close of the war with a Government train, and not been heard from but once and that about two years after he left. The parents of our subject were early pioneers of Bureau County, III. There the mother died in the year 1850, aged about forty-five. His father is still upon his farm. Our subject was born after the home in that county was established. His edu- cation was obtained in its district school and pro- vided him with sufficient foundation for subsequent efforts. From his youth lie was accustomed to pio- neer farm life and was admirably fitted to continue the row of pioneers in other new territory — such as that to which they afterward removed. In answer to the call for soldiers to defend the stars and stripes, our subject enlisted in Company B, 57th Illinois Infantry, in the month of Septem- ber, 1861. This became partof the army under the gallant Sherman. They were present and did good service at the seige of Ft. Donelson, the battles of Shiloh, Corinth. Resaea, Altoona Pass, siege of Sa- vannah, P.entonville and numerous others. While in the ranks he evidenced the fact that there was that in him that made him a good soldier, brave, fear- less, indomitable and yet conscientious. He received an honorable discharge on the 7th of July. 1865, at Louisville, Ky., after which he returned home. Illinois continued to be the residence of the sub- ject of our sketch until the year L870, when lie re- veil to Dallas County, Iowa, and there continued farming until he came to Johnson County, Neb., in December of 1881, settling upon his present farm. The property is chiefly utilized for the pur- pose of genera] farming although he raises some stock, chiefly cattle, horse- and -wine. On the 10th of April. 1866, the hands of our subject and Liny A. Fox were joined in marriage. This estimable lady is a native of Brown County, Ohio, and the daughter of Hezekiah and Roxalany Fox. Both parents are now deceased. H er par- ents removed to Bureau Comity. III., when she was sixteen years of age, and it remained their home ■► T JL 288 JOHNSON COUNTY. -•* until their death. Mr. and Mrs. Mavity are the parents of two children: William E., born Dec. 10, 1867, and an infant deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Mavity are members in good stand- ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and there and in the community at large are justly held in high regard. Politically, our subject is Democratic and votes the straight ticket, excepting in local matters. There he always supports the candidate whom his judgment leads him to believe will most truly serve the people. The character, honor and integrity of Mr. Mavity are beyond question. WILEY SANDUSKY, one of the capable far- mers of Center Precinct, this county, was born on the 20th of May, 1830, in the State of Kentucky. In November of the same year his parents, Jacob and Melinda (Mayes) Sandusky, removed to Morgan County, 111., where his father took land and continued working the same for about eighteen years, when once more they made a change, removing to Greene County, where they made their home until the 18th of June, 1868, when they came to this county, and located about three miU^ northwest of Tecumseh. Here the father died on the 21st of October, 1884, at the advanced age of eight}' yeans; the mother died on the loth of January, 1887, aged eighty-one years. The subject of this sketch was the eldest child of seven born to the above, all of them living and married, three members of the family being in this county. The father entered 160 acres when he first located, and subsequently was enabled to purchase an equal number adjoining. This he improved and brought to a high state of cultivation. The home farm is still in the hands of our subject, his brother Alexander and Nancy McNeil, who had arranged it so that it could be a home for the mother after the death of the father. The farm of our subject is situated upon section 15, and comprises 160 acres. This he has entered and owned from the year L 865. A great deal of time and intelligent effort have been expended as only a thoroughly practical farmer knows how, and he has made a fine place of it. His house and farm buildings are good and well kept. As for the farm proper, it is carefully cultivated, and is very fertile and productive. The house that stood on the same site prior to the erection of the present building eight years ago, was a good, comfortable farmhouse, but was destroyed by fire. The marriage of our subject was arranged for, anil was celebrated on the 6th of November, 1851, the lady of his selection being Miss Sarah A. Shaw, of (ireene County, 111., but she was not spared to him long. After a short illness she departed this life on the loth of March, 1 SoG, leaving one child, Thomas A. On the 14th of April, 185'J, our sub- ject again stood before the altar, and was then united with Mary M. Nettles. They became the parents of thirteen children, ten of whom are living. Their names areas follows: Sarah, George, William, Alex- ander, Wiley, Calvin and Charles (twins), Mar- garet, Lidia and Ethel. The deceased members of the family are Jacob, Nancy and Benjamin. Mr. and Mrs. Sandusky were members in good standing of the Missionary Baptist Church in Illi- nois, but have not united themselves with any church organization in this place, seeing there is no congregation of that bod}' here. Our subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and hails from Manchester Lodge, in Manchester, III. He has been called upon to fill some offices, but has only filled that of Assessor of the township, which he held for two terms. His political proclivities were with the Democratic party until about five years ago, since which time he has identified himself with the Union Labor party, and votes its ticket. He is a man who is respected iir the community, and whose word is esteemed as that of an honorable and true man and citizen. jrpyJiANK ROT1IKLL, the Assistant Cashier of the bank at Crab Orchard, although one of the young men of the town has won for himself a place in the community that is most com- plimentary. This gentleman was born in Mahaska Count)', Iowa, near Oskaloosa, on the 8th of Sep- tember, 1864. He is the son of Charles G. Kothell, of Maple Grove Precinct, this county, who bought a farm in this county in the spring of 187t). ^Hh* •►Hl^ JOHNSON COUNTY. •291 The subject Of our sketch received a good En- glish education in the common schools, which was afterward supplemented by a course of instruction at Peru, Neh., in the State Normal School, lie came to Crab Orchard in the fall of 1885, and has been connected with the bank ever since that time. 1'pon leaving school he learned the trade of a miller, and continued to follow the same for about five y:\ars. but conceiving a desire for some more professional occupation made the change as above related. The musical tastes and talents of our subject arc beyond question, and have led to the organi- zation of the •• Crab Orchard Cornet Hand," which was effected on the 18th of May, 1857, since which time Mr. Rothell has been both its leader and man- ager. The band possesses the finest set of instru- ments in the State. They were supplied by the noted C. G. Con, of Elkhart, Ind., and cost about jwOi). The repertoire of the band is very complete, and their rendition of the pieces is such as is sup- plied by enthusiastic musicians, who have been trained by a careful and thoroughly competent mas- ter in the art. The band has quite a reputation for first-class music, and is in great demand at the various gatherings where such a band is a desider- atum. Mr. Rothell is a member of Lodge No. 73, of the K. of P., at Tecumseh, and is a member of the Uni- formed Hank. He is very popular among the mem- bers of the order, anil takes a prominent part in the social gatherings thereof. He is a young man of splendid parts, fine character and excellent dispo- sition. It is not too much to say that the future extends to him a prospect unusually bright, and that he is capable of much good, nut only in his own interest, but also that of his fellow-citizens. IOMAS .1. EDWARDS, a prominent and '(ShY P ros P erous farmer of Sterling Precinct, is a man whose practical ability, prompt and methodical business habits, and unswerving integ- rity, justify the confidence and esteem with which he lias inspired his fellow-citizens, lb' i> a South- erner by birth ami education. Kentucky being his native State ami Alabama the State in which he was reared. He was bom Aug. 11. 1826, in Mont- gomery County. Ky.. to Robert and Susan (Wil- lOUghby) Edwards. His mother died when he was young, and when he was about eight years old. a few months after the death of his mot her. his un- cle. Isaiah Thatcher, took him to his home in Ala- bama, and under his care our subject grew to a vigorous and manly manhood. He subsequently went to Randolph County. Mo., and from there went to the Rocky Mountains. Afterward he re- traced his steps across the plains of the "Great American Desert." as this part of the country was then called, and once l v located in Missouri, choosing Platte County as the site of his home, but he afterward moved to Delvalb County, in the same State, and there the breaking out of the Civil War found him in prosperous circumstances. A Southerner in birth and sentiments, and a slave- holder, he did not hesitate on the course to pursue, but soon cast in his lot with his friends and where his interests lay. and in May. 1861, was enrolled in the Confederate Arm\ as a member of Company I. I si Missouri State Guards, under Gen. William Y. Slack, in .1. T. Hughes' regiment, lie remained with that regimentsix months, and was then trans- ferred to Pritchard's detached corps, ill which he did efficient and faithful service for three years and fourteen days, his bravery and fortitude Stand- ing the test of many a hotly waged battle. After the war Mr. Edwards began life anew in Hannibal, Mo., where with characteristic energy he at once set about retrieving his fallen fortunes. Ill 1870 he concluded to lr\ agriculture On the fer- tile productive soil of Nebraska, and selecting Otoe County as a suitable place for location, he was soon established there. In 1876 he sold oul there and came to Johnson County, and purchased the place where he now lives. This is a very pleas- ant situation on section •'!. township 6, range 9, and ill point of cultivation, neat and well-arranged buildings, fences, and many other improvements, Compares favorably with other farms ill the neigh- borhood. To the amiable wile, who has >o cheerfully helped him in the upbuilding of this comfortable home. Mr. Edwards was united in marriage in •>- =L. 292 JOHNSON COUNTY. is 17. Her maiden name was Eliza Janes, and her place of birth was Zanesville, Ohio. She is the daughter of Bartlett and Susanah (Holmes) Janes. Tin' family consisted of fifteen children, seven hoys and eight girls, nine of whom lived to maturity. The following children have been born to our sub- jecl andhiswife: Aurelia .1. isthewido« of John J. Jones, and she has one daughter, named Eliza; Su- san I-'..: John II.: Eliza S., who Is the wife <>f George Strong, of this county : James K\. who was Uilled March 27, 1882, bj a well caving in mi him; Elijah W., who died in 1881; Luella, who 'li<''l in 1880; Josephine, Benjamin F., George B. and San- ford M. The two latter ilii'il when quite young. Mr. Edwards is a man of frank and genial man- ners, is cool of head, strong of will, and steady <>f purpose, possessing decided opinions on nil sub- jects that come under his notice. As an instance hi" this wo may cite the fact thai he is a firm advo- cate of temperance, and when lie became convinced thai prohibition was the besl remedy for thecxist- inj; e\ ils of intemperance he allied himself with the Prohibition party, and is a firm supporter of its principles, although, prior to 1884, lie had always been identified with the Democrats. In manly vin- dication of his course he says, "I would rather be beaten in a good cause than succeed ina bad one." f\A ARCUS CHAMBERLIN i- .«n.- ..f ih,> i>r..s- 1 ncrous. progressive pioneers of Johnson County, and as such he has done whal Im\ in his power to help on to it* present con- dition thf county al large .-is well as that particular portion where ho happens to reside. lie is the son of Manser and l.m-\ (Braughton) Chamberlin, and was born on the ■' ; i > i <>i January, 1823, in Ridge- Imrj Township, Bradford Co., I'm. The parents of our subject were born in Vermont His paternal ancestors were English, and came to this country in the days of the Colonists, settling in N'i'v\ England. Two great-uncles of our subject were soldiers in the Revolutionary War, and fell during the struggle. They participated in the bat- tle of Bunker Hill and mam memorable struggles for liberty. To the parents of our subject were born six children, of whom the following are known to survive: Marcus; Lucius, of Elk Point, I »ak.; Orville, in Bradford County, I'm.; Ormond, in DeKalb County. 111.: besides which there were two, N:mc\ miuI Julia, who Mil- deceased, Mini a -on. Binaldo, of whom it i- not known fur certain whetherheyel lives or not. The grandmother of oursubject was a sister of Gen. Warrenof Revolu- tionary War fame. The subject of our sketch was reared to manhood in his native county, and in the schools of the same obtained a good education, notwithstanding the fact that early in life he engaged in sawmilling and farming. He was married in Pennsylvania on the 15th of August, 1846, the hvty of his choice be- ing Sally Parker, the estimable daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Cummins) Parker. She was horn in Bradford County, Pa., on the l8thof November, 1829. Her father is uon deceased, and the mother resides in Tioga County, I'm., and is over eighty years of age. The Parker family i- one of the old New England families of ante-bellum days, Mini has been identified with American citizenship from the first. To Mr. Mini Mr-. Chamberlin there have been born nine children, whom we mention as follows: Lucius M.. now in Toeuniseh: I. my. the w ife of M. t . ( o\ al, of Webster County . Neb.; Geliila; Mark, who is in Idaha, as is also Edwin ('.: Harriel M. is the wife of William S. Morton, of Gage County. Neh.: Harvej G. Mini Henry T.. deceased, Mini Sa- vannah M. Theparents of Mrs. Chamberlin were natives of Pennsylvania; tin' father was horn Aug. 24, 1791, the mother Dec. 29, 1799. They became the parents of four children, of whom Hulda Mini Paulina are deceased. The surviving children .'ire Mr-. ( hamberlin and her brother Joseph, who is li\ ing in Tioga County. I'm. In the vear 1858, oursubject removed with his famity to DeKalb County. 111., and there resided until 1866, when they migrated to this State, Mini for about a year lived in Nemaha County, but settled in 1867 on his present farm of 188 Meres on section 6, township i'> north, range 12 east, lie has brought it from the wilderness of its primitive con- dition to it- present state, which reflects thegreat- •►Hl^ JOHNSON COUNTY. 293 ii est credit upon his thorough practical knowledge of agriculture, his industry and good management. Throughout all lie lias had the generous, unselfish :ii - a MLHELM NIEMANN, a representative Ger- Jj! man farmer of Spring Creek Precinct, Ww purchased in thespringof L874, 160 acres of land on section ii. where he has since labored in- dustriously and with most excellent results. Upon it there had been little attempt at improvement, but it is now numbered among the valuable estates in the northeastern part of this county, which have been built up by the hand of industry and perse- verance by the men to whom Johnson County is indebted for her present position among the com- munities of the Great West. The first home of our subject was on the other side of the Atlantic, in the Prussian Province of Westphalen, where his birth took place May 7. 1841. His parents were Herman and Lotta (Ober- uicyer) Niemann, whose household consisted of five children, namely: Wilhelm, Henry, Ivatie, Her- man and Minnie. Of these all are living, anil resi- dents of < iernianv and the United states. The par- ents are deceased. Our subject spent his youth and early manhood in his native Province, and iii common with the youth of the German Empire, was placed in school at an early age and received a fair education in his native tongue. As soon as old enough lie employed himself at farming, and lived in Germany until a man of thirty years. Then, not being satisfied with hi- condition or his prospects, he resolved to seek his fortunes in the New World. Taking pass- age on an ocean steamer at the port of Bremen, iii 1*72. he landed thirteen days later in New York City, and making his way directly Westward crossed the Father of Waters into this state, and for about eighteen months was employed on a farm in McWilliams Precinct. Otoe County. At the ex- piration of this lime he secured the land which lie now owns and occupies. Later he was married, March 17, 1875, to Miss Louisa Pahde. who was horn in Gasconade County, Mo.. April 21. 1850. Her parents were natives ofGermany. The mother is deceased; the father is now a resident of Otoe County. To Mr. and Mrs Niemann there nave been horn seven children, as follows: Mary 11., the eldest, is deceased; William, horn Dec. 17, L876; Freder- ick, March 1."), 1878; Harmon. March Hi. L880; Lmma. Aug. I.".. ls,s2; Minnie, July 1.*.. 1884, and August, Oct. 31, 1886. Our subject and his es- timable wife are both members in good stand- ing of the German Evangelical Church, and Mr. Niemann, politically, votes with the Republican party, lie has been quite prominent in local affairs, serving as School Director four years, and otherwise Contributing as he has had opportunity to the moral and educational welfare of the people around him. The Niemann homestead with its appurtenances is a noticeable feature in the landscape of Spring (reek Precinct, having about it the air of peace and plenty which is most pleasing to contemplate. -&- t^t h !> T~T £> OHN W. BRIDGES, of the linn of Pearson & Bridges, hardware dealers, is one of the leading business men of Sterling. lie was Wj born in Massachusetts in October, 18.04, to Thomas and Anna (Richardson) Bridges, natives respectively of England and Vermont By the death of his father when he was a little child, and Of his mother a few years later, in 1869, he and his Sister Ella were left orphans. lie was thus early thrown on his own resources, and developed a man- liness and self-reliance much beyond his years. In the spring of 1870, a lad of sixteen years, he came lo Nebraska to try life in the West. He staid a year anil a half in Beatrice, and from there went to Tecutnseh, where lie passed the next four years. In •► JL 294 JOHNSON COUNTY. 1875 lie came tu Sterling. lie owns a farm and has it well improved, and supplied with suitable buildings and everything necessary for carrying on agriculture. He lived on it until January, 1888, when he came to the city to make his home, and to establish himself in his present business with A. Pierson, an early settler and prominent business man of the place. They carry a general stock of hardware, queensware and harness, and do quite an extensive business. Mr. Bridges also has an inter- est in the Sterling Lumber Company, of which he is the Treasurer, having been elected to that office when the company was organized in 1887. Mr. Bridges was married in November, 1877, to Miss Flora K. Atkins, a sister of W. C. Atkins. whose biography appears in this volume. Their happy wedded life has been blessed to them by the birth of three children — Mabel, Walter and Thomas. Mrs. Bridges is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while Mr. Bridges is connected with the Christian Church. They arc quiet, unos- tentatious people, whose pleasant home is the center of genuine hospitality. Mr. Bridges is a man of culture and much and va- ried information, for though left an orphan atau early age he attended school while he lived in Massa- chusetts, and he continued to do so winters after he came to Nebraska, and thus obtained the pre- liminaries of a sound education, which he completed by a course at the Nebraska Normal, where he was a student for one year. He is a man of goo'd busi- ness talents, and prompt and straightforward in his dealings. ,fizs^ HR1STIAN POHLENZ is prominently iden- [I [ n tified with the wealthy and enterprising ^^7 farmers and stock-raisers who have done so much to develop the vast agricultural interests of Johuson County, and his large farm in Helena Precinct, with its broad, will-tilled acres, its fine orchards, and its substantial buildings, is one of the most valuable estates for many miles around. Mr. Pohlenz was born in Prussia, May 1), 1823, and there grew to manhood. He early learned the trade of blacksmith, which he followed in his native country six years. He was married to Caroline Schubine, and in 1859 came to the United States with his wife and three children. He had but $80, with which he bought a cow, a cook stove, and some flour, and thus he and his family began their life in this country. He located in Waukesha County. Wis., and there worked for eight years at his trades of blacksmith and cooper, having learned the latter trade after settling in Wisconsin. In 1 sr. 7 he re- solved to move to Nebraska and avail himself of the cheap and fertile lands that were for sale by the Government, and make his home in the future under its sunny skies, and receive the benefit of its genial climate. After coming here he purchased, under the provisions of the Homestead Act. 160 acres of land, which is located on section 15, and on this he has erected a fine large brick house, a commodious barn, extensive corn cribs and gran- aries, and windmills, with large stock tanks. His house, which is of a good style of architecture, and is neat and well-arranged inside, was built at the cost of $2,000. He has seventeen acres in orchards, from which he derives a good in- come, and he has six acres of finest, which he planted himself, and from which every year he sells a number of cords of wood, besides devoting :i large supply to home uses. He bought 240 acres of school land on section 10, shortly after coming here, which he has under good cultivation, and has it we'll fenced with hedge. His farm now com- prises in all 400 acres of rich and productive land, located on sections 15 and 10, Helena Precinct, and under his skillful management it has been brought to a high state of tillage, that which was once wild prairie land when it came into his posses- sion, now yielding bountiful harvests. This has been brought about only by the quiet force of per- sistent and well-directed toil, as Mr. Pohlenz's earthly possessions when settling here consisted of §300 in money, a team of horses and a wagon. Mr. Pohlenz has met with gratifying success in raising stock, to which he devotes much attention. Every year he raises some Norman horses, some Poland- China hogs, and he has a fine herd of cattle of a good grade, mostly Short-horns. Mr. Pohlenz has, with characteristic shrewdness and enterprise, in vested some of his wealth in real estate in the « » JL «»- f -*•■ JOHNSON COUNTY. *fr 29;; f growing and prosperous town of Sterling, and lie also bas $500 worth of stock in the .Sterling Lumber t'<>. lie lias erected in that town a large brick ■business bouse, at a cost of $5,000, and a residence house, costing $ 100. The following are the seven children horn of the happy wedded life of our subject ami his estimable wife: August, Paul; Augusta, living in the Black Hills; Aurelia, living in Wymore, Cage Co., Neb.; these are all married; George, Edward and Mary are still at home. Mr. Pohlenz and his family are members of the German Lutheran Church, and t ho v stand high in this community for their ster- ling worth and many pleasant social qualities. Mr. Pohlenz may well take pride in his splendid farm and in the fact that his fortunes are of his Own building, that he is, indeed, a '-self-made"' man. Also that he has been able to contribute so much to 'the advancement of Helena Precinct and Johnson Count}', his liberality and public spiritedness mak- ing him vie with his neighbors in promoting all schemes lor the material advancement of both. He i- :i man thoroughly to lie depended upon, as his honest}' ami integrity are beyond question, and his kind heart and genial manners have won him many warm-hearted friends. Mr. Pholenz and family lived the first thirteen years after coming to Ne- braska in a dug-out. ^— *^>«€t^<^ -* *t OllN E. HALL. Among numbers of other resolute and energetic men, who, in the fall of 1866, made their way to the Territory of Nebraska, the subjeel of this sketch wended lis way to Johnson County with his wife and chil- dren in the fall of that year, and homesteaded 100 acres of land on section 13, Spring Creek Preciuct, where he i> -t ill located. They made the journey from Michigan, and found here not a shelter for their heads, nothing hut a tract of uncultivated prairie, with few indications that the eyes of white men had ever been turned in this direction. Their first shelter was a plank hoii.-e. and after gathering about him- self and little family the things which they most urgently needed for their comfort. Mr. Hall ap- plied himself with energy to the cultivation of the ■4» soil and the development of his farm. The success with which he labored is indicated in his present surroundings, whiclf"compare admirably with those of his neighbors. Our subject began life at the modest homestead of his parents in Wayne County, Ohio, May 3, 1825. His father, Nathan Hall, was a farmer by occupation, and in early manhood had married Miss l'ermelia Stanley, with whom he trod the journey of life until they were separated by the death of the wife in 1863. Nathan Hall was a native of Monongalia County, in West Virginia, and his wife Permelia was born in Berkshire County, Mass. They were of Scotch and English ancestry, and the elder Hall served under the grandfather of the President-elect, Gen. Harrison, familiarly known as Old Tippecanoe, in the War of LSI 2. This branch of the Hall fam- ily had its representatives in America prior to the Revolutionary War, they settling first in New Hampshire, whence they emigrated at an early day to the soil of the Old Dominion. There they were closely allied to the F. F. V.'s, people of good stand- ing in their community and generally well-to-do. To the parents of our subject there were born nine children, six of whom are living, namely: Nabbe M., the wife of I-;, o. Johnson, of Barry County. Mich. ; Elizabeth P., Mrs. An way, a widow, also of that count}-; Esther C, Mrs. C. II. Brewer, of Ulster County, N. Y".; Jonas A., a resident of Michigan; Amos C, of Phillips County, Kan.; and John K., our subject, the sixth child. The de- ceased were .MinervaS., Ezra S. and Joanna M. The parents removed from Virginia to Medina County, Ohio, in 1817, and two years later to Wayne Count}', taking up a tract of Government laud, and settling among the earliest pioneers of that region, lived in Wayne County until 1834. They then returned to Medina County, where the} con- tinued to reside until about lo. r )2, then moved to Michigan, ami in Barry Count}' repeated the ex- periment of pioneer life. The mother rested from her earthly labors in Michigan, in 1863. The elder Hall survived his estimable wife. a period of ten years, his death taking place also in Michigan, in L873. John E. Hall was reared to manhood amid the .►h^*: *ri i «• 296 JOHNSON COUNTY. pioneer scenes of the Buckeye Shite, receiving his education in its primitive schools, which, it is hardly necessary to say bore little comparison to the ad- vantages of the present day. He, however, wasever a thoughtful and studious boy, and made the most of his opportunity in the perusal of good books, and lias always kept himself well informed upon topics of general interest. He has followed farm- ing mostly, but has also worked as a carpenter con- siderably, laboring in his Held very successfully, although never professing to be a skilled mechanic. 1852 found him in Barry County. Mich., where he took up 220 acres of Government land, upon which he operated until ISO'5, when he sold out pre- paratory to coming to Nebraska. In that county also he found his wife, formerly Miss Lucy A. Hamilton, to whom he was married .May .'!. I860. The wife of our subject is the daughter of James S. and Caroline (Colton) Hamilton, who are now residents of Spring Creek Precinct, and of whom a sketch, appears elsewhere in this volume. Of this union there have been born ten children, nine of whom are now living, namely: Ernest S., Em mett E., Helen M., Cora I., Hattie A.. Albert S., Guv E., Vesta A. and Nathan. Four of these were born in Harry County, Mich., and the others in this county. They are bright and intelligent, and form a group of which their parents may be reasonably proud. The property of Mr. Hall is the accumulation of his own industry, and he may most properly be classed among the self-made men of Johnson County, who. in the building up of their home- steads, have erected for themselves an enduring monument, and whose record may be looked upon with pride by their children after them. Mr. Hall, politically, first identified himself with the Whig party, but is in full sympathy with the working clement of the county, and now lends his support to the Union Labor movement. He has served as School Director in his district a number of years, and socially, belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Tecumseh Lodge No. 17. While a resident of Barry County, Mich., he was elected to the office of Sheriff, the duties of which he discharged in a satisfactory manner two years, besides representing Hope Townshipon the County Board of Supervisors. He has also served as Township Clerk and Treasurer, and occupied many positions of trust and responsibility among his fel- low. citizens wherever he has been. Both he and his estimable wife stand high in the social circles of their community, and have gathered around them hosts of friends wherever they have chanced to reside. SfOHN H. CROW, dealer in coal and wood, weigher, etc., is upholding a portion of the business interests of Tecumseh with credit J to himself and satisfaction to all with whom he deals. A native of Cass County, III., he was born March 14, 1826, and received his education mostly in the schools of his native township. He was reared a farmer's boy. anil when setting out in life on his own account occupied himself as a farmer in Sangamon County. III., of which he was a resident for a period of twenty years. There also he became an extensive land-holder, being owner at one time of about 1,000 acres, most of which was improved land. He also engaged quite exten- sively in stock-raising and accumulated a snug prop- erty. A sudden fall in values was the occasion of great loss, and he finally decided to repair his mis- fortunes on the other side of the Mississippi. Mr. Crow came to Richardson County, this state, in the fall of 18G9, and purchased a tract of land near the rising town of Humboldt, upon which he lived four years. Then selling out he came to Tecumseh. of which he has since been a resident, and until 1883 was mostly interested in live stock. In the summer of that year he established his present business. He is rapidly placing himself upon a solid basis, and is the owner of a good home just outside the city limits on Second street. The city, however, is rapidly growing up around him, and his property will in consequence increase in value. Mr. Crow in 1865 entered 10,000 acres of land within twelve miles of Tecumseh, for the sum of seventy cents an acre. Had he retained posses- sion of this he would have had far more than enough and to spare for his declining years. He has been prominent in local affairs, and in the spring of 1874 was elected Mayor of Tecumseh on •+^Y-~+ *4^ JOHNSON ( ol MV. 297 tht- Republican ticket. A man genial and compan- ionable, lie has hosts of friends among all classes ol people, Hi- career has been that indicative of a a ntleman by birth and breeding. Our subject on the 5th of September, 1849. closed one of the most important contracts of his life by his marriage with Miss Sarah F. Dillon, of .-anion County. III. The yoong people com- menced the journey of life together in asnug home .a Ashland, III., and their household was completed by the birth of three children, one of whom. Henry I/., died in Nebraska, March 13. 1*74. when twenty- two year- old; Elizabeth is the wife of Albert Harrison, a railroad official residing at White Pig- eon, Mich., and the mother of four children; Rob- ert married Miss Louise Campbell, is a printer by trade and an editor by profession, and maki home in Sturgis, Dak. The mother of these chil- dren departed this life at her home in Illinois. Jan. 19, 1855. Mr. Crow contracted a second matrimonial al- liance, with Miss Parthenia R. Dillon, • - ofbis first wife, March 23, 1862. Of this union there hive been born two children, Sarah and Lilly K. Mrs. Parthenia Crow was born Nov. 1. 1841, in Sangamon County, III., and is the daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth Dillon. The father is still living, making his home with his youngest -on in The mother is deceased, dying Oct. 27, 23d of March. 1889, would have wit- Klieth anniversary of their mar: had the mother lived a few months long William Crow, the father of our subject, un- born Manh 5. 1 7'.):!. in Wythe County. Va, He left the Old Dominion when a child with bispai they removing to Barren County. Ky.. when- Will- iam became familiar with farm pursuit- and veloped into manhood. Subsequently he occupied himself as farmer and minister combined, and spent the remainder of his life in Morgan and Cass Coun- III. lb- became a resident of the Prairie state in 1819, and was one of the earliest pioneers of Morgan County, where he carried on farming extensively. His first wife became the mother of two children and died. II- was married a second time in 1824, to Mi- Susan Hall, and of this union there were also born two children, our subject and Ster, Mary A., who i~ now the wife of James L. BeggS, of Ashland. III. The mother departed this life at the homestead in Illinois. April 10, 1845. William Crow survived his wife a period of twenty years, passing away on the L'L'd of August, 18l John Crow, the paternal grandfather of our sub- ject, was also a native of Virginia, where he lived and carried on farming until a i<-\v years before bis death. He then removed to Kentucky, where he died about 1810, when -till a young man. being only thirty-eight years old. Mis- Sarah Crow, a daughter of our subject. March 4. 1883, was mar- ried to William Wbeatley, of Tecuinseh, and is the mother of one child, a son Frederick. Mr. Wheat- ley i- a native of Ohio, an honest, industrious man and a reputable citizen. ON. WILLIAM FREEBORN, a well-known pioneer of Johnson^County, is one of the foremost citizens of the town of Sterling, of which he was an early settler, lb- i- Presi- dent of the Sterling Lumber Company, is Vice lent of the Bank of Sterling, of which he was one of the founder-, and he is a member of the City Council. He is a native of Scotland, born in that country Oct. 7. 1828. When a boy of thir- teen year- he came to the United States with his parents. Robert and Elizabeth (Laird) Free burn. They located in what is now West Virginia, where the father died in 1856, and where the mother still makes her home with her daughl Our sul - thus for the most part reared and educated under the Democratic institutions of this country, and he has proved a loyal and worthy citizen. In 1865 he came as far W, -• a- Iowa, and after a stay in that State of two years, he came to Nebraska in 1857. This part of the country was then nnder Territorial government, and presented a wild and uninhabited appearance, although there a number of Indians here who devoted the land to bunting purposes, as wild game was plentiful. There were only three white families an the river from Tecuinseh to twenty miles further up the being the families of :, Mr. Darby, why lived three miles northwest of Tecuinseh * *► 298 JOHNSON COUNTY. Mr. Bentz, who lived here, and who had earlier laid out Sterling, and D. J. Baker's family, five miles to the north. Mr. Freeburn located in John- son County, about six miles northwest of the present site of Sterling, and there he bought 100 acres of land of the United States, took up eighty acres under the provisions of the Homestead Act, and bought forty acres of an early settler. In the years that followed, by persistent labor and able manage- ment, lie brought this land under a high state of cultivation, provided it with good buildings, and when he sold it, about three years since, it was one of the best improved farms in this part of the county, and brought a round sum of money, much above its original cost. Mr. Freeburn early came to Sterling to work at his trade of carpenter, even before the town was laid out, and live years since he came here to make his permanent home. He built a number of the houses of Sterling, and laid out that part of it called Kneeland's Addition. Be- sides being such an important factor in the up- building of the town as a carpenter, as a capital- ist, he has entered heartily int.) the various schemes for its improvement. He is very liberal, and has contributed generously to advance any gooil cause, and thus, although not a member of any religious organization, he has helped to build and sustain churches. We have referred to the part that he takes in city affairs as one of its civic officers. He is one of the organizers of the bank of Sterling, and in 18b 1 was elected to the present position that he occupies among its officials. As President of the Sterling Lumber Company he has directed its affairs with great vigorand wisdom, and has greatly extended its business, which amounts to from $50,- iioo to *00,000 a year, the expenses being about $100 a month. Aside from his interest in tins company he has some valuable pieces of residence property in the city. Our subject has worked his way up to a position of wealth by an indomitable will, seconded by in- dustrious habits and a sound judgment, as when he came to Nebraska City he was a comparatively poor man. Mr. Freeburn is one of the leading Democrats of Johnson County, and his popularity and the confidence in which he is held by his fellow-citizens far beyond the limits of his home are indicated by the fact that he was elected to the State Legislature in 1882, to represent a constitu- ency strongly Republican, being the first Democrat ever elected to that position from this county. He is prominently identified with the Masons of this locality, being a member of Sterling Lodge No. 70, A. F. & A. M. * ARCUS WALKER. This gentleman, a very successful farmer and stock dealer, whose residence is upon section 8, Western Precinct, and who makes his headquarters at Crab Orchard, was born in Clermont County. Ohio, on the 12th of September, 1830. His father, Will- iam C. Walker, was a Kentuckian, and was born in Fleming County. lie was one of the early settlers of Clermont County. His son, the subject of this writing, was reared upon his father's farm and from Ins boyhood has been thoroughly conversant with all the various parts and points connected with this calling. The subject of our sketch received a very lim- ited education in his native county. He migrated to Pike County, 111., in 1854, settling first in Sum- mer Hill and later in New Hartford. He came to this county in March, 1864, and made his home on his present property. At that time the face of the country was unchanged from what it had been for ages and there were very few settlers in the dis- trict, lb- went 100 miles west to Ft. Kearney to sell his grain, and to St. Joseph, Mo., a distance of 1 13 miles, to buy his goods. Whenever he had oc- casion for blacksmith work a journey to Pawnee City, distant twenty-five miles, was necessary. He homesteaded 160 acres of land and has been very successful, both as a farmer and stock-raiser, in the latter department giving attention more espe- cially to the higher grades of cattle. lie is now the owner of 400 acres of improved land, which is pro- vided with the large majority of implements neces- sary for the successful operation of the same. On the 24th of August, 1858, Mr. Walker be- came the husband of Martha M. Iloskins. The father of this lady, Henry William Iloskins. resided during the latter years of his life in Pike County, ^^. .►4^ JOHNSON COUNTY. ■•*• 299 111. There also his daughter Martha waa born and reared, Mr. and Mrs. Walker are the parents of thirteen children, ten of whom are living. Their names are recorded as follows: Lucy, George II., Henry \V., [da M., Sarah A., Elmer, Oscar, James M., Marcus E. and Charles. Lucy is no« the wife of Warren L. Marshall, of Crab Orchard, and is the mother of three children, viz: Ralph, Beatrice and an infant unnamed ; George is happily married to Ida Barham, and resides on section . r > of this pre- cinct, and has one daughter, to whom was given the name Eva. Mr. Walker is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is also a firm supporter of the Prohibition party. He is not prominent, however, in political circles, being somewhat retiring in disposition, and for the same reason does not seek official honors, but is highly respected in the community, as he is also in relig- ious circles. 1, OB ARMSTEAD. Among the prosperous, well-to-do citizens of Lincoln Precinct is the subject of this sketch, whose beautiful farm of 160 acres of tillable, fertile land is situated on section ;3.'i, township i north, range 12 east. He is a native of what is now Fulton County, Pa., and was born Jan. 14, 1827, to Jacob and Re- becca (Knable) Armstead, both natives of Penn- sylvania, but of Scotch and German extraction. His maternal great-grandfather. Mr. Laverne, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. An uncle, Enoch Knable, was also a soldier, and served throughout the Black Hawk War. while yet another uncle. Dan- iel Knable, fought in the Seminole Indian War in Florida. When our subject was about six years of age he accompanied his parents, who removed to Mary- land, where the father died within a few months after their arrival. Our subject remained with his mother until he came of age, who gave him every possible opportunity in her power to give him that home and school training which she realized was necessary if he were to fulfill her hopes in fu- ture years. His youth was spent upon the farm, and he thoroughly understands all the minutia and detail of farm work. As the result of his own ef- forts he has become a well-informed man, and capa- ble of handling current topics with ease and ability. The marriage of our subject with Rachel Hoof was celebrated at Path. Ya., on the 28d of May, 1850. The lady of his choice was born in Germany on the 21st of March, 1819, and is the daughter of Conrad and Catharine Hoof, by whom she was brought to this country when an infant. The ocean voyage, of which necessarily she has no recollec- tion, excepting as it has been supplied by her par- ents, occupied over nineteen weeks. They finally landed at the city of Baltimore, and from there went to Virginia, where her parents died. To Mr. and Mrs. Armstead ten children have been born; live of these survive, whom we mention as follows: Alexander, now in Missouri engaged in fanning; Catharine, who was married to Charles Waterworth, of Mason County, 111.; William, a resi- dent of Thayer County ; Rebecca and Susan, who are at home. Resides these there is an adopted son,. Daniel R. Dawson. The deceased children were named as follows: Mary I.. Sarah F., John and Harriet M. With the intention of migrating westward our subject and family left Virginia in the spring of 1864, locating in Peoria County, III., and resided there until the spring of L 866, when removal was made to this county. Here a homestead claim of 1 60 acres situated as mentioned above was taken up, and upon it he has continued to reside from that time. It was, Of course, in a virgin state, and if remained for him to develop its resources and bring it to a condition of cultivation that would render it profitable to him. This he has done with gratifying and more than expected success. Throughout the years of their companionship he has always found in his wife a faithful and devoted helpmate, having their truest interests at heart, one in whom he could confide and with whom he eoidd counsel. Mr. Armstead is a true and loyal citizen; his po- litical associations are with the Democratic party. Religiously, both he and his wife are active mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, where he ^»^ •► w< » 300 .JOHNSON COUNTY. has served as Steward and Class- Loader for anura- ber of years. They are also active members of so- ciety locally, and are everywhere accorded the heartiest confidence and regard. AVID R. BUSH, whose reputation as a rail- road contractor is by no means confined to Johnson County, was born on the 19th of March, 1848, near [Ttica, N. Y. His parents removed when he was about four years of age to Kenosha County, Wis., and lived there four years; then they went to Illinois, his father having died at that time, and his mother believing it would he wise to make the change. Their new home was at Plattvllle, and there he received all the educa- tion that his mother could give him, taking his place in the common schools of that town. Upon leaving school he went to farming, and became quite successful although but a young man, con- tinuing until 1867, when he determined to move West, and came to Vesta Precinct, Johnson County, 'and took a farm. This he moved upon and began the work of improving it. From untamed prairie land he speedily brought it to a splendid state of cultivation, but was not satisfied until he had made it one of the finest farms in the district. Selling that property, he removed to Nemaha Precinct, where he engaged in his trade. While in Vesta Precinct Mr. Bush had begun and carried on some little blacksmithing and carriage work, but now launched into the business in earn- est, continuing thus engaged until 1882. In March, 1880, he moved to the city of Tecumseh, where he had built a fine residence on Clay street, between First and Second, which he has continued ever since to make his home. At the time of his settlement in Vesta Precinct there were but a few settlers scat- tered here and there along the different creeks. Bridges had not yet been built, though much de- sired, settlers were few, and schools rather remark- able by their absence than otherwise. The only institution in his precinct had lost its school-house by tire, and so was minus. Moving to town, Mr. Bush continued his trade, «» ■ but after four years it was given into the bands of a foreman, who continued it. At that time our sub- ject was elected to the County Treasurership on the Republican ticket, and served through the term of 1883, with much credit to himself and satisfaction to the public, so much so that he was offered a re-election, but in 1885 he devoted himself to his work as a railroad contractor, and speedily had his hands and shops full, lie has been connected with the Rock Island & Fairbury branch of the Burling- ton & Missouri River Railroad, and upon quite a large number of their branch lines in Illinois and Nebraska, his last one being that at LaSalle, III. He takes deep interest in his work, is very exact and thorough, so that his contracts have always been filled and satisfactorily accepted, and at the same time have left him financially successful. In his work Mr. Bush has been connected with the well- known firm of Re3 - nolds Bros., of Wymore, also Fitzgerald, Kil pa trick and others. While a resident of Vesta Precinct our subject was on the School Board the greater part of the time, and always took the greatest interest in that work. He has been a member of the I. O. O. F., andis a Knight of Pythias, prominent in the order, and of good standing. He has always been a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and a rep- resentative man of the city, honored and respected by all who know him, whether in social, political or business circles. Mr. Bush, while a resident of Vesta, became the husband of Miss Sarah K. Ross, their marriage being celebrated on the 18th of June, 1872. The chil- dren whose names are appended form their family circle: Eugene 11., Edith M., Robert R., Ethel P., Laura and Florence LaRue, all of whom are at home with their parents, who are giving to them the best education the institutions of Tecumseh afford. Mrs. Bush is the daughter of J. M. and Ellen (Saunders) Ross. She was born in the State of Illinois, on the 19th of January, 1855, and accompanied her par- ents when they removed to Nebraska in 1865. Her father is still a farmer, enterprising and pros- perous in the above precinct, and with his wife, is enjoying the fruits of their joint toil in the past. They are the parents of eight children, whom they have brought to mature years. Both are greatly f ■*♦■ JollXsON COUNTY. ■^TT^ 301 esteemed in the Baptist communion, of which they have for many years been members. The father of our subject, Thaddeus Bush, was a native of Germany. He came to this country when a young man, and settled near I'tiea, N. V., where he took a farm ami there continued to live until 1852, when he removed to Wisconsin, where he died four years later, aged forty-four years. His wife was a native of New York, and previous to her marriage bore the name of Alvina Andrews. She presented her husband with five children, who subsequently took their places in the ranks of the honored citizens of this community. Both were mem- bers of the Baptist Church for many years. Mrs. Bush moved lo Plattville, and subsequently, in 1867, to DeKalb County, afterward coming West witli our subject, at whose home she died in the year 1878, aged sixty-three years. d\T OHIN B. SHAKKETT, one of the prosper- | ous farmers, fully abreast of the times in all j matters pertaining to his occupation, and V one of the prominent men in religious cir- cles, and a much valued citizen of Lincoln Precinct, ie a native of Fayette County, Ohio, where he was born on the 8th of April, 1826. His parents, John and Nancy Sharrett, were natives of Virginia. His father, who served in the War of 1812, settled in the Buckeye State shortly after the conclusion of hostilities. Of nine children born to them the following survive : .lane, the wife of Robert Snell, of Xenia. Ohio; Mary, who is married to Frederick Shigley. of Ft. Madison, Iowa; Elizabeth, now Mrs. L. 1). Slade. of Elgin, III.; Martha, the wife of Andrew Wolf, of Jay County, Ind.; and our sub- ject. Both parents of our subject died in the year 18G2. Mr. Sharrett was reared in Fayette County, Ohio, where he lived until be was about twenty years of age. All bis early life was spent upon the farm, and from boyhood be worked at whatever duties could he assigned him, with the result that he has become a thoroughly practical farmer. Upon reach- ing the above-mentioned age he removed to Greene County, Ohio, where he began to learn the brick- ■4* mason and plastering trade. This he continued to follow for a number of years at Xenia, in that county. The marriage of our subject with Elizabeth Straley, the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Straley, natives of Virginia, was celebrated on the 20th Of July, 1850, at Fayette, Ohio. Mrs. Shar- rett was born in Fayette County, Ohio, and unlil her marriage lived with her parents. She has presented her husband with eleven children, four of whom are now living, viz: Francis M., now of Crab Orchard, in this State; Lafayette, of this county; Luella. the wife of William A. Larnett of Lincoln Precinct, in this county; and George P., of Nemaha County. Accompanied by his family our subject came to this county, in 1856, and pre-empted 1 (Id acres of land on section 18, township 5 north, range 12 east. This is the property he still owns, but to which he subsequently added ten acres. The entire 170 acres are thoroughly improved and in a high state of cultivation, yielding him, other things being equal, crops above the average. At the time of his settlement it is said there were but two houses within the boundaries of Johnson County, and they were by no means completed, so that he is among the first actual settlers in the county, which he has watched with pride as it has been transformed from its original to its present condition. Stud- ded as it is with well tilled, cultivated and slocked farms, it is one of the mosi progressive and wealthy counties of the State. Our subject has made a specialty of raising Short-horn cattle, and the better grades of some other varieties of cattle. Mr. Sharrett was chosen one of the first Com- missioners, and in fad helped the organization thereof, and so well did he till the duties pertaining to his office, that for thirteen consecutive years his constituents continued to return him to the office. For several terms also he held the office of Assessor, where he was also faithful in the discharge of his duties, as elsewhere. In polities he has always been a stanch Republican. Deeply interested in all edu- cational matters, he has rendered effectual service to the Board of Education, of which he was a mem- ber for many years. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Fpiscopa] Church, to which be is " •► t . *•■ JOHNSOS COON l'Y. ^T^* - . - Mrs. S arrett; both are held in the highest possible regard. Our subject holds the offices of Trus S ill miiI Class-Leader of the church, and he is one of the pillars of the organixa- li\ the social order of Odd Fellowship he is acko _ a member in good standing, and is accorded the confidence of all hi* fellow-members. i — « LMER w. NELSON represents valuable |-« farm properly in Lincoln Precinct to the 1 \ . . s of land, with convenient - antral buildings, and devotes bis attention - _. I lis homestead is located on section -(>. and he is numbered among the rep- - tative men of the county, one who lias taken a genuine interest in its progress, and has contributed in no small degree toward bringing it to its presenl - ion. \ native of the Dominion, our subject was born in the city of Perth, District of Bathis, Jan. 1. 1833, and is the son of -lames and Martha (Goarley) Ncl- who were natives of Ireland, and who cr — the Atlantic in their youth, settling with their par- - in Canada, where they were married and lived until 1851. They became the parents of ten chil- dren, seven of whom survive, namely: Elmer W., our subject; Margaret, the widow of Mr. Long- worth, of LaSalle Conuty, 111.: Jan s, sident of Bureau County. HI.: l.etitia. the wife of Alexander Holbrook, of Bureau County; William and Josiah in Dakota; and Isabelle, Mrs. Gideon Rytchmyre, of Princeton, 111. The deceased are: Mary and Martha, who died at theages of n years, two years, and ten months, respect- ively. Our subject was educated in the publi< - of his native Province, which he left when about eighteen years of aire, and removed with his par- ents to LaSalle County. 111. They located first in the town of LaSalle, but a year later removed to a farm in that county, where Elmer W. remained with his parents until his marriage. This impor- tant event in his life occurred .Tune 23, 1857, his bride being M ss Mi garet McKibben. Mrs. Nel- son was born in Upper Canada, May -J7. 1834, being +— the daughter of Daniel and Johanna (Murphj ) \i, Kibben. who were natives of Ireland, and crossed the Atlantic, each with their parents, when young in years. Thej were married in the city of Ottawa. and became the parents of three children, the eld- as f whom, Henry, died when about three years old. The survivors are Mrs. Nelson and her sister Annie, the latter a resident of Pennsylvania. The father died in Canada about 1836, and the mother survived him until 1845. To our subject and his estimable wife there ha\ e been born eight children, namely: Margaret .1.. the wife of .lames Morrisv. of Vesta Precinct; Elmer G., James 11.. Mar\ M.. Alexander K.. Mar- tha A. and Maude I.. The deceased child, a son, Allen, died when about eighteen months old. Shortly after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Nelson took up their residence in Bureau County. 111.. where our subject engaged in farming, and whence, in the spring of 1881, he came with his family to this county, and purchased the land which he now owns and occupies. He began life with very little capital, hut was strong in hope and stout in mus- cle, and being assisted by one of the most devoted ami industrious of women, has accumulated a com- petence for his old age. Mr. Nelson was a resident of Henry County. 111.. a period of twenty years, during which time he served as County Commissioner one term, and Sehix>l Director eight \ ears. Here also he has been a School Director in his district, and in politics is in- dependent, aiming to support the men whom he con- siders best qualified to serve the inl - - I the people. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, although having labored industriously many years in the accumula- tion of their property, are still in the prime of life, and capable of enjoying years of prosperity and happin ss bl'.NKY SCHUMANN. Lincoln Precinct rec- s no better citizen within its borders than the subject of this sketch, who is com- vjy fortably situated on section 9, and i> busily a ged as a general fanner and stock-raiser. A native of Rock Island. 111., he w:is bom April 7. . and is the son of John and Elsaba \ Brandt | * Jl^ 4 JOHNSON COUNTY. Schumann, who were both natives of II'. • lermany. Tli< of our subject _ ed to Ami about 1851, settling in Rock bland County, III.. where the father carried on agriculture a U- sons, then changed hi- residence to Henry ( ounty, where h<- lived until the summer of l*7n. Thence they crossed the Mississippi into this county, and settled upon the laml which their son Henry now owns and occupies. Here the father lived and la- bored until the illness which resulted in hi- death, May 24, 1686, when he was about seventy-four years old. The mother only survived h<-r bus- band a few month-, her death taking pla A ii ^r«i-i following. They wen- the parents of five children, three of whom are living, namely: John I)., a resident of Nebraska; Anna S., the wife of (.. M. Shrouf, of Kansas, and Henry, our subject. Both parents ■were members in s the German Lutheran Church, and were widely and favorably known throughout Lincoln Precinct, win-re they enjoyed in a marked degree the > - and confidence of its best people. John Schumann came a pioneer t<> thi- county before a furrow had been turned u jk m the land which lie chose for the scene of hi- future opera- tions. He was a man of great energy and perse- verance, ami by the exercise of incessant industry and the closest economy built up for himself and those dear to him a comfortable and valuable hoine. Upon becoming a naturalized citizen he identified himself with the Democratic party, and in thi-. as in all hi- actions in life, exercised that conscien- tious course which impressed those around him with hi- moral worth and integrity. In bis death John- son County l"-t "in- nf her most rained German citizens. Henry Schumann accompanied hi- parents Nebraska in the summer of 1870, and assisted in the development of the new farm. He hail obtained a somewhat limited education in his native S the advantages of those days being far behind those enjoyed by the youth of to-day. Hi- has been occupied in fanning pursuits all his life, and amid the '/rein fields and quiet pursuits of the country finds his chief happiness. When not thirty year.- of age he was married, -Ian. 20, «■ t'. Mi— Annie, daughtei ■■( Frank ' who, like her parent* .ml. and l>orn May 17. 1865. Her fathei 'lent of Smartville; the mother i- L Their fam- ily included twelve children, eight of whom are in Nebraska, one in Europe anil three Our subject anil hi- wife began the journi life together al the old homestead which tered the former for go many year-, and which comprises 120 acres of fertile land under a "f cultivation, with suitable farm buildings. Their union ha- been blessed by the birth of children — < larence H. and Anna Pan Hi Mr. and Mrs. Schumann are members in standing of the Catholic < burch, ami our subject, politically, i- a thorough-going Democrat, a man of decided views, ami upholding his principles with all the natural strength of his character. He i "f Lincoln Precinct in the fall of 1**7. serving his term acceptably, and re- ceived the nomination for the -aim- office Oct. 11. ectcd. He hat urer for his school district for the last three -. and, being a descendant of a nationality paying special attention to the education and early training of it- youth, i- a firm believer in compul- sory education, lie take- a lively interest in poli- tics, although no office-seeker, anil in bus matter- i- one of those men whose word i- consid- ered a- g 1 a- hi- lion'l. "Hi^H^^ ARRISON W. MERRILL, one of the fore- en of Johnson County, i- a prominent merchant of the city of Sterling, which is much indebted to him for its high standing in the commercial world .as an enterpris- ing and prosperous municipality. lie was born in :. Me.. Feb. 11. 1841, and was reared and educated in that old New England town. His par- ents were Bradberry and Asenath (Blether) Mer- rill, natives of Durham. Me. The father died at the nL'e of seventy-three year-, and the mother is still living, ami resides in Maine. She has at- tained the age of eighty-four year-. In March. 1861, our subject left the beautiful 304 -•* JOHNSON COUNTY. fr *t scenes of his early home and went forth to seek his fortunes in the Great West, ami (hiring: the first year of the war he lived in Stark County, 111., and it was in Kewanee. Henry Co., 111., in his young manhood, he resolved to become a soldier and fight for his country, enlisting Aug'. 11. 1802, in Company V. 121th Illinois Infantry. He served faithfully and unfalteringly throughout the re- mainder of the war, and none in the ranks were braver or more efficient in eamp or on the battle- field. He was iii Gen. John A. Logan's division, and was with his regiment in every mile of march on their way through different partsof the South. He was only in a hospital ten days, when his comrades were encamped at Vicksburg. Through the many battles in which he fought he miraculously escaped without a wound, and returned home with his health impaired only by exposure. After the war .Mr. Merrill made his way back to his New England birthplace, and was a resident there until 1867, marrying' in the meantime, on the first day of that year. Miss Felicia II. .Mitchell. She is a native of Dover, Me., horn .Inly 18. 1843, and is a daughter of John and ( harlotte ( Littletield ) Mitchell. After marriage Mr. Merrill removed to Mas- sachusetts, where he engaged with I). W. Batch- elor .V Co.. hoot and shoe men. He remained with them three years, and then came to Nebraska, ambi- tious to try life again in the great and growing West, where he shrewdly foresaw he could invest the $3,000 that he had accumulated after the war to a good advantage, and in a few years he numbered among' tin 1 wealthy capitalists of this county. He first located in Blue Spring, Gage County, with his family, hut. in April. 1871. he bought a farm in Nemaha, Johnson Co.. Neb., near Sterling, where he lived for some years. The land when he purchased it was unbroken, and it was his pioneer task to de- velop its agricultural resources, and to otherwise improve it, which he did, so that it became a val- uable piece of property. After residing- there ten years he moved into Sterling' to engage in the mer- cantile business. He has a neat, well-appointed store, and carries a large stock of about $10,000 worth of general merchandise. He has built up a "arge and flourishing trade, as his goods :\\-i' of the In st, and he knows well how to cater to the wants of the public. Our subject's anticipations in com- ing' to Nebraska have been fully realized, as he has accumulated much wealth. He now owns 180 acres of improved laud in this and Pawnee Counties, some valuable property in Kansas City. Mo., a commodious residence in Sterling, and he has stock in the Sterling Lumber Company, of which he was one of the organizers, and is now one of the di- rectors. To our subject and his wife two children have been born — Bessie and Harry II. The latter died May 1!S. L887, aged six years. Mr. Merrill and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and their daughter of the Baptist Church. Mr. Merrill owes the acquisition of his wealth to the fact that he is a man of more than ordinary business and financial ability; his clear vision, sound wisdom, and singularly correct judgme.n1 in all that relates to commerce, make him pre-emi- nent in the business circles of this city. In him all worthy schemes tor the advancement and im- provement of Sterling find a cordial and liberal supporter. Especially is this true in regard to the education of the young, and during' the three years that he was President of the School Board he used his influence to establish a school system which is not surpassed in any other city in the county. Me is a pronounced Republican in his political views, but is not an aspirant for office. Asa pleasant re- minder of his army life he is now a member of Sill l'ost No. 99, G. A. I!., of Sterling'. ^g^ AMUEL 1'.. PARKER. The snug farm of ^s£L eighty acres which is pleasantly located on iAJ\3) section 11 in Center Precinct was built up from the primitive soil by the subject of this sketch, who moved upon it in the spring of 1883, and began at once the struggle with the soil which has brought him such admirable results. He has been prospered remarkably in his labors, and besides having brought the greater portion of his land to a productive condition, lias erected a neat and substantial dwelling', with barns, corn cribs, and the other structures required for the the 1 t\ *-I-^ JOHNSON COUNTY. -♦HMi 305 , l 4 storing of grain and the shelter of stuck. He has also planted shade and fruit trees, placed scores of rods of fencing', and lias in all respects a home of which he may well lie proud. Mr. Parker has been a resident <>t' this county since the spring of 1879, and has made for himself hosts of friends. A Southern man. he was horn in Macon County. Tciin.. Dec. 29, 1843, and was reared and educated in hi- native Slate. When a youth of sixteen years lie migrated across the Mis- sissippi into Cape Girardeau County, Mo., ami two years later, after the outbreak of the Rebellion, sig- nalized his patriotism by enlisting in Company G, 29th Missouri Infantry, in which he did faithful service until the 20th of March, 1863. Our SUbjeCt first saw the smoke of battle al Chalk Bluff, Ark., and being assigned to the Army of the Cumberland was present under the command of Gen. Sherman in the first engagement with the enemy at Vicksburg; subsequently he was in the light at Arkansas Post and at Jackson, Miss., besides other minor engagements. For awhile lie was on detached service, and then, as the result of hard- ship and exposure, was taken ill and sent to Jeffer- son Barracks, Mo. There he remained until being mustered out. lie escaped wounds and capture. although at one time he received a serious scratch from the Slivers tjf a fence near hi in which was lorn by a cannon hall. A- a native Of One Of the Southern States Mi-. Parker manifested his loyalty to an unusual degree. His forefathers were slave-holders, and the later members of the family were ill sympathy with tin* Confederacy. Three of the cousins of Mr. Parker sarved during the war in the rebel army. His father, however, 'was a Union man. and a member of the Missouri Militia before the war. Samuel !'>.. not long after receiving his honorable discharge, came to what was then the Territory of Nebraska. and located in Nemaha County, in the month of April. 1868. Thence, in 1879, he came to Johnson County, where he has since lived. While a resident of Nemaha County our subject made the acquaintance of one of its most estimable young ladies. Miss l.utclia. < la lighter of Rev. Thomas I). Ivl wards, and they were wedded on the I Ith of November, 1865. Mrs. Parker was horn March 6, ««•— 1848, in Iowa. The maiden name of her mother was Rebecca A-ghpaugh. The parental household included seven children, who are now scattered in the West. The father is now deceased, and the mother lives with our subject. To Mr. Parker and his estimable wife there have been bom six chil- dren, namely: William. Nettie. Maude. Ilattie. Grace and Clinton I!. Fisk. They all continue at home with their parents. Mrs. Parker is a member in good standing of the Christian Church, and our subject, politically, is a Prohibitionist. He is .a man liberal and progressive in his ideas, strict in his moral principles, a warm advocate of temper- ance, and the fact that as a Southern-born man he was loyal to the Government of the United states, is one to which his children may revert in after years, and in which they may justly take pride. It indicates perhaps more forcibly than anything we could name the chief characteristics of the man. Such a one can be trusted, and he is looked upon by his neighbors as a member of thecommunity whose word is as good as his bond. £~r>$sv~e THOMAS W. MILKS, a leading citizen of Tecumseh, and the owner of a line property within the city limits, bus been for many years recognized as one of the leading citizens of this county. He is an ex-Mayor, and ex-Treasurer of the Johnson County Agricultural and Mechan- ical Society, and has most of the time during his residence in the county been prominently before the people as a citizen warmly interested in eveiy- thing pertaining to its progress anil welfare. Our subject, was born in Green County, Wis., Oct. 28, 1850, where he received a good education and lived until a youth of eighteen years. Then going into Stephenson County. 111., lie engaged in farming until 1880, when he came to this State, and locating in Tecumseh Precinct, engaged in farming one year, then changed his residence to Tecumseh, where he embarked in general merchandising. The year following his arrival here he purchased an in- terest in the Tecumseh llouring-mill. and in partner- ship with a Mr. Brandon operated this al I. two years. Then having an opportunity to sell oul to 306 . JOHNSON COUNTY. rir 4 good advantage, he did so, and invested a portion of his capital in drugs and groceries, in partnership with Messrs. Rogers & Coffee, the firm name becom- ing Rogers, Coffee & Milks. They enjoyed a lucra- tive trade for two years, the store being located at the corner of Third and Clay streets, in Russell & Holmes' fiue brick block. In May, 1887, our subject disposed of his inter- ests in the business above mentioned, and in com- pany with E. B. Combs purchased a livery stock, which he operated with his partner until the 1st of January, 1888. Then selling out he turned his at- tention to farming, in which he has since been en- gaged, lie is now a prosperous man, and his career is highly illustrative of the results of industry and perseverance. He has been careful to live within his income, prompt to meet his obligations, and his course through life has been that which has secured him the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citi- zens. Politically, he is an ardent Republican, and upholds the principles of his party in a manner characteristic of the man. The marriage of our subject with Miss Elizabeth Place was celebrated in Stephenson County, 111., Dec. 15. 1872. Of this union there have been born two children, Charles E. and Flora A., who con- tinue at home with their parents, and are receiving the best educational advantages afforded in the county. Charles, a bright and studious boy, ex- pects to be graduated from the Tecumseh High School in the class of '89. He is but a little over fifteen years old. Mis. Elizabeth (Place) Milks was born in Ste- phenson County, 111, Sept. 29, 1854, and is the daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Bivens) Place. Her father was a native of New York, whence he re- moved early in life to Illinois and carried on farming in Stephenson County until his death, which oc- curred in the summer of 1877. His decease was at- tended with circumstances unusually sad, behaving been drowned while fishing with a net. The mother is still living, and makes her home with her children, west of Tecumseh. Ezra Milks, the father of oar subject, was born in Pennsylvania, whence he emigrated to Wiscon- sin early in life and was there married to Miss Polly Phillips. They became the parents of three cliil- dren, of whom Thomas W. was the youngest. The mother died when the latter was a little lad four years of age. and he was then taken into the home of strangers. When eight years old he commenced working on a farm for himself for any one who would hire him. He seldom saw his father after- ward, in fact, has only seen him three times since he was four years old, the latter having married and moved to Missouri. Our subject became identified with the Masonic fraternity while a resident of Illinois, and has still maintained his warm interest in the principles of the Brotherhood. lie has held the various offices of his lodge, and with his estimable wife, belongs to Eastern Star Chapter. lie is also connected with the s.ins of Veterans. ALCOLM STEWART. M. D. The medical 'II iV, profession possesses in the person of Dr. Stewart a most worthy and able represent- ative, which statement will be most heart- ily endorsed by- the numerous patients of Crab Oruliard and the neighborhood, who have been fort- unate enough to secure his services in the hour of their need. The Doctor is a graduate of the medical department of the State University of Iowa, ami from the time he received his diploma until tin' present has been more than usually successful in the profession. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on the Moth of October, 1838. He is the son of John Stewart, of Black Hawk County. Iowa. The subject of our sketch remained upon the farm with his father until 1878, when he entered the Stale Normal School at Cedar Falls, being grad- uated therefrom after completing the full curriculum in June of the year 1881. In the September follow- ing he took charge of the Cascade (Iowa) schools for one year, then, in 1882, he came to Tecumseh, and conducted the first institute here. During this time he had been reading medicine, ami upon the conclusion of the Institute he entered the medical department of the University of Iowa City. He received his diploma on the 5th of March, 1 ssf. and in the following May came to Vesta and began practice. This has grown day by f- --■ — -■ , .. . „ Residence of Jonathan 5ouders,5ec. 16.(6 = 11.) Helena Precinct. Oak Grove Stock Farm, Property or C.H.Beethe.Sec. 34.(4- 11.) Todd Creek Prect. •►Hl^ JOHNSON COUNTY. 309 day until it is quite extensive and withal very re- munerative. Dr. Stewart was married on the 22d of June, L884, the lady of his choice being Mary E. McGee, the daughter of Thomas C. McGee, a former highly respected resident of Vesta. The above marriage has been blessed by the birth of a son, Charles E., who has brought with him to the home a brightness and happiness even greater and deeper than that which characterized it prior to his advent. Both Dr. and Mrs. Stewart are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and are accounted among the most devout and earnest supporters of the cause. The Doctor is quite a politician, a stanch Re- publican, taking the greatest interest in advocating the plan of American protection for American labor. He is a man of much public spirit, and a typical American citizen, progressive, enterprising and prosperous. eARL HENRY BEETHE is one of the repre- ( sentative citizens and pioneers of Johnson ' County, and owns an excellently cultivated, fertile farm of 1 54 acres on section 34 of Todd Creek Precinct. It is a model farm in every re- gard, without being so dubbed. Other things being equal, its harvests are of a model order, and the success, financial and otherwise, of our subject is be- yond question, lie has resided upon his present farm since the year 1869, when he first came to the State. It was then in such condition as allowed him the largest possible scope for effecting any pur- pose he might have in mind, being in every way like unto the surrounding prairie. By constant ap- plication, energy and labor he has brought it to its present excellent condition of beauty and product- iveness. His residence he built in 1876, and it is now one of the best in the district. He also erected a large and com modi mis barn, ami put in new out-buildings, which was somewhat of fl departure from and improvement upon the previous condition of things, not only upon his own farm but in the district generally. The subject of our sketch was born on the 15th of May. 1850, at Hesscn, Germany. lie was •HHi; eight years of age when he was taken to DuPage County, 111., by his parents, who took up a claim there. The schools of that county provided him with such education and mental training as gave him a good foundation for his afterlife. That it has not been lost upon him is seen from his ability in the management of his farm. He was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Sodmann on the 30th of July, 187G, and of their union six children were born. Their names are as follows : Sophia, Minnie, Christopher, Carl, Christine and Dedrich. Mrs. Beethe was born on the 4th of September, 1859, near Dubuque, Iowa, to John and Frederike Son- man n. Carl Beethe, the father of our subject, was born in Germany on the 7th of March, 1815. His wife. the mother of our subject, was Minnie Bueltemier. Their union resulted in the birth of twelve children, all but one of whom grew to maturity. The father came to Illinois in L858 with his family, and in 1869 settled upon the farm he now owns, which he has made all that it is. He now lives a quiet, retired life, leaving to a son the care of the farm. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in political affairs stands with the Republican party. The subject of our sketch makes a specialty of raising thoroughbred Poland-China hogs and high- grade stock, and has made a very careful provision with this purpose in mind, having every practical arrangement for rendering his work as effective, convenient anil profitable as possible. He is the owner of a very fine Clydesdale stallion, weighing about 1,500, which has quite a reputation in the district, His herd of Short-horns numbers about sixty, all of them valuable high-grade stock. Mr. Beethe has made his way in the world almost unaided, and has been largely prospered in all his efforts. He is a man whose character has always been above suspicion, honorable, strictly honest in all business transactions, one whose word could at all times be taken. lie has frequently held variou s offices, and has been both Supervisor and Assessor. In 1883 he was elected County Commissioner, sei v- ing the county with ability. He is a member in <*ood standing of the Lutheran Church, and in polities supports Republican principles. Frequently has he been called upon to represent the county as a dele- ■► JU 310 JOHNSON COUNTY. gate to conventions and meetings, and he is en- joying the confidence of the people of the county, being everywhere held in high regard. For a view of his home see another page. -S-^==3*^4^- 4 \f ( >N ATI I AN S( )l ' DERS. Most of the best citi- zens of Nebraska are found among the mem- bers of the agricultural community, because being a comparatively new country thej are in a large majority. Among those who besl represent American citizenship is the subject of our sketch, the owner of a good farm of 160 acres on section Hi. township 6 north, range 11 cast, of Helena Precinct. The subject of our sketch is the son of William and Hannah Soiidcrs. and was born on the 8th of June, 1828, in Fulton County, Pa., in which State both his parents were also born. He is the oldest child born to Ins parents, and was reared to manhood, received Ins education and made liis lirsl start in life in his native State. From early boyhood he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and hav- ing had a natural liking for that kind of life lias been quite successful in his labor. Mr. Souders has been twice married. His first was celebrated in Pennsylvania in 1852, the lady of his choice being Elizabeth Hull, who was born in Maryland, and was the daughter of Abraham and Mary Hull. By this marriage he became the parent of four children, viz.: William A.. Edward. John, and an infant who died unnamed. The first mentioned is the only one still living. The maiden name of his second wife was Jane Mullinix, the daughter of John and Susan Mullinix. of Virginia and Pennsylvania. Of the children of this union live are now deceased. We mention those who survive as follows: Annie, wifeof Edward Chastain, of this county; Addie, Clyde, Lizzie, Albert !>., Cora and Lewis. Those deceased were named Clarence, Daniel, Pearl L.. Avery and Alvey. In the year 1869 our subject left Pennsylvania for the West, and located finally in Knox County, 111., when' he made his home and saw considerable success, remaining there until 1872; then he de- termined to make another removal, and came to this county in 1873 and settled upon his present property. The entire Hid acres he has brought to a very tine condition and has greatly improved it. His house and farm buildings are quite good, and his farm is well cultivated. He usually raises corn and oats, and sees good results accruing. A view of the place is shown on another page. Mi'. Souders looks with pride upon the improved condition of things since the time he came to this State, and is glad to he able to remember that he has at all times been of such spirit as to do all he could to advance those interests. He is a member of the German Baptist (Dunkard) Church, as is also his wife. For the last ten years he has officiated as Deacon in that communion, lie has for a number of years Served as Moderator of the school district, taking an interest in his work. In politics he is in full accord with the Democratic party, and is a rec- ognized supporter of the same. I Ie is one of t he representative pioneers of the county and a self- made man. and is regarded by those who know him as a truly worthy and loyal citizen, and with his family is respected throughout the community. y*@£3/(TOT»\~ -VV»- W\/\. ~v*2£j2*®^@ ROSS HITCHCOCK, a young man of more than ordinary ability, is not only one of the fl educators of Johnson County, being a teacher in the public schools of Sterling, but he is also identified with its agricultural interests. He is a son of Col. Nicholas E. Hitchcock, a banker of Ster- ling, and one of its leading business men, a sketch of whose life will be found on another page of this volume. Our subject was born in Perry County, Ohio, Jan. (i, 1863, and his boyhood was passed amid the pleasant scenes of his birthplace. He received an excellent, practical education in the public schools of his native State. In the early part of 1881 he came to Nebraska with his parents, who settled in Sterling, and in that year he began to utilize his "book learning" by entering the ranks as teacher at the age of nineteen years. Both by education and temperament he is peculiarly adapted to this pro- fession, and he has met with gratifying success in its pursuit. He taught for some lime in the schools f JOHNSON COUNTY. 311 of this vicinity during the winter terms, alternating Mint vocation in the summer months with agricult- ure. In the winter of 1884-85 he was first enrolled among the instructors of Sterling, and has ever since been a teacher here, still continuing to farm in the summer. lie is progressive and scholarly, and keeps well abreast of the times in regard to the most approved methods of imparting instruction, and occupies an assured position among the educa- tors of Johnson County. Mr. Hitchcock was married, .March 30, 1884, to Miss Hattie L., daughter of William and Jane Kneelaud. She is the only surviving child of her parents, and was the first child born in the city of Sterling, her birth occurring here May 20, 1867. Of her marriage with our subject one son has been born, Willie F. The cozy home of Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock is the center of refinement and true cult- ure, and its genial and courteous host and hostess make it attractive to a large circle of friends. Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock are active members of the .Methodist Episcopal Church, and they nobly second every effort of their fellow-members to elevate the mural status of the community in which they liv Mr. Hitchcock, like his father .and brothers, is n firm supporter of the principles promulgated by the Republican party. 4 ., NN E. (ALLISON) WATSON and her late husband, John J. Watson, were among the early pioneers of Johnson County, and @/J were active in the development of her agri- cultural resources, and in otherwise promoting her growth. To people of their sterling worth and strong integrity of character the county is greatly indebted for the high moral tone that pervades its society. Mrs. Watson is now living in the seclusion of one of the coziest and most comfortable homes to be found in the pleasant town of Sterling, where she is deservedly held in the highest respect and esteem. The death of her husband, which occurred on the homestead, Oct. 8, L882, at the age of fifty-four years, was a severe blow to the interests of the community, Of which he had so lung been a valued member. lie was lint little past the prime of life, ♦ and in the midst of a busy and useful career, which it was hoped might be continued for many years. Hut a kind and wise Providence ruled it otherwise, and he was taken away before the decrepitudes of old age had rendered life a burden, leaving behind him in the hearts of many warm friends the memory Of a true and upright man, who was beloved by all for his tender heart and many generous benefactions. His character was unblemished, and in his public life, for he took an active part in the administration of civic affairs, he was always de- voted to his duty, and was never known to swerve from the straightforward path of honesty and rec- titude. Mrs. Watson, our subject, was born in Frederick County, V a., to Simpson and Maria (Mills) Allison. When she was about seven years old her mother removed to Wheeling, W. Ya., her father having died one year before, leaving a. widow ami four children, namely: Andrew J.; James A., who died at Wheeling, aged eighteen years; Ann E. and John M. The latter was blind, and was educated in Staunton, Ya. The mother of our subject died in Wheeling, Aug. 29, 1853, aged forty-six years. The daughter of whom we write was carefully reared to womanhood by that excellent parent, and trained in all the household duties that go to make an accom- plished housewife. She was united in marriage to John J. Watson April 2:1, 1848, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. William Armstrong. In 1856 she and her husband emigrated to Southern Kansas, butafter a stay there of about three months, on account of drouth and sickness they left for Iowa, where they lived for about a year. In 1857 they came to Johnson County, Neb., which they proposed to make their future home, and they bought a tract of 160 acres of land from the United Slates, at §1.25 an acre, and later bought the 5 -acre plot on which they had put their buildings, suppos- ing it to be included in their purchase, but finding afterward that it was just across the line. This land was finely located about a mile northwest of Ster- ling, and there they improved a line farm, on which they lived until .Mr. Watson's death. Mrs. Watson bought her home in the town, and moved into it the next March. She and her husband had no chil- dren, but in the kindness of their hearts they ■► •*•■ 312 JOHNSON COUNTY. adopted a son, William C. Watson, whom they reared as tenderly as if he were indeed their very own. He was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Krantz in August, 1887. Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Watson was a strong Democrat he was appointed, during Presi- dent Lincoln's administration, Postmaster of La Trube post-olllce, which was established on his home farm, and was the first in this part of the county. He discharged the duties of that position with characteristic fidelity, and to the perfect satis- faction of his fellow-citizens, until his death. He was the founder of a star route from Nebraska City to "Nursery Hill," now within a mile of Syracuse, Neb., and he was Road Supervisor several years prior to his decease. Mr. Watson was a veteran of the Mexican War, in which he did gallant service for about two 3 - ears, when he was honorably dis- charged on account of ill-health. He was an exem- plary Christian in his daily conduct, although not a member of any church. Mis. Watson is a valued member of the Presby- terion Church, and also of the society Home of the Friendless. "Verily her works do praise her," and her good deeds arc silent witnesses of a noble life. ■HM— ^AMES M. THOMPSON, one of the early settlers of Johnson County, and one of its representative, men, is the owner of an exceptionally fine farm comprising the whole of the northwest quarter of section 18 of Todd Creek Precinct. In 188G he retired from the active operation of his farm, and is now engaged in attending the office of the Jennings Lumber Yard, and being a Justice of the Peace, holds his office at the same place. Mr. Thompson first saw Nebraska in the year 1 805, when he came prospecting, and in those j nimeyings traversed almost the entire State. On the 9th of May, 18G6, he crossed the river at Brownville with his family and stock, using for the purpose one of the flatboats commonly in use. They had left their home in Knox County, 111., on the 18th of April, and did not arrive at his farm on Elk Creek until the 12th of the following month. His farm when first taken up was barren of every- thing but the native prairie grass, and entirely un- cultivated, but before very long its appearance was vastly changed for the better, and it is now one of the finest farms in the count}'. In first locating upon his homestead Mr. Thomp- son built a log house, which served him until 1S74, when he erected a very handsome frame dwelling. He has also put out fully eight acres of forest trees, has planted two good and extensive orchards, and also a peach orchard of 1,000 trees, The farm by way of fencing has a well-kept, thick hedge, which presents a very picturesque appearance and answers the purpose perfectly. His various buildings and other improvements are in keeping with such as would be found upon a model farm, where both the knowledge and the means are at hand to obtain a well-nigh perfect result. Most certainly our sub- ject has the knowledge, ability and energy, and has effected his purpose. He has chiefly been en- gaged in the raising of swine, cattle and horses. and in these employments made a large financial success. The subject of our sketch has been a Justice of the Peace for twelve years, and for fifteen consecu- tive terms was Judge of Elections. For many years he continued to hold the office of Moderator of the school district. His religious convictions have led him to the membership of the Christian Church, with which Mrs. Thompson is also affiliated. In that communion our subject has for man}' years held the office of Deacon. He is also a, member of the G. A. R., and Chaplain of the local post. He is held in very high regard by his neighbors, is a 111:111 of character, and honest and worthy, and it is not forgotten that he did whatever was in his power in the earlier days of settlement in the dis- trict, in order to advance its interests and firing it to its present enviable condition. The subject of our sketch was born in Brown Count}', Ohio, on the 28th of May, 1818, and re- sided there until 1831. His parents saw to it that hr received a good practical English education, and afterward he was fully instructed in both the prac- tice and theory of agricultural pursuits. He started life for himself, and went to farming in his native county. There he met the lady of his choice, Miss f -4^ JOHNSON COUNTY. 313 Belinda Schoonover, to whom he was united in wedlock on the 24th of January, 1843. To them have been given nine children, of whom five sire still living. Their names are as here appended: Elijah C., Frances M., Belinda J., James M., Jr.. and Douglas E. Those deceased are as follows: Mary E., Tobiatha A., Emma E. and Belle. Leaving Ohio in I S."> 1 our subject went to Knox County, 111., where he continued farming until 1861. On the 10th of November of that year he enlisted in Company G, of the 58th Illinois In- fantry, and served in the Cumberland campaigns, lie saw much service, and shortly after the fight at Ft. Donelson was taken sick and taken to the hospital at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained until August of 1863, and on the 3d day of that month received his discharge. Upon leaving the hospital our subject received an honorable dis- charge, owing to disability, and thereupon returned to Illinois, where he shortly after sold out his inter- est, and came to this state, as mentioned aliove. The wife of our subject was born in Randolph County, W . Ya., in 1824, and there lived until she was about eight years old. At that time her par- ents migrated to Ohio, which became her home until her marriage, as above mentioned. The tie has not yet been severed, and as the years have succeeded each other the}' have but told the same Story of faithfulness and devotion in her wifehood. She has been a true helpmate to her husband, and devoted mother to their children. She is the daughter of Ebene/.er and Sarah (Reck) Schoon- over. Her father was a native of West Virginia, where he followed the occupation of a farmer, and died in the year 1842, leaving his widow and live small children. These later removed to Ohio, where Mrs. Schi >onover lived until our subject came to this State, when she accompanied the family, and died in 1883, being then ninety-two years of age. Of the children of our subject the eldest son is the husband of Emma E. Nicholson, of this precinct, and follows the occupation of farming, and is also a preacher of the Christian Church. Three chil- dren call him father, whose names are as follows: Erattie M., Albert and Wilfred. Francis M., who also lives in this precinct, was united in wedlock -4- with Miss Mary A. Libby; they also have three little ones, viz: Jessie May, Delia and Clarence. Belinda is the wife of George W. Knowles, of this precinct, ami they have six children, viz: Rodgers, Effa, Harry, Grace, Earrele and Clinton I',.; Doug- las E. married Miss N. Merwin, and two children brighten their home; James M. is unmarried and lives at home. Charles Thompson, the father of our su bject, was born in Ireland, near Dublin, and emigrated to America. While quite a young man he located in Pennsylvania, and followed his chosen occupation of stonemason. There he met and subsequently married Miss Margaret Kerr, of Pennsylvania. Their family included nine children, sis of whom attained their majority. In the year 1 HOI), ac- companied by his family, he moved to Brown County, Ohio, where he took a tract of heavily timbered land, and cleared for himself a farm. In this work every member of the family assisted, for all found something to do. After improving this farm Mr. Thompson continued to make it his home until 18114. He then sold it and moved to Knox County. Mo., where l.e took up another farming property, continuing to reside upon it until his death, which occurred in October, 1865, he being then eighty-nine years of age. His wife, who was eighty-two years of age at the time of her demise, departed this life in February of the same year. He was for many years a devout member of the New Light (Christian) Church, and sustained the highest possible character in all his relations in life. |*=XATIIAN I). PIERCE, a well-known and I J)! honored citizen of Sterling, is identified _ILi-3 with the agricultural interests of Johnson County, owning, as he does, one of the finest farms in this part of Nebraska, which is delightfully lo- cated one and one-fourth miles from Adams. Mr. Pierce is a. native of St. Lawrence County, N. Y., his birth taking place amid the beautiful scenes of that part of the country. Sept "23, 1837, and there the early years of his boyhood were passed. When he was a child his parents, Daniel and Wealthy f •► § r+- -•*■ 3 1 4 JOHNSON COUNTY. •t (Wheelock) Pierce, removed with their family to Geneva, Wis., where he grew to manhood, carefully trained in all that goes to make a true man and a good citizen. His parents subsequently settled in Waupun, Wis., where they both died the same week, In August, 1882. Thus they who were so devoted to each other in life in death were not long divided. In 18G0 our subject went to Fox Lake, and was there engaged in the general merchandise business until the following year, when the war broke out, and as a true-hearted and loyal Ameri- can he put aside his business, and all thoughts of the success that seemed assured, to join his brave comrades, and go forth with them to battle in his country's defense. He enlisted in Company A. 2d Wisconsin Infantry, and for two years was a faithful and efficient soldier in many a hard-fought contest. But the terrible sufferings and hardships of such a life told on his constitution, and although not wounded his health was broken down, and he was honorably discharged in the fall of 1802, and in his old home slowly regained strength and vigor under the loving care of his friends. The next important step in the life of our sub- ject was his marriage, July 18, 1863, to Miss Ora- villa V. Kingsbury. She is a daughter of Ephraim and Rosina S. (Thayer) Kingsbury, who now reside in Pawnee City, Neb. Her father was formerly a heavy lumber dealer in Newport, Wis., where they were living at the lime of our subject's marriage. He is now an extensive stock dealer. Three sons complete the pleasant household of Mr. and Mrs. Pierce, as follows: William II., a bright, manly youth who entered the navy at Chicago, Aug. 1, 1888; and Frank and Fred, who live at home, and have not yet completed their education, butarestill in school. In 1866 Mr. Pierce, who had not yet fully recov- ered his health which was so impaired by his army experiences, decided to take a trip in a buggy from Kilbourn City, Wis., across the country to Nebraska, a distance of 700 miles, and try the effects of this salubrious climate, and if he liked it, make his future home here. He and his wife made the journey as contemplated, and derived from it much pleasure, his health also being highly benefited. They settled in Pawnee City, where Mr. Pierce was engaged in farming most of the time. In the year 1882 he came to Sterling, and bought a farm of eighty acres eight miles north of the city, to which he removed his family. But about three years ago he came into the city with them to make his home here, where he owns a commodious house in which they live very comfortably, and which they render attractive to friend and stranger by the genial and whole-souled hospitality extended to ''welcome the coming and speed the parting guest." Mr. Pierce's farm in Adams, which he purchased in 1888, is finely improved, is well supplied with good buildings, and has an abundance of fruit trees, and all that goes to the making of a first-class farm. Mr. Pierce is in every respect a thoroughly good citizen and a fine man. and his neighbors speak of him in the highest terms. He and his estimable wife occupy a high position in social and religious circles. The}' are valued members of the Baptist Church, and zealously use their influence to pro- mote every work for the good of the community. Mr. Pierce is one of the leading members of the (J. A. R., Sill Post No. 99, and also of the F. & A. M., Bethlehem Chapter No. 20 ; is Chaplain of both organizations, and has attained the Royal Arch degree in the lodge at Pawnee City. He is not an office-seeker, preferring the peace and quiet of his pleasant fireside to the bustle of public life, but he has been a member of the City Council, taking that office at the earnest solicitation of his friends. who had no difficulty in electing a man of his well- known ability and integrity. In his political senti- ments he is with the Republicans, although he favors the principles of the Prohibition part}'. A. HARRIS is one of the foremost business (g) men of the prosperous and lively city of l^ Sterling, who are taking an active part in building up its commercial interests, as he is a prominent grain dealer here, carrying on an exten- sive and profitable trade. He is a native of En- gland, his birth taking place in that country Jan. 5,1824. His parents, William and Sarah (Corn- fort) Harris, died when he was quite young, leav- ing him dependent upon his own exertions for a f 4= JOHNSON COUNTY. ■*» .■!!.•) 4 livelihood. Our subject was, however, well en- dowed with muscle and brain, a stout heart and willing hands, and at the age of seventeen lie eame to the United States to seek work, with the hope that he might gain a more comfortable home in re- turn for his labors than he could in his native land. He located in Maine, and soon obtained work in the town of Cooper of a farmer at $8 a month, taking his payment in trade instead of money. He worked thus for about three years, and also was employed in the lumber regions near Holton. Me. In that town he met, and at the end of that time married .lane Montgomery, a native of Scotland, as were her parents, with whom she had come to America when a child. They located in the Province of New Brunswick, but they spent their last years in Rochester, N. Y., with their daughter, Mrs. Harris. After marriage Mr. Harris and his wife had gone to that city, and with his wife's money lie estab- lished himself in the general merchandise business, which he carried on there quite successfully for several years. But he was ambitious to try life in the West, and in 1859 he moved with his family to Iroquois County, III., and there turned his atten- tion to farming. He resided there until 1879, en- gaged the while in agricultural pursuits, and in that year made another move still further west, and shortly after we Mud him established in Sterling as a grain dealer, which business he has since followed with marked success, as he has built up a large and exceedingly (laying trade, and is regarded as One of the solid men of the city. In August, 1875, our subject and his family met with a sore bereavement in the death of the be- loved will' ami mother. She was an earnest mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church; a woman of true Christian worth, whose many amiable quali- ties endeared her to many beyond the household circle, where the thought of her is a sacred mem- ory. Of her pleasant married life six children were born, of whom the following is recorded: William lives in Portland, Ore.; Francis lives here; Agnes, Mrs. Bernard llotchkiss. died in Atwood, Kan.; Jennie is now Mrs. Dr. Helms, ofBurchard, Neb.; John lives near Sterling; Oliver lives in the city. Mr. Harris has taken a prominent part in local f and county affairs, his wisdom and experience be- ing highly appreciated by his fellow-citizens, and he has been a member of the City Council of Ster- ling ami Chairman of various county and precinct committees at different times. He is a linn sup- porter of the policy of the Democratic party, being much opposed to the tariff. He came to the United States during the campaign in which Polk was elected to the Presidency, and he was very much interested in the novel methods of electioneering in this country, whose institutions were so different from those of his native England. Mr. Harris is a thorough business man. prompt and systematic in his methods, and conscientious and upright in his dealings. He is influential in promoting schemes for the advancement of the city, and is held in deservedly high respect, lie has one of the most imposing residences in the city, to which he retires from the cares of business, and where he often pleasantly entertains his friends. -».V\.-»wv» olIN .1. OLMSTED, a citizen of prominence and good standing in Vesta Precinct, eame to this county in February, 1879, and set- tled on the land which lie still owns and oc- cupies. For nine months he kept bachelor's hall, and then took a family into his house, with whom he lived until his marriage to .Miss Jennie L. Jones, Aug. 13, 1 SS2. lie has since given his undivided attention to the building up of a homestead and the development of his land, and is numbered among the well-tO-dO and enterprising men of the north- eastern part of the county, lie has good build- ings, with an abundance of fruit and shade trees. and all the other surroundings which form the complete rural home. His farm comprises Kid acres on section lit, and. in addition to general agriculture, he raises graded stock, having a fine assortment of cattle. Our SuUJecl was born near .Maquoii. in Knox County, 111.. Oct. 13, is;, i. and is the son of Thad- deus and Elizabeth (Jones) Olmsted, the former a native of Franklin County. Ohio. They left the Buckeye State and settled in Knox County. III.. during its pioneer days, where the father carried 2=f* 316 JOHNSON COUNTY. *=!♦ on farming. The parental household included five children, of whom John J. was the second born. The others were Louisa, Theodore, Belle and Amos. All are living. Louisa took kindly to her 1 ks, and before her marriage was employed asateacher. She is now the wife of Rufus Howe, of Western Precinct. Theodore is a practicing physician, re- siding at Lincoln. Our subject spent his boyhood and youth on the farm in his native county which his father built up from the uncultivated prairie, and there became familiar with the various employments of rural life. His education was < ducted in the district school, and he was taught at home those habits of industry which have been the secrel of his success in life. After his marriage he carried on the im- provement of his property uninterruptedly, and has been remarkably successful, at the same time pursuing that course, both in business and social circles, by which he has gathered around him many friends. He is at present the Treasurer of School District No. 53, and, with his estimable wife, is a member in good standing of the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church, attending services at Rose Hill school-house. To Mr. and Mrs. Olmsted have been born three sons — Walter. Warren J. and Amos. •~ t .. :=^3g^ t WjILLIAM H IN WOOD LIBBY. Among the worthy pioneer settlers of Johnson County is the subject of our sketch, who is also one of the representative farmers of to-day. He is the owner of a very fine property, compris- ing 120 acres lying on section 30, township 4, range 12, of Todd Creek Precinct; also about 110 acres of excellent bottom land on section 25, town- ship 4, range 11. He lirst came to the State in December, 1865, and was on a prospecting tour, being anxious to take a homestead in the most favorable locality he could find. He decided upon a claim of 100 acres on section 21, township 4, range 11, and then returned to his home in Indiana, where he staid the winter, and early in the following year settled upon the claim. Naturally when our subject located on his new homestead everything was before him yet to be accomplished. Not a furrow was turned, not an improvement made. He began to cultivate his land hopefully, carefully and diligently. He put out a hedge around the land of natural timber, a large number of forest trees, covering perhaps eight acres; also a tine apple orchard and fully four acres of peach trees. From the latter there have been taken as many as 1,500 bushels in one year, but many of the trees are now dying out. In his field he devoted himself chiefly to grain farming. Among other improvements, lirst in order and im- portance was the erection of a dwelling, which was a commodious and pleasantly arranged farmhouse. In 1879 our subject sold his property and bought his present farm, which was partially improved, and now presents a far different appearance. The house, stables ami other farm buildings arc belter than many found upon other properties that would apparently warrant the expectation of almost a model farm and surroundings. Here, as before, he gave careful attention to the details of his farm, and did not overlook the forest trees about the house, orchards including cherry, plum, pear and apricot trees, vinery and such pleasant and profit- able departments, and building good fences, in- cluding one mile of hedge. He has about 2,000 forest trees upon the place, and twenty acres of natural timber. Since coming to his present farm Mr. Libby has given no little attention to stock raising and feeding, and is the owner of some very fine horses, anil large herds of swine and graded cattle. He also at one time dealt quite extensively in cattle, shipping man} - carloads, and driving as many as 500 head in a year. He is certainly one of the most successful farmers in the precinct, and in connection with his cattle dealing is known throughout the State and even beyond its borders. Mr. Libl>3' has been a man of business, and has not given an absorbing attention to matters of political import. He, however, is a good and true citizen, and usually votes with the Republican party. He is very favorably known in both the fraternity of the K. of P. and the G.'A. R. The subject of our sketch is by birth a Canadian, and was born in Oxford County, Canada West, on the 18th of November, 1841, living there with his parents until he was about thirteen years of age. f Ji<+ JOHNSON COUNTY. 317 4 Then, with them, lie went to Porter County, Ind. They settled near Valparaiso. Hi* education was received in the home schools, but completed in Indiana. After leaving school his mind was di- rected to the more serious engagements of daily life, and he engaged in farm pursuits. In 1862 our subject enlisted, on the 5th of July, in Company I, 73d Indiana Infantry, which became attached to the Army of the Cumberland, and he served through the western campaigns. During that time he took part in many battles, among them the following: Perryville, Stone River, Nash- ville, Franklin, Day's Gap, Crooked Creek, Blunt's Farm, Ala., and Pulaski, Tenn. Strange as it may seem, he passed through military life without a serious wound, and the more so because at the fear- ful battle at Stone River his company went into the battle fifty strong, and when the memorable en- gagement was over less than half that number an- swered the roll call. At Rome, Ga., in 1863, while under Col. A. D. Straight, he was taken prisoner and carried to Belle Isle, where he was held for forty days, suffering greatly and witness- ing much distress on the part of his comrades. He received an honorable discharge on the 2d of July, 1865, then returned to Indiana, leaving shortly afterward for the West upon the above-mentioned prospecting journey. The marriage of our subject with Miss Sarah Murray was celebrated March 13, 1869. which union has been fruitful in the birth of three chil- dren, two of whom, viz., George E. and Edle, are still living. Miss Murray was born in Vermont, at Ilinesburg, on the 4th of August, 1844. While she was still quite a child her parents removed to Boston, and later to Lowell; another removal took them to Lawrence. When she was ten years of age her parents migrated from the old Bay State to Vermont, and thence to Indiana, and settled in Pinter County, residing there until 1866, when they went to Missouri, which has since continued to be their home. Mrs. Libby is the daughter of Calvin and Caro-' line (Mood}-) Murray. Her father was a native of the Green Mountain State, and followed the oc- cupation of a machinist, which partly accounts for the number of removals mentioned above. But he 4> took up farming upon coming West, and still owns a fine farming property in Atchison County. Mo. He is seventy-nine years of age. I lis wife, who is a native of Vermont, has reached the advanced age of seventy years. William Libby, the grandfather of our subject. was an Englishman. He, however, emigrated to Canada, and enjoyed quite a reputation as a ma- chinist, which was his chosen occupation. His son William, the father of our subject, was born at Fal- mouth, a seaport in the South of England, and came to this country when about twenty-two years of age. He became the husband of Miss Wealthy Townsend, near London, Canada, about 1824, and they became the parents of nine children, eight of whom lived to mature years, our subject being the sixth child. His death occurred at Quebec, in August of 1855, while on his way to England. His widow is now living in Todd Creek Precinct, having taken a homestead there. She is a native of Connecticut, and in her girlhood re- ceived the best education then obtainable. She has now attained the advanced age of eighty years, but is still in the enjoyment of comparatively good health. She is very highly esteemed by all who know her, and is held in highest regard. -er-dSa-S \i7 EW1S E. OST. Among the enterprising I ((e)! and progressive young men who stand in ■v — ^ the front ranks of Johnson County, is the subject of our sketch, lb 1 comes of an Eastern family, having been born in the State of Mas- sachusetts. He was reared and educated at Shel- burne Falls. Mr. Ost is the son of Elias G. and Kate Ost, who were natives of Germany. His birth occurred at Shelburne Falls. Sept. 1 I, 1861, and even in his early days he gave proof of the [lowers he has since more clearly manifested and so clearly utilized. When about eighteen years of age our subject was engaged as agent and operator at the Hoosac Tun- nel station on the Fitchburg Railroad, and there continued until 1880. Mr. Ost came to Johnson County in 1881, and located at Elk Creek, but, after remaining there a and e a T i i 318 JOHNSON COUNTY. r short time removed to Smartville, and engaged in grain and stock dealing, in which lie continued until 1886, when lie began farming, in which he was engaged until the fall of 1888, when he re- sumed his former business as agent, on the Burling- ton & Missouri River Railroad, near Bellwood, Neb. From the first he has been prosperous as a business man, and was no less so as an agriculturist. In 1884 our subject celebrated the Fourth of duly by upon that day being wedded to Miss Mary Mook, the estimable daughter of David and Lucinda M. Mook, of Smartville. She was born near Rochester, N. Y., in 1865. Her parents attended to it that she received a good education, and she resided with them until her marriage. Of this union there have been born three children, whose names are as follows: Percy, Mabel and Carl D. For two years Mr. Ost served with every satisfac- tion as School Treasurer, and has held other offices, lie was a member of the committee of the Repub- lican party in the precinct, and an active worker in connection therewith. Both he and his wife are members of the I'liiversalist Church at Tecumseh. and in it are held in much esteem. In society at large they occupy a prominent position, and at all times are well received. Both as a man of business and a citizen our subject is respected Ivy his fellows, and enjoys a reputation that is irreproachable. IIARLES W. POOL. The firm of Pool & Cooper are well known as the enterprising ^^^7 publishers and proprietors of the Johnson County Journal, located at Tecumseh. Mr. Pool. besides being interested in city matters, has a fine tract of land in Western Precinct, embracing 160 acres, and which is devoted mainly to stock-raising. Besides the property above mentioned, Mr. Pool owns eight}' acres in Center Precinct, and the Com- mercial Hotel at Crab Orchard. He and his wife are owners 'of city property in Tecumseh, aside from the interest of Mr. Pool in the business of the Journal. The father of the subject of this sketch was born in the city of Columbus, Ohio, and when a little lad four years of age went with his parents to Mar- shall County, 111. They settled in the pioneer days near what afterward became the town of Henry, where the father operated as a tiller of the soil until about 1836. He then crossed the Mississippi into Grundy County, Iowa, and finally, in October, 1865, made his way to Nebraska, locating in Paw- nee City, where his death took place in June, 1867. The mother. Mrs. Ann (Shinn) Pool, was a native of Virginia, and at the time of her marriage a resi- dent of Fulton County, 111. The household circle was completed by the birth of seven children, and, with the exception of one girl, who died at the age of sixteen years, all lived to maturity. The sur- viuors are residents of Nebraska and Kansas. Mrs. Pool, fourteen years after the death of her first husband, became the wife of Mr. David Sheppard. and is now a resident of Kansas. The father of our subject was a member of the .Methodist Episcopal Church, and in his lateryears a supporter of the Republican party. The pater- nal grandfather, Simeon Pool, was of New England ancestry, and during the lateryears of his life car- ried on merchandising in Henry, 111., where he ac- cumulated a competence, and spent his declining days in ease and retirement. His death took place in the fall of 1863, when he was a very old man. Charles W. Pool, our subject, was bom Nov. 20, 1856, near Kewanee, Henry Co., 111. lie was seven years of age when his parents removed to Iowa. He came with them to this State, and completed his education in the schools of Pawnee City. He commenced his business career as clerk in a store of general merchandise, and began learning the printer's trade in the office of the Hennepin (III.) Record, lie remained there three years, then lo- cated in Peotone, and established the Eagle. Six months later he returned to his old haunts in Hennepin, and the year following crossed the Mississippi. This was in the fall of 1878. Mr. Pool purchased the Sterling News, of Johnson County, but three months later changed the scene of his operations to Tecumseh, and in company with Mr. Barn hart, established the Johnson County Journal, with which he has since been successfully connected. He pur- chased the interest of his first partner in February, 1881, and conducted the paper alone until March, ♦*-» ■^r* JOHNSON COUNTY. 3 1 9 -r L887, when lie became associated with Mr. II. L. Cooper. Both are men of enterprise, and the Jour- nal is having a decided influence in the county, as the leading Democratic paper. Mr. Pool's home is presided over by a very es timable lady, Mrs. Frank L. (Foster) Pool, to whom he was married in Tecuraseh, April 25, 1883. Mrs. Pool was born in Greencastle, Putnam Co., Ind., April 1. is.">7. and is the daughter of William L. Foster, a millwright by trade. From Indiana they came to tliis county-, in June of 1880, and are now residents of Tecumseh. Mrs. Pool was Deputy County Clerk of Benton County, Ind., for a period of tour years. Mrs. Pool received a g 1 education, and taught a district school in Indiana, while at the same time giving instruction in music. She has distinguished herself as a very capable and enterprising lady. and after coming to Tecumseh established a millinery store, which she conducted until her marriage. The maiden name of her mother was Addie Chit- tenden, and the parental household included three daughters, who are all living. HARLES M. WILSON, Postmaster of Te- cumseh. was appointed to this office by Presi- * dent Cleveland in April, 1886. Since that time he has served satisfactorily, conducting the office with good judgment and economy, and by his courteous treatment of all who have dealings with him, has gained in a marked degree their friendship and esteem. The post-Office at this point is ranked in the third class, and accordingly commands a salary. It is the largest post-office in the county, the gross receipts being upward of $4,000 annually, and having domestic and foreign money order departments. The subject of this biography was born in Dela- ware County. N. Y., Dec. 7, 1850. After emerg- ing from the common schools he became a student of the Delaware Literary Institute at Franklin. N. Y., and subsequently occupied himself as a teacher. DpOD leaving his native State he located in Jersey County, 111., where he taught from the fall of 1876 until the spring of 187?, then, crossing the Missis- sippi, took up his residence in Tecumseh. and was given the management of the business of the Chi- Lumber Company, with which he was con- nected until his appointment to his present position. It is hardly necessary to say that Mr. Wilson isa member of the Democratic party. He has Keen prominent in local affairs during nearly the whole time of his residence in this county, officiating as ■ member and President of the School Board, and as an Alderman in the City Council. Before Tecum- seh was transformed from a village into a city Mr. Wilson officiated as Town Clerk. The wedded life of our subject began on the 14th of February. 1883, when he was married to Mis- Dora Hunsberger. Mis. Wilson was horn in the city of Washington, 1). C, Dec. 29, 1857. Her father dying when she was an infant of six weeks, the mother removed to Ogle County, III., and passed away when her daughter was a little gill of seven years. She was then taken into the home of her maternal grandmother, where she remained until her marriage. In the meantime she had been given ■a good education, especially in music, completing her Studies in connection with this art at Highland Park Institute, from which she was graduated in ls77. She was afterward a teacher of music until her marriage. This she prosecuted with line suc- cess, ami enjoyed an enviable reputation as a per- former on the piano ami a singer. To Mr. and .Mrs. Wilson there have been born three children: Margaret L.. Helen II. and Mary P., all of whom are living. The home of the Wilsons is situated in the north- ern part of the city, and in its surroundings indicates culture and ample means. Our subject, socially, belongs to the Knights of Pythias, of which he i> a prominent member, and has represented his lodge in the sessions of the Grand Lodge many different limes. lie is also Past Chancellor. Robert F. Wilson, the father of our subject, was bom in Delaware County. N. Y., where he carried on fanning, and dealt hugely in live stock for many years. He finally retired from active labor, and took up his residence in Cohoes, where his death occurred July .".. 1883, at the age of sixty-live years. The mother was in her girlhood Miss Polly A. 4= 320 JOHNSON COUNTY. *^H* Powell, a native of the same county as her husband, and they became the parents of six children, all of whom lived to mature years. She died while com- paratively a young woman, in October, 1866, aged about forty-three years. Both parents were mem- bers of the Baptist Church. John Powell, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was born in 1800, carried on farming the greater part of his life in Delaware County, and is still living, being hale and hearty, and now eighty-eight years old. His aged partner passed away three or four years since. John Wilson, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was of Scotch ancestry, and born in the North of Ireland. He crossed the Atlantic when a young man, engaged in farming during the greater part of his life, and in his declining years took up his residence with his son in Akron, Ohio, where he passed away about 1858, at the advanced age of ninety'. eb. A. BlKSEKUUJiK is cla: well-to-do, enterprising farn County, who have taken a •f V. A. BIESEMEIER is classed among the rmers of Johnson prominent part in developing its agricultural interests, and are among the most active in sustaining them. He has met with more than ordinary success in his chosen calling, as is attested by his large, well-improved farm in Sterling Precinct. He also has a further claim to distinction as a fine representative of the brave citizen-soldier, who, before attempting the pioneer task of evolving a farm from the wild West- ern prairies of the country, helped to put down the Rebellion that threatened her institutions. The subject of this sketch was born in Germany, April 11, 1842, and in 1849 he came to the United States with his parents, F. A. and Elizabeth (Win- ter) Biesemeier. They located in Warren County, Mo., where the father died of cholera in 1851. The mother died in LaFayette County, Mo., in 1881. He of whom we write was the third of the seven children born to his parents, and he grew to man- hood in Missouri, where we find him living at the breaking out of the war. In October, 1861, when lint nineteen years of age. he enlisted in Company I), 5th Iowa Cavalry, and with all the ardor and patriotism of a native-born citizen, went forth to "«• fight the battles of his adopted country. He served faithfully and efficiently until the close of the war, and took an active part in many heavy engage- ments. He was at Pulaski Gap, where his brother Christian fell mortally wounded by a shot through the liver, and died twenty-four days later. The company in which was our subject, followed the rebel General, Hood, to the Tennessee River, and then returned to Howard's Station, where they were badly whipped in the forenoon, but in the after- noon the tables were turned, and our subject and his comrades had the satisfaction of repaying the enemy in full coin. During that battle Mr. Biese- meier was fighting in a trench or washout, and was so absorbed in his occupation that he did not notice that his company, heavily pressed by the enemy, had suddenly been forced to retreat. When he discovered their absence he saw that his only safety lay in a hasty flight, and he promptly took to his heels, but finding that he was closely pursued by the enemy, he betook himself to a swamp of canebrakes, and hid until they had passed, when he crawled under a culvert and lay there until the rebels were again repulsed. He then rejoined the boys in blue on their return to the field, and helped to capture some prisoners. That battle lasted all day, and the Union soldiers pursued the Confed- erates for some days afterward. Our subject and his regiment were then ordered back to Murfrees- boro, where they were recruited and despatched with Sherman on his inarch to the sea as far as Iluntsville, Ala. From there they returned to the Cumberland River, and on the way they met a part of Hood's army at the Tallapoosa River, where their brigade was surrounded by the enemy, and at night cut its way out, and fell back to Franklin. From there our subject and his comrades were sent to take part in the second battle of Nashville. As they inarched onto the battle-field, the Second Lieutenant of Company L, which was just ahead of our sub- ject's company, was cut in two by a cannon ball, leaving the lower part of his body in the saddle. This ghastly sight checked the movement for a moment, but the men soon made a heavy charge on the enemy, but without much effect. This was the 22d of December, 1868, and darkness coming on, the soldiers lay in a ditch through the night. On *^^+ JOHNSON COUNTY. -•**■ 321 f *t the afternoon of the next day they charged the rebel works and took them. On the eve of the 23d, after Hood had been badly whipped, the Union boys were crossing a field where they had been fighting, and iu the darkness our subject and some of his com- rades fell into a ditch onto an abandoned cannon of the enemy, causing a chill which they will never forget. At Pulaski, Tenn., Mr. Biesemeier's com- pany took a prominent part in the heavy fight waged there, and took many prisoners, coming off victorious, although they had been hard pushed by the rebels in the forenoon. Thence they proceeded up the Tennessee River, but they subsequently marched back to Pulaski, and in March, 1804, our subject re-enlisted, taking a furlough of thirty-five days before reporting for service at Clinton, Iowa. His regiment was then actively engaged in a num- ber of raids on Savannah, Ga., where they antici- pated a fight, which, however, did not come off. They staid there until peace was declared, and our subject was honorably discharged, and returned to his old home in Missouri. While in the South he met with many hairbreadth escapes, and of one of these he relates that when encamped at Grand Springs, Miss., he was detailed to unload a boat of hay on the Tennessee River, and while in charge of those thus detailed, he attempted to get off a steam- boat onto a flat boat, made a misstep and plunged into the water, it being very dark, and he came very near being drowned. He had been benumbed by the cold before he fell into the water, and the boys dragged him out more dead than alive, and had to work vigorously to resuscitate; him, rolling him on a board to get the water out of his stomach. His clothes were frozen stiff, and the fall had ren- dered him unconscious. Soon after returning home Mr. Uiesemeier was united in marriage, Oct. 15, 1865, to Miss Justine Ivufusz. The happy bride and bridegroom imme- diately left Missouri and came to Johnson County, Neli., where they had resolved to build up a home, and they commenced their wedded life on their pres- ent farm. It was then a wild tract of prairie land, comprising ICO acres on sections 5 and 8, Sterling Precinct, which Mr. Uiesemeier took up under the provisions of the Homestead Act. There was then no house between here and the city, and our sub- ject and his wife have witnessed the greater part of the development of Johnson County, besides being important factors in promoting its growth. When they came here they had but $725 in money, but by their united exertions, wise economy, and shrewd management, have increased this many fold, and they now own one of the most valuable farms in the precinct. The farm now comprises 4-10 acres, which includes, besides the homestead (which is finely improved), 160 acres on the southeast quar- ter of section 31, township C, range 9, and 120 acres on section 17, township 5, range 9. The farm is all fenced, is well watered, and stocked with cat- tle of good grades. In the attractive home that the}' have thus built up eight children have been born to our subject and his wife, six of whom are living. The family are highly respected in this neighborhood, and they are much valued members of the German Lutheran Church. Mr. Biesemeier is well dowered with firm- ness, activity and enterprise, and his genuine kind- ness of heart has given him a warm place in the hearts. of those who know him. In every depart- ment of life, as a husband, father, neighbor and citizen, he is the same upright, honest man, in whom all who know him place unlimited trust. He is an intelligent thinker, and has decided views on all subjects that come under his notice, par- ticularly in regard to politics, he being an earn- est Republican. -0-^t»^Q^^<- INCAN LIVINGSTON. Spring Creek Precinct numbers among its citizens nu- merous able and successful agriculturists, and among them, and by no means the least worthy of mention, is the subject of this notice, whose property, comprising 2,500 acres, is situated in Johnson. Otoe and Saunders Counties, Neb. That in Spring Creek is located on section 12, town- ship ft north, range 11 east. He was born in Ar- gyleshire, Scotland, on the 14th of March, 1825, and is the son of Duncan and Barbara (McAllister) Livingston. He is the fourth son of the family, and the eldest now living. His education, re- ceived in his native country, is of the usual Scot- 4«- f +~lz+. 322 JOHNSON COUNTY. ^H* tish careful, thorough nature, and enables him to hold a front place among the intelligent citizens. Leaving his native country our subject emi- grated to America in December, 1849, taking pas- sage at Glasgow in the good ship "Warren," which landed him in January, 1850, at New York. The thought in his mind at the time was simply to make a more or less extended visit to these shores, but as it happened the visit was extended until it was decided to make it his home. In Scotland, when about seventeen years of age, he had begun to learn the trade of a blacksmith, and this lie contin- ued to follow here. From New York City he went to Norristown, Pa.,and found work. After some time he went to Louisville, Ky., thence to New Albany, [nd., and was employed in the railroad shops. This continued until 1852, when, while in the employ of the Louisville, New Albany A' Chicago Railroad Company, he was promoted to be foreman of the forging department, which position he held until 1862. At the end of that period our subject went to Nashville, to take charge of the forging department of the shops of the Nashville & Chattanooga Rail- road, which he held a little over two years; at that time the road was under the control of flic United States Government. During that time he always had from l'<)() to 2-~> men at work under him. em- ployed in the construction of locomotives, which were made especially for the Government. In such work he was considered an expert, and turned out from the works some of the best engines ever used by the Government. The marriage of Mr. Livingston and Mary But- terfield was celebrated at New Albany, Ind., in April, 1854. His wife is a native of Yorkshire, England, and was born in September, 1835. She is the daughter of Henry and Susanna Butterfield, a well-known and much respected Yorkshire family. When she was about twelve years of age she ac- companied her parents to the United States, they settling in New Albany, Ind. Her father operated a carding-mill for a number of years, after which he located on a farm in Washington County, that State. This was their home for the remainder of life. To our subject have been born eight children; the following are yet living: Sarah Ann, the wife of Abijah Hubbard, of Otoe County, Neb. ; Henry. living in Helena Precinct, of this county ; Marion and Martha are at home. The deceased are as fol- lows: Neil, Barbara, Susanna and Daniel. While Superintendent at Nashville, and on the 22d of September, 1865, Mr. Livingston was pre- sented by his men with a handsome gold watch and chain, suitably inscribed, a souvenir of the esteem in which he was held by them. This is still in the pos- session of the subject of this sketch, and is of course very greatly prized by him. April 7. 1866, while at Louisville. Ky.. he was presented by the men in his employ with a very handsome silver medal, a token Of their confidence and regard. This is not without its significance in these days of labor troubles ami difficulties between man and master. He has been in the employ of several companies for twenty-live years, and never was in a strike during that lime, and never asked for a raise of wanes, but was ad- vanced from fifty cents to $5 per day. In leaving the railroad shops in 1865 our subject went to Louisville, Ky.. and started a new shop for his company for the manufacture of iron railroad bridges, then went to New Albany anil engaged in mercantile business for two years. After having made a trip to Nebraska, looking over the country, he finally purchased a large quantity of land in this county, to which he brought his family in 1867. After living a short time in Otoe County, early in 1868 they took up their residence on their present farm, and have continued on the same continuously from that, time. Mr. Livingston owns 2,500 acres of laud, 1,800 of which are in this county, the remainder in Otoe and Saunders Counties. It will be understood that the above-mentioned purchase included only wild land. He immediately set about the cultivation of the home farm, and has some 2,000 acres in a very high state of productiveness. In connection with lils grain and general farming he is quite a success- ful raiser of cattle, and is now the owner of a num- ber of very line animals, and he believes that he has the largest steer in the United States ; the ani- mal is named Livingston's Nebraska Baby. Mr. and Mrs. Livingston ale active members and able supporters of the Presbyterian Church, and take a deep interest in tilings pertaining thereto. They *f *^U> 4 «•■ .IOIINSON COUNTY. 323 move in the elite circles of local society, ami are greatly esteemed in the community. In civic and political affairs our subject is in strict accord with the principles of the Republican party, and usually votes its ticket. The aim of their lives seems to have been to leave the world hotter than they found it, and to follow strictly the excellent teaching of the chief commandment. _^_ _^^ V- ft AMES A. LAWRKNCE. The subject of this sketch occupies a prominent position among the pioneer element of Johnson County, to which he came when a large portion of its territory lay untouched by the plowshare, lie has watcher! the growth and development of one of the most prosperous States in the Union with that keen interest felt by every true-hearted citizen concern- ing a section of country which has become his adopted home. A native of the Empire State, Mr. Lawrence wis horn in Weslport, Essex County, Nov. 29, 1842, and although his experiences have been many and varied, hi' is still far from being an aged man. and has vet many years before him to complete the sum of his usefulness as one of the most valued citizens of the county. Our subject is of New England ancestry, his father. Wait Lawrence, having been born in Tor- rington, Conn., in 1798. The latter continued in his native State until a lad of fourteen years, then with his parents removed to Salisbury. Vt., and soon afterward enlisted as a drummer boy during the War of 1812. After this conflict had ended, he took up his residence in Essex County, N. Y., where his death took place in 187s, after he had reached his fourscore years. He was a farmer by occupa- tion, accumulated some property, and was a leading member in the Methodist Episcopal Church. The mother of our subject, Mrs. Anna (Audrus) Lawrence, was born in Hancock. Yt.. near the foot of the (Jreen Mountains, and by her marriage with Wait Lawrence became the mother of nine chil- dren, three sons and six daughters, all of whom lived to mature years. Her father, William Au- drus, was a farmer and shoemaker by occupation, and spent his last years in the Green Mountain State. -*. Mrs. Lawrence survived her husband until 1884, remaining a widow and passing her last days in the city of Troy, N. Y., at the home of her daughter. The subject of this sketch received a good edu- cation considering the circumstances by which he was surrounded, and his limited attendance at school. At an early age he became acquainted with the various details of farm life, and was mostly oc- cupied as a tiller of the soil until after the outbreak of the Civil War. On the Kith of September, 1861, he enlisted as a Union soldier in Company A, 77th New York Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He participated in twenty-three engagements with the enemy, and in the battle of Petersburg, Va., .Line 21,1 MI I, suffered the loss of one of his limbs above the knee. He was conveyed to Stanton Hospital in the city of Washington, I). C, where he was confined until November 24 fol- lowing, when he was mustered out with his regi- ment, at the expiration of their time of enlistment, the 13th of December, 1st; I. Our subject, maimed for life, now returned to his old home in Kssex County, X. V., and thence removed in April of the following year to Washington County. Ohio. From 1865 to 1870 he was employed in a woolen factory at Lowell, Ohio. After a residence of nine years in the Buckeye State, he crossed the Mississippi, and hoinesteaded a tract of unimproved land in Dawson County, this State. Here he put out trees, battled with grasshoppers and drouth, and came off victorious, and in the spring of 1*77 sold a finely improved farm for a snug sum of money. The latter he invested in land near the city of Te- cumseh, this county. He is now the owner of one of the finest estates in Nemaha Precinct, including besides his farm property a handsome home on Clay street, besides lots and houses elsewhere in the city. Mr. Lawrence has been prominent in local affairs, representing his ward in the City Council, serving on the Board of Education, and as Assessor of Nemaha Precinct for the last four years. As an ex- soldier he is a member in good standing and ex- Commander of Post No. 270, in the G. A. R., of Tecumseh. Socially, he belongs to the I. (). O. F., and religiously, is a member and Trustee of the Presbyterian Church. His business talent.-, and hi; :*=*- •i 324 '■f^L** JOHNSON COUNTY. ~f high character as a member of the community have secured for him the good-will and friendship of his fellow-citizens, who speak of him in the highest terms. One of the most important events in the life of our subject was his marriage with Miss Mary Mar- shall, which occurred April 1, 1866, in Lowell, Ohio. Of this union there were born three chil- dren, all of whom are living. Frank is engaged in mercantile pursuits at Falls City, this State; Will- iam is a printer by trade, and located in David City, and James is at home with his father. These boys have been given a good education, and are wide-awake and promising young men. Mrs. Mary (Marshall) Lawrence died while still a young woman, at her home in Dawson, Neb., in 1875. Mr. Lawrence, on the 28th of October, 1876, con- tracted a second matrimonial alliance, with Miss Sarah Otis, at that time a resident of Lowell, Ohio. This lady was born in Marietta, that State, March 7, 1840, and is the daughter of Stephen and Sarah (l)yar) Otis, who have long since passed away. The father died about 1868, at the advanced age of eighty-four years, in Ohio; the mother died in this State. Of this union there has been born one child, a son, Harry the gentleman whose history is herein briefly recited, He is a native of the Empire State, and was horn at Avon, Livingston County, Nov. 25, 1834. His father, Hiram Redfield, was a native of Vermont, but spent the greater part of his life in the State of New York. His death oc- curred in Fremont County. Iowa, in the year ls7.~>. The education of our subject was received in the COmmOIl schools of his native count V. supplemented by a course in Eastman's Commercial College, in Rochester. X. V., from which institution he was graduated in the year 1855. The following year he went to Peoria County. 111., ami made his home in Klmwood. where he began farming, continuing therein with much prosperity until the outbreak of the war. In response to the call to arms .Mr. Redfield en- listed in Company 1.77th Illinois Infant rv, for a period of three years. lie was an enthusiastic patriot, and went forward to the execution of his duty inspired by his love for the Union and the ''old Hag." lie was present and participated in the bat- tles of Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, Ft. Gibson, Cham- pion Hills, and Black River Bridge — the three lat- ter being fought, within a few days of each other, in May. 1863. In the July following occurred the siege and capture of Jackson. Miss., in which he took part. lie was present also at Spanish Fort. Mobile, and in a number of other engagements. Upon receiving an honorable discharge our sub- ject returned to Elmwood, and was employed as clerk ill the store and post-office of that place, con- tinuing until the spring of 1868, when he went to Hamburg. Iowa. In the fall .of the same year he returned to Illinois, and after about one year went, back to Iowa. In the spring of 1871 hi' came to this county, settling in Western Precinct, where he purchased a farm, carrying on the same until 1885, when he removed to Crab Orchard and engaged in mercantile pursuits. This he has continued from that time with an ever-increasing patronage born of the confidence of the community in him as a man ami merchant. He carries a full line 'of groceries, boots and shoes, furnishing goods, notions, glass- ware, etc. The marriage of our subject was celebrated at Knoxville. III., on the Ith of February. 1858, when he was joined in wedlock with Mary E. Aldrich, daughter of the late Jamiii Aldrich. who died in Ap- panoose, III.. Feb.:;. 1837. There have been born to them two children, viz: Lucien II.. June 10, 1859, and William C. Dec. 30, I860. The former is mar- ried to Alice M. Worley, and the latter is the hus- band of Mary E. Barrett. Both sons reside upon the farm, which comprises 320 acres. Mr. ami Mrs. Redfield were members of the Con- gregational Church, but as that communion has no church in Crab Orchard they have united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. They move in the best society of the vicinity, and are everywhere mosl cordially accorded the heartiest respect and esteem. Their beautiful home is the center of an exceedingly pleasant social circle, and its rooms are not infrequently the scene of felicitous festivities. They are liberal supporters of the church with which they are alliiliated. and of every enterprise of a charitable nature. Our Subject is a Stanch Republican, having affiliated with that party from JU 328 JOHNSON COUNTY. 4 the first day of his citizenship. Socially, he is con- nected with the G. A. R., and is a member of the local post, and by reason of his war experience is .-in enthusiastic member of thai organization of heroes and veterans. A portrait of this well-known and highly re- pected merchant and brave veteran appears on an adjoining page. /*^)EORGE W. IDEN.a well-known and highly (ll <=7 honored citizen of Johnson County, with ^^5) whose agricultural interests he has been closely identified fur nearly twenty years, is classed among the pioneers of Nebraska, although not one of its earliest settlers, lie and his wife coming here immediately after their marriage to begin their wedded life here and establish a home, preceding the advent of railways and when there were no markets, towns, schools or churches, except in a few Localities, have witnessed the great strides their adopted State has made in its almost unprecedented development. And not only that, they have borne an honorable part in promoting its growth, and their labors have been amply rewarded by one of the finest farms in Sterling Township, where they live in a pleasant, cozy home. The grandparents of our subject, George and Matilda [den, were natives of Virginia. They crossed the Alleghany range on their way Wes1 between the years 1812 and 1815, and settled in Carroll County, Ohio, of which they thus became pioneers. For fifty years after that event it was thought that they were the only family of the name west of the mountains, hut more recently others of the name have been heard of who are doubtless distantly related. -They bought land in the woods, and, not unlike thousands of others, be- gan the labor of making a farm. It may have been fortunate for them that they were thus obliged to wrestle with stern nature for a livelihood, thus developing fortitude, hardihood and self-reliance; but not many of the young married people of to- day will ever know only by tradition the labor. patience and endurance required to successfully en- counter the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life in a timbered country. It was on that farm that those people lived and in the fullness of years finally died. It was there that they reared a large family of six boys and four girls. Washing- ton Men. their oldest son. was bom on the old homestead in 1815. A few miles distant from his early home lived the family of Mr. and Mrs. lies- ton, also pioneers of like experience with his par- ents, and they reared a family of six boys and seven girls. In 1820 a daughter was born to them, whom they named Eliza. Washington Iden and Eliza Ileston grew to manhood and womanhood in the same neighborhood, and after a courtship prob- ably somewhat suited to those times, were married in 1837. These constituted the parents of our sub- ject. Their first venture was to procure a Id-acre tract of land in the woods and to proceed at once to the arduous task of clearing it and making a home. They aiso were the parents of a large fam- ily, seven boys and four girls, nine of whom are still living, having been born of their union. It was on their farm in the primeval forests of Car- roll County. Ohio, that their second son. of whom we write, was born on tin- 11th of October, 1840, and name! by them George W. His parents con- tined to reside on their homestead in Ohio until 1864, when they migrated to Kosciusko County, hid., where they now reside at an advanced age on a fine, well-improved farm, surrounded by all their surviving children, except George W. and Thomas .1., who are citizens of Nebraska. The boyhood days of our subject were passed on a farm, and though he is still in the prime of life and 1 1 i r- native State has been settled for over half a century, yet when he was young it was still under the dominion of the pioneer, and he early learned to know what grubbing stumps, picking stone and brush, and rolling logs meant. He was an earnest. thoughtful lad, loving his books, and greatly de- sirous of obtaining an education. His opportuni- ties were, however, limited to attending the public schools three months during the winters and a few months at an academy. Being of poor par- ents ami ambitious of entering the professions, he taught school at the age of eighteen to gain the wherewithal to gratify his ambitions, teaching dur- ing the winters and working (luring the harvests T JOHNSON COUNTY. ^11 «* 329 , \ to procure means to enter college. His educational and professional schemes were sadly interfered with when the Confederate cannon were discharged at the Nation's banner on Ft. Sumter, and on the Ith (if June, 1861, not then twenty-one years of aye. under the first eall for three-years troops, lie marched into Camp Chase. Ohio, to offer Ids sen - ices to defend his country's honor, and il was not until after the L8th of June, 1866, that he was mustered out. making a continuous service of five years and fourteen days. During those trying days his valor, patriotism, fortitude and ability were proved in many a hard-fought battle, and he lias a distinguished military record as a soldier, and later as an officer, receiving promotion not through the influence of others, but purely on account of his competence. He was a member of the 25th Ohio Infantry, and belonged to Company A until May. 1865, when he received a commission as Lieutenant and was assigned to Company E. During his long- term of service he was always in good health, always with his regiment to the front, thus giving him an opportunity to participate in a score of hotly con- tested engagements, in which he was often slightly wounded hut never wholly disabled. The 25th ( >hio was ordered to West Virginia and endured much loss through exposure in many campaigns in that rough, mountainous country, taking an active part in the battles of Cheat Mountain. Greenbriar, Al- legheny Summit, .Monterey. Huntersville, McDow- ell and Cross Keys. It was then transferred to l'ope's army and sustained a heavy loss in the un- equal and disastrous battle of the second Bull Run. There our subject was made a prisoner, taken to Richmond, passed bul one night in Libby Prison and hut a few days on Belle Isle, was soon paroled, sooner exchanged, and ordered to his regiment, which he joined in the morning al Cen- treville. Va.. where it had been encamped since the battle of Bull Run. Marly the next morning Mr. [den and his fellow-soldiers started on another ex- pedition, and having been assigned to the Potomac Army, his regiment joined it at Fredericksburg one day after the defeat of liurnside in December, 1 862. Our subject took part in the campaign and battle of Chancellorsviile, under Gen. Howard, whose corps. the 11 t,h, sustained the slunk of the grand flank movement of the Confederate chieftain, Gen. Jack- son. The historical campaign and battle of Get- tysburg soon followed, during the first day of which the division in which our subject marched, Gen. Barlow's, was almost destroyed, the colors of the 25th Ohio changing hands seven times. On the 5th of July, when his regiment was formed to go in pursuit of Gen. Lee. but sixty-eight were in the ranks, commanded by a Second Lieutenant. Mr. Iden was Orderly Sergeant of the regiment, an un- usual position in military organizations. The next move and last transfer of our subject's company was to the department of South Carolina, where he took part in tile seige of Ft. Wagner and all the operations in front of Charleston. Mr. Iden veter- anized Jan. 1, 1864, and remained in the department just referred to until the close of the war, engag- ing in many raids and severe encounters with the enemy. lie carried a rifle to the end of the strug- gle, and in May, 1865, was made a Lieutenant, and was soon assigned to duty in Columbia, S. C by order of Gen. sickles, as Provost Judge of what was called a "Superior Provost Court." This court was established for the settlement of many eases that needed early attention after the collapse of Confeder- ate law and authority. Our subject was also for a short time ordnance officer on the staff of Gen. Ames, who afterward achieved notoriety as Gov- ernor of Mississippi during reconstruction days. The last duty TO which Mr. Iden was assigned pre- vious to being mustered out was that of Acting Assistant Adjutant General, under Brevet Briga- dier General N. Hanghton, who was in command of a district, with headquarters at Columbia, S. C. It is needless to say that in these various responsi- sible and onerous offices our subject acquitted him- self with honor and proved to be an invaluable officer, whose sci vices were highly appreciated by his superiors in command. After leaving the army in 1866 Mr. Iden passed three years in Indiana quietly engaged in teaching and farm labor. On the 11th of November, 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Alice Disher, and they moved at once to their present farm in Nebraska, where they have ever since lived. Mr. Iden has been very successfully engaged in agri- culture, and has his farm, whose soil is rich and •^t-S: i *•■ 330 JOHNSON COUNTY. productive, under good improvement, well supplied with neat and tasty buildings and all the conven- iences for carrying on farming to a good advan- tage. The married life of our subject and his wife has been exceedingly pleasant, and to them have been born two children, one of whom died in in- fancy. Their daughter Zella is in her fifteenth year. Mrs. Idea's parents and grandparents were natives of Kentucky, but she was bom in Whitewater, Ind. Her parents and brothers are now living near Bour- bon, Marshall Co., Ind. Mr. Iden is endowed with a vigorous, well-culti- vated intellect, and a deep tender nature, and he holds strong and sensible convictions on all sub- jects of general interest. He is a quiet, unassum- ing man, careful and considerate in his dealings with others, and 1 e know him but to respect and esteem him. We learn from his fellow-citizens in this county that he has frequently been urged to accept legislative honors and other positions of trust and responsibility, but that he has positively de- clined office, preferring the quiet home life of the farm to the turmoils and attendant discords of the political arena. -£, ILAS L. BROWN, oneof the representative citizens of Tecumseh, and resident on Web- *t ster and Tenth streets, is the son of Horace Brown, a native of the Keystone State, where he was born in the year 1820, and continued to make his home for about thirty years. In 1850 he went West to Illinois, settling near Decatur, where he followed his trade, which was that of a shoemaker. He received the hand of Mary A. Bradley, of Warren County, Ohio, in marriage, in the year 184G. Their union was consummated by the birth of six children, of whom three survived to mature years. Horace Brown enlisted in Company F, 14th Illi- nois Infantry, and was in the Army of the Pol*)- mac. He was taken prisoner at Atlanta while on the historic march to the sea. He was thrown into Andersonville Prison, and succumbed to the hor- rors of that plaee. Captured in the month of Oc- tober, he had passed beyond the reach of the hatred and cruelty of man, and was at rest before the spring again exerted its power on the earth. The family could only get the number of the grave where he was laid. His wife had died in the spring of 1861, when only thirty-two years of age, when the husband and father with four children were liv- ing, our subject being the second child. Silas L. Brown, our subject, was born in Mercer Count}-, Pa., on the 3d of October, 1848. For two years alter this event the family continued to re- side there, but at the end of that period migrated to Illinois. He remained at home until 18G1, in which year the mother was removed by death, and shortly after he started and began life for himself. He found employment upon a farm, and continued thereon until 1879, when he sold out and came to this State. Here he for the greater part of the time worked as a carpenter. For live years he has had complete charge of the main and High School build- ings, at the same time working at his trade. For two years he filled the office of Street Commissioner, and was very diligent and thorough in the execu- tion of his duty. The marriage of our subject with Miss Sarah C. Watts, of Lovington, 111., was celebrated on the 29th of December. 1872. They have become the parents of six children, who are all living; their names are recorded a> follows: John II., Walter L., Lily V., Joe I)., Ida .May and Elmer E. They are all receiving the best educational advantages to be obtained in the city, and manifest a disposition and aptitude that are most promising. Mrs. Brown was horn on the 1 5th of September, 1850, atSalina, Lan- caster Co., Pa., and is a daughter of John and Sarah (Stackhouse) Watts. She went with her parents to Illinois in 187o, and continued to make her home with them until her marriage. Mr. John Watts, father-in-law of our subject, is a native of Penn- sylvania, and continued to reside in his native county until going to the State of Illinois, where he still resides. By trade he is a cooper, and fol- lowed the same while a resident in the East, but in Illinois he has followed agricultural pursuits. His wife died in March, 18S4. aged fifty-four years. The grandfather of our subject, Silas Brown, was born in Mercer County, Pa., about 1785. He made his home there for the greater part of his life, fol- •+Zf*+ -^ JOHNSON COUNTY. 331 lowing agricultural pursuits, and holding a verj high place in the esteem of the community at large. In the subject of this sketch there are reproduced many of the virtues and family characteristics of this worthy citizen, and like him also, he is by them so commended to the community as to enjoy its unqualified esteem. ;h-A I* s - DESIRE J. KING, widow of the late ( Horace King, properly speaking holds a -f place in the community as a farmer, be- ing the owner and director of an exceed- ingly line farm of 127 acres on section 6 of Todd Creek Precinct. Her first introduction to the State was in January, 1881, when, with her hus- band, she left Illinois, and coming by way of Lin- coln settled upon the place she still occupies, their son William L. (see sketch) having previously purchased it for them. It was at the time partly improved, but had to be supplied with a house be- fore it could he settled upon. (in the Kith of September, 1885, .Mrs. King's hus- band died, and although until then unused to the management of such affairs, sin- bravely took hold of the farm and continued as her husband had begun. She chiefly runs a stock farm, never feeding less than ten t<> twelve head of cattle and twenty-Sve to thirty of hogs per year. The subject of our sketch was for many years a member of the Free Methodist Church ivhile living in the East, but since being here, there being no or- ganization of that body she has become attached to the Free-Will Baptists, aud attends the church near her residence, in which she is highly regarded as one of the generous supporters and consistent members. .Mrs. King was born in Columbia Count} - , N. Y., on the 16th of February, 1818, and there lived un- til after her marriage. She is the daughter of Asa Burton, of Columbia County, N. Y. She received the best education within the [lower of her parents to provide, and was very carefully trained by her parents in the home. Her father was born in the same county and always lived there. The maiden name of his wife, the mother of our subject, was Abigail Wright. They were the parent.-, of four children, all of whom attained to mature years, their daughter Desire being the youngest. Her father died when she was about two years of age; her mother continued to live at the old home until after the marriage of our subject; she then made her home with her daughter until her death, which occurred m Niagara, N. Y., on the 16 th of January, 1855, when she was sixty-three years of age. Columbia County, N. V.. was also the native county of Mr. Horace King, lie was born on the 24th of April, 1811, and continued to make his home there until after bis marriage, when he moved to Niagara County and followed agricultural pur- suits until March, 1868, then, with his family of three children, removed to Henry County, III., and there was extensively engaged as a farmer. He was a man fond of his home, of his business and his family, but did not take a leading part in political affairs, although always ready and anxious to do his duty as a citizen, usually voting with the Repub- lican party. He was a man of line character, abil- ity and enterprise, successful as a farmer and much esteemed by all who knew him. He was a devout member of the Free Methodist Church, connected therewith for many years. He hail the reputation of being linn, thoroughly honest in every business transaction, and most reliably a man of his word. Mr. and Mrs. King were the parents of live chil- dren, three of whom are still living, viz: William L., Charles L. and Edward F. (sketches (if the two latter are presented elsewhere in this volume). Ed- ward F. was united in marriage with Miss Mary Whilholland, of Illinois, in June, 18G7 ;they became the parents of three children, all of whom are liv- ing and whose names are as follows: Willia A., Sarah Anna and Mary Jane, the eldest and young- est with our subject. His wife dying in 1874, he subsequently became the husband of Miss Anna Osmond, of Galva, 111., who has presented him with four children, who bear the following names: Alice E., Mabel 6., George M. and Emma. He is interested in land in Colorado and has been in that State about eighteen months. He also ownsagood farm in Todd Creek Precinct, and is shortly ex- pected to return to it. Amos King, the lather of Horace, was a native *-ll^ 4- 332 JOHNSON COUNTY, of Massachusetts, and was born in the year 17oG. He settler) in Columbia County, N. Y., shortly after the close of the Revolutionary War, through which struggle he had passed, bearing arms in defense of his country, entering the ranks when about sixteen years old. His first wife died after a very brief married life, and be was subsequently married to a Miss Bassett, of New York, who presented him with nine children. Horace King was the youngest of the nine children, seven of whom came to years of maturity. By his first marriage there had been six children born. The father of our subject, Isaac Burton, was born in Massachusetts and there lived until he attained to years of manhood. When a young man he set- tled in Columbia County, N. Y., and cleared for himself a farm in the vicinity of the King home- stead. This of course happened al a time when the Far West was an unknown district, and when the frontier was not far removed from the Atlantic. He was married and continued to live in the county and became the head of a considerable family. His first wife dying, he was married a second time, and two other children were added to the home circle. Religiously, he was a member of the Pres- byterian Church, and filled the office of Deacon for many years. *** -; SRAEL CARMAN, a well-known resident of Sluing Creek Precinct, and numbered among Its its representative farmers and stock-raisers, a gentleman in the prime of life, and the midst of his usefulness, operates a good farm on section 30, to which he came in February, 1866, and which em- braces .'!.")(! acres of well-improved land. He has a substantial dwelling, with suitable barns and out- houses, and his homestead presents a peaceful pict- ure of quiet country life, which is very pleasant to contemplate. Our subject was born in Mason County, 111.; June 22, 1844, and is the son of Hon. Alfred A. and Elizabeth (Wheelock) Carman, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. He was reared in his native county, and received his edu- cation in its common schools, which at that day 'afforded a wide contrast to the educational system of the present day. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War young Carman, then a little over seven- teen years of age, enlisted, in December, 1861, in Company K, 33d Illinois Infantry, being :is- signed with his regiment to the Army of .Mis- souri, and operating mostly in the Southwest and the State of Missouri until the spring of 1863, when they were transferred to the Department of the Mississippi. In the fall of that year they were transferred to the Department of the Gulf, with which division of the army they remained im- until the spring of 1865, then returned to the De- partment of the Mississippi. Young Carman fought with his comrades at the battles of Port G-ibson and Jackson. Miss.. Champion Hills, the siege of Vicksburg, Black River Bridge, Ft. Esperanza, the siege of Mobile, and in numerous other minor en- gagements and skirmishes, until the close of the war. Some months after the surrender of Gen. Lee he was mustered out. Nov. 21. 1 *(!.">. and re- ceived his honorable discharge. In thi' meantime the parents of our subject had moved to Nebraska, and taking in his old home on the way thither Israel soon joined them, being ac- accompanied from Mason County by his father. The latter, in January, lHOti. had returned to Illi- nois to take care of a crop of corn, and the father and son made the journey to Nebraska in a wagon, arriving in this county the latter part of the month. The marriage of Israel Carman and Miss Mary Allen was celebrated at the home of the bride in Spring (feck. Dec. 17. 1868. Mrs. Carman was born in Columbia County, Wis., March 31, 1848, and is the daughter of Alson and Catherine (Dolan) Allen, who were natives of Vermont and England respectively, and are now residents of Tecumseh, this State. They came to this county in June. 1867, :ind were among its earliest settlers, locating in Lincoln Precinct, the father being now seventy years of age, and the mother sixty-six. Mr. Allen has been a farmer all his life, but the parents are now retired from active labor, and surrounded by life's comforts are enjoying in their declining years the fruits of their early toil and sacrifice. To Mr. and Mrs. Carman there was born one + JI « ' « ► w f~* » .IOIINS0N COUNTY. 333 f child only, a son, Orvil, Sept. 13, 1869. They have labored band in hand in the building np of their homestead, our subject admitting that his estimable wife has been a most efficient assistant and help- mate in his struggles for not only a livelihood, but a competence. They have gathered around them many friends during their long' sojourn in Ne- braska, and their roof has been a hospitable shelter from whom none are ever turned empty away. Mr. Carman, politically, is a stanch Republican. He has served as School Director ill his district a number of years, and socially, belongs to the (I. A. R., Roberts Tost No. 104, at Talmage. .Mrs. Car- man is a member of the Baptist Church. The mother of Mrs. Carman came to America with her mother and stepfather when eleven years old, and lived with them ill Canada until a maiden Of sixteen. They then came to the Slates, and set- tled first in Ohio, removing later to Adams County, III. Mrs. Allen is also a member of the Baptist Church, and politically. Mr. Allen is a Democrat. * £*-§»• * D WARD COOK, of Spring Creek Precinct, is) is a gentleman held in due respect by the ==g^ people of his community, and is pursuing the even tenor of his way at a pleasant homestead on section II. lie was horn in Racine County, Wis., Oct. 5, ISIS, and is the son of Andrew and Hannah (Clulow) Cook, the former of whom died at her home in Tecninseh, in July, 1878, Further particulars of the family history are given under the name of our subject's father, Andrew ( look, on another page in this volume. AndrewCook spent his boyhood and youth in England. After his first marriage he came to America, and coming directlj West settled ill Racine County. Wis., where he lived until 1858, and then with his family came to Nebraska, lie settled lirst in Otoe County, but several years later came to Helena Precinct, this county, securing a tract of land on section 10. The family resided in that locality several years, anil about 1S72 the father took up his abode with his wife iii Tecumseh, where he is still living, and where, until the spring of 1886, he was engaged in business. He has been married three times. < )f his -4» first union, with Miss Clulow, t here were horn seven children, namely: John W.. Charles ('., Edward, Andrew. .lames W.: Elizabeth, the wife of Donald McCuaig. of Nebraska City, and Lucy J., Mrs. Samuel II. Fullerton, of Atchison, Kan. Mr. Cook, during the more active years of his life, was a man prominent in local affairs, and among other offices of trust he was a Commissioner of Johnson County, and Justice of the Peace. He is widely and favorably known throughout Tecumseh and vicinity, and ranks .among the honored pioneers of this county, wdio have home no unimportant part in its growth and development. He has been a member in good standing of the Methodist Episco- pal Church for forty years. Edward Cook, our sub ject, has been familiar with farming pursuits since his boyhood, and most of the time has been a resident of this county. His school advantages were limited, the educational system of Johnson County having not yet devel- oped to its present condition. He has. however, kept his eyes open to what was going on around him, and is a man generally well informed, both in regard to business matters and current e\ cuts. Our Subject has been three times married, first in Nemaha Precinct, to Miss .Mary Brooks, who he- came the mother of one child, a daughter. Minnie A., who was horn Sept. ■_'.'!. 1872, and is now with her father. His second wife was .Miss MattielJ. Brooks, an aunt of the lirst. who also became the mother Of One child, the latter of whom died in in- fancy. Mrs. Mattie R. Cook died in 1875. To the present wife of our subject, who in her girlhood was Miss Susie B. 1 hirham. our subject was married in California, -Inly 10, 1878. This lady- was horn May 15, 1855, and is the daughter of* J. II. and Bumetta C. Durham, who were natives of Kentucky, and arc now residents of Colusa County. Cal. Of this marriage there are four children, namely: Hannah N., horn Aug. 2, 1879; Jessie, Sept. 7. 1881; Ethel M.,Nov.3, 1884; and Oeorgie L-, .Ian. -.".i. 1886. The homestead proper comprises 160 acres of land, hut aside from this Mr. Cook owns land to the amount of 240 acres elsewhere. He has good improvements on his farm, the fences and buildings being creditable alike to his industry and good I -*- -■ -*- 334 JOHNSON COUNTY. -HMl taste. The livestock and farm machinery are .of first-class description, and the whole comprises one of the must valuable estate- in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are prominenl and popular in the social circles of their community, and the latter is a member in good standing of the Baptist Church. In his stock-raising Mr. Cook makes a specialty of Hambletonian and draft horses, exhibiting some of the finest specimens of the equine rare to be found in this section. P :r> UGH L. COOPER, of the firm of Pool & |] Cooper, publishers and proprietors of the Johnson County Journal at Tecumseh, was born in Lewistown, 111., on the 10th of No- vember, 1850, and lived there with his parents until a lad of seven years. Thence they removed to Page County, Iowa, where Hugh L. completed his education and began his business career as a printer boy in the office of the 1'mjr County Herald at Cla- rinda. There he remained until 18G8. and was after- ward variously employed as a journeyman until the year 1885. lie then purchased the Page County Democrat, which he conducted until November, 1886, then sold to secure an interest in the Johnson Count}/ Journal, with which lie became connected in March. 1887. Mr. Cooper was married. .Inly 11. 1876, to Miss Mabel Lavaux. of Atchison. Kan. To Mr. and Mis. C. there have been born two bright little girls, E\ a L. and W'ilma E. A( or. F1NZEE is one of the practical, pro- gressive and successful fanners of Helena Precinct, and is the owner of a valuable property of 322 acres, situated on sections 29 and 32, township 6 north, range 11 east. He was born at Capalon, Switzerland, on the 21st of March. 1847. He was the seventh child of eleven born to his parents, Benedict ami Anna Fin- zer, who were natives of the same country. The ten named are: Benjamin, now in Tuscarawas County. Ohio; Nicholas, in Defiance County, that -4« State: David, in Tuscarawas County: John, who fell while in the service of the Union in the late war: Frederick, deceased; Jacob, our subject; Mary, now the wife of John I'rer. of Tuscarawas County: Elizabeth, Mr-. W. E. Brown, of Clay County. Ind.: Rosa, who is married to C. Winger, also of Tuscarawas County; and Margaret, who is deceased. In 1853 the father of our subject, with his fam- ily, came to America by way of Antwerp, where they took passage on a sailing-vessel, and after about forty days landed in the city of New York, settling, a- has already been surmised, in Tus- carawas County, Ohio. The county was at that time very sparsely settled, and almost entirely unde- veloped, lb- is now about eighty years of age. and is enjoying the result of former years of tabor in the comparative quiet of a retired life. His wife, the mother of our subject, died in the year 1*72. be- ing then sixty-three years of age. ( )ur subject was educated and brought up in Ohio, living at home until he attained his majority. He learned the trade of stonemason, and continued to follow the same for some nine years. About the year 1877 he went to Defiance County, Ohio, continuing to follow his trade, and also engaging in agricult- ural pursuits until 1881. it was then he decided to turn his face westward, and accordingly made his way to this State, and settled upon the farm he still owns and occupies. Mr. Finzer turned his back upon single life in 1878. celebrating hi- marriage with Elizabeth Cu- tavern, on the 15th of March of that year. There have come to them four children, whose names are mentioned as follow-: Yeva A.. Delia E., Manford C. and Venus. The first mentioned, however, is the only surviving child. Mrs. Finzer is the daughter of John < . and Anna Cutavern,and was horn in Ohio. Nov. 19, 18 13. Whatever prosperity and financial success have come to our subject, it is but the harvest reaped ;i- the result of industry, intelligence and thrift. He has 322 acres of land, well improved, highly culti- vated and most satisfactorily productive. He owns a good set of farm buildings, and has his farm sup- plied with the needed implements, etc. In all questions regarding Government and po- =►*-«• . Residence of J. R. Whitn ey,Sec.7. Spring Creek Precinct. Residence of William Fuller.Sec.6 (4. = 12.) Todd Creek Precinct. Residence of Jacob Finzer.Sec 29. Helena Precinct. •►1* JOHNSON COUNTY. ♦HMi 337 litical economy Mr. Finzer is governed by the same principles as those advocated by the Democratic party, of which he has from the Hist been a mem- ber. As a family that of our subject is greatly es- teemed and respected in the community. _ ^^- _^~ 4 ffiOHN R. WHITNEY. Among the men who have reflected honor upon the reputation of Johnson County, none are more worthy of representation than the subject of this sketch. He crossed the Mississippi from Illinois in the fall of 1865, while Nebraska was still a Territory, and took up his abode first in Nemaha County. He battled with the elements of the primitive soil in that region about one year onty, then changed his residence to this county, homesteading 1G0 acres of land on section 7. Spring Creek Precinct, where he still resides. Mr. Whitney labored in true pioneer style for the development of his land, placing fences and erect- ing buildings, gathering gradually together farm machinery and stock, and in due time found him- self on the high road to prosperity. At different times he invested a portion of his surplus capital in additional land, and is now the owner of a half-sec- tion. His possessions are the result of his own in- dustry and good management, as he received no inheritance, except his strong hands and willing heart. He has taken an active interest in the prog- ress and development of his adopted county, con- tributing as he has had opportunity to her prog- ress and welfare, serving as School Director for nine successive years, and being the first man to occupy this position in his district. He is essen- tially one of those comprising the bone and sinew Of the great commonwealth of Nebraska. Not- withstanding lie has labored long and accomplished wonderful results, he is still in the prime of life, and in the midst of his usefulness. The 5th of July, 1832, witnessed the birth of our subject in Washington County, Ohio, at the modest home of his parents, John and Sarah (Chap- man) Whitney. They were of New England birth and parentage, and came of a patriotic race, who were found in the ranks Of the American soldiery during the struggles of the infant Republic in its assertion of independence. Nathaniel Chapman, a maternal uncle of our subject, especially distin- guished himself in the War of 1812. To John and Sarah Whitney there were bom eleven children, of whom the following survive, namely: William, a resident of Henry County, III : Advent, of St. Louis, Mo.; Mary J., living in Colorado; Amarilla, the wife of Randolph Coburn, of Morgan County, Ohio; John R., our subject; Boilston S., of Page County, Iowa, where Henry and George B. also re- side; Eli/a S., now Mrs. Johnson, who resides in Bennet, Lancaster Co., Neb. The two deceased are Nathaniel and James G., who died in Dakota and Ohio, when about fifty and thirty-three years, respectively. Nathaniel was a physician, and James was a minister. The father departed this life at his home in Ohio, Jan. G, 1849, when middle aged. The mother twenty years later contracted a second marriage, with George Brown, of Ohio, was again left a widow, and remained so until her death. She died at the home of her daughter in Ohio, Nov. 7, 1885, when nearly eighty-three years of age. Our subject was reared to manhood in his native county, receiving his education in the pioneer schools, and becoming familiar with farm pursuits as carried on in the Buckeye Slate. It is hardly necessary to say that his advantages in nowise cor- responded with those afforded the young men of to- day. He was at an early age taught those habits of industry and principles of honor which have been the secret of his success in life. , He has followed farming continuously, being content with the quiet of country life and its peaceful pursuits. Upon leaving home in the spring of 185.3, he made his way to DeKalb County. [11., bound to see something of the world, and for a time wasemployed there on a farm, at $12.50 per month; the gentleman who employed him was Robert Robb, now a resident of Tecumseh, Johnson Co.. Neli. He was first married in April, 1857, in DeKalb County, 111., to Mrs. Lu- cinda Hainer, nee Maltby, who was born in New York State. They settled in Boone County, 111., and became the parents of five children, who are now comfortably settled in life, and located as fol- lows: Delbert in Sterling, this county ; Annie, the wife of Noel Crook, in Nemaha County; Alva L. ^I^«. , l 338 -eft* JOHNSON COUNTY. V iii Spring Creek Precinct, this county ; Harmon and Eddie <:.. at home with theirfather. Mrs. Lucinda Whitney departed this life at her home in Spring Creek, Nov. 18, 1885. Our subject contracted a .second matrimonial alliance, March 31, 1887, with Mrs. Julia Biggs, nee Elrod, who was born Nov. 15, 1834, in Mont- gomery County, Ind. Mrs. Whitney is the daugh- ter of John and Sarah (Stultz) Elrod. Her parents were natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respect- ively, and are now deceased. Our subject con- tinued a resident of Boone County, HI., until coin- \\vi to Nebraska. - •5~3=©£H > UILLIAM FULLER, one of the earliest pio- neers along the southern line of Johnson ^f/^j County, has become wealthy from the soil of Nebraska, and is owner of one of the finest farms in Todd Creek Precinct, which, in addition to all the modern improvements, includes one of its hand- somest residences. Mr. Fuller is an extensive land- owner, having besides the homestead farm 160 acres in Pawnee County, Neb., and the same amount in Decatur County, Kan. He is a self-made man, one who has worked his way to his present position in life by industry and perseverance, and at the same time his career has been such as to gain him the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. Mr. Fuller came to the young State of Nebraska in the month of May, 1868, and first purchased a half-section of prairie land in Lincoln Precinct. He labored upon it for a time, although not putting up any buildings, being then a single man, and board- ing with a neighbor. In the spring of 1870 he sold this land and purchased that which he now occupies, taking possession in the spring of 1871, and com- mencing the improvements which have made it one of the most valuable estates in the count}'. It was then an unbroken prairie, with not a tree or build- ing, and it has taken years of labor and thousands of dollars to bring it to its present condition. The farm is enclosed with beautiful hedge fencing, the fields being divided with the same, and the effect upon the landscape is delightful to behold. Mr. Fuller planted ten acres of forest trees together with an apple orchard, and all kinds of the small fruits. The farm of late years has been chiefly de- voted to stock-raising, including graded Short-horn cattle, of which our subject buys and sells largely each year. He is also working his way toward a fine stock of horses, mostly Clydesdales, and also to Poland-China swine. .Air. Fuller from the first has been a prominent man in his communit}'. although carefully avoiding the responsibilities of office. Liberal and public- spirited, he is foremost in encouraging the enter- prises tending to the welfare of the people around him, and uniformly votes the straight Republican ticket. In religious matters he has been identified with the Free-Will Baptist Church for several years. He is a man in the prime of life, having been horn Sept. 13, 1810. His boyhood home was eight miles south of the city of Peoria, 111., where he lived until a young man of twenty-one years, ac- quiring a practical education in the common schools. Soon after the outbreak of the late Civil War young Fuller hastened to the defense of the Union, enlisting in Company I. 32d Illinois Infantry, and under the command of Gen. Grant fought at Shiloh. Pittsburg Landing, and was in other important battles of the war. At Pittsburg Landing he was wounded in the right arm and conveyed to the hospital in St. Louis, whence soon afterward he re- turned home on a furlough. His wound was slow in healing, and he was obliged to accept an honorable discharge for disability. As soon as sufficiently recovered, however, he again entered the ranks in his old regiment, and marched with Gen. Sherman to the sea. Mr. Fuller had the happiness this time of serving as a soldier until the close of the war, when for the second time he received his discharge and was mustered out. Our subject now took up his residence in Logan County, III., where he carried on farming two years, then sold out, and resolved to cast his lot with the pioneers of Nebraska. With them he fought grass- hoppers and drouth, and the man}' other difficul- ties which beset the people of this region during the early days. Looking around him now, not only at his own beautiful home, hut the homesteads •> lr +- JOHNSON COUNTY. ^L» 339 •Afc*; of the enterprising and intelligent people about him, he feels amply repaid for his toil and sacri- fice. Fur the Inst eighteen years there has presided over the household of our subject a lady who in her girlhood was Miss Prances Emery, and to whom be was married in Todd Creek Precinct, this COlinty, April 23. 1871. This union resulted in the birth of three children, two only of whom are liv- ing: Hattie E. and Carlton C. They are giving them a good education, and they still remain under the parental roof. Mrs. Frances (Emery) Fuller was horn in the Province of Upper Canada, March 20, 1850, and is the daughter of George and Sarah (Robbins) Finery. The father was horn in Canada, April 14. 1819, where he was reared and married, and where he lived until the fall of 18GG. He then came to Nebraska with his family, living the first year in Nemaha County, and then moved to Lincoln Pre- cinct, in this county, where he homesteaded a good farm of sixty acres, and occupied it until 1884. He then retired from active labor and took up his resi- dence in Crab Orchard, where he is still living, and is now quite well advanced in years. The mother is living with her husband at Crab Orchard. The paren- tal household included six children, all of whom are living, and are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Emery was a prominent man during the earlier years of his life, and especially active in church work, officiating as Steward, Class-Leader and Trustee in the Methodist Episcopal Church since a young man twenty-one years of age. Alexander Fuller, the father of our subject, was born in Coshocton County. Ohio, Sept. 13, 1817. He left the Buckeye State about the time of reach- ing his majority, and located among the pioneers of Peoria County, III. There he secured a tract of land from which he eliminated a good farm, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in January. 1 .'ssG. There also the children were reared, receiving careful parental training, and always con- sidered their childhood home as the dearest spot on earth. Alexander Fuller was married to Miss Hannah Corvgill, in his native State, and they took their bridal tour to Illinois, overland with a team, and Spent their honeymoon in an humble dwelling in the timber, where they lived happily until moving into a more pretentious resi- dence. The household circle was completed by the birth of eight children, six of whom lived to mat art' years. They are now living, and are mostly resi. dents of Illinois. The mother of our subject was born in 1819, and departed this life at the old homestead in Peoria County, III., in the fall of 1856. The father was subsequently married, and of his -croud union there were born other children. James Fuller, the pa- ternal grandfather, was a farmer by occupation, and also emigrated from Ohio to Illinois, spending his last days in Peoria County. Our subject and his estimable wife have labored hand in hand in the building up of their homestead, the education of their children, and in the effort to benefit these around them as opportunity afforded. Their hospitable roof is the resort of hosts of friends, to whom they extend those courtesies which will long be remembered after they have de- parted hence. In the growth and development of Johnson County Mr. Fuller has been no unimpor- tant factor, and he has by an honorable career built up a monument for himself upon which his de- scendants will look with pride in later years. t LONZO B. NOBLE is prosperously engaged in the livery business in Sterling. He is well known as an early pioneer of Johnson County, has been identified both with its agricultural and mercantile interests, and is now numbered among its solid and well-to-do citizen.--. Much of the growth of the county has taken place under his eye since he became a resident of Ne- braska, and he may well la- proud that he has had a hand in the development of such a prosperous and wealthy region. Mr. Noble was born in Wayne County, N. V.. April 15, 1841, and when he was eleven years old his parents, Ozem and Ophelia (Birdsey) Noble, moved with their family to Whiteside County, III., There the remaining years of his boyhood and youth were passed, ami there the breaking out of the war found him just twenty years of age, ready , i 340 JOHNSON COUNTY. and willing to assist his companions in the defense of the institutions of our country that were so seri- ously menaced by the Rebellion, and Nov. 2, 1861, lie enlisted in Company K, 46th Illinois Infantry, as a private. For two years and ten months he took part in many hardly contested battles, and was present at Shiloh on tlieGth and 7tli of April, 1862; be was at the siege of Vicksburg that lasted about forty days, and in action in various other impor- tant engagements. He was finally sent borne on sick leave, reported at Chicago, was sent to thecity hospital, where he was discharged, and returned to In's friends sound, excepting the results of sickness and exposure, and the measles, from which be had suffered while in the army, had somewhat impaired his health. The next decisive step in the life of our subject, and one that had an important bearing on the es- tablishment of a home, was his marriage to Miss Bellmina Kline, daughter of Jacob and Margaret Kline, which took place in Whiteside County, III., June 24, 1865. After the birth of two children, Iola 15. and Victor A., both of whom are living, Mrs. Noble's pleasant wedded life was brought to a close by her death in February, 1873. She was a lady whose many kindly traits of character endeared her to all who came under her influence. Mr. Noble was married to his present wife, Margaret Kline, a sister of his first wife, in February, 1S74. She is a kind and devoted wife and mother, caring tenderly for her sister's children and for those born to her and her husband, of whom the following is recorded: Florence died at the age of eight months, and then came Flora V., Charles F., Cynthia C. and Horace C, the latter dying at the age of eight months. During the Christmas holidays of 1867, our sub- ject left bis old home in Illinois to seek a new one under the sunny Nebraska skies, bringing with him his family. Under the provision of the Homestead Act, he took upa 160-acre tract of land in what was then Sterling Precinct, but is now known as Vesta, on sections 14 and 15, township 5, range 10. He was actively engaged in its improvement until the fall of 1872, when be received the appointment of Postmaster at Vesta, and moved into the village, and during his stay there of ten years in that capacity, was also engaged in general merchandising, having a pioneer store of dry-goods, groceries, hardware and drugs. His store was then the only one between Tccutnseh and Beatrice, except the one kept by J. M. Nelson, who closed out soon after our subject opened his, leaving his rival a clear field. In the fall of 1882 Mr. Noble came to Sterling, and was engaged in buying and selling grain for about four months. We then hear of him in Crab Orchard. where he built a stable and conducted a livery business for six months. At the expiration of that time he returned to Sterling, and established himself in the mercantile business, which he carried on for four years, and the last year and a half was also engaged iu the livery business in connection with his store. He sold the latter Aug. 1, 1888. disposing of the stock and good-will, but retaining his ownership of the building. He is now giving his exclusive attention to his livery business, which is quite extensive, he having a first-class establish- ment, with good horses and neat and comfortable vehicles. Mr. Noble is an active, wide-awake man, whose success in life is due to industrious habits and good business principles. He stands well in this community as a citizen, as a husband, father and neighbor, and is well liked by all who come in con- tact with him. Politically, be is a Republican, and socially, belongs to Sill Post No. 99, G. A. R., of Sterling. A WILLIAM L. DUNLAP. In the present \/jJ/l s ' £e ^ CD ' l "'" ' ,e endeavored to present in ffiy compendious form the biography of the County Surveyor, who held that office from 1865 to 1875 continuously, and also from 1878 to 1883, returning to the office in 1885, and is still holding it. A record almost we believe unparalleled, and includ- ing a period of twenty-one years. In 1884-85 Mr. Dunlap was County Clerk. To this office he was elected on the Independent ticket, but in every other instance by the Republican party. The first map of the county was drawn by his hand, and he is perhaps one of the best known citizens and most popular men iu the county. Mr. Dunlap was elected delegate to the Consti- =*=#* JL JOHNSON COUNTY. 311 tutional Convention at Lincoln, whore the present State Constitution was drawn up. The county which he has surveyed so much is eighteen miles north ami south, and twenty-one east and west. It was he who platted the villageof Tecuinseh in 18G9, and also Sterling. Previous to drawing the map of the county he conducted a special survey of it in every part with that object in view. Our subject was horn in Westmoreland County. Pa., on the 22d of April, 1824, where he lived until he reached his sixteenth birthday, when he moved to Butler County, in the same State. His education was received at the Butler Academy, which was situated at the county seat. His residence in But- ler continued until 1, when he migrated to Adams County. HI . to teach school, which pro- fession he followed for some time, after which he taught in Rock Island and in Bureau County. He was compelled, however, to make some change, as his health threatened to give way under the con- finement and constant application necessary to the maintenance of the high grade of efficiency which lie deemed essential to success. As a result he took up surveying, with which he had made some ac- quaintance in hi> youth, for a time linking with this work that of millwright and carpenter, which he prosecuted in Chicago until the fall of 1861. In September of that year Mr. Dunlap enlisted in the defense of the Union in Company I, 56th Illinois Infantry, and was appointed First Lieuten- •ani. He served with that regiment until January, 1862, when he was mustered out. and auain resumed working at his trade in Chicago until 1 86 I. On the 22d of March in that year he went hack to the army, and served as Quartermaster's clerk until March of the year following. Then he came direct through to Tecumseh, and was among the fust to make farm improvements in the county, lie also put up the first frame buildings and dwelling-house wesl of Yankee Creek. This property is still Stand- ing, although he has had hard work to save it from forest fire on many different occasions. After seven years of fanning, interspersed with surveying, Mr. Dunlap was elected in 1865 County Surveyor, from which time, as above noted, he has continued to work in connection therewith. He removed to the city of Tecumseh in February, I *72, both on account of business, and in order to give his children the benefit of its schools. He was the contractor who erected the schools, both common and High, and also the jail. He built the fine resi- dence owned by Mrs. Wright, the John Beattie building, and many other of the larger and better houses and business blocks. From the time of his removal to the city he has been a prominent resi- dent, being thereby the better able to attend to his official duties, and finding it more convenient for headquarters. Mr. Dunlap is an energetic member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, and holds the office of Trustee in the same. As a worker in the Sunday-school he has always been among those most deeply interested, taking great pleasure therein. In the Masonic fra- ternity he is always welcomed as a worthy and esteemed brother. He was united in marriage with Miss Martha Beattie. March 22, 1819, and there were born of the union two children, viz: Sam- uel W. and Alice, the latter being now deceased; the former is in Missouri. After the death of his first wife he became the husband of Miss Ellen .1. Calvin, who bore him three children, all of whom are living, viz.: Lnella. William A. and Emma -I. The eldest child was united in marriage with ,1. W. Law. of Nonpareil. Box Butte Co.. Neb.; they are the parents of two children. William A. also is married, and lives at Rush vi He, Nidi. The younger daughter is now Mrs. Snyder, and also resides at Rushville. Mrs. Dunlap, after a short illness, died on the 8th of January, 1864. Our subject, subsequent to the above sad bereave- ment, married Miss Lucinda Storm, of Nemaha County. The event was celebrated on the 16th of November, 1865. Ten children were born to them, all of whom are living. Their names are recorded as follows: Anna I!., Mary B. Melissa, Josephine, Clarence, Dora. Grace, Ruth, Roxie and Helen. These are all receivings good education, and live at home with their parents. .lames Dunlap, the father of our subject, was born in 17:»-">. in Westmoreland County. Pa., and there made his home until he was forty-six years of age. when he removed to Butler County, in the same State, continuing there until his death, in 1864, The life occupation of this gentleman was Rgricult- 342 JOHNSON COUNTY. uie. His wife was Mary Van Dyke, of Pennsyl- vania. They were the parents of twelve children, all but one of whom came to mature years. His wife lived until 1879. William Dunlap, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Ireland, and was born near the city of Londonderry in the year 1740, and came to this country in 1706, when he established the old Dun- lap homestead in Pennsylvania. He was the father of nine children, most of whom settled in Pennsyl- vania, and are the progenitors of the Dunlap family in this country, members of which have migrated to almost every State in the Union. The subject of our sketch has built a fine resi- dence in the city, on Twenty first and Garfield streets, and retains his farm in Nemaha County. He is undoubtedly a man of finely developed character, progressive, a lover of good morals, loyal and pub- lic spirited. >'W<< ,^^h , :.':>4'<-'." , " i '.'' , '.''i. 1^ iftv^.6 111, NICHOLAS P. HITCHCOCK. Promi- nent among the business men of Johnson \^?' County, who are sustaining and advancing its financial interests, is the gentleman who forms the subject of this biographical notice. He is one of the leading citizens of Sterling, and the proprie- tor of the Johnson County Bank of that place. He was born Dec. 2:1. 1832, in Perry County, Ohio, and is a son of John E. and Rosana (Kelly) Hitchcock, natives respectively of New York and Virginia. lie is derived from a mingled Anglo-Celtic ances- try. His paternal grandfather, Isaac Hitchcock, came from England with two brothers about 110 years ago, and located in Maryland, one of his lirothers settling in Alabama and the other in New York. Henry Kelly, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Ireland, who emigrated to this country and settled in Maryland, near Balti- more, and there the mother of our subject was born and reared, and there, also, his father was reared, but they moved to Ohio prior to their marriage, which occurred in 1828, in Perry County, Ohio. Of this union there were born right children, four sons and four daughters, as follows: Elizabeth, Nicholas F., Henry K, Isah, Susannah. Salathiel A., Leah A. and Rebecca J. Elizabeth died at the age of ten years, and Isah in infancy. Our subject was reared in his native county, and was there united in marriage, March (1, 185 1. to Miss Jemima Engle, a native of Ohio, and the daughter of Paul and Mary (Petty) Engio. who were of German descent, and went from New Jer- sey' to Ohio, where they spent their last years. While yet a young man our subject began to take part in the public life of his native State, and also became prominently identified with its educational interests, he having received a liberal education, and when the war broke out he was engaged in the profession of teaching, and also held the office of Justice of the Peace. Put this quiet life was not destined to continue much longer, as his country had more important work for him to do. and in the stirring scenes of battle he was to win a military record of which his children and his children's chil- dren for many generations to come mighl well be proud. lie soon began, with all his energy and spirit, to organize a. company, known as Company H, 90th Ohio Infantry, and through his influence it was equipped and ready for service in the spring of 1862, he receiving the commission of Captain. When he marched into camp on the 1Mb of July with his regiment he received deserved promotion to the Office of Lieutenant-Colonel I'oi' gallantry and efficiency in the trying scenes of deadly conflict, when it required the utmost cool- ness and courage to face the foe. lie took an act- ive part in many of the most important engage- ments of the war. He was at Richmond, Ky., and at Louisville, that State, from whence he and his command, with other regiments, followed the rebel General, Bragg, to Perry ville, and from thereon his retreat to Stone River, where a heavy battle was fought. They still continued to pursue Bragg, and to watch and counteract his manoeuvres as far as Chattanooga. After that, the Colonel's regiment was engaged in the Atlantic campaign until the fall of Atlanta, and then, while Sherman made his famous march to the sea, our subject and his men returned to Nash ville, where they had the noted en- gagement with the confederate General, Hood, and captured several of his men, and then pursued him - 19 ■*•■ ■**■ JOHNSON COUNTY. 343 4 into Georgia, and there had several encounters with him. When the rebel General left for the Caro- linas our subject gathered together the fragments of his regiment and inarched to the French Broad, where he staid until after Lee's surrender to Grant, and then, with his regiment, retired to Camp Har- ter, near Nashville, where his active services ceased. He was subsequently mustered out at Camp Divis- ion, June 24, 1865, and returned home unscathed by a wound, although he had been in the heal of so many battles. Alter the war the Colonel returned to his old home in Perry County, Ohio, and for several years was prosperously engaged in thegeneral mer- chandise, milling and tobacco business. But in L880 he settled up Ids affairs m that Slate, and on the 29th of January, 1881, started with his family for Sterling, Neb., having resolved to make Ids home Tor the future in this genial, health-giving clime. He arrived here February 2. and soon es- tablished himself in his present business as a banker and real-estate dealer. Col. Hitchcock and his es- timable wife have one of the most attractive homes • in Sterling, and they and their family occupy the highest social position. Ten children have lilessed their happy married life, of whom nine are living, as follows: John II. is still living in Stoutsville, Ohio, where he is successfully engaged in farming; • l. Hall is one of the leading attorneys of Sterling; Salathiel (.has taken up land in Kansas, but issiill an inmate of the parental home; Ellsworth IJ. is a teacher in t he schools of Sterling; I larvey F. is with his father as cashier of the Johnson County Hank; Alary is now Mrs. Joseph Sain, of Harper, Kan.; Rosa una is M rs. Lafayette < Mimes, of this city; Alice and I'ra. who are at home with their parents, are two bright young misses just budding into woman- hood, and are the pride of the family and general favorites in the community. They are attending the graded school of the city preparatory t<> enter- ing a higher school for the purpose of finishing their education, it being the high motive of the parents to give their children a finished education, and the young ladies give the family great encour- agement in the progress in their studies, promising to become efficient in all the branches, ami making themselves the equals of the elder members of the «■ family in point of education. They are both ac- complished young ladies, and give promise of cast- ing sunshine into the lives of their parents in their declining years, and assuring them that their efforts have not been in vain. John II. Hitchcock was married. .March 1. 1876 to Miss Mary A., daughter of Benjamin and Eliza Bleed, Rev. I.. \Y. Laukey, of stoutsville. Ohio. officiating. This lady was horn in Fairfield County, Ohio. April 19, 1857. Her father, a native of l'enn- syl vania. was horn in Moonshine Township, Schuyl- kill ( ounty. where he lived until a youth of sixteen years, and was married to \li now with her daughter in Stoutsville. Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Reed were hoth members of the Evangeli- can Association, to which John II. Hitchcock and his wife also belong. This gentleman, politically, is a Democrat "dyed in (he wool." lie is the father of one child, a daughter, Cecil R., who was horn .Ian. HI. L880. Miss Mary II. Hitchcock was born March 2s. 1855, and married at her father's residence in Perrj County. Ohio, to Joseph W. Sain, May 27, 1*77. Mr. Sain, a native of that county, was born Dec. .'ill. 1 848, and began teaching when a youth of seventeen years, continuing until his marriage. The young people soon afterward took up their residence in Ringgold County. Iowa, where Mr. Sain improved a farm from a tract of wild prairie, and where they lived a period of seven years. They then changed their residence to Harper ( 'ounty. Kan., and later removed thence to Kiowa (ounty. where Mr. Sain pre-empted 160 acres of land, and took up his resi- dence in Harper City, when' they now live in a very pleasant home. Mr. Sain is the sou of Peter and Elizabeth (Wright) Sain, the former of whom was horn April 8, L 822, and married Miss Eliza- beth Wright, Dec. L4, 1847. He died at his home in Perry County, Ohio, Feb. 1. 1865, from disease which he contracted in the army. He was a mem- ber of Company C, 1.60th Ohio National Guards, and participated in the battles of Monocacy and Maryland Heights. Mrs. Elizabeth (Wright) Sain was born Oct. 25, 1826, in Perry County, Ohio, and died March 11. 1879, in the latter county. Both t» r •►Hl^^ .^L* 344 JOHNSON COUNTY. *t she and her husband are buried in Otterbein Ceme- tery, that county. They were the parents of Ave children, namely: Joseph W., Sarah S., Emma C, William F. and Thomas II., all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Sain were 7iiost excellent and worthy people, and members in good standing of the United Brethren Church. Joseph W. Sain and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Air. Sain, politically, is a stanch Republican. Eosanna Hitchcock, now Mrs. Grimes, was born March 30, 1858. This lady is highly educated, be- ing a graduate of the select school at Junction City, under Prof. .lames Conner, of Ohio. She, like the balance of the family, occupies a high position in society, being an expert in instrumental and vocal music. The marriage of Rosanna Hitchcock to LaFayette Grimes was celebrated at the residence of the Presiding Elder, Rev. L. F. Britt,of Nebraska City, Oct. 30, 1882. Of this union there are two bright and interesting children, Gracie E. and Har- vey S., who bi mg sunshine into the household, and in whom the parents take great pride. LaFayette Grimes was born in Decatur. Macon Co., 111., Dec. ">, l*.-)2. and is the son of George W. and Sarah A. (Smoot) Grimes, natives respectively of Ohio and Virginia. They were the parents of six children, four of whom are still living, named as follows: La- Fayette, Alexander, William L. and Josiah. The parents are now residents of Sterling, this county. Harvey F. Hitchcock, now connected with his father as cashier of the Johnson County Bank, is a graduate of Mallalien University, of Bartley, Neb. He is a young man of more than ordinary ability, having assumed the responsible position of teacher attheage of sixteen years, in which calling he at- tained the same high honors that are accredited his brother in another part of this volume. In his present position he is discharging his duties to the entire satisfaction of parties having business con- nections with the Johnson County Bank. He is yet unmarried, and a great favorite among the elite of the city and community, being of a very affable disposition, always courteous, with a pleasant word for all who come in contact with him, socially or in a business way. lie is one of a few young men who have a bright future before them, and is try- ing to make out of if all there is in it. and the pres- .*• ent outlook bespeaks for him a place in business, as well as social, circles that will be honored by all. The Colonel is eminently deserving of the honor and confidence in which he is held by all who come in contact with him, either socially or in a business way, as in his conduct he is conscientiously guided by the loftiest principles of right. As a citizen he has ever been loyal and patriotic in his acts, and his private life is irreproachable. In his capacity of financier and as a prompt, enterprising business man. he is doing much to build up the city and county. Politically, he and his sons, with the ex- ception of John II., arc firm supporters of the Re- publican party. Religiously, he and his wife are among the leading members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, their forefathers having been identi- fied with that denomination almost from the very founding of Methodism. DWARD F. BELL, a prosperous farmer and E leading land-owner of Vesta Precinct, has a 1 fine homestead on section 31, comprising a. well-developed farm of 340 acres with substantial buildings. lie is a Western man by birth and educa- tion, his native place being in Peoria County. 111., where lie Brsl Opened his eyes to the light June 1 1. 1856. He completed a thorough education in the Presbyterian College at Highland, Kan., and came to Nebraska in 1871, settling at once in Vesta Pre- cinct. He became familiar with agricultural pur- suits in his boyhood, and has made this calling his through his entire life. The parents of our subject, John and Rachel (Paddock) Bell, were natives of Ohio, and the fa- ther a farmer by occupation. They are still resi- dents of Doniphan County. Kan. The parental family included ten children, eight of whom are living and residents of Kansas and Nebraska. Our subject in the spring of 1873 went into Fl Paso County. Colo., and secured 160 acres of land along the Wet Mountain Valley, two and one- half miles from Rosetta. where he operated a stock ranch two years, but in 1*75 returned to Kansas. and thence came back to this county in the fall of 1877. He is a fine judge of live stock and makes a 5^*-* •►-li^ JOHNSON COUNTY. 347 specialty of graded cattle, keeping good breeds of Din-hams. Mr. Bell was married at the Home of the bride in Lincoln, Neb., June 1 I. L831, to Miss Maude E., daughter of Alexander and __ Augusta Coulee, of Washington, 1). C. Mr. and Mrs. Bell began their wedded life together in Vesta Precinct, and are now the parents of three interesting chil- dren—Ethel A., Ralph E. and Gladys M. The family residence is a substantial and tasteful frame structure, handsomely furnished, anil indicating both within and without cultivated tastes and ample means. The family is very prominent, socially, and Mr. Bell, politically, votes and labors in support of the principles of the Republican party. He possesses considerable musical talent and is a leading member of the Vesta Cornet Hand. His land is under a thorough state of cultivation, is well watered and highly productive, lie has all the modern farm machinery, including an expensive windmill and all the other appliances required by the modern and progressive agriculturist. In building up one of the most valuable farms of Johnson County, lie has contributed this much to- ward its prosperity and development. Hi' is held in high regard both as a citizen and as a business man, a thoroughly representative member of an in- telligent and progressive community. •.<*o-(c^A><\g)-.<*o.. <<— JOSEPH M. CATIICART. Among the suc- cessful agriculturists of Johnson County, who have grown up with it since its earlier his- tory, is the subject of this writing, who is well ami favorably known throughout the county, and is a resident on section 21, township 6 north, range 12 east, of .Spring Creek Precinct, where he owns 116 acres of good land. He was born in Jefferson County, Pa., on the 5th of July, 1842, and is the son of Clark and Margaret (McSparran) Cathcart, both of whom were born in that State. His father, who is now residing in Decatur County, Kan., was born in the year 1812. The subject of our sketch is the eldest living son of the family, and lived in his native county until he had reached his fifteenth year, when he went with his parents to Rock Island County, 111., where they settled. There also in 1865 the mother died, and subsequently the father came to Otoe County, but after a short, sojourn removed to Kansas, where he lias been from that time. In the district schools, and mostly in the winter months, our subject received what education he has obtained, which, however, was only suliicient as a groundwork, to which he has by care and reading added as he was able, until he has become a well-informed and fairly read man. On the 1st of September, 1861, Mr. Cathcart. en- listed in Company II, of the 37th Illinois Infantry, which was attached to the Western Arm} - , first un- der Gen. Fremont, taking part in the battles of Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove, the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and numerous other engagements of greater or lesser note. During the period of his military experience, which was of three years' dura- tion, he was under fire eight times. He received an honorable discharge on the 1st of October, 1864, after which he returned home to Illinois, and after a short rest and vacation re-enlisted, in the 2d Regi- ment of Veteran United States Volunteers, under the command of Gen. Hancock, but owing to the war closing as it did they were not engaged with the enemy. They were, however, continued in gar- rison duty until February, 1866, when the}' were discharged, twelve months from the date of enlist- ment. The subject of our sketch came to this county in the spring of 1866, taking up as a homestead claim the land he still owns. He settled upon it in May and turned the first furrow, beginning to improve and cultivate the land, which he has brought to a very high state of productiveness and cultivation by his energy and intelligent labor. He has supplied it with the usual necessary buildings, all well planned and substantially constructed, besides which he has pro- vided the many implements and machinery with- out which it is impossible to operate properly such a farm. January 25, 1869, was the occasion of the cele- bration of the nuptials of Mr. Cathcart and Amy Ficken, to whom there have come nine children, whose names are recorded as follows: Addison C Franklin F.. Henry !•'., Margaret M.. Finest F., Archibald A., Walter J.. Martha M., and Mary, who JL 4— 348 JOHNSON COUNTY. is deceased. Mrs. Cathcart is the daughter of Nicholas and Frances Ficken, and was born in Mis- souri, Dec. 7, 1850, and until her marriage made her home with her parents. When our subject emigrated to Nebraska from Illinois there were two parties besides himself, viz, his brother, William Cathcart, and a cousin, George Cathcart. They came together with two wagons and teams, bearing their worldly possessions, farm implements, cabin utensils, etc. The journey from Rock Island County, 111., to this county occupied two weeks, but was filled with pleasing incidents en route. They erected a small frame dwelling, standing 14x16 feet, and constructed out of cotton- wood lumber. This with some slight additions served for himself and family until about four years ago, when he built his present residence. Mr. Cathcart is an enthusiastic member of the G. A. R., at Talmage, and is at present filling the position of Sergeant Major of the post, and his wife is just . -<- 350 JOHNSON COUNTY. Kershaw has planted an orchard of 450 trees with all kinds of the smaller fruits, which are mostly in good bearing condition. He has thirty acres of valuable timber. The residence would be an orna- ment to the modern city, being a tasteful structure of modern style of architecture, handsomely fin- ished and furnished. It was erected during the summer of 1884. The farm of Mr. Kershaw is well stocked, he keeping a herd of from forty to sixty cattle and ten to fifteen horses, besides a goodly number of swine. The lad}' who has presided over his do- mestic affairs since the spring of 1880 became his wife on the 3d of May, that year, and is the mother now of three interesting children — Charles J., Theo- dore P. and Earl. One child, a son. Albert, died in infancy. The wife of our subject was in her girl- hood Miss Anna Atkison, and was born Dec. 10, 18G2, in Ohio, and is the daughter of James and Ruth (Darby) Atkison, who were natives of Vir- ginia. The mother is still living, but the father is dead. They came to Nebraska and settled in John- son County soon after the close of the late Civil War. The mother moved with her parents to Ohio, where she made the acquaintance of her future hus- band, Mr. A., who was a native of that State. 1 ' ! JOSHUA CORE. Among the worthy and representative citizens of Spring Creek Pre- cinct, and as such especially worthy a place in a volume of this description, is the subject of this writing, who is the owner of a splendid farm of ICO acres, situated on section 9, township C, range 12 east. The birth of our subject occurred at Taylorsville, Spencer Co.. Ky., on the 14th of June, 1829. He is the son of Rector and Amanda Gore, both of whom were born in Kentucky. The father of our subject was married three times, and became the father of ten children, five of whom survive, viz.: Joshua, John, Mildred, Cassia and Orville, the three latter residing in Cali- fornia. The father died in the year 1859. The mother of Joshua and John, who was his first wife, departed this life when our subject was about six years of age. After that event lie made his home with his grandfather, David Graff, with whom he went to Morgan County, III, upon that gentleman locating there. He was numbered among the pio- neers of that county, and continued there until his death. The education of our subject was acquired in the schools of Morgan County, 111., and when not thus engaged he was working on the farm. At the age of eighteen he began to learu the blacksmith trade, and continued to follow the same for about six years, since which time he has been continuously engaged in farming. He was united in marriage with Priscilla Shuff, near Jacksonville, Morgan County, Feb. 11, 1852. This lady was born near Berlin, Sangamon Co., 111., on the 9th of Novem- ber, 1834, and is the daughter of John and Ange- lina Shuff. Her parents were both Kentuckians. To our subject and wife have been born ten children, three of whom now live. These bear the following names: George II., William E. and Mattie E. Those deceased are: Eva B., John R., James H., Edwin V., Clara B., Susan L. and Angelina. After his marriage our subject continued to live in Morgan County, working at his trade, with which he linked farming pursuits. Later, in 1854, he removed to Cass County, remaining until the year 1861, when he went to Menard Count}', living there until 1884, when he came to this count}', set- tling upon his present farm, which he has brought to a very perfect state of cultivation and fertility, and which yields him under all ordinary circum- stances a large return for the labor that is bestowed upon it. The parmts of Mrs. Gore had ten children, of whom the following are living: Priscilla; John R., of Hodgeman County, Kan.; Ira, of Waverly, 111.; Mary H., the wife of AlphonsojWbite, of Hoxie, Ark.; Jesse L., who is in Nemaha County; Emma J., now Mrs. Joseph Smith, of the same county; Steven O. and Cynthia, both of Morgan County; and William, of Kansas City, Mo. Our subject and his devoted wife have passed the years of their companionship most happily in the oneness that makes such companionship desirable and helpful. Both are members and take an active interest in the Christian Church, of which our sub- ject is an Elder. Politically, he is a member of the •► f *fc JOHNSON COUNTY. 35 1 G Republican party, and as such is energetic in the interests of tin.' party when occasion demands. He is a man of high character and personal worth, a public-spirited and much valued citizen. /p^RANTC. CATHCART is owner of eighty acres of prime land on section 17 in Spring Creek Precinct, where he has diligently la- bored since the spring of 1877. He is comparatively young in years, having been horn July 18, 1851, and possesses in common with the men around him the industry and perseverance necessary to success. He. comes of a good family, being the son of Robert and Catherine (Marshall) Cathcart, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and the father is now deceased. The Cathcart family is of Irish ancestry, while the mother of our subject traced her descent to Scotland and Germany. The paternal grandfather crossed the Atlantic in time to do good service in the Revolutionary War, and spent his last years in Pennsylvania. Of the ten children born to the parents of our subject five survive, namely: Jennie, the wife of John Cobb, of Pocahontas County, Iowa; Samuel 1!., a resident of Hutchinson, Kan.; James A., of Harvey County, that State; Perry, in Hutch- inson, and Grant C, of our sketch. Robert Cathcart served as a soldier in the Union Army during the late Civil War, and died in April, 1863, at Memphis, Tenn., the result of hardship and exposure, he having been of strong constitution naturally. Prior to this, however, the parents. when Grant C. was a child five years of age, had removed to Rock Island County, 111., where our subject was reared to manhood mostly on a farm. He was given a practical education in the common schools, and when ready to establish a home and domestic ties of his own, was married, Sept. 28, 187G, in Red Oak, Iowa, to Miss Lena Cantrall. The wife of our subject was born in Whiteside County, 111., Oct. 2, 1859, and is the daughter of John and Ellen (Straton) Cantrall, who were na- tives of Illinois and Vermont, and are now residents of Montgomery County, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Cathcart there have been born live children, four of whom are living, namely: Alice, Ruth, Robert and Grace. In the spring of 1876 our subject came with his family to Nebraska, sojourning near Brock until the spring of that year, when they took up their resilience in this county, and Mr. Cath- cart began working as a farm laborer in what is DOW Vesta Precinct. Two years later he moved to Nemaha County, where he lived about seven years, operating mostly on rented land. From there he came to his present homestead, which was compara- tively unimproved, and where, with the stimulus of ownership, he has labored to good advantage. His possessions are the result of his own perseverance and industry, and his career is watched with kindly interest by many friends, who bespeak for him en- tire success and a competence for the future. He votes the straight Republican ticket, and has served as School Director in his district, while lending his influence to those enterprises calculated to advance the welfare of his community. Both he and his es- timable wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. ■^ag^rr mOLON BACON. One of the tinest farms in Vesta Precinct is owned and operated by the subject of this biography, who possesses the characteristics of industry and perse- verance in a marked degree, lie has good improve- ments, is out of debt, and thus should realize much enjoyment as a consequence. He is essentially a Western man, having been born in .Marion County, Iowa. Sept. 17, l!S."i7. His father. Daniel Bacon, now deceased, was a native of Illinois, ami spent his last years in Harper County. Kan., where his death took place April 1 1. 1888. The family is of English ancestry and traced their descent from Lord Bacon, three of whose nephews crossed the Atlantic, if is believed, prior to the Revolutionary War. and settled in Massachusetts. One of these invented a torpedo which exploded upon pressure. In order to carry out an experiment with his in- vention, he laid one under a large rock, but failing of the desired result, he stepped upon the torpedo and was blown to atoms. The fragments of the body were gathered up by the two brothers and f 352 ^hS-* JOHNSON COUNTY. buried. One of these was the great-grandfather of our subject, and from them sprang the Bacons of America. The individual who met with this vio- lent death was unmarried. The mother of our subject was in her girlhood Mis> Elizabeth Nole; she was a native of < Ihio, and is a resident of Kansas. The parental household included eleven children, nine of whom are now living. Solon, our subject, acquired a common- school education in bis native county, and at an early age became familiar with farm pursuits. He accompanied bis parents to Page County. Iowa, in L868, when a lad of eleven years, and twelve years later made his way to this county, settling in April, 1880, upon the land which be now owns and Occupies. He was accompanied to thi* place by his young wife, having married. March 27, 1880, .Miss Minora Davis, who was born in Jay County, lud.. Oct. 1*. 1859. Mrs. Bacon is the daughter of William and K.llen (Woten) Davis, the father de- Ceased and the mother n iw a resident of Page County, Iowa. Her parents were natives of Indiana and Missouri respectively, and their household in- eluded seven children. To Mr. and Mrs. Bacon there have been born three children — Ora. Guy and Ona. The eldest is six years old and youngest ten months. Marshall Bacon, the elder brother of our subject, served as a Union soldier in the Civil War under command of lien. John A. Logan. lie is now engaged in farming in Gage County. Neb. Mr. Bacon, politi- cally, votes the straight Republican ticket, hut has carefully refrained from the cares and responsibili- ties of office, preferring to give his time and atten- tion to his farming interests. ffiOIIN E.BROWN. Thej-uhjccl of this sketch and his estimable wife represent property to the amount of a half-section of land in Hel- I ena Precinct, and have their pleasant and comfortable home on section 9. Of New England ancestry. Mr. Brown is a Western man by birth, his native place having been Aurora. 111., where be iirst opened bis eyes to the light April 18, 1838. The parents of our subject were Richard 1). and Charity E. (Howe) Brown, the father a native of New Hampshire and of English ancestry. lie was reared in the Dominion of Canada, but came over into the States, and subsequently made his way to Nebraska Territory, settling among the earliest pio- neers of this county. The year following be was joined by our subject, who came in July. 1858. The father died in Helena Precinct. .March 12. 1879. Mrs. Charity E. Brown was horn in New York, and traced her ancestry to Germany. The parents were married in New York, passing their wedded life in Illinois and Nebraska. Their union was com- pleted by the birth of six children: John E.; James, who died when six months old; Phebe A., the wife of Delos Rogers, of Fremonl County, Iowa; Charles J., a resident of Central City, Neb.; Josephine. Mrs. ( ). K. Rogers, of Otoe County, and Eveline, Mrs. S. S. Saunders, of Antelope County. The subject of this sketch, upon coming to Ne- braska Territory, homesteaded eighty acres of land on the south half of the southwest quarter of sec- tion ( ,i. and commenced in earnest his battle with the primitive soil. Over a wide stretch of country there was little to be seen indicating the, presence of a white man. bis neighbors being few and far be- tween. He still owns and occupies the property which he then secured, although having doubled its original area. The year following he was mar- ried, June 20, 1859, and took up his residence with bis bride in Helena Precinct. Mrs. Brown, before her marriage with our sub- ject, was Mrs. .Marietta Campbell, the widow of W. A. Campbell, and the daughter of Charles and Rhoda Philpott. she was horn June 5, 1833, in Kentucky. Her fa tlier was a native of Louisville. Ivy.; after mar- riage he moved to Carroll County, Ohio. He was a tailor by occupation, and spent his last years in Ohio. The mother of Mis. P.rown died when she was quite young, and she was reared by her step- mother. She was married to Mr. Campbell in Ohio, and they resided for a time in Scott County. Iowa, whence they came to Nebraska Territory in the fall of 185fi. and settled on the land which now com- prises the homestead of Mr. and Mrs. Brown. Of her union with Mr. C. there were born two children. one of whom died at birth. Her son Jesse J. is a f i -MHo JOHNSON COUNTY. 353 resident of Keith County, this Mate. .Mr. Camp- bell departed litis lite at his home in Helena Pre- cinct, in August, 1 858. Mrs. Brown was inn- of (lie first white women in her neighborhood, and obtained an intimate ac- quaintance with the difficulties and hardships of life in a new settlement. She labored hand in hand with her husband in building tip the homestead. fulfilling her duties as a pioneer wife and mother in the must admirable manner. Of her union with Mr. BrOWll there were bom three children: Charles II.. in Keith County; Mary E., the wife of Dr. T. C. Canine, a practicing physician of Shick- ley, this Stale, and Calvin 10. .who lives a! home. Mr. Brown received only a limited education in his youth, hut has been a reader all his life and kept himself posted upon current events. Both he and his estimable wife have watched with the warmest interest, the growth and development of Nebraska, and in the building up of one of its most desirable homesteads have contributed in no small degree to its reputation as a prosperous commonwealth. The farm is in a highly cultivated condition, and sup- plied with good buildings. Mr. Brown has been quite prominent in local affairs, serving as Consta- ble for a time. and has been a member of the School Hoard of his district a Dumber of years. Our subject cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln, and has always been a member of the He- publican party. lie is a strong advocate of tem- perance, and for a period of four years was Wor- thy Chief Of a lodge of Good Templars in Helena Precinct, which was suspended sonic lime ago. ijSAAC IRWIN. Anion-- the pioneers of John- son County, who to-day occupy honored posi. 1\ tions in the community, is the gentleman whose biography is herein sketched. His property is situated on section I, of Nemaha Precinct, where he owns a lirst-class farm comprising 120 acres. Mr. Irwin first, came to this county in July of the year 1867, and soon determined to settle in Todd -Creek Precinct, and accordingly took up a homestead claim of ICO acres. This he improved, putting np a good set of farm buildings, fences, etc.. first selling eighty acres to Mr. Bartle, retain- ing 1 20 acres until the year 1880, when lie sold that in order to remove to his present property, which had a little breaking done to it, but which has been practically improved entirely by himself. Our .subject lakes pride in his stock, which is in- deed quite good. His herds number aboul seventy- live head, and he requires nearly everything he raises for their feed. lie is also engaged iii the breeding of horses extensively, and owns seven head, which are chiefly of the best, variety. Mr. Irwin remembers perfectly the first settle- ment made in the county, by his namesake and nephew, Isaac Irwin. Jr., who settled on section 3, in Nemaha Precinct, in 1859. lie built the first house and made the first improvements perfected in the county. Powan Irwin, brother of our sub- ject, was with him, and became one of the early settlers of the county. The same year Mr. Riga] settled, and for a time all camped together. The subject of our sketch was born in Hardin County. Ky.. on the 19th of April, 1K17, and lived there for about thirteen years. Then accompany- ing his parents in their journeying to Putnam County, Ind., he finished his education in the com- mon schools, which, although not extensive, was thoroughly practical. After Leaving the school he remained with his father upon the farm until he was about twenty-seven years old. About that time his father died, and he continued upon the same farm until after the death of his mother, which occurred in 1856. After thai event he sold the farm and came to this Stale, as noted above. In Putnam County, Ind., Dec. 21, 1844, Mr. Ir- win was united in marriage with Miss Maria Brit- tan, of Indiana, wdio bore him four children, of whom three are living. Their names are as fol- lows: Christian. Sarah and Susan. Newport, a son. died when twenty-two years old. Mrs. Irwin was the daughter of John Brittan, who was a farmer of Putnam County, Ind. She died after a wedded life of aboul Seven years, on the 25th of March. 1851. The second marriage of our subject was celebrated on the I'.Mh of April. 1852, the lady of his choice being Miss Jane Leathermann. Of this union there ■► 35 1 JOHNSON COUNTY. -»- » -«- t have been bom thirteen children, of whom eleven are still living. Their names arc recorded as fol- lows: Maria, Mary, Smiley, Washington, ('icily. Rowan, Frances. John, Lavona, Nora and Isaac. Fourteen children in all are si ill living. Mrs. Irwin was horn in Putnam County, Ind. she is the daughter of John and Mary Leather- mann, also of Putnam County. Her father was a native of Kentucky, and by occupation a fanner. He died in the year 1880, at the age of seventy- five years, his wife having died about four years before him; she was four years older than he. The eldesl daughter of our subject, Christian, is happily married to Mr. John Ball, who is now in Tulare County, Cal., and they are the parents of eight children; Sarah is married to Mr. Wallace A. verett, a prosperous farmer on section 1, Todd Creek Precinct; they have three little ones, whose names are as follows: Clara. ( (the and Maud. Susan is now Mrs. William Burlington, and resides in California; they have one child, whose name is Isaac. Of the daughters of his second marriage. Maria was the wife of Thomas Reynolds, of Tulare County. Cal.; her husband died in 1885, leaving her with four children, whose names are: Mabel, Arthur. Porter and Bessie. Frances married William Will, of Pawnee County, and they have one son. who bears the name of John; Rowan is married and liv- ing in California: he is a prominent lawyer. The remainder of the children are unmarried. Isaac Irwin, the father of our subject, was horn in Virginia, and when a, young man accompanied his father when he removed to Nelson County. Ky. There he met and married Miss Ellen King. There were horn to them eleven children, nine of whom lived to attain years of discretion. Subsequently he removed to Hardin County, where he lived until he was fifty years old. then went to Putnam County. Ind. There he lived until his death, which occurred when he was eighty-four years of age. This event occurred just before our subject came to this State. Mr. Irwin followed agricultural pur- suits nearly all his life, lie was frequently called upon to till various offices, and is one of the promi- nent citizens of his district. The grandfather of our subject, John Irwin, was the first member of this family to leave the old English home for the New World, lie settled first in Virginia, after- ward removing as above noted to Kentucky, where he died in Nelson County about the year 1818. The subject of this sketch is a member of the Predestinarian Baptist Church, and is an ordained minister of the communion, and has preached for many years in Kansas and this State. He is an able and much valued citizen, much respected by all who know him. and looked up to by very many' as one of the capable and educated men of the dis- trict. When in Indiana he served as Justice of the Peace for some time, and in this State has held the office of School Director. He is deeply interested in all questions that concern the American people, and usually votes with the Democratic party. ■waCfirtSSS" :?4 — H^Qtwmn. 1 OIINE. McDANNOLD In the northwestern part of Nemaha Precinct, and situated upon section 4, is a well-cultivated farm of eighty acres, which is not infrequently the occasion of remark and favorable comment from visitors and strangers in the neighborhood. It is the property of the subject of this sketch, who is cer- tainly a thoroughly practical and enterprising agri- culturist. He was born in Henry County, Mo., on the 30th of October, 1854, and lived there about three years, then accompanied his parents to Spring- field, 111., living with them upon various farms in the county until 1884. From the time of attaining his majority the sub- ject of our sketch had been farming upon his own account in the above district. His coming to Ne- braska dates from 1884, since which time he has labored earnestly and indefatigably to make his farm in every regard a model, with most gratifying success. His dwelling is conveniently and com- fortably arranged, and its site well selected. At least three acres are devoted to the orchard and fruit culture, and there may be found a large variety requiring special culture, in addition to those indigenous to the country and climate. Such fruits as apples, apricots, peaches and cherries are found in endless profusion. The remainder of his ^l^«. ■<- JOHNSON COUNTY. 355 farm is attentively looked after and well worked, and is equally responsive to his efforts. In Miss Ella Baldwin, of Sangamon County, 111., our subject conceived that lie had found the one who alone could make his life and home complete, and their marriage was celebrated upon the 2d of December, 1884. Their union has been more firmly welded, and the happiness of their home more assured, by the birth of their daughter, whose name is Nellie. Mrs. McDannold was born on the 28th of February, 1860, and is the daughter of William and Mary (Parkinson) Baldwin. Her father, a native of Sangamon County, followed the pursuits of husbandry from his youth, and was known as an enterprising farmer. Mr. and Mrs. McDannold are earnest and efficient members of the Christian Church, of Tecumseh, and highly respected in the community at large, as they are in the religious circle. The father of our subject, Reuben McDannold, was a native of Bour- bon County, Ky. ; the date of his nativity is re- corded as the 12th of February, 1831. When three years of age he was taken by his parents to Sangamon County, upon their migration thither- ward. In 1849 he went overland from St. Joseph to California, accomplishing the journey in ninety days, then considered a very quick trip. There he remained four years, enjoying success beyond the average. Returning, he settled in Springfield, and engaged in the lumber business for a time, and then went to Missouri. lie was the husband of Ann E. Dillon, to whom he was married on the 20th of October, 1853. Of the nine children born to them, it was their privilege to see six arrive at years of maturity. After three years in Missouri, Sangamon Count}' again became their home, and continues to be. They are very devout members of the Church of the Disciples, at Springfield, and enjoy the respect of all who know them, by reason of their high Christian character, and also their social position. The subject of our sketch is a man who has made his way in the world as the result of laudable ambition, supplemented by intelligent endeavor. His character is of a high order, both demanding and gaining the esteem of his fellows. In the do- mestic and other relations of life, although perhaps not faultless, his endeavor is to approximate to that most desired plan of life: in society he is genial, courteous and a liable, and enjoys considera- ble popularity. ALTER E. SANDIFER. The city of Te- eumsell has, in the gentleman whose his- tory it is endeavored succinctly, and \ ct clearly, to set forth in the following lines, a worthy representative, and one who is progressive, enter- prising and capable as a business man. He was born in Carrollton, Ky.,on the 16th of September, 1864. lie received as good an education as was possible to be obtained at that place, supplementing it by a course of instruction at the William Jewell Col- lege, at Liberty, Mo. After graduation from that institution he went into the drug business at Whiteman, Mo., where he remained for two years, carrying on quite a remunerative establishment. Leaving Missouri, our subject went to Ft. Worth, Tex., where he engaged as a clerk for three years, during which time he obtained a thorough knowl- edge of the drug trade in its various departments, and became an expert prescriptionist. In the spring of 1883 he came to Tecumseh and bought a partner- ship with Mr. Glass. After about eighteen months he bought out a stock of drugs and moved into his pres- ent line brick store, which is so admirably arranged for his business, having been especially designed to be adapted thereto. He has, perhaps, the finest drug-store in the city. It is situated on the corner of Third and Clay streets, having been for some five years located at the present place. He has be- come firmly established, and enjoys a very exten- sive patronage. The father of our subject, J. W. Sandifer, was born in Odenburg. Ky., and was one of the en- terprising and prosperous dry-goods merchants of Graham, Mo. His early life was mostly spent in Carrollton, Ky. He was married to Allie Dough- erty, who presented him with four children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second child born. He was both Councilman and Mayor of the city, but was reticent in the matter of poli- ties, although always cheerfully doing his duty as a citizen. He died at Ft. Worth. Tex., in Fcb- h *Jk^ 356 JOHNSON COUNTY. ruary, 1883, having been bereaved of his wife since the year 1868, when our subject was but fouryears of age. He was a Mason of the Royal Arch, and as such had Idled various offices in the fraternity. The grandfather of our subject, Robert Dough- erty, was one of the prominent men of Carroll- ton, Ky., which was his home. He was an exten- sive farmer, and very successful. The family of which he was a member is one of the old families of the State, and representative of the best people connected therewith. As will he noticed, the subject of this sketch is quite a young man, being hut. twenty-four years of agfe. lie has. therefore, almost the best part of his life before him, and without doubt, arguing from that which is seen to that which is not seen, the result will he worthy of the past and of his family. He is very highly spoken of. and in mat- ters of business is of strictest integrity. lie is the leader of the Tecumsch military hand, and is quite popular there. In political matters he is in harmony with the principles of the Democratic party, and takes much interest therein. 'He has one sister living, Miss Minnie Sandifer. She is the only member of his family left him, and makes her home with her brother. -wv, ~\*&ej2.'&S@ >»£§J®issii>i>i River to Illinois and set- tled in Mason County, where the father purchased eighty acres of land at $1.25 per acre. He then commenced in earnest his straggle upon the uncul- tivated prairie, and by untiring industry, economy and perseverance, in due time built up a comfort- able homestead and became the owner of a large estate. He was born in 1812, and is still living, being now well advanced in years. He acquitted himself during the active years of his life as a use- ful and public-spirited citizen, ever ready to en- courage the worthy enterprises calculated for the general good, and became thoroughly identified with the interests of his adopted country. In his declining years he is surrounded by all life's com- forts, including hosts of friends. He is a well-edu- cated man, having attended scbool in the city of London for a number of years. Receiving but a limited education, our subject spent his early years in the Prairie State, assisting in the development of the farm, and was a youth seventeen years of age at the outbreak of the Civil War. The year following he proffered his services as a Union soldier, enlisting Aug. 9, 1862, at Peoria, 111., in Company D, 85th Illinois In- fantry, which was assigned to the army of Gen. Sherman, the corps Commander being at that time Gen. Thomas. Company D for a time operated as sharpshooters, and young Ilowarth participated in many of the important battles of the war, meeting the enemy at Peachtree Creek, Mission Ridge, the sieges of Knoxville and Atlanta, and at the latter place received a wound in his left arm. Sept. 1, 1864. He was confined in the hos- pital some months, not being able to fight any more, and received an honorable discharge May 20, I860. Mr. Ilowarth after having been transferred from a soldier into a civilian returned to his old haunts in Illinois, and resumed farming with his father until his marriage, which took place June 20, 1867, The maiden of his choice was Miss Rebecca J. Sisson. who was born Feb. 11, 18-48, in Illinois, and is the daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Jones) Sisson. The father spent his last years in Illinois: the mother resides in Mason County. 111. Mr. and Mrs. Ilowarth spent the first five years of *•- their wedded life in .Mason County. 111., and then moved, in the fall of 1X72, to Faribault County. Minn. Mr. Ilowaiih there occupied himself at fanning until the fall of 1X73, then turned his steps southward and purchased a half-section of laud in this county, where his interests have since centered. To our subject and his estimable wife there were born ten children, seven of whom are living, viz: John II.. William F., Elizabeth A.. Bessie A., Charles K.. Barbara A. and James L. With the exception of five years spent in Tecumseh, where he was engaged as a stock-dealer. Mr. Ilowarth has been a resident of Spring Creek Precinct since coming to this county. He is a stanch Democrat, politically, and socially, belongs to Little Phil Post No. 270, G. A. R., at Tecumseh. During the sum- mer of 1886 he crossed the Atlantic and visited the scenes of his childhood and youth, making the voyage in a much speedier and more comfortable manner than that which distinguished his first ex- perience as a trans-Atlantic traveler. A true pa- triot, he hastened back in time for the November elections. —■V- #~t* ( )N. WASHINGTON ROBB is widely and favorably known throughout Johnson County as a man having borne no unim- portant part in its growth and develop- ment, socially, morally and financially. He is the owner of a fine estate which mostly consists of valuable farm property, comprising 200 acres of land with the homestead located on section 8, in Spring Creek Precinct. The essential points in a career of more than ordinary interest are as fol- lows: Mr. Robb was born in Warren County, Ind.. May 4, 1837. and is the son of Robert and Mary A. (Russell) Robb, the former a native of Ken- tucky, but reared in Ohio, and the mother a native of the town of Chillicothe, the latter State. The Robb family is of Scotch ancestry, while the Russells traced their descent to England. Thomas Robb. the paternal grandfather of our subject, car- ried a musket in the War of 1812, and spent his ? +_w < • ■«•■ i^lK-* JOHNSON COUNTY. 359 last years in DeKalb County, 111. The great-grand- father was born in Scotland, and upon emigrating in America early in life settled in Mercer County, Pa., from which branch of the family sprang all the Robbs of America. The subject of this sketch was the eldest in a family of seven children, five of whom are living. namely: Thomas, of Tecumseh, this State; Law- rence, a resident of Johnson County; Elizabeth E., the wife of James Robbing, of Tecumseh, Neb.; Re- becca J., Mrs. W. G. Swan, of Auburn, and Wash- ington, our subject. The latter was the eldest of the family, and was three yeai - s old when his par- ents removed from Ohio to DeKalb County, 111. The father secured a tract of land in that county, and there our subject was reared to manhood, re- ceiving a fair education in the common schools. When a youth of eighteen years Mr. Robb be- came a student of Rock River Seminary in Ogle County, where he closely applied himself to study one year, and upon leaving the college commenced teaching. In the spring of 1 85 9, desirous of seeing the country west of the Mississippi, he made his way to Pike's Peak, where he sojourned about six months, and occupied himself at mining. Thence he went into Hamilton County, Mo., where he taught school seven months, and thereafter wasoc- cupied at farming until the outbreak of the Civil War. On the 27th of July, 1862, .Mr. Robb enlisted as a Union soldier in Company 6,95th Illinois In- fantry, and participated in many of the important battles of the war. being at the siege of Yicksburg, the battle of Nashville, and in the Mobile cam- paign, lie was chiefly assigned to detached service, as a clerk in the various adjutant offices, and re- mained in the army until after the close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge in Springfield, 111., in October. L865. In the fall of the year above mentioned Mr. Robb wended his way to Nebraska Territory, and at once homesteaded 160 acres of land in Spring Creek Precinct, this county. He settled upon it before a furrow had been turned, and began as besl he could its improvement and cultivation, in the meantime em ploy inn' the winter months as a teacher, farming and teaching alternately since that time until about two years since. He has been a man of great energy and perseverance, and. as may be sup- posed, has had his mind and hands full with his farming interests and his duties as a public in- structor. He bears the distinction of being the pioneer pedagogue of this county, and probably there are few living now in the county who taught school within its limits before Nebraska was ad- mitted into the Union as a State. The subject of our sketch was married, Jan. 1, 18G8, in DeKalb County. 111., to Miss Amelia Gault. This lady was born Oct. 27. 1844, in De- Kalb County, 111., and is the daughter of William and Emeline (Shattuck) Gault, the former a native of Ohio, and the mother of New York State. The Gault family isof Scotch ancestry, while the mother of our subject traced her descent to England. Mr. Gault settled in Illinois during its pioneer days, and subsequently fought in the Black Hawk War. He and his estimable wife spent their last years in DeKalb County, 111. Mr. and Mrs. Robb commenced thejourney of life together at the farm which they now own anil occupy, which it is hardly necessary to state bore at that date little resemblance toitspresent condition. Of their union there have been born eight children, who are recorded as follows: Avery I), is a stu- dent in the Normal School at Peru; Robert E. died when about eighteen years old; Joy W.. Earl G., Lura, Fred L., Harry II and Russell R. are at home with their parents. Mr. Robb has been prominent in the affairs of his county and precinct, servino-as Assessor five years, and officiated one term as Jus- tice of the Peace, lie has been a member of the School Board Of his district for a period of twenty years. There have been few worthy enterprises which he has not fostered and encouraged. In November. 1887, he was made the nominee of the Republican party in his district for the Stale Legis- lature to Mil a vacancy, and at the expiration of this term was regularly re-elected in November, L888. Socially, he belongs to Post No. 104, G. A. I!., at Talmage, in Otoe County. He lias always taken a warm interest in the order, filling various offices. Mrs. Robb is a most estimable and intelligent lady in all respects, both by training and edu- **^h*+ •► ir^ -•*• 360 JOHNSON COUNTY. cation the suitable partner of her husband. She likewise was employed as a teacher fifteen terms in succession, mostly in DeK.ilb County, 111., but also taught in Boone County, that State, and in Bremer County, Iowa. . vj . •^-^/-^-V , c » l UrlLLIAM WALLACE JOBES, whoisoneof the prominent farmers and stock-raisers of WW Todd (reek Precinct, has been identified with the county since the days of the pioneer, lie owns an extensive and productive farm on section 20, comprising 160 acres. He was born in Onon- daga County. N. Y.. on the 28th of January, 1831. When hewas five years of agehis parents removed to Erie County, in the same State, where he was ■ brought up and made his home until he attained his majority, receiving his education in the schools of that county, and also making other preparations that would enable him to fill his place in life. Leaving home, he went to Buffalo, where he be- came a clerk in a store, remaining there live years, when he left to go west into Illinois, and for a time was engaged in the city of Chicago. After- ward he went to Knox County, 111., and engaged in fanning, continuing in the same until Aug. 11, 1862, when he enlisted. Our subject served in Company G, 83d Illinois Infantry, which regiment became part of the Army of the Cumberland. For three years he served in all the campaigns in which that division of the Union forces engaged. In the fall of 1863 he met with an accident, by which his ankle was broken. After his recovery he carried mail for the army until he was discharged, on the 24th of June, 186;"), at the conclusion of hostilities. He then re- turned to Knox County and continued his farming until he removed to Mercer County, where he lived for five years, and then sold out and removed to his present place in December, 1875. Purchasing it in the latter part of February of the following year, he took up his permanent residence on the 4th of March. All the improvements made by our subject upon his property are his own work. He now has about ten acres of forest trees, also a good apple orchard, T which, in addition, contains all the usual small fruits. He built his present residence, which would be a credit to a much more pretentious farm, in the year 1881. The same year he put up a windmill, and effected several other very important improve- ments. He has a hedge all around his farm, which he takes pride in keeping in nice trim and shape. He also keeps a very fine herd of cattle, and has a somewhat extensive dairy. The subject of our sketch was united in mar- riage with Miss Amanda Buffum.of Knox County. 111., on the 29th of December, 1870, of which union there have been born six children, of whom four are still living. These bear the names ap- pended below: Willie, Lizzie, .lay and Nettie. They have also living with them a niece. .Miss Olive A. Stevens, of Yates City, Knox Co., 111. Their children are all at home, laying up in the matter of education a store of knowledge that shall serve in future days. The wife of our subject was born in Knox County, 111., on the 29th of August, 1841. She i.s a daughter of Stephen and Ester Buffum, one of the pioneer families of that county, having settled there in 1835. Their daughter lived with them until her marriage. The maiden name of Mrs. Buffum was Ester Maun, and she was born at Ashta- bula, Ohio. They became the parents of eight children. Mr. Buffum died in the year 1871, aged sixty-nine years; his wife departed this life in 1.S15. The father of our subject, .lames .lobes, was born on the 2d of May, 1808, in the State of New York. There, as a young man, he married Miss Jeanette Candee. Their family circle included ten chil- dren, of whom eight are still living. He went to Onondaga County, and thence to Holland Bur- chase, Erie County, N. Y. In 1855 he went to Kendall County, 111., and from there to Knox County, then moved to Mercer County, and then back to Knox County, where he still lives, in Sum- mit Station, twenty miles from Oalesburg. In politics he was an "old-time" Whig, but has been a Republican for many years. The mother of our subject is the daughter of Eber Candee. of New York. She was born in Con- necticut, -Ian. IS. 1810, and went to New York H I .►-n^ .JOHNSON COUNTY. 4- 301 with her parents when she was young. She is now seventy-eight years of age, and makes her home at Summit, 111. James Jobes, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Connecticut, and when still a young man migrated to Pompey, N. V.. where he bought and improved a farm, upon which he lived until his death. He was united in marriage with Miss Mel- vina Prine (now spelt Pryne), and they became the parents of several children. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and for many years was esteemed one of its chief supports. Our subject is one of the prominent citizens of his district, and is held in high esteem by his fel- low-citizens. He is a man of honor, ability and success. He has been frequently called upon to till different Offices, and has usually voted with the Republican party. He was for .1 time Collector of the township. In every relation, office or under- taking, he has apparently been guided by the same high principle and sense of duty. RANKLIN TAYLOR. The pioneer element of .Johnson County embraces no worthier representative of its early history than the subject of this .sketch. lie owns and occupies a g 1 homestead on section 18, Todd Creek Pre- cinct, his farm c prising 160 acres of land under a thorough state of cultivation, lie has seen the country around develop from an unimproved prai- rie to the homesteads of an intelligent community, and no man has rejoiced more at the prosperity of his adopted Slate. Our Subject firs! set fool upon the soil of Ne- braska in February, 1868, the year after it had been converted from a Territory to a Stale. He was ac- companied on his journey to this county by his wife, and they went to housekeeping in a rude structure, which has withstood the ravages of over twenty years, and which slip remains standing on the southeast, part of the farm. Mr. Taylor, however, left this first place after occupying it eight months, ami moved to the east- ern part of the precinct, taking up his abode on section 6, where he purchased a tract of Oovern- -4* — incut land and commenced its improvement. Be- coming homesick, however-, a few months later, he returned to Illinois, and lived in Knox County on his farm until the fall of 1879. Then coming back I.. Nebraska he purchased first eighty acres of the farm which he now owns, and subsequently added thereto another eighty acres. This he has brought to a thorough state of cultivation, and upon if has erected good buildings and set out groves, which are need.. I upon cver\ faun in this part of Nebraska. He now has nearly ten acres of solid forest, from six or eight years old to twenty years, and which con- stitutes a very valuable piece of limber. The pres- ent appearance of the land is widely different from what it was when Mr. Taylor first looked upon it. there being then nothing large]- than a blade of grass, lie has also planted an orchard of four acres, and around his dwelling are all kinds of the smaller fruit trees. These are all well developed and in good bearing condition, yielding each in their season most luscious fruits for the household. The present residence of our subject is a sub- stantial two-Story frame structure, which was com- pleted in the fall of 1880, and is Finished in modern style, being both handsome and convenient. The farm fences are mostly of hedge and wire, giving to the premises an exceedingly neat, appearance. Mr. Taylor of late years has given his attention mostly to live stock, and has taken a new departure some- what from that, of his neighbors, being largely en- grossed in sheep-raising, keeping from 300 to 550 head. He also has a number of horses, and a goodly herd of cattle. His premises present the picture of the well-to-do and intelligent agricultur- ist, who makes hay while the sun shines, and neg- lects no opportunity to keep himself posted upon the matters pertaining to his calling. A native of Knox County. III., our subject was b.iin \)<-f. 17, 1840, and received a practical edu- cation ill the Common schools. He assisted his father in the labors of the farm, and lived at home until after the outbreak of the Civil War. (In the I 1th of August. 1*112, he enlisted in defense of his country, in Company G, 88d Illinois Infantry, and Served nearly three years, being mostly employed along the Cumberland River after the guerrillas, and gained a good insight into the privations and T •*-!-«♦ ■•* 4- 302 JOHNSON COUNTY. hardships of army life. He fortunately escaped wounds and capture, and at the close of the war received his honorable discharge, July 5, 1865. Mr. Taylor upon laying aside the implements of war returned to the peaceful pursuits of farm life in Knox Count}', 111., where he lived until coming to Nebraska. In Knox County he was married to Miss Margaret Ann Stanton, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride, Oct. 10, 1866. Mrs. Taylor is the daughter of a prominent citizen of that county, whose history will be noted in a sketch of Michael Stanton, found elsewhere in this volume. Of this union there were born nine chil- dren, eight of whom are living, namely: Elsie A., Clifford M., Ira O, Katie L., Irene G., Floyd F., Lora and Edith. They are all at home with their parents, and form a remarkably intelligent and in- teresting group. They have been given a good practical education, and will in due time take their places in the community among its most honored citizens. Mr. Taylor votes the straight Democratic ticket, and has held the various local ollices, serv- ing as Collector, Commissioner, Assessor and School Director, until he refused to have his name again brought up as a nominee. Andrew 15. Taylor, the father of our subject, was born in New Jersey, Nov. 23, 1817, and when four years of age removed witli his parents to Fairfield County, Ohio. He there lived until a youth of seventeen years, then took to the lakes and followed the water for a period of six years. Then migrating to Knox County, 111., he engaged in farming, and there spent the remainder of his days. He was accidentally killed by the falling of a tree, in May, 1885, when about sixty-eight years oid. He was a man prominent in his community and highly re- spected, holding tin' township offices, and positions of trust and responsibility. The wife and mother, Mrs. Philomela (Egan) Taylor, was born in Madison County, Ohio, in October, 1821, and lived there until her marriage. She was the daughter of Michael Egan, who spent his last years in Illinois. Of her union with Andrew Taylor there were born eighl children, seven of whom lived to mature years. The mother passed away twenty years before the decease of her husband, her death taking place at 1 ' the old homestead in Knox County, III., in Decern- *t ber, 1865. Both were I'niversalists in religious belief. The paternal grandfather of our subject, also named Andrew Taylor, was a native of New York State, born in 1778, and migrated first to New Jersey and thence to Ohio, being one of the earliest pioneers of the Buckeye State. He was twice mar- ried, his last wife, from whom our subject is de- scended, being a Mrs. Bassett. He was a successful farmer, and built up for himself a good homestead out of the wilderness in Ohio. The last few years of his life were spent with his son Andrew, in Illi- nois, where his death took place in 1848. JHOMAS II. MATTHEWS, a prosperous far- mer in good circumstances, and a resident of Spring Creek Precinct, came to Nebraska in the spring of 1880 with a capital of $4 in his pocket. He located first in Nemaha County, and operated for two years on rented land. In the spring of 1882 he took possession of his present farm, on sec- tion 25, where his labors have been prospered, and where his perseverance and energy have gathered around him all the comforts of life and many of its luxuries. His farm is considered as among the finest in the county, and is a standing monument to his energy and resolution. He has effected many improvements since taking possession here, and is numbered among the leading men of his precinct, being held in the highest respect by all who know him. Chester County, Pa., was the birthplace of our subject, where he first opened his eyes to the light March 14, 18 <6. His parents, William and Mary (llannum) Matthews, were natives respectively of Maryland and Pennsylvania, and his paternal an- cestors were of Irish descent. On his mother's side he traces his ancestry to Germany. The parental household consisted of fourteen children, seven of whom are living, namely: Ebenezer, of Fulton County, 111.; Thomas II., our subject; Martha, the wife of Hartford Meislion, of this county; Ettie, Mrs. James Trickey, of Fulton County, III.; Jenette, now Mrs. Marshall, also in that county; Laura, the wife of George Hughes, and Scott, of Helena Precinct, this county. The parents removed «•■ t JOHNSON COUNTY. 365 from Pennsylvania, and settled in Fulton County, 111., in the fall of 1843, being among its earliest pioneers. They are still living, the father now hav- ing attained his fourscore years, and the mother being seventy -seven. The}- make their home with their daughter, Mrs. Trickey, and are surrounded by hosts of warm friends whom they have gathered around them during their long residence in Fulton County, and where they have acquitted themselves as praiseworthy citizens. Both are members of the Presbyterian Church, and the father, politically, is a stanch Republican. Our subject was reared to manhood amid the pioneer scenes of Fulton County, 111., acquiring his education in its primitive schools, which were far inferior to those of the present day. He has, however, been a lifelong reader of books and news- papers, and has always kept himself well posted upon the important topics of the day. He was reared to farm life, which he has followed content- edly most of the time since starting out for him- self. Mr. Matthews remained a member of the parental household until September, 1858. When ready to establish a home of his own he took unto himself a wife and helpmate, Miss Sarah A. Holmes, to whom he was married in Fulton County, 111., Sept. 30, 1858. Mrs. Matthews was born in Fulton County, 111., Nov. 25, 1810, and is the daughter of Thomas ami Rachel A. (Deny) Holmes, who were natives of Kentucky and Virginia, and the former of whom died in 1882, in Fulton County. The mother is with her son William in this county. The family included eight children, who are now in Arkansas, Nebraska and Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews commenced the journey of life together in Fulton County, 111., and Mr. M. engaged in fanning until the spring of 1875. Then, in partnership with Mr. Hughes, of Fulton County, he engaged in the lumber business at Table Grove, 111., they operating together about two years, under the firm title of Matthews & Derham. Our subject then purchased the inter, est of his partner in the business, and operated alone two 3'ears. Then selling out he engaged in the grocery trade at Table Grove, forming again a partnership with Mr. Hughes, and finally buy- ing him out as before. Mr. Matthews conducted this business one year, but not meeting with the success he desired withdrew, and resolved to re- sume agricultural pursuits. Our subject has met with good success on the soil of Nebraska, of which he has the highest opin- ion, His farm embraces 160 acres of good land with a substantial residence, a good barn, fruit and shade trees, and all the other things necessary for the comfort of himself and his family. The latter are as follows: Albert G. ; Ella, Mrs. John A. Foley, in Decatur County, Kan., and John in Spring Creek Precinct, this county; Thomas E., Locy and Annie remain with their parents; Harry is deceased. Mr. Matthews, politically, supports the principles of the Democratic parly, and while a resident of Illinois was quite prominent in local affairs, officiat- ing as School Director, and filling other positions of trust and responsibility. Both he and his esti- mable wife take an active interest in the projects calculated for the general welfare of their commu- nity, and are thus contributing their share toward the building up of one of the most prosperous pre- cincts in Johnson County. *%** ^OIIN E. BARRET, of Sterling Precinct, is numbered among its solid and reliable men, and one whose industry and perseverance in (figg / building up a fine homestead have been crowned with success. He was born in Cass Count} - , III., in 1849, and when a youth of sixteen years stalled out for himself. First making his way across the Mississippi he sojourned in Nemaha County, Neb., while the latter was still a Territory, for a few months, then returned to Illinois, and from there migrated to Kansas. He traveled around considerably until the fall of 1 869, and then, although only twenty years of age, became interested in the cattle business with Col. John Williams, who was at tint time President of the First National Bank of Springfield, 111. His headquarters now were in Marion County, Kan., for a period of two years. He then returned again to his native State, sojourn- ing there two years in Cass County. In the fall of 1874 we find Mr. Barret a resident -►^h- «« * 366 JOHNSON COUNTY. 4 of this county, located in its southeastern corner where he was engager! in farming until the spring of 1881. Then having been satisfied that he could live comfortably in Nebraska possibly for the re- mainder of his days, he secured 100 acres of land on section 1 1 , and commenced the labors which have been fruitful of such rich results. For a man who started in life with but very little money it cannot be denied that Mr. Barret has done well. In 1886 he purchased a half-section of land in Pawnee County, which he still retains. Nine years ago, on the 2d of October, 1879, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Alice Kershaw, who was born in 1854, and is the daughtei of John and Alice (Lee) Kershaw, natives of En- gland. The father is now deceased; the mother resides in this county. Mrs. Barret is now the mother of two interesting children : Nellie, born Jan. 1, 1881, and Woodson, Feb. 11, 1882. The abode of this little family is one of the most at- tractive in the precinct where they reside, and is the frequent resort of the many friends they have made through the exercise of a cheerful and generous hospitality. Mr. Barret in addition to general farming still maintains his interest in fine stock, and is making a specialty of Short-horn cattle, besides Hambletonian and Pcreheron horses. His swine, of which he keeps quite a number, are of the favor- ite Poland-China breed. Our subject is a man of fine natural abilities and good mental capacities, which received excellent culture in the Western University at Bloomington, 111., where he completed his education. He keeps himself well informed upon current events, and although no politician gives his conscientious support to the principles of the Democratic party. Among the views of rep- resentative places of Johnson County presented in this volume may be found that belonging to Mr. Barret. ZEKTEL A. BROWN, Of Todd (reek Pre- cinct, deserves more than a passing notice, /!' — ^ i as he is one of those men who have been no unimportant factors in bringing Johnson County to its present condition, lie owns ami occupies a "null farm of 160 acres on section 6, where lie set- tled in the fall of 1809, soon after landing, about October 6th of that year, in the young State of Nebraska. For this property he had traded a farm in Illinois, and although it was nothing but an un- cultivated prairie, he had faith in the future of Nebraska, and set about the development of a homestead, with high hopes for the future. Al- though a man seldom realizes his anticipations Mr. Brown will probably acknowledge that his were little greater than the reality. The labor of years has been amply rewarded, our subject finding him- self now in the possession of a fine property, with the prospect of case and comforl in his old age. There are few more desirable homesteads in Todd Creek Precinct than the property of Mr. Brown. The farm is enclosed with a beautiful hedge fence. Near the house especially this is kept closely trimmed and smooth, and supported here and there with a handsome evergreen or shrub. The dwelling, although not elegant perhaps, is conveni- ent and comfortable in every respect, and there stands at the rear one of the finest barns in the pre- cinct, built in modern style and furnished with every convenience for the care especially of fine horses. It is neatly painted in while, with green blinds, and is a structure affording vastly more comfort to the animals which it shelters than that afforded to hundreds of less fortunate human be- ings. Not far from the residence is ten acres of forest, planted by the hand of the proprietor. Mr. Brown also set out an apple orchard, and has trees of the smaller fruits, which yield abundantly in their season. He. however, gives his principal at- tention to live stock, making a specialty of draft horses, and also keeps sheep, cattle and swine. Mr. Brown is recognized in his community as a man of more than ordinary ability, but carefully avoids the responsibilities of office, refraining from meddling with polities, otherwise than casting his vote with the Republican party. He. however, has discharged the duties of the various school and precincl offices, because able to perform their duties perhaps better than a stranger. Mr. Brown, although having accomplished al- most a life's labor, is still in his prime, having been born July 15, 1837. His birthplace and early home were in Jefferson County. Ohio, where he received «■ J veil - ' •►Hl^ JOHNSON COUNTY. 367 4ia wl his education ami Lived until 1861, occupied in farming pursuits. In the fall of the year mentioned he left his native State, emigrating to the vicinity of Peoria, 111., and purchasing a tract of land, which he operated a period of eighl years. From there be came to Nebraska. In the meantime, duringthe Civil War, lie enlisted, .Inly 27. 1862, in the 8Cth Illinois Infantry, and met the enemy at the battles of Peiayville, Chickamauga and other important hat- ties, besides going partially through the Atlanta cam- paign. AtKenesaw Mountain he was wounded in his right shoulder, and sent to the hospital at ( 'halta- nooga, being later removed lo Nashville. Tenn., and thence to Camp -loe Holt in Indiana. His hospital experience embraced a period' of seven months, and he was then obliged to accept an honorable dis- charge for disability. From this wound he still suffers at intervals. Our subject chose for his bride a lady of his native State, .Miss Ruth Fuller, to whom he was married in Guernsey County, 'Ohio, July •_'7, 1858. This union resulted in the birth of seven children, six of whom are living, namely: .lane. Margaret, Sally, Grant, George and Amy. The eldest daughter is the wife of Luke Lytic, of Kansas, and they are the parents of four children; Sally married Jefferson Stover, of Table Rock, and they have one child. Mrs. Ruth (Fuller) Brown was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, Jan. 21. 1880, and is the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Johnson) Fuller, the former of whom was also a native <>f the Buckeye state, and lived there with his family until Hie spring of 1861. Then he removed to Peoria County. 111., where he carried on farming until his death, about the year 1876. The wife and mother passed away about three or foil ]• years previous lo the decease of her husband. They were most excellent and worthy people, and members in good standing of the Baptisl Church. Their family consisted of eight children. Henry Known. I lie father of our subject . was born in Pennsylvania, about 1795, and in early manhood emigrated to Ohio, where he was married to Miss Jane Maple. They became the parents of eleven children, ten of whom lived to mature years. The father was one of the pioneers of Jefferson County, where he secured a tract of land and built up a homestead, upon which he spent the remainder of his days. His wife survived him several years. They were well-to-do. having by thrift and indus- try accumulated a good property. On another page the comfortable home and fine buildings of our subject are the subject of repre- sentat ion. - ARWIN II. BERRY. One of the finest h es in the little city of Tecumseh is the property of. the subject of this hiog. raphy, and consists of a substantial and tasteful residence and barn, with ample grounds around it, and all the evidences of comfort and enjoyment. To this place Mr. Berry retired in the summer of 1886 from the active labors of farm life, in which he had been engaged the greater part of his life, i I is home is situated on Broadway street, in the eastern part of town. He still retains ownership of his farm, which comprises 320 acres of valuable land in Helena Precinct. His career has been that of the self-made man, who from a modest beginning has built up a snug fortune, and at the same time such has been his integrity of character that he enjoys the highest respect of the community where the best part of his life has been spent. Our subject is a native of the Green Mountain State, his birthplace having been Alburgh, Grand Isle County, and the date thereof April 14, 1824. He lived there until a young man twenty-three years old, and on the 10th of May, 1847, started out to see something of the country around him. He traveled first all over New England, then vis- ited the Middle States, and made his first halt in Newark, N. J. In the meantime he paid his ex- penses by teaching school. He resided in Newark one year, becoming owner of an eating house wherein temperance drinks were dispensed, and then having the opportunity to sell out to good advantage, did so and started for the West. Young Berry, upon reaching Illinois, purchased a tract of land in Hancock County, began teacl ing school, and managed to [jay for his property in this manner. In due time lie had an improved farm of 2lo acres which he had built up from the i 868 JOHNSON COUNTY. fr wild prairie. He brought the land to a high state of cultivation, planted a large orchard and many other trees around his homestead, and gathered about himself and family all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, lie had married. Dec. li, 1856, Miss Maitha Wightman, of Hancock County, and of this union there were born four children. Of these hut two are living. Allie. the elder, became the wife of Jirah S. Gordon, of Albtirgh, Yt.. and they are still living there, where Mr. G. is carrying on merchandising and farming. Harry S. married Miss Perintha Canon, of Pike County, 111., and operates the home farm; they have one child, a son, Jirah S. Mr. and Mrs. Berry lived in Illinois until the spring of 1864, when our subject sold out, and on the 1st of March started for Linn Comity. Iowa. There he purchased an improved farm where they lived three years, but not being satisfied with their surroundings sold out once more, and in 1*07 pur- chased land in Helena Precinct, this county, to which they removed in the spring of 1868. Here Mr* Berry purchased 640 acres, improved the en- tire tract, and later transferred to his brother-in- law one-fourth of it. For this land he paid the sum of $1,067.50, but it could not now he pur- chased for less than 118,000. Pew but they who have performed it can realize the labor involved in placing the soil under cultivation, planting trees, building fences and the necessary structures con- nected with the homestead, and the numberless other conveniences gathered together on the prem- ises. The orchard alone contain- 100 apple trees, while the smaller fruits abound in almost endless variety. The lumber for the residence was hauled from Nebraska City with teams. After his journey hither from the Hawkeye Stale. Mr. Berry and his family lived in a. tent until their house could be brought to the condition affording them a shelter. Our subject encountered the usual struggles with grasshoppers and drouth and many other discour- agements, but pursued the even tenor of his way, nnd has met with ample reward. For a number of years he was largely engaged in stock-raising, keep- inn numbers of horses, cattle and swine, and feed- ing to them mostly the grain raised upon the farm. Amid these extensive interests Mr. Perry still •hh?: found time to maintain his record as a good citi- zen, and gave his substantial support and encour- agement to the enterprises which should be of benefit to the people around him. He has ever been the friend of progress and education, and while no office-seeker, has usually been the incum- bent of some position of trust or responsibility. He served as Director in his school district, and held the minor offices when there appeared no one else who had time or could till them to better advantage. Mrs. Martha (Wightman) Berry was born in Sandgate, Bennington Co., Vt., Jan. 11. 1835, and there developed into womanhood. Her parents. William and Martha Wightman. removed from the Green Mountain StateMo Illinois, where the father followed his trades of a wheelwright and con- tractor. He was a man of tine business capacities, and owned a farm, although he did not work upon it himself, simply superintending it. He lived to a ripe old age, and spent his last days m Linn County. Iowa, to which he had removed about ten years before his death, which occurred in 1875. The mother passed away two years before the de- cease of her husband, in 1873. Their family con- sisted of fifteen children. The father of our subject, Jirah S. Berry, a native of Connecticut or Vermont, was born April 24, 1784. He was one of the most, successful physicians of Alburgh, Vt., where he practiced many years, hav- ing the ride of that entire region for miles around. He was a man of property, a portion of it being in the shape of a good farm in Grand Isle County. He was graduated from the school of medicine at Castleton. Vt. He was well read, and a man of more than ordinary intelligence, keeping himself well posted upon the events of the day, and in all respects a prominent and praiseworthy citizen. He married Miss Ann Hyde, of Grand Isle County, and they became the parents of six children, five of whom lived to mature years, these all being carefully educated, and all of them for a time em- ployed in teaching. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Jona- than Hyde by name, was a highly respected Ver- mont farmer. After the death of her husband the mother of our subject continued to live in Alburgh T JOHNSON COUNTY. 8G9 h until 1852, then removed with her son Darwin II. to Illinois, where her death took place in Hancock County in the fall of 1864, Dr. Berry had died .Jan. 1(), 1834, aged fifty years. I lis excessive energy and industry were the direct cause of his taking off, as in pursuing the practice of his pro- fession he was out early and late, giving himself little rest and no recreation. Ilis generous dispo- sition led him to serve those who perhaps would refuse to give him feed for his horse, much less his pay for his professional services. Upon his last exhaustive journey, after being out a day and a night, he returned to his home early in the after- noon, and at 5 o'clock was not able to stand upon his feet. He never passed beyond his own threshold again until carried out, dying in a few days. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Barnaby Berry, a 'Connecticut farmer who married a Miss Swift, and became the father of quite a large family. The}' removed from Connecticut to Ver- mont, and were among the earliest pioneers of Grand Isle County, where their children grew to manhood and womanhood before the War of 1812. The father was a physician and one of the first sur- geons aboard the fleet at Plattsburg, engaging in the battle which was fought there Sept. 11, 1812. Grandfather Berry spent his last days at the home of his son in Northern New York, outliving his estimable wife many years. ,'OSEPH WHITHAM, a Johnson County pio- neer of 1873, settled in the spring of thai year on eighty acres of land embracing a portion of section 25, Spring < 'reek Precinct, and for which he paid 15 per acre. It was a stretch of raw prairie, destitute of cultivation or improve- ment, and presented a scene calculated to try the courage of any man in like circumstances. <>ur subject was unaccompanied by a wife or children to cheer him, coming alone, with a cash capital of x-1.', in money, a team of horses and a few farming implements, lie established himself in a dug-out, eleven feet square, and for the liisl three \ears kept bachelor's hall. For a number of years there- after he endured the hardships and difficulties in- -*• cident to pioneer life, hut from his toils and strug- gles he has come out with Hying colors, having now one of the most valuable farms in his precinct, em- bracing now hut acres. The dug-out, in 1886, was replaced by a more comfortable and commodious dwelling, and around it, have arisen the various out-buildings for the sheltei of stock and the stor- ing of grain, A native of Broome County, N. Y., our subject was horn June 18, 1849, and is the son of John and ( 'aniline ([(owe) \V hilhain. t he father a native of Yorkshire, England, and the mother of Connecti- cut, John Whiihain emigrated to America when a young lad, about 1820, crossing the Atlantic with his parents, John, Sr., and Hannah Whitham, they Locating in Broome County, N. Y., where the father engaged in farming and milling, anil where the father of our subject was reared to manhood. The latter received a limited education, 1ml was trained lo those habits of industry and economy which have Served him well through Ilis later life. John Whitham was married, June 18, 1844, in Broome County, X. Y., to Miss Caroline Rowe. a native of < lonnecticut, and the daughter of Abijah Iv'owe. who was a New Eiighiiidcr by birth, and supposed to be of English ancestry. The Rowe family, as near as can be learned, came to America soon after the independence of the Colonists had been established, settling in Connecticut. To John and Caroline Whitham there were bcrn six chil- dren, five of whom are living, namely: John, dr.. a resident of Warren, 111.; Joseph, our subject; Eliza, the wife of !'». C. Allen, of Dodge County, this Slate; William, a resident of Warren. III., and .lay M.. of Fayelleville. Ark. The deceased child was a daughter, Hannah, who (lied when about eleven years old. The parents of our subject, about 1855, leaving the Empire State, emigrated to Jo Daviess County, [11., settling among its earliest pioneers, where the father engaged in agriculture and spent the remain- der of his life. Ilis death took place at the home- stead. .March I. 1880, lie was a member in good standing of the .Methodist Episcopal Church from early manhood, to the supiiort of which he con- tributed liberally, and was a faithful laborer in the Master's vineyard, officiating as Class-Leader, and > n ^» -•* 370 JOHNSON COUNTY. f 4 otherwise identified himself with tin' best interests of his church, lie enjoyed a wide acquaintance in Jo Daviess County, where he was highly respected, anil lie lefl to his family a comfortable estate. In New York State he hail been prominent in the af- fairs of his county, holding the offices of Assessor and Justice of the Peace, and filled other positions of trust awl responsibility, lie was a Republican from the time of the party's organization. The mother is still living, being now sixty-four years old. in good health and retaining her faculties un- impaired. She is a very estimable lady, and be- longs to the same church as did her honored hus- band. She makes her home with her son William, at Warren, 111. Our subject accompanied his parents in their re- moval from New York State to Illinois, and was reared among the scenes of pioneer life in .lo Da- viess County. All" the children of the family received a common-school education, and have dis- tinguished themselves as upright and worthy citi- zens. Jay M., the brother who went South, is now a leading professor in the State University of Ar- kansas. His tastes incline toward military tactics, and he obtained entrance to the United States Na- val Academy at Annapolis, from which he was graduated with honors, and thereafter served about four years in the I'nited States Navy, resigning his position finally to take that which hi' now holds. In the meantime, in the performance of his naval duties, he had visited a number of foreign coun- tries, and the expeditions proved both pleasurable and profitable. Our subject has been content to follow farming all his life, lie remained under the parental roof un- til about twenty -one years old. lie was married. Dec. 31, 1K7(), to Miss Sophia Ilayden. who was born in Cumberland County, Ky.. Dec. 25, 1855. They began their wedded life in Spring Creek, and of this union there were born live children, namely : Caroline, llaltie. Ella, Jessie and Sophia. This lady died at the homestead in Spring Creek Precinct, .March -2. 1887. Mr. Whitham contracted a second marriage. July 17. 1887, with Miss Zerelda Mavity, who was born in Atchison County, Mo., Sept. 23, I860. Her par- ents, Joseph and Evaline Mavity. were natives of Indiana and Illinois, and arc now residents of this county. Of this union there is one child, a son, John J., who was bom May 1, 1888. Mr. Whit- ham, in the fall of 1884, was elected one of the Commissioners of Johnson County, serving his term of three years in a creditable manner, and for four years has been a Justice of the Peace. He is now completing his seventh year as a School Di- rector in his district. He is public-spirited and liberal, and uniformly votes the Republican ticket. Religiously, he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is a Trustee and one of i'.s most active members. R. PETER. V. R. DAFOE, a retired physi- cian, and at present enjoying the comforts of a pleasant home, is also proprietor of a fine drug-store at Tecumseh. and has con- nected with the drug business a stock of musical instruments, in which he has built up a good trade among the leading residents of the precinct. His store is located on the north side of Broadway, opposite the court-house. The Doctor has been a resident of this county for a number of years, and during this time has made many friends. Our subject was born in Hastings. Province of Ontario, Canada. Dec. 1'9, 1838, and there spent his boyhood days, completing his education in the Friends' Seminary at l'icton. Prince Edward County, lie then taught school for a number of years, and finally deciding to take up the study of medicine, entered the office of Dr. George Henry, of Sterling, with whom he read medicine until about twenty years old. He took his first course of lectures at Victoria Medical College in Toronto, in the winter of 1861-62, and later, making his way to Saginaw County. Mich., to visit friends, he was persuaded by them to settle there and begin practice. This he did with excellent results, both socially and financially. He was thus occupied five months, and at the beginning of the college year returned to To- ronto, took another course, and again practicedas before. He was graduated on the 24th of May. 1864, and commenced his regular practice at ( '• reens- ville, North York County, where he remained two f \T" JOHNSON COUNTY. *te ■■ill 4- years. Imilt upas before a good business, and was then appointed by the Government as physician to the Snake Indians. In the spring of 1866 Dr. Dafoe Located ai Elm- wood, 111., where he remained until Sept. 1. 1879, and in connection with his practice, established a drug-store there also. In the same year he crossed the Mississippi, locating in Tecumseh, this county, and in 1880 established his present business, which has proved a great convenience to the people of this locality. He removed to Council Bluffs, but only remained there ten months, lie only practices now among his old friends and natrons, who, having satisfactorily proved his skill, are unwilling to let him go. On the morning of Dee. 15, 1884, Dr. Dafoe after breakfast went out, key in hand, to open his store, and upon arriving upon the site found noth- ing but a few smouldering remains. 'The building and stock had been entirely destroyed by fire dur- ing the uight. The shock could not lie otherwise than great, but the Doctor recovered as soon as possible, ami at once ordered a new stock of goods, having them on hand for the Christmas trade. The spring following he put up the tine brick building the lirst iloor of which is occupied by hisstoreand the jewelry business of another party. This struct- ure is an ornament to the town, being lmilt of brick, two stories in height, with plate glass front. The upper Iloor is arranged and occupied by of- fices. It was the second brick block put up on the north side. Our subject has been quite prominent in local affairs, and in 1886 was elected Alderman, serving two years acceptably, hut although a man public- spirited and interested in the welfare of his com- munity, he would much prefer relegating the responsibilities of office to others. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken nine degrees, and also at different times been an officer in his lodge, lie has Keen an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for a number of years, officiating as Steward ami Sunday-school Superin- tendent, ami laboring as he had opportunity to further the Master's cause. Miss Carrie Nelson, of Eugene, Knox Co.. 111., became the wife of our subject April 2:'<. 1867, and of this union there were born three children, of whom but, two are living. Albeit X. was born Nov. 2.'!, 1870, at Elmwood, 111.. and was graduated from the Tecumseh High School in the spring of 1888; he proposes, however, in the near future to continue his studies in another institution. Frank was born .Ian. 11, 1873, is an unusually bright and in- teresting boy. and is pursuing his studies in the High School. Mrs. Carrie (Nelson) Dafoe. was born at Eugene, 111., in 1842, and is the daugh- ter of Josiah ami Margaret (King) Nelson. She was given a good education, completing her stud- ies at Knox College in Galesburg, and made her home with her parents until her marriage. She is a very estimable lady, intelligent and refined, and a devoted Christian, having been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for twenty-one years, and warmly engaged in Sunday-school work. Josiah Nelson, the father of Mrs. Dafoe, is a native of Pennsylvania, and when a young man re- moved, about 1837, to Knox County, III., of which he is still a resident. He entered -the Prairie State a poor man. with no resources but his willing hands and courageous heart, and is now numbered among its moneyed men and leading land-owners, being proprietor of 800 acres, well improved and in a high stale of Cultivation. He is largely devoted to the raising of grain and stock, and is a man promi- nent in his community. Mr. Nelson married Miss Margaret King, whose parents live on the quarter-section adjoining, and they have traveled the journey of life together for a period of fifty years. The parents and tin- seven chil- dren form an unbroken family circle which has as yet been unvisited by the fell Destroyer. The elder children were daughters, and during the late war the lather sometimes regretted that he had only one son old enough to enter the army and light for the defense of the Union. That one became a soldier before he was of age. Michael Dafoe. the father of our subject, was born in Frontenac, Province of Ontario, Canada, in IT'.i'i. and moved to Hastings County soon after his marriage. He received a practical education and later followed farming, lie married Miss Mary Wright about 1825, and they lived upon the farm where thej lirst sell lei I, and where all their children, f -*•- 372 -•fr 4- JOHNSON COUNTY. twelve in number, were born. Of tbese seven are living. The only one besides our subject who came to the United States was a sister, who is a resi- dent of Dakota. His brother Michael died in the summer of 1858, leavings good farm to hiswidow, who lived upon it until 1871. when her death took place. Both were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Michael held the office of Steward and was one of its chief pillars. The property which he left remains in the family. The Doctor is a popular man in his community, one whose opinions are generally respected, and who is recognized as the possessor of more than ordinary capabilities. -fc^S- ffiOHN BEAL. Upon section 19 of Western Precinct is to be found one of the most ad- mirably appointed stock farms in the county. (<©/ It is the property of the gentleman whose history it is here sought briefly to set before the reader. He was born in Knox County, Ohio, on the Ttli of December. 1837, to Jacob and Elizabeth Beal, of the above county. His father is a native of Somerset County, Pa., and his mother of Vir- ginia. Mr. Beal, Sr., settled in Ohio as a young man just starting in life, when that country was in all its newness as a Territory, with its broad acres uncultivated and its resources undeveloped. The common scl 1 was the institution in which the subject of our sketch received the foundation of his mental development. Realizing that il was by no means the completion of his education, his efforts in that direction have been unceasing. In [859 he went overland to Colorado and California, where he remained mining gold until 1865, meet- ing with quite fair success. At the end of that time he returned to Knox County, where he re- mained until the spring of 1868, when he came to Nebraska. Until the fall of that year Mr. Beal made his home in the city of Beatrice, when he removed to Tecumseh, and there made his home until he came to his present farm in the spring of 1869. Upon taking up his residence upon his property he re- alized that he was in the midst of a vast unde- veloped country. As far as the eye could reach in any direction nothing could be discerned that would indicate any habitation of man. and very few signs were discernible of his handiwork. Bea- trice and Tecumseh were the nearest points for trading and • marketing, and either were at least twenty miles distant from him. He has watched with pleasure and pride the development of the country all around, and observed the growth of the present wealthy community. His farm is now L95 acres in extent and is one of the best in the district. Before leaving Knox County Mi'. Beal was mar- ried. The event was celebrated in January. 1868; the lady who at the time allied herself with our subject was Maria J. Lovitt, the estimable daugh- ter of Daniel and Deborah Lovitt. of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Beal have been given four children, of whom three still survive, viz: Orvil, James A. and Eugene, all of whom make their home with their parents. For two terms Mr. Beal has served in the office of Assessor with much satisfaction to all parties concerned, but is quite reticent as regards political or any other office. He has always been a friend of the temperance cause, and is now a firm Prohi- bitionist. As a man and citizen he is much ad- mired by reason of his high character; as a farmer and stock-raiser he is most successful, his specialty being the higher grades of stock of the best breeds. His farm is supplied with everything needed for successful operation, and his home is one of the most pleasantly situated and comfortable in the community. -^»ti»> -^ «^itf^ p^LZIE COMBS, the proprietor of the ex- [W| tensive livery and sale stable on Third |' — ■£ ) street in Tecumseh. and in that connection widely and favorably known, was born in Knox County. 111. on the 7th of November. L862. When he was about seven vears of age his parents came to Nebraska. They made their home in this county for a short time and then removed to Bennet, in Lancaster Count}-. Before our subject was ten years of age the home was bereaved of wife and =r ■*•" JOHNSON COUNTY. 373 4 mother, and our subject has therefore from that time been without the affectionate care, guidance and counsel <>f the nearest relation on earth. Left to fight his own battles to a large extent, the subject of our sketch has been more successful in every way than many who have had every ad- vantage; possibly because he came to realize the situation, and therefore bent his energies with more determined effort to the task of making his own way. All the education he has received has been obtained in the common school, which, however, lie attended but a short time. Early in life he en- gaged in farming, and continued to follow the same. For one season be was engaged in herding, attending the town herd at $1 a month a head. This gave him his start; after that he set up as a barber in this city. In 1882 Mr. Combs migrated to Wyoming Ter- ritory, and after remaining there about two years returned to this place, and was variously engaged until the 2.">th of July. 1888, when he secured t lie business in which he is now engaged. He has con- stant work for eighteen horses, and usually keeps a larger number on hand. In addition to his lively and sale stable, and the business connected there- with. Mr. Combs is the owner of two farms iu Kan- sas; one is situated about four miles from Ft. Scott, in a northwesterly direction, is 1 (10 acres in extent, well improved and possessing very tine buildings; the other is in Greenwood County, Ivan., and com- prises 160 acres. The marriage of our subject was celebrated on the 15th of November. 1887. the lady whom it is his happiness to have made the companion of his life being Miss Nellie Harrow of this city. She is the daughter of the Rev. U. C. Harrow, the well-known and efficient state Evangelist of the Christian Church, a popular, eloquent and effective preacher. This gentleman is a native of Pennsylvania, and was married to Miss Helen Harding. They are the parents of four children, who are still living. His connection with the Stale of Nebraska extends over a long period of years. Nelson I). Combs, the father of our subject, was born in Highland County. Ohio. Feb. 18. 1833. By trade he was a harness-maker, and came to Ne- braska when our subject was but seven years of 4* . age, as above noted. Since coming to the State lie has been variously Occupied, and since the death of bis wife has been of somewhat nomadic disposition, never settling in any place for a great length of time. Our subject is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and also of the Sons of Veterans, his father having served in the army, holding a commission as First Lieutenant. Mr. Combs is a young man and has not yet had much opportunity or time to manifest his true value, power and ability, but should he be spared, as judging from present ap- pearances, he undoubtedly will, it is not too much to say that the future will be bright for him, and that he will till an honored place in thecommunity wherein he may reside. d MLLIAM II. HOLMES. The subject of \/fJ// tli is sketch is familiarly known among the Wvl farmers and stock-raisers of Helena Pre- cinct as one of the most prosperous men along the northern line of Johnson Count}-. His property is pleasantly located on sections -.'7 and 34, and em- braces a fine homestead 320 acres in extent, and with its neat and substantial buildings, and the other appurtenances of the modern estate, reflects great credit upon the industry and good taste of the proprietor. A native of Fulton County, 111., our subject was born March 12, 1845, and is the son of Thomas and Rachel A. (Deary) holmes. The father was a na- tive of Green County, Ivy., and the paternal grand- father, Nathan Holmes, was one of the early Baptist preachers of the Blue Grass regions. The latter emigrated to Fulton County, 111., during the early settlement of the Prairie State, locating in what was then designated as the Military District, He battled successfully with the wild prairie soil am] there spent his last days. The father of our subject was born Dec. 7, 1813, and was a youth of nineteen years when he went to Illinois with his parents. He assisted them iu their endeavors to build up a homestead, and when about twenty-three years old was married, Dec. 1, 183G, to Miss Rachel A. Deary, who was born in =£#** •> w < *< 374 JOHNSON COUNTY. the Shenandoah Valley, Va., Feb. 16,1817. This union resulted in the birth of ten children, eight of whom are supposed to bo living. They are as fol- lows: Mary J., the wife of Samuel Miner, of Lin- coln Precinct, this count}'; Sarah A., Mrs. T. II. Matthews, of Spring Creek Precinct; Josephine, Mrs. II. M. Edie, of Macomb, 111.; William II., our subject; Hiram Franklin lives in Stuttgart, Ark., and married Miss Sarah J. Hipsley; Thomas B., who died when about one and a half years old; Florence E., Mrs. J. C. Stockes, of Nemaha City, Neb.; Charles O, who married Miss Sarah J. Ball, and is in Stuttgart, Ark.; Edward, who married Miss Phebe Russell, and lives in Fairfield, Clay County, this State, and Douglas, who died in in- fancy. The parents of our subject were residents of Fulton County, 111., for many years, and the father died there at the homestead, Dec. 20, 1881. Pie was a stanch Democrat, politically, and a man of considerable influence among the members of his party in that region. The temperance cause found in him a most ardent supporter. He was a man prompt to meet his obligations, and one whose word was considered as good as his bond. In his death Fulton Count}' lost one of her best citizens. The wife and mother is living, making her home with her son "William H., and spending her declining years amid the comforts which she has justly earned by a lifetime of devotion to duty. She has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church many years, and is a lady possessing all the Christian vir- tues. The elder Holmes was successful in his farming and business transactions, and left to his family a comfortable estate. William H. Holmes was reared to manhood in his native count}', receiving a practical education in its common schools, and becoming familiar with farm- ing as carried on in the pioneer days, by methods which it is hardly necessary to state were far infe- rior to those of the present day, with its wonderful inventions and modern machinery. He was the eldest son of the family, and the first son married, this interesting event taking place in the evening of Dec. 25, 1867. His bride, Miss Olive E. Battles, was born July 19, 1842, in Medina County, Ohio, and was a daughter of George W. and Freelove (Tyler) Battles, the father a resident of California; the mother died in Fulton County, III., about 1860. Of this union there was born one child, a son, Edward P.., Jan. 31, 1870. Mrs. Olive Holmes died in Fulton County, 111., Sept. 20, 1871. Our subject contracted a second marriage, Oct. 14, 1873, with Miss Sarah J. Stoops, who was born in Fulton County, 111., Sept. 6, 1853. Her parents, William and Keziah (Clark) Stoops, were natives of Ohio, and early settlers of Fulton County. 111. The mother spent her last years in that county, and died in 1860; the father resides in the latter county, The children of this marriage are recorded as fol- lows: William T. was born Oct. 5, 1874; Gertrude F., Jan. 15, 1876; Olive K., July 24, 1878; Stella R., Nov. 24, 1884, and Grace A., March 11, 1887. Mr. Holmes continued a resident of his native county until the fall of 1882, engaged in farming and stock-raising, then disposing of his interests in that region came to Nebraska, and settled on his present farm, which embraces 320 acres of prime land. Under his careful management the soil has proved very productive, and the buildings, neat and substantial, fulfill the modern idea of the complete country home. Mr. Holmes in the fall of 1887 was elected Assessor of Helena Precinct, and re- elected in November, 1888. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat. Mrs. Holmes is connected with the Christian Church, and both occupy a high posi- tion among the social circles of their community. . Mr. Holmes in 1874 identified himself with the Masonic fraternity, and officiated one year as Sen- ior Warden in Lodge No. 17, atTecumseh. lie is also a member of the Johnson County Agricultural Association, and has signalized himself as a man in favor of all the measures instituted for the improve- ment of the county and the elevation of its people. Mrs. Keziah (Clark) Stoops, the mother of Mrs. Holmes, was also a native of Ohio, and was taken to Illinois by her parents when about two years old. She was there reared and married, and was the second wife of William Stoops, his first having been Hannah Lindsey. The third was Margaret Hanna. Mr. Stoops was the father of a large family of chil- dren, seven of whom survive, namely: Amy, Mrs. Samuel Knock, of Fulton County, HI.; Mary E., Mrs. William Guthrie, also of Fulton County ; Mrs. ■wtt ^HlUo <> i r< * JOHNSON COUNTY. 375 Holmes, the wife of our subject; Benton, who mar- ried Miss Annie Russell, and lives in Fulton County, III.; Perry II., who married Miss Belle Boothy, and is a practicing physician anil surgeon, of Union, Iowa; Addie and Richard O., in Fulton County. Edward B., the eldest son of our subject, a bright and intelligent boy, was graduated from the Te- cumseu High School in May, 1888. and proposes to become a farmer and stock-raiser. _ ^4e. ^ -1 r , 4 JAMES S. II. HAMILTON. The man who can look back upon a long and well-spent life "deserves more than a passing mention. The subject of this biography, now past seventy-six years of age, ranks among the most honored pioneers of Nebraska, and came to Johnson County to settle in the spring of 18G8. He had a few months previously homesteaded 124 acres of land on section 19, Spring Creek Precinct, ninety- three acres of which he still owns, having given the balance to his daughter. Of New England birth and parentage, Mr. Ham- ilton was born May 30, 1812, in Hampden Count}', Mass., under the modest roof of his parents, James and Ilulda (Bishop) Hamilton, who were living near the town of Granville. James Hamilton was also a native of the Bay State, but the mother was born in Connecticut. The father traced his ances- try to Ireland, and Grandfather James Hamilton was born on the ocean during the journey of his parents to America, and prior to the Revolutionary War. The Bishops were of English descent, and came to this country during the Colonial days, set- tling also in New England. The mother of our subject was twice married. Of her first marriage, with Samuel Watrous, there were born two children, both of whom are de- ceased. To James and Hulda Hamilton there were born seven children, of whom our subject is the only survivor. Six lived to mature years. Our subject was reared to man's estate in his native county, receiving in common with the youth of that period a limited education, but he has been a reader all his life and is well posted upon topics of general interest. When seventeen years old he 4 * began serving an apprenticeship as a spectacle maker, and followed this trade for a period of fif- teen years. He was married Dec. 2C, 1831, to a maiden of his own county, Miss Caroline Col ton, who was born Sept. 3, 1811, and was the daughter of Ebenezer and Phebe Colton, who were also of New England birth and parentage, and of English ancestry. David Barton, a maternal uncle of Mrs. Hamilton, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and yielded up his life in the army from ill- ness. Mrs. Hamilton was one of twelve children, ten of whom are known to be deceased ; her brother John is supposed to be living, and a resident of Philadelphia, Pa. To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton there were born five children, three of whom are living, namely: Fran- ces C, the wife of Wesley Dundas, of Nemaha County; Lucy A., Mrs. John E. Hall, of Spring Creek Precinct, this county, and Emeretta G., the wife of Ahira O. Scoville, of Spring Creek Precinct. About 1847 Mr. Hamilton, desirous of a change of location and occupation, left New England for the West, and took up his abode in Homer, Mich., where he followed the trade of carpenter and joiner about one year. Later he worked at the same trade in different parts of Michigan, but in the fall of 1806, crossing the Mississippi, landed hi Rich- ardson County, this State, and from there about two years later came to Johnson County for per- manent settlement. During his residence of twenty years among the people of Spring Creek Precinct,, he has acquitted himself as an honest man and a good citizen, and has gathered around him hosts of friends. He built up his farm from the wild prai- rie, taking shelter first with his family with his son- in-law. His possessions are the result of his own industry, aided by that of h is excellent and sensible wife. Man_y were the hardships and difficulties they endured during the 1 first years of their resi- dence in Nebraska, but they had come to stay, and would listen to no such word as "fail." Now, sit- ting under their own vine and fig tree, and cheered by the affection of their children and friends, they are reaping the reward of the hardships of other years. Mr. Hamilton cast his first Presidential vote for Clay, and voted with the Whig party, then with the •** 4 s *•" 376 4* JOHNSON COUNTY. •►Ht^ Republican until 1888, when Lis warm* interest iu the temperance movement caused him to ally him- self with the Prohibitionists. Both he and his estimable wife have been members in good stand- ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church for a period of thirty years. Mr. Hamilton has always distin- guished himself as a liberal-minded and public- spirited citizen, encouraging the enterprises best calculated to advance the interests of the people around him. This aged pair have traveled the journey of life together fifty -seven years, and have become so necessary to each other that it would seem like sundering a limb from a body were the)* separated. Mr. Hamilton gave two sons to the service of his country dining the late war, who fell victims in the pride and strength of their early manhood. Both were members of the 3d Michigan Infantry, and the eldest, Virgil M., was wounded at the bat- tle of Spottsylvania Court House, and died ten days later at Fredericksburg; his remains now fill a soldier's grave in the Baptist Churchyard at the same place. Eminett A. was wounded at the bat- tle of Fair Oaks, but recovered sufficiently to par- ticipate in the second battle of Bull Run, where it is supposed he was killed, as lie was never after- ward heard from. /■^EORGE W. ACKER. The homestead which III c —. this gentleman built up from an unculti- ^^J4) vatcd tract of land in Maple Grove Precinct occupies the southeast quarter of the wot hall' of section 20. He came to this enmity in the spring of 1868, anil took up a homestead claim in the month of May. acquiring at first 120 acres. Upon this he has since lived, and has effected the exten- sive improvements which to-day attract the admir- ing gaze of the passerby. The whole area is under cultivation, and several thousand trees have been planted for the purpose of shade and fruit. The latter especially Mr. A. has kept in view, having an orchard of seventy-live bearing apple trees, 700 peach trees and fifty cherry. His buildings are substantia] and comfortable. The farm is stocked with a goodly assortment of domestic animals, and the premises and its surroundings present a picture Of rural life which is pleasant to contemplate. Our subject is the son of a Pennsylvania farmer, George W. Anker, Sr., who married Miss Sarah Strait, of Perry County. They settled in Perry County, Ohio, and there spent the remainder of their days, the father passing away iu 1841. in middle life, and the mother eighteen years later, in 1859. Their family included nine children, of whom our subject was the seventh in order of birth. He first opened his eyes to the light at the old home- stead in Perry County. Ohio, May 6, 1833. He continued a member of the parental household un- til a youth of fifteen years, then commenced work- ing on a farm in the neighborhood. He was thus Occupied three years, when lie entered upon an apprenticeship at the carpenter trade and cabinet- making in Straitville. A year later he established in business for himself; subsequently he made his home on the farm and engaged in agricultural pur- suits until his marriage, in 1860. The maiden name of Mrs. Auker was Lavina Strait, and her parents were Richard and Rachel (Jennings) Strait, the father a native of England, and the mother of Pennsylvania. Their family consisted of ten children, of whom Mrs. Auker was the ninth in order of birth. Her native place was Darke County. Ohio, where she first opened her eyes to the light June 15, 1837. Four of her brothers and two sisters are now living, and are residents of Ohio and Tennessee. Mr. ami Mrs. A. continued to live in Darke County for a time after their marriage, and Mr. A. employed himself at cabinet work. In the spring of 1801 our subject with his family left the Buckeye State and set out for Sanga- mon County, 111. Three years later, in L867, they re- turned to Darke County, < >hio. but in 18(18 our sub- ject, who had not recovered from his Western fever, gathered together once more his family and his personal effects and started across the Mississippi River. Coining to this county he homesteaded the land included in his present farm. Since that time he has given his attention closely to agriculture with the results which we behold all around bin to-day. To Mr. and Mrs. Auker there were born eight •4- ■TOIINSON COUNTY. 377 children, six of whom are living, namely: Calvin , 1836, to William and Rhoda (.Myers) Benson. When he was eight years <>hl his parents removed to Michi- gan, where the remaining years of his boyhood and the early years Of his manhood was passed, and in that State his father and mother spent their last days. In 1862 our subject went to Illinois, and on the 1 2th of January, 1865, he was wedded in that- State to Miss Viola, daughter of Robert and Lucretia Richard. Her mother died in Carter County. Ky., when Mrs. Benson was a mere child. In the month of October following his marriage, Mr. Benson and hi- wife came to Nebraska to seek- a home on the plains such as the limits of their purse would allow, asunder the wise provisions of the Government they coidd take up land in accordance with the rules of the Homestead Act. which they did in the fall of 1866, after having lived a year in Nebraska City. They selected Johnson ( 'ounty as most desir- able for a location, and took up 160 acres on section «*•■ 8, a part of which is included in their present place, Mr. Benson having disposed of eighty acres at a good price. The country round about was then in a wild. Sparsely settled condition, as with the exception of a family a half mile north of their place and an- other a mile east of them, they had no near neigh- bors, and the market easiest of access was at Ne- braska City, where Mr. Benson sold his grain to buy household necessities. After set t line- here they had no money, their only hope of success lying in their strong hands and willing hearts, and then commenced for them the struggle, which was simply terrible, with drouths, grasshopper raids and the attendant famine. In 1868 the grasshopper raid caused this latter calamity, and in 1874 there was another raid of those destroying insects, accompa- nied by drouth, ami also in 1875 a visitation of grasshoppers did much damage to the growing crops. But amid all these discouragements our Subject and his wife did not falter or lose faith in the country, and by and by better times came, and since that they have prospered well. The farm is chiefly under cultivation, is well tilled, and yields abundant harvests in return for the care and time that Mr. Benson spends on it. Our subject is a man of sober, thrift v habits, of sound integrity, and one whose word is as good as a bond, and in all the relations of life he is always found to be kind, thoughtful, helpful, and he and his excellent wife are highly esteemed in this com- munity, of which they have been residents for more than twenty years, and in whose upbuilding they have taken their part. * -?t3M^^<%«^ * y ALTER II. HILL. The gentleman whose biography is here sketched is one of the enterprising, though young, business men of Smartville, in Center Precinct. He enjoys the y-ood opinion and regard of his neighbors, and. without doubt, has before him a future radiant with promise. He was born in Will County. 111., on the Kith of November, 1861, and with his par- ents went to Livingston County in 1867, where a home was made near Pontine. The parents of our subject were Daniel F. and Adrea (Snyder) Hill. ■^U. 378 JOHNSON COUNTY. who were natives respectively of New York and Canada. Mrs. Hill is a native of Canada, and was born in 1836. She received the foundation of her education there, and went to Chicago with her mother when sixteen years old. She was graduated from the schools of Chicago, and taught in differ- ent points in Illinois until near the time of her marriage. In 1872 she removed with her husband to Iroquois County. 111. In 1879 our subject- went to Chicago, and was engaged in the establishment of Mashall Field & Co. as a salesman until March, 1883, when he came to Nebraska with his parents, who still live about two miles east of Smart ville, where they own 160 acresof land. In October. 1884, Mr. Hill returned to Naperville, 111., and was there married,' on the 9th of that month, taking as his wife Miss Hettie Stew- ard, returning with her at once to the Nebraska home. He had been prosperously engaged in mer- cantile business with Mr. L. E. Ost, and continued with him for two years. At the end of that period he went into the gram business, and has since that time given all his attention thereto. In Illinois Mrs. Hill was a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, but has not united with any church organization here, as there is none such as she would choose. Our subject is a stanch member of the Republican party, and an active worker in the ranks. He has been appointed a member of the Central Committee, and is very energetic in con- nection therewith, taking a deep interest in every- thing that pertains to the government of the coun- try and the elucidation of the different questions of moment before the country. -f —5 #-#* *— |0BERT DEW. of Lincoln Precinct, is pleas- antly located on section 20, where he makes «\ a specialty of stock-raising, and where he w@has been located since the spring of 1866. At that time, coming from Mason County, 111., he hoinesteaded 160 acres of land, and began to build up from the uncultivated prairie a home for him- self, and those dependent upon him. He was pros- pered in his labors, which for a number of years were prosecuted early and late, through sunshine and through storm, amid the difficulties of a dis- tant market, and frequently indifferent crops. In looking upon his fine estate to-day it would seem that he has little reason for complaint, as lie is now the owner of 470 acres of land in Johnson County, all of which is in a productive condition, and from which he enjoys a handsome income. Mr. Dew was born in Morgan County. 111., .Ian. 1, 1837, and is the son of William and Catherine (Clotfelter) Dew, who were natives of Tennessee and supposed to lie of Irish ancestry. The pater- nal grandfather served in the War of is I 2, and as near as can be gathered was a native of Tennesee, where he spent his entire life. William Dew when leaving his native State set- tled in Central Illinois during the period of its early history, where he became the father of a large family, of whom the following survive, namely: Elizabeth, the wife of Ishmael Hickey, of Spring Creek Precinct, this county; Nancy, the wife Of Charles Carman, of Fremont County, Iowa; Mary, also a Mrs. Carman, of Atchison County. Mo.; Robert, our subject; Jacob, of Teciunseh; and Hester A.. Mrs. Sylvester Cogshall, of Dakota. While our subject was an infant his parents changed their residence from Morgan to Mason County, 111., where the father carried on farming until his death, which occurred in 1853. The mother survived her husband a period of twenty-nine years, remaining a widow, and spent her last days at the home of her son in this State, her death taking place about 1882. Mr. Dew was reared to manhood in Mason County, 111., where he received a limited education, his stud- ies being conducted in the pioneer schools with the limited facilities of that time. He has, however, been a reader all his life, and by the perusal of in- structive books and the periodicals of the day, has kept himself well informed upon matters of general interest. He has known no other occupation than farm life, and with this has been content. Soon after the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in July, 1861, in Company K. 17th Illinois Infantry, and participated in many of the important, battles of the war, being at Shiloh under Gen. Grant, and engaged in various other conflicts with the enemy About one and one-half years after his enlistment lent * <+■ JOHNSON COUNTY. 379 *. he was captured by the rebels in Tennessee, but was immediately paroled and sent to Jefferson Bar- racks, at St. Louis, Mo., where he remained about ten months. He was then duly exchanged, and immediately rejoined his regimenl at Vieksburg, remaining with it until the expiration of his term of enlistment, and receiving his honorable discharge in July, 186 I. lie at once returned to his home in Mason County, III., and in December following was married to .Miss Elizabeth Bain, of Mason County, and by whom lie has become the father of eight Children. Of these but five are living, namely: Ilettie. at home; Nettie, the wife of William Mi- ner, of Chase County, this State; Ada. at home; Jennie and Minnie. The deceased are John I... Carrie M. and Dellie. In the spline- of 1866 Mr. Dew, accompanied by his family, left Illinois for Nebraska, and settled amid the pioneer elements of Johnson County, where he was soon recognized as a valued addition to the community. He is a stanch Republican, po- litically, and takes an active interest in local affairs. being the warm friend of education, and serving as Moderator in his school district. Socially, he be- longs to the I. < ). (i. F.. at Tecumseb. -«§-*-* AMKS SHAY. The subject of this sketch is numbered among the most intelligent far- mers of Todd Creek Precinct, where he is /' engaged in general agriculture and stock- raising, and owns a finely cultivated farm of eighty acres lying On sections I and 9. He is a man held in high esteem bj his neighbors, courteous and honorable, enterprising and public-spirited, and in all respects a valuable member of the community. Our Subject began life in Knox County. III., on the 26th of January. 1839, and there spent his first twenty-three years, receiving a practical education in the common schools and becoming familiar with farming pursuits. At these he was employed until 1866, when, on account of failing health, he was obliged to seek something requiring less exercise of muscle. Repairing now to Macon County he entered the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad ( oiupaiiy. continuing with them a. period of fifteen •4* years, until the fall of 1882, and officiating much of the time as local engineer. Mr. Shay, now having partially regained his health, crossed the Father of Waters into Nebraska, and located upon an improved farm, which he hail purchased in (874, and of which he still re- tains possession. Ho has effected many improve- ments, setting out forest and fruit trees, placing the best fencing, and in all respects bringing the farm up to the standard of the times. Not the least among its embellishments is the handsome resi- dence, which, with its surroundings, fulfills the modern idea of the complete home. One of the most important and interesting events iii the life of our subject look place on the 5th of March. 1861, when he was united in marriage with Miss Rosetta Dolph. This lady is a native of the same county in Illinois as her husband, and was horn July 6, 1844. Her parents. Anson and Har- riet (Darling) Dolph, were natives of New York Mate, and the father a fanner and mechanic com- bined. He emigrated to Illinois when middleaged, and spent his last days in Knox County, dying about lrt."i2. The wife ami mother is deceased. She was married a second time, and is the Harriet Snyder spoken of below. To Mr. and Mrs. Sha\ there were horn five children, only four of whom are living, namely: Anson D., Ada A., Myrtle M. and Carlton !•".. Chester A. died when aboul two and a half years old. Mr. and Mrs. Shay are members in good stand- ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Tecum- seh, to the support of which they contribute liber- ally, as to all other objects having iii view the moral and religious welfare of I he community. Mr. Shay while in Illinois was a Sunday-school Super- intendent for many years, has also officiated as Class-Leader, and lien genl as a delegate to the various church conferences. lie was at one time a local preacher, having heen duly licensed, and has always, when time and opportunity afforded, kept carefully in view the importance of the Mas- ter's work. He has also heen quite prominent in other local affairs, holding the various scl I of- fices and assisting to thebesl of his ability the cause of education. Julius Shay, the father of our subject, was horn ^r -*•■ •*► 38U JOHNSON COUNTY. in Sussex County, N. J., in 1813, and when a youth of eighteen years accompanied his parents to Ohio, where he learned harness-making and saddlery. He was occupied at this for many years, but finally having the Buckeye State, purchased a farm in Knox County. 111., where he is still living and car- rying on agriculture. He married, in earl}- man- hood, .Miss Elizabeth Amanda Stephens, and to them were born six children, all living. Thefather identified himself with the Protestant Methodist Church early in life, and is a good man in the broadest sense of the term. He served as Class- Leader and Steward, and gave a liberal support to the church of his choice. The wife and mother died at the homestead in Knox County, in 1854. David Shay, tiie paternal grandfather, also a native of New .Jersey, died of measles contracted in the army while serving as a soldier in the War of 1812. He left a widow with several small children. Harriet Snyder, Mrs. Shay's mother, assisted at the table when Gen. LaFayette was banqueted in New York City, about 1826, while on a visit to the country for which he had done such valiant serv- ice in the Revolutionary War. *".j:'. JOHN C.CAMPBELL. The Campbells of Scotland have long been celebrated in song and story, and of the following of that great family the subject of this sketch is a descendant, and was born in the city of Edin- burgh, Sept. 1, l.S'32. He is now one of the most highly respected residents of Spring Creek Pre- cinct. His farm on section 30 is indicative on every hand of the industry and intelligence characteristic of the proprietor. Our subject when a youth of eighteen years ac- companied his parents, Blair and Isabelle Camp- bell, to America, taking passage on a sailing-vessel at Glasgow, and landing at New York City after an ocean voyage of six weeks and three days. From the metropolis they proceeded to Cass County, 111., where the father began working at his trade of shoemaker, first by the day. His innate honesty and integrity gained him friends and customers, and in due time he established a shoe shop in the village of Virginia, where he spent the remainder of his life and lived to be ninety years of age. He died at the home of his daughter, in Chicago. July 8, 1886, having survived his estimable wife twelve years, her death taking place in the fall of 1*74. The parents of our subject were botli members of the Christian Church, and. though not obtain- ing wealth or luxury for their children, trained them in those habits which proved of more service to them than riches. The home hearth is remem- bered by them as the dearest spot on earth, and where cluster the most precious associations. The household circle included eleven children, of whom but five are living, namely : Isabelle. Mrs. David McLaughlin, of Muskegon, Mich.; Margaret, Mrs. Rogers, a widow, and a resident of Chicago; James, living in Dakota: John, our subject, and Jane, the wife of George Ellis, living near Rel Oak. Iowa. The deceased are Euphemia, Mary, Archibald and three who died in infancy. Archibald enlisted as a soldier in the late Civil War, and was drowned in the Mississippi River from the steamer -Jane Watson" while on his way to his regiment at New Orleans, together with about thirty other soldiers, whose lives were thus lost, owing to incompetency and whisky. John C. Campbell continued a member of the parental household until his marriage, which took place Nov. 6, 1856, his bride being Miss Elizabeth Needham. Mrs. Campbell was born in England, and came to America with her parents, who were of English birth and ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell came to this county in 18G. r ». and Mr. C, at once homesteaded 160 acres of land in Spring (reek Precinct, of which he has since been a resi- dent. The story of the first few years which he spent here differs little from that of his brother pioneers, and he proved equal to the task before him, battling successfully with the elements of a new soil, and gaining for himself and his family a home and competency. To Mr. and Mrs. Campbell there have been born six children, namely: Mary Eih'e. who early evinced great musical talent, and is now a successful teacher of the art; Ellen A., a teacher in the schools of Tecumseh; Maggie, a teacher of music: Lucy, who ■*•- =L. JOHNSON COUNTY. 383 is also devoted to this art, and is a teacher of rare merit; John, who is pursuing his studios in the State Normal School, at Peru, and Ellen, who has graduated from that institution. It will thus he seen that the children of Mr. Campbell are a re- markably bright and interesting group, and have been given all the advantages suitable to their station in life. The parents and daughters are act- ive members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Campbell, politically, casts his lot with the Prohi- bition party. He has built up for himself the rec- ord of an honest man and a good citizen, and enjoys in a marked degree the confidence of all who know him. * ItelLLIAM R. HARRIS, whose beautiful and \/\J/l extensive nursery, a view of which is given \^fj on the opposite page, has brought him into prominent notice in that department of trade, is one of the enterprising and wise business men of the county. He has some twenty acres of splendid land, well laid out and planted in flowers, shrub- bery, shade, forest and orchard trees, and is the proprietor of undoubtedly the finest nursery in Southeastern Nebraska. The whole is so arranged, subdivided and laid out as to strike the visitor with pleasurable surprise. The arrangement of the va- rious beds and groves is most artistic, and one is immediately impressed most profoundly with the idea that, the proprietor of the nursery is no tyro in his chosen calling. In addition to this Mr. Harris has seventy acres on section 34 of Nemaha Pre- cinct, upon which his beautiful residence has been erected. Twenty-five acres of the above have been brought to a very high state of cultivation, and as rapidly as possible the remainder of the property will be the same. Here, as in the nursery proper, it is one pleasing picture of true artistic arrange- ment of form, shade and tone of coloring. The above property is situated about one-half mile from the limits of Tecumseh, and therefore readily ac- cessible at all times from the city. Although there is every appearance that this gentleman has occupied the nursery grounds and his other property for many years, as a matter of fact, in the spring of 1883 Mr. Harris came to it and found it in nowise differing from the surrounding prairie. It was in a virgin state, and not a furrow had ever been turned upon it. No house was there, nor improvement of any kind; everything that has been done he has effected since that time. His ex- hibit at the State Fair has taken the first and sec- ond premiums, and also at the County Fair year after year. His home is in keeping with his other property. Substantially built, of good design and artistic finish, its interior presents nothing whatever incongruous witli the surroundings, and indeed is such as would be an honor to a much older and more wealthy city than Tecumseh. He has now over 100,000 apple trees and at least forty varieties of shade and ornamental trees. His stock is very large, and includes many varieties of plants, flowers and trees not to be found in the average nursery. Only those who have seen the place and been en- abled to spend sufficient time to take in the situa- tion will be able fully to appreciate the picturesque- ness and value of this property. It is a very dream of beauty. William R. Harris, the subject of this biography, was born in Logan County, Ky., on the 7th of March, 1842. In the schools of the county he was educated and was brought up on the farm of his father. He remained at home until 1801, when on the outbreak of the Rebellion his native county was overrun with the rebel soldiery and their sympa- thizers. They tried to force him into their ranks, lint he was a strong Union man and did not pro- pose to be forced into supporting the cause of those who sought to disrupt the best Government on earth. He, with a party of other young men, took advantage of a dark night, and piloted by one thoroughly acquainted with the region, made their way through the rebel lines and safely reached the Union Army. By request of his father he did not at that time join the Union Army as he desired to do. The rebels in his native county had threat- ened t6 destroy or confiscate the property of Union men, who themselves, or their sons, entered the National Army. Our subject remained with an un- cle in Illinois until the fall of 18G2, when he re- turned to Kentucky, at the time when the rebel Bragg made his raid into that State. Buell's army Je 384 JOHNSON COUNTY 4 fell hack to Louisville, and our subject remained at Bowling Green, employed in buying supplies for the army. During 1863 and 1864 he was in the secret service and did some independent scouting, rendering very valuable service to the Govern- ment. On account of this, and to punish him, the rebel guerrillas made a raid on his father, robbing and maltreating him and threatening his life. Rais- ing a party our subject rescued his father and bis property and conducted him to Illinois. He then returned to the scene of his labors in Kentucky. Rebel guerrillas had by this time become very nu- merous in that part of the State, and his untiling energy in ferreting out their rendezvous and bring- ing the Union troops on them so annoyed them that in their usual barbarous style they offered a reward of §1,000 for him "dead or alive." His operations were mainly in the district lying between the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers, and he was in a number of engagements in that region. He was employed in watching the movements of Morgan, Adam John- son, Dave Thomas. Rink White, and other of the raiders who infested that part of the country, and was in many 7 exciting scenes and had many close calls. For months at a time he never slept in a house, lying out in the woods, always on the look- out for the enemy. His principal and best work at this time was in going alone at night to hunt up the rendezvous of the squad of guerrillas. Making a discovery he would take a squad of men and often succeeded in bagging the entire gang. On these lonely reconnoitering tours he was lia- ble at any time to run into a band of the enemy, and had to travel constantly with pistol in hand and ready for either flight or tight at a moment's notice. It took an iron nerve, but our subject never haltered or wavered. He traveled over 4,000 miles on horseback carrying despatches. He was at various times attached to the 35th Kentucky Mounted Infantry and the 26th and 8th Kentucky Cavalry. Once he was taken prisoner by the Louisi- ana tigers, and twice by the guerrillas, but was not recognized as the noted scout on whose head a price was set. and he was released. These and many other hairbreadth escapes and thrilling incidents our sub- ject experienced during his valuable and trying service for the country of his fathers. Mr. Harris, Sr., was operating a general stock and grain farm when our subject rejoined him on the return of peace, and he also took land and went to fanning. He was there until March, 1873, when he sold out to good advantage and came to Ne- braska. While in Illinois he celebrated his mar- riage with Miss Amanda Boling, of Mackinaw, in the same county. This occurred on the 1st of Feb- ruary, 1865. Upon coming to this State Mr. and Mrs. Harris settled in Center Precinct, about six miles northwest of Tecumseh. There he purchased a quarter-section of prairie land and speedily set about the work of improving the same. When he left it he had succeeded so well in his endeavor that it had the finest orchard and the best shade trees of any farm in the district. He had planted about fifteen acres of orchard and grove, and the fourth year after planting out his orchard gathered over 500 bushels of apples from it and the same amount of other fruit. The subsequent years he ob- tained from 800 to 1,000 bushels of peaches, and thus from his fruit alone, exclusive of all that came to him from his farm proper, was making money. Beyond a doubt Mr. Harris has both the knowl- edge and energy, supplemented by the means, to make money out of Nebraska soil, as every suc- ceeding year abundantly testifies. He continued on the above farm until 1882, when, meeting with most advantageous terms from a financial point of view, he sold it. The following year he purchased his present property, since which time, as men- tioned above, he has wrought the transformation at once so brilliant and pleasing. It is hardly neces- sary to remark that being the only nursery in the vicinity of any pretensions, and situated so near the city, it is a very valuable property. Mr. Har- ris is exceedingly particular to keep his stock pure, and with his own hands does the cutting from the most perfect trees, and all his own grafting, and is enabled therefore to warrant all stock, knowing ex- actly every point connected with its culture. The subject of our sketch is an active member of the State Board of Horticulture, and is the first Vice-President of the same. He has filled the Pres- idential chair of the Johnson County Agricultural Society, is Secretary of Johnson County Horticult- ural Society, also President of the Johnson County^ •>- JOHNSON COUNTY. 385 < > *t Canning Association. Fur six years he filled the office of School Director for his district, and has several times been a delegate to the State Repub- lican Convention at Lincoln. Religiously, he is connected with the Presbyterian Church and is a prominent member of the same, occupying the office of Director therein and also that of Elder. In the Sunday-school he has been either Superin- tendent or teacher during the whole of the past twenty-two years. In every circle, whether social, commercial or religious, Mr. Harris receives the unqualified regard and esteem of all who know him, being a man consistent in every regard to his relig- ious profession, of unblemished honor and strict business integrity, a man of exemplary character and unquestioned position in the community. Mrs. Harris was born in Ohio, near the town of Dayton, on the 24th of December, 1840, and re- moved with her parents to Tazewell County, 111., which was her home until her marriage. She is the daughter of Alexander and Harriet (Barrett) Bol- ing, both of whom were born in Culpeper County, Va., and afterward removed to Ohio. The chosen occupation of her father was that of husbandry. This he continued to follow until his deatli in 1871. His widow survived him until the year 1877, when she also departed this life, having lived to the ma- ture age of seventy-three years. They were strongly attached to the Baptist Church and actively en- gaged in supporting its interests and extending the knowledge of its principles. William B. Harris, the father of our subject, was born in Warren County, Ky., Aug. 22, LSI 3. Later lie removed to Logan County and engaged in teaching, and while there he met the lady who afterward became his wife, and was united in mar- riage March 15,1836. The maiden name of his wife was Harriet B. Paisley, of Kentucky. He con- tinued in Logan County, engaged in teaching school for about fourteen years. During this time he studied for the ministry and was subsequently ordained a clergyman of the Presbyterian Church, and officiated in Logan, Todd and Christian Coun- ties. He continued active in his profession in that district until he was compelled to leave, as above related. Mrs. W. B. Harris was born on the 15th of Oc- •*• tober, 1817, and died in 1880, aged sixty-three years. She was the mother of twelve children, all of whom it was her pleasure to bring to maturity. She was a most estimable lady, and, whether in the domestic circle, in the church, or in society at large, she was everywhere admired and beloved by reason of the beauty of her Christian character and true womanhood. The Rev. Mr. Harris is still in Taze- well County, and, although advanced in years, still occupies the pulpit occasionally. His last charge was at West Union. He has always been a very active worker in his profession, and a man full of energy. His son, Waldo B. Harris, is a Congrega- tional minister, and is now located at Mazon, 111.; another of his sons is J. S. Harris, the able attorney of Tecumseh. William Harris, the grandfather of our subject, was also one of the veteran and honored clergy men of the Presbyterian Church. He was born in Penn- sylvania; his life work, however, is associated chiefly with the State of Kentucky. There lie mar- ried Miss High Smith. There were born to them seventeen children, twelve sons and five daughters. These all came to years of maturity, and entered honorable positions in life. Six were ordained clergymen in the same communion as their father, and several of them won distinguished honors in connection with their work in that profession. ILLIAM E. CARMAN, a member of the prominent family of this name in Johnson County, and a successful farmer and stock- raiser of Spring Creek Precinct, is the owner of a good homestead on section 29, where he is pros- ecuting agriculture to the best advantage, and acquitting himself as a peaceful and law-abiding citizen. He was born in Cass County, HI.. Feb. 9, 1865, and is the son of Hon. A. A. Carman, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Our subject was brought by his parents to this county when but a few months old, anil here has spent his entire life, thus becoming identified with its besl interests, acquiring his education in the dis- trict school, and spending his life mostly upon a farm. In the summer of 1885, being desirous of / T JU ~+ ^u <• 386 4 JOHNSON COUNTY. establishing a home and domestic ties of his own, he was united in marriage, July 4, to one of the most estimable young ladies of this precinct, Miss Alberta Orourke. Mrs. Carman is a native of Mason County, 111., and was born Feb. 17, 18GG. Her parents were John A. and Arminda Orourke, and the mother died in Nebraska in 1873. Mr. O. subsequently migrated to New Mexico, where he is now living. Mr. and Mrs. Carman are the happy parents of one child, a daughter, named after her maternal grandmother, Arminda, and who was born Sept. o, 1888. The snug homestead of our subject em- braces eight}' acres of good land, upon which he is operating with excellent judgment, and which yields him a good income. lie is a Republican, politi- cal!}', and both he and his estimable wife occupy a good social position in their precinct, and enjoy the esteem and confidence of a large circle of friends. Mr. Orourke, father of Mrs. Carman, is a native of Ireland, whence he emigrated early in life before his marriage. The mother was born in Mason County, 111. They came to Nebraska about 1807, where the father remained a few years, then pushed farther toward the frontier, landing in New Mexico. KNRY LAND WEIR, a pioneer of Johnson County, is a fine representative of its stock- raising and agricultural interests, and his successful career since coming here well illustrates what a poor man, with the right amount of energy, determination and courage, can do by persistent and well-directed labor, on the ex- ceedingly fertile farming lands of Nebraska. He has a large farm in Helena Precinct, which is highly improved and is the source of a fine income, so that he is now numbered among the substantial, well-to-do citizens of the community. Mr. Landweir is a native of Germany, and his early boyhood days were passed in the Fatherland. In 1848, when a lad of twelve years, he came to America with his parents, William and Mary Land- weir. They located in Baltimore, Md., and staid in that city for a year, and then went to Cincinnati, Ohio. Later they removed to Indiana, and there spent their declining years. They were honest, sober-minded people, whose kind hearts and many good qualities gained for them the respect and es- teem of the people among whom they settled. When' our subject was twenty years old he went to Indiana, where he lived until I860. In that year he decided to try farming on the rich, allu- vial soil of Johnson County, Neb., and coming here, he purchased 1 GO acres of land on section 10, Helena Precinct, which is now included in his pres- ent farm. He had but $900 at the time, and he [nit that into his future home, and set to work with a will to the pioneer task of upbuilding it from the wild prairie. Not a furrow had been turned on his land, and there was but a small shanty for the shelter of his family. In a few years he has brought about a wondrous change. A substantial dwell- ing has taken the place of the humble shanty, and he has erected a good stable, granaries, corn cribs and other necessary buildings, and his farm is amply supplied with all the modern labor-saving machinery for carrying on agriculture. He has been so prospered in his venture that he has been enabled to enlarge the boundaries of his estate by further purchase of land, until he now owns 480 acres of as valuable farming land as is to be found under Nebraska's sunny skies. This is all utilized either as tillage or pasture land, for besides raising grain, etc., he pays much attention to stock-raising, with eminent success, as is attested by his sleek and well-kept herds of cattle, horses and swine. Mr. Landweir owns other property besides his farm, having purchased two lots in the new town of Burr, on the Union Pacific Railway, about two miles north of his home, and has erected there a building with a large business room, and a hall above it, which is fitted up in fine style. Mr. Landweir was married in Cincinnati to Miss Louisa Finka, who has been to him a devoted wife, and has encouraged and assisted him in the up- building of his fortune. Their married life has been saddened by the death of the four children born to them. Our subject is a man of more than ordinary sagacity, foresight and decision of character, and he combines with these good habits and right principles, and these are traits that made him sue- +*-if^- •loll.NsON COUNTY. 387 i i cessful as a pioneer, ami render him a valuable citizen of the county, in whose development he has been such an important factor. In the early days of his settlement here the country round about was Still in a wild condition in many places, although since that the rapid strides of civilization have made a great change in the character of the prairies, where are now standing- populous towns, that either had no existence then or were but insignificant hamlets, and magnificent and valuable farms arc scattered on every hand, with thousands of horses and cattle, where formerly the buffalo used to graze, or deer, antelopes and wolves used to roam. It must be a great pleasure to our subject that by his energy and industry, he has done his full share in bringing about this prosperous state of affairs in his adopted county. ■-•4e£>©-SS"«— $ K3— »^8£SWr>r2»»- 4 vsg}, HARLES T. BRADLfcY, proprietor of the (It _ Bradley House of Tecumseh, the only brick \^r' hotel in the city, and patronized largely by commercial travelers, is a fine illustration of the self-made man. lie commenced at an early period of his life to cam his living, and acquired those habits of industry ami economy which have been the secret of his success, lie is known far and wide in this section of country, and universally popular. The boyl I days of .Mr. Bradley were spent in Guilford, Chenango Co.. N. V., where his birth took place May 8, 1825. When a lad eight years of age he accompanied his father to Luzerne County, Pa.. where he lived until 1866. The serious business of his life began as an employe of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Railroad Company, greasing car axles, and he was in the employ of this corporation until a young man twenty-three years of age. a fact which speaks well for his industry and fidelity to duty. He was now given charge of an engine, which he operated until taking a position with the Pennsylvania Coal Company. Young Bradley, it is hardly necessary to say, had kept his eyes open to what was going on around him, ami now developed into a civil engineer, and in this capacity was occupied during the grading and construction of the Pennsylvania Coal Com- pany's Railroad. Upon its completion he was again given charge of a stationary engine at .bines settlement in Wayne County, Pa., for a period of live years. He was then changed from Jones set- tlement to Dunmore. This road was devoted to the transportation of coal for the above-named company, and the station over which Mr. Bradley had charge comprised live cars with a capacity of five tons each. The elevation of the track was 1,800 feet, ami when at the summit the train was released from the engine, an 1 by its own momentum descended to the foot of the next elevation, when the operation was repeated in the same manner. The loader track was lifty-one miles long and had twelve summits, some with only a few rods between, and the longest a distance of twelve miles. It usually took a car about twelve hours to make the run. The return track was forty-eight miles in length. Mr. Bradley was thus occupied for a period of sixteen years, and desirous of seeing something beyond thei lines of the Keystone state, disposed of his interest.- in thai region, an 1 in the winter of 1866 made his way to Rock Island, 111. There he secured employment in a large sawmill, operated by his brother-in-law, I'. Skinner. Later Mr. Brad- lev crossed the Mississippi, and purchased a tract of land in Cass County, Iowa. This he improved into a good farm, which he occupied six or seven years, then sold and moved to Atlantic, Iowa, where he established a large boarding-house, which he conducted successfully two and one-half years. Upon leaving this point Mr. Bradley became proprietor of the Whitney House at Griswold, Iowa, and there began in earnest his hotel experi- ence. For the various duties connected with this bus- iness he seems to have been peculiarly adapted, and has met with rare success. He has officiated as •■mine host" most of the time since with the exception of a short period spent in the employ of Reynolds Bros., of Wvmore. While with them he assisted in the building of the Denver extension of the Bur- lington & Missouri River Railroad, a distance of ten miles. Mrs. Reynolds, the mother of one of the contractors, about that time put up the Potter House at Wvmore, and this Mr. Bradley conducted f 388 JOHNSON COUNTY. for a period of three years, securing for it the repu- tation of being the best house at that time in the southern part of Gage County. From Wymote Mr. Bradley removed to Ham- burg, where he lived a short time, and thence to Beatrice, purchasing the furniture and fixtures of the Randall House, in the latter city, which he con- ducted until the 1st of February, 1887. During that month he was busily engaged in preparing the Bradley House for the reception of guests, and since its completion he has enjoyed a fine patronage from the best elements of the traveling public. It will be seen that he must have been a very busy and industrious man during these years, conse- quently having little time to devote to political affairs. Aside from serving as School Director, he has carefully avoided the responsibilities of office. He identified himself with the Masonic fraternity while a resident of Pittston, Pa., and is still con- nected with the brotherhood. He was for a time a member of the I. O. O. F., but withdrew from that in 1850. Mrs. Nancy M. (Morse) Bradley, who became the wife of our subject in December, 1850, was born Jan. 23, 1832, in New York, and is the daughter of Horace and Nancy (Jewell) Morse, who were na- tives of New England, and are now deceased. Of this union there were born three sons, of whom Willard L. died in Pennsylvania when a little lad eight years of age; Frank J. is living in Audubon County. Iowa; he married Miss Emily Trimmer, of that State, and they are the parents of four chil- dren: Mabel, who lives with her grandparents; Raymond, Marietta and Ethel. George E., a resi- dent of Tecumseh, married Miss Corns Lowe, of Atlantic, Iowa, and they have one child, a son, Charles. Albert Bradley, the father of our subject, was born in Connecticut, and when a young man left New England and settled in Chenango County, N. Y., where he was married to Miss P^lecta Jewell. They became the parents of eleven children, all of whom with one exception lived to mature years. The elder Bradley wasa doctor by occupation. In 1833 he removed to the vicinity of Carbondale, Pa., where he spent the remainder of his days, passing away in 1861, when about fifty-eight yeais of age. During the later years of his life he employed him- self as a carpenter. The wife and mother survived her husband a period of twenty-eight 3'ears, remain- ing a widow. She finally returned to Chenango County, N. Y., and there spent her last years, dying at the ripe old age of eighty. -^V ■.o*o-(C)Jv > <^g)..o*o *«— ^IGHTON W. HOTALING, County Com- missioner and Chairman of the Board of Construction of the new court-house in process of erection, is a gentleman well known throughout Tecumseh and vicinity, where he has made a good record and been entrusted with important interests. The building referred to, and in which the people of Johnson County have a common interest, will, it is expected, be an orna- ment to the city, as well as credit to the people of the county. It is to cover an area of 66x90 feet, and to be three stories in height, built of Nemaha County stone and St. Joseph pressed brick. The stone work is to be eleven feet above the surface of the ground, the pressed brick concluding a distance of thirty-five feet. The whole is to be topped by a fine Pennsylvania slate roof. The partitions through the first two stories are to be all brick, as well as a part of the third story, with the excep- tion of the portion assigned to court purposes. The whole is to be as near fireproof as possible. The exterior of the Johnson County Court House it is intended shall be a duplicate of the York County Court House; four porticos eighteen feet square of massive stone and iron cover the four entrances to the building. The structure within is to be finely finished in hard pine. The cornices are to be of galvanized iron and terra cotta. The whole is to be completed for the sum of $40,000, exclusive of the basement and heating apparatus. The new court-house will occupy the square which comprises an area of 25x25 rods, shaded by a fine growth of trees, which were planted fifteen years ago, and have nearly attained their development in this favorable climate. The subject of this sketch was born in Schoharie County. X. Y., July 1. 1838. He there spent the days of his boyhood and youth, receiving a practi- f O* "T! JOHNSON COUNTY. 389 A -f cal education in i he common schools, and becoming familiar with farm pursuits. At the age of twenty years be made his way tu Ogle County, 111., where In- purchased a tract of land and worked it until after the outbreak of the Civil War. On the 16th Of July, 1861, lie enlisted with Ins Eve brothers in Company A, 2d Illinois Cavalry, which was raised by his In-other John R., who after the battle of Ft. Donelson was made Gen. Logan's chief of staff. Dighton W. participated in many of the important battles of that campaign, being at Ft. Donelson. Shiloh, Corinth, and meeting the enemy in many other engagements and skirmishes. In July of 18(">3. his health having become greatly affected by hardship and exposure, he was obliged to accept an honorable discharge. Upon leaving the army Mr. Hotaling returned to his farm in Ogle County, 111., where he occupied himself until the spring of 1865, bringing about good improvements, and then sold it at an advanced figure. Shortly afterward he came to this State and purchased an improved farm in Vesta Precinct, this county. Later he sold this and located on land in the vicinity of Crab Orchard, while at the same time he purchased land one mile south of Sterling. He operated the two farms, and in 1870 purchased another of lfiO acres in the vicinity of Turkey Creek'. From that in 1883 he moved upon his present place, one mile southwest of Tecumseh, where he has one of the finest estates in the pre- cinct. The land has been brought to a good state of cultivation, ami the residence is one to be proud of. The other farm buildings are fully in keeping with the requirements of the intelligent and pro- gressive agriculturist. Mr. Hotaling in addition to general agriculture is considerably interested in stock-raising, but finds it more advantageous to rent out his pasture than to cultivate the soil. Hi' keeps a fine assortment of cattle and horses, and about 100 head of swine. He is also the owner of half a block in Tecum- seh. Politically, he i:~ the advocate of Republican principles, and has held the various minor offices of his precinct, including those of School Director and County Commissioner. Miss Maggie Van Valkeuburg, of Schoharie County, N. Y.. became the wife of our subject in December. IsC:',. They are now the parents of seven children, all living and named respectively: Emma, Minnie. Carrie. Stella, Anna. Frank and Frederick. The\ are all at home with their par- ents. They have been well educated and carefully trained as becoming the offspring of prominent ami well-to-do citizens. The three eldest are engaged in teaching, and the whole family is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Robert Hotaling, the father of our subject, was also a native of Schoharie County, N. Y.. and born in 17!H3. He spent his entire life within the limits of his native county, and followed the peaceful pursuit of agriculture. His death took place in September of 1886, after he had reached the ripe old age of ninety years. The mother was in her girlhood Miss Maria Bitter, and of her union with Robert Hotaling there were born fourteen children, eleven of whom lived to mature years. Five still survive, and are residents of Nebraska and Dakota. The wife of our subject is a native of the same county as her husband, and was bom in April, 1840. Her parents were John J. and Sophia (Smith) V:in Valkenburg, the father a farmer by occupa- tion, and a prominent man in his community. The household circle included thirteen children, nine of whom are living, and residents mostly of New- York State. The mother passed away at the old home in New York Slate in April. 1886. Mr. Van V. is still living, and is now ninety years of age. k^A ARTIN V. EASTERDAY occupies a well- li \\\ Reserved pl&ce among the prominent and II IS progressive farmers of Nemaha Precinct, * and is the owner of a fine farm of 480 acres in extent, thoroughly improved in every part, supplied with substantial buildings and an unusu- ally line residence, all the result of his own con- tinued enterprise and effort. He was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, on the 29th of August, 1 825, and remained there until he had attained to the years of young manhood. There he received the preliminaries of his education, finishing the same at Miililenburg College, after which he was a 4»- =►#-«• 390 -•»■ JOHNSON COUNTY. 4- ~t successful school teacher for several terras. Leav- ing the teacher's desk and ferule lie turned once more to the farm, and has remained in that voca- tion for the greater part of his life since. In October, 1 852^ Mr. Easterday was married tn Margaret J. Huston. To them have been born eight children, of whom five are living, viz: Charles M., Steven A.. Horace II.. Joseph II. and Philip S. Oliver ('. died at the age of twenty-one, and the other two in infancy. Mrs. Easterday was born in Jefferson County. Ohio, on the 28th of June, l*:i2. She is the daughter- of John and Isa- bella (Drew) Huston. She remained with her par- ents until her marriage, and is still spared In her family. Her parents were both natives of County Tyrone. Ireland. They came to this country and settled in Jefferson County; his chosen occupation, followed for the greater part of his life, was hus- bandry, in which he continued, practically, until his death, which occurred in the year 1839. His widow, after her hereavement, did not remarry-, but kept the farm, and superintending its operations, succeeded in keeping her family together, and bringing them up as both parents would have de- sired. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Easter- day moved to Montgomery County. 111., and purchased a farm. There they continued to reside for seventeen years. This was also the place of the birth of their children. He continued engaged in general and stock farming until the year 1871. when lie came to Tecumseh and began to look around and inquire into the prospects of this then developing country. His prospecting led him to purchase property which was then partly improved so far as the ground was concerned, but had no buildings worthy of the name. These lie supplied and had put up in g 1 style. This was his home for ten years, and hedid well every season through- out that time; but finding a purchaser whose offer was unusually appreciative he sold it and purchased the extensive property he now occupies, which he has used ever since, mainly as a stock farm. It was Mr. Easterday who introduced into the State the Short-horn cattle. He purchased and kept the "Duke of Orleans." a fine imported bull of considerable reputation, and the first to come into *. this county ; also a few full blooded cows. It was always his desire to raise the grade of stock in the county, and he has done much to that end — prob- ably more than any other single individual. After this he introduced the first imported hogs, and raised the grade of that line of stock also. He is now interested in bringing into the district the Galloway cattle, for which many advantages are claimed. He usually feeds from 17"i to 20(1 head of cattle, besides hogs and horses in lame numbers. Mr. Easterday has probably forty acres devoted to tine forest trees. His orchard contains over 300 fruit trees Of various kinds and choice variety: also small fruits of all kinds in profusion. The part of his farm which is devoted to stock is con- ducted upon model principles, and is brought al- mosl to perfection. The remainder of his farm is well fenced and cultivated. In 1*77 the subject of this sketch was elected County Treasurer, and served two terms, lie has also tilled in a most satisfactory manner various School and township Offices. In the Masonic fra- ternity he is well and favorably known, and has received the degree of Knight Templar. With his wife Mr. Easterday is a member in good standing of the Universalist Church, and takes pleasure iu lending his influence and giving active support to the same. He is a man of marked ability, thor- oughly well posted in all necessary and practical points in his business. He is everywhere held in high regard, and enjoys an unusually line reputa- tion. Christian Easterday, the father of our subject, was born iu .Maryland about the year 1792, and in 1800 removed to Jefferson County. Ohio, with his father, who was one of the pioneers of that State. In that section he always lived, following during his active days the occupation of farming. Fi- nally he removed to the home of our subject, then in Illinois, where he died in 1*78. He was the husband of Anna M. Stemple. Tothemwere born ten children, eight of whom it was their privilege to bring to mature years. His wife was born in West Virginia, and was the daughter of Daniel Stemple. She lived until about one year previous to her husband's death. She was a most womanly woman, and a true wife and mother. She had the T* •►Hf^ JOHNSON COUNTY. ■«HMi 39 I , , respect and admiration of those who knew her. Both were members of the Lutheran Church from their youth. The grandfather of our subject, Martin Easter- day, was born in Germany, and came to this coun- • try when six years of age, settling in the State of Maryland. There he made his home until 1800, when he removed to Ohio, as above related. The companion of his life was a Miss Bowers. Their farm was cleared from the original forest, l>ui shorll\ bore marks that indicated the thorough, practical knowledge and ability of the proprietor. It remained fur many years in the hands of the family, the members of which were sincerely at- tached to the old homestead. The eldest son of our subject, Charles M.. is now at Tacoma, \V. '!'.; he is an able attorney-at-law, and enjoys a line practice. lie is married to Miss Minnie Locke, of Brownville, and has two bright and intelligent children, who bear the names Ruth and Fay. Steven A. is at Red (loud. Neb., and is a railroad postal clerk; he is the husband of Mag- gie Shaugnessy, of Tecumseh, and they also are the parents of two children, viz: Olive and Midgie. Horace H. is freight agent on the railroad at Red (loud, and is also married; Joseph II. has recently been admitted to the liar as an attorney, but is not yet located, and is at home the greater part of the lime. The youngest son, Philip Sheridan, is also at home, not having yet completed his education. Our subject ami his sons are all stanch Repub- licans, and take much interest in political matters. This interesting family are among the first in the county, ami are certainly worthy of all the esteem accorded them, and appreciate it as heartily as it is given. 2~T5«!~€- — f T^») NOOI1 CARMAN, one of the pioneers of ») Johnson County, lives in Lincoln Precinct, I — ^ where, on section 7, township 5 uorth, range 12 east, he owns a fine farm of 202 acres of good land. He was horn in Mason County. 111., March 1. 1846, and is a son of Hon. Alfred A. and Elizabeth Carman, of whom a history appears on another page. lie lost his mother when eightyears old, and shortly thereafter the family moved to Cass County, HI., -*• where he was reared and received a district scl I education. In the fall of 1865 the entire family came to Johnson County, Neli.. and when of age our subject homesteaded eighty acres of land, which is a part of his present farm, the rest having Ijeen added by subsequent purchases, and brought to its present state of high cultivation by hard labor, it having then been nothing but raw prairie. Mr. Carman was married, Sept. 5, 1869, to Miss Susan J. Vanwinkle, born in Hancock County, 111.. Fell. 7. 1850, and a daughter of James and Sarah Vanwinkle, who are now living in Phillips County, Kan. They came to Johnson County in 1866, anil lived here until 1886, when they removed to their present residence. To Mr. and Mrs. Carman have been born four children, of whom the two eldest. Sarah F. and Minnie M., are deceased, and Anna V . and Clara B. now survive. Loth Mr. Carman and his wife are active mem- bers of the Methodist Fpiscopal Church and ardent workers therein. He takes a warm interest also in educational matters, and has served on the board, and is regarded as an upright and honorable man and a trustworthy citizen. ~» **-#-- — «! NOS M. SHAW. This well-known citizen of Spring Creek Precinct was born Dec. 26, j- > 1828, in Medina County. Ohio, His par- ents were James and Minerva S. Shaw, natives re- spectively of Massachusetts and Virginia. When our subject was fourteen years of age the family removed to Fulton County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. There were but two children in his father's family, himself and his sister A/.elia 1'.. now the wife of Henry < '<. Tingley, of Ionia County, Mich. Our subject's early education was in the district schools. Upon reaching the age of twenty years he began attending the Baldwin University of Berea, Ohio, staying there some six months. i,ut owing to lack of means he was compelled to forego his studies for a time and resort to school teaching to secure the necessary means. Shortly after the outbreak of the Civil War our subject enlisted. Oct. 21. 1861, in Company F. 68th Ohio Infantry, which became a part of the 17th ^h-* •►Hl^ 392 JOHNSON COUNTY. f Army Corps, and was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee. They were under command of Gen. John A. Logan, and participated in the battles of Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, the siege and capture of Vieks- burg, Champion Hills. Raymond, Jackson, and in several minor engagements. With the greater part of his company he was discharged, and re-enlisted as a veteran Dec. 9, 1863, being assigned to the same company, regiment and corps, and still with the Army of the Tennessee. They were engaged in the Meridian raid and in the principal battles of the Atlanta campaign, including the siege of At- lanta. The regiment participated in Sherman's march to the sea and in his campaign through the Carolinas, being present at Johnston's surrender at Raleigh. N. ('.. and winding up with the grand re- view at Washington. He was honorably discharged July 10, 1865. After his discharge Mr. Shaw returned to Fulton County. Ohio, but soon went to Cameron, Mo., where for eight y ears he was engaged in the lum- ber, furniture and agricultural implement business. In the spring of 1871 lie came to Johnson County, and located on the place which has ever since been his home. He first bought 160 acres, subsequently adding 120 more, all of which he has now well im- proved, with substantial and commodious buildings. The marriage of our subject was celebrated May 1. L864, in Ohio. Miss Sarah J. Ford being the bride. She was born in Berkshire County. .Mas-.. Dec. 11. 18 1 I, and is the daughter of Charles and Martha P. (Packard) Ford, with whom she came at the age of eight years from her native place to Fulton County. Her parents are both now living in Cameron, Mo. To Mr. and Mrs. Shaw have been born eight children, only three of whom now survive. They are named: Anne A., Charles E. and Edith M. Mr. Shaw holds a somewhat prominent place in the political and social life of his community. He is a member of t he G. A. R. Post at Talmage, and is at present its Commander. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, affiliating with the lodge at Te- cumseh. In 1877 he was elected Justice of the Peace, has been several times re-elected, and has since served continuously. He has also served as Assessor of the precinct several terms. Politically, he believes in the principles of the Republican party, with which he acts. A prominent and leading citi- zen in his precinct, he enjoys in a marked degree the respect and confidence of his fellowmen, and is justly regarded as a representative citizen of John- son County. ILLIAM HERVEY. When the neighbors of a man among whom he has lived for a number of years universally speak well of him it is sufficient guarantee of his character and standing. The subject of this sketch has fully es- tablished himself in the confidence and esteem of those around him. who give cheerful testimony to his worth as a member of the community and one who has been active in the enterprises tending to its welfare and advancement. The fine farm of 160 acres which occupies a portion of section 8, Nemaha Precinct, has for years been familiarly known as the home of our subject, and the improvements thereon are due to his enterprise and industry. Mr. Ilervcy was born in West Virginia, March 6. 1833, and lived there until a youth of nineteen years. He received a good practical education and early in life became familiar with the various em- ployments of the farm. In 1852, starting out for himself, he made his way to Peoria County, 111., where he secured a tract of land and carried on fanning a few seasons, then sold out and went to Kansas. A year later he recrossed the Father of Waters, and returning to Illinois made his home for the following eight years in Marshall, Livingston and McLean Counties. He was married, March 7, 1860, to Miss Rachel A. Crow. Their wedded life began in Illinois, and in due time they became the parents of three children — Lilly J., Ellsworth V. and Elmer D. These are all living, and remain at home with their parents. They have been well educated, and the daughter at times is employed as a teacher. The boys assist their father in the farm work. Mr. Hervey in 1882 sold one of his farms in Illi nois and purchased the quarter-section where he now lives and to which he removed in the spring of 1883. His other land in Illinois he disposed of a few months since (1888). He has been a prominent -*•- -«•■ JOHNSON COUNTY. 893 4. man in the community wherever he has made his home, officiating as School Director and giving of his means to ever}' worthy enterprise. Mrs. Rachel A. (Crow) Ilervey was born in Pennsylvania. May 19, 1833. When a young lady she removed to Illinois with her father. Philip Crow, a farmer by occupation, and who spent his last years in Illinois, where his death took place. The mother is still living. Mrs. Hervey received a good education and taught school for some time before her marriage. She and her husband are members in good standing of the Presbyterian Church at Tecumseh. William Hervey, Sr., the father of our subject. was born in Ohio, where he lived until reach- ing his majority. He then purchased a farm in West Virginia, where he spent the remainder of his life, 'lying about, 1843. lie was a member of the Presbyterian Church; he cast his vote with the old Whig party. The mother survived her husband only a few years. Their family consisted of five children, all of whom lived to mature years, and of whom our subject was next to the youngest. William Hervey, Sr.. was first married in early manhood to a Miss Glenn, of West Virginia, and they became the parents of eight children, all of whom lived to mature years. This lady died in middle life. •f ON. MILO K. CODY. The subject of this sketch was numbered at an early date among the pioneers of Elk Creek Precinct, where he is now one of its most extensive land- owners, having 840 acres of some of the finest farm- ing land in this part of Johnson County, and lying adjacent to the village of Elk Cieek. The greater part has been brought to a state of cultivation, and a large area is devoted to pasture, Mr. Cody being largely interested in fine stock, comprising Durham and Polled- Angus breeds. The residence of Mr. Cody, a fine and imposing structure, occupies a commanding situation in the center of the village, within whose limits he also owns other valuable property. He has a two-thirds interest in the brick building, the first brick struc- ture erected in the business portion of the town, 4* which was put up in 1882, and is now occupied by Mr. McClanahan, owner of the remaining third in- terest, and son-in-law of our subject. In connec- tion with his son, Mr. Cody also owns a livery stable, operated by the former. On his farm he has about 100 acres of natural timber, besides con- siderable put out by himself, together with six acres of apple and peach trees, in addition to the smaller fruits. Nothing has been left undone to complete the comforts of one of the finest homes in the county. The earliest recollections of our subject are of a modest home in Onondaga Count}', N. Y., where his birth took place July (!, 1821. He lived there with his parents until a lad of fourteen years, then removed with them to Washington County, Ohio. Three years later, young Cody starting out for him- self, went to DeWitt County, 111., but in a year re- turned to Ohio, and in the summer of 1840 jour- neyed to Washtenaw County, Mich, lie was there engaged in farming two years, and before leaving the Wolverine State bought land in Ionia County, the cultivation and improvement of which he car- ried on five or six years. Thence, after selling out, he moved to a farm in Dane County, Wis., but two years later, selling out once more, assumed charge of a hotel at Pleasant Branch, eight miles from the city of Madison. Here he officiated as "mine host" for a period of eight years, and was in the mean- time appointed Postmaster, which office beheld un- til his removal from the Slate. Mr. Cody had been successful in his various en- terprises, but had not yet settled upon a location which fully met with his requirements. He now- determined to make an experiment in the Terri- tory of Nebraska, and accordingly in the summer of 1859 visited this county, and purchased land one and one-half miles south of Elk Creek. Here he has since operated, and in the meantime he added to his real estate until at one time he was the owner of 1,400 acres of land. He has given each of his sons and daughters 100 acres, and disposed of some besides this. The 160 acres which be retains as his homestead is amply watered by the Great Nemaha, which runs along the southeast corner of the farm. Since the time of his coming here our subject has been identified with local affairs, and that same ^f* 4= 39 I -•*- JOHNSON COUNTY. year was elected Comity Treasurer, serving accept- ably two years, and collecting the taxes for three years. Subsequently lie was elected Count}' Judge, serving two years. During this time his office wns in Tecumseh, but he still retains his residence in Elk Creek. He was next given a seat in the Terri- torial Legislature for two terms, although not in succession. His jurisdiction for the first term ex- tended over the counties of Johnson, Gage, Clay, Jones and Saline. The last term he was the first Representative elected for Johnson County alone. During his service in the Legislature he was placed on important committees, including that of Ways and Means, and was also Chairman of the Library Board. The Legislature at that time met in the young town of Omaha, which gave little indication of its future importance. He has officiated as Justice of the Peace for many years, has served with the Board of Elections, and been identified with school matters, in which he nlwaj's maintains a lively in- terest. Socially, he is a Knight of Pythias, and in religious matters, a devout member of the Christian Church at Elk Creek, in which he is a Trustee. Miss Mary Baldwin, a native of Allegany County, N. Y., became the wife of our subject at McCon- nellsville, Morgan Co.. Ohio, Jan. 14, 1841. Mis. Cody was born Nov. 6, 1822, and is a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Hayes) Baldwin. When she was a child of eight years, her parents crossed over into the Dominion of Canada, where they lived three and one-half years, the father engaged in farming. Thence Mrs. C. returned to the States, and located in Harrison County, Ohio, her parents in the mean- time having died in Canada. She was a resident of the Buckeye State until her marriage. Of her union with our subject there were born five chil- dren, fourof whom are living, namely : George W., a resident of Eresno, Cal. ; Zach Taylor, of Elk Creek; Horace A., of Elk Creek, and Caroline A. McClanahan. George W., the eldest son of our subject, mar- ried Miss Mary Gray, of this county, and they have three children, sons — Thorley, Harvey P. and Milo K., Jr. This son is engaged in the real-estate busi- ness in Eresno County, Cal. Zach Taylor married Miss Sarah Simons, and makes his home with his father on the farm, although engaged in the livery business at Elk Creek; Horace A. occupies himself at Elk Creek; Caroline A. is the wife of T. W. H. McClanahan, a hardware merchant of Elk Creek, and they have three children — Archie, Fannie and Cleveland. The father of our subject, Daniel Cody, was born in Worcester, Mass., about 1 7 7 L> . He was reared a farmer's boy, and carried on agriculture, first in his native State, then in New York and Ohio. His death took place in Columbia County, the latter State, in 1844. He had married in New York State, in early manhood, Miss Hannah Mauley, who was born in Massachusetts, but who removed with her parents to the Empire State early in life. The pa- rental household included eleven children, among them two pairs of twins. Milo K. was the youngest of the family. The mother after the death of her husband removed to Michigan with her son Milo, and lived with him fourteen years. She then went back to Ohio, and died at the residence of her son in Washington County, about 1874. Mr. Cody is the oldest living resident of Elk Creek Precinct, and has witnessed with the keenest interest its transformation from an uncultivated tract of land to a civilized and intelligent commu- nity, who are in the enjoyment of the comforts of life, living upon pleasant homesteads, and having around them modern conveniences. His career has been distinguished by that generous liberality which has caused him to interest himself in those matters pertaining to the general welfare of the people, and he has given a cordial ami substantial support to the projects calculated to insure their standing, so- cially, morally and financially. He numbers scores of friends„among the people of ^Johnson County, who have rendered him due appreciation as the re- ward of his generous labors among them and in their behalf. - 000 - ^/ AMES DEULEN,a prominent figure among the enterprising men of Crab Orchard, owns and operates one of its finest livery lines, and has one of the best outfits in the county. He was formerly a successful farmer, owning and operating land in Western Precinct. In 1884 he invested a portion of his capital in his present en- r i*H|--*t JOHNSON COUNTY. 395 f terprise, which proved :i fortunate venture, bringing lit in a liberal patronage. His residence is in the southern part of town. He is a prominent figure in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and uniformly votes the straight Republican ticket. The subject of this sketch was born in Greene County, 111., Oct. 29, 1850, and is the son of Kelen and Sarah (Dawson) Deulen, the former also a native of Greene County, III., and the latter of Hamilton County, Ohio. The father was a farmer by occu- pation, which he carried on in Illinois during his younger years. In ISC.:! he left his native county and settled in Wayne County, Iowa. The father is deceased; the mother now resides in Filley, Neb. Mr. Deulen when a youth of sixteen years crossed the Mississippi into Wayne County, Iowa, where he was employed at farming three years. In 186.9 he returned to his native county, and for seven years thereafter was employed as a farm laborer. He took up his residence in Montgomery County, 111., in is?."', where he carried on farming for a period of ten years. Then he came to Nebraska in January, 1883, sojourning for a lime in Beatrice, and in the meantime purchased a tract of land two and one- half miles southeast of Crab Orchard. He only lived there until December, 1884, when he purchased an interest in the livery business of L. V. Hunt, and remained in partnership with this gentleman until July, 1886, when he became sole proprietor. His horses and vehicles are valued at $3,500, and he receives the patronage of the best, people of Crab ( Orchard and vicinity. Mr. Deulen while a resident of Montgomery County, III., was married, Oct. 28, 1871, to Miss Lucy Rummons. This lady was born in Warren County, Mo., and is the daughter of John and Ju- liet ( Pringle) Rummons, who were natives of War- ren County, Mo., and arc now deceased. To Mr. and All's. Deulen there have been born three chil- dren, one of whom died when four months old. Charlie and Edna, the survivors, are thirteen and eleven years old respectively. The little family oc- cupy a pleasant home in the southern part of town, and extend a generous hospitality to hosts of friends. Mr. Deulen was elected Constable in 1885, and is a member of the Town Council and the Scl 1 Board. Wide-awake and energetic, he takes "•• ■ a lively interest in the prosperity of his commu- nity, and is active in those enterprises tending to this end. /^ASSIUS P.ROBINSON. Of the farming (l\ D comlnun ' l y or ln ' s county few are more ^^:' worthy to represent that industry in this district than the gentleman whose property is situ- ated on section 29 of Vesta Precinct, and whose name is placed at the head of this sketch. He was born in Erie County, Pa i the 2d of March, 18-17. His father, John Robinson, is a native of Columbus. Ohio. In bringing up his son Cassius he provided him with every opportunity to obtain a fair English education, and when not thus en- gaged he was fully employed in various duties about the farm. Mr. Robinson came to this county in 1878, and has since made it his home. He settled upon his present farm in 1883, and owns 200 acres of excel- lent farming land. He makes graded stock a spe- cially, and as a stock-raiser has long enjoyed a large measure of success. He is the owner of one of the finest farms of the county. On the Nth of December, 1870, he celebrated his union with Alice E. Shaw, the daughter of George Shaw. She was born in Hancock County. Ohio, but for several years prior to her marriage she had been a resident of this county. After her marriage she became the mother of six children, whose names are as here given: Sherman C, Ilattie M., Birdie S.. Elizabeth M., John C. and Harrison K. Mr. Robinson is a Justice of the Peace. He has also held several other local offices, always doing so in a most satisfactory manner. He is a stanch friend and advocate of the principles of the Chris- tian Church, in whose communion his membership has been for many years, and is also a prominent member of the A. 0. U. W. lie is a man who, al- though always ready and willing to take up any re- sponsibility that COmea to him as a citizen, at the same time does not care for the official chair, whether in the lodge or elsewhere. Nevertheless he has been prevailed upon to fill some offices, al- ways performing every duty connected therewith ■^^ -4^ 396 JOHNSON COUNTY. "f in a conscientious and thoroughly impeccable man- ner. He has won and retained the regard of his fellows, and is one of that class of worthy men who are the bettor and not the worse for knowing; in fact a long acquaintance with our subject is almost necessary to the complete appreciation of the many happy and favorable qualities with which he is endowed. blloMAS McCLURE is one of the practical and successful general farmers of Todd Creek Precinct, and the owner of an extensive and thoroughly improved farm of 1,185 acres, part of which is in Maple Grove Precinct. The home farm contains 685 acres, and is mostly situated on sec- tion 23. He first came to this State in May, 1858, when he took up a quarter-section claim in Ne- maha County, and lived upon the same for six years, but selling that property, he in 1866 pur- chased that he now owns. At the time of his settlement our subject found his farm in an entirely undeveloped and primitive condition. All the improvements that may be seen to-dav are the result of his characteristic, intelli- gent management anil continued effort. His stock farm is one of the best in the district, and is worthy of more than passing remark. lie has pro- vided a complete set of necessary farm buildings and sheds, and lias embarked in the enterprise with zest. He chiefly' raises and feeds cattle of the Gal- loway and Polled-Angus breeds, and has usually about 150 head on his farm. He also breeds large numbers of draft horses, for which a ready market is found. Our subject built his house in 1876, and it is a per- fect model farmhouse, substantially built, admirably designed, and furnished with taste and even ele- gance, lie, although a somewhat prominent citi- zen, avoids all politics, excepting that of the exer- cise of his right of ballot, which is usually in favor of the Republican party. In the Masonic fraternity he is -well known and always favorably received, and has been admitted to the degree of a Royal Arch Templar. Mr. McClure was born on the 1st of November, 1835, in Darke County, Ohio, and continued to live thereuntil his parents removed to Indiana, when he was two years of age. Subsequently they went to Illinois, and settled in Lee County, where he received his education in the common schools. From his earliest years he has been conversant with farm work and surroundings of an agricultural na- ture. It was not therefore without a certain fit- ness of things that lie should determine to make husbandry his chosen calling in life. This he did in that county, where he continued to live until 1853. For the next five years his home was in Appanoose County, Iowa, but he sold his property there in 1858 and came to Nebraska. Since coming to this State our subject has been more successful, financially, than ever before, and has seen his prosperity making unparalleled and unexpected strides. lie was married on the 28th of November, I860, the lady of his choice being Mist, Ellen Ball, of Appanoose County, Iowa. There have been born to them six children, all of whom are still living. Their names are as follows: Han- nah, Hester. Ira, Nina, Idella and Daisy. They are in attendance at the classes of the schools of the district, and are laying good foundations for future usefulness. The wife of our subject was born in Monroe County, Ohio, in the year 1832, and continued to live there until she had grown out of girlhood; then, with her parents, she went to Iowa, and con- tinued to make her home with them there until her marriage. She is the daughter of Samuel and Han- nah (Snyder) Ball, natives of Maryland. Mr. Ball is now residing in California, living a retired life. His wife died in the year 1880. Hannah, the daughter of Mr. McClure, was born in May, 1866, and was, it is believed, the first female child born to a permanent settler in Todd Creek Precinct. The father of our subject was born in the North of Ireland, in County Antrim, and continued to make his home there until he came to this country as a young man. He first settled in Pennsylvania, but kept moving westward, and lived subsequently in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois. Iowa, and, lastly, in this State. In each he has followed farming as his chosen occupation. Before leaving the old coun- try he married Mary Jane Young, of the North of Ireland, and there came to them nine children, of . •» T JL 4** JOHNSON COUNTY. 397 whom eight live to mature years and six are still living. Hi' was extensively engaged in farming, and finally removed to Table Rock, Pawnee County, where be lived a retired life until Ins death, in 1 880, when he was about eighty-five years of age. Daniel MeClure, who is widely known in con- nection with his grain business at Elk Creek, is a brother of our subject, and the only one who is in this. State, the other members of the family being scattered through different Eastern and Western States. felLLIAM SUTTON. The gentleman whose '// name stands at the head of this sketch is carrying on fanning successfully in Spring Creek Precinct, operating a valuable tract of land on section 17. An Ohio man by birth, he first Opened his eyes to the Unlit in Perry County, that State, in March, 1832, and is the son of Joseph and Hannah E. (Grimes) Sutton, who were natives of County Carlow, Ireland. William was the youngest in a family of ten children, and when about one year old his parents removed to Hocking County, Ohio, where he was reared to manhood, and became familiar with the various pursuits of farm life, lie- ing in a section of country where schools were nut very plentiful, his education was rather limited, but he possessed intelligence and sound common sense, and has made his way in the world where many a scholar has failed. In the fall of 1854, when Mr. Sutton wasayoung man of twenty-two years, he removed westward with his parents to Lee County, III., where the father still prosecuted agricultural pursuits, and where his death took place in March, 1874. The mother survived her husband six years, dying in July, 1880. Five of their children are still living. William, on the 26fch of March, 1867, was united in marriage with Miss Electa Chapin, (lie wedding taking place at the home of the bride in Illinois. Mrs. Sutton was born in Medina County, Ohio, Sept. 17, 1838, anil is the daughter of Levi and Eliza (Hamilton) Chapin. the father a native of Massachusetts, and the mother of New York Shite. They were among the earliest settlers of Medina County; the father passed away in 1886, and the mother in 1871. They spent their last years in Medina ( lounty, < >hio. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sutton settled on a farm in Lee County. 111., where Mr. S. car- ried on farming until the fall of 1880, then re- solved to cross the Father of Waters and east his lot with the people of this county. He settled soon afterward on his present farm of ICO acres, and has effected most of the improvements the passing traveler observes to-day with interest. It has taken both good management, and wise economy to make agriculture profitable on his farm, but with the assistance of his estimable and sensible wife, who has been at all times a safe and wise counselor, he is making good headway toward a competency for his old age. He votes the straight Democratic ticket, and endeavors to square his life by the Golden Rule. Mrs. Sutton is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the family have gathered around them many friends since their sojourn in Spring Creek Precinct. The union of our subject and his wife resulted in the birth of four children, one of whom, Arthur L., died when six months old, in Illinois. The survivors are: Lizzie E., born Feb. 27. 1869; Tal ('..born Jan. 19, 1871; and Harry II., born Feb. 2, 1873. They are all at home, and prove of great service, not only in lightening the labors of the homestead and household, but form the joy and pride of their parents. ft/OHN P.PRICE,a son of one of Johnson County's first settlers, has been identified with the most important interests of the county, but is now living retired from busi- ness in the pleasant town of Smartville, he havblff acquired a competence by untiling industry and the shrewd management of his affairs. Mr. Price is a native of Kentucky, and a son of Robert and Nancy Price, who were also born in that State. They came to Nebraska June Hi, 1856, and were among the first pioneers of Johnson County, and here the father perished in a storm, on the 11th day of December, the same year. The mother of ■► T 4 398 -*» JOHNSON COUNTY. our subject subsequently became the wife of the founder of Smartville, Mr. Robert Smart, and is now living here with him. at an advanced age. For further parental history see sketch of Robert Smart, on another page of this volume. Our subject spent his early years in his Kentucky home, aud subsequently accompanied his parents tn Nebraska. They first located in Spring Creek, about five miles from Tecumseh, and to them be- longs the honor of having built the first house in that vicinity. Our subject lived there until 1874, when lie bought a farm west of Sterling, and for some years was engaged in agricultural pursuits, devel- oping a line farm from the prairies. He continued in that occupation until 1880, when he came to Smartville. and turned his attention to the grain and stock business, which he continued until about the middle of August, ISSS, when he had a tine opportunity to dispose of his business at a large profit, and he did so. and lias since been living on his income, an all-sullicieiit one. in his cozy home in Smartville. The marriage of Mr. Price to Miss Ann Lawson took place in this county in August, 1870, and has been blessed to them by the birth of seven children, now living. Mr. Price is prominent in social and political circles in Johnson County. He is identified with both the < )dd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, being a member of Sterling Lodge No 63, I. < >. <>. I-'., and of Sterling Lodge No.31, K. of 1'. Politi- cally, he is one of the leading Democrats of Smart- ville, and that party has no firmer supporter than he. lie is a man of good habits, sound principles, and of varied information, and in him Smartville finds one of her best citizens. "~-x/V »\~-v>/v- Tl-_ EZEKIAH B. STRONG, one of the promi- lll/)' mllt cal 'l v settlers of Nebraska, anil who J}^ probably arrived here before anyone in this v\£* locality now living, has for the last twenty- two years been a resident of Todd Creek Precinct, and is the owner of a valuable farm embracing I 85 acres of highly cultivated land with commodious and substantial buildings. He atone time owned a much larger acreage, but has sold off consider- able. Our subject arrived on the soil of Nebraska the 7th day of August, 1H")G, nearly eleven years before it was admitted into the Union as a State. He had made the journey overland front Wisconsin with teams and crossed the Missouri River on a flat-boat. He settled first m Richard- son County, near the present site of Falls City, but a year later changed 'his location to the present site of Nemaha City. There he purchased land, paying $1,600 for 1(10 acres, in Buchanan's Addition, tak- ing all he could secure. That land he improved, making two miles of fence the first year. He held the property five years, in the meantime erecting buildings, setting out twenty acres of forest trees and two or three acres of fruit. In company with his wife and daughters, he put up one of the finest barns then in the county. This farm is now owned by Thomas Kean, and lies three miles southwest of Nemaha. The neighbors of Mr. Strong at the time of his coming here were few anil far between, and Indians roamed over the country, but aside from stealing whatever they could lay their hands upon, they did not molest the settlers, who were thankful to get off thus easily. M r. Strong finally took up his residence on the Nemaha River, purchasings tract ot land in 1865, where he began the building up Of a home- stead which he has disposed of. lie was the foun- der of the town of Butler's Mills, and operated the Brsl llouring-mill in that locality, grinding corn for people at Beatrice, and turned out the first bag of flour in the county. It will be seen that Mr. Strong was one of the leading men of this section of country, and it is quite natural that he should be one of the first ap- pointed Postmaster, which office he held for two years at Butler, and was succeeded by a Mr. ( ). M. Holmes. He was also the first Station Agent for the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, and as such was in the employ of that company a period of live years. In the meantime he steadily pro- ceeded with the improvement of his land, and in the fall of 1881 finished one of the finest residences in this part of the county. This is a large, two- -«>- c -*•« 4 *HI^ 4- 4i)2 JOHNSON COUNTY. story, frame structure, conveniently arranged, finely finished and handsomely furnished. The main barn corresponds entirely with the residence, and the sheds and cattle pens afford ample shelter fur stock. Air. Strong is largely interested in the breeding of road horses, and lias one of the finest Hamliletonian stallions in the State. He also has a three-year-old mare of the same breed, which is very valuable. His cattle are the Short-horns and his swine the Poland-China. The farm is enclosed with hedge fencing, and the fields which are not al present under cultivation are rich in good past- urage. About sixty acres of valuable timber add to the importance of the property, while the waste is utilized for fuel. The subject of this sketch was born in Onondaga County, X. Y., .Ian. :id, 1822, ami lived there with his father until a lad of thirteen .years. About 1835, leaving the Empire State, he emigrated to Wisconsin, making the journey via the first lake steamer set afloat. A few years afterward our subject sold the first peaches and apples ever marketed on the streets in the State of Wisconsin. lie lived there about four years, then went East, and was united in marriage with .Miss Caroline Stocking, a native of his own county, and soon afterward returned with his bride to Milwaukee. Later they settled on the Whitewater River in Jeffer- son County, where Mr. Strong became owner of a valuable tract of land. To Mr. and Mrs. Strong there were born three children — Emma, Edward B. and Ella, all of whom are deceased. Ella married Peter Wright, and he- came the mother of three children, one of whom, a son, Carlton, is still living, and makes his home with his grandfather, attending school. Mrs. Caroline (Stocking) Strong was born Feb. 19, 1820, and was reared to womanhood in her native county, living there with her parents until her marriage. She re- ceived a common-school education and thatcareful home training which fitted her for her subsequent duties in life. Mr. Strong cast his first Presidential vote for J. K. Polk, being then a member of the Democratic party, butsoon after the organization of the Repub- licans, considered he had reason to change his views, and for the hist thirty-two years has been one of the warmest supporters of Republican prin- ciples. After the outbreak of the late Civil War, he enlisted in Company H, 8th Kansas Infantry, being mustered in in November, 18C2, and serving as a non-commissioned officer. He was at the bat- tles of Perryville, Crab Orchard, Murfreesboro, and various other engagements and skirmishes, and at the end of his term of enlistment received his hon- orable discharge in March, 1863. Ansel Strong, the father of our subject, was born in Connecticut, in about 1785, and upon reaching manhood was married to Miss Hannah Stocking. They removed to Onondaga County, N. Y.. where they spent the remainder of their days, the death of the father taking place about 1865, after he had reached the advanced age of eighty- seven years. The mother died about. 1826. The parental family consisted of five children. <* WORTHY LUCE, farmer and stock-raiser, \/tJ/' l' ves on section 36, Lincoln Precinct, where WW he owns a fine farm. He is a native of Onondaga County, N. Y., born Aug. 20, 1827, and is a son of Shubel and Lovina Luce, natives of Massachusetts. He lived in his native county until his twenty-first year, when he went to Waukesha County. Wis., and was there married to Mrs. Ann Phippin, widow of Thomas Phippin,of that county, and a daughter of Solomon and Elizabeth Horn. She was born in England and came to America with her parents when about eight years of age, settling in Waukesha County, where her father and mother both died. Mr. and Mrs. Luce have two children: Luvina is the wife of Jarvis Smith, of Porter County, Ind., and George lives with his parents. By her first marriage Mrs. L. had two children, one of whom, Phoebe A., is now the wife of Thomas Goodman, of this county. During the War of the Rebellion our subject enlisted in Company F, 28th Wisconsin In- fantry, and served in the Army of the Southwest, part of the time under Gens. Pope and Prentiss. Their operations were largely in the State of Ar- kansas, where our subject with his company par- ticipated in the battles of Helena and Little Rock, **jK « » JOHNSON COUNTY. -•fr- lii;; *- and in many other minor Bghts and skirmishes, serving until the close of the war. Returning to peaceful pursuits, Mr. Luce settled in Wisconsin until 1N74, when he came to Johnson County, buying 240 acres of land where lie now lives, and to which he lias added eighty acres ly- ing in Todd Creek Precinct. When he first bought there were no improvements of consequence upon his property, but by much hard labor and good management he has made it one of the best farms in the neighborhood. Our subject has always taken a warm interest in educational matters, and for a number of years has acted as Moderator in his school district. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the G. A. K. Post at Tecumseh. A self-made man, Mr. Luce owes his success in life to untiring energy, indus- try and thrift. WILLIAM A. SOUDERS, a representative young farmer and stock-raiser of Helena Precinct, resides on section 16, range 11 east, township 6 north, and is a native of Washing- ton County, Md., born April 9, 1853, a son of Jona- than Souders, of whom a sketch appears on another page. His mother died in his native Slate while he was a young hoy. and he went with his father to Knox County, 111., they subsequently removing to Johnson County, Neb., where his home has ever since been. He acquired his education in the dis- trict schools, and was married. April 15, 1880, to Miss Luelhi A. Miller, a native of Wisconsin, horn Feb. •"'. 1861, and a daughter of Setll and Margaret Miller, natives respectively of Ohio and Pennsyl- vania, and now residents of Smith County, Kan. In the winter of 1876 she came with her parents from Missouri to Nebraska, they removing to Kansas in 1 88 1 . The union of our subject and his wife was blessed by the birth of three children, but death claimed the two eldest, anil only one is left to gladden their home. The two deceased were named Luella A. and Harry A., and the living child is named Hu- bert. Mr. Souders is the owner of eighty acres of *t= land, all under good cultivation, and is meeting with success in his chosen work, being a young man brimful of energy and perseverance. In poli- tics he acts with the Republican parly. [CHARD HARTWELL, a venerable citizen of Western Precinct, has been a resident of 1 \'\ Johnson County since 1867, embracing a ^)period of over twenty-one years. Soon after coining within its borders he honiesteaded Kid acres of land, which he still occupies. Upon the principle that a rolling stone gathers no moss, he has clung steadily to the one purpose of build- ing for himself a home in his declining years, and accumulating as much of this world's goods as a kindly Providence permitted. He is now approach- ing the sunset of life, being over eighty-seven years of age, having been born Nov. 15. 1801. He first opened his eyes to the light fifty-one miles from Toronto, in the Province of Upper Canada, and is the son of Kbene/.er Hart well, a native of Vermont. The latter took up his residence in 'he Dominion early in life, and thence emigrated to Ohio, Settling in what was then Huron but is now Erie County, in LSI 5. Our subject left his native place with his par- ents, and continued under the home roof until reaching his majority. Then making his way tu Prairie du Chien, Wis., he lived t here until 1 )eceni- ber, 1842, when he returned to Ohio. In December, L843, he was married in the latter State to Miss Eliza Iluitt. This lady was .a daughter of Collins Ilitift. Mr. and Mrs. llartwell's wedded life was blessed Ivy the birth of eight children, t hree of whom are deceased. The five surviving are Emeline, Richard, Susan. Oremill and Mary. < hie son, Hiram, enlisted during the late war. and met death on the battle-field of Winchester. Sept. Ill, 1864. Our subject and his family removed to this county in 1867, where Mr. llartwell battled to good advantage with the elements of a new soil. and as an honest man and a g I citizen made many friends. She who had been his companion for a period of thirty years passed away <>n the 22d of November, 1874. Mr. llartwell for several T - a «■ -•» 404 JOHNSON COUNTY. f years has been afflicted with blindness, but lie has not permitted this to change his cheerful disposi- tion, or bis reliance upon an over-ruling Provi- dence, lie has been for a long period a member in good standing of the Free- Will Baptist Church. He cast his first Presidential vote for John (}. Adams in 1828, and voted for Harrison in 18HH. ftJOHN H. BAORKRG settled in the spring of 1880 on his present farm of 1G0 acres, which occupies the southeast quarter of section IfiS^ 17, in Spring Creek Precinct. He is holding his own among the agriculturists and stock-raisers of the northeastern part of this county, and forms a worthy representative of the nationality which has home such an important part in the development of the Great West. Our subject first opened his eyes to the light in the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, where his birth took place Dec. 5, 1843. John G. and Stientye (Cordes) Badberg, his parents, were of pure Ger- man ancestry and natives of Hanover. The mother passed from earth when her son John H. was a little lad of seven years. His father was married the second time, and our subject lived with the latter and his stepmother until reaching man's estate. He received a thorough education in his native tongue and assisted his father on the farm in Hanover un- til 1872, when the family all emigrated to America, taking passage at Bremen on an ocean steamer, and landed in New York City after a safe voyage of twenty days. The Badbergs, soon after setting foot upon American soil, made their way directly westward across the Mississippi into Otoe County, this State, of which they were among the early settlers, and where the father took up a tract of wild land and continued farming as before, making their home in Otoe County. There his death took place in the spring of 1884. He was one of the leading German pioneers of Otoe County, a man of standing among his people, a Republican in politics, and a devout member of the Lutheran Church. The stepmother is still living in Otoe County. The household cir- cle by both marriages included, eleven children, "r^ eight of whom are living, namely: George, Henry, Mary, Herman, Harm, Maria, Schwantka_and John II., our subject. All but the. latter are residents of Otoe County. Mr. Badberg was a resident of Otoe Count}' about seven years, settling on his present farm in Johnson County about the spring of 1880. Here he has effected good improvements, and oc- cupies a worthy position among the self-made men around him. He was married, March 8, 1873, in Otoe County, to Miss Minnie Lohmiller, and they have become the parents of six children, namely : Anna B., Christina, Henry, John, Herman and Will- iam. Mr. and Mrs. Badberg are members in good standing of the Lutheran Church, and our subject, politically, like his father before him, is a stanch supporter of Republican principles. He has become thoroughly identified , with the interests of his adopted country, and keeps himself well posted upon passing events. - 4^r daughter of John Kirgis, of Whiteside Count}*. The}- lived in Illinois until the fall of ! 877, then came to this county, and settled upon the land now oc- cupied hy our subject. Of this union there were born three children: Dora S., now living, and two deceased — Ida L. and Noah J. Mrs. Mary Buehler died at her home iu Vesta Precinct, Nov. 1 1, 1880. Her little daughter Ida followed the mother a week later, and Noah died April 30, 1882. Mr. Buebler on the 3d of October, 1881, con- tracted a second marriage, with Miss Mary, daugh- ter of John and Caroline Joekel, of Sterling, Neb. Of this marriage there were also born three children : William A.; Simon F., who died Dec. 1 1, 1886, and Carl A. The homestead includes 100 acres of good land, and Mr. Buehler has a twenty-five years lease on forty acres besides. He began from first prin- ciples in the development of his farm, building up a comfortable homestead from the wild prairie, and bringing the soil to a good state of cultivation. His buildings are kept in good repair, and his live stock indicates ample shelter and plenty of food. Mr. Buehler has planted shade trees around the dwell- ing, and has a fine orchard of apple trees. He has labored earl)' and late, as his surroundings indicate. Our subject, politically, rotes with the Republican party. He has no aspirations for office, preferring to give his time and attention to his farm and fam- ily. The German Methodist Episcopal Church of Salem numbers him as one of its most valuable members, and in which he has officiated as Class- Leader for the last eight years, holding besides the office of Steward. -SS^ *NDRKW M. WILLIAMSON, the pioneer dry -goods merchant of Crab Orchard, was born near Greenville, Muhlenberg Co., Ky., Oct. 6, 1843, and is the son of Eleazer T. and Amelia R. (Rice) Williamson, who were na- tives of Kentucky. The father is living near Earl- ville, Beadle Co., Dak., where they settled in 1884; the mother is now deceased. Our subject removed with his parents from the Blue Grass regions to Montgomery County, III., in 1851, and there acquired his education, completing 4> his studies in Hillsboro Academy. His business career was begun as clerk in a dry-goods and gro- cery store at Hillsboro, where he remained six years thus occupied, and had then exercised that frugality and forethought which enabled him to lay up a snug sum of money and purchase a half-inter- est in the business of his employer. They continued together five years longer, when young Williamson withdrew, disposing of his interests to his part- ner, and then going to Donelson iu the same county, established himself there in general merchandising, and remained until 1879. He then traded his stock of goods for a farm, which he leased, and accepted a position as salesman for the firm of Day & Up- stone, of Nokomis, with whom he remained two and one-half years. In the spring of 1 883, crossing the Mississippi, he established himself at Crab Orchard in his present business, at a time when there was in this place only a small grocery and a hardware store, started a short time previously. From the modest enterprise of Mr. Williamson has grown up a business commanding a capital of between $5,000 and $6,000, from which is transacted $15,000 worth of business. Mr. Williamson is able to duplicate any bill of goods in his line sold in the cities of Bea- trice or Tecumseh. Buying for cash, he is enabled to obtain a liberal discount, and in connection with his credit system uses the D. (). Lantz Credit Cou- pon check book, which is claimed to be the best iu the world. He carries a full line of merchandise, including dry-goods, boots and shoes, hats, caps, notions, millinery, gentlemen's furnishing goods, crockery, etc., in fact everything required on the farm or in the village household. He has been a familiar figure among the people of this region for many years, and his straightforward methods of do- ing business have secured their confidence and es- teem. Miss Isabel II. Kerr, a native of Fayette County. Ohio, became the wife of our subject on the 1st of February, 1872, the wedding being celebrated at the home of the bride in Montgomery County. III., near Hillsboro. Mrs. Williamson was born Nov. 20, 1840, and is the daughter of Robert and Jane (Kerr) Ken 1 , who were natives of Ohio and Penn- sylvania, and are now both deceased. Of this union there have been no children. Mr. Williamson dnr- ♦ -*•- .M11\m>N COl STY. ing !. - _ - ..filiated with the Democratic - w.-irm interest in the - -- f the temperance movement led him. in 1 883, to identify himself ■ Prohibitionists, ami be is i leading member of this party in Johnson County. He - been ambitious for office, although baring served - , illor. and occupying other - ind responsibility in this com in u- Eteligi) - i he aueen doue in the improvements - His prop- Iged in a very perfect manner, and it is and trimmed, presenting a fine a, - rving the design and pur- ser impr. - - - _ hard, all found their place with our subject, and arc a ere." to his a _ nee. raisi: _ k. dealing chiefly in high-gr:. h. .rns. thoroughbred hogs of the Poland-China va- and draft horses and i Iu this connection he isqaite widely and favorably is a business :aan is marked as being of the most honorable d - and 1. - good. The birth of our subject took place on the i _ • - r il. in Wilson Township. Niagara Co., N. Y . and he made his home there until he was about sixteen yea.-- . lb bis pa i .id remained with them until attaining his majority. His education, which was obtained in the common schools, was practical aud thorough so far as it went, and em- ed the usual subject of instruction. Schooling finished, his energies were directed to husbandry and the care of stock, which he has continued al- - without intermission up to the present time, The subject of our sketch was united in marriage with Mi>- lK!c ; . K. I'aylor. of Kewanee. 111., on the 1 4th of October, 1 874. 1 heir union lias been by the birth of four children, all of whom are living. The subjoined are the nanus borne by them : Lewis. Clara. Clarence and May. Mrs. King was born in Knox County. 111., on the :' Hay, 1855. Sie was educated in the com- mon schools of the county, and is — ssed of much innate refinement, which, with her happy dis- position, makes her eminently fitted for domestic or social life. The father of Mrs. Kn.ii. A. A. Taj lor. was burn N York. While but a young man he went to Pennsylvania, thence to Michigan, and finally to Illinois. He is now a resident of Nebraska. The maiden name of bis - - san Hurlburt. They became the parents of seven children, six of whom - ace Kiug. the father of our subject, was born in Columbia County. N. Y.. and as a young man moved to Niagara County in order to take a farm and l>egin life for himself. He married Miss IV- Burton, in Columbia County. N. Y.. by whom he became the father of five children, of whom three are living. By an unusual coincidence all three - - • e farms in this county. and ai g .'.-to-do citizens. In 1866 Mr. K 2 ■ i to Henry County, and there made his home until he came hither. His death occurred on Uie 16lh of Sej -" - ri low still survives. He was a member of the I Church. The - f our sketch has won and retained the 1:-. yes community. He has been called upon to fill » - - iiool offices, and that -. ; - r. He is not prominent as a |>olitician, but is always careful to exercise his right of franchise. _ with the Republican party. Both he and his wife are in communion with * , ♦ t - BajAist Church, aad take inucb in- terest m matters connected therewith. Is that aad every other c ey are bigbly respectci by nil who know them. .- - ha Er.li'l HJ e had and made it their Lome. Be - ■• - •---' :•■.•• ' I. K-- ■..:..-: _• and property being situated on section . skip 3 If fa«L He is a nat i *nd was l>orn on the 21st of June. - the am of Mark aad Doretha Haoberg. He ■ 1 education ia hie native land, whkb - :...:.• •* - je. J. _• : .'- • ■_■ : :; ■ ■ '■'■_' iced ia a sailing- vessel, which, Froai there L- d County. 111., aod for some aiae rears month . being f ragal aad caref al ia the meanwhile, so that ke was thee enabled to nnnfcim a farm ia tkat county, wkiek ke continued to oper- ate in hi? ars. Mr. Hanberg «ra* _ ■ ears later, accompanied by bis te, and coming to ." . .- :. < '*;•-; ' '-" - ' • "•- ' I- ' .: at Once started with all tke e n ergy ke could sum- mon to bring about a better coud ition of **>i»gy ke kas made it one of the best farms ia the district. Whatever has been done by any of success ii has been the re- .: baj own earner" idea, since bis marriage, kas always been supplemented ful aad deroted v Mr. and Mrs. Hauberg are members of the Ger- ::.■:. L ■■•;.-''.• _ .:..'. - • ■ _-. . ■ . . ■ mack esteemed, as they are also ia every other. t kas serred one term as Road Snper- besides holding other offices. Ia politics ke and am t is thoroaghly Democratic. mtndit fte bmltt ' 1 - . ••«i>_- large circle of appreciative friends anoes. He has always taken pertains to the advaaeeaaeat of the interest* of the eMUjty. Hit sterling character and uprigbtaaw* are manifested in every engagement of fife, and by no • - ' •■_- -■.;! - i •. . • ■ 1 ■ '. ■ ■ j k-L ke is a resident. >e fined farms in net is the property of the subject of this sketch, and comprises *W acres of val uabk mad, all in one body, the in the precinct. The family residence is sar- .. • . ■ v ■ ,-y ■■■•■:• ':_-•-. v • -.••—•. and shrubbery. It ' rius a most attractive home. iadieatiag oa aO sides thrift, industry aad eulti- Mr. r. •ossession of a part of the land wkiek ke now owns in the spri- _ acres had been broken, the Inhere being a wild prairie, destitute of fences or building- has been brought to its present position sole.; the exercise of untiring indnstry aad a wise outlay - tifal hedge fencing, and the whole is kept neatly trimmed, presenting a compact line of green < x- ;•••■; _ ■•' : ; ~\ t ::'--:■■■.■- - for the protection of the fields aad whatever lies within them. The residence was completed ia the spriii . model farm house ia < - ' • : - Mr. Epky ia addition to the cultivation of the - : hts ago t wen ty acres to forest trees. and has fire or six acres in a fine appk orchard which - r - l : "■: :.v f .;':-. ; - ■ - ' -..••- t 408 JOHNSON COUNTY. trees, hesides grape vines and plants which yield the other luscious fruits in their season. In addi- tion to general farming our subject is fond of fine stock and is one of the leaders in this industry in Johnson County. He keeps usually a herd of 100 to 140 cattle, together with a. number of valuable draft horses and a large number of swine. For the keep- ing of these he raises annually quantities of corn and grain, devoting to these purposes nearly 200 acres of ground. Years ago his corn and grain crop comprised about 400 acres annually. Later he gave more space to grass and less to corn. A man of more than ordinary ability, Mr. Epley has naturally occupied a prominent position among his townsmen, as one whose judgment it is safe to follow and to whose opinions experience has given value. He has never been ambitious for office but willing to serve his precinct in whatever capacity he can be useful. He cast his first Presidential vote for James Buchanan, and since that day has trained with the good old Democratic party. In his district he has been a member of the School Hoard almost since its organization, and there are few enterprises in his neighborhood in which he has not been a leading spirit. John Epley was born in Adams County, Pa., Fell. 23, 1836, and lived there until a man of thirty years. He received a practical education in his youth and was at an early age trained to habits of industry and economy, which have proved the secret of his later success. He has all his life been en- gaged in farm pursuits. Upon reaching manhood he was married to a maiden of his own county, Feb. 10, 1859. Of this union there were born seven children, all of whom are living and at home with their parents. They are named respectively: Harriet Elizabeth, Charles Meade, George Frank- lin, Emma J., William Edward, Harvey D. and Amanda C. They are being trained and educated in a manner befitting their station and circum- stances in life. Mr. and Mrs. Epley continued residents of their native State after their marriage until 18C6, making their home in Adams Count}', Pa. There their three eldest children were born. In the fall of the year mentioned they moved to Knox County, 111., r where our subject operated his own farm until 1874. Then selling out again he followed the example of many of the people of that county and cast his lot with the pioneers of Nebraska. He first rented land in this county, and in 1875 purchased 160 acres now occupied by the homestead buildings. Sub- sequently he purchased 240 acres more, thus be- coming one of the largest land-holders in the precinct. He commenced with a very small amount <>f capital, but by industry and good management soon found himself on the high road to prosperity. Mrs. Sophia J. (Culp) Epley was born in Adams County, Pa., May 26, 1839, near the historical bat- tle-ground of Gettysburg and in the vicinity of Culp Hill, which was then owned by her cousin, Henry Culp, who, if living, probably holds it to this day. Mrs. E. lived there with her parents until her marriage. The latter were George and Elizabeth (Ritter) Culp, and the father was also born in Get- tysburg in 1800, there also spending his entire life. He was a wheelwright by trade and also carried on fanning. His death occurred at the old homestead about September, 1874. The wife and mother is still living, having attained in August. 1888, the ripe old age of eighty-five years. Both parents wire members of the Lutheran Church. George Epley, the father of our subject, was born in York County, Pa., Nov. 8, 1810. He moved to Adams County with his parents when a child. In the latter he received his education, and upon reaching manhood was married. Sept. 8, 1833, to Miss Harriet Wentz. Their union resulted in the birth of ten children, who with one exception lived to mature years, and that one, a girl, died when twelve years old. The father carried on farming successfully in Adams County, where he was a prominent member of the community, and with .his estimable wife a member in good standing in the Lutheran Church. About 1866 he removed from Pennsylvania to Knox County, III., w,here he spent his last days, his death taking place March 11, 1886. His wife, the mother of Mr. Epley, is still living, and makes her home with our subject. Mrs. Harriet (Wentz)*Epley was born in Adams County, Pa. Jan. 17, 1813, and is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Sheely) Wentz, the former a weaver by trade, who followed this and farming combined. He spent his last years in Adams T — •*•- -•*" JOHNSON COUNTY. 109 County, Pa., dying about 1870 at the :iije of eighty- four years. The mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Sheely) Wentz, passed from earth when her daughter Har- riet was 1 hi t ten years old. Henry Epley, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was also a native of York County, Pa., where he lived until middle-aged, then removed to Adams County, where his death took place about 184'J, when he was probably sixty-three years old. -^^^i^^f^^^- AVID S. WARNER. The farm of this gentleman is situated on section 22 of Nemaha l'recinel, and comprises 160 acres. His reputation as a stork-raiser is quite extensive and exceedingly favorable, if not flatter- ing, seeing that he is among the most enterprising, practical, and therefore successful, of those similarly engaged in the district. Mr. Warner was born in .Madison County. Ohio, Sept. 22, L846. When six years of age his parents moved to Jasper County, Iowa, and in that county he was reared to manhood. Iii its schools he obtained a good education, which, if not collegiate in scope, was practical and thor- ough. Mr. Warner was united in marriage, on the 7th of March, 1867, with Miss Mary E. Timmons. This lady, like himself, is a native of the Buckeye State, and the estimable daughter of Thomas W. Tim- mons. one of Ohio's prominent citizens and pros- perous farmers. About the time of his marriage our subject purchased a farm in Iowa, continuing to operate the same until August, 1870, when he turned his face toward Nebraska, and started to come to this place. He, of course, traveled by the aid of his team, and arrived without any particular adventurous incidents of special note, on the 8th of September. 1870. Since that time he hasalways resided here. Almost the first thing to be done after seeing his family comfortably provided for was for our sub- ject to select a location. The result of this investi- gation was the purchase, at the rate of $7.50 per acre of his present farm. It was all unimproved prairie land, but was ready for the plow, and the experience for five years in a more Eastern State. •*• . where the giants of the forest had first to lie evic- ted, was here spared him. All the improvements that may be seen to-day are the result of his earn- est endeavor. His house is substantially built, and is to him and his family a true home. It was erected in 1871). The octagon barn, built in 1883, he finds exceedingly convenient for his purpose, and has built it to stay. The grove not far from the house covers an extent of ten acres, and con- tains only thrift}' growing and well -developed trees. His orchard is worthy of favorable remark, al- though, perhaps, nut SO extensive as some others in the county; the trees are well Selected, of good variety and excellent bearers. Small fruits are to be had in abundance in season, and of almost end- less variety. The farm, as a whole, is highly culti- vated, well fenced and in excellent condition. Reference was made above to the stock-raising interests of Mr. Warner. He keeps about fifty head of pure thoroughbred Short-horns, and this he makes a specialty. He is the owner of some very tine cattle, and usually receives the first premium at any fair to which he may take his stock. Among the beautiful creatures, worthy, perhaps, of spe- cial mention, is the well-known bull Oxford Wiley, whose registered number is 76.720. Among the different varieties of stock are the Rosamonds. Princesses, Pansys and Victorias. Mathew Warner, the father of our subject, was born in the Empire State, in July, 1822, removing with his father when fourteen years of age to Ohio, where he made his home until 1852. At that time lie emigrated to Iowa, where he still lives. He is a large dairy farmer, and in that line very prosperous. He is a man much respected in the community, and has frequently been called upon to fill various local offices. The maiden name of his wife was Margaret McMilcn. This lady was a na- tive of Ohio. They became the parents of six chil- dren, of whom four attained to mature years. Of these the subject of our sketch was the eldest. The wife and mother died when our subject was twelve years of age. Later Mi'. Warner. Sr.. contracted a second alliance, lie is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and much esteemed in that communion. The grandfather of our subject, Stephen Warner, ^►C i 410 ■*• JOHNSON COUNTY. 4- whs bom iii Chenango County. N. Y.; :is noted above be removed to the statu of Ohio about the year L 83 6, and was numbered among the pioneers of the State. He went to work and hewed out for himself a farm from the primeval forest, erecting his cabin from thelogs that fell beneath the power- ful strokes of his ax. The whole of his life at that period was upon the same line, and was tilled with the various pleasures, adventures, difficulties and hardships of pioneerdom. Here he resided until his death, which occurred ahout 1877, when he was about eighty-six years of age. The subject of this writing has seemed the re- spect and esteem of the community, to which they gave expression by electing him to act as School Treasurer, and later as County Commissioner, the duties of these responsible offices being performed in a most satisfactory manner. lie is a true and loyal citizen, both worthy and capable. f.Sf, SI ■*-5*- n ' S * " * "* — ■ ■ NC1L B. BALL, editor and proprietor of the Tecumseh Republican, came to this town in the spring of 1884, and established the journal whose politics are already in- dicated, and which has become one of the indis- pensable institutions of Johnson County. He has ably advocated the principles of his party, and lias continuously urged it to take an advanced position upon all new questions which spring up for the voters of the State and county to decide. Many months before the Republican National Convention of 1888 met at Chicago to nominate a candidate for President, Mr. Ball hoisted a Ben Harrison tlag at the top of the editorial column of his paper, believing from his personal knowledge of the man, that, of all the candidates under discussion, Mr. Harrison was the best and most available. His able articles, published iii support of his favorite candidate, were largely copied in many of the in- fluential journals of other States, and there is no doubt had much to do in calling the attention of the Republican press to Mr. Harrison, as Mr. Ball's was the first paper outside of Indiana to come out positively for the grandson of Old Tippecanoe. The subject of this sketch was born in Randolph County, Ind., Sept. 9, 1835, and about two years later his father, Judge John Ball, and family re- moved to Kosciusko County, that State, settling in a log cabin, in the midst of a timber tract. For several years thereafter the Pottawatomie and Miami Indians made that portion of the State their hunt- ing-grounds, and their chiefs, Bennack and Peash- away, became fast friends of John Ball and his family. Upon one occasion at least they saved their lives from the violence of a hostile tribe. The early education of Mr. Bail began in that humble dwelling in the woods, with his mother for his teacher, and at evening the blazing hearthstone fire his candle light. Later on the log school-house was erected, where he attended in the winter sea- son, working on the farm during the summer and fall. In the fall of 1856 he became a student of Ft. Wayne Methodist Episcopal College, from which he was graduated with honors, then, returning home, his father having died, resumed his labors on the old farm during the seasons of sowing and reaping, and employed his winters as a teacher. In the spring of 1864 Mr. Ball repaired to War- saw, Ind., where he was engaged in the dry-goods trade until the fall of 1870. In the meantime, as a man well posted in politics and possessed of a large fund of general information, he was esteemed competent to look after the interests of the people in an official capacity, and was accordingly nomi- nated and elected by the Republicans Auditor of Kosciusko County. So satisfactorily did he acquit himself in discharging the duties of his position that at the expiration of his first term he was re- nominated by acclamation, and re-elected to a sec- ond term by a majority almost double that of the former. In the spring of 1883 Mr. Ball, having suffered greatly from ill-health, decided upon a change of climate, and spent a year thereafter in the city of Denver. Thence, in the spring of 1884, he came to Nebraska, and soon afterward established the Republican, which has now not only obtained a foothold financially, but in all other respects among the people of this part of the State. Mr. Ball has been a prominent member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church since a young man of twenty years, and has taken an active interest in Sunday-school -•*• JOHNSON COUNTY. Ill work. He has been called upon to fill some of the most responsible positions in connection with this work, both in the States of Indiana, and Nebraska. lie identified himself with the Masonic fraternity thirty years ago, is a Good Templar of twenty-nine years' standing, anil an Odd Fellow of twenty-four years. A man of decided views, and fearless in the expression of his sentiments, he is fortunately possessed of the g 1 judgment to know when to speak and when to keep silent. -*fe- -5— J~~j AMES A. CARMAN, one of the younger members of the farming community of I Spring Creek Precinct, is successfully operat- ' ing on 100 acres of good land, comprising a portion of section 30. lie is the son of Hon. A. A. Carman, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this volume, and was born in Cass County, III., Jan. 1, 18C3. When a little lad two and a half years of age our subject was brought to this county by his par- ents, and was reared to manhood in Spring Creek Precinct, acquiring his education in the common school, and becoming familiar with farm life as it was carried on in the pioneer days. He grew up industrious and energetic, choosing agriculture for his occupation in life, and when ready to establish a home of his own, was married, Feb. 23, 1885, to Miss Annie McKenzie, the wedding being cele- brated at Tecnmseh, Johnson County. Mrs. Carman was born in Hancock County. 111., ami is the daughter of Joseph and Ellen (Pike) McKenzie, who were natives of Scotland and Ken- tucky. The mother is deceased, and the father is still living in Hancock County, III. The McKen- zie family is of Scotch ancestry, and were earl}' set- tlers of Kentucky, where the parents of Joseph McKenzie settled, probably after their emigration from Scotland. Mr. McK. has been twice married, his first wife being the mother of Mrs. Carman. Of his two marriages there were born eight chil- dren, namely: Thomas, now a resident of Califor- nia; Annie, the* wife of our subject; Amanda, Mrs. L. Martin, of McDoilOUgh County. III.; William, a resident of Adams County, ill.; Ellen, the wife-of Charles Underbill, of Mil) High County; John, of California; Henrietta and Frederick, the two latter being the children of the second wife, with whom Mr. McK. is still living in Hancock County. He is now nearly sixty years of age, a man of Sterling worth and greatly respected by his com- munity. He has for manj' years been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, serving as Class- Leader, and laboring as he has had opportunity in the Master's vineyard. To. Mr. and Mrs. Carman there has been born one child, a daughter, Carrie, Jan. 23, 1 8.SG. Mr. C. is a stanch Republican, politically', and with his estimable wife occupies a good social position, being, like his honored father, a useful and in- telligent member of his community, encouraging those projects tending to elevate society and serve the best interests of the people. 'Sj^fcERNARD M. PAYNE. The subject of this \iJc sketch has been a prominent factor in the building interests of Teeuniseh for a long fJ period, although for the last seven or eigbl years he has lived mostly retired from active busi- ness. A native of Morris County. X. J., he was born Sep!. 2 1. 1818, anil when a young child was taken by his parents to Long Island. His father lived but a few years afterward, his decease taking place when his son Bernard was a lad of seven or eight years. After the death of her husband, the mother of our subject removed to Bloomingdale, N. J., to the home of her father, where Bernard spent his boy- 1 (1 days, and acquired his education in the com- mon schools. He then began an apprenticeship at the mason's trade in Newark, N. J., where he worked for a period of fourteen years. The family then migrated to Ogle County, 111., where Bernard M. followed his trade and became owner of a tract of land, upon which he lived and the operations of which be superintended, although not working up- on it himself. At the same time lie was largely interested in stock-raising. From Illinois he made his way across the Mississippi and locating in this county, still following farming and working at his •► i r^ -•*- 412 JOHNSON COUNTY. trade as before. Gradually lie developed into a con- tractor, and his superior workmanship was always the source of a good income. The year 1871 saw our subject established in the vicinity of Tecumseh, he having purchased land in Maple Grove Precinct. From this he built up a fine farm, and later invested in city property. He removed from the farm to his town residence in 1877. Besides the work he has done for others he has put up eight dwelling-houses in Tecumseh for himself, one of which he occupies and the others he rents. Many of the best brick blocks in the city bear witness to his taste and skill, and will stand for years to come as monuments to his enterprise and industry, lie is now in the enjoyment of a competency, and sitting under his own vine and fig tree, can look back upon a well-spent life. Mr. Payne has traveled considerably over this continent, from New Jersey to Florida and Texas, also taking in California,. From the Pacific Slope he returned by the Union Pacific route to Denver, Colo., taking ample time to view the grandscenery of the Rocky Mountains. Socially, he is a genial and companionable man, one with whom it is both pleasurable and profitable to converse, lie has made good use of his time and opportunities, and in his extended travels gained a fund of informa- tion which he is able to impart in an amusing and instructive manner. Our subject has always been an ardent supporter of Dei 'ratio principles. His fine natural abilities would many a time have secured an office could he have been prevailed upon to accept. In religious mat- ters his beliefs incline to Methodist doctrines, al- though he is liberal-minded, and gives his support to other denominations, believing that in all there is good, and that- which will advance the moral welfare of the community. He is spoken of as a man whose honesty and integrity are unimpeach- able. His influence upon the community around him has been of that character which is a blessing to an}- city. The marriage of Bernard M. Payne and Miss Albia A. May berry, of Blairstown, N. J., was cele- brated at the home of the bride, and of their con- genial union there have been born four children, three of whom are living — Josephine, Mary and Carrie. Mrs. Payne was born at Huntsville, N. J. Her mother lived but a short time afterward, and she was taken into the home of an uncle, in whose family she remained for some years. Her father having married a second time, she was taken to his home, and there she lived until her removal to Newark, N. J. At that place she boarded with the mother of Mr. Payne, and thus began the acquaintance which ripened into a mutual affection and finally marriage. In the meantime she had resided in the city of Brooklyn a number of years. The peaceful and happy home of our subject, however, was in- vaded by the fell destroyer, Mrs. Payne passing away in Tecumseh, in November, 1880. she was a lad}' possessing all the Christian virtues, a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, a good wife and a kind mother. In early life she had developed a taste for literature and was a writer of consider- able merit, of poetry mostly. At the time of the completion of the tine residence now occupied by our subject, Mrs. Payne was very ill and known to be beyond recovery, but she desired to move into the dwelling in which she had anticipated spending many happy years. Her death took place one week later. Miss Josephine, the eldest daughter of our sub- ject, is the wife of Wilson Peterson, of Maple Grove Precinct, this county. Mary is the wife of A. M. Appelget, a prominent attorney of Tecumseh, and a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this Album; they have three children. Carrie, Mrs. A. Can- field, is the wife of one of the leading dealers in agricultural implements in Tecumseh, and the mother of one child, named Bernard, after its paternal grandfather. .Tames Payne, the father of our subject, was born in Connecticut, whence he removed first to New Jersey and then to Long Island. He was a hatter by trade, but dying when his son Bernard M. was a lad, the latter has scarcely any recollection of him. The mother was in her girlhood Miss Cather- ine Sandford. of IMoomingdale, N. J. The household circle included four' children, one of whom died when young. The three surviving are Bernard M., our subject; Alford .lames, of Newark, N. .1., and John S., also of that city. The maternal grandfather of our subject was John •►Ht^ ■*•- ■•*■ JOHNSON COUNTY. -i 1 3 Sandford, of Bloom ingdale, N. J, and who married .Miss Catherine Debough. He died when e para- tively ci young man, leaving his widow with several small children. Subsequently Mrs. S. moved to Blbomingdale, and afterward made her home also in Paterson and Newark, remaining a widow until the time of her death, which took place in about IM7."). John Sandford was a native of Connecticut, and when a youth of sixteen years entered the Revolutionary Army, in which he served seven years, seven months and fifteen days. After his marriage lie followed farming upon land given him by the father of his wife, and there made his home until his death, which occurred after he had reached the advanced aye of ninety-six years. lie was the father of a family of ten children, all of whom lived to mature years. The youngest son when twenty-one years old entered into a foot race with his father, in which the latter came out first best. The mother of our subject was a very excel- lent woman. and a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Churcb for many years. -^ ^4y v~ •►*♦ i'P^jIIOMAS II. BROOKS, the courteous and i/'/Sfv, popular station agent at Tecumseh for the *$Sz? Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, cer- tainly needs no introduction to the reader. His father, Allen D. Brooks, was born in Alleghany County, Md., mi the 17th of March, 1807. There also he received part of his education, finishing it at Cumberland, whence he removed to Alexan- dria. Va., and engaged in mercantile pursuits. Sub- sequently he bought land in Preston County, now in West Virginia, and commenced farming and Stock-raising, the latter receiving perhaps the major part of his attention. He afterward removed to Fairmont. Marion County, in the same State, and again entered mercantile life, in connection with which, however, he continued farming upon land situated in the vicinity of his business. He re- mained in Fairmont only two years, and from there went to Mannington, where from 1K.j2 to 1868 he continued employed in a similar direction. In the latter year Mr. Brooks sold out and re- moved to Nemaha County, in this State, where he owned a section of land upon which he took up his residence. He was also the owner of three-quar- ters of a section of land in Johnson County. At the time of his purchase it was entirely unimproved, hut he brought it to a very high state of cultiva- tion. He erected a very comfortable residence. and continued to make it his home until 187G, when he sold it and removed to Tecumseh, when' lie lived a retired life until his death, whicl - curred in 1885. He was a prominent man in the community, and was frequently offered hut as often refused political honors. He was a strict and stead- fast member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but even in this connection lie refused all official honors. Previous to her marriage Mrs. Allen D. Brooks bore the name Rachael Michael. She was a native of Preston County, Va. There have been horn to them nine children, of whom six grew to maturity. The father of Mrs. Brooks was Thomas Michael, who was horn in the year 1 SI 9, in the same county. His daughter continued to reside with her parents until her marriage, which was most happy, and ex- tended over a period of forty-five years, and which terminated in her death at Tecumseh, in lS"iV>. Her father was by occupation a farmer, and as such bore his full share of the lips and downs in life incidental thereto. His wife was a .Miss Brain, who pre- sented her husband with six children. She lived to see her family growing up and preparing to take their places in the world, and died in the year 1858, having survived her husband three years. Both were ardent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and active workers in the cause. The father of Mrs. Thomas Michael was captured when a little fellow by the Indians, who at the same lime massacred his brother and sisters before his eyes. His father and mother were both away, and for the lime escaped, hut later his father also >vas killed. The lad lived among the Indians for quite a long time, and was brought up by them, and so much were the habits and customs of these earlier years ingrafted into his very being that be retained many Indian ways, manners and customs throughout his life. The scene connected with the murder of his brother and Bisters was deeply graven upon his memory, and was entirely ineffaceable. °f -*•- 41 1 JOHNSON COUNTY. ^H* ~f He afterward settled in Preston County, and be- came a prominent and much valued citizen. We would refer the reader desirous of further informa- tion and a more complete history of the family to the history of Maryland, where such information will be found, although the name may possibly be mis-spelled and entered as Bran, instead of Brain, which is correct. Thomas Brooks, M. D., the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Alleghany County, Md. He was born, brought up and educated in the city of Baltimore, where he became a physician, and practiced the healing art, as he did also in Frederick. Md. Subsequently he removed to a point in the Alleghany Mountains, where he con- tinued to practice for a long period, and in his later days went to Morganton, where he continued the practice of his profession until his death, which oc- curred in 1855. Upon settling in life he married Miss Cardington, who became the mother of five children. She died in the year 1809, leaving a large family. Among these was Allen D., the father of our subject. Dr. Brooks again married, and was enabled to keep his home together, and thus the better fulfill his desires regarding his little ones. He was appointed a surgeon in the War of 1812, and being a very able man, enjoyed quite a reputa- tion. He and his family were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and as such were faithful and much esteemed. Capt. John Smith, of Revolutionary War fame, with his wife, occupied the position of godfather and godmother to Thomas Brooks, when he was in early life baptized into the Church of England. After attaining to man's es- tate, he, however, left the Episcopal for the Meth- odist Church. Thomas H. Brooks, the subject of our sketch, was born in Preston County, W. V., on the 8th of Au- gust, 1844. When but a youth he removed, with the family to Marion County, where he received his education, which was thorough and practical, ac- cording to the ideas of the time. After leaving school he became a telegraph operator as early as 1859, when the old paper instruments were used. While still young he was given the responsible office at the railroad station at Mannington, after which he went to Cranberry Summit, on the Balti- 4* more & Ohio Railroad. He was at Mannington in 1861, when the bridges east of that place were burned, after which he stood for many nights as guard over the railroad bridges west of that town, until he was relieved by the soldiery. After this Mr. Brooks volunteered to go into the service as a private, but was rejected on account of his age, and was advised by the inspecting officer to follow his own occupation. He worked at various points in Ohio and Illinois, for different railroad and commercial companies, until 1863, when he engaged in the Government service. He was now employed reporting to the Government Superintendent of Telegraph at Louisville, Ivy., and was placed with a cavalry scout for service in the direction of the Columbia River, in that State. Here they re- mained for a few weeks, when he was sent to Co- lumbia, and was stationed within a few miles of Morgan's camp. A secret spy reported to our sub- ject, who transmitted the information received to the commanding officer at Louisville. Upon dis- covering how matters stood the rebels became greatly enraged, and seemed determined to capture Mr. Brooks. Several times they sent cavalry to take him, and as often did he succeed in eluding them. On more than one occasion he only managed to do so by jumping from a second story window, from which they sent bullets after him as he fled. For six weeks Mr. Brooks was thus employed, every moment of the time in jeopardy, and carry- ing his life in 1 1 is hands. At the end of that period he was transferred to the Arm}' of the Cumberland. At Morgan's raid he saw the rebels coming through the town at a sweeping gait, and escaped under cover of an adjacent and convenient cornfield to the woods, and thence to a pasture, where he was assisted to a horse by a Union man, and made good his escape, but only by a hair's breadth. At Green River bridge he came to a company of Union men, and staid with them ; together the}' saw Lebanon burn. He was in the employ of the Government until 1865. He was captured by Wheeler in 1864. and afterward paroled, and upon returning to the Union lines was transferred to the Army of the Po- tomac, and was in service at Harper's Ferry and along the line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. At the close of the war, and at the tune of the as- -*~ •• ■*- 4 JOHNSON COUNTY. 41.j sassination of Lincoln, be was in the United States Telegraph Office at Washington, D. C. In the fall of 1865, owing to a broken condition of health, he was compelled to leave the service. Mr. Brooks next procured a wagon and team, and by the aid thereof journeyed across the plains to New Mexico, driving by day and camping wher- ever he could find a convenient and secure place at night, for Indian raids at that time were by no means uncommon. From New Mexico he went to Denver, and returned to Missouri in the year I860, and there enlisted under the State to help suppress guerrilla warfare. He was in camp at Independence, Mo., and served for a time, and afterward went to Virginia and took up his old work. There he met and married Miss Susan Sturm, on the 26th of De- cember, 1866. Of this marriage there were born four children, of whom only two daughters, Ollie and Flora, are still living. In the year 1868 Mr. Brooks removed with his family to Nebraska, and became the agent of the Union Pacific Railroad in the mountains while the railroad was in course of construction, a greater part of the time being surrounded by a commu- nity which by no means appreciated the action of the company, and on that account were anything but congenial. This continued until the spring of 1869, when he retired toa farm in Nemaha County, which he purchased and remained upon it one year. He assisted in the construction of the telegraph line west of Dorchester, to Sutton, etc. His fam- ily was the first to live in Fairmont, Fillmore County. Thence he went to Beatrice, and was there stationed until he went to Lincoln as ticket agent for the Burliugton & Missouri River Rail- road. Leaving Lincoln, he went to Nebraska City as commercial operator, and afterward was ap- pointed as agent at Tecumseh for the Atchison & Nebraska Railroad. There he remained until the transfer of this road to the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad, when he was made station agent for the consolidated railroad. In all he has been agent here for the past fourteen years, and is one of the most respected men of the city. His sterling worth, ability and character are all testified to by the confidence reposed in him by the company throughout this lengthy period. Mr. Brooks has been a member of the City Coun- cil for five years, and has served with the greatest satisfaction to those by whom he was placed in the Council chamber. He is an enthusiastic member of the Masonic fraternity, and has made the institu- tion the subject of careful investigation. In con- nection therewith he has studied closely tin- sacred volume, and has produced a Masonic Bible chart that has been highly spoken of by those who know it. He is the owner of a fine residence on Third street, south of the depot, and there makes his home. In addition to this he possesses other im- portant and valuable town property, also a farm two and one-half miles southwest of the city, and a half-section of land in the State of Kansas. D NATHANIEL 0. BINER is a representative citizen of Johnson County, living on scc- \1\:1L. tion ."», township (i north, range 1 1 east, in Helena Precinct, where he owns L60 acres of good land. He was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Feb. 2. 1836, a son of Wesley ami Ann Biner, na- tives of Virginia and New Jersej respectively. To this union seven children were born, and six are yel living: George \\\, Isaac L. and John M. are residents of Allen County. Ohio; Rebecca is the widow of John Hanz,-now living in Butler County, Kan.; Sarah E. is the wife of Tilman Wilkins. and also lives in Allen County. Ohio, and Mary A. is deceased. Our subject was the eldest of the family, ami was seventeen years old when his mother died, lie lived with his father and grew to manhood in his native State, where he received such education as was afforded by the district schools of that day. lie was sixteen years old when the family removed to Allen County. Ohio, which was the scene of his mother's death, and where his father had. in 1851, bought a tract of Government land, on which he still lives. In the fall of 1864 our subject deter- mined to start out for himself, and going to Illi- nois, resided therefor a few months; from there he went to Wisconsin, working in various places in thai state until the fall of 1867, when he came io Johnson County, Neb., where he purchased and 1 ' •►H^ 416 JOHNSON COUNTY. settled upon his present farm. It was then in a state of nature, but by much hard work, energy and good judgment, lie has made it a productive farm and a valuable property. In March, 1880, our subject was united in mar- riage with Miss Arininta Miller, by whom he is the father of four children — Mary B., Orren N., Ada E. and Ernest. Mr. Biner enjoys the esteem and confidence of the people with win mi he associates, and who respect him for his upright principles and sterling character. He and his wife are leaders in the social circles of their vicinity, and in politics he is a Republican. *t -vw ~*a££.'©^@ *g£g^OT7T»\~ -w»~ R. MALCOLM STEWART, physician and surgeon, and one who has built up for him- self a good record as a conscientious and able practitioner, is a Scotchman by birth and ancestry, a native of the city of Glasgow, where he first opened his eyes to the light Oct. 30, 1858. His father, John Stewart, crossed the Atlantic with his family in 1870, and making his way west of the Mississippi, settled upon a tract of land in Black Hawk County, Iowa. There Malcolm was reared to manhood, and remained on the farm of his father until 1878. Our subject had in the meantime begun a practi- cal education, which was completed in the State Normal School at Cedar Falls, from which he was graduated in June, 1881. In September following he was given charge of the Cascade (Iowa) schools, where he acquitted himself creditably one year, and in 1882 came to Tecumseh and conducted the first Teachers' Institute ever held here. He desired, however, something different from the duties of a teacher, and in the meantime had already availed himself of some of the best medical works within his reach, which he studied attentively, and prepared himself to enter the medical department of the State University of Iowa City. He applied him- self faithfully, and was graduated with honors on the 5th of March, 1884. In Ma}' of the year above mentioned Dr. Stewart established himself in Vesta, where he began the regular practice of his profession, and where he has built up a good business. He has spent very few idle moments, and from the time of his coming here has been recognized as a valued addition to the com- munity. He is prominent in local affairs and one of the most reliable members of the Republican party in this part of the State. He believes in pro- tection to American industries, and has filled many positions of trust and responsibility, in which he has sought to uphold the principles of his part}' in that conscientious manner which is one of the char- acteristics of the man. He has been elected Coro- ner, rilling that position creditably. Both he and his estimable wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and their home is a favorite resort for the cultivated people of their community. The Doctor is young in years, but has kept his eyes open to what was going on around him, and if he is spared will round up his days in usefulness. Dr. Stewart was married, June 22, 1884, to Miss Mary E. McGee, daughter of Thomas C. McGee, M. D., who died in Vesta, this county. Of this union there is one child, a son, Charles E. The Doc- tor and his little family occupy a neat residence, where they are surrounded by all the comforts of life. They occupy a good position socially, and the Doctor, both as a member of society and of one of the leading professions, bids fair to make his mark in the world. He has thus far been remarkably successful, being in the enjoyment of a lucrative practice, which is steadily increasing. UILLIAM W. TERRY came to Spring Creek Precinct with his family in the spring of Wy/ 1880, and settled on his present farm of 160 acres, comprising the southeast quarter of sec- tion 9. With the exception of eighty acres broken there had been but little attempt at improvement. He moved a frame house from M. D. Raymond's, moved into it. and soon afterward began the strug- gle with the soil in which he has come off victor, having now a good farm with suitable buildings, and being surrounded with all the comforts of life. His family comprises a most estimable wife and four children, two of whom continue at home with ■» •4- ■•*■ JOHNSON COUNTY. 417 their parents, these being sons, Edward M. and Austin A.; the other son is Thomas 15. The only daughter. Martha, is the wife of II. L. Shaw, and resides in Elbert County, Colo. Mr. Perry gives special attention to the raising Of good stock, including cattle, horses and swine. He has made farming a lifelong occupation, begin- ning his career as an agriculturist on the soil of Cass County. Ind.. where he assisted his father in the building up of a homestead among the pioneers of that region. lie was born in Washington County. Pa., Nov. 2(>. 1830, and when a lad six years of age was taken by his parents to Cass County. Ind., where he was reared to manhood. He is the son of Reuben and Cynthia (Coleman) Perry, who were natives of Washington and Greene Counties, Pa., and the mother of English ancestry. Reuben Perry, during the War of 1812, enlisted as a soldier, but owing to his ill-health did not engage in active service, and was obliged to return to the pursuits of a more quiet life. The parental house- hold included six children, of whom four are still living, namely: Thomas F., of Brownville, Neb.; Ezra, of Barber County. Kan; Harriet. Mrs. Henry Merritt.of Nemaha County, this State, and William \Y\. of our sketch. The Perry family took up their abode in Cass County. Ind.. in the spring of IH.'iT, and there the parents spent the remainder of their lives, the mother passing away in 1873, and the father two years later, in 1875, at a ripe old age. William W., like his brothers and sisters, was reared amid the scenes of pioneer life, which, with all its difficulties, was not unmixed with pleasure, and participated, with other diversions, in many a log rolling in the Hoosier State. His education was conducted in the district school, and he took kindly to his books, developing into a teacher, at which profession he was engaged four terms. Aside from this inter- ruption in his career he has followed farming mostly since the time he was old enough to be of service in handling a hoe or guiding a plow. He, however, learned bricklaying under the instruction of his father, who was master of this trade, and operated considerably as a contractor in Ca^s County. When nearly twenty-seven years old Mr. Perry, having in view the establishment of a home of his own. was married, .Ian. 15. 1857, in Cass County, Ind.. to Miss Mary M. Johnston, who was born in Clarke County, Ohio, April 2-1. 1833. Her parents, James and Mary R. ( Burges) Johnston, were natives of Ireland and Virginia, and spent their last years in Ohio. Their family consisted of eleven chil- dren, six of whom are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Perry continued residents of In- diana until coming to Nebraska, Mr. P. having built up a good farm in Liberty Township, Fulton County. He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Scott, and, politically, is a stanch Republican. The people of Spring Creek Precinct readily rec- ognized his good qualities, both as a farmer and a citizen, and in the fall of 1885 he was elected Jus- tice of the Peace. He has never desired office, however, and declined to qualify for this position, preferring to give his time and attention to his farming interests. He is a man of advanced ideas, fully posted upon the general topics of the day. ♦At^ +JL. *~a*' 1 tF^i PAWNEE COUNTY. NEBRASKA, 7 \fa^s?<^ 4 <|=t a month, and 81 a hundred besides for making rails. By steady toil and judicious economy he was en- abled to save enough money in the few months that he remained there to buy a yoke of cattle, a cow. several needed implements, and some extra money which he wished to invest in land. Con- ceiving the Territory of Nebraska to possess many desirable advantages for the tanner, such as cheap land, good climate, etc.. our subject decided to set- tle here. Starling on foot for the promised land, he arrived in this county in June, 1856, pre-empted 120 acres of wild prairie land, and became the first settler in Sheridan Precinct, and one of the firsl in Pawnee County. In ISi.~i7 he set OUl sonic trees, built a small house and began to improve his farm. Later he took up a homestead claim adjoining his first claim, and to his original acreage he has since added, as he could afford to. paying from $1.25 to $10 an acre. until he QOW has a magnificenl farm of in « i f 428 PAWNEE COUNTY. Hr 760 acres, all under good cultivation. He has a fine orchard of six or seven acres which he set out in 1866, and also five or six miles of hedge around and across li is farm. He has evinced rare skill, tact and sound judgment in the management and beautifying of his farm, which is a credit to him and an ornament to the county. Mr. llun/.eker lias erected a fine, commodious stone house, quarrying all the material, excepting the cornel- stone, on his farm, and he lias built an extensive ham. 14x60 feet, with an addition 32x .'58 feet. He makes a study of agriculture, and carries it on after the most approved methods, and has all the modern implements for doing so. Our subject is one of the most extensive corn raisers of the county, harvesting !•"><> acres or more each year, lie also pays much attention to stock-raising, his principal grade of cattle being Ilolsteins. he having been the original introducer of that breed in this county. His first Ilolstein bull he bought of George A. Brown, the well-known stock dealer of Aurora. 111., paying *2.">0 and the freight for a calf ten months old. He has since continually added fine thoroughbreds to his stock, having this year purchased two animals at a cost of $225 each, his herd containing now about a hundred head of cat- tle. Mr. llun/.eker pays considerable attention to horse breeding, having quite a number of horses of g 1 grades. As one of the original settlers of this part of the State our subject has been an eye-witness and an active participator in the many wondrous changes that have been effected in Pawnee County. Until L865 Si. Joseph, Mo., was the nearest trading place, it taking a week to make the round trip with an ox- team. The nearest post-otlice was in Salem, a town in Richardson County. Mr. llun/.eker has materi- ally aided all schemes for the improvement of this precinct, ill which he has an abiding interest. He helped to organize the school district and the road district, and in 1857 assisted in building the first bridge in the county, which is one mile southeast of Table Rock Precinct, he putting in the first stroke of work himself. For nine or ten years he has been Road Supervisor, and for the larger part of the time since coming here either Moderator. Director or Treasurer of the school district, always serving with fidelity in whatever office he is placed. He is a self-made man in every sense implied by the term, and his honest and useful career furnishes an example to the rising generation of what may lie ac- complished by courageous industry, integrity and moral rectitude. Socially, Mr. Hunzeker is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity. In politics he usu- ally casts his vote with the Democratic party. The union of our subject with Miss Mary Stadler tools place in St. Joseph, Mo., Oct, 2:!. L863. She- is also a native of Switzerland, born in September. 1834, and remained in her native country until twenty-nine years of age, when she emigrated to the United States. She came directly to the West, and was married in St. Joseph. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hunzeker eight children have been born, seven of whom are now living; their names are as follows: Louise. Rebecca, Henry. Emma, Samuel. William, Lewis and Mary E. Rebecca married Horace Chapman, of this precinct, and they have one child, James Henry. All the others are at home with their parents. •*£&&&%§" %f$— »~S§^W<'*» j}i_^ ENRY L. AIKINS has been identified with J|] the mercantile interests of this county for a period of six years. He retired from active business in 1888, and is uow spending his declining da}'s amid the comforts of a pleasant and attractive home in Pawnee City. His native place was Morgansville, Morgan Co., Ohio, where his birth took place Jan. 30, 1834, and he numbered the third in a family of eleven children, two of whom died when one and twenty years old, re- spectively. William and Ann (Pennell) Aikins, the parents of our subject, are still living. Henry L. spent his younger years in Vinton County, Ohio, to which his parents had removed, and varied the monotony of rural life by attendance at the district school, after which he worked on the farm until reaching his majority. Soon afterward he was married, May 30, 1855, to Miss Mary Hitt, of Vinton County, whose home was near Mt, Pleasant. She was the daughter of Peter and Rebecca (Nye) Hitt, and was f •f ■«•- ~rr— u. ... PAWNEE COUNTY. 429 *t born Feb. 28, 1839. Her parents were native.-, re- spectively of Virginia and Pennsylvania. Their family included ten 'children, of whom Mrs. Aikins was the fourth in order of birth, and all of whom lived to have families except one, a son who died when four years old. m Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Aikins left the Buckeye Slate and took up their abode on a farm in Henry County, 111. The outbreak of the Civil War shortly afterward turned the attention of our subject in another direction, and he decided to shoulder his musket and assist in the preservation of the Union. He enlisted in Company 11, 11th Illinois Cavalry, under command of Col. Robert Ingersoll, and, with his comrades, participated in some of the most important battles which followed, namely: Pittsburg Landing, the siege of Corinth, Park's Cross Roads, the second battle of Corinth, and in numerous minor engagements. After the surrender of Vicksburg they were stationed at that point for a time, and Mr. Aikins endured the com- mon lot of the soldier, its privation-, its hairbreadth escapes, but came out of the conflict unharmed, being mustered out at Memphis, Tenn., in Decem- ber, 1866, after a faithful service of three years and one month. He served all through the war as a non-commissioned officer, and frequently com- manded the company while in battle. In the meantime, while Mr. Aikins was in the army, his wife removed back to her parents in Ohio. In the spring of 1866 she accompanied him to thi> county, Mr. Aikins taking up a homestead claim in Pawnee Precinct, where he improved a good farm, and lived for a period of nineteen years. After bringing the soil to a thorough state of cultivation he turned his attention to stock-raising, breeding large numbers of cattle and swine. He prosecuted this industry until 1884, when he removed to Paw- nee City, and purchased the slock of drugs and groceries belonging to J. P.. Samuels. He engaged in this department of trade four years, then traded the stock for a farm in Osborne County. Kan., which is the property of himself and his son Amos \l. He still retains possession of the old homestead of 160 acres. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Aikins are recorded as follows: Ainos R. is the eldest; Arietta is the wife of William Miner, a resident of DuBois, this State; William A. occupies the old homestead, and has an adopted daughter, named Emma, at home. Mr. Aikins has served as Deputy Sheriff of Pawnee County, and held other positions of trust. He is conservative in polities, with leanings toward Re- publicanism. He began at the foot of the ladder in the accumulation of his property, and the result is a tine illustration of what maj' be accomplished by diligence and economy. \f^ 1 ' C 1 1 CAP.P.V. No man within the limits If)! of Pawnee County stands higher, socially, JW^' than the subject of this record, who occu- (jgl l'' L ' s •'' f i lu ' farm on section 29 in Sheridan Precinct, lie has I 20 acres of land highly culti- vated and very productive, and lias added by de- grees the modern improvements suggested to the progressive agriculturist, erecting buildings, plant- ing fruit and shade trees, and bringing about him- self and family all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. The family residence of our subject invariably attracts the admiring eye of all who pass by it. It is a large, elegant frame structure, put up in modern style of architecture, covering an area of 28x32 feet, two stories in height and with an L. It is well finished and handsomely furnished, ami. with its surroundings, forms a very attractive pic- ture in the landscape of this region. Mr. Gabby has himself effected nearly all the improvements which have made his property so valuable. His specialty is stock-raising, including large numbers of horses, cattle and swine, high-grade and regis- tered animals, his cattle being the Ilolstein breed, his horses Norman and Clydesdale, and his swine are the favorite l'oland-Chinas. lie has labored early ami late in the improvement of his property. following the plow himself many a day. planting many of his trees with his own hands, thus adopt- ing the surest means of getting on in the world. A man kindly and generous among his neighbors, he is held in universal esteem, while his upright business transactions have made for him a record of which his children will never be ashamed. — *» f 430 4~ PAWNEE COUNTY. < >ur subject received his first impressions of life in the Keystone State, having been born in Wash- ington County, Sept. 8, 1850. and he continued a resident there until 1883. He acquired his educa- tion in the common schools, and worked on the farm in Pennsylvania until coming West. To his parents, William and Margaret (McClelland) Gabby, there were born thirteen children, of whom nine are still living', making their homes mostly in Pennsylvania. The father was born in Washing- ton County, Pa., Sept. 14, 1803. and lived at the homestead where he was born a period of nearly eighty years, his death taking place May 20, 1883. There he began housekeeping with his bride, and they spent fifty years together. The mother is still living at the old homestead in Washington County. They were people highly respected in their com- munity, and William Gabby was for over forty years a member in good standing of the Session of the United Presbyterian Church. The paternal grand- father, James ( iabby, was, it is supposed, a native of Scotland, and settled in Washington County, Pa., at an early day, taking up land from the Government before the Indians had left the county. He also spent his last days at the same old farm. Our subject was the third youngest son of his parents, and he remained at the old farm until the death of the father. Upon reaching man's estate he was married to a maiden of his own county, .Miss Mattie Brownlee, who was born June 30, 1856. She is the daughter of Samuel and Eliza- beth Brownlee, who lived upon a farm in Wash- ington County the greater part of their married life. The mother yet survives, and lives in Mon- mouth, 111. Mrs. (iabby received a common-school education, and continued a member of the parental household until her marriage. Her union with our subject resulted in the birth of four children — Samuel Brownlee, Charles E., Mary and Margaret E. They are all at home with their parents, and are being given tin' training and education which will fit them for their proper position in life as the offspring of their excellent and worthy par- ents. Upon leaving Pennsylvania Air. Gabby settled first near Plattsmouth, in Cass County, where he lived a year, but not being pleased with the out- look there changed his residence to this county, mostly on account of its better church and school advantages. Mr. (iabby has always entertained a warm interest in the temperance movement, and in 1887 allied himself with the Prohibition party. Both he and his excellent wife belong to the United Presbyterian Church, in the doctrines of which Mr. G. was reared from boyhood. He holds the office of Elder, and is interested in Sabbath-school work, giving liberally of his time and means to advance the cause of the Master. ERDINAND BSTANDIG. It is tothemen S| of active brain, liberal spirit, fertile expedi- ents, progressive views, good business and financial tact, that the village of Burchard looks to give an impetus to her commerce, manufactures and other interests, and, as a representative of such, we present the subject of this sketch, who is en- gaged in the furniture and undertaking business. He opened a furniture store here in January, 1883. in connection with John P. Swallow, which part- nership continued until 1886, when Mr. Bstandig bought Mr. Swallow's interest, and has since con- ducted the business alone. In 1887 he put up his present- building, fitted it up in good style, and after moving into it increased his stock, and now has the largest establishment in town, and carries on an extensive and remunerative business in both departments. Although he devotes the most of his time to his store, he looks after his farming in- terests, ami carries on agriculture on a small scale. He owns a good farm of 120 acres, finely located on section 18, Miles Precinct. Mr. Bstandig was born in Austria, in Bohemia, May 30. 1849, he being derived of an honorable and wealthy ancestry, who were among the leading citizens of his native town, taking a prominent part in the civic life thereof. His parents, Carl and Johanna (P.ohm) Bstandig, were also natives of Bohemia. His paternal grandfather, Anton Bstan- dig, was born in the same place, and was at one time Mayor of the city of Scheles. He was for many years actively engaged in the fur trade, and Jf*. -HM» PAWNKE COUNTY. 181 *t manufactured fur clothes. He also engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits to some extent, having a large farm, and he was a man of wealth. lit' died in 1876, at the age of eighty years. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Wenzl Bohm, was a Bohemian by birth, a native of thai country, and for some time held the office of Town Clerk. He was a farmer, well-to-do in this world's g Is, owning a large estate. He was a lifelong resident of his Dative Province, dying there in 1884, at the venerable age of eighty-four years. The father <>f our subject, besides looking after his small farm in his native Province, was engaged at his trade as a tanner, and also carried on the fur business. In 1867 he migrated t<> the United States, and settling in Chicago engaged in different kinds of work in that city until L870, when he decided to locate in Nebraska, to try farming on her rich soil. Accord- ingly lie came by rail to Pawnee County, and pur- chased a tract -of 12(1 acres of wild land in .Miles Precinct, lie improved it into a fine, productive farm, and is still engaged in farming and stock- raising on his old homestead, tie has accumulated a comfortable competence, and with his wife is en- joying it in a cozy home, he being now seventy years old. and she sixty-eight years. They are consistent and esteemed members of the Catholic Church, and are looked upon with respect and con- sideration liy all who know them. Of their mar- ried life four children have been horn, as follows: Ferdinand; Annie, in Chicago; Mary, dead; Joseph, in Nebraska. lie of whom we write leeched the foundation of his education in a private or pay school, which he attended until he was twelve years of age. He was then a pupil in a High School for six months. When about fourteen years of age the stern realities of life began for him. as he was then apprenticed to learn the cabinet -maker's trade. He Served about three years, and was a journeyman after that for' awhile, mostly in Germany. He then returned to his old home ami started with his parents for the United states, embarking at Bremen on the steamer "Baltic," and after a somewhat tempestuous voy- age, being tossed about on the ocean for eighteen days, they landed in New York. Thence they pro- ceeded to Chicago, where our subject found work ai Ids trade, and during his residence in that city he was employed in different furniture factories. In 1870 he came with his parents to Nebraska, ami besides assisting his father on the farm he worked at the carpenter's trade. In 1872 our subject went to Nebraska City, and there worked in a furniture store at the cabinet-maker's trade about a year. lie then returned to Miles Precinct, and remained on his father's farm, assisting him in the management of it until 1874. September 15 of that year Mr. Bstandig was married, in Pawnee County, to Miss Mary Wanka. She is also a native of Austria, born in IMS. and came to America in 1874. Six children complete the household of our subject and his wile, a- fol- lows: Frederick, born Aug. 8, 1875; Annie, .Ian. is. 1*77; Charles. Dee. 2 1. 1878; Fannie. Nov. 22. 1881; Frank. April .'in. 1883; .Mary. May In. L885. -Ml are at home and will receive every ad- vantage fi>r a sound education that their parents can afford them. After marriage Mr. Bstandig bought 120 acres of land, with no improvements, on section is, Miles Precinct. He immediately proceeded to break the soil for cultivation, set out groves of forest trees and an orchard, drew lumber from Table Bock, and erected a neat house, barn- and other OUt-buildingS, partly fenced his land with wire, and in a few years had as good and well-tilled a farm as there was anywhere in the precinct. It was sit- uated at the head of Plum (reek, and was admira- bly adapted to stock-raising or the culture of the cereals, etc.. in both of which our subject was in- terested. \\ hen he established himself in his present business in January. 1883, he rented his farm. Although of foreign birth our subject is thor- oughly imbued with the Republican spirit of our institutions, and these United Stales have no more loyal citizen than he. His public spirit is too well known to need comment here, as he is active in promoting every good cause, and all plans for the advancement of the material welfare of the town. using his influence and money freely for any such purpose, lb- was partly instrumental in securing the passage of the Burlington A- Missouri River Railway through here, which has proved of much benefit in building up the town. A part of his :*^f-* .►Hl^ 432 PAWNEE COUNTY. 4r money is invested in the bonds of the company. His clear, cool head and sound judgment have been of great use in the adjustment of local affairs, especially in educational matters, as he is a mem- ber of the School Board. He lias been Supervisor for nine years. Politically, he is identified with the Union Labor party, which finds in him one of its stanehesi supporters, and he has been a delegate to State Conventions. He has served on the jury. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church, and are among its active workers. *HN ffiOHN W. EDGERTON. The beholder in casting his e3 r esover the well-regulated farm of which this gentleman has been the pro- (figgy' prietor since 1857, recognizes at once that it has been under the supervision of a man of more than ordinary intelligence. The land is fertile and well cultivated, and the buildings are neat and sub- stantial, and finely adapted to the purposes of general agriculture. The residence with its sur- roundings forms a pleasant picture of the ideal country home. Our subject is the youngest son of his parents, Thomas and Mary Edgerton, and was born June 22, 1837, in Indiana. Thomas Edgerton was a native of North Carolina, where lie was reared to man's estate, and married Miss Mary ( (shorn, whose birthplace was not far from that of her husband. Soon after marriage they removed to Ohio, where they sojourned a few years, then pushed on further westward into Wayne County, Ind. Later they changed their residence to Grant County, in the same State, where the father died July 27, 1844. The mother survived her husband, her death tak- ing place in Fremont County, Iowa, March 19, 1857. Five children completed the parental household of our subject. After the decease of his father the mother removed to Iowa, and in the spring of 1857 John W. decided to cast his lot among the people of Nebraska Territory. He entered a tract of land on section 30, in Cla}' Precinct, where he has since lived and labored to such good advantage. When first settling here his nearest neighbor was five miles away, and there was not a building to mark the present site of Pawnee City. Mr. Edgerton was unmarried when first coming here, and he put up a house of round logs in which he kept bache- lor's hall until taking unto himself a wife and help- mate. . This interesting event in the life of our subject occurred on the 27th of February. 1859, his bride being Miss Mary, daughter of P. M. Rogers. The young people settled down upon the new farm where they have since lived, and it is hardly nec- essary to say that it possesses for them a more than moneyed value. Here their eight children were born, named respectively: David, Sarah, George, Ellen, Lafayette, Emma, Eva and Clyde. They are all living. Sarah is the wife of Calvin Plum- mer, and they live in Southern Kansas. The others are at home with their parents. The Edgerton homestead comprises 240 acres of land, most of which is enclosed with neat and sub- stantial fencing. Mr. E. makes a specialty of stock- raising, keeping excellent grades of horses and swine. He is no politician, but keeps himself posted upon events of general interest, and uni- formly votes the Republican ticket. He signalized his patriotism during the late war by enlisting as a soldier in the 2d Nebraska Cavalry, serving nine months, and operating mostly on the frontier fight- ing the Indians. In religious matters lie rather adheres to the Quaker faith in which he was reared. The parents of Mrs. Edgerton removed from their native State to Fremont County, Iowa, in the fall of 1851. and thence, in February, 1856, to Nebraska Territory. The journey being made dur- ing the winter season, the3 T crossed the Missouri on the ice, and on the 1st of April removed to the tract of land which now comprises the farm of Robert T. Scott. The father had united with the Methodist Church when twenty-one years old, and from that time until his death remained an earnest worker in the cause which he espoused in his youth. He began preaching at an early age, being the pio- neer of this county in this respect, and was the means of doing great good. His entire family was born in Tennessee, and the removal from that State to Iowa was made overland with horses and oxen, *-*=•: r -*•- PAWNEE COUNTY. -•» 433 4- they being on the road ten weeks. They arrived at their destination in November, and spent the winter following after the manner of most pioneers in that lonely region, enduring many hardships and difficulties. The journey thence to Nebraska was made in a similar manner. Upon their arrival in this county their nearest neighbors were four miles away, and Indians were still to be seen at intervals roaming over the country. Among other distinguishing traits in the charac- ter of Rev. Rogers was his strong advocacy of tem- perance principles, of which he made a practical application in his daily life. He refused to sell his corn to shippers when it was likely that his neigh- bors might need it for provision. He would often sell to the pool', and allow them to pay for it whenever they could. His life from beginning to end was the exponent of a practical Christianity, which consisted in not letting his right hand know what his left was doing. Mr. Edgerton came to Nebraska with a capital of ten cents in his pocket, and has battled with sick- ness and other misfortunes, lmt in spite of all has made a good record, accumulated a comfortable property, and has enough to enable him to live at ease in his declining years. He is methodical in his business transactions, prompt to meet his obliga- tions, and in all respects has acquitted himself as an honest man and a good citizen. ->-CX<3-e- jfp^ AMUEL S. BECKER, one of the early set- ^^£ lleis of Table Hock Precinct, as a farmer lv£-J^ °^ more " l:l " ordinary intelligence, prac- tical ability ami enterprise, holds an assured position in the agricultural community of Pawnee County, and he and his family occupy one of the pleasantest and most attractive residences of the precinct mentioned. His tine farm on section 26, township •'!. range 12, which he has developed from the wild prairie, is well -locked, well watered, and in point of cultivation, neat and tasty farm build- ings, and other valuable improvements, compares with the best in this vicinity. Our subject is a native of the state of Pennsyl- vania, bom in Bedford County. Feb. 8, 1832. His parents. John 1!. and Teressa (Adam.-) Becker, were likewise natives of the Keystone State, their birthplace being in Adams County. In 1842 they removed witli their family to Canton Township. Stark Co., Ohio, and there cast in their lot with the pioneers who had preceded them, and hewed out a farm for themselves from the wilderness. Mr. Becker first erected a log house for the shelter of his family, and later replaced it by a more com- modious frame house, lie subsequently moved with his family to South Bend, Ind., and there died in 1862, at the ripe old age of seventy-four years. His wife died in 1859, aged about sixty-seven. Besides carrying on farming, he was engaged as a miller for many years. He and his wife were de- voted members of the Catholic Church, and their daily lives being guided by high Christian princi- ples, they were well worthy of the esteem and respect in which they were held by all who knew them. He of whom we write was one of a family of eleven children, of whom nine lived to maturity. lie was ten years old when his parents migrated to ( Miio. and there he received a good, practical com- mon-school education. He accompanied his par- ents to Indiana, and lived in their home until he was twenty years old. Then, tilled with the high ambitions of youth, being strong, vigorous and self-reliant, he set out to seek his fortune in the gold fields of California, in 1852. In company with eight others from Michigan, with four teams, containing the usual loads, he crossed the plains, passing through this part of the country when there were no settlements this side of the .Missouri River, going through where now stands Seneca, Kan., and Marys\ ille. on the old trail. They were six months on the road, and at Salt Lake City, which had then been in existence but six years, they abandoned their teams, and proceeded on their way with pack horses, arriving at their destination in Placerville, in the Golden state, in September. Our subject went right into the mines, and was very successful in his search for gold, lie con- tinued to reside then- for eighteen years, ami a part of the time was engaged in business quite ex- tensively as a carriage and wagon manufacturer, and a blacksmith. He was very prosperous, and f- •►Hf^- -•*• 431 PAWNEE COUNTY. 4 built up a fine home on :i beautiful plat of land, embracing twenty-two acres in the suburbs of Placerville, that even at thai time cost $2,200. He erected a good house, planted a vineyard, and made main' valuable improvements besides. While on the Pacific Coast Mr. Becker's mar- riage to his amiable and accomplished wife was consummated Sept. 28, 1861, and their union has been blessed to them by the birth of two children, George E. and May N. They have been given every advantage afforded by the State for a fine education, having attended the elementary schools here and High School at Pawnee, and the State University at Lincoln, and they are now numbered aiming the most intelligent and progressive in- structors of the West. They both have fine musical educations, and both teach that branch in connec- tion with their other duties. The son now holds the position as Principal of the Burchard High School. The Professor began his career as an instructor in a school west of Pawnee, and being very success- ful there he was offered a school south of Table Rock. From there he went to Long Branch, and from there to become Principal in the Elk school, after which he accepted his present position. Miss May N. Becker is teaching very successfully her ninth term in the home district, besides having taught in other districts. For several years during vacation in the summer months she has successfully taught music, in her own neighborhood and also in the eastern part of the county. Mrs. Becker's maiden name was Carrie McConkey, and she was born in Ohio, July 21, 1845. Her father, John McConkey. was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, and during his residence in that State was married to Margaret Frane. in Guernsey County. She was a native of that county. She was a well-educated lady, and united with the Presbyterian Church at the early age of nine years. Her husband was also a member of the same church. Mr. McConkey was for over twenty years an Elder in that church, and they both remained consistent members during their lives. They spent their last years in Nebraska City, Neli.. and are buried there. John McConkey. his daughter, Mrs. Becker, and her two brothers, in company with other relatives, made the overland trip to California during the year 1859, and it was there she met Mr. Becker. Mr. McConkey and wife were both upright people, who were respected by their neighbors and friends for their many sterling qualities of head and heart. Mrs. Becker is entitled to an M. 1). after her name, as she has been practicing medicine for eighteen years, and according to the testimony of her neighbors has been very successful, and shows marked skill and tact in her treatment of the various diseases that she has had under her care. She has a recognized standing in the medical pro- fession of Pawnee County, as she has been regis- tered since the law requiring registration by those practicing medicine. She keeps abreast of the times in regard to the best methods of treatment, taking the latest medical journals and having the best books in her library. In 1870, Mr. Becker, accompanied by his family, left California to make his residence in this State for the future. They lived in Nebraska City for ten months, and then our subject purchased his present farm, comprising 160 acres, and has dwelt here ever since. In improving his land he has been greatly assisted by his wife, a woman of rare energy and ability. She helped him to plant all the beautiful trees and shrubbery that adorn the grounds around the house, and has otherwise aided him in his schemes of improvement. Mr. Becker has put out ten acres of forest trees and a fine orchard, and has hedged the orchard and garden, and a part of his fields. lie has plenty of small fruits, besides raising the cereals planted in this part of the West. At first he sold all of his grain to the home market, but as soon as he could he stocked his farm, and now feeds his grain. He keeps hogs of a fine breed, and has a valuable herd of high-grade cattle, having a thoroughbred Short-horn at the head of his herd. Ever since they came here Mrs. Becker has paid especial atten- tion to raising fowls, having an extensive hennery. and has raised from 300 to 500 chickens every year, and a large number of other fowls. When our subject first came here he built a small house, which he replaced in 1888 by his present commo- dious and handsome residence, which, indeed, in point of architecture, neatness, tasty and convenient arrangements of the interior, is a model farmhouse, ' ■*•■ PAWNEE COUNTY. 435 , l besides 1 u-ini^ one of the most homelike homes in the community. The house is 26x28 feet in di- mensions, of an L shape, with a stone cellar, and is well supplied with all the modern appurtenances for making life comfortable. It is well furnished, and is well supplied with hooks, music and musical instruments, denoting the educated and refined tastes of the family. Mr. Becker is a man of marked decision of char- acter, is enlightened in his views, possesses an acute and observing mind, and being a great reader, is well informed on all topics of interest. He has taken part in public life, having until within a few years been an incumbent at different times of the various school offices in his precinct, and thus did much to further the cause of educa- tion. He has been solicited to take other civic otlices. but has refused to serve in any other capac- ity. During his residence in California Mr. Becker was active in public life, and he was one of the leaders of the Republican party in that section of the country after its formation, and helped to organize the first Republican Convention at Placer- ville, El Dorado County, and has been a delegate to various conventions since, remaining to this day a firm supporter of the party. He has always been a strong advocate of temperance, as is also his wife, and during their residence in California were both members of, and workers in the same lodge, even in the early days of his California life, in a whisky time and town, when a free use of intoxi- cating Liquors was the rule rather than the exception; he worked hard to form the Sons of Temper- ance Club, of which he held the different offices. His wife, son and daughter are Likewise strong ad- herents of the cause of temperance. ' — -' £» - >^y^f ' < ■ ~ p^RANK II. TAYLOR. The Table Rock r-"VJ)' Argus came under the editorial and propri- [y etary control of Mr. Taylor on the ltth of May. 1887. since which time it has been recognized as among the leading newspapers of Pawnee County. Mr. Taylor is a Western man by birth ami breeding. bis native place having been Sturgis Prairie, St. Joseph Co.. Mich., where he first opened his eyes to the light Nov. .">. 1858. Five months later his parents returned cast ward as tar as Williams ( omit v, Ohio, where Frank II. sojourned until a young man of twenty-four years. Mr. Taylor acquired his early education in the common schools of the Buckeye State, and while still a youth began learning the art preservative in the office of the Bryan Press. He remained with his first employer two years, then migrated to Morris, 111., entiling the office of Gen. P. C. Haves, with whom he also remained two years. He then returned to Ohio, and at Delta engaged in the news- paper business as editor and proprietor of the Delta Avalanche, which he conducted a year or so, then returned to Bryan, and was with the Democrat of that place four years. During this period of his residence in Ohio our subject was united in marriage with Mrs. Marv A. Thomas, Dec. 31, 1882. Mrs. Taylor was born Aug. 31, 1852, in Delaware County. Ohio. Soon after their marriage they set out for the West, and settled at Clarinda, Iowa, where he sojourned fifteen months. We next find Mr. Taylor as an employe of the Omaha EcintbUcan in this State, and from there he came to Table Rock in the spring of 1887and purchased the An/us. which under his successful management has become almost indispensable to the people of this region. Mr. Taylor is a man of much natural ability, and being genial ami companionable has made hosts of friends. He is straightforward in business transactions, and while doing his duty at the polls, and with his paper in behalf of Repub- lican principles, uniformly avoids the cares and re- sponsibilities of the office-holder. In religious matters he is connected with the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and is a faithful laborer in the Sunday-school. William Taylor, the father of our Subject, was born in Van Wert County. Ohio, in Is.",;',, and re. mained a resident of his native Slate the greater part of his life, although sojourning fora time both in Michigan and Indiana. The parental family in- cluded three children, all of whom are living: William S. is a compositor on the An/us; Novilla A.. the wife of Samuel Diehl. and living in Bryan, ( >hio. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, on the outbreak of the Civil War indicated his patriotism •»Hh-«- +jU •4 436 PAWNEE COUNTY. Hr by enlisting as a Union soldier in Company K. in an Ohio regiment. He proceeded with his com- rades to the front, where he was taken ill and sent home to die six weeks later. The bereaved mother was thus left with two young children, the third one having been born ten weeks after its father's death. The mother of our subject kept her little family together as best she could, and is still living, re- maining a widow and making her home at Bryan, Ohio. She was in her girlhood Miss Margaret Lewis, ami was born in Northampton County, Pa., Nov. 27, 1835. She removed to Ohio with her parents when quite young. Her father, Nathaniel Lewis, was a contractor and builder, and spent his last days at Bryan, Ohio, dying about 1859. .., BRAH AM SOVEREIGN, who is well known IB throughout Plum Creek Precinct and vi- cinity, although only a resident here of about three years' standing, has by his nat- ural abilities and excellent qualities as a man and a citizen, established himself in a prominent posi- tion among the leading men of his community. He is the owner of a valuable tract of land, finely lo- cated on section 1, upon which he is effecting all the modern improvements calculated to make it one of the most desirable country homes in the county. In these worthy efforts he is assisted Ijy his estima- ble wife, a lady of more than ordinary worth and intelligence, and who is his uniform helper and en- courager in all his worthy ambitions and enter- prises. Few homes are more pleasant or desirable, it being a place where both friend and stranger are welcomed with that cordial hospitality ever indica- tive of birth and breeding. Our subject received his first impressions of life in the picturesque regions of the Province of On- tario, Canada, having been born near the city of Hamilton, April 20, 1820. His father. John Sov- ereign, was a native of Essex County, N. J., and married Miss Julia Lefler, who, like her son, was a native of the Dominion and also born in Ontario. The paternal grandfather, David Sovereign, was born and reared in New Jersey, whence he removed 4 * to Canada about 1798, being one of the first set- tlers of the Province of Ontario, where he occu pied himself in farming and spent his last days there. The great-grandfather of our subject was of German birth and ancestry, and upon coming to the United States located in New Jersey. The Lef- lers were also of German origin, and the maternal grandfather of our subject prosecuted farming in the Dominion the greater part of his life. John Sovereign, the father of our subject, was a lad ten years of age when his parents removed from New Jersey to Canada, and he assisted in driving a herd of cattle from the old to the new home. A 200-acre farm was cleared from the wilderness and the Sovereigns became well-to-do, operating a saw- mill in connection with agriculture, and surround- ing themselves with all the comforts of life. When about twenty years of age John Sovereign served as a soldier in the War of 1812 in the British Army. Adjacent to the old home there grew up the town of Waterford, and there he looked his last upon the scenes of earth, passing away in 1S70, when over eight}' years of age. The mother of our subject died when only forty years old, in 1840. The parental family included ten children, namely : Isaac, who died when about seventeen years old ; Phebe, Mary; Abraham, our subject; Louis; Will- iam, who died at the age of thirty-five; Rufus, Frederick. Marion and Israel. Eight of these are now living, making their homes in the United States and Canada. Reared upon a farm, our subject grew up strong of muscle, healthy and active, and imbued with the principles which have formed the liasisof a charac- ter of more than ordinary worth. His assistance was required in the building up of the homestead, and he was thus deprived of extended school ad- vantages. When a youth of seventeen he left home and made his way to the vicinity of LaPorte, Ind., where he commenced farming for himself on rented land. Later he drifted into stock-raising, was suc- cessful, and became the owner of 130 acres, which he improved and continued to live upon until 18G0. Then selling out he removed to the vicinity of In- dependence in Buchanan County, Iowa, where he purchased an improved farm of 200 acres. This he sold in the fall of 18G4, and invested a portion of f •^"^ PAWNEE COUNTY. ^Mi 437 4 the proceeds in a flouring-niill in Clinton Town- ship, LaPorte County. The year following he was married there, but in the spring of the year 1865 sold this property also and made his arrange- ments to take up his abode in Grant Township, Caldwell Co., Mo. Here he purchased land to the amount of 500 acres, the greater part of which he cleared, brought the soil to a good state of cul- tivation, and engagsd largely in stock-raising. At the same time he effected modern improvements, putting up buildings and setting out fruit trees. He was not, however, yet satisfied with his sur- roundings, and accordingly in the spring of 1880 left Missouri and came to this county, having pur- chased his present farm of 320 acres the year be- fore. Upon this also he has effected mainly all the improvements which have made it valuable. He has fenced and cross-fenced, turned every rod of the soil with the plowshare, and that which is not de- voted to pasturage yields in abundance the other rich products of Nebraska. He has an orchard of 100 trees and the various other accessories of the well-regulated country homestead. Stock-raising forms a prominent feature of his operations, blooded Short-horn cattle, Clydesdale horses and Poland- China swine being his favorite breeds. In this in- dustry he excels, and often carries off the blue rib- I ii ins at the county fairs. The 2!)th of March, 18135. witnessed the mar- riage of our subject with Mrs. Eunice (Taber) Pitcher, widow of Alonzo Pitcher, by whom she had become the mother of one child, ason,ElryC, who is now in Breckenridge, Mo. Mrs. Sovereign was born at West Creek, Lake Co., Ind., Nov. 9, 1 842, and removed afterward with her sister to Westville, where her marriage with our subject took place. Of this union there have been born seven children, namely: Schuyler C, Grant, Nettie, Leonard, Nellie, Myrtle and Fred. They arc all at home with their parents. The parents of Mrs. Sovereign were William D. and Eunice (Main) Taber, natives of New York State, and of English and Scotch descent. After marriage they settled in Pennsylvania, but not long afterward emigrated to Lake County, Ind., during the period of its early settlement. The mother died there in 1849, but the father remained with his ««• children until the outbreak of the Civil War. Dur- ing the first year of the conflict he enlisted in an Indiana regiment as the attache of a wagon train, and died at Bardstown, Ky., in 1862. Both par- ents were members of the Christian Church. Their family included eight children, namely: Harriet, Dolly, William, Harvey, Hiram and Charlotte, the latter four deceased; Eunice and Sarah. The sur- vivors are residents of Indiana and Kansas. Mr. Sovereign, politically, is a Republican "dyed in the wool," and maintains his principles with all the natural strength of his character. He has served on the Grand and Petit Juries, officiated as Road Supervisor, is a member of the School Board of his district, and socially, belongs to the Masonic frater- nity, Kingston Lodge No. 118, in Missouri. His estimable wife is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. ■~t-+ J M&^r>~h « MLLIAM GRAVES LYMAN. The man LI who pushed his way across the Mississippi fflsy and Missouri Rivers into Nebraska twenty years ago or more, courageous enougb to experi- ment upon an uncultivated soil, risking his means, if he had any, and the best years of his life, can- not be given too much honor. To such spirits as these is Nebraska of to-day indebted for her stand- ing as one of the most important commonwealths west of the Father of Waters. She first welcomed to her soil the subjeel of this sketch on the 8th of March. 1867, he settling upon the land which he still owns and occupies, and where he has since lived. As the owner now of 32(1 broad acres, it is hardly necessary to state that the subject of this sketch, who began life for himself with but limited capital, spent during the earlier years of his resi- dence here few idle hours. That his perseverance and industry have resulted in the accumulation of a tine property is no more than he deserves, lie pur- chased at first 16(1 acres, for which he paid the sum of $120. Upon this he turned the first furrow, .-ind for the few years succeeding labored early and late in the opening up of a farm and bringing his land to a state of cultivation. He planted fruit and ••» 438 PAWNEE COUNTY. shade trees, and in due time added the other struc- tures and embellishments which increased the value of his property, while his land in due time yielded bounteously, so thai from the proceeds he was en- abled to make further purchases. Mr. Lyman sheltered himself in a dug-out the first few months of his residence here, and then put up a log house, which served as a dwelling until 1881. That year he completed his present residence, a large and commodious frame structure of imposing appearance and architectural beauty, which would grace a village or a town. lie has .■nailed himself of modern methods of agriculture, by the purchase of improved machinery, including a windmill, which conveys water to every point required, and which is not only a matter of con- venience, but the object of general admiration. Adjacent to the farm buildings is a tine apple or- chard, and there is an abundance of smaller fruit trees. The land is largely enclosed with* hedge fencing, ami the residence grounds are embellished with evergreens and shrubbery, Mr. Lyman of late years has devoted his attention largely to stock-raising, and feeds to cattle and swine most of the grain raised on the farm, lie began operations in this county when a youth of nineteen years, and with a capital of $800. He has been fortunate in his investments, ami able, like the man in the Scriptures, to increase his talent fourfold. The native place of our subject was Stephenson County, 111., where his birth took place Dec. 12, 1847. He did not live there long enough, however, to retain any recollections of the place, his parents a few months later going to Joe Daviess County. There young Lyman lived until approaching man's estate, receiving a good practical education in the common school, and becoming familiar with agri- cultural pursuits. He migrated alone to Nebraska, settling in Table Rock Precinct before the forma- tion of the school districts. A man of more than ordinary intelligence, he was soon selected as the proper incumbent of the local offices, and was se- lected as a member of the School Board, Road Super- visor, and to other positions of trust and responsi- bility. Aside from these simple duties, he has avoided official preferment ami political affairs, al- • though interested in the success of the Republican fr party, and giving his vote uniformly in favor of its principles. On the 5th of duly, 1869, occurred one of the most important events in the life of Mr. Lyman, namely, his marriage with Miss Sophie L. Allen. This lady was born in Green County. Ivy., March 29, 1849, and when a child of four years was taken by her parents to Sangamon County, 111., where they sojourned until 1865. The family then came to Nebraska Territory, and the father secured a tract of land in Table Rock Precinct, which is now the property of Mr. O. D. Howe. She lived with her parents until her marriage. Her father. Alex- ander Allen, a native of Kentucky, in early man- hood married Miss Mary E. Barrett, by whom he became the father of eight children. Of these seven are now living. Mr. Allen was a lifelong farmer. After sojourning a few years in Nebraska he changed his residence to Russell County, Kan., where his accidental death took place, his lifeless body having been found by the roadside, where it was evident he had been thrown from Ins buggy. The wife and mother had passed away some years prior to the death of her husband. Mr. Allen was a well-educated man, and had taught school con- siderably during his 3-ounger years. To Mr. and Mrs. Lyman there have been born three children — Edwin, Rufus A. and Addie S. They are all living at home with their parents, the oldest being a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the youngest son belonging to the Presby- terian ( 'lmrch. Of this latter Mrs. Lyman is also a member, while our subject belongs to the Meth- odist. The Lyman family is an emanation of New England, William G. Lyman, Sr., the father of our subject, having been born in Southampton. Mass.. June 8, 1812. He lived there until a young man twenty-two years old, then removed to Ohio, and thereafter spent considerable time traveling over different States, finally visiting Oregon. His last days were spent in Grant County, Ore., where his death took place Nov. 17. 1887. Mrs. Amity (Shaw) Lyman, the mother of our subject, was the sister of the well-known J. W . Shaw, of Table Rock Precinct, a history of whose family will be found in a sketch of the latter on another page of this work. To William G., Sr., "Residence o fC. F Frank. Sec.I.TableRoc k Precinct. N emaha Eagle Mills and Residence of Luthy Bros, Sec,1 SI. Sheridan Precinct ■*•- PAWNEE COUNTY. 411 and Amity Lyman there were born three children, and the mother died when a young woman, in Wisconsin, at the age of twenty-seven years. She was the second wife of Mr. Lyman, and he was twice married after her decease, lie was the father of thirteen children and a lifelong farmer. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Iiufus Ly- man, also a native of Southampton, Mass. lie spent his last daj's in Massachusetts. - « > " ^=O s$-i €> (jF^ IMON LUTHY, joint proprietor with his ^^£ brother John of Lulhy's "Nemaha Eagle (IL/JJ) Mills," Sheridan Precinct, is a progressive, public-spirited citizen, and as the head of one of the leading industries of this part of Pawnee County we are pleased to be able to represent him in this volume. He was born Jan. 12, 1845, in the city of Berne, Switzerland. His father, Christian Luthy, was likewise a native of that independent little Republic, and was born amid its beautiful scenes on Christmas Day in the year 1 790. He learned the carpenter's trade when young, and be- came a contractor and builder, carrying on his busi- ness in Berne, the capital city of his native land. He married Miss Magdalena Fankhauser, and to them came eight children, five sons and three daugh- ters, all of whom lived, and five of whom came to America. The father died Oct. 12,1862, and the mother, coming to this country, made her home witli our subject until her death, May 23, 1877. Our subject was the youngest of the family, and lie was carefully trained by wise and tender parents in all things that go to make a manly, useful, up- right life. He lived in the land of his nativity until he was twenty-four years of age, and in the meantime learned the trade of millwright, acquiring a thorough practical knowledge of it in all its de- tails. March 15, 1809, he left his old home and friends to try life in a new country, landing on these shores April 12. He immediately made his way to this State, and in Spicer Precinct, Richard- son County, purchased a tract of land from itsorgi- nal owner, and entered upon its improvement. He set out trees and an orchard, built necessary out ■*• buildings, stables, corn-cribs, etc., besides bringing the land to an admirable state of tillage. He lived on that farm until 1878, when he came to this place, and with his brother John, and Fred Fankhauser, erected the first mill ever built in this part of Paw- nee County. In the beginning it was run as a saw- mill, and afterward as a Houring-mill, and had a capacity of fifty barrels a day, with a plentiful supply of water from the Nemaha. Our subject being a practical miller, is at the head of the business, which is now exclusively in the hands of himself and brother John and Fred Fankhauser, and has the en- tire management of it, overseeing all the work, and also has a miller under him. They buy their wheat directly from the farmers, thus making a good market for them. They formerly purchased about 20,000 bushels annually, and now as much or more; also grinding rye, corn, oats, etc., as well as wheat. They have enlarged the capacity of their mill, and four years ago put in the machinery for the modern roller process, besides introducing all of the most ap- proved latest improvements for cleaning the wheat, brushing it, and for other purposes, so that their mill is conceded to be one of the best fitted up of its class to be found in the county. They manu- facture the celebrated O. K. roller process flour, ac- knowledged to be one of the best brands on the market, and it is shipped to the various towns, far and near, it having a reputation that will sell all they can manufacture. Mr. Luthy owns other prop- erty besides his share in the mill, he having an in- terest in the farm first bought by himself and brother, it now comprising 240 acres of land under good improvement, well stocked, and in fine shape. October G, 1887, our subject and Miss Magdalena Lionberger were united in marriage, and of their pleasant wedded life one child has been born, Simon, Jr. Mrs. Luthy was born in Switzerland, in May, I860, a daughter of Peter L. and Elizabeth Lion- berger. She came to America in 1884, her father coming two years later, and she lived in Richard- son County until her marriage. Mr. Luthy has obtained an enviable financial and business success by legitimate methods, and his credit is of the highest order witli all with whom he has dealings. His rectitude of purpose and integrity in act are well-known characteristics. lie is a promi- +-if^- *t 442 PAWNEE COUNTY. 4- nent factor in everything pertaining to the present and future welfare of his community, and uses his influence and means to promote all beneficial schemes for its advancement. Religiously, he is a member of the Evangelical Church. Politically, he usually votes with the Democrats, although he is by no means bound by party ties, but always supports the best man. On another page of this volume will be found a view of the Eagle Mills of our subject and his partners, and also his residence. OHN LUTHY. As a genuine representative of the pioneer element of Nebraska^ the sub- ject of this record is deserving of more than 'Ml a passing mention. He represents a good farm property on section 12, Sheridan Precinct, this comprising 240 acres, thoroughly improved and supplied with substantial buildings. Mr. L. came to Nebraska' in July, 1867, and three years later purchased a partially improved farm in company with his brother, and there he lived until changing his home to this county in the fall of 1878, when he moved to his present residence. He is also a blacksmith bj T trade, and assisted in putting in the Eagle Mills, which have obtained an enviable repu- tation for the excellence of their product, and re- ceive the patronage of the best residents of this section. Of this mill Mr. L. is now part owner, and, as may be supposed, from this source and his farming interests enjoys a comfortable income. Our subject was born in the city of Berne, Swit- zerland, May 31, 1840, and lived there until a man of twenty-seven years. Upon emigrating to Amer- ica he came directly to Nebraska, and for a time employed himself as a blacksmith. He was married in Richardson County, Neb., June 22, 1877, to Miss Rosanna Fankhauser. They are the parents of five children, only three of whom are living, namely: John, Minnie and Sophia. Mrs. Luthy is also a na- tive of Switzerland, and was born in the canton of Berne, May 16, 1845. She came to the United States with her parents when quite young, they set- tling in Fulton County, Ohio, where her father car- ried on farming, and where both parents spent the remainder of their days. Our subject upon becoming a naturalized citizen identified* himself with. the Democratic party, and in religious matters is connected with the Evangeli- cal Church. He is a thorough and skillful farmer, and as a man and citizen has made for himself an excellent reputation among his fellow-townsmen, being highly spoken of, and one whose word is con- sidered as good as his bond. He has labored early and late in the building up of his homestead, and has in this manner contributed to the general pros- perity of Sheridan Precinct. The mill and other property of our subject is shown on another page. ft- %J this CHRISTIAN F.FRANK. Too much praise mot be accorded the early pioneers of count}', who, with their strong hands and courageous hearts, mainly their only capital, pushed their way toward the frontier, and were willing to risk years of labor in the development of a portion of the Great West. The Frank family were among the first of these, and have left their impress most decidedly in Pawnee County. The subject of this sketch settled in Table Rock Pre- cinct, upon a tract of raw prairie, where he con- tinued -to remain through every discouragement and drawback, and is now numbered among the moneyed men and land-holders of this section. His estate embraces 480 acres, 240 acres of which are in Richardson County. He has a comfortable home on section 1, Table Rock Precinct, which, with its buildings and appurtenances, forms one of the most attractive resorts within its borders. It was over thirty-one years ago that Mr. Frank first set foot upon the soil of Nebraska, in Septem- ber, 1857. A short time afterward he located upon eighty acres of land when there was scarcely a white man within sight, but Indians were plentiful, roam- ing over the country, intent frequently on mischief. Wild game was plentiful, and his house was the T -*•- PAWNEE COUNTY. ^hLh 443 - > -r nearest to Blacklaw's Mill, eight miles away on the Nemaha River. The loneliness of the outlook can better be imagined than described, but the men who thus came to this far-away region were made of that stuff which seldom admitted of any such word as fail, and Mr. Frank has been no exception to this rule. He commenced the improvement of his land, living in the most economical manner, and laboring several seasons, before he could discover much change in his circumstances. In due time, however, the soil began to respond to the labors of the agriculturist, and our subject reaped encouragement from the outlook. Here and there other adventurous emigrants were settling around him, and in due time it became necessary to provide for the education of the children. Mr. Frank assisted in the organization of the first school district in the precinct, and also in the erec- tion of the building. This process was gone through with several times as the districts were re- duced in territory, in order to make room for more buildings. He contributed quite a sum of money in order to have a school-house in the neighborhood of his own farm, so that his children could reap the benefits thereof. As may lie readily guessed, the enterprise of Mr. Frank received due recognition from his neigh- bors, and he was at an early date selected to posi- tions of trust and responsibility. He was one of the first Directors in his school district, in which position he has served continuously since. Other- wise he has avoided becoming an office-holder, but is a stanch Republican, politically, and never fails to perform his duty as a voter. He has been a capable business man, a thorough and skillful far- mer, and one whose integrity is unimpeachable. When we reflect upon the fact that he came to this county with a capital of only $10 in his pocket, and a family upon his hands, and that he is now one of the wealthy and prominent men of this region, it cannot be denied that he has done well. He was, as it may be supposed, obliged to run into debt for his first land, but with phenomenal perseverance he labored from year to year, and furnishes one of the Quest illustrations of a self-made man, and one who is essentially the architect of his own fortune. The family lived in a log house for a number of years until Mr. Frank could build a more perma- nent structure. The present residence was com- pleted in 1868, and the fact that it still remains in a good state of preservation, after a lapse of twenty years, is indicative of its solidity of architecture. Later he put up a good barn, corn cribs and sheds, planted forest and fruit trees, and has everything about the premises for the well-being and comfort of his family. In time he branched off into stock- raising, reaping from this industry ample returns. He thus labored early and late a period of twenty years, but in the fall of 1888 sold off his stock, rented his farm, and is now living wisely- retired from active labor, lie has been for many years an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, contributing liberally toward its support. Both in social and business circles he is welcomed as a rep- resentative man of his county, one who has been no unimportant factor in raising it to its present condition of prosperity. The reader will not be surprised to learn that this representative of thrift and prudence is of stanch German ancestry, and was himself born in the Province of Pomerania, Prussia, Feb. 24, 1824. He lived in his native country until a man thirty- five years of age, and upon coming to America settled first in Jefferson County, Wis. A year and a half later he came to Nebraska, in company with William and Gottfried Burow, his brothers-in-law; a sketch of the latter appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. Frank was married in his native Province to Miss Johanna Louise Burow, Oct. 1 1, 1846, and they became the parents of ten children, of whom the following are living: Their eldest son, August Frank, married Miss Mary Beckman, and is a resi- dent of Humboldt, where he is engaged in general merchandising; William F. married Miss Hester Smith, and is farming in Richardson County; Jo- hanna married William Friday, who is a well-to-do farmer of Table Rock Precinct; Wilhelmina mar- ried Henry Schmelzel, and they have one son, Wal- ter Edwin. Augusta, Carl Henry and Wilhelmina are at home with their father. Mrs. Johanna Louise Frank was born in the Province of Pomerania, Prussia, Jan. 12, 1823, and departed this life at the homestead in Table Rock Precinct. April 2, 1886. She was a kind mother, a . — »►_ •►Hf^ 1 ' 444 PAWNEE COUNTY. ~T devoted wife, a generous neighbor, and in her death her family not only sustained an irreparable loss, but she was mourned by all who knew her. A fine lithographic view of the handsome home of Mr. Frank is shown elsewhere in this work. p^> DWARD A. HANSEN, one of the pioneer ^) settlers of Sheridan Precinct, is now one of jV^ 1 its most intelligent, progressive and suc- cessful farmers and stock-raisers. He has a com- fortable, well-appointed home on section 3, and his farm of 240 acres on sections 2, 3 and 11, neatly hedged and fenced, with its carefully tilled, highly productive soil, substantial buildings, and all the needed appliances for carrying on agricult- ure, is one of the most desirable estates in this lo- cality. Mr. Hansen has accumulated his property since coming to Nebraska twenty-eight year.- ago, as at that time his finances were at a very low mark, and that he is now in good circumstances he owes solely to his capacity for labor, his sound judg- ment, and an indomitable will thai enabled him to surmount all obstacles that usually beset the path of the pioneer. Our subject was born near Gothenburg, Sweden, June 26, 1831, being one of a family of seven chil- dren, two of whom are now in America, one having returned to his native land. His father was Hans Anderson. (In Sweden the children take their surname from their father's given name, hence his father's name was Hans Anderson.) Hans Ander- son and hi- wife wen' lifelong residents of that country, dying there in the prime of life, the father in 1840 and the mother the year following. Thus at the tender age of ten years our subject was deprived of the care of his natural guardians, lie managed to acquire a good education, and at the age of nineteen, in the year 1850, shipped on board the sailing-vessel "Paranenus" as ship car- penter, which was quite a profitable position. When about half way across the Atlantic a terrible storm was encountered and the ship was wrecked, apparently on purpose, as the master crowded on all the sails when other slops had theirs close eefed. The ship went to pieces anil went down. and our subject was saved by an American ship. That bitter experience gave our subject a distaste for a seafaring life, and after he had landed on these shores he concluded to try life in this coun- try. He had been in New York but one day when he met a man who asked him if he would like to live on a farm. His companion acted as interpre- ter, and through him he made arrangements to ac- company the stranger to his home in Columbia County. X. Y.. where he was treated with great kindne-s and consideration, but for more than a year the family knew not his story or whence he came. He had not been there more than a year before his ability and trustworthiness gained him the full confidence of hi- employer, who made him a sort of an overseer of the farm, giving him full charge of the affairs, he hiring the hands, paying. them off, etc. Wishing to gain a 1 letter knowledge of the English language and to Improve his edu- cation, he attended school in the winter, at the same time working for $12 a month, lie peddled milk for three. years, from six to twelve cows, at Chatham's Corners. He subsequently left New York for Wisconsin, where he turned his attention to farming on his own account, and bought a trad of eighty acres of land. He worked steadily to improve a farm, but at the end of three years sought to improve his finances in Missouri. He lived there a year and a half, and then he and his brother- in-law, Jacob Benjamin, came here in 1861, driving- all the way from Clinton County. Mo., being on the road ten days, and arriving here on the 24th day of October. Mr. Hansen had but very little money, and after buying and partly paying for a partly improved farm, eighteen acres of which were broken, paying :\ -si'iio mortgage and $25 for the Crops, he had but titty cents to his name. He had a good knowledge of carpentering and wagon- making, and he put it to good use to earn money to finish his payments, lie lived in Table Rock for one year, ami then began to make needed im- provements on his farm. He set out a good or- chard that has been in bearing for several years, and broke more of his land and put it under culti- vation, but in 1866 the grasshoppers made a rail with disastrous results. Notwithstanding this ca- lamity he persevered with good courage, and from f •4^ PAWNEE COUNTY. I 15 4 time t<> time has been able to increase the acreage of his farm by farther purchases, and has added to his stock until he has a Bne farm and a good lot of graded stuck. Mr. Hansen has had the encouragement and as- sistance of a good mikI capable wife, to whom he was united in marriage in Clinton County. Mo., Sept. 2. I860. The following is recorded of the seven children who have Messed their union: Al- bert F. was born Dee. ."., 1861; Ada R., duly 11. 1863; Willard. Dec. i:i. [864; Anna Belle, Sept. 24, 1866; Alfred, Aug. 25, 1868; Calvin, dune 1, 1872; Lawrence. Aug. 2d. l*7f!. Albert was mar- ried Oct. 2(i. 18.S2; Anna was married dan. 2!b 1885, to L. Fellers, of this precinct; they have One little girl, Nellie I... and lost a little girl Dec. 23, 1888. Ada married Osmond Fellers, of Pawnee Precinct. .Mrs. Hansen's maiden name was Alii Bloom, and She was born in Clinton County. Ohio, duly 11. L84S. Her father. John Bloom, was a native of New Jersey, and was horn in 1809. Uv went to Ohio in early manhood, and there married Miss Rebecca Downing. She was horn in Kentucky in 1810, and when three years of age her parents took her to Ohio, of which they thus became early set- tlers, and .Mr. Downing cut out a farm for himself from the timber. .Mr. Bloom was a farmer, and when his daughter Mrs. Hansen was lint six weeks old he moved from Ohio to Allegan County, Mich., to what is now Plainwell. and there spent the re- maining years of his life, dying in I«.">2. AX' lien Mrs. Hansen was fourteen years old her mother moved from Michigan with her family to Missouri; she subsequently came to Nebraska, and makes her home with Mrs. Hansen. To her and her husband were born nine children, seven of whom lived to maturity. Mrs. Hansen's grandfather, Willi:, in Bloom, was one of the founders of the state of Ohio, having moved there at an early date, and he thers siicnt the remainder of his life. He reared a family of eight children. Mr. Hansen has done much to advance the de- velopment of Pawnee County, and of this pari of it in particular, which he found in a very wild condition when he first set foot upon these prairies. There were no roads or bridges, and he aided in 4* building them, lie helped tolmild the first bridge that was ever built across tin- Nemaha in this vicinity; it was of pine lumber, which was drawn from Brownville. Mr. Hansen helped to organize this school district, No. :>2. and held the office of first Moderator in it, ami has been Director of the school for six years, and has held some office on the Boardof Education for several years. He helped to hire the first teacher, there being quite a number of Scholars here at the time, and a log school-house was erected two and one-half miles south of here SO as to accommodate the greatest number of children possible. Mr. Hansen heartily supports the policy of the Republican party by voice and vote, al- though he avoids politics asa general thing. While in his native Sweden he belonged to the Lutheran Church, but since coming to this country has identified himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his family are also members. He has made for himself an enduring reputation among his fellowmen as one whose every transaction is in strict accordance with honor and honesty, and he is invaluable as a citizen, doing all in his power to promote the highest interests of this community. He and his family are well-informed people, being fond of good reading, and their home is rendered pleasant and attractive by the true courtesy and geniality of its inmates. >-~y IMliOD and JOHN E. REISER. The father 111 and son herewith written of are gentleman 22j) about equally well known throughout Ta- ble Hock Precinct, the elder being a man of much influence and force of character, and the younger, of line natural abilities, which are being developed through his sensible process of noting what is go- ing on around him in the world, and making the most of his opportunities for acquiring useful information. They live together at a snug home- stead on section 13, in Table Rock Precinct, the estate comprising 240 acres of finely cultivated land with i Icrn improvements. Nimrod Reiser was one of the earliest settlers of this county, coming to this region during the fall of 1865. He located on the Little Muddy, but the ^■^ J= 446 PAWNEE COUNTY. summer following removed to the land which he now owns and occupies, and which, it is hardly nec- essary t<> say. bore a wide contrast to its present condition. The land was then entirely new and uncultivated. Mr. K., in the spring of 1*66, pur- chased 160 acres, including thirty-five acres of timber, paying therefor §70(1. lie himself turned the first furrow, taking possession of the place in the spring of 1866. He rented a cabin for two winters, and during that time put up a dwelling on his own land, drawing his lumber laboriously from Hillsdale, on the Missouri River, and making the trip in two days. Pine lumber was worth |40 per 1,000. The nearest market was Brownville, and to that point Mr. Reiser hauled his grain and other produce. Later he visited Aspinwall and Peru on the same errand. The new farm of Mr. Keiser was for the first few- years devoted to grain, but later he commenced stock-raising. It was by no means all smooth sailing, as the grasshoppers destroyed the crops of two seasons, and he then had to haul provender from Brownville for his stock. He has found live stock to be about the most profitable of industries, and still follows it, feeding the most of his corn to his cattle and swine. The farm, neatly enclosed with hedge fencing, well trimmed, presents a beau- tiful appearance. Our subject has availed himself of improved machinery, including a fine wind- mill, by which means water is conveyed to any part desired. Each year adds something to the beauty and value of the property. .Mr. Keiser arrived in Table Pock Precinct in time to assist in the organization of the first school district, in 1879, and he was the first Treasurer. He was one of the movers in this scheme, it being first agitated during a neighborly visit by himself and a neighbor, Mr. Hays, who is written of else- where in this work. The first school was con- ducted in an old Cottonwood shanty, the teacher being a Miss Julia Ferguson. Prior to this, how- ever, the children of our subject were sent to the Cooper School, over in Richardson County, for which privilege payment had to be made. Mr. Keiser has been a member of the School Board in his precinct since that time, and has filled other positions of trust and responsibility among his neighbors, although he is no office-seeker, and aside from serving his own immediate community has carefully avoided the responsibilities of public life. He was not quite old enough to vote for William II. Harrison, but sixteen years later identi- fied himself with the Republican party, of which he lias since been a member. lie has also been identified with the Grange movement. He and his estimable wife are both members in good standing of the Christian Church. No man has taken a wanner interest in the growth and development of Pawnee County, and Nebraska generally. He was one of the prime movers in forming the petition to open four miles of the road now passing by his farm to the Nemaha, and which is one of the most popular highways of the county. Nimrod Keiser was born in Greene County, Pa., March 24, 1824, and lived there until a young man twenty-three years old. He then started out on his first expedition of importance, accompanying the Long Brothers from Ohio to Philadelphia and New York City, assisting them in driving cattle. He remained with these gentlemen seven years, then visited Illinois as a cattle dealer, and was so well pleased with the outlook in the Prairie State that he finally settled down in Morgan County, and followed the trade of carpenter, which he had learned in his native State. Later, however, he returned to the cattle business as the employe of Jacob Strawn. having the charge of a very large herd for a period of three years. At the expira- tion of this time he was married, and followed his trade until coming to Nebraska. The marriage of Nimrod Keiser and Miss Mary E. Martin was celebrated at the bride's home in Morgan County, 111., April 14, 1857. This union resulted in the birth of ten children, five of whom are living, namely: Preston, Isabelle. Melinda .1., John E. and Olive Ann. Two only are at home with their parents — John E. and olive A. They were all given a good practical education, and reflect honor upon their parental training. Preston mar- ried Miss Alice Davis, is a resident of Richardson County, and the father of one child, Ernest E.; Isabelle is the wife of Theo. Hall, of Table Rock Precinct, and the mother of one child, a son, Roy; Melinda J. married Hardin W. Hays, who is f PAWNEE COUNTY. 447 *t farming on land south of the Keiser homestead. The Keiser family is highly spoken of by the resi- dents of Table Rock Precinct, and this is sufficient indication of their standing. '1'he son, John E., has been Road Supervisor of his precinct for the last- year, and has given good satisfaction. He is liberal and public-spirited, and is bound to make his mark in the world, lie was born in Pawnee County, Table Rock Precinct, April 1. 1866, and look kindly to his books at school, acquiring a practical education, while bis habit of reading and thought will suffice to make him generally well in- formed upon passing events of interest to every intelligent citizen. The family live in excellent style, being provided with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Mrs. Mary E. (Martin) Keiser was born in Jessa- mine County. Ky., Jan. 22. is:!.'!, and removed with her parents when a small child to .Morgan County, 111. Her father, Preston Martin, was a native of Virginia, born about 1808. He left the Old Do- minion when a young man, taking up his abode in the Blue Grass regions, and was married to Miss Elizabeth Burks. They became the parents of nine children, three of whom died when young. Six are still living. The family removed to Morgan County. HI., about 181(1, and were residents of Illi- nois a period of twenty-four years, coming thence to Nebraska. The father took up a tract of land, in 1864, on the Little .Muddy, in Richardson County, and lived thereuntil the deatli of his wife, in April, 187'J. Two years later he sold out, and thereafter made his home with his children until his death. Dec. 9, 1887. lie was a good man in the broadest sense of the term, conscientious in the performance of every duty, and respected by his neighbors. The father of Nimrod Keiser was John Keiser. a native of Pennsylvania, and born in 1798. He was a millwright by trade, and spent his entire life in his native State, traveling nearly all over it in the pursuance of his trade. He married Miss Hannah Brown, and they became the parents of two chil- dren, Nimrod and John. Jr. His first wife died, and he was then married to a Miss Dillener. He finally removed to Fayette County, Pa., where he spent his last days, his death occurring about 1805. When 4> — Mr. Keiser came to this section none of the up- lands were improved, only a small spot here and there along the streams. Deer, wild game of all kinds, and wolves were plentiful. In assisting to subdue a portion of the primitive soil, and in the construction of one of the best homesteads in this county. Mr. Keiser has t tributed his fidl quota to its development and prosperity. In politics he is a stanch Republican. ENRY FREEMAN, Justice of the Peace, insurance, real-estate agent and convey- ancer, office corner of Luzerne and Huston streets, is one of the foremost citizens of Table Rock, and to his enterprise and business ability is the city greatly indebted for its present prosperous and nourishing condition. He was one of the early settlers of Pawnee County, and for some years was an active factor in developing its vast agricultural resources. Mr. Freeman was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., Jan. 17, 1817. His father, Adam Freeman, was born in Lancaster County, that State, about 1782, and spent the whole of his life in his native State, dying in 1846, at the age of sixty-four years. His wife, whose maiden name was Matilda McQuil- len, and to whom he was united in marriage in 1816, died in 1867, aged sixty-nine. During the latter part of his life he was a farmer. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church, were highly respected Christian people, and both died in the triumph of their living faith. Our subject was one of a family of ten children reared by his parents, and he remained an inmate of the parental household until he was twenty-one years of age, when he began an independent life for him- self. He took up his residence in Center County, Pa., and there married Miss Eleanor Chaney. She was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., Sept. 5, 1821, and her father, Gilbert Chaney, was also a native of that county. The latter was a farmer and a black- smith, and always resided in his native State. He and his wife reared a family of six children. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Freeman has been blessed to them by the birth of ten children, eight of whom -^ ■/ g , -•* 448 PAWNEE COUNTY. ~h are living, all of whom but Harry, the youngest, are married and settled in life, and our subject and his wife rejoice in being the grandpa and grandma of twenty-four grandchildren. The following is recorded of their children: Jane E. married A. J. Sweitzer, of Clarion County, Pa., and they have eight children living; John Wesley, now of Grand Island, Neb., married Miss Maggie Hasok, of Clarion County, Pa., and they have five children ; Nancy married Charles Murphy, of Grand Island, Neb., and they have three children ; Sarah married Jacob Leaman, a farmer of Pawnee County, and they have five children; Gilbert married Miss Frank ie Tate, of this county; Rachel married A. E. Lane, of Pawnee County, and they have two children ; William II., a resident of this town, married Eva Eellers, and they have one child. Mr. Freeman first engaged in iron ore mining after starting in life for himself, and was superintendent of a mine for three years after marriage. At the ex- piration of that time he moved to Clarion County, Pa., and was engaged in the public works for some time. He then decided to try his fortunes in the young State of Nebraska, and, accompanied by his family, he embarked on a boat at Pittsburgh, Pa., and came as far as Nemaha City by water. He there bought an ox-team and drove to his destination in Table Rock Precinct, arriving here May 2, 1868. He immediately took up a homestead on section 10, comprising 120 acres. When he came there were very few people living here, not more than fifty men in the entire precinct, and the mail came through here twice a week from Brownville to Bea- trice. The name of the township was derived from a large rock on the Nemaha, still to be seen on the farm of John Blacklaw, said rock or boulder stand- ing about ten feet high, and on this foundation is a perfectly flat, nearly circular stone, ten feet in di- ameter, resting on three legs, each four feet in height. Mr. Freeman's land was wild prairie, with not a tree growing on it and not a furrow turned. lie put up a tent in which his family found shelter for four months, and he then built a dug-out, which was warm and comfortable, and in that they lived until Mr. Freeman erected a substantial house, drawing the lumber therefor with an ox-team from Rulo. In the meantime he improved his farm, breaking thirty acres of it the first year, fenced the farm and introduced stock-raising. When he sold that place he had a good forest, orchard, and plenty of small fruits, with many other valuable improvements. He lived on that farm until 1873, then rented an- other farm and went into farming and stock-raising more extensively. In 1877 he sold out and moved into Table Rock, having previously finished and furnished a cozy home, and established himself in. his present business, which he is conducting very successfully. Since becoming a resident of the city Mr. Free- man has been closely identified with the civic gov- ernment, has been City Clerk for four or five years, Trustee for one year, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace for eight years. He and his estimable wife are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are ever active in its good works. Mr. Freeman has always displayed com- mendable public spirit, and has used his influence to promote the various schemes to advance the wel- fare of the city. He was largely instrumental in securing the passage of the railway through here, and in many other ways has contributed to increase the prosperity of the city. He is a man of large heart and generous mind, and all of his fellow-citi- zens unite in testifying to his genuine worth of character. In politics he is a stanch Republican. fiTOIIN C. ATKINSON. The sturdy English farmer has not been behind the other na- tionalities in discovering the resources of the great State of Nebraska, and the gentle- man to whose record we thus call attention is one of the most worthy representatives of his country- men. A native of Yorkshire, he was born July 27, 1834, and was the fifth in a family of eight chil- dren, five sons and three daughters, the offspringof Richard and Mary (Nelson) Atkinson, who were born respectively in 1803 and 1801, and were of pure English ancestry. The father was a stone- mason by trade and also engaged in farming. Not satisfied, however, with his condition upon his na- tive soil he, in 1843, started with his family for f -4^ PAWNEE COUNTY. 4 America. After a long voyage on a sailing-vessel, our subject then being a little lad nine years of age, they arrived safely in New York City, and thence proceeded to Champaign County, Ohio. The Atkinson family settled upon a tract of land in the above-named county, upon which the father operated under many discouragements until 1847, then resolved to push further westward, and SO sought the pioneer regions of Green County, Wis. He operated there more successfully as a tiller of the soil, and there with his excellent wife spent his last days. The mother departed hence Oct. 20, 1885, and the father followed in 1887. They were the parents of eight children. The education of our subject was begun in the district schools of Champaign County, Ohio, and was completed in Green County, Wis., where he grew to man's estate. He was married when twen- ty-seven years of age, April 14, 1861, to Miss Polly R; Peckham, a native of New York State, but at that time a resident of Green County, Wis. Mrs. A. was born Nov. 18, 1839, and was the daughter of Abel and Ada (Brown) Peckham. The father spent his last years in Wisconsin. The mother is still living, at the advanced age of eighty- eight years. Our subject after marriage settled upon a farm in Green County, where he labored until 18G5, then removed to Black Hawk County, Iowa. In the latter he made a specialty of sheep- raising. Still not satisfied with his surroundings, he pushed on further toward the setting sun, and finally made his last rendezvous in Clear Creek Pre- cinct, this county. He first homesteaded 160 acres, which he occupied seven years, then sold and pur- chased his present farm. This comprises 5G0 acres and lies one mile northwest of Pawnee City. At the time he located here there had been no attempt whatever at improvement on the land, and conse- quently the buildings, the forest and fruit trees, and the other improvements characterizing the com- plete modern homestead, are the result of his own industry. Mr. Atkinson has made a large portion of his money by stock-raising, keeping usually a herd of 400 head of cattle, twenty horses and 100 swine. He has made a study of this industry with results that should be eminently satisfactory. His «• family consists of a most estimable wife and seven children, one child having died at the age of five years. The survivors form an intelligent and in- teresting group, and are named respectively : John E., Jennie A., Annie L., Charles A., Estelle, Maude and Jessie I). Jennie A. is the wife of J. II. Con- over. The wedding took place in Box Butte County, Neb., Nov. 28, 1888, where she had taken a homestead, and was residing on the same at the time of her marriage. Mr. Atkinson upon becoming a voting citizen, identified himself with the Republican party, to which he gives his undivided support. lie has served bis precinct as Road Supervisor, and also as School Director for many years. He is the scion of a sturdy race, and his paternal grandparents were Thomas and Ellen (Richmond) Atkinson, who spent their entire lives upon their native soil of York- shire, England. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. A. is well remembered by her, and spent the closing yearsof his life in Illinois. In addition to the home farm Mr. A. owns 240 acres in Miles Precinct, this county. BRAIIAM V. MANLEY. The month of August, 18G(), witnessed the first arrival of Mr. Manley in this county, and although the prospect before him was anything but inviting, "be had come to stay." and made his ar- rangements accordingly, lie found himself with plenty of room — a large open stretch of prairie all to himself and his little family — and he proceeded first to erect a shelter in the shape of a log house. In the meantime they slept under the canvas of the cov- ered wagon. Twenty years have worked a vast change not only in the face of the country but ill the. circumstances of our subject, lie occupies an honorable place among the pioneers of PawnTee County, socially and financially, and as Such is en- titled to prominent mention in (his work. The town of Clinton. Ripley Co.. End., was the native place of our subject, and the date of his birth Oct, II, 1849. lli> father was Martin Man- ley, a New Englander by birth and training, born near the city of Montpelier, Vt.,in 1801. lie mar- ried Miss Huldah I In I ford, who was ten years his *+JU> -fr 450 PAWNEE COUNTY. ^h-«. junior, having been born in 1811, in New York. The paternal grandfather, James Manley, also a na- tive of the Green Mountain State, followed farming there during the younger years of his life, but in 1811 emigrated to the young State of Ohio, locat- ing near what is now Cicero, in Hancock County. Two years later, however, he pushed on further westward to Indiana, and located in Ripley County, being one of its first settlers. He took up 160 acres of land, from which he constructed a good farm, and where he spent the remainder of his life, pass- ing away in 1854. The great-grandfather of our subject was also a native of Vermont, and the son of an English gen- tleman, who emigrated to America during the Co- lonial times, and carried a musket in the Revolu- tionary War. being then an old man. After the Colonists had achieved their independence he re- turned to Vermont, engaged in farming, and died there at the age of eighty years. On the mother's side. Grandfather Alex. Halford was born in New York State, where he engaged in farming in early life, but in 1813 removed to Ohio. lie purchased a tract of wild land in Muskingum County, but two years later, upon the outbreak of the Indian wars on the frontier, removed to Dearborn County, Ind.. and located upon a tract of land. This he left in 1820, starting South with his family on a boat, and. was never afterward heard from. The maternal great-grandfather of our subject was American born, but of Scotch descent. Martin .Manley, the father of our subject, was twelve years of age when his parents removed to Ohio. He ac- companied them to Ripley County, Ind.. assisted in the opening up a farm, and lived in that State until 1865, in the meantime being married and becoming the father of a family. That year he sold out and took up his abode on a small farm in Crawford County. 111. He only survived this removal one year, dying in 1866. The mother afterward made her home with her daughter and son, and died in Kentucky, in 1874. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The parental family of our subject included live children, namely: Emily, Martin V. 13.; Abraham P.. our subject; Marietta and Martha J. Martin, soon after the outbreak of the Civil War, enlisted T* in Company B, 51st Indiana Infantry, serving three years, and until December, 1861. \n the meantime he engaged in several conflicts with the enemy, and on one of the raids occurring about that time was captured and sent to Belle Isle Prison, where he was confined two weeks; then, through a lucky mis- take, he was exchanged, and returned home in safety. The children are located mostly in Ne- braska. The subject of this sketch remained under the parental roof until a youth of fifteen years. In the fall of 1854 he engaged to manage the locomotive power of a canal boat, and later employed himself on a farm. His educational advantages have been extremely limited, the necessity for making him- self useful preventing his attendance at school. He finally engaged in steamboating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, from Lawrenceburg, Ind., to New Orleans, and became an expert pilot, knowing the location of about every snag and sand bank of importance in those waters. He was thus employed six seasons, making trips from Lawrence- burg to New Orleans in forty-four days. In mid- summer he engaged in sawmilling, and was thus variously occupied until 1862. On the 18th of August, that year, he enlisted in Company G, 83d Indiana Infantry, and prepared to fight the battles of his country. The regiment was assigned to the 2d Brigade, 2d Division, 15th Corps. Army of the Tennessee, and he was mustered in at Lawrence- burg. Ind.. whence the boys were sent soon after- ward to Memphis, Tenn. Thence they proceeded down the .Mississippi to Yicksburg, and engaged with the enemy at Chickasaw Bayou, skirmishing along the line, and Anally returning to Yicksburg. They were employed in that locality digging a canal until February, when the valley was over- Mowed, and they proceeded up the levee and en- camped at Young's Point. Later followed the Ya- zoo River expedition, and upon the concentration of troops at Yicksburg they repaired thither once more, and were all through the siege of that city and until after its surrender. Mr. Manley thereafter did good service as a sol- dier at Mission Ridge, and witnessed Hooker's fight above the clouds. Later followed the siege of At- lanta, and our subject participated in many im- « » *x+. PAWNEE COUNTY. 151 4~ portant engagements of that campaign, marching with Sherman to the sea. A1 Raleigh, S. ('.. they received news of Lee's surrender, and soon after- ward .started for Washington, our subject and his comrades taking part in the grand review, and shortly afterward received their discharge and were mustered out. 1 1 is army experience was similiar to that of thousands of others, replete with hard- ships and privations, and having little to reward him besides the consciousness of having done his duty. Years hence, when his grandchildren will perhaps peruse these papers, it will be a mat- ter of pride to which they will point with much satisfaction. Upon leaving the service our subject returned to Indiana, and operated the engine of a sawmill until August, 1866. lie then started for Nebraska, cross- ing the Missouri River at St. Joseph, and home- steaded 160 acres of land in Mission Creek Precinct, within whose limits he has since resided. His ex- perience on the frontier was similar to that of hun- dreds of others, with the exception that he formed the advance .guard of settlement in this section. lie labored a number of seasons in bringing his land to a state of cultivation, enclosing it with fences and putting up the necessary buildings. He then began planting fruit and forest trees, and has now a fine grove of seven acres and an orchard of 600 apple trees in good bearing condition. Besides enclosing- his land there was considerable cross fencing to be done. He was fortunate in his selec- tion of a location, and has not a foot of waste land on his premises. His attention for the past few years lias been largely given to stock-raising, in- cluding horses, cattle and swine. He has a fine windmill, with water tanks and everything con- venient for the prosecution of his calling. The homestead in all respects forms one of the ideal rural estates, conducted after the most approved modern methods. In 1862 our subject was united in marriage with .Miss Naomi Clark, in Ripley County. Ind. Mrs. Manley is. like her husband, a native of that county. where she was reared to womanh 1. anil remained with her parents until becoming the mistress of her own home. Of this congenial union there have been born seven children, the eldest of whom, a son, Elmer !•'... is married, and carrying on farming in Gage County; Lillian .1. is the wife of II. Ilal- lett; he is a teacher by profession, and they live in the city of Lincoln. Frances E. married Mr. II. Garrison, and they live on a farm in Morse County, Kan.; Charles II., Thomas E., Arthur and Alonzo F. are at home with their parents. Mr. Manley, politically, is a decided Republican, and has been a useful man in local politics, fre- quently serving as a delegate to the various conven- tions, and cheerfully giving his time and influence to the furtherance of its principles. He has repre- sented his precinct in the County Board of Super- visors and has been a member of the School Board for years. Socially, he belongs to the G. A. R. and the Grange in Mission Creek. *-# -S— L. CORNELL, dealer in general merchan- dise, grain and live stock, in the town of Violet, is one of the most successful and en- terprising representatives of those varied interests to be found in Pawnee County. He was born in Plumfield, Somerset Co., N. J., Oct. 16, 1848. He comes of fine stock, and on his mother's side traces his ancestry back to Sir Francis Drake, the famous navigator of Queen Elizabeth's time. The father of our subject, William Cornell, was horn in New York State, and his mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Drake, was born in Somerset County, N. .1. Elijah Cornell, the paternal grand- father of our subject, was born in New York State, and after attaining manhood he was for many years a prosperous hardware merchant in New York City. His death occurred in that great metropolis in 1866, he then having reached the ripe old age of over eighty years. He was a Quaker in his religion, and was in every way a thoroughly good man. Tin' maternal grandfather of our sub- ject, Noah Drake, was a well-to-do farmer and stock-raiser of Somerset County, N. J. He look an active part in the War of 1812. In his religious faith he was a linn Baptist. Ilis death occurred in 1854, at an advanced age. The father of our subject was reared in New York City- He had a great natural taste for the JU ■•*" 152 PAWNEE COUNTY. sea, and at the age of eighteen became a sailor, and made his first voyage. For twenty years his life was passed mostly before the mast, and he worked his way up to the position of first mate of a vessel. He traveled extensively, visiting China, East India, and many other foreign countries, and was shipwrecked many times. His health finally gave way, and he settled down to life on dry land, and locating on a farm in New Jersey, comprising 110 acres, engaged in farming and stock-raising until his death in 1851), at the age of fifty-two years. He was a man of good mental capacity, of clever, upright character, and hearty, generous feelings, and with his respected wife, was held in affection b} r all in the community where they re- sided. They were both esteemed and consistent members of the Baptist Church, although he had been reared a Quaker. He was a Republican in his politics. Of that marriage six children were born: Thomas L., Mary (deceased), Sarah, Lillie, Walter and Jane. After the father's death the mother moved to Illinois in 1863, and there died at the age of sixty-five, in August, 1883. Our subject was eleven years old when he had the misfortune to lose his father, and he continued to live with his mother until the age of fourteen. He secured an excellent education in the graded schools of Flumfield, N. J., and in 1863 accom- panied his mother to Delaware, Tazewell Co., 111. He worked on a farm there for two years, and then operated his mother's farm until the spring of 1868. Then, ambitious to avail himself of the ad- vantages offered to energetic and intelligent young farmers by the cheap lands of Nebraska, he mi- grated to this State, coming by boat to Rulo, and thence with wagon to Pawnee County. He pre- empted 160 acres of land on section 1, Miles Pre- cinct, improved it to some extent, and after prov- ing upon it, sold it. He then rented a farm and bought stock, and continued on that place until he was old enough to take up a homestead, and then bought a claim of 160 acres on section 14, Miles Precinct. It was wild land with no improvements, he being one of the first settlers in the precinct, and he broke the soil, set out two acres of groves and an orchard, sowed some of his land to tame grass, fenced the place with hedge and wire, and -»* made many other valuable improvements. He purchased more land, until he had a fine farm of 240 acres, and he then bought two farms adjoining, and had 445 acres of improved farming land. He raised sheep extensively, and at one time had a flock of 3,200 Merinos. He thus had one of the most extensive sheep ranches in Pawnee County, and used to ship some two carloads of wool a year. He also raised other stock, and fed many hogs, besides buying and shipping stock to Kansas City. He continued to be largely engaged in the sheep business until 1884, when, the tariff being taken off wool, he found it not so profitable. He carried on general farming until 1886, when he disposed of his farm, and bought a stock of gen- eral merchandise of Gov. Butler, and a building at Violet, and engaged in the general merchandise business. He afterward increased his stock, and besides general merchandise, carries hardware, drugs, agricultural implements, etc. Mr. Cornell is also engaged in buying and shipping stock, and in buying grain, and has cribs and scales, also de- votes much attention to raising horses of fine breed, and has one full-blooded whip stallion, "Diomede," and others. Mr. Cornell is a man of versatile talents and indefatigable energy, possess- ing extraordinary business acumen and executive ability, whereby even from very early manhood he has been enabled to handle extensive interests with ease and profit. Our subject was married to Miss Mayra Osborn, near Pawnee City, Neb., in April, 1878. She is a native of Indiana, and a daughter of David M. Osborn. She was finely educated, attending the Normal School of Nebraska, and for some years was a very successful teacher. Our subject has built a cozy residence in his store building, and his happy household circle is completed by the three children — Nellie, Edna and Grace — who have blessed the marriage of himself and wife. Mr. Cornell is the present Postmaster of Violet, and has held the position since 1886, yet he is one of the leading Republicans of this vicinity, and has been a delegate to County Conventions. He is prominently identified with the civic offices of the town, as Supervisor, member of the local School -•*- PAWNEE COUNTY. 453 Board, etc. He belongs to the Baptist Church in Pawnee City, and was active in building the church. He also assisted in building the Method- ist Church in Violet, and was one of the building committee. He attends that church because it is more convenient, and is a teacher in the Sunday- school connected with it. !LI T. BOONE, one of the early pioneers of Pawnee County, is an honored citizen of Table Rock Precinct, with whose farming interests he has been identified for more than twenty years, and he has actively assisted in de- veloping its great agricultural resources. He came to his present farm in 1867, settling on it when it was a part of the unbroken prairie, and he built the first house that was erected on the high land in this precinct. This humble dwelling, a relic of pioneer days, is still standing, forming a part of his present commodious and conveniently arranged residence, that he built in 1872. The first primi- tive abode is a small frame house, 14x16 feet in dimensions, and Mr. Boone had to draw the lum- ber from Rulo, taking two days to go and come, and he had to pay about $30 for his cottonwnod lumber. In the busy years that followed his first settlement here our subject broke and improved his land as fast as possible, and now has one of the finest farms in this locality, it being well fenced and under admirable tillage, and amply provided with neat and substantial buildings, and good ma- chinery for rendering the necessary work for op- erating it as easily done as possible. Mr. Boone has from time to time added to his original pur- chase, or sold land when lie found it, profitable to do so. until he now has ninety-three acres besides his homestead. He was for a time engaged in the nur- serj business, but gave way to O. I>. Howe, and has since paid much attention to raising cattle. lei:-, and horses of good grades, from which branch of agriculture he derives a good income. He devotes much of his time to the culture of fruit, and had the first bearing orchard anywhere within ten Or twelve miles of this locality, he hav- ing Sel out the first orchard within those limits, it containing forty apple trees. lie now has a line orchard of six acres, which has been in bearing for fifteen years, and contains some of the finest fruit in Pawnee County, among which are the Jonathan and (I rimes Golden Pipkin, considered two of the best varieties of apples ever grown. In setting ou1 his trees he dug holes for their reception four feet square and two feet deep, and by keeping them well watered and mulched he never lost aii\ of them, and they have well repaid his good care by yield- ing from 300 to 500 bushels in different seasons, which he has sold at the rate of from fifty to sev- ty-tive cents a bushel. Mr. Uoone has also set out a good many acres of forest trees, and they make a good windbreak, thus protecting his crops and buildings. Our subject is an Englishman by birth, and first saw the light of day in Somersetshire. Old En- gland, March 20, 1834. His parents. John and Harriet (Shorney) Uoone, were likewise natives of that country, the father having been born Aug. 20, 1801, and the mother Dec. 31, 1799. They lived and died in their native land, both being held in the highest respect for their many solid virtues and genuine worth of character. They were the parents of five children, whom they trained to honest and useful lives. lie of whom we write received a good practical education, and at the age of twenty-two, with that for capital, besides strong muscle and an energetic disposition, left the home of his childhood and youth with its many pleasant associations, and the friends that were dear to him, to seek on another conti- nent a new home amid strange scenes and faces. After landing on these shores he proceeded to Warren, do Daviess Co., HI., and there spent the few years that intervened before his settlement in Nebraska, where he came to cast his lot with the pioneers who had preceded him. While a resident of that county he had the good fortune to meet .Miss Eunice PepOOn, who consented to unite her life with his. and Sept. 17, 1865, their marriage was duly solemnized. Of this union seven children have been born, viz.: Henry 0., Gertrude M.. Frederic G., Albert ('..Frank C, Arthur E. and May E. They are all at home, and with tine edu- cations, form :i cultivated family group. MissGe f •►HF^ -•^i-* 454 PAWNEE COUNTY. ypILLIAM II. CURTIS. Pawnee City for some time has been taking upon herself the Wy airs of older towns, and has already quite a list of retired merchants. This fact illustrates her rapid growth, and the fact that it has not taken a lifetime for an enterprising man to accumulate a competency. The experience of Mr. Curtis in this trade has rare talent as an artist, and paints land- scapes and flowers with remarkable fidelity to nature, from which she selects her subjects. Mrs. Boone is a daughter of Deacon Silas Pepoon, for a sketch of whose life see the biography of J. B. and T. W. Pepoon. She was born in Painesville, Ohio, Aug. 23, 1841, and has indeed been a true helpmate to her husband, who is greatly indebted to her cheerful assistance for his prosperity, and to her children she is a wise and tender mother. As an honest, sturdy, intelligent, upright man, our subject has had a marked influence in the civic affairs of this precinct, whose growth he has watched and aided from its infancy. He was a resident here as early as the time of the organiza- tion of District No. 35, and has for many years been a Director. As contractor and builder he built the first school-house here, erecting a small building worth $500, and he was also Chairman and Director of the Building Committee that had charge of the erection of the present substantial structure that has replaced the old school-house. He is not, how- ever, an office-seeker, preferring the quiet and com- fort of a pleasant fireside to the bustle and discord of public life. In 1860 he made a trip, in company with others, across the plains to Oregon, with ox- ten ins; it took five months, and the year following, the war breaking out he enlisted in the 1st Oregon Cavalry, and served three years in the Army of the Pacific Slope, their duties principally being in guarding coast defenses, and protecting the emi- grants and settlers from the Indians. After his discharge he returned to Warren, 111. He is a member of the G. A. R., and he and his family oc- cupy a prominent social position in this commu- nity. In politics he votes with the Republican party, which finds in him one of its stanchest sup- porters. region has been one more than ordinarily fortu- nate, and he is now living amid the comforts of a pleasant home, with, it is to be hoped, many com- fortable years before him. The birthplace of our subject was manj - leagues from the spot of his present residence, he having been born in Portland, Me., Sept. 28, 1822. He was the third in a family of ten children, five of whom lived to mature years. His father, William Curtis, also a native of the Pine Tree State, died in his prime, when but forty years of age. The mother, Miss Rebecca E. Perry, was a distant rela- tive of Commodore Perry, of Lake Erie fame. She also was a native of Maine, in which State she re- sided until her marriage. After the death of her husband she removed to Parkman, same State, and from there to Wisconsin, where she died in the year 1862. Young Curtis was thrown on his own resources when a lad of ten years, and employed himself at whatever he could find to do to make an honest living. He worked around among the farmers of Penobscot County, Me., and in 1848 migrated to Wisconsin, and took up land, where he settled and improved a farm. He left Wisconsin in 1860, and came to this county, at a time when the present site of Pawnee City was marked by four or five houses. In the fall of that same year he opened up a store on the corner of the Square, and conducted gen- eral merchandising until 1871. Mr. Curtis in the meantime had been recognized as a valued addition to the community, and after serving in various other positions of trust and re- sponsibility, was elected Clerk of Pawnee County, holding the office four years. He was also ap- pointed Postmaster of Pawnee City, which position he occupied until resigning. He had been married in his native State. Dec. 22, 1845, to Miss Izabelle B. Whitney, who bore him two children, one of whom died in infancy. The other, a son, Charles II., is a newsdealer in Pawnee City. Mr. Curtis served as a member of the Constitutional Conven- tion, and in social matters is identified with the I. O. O. F. He takes a warm interest in the suc- cess of the order, and has represented it in the Grand Bodge at Baltimore, Md. Mr. Curtis, like the balance of the Republican ffe •►Hf^ PAWNEE COUNTY. 455 4. party of which ho is a member, looks forward to the administration of President Harrison as mark- ing an era in the history of this great country. He keeps himself well posted upon the current events, and is always to be found in favor of everything to benefit the county and elevate society. #~# iJiETER G. FOA1.F. The memoir which is briefly sketched in connection with the above name is thai of one of the ear- liest settlers and most extensive land- owners of this county. He dates his advent into Nebraska Territory as the 1th of July, 18">6, and further signalized it by taking up 160 acres of land a mile south of the Johnson County line. He is now the owner of a fine estate, having 7 < 1 acres of land in one body, and thoroughly improved, mak- ing it one of the most valuable homesteads in this region. Mr. Foale, the first fall after coming to Ne- braska, sheltered himself in a rail shanty, covered with hay, which was destroyed by fire. In the log structure which he afterward creeled he lived a period of ten years, and in 1870 put up a solid stone dwelling. In 1884 he erected a larger and finer domicile on the other side of the Nemaha, and this has for the last four years been his abode. In the meantime, in connection with these im- provements, he has set out an orchard and brees of the smaller fruits, has gathered together a g Uy assortment of. farm stock and machinery. and bears the reputation of being one of the most wide-awake and successful agriculturists in this section of country. Coming to Table Rock Precincl before its school districts were organized, Mr. Foale was in- strumental in the establishment and maintenance of schools, and was one of the first officers on the board of his district. He lias never lost his inter- feres! in education, has officiated as School Treas- urer, and as may be supposed, assisted in the erec- tion of the first school building. Although a man libera] and public-spirited, and ever OB the alert to encourage the enterprises calculated to build up his community, he cares very little for politics, ill -4- fact is considerably disgusted with the doings of public officials. When he came to this region he had only one neighbor in Bight, .Mr. Armstrong, half a mile away. His nearest, market was at Brownville, thirty miles away. In the erection of his stone house he diil most of the work himself. Desirous of better facilities for the education of his son he went to Missouri, and spent the year I860 and about half of 1861 there, but owing to the war the schools were not kept. Mr. Foale inherited the prominent traits of his character from ids English ancestors, and is him- self a Briton by birth, his native place being in I >ev- onshire, where he was born Feb. 11. 1822. He lived there until a man of twenty-six years, emigrating to America in July, 1848. He settled first in Erie County, Ohio, and in October following was mar- ried to Miss Susan Hewitt. There were born to them two children, Oscar and William; the latter died when a few months old. Upon leaving Ohio Mr. and Mrs. Foale took up their residence first in Adams County, 111., and thence removed to St. Joseph, Mo. Our subject for a number of years after leaving Ohio worked at his trade, although Ids intention had been from the start to have a farm of his own. With that aim in view he was willing to undergo the hard- ships and privations of the pioneer settler, and the manner in which he has been rewarded for his per- severance and his labors it would seem mighl lie a Source of abundant satisfaction. His farm is very productive, and of late years he has found that stock-raising was easier than the cultivation of the soil, and fully as profitable. He usually keeps Kin head of graded cattle, besides numbers of g 1 horses and swine. Mrs. Susan (Hewitt) Foale, the wife of our sub- ject, was born in Erie County, Ohio, Feb. 19, 1822, and is the daughter of Collins II. and Mary (Van Ni'^l Hewitt, the mother being one of the noted Van Ness family, of Kindcrhook. N. Y. Mrs. F. was reared by an aunt. Mrs. Carpenter, with whom she lived from early childhood until her marriage. Oscar, the cider son of Mr. and Mrs. Foale. was born in August. 1850. Hi' received a COm- mon-school education, and was married to Miss Ann Sipple. who bore him two children — Amy and ■» r .fr-ll^ 4~ 456 PAWNEE COUNTY. 4 Percy. Mr. Foale is essentially a self-made man, having started out early in life dependent upon his own efforts, which after all proved to him a school of inestimable value in making him self-reliant, in- dustrious and economical, thus laying the basis of his future success. In politics he is now independ- ent. During the war he was a stanch Union man. In religious belief he is liberal. William Foale, the father of our subject, was also a native of Devonshire, England, and married a lady of his own county, who bore him four children, three of whom are living. Collins Hewitt, the father of Mrs. Foale, married Miss Mary Van Ness, of Erie County. Ohio, and to them were born seven children, of whom Mrs. F. was next to the youngest. The mother died, and Mr. Collins contracted a second marriage, and there were added to the number of his offspring several more children. lie is now deceased, as is also his second wife. EUEMIAII N. McCASLANI). M. D.. has been a practicing physician of good repute for a period of over thirty years, and has spent the greater part of this time in Pawnee City, having come to Nebraska Territory as early as 1858. As may be supposed, there were then but a few unimportant houses on the site of this present wealthy and nourishing town. The young physician opened an office, and although not being at first rushed with business, performed his duties as faith- fully and conscientiously as if a thousand people were watching his movements. This course bore its legitimate fruits in the confidence and esteem of the people for miles around, and in due time he found himself on the high road to prosperity. He is now numbered among the most skilled and re- liable practitioners of the county. It may be proper to glance at the opening years of the life of our subject, which were spent in the vicinity of the town of Madison, in Jefferson County, Ind., where his birth took place Sept. 3, 1821. His father, George McCasland, was a native of Kentucky, a wheelwright during the most active years of his ife, and later engaged in agricultural pursuits. He married a lady of his own State. Miss Rachel, daughter of Jeremiah Laws, of Mercer County, Ky., and they lived there until 1830. They then emigrated to Indiana, where they spent the re- mainder of their days. The household circle of George McCasland and his estimable wife was completed by the birth of fourteen children, who, with one exception, all lived to attain their majority. Jeremiah N. was the fifth child. He pursued his first studies in the schools of his native county, where he continued to reside with his parents until twenty-three years of age. Probably the first important event of his life was his marriage with Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of Joseph Woods. The Woods family removed from Jefferson to this count}- in 1857. After their marriage the Doctor and his wife settled in Jefferson County, Ind., where our sub- ject engaged in the milling business on the waters of Big Creek, and where he operated successfully a number of years. Thence he removed to Jack- son County, Ind., and conducted a gristmill four years. In the meantime he utilized his leisure hours in reading medicine, and availed himself of the excellent instruction of Dr. Green. When sufficiently advanced he entered upon a course of lectures in the Medical College at Louisville. Ky., and a few months later commenced the practice of his chosen profession as the partner of his old in- structor, Dr. Green. He left Indiana in the spring of 1858, coming to this county, and his after course we have already indicated. Only a comparatively brief time had elapsed until he was appointed by Gov. Butler First Assistant Physician for the In- sane Asylum at Lincoln, a position which he held two years. Upon retiring from this he resumed his practice in Pawnee City and vicinity, and was fully established years ago as one of its leading physicians. Dr. McCasland, as one of the early pioneers of Pawnee County, looked upon this region of country before the streams were bridged, anil before there was a railroad line west of St. Louis. No man has taken a livelier interest in the growth and progress of his adopted county, and he has contributed to its prosperity in no small degree. He is the father of eight children, three of whom died at a tender -.■- ©• ■*•■ PAWNEE COUNTY. 459 4i age. The eldest of the survivors is Louisa, tin- wife of James Butler, and residing in this city; Elnora is married to her second husband, 15. F. Hill, and lives in St. Joseph, Mo.; Lilly B. is the wife of . I. R. Ervin; Minnie married M. M. Pad- don; Hattie lives at home with her parents, and Etta is the wife of Ed. S. Ames. Dr. McCasland also gained the title of Honorable during the Territorial days, having been elected by the Republicans of Pawnee County to represent them in the Legislature, in which he served two terms. In religious matters he inclines to the doc- trines of the Christian Church, of which he is a member. For good and sufficient reasons he left the Republican party in 1882, and became a sup- porter of the Cleveland administration. He voted for John C. Fremont in 18jG. Socially, he be- longs to Pawnee Lodge X<>. 2-">. A. F. A- A. M., ami is a charter member of Interior Lodge No. 9, I. O. O. F. David McCasland, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Virginia, whence he re- moved with his parents to Kentucky when a mere child. lie was of Welsh ancestry, the great-grand- father of our subject having emigrated from Scot- land probably during the Colonial days. The mother of our subject traced her forefathers to Wales. A. =£>- «H=4 JOHN P. SWALLOW. It is said that this gentleman is one of the most enterprising citizens of Burchard — one who has been closely identified with its business interests, and who has done much to facilitate the building up of the town. He is seldom idle, employing himself almost constantly either with his hands or his brain, and has made it a lifelong habit to ob- serve what was going on around him and keep him- self posted with regard to matters of general interest, lie lias been for some time operating as an extensive coal dealer, and is also manager of the grain elevator of DeW. i). Diven A- Co. He came to the West as early as 1856, and to Nebraska in the spring of l>Ci7. For a period of over thirty years he has been closely associated with the best interests of the State, which was under Territorial Government at the time of his coming here. A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Swallow was born in Pittston Township, Luzerne County. May 16, 1831. His father, Benjamin Swallow, was also born in that county, in 1808, and married Miss Maty Price, a native of England, and born in 1808. The paternal grandfather, Capt. Joseph Swallow, was a native of New Jersey, whence he removed to Luzerne County, Pa., when eighteen years old. He took up a tract of timber land, from which he cleared the forest and constructed a good home- stead, becoming well-to-do. Of patriotic impulse, he shouldered his musket in the War of IS 12, ami for his bravery and fidelity to duty was given a Captain's commission. When the war ended lie returned to the peaceful pursuits of farm life, and spent the remainder of his days in his adopted State. He departed hence in 1860, at the advanced age of eighty years. In politics he was an old-line Whig. His wife in her girlhood was Miss Mary A. Cooper, whose father, George Cooper, also served in the Revolutionary War, and witnessed the Wyoming massacre, being one of the last to leave the field. Grandmother Swallow survived her hus- band and lived to be almost one hundred years old. Her mother, the great-grandmother of our subject, lived likewise to be nearly a. centenarian. The Swallow family originated in Germany, and from that country the ancestors of our subject emigrated, settling in New Jersey. On the mother's side Grandfather George Price was born in England, and came to America about 1810, settling in Luzerne County, Pa., where he opened up a large farm, and under it there was later discovered a bed of coal. He was thus en- abled to sell his property at a good round sum, and removing to New Jersey retired from active labor, establishing himself in the village of Middle- town, where he spent the remainder of his days in ease and comfort, and died in 1848. Benjamin Swallow, the father of our subject, was reared to man's estate in Pennsylvania, acquiring a common-school education. lie was also married there, and operated a small farm. Underneath this also there was a coal mine, which the elder Swallow developed with success and finally sold, removing •+*■ 4 460 PAWNEE COUNTY. to what is now Lackawanna County, Pa. There also he purchased land, prosecuted farming, and died Dec. 14, 1888. The mother is still living at the old homestead, is a good woman and a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To the parents of our subject there were born ten children, the eldest of whom was John P. The others were named respectively : Rasselas D. ; James, who died when thirty -one years old; Elizabeth, Belle, Caroline, George; Benjamin, Jr., deceased; and Jo- seph, his twin brother, also Josephine. R. D. served a few months as home guard during the late war. James was for a short time a member of the Penn- sylvania Reserves; George enlisted in the regular army, serving along the Potomac two years, and until the close of the war. The children living are mostly residents of Pennsylvania. Upon reaching his majority the suhject of this sketch turned his steps toward the farther West, determined to seek his fortunes on the other side of the Mississippi. He made his way by railroad, stage and team, first to Fremont County, Iowa, but sojourned there only a short time. Returning eastward as far as Illinois he spent the winter of 1856-57 in Grundy County, and the spring follow- ing started out again for the West. He first lo- cated in Johnson County, this State, in 1857, taking up a squatter claim of 160 acres three and one-half miles north of the present site of Sterling, on the Nemaha. There was then not a railroad track in Nebraska, and Mr. Swallow was one of the first men to settle in his vicinity. He held to his land until it came into market, in the meantime operat- ing as a grain dealer at the then hamlet of Ne- braska City, buying corn, also driving stage and freighting. He also operated as mail carrier, and in fact engaged in whatever he could that would enable him to turn an honest penny. In the summer of 1861 Mr. Swallow, rather tired of life on the frontier, returned to Grundy Count}', 111., and engaged in farming until after the outbreak of the Civil War. He watched the con- flict until the 8th of August, 1862, then resolved to proffer his services in assisting to preserve the Union. He enlisted in Company E, 91st Illinois Infantry, which was made a part of the 2d Brigade, 3d Division, 13th Army Corps, Southwestern Army; was mustered in at Camp Butler September 8, and with his comrades sent into Kentucky. In the bat- tle at Elizabethtown he was taken prisoner with his regiment, but soon afterward was paroled, and his regiment went to Benton Barracks, where they re- mained until June, 1863, when they were ex- changed and proceeded down the Mississippi to Vicksburg. thence to New Orleans, and joined an expedition into Texas. Mr. Swallow in due time became chief clerk in the commissary department, which occupied his time until April, 1865, when he joined his regiment on Fish River, in Alabama, in time to participate in the taking of Spanish Fort. Thence they repaired to Ft. Blakely, and after- ward to Mobile City, and thence went up the Tom- bigbee River to blockade the rebel navy. A few weeks later the news came of the surrender of Gen. Lee, and our subject with his comrades was sent to Mobile, mustered out and honorably discharged at Camp Butler, near Springfield, 111. Mr. Swallow now returned to his old haunts in Grundy County, 111., and followed farming there and in Kendall County until the fall of 1869. Ne- braska had now been admitted into the Union as a State, and the frontier was being gradually settled up by an intelligent class of people. He decided accordingly to proceed hither and develop his land. lie made the journey overland with a team, being three weeks on the way. He crossed the Missouri River at Nebraska City, and upon reach- ing his purchase put up a shelter for himself and began the improvements which have resulted in one of the best farms in this section. After bring- ing the soil to a good state of cultivation he turned his attention largely to stock-raising, also to the buying and selling of grain, making his headquar- ters at Sterling. Mr. Swallow having a good opportunity to sell out, disposed of his farm property in 1882, and took up his residence in Burchard, where he put up his present building in that year, in a field where the corn stalks were still standing, but which is now the corner of Gage and Second streets. He began dealing in coal and grain and soon built up a large trade. In 1883 he invested a part of his capital in furniture, in company with Mr. F. Bstandig, the partnership continuing until 1886, at ■*•■ o= PAAVNEE COUNTY. 4G1 ik *t which lime Mr. Swallow withdrew, and has since confined himself exclusively to dealing in coal and grain. He purchased the first grain which came to the town, and assumed charge of the elevator in 1885. He possesses more than ordinary good busi- ness capacities, while his industry and application are matters of frequent mention. Our subject found his bride in Johnson Count}', this State, being married near Sterling, in November, 1882, to Mrs. Phebe Helms. This lady was born in Steuben Count}', N. Y., and is the mother of three children by her first husband : lilac-hart, a railroad engineer, and a resident of Wymore; Dr. J. E. Helms, of Burchard ; and Mattie J., living at home, and who is local editor of the Burchard Times. They occupy a neat and comfortable home in the eastern part of the city, and number their friends among its most cultivated people. Mr. Swallow, politically, belongs to the Union Labor party, who nominated him for the State Legislature in 1888. He has been a member of the Town Board, and served as Justice of the Peace two terms. He also acts as agent for Burchard real estate, and is quite successful in disposing of town lots. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F., and also a charter member of William A. Butler Post No. 172, G. A. R. He has frequently served on the Grand and Petit Juries, and there are few enterprises having for their object the general welfare of the com- munity in which his aid is not solicited. He is a man of sound judgment, in fact one of the repre- sentative men of Pawnee County, and is one of the proprietors of the Burchard Times. A portrait of this representative and well-known citizen of Pawnee County is shown on an adjoining page. JOHN WHALEY. The life record of this honored pioneer of Pawnee County is one which his children may be proud to look upon in after years. A man quiet and un- obtrusive in demeanor, he still possesses much latent strength of character, as illustrated in the manner in which he has labored to build up a homestead from the wilderness, and a good reputation among his fellovvmen. His earlier years were character- ized by incessant industry, prudence and econ- omy, the exercise of which has borne its legitimate fruits, as he is now in possession of a competence, and sitting under his own vine and fig tree, sur- rounded by all life's comforts and the respect of his neighbors, is enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life. There are few men living in this county who ventured upon the soil at the time when he did, the old landmarks slowly disappearing. Mr. Whaley came to Sheridan Precinct in July. 18C4, and on the loth day of that month filed a homestead claim for 160 acres of land, forty of which he sold later to his son-in-law, Francis E. Washburn. The balance he has since lived upon and given his attention to its improvement and cul- tivation. Upon it not a furrow had been turned when he took possession, and there was not a tree or a shrub, not even a hint of a bush large enough to make a riding whip. There is now presented the picture of an abundance of forest and fruit trees, an orchard covering six or seven acres, and trees of the smaller fruits, which yield to the house- hold the luxuries of the season. He planted hedge around their whole quarter-section, cross fenced with the same, and brought the whole to a good state of cultivation. In 18(i9 he put up a neat and substantial dwelling. Prior to this they had lived in a small frame structure, and when first coming here occupied a cellar two winters before the first house was finished. Our subject spent the first nine years of his life near the village of Schuyler, in Herkimer County, N. Y., where he was born March 20, 1810. In 1 825 his father removed to the western part of the State, where our subject lived with the family until he was twenty-one years old, then removed to Kalama- zoo County, Mich., where he operated a farm until December, 1839. He had in the meantime learned the mason's trade, and also employed himself as a general mechanic during his early manhood. In- deed he has operated as mechanic and mason com- bined since that time, hiring men to work his farm, raising grain largely, and feeding what he raises to stock. Mr. Whaley left Kalamazoo County for St. Joseph County after a few years, residing in the latter from 1839 to 1864, excepting a few }'ears' residence in i -»^il^» A 462 ■*► PAWNEE COUNTY. Kalamazoo, carrying on farming and working at his trade. In 1864 he disposed of his farm prop- erty and sought the new Territory of Nebraska, of which he has since been a resident. He assisted in the organization of Sheridan Precinct, and has been a member of the board since that time. Through his encouragement and support and that of the other enterprising men around him, the schools are con- ducted eight or nine months each year. His eldest daughter taught the first school in the district. Mr. Whale}' has been one of the leading men in local affairs, and served as a Justice of the Peace many years, having for some time an office in town. Al- though rather independent in politics, he usually votes the Republican ticket. After coming to this county Mr. Whaley began operating as a builder and contractor, and many of the best structures of Pawnee Precinct give evi- dence of his skill and genius. Among these is the Exchange Hotel, the First Methodist Episcopal Church, the store building of H. Irving and others, upon some of which he worked as a mason, and others merely superintending. When he came to Sheridan Precinct, St. Joseph, ninety-two miles away, was the nearest railroad station, and the near- est point furnishing a market and supplies was Brownville. There was one store at Pawnee City, but no other houses. For the purpose of erecting his first buildings Mr. Whaley was obliged to haul lumber from Rulo and Brownville, forty-five miles distant, making the round trip in two days. He had to ford all the creeks, frequently meeting not a soul on the way. There then stood only two houses on the prairie, and Pawnee City was marked by perhaps twenty structures, including sheds and others. His children in those early days traveled two miles across the prairie to school, when it was unmarked even by a wagon track. A neighbor with careful forethought hitched his horses to a plow and made a furrow for the children to follow so they should not get lost. Our subject while a resident of Kalamazoo County, Mich., was married, Oct. 11, 184o, to Miss Eliza- beth Portman. This lady was born July 25, 1821, in Chautauqua County, N. Y., and is the daughter of James and Lucy (Gilson) Portman. the former a na- tive of Sugar (irove, Pa., and the latter of Cliautau- ■*•- qua County, N. Y. Mr. P., after reaching man's estate, migrated to Chautauqua County, N. Y., where he was married and reared a family of eight children. Later they removed to Michigan, where the death of Mr. Portman took place in 1856. The mother survived a number of years, and spent her last days in Clinton County, Mich. The father of Mrs. Whaley was a millwright by trade, but after coming to the West secured a tract of land which he improved into a good farm. To our subject and his estimable wife there were born eight children, five of whom are living: Laura J. is the wife of L. C. DeCodress, of Box Butte County, Neb., and the mother of seven children, namely: Nettie M., Ruth E., Edith O, John L., Libby, Alma and Nina. Lovica A. married Augus- tus Colony, of Pawnee City, and has three children — Blanche, Herbert and Perl ; Florence, Mrs. F. E. Washburn, is the mother of two children — Julia Ann and Eva L. ; James E. married Miss Nancy Cauady, of Pawnee City; they reside in Box Butte Count}', and are the parents of two children — Rhoda E. and Minnie M. Gideon P. is single, and a resident of Box Butte County. Mary E. became the wife of James E. Mclntyre, who died in the army, and had one son, James E., who is now married, and the father of two children; he also lives in Box Butte County. Mr. Mclntyre was never heard from but once after his arrival at Williamsburg, N. C, with the invalid corps, where he died in the hospital. In 1866 Mrs. Mel. married Hugh Wright, of Paw- nee City, Neb., and died Feb. 28, 1871, leaving two daughters, Anola and Harriet, the latter of whom is the adopted daughter of Mr. John Colony, and in Pawnee City, and the former is with her father in Ohio. Sarah A. became the wife of J. J. Coard, and died July 25, 1877, leaving four chil- dren — Arthur J., Mary E., Lovica E. and Lewis J. The younger children are in Illinois, and the eldest boy makes his home with his grandfather Whaley. Hiram Ernest, the eldest son of our subject, died unmarried, when a promising young man in the twentieth year of his age. Mr. and Mrs. Whaley have twenty-eight descendants in all, there being besides their five children twenty-one grandchil- dren and two great-grandchildren. Edward Whaley. the father of our subject, was a T " «> " ■ 4e PAWNEE COUNTY. 163 native of Rhode Island, born in the city of Provi- dence, and after liis marriage to Miss Sally Chase removed to Herkimer County, N. Y., taking up a tract of new land, upon which he operated until L825. He then removed to Erie County, and from there to Michigan, a few years after his son John had settled there, about 1839 or 1840. Both he and his estimable wife spent their last years in St. Joseph County, that State. After the outbreak of the Rebellion Mr. Whaley enlisted as a soldier of the Union Army, July 2s, 1862, in Company K, 19th Michigan Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee. He was mustered in Sept. 5, 1862, as First Lieuten- ant, and remained in the service until November following, acting chiefly as guard around the city of Cincinnati. Prior to this, however, he had en- listed with the Mechanical Fusileers, doing service at Chicago, and assisting to build the barracks at Camp Douglas. Mr. W. is a member of the G. A. 1!., and has been a member of the Pawnee County bar for the last fourteen years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Whaley are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. W. is particularly interested in Sunday-school work. The fact that he is highly spoken of by the people of his community is sufficient indication of his standing as a farmer and a citizen. Besides his property in Pawnee Precinct he is the owner of a timber claim in Box Butte County, Neb. 4 jfcJk ICIIAEL BYRNE. Among the citizens of Pawnee County, who. as sons of its pio- neers, were reared within its bounds, and within the last decade have stepped to the front to perform their share in sustaining and fur- ther developing the great agricultural interests of the State of Nebraska, the subject of this biograph- ical notice occupies no mean position, lie is skill- fully operating a farm of seventy-seven acres on section 11. Plum Creek Precinct, within a mile of the village of Burchard. Nine years ago said farm was a tract of wild prairie land, with not a furrow turned. Since that time our Subject, witli patient. indefatigable industry, has wrought a great change, and now its fertile acres produce abundant har- vests. A neat house and barn, and other neces- sary farm buildings, give a home-like look to the plaee. The land has been fenced with wire, and groves and orchards have been planted, the latter containing 153 choice fruit trees. The farm is pleasantly located near Plum Creek, by which it is well watered, and a line bit of native timber along the creek belongs to the estate, anil adds to its picturesqueness and value. Mr. Byrne carries on general farming, raises a number of cattle ami hoes, and lias live head of horses. Our subject is the son of a well-known and highly prosperous pioneer of Pawnee County, Owen Byrne, oneof the first settlers of Plum Creek Precinct, who has ever since been identified with its agricultural interests, and has greatly added to its material prosperity. He was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, and when a lad of seventeen years he migrated to America. He found employ- ment on the public works in Lowell, Mass., and a few years later was married in that city to Miss Margaret lieily. a native of County Lei trim, Ire- land. After marriage they went to live in Cleve- land. Ohio, then a small city, and Mr. Byrne was engaged in breaking on the road. In 1854 he moved still further westward, and took 141 his resi- dence in the small town of l)es Moines, in winch there were at that time but a few buildings. He was employed in public work there for four years. In 1858 another move found him in the young city of Leavenworth. Kan., and he also labored at pub- lic work there. By frugality, unremitting toil, and judicious managemenl in the years that suc- ceeded his arrival in this country, he had saved .-..mie money, which he determined to invest in the cheap farming lands of the then Territory of Ne- braska, and in the fall of 1861 he crossed the Kan- sas line for that purpose, and entered 160 aero of timber land on the banks of Plum Creek, and thus early identified himself with the pioneers of this precinct, lie broke the land, placed it under g I cultivation, erected substantial buildings, and has added to his original purchase by buying 320 acres of land adjoining his homestead. He has deeded away all but 320 acres of his land, which he re- tains under his supervision, although be rent- the 164 -«fr PAWNEE COUNTY. 4- most of it. He has been very successful in hi.s ca- reer, and now at the age of sixty-five can enjoy life five from the toils and cares that lieset his earlier 3^eais. He is an active member of the Roman Catholic Church, and is justly held in great re- spect by all, not only as a pioneer of Pawnee County, but for his many excellent qualities as a man and a citizen. In 1873 he had the misfortune to lose his estimable wife, who had been to him a true wife and loving companion. She was but forty-five years of age at the time of her lamented death. Of that marriage five children were born, as follows: Thomas. Michael. John, James and Mary A. Michael Byrne was born in l)es Moines, Iowa,. July 26, 18.">6, and was only four years old when his parents brought him to Nebraska. He grew up on his father's farm, with limited educational ad- vantages, attending school only nine months, but he lias since made up for the deficiencies of his early education by observation and reading, he having naturally a perceptive and retentive mind. He re- mained on the paternal homestead until he was about nineteen years of age, and then began life for himself, going to his native State, where he was engaged in railroading on the Iowa Central for three years, becoming overseer of a section. He subsequently returned to Plum Creek, and re- sumed on his father's farm the occupation to which he had been reared. In 1880 he located on his present farm, which his father then deeded to him. it consisting originally of eighty acres of land, but the railway has cut off three acres. We have noted how he has developed the wild tract of prai- rie into a valuable and productive farm. He has not been without the assistance of a good wife to help him in establishing his cozy home, as Feb. 21, 1882, he was married, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Miss Mary Monaghan. Mrs. Byrne was born in that city. Nov. 2, I860, a daughter of John and Ellen (Kathy) Monaghan. Her parents were natives of Ireland, her father born in County Fermanagh, and her mother in County Kildare. They came to America single, and were married in Ohio. They subsequently moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where the father was employed as a stone worker, and continued to (juarry stone, remaining a citizen of that city until his death, March 3, 1880, at the age of forty-five years. The mother is still living in Des Moines, and is now fifty-five years old. She is a Roman Catholic, as was her husband. To them were born four children — Kate, Mary. James and Rosa. Two children. Maggie and Mary Ellen, com- plete the home circle of our subject and his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Byrne are very highly thought of in their community, and move in the best society of the place. They are sincere and earnest Chris- tians, and charter members of the Catholic Church at Burchard, helped to build it, and Mrs. Byrne is a valued teacher in the Sunday-school. Mr. Byrne is a man of active public spirit, and does all that he can to encourage the advancement of the pre- cinct with which his interests have been identified for so many years. He did as much as any one indi- vidual in procuring the passage of the Burlington it Missouri River Railway through this place. He has done efficient public service as a civic officer, has been Road Supervisor for three years, and at pres- ent holds the office of School Treasurer. In his politics he is an ardent Democrat, and is known in the councils of his party, he having been a dele- gate to county conventions. SI SAAC BROWN. This plain, unvarnished name is quite typical of the character of its owner. '!l By his neighbors he is called a good man. and this is a term which covers a wide range, and, is understood as embracing all the elements of char- acter essential to the honest man and the valued citizen. His career has been characterized by in- dustry and perseverance, as evinced in the building up of a good farm, and by that kindly care and at- tention to the wants of his family and the well- being of his children, which embraces about all the Christian virtues. Of one epoch in the life of Mr. Brown he is particularly and justly proud, having distinguished himself as a Union soldier in the late Civil War. The branch of the Brown family to which our subject traces his orgin descended from substantial old English stock. William Brown, his great-grand- father, having been born on the other side of the f -•► f PAWNEE COUNTY. 165 i i Atlantic in that country. There also he was mar- ried, Mini among his sons was one William, Jr., the grandfather of Isaac of this sketch. William Brown, Jr., emigrated to the United States about 1790, locating with his family in Delaware. There his first wife died, and he was soon afterward mar- ried to the grandmother of our subject, among whose children was Joseph, father of the latter. Grandmother Brown also died in Delaware. The grand father was married a third time, to Miss Susan Johnson, and later removed with his family to Ohio, locating with the family of his son Joseph, in Pickaway County, where they lived several vears. Thence they removed to Muskingum County, and there Grandfather Brown and his last wife de- parted from the scenes of earth. Joseph Brown spent his last days in Ohio. The subject of this sketch was born Jan. 13. 1831, in Muskingum County, Ohio, one of the rich- est regions in the Buckeye State, the soil being very productive, and the natural resources of more than usual excellence. He was reared amid the peaceful pursuits of farm life. Desirous of seeing some- thing of the Western country he migrated to Mc- Lean County. 111., and there afterward made the acquaintance of Miss Jane Whitlow, to whom he was married .Tune 22. 1871. Mrs. Brown was horn Aug. 11, 1852, in Illinois, and is the daughter of Solomon and Eve Whitlow, who were natives of North Carolina. Our subject and his young wife crossed the two great Western rivers, the Missis- sippi and Missouri, landing in Merrick County, Neb., where they began their wedded life in a modes! dwelling. They came to this county in the year 1879, and he secured sixty acres of land on section 11 in Clay Precinct, and endured in com- mon with the people around him the hardships and difficulties of life in a new country. He his effected good improvements on his land, bringing the soil to a good state of cult i vat ion, and erecting a substantial set of frame buildings. His farm em- braces 100 acres, and is devoted to general agri- culture. His plodding industry, his promptness in meeting his obligations, and his reliable character, generally entitle him to a place in the front ranks among the respected citizens of this county. To him ami his excellent wife there were born six 4« children, tw^o of whom, one unnamed and Lillie, died at a tender age. The survivors are Anna, Geraldina, Jane and Francis. They comprise an intelligent and interesting group, who have been reared to habits of industry, and given a practical education. Mr. Brown upon the outbreak of the Civil War was a resident of Illinois. He watched the progress of the strife with deep interest, and in August, 1 862, there seeming to be no prospect of a speed; termination of the war, he resolved to lay aside his personal interests and engage in assisting to put down the Rebellion. He enlisted in August, 1862, in Company A. 62d Ohio Infantry, ami performed his duties faithfully until theeloseof the war. His regiment operated mostly with the Army of the Po- tomac, and Mr. Brown was in four heavy engage- ments, receiving a wound in each one. llelirst met the enemy at Chapeman's Farm in front of Rich- mond, and was successively at Petersburg, Deep Run and Ft. Wagner. His fidelity to duty secured him the respect of his comrades and the approval of his superior officers, likewise the approval of his own conscience. He was content to serve as a private, and at the close, rejoicing in the success of the Union arms, returned to his home in Ohio and resumed the peaceful pursuits of farming. It is hardly neces- sary to say that his sympathies and his vote are uniformly given in support of Republican princi- ples. Mr. Brown is not connected with any relig- ious organization, hut his estimable wife belongs to the United Brethren Church. kOUIS PEPPERL. One of the most at- tractive homes adjacent to the city of Bur- chard, the county seat of Pawnee County, is owned and occupied by the gentleman with whose name we introduce this sketch. Aside from its importance as a valuable piece of property, it is of more than ordinary worth to him, as he was reared to manhood under the same roof-tree which now shelters him, and has for his own the farm which his honored father opened up from the wil- derness. The buildings are just outside the corpo- rate limits, are neat and substantial in character, f -•fr 466 PAWNER COUNTY. f i and with their surroundings complete the ideal rural estate. The farm is supplied with good ma- chinery, including a flne windmill, with convenient water tanks, and everything necessary to stock- raising, an industry to which Mr. Pepperl gives largely his time and attention. He has excellent grades of horses, cattle and swine, and takes pride in his achievements in this department of agriculture. There is an ample supply of forest and fruit trees on the farm, forming groves, and an orchard of 1 50 trees, while the fields are largely laid off with beautiful hedge fencing, which, during the summer season especially, form a most pleasing picture in the landscape of this region. It comprises 140 acres of fertile land, which has been brought to a high state of cultivation, and which, already veiy valuable, is steadily increasing as the city of Bur- chard grows in population and importance. As a man and a citizen, our subject stands high in his community, being enterprising and public- spirited, and uniformly willing to aid the enter- prises calculated to build up his county. He is in the prime of life, having been born Feb. 12, 1860. The first twelve years of his life were spent many leagues from his present abiding-place, he having been born in the little town of Gossawoda, in the Austrian Kingdom of Bohemia, where he conned his first lessons in the public schools. In 1872 he came to America, taking passage on the steamer "Nemesis" at the port of Bremen, which landed him safely in New York City after a pleasant voy- age of seventeen days. Thence he proceeded at once to Chicago, and began working in a furniture factory at cabinet-making. Two years later, in the spring of 1874, he resolved to seek the farther West, and came by rail to Table Rock, this county, of which they were among the first settlers. They camped on the open prairie until the father could provide a shelter for his family, and as soon as possi- ble proceeded with the cultivation of the soil and the opening up of a farm. Our subject assisted his father in the improve- ment of his land, and also added to the family in- come, working by the month in different places as he had opportunity. The elder Pepperl was suc- cessful in his operations, and in due time retired from active labor, while our subject took charge of the farm, which later, by agreement, fell to him as his share of the estate. Most of the improvements which we behold to-day have been effected by the present proprietor, and reflect great credit upon his industry, his thoroughness as a farmer, and his taste and skill. In the biography of his brother, Frank Pepperl, found on another page in this work, will be noted the parental history. The family is numbered among the best element of this county, people who have preserved an unblemished record, and contributed their full quota in its development, morally, socially and financially. Mr. Pepperl was reared in the doctrines of the Catholic Church, and still adheres to the faith of his forefathers, being identified with this church at Burchard. Upon becoming a voting citizen he identified himself with the Democratic part}', and keeps himself well posted in regard to events of interest to the intelligent citizen. He has stead- fastly avoided the responsibilities of office, pre- ferring to give his best efforts to the pursuits of farm life. OEL D. HARRISON, a substantial and well- to-do farmer of Pawnee County, is actively identified with the agricultural interests of Table Rock, and on his farm of 160 acres on section 27 is the famous rock from which this pre- cinct derives its name. The Table Rock Mills are also here, this place having been a mill site from a very early day in the settlement of the county, and the mills have been rebuilt and remodeled several times. Mr. Harrison may be denominated a pio- neer of Southeastern Nebraska, as he came to this part of the country in 1866, and first settled in Richardson County when it was but sparsely in- habited, and he immediately took a hand with the early settlers in making improvements and de- veloping the county, assisting in making roads, building bridges, etc. He also interested himself in the establishment of educational facilities, help- ing to organize School District No. 51 in that county, and he was the first School Director ap- pointed for that district, and held that office while a resident of the county. The first school was held in a loy house that had formerly been used as f •►4^ PAWNEE COUNTY. 4* 467 a dwelling. In his capacity of millwright, car- penter and contractor. Mr. Harrison built some of the first substantial houses erected in Richardson County, and he erected the first llouring-mills in that county at Falls City, one on the Muddy, and also one on the .Missouri at Rulo. In the latter place the river has encroached on the mill site, which was moved once to keep it out of the water. While thus busily' engaged for others and in public work, our subject also found time to develop a farm from the wild prairie, he having taken up a tract of land in sight of Falls City, in the eastern part of Richardson County. He made all the usual im- provements, erecting necessary farm buildings, and doing all that an active and industrious farmer would do to increase the value of his place, and lived there in comfort for six years. lie then sold his property there, and crossing the border into this county, located in what is now Sheridan Precinct, buying a farm two miles south of Table Rock. That was also uncultivated land, and he proceeded to put it under admirable tillage, put out hedge, grove and orchard, and small fruits, built a fine house and other farm buildings, and in other ways improved it. lie also took a prominent part in educational matters, helped to organize another school district, and held the first office of Modera- tor, and we may state in this connection that he has held the office of School Director for eighteen years. In 1882 Mr. Harrison disposed of that farm and moved to his present residence to look after his mill property, which he has recently sold. He managed the mills for one year, but has since devoted his time mostly to caring for his farm. which lie has under tine cultivation, and with its neat buildings and various other improvements, is considered one of the best places in the neighbor- hood. The subject of this biographical notice was born in < Ineida County. N. Y., Aug. 9, 1837. He comes of an honorable ancestry, and his grandfather, Thomas Harrison, who was reared in New Jersey, was an early settler of Montgomery County, N. Y.. going there in an early day. when the way was marked by blazed trees. He was a Revolutionary soldier, and after that war made his home in Oneida County. Earl Stimpson Harrison, the father of our subject, was born in Montgomery County in 1802. He moved to Oneida County during some period of his life, and was there engaged in the various employments of millwright, carpenter and farmer, also making shoes in the winter seasons. He married Miss Luany Bruce, and they became the parents of eight children, seven of whom lived to maturity. In 1851 he moved with his family to Grundy County, 111., and was quite an early settler there. Although the railway had just been put through that part of the country it wassparselj inhabited, and one might travel for miles without seeing a house. lie was actively engaged in his trade as carpenter and contractor, and with the aid of his son. our subject, erected many of the first houses at Morris and in .other villages, and our Bubject put up the first building in Gardner, and continued that business until he came here. The father came to Nebraska several years after our subject, and with his wife settled in Richardson County, Joel building them a house on his farm, and in that they lived until the good wdfe died, Aug. 28, 1868. After that sad event Mr. Harrison returned to Grundy County, 111., where his death occurred in 1870. lie was a man of sterling worth, whose word was as good as another's bond, and he was respected by all who knew him. Our subject lived in his native county until he was fifteen years old. ami then accompanied his parents to their pioneer home in Grundy County. 111. lie received a sound education, and first en- gaged in farming for himself in that county, and as before stated, he became a practical, skillful car- penter and millwright, learning those trades of his father, and carrying them on very successfully for a number of years, as we have seen. Jan. 10, 1858, he and Miss Kosanna Patterson united their lives for better or worse, the marriage cere- mony that made them one being performed in Grundy County. To them have come thirteen children, twelve of whom are still living. Some of them are already established in life, having re- ceived good educations, and the others are being well educated. William Henry married Emma Jones, and they live at Grand Island; they have four children. Joel 1 ).. Jr.. married Amy Noble: they live in Belvidere and have one child. Frank- JU ifr^h-*. 4G8 pawnee county. ~t lin A. married Viola Coard, and t lie\- live at Hum- boldt. The other children of our subject and his wife are as follows: Charles Edgar, Mary A., Thomas J., Herbert .1., Mattie, Elliott, Edith, Eugenia and Carrie Maud. Mrs. Harrison was born in Grundy County. 111.. Sept. 12. L843. She is a daughter of William Patterson, and lived at home until the time of her marriage. Her parents, William and Martha (llal- stead) Patterson, were natives of Ohio, and her father was born in Brown County, in May. 1805. He was one of the pioneers of Grundy County, go- ing there in 1842, and became one of its prominent, substantial citizens. He took an active part in surveying and laying out the county, and he was School Director there most of the time after mov- ing there, and helped to organize the first school, and Mrs. Harrison has a distinct recollection of the building in which it was taught. He was a mem- ber of the Republican part}' after its formation, and used his influence to promote its interests, lie had a large farm and did an extensive business as a stock-raiser until within a few years of his death, when he sold all but ten acres of his land, and lived quite a retired life for ten or fifteen years prior to his decease, which occurred in March. 1882. His first wife died when her daughter, Mrs. Harrison, was about six years old, and he married again. By his first marriage he had eleven children. Mr. Harrison is a strong Republican in his po- litical sentiments, and naturally takes a great inter- est in the welfare of his country, he being a loyal and patriotic citizen. He is a man of sound prin- ciples, is kind and considerate in his dealings with his neighbors, and in his family is a good husband and an indulgent father. ^IjOIIX II. BRUCH, one of the most prosperous and enterprising farmers and stock-raisers of Pawnee County, was one of the very first settlers on the prairie where he now resides in Miles Precinct, and he is conceded to be the oldest citizen in point of settlement now living in this precinct. When he came here more than thirty years ago in the very prime of early manhood the scene presented to his eyes was far different from that of to-day. He then saw this beautiful country almost fresh from the hands of nature, and looking forth on the undulating prairies, rolling away in the distance as far as the eye could see, he could scarce trace a sign of the civilizing influences that have transformed the State of Nebraska into a busy and prosperous commonwealth. It has not only been the good fortune of our subject to witness to some extent the reclamation of these vast prairies from their wild state, but to have been partly instrumental in bringing about this great change. in so far. at least, as to improve, by his own hard and well-directed labors, one of the finest farms in Pawnee County, pleasantly located on section 34, Miles Precinct. Mr. Bruch was born in the town of Easton, on the Delaware River, in Northampton County. Pa.. July 29, 1836. His father, likewise named John, was also a native of that county, his birth taking place Oct. 22. 1801. Frederick Bruch, the grand- father of our subject, was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, and there learned the trade of cooper. He migrated to this country, and locating in North- ampton County, carried on coopering there, having a manufactory. He was married in Pennsylvania, and there died in 1849, at the age of seventy years. The father of our subject learned the cooper's trade of his father, and also carried on farming in Pennsylvania for many years, lie was married in his native county to Miss Mary A. llinkle. likewise born in Northampton County, the date of her birth being Oct. 11. 1811. Her paternal grandfather was a native of Holland, and coming to America he located in Philadelphia. He took part in the War of 1812. Her father. Joseph llinkle. a native of the Quaker City, was a miller by occupation, and engaged in milling in Northampton County, on the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers, continuing there until he retired from business, at the age of eighty years. He spent the remainder of his life with his son in Ohio, where he died soon after, in 1859. He was a capable, worthy man, and a sound Jackson Demo- crat in his political views. In 1855 the father of our subject started with his family to make a home on the prairies of Iowa, and thus became a pioneer of Hardin County. He purchased 320 acres of .» r^r -i^n---* l'AWNEE COUNTY. 4C9 •t* land, and began farming-, but in .Tune, 1856, his earthly career was suddenly cut short by a stroke of lightning, he at that time being fifty-three years Of age. For several years the mother of our sub- ject continued to live in Kldora, where she owned property, but she is now a beloved inmate of Ins household. She is a woman of tine Christian char- acter, and an esteemed member of the Baptist Church. Her husband likewise belonged to that church, and was a Deacon and an exhorter in the same. He was a stanch Democrat in his political views. To them were born seven children, namely: .lames and Emma, who live in Hardin County. Iowa; .Mary, who is dead; John; Delia, who lives in Da- kota; Cassey, in Chicago; and Ilarland P., in Wash- ington Territory. James and Harland were soldiers in the late war. .lames enlisted in a Michigan cav- alry regiment as bugler, in 1861, was subsequently veteranized, and served throughout the entire war. Ilarland was in the regular cavalry, and in 1862 was sent against the Indians. In 18G3 he went South, and served until the close of the war as a private. John Bruch, of this biography, was reared on the Pennsylvania homestead which had been the place of his birth, receiving limited school advantages in the pay and district schools of the neighborhood. He was nineteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to their home in Hardin County. Iowa, and he remained there until he was twenty-three years of age, when he established himself in the same county in farming and stock-raising. He con- tinued thus engaged until the fall of 1866, when he sought "green fields and pastures new" in the then Territory of Nebraska, making the journey with a team, and crossing the Missouri at Nebraska City. He immediately located on his present place, then comprising 1 (iO acres of raw prairie land. lie ran in debt $1 for the homestead. He built a dug-out for the shelter of his family, but the following year replaced it by a niorecomi lions log house. In the busy years that succeeded hi- settlement here he broke the soil, and made many valuable improve- ments. The second year he set out the first tret's for a grove, comprising cottonwood and maples freighting them between St. Joseph, Mo., and Paw- nee City, and planted a hedge, and now has his farm all hedged and cross fenced with wire. In 1880 he [Hit up his present substantial and roomy* residence, and he has elected bams, windmills, tanks, etc.. having everything conveniently ar- ranged to carry on agriculture to the best advan- tage. He now has a grove of ten acres of forest trees, and four acres of his land devoted to an orchard of 500 choice varieties of fruit trees. Mr. Bruch makes a specialty of hog raising, which he finds very profitable, and he has the full-blooded Poland-China hogs, of which he ships two car- loads a year. He also buys and feeds cattle, and has a fine herd of graded Short-horns, lie has fourteen head of blooded Clydes, using four teams with which to operate his farm. lie also engages in the business of raising fruits of all kinds. He has sold forty acres of his homestead, and not hav- ing enough of his own land to carry out all his enterprises, he rents an additional 160 acres on the 'same section, lie has met with rare success in his various undertakings, and is now numbered among the moneyed men of his neighborhood. December 31, 1859, our subject and Miss Sarah Turner were united in the bonds of holy matri- mony, in MarshaJltown, Iowa, and of their happy union nine children have been born, namely: Mary, Charles (deceased). James. George, Oscar, F.tlie. Earl, Pearl (deceased) and Sadie. Marv is attending Doane College at Crete. Neb., is a mem- ber of the class of '89, and is fitting herself for the foreign mission work; Charles died while a Student at Grinnell College. Iowa; .lames attended Doane College two years, and is at present engaged in teaching; Oscar is attending the academy at Pawnee City, and the other children arc at home. Mrs. Bruch is well educated, and is possessed in an eminent degree of the culture and refinement of a true lady. She was born in Mercer County. Pa., Nov. I. 1841, and remained an inmate of the parental home until her marriage. Her parents were the Rev. Robert and .lane (Henry) Turner, who were also natives of Mercer County. Pa. Her paternal grandfather, who was at one time a farmer in Ohio, moved to the aforementioned county, and there carried on farming and fruit-raising until his death. Mrs. Bruch's maternal grand- father was of German descent and of American ^r +~lc+- i k 470 PAWNEE COUNTY. birth. He was a farmer in Pennsylvania, and while on a visit to his daughter in Galesburg, 111., died there, his wife dying in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Bruch's father was a minister. He taught school while prosecuting his studies, and was ordained at Andover, Ohio. He became a missionary in the Baptist Church, preaching in different places in Ashtabula County, Ohio. In 1851 he removed with his family to Henry County, 111., and pre- sided over different congregations there. In 1853 lie crossed the Mississippi River, and took up his abode first in Hardin County, and then in Marshall County. Iowa. He remained in that State until 1864, when he came to Pawnee County, and located in West Branch Precinct, taking up a tract of land under the Homestead Act and improving a farm. He also continued active in the ministry, established a church on West Branch, and w T as also sent as a traveling missionary into Kansas. His good life was brought to a close Nov. 30, 1881, at the age of seventy years. His wife died in 1853, while yet in the prime of life, being only thirty-nine years of age. They were the parents of six children, as fol- lows: Marquis, Sarah. Anna, Eliza, Mary and Henry. The Rev. Mr. Henry was married a second time, and of that marriage the following children were born: Catherine. Robert, William, Josie and Jennie, the last three being dead. Mr. Bruch is a well-informed man. of more than ordinary intelligence and practical sagacity, and lie has consequently been a potent influence for good in this community, lie is a great worker in the cause of religion, and in him the Baptist Church has one of its most valued members. He has been connected with that denomination in the capacity of Deacon ever since he was nineteen years of age. He is now Deacon of the Baptist Church at Pawnee City, and is the only charter member now con- nected with it. lie helped build the Sunday-school of that church, and was the first Superintendent of the first Sunday-school in this district. He has represented the church at the various associations since the church was organized. In regard to poli- tics Mr. Bruch is a stalwart supporter of Repub- lican principles, and his advice is esteemed in the councils of the party at county conventions at which he has been a delegate. He has borne a part in the administration of local affairs, helped or- ganize the precinct, has been a member of the School Board for eleven years, assisted in building the school-house, and at one time stalled a select school, and has in many ways contributed greatly to increase the educational advantages of the pre- cinct. He was at one time Superintendent of Roads, and was active in securing good highways. R. JAMES E.HELMES, physician, surgeon and druggist, located in Rurchard. is justly considered one of the leading members of his profession in Pawnee County, notwith- standing that -he is comparatively young to have gained such eminence. He is well grounded in medicine, having given long anil careful study to its various branches, and being a graduate of one of the best medical schools in the West, and by reading keeps himself well abreast of the times, and in his extensive practice since establishing himself here has won the confidence of the people by his successful treatment of difficult eases. Our subject is a native of Luzerne County. I'm.. born in the town of Blakeley, Oct. 15. 1856. His parents, Ziba and Phoebe (Ilelmes) Ilelmes, were natives respectively of Luzerne County, Pa., and of Steuben County, N. Y. The paternal grandfather. Joseph Ilelmes. was a lifelong resident of Penn- sylvania. He was a wealthy farmer and owned a large farm. He lived to a venerable age, his life having been prolonged to its eighty-eighth year. The great-grandfather of our subject, who was bi >rn in Germany, came to this country some time during the eighteenth century, and when the Revolution- ary War was being waged was a Tory, and sided against the Colonists in their struggle with the mother country. Samuel Ilelmes. the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Penn- sylvania, and after attaining manhood acted as Colonel in the Pennsylvania militia. He was a manufacturer and wholesale dealer of shoes, and continued in that business until his death, at the ripe old age of seventy-five, accumulating a large property. The father of our subject was reared on a Penn T <- 1" PAWNEE COUNTY. — ••» 471 4- -p sylvania farm. He engaged in agriculture and also managed :i sawmill on the Lackawanna River. He married in New York, but continued to reside in Pennsylvania, working at the occupations men- tioned until 1863, when he moved to Illinois. He engaged in farming in Grundy County, that state. and made his home there until his premature death at the age of forty-five, in 1876. In his demise. while yet in the prime of life, his community lost a valued citizen, he having been a man of stable character, of good mental gifts, wise and ready as a counselor, and a true friend to those about him. Of that marriage three children were born, namely: James F... Mattie .1. and Jennie E. The mother of our subject continued to make her home in Illinois until 1880, when she removed to Johnson County, Neb;, and married John P. Swallow, a coal and grain dealer in Burchard. She is an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject was a boy of nine years when he ac- companied his parents to Illinois, and there the re- maining years of his boyhood and youth were passed. He obtained the basis of a liberal educa- tion in the public schools of Grundy County, and in 1 S75 entered the Morris Classical Institute, where he pursued an excellent course of study for two years. His father having died in the meantime, when he left school lie took charge of the home farm, and engaged in agriculture thereon until 1878. In thai year lie removed to Sterling. John- son Co., Neb,, hut after a stay in that place of about a year, he went back to Illinois. He returned to Nebraska in a short time, in the spring of 1879, coming with a team. He bought a farm of eighty acres near Sterling, ami lived with his mother while operating the farm, devoting his leisure time to the study of medicine with Dr. Shipman, of Sterling. In the winter seasons he taughl school. In the winter of 1.XJS1-S2 OUV subject attended the Keokuk Medical College, of Iowa, and in the spring of 1882 he took the post-graduate course in the Col- lege of Physicians and Surg< s, at Joplin, Mo., and was graduated from that institution. He then came to Burchard and established himself in his profession and has built up a large practice. He is a true gentleman and is very popular with all classes, as he is always ready to respond to the calls of the suffering, whether they be poor or rich, and does all in his power to relieve them. In the fall of 1882 the Doctor opened a drug-store, and in L883 bought his present building, increased his stock of g Is, and now has a large assortment of goods and drugs. His office is in the store. The Doctor is a shrewd, practical business man. and has made considerable money since his settlement here, which he has invested judiciously, and has put some of it in town lots, showing his faith in the future of the town. Dr. Helmes was married near Sterling, in 1879, to Miss Jennie M. Harris, and of their mar- riage one child has been born. Hazel. Mrs. Helmes was born in Iroquois County. 111. Her parents were E. A. and Jane Harris. Mrs. Helmes was finely educated, and prior to her marriage was suc- cessfully engaged in teaching. She is a woman of rare character, who fills in a perfect measure the relations of wife, mother and friend. She is an exemplary member of the Presbyterian Church. The Doctor is a conspicuous figure in political and social circles of Pawnee County. He is one of the leaders of the Republican party, and is influ- ential in the County and State Conventions of his party, which he attends as delegate. In the fall of 1888 he was candidate for nomination to the Legis- lature. The Doctor is prominently identified with the I. ( ). O. E. in Burchard, and has passed through the various chairs. He is at present County Coro- ner, and is also examining physician for the Gales- burg Life Insurance Company. '^F^ A. ARNEAL. Although this gentleman 'Ift^V ' ias '' L ' en a l ' cs ' ( ' cilt °f Plum Creek Precinct ^^^y but five years lie has already won his way to a conspicuous place among its representative citizens. He is the present Justice of the Peace of this place, and is a member of the Scl I Board, and is a well- known figure in social and religious circles. He is one of the most enterprising and practical farmers in the precinct, and his farm on section 30, with its man}' valuable improvements, compares favor- abty with the best in the neighborhood. It is well s well A 472 ^K-* PAWNEE COUNTY. 4 watered by Long Branch, and is neatly fenced with hedge and wire. There are groves and an or- chard of 100 trees on it, the farm buildings are substantial and in good order. Although Mr. Ar- neal pays much attention to the culture of corn, he by no means neglects other branches of agri- culture, and is very successful in raising cattle and horses, and hogs, all of good grades, and he keeps two teams of horses for his farm work. Our subject comes of a mingled Irish and Scotch- Irish ancestry. His father, Thomas Arneal, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland. His grandfather, Alex Arneal, who was of Irish birth, emigrated from his native island to America in 1810, when the father of our subject was a lad of ten years. He located in Guernsey County, Ohio, in the town- ship of Antrim. He was one of the first settlers in that place, and cleared a farm from the forests on Sugar Tree Forks, finally dying in that locality at the age of seventy-three. He gave the ground for the United Presbyterian Church in Antrim, and was an active member of the same. The father of our subject, coming to this country when a boy, grew to man's estate amid the pioneer influences of his father's forest home in Ohio. He received a very good education for the times, and acted as a schoolmaster at night for fifteen years. He estab- lished himself in the general merchandise business in Antrim, and carried it on with good financial success until 1850, and then being elected to the responsible position of County Treasurer, he sold out his business. He filled the office mentioned with so much satisfaction to his constitutents that he was re-elected in 1852. In 1854 he bought a farm in that count}', and was actively engaged in farming and stock-raising until 18G2, when he dis- posed of his farming interests and retired to Cam- bridge to live on his income, free from care and toil the remaining years of his life, and there his death occurred in 1876, at the ripe old age of seventy-six years. He was a man of clear judg- ment, cool head, and so conducted public affairs and his own private interests as to inspire confi- dence in his ability and integrity. He was a sound Democrat in his political sentiments, and religiously, a member of the United Presbyterian Church, as was also his wife. He had the misfortune to lose 4« her companionship and assistance while she was yet in the prime of life, she dying in 1855, at the age of forty-three years. To them had been born four children: John P., deceased; T. A., Robert II. and Margaret J. John P. enlisted in 1861 in the 15th Ohio Infantry, Army of the West, and died in the hospital at Mumfordsville, Ky., in 18G2. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Sarah Paxton, and she was born in Pennsyl- vania. Her father, John Paxton, who was of Scotch-Irish descent, moved from Pennsylvania to Harrison County, Ohio, at an early day, and located on a 160-acre tract of timber land in the township of Cadiz, and there died in 1850, at eighty years of age. He was a Presbyterian in religion, and a rank Abolitionist politically. T. A. Arneal was born in Antrim, Ohio, Aug. 20, 1847. He received his education partly at Cambridge, Ohio, and remained an inmate of his father's home until he was sixteen years old, and then, inspired with youthful valor and patriotic love of country, he enlisted May 2, 1864, in Com- pany D, 160th Ohio Infantry, under the command of Gens. Sigel and Sheridan, and was mustered in at Zanesville. Hd and his comrades were dispatched to the Shenandoah Valley, where they took part in the engagements at Cedar Creek, Maryland Heights, June 6, and skirmished up and down the valley un- der the gallant leadership of Phil Sheridan. Our subject ilid guard duty at Maryland Heights until Sept. 8, 1864, when his regiment was mustered out and honorably discharged at Zanesville. During his term of service Mr. Arneal, notwithstanding his boyish age, displayed the courage, coolness and patience of a veteran in the face of the enemy, and his military record is one in which he and his family may take a just pride. After leaving the array our subject returned to his father's home, and resumed his studies that had been so interrupted, and continued his attendance at school until he was twenty years of age, thus securing a liberal educa- tion. After that he came to Nebraska, performing the entire journey with a team. He took up a homestead of 160 acres on Turkey Creek. In 1869 he left his land and went back to Ohio, where he engaged in farming on rented land, continuing there until the spring of 1878, when he removed to ■*•■ PAWNEE COUNTY. =s= r* 473 Cedar County, and located near Clarence, and was actively engaged in agriculture until the spring of 1884. At that time he came to his present place of residence in Plum Creek Precinct. There are in his farm 160 acres of exceedingly fertile soil, and our subject has completed the improvements begun before his purchase. Mr. Arneal has been twice married, the first time in Cambridge, Ohio, Aug. 30, 1871, to Miss Margaret Mackey. She was born in Cambridge, Aug. 1, 1847, and died Feb. 15, 1870, leaving many friends, in whose hearts her kind disposition had won her a warm place to sorrow with her fam- ily in their loss. Of that union three children were born — Luella M., Albert II. and Elmer J., the latter two being twins. Elmer is in Cambridge, Ohio; the others are at home. Mr. Arneal was married to his present estimable wife, formerly Miss Agnes M. Duff, in Muskingum County, Ohio, Jan. 8, 1878. Mrs. Arneal is a lady in every way, is a good housekeeper, and cordially seconds her husband's bounteous hospitality. Her parents are William and Julia (Paul) Duff, natives of Ohio. Her paternal grandfather, David Duff, was born in Pennsylvania, and was of Irish descent. He moved to Muskingum County, Ohio, in the early years of its settlement, and there spent the rest of his life, engaging in farming until his death in 1865, Andrew' Paul, Mrs. Arneal's maternal grandfather, was a native of Ireland, and coming to America, located in Belmont County, Ohio. He subsequentl} r moved to Guernsey County, the same State, and farmed there until 1 859, when he went to Scott County, Iowa, where he died. Mrs. Ar- neal's father was a farmer in Muskingum Count}-. In the fall of 1885 he sold his property in Ohio, and coining to this State with his family, is now living in retirement in Pawnee City. He is sixty- five years old, and his wife is sixty-three. They arc devoted members of the United Presbyterian Church, and lead exemplary lives. They have eight children, namely : David K. (deceased), Ag- nes M., .bine. Eliza M., Andrew P., Sadie A., Clarissa, and James W. (deceased.) The marriage of our subject and his wife has been blessed to them by the birth of five children, as follows: Annie M., William C, Jessie A., Robert 15. and John F. Mrs. Arneal was born in Sago, Muskin- gum Co., Ohio, Aug. 1, 1850, and there she grew to maturit}'. After reaching womanhood she was engaged in business in Bloomfield, Ohio, as a dress- maker and milliner until her marria«re. o Mr. Arneal is a man of unexceptional habits and high principles, and he has had the confidence of the people among whom he has come to make his home from the very first. He is connected with the G. A. R., belonging to W. A. Butler Post No. 172, at Burchard. He is influential in local poli- tics, giving his support to the Republican party, and has been a delegate to County and State Con- ventions. Both he and his wife are active members of the United Presbyterian Church at Liberty, of which he is an Elder, and has been so ever since he was twenty-four years old. /2=^)E0RGE BUSH. The farming and stock- jl( (=7 raising interests of Pawnee County have ^^jj! recognized Mr. Bush as one of their most in- dustrious and successful representatives. In the prosecution of his calling he has accumulated a good property, and forms one of the solid factors among the most important interests of this section. He was born near the city of Bristol, in Gloucester- shire, England, Nov. 23, 1829, and is the son of Thomas Bush, who for many j'ears was occupied as a book-keeper for one of the most extensive coal companies in his count}'. The early life of young Bush was spent in his native place with his parents, whose family con- sisted of two sons and one daughter. The mother in her girlhood was Miss Hannah Colburn. George was the second child, and the family lived a num- ber of years on a small piece of land one and a half miles from the coal works. He was subjected to careful home training, and pursued his studies for a time in a select school. He remained a member of the parental family until twenty-three years of age, and was then married to Miss Elizabeth Shep- peard, who, like himself, was a native of Bristol, and the daughter of Thomas Sheppeard. They lived for a short, time in their native county, our subject making arrangements to start for America. ♦^ =t=r» 474 ■+* PAWNEE COUNTY. 4- Mr. Bush in the spring of 1856 gathered to- gether his little family, and, bidding adieu to the friends and associations of his youth, set sail on the long voyage across the Atlantic to seek a home in the New World. They made but a brief sojourn after landing in New York City, migrating directly northwestward to Wisconsin, and settling on a small farm of forty acres in Dodge County. Much of this was timber, and Mr. Bush cleared a con- siderable portion of it, bringing the soil to a good state of cultivation. Our subject, however, was destined to a great ntlliction, as his wife died the year following his settlement in Wisconsin, leaving one child three days old. This child, a daughter, was named Elizabeth, became the wife of John E. Beck, and is now deceased. Mr. Bush five years later was mar- ried a second time, to Harriet J., eldest daughter of Alonzo and Hannah C. (Ayres) Mace. This lady was born Feb. 1 1, 1823, and removed with her par- ents to Dodge County, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Mace were from New York State. By a former husband Mrs. Bush became the mother of one daughter, but of her union with our subject there are no children. Her daughter, Cornelia A., is the wife of Benjamin H or ton, and they live near Table Rock, in this count}'. In the fall of 1863 Mr. Bush came to this county, settling first on a tract of land south of Pawnee City, where lie lived three years, then removed to his present farm of 160 acres, the first eight}' acres of which he obtained by entering from the Govern- ment, and the second eighty by homesteading. He has twenty acres of timber, and the balance of his land has been brought to a good state of cultiva- tion. He has a substantial farm dwelling, which was erected at a time when material was very costly, and had to be hauled along distance. Adja- cent to this are the barns and other structures nec- essary for his convenience. There are fruit trees and the other accessories which assist in the com- pletion of the modern homestead. Of late years Mr. Bush has turned his attention considerably to stock-raising, making a specialty of cattle and swine, the former of a high-grade breed, and the latter high-grade Poland-China. He is a man who has, in the midst of many cares -*•■ and labors, borne in mind the interests of his adopted county, and given his support to the en- terprises calculated for the good of her people. He began without means or other resources than his own indomitable energy, and it would seem that he might look upon the results of his labors with abundant satisfaction. He votes the straight Republican ticket, having been an adherent of this party since its organization. Aside from serving as a member of the School Board he has carefully avoided the responsibilities of office. The father of Mrs. Bush was an extensive farmer and land-owner, being the proprietor of three farms in New York State. He departed this life at his home, in December, 1863. The mother is still living, making her home with her youngest daugh- ter, Mrs. Hiram Cora, of Michigan, and is now in the eighty-sixth year of her age. To her and her husband there were born six children, namely: Sarah, who died at the age of twelve years; Henry, Harriet J., John L., Amanda and Charlotte. *** "f ' S ' lt'S ' iI 1 * *°* ' \f?OSEPH K. GOUDY is numbered among the leading attorneys of Pawnee City. He was born near the city of Springfield, Clarke Co., iftsM/,/ Ohio. April 28, 1851, and was the youngest in a family of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, seven of whom survive. Thomas B. Goudy, the father of our subject, was also a na- tive of the Buckeye State, and married Miss Nancy P. Kirkpa trick, of the same. William Goudy, the paternal grandfather, was one of the pioneers of Clarke County, and traced his ancestry to Scotland. The Kirkpatricks were of equally good stock, being Scutch-Irish. Grandfather Goudy made good head- way as a tiller of a portion of the soil of Ohio in its primitive days, ami there his bones were laid to rest. Thomas B. Goudj', the father of our subject, also followed agriculture during his early years in his na- tive county of Adams, removing thence to Clarke County in 1811. There he was married to Miss Kirkpatrick, and they lived in Clarke County until 1854. We next find them in Warren County, HI., where they sojourned until 1883, when they crossed *f ■&r> f ssv^- •*•- PAWNEE COUNTY. 477 i i the Father of Waters and took up their abode in Pawnee City, this county, where his death took place in February, 1885. The mother died at the home of Dr. Sterrett, in the city of Philadelphia, Pa. The subject of this sketch pursued his earl}' stud- ies in the district schools of Warren County, 111., and later entered Monmouth College, of which he was a student three years. Thereafter he was oc- cupied as a teacher several years. Later he took charge of Freedman's College in Vicksburg, Miss., sojourning there until 1873. We next find him in Shelbyville, Tenn., as Professor of Mathematics in Bedford Seminary. A year later he entered the law office of Stewart & Ralston, in St. Louis, Mo., and after a year's residence there returned to Mon- mouth, 111. In the latter place he was tendered the position of Principal of the High School, which position he held three years, and was Professor of. Mathematics in the academy one year. Afterward he read law two years with John T. Morgan, the Register in Bankruptcy. The latter was afterward appointed Chief Justice of Idaho Territory. He was removed from this oflice by the Cleveland ad- ministration. Upon leaving Monmouth the second time Mr. Goudy repaired to Beardstown, 111., where he be- came Principal of the public schools, conducting these as such four years, and still pursuing his law studies as time and opportunity permitted, lie was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court in No- vember, 1880, and, soon afterward emigrating to the farther West, established himself in Pawnee City, where he has since devoted his exclusive at- tention to his law practice. In Monmouth, 111., Mr. Goudy was wedded, in August, 1872, to Miss Ella R., daughter of Col. W. I). Henderson, an old and prominent citizen of Warren County. Mrs. Goody was born Nov. 16, 1850, in Mercer County. 111., and of her union with our subject there are six children, one son and live daughters. They were named respectively: Frank R., Maude, Ilallie, Lucy I)., Helen G. and Joe. Mr. Goudy is recognized as a man of more than ordinary ability, and in 1880 was appointed Super- visor of the Census. In 188G he was elected County Attorney, and the year following was made City «« Attorney, being reappointed to this latter oflice in 1 888. He occupies a good position socially and financially, is a decided Republican in politics, and, in religious matters, a member of the United Pres- byterian Church. *»~^©£r*- i-^O^-K* - *fw.' W. REES. Prominent among the young farmers of Mission Creek Precinct, who are assiduously devoting themselves with marked I success to the maintenance of the extensive agricultural interests of Pawnee County, is the sub- ject of this sketch. His farm on section 20, Mis- sion Creek Precinct, is classed as one of the best farms in this part of the country, and among its many valuable improvements are a large and roomy residence and a commodious barn. Our subject is a son of one of Pawnee County's pioneers, his father, Christian Rees, who lives with him, coming here at an early day, and buying this farm of the Government, developing it from the wild prairie, and as his son assisted him in bringing it to its present high state of cultivation, although he was a mere lad when he came here, he may also be styled a pioneer. The father is a native of Nassau, Germany, his birth taking place Jan. 5, 1830. His father, Ma- thias Rees, was a native of the same place, where he carried on farming and also held the position of overseer of the forest lands. He died in the Father- land in 1851, at the age of fifty-eight years. His wife, whose maiden name was Anuiee Itein, also a native of Nassau, died in 1844, at the age of forty- nine years. Michael Rees, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a wealthy farmer in his native Germany, and owned a large estate. Christian Rees began life as a farmer in Germany, but when he was twenty-three years of age he emigrated to America, in 1853, embarking at Antwerp on the sailing-vessel "Ashland." He came very near not reaching the promised land, as the ship was wrecked in the English Channel, and he had a very narrow escape from drowning. He finally succeeded in crossing the ocean, and landing in New York, pro- ceeded to Lawrenceburg, Ind., and thence went to — •►- i l 478 PAWNEE COUNTY. +L, *t Greenup Couuty, Ky., and was there married, March 10, 1855, to Miss Mary E. Miller. She was born in Aargau, Switzerland, Dec. 1, 1835, a daugh- ter of Rudolph Miller, a native of the same coun- try. He was a farmer and owned a large farm. He took part in the Swiss Revolution of 1848. In 1854 he emigrated from the land of his nativity with his family, and locatsd in Portsmouth, Ohio. He was there employed as a day laborer until his removal to Greenup County, where he worked in an iron foundry. Later he went to UeKalb County, 111., becoming an early settler thereof in 1858. He bought land there, improved it, and is still actively engaged in farming his homestead, notwithstanding his advanced age, he being seventy-eight years old. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Leis- cher, was born in Switzerland seventy-two years ago. She and her husband are devoted members of the Evangelical Methodist Episcopal Church. Ru- dolph Miller, the maternal great-grandfather of our subject, was a wealthy farmer of Switzerland. He was a soldier in the Swiss Revolution, and died in 1847, at the age of fifty -one years. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Rees, the parents of our subject, removed to UeKalb County, 111., and two years later found them in LaSalle County, the same State. Mr. Rees began farming there, buying a tract of land, and besides cultivating the soil raised stock in that section of the country until 1870, when he»sold out his property in Illinois and came to Pawnee County, and since that time has been identified with its agricultural interests. He bought 160 acres of Government land on Mission Creek, which forms the farm now managed by him- self and son, and in the busy years that followed his settlement on it made numerous valuable im- provements, lie being a skillful and industrious far- mer. Both parents make their home with their son of whom we write, he being their only living child, Their daughter Emma became the wife of J. E. Blair, and died in Colorado, Jan. 29, 1881, and her remains were brought home for burial. Our subject was born in the city of Chicago, III., March 18, 1858. He was quite young when his parents settled in LaSalle County, and there a part of his boyhood was passed on a farm. He was > twelve years old when the family came to Nebraska, <•- coming from Henry, 111., on the Illinois Central Railway to St. Louis, thence up the Missouri River to Atchison, Kan., and from there they drove to this place with a team. He had good school ad- vantages, and being an intelligent, wide-awake lad, he made good use of his time to gain an education. After coming here he was of great assistance to his father in breaking the prairie, and was kept busy tilling the soil. He subsequently went into part- nership with his father, and the farm is now in a fine condition, with hedge and wire fences, a new house, barns, etc., and the land under admirable tillage. The Messrs. Rees do general farming and pay much attention to raising fine grades of stock. Their cattle are of the Short-horn breed, and they also buy and feed cattle. They have likewise eight head of graded Clyde horses. Our subject was married to Miss Sophia Mollet, in Pawnee City, Nov. 19, 1884. She was born in St. Louis, Mo., June 11, 18GG, to Edward and Mary (Gruby) Mollet. Her father was born in West Baden and her mother in Hesse-Darmstadt, German}'. They were married in America, and after marriage located for awhile in St. Louis, where Mr. Mollet was engaged as a confectioner, which business he carried on in Washington, where he was married, and in other places, and at last opened a confectioner's shop in Chicago, III., where he died soon after the great fire, his death occurring in 1873. Mrs. Rees's mother, who is a woman of much ability and force of character, worked her own way. She finally removed to Nebraska, and bought the hotel at Burchard, which is run on the European plan. She is an earnest follower of the Catholic- religion, and is now fifty-two years old. She has two children living, Minnie and Sophia. The union of our subject and his wife has been blessed to them by the birth of two children, Emma E. and Fred R. Mr. Rees is a man of much enterprise, and is in- fluential in public affairs, discharging with charac- teristic faithfulness and ability the responsible of- fices that have been entrusted to him. lie is a mem- ber of the School Board, was Justice of the Peace two years, and is Supervisor of Roads. He is an active member of the German Evangelical Synod in Gage County, Neb., and his father is a charter member of the church. The latter is a firm Repub- ♦► •►Hl^ ^11 <*• PAWNEE COUNTY. 479 lican, while our subject is identified with the Union Labor party. He is an intelligent member of the Grange. Mrs. Rees is a very amiable lad}', and cordially seconds the hospitality of her husband, and carefully looks after the comfort of her vis- itors. The grandfather of Mrs. Rees was compelled to leave France with the Huguenots under the penalty of death if they remained in France. Mrs. Rees has changed her membership from the Catholic Church to the Evangelical Synod, or society, and worships with her husband. On another page we give a fine lithographic view of the residence of Mr. Rees. 4 y)lLLIAM A, FRANK. Pawnee County con- tains its full quota of young men 'who fill ^^ divers and honorable positions in the vari- ous departments of life. It is the purpose of this sketch to introduce to the reader such a one, who has carved out for himself financial prosperity, and attained to a position which reflects great credit upon his perseverance, while his natural abilities have made of this perhaps a task less tedious than to many others. A native of the Fatherland, he was born in Prussia, (let. 18, I860, and when a lad of six years was brought by his parents to America. His father sett led upon a tract of land from which has been built up the present home- stead of our subject, and where William A. has spent the greater part of his life. Godtfried Frank, the father of our subject, is a native of the same Province as his son, and of pure German ancestry. He came to this country equipped with the substantial qualities inherited from his forefathers, and proved to be one of the men most needed in the development of a new country. He began at first principles in the con- struction of a homestead, settling upon a tract of land upon which there were no improvements what- ever. He planted fruit and forest trees, and the first year of his residence here began the building of a house, which was not entirely finished until 1881. It then was more than ordinarily convenient and substantial, and make8 a most comfortable dwelling for the family. The elder Frank was a man of intelligence, believing in the establishment and maintenance of schools, and assisted in organ- izing the school district of his neighborhood, and was one of its first officers. He was also active in the building of the first bridges in the precinct, and although a man well qualified to hold official positions, steadily declined becoming an office- holder. At the time of his arrival in America he was a man of forty years, having been born in 182(5. The parents of our subject were married in their native Province, the mother being in her girlhood Miss Minnie Wartemburg. In Germany there were born to them four children, two of whom died be- fore the emigration to America. The child living besides our subject is his sister Eliza, now the wife of Mr. Gottfried Burow, now living in Table Rock Precinct; they are the parents of eight children. Godtfried Frank and his excellent wife are still liv- ing at the old homestead. The Frank family in the pioneer days suffered the usual hardships of life in a new settlement, their nearest markets and trading-posts being at ISrownville and Nebraska City. They distin- guished themselves as people courteous, obliging and hospitable, and are highly spoken of by all who know them. Our subject assisted his parents around the home- stead during his boyhood and youth, becoming familiar with farm pursuits, and acquiring his edu- cation in the common school. When ready to es- tablish domestic ties of his own, he was united in marriage with Miss Arcelia Hall, the wedding tak- ing place in Pawnee City, July ■">. 1881. Mrs. Arcelia (Hall) Frank was born in Missouri. .Ian. 17. 1859, and came with her parents to Ne- braska when a small child. The latter were Charl- ton and Zuritha (Plaster) Hall, and they are now residents of Humboldt. Mr. Hall was born in Springfield, 111., in 1828, and lived there until his marriage with Miss Plaster. Two years later they moved to the vicinity of Watson, Mo., and subse- quently crossed the river into P.rownville. Neb. They lived there twelve years, and then came to Richardson County, settling first one and one-half miles northeast of the residence of Mr. Frank. The ♦► f .►4^ 480 PAWNEE COUNTY. f "f father, taking up 160 acres of land, labored as a tiller of the soil until retiring from the active duties of life. He is now living with his estimable wife at a pleasant home in Humboldt. Theo. Hall, a brother of Mrs. Frank, is a well-to-do farmer of Table Rock Precinct, and the family is generally respected as representing the solid and reliable ele- ment of the community. The parental household included ten children, eight of whom are living, making their homes mostly in Nebraska. Mrs. Hall was also a native of Illinois, and born in 1830. Mr. Frank, in his first farming operations, de- voted his labors mainly to the raising of grain, but finally found that the breeding of live stock was likely to be a more profitable industry, and to this he has given his attention of late years. Father and son worked together in this direction, and dealt largely in full-blooded registered stock. They make a specialty of Chester-White swine, which they were the first to introduce in this precinct, and one of their most important purchases was ob- tained from the noted firm of L. B. Silver A- Co.. of Cleveland, Ohio, the Franks paving $65 for two young pigs. From that beginning they have real- ized fine results. This breed of swine is claimed to be exempt from cholera. The Franks have also some fine horses and cattle. Our subject has thus made a fine beginning toward a competency, and is looked upon as one of the future men of influence in this part of the county. To William and Arcelia Frank there have been born two children: Florence May, Dec. 8, 1882. and Ernest, Feb. 24, L885. Our subject and his little family occupy an addition to the old family resi- dence, and are surrounded with all the comforts of life. William A. Frank is owner of a fine draft stallion of excellent blood, one-half Red-Eye, and one-half Clyde, which was brought from Illinois. He is a handsome cherry bay. sixteen bands high, weighing 1,200 pounds, and of fine symmetrical pro- portions. His sire was considered by many one of the best stock horses in Illinois, taking as many as 151 premiums at the various fairs where he was on exhibition. Mr. Frank is also the owner of a blooded mare of fine points, and has several blooded colls of different ages. There are indications that in the near future he will attain an enviable repu- tation in the live-stock line, being a fine judge of horses and swine especially. In politics he is a stanch Republican. The fine, comfortable home of the Franks is shown on another page. FX.IAMIN II. FULLER, Treasurer of Paw- nee Count}', and having his headquarters at Pawnee City, arrived upon the soil of Ne- braska in June. 1866, and homesteaded 160 acres of land on West Branch, ten miles southwest of the city. Upon this he effected considerable im- provement and it still remains his property. In the meantime, as a man of more than ordinary in- telligence and value as a citizen, he made such good headway in the opinions of the people of this county that after filling other positions of trust and responsibility, he was. in the spring of 1879, elected Sheriff. He served acceptably the two terms, four years in all, and was then made Cashier of the Rank of Burchard, which position he filled eighteen months. In 1885 he was elected County Treasurer, and re-elected in 1887, still holding the position. A New Englander by birth and training, our subjeel was born in St. Johnsbury, Vt., May 12, 1X2K. He was the youngest child and only son in a family of five children, the offspring of Benjamin and Sarah (Abbott) Fuller. The father was also a native of Vermont and a hatter by trade. The mother was the daughter of William Abbott, and was born and reared to womanhood in New Hamp- shire. The parents after their marriage settled in Vermont, and the father met his death by drown- ing in 1836, when Benjamin II., our subject, was a little lad eight years ®f age. Young Fuller, the year following the death of his father, practically started out in life for him- self, working among the people of his neighbor- hood at whatever he could find to do, and attend- ing school during the winter season. He continued a resilient of his native State until a young man of twenty-two years, then set out for California and occupied himself in mining until the summer of 1854. He then started back on the long journey r •►HH^ ■fc ■■ ^*- PAWNKK COUNTY. LSI T= to Vermont, ami engaged in farming three years, after which he entered a gristmill, where he worked until after the outbreak of the Civil War. In 1.S62 he enlisted in Company K, 3d Vermont Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and participated in many of the important battles fought by that division, being at Williamsburg, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and in all inn-lit iii fourteen battles, receiving only one slight wound and escaping capture by the rebels. lie was also elected Captain of Company 1!. .'id Vermont Infantry. His regiment formed a part of the 6th Army Corps and was mostly under the command of Gen. Sedgwick. At the close of the war Mr. Fuller received his honorable discharge at Burling- ton, N't., in July, 1 865, and in October following started again for the West and settled in Marshall County, Iowa, where he engaged in farming for a number of years. His next removal was to Ne- braska Territory. Mr. Fuller was married, in March, 1855, to Miss Isabelle 1!. Harvey, of Harriet, Yt., daughter of Claude Harvey, of the same State. Mrs. Fuller ac- companied her husband to the West, and they now occupy a pleasant home in Pawnee City, where they have made many friends. Thej r have a bright and interesting family of six children, who are named respectively: Frank B., Claude II.. Mary F... Louie L., William A. and Jennie P. Mr. Fuller, politically, votes the Straight Republican ticket, and socially, is a member of the G. A. K. He has been identified with the Presbyterian Church for the last twenty-two years. A peaceful and law-abiding citizen, he represents the solid element of his com- munity, and is held in general respect. f~^IIILLIP GOIN, one of the successful far- Jl) mors of Plum Creek Precinct, also one of its oldest settlers, is a man of excellent ] \ business ability, and as a citizen of no mean prominence, has energetically contributed his share toward the material, educational, moral and relig- ious advancement of this part of Pawnee County. He was born near Tazewell, Claiborne Co., Tenn., Aug. 15, 1846, and his father, Sterling Coin, was also a native of the same county. Levi Coin, the grandfather of subject, an American-born citizen of Irish descent, was an early settler of Tennessee, and was numbered among the well-to-do farmers of his time in Claiborne Count}-, and there he died in 1863, when he was over eighty years old. His sou Sterling was reared on his farm, and after attaining man's estate he married Mary Keck, who was a na- tive of the same county as himself. After mar- riage the father of our subject continued on the old homestead, buying the heirs out, and was for many years extensively engaged in farming and stock- raising. In 1886 he sold the old place and turned his attention to hotel-keeping in Tazewell, Tenn., where he is now living at the age of seventy years. He is a man of great force, and is highly respected iii his neighborhood. His estimable wife closed her eyes to the scenes of earth while yet scarcely past the prime of life, dying Dec. 22, 1868, when forty- live years old. She was. with her husband, an act- ive member of the Baptist Church. He is a stanch Republican in politics. To them sixteen children were born, as follows: John (dead), Anne, Rachel (dead), J. K., Phillip, Levi, Jasper, Sarah, Cather- ine, Rebecca, Mary, William, Howard, Proctor, Charity, and an infant who died. J. K. was in the same regiment as our subject, enlisting in 1863 and serving until after the close of the war. Our subject passed his early days on his father's farm, and even in his youth evinced strong patriot- ism and love of his country, by enlisting, at the age of eighteen, in 1864, from a Southern State, in de- fense of the stars and stripes, becoming a member of Company B, 1st Tennessee Light Artillery, and was mustered into the Army of the Tennessee at Cumberland Gap, under Capt. Beebee. His regiment was sent on a scouting expedition on horseback, and had n skirmish with Esteson. Our subject and his comrades were then sent to Strawberry Plains to do guard duty. From there they were dis- patched to Nashville, Tenn., where they remained until after the close of the war, being mustered out ami honorably discharged in July, 1865. During his term of service our subject showed rare soldierly qualities spite of his youth and inexperience. After Leaving the army Mr. (Join returned to his old Tennessee home, and managed the farm for awhile T 482 pawnee county. Hr until he was twenty years old, when he married and began farming for himself. He continued thus act- ively engaged in Tennessee until the spring of 1869, when he decided to try farming in a new country, and selecting Nebraska as possessing in an eminent degree many desirable advantages of cli- mate, fertile soil, etc., he came by rail to Ash Point, Kan., and thence by team to Pawnee County. He immediately took up a 160-acre tract of wild prai- rie land under the provisions of the Homestead Act, and became almost the first settler on the prairie. He built a dug-out, in which to live until he could erect a log house, and then set about the task of preparing his land for cultivation, breaking the prairie with oxen mostly, hedged his land and set up groves. He engaged in farming and stock- raising there for some years, with varying success, his nearest markets being Beatrice, Neb., and Ma- rysville, Kan. He had to undergo many trials, among the worst of which was the grasshopper siege, as those insects destroyed his crops and nearly eat him out of house and home. In the spring of 1 878 Mr. Goin sold his old homestead and bought a farm of ICO acres on the adjacent section 31, which was partly improved. With characteristic energy he has since made many other needed improvements and has greatly increased the value of his farm. He set out twelve acres of orchard, consist- ing of 800 trees of choice fruit. He has about forty acres of native forest trees, and the farm be- ing well watered by Plum Creek, is a very suitable place for stock-raising, indeed, is considered one of the best places in the precinct, and our subject takes great delight in that branch of agriculture and he feeds cattle. He has sixty head of graded stock, and a fine herd of hogs, and eight head of blooded Clyde and draft horses, having three teams to operate his farm. In 1882 he bought forty acres more land, adjoining his homestead on the same section, and he also has a lease of forty acres of school land in Gage County. He has his farm fenced with hedge and wire, and has many valuable improvements, good dwellings, barns, etc. Mr. Goin was married in Claiborne County, Tenn., to Miss Elendear Bollinger, Sept. 22, 1866. She was a native of that county, born at Tazewell, Feb. 7, 1847. She died in her husband's home in «« Nebraska, Dec. 14, 1887, leaving besides her be- reaved family many friends .to mourn the loss of a woman of kindly heart, considerate ways, and many other good qualities. The following is the record of the children born to her and her husband : James Sterling, born in Tennessee, Nov. 8, 1867; Esau, born in Nebraska, Dec. 13, 1869, died Nov. 27, 1871 ; Florence M., born Aug. 24, 1871 ;Emmeline, born April 22, 1874; Matilda, born Feb. 7, 1876; Hugh, born Aug. 23, 1877; Irving, born Jan. 7, 1879, died Feb. 27, 1879; Proctor, born June 5, 1880; Andrew, born April 1, 1882; Lioneal, born May 27, 1884; Victor, born Feb. 17, 1886, died Jan. 1, 1887; Clyde, born Dec. 7, 1887. They are all at home. Mr. Goin has proved an invaluable citizen since his settlement here in pioneer days, and has always used his influence to preserve law and order. In his political views he is a straight Republican, sin- cerely believing the policy of that party to be the best in the guidance of National affairs. He is connected with Berry Post No. 159, G. A. R., at Liberty. He has interested himself in educa- tional affairs, and was instrumental in organizing this precinct into a district, and served on the School Board with great efficiency for three years. He is one of the leading members of the Baptist Church at Liberty, helped to build the church and is Treasurer of the society. Mr. Goin is much in- terested in the manufacture of sorghum, and raises seven or eight acres of cane every year, from which he makes about a thousand gallons, using Cook's Evaporator. -*~*-§«==3KEH->- fipP RANCIS E. WASHBURN. The best indi- !!=*=> cation of a man's character is his standing and reputation among his neighbors and fellow-citizens. We look for no further proof of his reliability than the fact that he is well spoken of by those whom he has lived beside for a term of years. These remarks are properly applied to the subject of this sketch, a man who has seen much of life, and who from an interesting and varied ex- perience, has learned well. He is the owner of a good farm property which forms one of the pleas- ^T" 4= PAWNEE COUNTY. 483 •t* antest homes in Sheridan Precinct, of which he was one of the early settlers. The farm is pleasantly located ami occupies a portion of section 30, town- ship 2, range 12. Mr. Washburn set foot upon the soil of Ne- braska first in January, 1874. He came here as a printer by trade, at which he worked in Pawnee City until August, 1877. in the ollice of the Rej>uh- lican, with the exception of six weeks, when he was off on a vacation. Later he connected him- self with the Enterprise, remaining with it from its first establishment until January, 1880, then deter- mined to change his occupation, and sought the rural districts. He had purchased land, Oct. 29, 1874, and two years later put up a dwelling in Gothic style of architecture, which he has occupied since September, 1875. In the spring of 1880 he put in his first crops. He makes a specialty of live stock, utilizing in this direction most of the grain which is raised upon his land. A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Washburn was born at Eldred, McKean County, April 13, 1848. Two years later his parents moved across the line into Cattaraugus County, N. Y., where he spent his boyhood days and acquired a practical educa- tion in the common schools. His business career began as the employe of a lumbering company on the Allegheny River, but this not being congenial to his tastes he entered the ollice of the Olean Times, where he continued from the spring of 1868 until the fall of the year following. Thence he went into the office of the Buffalo Post, where he spent the winter following, then returned home. In August, 1870, he started for the West, passing through Chicago to Aurora, 111., where he became an attache of the Herald office. After the great lire he returned to Chicago and became connected with the Times, in its temporary office on Adams street. From the Garden City Mr. Washburn now struck out for the farther West, and we next find him in Kansas in the office of the Atchison Patriot, where he worked eighteen months, and during the Greeley campaign. He next went into the Champion office, but after a short time, desirous of seeing more of the Western country, started out through the Solo- mon Valley in the fall of 1873, riding a pony. He sojourned for awhile at Blue Rapids, then re- turned to Atchison, and from there migrated to Pawnee City. Since that time he has been a resi- dent of this county. The wedded life of Mr. Washburn commenced Oct. 18, 1874, when he was united in marriage with Miss Florence A. Whaley, in the Methodist Episcopal Church ill Pawnee City. Soon after- ward they took up their abode at their present homestead. Mrs. Washburn was born March 31, 1856, in Kalamazoo County, Mich., and came with her father, John Whaley, to this State in 1864. Of the latter a sketch will be found elsewhere in this volume. Of this union there were born four children, two of whom are deceased. These were twins; one died in early infancy, and the other at the age of fourteen months. The elder daughter living, Julia A., was born Aug. 11, 1878, and Eva L., March 20, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Washburn are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Pawnee City, and earnest workers in the Sunday-school. Reuben S. B. Washburn, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Ovid, Seneca Co., N. Y., Sept. 18, 1815, where he lived until approaching manhood. There he was married to Miss Julia A. Stewart, and they became the parents of nine children, seven of whom lived to mature years. The eldest son died in Richmond, Ya., a prisoner of war, Dec. 2. 1863. The family about 1844 removed to Pennsylvania, but finally returned to New York State, settling in Cattaraugus Count}", where the father engaged in farming and lumbering combined. During the later years of his life he was atllicted with blind- ness, and died Nov. 23, 1865, at the age of fifty years. The devoted wife and mother kept her children together until they were grown, and is still living, making her home with her daughter in Cattaraugus County. She came to Nebraska after the marriage of our subject, and remained with him two years. Abiel Washburn, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a New Englander by birth, and mar- ried Miss Janette Sherman. He finally migrated to Seneca County, N. Y., where he carried on farm- ing a number of years, and also taught school. He retired from active labor some time before his 484 l'AWNKK COUNTY. death, which took place in 18G0. Grandmother Washburn survived her husband until the year 1871 or 1872. Mrs. Julia (Stewart) Washburn, the mother of our subject, was born at Milton, .Sara- toga Co., N. Y., April 25, 1818, and is the daughter of James Stewart, who removed to Michi- gan, but finally returned to his native State and spent his last years in Medina, where he died about 1872, having survived his partner two or three years. The Washburn family traces its ancestry to good old Puritan stock, the great-grandfather of our subject having been a half-brother of Israel Wash- burn, father of the late Elihu B. Washburn, of Illi- nois. Wherever making their homes they have been people of prominence, both in connection with social and business affairs. Our subject has held various offices in his precinct, officiating as Treasurer of his school district a period of six years, being a member of the Board of Elections, and representing the Republican part}' in the Count}' Conventions usually every } r ear. A man upright and honorable in his transactions, he is one of those whose word is considered as good as his bond. 4 ETER GOLD. The stranger to Western life is frequently surprised in taking his initial journey, to observe the advanced state of civilization apparent frequently even in remote rural districts, there being intro- duced into the homes of the agriculturist many appliances of modern invention, both for comfort and convenience, as well as for embellishment. Into such a home it is our pleasure to introduce the reader, also to present some of the more salient features in the life of its owner, the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. An early pioneer of Table Bock Precinct, Mr. Gold is now the owner of a fine farm of 120 acres, pleasantly located on section 27. He also has eighty acres on section 28. His first purchase was effected in June of 18G8 from its original home- steader, Rev. Mr. Arnold. It had been entered as early as 1856, but no improvements had been made upon it, not even a hedge row broken. Mr. Gold thus was obliged to begin at first principles in the construction of a farm. He realized that there was before him no small task, but he went to work with a will, and, as the result of 3 - ears of industry and perseverance, we find him the owner of a very fine estate. On his farm he set out forest and fruit trees, and has now a fine apple orchard, a vineyard of 100 grape vines, blackberries, strawberries, cher- ries and plums, which yield bountifully and provide the family with the luxuries of the season. During the first two winters of his sojourn here Mr. Gold lived in a shanty, ten feet square, in the timber, while he carried on the improvement of his land as rapidly as possible. His neighbors were few and far between, the nearest being Mr. Renter and Mr. Miller. There were no buildings for miles west of Nemaha, with the exception of a dug-out belonging to John Wood. Our subject put up a frame dwelling in 1871, and erected other structures as his time and means justified. He is now (January, 1889) preparing to build a flue large barn. His land has been brought to a good state of cultivation, and for the past few years he has been gradually branching out into stock-raising, having excellent grades of cattle, and has engaged considerably in dairying. His milch cows are especially fine, and the cream produced from these is of an unusually good quality, having been tested by experts, and pronounced equal to that of blooded stock. Mr. Gold is also largely in- terested in the breeding of Berkshire swine, together with fine horses. Our subject was on the ground at the organiza- tion of School District No. 34, and assisted in the erection of the school building. He has been a member of the School Board of District No. 52, of- ficiating as Treasurer for a number of years. Ho was the first Road Supervisor in his part of the precinct, and assisted iu opening up the public highway through his district, besides superintend- ing the building of the first bridges. It will thus be seen that he could have spent but few idle hours, and, although he has encountered many hardships and difficulties as a pioneer of Nebraska, he is now at the point where he can reap his re- ward. A man interested in educational and religious f -*•■ ■•*- PAWNEE COUNTY. 185 matters, Mr. Gold assisted in the erection of the first Methodist Episcopal Church building of Table Rock, also the Presbyterian Church, and has in fact been found ever willing to give a cheerful support to the various projects having for their object the advancement of the people. His neigh- bors, who have had the best means of knowing of his daily life, uniformly speak of him in the highest terms, and a man can need no better recommenda- tion than this. The native State of our subject was Pennsyl- vania, and his childhood home in Northampton County, where he was born July 1, 1840. He re- ceived a good practical education, and lived there until a young man of twenty-two years. A few months after the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted as a Union soldier, Sept. 15, 18G2, in Com- pany A, l.j.'id Pennsylvania Infantry. This vvas at the time of the nine-months call for 600,000 men. Young Gold met the enemy in many important battles, besides innumerable skirmishes, being in the light at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettys- burg, Antietam, and at the close of his term of en- listment received an honorable discharge. Upon retiring from the army after a year's serv- ice, Mr. Gold migrated to Stephenson County, III., where he spent two years engaged in farming. He then sold his forty acres of land, and, cross- ing the Mississippi, invested his capital in this County. lie was married to his present wife May 16, 1883. She was formerly Mrs. Julia (Avery) Kinney, of New York City, who was visiting her brother in Table Rock Precinct, where she formed the acquaintance of our subject. Of a former mar- riage of Mr. Gold there is one child, a son, Henry. Mrs. Julia Gold was born Sept. 24, 18;3G, in Montgomery County, N. Y., and lived there until reaching womanhood. She was then married to Mr. Kinney, and came to the West in 1880. By her first husband she became the mother of one child, a son, George W.. who is living with Mr. Gold. Jacob Gold, the father of our subject, and, like his son, a native of Northampton County, Pa., was born the first week in August, 1800. He spent his entire life in his native county engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. Upon reaching manhood he was •4* married to Miss Eva Bridinger, and this union re- sulted in the birth of four children. The father died at the homestead in Northampton County, in 1878. The mother, who was born in 1802, sur- vived her husband nine yens, her death taking place April 7, 1887. The elder Gold accumulated a good property, being the owner of a large tract of land, which his children afterward occupied. Peter is the only one in Nebraska. — *<■» ■»! , ■ • 3 * ' 31 * 2 * j, 1 » * ° * — ■ OBERTINGLIS. Close upon the heels of other important enterprises was established that which the subject of this sketch is now successfully prosecuting, the manufacture of buggies and spring wagons. Mr. I. came to Pawnee City in the fall of 1876, and is numbered among its most energetic business men, industrious and reliable, and worthily tilling his niche in the busy hive of its various industries. A native of Illinois, he was born near Kewanee, in Henry County, Dec. 2. 1856, and is the eldest of six chil- dren, the offspring of Peter and Ellen I. (Ruther- ford) Inglis, who were both natives of Scotland. The parents of our subject emigrated to the United States early in life, and after their marriage settled in Henry County, 111., where the father was successfully engaged as a farmer and stock- trader, and where they lived until their removal to Nebraska, in 1874. Upon coming to this county they Settled on a tract of land about ten miles southwest of Pawnee City, where the parents still reside. Robert remained with them until twenty years of age. acquiring a practical education, and completing his studies in the academy at Kewanee. 111. He accompanied them to this county, and lived with them upon the farm one year, then repairing to Pawnee City began an apprenticeship at blacksmithing, which trade he followed there- after for a period of about eight years. Mr. [nglis at an early period in his life displayed unusual mechanical genius, and at tin- expiration of the time mentioned he left the anvil, and began the manufacture of spring wagons and buggies, putting out from the first about fifty jobs per year. also doing a general repair business. This enter- »» r- -4^ , i 486 PAWNEE COUNTY. prise was successful from the first, and he now gives employment during the busy season to from six to eight men. His work is all disposed of in the home market. He has invested much of his capital in real estate, putting up what is called the Pawnee City Opera House in connect inn with J. M. Spate-. and other structures. The opera house is an ob- ject of pride to the citizens of this place, occupying an area of 52x100 feet, being two stories in height, with a capacity of seating T.Vi persons. There are in connection with the stage fourteen sets of scenes and other appliances making it pleasant for the theater-goers. .Miss Margaret C. Burg, of Pawnee County, be- came the wife of our subject Dec. 8, 1875. She was born Dec. 8, 185(i, and is the daughter of Francis Burg, who is now deceased, having spent his last years in this connty. They have two chil- dren, a son and daughter, George F. and Nellie. Mr. Englis has served as a member of the City Council three years, and is at present the City Treasurer. He is rather conservative in politics. but usually votes the Republican ticket. Socially, he belongs to Lodge No. 0, I. 0. 0. F., and is a Knightof Pythias. In religious matters he is iden- tified with the First Presbyterian Church. Mr. Inglis is numbered among the self-made men of this county, who, knowing how their prop- erty has been accumulated, naturally know how to take care of it. He has sufficient to support him in his declining years, and is adding steadily to his bank account. -*2££'©i€-~ — fe X4— ^Sfc-SWWZr.- ~t *@^JOT> » v«. *w\»* ffiOHN R. HUNZEKER is a farmer of Sheridan Precinct, and one of the Hunzeker brothers. who came to Nebraska in the early part of (CSs)/' its settlement and have been identified with many of the improvements of Pawnee County, their history being so mingled with its growth and prosperity that no sketch of the county would be complete without notice of the incidents connected with their pioneer life here. Our subject was born in Switzerland, Sept. 7, 185 1, and when a child «as brought to the United States with his parents in 1855. They wended their way westward, and after stopping at one or two in- termediate points, came to Pawnee County, where they settled in 1857. The country had very few inhabitants and but little had been done to redeem the land from its original wildness. There were no roads and but one trail to the west, and our sub- ject lent his assistance in locating and building highways and bridges. The nearest market for his farm produce was St. Joseph, and he exchanged the most of what he raised in that city for domestic goods, although occasionally our subject would form one of a small part)- to take a load of prod- uce, usually bacon, to Denver, where it brought a much higher price, the time of making the round trip having been three months or more. Mr. Hun- zeker purchased an 80-acre trad of prairie land in 18(>8, on which he set tied and began its cultiva- tion, to which he has since added. With unceas- ing toil and courageous perseverance, coupled with admirable judgment and strict attention to the minor details of his vocation, lie has evolved a beautiful and well-cultivated farm. It consists of 215 acres of fertile land, lying on sections 23, 21, 25 and 36, of Sheridan Precinct, on which be lias >,■! out good groves of forest trees, an orchard, plenty of small fruit and a vineyard. The latter he has made a [laying invest nient. using the grapes -*•— for the manufacture of wine, of which he has some years made as much as 300 gallons. Like many other farmers of this vicinity, Mr. Hunzeker pays especial attention to the raising of stock, and has some splendid, full-blooded Ilerefords, he having been the first to introduce that breed of cattle into this localit}'. In 1885 our subject erected on his homestead a large stone house, of modern archi- tecture and pleasing design, which is pleasantly bl- eated on section 25. and there with his family he lives in comfort and happiness, enjoying the re- wards of his early labor. Mr. Hunzeker has been twice married. The maiden name of his first wife was Mary Ilanna. She was a native of Bohemia, and when a girl came to this country with her parents. Her father, Joseph Hanna, is now living in this State, engaged in fann- ing. Mrs. Hunzeker lived but five years after marriage, dying Oct. 3, 1878, and leaving her hus- band with one child. Christina. In 1870 our sub- ject took as his second wife Miss Josephine Ilanna, a sister of his first wife, and of the children born of this union five are now living, namely: Rosa, Frankie, Edward. Wilhelm and Ida E. Mr. Hun- zeker is a well-informed, liberal, public-spirited man. interested in local matters, and has served intelligently in the various township and scl I offices. In politics he is a Democrat, although in county elections he votes irrespective of party for the best man. tft MLLIAM I. ANDERSON. The name of \rj// this gentleman is reverently placed in the VW list of the early pioneers of this county, who, after the labors of long and useful lives, have gone to their final home. He was born in Monroe County, Ind., May 22, 1822, and departed this life at his home in Pawnee Precinct, near the limits of Pawnee City, on the 19th of April, 1888. He was a man of more than ordinary abilities, a thorough and skillful farmer, correct in his business trans- actions, and as a citizen was held in high esteem. He formed one of the important factors in the de- velopment of Pawnee County, and at his death left a vacancy which it will be difficult to fill. The Anderson family was familiarly known in 492 *Hh* PAWNEE COUNTY. the South at an early date, ami Robert A., the father of our subject, was a native of Virginia. He came to Nebraska about 1857, and died in Pawnee City in the fall of 18G5. From the Old Dominion he had migrated first to Kentucky, and then to Illi- nois, coming thence to Nebraska. He married Miss Jane Woods, a sister of Joseph Woods, who built the Exchange Hotel in Pawnee City many years ago, and was one of the prominent citizens of this county. They reared a numerous family, of whom William I., our subject, was the second born. Young Anderson remained with his parents in his native State until reaching manhood, engaged mostly in agricultural pursuits. He took for his wife Miss Elizabeth A. Cochran, who was a native of Mercer County, Ky., and moved with 1km- parents to Indiana when quite young. The young people first settled in Jefferson County, Iud., then removed to Kentucky, where they lived five3 - ears. Then re- turning to Indiana, thej' settled in Johnson County, but in 1856 crossed the Mississippi into Wapello County, Iowa, and the j'ear following came to Ne- braska. The father of our subject pre-empted 160 acres of land on section 7, Pawnee Precinct, this county, upon which he operated four years, then sold out and removed to a point adjacent to the city limits, where he sojourned with his family four years. Later he homesteaded the farm now occupied by his children. This comprises 100 acres on section 9, which he proved up and upon which he effected good improvements. Later he added to his landed estate until he had a valuable farm of 240 acres. He put up a good residence and other buildings, planted an orchard, and gathered around him all the conveniences of modern life. Later he turned his attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of cattle and swine, shipping quite largely each year. He departed this life at a ripe old age, on the 19th of April, 1888, having survived his estimable wife a period of twenty-two years, her death taking place Dec. 1, 1866. She was born in February, 1822, and was consequently nearly forty -five years of age at the time of her decease. To William I. and Elizabeth Anderson there were born eight children, namely : Robert F., Ella J., Milton O., Elzola A.; David L., who died Jan. 26, 1887; William H., Mary A. and Joseph L. The subject of this sketch upon coming to Nebraska identified himself with the most important interests of his adopted county, representing Pawnee Pre- cinct three terms in the County Board of Super- visors, and held this office at the time of his death. He was rather conservative in politics, but usually voted the Republican ticket. In religious matters he was a devout member of the Christian Church, a man careful and conscientious in the performance of every duty, and one held in universal esteem by all who knew him. His son William H. is the manager of the farm, assisted by his brother Joseph L. Milton O. is acting in the capacity of Marshal of Pawnee City. The homestead is being conducted upon the same methodical plan which has brought it to its present prosperous condition, and made it one of the most valuable estates in the county. The family is widel} 1 and favorably known, and rep- resents the respectable and reliable element of this section. -fcSiS* I ARCUS A. RICE. This gentleman, al- though yet in his prime, has been so suc- cessful in his operations as a druggist that he was recently enabled to retire from active business, and occupies a quiet and pleasant home in Pawnee City, surrounded by all the com- forts of life. His native place was Fulton County, 111., where he was born May 9, 1840, ami his par- ents were Dr. E. D. and Thalia (Owens) Rice, the father bornjiear the city of Boston. Mass., and the mother in New York. The father of our subject left New England in early life, and entered upon the practice of his pro- fession at Lewistown, 111., which he pursued there a period of nearly fifty years, having located there in 1828. His decease took place in Lewistown. in January, 1879. The mother departed this life in Lewistown, 111., Jan. 31, 1879. The parental house- hold included six children, of whom our subject was the fifth, He spent his boyhood and youth in his native town, acquiring a good practical educa- tion in the common school. His first business experience was as a clerk in the drug-store of his father, where he became thoroughly acquainted T •*•- PAWNEE COUNTY. I!).'. with all the detail of this business. He was mar- ried in that place to Miss Jennie Piersol, who died eight years later, leaving one son, John D., who came to Nebraska, and died in Pawnee City, in 1876. Mr. Rice left Illinois in December, 1872, and coming to Pawnee City purchased a stock of drugs of his brother, August Rice, and continued the business at the same stand successfully until 1879, at which time he sold out, and retired from active business, with the exception of some dealings in real estate, and the loaning of money. Our subject contracted a second marriage in October, 1873, with Miss Florence W. Humphrey, of Jefferson City. Iowa. This lady was born in April, 1856, and is the daughter of J. II. and Har- riet (Lee) Humphrey, who were natives of Con- necticut, and are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Rice are the parents of one child, a sou. Marcus A., Jr., who was born July 13, 1887. He purchased his present residence in 1888. It stands in the south- eastern part of the city, and with its surroundings forms one of the most attractive homes. A strong supporter of Republican principles, Mr. Rice, although no office-seeker, has been quite prominent in local affairs, serving as County Treas- urer ami Mayor of Pawnee City one term. His elder brother. August, formerly of Pawnee City, is now a resident of Hastings, this State. Charles is a practicing physician of St. Joseph, Mo. His sister Catherine E. is the wife of Joseph Lamaster, of Lincoln. Another sister, Juliet, is the wife of A. B. Johnson, residing at Lewistown, III. Sarah W. married Dr. J. B. McDowell, and died at Mason City, 111., about 1 879. The paternal grandfather, Asaph Rice, was of English ancestry, and spent his last years in Illinois, dying at the advanced age of ninety-six. -*" -4HH* v ~- ENRY C. F. MEYER. Asa well-read and skillful practitioner, the physician with whose name this sketch is introduced oc- cupies do unimportant position in a com- munity of intelligent pec. pie. His practice equals that of any member of the profession in this county, and although his time is amply employed in con- nection with the duties of his profession, he still finds time to keep pace with all the practical de- tails and improvements constantly pressing them- selves upon the attention of the fraternity. He is a man in the prime of life, having been born Nov. 6, 1831, in the city and Kingdom of Hanover. In accordance with the laws and customs of the German Empire, young Meyer was placed in school when a lad of six years, and pursued his studies quite steadily until a youth of fourteen. After- ward he spent a term in the military school at Hanover, and then served in the German Army five years. At the expiration of this time he de- termined to seek his fortunes in the New World, and making his way to Bremen, embarked on a sailing-vessel for America, which landed him in New York City six weeks later. From there he proceeded to Chicago, III., where he sojourned two years engaged in farming near that city. The out- break of the Civil War now furnished employment to thousands of young and vigorous men, and soon after the first call for troops our subject enlisted in Company B, 1st Illinois Cavalry, being assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and sent to Western Virginia under command of Gen. Rosecrans. Not long afterward he met the enemy in battle at Cheap Mountain and Fredericksburg, also at Cross Lane, and other minor engagements. At one time the soldiers obtained very little rest either night or da}-. Mr. Meyer fortunately escaped wounds and capt- ure, and at the expiration of his term of enlistment was honorably discharged in June, 1863. Return- ing to Chicago, III., our subject joined his parents, who in the meantime had emigrated to America, and lived with them on a farm in Cook Count}' until turning his steps toward the farther West. In the year 18G5, coming to this county, he home- steaded 160 acres of land in Cincinnati Precinct, which he improved, and from which he constructed a good farm, lie operated there successfully until 1883, then retiring from the active labors of rural life, took up his abode in Pawnee City, where he has since lived. It had been his intention since a young man, to take up the study of medicine at some convenient time, which time, however, did not arrive until after coming to Nebraska. Hei ' •frHH^ -*~ I -«•- -•*• 492 PAAVNEE COUNTY. *f the South at an early date, and Robert A., the father of our subject, was a native of Virginia. He came to Nebraska about 1857, and died in Pawnee City in the fall of 18G5. From the Old Dominion he had migrated first to Kentucky, and then to Illi- nois, coming thence to Nebraska. He married Miss Jane Woods, a sister of Joseph Woods, who built the Exchange Hotel in Pawnee City many years ago, and was one of the prominent citizens of this county. They reared a numerous family, of whom William I., our subject, was the second born. Young Anderson remained with his parents in his native State until reaching manhood, engaged mostly in agricultural pursuits. He took for his wife Miss Elizabeth A. Cochran, who was a native of Mercer County, Ky., and moved with her parents to Indiana when quite young. The young people fust settled in Jefferson County, Iud., then removed to Kentucky, where they lived five years. Then re- turning to Indiana, they settled in Johnson County, but in 1856 crossed the Mississippi into Wapello County, Iowa, and the year following came to Ne- braska. The father of our subject pre-empted 1 GO acres of land on section 7, Pawnee Precinct, this count}', upon which he operated four years, then sold out and removed to a point adjacent to the city limits, where he sojourned with his family four years. Later he homesteaded the farm now occupied by his children. This comprises 100 acres on section 9, which he proved up and upon which he effected good improvements. Later he added to his landed estate until he had a valuable farm of 240 acres. He put up a good residence and other buildings, planted an orchard, and gathered around him all the conveniences of modern life. Later he turned his attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of cattle and swine, shipping quite largely each year. He departed this life at a ripe old age, on the 19th of April, 1888, having survived his estimable wife a period of twenty-two years, her death taking place Dec. 1, I860. She was born in February, 1822, and was consequently nearly forty-five years of age at the time of her decease. To William I. and Elizabeth Anderson there were born eight children, namely: Robert F., Ella J., Milton O., Elzola A.; David L., who died Jan. 2G, 1887; William II., Mary A. and Joseph L. The subject of this sketch upon coming to Nebraska identified himself with the most important interests of his adopted county, representing Pawnee Pre- cinct three terms in the County Board of Super- visors, and held this office at the time of his death. He was rather conservative in politics, but usually voted the Republican ticket. In religious matters he was a devout member of the Christian Church, a man careful and conscientious in the performance of every duty, and one held in universal esteem by all who knew him. His son William H. is the manager of the farm, assisted by his brother Joseph L. Milton O. is acting in the capacity of Marshal of Pawnee City. The homestead is being conducted upon the same methodical plan which has brought it to its present prosperous condition, and made it one of the most valuable estates in the count}'. The family is widely and favorably known, and rep- resents the respectable and reliable element of this section. A ARCUS A. RICE. This gentleman, al- though yet in his prime, has been so suc- cessful in his operations as a druggist that he was recently enabled to retire from active business, and occupies a quiet and pleasant home in Pawnee City, surrounded by all the com- forts of life. His native place was Fulton County, 111., where he was born May 9, 1840, and his par- ents were Dr. E. D. and Thalia (Owens) Rice, the father bornjiear the city of Boston, Mass., and the mother in New York. The father of our subject left New England in early life, and entered upon the practice of his pro- fession at Lewistown, 111., which he pursued there a period of nearly fifty years, having located there in 1828. His decease took place in Lewistown. in January, 1879. The mother departed this life in Lewistown, 111., Jan. 31, 1879. The parental house- hold included six children, of whom our subject was the fifth, He spent his boyhood and youth in his native town, acquiring a good practical educa- tion in the common school. His first business experience was as a clerk in the drug-store of his father, where he became thoroughly acquainted -*•- PAWNEE COUNTY. 495j with all the details of this business. He was mar- ried in that place to Miss Jennie l'iersol, who died eight years later, leaving one son, John D., who came to Nebraska, and died in Pawnee City, in 1876. Mr. Rice left Illinois in December, 1872, and coming to Pawnee City purchased a stock of drugs of his brother, August Rice, and continued the business at the same stand successfully until 1879, at which time he sold out, and retired from active business, with the exception of some dealings in real estate, and the loaning of money. Our subject contracted a second marriage in October, 1873, with Miss Florence W. Humphrey, of Jefferson City, Iowa. This lady was born in April, 1856, and is the daughter of J. II. and Har- riet (Lee) Humphrey, who were natives of Con- necticut, and are now deceased. M''- and Mrs. Rice are the parents of one child, a son, Marcus A., Jr., who was born July 13, 18S7. He purchased his present residence in 1888. It stands in the south- eastern part of the eit_y, and with its surroundings forms one of the most attractive homes. A strong supporter of Republican principles, Mr. Rice, although no office-seeker, has been quite prominent in local affairs, serving as Count}' Treas- urer and Mayor of Pawnee City one term. His elder brother. August, formerly of Pawnee City, is now a resident of Hastings, this State. Charles is a practicing physician of St. Joseph, Mo. His sister Catherine E. is the wife of Joseph Lamaster, of Lincoln. Another sister, Juliet, is the wife of A. B. Johnson, residing at Lewistown, III. Sarah W. married Dr. J. B. McDowell, and died at Mason City, 111., about 1879. The paternal grandfather, Asaph Rice, was of English ancestry, and spent his last years in Illinois, dying at the advanced age of ninety-six. -*> -4HN* ^~ ir ENRY C. F. MEYER. As a well-read and jfl) skillful practitioner, the physician with ISM? whose name this sketch is introduced oc- i^, cupies no unimportant position in a com- munity of intelligent people. His practice equals that of any member of the profession in this county, and although his time is amply employed in con- nection with the duties of his profession, he still finds time to keep pace with all the practical de- tails and improvements constantly pressing them- selves upon the attention of the fraternity. He is a man in the prime of life, having been born Nov. 6, 1834, in the city and Kingdom of Hanover. In accordance with the laws and customs of the German Empire, young Meyer was placed in school when a lad of six years, and pursued his studies quite steadily until a youth of fourteen. After- ward he spent a term in the military school at Hanover, and then served in the German Army five years. At the expiration of this time he de- termined to seek his fortunes in the New World, and making his way to Bremen, embarked on a sailing-vessel for America, which landed him in New York City six weeks later. From there he proceeded to Chicago, 111., where he sojourned two years engaged in fanning near that city. The out- break of the Civil War now furnished employment to thousands of young and vigorous men, and soon after the first call for troops our subject enlisted in Company B, 1st Illinois Cavalry, being assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and sent to Western Virginia under command of Gen. Rosecrans. Not long afterward he met the enemy in battle at Cheap Mountain and Fredericksburg, also at Cross Lane, and other minor engagements. At one time the soldiers obtained very little rest either night or day. Mr. Meyer fortunately escaped wounds and capt- ure, and at the expiration of his term of enlistment was honorably discharged in June, 1863. Return- ing to Chicago, 111., our subject joined his parents, who in the meantime had emigrated to America, and lived with them on a farm in Cook County until turning his steps toward the farther West. In the year 18G5, coming to this county, he home- steaded 100 acres of land in Cincinnati Precinct, which he improved, and from which he constructed a good farm, lie operated there successfully until 1883, then retiring from the active labors of rural life, took up his abode in Pawnee City, where he has since lived. It had been his intention since a young man, to take up the study of medicine at some convenient time, which time, however, did not arrive until after coming to Nebraska. He ■► - jr^ 496 PAWNEE COUNTY. *t entered upon his first course of lectures in Kansas City, ami later began making experiments which have resulted in one of the most valuable com- pounds known to the medical world, and by the aid of which lie has effected some wonderful cures. For proof of this we need only to interview some of the most reliable citizens of this county. After returning from the army, Dr. Meyer was married, in Chicago, 111., to Miss Minnie Ronnspisz, of that city, and also a native of Germany. They have a family of six children, two sons and four daughters, namely : William H., Henry, Lena, Dora, Amelia and Lizzie. Dr. Meyer has wisely invested a portion of his surplus capital in real estate, his main farm containing now 240 acres, eighty acres of which are in Kansas. His city residence is a neat and substantial structure, conveniently located, and with attractive surroundings. He is numbered among Pawnee City's most reliable men, and as a practitioner is in the enjoyment of a good income. On an adjoining page is shown a portrait of this able physician and well-known citizen of Pawnee County. ,EV. ALFRED L. HARRINGTON. The subject of this biographical outline, a re- tired minister of the Presbyterian Church. )' and a resident of Pawnee City, was born near Smith ville. Jefferson Co., N. Y.. Nov. 27. 1824. He was the youngest of eleven children. six sons and five daughters, comprising the family of Brooks and Betsey (Hazen) Harrington, only six of whom survive, three sons and three daughters. The parents of our subject were both natives of Connecticut, and the father gave patriotic service to his country in the War of 1812. meeting the enemy at the battle of Sackett's Harbor and dis- tinguishing himself as a brave and faithful soldier. After marriage the parents settled in Jefferson County, N. Y., where the father conducted a hotel and also carried on farming. He died in middle life, when his son Alfred L. was quite young. The mother a few years later, leaving New York State. removed with her family to Adams County. 111., in the fall of 1881, and purchased a tract of land. paying therefor $1.25 per acre. Under the super- vision of the mother, the sons carried on the im- provement of the farm, building up a comfortable homestead. The mother spent her last days with her children, passing away in 1868. Our subject was a lad of seven years when bis mother removed to Illinois, and had nearly at- tained to man's estate before the establishment of any school in Adams County. He remembers dis- tinctly the building in which his first studies were conducted and the primitive methods of instruc- tion. Religious meetings were held first at the homes of the settlers, and later in the school-houses. The Harrington family traveled forty miles to mill before bridges had been built over tin- streams, and when the houses of the emigrant were few and far between. Upon reaching his majority Mr. Harrington re- solved that he would obtain an education, and with this aim in view labored with all the industry and economy of which he was master. In the fall of 1844. to his great satisfaction, he entered the Illi- nois College a1 Jacksonville, where he took a four years' course, and from which he was graduated in 1848. He subsequently taught three years in the college, and then prepared himself for his contem- plated ministerial labors by taking a course in the Union Theological Seminary in New York City, from which he was graduated in 1855. Mr. Harrington received his license to preach, and was ordained in .Inly of the above-mentioned year, and was placed in charge of the Congrega- tional Church at Peru, in LaSalle County. III. lie continued in this until 1859, and then found that he must change his occupation, his health having become greatly impaired. For twenty years there- after lie followed farming in LaSalle County. Thence he finally removed to Adams County, en- gaging there also in agricultural pursuits. In 1883, resolving to seek the farther West, he removed with hi~ family to Pawnee County, arriving here in the spring of that year, and where he has since resided. The wedded life of Mr. Harrington and Miss Julia A. Collins commenced on the 5th of August. 1850. at the home of the bride in Adams County. 111. This lady was born Dec. 8, 1830, and is the daughter of Frederick and Mary (Allen) Collins, ■ » PAWNEE COUNTY. 497 A i 4 who were natives respectively of Connecticut and New York. Frederick Collins was a very promi- nent man during the early history of Illinois at the time of the agitation of the slavery question, and distinguished himself asan ardent Abolitionist, lie took part in the many discussions arising' at that time, being a fluent and effective speaker, and was a nominee for Lieutenant Governor on the Free Soil and anti-Slavery ticket, lie spent his last years in Illinois, passing away in 1878. His wife Mary died in 1886. To our subject and his estimable wife there were horn six children, three sons and three daughters: Ella W. is the wife of Rev. T. I). Davis, of Otoe County, this State; Frederick C.j Lewis W. and George A. are all engaged in the hardware business in Pawnee City; Julia A. and Louisa M, are at home with their parents. .Mr. Harrington, during the existence of slavery, was most energetically opposed to the peculiar institution, and assisted in the organization of the Republican party in 18~>(>. He also arrayed himself prominently on the side of temperance, lie is a man of decided views, fearless in the expression of them, and one not easily turned from his convictions. Upon coming to the West he was elected the lirst Mayor of Pawnee City after its incorporation. He occupies with his family a neat and comfortable home in the northeastern part of the town, and numbers his friends and associates among its most cultivated people. WrlLLlAM SUTTON, Secretary and Manager of the Table Hock Creamery Association, is also a large stockholder in this enter- prise, which lias become a leading industry of this part of the county. The creamery is eligibly sit- uated on Dry Branch, just south of the city of Table Rock, and was established in 1883. Its orig- inal capacity was 2,500 pounds per day, but is now double that, utilizing large quantities of cream sent in from an area of twenty-live miles in different directions. The main building occupies an area of 32x60 feet, and is equipped with all the appliances requisite for the successful prosecution of the busi- iii -s. including a tweiity-live-horsc power engine, and the Andrews A- Burnap Oil Test churn, by which each man is paid in proportion to the amount of I. utter produced from the cream he furnishes. During the busy season the creamery gives employ- ment to twenty-three men and teams, and it is an- ticipated that this force will be greatly enlarged in the near future. The butter is in demand at the local markets, but a large proportion is sent East, where it commands a leading price. The associa- tion has invested about $8,000, and utilizes the ref- use in feeding from 100 to 300 head of swine. Much of the prosperity of the Table Rock Cream- ery is due to the excellent management of Mr. Sut- ton. Besides his interest in this he owns a good farm of 1G0 acres adjacent to the town limits, and is also interested in llolstein cattle, being the first man to introduce this breed in Pawnee County. He has some fine registered animals, and three full- bloods, the lirst in this county. He keeps about sixty head for dairy purposes, all being well housed and carefully fed. In this, as in all other enterprises. there is requisite a good understanding of the busi- ness, and Mr. Sutton is proving himself finely adapted to his calling. Our subject, who has spent the greater part of his life in the West, was born in Galena, do Daviess Co., 111., April 7, 1811. He lived there until a. youth of seventeen years, and soon after the out- break of the Civil War enlisted in the Union serv- ice, Sept. 23, 1861, in an independent battalion called the Fremont Rangers, serving four months. Later he became identified with the 3d Missouri Cavalry, being on the frontier most of the time en- gaged as a scout. His service ended Jan. 1, 1865, when he received his honorable discharge at Little Rock, Ark. Upon retiring from the army Mr. Sutton re- turned to Illinois and engaged in farming one year. Then coming to Nebraska he settled first in Nemaha ( ouiity, taking up. in March, 1866, 160 acres of land, upon which he labored until 1883, planting forest and fruit trees, building a good house, and adding from time to time other struct- ures necessary for his convenience. Later he sold out and changed his residence to Benton Precinct, whence he came to this county in 1884. Although his sojourn here has been comparatively brief, he b •►H*^ ^ *W . *• 4 498 PAWNEE COUNTY. has established himself in the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens, as a man of excellent busi- ness capacities and undoubted integrity of character. He votes the Republican ticket, and has frequently been sent as a delegate to the various conventions of this county. Socially, he belongs to John N. Gere Post No. 165. G. A. R., at Table Rock. Miss Sarah J. Flott. of Knox County, 111., be- came the wife of our subject March 9, 1868. Five children comprise the household circle, all of whom are living, and are at home with their par- ents. They are named respectively: John R., Mary 15., Maggie E., George D. and Bessie A. They form a bright and intelligent group, are well educated. and will in time enter upon worthy positions in the community. Mrs. Sutton was born in Adams County. Pa., in April. 1844. LYIN PEPPERL. In this notice we present the record of one of the youngest men represented in this work, he being not yet twenty-five j'ears of age. Such, however, are his natural abilities, his intelligence, industry, anil applicatiou to business, that he has already at- tained to a prominent position in his community, and it is predicted for him that in the near future lie will rank among the leading men of this county. It is most pleasurable to come in contact with an individual of this character, and one so eminently deserving of special mention. He is a member of the well-known Pepperl family, who have distin- guished themselves as among the best citizens of the county, and he is at present operating his farm of 160 acres, which is pleasantly located on section 2 in Plum Creek Precinct. In the sketch of his father, found on another page in this volume, will be noted additional facts relating to the history of the family. A modest home in the village of Gossawoda, in the Austrian Kingdom of Bohemia, sheltered the first ten years of our subject, and where his birth took place July 20, 1864. He was placed in school when a little lad six years of age, obtaining the first rudiments of a practical education in his na- tive town. His father then decided to seek his fortunes on the other side of the Atlantic, and after due preparation the family embarked at the port of Bremen on the steamer "Rhine," and after a pleas- ant voyage of twelve days landed in New York City. Two or three days later found them in Chicago, 111., where they sojourned about six weeks, then started for the farther West, coming to this county and settling on a tract of land in Plum Creek Precinct. The Pepperl family were among the leading pio- neers of this precinct, and from a tract of unim- proved land the father built up a good homestead which is now managed and occupied by his son Louis, and which, lying adjacent to the city of Burchard, is considered one of the most valuable pieces of property in that locality, and it is steadily growing in importance as the city increases in size and population. Upon this farm Alvin grew to manhood, assisting in the labors around the home- stead during the seasons of plowing and sowing, and attending school during the winters. He re- mained under the home roof until twenty-three years old, and then, assisted by his father, purchased the land which he now owns and occupies. Here he partially repeated the experience of his honored sire, building up his farm largely from first princi- ples, and effecting all the improvements which are now upon it. He planted a large area of hedge for fencing, has erected a house and barn, with corn cribs and other necessary structures, set out fruit and forest trees, and has made an admirable beginning toward the establishment of a permanent home. His land is finely located and amply watered by a branch of Wolf Creek. The raising of grain and stock engrosses most of his time and atten- tion, and the success with which he has already met is a fair augury for the future. Mr. Pepperl, notwithstanding his farm labors have given him ample employment, still takes time for reading, thought and study, and keeps himself thoroughly posted upon mutters of general interest. He is a young man who does his own thinking, and after giving the subject due consideration allied himself, politically, with the Union Labor party. Religiously, he is a devout member of the Catholic Church, in the organization of which he , assisted, and also in erecting the church edifice. T j f PAWNEE COUNTY. 499 , l He is a young man who labors not for self alone, but may always be found aiding the enterprises calculated to advance the interests of his com- munity. /r^RVILLE DUANE HOWE. One of the fin- [j J est farms in Table Rock Precinct is that mi v^Jf section 5. embracing an area of 200 acres, upon which Mr. Howe settled on coming to Ne- braska in the year 1871, and has sinee bent his efforts to the building up of a homestead, in which ho lias most admirably succeeded. He in the year 1879 purchased Kit) acres in its uncultivated state, with the exception of ten acres, which had been broken. With the exception of a few stunted trees in the ravine there was nothing upon the land but prairie grass. Twenty years have effected a vast change in the aspect of the property, it being now at all points indicative of the results of industry, combining close attention to the cultivation of the soil with the improvement of the land. There are forest and fruit trees in abundance, Mr. Howe hav- ing the largest apple orchard in this vicinit}', com- prising about 2,500 trees planted over an area of thirty acres, and mostly in good bearing condition. During the season of 1888 he raised 1,300 bushels of apples, besides having a generous quantity for the household. This fruit sold from the farm at fifty cents per bushel, and in town from sixty to sev- enty-five cents. In his grain-raising operations Mr. Howe feeds largely of this product to his live stock, embracing numbers of cattle and swine of high grade. During his first few months' sojourn in this county he and his family boarded at Mr. T. W. Pepoon's, his brother-in-law, while Mr. Howe was constructing one of the best houses in the county at that time. It was completed during the latter part of 1871, and they moved into it in May. 1872. Mr. Howe was one of the first men to interest himself in the estab- lishment of a schi nil and has held various local of- fices. He was appointed County Surveyor in the spring of 1872, first to fill a vacancy ; lie was then regular by elected and held the position until the year 1879, the duties of which he discharged with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constitu- ents. In the performance of his duties in connec- tion with this he laid out most of the roads in the county. In the fall and winter of 1871-72 he was Principal of the schools at Falls City, and taught five winters in his own district. In 1879 he was elected County Superintendent of Schools, and by re-election held the office until 1885. In the spring of 188G he was appointed County Surveyor, and by re-election has held the office ever since. In noting thus much of the career of Mr. Howe the reader will not be surprised to learn that he is an Ohio man. having been born in the city of Painesville, Sept. 1, 1831. After leaving the dis- trict sehqols he studied at both Oberlin and Hobarl Colleges, completing his education in the latter. Upon leaving his native State he followed the pro- fession of a teacher in Illinois, Michigan and Wis- consin before coming to Nebraska. He taught a brief season at Mentor, the home of President Gar- field, also at Jefferson, in Ashtabula County, Ohio, in Warren, 111.. Sherman, Tex., and Shellsburg, Wis. In the latter he conducted a private school three years. Mr. Howe was previously married in Battle Creek to Mary A. Fenton, who was a relative of Lieut. Gov. Fenton. She lived six years after their marriage and died without children. Subsequently he married Miss Mary E. Pepoon, of Warren, III., Dec. 21, 1861. Their only son, Edmund D., was given an excellent education and graduated from the State University at Lincoln, Neb., in 1887. He has inherited much of the talent of his father as an instructor, and is now occupied as a teacher in this county. He was graduated as civil engineer from the university. Myrta E., who also takes kindly to her books, has already been a student of the univer- sity, and the intention of her parents is to give her still further educational advantages. These chil- dren were prepared for their college course by their parents. Mrs. Mary E. Howe, the wife of our subject, is also a native of Painesville, Ohio, and born June 26,1831. Her parents were Silas and Mary W. Pepoon, the former of whom was born at Hebron, Tolland Co., Conn., June 15, 1792, and lived there until a lad twelve years of age. Upon reaching man's estate he married Miss Mary W. Benedict. April 7. 1830, at Morgan, Ashtabula Co., Ohio. 500 ^r^ ii «• PAWNEE COUNTY. This lad}' was born July 24, 1810, in New Canaan, Fairfield Co., Conn., and removed to Ohio before her marriage. She became the mother of ten chil- dren, seven of whom lived to mature years. Two sons died in the army. The father upon leaving Ohio took up his abode in Jo Daviess County, 111., in 1850, and died there Jan. 21, 1868, surviving his wife only a few months, her death taking place Aug. 8, 1867. Both were members of the Congre- gational Church, and "Deacon Pepoon," as he was familiarly called by virtue of his office, was widely and favorably known throughout that region. Capt. Joseph Pepoon, the paternal grandfather, was also a native of Connecticut, and born March 3,1797. He emigrated to Painesville, Ohio, in 1804, when there was little indication of the present flourishing town. He married Miss Eunice Ayers and they had five children. Further notice of this family will be found in the biography of lion. J. B. Pepoon elsewhere in this volume. Further facts in relation to Silas Pepoon are ap- pended as follows: He was the son of Capt. Joseph and Mrs. Eunice Pepoon, who, upon their removal to Ohio, as already stated, located near the present site of Painesville, which was then an unbroken forest. Silas at an early age developed those traits of character which characterized his entire life, namely, a more than ordinary love of truth and a firmness in maintaining his views and opinions, no matter how high the authority by which they were assailed, and he hated oppression in all its forms. While a mere lad he became a member of the Con- gregational Church, and was also an earnest advo- cate of the temperance cause, being with his broth- ers among the first in that region to prosecute farm labor without the use of liquor in harvest time. It was the anti-slavery cause, however, that en- listed his warmest sympathies and which found in him one of the most active helpers from its first be- ginning to its glorious consummation. He gloried in being recognized as the friend and helper of the famous Theodore Weld, whose lectures in 1 835 awoke so much interest and sympathy and also so much fierce opposition. The children of Mr. Pe- poon remember many interesting incidents con- nected with the shelter of hunted fugitive slaves beneath his roof. Once a mother and her family 4 of little children were hidden away in a chamber, and great were the fears of that poor mother lest some restless little dark head popping up at a win- dow should betray their hiding-place to some slave- catching neighbor before they could be smuggled away at night to Fairport. Mr. Pepoon was never afraid of being in the minority when this seemed to him the honest and consistent course. Silas Pepoon was one of the few who in 1840 voted for James G. Birney for President and after- ward sustained what was then known as the '-Lib- erty party." After his removal to Jo Daviess County, 111., he and his sons fought anew the anti- slavery battle in that region, given over at that time to pro-slavery Democracy, but which is now, like the Western Reserve, a stronghold of freedom. His five boys later were all in the Union Army, and the youngest, Oren, a noble youth, gave his life to his country. Suffering many years from diseased lungs, Mr. Pepoon nevertheless exerted himself to speak in public and to otherwise take an active part in the interests of religion and reform until two years be- fore his death. His wife, Mary, was born in Con- necticut, July 24, 1810, and they were married in Ohio, April 7, 1830. She, like her husband, was a zealous friend of the oppressed, a sympathetic and active helper of the afflicted, an energetic and use- ful member of society, and a consistent Christian. Her death was a severe affliction to her husband, who, as before stated, survived her but a few months. Four weeks before his decease he wrote to his daughter: "It is a happy thought that when we leave this world we do not leave all our dear friends ; we only change the society of one company for another company equally dear." The family descended from the French Huguenots, and came to America from the Island of Corsica. Eber D. Howe, the father of our subject, was born June 9, 1798, in the little village of Clifton Park, Saratoga Co., N. Y., near the old battle- ground where Gen. John Burgayne surrendered to Gen. Gates in 1777. His father was a native of Long Meadow, Mass., and his mother of Middle- town, Conn. In the year 1811 he removed with his parents to Canada, settling eight miles west of the Falls of Niagara. After the battle of Lundy's "tF* I'AWNEK COUNTY. 4 Lane, in the War of 1812, Grandfather Howe was detailed and assigned to the charge of the hospital for British prisoners established at Buffalo. Eber acted as his father's assistant. Before this he had Officiated as cook for the regimental and staff officers. After the war Eber Howe entered the office of the Buffalo Gazette, then the only newspaper west of Canandaigua, N. Y. ; subsequently the Daily Com- mercial Advertiser of the present day emanated from that establishment. In March, 1K17, he was sent to assist in the printing of the Chautauqua tte, which had been established in the village of Fredonia, fifty miles farther west, but after seven months he returned to Buffalo. In September, 1817, Eber Howe was engaged for one mouth to assist in putting in operation the first newspaper printed in Erie, Pa., and set most of the type for the first number of the Erie Gazette, which is still flourishing. lie spent the following winter in Fredonia, and in April started for the West. His possessions then consisted of a horse, saddle, bri- dle, a valise and *l\j in cash. In four days he ar- rived at the then village of Cleveland, containing about 200 inhabitants. Here he discovered a pa- per called the Cleveland Register, which had been put in operation the year before, but the type used was so badly worn that the impression was almost illegible. The Register was discontinued a few months after the establishment of the Herald by Mr. Howe. In the first number of the Cleveland Herald was a very strong remonstrance against the crying evils of American slavery. The first vote of Mr. Howe was cast this year for James Munrue. Two years later he severed his connection with the Herald, his partner continuing its publication. In the spring of 1822 he went to Painesville with the view of starting a paper to be called the Painesville Tele- graph. By this time business prospects began to appear a little more favorable. After many dif- ficulties and trials had been encountered the first, number of the Painesville Telegraph was sent out on the 16th of July, 1822, with live advertisements and about 150 subscribers. In June, 1822, Eber Howe was married, after a courtship of six years, to Bliss Sophia Hull, of 4* Clarence, N. Y. Her father was from Berkshire County, Mass., a soldier of the Revolutionary War, and settled on the Holland Purchase in 1806. She was one of a family of twelve children, nine daugh- ters and three sons. A woman of perseverance, in- dustry and economy, she was likewise kind and be- nevolent toward all in her sphere. Her unusually excellent health remained almost entirely unim- paired until about six months before her decease, which was occasioned by a cancerous tumor in the stomach. Mrs. Howe was one of the first to join with her husband in the anti-slavery movement, working equally with him to assist the fugitives from bondage. In January, 1835, Mr. Howe severed his connec- tion with the Painesville Telegraph, and the paper passed into the hands of a younger brother, Asa- hel, who published it from 1834 to 1841. Mr. Howe resided in Painesville and its immediate vicinity for fifty-six years, and during that period was en- gaged most of the time in printing and the manu- facture of woolen goods. In 1834 he wrote ami compiled a book of 2'J0 pages, which was entitled, "Mormonism Unveiled," and which contained a true history of the rise and progress of the sect up to that time. In 1817 Mr. Howe witnessed the launching of the first steamer that entered the waters of Lake Eric. It was called "Walk-in- the-Water." He spent his eightieth birthday in Nebraska among his children. Religiously, he was a strong believer in Spiritualism. His decease took place Nov. 10, 1885. In politics Mr. Orville D. Howe was formerly a member of the Free-Soil party, and on the forma- tion of the Republican party became identified with it and a strong supporter of its principles. GEORGE W. WELCH. There is no section of country in the world more favorable to the breeding of fine stock than the prairies of the West. Under careful cultivation these now yield a rich pasture, and a huge proportion of the fanning community of this county some time since discovered that this industry was very profitable 501 *r u *9 U ^B .-,0 2 PAW NEK COUNTY, and comparatively easy. Among the men who have attained to notoriety in connection herewith, is the subject of this sketch, who holds a position in the front ranks as a breeder of fine horses and cattle. In connection with the hist mentioned, he has one of the best Clyde stallions in Southern Ne- braska, an imported animal, and also a very valu- able imported Cleveland Bay. He is excelled by no man in this part of the country in this depart- ment of agriculture. The Short-horn is his fa- vorite breed of cattle. Montgomery County, Ohio, was the early tramp- ing ground of our subject, and where he first opened his eyes to the light May 25, 1827, and where he was brought up on a farm. There were eight chil- dren in his father's family, and but four of whom are now living. The parents, Samuel and Mary (Taylor) Welch, were natives of Ohio, and the father traced his ancestry to the Principality of Wales. He was a farmer by occupation, and was reared to manhood in his native State, where also he was married. Shortly afterward he emigrated to Illinois, settling in Edgar County, where he and his estimable wife spent the remainder of their days. Samuel Welch, however, onl} - lived to be middle aged, dying when our subject was a little lad of seven years. The mother survived her hus- band a long period, and passed away at her home in Illinois in 1882. Our subject remained with his mother until reach- ing man's estate, receiving a common-school edu- cation, and becoming familiar with the various employments of the farm. At the age of twenty he started out for himself, working a farm in Edgar County, 111., but finally repaired to Piatt County, 111., where he spent some years engaged in farming. In the spring of 1857 we find him on his journey to the farther West, and shortly afterward he estab- lished himself on a tract of Government land nine miles southwest of the present site of Pawnee City. It must be remembered that Nebraska was then in its Territorial days. He proved up his first claim of 160 acres, purchased an additional quarter-sec- tion, and later became owner of another tract of 120 acres. This latter he presented to his son. After carrying on general farming a number of years, Mr. Welch turned his attention more exclu- sively to stock-raising and the feeding of cattle. He removed from his farm to Pawnee City in 1884, since which time he has been quite extensively en- gaged in the breeding of draft and carriage horses. He is an excellent judge of the equine race, as the result of his transactions testifies. The 2d of November, 1841, proved to our sub- ject one of the most important days in his life, he then being wedded to Miss Jennett Mallory, of Piatt County, 111. This lady was born at Harper's Ferry, Va., Oct. 7, 1827, and is the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Hendricks) Mallory, who were also natives of the Old Dominion. Six children in due time gathered around the family board of Mr. and Mrs. Welch. They were named respectively : Mary E.j Emma, Silas N., Charles M., Frances and Har- riet S. They are all married except Harriet, and are all living in this county. Notwithstanding his extensive agricultural inter- ests, Mr. Welch during the early days of Pawnee County interested himself in those projects tending for the best welfare of the young community. He waa one of the members of the first School Board organized in this precinct, and took the first census, covering a territory which now embraces four pre- cincts. He identified himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1862, and in political matters invariably gives his support to the principles of the Republican party. He was the first man to intro- duce blooded draft horses in Pawnee County. «^* 'if/OHN IZER, a gentleman of much influence and prominence in Mission Creek Precinct, I j is managing with good financial results a jK§X I quarter-section of land, which, since it came into his possession, he has placed under excellent improvement, making it one of the most desirable farms in this part of Pawnee County. lie devotes much attention to feeding cattle, and his stock con- sists of high-grade Short-horns. Our subject was born May 1-1, 1837, near the town of Unionville, Frederick Co., Md. His father, George Izer, was also born in that county, in Au- gust. 1805. His mother, whose maiden name was Rachel Foglesong, was likewise a native of that county, born in May, 1805. John Izer, the grand- father of our subject, was of German descent, but I « > % c+ -•* 4~ , i 504 PAWNEE COUNTY. was born, reared and died in Maryland, whore he was for many years engaged in farming. Peter Foglesong, the maternal grandfather of our subject, who was of German descent and of American birth, was a Maryland farmer during the larger part of li is life. He was a private in the Revolution. The father of our subject was reared in his native State, and after learning the butcher's trade, opened a shop in Union ville, and also farmed to some extent. In 1871 he removed to Seymour, 111., engaged in fanning there some two years, and then, returning to Maryland, lived retired, having laid up a com- fortable competence. His death occurred in Car- roll County, in February, 1883. His wife died in 1878. They were both devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and led upright and blameless lives, entitling them to the respect and esteem of those about them. They were the par- ents of four children, namely : Jeremiah (deceased), John, Barbara and Sarah. Jeremiah was a member of the 7th Maryland Infantry, and near Petersburg, in liSti3, was wounded in the leg, and died from the effects of it. John Izer grew to manhood on his father's Mary- land farm, obtaining his education in a school con- ducted on the pay system. In 185G, when twenty years of age, he left home and sought work on a farm in Monticello, Piatt Co., 111. He remained there for a few years, and a part of the time rented land. He was in that State when the war biokeout, and was among the first to respond to the call for troops, enlisting in April, 1861, in Company C, 21st Illinois Infantry, was mustered into service at Camp Butler, and there spent his three-months term of enlistment; he having no musket could not go into action. He returned to his Illinois home, and Aug. 14, 1862, re-enlisted, in Company C, 107th Illinois Infantry, was mustered into the 2d Brigade, 2d Division, 23d Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee. He and his comrades were sent to Kentucky, and took part in the engagements at Elizabethtown, Saliua, Lookout Mountain, siege of Knox ville; joined Sherman on his march through Georgia, and were present at the battles of Resaca, Snake Creek Gap, Dallas, Burnt Hickory, Buzzard's Roost, Cum- berland Gap, and siege of Atlanta from the 22d to 29th. His regiment was then dispatched to Nash- ~4« ville with Gen. Thomas, engaged in the battle at that point, and then went to Goldsboro, N. C, and from there marched to Raleigh. After Lee's surrender our subject and the remaining members of the 107th Illinois were stationed on guard duty at Salisbury, N. C. They were mustered out in June, 1865, at that point, and went back to Illinois, where the}' were discharged and paid off at Spring- field, July 6. Mr. Izer, during his long term of service in the army, took part in some of the most hotly contested buttles of the war, and gained an honorable reputa- tion for efficiency and courage in the face of dan- ger that showed him to be a good soldier. He con- tracted rheumatism while in the South, and was disabled for awhile on that account. He then went to work on a farm, and in 1868 bought a tract of uncultivated land in Champaign County, improved it well, and then bought eighty acres adjacent, and in a few years, by assiduous labor, had a highly cul- tivated farm of 160 acres. He continued farming and stock-raising in the Prairie State until 1882, and in the spring of that year sold out. In the fall of the same year he purchased 160 acres of land in Mission Creek, this county, and in March, 1883, came here by rail and took possession of it. The land was partly improved, but he has since wrought many changes on it, budding a substantial house, erecting a windmill, tanks, etc., and in connection with his homestead is operating three-quarters of a section of land in the same precinct. He buys and feeds cattle, as before stated, and ships two car- loads of his own stock each year. He has some fine horses, and uses two teams to carry on his farming operations. To assist him in the upbuilding of this cozy, at- tractive home, our subject has been blessed by a good wife, to whom he was united in marriage in Seymour, 111., Nov. 4, 1869. The household circle is completed by the four children born of their union, namel}': Anna, Charles, Jannie and Arthur. Two are deceased, George M. and William Frank- lin, the former dying when ten years of age, and the latter in infancy. Mrs. Izer's maiden name was Sarah Winner, and she was born in Shelby County, Ohio, Feb. 11, 1851. Mr. Izer acts well his part as a useful citizen, a »► m<*> I'AWNKE COUNTY. 505 kind neighbor, a good husband and a devoted father. Be is a man of solid, practical sense, which, with bis industrious habits, has contributed largely to his prosperity. He is an open-hearted, genial man. whose admirable traits of character have gained him many warm friends. lie is public- spirited and readily contributes to and encourages the various schemes for promoting the advance- ment of the precinct. As Supervisor of Roads he has labored hard to have good highways, and keep them in tine order. In the affairs of this great Re- public, which, as a soldier, he helped to save from disintegration, he is keenly interested, and votes as he fought, to uphold the policy of the Republican party. .. SA E. HEYWOOD. Prominent among the Willi very earliest pioneersof Pawnee County is I\ the subject of this brief personal narrative, who has been a property holder here since the fall of 1856, when he settled on the land where he now lives. His homestead comprises 120 acres of arable land, which at that time was in its virgin state, not a furrow having been turned. There was a small log house on the place, occupied by the Hintons, into which he moved, and the fol- lowing spring he commenced breaking up and im- proving the land. He has set out a good orchard. fenced bis entire farm, and has it now all under good cultivation, excepting fifty acres of fine tim- ber land. In 1859 Mr. Heywood built a good frame bouse in Table Rock, where he lived for some time, but which he subsequently moved to this place. In 1860 our subject visited Ohio, and on his return freighted farm produce from hereto Denver. He afterward boughl a ranch twenty- two miles west of Ft. Kearney, on the Platte River, where he carried on an extensive ranch business, furnishing meals and feed for stock, and hav- ing stable room for 300 horses. After living there two years he was driven out by the Indians, who stole his property and killed some of his neigh- bors, he being obliged to evacuate bis premises on a few moments' warning. He left on the stage, traveling in it until he met the soldiers, when he returned with them, and for two weeks assisted in T burying the dead and hunting the savages. After leaving Ft. Kearney our subject went lo Omaha, thence to White (loud. Kan., where he engaged for one year in the mercantile business. In 1865 he returned to his homestead, and has since that time devoted himself to agricultural Labors. Since com- ing here .Ml'. Heywood has had the Same Obstacles to combat that beset other early settlers Of this beautiful State. Laving been visited by grasshop- pers that tor two or three years reaped his harvests for him, and having his crops blighted by drouth during the season of the Nebraska-Kansas famine, no rain falling the entire summer with the ex- ception of two slight showers. Our subject, bow- ever, felt that he had no grounds for complaint, as he raised twenty bushels of corn to the acre in spite of the unfavorable season. He carries on general farming on an extensive scale, feeding his large annual crop of corn to his cattle. The subject of this sketch is a native of Ohio, born June 11, 183H. on a farm near Troy. Miami County, where he was reared and educated. Wesley Heywood, the father of our subject, was born in New England, and after living there many years moved to Ohio, where he subsequently met and married as his second wife Miss Amanda Elliott. After a few years of pleasant married life Mr. Hey- wood died in 1*17, leaving his widow with three children. She reared and educated her family by her own efforts for a few years, and then remar- ried, and subsequently removed to Nebraska. where her death occurred dune 30, 1880. When Asa E, Heywood, of whom we write, came to this county he was accompanied by his mother, his stepfather Nathan Heywood, one brother, one sister and two half-sisters. The sister and brother have since died, he being the only surviving mem- ber of the family of Wesley Heywood. For the greater part of the time since making his home in this precinct Mr. Heyw 1 has taken a prominent part in educational matters, having been Moder- ator of the Bchool district, and one of the men who assisted in building t he present school-house. Previous to LtS erection the only Schools in the precinct wire one taught by Mrs. Ball of this dis- trict in a log house of her own. and one taught by Miss Frances .1. Mumford (now the wife of our sub- •*-$£> 506 -•* PAWNEE COUNTY. ject) in the village of Table Rock, in a lug school- house that had formerly been used as a dwelling, that f££^^- /p^ EORGE W. COLLINS. The medical frater- (l[ c —~ nity of Pawnee City recognizes in the subject \^J( of this record one of its most worthy and effi- cient representatives. Like many of his compeers, he emanated from the Prairie State, having been born in Grundy County, June 26, 1837. Therein Collins, his father, was a native of New York State, born in Dutchess County, in 1809. The mother, whose maiden name was Van Dalfsen, was also born in New York State. The paternal grand- father, Joshua Collins, was also a native of the Em- pire State, and of Irish extraction. The Van Dalf- sens originated in Holland. Theron Collins in his early life followed the sea a period of twenty years, but finally settled upon terra firma, and carried on farming a number of years in Grundy County, 111. He finally crossed the Mississippi into Kansas, where his death took place at Parsons, in 1883. The wife and mother survived her husband two years, her death taking place also at Parsons. Their family consisted of four sons and four daughters, all of whom are liv- ing. George W. was the second born, and after '4 -•» 4- PAWNEE COUNTY. 507 leaving the primary schools entered the academic department of Lombard University, where he com- pleted a thorough course of instruction and devel- oped into a teacher. He followed this profession four years while at the university. Upon retiring from the duties above mentioned Dr. Collins began the study of law in the office of W. W. Stevens, of Joliet, 111., and was admitted to the bar in the Supreme Court of Illinois. He also attended a course in the Chicago University. In the fall of 18G5 he came to Pawnee City, and there- after for a period of ten years gave close attention to the practice of law. He had also in the mean- time given mucli attention to the study of medi- cine, while pursuing his law studies, and his re- searches in this direction induced him to look favorably upon the homeopathic S3'Stem of prac- tice. He is now in the enjoyment of a generous patronage, having all the calls to which he can pos- sibly give attention. Our subject while a resident of Illinois estab- lished matrimonial and domestic ties, being united in marriage with Miss May J. Randal], of Grundy County. This lady became the mother of four children, one of whom, George W., died at the age of four years. The survivors are Edward L., Hattie V. and Kate A. To his present wife, who was formerly Miss Anna Agnew, he was married in Pawnee City, in 1873, and they have three children — Maggie L., Walter II. and Glenn W. The excellent medical capacity and integrity of Dr. Collins have received ample recognition from his fellow-citizens in his selection for various offices of trust and responsibility. He was, in 1870, elected to represent Pawnee County in the Nebraska Legis- lature, which position he filled acceptably two years, and later was elected Speaker of the House. In re- spect to political issues lie is classed with the Repub- lican party, and was one of the Presidential Electors in the campaign of 1880, at the time of the candidacy of Garfield and Arthur. He has frequently ofliciated as Chairman of important committees and as a dele- gate to the various conventions of his party. In religious matters he belongs to the Presbyterian Church, and socially, is a member of Pawnee Lodge No. '.'3, A. F. & A. M.; Kearney Chapter. R. A., and Mt. Hebron Commandery No. 12, K. T. lie h.is <*• stumped the State twice in the interest of his party, once for Garfield and upon another occasion for E. K. Valentine, the Republican candidate for Con- gress from the Third District. KNJAMIN HEER. Among the early set- tlers of Pawnee County, who by their en- terprise, thrift and good business ability, have added largely to the development and progress of the several townships, are many who were born in an Empire across the sea and sought independence in the territory protected by the stars and stripes. Prominent among the num- ber is the subject of this sketch, who is a native of Germany, born Aug. 20, 1844. He is a son of John Heer, who still lives, and carries on farming in the Fatherland. Under the strict school laws of his native land our subject obtained a good education, and from his father practical instruction in tilling the soil. At the age of twenty years he determined to emigrate to America and see what life had to offer to him in this country, and coming to the United States he made Illinois his first stopping place. He remained in that State about three years, and then sought new fields of labor in Nebraska, and for some years was employed in a nursery in Brownville. During this time our subject worked steadily, and by prudence, economy and thrift saved some money, and became the owner of forty acres of land in Richardson County. Disposing of that in 1878 Mr. Heer came to Pawnee County, and pre-empted eighty acres of wild prairie land on section 10 of Table Rock Pre- cinct. He at once began breaking up the land and developing a farm, one of his first improvements having been to build a substantial house 16x20 feet, it being decidedly better than the average dwelling of the early settlers of the State. By his energy, industry and perseverance, coupled. with good business tact and sagacious judgment, our subject has since made many other improvements, having set out an orchard and forest trees, added another tract of land adjoining his original claim, and has now a line, rich and productive farm of 120 acres, second to none of its size in the locality. -*- " -«- i l 508 PAWNEE COUNTY. ^HH« lie has it well fenced, and lias erected good out- buildings, stable and barn, and lias all the appliances for carrying on general farming and stock-raising. Me pays considerable attention to the latter branch of agriculture, and has a fine lot of cattle and hogs. In all public affairs Mr. Heer evinces a good deal of interest, especially in matters relating to the training and education of the young, and when building the school-house in his district, No. 49, his fellow-citizens found no one more willing to assist, and for seven years thereafter he served with abil- ity as Treasurer of the district. In politics our subject is a stanch Republican, firmly upholding the principles of that party. He is an honest, honorable man in every particular, one whose word is as good as his bond, and as such he has the esteem and good- will of the entire community in which he resides. Mr. Heer has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was married in 1871, was Miss Mary F. Buck, of Richardson County. After a happy mar- ried life of four years she passed away, leaving two children, John and Katie. The second union of our subject, which occurred in September, 1878, was to Miss Martha McNeil, of this county. She is a na- tive of Missouri, born Dec. 31, 1855, and is a daughter of William and Ellen McNeil, who reared a large family of children, and moved some years ago from Missouri to this State. Of this marriage seven children have been born to our subject and his wife, six of whom are still living, namely: Marion, Aloise, Ellis, Charles, Frank and Nancy T. M. I •f IIARLES NEADER, an industrious, pro- essive and practical farmer of Sheridan ecinct, may well be called a pioneer of Pawnee County, notwithstanding that he was a lad when he came here in 1 868, as he has greatly as- sisted in its development. He is of German line- age, born in Boone County, Mo., Dec. 30, 1859. His father, William Neader, was a native of Ger- many, and when a young man came to America, settling in Illinois, whence he removed to Rock- port, Mo. Living there until 1861, he at that time returned East as lav as Illinois, and for some 4* years was a resident of that State. In 18C8 he re- moved to this State, and first located in Sheridan Precinct, where he rented a small farm. He sub- sequeutlj- engaged in farming in Clear Creek Pre- cinct, remaining there until his death. He was a man of sterling worth, whose honesty, integrity and probity justly entitled him to the high respect in which he was held by all. The maiden name of his wife, mother of our subject, was Martha Shad- ham. She was born in Virginia. To her and the father of our subject there were born seven chil- dren, six of whom are now living. The mother of our subject is now living in Idaho, she having married a Mr. Wicks, and subsequently moved to that Territory. Charles Neader was but two years of age when his parents moved to Illinois, and a boy of eight years when he came to this county, where he has since lived, this being practically the only home he has known. Here he received his education in the public schools of the township, in the intervals of school attendance assisting his father in the labors on the farm. While living in Clear Creek Precinct our subject had the misfortune to lose his father, and being the eldest of the children, the support of the family depended on him and his mother. He bravely shouldered his share of the burden, and being a lad of more than ordinary courage, manliness and self-reliance, he was of great assistance in providing for the wants of the house- hold. He remained on the farm which his father had rented until 1883, when he purchased his pres- ent homestead, consisting of eighty acres of rich and fertile land on section 23, Sheridan Precinct. Not having sufficient ready money to make a cash payment of $2,100, Mr. Neader has labored hard. and, with excellent management, has been enabled to make the payments as they fell due, and now has the farm nearly cleared from indebtedness. The land at the time of the purchase was partly im- proved, groves of forest trees and an orchard bav- in!,'- been set out, and our subject has in the interim made many other valuable improvements, having it now well fenced and under a good state of culti- vation. Mr. Neader is interested in stock-raising, and has already started a herd on his farm. He is one of the promoters of the new system of dehoin- •> r •fr-1^- PAWNEE COUNTY. i*H|-«*« 509 ing cattle, and having the instruments for bo doing, has dehorned his own and those of many other far- mers in the vicinity. Mr. Neader was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Fellers, Dee. 28, 1882. Mrs. Neader was born not one mile from her present home, in Paw- nee County. Aug. 12, 1864, and is a daughter of Andrew Fellers, a well-known pioneer of Table Rock. To gladden the hearts and brighten the home of our subject and his wife have come two children, Frank and Katie. Mr. Xeader is a wide-awake, public-spirited citi- zen, ready and willing to advance all worthy en- terprises for the benefit of his township. He is doing efficient service in the cause of local educa- tion as Moderator of this district. In politics he is one of the most earnest supporters of the Repub- lican party. He is a generous, high-minded man, careful and considerate in his dealings witli others, and, with his estimable wife, occupies a position of social prominence in this community. UBBARD S. JENKINS. The profession of builder and contractor is one of the most important in the industrial world, and of this the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is a most finished and reliable repre- sentative. He cast his lot with the people of the Far West June 12, 18.50, and has sojourned in Nebraska since that time, but for six 3'ears was temporarily absent for shorter or longer periods fighting across the plains, making fourteen round trips to Denver. Madison County, N. V.. was the early tramping ground of our subject, where his birth took place June 12. 1833. The family of his parents, Robert and Laura C. (Coley) Jenkins, consisted of six children, of whom our subject was the fourth in order of birth, and of whom five survive. Robert Jenkins was a carpenter by trade, and the parents, leaving the Empire State in 1843, took- up their abode in Morgan County, 111. Our subject there remained a member of the parental household until attaining his majority, in the meantime learning the trade of carpenter. Two years later, in May of 1850, he crossed the Father of Waters, and until 1859 carried on farming in Table Rock Pre- cinct, this county. It is hardly necessary to say that this region at that period was peopled by only a few adventurous settlers. Markets and mills were remote, and the pioneer agriculturist experi- enced all the difficulties of life in a new country. Young Jenkins in November of the year above mentioned determined to push on toward the Pa- cific, and accordingly crossed the plains and for six years was engaged in freighting, as above stated. He then resumed work at his trade at Table Rock, from the year 1807 to 18G9. He had been mar- ried, on the 14th of September, 1854, in Waterloo, 111., to Miss Louise Horine, who was born Feb. 3, 1837, the daughter of Matthew T. and Mary (Bry- ant) Horine, who were natives of Kentucky and Ohio respectively. Both are now deceased. They have four children living, namely : Frank Albert, a resident of San Francisco, Cal., and occupied as a harness-maker; Clarence Morrison, in Sioux City, a tobacconist; Nellie and Jessie L. are at home. Willie died in Illinois; May died in Nebraska; Mathias II. died at Lincoln in 188G. The principles of the Democratic party Mr. Jenkins claims are good enough for him, while in social matters he is identified with Interior Lodge No. 9, I. O. O. F. Otherwise than serving as a Judge of Elections, he has carefulby avoided the responsibilities of office. David W. Bryant, grandfather of Mrs. J., and cousin of William Cullen Bryant, was a Colonel in the Black Hawk War. AKIIKCKW. DAVENPORT forms one of (II (— , the leading representatives of the real-estate \^j) and insurance business in Pawnee City, in which he established himself in 1883. During his six years' residence here he has also established himself in the esteem ami confidence of the people, and is filling his niche worthily as an exponent of some of its most important business interests. The Empire State furnished to our subject his first impressions of human life, behaving been horn 510 ^•*HH* PAWNEE COUNTY. there April 13, 1843. He was the fifth in a family of seven children, all of whom with one exception are living. That one was a favorite brother who surrendered his life in his country's cause during the late war. The father, Elijah J. Davenport, also a native of New York State, was born in 1816, and is stiil living, being a resident of this county. Dur- ing the active years of his life he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, and was quite prominent in his native county, serving as Sheriff, a post for which he was peculiarly well fitted, being of strong and courageous disposition and resolute spirit. He had many a tussle with the rough element of Putnam and adjoining counties. Mrs. Phebe A. (Ilaight) Davenport, the mother of our subject, was a native of the same State as her husband and son, and the daughter of George Haight. The Davenport family removed to Illinois, where they lived seven years, and in the fall of 1 858 came to this county, settling on a tract of land ten miles southeast of Pawnee City, near the town of DuBois. The boyhood days of our subject were spent in Illinois and Nebraska, in each of which he attended the district school, and when not engaged at his books assisted his parents around the home- stead. His business career began in the grocery business there with the firm of Shellhorn Bros., general merchants, and he was engaged in trade until 1885, spending in the meantime one 3'ear in Kansas. He became interested in the insurance business in 1885, as the agent of some of the best companies in the East. The year 1864 marked a very interesting epoch in the life of our subject, namely, his marriage with Miss Mary J. Shellhorn, which was celebrated at the home of the bride in Richardson Count}'. They are now the parents of nine children, namely : Charles R., Edward J., Lizzie P., William A., Mamie M., Eva A., J. Guy, Bessie I. and Hallie. Mr. Davenport, politically, votes the straight Re- publican ticket, and socially, belongs to Lodge No. It, I. O. 0. F., also the Encampment of the same order, the Modern Woodmen and the G. A. R. The outbreak of the Civil War found our subject one of those most ready to respond to the call for troops, he becoming in 1862 a member of Company G, 2d Nebraska Cavalry, the duty of which con- -4* sisted in guarding the frontier from the depreda- tions of the Indians. He fought the savages at White Stone Hill, near Devil's Lake and other places, and his brother Charles, who was a member of the same regiment, was shot by an Indian. Mr. D. served throughout his full time, and received his honorable discharge in 1864. r OSEPH B. BROOKS, Clerk of the District Court, and having his headquarters in Paw- nee City, impresses the average citizen as a lsg» man of more than ordinary ability, and one who lakes pride in the conscientious performance of his duties. His native State is Ohio, and he was born in Highland County, near the town of Hills- boro, the county seat, June 1, 1841. Of the six children comprising the family of his parents only two are now living, his sister being a resident of Fayette County, Ohio. Ansel and Ann (Smith) Brooks were natives respectively of Vermont and North Carolina. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Moses Smith, who settled in the Scioto Valley while the Indians still lingered in that region. Ansel Brooks was born in 1816, in Vermont, and his wife, Ann, in 1814. The former officiated as a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church from 1838 to 1881. He is still living, and a resident of Good Hope, Fayette Co., Ohio. The mother is deceased. The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood in Highland and Ross Counties, Ohio, attending first the district school and then becoming a student of South Salem Academy, where he attended about one year. Later he occupied himself as a teacher for several winters following. He turned his steps westward in 1870, and sojourned for a time at Marshalltown, Iowa, in the employ of the Iowa Central Railroad Company, in the construction of their telegraph line from Albia to Northwood. In 1872 he migrated to Iola, Kan., and was engaged some time at the drug business. Later we find him in Troy, Kan., and in 1880 he came to Nebraska, and entered the employ of J. M. Spates, of Pawnee City, as clerk in a drug-store. During these years Mr. Brooks had made the -. : — - ■ --.»--~- liur M | t |(iiiairr^ r «W^feaa--^^v-^^'--A^-ss^. a wi;-..i:.,. . ■ ■ =■-':' V\ts\u«.wce \k\X..^qq-v, ^>ec, t b'X-."Wv\ss\Q^xCx exV^x eo.vo.sA. — : ;*a»^a&aJ^^ ""K e. c.\\x^&^.^£ ^Avcvrvoc - *., Sec.Vb.'^&wxxee.'^Ytcxvsc-v *► \ f < * PAWNEE COUNTY. 513 most of his time and opportunities, and had at- tracted the attention of his fellow-citizens by his faithful application to business. In 1887 he was elected Clerk of the District Court, and assumed the duties of his office January 17 following. While a resident of lola, Kan., our subject was united in marriage with Miss Maggie M. Brisbin, who was born in Ohio, and who died in 1880, leaving one son, Earl B. Mr. Brooks contracted a second marriage, in 1885, with Miss Ora E., daughter of John E. Himiller, of Greenfield, Ohio. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, and socially, belongs to Pawnee Lodge No. 23, A. F. & A. M., also to Interior Lodge No. 0, I. O. 0. F. During the Civil War he enlisted under the call for the first 75,000 troops, serving his term and receiving li is honorable discharge; he then re-enlisted in the three years' service, in Company C, 73d Ohio In- fantry. His regiment was sent to West Virginia and they fought with the Army of the Potomac under Gen. Sigel, taking part in the battle of Bull Run. Mr. Brooks was afterward at Gettysburg, and thence, transferred to Chattanooga, Tenn. Afterward he accompanied Sherman in his south- eastern campaign, then up through the Carolinas to Washington, there taking part in the grand review. Thence he was sent to Louisville, Ky., where he was mustered out and soon afterward re- turned home. His army record is creditable in the extreme, and during that time he enjoyed the respect of his comrades and the approval of his superior officers. 1 »^»a>- « BsILLIAM E. ROOT, a wealthy and intluen- f arming community of has met with more than average success in his agricultural ventures, and owns a farm which, in point of improvement and productiveness, is classed among the verj besl estates in Pawnee County. It comprises 160 acres on section 32 in his home farm, and eighty acres over the Mate line in Kansas, admirably adapted to mixed husbandry, and our subject lias devoted considerable time to raising stock, and has a tine. well-kept herd of Short-horns, eight head of horses of Mood strain, and a number of high-grade hogs. 31 WILLIAM E. ROOT, a wet \/sJr l ' a ' mem ' :) er of the farmi W$ .Mission Creek Precinct, When he came to .Mission Creek, in the spring of 1880, he purchased his present homestead, then consisting of 1 GO acres of partly improved laud. 1 1\ persistent and well-directed labor he has since wrought a great change; has fenced his land in hedge and wire; has planted six acres of groves; and an orchard of 10(1 choice fruit trees; has erected a commodious dwelling and good barns, one of them, 30x50 feet, the largest in the precinct ; has large corn cribs, granary, windmill, tanks. etc., and has an ample supply of the most approved farm machinery. He has been very extensively engaged in agriculture, and at one time owned 640 acres of land, but he has deeded all but 1(50 acres of his Nebraska estate to his boys, retaining also the eighty acres of land in Kansas. Our subject is a lineal descendant of a fine old New England family fiat originated in England, three brothers of the name coming to this country from their ancestral English home in Puritan (bus, and casting in their lot with the colonists on Amer- ican soil. The paternal grandfather of our sub- ject was born in Connecticut, and at some period of his life became an early settler of Buffalo, X. Y. He was there during the War of 1 s 1 2. and his property was destroyed by lire. He died in 1816. His son Jesse, the father of our subject, was born in Connecticut, lie moved to Buffalo, N. Y., in 1811, and during the War of 1812 enlisted, when but eighteen years of age. in the Quartermaster's department, and was engaged in carrying dis- patches, etc. Mr. Root after his retirement from the army at the close of the war returned to He- bron, Conn., with an ox-team, and then went back to New York and worked for awhile in the town of Geddes. In March, 1815, he moved to the wilder- ness in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and purchasing a tract of Government land, cleared forty acres of it and engaged in farming and stock-raising there a Dumber of years. In 1 822 he was married in that State to Miss Sally A. Scofield, a native of New York City. Her father. Benjamin Scofield. was a carpenter by trade, and a resident of New York City. Later in life he became a pioneer of Ohio, settling near Cleveland, and there he died in Is Is, at the age of sixty-three years. In 1832, after a happy wedded life of ten years. Mr. 1 toot had the i 514 PAWNEE COUNTY. 4 misfortune to lose his wife, who had been a faith- ful helpmate and a loving mother to their children, of whom they had seven, as follows: Louisa. Cla- rinda, Caroline. Andrew J., all deceased; William, Sally A. and Julia A. (twins), still surviving. In 1874 Mr. Root moved from his pioneer home to Fayette, Ohio, and there lived in retirement until his death the following year, on the 14th day of January. He was a man of unblemished honor, tender feeling, and of more than average vigor of mind, and left to his children and grandchildren the precious legacy of a good life. He was a sin- cere Christian, and a member of the Baptist Church. No one ever appealed to him in vain for help or sympathy, and as an earnest Abolitionist he was especially active in behalf of the slave, and his house was a station for the "under- ground railway." The subject of this sketch was born near Strongs- ville, Ohio, May 30, 1825. He there grew to man's estate on his father's farm, receiving in the mean- time very good school advantages. In 1845 he went to Peoria, III., by way of Chicago, and there worked by the month at farming, and also engaged in teaching. He subsequently took up his residence in Henry County, the same State, buying Govern- ment land near Cambridge, and improved it. In the years following he developed one of the finest farms in that part of the country, and carried on farming and stock-raising there until 1879. He then wound up his affairs in that State, having decided to seek a home on the fertile soil and under the sunny skies of Nebraska, and in October of that year removed with a team to Pawnee City. He wintered on West Branch Creek, and in March, 1880, came to his present place of residence, as before mentioned. October 1, 1854, in the town of Prinoeville, Peoria Co., 111., the marriage of our subject to Miss Delilah J. Slane was celebrated. Mrs. Root was the second white child born in Ft. Clark, Peoria Co., 111., her birth occurring March 26,1832. She is derived from an excellent family, and her parents. Benjamin and Delilah (Chisier) Slane, were natives of Hampshire County, Va.. her father born April 22. 1 7!t0. and her mother Feb. 12, 1800. Her pa- ternal grandfather, a native of Ireland, settled in Virginia some time during the last century, and was a prosperous planter there for many years, owning a large plantation, and there he spent his last days. Her maternal grandfather was also a Virginia planter. Mrs. Root's parents were reared and married in Virginia, their union taking place in 1824. Her father was a tanner by trade, and subsequent to his marriage he moved to Ohio, lo- cating near Zanesville. He was there but a short time, however, before he was attracted to the newer State of Illinois, and in November, 1831, arrived at Ft. Clark, and became one of the very first set- tlers in Peoria County. He bought a tract of wild land, and improved 160 acres into a good farm. He afterward moved to Princeville, in the same county, and was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits there for many years, his death occur- ring there April 29, 1875. His wife died many years before, the date of her death being June 25, 1839. To them seven children had been born, namely: Benjamin F., John Z., Elizabeth A., Deli- lah J., Samuel S., James T., and a child who died in infancy. John took part in the late war as a mem- ber of the 86th Illinois Infantry, Company K. was mustered in at Peoria in 1862. and served until after the close of the Rebellion. Mr. Slane was a prom- inent citizen of Peoria County, and took an active part in the administration of local affairs, serving as Supervisor of his township, and for twenty-five years held the oftice of Justice of the Peace. He was a strong Democrat in in his political views. The subject of this sketch is a high-minded, whole-souled man, who has ever shown a progress- ive and liberal spirit. He is always genial and helpful toward others, and is true in all the re- lations of life, as husband, father, neighbor and citizen. Politically, he was in carl3- life an Abo- litionist, then united with the Republicans, but now takes his stand with the people's ticket, and has represented his party in county conventions. He does not aspire to office. He has served on both the Grand and Petit Juries. He united with the I. O. O. F. at Princeville, 111. Religiously, he is a free-thinker, and holds advanced views con- cerning the duties of life and of immortality. Mis. Root is a firm believer in the I'niversalist faith. She is a woman of a cheery, warm-hearted dispo- sition, whose pleasant ways have attracted to her ^1-* PAWNEE COUNTY. 515 •' many firm friends. She is very intelligent and well informed, and a good conversationalist. Mr. and Mrs. Boot have one of the most attractive and cozy homes in Mission Creek, and there they dis- pense a charming hospitality to the friend or stranger who happens beneath its roof. The fol- lowing is recorded of the live children who have been born to them: Albert O. is married and farm- ing in Marshall County. Kan.; Caroline J. is de- ceased; Waldo J. is engaged in the hay business in Fall> City; John S. is farming in Kansas, and Charley Grant is deceased. The fine home of Mr. Root is shown in an excellent view on another page of this volume. at ylLLIAM McCLlNTOCK. One of the most beautiful farms in Pawnee Precinct be- longs to the subject of this sketch, who took up his abode in Nebraska in June, 1856. Of Irish birth and ancestiy, he was bom near the city of Londonderry, in County Donegal, March 16, 1816, and was the fourth in a family of seven chil- dren, consisting of four sons and three daughters. Of these four are still living. The father, Samuel McClintock, carried on farming considerably, and was a manufacturer of linen. The mother, whose maiden name was Jane Rankin, was a native of the same locality as her husband, and both spent their entire lives upon their native soil. William McClintock was reared in County Done- gal, receiving a common-school education, and re- maining with his parents until reaching his nine- teenth year. He had from his boyhood been a youth thoughtful beyond his years, and determined to become a man among men. He saw little pros- pect of attaining a competence in his native Ire- land, and accordingly made up his mind to emigrate to America. With a limited amount of capital, he gathered together his few personal effects, and bid- ding adieu to the friends of his childhood, em- barked on a sailing-vessel at Londonderry, and landed in the city of Philadelphia nine weeks later. In the Quaker City our subject occupied himself at farming a number of years, and was then seized with a fit of homesickness which induced him to re- cross the Atlantic and spend a year among his friends. At the expiration of this time he came back to the United States, taking up his residence in the city of Baltimore. Later he started out for the West, and settled in Knox Count}', III., where he occupied himself at farming. In due time he met his fate in the person of Mrs. Sarah Griffee, a native of Kentucky, anil they were married Sept. 30, 1852. Mrs. McClintock had accompanied her parents to Illinois when a girl eight years of age. The latter were Reuben and Libby (Atkins) Bandy, who spent their last days in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. McClintock after their marriage moved across the Mississippi into Des Moines County, Iowa, and lived there eighteen months on a farm. They then decided to push farther west- ward, and in June, 1856, came to this county, set- tling on their present farm on Taylor Branch. It then bore little resemblance to its present state, be- ing a wild, uncultivated tract upon which there had been no attempt at improvement. Mr. McClintock first purchased 160 acres, then homesteaded the quarter-section adjoining. Their first dwelling was a log cabin 14x16 feet in dimensions, in which they spent twenty years. Our subject operated in the same manner by which his brother pioneers built up their homesteads, enduring many difficul- ties and hardships, but in due time found himself upon solid ground, and in the enjoyment of a com- fortable income. He brought his land to a good state of cultivation, and finally turned his attention more exclusively to stock-raising, making a spe- cialty of high-grade Poland-China swine, which in- dustry has been the source of a handsome income to him. Seven children came to the fireside of our subject and his excellent wife, the eldest of whom, Mary J., is now the wife of Frank Monegan.of Kansas; Alex- ander is married; Wmlield S. is living at home; Anna is the wife of Frank Barnett, of Iowa; Lena married William Benington, of Sherman County, Kan.; Alice died when very young, and Samuel died at the age of nineteen years. Mr. McC. as- sisted in the organization of the county, when it took all of the voting citizens to till the offices. He has always maintained a warm interest in the pros- ♦► r •*-!*=«= 516 PAWNEE COUNTY. perity of his adopted county, encouraging by his influence .and more substantial means the various projects set on foot for its advancement. Both Mr. McClintock and his estimable wife are member of the Old School Presbyterian Church, and attend services at Pawnee City. He was for- merly identified with the Republican party, but now votes independently, aiming to support the men whom he considers best qualified to serve the inter- ests of the people. For a man who arrived in Ne- braska with a capital of $1.50 it must be admitted that he has come out of the conflict with flyiug colors. Mrs. McClintock was first married to. Terett Griffee. The fine residence of Mr. McClintock is shown on another page in this Album. 4 ON. CHAUNCEY H. NORRIS, a promi- nent merchant of Pawnee County, occupies a leading position among the influential and g) honored citizens of Table Rock, where he is engaged in the mercantile business, being an ex- tensive dealer in dry-goods, groceries and general merchandise. He is also the possessor of a fine farm of 410 acres in Sheridan Precinct, 250 acres of it lying on section 5, and the other 1G0 acres of it lying on the northwest part of section 4, using the whole of it principally for pasturage and graz- ing, and on the place keeping about 100 head of cattle. Our subject was born in Canton, 111., Jan. 17, 1836. His father, Timothy Norris, was born Ln New Hampshire, in April, 1806. He grew up among the rugged rocks and hills of the Granite State, living there until eighteen years of age, when, having a strong desire to see more of the world, he went to New York City, and there learned the trade of a stone-cutter. In 1833, at the time of the cholera epidemic in New York, Mr. Norris visited Ohio, staying there a few months. Then, after spending the following year in New York City, he left it permanently, in the year 1835, again going to Ohio, thence proceeding the same year to Illinois, where he settled and spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1852. The maiden name of his wife, to whom he was married in Ohio, was Emetine Turney, who survived him and came to Nebraska, dying here in 1882. She was a most estimable woman, and a valued member of the Episcopal Church during the last years of her life, though formerly a Congregationalist. To her and her husband were born seven children, four of whom are still living. Chauncey H. Norris, of whom we write, was educated in the public schools of his native town, receiving good instruction in the branches taught. In 1858 he came to Nebraska, and for four months was engaged as a clerk in a store in Falls City, Richardson County, and then went back to his native State. Not being quite satisfied with his chances in Illinois, Mr. Norris came here again in 1859, and, bringing with him a stock of merchan- dise from St. Louis, opened a store in Table Rock, the first permanent one of the kind in the county, although two others had been operated for a short time prior to his coming. There were but few settlers here, and the trade not being sufficient to sustain the store, our subject removed to Falls City, where he remained until 1862, engaged in the same busi- ness. In November of that year he sold out his stock of goods, and enlisted in the 2d Nebraska Cavalry, to assist in protecting the frontier against the ravages of the Indians, being mustered in as First Lieutenant of Company G. His regiment, under command of Gen. Alfred Sulley, served prin- cipally along the Missouri and in Dakota, having been sent to that Territory for the purpose of punishing the Sioux Indians. Lieut. Norris was in a severe engagement in the White Stone Hills. Sept. 3, 1863, man}' being killed and wounded in that battle. In October the regiment was ordered to Omaha, where, his term of enlistment having ex- pired, our subject was honorably discharged, De- cember 14 of that year. He next engaged in liuying and shipping stock, but not finding that sufficiently remunerative, in 1865. he bought a one- half interest in his old stock of goods, and con- tinued in business, in partnership with D. R. Holt, until February, 1866, when a severe fire visited the town, and their store was burned. Mr. Norris subsequently procured the appointment of United States Agent for the Sac and Fox Indians of Iowa, with headquarters at the Great Nemaha agency ^L: ■*•• PAWNEE COUNTY. 5i ; f serving acceptably as such until June, 1869, when the Quaker polio} - went into effect and his services were no longer needed. Our subject again entered the mercantile trade in Table Rock, opening a general store in the latter part of 1869, the only one here for three or four years, and has sinee car- ried on a nourishing trade, his establishment being the most extensive store of general merchandise in the town. He is a popular merchant, ever cour- teous and attentive to his customers, having the reputation of being honest and square dealing in all business transactions, and is highly esteemed for his manly and sterling character. In 1809 Mr. Norris was appointed Postmaster for Table Rock, the office then paying only $7 a quarter, and he re- tained it until the salary had increased to $65 a quarter. To his sagacity, enterprise and fore- thought much of the town's progress and present prosperity are due, he having been prominent in for- warding all schemes for its advancement, either so- cial, industrial or educational. He was one of the original stockholders of the Table Roek Creamery, selling his shares only recently. Mr. Norris rendered efficient aid in elevating the standard of the schools of the precinct, during his faithful service of nine years on the School Board, from which he retired at his own desire, refusing re- election. It was largely through the instrumentality of our subject that the Atchison A- Nebraska Railway passes through here, he having assisted in procuring the right of way thn nigh Pawnee County. He has not only served with acceptance to all in local offices, but has also served with credit in State affairs. In 1884 he was elected to the State Senate, and while there formed one on the following committees: On Im- migration, Public Printing, Accounts and Expendi- tures, and on Miscellaneous Corporations, having been Chairman of the latter. He also introduced a bill into the Senate to allow the submission of the prohibition question. In 188C Mr. Norris was elected to the State Legislature, and also served there with distinction. The marriage of our subject with Miss Fannie C. Giddings, of Table Rock, was celebrated March 1, 18G0. Mrs. Norris is a native of New York, born in the town of Greene. Her father, Charles W. Giddings, was born in Connecticut, and mar- ried Miss Clarissa Grilling, of Owego, N. Y., by whom he had seven children, four of whom are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Giddings remained in New York State some years after their marriage, and then moved to Pennsylvania, and thence came to this State in April, 1858. Mr. Giddings was one of the original settlers of Table Rock, and gave the town its name from a rock of peculiar forma- tion which is located on the farm of Joel Harrison. lie engaged in farming until his death, in Decem- ber, 1879. II is estimable wife survived him but a few months, dying in October, 1880. The union of our subject and his wife has been blessed to them by the birth of ten children, eight of whom are still living, namely: Charles, Clara, Sue, Frank, Royal, Horace L., Clinton C. and Lydia G. Clara married Will L. Seisin, of Omaha, and they have one child, Alwin. Sue married E. C. Phillips, of this place, and they have two children, Charles and Fanny. — 't@m- — If 1/ EMUEL D. JORDAN. No man can justly blame the pioneer for reverting to his early life on the frontier and especially its after results with a feeling of pride and satisfaction. Too much credit cannot be given to those who perse- vered amid the difficulties which beset them during the first settlement of Nebraska, and none but those experiencing them can fully realize how great were the discouragements which were encountered by the first pilgrims to this region. Many of them came alone with their little family to a wild and unin- habited region while Indians still lingered around, bent upon mischief, and regarding the white in- vaders with no friendly eye. It seems to us that there can be no more worthy object than that which seeks to perpetuate the record of the lives of those men who, by their courage and perseverance, laid the foundation stone of Nebraska's prosperity. The subject of this sketch stands as a living wit- ness of the life of the early pioneer of the Far West, having come here as early as 1855. Before pro- ceeding further with his history it may be proper to state that he is a scion of one of the first families seeking American shores, his paternal great-grand- father having crossed the Atlantic on the "May- Hr t ► fl «• » B «« 518 PAWNEE COUNTY. \ flower" in 1020. He located in Maine, where he was represented subsequently by several generations. To his son Ebenezer there was born Lemuel D., Sr., the father of our subject, and to him Lemuel, Jr., the latter born in 1832. Our subject was reared among the hills of his native State. He had been deprived of a father's care when a mere babe and lived with his mother until a 3*011 th of nineteen years. Then leaving home he migrated to Lowell, Mass., in the spring of 1851, and for three months thereafter was employed in a cotton factory. We next find him in Buffalo, N. Y., where he made but a brief so- journ, then crossed Lake Erie to Toledo, Ohio, proceeded from there to Sturgis, Mich., and thence I13* stage to White Pigeon, Mich., where lie entered the employ of the Michigan Southern Railroad Company, who were engaged in extending their line to Chicago and Rock Island. Young Jordan was thus occupied three years, then crossing the Mississippi proceeded to Linn County, Iowa, where he had relatives. He and his cousin, Abner A. Jordan, finally concluded to cross the plains, and accordingly purchased three yoke of oxen, loaded a wagon with provisions and some tools, crossed the Missouri River on a flatboat, and thence proceeded up the Nemaha to his present lo- cation in Clay Precinct, arriving here in JUI3', 1855, after a journey of two months. Each took up a "sqirttter's" claim of 160 acres, adjoining, and after the survey was made they pre-empted their land, put up a log house, and made themselves as comfortable as their circumstances would permit. The cracks in their dwelling were stopped witli clay and sticks ; the floor, roof and door were made of puncheon, and light was admitted through an 8x10 pane of glass which they placed in the door. The structure was essentially home made, even to the hinges and wooden latch. In this rude dwelling the cousins kept bachelor's hall a number of years, when Abner A. was married, and our subject lived with the young couple until he, too, found a wife and helpmate. Tin's most im- portant event in his life was celebrated Feb. 25, 1869, the maiden of his choice being Miss Florence Walbridge. Our subject had in the meantime put up for himself a hewed log house, and in this lie was married. The nuptials were unaccompanied 1)3* the style and outlay of the present day, but it is possible that the pair were quite as happy and con- tented as the people of this later generation who often begin life beyond their means, and so con- tinue until misfortune overtakes them and "their last da3*s are worse than the first." Mr. Jordan had taken up another claim of 160 acres near his first, and lived there about seven years. He then returned to the old farm, where in 1882 he put up a commodious frame dwelling which he now occupies with his family, surrounded by all the comforts of life. He has added to his real es tate until he is the owner of 480 broad acres, upon which he has over eight miles of all kinds of fenc- ing. After bringing his land to a good state of cultivation he turned his attention largely to stock- raising, and usually keeps a herd of 100 Short-horn cattle, together with from twent3* to twenty-five head of horses of the Black Hawk, Morgan and Norman stock. Both in horses and cattle he ex- hibits as fine animals as are to be found in this county. He is regarded as a first-class farmer, and has been remarkably fortunate in his investments. The first tax our subject paid in Pawnee County amounted to $3.70; his last was $130.80. This fact is sufficiently indicative of the manner in which his property has increased in value. His accumulations are the result of his own industry and good judg- ment, and his early life, though seeming hard at the time, was probably one of the best schools in which he could have been drilled, forming within him a character strong and self-reliant and admirably adapted to cope with the circumstances of his after life. The man who has earned his property dollar by dollar usually knows how to take care of it. Mr. Jordan cast his first Presidential vote for Grant. He is an earnest Republican politically, but has no time to spend as an office-seeker, having all he can possibly do to look after his individual af- fairs. He is nevertheless public-spirited and lib- eral, and uniformly gives his encouragement and more substantial support to the various enterprises having for their object the progress and advance- ment of his county. The parents of Mrs. Jordan were John and Jane (Malory) Walbridge, natives respectively of Ver- mont and Connecticut. After marriage they re- V -=7* •►Hl^^ PAWNEE COUNTY. oil) 4- moved to Pennsylvania, settling in Erie County, where Mrs. .1. was born May 12, 1844, and where the parents spent their last days. There came to the hearthstone of Mr. and Mrs. Jordan nine chil- dren, who were named respectively: Pbila M., Mina 1)., Ruth C, Sadie F., Bessie E., Lemuel D., Clem C, Clayton T. and Hay W, Phila died at the earl}' age of sixteen years. She was a promising child, and in their bereavement the parents had the warm sympathy of all who knew them. ..o*o>@^A,. 183"), and lived in Ohio until 1853, when she moved to Iowa with her parents. Mrs. Davis' grandfather, John Davis, was born in Wales, May 1, 1754, and migrating to this country, he set- tled in Virginia, where he followed his trade of carpenter, lie was a Captain in the Revolutionary War, and did gallant service in behalf of his adopted country, lie died Jan. 22. 1812. at an ad- vanced age. His son John. Mrs. Davis' father. was born in Virginia, July 24, 171*3. ami he mar- ried in his native State Miss Purmilla Maxon. who was born Jan. 20, 1803; their marriage occurred Oct. 20, 1818. They became the parents of twelve children. The father was a man of versatile genius, being at once a doctor' of considerable skill, a practical farmer, an ordained minister in the Baptist Church of much note, and a good 520 PAWNEE COUNTY. »» II «■ cabinet-maker. He spent many years in Ohio, and thence moved to Clinton County, Iowa, ami twenty- one years later to Coffey County, Ky. After that he came here and staid with his daughter for a time, and then went to Atchison County. Kan., and took up some land there and improved it. After the death of his wife in that county, June 16. 1879. at the age of seventy-four years, seven months and twenty-one days, he returned to the home of our subject, where his death occurred April 15. 1880, at the age of eighty-two years, eighl months and twenty-two days. His family and that of our sub- ject were in nowise connected although bearing the same surname. Both families have borne honor- able reputations and have been well thought of since the earliest record of them. Mr. Davis may be denominated a pioneer of Nebraska, as he was an early settler of this part of the State. He came here in the spring of 18(15, and took up some Government land under the provis- ion of the Homestead Act, in the western part of Richardson Comity, one mile southeast of his pres- ent farm. On that land he turned the first furrow, and set the first trees. lie also put out a good orchard, hedged and fenced his land, and made all the usual improvements for increasing the value of a good farm, including, in 1807, a fine frame house, 20x20 feet, and one and one-half stories in height, neat and well painted, and at that time the best house in the county; it is still standing. He at first paid exclusive attention to raising grain, and then went into the stock business, selling in the home market. While living on that place he helped to organize the school district, was its first Modera- tor, and was one of the very few who stood the ex- pense of putting up a good frame building for a school-house, which is still standing. He hired the first teacher who taught in that district. Our sub- ject helped Mr. Ben jamin Clement to build the first bridge over the Big Muddy at Hughes, draw- ing the timber for it from John Shook's mill, on the Missouri River at Hillsdale, doing his share of the work in putting the bridge together. He also helped to breakthrough the first roads in that part of the district. When he first settled on that farm Indians were in the neighborhood, and were frequent callers on him when he was at work on his place. While plowing his land antelopes and deer came near him and showed no sign of fear. In 1870 Mr. Davis disposed of his property in Richardson County, and crossing the line into this county, purchased his present farm, which was then school land. He at once erected a good dwelling, which still stands, and a fine barn, GOx.'iO feet, that was burned in 1885. He set out the first trees here, and planted all but twelve acres of his forest ami orchard. He put a fence and hedge clear around, and also cross fenced it. His grounds are well sup- plied with shrubbery and evergreens, and he has n good bearing orchard. He has thus developed from the wild prairies by his persistent and well-directed labors a tine homestead, replete with all the neces- sary improvements. Mr. Davis is a man of de- cided force of character, believes in having the best of everything that money, industry and enterprise can procure, and as a result his farm is under a high state of cultivation, yielding him rich returns. His horses, of good and well-selected breeds, are animals of which the owner is proud; his cattle, high graded Durhams and Short-horns, have the best of care and compare well with other herds in the precinct, and his herd justly noted for its character, being of recorded stock, and one full- blooded, registered Durham, dropped in April. 1886, and in December, 1888. tipped the scales at 1,200 pounds, her mother being one of the finest cows in the country. His fat Poland-China hogs, of the best breed, always command a good market, and he has a fine line of breeders; four of full- blood he has sold to prominent fanners as heads of herds. Our subject is one of the leading members of the Baptist Church, and is highly spoken of by all as a man of unimpeachable integrity, who is honorable in all of his transactions. He is an ardent advocate of temperance, and for four years has been one of the foremost leaders of the Prohibition party in this county. He has been a delegate to many of the party conventions, among them the first State con- ventions held at Lincoln, also all following there and at Omaha, besides the county and district conven- tions, having been Chairman of the first conven- tions held in Pawnee County. During the late campaign he spent much of his time lecturing in -+z*h« «Jf+ PAWNEE COUNTY. 521 , l Pawnee, Richardson, Johnson and Nemaha Coun- ties, often speaking to large audiences', and doing much good for the cause which lie has so much at heart, lie has, however, avoided nomination al- though such an active worker, lie is Central Com- mitteeman of this precinct. While on his lecturing tour he has borne a part of the expenses himself, thus devoting both time and money to the eleva- tion of his fellowmen. lie lias taken an interest in educational matters, and helped to organize the school district and to build the school-house. lie lias been Road Supervisor for four terms, and his fellow-citizens are greatly indebted to his energy ami efficiency for the good roads on which they travel, the highways having greatly improved under his care, and all are pleased at the amount of work done and the judicious expenditure of money. The home of our subject is the center of a true and bounteous hospitality, and both host and hostess delight in entertaining people, giving all who enter their doors a cordial welcome. Mr. Davis, besides being a genial and pleasant conver- sationalist, lias quite a musical talent, as have his family also, and he plays well on the horn, violin and organ, and can discourse sweet music on the most insignificant of instruments. ■^^^^^ ~t C«*p$>HOMAS II. SHANNON. The representa- i((((£S$\ fives and sons of the pioneer families stand Vgg^' next to the original tillers of the soil in point of importance. Among these in Nebraska is the subject of this memoir, who, like his father before him, carried on farming pursuits until 187'J, hut is now familiarly known to the people of Pawnee City as the proprietor of the Shannon House, one of the most popular and best-regulated hotels in the city. Mr. Shannon is what may be called a self- made man, being among the large number of those who started in this Western country with no capital but their stout muscle and courageous hearts. Before proceeding further it will perhaps be well to glance at the opening years of our subject, which were spent near the town of North Salem, in Hen- dricks County, Ind. In that town stood the modest dwelling of his parents, where his birth took place *• : Oct. 14, 1836. His father, Thomas R. Shannon, was born in West Virginia in 1803, and carried on farming his entire life. He married, in his native county, Miss Sarah, daughter of David Allen, who was a year older than himself, born in 1802. They lived in the Old Dominion for a time after their marriage, then, about the year 1833, migrated to Hendricks County, Ind., and settled on a tract of new land, where the father prosecuted farming un- til the fall of 1858. Indiana not effecting for Thomas R. Shannon as much as lie expected in point of worldly prosperity, he resolved to cross the Mississippi ami seek in a more Western country something which should prove of greater benefit to himself and family. Upon making his ad vent into this county he located on a tract of land in Pawnee Precinct, two miles west of the present site of Pawnee City, which was then marked only by a few rude structures called houses, and gave little indication of its future importance. The elder Shannon began with the help of his wife and elder children the improve- ment of 160 acres of land, and upon this he so- journed until his death, which occurred twelve j-ears later, in the spring of 1 870. The wife and mother, who had stood bravely by the side of her husband in his toils and struggles, only survived him about three years. Their family consisted of five sons: Samuel S., William A., Thomas H. (our subject), Milton A. and Greenville I). Young Shannon received a rather limited educa- tion in the district school, and left the parental roof when about twenty-two years old. He worked for a time in the employ of his father, and at an early date , thereafter felt that lie was equal to the task of tak- ing care of a wife and family. He was accordingly married, Jan. IS. 1865, to Miss Mary S. Griffith, of Pawnee Precinct, and the daughter of John Grif- fith, Esq., who had removed from Bucks County, Pa., to Nebraska about 1865. Mrs. Shannon was born in November, 1811, in that -county, and re- mained under the home roof until her marriage. Afterward our subject and his wife moved upon a farm in Pawnee Precinct, where Mr. Shannon prose- cuted agriculture and stock-raising quite success- fully. He first rented a tract of land, and later purchased a farm of 160 acres in Pawnee Precinct, r 522 pawnee county. h about one mile northwest of town. He effected many improvements, and remained upon it until 1 879, when he abandoned the labors of farm life, and removing to Pawnee City secured a lot and put up a house. The latter was burned in 1881, and hav- ing no insurance was a total loss. There were at tli is time twenty-seven other buildings destroyed by fire. In the summer of 1885 our subject put up what is now known as the .Shannon House, and which occupies an area of 32x00 feet, and is a substantial brick structure two stories in height, situated at a convenient point south of the court-house square. It is one of the best $1 hotels in the county, and patronized by a large proportion of the traveling public through this region. Mr. and Mrs. Shannon are the parents of two sons, Henry A. and Joseph R., to whom they are giving the advantages of a first-class education, both being students in the University at Lincoln. They lost an infant daughter at the age of three months. Our subject cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and it is hardly necessary to state has since that time been an ardent supporter of Republican principles. His paternal grandfather, Samuel Shannon, was one of the earliest settlers of Hendricks County, Ind., and operated what was familiarly known by the pioneers as the '"Shannon House Mill." He spent his last years in Indiana. ~t RS. MANIE HACHENBERG. There is no more attractive picture on the face of the earth than a well-regulated country homestead presided over by culture and intelligence, the sound sense that adapts itself to the supervision of the mechanical department, and the refined tastes capable of eliminating beauty from the resources always at hand. These ideas have been fully carried out in the homestead occu- pied by the lad}' whose name appears in connection with this sketch. It has been under her personal supervision since the decease of her honored hus- band, and right well has she discharged the trusts committed to her care. A lad}' of fine intelligence and thorough education, she is admirably adapted 4 * to perpetuate the reputation of one of the most valuable and attractive estates in the county, and by her amiability of character has drawn around her hosts of friends. She followed the profession of a teacher during the years of her early woman- hood, and although the sober realities of life have for many 3 r ears claimed her attention she has never allowed herself to deteriorate or abandon her mental culture. Adjacent to the pleasant little town of Wood- stock, McHenry Co., 111., was the childhood home of Mrs Hachenberg, and where she first opened her eyes to the light May 15, 1841. She lived there with her parents until eleven years of age, and then they removed from the farm into the town, where she attended the common school. In 185G the family removed to Allamakee County, Iowa, where she at the age of nineteen years began her career as a teacher. In 1860, however, our subject desiring to per- fect her education more fully, returned to Wood- stock, 111., and pursued her studies in the seminary there for about two years. Afterward she taught two terms in that vicinity, then rejoined her par- ents in Iowa, and continued as a teacher until failing health obliged her to abandon it. She was veiy successful and popular among both parents and children, and always maintained a warm inter- est in the welfare of those committed to her care. After leaving the schoolroom she remained with her parents until her marriage with Mr. George W. Hachenberg, on the 13th of December, 1866. The parents of Mrs. Hachenberg were William and Cathren (Scott) Gilbert, who were both na- tives of Lenoxshire, Scotland, the father born Aug. 2, 1815, and the mother on the 2d of Febru- ary, 1809. The paternal grandfather was John Gil- bert, also of Scotch birth and ancestry, who spent his entire life upon his native soil engaged in farm- ing pursuits, and died at the age of sixty-eight years. The maternal grandfather was James Scott, also a farmer, who was born, reared and spent his life in the "land of the thistle." AVilliam Gilbert was educated in the common school, and when approaching manhood served an apprenticeship as a stonemason, and was married later in his native shire. He emigrated with his "if* PAWNEE COUNTY. 523 T family to America in 1839, locating near Wood- slock, in Mc Heury County, 111., where he purchased 160 acres of land, from which he constructed a good farm. lie also worked at his trade in connection with agriculture, and continued on the farm until 1856. In the meantime the wife and mother had been called to her long home, dying in 1848, at the age of forty-two years. After the death of his first wife Mr. Gilbert was married in 1849 to Miss Sarah L. Allen, who was horn in Portage County, Ohio, Nov. 16, 182(i, and removed with her parents to Illinois when a young girl of thirteen years. Upon leaving the farm Mr. Gilbert occupied himself at his trade in Woodstock until 1859. Then, with a desire to cross the Mis- sissippi, he disposed of his Illinois property, and wended his way to Allamakee County, Iowa, where he purchased 1G0 acres of timber land, upon which he made some improvements, then sold out and purchased an improved farm near Frank ville, same county. He sold this in 1884 and came to this county, but on account of failing health he returned to Iowa, and died at the home of Ids son near Erankvillc, on the 14th of August, that year. He bad been a man quite prominent in his community, serving a number of years as Justice of the Peace, and occupying other positions of trust. Politically, he was a stanch Republican, and in religious mat- ters, a devout Presbyterian. Of the first marriage of William Gilbert there were born six children, three of whom grew to ma- ture years. Of these all are living: Manic, Mrs. Hachenberg, Agnes and John, who are both resi- dents of Iowa. Catherine and two infants un- named are deceased. Of the second marriage there were three children: Ellen, in Iowa; Louis, in Dakota; and William, a resident of this State. Mr. George W. Hachenberg was bom in Dela- ware County, Ohio, Sept. 8, 1845. He became a resident of Iowa, where lie lived until the out- break of the Civil War. When but eighteen years old he enlisted in Company E, 9th Iowa Cavalry, being mustered into service at Waukon as a Cor- poral under Capt. Dean. They were first ordered to Little Rock, Ark., and soon met the enemy in open conflict. Mr. Hachenberg, in one of the first engagements, was wounded in the right hip and conveyed to the hospital. He refused to have the limb amputated, notwithstanding the matter was urged by the surgeons, and recovered sufficiently to rejoin his regiment, with which he served until the close of the war. He participated in eight pitched battles besides numerous skirmishes, and was proffered promotion repeatedly but invariably declined. He received his honorable discharge at Little Rock on the 3d of July. 1866, was mustered out at the same place, and returning to Iowa re- sumed farming, and continued a resident of the Hawkeye State until the spring of 1869. Mr. Hachenberg now resolved to change his resi- dence to Nebraska, and came overland with his family to this county, crossing the Missouri at Brownville. He purchased a tract of uncultivated land lying on Plum Creek, and lived in a dug-out the first summer, in the meantime hauling logs to Blue Springs to have them sawed in proper shape for the construction of a house. This first domi- cile was 13x17 feet square, and within it the family lived until 1879, when the present residence was erected. Five acres of the land had been broken, but aside from this there had been no attempt whatever at improvement, and there was not a stick of timber upon the whole tract. Mr. Hachen- berg labored industriously from that time forward, plowing, sowing and reaping, setting out forest and fruit trees, and bringing about the various im- provements naturally suggested to the mind of the practiced and skillful agriculturist. The land proved to be finely located, and well watered by a branch of Plum Creek. Mr. II. rested from his earthly labor- on the 19th of March, 1879. Of his union with our subject there had been born two children only, a son and a daughter — Katie L. and William G. Mr. Hachenberg. politically, was a stanch Republican, and officiated as Justice of the Peace a number of years. He also served on the Grand and Petit Juries, was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, being one of its most cheerful anil liberal contributors, and assisting materially in the construction of the church edifice. Socially, he belonged to the Masonic fraternity in Pawnee City. Mrs. Hachenberg since the death of her husband has proceeded with the improvements which he r -•*• I k 524 PAWNEE COUNTY. projected but did not live to carry out. Under her supervision the whole of the land has been brought to a state of cultivation, and many other improvements effected in its condition. She rents the land and receives therefrom a handsome income. It is largely devoted to stock-raising, the specialty being cattle and swine, and dairying is also carried on in a limited degree. ffi ACOB T. LAYMAN. This pioneer of 18G6 when striking the soil of Nebraska Territory came directly to Sheridan Precinct, of which he has since been a continuous resident. He is now the owner of a good farm, comprising 120 acres on section 19, which he purchased in March, 1881. He first took up a homestead claim on sec- tion 22, township 2, range 12, upon which there had been no attempt at improvement, and upon which he turned the first furrow in 1869. After getting in his first crops he busied himself in setting out forest and fruit trees, also shrubbery, and in due time put up a good house and barn and the other structmes necessary for the convenience of the modern agriculturist. His neighbors were few and far between, there being only two houses any- where near him, and three more farther away. The Indians had but recently left this region, although the settlers were still in apprehension of their re- visiting it upon mischief intent. They suffered thereafter from grasshoppers, this insect appearing shortly after Mr. Layman had taken up his residence here. Mr. Layman disposed of his first property in 1880, and upon his taking possession of that which he now occupies repeated the experiment of plant- ing trees and erecting buildings. He now has one of the finest farms in this region, lying about two miles east of Pawnee City, and amply supplied with all the conveniences and comforts of modern life. His career has been distinguished as that of a hard- working and industrious man, upright in his trans- actions, and one who stands well among his neigh- bors. A son of the Old Dominion, our subject was born Sept. 26, 1844, but two years later his parents -*• removed to the vicinity of Mt. Pleasant, Pa., where they lived about five years. Thence they pushed on further westward to Adams County, 111., where the father carried on farming, and where Jacob T. received a practical education in the common schools. During the progress of the late war he en- listed as a Union soldier, Aug. 14, 1862, in Com- pany F, 118th Illinois Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee under command of Gen, Sherman. He met the enemy in battle at Arkansas Post, Haines' Bluff on the Yazoo River, was at Vicksburg two weeks, and subsequently fought at Jackson, Miss., besides engaging in vari- ous skirmishes with the rebels. He fortunately es- caped wounds and imprisonment, although once struck by a spent ball. He was mustered out July 5, 1865, having been in the meantime transferred to the 5th Indiana Infantry, a veteran reserve which was assigned to duty as a guard of the prisoners at Indianapolis. After returning from the army Mr. Layman spent one year at school in Adams County, 111., then set out for the farther "West. He was a single man when coming to this county, but finally met his fate in the person of Miss Sarah Freeman, to whom he was married Nov. 19, 1870. This union resulted in the birth of five children, all living: Elmer, the eldest son, was born Feb. 23, 1872; Alva, Jan. 26, 1875; Lulu, Aug. 0, 1879; Gilbert \V., May 12, 1882, and William Roy, April 18, 1888. They are all at home with their parents, forming a bright and interesting group, which the latter look upon with pardonable pride. The wife of our subject was born in Armstrong County, Pa., Feb. 3, 1850, and lived there until a maiden of fifteen years. She then accompanied her parents to Table Rock Precinct, this county, in 1865, where she lived until her marriage. Her father, Henry Freeman, was one of the pioneer set- tlers of Table Rock, and lived in a dug-out for a good many years. He possessed the qualities of industry and perseverance, however, and came out of the struggle with the elements of a new soil so that he is now the owner of a good property. A sketch of him will be found elsewhere in this work. Daniel Layman, the father of our subject, was born in Christian County, Pa., and married Miss ^f-* -•*- PAWNEE COUNTY. 525 Lucinda Cavanaugh. Eive of the ten children, the offspring of this union, lived to mature years and are now surviving. The family removed first to Pennsylvania and then to Illinois, sojourning in the latter State until 1876; the mother died there in 1852. Thence the father migrated to Texas, and from there to Table Rock Precinct, this county, where he still lives. He learned the trade of a tailor in his youth, which he followed, however, only a few years, then engaged in the more congenial pursuits of agriculture. His first wife, the mother of our subject, died in 1852, when Jacob T., our subject, was a little lad eight years of age. The father contracted a second marriage, this time with Miss Marj' Jane Ford. Mr. Layman cast his first Presidential vote for Mr. Lincoln, and is a stanch supporter of Repub- lican principles. He has occupied the various local offices, serving as Road Supervisor and Constable, but has no ambition for a public position, prefer- ring to give his attention to his farming interests. Both he and his excellent wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. \ 4 ^|}) APT. SANFORD V. MOORE. The career f( of this prominent and well-to-do citizen of ^S^r Pawnee Precinct is of that Glass regarded with unalloyed interest by every intelligent indi- vidual, for it presents a forcible illustration of the results of industry, economy and good manage- ment. From a modest beginning in life Mr. Moore has attained to a good position socially and finan- cially, chiefly signalizing himself as an agricultur- ist of more than ordinary success, and making a specialty of the breeding of Short-horn cattle. His operations are carried on at a line farm of 200 acres. pleasantly located on section 8, and forming oneof the most valuable tracts of land in this section of country. Capt. Moore, is of Southern birth, his native place ha vine- been in Oconee County. S. ('..and his natal day Oct. 10, 1832. His father, James O. M v. was also born in South Carolina, Feb. 7. 1810, in what was then known as the Pendleton District. lie learned the blacksmith trade when approaching «•— manhood, and followed it for many years. He spent the closing years of his life in this county. The mother was the daughter of James Sanders, also of South Carolina, and of Scotch-Irish descent. She was born in August, 1809, and the parental family included six children, two sons and four daughters, of whom our subject was the third in order of birth, and three of whom are still living. The Moore familj', about 1842, removed first to Georgia, and then to Tennessee. Sanford V. ac- quired a.limited education in the imperfect schools of that da}', attending probably not to exceed a pe- riod of three months in his whole life. He attained to manhood under the parental roof, assisting his father in the blacksmith-shop, and at the same time occupying himself considerably at farming. He worked at the forge more or less until twenty- nine 3'ears old. At the age of nineteen he was mar- ried to Miss Sarah Gibson, daughter of Robert Gibson, of Tennessee, and in 1858 removed with his family to Webster County. Mo. Mr. Moore now opened up a blacksmith-shop at High Prairie, and worked at his trade until after the outbreak of the Civil War. In the meantime he served in the Home Guards, and in 1862 en- listed in Compan}- B, 8th Missouri Cavalry, under command of W. F. Geiger. They sojourned in Missouri until July, 1863, and were then sent South on the Little Hock campaign, taking part in many of the important battles which followed. Mr. M v distinguished himself as a brave and efficient sol- dier, and was four times promoted, finally reaching the rank of First. Lieutenant. He was soon trans- ferred to Company F, of which he took- command, and was afterward given a Captain's commission. He served thus until resigning, in February, 1865. Upon leaving the army Capt. Moore returned to Missouri, settling in Marshlield, and in June. 1865, came to this county and took up a homestead claim of 160 acres. He lived upon this, improving it until he secured a warrantee deed, and added grad- ually to his landed estate until he is now the owner of 360 broad acres. The farm residence and other buildings are substantially constructed and in good order, and in his live-stock operations Mr. Moore has shipped some of the best swine ever sent from Pawnee County. One carload comprised animals *r .► I I «- .•*- 5'26 PAWNEE COUNTY. *f eleven months old, with an average weight of 309 pounds, for which he received Philadelphia prices. The grasshopper plague, which proved such a detri- ment to this region, was a harvest for pigs, as they ate them ravenously and fattened upon them. Mrs. Sarah (Gibson) Moore, the first wife of our subject, became the mother of five children — Rob- ert, John, Jennie, Clara and Mary. His second wife was M iss Maggie, daughter of Williams Robinson. < >f Georgia, and of this union there were also born five children — Roy, Clay, Dee, Edna and Lamay. The mother of these died in 1882. Mr. Moore con- tracted a third marriage, with Mrs. Merica Nich- ols, in June, 1883. This lady was born in Georgia, in 1860, and is the daughter of E. C. and Malinda (< (shorn) Eoster. The father is living in Georgia, and the mother is deceased. < >ur subject during the Centennial at Philadel- phia, in 1876, was solicited to visit the exposition as a representative from this count}', but declined. In political matters he votes the Republican ticket, and socially, is a member of the G. A. R. He be- gan at the foot of the ladder in life, without means or other resources than his strong muscles and will- ing hands, and has made for himself an admirable record. (OBERT T. SCOTT. Next to a man's own individuality that of his ancestry is impor- (liiW, tant. He who can trace his lineage to Scot- ^|§!land is always pardoned for a feeling of pride as having been an offshoot from the '-land of the thistle," whose sons are everywhere recognized as embodying all the principles of truth and hon- esty. The sturdy Scotch element has penetrated to almost every quarter of the glohe, and there per- haps have been fewer worthless and shiftless charac- ters among the representatives of this nationality than any other on the fate of the earth. The subject of this sketch, a well-to-do and highly respected farmer of Clay Precinct, like his forefathers, was born on Scottish soil, Jan. 17, 1840, in Roxburghshire, and emigrated to the United States with an uncle when a lad of thirteen years. He thereafter made his home with his uncle, Henry Scott, in Stark County, 111., until the outbreak of the Rebellion, when he enlisted in Company B, 19th Illinois Infantry, and matching to the front was present at the battles of Stone River, Chicka- anga, Mission Ridge, and various minor engage- ments. He never missed a roll call, and was fortunately enabled to be at his post of duty without intermission until the expiration of his term of enlistment, in Jul}', 186-1. He then received his honorable discharge, and returning to Illinois so- journed there one year, and then crossed the Mis- sissippi in search of a location in the farther West. Coming directly to this county Mr. Scott pur- chased a tract of land on section 26 in Clay Pre- cinct, from the heirs of Rev. P. M. Rogers, to whose daughter, Anna P., he was married March 14, 1867. Mrs. Scott was born June 13, 1848, in Claiborne County, Tenn., which was also the birth- place of her parents, her mother having been Miss Sarah Beeler. They left the South in the fall of 1854, journeying overland to Iowa before the days of railroads along that route. Two years later they crossed the river, and locating on its banks found not long after that they were on land be- longing to the Indians, and hence made another re- moval to the place which our subject now occupies. There Mr. and Mrs. Rogers spent their last days, the father dying Aug. 20, 1874, and the mother Jan. 1, 1887. To the parents of Mrs. Scott there were born seven children, namely: Harvey, LaEayette, Mar- shall L., Jane, Polly, David and Ann. Mr. Rogers was a man of more than ordinary ability, and a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church many years. He was at an early date chosen to represent Pawnee County in the Legislature, serving two terms. Mr. and Mrs. Scott after their marriage began housekeeping at the place which our subject had purchased in Clay Precinct, and where they con- tinued to live until after the death of Mr. Rogers, when Mr. Scott purchased the home farm, where they now live. Our subject became identified with local affairs soon after taking up his residence here, and in the fall of 1878 was elected a County Com- missioner, serving a period of nine years. He is the owner of 740 acres of land, which is devoted to stock-raising, including Short-horn cattle, Ham- V- <+• T1 I" PAWNEE COUNTY. 527 *- bletonian liorses and Merino sheep. The place is embellished with a neat and substantial set of frame buildings, and there are all the conveniences for the successful prosecution of his calling. The premises present to the eye of the passerby a pic- ture of plenty and content which is delightful to look upon. Mr. Scott, politically, is a straight Republican. In religious matters the family are members in good standing of the United Brethren Church. Matthew Scott, the fnther of our subject, was the son of Andrew Scott, a native of Roxburghshire, Scotland, and was reared and educated in his native place. He married Miss Catherine Temple, daugh- ter of Dr. Robert and Elizabeth (Elliott) Temple, who were also of Scottish birth and ancestry. They were the parents of two children only: Robert, our subject, and his sister Ellen. The father was cut down in his prime, dying when Robert was a mere lad. and the mother passed away a few years later, lie wns thus thrown upon his own resources early in life, and may be most properly called a self-made man. He has obtained his possessions by honest industry, and he is not only numbered among the moneyed men of Pawnee County, but in social and business circles occupies a place in the front ranks. ■ — —•' | ' 2 ' | < £ ' 1 "~ /^\ HARLES Y. DIMON, who was a prominent (l\ n l u " lu ' el ' n ' Northern Pawnee County in the ^S^ early days of its settlement . and took an active part in the development of its agriculture, in the advancement of its educational and religious interests, and tin' promotion of the various schemes for internal improvements, is now living in one of the coziest homes in the city of Table Rock, de- voting his time tn looking after bis property. Mr. Dimon isanativeof New Jersey, born in the county of Sussex, Oct. 1. 1826. His father, Steven Dimon, was also a native of that State, and for a number of years was engaged at his trades as a miller and millwright, but subsequently bought land in Pike County, Pa., ami carried on farming there until his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Puller, died some years earlier. They bad seven children, who lived to maturity. Their son. if -*• whom we write, received a good common-school education, and for several years devoted himself to teaching. He afterward turned his attention to farming in Pennsylvania, the State in which he was reared, and was quite successful in his venture. He took an important step toward the building up of a home in his marriage, April 28, 1852, to Miss Caroline M. Woodward. To them came one child. who died in infancy. Mrs. Dimon, who has been such an important factor in making her husband's life a success, was born Jan. 9, 182s. in Wayne County. Pa., near the town of Honesdale, and there lived until her marriage. Her father, Asher Woodward, was likewise a native of Wayne Count}', his birth taking place April 18, 1801. He married Miss Matilda Kennedy, and they had ten children, of whom Mrs. Dimon was the eldest. Mr. Woodward moved, in 1859, to Sandwich, DeKalb Co., 111., and was engaged in his calling as a farmer until his death. May 3, 1874. Mr. Woodward was a cousin of the celebrated Judge Woodward, of Penn- sylvania, a well-known jurist of that State, and for many years Judge of the Supreme Court. In the spring of 1857 our subject, who had heard much of the cheap lands of the Territory of Ne- braska, its fine climate, and other advantages, de- termined to locate here. He and his wife accord- ingly left their old home in Pennsylvania, he having disposed of his small property in that State, and started on the long journey to this part of the country. At Weston. Mo., they were obliged to disembark from the boat, as the river was full of ice. and was not navigable beyond that point. Mr. Dimon bought a yoke of cattle, and from that citj they traveled in a wagon up through Kansas, and arrived in Table Rock April I. 1857. Our subject soon took up a pre-emption claim on section 2. township 2. range 12. now Sheridan Precinct, and thus became the posseSSOrof 160 acres of bare prai- rie, except for a few acres of brush on the Nemaha, where his land commenced. When our subject came here the country was sparsely settled, there being but few settlers here and there along the Ne- maha. The Indians, however, were quite plentiful through the country, and one time while Mr. Dimon was away a band of Indians visited bis house, and Seating themselves around the lire made V •p j i f +• •►-11^ -•*" 528 PAWNEE COUNTY. *t themselves quite at home, much to Mrs. Dimon's alarm. When the fire needed replenishing she did not dare to go for firewood, fearing that her un- welcome guests would steal something while she was away. But when the temperature of the room became too cold for Messrs. Lo they found their way to the woodpile, and returned to the house laden with fuel, and rebuilt the fire themselves, and prolonged their visit for some time. Mr. Dimon's first work was to build a log house, fourteen feet square, in which he and his wife lived very comfortably for the next ten years. In 1867 he replaced that modest dwelling by a more commodious one, of stone which was quarried on his farm by himself, that being one of the first houses in this part of the county to be built of that material. The work on the house was done by Peter Foale, and Mr. Dhnon drew the lumber from Brownville, and made the oak shingles himself. The house is still .standing, a story and a half dwell- ing, of good size, and conveniently arranged. Mr. Dimon began breaking his land as soon as possible, and in the years that followed brought it to a fine state of culture. When he left the farm, there were fine groves of maples, evergreens, shrubbery, etc., around the house, and a good orchard, all of which he had set out, besides putting a hedge around the farm. The first years of his settlement in Pawnee County our subject saw some hard times, in common with the other pioneers. lie used to take all of his produce to P>rowuville or Rulo and ex- change for just the necessary groceries, and managed that way until the time of freighting, when money became more plentiful, and would go much further in buying than produce. Mr. Dimon says he has seen the time even when it was hard to get postage stamps. He had not very much means when he came here, but being a man of ability and intelli- gence, he has accumulated a very comfortable com- petency, and is the owner of several residences here, from the rental of which he derives a good income. While he was engaged in agricultural pursuits he was much interested in raising cattle, devoting his attention to .Short-horns, he buying of Thomas McClure the first full-blooded bull of that breed that was brought into this part of the county, and in that way lie was one of the first to have a good herd. He also raised horses and hogs of good grades. He sold his farm in 1883, and pur- chasing a neat and tasty brick cottage in the city, moved into it, and has ever since resided there. Mr. Dimon was the first Assessor of this precinct, when there but few houses here. He was elected Justice of the Peace, but subsequently resigned. In politics he has always voted with the Republican party. Mr. Dimon helped to build all of the first bridges in this part of the country, and among them was the first bridge across the Nemaha, on the line between Table Rock and Sheridan precincts. lie was at the meeting at which the first school district in the northern part of the county was or- ganized, was chosen the first Director, and held that office, or some other position on the School Hoard the most of the time while he remained a resident of the district, By virtue of his office he was a member of the building committee, and helped to build the first school-house. Mr. and Mrs. Dimon are very prominent mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Table Rock. Mr. Dimon was converted while still a young man in Pennsylvania, and made his connec- tion with the Methodist Church when he was twenty years old, and has since been a consistent member and an active worker within the fold. While at Waymart, Pa., he was Class-Leader in the Church, and he holds that office here, besides being Trustee of the church. He was one of the original members of the Table Rock church, one of the first religious organizations in the county, he at first be- ing Trustee, and has since been Class-Leader, Stew- ard and Trustee most of the time. If it had not been for his earnest efforts in soliciting subscrip- tions for the church and parsonage, Table Hock would probably have been without a house of wor- ship for several years longer. He and the Rev. Burch went to the woods and shaved shingles for the building. Mr. Dimon also helped substantially in building the first church and parsonage in Hum- boldt and Pawnee City, and also a second church in Table Rock. He is a zealous worker in the Sunday- school, and shortly after he came here organized one in his own neighborhood, which was one of the ear- liest, if not the first in the county, and was for many years its Superintendent, until he removed to *•- 6A4S-&l/SgJ y/4 / fr/l4#l^0K_ JL PAWNEE COUNTY. 531 (In- city. He is now chorister, treasurer and teacher in the school connected with the church in which he worships. Mr. Dimon is highly spoken of by all for the probity of his character, and his life has been an exemplar; one, well worthy of being the model for any young man. S. DICKINSON. The subject of this r memoir found his way to Nebraska in 1884, and settled upon the farm which he now occupies, and which comprises 240 acres of good land on sections 16 and 21, Clay Precinct, lie has a family history which is of more than usual interest, and which we will append after dealing with the more immediate events of his life. Mr. Dickinson was born in Randolph, Portage Co., Ohio, Aug. 5, 1820, and removed to Henry County, 111., in 1855. He had up to this time re- mained a bachelor, but he now met his fate in the person of Jane A. Baker, to whom he was married Sept. 14, 1857. Mrs. Dickinson was a native of the same State as her husband, born in Washington County, Sept. 25, 1831. They spent the first years of their married life in the Prairie State, and be- came the parents of four children. Their eldest, Ida E., was born Sept. 19, 1859, and married John McCall; John M. was born Jan. 3, 1861 ; Charles T., Oct. 28, 1862, and Julia A.. Dec. 23, 1866. Mr. Dickinson while in Illinois was connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he officiated as Steward a number of years. He was in early manhood a member of the Republican party, but his warm interest in the temperance cause has led him to array himself with the Pro- hibitionists. He is now, with his family, a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1851 he sought the Pacific Slope and engaged in mining in California for four 3-ears. Then returning to Illinois, he sojourned there until his removal to this county. He is regarded as a thorough and skillful farmer, and each year sees something added to the value of his property. He has a good set of buildings and farm machinery, and has planted an orchard of apple trees, besides gathering about the dwelling various other corn- el forts and conveniences. He is a man who attends strictly to his own concerns, makes very little stir in the world, but entertains decided views and opinions, and keeps himself posted upon matters of general interest to the intelligent citizen. Our subject is the son of Jesse and Roxie (Chap- man) Dickinson, the latter of whom died when a young woman of about twenty-nine years, in Feb- ruary, 1821, less than a year after the birth of her son H. S. Jesse Dickinson departed this life Feb. 19, 1878, at his home in Illinois. The pater- nal grandfather was Oliver Dickinson, who spent his last years in Ohio. From an article written some time since in the Cleveland Herald, we gather the following facts in relation to this family, which traces its lineage back almost to the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock: The earliest authentic record is of Nathaniel Dickinson, who lived in Wethersfield, Conn., in 1634. From' hi ra descended successively Thomas, David, Richard and Oliver, the latter being the grandfather of our subject. He (Oliver) migrated to East Granville, Mass., where he followed the trade of blacksmith. He secured four or five acres of land, and made for himself and family a com- fortable living, and to him were born Oliver, Wal- ter; Jesse, the father of our subject, and Alpheus. Grandfather Dickinson finally had an opportunity to trade his little home for wild land in what was then called New Connecticut, but is now tin Western Reserve of Ohio. This land was located in Randolph Township, anil was owned by Lemuel Storrs, who had been sole proprietor of the whole township. Oliver Dickinson started West to view his contemplated purchase, and had a large tract from which to make his selection of 660 acres. His first choice was lot 66, and upon a portion of this now stands Randolph Center. A few people had come into this region to make settlement. Mr. D. returned to Massachusetts and the following year Started with his family and all his earthly posses- sions. stowed away in a large two- horse wagon, to which were attached three yoke of oxen and one horse as a leader of the band. For forty-eight long and weary days they journeyed toward the setting sun, through Pennsylvania, over the Alle- ghany Mountains, little occurring to break the PAWNEE COUNTY. 4 monotony until they reached their journey's end, and found themselves the eighth family to settle in Randolph Township. The history of the early settlement of Ohio abounds with thrilling incidents, and Mr. Dickinson had his full share of privation, difficulty and dan- ger. They had to journey a long distance to mill, following bridle-paths, and frequently being disap- pointed in getting their grist. When the miller was away and could not be reached, the mother put the corn in a mortar or hulled it, and the famil3' waited patiently, although sometimes very hungry, until it was baked on a board or in the old iron kettle. Oliver Dickinson lived on lot 66 until his death, which occurred in 1842. He left a competency for his children. During the War of 1812 a draft was ordered in Randolph Township, and of the six or seven men thus selected for military duty four were the sons of Oliver Dickinson. Oliver C. and Alpheus were sent to Lower Sandusky, now Fre- mont; Walter was already serving as teamster in the army, and was excused: Jesse, the father of our subject, went to Ravenna to be mustered into the service, but was sent home and told to hold him- self in readiness at a moment's call. He was, how- ever, never called upon. At the end of seventy days the father hired a substitute for his youngest son, then nineteen years old, and he came home. Lovejoy, the wife of Oliver Dickinson, died many years before her husband, in 1818. Oliver O, his son, died in 1854; Walter in 1855, and Com- fort, the remaining daughter, who came with the family from Massachusetts, in 1877, in Kansas, when very old ; Jesse, the father of our subject, re- moved to Illinois about 1856, and is now deceased. In 1821 he united with the Congregational Church, remaining from that time on a regular communi- cant, and finally becoming its oldest living member in Wellsfield, 111. In the Congregational burying-grouud at Ran- dolph Centre, Ohio, are lying side by side the six deceased wives of Alpheus Dickinson, an uncle of our subject, and in connection with these is a most remarkable tale. The first wife on her deathbed recommended to her husband Mary Percy Roberts, who, like herself, was a native of Middletown, Conn. 1 After a proper time had elapsed Mr. Dickinson started for New England, making the long journey on horseback, and bringing back with him his sec- ond wife. This lady soon died, and before dying she recommended her husband to marry Mary Johnson, who, like the two preceding, was a resident of Mid- dletown. Once more does Mr. Dickinson repeat the long and tedious journey to Connecticut on horseback, and returns bringing his third wife. He is for the third time left a widower, in 1832. He subsequently married Maria Curtis, of Charle'stown, Ohio, who died in 1864. His fifth wife was Martha Sears, of the same town, who lived less than two 3 r ears after her marriage. The name of his sixth wife is not given in the narrative, beyond the fact that she existed. The five wives were all comparatively young at the time of their death. The second was a cousin to the first, and the third a cousin to the second; the fifth was a niece of the first. Alpheus Dickinson, notwithstanding the great afflictions he had been called upon to endure, used frequently to remark: "I have never } T et been placed in circum- stances so distressing and hopeless but that I could think of someone whose situation was worse than mine." He was of a cheerful disposition, and of a remarkably social turn, with strong religious tend- encies, living to a good old age, and spending his last years in Randolph Township. On an adjoining page will be found a fine por- trait of Mr. H. S. Dickinson, the representative in Nebraska of this ancient family. ^1 AMES MILTON, a practical and progressive agriculturist of West Branch Precinct, is the owner of a fertile and well-conducted farm of 160 acres, lying on sections 13 and 24. He is a native of Ohio, born in Otsego, Muskingum County, April 21, 1835. He is of Dutch ancestry, his paternal grandfather having been the first of his paternal ancestors born in the United States. He took an active part in the Revolutionary War, and afterward settled in New York State. Daniel Mil- ton, father of our subject, was born in Albany. N. Y.,and in early life learned the trade of blacksmith. He enlisted in the War of 1812, and was detailed to work in the shops. At the close of the war he **• =fcf* *fc PAWNEE COUNTY. 533 went to New York City, and for some time after was employed by the Government in the navy yard. He afterward moved to Ohio and opened a smithy in Muskingum County, subsequently buy- ing a farm and establishing a forge at Otsego, the same county. Thinking to make money more easily and rapidly than at his trade, Mr. Milton engaged in the salt business, but was unfortunate, losing his entire capi- tal, and had to resume his former occupation. In 1855 he pushed still farther West, coming by boat to Iowa, where he located on a farm in Louisa County, near Morning Sun, and there engaged in agricult- ural pursuits until his death, in 1800, at the ad- vanced age of seventy-three years. He was a man of sterling worth, and a member of the Baptist Church. The maiden name of his wife was Susan Dillon, who was a native of Muskingum County, Ohio. To her and her husband were born eleven children, as follows: Henry died in infancy ; George, deceased; Mary lives in Iowa; Julia, deceased; Elizabeth lives in Ohio; Margaret, with our subject; James; Francis, deceased; Daniel, deceased, was in the late Civil War; Emily, deceased; John, with our subject. James Milton, of our sketch, received his educa- tion in Ohio, attending a subscription school. He earl}' learned the trade of a blacksmith from his father, and at the age of fourteen years began earn- ing his living away from home, usually doing light farm work. When twenty years of age he removed to Louisa County, Iowa, with his parents, and there, near Morning Sun, rented land in partnership with his father and engaged in farming. He continued thus employed until 18P2, when, inspired by patri- otic impulses, he enlisted in Company OT»"Vw -Art/V - *Z&H<&j& ylLLlAM C. HANK1NS. In the career here presented of the subject of this sketch we have that of one of the early representa- tives of the mercantile interests of Pawnee City. He has been a good business man" in his day. hav- ing been fortunate in acquiring a competence, and is now enjoying the fruits of his labors in the peace and comfort of his home, surrounded by hosts of friends and many of the luxuries of life. Mr. Hankins began life near the Atlantic Coast, in Monmouth County, N. J., Sept. 3, 1836. His parents, Samuel S. and Ann P. (Gulick) Han- kins. were natives of the same State as their son, and the father was there quite extensively engaged as a contractor and builder. In 1839 his attention was attracted to the young and rapidly growing State of Ohio, and he decided to emigrate thither. He took with him his little family, and located in the town of Charloe, Paulding County, where he prosecuted his vocation, superintending the erec- tion of the county court-house and other prominent buildings, many of which still stand as monuments of his thoroughness and skill. There his death took place in 1852, when he was in his prime, having been born in 1806. The mother of our subject survived her husband a period of thirty-two 3 T ears. remaining a widow. She spent her last days in Ohio, dying at the home of her daughter, in 1884. Four sons and five daughters came to bless this onion, of whom Will- •►w iam C, our subject, was the fourth in order of birth, lie was three years of age when his parents removed to Ohio, and consequently remembers lit- tle of the journey, although it was performed in the most primitive style, overland with teams, be- fore the days of railroads or hotels. He spent his boyhood and youth in Paulding County, obtaining a common-school education, and being trained to habits of industry. At the age of sixteen years he commenced learning the trade^of saddler and har- ness-maker, at which he served the regular appren- ticeship of three years. In the year 1856. being then a young man of twenty years. Mr. Hankins started on a trip to the Pacific Slope, and spent five years in the mining regions of California. He was not successful in this enterprise, and returned to Ohio in time to enlist in the defense of the Union, becoming a member of Company II, 14th Ohio Infantry, in the spring of 1861. His regiment was under the command of Col. Steadman, and they proceeded to West Virginia in time to participate in the battles of Philippi, Carrick Ford, Cheat River — this campaign being under the first call for 75.- 000 troops, who enlisted for three months. At the expiration of that time our subject received his honorable discharge and returned home. The war, however, was by no means ended, and Mr. Hankins was not one to stand idly by and watch the conflict, so he enlisted in Company II. 191st Ohio Infantry, which was assigned to the command of Gen. Sheridan, stationed then at Win- chester. They operated in that region until the close of the war, were mustered out at Winchester and disbanded at Camp Chase, near Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Hankins then returned home a second time, and on Feb. 11, 1865, was married to .Miss Elizabeth McCoy, of Paulding County. This lady was born in that county, and is the daughter of Jonathan S. McCoy, who was a native of Ohio, and spent his last days in that State. Mr. Hankins. in the spring of 1867, decided to seek his fortunes in the farther West, and accord- ingly made his way to the newly admitted State of Nebraska. Locating in Pawnee City, he was for five years thereafter engaged in the harness busi- ness, being the pioneer harness-maker of the city. -*► f *ff PAWNEE COUNTY. 535 lie then sold out and established himself as a gen- eral merchant, which business occupied his time :m '''*''' EN F. HILDEBRAND, editor and proprie- tor of the Pawnee Press, is conducting with success the only Democratic paper in this county. He first set foot upon the soil of Nebraska Nov. G, 1878, coming directly hither. Upon finishing his education at the High School in Pawnee City, he entered the Republican office, where he worked three years, learning the business, and later was associated with his brother, J. G. P. Ilildebrand, the result of their united labors being the Press, at a time when there were but very few adherents of the Democracy in this region. From a small beginning this journal has grown to be one of the important institutions of the county, having the largest circulation of any paper printed within its limits. It is a bright and newsy sheet, a favorite with all, regardless of politics. Mr. Ililde- brand, although young in years, is a thorough, and capable business man, systematic and conscientious, and in connection with his job office receives the patronage of the best citizens of the county. Our subject is essentially a Western man, having been born in Keokuk County, Iowa, Feb. 14, 1864. He lived there until a lad of fourteen years, then. in 1878, came with his parents to this county, they settling on a farm seven miles south of town, where «4» he lived until removing to Pawnee City to learn the printing trade. Ben F. attended the common school and assisted his father in opening up the -.new farm, in the meantime keeping his eyes open to what was going on around him in the world, and by reading and study securing a good fund of general information. When but a youth lie became interested in politics, and has been quite active in local affairs, frequently serving as a delegate to the different County and State Conventions, and through his paper giving his best efforts to bring about the success of his party. The Press was the first jour- nal to introduce the name of Mr. McShann, the first Democrat elected to Congress from this State. Mr. Ilildebrand has held several of the local offices, but has very little ambition in this direction, preferring to give his exclusive attention to his paper and his business interests. The marriage of our subject with Miss Minnie E. Moore, of Pawnee City, was celebrated at the liomeof the bride, June 14, 1888. Mrs. Hildebrand was born Oct. 4, 1865, at Darien, Wis., and is the daughter of John and Lorena Moore, who came to this count}' in the month of December, 1885. Mr. Moore, a native of New Jersey, was born in 1819, and moved to Wisconsin. He was married to a Miss Hart, in New Jersey, previous to remov- ing to Wisconsin. The} - became the parents of nine children, two of whom died when young. Mr. Moore was a farmer by occupation, and carried on agriculture a year or more after coining to this county. He is now retired from active labor, and with his excellent wife, makes his home in Pawnee City. Unlike his son-in-law he is a stanch Repub- lican. The latter, in religious matters, is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Henry Ilildebrand, the father of our subject, was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Ya., April 23, 1816, and lived there probably until 1 854, carrying on farming and milling. He married Miss Elizabeth Whitzel, and to them there were born eleven chil- dren, eight of whom lived to mature years. Upon their removal to Iowa they settled remote from any neighbors, and the father constructed a comfortable homestead from a tract of wild land. He occupied this until 1878, then selling out. came to this State, and purchased a farm in South Fork Pre- f i 536 *► PAWNEE COUNTY. cinct. where he lived until the decease of the mother, which took place Aug. 10, 1882. Mr. Hildebrand then took up his residence in town. He has owned several different farms since disposing of his first purchase. The mother of Mrs. Hildebrand was born near Liola, Va., in 1820, and lived there with her parents until her marriage. ftl EROME SHELLHORN. There are few cit- izens of Pawnee Count}' residing here any length of time who are not familiar with the name of this honored pioneer. He first set foot upon the soil of Nebraska in the spring of 1855. taking up his abode on a tract of land in Richardson County, where he sojourned a period of nine years. Thence he removed to Nemaha County, living there also nine years, and in the fall of 1873 took up his abode in Pawnee City, of which he has since been a resident. He has had a ripe experience in mercantile business and farming. In 1882 he purchased ground within the corporate limits of the city, underneath which there lay a strata of sand to the depth of fifteen feet. From this he supplies all the sand for building purposes that is used for miles around. Later he dug a large well which is kept supplied to the depth of twelve feet with living water, and from which, dur- ing the dry season, he supplies the citizen by the barrel, it thus proving an inestimable boon to them and the source of a handsome income to the pro- prietor. Plasterers, builders, fair associations, etc., are supplied from this source. The reliable old Keystone State gave to our sub- ject his first impressions of life, he having been born in the village of Berlin. Somerset Count}-, Oct. 28, 1826. His father, Henry Suellhorn, in 1854 removed to Nebraska and settled on South Fork, two miles east of DuBois, where he lived until May 4 of the following year, when he died. He was a native of Maryland, and married Miss Anna M. Lour, who was born in Somerset County. Pa., and was the daughter of Henry Lour, who spent his last years in Ohio. To the parents of our subject there were born twelve children, six sons and six daughters, who, «» with one exception, all lived to mature years. Of these Jerome, our subject, was the sixth in order of birth. When a mere lad his parents removed to Knox County, Ohio, where he spent his boyhood and youth, acquiring a common-school education, and served an apprenticeship of two years at the weaver's trade. His principal business in connec- tion with this was to make coverlets. At the age of twenty-four years he was wedded to Miss Rachel A. Moore, the daughter of Thomas Moore, Esq., of Knox County, Ohio. Tn the fall of 1852 the young people decided to seek the farther West, and moved across the Mississippi into Andrew County, Mo. Two years later they came to Ne- braska, as wc have already indicated. There have come to their fireside eight children, of whom the record is as follows: Thomas H. is at home; Alice I. is the wife of John H. Cummins, and they live in Pawnee City; Elizabeth Eldora married John W. Fisher, of Pawnee City; the others, who were named respectively : Theodore Sigel, Amanda Belle (1st), Amanda Belle (2d), Theodore Sigel and Lily May. are deceased. Mr. Shellhorn, while a resident of Richardson County, was somewhat prominent in local affairs, and represented his precinct in the County Board of Supervisors one year. He uniformly votes the Republican ticket, and is a member in good stand- ing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His paternal grandfather, John Shellhorn, was a native of Maryland, following the occupation of a teams- ter, and lost his life by drowning while attempting to ford the Potomac River during the breaking up of the heavy ice. — > ' -#*#- ^~ W)ILLIAM A. SHANNON is prominently identified with the pioneer history of Paw- nee County, as having been one of its earliest settlers. He pushed his way into Nebraska Territory as one of the advance guard, and has maintained his residence here in spite of the diffi- culties and hardships which were endured in com- mon by those adventurous spirits who sought their home on the frontier before the era of either stage or railroad. He was born in Hendricks County, f "Tr* PAWNEE COUNTY. 537 i , Ind., -Ian. 1, 1834, and is the son of Thomas R. Shannon, a native of Oiles County, Va. The latter married Miss Sally M. Allen, also a native of Giles County, and the}' became the parents of live children, all sons, of whom William A. was third in order of birth. The father of our subject carried on farming on the soil of the Old Dominion until about 1858, and the fall of that year found the whole family journey- ing westward to Nebraska Territory. The father took up a homestead claim of 160 acres, upon which he labored a period often years, building up a good farm and resting from his toils in the October of 1868. The mother survived her husband a period of eight years, passing away in 1875. William A., our subject, was married in Ma}', 1 87 I , to Miss Mary E. Scott, who was born in Hendricks Count}', Ind., in 1836. Her father, Shannon Scott, was a native of Virginia, and removed first to Indiana and thence to Iowa, spending his last days upon the soil of the Hawkeye State. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Shannon set- tled on a tract of land in Nebraska, where our sub- ject operated first as a renter, and then purchased 100 acres which is included in his present farm. From this he has constructed a good homestead, and is now giving his attention largely to stock- raising. His family consists of one child only, a daughter, Minnie May. who was born March 18, 1*76. Two of their children died in infancy. Mr. Shannon, in political matters, affiliates with the Re- publican party, and religiously, is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at- tending regular services in Pawnee City. "JLZ&Oig" *@£SW37»v» 4 A VIS G A LLAGHER, a veteran of seventy- five years, and one of the earliest pioneers of this count}', established himself on the west side of the Missouri thirty-four years ago, in the spring of L855. His experience has been one replete with scenes of great interest con- nected with life on the frontier at a time when few- white settlers had ventured to this region. The Indian trail was yet visible and the savages looked upon the while invaders with no friendly eye. There was no indication of railroads or bridges, scarcely even a wagon track to mark the path of the emigrant. No man of an effeminate disposition would venture to this section at that time, for it required re than ordinal}- courage to risk life and property in the Western wilds. Mr. Gallagher, however, was a man more than ordinarily brave and resolute, and he came to stay. The first years of his residence, which were spent in Richardson County, were employed in bringing a portion of the new soil into cultivation, and upon the land which he then secured he spent a period of two years. Upon selling out, in the spring of 1857, he came to this county and purchased 160 acres, one mile west of the present site of Pawnee City, there being then no indications of the present nourishing town. Here he has carried on the culti- vation of his farm, planting fruit and shade trees, erecting buildings, and laboring diligently until 1881, when he sold this farm and purchased a farm four miles south of the city, on which he contin- ued until advancing years advised him it would be wise to retire. He accordingly, in 1884, left the farm in the hands of a renter, and took up his resi- dence in Pawnee City, where he occupies a pleasant home and is surrounded by all the comforts of life. The early home of Mr. < lallagher was in Chester County. Pa., where his birth took place March -.'7. 1814. His father, William Gallagher, was a native of New Hampshire and a blacksmith by trade. In early manhood, leaving New England, he migrated to Pennsylvania, and was there married to Miss Mary Davis, a native of Chester County, Pa. They settled not far from the early home of the wife, and there spent the remainder of their days, pass ing away under the roof-tree which sheltered them when they began life's journey together. They were the parents of seven children, two sons and live daughters, of whom Davis was next to the youngest. The mother of our subject died when he was a little lad three years of age. and he was reared by hisaunt and grandmother, the latter Mrs. Susan Davis, with whom he lived until a youth of seventeen. Our subject was the child of his father's Grsl marriage. He also served an apprenticeship a( the «*, f* 538 PAWNEE COUNTY. blacksmith trade, at which he worke 1 in Muskingum County, Ohio, and when twenty-one years old was married, in 1835, to Miss Elizabeth Morrison, <>f that county, where she had been born April 22, 1817. and reared to womanhood. Mrs. G. is the daughter of Nathaniel and Anna (Yauger) Morri- son, whose family comprised eleven children. After their marriage our subject and his wife settled in Blue Rock Township, Muskingum Co., Ohio, where he engaged in different employments. In the fall of 1853 he decided to seek the more western country. and moved with Ins family to Andrew County, Mo., where they lived two years. Next they took up their residence in Nebraska, and their subsequent movements we have already indicated. In due time there came to the household of Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher seven interesting children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Ann, became the wife of Daniel Lemming; Mary married Samuel How- ard; Hannah is the wife of John Ward; Susan was married, and died when about thirty-two years old: John D. is a residentof Colorado; James M. is at home with his parents. The political senti- ments of our subject coincide most emphatically with the principles of the Republican party. He and his estimable wife present the extraordinary picture of a couple who have lived amicably to- gether for a period of fifty-three years, both 3'oung looking for their age and in good health. Mr. Gallagher cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren, being a member of the old Whig party until its abandonment by the organization of the Repub- lican. He owns his town residence and also a good farm in Clay Precinct. ~t OOTTFRIED BUROW. In the life history , of the subject of this record is presented an illustration of strength of character, pa- tience and resolution not often to be met with. lie is a man who has battled with great difficulties in life, and one who has achieved more than ordinary success amid discouragements and trials that would have dismayed most men. From a modest, begin- ning, unassisted, he has accumulated a fine prop- erty, being now the owner of 748 acres of valuable *. land lying on sections 1, 2 and 10. Table Hock Pre- cinct. The whole of this is enclosed with neat and substantial fencing, largely of hedge, and none of it is waste land. The buildings are neat and sub- stantial, and the entire estate reflects great credit upon our subject, who built it up largely from an uncultivated tract of land. Of late years he has been extensively interested in stock-raising, keep- ing excellent grades of horses, cattle and swine. He is a man widely anil favorably known through- out Pawnee County as one having been no unim- portant factor in the development of its great natural resources. Mr. Burow first set foot upon the soil of Ne- braska in the spring of 1857. Not provided with any very great amount of means, he took eighty acres of Government land, most of which was prairie, although there was upon it some timber. He turned the first furrow himself, and as rapidly as possible effected the improvement of his purchase, by putting up the buildings most needed, and planting fruit and shade trees. He had only la- bored a few years, however, when the notes of war began to resound throughout the land, calling upon every good patriot to shoulder arms in de- fense of the Union. Mr. Burow now laid aside his personal plans and interests, and in the face of what he knew would prove a great detriment to his property by his ab- sence, enlisted in Company E, 13th Kansas Infan- try, at Maiysville, in August, 1862. His regiment was assigned to the army doing duty along the Arkansas River, meeting the enemy at Prairie Grove, Van Buren and Port Smith, and reaching Little Rock just as the place was taken by the fed- erals. There was still, however, fighting to do, and Mr. Burow, although frequently in the thickest of it, received only a slight wound in the finger from a spent ball. Later he was in other important engagements, his army service comprising two years and eleven months. The hard marches and exposures of camp life so told on his constitution that he almost lost Ins hearing, and is now quite deaf. Our subject entered the ranks in perfect health, but the hardships and privations incident to the life of a soldier resulted in his contracting an in- ±JU ■*•■ i*Hh-*» I'AWNEE COUNTY. 539 curable disease, from which he suffers to the present day. IK' has expended hundreds of dollars in treatment with comparatively little relief, and has never since been in the enjoyment of good health. Notwithstanding this affliction told greatly upon his mental and physical powers, his wonderful en- ergy and perseverance kept him up, and he has all along managed his business affairs with the good judgment seldom seen in men in perfect health. After receiving his honorable discharge at Little Rock he proceeded to Leavenworth to be paid off. Then returning to Nebraska, he. in company with his brother William, took up 160 acres additional land, which he likewise improved. When return- ing from the army he could not have purchased a box of matches, and the fact that he is to-day a well-to-do man. is a forcible illustration of what may be accomplished by sturdy perseverance and good management. The Burow homestead is considered one of the Bnesl in Pawnee County, and the family one of the wealthiest and most honored. The first dwelling of our subject and his estimable wife was a small log house in which they lived until 1874. The summer following this was replaced by a tine large dwelling, two stories in height, and was at that time considered the finest residence in this part of the county. Such was the nature of its construc- tion, that it still retains its original solidity, being placed on a solid stone foundation, the walls tilled in with concrete. The residence with its surround- ings forms one of the most attractive pictures in the Landscape of this region. Its surroundings, fruit and shade trees, with the neat and convenient out-buildings, the stabling forcattleand horses, the live stock and the farm machinery, complete the idea of the modern country home. The first windmill put up within ten or twelve miles of here was erected by the enterprise of Mr. Burow. Later he purchased another, and has all the other machinery required for the successful prosecution of agriculture ami slock growing. A school district was not organized until ten years after his settlement here. In this project lie was one of the leading men. and was also active in the erection of 1 he first school building. He is a be- liever in education, and in giving to the young all the advantages which shall make of them reliable and worthy citizens. For t wo years a school was conducted in his house. He was at an earl\ date Selected to discharge the duties of the various local offices, as a man of ability and integrity, and one who had the interests of the people ever in mind. lie, however, has never been an office-seeker, but has been willing to do what he could for the good of his community, just as he left his fanning busi- ness and went to the war from pure patriotism. Nebraska then not having been admitted into the Union as a State, there was no law which could have compelled him to serve in the army. Many and interesting are the tales which Mr. Burow can relate of pioneer days of Pawnee County. The first grain which he raised was transported to Nebraska City, the nearest market, and he was obliged to repair to Brownville for groceries, a journey occupying from two to eight days. This trip he at first made with a yoke of yearling steers through snow several inches deep, and all he was able to liny upon that occasion was two sacks of flour. For several years afterward the nearest mill was Blacklaw's, eight miles from him, the home of his nearest neighbor, and in order to get there he was obliged to ford the Nemaha, there being no bridge. Upon one occasion, while crossing the river with lumber, his wagon was capsized and his lumber floated into the water, while he came near losing his life. Later he had the satisfaction of assisting to build the first bridge on the Nemaha. When he came here there was not a bridge in the precinct. Shortly after his first settlement he pur- Chased of a friend a yoke of cattle for -slim on lime. These he employed in transporting produce to Nebraska City. Not long afterward one of the animals lost its hoof and had to be shot. This was only an illustration of the difficulties ami discour- agements which beset our pioneer. Afterward Mr. BurOW and his brother purchased for *:>>(>(> a span of marcs, one of which was acci- dentally killed. He was then $400 in debt for one horse and one ox. for which he had not even been required to give a note. The people, trusting to his honesty, permitted him to keep his land, which might have been taken to liquidate these debts. Upon the heels of these disasters came the grass- i k MO ■•^ PAWNEE COUNTY. 4 hopper plague, and it would seem that almost any ordinary man would have packed up his merchan- dise and sought another country. Mr. Burow, however, had come to stay, and determined to see the end. Time has developed to what a wise issue his judgment led him. He is now not only in the enjoyment of a snug fortune, but is a man univer- sally esteemed for his high character. Gottfried Burow was born May 12, 1829, in the Prussian Province of Pomerania, and lived there until a man of twenty-seven years. Upon emi- grating to America he first settled in Jefferson County. Wis., where he operated a farm two years, then came to Nebraska. In this region he found a wife, being married July 10, 1872, to Miss Louisa Frank, who was born March 20, 1856, in the Prov- ince of Pomerania, Prussia, and came to Nebraska with her parents in 1877. Mr. and Mrs. B. began life together on the pioneer farm in this county, and in due time became the parents of eight chil- dren, who were named respectively: Ernest E., William. Charles, Minnie, August, George, Gott- fried and Luther. They are all living, and present an interesting family group which is pleasant to look upon. They are being the recipients of a practical education, and will make good and relia- ble citizens, a credit to the name of their honored father. Gottfried Burow, Sr., father of our subject, was a native of the Province of Pomerania, German}*. a sturdy, honest, hard-working man, who provided comfortably for his family, and fulfilled life's du- ties in a quiet and unobtrusive manner, content to make little stir in the world. Both he and his ex- cellent wife spent their entire lives on their native soil, and both died the fall before their son Gott- fried sailed for America. "" • '1 * ^1 ' ^ * ^' **°' " US. POLLY HACHENBERG. The fine farm owned and operated by the lady with whose name we introduce this sketch, and which is located on section 4, Plum Creek Precinct, invariably attracts the attention of the passerby. The thorough and skillful manner in which it has been conducted is a matter of com- -*> ment from all the country around. Mrs. Ilachen- berg, since the decease of her husband, has managed the estate with rare ability, maintaining its former reputation and increasing its value year by year. She possesses intelligence and refinement in a marked degree, and lias the true conception of life in the country, and the manner in which a farm should be conducted. Her observations of life have been extended and liberal, and she is a lady who has learned well from a varied experience, losing no opportunity to acquire valuable infor- mation, whether in regard to business matters, to farm life, or the more delicate and gentle things connected with human existence. Mrs. Hachenberg is the daughter of an excellent family, her parents having been Dr. James and Sally (Sheffield) McNutt, the former a native of New York State, and the latter of Ohio. Her pa- ternal grandfather, James McNutt, also a native of New York, traced his ancestry to the North of Ire- land, the family having been one of those who fled to that region from Scotland on account of relig- ious persecution. Grandfather McNutt upon leav- ing his native place settled upon a tract of land in Geauga County, Ohio, where he was one of the leading pioneers, and where he spent his last days. The maternal grandfather ivas John Sheffield, like- wise born in the Empire State, and of English de- scent. He, too, was a pioneer of the Buckeye State, and died in Geauga County. James McNutt. the father of our subject, was but a boy when his parents removed from his native State to Ohio, and he afterward lived in both Knox and Delaware Counties, owning finally in the latter a farm of 100 acres. In 1851 he sold out and started for the country beyond the Mississippi, making the journey overland with a team, and pitching his tent in Allamakee County, Iowa, of which he was one of the early settlers. He improved a good farm, but, perhaps like Daniel Boone, felt pressed for room as the country became populated, and pushed on toward the frontier to this county, homesteading a tract of land in Miles Precinct. With this and the amount he purchased he was subsequently owner of 320 acres, and upon this he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1871. The mother survived her husband until *r •►J^ l'AWNKK COUNTY. — a* 541 *- 1875, dying at the age of sixty-eight years. Both were members of the United Brethren Church. Iu connection with farming the father practiced medi- cine for a period of twenty years. Their nine chil- dren were named respectively: Polly, Mrs. H.; Samuel. Cordelia anil Mary; the three latter are deceased; Clorinda, a resident of this state; Lorana, who died in Nebraska; Sarah. James and Caroline. The subject of our sketch was horn in Geauga County. Ohio. June 22, 1826, and was eleven years old when her parents removed to Delaware County, where she was reared to womanhood. She accom- panied the family to Iowa, and in 1844 was mar- ried to Mr. Hiram Hachenberg. This gentleman was the eldest child of Jacob and Mary (Knouse) Hachenberg. natives of Pennsylvania, and of (ier- man descent. They removed to Lagrange County. End., at an early day. where they spent the remain- der of their lives. Mr. Hachenberg was born in Pennsylvania, May 20, 1818, and was quite young when his parents removed to Indiana, where he was reared to manhood, lie served as a private through the entire Mexican War. He then went to Allama- kee County. Iowa, and purchased eighty acres of land, from which he constructed a good farm. Later he removed to Benton, in Wright County, but finally returned to Allamakee, about the time of the outbreak of the Civil War. In 1862 he en- listed, and thereafter participated in some of the most important battles of the war — Chattanooga, Nashville, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge and the siege of Yieksburg. and marched with Sherman to the sea, lighting before Atlanta — in fact going through the entire war. and was mustered out in the spring of 1865. His record was similar to that of thousands of others, prolific with hardships and privations, which were borne with soldierly courage anil fortitude. On receiving his honorable discharge from the army, Mr. Hachenberg resumed farming in lou.i. where he continued until tin- fall of 1867. He then determined to cast his lot among the pioneers of this county, and accordingly migrated hither over- land with a team, bringing with him his family. crossing the Missouri at Brownville, and home- steading a tract of land on Wolf Creek, in Plum r Creek Precinct. In due time he added forty acres to the quarter-Section he had first -elected, ami upon this farm he effected most of the improve- ments which the passerby views to-day with admir- ing eye. He set out groves and orchards, put up a substantial dwelling, a good barn and other neces- sary buildings, enclosed his Gelds, and cross-fenced them with hedge and wire, and brought the soil to a line state of cultivation. Later he engaged suc- cessfully in stock-raising, lie died Sept. 22. 1*77. To Mr. and Mrs. Hachenberg there came a bright and interesting family of ten children, of whom George, Hiram, Adeline and John are deceased; Mary is the wife of George Strockey, who is en- gaged in the grocery trade at Beatrice; Sarah. Mrs. John Ilaining. lives with her husband on a farm on Sardine Creek; James is married, and farming iu Ness County. Kan.; Lizzie is the wife of Webster Cole, a well-to-do farmer of Washington Territory ; Lucy remains at home with her mother; l'.essie is the wife of A. Summers, of Washington Territory. Mr. Hachenberg uniformly voted the Republican ticket, and was a member of the State Grange. -^g-4-^ ALEIS HITCHCOCK. Notwithstanding the forbidding elements of frontier life during the early settlement of Nebraska Territory, there drifted to it man}- men of admirable qualities, just such men as were needed to develop its re- sources and bring it to its present state. In making mention of these, the name of Caleb Hitchcock cannot very properly be left out of the category. Although an individual quiet and unobtrusive in his life, he has made his impress among the agri- cultural interests of Clay Precinct, and has con- structed one of its most creditable homesteads. A man honest and upright in his dealings, he pos- sesses in a marked degree the solid respect and es- teem of his neighbors, while his industry has placed him upon a sound footing financially. In looking back to the source from which our subject sprang, we find that he i.- the sou of Lucieu Hitclit k. and that his paternal grandfather. Isaac Hitchcock, was a native of Maryland, where he was reared to man's estate and married, and where his son Lucieu was born. Later the familv all emi- •Hfcr*: •+z*h+ "if* ' > 542 4 PAWNEE COUNTY. grated to Perry County, Ohio, during the early manhood of Lucien, settling upon a tract of land from which they constructed a homestead, where Grandfather Hitchcock and his estimable wife spent their last days. Lucien was married in Perry County to Miss Penelope Marshall, who bore him nine children, of whom Caleb, our subject, was the second. Of these six are still living. Caleb Hitchcock was reared to man's estate in his native county, becoming familiar with the various pursuits of farm life, and acquired his education in the district schools. He was united in marriage on the 9th of October, 1851. his bride being Miss Mary Brown. This lady was the daughter of Joseph and Ann (Kellev) Brown, the former of whom served as a drummer boy all through the War of 1812. Mr. Hitchcock continued farming in the Buckeye .State until 1853, then removed with his little family to Tazewell County. 111., where he sojourned and carried on agriculture until the fall of 1877. His next removal was to this county, and his first purchase was a farm one and one-half miles south of Pawnee City. He occupied this until 1884. then purchased a farm of 200 acres on section 15. which comprises his present homestead. He also has eighty acres located elsewhere in Clay Precinct. Mrs. Mary (Brown) Hitchcock departed this life at the homestead in Clay Precinct; Oct, 3. 1884. when a little over fifty years of age, having been born May 10, 1834. She had united with the Methodist Episcopal Church when a maiden of seventeen years, in the faith of which she lived and died triumphantly. She was a lady possessing all the Christian virtues, and left a bereaved hus- band and six children to mourn their loss. Their eldest son, George W., is a resident of this county; Mary L. is the wife of Robert Cruse; Amanda E. is Mrs. Joseph P. Post: Sarah J. is the wife of Wal- ton Peterson; John M. is living at home; James F. died in infancy; Jacob A. is at home. Their first child died in infancy unnamed. On the 27th of June, 1886, Mr. Hitchcock con- tra' ted a second marriage, with Miss Jennie, daugh- ter of George W. and Charlotte (Hoops) Reed. The parents of this lady were natives of Perry County, Ohio, where also she was born April 4. 1856. Mrs. Reed departed this life in 1857. Mr. Reed is still -4* living, and a resident of Rawlins County, Kan. They were the parents of two children, both daughters. The elder sister of .Mrs. II. is Emma, wife of James Tannvhill. Mr. Reed was thrice married after the death of his firsl wife. In religious matters Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock are partial to the doctrines and observances of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but as there is no society of that denomination convenient to them they identified themselves with the United Brethren. Mr. Hitchcock, politically, is a firm supporter of Republican principles. ^)EV. ROBERT J. McCREADY, pastor of the United Presbyterian Church, and a man i\\ greatly in favor with his people and the ^"community generally, is a native of that part of Beaver County, Pa., which is now New Galilee, and was born Feb. 14, 1840. In the fam- ily of his parents, Hugh and Agnes (Sharp) Mc- Cready, there were six children, three sons and three daughters, Robert J. being the fourth in or- der of birth. The parents were both natives of the Keystone State, where they spent their entire lives, making their home in the agricultural districts. The father was a plain and industrious farmer, and the parents reared their children to habits of indus- try and principles of honor. The boyhood and youth of our subject were spent among his native hills, and he pursued his studies in the district school until approaching the age of eighteen years, when he emigrated to Ohio and en- tered Franklin College, from which he was gradu- ated in 1865. Later we find him a student of the Theological Seminary at Xenia, where he spent four years, and was ordained by the Presl>3tery at Wheeling. In the spring of 1869 he came to Paw- nee City and took charge of what was at that time a mission consisting of nine members. By his devoted efforts he has brought it up to a society of 355 members, which circumstance is sufficient proof of the industry and fidelity with which he has labored. The church edifice which they now occupy was put up in 1884, and forms a place of •►HH^ ■^M. PAWNEE COUNTY. 543 resort for a large number of people outside of the regular members. Rev. Robert MeCready was united in marriage with Miss Maggie E. Yost, of Harrison County, Ohio, Dec. 29, 1870. Mrs. MeCready was born in that county, March 11, 1848, and is the daughter of Elias Yost, who is now in Harrisville, Ohio. Of this union there are six children, namely: Mag- gie 1)., Mary E., Carrie J., Eva G., Lizzie M. and Lucy V. The church and parsonage are located in the eastern part of the city, and the latter is fre- quented by its most cultivated people. During the late war Mr. MeCready served two years and three months in the defense of his coun- try, going into service at the beginning of the struggle as a member of Company K, 10th Penn- sylvania Reserve Corps, attached to the Army of the Potomac, and participated in the campaign be- fore Richmond until disabled by exposure. He received his honorable discharge in Virginia, Aug. 2G, 1863. ON. W. J. HALDERMAN, Cashier and part proprietor of the Burchard Bank, a man of conspicuous ability, large enter- \s* prise, keen perception, vigorous thought and unblemished character. has played a conspicuous part in the upbuilding of Pawnee County, and to- day stands among the foremost citizens in business and social circles, lie won an enviable military record in the late war. and as a legislator and civic officer since becoming a resident of Nebraska has again gained distinction. .Mr. Halderman is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Butler County. April 13. 1840. Mis father, whose given name was Samuel, was horn iii Center County, the same State, in 1803, ami that was also the birthplace of his mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Kohlmeyer. she having been born in 1806. His paternal grandfather, who was a native of Germany, came to America in early manhood and cast in his lot with the pioneer fanner- of Center County. Pa., and was instrumental in open- ing up the country and developing its agriculture, and there he finally died at an extreme old George Kohlmeyer, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Hanover. Germany, and was a soldier in one of the German wars, receiving atone time a sword thrust through the shoulder, which came near ending his life. After leaving the army he turned his attention to farming, and eventually emigrated to America, where he engaged in the same occupation in Center County. Pa. He subse- quently moved to Butler County, in the same State. and there his life was closed at the advanced age of eighty-live years. The father of our subject was reared to the life of a farmer on his father s homestead, and received but limited school advantages, lie was married in his native county, and there began farming on his own account, eliminating a farm from the primeval forests. In 1833 he moved with his family to But- ler County, and carried on agricultural pursuits there, hewing out another farm from the wilderness, said farm comprising 200 acres. lie spent his last days in Butler County, rounding out an honorable and lengthy life in 1883, his wife following him the succeeding year. They were exemplary Chris- tians, esteemed members of the Lutheran Church. and people who were thought very highly of by the many friends whom they gathered around them during their sojourn of fifty years in Butler County. They were the parents of the following children: Mary, Dan. Jackson, Catherine, Wash. Nancy (dead). Ellen, W. J., John (dead). Sarah. Euphemia. Finlev (dead.) Wash was in the war for a short time, enlisting from Ohio. Our subject was reared on the old homestead in Pennsylvania, which hail been his birthplace. His educational privileges were confined to attendance at the winter schools, lie remained at home until after the breaking out of the war. lie was then just entering upon manhood, and in September, 1861, he threw aside all personal aims, his one ambi- tion being a desire to serve his country in her hour of peril, and enlisted in the 11th Pennsylvania In- fantry. Company C, 3d Brigade, 3d Division. 5th Army Corps. Army of the Potomac, and was mus- tered in al CampTenally. His regimen! was dis- patched to Virginia, and there took part in many important engagements, as follows: Drainesville, the seven-days light in front of Richmond, the bat- tle of MechanicBville, that of Gaines' Mills, etc. *r •►Hl^^ ■^Hh* 544 PAWNEE COUNTY. ~f In the second day of the battle at Gaines' Mills, our subject was wounded through the left leg above the knee, and, with the rest of his regiment, taken prisoner, and sent to Libby Prison, Richmond. June 28, 1862. lie was confined there sixty days, and had to dress his wound and bandage it every day, there being no competent surgeon. At the expiration of that time he was sent to Baltimore and exchanged, and joining his regiment at South Mountain, took an active part in that battle, and was also in the engagement the next day at Antle- tam. In the battle of Fredericksburg he was again wounded, a ball penetrating through the left hip, and he was sent to the hospital at Washington to recruit. In four months' time he was able to join his regiment, and did so at Munson's Hill. His regiment was then dispatched to guard the railway at Vienna, Va.,and for several months was engaged in skirmishing with the guerrillas. Our subject and his comrades then accompanied the army into Pennsylvania, in pursuit of Gen. Lee and his men, and the}' took a conspicuous part in the battle of Gettysburg during the three days that that famous conflict was waged, and our subject's brigade held Little Round Top against the assaults of the enemy. In July, 1863, the}' crossed the Rapidan and en- gaged in the battle of Mine Run. and were also present at the second battle of Bull Run. They had an engagement with the rebels at Bristol Sta- tion, and our subject fought gallantly in the battles of the Wilderness, and was a participator in the various skirmishes that took place every day on the march to Richmond. He was present at the siege of Petersburg and did efficient service. His term of enlistment expired in September, 1864, and our subject, who went into the arm}' as a private, and by the exercise of courage and other qualities that mark the true soldier, had climbed up from the ranks through the different grades to the rank of Second Lieutenant, was honorably discharged and retired to private life. He returned to his Penn>\ 1- vania home and engaged as a clerk in a dry -goods store for a short time, until he should determine what course in life to pursue. In 1866 he decided to try his fortunes in the West, and removing to Illinois, established himself in the grocery business in Mendota, and subsequently engaged in the same *• at Yates City. In the spring of 1867 he went to Kansas, and buying 160 acres of wild land in Douglas County, began to improve a farm, and re- mained there for one year. He then retraced his steps eastward as far as Leetonia, Ohio, where he operated a general store for a year. In 1869 he once more turned his face westward, and coming b}' rail, located in Nebraska, in Mission Creek Pre- cinct, and putting up a store, stocked it with general merchandise. He did well at that, and while still managing his store, bought 320 acres of wild land on section 25, and entered upon its improvement. In 1873 lie sold his business to Mr. Walker and took up his residence on his farm, and continued to improve it, and extensively engaged in agriculture and stock-raising. Mr. Halderman had been a resident of Pawnee County but a few years before he became well and favorably known by the people through his politi- cal affiliations, he being an active member of the Republican party, and a delegate occasionally to County and State Conventions, and in 1876 his fellow-citizens elected him to represent them in the Sixteenth Nebraska Legislature. He served two years, and during this term Senator Saunders was sent to Washington. Our subject showed himself to be a wise and patriotic statesman, who earnestly and unselfishly sought the highest good of his adopted State. In the fall of 1881 Mr. Halderman being elected County Treasurer, sold his farm and moved to Pawnee City, and established his residence there during his term of office, which ex- tended to 1885. He then removed to Burchard, and buying an interest in the Burchard Bank, became cashier, and has carried on banking ever since. He is an extensive stockholder in the bank, and his con- nection with it, in company with the other officials, gives it a high standing among the monetary insti- tutions of Pawnee County. Mr. Halderman is also engaged in farming, paying special attention to raising blooded stock, having a pedigreed herd of thirty Short-horns, besides raising hogs. His farm of eighty acres is finely located just outside of the town, on section 7, Miles Precinct, which prop- erty he improved himself. The marriage of our subject to Miss Ida Fulton took place in Pawnee City, Sept. 10, 1869, and of ■+Zl^+ ■** ^h-«i PAWNEE COUNTY. 545 their happy wedded life three children have been born, namely: Fulton, Finley W. and Charles W. M is. Halderman was born in Harrison County ,Iowa, received a superior education, and was engaged in teaching before her marriage. In the perusal of this sketch it will be seen that Mr. Halderman, as an excellent financier and a wide-awake business man, hag done much to estab- lish the material prosperity of Pawnee County on a solid basis, and this is especially true of the vil- lage of Burchard, of which he may be considered one of the founders. He has erected here one of the finest buildings in the western part of the county, and has in other wa}'s encouraged local enterprise. Besides the offices mentioned, he has been Assessor, Postmaster, etc. He belongs to the A. (). V . W. at Pawnee City, and to the G. A. R. of the same place. Both he and his wife are influential mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, and they liberally contribute to its support and to all good causes that come under their notice. ICIIARD McDONALD. The elegant resi- dence constituting the home of this gentle- (Aitt\ man. and the manner in which he is spoken \^||of by the people who have known him, lo, these many years, indicate him to be a man of more than ordinary capacities, both in connection, with his business career, and as a citizen. He retired from the active labors of farm life in L887, and is numbered among the prominent men of Burchard and vicinity, who have been instrumental in the growth and development of this county. He owns a line farm in Plum Creek Precinct, and has valua- ble property elsewhere. In 1887 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and is still holding the office, besides occupying other positions of trust, and respi msibility. The ancestry of our subject is one of which he may well be proud. The first representative of the family whose record has been preserved was Rod- erick McDonald, of Scotland, who was a man of wealth and importance in his native shire, where it is probable he spent liis entire life. Among his descendants was Patrick .McDonald, the paternal grandfather of our subject, and who occupied his castle at Bennett's Bridge, in County Kilkenny. Ireland — the McDonalds, like many others of that time, having been obliged to flee from their native country on account of religious persecution, set- tling in the North of Ireland. He spent his entile life afterward in County Kilkenny. There also his son Michael, the father of our subject, was born and reared. He married Miss Bridget Mahar, a native of the same county, ami the daughter of Lieut. Patrick Mahar. who served in the Yeoman Cavalry. Later he became a large land-owner. and died in 184'J, when nearby one hundred years old. The father of our subject was reared in his na- tive county, and engaged in wholesale merchandis- ing, dealing largely in wool, tallow, pork and Hour. He died in 1841, at the age of forty-eight years, in his native county. The mother kept her little family together, and seven years later emigrated to America, settling in Norwich, Conn., where she spent the remainder of her days, passing away in 1858, at the age of sixty years. Of her children. nine in number, three are deceased — Thomas. Bridget and Patrick. The survivors are — Margaret. Mary, Ellen, Anastasia, Patrick (2d) and Richard. Our subject, the youngest child of his parents. was born, like them, in County Kilkenny. Ireland. Nov. 12, 1831). He was a lad of nine years when his mother emigrated to America, and he remem- bers many of the incidents connected therewith, especially the long voyage on the sailing-vessel "Old Harmony," which conveyed them from Liv- erpool to New York City, the voyage occupying six weeks. He attended the common schools in Norwich, Conn., and at an early age began an ap- prenticeship at stone-cutting, which he followed until the outbreak of the Rebellion. Although then but twenty-two years of age, he entered the service, enlisting in Company B, 9th Connecticut Infantry, being mustered in at Ship Island. After a few minor engagements with the enemy, he par- ticipated in the capture of New Orleans, and later did garrison duty around the city. He subse- quently joined the army of (Jen. Butler, going to Vicksburg, ami being present throughout the siege of that city. Later he was in the fight at Grand ami 1 4= 54G pawnee county. ■*Hh* Gulf and Baton Rouge, which witnessed the defeat of the rebel General, Breckinridge, then embarked with the Red River expedition. At the expiration of his first term of enlistment be veteranized, was given a brief furlough, and in the spring of 18G3 rejoined bis regiment in Mississippi. He afterward fought at Petersburg, Va., and skirmished along the James River, meeting the rebels at Deep Bot- tom, Strawberry Plains, and in other minor engage- ments. He went up and down the valley of the Shenandoah with Gen. Sheridan, and was afterward at the battle of Winchester and Fisher's Hill, later skirmishing around Perryville and other unim- portant points. At Fisher's Hill be was wounded by a minie ball, although not seriously. Later bis command was sent to Baltimore on garrison duty, and at the time of Lee's surrender was in Savannah, Ga. Mr. McDonald was mustered out of the service at Hilton Head, S. C, and shortly afterward re- ceived his honorable discbarge. He returned to New Haven, Conn., taking up his residence in Nor- wich, and resumed work at his trade of stone-cutting, being soon promoted to the position of over- seer of a company of men. Two years later we find him on bis way to Nebraska. He reached Omaha by rail, and was employed on the stone work of the Union Pacific Railroad Bridge, at Omaha, assisting to lay with bis own hands the first stone of the structure, ninety feet below low water mark, with an air pressure of thirty-five pounds. When this structure was completed, he was promoted to the post of overseer in laying and cutting stone at Omaha, which he occupied about three years. He remained in the employ of this company in all a period of eleven years. In 1877, changing his occupation somewhat, Mr. McDonald entered the employ of Tootle, Maul ifc Co., as receiving clerk, remaining with them nine years, and in the meantime became interested some- what in real estate. In 1886 he took up his resi- dence on his farm in Plum Creek Precinct, this comprising 1 GO acres on section 9. Upon this he has made all the improvements which we see to-day, and which comprises a good set of buildings, neat and substantial fences, and other modern appli- ances of the successful agriculturist. The land is -+• finely located and watered by Plum Creek. Mr. McDonald has been for several years engaged in the breeding of fine horses and cattle, having of the latter usually about eight head, including some fine specimens of the equine race. In his cattle operations he has reason to be proud of bis achievements. In 1880 Mr. McDonald purchased ground in the city of Burcbard, where he put up a very hand- some residence, and also a store building. He had been married, in 18G9, in Norwich. Conn., to Miss Mary Duffy, a native of bis own county in Ireland, and who died at their home in Omaha. March 17, 1883. Mr. McDonald, in February, 1885, con- tracted a second marriage, with Miss Eliza Carver, a native of Connecticut, and born in 1852. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1887, and has been a member of the Town Board for some time. He was reared in the Catholic faith, and remains loyal to his early training. He is a Trustee and Treasurer of bis church at Burcbard. Politically. he is a strong Republican, and labors industriously as opportunity offers for the interests of his party. Socially, he belongs to the G. A. R., of Omaha. Our subject organized a company of 112 men, and went to Canada and took pari in the battle of Ridgway, under Gen. O'Neal, and has always been identified with the liberal movement. — s-i-fsscH^:— IIEODORE HALL. There is no question that farm property proves one of the best investments which a man can make of his labor and capital. It cannot take wings and fly away, or be carried off by the bank cashier. The subject of this sketch has evidently adhered to this idea, and he has been amply rewarded in conse- quence thereof. He is now in the enjoyment of a snug homestead, pleasantly located on section 34, Table Rock Precinct, comprising forty acres of carefully cultivated land, and substantial buildings. He has operated upon the plan of Horace Gree- ley, that a moderate amount of soil thoroughly cultivated will yield to its possessor f ull3' as good results as a large farm partially neglected. Our subject first set foot upon the soil of Ne- •► r 3 ^ *tt PAWNEE COUNTY. 549 braska in the spring of 18G6, settling with his par- ents upon a tract of new land in the vicinity of Brownrille. They sojourned there about thirteen years, battling with the elements of a new soil, then removed to a point near Humboldt, living there also thirteen years. At this latter place Theodore attained his majority, and completed his education in the Brownville school. Afterward he worked at his father's farm until his marriage, which occurred Feb. 1, 1883. The lady of his choice was Miss Isabella Reiser. They settled upon a farm three miles west of Humboldt, where they lived four years. They are the parents of one child, a son, Roy EL, who was born Nov. 9, 1883. Mr. Hall, in addition to general farming, gives considerable attention to the raising of grain, and has effected good improvements on his place, put- ting up a neat and substantial residence, and add- ing from lime to time the other structures necessary for his convenience. Mr. Hall is a native of Atchison County, Mo., and was born Dec. 19, 1801, living there with his parents until coming to Nebraska. He is the son of Charlton Hall, a native of Bureau County, 111., who removed earl}' in life to Missouri, where he married Miss Zuritha Plasters; they became the parents of eight children, and the father carried on farming the greater part of his life, until about 1 885, when he retired from active labor, and now makes his home in Humboldt. He still retains ownership of his farm property, owning land both in Pawnee and Richardson Counties. The wife of our subject was born in Morgan County, 111., Sept. 12, 1860, where her parents lived until she was a child five years of age. They then came to this county, and for a period of twenty-three years have lived within five miles of Table Rock. Mr. and Mrs. Reiser began housekeeping in a log house, which they occupied a year, until they could put up a more modern dwelling. Mrs. Hall in her childhood days walked three miles to school, before the organization of a district near her father's homestead, after which she finished her studies there, obtaining a good education. Mr. Hall, politically, was born and reared under the wing of the Democratic party, but has very little to do with politics, and prefers that some other man should assume the responsibilities of office. His close attention to his farming interests has not only been a benefit to himself, but the land which he has developed has thus much en- hanced the real-estate value of Table Rock Pre- cinct. He has pursued the even tenor of his way as a peaceable and law-abiding citizen, encouraging worthy enterprises, and giving his influence to those which would result in the best good of the community around him. He is comparatively a young man, and has obtained a good start on the highway to prosperity. -*•£-- ffiOHN FLANAGIN. There are those in every community who will be leaders in spite of circumstances, drawbacks and diffi- culties. The gentleman whose name heads this biographical sketch may be most properly men- tioned as one of this class, as through his own un- aided efforts he has arisen to a high position, socially and financially. He owns and occupies a valuable farm property in Clay Precinct, and is widely and favorably known throughout this sec- tion of country. The man of intelligence, whenever possible, pre- serves the record of his ancestry, as having no little bearing upon his own life and the estimation in which he is held by his fellowmen. There have. in various instances, been circumstances which prevented this, and in such a case it is always a matter of regret to the thoughtful and observant individual. We gather from the record of the Flanagin family that our subject's father and pater- nal grandfather were each given the name of James, and both were born in New Jersey. Upon reach- ing manhood the latter was married to a Miss Mary Harris, and they reared a family of eight children, namely: James, Jr.. the father of our subject-; Noah, Thomas, John, Gideon. Harris; Sarah, who married Joseph Shepherd, and Mary Ann, who lie- came the wife of Joseph finest. Grandfather Flanagin was a farmer by occupation, and reared his sons and daughters in love of agricultural pur- *► 4= 4— 550 PAWNEE COUNTY. 4- 4 suits,, which they followed until called from earth's duties. ' James Flanagin, Jr., was reared on the home farm with his parents, in New Jersey, but when approaching manhood learned the cabinet-maker's trade, at which he worked a period of ten years. After this, however, he fell into the habits of his ancestors, and taking up agriculture, was thus oc- cupied until his earthly labors were ended. lie was married in Cumberland County, N. J., to Miss Mary Harris. They lived in that county until their de- cease, the father passing away in 1859, and the mother twelve years later, in 1871. They also were the parents of eight children, all of whom lived to mature years, having been named respect- ively: James, Harris, Jacob, John; Rachel, who became the wife of James Glaspey; Elizabeth, Mrs. 'William Dare; Mary A., the wife of Alford Mumford, and Hannah. John Flanagin, our subject, was reared and educated in New Jersey, of which he, like his father and grandfather, was a native, having been born there Feb. 12, 1835. Ambitious and thought- ful beyond his years, he started for the West in the fall of 1858. his objective point being Nebraska Territory. Upon coming to this county he pre- empted 160 acres of land, which is included in his present farm. His first dwelling was a structure sixteen feet square, built of round logs, with clap- board roof and floor of cottonwood lumber. The cracks were covered by nailing boards over them and between the logs. This served as a shelter dur- ing the summer months which followed, but in the fall Mr. Flanagin dug a cellar, walled it up firmly, and built over it a plank roof. He occupied this something over a year, then removing the roof, built a house over it, this latter being now one of the most substantial and attractive dwellings in the precinct. The farm embraces 520 acres, thoroughly improved, the greater part devoted to grain- raising, and the balance to pasture. It is nearly twenty-eight years since was cele- brated the marriage of John Flanagin and Miss Sarah J. Rogers, Ma}' 0, 1861, being the dale. This lady comes from an excellent family, being the daughter of Hon. and Rev. P. M. Rogers, who was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and also a member of the Nebraska Legislature. A record of his earnest and useful life will be found on another page in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Flanagin commenced the journey of life together in this State, and they now have a family of six children, namely: James. Seward, Marcus, Lewis, Mary and Sadie. In giving a proper super- vision to his extensive farming interests, Mr. Flanagin has naturally had little time to devote to politics, but he keeps himself well informed, and independent of political parties, aims to support the men best qualified to serve the interests of the people. He has never been an office-seeker, although serving as Assessor of Clay Precinct two terms. He has watched with warm interest the growth and development of Pawnee County, and in the con- struction of one of its most valuable homesteads has contributed this much to its importance. He is a man whose opinions are held in respect, and one who exerts no small influence in social and business circles. His accumulations are the result of downright hard work, together with good man- agement, and he has little use for the drones in the world's great hive. Portraits of this prominent and leading citizen of Clay Precinct and his estimable wife are printed on an adjoining page. Tp£i PHRAIM WHEELER. In the world's great ife) hive of industry some are leaders and some /j j — -2} are followers. Some are only fitted for the latter, while others will be found in the front ranks, despite all the drawbacks which may assail them. To this latter element is the world indebted for its prog- ress, for no man can labor and contrive success- fully without his operations having a material bear- ing upon the condition of those about him. These thoughts are involuntarily brought forth in review- ing the career of the subject of this history, who is one of the go-ahead men of Pawnee County, one of those who is not to be kept under as long as there is a top to gain. A pioneer of 1866, Ephraim Wheeler came to that part of Table Rock Precinct which is now Sheridan, and homesteaded 160 acres of land on *•" 4= PAWNEE COUNTY. 551 ih *f section 15, to which he has given his special atten- tion, making it the place of abode for himself and family. Later he purchased eighty acres on sec- tion 23. The whole of this land was unimproved, there being neither a tree, a fence nor a building upon it. Having to hire a team, he broke only five acres the first season, which was all he could afford to pay for, and that same year made for his dwell- ing a cellar of stone, covering it closely, and thus securing a warm, dry place for himself and family, in which they lived comfortably for five years. He effected one improvement after another as rapidly as his means would allow, and purchased his first team in the fall of 1808, a yoke of oxen. In the meantime he worked for his neighbors, helping them to put in their crops, and they in turn assisted him by loaning their teams to him. His first crop of wheat comprised three acres, from which he real- ized very plentifully. He secured 105 bushels, which provided him with bread and seed for the next year. The season following Mr. Wheeler sowed eleven acres in wheat, and from this he harvested 300 bushels, and after reserving what was required for the use of the family, exchanged the balance for an- other yoke of oxen. The nearest market for the pioneer farmers of Table Rock Precinct at that time was at Brownville, forty miles from the farm of Mr. Wheeler. Money was scarce, and provisions were high, and the family maintained themselves as much as possible on the products of their farm, do- ing without the luxury of groceries. In due time our subject had raised a couple of steers, and was thus enabled to proceed with the cultivation of his land until having the whole of it under the plow. He enclosed his farm with fencing, set out an or- chard and a good grove of forest trees, besides the smaller fruits, including cherries, plums and grapes; gathered maple seeds along the Nemaha River which he planted, and it is hardly necessary to say was obliged to wait with patience several years be- fore the little shoots thus obtained could be digni- fied by the name of trees. The family in the meantime, in addition to the ordinary hardships and privations of pioneer life, were afflicted with the ague spring and fall for about seven years. Often the emigrants around <•■ : them would find the trial too great, and becoming homesick and discouraged, would throw up their claims and return whence they came. Those who persevered, however, like Mr. Wheeler, have now no regrets that they were enabled to adhere to their first resolution, lie, especially, has been fortunate, and is now the owner of a valuable farm, with all the necessary machinery, the live slock, and the various other appliances constituting the ideal conn- try home. The present family residence was completed in the fall of 1871, after considerable delay, Mr. Wheeler being obliged to proceed gradually as his means and time permitted. They moved into it when only the siding was on, and many a lime the father took his bed down into the cellar when the children were sick, sleeping on a table. The first winter living in the cellar they had in one end of it a good stove, and in the other made a lire on the ground, the smoke and sparks escaping though the straw roof. Mrs. Wheeler many a time washed her dishes when the ice would form from the drops of water on the table. When the weather became too severe, Mr. Wheeler with his family of nine would repair to a 10x12 shanty on the farm of William Fellers. The makeshifts of those days were as in- genious as they were numerous, and are far more en- tertaining in the relation than they were in the experience. After a few years Mr. Wheeler branched out into stock-raising, and in the course of time began to realize the reward of perseverance and industry. The first school-house was two miles from his farm, conducted in a building which he assisted to erect, and for many years he officiated as Director and Treasurer, only withdrawing from the position upon his removal to town, in October, 1886. He was then succeeded by his son, who now operates the old homestead. Mr. Wheeler, politically, is a Demo- crat of the old scl I, and from early manhood voted for every Democratic candidate for Presi- dent with the exception of Horace Greeley. He officiated as Road Supervisor several terms, but for the most part has avoided becoming an office-holder. He is a man who has learned well from a rich and varied experience, is a good financier, prompt to meet his obligations, and in all respects a model •►-Il^ 552 PAWNEE COUNTY. *t citizen. In religious matters, he and his excellent wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Columbia County, N. Y., was the early tramping ground of our subject, and where his birth took place July 8, 1822. He lived there until a young man of twenty-four years, receiving a practical edu- cation in the common school, and working with his father on the farm until his marriage. This im- portant event in his life occurred on the 31st of August, 1844, his bride being Miss Lucinda Fellers, and of this union there have been born eleven chil- dren. Nine of these lived to mature years, and eight still survive. Of these latter, Mary E. was born Sept. 9, 1840; William H., Aug. 19, 1848; James T., Jan. 4, 1852; Alida C, July 20, 1854; Alice C, June 7, 1856: Helen S„ Oct. 19, 1860; Andrew J., Feb. 25, 1864, and George W., Sept. 25, 1866. Of the deceased, Cora M. was born Nov. 6, 1868, and died at the age of eleven years and nine months; Erastus D. was born Aug. 11, 1858, and died when a little lad six years of age; Cathe- rine A., was born June 18, 1850, and died when one year and six months old. Mr. W. removed from New York to Pennsyl- vania in 1849, settling in Luzerne County, and liv- ing there until 1866. All but the two eldest chil- dren were born in the latter State, and the two youngest in Nebraska. Mr. Wheeler in Pennsyl- vania employed himself as a coal miner, but dis- liking this kind of labor, resolved to secure a farm in the West. Mrs. Lucinda (Fellers) Wheeler was born in Columbia County, N. Y., Sept. 3, 1825, and is the daughter of Phillip Fellers, who carried on farming first in that county, and then removed to Dutchess County. He was a native of New York, and married Miss Polly Ringsdorph, which union resulted in the birth of thirteen children. Eight of the thirteen children of whom Mr. Fellers was the father lived to mature years. Miss Ringsdorph was his third wife, and she survived her husband a number of years, her death taking place in New York State. Mr. Fellers died in Dutchess County about 1866. Andrew Wheeler, the father of our subject, was born in Columbia County, N. Y., where he was reared to manhood, and married Miss Catherine Ham of the same county. He also was the father of thirteen children, one of whom died at the age of fifteen years. He spent his entire life in his na- tive State, engaged in farming pursuits, and at- tained to the advanced age of eighty-one years, passing away in the year 1868. The wife and mother died about 1860, being eight or ten years younger than her husband. She was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. The eldest daughter living, Mary E.. is the wife of Daniel Hamblin, a carpenter of Burlington, Mo., where he also operates as a contractor and bridge builder; they have three children — Hettie, Edna and Es- tella. William H. married Miss Ellen Van Nor- man, and they live in Stella, this State; they have three children — Annetta, Esmond and Clarence. Alida C. married Edward Butler, of Atchison County, Mo., and is the mother of three children, one deceased ; Alice C. married W. D. Easley, of Falls City, Neb. ; Helen, Mrs. E. Shorts, is the mother of one boy, Charles, and lives in Wyandotte, Kan.; Andrew married Miss Ida Bates, is the father of two children, Cora M. and Clarence, and lives at the old homestead; George is unmarried and makes his home with his parents. These children all en- joyed the advantages of a good practical education, and have taken their places in life as worthy citi- zens. Mr. Wheeler has performed his part nobly in assisting to develop a portion of the primitive soil of Pawnee County, and now, amid the com- forts of a pleasant home, and surrounded by hosts of friends, is reaping the reward of a well-spent life. ,*p^ AMUEL S. SHANNON. The various mem- ^i£ bers of the Shannon family comprise some (11/)}) of the best elements which came to this count}' during its earlier days, and bore no unimportant part in bringing it to its present condi- tion Samuel S., our subject, is a retired farmer in good circumstances, and now making his home in Pawnee City. His career has been one to which his descendants may revert with pride in later years. The boyhood home of Mr. Shannon was in Giles County, Va., not far from Dublin, the county seat *•- PAW NEK COUNTY. 553 ' ' -t of (Jiles County, where he was born Feb. 7, 1832, being the second in a family of live sons. The par- ents, Thomas R. and Sarah Ann (Allen) Shannon, were also natives of the Old Dominion, whence they emigrated to Indiana in the fall of 1834. The father selected a tract of land in Hendricks County and sojourned there a number of years and until September, 1859, when he started for the far- ther West with his family, and coining to this county tk op 160 acres of land about two miles west of the present site of Pawnee City. It is hardly necessary to say that there was then little indication of the future town. Thomas Shannon was the first homesteader in the county, and upon the farm which he built up from the primitive soil he aud his excellent wife spent the remainder of their days. His decease took place in 1872, at the age of sixty-six years, and that of the mother seven years after, when she was seventy-six. Samuel Shannon, oar subject, was reared to man's estate in Hendricks County, Ind., and was given the advantages of the schools under a system most imperfectly developed. He remained a member of the parental household until reaching the twenty- fifth year of his age, then took to himself a wife and helpmate. Miss Mary M. Jones, to whom he was married in Hendricks County, Ind., in 1855. Mrs. Shannon was born and reared to woman- hood in that county, and was the daughter of Winn and Margaret Jones, who spent their last years in Indiana. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Shan- non settled on a farm in Hendricks County, where they lived until the removal of the father's family to Nebraska, accompanying them hither. Our sub- ject took up eighty acres of land and homestead ed 160 acres, the whole of which he improved, with good buildings, and brought the soil to a high state Of cultivation. In the meantime both he and his father fought the grasshopper scourge and the other difficulties which beset the pioneer settler. These ravenous insects ate up every green thing, leaving nothing behind them but the bare soil. Our subject sojourned on his farm until 1884, then wisely retired from active labor and took up his abode in Pawnee City. He occupies a neat and substantial residence of his own building, and wel- comes to his hospitable doors a host of friends. To 4» him and his excellent wife were born four children, only two of whom are living. Sarah A. was mar- ried and died, leaving three children; Ollie 15. be- came the wife of Olen Frasier and died, leaving one child. The survivors are Charles W. and William A., who remain at home with their parents. Mr. Shannon is rather conservative in his polit- ical ifleas, ami aside from serving as a member of the School Board has declined to seek political pre- ferment. His paternal grandparents, Samuel and Elizabeth Shannon, were also natives of Virginia and of Scotch-Irish descent. The maternal grand- father, Thomas Allen, was one of the earliest set- tlers of Virginia, where he spent his last days. V C. ELLISON is distinguished in the aunals of Pawnee. Count}' as having been the very first settler in Plum Creek Precinct. He is a well-to-do farmer, aud operates a finely improved farm of 100 acres on sections 31 and 32, that precinct. It is beautifully located, and is well watered by a branch of Plum Creek, is furnished with a substantial set of farm buildings, and a good supply of farming machinery, and everything about, the neat, well-appointed home- stead betokens the thrift, skill, and methodical habits of the owner. He is a fanner of wide ex- perience, and knows well how to cultivate his land so as to make the most of its exceedingly fertile soil, and derives therefrom a comfortable income. Mr. Ellison was born near Speedwell, Claiborne Co., Tenn., March 10, 1826. His father, Robert Ellison, was born in North Carolina, of which State his father, James Ellison, was likewise a native, of English descent. The latter moved to Tennessee in the early days of its settlement, ac- companied by his family, and there spent the re- mainder of his life, dying at the age of sixty years. He took part in the War of 1N12, and was a farmer by occupation. The father of our subject was voung when his parents moved to Tennessee, and he was there reared to manhood amid the influences of pioneer life. He bought 200 acres of wild land, and improved it, and continued to reside on his Tennessee homestead until his death, at the age of r i^h-*. .554 PAWNEE COUNTY. ~t sixty year=, in 1872. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Polly Kirk, and she was, like himself, born in Claiborne County, Tenn. Her father was a farmer there, but he subsequently moved to Illinois, and died there. The Kirk fam- ily was likewise of English descent. The mother died while still young, in 1839. She and her hus- band were people of great worth, and were es- teemed members of the Baptist Church, and he was a Democrat in his political views. They were the parents of eight children, as follows: Nancy (de- ceased), Me., Tilda and .Tames (both deceased ), Robert, George, Sally and Polly. Robert and ( leorge enlisted from Tennessee in the Union Army, and served throughout the late Civil War. They were taken prisoners and sent to Andersonville, Robert remaining there eighteen months, and George ten months, he finally escaping. lie was shot by the guerrillas through the leg, and laid up for a long time. The subject of this biographical notice grew to man's estate on his father's homestead, and re- mained an inmate of the old home until he was twenty-three years of age, receiving in the mean- time the educational advantages afforded )>y the common schools. In the spring of 18G4 he came to Nebraska, by way of rail to St. Joseph, Mo., and thence by team to this locality, and rented some land on Wolf Creek, which he farmed to some ex- tent. In the fall of that year he took up a tract of land under the provisions of the Homestead Act, which land forms his present farm. It was then in a wild state, and in the busy years that have since followed he has worked a great change in it. He made most of the improvements with cattle, and soon after settling on it he set out groves of maple and cottonwood trees, and some of those trees are now a foot and a half in diameter. He has a valuable orchard of 150 choice fruit trees, and has his farm well hedged. He has put up a good dwelling, barns, etc. He owns, besides his home- stead, seventeen acres of timber on Plum Creek. Mr. Ellison pays much attention to the culture of corn, and raises horses, cattle, etc., with excellent success. His farm is well watered by a branch of Plum Creek which runs through it. Our subject has been twice married, both times in Claiborne County, Tenn. His first marriage, which took place in 1849, was to Miss Nancy M. Lynch, a native of Claiborne County. The fol- lowing is the record of the six children born to them: Jay H. is farming on the Otoe Reserve, in Gage County, Neb. ; Eli M. and Reily II., both married, are also farming in Gage County; Jere- miah is in the livery business in Liberty; Andrew J. is farming in Gage County; and Emeline is married to Proctor Goin, a farmer in the same county. The wife of his earlieryears died in 1881, and our subject was married a second time, Jan. 15, 1884. in Tennessee, Miss Esther Wright, a na- tive of Claiborne County, becoming his wife. To them three children have been born, namely : Mar- garet A., Esau and Sarah. Mr. Ellison has met with merited success in life, as he has always been industrious, and has never wronged or defrauded another unjustly, is a good man, a kind and obliging neighbor, and one whom his fellow-citizens can trust. He is a sturdy advo- cate of the Republican party, and has been a mem- ber of the Grand Jury. -**> -4MH- ***- . lfn#' RANK PEPPERL ' Postmaster of Burchard, pafo and a dealer in agricultural implements, was /i\ the first business man to locate here, and he has done much to extend its commercial interests. and to put this enterprising and prosperous little town on a solid basis. He is a native of Bohemia. Austria, born in the town of Gossawoda, Jan. 17, 1 853. His parents, Wenzle and Francisca (Leiclid) l'epperl, were likewise Bohemians by birth. Franz Pepperl, the paternal grandfather of our subject, who was born in Austria, was a tailor and also a small farmer, and died in his native land at the age of eighty-three. Franz Leiclid, the maternal grand- father of our subject, was also born in the same country, and there he spent his entire life. He was an overseer on the estate of an Austrian count. The parents of our subject grew to manhood and womanhood in their native land, and there married and four children were born to them, namely: Frank, Louis. James and Alvin. The father learned the trade of stonemason in early manhood and f *T^ PAWNEE COUNTY. : *TT* .i.i-i followed that to some extent, hut the care of a small farm took up most of his attention. In 1*71 he emigrated to America with his family, and located in Plum Creek, where he purchased a partly improved farm of 160 acres. He has built up a comfortable home, id which he and his wife are spending their declining years very pleasantly, he being now seventy-three years old and she sixty- three. He has made goo* improvements on his farm. antoe street for a store. In the spring of 1888 he sold all of his stock, excepting agricultural implements, which he still sells, Inning an exten- sive and lucrative trade in that line, lie has in- vested his money very judiciously, and with other property owns a large tract of partly improved land in ( >shorne< ounty. Kan., comprising .'iCH acres. from the rental of which he derives a good income. The marriage of our subject to Miss Berdie Dschiska look place in Burchard Village, June 1(>, 1884, and in their attractive home two children complete the family circl< — Frank and Lucy. Mrs. Pepperl was born in the same town where our sub- ject first saw the light of day. Mr. Pepperl is well endowed mentally, has line linguistic powers, ami since coming to the United States in 1869 has acquired a perfect command of the English language. lie interests himself ill the affairs and progress Of his adopted country, and has identified himself with the Democratic party, being prominent in its councils in Pawnee County, and has been delegate to ( 'ounty and State ( .inventions. He was appointed to his present position as Post- master in January, 1888. He is one of the leading civic officers in the local government; is a member of the Town Board, and of the School Board, be- sides having been Justice of the Peace for eight years. He belongs to the I. (). o. V.. of Burchard, has passed the chairs, and has attended the Grand Lodge at different times, and is at present District Deputy. He does all that he can to elevate Un- moral, social and religious tone of the town, and in him the Catholic ( 1 lurch finds one of its most val- uable members; he was a charter member and helped to erect the edifice in which the congregation worships, and is at present Trustee of the church. ffi OSEPH N. SMITH, a well-known business man of Burchard, comes on both sides of an old family. His grandfather Smith was Jl/ named George, and was a native of Ger- many, who emigrated to this country at an early age, and was a farmer in Virginia during the War of 1812. He enlisted in the American Army, and was four times wounded, afterward dying from the effects of his wounds, at the ageof sixty years. His maternal grandfather, Bradley Squire, was born in Rutland County. N't., and was there engaged in farming until 1812, when he removed to Coshocton County, Ohio, where he was one of the early set- tlers. There he cleared up a farm in the wilder- ness, and before his death had become possessor of 556 PAWNEE COUNTY. -HHl two fine farms. For many years he was Justice of the Peace, and he died in 1858, at the age of eighty years. The father of our subject, Newman Smith, was born in Virginia, and was there reared to man- hood. He received a fair education and learned the trade of shoemaker. "While still a young man. he removed to Coshocton County, Ohio, and there was engaged in farming, and contracted his first marriage. He owned a small farm, but lost it by becoming security for others. lie overcame this misfortune, however, and secured some other prop- erty, on which he had a sawmill and gristmill, and there he was profitably engaged in milling, sawing lumber, etc., until a flood washed his dam out, and he traded his mill for town property, and again en- gaged in shoemaMng. He died of consumption in 1*6 1, aged sixty -six years. His second wife, the mother of our subject, was Hester Squire, a native of Rutland County, Yt. She is now living in Ros- coe County, Ohio, with one of her daughters, and is eighty-four years old. By his first union Mr. Smith was the father of five children: Charles is living in California; Charlotte in Ohio; Alexander, Sarah and an infant are deceased. By his second union he became the father of seven children, of whom three, Mary, Jane and Joseph N., are living; Perry, Margaret, Hester and Albert are deceased. Perry entered the army in an Indiana regiment and died at New Orleans; Albert was a member of the 132d < )hio Infantry, and died at Bowling Green, Ky. Joseph N. Smith, the subject of this sketch, was born in Coshocton County. Ohio, Jan. 2, 1847. He was reared on his father's farm, and lived at home until eighteen 3'ears old. when he began working out by the month. After his father's death he went to work near Roscoe, Ohio, where he remained until his marriage in 1866. He then bought a small farm and remained upon it until he came to -Nebraska. He first located in West Branch Pre- cinct, where he bought eight}- acres of improved land. This he sold in 1883, buying 136 acres in the same precinct, on which he has made many valu- able improvements. It was well suited for his pur- pose, being watered by the West Branch Creek. He raised some fine grade cattle, and also dealt in blooded horses, particularly Hambletonians. In the spring of 1888 Mr. Smith sold his farm and bought one-half interest in the hardware busi- ness in Burchard which is now carried on under the name of Smith & Starkey. Since his advent into the firm they have added very largely to their stock, and their business has doubled within a year, being now the largest in the city. May .'!. 1866, our subject was united in marriage near Roscoe, Ohio, to Miss Mary M. Eckles, a native of that place. Ten children have come to bless their union: William R.. Carrie E., Mary S.. Perry A., James E., Newton J., Edith E., Nellie F., John W. and Charles. The children are all at home with their parents, the family circle being yet unbroken. The eldest daughter, Carrie, is a school teacher. Mr. Smith has been a member of the School Board and Supervisor of the pre- cinct, is a member of and Class-Leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Violet, and in poli- tics is neutral. -fc*^- W;ILLIAM SCOTT. Prominent among the extensive agriculturists of Pawnee County stands the gentleman whose name we have the pleasure of placing at the head of this brief personal sketch. He is an honorable, honest, en- terprising man, and one of the most universally respected citizens of West Branch Precinct, where he has resided for the last thirty years, he having been an early pioneer of this place and county. He is a native of Scotland, born in Roxburghshire, parish of Morbatte, July 12, 1812. His parents, Andrew and Betty (Jcrdon) Scott, spent their entire lives in Scotland. His father, who worked as teamster for a gentleman, and also owned and managed a farm, died in 1873, and his mother in 1S72. They were the parents of nine children, namely : Andrew, deceased ; William, Adam ; John, deceased; Thomas; James, deceased; Richard, Melvoy and Margaret. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on his father's farm, and while a boy assisted in the farm labors. He attended a pay school, and being a diligent and studious lad, he acquired a good education. Inheriting the characteristics of his thrifty Scotch progenitors, our subject when young was ambitious to earn a good livelihood T= f ■<- PAWNEE COUNTY. 557 and save some money for his future years. With that eml in view lie worked at anything lie could find to do, and at one time we find him employed by a gentleman as steward, at another acting in the capacity of a hostler, and again working by the day. In that manner he passed many years of his life, but finding that in spite of his industry ami frugality he was not getting sufficient returns for his labor, he determined to emigrate to the United States, and in March, 1858, accompanied by his family, he set sail from Liverpool in the vessel "Al- beit Gallatin" for the land of hope. After a rough voyage of six weeks, during which he was very sea-sick, he landed in New York, and proceeded directly to Chicago, going thence to Kewanee, 111. Remaining there but three weeks, Mr. Scott com- menced his journey to this State, coming the en- tire distance with a yoke of oxen, and being six weeks on the way. On arriving here he located in West Branch Precinct, and taking up eighty acres of wild land began to build a home for himself and family. He was the first settler in the precinct, there having been at that time not a house be- tween Pawnee and Marysville, and Mr. Scott has watched with satisfaction the steady growth and progress of this community from its original con- dition, inhabited only by wild beasts and native Indians, to a populous township, with splendid farms, good schools, churches, and all other marks of advanced civilization, and he takes pride in having been partly instrumental in bringing about this wonderful change. Immediately after coming here our subject began the improvement of his farm, breaking the land with oxen, and setting out forest trees, an orchard, and putting up necessary buildings. In all of his undertakings he has met with assured success, and to his original acreage he has since been enabled, with the assistance of his sons, to add more land from time to time, so that now they together own and operate a farm of 960 acres, one of the largest in the vicinity, all of which is well watered and fenced. Mr. Scott has a substantial set of farm buildings on his place, a large and convenient house, the lumber for which he had to draw from Atchison and Brownville. He and his sons raise all the cereals common to the State, harvesting annually large crops of corn and oats, and besides have ninety acres of their land, used as pasture, seeded with timothy and clover. They raise a great deal of stock, having a herd of 175 Durhams; their hogs, about 100 in number, are of the famous Poland-China breed, and their noises are among the best in thecount}', they being the owners of fifteen head which are three-fourths Clydesdale. The subject of our sketch was married in his native shire, in Hobkirk Parish, April 13, 1838, to Miss Mary Oliver, who was born in that parish iu 1814. Of this union two children were born dur- ing their residence in Scotland, Andrew and Will- iam. The latter lives with his father and carries on the home farm. The former, who is also a fanner in West Branch Precinct, served in the late Civil War. He enlisted in the fall of 1863 in Company E, 2d Nebraska Cavalry, which was sent along the frontier to tight the Sioux Indians, with whom they had an engagement at White Stone Mountain. In the spring of 1865, the term of en- listment having expired, his regiment was mustered out at Brownville. Mr. Scott takes an intelligent and earnest inter- est in public affairs, and generously contributes to every worthy enterprise that will in an}' way benefit his precinct. For a number of years he has served on the School Board, was Supervisor of Roads two years, and has also served as Judge of Elec- tions, and on the Jury. Religiously, he and his family are worthy members of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics he votes the straight Repub- lican ticket. V|^|\ARR BROS. (J. D. and Joseph) are among \^\ the most successful of the enterprising ami iffK)]|] intelligent young farmers of Pawnee County, ^S^fJ and they operate the greatest area of land and are among the heaviest stock-feeders in Mission Creek Precinct, if not in the western part of Paw- nee County. They own 320 acres of land, the home farm of 160 acres lying on section 30, and 160 acres in Gage County, on section 24, Liberty Pre- cinct; and in addition to this they rent 320 acres of the Bookwalter land. Our subjects were born near Hanover, Jo Daviess V «► if* * i ) 558 PAWNEE COUNTY. Co., 111., J. D- April 16. 1859, and Joseph March 1(1, 1861. They are the sons of Robert and Eliza- beth (Williamson) Barr. For parental history see sketch of their brother, William Barr, which ap- pears on another page of this book. Their father died when they were infants, but their mother bravely shouldered the support of her children and kept the family together. They were educated in the public schools of their native county, and when old enough formed a copartnership with their mother and carried on the old homestead. In 1870 they sold the Illinois farm, desiring to avail them- selves of the many advantages of climate and soil in the younger State of Nebraska. They came by rail to Table Rock, this county, and the first year engaged in farming near Pawnee City. In the summer of 1879 they bought their present home- stead in Mission Creek Precinct, and ever since then have been residents of this place. Their land was entirely raw, and they immediately set about its improvement, broke the soil to prepare it for cul- tivation, built a house for their shelter, set out an or- chard and forest trees, devoting some five acres to a grove that much enhances the beauty of the landscape, fenced the land in hedge and wire, and otherwise greatly increased the value of their place. They have met with extraordinary success in their venture, and as their finances increased have added to their land bj r further purchase, and now have one of the best improved and most valuable farms in the locality. They have erected a very commo- dious and conveniently arranged residence, with large barns and other farm buildings in accordance, and have a well of never-failing water, with wind- mill, tanks, etc., and have a good supply of farm- ing machinery to facilitate farming operations. Their Gage County land, which they purchased partly improved in 1883, has also a very large house on it and other buildings. Their farm is well watered by Mission Creek, which just cuts off one corner. The size of their farm was not large enough, however, for these ambitious and energetic young agriculturists, as they wished to carry on farming and stock-raising still more extensively, so they rented 320 acres of the Bookwalter land, and are successfully managing 640 acres of land. Their hobby is feeding cattle, buying the most that they handle, which averages 200 a 3 T ear. They raise graded horses, some fifteen to twenty head, and use five teams to operate the farm. They raise some 150 hogs each year, for which they find good markets. The}' handle their extensive and varied interests with consummate skill, and if they continue to be as successful as heretofore they will undoubtedly be numbered among the wealthy men of Pawnee County at no distant day. Our subjects are fine representatives of the vig- orous, wide-awake young Americans who are ma- terially promoting the highest interests of Ne- braska. Mission Creek, where they make their home, finds in them two of her most influential and popular citizens, of high standing in social and business circles. They are young men of unexcep- tional habits, and are valued members of the United Presbyterian Church of Mission Creek, and also of the Y. M. C. A. J. D. is Superintendent of the Sunday-school connected with his church. They are both strong Republicans. J. D. is at present serving his second term as Assessor of the precinct, and he is also School Director. Tp^i, TSSELL II. SAMSON. As a fine represent- |L^< ative of the influential, well-educated, and tAi\\\ universally esteemed pioneers of Pawnee w8)County, no one is more worthy of a com- mendatory notice than the gentleman whose name we have placed at the head of this sketch. Coming to Sheridan Precinct, where he has since lived, in 1856, he has been prominently identified with its growth and progress, and has well performed his share in placing it on a substantial basis. Our subject is a native of Pennsylvania, born Feb. 25, 1832, in Wayne County. John W. Sam- son, father of our subject, was born in Rhode Isl- and in 1806, and being early bereft of a father's care, went to Pennsylvania when quite young and served his time at the carpenter's trade. He sub- sequently bought a farm in Wayne County, but continued working at his trade on the railway, con- tracting for trestle work and for houses, being one of the earliest contractors of that county. After retiring from his trade he lived on his farm, though rss r JfS. PAWNEE COUNTY. 559 not actively engaged in its management, until his death. In politics he was a Whig until the forma- tion of the Republican party, when he became a firm supporter of its principles. The maiden name of his wife, mother of our subject, was Mary Ann Hoadly, who was a native of Wayne County, and a daughter of Silas Hoadly. He was a native of Connecticut, who had moved to Wayne County, Pa., when a young man, and there cleared a farm from the wilderness, spending his remaining years on that homestead. .Mrs. Samson survived her husband five or six years. She was a most esti- mable woman and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To her and her husband were born eight children, all of whom grew to maturity and were the comfort of their parents in their de- clining years. Our subject received a practical education in his Dative county that well fitted him for the teacher's profession, winch he followed for some years. He subsequently worked for eleven years for the Dela- ware & Hudson Canal Company, commencing in a subordinate position as the driver of one horse, and being rapidly promoted until he became an overseer, having charge of two miles of gravita- tion road, with nine men under him. The position was a dangerous one, and our subject finally gave it up to come West, preferring to try farming in the new lands just being opened for settlement. Ac cordingly, in August, 1856, he visited Nebraska for the purpose of selecting suitable lands for agricult- ural purposes. Being much pleased with the location and climate of Sheridan Precinct, our subject pre- empted L60 acres of raw land here, and after mak- ing some improvements went east for his family. Returning with them, he came up the river on the boat to Brownville. and from there drove to Sheri- dan, and since that time he has been a permanent resident of this precinct, living at first like all Of the early pioneers, in a log house, which was here when he settled. The county was then very sparsely inhabited, there being but few families in his neighborhood. Mr. Samson at once became an important factor in building up the industrial and educational interests of Sheridan, and after assisting in organizing School District No. 34 served as one of its officers, the larger part of the time for many «• years having been Moderator and School Director. The first school in the district was held in a private house, the parents hiring a Mrs. Ball to teach the first two terms. They then built a frame school- house one-half mile east of the crossing of the Nemaha, and just north of the precinct line. The school commenced with ten pupils, but the number has since increased until there are now sixty chil- dren of school age in the district, and the school has an enrollment of thirty-eight regular attend- ants. Soon after arriving he exchanged his pre- emption claim for apart of the land which he now occupies, and to that, as his finances would allow. has added more, until now he has a farm of 2 H) acres, with good improvements, ninety acres being on the upland, with fifteen acresof fine timber, and the remainder lying in the valle3'. He has an ex- cellent bearing orchard, a good hedge along the roadside and his farm well fenced. His forest trees he set out himself, having besides put out many evergreens, which from some unknown cause have died. Our subject is especially interested in stock- raising, having a fine herd of cattle, comprising seventy-nine head, with a thoroughbred Short-horn bull at the head, and also keeps 100 hogs. In 1K6D Mr. Samson built his present residence, a substantial stone house, the first one of that ma- terial in the county, which will stand for many years as a testimony to his energetic industry. The lumber for one of the chamber floors he brought from the Rocky Mountains, drawing it on a re- turn trip from carrying freight to Denver. When our subject first came here ready m< >ue\ w as a scarce article, and people were willing to work hard for a small amount of it, and he used to haul his corn from 150 to 300 miles to ranches or cities on the plains. He made one trip of 200 miles with two yokes of cattle and one wagon, taking provisions from home for the round trip, and cleared $8 by his journey. One summer he drew his corn to Denver, driving six 3'okes of oxen ahead of two wagons that were fastened together, being encour- aged to undertake the trip from the fact that the year before corn had sold there for $15 a hundred pounds, but he was not repaid, as he received but *t.75 per 100 pounds for his load. Mr. Samson's farm compares favorably with any in the county, •+z*h+ i ) 560 PAWNEE COUNTY. ^T* 4 being one of the richest and most productive, and he has had opportunities to sell it at a large figure, but has steadily refused all offers. This is his home and here he has passed through many troublous times and many equally pleasant ones. During the grasshopper raid, when many faint-hearted people were discouraged and left the country, Mr. Samson remained and got along all right, his greatest trouble having been to obtain sufficient help, that having been scarce, even though the wages he offered was $2 a day. With wheat at fifty cents a bushel that remuneration was sufficient to keep every family from want in spite of the depredations of the grass- hoppers. .Mr. Samson has a good general knowledge of the early pioneer history of this State, and relates many interesting things concerning it. Although the settlement of Nebraska was conducted quietly, without the sanguinary conflicts that disturbed the colonization of Kansas at the same time, yet there were seasons of great excitement connected with the troublesome question of slavery. An "under- ground railway" for the use of escaping slaves passed through this precinct, running from Mis- souri to Canada, with the station at the house of Charles Giddings, Presiding Elder of the Methodist Church. lie assisted many slaves from one station to another, and one lot was very nearly captured in this precinct. Mr. Samson is a man of probity, truth and honor, and has to the fullest extent the confidence of his fellow-citizens. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont. The marriage of our subject with Miss Emeline M. Woodard was solemnized April 2, 185(5. She was born in Wayne County, Pa.. Nov. 26, 1838, and lived there, a member of the parental house- hold, until her marriage. Her grandfather, John Woodward, was a descendant of the Puritans, born in Connecticut, moving from there to Pennsylva- nia, where he spent his last years. Asher Wood- ward, her father, was a native of the same county as herself, born in 1801, and carried on the business of a farmer in Pennsylvania until eight years prior to his decease, when he removed to Sandwich, 111., where he died in I860. He married Miss Matilda 4* Kenned}-, a native of Mt. Pleasant. Pa., and hi them were born ten children. The union of our subject and his wife has been blessed by the birth of ten children, nine of whom are still living, the following being their record: Emery R., born Jan. 15. 1857; Jessie, Feb. 21. 1859; Myra A.. Jan. 30, 1861; Eva A., Dec. 15, 1863; Willard W., March 6, 1865; Carrie L., June 11. 1868; May A., Oct. 26, 1871; Robert P.. Aug. 20, 1871; Nellie G.. April 16. 1876; Clyde E., May 24, 1881. Robert died when an infant. Emery, who lives in Kingman County, Kan., married Mollie Donahue, and they have three children — Florence, Raymond and Shirley. Jessie married II. Dwight Tinker, of Humboldt, and they have three children — Eliza D., Cleora P. and Ralph. Eva is the wife of George S. Griffin^of Weeping Water, and they have two children — John and May. RS. MARGARET E. BLACKLAW. a dili- l\ gent and accomplished business woman, ^ lives in Table Rock Precinct, where she owns a valuable farm, lying mostly on sec- tion 31. She is of Irish ancestry, born in New Ross, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia. April 15. 1838. Her father, Thomas Quinlan, was born in Ireland, and lived there until he attained man- hood, when he emigrated to this country. He sub- sequently married Miss Elizabeth Broom, who bore him seven children, five of whom are yet living. < >nr son in Washington Territory, one son in Missouri, and Mrs. Mary F. Harbison in Kansas; Thomas Quinlan lives in Paradise. Nova Scotia, and our subject. In 1856 Mr. Quinlan came with his fam- ily to Nebraska, and locating on the Big Muddy, in Richardson County, pre-empted 160 acres, on which he settled. He lived but a few months afterward, however, his death occurring in 1857. Mrs. Quinlan carried on the farm with the assist- ance of her children,- and continued its improve- ment until her death, ten years later, when it wis sold. The subject of our sketch was eighteen years of age when she came with her parents to Richardson County, and after her father's death she remained ■*•- PAWNEE COUNTY. 561 f on the homestead, assisting her mother, and receiv- ing a practical education in the duties and man- agement of a farm, which lias well fitted her for her present position. On the 1st of January, 18(11, our subject became the wife of Mr. John Blacklaw, her marriage having taken place in Richardson County, where they lived the subsequent two years. From 1868 to 1865 Mr. and Mrs. Blacklaw lived in Paw- nee County, and then returned to Richardson County, where they lived another year, going from there to Nemaha County. In 1868, desiring to permanently establish themselves, they again came to this county, and bought the present home- stead. It was partly improved and had a mill on it, and a commodious house, which was at that time considered the finest in tlte county. It has a stone basement, with an upright frame of Gothic architecture, and was an imposing edifice for those days, and a very convenient, substantial house now. The Table Rock mill on the farm had then a large trade, and Mr. Blacklaw carried on milling in connection with his farming. He was a man of much energy and versatility, and met with g 1 success in his enterprises. He was one of the first extensive raisers of stock in the county, keep- ing over 100 head of each, cattle, horses and hogs, all of a good grade. He invested a part of his capital in the mercantile business, and had an in- terest in the first drug-store opened in Table Rock, lie having furnished the money and Mr. Burns operating the store. Mr. Blacklaw was a man of good business ability, an excellent financier, and was widely known as one of the wealthy men of the town. He was one of the first Commissioners appointed in this county, and held the position nine years. He was a native of England, born in 1829, and lived in his native country until a young man. when lie came to the United States and set- tled firsl in Ohio, and then in Illinois, living for a time in Springfield. Then, desiring to prospeel a little in the more Western States, came to Ne- braska, and lived here, as before mentioned, until his death. Sept 8. 1882. lie was at one time a member of the Episcopal Church, in which faith he was reared. After the death of her husband our Bubjectoper- ated the mill for a short time, and still manages T *- her farm with the assistance of her children, of whom five of the seven born to her are still living, namely: Mary J., Anna E., James Q., John B. and Thomas William. All are receiving the advantages of the excellent school system of Pawnee County, and are being well trained in the practical duties of life. Mrs. Blacklaw is a most estimable woman, courteous and genial, and in every way worthy of the high consideration in which she is held by the entire community. She is a sincere Christian and one of the original members of the Catholic Church, which she assisted in building, and helps to sup- port. eHARLES SKIP. The southwest quarter of section 25, Mission Creek Precinct, has been developed by our subject into as good a farm as is to be found in this part of Pawnee County. When it first came into his possession ten years ago there were scarcely any improvements on it, but by constant and patient labor he now has it under admirable tillage. It is partly fenced, and is provided with an excellent set of farm buildings, including a comfortable, roomy house, barns, etc. Four acres are in thrifty groves, and there is a large orchard of eight acres on the place. Mr. Seip has his farm well stocked with graded cattle and hogs, and has fourteen head of good horses, using three teams in his farm work. The subject of this sketch was born Jan. 28, 1841, in Emaus, Lehigh Co., Pa., to William and Catherine (Knaus) Seip. His parents were both born in the same year, 1807, and the father of German antecedents, but while the father was I huh in the Fatherland, in Darmstadt, the mother was of American birth, Lehigh County. Pa., being her birthplace. Her father, John Knaus, was likewise a native of that count v. He was a well-to-do far- mer, and a lifelong resident of Pennsylvania. The father of our subject grew to manhood in the hind of his birth, and there learned the trade of weaver. At the age of twenty-two he left his old home and associates in Germany, and migrating to America in 18-2!), located in Lehigh County, l'a. He began weaving there, also worked at mining, was frugal and industrious, and saved money, which he in- 562 i^H* PAWNEE COUNTY. vested in city property. In 1849 lie moved to Ve- nango County, the same State, and operated a well drill very profitably for a number of 3'ears. In 1873 death closed his useful and honorable career, in Richland Township, Venango Co., Pa. His wife also died in Pennsylvania, surviving her husband until 1882. They were people of great merit, and were justly held in high consideration by all who knew them. They were active members of the German Evangelical Church. Nine children blessed their wedded life, namely: William and Anna, both deceased; Mary, Charles, James, Henry; Amelia Maria, deceased; James enlisted in the Union Army in 1861, from Venango County, Pa., and served through the entire war, and was slightly wounded in the shoulder at Lookout Mountain. Henry was in the same regiment as our subject, en- listing in 1864, and serving until the close of the war. The subject of this sketch received the basis of his education in a German school in his native count}-. He was a young lad when his parents moved to Venango Count}-, and there he attended the public schools. He remained at home until he was past twenty-three years of age, and he then shouldered arms and went forth to aid in fighting his country's battles on Southern battle-fields, en- listing in February, 1864, in Company M, 5th Pennsylvania Cavalry, in the Army of the James, under the command of Gen. Kantz. He was mus- tered in at Camp Copeland. He took part in different raids, and in the Wilson raid his regi- ment was cut up pretty badly. Our subject was present at the engagement on Johnson's farm, and also did active service in the battle of Appomattox Court House and at Petersburg. He was at Rich- mond at the time of Lee's surrender, and in Au- gust, 1865, he was mustered out in that city, and at Philadelphia received his discharge and payment, he having served eighteen months with the valor and efficiency of a veteran. At the close of his exciting military experience our subject resumed the quiet life of a farmer in his old home in Venango County, Pa. He was there married, in Richland Township, Jan. 1, 1867, M iss Katie King, a native of that place, becoming his wife. Of this happy marriage eight children <• have been born: Alta M., Lizzie G, Harvey K., Homer A., Elmer G, Blanche I., Ida M. and Iva M. (twins), the latter of whom is dead. The others are at home, and are receiving good educational advantages. Mrs. Seip was born in August, 1845, to Adam and Elizabeth (Aungust) King. This lady departed this life April 4, 1884. After marriage Mr. Seip rented land in Venango County, and carried on agriculture there for two years. He then removed to his father-in-law's place, where he farmed for eleven years, until 1880. In that year he removed by rail to Pawnee County, Neb., he having been here the previous year, and being so impressed with the beauty of the country, the fine climate, the lay of the land, the exceeding fertility of the soil, and the various other advan- tages offered to an enterprising farmer, that he had purchased his present 160-acre tract of land in Mission Creek Precinct, with a view of making his future home here. He now located on it, and has since made all the improvements mentioned in the opening paragraph of this sketch. Mr. Seip is a man of sound practical wisdom, with logical and sensible views on all subjects of general interest, in which he is well informed, and no man, for his moral worth and rectitude of character, stands higher in the estimation of the citizens of this community. He and his good wife were connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Marshall County, Kan., among its most active workers, he serving as Steward, and in the Sunday-school is also prominent. In him the Republican party finds an honest supporter. He is a valued member of the local School Board, this being his third year as School Director. ►J- *4 JAMES TILLOTSON is a member of the firm of Sutton & Tillotson, proprietors of a hardware store in Table Rock, a brick build- ing on the corner of Luzerne avenue and Public Square, which carries the largest and best assorted stock in that line, and is, in fact, the most extensive establishment of the kind in Pawnee County. Mr. Tillotson has full charge of the trade, and manages it in a thoroughly business" — — — •» r «*•- PAWNEE COUNTY. 563 4- Like and methodical manner, so as to secure good profits. Our subject was born in Walworth County, Wis., Sept. 10, 1858, and is a son .of Joseph Tillot- son, a Dative of London, England. His father was married in his native land to Hannah Hinds, and to them were born live children, three of whom are now living — our subject, John and George. The parents of our subjeat came to America in early life and settled in Walworth County, Wis., where Mr. Tillotson was actively engaged in farm- inn- for some years. He subsequently moved to Waukesha County, in the same State, and lived there until after the death of his estimable wife, and then broke up his home, and has since re- sided in various places, spending much of his time in traveling, and is now residing' at Mans- ville. Wis. •lames Tillotson was six years old when his par- ents moved to Oconomowoc, Waukesha Co., Wis., and he there obtained a substantial foundation for a solid education in the High School, in 1874 lie moved to York, Neb., and received a good course of instruction in the academy there, and also learned his trade of tinner in that city with J. II. Woolman, being with him three and a half years, and hi- now carries on his trade in connection with the hardware business. From York he went to Atchison, Kan., and worked at his trade there anil in other places for several years. He finally came herein 1882, and worked as a tinner in this store for about three years, and then was taken into part- nership in this the first hardware store ever estab- lished in this part of the county. Mr. Tillotson, although a young man, has already built up a g 1 home for himself and family, and has gained a comfortable competence, every dollar of which is the result of his own labor, combined with shrewd management of his finances. Mr. Tillotson was married. Aug. (>. 1KK2, to Mi>* Nettie BriggS, and to them have been born two sons. Herman Ralph and .!. Edwin, both of whom will be given every advantage afforded by good education. Mrs. Tillotson was born in Walworth County. Wis., and is a daughter of Adam Briggs, a native of Pennsylvania. Tiny moved to Wiscon- f sin, and there Mr. BriggS was engaged in farming, and there they were married. They reared a fam- ily of ten children in that State, and there died. Mrs. Tillotson came to Pawnee County with her brother Edwin in 1880. He now Lives at Valley City, Dak. Mr. Tillotson is well and favorably known as a man of strict business integrity, and his credit stands high in financial circles. He is genial and helpful toward those about, him. and he and his amiable wife are favorites in the society of the place. They are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and do all that lies in their power to promote the moral and material advance- ment of the community. Mr. Tillotson favors the Republican party, taking an intelligent interest in politics, although not an active partisan. -« > ■ ;>« ■■■ jp^EV. DR. MARION MORRISON. The LJni- [gff ted Presbyterian Church of Mission Creek has been presided over in a most worthy ^manner by the subject of this sketch since 1878, and he is considered one of the ablest men of this denomination in the West. He was connected with the well-known Monmouth College in Warren County, 111., during its infancy, and was largely instrumental in its subsequent success. lie is an eloquent speaker, forcible in argument, and as a pastor faithful and conscientious, making among his people his warmest and most faithful friends. Dr. Morrison was born in Adams County. Ohio. June 2, 1821, and was reared a farmer's boy. at- tending tin- district school, and remaining under the parental roof until twenty years of age. In the spring of 18 1 1 he became a student in the col- lege at Ripley. Ohio, where he studied one and one- half years, then entered Miami University, taking the full classical course, and being graduated with honors in L846. Soon afterward he entered upon tlie study of theology at Oxford, remaining there four years. He was Licensed to preach the (iospel in 1811), and assumed charge of his first pastorate, the United Presbyterian Church at Tranquility, Adams County, over which lie presided six years. In 1856 he was elected Professor of Mathematics f -I 5fi4 PAWNEE COUNTY. and Natural Philosophy, and held these chairs in Monmouth College seven and one-half years, and until resigning his position. Afterward for six months he operated as a financial agent to secure endowments, and has since that time been connected more or less with the religious papers published in the interest of the church. During the progress of the late war Dr. Morrison enlisted as Chaplain in the 9th Illinois Infantry, receiving his commission from Gov. Yates, and journeyed with the regiment to the South, remain- ing with it until the 28th of July, 1864. He was mustered out at Springfield. 111., and received his honorable discharge. He returned to Monmouth greatly broken down in health, remained there one year, and in June, 1866, took charge of the United Presbyterian congregation at Lacon, Marshall Co., 111., where he remained until December, 1870. Thence he removed to College Springs, Page Co., Iowa, and remained at that place until the year 1878, and was engaged in general missionary work. In the spring of that year he was called to his present charge in Mission Creek. He found a feeble society of six members, and such has been the success with which he has labored that three congregations have since been organized from it_ He is General Superintendent of Missions in this State, and his time is constantly employed in the Master's work. Dr. Morrison was married in Preble County, Ohio, April 30, 1850, to Miss E. S. Brown, daugh- ter of Dr. George R. and Elizabeth (Presley) Brown, the former of whom was born on the At- lantic Ocean, while his parents were coming from Ireland to America. The mother was a native of South Carolina, born in the Abbeville District. Grandfather Brown, a native of Ireland, upon his emigration to America settled in North Carolina, where he followed farming the remainder of his life. Dr. Brown was educated at Abbeville, and after completing his studies took up his abode in Preble County, Ohio, where he established a lucra- tive practice, and followed his profession until fail- ing health compelled him to retire. He spent his last days at a farm in Preble County, Ohio, sur- rounded by all the comforts of life, and died on the 21st of June, 1845, when seventy -one years old. -** The mother survived her husband a period of eleven years, dying in 1856, aged sixty-five. Both were members of the United Presbyterian Church. Their family consisted of nine children, namely: George, Jane, Grisella, Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth, Nancy, David and Nathan. But three of these are living. Nancy is a resident of Jamestown. Kan., and Nathan lives at Pawnee City. Mrs. Morrison was born Aug. 25, 1823, near Oxford, in Preble County. Ohio, and was educated in the Female College at Granville. Of her union with our subject there are three children — William P., George W. and Mary E. William taught school for a time, but is now farming in Page County. Iowa; he has a wife and family of three children. George was graduated from Monmouth College, and subsequently pursued his theological studies in Xenia. Ohio. Later he was appointed a missionary to India, of which country he is now a resident. Mary E. is at home with her parents. Mr. Morrison, politically, is an earnest Republican. The father of our subject was Hon. Robert Mor- rison, a native of County Antrim, Ireland, and born in November, 1782. lie came to America in his youth, and was married in Ohio, to Miss Phebe McGowan, a native of Butler County, Pa. The paternal grandfather, George Morrison, was also born in Ireland, learned the trade of weaver, and spent his entire life upon his native soil. He mar- ried Miss Nancy Scroggs, who later came to Amer- ica, and died in Adams County, Ohio, at the advanced age of ninety -nine years. The father of our subject upon first coming to America located in Kentucky, but only sojourned there a short time, removing thence to Adams Count}-, Ohio, where he purchased 150 acres of land. He participated in the War of 1812, and was given a Captain's commission under Gen. Har- rison. He did brave service as a soldier until the close of the conflict, and returning to Adams County, Ohio, became a man of means and promi- nence. He was identified with political affairs, and for a period of thirty-three years served as Associ- ate Judge. He was elected to the Ohio Legislature, of which he was a member two terms, and intro- duced many sensible measures adopted by that body He was a member of the Ohio militia as a Brigadier ■► f i • '^ ..v*rrv~ 4= PAWNEE COUNTY. 567 General. He rested from his earthly Labors in 1803. The mother survived her husband two years, dying in L865, at the age of seventy-five. Robert Morrison was also identified with the United Presbyterian Church, in which he was an Elder a period of forty-five years. -o*o..@^A,^^..ofo.. *,■»■■ bEWTS MARSH ROGERS. The property comprising the Rogers estate is considered as among the most valuable in Pawnee County. The home farm is a finely' cultivated tract of land with a commodious frame dwelling, a large stone barn, and first-class improvements gen- erally. It is at once recognized as the result of in- dustry and perseverance, with the supervision of a mind more than ordinarily intelligent. He who first labored in the subduing of the soil, and later superintended its operations, is now no more, but he has left a monument more enduring than brass, the record of an upright life, fruitful with kindly deeds and honest purposes. The subject of this record was born in Tennessee, April 11,1837, and was the son of Hon. P. M. Rogers, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. His early life was spent amid the peace- ful pursuits of agriculture, and his studies were conducted in the common school. When a youn« man twenty years of age he came with the balance of the family to Nebraska Territory, they locating on a tract of land in Clay Precinct, which is now occupied by Robert Scott, a son-in-law, who is also written of on another page. When past twenty-four years of age Mr. Rogers formed matrimonial ties, being wedded to Miss Mary E., daughter of Francis and Dulcena (Rice) Burg, Sept. 19, 1861. Mrs. Rogers was born in Shelby County, Ind., March 14, 1842. The young people soon afterward commenced housekeeping in a modest dwelling upon the land now occupied by the widow and her children. After they had spent twenty years together Mr. Rogers was called to his long home, Dec. 3, 1881, greatly mourned by his family and by all who knew him. He was a man possess- ing a well-poised mind, combining executive and constructive ability in a marked degree. His cmi- •Hh* nent fitness for positions of trust and responsibility was recognized by his townsmen at an early day, and after discharging the duties of the various lo- cal offices he was made a County Commissioner, the duties of which position he discharged with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. Mr. Rogers was particularly interested in bring- ing the educational system of his adopted State to a high standing, and labored strenuously for the measures which would guarantee enlightenment to all. A Republican in politics, he fearlessly advo- cated the principles of his party, of which he wasa leader in many local contests. He not only advo- cated patriotism, but made practical application of his principles during the progress of the Civil War, enlisting as a private soldier in Company II, 2d Nebraska Cavalry, and serving nine months, being promoted to Sergeant. He was honorably dis- charged Dec. 23, 1803. Remarkably successful in business affairs, Mr. Rogers left at his death 592 acres of valuable land thoroughly improved, thus insuring his family against want. To him and his estimable wife there were born eight children, namely: Francis M., William S., Mary A , George H., Sarah K., Dulcena A., Charles L. and Edward C. As a husband and father Mr. Rogers presented a model to the world. He was kind, devoted and affectionate, and looked up to by the members of his household with that consideration which every father of a family should exert himself to be worthy of. Mrs. Rogers in former years wasa member of the Christian Church, to which she was ardently at- tached, but of late years bas been unable to actively participate in church work, though her zeal in the Master's cause is as earnest now as in the days of her youth. She is a lady possessing admirable traits of character, and is the daughter of Francis H. Burg, who was born in Germany, ami accompanied his parents, Francis and Mary Burg, to America in 1832. They settled first in Shelby County, Ind., where the elder Burg died ten years later, in 1843. His widow came to the West in 1870 and settled in this county, making her home with a grandson, where her death took place Feb. 6, 1883, at the ad- vanced age of nicety-four years. Mr. Burg was married in Shelby County, Ind., 1 JL 4*- 568 PAWNEE COUNTY. *t to Miss Dulcena Rice, a native of Kentucky, and the daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Rice. The latter left the Blue Grass region in 1858, coining to this county and taking up 160 acres of land in Clay Precinct. Mr. Burg died Aug. 14, 1863, while on a freighting expedition to the farther West. He had served as Justice of the Peace in Clay Precinct, and with his excellent wife was a member of the Christian Church. They were the parents of twelve children: Mary E., Mrs. Rogers; William R., John W. ; Julia A., the wife of Andrew Scott, of this county; Maggie, Mrs. Robert Inglis. of Clay Pre- cinct; Michael R., Lavina, Cassandra and Alice, the wife of John Blaine. George died at the age of eighteen years, Sarah when three years, and Dora when seven months old. An admirable portrait of Lewis M. Rogers is shown on another page, and to his many friends will be an attractive feature of this Album. fJOHN MORLEY, an intelligent, industrious and well-to-do farmer of Table Rock Pre- cinct, is one of the early pioneers of Pawnee County, coming here while it was yet young, ere towns were platted, roads laid out, or the county seat adopted. lie has been an active, hard-working man, and while laboring for the im- provement of his own property, has not been un- mindful of the needs of the growing precinct where he located, but has always been identified with all movements looking toward its advancement. Mr. Morley was born Aug. 31, 1816, in York- shire, England, where he was reared and educated. He engaged in farming when a young man, and continued thus occupied in his native country until 1851, when he sought new lands and a new home in the United States. The first five years after coming to this country our subject lived in Pitts- ton, Pa., where he was married to Mrs. Ann Bous- field, a native of England, who had emigrated to the United States when young. She was sub- sequently married, and by her first husband had three children, all of whom lived with our subject until grown up. Mr. Morley was not quite satis- fied with his future prospects in the Keystone State, and determined to try farming on Western soil. Accordingly in the fall of 1856 he started for Nebraska, coming by rail to St. Louis, thence to Jefferson City, where he took passage on a river boat for his intended destination, but on arriving at Weston the water was so low that the passengers were obliged to abandon the boat, and buying a yoke of cattle to draw the baggage, the entire party had to walk the rest of the way, crossing the river at St. Stephen's. Our subject pre-empted a tract of land north of Table Rock, now owned by J. Purcell, which he partly improved. The follow- ing spring he sold out and bought land lying a little south of where he now lives. He labored assidu- ously, and from the wild prairie eliminated a good farm. It had a fine grove of forest trees, and he set out an orchard which is now bearing, and fenced the farm, and placed 175 acres of it under cultiva- tion. He enlarged the house, put up good out- buildings, granary and stables. In 1877 Mr. Morley disposed of that property and bought his present farm, lying on sections 34 and 35, paying So an acre for it. It was then in its normal state, but with characteristic energy our subject began its improvement. That he has met with good success in his labors is shown by the fine condition of his homestead and its appurtenances. He has erected a commodious frame house, of neat and tasty architecture, possessing all the conveniences of a modern farmhouse, and also a large barn, 20x70 feet, which is planed, battened and painted. In 1879 he put up a windmill which pumps water for use in the house, and also for the stock. Mr. Mor- ley has besides set out a fine grove of forest trees, a good orchard of fruit trees, and plenty of small fruits and shrubbery, rendering his estate one of the most beautiful in the locality. He has taken much interest in stock-raising, and been largely in- strumental in bringing up the standard of the stock in his community. He was the first to bring a thoroughbred Short-horn into the vicinity, he hav- ing bought it for $100 when it was a calf, of Mr. Dan- iels, of Sarpy County. Two years later Mr. Blacklaw •brought some Short-horns into the precinct, and our subject subsequently purchased other full- blooded cows and bulls, registered Short-horns, and made a specialty of stock-raising. For his endeav- •► *HI^ PAWNEE COUNTY. 569 ors to improve the grade of cattle in this commu- nity lie has the gratitude of all intelligent farmers, who appreciate his efforts in this direction as well as his other labors for the progress and growth of the precinct. In educational matters he has taken an active part, and helped to organize the first school district, but he is of a modest and retiring disposi- tion and has steadily refused all public offices. Mr. Morley has now passed the allotted threescore years and ten of man's natural days, and is prepar- ing to retire from active toil, and with that end in view is disposing of his stock and getting ready to give up agricultural work. For sixty years he has toiled without ceasing, working always for the best interests of his family and community, and now, as old age comes creeping on, he feels justly entitled to a few years of case and comfort, that he may en- joy the competence that he has accumulated. He is a man of undisputed honesty and integrity in all business transactions, and has the honor and respect of the entire community. He was reared in the faith of the Church of England, but now supports the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he assisted in building and regularly attends. In politics he is a Republican. ^-+#=^^4^ "A OBERT II. HAMMOND. It is nearly thirty |L^2 years since this honored pioneer of Pawnee County first set foot upon the soil of Ne- JH^braska, haying come hither in 1857, during its Territorial days. He pre-empted 160 acres of land in Pawnee Precinct, upon which he effected considerable improvement, and then added to his landed estate to the amount of l(i. His father, Peter Hammond, was born in .Maryland, hut reared mostly in Pennsylvania, to which State his parents removed when he was quite young. He was reared a farmer's boy. and upon reaching man's estate married Miss Nancy Chambers, a native of Virginia, who was the daugh- *-w ter of Robert Chambers, who subsequently emi- grated to Indiana. He was born in 1800. and died in Jefferson County, Ind., in 1836. His excellent wife survived him a period of forty years, remain- ing a widow, and passing to her final rest in 1876. To the parents of our subject there were born five sons and five daughters, six of whom are still living, making their homes mostly in Indiana. Robert II., our subject, was the third in order of birth, and, like his brothers and sisters, received his education in the common schools of Jefferson County, Ind. lie remained a member of his fa- ther's household until reaching manhood, then com- menced farming for himself, and labored thus a period of seven years before taking unto himself a wife and helpmate. He was then married, in 1854, to Miss Martha J., daughter of Joseph and Mary (Snodgrass) Woods, and in 1857 they started over- land with wagons upon the long journey to Ne- braska. The first few years of their experience on the frontier were similar to that of the pioneers around them, during which they endured many hardships, but patience and endurance met with their legitimate reward, and in due time they had reason to congratulate themselves that they had come hither. Mr. Hammond commenced operations on a tract of unimproved land, and it is hardly necessary to say that the task of bringing it to its present con- dition has involved years of labor and the outlay of thousands of dollars. It has proved, however, a solid and safe investment, independent of the fluctuations of trade or business. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Hammond was blessed by the birth of six children, the eldest of whom, Charlotte A., is the wife of Josiah Wilson, of Pawnee City; Jo- seph A. is prosecuting fanning in Kansas; Nancy A. is the wife of John A. Perdew, of Nemaha Pre- cinct; William II.. Etta and Guy are at home with their parents. Mr. Hammond, politically, votes the straight Republican ticket. He may be num- bered among the self-made men who have risen from a humble position in life to a good standing, socially and financially, among their fellowmen. lie comes of excellent stock, people who have al- most uniformly been distinguished by their indus- try, sobriety, and all the qualities of character 4= 570 PAWNEE COUNTY. f which go to make up t he model citizen. His pa- ternal grandparents were Jonathan and Martha (Peppers) Hammond, who were of Scotch-English ancestry, and the parents of ten children. The mother of our subject traced her forefathers to England. ON. JOSEPH B. PEPOON. Nebraska, like many other of the Western States, was in the early days an object of attraction to a large proportion of more than ordinarily intelligent men, scions of substantial olu families, the record of whose history presents matters of very great interest to the biographer and the student. The family of whom the above-named gentleman is a most worthy representative are sketched on other pages in this work, and have left their indeli- ble impress upon the sands of time. Joseph B,,our subject, was one of the earliest pioneers of this county, settling on section 4 in Table Rock Pre- cinct a few months after Nebraska had been ad- mitted into the Union as a State. The experience of Mr. Pepoon on the frontier was not widely different from that of his neighbors. He took up by homestead claim I GO acres of wild land, from which he constructed one of the most valuable homesteads within the limits of Pawnee County. Upon it, when he took possession, there had not been turned a furrow, neither was there a tree nor a shrub, the whole being covered with a growth of luxuriant prairie grass. The bringing of the soil to a state of cultivation, the planting of fruit and shade trees, the erection of farm build- ings, the gathering together of the live stock and machinery, has involved the labor of years and the outlay of thousands of dollars. The proprie- tor cannot, however, fail to view with much satis- faction the results of his labors, and feel amply re- paid for his toils and sacrifices during the first years of his sojourn in this section of country. The farm of Mr. Pepoon is mostly enclosed by beautiful hedge fencing, of which he planted two and one-half miles. He has a good orchard and trees of the smaller fruits, and has gathered around his family the thousand and one little comforts and conveniences which have so much to do with the happiness of a home. Upon first coming here he put up a Cottonwood house of green wood, and as a natural consequence the boards all warped out of shape. The lumber he bought and hauled from Aspinwall, on the Missouri, and as the timber was green and warped out of shape he re-covered it with pine hauled from Table Rock. There was not then a bridge in the precinct, and Mr. P. assisted in the erection of the first structure of this kind across the Nemaha. He also assisted in the organization of his school district, which was effected in 18G8. He was also elected one of the first Directors of the district, and was Chairman of the board which was instrumental in the building of the first school- house at a cost of §250. Mr. Pepoon held the above-named office for a period of six years, and has been a member of the board from the first, officiating most of the time as Treasurer. He has also held other positions of trust, was elected County Commissioner by the Repub- licans in 1873, serving three years, and during which time many improvements were made in the iountj' in the building of bridges, improving the highways, etc. Table Rock Precinct claims that it has more good bridges than any other section in the county, and for this feature in its landscape is largely indebted to Mr. Pepoon. lie has ever sig- nalized himself as the friend of the enterprises cal- culated to build up the county, and thus improve the condition of its people. In the fall of 1877 our subject was elected State Senator to fill a vacancj'. In 1883 he was elected County Surveyor, serving at the time his brother- in-law, Mr. Howe, was County Superintendent of Schools, and had considerable to do with the laving out of roads, which work no one can dispute was well done. On his own premises are the modern improvements of the day, including hay-scales and windmill, with graded Short-horn cattle and excel- lent breeds of horses and swine. 1 1 is labors as an agriculturist have assisted in contributing in an equal manner to the reputation of the county. The surroundings of the early life of Mr. Pepoon no doubt had much to do with the development of a character naturally strong and self-reliant. He was born near the shores of Lake Erie, in Paines- ville, Ohio, Jan. 5, 1838, and lived there until a *4^ PAWNEE COUNTY. -*hL* 571 lad of twelve years, lie then accompanied his par- ents tn the town of Warren, .In Daviess Co., 111., where lie completed bis education in the academy .•iml developed into a pedagogue, teaching school thereafter three winters. In the spring of 1800 he turned his steps toward the farther West, crossing the plains to Oregon with an ox-team, the journey occupying live months. In this enterprise he was accompanied l>y E. T. Boone and others, and jour- neyed by the way of the Platte River, Elkhorn, South Pass, Soda Springs and Humboldt River, ciussing the northern part of California and Honey Lake Valley. In the far Northwest he engaged in farming one year and until after the outbreak of the Rebellion. A few months later he enlisted, in November, 1861, in Company A, 1st Oregon Cavalry, and served on the frontier three years. The regiment expected to be sent South to take part in putting down the Rebellion, but the Indians being emboldened by the absence of so many men who had gone to the war, their services were required on the frontier, and the regiment was detailed mostly to meet emigrants and escort them in safety to their destination. They had several fights with the savages, and in the discharge of their duties traveled all over that region of country. Mr. Pepoon with his company was discharged in November, 1864, at Ft. Vancouver, W. T., whence he returned to Oregon, and at Dallas City was engaged as a clerk in a store. The year following, however, he returned to his old home at Warren. 111., being drawn thither b}' an attraction impossible to resist. This attraction to which we have alluded was a most estimable young lady, Miss Elizabeth Shaw, to whom our subject was married April 19, 1866. They sojourned in the Prairie State a few months, then sought their new home in Nebraska, of which they have since been residents. In due time there came to the fireside seven bright-faced children, with three of whom they were called to [art at a ten- der age. The survivors are Elsie, George W., Philip W. and Mabel, who arc all at home with their par- ents and being given a thorough education. Mrs. Elizabeth (Shaw) Pepoon was born at Nora, Jo Daviess County. 111., July 4, 1840, and is the daughter of Eneas Shaw, a native of Massachu- setts and now deceased. He married Miss Sila Phipin, and they became the parents of thirteen children. Mr. Shaw emigrated from his native State to Illinois at an early date and was one of the pioneer settlers of Jo Daviess County. He was a man of fine abilities and great kindness of heart, universally respected by all who knew him. Mrs. Pepoon was a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church, a lady who was a most suitable helpmate for her husband, proving his assistant and encotir- agerin every worthy ambition. She was well edu- cated, having completed her studies in Hillsdale College, Michigan. She died March 7, 1886. and was buried in the lawn of the home she loved so well, by the side of her three children. In the bi- ographies of John W. Shaw and 0. D. Howe will be found further details in regard to these families, who wherever they made their residence were numbered among the best elements of the commu- nity. In politics Mr. Pepoon has always been a strong Republican. — 5-h-H3*£Ht+-S- RED SAXENBERGER, M. D., one of the most courteous and dignified members of his profession, commands the respect and confidence of all with whom he comes in contact, as well by this as by his skill in connection with his profession. He was born in Dessau, Prussia, in 1840, and received the rudiments of his literary education in the public schools of his native land, where he thoroughly prepared himself for the clas- sical ami professional course which followed. Dr. Saxenberger entered the Leipsic Medical In- stitute in Saxony, in 1S63, taking the full course of study, as prescribed by the Homeopathic and Eclectic Schools of Medicine and Surgery. He was graduated in 1867, receiving from his college a di- ploma. He also acquired an education in the clas- sics, covering metaphysics, science, philosophy and the arts. He has been a close student all his life, a keen observer of passing events, and has kept him- self well abreast of the progress made in the science of medicine. In 1869 Dr. Saxenberger emigrated to America, landing in the city of Baltimore. Thence he pro- •*•■ T 572 PAWNEE COUNTY. ceeded to New York City, where he had friends. and subsequently to Omaha, this State, where he began the practice of his profession and was emi- nently successful. After a residence of six years in that city he changed his abode to Seward, Neb., where he followed his practice a period of seven years. He was subsequently a resident of Waco one year, then removed to Humboldt, where he so- journed two years; was next at Dawson two years, and in Ma)-, 1888, established a drug-store at Stei- nauer, where he has since lived. He possesses a degree of erudition seldom attainable outside the thorough institutions of Germany. The marriage of our subject with Miss Mary E., daughter of George and Catharine Wiseman, was celebrated in York County, this State, on the 7th of March, 1884. The three children born to them are all deceased. Mrs. Saxenberger is a very estimable lady, intelligent, and possessing excellent conversa- tional powers. Their home is a model of neatness and comfort. Both the Doctor and his lady are members in good standing of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and are numbered among' i its]raost_active workers. Dr. S. before emigrating to America served in the German Army the allotted time required from the sons of the Fatherland. He has become thor- oughly identified with the interests of his adopted country, and especially with those of Pawnee County. W WILLIAM BARR represents the agricultural interests of Pawnee County as an active and prosperous farmer of .Mission Creek Precinct, successfully managing his farm, compris- ing the northeast quarter of section 18, that for fer- tility and productiveness is unsurpassed by any in its vicinity. Mr. Barr is descended from a sterling Celtic ancestry, from whom he derives those tine traits of character that mark him as a man and as a citizen. His progenitors on both sides of the house were of Irish birth. His maternal grandparents. Arthur and Helen ((ioodfellow) Williamson, were reared and married in their native Ireland, and subsequently coming to America with their family located in East Hebron, Washington Co., N. Y.. where Mr. Williamson followed agriculture. In f 1858 he went to Elizabeth Township, Jo Daviess Co., 111., to spend his last days with his daughter, and died at her home in 1864, at the age of sixty- five years. His wife, who survived him until l«7:i. died at the age of sixty-seven, retaining her eye- sight in a remarkable degree, so that she never had to wear glasses. The parents of our subject, Robert and Elizabeth (Williamson) Barr, were natives of Ireland, born respectively in Counties Antrim and Monaghan. The father was the youngest of four sons. He learned the cooper's trade in his native land, and when about twenty-one years of age emigrated to this country, and locating in Glens Falls, Wash- ington Co., N. Y., engaged in coopering in that place for some time. He was married in New York, and continued living there until 1853. when he re- moved to Jo Daviess County, III., and buying forty- acres of land in Hanover Township, put up a cooper shop and actively engaged in his calling. His death occurred in that place in 1860, when lie was forty- seven years of age. His community thus lost a use- ful and honored citizen, as in all respects he was an upright man. He took an intelligent interest in the political proceedings of his adopted country, and sided with the Whig part}-. He left a widow and seven children to mourn their loss, as follows: Will- iam; Elizabeth II., now Mrs. Spear, of Illinois; Anna Mary, Mrs. Morton, of Nebraska; Mattie J., Mrs. Wiley, of Nebraska; Sarah M., Mrs. Dick, of Liberty, Neb. ; J. D. and Joseph, of whom see sketeh on another page. Fortunately for the family so bereft when some of the children were mere in- fants, the mother was a capable, noble-hearted wo- man, devoted to her children, and she managed by hard labor to keep them together until they became self-supporting. In 1879 she sold the homestead left by her husband, and accompanied her sons to Nebraska, and died at their home Oct, 26, 1886, at the age of sixty-two years. She was a sincere Chris- tian, and an active member of the United Presby- terian Church. Our subject was born Aug. 2, 1846, near the town of Salem, Washington Co., N. Y. The early years of his life were passed in the town of Glens Falls, and his education was begun in a public school at East Hebron. He was eight years old when he ac- r «► l l^ « l » PAWNKK COUNTY. ■fc IB rfn companied his parents to their new home in Illi- nois, and after that he assisted on the farm, and made the most of the limited school advantages af- forded in those pioneer times. His father died when he was fourteen years of age, and the man- agement of the farm fell in a great measure to him, and he thus early developed manly self-reliance. Besides working on the home farm he occasionally worked out until he was eighteen years of age. While he was thus bearing the burdens of manhood while yet a boy, the great Civil War had been raging, and with patriotic ardor he longed to take part in the strife. His opportunity came when he was eighteen years of age, and in October, 1864, he hastened to emhrace it, enlisting in that month in Company K. 96th Illinois Infantry, and was mus- tered in at Galena as a member of the 2d Brigade, 1st 1 division, -4th Army Corps, and sent to Camp Ba- ker. After drilling there two months he was dis- patched with the rest of his regiment to Nashville, Tenn., by way of Louisville, to join Thomas' army. He and his comrades were sent immediately to the front and took part in the engagement at Nashville, having two days' experience of hard lighting ami two days of skirmishing. Our subject's regiment then went into winter quarters at lluntsville, Ala., and remained there until the spring of 1865, when they were ordered to Hull's (Jap to guard it until after the fall of Richmond. Subsequent to that event they were sent to Nashville. Tenn., where they camped a month, and our subject was then transferred to the 21st Illinois Infantry. Grant's old regiment, and dispatched to New Orleans. After being in camp there a month the 21st proceeded to Texas to guard the frontier. being stationed at Green Lake, and were encamped on the Guadeloupe River. Mr. Ban- was mustered out Oct. 11. 1865, at Victoria. Tex., sent home by the way of New Orleans and Cairo, and paid off at Springfield, having served his country for manj months with the heroism and fidelity of the true soldier. While in the army he contracted pleurisy in his left side, which still affects him. After our subject's retirement from the service lie returned to his mother's home, and carried on the old homestead until 1878, when he sold his per- sonal property, and coming to Pawnee Countj bj rail, located in Pawnee City. He rented a farm ad- jacent to the city, although there was no road to it. and conducted agriculture thereon fortwo years. In 1879 he I ghl his present place, i sisting of 160 acres of wild, uncultivated land, and in 1880 moved onto it. lie immediately broke the soil, set out groves, and a five-acre orchard of lOOtrees; fenced ami cross-fenced his laud in hedge and wire; put up a conveniently arranged house, good barns, and other necessary buildings, and now has a farm that, in point and value of improvements, compares favorably with any in the precinct. He is success- fully engaged in raising and feeding cattle, his herd being finely graded, and in raising hogs and horses, having ten head of the latter, and he also devotes much time to tilling the soil. October 7, I880,our subject secured, by his mar- riage to Miss Nannie Brooks, a devoted wife, who looks well to the ways of her household and looks carefully after the wants of her family. Their pleasant home circle is brightened by the presence of the three children who have been born of their marriage — Elmer S.. William .1. ami Arthur L. Mrs. Barr was born .May 18, 1853, near Brighton, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, and is the daughter of Mathew and Jane (Campbell) Brooks. Her father took part in the War of 1812. He kept a hotel and managed a farm in Beaver. Pa., and became very well-to-do in this world's g Is. He subsequently moved to Ohio, where he engaged in farming until his return to Pennsylvania. He settled in Lawrence County, that State, and there rounded out a life of eighty-four years, dying in 1859. He was a war Democrat, ami was an influential man in his com- munity, holding the office of Justice of the Peace, besides other civic positions. Mrs. Brooks died in 1845, at the age of thirty-five, leaving three chil- dren, as follows: .lane. Mrs. C. Orinner, of Penn- sylvania; Martha, Mrs. Slater, of this county. Nan- nie. Mrs. Barr, was left an orphan when six years old. and after that lived with a half-sister in Beaver Falls. Pa., until she came to Nebraska, in 1879, for her health. Before he attained man's estate Mr. Barr proved himself a brave ami faithful soldier, and in after years he has been a no less loyal and useful citizen. Since becoming a resident of Mission Creek Pre- •+~>^+ 574 PAWNEE COUNTY. cinct he has interested himself in its welfare, and has been especially active in educational matters, and lias served on the School Board two terms. In politics lie is a straight Republican, and uses his influence to promote the success of his party, and has been a delegate to its conventions. He served on the Petit Jury in Galena, lie and his wife are among the most zealous members of the United Presbyterian Church at Mission (reck, of which he has been a Trustee, and the record of their daily lives shows that they are guided by high Christian principles. They are well liked in this community, and have many warm friends among the best people. *$* 4 ' flp^ DMUND W. BELL makes his home in Paw- nee Precinct, and is a citizen held in high estimation by the people of this section, lie was the recent Union Labor candidate for the Legislature, lie was born twenty miles from the city of Cleveland. Ohio, on the 7th of May, 1853, the home of his parents being then across the line in Geauga County, east. John C. Bell, the father of our subject, was a native of Massachusetts and a fanner by occupation. His mother was Miss Lydia Sturdevant. a native of Vermont, and born in 1812. being the junior of her husband three years, his birth having taken place in 1809. Her parents removed at an early date to Ohio, and she was mar- ried in Geauga County. In 1854 the parents of our subject migrated westward to Ogle County. 111., where they lived ten years, and in 1864, leav- ing the Prairie State, came to Nebraska and set- tled on a farm across the road from that which our subject now occupies in Pawnee Precinct. The father homesteaded a claim, which he proved up, and from it constructed a good farm, which he occu- pied until his death, which occurred in October, 1880. The mother died Jan. 29, 1889. They were the parents of five children, three sons and two daughters, namely: Freeman: Harriet, the wife of P. B. Horton; John B., Lydia, and Edmund, Jr. Our subject was a lad of ten years when his par- ents came to this county, and he prosecuted his education first in the common schools, pursuing his studies in Nemaha Valley Seminary, at Pawnee City, where he attended five years. Later w r e find him a student of the State Normal School at Peru, where he spent two years. He subsequently occupied himself for a time as a teacher. His busi- ness career opened as a dealer in cattle and horses. and later he turned his attention more exclusively to agricultural pursuits. He. however, had always been inclined to books and newspapers, and now became one of the editors and proprietors of the Pawnee Banner, at Pawnee City, with which he was connected line year, and then sold out. Soon afterward he removed to the farm upon which he now lives, and he is making a specialty of Ilamble- tonian horses and thoroughbred Short-horn cattle, having of the former sixteen head, and of the lat- ter usually keeping a herd of twenty. On the 30th of May, 1883, Mr. Pell was united in marriage with Miss Maggie C. Dunn, of Bur- lington. Iowa. This lady was born Dec. 25, 1862, in Iowa, anil is the adopted daughter of Mr. Dunn. They have one son, Carlisle Ritchie, who was born Nov. 24, 1885. Mr. Bell is a man who keeps himself well posted on matters of general in- terest, and has given due attention to the leading questions of the day. -*f^3$£M* UILSON C. STARKEY. Burchard is rap- idly advancing to a leading position among WW the enterprising cities of the West. It has been her good fortune to attract within her borders numbers of enterprising and energetic men, and among them the subject of this memoir occu- pies no unimportant position. He is at present conducting a lucrative hardware trade, combining with this also the sale of agricultural implements, and numbers among his friends and patrons many of the leading farmers in this part of the State. His career has been notable for uprightness in the transaction of business, while as a citizen he is liberal and public-spirited, uniformly giving his support to the enterprises tending to build up his comtnunit}', socially, morally and financially. The boyhood home of our subject was near the little town of Roscoe, Coshocton Co., Ohio, where . ■► f •<* ■*HW« PAWNEE COUNTY. 575 4 his birth took place Sept. 2. 1846. Until nine years of age he remained at his father's farm, at- tending the district school, then repairing to town, entered the High School. His hopes and plans in that direction, however, were frustrated by the early death of his mother, and he was then placed among strangers and thrown largely upon his own resources. When a boy of ten he started out for himself, and was employed mostly working upon different farms in his native county until after the outbreak of the Rebellion. On the 22d of July, 1863, before reaching his seventeenth year, he en- listed as a Union soldier in Company M, 9th Ohio Cavalry, which was assigned to the command of Gen. Sherman. He was mustered in at Camp Den- nison, and shortly afterward the regiment was ordered South, marching through Kentucky and Tennessee into Alabama, and at Decatur joined the army of Gen. Rosseau. There had been consider- able skirmishing on the way, but our hero escaped unharmed, although he hurt his foot so seriously while getting over a fence that he was obliged to enter the hospital at Nashville, and was laid up for two months. He recovered, however, in time to participate in the battle which followed at that place, and later joined the army of Gen. Sherman, meeting the enemy at Fa3'etteville, Bentonville, Salisbury and Hillsboro, N. C. His batallion fired the last round at Johnson's army before the sur- render. Later, our subject, with his comrades, was placed on guard duty around Lexington and other places, and at the close of the war received his honorable discharge. He had engaged in fifteen regular bat- tles besides numerous skirmishes, making a mirac- ulousescape. Upon leaving the service he returned to his home in Ohio, and employed himself upon a farm until his marriage. Leaving Ohio in 1868 he made his way to McLean County, 111., locating on a farm near Pleasant Hill, and turned his attention largely to stock-raising. In 1870 he went back to Ohio, and changing his occupation somewhat, en- gaged in coal mining, remaining there until the spring of 1880. We next find Mr. Starkey on his way to Ne- braska, and soon after his arrival in this county he purchased a tract of partially improved land in West Branch Precinct. He completed the improve- ments and engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1883, when he concluded to invest a portion of his capital in a stock of hardware, and associated himself with Messrs. Wing and Bell, they operating together under the firm name of Wing, Starkey & Bell. Mr. S. sold out six months later, and changing his occupation materially, purchased the outfit of the Pawnee Banner, and conducted this paper two years quite successfully. Upon selling, or taking for it in exchange a drug-store, he soon afterward sold the latter and purchased a farm of 120 acres in Miles Precinct. This was also partially im- proved, and he occupied it a year, then turned his attention to general merchandising at Violet, asso- ciating himself with Mr. Walch, under the firm name of Walch & Starkey. A year later our subject re- sumed farming, but in the meantime disposed of his mercantile interest to his partner and purchased a farm. He thus had 200 acres, upon which he farmed until the fall of 1887. He then purchased the Neivs, which was under his editorial manage- ment until Jan. 1, 1888. In March following he became interested in the hardware trade, and estab- lished himself in his present business. The marriage of W. C. Starkey and Miss Frances Carter was celebrated at the bride's home near Ros- coe, Ohio, Mayo, 1867. Of this union there were seven children: Ida, deceased; Frances; Amelia, who died at the age of one year; Sophia, William, George and Louis. They occupy a pleasant home in Burchard, and Mr. Starkey, notwithstanding his numerous business interests, has always found time to interest himself in the prosperity of his adopted city, serving on the School Board, and occupying other positions of trust. In Ohio he was Assessor and Road Supervisor, and is a man who invariably makes his mark wherever he sojourns. Socially, he belongs to the A. O. U. W. and the G. A. R., both of Pawnee City. In religious matters Mr. Starkey is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Violet, being one of the charter members and a Trustee, Politically, he is independent, and has often served as a delegate to the County and State Conventions. In Ohio in 1879 he was selected as a candidate of the Greenback party for the State Legislature, and f JU 570 PAWNEE COUNTY. ♦HMl in Nebraska, in 1884, was made the candidate of the Fusion ticket. This party being in the minor- ity be expected defeat, but lie made a good record, and does not consider it anything to his discredit. The father of our subject was Timothy Starkey, also a native of the Buckeye State, and born near Adamsville, in Muskingum County, in 1820. He married Miss Rebecca Phillips, a native of the same county, who was born in 182:J. The paternal grandfather. William Starkey, was a native of Pennsylvania, and learned the trade of tanner. He removed to Ohio at an early date, where he followed his trade in connection with farming for a time, then pushed on further westward into In- diana, where he died in 185G, at the age of sixty years. He was of German descent, while the Phil- lips family traced their forefathers to England. Timothy Starkey was reared to man's estate in Ohio, where he was married, and prosecuted farm- ing in Muskingum County during the younger years of his life. Later he became interested in transportation on the Ohio Canal, and became owner of several boats. In 1850 he took up his residence in Roscoe, and operated as superintendent of a sawmill for a period of nine years. Upon abandoning this he engaged in farming in that vicinity, but upon the outbreak of the Civil War volunteered his services as a Union soldier, enlist- ing in Company D, 80th Ohio Infantry. The regiment was ordered to Tennessee, engaged in skirmishing mostly, and finally went to Georgia, where Mr. Starkey was taken ill, sent to Nashville, Tenn., and finally was obliged to accept his honor- able discharge. The father of our subject, upon retiring from the service, resumed farming near his old place in Ohio, and spent his last days in the vicinity of Ros- coe, dying in 1887 at an advanced age. The mother had preceded her husband to the silent land a period of thirty-two years, her death taking place in 1855. Timothy Starkey was a man of good abilities and quite prominent in local affairs. serving as Justice of the Peace and Township Supervisor. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, serving as Steward, and was for nine years Superintendent of the Sun- day-school. The parental family included five children, namely: William, who died when about twenty-two; Mary, who died at the age of six; Wilson Cooper, our subject; Elizabeth, making her home in Ohio; and Silas, deceased. ~w~«nej2t^@. >^®|xii/JW*v.'wv- OLIN W. GRIFFING, mason and contrac- tor in brick and stone, i> a worthy repre- sentative of the industrial element of Table Rock, and one of the substantial and honored citi- zens <>f Pawnee County. Coming here with his parents when an infant, ere the country was set- tled, lie has with truth grown up with the town, and been an eye witness of the transformation which has changed it from an unbroken prairie, over which the untutored Indians roamed, to a thriving village, populated by an intelligent and industrious class of people. Our subject was born in Wayne County, Pa., Oct. 8, 1856, and is a son of the Hon. George L. (I rifling, a very early settler of Pawnee County. Olin Griffing received a good common-school edu- cation in this precinct, remaining at home until twenty years of age. when lie learned the plasterer's trade of his brother Arthur, with whom he is now connected in business. After acquiring a knowl- edge of his trade our subject bought a farm, and fur si >ine years was engaged in agricultural pur- suits, lie made all of the usual improvements, having fenced his farm, erecting a convenient house and oat-buildings, and setting out a good orchard. In the year 1887 Mr. Griffing traded that property for an implement store, which he managed for a year, selling it out in October. 1888. Our subject anil his brother Arthur are two of the twelve citizens now living in Table Rock who came here as early as 1857. and since attain- ing manhood they have done their share toward building up the town. Mr. Griffing is pleasantly loeatei 1 in a residence of his own on Pawnee street, the lot on which it is situated comprising half an acre of ground. Our subject is a public-spirited man. who has readily assumed all the responsibili- ties resting upon him as one of the practical, capa- ble and energetic business men of the town. For five years he served faithfully as a member of the *V «**■ PAWNEE COUNTY. 577 u Scl I Board of Clear Creek Precinct, District No. in, whore he was Director, .iiid by virtue of his office Chairman of the building committee which had charge of the erection of the school-house. In politics he is a firm Republican; socially, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, ami both he ami his wife are valued members Of the .Meth- odist Episcopal Church. The marriage of Mr. Grilling with .Miss Matilda R, Conklin was solemnized in Table Rock. Sept. Ki. 1879. Their union has been blessed by the birth Of two children: Winford, born April 16, 1881, and Lawrence W.. April 11. 1885. Mr. Conklin. the father of Mrs. Grilling, is a native of Pennsylvania. He married Mrs. Julia Hillings, whose maiden name was Bidwell, and settled in his native State, living there until 1ST'.), when he moved with his family to Nebraska and located in Table Rock, where he still lives, successfully en- gaged in his business as an engineer. /p^EORGE W. KELLY. Although a resident || g-, of this county only since February,J1882, ^^Jl Mr. Kelly has become thoroughly and fa- vorably known as one of its most reliable men. He purchased the land which he now occupies in 1871. There was then upon it a small log house and thirty acres had been broken. It embraces 160 acres, and occupies the northwest quarter of sec- tion I, in Clay Precinct. Seven years of plodding industry have effected a wonderful change in the condition of the property of Mr. Kelly, and no one would recognize it as the tract of land upon which stood the lonely looking cabin at the time of purchase by him, when the neighbors were few and far between. The whole is enclosed with neat and substantial fencing, and embellished with comfortable frame buildings. There is an apple orchard in good condition with about thirty cherry and other fruit trees. The farm is devoted to general agriculture, but Mr. Kelly rather makes a specialty of grain and stock, As far back as the records have been preserved we find this branch of the Kelly family established first in Maryland. Joseph, Sr. and Jr., were the father and paternal grandfather of our subject, and both were natives of Maryland. Grandfather Kelly emigrated with his family to Ohio, settling in Perry County, where Joseph. Jr., married Miss Rebecca, daughter of Ephraim Tipton. Of this union there were born eight children : William II. ; Mary J., now Mrs. John Forbes, of Illinois; Elizabeth, who mar- ried J. R. 1 1 iff, and is now deceased; George \\'.. our subject; Margaret L., Mrs. Charles Spangler; Joseph E., and two who died in infancy. Grand- father Kelly spent his last years in Illinois. When our subject was a little lad of seven years his parents removed to Tazewell County, 111., where he was reared to man's estate and acquired his edu- cation in the common school. His marriage took place in Logan County, that State, Feb. 18, 1875, with Miss Anna M., daughter of Aquillaand Adelia (Woland) Breech. The parents of Mrs. Kelly were both natives of Pennsylvania, where they were reared and married. They had a family of five children, all of whom lived to mature years, namely : Cecelia A., Anna M., Charles S., Flora L. (now de- ceased) and James O. Cecelia became the wife of William Minsker, and Flora married Harry Bry- son, and is now deceased. The mother in Novem- ber, 1868, went on a visit to her parents, in Illinois, and also with the view to an improvement in her health. She did not live to return to her family, her death taking place in February following, of consumption. In May, 1869, the father removed with his family to Illinois, and died in Logan County in 1874. Our subject engaged in fanning in Illinois until February. 1882, and thence came to this county. lie is a man who does not care to make himself very conspicuous in bis community but has his own ideas about things in general, and meddles very lit- tle with those of the outside world. He keeps himself posted on. current events, and watches with unalloyed satisfaction the triumph of the Repub- lican party. His neighbors look upon him as a man to be trusted at all times, and as one contributing his full quota to the standing and respectability of the county. Joseph Kelly, Jr., the father of our subject, was twice married prior to his union with the mother of the latter. His first wife was Miss Mary Moore, -+^U. •►4*-*- L 578 PAWNEE COUNTY. and she became the mother of two children: Rosa, who died in Clay Precinct, Eeb. 20, 1885, and was buried in Pawnee Count)' ; and John, who is now in Nebraska. He then married Miss Mary Hitch- cock, and of this union there was no issue. -**-*>- *&>£*&&&*- (JGUSTUS E. HASSLER. In this progress- ive age the weekly newspaper is one of the L first institutions to plant itself in a young community of any enterprise, and its ex- istence there indicates the general character of the people. The Pawnee Republican, of which A. E. and J. N. Ilassler are editors and proprietors, was established in 1868 by Hon. Thomas R. Fisher, of Brownville, who at one time conducted the Brown- ville Advertiser, its name being then the Paw- nee Tribune. The Republican was under his charge one year, during which time he made excellent headway, and then sold to Hon. J. L. Edwards, who conducted it successfully for one year, and then sold to F red 8. Ilassler. At the end of fifteen months the remaining half-interest was disposed of to F. S. and J. N. Ilassler, and in 1872 Augustus E. Ilass- ler, our subject, purchased the entire outfit and changed the name. The paper from its first estab- lishment has been Republican in politics. It is a seven-column quarto, and under its present man- agement is rapidly assuming a positior among the leading journals of Nebraska. The most decided qualities in the character of Mr. Ilassler were developed in his native .State of Pennsylvania, lie having been born in Westmore- land County, May 25, 1838. He was given a prac- tical education in the common schools, but later entered Mt. Union College in Stark County, Ohio, where he remained a student until the outbreak of the Civil War. Then, at the age of about twenty- three years, he enlisted in Company F. 12th Penn- sylvania Reserves, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. After three years' faithful serv- ice he veteranized in Company C, 190th Pennsyl- vania Infantry, remaining in the army until the surrender of Gen. Lee. He saw the smoke of bat- tle in some of the most important engagements of the war, taking part in the seven-days fight under Gen. McClellan in front of Richmond, aud also in the battle of Antietam. At the latter place he was wounded by a gunshot through the thigh, and was confined in the hospital, principally at Harrisburg, four months. Then, rejoining his regiment, he took part in the battle of Gettysburg, the Wilder- ness and Appomattox. He received his final dis- charge duly 3, 18G5. after a service of four years. Upon laying down the weapons of warfare Mr. Ilassler returned to his old haunts in Pennsylvania, engaged in teaching school two terms, aud was then appointed Storekeeper and Gauger of the Twenty- first Congressional District of Pennsylvania, a posi- tion which he held two years. In the fall of 1871 he crossed the Mississippi, likewise the Missouri, aud coming to this county, engaged in his present news- paper enterprise at Pawnee City. He was married at Rostraver, Pa., in 1867, to Miss Lorinda Davis, a native of his own county in Pennsylvania, and the daughter of Davis Davis, of that county. To the fireside of Mr. and Mrs. Ilassler there came five children, three sons and two daughters, who are all living, forming au exceedingly bright and inter- esting group. The family residence is in the eastern part of the city, and our subject and his estimable lady number their friends among its best people. SpffLEXANDER K. GOUDY, Superintendent =/u| ( of the county schools, is a man possessing considerable force of character and native talent, and one of those who cast their lot with the people of Nebraska in the fall of 187-1. His early training was given him among the hills of the Buckeye State, he having been born near the city of Springfield, Clarke County. May 13, 1*17. He lived there until a Little lad of seven years. and then removed with his parents to Warren County. 111., where they settled near Monmouth, the county seat. The latter were Thomas B. and Nancy P. (Kirkpatrick) Goudy, natives of Ohio, and who spent their last years in Nebraska, the father passing away in February, 1886, and the mother March 10, 1888. The district school furnished to our subject his primary education, and among the peaceful pur- r PAWNEK COUNTY. ■^Hh* 579 *t suits of farm Life he learned those habits of indus- try and economy which proved of use to him in after years. Later he became a student of the Normal University, where he gave close attention to his books for a period of two years, and then be- gan teaching. Later he resumed farming, which he prosecuted one year in t lie Prairie State, and as we have stated sought the farther West in 1874. He now became fully identified with its educational interests, and began operations in Pawnee City as a teacher in the public schools, also as Principal, which position he held a number of years, and then changed the held of his operations to North Platte, where he spent two years. At the expiration of this time Mr. Goudy estab- lished the Pawnee City Academy, winch was Opened in October. 1*77. and was conducted as a private school until January. 1883. On the 1st of that month he entered upon his duties as a teacher in the Nebraska State Normal School at Peru, re- maining there until 1881, then returned to Paw- nee City, and soon thereafter was elected County Superintendent of Schools. He was re-elected in the fall of 188G for a second term of three years. Mr. Goudy was married. .Tidy 11. 1882. to Miss Alice Daily, daughter of William Daily, of Ne- maha County. Mrs. Goudy was born in Madison, Ind.. and they are the parents of one child, a daughter, Anna, who was born Aug. 20, 1886. Mr. Goudy, politically, votes the straight Re- publican ticket, and both he and his estimable wife are members in good Standing Of the United Pres- byterian Church. „ IRAM FRAZEE, deceased, had been con- nected with the farming interests of Pawnee County for nearly a decade, and had within hat time developed from the wild prairie a productive and finely improved farm, that is justly classed among the most fertile and profitable estates in Mission Creek Precinct. It was a fine location on section 30, and here our subject built up a home that for comfort and coziness vied with an}' in the neighborhood. The other farm build- ings were neat and well kept, everything about the *. — place indicating the thrift, orderliness and industry of the owner. Mr. Frazee was horn Nov. 3, 1811, in Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio, to Isaac and Elizabeth (Harrison) Frazee, natives of New Jersey, the father born in Elizabethtown, in the eastern part of that State. The paternal grandfather of our subject, John Frazee, who was of Scotch descent, was born in the New Jersey town mentioned. He was a private in the Revolutionary War, served seven years in the ranks, and was at one time a prisoner in New York City some twelve months. After the war he began farming in New Jersey. He afterward bought 500 acres of land in Warren County, Ohio, purposing to settle there as a pioneer, but in 1806, while on his way to that State, was smitten with death, he then being scarcely past the meridian of life, he being forty-six years old. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Isaac Harrison, was a New Jersey farmer, and was a lifelong resident of that State. Isaac, the father of Hiram FYazee, went to Ohio in 1806, when he was eighteen years old, and becoming an early settler of Warren County, began to clear a farm. He enlisted to quell Indian disturbances, under the leadership of Gen. Harrison, of Tippecanoe fame, and was with him when that noted battle was fought in Novem- ber, 1811. He afterward served for eighteen months in the American Arm}', under Col. Hopkins, in the War of 1812. He then returned to his pio- neer home in Warren Count}-, and reclaimed the remainder of sixty-five acres from the wilderness. In 1833 he became a pioneer of Clinton County, bought eight}' acres of land, engaged in farming and stock-raising, and there closed his life in 1840, at the age of fifty-two years. He was a man of strong character, and was a strict Presbyterian in his religious views. The mother of the subject of this memoir died in 1821, and the father was mar- ried a second time. Of the first, marriage there were five children born, namely: John, Hiram, Esther, Harrison ami Joseph, all now deceased. Of the second union there were the six following chil- dren: Isaac (deceased,) Betsy, Polly, Ann (de- ceased), Harriet and Pamelia. He of whom we write grew to manhood in the forest wilds of Ohio, and by the experiences of 4= 580 PAWNEE COUNTY. *t pioneer life was molded into a stalwart, self-reliant, active youth. His education was gleaned in a pay school, and after he was sixteen years of age he ceased to attend. He remained at home until he was twenty-four. He then went to work for himself, renting his aunt's place in Warren County for twelve years. He then rented other farms in his native State until 1853, when he decided to try life in another State, and in the month of December went by boat to Naples, and thence to Sangamon County, 111., where he rented land for four years. He then took up his residence in Springfield, that State, where he remained a year. At the expira- tion of that time he resumed farming. In 1860 he bought forty acres of land near Springfield, and was actively engaged in its tillage and in raising stock until 1879, when he disposed of his property there, having decided to try farming under the sunn}' skies of Nebraska. Coming here by rail he rented land the first season, and thus gained time to look around for a place suited to his require- ments. He found such in his present farm, which was originally a tract of 160 acres of school land, with no improvement, and not a tree on it. He broke the soil, set out groves of forest trees, and an orchard of three acres, partly fenced his land, besides erecting a good set of farm buildings. Be- sides raising corn and the various other grains, vegetables, etc., usually raised by a Nebraska far- mer, Mr. Frazee raised horses of fine blood and well-graded hogs. In his farm labors he had the valuable assistance of his son, who was in partnership with him. On this place he lived until his death, which occurred Feb. 9, 1889. Hiram Frazee had been twice married. His first marriage, which took place in 1852, in Warren County, Ohio, was to Miss Nancy Casseday, who was born in Ohio in 1815, and died in 1858. His second marriage, June 17, 1802, in Sangamon County, 111., was to Miss Sarah J. Morrison, (laugh- ter of James and Jane (Ewing) Morrison, natives respectively of Butler County, Ohio, and of a place near Lexington, Scott Co., Ky. Her paternal grandfather, David Morrison, a native of New Jersey, became one of the pioneers of Butler County, Ohio, where he cleared a large farm. Mrs. Frazee's maternal grandfather, Robert Ewing, was «■ born in Juniata County, Pa., and when a young man went to Kentucky, and engaged in the Indian wars, and afterward settled there and engaged in hunting and farming. In 1807 he moved to Mont- gomery County, Ohio, but remained there only a short time before removing to Butler Count} 7 , where he bought 200 acres of forest covered land, cleared it, and continued to farm it until his re- tirement. He then went to Illinois with his grand- children, and there died in 1856, at the venerable age of eighty-six years. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Brown, was of Scotch descent and of Kentucky birth. She died in Ohio in 1846. Mrs. Fiazee's father grew to manhood in Ohio, and there learned the carpenter's and also the shoe- maker's trade. He continued in his native count}', engaging in farming the latter part of his life, until his death in 1831, while } - et in life's prime, he being but thirty-three years of age. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a man whose sterling worth was acknowledged by all who came in contact with him. Mrs. Frazee's mother died in Illinois, Dec. 31, 1887, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. She had three children: John, who is deceased; Robert, in Illinois, and Sarah, the wife of our subject. The latter was born on the banks of the Big Maumee River, in Butler County, Ohio, Dec. 10,1828. Her father dying when she was a child of three years, she went to live with her grandparents, and was twenty-three years old when they moved to Sangamon County, III. Of her marriage with Mr. Frazee two children have been born — William M. and Mary E. William is a very enterprising, intelligent young man. He was born in Island Grove Township, Sangamon Co., 111., Oct. 30, 1863, and since coming to Nebraska has identified himself with the 3'oung agriculturists who are fast winning an important place in the farming community of Pawnee County. He ably assisted his father in making the improve- ments on his farm, and on him has now devolved its management. He is an ardent Republican in poli- tics. Mr. Frazee's daughter was born in Island Grove Township, 111., Dec. 13, 1866, and also resides at home. Mr. Frazee was a man of high moral character, and possessed in a great degree the acumen, fore- -+Z**-*« «^- PAWNEE COUNTY. 581 sight and frugality that characterized his Scotch ancestry. He had withal a kind disposition, and the needy and suffering never appealed to him in vain for sympathy and material aid. He was a thorough Democrat in his political sentiments, and took an intelligent view of questions of National import. He interested himself in local affairs and had served on the School Board, doing all that he could to advance the cause of education, and the United Presbyterian Church at Mission Creek had in him one of its most respected members. His death was not only the cause of great grief to his family and personal friends, but was felt to be in some measure a public loss. ETER STEVENS, an energetic, exten- sive agriculturist of Table Rock Pre- cinct, is one of the pioneers of Nebraska, having become a resident of this State in the fall of 1860, when lie located in Spicer Precinct. Richardson County, pre-empting a tract of wild prairie land. During the twelve years that he lived there he added as many improvements as were made on any farm in that locality. He built fences, set out trees, and one line grove of forest trees, which is still standing, is a living testimony to his labor and industry. Our subject was horn in Upper Canada. .May !2. 1840. Jacob Stevens, his father, was born at Pa- melia Four Corners. Herkimer Co.. N. V., in 1811. When a young man he emigrated with a colony to the Province of Ontario. Canada, where he settled, and .Ian. 1. is, ,,"!, there married Miss Mary Ann Monk. She was born in New York, Jan. 6, 1817, and is the daughter of Nicholas Monk.al-oa native of the Empire State. In 1845 Mr. Stevens moved with his family to Dodge County. Wis., and again took up new land, clearing a farm and living there until 1867, when he sold out ami moved to Cass County. Iowa. He purchased a more extensive grain and stock farm, on which he and his good wife are si ill living at advanced ages, they having spent together fifty-four years of uninterrupted peace and contentment. On dan. 1. 1885, they celebrated their golden wedding, our subject going East to attend it. There were present a goodly number of children and grandchildren to extend congratulations and g 1 wishes to the venerable couple. They reared a family of thirteen children, all of whom grew to maturity, and eight are still living. Peter Stevens, of whom we write, was but five years of age when his parents settled in Wisconsin, where he grew to man's estate, receiving a practical common-school education, which he has since made good use of. He assisted his father on the farm until 1860, when, on the 1st of November, he started with ayokeof oxen and alsooneof cows for the farming country of Nebraska. He traveled the entire distance, 600 miles, in six weeks, averaging fifteen miles a day. ami camped out nights. He was then a single man without cares, and made his first settlement in Richardson County, as before mentioned. The county was then sparsely popu- lated, no roads were laid out. and our subject as- sisted in locating and building them. During his residence in that county he did his full share in ad- vancing its interests, and was twice elected County Assessor, serving efficiently and faithfully in that Office. In 1862 Mr. Stevens enlisted in the army, and for thirteen months did valiant service on the field, having been a member of Company G, 2d Nebraska Infantry, which fought on the frontier. For a more extended accounl of the engagement in which he took part, see sketch of Lieut. C. H. Norris. After being honorably discharged he resumed his agricultural labors in Richardson County, sparing neither time nor expense in the improvement of his farm. In 1881, having an opportunity to dispose of his property in that county to a good advan- tage, he did so, and coming to this precinct, bought eighty acres of his presenl homestead, to which as he has been able he has steadily added, until now he owns a rich and productive farm of I LOacreS, all under good tillage or in pasture land. On it he has an orchard of 100 apple trees, besides an abundance of plums, cherries, and small fruits, and a plentiful Supply Of grapes. Our subject makes a specialty of stock-raising, having a large herd of a g I grade of cattle, a great number of hogs and horses, feeding out all of his own corn, and frequently be- ing obliged to buy more. lie has taken an active f •*Z*-*+ •►Hl^^ 582 PAWNEE COUNTY. Hr *t part in local affairs, and assisted in reorganizing District No. 34. He is an able business man, whose energies have been expended with the most satis- factory results, he having risen by his own exer- tions from a penniless lad to a man of affluence. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, likewise of the I. O. 0. F. and of the G. A. R. In politics he casts his vote with the Republican party, his first Presidential vote having been thrown for Abraham Lincoln. The marriage of Mr. Stevens with Miss Elvira Steele was solemnized in Richardson County, March 11, 1872. She was born in Northern In- diana. June 4, 1846. and is a daughter of John B. and Mary Anne (Foster) .Steele, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio. The grandfather Steele came from Holland, and her grandfather Foster lives in Indiana now at the age of ninety- five. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Steele lived for several years on a farm in Indiana, then moved to Missouri, where they lived until 18G8. (iiiiiing at that time to Nebraska, they bought land in liulo, and improved a farm, on which they are still living, retired from the active cares of life. M is. Steele is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To her and her husband were born thirteen children, all but one growing to ma- turity, and eleven of whom are living. The union of our subject and his wife has been blessed by the birth of eight children, seven of whom are still living, namely: Annette, Nellie, Nasilva, Will- iam Edgar, Elizabeth J., Amy and Eliza. All are yet members of the home circle, and are being well educated. \y ; AMES F. GILL, of Pawnee City, is a promi- nent representative of its livery, feed and transfer interests, and brought with him from his native State of Ohio those qualities which invariably go to make up the thrifty and enterprising citizen. He was born in Yinton County, that State, April 29, 1845, and is the son of John and Eliza (Hall) Gill, both natives of Ross County, Ohio. The maternal grandfather of our subject was James Hall. Esq.. a man of considerable prominence «•- in his community. On the other side of the house Grandfather Joseph Gill was a native of Ire- land. John Gill, the father of James F., was born in the city of MeArthur, Yinton Co.. < >hio, in 1821. He was a farmer by occupation, and was cut down in his prime, being killed by an accident in 1849, at the age of twenty-eight years. The parental household consisted of three children, two sons and one daughter, of whom James F. was the eldest. The sister of Mr. Gill was a little child five months old at the time of their father's death, and the mother only lived six years thereafter. Mr. Gill was thus orphaned early in life, and left dependent upon his own resources. He was taken into the home of his paternal uncle, Samuel U. Gill, with whom he remained until the outbreak of the Civil War, in the meantime having removed to Illinois. He then enlisted in Company K, 40th Illinois Infantry, from the southern part of the State, in July, 1861. During his service of four years as a Union soldier, his regiment operated mostly with the Army of the Tennessee, and en- gaged in most of the battles of the long campaign which followed, being at Shilon, the sieges of Cor- inth. Memphis and Yicksburg. the right at Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain, and the battle of Atlanta, where the brave Gen. Mc- Pherson was killed. Later they marched with the command of Gen. Sherman to the sea, and thence up through the Carolinas to Washington, taking part in the grand review. From there our subject was sent to Louisville, Ivy., and next to Spring- field, 111., where he was mustered out July 8, 1865, and received his honorable discharge. Upon retiring from the service Mr. Gill so- journed briefly at Clay City, 111., then returned to Ohio, and was married to Miss Nancy J. Dennison, of .MeArthur, in 1870. The} - settled on a farm, and remained in that State until 1872, when Mr. Gill determined to seek his fortunes in the farther West. Crossing the Mississippi and Missouri Riv- ers he took up his abode first in Furnas County, this State, and homesteaded 16(1 acres of land, which now forms the town site of Henley. He op- erated upon this land until 1884, then changed his residence to Pawnee City, and put up the lively — •► r JL -t^wr* PAWNEE COUNTY. 583 barn which he now occupies. This is a neat, strong structure, covering an area of 18x106 feet, witli a solid stone basement. Within it he keeps a line stock of horses and roail vehicles, which are patronized by the best peopleof the city. He also has an omnibus and hack line, and from the two combined realizes a handsome income. Socially, he belongs to the G. A. R., hut, takes little inter- est in politics aside from faithfully easting his vote with the Republican party. T -^^ JOHN C. WOOD. This gentleman is one of the farmers of Table Rock Precinct, owning and occupying 330 acres on sections 19 and 20, his residence being on the for- mer. He first came to Nebraska in 1857, landing in Brownville on the 29th of May, and coming to Table Rock August 10 of the same year. His first land he secured by pre-emption, and when he got it it was nothing but raw prairie, on which he set out the first tree and turned the first furrow. lie has been a great advocate of tree culture, and at different times basset out large numbers, haying now about 800, living, on his place. He has upon his farm the finest orchard in the county, and also raises an abundance of grapes mid the smaller fruits in general. When Mr. Wood first came here he began to build a sawmill on the Nemaha, but about the time he got it completed the stream cut a new channel for itself, and left the mill high and dry. Since that he has given his whole attention to farming. He has made many improvements, having all the necessary farm buildings and a good, comfortable home. All the general improvements made upon the farm have been done by him, and it is now in a thrifty condition. He has always dealt largely in stock, and has bought more grain than he has sold. He usually has a herd of about fifty cattle, and a large number of hogs. For several years he kept as many as 500 or t>00 sheep, but he found that cattle paid better, and he abandoned dealing in sheep. In 1856 Mr. Wood went across the plains to Montana, being on the road from May 1 to July «* „ 28. He at once began mining, and remained there two years, bringing home a fair amount of dust. His birthplace was in Albany County, N. Y., the date of that to him important event being March 25, 1835. When he was two years old his parents moved to Cayuga County, N. Y., and there our subject lived for many years. He attended the common schools, and finished his education at the State Normal School, after which he taught for many years. Since coining to Nebraska he has made this his home, with the exception of two years which he spent in Brown County, Kan., but liking Nebraska better he returned, believing this to be the best place on earth. April 28, 1870, our subject was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary Lleywood, in Tabic Ruck. Of this union there have been six children, four now living: Edgar W., Myron, Katie E. and Edith A., all of whom are living with their parents. Mrs. Wood was born in Ohio, and further particulars of her family history are given under the name of A. E. lleywood. Our subject has been prominent in school affair's in his district, and takes a warm in- terest in the cause of prohibition. — '" *' 4 * j ' II ' C ' S" "* — jjjEY. ZENAS B.TURMAN. By a happy dis- pensation Of Providence, men are appointed to various walks in life, sonic as tillers of "^ the soil, and others evidently created for the purpose of upholding a no less important cle- ment of human life — man's moral and religious nature. Among the men who came to Nebraska Territory before some of its counties had been or- ganized was the subject of this sketch, who first set foot upon its soil as carh a~ 1856. He spent his first winter at Rock Bluff, CaSS County, where hi assisted in the organization of a church, and the winter following proceeded as far west as Salt Creek, two years before there was any indication of the present city Of Lincoln. He made a tour of seven counties, preaching at intervals in sixteen places. Among his hearers was the chief Spotted Horse, and his band of warriors, to whom he dis- coursed by the aid of a Governmenl interpreter. In the interest of the Master he also preached at 584 PAWNEE COUNTY. Four Mile Creek, west of Plattsmouth, Eight Mile < rrove, and Louisville, having at the latter plaee a great revival. Mr. Turner was the pioneer preacher of this region, being the first man to raise the standard of the cross in this section. In his journeyings he visited Wahoo and Pawnee, thirty miles north, journeyed up Salt Creek, ami visited Beatrice when it was a hamlet of six or eight wooden houses. He also went to Tecumseh and Nebraska City, sojourn- ing in the latter place with a Mr. Gould, a relative of the railroad king, Jay Could. Ittookabout 500 miles' travel to encompass his circuit, he in the meantime frequently encountering storms, being out sometimes all uight, and often swimming his horse across the streams. A man of iron constitu- tion and strong will, he surmounted difficulties which at the present day would he considered al- most beyond the strength of man to overcome. Upon one occasion he started from the house of a Mr. Shaw, of Heat rice, during a severe snowstorm, finally lost his way. and giving his horse the rein, let the animal proceed at its will, and at night found him- self at the same door from which he had started. In 185S) Mr. Turman was located at Fontanelle, and the next year at Tekamah. He founded new church societies wherever possible, and assisted the feeble ones already struggling for existence. lie was the first man holding a religious meeting in all of Southern Dakota and that vicinity. At this time Indians abounded in this region, and white people were often massacred. At Fontanelle upon one occasion, he with others helped to subdue the Indians who had already murdered a number of whites, until a company of cavalry could be sent to theirrelief. They then started after the Indians ( Pawnees), and Mr. Turman officiated as temporary chaplain for the soldiers. Mr. Turman. upon one occasion, in Dakota, Da- kota Co.. Neb., was stricken down with smallpox, but fortunately recovered after the weeks of suffer- ing incident with this terrible disease. He had identified himself with the Methodist Episcopal Conference, and was superannuated in 18G3. Since that lime he has been engaged considerably in Canning. lie was a resident of Nemaha five years. bat came to Pawnee County in the fall of 1871, taking up a tract of land four miles east of Table Rock. For the last six years he has been a resident of his present farm. He assisted in the organization of the first school district, and later was elected Mayor of Nemaha. During a long and useful ca- reer he has been honored and respected by all with whom he came in contact. Mr. Turman was born near Carlisle. Clinton Co., 111., April 23. 1819, but when achUd removed with his parents to a point near Miriam. Sullivan Co., I ml. Later they changed their residence -to Foun- tain County, where the death of his father took place, and where young Turman was engaged in teaching a period of twelve years. In the mean- time he officiated as a supply in the pulpit of the Northern Indiana Conference, the Monticello Dis- trict. Upon one occasion he was sent to the Miami Indians, but the chief would not allow him to preach. Upon leaving Indiana he sojourned for a brief time in Illinois, and for four years was a colporteur for the Methodist Episcopal Conference. Our subject was first married to Miss Sarah 11. Swin/.ler. who became the mother of onechild, and died at an early age. In 1860 he was a second time married, at Omaha, to Miss Catherine A. (Jus- tin. They became the parents of seven children, of whom the following are living: The eldest. Anna E., is the wife of George Smith, of Nemaha City, and the mother of two children; James M. married Miss Clara Turner, and is living in this county; Mary L. is the wife of Lone Fisher. Jacob Turman. the father of our subject, was a native of Ohio, and spent the most of his life occu- pied as a preacher. The paternal grandfather, Benjamin Turman, was born and reared in the Buckeye State, whence he removed to Sullivan County, Ind., at an early day. being the first white man to settle within its limits. He secured land twenty-five miles south of the present city of Terre Haute, on what was subsequently named Turman Prairie. The grandmother was in her girlhood Miss Spurlock. a relative of the forefathers of Burwell Spurlock, at present a resident of Plattsmouth. Jacob Turman departed this life in 1834, at the age of forty-eight years. Benjamin (Justin, the father of Mrs. Turman. was a native of Indiana, where he was reared to manhood, married, and became the *t <•- «*•- PAWNEE COUNTY. 585 *- father of three children. The mother died when Mrs. Turman was an infant. She was reared in the family of Benjamin I!. Barclow, now a resident of Omaha, and removed with him from Ohio to Omaha, where she lived until her marriage. She was born Sept. 19, 1838, and received her education in the common schools of the Buckeye statu. The journey to the West was made in 1856, the same Near that Mr. Tnrman came to Nebraska. JOSEPH L. EDWARDS. Pawnee City has been an objective point for a large number of intelligent and capable men, the profes- sions being amply represented, as well as the more practical pursuits of life. Mr. Edwards, as one of the leading attorneys of this county, is contributing his quota to its standing and reputa- tion, and at the same time making for himself a good record, also acquiring a competence. He was born in Sullivan County, Tenn., near the present town site of Bristol, June 10, 1830. This branch of the Edwards family is essentially Southern, the grandparents on both sides of the house having been natives of Virginia. His par- ents, Owen and Amanda (Longacre) Edwards, were born in Tennessee, where they became the parents of five sons and three daughters, only four of whom are living. The father was a farmer by oc- cupation and Joseph L. assisted in the labors of the homestead until a youth of fifteen years. The family then removed to Davis County, Iowa, with the exception of our subject, who completed his education in Tennessee. Then he joined his parents in Iowa and engaged in teaching, which profession he followed about five years. In June, 18G0, Mr. Edwards migrated to this county, at a time when Pawnee City was a hamlet of five or six houses. For several winters follow- ing he taught school and pursued the study of law during his leisure hours, which he had began while in Tennessee. He was finally employed in the office of the Count}' Clerk, but in 18C9 purchased the Pawnee Tribune, which had been established by P. R. Fisher, and was the first paper started at that place. Later its name was changed to that, of •++■ the Pawnee Republican.. Mr. Edwards conducted this successfully as editor and proprietor for some time, but later sold out, and was appointed Judge of the Probate Court to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of \V. F. Wright. At the ex- piration of the term he was regularly elected to the office, which he held five years. At the same time he carried on the business of a druggist and officiated as Postmaster, also as Deputy County Treasurer. Upon retiring from the Judge's bench he turned his attention more exclusively to the practice of law, which he has pursued to the pn sent time in connection with the duties of his official position. He gives due attention to col- lections and loans, and enjoys a good income from the several sources. Miss Sarah A. Ball, of Pawnee City, became the wife of our subject in October, 18G3. Mrs. Ed- wards was born in Muskingum Count}', Ohio, and is the daughter of Reason Ball. Of this union there have been born four children, all daughters. The eldest, Elma L., is the wife of Charles B. Wortham ; Florence Mabel and Alberta are de- ceased ; and May is at home. Mr. Edwards, during his earl}' manhood, affili- ated with the Republican party, but is liberal in his political views, and aims to support the men best qualified for office. Socially, he belongs to the I. O. O. F., Interior Lodge No. 9, and Pawnee Lodge No. 23. In religious matters he inclines to the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church. ->;., ffi OHN II. BRATTON. Dotted here and there throughout Pawnee Precinct are scores of homesteads which stand as silent monuments A®)// to the industry and patience of the pioneer settlers of Nebraska, some of whom have passed to their long home, and their property is now occupied by others. To those who are maintaining the repu- tation of their estate by the same plodding indus- try and good judgment are we no less indebted than to those who first established themselves on the virgin soil. Mr. Bratton is numbered among the most enter- prising men of Pawnee Precinct, to whose agricult- 4= 586 PAWNEE COUNTY. ural interests be is contributing in no small degree. He gives his attention largely to graded stock, and is able to exhibit some of the finest animals to be found in this part of the county. He was well fitted by his early life and surroundings for an act- ive and successful career, being a son of the Buck- eye State, born March 7, 1837, near Winchester, in Guernsey Count}-, where he lived until a youth of nineteen years. His parents were William and Martha (Henderson) Bralton.the father a native of Juniata County, Pa., the mother of Guernsey Count}', Ohio. The former settled there with his parents, remaining in his adopted State after his marriage until 185G. In the year above mentioned William Bratton determined to seek his fortunes in the farther West, and accordingly migrated across the Mississippi and settled with his family near the Wapsipinicon River, in Jones County, Iowa. Later they changed their residence to Adams County, that State, where, the parents looked their last upon the scenes of earth, the mother surviving her husband three years. Their family consisted of four sons and foiw daughters, all of whom lived to maturity, and of whom John was the eldest born. All of these are still living, and make their homes in Iowa and Nebraska. The common schools furnished to young Bratton the rudiments of a practical education, while his own native shrewdness and habits of observation contributed to make of him a man more than ordi- narily well informed. His first ambition was to secure ahome and a farm of his own, and he judged that with a companion and helpmate this task would not be impossible. He was accordingly married, Oct. 7, 1862, to Miss Lucy A. Gilbert, who was born in Chardon. Ohio, and moved with her father. Russell Gilbert, to Iowa before her marriage. Our subject and his wife after uniting their des- tinies located in the vicinity of Lowden, Iowa, along the Northwestern Railroad in Cedar County, and he engaged joint)} - in mercantile business and stock-raising, dealing largely in cattle and swine. Three years later he changed his residence to Wyo- ming, where he sojourned ten years similarly occu- pied. We next find him in Lenox, Taylor County, where he conducted a >tore eight years. In the fall of 1883 he determined to try the experiment of life upon Nebraska soil, and for two years there- after was a clerk in the employ of E. M. Lyons. Mr. Bratton notwithstanding his migrations had accumulated quite a little capital, and in March. 1888, took possession of his present farm of 240 acres on section 20, Pawnee Precinct. He still prosecutes the stock-raising industry, and deals largely in Jersey cattle, of which be has several very handsome animals on his farm. He has been very successful in this line, and has already gained an enviable reputation in connection therewith. He has very little to do with public affairs, but uniformly votes the Republican ticket, and in relig- ious matters is identified with the United Presby- terian Church. _^ <%»& v~ ffiAMES PEPPERL. Among the younger | business men of Burchard, Mr. Pepped is worthy of special mention. He is a practi- cal harness-maker, master of his trade, and is carrying on a good business in connection with this article of merchandise. He has a true con- ception of the manner in which his patrons should be treated, and for this reason they are steadily in- creasing in numbers, he in a like proportion receiv- ing benefit therefrom. The childhood home of our subject was a long way from his present abiding-place, he having been born on the other side of the Atlantic in the little town of Gossawoda, Austria, March 22. 1862. He was reared upon a farm and received a very good education in his native tongue, attending school from the age of six to twelve years. He then emigrated to America with his parents, em- barking at the port of Bremen early in May that year on the steamer " Rhine," which, twelve days later, landed them in New York City. Thence they made their way via Chicago, 111., to this county, locating in Plum Creek Precinct, where our subject started out for himself, working sum- mers, and attending school as he had opportunity in the winter. At the age of sixteen Mr. Pepperl began an ap- prenticeship at the harness trade, which he pursued Jf^ PAWNEE COUNTY. ,">!S7 4- iii Pawnee City until 1878, one year under the in- Struction of Mr. John Butler, and at this served an apprenticeship of three years in Pawnee City. Later he followed his trade in Table Rock until 1882. In the spring of that year Mr. Pepperl took up his residence in Burchard and established his present business, succeeding so well that in 1 883 he was enabled to put up the building which lie now occupies. He keeps a finely assorted stock of harness and other furnishings pertaining to this branch of trade, carrying a §1,500 stock of goods. This being the only enterprise of the kind in the place, he enjoys the monopoly, and is consequently making good headway financially. Mr. Pepperl, in the summer of 1885, invested a part of his spare capital in three building lots on Second street, where he put up a good residence, which, with its surroundings, forms a very tasteful and comfortable home. He was married January 19, that year, to Miss Moll}' Hammond, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Nebraska with her parents. They have two children: Don Carlos, born June 1886, and Reuah Frances, in March, 1887. Mr. P. votes with the Union Labor part}', which he frequently represents fn the various State and County Conventions, and in religious matters be- longs to the Catholic Church. Socially, he is a member of Burchard Lodge No. 95, 1. 0. O. P., having passed all the Chairs, and been made a dele- gate to the Grand Lodge. As a Mason he be- longs to Upright Lodge No. 137. also to Chapter No. 20, at Pawnee City, also to the K. T. at Te- cumseh, Neb. ;hA\ !> >s - MARGARKT SIIFWFY. The women of Pawnee County have played no unimpor- I 1 tan! part in its development from earl} pioneer days, proving themselves fully able to cope with the difficulties and hardships of settle- ment on the frontier far from the centers of civili- zation, and at the present time the\ are represented here in many walks of life, professional and other- wise, the subject of this sketch, who was one of the very first settlers mi the banks of Wolf Creek. being closely identified with the agricultural inter- ests of the count}-. Shu is very successful in the management of her beautiful farm .if 200 acres. 120 of which are on section 1. ami the remaining eighty acres on section •"> of Plum (reek Precinct. Nearly 100 acres of tlii> are natural forest, anil with the remainder, which has a very rich and pro- ductive soil, well watered by the waters of Wolf Creek, is neatly hedged ami fenced, and has a g I orchard and a line set of farm buildings, forms one of the most attractive ami lies! paying estates to lie seen for miles around. Mrs. Shewey delights in beautifying her homestead and the grounds around her fine residence on section 4, and consequently has one of the pleasantest homes in the precinct. She devotes her attention to raising grain and to general farming. Our subject was born near Covington, in Foun- tain Co., hid.. Aug. 2. 1839. Sheenjoyed the usual school privileges of the times, attending school in a log house, and remained an inmate of the parental Inline until her marriage. Her father. Henry Bea- ver, was born in Virginia, and his father, Mathias Beaver, was burn near Chillicothe, Ohio. Hewas a soldier in the Revolutionary War. lie was a farmer by occupation, and owned and operated a large farm, and was extensively engaged in stock-raising. His death occurred in Preble County. Ohio, when he was seventy years of age. His wife. Mary J., died in Indiana in 181.",. Mrs. Shewey's father was brought nil in Ohio, and there engaged in farming and stock-raising for several years, owning a large farm. He married Elizabeth Walker, a native of Preble County, Ohio. Her father was a patriotic soldier in the Revolution, and was wounded in one of the engagements, ami being left on the battle- field, froze to death. Ili> wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Rhodes, was born in Ohio, and died in Indiana, al the age of eighty years. In L835 Mr. Beaver sold his property in Ohio and moved to the wilds of Indiana, and locating in Fountain Count}-, was oneof the first three white settlers who ever made their home there, the rest of the inhabi- tants then being Indians. He entered 300 acres of forest covered land. cleared it. improved it in good shape, and acquired wealth by fanning ami stock- raising. He died on his homestead in October, I87."i. aged sixty-seven years, his wife having pre- *r 588 PAWNEE COUNTY. ceded him in death in 1868, at the age of sixty- two years. He was a stanch Republican in his po- litical sentiments, and, with his good wife, was a devout Methodist in religion. They had ten chil- dren, namely: Christian, John, Joseph and Cather- ine, (all of whom are dead), Margaret, Michael. Alex. Nancy, Mary and James (the latter two being dead). Alex served gallantly throughout the entire Rebellion. He enlisted in the spring of 1861, became Lieutenant in an Indiana cavalry regiment, serving the entire time under the brave Phil Sheridan. Mrs. Shewey was married in her native State, near Covington, Nov. 15, 1849, to Joseph Shewey. He was a native of Preble County, Ohio, and a son of a well-to-do Indiana farmer. After marriage they improved a farm in Indiana, comprising eighty acres, and lived thereon until 1853, when they sold out, and going to Bloomington, 111., entered land, remaining there one 3-ear. At the expiration of that time they sold again, and in 18.34 located in Henry County, the same .State, buying 200 acre- of land in Geneseo. and became early settlers of that place, improved the land, and engaged in stock- raising until the fall of 1867, when they came to Nebraska on account of Mr. Shewey's health. They Located in Plum Creek Preciuct. buying 600 acres of Government land. The country round about was inhabited mostly by Indians at that time, there being only a few white people here, and our sub- ject and her husband were the first settlers on Wolf (reek. They began immediately to improve the land and prepare it fur culture, and they built the first house in the precinct. The lumber had to be drawn from St. Joseph, Mo., and amid the trials and tribulations of frontier life they finally estab- lished their residence here, and improved the whole farm, winch is an extensive one and under the best of tillage, and supplied with everything in the shape of buildings and machinery necessary for its successful management. The following is recorded of the eight children born to our subject and her husband: Sylvester is farming in Iowa; Marion is a photographer in Liberty; Wallace is a farmer in Morton County, Kan.; Nathan is farming in Kansas; Franklin at home; Louisa married W. S. Isaac, a farmer in Pawnee County; Serinda married W. Smith, a far- mer and stock-raiser in Pawnee County; Emma married R. Weirs, a farmer in Hall County. Neb. Mrs. Shewey is considered by her fellow agricult- urists an energetic, intelligent, practical farmer, who has been an important factor in promoting the advancement of agriculture in this locality. She is a woman of extraordinar}- force of character, and is capable of doing anything to which she turns her attention. She possesses excellent judgment, much tact ami sound sense. Religiously, she holds to the Baptist faith and is identified with the church of that denomination in Burcbard, having been a char- ter member of the society. She is interested in politics and favors the Republican party. ON. WILLIAM BROWN RAPER, ex- County Clerk of Pawnee Count}', was born near the town of Linton, in Greene County, Ind., Oct. 29, 1832. He traces his ancestry to the Old Dominion, of which his paternal grand- father was a native, and born in 1777. He married Miss Elizabeth Bray, of North Carolina, and among their sons was Andrew, the father of our subject, who was born in Hardin County, Ky., Jan. 26, 1808. Andrew Raper upon reaching man's estate mar- ried Miss Eliza I. Christy, of North Carolina. This lady was the daughter of Joseph and Ann Christy, who were earl}' settlers of Indiana and of Irish ex- traction. After the death of her husband Mrs. Christy made the journey to Pawnee City, and spent her last years with her youngest daughter, passing away in 1885. The parental family included sixteen children, five sons and eleven daughters, nine of whom survive. The mother of our subject was the grandmother of eighty-seven grandchil- dren, and was born in December, 1809. Andrew Raper is still living, and a resident of Pawnee City, Neb. He served as a soldier in the Union Army during the late war, being a member of Company I, 83d Indiana Infantry, doing dut}' three years, and meeting the enemy in many of the important battles of the war. He was shot through the thigh at Chickamauga, and likewise had a part of his gun V ^Ih«*« PAWNKK COUNTY. 589 shot away. He was one of those who marched un- der Gen. Sherman to the sea. The record of his hardships and privations is the common story of those who fought for the preservation of the Union. Mr. Raper, our subject, spent his early years in the rural districts, assisting in the tilling of the soil, in sowing and reaping, and received only a limited education. He lived with his parents until nearing the twenty-second year of his age, then going to Brown County, III., worked on a farm at *lo per month one year. Thence he migrated to Indiana, where he was employed as a clerk, and from there came to Nebraska. We find him established in Pawnee City in 18o!». preparing to engage in mer- cantile business in company with David Butler, they having the third store started in the place. The} - operated together until 1875, with the excep- tion of the three years which our subject spent in the army. In 1862 he enlisted in the 2d Nebraska Cavalry, with which he spent one year, then joined the Veteran Volunteer Cavalry, serving two years on the plains chasing Indians, and also being chased by them. From this service he was honorably dis- charged July 1. 1866. Upon leaving the army he at once returned to Pawnee City, and continued mercantile business with Mr. Butler, as before stated. They suspended business in 1874, paving all debts and the accumulated interest. We next find Mr. Raper as clerk in the dry- goods store of J. R. Ervm, a position which he held until 1881, being elected that year Clerk of Pawnee County, and assuming the duties of his office in Jan- uary, 1882. The year following he was re-elected, and served in all a period of four years. In the year 1*77 he was created a member of the State Legislature, to fill a vacancy caused by the resig- nation of W. F. Wright. When retired from the Clerk's office he was succeeded by his son, John B., who was re-elected in 1*87, and still holds the office. Upon retiring from the Clerk's office Mr. Raper once more engaged in mercantile business, estab- lishing himself at Burehard. where he continued until the spring of 1888. He then sold Out and re- tired from active business. He was first married over thirty years ago, in September, 1856, to Miss Mary J. Butler, a cousin of Gov. Butler, of Ne- braska, and a native of Linton, Ind. Mrs. Mary J. Raper died in February, 1864, leaving two chil- dren, a son and daughter: John B., already spoken of, and Fanny, the wife of D. D. Davis, an attor- ney-at-Ian r in Pawnee City. The present wife of our subject, to whom he was married Jan. 17, 1867, was formerly Miss Elizabeth J., daughter of Amos and .Martha (Weill) Coffey, of Bloomington, Ind. The five children of this union comprised one son and four daughters. The son, William C, and the eldest daughter, Luanna. died in infancy. The survivors are Grace, Myrtle and Lilly, who remain at home with their parents. Mr. Raper, politically, is a decided Republican, and as he has opportunity labors for the success of his party. Socially, he belongs to Pawnee Lodge No. 23, Interior Lodge No. 9, I. O. O. F., and is a Knight of Pythias. He is the owner of two good farms in Kansas and a tract of wild land in the same State. ()N. MAXWELL K. WALKER, a leading merchant of .Mission Creek and also an ex- tensive stock buyer and feeder. i< the scion (.(^1 of an excellent family, being the son of William Walker, who was born in Huntingdon County. Pa., and married Miss -Maria Kinkead. a na- tiveof Blair ( 'ounty, that State. The paternal grand- father, John Walker, was born in County Antrim. Ireland, ami emigrated to America prior to the Rev- olutionary War. locating in Huntingdon < ounty. Before coming to America he had served as a sol- dier in the British Army, and engaged in many im- portant battles, among them the siege of London- derry. In Pennsylvania he occupied himself as an hotel-keeper at Alexandria. He Was a great ad- mirer of the principles of Masonry, and one of the first men t 'ganize a lodge Of this fraternity in the Keystone state, becoming one of its Leading men. He spent the remainder of his life in Hunt- ingdon County, dying in 1816, at the age ol eight) years. On the mother's side of the house Grandfather Maxwell Kinkead. also a native of Ireland, was a descendant of the famous Maxwell family, of 4 590 PAWNEE COUNTY. 4- f County Down, and upon coming to America like- wise located in Huntingdon County, settling at Yellow Springs. He * I i * I good service in the Con- tinental Army, receiving an officer's commission. He was a man of high character, more than ordi- narily intelligent, and occupied many positions of trust and responsibility, finally being chosen to represent his district in the State Legislature. He departed this life in L 842, at the age of seventy- six years. His wife was Miss Deborah Cadwallader. a lady of Welsh descent and of an excellent old Quaker family. Her brothers served in the Revo- lutionary War. one of them as a General. William Walker was born in L 804, and on ap- proaching manhood occupied himself largely as a hunter until his marriage. He then engaged in mercantile business at Petersburg and other places in Pennsylvania. He finally removed from Hunt- ingdon to Blair County, thence to Davenport, Iowa, in 1851, purchasing land, in the vicinity of which that city was afterward built up. He became the owner of 360 acres, which under his careful man- agement became quite valuable. Finally, selling- out, he removed to Kellogg, and made his home with a daughter there until his death, which took place in 1885. when he was eighty-one years old. The mother survived her husband one 3 r ear, dying in 1886, at the age of eighty. Mr. Walker had been an Elder in the Presbyterian Church for many years, and Superintendent of the Sunday- school. He was indeed one of the pillars, ever yielding to it a cheerful and liberal support. To the parents of our subject there were born eight children, namely: Eliza, who died when about thirty-five years old; Maxwell K., our sub- ject; Catherine; Deborah; David, who died in in- fancy; Charles, a resident of Decatur County, Kan.; Sally and Howard, both deceased. The subject of this sketch was born in Blair's Gap, Blair Co., Pa., on the 1th of December. 1841. and re- ceived a common-school education. He was a lad ten years of age when his parents removed to Ohio, and recalls the fact that they made the trip mostly by water. He was reared amid the quiet scenes of country life, and was taught at an early age to make himself useful around the homestead. When a youth of twenty years he attended school one terfn at Vermillion, Ohio, then, returning to Iowa, remained there a time, then repaired to Fulton, 111., and entered the Western Union College, where he pursued his studies also one year. At the ex- piration of this time, the Civil War being in prog- ress, he enlisted in the service, in Company I), of the 20th Iowa Infantry, and was under the command of Gen. Schotield, going all through the Missouri campaign. He met the enemy at Prai- rie Grove, and was in various other skirmishes until the troops concentrated at Vicksburg, and lie engaged with his comrades in the siege of the city. In July they proceeded to Yazoo, and were there- after al Jackson, wintering in Texas. Mr. Walker entered the service as a private, and was mustered out an Orderly Sergeant. He was proffered a Lieu- tenant's commission, but declined. He received his honorable discharge at the close, and was mustered out of service at Clinton, Iowa, in duly, 1865, nearly three years from the time of his enlistment. Upon retiring from the army Mr. Walker re- sumed farming in Iowa for three years. Then, desirous of becoming further advanced in his studies, he returned to Vermillion Institute, tak- ing the classical course of two years. Afterward he taught school near Clarksville, Ark., one year. Later we find him at Pittsburgh in the employ of the Pullman Palace Car Company as a conductor, which post he held for a period of three years. He then engaged in the groceiy trade at Davenport one year, when he was caught by the panic of 1874, and withdrew. Mr. Walker was married in Ashland. Ohio. .Ian. 8, 1874, to Miss Elizabeth J. Sloan. This lady was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., and received a good education, being graduated from Vermillion Institute, afterward occuping herself as a teacher in Ashland County, Ohio, for a number of years. Mr. Walker in the spring of 1874 came to this State. Locating at Heat rice, where he lived for a time, and thence came to Mission Creek. He pur- chased his stock of general merchandise, in which he rapidly built up a good trade, and that same year was appointed Postmaster, which office he held until December, 1882. In 1882 he purchased 160 acres of land on section 27, an uncultivated tract, from which he has built up a good farm, ef- T *^T^ PAWNEE COUNTY. *. 591 4 fecting modern improvements, and from which he now realizes a good income. The farm is especially well watered by a never-failing spring, and is largely devoted to live stock, including cattle and swine. His thoroughbred Short-horns arc the ad- miration Of the country around, and among his horses may be found some of the finest animals in this region. In his store Mr. W. carries a $1.0(10 stock of goods, comprising everything in his line suitable for the village or country household. After filling many other positions of trust and responsibility, Mr. Walker in 1882 was elected to represent his county in the Legislature by a large majority on the Republican ticket, and was one of the original eight who selected Gen. Mandersonfor the United States Senate. Socially, he belongs to the A. (). U. W. at Davenport, is a charter mem- ber of the G. A. R. at Pawnee City, and in re- ligious matters is identified with the Presbyterian Church at Liberty. In politics, it is hardly neces- sary to state he is a stanch supporter of Repub- lican principles. ft OHN W. SHAW. In reviewing the pioneer history of Pawnee County there are the names of so many so inseparably connected B§s/J with its earl}' development that no record could be entirely complete without notice of their lives and labors. In this class may be most prop- erly mentioned the gentleman herein brought to notice, who was one of the first men to cast his lot with the adventurous spirits who pitched their tents in Table Rock Precinct. The story of the struggles and hardships of those early times can never be full}- delineated, because the pioneer had other things to occupy himself with than to carry around with him his pencil and memorandum book, and thus many incidents have necessarily passed from his recollection. We are now mostly dependent upon the memory of those to whom the early scenes of life on the frontier seem, at this late day, more like a dream than a reality. Mr. Shaw came to this region in March, 1867, and took up a homestead claim of 160 acres, occu- pying the northwest quarter of section 9. There had been no attempt at cultivation, and his neigh- bors were few and far between, there being but three houses in sight. Mr. Shaw first put up a small frame building of Cottonwood boards, sixteen feet square, as a shelter for his family, and as soon as possible began plowing, and succeeded in preparing that first year twenty acres for cultivation and sow- ing it with grain. There was neither a tree nor shrub upon the place, and his next business was to set out something which should afford a shelter and also he a means of providing his family with some of the luxuries of life. He thus planted four acres of forest trees, a good apple orchard and the trees of the smaller fruits, together with considerable hedge fencing. As rapidly as possible Mr. Shaw proceeded with the cultivation of his land, and in due time found it the source of a comfortable income. Later he turned his attention to stock-raising, and now has a fine herd of high-grade Short horn cattle, also horses and swine. In due time the first rude dwell- ing gave place to the large, comfortable residence which now graces the farm, this being completed in 1883. It is tasteful in architecture, well finished and furnished, and has a solid stone foundation, forming a fine cellar. The dwelling with its surroundings forms one of the most attractive homes in this sec- tion of the county. The first school district was organized after the arrival of Mr. Shaw in Table Rock Precinct, and in due time he was made a member of the School Board, and has assisted in the erection of two houses on the same ground. The school of his district is now considered one of the best regulated in the precinct. He has held various other local offices, serving as Assessor two terms, and as Justice of the Peace two years. The fact that he is highly spoken of by his neighbors and fellow-citizens is sufficient indication of his standing in his community. In religious matters he belongs to the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and socially, he is a member of the G. A R. Allegany County, N. Y., was the native place of our subject, his birth occurring Oct. 12. 1837. Six months later his parents removed to Jo Daviess County, 111., settling among its earliest pioneers, and there John W. pursued his first studies in the =£#-«• ~k* ' } 592 PAWNEE COUNTY. 4* 4= district school, later becoming a pupil in Mt. Mor- ris Academy. He was twenty-four years of age at the outbreak of the Civil War, and on the 24th of May. 1861, enlisted in Company E, 15th Illinois Infantry, journeying soon afterward with his regi- ment to the South. He first saw the smoke of bat- tle at Pittsburg Landing, where he was wounded in the knee, and after being confined in the hospital was obliged to accept his honorable discharge in October, 1862, and returned home. When fully recovered he resumed farming in Illinois, and on tiie 10th of January, 1867, was married to Miss Maria L. Eckert, of Nora, Jo Daviess Co., III. They soon afterward sought their new home in Nebraska. To our subject and his wife there have been born two children, Alice B. and Henry J., who have been given a good education and are still at home. The wife of our subject is a native of Tompkins Count}', N. Y., and was born Sept. 16, 1844. She left her native State with her parents when about ten years old, they removing to Jo Daviess Comity. 111., where she sojourned with them until her mar- riage. Her father, Levi Eckert, was also a native of the Empire State and a mason by trade. Her mother's maiden name was Rebecca Snyder; her father is deceased. Her mother is still living, now a resident of Michigan. Eneas Shaw, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Massachusetts, from whence he removed early in life to New York State, settling in Allegany County. He married Miss Sila Phipin, and to them were born thirteen children, twelve of whom lived to mature years. Upon the removal of the family to Jo Daviess Count}'. 111., the father took up a tract of land from which he improved a good farm, which he remained upon the balance of his life. His death occurred about 1850, and that of his excellent wife in 1865, both dying at the old homestead. They were people who made very lit- tle stir in the world, but were careful and consci- entious in the performance of their duties as parents and neighbors, and were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. John W. Shaw cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln, since which time he has been a strong sup- porter of the Republican party. He has signalized liimself as a liberal and public-spirited citizen, la- boring as he has had opportunity for the growth and progress of his adopted county. In building up one of the most valuable homesteads he has added thus much to the importance of its real-estate interests, and its desirability as a place of residence. OHN CARVER. Conspicuous among the men who have materially aided the growth of Miles Precinct is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this biographical notice: He is one of the leading farmers of the precinct, and no one has more largely advanced its agricultural interests than he. He owns a large and well-appointed stock farm, comprising 320 acres of the best land to be found in the neighbor- hood, finely located on sections 1 1 and 2. Mr. Carver was born in County Limerick. Ireland, in October, 1826. His father, William Carver, was born in the same county. Thomas Carver, grand- father of our subject, was a native of County Cork, Ireland, grew to manhood in the city of Cork, and then moved to County Limerick. He there pur- chased a large farm, and besides cultivating the soil became engaged in the dairy business, and ac- cumulated a comfortable competence. His death occurred when he had attained his seventy-first year. The father of our subject was reared on his father's farm. He was married in Count}' Cork, to Miss Nora Casey, a native of that county. Her father, Frank Casey, was a large land-owner, and had several farms in County Cork, managing them all himself, besides keeping a public inn at Glen- worth. His death occurred in 1822. Mr. Carver was a coach agent for several years from the time he was eighteen years old. driving a four-horse mail coach. He lost money by the sadden death of the man he worked for, who owed him a large sum of money besides his salary. Mr. Carver then devoted himself exclusively to the management of his farms, of which he had three, and which he had carried on while engaged in business. He was in comfortable circumstances at the time of his death in 1850, at the age of sixty-five. The mother of our subject died in Norwich, Conn., in — — <•» r! -*•- PAWNKK COUNTY. 593 fr **= 1872, at the age of sixty -eigbt years. She was a <1 Christian woman and a devoted member of the Catholic Church. To ber and her husband eleven children were born, as follows: Hannah, who lives in Norwich, Conn.; John; Frank, a resident of Providence, R. I. ; Annie, Mary, Nora and Ellen, all of whom are deceased ; Bridget, who lives in Rhode Island ; Eliza, who resides in Burchard, Neb. ; Michael, deceased, and Thomas, who lives in Massa- chusetts. Michael and Thomas served in the late war as members of the 1st Connecticut, the former enlisting in 1861, and the hitter in 1862, their regi- ment being attached to the Army of the Potomac. Michael was shot dead near Stafford's Court House, Jan. 3, 1863. Thomas was in the service until the close of the war. He was taken prisoner at Snicker Gap, Ya.. sent to Belle Isle for four months, and then had a four months' experience of the horrors of Andersonville. After that he was exchanged, and he then fought under Phil Sheridan in the Shenan- doah Valley. .John Carver was reared on his father's farm in Limerick, and obtained a good common-school education. He remained at home until his father's death, when he made arrangements to migrate with his mother and the other members of the family to the United States. They went from Cork to Liver- pool, where they embarked on the American-bound vessel "Constantine" in the spring of 1851, and after a voyage of five weeks and three days landed in New York City. Our subject proceeded to Shaftsbury, Vt., where he was employed for a year in the public works. He then went to Connecticut, and was engaged in the Baltic public works for the space of three years, and subsequently did mason work for a year. In 1856 he moved to Greenville, Conn., taking the family with him. He engaged in the iron works, spring and axle making, in that place until the spring of 1869. He then came to this State by rail, and located in Dawson, in Richardson County. He bought eighty acres of land in that place, improved it well, and continued farming there until 1874. In that year he took up his resi- dence in Pawnee County, buying 160 acres of land on section 2, in Miles Precinct. He made many valuable improvements, and conducted agriculture there until 1880. He then bought his present place, comprising 160 acres on section 11 of Miles Precinct. The land was at the time wild prairie, and our subject has labored hard to bring about the many improvements that make it one of the most valuable farms in the neighborhood. It has an ample supply of springs and wells, and is well fenced in hedge and wire. There is a fine orchard on the place of 160 choice fruit trees, and sixty acres of natural timber along the banks of Ball's Branch. The land Is naturally adapted to stock-raising, and our subject besides breeding cattle, buys and feeds them. His herd comprises 130 head of fine grades, and he has twelve 'head of blooded Clydesand Nor- mans, using three teams in working his farm, and he has a number of fine graded Poland-China hogs. Mr. Carver is also much interested in raising corn. He has an ample supply of substantial farm build- ings, and everything about the place is in good order. The marriage of our subject with Miss Mary Casey took place June 6, 1866. She was born in Limerick, Ireland. Their marriage has been blessed to them by the birth of seven children, five of whom are living, namely: Patrick, Annie, Teressa, Hannah and Michael. Patrick is farming 160 acres of land in Plum Creek Precinct. Annie married Michael Murphey, a farmer of Dawson, this State. The remaining children are at home. The whole family are esteemed members of the Catholic Church, and were active in building the church. Our subject gave more than anyone else toward its erection, and when the structure fell down he was very active in soliciting subscriptions to repair it, and as Trustee of the church he is always laboring for its best interests. Mr. Carver is as patriotic and loyal a citizen of these United States as if he were native-born, ami he takes great delight in watching the progress of the country. In him the Republican party has one of its most intelligent and independent supporters, as he votes only for those men whom he thinks thoroughly fitted for office, and on such grounds he voted for Gen. Harrison for President. He is in- fluential in party councils and has been a delegate to County Conventions. Mr. Carver's sensible ad- vice and clear common sense have often been used to advantage in the administration of public r •► wT<^ , k 594 PAWNEE COUNTY. affairs, and lie has of ten been called to fill respon- sible offices. While a resident of Richardson County he served two terms as Justice of the Peace, and since coming to Miles Precinct he has been As- sessor of the precinct for two terms, a member of the School Board, and has been Supervisor four terms. ~t \f ACOB T. BROWN. Among the solid repre- sentatives of the agricultural interests of Clay Precinct, no man stands higher than ' the subject of this sketch. His has been a career more than ordinarily successful, during which he has learned many valuable lessons, keep- ing his eyes open to what was going on around him in the world, lie claims Ohio as his native State, having been born there, in Perry County, Jan. 20, L 844. The parents of our subject were Joseph and Ann (Kelley) Brown. The paternal grandfather, Will- iam Brown, was a native of Delaware, where li<' was reared to man's estate, and married a lady a native of the same State. Later, after the decease of his wife, which occurred in her native State, he re- moved to Ohio. Grandfather Brown spent his last years in Muskingum County, Ohio, dying when about eighty-four years old. The parents of our subject after their removal from Delaware were residents of Perry County. Ohio, the remainder of their lives, Joseph Brown, during the War of 1812, served as a drummer boy. The parental family included fourteen children, namely: William, James, Washington, Joseph; Jane, Mrs. William Dilts; Mary, who married Caleb Hitchcock, and is now deceased; Isaac; Noah; Sarah, Mrs. William Blizzard, who with her hus- band died in middle life, leaving a family of eleven children; Andrew; Thomas, who died in youth: Elizabeth died in infancy ; Jacob, our subject, who was the youngest, and an unnamed infant. Mr. Brown left Ohio in the spring of 1885, eom- ii i 14: to this county with his family. He had been married in Muskingum County, the Buckeye State, April 9, 1867, to Miss Mattie J., daughter of Will- iam and Amanda (Vickroy) Brown, who were na- tives of Maryland. This union resulted in the 4> birth of seven children, namely: Thomas <)., Charles A., Eddie L., Herbert Karl, Foster, Bev- erly C. and ( ieorge W., the latter of whom died when one year old. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are mem- bers in good standing of the United Brethren Church. They formerly belonged to the Method- ist Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Brown became a member at the age of eleven years. In this our subject was at one time a pillar, officiating as Stew- ard, and filling positions of trust and responsibility. He is now a Steward and Class- Leader of the church to which he at present belongs. In politi- cal matters he is a lifelong Republican, and a man who keeps himself well posted upon matters of general interest. The Brown homestead embraces 330 acres of im- proved land, lying on sections 10 and 15. With the exception of ten acres of timber on Turkey Creek, it is all enclosed with good fencing, and em- bellished with a substantial set of frame buildings. It is largely devoted to stock-raising, and Mr. Brown also has attainted quite a reputation as a buyer and shipper, sending away usually a car- load of cattle each year, and sometimes two. He contemplates enlarging his capacities for this in- dustry in the near future. For a period of seventeen years prior to his set- tlement in Nebraska Mr. Brown dealt largely in stoneware, purchasing of manufacturers and selling to retail dealers throughout Ohio, Indiana, Michi- gan, Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri. The knowl- edge which he thus obtained of general business has been invaluable to him in all his later trans- actions. He was regarded as one of the best sales- men in the regions over which he traveled, and being always courteous and prompt to meet his obligations found abundance of friends wherever he went. He finds, however, more pleasure in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture than in the bustling channels of trade. After the outbreak of the Civil War Mr. Brown enlisted in Company H, 90th Ohio Infantry, under command of Col. N. F. Hitchcock, now of Sterling, Johnson County, this State. During his service under the old hero he entertained for him a warm admiration, being with him the entire term of his army experience. Col. Hitchcock was a valiant offl- :£2f-* PAWNEE COUNTY. 595 cer, Mini one who possessed in a marked degree the esteem and admiration of his subordinates. Of our subject he made a friend and companion, mik! Mr. Brown looks upon that epoch in his life, notwith- standing its privations and hardships, as one of his pleasantesl recollections. He was one of the com- paratively small number whose consciousness of the faithful performance of duty was a satisfactory reward, and lie may be classed among heroes whose history will never be fully recorded. The 90th Ohio was equipped and ready for service in the spring of 1802. It took part in many of the most important engagements of the war, and Mr. Brown was a participant in many a scene of deadly conflict, having been in every bat- tle in which his regiment participated. They were at Richmond, Ky., and from Louisville took part in the march undertaken to drive the rebel Gen. Bragg from the State. They participated in the bloody battle at Perrysville, and shortly after in the fight at Stone River. After this they followed Bragg all the way to Chattanooga. They also took part in the great Atlanta campaign until the fall of that city, and then they were ordered back to Nashville, where they had an engagement with Rood, whom they defeated, and pursued into Georgia. Then Hood decamped for the Carolinas. Col. Hitchcock gathered together what was left of his gallant command, and inarched to the French Broad River, where they were in camp until after Lee's surrender. The command was finally mus- tered out in June, 1865. In all of the arduous marches and bloody battles in which this gallant legiment was engaged Mr. Brown did his duty as a patriotic soldier should, ami retired from the service with a record of which he and his descendants may justly be proud. *t yJLLIAM A. GRIFFING, contractor and builder in stone and brick work, and also ^^ the owner of a good farm of 120 acres in Sheridan Precinct, takes a leading position among the intelligent, enterprising and prosperous busi- ness men of Pawnee County. He is pleasantly lo- cated in the village of Table Hock, in a neat and 4« convenient brick house of his own construction. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Wayne County, Aug. 6, 1852. His father, the Hon. George L. Gritting, was born Nov. 27, 1824, in Luzerne County, Pa., and there spent his early years. He received a substantial education in the common schools, and was subsequently fitted for the ministry. He was a licentiate of the Wyoming Conference, and preached for a number of years in the Meth- odist Episcopal denomination. His health becoming impaired, he was obliged to relinguish his pro- fessional duties, and seek a milder climate. Ac- cordingly in 1857 he came with his family to Nebraska, arriving June 10, and spent the night with Mr. Ferguson, the first man who came into Pawnee County. Mr. Gritting bought a pre-emp- tion right, half a mile south of the old village of Table Rock, on which stood a log cabin, into which he moved with his family. There were timber, stone and water on the land, the three things first looked for by new settlers, and only a few furrows had been turned. The nearest market was Brownville, the nearest mill on the opposite side of the Missouri River, and the nearest post- office Table Rock, that having been the first estab- lished in the county. On arriving here Mr. Gritting laid in a large stock of provisions, and, as game was abundant, was not obliged to go to the river the first year. The following spring he sowed a crop of wheat, the first ever sown in the county, doing the work with oxen. No schools had been established at that, time, and he assisted in building the first school- house, which was of stone, and stood on the spot now occupied by the livery stable of Taylor & Beck, on Luzerne avenue. It was built under the supervision of Peter Foale, a mason, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. Mr. G rifling soon after added a log house to the one already on his laud. When the Homestead Law was passed Mr. Grif- finor was one of the first men in the count3 - to take advantage of it. He and his mother-in-law took up a half-section of land in Clear Creek Precinct. on sections 10 and 23, moving there soon after. Mr. Grilling at once commenced the improvement of his homestead, putting out an orchard ami :?►*-«• •*-\i^*- =L 4 596 PAWNEE COUNTY. groves of timber, which grew rapidly, and now yield an abundance of timber and plenty of wal- nuts, black walnuts and acorns. He made all of the improvements usually made by an energetic and enterprising farmer, having erected a com- modious house, good out-buildings and a fine barn, as good as any now standing in the county. He carried on general farming on an extensive scale, having at the time of his death one of the finest herds of Durhams in the count}-, breeding and raising them himself, with special reference to the needs of a good dairy. He was one of the most influential and prominent of the early pioneers of Pawnee County, and a man whom his fellow-citi- zens delighted to honor. He was elected to all the local offices of the precinct, and, serving with ac- ceptance to all, was afterward sent to represent his district in the State Legislature, where he displayed excellent judgment and much wisdom in council. In 1875 he was appointed delegate to the Con- stitutional Convention at Lincoln. His untiring energy, intellectual ability and shrewd sense were of inestimable value to himself in developing and managing his property, as well as of material as- sistance in aiding the growth of the town, as is shown by the fact that the $800 which was his sole capital on coming here was added to and in- creased, so that at the time of his death, Aug. 17, 1886, he left a comfortable competence to his fam- ily. It is needless to say that he was held in the highest respect and esteem by all, and his name will be reverenced and honored for generations to come. Mr. George L. Grilling was twice married. His first wife, mother of our subject, was Miss Axie Andrews, daughter of Adnal Andrews. She was also a native of Luzerne Count}', Pa. She was a woman of true Christian character, and died in October, 1857, soon after coming here. To her and her husband were born five children, namely : Maria E., now Mrs. Linn, of Table Rock ; Mary II., now Mrs. Mitchell, of Clear Creek Pre- cinct; William A., and Olin W., of whom see sketch on another page of this volume; one died young. The maiden name of Mr. Grifflng's second wife was Harriet Smith, and she was a native of London, and of that union there were also five children. Mrs. Griffing did not live many years after her marriage, dying in 1878. The subject of our sketch when five years of age came with his parents to Nebraska, and has since been a resident of Pawnee County. He re- ceived his education in Table Rock, attending the first school, which was a private one taught by his aunt, Lydia Grilling, in a log house three-fourths of a mile southwest of Table Rock. At the age of seventeen, desiring to put himself on an independ- ent footing with the world, our subject went to work on his own account, and four years later learned the plasterer's trade. He engaged in that work in this vicinity, and has since added the busi- ness of contractor in brick and stone. He has labored successfully, accumulating quite a sum of mone}', a part of which he has invested in real estate, his first purchase having been eighty acres of land in Clear Creek Precinct. His first im- provement was the erection of a stone house, and soon after its completion he married, and settled there with his bride, carrying on the farm and also working at his trade. Mr. Griffing has supervised the construction of many of the large stone and brick buildings of Nebraska, having taken the con- tract for much of the building done the first year of the boom in Hastings, and in the ensuing year having put up many buildings in Kearney Junction, on the Union Pacific Railway. He afterward did a good deal of contract work in Saline County, having DeWitt as headquarters, and subsequently erected several brick buildings in Pawnee County, among others, building in the season of 1886-87, a commodious brick residence for himself in Table Rock Village, which he and his family are now oc- cupying. Oursubject ismuch interested in the breed- ing of horses, and is an excellent judge and admirer of a fine horse. He owns a magnificent, imported Clydesdale stallion, one of the best in the county, registered No. 5,803, and besides that has other registered Clydesdales. He has also some beauti- ful llambletonian stock, and has a one-half interest in the best pony in the State, which is forty-three inches high and weighs 635 pounds. Mr. Griffing intends to make horse breeding a specialty, ami will devote himself to that business exclusively. Our subject was married, Dec. 10, 1875, to Miss -*•- PAWNER COUNTY. 597 Alva A. Baker, who was born in Woodford County, III., Dec. 10,1858. She is a (laughter of George W. Baker, who is a native of Ohio, and during his boyhood a near neighbor and playmate of U. S. Grant. Quite a thrilling, episode in the lives of the two boys occurred one day while they were playing near the mill pond of old Mr. Grant. They used to attempt to walk on the water by the use of distended bladders attached to their feet, and at one time Ulysses S., getting beyond his depth, lost his balance, and, his feet going up and his head down, he floated toward the mill race. Fortunately Mr. Baker was near, and, going to his assistance, rescued him from drowning, thus pre- serving for the time of his country's need one who became one of the most famed and honored of all the nation's citizens. Mr. Baker was a farmer and carpenter by occupation, and after remaining in his native State some years moved to Illinois, thence to Nebraska, and is now living fifty miles north of Beatrice. The union of our subject and his wife has been blessed to them by the birth of three in- teresting children: Lillian A., born May 25, 1878; Mary, Jan. 30. 1880; and Frank Raymond, born in 1883. .Air. Grilling occupies an important position among the intelligent, enterprising business men of Pawnee County, and both he and his estimable wife are people of high consideration in this com- munity, and are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject belongs to the I. I >. ( ). F., and in politics affiliates with the Repub- lican party. SjOSIAH NESBITT. In the subject of this record we have one of the rising men of ^^^ | Mission Creek Precinct, who is compara- vfMr 1 ,ivi ''. v yOU n g i" years, and is hound to make his mark in the community, lie owns a finely cultivated farm of 160 acres on section 19, with good improvements, and is each yearaddings ■- thing to the value and beauty of his property. As a, man and a citizen lie is one whom it is good to meet, being a gentleman to the manner horn, courteous ami agreeable, and one who impresses the stranger at once with his Innate goodness of heart, and his unimpeachable moral worth. It is such men as he to whom thecommunity is indebted for its thrift, intelligence and education, and a lew years hence his friends predict he will he. if he is not already, one of the leading men of his precinct, respected not only for his public spirit and lib- erality, but as one who. by his enterprise and industry, has contributed in all respects to the growth ami prosperity of this part of the county. .Mr. Nesbitt is essentially a Western man, having been born in Hanover, Jo I>aviess Co.. in.. Aug. 17, 1855. lie was reared at the country home of his parents, becoming familiar with agricultural pursuits, and acquiring his first book knowledge in the district school. Later be entered the German- English College, at Galena, 111., of which he was a student one year, ami from there repaired to War- ren County, entering .Monmouth College and tak- ing the select course. In the spring of 1*7* he came to this county, rented a farm one year, and in the meantime purchased 1(1(1 acres of land which constitutes his present homestead. Its present con- dition indicates the industry and persistence with which he has labored. He commenced at first principles, there being upon it no improvements whatever. He put up a residence, into which he removed in the spring of 1*7'.). has planted a large a mount of hedge, together with fruit and forest trees, and is now giving his attention largely to the raising of cattle and swine. ( )f these he keeps only good grades, and his farm is admirably adapted to this industry, being supplied with running water, and furnishing tine pasturage. After laying the foundation for his future home. Mr. Nesbitt returned to Hanover. III., and was married, .Ian. 28, 1879, to MissOrpha R., daughter of George and Margaret (Funston) Robinson. Tin' parents of Mrs. Nesbitl were both natn es of ( lounty Donegal, Ireland. Her paternal grandfather, David Robinson, also a native of Ireland, spent his entire life upon his native soil. On the mother'- side Grandfather .lames Funston emigrated from Ire- land to America u hen a \ OUng man. and located in Galena, Jo Daviess Co., 111., where he engaged in general merchandising a number of j ears. He finally sought the Pacific Slope, and died in California. 1 -*•- 598 PAWNEE COUNTY. ii^H* f George Robinson came to America when a lad of eleven years, and for a time was employed as a clerk in the city of Philadelphia. He was married in Galena, and later engaged in farming and stock- raising, becoming very successful and the owner of a good property. lie died in 1883, at the age of sixty-two years, leaving a fine farm of 240 acres, with other property. The mother is still living, making her home in Hanover, III., and is now six- ty-seven years old. Mr. Robinson was a mem- ber in good standing of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, in which he officiated as Steward, and in political matters affiliated with the Republican party, of whose principles he was a very warm ad- vocate. They were the parents of seven children, namely: James, Orpha R, William F., Lincoln, Ella, Joseph A and Bertha. Mrs. Nesbitt was, like her husband, born in Hanover, 111., and of their union there are two interesting boys, George L. and Archie L. Mr. N. is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, attending services at Mission Creek. Mrs. Nesbitt belongs to the Methodist Church at Liberty. Our subject maintains a warm interest in the temperance question, and some time since allied himself with the Prohibitionists, by whom he is often sent as a delegate to the County and State Conventions. He is very popular with his party, and in 1888 was made their candidate for the State Legislature. Al- though expecting defeat, he ran ahead of his ticket, making a very flattering showing. The parents of our subject were John and Jane (Moffett) Nesbitt, natives of County Monaghan, Ireland, and who came to the United States after their marriage, which took place in 1845. The internal grandfather spent his entire life in his native Ireland, engaged in farming pursuits. On the mother's side, Grandfather James Moffett was also an Irish farmer, the owner of a large estate, and he too closed his eyes on his native soil. John Nesbitt, upon coining to America, located near Galena, in Jo Daviess County, taking up 160 acres of Government land, which was mostly covered with forest. lie cleared the greater part of it, and engaged considerably in stock-raising during the latter years of his residence in Illinois. He invested his spare capital in additional land, and finally be- *• came the owner of 340 acres, all of which he brought to a good state of cultivation. He was recognized as one of the most valued citizens of his community, and was elected to the various local offices. In 1884 the elder Nesbitt disposed of his interests in Northern Illinois, and coming to this county, purchased land adjoining the limits of Paweee City. He has three farms in Mission Creek Pre- cinct, together with other valuable real estate, but some time since retired from the active labors of farm life, and is engaged in money loaning, having his residence in Pawnee City. He is now seventy- two years old, and the mother sixty-six. He votes the straight Republican ticket, and is an active member of the United Presbyterian Church, in which he has officiated as Elder a period of thirty years. The parental family included eleven chil- dren, nine of whom are living. These are named respectively: Agnes, Maggie, R. J., John D., Helen, Josiah, Lizzie, Adeline and Mary E. JOSEPH HAZELS. The sturdy Scotch ele- ment is amply apparent in the character of this highly esteemed farmer of Pawnee Pre- cinct, who owns and occupies a fine body of its land. He makes a specialty of Galloway cattle and Poland-China swine, and from a modest be- ginning lias arisen to an enviable position, socially and financially. A native of Forfarshire, Scotland, our subject was bom June 16, 1848, and was the youngest of four sons, the offspring of David II. and Elizabeth (Thorn) Hazels, who were natives of the same shire as their son, and who emigrated to America in 1871, coming directly to this county. Joseph, on leaving his native land, at the age of eighteen, went first to South America, and sojourned two years in the Argentine Republic. Thence he sailed from Bue- nos Ayres to New York City, and a few weeks later we find him in this county. He was for two and one- half years employed as clerk by Alexander Camp- bell, of Marysville, Marshall Co., Kan. At the ex- piration of this time he returned to Pawnee City. **HI^ PAWNEE COUNTY. 599 and engaged in mercantile business on his own ac- count, associating himself with his brother, David, Jr.. and carrying a general slock. The Arm was 1). & J. Hazels. The}' operated together twelve months, when our subject purchased the interest of his brother and conducted the business alone some years. Mr. Hazels now selling out retired to his farm, one and one-half miles northeast of Pawnee City. He had eighty acres, finely improved, with a substan- tial residence, a good barn and the other necessary out-buildings. He sold this property in 1887 for $5,000, but regretting the transaction succeeded in buying it back in the spring of 1888. He is now devoting his attention to his fanning and live-stock interests, with marked success, and has fine grades of cattle. In the fall of 1875 Mr. Hazels assumed matri- monial ties, being wedded September 3(1 of that year to Miss Lula J., daughter of Robert and Jane Andrews, of this county. Mrs. Hazels was burn in Iowa, and came with her parents to Nebraska. Our subject and his estimable wife have live children, namely: Edna, G. A., Joseph Thorn, David L. and a babe unnamed. Politically, Mr. Hazels votes inde- pendently, and betakes a genuine interest in those enterprises calculated for the advancement of his county, being always willing to lend his aid to any worthy scheme having that object in view. -s->- ^^^5^5^^- ft ffi£_^UOH W. ROBB is closely identified with the ||[)ji industrial and agricultural interests of Paw- J±wP nee County. He owns a farm of seventy - (|jp seven acres of land of unsurpassed fertility, finely located on section 12, Miles Precinct. He rents his place, however, while he devotes his time exclusively to his business as a blacksmith, which he has established in the village of Violet. He is a man of large, sound common sense, forceful char- acter, exemplary habits, and unswerving rectitude of purpose, which traits, although he has been a resident of this community but a short time, have won him the trust and full respect of the people with whom he associates. Our subject is derived from a sterling ancestry. «■ II is paternal great-grandfather, a native of Ireland, emigrating to this country, located in Virginia, and there became a well-to-do planter. His brother, Col. Robb, was with the first President Harrison at the famous battle of Tippecanoe. The Rev. Hugh W. Robb, also son of the Virginia planter, was born in that State, and when he attained manhood be- gan life as a farmer. At about the age of thirty- five he turned his attention to the ministry, and being sent to Kentucky on missionary work, be- came one of the first settlers of that State. Besides devoting himself to his mission, he paid some at- tention to farming. He continued in the ministry of the Presbyterian faith until his death at the ven- erable age of eighty-seven years. The maternal grandfather of our subject was born in Scotland. and after coming to America he located in Shaw- neetown, 111., where he set himself up in business at his trade of cabinet-maker, and ran a furniture establishment, accumulating much wealth before his death. He was a Lutheran in his religious belief. Benjamin Robb, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky near the city of Frankfort. He was reared in that State to the life of a farmer. He was married in Shawneetown, 111., to Martha Nichol- son, a native of that place. After marriage Mr. Robb returned to Kentucky, and continued agri- cultural pursuits there for some years, clearing a farm from the wilderness. In 1834, like other Kentucky pioneers, he crossed the country to Mis- souri, and became a pioneer of that State. lie cleared a farm in Marion County, Mo., of which he was one of the first settlers. He later disposed of his 160-acre tract of land in that part of Missouri, and going to Shelby County, that State, improved another 160-acre farm. He continued there until .about 1859, when he sold his property there, and re- tracing his steps eastward as far as Illinois, bought a farm in Adams County, and for many years man- aged it very profitably. Mr. Robb is still living on the old homestead with one of his sons, and has attained the advanced age of eightj'-six years. His wife died in 1881, having rounded out fifty-nine years. He has been quite prominent in life in years past, and while in Mis- souri served as Justice of the Peace, and as Sheriff. In his early days he was a Whig and an ardent ad- *► j <• JL 600 ■•► i PAWNEE COUNTY. *t vocate of the abolition of slaver} - . He joined the Republican "party at its formation, and has ever since voted for its candidates. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and has been Steward of the society. T<> him and his wife were born twelve children, as follows: Julia A. (deceased), Hugh W., Nancy J., Franklin M., Thomas J., Newton J. (deceased), James M., John H., Zach T., Benjamin F. ; Martha J. (deceased) and EmmaE. The fam- ily was well represented in the late Civil War, and did heroic service on many a bloody battle-field. James and Newton were members of the 50th Illi- nois Regiment, and veteranized; Newton died at the close of the war; Thomas served through the entire war in the 3d Missouri Cavalry; Franklin was a member of the Missouri State Militia, and later joined the Missouri Volunteers; James was wounded five times at the battle of Pittsburg Land- ing; when in the heat of the fight he and his com- rades, surrounded by the enemy, were attempting to cut their way out. " Our subject was born in West Ely, Marion Co., Mo., on the 17th of January. 1836. He remained on his father's farm until he was sixteen years of age, obtaining such an edu- cation as was possible with the limited school ad- vantages afforded by his native place. At the age mentioned he was apprenticed to learn the black- smith's trade, serving four years, and gaining a thorough practical knowledge of the work. After that he went to Illinois and opened a blacksmith's shop in Adams County. Two years later he closed his business there and returned to Missouri, and erected a shop in Walnut Grove, Shelby County. In 1864 he enlisted in the Missouri State Militia, and was mustered into the army at Palmyra, in that State, and entered the service under Gen. Schofield. Our subject was in the battle at Kirksville, under O'Neal. The company to which he belonged was disbanded until called for, and our subject was dis- charged in the spring of 1865, having served credit- ably during his short military experience. After the war Mr. Robb went to Schiryler County, 111., and once more engaged in his trade, opening a smithy at Pleasant View, and besides carrying on blacksmithing also engaged in agricultural pur- suits. In 1872 he sought the still comparatively wild country of Nebraska with a team, with a view of settling in this State. He found a suitable loca- tion in Franklin County, and took up 160 acres of Government land under the provisions of the Home- stead Act, said tract lying near the town of Macon. He immediately went to work on it, and developed a fine farm, with many valuable improvements. He was one of the pioneers of Franklin County, and was one of the first to build a smithy there. He also made the first plow made west of Lincoln, Neb., in 1873. In 1880, renting his farm he moved into Franklin, put up a shop, and engaged in blacksmith- ing and also in the real-estate business. In the fall of 1882 Mr. Robb took a new departure, sold his property in Franklin County, took up his resi- dence in Pawnee City, and bought Shackley' s town property, and forming a partnership with II. Good- ale in the foundry business, continued with him three years. He then sold his interest in that busi- ness, and in partnership with J. H. Irons established the city blacksmith-shop. In March, 1888, Mr. Robb bought his present farm of seventy-seven acres, three of which are cut off by the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad. He soon after erected his present smithy in this village, and has by good workmanship and prompt attention to customers worked up quite a large trade. His farm is well watered by Ball's Branch, and there is plenty of native timber on it, groves and a fine orchard. Mr. Robb owns a lot and residence in Pawnee City, be- sides other valuable property. Mr. Robb has been twice married, the first time in Clayton, 111., in 1857, to Miss Mildred J. Tutt, a native of Kentucky. Of that union three children were born, namely : William B. F., James H. and Leodora A. William is a merchant in Franklin, Neb.; James is Principal of a school in Minden, Neb.; Leodora married Elmer Weston, a farmer of Franklin County. After a few years of a happy wedded life the first wife of our subject closed her eyes to the scenes of earth in 1867, while she was yet in life's prime. Our subject was married a sec- ond time, in Pleasant View, 111., in 1868, Mrs. Minerva A. Powell becoming his wife. She is a daughter of Fbenezer Dimmick, and was born in Ohio. She had been previously married, and had two children by that marriage, Mary A. and Mar- garet Powell. The former is in Franklin, and the h/J -««- t PAWNEE COUNTY. 601 n latter at Ludell, Rawlins Co., Kan. By this marriage Mr. and Mrs. Robb have three children, as follows: Hugh W., who is studying law at Salem, Neb.; Ida M., a teacher in the Violet public schools, and Min- nie E., who is dead. By years of prudent industry, judicious economy and wise management, our subject has accumulated a comfortable property. He is a man whose truth- fulness, conscientious dealings with his neighbors, and his sturdy self-respect have won in return the respect and consideration of his neighbors and all with whom he comes in contact. He is a man of strong religious convictions, and is an active mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Violet, being Class- Leader, and has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is an earnest advocate of prohibition, and has been a delegate to Prohibi- tion Count}' and State Conventions. Mr. Robb was Postmaster for three years while a resident of Macon. Here he is a member of the Board of Education, and is at present School Treasurer. ~~*> -# 3 ^" 1 "~- JAMES II. PURCELL. Among the promi- nent pioneers of Table Rock Precinct the subject of this sketch is numbered as one deserving of especial notice. He came to this section as earl} - as 18G0, and has proved a bright example of sturdy perseverance amid many difficulties, lie began in life at the foot of the ladder, but is now numbered among the well-to-do business men of Pawnee County, being handsomely situated financially, and in the enjoyment of a splendid patronage as one of the largest hardware merchants of Table Rock, lie also owns a large extent of land, embracing 470 acres, the greater part lying on sections 28 and 21). He also has a good residence in town, and in bis hardware operations Carries a large and well-selected stock of goods, lie is widely and favorably known to the people of this section, among whom he has lived an upright and honorable life for a period of nearly thirty years. Mr. Purcell came to Nebraska Oct. 7, 1860, set- tling first in Richardson Count}-; he afterward came to Pawnee County and purchased 160 acres of land. Thirty acres of this had been broken, but otherwise it was in an uncultivated condition. After putting in his first crops lie commenced the planting of trees, devoting ten acres to this purpose, and the sprouts which lie then set in the ground would now make sawlogs one and a half feet in diameter. He commenced his farm operations in Nebraska with an ox-team, and his first dwelling was a small frame house covered with clapboards and sod. This he occupied with his little family for a period of six years before he was able to build a better one. In the meantime he placed the whole of his land under the plow, and besides the forest trees already re- ferred to, put out a fruit orchard, with apples, peaches and the smaller varieties. He in due time had a snug little homestead, but sold it in 1864, and coming to this county purchased the first 160 acres of bis present farm. The homestead proper lies on section 28, and this, with the exception of thirty acres, was at the time of purchase like the other, an uncultivated tract of land. Mr. Purcell proceeded as before to the opening up of a farm, setting out fruit and shade trees, and putting up the necessary buildings. He has a good apple orchard. He also planted hedge around the most of the farm, a species of fence which aids largely in the embellishment of the landscape. The Purcell farm is the admiration of all observers who pass through this part of the country, and reflects great credit upon the energy and industry of the proprietor. The residence is a tasteful and commodious frame structure, in gothie style of architecture, with solid stone foun- dations and a line cellar. It is fully as pleasant within as without, being neatly and tastefully fur- nished, and a dwelling whose inmates are sur- rounded by all the comforts of life. In his farm Labors Mr. Purcell, during the later years of his residence in the country, devoted his attention largely to the breeding of tine stock, including Durham, Ayrshire and Jersey cattle, usually hav- ing at the head of Ms herd a full-blooded animal. Mr. Purcell came to Nebraska equipped with only the capital of hi.- strong hands and coura- geous heart, together with the faithful and efficient wife and helpmate, who has labored cheerfully by his side in the accumulation of their property. ■*•- i 4= 602 PAWNEE COUNTY. Many are the tales which they can tell of hardship anil privation. His first trading-post was atBrown- ville, on the Missouri River miles away, to which he was compelled to repair with an ox-team, the round trip consuming two or three days. For several sea- sons his corn and pork were transported to market in this manner, and while there he would receive for the latter only one and one-half to two cents per pound dressed, and for his corn ten to twelve and one-half cents per bushel. On the other hand. upon the disbursement of the scant amount of money which he could thus obtain, he was obliged to pay a high price for the necessary provisions. Sugar was a luxury for which the pioneers were obliged to pay from eighteen to twenty cents per pound. This commodity was used very sparingly or not at all. The small quantities of provisions they were enabled to buy with their little capital would be soon consumed, and the tedious trip re- peated. In this way our subject labored under many difficulties four or five years, and when he began to cherish a hope of better days, along came the grasshoppers and put the pioneer farmer back another two years. Those days of discouragement and trouble, however, finally passed away, and Mr. Purcell has had reason to rejoice that he was enabled to persevere and outlive the storm. His later success has repaid him for what he then en- dured, lie is in the enjoyment of a fine property, and lias little need to ask for more. Notwithstand- ing the arduous labors connected with the openino- up of his farm, and the almost endless task of transforming it into productive fields, lie at the same time did not confine himself selfishly to his own interests, but assisted in the various enter- prises brought forward from time to time to de- velop the county, such as building bridges, laying out roads, organizing school districts and the va- rious other matters which demanded attention as the country became settled up. Upon his arrival here there was not even a road track from his house to llrownville. only a faint trail which at times he had difficulty in following. Wild game abounded up to 1873. Table Rock Precinct was then all in one school district, and the children received their <• rly education at Table Rock. *> 1L « - Mr. Purcell has always been an earnest supporter of Republican principles, and has carefully avoided becoming an office-holder, with the exception of serving a brief time as School Director. He is a man of more than ordinary mental ability — one who keeps himself well posted upon current events. In his business relations he is highly spoken of as a man of strictest integrity. Mr. Purcell was born in Jackson County, Tenn., Feb. 11, 1832, and lived there until a youth of fifteen years. He then removed with his patents to Christian County. Ky., and later to Perry, 111.. where he completed a good practical education. Later he was employed on a farm in the Prairie State, and there also met the lady who was destined to become his wife. Miss Margaret Lane, and they were married in Perry County, 111.. March 16, 1860. Of this union there were born four chil- dren, all of whom are living, namely: Willard W., Albert J., Delia and Milan. The two j^ounger are at home witli their parents. Willard married Miss Minnie Rail, and operates the old homestead: they have two children. Albert married Miss Ida Stew- art, and they have one child, a daughter Maude. This son is the partner of his father in the hard- ware trade, and although a young man. has evinced admirable business qualifications. Mrs. Margaret Purcell was born in Perry ('(.unity. 111., where she lived until her marriage. Her father. ('. II. Lane, was a native of Tennessee, and was a practicing physician for many years; he is still living, making his home in Jackson County, 111. James J. Purcell. the father of our subject, was a native of Jackson County. Tenn.. and married Miss Rebecca Short, who was also born in that State. They became t he parents of eight children', all of whom lived to mature years. The family removed first to Kentucky, then to Illinois, and finally to Nebraska, prior to the time James II. took up land in Richardson County. The father also secured land in Richardson County, in Long Branch Pre- cinct, which he occupied for a time, then sold and purchased on section 21, in Table Rock. The lat- ter he improved into a good farm, and lived upon it until resting from his earthly labors. The mother of our subject had died in Illinois, and Mr. Purcell A^ *» 4- PAWNEE COUNTY. 603 > ' was married a .second time. The paternal grand- father, James Purcell, was a native of Germany, and upon coming to the United States early in manhood settled in Tennessee, where he spent, the remainder of his life. *-■&<-■' <~f£*' <| WILLIAM B. BULL, Mayor of Pawnee City, \jcj// ' s a man who, wherever lie has been, has Ww most decidedly left his mark. Intelligent, straightforward and business-like, his birth took place in the town of Amity, Madison Co., Ohio, Aug. 31. 1828. His early years were comparatively uneventful, spent principally upon a farm in Frank- lin County, and pursuing his studies in the common schools. As a youth he was ambitious of advance- ment, and we find him later a student of the Young Men's Seminary in Westerville; upon leav- ing this he entered a select school in the city of Columbus. When a young man of twenty-two years Mr. Bull started for the Pacific Slope, and sojourned in California a period of two years, engaged in min- ing. At the expiration of this time, returning home, he was engaged as clerk in a store a year, and in 1854 migrated to Livingston County, 111., and settled upon a farm, which he conducted a period of fourteen years. Later he was connected with a hardware store at Fairbury, 111., two years, and in 1870 decided to cast his lot with the people of Nebraska. Upon coming to this county Mr. Bull settled on a farm seven miles north of Pawnee City, where he operated twelve 3'ears. Then, abandoning agri- cultural pursuits, he changed his residence to Paw- nee City, where he has since resided, retired from active labor. He has large interests in a cattle ranch in Montana, and other business resources which yield him a handsome income. There were born to Alanson and Hannah (Leon- ard) Bull, the parents of our subject, eight chil- dren, of whom William B. was the third of the family. His father was born in Manchester, Yt.. in 1798, and the mother in Springfield, Mass., in 1800. Both were of English ancestry, and re- moved from New England at an early date, settling in Franklin County, Ohio, while it was probably the abode of bears, wolves and other wild animals. Al.inson Bull was one of the solid farmers of Frank- lin County, and lived there until the summer of 1845, when the family all removed to Columbus, where the death of the father took place in 1858, The mother survived her husband many yearsi her death taking place in 1884, at Columbus, Ohio, when she was quite aged. The spring of 1855 witnessed the marriage of our subject with Miss Sarah H. Pool, in Matamora, Woodford Co., 111. Mrs. Bull was born in New Hampshire, in February, 1838. and is the daughter of H. A. and Miranda Pool, who are now deceased. Six children came to the fireside of Mr. and Mrs. Bull, and were named respectively: Charles S.. Horace H., May A., Mira M., Hiram A. and Leon- ard N. They are residents mostly of Nebraska. Mr. Bull, while a resident of Livingston County, 111., served as a Commissioner two years, and Town- ship Supervisor one year. He was elected to his present office in the spring of 1888, on the Repub- lican ticket, his sympathies being decidedly in favor of the principles of this part}*. During the Civil War he distinguished himself as an opponent of slaveiy - , and no man rejoiced more than he at the emancipation of the colored race. He repre- sents a goodly amount of real estate, having two farms in this county, one mostly devoted to pas- ture and one lying adjacent, to the city limits. They comprise together HGO acres of valuable laud. 3?%8=± ** W^ II E.BAKER. We find this gentleman finely i@/LJI situated at a pleasant country home on section 8, in West Branch Precinct, where he owns and operates 120 acres of v, 1 land. Beginning with the earlj- events of his life we find that he was born in Boston Township, Washington Co., Ohio, Feb. 25, 1828. and when a lad six years of age removed with li is parents to Pike County, 111. There he grew to man's estate with limited educational advantages, and learned the cooper's trade, at which he worked a number of 3'ears, and until 1851. • He was then engaged in farming one year, at the expiration .of which time Hr A ■**- BO 4 PAWNEE COUNTY. he resumed work at his trade, remaining in Pike Count)' until 1857. Then changing his residence to Grundy County, that State, lie rented a tract of land, and engaged in agricultural pursuits until after the outbreak of the Civil War. On the 1st of August, 1862, Mr. Baker enlisted as a Union soldier in the 127th Illinois Infantry, which became a part of the 2d Brigade, 2d Di- vision, 15th Army Corps, and was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee under Gen. Sherman. Mr. Baker and his comrades were mustered into service at Chicago, Aug. 13, 1802, and soon afterward proceeded South, meeting the enemy in battle at Vicksburg. Chickasaw Bayou and Arkansas Post; then returned to Young's Point, and marched down the west side of the river, which they crossed at Ft. Hudson, and afterward were in the battle at Champion Hills, in the rear of Vicksburg, besides several other minor engagements, before the gen- eral siege of Vicksburg, where they were for forty days skirmishing and fighting nearly every day. After the surrender the regiment went to Jackson, Miss., and after the fight at that place were sent to Camp Sherman. Next they scouted up the Big Black River for a few days; then by boat to Mem- phis, Tenn.: from there started by rail for Chatta- nooga, but the road having been destroyed by the rebels, they had to foot it part of the way. They were in the division that crossed the river on pon- toons and captured the rebel pickets. At the bat- tle of Mission Ridge, shortly after, our subject was with his company in four separate charges on that desperately fought field. From there they went to Knoxville, Tenn., following up Longstreet's army. This closed active operations, and they were in camp in Alabama for the winter. On the opening of the Atlanta campaign they were assigned to the army operating against that place under Sherman. During this time our subject was promoted to Cor- poral. They fought at Resaca, at Dallas, Chatta- hoochee. Kingston, Kenesaw Mountain, and were in the grand advance under Mcpherson. Our sub- ject was now made Sergeant. After taking part in several other operations, as shown in the history of the war in that region, the army again fell back on Atlanta, and then started after Hood, returning again to the Chattahoochee River. Their next great movement was the march to the sea, where the regiment took place in the engagement at Sa- vannah! They were in Gen. Hazen's division in the attack on Ft. McAllister, and he was then de- tailed for duty at Gen. Howard's headquarters. Next he went with his company to Beaufort, S. C, their objective point being Goldsboro, N. C. In the engagement at Columbia the day follow- ing Mr. Baker was taken ill and removed in am- bulance to the regimental hospital at Goldsboro. Thence he was sent to Beaufort, N. C, where he was confined from the 9th of April until June, and was then obliged to accept an honorable discharge. He now returned to Grundy County, 111., where he resumed the farming operations which had been interrupted by the war, remaining there until the spring of 1868. Soon afterward we find him in this count)', to which he came overland with teams, crossing the Mississippi at New Boston, the Mis- souri at Brownville, and occupying three weeks in making the journey. He homesteaded 120 acres of land on section 8, in West Branch Precinct, being one of its first settlers. Mr. Baker began breaking the soil and effecting improvements as rapidly as possible, setting out forest and fruit trees, including a fine grove and an orchard of five acres in extent. He was at times visited by the Indians, who pursued the old trail crossing his farm and running from the Indian reservation to White Cloud. The redskins never offered to molest him, with the exception of beg- ging for something to eat or some trinket which they fancied. Mr. Baker enclosed a goodly portion of his land with hedge, and the first year put up a stone building. Of late years he has given special attention to the breeding of live stock, including horses, cattle and swine, keeping good grades of all these. Our subject was married in New Salem, Pike Co., 111., Oct. 3, 1850, to Miss Mary J. Stitt. daughter of James and Margaret (Marshall) Stitt. Mr. Stitt was a native of Ireland, whence he emi- grated to America with his parents when a child. The mother was born in Huntingdon County, Pa. The maternal grandfather was of English descent, but born in the State of Maryland. He learned wheelwrighting in his youth. Mr. Stitt learned the art of fulling, wool carding and weaving in his •^r^ PAWNEE COUNTY. 605 native State, but upon li is removal to the West purchased land, and thereafter engaged in agricult- ural pursuits. He settled in l'ike County, 111., in 1837, and lived there until 1850, when he sold his land and rented for four years. Later he removed to Grundy County, where his death took place about 1873. The mother moved to the town of Verona, where she lived until 1880, then came to Nebraska and made her home with her children until her death, which occurred in 1881, when she was seventy-seven years of age. Mr. Stitt was an Elder of the Presbyterian Church for a period of forty years. .Airs. Baker was born at Shade Gap. Huntingdon Co., Pa., Aug. 17, 1831, and was six years old when her parents removed to Illinois. Of her union with our subject there have been born five children, namely: James, Margaret. Nina, Esla and Esta, twins. Mr. Baker, politically, votes the straight Republican ticket, and for many years has been connected with the School Board. He has been a member of the Republican Central Commit- tee for the past ten years, and frequently served as a delegate to the various County Conventions. Mrs. Baker is a lady of great refinement, and well fitted to be the companion of such a man as her husband. Alpheus Baker, the father of our subject, was born in Washington County, Ohio, and married Miss Mary Chapman, a native of the same. Ben- jamin Baker, the paternal grandfather of our sub- ject, was a native of England, and emigrated to America with his parents when a boy, they settling among the earliest pioneers of Washington County, Ohio. He followed agriculture, and lived to be over eight}* years of age. On the mother's side Grandfather Elisha Chapman was also a native of England, and crossed the Atlantic when a boy with his parents, in time to carry a musket in the Revo- lutionary War. lie also lived to an advanced age, and spent his last years in Ohio. The father of (■in- subject later served as Drum Major in the Ohio Militia. Upon approaching manhood he learned the cooper's trade, which he followed for a time after settling in Illinois. He spent his last years in Pike County, the latter State, dying at the age of seventy-four years. His wife had preceded him to the better land, her death taking place in 1865, when she was sixty years old. Roth were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their chil- dren were named respectively: Sylvester E., All- relius E., our subject; Clarissa, Darius. Malvina, Almira and Nancy. Darius, during the Civil War, enlisted in the 99th Illinois Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, and par- ticipated in many of the important battles of the ""' "'(b'^'JDS's)'* •** ]U^ ON. THEODORE W. PEPOON. The |J character of a man may usually be cor- =^- rectly ascertained from his home surround- 1|y) ings and his private life. In that of the subject of this sketch arc displayed all the evi- dences of culture and refinement, and this, in con- nection with ample means, presents the picture of the ideal home. One noticeable feature is the lit- erature to be met with at every turn. The cur- rent magazines, music and paintings add to the general effect. In the latter one daughter of the household excels, taking it up naturally, and having enjoyed the advantages of one of the ait schools of Chicago. Table Rock Precinct contains no more popular family than that of the subject of our sketch, who has been a resident of this county since 18G9. The homestead proper comprises 210 acres of land lying on sections 7 and 8, the residence being on the latter. Mr. Pepoon came to Nebraska in 1869, purchasing the land which he still owns and oc- cupies. Its condition then, however, was in strong contrast to that of the present, it being a raw. uncultivated tract, without fences, buildings, or any other attempt at improvement. Our pioneer made his home the first summer with his brother. J. B. Pepoon, and in the meantime put up the resi- dence which he still occupies. It was then con- sidered the best farmhouse in the county. It is two stories in height, convenient and well arranged, handsomely finished and furnished. The family took possession in the spring of 1870, and Mr. 1*. then gave his attention exclusively to the cultiva- tion and improvement of his land. The material for his farm buildings was hauled from Brownville, G06 -•*■ pawnee county. thirty miles away, which was also the nearest market for produce. In addition to sowing and reaping, Mr. Pepoon set out forest trees, ever- greens, hedge and an apple orchard, together with the smaller fruits, plums, cherries, etc. As time passed on and his means permitted, he provided himself with improved machinery, and gradually added to his farming operations blooded stock, cattle, horses and swine. Of these he has of late years made a specialty, with excellent results. A native of the Buckeye State, Mr. Pepoon was born in Painesville, Lake County, Aug. 29, 1836, and lived there until a lad of fourteen years. He then emigrated to Illinois with his parent? and family, and completed a practical education in Mt. Carroll Seminary. Later he engaged as a teacher. His father's family were all well educated, many of them also engaging as teachers. Our subject was a resident of Jo Daviess County until 1869, and in the spring of that year crossed the Missouri and took up his residence in this county. He was married, Nov. 20, 1860, to Miss Susan Robinson. Four children have come to bless this union, namely : Percy, Alice, Lucy and Mary. The three daughters are living at home with their parents, making a most interesting and attractive group; the son is working at the printer's trade in Omaha. It is hardly necessary to add that they are being given first-class educational advantages. Upon the walls of their dwelling are some fine specimens of painting, mainly the work of Miss Alice, already spoken of. Miss Lucy at an early age evinced more than ordinary musical talent, and is now a fine performer on the piano, besides being a good alto singer. Mrs. Susan (Robinson) Pepoon was born in Jo Daviess County, 111., Sept. 15, 1840, and lived there until the time of her marriage, completing her education in Mt. Carroll Seminary. Her father, James Robinson, was a native of Virginia, whence he emigrated when a young man to the vicinity of the lead mines of Galena, 111., and later was married to Miss Cassandra Morris, who with her parents journeyed all the way from Kentucky by wagons to Illinois, and were in Jo Daviess County at the time of the Black Hawk War. The young people commenced life together on a farm in Jo Daviess County among its earliest pioneers, and reared a family of five children. Mr. Robin- son, aside from his services as a soldier in the war above spoken of, carried on farming all his life. His death took place in January, 1846, at the old homestead in Jo Daviess County. The mother survived a number of years, dying in Falls City, in 1883, at the age of sixty-nine .years, having been born in 1814. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, greatly to li is regret Mr. Pepoon was not permitted, on account of home cares, to enter the ranks, much as he desired. In due time, however, some of his neighbors' sons who had gone to the front and re- turned disabled consented to look after his father's farm, and he then hastened to proffer his services in assisting to preserve the Union. He enlisted in the spring of 1865, in Company K, 96th Illinois Infantry, and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. We must not omit to say that four of his brothers were at the same time doing serv- ice as soldiers and patriots. The regiment of Mr. P. was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, but he was not permitted to enter into any active engagement, the war then approaching its close, and this division of the troops being in camp at Nash- ville. He received his honorable discharge, and was mustered out in January, 1866. In the mean- time he had seen sufficient of army life to know there were hardships and privations to be endured, and he underwent the fatigue of marching from Nashville, Tenn., to Texas. Upon returning home from the army Mr. Pepoon resumed the various duties of farm life in Illinois, but not long afterward began to look longingly to the rich soil of Nebraska. He was soon recog- nized as a valued addition to the community of Table Rock Precinct, and since that time has been foremost in encouraging the enterprises cal- culated to advance the moral and financial welfare of the people. He has held the various township and school district offices, and in 1876 was nom- inated by the Republican party for the State Senate, elected, and served his term with great credit. He served on many important committees, namely: Those on Agriculture, Highways, Bridges, Library and Claims. He introduced the bill to reimburse f •#-*-«- PAWNEE COUNTY. 007 owners of stock which had been killed on railroads, and one compelling railroad companies to cleanse all stock cars after they had once been used. A man of excellent education, Mr. Pepoon from 1881 until 1885 was editor and publisher of the Falls City Journal, there being associated with his son. The father of our subject, Silas Pepoon, was born in Connecticut, and spent his last years in Illinois. Percy P., the son of our subject, and a young man of more than ordinary business capac- ities, was born in Illinois, where his early education was conducted, and later he was a cadet at West Point. Upon returning home he became interested in the printing business, being connected with the Falls City Journal two years. Later he was the partner of W. W. Abby, and still owns a half-in- terest in the Journal. He married Beatrice Vig- gers. This section of Pawnee County is one really remarkable for the number of its cultured and educated men. eUARLES W. CURRY is the son of a well- known pioneer farmer of Plum Creek Pre- cinct, and has himself for some years been active in developing and sustaining the large agri- cultural interests of Pawnee County, he being an intelligent, wide-awake, progressive young man, who is considered one of the most prominent resi- dents of the precinct. Our subject was born near Platte City, Platte Co., Mo., Dec. 25, 1857. His father, George W. Curry, was born in Frederick County. \'a., July 21. ISIS, and his mother, whose maiden name was Ellen M. Rankin, was born in Morgan County. Ya., March 20. 182(1. Thomas Curry, grandfather of our subject, was born in Ireland, and later in life migrated to this country and located in Virginia, where lie carried on his trade of weaver. He died in Frederick County, at the age of fifty years. Simeon Rankin, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Virginia. He was a Lum- berman, and had a sawmill on Sleepy Creek, a tributary of the Potomac River. lie was quite an extensive land-owner, and had 500 acres of land in one body, anil 160 acres adjacent to the 500, and at the time of his death. April 2:!. 1844, at the age of fifty-two years, was quite wealthy, lie took part in the War of 1812, as a private. His father. William Rankin, was also a lumberman, and very wealthy. He was born in Virginia, near Swan Pond, in Jefferson County, and was the son of a gentleman who was a native of Ireland. The father of our subject grew up on a farm in Virginia, and when a young man went to Pennsyl- vania, where he married. He engaged as a farmer iu that State, owning a small farm. He later moved to Harrison County, Mo., and after fanning there five years, took up his residence in Jefferson County. Ohio. A year later, in 1850, he moved still farther West, and until 1858 lived in Platte County, Mo. In that year lie bought land, a tract of eighty acres. in Pottawatomie County. Kan., improved and cul- tivated it until May, 1S02, when he enlisted in Company K, 2.'5d Kansas Cavalry, and was mustered into the Army of the West, under Gen. Blunt, at Ft. Reilly. lie took part in the battles of Pea Ridge and Boston Mountain, and was mustered out Feb. 26. 1663, on account of disability. He re- enlisted in October, 1863, in Company G, 11th Kansas Cavalry, and did valiant and efficient serv- ice on many a hard-fought battle-field Or in sudden skirmishes with the enemy, until the close of the war. He was honorably discharged at Leaven- worth, Kan., May 15, 1865. While he was thus lighting his country's battles, his noble, patient wife was bravely caring for their family at home, managing their farm with gnat skill. They con- tinued to live in Kansas until March. 1866, when they removed to Pawnee County, this state, bring- ing their family and household goods with a team. Mr. Curry purchased 120 acres of bottomland, lying on Wolf Creek, in Plum (reck l'rccinct, and took up besides 160 acres of Government laud on section 8, under the provisions of the Homestead Act. He was one of the first settlers iu the pre- cinct, and from that time until his death. Oct. 25. is;:!, was busily engaged in making improvements on his land, cultivating it and raising stock. He was in all respects a good and Loyal citizen, and his death took from this Community one of its most valued members. Religiously, he was a member of •►ft* *r 4 608 PAWNEE COUNTY. ~h f tlie Methodist Episcopal Church, as was his wife also, and politically, he was an earnest supporter of the Republican party. The mother of our sub- ject, a highly esteemed lady, makes her home with him. The following is recorded of the eleven chil- dren born to her and her husband: William and Simeon T. are dead; Mary M. is in Louisville, Ky.; John F. is in Livingston County, Mo.; Phoebe .1. is in Colorado; George N. is in Nebraska; Albert K. is dead; James E. is in Red Willow County, Neb.; Lucy F. is in Audubon County, Mo.; Charles W.; Loins W. is in Pawnee County. Simeon T. enlisted in the 2d Kansas Cavalry in 1862, was taken sick soon after, and died; John was a mem- ber of the 2d Kansas Cavalry from 1862 until the close of the war. Charles Curry was eight years old when be ac- companied his parents to their pioneer home in this precinct, and he grew to man's estate on his father's homestead, receiving a good common-school edu- cation. ' He remained with his mother until he was twenty -one, and then commenced life for himself, engaging in farming and stock-raising on his pres- ent place. He was so successful in his ventures that he was enabled to buy eighty acres of it, and also eighty more on the same section. On this he has made all the improvements, erecting a good house, barns, and other necessary farm buildings, planting groves and an orchard of 100 trees, fenced and hedged his land, which is well watered by Wolf Creek, and he has an abundant supply of native timber, some twelve acres. Mr. Curry is prosper- ously engaged in raising both grain and stock, and of the latter has some fine specimens, ten head of horses of fine breed, one-half Clyde, besides some handsome graded cattle. The marriage of our subject to Miss Lucinda O. Clark took place in < tsborne City, Osborne Co., Kan.. Aug. 14. 187'.), and of their happy union two chil- dren have been born — Lulu M. and Robert E. Mrs. Curry was born near Eagleville, Harrison Co., Mo., and is the daughter of John and Nancy M. (Burns) Clark, natives respectively of Ohio and Kentucky. Thomas Clark, grandfather of our subject, was of Irish descent, and a native of Ohio. He farmed in that .State for many years, lint subsequently moved to Bartholomew County, hid., where he died. Mrs. Curry's maternal grandfather, James Barns, a na- tive of Kentucky, of Irish descent, became a resi- dent of Bartholomew County. Ind., in the latter part of his life. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Curry's father was married in Indiana, and moving from there to Harrison County, Mo., took up a 160-acre tract of land and improved it. He continued farming there until 1878, when he moved to Rooks County, Kan., where he took up a half-section of land under the provisions of the Homestead Act. He and his wife still make their home there, he being now sixty-five years old. and she sixty-four years of age. They are people of sincere religious convictions, and are esteemed members of the Methodist Episcopal and Christian Churches respectively. They are the parents of eight children, namely : Emma, Martha J., Mary A., Lucinda ()., Nancy M., Thomas R., James W. and Millard M. Both as a citizen and as a man, our subject justly holds a high place in this community. In him every good cause finds a ready champion, and he endeav- ors earnestly to promote the moral, material and religious advancement of this precinct, where he has passed so many years of his life as boy and man. He does all in his power to further the edu- cational facilities of the town, and acted as School Moderator for nine years, and is the present Treasurer of the School Board. Both he and his amiable wife are zealous members of the Christian Church at Pleasant Valley, and he has been Assist- ant Superintendent of the Sunday-school. He has served on the Grand Jury. In politics he warmly espouses the Union Labor party. He was at one time connected with the I. O. G. T. \I OSEPII B. PAR1USII. This well-known resident of Table Rock Precinct came to Nebraska first in the year 1858. staying / here but a short time, however, and then going back to Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1867. In the latter year he returned to Ne- braska, and settled on his present homestead on Clear Creek. This was all then raw prairie, and his labor for manj- years was devoted entirely to its t -*•- PAWNEE COUNTY, !f -h f t» -»- 609 , , t improvement. He planted many trees and set out a good orchard, and for several years before any other resident in the neighborhood had a good crop of peaches. Fruits of all kinds, indeed, he raised in abundance. Our subject was born in Kingston. Pa., and in 1840 contracted his first marriage, his wife being Miss Ruth G rilling, a native of Canaan, Pa., and a daughter of William M. Grilling. For further par- ticulars of her family history see sketch of Arthur ( Iritling. on another page. Of this union eight chil- dren were born, seven of whom accompanied their parents to this State, namely: Annette, Lucy, Will- iam. Mary. Clarence. Frank and Idelia. The one who died was named Joseph. The mother of this family lived but two years after coming to this State. The second wife of Mr. Parrish was Mrs. Rosetta Brock, widow of John Brock, and who is now the oldest settler in this precinct. She first came to Nebraska in 1856, and with her parents settled on the farm which is now her home. Her early expe- riences on these prairies were of the roughest, for the first winter they lived in an unchinked log cabin, 14x14, without either floor or chimney. The winter proved an exceptionally stormy one. and, to make it still more lonely for the new-comers, there was not a neighbor living within many miles. Snows were frequent and heavy, and for weeks at a time the parents and their five children lived on hulled corn and such game as they could shoot. There was not then a store or post-office on this side of the Missouri River, and the life of the settler of that early day was certainly one of hardship. Since then, however, great changes have taken place, and her childhood's home, on which she is again living, has been transformed from a bleak prairie into a beautiful and fertile farm, with a handsome and commodious residence, and every modern conven- ience for comfort. After some years our subject sold his farm on Clear Creek and bought, as already intimated, the farm which had been the home of his wife's father. and there he has ever since resided. 1 [e is a man who is highly respected in the precinct, and, although no politician, has been called upon by his neigh- bors to serve them in local office, having been Con- stable and Road Supervisor. In politics he nets with the Republican party. He is really a self- made man, all that he now possesses being the re- sult of his own labors. The only money he ever got without working for it was *1 given to him by his grandmother when a boy. J --1 AMES KENNEDY, a respected and prosper- ous member of the farming community of Pawnee County, is profitably tilling the fer- tile acres of his valuable and well-improved farm on section 7, in the pleasant precinct of Miles. He inherited from a sturdy, industrious, honorable ancestry those sterling traits of character whereby he has made life a success. He is of mixed Celtic and Welsh descent. His paternal grandfather, James Kennedy, was born in Ireland, and when young came to America and settled in Pennsyl- vania. He carried on the trade of weaver'in that State, and was there married, and soon afterward moved to Warren Count}-, Ohio. He at first cast in his lot with the early pioneers of that county, but a short time after ward moved to Butler County, the same State, and became an early settler there. He cleared a farm from the timber, and there rounded out a good old age of eighty-four years, his death occurring April 15. 1845. He was a strong Presbyterian in his religious faith, belong- ing to the United Presbyterian Church. The maternal grandfather of our subject, whose name was Lowrey, was a native of Wales. He came to America when a young man, and was a pioneer in Scott County, Ky. He was there actively en- gaged as a farmer for several years, and his death occurred in his adopted State. John Kennedy, the father of our subject, was born in Warren County, Ohio, but his parents re- moving to Butler County soon after he was reared in that county to man's estate, and was there mar- ried to Catharine Lowrey, who after the death of her parents had removed from her native Ken- tucky to Butler County, Ohio. Mr. Kennedy had become an adept at the carpenter's and also at the millwright's trades and conducted both in his na- tive State until 1835. In that year the fame of *T *~-0^+- 610 PAWNEE COUNTY. Hr ^T^ the great agricultural facilities offered by the Ter- ritory of Iowa, which but a year or two before had been thrown open to settlement, attracted him to locate within its bounds and devote himself to farming. After his arrival in that part of the country lie pre-empted a half-section of land in Louisa County, and began its improvement. In the fall of 1836 he returned to Ohio to secure the necessary school privileges for his children that the newer country of Iowa did not then offer, there being but few white settlers there at that time. He settled on the old homestead in his native State, and conducted farming there until 1853, when he sold all his property there and re- turned to his Iowa possessions. He engaged in agriculture there until 1857, when Ids useful and honorable life was brought to a close, at the age of sixty-three. His wife had preceded him in death many years before, dying while yet in life's prime, in September, 1835. Of their union seven children were born. Mr. Kennedy was a man of marked force of character, of an earnest, thought- ful mind, and of superior intelligence and integ- rity, and exerted a good influence among the pioneers of his adopted State. The subject of this biographical notice was the second child born to his worthy parents, and his birth took place in their borne near Monroe, But- ler Co., Ohio, May 16, 1825. He was about ten years old when he accompanied his father to Iowa, and can still remember the incidents of the jour- ney and the scenes in the strange, wild land be- yond the Mississippi, still peopled by the Indians. Indeed, the growth not only of the States beyond the Father of Waters has taken place in his day, but that of the greater part of the Middle West- ern States, his native Ohio when he left it the first time still being in the hands of the pioneers, who had by no means reclaimed the soil from the dense primeval forest that once formed so impor- tant a feature in the landscape of the country, and the aboriginal settlers of the wilderness stilMingered in their old haunts. It is within his recollection that many of the great changes have taken place that have made these States great and powerful commonwealths, that in the march of civilization the log cabin or dug-out has given place to the 4" commodious farmhouse or stately mansion, anil that the rude appliances of pioneer life have given place to the modern conveniences and comforts. After remaining a year in Iowa the father of our subject, anxious that his children should be well educated, as before mentioned, returned with them to Ohio, and there our subject attended the com- mon schools. He remained on the home farm un- til lie was twenty-one, and he then rented land and carried on agriculture on his own account in his native State until 1851, when he returned to Iowa by boat, and with his brother began working his father's farm, which was situated one and one-half miles from the Mississippi. After the death of the father they continued to carry on the farm until 1882, the month of .January, when our subject sold and moved to Pawnee City. He rented land near there the first year and then bought his present place, which then comprised 240 acres of land, partly improved, adjoining Burchard. In 1862 lie sold eighty acres of it to W. J. Haider- man, and retained 160 acres, which he has put in a fine state of cultivation. He has erected suitable farm buildings, dwelling-house, barn, etc., and has built up a home replete with all the comforts of modem life. He has set out a fine orchard and made many other improvements, so that his farm is classed among the most valua- ble in the precinct. He is chiefly engaged in grain raising, in which he has beeu veiy successful, and his granaries are filled after each harvest with grain of a superior quality. He was formerly much interested in raising blooded stock, but he has abandoned that branch of agriculture. Mr. Kennedy was married to the good wife who has so faithfully co-operated with him in his work, in the month of December, 1S58, in Louisa County, Iowa. Her maiden name was Nancy J. Herron, and she was born in Preble County, Ohio. The pleasant wedded life of our subject and his wife has been blessed to them by the birth of three children, as follows: John O, who has a farm in Sherman, Kan., which he took up as a homestead; Belle and Jennie, who are at home with their par- ents. Although Mr. Kennedy has been a resident of Miles Precinct but a few years, he is thoroughly identified with its best interests, and he and his his J) ■*•■ PAWNEE COUNTY. 611 i i *t family are considered valuable members of this community. During his career as an agriculturist our subject has displayed commendable enter- prise and forethought, and in all his dealings he has been straightforward and honest, and his neighbors and friends have ever placed the most implicit trust in him. Religiously, he and his wife are united -with the United Presbyterian Church at Burchard, and cordially co-operate with their fellow-members in their efforts to elevate the moral tone of the community. Politically, Mr. Kennedy advocates the principles promulgated b}- the Re- publican party. <9 IMLLIAM WHITE takes a high stand for \jsJu t,aet ant ' fi nanc ' a ' ability among the young y/ty business men of Pawnee County, and in him the city of Table Rock, where he is engaged in the lumber and implement trade, finds one of her most useful and wide-awake citizens, who is doing much to extend her commercial interests. He is a native of Illinois, born in DnPage County, June 26, 1859. His father. Thomas White, was born in England, probably in Yorkshire. He was married, while a resident of England, to Miss Kittie Reason, a native of Yorkshire, and to them were born six children, three of whom are still living in Illinois. When about twenty-three years old hi; came to America, settling first in Canada. He subsequently went to Ohio, and from there to DuPage County, III., where he was employed at fanning. Early in the sixties Mr. White moved with his family to Will County, in the same State, and bought a tract of wild prairie land, which he has since improved into one of the finest farms in that locality, and on it he built up one of the most attractive and comforta- ble homes in that county. In 1886, still retaining his Illinois property, Mr. White moved to Gage County, Neb., near Filley, onto a farm which he had purchased some years previously, and it is now one of the finest improved places in that county. He and his worthy wife are people of high con- sideration and standing in the community where they have gone to spend their declining years, their kindness and geniality having soon secured them *• many warm friends. Mr. White has avoided of- fice, preferring the quietude and comfort of his own fireside to the turmoil of public life, but he takes an interest in local and general affairs, and politi- cally, is a stanch Republican, as is also his son, of whom we write. Our subject was two or three years of age when his parents moved from the place of his birth to their pioneer home in Will County, III., and there he received a sound education, obtaining the pre- liminaries in the common schools, and then attend- ing a High School and business college. After leaving college he remained at home on his father's farm, acquiring a practical knowledge of agriculture, until he came to this State. He first visited Ne- braska in 1880, when he came here on a prospect- ing tour, and, being much pleased with the country, he determined to come here and locate permanently, which he did in the spring of 1883, settling on his father's land in Gage County. At that time the land was wild prairie, and our subject turned the first furrow ami set out the first trees, and he fenced one-half of the section, the land comprising 640 acres on section 19. He put up a fine house on a good foundation, the dimensions of the build- ing being 18x26x16 feet, with an L 12x14x12 feet. He also built a barn, stables and other nec- essary buildings. He then engaged in grain rais- ing, and continued to live on the farm for one year. He then came here, and formed a partner- ship with Mr. Andrews, and is still carrying on the business very successfully. Mr. White conducts his business in a systematic manner and by thoroughly In rable methods. and has thus built up a good ami lucrative trade, and at the same time has won an excellent reputa- tion. He is already numbered among the solid and influential men of the town, financially and socially speaking, ami. although he has been a resi- dent of the city only about five years, his fellow- citizens have from the first placed implicit con- fidence in him, and for the last three years the public finances have been entrusted to his care, he having been Treasurer of the Town Board for that length of time, and since last spring he has been Treasurer of the School Board. February 27, 1884, our subject was united in T -*•■ -•*. 612 PAWNEE COUNTY. marriage to Miss Jennie Andrews, of Gage County, Neb., and their union has been blessed to them by the birth of one son, Leroy A. Mr. and Mrs. White are exemplary members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a Trustee. Mr. White is identified with the K. of P. Mrs. White was born Dec. 18, 1859, in Will County, 111., and is a daughter of George and Mary (Dann) Andrews, natives of England, her father having been born in Brigg, Lincolnshire, in 1828. He came to Amer- ica with his wife in 1854, and, settling on new land in Will County, 111., improved a fine large farm. He is still living, and is great]}' respected for his honest, blameless character. He is an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was his wife, who departed this life in 1878. They were the parents of seven children who grew to matur- ity. Mrs. White came to Nebraska in 1882. \T AMES T. STEWART, who is one of Pawnee Count3 7 's pioneers, is a fine representative of one of her important precincts, that of Plum Creek. He is skillful and energetic in his calling, displaying a good degree of enterprise and thrift, and his well-improved farm on section 3 is considered one of the best tilled and best equipped places in the neighborhood, and is one of which the owner may well be proud, as he has developed it to its present fine condition from the wild prairie. The subject of this sketch was born April 7, 1846, near Cambridge, Guernsey Co., Ohio. His parents, Edie and Elenora (Spier) Stewart, were natives of the same county. Robert Stewart, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Pennsyl- vania. He served as a private in the War of 1812, and later became an early settler of Guernsey County, Ohio. He cleared a farm from the forest and engaged in farming and stock-raising for many years. His death occurred in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1872, when he was some eighty years of age. The paternal great-grandfather of our sub- ject came from the North of Ireland to this coun- try some time during the last century and located in Pennsylvania, where his remaining days were passed. Zethaniah Spier, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was of American birth, but of Scotch descent. He was a farmer in Guernsey County, Ohio, and continued there until his death of cancer, in 1858. Grandmother Spier lived to be over ninety years old. The father of our subject was reared on a farm in Guernsey Count}', and there married and made his home the rest of his days, owning a farm there and prosperously engaging in agricultural pursuits. While on a visit to St. Louis, in 1863, whither he had gone in search of a son who was in the army, he died of a sunstroke, at the age of forty-five. He was a man of marked decision of character, of un- swerving integrity, and of an earnest, thoughtful disposition. He was a valued member of the United Presbyterian Church, and in his political sentiments a rank Abolitionist. The mother of our subject, a woman of sterling worth, makes her home in Paw- nee City, and is now sixty-eight years old. Of their marriage twelve children were born, namely : Elizabeth; Rebecca and Joseph are both deceased; Robert, James T., John (a minister of the United Presbyterian Church in New York State), Mary, William, Mathew, Irwin, Jane and Samuel, the last five being dead. Joseph was a soldier in the late war, enlisting in 1861 in the 78th Ohio Infantry, attached to the Army of the West. He was taken sick at Pittsburg Landing, and died in the hospital in 1862. James T. Stewart, of whom we write, grew to manhood on the old homestead in Ohio that had been his birthplace. He received the usual com- mon-school advantages, and at the age of eighteen, in the spring of 1864, enlisted in the 162d Ohio National Guards, and was mustered into the service at Cambridge. His regiment was sent down to the Ohio River to take charge of the Government post at Gallipolis, and our subject did guard duty there until he was mustered out at Cambridge, Ohio, in August, 1864. During his term of service he proved himself to be possessed of many soldierly qualities, and by his faithfulness and ready obedience to the commands of his superior officers he readily won their confidence. After leaving the army Mr. Stew- art returned to his old home and remained with his mother until he was twenty-one years of age. He then tried farming in Monroe County, Iowa, but at ■*•- PAWNEE COUNTY. 013 s Jenny I. Taylor was solemnized in October, 1878. she was born in Pennsylvania, and lived in that state until three years of age, when she came with her parents to this State. Her father. Robert Taylor, was one of the early pioneers of Pawnee County. (P"or further parental history sec his sketch on another page of this volume.) Three bright and interest- ing children have blessed the wedded life of our subject and his wife, namely: Mabel M., Robert T. and Gordon 1). -*>-»- ^>£&&<^ ,-^pSJIOMAS MENEHAN, an active, alert and TKjgSx well-to-do farmer of West Branch Precinct. v^g*y owns and operates a large and productive farm of 320 acres in one body, one-half lying on sections 32 and 33 of Pawnee County, Neb., and the other half in Marshall County, Kan. He is a native of Ireland, born in County Mayo, Sept. :i, r 4 616 PAAVNEE COUNTY. 1850. His father, Michael Menehan, was born and spent his entire life in County Mayo, dying there in 1830. He was a farmer by occupation, and after arriving at man's estate married Miss Bridget Sally, who was a native of the same county as him- self. She survived her husband, and coming to America died in Nebraska in 1875, at the vener- able age of seventy-five j-ears. She was a worthy woman, and a member of the Catholic Church. To her and her husband were born seven children, namely: John, William, Michael, James (deceased), Margaret, Thomas and Patrick. Our subject was reared on the home farm, and received a limited education in a pay school, re- maining at home until he attained his majority. Hoping to better his condition, he induced his mother, sister, and one of his brothers to accom- pany him to America. Setting sail from Liver- pool in the vessel " Mary Ann Chancellor," they landed at New York City June 18, 1863. Our subject had but little money, but he had a good stock of courage and perseverance, and proceeding to Pennsylvania, procured work in the coal mines of Schuylkill County, where he remained a little more than a year, then started for this State. Trav- eling by rail to St. Joseph, Mo., he there took a steamer for Leavenworth, and then came from there by wagon to Pawnee County. Mr. Menehan did not make a long stop here at that time, but return- ing to Leavenworth was there engaged in quar- rying for a year. He afterward secured employ- ment as a teamster in freighting across the plains between Leavenworth and Ft. Dodge, making five trips during the next two summer seasons, and hav- ing one or two narrow escapes from the Indians on the way. Being prudent, as well as industrious, our subject had by that time accumulated a little mone}', and wishing to invest it in land came again to this county, in 1866, and took up a homestead claim of eighty acres of land on section 32, which is included in his present farm. He was one of the earliest settlers of the precinct, and to men of his enterprise, activity and good judgment is West Branch Precinct indebted for its present pros- perity. Air. Menehan labored arduously to im- prove his farm, setting out groves of forest trees, an orchard of 200 fruit trees, hedged and fenced his land, and subsequently put up a good set of farm buildings, and an ample and complete dwelling, hauling the lumber from Seneca. On his farm our subject raises crops from which lie secures a good income, and he has been enabled to buy more land from time to time, and to increase the number of his cattle. He makes a specialty of buying and feeding stock, and also raises a large number of hogs, and has on his place eight horses of good grade. Mr. Menehan was married in St. Joseph, Mo., in 1870, to Miss Mary Smith. She was born in Madi- son, Ind., and has borne her husband two children, Michael II. and William. In politics Mr. Menehan is a stanch Democrat, and both he and his estimable wife are prominent members of the Catholic Church near their home, which they helped to build, and to the support of which the}' generously contribute. In politics Mr. M. acts with the Democratic party. ON. EUGENE M. BERRY, the present repre- sentative of his district in the Twenty-first Nebraska State Legislature, holds a leading position among the extensive agriculturists of Pawnee Count}', who have been so largely instru- mental in its upbuilding. Although not one of the earliest settlers of this county, as he did not come here until 1877, he may justly lay claim to the title of pioneer, as since that time he has by energy and patient persistence, combined with skillful manage- ment, developed a large and finely improved farm from the wild prairie. It comprises 480 acres of land of unsurpassed productiveness, located on section 23, Mission Creek Precinct, and was one of the first to be opened up on this part of the prairie. It has an ample supply of water from Mission Creek, is partly fenced in hedge and wire, and an attractive dwell- ing, neat barns and other substantial buildings adorn the place. Mr. Berry raises large crops of corn, besides devoting much time to raising stock, having twelve or fourteen fine horses, using three teams to operate the farm, and having cattle and hogs of the best graded breeds. Besides this farm Mr. Berry owns 180 more acres of valuable land. •► »► ■ « * 14 PAWNEE COUNTY. 4 Mr. Berry comes of a somewhat notable ancestry on both the paternal and maternal side, and among his progenitors, who seem to have been stalwart men of more than average vigor and capacity, were some of the early settlers of Virginia, and the town of Berrysville, in that State,~received its name in honor of one of them who was its founder. They were also conspicuous in the early settlement of other States in a later day and generation, being pioneers of Maryland, Tennessee, Ohio, and still later even of Wisconsin. The great-grandfather of our subject, Joseph Berry, was born in Berrysville, Va., and was of Irish descent. He served as a scout all through the Revolution. After the Revolution he crossed the mountains to Tennessee, and became an early set- tler of that State, but was killed by the Indians. His son Joseph was born and reared in Tennessee, and subsequently went to Virginia, whence his par- ents had removed, and he was there married, and settling in Knox Count}', Ohio, helped to build the first house in Mt. Vernon. lie cleared up a farm from the forest and went from his pioneer home to take part in the War of 1812. After that, the pio- neer spirit that had animated his forefathers being strong within him, he made his way in 1835 to An- drew County, Mo., and was one of the early settlers of that locality. He actively engaged in farming in his adopted State until his death in 185-1, at the age of sixty-five years. He was a firm supporter of the policy of the Whig party, and was a man of decisive character. The maternal great grandfather of our subject, Moses Andrews, who was a native of England, emi- grated to this country prior to the Revolution, and took up Government land on the present site of Baltimore. He was an oflicer in the War of 1812, and subsequently moved to Pennsylvania, where he spent the remainder of his life. His wife was born in Wales. Their son Thomas, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, and as he grew to manhood learned the blacksmith trade, and during some period of his life moved to Ohio and became a pioneer of Wayne County. Settling near the town of Wooster he engaged in his trade there until his removal to Wisconsin in 1833, where he again became a pioneer. He was one of the early settlers of LaFayette County, and established a smithy near the town of Argyle, and also engaged in farming. Later in life he moved to Neosha Rapids, and engaged in blacksmi thing there, and there he rounded out an honorable life of seventy- five years in 18G5. He accumulated considerable wealth, and was a man of prominence in public affairs,_aud was known by the title of Squire. The parents of our subject, the Rev. Dr. John A. and Elenora (Andrews) Berry, were born respect- ively m 1822, in Knox County, Ohio, and in 1823, in Wayne County, Ohio. The father received a lib- eral education, studying at Kenyon College, and then attending the Medical College at Middlcboro, Ohio. He was graduated from that institution after pursuing a full course that well fitted him for his profession, and he then began to practice medicine in Danville, Knox Co., Ohio, and for thirteen years was the leading physician of that locality. At the expiration of that time he felt called to the minis- try, and identifying himself with the Northern Ohio Methodist Episcopal Conference, he had charges in the various county seats of Ohio. He was finally appointed agent for the Ohio Female College. His useful and active life was brought to a close in 1863, in Granville, Ohio, while yet in its very prime, he being then but forty-one years of age, he having overworked. He was a self-made man in the best sense of the word, and whatever he at- tempted he carried through with characteristic zeal. Mis ministry was a signal success. He was a man of fine powers of mind, and of a lofty, pure spirit, and in him every righteous cause found a champion. He was a man of intense patriotism, and on the breaking out of the late war wished to enlist in his country's defense, but was refused permission, pre- sumably on account of his health. He was an anti- slavery man and vigorously supported the Repub- lican party. The mother of our subject was the worthy wife of such a husband. She is now living in Decatur, Ohio. Seven children were born of her marriage, as follows: Clementine, Rosalea, Fan- nie, John A., Eugene, Cora and Edward. Eugene Berry was born in Danville, Knox Co., Ohio, Jan. 21, 1852. He was reared in town, and had good school advantages. His father died when he was eleven years old, and when he was fourteen •». f •M^ 618 PAWNEE COUNTY. *t years of age, being a manly, self-reliant lad, he be- gan to be self-supporting. He worked at different trades for some time, and when he was eighteen years old learned the plasterer's trade. After that he turned his attention to farming, and renting land was thus engaged in his native State until he was twenty-three years of age. He was very ambitious to secure a good education, and at that time en- tered Wittenberg College, in Ohio, and for two- years assiduously pursued a general scientific course under efficient instructors, greatly to his benefit, and since leaving college he has supplemented his studies by reading and observation. In 1877, then in the prime of early manhood, well equipped mentally and physically, our subject came to Ne- braska to assist the men of brain and enterprise who were pushing the fortunes of this young and vigorous State. He located on his present place, which then comprised but 1 80 acres of land, and we have seen how he has since added to it and de- veloped it into a fine farm. Since locating here Mr. Berry has taken an active part in public affairs, and has gained a high repu- tation as a sagacious counselor and safe leader. He is an ardent advocate of the Republican policy, and in the fall of 1888 he was elected on the Re- publican ticket to represent this district in the State Legislature for the next two years, having a plural- ity of 635. He possesses many admirable traits for a legislator, being a conscientious worker, well in- formed as to the needs of his adopted State, and one in whose integrity and honor his fellow-citizens have perfect confidence, and it is safe to predict that his career as a statesman will redound to bis credit. He has been an incumbent of local offices of responsibility, and has been a delegate to State Conventions of his part}'. He and his wife figure prominently in social circles in Pawnee County, and lie belongs to the Knights of Pythias at Pawnee City. The marriage of our subject to Miss Carrie Jones took place Oct. 19, 1881, in Ross County, Ohio. She was a native of that place, and had before mar- riage been a school teacher. The pleasant house- hold of our subject and his wife is completed by the presence of the three children born to them, namely: Althea. Elenora and Joanna. Mrs. Berry is a val- ued and consistent member of the Baptist Church. She was a teacher before her marriage, is finely educated, is an artist of marked talent, and her and her husband's charming home is adorned by many choice paintings of her own execution. wVfc. **4JLQ£f®$&* @?-3/OT7i»>-\/w. fj OSEPH HAYS. It has been the privilege of him to whom we now call attention to watch for a period of over twenty years the growth and development of this county, lie first migrated to this region in 1866, during the Territorial days of Nebraska, and although natur- ally a courageous man, the outlook was so forbid- ding he retraced his steps to the confines of civilization. He noted, however, that there were undoubtedly vast natural resources waiting for development, and so in the fall of 1867 repeated his experimental visit, this time to stay. He bought nearly an entire section of land, only forty acres of which had been disturbed by the plowshare, and proceeded after the manner of the early pio- neer to battle with life on the frontier. He has, perhaps, had more than most men to contend with; he has met with loss and affliction, but these have developed a character of more than ordinary excel- lence. There is no surer indication of a man's moral worth than the estimation in which he is held by his neighbors, and in whatever respect otherwise Mr. Hays may have failed in realizing his ambitions in this he certainly has reasons to re- joice and be glad. Before proceeding further it will perhaps be well to take a backward glance at the childhood and youth of our subject. He was born in Pope County, 111., March 4, 1810, and lived there with his parents two years, when they removed to Mor- gan County, that State, and sojourned in the latter a period of forty-five 3^ears, settling there when the now flourishing town of Jacksonville had not even a name. Young Hays passed his boyhood after the manner of most farmers' sons, receiving a limited education in the common schools and employing himself at farming pursuits mostly, although for two years upon approaching manhood he was en- gaged in mercantile business at Yatesville. »> PAWNEE COUNTY. .fc ■ » -*- 6 1 9 Farming', however, proved more congenial to the tastes of Mr. Hays than merchandising, and he soon returned to his legitimate business, lie had been carefully trained under the home roof, and grew up in be a worthy member of the community, receiv- ing that recognition among his fellow-citizens which resulted in his being elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, which he held seven years, and to other positions of trust and responsibility. When about twenty-three years of age lie took unto himself a wife and helpmate, being married at the home of the bride, Nov. 11, 1842, to Miss Mary T. Howeii, a native of Morgan County. 111. The young people began the journey of life together upon a farm in Morgan County, and lived in Illinois until crossing the two great rivers and settling in the farther West. Upon the purchase of Mr. Hays in Table Rock Precinct, when first coming here there stood a small frame house. He had a large family of chil- dren, and hence arose the necessity of providing more commodious quarters as soon as possible. The summer following he put up the large frame dwell- ing which he still owns and occupies, and which is still in a good state of preservation. He fenced 10(1 acres with smooth wire, put out. two miles of hedge, and began planting cottonwood trees, which are now three feet in diameter. He also set out an orchard of apple trees which are now nineteen years old, and has abundance of the smaller fruits, which provide in their season many luxuries for the household. In due time lie began raising grain ex- tensively, anil finally drifted into the breeding of live stock, keeping large numbers of cattle, horses and swine, and at one time had a flock of 400 sheep which yielded him a good income. Mr. Hays and his family from the first enjoj'ed excellent health, and only one of the fifteen in his family ever had the ague. Mr. Hays assisted in building the first bridge over Long Branch on the Brownville road, ami also in laying out the roads through Table Hock Precinct, there being one high- way at the time of his coming here. The precinct then comprised two school districts, one of the school-houses being near the present site of Table Rock. Mr. Hays sent li is seven children into Richardson County to school one winter, the near- est point elsewhere being live miles away. lie assisted in I lie organization of School District No. 52, being the prime mover, going personally to every voter. He was appointed County Superin- tendent of Schools, anil was one of the most active men within its limits to introduce facilities for the education of the young. It naturally followed that Mr. Hays was also elected Moderator of his school district, and he has since held that office. A small frame building was put up at a cost of $400, and a teacher was emplo\ ed whose salary was insured by the issuing of bonds. Came was then plentiful in this region, also In- dians. The settlers were obliged to take their prod- uce to market at Brownville, thirty miles away. the trip occupying two days' time, and then receiv- ing only thirty cents per bushel for their hard- earned wheat. Mr. Hays witnessed the erection of the first house at Humboldt. Upon visiting Pawnee City on the 3d of June, 1 JSG7, he found the court-house in process of erection, just three feet above the ground, but there was a place provided at which to pay taxes. There was also a post-office and one or two stores. Court was held first in the house of the Postmaster. J. L. Kdwards. In the building of his own house Mr. Hays did much of the work himself. It was quite an imposing structure for those times, covering an area of 32x24 feet, with a 12-foot addition, and was at the lime the largest house in this part of tin' county. Included among its inmates were eight daughters and two stalwart sons. Each year witnessed some improvement in the property, and the Hays homestead in due time was familiar to people all over the county as the home of one of its best citizens. The precinct voted railroad bonds to the amount of $20,000, but on account of irregularity they sought a release, which the railroad agreed in in case the county would vote a lax. Mr. Hays was made Chairman of the committee appointed to fight the perpetuation of the bonds, winch were drawing ten per cent, interest, and was so success- ful in his efforts that he saved for the precinct the sum of $30,000, a result for which the people ever hold him in grateful remembrance. Mr. II was also frequently summoned as a jury- T f J, 620 PAWNER COUNTY. man, and was often sent as a delegate to the various County Conventions. He has cast his bal- lot in Table Rock Precinct when there were only three Democratic votes within its limits. The De- mocracy is now sixty strong. Mrs. Mary (Bowen) Hays was born in Morgan County. III.. March 12, 182;"). and is the daugh- ter of Andrew Bowen, a native of Kentucky, who spent his last years in Morgan County. He emi- grated to Illinois when a young man. and married Miss Penninah Hardin. They became the parents of four children. Mr. Bowen died when his daugh- ter Mary was a young child. He was a farmer and mechanic combined, a peaceable and law-abiding citizen, who provided comfortably for his family, and was a good neighbor. The wife and mother departed this life in Jasper County, Iowa, in 1883, at the age of seventy-four. To Mr. and Mrs. Hays there came a family of nine children, one of whom died when twenty- two years old. and eight are still living. These were named respectively: Sarah Ellen, Penninah Jane. Mary Elizabeth, Amanda Melvina; Frances Josephine, deceased; Isabelle Ann, Olive Henrietta, Rosetta Melissa and Hardin W. They also reared a little girl, Minnie May, who was taken into their family when three weeks old. The eldest daugh- ter. Sarah E., is the wife of John F. Smith, of Montana, and they have four children; Penninah is the widow of Michael Stockton, and is also the mother of four children; Mary, Mrs. Benjamin Sage, lives in Morgan County, 111.; Amanda mar- ried John I. Latham, of Harper County, Kan., and they have three sons and two daughters; Isabelle Ann is the wife of James Sage, of Jasper County, Iowa, and they have four children; Olive is the wife of Mr. A. McClintoek. of Table Rock Precinct: they have three children; Rosetta is the only child a 1 ; home. They were all given a good practical education, and without exception possess fine mu- sical talents. William Hays, the father of our subject, was born on the Yadkin River, in North Carolina, in 1793. Thence he migrated first to Kentucky, and then to Illinois, settling on a farm in Morgan County, and employed himself considerably as a mechanic. He married Miss Webb, a native of Ken- tucky, and they became the parents of seven chil- dren, all of whom lived to mature years. The elder Hays took up land in Morgan County. 111., where he improved a good farm, and where his death took place in IS 1 ]. He was oneof the earliest pioneers of that section, a good ami worthy man, respected by all who knew him. The wife and mother sur- vived her husband until about 1860. Both were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which Father Hays was identified for a period of forty years, and the mother probably about that length of time. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Joseph Hays. Sr.. who settled in Kentucky-, and later served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, in which he sacrificed his life to his country. His widow was subsequently married, but kept her son William with her until he started out in life for himself. Moses Webb, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a drummer boy in the Revo- lutionary War four years, under the immediate command of Gen. Washington. He served two years in a cavalry regiment. He spent the last two years of his life with his son-in-law William, and enjoyed a pension from the Government. He lived to be seventy -two years old, surviving his wife, who had passed away several years before. Mr. Hays, during the earlier days of Illinois, and during his boyhood, went on foot from his home in Morgan County to Alton, that State, driving a herd of swine, which he sold at $1.50 per 100, net weight. II — PAWNEE COUNTY. 625 ing one summer there. In August, 1X71, In- started overland with a team t<> this county, crossing the Missouri River at Brownville. Flu soon located 160 acres cf land in Mission Creek Precinct, and commenced at first principles to open up a farm. This has since been his abiding-place, and all the improvements which the passing traveler to-day beholds with interest and admiration are the results of his industry. He set out a grove the second year, has an abundance of fruit trees, good build- ings, live stock, and all the other accessories of the well-regulated farm. His stock embraces good breeds of horses, cattle and swine, many of them graded animals, and among them some of the finest to be seen in the county. Miss Fanny L. Foster, of Monmouth, 111., became the wife of our subject on the 1th of March, 1874. Mrs. Wallace was a native of South Carolina, and was born near Abbeville. Slie died at her home in this precinct early in the year 188!). She was a lady who had the love and respect of all who knew her. Of her union with our subject there are three children— Ralph F.. Ora R. and Frank P. Mr. Wallace votes the straight Republican ticket, and is a man active in the support of his principles, fre- quently being sent as a delegate to County Conven- tions, and giving cheerfully of his time and means to the furtherance of every good work. He is a member of the School Board of his precinct, and has represented it in the County Board of Super- visors. He is an Elder in the United Presbyterian Church of Mission Creek, and is active in the Sun- day-school, a regular teacher in the Bible Class, and otherwise laboring earnestly in the Master's vineyard. He was longago placed anion" the rep- resentative men of Pawnee County, who have assisted in its development and prosperity. ffiOHN C. BECK was born in Clarioi |l Pa., Oct. 12, 1858. and is the son I, F. and Sophia (Oglesby) Beck. Tl ((^// died in 1864, Leaving our subjec OHN C. BECK was born in Clarion County. of David 'he mother ijjj iueu in inoi. Leaving our subject and his two sisters. Mary .lane and Eva. About a year •t later the father, taking Our subject with him, re- moved to near Caledonia. Minn., where Mr. Beck owned a flouring-mill. They remained there but two years, however, then the father taking his young son. removed to Victory. Vernon Co.. Wis., and there Mr. Heck engaged for three years in tin- hotel business. At the expiration of this time they both removed to Pawnee County, Neb. Dur- ing- these migrations of the father and son. (he two sisters remained in Pennsylvania, where the younger sister. Eva, died. David F. Beck did not long remain in Ne- braska, going soon after to Kansas, and is now liv- ing in Norton County, in that State. For several years he has been Deputy County Recorder. On coming to Nebraska with his father, our sub- ject remained in Table Rock, which has ever since been his home. He is now partner of William L. Taylor, in the livery stable business at that place, having the best establishment of the kind in the city. He has been fairly successful in business, and ranks among the enterprising and progressive young business men of the county. Ever since he has been old enough to vote he has been a stanch ad- herent of the Republican party. October 22, 188 I. John C. Beck was united in mar- riage with Miss Alice McKinzie. She is a daughter of William McKinzie, of Grove City, Christian Co.. 111., and she and her future husband became acquainted while she was visiting a sister who re- sides in Table Rock. Of this union one child has been born, a daughter named Laura V., now three years old. Mrs. Beck is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. UILLIAM L.TAYLOR, of the firm of Taylor & Beck, livery stable keepers. Table Rock. W(/ is an enterprising and intelligent repre- sentative of the business men of this city. He is a son of one of Pawnee County's well-known pio- neers. John Taylor. The father was Imni in Scot- land, March I. 1826, and came to America in 1848 in the Hush of early manhood. In 1850 he returned *T 626 t PAWNEE COUNTY. to his native hind for his promised bride, Miss Mary Wishart, and on the 3d of July they were united in marriage. Returning to his adopted country with his young wife, Mr. Taylor settled in Wilkesbarre, Pa., and in that town our subject was born to his parents June 2, 1851. In 1853, when he was two years of age they removed to Hawes- ville, Ky., and there the father established himself at his trade of blacksmith, which he conducted in that place the following eleven years. Four chil- dren were born to him and his wife during their residence in Kentucky. In 1864 Mr. Taylor, accompanied by his family, sought a still newer country in the then Territory of Nebraska. He bought 1 60 acres of land on sec- tion 7, Sheridan Precinct, and took up another 160- acre tract under the provisions of the Homestead Act, and in the ensuing years, by incessant and skillful labor developed the whole 320 acres into one of the finest and most productive farms in the precinct. He erected a small log house in which the family lived for three or four years, and he then replaced it with a more substantial and room}' house of stone, the dwelling being 30x33 feet. The most of his land is tillable or else pasturage or tim- ber. He hedged it and cross fenced it, and set out an orchard and windbreak, and made all the useful improvements usually made by an enterprising far- mer. He fed all of his grain, and raised about 100 cattle and hogs yearly, keeping none but standard grades. He was here when the nearest market was the Missouri River, and the lumber for his house he had to draw from St. Joseph and Nebraska City. He became identified with the various interests of the precinct, and with great public spirit supported any enterprise that was calculated to be beneficial to it. He took an especially active part in pro- moting the educational facilities of Sheridan, and was there when the district in which he lived was organized, and was appointed the first Director of the district, and in that capacity was a member of the building committee that had charge of the erection of the frame school-house that was put up for the accommodation of the scholars in that part of the precinct, and for the first few years he paid the largest percentage of the taxes. He was one of the earliest settlers of the precinct to have an •►*♦ extensive farm with all the necessary improve- ments, large barn, etc., and everything complete to make it a first-class farm. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and of the I. O. O. F. He was an intelligent reader, a man of good capac- ity and strict integrity, and as one of the substan- tial men of the community his death Oct. 26, 188S, was esteemed a great loss. He was twice married. The wife of his early manhood, the mother of our subject, died June 15, 1870 or 1871. For his second wife he married Mrs. Nancy Wyman, of this place, and she still survives him. They had two children. The subject of this sketch remained with his father until he was about twenty-four years old, finishing his education at the Pawnee Academy, and after gaining a good practical experience of farming under his father's instruction, he engaged in that calling for himself. He was thus actively engaged until 1878, when he moved to Table Rock, and until the following year was in J. Bar- ker's store. In 1879 he established the livery busi- ness, and continued it alone until 1881, when he was burned out. He then started up anew with a partner, who remained with him some years until Mr. Beck bought out his share, and entered into partnership with our subject. They have a large and well-appointed livery stable, with good road horses and neat, comfortable turn-outs, and are doing an extensive and lucrative business. To the lady who presides over his pleasant and hospitable home, our subject was united in marriage, in Table Rock, Oct. 4, 1877. Mrs. Taylor, whose maiden name was Minnie J. Fox, was born Jan. 27, 1858, in Pennsylvania, a daughter of R. and Mary Fox, likewise natives of that State. Her mother came West and settled in Nemaha County in the pioneer days. Mrs. Fox came the next year to this precinct, and took up a homestead claim. Her husband subsequently went to war and died in Libby Prison. Mrs. Fox moved onto a claim with her family, and bravely held it in spite of adverse circumstances. She is still living in town, and is much respected by all who know her. Our subject is a man of excellent judgment, has a clear, cool head for business, and his credit is good in financial circles. Politically, he is a Re- publican. * » BIOGFJfH^KspLc. ■*HM» ++* ■M- "T Adams, John 23 Adams, J . Q 39 Aikins, H. L 428 A ik ins, William 613 Alder, Jacob 244 Anderson, W.I 491 Appelget, A. M 216 Appelget, Judge Thomas 163 Archer, Benjamin 227 Archer, J. L 264 Arrastead, Job 299 A meal, T. A . . .471 Arthur, Chester A 99 Atkins, W. C 243 Atkinson, J. C 448 Auker, G. W 37° B Bacon, Solon 351 Badberg, John H 404 Baker, A. E 603 Baker, Allen C 259 Baker, B. J 183 Baker, T. C 234 Ball, A. B 410 Barr, J.D S57 Barr, Joseph 557 Barr, William 572 Barret, J . E 365 Beal, John 372 Beck, J. C 625 Becker, S. S 433 Beethe, C. A 262 Beethe, C. H 309 Bell, E. F 344 Bell, E. W 574 Bennett, George D 188 Benson, William 377 Bcrrie, Samuel 25* Berry, D. H 367 Berry, Hon- E. M 616 Biesemeier, C- F. A 320 Biner, N . O 415 ■4» Blacklaw, Mrs. M . E 560 Blake, Palmer 257 Blakeley, Jacob 268 Blythe, James S 400 Boomgaarn, John 426 Boone, E. T --453 Bradley, C. T 387 Bratton, J. H 585 Bridges, John W 293 Brigham, Josiah 279 Broady , Frederick 276 Brooks, J. B - 510 Brooks, Thomas H 413 Brown, E. A 366 Brown, Isaac 464 Brown, John E 352 Brown, J. T 594 Brown, Silas L 330 Bruch, J. H 468 Bstandig, Ferdinand. 430 Buchanan, James — 75 Buehler, Christian 404 Buffum, J. W 206 Bull, W. B 603 Burow, Gottfried 538 Bush, D. R 300 Bush, George 473 Butler, David in Byrne, Michael . .463 C Campbell, John C . . . . 380 Cannell, J.D 197 Carlyle, James E 259 Carman, Enoch 391 Carman, Henry C 189 Carman, Hon. A. A 282 Carman, Israel 332 Carman, James A 411 Carman, William E 385 Carmine, George W 221 Carver, John 592 Cathcart, Grant C 351 Cathcart, Joseph M 347 Chamberlain, Clarence K 158 Chamberlain, Charles M . . .158 Chamberlin, M arcus 292 Chubb lick, C. K.,M. D 229 Cleveland, S. G rover 103 Cody, Hon. M . K. 393 Collins, George W 506 Collins, William R 190 Combs, Elzie 372 Conard, John 488 Condon, J. T 621 Conklin, David C 205 Cook, Andrew 156 Cook, Edward 333 Cook, James W 399 Cooper, Hugh L 334 Cornell, T. L , 451 Crile, Michael 228 Crow, J. H 296 Curry, Charles W 607 Curry, R. F a 3 S Curtis, Harrison J 215 Curtis, W. H 454 Dafoe, P. V. R., M. D 37 » Davenport, George W 509 Davis, John 486 Davis, Luther L 519 Dawes, James W 127 Derr, John 249 Determann, Lewis H . . . 236 Deulen, James 394 Dew, Robert 378 Dible, John H 257 Dickerson, Philip 186 Dickinson, H. S 531 Dilworth, W. S 248 I > i mo n , C. V 527 Dollarhide, A. H 241 Dorsey, B. F 198 Drake, B. F 324 Drook, William 266 Dunlap, W. L 340 E Easterday, M. V 389 Eaton, Alexander 24a Eaton, Stephen W 273 F.dgerton, J. W 431 Edwards, J. L 585 Edwards, T. J 291 Elliott, John M 260 Ellis, Fernandes H 256 Ellis, Hon. Charles C 265 Ellison, Mc 553 Epley, John 407 Ernst, Herman .... 232 Eruin, Kobert M 345 Fillmore, Millard 67 Finzer, Jacob 334 Flanagin, John 549 Foale, Peter G. ... -455 Frank, Christian F 443 Frank, William A 479 Frazee, Hiram 579 Freeburn, Hon. William 297 Freeman, Henry 447 Fuller, B. H 480 Fuller, William 338 Furnas, Robert W 115 G Gabby, Hugh 439 Gallagher, Davis 537 Garber, Silas 119 Gardner, William H 343 Garfield, James A 95 Gehr, Israel 363 Gill, James F 582 CUiss, James R 176 Glasson, Joseph 282 Goering, George • 203 Goin, Phillip 481 Gold, Peter 484 Goldsby, John t8o Goodman, Thomas 230 Gore, Joshua 350 Gore, W. R : 57 Goudy, A. K 578 Goudy, J. K 474 Grant, Ulysses S 87 f •Hl^*^ *HMi INDEX. Grilling, O. W 576 Griffing, W. A 595 Grimes, William 108 H Hachenberg, Mrs. Manie 522 Hachenberg. Mrs. Polly 54° H alderman, Hon. W. J 543 Hall, John E 295 Hall, L. G 202 Hall, Theodora 546 Hamilton, James S. H 375 Hammond, R. H 569 Hankins, W. C 534 Hansen, E. A 444 Harmon, George W 284 Harrington, A. L 496 Harris, F. A 314 Harris, W. R 383 Harrison, Benjamin 107 Harrison, J. D 466 Harrison, W. H 51 Hartwell, Richard .403 Hassler, A. E 578 Ha 11 berg, Eggert 407 Hays, Joseph 618 Hayes, Rutherford B 91 Hazels, Joseph 598 Heer, Benjamin 507 Helmes, Dr. J. E 470 Henry, James ■ . . .356 Hervey, William 392 Heywood, A. E 505 Hildebrand, Benjamin F 535 HSU, James 166 Hill, W. H 377 Hitchcock, Caleb 541 Hitchcock, Col. N. F 342 Hitchcock. E. Ross - .310 Hitchcock, J . H 251 Holmes, Hon. Charles A 153 Holmes, O. M 275 Holmes, Warren H 225 Holmes, William H -373 Hopkins, P. H 199 Hosick, Lawrence W 399 Hotaling.D. W 388 Howard, James N 270 Howarth, Henry 357 Howe, O. D ...499 Howe, Rnfus 193 Hunzeker, Henry 427 Hunzeker, John R 491 H us to n . Robert 239 f Iden,G. W 328 Inglis, Robert 485 Irwin, Isaac 353 Izer, John , 5 »_j 4* Jackson, Andrew 43 Jefferson, Thomas 27 Jenkins, H . S 509 Jobes, William W 360 Johnson, Andrew 83 Jones, Henry W 348 Jones, James T 210 Jordan, L. D 517 Jury, E. G ...220 Keiser, John E 445 Reiser, Nimrod 445 Kelly, G. W 577 Kennedy, James ... . 609 Keplinger, J - W 219 Kershaw, John 349 King, Charles L 174 King, Mrs. Desire J 331 King, W. L 406 Kingsbury, Ephraim 620 Koli n, Frederick T72 Krause, August 101 Kuhlman, Diedrich 278 Landweir, Henry ...386 Lane, A . E 622 Lawrence, J. A 323 Layman, Jacob T 524 Lester, E . L . ... t6o Libby, William H 316 Liming, F. F . . . 425 Lincoln, Abraham , 77 Livingston, Duncan 321 Luce, Worthy 402 Luthy, John .442 Luthy, Simon 441 Lyman, W. G 437 M Macy, John F 374 Madison, James 31 Manley, A. F 449 Marble, H. P 255 Marrs, Alexander 286 Matthews, T ho mas H 362 Mavity, Leander P 2S7 McCasland, J. N., M. D 456 McClintock, William 515 McClure, Thomas 396 McConnel, John 185 McCready, R. J 542 McDannold, John E 354 McDonald, Richard ,545 M enehan, Thomas 615 Merrill, H. \V 303 Meyer, H. C. F 495 Milks. T. W 305 Miller, D. K 614 Milton, James 532 Miner, Samuel 178 Moller, Henry 398 Monroe, James 35 Moore, C. W 252 Moore, S. V 525 M or ley, John 568 Morrison, Rev. Dr. Marion . .563 Morton, J. B 487 Morton, Wilburn 159 N Nance, Albinus 123 Neader, Charles 50S Nelson, Elmer W 302 Nesbitt. Josiah 597 Niemann, Wilhelm 293 Noble, A. B 339 Norris, Hon- C. H 516 o Olmsted, John J 315 Osgood, D. F 165 Ost, L. E 317 Otis, Leroy 28 1 Paine, Orlo 170 Parker, S- B 304 Parrish, J. B 60S Patton, T. M — 357 Payne, B. M 411 Pence, R. L 194 Pepoon, Hon. J. B 570 Pepoon, Hon. T. W 605 Pepper 1, A Win 498 Pepperl, Frank .■•■554 Pepperl, James 586 Pepperl, Louis 465 Perry, William W 416 Phillips, C S 246 Phillips, Elihu P 251 Phillips, J. L 162 Pierce, Franklin 71 Pierce. N D 313 l'latt, Purdy 171 Pohlenz, Christian 294 Polk, James K 59 Pool, Charles W 318 Potter, G. C igt Pratt, John W 222 Price, John P. . , 397 Purcell, J. H 601 R Raper, Hon. W. B 588 Redfield, F. A 327 Redfield, W. C 232 Reed, Almeron 196 Reed, Mrs. Sarah M 280 Rees. J.W 477 Rice, Marcus A 492 Richardson, Daniel 213 Richardson, P 261 Robb, Hon. Washington 358 Robb, H. W 599 Roberts, C. W 195 Robinson, C.P 395 Rogers, L- M 567 Rogge, Henry 212 Root, William E 513 Rothell, Frank 288 Salzman, Andrew 167 Sampson, Mrs. Elizabeth 169 Samson, Russell H 558 Sandifer, Walter E . .355 Sandusky, Wiley 288 Sapp, George W 233 Saxenberger, Fred, M . D 571 Schumann, Henry 302 Schumann, John D 192 Scott, R. T 526 Scott, William 556 Seip, Charles 561 Shannon, S. S 552 Shannon, T. H 521 Shannon, W. A 536 Sbarrett, John B 301 Sharrett, Lafayette A 214 Shaw, Enos M 391 Shaw, J - W 591 Shay, James -379 Shellhorn, Jerome , 536 Shewey, Mrs. Margaret 587 Smart, Robert 179 Smith, C. B 194 Smith, J.N. 55s Smith, Theodore ... 211 Souders, Jonathan 310 Souders, William A 403 Sovereign, Abraham 436 Stanton, Michael 224 Starkey,W.C 574 Stevens, Peter 581 Stewart, J ■ T 612 Stewart, Malcolm, M . D 416 Stoltenberg. James 261 Strong, H . B .401 Sullivan, A. C 155 Sutton, William 497 Sutton, William 397 Swallow, John P 459 Swart, A. H 277 Talcott, William H ...267 Taylor, F. H 435 Taylor, Franklin 361 » ► w T < * -=-e> INDEX. fr Taylor, W. 1 625 Taylor, Zachary.... 63 Thayer, John M 131 Thompson, J . M 312 Tillotson. James 562 Turman, Z. B 583 Tyler, John 55 Van Buren, Martin 47 ■ran Ness, W. G 175 Vedder, K. L Vetter, J. J.. .49° 204 W Walker, Marcus 258 Walker, Hon. M. K 589 Wallace, J. H 623 Warner, D . S 409 Washburn, F. E 482 Washington, George 19 Watson, Ann E 311 Webb, James 173 Welch, G. W 5 oi W ha ley, John 461 Wheeler, Ephraim . . . .550 White, William 611 Whith am, Joseph 369 Whitney, John R 337 Wilkinson, Charles 213 Williamson, A. M 405 Wilson, C. M 319 Wilson, David J 190 Wilson, Judge John 184 Winters, Lewis 237 Wolff, Julius :8 7 Wood, Edgar 502 Wood, JohnC 583 Woodley, Cornelius 177 Young, J. L 200 Young, William M .a Z insmaster, Jacob J 274 Adams, John 22 Adams, John Q 38 Arthur, Chester A 98 Baker, Benjamin J 182 Buchanan, James 74 Butler, David no Cleveland, S. Grover 10a Dawes, James W 126 Dickinson, H. S 53c Kd wards, T. J 290 Fillmore, Millard 66 Flanagin, John ...... . 548 Flan agin, Mrs. Sarah J 548 Furnas, Robert W 114 Garber, Silas 118 Garfield, James A 94 Grant, Ulysses S 86 Harrison, Benjamin 106 Harrison, William H 50 Hayes, Rutherford B ..90 Holmes, Hon. C. A 152 Jackson, Andrew 42 Jefferson, Thomas 26 Johnson, Andrew 82 Liming, Fielding F 424 Lincoln, Abraham 78 Madison, J ames 30 Marble, H. P 254 Monroe, James 34 Nance, Albums. 122 Pierce, Franklin 70 Polk, James K 5 8 Redfield, F. A 33 6 Rogers, L. M 5 66 Swallow, John P 458 Taylor, Zachary 62 Thayer, John M 130 Tyler, John . 54 Van l.uren, Martin 46 Washington, George 18 Barret, J. E 364 Beethe, Carl Henry 308 Brown, E. A 364 Caihcart,J. M 346 Curry, R. F 236 Finzer, Jacob 33s Frank, C. F 440 Frank, W. A 476 Fuller, William 135 Harris, W. R 382 Holmes, 0. M 272 Jones. H- W 346 J ury, K. G 218 Keplinger. J . W 218 Luthy, John 440 Luthy. Simon 440 Macy, J- F . 272 McC Unlock, William, 512 Rees, J. W 476 Richardson, Daniel 207 Root , W . K 512 Sharrett, L. A 207 Souders, Jonathan 308 Whitney, J. R 335 Wilkinson, Charles 207 Winters, L 236 Zinsmaster, J.J 272 \ *•■ *T