f 1 p _*—..!) - • - ^•'' — Xf 6 e^. -5- J:^.s a,(«)- ^r^h ,,M*B/OG.,,^^^, 4/ AND ILLUSTRATED ^^:^tCOMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHYg ^^ ^ COMPENDIUM OF LOCAL BIOGRAPHY, Including Biographical Sketches of Hundreds of Prominent Old Settlers and Representative Citizens of BUTLER, POLK, SEWARD, YORK AND FILLMORE COUNTIES, NEBRASKA, with a Review of their Life Work; their Identity with the Growth and De- velopment of this Region ; I^eminiscences of Personal History and Pioneer Life; and other Interesting and Valuable Matter which should be Preserved in History. ALSO A COMPENDIUM OF NATIONAL BIOGRAPHY, Containing Biographical Sketches of Hundreds of the Greatest Men and Celebrities America has Produced in Various Walks of Life, including Great Statesmen, Lawyers, Jurists, Scientists, Editors, Poets, Writers, Financiers. Railroad Magnates, Army and Navy Officers, Inventors, Speculators, Scouts, Merchant Princes, Humorists, Electricians, Educators, Preachers, Philanthropists, Artists, Manufacturers, Abolitionists, Explorers, All the Presidents, etc. ILLUSTRATED. CHICAGO: , , « GEO. A. OGLE,& CO. \^ ,' •' ' Publishers, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. 18S»». Cojiyiii;!!! lAW, b.v iJ>'0. A. Oglr Sc Co, ^S^ Fe) — fr-^f-- — « »- 1 . E.. M.D 698 Sedgwick. Judge S. H .. . 247 Sedgwick. Theron E. ... 539 Seeley. James P 1027 Senil. Elizabeth Williams .1097 Seng, Walter W 675 Shafer, Ezra B 610 Shambaugh, Andrew J. .. . 711 Shambaugh. Michael L.... 812 Shajiland. John 990 Shaw. Dr. Lawrence M . , . 807 Sheldon. Charles M 943 PAGE Sheldon. Henry S 815 Shepherd. Geo 516 Sherbondy. J. W 858 Shields. Wm. T 817 Shidler. Ur. Geo. W 242 Shiley. Samuel L 476 Shipp. James 654 Shostrom. Andrew 944 Shotwell. Eli L 430 Shrader. Solomon 6.53 Shretller. Edmund 577 Shurlock. Parkhurst 557 Sidwell, Levi M 474 Simmons, Frank G 237 Simpson, Thomas 699 Sisty, James H 900 Skinner, John 399 Skipton, Franklin.. 306 Sloan, Frank W 813 Sloan, Hon, Chas, H 376 Small, .Joshua D. P 672 Smith. Abraham 903 Smith, Charles M 916 Smith, Geo. W 614 Smith, Hon. H. L., M.J).. 270 Smith. John .$63 Smith. .Morace F 1040 Smith. Peter 954 Smith. Samuel L 495 Smith. Thomas W 446 Smith. William E 1025 Smith. Wm. H 548 Smith. W. T 792 Smrha, Charles HOT Snyder, Carl 465 Sorrill, William 497 Sovereign, Milton, .... 290 Sowers. Lafayette 1070 Sparling. Christ 639 Sperry. A. D 603 Spring. William M 605 Sprout. William F 664 Spurlock. Burwell and Isa- bella 275 Stafford. Willard P 636 Stahr. Carston 637 Stanton. Jeremiah 705 Stapf. Rev. Carl 62.3 Stark, Charles H 661 State Bank of Nebraska, Seward 644 Steffen, Ferdinand 48.^ Steiner, Frank 485 Stephenson. Charles P . 745 .Steward. Hon. John B 1109 Steward. Thomas 1117 Stewart. William 373 Stines. Hal. P 1100 Stines. Shelly 1036 St. Mary's Catholic Church (Butler Co.). Luxemburg Settlement ... 622 St. Mary's Catholic Church, David City 840 StoUar, John 1081 Stolldorf , August 898 PAGE Stout, J. M 308 Stover, Calvin S 1005 Stowell, Ralph W 945 Straight, Dr. John W 612 Strickland. Alvin N 290 Strickler. Joseph W 490 Strickler, Wm. .M 337 Stubbs, Dennis A 418 Stuhr, Henry 344 Stui;, Morris C 971 Suppiger, Chas. B 255 Swanson, Andrew J ...... . 849 Swanson. Nils B 489 Swanson. Oscar 564 Swarts. Geo. W 1088 Swarts. J A 1101 Swearingen, Joseph 855 Talbot, Charles W 908 Talbott, Joe 1091 Talmage. -Joseph W 1053 Tarble, John K 300 Taylor, Albert B 533 Taylor, Prof Chas, W 1017 Taylor. W. A 838 Tavlor. W. H 655 Taylor. William ,.., 610 TerwiUiger, Geo. H 606 Theobald. Genrge 1083 Thomas. Evan K 367 Thomas. Hon. J.J 262 Thompson. Cyrus B 928 Thompson. EUwood 428 Thompson. James D 753 Thompson. Noah M 1069 Tilden. Norman F 679 Timm. Lewis 708 Tindall. Cieo. E 1024 Tomlin, Edward A 836 Topham. Daniel . . .985 Towle. John 1030 Towner. Abraham 981 Tracy. Mrs. Maria A. B . . . . 800 Trollop, Wesley 473 Troutman, William P 862 Trowbridge, A. H 523 Turner. Charles M 629 Turpening. Alfred F 985 Tutty. Kirkman 915 L'ffelmann. William 409 Valentine, Miller 920 Van ..\llen, L. C 866 Vanderkolk,Sipke 859 Vanderkolk. Tabitha . . 860 Van VIeet. Martin 923 \'arner. John F 638 Venell. N. J 904 Vilriuain, Victor E„ Jr.. 1103 Vincent. Allen 950 \'olzke, William 476 Walden. Nathaniel J 8'26 Waldman, August 784 PAGE Walker. Hiram P 602 Walker. John J 740 Walkup. David 456 Walkup. John 710 Walrath. Eugene A 269 Walrod, Wm. M 693 Walsh. D. P 529 Walters, William 680 Wamsley, Chris. C . 531 Wanke. John 699 Ward. John M 450 Warner, ^avid 323 Warner, George U 719 Warner, Hon, Charles A-- 224 Warner. L. H 677 Warner. Charles Y 332 Warren. Lucius A 392 Warthen, W. E 785 Watt, Isaiah W 589 Watts, George 848 Weis, Jacob 284 Weis, Peter D 406 Weiser, Peter 1012 Welch, Hon, William 314 Weller, Henry H 561 Wellman, Henry 910 Wells, Edgar A 313 Wells, Oliver C 763 W^estberg, Oliver 517 Westerhoff, John 788 Wheeler, Lyman S 774 Wheeler, Wallace 1094 White, Charles D 312 White, James D 1049 White, Wilton A 822 Wholstenholm, James 669 Wholstenholm, John 931 Wiens, Dr. Peter 593 Wildman. Milton M 961 WiU. Norman B 599 Williams. Joseph K 630 WiUiams. Wilton K 361 Wilson. Gapt. J. L 276 Wilson. Owen D., Jr. 257 Wirt. Thomas L> 648 Wise, Birney S 415 Wise, Joseph H 309 Wilter, Jacob M 909 Wolfe, Hon, Thomas 326 Wolvin, Horace 440 Wood, Henry 611 Wood, James V, 696 Woodard, Warren 1007 Woodward, Dr, James H... 244 Wright, Hon. C. J 462 Wright. James H 1009 WuUbrandt. Charles C... 620 Zahler, George 442 Zeman. Frank J 269 Zimmerman. Hon. David S. 249 Zimmermann. Dietrich. . . . 804 Zimmermann. John . . 831 Zion's Congregation — Luth- eran Church 619 Zwieg, W illiam 768 ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE Blair, Mr. and Mrs.Wm. J.. and Son 1015 Brabham, Henry H 579 Buckley. P. T 722 Buckley, Mrs. Tillie C 723 Casey. Mr. and .Mrs. Corne- lius 797 Cummins. Dr. II. B 697 East. Dr. John 11 403 Field, Mr. and Mrs. Will- iam 1 105 Graves, Daniel, Residence o£ 989 PAGE Harlan, Hon. N. V 253 Hatfield. Dr. Thomas i ... 651 Holland, Hon. C. E 359 Hull, Mr. and Mrs. N. P... 779 Jenkins. Hon. John D 1059 Jones, Claudius 222 -Jorgenson, Lars 685 Klein. Rev. Alois J .......1077 Long. William, and Family. 885 McFadden. Mr. and Mrs -Joseph, and Son 937 Mickey. Hon. -John H 481 Mickey. John G 633 PAGE Miller. Hon. Matt 297 Miller. William P 963 Monson, N. P 543 Nobes. Chas J 499 Pettis. Mr. and .Mrs S. W. and Daughter 703 Prohaska. Anthony 569 Ren. Louis C 525 Roche. Kev. Father J, T. . 841 Saunders. Hon. T. H 421 Schneringer. Carl B 761 Schneringer. Fred 760 Sloan, Hon, Chas. H 377 PAGE Smith. Geo. W 615 Smith. Hon. H. L.. M. D. . 271 Smith. Mr. and Mrs. M. F..10J1 Smith. Thomas W 446 Van Allen. L. C 867 Walker. John J 741 Warren. Charles Y . 333 Welch. Hon William 315 Wellman. Henry 911 Wheeler. Wallace 1095 White. Mr. and Mrs. Wilton J^ Bg« Wright. Hon. C. J ........ ! 463 ^'*r?Sb»!r^'|»^r^^r^#t^^r^#i?^r!b*i:»*t^#'^#'^# INTI^0DUeT©HY t1^^■^^t ^^t^^^r •H•^^^r ^^^^H^^f^^^^^R=^¥y^^=ii^^^¥^=^=^Hr^H^■^r^^rt^<^ ¥y?^¥T .6^4i454*d|64ii|54id|ii;|*i|i4;ij|i4i2|64ii|64*e|54*i|6 ,SUiJLSJiS.SiSiSLSiSiSiSiSULSiSiSiSiJiSLSiSiSiSiS^^ mTK@DWeT0KY ^/X/%/%'»/*/»/VX/X/^/%^V*/X^ HE greatest of English historians, Macaulay, and one of the most briUiant writers and profound thinkers of the present century, has said: "The history of a country is best told in a record of the lives of its people." This is a fact which is becoming more and more recognized as our f)eople advance in education and intelli- gence, and our own great Emerson, whose name stands at the head of American writers of his day, in carrying forward and emphasizing the great fact expressed by Macaulay, says: "Biog- raphy is the only true history." It was for the purpose of gathering and preserving this biographical matter in enduring form that the design for this volume originated. COMPENDIUM OF NATIONAL BIOGRAPHY. Regarding the fore part of this volume, "Part I," which is devoted to a "Com- pendium OF National Biography," but little need be said. The lives of the great men and celebrities of America are so inaccessible to the general public, and are so often in demand without being accessible, that it has been deemed wise to gather together a vast number of the biographies of our nation's greatest men and include them in this work as a fitting preface to the life histories and biographies of the local parties which follow and embrace the latter part of the volume. It is not given to all men to become great in a national sense, but the life history of those who do, makes up the history of our nation, and as such the history of their lives should be in every home and library as a means of reference and education. COMPENDIUM OF LOCAL BIOGRAPHY. That portion of the volume devoted to a "Compendium of Local Biography," or "Part II," is of the greatest value, and its value will increase as the years go by. In this department of local biography is carried out the object which led to the com- pilation of this work, in gathering together and placing in enduring form, before it becomes too late, the life history of those who have helped to build up this region and who have taken part in the progress and development in business, political, social, and agricultural affairs. The rank that any county holds among its sister counties depends largely upon the achievements of its citizens. Some add to its rep- utation by efficient public service, some by increasing its manufacturing or commercial 12 INTRODUCTORY. interests, and some by adding to the general wealth and prosperity in cultivating and improving its lands. To give a faithful account of the lives of old settlers and rep- resentative citizens of this region is to write its history in the truest sense. Each year, as it rolls its endless way along the mighty pathway of time, is thinning the ranks of those hardy pioneers and old settlers whose lives are so thoroughly identi- fied with this region. The relentless hand of death, pursuing its remorseless and unceasing avocation, is cutting down, one by one, those whose life histories should be preserved as a part of the history of the growth and development of this region. The necessity for the collection and preservation of this matter, before it becomes too late, is the object of this work. Instead of going to musty records and taking therefrom dry statistical matter and official generalities, which can be appreciated by but few, our corps of writers have gone direct to the people, to the men and women who have by their enterprise and industry, brought about the development found in this region, and from their lips have written the story of their life struggles. No more interesting or instructive mat- ter could be presented to an intelligent public. In this department, devoted to Local Biography, 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 and women, with an influence widely extended. It tells of men who have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence, and whose names have become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and records how 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 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," for the cause and principles they held so dear. In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should not be lost upon those who follow after. Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treas- ure, from the fact that it contains so much that would never find its way into pub- lic records, and which would otherwise be inaccessible and lost forever. Great care has been taken in the compilation of this work, and every opportunity for revision possible given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and the publishers feel warranted in saying that they give to their readers a work with very few, if any, errors of consequence. In closing this brief introductory the memorable words of Carlyle fittingly express the hope, aim, and desire of the publishers in the compilation of this volume: "Let the record be made of the men and things of to-day, lest they pass out of memory to-morrow and are lost. Then perpetuate them, not upon wood or stone that crum- bles to dust, but chronicled in picture and in words that endure forever." I .. Fart I . . | I t I t I - "W^ t I i 4t ....o:p.... •>?• I t I *-- NATIONAL BIOGRAPHY --^^ | ^ r ^ ^ t * f * f *^ Copyright 189T, by Om. A. 0«le ft Co. '^ I _^^^^^^^^ COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY OF Celebrated Americans 'm"mf'^"m' .-^^-. t"® ^ ■ *^' * |EORGE WASHINGTON, % the first president of the Unit- ed States, called the "Father of his Country," was one of the most celebrated characters in history. He was born Feb- ruary 22, 1732, in Washing- ton Parish, Westmoreland county, Virginia. His father, Augustine Washington, first married Jane Butler, who bore him four children, and March 6, 1730, he married Mary Ball. Of six children by his second marriage, George was the eldest. Little is known of the early years of Washington, beyond the fact that the house in which he was born was burned during his early childhood, and that his father there- upon moved to another farm, inherited from hit paternal ancestors, situated in Stafford county, on the north bank of the Rappahan- nock, and died there in 1743. From earliest childhood George developed a noble charac- ter. His education was somewhat defective, being confined to the elementary branches taught him by his mother and at a neighbor- ing school. On leaving school he resided some time at Mount Vernon with his half brother, Lawrence, who acted as his guar- dian. George's inclinations were for a sea- faring career, and a midshipman's warrant was procured for him; but through the oppo- sition of his mother the project was aban- doned, and at the age of sixteen he was appointed surveyor to the immense estates of the eccentric Lord Fairfax. Three years were passed by Washington in a rough fron- tier life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very essential to him. In 175 1, when the Virginia militia were put under training with a view to active service against France, Washington, though only nineteen years of age, was appointed adjutant, with the rank of major. In 1752 Lawrence Washington died, leaving his large property to an infant daughter. In his will George was named one of the executors and as an eventual heir to Mount Vernon, and by the death of the infant niece, soon succeeded to that estate. In 1753 George was commis- sioned adjutant-general of the Virginia militia, and performed important work at the outbreak of the French and Indian war, was rapidly promoted, and at the close of that war we find him commander-in-chief of Copyright 1807, by Geo. A. Oglo * Co. 18 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. all the forces raised in Virginia. A cessation of Indian hostilities on the frontier having followed the expulsion of the French from the Ohio, he resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Virginia forces, and then proceeded to Williamsburg to take his seat in the Virginia Assembly, of which he had been elected a member. January 17, 1759, Washington married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Curtis, a young and beautiful widow of great wealth, and devoted himself for the ensuing fifteen years to the quiet pursuits of agriculture, inter- rupted only by the annual attendance in winter upon the colonial legislature at Williamsburg, until summoned by his coun- try to enter upon that other arena in which his fame was to become world-wide. The war for independence called Washington into service again, and he was made com- mander-in-chief of the colonial forces, and was the most gallant and conspicuous figure in that bloody struggle, serving until Eng- land acknowledged the independence of each of the thirteen States, and negotiated with them jointly, as separate sovereignties. December 4, 1783, the great commander took leave of his officers in most affection- ate and patriotic terms, and went to An- napolis, Maryland, where the congress of the States was in session, and to that body, when peace and order prevailed everywhere, resigned his commission and retired to Mount Vernon. It was in 1789 that Washington was called to the chief magistracy of the na- tion. The inauguration took place April 30, in the presence of an immense multi- tude which had assembled to witness the new and imposing ceremony. In the manifold de- tails of his civil administration Washington proved himself fully equal to the requirements of his position. In 1792, at the second presi- dential election, Washington was desirous to retire; but he yielded to the general wish of the country, and was again chosen presi- dent. At the third election, in 1796, he was again most urgently entreated to con- sent to remain in the executive chair. This he positively refused, and after March 4, 1797, he again retired to Mount Vernon for peace, quiet, and repose. Of the call again made on this illustrious chief to quit his repose at Mount Ver- non and take command of all the United States forces, with rank of lieutenant-gen- eral, when war was threatened with France in 179S, nothing need here be stated, ex- cept to note the fact as an unmistakable testimonial of the high regard in which he was still held by his countrymen of all shades of political opinion. He patriotic- ally accepted this trust, but a treaty of peace put a stop to all action under it. He again retired to Mount Vernon, where he died December 14, 1799, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. His remains were depos- ited in a family vault on the banks of the Potomac, at Mount Vernon, where they still lie entombed. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, an eminent American statesman and scientist, was born of poor parentage, January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was appren- ticed to his brother James to learn the print- er's trade to prevent his running away and going to sea, and also because of the numer- ous family his parents had to support (there being seventeen children, Benjamin being the fifteenth). He was a great reader, and soon developed a taste for writing, and pre- pared a number of articles and had them published in the paper without his brother's knowledge, and when the authorship be- came known it resulted in difficulty for the COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. ;o young apprentice, although his articles had been received with favor by the public. James was afterwards thrown into prison for political reasons, and young Benjamin con- ducted the paper alone during the time. In 1823, however, he determined to endure his bonds no longer, and ran away, going to Philadelphia, where he arrived with only three pence as his store of wealth. With these he purchased three rolls, and ate them as he walked along the streets. He soon found employment as a journeyman printer. Two years later he was sent to England by the governor of Pennsylvania, and was promised the public printing, but did not get it. On his return to Philadelphia he estab- lished the "Pennsylvania Gazette," and soon found himself a person of great popu- larity in the province, his ability as a writer, philosopher, and politician having reached the neighboring colonies. He rapidly grew in prominence, founded the Philadelphia Li- brary in 1842, and two years later the American Philosophical Society and the University of Pennsylvania. He was made Fellow of the Royal Society in London in 1775. His world-famous investigations in electricity and lightning began in 1746. He became postmaster-general of the colonies in 1753, having devised an inter-colonial postal system. He advocated the rights of the colonies at all times, and procured the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766. He was elected to the Continental congress of 1775, and in 1776 was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, being one of the commit- tee appointed to draft that paper. He rep- resented the new nation in the courts of Europe, especially at Paris, where his simple dignity and homely wisdom won him the admiration of the court and the favor of the people. He was governor of Pennsylvania four years; was also a member of the con- vention in 1787 that drafted the constitution of the United States. His writings upon political topics, anti- slavery, finance, and economics, stamp him as one of the greatest statesmen of his time, while his "Autobiography" and "Poor Richard's Almanac " give him precedence in the Uterary field. In early life he was an avowed skeptic in religious matters, but later in life his utterances on this subject were less extreme, though he never ex- pressed approval of any sect or creed. He died in Philadelphia April 17, 1790. DANIEL WEBSTER.— Of world wide reputation for statesmanship, diplo- macy, and oratory, there is perhaps no more prominent figure in the history of our coun- try in the interval between 1 81 5 and 1 86 1, than Daniel Webster. He was born at Salisbury (now Franklin), New Hampshire, January 18, 1782, and was the second son of Ebenezer and Abigail (Eastman) Webster. He enjoyed but limited educational advan- tages in childhood, but spent a few months in 1797, at Phillip Exeter Academy. He completed his preparation for college in the family of Rev. Samuel Wood, at Boscawen, and entered Dartmouth College in the fall of 1797. He supported himself most of the time during these years by teaching school and graduated in 1801, having the credit of being the foremost scholar of his class. He entered the law office of Hon. Thomas W. Thompson, at Salisbury. In 1802 he con- tinued his legal studies at Fryeburg, Maine, where he was principal of the academy and copyist in ahe office of the register of deeds. In the office of Christopher Gore, at Boston, he completed his studies in 1804-5, ^"d was admitted to the bar in the latter year, and at Boscawen and at Ports- mouth soon rose to eminence in his profes- 20 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. sion. He became known as a federalist but did not court political honors; but, at- tracting attention by his eloquence in oppos- ing the war with England, he was elected to congress in 1812. During the special session of May, 181 3, he was appointed on the committee on foreign affairs and made his maiden speech June 10, 181 3. Through- out this session (as afterwards) he showed his mastery of the great economic questions of the day. He was re-elected in 1814. In 1 8 16 he removed to Boston and for seven years devoted himself to his profession, earning by his arguments in the celebrated "Dartmouth College Case" rank among the most distinguished jurists of the country. In 1820 Mr. Webster was chosen a member of the state convention of Massachusetts, to revise the constitution. The same year he delivered the famous discourse on the " Pil- grim fathers," which laid the foundation for his fame as an orator. Declining a nomi- nation for United States senator, in 1822 he was elected to the lower house of congress and was re-elected in 1824 and 1826, but in 1827 was transferred to the senate. He retained his seat in the latter chamber until 1 841. During this time his voice was ever lifted in defence of the national life and honor and although politically opposed to him he gave his support to the administra- tion of President Jackson in the latter's con- test with nullification. Through all these years he was ever found upon the side of right and justice and his speeches upon all the great questions of the day have be- come household words in almost every family. In 1841 Mr. Webster was appointed secretary of state by President Harrison and was continued in the same office by President Tyler. While an incumbent of this office he showed consummate ability as a diplomat in the negotiation of the " Ash- burton treaty " of August 9, 1849, which settled many points of dispute between the United States and England. In May, 1S43, he resigned his post and resumed his pro- fession, and in December, 1845, took his place again in the senate. He contributed in an unofficial way to the solution of the Oregon question with Great Britain in 1847. He was disappointed in 1848 in not receiv- ing the nomination for the presidency. He became secretary of state under President Fillmore in 1850 and in dealing with all the complicated questions of the day showed a wonderful mastery of the arts of diplomacy. Being hurt in an accident he retired to his home at Marshfield, where he died Octo- ber 24, 1852. HORACE GREELEY. —As journalist, author, statesman and political leader, there is none more widely known than the man whose name heads this article. He was born in Amherst, New Hampshire, Feb- ruary 3, 181 1; and was reared upon a farm. At an early age he evinced a remarkable intelligence and love of learning, and at the age of ten had read every book he could borrow for miles around. About 1821 the family removed to Westhaven, Vermont, and for some years young Greeley assisted in carrying on the farm. In 1826 he entered the office of a weekly newspaper at East Poultney, Vermont, where he remained about four years. On the discontinuance of this paper he followed his father's family to Erie county, Pennsylvania, whither they had moved, and for a time worked at the printer's trade in that neigh- borhood. In 183 1 Horace went to New York City, and for a time found employ- ment as journeyman printer. January, 1833, in partnership with Francis Story, he published the Morning Post, the first penny COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 21 paper ever printed. This proved a failure and was discontinued after three weeks. The business of job printing was carried on, however, until the death of Mr. Story in July following. In company with Jonas Winchester, March 22, 1834, Mr. Greeley commenced the publication of the New Yorker, a weekly paper of a high character. For financial reasons, at the same time, Greeley wrote leaders for other papers, and, in 1838, took editorial charge of the Jeffcr- sonian, a Whig paper published at Albany. In 1840, on the discontinuance of that sheet, he devoted his energies to the Log Cabin, a campaign paper in the interests of the Whig party. In the fall of 1841 the latter paper was consolidated with the New Yorker, un- der the name of the Tribune, the first num- ber of which was issued April 10, 1841. At the head of this paper Mr. Greeley remained until the day of his death. In 1848 Horace Greeley was elected to the national house of representatives to fill a vacancy, and was a member of that body until March 4, 1849. In 185 1 he went to Europe and served as a juror at the World's Fair at the Crystal Palace, Lon- don. In 1855, he made a second visit to the old world. In 1859 he crossed the plains and received a public reception at San Francisco and Sacramento. He was a member of the Republican national con- vention, at Chicago in i860, and assisted in the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for President. The same year he was a presi- dential elector for the state of New York, and a delegate to the Loyalist convention at Philadelphia. At the close of the war, in 1865, Mr. Greeley became a strong advocate of uni- versal amnesty and complete pacification, and in pursuance of this consented to be- come one of the bondsmen for Jefferson Davis, who was imprisoned for treason. In 1867 he was a delegate to the New York state convention for the revision of the constitution. In 1870 he was defeated for congress in the Sixth New York district. At the Liberal convention, which met in Cincinnati, in May, 1872, on the fifth ballot Horace Greeley was nominated for presi- dent and July following was nominated for the same office by the Democratic conven- tion at Baltimore. He was defeated by a large majority. The large amount of work done by him during the campaign, together with the loss of his wife about the same time, undermined his strong constitution, and he was seized with inflammation of the brain, and died November 29, 1872. In addition to his journalistic work, Mr. Greeley was the author of several meritori- ous works, among which were: " HinU toward reform," "Glances at Europe," ' ' History of the struggle for slavery exten sion," "Overland journey to San Francis- co," "The American conflict," and " Rec oUections of a busy life." HENRY CLAY.— In writing of this em- inent American, Horace Greeley once said: "He was a matchless party chief, an admirable orator, a skillful legislator, wield- ing unequaled influence, not only over his friends, but even over those of his political antagonists who were subjected to the magic of his conversation and manners. " A law- yer, legislator, orator, and statesman, few men in history have wielded greater influ- ence, or occupied so prominent a place in the hearts of the generation in which they lived. Henry Clay was born near Richmond, in Hanover county, Virginia, April 12, 1777, the son of a poor Baptist preacher who died when Henry was but five years 22 C OMPENDl L'M OF BJ O GRA PUT. old. The mother married again about ten years later and removed to Kentucky leav- ing Henry a clerk in a store at Richmond. Soon afterward Henry Clay secured a posi- tion as copyist in the office of the clerk of the high court of chancery, and four years later entered the law office of Robert Brooke, then attorney general and later governor of his native state. In 1797 Henry Clay was licensed as a lawyer and followed his mother to Kentucky, opening an office at Lexington and soon built up a profitable practice. Soon afterward Kentucky, in separating from Virginia, called a state convention for the purpose of framing a constitution, and Clay at that time took a prominent part, publicly urging the adoption of a clause providing for the abolition of slavery, but in this he was overruled, as he was fifty years later, when in the height of his fame he again ad- vised the same course when the state con- stitution was revised in 1S50. Young Clay took a very active and conspicuous part in the presidential campaign in 1800, favoring the election of Jefferson; and in 1803 was chosen to represent Fayette county in the state legislature. In 1806 General John Adair, then United States senator from Kentucky, resigned and Henry Clay was elected to fill the vacancy by the legislature and served through one session in which he at once assumed a prominent place. In 1807 he was again a representative in the legislature and was elected speaker of the house. At this time originated his trouble with Humphrey Marshall. Clay proposed that each member clothe himself and family wholly in American fabrics, which Marshall characterized as the " language of a dema- gogue." This led to a duel in which both parties were slightly injured. In 1809 Henry Clay was again elected to fill a va- cancy in the United States senate, and two years later elected representative intne low- er house of congress, being chosen speaker of the house. About this time war was de- clared against Great Britain, and Clay took a prominent public place during this strug- gle and was later one of the commissioners sent to Europe by President Madison to ne- gotiate peace, returning in September, 181 5, having been re-elected speaker of the house during his absence, and was re-elect- ed unanimously. He was afterward re- elected to congress and then became secre- tary of state under John Quincy Adams. In 1 83 I he was again elected senator from Kentucky and remained in the senate most of the time until his death. Henry Clay was three times a candidate for the presidency, and once very nearly elected. He was the unanimous choice of the Whig party in 1844 for the presidency, and a great effort was made to elect him but without success, his opponent, James K. Polk, carrying both Pennsylvania and New York by a very slender margin, while either of them alone would have elected Clay. Henry Clay died at Washington June 29, 1S52. JAMES GILLESPIE BLAINE was one of the most distinguished of American statesmen and legislators. He was born January 31, 1830, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and received a thorough edu- cation, graduating at Washington College in 1847. In early life he removed to Maine and engaged in newspaper work, becoming editor of the Portland ' 'Advertiser. " While yet a young man he gained distinction as a debater and became a conspicuous figure in political and public affairs. In 1862 he was elected to congress on the Republican ticket in Maine and was re-elected five times. In March, 1869, he was chosen speaker of the COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 23 house of representatives and was re-elected in 1871 and again in 1873. In 1876 he was a representative in the lower house of con- gress and during that year was appointed United States senator by the Governor to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator Morrill, who had been appointed secretary of the treasury. Mr. Blaine served in the senate until March 5, 1881, when President Garfield appointed him sec- retary of state, which position he resigned in December, 1881. Mr. Blaine was nom- inated for the presidency by the Republic- ans, at Chicago in June, 1884, but was de- feated by Grover Cleveland after an exciting and spirited campaign. During the later years of his life Mr. Blaine devoted most of his time to the completion of his work "Twenty Years in Congress," which had a remarkably large sale throughout the United States. Blaine was a man of great mental ability and force of character and during the latter part of his life was one of the most noted men of his time. He was the origina- tor of what is termed the " reciprocity idea" in tariff matters, and outlined the plan of carrying it into practical effect. In 1876 Robert G. Ingersoll in making a nominating speech placing Blaine's name as a candidate for president before the national Republican convention at Cincinnati, referred to Blaine as the " Plumed Knight " and this title clung to him during the remainder of his life. His death occurred at Washington, January 27, 1893- JOHN CALDWELL CALHOUN, a dis- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRArHV. 41 drawn and General Sheridan started on a raid against the Confederate lines of com- munication with Richmond and on May 25 he rejoined the army, having destroyed con- siderable of the confederate stores and de- feated their cavalry under General Stuart at Yellow Tavern. The outer line of defences around Richmond were taken, but the sec- ond line was too strong to be taken by as- sault, and accordingly Sheridan crossed the Chickahominy at Meadow Bridge, reaching James River May 14, and thence by White House and Hanover Court House back to the army. The cavalry occupied Cold Harbor May 31, which they held until the arrival of the infantry. On General Sheri- dan's next raid he routed Wade Hampton's cavalry, and August 7 was assigned to the command of the Middle Military division, and during the campaign of the Shenan- doah Valley he performed the unheard of feat of " destroying an entire army." He was appointed brigadier-general of the reg- ular army and for his victory at Cedar Creek he was promoted to the rank of major-gen- eral. General Sheridan started out Febru- ary 27, 1865, with ten thousand cavalry and destroyed the Virginia Central Railroad and the James River Canal and joined the army again at Petersburg March 27. He commanded at the battle of Five Forks, the decisive victory which compelled Lee to evacuate Petersburg. On April 9, Lee tried to break through Sheridan's dismounted command but when the General drew aside his cavalry and disclosed the deep lines of infantry the attempt was abandoned. Gen- eral Sheridan mounted his men and was about to charge when a white flag was flown at the head of Lee's column which betokened the surrender of the army. After the war Gen- eral Sheridan had command of the army of the southwest, of the gulf and the depart- ment of Missouri until he was appointed lieutenant-general and assigned to the di- vision of Missouri with headquarters at Chi- cago, and assumed supreme command of the army November i, 1883, which post he held until his death, August 5, 1888. PHINEAS T. BARNUM, the greatest showman the world has ever seen, was born at Danbury, Connecticut, July 5, 18 10. At the age of eighteen years he began busi- ness on his own account. He opened a re- tail fruit and confectionery house, including a barrel of ale, in one part of an old car- riage house. He spent fifty dollars in fitting up the store and the stock cost him seventy dollars. Three years later he put in a full stock, such as is generally carried in a country store, and the same year he started a Democratic newspaper, known as the "Herald of Freedom." He soon found himself in jail under a sixty days' sentence for libel. During the winter of 1834-5 he went to New York and began soliciting busi- ness for several Chatham street houses. In 1835 he embarked in the show business at Niblo's Garden, having purchased the cele- brated " Joice Heth" for one thousand dol- lars. He afterward engaged the celebrated athlete, Sig. Vivalia, and Barnum made his ' ' first appearance on any stage, " acting as a "super" to Sig. Vivalia on his opening night. He became ticket seller, secretary and treasurer of Aaron Turner's circus in 1836 and traveled with it about the country. His next venture was the purchase of a steamboat on the Mississippi, and engaged a theatrical company to show in the princi- pal towns along that river. In 1840 he opened Vaux Hall Garden, New York, with variety performances, and introduced the celebrated jig dancer, John Diamond, to the public. The next year he quit the show 42 COMPENDIUM OF BJOGRAPHT. business and settled down in New York as agent of Sear's Pictorial Illustration of the Bible, but a few months later again leased Vaux Hall. In September of the same year he again left the business, and became ' ' puff " writer for the Bowery Amphitheater. In December he bought the Scudder Museum, and a year later introduced the celebrated Tom Thumb to the world, taking him to England in 1844, and remaining there three years. He then returned to New York, and in 1849, through James Hall Wilson, he en- gaged the "Swedish Nightingale," Jenny Lind, to come to this country and make a tour under his management. He also had sent the Swiss Bell Ringers to America in 1844. He became owner of the Baltimore Museum and the Lyceum and Museum at Philadelphia. In 1850 he brought a dozen elephants from Ceylon to make a tour of this country, and in 1851 sent the " Bateman Children" to London. During 185 1 and 1852 he traveled as a temperance lecturer, and became president of a bank at Pequon- nock, Connecticut. In 1852 he started a weekly pictorial paper known as the " Illus- trated News." In 1865 his Museum was destroyed by fire, and he immediately leased the Winter Garden Theatre, where he played his company until he opened his own Museum. This was destroyed by fire in 1868, and he then purchased an interest in the George Wood Museum. After dipping into politics to some ex- tent, he began his career as a really great showman in 1871. Three years later he erected an immense circular building in New York, in which he produced his panoramas. He has frequently appeared as a lecturer, some times on temperance, and some times on other topics, among which were "Hum- bugs of the World," "Struggles and Triumphs," etc. He was owner of the im- mense menagerie and circus known as the "Greatest Show on Earth," and his fame extended throughout Europe and America. He died in 1891. JAMES MADISON, the fourth president of the United States, 1S09-17, was born at Port Conway, Prince George coun- ty, Virginia, March 16, 1751. He was the son of a wealthy planter, who lived on a fine estate called " Montpelier," which was but twenty-five miles from Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Madison was the eldest of a family of seven children, all of whom attained maturity. He received his early education at home under a private tutor, and consecrated himself with unusual vigor to study. At a very early age he was a proficient scholar in Latin, Greek, French and Spanish, and in 1769 he entered Prince- ton College, New Jersey. He graduated in 1 77 1, but remained for several months after his graduation to pursue a course of study under the guidance of Dr. Witherspoon. He permanently injured his health at this time and returned to Virginia in 1772, and for two years he was immersed in the study of law, and at the same time made extend- ed researches in theology, general literature, and philosophical studies. He then directed his full attention to the impending struggle of the colonies for independence, and also took a prominent part in the religious con- troversy at that time regarding so called persecution of other religious denominations by the Church of England. Mr. Madison was elected to the Virginia assembly in 1776 and in November, 1777, he was chosen a member of the council of state. He took his seat in the continental congress in March, 1780. He was made chairman of the committee on foreign relations, and drafted an able memoranda for the use of COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 43 the American ministers to the French and Spanish governments, that established the claims of the republic to the territories be- tween the Alleghany Mountains and the Mississippi River. He acted as chairman of the ways and means committee in 1783 and as a member of the Virginia legislature in 1784-86 he rendered important services to the state. Mr. Madison represented Vir- giana in the national constitutional conven- tion at Philadelphia in 1787, and was one of the chief framers of the constitution. He was a member of the first four congresses, 1789-97, and gradually became identified with the anti-federalist or republican party of which he eventually became the leader. He remained in private life during the ad- ministration of John Adams, and was secre- tary of state under President Jefferson. Mr. Madison administered the affairs of that post with such great ability that he was the natural successor of the chief magistrate and was chosen president by an electoral vote of 122 to 53. He was inaugurated March 4, 1809, at that critical period in our history when the feelings of the people were embittered with those of England, and his first term was passed in diplomatic quarrels, which finally resulted in the declaration of war, June 18, 1812. In the autumn of that year President Madison was re-elected by a vote of 128 to 89, and conducted the war for three years with varying success and defeat in Canada, by glorious victories at sea, and by the battle of New Orleans that was fought after the treaty of peace had been signed at Ghent, December 24, 1814. During this war the national capitol at Washington was burned, and many valuable papers were destroyed, but the declaration of independence was saved to the country by the bravery and courage of Mr. Madi- son's illustrious wife. A commercial treaty was negotiated with Great Britain in 181 5, and in April, 1816, a national bank was in- corporated by congress. Mr. Madison was succeeded, March 4, 1817, by James Monroe, and retired into private life on his estate at Montpelier, where he died June 28, 1836. FREDERICK DOUGLASS, a noted American character, was a protege of the great abolitionist, William Lloyd Garri- son, by whom he was aided in gaining his education. Mr. Douglass was born in Tuck- ahoe county, Maryland, in February, 1817, his mother being a negro woman and his father a white man. He was born in slav- ery and belonged to a man by the name of Lloyd, under which name he went until he ran away from his master and changed it to Douglass. At the age of ten years he was sent to Baltimore where he learned to read and write, and later his owner allowed him to hire out his own time for three dollars a week in a shipyard. In September, 1838, he fied from Baltimore and made his way to New York, and from thence went to New Bedford, Massachusetts. Here he was mar- ried and supported himself and family by working at the wharves and in various work- shops. In the summer of 1841 he attended an anti-slavery convention at Nantucket, and made a speech which was so well re- ceived that he was offered the agency of the Massachusetts Anti-slavery Society. In this capacity he traveled through the New En- gland states, and about the same time he published his first book called ' ' Narrative of my Experience in Slavery." Mr. Doug- lass went to England in 1845 and lectured on slavery to large and enthusiastic audi- ences in all the large towns of the country, and his friends made up a purse of seven hundred and fifty dollars and purchased his freedom in due form of law. 44 COMPENDIUM OF DIOGRAPHT. Mr. Douglass applied himself to the de- livery of lyceum lectures after the abolition of slavery, and in 1870 he became the editor of the " New National Era " in Washington. In 1 87 1 he was appointed assistant secretary of the commission to San Domingo and on his return he was appointed one of the ter- ritorial council for the District of Colorado by President Grant. He was elected presi- dential elector-at-large for the state of New York and was appointed to carry the elect- oral vote to Washington. He was also United States marshal for the District of Columbia in 1876, and later was recorder of deeds for the same, from which position he was removed by President Cleveland in 1886. In the fall of that year he visited England to inform the friends that he had made while there, of the progress of the colored race in America, and on his return he was appointed minister to Hayti, by President Harrison in 1889. His career as a benefactor of his race was closed by his death in February, 1895, near Washington. WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT.— The ear for rhythm and the talent for graceful expression are the gifts of nature, and they were plentifully endowed on the above named poet. The principal charac- teristic of his poetry is the thoughtfulness and intellectual process by which his ideas ripened in his mind, as all his poems are bright, clear and sweet. Mr. Bryant was born November 3, 1794, at Cummington, Hampshire county, Massachusetts, and was educated at Williams College, from which he graduated, having entered it in 18 10. He took up the study of law, and in 18 15 was admitted to the bar, but after practicing successfully for ten years at Plainfield and Great Barrington, he removed to New York in 1825. The following year he became the editor of the "Evening Post," which he edited until his death, and under his di- rection this paper maintained, through a long series of years, a high standing by the boldness of its protests against slavery be- fore the war, by its vigorous support of the government during the war, and by the fidelity and ability of its advocacy of the Democratic freedom in trade. Mr. Bry- ant visited Europe in 1834, 1845, 1849 and 1857, and presented to the literary world the fruit of his travels in the series of "Let- ters of a Traveler," and "Letters from Spain and Other Countries." In the world of literature he is known chiefly as a poet, and here Mr. Bryant's name is illustrious, both at home and abroad. He contributed verses to the "Country Gazette " before he was ten years of age, and at the age of nine- teen he wrote " Thanatopsis," the most im- pressive and widely known of his poems. The later outgrowth of his genius was his translation of Homer's "Iliad" in 1870 and the "Odyssey" in 1871. He also made several speeches and addresses which have been collected in a comprehensive vol- ume called " Orations and Addresses." He was honored in many ways by his fellow citizens, who delighted to pay tributes of respect to his literary eminence, the breadth of his public spirit, the faithfulness of his service, and the worth of his private char- acter. Mr. Bryant died in New York City June 12, 1878. WILLIAM HENRY SEWARD, the secretary of state during one of the most critical times in the history of our country, and the right hand man of Presi- dent Lincoln, ranks among the greatest statesmen America has produced. Mr. Seward was born May 16, 1 801, at Florida, Orange county, New York, and with such COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPH7'. 47 facilities as the place afforded he fitted him- self for a college course. He attended Union College at Schenectady, New York, at the age of fifteen, and took his degree in the regular course, with signs of promise in 1S20, after which he diligently addressed himself to the study of law under competent instructors, and started in the practice of his profession in 1823. Mr. Seward entered the political arena and in 1828 we find him presiding over a convention in New York, its purpose being the nomination of John Quincy Adams for a second term. He was married in 1824 and in 1830 was elected to the state senate. From 1838 to 1842 he was governor of the state of New York. Mr. Seward's next im- portant position was that of United States senator from New York. W. H. Seward was chosen by President Lincoln to fill the important office of the secretary of state, and by his firmness and diplomacy in the face of difficulties, he aided in piloting the Union through that period of strife, and won an everlasting fame. This great statesman died at Auburn, New York, October 10, 1872, in the seventy-second year of his eventful life. JOSEPH JEFFERSON, a name as dear as it is familiar to the theater-going world in America, suggests first of all a fun- loving, drink-loving, mellow voiced, good- natured Dutchman, and the name of "Rip Van Winkle " suggests the pleasant features of Joe Jefferson, so intimately are play and player associated in the minds of those who have had the good fortune to shed tears of laughter and sympathy as a tribute to the greatness of his art. Joseph Jefferson was born in Philadelphia, February 20, 1829. His genius was an inheritance, if there be such, as his great-grandfather, Thomas Jefferson, was a manager and actor in Eng- land. His grandfather, Joseph Jefferson, was the most popular comedian of the New York stage in his time, and his father, Jos- eph Jefferson, the second, was a good actor also, but the third Joseph Jefferson out- shone them all. At the age of three years Joseph Jeffer- son came on the stage as the child in "Pi- zarro," and his training was upon the stage from childhood. Later on he lived and acted in Chicago, Mobile, and Texas. After repeated misfortunes he returned to New Orleans from Texas, and his brother-in-law, Charles Burke, gave him money to reach Philadelphia, where he joined the Burton theater company. Here his genius soon as- serted itself, and his future became promis- ing and brilliant. His engagements through- out the United States and Australia were generally successful, and when he went to England in 1865 Mr. Boucicault consented to make some important changes in his dramatization of Irving's story of Rip Van Winkle, and Mr. Jefferson at once placed it in the front rank as a comedy. He made a fortune out of it, and played nothing else for many years. In later years, however, Mr. Jefferson acquitted himself of the charge of being a one-part actor, and the parts of "Bob Acres," "Caleb Plummer" and "Golightly " all testify to the versatility of his genius. GEORGE BRINTON McCLELLAN, a noted American general, was born in Philadelphia, December 3, 1826. He graduated from the University of Pennsyl- vania, and in 1846 from West Point, and was breveted second lieutenant of engineers. He was with Scott in the Mexican war, taking part in all the engagements from Vera Cruz to the final capture of the Mexi- 48 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. can capital, and was breveted first lieuten- ant and captain for gallantry displayed on various occasions. In 1857 he resigned his commission and accepted the position of chief engineer in the construction of the Illinois Central Railroad, and became presi- dent of the St. Louis & Cincinnati Railroad Company. He was commissioned major- general by the state of Ohio in 1861, placed in command of the department of the Ohio, and organized the first volunteers called for from that state. In May he was appointed major-general in the United States army, and ordered to disperse the confederates overrunning West Virginia. He accomplished this task promptly, and received the thanks of congress. After the first disaster at Bull Run he was placed in command of the department of Wash- ington, and a few weeks later of the Army of the Potomac. Upon retirement of General Scott the command of the en- tire United States army devolved upon Mc- Clellan, but he was relieved of it within a few months. In March, 1862, after elabor- ate preparation, he moved upon Manassas, only to find it deserted by the Confederate army, which had been withdrawn to im- pregnable defenses prepared nearer Rich- mond. He then embarked his armies for Fortress Monroe and after a long delay at Yorktown, began the disastrous Peninsular campaign, which resulted in the Army of the Potomac being cooped up on the James River below Richmond. His forces were then called to the support of General Pope, near Washington, and he was left without an army. After Pope's defeat McClellan was placed in command of the troops for the de- fense of the capital, and after a thorough or- ganization he followed Lee into Maryland and the battles of Antietam and South Moun- tain ensued. The delay which followed caused general dissatisfaction, and he was re- lieved of his command, and retired from active service. In 1864 McClellan was nominated for the presidency by the Democrats, and over- whelmingly defeated by Lincoln, three states only casting their electoral votes for McClellan. On election day he resigned his commission and a few months later went to Europe where he spent several years. He wrote a number of military text- books and reports. His death occurred October 29. 1885. SAMUEL J. TILDEN.— Among the great statesmen whose names adorn the pages of American history may be found that of the subject of this sketch. Known as a lawyer of highest ability, his greatest claim to immortality will ever lie in his successful battle against the corrupt rings of his native state and the elevation of the standard of official life. Samuel J. Tilden was born in New Leb- anon, New York, February 9, 18 14. He pursued his academic studies at Yale Col- lege and the University of New York, tak- ing the course of law at the latter. He was admitted to the bar in 1841. His rare ability as a thinker and writer upon public topics attracted the attention of President Van Buren, of whose policy and adminis- tration he became an active and efficient champion. He made for himself a high place in his profession and amassed quite a fortune as the result of his industry and judgment. During the days of his greatest professional labor he was ever one of the leaders and trusted counsellors of the Demo- cratic party. He was a member of the conventions to revise the state constitution, both in 1846 and 1867, and served two terms in the lower branch of the state leg- COMPMNDIUM of HlOGRArHT. 49 islature. He was one of the controlling spirits in the overthrow of the notorious " Tweed rinf;" and the reformation of the government of the city of New York. In 1874 he was elected governor of the state of New York. While in this position he assailed corruption in high places, success- fully battling with the iniquitous "canal ring " and crushed its sway over all depart- ments of the government. Recognizing his character and executive ability Mr. Tilden was nominated for president by the na- tional Democratic convention in 1876. At the election he received a much larger popu- lar vote than his opponent, and 184 uncon- tested electoral votes. There being some electoral votes contested, a commission ap- pointed by congress decided in favor of the Republican electors and Mr. Hayes, the can- didate of that party was declared elected. In 1S80, the Democratic party, feeling that Mr. Tilden had been lawfully elected to the presidency tendered the nomination for the same office to Mr. Tilden, but he declined, retiring from all public functions, owing to failing health. He died August 4, 18S6. By will he bequeathed several millions of dollars toward the founding of public libra- ries in New York City, Yonkers, etc. NOAH WEBSTER.— As a scholar, law- yer, author and journalist, there is no one who stands on a higher plane, or whose reputation is better established than the honored gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was a native of West Hartford, Connecticut, and was born October 17, 1758. He came of an old New England family, his mother being a descendant of Governor William Bradford, of the Ply- mouth colony. After acquiring a solid edu- cation in early life Dr. Webster entered Yale College, from which he graduated in 1778. For a while he taught school in Hartford, at the same time studying law, and was admitted to the bar in 178 1. He taught a classical school at Goshen, Orange county. New York, in 1782-83, and while there prepared his spelling book, grammar and reader, which was issued under the title of "A Grammatical Institute of the English Language ," in three parts, — so successful a work that up to 1876 something like forty million of the spelling books had been sold. In 1786 he delivered a course of lec- tures on the English language in the seaboard cities and the following year taught an academy at Philadelphia. From December 17, 1787, until November, 1788, he edited the "American Magazine, "a periodical that proved unsuccessful. In 1789-93 he prac- ticed law in Hartford having in the former year married the daughter of William Green- leaf, of Boston. He returned to New York and November, 1793, founded a daily paper, the "Minerva," to which was soon added a semi-weekly edition under the name of the " Herald. " The former is still in existence under the name of the "Commercial Adver- tiser." In this paper, over the signature of ' ' Curtius , " he published a lengthy and schol- arly defense of " John Jay's treaty." In 1798, Dr. Webster moved to New Haven and in 1807 commenced the prepar- ation of his great work, the ' ' American Dic- tionary of the English Language," which was not completed and published until 1828. He made his home in Amherst, Massachu- setts, for the ten years succeeding 181 2, and was instrumental in the establishment of Amherst College, of which institution he was the first president of the board of trustees. During 1824-5 he resided in Europe, pursu- ing his philological studies in Paris. He completed his dictionary from the libraries of Cambridge University in 1825, and de- 50 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. voted his leisure for the remainder of his Hfe to the revision of that and his school books. Dr. Webster was a member of the legis- latures of both Connecticut and Massachu- setts, was judge of one of the courts of the former state and was identified with nearly all the literary and scientific societies in the neighborhood of Amherst College. He died in New Haven, May 28, 1843. Among the more prominent works ema- nating from the fecund pen of Dr. Noah Webster besides those mentioned above are the following: "Sketches of American Policy," "Winthrop's Journal," " A Brief History of Epidemics," " Rights of Neutral Nations in time of War," "A Philosophical and Practical Grammar of the English Lan- guage," "Dissertations on the English Language," "A Collection of Essays," "The Revolution in France," "Political Progress of Britain," "Origin, History, and Connection of the Languages of Western Asia and of Europe," and many others. WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON, the great anti-slavery pioneer and leader, was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, December 12, 1804. He was apprenticed to the printing business, and in 1828 was in- duced to take charge of the "Journal of the Times" at Bennington, Vermont. While supporting John Quincy Adams for the presi- dency he took occasion in that paper to give expression of his views on slavery. These articles attracted notice, and a Quaker named Lundy, editor of the "Genius of Emancipation," published in Baltimore, in- duced him to enter a partnership with him for the conduct of his paper. It soon transpired that the views of the partners were not in harmony, Lundy favoring grad- ual emancipation, while Garrison favored immediate freedom. In 1850 Mr. Garrison was thrown into prison for libel, not being able to pay a fine of fifty dollars and costs. In his cell he wrote a number of poems which stirred the entire north, and a mer- chant, Mr. Tappan, of New York, paid his fine and liberated him, after seven weeks of confinement. He at once began a lecture tour of the northern cities, denouncing slavery as a sin before God, and demanding its immediate abolition in the name of re- ligion and humanity. He opposed the col- onization scheme of President Monroe and other leaders, and declared the right of every slave to immediate freedom. In 1 83 1 he formed a partnership with Isaac Knapp, and began the publication of the "Liberator" at Boston. The "imme- diate abolition " idea began to gather power in the north, while the south became alarmed at the bold utterance of this jour- nal. The mayor of Boston was besought by southern influence to interfere, and upon investigation, reported upon the insignifi- cance, obscurity, and poverty of the editor and his staff, which report was widely published throughout the country. Re- wards were offered by the southern states for his arrest and conviction. Later Garri- son brought from England, where an eman- cipation measure had just been passed, some of the great advocates to work for the cause in this country. In 1835 a mob broke into his office, broke up a meeting of women, dragged Garrison through the street with a rope around his body, and his life was saved only by the interference of the police, who lodged him in jail. Garrison declined to sit in the World's Anti-Slavery convention at London in 1840, because that body had refused women representa- tion. He opposed the formation of a po- litical party with emancipation as its basis. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 51 He favored a dissolution of the union, and declared the constitution which bound the free states to the slave states " A covenant with death and an agreement with hell." In 1 843 he became president of the Amer- ican Anti-Slavery society, which position he held until 1865, when slavery was no more. During all this time the " Liberator "' had continued to promulgate anti-slavery doc- trines, but in 1865 Garrison resigned his position, and declared his work was com- pleted. He died May 24, 1879. JOHN BROWN ("Brown of Ossawato- niie"), a noted character in American history, wasbornatTorrington, Connecticut, May 9, 1800. In his childhood he removed to Ohio, where he learned the tanner's trade. He married there, and in 1855 set- tled in Kansas. He lived at the village of Ossawatomie in that state, and there began his fight against slavery. He advocated im- mediate emancipation, and held that the negroes of the slave states merely waited for a leader in an insurrection that would re- sult in their freedom. He attended the convention called at Chatham, Canada, in 1859, and was the leading spirit in organiz- ing a raid upon the United States arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. His plans were well laid, and carried out in great secrecy. He rented a farm house near Harper's Ferry in the summer of 1859, and on October i6th of that year, with about twenty follow- ers, he surprised and captured the United States arsenal, with all its supplies and arms. To his surprise, the negroes did not come to his support, and the next day he was attacked by the Virginia state militia, wounded and captured. He was tried in the courts of the state, convicted, and was hanged at Charlestown, December 2, 1859. The raid and its results had a tremendous effect, and hastened the culmination of the troubles between the north and south. The south had the advantage in discussing this event, claiming that the sentiment which inspired this act of violence was shared by the anti-slavery element of the country. EDWIN BOOTH had no peer upon the American stage during his long career as a star actor. He was the son of a famous actor, Junius Brutus Booth, and was born in 1833 at his father's home at Belair, near Balti more . At the age of sixteen he made his first appearance on the stage, at the Boston Museum, in a minor part in " Richard III." It was while playing in California in 1851 that an eminent critic called general atten- tion to the young actor's unusual talent. However, it was not until 1863, at the great Shakspearian revival at the Winter Garden Theatre, New York, that the brilliancy of his career began. His Hamlet held the boards for 100 nights in succession, and from that time forth Booth's reputation was established. In 1868 he opened his own theatre (Booth's Theater) in New York. Mr. Booth never succeeded as a manager, however, but as an actor he was undoubted- ly the most popular man on the American stage, and perhaps the most eminent one in the world. In England he also won the greatest applause. Mr. Booth's work was confined mostly to Shakspearean roles, and his art was characterized by intellectual acuteness, fervor, and poetic feeling. His Hamlet, Richard II, Richard III, and Richelieu gave play to his greatest powers. In 1865, when his brother, John Wilkes Booth, enacted his great crime, Edwin Booth re- solved to retire from the stage, but was pur- suaded to reconsider that decision. The odium did not in any way attach to the 52 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. great actor, and his popularity was not affected. In all his work Mr. Booth clung closely to the legitimate and the traditional in drama, making no experiments, and offer- ing little encouragement to new dramatic authors. His death occurred in New York, June 7, 1894. JOSEPH HOOKER, a noted American officer, was born at Hadley, Massachu- setts, November 13, 1814. He graduated from West Point Military Academy in 1837, and was appointed lieutenant of artillery. He served in Florida in the Seminole war, and in garrison until the outbreak of the Mexican war. During the latter he saw service as a staff officer and was breveted captain, major and lieutenant-colonel for gallantry at Monterey, National Bridge and Chapultepec. Resigning his commission in 1833 he took up farming in California, which he followed until 1861. During this time he acted as superintendent of military roads in Oregon. At the outbreak of the Rebel- lion Hooker tendered his services to the government, and, May 17, 1861, was ap- pointed brigadier-general of volunteers. He served in the defence of Washington and on the lower Potomac until his appointment to the command of a division in the Third Corps, in March, 1862. For gallant con- duct at the siege of Yorktown and in the battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Fra- zier's Farm and Malvern Hill he was made major-general. At the head of his division he participated in the battles of Manassas and Chantilly. September 6, 1862, he was placed at the head of the First Corps, and in the battles of South Mountain and An- tietam acted with his usual gallantry, being wounded in the latter engagement. On re- joining the army in November he was made brigadier-general in the regular army. On General Burnside attaining the command of the Army of the Potomac General Hooker was placed in command of the center grand division, consisting of the Second and Fifth Corps. At the head of these gallant men he participated in the battle of Fred- ericksburg, December 13, 1862. In Janu- ary, 1863, General Hooker assumed com- mand of the Army of the Potomac, and in May following fought the battle of Chan- cellorsville. At the time of the invasion of Pennsylvania, owing to a dispute with Gen- eral Halleck, Hooker requested to be re- lieved of his command, and June 28 was succeeded by George G. Meade. In Sep- tember, 1863, General Hooker was given command of the Twentieth Corps and trans- ferred to the Army of the Cumberland, and distinguished himself at the battles of Look- out Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and Ring- gold. In the Atlanta campaign he saw almost daily service and merited his well- known nickname of "Fighting Joe." July 30, 1864, at his own request, he was re- lieved of his command. He subsequently was in command of several military depart- ments in the north, and in October, 1868, was retired with the full rank of major-gen- eral. He died October 31, 1879. JAY GOULD, one of the greatest finan- ciers that the world has ever produced> was born May 27, 1836, at Ro.xbury, Dela- ware county. New York. He spent his early years on his father's farm and at the age of fourteen entered Hobart Academy, New York, and kept books for the village black- smith. He acquired a taste for mathematics and surveying and on leaving school found employment in making the surveyor's map of Ulster county. He surveyed very exten- sively in the state and accumulated five thou- sand dollars as the fruits of his labor. He COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 53 was then stricken with typhoid fever but re- covered and made the acquaintance of one Zadock Pratt, who sent him into the west- ern part of the state to locate a site for a tannery. He chose a fine hemlock grove, built a sawmill and blacksmith shop and was soon doing a large lumber business with Mr. Pratt. Mr. Gould soon secured control of the entire plant, which he sold out just before the panic of 1857 and in this year he became the largest stockholderinthe Strouds- burg, Pennsylvania, bank. Shortly after the crisis he bought the bonds of the Rutland & Washington Railroad at ten cents on the dollar, and put all his money into railroad securities. For a long time he conducted this road which he consolidated with the Rensselaer & Saratoga Railroad. In 1859 he removed to New York and became a heavy investor in Erie Railroad stocks, en- tered that company and was president until its reorganization in 1872. In December, 1880, Mr. Gould was in control of ten thou- sand miles of railroad. In 1887 he pur- chased the controlling interest in the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad Co., and was a joint owner with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Co. of the western portion of the Southern Pacific line. Other lines soon came under his control, aggregat- ing thousand of miles, and he soon was rec- ognized as one of the world's greatest rail- road magnates. He continued to hold his place as one of the master financiers of the century until the time of his death which occurred December 2, 1892. THOMAS HART BENTON, a very prominent United States senator and statesman, was born at Hillsborough, North Carolina, March 14, 1782. He removed to Tennessee in early life, studied law, and be- gan to practice at Nashville about 18 10. During the war of 1812-1815 he served as colonel of a Tennessee regiment under Gen- eral Andrew Jackson. In 18 15 he removed to St. Louis, Missouri, and in 1820 was chosen United States senator for that state. Having been re-elected in 1826, he sup- ported President Jackson in his opposition to the United States bank and advocated a gold and silver currency, thus gaining the name of " Old Bullion," by which he was familiarly known. For many years he was the most prominent man in Missouri, and took rank among the greatest statesmen of his day. He was a member of the senate for thirty years and opposed the extreme states' rights policy of John C. Calhoun. In 1852 he was elected to the house of rep- resentatives in which he opposed the repeal of the Missouri compromise. He was op- posed by a powerful party of States' Rights Democrats in Missouri, who defeated him as a candidate for governor of that state in 1856. Colonel Benton published a considerable work in two volumes in 1854-56, entitled "Thirty Years' View, or a History of the Working of the American Government for Thirty Years, 1820-50." He died April 10, 185S. STEPHEN ARNOLD DOUGLAS.— One of the most prominent figures in politic- al circles during the intensely exciting days that preceded the war, and a leader of the Union branch of the Democratic party was the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born at Brandon, Rutland coun- ty, Vermont, April 23, 181 3, of poor but respectable parentage. His father, a prac- ticing physician, died while our subject was but an infant, and his mother, with two small children and but small means, could give him but the rudiments of an education. 54 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY At the age of fifteen young Douglas engaged at work in the cabinet making business to raise funds to carry him through college. After a few years of labor he was enabled to pursue an academical course, first at Bran- don, and later at Canandaigua, New York. In the latter place he remained until 1833, taking up the study of law. Before he was twenty, however, his funds running low, he abandoned all further attempts at educa- tion, determining to enter at once the battle of life. After some wanderings through the western states he took up his residence at Jacksonville, Illinois, where, after teaching school for three months, he was admitted to the bar, and opened an office in 1834. Within a year from that time, so rapidly had he risen in his profession, he was chosen attorney general of the state, and warmly espoused the principles of the Democratic party. He soon became one of the most popular orators in Illinois. It was at this time he gained the name of the "Little Giant." In 1835 he resigned the position of attorney general having been elected to the legislature. In 1841 he was chosen judge of the supreme court of Illinois which he resigned two years later to take a seat in congress. It was during this period of his life, while a member of the lower house, that he established his reputation and took the side of those who contended that con- gress had no constitutional right to restrict the extension of slavery further than the agreement between the states made in 1820. This, in spite of his being opposed to slav- ery, and only on grounds which he believed to be right, favored what was called the Missouri compromise. In 1847 Mr. Doug- las was chosen United States senator for six years, and greatly distinguished himself. In 1S52 he was re-elected to the same office. During this latter term, under his leader- ship, the " Kansas-Nebraska bill " was car- ried in the senate. In 185?, nothwith- standing the fierce contest made by his able competitor for the position, Abraham Lin- coln, and with the administration of Bu- chanan arrayed against him, Mr. Douglas was re-elected senator. After the trouble in the Charleston convention, when by the withdrawal of several state delegates with- out a nomination, the Union Democrats, in convention at Baltimore, in i860, nomi- nated Mr. Douglas as their candidate for presidency. The results of this election are well known and the great events of 1861 coming on, Mr. Douglas was spared their full development, dying at Chicago, Illinois, June 3, 1861, after a short illness. His last words to his children were, " to obey the laws and support the constitution of the United States." JAMES MONROE, fifth president of the United States, was born in Westmore- land county, Virginia, April 28, 1758. At the age of sixteen he entered William and Mary College, but two years later the Declaration of Independence having been adopted, he left college and hastened to New York where he joined Washington's army as a military cadet. At the battle of Trenton Monroe per- formed gallant service and received a wound in the shoulder, and was promoted to a captaincy. He acted as aide to Lord Ster- ling at the battles of Brandywine, German- town and Monmouth. Washington then sent him to Virginia to raise a new regiment of which he was to be colonel. The ex- hausted condition of Virginia made this im- possible, but he received his commission. He next entered the law office of Thomas Jefferson to study law, as there was no open- ing for him as an officer in the army. In COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 55 1782 he was elected to the Virginia assem- bly, and the next year he was elected to the Continental congress. Realizing the inade- quacy of the old articles of confederation, he advocated the calling of a convention to consider their revision, and introduced in congress a resolution empowering congress to regulate trade, lay import duties, etc. This resolution was referred to a committee, of which he was chairman, and the report led to the Annapolis convention, which called a general convention to meet at Phila- delphia in 1787, when the constitution was drafted. Mr. Monroe began the practice of law at Fredericksburg, Virginia, and was soon after elected to the legislature, and ap- pointed as one of the committee to pass upon the adoption of the constitution. He opposed it, as giving too much power to the central government. He was elected to the United States senate in 1789, where he allied himself with the Anti-Federalists or "Republicans," as they were sometimes called. Although his views as to neutrality between France and England were directly opposed to those of the president, yet Wash- ington appointed him minister to France. His popularity in France was so great that the antagonism of England and her friends in this country brought about his recall. He then became governor of Virginia. He was sent as envoy to France in 1802; minister to England in 1803; and envoy to Spam in 1805. The next year he returned to his estate in Virginia, and with an ample in- heritance enjoyed a few years of repose. He was again called to be governor of Virginia, and was then appointed secretary of state by President Madison. The war with Eng- land soon resulted, and when the capital was burned by the British, Mr. Monroe be- came secretary of war also, and planned the measures for the defense of New Orleans. The treasury being exhausted and credit gone, he pledged his own estate, and thereby made possible the victory of Jackson at New Orleans. In 1 817 Mr. Monroe became president of the United States, having been a candi- date of the "Republican" party, which at that time had begun to be called the ' ' Demo- cratic" party. In 1820 he was re-elected, having two hundred and thirty-one electoral votes out of two hundred and thirty-two. His administration is known as the "Era of good-feeling, " and party lines were almost wiped out. The slavery question began to assume importance at this time, and the Missouri Compromise was passed. The famous "Monroe Doctrine" originated in a great state paper of President Monroe upon the rumored interference of the Holy Alli- ance to prevent the formation of free repub- lics in South America. President Monroe acknowledged their independence, and pro- mulgated his great "Doctrine," which has been held in reverence since. Mr. Monroe's death occurred in New York on July 4, 1831. THOMAS ALVA EDISON, the master wizard of electrical science and whose name is synonymous with the subjugation of electricity to the service of man, was born in 1847 at Milan, Ohio, and it was at Port Huron, Michigan, whither his parents had moved in 1854, that his self-education began — for he never attended school for more than two months. He eagerly de- voured every book he could lay his hands on and is said to have read through an encyclo- pedia without missing a word. At thirteen he began his working life as a trainboy upon the Grand Trunk Railway between Port Huron and Detroit. Much of his time was now spent in Detroit, where he found increased facilities for reading at the public libraries. 56 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. He was not content to be a newsboy, so he got together three hundred pounds of type and started the issue of the " Grand Trunk Herald." It was only a small amateur weekly, printed on one side, the impression being made from the type by hand. Chemi- cal research was his next undertaking and a laboratory was added to his movable pub- lishing house, which, by the way, was an old freight car. One day, however, as he was experimenting with some phosphorus, it ignited and the irate conductor threw the young seeker after the truth, chemicals and all, from the train. His of^ce and laboratory were then removed to the cellar of his fa- ther's house. As he grew to manhood he decided to become an operator. He won his opportunity by saving the life of a child, whose father was an old operator, and out of gratitude he gave Mr. Edison lessons in teleg- raphy. Five months later he was compe- tent to fill a position in the railroad office at Port Huron. Hence he peregrinated to Stratford, Ontario, and thence successively to Adrian, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Cin- cmnati, Memphis, Louisville and Boston, gradually becoming an expert operator and gaming experience that enabled him to evolve many ingenious ideas for the im- provement of telegraphic appliances. At Memphis he constructed an automatic re- peater, which enabled Louisville and New Orleans to communicate direct, and received nothing more than the thanks of his em- ployers. Mr. Edison came to New York in 1870 in search of an opening more suitable to his capabilities and ambitions. He hap- pened to be in the office of the Laws Gold Reporting Company when one of the in- struments got out of order, and even the inventor of the system could not make it work. Edison requested to be allowed to attempt the task, and in a few minutes he had overcome the difficulty and secured an advantageous engagement. For several years he had a contract with the Western Union and the Gold Stock companies, whereby he received a large salary, besides a special price for all telegraphic improve- ments he could suggest. Later, as the head of the Edison General Electric com- pany, with its numerous subordinate organ- izations and connections all over the civil- ized world, he became several times a millionaire. Mr. Edison invented the pho- nograph and kinetograph which bear his name, the carbon telephone, the tasimeter, and the duplex and quadruplex systems of telegraphy. JAMES LONGSTREET, one of the most conspicuous of the Confederate generals during the Civil war, was born in 1820, in South Carolina, but was early taken by his parents to Alabama where he grew to man- hood and received his early education. He graduated at the United States military academy in 1842, entering the army as lieutenant and spent a few years in the fron- tier service. When the Mexican war broke out he was called to the front and partici- pated in all the principal battles of that war up to the storming of Chapultepec, where he received severe wounds. For gallant conduct at Contreras, Cherubusco, and Mo- lino del Rey he received the brevets of cap- tain and major. After the close of the Mexican war Longstreet served as adjutant and captain on frontier service in Texas un- til 1858 when he was transferred to the staff as paymaster with rank of major. In June, 1 86 1, he resigned to join the Confederacy and immediately went to the front, com- manding a brigade at Bull Run the follow- ing month. Promoted to be major-general in 1862 he thereafter bore a conspicuous COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 57 part and rendered valuable service to the Confederate cause. He participated in many of the most severe battles of the Civil war including Bull Run (first and second), Seven Pines, Gaines,' Mill, Fraziers Farm, Malvern Hill, Antietam, Frederickburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, the Wilderness, Petersburg and most of the fighting about Richmond. When the war closed General Long- street accepted the result, renewed his alle- giance to the government, and thereafter labored earnestly to obliterate all traces of war and promote an era of good feeling be- tween all sections of the country. He took up his residence in New Orleans, and took an active interest and prominent part in public affairs, served as surveyor of that port for several years; was commissioner of engineers for Louisiana, served four years as school commissioner, etc. In 1875 he was appointed supervisor of internal revenue and settled in Georgia. After that time he served four years as United States minister to Turkey, and also for a number of years was United States marshal of Georgia, be- sides having held other important official positions. JOHN RUTLEDGE, the second chief- justice of the United States, was born at Charleston, South Carolina, in 1739. He was a son of John Rutledge, who had left Ireland for America about five years prior to the birth of our subject, and a brother of Edward Rutledge, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. John Rut- ledge received his legal education at the Temple, London, after which he returned to Charleston and soon won distinction at the bar. He was elected to the old Colonial congress in 1765 to protest against the "Stamp Act," and was a member of the South Carolina convention of 1774, and of the Continental congress of that and the succeeding year. In 1776 he was chairman of the committee that draughted the con- stitution of his state, and was president of the congress of that state. He was not pleased with the state constitution, how- ever, and resigned. In 1779 he was again chosen governor of the state, and granted extraordinary powers, and he at once took the field to repel the British. He joined the army of General Gates in 1782, and the same year was elected to congress. He was a member of the constitutional con- vention which framed our present constitu- tion. In 1789 he was appointed an associate justice of the first supreme court of the United States. He resigned to accept the position of chief-justice of his own state. Upon the resignation of Judge Jay, he was appointed chief-justice of the United States in 1795. The appointment was never con- firmed, for, after presiding at one session, his mind became deranged, and he was suc- ceeded by Judge Ellsworth. He died at Charleston, July 23, 1800. RALPH WALDO EMERSON was one of the most noted literary men of his time. He was born in Boston, Massachu- setts, May 25, 1803. He had a minister for an ancestor, either on the paternal or ma- ternal side, in every generation for eight generations back. His father. Rev. Will- iam Emerson, was a native of Concord, Massachusetts, born May 6, 1769, graduated at Harvard, in 17S9, became a Unitarian minister; was a line writer and one of the best orators of his day; died in 181 1. Ralph Waldo Emerson was fitted for college at the public schools of Boston, and graduated at Harvard College in 1821, win- ning about this time several prizes for es- 58 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPH7'. says. For five years he taught school in Boston; in 1826 was licensed to preach, and in 1829 was ordained as a colleague to Rev. Henry Ware of the Second Unitarian church in Boston. In 1832 he resigned, making the announcement in a sermon of his un- willingness longer to administer the rite of the Lord's Supper, after which he spent about a year in Europe. Upon his return he began his career as a lecturer before the Boston Mechanics Institute, his subject be- ing "Water." His early lectures on " Italy" and "Relation of Man to the Globe" also attracted considerable attention; as did also his biographical lectures on Michael Angelo, Milton, Luther, George Fox, and Edmund Burke. After that time he gave many courses of lectures in Boston and became one of the best known lecturers in America. But very few men have rendered such con- tinued service in this field. He lectured for forty successive seasons before the Salem, Massachusetts, Lyceum and also made re- peated lecturing tours in this country and in England. In 1835 Mr. Emerson took up his residence at Concord, Massachusetts, where he continued to make his home until his death which occurred April 27, 1882. Mr. Emerson's literary work covered a wide scope. He wrote and published many works, essays and poems, which rank high among the works of American literary men. A few of the many which he produced are the following: "Nature;" "The Method of Nature;" " Man Thinking;" "The Dial;" "Essays;" "Poems;" "English Traits;" "The Conduct of Life;" "May-Day and other Poems " and " Society and Solitude;" besides many others. He was a prominent member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, of the American Philosophical Society, the Massachusetts Historical Society and other kindred associations. ALEXANDER T. STEWART, one of the famous merchant princes of New York, was born near the city of Belfast, Ire- land, in 1803, and before he was eight years of age was left an orphan without any near relatives, save an aged grandfather. The grandfather being a pious Methodist wanted to make a minister of young Stewart, and accordingly put him in a school with that end in view and he graduated at Trinity Col- lege, in Dublin. When scarcely twenty years of age he came to New York. His first employment was that of a teacher, but accident soon made him a merchant. En- tering into business relations with an ex- perienced man of his acquaintance he soon found himself with the rent of a store on his hands and alone in a new enterprise. Mr. Stewart's business grew rapidly in all directions, but its founder had executive ability sufficient for any and all emergencies, and in time his house became one of the greatest mercantile establishments of mod- ern times, and the name of Stewart famous. Mr. Stewart's death occurred April 10, 1876. JAMES FENIMORE COOPER. — In speaking of this noted American nov- elist, William Cullen Bryant said: " He wrote for mankind at large, hence it is that he has earned a fame wider than any Amer- ican author of modern times. The crea- tions of his genius shall survive through centuries to come, and only perish with our language." Another eminent writer (Pres- cott) said of Cooper: " In his productions every American must take an honest pride; for surely no one has succeeded like Coopier in the portraiture of American character, or has given such glowing and eminently truth- ful pictures of American scenery." James Fenimore Cooper was born Sep- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 59 tember 15, 1789, at Burlington, New Jer- sey, and was a son of Judge William Cooper. About a year after the birth of our subject the family removed to Otsego county, New York, and founded the town called " Coop- erstown." James Fenimore Cooper spent his childhood there and in 1802 entered Yale College, and four years later became a midshipman in the United States navy. In 181 1 he was married, quit the seafaring life, and began devoting more or less time to lit- erary pursuits. His first work was "Pre- caution," a novel published in 1819, and three years later he produced "The Spy, a Tale of Neutral Ground," which met with great favor and was a universal success. This was followed by many other works, among which may be mentioned the follow- ing: "The Pioneers," "The Pilot," "Last of the Mohicans," "The Prairie," "The Red Rover," "The Manikins," "Home- ward Bound," "Home as Found," "History of the United States Navy," "The Path- finder," "Wing and Wing," "Afloat and Ashore," "The Chain-Bearer," "Oak- Openings," etc. J. Fenimore Cooper died at Cooperstown, New York, September 14, 1851. M ARSHALL FIELD, one of the mer- chant princes of America, ranks among the most successful business men of the cen- tury. He was born in 1835 s-t Conway, Massachusetts. He spent his early life on a farm and secured a fair education in the common schools, supplementing this with a course at the Conway Academy. His natural bent ran in the channels of commer- cial life, and at the age of seventeen he was given a position in a store at Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Mr. Field remained there four years and removed to Chicago in 1856. He began his career in Chicago as a clerk in the wholesale dry goods house of Cooley, Wadsworth & Company, which later be- came Cooley, Farwell & Company, and still later John V. Farwell & Company. He remained with them four years and exhibit- ed marked ability, in recognition of which he was given a partnership. In 1865 Mr. Field and L. Z. Leiter, who was also a member of the firm, withdrew and formed the firm of Field, Palmer & Leiter, the third partner being Potter Palmer, and they continued in business until 1867, when Mr. Palmer retired and the firm became Field, Leiter & Company. They ran under the latter name until 1881, when Mr. Leiter re- tired and the house has since continued un- der the name of Marshall Field & Company. The phenomenal success accredited to the house is largely due to the marked ability of Mr. Field, the house had become one of the foremost in the west, with an annual sale of $8,000,000 in 1870. The total loss of the firm during the Chicago fire was $3,500,000 of which $2,500,000 was re- covered through the insurance companies. It rapidly recovered from the effects of this and to-day the annual sales amount to over $40,000,000. Mr. Field's real estate hold- ings amounted to $10,000,000. He was one of the heaviest subscribers to the Bap- tist University fund although he is a Presby- terian, and gave $1,000,000 for the endow- ment of the Field Columbian Museum — one of the greatest institutions of the kind in the world. EDGAR WILSON NYE, who won an im- mense popularity under the pen name of " Bill Nye," was one of the most eccen- tric humorists of his day. He was born Au- gust 25, 1850, at Shirley, Piscataqua coun- ty, Maine, "at a very early age" as he ex- presses it. He took an academic course in 60 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT River Falls, Wisconsin, from whence, after his graduation, he removed to Wyoming Territor}'. He studied law and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1876. He began when quite young to contribute humorous sketches to the newspapers, became connected with various western journals and achieved a brilliant success as a humorist. Mr. Nye settled later in New York City where he devoted his time to writing funny articles for the big newspaper syndicates. He wrote for publication in book form the following : "Bill Nye and the Boomerang," "The Forty Liars," "Baled Hay," "Bill Nye's Blossom Rock," "Remarks," etc. His death occurred February 21, 1896, at Ashe- ville, North Carolina. THOMAS DE WITT TALMAGE, one of the most celebrated American preach- ers, was born January 7, 1832, and was the youngest of twelve children. He made his preliminary studies at the grammar school in New Brunswick, New Jersey. At the age of eighteen he joined the church and entered the University of the City of New York, and graduated in May, 1853. The exercises were held in Niblo's Garden and his speech aroused the audience to a high pitch of en- thusiasm. At the close of his college duties he imagined himself interested in the law and for three years studied law. Dr. Tal- mage then perceived his mistake and pre- pared himself for the ministry at the Reformed Dutch Church Theological Semi- nary at New Brunswick, New Jersey. Just after his ordination the young minister re- ceived two calls, one from Piermont, New York, and the other from Belleville, New Jersey. Dr. Talmage Accepted the latter and for three years filled that charge, when he was called to Syracuse, New York. Here it was that his sermons first drew large crowds of people to his church, and from thence dates his popularity. Afterward he became the pastor of the Second Reformed Dutch church, of Philadelphia, remaining seven years, during which period he first entered upon the lecture platform and laid the foundation for his future reputation. At the end of this time he received three calls, one from Chicago, one from San Francisco, and one from the Central Presbyterian church of Brooklyn, which latter at that time consisted of only nineteen members with a congregation of about thirty-five. This church offered him a salary of seven thousand dollars and he accepted the call. He soon induced the trustees to sell the old church and build a new one. They did so and erected the Brooklyn Tabernacle, but it burned down shortly after it was finished. By prompt sympathy and general liberality a new church was built and formally opened in February, 1874. It contained seats for four thousand, six hundred and fifty, but if necessary seven thousand could be accom- modated. In October, 1878, his salary was raised from seven thousand dollars to twelve thousand dollars, and in the autumn of 1889 the second tabernacle was destroyed by fire. A third tabernacle was built and it was for- mally dedicated on Easter Sunday, 1891. JOHN PHILIP SOUSA, conceded as being one of the greatest band leaders in the world, won his fame while leader of the United States Marine Band at Washing- ton, District of Columbia. He was not originally a band player but was a violinist, and at the age of seventeen he was conduc- tor of an opera company, a profession which he followed for several years, until he was offered the leadership of the Marine Band at Washington. The proposition was re- pugnant to him at first but he accepted the COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 61 offer and then ensued ten years of brilliant success with that organization. When he first took the Marine Band he began to gather the national airs of all the nations that have representatives in Washington, and compiled a comprehensive volume in- cluding nearly all the national songs of the different nations. He composed a number of marches, waltzes and two-steps, promi- nent among which are the "Washington Post," "Directorate," "King Cotton," "High School Cadets," "Belle of Chica- go," "Liberty Bell March," "Manhattan Beach," "On Parade March," " Thunderer March," "Gladiator March," " El Capitan March," etc. He became a very extensive composer of this class of music. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, sixth president of the United States, was born in Braintree, Massachusetts, July ii, 1767, the son of John Adams. At the age of eleven he was sent to school at Paris, and two years later to Leyden, where he entered that great university. He returned to the United States in 1785, and graduated from Harvard in 1788. He then studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1791. His practice brought no income the first two years, but he won distinction in literary fields, and was appointed minister to The Hague in 1794. He married in 1797, and went as minister to Berlin the same year, serving until 1801, when Jefferson became president. He was elected to the senate in 1803 by the Federalists, but was condemned by that party for advocating the Embargo Act and other Anti-Federalist measures. He was appointed as professor of rhetoric at Harvard in 1805, and in 1809 was sent as minister to Russia. He assisted in negotiat- ing the treaty of peace with England in 1 8 14, and became minister to that power the next year. He served during Monroe's administration two terms as secretary of state, during which time party lines were obliterated, and in 1824 four candidates for president appeared, all of whom were iden- tified to some extent with the new " Demo- cratic" party. Mr. Adams received 84 elec- toral votes, Jackson 99, Crawford 41, and Clay 37. As no candidate had a majority of all votes, the election went to the house of representatives, which elected Mr. Adams. As Clay had thrown his influence to Mr. Adams, Clay became secretary of state, and this caused bitter feeling on the part of the Jackson Democrats, who were joined by Mr. Crawford and his following, and op- posed every measure of the administration. In the election of 1828 Jackson was elected over Mr. Adams by a great majority. Mr. Adams entered the lower house of congress in 1830, elected from the district in which he was born and continued to rep- resent it for seventeen years. He was known as " the old man eloquent," and his work in congress was independent of party. He opposed slavery extension and insisted upon presenting to congress, one at a time, the hundreds of petitions against the slave power. One of these petitions, presented in 1842, was signed by forty-live citizens of Massachusetts, and prayed congress for a peaceful dissolution of the Union. His enemies seized upon this as an opportunity to crush their powerful foe, and in a caucus meeting determined upon his expulsion from congress. Finding they would not be able to command enough votes for this, they de- cided upon a course that would bring equal disgrace. They formulated a resolution to the effect that while he merited expulsion, the house would, in great mercy, substitute its severest censure. When it was read in the house the old man, then in his seventy-fifth 62 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. year, arose and demanded that the first para- graph of the Declaration of Independence be read as his defense. It embraced the famous sentence, "that whenever any form of government becomes destructive to those ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, etc., etc." After eleven days of hard fight- ing his opponents were defeated. On Febru- ary 21, 1S48, he rose to address the speaker on the Oregon question, when he suddenly fell from a stroke of paralysis. He died soon after in the rotunda of the capitol, where he had been conveyed by his col- leagues. SUSAN B. ANTHONY was one of the most famous women of America. She was born at South Adams, Massachusetts, February 15, 1820, the daughter of a Quaker. She received a good education and became a school teacher, following that profession for fifteen years in New York. Beginning with about 1852 she became the active leader of the woman's rights move- ment and won a wide reputation for her zeal and ability. She also distinguished herself for her zeal and eloquence in the temperance, and anti-slavery causes, and became a conspicuous figure during the war. After the close of the war she gave most of her labors to the cause of woman's suffrage. PHILIP D. ARMOUR, one of the most conspicuous figures in the mercantile history of America, was born May 16, 1832, on a farm at Stockbridge, Madison county. New York, and received his early education in the common schools of that county. He was apprenticed to a farmer and worked faithfully and well, being very ambitious and desiring to start out for himself. At the age of twenty he secured a release from his indentures and set out overland for the gold fields of California. After a great deal of hard work he accumulated a little money and then came east and settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He went into the grain receiving and warehouse busi- ness and was fairly successful, and later on he formed a partnership with John Plankin- ton in the pork packing line, the style of the firm being Plankinton & Armour. Mr. Ar- mour made his first great "deal" in selling pork "short" on the New York market in the anticipation of the fall of the Confed- eracy, and Mr. Armour is said to have made through this deal a million dollars. He then established packing houses in Chicago and Kansas City, and in 1875 he removed to Chicago. He increased his business by add- ing to it the shipment of dressed beef to the European markets, and many other lines of trade and manufacturing, and it rapidly assumed vast proportions, employing an army of men in different lines of the busi- ness. Mr. Armour successfully conducted a great many speculative deals in pork and grain of immense proportions and also erected many large warehouses for the storage of grain. He became one of the representative business men of Chicago, where he became closely identified with all enterprises of a public nature, but his fame as a great busi- ness man extended to all parts of the world. He founded the "Armour Institute " at Chi- cago and also contributed largely to benevo- lent and charitable institutions. ROBERT FULTON.— Although Fulton is best known as the inventor of the first successful steamboat, yet his claims to distinction do not rest alone upon that, for he was an inventor along other lines, a painter and an author. He was born at Little Britain, Lancaster county, Pennsyl- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIIT. 65 vania, in 1765, of Scotch-Irish ancestry. At the age of seventeen he removed to Phila- delphia, and there and in New York en- gaged in miniature painting with success both from a pecuniary and artistic point of view. With the results of his labors he pur- chased a farm for the support of his mother. He went to London and studied under the great painter, Benjamin West, and all through life retained his fondness for art and gave evidence of much ability in that line. While in England he was brought in contact with the Duke of Bridgewater, the father of the English canal system; Lord Stanhope, an eminent mechanician, and James \\'att, the inventor of the steam en- gine. Their influence turned his mind to its true field of labor, that of mechanical in- vention. Machines for tiax spinning, marble sawing, rope making, and for remov- ing earth from excavations, are among his earliest ventures. His "Treatise on the Improvement of Canal Navigation," issued in 1796, and a series of essays on canals were soon followed by an English patent for canal improvements. In 1797 he went to Paris, where he resided until 1806, and there invented a submarine torpedo boat for maritime defense, but which was rejected by the governments of France, England and the United States. In 1803 he offered to con- struct for the Emperor Napoleon a steam- boat that would assist in carrying out the plan of invading Great Britain then medi- tated by that great captain. In pursuance he constructed his first steamboat on the Seine, but it did not prove a full success and the idea was abandoned by the French government. By the aid of Livingston, then -United States minister to France, Fulton purchased, in 1806, an engine which he brought to this country. After studying the defects of his own and other attempts in 4 this line he built and launched in 1807 the Clermont, the first successful steamboat. This craft only attained a speed of five miles an hour while going up North river. His first patent not fully covering his in- vention, Fulton was engaged in many law suits for infringement. He constructed many steamboats, ferryboats, etc. , among these being the United States steamer " Fulton the First," built in 1814, the first war steamer ever built. This craft never attained any great speed owing to some de- fects in construction and accidentally blew up in 1829. Fulton died in New York, Feb- ruary 21, 1815. SALMON PORTLAND CHASE, sixth chief-justice of the United States, and one of the most eminent of American jurists, was born in Cornish, New Hampshire, Jan- uary 13, 1808. At the age of nine he was left in poverty by the death of his father, but means were found to educate him. He was sent to his uncle, a bishop, who con- ducted an academy near Columbus, Ohio, and here young Chase worked on the farm and attended school. At the age of fifteen he returned to his native state and entered Dartmouth College, from which he gradu- ated in 1 826. He then went to Washington, and engaged in teaching school, and study- ing law under the instruction of William Wirt. He was licensed to practice in 1829, and went to Cincinnati, where he had a hard struggle for several years following. He had in the meantime prepared notes on the statutes of Ohio, which, when published, brought him into prominence locally. He was soon after appointed solicitor of the United States Bank. In 1837 he appeared as counsel for a fugitive slave woman, Ma- tilda, and sought by all the powers of his learning and eloquence to prevent her owner 66 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. from reclaiming her. He acted in many other cases, and devolved the trite expres- sion, "Slavery is sectional, freedom is na- tional. " He was employed to defend Van Zandt before the supreme court of the United States in 1846, which was one of the most noted cases connected with the great strug- gle against slavery. By this time Mr. Chase had become the recognized leader of that element known as " free-soilers." He was elected to the United States senate in 1849, and was chosen governor of Ohio in 1855 and re-elected in 1857. He was chosen to the United States senate from Ohio in 1861, but was made secretary of the treasury by Lincoln and accepted. He inaugurated a financial system to replenish the exhausted treasury and meet the demands of the great- est war in history and at the same time to revive the industries of the country. One of the measures which afterward called for his judicial attention was the issuance of currency notes which were made a legal tender in payment of debts. When this question came before him as chief-justice of the United States he reversed his former action and declared the measure unconstitu- tional. The national banking system, by which all notes issued were to be based on funded government bonds of equal or greater amounts, had its direct origin with Mr. Chase. Mr. Chase resigned the treasury port- folio in 1864, and was appointed the same year as chief-justice of the United States supreme court. The great questions that came up before him at this crisis in the life of the nation were no less than those which confronted the first chief-justice at the for- mation of our government. Reconstruction, private, state and national interests, the constitutionality of the acts of congress passed in times of great excitement, the construction and interpretation to be placed upon the several amendments to the national constitution, — these were among the vital questions requiring prompt decision. He received a paralytic stroke in 1870, which impaired his health, though his mental powers were not affected. He continued to preside at the opening terms for two years following and died May 7, 1873. HARRIET ELIZABETH BEECHER STOWE, a celebrated American writ- er, was born June 14, 1812, at Litchfield, Connecticut. She was a daughter of Lyman Beecher and a sister of Henry Ward Beecher, two noted divines; was carefully educated, and taught school for several years at Hart- ford, Connecticut. In 1832 Miss Beecher married Professor Stowe, then of Lane Semi- nary, Cincinnati, Ohio, and afterwards at Bowdoin College and Andover Seminary. Mrs. Stowe published in 1849 "The May- flower, or sketches of the descendants of the Pilgrims, " and in 1851 commenced in the ' ' National Era " of Washington, a serial story which was published separately in 1852 under the title of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." This book attained almost unparalleled success both at home and abroad, and within ten years it had been translated in almost every lan- guage of the civilized world. Mrs. Stowe pub- lished in 1853 a "Key toUncleTom's Cabin" in which the data that she used was published and its truthfulness was corroborated. In 1853 she accompanied her husband and brother to Europe, and on her return pub- lished "Sunny Memories of Foreign Lands" in 1854. Mrs. Stowe was for some time one of the editors of the " Atlantic Monthly " and the " Hearth and Home," for which she had written a number of articles. Among these, also published separately, are " Dred, a tale of the Great Dismal Swamp " (later published under the title of "Nina COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 67 Gordon"); "The Minister's Wooing;" "The Pearl of Orr's Island;" "Agnes of Sorrento;" "Oldtovvn Folks;" " My Wife and I;" "Bible Heroines," and "A Dog's Mission." Mrs. Stowe's death occurred July i, 1896, at Hartford, Connecticut. THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON, bet- ter known as "Stonewall" Jackson, was one of the most noted of the Confeder- ate generals of the Civil war. He was a soldier by nature, an incomparable lieuten- ant, sure to execute any operation entrusted to him with marvellous precision, judgment and courage, and all his individual cam- paigns and combats bore the stamp of a masterly capacity for war. He was born January 2i, 1824, at Clarksburg, Harrison county, West "Virginia. He was early in life imbued with the desire to be a soldier and it is said walked from the mountains of Virginia to Washington, secured the aid of his congressman, and was appointed cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point from which he was graduated in 1846. Attached to the army as brevet sec- ond lieutenant of the First Artillery, his first service was as a subaltern with Magruder's battery of light artillery in the Mexican war. He participated at the reduction of Vera Cruz, and was noticed for gallantry in the battles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Moline del Rey, Chapultepec, and the capture of the city of Mexico, receiving the brevets of captain for conduct at Contreras and Cher- ubusco and of major at Chapultepec. In the meantime he had been advanced by regular promotion to be first lieutenant in 1847. In 1852, the war having closed, he resigned and became professor of natural and experimental philosophy and artillery instructor at the Virginia State Military Institute at Lexington, Virginia, where he remained until Virginia declared for seces- sion, he becoming chiefly noted for intense religious sentiment coupled with personal eccentricities. Upon the breaking out of the war he was made colonel and placed in command of a force sent to sieze Harper's Ferry, which he accomplished May 3, 1861. Relieved by General J. E. Johnston, May 23, he took command of the brigade of Valley Virginians, whom he moulded into that brave corps, baptized at the first Manassas, and ever after famous as the "Stonewall Brigade." After this "Stone- wall " Jackson was made a major-general, in 1861, and participated until his death in all the famous campaigns about Richmond and in Virginia, and was a conspicuous fig- ure in the memorable battles of that time. May 2, 1863, at Chancellorsville, he was wounded severely by his own troops, two balls shattering his left arm and another passing through the palm of his right hand. The left arm was amputated, but pneumonia intervened, and, weakened by the great loss of blood, he died May 10, 1863. The more his operations in the Shenandoah valley in 1862 are studied the more striking must the merits of this great soldier appear. TOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER.— vJ Near to the heart of the people of the Anglo-Saxon race will ever lie the verses of this, the "Quaker Poet." The author of "Barclay of Ury," "Maud Muller" and "Barbara Frietchie," always pure, fervid and direct, will be remembered when many a more ambitious writer has been forgotten. John G. Whittier was born at Haver- hill, Massachusetts, December 7, 1807, of Quaker parentage. He had but a common- school education and passed his boyhood days upon a farm. In early life he learned the trade of shoemaker. At the age of 6S COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. eighteen he began to write verses for the Haverhill '' Gazette." He spent two years after that at the Haverhill academy, after which, in 1829, he became editor of the "American Manufacturer," at Boston. In 1830 he succeeded George D. Prentice as editor of the "New England Weekly Re- view," but the following year returned to Haverhill and engaged in farming. In 1832 and in 1836 he edited the " Gazette." In 1835 he was elected a member of the legis- lature, serving two years. In 1 836 he became secretary of the Anti-slavery Society of Phil- adelphia. In 1 838 and 1839 he edited the " Pennsylvania Freeman," but in the latter year the office was sacked and burned by a mob. In 1840 Whittier settled at Ames- bury, Massachusetts. In 1847 he became corresponding editor of the " National Era," an anti-slavery paper published at Washing- ton, and contributed to its columns many of his anti-slavery and other favorite lyrics. Mr. Whittier lived for many years in retire- ment of Quaker simplicity, publishing several volumes of poetry which have raised him to a high place among American authors and brought to him the love and admiration of his countrymen. In the electoral colleges of i860 and 1864 Whittier was a member. Much of his time after 1876 was spent at Oak Knoll, Danvers, Massachusetts, but still retained his residence at Amesbury. He never married. His death occurred Sep- tember 7, 1892. The more prominent prose writings of John G. Whittier are as follows: "Legends of New England," " Justice and Expediency, or Slavery Considered with a View to Its Abo- lition," " The Stranger in Lowell," "Super- naturalism in New England," " Leaves from Margaret Smith's Journal," "Old Portraits and Modern Sketches" and "Literary Sketches." DAVID DIXON PORTER, illustrious as admiral of the United States navy, and famous as one of the most able naval offi- cers of America, was born in Pennsylvania, June 8, 1 8 14. His father was also a naval officer of distinction, who left the service of the United States to become commander of the naval forces of Mexico during the war between that country and Spain, and through this fact David Di.xon Porter was appointed a midshipman in the Mexican navy. Two years later David D. Porter joined the United States navy as midship- man, rose in rank and eighteen years later as a lieutenant he is found actively engaged in all the operations of our navy along the east coast of Mexico. When the Civil war broke out Porter, then a commander, was dispatched in the Powhattan to the relief of Fort Pickens, Florida. This duty accom- plished, he fitted out a mortar flotilla for the reduction of the forts guarding the ap- proaches to New Orleans, which it was con- sidered of vital importance for the govern- ment to get possession of. After the fall of New Orleans the mortar flotilla was actively engaged at Vicksburg, and in the fall of 1862 Porter was made a rear-admiral and placed in command of all the naval forces on the western rivers above New -Orleans. The ability of the man was now con- spicuously manifested, not only in the bat- tles in which he was engaged, but also in the creation of a formidable fleet out of river steamboats, which he covered with such plating as they would bear. In 1864 he was transferred to the Atlantic coast to command the naval forces destined to oper- ate against the defences of Wilmington, North Carolina, and on Jan. 15, 1865, the fall of Fort Fisher was hailed by the country as a glorious termination of his arduous war service. In 1866 he was made vice-admiral COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHIC 69 and appointed superintendent of the Naval Academy. On the death of Farragut, in 1870, he succeeded that able man as ad- miral of the navy. His death occurred at Washington, February 13, 1891. NATHANIEL GREENE was one of the best known of the distinguished gen- erals who led the Continental soldiery against the hosts of Great Britain during the Revolutionary war. He was the son of Quaker parents, and was born at War- wick, Rhode Island, May 27, 1742. In youth he acquired a good education, chiefly by his own efforts, as he was a tireless reader. In 1770 he was elected a member of the Assembly of his native state. The news of the battle of Lexington stirred his blood, and he offered his services to the government of the colonies, receiving the rank of brigadier-general and the com- mand of the troops from Rhode Island. He led them to the camp at Cambridge, and for thus violating the tenets of their faith, he was cast out of the Society of Friends, or Quakers. He soon won the es- teem of General W^ashington. In August, 1776, Congress promoted Greene to the rank of major-general, and in the battles of Trenton and Princeton he led a division. At the battle of Brandy wine, September 1 1, 1777, he greatly distinguished himself, pro- tecting the retreat of the Continentals by his firm stand. At the battle of German- town, October 4, the same year, he com- manded the left wing of the army with credit. In March, 1778, he reluctantly ac- cepted the office of quartermaster-general, but only with the understanding that his rank in the army would not be affected and that in action he should retain his command. On the bloody field of Monmouth, June 28, 177S, he commanded the right wing, as he did at the battle of Tiverton Heights. He was in command of the army in 1780, dur- ing the absence of Washington, and was president of the court-martial that tried and condemned Major Andre. After General Gates' defeat at Camden, North Carolina, in the summer of 1780, General Greene was ap- pointed to the command of the southern army. He sent out a force under General Morgan who defeated General Tarleton at Cowpens, January 17, 1781. On joining his lieuten- ant, in February, he found himself out num- bered by the British and retreated in good order to Virginia, but being reinforced re- turned to North Carolina where he fought the battle of Guilford, and a few days later compelled the retreat of Lord Cornwallis. The British were followed by Greene part of the way, when the American army marched into South Carolina. After vary- ing success he fought the battle of Eutaw Springs, September 8, 1781. For the latter battle and its glorious consequences, which virtually closed the war in the Carolinas, Greene received a medal from Congress and many valuable grants of land from the colonies of North and South Carolina and Georgia. On the return of peace, after a year spent in Rhode Island, General Greene took up his residence on his estate near Savannah, Georgia, where he died June 19, 1786. EDGAR ALLEN POE.— Among the many great literary men whom this country has produced, there is perhaps no name more widely known than that of Ed- gar Allen Poe. He was born at Boston, Massachusetts, February 19, 1809. His parents were David and Elizabeth (Arnold) Poe, both actors, the mother said to have been the natural daughter of Benedict Ar- nold. The parents died while Edgar was COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr. still a child and he was adopted by John Allen, a wealthy and influential resident of Richmond, Virginia. Edgar was sent to school at Stoke, Newington, England, where he remained until he was thirteen years old; was prepared for college by pri- vate tutors, and in 1826 entered the Virginia University at Charlottesville. He made rapid progress in his studies, and was dis- tinguished for his scholarship, but was ex- pelled within a year for gambling, after which for several years he resided with his benefactor at Richmond. He then went to Baltimore, and in 1829 published a 71 -page pamphlet called "Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane and Minor Poems," which, however, at- tracted no attention and contained nothing of particular merit. In 1830 he was ad- mitted as a cadet at West Point, but was expelled about a year later for irregulari- ties. Returning to the home of Mr. Allen he remained for some time, and finally quarrelled with his benefactor and enlisted as a private soldier in the U. S. army, but remained only a short time. Soon after this, in 1833, Poe won several prizes for literary work, and as a result secured the position of editor of ^\\e. ' ' Southern Liter- ary Messenger," at Richmond, Virginia. Here he married his cousin, Virginia Clemm, who clung to him with fond devo- tion through all the many trials that came to them until her death in January, 1848. Poe remained with the "Messenger" for several years, writing meanwhile many tales, reviews, essays and poems. He aft- erward earned a precarious living by his pen in New York for a time; in 1839 be- came editor of "Burton's Gentleman's Magazine" ; in 1840 to 1842 was editor of " Graham's Magazine," and drifted around from one place to another, returning to New York in 1844. In 1845 his best known production, "The Raven," appeared in the "Whig Review," and gained him a reputation which is now almost world-wide. He then acted "as editor and contributor on various magazines and periodicals until the death of his faithful wife in 1848. In the summer of 1849 he was engaged to be mar- ried to a lady of fortune in Richmond, Vir- ginia, and the day set for the wedding. He started for New York to make prepara- tions for the event, but, it is said, began drinking, was attacked with dilirium tre- mens in Baltimore and was removed to a hospital, where he died, October 7, 1849. The works of Edgar Allen Poe have been repeatedly published since his death, both in Europe and America, and have attained an immense popularity. HORATIO GATES, one of the prom- inent figures in the American war for Independence, was not a native of the col- onies but was born in England in 1728. In early life he entered the British army and attained the rank of major. At the capture of Martinico he was aide to General Monk- ton and after the peace of Aix la Chapelle, in 1748, he was among the first troops that landed at Halifax. He was with Braddock at his defeat in 1755, and was there severe- ly wounded. At the conclusion of the French and Indian war Gates purchased an estate in Virginia, and, resigning from the British army, settled down to life as a planter. On the breaking out of the Rev- olutionary svar he entered the service of the colonies and was made adjutant-general of the Continental forces with the rank of brigadier-general. He accompanied Wash- ington when he assumed the command of the army. In June, 1776, he was appoint- ed to the command of the army of Canada, but was superseded in May of the following COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 71 year by General Schuyler. In August, 1777, however, the command of that army was restored to General Gates and Septem- ber 19 he fought the battle of Bemis Heights. October 7, the same year, he won the battle of Stillwater, or Saratoga, and October 17 received the surrender of General Burgoyne and his army, the pivotal point of the war. This gave him a brilliant reputation. June 13, 1780, General Gates was appointed to the command of the southern military division, and August 16 of that year suffered defeat at the hands of Lord Cornwallis, at Camden, North Car- olina. In December following he was superseded in the command by General Nathaniel Greene. On the signing of the peace treaty Gen- eral Gates retired to his plantation in Berkeley county, Virginia, where he lived until 1790, when, emancipating all his slaves, he removed to New York City, where he resided until his death, April 10, 1S06. LYMAN J. GAGE.— When President Mc- Kinley selected Lyman J. Gage as sec- retary of the treasury he chose one of the most eminent financiers of the century. Mr. Gage was born June 28, 1836, at De Ruy- ter, Madison county. New York, and was of English descent. He went to Rome, New York, with his parents when he was ten years old, and received his early education in the Rome Academy. Mr. Gage gradu- ated from the same, and his first position was that of a clerk in the post office. When he was fifteen years of age he was detailed as mail agent on the Rome & Watertown R. R. until the postmaster-general appointed regular agents for the route. In 1854, when he was in his eighteenth year, he entered the Oneida Central Bank at Rome as a junior clerk at a salary of one hundred dol- lars per year. Being unable at the end of one year and a half's service to obtain an increase in salary he determined to seek a wider field of labor. Mr. Gage set out in the fall of 1855 and arrived in Chicago, Illinois, on October 3, and soon obtained a situation in Nathan Cobb's lumber yard and planing mill. He remained there three years as a bookkeeper, teamster, etc., and left on account of change in the management. But not being able to find anything else to do he accepted the position of night watchman in the place for a period of si.x weeks. He then became a bookkeeper for the Mer- chants Saving, Loan and Trust Company at a salary of five hundred dollars per year. He rapidly advanced in the service of this company and in 1868 he was made cashier. Mr. Gage was next offered the position of cashier of the First National Bank and ac- cepted the offer. He became the president of the First National Bank of Chicago Jaai- uary 24, 1891, and in 1897 he was appointed secretary of the treasury. His ability as a financier and the prominent part he took in the discussion of financial affairs while presi- dent of the great Chicago bank gave him a national reputation. ANDREW JACKSON, the seventh pres- ident of the United States, was born at the Waxhaw settlement. Union county. North Carolina, March 15, 1767. His Darents were Scotch-Irish, natives of Carr- ickfergus, who came to this country in 1665 and settled on Twelve-Mile creek, a trib- utary of the Catawba. His father, who was a poor farm laborer, died shortly be- fore Andrew's birth, when the mother re- moved to Waxhaw, where some relatives lived. Andrew's education was very limited, he showing no aptitude for study. In 1780 when but thirteen years of age, he and his COMI^ENDIUM OF BlOGRAl'Iir. brother Robert volunteered to serve in the American partisan troops under General Sumter, and witnessed the defeat at Hang- ing Rock. The following year the boys were both taken prisoners by the enemy and endured brutal treatment from the British officers while confined at Camden. They both took the small pox, when the mother procured their exchange but Robert died shortly after. The mother died in Charleston of ship fever, the same year. Young Jackson, now in destitute cir- cumstances, worked for about six months in a saddler's shop, and then turned school master, although but little fitted for the position. He now began to think of a pro- fession and at Salisbury, North Carolina, entered upon the study of law, but from all accounts gave but little attention to his books, being one of the most roistering, rollicking fellows in that town, indulging in many of the vices of his time. In 1786 he was admitted to the bar and in 1788 re- moved to Nashville, then in North Carolina, with the appointment of public prosecutor, then an office of little honor or emolument, but requiring much nerve, for which young Jackson was already noted. Two years later, when Tennessee became a territory he was appointed by Washington to the position of United States attorney for that district. In 1791 he married Mrs. Rachel Robards, a daughter of Colonel John Don- elson, who was supposed at the time to have been divorced from her former hus- band .that year by act of legislature of Vir- ginia, but two 3'ears later, on finding that this divorce was not legal, and a new bill of separation being granted by the courts of Kentucky, they were remarried in 1793. This was used as a handle by his oppo- nents in the political campaign afterwards. Jackson was untiring in his efforts as United States attorney and obtained much influence. He was chosen a member of the Constitu- tional Convention of 1796, when Tennessee became a state and was its first represent- ative in congress. In 1797 he was chosen United States senator, but resigned the fol- lowing year to accept a seat on the supreme court of Tennessee which he held until 1804. He was elected major-general of the militia of that state in 1801. In 1804, being unsuccessful in obtaining the govern- orship of Louisiana, the new territory, he retired from public life to the Hermitage, his plantation. On the outbreak of the war with Great Britain in 18 12 he tendered his services to the government and went to New Orleans with the Tennessee troops in January, 181 3. In March of that year he was ordered to disband his troops, but later marched against the Cherokee Indians, de- feating them at Talladega, Emuckfaw and Tallapoosa. Having now a national reputation, he was appointed major-general in the United States army and was sent against the British in Florida. He con- ducted the defence of Mobile and seized Pensacola. He then went with his troops to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he gained the famous victory of January 8, 18 15. In 1817-18 he conducted a war against the Seminoles, and in 1821 was made governor of the new territory of Florida. In 1823 he was elected United States senator, but in 1 824 was the contestant with J. Q. Adams for the presidency. Four years later he was elected president, and served two terms. In 1832 he took vigorous action against the nullifiers of South Carolina, and the next year removed the public money from the United States bank. During his second term the national debt was extinguished. At the close of his administration he retired to the Hermitage, where he died June 8, 1845. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 73 ANDREW CARNEGIE.the largest manu- facturer of pig-iron, steel rails and coke in the world, well deserves a place among America's celebrated men. He was born November 25, 1835. at Dunfermline, Scotland, and emigrated to the United States with his father in 1845, settling in Pittsburg. Two years later Mr. Carnegie began his business career by attending a small station- ary engine. This work did not suit him and he became a telegraph messenger with the Atlantic and Ohio Co., and later he became an operator, and was one of the first to read telegraphic signals by sound. Mr. Carnegie was afterward sent to the Pittsburg office of the Pennsylvania Railroad Co., as clerk to the superintendent and manager of the telegraph lines. While in this position he made the acquaintance of Mr. Woodruff, the inventor of the sleeping-car. Mr. Carnegie immediately became interested and was one of the organizers of the company for its con- struction after the railroad had adopted it, and the success of this venture. gave him the nucleus of his wealth. He was promoted to the superintendency of the Pittsburg division of the Pennsylvania Railroad and about this time was one of the syndicate that purchased the Storey farm on Oil Creek which cost forty thousand dollars and in one year it yielded over one million dollars in cash dividends. Mr. Carnegie later was as- sociated with others in establishing a rolling- mill, and from this has grown the most ex- tensive and complete system of iron and steel industries ever controlled by one indi- vidual, embracing the Edgar Thomson Steel Works; Pittsburg Bessemer Steel Works; Lucy Furnaces; Union Iron Mills; Union Mill; Keystone Bridge Works; Hart- man Steel Works; Prick Coke Co.; Scotia Ore Mines. Besides directing his immense iron industries he owned eighteen English newspapers which he ran in the interest of the Radicals. He has also devoted large sums of money to benevolent and educational purposes. In 1879 he erected commodious swimming baths for the people of Dunferm- line, Scotland, and in the following year gave forty thousand dollars for a free library. Mr. Carnegie gave fifty thousand dollars to Bellevue Hospital Medical College in 1884 to found what is now called "Carnegie Lab- oratory, " and in 1885 gave five hundred thousand dollars to Pittsburg for a public library. He also gave two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for a music hall and library in Allegheny City in 1886, and two hundred and fifty thousand dollars to Edinburgh, Scot- land, for a free library. He also established free libraries at Braddock, Pennsylvania, and other places for the benefit of his em- ployes. He also published the following works, "An American Four-in-hand in Britain;" " Round the World;" "Trium- phant Democracy; or Fifty Years' March of the Republic." GEORGE H. THOMAS, the " Rock of Chickamauga," one of the besi known commanders during the late Civil war, was born in Southampton county, Virginia, July 31, 1 8 16, his parents being of Welsh and French origin respectively. In 1836 young Thomas was appointed a cadet at the Mili- tary Academy, at West Point, from which he graduated in 1840, and was promoted to the office of second lieutenant in the Third Artillery. Shortly after, with his company, he went to Florida, where he served for two years against the Seminole Indians. In 1 84 1 he was brevetted first lieutenant for gallant conduct. He remained in garrison in the south and southwest until 1845, ^t which date with the regiment he joined the army under General Taylor, and participat- 74 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. ed in the defense of Fort Brown, the storm- ing of Monterey and the battle of Buena Vista. After the latter event he remained in garrison, now brevetted major, until the close of the Mexican war. After a year spent in Florida, Captain Thomas was or- dered to West Point, where he served as in- structor until 1854. He then was trans- ferred to California. In May, 1S55, Thom- as was appointed major of the Second Cav- alry, with whom he spent five years in Texas. Although a southern man, and surrounded by brother officers who all were afterwards in the Confederate service. Major Thomas never swerved from his allegiance to the government. A. S. Johnston was the col- onel of the regiment, R. E. Lee the lieuten- ant-colonel, and W. J. Hardee, senior ma- jor, while among the younger officers were Hood, Fitz Hugh Lee, Van Dorn and Kirby Smith. When these officers left the regi- ment to take up arms for the Confederate cause he remained with it, and April 17th, 1 86 1, crossed the Potomac into his native state, at its head. After taking an active part in the opening scenes of the war on the Poto- mac and Shenandoah, in August, 1861, he was promoted to be brigadier-general and transferred to the Army of the Cumberland. January 19-20, 1862, Thomas defeated Crittenden at Mill Springs, and this brought him into notice and laid the foundation of his fame. He continued in command of his division until September 20, 1862, except during the Corinth campaign when he com- manded the right wing of the Army of the Tennessee. He was in command of the latter at the battle of Perryville, also, Octo- ber 8, 1862. On the division of the Army of the Cum- berland into corps, January 9, 1863, Gen- eral Thomas was assigned to the command of the Fourteenth, and at the battle of Chick- amauga, after the retreat of Rosecrans, firmly held his own against the hosts of Gen- eral Bragg. A history of his services from that on would be a history of the war in the southwest. On September 27, 1864, Gen- eral Thomas was given command in Ten- nessee, and after organizing his army, de- feated General Hood in the battle of Nash- ville, December 15 and 16, 1864. Much complaint was made before this on account of what they termed Thomas' slowness, and he was about to be superseded because he would not strike until he got ready, but when the blow was struck General Grant was the first to place on record this vindica- tion of Thomas' judgment. He received a vote of thanks from Congress, and from the legislature of Tennessee a gold medal. Af- ter the close of the war General Thomas had command of several of the military di- visions, and died at San Francisco, Cali- fornia, March 28, 1870. GEORGE BANCROFT, one of the most eminent American historians, was a nativeof Massachusetts, born at Worcester, October 3, iSoo, and a son of Aaron Bancroft, D. D. The father, Aaron Ban- croft, was born at Reading, Massachusetts, November 10, 1755. He graduated at Harvard in 1778, became a minister, and for half a century was rated as one of the ablest preachers in New England. He was also a prolific writer and published a number of works among which was ' ' Life of George Washington." Aaron Bancroft died August 19, 1839. The subject of our present biography, George Bancroft, graduated at Harvard in 1817, and the following year entered the University of Gottingen, where he studied history and philology under the most emi- nent teachers, and in 1820 received the de- COMPENDIUxM OF BIOGRAPHY. 75 ^ree of doctor of philosophy at Gottingen. Upon his return home he pubhshed a volume of poems, and later a translation of Heeren's " Reflections on the Politics of Ancient Greece." In 1834 he produced the first volume of his " History of the United States," this being followed by other vol- umes at different intervals later. This was his greatest work and ranks as the highest authority, taking its place among the great- est of American productions. George Bancroft was appointed secretary of the navy by President Polk in 1S45, but resigned in 1846 and became minister pleni- potentiary to England. In 1849 he retired from public life and took up his residence at Washington, D. C. In 1867 he was ap- pointed United States minister to the court of Berlin and negotiated the treaty by which Ger- mans coming to the United States were re- leased from their allegiance to the govern- ment of their native land. In 1871 he was minister plenipotentiary to the German em- pire and served until 1874. The death of George Bancroft occurred January 17, 1891. GEORGE GORDON MEADE, a fa- mous Union general, was born at Cadiz, Spain, December 30, 181 5, his father being United States naval agent at that port. After receiving a good education he entered the West Point Military Academy in 1 83 1. From here he was graduated June 30, 1835, and received the rank of second lieutenant of artillery. He par- ticipated in the Seminole war, but resigned from the army in October, 1836. He en- tered upon the profession of civil engineer, which he followed for several years, part of the time in the service of the government in making surveys of the mouth of the Missis- sippi river. His report and results of some experiments made by him in this service gained Meade much credit. He alsu was employed in surveying the boundary line of Texas and the northeastern boundary line between the United States and Canada. In 1842 he was reappointed in the army to the position of second lieutenant of engineers. During the Mexican war he served with dis- tinction on the staff of General Taylor in the battles of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma and the storming of Monterey. He received his brevet of first lieutenant for the latter action. In 1851 he was made full first lieutenant in his corps; a captain in 1856, and major soon after. At the close of the war with Mexico he was employed in light- house construction and in geodetic surveys until the breaking out of the Rebellion, in which he gained great reputation. In August, 1 86 1, he was made Brigadier-general of volunteers and placed in command of the second brigade of the Pennsylvania Reserves, a division of the First Corps in the Army of the Potomac. In the campaign of 1862, under McClellan, Meade took an active part, being present at the battles of Mechan- icsville, Gaines' Mill and Glendale, in the latter of which he was severely wounded. On rejoining his command he was given a division and distinguished himself at its head in the battles of South Mountain and Antie- tam. During the latter, on the wounding of General Hooker, Meade was placed in command of the corps and was himself slightly wounded. For services he was promoted, November, 1862, to the rank of major-general of volunteers. On the recovery of General Hooker General Meade returned to his division and in December, 1862, at Fredericksburg, led an attack which penetrated Lee's right line and swept to his rear. Being outnumbered and un- supported, he finally was driven back. The same month Meade was assigned to the 76 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. command of the Fifth Corps, and at Chan- cellorsville in May, 1863, his sagacity and ability so struck General Hooker that when the latter asked to be relieved of the com- mand, in June of the same year, he nomi- nated Meade as his successor. June 28, 1863, President Lincoln commissioned Gen- eral Meade commander-in-chief of the Army of the Potomac, then scattered and moving hastily through Pennsylvania to the great and decisive battlefield at Gettysburg, at which he was in full command. With the victory on those July days the name of Meade will ever be associated. From that time until the close of the war he com- manded the Army of the Potomac. In 1864 General Grant, being placed at the head of all the armies, took up his quarters with the Army of the Potomac. From that time until the surrender of Lee at Appo- matox Meade's ability shone conspicuously, and his tact in the delicate position in lead- ing his army under the eye of his superior officer commanded the respect and esteem of General Grant. For services Meade was promoted to the rank of major-general, and on the close of hostilities, in July, 1865, was assigned to the command of the military division of the Atlantic, with headquarters at Philadelphia. This post he held, with the exception of a short period on detached duty in Georgia, until his death, which took place November 6, 1872. DAVID CROCKETT was a noted hunter and scout, and also one of the earliest of American humorists. He was born Au- gust 17, 17S6, in Tennessee, and was one of the most prominent men of his locality, serving as representative in congress from 1827 until 1831. He attracted consider- able notice while a member of congress and was closely associated with General Jack- son, of whom he was a personal friend. Ht; went to Texas and enlisted in the Texan army at the time of the revolt of Texas against Mexico and gained a wide reputa- tion as a scout. He was one of the famous one hundred and forty men under Colonel W. B. Travis who were besieged in Fort Alamo, near San Antonio, Texas, by Gen- eral Santa Anna with some five thousand Mexicans on February 23, 1836. The fort was defended for ten days, frequent assaults being repelled with great slaughter, over one thousand Mexicans being killed or wounded, while not a man in the fort was injured. Finally, on March 6, three as- saults were made, and in the hand-to-hand fight that followed the last, the Texans were wofully outnumbered and overpowered. They fought desperately with clubbed mus- kets till only six were left alive, including W. B. Travis, David Crockett and James Bowie. These surrendered under promise of protection; but when they were brought before Santa Anna he ordered them all to be cut to pieces. HENRY WATTERSON, one of the most conspicuous figures in the history of American journalism, was born at Wash- ington, District of Columbia, February 16, 1840. His boyhood days were mostly spent in the city of his birth, where his father, Harvey M. Watterson, was editor of the "Union," a well known journal. Owing to a weakness of the eyes, which interfered with a systematic course of study, young Watterson was educated almost en- tirely at home. A successful college career was out of the question, but he acquired a good knowledge of music, literature and art from private tutors, but the most valuable part of the training he received was by as- sociating with his father and the throng 01 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. i i public men whom he met in Washington in the stirring days immediately preceding the Civil war. He began his journalistic career at an early age as dramatic and musical critic, and in 1858, became editor of the "Democratic Review" and at the same time contributed to the "States," a journal of liberal opinions published in Washington. In this he remained until the breaking out of the war, when the "States," opposing the administration, was suppressed, and young Watterson removed to Tennessee. He next appears as editor of the Nashville "Republican Banner," the most influential paper in the state at that time. After the occupation of Nashville by the Federal troops, Watterson served as a volunteer staff officer in the Confederate service until the close of the war, with the exception of a year spent in editing the Chattanooga "Rebel." On the close of the war he returned to Nashville and re- sumed his connection with the "Banner." After a trip to Europe he assumed control of the Louisville "Journal," which he soon combined with the "Courier" and the "Democrat" of that place, founding the well-known "Courier-Journal," the first number of which appeared November 8, 1868. Mr. Watterson also represented his district in congress for several years. PATRICK SARSFIELD GILMORE, one of the most successful and widely known bandmasters and musicians of the last half century in America, was born in Ballygar, Ireland, on Christmas day, 1829. He attended a public school until appren- ticed to a wholesale merchant at Athlone, of the brass band of which town he soon became a member. His passion for music conflicting with the duties of a mercantile life, his position as clerk was exchanged for that of musical instructor to the young sons of his employer. At the age of nineteen he sailed for America and two days after his arrival in Boston was put in charge of the band instrument department of a prominent music house. In the interests of the pub- lications of this house he organized a minstrel company known as "Ord way's Eolians," with which he first achieved success as a cornet soloist. Later on he was called the best E-flat cornetist in the United States. He became leader, successively, of the Suf- folk, Boston Brigade and Salem bands. During his connection with the latter he inaugurated the famous Fourth of July con- certs on Boston Common, since adopted as a regular programme for the celebration of Independence Day. In 1S58 Mr. Gilmore founded the organization famous thereafter as Gilmore's Band. At the outbreak of the Civil war this band was attached to the Twenty-Fourth , Massachusetts Infantry. Later, when the economical policy of dis- pensing with music had proved a mistake, Gilmore was entrusted with the re-organiza- tion of state military bands, and upon his arrival at New Orleans with his own band was made bandmaster-general by General Banks. On the inauguration of Governor Hahn, later on, in Lafayette square, New Orleans, ten thousand children, mostly of Confederate parents, rose to the baton of Gilmore and, accompanied by six hundred instruments, thirty-six guns and the united fire of three regiments of infantry, sang the Star-Spangled Banner, America and other patriotic Union airs. In June, 1867, Mr. Gilmore conceived a national musical festi- val, which was denounced as a chimerical undertaking, but he succeeded and June 15, 1869, stepped upon the stage of the Boston Colosseum, a vast structure erected for the occasion, and in the presence of over fifty 78 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHl' thousand people lifted his baton over an orchestra of one thousand and a chorus of ten thousand. On the 17th of June, 1872, he opened a still greater festival in Boston, when, in addition to an orchestra of two thousand and a chorus of twenty thousand, were present the Band of the Grenadier Guards, of London, of the Garde Repub- licaine, of Paris, of Kaiser Franz, of Berlin, and one from Dublin, Ireland, together with Johann Strauss, Franz Abt and many other soloists, vocal and instrumental. Gilmore's death occurred September 24, 1892. M ARTIN VAN BUREN was the eighth president of the United States, 1837 to 1 84 1. He was of Dutch extraction, and his ancestors were among the earliest set- tlers on the banks of the Hudson. He was born December 5, 17S2, at Kinderhook, New York. Mr. Van Buren took up the study of law at the age of fourteen and took an active part in political matters before he had attained his majority. He commenced the practice of law in 1803 at his native town, and in 1809 he removed to Hudson, Columbia county, New Yotk, where he spent seven years gaining strength and wis- dom from his contentions at the bar with some of the ablest men of the profession. Mr. Van Buren was elected to the state senate, and from 1S15 until 18 19 he was at- torney-general of the state. He was re- elected to the senate in 1816, and in 1818 he was one of the famous clique of politi- cians known as the "Albany regency." Mr. Van Buren was a member of the con- vention for the revision of the state consti- tution, in 1821. In the same year he was elected to the United States senate and served his term in a manner that caused his re-election to that body in 1827, but re- signed the following year as he had been elected governor of New York. Mr. Van Buren was appointed by President Jackson as secretary of state in March, 1829, but resigned in 1 83 1, and during the recess of congress he was appointed minister to England. The senate, however, when it convened in December refused to ratify the appointment. In May, 1832, he was nominated by the Democrats as their candidate for vice-presi- dent on the ticket with Andrew Jackson, and he was elected in the following Novem- ber. He received the nomination to suc- ceed President Jackson in 1836, as the Democratic candidate, and in the electoral college he received one hundred and seventy votes out of two hundred and eighty-three, and was inaugurated March 4, 1837. His administration was begun at a time of great business depression, and unparalled financial distress, which caused the suspension of specie payments by the banks. Nearly every bank in the country was forced to suspend specie payment, and no less than two hundred and fifty-four business houses failed in New York in one week. The President urged the adoption of the inde- pendent treasury idea, which passed through the senate twice but each time it was de- feated in the house. However the measure ultimately became a law near the close of President Van Buren's term of office. An- other important measure that was passed was the pre-emption law that gave the act- ual settlers preference in the purchase of public lands. The question of slavery had begun to assume great preponderance dur- ing this administration, and a great conflict was tided over by the passage of a resolu- tion that prohibited petitions or papers that in any way related to slavery to be acted upon. In the Democratic convention of 1840 President Van Buren secured the nomination for re-election on that ticket co^fPEXDTu^^ or biographt. 79 without opposition, but in the election he only received the votes of seven states, his opponent, W. H. Harrison, being elected president. In 1848 Mr. Van Buren was the candidate of the " Free-Soilers," but was unsuccessful. After this he retired from public life and spent the remainder of his hfe on his estate at Kinderhook, where he died July 24, 1862. W INFIELD SCOTT, a distinguished American general, was born June 13, 1786, near Petersburg, Dinwiddie county, Virginia, and was educated at the William and Mary College. He studied law and was admitted to the bar, and in 1808 he accepted an appointment as captain of light artillery, and was ordered to New Orleans. In June, 1 81 2, he was promoted to be lieutenant- colonel, and on application was sent to the frontier, and reported to General Smyth, near Buffalo. He was made adjutant-gen- eral with the rank of a colonel, in March, 1 8 1 3, and the same month attained the colo- nelcy of his regiment. He participated in the principal battles of the war and was wounded many times, and at the close of the war he was voted a gold medal by con- gress for his services. He was a writer of considerable merit on military topics, and he gave to the military science, "General Regulations of the Army " and " System of Infantry and Rifle Practice. " He took a prominent part in the Black Hawk war, and at the beginning of the Mexican war he was appointed to take the command of the army. Gen. Scott immediately assembled his troops at Lobos Island from which he moved by transports to Vera Cruz, which he took March 29, 1847, and rapidly fol- lowed up his first success. He fought the battles of Cerro Gordo and Jalapa, both of which he won, and proceeded to Pueblo where he was preceded by Worth's division which had taken the town and waited for the coming of Scott. The army was forced to wait here for supplies, and August 7th, General Scott started on his victorious march to the city of Mexico with ten thou- sand, seven hundred and thirty-eight men. The battles of Contreras, Cherubusco and San Antonio were fought August 19-20, and on the 24th an armistice was agreed upon, but as the commissioners could not agree on the terms of settlement, the fight- ing was renewed at Molino Del Rey, and the Heights of Chapultepec were carried by the victorious army of General Scott. He gave the enemy no respite, however, and vigorously followed up his advantages. On September 14, he entered the City of Mexico and dictated the terms of surrender in the very heart of the Mexican Republic. General Scott was offered the presidency of the Mexican Republic, but declined. Con- gress extended him a vote of thanks and ordered a gold medal be struck in honor of his generalship and bravery. He was can- didate for the presidency on the Whig plat form but was defeated. He was honored by having the title of lieutenant-general con- ferred upon him in 1855. At the beginning of the Civil war he was too infirm to take charge of the army, but did signal service in be- half of the government. He retired from the service November i, 1861, and in 1864 he published his "Autobiography." Gen- eral Scott died at West Point, May 29, 1866 EDWARD EVERETT HALE for many years occupied a high place among the most honored of America's citizens. As a preacher he ranks among the foremost in the New England states, but to the gen- eral public he is best known through his writings. Born in Boston, Mass., April 3, 80 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 1822, a descendant of one of the most prominent New England families, he enjoyed in his youth many of the advantages denied the majority of boys. He received his pre- paratory schooling at the Boston Latin School, after which he finished his studies at Harvard where he was graduated with high honors in 1839. Having studied theology at home, Mr. Hale embraced the ministry and in 1846 became pastor of a Unitarian church in Worcester, Massachusetts, a post which he occupied about ten years. He then, in 1856, became pastor of the South Congregational church in Boston, over which he presided many years. Mr. Hale also found time to write a great many literary works of a high class. ,\mong many other well-known productions :!f his are " The Rosary," " Margaret Per- cival in America." "Sketches of Christian iistory," "Kansas and Nebraska," "Let- ters on Irish Emigration," " Ninety Days' Worth of Europe," " If, Yes, and Perhaps," ■•'Ingham Papers," "Reformation," "Level Best and Other Stories, " ' ' Ups and Downs, " "Christmas Eve and Christmas Day," " In His Name," "Our New Crusade," "Work- ingmen's Homes," " Boys' Heroes," etc., etc., besides many others which might be mentioned. One of his works, " In His Name," has earned itself enduring fame by the good deeds it has called forth. The numerous associations known as ' 'The King's Daughters," which has accomplished much good, owe their existence to the story men- tioned. DAVID GLASCOE FARRAGUT stands pre-eminent as one of the greatest na- val officers of the world. He was born at Campbell's Station, East Tennessee, July 5, 1 801, and entered the navy of the United States as a midshipman. He had the good fortune to serve under Captain David Por- ter, who commanded the " Essex," and by whom he was taught the ideas of devotion to duty from which he never swerved dur- ing all his career. In 1823 Mr. Farragut took part in a severe fight, the result of which was the suppression of piracy in the West Indies. He then entered upon the regular duties of his profession which was only broken into by a year's residence with Charles Folsom, our consul at Tunis, who was afterwards a distinguished professor at Harvard. Mr. Farragut was one of the best linguists in the navy. He had risen through the different grades of the service until the war of 1861-65 found him a captain resid- ing at Norfolk, Virginia. He removed with his family to Hastings, on the Hudson, and hastened to offer his services to the Federal government, and as the capture of New Orleans had been resolved upon, Farragut was chosen to command the expedition. His force consisted of the West Gulf block- ading squadron and Porter's mortar flotilla. In January, 1862, he hoisted his pennant at the mizzen peak of the "Hartford" at Hampton roads, set sail from thence on the 3rd of February and reached Ship Island on the 20th of the same month. A council of war was held on the 20th of April, in which it was decided that whatever was to be done must be done quickly. The signal was made from the flagship and accordingly the fleet weighed anchor at 1:55 on the morning of April 24th, and at 3 130 the whole force was under way. The history of this brilliant strug- gle is well known, and the glory of it made Far- ragut a hero and also made him rear admir- al. In the summer of 1 862 he ran the batteries at Vicksburg, and on March 14, 1863, he passed through the fearful and destructive fire from Port Hudson, and opened up com- munication with Flag-officer Porter, who COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. ga had control of the upper Mississippi. On May 24th he commenced active operations against that fort in conjunction with the army and it fell on July 9th. Mr. Farragut filled the measure of his fame on the 5th of Au- gust, 1864, by his great victory, the capture of Mobile Bay and the destruction of the Confederate fleet, including the formidable ram Tennessee. For this victory the rank of admiral was given to Mr. Farragut. He died at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Au- gust 4, 1870. GEORGE W. CHILDS, a philanthropist whose remari Baptist. Per- sonal appearance .' Below medium height, and weigh one hundred and thirty-five pounds, no shillings and no pence. Rich } Not enough to own a yacht. Favorite read- ing.? Poetry and history — know Longfellow by heart, almost. Write for magizines .' Have more ' declined with thanks ' letters than would fill a trunk. Never able to get into a magazine with a line. Care about it.? Mad as thunder. Think about starting a magazine and rejecting everbody's articles except my own." Mr. Burdette was born at Greensborough, Pennsylvania, in 1844. He served through the war of the rebellion under General Banks "on an excursion ticket" as he felicitously described it, "good both ways, conquering in one direction and running in the other, pay going on just the same." He entered into journalism by the gateway of New York correspondence for the "Peoria Transcript," and in 1874 went on the " Burlington Hawkeye" of which he became the managing editor, and the work that he did on this paper made both him- self and the paper famous in the world of humor. Mr. Burdette married in 1870, and his wife, whom he called " Her Little Serene Highness," was to him a guiding light until the day of her death, and it was probably the unconscious pathos with which he described her in his work that broke the barriers that had kept him out of the maga- 104 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. zines and secured him the acceptance of his "Confessions" by Lippincott some years ago, and brought him substantial fame and recognition in the literary world. WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS, one of the leading novelists of the present century and author of a number of works that gained for him a place in the hearts of the people, was born March i, 1837, at Martinsville, Belmont county, Ohio. At the age of three years he accompanied his father, who was a printer, to Hamilton, Ohio, where he learned the printer's trade. Later he was engaged on the editorial staff of the ' ' Cincinnati Gazette " and the " Ohio State Journal." During 1861-65 he was the United States consul at Venice, and from 1 87 1 to 1878 he was the editor-in- chief of the "Atlantic Monthly." As a writer he became one of the most fertile and readable of authors and a pleasing poet. In 1885 he became connected with "Har- per's Magazine." Mr. Howells was author of the list of books that we give below: "Venetian Life," " Italian Journeys," "No Love Lost," " Suburban Sketches," "Their Wedding Journey," "A Chance Acquaint- ance," "A Foregone Conclusion," "Dr. Breen's Practice," "A Modern Instance," "The Rise of Silas Lapham," "Tuscan Cities," "Indian Summer," besides many others. He also wrote the " Poem of Two Friends," with J. J. Piatt in i860, and some minor dramas: "The Drawing Room Car," "The Sleeping Car," etc., that are full of exqusite humor and elegant dialogue. TAMES RUSSELL LOWELL was a son 'ith Silas Deane. He was originator and promoter of a sub- scription to relieve the distress of the soldiers near the close of the war, and was sent to France with Henry Laurens to negotiate the treaty with France, and was granted three thousand dollars by congress for his services there, and an estate at New Rochelle, by the state of New York. In 1787, after the close of the Revolu- tionary war, he went to France, and a few years later published his " Rights of Man," defending the French revolution, which gave him great popularity in France. He was made a citizen and elected to the na- tional convention at Calais. He favored banishment of the king to America, and opposed his execution. He was imprisoned for about ten months during 1794 by the Robespierre party, during which time he wrote the " Age of Reason," his great deis- tical work. He was in danger of the guillo- tine for several months. He took up his residence with the family of James Monroe, then minister to France and was chosen again to the convention. He returned to the United States in 1802, and was cordially received throughout the coun- try except at Trenton, where he was insulted by Federalists. He retired to his estate at New Rochelle, and his death occurred June 8, 1809. JOHN WILLIAM MACKAY was one of America's noted men, both in the de- velopment of the western coast and the building of the Mackay and Bennett cable. He was born in 1831 at Dublin, Ireland; came to New York in 1840 and his boyhood days were spent in Park Row. He went to California some time after the argonauts of 1849 and took to the primitive methods of mining — lost and won and finally drifted into Nevada about i860. The bonanza dis- coveries which were to have such a potent influence on the finance and statesmanship of the day came in 1872. Mr. Mackay founded the Nevada Bank in 1878. He is said to have taken one hundred and fifty million dollars in bullion out of the Big Bonanza mine. There were as- sociated with him in this enterprise James G. Fair, senator from Nevada; William O'Brien and James C. Flood. When vast wealth came to Mr. Mackay he be- lieved it his duty to do his country some service, and he agitated in his mind the building of an American steamship line, and while brooding over this his attention was called to the cable relations between America and Europe. The financial man- agement of the cable was selfish and ex- travagant, and the capital was heavy with accretions of financial " water" and to pay even an apparent dividend upon the sums which represented the nominal value of the cables, it was necessary to hold the rates COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 149 at an exorbitant figure. And, moreover, the cables were foreign; in one the influence of France being paramount and in the other that of England; and in the matter of intel- ligence, so necessary in case of war, we would be at the mercy of our enemies. This train of thought brought Mr. Mackay into re- lation with James Gordon Bennett, the pro- prietor of the " New York Herald." The result of their intercourse was that Mr. Mac- kay so far entered into the enthusiasm of Mr. Bennett over an independent cable, that he offered to assist the enterprise with live hundred thousand dollars. This was the inception of the Commercial Cable Com- pany, or of what has been known for years as the Mackav-Bennett cable. ELISH.\ GRAY, the great inventor and electrician, was born August 2, 1835. at Barnesville, Belm.ont county, Ohio. He was, as a child, greatly interested in the phenomena of nature, and read with avidity all the books he could obtain, relating to this subject. He was apprenticed to various trades during his boyhood, but his insatiable thirst for knowledge dominated his life and he found time to study at odd intervals. Supporting himself b}' working at his trade, he found time to pursue a course at Oberlin College, where he particularly devoted him- self to the study of physicial science. Mr. Gray secured his first patent for electrical or telegraph apparatus on October r, 1867. His attention was first attracted to tele- phonic transmission during this year and he saw in it a way of transmitting signals for telegraph purposes, and conceived the idea of electro-tones, tuned to different tones in the scale. He did not then realize the im- portance of his invention, his thoughts being employed on the capacity of the apparatus for transmitting musical tones through an electric circuit, and it was not until 1874 that he was again called to consider the re- production of electrically-transmitted vibra- tions through the medium of animal tissue. He continued e.xperimenting with various results, which finally culminated in his taking out a patent for his speaking tele- phone on February 14, 1876. He took out fifty additional patents in the course of eleven years, among which were, telegraph switch, telegraph repeater, telegraph annun- ciator and typewriting telegraph. From 1869 until 1873 he was employed in the manufacture of telegraph apparatus in Cleve- land and Chicago, and filled the office of electrician to the Western Electric Com- pany. He was awarded the degree of D. S. , and in 1874 he went abroad to perfect himself in acoustics. Mr. Gray's latest in- vention was known as the telautograph or long distance writing machine. Mr. Gray wrote and published several works on scien- tific subjects, among which were: "Tele- graphy and Telephony," and "Experi- mental Research in Electro-Harmonic Tele- graphy and Telephony." WHITELAW REID.— Among the many men who have adorned the field of journalism in the United States, few stand out with more prominence than the scholar, author and editor whose name heads this ar- ticle. Born at Xenia, Greene county, Ohio, October 27, 1837, he graduated at Miami University in 1856. For about a year he was superintendent of the graded schools of South Charleston, Ohio, after which he pur- chased the "Xenia News," which he edited for about two years. This paper was the first one outside of Illinois to advocate the nomination of Abraham Lincoln, Mr. Reid having been a Republican since the birth of that party in 1856. After taking an active 150 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. part in the campaign, in the winter of 1860- 61, he went to the state capital as corres- pondent of three daily papers. At the close of the session of the legislature he became city editor of the "Cincinnati Gazette," and at the breaking out of the war went to the front as a correspondent for that journal. For a time he served on the staff of General Morris in West Virginia, with the rank of captain. Shortly after he was on the staff of General Rosecrans, and, under the name of "Agate," wrote most graphic descrip- tions of the movements in the field, espe- cially that of the battle ol Pittsburg Land- ing. In the spring of 1862 Mr. Reid went to Washington and was appointed librarian to the house of representatives, and acted as correspondent of the " Cincinnati Gazette." His description of the battle of Gettysburg, written on the field, gained him added reputation. In 1865 he accompanied Chief Justice Chase on a southern tour, and pub- lished "After the War; a Southern Tour." During the ne.xt two years he was engaged in cotton planting in Louisiana and Ala- bama, and published "Ohio in the War. " In 1868 he returned to the " Cincinnati Ga- zette," becoming one of its leading editors. The same year he accepted the invitation of Horace Greeley and became one of the staff on the " New York Tribune." Upon the death of Mr. Greeley in 1872, Mr. Reid be- came editor and chief proprietor of that paper. In 1878 he was tendered the United States mission to Berlin, but declined. The offer was again made by the Garfield ad- ministration, but again he declined. In 1878 he was elected by the New York legis- lature regent of the university, to succeed General John A. Dix. Under the Harrison administration he served as United States minister to France, and in 1892 was the Republican nominee for the vice-presidency of the United States. Among other works published by him were the " Schools of Journalism," "The Scholar in Politics," "Some Newspaper Tendencies," and ' ' Town-Hall Suggestions. " GEORGE WHITEFIELD was one of the most powerful and effective preach- ers the world has ever produced, swaying his hearers and touching the hearts of im- mense audiences in a manner that has rarely been equalled and never surpassed. While not a native of America, yet much of his labor was spent in this country. He wielded a great influence in the United States in early days, and his death occurred here; so that he well deserves a place in this volume as one of the most celebrated men America has known. George Whitefield was born in the Bull Inn, at Gloucester, England, December 16, 1714. He acquired the rudiments of learn- ing in St. Mary's grammar school. Later he attended Oxford University for a time, where he became intimate with the O.xford Methodists, and resolved to devote himself to the ministry. He was ordained in the Gloucester Cathedral June 20, 1836, and the following day preached his first sermon in the same church. On that day there commenced a new era in Whitefield's life. He went to London and began to preach at Bishopsgate church, his fame soon spread- ing over the city, and shortly he was en- gaged four times on a single Sunday in ad- dressing audiences of enormous magnitude, and he preached in various parts of his native country, the people crowding in multitudes to hear him and hanging upon the rails and rafters of the churches and approaches there- to. He finally sailed for America, landing in Georgia, where he stirred the people to great enthusiasm. During the balance of COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 153 his life he divided his time between Great Britain and America, and it is recorded that he crossed the Atlantic thirteen times. He came to America for the seventh time in 1770. He preached every day at Boston from the 17th to the 20th of September, 1770, then traveled to Newbury port, preach- ing at Exeter, New Hampshire, September 29, on the way. That evening he went to Newburyport, where he died the next day, Sunday, September 30, 1770. • ' Whitefield's dramatic power was amaz- ing, " says an eminent writer in describing him. " His voice was marvelously varied, and he ever had it at command — an organ, a flute, a harp, all in one. His intellectual powers were not of a high order, but he had an abundance of that ready talent and that wonderful magnetism which makes the pop- ular preacher; and beyond all natural en- dowments, there was in his ministry the power of evangelical truth, and, as his con- verts believed, the presence of the spirit of God." CHARLES FRANCIS BRUSH, one of America's prominent men in the devel- opment of electrical science, was born March 17, 1849, near Cleveland, Ohio, and spent his early life on his father's farm. From the district school at Wickliffe, Ohio, he passed to the Shaw Academy at Collamer, and then entered the high school at Cleve- land. His interest in chemistry, physics and engineering was already marked, and during his senior year he was placed in charge of the chemical and physical appar- atus. During these years he devised a plan for lighting street lamps, constructed tele- scopes, and his first electric arc lamp, also an electric motor. In September, 1867, he entered the engineering department of the University of Michigan and graduated in 9 1869, which was a year in advance of his class, with the degree of M. E. He then returned to Cleveland, and for three years was engaged as an analytical chemist and for four years in the iron business. In 1875 Mr. Brush became interested in elec- tric lighting, and in 1876, after four months' experimenting, he completed the dynamo- electric machine that has made his name famous, and in a shorter time produced the series arc lamps. These were both patent- ed in the United States in 1876, and he afterward obtained fifty patents on his later inventions, including the fundamental stor- age battery, the compound series, shunt- winding for dynamo-electric machines, and the automatic cut-out for arc lamps. His patents, two-thirds of which have already been profitable, are held by the Brush Electric Company, of Cleveland, while his foreign patents are controlled by the Anglo- American Brush Electric Light Company, of London. In 1880 the Western Reserve University conferred upon Mr. Brush the degree of Ph. D., and in i88i the French government decorated him as a chevalier of the Legion of Honor. HENRY CLEWS, of Wall-street fame, was one of the noted old-time opera- tors on that famous street, and was also an author of some repute. Mr. Clews was born in Staffordshire, England, August 14, 1840. His father had him educated with the intention of preparing him for the minis- try, but on a visit to the United States the young man became interested in a business life, and was allowed to engage as a clerk in the importing house of Wilson G. Hunt & Co., of New York. Here he learned the first principles of business, and when the war broke out in i86r young Clews saw in the needs of the government an opportunity to 154 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. reap a golden harvest. He identified him- self with the negotiating of loans for the government, and used his powers of pur- suasion upon the great money powers to convince them of the stability of the govern- ment and the value of its securities. By enthusiasm and patriotic arguments he in- duced capitalists to invest their money in government securities, often against their judgment, and his success was remarkable. His was one of the leading firms that aided the struggling treasury department in that critical hour, and his reward was great. In addition to the vast wealth it brought, President Lincoln and Secretary Chase both wrote important letters, acknowledging his valued service. In 1873, by the repu- diation of the bonded indebtedness of the state of Georgia, Mr. Clews lost six million dollars which he had invested in those se- curities. It is said that he is the only man, with one exception, in Wall street, who ever regained great wealth after utter dis- aster. His " Twenty-Eight Years in Wall Street " has been widely read. ALFRED VAIL was one of the men that gave to the world the electric telegraph and the names of Henry, Morse and Vail will forever remain linked as the prime fac- tors in that great achievement. Mr. Vail was born September 25, 1807, at Morris- town, New Jersey, and was a son of Stephen Vail, the proprietor of the Speedwell Iron Works, near Morristown. At the age of seventeen, after he had completed his stud- ies at the Morristown Academy, Alfred Vail went into the Speedwell Iron Works and contented himself with the duties of his position until he reached his majority. He then determined to prepare himself for the ministry, and at the age of twenty-five he entered the University of the City of New York, where he was graduated in 1836. His health becoming impaired he labored for a time under much uncertainty as to his future course. Professor S. F. B. Morse had come to the university in 1S35 as professor of lit- erature and fine arts, and about this time, 1837, Professor Gale, occupying the chair of chemistry, invited Morse to exhibit his apparatus for the benefit of the students. On Saturday, September 2, 1837, the exhi- bition took place and Vail was asked to at- tend, and with his inherited taste for me- chanics and knowledge of their construction, he saw a great future for the crude mechan- ism used by Morse in giving and recording signals. Mr. Vail interested his father in the invention, and Morse was invited to Speedwell and the elder Vail promised to help him. It was stipulated that Alfred Vail should construct the required apparatus and exhibit before a committee of congress the telegraph instrument, and was to receive a quarter interest in the invention. Morse had devised a series of ten numbered leaden types, which were to be operated in giving the signal. This was not satisfactory to Vail, so he devised an entirely new instru- ment, involving a lever, or "point," on a radically different principle, which, when tested, produced dots and dashes, and de- vised the famous dot-and-dash alphabet, misnamed the " Morse." At last the ma- chine was in working order, on January 6, 1838. The machine was taken to Wash- ington, where it caused not only wonder, but excitement. Vail continued his experi- ments and devised the lever and roller. When the line between Baltimore and Washington was completed. Vail was sta- tioned at the Baltimore end and received the famous first message. It is a remarka- ble fact that not a single feature of the original invention of Morse, as formulated COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 155 by his caveat and repeated in his original patent, is to be found in Vail's apparatus. From 1837 to 1844 it was a combination of the inventions of Morse, Henry and Vail, but the work of Morse fell gradually into desuetude, while Vail's conception of an alphabet has remained unchanged for half a century. . Mr. Vail published but one work, "American Electro-Magnetic Telegraph," in 1S45, and died at Morristown at the com- paratively early age of fifty-one, on January 19. 1859- ULYSSES S. GRANT, the eighteenth president of the United States, was born April 27, 1822, at Point Pleasant, Cler- mont county, Ohio. At the age of seven- teen he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, from which he graduated in June, 1843, and was given his brevet as second lieutenant and assigned to the Fourth Infantry. He remained in the service eleven years, in which time he was engaged in the Mexican war with gal- lantry, and was thrice brevetted for conduct in the field. In 1848 he married Miss Julia Dent, and in 1854, having reached the grade of captain, he resigned and engaged in farming near St. Louis. In i860 he en- tered the leather business with his father at Galena, Illinois. On the breaking out of the war, in 1861, he commenced to drill a company at Ga- lena, and at the same time offered his serv- ices to the adjutant-general of the army, but he had few influential friends, so re- ceived no answer. He was employed by the governor of Illinois in the organization of the various volunteer regiments, and at the end of a few weeks was given the colonelcy of the Twenty-first Infantry, from that state. His military training and knowl- edge soon attracted the attention of his su- perior officers, and on reporting to General Pope in Missouri, the latter put him in the way of advancement. August 7, 1861, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier- general of volunteers, and for a few weeks was occupied in watching the movements of partisan forces in Missouri. September i, the same year, he was placed in command of the Department of Southeast Missouri, with headquarters at Cairo, and on the 6th of the month, without orders, seized Padu- cah, which commanded the channel of the Ohio and Tennessee rivers, by which he se- cured Kentucky for the Union. He now received orders to make a demonstration on Belmoat, which he did, and with about three thousand raw recruits held his own against the Confederates some seven thousand strong, bringing back about two hundred prisoners and two guns. In February,] 1 862, he moved up the Tennessee river with the naval fleet under Commodore Foote. The latter soon silenced Fort Henry, and Grant advanced against Fort Donelson and took their fortress and its garrison. His prize here consisted of sixty-five cannon, seventeen thousand six hundred stand of arms, and fourteen thousand six hundred and twenty-three prisoners. This was the first important success won by the Union forces. Grant was immediately made a major-general and placed in command of the district of West Tennessee. In April, 1862, he fought the battle of Pittsburg Land- ing, and after the evacuation of Corinth by the enemy Grant became commander of the Department of the Tennessee. He now made his first demonstration toward Vicks- burg, but owing to the incapacity of subor- dinate officers, was unsuccessful. In Janu- ary, 1863, he took command of all the troops in the Mississippi Valley and devoted several months to the siege of Vicksburg, 156 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. which was finally taken possession of by him July 4, with thirty-one thousand six hundred prisoners and one hundred and seventy-two cannon, thus throwing the Mississippi river open to the Federals. He was now raised to the rank of major-general in the regular army. October following, at the head of the Department of the Mississippi, General Grant went to Chattanooga, where he over- threw the enemy, and united with the Army of the Cumberland. The remarkable suc- cesses achieved by him pointed Grant out for an appropriate commander of all na- tional troops, and in February, 1S64, the rank of lieutenant-general was made for him by act of congress. Sending Sherman into Georgia, Sigel into the Valley of West Vir- ginia and Butler to attempt the capture of Richmond he fought his way through the Wilderness to the James and pressed the siege of the capital of the Confederacy. After the fall of the latter Grant pressed the Confederate army so hard that their commander surrendered at Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865. This virtually ended the war. After the war the rank of general was conferred upon U. S. Grant, and in 1868 he was elected president of the United States, and re-elected his own successor in 1872. After the expiration of the latter term he made his famous tour of the world. He died at Mt. McGregor, near Saratoga, New York, July 23, 1885, and was buried at Riverside Park, New York, where a magnificent tomb has been erected to hold the ashes of the nation's hero. JOHN MARSHALL, the fourth chief jus- tice of the United States supreme court, was born in Germantown, Virginia, Septem- ber 24, 1755. His father. Colonel Thomas Marshall, served with distinction in the Rev- olutionary war, while he also served from the beginning of the war until 1779, where he became noted in the field and courts martial. While on detached service he at- tended a course of law lectures at William and Mary College, delivered by Mr. Wythe, and was admitted to the bar. The next year he resigned his commission and began his career as a lawyer. He was a distinguished member of the convention called in Virginia to ratify the Federal constitution. He was tendered the attorney-generalship of the United States, and also a place on the su- preme bench, besides other places of less honor, all of which he declined. He went to France as special envoy in 1798, and the next year was elected to congress. He served one year and was appointed, first, secretary of war, and then secretary of state, and in 1801 was made chief justice of the United States. He held this high office un- til his death, in 1835. Chief Justice Marshall's early education was neglected, and his opinions, the most valuable in existence, are noted for depth of wisdom, clear and comprehensive reason- ing, justice, and permanency, rather than for wide learning and scholarly construction. His decisions and rulings are resorted to constantly by our greatest lawyers, and his renown as a just judge and profound jurist was world wide. LAWRENCE BARRETT is perhaps known more widely as a producer of new plays than as a great actor. He was born in Paterson, New Jersey, in 1838, and educated himself as best he could, and at the age of sixteen years became salesman for a Detroit dry goods house. He after- wards began to go upon the stage as a Bupernumerary, and his ambition was soon rewarded by the notice of the management. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 157 During the war of the Rebellion he was a soldier, and after valiant service for his country he returned to the stage. He went to Europe and appeared in Liverpool, and returning in 1869, he began playing at Booth's theater, with Mr. Booth. He was afterward associated with John McCullough in the management of the California theater. Probably the most noted period of his work was during his connection with Edwin Booth as manager of that great actor, and supporting him upon the stage. Mr. Barrett was possessed of the crea- tive instinct, and, unlike Mr. Booth, he sought new fields for the display of his genius, and only resorted to traditional drama in response to popular demand. He preferred new plays, and believed in the encouragement of modern dramatic writers, and was the only actor of prominence in his time that ventured to put upon the stage new American plays, which he did at his own expense, and the success of his experi- ments proved the quality of his judgment. He died March 21, 1891. ARCHBISHOP JOHN HUGHES, a cel- ebrated Catholic clergyman, was born at Annaboghan, Tyrone county, Ireland, June 24, 1797, and emigrated to America when twenty years of age, engaging for some time as a gardener and nurseryman. In 1 8 19 he entered St. Mary's College, where he secured an education, paying his way by caring for the college garden. In 1825 he was ordained a deacon of the Ro- man Catholic church, and in the same year, a priest. Until 1838 he had pastoral charges in Philadelphia, where he founded St. John's Asylum in 1829, and a few years later es- tablished the "Catholic Herald." In 1838 he was made bishop of Basileopolis in parti- bus and coadjutor to Bishop Dubois, of New York, and in 1842 became bishop of New York. In 1839 he founded St. John's College, at Fordham. In 1850 he was made archbishop of New York. In 186 1-2 he was a special agent of the United States in Europe, after which he returned to this country and remained until his death, Jan- uary 3, 1864. Archbishop Hughes early attracted much attention by his controver- sial correspondence with Rev. John Breck- inridge in 1833-35. He was a man of great ability, a fluent and forceful writer and an able preacher. RUTHERFORD BIRCHARD HAYES was the nineteenth president of the United States and served from 1877 to 1881. He was born October 4, 1822, at Delaware, Ohio, and his ancestry can be traced back as far as 1280, when Hayes and Rutherford were two Scottish chieftans fighting side by side with Baliol, William Wallace and Robert Bruce. The Hayes family had for a coat of arms, a shield, barred and sur- mounted by a flying eagle. There was a circle of stars about the eagle, while on a scroll underneath was their motto, "Recte. " Misfortune overtook the family and in 1680 George Hayes, the progenitor of the Ameri- can family, came to Connecticut and settled at Windsor. Rutherford B. Hayes was a very delicate child at his birth and was not expected to live, but he lived in spite of all and remained at home until he was seven years old, when he was placed in school. He wasa very tractablepupil, being always very studious, and in 1838 entered Kenyon College, graduating from the same in 1842. He then took up the study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow at Colum- bus, but in a short time he decided to enter a law school at Cambridge, Massachusetts, where for two years he was immersed in the 153 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. study of law. Mr. Hayes was admitted to the bar in 1845 i" Marietta, Ohio, and very soon entered upon the active practice of his profession with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont, Ohio. He remained there three years, and in 1849 removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where his ambition found a new stimulus. Two events occurred at this period that had a powerful influence on his after life. One was his marriage to Miss Lucy Ware Webb, and the other was his introduction to a Cincinnati literary club, a body embracing such men as Salmon P. Chase, John Pope, and Edward F. Noyes. In 1856 he was nominated for judge of the court of common pleas, but declined, and two years later he was appointed city solicitor. At the outbreak of the Rebellion Mr. Hayes was appointed major of the Twenty-third Ohio Infantry, June 7, 1861, and in July the regiment was ordered to Virginia, and October 15, 1861, saw him promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy of his regiment. He was made colonel of the Seventy-ninth Ohio Infantry, but refused to leave his old comrades; and in the battle of South Mountain he was wounded very severely and was unable to rejoin his regi- ment until November 30, 1862. He had been promoted to the colonelcy of the regiment on October 15, 1862. In the following December he was appointed to command the Kanawa division and was given the rank of brigadier-general for meritorious services in several battles, and in 1864 he was brevetted major-general for distinguished services in 1864, during which campaign he was wounded several times and five horses had been shot under him. Mr. Hayes' first venture in politics was as a Whig, and later he was one of the first to unite with the Republican party. In 1864 he was elected from the Second Ohio district to congress, re-elected in 1866, and in 1867 was elected governor of Ohio over Allen G. Thurman, and was re-elected in 1869. Mr. Hayes was elected to the presidency in 1876, for the term of four years, and at its close retired to private life, and went to his home in Fremont, Ohio, where he died on January 17, 1893. WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN became a celebrated character as the nominee of the Democratic and Populist parties for president of the United States in 1896. He was born March 19, i860, at Salem, Illi- nois. He received his early education in the public schools of his native county, and later on he attended the Whipple Academy at Jacksonville. He also took a course in Illinois College, and after his graduation from the same went to Chicago to study law, and entered the Union College of Law as a student. He was associated with the late Lyman Trumbull, of Chicago, during his law studies, and devoted considerable time to the questions of government. He graduated from the college, was admitted to the bar, and went to Jacksonville, Illinois, where he was married to Miss Mary Eliza- beth Baird. In 1887 Mr. Bryan removed to Lincoln, Nebraska, and formed a law partnership with Adolphus R. Talbot. He entered the field of politics, and in 1888 was sent as a delegate to the state con- vention, which was to choose delegates to the national convention, during which he made a speech which immediately won him a high rank in political affairs. He declined, in the ne.xt state convention, a nomination for lieutenant-governor, and in 1890 he was elected congressman from the First district of Nebraska, and was the youngest member of the fifty-second congress. He cham- pioned the Wilson tariff bill, and served COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 159 three terms in the house of representatives. He next ran for senator, but was defeated by John M. Thurston, and in 1896 he was selected by the Democratic and Populist parties as their nominee for the presidency, being defeated by William McKinley. M ARVIN HUGHITT, one of America's famous railroad men, was born in Genoa, New York, and entered the railway service in 1856 as superintendent of tele- graph and trainmaster of the St. Louis, Al- ton & Chicago, now Chicago & Alton Rail- road. Mr. Hughitt was superintendent of the southern division of the Illinois Central Railroad from 1862 until 1864, and was, later on, the general superintendent of the road until 1870. He was then connected with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- road as assistant general manager, and re- tained this position until 1871, when he be- came 'the general manager of Pullman's Palace Car Company. In 1872 he was made general superintendent of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. He served during 1876 and up to 1880 as general manager, and from 1880 until 1887 as vice-presi- dent and general manager. He was elected president of the road in 1887, in recog- nition of his ability in conducting the affairs of the road. He was also chosen president of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minne- apolis & Omaha Railway; the Fremont, Elk- horn & Missouri Valley Railroad, and the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railroad, and his services in these capacities stamped him as one of the most able railroad mana- gers of his day. JOSEPH MEDILL, one of the most eminent of American journalists, was born in New Brunswick, Canada, April 6, 1823. In I S3 1 his father moved to Stark county, Ohio, and until 1841 Joseph Medill worked on his father's farm. Later he studied law, and began the practice of that profession in 1846 at New Philadelphia, Ohio. But the newspaper field was more attractive to Mr. Medill, and three years later he founded a free-soil Whig paper at Coshocton, Ohio, and after that time jour- nalism received all his abilities. "The Leader," another free-soil Whig paper, was founded by Mr. Medill at Cleveland in 1852. In that city he also became one of the first organizers of the Republican party. Shortly after that event he removed to Chicago and in 1855, with two partners, he purchased the " Chicago Tribune." In the contest for the nomination for the presidency in i860, Mr. Medill worked with unflagging zeal for Mr. Lincoln, his warm personal friend, and was one of the president's stanchest sup- porters during the war. Mr. Medill was a member of the Illinois Constitutional con- vention in 1870. President Grant, in 1S71, appointed the editor a member of the first United States civil service commission, and the following year, after the fire, he was elected mayor of Chicago by a great ma- jority. During 1873 and 1874 Mr. Medill spent a year in Europe. Upon his return he purchased a controlling interest in the " Chicago Tribune." CLAUSSPRECKELS, the great " sugar baron," and one of the most famous representatives of commercial life in Amer- ica, was born in Hanover, Germany, and emigrated to the United States in 1840, locating in New York. He very soon be- came the proprietor of a small retail gro- cery store on Church street, and embarked on a career that has since astonished the world. He sold out his business and went to California with the argonauts of 1849, 160 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. not as a prospector, but as a trader, and for years after his arrival on the coast he was still engaged as a grocer. At length, after a quarter of a century of fairly prosperous business life, he found himself in a position where an ordinary man would have retired, but Mr. Spreckles did not retire; he had merely been gathering capital for the real work of his life. His brothers had followed him to California, and in combination with them he purchased for forty thousand dollars an interest in the Albany Brewery in San Francisco. But the field was not extensive enough for the development of his business abilities, so Mr. Sprecklas branched out extensively in the sugar business. He suc- ceeded in securing the entire output of sugar that was produced on the Sand- wich Islands, and after 1885 was known as the "Sugar King of Sandwich Islands." He controlled absolutely the sugar trade of the Pacific coast which was known to be not less than ten million dollars a year. CHARLES HENRY PARKHURST, famous as a clergyman, and for many years president of the Society for the Prevention of Crime, was born April 17, 1842, at Framingham, Massachusetts, of English descent. At the age of sixteen he was pupil in the grammar school at Clinton, Massachusetts, and for the ensu- ing two years was a clerk in a dry goods store, which position he gave up to prepare himself for college at Lancaster academy. Mr. Parkhurst went to Amherst in 1862, and after taking a thorough course he gradu- ated in 1866, and in 1867 became the prin- cipal of the Amherst High School. He re- tained this position until 1870, when he visited Germany with the intention of tak- ing a course in philosophy and theology, but was forced to abandon this intention on account of illness in the family causing his early return from Europe. He accepted the chair of Latin and Greek in Williston Semi- nary, Easthampton, Massachusetts, and re- mained there two years. He then accom- panied his wife to Europe, &nd devoted two years to study in Halle, Leipsic and Bonn. Upon his return home he spent considerable time in the study of Sanscrit, and in 1874 he became the pastor of the First Congrega- tional church at Lenox, Massachusetts. He gained here his reputation as a pulpit ora- tor, and on March 9, 18S0, he became the pastor of the Madison Square Presbyterian church of New York. He was, in 1890, made a member of the Society for the Pre- vention of Crime, and the same 3'ear be- came its president. He delivered a sermon in 1892 on municipal corruption, for which he was brought before the grand jury, which body declared his charges to be without suffi- cient foundation. But the matter did not end here, for he immediately went to work on a second sermon in which he substantiated his former sermon and wound up by saying, "I know, for I have seen." He was again summoned before that august body, and as a result of his testimony and of the investi- gation of the jurors themselves, the police authorities were charged with incompetency and corruption. Dr. Parkhurst was the author of the following works: ' ' The Forms of the Latin Verb, Illustrated by Sanscrit," "The Blind Man's Creed and Other Ser- mons," "The Pattern on the Mount," and " Three Gates on a Side." HENRY BERGH. although a writer, diplomatist and government official, was noted as a philanthropist — the founder of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. On his labors for the dumb creation alone rests his fame. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIIT. 161 Alone, in the face of indifference, opposition and ridicule, he began the reform which is now recognized as one of the beneficent movements of the age. Through his exer- tions as a speaker and lecturer, but above all as a bold worker, in the street, in the court room, before the legislature, the cause he adopted gained friends and rapidly in- creased in power until it has reached im- mense proportions and influence. The work of the society covers all cases of cruelty to all sorts of animals, employs every moral agency, social, legislative and personal, and touches points of vital concern to health as well as humanity. Henry Bergh was born in New York City in 1823, and was educated at Colum- bia College. In 1863 he was made secre- tary of the legation to Russia and also served as vice-consul there. He also de- voted some time to literary pursuits and was the author of "Love's Alternative," a drama; "Married Off," a poem; "'The Portentous Telegram, " "The Ocean Para- gon;" "The Streets of New York," tales and sketches. HENRY BENJAMIN WHIPPLE, one of the most eminent of American di- vines, was born in Adams, Jefferson county. New York, February 15, 1822. He was brought up in the mercantile business, and early in life took an active interest in polit- ical affairs. In 1847 he became a candidate for holy orders and pursued theological studies with Rev. W. D. Wilson, D. D., afterward professor in Cornell University. He was ordained deacon in 1849, in Trinity church, Geneva, New York, by Rt. Rev. W. H. De Lancey, D. D., and took charge of Zion church, Rome, New York, Decem- ber I, 1849. In 1850, our subject was or- dained priest by Bishop De Lancey. In 1S57 he became rector of the Church of the Holy Communion, Chicago. On the 30th of June, 1859, he was chosen bishop of Minnesota, and took charge of the interests of the Episcopal church in that state, being located at Faribault. In i860 Bishop Whipple, with Revs. I. L. Breck, S. W. Mauncey and E. S. Peake, organized the Bishop Seabury Mission, out of which has grown the Cathedral of Our Merciful Savior, the Seabury Divinity School, Shattuck School and St. Mary's Hall, which have made Faribault City one of the greatest educational centersof the northwest. Bishop Whipple also became noted as the friend and defender of the North American In- dians and planted a number of successful missions among them. EZRA CORNELL was oneof the greatest philanthropists and friends of education the country has known. He was born at Westchester Landing, New York, January II, 1807. He grew to manhood in his na- tive state and became a prominent figure in business circles as a successful and self-made man. Soon after the invention of the elec- tric telegraph, he devoted his attention to that enterprise, and accumulated an im- mense fortune. In 1865, by a gift of five hundred thousand dollars, he made possible the founding of Cornell University, which was named in his honor. He afterward made additional bequests amountingto many hundred thousand dollars. His death oc- curred at Ithaca, New York, December 9, 1874- IGNATIUS DONNELLY, widely known i as an author and politician, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 3, 1 83 1. He was educated at the public schools of that city, and graduated fr6m the 162 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY Central High School in 1849. He studied law in the office of Judge B. H. Brewster, and was admitted to the bar in 1852. In the spring of 1856, Mr. Donnelly emigrated to Minnesota, then a new territory, and, at Hastings, resumed the practice of law in partnership with A. M. Hayes. In 1857, and again in 1858, he was defeated for state senator, but in 1859 he was elected by the Republicans as lieutenant-governor, and re- elected in 1 86 1. In 1862 he was elected to represent the Second district of Minnesota in congress. He was re-elected to the same office in 1864 and in 1866. He was an abolitionist and warmly supported President Lincoln's administration, but was strongly in favor of leniency toward the people of the south, after the war. In many ways he was identified with some of the best meas- ures brought before the house during his presence there. In the spring of 1868, at the request of the Republican national com- mittee, he canvassed New Hampshire and Connecticut in the interests of that party. E. B. Washburne about this time made an attack on Donnelly in one of the papers of Minnesota, which was replied to on the floor of the house by a fierce phillipic that will long be remembered. Through the inter- vention of the Washburne interests Mr. Don- nelly failed of a re-election in 1870. In 1873 he was elected to the state senate from Dakota county, and continuously re-elected until 1878. In 1886 he was elected mem- ber of the house for two years. In later years he identified himself with the Popu- list party. In 1882, Mr. Donnelly became known as an author, publishing his first literary work, "Atlantis, the Antediluvian World," which passed through over twenty-two editions in America, several in England, and was trans- lated into French. This was followed by " Ragnarok, the Age of Fire and Gravel," which attained nearly as much celebrity as the first, and these two, in the opinion of scientific critics, are sufficient to stamp the author as a most capable and painstaking student of the facts he has collated in them. The work by which he gained the greatest notoriety, however, was "The Great Cryp- togram, or Francis Bacon's Cipher in the Shakespeare Plays." "Caesar's Column," " Dr. Huguet," and other works were pub- lished subsequently. STEVEN V. WHITE, a speculator of Wall Street of national reputation, was born in Chatham county, North Carolina, August I, 1 83 1, and soon afterward re- moved to Illinois. His home was a log cabin, and until his eighteenth year he worked on the farm. Then after several years of struggle with poverty he graduated from Knox College, and went to St. Louis, where he entered a wholesale boot and shoe house as bookkeeper. He then studied law and worked as a reporter for the "Missouri Democrat." After his admission to the bar he went to New York, in 1865, and became a member of the banking house of Marvin & White. Mr. White enjoyed the reputa- tion of having engineered the only corner in Wall Street since Commodore Vander- bilt's time. This was the famous Lacka- wanna deal in 1883, in which he made a profit of two million dollars. He was some- times called " Deacon" White, and, though a member for many years of the Plymouth church, he never held that office. Mr. White was one of the most noted characters of the street, and has been called an orator, poet, philanthropist, linguist, abolitionist, astronomer, schoolmaster, plowboy, and trapper. He was a lawyer, ex-congress- man, expert accountant, art critic and theo- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 163 logian. He laid the foundation for a "Home for Colored People," in Chatham county, North Carolina, where the greater part of his father's life was spent, and in whose memory the work was undertaken. JAMES A. GARFIELD, the twentieth president of the United States, was born November 19, 1831, in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and was the son of Abram and Eliza (Baliou) Garfield. In 1833 the father, an industrious pioneer farmer, died, and the care of the family devolved upon Thomas, to whom James became deeply indebted for educational and other advantages. As James grew up he was industrious and worked on the farm, at carpentering, at chopping wood, or anything else he found to do, and in the meantime made the most of his books. Until he was about si.xteen, James' high- est ambition was to become a sea captain. On attaining that age he walked to Cleveland, and, not being able to find work, he engaged as a driver on the Ohio & Penn- sylvania canal, but quit this after a short time. He attended the seminary at Ches- ter for about three years, after which he entered Hiram Institute, a school started by the Disciples of Christ in 1850. In order to pay his way he assumed the duties of janitor and at times taught school. After completing his course at the last named edu- cational institution he entered Williams Col- lege, from which he graduated in 1856. He afterward returned to Hiram College as its president. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1859. November 11, 1858, Mr. Garfield and Lucretia Rudolph were married. In 1859 Mr. Garfield made his first polit- ical speeches, at Hiram and in the neighbor- hood. The same year he was elected to the state senate. On the breaking out of the war, in 1 86 1 , he became lieutenant-colonel of the Forty- second Ohio Infantry, and, while but a new- soldier, was given command of four regi- ments of infantry and eight companies of cavalry, with which he drove the Confeder- ates under Humphrey Marshall out of Ken- tucky. January 11, 1862, he was commis- sioned brigadier-general. He participated with General Buell in the battle of Shiloh and the operations around Corinth, and was then detailed as a member of the Fitz John Porter court-martial. Reporting to General Rosecrans, he was assigned to the position of chief of staff, and resigned his position, with the rank of major-general, when his immediate superior was superseded. In the fall of 1862 Mr. Garfield was elected to congress and remained in that body, either in the house or senate, until 1 880. June 8, 1880, at the national Republican convention, held in Chicago, General Gar- field was nominated for the presidency, and was elected. He was inaugurated March 4, 1 88 1, but, July 2, following, he was shot and fatally wounded by Charles Guiteau for some fancied political slight, and died Sep- tember 19, 1 88 1. INCREASE MATHER was one of the 1 most prominent preachers, educators and authors of early times in the New England states. He was born at Dorchester, Massa- chusetts, June 21, 1639, and was given an excellent education, graduating at Harvard in 1656, and at Trinity College, Dublin, two years later. He was ordained a min- ister, and preached in England and America, and in 1664 became pastor of the North church, in Boston. In 1685 he became president of Harvard University, serving until 1 70 1. In 1692 he received the first doctorate in divinity conferred in English 164 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. speaking America. The same year he pro- cured in England a new charter for Massa- chusetts, which conferred upon himself the power of naming the governor, lieutenant- governor and council. He opposed the severe punishment of witchcraft, and took a prominent part in all public affairs of his day. He was a prolific writer, and became the author of nearly one hundred publica- tions, large and small. His death occurred August 23, 1723, at Boston. COTTON MATHER, a celebrated minis- ter in the "Puritan times" of New England, was born at Boston, Massachu- setts, February 12, 1663, being a son of Rev. Increase Mather, and a grandson of John Cotton. A biography of his father will be found elsewhere in this volume. Cotton Mather received his early education in his native city, was trained by Ezekiel Cheever, and graduated at Harvard College in 1678; became a teacher, and in 1684 was ordained as associate pastor of North church, Boston, with his father, having by persistent effort overcome an impediment in his speech. He labored with great zeal as a pastor, endeavoring also, to establish the ascendancy of the church and ministry in civil affairs, and in the putting down of witchcraft by legal sentences, a work in which he took an active part and through which he is best known in history. He re- ceived the degree of D. D. in 17 10, con- ferred by the University of Glasgow, and F. R. S. in 17 1 3. His death occurred at Boston, February 13, 1728. He was the author of many publications, among which were " Memorable Providences Relating to Witchcraft," "Wonders of the Invisible World," "Essays to Do Good," " Mag- nalia Christi Americana," and " Illustra- tions of the Sacred Scriptures." Some of these works are quaint and curious, full of learning, piety and prejudice. A well- known writer, in summing up the life and character of Cotton Mather, says: ' ' Mather, with all the faults of his early years, was a man of great excellence of character. He labored zealously for the benefit of the poor, for mariners, slaves, criminals and Indians. His cruelty and credulity were the faults of his age, while his philanthro- phy was far more rare in that age than in the present. " WILLIAM A. PEFFER, who won a national reputation during the time he was in the United States senate, was born on a farm in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, September 10, 1831. He drew his education from the public schools of his native state and at the age of fifteen taught school in winter, working on a farm in the summer. In June, 1853, while yet a young man, he removed to Indiana, and opened up a farm in St. Joseph county. In 1859 he made his way to Missouri and settled on a farm in Morgan county, but on account of the war and the unsettled state of the country, he moved to Illinois in Feb- ruary, 1862, and enlisted as a private in Company F, Eighty-third Illinois Infantry, the following August. He was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant in March, 1863, and served successively as quartermaster, adjutant, post adjutant, judge advocate of a military commission, and depot quartermaster in the engineer department at Nashville. He was mustered out of the service June 26, 1865. He had, during his leisure hours while in the army, studied law, and in August, 1865, he com- menced the practice of that profession at Clarksville, Tennessee. He removed to Kansas in 1870 and practiced there until COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 165 1878, in the meantime establishing and conducting two newspapers, the " Fredonia Journal " and " Coffey ville Journal." Mr. Peffer was elected to the state senate in 1874 and was a prominent and influential member of several important committees. He served as a presidential elector in 1880. The year following he became editor of the " Kansas Farmer," which he made a promi- nent and useful paper. In 1890 Mr. Peffer was elected to the United States senate as a member of the People's party and took his seat March 4, 1891. After six years of service Senator Peffer was succeeded in March, 1897, by William A. Harris. ROBERT MORRIS. —The name of this financier, statesman and patriot is closely connected with the early history of the United States. He was a native of England, born January 20, 1734, and came to America with his father when thirteen years old. Until 1754 he served in the counting house of Charles Willing, then formed a partnership with that gentleman's son, which continued with greatsuccess until 1793. In 1776 Mr. Morris was a delegate to the Continental congress, and, although once voting against the Declaration of Inde- pendence, signed that paper on its adop- tion, and was several times thereafter re- elected to congress. During the Revolu- tionary war the services of Robert Morris in aiding the government during its finan- cial difficulties were of incalculable value; he freely pledged his personal credit for sup- plies for the army, atone time to the amount of about one and a half million dollars, with- out which the campaign of 1781 would have been almost impossible. Mr. Morris was appointed superintendent of finance in 1781 and served until 1784, continuing to employ his personal credit to facilitate the needs of his department. He also served as mem- ber of the Pennsylvania legislature, and from 1786 to 1795 was United States sena- tor, declining meanwhile the position of sec- retary of the treasury, and suggesting the name of Alexander Hamilton, who was ap- pointed to that post. During the latter part of his life Mr. Morris was engaged ex- tensively in the China trade, and later be- came involved in land speculations, which ruined him, so that the remaining days of this noble man and patriot were passed in confinement for debt. His death occurred at Philadelphia, May 8, 1806. WILLIAM SHARON, a senator and capitalist, and mine owner of na- tional reputation, was born at Smithfield, Ohio, January 9, 1821. He was reared upon a farm and in his boyhood given excel- lent educational advantages and in 1842 entered Athens College. He remained in that institution about two years, after which he studied law with Edwin M. Stanton, and was admitted to the bar at St. Louis and commenced practice. His health failing, however, he abandoned his profession and engaged in mercantile pursuits at Carrollton, Greene county, Illinois. During the time of the gold excitement of 1849, Mr. Sharon went to California, whither so many went, and engaged in business at Sacramento. The next year he removed to San Francisco, where he operated in real estate. Being largely interested in its silver mines, he re- moved to Nevada, locating at Virginia City, and acquired an immense fortune. He be- came one of the trustees of the Bank of California, and during the troubles that arose on the death of William Ralston, the president of that institution, was largely in- strumental in bringing its affairs into a satis- factory shape. 166 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHV. Mr. Sharon was elected to represent the state of Nevada in the United States senate in 1875, and remained a member of that body until 1881. He was always distin- guished for close application to business. Senator Sharon died November 13, 1885. . HENRY W. SHAW, an American hu- morist who became celebrated unde^ the iion-dc-pliiiuc of " Josh Billings," gained his fame from the witticism of his writing, and peculiar eccentricity of style and spell- ing. He was born at Lanesborough, Mas- sachusetts, in 18 18. For twenty-five years he lived in different parts of the western states, following various lines of business, including farming and auctioneering, and in the latter capacity settled at Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1858. In 1863 he began writing humorous sketches for the news- papers over the signature of "Josh Bill- ings," and became immediately popular both as a writer and lecturer. He pub- lished a number of volumes of comic sketches and edited an " Annual Allmina.x " for a number of years, which had a wide cir- culation. His death occurred October 14, 1885, at Monterey, California. JOHN M. THURSTON, well known throughout this country as a senator and political leader, was born at Mont- pelier, Vermont, August 21, 1847, of an old Puritan family which dated back their ancestry in this country to 1636, and among whom were soldiers of the Revolution and of the war of 1812-15. Young Thurston was brought west by the family in 1854, they settling at Madison, Wisconsin, and two years later at Beaver Dam, where John M. received his schooling in the public schools and at Wayland Uni- versity. His father enlisted as a private in the First Wisconsin Cavalry and died while in the service, in the spring of 1863. Young Thurston, thrown on his own resources while attaining an education, sup- ported himself by farm work, driving team and at other manual labor. He studied law and was admitted to the bar May 21, 1869, and in October of the same year located in Omaha, Nebraska. He v/as elected a member of the city council in 1872, city attorney in 1874 and a member of the Ne- braska legislature in 1874. He was a mem- ber of the Republican national convention of 1884 and temporary chairman of that of 1888. Taking quite an interest in the younger members of his party he was instru- mental in forming the Republican League of the United States, of which he was presi- dent for two years. He was then elected a member of the United States senate, in 1895, to represent the state of Nebraska. As an attorney John M. Thurston occu- pied a very prominent place, and for a num- ber of years held the position of general solicitor of the Union Pacific railroad sys- tem. TOHN JAMES AUDUBON, a celebrated erintendent of construction of the Chicago custom house. He was made adjutant-genecal, with the rank of colonel, of Illinois militia, and was colonel of Illinois volunteers raised for the Utah expedition, but was not mustered into service. In i860 he removed to Kentucky, where he settled on a farm near Louisville and became inspector-general in command of the Kentucky Home Guards. At the opening of the Civil war he joined the Con- federate army, and was given command at Bowling Green, Kentucky, which he was compelled to abandon after the capture of Fort Henry. He then retired to Fort Don- elson, and was there captured with sixteen thousand men, and an immense store of pro- visions, by General Grant, in February, 1862. He was held as a prisoner of war at Fort Warren until August of that year. He commanded a division of Hardee's corps in Bragg's Army of the Tennessee, and was afterward assigned to the third division and participated in the battles of Chickamauga, and Murfreesboro. He was with Kirby Smith when that general surrendered his army to General Canby in May, 1865. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the vice- presidency on the Gold Democratic ticket with Senator John M. Palmer in 1896. SIMON KENTON, one of the famous pio- neers and scouts whose names fill the pages of the early history of our country, was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, April 3, 1755. In consequence of an affray, at the age of eighteen, young Kenton went to Kentucky, then the "Dark and Bloody Ground," and became associated with Dan- iel Boone and other pioneers of that region. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIIT 189 For a short time he acted as a scout and spy for Lord Dunmore, the British governor of Virginia, but afterward taking the side of the struggHng colonists, participated in the war for independence west of the Alle- ghanies. In 1784 he returned to Virginia, but did not remain there long, going back with his family to Kentucky. From that time until 1793 he participated in all the combats and battles of that time, and until "Mad Anthony" Wayne swept the Valley of the Ohio, and settled the suprem- acy of the whites in that region. Kenton laid claim to large tracts of land in the new country he had helped to open up, but through ignorance of law, and the growing value of the land, lost it all and was reduced to poverty. During the war with England in 1812-15, Kenton took part in the inva- sion of Canada with the Kentucky troops and participated in the battle of the Thames. He finally had land granted him by the legislature of Kentucky, and received a pen- sion from the United States government. He died in Logan county, Ohio, April 29, 1836. ELIHU BENJAMIN WASHBURNE, an American statesman of eminence, was born in Livermore, Maine, September 23, 1 8 16. He learned the trade of printer, but abandoned that calling at the age of eight- een and entered the Kent's Hill Academy at Reading, Maine, and then took up the study of law, reading in Hallowell, Boston, and at the Harvard Law School. He began prac- tice at Galena, Illinois, in 1840. He was elected to congress in 1852, and represented his district in that body continuously until March, 1869, and at the time of his retire- ment he had served a greater number of consecutive terms than any other member of the house. In 1873 President Grant ap- pointed him secretary of state, which posi- tion he resigned to accept that of minister to France. During the Franco- Prussian war, including the siege of Paris and the reign of the Commune, Mr. Washburne re- mained at his post, protecting the lives and property of his countrymen, as well as that of other foreign residents in Paris, while the ministers of all other powers abandoned their posts at a time when they were most needed. As far as possible he extended protection to unfortunate German residents, who were the particular objects of hatred of the populace, and his firmness and the suc- cess which attended his efforts won the ad- miration of all Europe. Mr. Washburne died at Chicago, Illinois, October 22, 1887. WILLIAM CRAMP, one of the most extensive shipbuilders of this coun- try, was born in Kensington, then a suburb, now a part of Philadelphia, in 1806. He received a thorough English education, and when he left school was associated with Samuel Grice, one of the most eminent naval architects of his day. In 1830, hav- ing mastered all the details of shipbuilding, Mr. Cramp engaged in business on his own account. By reason of ability and excel- lent work he prospered from the start, until now, in the hands of his sons, under the name of William Cramp & Sons' Ship and Engine Building Company, it has become the most complete shipbuilding plant and naval arsenal in the western hemisphere, and fully equal to any in the world. As Mr. Cramp's sons attained manhood they learned their father's profession, and were admitted to a partnership. In 1872 the firm was incor- porated under the title given above. Until i860 wood was used in building vessels, al- though pace was kept with all advances in the art of shipbuilding. At the opening of 190 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. the war came an unexpected demand for war vessels, which they promptly met. The sea-going ironclad "New Ironsides" was built by them in 1862, followed by a num- ber of formidable ironclads and the cruiser "Chattanooga." They subsequently built several war vessels for the Russian and other governments which added to their reputation. When the American steamship line was established in 1870, the Cramps were commissioned to build for it four first- class iron steamships, the " Pennsylvania," "Ohio," "Indiana" and "Illinois," which they turned out in rapid order, some of the finest specimens of the naval architecture of their day. William Cramp remained at the head of the great company he had founded until his death, which occurred January 6, 1879. Charles H. Cramp, the successor of his father as head of the William Cramp & Sons' Ship and Engine Building Company, was born in Philadelphia May 9, 1829, and received an excellent education in his native city, which he sedulously sought to sup- plement by close study until he became an authority on general subjects and the best naval architect on the western hemis- phere. Many of the best vessels of our new navy were built by this immense con- cern. WASHINGTON ALLSTON, probably the greatest American painter, was born in South Carolina in 1779. He was sent to school at the age of seven years at Newport, Rhode Island, where he met Ed- ward Malbone, two years his senior, and who later became a pamter of note. The friendship that sprang up between them un- doubtedly influenced young Allston in the choice of a profession. He graduated from Harvard in 1800, and went to England the following year, after pursuing his studies for a year under his friend Malbone at his home in South Carolina. He became a student at the Royal Academy where the great American, Benjamin West, presided, and who became his intimate friend. Allston later went to Paris, and then to Italy, where four years were spent, mostly at Rome. In 1809 he returned to America, but soon after returned to London, having married in the meantime a sister of Dr. Channing. In a short time his first great work appeared, "The Dead Man Restored to Life by the Bones of Elisha, " which took the British Association prize and firmly established his reputation. Other paintings followed in quick succession, the greatest among which were "Uriel in the Center of the Sun," "Saint Peter Liberated by the Angel," and "Jacob's Dream," supplemented by many smaller pieces. Hard work, and grief at the death of his wife began to tell upon his health, and he left London in 18 18 for America. The same year he was elected an associate of the Royal Academy. During the next few years he painted "Jeremiah," "Witch ofEndor," and "Beatrice." In 1830 Alls- ton married a daughter of Judge Dana, and went to Cambridge, which was his home until his death. Here he produced the "Vision of the Bloody Hand," "Rosalie," and many less noted pieces, and had given one week of labor to his unfinished master- piece, "Belshazzar's Feast," when death ended his career July 9, 1843. JOHN ROACH, ship builder and manu- facturer, whose career was a marvel of. industrial labor, and who impressed his in- dividuality and genius upon the times in which he lived more, perhaps, than any other manufacturer in America. He was born at Mitchelstown, County Cork, Ire- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 191 land, December 25, 181 5, the son of a wealthy merchant. He attended school until he was thirteen, when his father be- came financially embarrassed and failed and shortly after died; John determined to come to America and carve out a fortune for himself. He landed in New York at the age of sixteen, and soon obtained employ- ment at the Howell Iron Works in New Jer- sey, at twenty-five cents a day. He soon made himself a place in the world, and at the end of three years had saved some twelve hundred dollars, which he lost by the failure of his employer, in whose hands it was left. Returning to New York he began to learn how to make castings for marine engines and ship work. Having again accumulated one thousand dollars, in company with three fellow workmen, he purchased a small foundry in New York, but soon became sole proprietor. At the end of four years he had saved thirty thou- sand dollars, besides enlarging his works. In 1856 his works were destroyed by a boiler explosion, and being unable to collect the insurance, was left, after paying his debts, without a dollar. However, his credit and reputation for integrity was good, and he built the Etna Iron Works, giving it capacity to construct larger marine engines than any previously built in this country. Here he turned out immense engines for the steam ram Dunderberg, for the war ves- sels Winooski and Neshaning, and other large vessels. To accommodate his increas- ing business, Mr. Roach, in 1S69, pur- chased the Morgan Iron Works, one of the largest in New York, and shortly after sev- eral others. In 1871 he bought the Ches- ter ship yards, which he added to largely, erecting a rolling mill and blast furnace, and providing every facility for building a ship out of the ore and timber. This immense plant covered a large area, was valued at several millions of dollars, and was known as the Delaware River Iron Shipbuilding and Engine Works, of which Mr. Roach was the principal owner. He built a large percentage of the iron vessels now flying the American flag, the bulk of his business being for private parties. In 1S75 he built the sectional dry docks at Pensacola. He, about this time, drew the attention of the government to the use of compound marine engines, and thus was the means of im- proving the speed and economy of the ves- sels of our new navy. In 1883 Mr. Roach commenced work on the three cruisers for the government, the "Chicago," "Boston" and "Atlanta," and the dispatch boat " Dolphin." For some cause the secretary of the navy refused to receive the latter and decided that Mr. Roach's contract would not hold. This embarrassed Mr. Roach, as a large amount of his capital was in- volved in these contracts, and for the pro- tection of bondsmen and creditors, July 18, 1885, he made an assignment, but the financial trouble broke down his strong con- stitution, and January 10, 1887, he died. His son, John B. Roach, succeeded to the shipbuilding interests, while Stephen W. Roach inherited the Morgan Iron Works at New York. JOHN SINGLETON COPLEY, one of kJ the two great painters who laid the foundation of true American art, was born in Boston in 1737, one year earlier than his great contemporary, Benjamin West. His education was limited to the common schools of that time, and his training in art he ob- tained by his own observation and experi- ments solely. When he was about seven- teen years old he had mapped out his future, however, by choosing painting as his pro- 192 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIIT. fession. If he ever studied under any teacher in his early efforts, we have no au- thentic account of it, and tradition credits the young artist's wonderful success en- tirely to his own talent and untiring effort. It is almost incredible that at the age of twenty-three years his income from his works aggregated fifteen hundred dollars per annum, a very great sum in those days. In 1774 he went to Europe in search of ma- terial for study, which was so rare in his native land. After some time spent in Italy he finally took up his permanent residence in England. In 1783 he was made a mem- ber of the Royal Academy, and later his son had the high honor of becoming lord chancellor of England and Lord Lyndhurst. Many specimens of Copley's work are to be found in the Memorial Hall at Harvard and in the Boston Museum, as well as a few of the works upon vvhich he modeled his style. Copley was essentially a portrait painter, though his historical paintings at- tained great celebrity, his masterpiece being his " Death of Major Pierson," though that distinction has by some been given to his "Death of Chatham." It is said that he never saw a good picture until he was thirty-five years old, yet his portraits prior to that period are regarded as rare speci- mens. He died in 181 5. HENRY B. PLANT, one of the greatest railroad men of the country, became famous as president of the Plant system of railway and steamer lines, and also the Southern & Texas E.xpress Co. He was born in October, 18 19, at Branford, Connecticut, and entered the railroad serv- ice in 1844, serving as express messenger on the Hartford & New Haven Railroad until 1853, during which time he had entire charge of the expr^?- jusiness of that road. He went south in 1853 and established ex- press lines on various southern railways, and in 1 86 1 organized the Southern Express Co., and became its president. In 1879 he purchased, with others, the Atlantic & Gulf Railroad of Georgia, and later reorgafiized the Savannah, Florida & Western Railroad, of which he became president. He pur- chased and rebuilt, in 1880, the Savannah & Charleston Railroad, now Charleston & Savannah. Not long after this he organ- ized the Plant Investment Co., to control these railroads and advance their interests generally, and later established a steamboat line on the St. John's river, in Florida. From 1853 until i860 he was general superintendent of the southern division of the Adams Express Co., and in 1867 be- came president of the Texas Express Co. The "Plant system" of railway, steamer and steamship lines is one of the greatest business corporations of the southern states. WADE HAMPTON, a noted Confeder- ate officer, was born at Columbia, South Carolina, in 18 18. He graduated from the South Carolina College, took an active part in politics, and was twice elected to the legislature of his state. In 1861 he joined the Confederate army, and command- ed the " Hampton Legion " at the first bat- tle of Bull Run, in July, 1861. He did meritorious service, was wounded, and pro- moted to brigadier-general. He command- ed a brigade at Seven Pines, in 1862, and was again wounded. He was engaged in the battle of Antietam in September of the same year, and participated in the raid into Pennsylvania in October. In 1863 he was with Lee at Gettysburg, where he was wounded for the third time. He was pro- moted to the rank of lieutenant-general, and commanded a troop of cavalry in Lee's COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 193 army during 1864, and was in numerous en- gagements. In 1865 he was in South Car- oHna, and commanded the cavalry rear guard of the Confederate army in its stub- born retreat before General Sherman on his advance toward Richmond. After the war Hampton took an active part in politics, and was a prominent figure at the Democratic national convention in 1868, which nominated Seymour and Blair for president and vice-president. He was governor of South Carolina, and took his seat in the United States senate in 1879, where he became a conspicuous figure in national affairs. NIKOLA TESLA, one of the most cele- brated electricians America has known, was born in 1857, at Smiljau, Lika, Servia. He descended from an old and representative family of that country. His father was a a minister of the Greek church, of high rank, while his mother was a woman of remarka- ble skill in the construction of looms, churns and the machinery required in a rural home. Nikola received early education in the public schools of Gospich, when he was sent to the higher "Real Schule " at Karl- stadt, where, after a three years' course, he graduated in 1873. He devoted him- self to experiments in electricity and magnetism, to the chagrin of his father, who had destined him for the ministry, but giving way to the boy's evident genius he was allowed to continue his studies in the polytechnic school at Gratz. He in- herited a wonderful intuition which enabled him to see through the intricacies of ma- chinery, and despite his instructor's demon- stration that a dynamo could not be oper- ated without commutators or brushes, began experiments which finally resulted in his rotating field motors. After the study of languages at Prague and Buda-Pesth, he became associated with M. Puskas, who had introduced the telephone into Hungary. He invented several improvements, but being unable to reap the necessary benefit from them, he, in search of a wider field, went to Paris, where he found employment with one of the electric lighting companies as electrical engineer. Soon he set his face westward, and coming to the United States for a time found congenial employment whh Thomas A. Edison. Finding it impossible, overshadowed as he was, to carry out his own ideas he left the Edison works to join a company formed to place his own inven- tions on the market. He perfected his rotary field principle, adapting it to circuits then in operation. It is said of him that some of his proved theories will change the entire electrical science. It would, in an article of this length, be impossible to ex- plain all that Tesla accomplished for the practical side of electrical engineering. His discoveries formed the basis of the at- tempt to utilize the water power of Niagara Falls. His work ranges far beyond the vast department of polyphase currents and high potential lighting and includes many inventions in arc lighting, transformers, pyro and thermo-magnetic motors, new forms of incandescent lamps, unipolar dyna- mos and many others. CHARLES B. LEWIS won fame as an American humorist under the name of "M. Quad." It is said he owes his celebrity originally to the fact that he was once mixed up in a boiler explosion on the Ohio river, and the impressions he received from the event he set up from his case when he was in the composing room of an ob- scure Michigan paper. His style possesses a peculiar quaintness, and there runs through 11)4 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. it a vein of philosophy. Mr. Lewis was born in 1844, near a town called Liverpool, Ohio. He was, however, raised in Lansing, Michigan, where he spent a year in an agri- cultural college, going from there to the composing room of the "Lansing Demo- crat." At the outbreak of the war he en- listed in the service, remained during the entire war, and then returned to Lansing. The explosion of the boiler that "blew him into fame, " took place two years later, while he was on his way south. When he re- covered physically, he brought suit for dam- ages against the steamboat company, which he gained, and was awarded a verdict of twelve thousand dollars for injuries re- ceived. It was while he was employed by the " Jacksonian " of Pontiac, Mich., that he set up his account of how he felt while being blown up. He says that he signed it M Quad," because "a bourgeoise em quad is useless except in its own line — it won't justify with any other type." Soon after, because of the celebrity he attained by this screed, Mr. Lewis secured a place on the staff of the ' ' Detroit Free Press, " and made for that paper a wide reputation. Kis sketches of the "Lime I\iln Club" and " Brudder Gardner " are perhaps the best known of his humorous writings. HIRAM S. MAXIM, the famous inventor, was born in Sangersville, Maine, February 5, 1S40, the son of Isaac W. and Harriet B. Ma.xim. The town of his birth was but a small place, in the woods, on the confines of civilization, and the family endured many hardships. They were without means and entirely dependent on themselves to make out of raw materials all they needed. The mother was an expert spinner, weaver, dyer and seamstress and the father a trapper, tanner, miller, blacksmith, carpenter, mason and farmer. Amid such surroundings young Maxim gave early promise of remarkable aptitude. With the universal Yankee jack- knife the products of his skill excited the wonder and interest of the locality. His parents did not encourage his latent genius but apprenticed him to a coach builder. Four years he labored at this uncongenial trade but at the end of that time he forsook it and entered a machine shop at Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Soon mastering the details of that business and that of mechanical drawing, he went to Boston as the foreman of the philosophical instrument manufactory. From thence he went to New York and with the Novelty Iron Works Shipbuilding Co. he gained experience in those trades. His inventions up to this time consisted of improvements in steam engines, and an automatic gas machine, which came into general use. In 1877 he turned his attention to electricity, and in 1878 produced an incandescent lamp, that would burn 1,000 hours. He was the first to design a process for flashing electric carbons, and the first to "standardize" carbons for electric light- ing. In 1880 he visited Europe and exhibit- ing, at the Paris Exposition of 1881, a self- regulating machine, was decorated with the Legion of Honor. In 1883 he returned to London as the European representative of the United States Electric Light Co. An incident of his boyhood, in which the recoil of a rifle was noticed by him, and the apparent loss of power shown, in 188 1-2 prompted the invention of a gun which utilizes the recoil to automatically load and fire seven hundred and seventy shots per minute. The Maxim- Nordenfelt Gun Co., with a capital of nine million dollars, grew from this. In 1883 he patented his electric training gear for large guns. And later turned his attention to fly- COMPENDIITM OF BIOGRAPIIT 195 ing machines, which he claimed were not an impossibility. He took out over one hundred patents for smol^eless gunpowder, and for pe- troleum and other motors and autocycles. JOHN DAVISON ROCKEFELLER, : NEBRASKA ^^^^ f ^ ^^^:^:^= f t i CLAUDIUS JONES, Deceased. "^-^^ COMPENDIUM ^ LOCAL BIOGRAPHY! '*^J*a444444444444444444-^^^^ttfettt6ttfr*6ftfrfrt6fe*^ >* LAUDIUS JONES, de- ceased, was for many years an important figure in the com- mercial circles of Sew- ard county, who con- tributed much to the progress of the com- munity. He was a man of the utmost per- sonal honor and businesss probity; earnest and pushing in his own affairs; kind and sympathetic in his neighborhood relations, with a kind word and a helping hand for every uplifting and forward movement. Claudius Jones was born in Orleans county, New York, in 1827, and was a son of David and Cynthia Jones. His father was a native of Wales, who on coming to the United States settled in New York state, where he followed farming as an occupation until the time of his death. Mr. Jones spent his boyhood days in the county of his nativity receiving his educa- tion from the schools of that county, after which he engaged in farming for a number of years, but owing to a feeble constitution he was compelled to leave the farm, and was shortly afterwards married to Miss Harriet I. Weed. She was a native of the same county, her parents being among its earliest settlers. To this union were born two sons and three daughters, four of whom survive him: Harry T. Jones, Hattie L. Tipton, Anna B. Brown and Emma T. Jones, three of whom now make their home in Seward county, Nebraska. In about the' year 1859 Mr. Jones re- moved to Chicago, Illinois, and was engaged in business in that city for several years. On the breaking out of the Civil war he gave proof of his patriotism and love of country by assisting in organizing a regiment in that city, of which he was to have been colonel. His ill health prevented him from accepting this position, but he was allowed to name its commanding officer. After remaining several years in Chicago Mr. Jones removed to Monmouth, Illinois, where he assisted in the organization of the First National Bank of that city, and served as its cashier until 1870, when on account of failing health he was compelled to dis- pose of his interests there, and the same year removed to Lincoln, Nebraska, where for a time he engaged in the handling of state and county warrants. In 1873 Mr. Jones became a resident of Seward county, and established the State Bank of Nebraska, of which he was presi- dent and sole owner. He successfully con- 224 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. ducted this business until 1879, when his health again failed him, and he disposed of this bank and turned his attention to farm- ing and cattle raising, and was thus profitably and pleasanth' engaged for many years. In 1883 he established the Jones National Bank and was its president until 1895. At the time of his death, which occurred in November, 1896, he was the most extensive real estate owner and farmer in this section of the state, as well as director of the Jones National Bank, thus showing what energy and perseverance can accomplish in spite of poor health and a feeble con- stitution. Mr. Jones was a man of public spirit and a strong conviction of duty; besides attend- ing to his own e.xtensive interests he ever found time to take an active part in public affairs. When the bonds for the A. & N. railroad, amounting to $75,000,000, had been issued in this county and in a manner which he believed to be fraudulent, he took a strong ground in opposition to this prop- osition and at once set about to defeat them in the courts. This he accomplished only after a bitter fight and the free use of his time and money, saving Seward county an immense sum of money, but for his services he received nothing in return. The name of Claudius Jones is insepa- rably connected with the history of Seward county; each step of progress bore the marks of his handwork, and he has left be- hind him monuments that will survive him and his posterity for many years. His widow is still living and is tended with care by her children. A portrait of Mr. Jones appears on another page of this volume. Harry T. Jones, the only living son of Claudius Jones, is well known as one of the successful bankers of this part of Nebraska, He was educated in this (Seward) county, and prepared himself for a business career under the careful supervision of his father. In 1883 he entered the Jones National Bank as its cashier and in 1891 secured a controll- ing interest in this well known financial in- stitution, and is at the present its president and active manager. Besides giving his personal attention to the management of the bank, he is the largest owner of farmland in .Seward county. In 1S94 he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Totten, and this union has proved a happy one in every wa}-. Socially he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a Knight Templar, and he is also a Knight of Pythias. In politics he is an ardent Republican and is considered one of the leaders of that party in this county, but has never sought political office. He is managing an extensive business and has im- portant interests in his hands, and finds life sufficiently full for him without the excitement of political ambition. HON. CHARLES ARTEMUS WAR- NER, an extensive land-owner, and an old soldier with a most enviable record, is one of the best known citizens of Fill- more county, Nebraska. His residence is located on section 18, in Chelsea township, near the city of Geneva. Mr. Warner was born in Ogle county, Illinois, October 7, 1846, the son of James and Jemima (Hammond) Warner, the former a native of Germany, and the latter of the state of Vermont. The parents both died in Ogle county, Illinois, the father at the age of seventy-six years, and the mother at the early age of thirty-five years. Upon the death of his mother, young Charles A. Warner, then ten years of age, started out to make a living for himself. For several years following he worked for various parties, attending the public schools during the winter months, until at the break- ing out of the war of the Rebellion, he en- listed in the service of his country, and was enrolled in Company F, Thirty-fourth Illi- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 225 nois Volunteer Infantry, on the 7th day of September, 1861. December 22, 1863, his entire regiment enlisted as veterans, and thus preserved their old organization intact. The subject of this sketch took part in many of the most bloody struggles of the war, and innumerable skirmishes, among which the following may be named: Shiloh (Pittsburg Landing), Siege of Corinth, Clay- ville (Kentucky), Laverne (Tennessee), Tri- une, Stone River, Liberty Gap, Mission Ridge, Rocky Face, Resaca, Rome, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Siege of Atlanta,^ Jonesboro, and various skirmishes through the state of Georgia on the march to Savannah. Also in the campaign of the Carolinas, including Averj'sboro, Benton- ville, Goldsboro and Raleigh. Our youth- ful soldier was in all of these battles, and upon two occasions came near being killed or disabled. At Resaca, while crossing an open place in the face of the enemy, his Springfield rifle being on his shoulder, caught an ounce ball between the lock-plate and the stock. He preserved that ball for many years, but it was finally lost in the fire which destroyed his father's house. The second incident occurred at Rome, Georgia, when on May 17, 1864, his regi- ment with the army was making a charge on the enemy's line, he was struck by a grape-shot upon the buckle of his belt, and undoubtedly it was owing to the weight and thickness of the buckle that his life was saved. He was never in the hospital but once, and that was for a period of two weeks, during an attack of the measles. At the time he enlisted in the army he was but fifteen years of age, but his weight and size enabled him to pass the required tests, his weight at that time being one hundred and forty-seven pounds. In 1862, when only sixteen years old, he was made a corporal, and on March i, 1864, he was promoted to be sergeant, and at the time of his discharge, July 12, 1865, he was act- ing orderly sergeant of his company, being at that time not yet nineteen years old. He attended the great review at Washington, and after nearly four years of arduous service he returned to his home to follow the peace- ful pursuits of a farmer, but not until after Johnston had laid down his arms to Gen- eral Sherman. After his return home he rented a farm and undertook to make a home for himself. In April, 1871, he converted his holdings into money and went to Nebraska, where he homesteaded a tract of land, comprising the northeast quarter of section 18, in Chel- sea township, where he still resides. He has added tract after tract to his original holdings, until he is now the owner of 700 acres of excellent land in Chelsea township. On January 18, 1874, Mr. Warner was united in wedlock with Miss Hattie Leon- ard, daughter of Abram G. and Catherine (King) Leonard. Mrs. Warner's anteced- ents on her father's side are of German de- scent, and on her mother's side of Scotch lineage. Mr. and Mrs. Warner are the parents of five children, named in the order of their births as follows: Lula, Harry A., Charles J., Leonard H. and Orpha Luella. Harry A. was married January 17, 1897, to Miss Hattie Robinson. They live one mile east of the old home place. The other children are all at home except Leonard, who is a volunteer soldier, enlisted in Com- pany G, First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry, and is now in Manila with his regiment, and owing to his happy disposition, as well as that of his messmates, who occupy the same tent with him, they are known as the " Happy Four." Mr. Warner's services to his community have always been of the highest order. For the past twenty-five years the schools of his district have demanded much of his atten- tion, and he has alwa3'S taken a great inter- est in educational matters, and done what he could to advance their welfare in every 226 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. way possible. In 1873 he was elected sher- iff of Fillmore county, and re-elected for two succeeding terms. He relates a story to the effect that at one time he was di- rected to arrest a party charged with some crime, and there being no place for keeping such prisoners, he had to bring him to his own home, and during the time he was thus keeping him, our subject was invited to a wedding. He was not long in deciding what to do under the circumstances, so he took his prisoner with him and they attended the wedding together. In 1890 Mr. Warner was again called upon to serve his community and county, being unanimously elected state senator from the district composed of the counties of York and Fillmore. He was instru- mental in procuring the passage of the laws establishing the Industrial Schools for Girls, which have been of so much benefit to the state, and Mr. Warner is especially proud of his record in connection with these meas- ures, as it was largely due to his untiring efforts and influence that the measures were enacted into law. Mr. Warner is an old- fashioned Republican, having cast his first vote for John C. Fremont, and his last for William McKinley as president. In relig- ious sentiment he is a Baptist. HON. B. D. REMINGTON, the present treasurer of Seward county, is a gen- tleman of unusual ability and large experi- ence, and is discharging the duties of his responsible office in a most satisfactory manner. He is a farmer by occupation, and represents the best type of his kind. Because he tills the soil, he has never thought it necessary to shut himself within the lines of his home farm. He has for years taken a deep and intelligent interest in public affairs, and on more than one oc- casion he has served his community in mat- ters of vital importance. It is the opinion of his friends that his career is not to be terminated at the end of his present term. Mr. Remington was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, May 7, 1849, into the family of Amos and Matilda (Munger) Remington. His father was from Ohio and his mother from New York. The senior Remington was a farmer and settled in Wisconsin in 1842. He spent something like a quarter of a century in that state, and in 1867 re- moved to Missouri in search of a balmier climate. Two years later he bought a home in Page county, Iowa, where he lived until his death in May, 1896. He was the father of one son and two daughters who survived to reach maturity. The son, whose name introduces this article, spent his youth and early manhood in Wisconsin. He attended the public school of his own community, and was a student for three years at the Evansville Seminary, an institution which has been the only alma mater for some of the most successful men of the West. He accompanied his father to Missouri and Iowa, and followed farming in his association. He determined to try the possibilities of Ne- braska and came into this county in 1883, and bought a farm near Seward. He was engaged in its cultivation until elected to his present position in 1897. He took charge of his new office January 5, 1898, and gives it his most careful attention. Mr. Remington was married in 1879 to Miss Florence L. Morgan. She was born in Illinois, but was a resident of Missouri at the time of her wedding. To this happy union have been born four children, whose names are Guy^A., Darlien, Fay and Wilem- ma B. They are all living and constitute a most interesting family. He is an active and zealous Mason, and is a member of two fraternal insurance orders, the United Workmen and the Maccabees. In politics he is identified with what is known as the Independent party, and was a delegate to the national convention of that organization COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 227 which was held in Cincinnati in 1890. He was on the congressional committee for a number of years. He was chairman of the county board for two years and was a mem- ber of the state legislature in 1885. He is one of the best known men of the state, and is everywhere respected for his manly qual- ities. JOSEPH S. GALAWAY, deceased, was identified with much of the earliest history of York county, and will be remem- bered by pioneers of this part of Nebraska as a man of good character and lofty senti- ments. When a good man dies the entire community suffers a loss, although his in- fluence may abide in good lives that have been kindled and inspired by him. So when Mr. Galaway was called home, many felt a personal sense of loss due to a knowl- edge of his unassuming goodness, public spirit and habits of industry and prudence. Mr. Galaway was one of the earliest settlers of York county, having made a pre- emption claim to one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 24, Hays township, as early as October, 1869. He constructed a dug-out on the banks of the creek that bears his name, into which he moved his family, consisting of his wife and five children. His personal property did not exceed a wagon and four horses, and his household furniture was of the simplest de- scription and of home construction. Boxes served for table and cupboard, benches from native timber took the place of chairs, and beds were made from willow branches, and in this way he started to make a home for himself and family. The accomplish- ment of such an undertaking represented many years' hard work and a vast amount of discouraging experiences. The nearest market was over fifty miles distant, money was scarce and prices were high. Lumber used to make a door cost fifty dollars per thousand feet, and other building material was correspondingly high. It is not a mat- ter of wonder then that the pioneers of York county at that time were compelled to live in sod houses and dug-outs. When Mr. Galaway had proved up on his land, he sold out, and moved to section 14 of the same township, where he took up eighty acres under the homestead law, and bought a quarter section in addition, thus making him a large and satisfactory farm. It was all wild prairie, and his entrance upon the new farm was practically a renewal of pioneering. For a few years the family residence was a dug-out, but made many substantial improvements, and put up a com- modious residence, where his widow still re- sides. He died June 26, 1895, and his pass- ing recorded the death of an honored pioneer, and a highly respected and popular citizen. During the first two weeks spent here they were visited by over five hundred Indians at one time. Joseph Galaway was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, December 26, 1833, and was a son of John and Lear (Smith) Galaway, who were also natives to the state. He was bred a farmer, and sent to the dis- trict school, and when seventeen years of age removed to Meigs county, Ohio, in com- pany with his parents. There the earlier part of his manly years were spent, and there he married and engaged in farming. In the fall of 1856 he removed to LaSalle county, Illinois, and later to Marshall county of the same state. He made his appearance in York county in the fall of 1869, making the trip overland by wagon, and Mrs. Gala- way says for more than a month she was not inside a house. This estimable lady married Mr. Galaway April 30, 1855. " Her maiden name was Anna Maria Foley, and she is a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Wilson) Foley, and with her parents claims Virginia as her native state. Thomas Foley brought his family to Athens county, Ohio, 228 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. in 1842, and at a later date removed from there to Meigs county, where he still lives at the venerable age of ninety years. His wife died in August, 1894, at the ripe old age of seventy-eight years. Mrs. Galaway is the mother of seven children; Thomas M., Elizabeth J. (deceased), James S., David Sylvester, William H. and Harriet C. and John J. She holds the respect of the community in a marked degree, and is very popular in all the circles of the old settlers as well as among the people of the new generation. The declining years that stretch away in front of her are thickset with the benedictions of those who know how kind and good and true a wife and mother, friend and neighbor she has been. HON. MILTON A. MILLS, ex-state sen- ator, and a promment attorney of Osce- ola, has for twenty years enjoyed a successful and lucrative practice at the bar of Polk coun- ty, and as the result of his untiring labors, his ambition, his energy and well directed efforts he is to-day the possessor of a hand- some competence. He is a native of Ohio, born September 19, 1841, in Marion coun- ty, Ohio, where his parents, Versailles and Rebecca (Makeever) Mills, were married in 1839. The maternal grandfather, Patrick Makeever, came to this country from Coun- ty Donegal, Ireland, and settled in Greene county, Pennsylvania. He was in religious belief a member of the Church of England. The father of our subject was a native of Vermont and a son of Dr. Mills, who be- longed to an old and prominent New Eng- land family. In early life Versailles Mills engaged in teaching school, and subsequent- ly became one of the first traveling sales- men in this country, and died while on one of his trips at Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1844. Later his widow, with her two chil- dren located on a farm four miles west of Rensselaer, Indiana, where she made her home until 1893, when she went to live with her son in Missouri, dying there No- vember 9, 1895. Our subject is the older of the two children, the other being James Versailles, a musician, who was a member of an Indiana regiment in the Civil war, and now resides at Ridgeway, Missouri. Milton A. Mills was reared on the farm near Rensselaer, Ind. , and obtained his early education in the district schools of the neighborhood. He graduated from the Iowa State Law School with the class of 1870, and was admitted to the bar by the supreme court of Iowa in 1869, after which he engaged in practice in Leon, that state, until coming to Osceola, Nebraska, in 1878. He is now the oldest attorney in this place, is engaged in practice in all the courts and takes front rank among his professional brethren in the state. Financially as well as professionally he has met with success, and is now the owner of an excellent farm lying partly within the corporate limits of Osceola, besides four hundred and eighty acres of land elsewhere. On the loth of April, 1873, Mr. Mills was united in marriage with Miss Emma J. Dawson, a native of Defiance county, Ohio, born November 25, 1854, and a daughter of J. B. and Susan (Webster) Dawson, now residents of Osceola. Her mother belongs to the same family of which Daniel Web- • ster was a member. Mr. Dawson is a native of England, and during our Civil war three times enlisted, but was never accepted on account of physical disability. There were only two children in the family: Mrs. Mills, and Helen, wife of Prof. Des Islets, who is professer of Greek in the college at Al- legheny City, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Mills was educated in the High school of Leon, Iowa, and by her marriage has become the mother of seven children: Frank D., who is now a Lieut, in Co. H^ 3d Reg. Neb. Vol. Inf. — (Colonel Bryan's regiment); Ralph, who was injured in a fire at Osceola and died from COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 229 the effects of the same September 5, 1895; Blanche, who is a student in the State Uni- versity; Tom, who is in the office of his father; Milton A., Jr.; Webster; and Emma A. The wife and mother is an active and prominent member of the Methodist Church. For a quarter of a century Mr. Mills has affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, and has been a member of Royal Arch Chapter for twenty years. Politically he is a free- silver Democrat. He has been honored with a number of important official positions, being county attorney of Polk county, a member of the state senate in 1885, and president of the school board. He is a genial, courteous gentleman, a pleasant en- tertaining companion, and has many stanch and admiring friends among all classes of men. As an energetic, upright and consci- entious lawyer, and a gentleman of attract- ive social qualities, he stands high in the estimation of the entire community. WILLIAM M. BUNTING, president of the Central Nebraska National Bank, of David City, Nebraska, stands in the front rank among men of enterprise, public spirit, and business ability, who have built the prosperity of Butler county upon a sure and permanent foundation. William M. Bunting was born in Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, November 25, 1838. His father, Ebenezer Bunting, was a native of the same county, where he fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer until 1840, when he removed to Preble county, Ohio. He remained there but one year, when he went to Richmond, Wayne county, Indiana, where a portion of the time he was con- ducting a farm and a portion of the time engaged in the butcher business. In 1850 he went to Millersburg, Mercer county, Illinois, and conducted a hotel. In the spring of 1871 he located in Butler county, Nebraska, where he died in April, 1872, in the sixty-second year of his age. His father, Walter Bunting, was also a na- tive of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and the Buntings trace their lineage back to the time of William Penn, through six generations, and the farm on which our subject was born was purchased direct of that noted Quaker philanthropist, and is still owned by a cousin of our subject, Wal- ter Bunting. The family is of Scotch-Irish descent. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Susan Moore. She was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of David Moore, a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent. She died in Butler county, Nebraska, in the fall of 1893, ^' the age of seventy-eight years. Ebenezer and Susan Bunting were the par- ents of seven children, all of whom are now living. Mary E., wife of David Stevens, of Mercer county, Illinois; William M.,our present subject; Harriet, wife of James Gil- more, of David City, Nebraska; James, of David City, Nebraska; John, of St. Clair county, Missouri; Leah, wife of Eli Shot- well, of David City, Nebraska; and Orrick, of Butler county, Nebraska. William M. Bunting was but two years old when he went with the family to Pre- ble county, Ohio, and but a year older when they went to Richmond, Indiana. There he remained until 1850, when he went to Mercer county, Illinois. He attend- . ed an old fashioned subscription school at Richmond, Indiana, and later the public schools of Mercer county, Illinois. In 1862 he enlisted in Company G, one hundred and second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as a pri- vate, he waspromotedto the rank of corporal and was discharged as such at the close of the war, June 6, 1865, at Washington, D. C. He was with Sherman's army on its famous "March to the Sea" and was wounded in the battle of Resaca, Georgia on the 14th of May, 1864, in the left shoulder. He re- mained in the hospital four months, and 230 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. then returned to his regiment before Atlan- ta, and witnessed the surrender of that city. He was in the battles of Averysburg and Bentonville, North Carolina and a number of minor engagements. After an army experi- ence of about three years he was honorably discharged, and returned to Mercer county, Illinois, and engaged in farming. In 1870 Mr. Bunting went to Butler county, Nebraska, and filed a homestead claim to section 32, Franklin township, one and a half miles southeast of David City. He was the first settler on the "Table Land," in that township, and erected the first land- marks of civilization there. He constructed a sod house 12 x 14 feet, in which he lived one year. He built a frame residence 20x24 feet, which he "sodded " outside and lathed and plastered inside, making it a most comfortable and cosy abode, it being one of the first houses to be thus construct- ed in the west. In the fall of 1871 he re- turned to Mercer county, and on November 26th of that year, was married to Anna Maury, a native of Mercer county, Illinois, and a daughter of Dr. James and Elizabeth (Long) Maury. They spent the winter in Mercer county, returning to Nebraska in the spring, and in April 1872, they located on their homestead near David City. At the fall election in 1873 Mr. Bunting was elect- ed treasurer of Butler county, and shortly after moved to David City. Two years la- ter he was re-elected to the same office, and at the expiration of his fourth year of service as county treasurer he opened a real estate office in David City, and was appointed land agent by the Union Pacific Railroad Company having received this appointment the year previous. He remained in this capacity until their lands had all been sold, or until about the year 1888. He also was collector for the same company. He con- ducted his business in partnership with E. S. Runyon from about 1878 until 1892. In 1887, upon the organization of the Central Nebraska National Bank, Mr. Bunting was elected president of that institution, and has discharged the duties of that position since. The capital stock was $100,000 at the organization of the bank, but three years later it was decided to reduce it to $50,000. The other officers are Geo. R. Colton, cashier, and I. E. Doty, vice- president. Mr. Bunting is one of the largest land- owners in Nebraska, his holdings aggregat- ing over 3,000 acres. Not least impor- tant of these tracts is the old homestead, which he still owns, and which- has never been under mortgage. Many of the best business blocks and substantial residences of David City owe their existence to the enterprise of Mr. Bunting, and he is the largest contributor to the revenues of But- ler county. He was at one time engaged extensively in cattle dealing, and he is now interested in the breeding of Shetland pon- ies, his herd now consisting of twenty-four head. Mr. and Mrs. Bunting are the parents of four children, two of whom are now living: Wanetta M. , educated at the State Normal School; and Archie M. The first daughter was Hattie, who died at the age of eighteen months. Lester was the third child, and died at the age of four years. Mr. Bunting is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and holds membership \xt Fidel- ity lodge No. 31, of David City. In polit- ical views he is a Democrat, and aside from his early service as country treasurer he has not sought political honors. WILLIAM M. REDFORD, the present mayor of Seward, Nebraska, has helped to make the city and county in a very marked degree, and is a man of broad views and positive character. He possesses good business habits, and is known far and wide as a reliable and trustworthy trades- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 231 man. He is an Englishman and exhibits many of the best traits of the blood, prompt, energetic, upright and candid. He be- lieves in square dealing, and would scorn to take a mean advantage. Mayor Redford was born near London, in the shire of Lincoln, March 7, 1841, and was a son in the family of Robert and Sarah (Forington) Redford, and comes of a long line of English ancestry. Robert Redford emigrated to the United States in 1847, ac- companied by his family, and made his home at Geneva, Wisconsin. He was killed by a falling tree in 1850. He was the father of four sons and two daughters. Young Redford obtained his early education under primitive conditions, but the teachers were mostly capable instructors, and he learned some things quite thoroughly. Log schoolhouses have nurtured some strong minds, and men have gone forth from their shadows to sway the destinies of the world. He was a soldier in the Union army, first enlisting in 1861 in Company A, Tenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was dis- charged for disability the same year. Later he enlisted again in 1864. He served as sergeant in Company F, Fortieth Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry. A portion of the time he was stationed at Memphis, Tennes- see. After the termination of the war he returned to Wisconsin, and engaged in farming, remaining in that state until 1878. In that year he purchased a farm near Seward, and was busy in its cultivation for a number of years. In 1884 he removed to the city, and bought a grocery store. He kept this for six years, when he sold it, and made an extended visit to his native land. On his return he opened a furniture estab- lishment, and in this line he was engaged up to September, 189S, when he disposed of the business and is now living retired. Mr. Redford was married to Miss Ellen J. Dalton May 20, 1866. She was born in New York, and is the mother of one daugh- ter. Mizzle T. They are members of the Congregational church, and take an active interest in its prosperity. He is an Odd Fellow, and also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. As a Republican he has always been an earnest party worker. In Wisconsin he was elected to the board of supervisors, and in 1884 he was county commissioner in this county, and served two years. He was supervisor from G pre- cinct two years. He was an alderman of the city of Seward for four years, and on the board of education for six years. In 1898 he was elected to the mayoralty. The previous year he ran for county treasurer on the Republican ticket, but failed of election. The career of our subject in this state is instructive and interesting. He brought little money with him, but possessed more im- portant qualities, honesty, industry, ability, and an accommodating genial spirit. He has attained a very substantial success. CHARLES HILL, who was one of the very first settlers in Lockridge town- ship, York county, Nebraska, where he has resided since the spring of 1870, is one of the leading agriculturists of the county. His name is indissolubly connected with the growth and development of the general farming interests of the county, as he has always given his aid to any project that would tend to promote the general welfare of the locality in which he resides. He was born in York, England, on June 4, 1840, and is a son of Charles and Mary (Train) Hill, who were both natives of England. The father was a farmer and stockraiser by occupation, and followed that calling in England until 1851. In that year he came to the United States, and located in Clinton county, Iowa, where he resided during the remainder of his life. He died in 1876, in Clinton county, Iowa, and the mother died in England in 1844. They were the parents 282 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. of two children, Charles, the subject of this sketch, and one sister. Charles Hill received his education in the common schools of Iowa, and at an early age he became engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he has followed throughout his entire life. In 1861 he enlisted in Com- pany A, Eighth Iowa Infantry, and served for eleven months in that regiment, at the end of which time he was discharged for dis- ability at Sedalia, Missouri; during that time he did guard duty and saw some active service. In August of 1862, he again en- listed, this time in Company D, Twenty- sixth Iowa Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He participated in the following battles, Arkansas Post, Arkansas, in the winter of 1862, Ringgold, Georgia, known as the battle of Dalton, fought in August, 1863. In the last named engage- ment he received a scalp wound, which in- capacitated him for service for some time. He was then attached to the sharpshooters brigade for that winter. He then accom- panied Sherman on his famous " March to the Sea," during which campaign he was detailed as a scout for John A. Logan. He was captured in the winter of 1865, at Hang- ing Rock, North Carolina, and held a pris- oner for three months. However, he suc- ceeded in destroying his papers, and thus avoided being shot as a spy, but was held in Libby prison at Richmond. When he was released the war was over, and he returned to Iowa, where he remained in Clinton county for five years. He then moved further west in the state, and in the spring of 1870 he came to York county, Nebraska. He took up his present homestead, and has resided here ever since. In 1876 and 1877 he went to California, but soon returned to Nebraska. When he first took up the land on which he now lives it was all raw prairie land, wild and unbroken, and there were no settlements near it. His first home was a dug-out, which later on gave way to a sod house, and the latter in turn was replaced by a small frame house. The house in which Mr. Hill now lives in is considered to be one of the best in the county. His farm consists of three hundred and twenty acres of fine land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Hill was married on January i, 1867, to Miss Rosie Echelbarger, a native of Ohio, the ceremony being performed in Clinton county, Iowa. They are the parents of fifteen children, upon whom they bestowed the following names: Nellie K., Lorenzo D., Charles W^, George M., Bird E., Owen B., Vena, Orlin V., Merlin I., Mabel, Zetta and Ava, all of whom are now liv- ing. The deceased are Eva, Reno and Ina. Mr. Hill uses his elective franchise in sup- port of the principles of the Republican party, though he favors free silver. Though he has taken an active interest in the polit- ical welfare of the community in which he resides, he has never sought or held any ofBce, though he assisted in the organiza- tion of Lockridge township. He is a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is one of the substantial and well-to-do men of the county, and has amassed all of his wealth by careful and thrifty habits, as when he came to the county, he was en- tirely without means, and to-day he is one of the leading and representative citizens of the county. He has been rewafded for his labors by the acquisition of a good prop- erty, and he retains the unbounded con- fidence and esteem of all who know him. GEORGE W. GREGG.— It is with re- luctance as well as pleasure that we attempt to write the life record of such a man as Mr. Gregg. It affords us pleasure to present to our readers the sketch of one that they will so gladly receive and eagerly peruse but, fearful that we will not do jus- tice to one so worthy of honorable men- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 233 tion, we dread undertaking the task. His name is a synonym for honorable business dealing; he was one of the brave defenders of the union during the dark days of our Civil war; and during the twenty years of his residence in Polk county has been a sup- porter of every enterprise for the public good. His life has been one of honest and earnest endeavor, and he has labored for others with an unseliish devotion that well entitles him to the respect which is so freely given him and to a place among the honored and valued residents of Osceola. The Gregg family was founded in Ameri- ca by Samuel Gregg, who emigrated from Scotland in 1699, when but twelve years old, and settled in Philadelphia. When quite young he married an English lady of some note by the name of Gregg. For sev- eral generations his descendants married into families of the same name, all being of the Quaker faith and of either English or Scot- tish ancestry. Of his children, Thomas was born in Philadelphia, in 1721, and in 1743 married a Miss Gregg. Their son Is- rael was born in the same city in 1747 and was married in 1770 to a Miss Gregg. With their seven children they removed to the wilds of Kentucky in 1784. Of this family Thomas Gregg was born in Philadelphia, in 1780, but grew to manhood in Kentucky, where he married Delilah Owens. After the birth of seven of their children they re- moved to Fianklin county, Ind., in 1808, and there five other children were added to the family. The father of these was the first school teacher in that county, and also organized the first Methodist class there, being the first of the family to leave the Society of Friends, although he still con- tinued to use their form of speech. John Gregg, the son of Thomas and Delilah (Owens) Gregg, was born in Frank- lin county, Indiana, in 18 10, and there made his permanent home. He was a blacksmith by trade, but also operated a farm, and was an active and prominent member of the Methodist church. In Feb- ruary, 1833, he wedded Mary A. Bowling, and died December 13, 1840, leaving a wife and three small children, of whom our subject is the youngest. Eliza C., born February 19, 1834, is now the wife of Isra- el Artz, of Dorchester, Nebraska, and they have six children. Margaret D., born De- cember 8, 1835, married Thomas Wallace and died in November, 1858, leaving no children. In 1843 the mother with her little family moved to Rock Island, Illinois, and for three years lived on a farm in Bowl- ing township, which was named in honor of her father, Ambrose G. Bowling, who served all through the war of 1812. Heowned a rope walk in Washington, D. C., and also one in Alexandria, Virginia, both of which were destroyed when the British burned the capital. He died at the ripe old age of eighty-five years. Mrs. Gregg married for her second husband Rev. J. L. Condon, who was for half a century a cir- cuit rider in the United Brethren church, and they removed to Mercer county, Illi- nois, and in 1 881, to Barton county, Mis- souri, where she died July 9, 1889. By her second union she had three daughters: Mrs. Martha K. Stoughton, a resident of Iowa; Virginia, wife of Joseph Clegg, of Barton county, Missouri, and Addie, wife of A. Sprouse, of the same county. George W. Gregg, of this sketch, was born in Franklin county, Indiana, July 17, 1839, but was reared in Rock Island and Mercer counties, Illinois, acquiring his edu- cation in the district schools there. At the age of fifteen he bound himself out to learn the mason's trade, and after serving a three- years' apprenticeship, he worked at the same for a time in Berlin, Mercer county, Illinois. On the 8th of August, 1862, he donned the blue and went to the front as a private in Company C, One Hundred and Second Illinois Volunteer Infantry. The 234 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. regiment was first sent to Jeffersonville, Indiana, from there to Louisville and Frank- fort, Kentucky, where they did guard duty for a time, then proceeded to Bowling Green and Scottsville, and during the winter were on guard at Gallatin, Tennessee. Leaving there they went to Luverne, Tennessee, and did patrol duty on the railroad between Nashville and Murfreesboro. From Lookout Mountain they went with Sherman on the At- lanta campaign, on the march to the sea and through the Carolinas. Mr. Gregg was in every engagement in which his regiment took part, including the battles of Resaca, Cass- ville. Burnt Hickory, Dallas, Lost Mountain, Pine Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Kene- saw, Marietta, Atlanta, Savannah, Averys- boro. North Carolina, and Bentonville, He was present at the surrender of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, April 26, 1865, and as one of " Sherman's Bummers " participa- ted in the grand review at Washington, Dis- trict of Columbia, May 24, 1865. The troops were made brevet citizens of Wash- ington. At Chicago our subject was mus- tered out in June, 1865, with the rank of orderly sergeant of Company C. During his service Mr. Gregg met with a very painful accident. While returning home on a furlough, October 31, 1864, he, with five others, was standing on the front platform of a car and in coming round a curve between Lafayette and Indianapolis, Indiana, a heavy freight train ran into them, both going at full speed. The car on which Mr. Gregg stood was telescoped by the bag- gage car in front of it, and both legs being caught under the platform of the latter, he was forced along nearly the whole length of the coach telescoped. There he lay wedged in and crushed for an hour and a half before assistance could reach him. His eyes were filled with blood, a body 14y across him and atidther hung suspended over him. When c msciousness returned he threw the body off him, and taking hold of the bell rope pulled himself out, but was too weak to stand. Some outsiders then pushed for- ward a rail which he caught and they pulled him out from under the wreck. His head was badly cut on the right side, including the upper part of his ear; several ribs were torn loose; and the flesh of his legs was so mangled that in some places the bones were exposed, while some small bones in his foot had to be removed. He was the first man taken from the wreck; twenty- five were removed in a helpless condition ; and twenty-eight killed outright. Being taken to Lafayette, he received excellent care, and was finally taken to the train, against the orders of the surgeon, and returned home, reaching there just as the second dis- patch saying that he was dead, arrived. He was finally nursed back to health by his loving wife and family. For two years after the war Mr. Gregg worked at his trade and then purchased a dry goods store in Berlin, Illinois, but after conducting it for a year, he sold out and re- moved to New Windsor, that state, where he engaged in the hardware business for four years. He next owned and carried on a drug store for a year, and on selling it purchased another drug store, which he finally disposed of. He was postmaster of New Windsor under President Grant, re- signing that position in 1879 on cTiming to Nebraska. He first located on Gospel Ridge, subsequently lived for one year in Osceola, and then traded his home there for the farm of eighty acres on which he now resides. He has made all of the improve- ments upon the place, and since 1883 has engaged in the nursery business, devoting fifty-five acres to orchard and nursery stock, the remainder to farming. He has over six thousand fruit trees bearing, and in 1896 sold seventy-five bushels of cherries from two hundred and forty trees. One of the most important events in the life of Mr. Gregg was his marriage. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 235 •which was celebrated July 4, 1862, Miss Amy Shaw becoming his wife. She was born in Berlin, Illinois, February 9, 1839, a daughter of Levi and Martha (Metzler) Shaw, early settlers of Mercer county. Her father was a soldier in the Black Hawk war. For thirty-four year Mr. and Mrs. Gregg traveled life's journey together, sharing its •joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosper- ity, and she ever proved to him a faithful helpmeet. She was a kind and affectionate wife and mother, was always ready to lend a helping hand to the poor and needy, and her pleasant and agreeable manner gained her the love and respect of all with whom she came in contact. Her death, which occurred July 29, 1896, left a vacancy not only in the home, but also in the commu- nity where she was so much admired. The funeral services were under the auspices of the Eastern Star, the Daughters of Rebecca, and the Woman's Relief Corps, of Osceola, of which she was a prominent member, and she was laid to rest in the cemetery of that city. On the 25th of July, 1887, Mr. and and Mrs. Gregg had celebrated their twen- ty-fifth wedding anniversary, two hundred guests being present and Hon. John H. Mickey acting as master of ceremonies, and it was the most notable event of the kind which ever transpired in Polk county. They were re-married in their own door- yard, standing beneath the old flag as they had done twenty-five years before. Re- freshments were served on large tables spread under the trees, which were beau- tifully decorated with over one thousand United States flags. Mr. and Mrs. Gregg were the recipient of many beeautiful pres- ents, including a handsome, solid silver service, the gift of one hundred and one personal friends, silver berrj' casket, berry spoon and vase. The children of this worthy couple are asfoUows: Inez Leola, born April 14, 1866, is now the wife of J. R. Burns, of Osceola; Claudie Llewellyn, born August 6, 1869, died June 3, 1870; Harley Lionel, born August 10, 1871, is a graduate of the Oma- ha Medical College and is now a practicing physician of Silver Creek, Nebraska. He married Helen Gushee. George W. , Jr., born June 9, 1874, was principal of the Gresham schools. Laurel Lavergne, born August 6, 1876, is a graduate of Bryant's Business College, and is now a member of Twenty-second Regulars, United States Infantry. John Levi, born July 17, 1880, died August 14, 1882. All of the children you have reached years of maturity are graduates of the Osceola high school and have successfully engaged in teaching for several terms. Mr. Gregg is a charter member of the G. A. R. Post, of Osceola, has served as its commander, and in 1893 attended the national encampment at Washington, Dis- trict of Columbia, taking part in the grand review. He is also a charter member of the Odd Fellows lodge of Osceola, in which he has filled all the chairs, is a member of the Masonic order, and held office in Sher- man lodge, of Berlin, Illinois. He also be- longs to the Pilgrim Knights, the Eastern Star, and Daughters of Rebekah, his wife also being a member of the last two. She was a charter member of the Woman's Re- lief Corps, and was conductor at the time of her death. Politically Mr. Gregg is an ardent Republican, and gives his support to all measures which he believes will advance the moral, educational or material welfare of his county or state. He has been a mem- ber of the school board of Osceola, is presi- dent of the Cemetery Association, president of the Agricultural Society for two years, and treasurer of the same for one year. Mr. and Mrs. Gregg, some ten years be- fore her death, conceived the idea of plant- ing orchards for benevolent purposes, and have since dedicated one each to the follow- 286 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. ing societies: Thanksgiving day, Novem- ber 27, 1890, each member of the family — eight in all — set out a tree for Rising Star lodge, No. 75, I. O. O. F. , and Osceola Rebecca lodge. No. 88; dedicated as Frater- nity Orchards Nos. i and 2, July 9, 1897. On Christmas day, 1890, each member of the family set out one apple tree, and on St. John's day, November 27, 1890, Mr. and Mrs. Gregg set out four more, making twelve in all; dedicating this to Masonic lodge. No. 65, F. & A. M., and Eastern Star lodge. No. 24, as Fraternity orchards Nos- 3 and 4. January i, 1891, Mr. and Mrs. Gregg set out five apple trees dedicated to the Merry Workers of the Presbyterian church on June 24, 1897, as Fraternity Orchard No. 5. April 7, 1893, they set out twenty-one apple trees, fifteen of which were set in a circle forty-five feet in diame- ter. There is one in the center, with five around it, representing the five points of a star, the emblem of the Twentieth Army Corps, of which Mr. Gregg was a member. This was dedicated to the G. A. R. and W. R. C, of Osceola, July 17, 1897. Each tree one-half way round the circle is named for one of the noted army nurses, the re- mainder for prominent generals of the Army of the Tennessee, while the center tree is named Lincoln, and those at the five points of the star — Grant, Sherman, Thomas, Lo- gan and Sheridan. This is Fraternity Or- chard Nos. 6 and 7. Between each tree and the next of this cirole are two rose bushes, while a fence of roses form the lines of the star, and inside are two snowball bushes, three hydrangeas and five peonies, making one of the most beautiful spots to be found anywhere in this section of the state. JUDGE BENJAMIN O. PERKINS. Among those whose lives are an essen- tial feature in the history of Butler county, Nebraska, the name of Judge Benjamin O. Perkins, president of the City National Bank, of David City, should be recorded as one of the first. He adopted Butler county as his permanent home in 1869, and since that time he has been identified with its every best interest, and in its unprecedented development in all lines he has been one of those to point the way and to his guiding hand and counsel much of the credit is due for the prominent place his county now maintains among its neighbors in finance, commerce, education and general prog- ress. Judge Perkins was born in Sangamon county. Illinois, January 3, 1825, the second son and second child of Solomon and Mary (Ogle) Perkins, the former a native of Ken- tucky, of English descent. He was reared in Illinois, where he followed the occupa- tion of a farmer. Our subject's mother was born in Illinois, and was of English de- scent. Solomon and Mary Perkins were the parents of twelve children, — six sons and six daughters. When Benjamin O. Perkins was but a child his parents removed to Warren coun- ty, Illinois, and when he was eight years old they went to Des Moines county, Iowa. Here he assisted on the farm and^attended the public schools until he reached his ma- jority. He then went to Adams county, Illinois, but after a short time proceeded to Monroe county, Iowa, and thence to War- ren county, Iowa. In 1869 our subject determined to find a home farther west, and crossing the Platte river on March 2d, of that year, he located eight miles north of the present site of David City. The scattered population recognized his worthy qualities at once, and he was elected probate judge the same year that he located in the county, — 1869, when there was a total of seventy votes polled. At the time David City was organized he located there and built a hotel, one of the first houses erected within its limits. This COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY 237 structure was composed of a part of the old court house at Savanna, which the Judge moved to David City. He conducted this hotel about three years. In 1 882 Judge Perkins opened the David City Bank, a private institution, which he conducted until 1S88, when by the consol- idation of the Merchants & Farmers Bank with the David City Bank the present City National Bank was established. Of this new financial institution Benjamin O. Per- kins became president; Edward E. Leonard, cashier; and James Bell, vice-president; capital stock, $50,000. Its present officers are Benjamin O. Perkins, president; Chas. O. Crosthwaite, cashier; and Arthur Myatt, vice-president; capital stock, $50,000. In addition to his banking business Judge Perkins is an e.xtensive land-owner, his holdings aggregating about six hundred acres. Before disposing of some extensive tracts a few years ago, he was the owner of about two thousand acres. The Judge has always been public spirited and enter- prising. He has built many of the substan- tial buildings of David City, and has con- tributed more than his share to the work of placing the city on its present solid basis of prosperity and progress. The marriage of our subject to Mary A. Leggett occurred in the year 1865. Mrs. Perkins is a native of Illinois, and was reared in Marshall county of that state, in the village of Henry. Judge and Mrs. Perkins are the parents of three children, named as follows: Minnie; Maggie, wife of Charles Stoops, of David City; Benjamin O. , Jr., bookkeeper in the City National Bank, David City. In political sentiment Judge Perkins was in early life a Whig. On the organization of the Republican party he adhered to its principles, to which he has since given his support. He was chosen Probate Judge of the county in 1869, was twice a member of the city council, and served as mayor of 14 David City two terms. From his long res- idence in the county he has become well and favorably known in every part of it, and each year adds to the full measure of esteem and regard. FRANK G. SIMMONS, the editor of the Seward Reporter, was born May 31, 1 8 54, in New York City. He was a son of Henry A. and Emma M. (Cooke) Simmons. His father came from Massachusetts, and his mother was a daughter of New York. He attended the public school of his native city until he reached his twelfth year. His mother died when he was only four years old, and at the death of his father in the Union army in 1865, he was cast upon his own resources. He work for a time in New York, and went to Illinois in 1867, where he found employment on a farm until 1874, attending school during the winter season and later taught school, and spent several years in this capacity in this county, hav- ing come to this county in 1874. A six months' course at a commercial school com- pleted his instruction and in 1877 he entered the Reporter office and succeeded to the ownership five years later. He has taken an active part in politics and all matters of a public nature. He has held various im- portant official stations. He was clerk of the Nebraska Institution for Feeble-minded Youth in 1887 to 1890; deputy collector of internal revenue from 1890 to 1S94, and be- came postmaster of Seward, April i, 1898. He has always retained editorial control of his paper, and has made its columns the exponent of a stalwart Republicanism. He is a member of the Nebraska Press Associa- tion, and was its secretary for three j'ears, and its president for two years. He was active in the organization of the Nebraska Federation of Republican Publishers, and was its first president. Mr. Simmons was married January i, 1879, to Miss Anna W. 238 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHl'. Boughton. She was born and raised in the Badger state. They are the proud parents of a family of five children, all of whom are living. He is prominent in the Masonic order, and that of the United Workmen, having held numerous positions of impor- tance in both societies. HELMUTH F. PUTLITZ is an old and honored citizen of Fillmore county, who has for several years most successfully filled the office of clerk of the district court. He lives at Geneva, and has a circle of ac- quaintances that includes the county, and all who know him best have the profound- est respect for his high personal character and acknowledged integrity. Mr. Putlitz is a native of the Prussian province of Silesia, and his industrious hab- its and upright disposition reflect no dis- honor upon his German ancestry. He comes of good stock, and his life is in evi- dence that he has lived up to the standard. He was born March 8, 1852, and his par- ents, France and Augusta O. (Mast) von Putlitz, were also Silesian born and bred. His father belonged to the order of the German nobility, and was a man of charac- ter and consequence in his day. He served for many years in the Prussian regular army, and rose from a very subordinate po- sition to the rank of major. When too far advanced in years to continue in the field, he was put on the retired list, and spent his last years as an honored veteran of the great struggles that lifted his own country to the front place among the Ger- man states and its king the "Ivaiservon Deutchland." The old soldier and his wife have long since been numbered with the dead. Helmuth Putlitz spent his childhood and youth in his native town where he was lib- erally educated, both in the village school and in a military establishment where he was prepared for a soldier's life. But his tastes did not lead in that direction, and at the age of nineteen he shipped on board a merchant vessel, "before the mast," and went to sea as an able-bodied sailor. His first voyage was a long and disastrous one. It brought him to the Sandwich Islands, and while passing round Cape Horn the ship encountered such severe weather that the extreme cold was the cause of much in- jury to many of the sailors. Mr. Putlitz froze his right hand so seriously that he has never recovered its perfect use. This mis- fortune satisfied him that he had experi- enced all the vicissitudes of a seafaring life which he cared to invite, and his career upon the ocean was not prolonged. A sub- sequent voyage brought him to the harbor of New York, and having long cherished a desire to locate in this country, he went ashore, and did not return to the ship, which sailed without him. He remained in that city about a year, and sounded the depths of privation and hardship. He did not lose heart, however, and when he could, left the overcrowded streets of the great metropolis, and penetrating far into the in- terior made his home in the vicinity of Monmouth, Illinois, where he spent at least two years engaged in working for farmers near that city. By this time habits of thrift and economy had produced their natural re- sults, and he was in a condition to think about a farm and a home for himself. This he wisely sought in the newer west, and coming into this state found a desirable lo- cation in Fillmore county. His preliminary exploration was made in the fall of 1874, and in the following year he permanently settled upon a quarter-section of railroad land in Madison township. This was wild prairie when it passed into his hands, but to-day it is a beautiful and well-kept farm with solid and substantial improvements that represent years of unflagging labor. The wedding of Mr. Putlitz and Miss COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 239 Heiderstaedt occurred in 1875, and has proved a most happy union. She is the daughter of Frederick and Martha (McClin- tock) Heiderstaedt, and was born in She- boygan, Wisconsin, where her parents had their home for a number of years. They were early settlers of Fillmore county, and passed to their reward some years since. Her father was of German extraction, and her mother was born in Carew, Ireland. They were honorable upright people, and left their children the heritage of a good name. To Mr. and Mrs. Putlitz have been born five children, whose names are Francis F. , Helmuth W., Martha, Harry and Wanda. He has been for many years a prominent Democrat, and an influential member of the councils of the party in this county, but of late years has been closely and intimately identified with the Populist party. He embraced its principles unreservedly and has brought to their support all the ener- gies of his active and earnest spirit. In 1886 he was a candidate for representative in the state legislature, and after a spirited contest was defeated though his vote ex- ceeded that of any other candidate on the ticket. In 1891 he was nominated by the Populists for clerk of the district court, and was endorsed by the Democrats. He was elected by one hundred and twenty-five majority in a county which up to that date had been largely Republican. In 1895 he was renominated for the same position and again elected, this time by a majority con- siderably increased over that of four years before. The administration of this re- sponsible position has been beyond criti- cism, and has won for him a host of friends quite outside of business or political asso- ciations. Mr. Putliz is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order United Workmen, and is a valued associate in these fraternal movements. He and his wife are regular attendants at the Episcopal church, of which she is a member. They hold a good place in the affairs of the com- munity, and take a full share in its social and benevolent activities. HERMAN F. BENSE.— A prominent position among the citizens of Osce- ola, Polk county, Nebraska, is held by the gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs. He was born in Hanover, Germany, December 9, 1837, and is a son of John B. and Sophia (Evisj Bense, and they were both natives of the same place, and he was a farmer by occupation. John B. Bense emigrated to America in 1837, and located upon one hundred and sixty acres of wild land, in St. Louis, Missouri. The rest of his family joined him there in 1838, and made that place their home un- til 1845, when they removed to Iowa. They settled upon forty acres of wild land in Jefferson county, upon which they opened up a country store, and hauled their goods in a wagon from Burlington, which was forty- five miles away. Mr. Bense established a postoffice there in 185 1, which he named Germanville, and held the office of post- master until his death. He also improved his farm and added to it as circumstances would permit, at the same time keeping up the work of bringing the same to a high state of cultivation, which it finally attained. He died in May, 1858, and his wife died in 1879. They were the parents of eight children, all of whom grew to maturity, and of whom we have the following record: Henry was killed in California in 185 1; Anna M., the wife of Jacob I\nerr, a sol- dier; Herman F., the subject of this sketch; Margaret, the wife of Henry Conover, also a soldier; Bernard, who was a soldier in Company Iv, Seventh Iowa Volunteer In- fantry, and was killed in the service in May, 1862; Mary, the wife of A. N. Stafford, a soldier; John F. and Charles C, twins. The parents were members in good stand- 240 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. ing of the Lutheran church, and the father held the following local offices: Township supervisor, assessor and road overseer. Herman F. Bense was an infant when he crossed the ocean, from his native land, and learned to walk on the ship. He landed at New Orleans, in 1838, with his parents, and was raised in Iowa on a farm. He learned the trades of blacksmithing and engineering, and ran an engine in Iowa until the outbreak of the Civil war. On July 19, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany K, Seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was made second corporal in his com- pany. On August 6, they left the state on the steamer Jennie Whipple, and landed at St. Louis, where they were quartered in Jefferson barracks, until they were ordered to join General Lyon, at Wilson's creek. The regiment went to St. Louis, where they drew guns and ammunition, and proceeded to Pilot Knob, upon leaving which they went to Ironton. They then marched to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, from whence they went to Fort Holt in Kentucky. They were the first regiment to arrive there and they established Camp Crittenden eight miles away, where they drew their first uniforms. From here they went and established Fort Jefferson, and then proceeded to Norfolk, from whence they marched to Bird's Point. On November 6, they embarked on a steam- boat for Columbus, Kentucky, and on the ne.xt day fought the battle of Belmont. After the battle they returned to Bird's Point, and on November 16 they encamped at Benton barracks, in St. Louis. On Janu- ary 12, 1862, the regiment received orders to march, but Mr. Bense was laid up with inflammatory rheumatism, which necessi- tated his remaining in St. Louis at the Fifth Street Hospital. On the 4th of the follow- ing month, however, he rejoined his com- mand at Smithland, Kentucky, and pro- ceeded to the capture of Fort Henry, after which came the battle for the capture of Fort Donelson, in which the brigade to which he belonged was selected to lead the assault. Corporal Bense had been made sergeant just before the battle of Belmont, and on the last day of the fight before Fort Donelson, the Seventh was in the charge upon the works, and Color Sergeant Bense was the second one to reach the works with his colors. At the surrender of the fort his brigade was the first to enter. After the departure of the troops Mr. Bense was placed in charge of the sick and left at the fort, but he soon got them to the regiment again and proceeded to Pittsburg Landing. He took part in that memorable battle, which lasted two days, and the regiment to which he belonged was in the "Hornets' Nest." In the first day of the battle Mr. Bense was slightly wounded on the foot by a shell, and the second day he was struck on the leg by a spent ball. Ne.xt followed the siege of Corinth, after which the Seventh took the advance in pursuing the enemy, but were unable to get any wg.ter to drink until they reached the Tombigbee river. The regiment then returned to Corinth, and participated in the second battle at that place. During the summer of 1863 the regiment was ordered to Moscow and Lagrange, Ten- nessee, after considerable skirmishing and scouting around Corinth. Later they went to luka for a few days, and then marched to Eastport, Tennessee, and from thence they went into winter quarters at Pulaski, in the same state. From there the regiment was sent to Prospect, where Mr. Bense was chief of scouts for a time. In July of 1864, the regiment was ordered to Chattanooga, where he was mustered out, by reason of the expiration of his term of enlistment. He drew his money at Louisville, Kentucky, and proceeded to his home in Iowa, where he joined a militia company, of which he was chosen captain. Herman F. Bense was married April 6, 1865, to Miss Mary Stoker, who was born COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 241 June I, 1846. in Shelby county, Ohio. She was a daughter of Elijah and Lydia T. (Dey) Stoker, the former having been born in West Virginia, January 30, 18 10, and the latter born in New Jersey, November 9, 1809. They were very early settlers in Shelby county, Ohio, where he built the first mill at Laramie in that county. Mr. Stocker died on January 11, 1852, and in the following year the family removed to Iowa. They made the trip in a wagon and settled on a farm in Jefferson county, which they broke and improved. They next lo- cated in Wayne county, of the same state, where Mrs. Stoker died January 25, 1868. The family consisted of the following children, who were four in number, and were named as follows: Milbern; Ezra, who was a member of Company D, Seven- teenth Iowa Volunteers, and was killed in the battle of Champion Hill; Perry was a member of Company E, Thirtieth Iowa Volunteers, and died in the service; and Mary, the wife of our subject. After the marriage of our subject, he lo- cated in Wayne county, Iowa, where he began to improve the farm, and on March 18, 1 87 1, he and family started in a wagon for Nebraska. They first located in Sarpy county, where they were engaged for one year in farming. In 1872 they took up a homestead on the northeast quarter of sec- tion 14, of township 13, range 2 west, in Polk county. The county at this time was very sparsely settled, as it was one mile and a half to their nearest neighbor's place, and they were compelled to go three miles to secure water. Mr. Bense built a sod house, and later he built another one, which in its turn was superseded by a frame structure 14 X 22 feet. He also put up a sod stable, which with all of his crop, was destroyed by fire in 1875. He had the first well on his land that was drilled in that section of the prairie, and the same was at that time a noted and serviceable one. In 1872 he raised some sod corn and potatoes, and the following year he also raised a crop, but in 1874 his crop went to feed that terrible pest, the grasshoppers. But notwithstanding all these hardships and privations, incidental to pioneer life, he has succeeded in bringing his farm to a high state of cultivation, has the same all well improved, and adorned with a large and commodious dwelling which he erected in 1886. On February 13, 1890, Mr. and Mrs. Bense took up their residence in the city of Osceola, where they have a cosy and comfortable home. They are the parents of four children, of whom we give the following record: William E., born September 28, 1869; Dora E., born August 3, 1 87 1, and is now the wife of Jesse Cartwright, and the mother of two children, Millie Fay and Roy Albine; Eddie, born July 5, 1875, and died on September 22, of the same year; and Herman S., born Feb- ruary 23, 1890. Mrs. Bense is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and is an active worker in the same. She is a charter mem- ber of the J. F. Reynolds Relief Corps No. 69, W. R. C, of Osceola, of which she was the first chaplain, and in 1896 she was its president. She is also senior vice in the woman's department of the Platte Valley G. A. R. Reunion Association. Mr. Bense is a member of the J. F. Reynolds Post No. 26, G. A. R., of Osceola, of which he is the senior past commander, and officer of the day, having held the same fourteen years. He was the first senior vice of the Platte Valley G. A. R. Reunion Association, and is at present one of the directors of the same. He is a stanch Republican and has always been an active worker in behalf of the principles of that party, and has been honored by the people with several of the minor offices. He has been a member of the election board for a number of years, and was once the assessor of Stromsburg precinct. The family are honored residents 242 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY o{ the community, and are respected by all for their many sterling traits of character. GEORGE W. SHIDLER, M. D., is one of the oldest physicians of York countj', having for twenty years followed the prac- tice of his profession in the city of York, of that county. He was born near Hillsboro, Washington county, Pennsylvania, Septem- ber 13, 1849. His parents, George B and Elizabeth (Garber) Shidler, were both na- tives of Pennsylvania. The father was a carpenter and architect, following that call- ing in Pennsylvania until 1854, when he moved to Virginia. Three years later he moved to Iowa and settled in Lowell, Henry county, and died there in February, 1885. They were married in Pennsylvania and seven children, four sons and three daugh- ters, were born to them. The mother also died in Iowa, in 1888. Our subject was educated in Iowa, at- tending the public schools and also the Denmark Academy, in Lee county, Iowa. He then taught school and worked with his father until he began the study of medicine, in 1869, in Lowell, Iowa, under Dr. Hobbs, of that place. After studying with Dr. Hobbs for two years and practicing for a short time, he entered the medical depart- ment of the Michigan university, in 1871, and attended there one year, resuming practice of his profession in Iowa. In 1875 he entered the medical college at Keokuk, Iowa, from which he graduated the follow- ing year. In 1878 Doctor Shidler came to York and has since made this his home and base of operations. He has since taken the post-graduate and polyclinics courses both in Chicago and New York, at different times, and for the past ten years he has attended regularly every two years. After settling in York, the Doctor practiced alone for five years, and from 1883 until 1888 he was in partnership with Dr. J. J. Porter. He then practiced alone until 1896, when he formed a partnership with Dr. O. M. Moore, of York. Doctor Shidler was sur- geon for the Burlington & Missouri River and the K. C. & O. railroads for several years and was also a member of the insane commission. During President Arthur's ad- ministration the Doctor was appointed, in 1883, as a member of the pension board and continued in that capacity uninterruptedly until the present administration of Mr. McKinley. He is a member of the State Medical Society, the American Association, the Missouri Valley Association, and the York County Association, and was pres- ident of the latter at one time. The Doctor has also taken an active and whole- some interest in every public project which tended to the progress and development of the city and county or the improvement of its status or the strengthening of the local government. He has been a stockholder in some of the banks of the county. In poli- tics he is a Democrat and is chairman of the senatorial district committee. Doctor Shidler was married October 14, 1880, to Miss Alice J. Shirey, a native of Pennsylvania, and their wedded life has been blessed by the presence of two chil- dren, George P. , who is now sixteen years of age, and Bertha L. , who is thirteen years of age. Our subject affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, holding his mem- bership in the Commandery, Knight Temp- lar and the Mystic Shrine, and is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the An- cient Order of United Workmen, the Mod- ern Woodman of America and the Macca- bees. During the past year he has served as state examiner of the latter order. PHILO P. GARFIELD belongs to the vast diminishing number of those who have looked upon Nebraska when it was a COMPENDIU.^f OF BIOGRAPHT. 243 wilderness abounding in danger and death, and live to witness its present marvelous prosperity. Could the story of his eventful life be fully told it would require a volume. It would open with exciting scenes and inci- dents in the period when Kansas was the prize of bloody contention, and the Platte valley the roaming ground of numerous bands of cruel Indians. It would put into its earlier chapters the story of the war as it touched the Nebraska country, and would note the advent of a young man sixteen years of age at the public schools, who has been too much occupied in watching and warding against Indians and wild beasts be- fore that age to take an interest in school work. And then it would show later on how the energy and self-reliance generated in an environment of such danger had carried our subject to a large and honorable success in later life. Mr. Garfield is still a young man, not fifty years old, and bears himself with a jauntiness and vigor that show the natural fire and energy of youth are still unabated in his veins. It is a pleasure to meet him, and hear him recount the story of the old days. He has a pleasant home on section 33, Bone Creek township, and made his first appearance in this county with his parents in 1858. Philo P. Garfield was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, in 1850, and was the fourth son of Solomon and Margaret (Blair) Garfield. Solomon Garfield was a native of St. Lawrence county. New York, where he first inhaled the vital air in 18 14. He removed in early life to Venango county, Pennsylvania, where his five sons, George, Horace, Azor, Philo and James were born. In 1857 the Garfield and Blair families started west in search of homes and pros- perity in the wilderness beyond the Missouri. Their objective point was in Kansas, but that was a year of storm and death, and the way across the Missouri was closed to their eager feet. They spent the winter almost in sight of the Canaan land, and seeking land for homes where liberty and honor might prevail, they came up the river, and reached the Platte valley, and settled near the pres- ent location of Linwood, Butler county, on Skull creek. The Indians were still numer- ous and warlike, and did much to make life a burden to the few white people who had penetrated into these remote regions. The Garfields and the Blairs had many con- flicts with wanderingbandsof mnrauders, and every one was provided with a gun and taught how to use it at the earliest moment. The Indians usually traveled in small hunting parties, always in uneven numbers, and it was a frequent duty of the lad Philo to seek a point of observation on the bluffs near their house and watch the movements of these dangerous neighbors. He soon learned the language of the prairie, and could hold free conversation with the Indi- ans, a circumstance which afterwards saved his life. He would sit in their wigwams for hours at night, and listen to the braves as they recounted to the younger Indians stories of the prowess of their fathers and the mighty deeds which had won honor and fame for the tribe. Though the Garfields and Blairs had many encounters with their lawless neigh- bors and had been forced in strict self-de- fense to kill many of them, they held on to their home in the Platte valley until 1863. At that time they removed to Polk county, where they located at what now bears the name of Garfield, and here Solomon Gar- field passed away in 1864, dying in peace and quiet in the midst of scenes of danger and death. A year later his widow, Mrs. Margaret Garfield, returned to Butler coun- ty and took a homestead in Bone Creek township, section 4, where she found peace and quiet much increased over former years. As might be expected from such a narration, the school privileges of young Philo were very meagre, and he did not go to school 244 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. until he had entered his nineteenth year. Perhaps his experiences had tended to de- velop a finer and stronger strain of man- hood than could have been acquired through a more intimate knowledge of books. He is a close observer and a careful student of men, and goes through life with his eyes and ears open, and is certainly a well in- formed man upon all the topics and issues of the day. Mr. Garfield was married in i8S6 to Miss C. Liza DeLong. She was a native of Bureau county, Illinois, and was of English descent. She came into the state in 1882, and is the proud and happy mother of two children, Kurtz and Clara. She is an inter- esting character, and worthily sustains her husband's good name and the hospitality of his generous home. He is a member of the order of Modern Woodmen of America, and is a valued citizen of the communitj'. JAMES H. WOODWARD, M. D. , one of the better known eclectic physicians and surgeons of this part of the state, has his office and home at Seward, Nebraska, and possesses a practice that covers an ex- tensive portion of the state. He has spent many years in the service of ailing human- ity, and brings to the bedside of the sick not only the results of much study and read- ing, but the fruits of long experience. He exhibits the natural characteristics of a physician, and has met with very substan- tial success. Dr. Woodward was born in Monroe county, Indiana, January 5, 1835, ^nd is the oldest son of James and Malinda (Good- win) Woodward. They came from Ken- tucky, and the father was a farmer, and settled in Indiana in the earlier portion of the century. He was a captain in the Mexican war, and commanded a company of Indiana soldiers. He died in Carroll county, Indiana, in 1893 at the age of eight-four. He was the father of four sons, and was a man of much character and force. James attended the public schools in company with the other children of the famil}', and received advanced instruction from a seminary at Logansport. He re- mained on the farm until he was twenty- two years of age, and then began reading medicine at Westfield, Indiana, under the supervision of his uncle. Dr. Harrison Good- win, and completed his preparation for en- tering the school under Dr. Taylor, a cele- brated physician of Logansport. In 1864 he entered the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, and was graduated in 1S66. He had already attained sufficient insight into medicine to do minor business before going away to school, and upon his graduation he opened an office at Logansport, and spent the ensuing eight years in professional labor. In 1 874 he established himself in this county, and here he has remained to the present day. In 1875 he took a full post-graduate course at the American Medical Institute of St. Louis, and received its diploma of graduation. He has done a general practice in this county up to recent years, but of late has made a specialty of the diseases of women, and is regarded as very proficient in this important branch of medicine. Dr. Woodward was married in 1866 to Miss Emma Gifford. She was a native of Indiana, and became the mother of three chil- dren. The oldest was a son, Alva. Emma is Mrs. Cummings, and Jennie is Mrs. Mc- Donald. The Doctor was married a second time. Mary J. Stalcup, a resident of St. Louis, became his wife in 1876, and is the mother of two sons, viz.: James C. , a soldier in the First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry, and George. They are members of the Chris- tian church, and he belongs to the State Eclectic Medical Society. He is a Repub- lican, and is now filling the office of county physician. President Harrison appointed him to the pension board, and he is widely COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 245 known as an honorable and capable physi- cian. His learning and ability have com- manded recognition outside the limits of the county. He filled the chair of materia medica and therapeutics for two sessions at the medical department of the State Univer- sity. He held the chair of abdominal dis- eases for three sessions at the Cotner Medi- cal College, of Lincoln. He is rich in an inventive genius, and he has devised several pieces of apparatus that are highly regarded by the members of the profession, chief among them being an inductive electrical cabinet and electric female syringe, and on account of this last device he has received a diploma from the Paris Academy of In- ventors. The National Electrical College at Indianapolis has bestowed upon him the degree of Master of Electricity, and in 1886 he published an interesting volume upon the subject of the place of electricity in medical practice. HON. JAMES P. MILLER.— It is a pleasure to record the main events in the life of one who has attained an enviable position solely through his own efforts and exertions, and who, though close onto man's allotted three score and ten years, can still look forward to quite a few years of usefulness. Mr. Miller was reared a farmer and throughout the greater part of his life he has made that his vocation, and yet he has found time to devoted to the in- terest of the state, and as a resultofhis push and energy he has attained a conspicuous position among the politicians of the state. He is a well-informed man, being particu- larly well versed on topics of education and economy, and is widely and favorably known as a citizen devoted to his country's best interests. Mr. Miller was born in Franklin count}-, Ohio, April 29, 1834, a son of Jacob and Ruth (Kile) Miller, the former a native of West Virginia, and the latter a native of Kentucky. The father was a farmer by oc- cupation and made his home in his native state until he was twenty-one years of age, and then moved to Ohio. He was married in Ohio, and later moved to Iowa and set- tled in Henry county, of that state, in 1856, and made that his home until his death, which occurred in July, 1864. The mother moved to Nebraska in 1875, and died in 1890. They were the parents of eight children, five of whom are living. Our subject was educated in Ohio, and at the age of twenty-one he moved to Hen- ry county, Iowa, and there engaged in farm- ing until 1863, when he enlisted in Com- pany D, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and served for two years. He was then given the com- mission of second lieutenant of the One Hundred Thirty-seventh United States Col- ored Troops, and assigned to duty in Atlan- ta, Georgia, and served in that capacity for six months. He participated in the battles of Selma, Alabama, Columbus and Macon, Georgia. He captured the flag of the Twelfth Mississippi Cavalry at Selma, and for this he was given a medal by Congress. At the close of the war, Mr. Miller returned to Iowa, and engaged in farming until 1870. He then moved to York county, Nebraska, and has since made that his home. After locating in this county he engaged in farm- ing for two years, and from 1873 until 1882 he served as sheriff of York count}'. He then for a time turned his attention to the real estate business and later returned to his farm. In 1892 he was elected state senator from the district in which he lives and served as such for two years, and since that time he has resided in the city of York. Mr. Miller was married in 1873 to Miss Mariah Baker, a resident of York county. Our subject is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He organized the Old Settlers Society of York 246 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. county in December, 1895, was elected its first president and is now serving his second term as presiding officer of tiiat body. JUDGE EDWIN W. HALE.— What- ever else may be said of the legal fra- ternity, it cannot be denied that members of the bar have been more prominent actors in public affairs than any other class of the community. This is but the natural result of causes which are manifest and require no explanation. The abilityand training which qualify one to practice law, also qualify him in many respects for duties which lie outside the strict path of his profession and which touch the general interests of society. Hold- ing marked precedence among the repre- sentatives of the legal profession in Butler county is Judge Hale, who is now occupying the county bench. He was born in Waukesha county, Wis- consin, March 27, 1865, and is a son of Edwin Hale, who was born and reared in Otsego county. New York. His ancestry can be traced back to England whence emi- grated the founder of the family in America, in the year 1650. Edwin Hale engaged in the merchandise business in Utica, New York, until 1848, when he removed to the west, taking up his residence in Waukesha county among its early settlers. There he devoted his remaining days to agricultural pursuits and died on his farm in 1894, at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Susan J. Debnam, is a native of Utica, New York, and is still living in Waukesha county, Wis- consin. Her father, Robert Debnam, was also supposed to be a native of the Empire state and his father was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mrs. Hale's maternal grand- mother was a native of Wales. In the fam- ily of Edwin and Susan Hale were four chil- dren, three of whom reached mature years. The Judge is the only son and youngest child. He was reared in the county of his nativity, and acquired his preliminary edu- cation in the common schools, after which he became a student in Carroll College, of Waukesha, Wisconsin, in which institution he was graduated in the class of 1885. Being imbued with a desire to make the practice of law his life work, he then entered the law department of the Univer- sity of Wisconsin, at Madison, and was graduated in 1889. Following this he entered upon his professional career in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, where he entered into partnership with John A. Kelley, a con- nection that was maintained until the spring of 1 89 1, when Judge Hale came to Butler county, Nebraska, locating in David City for the practice of law. Here he formed a partnership with Hon. Arthur J. Evans, and the firm of Evans & Hale continued in a large and lucrative practice until January I, 1894, when Judge Hale entered upon the discharge of the duties of county judge, to which position he had been elected in 1893. He was at that time the nominee of the Republican party, and in 1895 he was re- elected. In 1897 he became the candidate on the fusion ticket. He possesses the four things which benefit a judge — to hear courteously, to answer wisely, to consider soberly and to give judgment without par- tiality. He has a comprehensive knowledge of the science of law and his decisions are models of judicial soundness. On the 20th of December, 1893, Judge Hale was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Williams, of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, a daughter of William P. Williams, of that place. They have two sons, Edwin W. and John K., and a daughter, Beatrice D. Our subject is a valued member of the J^^nights of Pythias fraternity, the Modern W'oodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and I. O. O. F. In January, 1896, he was commissioned by Governor Holcomb judge-advocate general on his COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 247 staff with the rank of colonel. He and his wife hold a very prominent and enviable position socially, their pleasant home being the center of a cultured society circle. While on the bench judge Hale fully sus- tains the majesty of the law, in private life he is a genial gentleman, who easily wins friends, and to know him is to honor and esteem him. JUDGE SAMUEL H. SEDGWICK, a leading attorney of York, is now filling the responsible position of judge of the fifth judicial district of Nebraska with distin- guished ability and to the credit of his state. Admitted to the bar he at once entered upon practice, and from the beginning has been unusually prosperous in every respect. The success that he has attained is due to his own efforts and merits. The possession of advantage is no guaranty whatever of pro- fessional success. This comes not of itself, nor can it be secured without integrity, abil- ity and industry. Those qualities he pos- sesses to an eminent degree, and he has been faithful to every interest committed to his charge. Throughout his whole life, whatsoever his hand found to do, whether in his profession or his official duties, or in any other sphere, he has done with all his might and with a deep sense of conscien- tious obligation. The Judge was born in Dupage county, Illinois, March 12, 1848, and is a son of Parker and Hephsibah (Goodwin) Sedg- wick, natives of Connecticut, whence they removed to New York, and later came to Illinois, in 1843. The father was educated in the Empire state for the medical profes- sion, which he successfully practiced in both New York and Illinois, and also engaged in farming. He was twice married and was the father of fourteen children. His death occurred in Wheaton, Illinois, in 1871, and the mother of our subject departed this life in York, Nebraska, in 1S82. The founder of the family in the new world was Robert Sedgwick, who was an English official of high standing, having served as governor of Jamaica, and later of one of the American colonies. He came to this country in 1640. Like many of our most distinguished cit- izens, Judge Sedgwick was reared upon a farm and received his primary education in the country schools. In 1861 he entered Wheaton College, of Illinois, from which in- stitution he graduated in 1872, but in the meantime he had spent one year in the law department of the Michigan University at Ann Arbor. In 1872-3 he conducted an academy in Sharon, Wisconsin. In 1874 he was admitted to the bar at Green Bay, and in the spring of that year opened a law office in Kewaunee county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in practice until coming to York, Nebraska, in the fall of 1878. He has met with most gratifying success in his chosen calling, and in 1895 was honored with an election to the bench, being the Republican candidate for judge of the fifth judicial district of the state. He is abso- lutely fearless in the discharge of his duties, and favor cannot tempt him from the straight path. He possesses a mind prac- tically free from judicial bias, and he brings to his duties a most thorough knowledge of the law and of human nature, a compre- hensive mind, and calm and deliberate judgment. His sentences are models of ju- dicial fairness, and he is a type of the law that respects and protects, not condemns humanity. Aside from his professional and official duties, the Judge is interested in the Newspaper Union of York, and is a stockholder in the waterworks and electric light plant. Besides this property he owns two farms in York county. In 1878 Judge Sedgwick was united in marriage with Miss Clara M. Jones, of Ogle county, Illinois, and to them were born three children — two daughters living, Cath- 248 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. erine N. and Myrna P., and one son who died in infancy. The Judge and his wife hold membership in the Congregational church, and their home is the center of a cultured society circle. COL. AURELIUS ROBERTS, an hon- ored resident of Rising City, first set- tled in Butler county in the summer of 1868, filing a homestead claim to a part of section 18, Reading township. Mr. Roberts was born in Washington county, Ohio, July 15, 1835, a son of John Roberts, a native of Bangor, Maine. John Roberts, a son of John Roberts, moved, when a young man, with his parents to Washington county, Ohio. He was a shoemaker during the early part of his life, but later studied med- icine and was for many years a prominent physician. He was married in Washington county, Ohio, about the year 1824, to Miss Mahala Miller, a daughter of John Miller. When our subject was about two years of age the family moved to Jefferson county, Iowa, where the father continued his prac- tice of medicine, and where he died in 1848. Our subject was reared on a farm in the timber portion of Jefferson county, and dur- ing his boyhood received a very meager education, learning to figure and write after he was eighteen years of age. He then prepared himself for teaching, and for five years was engaged in teaching and attend- ing school. He was attending the Baptist College at Burlington, Iowa, when the war broke out, and he left school in April, 1S61, and enlisted in Company E, First Iowa In- fantry, for three months. During this time he operated in Missouri and was in the en- gagement at Wilson Creek, and was there when General Lyon was killed. After this battle he returned to Burlington and enlist- ed in the United States regular army, and was detailed for recruiting service. This continued until July, 1862, when he raised a company of volunteers and was commis- sioned captain and his company. Company C, Thirtieth Iowa Infantry, was attached to the First Division, First Brigade, Fifteenth Army Corps. He joined Sherman at Mem- phis, Tennessee, and on the 22d of May, 1 863, he took command of the regiment, and the following day he was commissioned lieu- tenant-colonel. At Cherokee Station, Ala- bama, in September, 1863, Colonel Torrence was killed and left our subject in command of the regiment, and he continued to serve in that capacity until the close of the war. He commanded the regiment at the battle of Lookout Mountain, and the next day at Missionary Ridge his brigade captured John C. Breckenridge's command, but Brecken- ridge escaped. Our subject was with Sher- man throughout the campaign from Atlanta to the sea, and from the latter place to Washington, where he participated in the grand review. He then started with many of his comrades to his home in Iowa, but while CH route to Davenport an accident oc- curred which resulted in the death of one man and seriously injuring twenty-seven others. After the clo?e of the war Colonel Rob- erts found himself fitted for no business ex- cept that of a soldier, but he immediately began a business course in the Bryant & Stratton College, at Burlington, Iowa. After finishing his course of study he started busi- ness at Sigourney, Iowa, where he was soon after appointed deputy collector of in- ternal revenue under General Belknap. This he made his home until 1867, when he moved to Nebraska. This trip to Nebraska was made for the purpose of visiting his brother, Stephen, at Fremont, and they started together for the Indian Territory, but while going down the Platte Valley, by the way of Oak Creek, they arrived at the Blue River, near Ulysses, and were so favorably impressed with the country that they de- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 249 cided to go no farther, and our subject has since made that his home. In 1S70 he was chosen to represent the district comprising Saunders, Seward, Butler, Polk, York and and Hamilton counties and all unorganized territory south and west of the Platte River in the legislature and served two years. In 1878 he left the farm and engaged in the grain and stock business in David City. When the Union Pacific railroad was built to Rising City he moved his business, in November, 1878, to that city and has since made that his home and base of operations. For ten years after locating here he followed the grain and stock business, and then, in partnership with E. E. Leonard, he or- ganized the Commercial Bank, which, how- ever, did not prove a profitable investment. In 1897 he was appointed postmaster at Ris- ing City. Colonel Roberts was first married to Miss Elsada McCray, who died in 1S66. March 31, 1869, he was again married at Sigourney, Iowa, to Miss Elizabeth Brooks, and their wedded life has been blessed by the presence of a family of si.x children, four daughters and two sons: Cornelia, Althea, Claire, Elizabeth, Aurelius and Fin- ley M. Socially our subject affiliates with the Masonic fraternity in the capacity of a thirty-third-degree Mason. He is senior warden of the lodge at Seward, master at Ulysses and for seven years has been master at Rising City. HON. DAVID S. ZIMMERMAN.— A striking example of what can be ac- complished by persistent industry and strict attention to business is afforded in the life of Hon. David S. Zimmerman, who holds a conspicuous position among the members of the agricultural district of York county, and who is now representing that county in the lower house. Mr. Zimmerman was born in Tuscara- was county, Ohio, February 10, 1854. His parents, Jacob and Catherine (Allbach) Zimmerman, were both natives of the state of Ohio, but their parents came from Penn- sylvania. Jacob Zimmerman was a farmer and followed that occupation in Ohio until he moved to LaSalle county, Illinois, in 1865, and is still making that place his home. He also taught school in the earlier part of his life. Our subject was educated in the district schools and in the Blackstone High School, of Mendota, Illinois. After graduating from that institution, he began farming in Illinois and was thus engaged three years. In the spring of 1880, he came to York county, Nebraska, and set- tled upon a homestead previously purchased near York. In 1891 he left the farm and removed to the city of York to assume the duties of county treasurer, a position he held for two terms of two years each. He afterward sold the homestead and purchased a tract of land adjoining York City, upon which he still resides. Since retiring from the office of county treasurer, he has de- voted the greater part of his time to feed- ing stock, feeding about ten car loads an- nually. In 1896 Mr. Zimmerman was elected to the lower house, and is now serv- ing in that capacity. He is a member of several committees, among them the com- mittee on railroads, of which he is chair- man, and the committee on finance, ways and means. In December, 1877, Mr. Zimmerman was united in marriage to Miss Harriett Salmon, a native of Illinois. In politics our subject is a Populist and assisted in the organization of that party in Nebraska. He is the vice-president of the City National Bank, at York, and is a stockholder of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, which he also helped to organize. He is a mem- ber of the business men's fraternity. Our subject is a self-made man, starting in life with no capital except his own mental and 250 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. physical ability and the advantage of a thorough high-school education, and when he arrived in Nebraska, he was in debt. He has now become one of the most promi- nent and influential citizens of the county and has accumulated a comfortable fortune as the result of his thrifty and systematic habits. HON. E. L. KING, a leading citizen of Osceola, and one of the most able lawyers practicing at the bar of Polk county, was born February 4, 1855, in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and springs from an old and prominent New England family. His parents were William and Phoebe (Hall) King, both of whom were of English descent. The paternal grandfather, William King, Sr. , was a native of Connecticut, whence he emigrated to Ohio in 1806, being one of the first settlers to locate on the banks of the Cuyahoga river. He was a farmer by oc- cupation, and was a soldier of the war of 1812. William King, Jr., was born in Cuya- hoga county, Ohio, Februarys, 1818, was also engaged in agricultural pursuits as a life work, and manifested his patriotism by enlisting in the United States army for serv- ice in the Mexican war, but hostilities ceased before his regiment reached the front. In Niagara county. New York, he was married June 4, 1847, to Miss Phoebe Hall, who was born in Essex county, that state, July 27, 1821, and they made their home in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, until 1867, when they moved to Benton county, Iowa, and located upon an unimproved farm, to the developntent and cultivation of which the father devoted his energies until his death, which occurred January 9, 1881. The mother survived him five years, dying July 25, 1886. She held membership in the Universalist church, and both had the respect and esteem of all who knew them. Of their five children one died in infancy. Those still living are Alasco A., a resident of Benton county, Iowa, who married Car- rie Remington and has six children; Minnie, who married John W. Hoon, of Benton county, and has four children; E. L., of this sketch; and Kittie, wife of Frank Bur- rell, also of Benton county, Iowa, by whom she has five children. Mrs. Phoebe King, mother of our sub- ject, was the eleventh in order of birth in a family of twelve children, whose parents were Joseph and Mary (Edmunds) Hall. Her father was born in Charleston, Rhode Island, October 4, 1771, her mother in Clarendon, Vermont, February 12, 1780, and their marriage was celebrated in De- cember, 1798. The former died August 26, 1858, in Bedford, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and the latter October 20, 1846, in Hartland, Niagara county. New York. Mrs. Hall was also eleventh in a family of twelve children born to James and Abigail (Jenks) Edmunds, who were married in 1758. Mrs. Edmunds was born in 1742 and died in Clarendon, Vermont, in 181 3, while Mr. Edmunds was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1731, and also died in Clarendon, Vermont, in 1799. He was twice married, his first union being with a Miss Alaison, who died in 1757, leaving one son, William. James Edmunds was a son of James Edmunds, Sr. , who with two brothers, William and Andrew, came from England to the New World and located in Rhode Island. He died in 1734 somewhere between the ages of twenty-five and thirty-five years, leaving an infant son, James, Jr. His brother William died at sea in early life. James Edmunds, Jr., was left in possession of a good farm two miles from Providence, Rhode Island, which he subsequent!}' exchanged for a house in that city, but eventually lost this property by going security for his father-in-law, and in 1775 removed to Vermont, which state was then considered the "far west." The old COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 251 Edmunds homestead is now within the cor- porate limits of Providence, and is also built up with city residences. Reared on a farm, Mr. King, of this review, obtained his elementary education in the district schools near his home, and later attended Tilford Academy, at Vinton, Iowa; Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, that state; and the Iowa State Agricultural College, at Ames, graduating from the last named institution in the class of 1877. He then entered the Law School at Des Moines, where he completed the course and was granted the degree of LL. B. in 1878, and on the 12th of June of that year was admitted to the bar. Thus ably fitted for his chosen profession he opened an office in Vinton, Iowa, where he engaged in practice until June of the following year and then came to Nebraska, locating in Osceola in July, 1879. For two years he was a mem- ber of the firm of Cornish & King, the follow- ing year a member of the firm of King & Thurman, and was then alone in business until 1893, when the present partnership be- tween Mr. King and Mr. Bittner was formed. It was not long before his skill and ability in mastering difficult cases were widely rec- ognized, and to-day he ranks among the foremost lawyers practicing in all the courts of the state. It is said that if a man follows that pursuit for which nature intended him he cannot but win success, and nature evidently intended Mr. King for an attorney if success is any criterion. As a fluent, earnest and convincing advocate he has but few equals, and he commands alike the re- spect of the court and the esteem of his as- sociates at the bar. On the 27th of March, 1880, Mr. King was united in marriage with Miss Abby Fowle, who was born in Newark, New Jer- sey, September 25, 1854, a daughter of Ed- win and Emeline P. (Lyon) Fowle. Her mother is now deceased, but the father is still living and makes his home in Clarkes- ville, Iowa. Mrs. King attended the high school at that place and was later a student in the State Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children, both born in Osceola, Nebraska — Edna L. , January 19, 1881, and William Ross, August 8, 1886. Besides being an able attorney, Mr. King is a capable business man, and is now vice-president of the Osceola Bank, and also owns an improved farm in Polk county. Fraternally he is a prominent member of the Masonic order, is past master of the local lodge, and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. He is one of the leading Republicans of the county, and be- ing a fluent and able speaker, has rendered his party efficient service as a stump speak- er in every campaign. He is also an active worker in the conventions of his party, and his fellow citizens recognizing his fitness for public office have honored him with a num- ber of important positions. For fifteen con- secutive years he has been a member of the Osceola school board, of which he has been president the greater part of the time; was county attorney for Polk county in 1887 and 1888; and in 1885 was a distinguished and popular member of the state legislature. JUDGE HAMMOND H. BROWER, who is living in an honored and well-de- served retirement in McCool Junction, Ne- braska, has had a history that reaches well back into the first part of the century, and has had a hand in some of the most stirring experiences of early times. He is now drawing well towards his eightieth birthday. He bears the burden of years with dignity, and keeps his intellectual faculties unclouded to the present time. Judge Brower was born April 7, 18 19, in what is Fulton county. New York, and is a son of Abraham and Philotha (Webster) Brower. His father was a native of New 252 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHV. York, and his mother was from Connecticut, and a relative of the famous Noah Webster. The senior Brower was a millwright and a carpenter, and most of his life was engaged in farming. In the summer of 1831 he brought his family to Ashtabula county, Ohio, traveling by wagon into a country which the railroad had not yet penetrated. They located on a farm in the timber twenty- five miles south of the city of Ashtabula. Mr. Brower died at the home of his son in LaSalle county, Illinois, when past ninety- four. His wife died a number of years pre- viously in Ohio. Judge Brower was twelve years old when his parents brought him into Ohio, and he had the privilege of an education superior to what was the common lot of farm lads in his time. He passed through the public school, and attended college at Meadville, Pennsylvania. He had learned the shoemaker's trade while a lad, and he worked at it during the years he was pre- paring for a legal career. He was admitted to the bar in Ashtabula county, where he practiced law quite successfully for a num- ber of years. In 1852 he located on a farm north of Ottawa, Illinois, and after several years had passed resumed the prac- tice of his profession at Pontiac. It was there that he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the bench, and has since worn the title of "Judge," which accords so well with his judicial spirit and candid mind that it has never been dropped by his friends. In Pontiac he was highly respected, and was frequently a candidate on the Democratic ticket for county and legislative positions. He came within forty-two votes of being elected prosecuting attorney in a county which cast over one thousand normal Re- publican majority. When he left Pontiac, the members of the bar presented him with a gold-headed cane, bearing the following inscription, "Presented to H. H. Brower, by the Livingston county Bar, as a token of professional esteem. Pontiac, Illinois, May 22, 1877." He came to this state and entered upon the conduct of a farm, being obliged to give up professional labors on ac- count of failing health. Here he has made his home with the exception of five years spent in Colorado, until he moved into McCool Junction in 1896. He has sold his farm in Fillmore county, but still owns eighty acres of land in this county with a quarter section in Custer county and a block in the Junc- tion. Judge Brower was married for the first time in Ashtabula county, Ohio, to Miss Maryette Crosby, who died in Earlville, Illinois, in 1854. There were four children born to this marriage, Charles, Casendane, Douglas (deceased) and Castarah. He was married again in LaSalle county, to Miss Margaret J. Furrow, in 1857, by whom four children were born. The oldest of these, Frank, was recently mustered into Company H, Third Nebraska Volunteer Infantry. George is the second in the family. Flora is dead, and Alice is the youngest of the fam- ily. The Judge has been a Mason for many years, and is probably one of the oldest in the state, having joined the order in 1849. HON. NATHAN V. HARLAN.— What ever else may be said of the legal fra- ternity, it cannot be denied that members of the bar have been more prominent actors in public affairs than any other class of Amer- ican people. This is but the natural result of causes which are manifest and require no explanation. The ability and training which qualify one to practice law also qualify him in many respects for duties which lie outside the diametrical lines of his profession, and which touch the general interests of so- ciety. The subject of this record, one of the oldest attorneys in York county, is a man who has brought his keen perception and thorough wisdom to bear not alone in pro- HON. N. Y. HARLAN. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 255 fessional paths, but also for the benefit of his county and state. Mr. Harlan was born in Darke county, Ohio, October 22, 1846, and is a son of Valentine and Elizabeth (Polly) Harlan, na- tives of South Carolina and Iventucky, re- spectively. The father, who was a farmer by occupation and a local preacher, died when our subject was only three years old, and the mother when he was but eighteen. With the family he removed to Lee county, Iowa, at the age of five years, and was edu- cated at Howe's Academy, in Mt. Pleasant, and Oskaloosa College, Oskaloosa, that state. After leaving school he successfully engaged in teaching for ten years, and for about half of that period devoted his leisure time to the study of law, being admitted to the bar at Keosauqua, Iowa, in 1878. The same year he came to York, Nebraska, and at once began the practice of his chosen pro- fession, in which he has been remarkably successful. As an attorney he ranks among the ablest in this part of the state. He is a good judge of law, and, what is of almost equal importance, is a good judge of men, and it is this quality, together with his great earnestness and ability as a speaker, that has given him such marked success in the trial of cases. In 1 87 1 Mr. Harlan married Miss Vina Carmine, a native of Iowa, and they have become the parents of two children: Ger- trude, who was born in 1872, and is now Mrs. William G. Boyer; and Edmund V., born in 18S1. In his social relations Mr. Harlan is both an Odd Fellow and Mason. He is a recognized leader in the ranks of the Republican organization of the state, and has been honored with a number of im- portant official positions. For three terms he served as mayor of York, and in 1885 and 1887 represented his district in the lower house of the state legislature, serv- ing as its speaker during the last year. He is a born leader of men, and in this august 15 body his qualities were quickly recognized. In 1890 he was the candidate of his party for congress in his district but was defeated, and is now serving his second term as county attorney. Socially he is deservedly popular, as he is affable and courteous in manner and possesses that essential qualification to suc- cess in public life, that of making friends readily and strengthening the ties of all friendships as time advances. In connec- tion with this sketch is presented a portrait of Mr. Harlan. CHARLES B. SUPPIGER, the present able and popular clerk of Seward coun- ty, lives at Seward, but has a circle of friends and acquaintances that covers the entire county. He has been engaged in trade for many years, and proved so relia- ble and trustworthy that he had little diffi- culty in securing his present responsible position. Integrity and honor have char- acterized his career in this county, and the people depend upon him as prompt and ac- curate. Mr. Suppiger was born in Highland, Madison county, Illinois, February 4, 1852. His parents, Xavier and Lucy (Hitz) Sup- piger, were Swiss, and came to this coun- try in 1833, locating at Highland. The hus- band and father was a harnessmaker, and followed that business all his life. The grandfather, Johnson Suppiger, was a farmer and a weaver, and came with his son to this country. He spent his last days at Highland. He was the father of three sons and eight daughters. The family of his son Xavier consisted of one son and two daughters, of whom the son and one daughter are now living. Charles Suppiger received a very liberal education for the times in which he grew to manhood. He took what the Illinois public schools afforded, added to it at a school in Oakfield, Missouri, and completed his studies 256 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY at Jones' Business College, a well-known St. Louis school. He became aharnessmaker, and worked by his father's side for many years. In 1875 succeeded to the business jat Highlands. He sold out in 1883. He spent one year in Kansas, but was not sat- isfied with its opportunities, and moved a second time. He came to this county and settled at Staplehurst, where he was in busi- ness for thirteen years. He built up an extensive trade, and conciliated the good opinion of the public. In 1897 he was elected county clerk, and is now discharg- ing the duties of that position in a most ac- ceptable manner. The marriage of Charles B. Suppiger and Miss Minnie Frey was ce'ebrated in Highland, Illinois, in 1875. She was a lady of many good qualities, and has helped to promote her husband's success. They are members of the German Evangelical church, and take an active interest in the upbuilding of the faith. Two children have been given to them, both of whom are living; Minnie E. is the wife of L. Biek, and has her home in this county; John X. is fast verging into manhood, and is still dwelling under the parental roof. Mr. Suppiger is a Democrat, and previous to his election to his present position, was somewhat con- spicuous in public affairs. He was village and township clerk, and school director, and is known throughout the county. EMANUEL BABLE.— An excellent ex- ample of a self-made American citizen and a grand exemplification of the progress that an ambitious foreigner can make in this country of unbounded opportunities, is shown in the case of our subject, one of the leading German-American residents of York county, his home being on section 24, Leroy town- ship. His success is due to his own energy and the high ideal which his lofty and laudable ambition placed before him. Suc- cess in any walk of life is an indication of earnest endeavor and persevering effort — characteristics that he possesses in an em- inent degree. Mr. Babel was born in Prussia, Ger- many, in October, 1830, and is a son of Francis and Margaret (Hereford) Babel, who spent their entire lives in that coun- try, the father following the tailor's trade. Reared in his native land, our subject there acquired a limited education. He worked on a farm during his early years, but seeing no chance of advancement, his wages being only fifteen dollars per 5'ear, he decided to come to the new world, where he had heard better opportunities were afforded industrious and ambitious young men. Ac- cordingly in 1850, at the age of twenty years, he took passage on a sailing ves- sel, and after a voyage of six weeks landed at Quebec, Canada, in debt seventy-six dol- lars in gold for his passage. He was not only without money, but also was .with- out friends on this side of the Atlantic. His baggage consisted of only seven pounds. Going to Michigan, he secured work on a farm, where he received seven dollars per month, which was almost half of what he had received annually in Germany. After living seven years in Michigan, Mr. Babel removed to Lewis county. New York, where he was married in February, 1865, to Miss Mary Tiebald, who was born near the River Rhine, in Germany. They have become the parents of the following children: Anna, Mary, Margaret, Lizzie, Minnie, now Sister Martha at the York Con- vent; William, and Lillie A., and two that are dead. Mr. Babel purchased a farm of fifty acres in Lewis county, New York, which he operated for four years and then sold. Re- moving to Illinois, he engaged in farming there for the same length of time, and at the end of that period decided to go farther west where land was cheaper. In the fall COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 257 of 1872 we find him <■« ;-^///^ for Nebraska in company with Henry Schmidt, and on reaching York county he took a homestead claim of eighty acres on section 24, Leroy township. Returning to lUinois, he there spent the winter, and the following Febru- ary brought his family to their new home. Their stock at that time consisted of two horses, a cow, four pigs and a few chickens. Mr. Babel erected a sod house for his fam- ily and a sod stable for his stock, and dur- ing a frightful snow storm, to keep his pigs and chickens from perishing, he brought them into the house. One year the grass- hoppers destroyed all his crops, and he and his family underwent all the hardships and trials of pioneer life. He has steadily over- come all obstacles in his path, however, and is now one of the well-to-do and pros- perous citizens of his community, owning a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and well improved, with a modern residence, good barns and outbuildings, fruit and shade trees, which add greatly to the value and attractive appearance of the place. Mr. Babel has not only gained a comfortable home and competence, but has also secured the confidence and respect of those with whom he has come in contact either in business or social life. OWEN D. WILSON, Jr., is the pro- prietor and editor of the Geneva Ga- zette, the official paper of Fillmore county. This paper was established in 1884 under the name of the Geneva Democrat, by W. H. Cooksey and J. D. Carson. In 1894 the name was changed to the Geneva Ga- zette under the management of J. J. Burk, present deputy clerk of the district court. In October, 1895, Miss Edith M. Pray be- came the editor, and July 20, 1896, Mr. Wilson purchased the paper and it has since continued under his management. It is a six-column, eight-page, bright, newsy sheet, and espouses the principles of the Populist party, and reaches the minds and consciences of many of Fillmore county's prominent citizens and also prominent men in other and adjoining counties. The able editor of this paper, Mr. Owen D. Wilson, was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, December 14, 1851, a son of Lewis and Minerva (Tipton) Wilson, the former a na- tive of Ohio, and the latter a native of Indiana. The father was a farmer by oc- cupation and located in Rock Island coun- ty, Illinois, in 1850, and entered govern- ment land, being among the first settlers of that section of Illinois. He became well known there and figured quite conspicuous- ly in Rock Island county's politics, being one of the leaders of the Democratic party. He was one of the first supervisors elected in the county under the law for township organization and representation in the county board, and served in that capacity for many years. He was twice a candi- date for legislature, and once for the state senate, but was defeated, owing to the overwhelming Republican majority. Our subject was reared on a farm in his native county, and received his education in the common schools. His mother died dur- ing his infancy. When he attained the age of twenty-one years he left home and began the battles of life on his own responsibility. He started for Nebraska, making the entire trip with a team and emigrant wagon, and arrived in Fillmore county, May 6, 1873. His worldly possessions at that time con- sisted of his team and wagon and about fifty dollars in money, but he filed a homestead claim to an eighty-acre tract of land, four miles east of Geneva, and began work with a will. This property he still owns, and con- tinued to cultivate it until July, 1896, when he discontinued that line of work to assume the management of the newspaper he had purchased. He has taken a keen interest 258 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. in all matters pertaining to politics since his boyhood, which can perhaps be attributed to the position his father held in the political world. He is well versed in the current events, and has ably conducted the various departments of his newspaper enterprises, and he has built up for himself an excellent reputation as an editor and a large patron- age for his paper. He has never aspired to nor held a public office other than that of supervisor, in which capacity he served for five years under the township organization. Socially, he affiliates with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and also the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Wilson was married in 1877 to Miss Sadie E. Hope, also a native of Rock Island county, Illinois, and a daughter of David and Margaret (Campbell) Hope. Her father was for many years a locomotive engineer and was killed in accident at Keokuk, Iowa, when Mrs. Wilson was about three years of age. Her mother died in December, 1892, in Fillmore county, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of a family of three children, whose names and present ages are as follows: Lena L. , twenty years; Bertha, fifteen years; Leila, four years. JH. BETZER, the editor of the Blue Valley Blade, which has become one of the influential and popular journals of Ne- braska, lives at Seward, and takes a promi- nent position in the editorial fraternity of the west. He was born in Ross county, Ohio, January 24, 1836. His parents were William I. and Francis (Beeler) Betzer, na- tives respectively of Ohio and Kentucky. The father was a farmer and moved from Ohio in 1856 to DeWitt county, Illinois. He died there one year later, and the wife and mother died at Seward at the age of eighty-three. Mr. Betzer received his early training in Ohio. He attended the common school and the academy at Frankfort, and was well prepared for the responsibilities of life. He moved to Illinois in company with his par- ents, and was engaged in running the engine of a saw mill for si.x years. In 1866 he bought the Blade, at Pella, Iowa, and was its editor and manager for eleven years. He sold it at the expiration of that period, and was connected with the Times, at Monroe, Iowa, for a short time, when he bought it, and moved the outfit to Chariton, and en- tered upon the publication of the Chariton Republican. In 1878 he disposed of his Chariton enterprise, came to this county, and bought the Seward Advocate, and changed its title to the Blue Valley Blade. In this paper he is still engaged and for some time has been having the association of his son, Elmer E., who acts as its assist- ant editor and manager. Mr. Betzer was married in 1858 to Miss Rhoda C. Welch, a native of Indiana. They had two sons and three daughters, America A. (now Mrs. Hugh Logan), Elmer E., Mary E. (now Mrs. C. M. Hall), Welby S. and Clystie M. Mr. Betzer has been three times married. His first wife died in 1 89 1. His present wife is Miss Mary E. Storms, and was a resident of Colorado at the time of her marriage. The paper has always been Republican, and has long been regarded as the organ of the party in this county. It has a large circulation in this and the adjoining counties, and is one of the most popular country papers of the state. Elmer E. Betzer, who is associated with his father in the publication of the Blade, was born in Marion county, Iowa, August 17, 1862, and was educated in the schools of his native state. He entered his father's printing office when thirteen years old, and has thoroughly mastered the printer's trade. He has had charge of the mechanical de- partment of the office for a number of years, and to his watchful care is very largely due the credit for the neat appearance the Blade COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 259 always presents. He was married in 1891 to Miss Rose M. Gordon, a native of Logans- port, Indiana. GEORGE B. FRANCE is one of the ablest lawyers practicing at the York county bar, having that mental grasp which enables him to discover the points in a case. A man of sound judgment, he manages his cases with masterly skill and tact, and is regarded as one of the ablest jury advocates in York. He is a logical reasoner and has a ready command of English. Mr. France was born in Ohio, January 10, 1837, and is a son of Adam D. and Lydia (Griffith) France, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ohio. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, followed his chosen calling in Ohio until 185 1, and then removed to Laporte county, Indiana, where he made his home until called to his final rest in 1891, at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. Reared upon the home farm in the Hoosier state, our subject obtained his early education in the country schools of the locality, but at the age of twenty-one years he entered Oberlin College, at Oberlin, Ohio, where he was a student for seven years, graduating with the class of 1867. Later he entered the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and on completing the pre- scribed course was granted the degree of LL. D. on his graduation in 1868. Resolved to try his fortune in the west, Mr. France came to Nebraska immediately after his graduation and opened an office in Milford, Seward county, where he success- fully engaged in practice until the 4th of January, 1876. He also took quite a promi- nent part in public affairs, and for six years acceptably served as superintendent of pub- lic instructions in Seward county. On leaving Milford, he located in York, where he has since made his home, and soon suc- ceeded in building up a large and lucrative practice, which he still enjoys. Mr. France was one of the boys in blue during the war of the Rebellion, having en- listed August 15, 1862, in the Twenty-first Indiana Battery. He held the rank of sergeant, and was in a number of skirmishes and also the battle of Hoovfer's Gap, remain- ing in the service until August, 1863, when he was severely wounded at University Springs, Tennessee, by the explosion of six hundred pounds of powder. On the ist of September, 1874, Mr. France was united in marriage with Miss Edith M. Courtright, a resident of Dixon, Illinois, and they have become the parents of two children, a son and a daughter: George W. and Era H., both living. Mr. France has always been a stalwart Republican in his political belief, but is an advocate of the free coinage of silver. He is one of the most prominent Masons of the state, having attained to the thirty-third degree, and in 1888 served as grand master of Nebraska, but it is as a successful lawyer that he is most widely known. Holding marked precedence among the members of the bar in York county, and retaining a clientele of so representative a character as to alone stand in evidence of his professional ability and personal popularity, Mr. France must assuredly be accorded a prominent place in this volume. HON. MICHAEL CHARLES DELA- NEY is the owner of four hundred acres of rich farming land in section 31, Skull Creek township, Butler county, Ne- braska, and is one of the most strongly marked characters to be found in that en- terprising and progressive region. He is a farmer, a reading and thinking man, thor- oughly informed on all topics of interest, and a political leader of acknowledged skill and power. The impress of his own person- 260 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. ality rests on the history of the county, and he is recognized as a strong man throughout the state. Mr. Delaney was born in Washington county, New York, August 28, 1843, and is of Irish ancestry. His father, John and his mother, Rosa Delaney, both came from Ire- land. They married in New York, and when little Michael was only two years old, moved to Waukesha county, Wiscon- sin, and remained there until the spring of 1870. The early days of Mr. Delaney were spent in that state, and he acquired a good education in its common schools, fin- ishing at the Horicon high school. He was a farmer lad, and grew up in that close con- tact with nature that gives a steadiness and strength to character that the children of the city pavement seek in vain. He early began teaching in the public schools, and followed that avocation until he had reached the age of twenty-five. He com- bined farming with his work as an instruct- or, and removed to Iowa in 1870, proposing to work along the same lines. In that state he had a brother near him of congenial temper and habits, and the two came into Nebraska in search of a promising location. They covered a wide territory in their search, and finally selected Butler county as the most inviting locality they had seen, and in the spring of 1872 Mr. Delaney bought two hundred acres of section 31, Skull Creek township, at the price of three dollars an acre. The same year he was mar- ried in Jasper county, Iowa, to Miss Kate Hanna, a daughter of Patrick Hanna. The young couple applied themselves earnestly to the making of a home on their Butler county farm, and in 1879 put up a house on it that was regarded as quite pretentious for those times. They have witnessed the marvelous improvement in this county that began about the year 1 880, and have done not a little to help it along. Mr. Delaney was born and raised a Democrat, and when he came into the state he found it apparently hopelessly in the possession of his political enemies. Butler county frequently gave as high as five hun- dred Republican majority. He longed for a different state of things, and set himself to make a revolution. Gradually new men and measures came to the front. His long and successful career as a teacher and his evident familiarity with the details of school work fitted Mr. Delaney for the position of county superintendent, and to this place he was nominated and elected. His term of office covered four years and in that time sixty-eight school districts were organized. It was an immense work, but it was thor- oughly and systematically done. He raised the grade of the teaching force of the county, and witnessed a very general advance along all lines of educational activity. He declined a nomination to the state legisla- ture, but could not refuse a second nomina- tion in the fall of 1888, and was elected as a member of the legislature that year and again in 1894. During the session of 1889 he took an active part in anti-monopoly legislation, attended to every interest of his constituency, and was an unusually effi- cient legislator. He is . widely spoken of as a rising man. Mr. and Mrs. Delaney are the parents of a family of seven children, and four of these, Agnes, John P., William Francis and Rose Etta, were born in Iowa. The others, Michael, Leo, George, Charles Eugene and Mary, were born in Butler county. M" RS. ANNA FUNK, who was born in Pennsylvania in the early years of the century, belongs to the number of the most venerated residents of Nebraska, and still abides on the old homestead near Bradshaw, York county, which her husband secured al- most a third of a century ago. She is almost eighty-three years old, and her eye is still COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 261 alight, and her natural force but little abated. She is loved and revered by those who have shared with her the dangers and perils of the old pioneer days, and to the new generation she is a precious landmark of the dark past out of which the state has come. Many are the kindly invocations that rest upon her closing days. Mrs. Anna Funk was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, November i6, 1816, and here her parents and grandparents had originated, and hence the Funk family is one of the older families of the great Key- stone state, and in former years has been associated with many important events in its history. She married Martin Funk in 1843, and for the next twenty-three years continued her residence in Pennsylvania. The family then removed into Illinois, where a stay of seven years was made, and in 1871, Mr. and Mrs. Funk brought their children to York county, and settled on the home- stead where the venerable lady, whose name introduces this article, still lives with her youngest daughter. Miss Kate Funk, who is the active manager of the farm, and her son Albert. She and her husband were mem- bers for many years of the German Baptist church. He was a Whig in early life, and afterwards became a Republican upon the breaking-up of the old parties in the years that preceded the outbreak of the Civil war. He voted for William Henry Harrison in 1840, and followed down in a straight parly line until the day of his death. They were the parents of eight children, seven of whom were living when they entered this state. The husband and father died in 1890, and left his aged wife in the care of his young- est daughter Kate, who undertook to care for the farm, pay off an indebtedness of eleven hundred dollars against it and see that the last days of her mother were shadowed by no anxious cares. She has nobly fulfilled her trust, and has proved herself a model business woman. The farm is in fine condition, the crops have been planted and gathered with skill and prompt- ness, and every rising turn of the market has been made to contribute to the pros- perity of the Funk place. Looking back over the past seven years in the face of the disaster and wreck that have come to so many, it is indeed an evidence of a remark- able business instinct and unwearied indus- try that she has been able to accomplish so much. The Funk family was represented in the Union army by two sons, Albert H. and Elias. They settled close by the paternal home, and the father and two sons occu- pied nearly a section of land. It was a day of dug-outs and sod houses, and when the elder Funk put up a little house of boards for his family, he received the good- natured title of " the aristocrat " from his sons and neighbors. Those pioneer days were full of labor and anxiety, yet they have many precious and beautiful memo- ries for those who still abide. Evenings when the long winter cold was upon the country would be signalized by the gather- ing of the entire family, four sons and three daughters under the family roof, to discuss plans of work for the coming spring, or for hours of song, or pleasant conversation with neighboring young men who would come in for such pleasant privileges. The old family Bible was not left behind in the family journeyings, and it had a conspicu- ous place in the corner. It was a modern American edition of Burns' " Cotter's Satur- day Night." When the Funks first looked out on their prairie domain not a twig or a stick was to be seen. It was a wide stretch of rich black soil. But in thirty years how changed the scene. Groves abound, har- vests of grain and corn are gathered that feed the poor and hungry of a kingdom, and it seems as if some old magician had passed by with his magic wand and trans- formed the face of the country. The dear 262 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. old lady, now resting in the loving care of her daughter on the old homestead has seen this wonderful change from the begin- ning. She has seven children around her. There are nineteen grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren who rise up to call her " blessed." HON. J. J. THOMAS, the present judge of Seward county, is a living illustration of the open door before the young men who adventure the possibilities of the West. Not yet thirty years of age, he has secured an important position, and is acquitting himself most creditably. Judge Thomas was born in Hancock county, Illinois, January i, 1869, and is a son of John C. and AnnaC. (Luft) Thomas. His father was born in Germany, and his mother in Kentucky. The senior Thomas left Germany at the age of seventeen, and came to this country in i860. He settled in Illinois, where he married, and where his son, the subject of this article, was born. He was engaged in farming, and in 1869 came to this county and secured a home- stead. He is the father of seven sons and two daughters, all of whom are residents of this county. Judge Thomas was educated in the Seward schools, and supplemented their in- struction by special work at Lincoln. He began the study of law in 1888, when he entered the law department of the Univer- sity of Michigan. He was a close student, and received his diploma in 1890. The following year he opened an office in Seward, and entered into a professional partnership with Mr. Biggs, under the firm name of Biggs & Thomas. He came to the front very soon, and was recognized as a frank and fearless practitioner. He was elected pros- ecuting attorney in 1894, and the prompt and systematic dicharge of the duties of that position justified his election as county judge in 1897. Judge Thomas is a Demo- crat, and is very highly esteemed by all who know him. DAVID DARLING.— Doubtless the most enterprising young men of the older states have left the confines of their early homes to seek a new and wider field of operation, and among these is the gentle- man whose name introduces this sketch. As a pioneer of York county, he has been prominently identified with its development and prosperity, and is to-day numbered among its progressive and successful agri- culturalists. A native of Illinois, Mr. Darling was born in Edgar county, June 4, 1849, and is a son of David and Ermina (Falmsby) Dar- ling, the former born in 18 — , the latter in 181 8. In their family were six children: Aurilla, William, Harriet, David, John and Melissa. As the father died in Edgar county, Illinois, our subject remained with his mother upon the home farm, aiding in its management and cultivation. When he was twenty-three, the family left their old home and removed to Minnesota, in 1871, but not being satisfied in that state, they turned their faces toward the still newer and wilder prairies of Nebraska, which they reached during the year 1872. Mr. Darling selected a homestead of eighty acres on section 34, township 12, range 4, York county, and also purchased another eighty- acre, tract adjoining. He then returned to Edgar county, Illi- nois, where he wedded Miss Mary E. Poor, who was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, April 7, 1850, a daughter of Andrew J. and Charlotte T. (Taylor) Poor, the former a native of Johnson county, Indiana, the latter of Hendricks county, born near Clay- ton. For seven years her parents lived in Clayton, where her father conducted a shoe shop, and in 1856 moved to Edgar county, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 263 Illinois, where he engaged in the same line of business throughout the remainder of his life. He died in 1897, at the advanced age of seventy-nine years. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Darling are as follows: Nancy Aurilla, Melissa A., Sylva L. , Will- iam A. and Benjamin G. Two of these are already married and have good homes of their own, and the rest will soon be grown. They have attended the best schools, and the family is one of prominence in social circles, their hospitable home always being open for the reception of their many friends. After his marriage Mr. Darling brought his bride to his western home, where they still continue to reside. On locating upon his farm it was entirely unimproved, not an object in sight, neither tree nor shrub noth- ing but prairie as far as the eye could reach. Many antelope, deer, elk and now and then a stray buffalo, chased by a still wilder Indian, could be seen dotting the level prairie. Like all the early settlers he commenced operations in York county with a machine known as the prairie plow, of peculiar construction, and with this he turned over the black soil which had never before been disturbed by the plow share. While he held his plow with one hand he would drop corn in the furrow with the other, and the next round with the plow would cover the seed up. In this way he soon had a corn field with broad leaves and tassels, waving and rustling in the sunlight of Nebraska. His crops would grow with- out the aid of hoe or corn-plow and would produce not less than twenty bushels of corn to the acre. Upon his place he planted trees, including apples, plums and cherries, which from year to year furnishes all the fruit the family can use. He now has a pleasant home and is surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, which have been secured through years of honest toil and well-directed efforts. Mr. Darling is a straight-forward, up- right and honorable man, and he and his estimable wife are identified with the Home Forum, where they now and then spend a pleasant evening, the society having a membership of fifty. She is also an active member of the United Brethren church. In his political affiliations Mr. Darling has been a life-long Republican. HON. FRANK F. LOOMIS.— Perhaps no man in all of Butler coynty is so well known for his intelligence, active public spirit, and thorough appreciation of the wants of his locality as is the gentleman whose name heads this article. He came to the county in an early day and has since been identified with all matters which per- tain to the improvement and upbuilding of the better interests of the locality in which he has lived. His active participation in public affairs has not been confined to his own county, but he has thoroughly ac- quainted himself and been associated with matters pertaining to the state. Being a man of excellent business qualifications and a character of the highest order, he has been called upon by his fellow-citizens to occupy various important official positions. In every instance he has proven his efficiency and has administered the duties of his vari- ous offices with rare fidelity and with in- creasing popularity. His home is now lo- cated on section 2, Bone Creek township, where he settled in the spring of 1866. Mr. Loomis was born in Jefferson, Ash- tabula county, Ohio, December 26, 1846, a son of Chauncey Clark Loomis. The father was a native of Oneida county. New York, where he was born in the year 1808, a son of Devesta Loomis. The latter was a na- tive of Hartford, Connecticut, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. Our subject's father, Chauncey Clark Loomis, moved to Ashtabula county, Ohio, about the year 264 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 1828. He was a tailor by occupation, and was married in Ohio in 1844, to Miss Susan E. Wood, a daughter of Evan Wood. In 1866 he moved with his family to Butler county, Nebraska, then an unsettled and un- developed country. Our subject was then about twenty years of age. Both he and his father took an active part in the organi- zation of the county, and in 1868 Chauncey Q,. Loomis was appointed the first county judge, and our subject was appointed county surveyor, although the latter never assumed the duties of his office. Our subject spent his early life in Ohio and received a common-school education there. He also worked for a time in a printing office in Ohio. After moving to Butler county, Nebraska, he at once as- sumed a conspicuous position in public mat- ters, was one of the most ardent workers of the Republican party, radical in his views and an opponent to machine politics. These characteristics were shown a few years later, when, in the Republican state convention, to which he was a delegate, when he inde- pendently and ably opposed the political organization, apparently at the sacrifice of his future political success. The following is an extract from the legislative year book: "In the Republican state convention which defeated Judge Ma.xwell for renomination to the supreme bench, Mr. Loomis was a dele- gate and fought vigorously against .the will of the machine. Unsuccessful in his efforts, and having imbibed independent principles, he became a Silver Republican and a can- didate of the free silver element for repre- sentative in 1896." Instead of resulting in the end of his political career, Mr. Loomis' thorough appreciation of the needs his fel- low-citizens and his vigorous and able de- fence of what he considered their best inter- ests was appreciated by his fellows and his election to the legislature by a proportion- ately large majority followed. Although a stranger in the legislative halls, our subject's natural force of character soon brought him into prominence and he was looked upon as a leader in that body. As a member of the committee on privileges and elections, his work on the new ballot law of Nebraska, of which he is the author, stands as a monu- ment to his statesmanship. He is also author of the Anti-trust Elevator Bill, and he is frequently in council with the best ele- ment of the legislature. Mr. Loomis has been twice married. His first wife, who bore the maiden name of Emily Perkins, was a daughter of E. M. Perkins, and met him at the altar of hymen in 1877. To this union were born four chil- dren, whose names in the order of their birth are as follows: Mabel, Maud, Ger- trude and Mary. Mrs. Loomis died, and in 1894 our subject was united in marriage to Ethie M. Betis, who was a teacher by occu- pation, having taught for several years in the public schools and also for four years in the David City high school. To this union have been born two children, Edna and Ethel, twins. Both our subject and Mrs. Loomis are members of the Degree of Honor, and he is also a member of the An- cient Order of United Workmen. They are living on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Bone Creek township. HON. SERVITUS V. MOORE, M. D., one of the pioneer physicians of York county, Nebraska, was born in Starke county, Ohio, October 12, 1835, a son of John and Sarah Moore. The Doctor was educated in Medina and Wajne counties, Ohio, and taught school there for some time. He began to read medicine in 1851, in Fulton county, Indiana, but only read six months there, and com- pleted his course in Brown county, Illinois, under Doctor Higbee. He began the prac- tice of his profession at Fredericksville, Illinois, and was thus engaged for several COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr. 265 years. He then retired from medical prac- tice for a few years and engaged in the manufacture of stoneware at Whitehall, Illinois. In 1869 he came to York county, Nebraska, took a claim north of Bradshaw, and followed the pursuit of agriculture for a few years, during which time he also spent about twelve years in the practice of his profession in York county. In August, 1857, Doctor Moore was united in marriage to Miss Laura A. Morris, a native of Virginia, and their home has been blessed by the presence of a family of three children, viz: Dr. Orvill Moore, of York; Robert S., who is engaged in the hardware trade; and Alice M. A fourth child was born to them but it died young. The Doctor has been a Mason since the age of twenty-one. Formerly he was a Re- publican, in political views, but is now in- dependent of parties. He was the first county commissioner of York county, and has also filled several of the minor offices. He has twice represented the county in the state legislature, the first time being in 1876-77, and was again elected in 1880 for a term of two years. Doctor Moore is at present engaged in the hardware business in Bradshaw in company with his youngest son. HENRY H. CAMPBELL, the well-known postmaster, and editor and proprie- tor of the Osceola Record, is a native of Adams county, Iowa, born December 2, 1865, and is a son of Benjamin C. and Elizabeth Ann (Scott) Campbell, the former born at Fort Wayne, Ohio, when that place was a government fort on the frontier, the latter born in Indiana. The paternal great- grandfather of our sketch was a Quaker and of Scotch descent. The grandfather bore the name of James Campbell. Five of his sons were members of the Union army during the Rebellion, and two were killed in battle. Our subject's father enlisted in Company F, Twenty-first Missouri Regi- ment, and for three years valiantly fought for the preservation of the union, taking part in every battle with his regiment ex- cept one. Fortunately he was never wounded nor taken prisoner. After his marriage, which was celebrated in Indiana, he moved to Iowa, and in 1872 came to Polk county, Nebraska, taking up his resi- dence a mile and a half north of Osceola upon a claim he had secured the year previ- ous. This he improved and cultivated, but finally sold in 1889. Two years before he had gone to Keya Paha county, Nebraska, where he made his home until 1893, but since that time has lived retired in Osceola, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. He and his wife are consistent merpbers of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he also belongs to the G. A. R. post at Osceola. Their children are Norris Scott, Mary Maria, Rev. James Samuel, John Allen, Flora Cinderella, Henry H. and Clarissa Anna. Being only si.x years old at the time of the removal of the family to Polk county, Mr. Campbell grew to manhood here, and completed his literary education in the high school of Osceola, being a member of the first graduating class. Subsequently he en- gaged in teaching school in Polk county, and for two years was bookkeeper for the Osceola Bank, leaving that position to take charge of the Record in May, 1890. This paper was established August 27, 1873, by H. T. Arnold, who was succeeded by Frank Burgess October 15, 1873. The next ed- itor was M. E. Crookham, who sold out to the Osceola Printing Company, but later Mr. Burgess again had charge until April 15, 1874, when he was succeeded by W. F. Kimmel. From August 11, 1875, until No- vember 17, the same year, Calmar McCune was the owner, and was succeeded by S. F. Fleharty. Up to this time the title of the /' 266 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. paper had been The Homesteader, but was changed to the present name by Mr. Fle- harty, who subsequently sold out to H. C. and Ada M. Bittenbender, who had control until October, 1881, when Mr. McCune again took it, owning it until November 23, 1882. In February, 1883, it was sold to D. M. Butler, who was succeeded by Mr. Campbell in May, 1890, as before stated. It has steadily prospered under his able management and is now one of the foremost journals in this section of the state. Mr. Campbell was married July 2, 1890, to Miss Anna Teele, a native of Vermont, who was educated in Tabor College, Iowa. Her father. Rev. Edwin E. Teele, was a Congregational minister, and while serving as a home missionary in Minnesota, died in that state. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have four children: Harold Ray, Phillips Brooks, Esther and Benjamin Burdette. The parents are worthy members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church of Osceola, and Mr. Campbell has always been identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and of the blue lodge of the Masonic Order at Osceola, in which he has served as junior warden one year and secretary two years. On the nth of November, 1897, he re- ceived the appointment of postmaster of Osceola, and assumed the duties of the office January i, 1898. He is proving a painstaking and popular official, and as a citizen merits and receives the highest con- fidence and esteem of all who know him. JUDGE T. L. NORVAL, whose resi- dence is in Seward, Nebraska, is a law- yer whose legal attainments and personal character have found a fitting recognition by his election to the supreme bench of the state. He possesses the judicial instinct, and from the moment he began the practice of the profession the spirit of equity and right was seen to be very strong in his nature. Judge Norval was born in Fulton county, Illinois, August 26, 1847, and his parents, Oliver and Mary J. (Sampson) Norval, though natives of North Carolina and Maryland, were of Scotch descent. The father left North Carolina in 1832, moved into Indiana, where he remained three years. He moved into Illinois in 1835, where he lived out the remainder of his life. He was twice married, was the father of twenty-one children, and died in 1891. His son, the present Judge, was educated in the common schools of Illinois, and completed his general studies at Hedding College, a well-known school at Abbington, Illinois. After his graduation at this institution he engaged in teaching for several years, and while busy in the school room was laying the foundation of that successful career he has had in the legal profession. He entered the law department of the University of Michigan in 1869, in company with his brother, R. S., and together with him trav- ersed the academic halls. He was gradu- ated in March, 1871, and was admitted to the bar of the supreme court of Michigan at the time of his graduation. Before at- tending the University he had already se- cured a minor practice, and had accumu- lated through his own exertion a consider- able library of valuable law books. Judge Norval made his first visit to Sew- ard in 1869, when he made the journey from Lincoln to this point on foot. He was so well pleased with the prospect of the country, that in 1872 he came to Sew- ard to engage in the practice of his pro- fession. That year he was admitted to the bar in this state, and at once formed a partnership with his brother R. S., under the firm name of Norval Brothers. This professional and fraternal association con- tinued unbroken until his election to the bench. He was sent to the state senate in COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHi: 267 1879, and was appointed to the district bench in 1883, to complete the unexpired term of Judge Post. He acquitted himself so well in this responsible position that he was twice elected to it by the people. In January, 1890, he resigned to accept the office of supreme judge, to which he had been elected in November, 1889. He dis- charged the duties of the high position so admirably that he was re-elected in 1895. Judge Norval was married in 1875 to Miss Ella Godfrey, whose birthplace was in Knox county, Illinois. They have had two children. One is dead, and a daughter, Winnifred, is living. Judge and Mrs. Nor- val are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church, and their well ordered lives at- test the strength of their moral and religious convictions. He is a Mason, and a mem- ber of the Ancient Order of the United Workmen. He is a leading spirit in the councils of the Republican party of the state, and his utterances are listened to with respect. He speaks only after care- ful meditation, and his words bear weight. BRIGHT B. OGG, the present efficient and popular sheriff of Fillmore county, has been a resident of his locality for eight- een years. He was for a long period con- nected with the farming interests of the community but now makes his home in Ge- neva. He belongs to that class of repre- sentative citizens whose progressive spirit and practical methods materially advance the interests and welfare of the localities with which they are connected, and the history of Fillmore county would be incom- plete without the record of his life. Mr. Ogg was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, on the loth of January, 1850, and is a son of Bright B. and Francis (Thomas) Ogg, who were natives of Kentucky, whence they emigrated to Sangamon county, Illi- nois. The father was a carpenter by trade, and in addition to that pursuit carried on farming. Both he and his wife spent their last days in Macoupin county, Illinois. Upon the home farm in the county of his nativity Bright B. Ogg spent the days of his boyhood and youth and early be- came familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He is indebted to the public school system for the educa- tional privileges which he enjoyed. From Sangamon he removed to Macoupin county, and after a few years left Illinois for Ne- braska; this was in the year 1880. He lo- cated in Fillmore county, purchasing land in Geneva township, about nine miles from Geneva. Since that time he has bought and sold several farms and is now the own- er of a valuable tract of land of two hundred acres pleasantly located within three and a half miles of the county seat. It is nearly all under cultivation and is in a high state of improvement, substantial buildings and all modern accessories indicating the thrift and enterprise of the owner. For the past twelve years Mr. Ogg has been extensively engaged in stock dealing, buying, feeding and shipping, and has found this a profita- ble source of income. Mr. Ogg was married in Macoupin coun- ty, Illinois, February 10, 1876, to Miss Ella Redfern, a native of Kansas and a daughter of John and Polly (Pritchett) Red- fern. They now have a family of seven children, namely: Ora L. , James W., Charles C., Cecil, Chloe, Josie and Hazel. In the fall of 1895 Mr. Ogg became the Populist candidate for the office of county sheriff and was elected by a majority of one hundred and seventy-three. After serving for two years he was re-nominated and elected by a majority of two hundred and forty-nine, a fact which plainly indicates his faithful and fearless service and his per- sonal popularity among the law-abiding citizens. He was a Democrat in his early political affiliations, but has since the organ- 268 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHi' ization of the Populist party been one of its stanch advocates. Socially he is con- nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Work- men and the Fraternal Aid. HON. GEORGE W. POST.— In modern ages, and to a large extent in the past, banks have constituted a vital part of organized society and governments, both monarchical and popular, have depended upon them for material aid in times of de- pression and trouble. Their influence has extended over the entire world, and their prosperity has been the barometer which has unfalteringly indicated the financial status of all nations. Of this important branch of business Judge Post is a worthy representative. He is now president of the First National Bank of York, and is re- garded as one of the most prominent figures in the business life of the county. A native of Cumberland, Guernsey county, Ohio, Judge Post was born Febru- ary 20, 1 85 1, and is a son of William E. and Sarah S. Post. The father was a Pres- byterian minister and in consequence re- sided in various parts of the country. Before the war of the Rebellion he removed to Missouri, but after a short time went to Bloomfield, Iowa, where his death occurred in 1868. In the district schools of Iowa, and in the Troy high school, the subject of this review acquired his education. When a youth of only fourteen years he responded to his country's call for aid, enlisting at Bloomfield, Iowa, for one hundred days' service, in the Forty-fifth Iowa Infantry. In early life, thinking to devote his energies to the legal profession, he began reading law in the office of Hon. H. C. Travers, of Bloomfield, and was admitted to the bar in 1 87 1. Not long afterward he removed to York, Nebraska, being one of the first lawyers to locate in the county. Here he practiced in partnership with T. L. Warring- ton for a short time, and was then alone in the conduct of the important litigation en- trusted to his care until 1S75, when he was elected judge of the fourth judicial district. So capably did he fill the office through the four-years term, that he was re-elected in 1879. He seemed fully to realize the im- portance of the profession to which he de- voted his energies, and the fact that justice and the higher attribute of mercy he often held in his hands. His reputation as a lawyer was won through earnest, honest labor and his standing at the bar was a merited tribute to his ability. Other official honors were bestowed upon him and in the state legislature and the office of internal revenue collector, he won high encomiums by his prompt and faithful performance of his duty. Judge Post's connection with the bank- ing interests of the county covers a long period and it is largely due to his efforts and able ad ministration that the First Nation- al ranks first among the financial institu- tions of the state. The first bank of York county was established in the city of York, January i, 1877, and was known as the Mc- Wherter Bank, the owner and president thereof being William M. McWherter, who conducted the. enterprise until 1879 when he died. The bank was then continued by D. S. Sayer and F. K. Atkins, who organized the Commercial State Bank, which was conducted a number of years with Mr. Sayer as president. During that time Cyrus Langworthy organized a bank at York, of which he was president and A. C. Ward cashier. This was later merged into the First National Bank, which was organized May 6, 1882, the first officers being Richard C. Outclat, president and Ed. Mosher, cash- ier. This institution was later purchased by Sayer & Atkins, and consolidated with the Commercial State Bank, February 6, 1886, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 269 with F. O. Bell as president and W. J. Wildmore, cashier. Some ten years prior to this the Exchange Bank was organ- ized, with E. D. Einsel as president and after several years was purchased by Judge Post and Lee Love. Under the name of the York National it was conducted until October 19, 1893, when the York National and the First National consolidated under the name of the latter, but the officers of the former continued in their respective positions. The bank is now capitalized for fifty thousand dollars, with a surplus of fifty thousand and undivided profits to the amount of fourteen thousand. They do a general banking business and the institution has an unassailable reputation, which in- sures to it a liberal patronage. The officers are G. W. Post, president, and E. J. Wightman, and all the stockholders reside in the count}'. Judge Post was married January i, 1879, in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania, to Miss Laura McConaughy, a resident of that place. He is a man of subjective modesty, entirel/ free from ostentation or display, but his fellow citizens know him as a man of sterling worth and honor him for his well-spent life. ^ FRANK J. ZEMAN is a capable and ac- complished teacher of Bruno, Nebras- ka, and though not yet thirty years of age he has won high standing in this noble pro- fession. It is a profession with him and not simply a stepping stone to something else. He puts his heart and soul into it, and is making a record for careful work, and conscientious devotion to it, that will place him well to the front before he grows much older. Mr. Zeman was born in Bohemia in 1869, but coming to this country when only si.x months of age, he is as it were to the manor born, and bears himself as a true American. His father established the fam- ily in Faulkner, Franklin county, Iowa, where the young Frank grew up to man- hood, receiving the education the public schools afforded and graduating from the high school at Iowa Falls in 1891. Upon his graduation he immediately engaged in teaching, and soon became an educator of acknowledged character and standing. He came to this state and taught in Dodge schools of Dodge county for a time, and was chosen principal of the city schools in Bruno in 1895. He still holds this position, and in it has rendered invaluable service to the cause of education. He has brought the various departments of the school up to a high grade, and has inspired the youth under his charge with an unusual zeal and devotion to their studies. Joseph Zeman was the father of our sub- ject and belonged to an old and leading fam- ily in Bohemia. He taught his son to re- vere its great names and glorious deeds even while he turned his back upon it, and sought a home in the new world. Mr. Zeman has a not unnatural pride in the fact that he is native to a country whose sons have done so much for human progress in other days, and is adopted to a land where the light of liberty and justice shines for all. He was married in Bruno, May 19, 1897, to Miss Agnes Rerucha, a daughter of Jos- eph Rerucha, formerly of Saunders county. They were early settlers in the state, and she has become a worthy helpmeet to her talented and popular husband. EUGENE A. WALRATH, who has al- ways had a taste for journalistc work, is now the able editor and proprietor of the Polk County Democrat, published at Os- ceola, Nebraska. He was born in Rochelle, Illinois, November 26, 1867, a son of J. and Jennie (Fell) Walrath, the former a native of New York, the latter of Canada. 270 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHy. They were married in Oregon, Illinois, and lived in Ogle county, that state, until 1883, when they removed to Washington county, Kansas, but after two years spent there, they came to Polk county, Nebraska, where they still reside, honored and respected by the entire community. Of their two chil- dren, the younger, H. C. Walrath, is now the editor of the Mt. Morris Index, of Mt. Morris, Illinois. The boyhood and youth of our subject were mainly passed in Rochelle, Illinois, where he attended high school, but com- pleted his education in the high school at Greenleaf, Kansas. On starting out in life for himself he was in the drug business for a time, but on coming to Osceola in 1885 became interested in newspaper work. He had always a fondness for a printing office, and was usually found in one wherever he lived. In this way he early obtained a fair knowledge of the printing business in its various departments, on coming to Osceola accepted a position in the office of the Record, which was then conducted by D. M. Butler. On severing his connection with that establishment he started the Dem- ocrat, July 19, 1888, and has since carried it on, building it up to its present high standing. It is now one of the best edited papers in the county, and is a credit to its founder and manager. In politics it was Democratic until 1896, since which time it has giv«n its influence and support to the Populist movement. It is a six-column quarto, and is a bright, newsy sheet, filled with both general and local matters of in- terest to its many patrons. Mr. Walrath was married August 14, 1890, to Miss Birdie L. Pulver, a native of Viroqua, Wisconsin, and a daughter of Oli- ver and Hanna (Bixby) Pulver, now resi- dents of Payson, Utah. Mrs. Walrath was educated in the schools of Osceola, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church there. Mr. and Mr. Walrath have a little daughter — Maurine. Although a stanch Democrat in politics, Mr. Walrath has never been an ofSce seeker. Socially he is identified with the blue lodge, No. 6"], F. & A. M. , of Os- ceola; the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 75; and the Camp of Modern Woodmen of America, of which he is chief officer, or consul. HON. HIRAM LESLIE SMITH, M. D., is one of the oldest business men of Fillmore county, and bears upon his should- ers the burden of seventy years of an active and earnest life. He is the president of the Citizen's Bank, of Geneva, and maj- prop- erly be spoken of as one of the leading men of Nebraska. Dr. Smith was born in Franklin county. New York, October 19, 1828, and is a son of John C. and Esther Parker (Culver) Smith, both of whom were natives of Ver- mont, and settlers of New York very early in life. His father removed to Ohio about 1835, ''•nd for many years was steward of Granville College, a Baptist institution near Granville, that is now known as Denison University. He passed his last years in re- tirement in Steuben county, Indiana, where several of his children have established themselves. Dr. Smith was about seven years old when his parents removed to Ohio and he received a very liberal education for the times. He was a student at Granville University, and became a very successful teacher. Teaching, however, was for him but a stepping stone into the field of med- icine. At twenty-two he began his prep- aration for the profession, and reading at intervals, he worked his way along a dif- ficult road into professional success. He went into the harvest field, and swung a cradle for two dollars and fifty cents a day, and by other equally arduous labors paid his way through school. He graduated HON. HIRAM L. SMITH, M. D. COMPEXDJUM OF BIOGRAPIir. 273 from the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical In- stitute in 1856, after taking a full course of instruction with a creditable standing, and entered into professional practice at Flint, Indiana, where he met with success from the start. He was at Flint seven years when he removed to the neighboring town of Orland, where he found an en- larged field for his professional labors, which he fully utilized. For fifteen years he held a prominent position in the affairs of Orland and vicinity, and exerted a wide influence for good upon a host of young men. He was a trustee of the Indiana Northwestern Institute for fifteen years consecutively, from which a great number of students have gone to the University of Michigan. It is thought that perhaps more people have prepared for that famous uni- versity at this school than any other similar institution. During these years he made several trips to Nebraska, and thinking it presented a favorable opportunity for in- vestments, put in considerable money in different ways in this county and in the city of Lincoln. These interests soon became extensive and demanded annual trips for their proper conservation. F.nally he de- termined to settle in Nebraska, and give all his time to his extensive commercial enter- prises. He made his home in 1875 i" Ge- neva, where he has since resided. It was but a most insignificant village then, of scarcely fifty inhabitants, but presenting great possibilities as the prospective county seat. He has done much to build up the town in these intervening years, and while he has declined to practice his profession he has never been able to refuse the de- mands of old friends, who were his patrons back in Indiana. Wherever he has ren- der medical assistance he has uniformly refused all compensation, preferring to re- gard it as neighborly kindness rather than professional work. In the meantime the business interests 16 of the quondam Indiana doctor have grown very extensive. For a dozen years or more he was the partner in the general mercantile establishment of J. T. Piatt & Company, but in the main has preferred to keep very close to his real estate enterprises. That he has a large faith in Fillmore county and this part of the west is supported by the fact of his ownini^ twelve hundred acres in this county, and more than one thousand acres in Jefferson county, besides other western lands in large amounts. He be- came associated with the Citizens' Bank of Geneva, soon after its organization, and for the last four years has been its president. It was organized January i, 1885, with a capital stock of twenty thousand dollars, which was but half paid up. To-day it has a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, fully paid in, and a standing as one of the solid financial institutions of the west which is beyond question. He was the first mayor of the city, and served three consecutive terms since in that capacity. It was during his administration that the water works were installed, and other advanced steps taken. He was elected state senator in 1885 and has always been an ardent Republican. In the senate he made a good record and be- came known throughout the state as an in- flexible opponent of vicious and injudicious legislation. In local interests Dr. Smith has always taken a large view of all questions and worked for the best interests of his own community. He has recently donated his magnificent private library of nearly eight hundred volumes for the purpose of estab- lishing a city library and reading room. The new philanthropy has its rooms on the third floor of the Citizens' Bank building, and is in the charge of the Masonic and Odd Fellow lodges as trustees. It bears the name of the H. L. Smith Library in his honor, and has possibilities of limitless good. 274 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. Dr. Smith is a Mason of high degree and enthusiastic devotion to the craft. He is a member of the commandery, the thirty- second degree Scottish Rite and the Shrine. His Masonic history covers a period of nearly forty years and throughout it has been highly creditable both to himself and the order. He has united with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and several other fraternal societies, and is a man who likes the company of other men. He was married in 1855 to Miss Phoebe A. Williams, a native of Mans- field, Ohio, where she was in her early life a playmate with the Shermans. She died in Orland, Indiana, leaving two children, who are now living. Hattie is the wife of Mark J. Butler, a prosperous Nebraska farmer, whose land adjoins Geneva. Curtis Adams is also a resident of this county, where he owns and farms a half section of land a mile east of Geneva. Both brother and sister have received from their open- handed father the present of a half section of good farming land, with stock, imple- ments and everything required for success- ful cultivation. With his two children about him comfortably established in homes of their own, and assured of a competence, and commanding the respect and esteem of all who have met him either in business or personal relations, Dr. Smith enters upon a serene and honored old age. A portrait of Dr. Smith appears on another page. MOTHER'S JEWELS' HOME.— A full and complete history of this home for orphan children would fill a small sized volume, and in the limited space alloted us we can only give a brief outline of the origin and growth of this most worthy en- terprise. The first move made in this di- rection in Nebraska was by Doctor Arm- strong, of Platte county, when he estab- lished a small home for boys, but having limited means at his disposal he was unable to accomplish much. A board of trustees was appointed, however, among whom was Mrs. Burwell Spurlock, and to her efforts is due the establishment of the present com- fortable and commodious quarters at York. In 1890 she was a delegate to the national convention of the Woman's Home Mission- ary Society held at Syracuse, New York. Mrs. Rutherford B. Hayes was president of the society at that time and she had long cherished a plan to found a national home for orphan children of Methodist ministers. At this convention the subject was brought up for discussion, and of course almost every delegate had a place to suggest for the location of the home. Among others Mrs. Spurlock presented the advantages of the great west and gave many excellent reasons for locating it in Nebraska, among which was the one that some little had already been done along that line, and she believed that the farm given by Doctor Armstrong would be transferred to the society. In accordance with this sugges-; tion a committee was appointed to confer with the Doctor and investigate the prop- erty. They proceeded to Platte county, but found on investigation that the location was poorly adapted to such an enterprise and that the farm was also badly incum- bered with debt. By this time, however, the Methodists in Nebraska had become in- terested in the movement, and the commit- tee came to York to confer with the confer- ence then in session here. Many offers were made by different places of lands and funds, and among the cities offering the largest amounts were both Omaha and Lin- coln, but Mrs. Spurlock still maintained that the school should be located away from any city, where the bad effects of city life would not surround the children. The citizens of York then made a generous offer of a ten-thousand-dollar farm adjoining the city, and it was finally decided to locate COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. Tif> the home at this place, the society agreeing on their part to at once erect a ten-thou- sand-dollar building on the grounds. The erection of a three story brick building was begun and completed in due course of time, costing fifteen thousand dollars, and other buildings were also erected. After all of this work was accomplished the next ques- tion that arose was who was the proper per- son to assume the management of it. A strong influence was brought to bear on Mr. and Mrs. Spurlock to undertake the respon- sibility, and they finally consented. The wisdom of this choice has been fully proven, as the home under their able manage- ment has been a success in every particular. Here are ample accommo- dations for one hundred children, and they come from all parts of this great country of ours, remaining here until good homes are found for them in private fam- ilies. Mr. Spurlock superintends the man- agement of the farm, and the products raised thereon go a long ways in support- ing the home. There is a good school where the pupils can complete a seventh- grade course, and upon the place are em- ployed one man, seven female assistants and a nurse. BURWELL AND ISABELLA (DAVIS) SPURLOCK.— This age is not wholly utilitarian. On all sides we see some ear- nest souls laboring devotedly to bring about a recognition of some higher principle in life than selfish greed, and stimulating in the hearts of others a desire for spiritual progress. The friends of Mr. and Mrs. Spurlock will see in their years of faithful work in all forms of religious endeavor, a source of present good to the community and long after they have entered unto their final rest their influence will continue in everlasting circles. They are best known, however, in connection with Mother's Jewels' Home at York, Nebraska, which they have so successfully managed for several years, and in the establishment of which Mrs. Spur- lock took so active and prominent a part. They unselfishly devote their entire time and attention to this good work, making a pleasant home for many orphan children. A sketch of this home is given elsewhere in this work. Mr. Spurlock was born in Wayne coun- ty, West Virginia, June 28, 1835, and is a son of Wesley and Mary (Booton) Spurlock, natives of the Old Dominion. He is also a descendant of Isaac Spurlock, one of the first chaplains of congress in colonial days. The father, who was a farmer by occupa- tion, removed to Illinois at an early day, subsequently made his home in Iowa, and from that state came to Nebraska, spending his last days in Nebraska City, where his death occurred March 24, 1893. He reared a family of nine children, six sons and three daughters, all of whom are still living with the exception of one son. Burwell Spur- lock's early education was secured in the common schools of Illinois and Iowa, and later he attended the Iowa Wesleyan Uni- versity. He began his business career as a merchant at Plattsmouth, Nebraska, being one of the pioneers of that city, where he took up his residence on the ist of April, 1856, and there he made his home until coming to York. He was one of the most prominent and influential citizens, and he was often called into public life, serving as clerk of the county eight years, ex officio probate judge and as superintendent of pub- lic instruction in connection with that office. On the first of November, i860, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Spurlock and Miss Isabella Davis, a daughter of William H. and Sarah E. Davis, natives of Tennessee. Her father was a relative of Jefferson Davis, and left the, south on ac- count of his views on the slavery question, living for some time in both Illinois and 276 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPH2'. Iowa, and later at Plattsmouth, Nebraska. From that city he removed to Missouri, and continued to make that state his home until called to his final rest. He engaged in farming and in other business enterprises and filled several official appointments such as sheriff. Mrs. Spurlock was born in Mis- souri, and received a liberal education in public and private schools. In 1883 she entered the missionary field of the Method- ist church as special missionary under auspices of the Womans Home Missionary Society for organization of that work in Utah, where she succeeded in inaugurating a good work, which has since been carried forward. She and her husband have labored untiringly for the good of humanity, and their noble, christian lives have gained for them the love and respect of all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance. They have one son, George M. Spurlock, now county judge of Cass county, Nebraska, but are really parents to the homeless little ones who have found shelter in " Mother's Jewels' Home," and have been so tenderly cared for by them. CAPT. JOHN L. WILSON.— There are plain unassuming men engaged in peaceful pursuits to-day, who hide heroic hearts behind humble garb. They are the men who left everything in the fateful days of the great Rebellion to fight and die if need be, for the hope of the world. And among them Captain Wilson, whose home is on section 18, Waco township, York county, stands second to none. He was early at the front, and made a noble record for himself and his company, and did not return to his home until the clouds of war had rolled away. Captain Wilson belongs to a distin- guished family of Massachusetts, though his father and mother were living in St. Law- rence county. New York, at the time of his birth, April 18, 1829. Their names were John T. and Sarah (Mason) Wilson, and the}' were natives of the old Bay state, where his grandfather, James Wilson, lived and died. The maternal grandfather of Captain Wilson came into this country from Alsace-Lorraine, a province of France at that time, when a boy only sixteen years old. He came in company with the Marquis De Lafayette, and securing the consent of his illustrious patron, enlisted in the Amer- ican army. He served throughout the Rev- olution, and when peace returned to the distracted colonies, made his home in Mas- sachusetts, where he lived for many years environed in the affection of the people he had helped to free. John T. Wilson early settled in New York, and carried on farming operations in St. Lawrence county, where he made his permanent home. He was born August 14, 1783, and died July 29, 1869. His wife was born August 8, 1790, and entered into rest June 5, 1870. They lived together many years, and were the parents of six children, of whom Captain Wilson was the youngest. Frederick G., the oldest son, died a few months ago at the age of eighty- three years. Jesse B. and Ann are living in New York. Electa E. (Mrs. Day) lives in Day county, South Dakota, and Sarah J. (Laughlin) has her home in Springfield, Illinois. The venerable parents of this family were members of the Congregational church, and were much respected for their genuine character and sterling worth. He was a captain in the state militia of Massa- chusetts, and took an active interest in pub- lic affairs. Captain Wilson was reared in the par- ental home, and received unusual educa- tional advantages. He attended the excel- lent public schools of the community in which his boyhood was passed, and pre- pared for college. He was a student in the famous old Amherst College of Massachu- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 277 setts, and was graduated with the class of 1855. Leaving the college, he engaged in teaching for several years. Indeed he was a natural pedagogue, and manifested un- usual ability as a teacher, and for eighteen years devoted much of his time to that noble work. In the latter part of this period he taught in a Loys' boarding school at Amherst, Massachusetts. And he recalls with considerable satisfaction that the pro- ceeds of his work as a teacher very largely paid his way through college. In 1855 he removed to Illinois, and located near Spring- field, where the breaking out of the Civil war found him very favorably known both as a man and a teacher. He promptly offered his services to the government, and was authorized to raise a company for the war. He readily accomplished it and was chosen its captain. He enlisted Augusts, 1862, and his company was designated Company G, One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. It was sent south and became a part of Sherman's corps, of General Grant's army. The old One Hundred and Fourteenth had an honorable history, and was associated with many of the most stirring scenes and events of the great war. They were engaged in the first battle at Jackson, Mississippi, and in the siege of Vicksburg, where it was stationed in the first line of attack until the greater number of its members had become dis- abled. July 3, 1863, General Sherman selected this regiment for the special work of protecting Messenger's Ford on Black river and driving away the advance guard of General Johnston's army. It was a dan- gerous work, and fraught with possibilities of grave disaster, but it was gallantly done. After the surrender of Vicksburg, the One Hundred and Fourteenth assisted in the siege and capture of Jackson, Mississippi. It was then sent to Camp Sherman where . it was stationed some time for recuperation. When it was again in shape it was trans- ferred to the Sixteenth Army Corps, and came under the command of General Hurl- bert. The regiment saw service under him at Oak Ridge, Mississippi, and participated in several minor battles and skirmishes. Captain Wilson was on detached duty for a time at Memphis, Tennessee, where he was provost marshal for one year and one year as assistant, and was mustered out with the regiment at Springfield, Illinois, August 15. 1865. Captain Wilson lost no time in resuming his work as a teacher, which he followed for the next two years. He then went into the wholesale hay business at Pana, Illinois. In the fall of 1878, he came into Nebraska, and located where this history finds him. He was married December 5, of the same year, to Miss Mary A. Keyes, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Gershom and Percilla Keyes, but she did not long sur- vive her marriage. She died January i, 1880, and Captain Wilson entered the matrimonial relations for a second time, October 13, 1881, Mrs. Elizabeth C. Bresee {ncc Nolton) being the other con- tracting party. She belongs to one of the old families of New York, and is a native of Lewis county of that state. Her parents were George Berrell and Mary Elizabeth (Robbins) Nolton. Her father was born in Holland Patent, and in his school days was a schoolmate of Grover Cleveland. Her mother was a daughter of Royal Robbins, who came from Connecticut with his parents into New York in the days of pioneer hardships. They lived at first in a little one-room cabin, and had wolves and other wild beasts for unpleasant neighbors. Her father died January 16, 1892, but Mrs. Nolton still survives and lives at the age of sixty-eight in Chicago. They were the parents of three children, of whom Mrs. Wilson is the oldest. George Robbins, the second child, has passed on, leaving a wife and one child. The youngest daughter. 278 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. Jennie E. (Mrs. Messerve), lives in Chicago. Mrs. Wilson married J. H. Bresee in 1875. She bore him two children, a son and a daughter. Burrill H. was drowned in the Blue river August 13, 1S95. The daughter, Elizabeth A. , is still with her mother. Mrs. Wilson was born December 17, 1854. Mr. Wilson has one child by this second mar- riage, Lorena M., born May 7, 1886 Captain Wilson is a man of strong in- dividuality, and an impressive character. He made a success in school-teaching, and when he left the school-room to enter the army his pupils in the Pleasant Hill district in Sangamon county, presented him with a sword, sash and belt, and these tokens of a kindly feeling were accompanied with such appreciative sentiments and affectionate ex- pressions that the sword rarely left his pres- ence. He still holds it among his choicest treasures. During his entire term of serv- ice he maintained a strong and consistent temperance position, which gave him a reputation in his regiment as that of a man with ideals and practices running very closely together. Captain Wilson is a prosperous farmer, and owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation. He has a comfortable home, and ample farm build- ings, with orchard and shade trees. He carries on general farming. He is a Re- publican in his political affiliations, but has little liking for official honors. He has been township supervisor, and represented this district in the legislature of 1887, but several times he has declined to accept honors and responsibilities that were forced upon him. In earlier life he refused a nom- ination to the Illinois legislature. He is a man of strong religious convictions, and was formerly a member of the Congrega- tional church, where he served as deacon, but is now a member of the Methodist Protestant church at Waco. He is a mem- ber of the quarterly conference, and a trustee of the local church. He is an hon- orable and upright man, and well sustains the family traditions. UO. ANDERSON, the present broad- minded and progressive superintend- ent of schools for Seward county, is a young man, and is hardly past his thirtieth birth- day, but he understands the making of a good school, and knows very well the con- stituent elements of a successful teacher, and the people are satisfied that he is the right man in the right place. Superintendent Anderson was born in Lucas county, Iowa, March 26, 1867. His parents were William and Margaret (Evans) Anderson, and were both born in Pennsyl- vania. The father was engaged in a gen- eral mercantile business in the state of his origin, but in 1866 found it overcrowded, and journeyed into Iowa, seeking a good loca- tion. He did not find it to his mind, and the next year disposed of his interest there and came to this county, and engaged in farming, making homestead entry to a farm two miles west of the city, and died there in 1876. His first residence was a dug-out, which gave way in the course of a little time to a very fair frame house and at the time of his death he had one of the finest homes in the county. He was the father of three sons and four daughters. All the boys are living in this county. The future superintendent was educated in the sod schools of the pioneer days, and it is to be presumed that the rude surround- ings did not tend to the deterioration of the learning that was there imparted. He was a determined student, and from the sod school he went to the Seward high school. He attended the Campbell University at Holton, Kansas, and was a student for two years at the Lincoln Normal school, at Lin- coln, being graduated from that institution in 1895. During these years he had done much COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 279 teaching in this county, and in 1891 he was first elected superintendent, and served two years. He was again elected in 1897, and is now filling that responsible position to the very general satisfaction of the public. In 1895 and 1896 he was principal at Valen- tine, Nebraska. During this time he was elected vice-president of the Lincoln Nor- mal, and filled the chair of science in that school until his election to his present posi- tion. He has taken an active interest in political affairs, and holds strongly by the principles and doctrines of the Populist party. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and of the Tribe of Ben Hur. He belongs to the State Educa- tional Association, and is a power in the Nebraska school world. He was married September 7, 1898, to Miss I. McCroy, a resident of Kearney, Nebraska. COLONEL HENRY W. CHASE.— A prominent position among the citizens of Polk county, Nebraska, is that held by the gentleman whose name heads these paragraphs. His standing in the commu- nity is important in many respects, includ- ing as it does his reputation as a private citizen, as well as a public servant. He was born in Chautauqua county. New York, November 15, 1841, and his father having been killed when he was two years of age, he was adopted by Isaiah G. and Amanda (Hoyt) Chase. They were natives of Pennsylvania and Connecticut, respectively, and were married in the Empire state. After their marriage they took up their resi- dence in Chautauqua county. New York, where they made their home until 1859, when they removed to Illinois, and located in McHenry county. Our subject was raised by them until he had reached a man's es- tate, and was able to care for himself. Mr. Chase enlisted August 9, 1862, in Company F, Ninety-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as a private. The regiment was organized at Rockford, Illinois, and was or- dered into Kentucky and Tennessee, where at Jackson, in the last mentioned state, they joined Grant's army. Our subject partici- pated in the following engagements: Talla- hatchee river and Grant's campaign in Northern Mississippi, the siege of Vicks- burg, Grand Gulf, Raymond, Champion Hill, both charges on the works at the capture of Vicksburg and in the one which occurred on May 22d; of a whole company who charged the works only seven men and the captain returned unharmed; Natchez, Red river expedition, Fort De Russy, Clouterville. Mansouri, Yellow Bayou, Guntown, the campaign against Price in Arkansas and Missouri in 1864; the campaign against Hood in Ten- nessee, Battle of Nashville, Tennessee, which was fought December 15 and 16, 1864; Mobile, Alabama, Spanish Fort, which was taken April 8, 1865, and Fort Blakely. Mr. Chase traveled while in the service 9,960 miles, and in the fall of 1863 he was detailed as a scout under Worden. He never was wounded, except an occasional chance hit by a spent minnie ball, and never fell into the hands of the enemy. He took an active part in the affairs of his regiment, and was promoted to the rank of corporal at Vicksburg for meritorious service. He was mustered out of the service at Spring- field, Illinois, August 17, 1865, and the hard service which Mr. Chase saw during the war did not seem to have a bad effect on him, as at the time of the charge at Vicksburg he only weighed ninety pounds, while at the present time he tips the scales at one hundred and ninety-seven pounds. After the close of hostilities he returned to his home, and in the spring of 1866 he went to northern Michigan, where he se- cured a position on the Northwestern R. R. He also worked for a time in the company store at Escanaba. He then returned to 280 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. Illinois, and worked on the farm there, and on December 21, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Helen Anna Hill. The bride was a native of Mc Henry county, and was born July 26, 1849. Her parents, Ben- jamin and Eliza (Miller) Hill, were both na- tives of New York state who settled in Illi- nois, and located in Mc Henry county, where they were married about 1844. They resided on the same farm until their deaths, the mother dying October 21, 1862, and the father September i, 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Chase decided to go west, and they arrived at Omaha, Nebraska, February 9, 1869. They settled in Sarpy county on a rented farm, but later purchased a farm which comprised the east half of the south- east quarter of section 18, township 13, range 1 1, upon which they made their home for two years. In 1871 they located per- manently in Polk county, Nebraska, on sec- tion 24, township 14, range i west. The land was all wild and unbroken, and at this time there were plenty of coyotes and antelopes. They made their home in a sod house for five years and then built their present residence. Mr. Chase had filed on his land in March previous to their arrival in the county, had the breaking done, and raised a crop on fourteen acres. He has one hundred and si.xty acres of homestead land, all of which is under cultivation ex- cept si.xty-two acres. He has made all the improvements himself and now has one of the most desirable pieces of property in the vicinity. Mrs. Chase has one hundred and sixty acres of fine land, all of which is under cultivation, and is given over exclusively to general farming. Mr. and Mrs. Chase are the parents of five children of whom we give the following record :-Eliza Henrietta, the wife of Lloyd Jackson Ellyson, a son of a confederate sol- dier, who lives in Oklahoma; they have one child, upon whom they have bestowed the name of Walter; Emma Louisa, the wife of William Clyde Hayhurst, residents of the county; Glenn Willard; Helen Anna; and Maud Estella. Mrs. Chase is a member of McPherson Circle, No. 23, Ladies of the G. A. R. She is the past president of the same and is the present incumbent in the office of treasurer. She is also a member of coun- cil of administration of the state, and her daughter. Miss Helen A. Chase, is secretary of the local circle, while another of her children, now Mrs. Hayhurst, also acted in the same capacity. Mr. Chase is a mem- ber of the R. O. D. Cummings Post, No. 102, G. A. R. at Shelby, Nebraska, of which order he has held all of the offices except that of chaplain, and has been a faithful worker in the interests of the same. He is at present a member of the staff of National Commander J. P. S. Gobin, with the rank of colonel, to which position he was appointed on December 29, 1897. ^^ is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Woodstock Chapter, R. A. M., at Wood- stock, Illinois, and Blue Lodge at Shelby, Nebraska. He has taken a prominent and active part in the political affairs of the county, in the support of the doctrines of the Republican party, and is also a power among the state politicians. He has also taken an active interest in the educational facilities of the county, and has served as school director. He is a man of the very best character, thorough and systematic as a farmer, pleasant to meet, and is pos- sessed of an energetic and comprehensive in- tellect. He has an excellent farm, and is deservedly held in high esteem by all. JOHN EBERLY.— When after years of long and earnest labor in some honor- able business, a man puts aside all cares to spend his remaining years in the enjoy- ment of the fruits of his former toil, it is cer- tainly a well deserved reward of his indus- try. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 281 "How blest is he who crowns in shades like these A youth of labor with an age of ease." wrote the poet, and the world everywhere recognizes the justice of a season of rest following an active period of business life. Mr. Eberly is now living retired at his pleas- ant home in Octavia, and his history is one that shows the accomplishment of well- directed labor. He was born in Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, December 15, 1822, a son of Jacob and Anna (Smith) Eberly. The fam- ily was founded in that county more than four generations ago. At the age of ten years our subject removed with his parents to Lebanon county, the same state, and there grew to manhood, but in 1843 he re- turned to Lancaster county, where he mar- ried Miss Cassie Rutt, daughter of Jacob Rutt, of that county. They began their domestic life in Lebanon county, where they continued to reside until 1866, when they moved to Whiteside county, Illinois, locating three miles from Sterling. To them were born five children: Clara, now de- ceased; Elmira, Levanus, Freeman, de- ceased; and Alice. The first Pennsylvania family to settle in Butler county, Nebraska, was that of Dr. Shirk, and in 1875 John Keller also located here. From these gentleman Mr. Eberly obtained a favorable account of this region, and he and his son Levanus came to Butler county on a prospecting tour, afterward purchasing land here. Our subject has now 925 acres of valuable and highly productive land, most of which he purchased for $6. 50 to $10.00 per acre, and it is among the fin- est property in the Platte valley. On first coming to the county in 1882, he located on section 17, Bone Creek township, and to the cultivation and improvement of his land de- voted his energies for some time, but is now living retired in the village of Octavia. His son Levanus is one of the prominent farmers of the county, and he also has one brother, Elias Eberly, and one sister, Mrs. A. Burkey, living in Savannah township. Mr. Eberly and his family are prominent members of the Dunkard church, and he has contributed largely of his means to all church and benevolent work. His earnest, consist- ent Christian life has won for him the re- spect of all who know him, As a friend he is an ardent and constant one, and a friend- ship once formed can only be broken by the basest ingratitude or treachery on the part of one in whom he has reposed confidence. HON. JOHN B. CONAWAY, M. D. Among the prominent men now living in York, Nebraska, who have won an hon- orable name as a citizen of that thriving town, none are better deserving of repre- sentation in a volume of this nature than Hon. John B. Conaway. He is possessed of an excellent education, and is a success- ful physician and surgeon of thirty years' experience. He has also interested himself in matters pertaining to the state and has attained a conspicuous position among the leading Republicans of Nebraska, respected alike by every one regardless of party affilia- tions. Our subject was born on a farm near Laceysville, Harrison county, Ohio, Sep- tember 17, 1840. His parents, Aaron and Dorcas (Busby) Conaway, were both natives of Harrison county, Ohio. By occupation the father was a farmer and also practiced law to some extent, and for fifty-two years was a justice of the peace. He died in Har- rison county, Ohio, in 1896, at the age of nearly ninety years, but the mother is still living. They reared a family of fourteen children, eight sons and six daughters. The early life of Dr. Conaway was passed upon the old homestead of his father. His preliminary education was obtained in the district schools of the neighborhood, which in those days consisted of very limited ad- 282 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. vantages in the way of instruction. As a young man, he was a fine specimen of man- hood, having a physique which suggested the athlete that he was. When the war came on the enthusiastic and loyal senti- ments of a vigorous youth found full sway as a member of Company C, Fifth Inde- pendent Battalion, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. He veteranized later and helped to recruit the Thirteenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, becoming second and later being promoted to first lieutenant of Company F, of that regiment. From the date of his enlistment until the close of hostilities Dr. Conaway was continually in active service and distinguished himself for bravery and great endurance. His promotions were for meritorious services from the battle of the Wilderness to Appomattox and Jetersville, Virginia, being breveted captain of his com- pany when he was mustered out at the close of the war, in 1865, at Washington, Dis- trict of Columbia. He served under Gen- erals Sheridan, Gregg and Custer, and par- ticipated in the battles of the Wilderness, Old and New Cold Harbor, Deep Bottom, Bowling Green, White House Landing, Yel- low Tavern, in the trenches before Peters- burg from July I, 1864, to April 27, 1865, including the battles of Petersburg or the Mine Explosion of July 30, 1864, followed by the Welden Railroad, Hatcher's Run, Pegram's Farm, South Side Railroad, Fort Steadman, Five Forks, Virginia, and all battles in which his regiment took part, from the last-named engagement up to and including those of Farmville, Appomattox and Jetersville; was three times wounded, first at the Mine Explosion, July 30, 1864, and receiving his second wound three days later. His third wound was received while the enemy was in ambush at Black Bayou, Virginia, February 6, 1865. The record achieved during the war by Dr. Conaway — or Captain Conaway, as for years he was popularly known by his comrades and friends — is a most creditable one, a courageous and honorable career which he can look back- ward upon with no small degree of pardon- able pride. After the Rebellion he returned to his home in Ohio, broken down in health and a mere shadow of his former self. Hard physical labor being out of the question, he recognized the necessity of more than a district-school education. After recuperat- ing and calling into activity all of his un- spent vital forces, he took a thorough course in Hopedale College, an institution which conferred upon him the honorary degree of A. M. ten years later. After completing his literary studies in 1867 he removed to Iowa, where he engaged in school-teaching for three terms, in the meantime devoting his spare time and vacations to the study of medicine. He afterward entered the Ec- lectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, and graduated from that institution May 22, 1869. He began the practice of his pro- fession at Leesville, Carroll county, Ohio, and at the end of one year removed to Smithville, Jefferson county, that state. At the latter place he conducted a success- ful general practice until 1887. He then pursued a course of lectures in Rush Medi- cal College, Chicago, graduating the same year, following which he took general in- struction in the practice of surgery in the hospital and elsewhere under the special direction of Professor Chas. S. Parks, for a period of six months. In 1888 Dr. Conway came to Nebraska, and located at York, .where he at once took his proper place in the front ranks of his profession. During the years that have in- tervened he has firmly established himself as a physician and surgeon of ability, and as such enjoys an extensive practice. He is a member of the York County Medical Society and also the State Medical So- ciety and is a member of the pension board. Socially, he affiliates with the Masonic COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 283 fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Re- public. As a citizen Dr. Conaway is highly re- spected, and he measures his friends by his extensive acquaintanceship. Always a man of great activity, he has been a conspicuous figure in public as well as in private life. While not a politician in the literal and par- tisan sense that the term is generally used, he has been an ardent and active Republican and has been called upon by his fellow citi- zens to fill positions of honor and trust. In the fall of 1894 he was elected to the lower house of the state legislature, where he served with credit as chairman of the com- mittees of engrossed and enrolled bills and the relief committee of the House, besides being a member of several other important committees. While chairman of the relief committee over $880,000 was raised for the purchase of provisions, clothing, food, etc., which was distributed among the people of the state residing in the drouth- stricken districts, relieving want, distress, and in many instances utter starvation. As the resolution for the formation of a relief committee was originated and introduced by Dr. Conaway, it being one of the first pieces of legislation to be considered by the house during that session, and as much of the successful work of the committee was due to the untiring efforts of the Doctor, it is no wonder that the record he made shines as a particularly bright star in his legislative career. In recognition of his labors in this respect, a resolution was unanimously adopted and made a part of the House rec- ord setting forth in words of praise, the ap- preciation of the people of the state, to- gether with the thanks of the House for the able and efficient services rendered by Dr. Conaway as chairman of the relief com- mittee. It was an unusual occurrence and therefore the Doctor appreciates it all the more. Following his able career as a rep- resentative, in the fall of 1896 he was ten- dered the nomination of state senator by acclamation by the Republicans of York and Fillmore counties, and is still repre- senting those counties in the state senate. In speaking of him, a writer has said: "He enjoys the reputation of being a true and honorable Republican, is a popular man and is worthy of every compliment paid to him. He is now in the prime of life, is a gentleman pleasing in appearance, a fluent speaker and a ready reasoner. He is a man of marked ability and uses that ability for one people, one country and one flag. Dr. Conaway was married in 1868 to Miss Matilda Picken, a resident of Mahaska county, Iowa. Two daughters of affection- ate dispositions and many accomplishments complete a most happy family circle. They are Jessie F. and Cora F., both of whom are graduates of the York high school, Miss Jessie being also a graduate of Brownell Hall, Omaha. They are both attending the Northwestern University, at Evanston, Illinois, and will complete their education at that institution in the class of '99. The family is domiciled in one of the handsome residences for which York is famous and the home is the center of true hospitality and refinement. The Doctor and his fam- ily are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of York. HON. GEORGE W. LOWLEY has for many years stood very close to the head of the Seward county Bar, if indeed there is any to precede him. He came to this country at an early day, and knows by his experience what pioneering means. He has grown up with the country, and relates many touching episodes of early days. He has loved his profession, and made it the source of justice and right among men. The law in his hands has been something of far greater importance than merely per- 284 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. sonal profit. He has sought to serve the right through its potency, and the people have been quick to appreciate the spirit of his endeavor. He has been a popular citi- zen and an honored and respected member of the community. Judge Lowley was born in Leeds, Eng- land, March 8, 1842, and came of an old English family. His father, Stephen Low- ley, was a tailor by trade, and came to this country in 1S46. He located at Pittsburg, and died in 1894, at Tipton, Indiana, full of years and honor. His children had such opportunities of education as the times pre- sented and his own circumstances permitted. George was sent to the public schools, and profited very well indeed by their instruc- tion. When his school days were supposed to be completed, he learned the printing trade, and applied himself to the reading of law. He was engaged in this manner when the Civil war broke out. He laid down his "composing stick," and went immediately to Indianapolis, and enlisted in Company F, Eleventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Reserved until the fall of 1862, when he was mustered out of the service on account of the ill effects of what was supposed to be a mortal wound, which he received at Fort Donelson. He left the army with the rank of corporal, and had he been able to continue with the regiment might have risen to a more important grade. On return- ing to Tipton, Indiana, he began the study of law in earnest and was admitted to the bar in 1863 in that city, and there he prac- ticed law until 1870. In that year he made his first appearance in this state, coming to Lincoln, and spending nearly a year in that city. In 1 87 1 he came to Seward, and opened an office for professional business, which has never been closed to this day. Here he has had a large success and has won many friends. Mr. Lowley was married in 1866 to Miss Maggie W. Long, a native of Indiana. They have reared an interesting family of seven children: Joseph S., May, Stephen, John L. , Millie, Earl S. (now a member of the Third United States Volunteer Infantry), and George W. His first wife died in 1889, and three years later he was married to Miss Jennie McMullen. He is a Republican, and his ability and public spirit have been recog- nized repeatedly by his party. He was elected county judge in the fall of 1882, and served in that capacity for six years. In 1892 he was elected to the state senate, and at different times has been called to fill mi- nor positions. He has been chairman of the county committee and has served on the state central committee, and in every cam- paign his voice has been heard and his influ- ence felt on the side of the central princi- ples of Republicanism. Personally, he com- mands the esteem of the community, and enjoys a steady and growing business. JACOB WEIS. — Everywhere in our land are found men who have worked their way upward from humble and lowly begin- nings to places of leadership in the business world and in public life, men who have conquered a seemingly adverse fate, have triumphed over obstacles, have overcome difficulties, and by force of character, de- termined purpose and honor in the affairs of life won success and the esteem of their fellowmen. Of this class Mr. Weis is a worthy example. He is now serving as county treasurer of Fillmore county and re- sides in Geneva. Mr. Weis was born in Luxemberg, Ger- many, near the river Rhine, August 11, 1856, and is a son of Peter and Catharine (Smith) Weis, also natives of that place. The father was a prosperous and enterpris- ing farmer in his native land. In 1867 he brought his family to i^merica, locating in Lasalle county, Illinois, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until March, 1871, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 285 when he came to Fillmore county, Nebras- ka. Here he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Momence town- ship, being among the first settlers. A dug- out was made in the side of the hill ard there the family lived for two years, when a substantial frame house was erected. In the meantime our subject and his two brothers began working on the railroad, for money was scarce and business positions were few, while many hardships and frontier experiences had to be endured by the family. In time, however, Peter Weis became a prosperous farmer and made his home on his original claim until his death, which occurred in the spring of 1892. His widow is now living with her daughter in Momence township. Jacob Weis was about fifteen years of age when he came to Fillmore county with his parents. He attended school in Ger- many in his early youth, and after coming to this country went to Port Washington, Wisconsin, where he made his home with an uncle, while continuing his education there. After his arrival in Nebraska he worked on the railroad two 3'ears, assisting in the construction of the main line of the Burlington and Missouri River, also the branch from Crete to Beatrice, Nebraska. He also spent a year at Plattsmouth, Ne- braska, working by the month, and through these means he secured enough money to start in business on his own account. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Momence township and began farm- ing. After a few years of hard work suc- cess crowned his efforts, and he is now the owner of a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Momence township un- der a high state of cultivation and furnished with substantial improvements. He has in addition eighty acres of land in Clay county and one hundred and sixty acres in the northern part of the state. He became one of the substantial and influential farmers of his township, owing to his progressive meth- 'ods, practical ideas and vigorous industry which enabled him to work steadily onward and upward until he has attained a position among the well-to-do men of the county. Mr. Weis was married March 24, 1880, to Miss Clara Sampont, a native of Port Washington, Wisconsin, and a daughter of Jacob and Anna (Strauss) Sampont, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Weis now have six children, namely: Anna, Rosa, Agnes, Walter and Florence, twins, and Reno. In public affairs Mr. Weis exerts considerable influence and has been hon- ored by a number of township offices. In the fall of 1897 he was nominated by the Democratic party for county treasurer and endorsed by the Populists and won the election by a majority of two hundred and fifty. He is now serving in that capacity in a most trustworthy and creditable way, showing that the confidence reposed in him was not misplaced. HON. MATTHEW HOWELL, whose home is on section 13, Hays town- ship, York county, is one of the represent- ative men of Nebraska. He is one of the early settlers of the county, having filed a homestead claim in February, 1872, to eighty acres in section 24. When he lo- cated there were few if any settlers to the west of him. He built a dug-out, and in three months constructed a log-cabin, 1 1 X 13, with a dirt roof and floor. He broke about thirty-five acres the first season, and had fifteen in sod corn. He had a fair yield and he had ten acres in wheat on rented land, which brought him one hundred and ninety bushels. After proving up his claim he moved across the road in 1877 to sec- tion 13. Here he had bought railroad land, and on it he put up a frame house, 16 X 24, with a T-shaped addition, 12 x 18. 286 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. It was one of the most pretentious and com- modious residences in the township at the time, and cost him about twelve hundred dollars. Here he has kept his home to the present time, and has made many substan- tial improvements, including a fine modern residence and ample and sufficient farm buildings. He has added to his farm until he owns seven hundred and twenty-two and a half acres in this county. He also owns a full section of land in Gosper county. Mr. Howell was born in Monmouth- shire, England, March i8, 1849. His parents were Matthew and Jane (Watkins) Howell, who were English born and bred. They came to this country in i860, and spent about six months in New York City. From there they journeyed to Clinton county, Ohio, where they engaged in farm- ing, which they followed until 1868. In that year the family removed to Wapello county, Iowa, where they made a home on a rented farm and cultivated it for some years. He moved to Lucas county, where he died in 1870. His widow married again, and made her home in Nebraska, and died at Fairmont in 1891. The junior Matthew was about twelve years old when he reached this country under the parental care, and on account of poverty his previous educational advantages had been quite restricted. He worked out for his board, and attended school during the winter months. He went to Iowa, with his parents when he was of age. The two-thirds of ten acres of corn was the first money he earned himself, and from that time he has been greatly pros- pered in all his undertakings. He was mar- ried February 17, 1870, to Miss Rebecca Wrightesman, of Wapello county, Iowa. She is a daughter of David and Mary A. (Johnson) Wrightesman, both of whom died when she was about eleven years. They began life on a rented farm, but after dividing the crops even with the landlord for two seasons, concluded there was a bet- ter opportunity for them farther west. In the fulfillment of that judgment they set- tled in this county. That this judgment was correct in this as well as in many other things, is evident from the fact that coming to this county as a poor man in a short time he has risen to affluence, and is now rated among the most prosperous and suc- cessful business men of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Howell are the proud possessors of two children, Annie Z. and Nina L. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and was elected to the senate in 1882, and was re- elected in 1884. During his first term he was the father of a bill which afterwards became a law, creating the office of county superintendent of schools, a proposition which had not been regarded with favor in previous sessions. During his legislative career he was a member of several impor- tant committees, and was chairman of the committee on public lands and buildings. JOSEPH E. MARQUIS, one of the most enterprising and progressive agricultur- ists of Polk county, his home being on sec- tion 10, township 13, range 2, Stromsburg precinct, is a native of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, born November 4, 1835, and is a son of William and Mary (Lowery) Marquis, also natives of the Keystone state; the former of Scotch, and the latter of Irish descent. About 1850 they removed to Hardin county, Ohio, where the mother died, but the father's death occurred in Iowa, in 1874. Their children were as follows: John and Smiley, both deceased; David, a soldier in the Civil war and now a resident of Colorado; Elizabeth Tennis, deceased; Hiram, also a soldier, now deceased; Jo- seph E. ; William, deceased; Robert, de- ceased, who was a member of Company H, Sixty-sixth Illinois Western Sharpshooters; Samuel, also one of the brave boys in blue during the war; Mary Jane Hurd. The pa- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 287 ternal grandfather of our subject, David Marquis, was a soldier of both the Revolu- tionary war and the war of 1812, and was wounded at the battle of Lundy's Lane. The family has always been a patriotic and loyal one, doing their duty in civil life as well as on the field of battle. The boyhood and youth of our subject were spent in Pennsylvania and Ohio, mostly in agricultural pursuits, but after starting out in life at the age of twenty-three, he en- gaged in clerking in a store for a time. He was married March 20, i8s8, to Miss Phoebe Jane Stewart, a native of Highland county, Ohio, and a daughter of James Stewart, now a resident of Polk county, Nebraska. They became the parents of five children, three still living: William, who married Logarda VanDorn, and has one child, William J.; Myrtle, wife of Frank Hartman; and Charles E. , who married Maude Callmore, and has three children, Viola, Joseph and Nona Irene. Mrs. Marquis was called to her final rest September 4, 1871. In 1859 our subject removed to Laporte, Macon county, Missouri, where he clerked in a store until his removal to Newton, Iowa, in 1 862, being similarly employed at that place for a few years and later at carpenter and railroad work. While there he received a very severe sunstroke. During his residence in Missouri after the war broke out, he often found notices lo leave posted on his gate, but he took no notice of these, and banded with the Union sympathizers, withstood the bushwhackers. He assisted in recruiting the Eleventh Missouri Home Guards, and also acted as a scout during those trying days. In the fall of 1872 he came to Polk county, Nebraska, where he has since made his home, and now owns and successfully operates a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres, all under cultivation with the exception of fifteen acres. He was the first man to introduce bee culture into the county, and for his first hive, purchased in 1878, he paid fourteen dollars. At the pres- * ent time, in the spring of 1898, he has fifteen hives and is meeting with good success in this branch of his business. In 1876 on his farm was made the first test in killing young grasshoppers. He is one of the most progressive, energetic and reliable citizens of his community, takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs, and gives his support to every worthy object for the public good. As a Populist he takes considerable interest in political matters, and has acceptably served as a member of the school board in his district. In 1874, Mr. Marquis was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Sarah A. (Timmons) Wilson, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, in 1845, ^ daughter of Thomas and Ann (Minchen) Timmons, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Kings county, Ireland. The grandfather, Rev. Stephen Timmons, was chosen to select a place to locate a colony and from his home in Maryland rode on horse-back over Ohio, finally deciding on Chillicothe, where the colony was founded and where he reared his family. Upon a farm near there Mrs. Mar- quis grew to womanhood and married John Wilson, who was a sergeant of Company C, Seventy-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in the service for three years and nine months. In 1868 he emigrated to Otoe county, Nebraska, and three years later come to Polk county, locating on the south- west quarter of section 10, township 13, range 2, when it was all wild land and there were few other settlers here. He and his wife first lived in a dugout and later in a log house. He died December 8, 1871, being accidentally shot while hunting, and was the first person buried in the Osceola ceme- tery. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were born three children: Allison T. , who married Emma Burke; Elba T. , who married Retta Collins; and Estella Blanche, who married 288 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGJIAPHT. John Hartman and has one child, Edith Lyle. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Marquis are Frank Ray, John Ralph, Shasta Ethel, Jessie Edith, Joseph Glenn and Harry Stanton. ANDREW J. KNEPPER, a progressive and public-spirited citizen of Butler county, who owns and operates a fine farm on section 14, Bone Creek township, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1842, and is a worthy representative of a highly respected German family, which was founded in this county by a gentleman and his four sons. One of the latter was the grandfather of our subject. The father, Andrew Knepper, was also a native of the Keystone state, and in early life married Mary Ann Read. Our subject is one of the sons born to this worthy couple and was reared and ed- ucated in his native country, remaining there until he had attained his majority. He early became familiar with every de- partment of farm work. From 1863 until 1869 he spent his time in Ohio and Indiana, and in October of the latter year removed to Marion county, Iowa, where he was married the following year to Miss Mary E. Jackson, who was born in Hardin county, Ohio, in 1850, but at the age of eight years accompanied her parents, George W. and Catherine (Copeland) Jackson, on their removal to Indiana. Her paternal grand- parents, Edward and Margaret (Philson) Jackson, were of Scotch-Irish descent, while her maternal grandparents, William and Mary (Wells) Copeland, came to this country from England, their home having been near London. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Knepper are Ida B., now the wife of J. C. Dundore, of Octavia, Nebraska; George A. ; William A. ; Cyrus E. ; Harvey R. ; Grover C. ; Ruby R. ; and Kittie May. The next spring after his marriage Mr. Knepper came to Butler county, arriving in March, 1871, and honiesteaded eighty acres. He brought with him two hundred dollars, one-half of which he paid for a claim of eighty acres, and he erected thereon a frame house twelve by fourteen feet, in which the family lived for the first few years. They now have a fine, large residence, which is surrounded by good and substantial out- buildings and well-tilled fields, showing con- clusively that the owner thoroughly under- stands his chosen calling, and is meeting with a well merited success. The Democratic party has always found in Mr. Knepper a stanch supporter, and he has been honored by his fellow citizens with several local offices, being a member of the county board for eight years, and also school director in his township. Fraternally he affiliates with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and religiously he and his wife are members of the Baptist church. A generous hospitality is shown in their comfortable home, and few members of the community have a wider circle of friends and acquaintances than Mr. and Mrs. Knep- per. WILLIAM E. DAYTON, editor and proprietor of the York Republican, is one of the prominent representatives of the journalistic profession in this section of the state. He was born in Pennsylvania, in 1856, a son of William Dayton, a farmer of the Keytone state, who in 1871 came west and settled in York county, Nebraska where he still makes his home — an honored and re- spected citizen. Reared on a farm in his native state our subject obtained his educa- tion in the public schools of the neighbor- hood, and accompanied his parents on their emigration to the west. Subsequent- ly he learned the printer's trade in Ashland, Nebraska, and then entered the Republican office at York, as a journeyman printer. COMPENDIU.yr OF BIOGRAPfli: 289 He has since continued his connection with the paper, in which he purchased an inter- erest in 1879, and in 1894 bought out his partner, M. C. Frank. The paper was founded in 1874 by WiUiam E. Morgan, who owned it until 1890, and is now pubHsh- ing the Leader of Greely Center, Nebraska. It has always been Republican in politics, and has been one of the leading journals of the state, its circulation being twelve hun- dred at the present time. Mr. Dayton has charge of the entire editorial and business affairs of the paper. In his political pro- clivities our subject is a stalwart supporter of the Republican party and its principles. Enjoying a wide acquaintance and marked popularity he is quite prominent in business circles. CHARLES S. NEWTON, a well-known grain buyer of Tamora, and one of the prominent early settlers of Seward county, was born in Painesville, Lake county, Ohio, in August, 1854, and is a son of Nathan B. and Margaret (Lynch) Newton, the former a native of Long Island, New York, and the latter of Ohio. The father was a sailor for fifteen years on the Atlantic coast, and had command of a vessel for one year. From New York he removed to Ohio, and in 1856 took up his residence in Jo Daviess count}', Illinois, where he made his home until his removal to Seward county, Nebraska, in 1872, landing here in May of that year and driving through with teams. He settled near Pleasant Dale on land he had pur- chased the year previous, and this he im- proved and converted into a good farm, re- siding thereon until called to his final rest in 1892. He was married in Ohio to Miss Margaret Lynch and to them were born nine children, six sons and three daughters, but only two sons now live in Seward county. The mother departed this life in 1890. The parents were both earnest and consistent members of the Methodist church and were held in high regard by the entire community in which they lived. In Illinois, Charles S. Newton was reared and educated, and there followed farming until the emigration of the family to Seward county, where he continued to engage in agricultural pursuits for some years. In 1880 he commenced buying grain at Pleas- ant Dale, where he remained for two years, and subsequently was similarly employed at Firth, Nebraska. He then removed to Mil- ford, where he engaged in milling for two years, and next followed the carpenter's trade in the mines of Colorado for some time. Returning to Seward county in 1892, he entered the employ of the Central Grain- age Company, of Omaha, and has since en- gaged in buying grain for that firm at Ta- mora. In 1875 ^^r. Newton was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary Her, a daughter of James Her, one of the honored pioneers of this state. She was run over by a wagon while crossing the plains in i860, and her mother, who bore the maiden name of Miss Foster, was shot by an Indian, the arrow passing clear through her body, from the effects of which she died a year later. The family were attacked by the red men near the present city of York while returning from the mines, and the father decided to remain in this state. Therefore Mrs. New- ton grew to womanhood near the place where her mother was shot. By her mar- riage to our subject she has become the mother of four children, Walter J., Estella M., Sylvia S. and Vera, all living. She is a faithful member of the Presbyterian church and a most estimable lady. Socially Mr. Newton is identified with the Masonic Fraternity, the Modern Wood- men of America, and the Woodmen of the World, and politically affiliates with the Re- publican party. He has filled the office of assessor to the entire satisfaction of all con- 17 290 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. cerned, and in all the relations of life has been found true and faithful to every trust reposed in him. ALVIN N. STRICKLAND is one of the county officials of Fillmore county, now filling the position of clerk. For many years he has been connected with the agri- cultural interests of the community and his fidelity to duty and his integrity and honor in every relation of life led to his selection for public service. His discharge of the duties devolving upon him shows that the trust reposed in him was well merited, and now receives the commendation of people of all parties. Mr. Strickland is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Mercer county on the 19th of September, 1S56, his par- ents being Ezra A. and Rosilla (Wing) Strickland. They were natives of Maine and at an early day in the history of the Prairie state emigrated to Illinois, taking up their residence in Mercer county, where the father secured land and carried on agri- cultural pursuits until his death. His widow is still living and yet makes her home in Mercer county. It was in that locality that Alvin N. Strickland was reared and educated. Amid the fields of grain and in the verdant mead- ows he spent much of his youth, assisting in the farm work until after harvests were gathered, when he entered the school of the neighborhood, there to pursue his studies until returning spring brought again the necessity for farm labor. He con- tinued his residence in Illinois until the fall of 1882, when he came to Fillmore county, Nebraska, and purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres of land on sec- tion 18, Belle Prairie township. Most of this had been broken, but there were few improvements on the place in the way of buildings or fences. With characteristic energy Mr. Strickland began its further de- velopment and soon transformed it into rich and fertile fields. He also erected sub- stantial buildings, and as his financial re- sources increased extended the boundaries of his farm by the additional purchase of a two-hundred-and-forty-acre tract. He is regarded as one of the most prosperous, progressive and practical farmers of this township, following improved methods in the care and cultivation of his land and exercising great care and 'judgment in his work. In 1875 Mr. Strickland was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Epperly, a native of Mercer county, Illinois, and a daughter of J. C. and Mary E. (Cash) Ep- perly. Their union has been blessed with three childreen: Vivan L. , Mary E. and Vincent L. , all yet at home with their parents, and the family is one of prominence and social distinction in the community. Mr. Strickland is a valued member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of Strang, and of the Knights of Pythias Fra- ternity, and Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows of Geneva. In the fall of 1S97 he was nominated for county clerk on the People's Independent ticket and was elected by a majority of two hundred and five, assuming the duties of his office on the 6th of Janu- ary, 1898, for a two-years term. He is a man of sterling worth, straightforward in business, loyal in citizenship, trustworthy in friendship, and is well regarded as one of the representative men of Fillmore county. M ILTON SOVEREIGN. As an enter- prising and wide-awake business man of York, and one who, through his own efforts, has established himself among the prominent and substantial men of the city, we take pleasure in giving a brief biography of the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch. For four terms of two COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 291 years each he was the efficient and popular county clerk, and is now one of the leading real estate dealers of York. Mr. Sovereign was born in Warren coun- ty, Illinois, July lo, 1842, and is a son of Solomon and Mary J. (Smith) Sovereign, the former a native of New jersey, the lat- ter of Canada. As early as 1836 the father emigrated to Illinois, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of Warren county, where he engaged in farming for many years. Finally he removed to California, where he passed away in 1896, at the age of ninety- si.x years. After attending the public schools of his native state for some time, Milton Sover- eign entered the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, where he was pursuing his education when the war came on. In 1 86 1 he joined the boys in blue as a mem- ber of Company A, Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was in active serv- ice for three years, participating in the bat- tle of Winchester, Virginia, the second battle of Charleston, South Carolina, the engagement at Fort Darling, the siege of Petersburg and many skirmishes. For two years after his discharge from the service, he engaged in farming in Illinois, then re- moved to Polk county, Iowa, where the fol- lowing three years were passed, and in 1871 came to York county, Nebraska, taking up land in Thayer township, where he resided for four years. He continued to engage in agricultural pursuits in York county until 1 88 1, when he was elected county clerk and removed to the city of York to assume the duties of that office, which he discharged with the utmost fidelity and promptness. So satisfactory did his services prove that he was three times re-elected, serving in all four terms. He is now conducting a large real estate and loan business, and is re- garded as one of the most valued and useful citizens of York, taking an active and com- mendable interest in all public affairs calcu- lated to prove of general good to the com- munity. He has served both as a member of the board of education and city council for two years, being the present incumbent in that latter office. Socially he is identi- fied with the Grand Army of the Republic and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. October 10, 1866, Mr. Sovereign was united in marriage with Miss Nancy M. Smiley, a resident of Illinois, and they have become the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters. HON. WILLIAM McFADDEN, the well- known merchant and postmaster of McCool Junction, Nebraska, is not yet an old man, but a vast amount of experience and observation has been crowded into the half-century that has been allotted to him. He is a business man of unquestioned hon- esty and integrity, and possesses traits of character that have lifted him into a well deserved prominence. Mr. McFadden was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, November 11, 1843, and is a child of Charles and Eliza (Long) McFadden. His father was a mechanic and a gunsmith. He died in Pennsylvania in 1850, but his wife, the mother of the sub- ject of this sketch, died in Livingston county, Illinois, in the spring of 1895, at the home of her son. She was the mother of eleven children, William being the ninth in order of birth. He enlisted in July, 1861, in Company C, Forty-fourth Illinois V'olun- teer Infantry. He was mustered in at Winona, and sent to Camp Douglass for drilling. He first saw active service in Mis- souri, and took part in the battle of Pea Ridge, Missouri. He was in that state about ten months and passed the winter in Rolla. He was with the soldiers that were concentrated at Louisville to oppose an ex- pected advance of the rebels. He spent some months about Nashville and was in 292 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. that neighborhood until the spring of 1863. He took part in the celebrated campaign around Atlanta. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Buzzard's Roost, Cumberland Gap, Peach Tree Creek, Chick- amauga, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain, Jonesborough and the capture of Atlanta. He was discharged September i, 1864, having served three years and three months. He was taken prisoner at Stone River, but through good luck was very soon recaptured. He had four brothers in the war. John was in the Fif- teenth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry. Fernan- do was in the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and George and Joseph in the Twentieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Joseph was wounded during his three-months' service at the battle of Shiloh, and received his discharge. The other three brothers completed their term of enlist- ment. After the war was over William returned home and farmed until the winter of 1869, when he came to this county and secured a quarter section of land which eventually be- came his under the homestead claim allowed old soldiers. He built a log cabin and then went back to his Illinois home, and drove to this county across the intervening .country the following spring. Here he continued to live, and as the years went by he developed a fine farm. He bought more land in time and now owns a highly improved farm of three hundred and twenty acres. As he was among the first settlers in the township and county he was closely identified with the various organizations that have promoted business and settlement. The township in which he lives bears his name. He has taken an active part in politics as a Repub- lican worker. In the fall of 1894 he served one term in the state legislature. He was the father of several bills that excited con- siderable discussion, and was a member of the committees on school and finance. In June, 1896, he moved to McCool Junction, and engaged in mercantile enterprises. He runs a department store, and enjoys an ex- tended patronage. The same spring he re- ceived the appointment of postmaster. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen. He was married May 27, 1871, to Miss Mary J. Custer, a native of Fountain county, In- diana.and a daughter of Isaac and Rhoda J. Custer, Kentucky born and bred. Her father died in Indiana, and her mother in this county. Mr. and Mrs. McFadden are the parents of five children: Arthur R., George W. , Anna E. , Aletha and Chester. She is a member of the Baptist church. Fernando McFadden was one of the first settlers .of York county, filing a homestead claim to the southwest quarter of section 8, township 9, range 2, in the spring of 1866. He spent some twenty-five years in its occu- pancy and tillage, when he sold it and moved to Wyoming, where he is now living. He was well known as a very successful farmer in this county. He was married in Illinois to Miss Eliza Stanton, who died about three years after their coming to this county. He was later married to Miss Hattie Romine, and so them six children were born; Ray- mond, Walter, Elizabeth, Charles, Henry and James. CLARENCE C. CALHOUN, an ener- getic and wide-awake farmer residing on section 21, township 13, range 3, Polk county, is a native of St. Joseph county, Michigan, born March 18, 1852, and is a son of Alvin and Lois J. (Bean) Calhoun. The birth of his father occurred in Pittsford, Monroe county. New York, September 17,. 1802, but in 1806 he was taken by his father to Monroe, Michigan. At the sur- render of Hull, the grandfather, with his family, was compelled to flee from his home to avoid the Indians, and bareheaded and without shoes, made his way to COMPENDIU.^r OF BIOGRAPHT. 293 Ohio, where they lived for five years, and then returned to Monroe. In 1829 our subject's father went to St. Joseph county, Michigan, and in the midst of the timber developed and improved a good farm. He served as captain of a company during one of the Indian wars, and was a consistent member of the Methodist church, to which the mother also belongs. He was twice married, his first wife being Eliza L. Hunt, by whom he had three children, Mrs. Cyn- thia Milligan, now a resident of Ord, Nebraska; Mrs. Eliza Gray, of Kansas; and Charles W., of Oklahoma. One son, Mar- tin L. , entered the service of his country in the Civil war as private, and was mustered out with the rank of captain. For his second wife Alvin Calhoun married Lois J. Bean, who was born in Chesterfield, Kenne- bec county, Maine, March 24, 1820, and eight children graced this union, all of whom reached years of maturity. They are Marcellus P., a resident of Ord, Ne- braska; Artellus P., of Polk county; Emma I., of Broken Bow, Nebraska; C. C, of this sketch; Bingham S., of York county, Nebraska; Loea V., of Creston, Iowa; and Lawrence and Florence, both of St. Joe county, Michigan. The father died January 25, 1888, but the mother is still living and yet makes her home in St. Joseph county, Michigan. In the county of his nativity, the subject of this sketch grew to manhood and ac- quired his education in the district schools there. At the age of twenty-four he began life for himself, and in 1877 went to the Black Hills, Dakota, but the following sprmg went to Polk county, Nebraska, and located upon his present farm, which at that time was all raw land. In 1879 he constructed a sod house upon the place and at once began the improvement and culti- vation of his land, but subsequently he rented the place for a few years. He is now successfully operating it, however, and the one-hundred-and-si.\ty-acre tract is un- der a high state of cultivation and well im- proved with good buildings, which stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. He raises both stock and grain of good grades and is meeting with good success at his chosen calling. On the 27th of February, 1884, Mr. Calhoun was united in marriage with Miss Tillie Hahn, who was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, September 22, 1862, and in 1S73 came with her parents, Ezeriah and Lorena (Ripple) Hahn, to Pleasant Home precinct, Polk county, Nebraska, where they still reside. Here Mrs. Calhoun was educated in the district schools, and by her marriage she has become the mother of two children: Glenn F. and Clarence L. She is an active and prominent mem- ber of the United Brethren church and Sun- day school, and has served as secretary of the latter. Socially Mr. Calhoun is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Stomsburg, and politically was formerly a Republican, but is now an ardent Populist. He takes quite an active and leading part in local political affairs, has been a member of the election board, and also a committeeman. NELSON M. FERGUSON.— Prominent among the pioneers of York county, Nebraska, is the gentleman whose name in- troduces this article. As a public-spirited and enterprising citizen he has borne an im- portant part in the development and pros- perity of this region, never withholding his aid from any object which he believed would prove of public benefit. He has filled with distinction a number of official positions of honor and trust in the county. A native of the Empire state, Mr. Fer- guson's birth occurred in Rochester, New York, March 18, 1840, his parents being John M. and Elvira (Crandall) Ferguson. 294 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. The father, who was a butcher by trade, continued to follow that occupation in New York until 1857, when he removed to Steph- enson county, Illinois, but was not long per- mitted to enjoy his new home, however, for he died in February, 1857. The education of our subject was all ac- quired in the schools of New York, for after coming west with his parents he assisted his father in business and also engaged in farming in Illinois. He was among the first to respond to his country's call for aid after Fort Sumter had been fired upon, enlisting in April, 1861, in Company G, Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and being mus- tered in the following month. The regiment, which was assigned to the Army of the West, went to the front in August, of the same year, but after serving for a short time Mr. Ferguson received a sunstroke, and was honorably discharged for disability in Janu- ary, 1862. In 1864, he again enlisted, however, this time becoming a member of Company E, One Hundred and Forty-sev- enth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until February, 1866. From the time of the close of the war until he was mustered out he was on detached service and assisted in the reconstruction of the south, being on duty in Americus and Sa- vannah, Georgia. Returning to his Illinois home, Mr. Fer- guson was married February 22, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth French, a native of that state, by whom he has two children: Herb- ert I. and Winifred E. After his marriage he engaged in farming in Illinois until 1871, when he came to York county, Nebraska, and took up a homestead in Bradshaw township, which he owned and operated for many years. He erected one of the first frame houses in the county and took a very active part in the early development and progress of this section of the state. In 1882 Mr. Ferguson abandoned farm- ing and moved to the village of Bradshaw, where he served as postmaster until 1885. In that year he was honored by the election to the office of county treasurer, which he creditably filled for four years, and he has also served as justice of the peace and in other minor offices. He is one of the leaders of the Republican party in York county, and is a prominent member of the Masonic lodge and the Grand Army post, of York, having served as commander and quartermaster in the latter. He is now in- terested in the abstract, loan and insurance business and in this undertaking is meet- ing with a well merited success. His pub- lic and private life are above reproach, for his career has ever been one characterized by the utmost fidelity to duty. The part which he has taken in the development of the county has impressed his name indelibly upon its records and he well deserves men- tion among the honored pioneers. GAYETTE HOOKSTRA, a properous farmer of Bone Creek township, But- ler county, and a representative citizen, respected alike for his industry and integrity, may be properly placed inthe list of self-made men who have done so much toward devel- oping the resources of this section of the state. He was born March 20, 1830, near Lewayden, Holland, in which country his parents, Henry and Catherine (Lerwerda) Hookstra, spent their entire lives. Hearing a favorable account of this western country where land could be ob- tained free, our subject and his brother Ten- nis decided to emigrate, and in 1855 sailed for the new world. Mr. Hookstra first set- tied in Marion county, Iowa, where he en- gaged in farming, having previously fol- lowed that occupation in his native land. There he was married, in October, 1856, to Miss Margaret Vierson, also a native of Holland, and a daughter of Peter O. Vier- son. The children born of this union are as COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 295 follows: Peter, who married America Wash- ington Farrell, daughter of Charles W. and Eliza A. Farrell, and has five children — Jessie E., George A., Charles G. , Floyd E. and Opal P. ; Henry, who married An- nie Wallace and has two children — Merle and Roscoe; Annie, wife of W. A. Hutch- inson; John, who married Sarah Bowden; Fred; and Alfred, who married Mabel Loomis and has one daughter — Margueriet. Mrs. Hookstra died in Butler county, May i6, 1895, and was laid to rest in the Edholm cemetery. It was in the fall of 1866 that Mr. Hook- stra became a resident of Butler county, and secured a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in Bone Creek township, on which he still makes his home. He came overland in a wagon drawn by two horses, bringing one cow with him, and upon his claim he constructed a shanty of poles and dirt. During the year 1869 he engaged in freighting from Nebraska City to Kearney, buying corn in the former place for one dol- lar per bushel and selling it in the latter for three dollars. He took an active part in the early development of this region, and voted at the first election held in Butler county, it being conducted in the Hartford school house. Mr. Hookstra is a Demo- crat in politics and an earnest and strong advocate of the principles of that party. Religiously he is a sincere member of the Christian Church, and lives in harmony with its teachings. TENNIS HOOKSTRA, an old settler of Butler county, was born in Friesland, Holland, November 13, 1822. In 1850, Mr. Hookstra with his wife and brother came to America, and settled in Pella, Iowa, where his wife died. After her death, Mr. Hook- stra sent back to Friesland for an old sweetheart, Allie Van Dyke, and married her in Pella, June 28, 1856. By her he had three children, Henry, John and Kate, ail of whom are married and now living in Butler county. In 1862 Mr. Hookstra enlisted in Com- pany H, Fortieth Iowa Volunteers, and served three years, leaving behind his wife and three children. In 1865 he returned from the war and went to Ne- braska, to the Platte Valley, where he pur- chased one hundred and ten acres of land from Obel Fearson. He established his family in a log house which he found standing on the bank of the river, and oper- ated a ferry across the river. This was known as the "Shinn Ferry" and he con- tinued running it for two seasons. His first crop on the new land brought fifty bushels of corn to the acre, and this he sold in Columbus for one dollar per bushel. His resources, after paying for the land, before this crop, consisted of one team of horses, a wagon, and ten dollars in money. Mr. Hookstra is a member of the Savannah M. E. church, of which he was one of the founders, and of which he has been a constant supporter. JOHN ROBERTS, deceased, was num- bered among the honored pioneers of Nebraska, who located in Seward county when this locality was a wild and unim- proved region. In the work of develop- ment he took an active and prominent part and aided in opening up the country to civilization. As the years passed by he faithfully performed his duties of citizen- ship and his interest in the welfare and progress of the community never abated. Becoming widely and favorably known he made many friends, and his death was a loss to the entire community. Mr. Roberts was born in Henry county, Kentucky, November 29, 181 3, a son of John and Catherine (Lovinggood) Roberts, farming people, who were natives of Vir- 296 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPH7'. ginia and of German descent. Our subject's grandmother bore the maiden name of Ann Plank. The family were among the first settlers of Kentucky, and there the parents of our subject continued to make their home until 1835, when they removed to Fulton county, Illinois, where the father died at the age of eighty-one years, the mother at the age of seventy-two, honored and respect- ed by all who knew them. In their family were nine children, four sons and five daughters. In his native state John Roberts spent his boyhood and youth, acquiring his liter- ary education in its common schools. In 1835 he accompanied his parents on their removal to Fulton county, 111., where he engaged in farming for some years, but in 1866 he came to Seward county, Nebraska, aud took up a homestead, a part of which is now within the corporate limits of the city of Seward. He assisted in the erection of the first building in that place, and also platted and sold what is now known as Roberts' addition to Seward. He took a leading and active part in its upbuilding and prosperity, and owned many of its best business blocks. He was also one of the promoters of the Oatmeal Mills, the Ger- man Lutheran College and many other en- terprises which tended to advance the in- terests of the city. In 1836 Mr. Roberts was united in mar- riage with Miss Susan Hall, a native of Franklin county, Illinois, and a daughter of John and Prudence (McFarland) Hall, who were born in Georgia and also died in Illi- nois. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, namely: Lucy J. ; John N. ; Mary, deceased; Susan; Jasper, deceased; Prudence; James F. ; Marion F. ; Laura I. and Douglas H. Mr. Roberts departed this life Decem- ber 2, 1897, and in his death the commu- nity felt that it had lost one of its most val- ued and useful citizens. Politically he was a supporter of the Democratic party, and he was honored with a number of local offices in his city. As a business man he was honorable and reliable, and due success was not denied him. Religiously he was for many years an active and prominent member of the Hardshell Baptist church, in which he served as an exhorter both in Illinois and Nebraska, and in 1843 he was ordained to the ministry, after which he en- gaged in preaching to some extent, and was always an untiring worker in the Master's vineyard. He succeeded in accumulating a handsome property, and left to his family about six hundred acres of farm land besides city propert}'. The family is one of promin- nence, occupying an enviable position in social circles. HON. MATT MILLER, an attorney and old settler of David City, Nebraska, is a Scotchman by birth, and first saw the light of day in Glasgow, Scotland, February 9, 1850. His father was a shoemaker by trade and at the time of the boy's birth was in the wholesale shoe business. He came to America with his wife and children when the boy Matt was a baby and settled in Por- tage City, Columbia county, Wisconsin, where he opened a retail shoe store; he soon died, however, and the son was placed in the hands of a guardian and taken to Cale- donia, where he remained for some time. He attended the schools there until he was thirteen years old, when he enlisted in Com- pany F, Forty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteers, as a drummer boy and served as a private until the close of the war. During this time he spent about ten months in New Mexico and Colorado in the same company and regiment, serving nearly three years. He was the youngest soldier in the regiment and is supposed to have been the youngest in the entire army. During most of that time he carried a musket, but was orderly for a while, being mustered out as such. HON. MATT MILLER. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 299 After receiving his discharge from the army he returned to Portage City and at- tended the high school in that place, from which he graduated July i8, 1867. After leaving school he taught school in Columbia county, Wisconsin, until 1870, after which he removed to Butler county, Nebraska, and engaged in farming. He continued this un- til 1878. In 1873 he married Miss Sarah C. Whipes, a native of Perry county, Ohio, where she was brought up, and they had one daughter, Maggie M. In 1878 he commenced the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1880, at which time he went to David City and began to practice. In 1884 he was elected to the legislature by the Democratic party and served his people so well that he was re- elected in 1887. In 1891 he was appointed district judge by Governor Boyd and held this position until the next general election. He was nominated by the Bar for judge but was beaten by the Populists. Since that time he has been engaged in the general practice of law. Judge Miller is a thoroughly wide- awake man and takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to his city and coun- ty. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. , A. O. U. W., and the Woodmen of the World. On another page is presented a portrait of Judge Miller. COL. NELS P. LUNDEEN, who has attained distinctive preferment in mil- itary circles, and is one of the enterprising and representative business men of York, has taken an actice part in promoting the substantial improvement and material de- velopment of the city. An adopted son of America, his loyalty is above question and his labors in the interests of the city have been most effective and beneficial. The Colonel was born in the province of Skone, Sweden, April 22, 1850, a son of Peter and Martha (Benson) Lundeen, farm- ing people of that country, where they still reside, the father being eighty-one, the mother seventy-eight years of age. During his boyhood and youth Colonel Lundeen pursued his education the in schools of his native land, where he remained until he attained his majority, coming to the United States in 1870. He first located in Gales- burg, lUinois, but the following spring went to Burlington, Iowa, where he made his home until 1878. In that year he came to York county, Nebraska, as land agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and it has been mainly through his efforts that the county has gained its large Swedish popula- tion. A thrifty, industrious and reliable race, they make valuable citizens. During his entire residence in the new world Colo- nel Lundeen has been interested in the real estate business, and is now, a member of the well-known firm of Daggy & Lun- deen, of York, and has sold nearly all the lots sold in that city platted by the Platte Land Company, which he still represents. In connection with this business he has also been interested in general merchandising and the manufacture of brick, and is ac- counted one of the. most progressive, relia- ble and enterprising business men of the place. Colonel Lundeen has been twice married, first in 1874, to Miss Anna Broman, by whom he had five children. In 1888 he was united in marriage with Miss Ellis Nelson, of Fillmore county, Nebraska, also a native of Sweden, and to them have been born five children. Colonel Lundeen has always taken an active interest in military affairs, assisted in organizing the first company of militia in York, and is now on the governor's staff as inspector-general with the rank of colonel. His company was called out for service dur- 300 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. ing the riots at Omaha, and was ordered to the Pine Ridge agency during the Indian troubles in 1890. His fellow citizens recog- nizing his worth and ability have called upon him to fill a number of official positions of honor and trust, including that of alder- man of the city, to which office he was twice elected. In 1SS9 he was also elected county treasurer, the duties of which he most faith- fully and satisfactorily discharged for two years. He is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows society, is lieutenant-colonel of the Patriarch Militant, and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Business Men's Fraternity of Nebraska, serving as secretary of the last named organization. His life record is one well worthy of emula- tion and contains many valuable lessons of incentive, showing the possibilities that are open to young men who wish to improve every opportunity for advancement. JOHN A. TARBLE, a retired farmer now living in Shelby, is one of the prominent and representative citizens as well as hon- ored pioneers of Polk county. Through his own unaided efforts he has secured a com- fortable competence, which now enables him to lay aside all business cares and enjoy a well earned rest. He was born July 30, 1828, in the town of Marathon, Cortland county. New York, where his parents, James G. and Maria (Hartson) Tarble, made their home for many years, dying in that county. The mother was a native of Connecticut, and the father, who was a son of Eleaser Tarble, was a farmer and river pilot by oc- cupation. In their family were eight chil- dren: Mrs. Almira Vanderbilt, now deceased; Mrs. Lydia Taylor; William, deceased; John A., of this review; and Andrew; Mrs. Sallie Ann Robinson; Mrs. Caroline Seeley, deceased, and Maria McDole. To a limited extent John A. Tarble at- tended the common schools of Cortland county. New York, but he had very lit- tle opportunity of securing an education. After starting out in life for himself, he rented the old homestead and, in connection with farming, also engaged in teaming, haul- ing the last ties for the completion of the Syracuse & Bmghampton railroad. In 1854 he emigrated to Knox county, Illinois, where he purchased eighty acres of raw prairie land for twenty dollars per acre, and to its im- provement and cultivation devoted his time and attention until after the Civil war broke out, when his love of country would not allow him to remain contentedly at home, In August, 1862, Mr. Tarble enlisted as a private in Company G, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois \'olunteer Infantry, and from Peoria, Illinois, went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and later to Covington, Kentucky. He took part in the engagements of Resaca and Pumpkin Vine, the siege of Atlanta and the operations against Hood. At the bat- tle of Franklin he captured a prisoner named McMillan, belonging to the Fourth Missouri Regiment. Mr. Tarble took part in the battle of Nashville, being in the skirmish line, was later sent to Columbia, Tennessee, then back to Nashville, where he remained until the close of the war. He had been detached from his regiment to serve as a nurse in the hospitals, and as such had to go to Washington, District of Columbia, but was later transferred to Springfield, Illinois. Although he saw three years of arduous service, he was fortunately never wounded nor captured, and when the war was over was honorably discharged in July, 1S65, returning to his home in Knox county, Illinois. Mr. Tarble was married February 13, 1866, to Mrs. Matilda Tarble, ncc Caul, who was born in Winsted, Connecticut, February 23, 1824, and for her first husband married Ferdinand Tarble, a cousin of our subject. Coming to Polk county, Nebraska, in 1872, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 301 Mr. Tarble pre-empted land on section 4, township 14, range i, and erected a sod shanty, which not only afforded accommo- dations for himself but also for four horses, while his furniture consisted principally of a bed and a stove. Here he spent the time during the terrible storm of April, 1872, at which time there were only two other set- tlers in the township. When his wife ar- rived in 1873, he discarded the sod house and built a little frame dwelling, 22 x 14, which became known as the "big white house on the hill," it being the only frame house for many miles. The first season Mr. Tarble raised a crop of sod corn, but he continued the improvement and cultivation of his land until he had one of the best farms in the locality. Forty acres were set out in trees, and an elegant residence erected at a cost of three thousand, six hundred dollars, while many other im- provements were made upon the place, adding greatly to its value and attractive ap- pearance. At one time he owned one thousand acres of land, but has since dis- posed of much of his property, still owning a little over two sections. He has laid out an addition to Shelby, on College street, and in that place built his present comfort- able home in 1894, at a cost of one thou- sand five hundred dollars. Throughout his active business career he engaged exclusively in farming, and in his undertakings met with marked success. Mrs. Tarble, who was an invalid for many years, departed this life June 28, 1896, and was laid to rest in Shelby ceme- tery. She was a consistent member of the United Brethren church, and a most esti- mable lady. Having no children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Tarble reared Ettie Holbrook, who married George Hubbell and died leaving eight children. In December, 1876, they were joined in their little pioneer home by Henr.y Vander- bilt and wife, Laura Martin, who emigrated from their native state — Indiana — to Ne- braska in 1875, locating at Juniata, Adams county, whence they came to the home of our subject in December, the following year, in an open lumber wagon. Mrs. Vanderbilt had traded hershoes for meat, and and came all the way barefoot. On their arri- val Mr. Tarble went to Columbus, where he bought her a new pair of shoes, and also some .cotton flannel for herself and three little girls. Since his wife's death he has lived with Mrs. Vanderbilt, who now has two married daughters, Mrs. Emma Hilliard and Mrs. Mattie Brigham. One of Mr. Tarble's most cherished possessions was a little dog — Minnie — who died at the ven- erable old age of twenty years. In his po- litical affiliations he is a staunch Repulican, and he is an honored and prominent mem- ber of the Grand Army Post at Shelby, in which he has served as quartermaster for many years. He has also served as treas- urer of the stock company to build the G. A. R. hall, and as treasurer of the United Brethren church. When the Sons of Veterans organized their camp at Shelby, March 28, 1898, they named it John A. Tarble Camp, No. 4, Sons of Veterans, in honor of our subject, who has presented them with a beautiful flag. He has since sold the section where his old homestead was for $22,000. THOMAS C. PRATHER.— The common place duties of daily life, trivial though they may seem to the casual observer, de- mand for their proper fulfillment the same admirable qualities of character which in a higher degree and under other circumstan- ces attract universal notice and approba- tion. However it may seem to the superfi- cial mind, our rural communities furnish an excellent field for the development of the traits which go to the making of good citi- zens and one purpose of this work is the 302 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. preservation of records which show the in- nate worth and dignity of such a life. Reared on a farm, Mr. Prather has always followed agricultural pursuits, and is now one of the most prominent and influential citizens of New York township, York coun- ty, Nebraska. He was born September 12, 1S45, 'n Clark county, Indiana, a son of William S. and Sarah (James) Prather, who were born, reared and married in North Carolina, where the father engaged in farming until 1826. He was then twenty-three years of age, and with his family removed to Clark county, Indiana, where he followed both general farming and dairying. With the tide of emigration which was steadily moving westward, he went to Adams county, Illinois, in 1852, and made his home there until his death, which occurred in 1872. Our subject is the youngest and the only one now living of his family of five children, two sons and three daughters. The other son enlisted in the Seventy-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war, and died from disease contracted in the service. During his boyhood and youth, Thomas C. Prather pursued his studies in the com- mon schools of Illinois, but laid aside his text books at an early age to take up the more practical duties of business life, work- ing as a farm hand until nineteen years of age. Coming to York county, Nebraska, in 1879, he purchased a tract of land on sec- tion 12, New York township, which he still owns. He is successfully engaged in gen- eral farming and stockraising, feeding about five car loads of stock annually. In 1865, in Adams county, Illinois, Mr. Prather led to the marriage altar Miss Sophia J. Bennett, a sister of John Bennett, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. They now have a family of si.\ children: Olive, wife of James Kibby; Sallie; Alice; Lizzie; William E. and Austin J. Mr. Prather and his family hold membership in the Method- ist Episcopal church and have a host of warm friends throughout the county. Since attaining his majority he has affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, and has been a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen eleven years, the Modern Wood- men of America eight years, and the Home Forum two years. He is a recognized leader of the Republican party in this sec- tion, has been a member of the county cen- tral committee five years, and has done much toward insuring its success. He has also faithfully served his fellow citizens in the capacity of town clerk, and has been quite prominently identified with the inter- ests of his community. HON. THOMAS CARR is one of the representative men of Seward county, belonging to that class whose ability and character have made a deep impression upon the life of this rapidly developing country. In this broad state with its abundant room for individual enterprise, with its hearty ap- preciation of personal worth and its splen- did opportunities for individual achievement, the man of ability finds the very largest sphere for usefulness and the gratification of personal ambition. His abilities will be discovered; his integrity will find apprecia- tion; his public spirit will meet with recog- nition and he will be forced into prominence against his will. Mr. Carr is an illustration of this fact. However, he has always been ready to respond to any call for public duty, either on battle field or in legislative halls. Mr. Carr was born in Washington coun- ty, Illinois, August 29, 1844, a son of James and Maria (Bohen) Carr, natives of County Cavan, Ireland. The father, who was a carpenter by trade, came to the United States about 1825, landing in New York City, whence he went to New Orleans, and in 1836 he became a resident of Illinois, where he engaged in farming until life's COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 303 labors were over, dying there in 1868. In his family were four sons, of whom two en- tered the Union service during the Civil war and one died in the service. The early education of our subject was received in the pubHc schools of his native county, and was supplemented by a course in Washington Seminary, of Richview, Illi- nois, from which institutipn he graduated. On the breaking out of the Rebellion, he responded to the president's first call for ninety-day men, becoming a member of the Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and when that term had expired, he re-enlisted, in 1 861, in Company E, Tenth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, for three years, partici- pating with that regiment in the following battles: luka, Corinth, Jackson, Raymond, Vicksburgr Champion Hills, Missionary Ridge and several skirmishes. He was dis- charged in August, 1863, but in February, 1864, joined the Second United States Vet- eran Volunteers and served one year as first lieutenant, after which he was transferred to the Second United States Regular Infan- try, serving until 1867 in Mississippi during the Reconstruction period. After receiving his discharge, Mr. Carr returned to Illinois, where he continued to live until 1869, when he came to Nebraska and took up a homestead in Seward county, on which he still resides. His first home here was a rude dugout, but it was soon replaced by a good log house with a shingle roof, and later by a more commodious and comfort- able frame residence. Here he has success- fully followed general farming and stock raising, and has succeeded in accumulating a comfortable competence. Mr. Carr was married, in Illinois, in 1867, to Miss Mary Adams, a native of Washing- ton county, Illinois, and to them have been born eight children: Maria, Jennie, Rachel, Mary, James, Robert, Roy and Nona, all living. The family hold membership in the Presbyterian church, while socially Mr. Carr belongs to the Grand Army of the Re- public, the Masonic fraternity, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Modern Woodmen of America. He assisted in the organization of the Republican party in Seward county, and has always been one of its most active and influential members, serving for some time on the county and state central committees, and rendering effective service in the interest of his party. For twenty years he has filled the office of justice of the peace to the entire satisfac- tion of the general public, and in 1885 was elected to represent his county in the lower house of the legislature, of which he was an able member for two years. ANDREW F. BLOOMER.— The biogra- pher is conscious of a certain degree of delicacy in attempting to do justice to the subject of this sketch and to the sub- ject of lumber — two live, inexhaustible sub- jects in one article. To blend them as harmoniously in cold type as they have for years traveled side by side in every day life is a task not entirely within the limits of one article and the space allotted to it in a work of this character. To write the bi- ography of Mr. Bloomer is to write the his- tory of the lumber interests of York county for the past fourteen years. On the other hand, to give a faithful account of the lumber interests for a like period would savor largely, almost overwhelmingly, of Bloomer, the one is so inseparably con- nected with the other. Early in 1884 Mr. Bloomer located at York and established the foundation for his present extensive lumber business, which is said to embrace one of the largest stocks carried west of the Missouri river. Having traveled for a year previous to selecting York as a basis of his operations, during which time he visited the principal points 304 Compendium of biographt. in the western part of the United States, Mexico and British America, he was en- abled to select a location intelligently and not in a this-or-that-or-anything despera- tion. He recognized in York many advan- tages in a business way as well as a place of residence and substantiated his judg- ment by investing considerable sums of money, not only in the trade but also in property to establish a home. The success which has attended his efforts during the years which have intervened has proven the correctness of his judgement. He is now conducting one of the largest lumber es- tablishments in the state, doing a wholesale as well as a retail business, his sales aggre- gating more than three hundred cars per year. Mr. Bloomer is nothing if not original. The many unique and ingenious methods he has employed in advertising his business have been far-reaching in their results. In addition to his name becoming a house- hold word and authority on everything per- taining to lumber and building material throughout York and adjoining counties, it has traveled beyond the confines of this and surrounding states. Probably the distinct- ive feature or trademark of his business in this respect is contained in his illustrated motto of "Live and Let Live." It ap- peared simultaneously with the inauguration of his business in York, fourteen years ago, and since that time it has been as closely associated with the business as Bloomer himself. While the illustrated motto first appeared upon a calendar he began publish- ing in the East and which he has continued for many years, it also finds its way into all printed matter coming from the Bloomer establishment. In an article which appeared in a recent issue of the Northwestern Lum- berman, published at Chicago, the follow- ing appropriate tribute was paid to Bloom- er's calendar: "You all know about the Monkey-cat-rat calendar. That's Bloomer's calendar. He has distributed it for fifteen, years and no strange gods in the shape of slab-sided sheets of cardboard, with their gay girls, yards of roses, battle pictures, and big figures, have inveigled him from the modest little production which he origi- nated years ago. The diminutive menag- erie on the calendar may mean one thing or another — nobody knows. It is so mod- est and unique and has withstood the defacing effects of time so well that when it reaches an office someone cries out, 'Here comes Bloomer's calendar!' and it suits Bloomer when that cry is raised." The above is only one of hundreds of simi- lar notices which have appeared in news- papers throught the country. The press delights to honor Bloomer, and no wonder, for there is no responsive chord in his gen- erous nature that has been developed to a greater extent than his love and apprecia- tion of the printer. This sympathy and brotherly affection for the craft is perfectly natural and no doubt flows from an unseen fountain which came into existence years ago when he, as a boy, partially learned the printer's trade. At any rate it is a fit- ting tribute to the memory of a loving father's life work. There are many characteristics in Mr. Bloomer that would be worthy of record, but space forbids detail. However, his high regard for the comfort of dumb ani- mals must not be overlooked and the prac- tical manner in which he has emphasized his conviction in this respect. Years ago he sunk a well at his office doorway and constructed a trough which has since over- flowed with pure, cool and sparkling water. The motto adorning the well ' ' Free drinks for man and beast " is well known to every inhabitant for miles around, and there are probably few horses in the same territory that would not rise up in chorus and call the promoter Blessed if it were in their province to do so. Likewise, also, Mr. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 305 Bloomer has sheds for the accommodation of about half a hundred horses owned by his friends and patrons — a service without money and without price. While Mr. Bloomer has been and is a very busy man he has taken time to culti- vate the itinerant spirit which has always been a pronounced characteristic of his na- ture. Although he has traveled quite ex- tensively, he has confined his wanderings to his native country, feeling a loyalty to it in this respect before seeking such pleas- ures abroad. During the winter of 1887, accompanied by his family, he visited the Bahama Islands and brought home many valuable and interesting specimens which were added to his already extensive col- lection from the various states and territo- ries. Two years later he made a visit to Alaska and brought home many interesting souvenirs from that country. As a citizen Mr. Bloomer has always occupied an influential position among the leading business men and residents of York. He has ever been loyal to the city's best interests and has aided with both time and money in the establishment and develop- ment of industrial institutions which have greatly benefited the city. While some of them were not a success financially, their inception and continuance at a loss was largely a labor of love on the part of pro- gressive citizens, who afterward surrendered such institutions to private parties and cap- ital that had in the meantime been attracted to them and which placed them upon a successful and profitable basis. In this connection it is only necessary to mention such concerns as the York Foundry and En- gine Company, of which Mr. Bloomer was a stockholder and director for several years. He was also one of the first stockholders and officers of the original board of the York Gas and Electric Light Company, and aside from being a life member he has for a num- ber of years assisted in the maintenance of the York County Agricultural Society. For a long time he has been an active member and stockholder of the York Mu- tual Building and Loan Association. The Creamery, which was started originally as a butter and cheese factory, the Nebraska Telephone Company, the sugar beet indus- try, all received substantial aid from him and he even contributed to a street rail- way project. It is due in no small degree to the loyalty of such men as Mr. Bloomer that the City of York ranks among the best in the state, surpassing many places of double its population. Mr. Bloomer is a native of Orange county. New York, where he was born August 21, 1851, being a son of Reuben H. and Almira (Chase) Bloomer, also natives of that state. The Bloomer family num- ber among their ancestors participants in the Revolutionary war and Almira Chase is a descendent of Salmon P. Chase. Reuben H. Bloomer, our subject's father, was formerly a Methodist minister, but fail- ing health compelled him to abandon the ministry. In 1855 he established the New- berg Times, a temperance paper, which he edited and published until his death, which occurred in 1886. He was associated with Neil Dow and many of the prominent tem- perance workers of those days. In politics he was a Republican. His son, J. Watson, was also interested in that publication for a time, which was afterwards merged into the Newburg Journal and is still in exist- ence. The subject of this review grew to man- hood in his native state, receiving a liberal education in the public schools of Newburg, supplemented with a business course in the Eastman College. He worked in a printing office for a time and partially mastered the "Art preservative of all arts," but when about eighteen years of age he drifted west to Chicago. Here he received his first les- sons in the lumber business. For several 306 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 3'ears he was in the employ of D. F. Chase & Brother, extensive lumber dealers of that city. In 1877 he entered into the lumber business for himself at Wyoming, Illinois, and was thus engaged successfully until 1883 when he disposed of his interests there and a year later located in York, Nebraska. He has occupied one location uninterruptedly ever since, and the success with which he has met during a residence of fourteen years in York county is only measured by his great energy, sound judg- ment, and enterprising and commendable business methods. He also owns several farms in York and adjoining counties, be- sides extensive landed interests in Kansas and Colorado. In politics he is a stanch Republican, although he has not sought political preferment nor held office of any kind. In 1885 Mr. Bloomer was united in mar- riage to Miss Eliza P. Miner, a native of Illinois, and at that time a resident of that state. She is a daughter of William M. Miner, a native of Connecticut, and Mary (Bushnell) Miner, who was born in New York. Mr. and Mrs. Bloomer occupy one of the handsome residences of York and their domestic life is an exceptionally happy one. Their home is one of genuine hospi- tality and its affairs are presided over and executed by a hand that savors of educa- tion and refinement. FRANKLIN SKIPTON.— In the last half of the present century the lawyer has been a pre-eminent factor in all affairs of private concern and national importance. He has been depended upon to conserve the best and permanent interests of the whole people and is a recognized power in all the avenues of life. He stands as the protector of the rights and liberties of his fellow men and is the representative of a profession whose followers, if they would gain honor, fame and success, must be men of merit and ability. Such a one is Judge Franklin Skipton, who now occupies the bench of Fillmore county, winning high commendation by his fair and impartial ad- ministration of justice. The Judge was born in Henry county, Iowa, May 30, 1859, and is a son of Fran- cis and Sarah (Winter) Skipton, the former a native of Washington county, Ohio, and the latter of Lincolnshire, England, whence she came to America with her parents when eleven years of age. Francis Skipton was a farmer and in 185 1 removed to Henry county, Iowa, where he cast in his lot with its pioneer settlers. He died in that county in 1878, but his widow still resides on the old homestead there. On that same farm Judge Skipton spent the days of his boy- hood and youth. He attended the common schools and at the age of sixteen entered Hows Academy, at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, where he pursued a three-years' preparatory course. He pursued his collegiate course in the Iowa Wesleyan University and was graduated with honors in 1882. For some time thereafter Judge Skip- ton devoted his efforts to educational work. He went to Washington county, Kansas, where he engaged in teaching school and later removed to Clay Center, Kansas, where he took up the study of law in 1884 under the direction of C. M. Anthony, but continued teaching for several years longer. In 1885 he was admitted to the bar, and in 1889 he came to Fillmore county, locating in Shickley, where he occupied the posi- tion of principle of the schools for eight years. In the fall of 1897 he became the Populist candidate for county judge and was elected by a majority of over three hundred, the largest majority accorded any any one on the ticket. His election was all the more flattering as his opponent was a very prominent and popular citizen and lawyer. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRArilT. 307 Judge Skipton was married December 26, 1883, to Ida T. Stickel, a native of Bureau county, Illinois, and a daughter of David C. and Rebecca (Lamb) Stickel, who are residents of Fillmore county. The Judge and his wife have one son, Virgil E. Our subject is a valued and exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity and has- had a marked influence upon the life of Fillmore county through his educational work and his official service. His well spent life commands the respect of all and this record would be incomplete without the review of his honorable career. JAMES D. BROWN.— More than thirty- three years have passed since this gentle- man arrived in Butler county, and he is justly numbered among her honored pio- neers and leading citizens. Since locating here in May, 1865, he has been prominent- ly identified with her agricultural interests, his home being on section 23, Oak Creek township. His is an honorable record of a conscientious man, who by his upright life has won the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. Mr. Brown was born in Rutherford coun- ty, Tennessee, December 15, 1822, a son of Thomas B. and Elizabeth (Allerson) Brown. The birth of the father occurred in 1787, in Culpeper county, Virginia, and the grand- father, William Brown, was also a native of the Old Dominion. At an early age our subject removed with his parents to Mis- souri, where he married Miss Phoebe Crow- ley, who was born in Ray county, that state, December 31, 1826. Her parents, Jeremiah and Polly (Carey) Crowley, were natives of Kentucky and Virginia, repectively, and her grandfather, John Crowley, was also born in Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have become the parents of thirteen children, all born in Missouri with the exception of A. J., the 18 youngest, whose birth occurred after the emigration of the family to Nebraska. The family record is as follows: (i) Julia is the wife of J. C. Hatchett, now a resident of Wichita county, Texas, and has twelve children — James S., Joel, Sarah, Lovey, Mollie, Emma, Ella, Kittie, John, Jerry, William and Thomas. (2) Thomas, the second, of the family, is now deceased. (3) Jerry, also deceased, had three children — Marshall, Carl and Bert. (4) Polly died leaving one daughter, Lizzie W^arrall. (5) William C. first wedded Mary Jimmerson, now deceased, by whom he had six chil- dren — John; James, deceased; A. J.; Phoe- be; William and George. For his second wife he married Lottie Conner, and by this union has two daughters — Julia and Mary. (6) Candas, deceased, married a Mr. Riggs, and had seven children — Alfred, who married Lakey Bell, and has one daugh- ter, Mina; Cora, who married a Mr. Cook and has one child, Rosa; James; Orville; Ellen; C. H. and Thomas. (7) Joseph A. married Martha Dowell, and has three children — Aurilla, Ross and Bessie. (8) Emma married Thomas Baldwin and has three children — Melvin, Paul and Grace. (9) Calvin married Mollie Hopkins and has five children — Minnie, Chester, Lucy, Eu- gene and Dee. (10) John, married Delia Skelton and has two children — Roy and Ina. (11) George, married Serena Jacobs. (12) Ella married William Darnell and has eight children — Charles, Earl, Fern, Josie, Nellie, Hazel, Judd and the baby. (13) A. J. married Metta Cartwright and has three children — Ava Lee, Burnie and Mathew J. Early in the year 1865, Mr. Brown, his wife and twelve children started with a party for Oregon, consisting of his son-in-law, J. C. Hatchett, with his wife and four chil- dren; Jerry Crowley and family; Robert Lee and family. Their course lay through Butler county, Nebraska, and on arriving here they decided to proceed no further, but 308 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY make this their future home. Mr. Brown selected land on what is now section 23, Oak Creek township, and that tract of un- broken prairie land he has transformed into one of the most desirable farms of the county. His interests have always been confined to farming, wherein he has met with a full measure of success. Although well advanced in years, Mr. and Mrs. Brown are still hale and hearty, and in spirit and interests seem yet in their prime. Old age is not necessarily a synonym of weakness and inactivity. They reside on the old homestead where they lo- cated so many years ago, and in the broad acres under excellent cultivation, and in the comfortable home, there is no evidence of the wild, unbroken prairies and lonely sur- roundings which greeted the little band of pioneers on their arrival here. Mr. Brown has always taken an active interest in every- thing which he believed calculated to ad- vance the welfare of his adopted county, and he is therefore justly entitled to an hon- ored place among the pioneers and repre- sentative citizens of this section of the state. Of his descendants, who now ex- ceed a hundred, many are scattered over this and neighboring states, while a large number still surround him in his declining years. JM. STOUT, a well-to-do and prosper- ous farmer of Arborville township, York county, is one of the men who thoroughly understands the business he is pursuing, and has succeeded in accumulating a coin- fortable competence. He is the architect of his own fortune, having started in life with but little capital beyond his own industry and laudable ambition to rise in the world. Mr. Stout claims Ohio as his native state, his birth occurring in Butler county, August 12, 1 83 1. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Freeman) Stout, were natives of New Jersey and Vermont, respectively, and his father was also an agriculturist. From Pennsylvania he removed to Ohio, and later became a resident of Indiana, where both he and his wife died. Their family con- sisted of four sons and three daughters. In Indiana, J. M. Stout grew to manhood and under his father's able direction ac- quired an excellent knowledge of every de- partment of farm work. On leaving that state in 1874 he came to York county, Nebraska, and bought the farm which he now owns in Arborville township. He erected thereon a small house which has long since been replaced by a pleasant frame residence, more commodious and sub- stantial. Having prospered in his new home he is now the owner of three eighty- acre tracts of land, all under the plow, and yielding to the owner bountiful harvests for the care and labor bestowed upon them. On the 8th of March. 1855, Mr. Stout was united in marriage with Miss Isabel J. Primrose, a daughter of Allen and Mary (McKain) Primrose, who were natives of Scotland and South Carolina, respectively, and were early settlers of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Stout have a family of four chil- dren, as follows: John A., Mary E., now Mrs. A. Peterson; Annie E; and Sanford B. The parents are earnest and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics Mr. Stout is an independent Republican. For five years he has served in school offices to the entire satisfaction of all concerned, but has never sought official honors. He bears a high character for sterling integrity and is held in high regard by all who know him. THOMAS PRICE, one of the self-made men of York county, whose early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, com- menced life in Nebraska with only a capital of two hundred dollars, and through his own COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 309 efforts has attained to a fine position, so- cially and financially, among his fellow- citizens. His homestead, one of the most noticeable in York township, embraces a fertile tract of land under thorough cultiva- tion. Both as a business man and a citizen, the proprietor occupies an enviable posi- tion in the estimation of the people of the county. Born in Wales, March 17, 1852, Mr. Price is a son of Benjamin and Ann (James) Price, also natives of that country, where the father carried on operations as a farmer until 1868, when he brought his family to the new world, landing in New York City. He proceeded at once to Green county, Wisconsin, where they made their home for five years, and in the spring of 1872 came to York county, Nebraska, where he home- steaded one hundred and sixty acres on sec- tion 2, York township, and took up a tim- ber claim on section 12. He made that place his home until 1889, when, on ac- count of ill health, he removed to Iowa Park, Texas, where his death occurred in 1892. His wife had departed this life in York county, in 1880. In their family were six sons and one daughter, and all of the sons became residents of York county, where they continue to live with the exception of one now deceased. Mr. Price, whose name introduces this review, obtained his literary education in the schools of his native land, his school days being over on his emigration with the fam- ily to America at the age of sixteen years. In Wisconsin he assisted in the work of the home farm, and to some extent also worked as a farm laborer for others. In December, 1873, he came to York county, Nebraska, and secured a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres on section 2, New York township, to which he has added eighty acres on section i, and the southwest quar- ter of section 36. On locating here the land was all raw prairie, upon which he erected a sod house that continued to be his home for six years, being then replaced by a good frame residence. He has also placed two hundred and forty acres of his land un- der the plow, and is now successfully en- gaged in general farming and stock raising, feeding all the grain raised upon his farm to his stock. In 1876 Mr. Price wedded Miss Mary E. Denney, a resident of York county, and a native of Iowa. They now have an inter- esting family of five children, namely: Ann A., Evan O., Ralph B., Frank O. and Hes- ter A. The parents and children are all connected with the Baptist church and in the social life of the community occupy an enviable position. Fraternally Mr. Price is a member of the Masonic order, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Royal High- landers. In his political affiliations he has always been a Republican, and was one of the organizers of the party in York county. In the fall of 1892, he was elected sheriff of the county, assumed the duties of the office January i, 1893, and so acceptably did he fill the position that he was re-elected in 1894, serving in all four years with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. JOSEPH H. WISE, the present in- cumbent of the office of sheriff in Sew- ard county, has already proved himself a capable official in the few months in which he has been before the public. He has push and energy, and any duty the court puts upon him is done without hes- itation. Sheriff Wise was born in Luzerne county Pennsylvania, September 7, 1856, and was a son to Henry and Amelia (VanBuskirk) Wise. They were natives of Pennsylvania, and were reared to rural pursuits. Very soon after their marriage they sought a home in Sandusky county, Ohio. But not 310 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. finding what they desired there, they went farther west and pitched their tent in Scott county, Iowa, in 1868. There the husband and father died in 1885. The wife and mother is still living, and makes her home with her son, the gentleman whose name is introduces this article. They were the par- ents of two sons and one daughter, and the only one of the children now living is the one whose home shelters the aged widow. Mr. Wise attended the common schools of Scott county, and when his school days were over applied himself to the vocation of a farmer. In 1878 he crossed the Mis- souri, and penetrating far into Nebraska, took up a farm in Adams county and there he lived for four years. In 1882 he came into Seward county and bought a farm in precinct N. This was his home until his assumption of the duties of sheriff, with the exception of about a year and a half which he spent in California. In the fall of 1897 he was elected sheriff of Seward county, and he is proving himself a good official. He has always taken a lively interest in po- litical matters, and in former years has been the assessor, clerk, collector and treasurer of his township. In fraternal cir- cles he is prominent and popular. He is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and also a mem- ber of the Knights of the Maccabees. He is a man of fine character and has an excel- lent reputation for honesty and integrity. STEPHEN C. LANGWORTHY, the president and founder of the First National Bank of Seward, has been associ- ated with many of the most important finan- cial enterprises in this section of Nebras- ka, and stands in the front rank of the enlightened and progressive citizens of this community. He is known as a shrewd and sharp business man and is ever alert to every wind that blows upon the world of money and commerce. He has been in many parts of the country and has done business in many places, and wherever he has been he has had the standing of an up- right and conscientious man who means the right, and subordinates everything to the consideration of justice and honor. Mr. Langvvorthy was born in Morgan county, Illinois, in 1824, and is a son of Dr. Stephen and Jane (Moreing) Langworthy. The father was a native of Vermont and the mother of South Carolina, her birthplace being near the city of Charleston. The Langworthy family in the United States sprang from three brothers who emigrated from Wales in the early part of the seven- teenth century, and settled in the New England states. Dr. Stephen Langworthy was the eldest of five brothers; he was educated in the schools of Vermont and it was in that state that he first began reading medicine; he later entered a medical college in Connecti- cut and was graduated from there. He be- gan the practice of his profession in the western part of New York state; from there he removed to Pennsylvania, where he re- mained but a short time, and then in com- pany with others made his way down the Ohio river in a flat-boat and finally settled at Jacksonville, Illinois, and there he remained for some years. From Jacksonville, Illinois, Dr. Lang- worthy removed to Dubuque, Iowa, which was then but a small trading post, the pop- ulation of which consisted of a few adven- turous spirits seeking new homes in the west, and miners who had been brought there on account of the lead deposits. It was in this place he passed the remainder of his life, dying there in about the year 1847. During his residence in Iowa, the Doctor followed the practice of his profes- sion and was well-known throughout that section of the state. He took a prominent part in the organization of the county, and was known as one of the leading men of COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 311 Dubuque. He was twice married, his first marriage being to a Miss Massey. during his residence in New York state, and who bore him eleven children. The Doctor chose for his second wife Jane Moreing, who survived him many years, her death occurring at Du- buque, Iowa, in 1887. Stephen C. Langworthy, the subject of this article, was reared and educated in Morgan county, Illinois; he early in life be- came self-supporting and in 1849 we find him, in company with many others, bound for the gold fields of California. After spending some time in the mines and not meeting with the success that he had antic- ipated, he turned his attention to mercan- tile pursuits, and for seven years was en- gaged in wholesaling general merchandise. At the end of that period he returned east and embarked in the grain and lumber trade at Monticello, Iowa, and made that place his home for many years. He assisted in the organization of the Monticello National Bank and served as its president during his residence there. In 1876 he came to Seward county, Nebraska, and organized the Seward County Bank, and was its president and general manager until it was merged into the First National Bank in 1882. On the organiza- tion of the First National Bank he was chosen as its president and still remains at the head of that institution. Mr. Lang- worthy has assisted in the inauguration of many of the most important business enter- prises of this county and has ever been ready to encourage any plausible project. He owns and controls a large tract of land in this county and has other real estate in- vestments of an extensive character. Mr. Langworthy was united in marriage in 1858 to Miss Elizabeth C. Bennett, a native of New York (further mention of whom will be found on another page of this volume). To this union have been born four sons and two daughters, all of whom are now living, except one daughter. William E., the eldest son, is now ably discharging the duties of cashier of the First National Bank. He graduated from the Seward high-school in 1884, shortly after which he entered the bank and has ably assisted in its management. He was married in Jan- uary, 1897, to Miss Jessie Tishue, a daugh- ter of Joel Tishue, one of the well-known business men of Seward. Alice, now Mrs. Gillespie, is a resident of Archer City, Texas; Stephen C, Jr., is a member of the Seward county bar and a graduate of the State University and Law School. He was admitted to practice in 1892 and was en- gaged in the practice of his profession at Seward up to May, 1898, when he enlisted in Company F, of Second Nebraska Vol- unteer Infantry, and served as a member of that company until October of the same year, when the regiment was mustered out of service. Fred B. is now a resident of Chicago. Bert S., the youngest son, is fill- ing a position of assistant cashier in the bank. Mr. Langworthy has never taken any active part in politics, but is a strong and outspoken Republican. The bank over which he has so successfully presided has a capital stock of $50,000, a surplus of $10,- 000, carries deposits averaging $134,000, and has undivided profits of $9,000; its board of directors is composed of the solid business men of Seward, among whom may be mentioned, Herman Diers, S. R. Doug- las, John Zimmerer, and others equally well known, and is regarded as one of the solid concerns of the state. Elizabeth C. (Bennett) Langworthy. To attempt to compile a history of the peo- ple of this section of Nebraska without mak- ing special mention of the important work that has been accomplished by the women of this state would be erroneous and mis- leading. From the earliest settlement made on the west banks of the Missouri river we S12 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. have found them going side by side with their husbands and fathers, enduring the hardships of frontier life, exposing them- selves to the dangers following the settle- ment of a new country, but cheerfully bear- ing these burdens that they might build for themselves and their children a home. In later years, when the country became more settled we find them taking a promi- nent part in the government of the schools, and through their own efforts many of the most beneficial organizations in the state have sprung into existence. Mrs. Langworthy belongs to that type of women that possess all the noble quali- ties of a true mother but who has found time to labor in behalf of her sex and to bring the moral and intellectual standard to a much higher plane. Mrs. Langworthy is a daughter of Jacob and Caroline (Valentine) Bennett, she was born in Orleans county. New York state, in 1837. Her parents were both natives of the same state but were of Holland-Dutch and French parentage respectively. The father was a tiller of the soil and followed that occupation the greater part of his life. He removed from New York to Wisconsin in 1849, from there to Minnesota, and later to Missouri, in which state he died in 1888, aged ninety-one years. He was the father of nine children; the wife and mother de- parted this life in the same state, aged eighty-six years. The grandfather of our subject was Jacob Bennett, Senior. He was a soldier in the American Revolution, was taken prisoner of war by the English forces and was held in an English prison ship for some time, off the coast of Quebec. Mrs. Langworthy was reared to the age of sixteen in New York state and there re- ceived her early education in the public schools of that state. She accompanied her parents on their removal to the west and completed her education by a course in the Hamlin University, then located at Red Wing, Minnesota. Her marriage occurred at that place in 1858 and by this union she has become the mother of six children, men- tion of whom is made elsewhere. Since becoming a resident of Seward, Mrs. Langworthy has taken an active part in the club work of the state, and for five years served as a member of the school board of Seward. She was also appointed as a member of the board of associate char- ity, and has served in that capacity for a number of years. In 1893 she was ap- pointed by Thomas W. Palmer as a mem- ber of the board of lady commissioners from Nebraska to the World's Columbian Exposi- tion at Chicago, and was selected as chair- man of that board from this state. In 1890 Mrs. Langworthy organized the History and Art Club of Seward, and later took a prominent part in the organization of the state federation of clubs. She served as its first secretary, and in October, 1898, was elected president of that organization. To attempt to give in detail the prominent part that she has borne in the social affairs of the state of Nebraska is not permitted in this limited space; suffice to say that she is well known not only throughout Nebraska, but through the country in general. In 1894 Mrs. Langworthy spent some months across the Atlantic, visiting all the principal cities of Europe. She is a woman of broad views, and her opinions in matters of art are much sought after. CHARLES DOUGLAS WHITE.— It is a pleasure to record the main events in the life of one who has attained an enviable position solely through his own efforts and exertions, and who, though he has not yet completed the ascent of the sunny side of the hill of life, has won for himself, his wife and his family a very comfortable and pleas- ant home. Mr. White moved to his present home COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHV. 313 in Ulysses township, Butler county, from Woodford county, Illinois, where he was born in 1861. His father, James White, was an early settler in Woodford county, Illinois, but was a native of North Caro- lina. When his parents emigrated from the last named state to Illinois, he and an older sister went all the way a-foot, follow- ing the wagons barefooted. When the father died a few years ago, he owned two hundred and forty acres of land in Woodford county, which was worth one hundred dollars per acre, besides much other property. Our subject's motherborethemaidennameof Miss Rebecca Kirby and was born in Pennsylvania, and his brother, W. T. White, moved to Nebraska about three years ahead of him. When Charles D. White, the subject of our sketch, first located in Nebraska, he was a poor man, having no capital what- ever. He began by working on a farm by the month, and, by close attention to busi- ness, industry and economy, he was soon able to purchase a farm and stock and tools to start farming on his own account, and is now the fortunate owner of a fine farm of one hundred sixty acres, well improved and equipped with a comfortable and attractive home. Mr. White is a potent factor in the prosperity enjoyed by Butler county, and has been of great assistance in developing and extending its agriculture. He is a man of considerable means and popularity, and his public spirit has never been called in question. He is a man of the very best character, thorough and systematic as a farmer, pleasant to meet, and is held in high esteem by all with whom he comes in contact. He has an excellent farm, a cozy home and a pleasant family. Mrs. White, who was known in her girl- hood as Miss Elvina Burge, is a daughter of Jeremiah Berg, of Henry county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. White were married in 1886 and their home has been blessed by the presence of a bright, ' interesting family of three children, whose names in the order of their birth are as follows: Mabel E., James J. and Clara H. EDGAR A. WELLS, one of the most en- ergetic and prosperous business men of Arborville township, York county, has al- ways been interested in agricultural pur- suits, and in connection with general farm- ing has for the past twelve years been engaged in feeding cattle on quite an ex- tensive scale. He is also a liberal-minded aud public-spirited citizen, who ever cheer- fully gives his support to those enterprises that tend to public development. Like many of the best citizens of the county, Mr. Wells is a native of New York, born in Chenango county, September 23, 1854, and is a son of Halsey and Lorana (Rogers) Wells, also natives of the Empire state. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, removed to De Kalb county, Illinois, in 1854, and there made his home until called to his final rest in 1893. He reared a family of three sons and two daughters, of whom our subject is the second son and third child. His boyhood and youth were spent in Illinois, where he acquired a good practical education in the common schools. On starting out in life for himself he chose as a life work the oc- cupation to which he had been reared, and until 1880 followed farming in Illinois. Coming west he located in York county, Nebraska, and bought a farm in Arborville township, where he now owns four hundred acres of valuable and productive land, which he has placed under excellent cultivation and improved with good buildings. As pre- viously stated, he has for the past twelve years given considerable attention to stock raising, and now feeds annually one hundred and fifty head. During his residence in Illinois, Mr. Wells was married, in 1877, to Miss Stella 314 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. H. Ball, a native of De Kalb county, and a daughter of William and Julia (Arnold) Ball, natives of Kentucky and Ohio, re- spectively. One daughter graces this union — Coila M. The parents both hold mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and socially, Mr. Wells belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The Republican party has always found in him a stanch supporter of its principles, but he has never sought political preferment. He is widely and favorably known throughout his adopted county, and is always mentioned among the invaluable citizens of his com- munity. HON. WILLIAM WELCH, an influen- tial member of the agricultural com- munity of Polk county, having his home on section lo, township 14, range 2 west, Osceola precinct, is now representing his district in the state legislature with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He is one of the most popu- lar men of the community, a leader in thought and action, and is devoted to the public welfare. His portrait appears on another page. Mr. Welch was born March 18, 1841, in Harrison county, Ohio, and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Gray) Welch, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. As early as 1802 the father emigrated to Ohio, where he successfully engaged in farming and the raising of fine stock until life's labors were ended, dying there in 1868. The mother had passed away in 1848. Both were earnest and faithful members of the Presbyterian church; the father was a soldier of the war of 181 2, and always took an active interest in political affairs. Three of their sons valiantly fought for the preser- vation of the Union during the Civil war, namely: John P., who is now deceased; Daniel, who was killed in the battle of the Wilderness, and William, of this sketch. Of their six children, only Margaret E. and William are now living. By a previous marriage the father had two children: Elias B., deceased, and Mrs. Rachel Mayes. Upon the home farm in Ohio, William Welch passed his boyhood and youth, and in the schools of a neighboring village re- ceived his education. On the 14th of May, 1864, he enlisted as a private in Company H, One Hundred and Seventieth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, and with his regiment was ordered to Washington, District of Colum- bia. They did guard duty at Harper's Ferry and in the Shenandoah valley, and partici- pated in the battles of Snicker's Gap, Cedar Creek, Monocacy Junction and Bolivar Heights, but Mr. Welch was never wounded or captured by the enemy. On the expira- tion of his term of enlistment he was dis- charged September 10, 1864, and returned home. Soon afterward he went to Marshall county, Iowa, where on a farm he exten- sively engaged in sheep raising for nine years, having a flock of eight hundred. The following year he spent in Colorado, and in 187s he came to Polk county, Nebraska, and located on his present homestead, living at first in a sod house with no floor. He has made all of the improvements upon the place, including the erection of an attractive residence in 1887, which he surrounded by beautiful shrubs and shade trees. The farm, comprising two hundred and forty acres, is all under a high state of cultivation, and with the exception of three years spent in Osceola, it has always been his home since locating thereon in 1875. On the 4th of March, 1875, Mr. Welch was united in marriage with Miss Emily T. Lodge, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, January 3, 1847, a daughter of Evan and Tirzah (Hale) Lodge, the former a na- tive of Virginia, the latter of Ohio. Her father, who was a farmer by occupation, re- moved to the Buckeye state, and died in HON, WILLIAM WELCH. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 317 Columbiana county, in March, 1893, his wife dying in the same county, July 31, 1888. Five of their eight children are still living: David H., Mrs. Lizzie A. Adams, Mrs. Welch, Alice and Mrs. Virginia Wat- son. Two sons were soldiers of the Civil war: Abel C. , who died November 9, 1876; and Jonathan M., who died in Iowa, May 30, 1889. Mrs. Welch was reared on her father's homestead, received a good ed- ucation in the schools of Ohio, and for a time successfully engaged in teaching. She came to Nebraska in 1874. By her mar- riage she become the mother of three children: 'Percy Gray, born August 29, 1876; died January 5, 1S84; Herman Lodge, born May 15, 1878; and Arthur Evan, born November 18, 1880. Originally Mr. Welch was a Republican in politics, and supported Abraham Lincoln for the presidency, but is now identified with the Peoples' party, and takes quite an active and prominent part in political mat- ters. In the fall of 1896 he was elected to the state legislature, and in the thirty-ninth assembly was a member of the committee on acts and expenditures, mines and min- ing, universities and normal schools, live stock and grazing. He is always courteous, kindly and affable, and those who know him personally have for him high regard. It is to such enterprising and progressive men as Mr. Welch that the west owes its prosperity, its rapid progress and its ad- vancement. JOHN W. BENNETT.— The subject of this sketch is not only one of the lead- ing farmers of New York township, but is a prominent and influential man in political and social circles in York county, and for two terms he held the office of treasurer of that county. He was born in Clark county, Indiana, April 6, 1842, a son of Marcus F. and Sarah (Swartz) Bennett. Marcus F. Bennett, our subject's father, was born in North Carolina, was a farmer by occupation, and in 1826 he moved to In- diana and settled in Clark county. This he made his home until 1852, when he moved from thence to Adams county, Illinois, and made that his home until 1882, when he came to Nebraska. He died at Waco, York county, June 13, 1897, at the age of eighty-five years. His wife was born in Indiana, and is still living. They were the parents of a family of eleven children, ten of whom are living, and of whom our sub- ject is third in the order of birth. John W. Bennett, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools of Indiana and Illinois, and began work on a farm at the age of ten years. He made his home with his parents until twenty-two years of age, and then began life on his own responsibility in Illinois. He made his home in this state until 1878 and then moved to York county, Nebraska, and settled at Waco, where he was engaged in farming and operating a lumber yard for about two years. He then bought his present farm in section one. New York township, placed upon it the buildings and other improve- ments that go to make up a cosy home and a valuable farm, and his estate will compare favorably with the best farms in this section of the country. Here Mr. Bennett carried on a general farming and stockraising busi- ness until 1882, when he was elected treas- urer of York county. After performing the duties of that office for a period of four years, he again resumed his farming and has since devoted his attention to that line of work, with the exception of the year 1 891, which he spent in California. Mr. Bennett was married in Illinois in 1872, to Miss Tillie M. Kendig. She is a native of the state of Pennsylvania, and her parents, Henry and Mary J. (Walters) Ken- dig, were both natives of the same state, and were of German descent. They lived 318 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. and died in their native state. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are the parents of a family of two sons, Ezra L. and Elton A. The en- tire family are members of the Methodist church. In politics our subject is identified with the Republican party, and has become one of the leaders in that organization in the county in which he lives. Besides serv- ing as treasurer of York county, Mr. Ben- nett has held some of the minor offices, among them that of supervisor of New York township. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for the past twenty- eight years, and for the past nine years he has been a Knight Templar in that organi- zation. He also affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Bennett has been quite successful both as a farmer and in his political career and has accumulated considerable means, but best of all he has made a wide acquaintance and enjoys the respect and estaem of all who know him. PHILIP BOHL, who is worthy of more than a mere mention in a work of this nature, is an "Ohio man" in the broadest and best sense of that term. He arrived in this section of the country when a large portion of the soil of York county still rest- ed undisturbed by the plowshare, and while the primitive dwellings of the settlers were few and far between. The township of Morton, in which he located, gladly wel- comed within its precincts every man who was blessed with ambition and brains. In this category the subject of this sketch was placed at once, and he proved himself equal the demands made upon him. The childhood home of Mr. Bohl was in Washington county, Ohio, where his birth occurred February 17, 1847. His parents, Nicholas and Mary (Gettle) Bohl, were natives of Germany and on coming to the United States, in 1834, settled in Washing- ton county, Ohio, where the father followed farming throughout his active business life. He is still living at the advanced age of eighty-two years, honored and respected by all who know him, but the mother de- parted this life in 1897. To them were born four sons, of whom three are still liv- ing, and two now make their home in Ne- braska. Reared in Ohio, Philip Bohl obtained his education in the public schools of that state, and as soon as large enough he began to assist in the work of the home farm, re- maining with his parents until he attained his majority. In 1868 heremoved to Moul- trie county, Illinois, where he continued to reside until 1871, when he came to York county, Nebraske, and took up a homestead on section 30, Morton township. He soon sold that place however, and purchased his present farm on section 28, the same town- ship, it being a pre-emption and entirely unimproved. He at once turned his atten- tion to breaking and cultivating his land, and now has one of the best farms in this locality. It comprises a quarter- section of land and is improved with good and sub- stantial buildings. In 1884 Mr. Bohl was united in mar- riage with Miss Jerusha Brooker, who was also born in Washington county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Morgan and Maria (Tro- bridge) Brooker, natives of Connecticut and Rhode Island, respectively. Both died in Ohio, the mother in 1873. Mrs. Bohl is an earnest member of the Lutheran church, and he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Modern Brother- hood of America. In political sentiment he is a Democrat, but has never cared for the honors or emoluments of public office, preferring to give his entire time to his busi- ness interests. He is, however, a public spirited citizen, and never withholds his support from any object which he believes will prove of public benefit. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY 319 SWAN AUGUST ANDERSON occupies a prominent place as a well-to-do and progressive member of the farming com- munity of Butler county, in Franklin town- ship, of which he has an elegant farm of two hundred and forty acres in sections 31 and 32. He located on this farm in 1881, when it was still all prairie, and since his residencehere he has placed upon it such im- provements as entitle it to rank among the finest pieces of property devoted to agri- cultural pursuits to be found throughout the community, and has been instrumental in developing and promoting the growth in this section of the county. Mr. Anderson was born in Sweden May 16. 1839, and was reared on a farm in his native country. He received his education in the common schools of Sweden, and in 1869 he migrated to America, and located at Burlington, Iowa. Here he worked for about two years on the railroad which was then being constructed, and lived on a boarding train, and also worked for a time in Missouri, on a railroad, with a team. He then went to Jefferson county and oth- er counties in Iowa, and has worked at different times in nearly every part of the state. He went to Butler county, Nebraska, in 1876, and located first in David City, where he lived five years. He then bought the farm he now occupies, moved to it, furnished it with a complete line of improve- ments and began farming, and in connec- tion with that line of work he has been ex- tensively engaged in raising, buying and shipping stock for sixteen years. He is one of the most systematic and successful farmers in the county. June 26, 1866, our subject was married in Sweden to Miss Ida Anderson, also a na- tive of that country, and their wedded life has been blessed by the presence of a fam- ily of four children, as follow: Ollie, wife of Peter Johnson, of Olive township, Butler county, Nebraska; Arthur Roland, at home; Albert and John, deceased. Politically our subject is a Republican. He is a member of the Lutheran church and was one of the organizers of the society in the community in which he lives, and helped, both in a financial sense and otherwise, in the erec- tion of the church building. Mr. Anderson's father, Andrew Pearson, was also a native of Sweden, and a farmer by occupation. He was for four years judge of the court in Sweden, and died in his native country when our subject was but eleven years of age. His wife, Christeena (Swanson) Pearson, also a native of Sweden, died at the age of fifty-six years, leaving a family of seven children, all of whom grew to maturity and were married, and three of whom are still living, viz: John is living in the old country ; Gus A. is living in Vermillion county, Illinois; and Swan Au- gust, the subject of this sketch. HON. R. S. NORVAL easily takes rank among the first lawyers of Sew- ard county, and for many years has exer- cised a very large influence upon legal transactions in this part of the state. He has his office in Seward, but his patronage comes from widely extended sources, and his acquaintance throughout the state is very flattering to him both as a man and as a member of the bar. He has labored hard to master the intricacies of his profession, and it is the general judgment of the pub- lic that he is authority both in its practice and theory. Mr. Norval was born in Fulton county, Illinois, October 18, 1849, and is a son of Oliver and Mary J. (Sampson) Norval. His father came from North Carolina, and his mother from Maryland. They were farm- ers, and moved to Illinois in 1835 •" search of land for their growing family. The senior Norval was born in 1807, and died in Illi- nois at the very advanced age of eighty-four 320 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. years. His mother still survives and makes her home on the Illinois farm where she has dwelt for more than sixty years. Her son, the theme of this sketch, was educated in Illinois, and finished his general study at Hedding College. He began the study of law in 1868, earning the money for his first law books by keeping cows for his father. An older brother, Judge Nerval, pursued his law studies at the same time, and they read law so widely and thoroughh' that they entered the law department of the Univer- sity of Michigan and finished their studies at the same time. R. S. Norval entered that celebrated institution in 1869, and was graduated with the class of 1871, and was admitted to the Michigan Bar at Detroit the same year. He hung out his shingle and practiced law for a few months in Illi- nois, but the country was so well filled up with old and established attorneys, that a young and briefless lawyer seemed to have little chance. In March, 1872, in company with his brother, he came to this county, and formed a partnership which continued un- broken until the election of the senior mem- ber of the firm to the district bench. Mr. Norval was married in 1873 to Miss Martha A. Gray, a talented and accom- plished lady. She was born in Illinois, but is devoted to her Nebraska home. They are the parents of six children, Eva M., Oliver G. , Ethel L., Leona, Richard S., Jr., and Mary M. These children have sur- vived the perils of infancy, and give every promise of growing up to honorable and useful lives. He is an adept in Masonic matters, and also has membership in the Ancient Order of the United Workmen, and the Modern Woodmen of America. In all political themes and questions he holds to every orthodox Republicanism, and has been honored by his party in many ways. He was a delegate at large from Nebraska to the national Republican convention at Chicago that nominated President Harrison in 1888. In 1889 he was sent to the state senate, and has repeatedly served on im- portant committees. He has been on the state committee, as well as the congressional and county organizations. He is familiar with all the details of commercial law. He helped organize the Beaver Crossing state bank, and was its first president, and for some years served as one of its directors. He has made a conspicuous success, and holds the esteem of the county as few men are able to do. PO. CHINDGREN.— No foreign ele- ment has become a more important part in our American citizenship than that furnished by Sweden. The emigrants from that land have brought with them to the new world the stability, enterprise and per- severance characteristic of their people and have fused thesequalities with the progress- iveness and indomitable spirit of the west. Mr. Chindgren is a representative of this class. He came to America a poor boy, hoping to benefit his financial condition, and his dreams of the future have been more than realized. He now occupies a very prominent place in the business circles of Polk county, and is also serving as chair- man of the board of county commissioners. He resides at Swede Home, where he con- ducts a large general store and also fills the office of postmaster. Mr. Chindgren was born in Sweden, November 29, 1S51, and in that country acquired his education in the common schools. It was in 1869 that he crossed the broad Atlantic, and after spending one year in Galesburg, Illinois, went south, and for three years was engaged in farming on rented land in Mississippi and Tennessee. Returning to Illinois in 1872, he worked for different farmers in Mercer, Henry and Rock Island counties until coming to Polk county, Nebraska, in 1884, and embarked COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 321 in business on his own account at Swede Home. He built a store room, but pur- chased his first bill of goods while sitting on his lumber pile before the erection of the building. He prospered in this undertaking, has added to his store, and now carries a large and well selected stock of general merchandise. Besides his village property he owns a well improved farm of eighty acres, and is secretary of the Scandinavian Mutual Insurance Company, which was or- ganized in 1887 with N. P. Hult as presi- dent; P. O. Chindgren, secretary; and C. H. Anderson, treasurer. In 1885 Mr. Chindgren married Miss Amelia Johnson, a native of Pennsylvania, and they have become the parents of five children: Milton D., Mabel E., Herman H. , Anton Benjamin and Reuben F. Mr. and Mrs. Chindgren are earnest members of the Swedish Augustana church, and he is a stanch supporter of the Republican party being the only representative of that party now in office in Polk county — a fact which plainly indicates his personal popularity and the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellow citizens. In the fall of 1895 he was elected a county commissioner and is now the efficient chairman of the board. He has also served as postmaster of Swede Home since July 19, 1884, and his name is honorably and inseparably con- nected with the history of his town and county. JOHN N. DAVIS, M. D., one of the most prominent professional men of York, York county, was born in Shelby county, Indiana, June 28, 1844. His father moved to Burlington, Iowa, in the spring of 1845, in which state the Doctor was raised. At the beginning of the Civil war he enlisted first at Fairfield, but was re- jected because of his being under age. Later, on January i, 1864, 'he again enlisted when he was assigned to Company H,Thirty- si.xth Iowa Infantry, in which company and regiment he served until the close of the war. On April 25, 1864, he was taken a prisoner of war at Mark's Mills, Arkansas, and was taken to Tyler. Texas, where he was confined in a stockade; was exchanged at the mouth of Red river, February 26, 1865, and was honorably dis- charged August 24, 1865, at DeVall's Bluff, Arkansas. Upon reaching his home, he im- mediately engaged in the general mercan- tile business, in which he continued for ten years. In the meantime he had taken up the study of medicine, and September i, 1874, entered the medical department of the State University of Iowa. On the 23d of August, 1875, he engaged in the prac- tice of medicine in Carl, Adams county, Iowa, and on January 10, 1877, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Dean, of Iowa City, one year and a half after en- tering his professional career. He con- tinued to practice medicine in Carl until September i, 1878, when he again returned to the State University for a second course in medicine, remaining in Iowa City until September, 1879. He then entered the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio, and was graduated in June, 1880. He returned to Iowa City and remained there until June, 1882, when he came to York, Nebraska, where he located in August of the same year, and has since continued in the active practice of medicine and surgery. He served four years as councilman, and in April, 1894, was elected mayor of the city of York, serving one term. In 1893, he was chosen a mem- ber of the World's Congress of Eclectic Physicians and Surgeons at the World's Columbian Exposition. He is at the pres- ent time a member of the United States ex- amining board of surgeons. The Doctor has enjoyed a profitable business and is comfortably fixed with this world's goods. 322 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. He has been blessed with one son, Elroy D. , who is now in the clothing business, and one daughter, Iva D., eleven years of age, now in school. He is a member of the Masonic and In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows fraterni- ties, and also of the Robert Anderson Post, No. 32, of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, and has always been identified with the Republican party. The Doctor has always taken an interest in public affairs, and all matters affecting the welfare of the city and county, and all the honors and posi- tions bestowed upon him, have come with- out any solicitation on his part. FREDERICK P. BLOOM.— While some men's lives are quietly and peacefully spent within the influence of a home, others meet withthe adventures in the course of their life which read almost like a romance. Among the latter class is the subject of this sketch, whose early life was passed amidst exciting scenes from choice. Of late years, however, he has quietly engaged in agricultural pur- suits on section 30, Center township, Butler county, Nebraska, where he has made his home since 1880. Mr. Bloom was born on board a ship on the Atlantic ocean, in July, 1836, a son of John and Christina Blum, who were on their way from Germany to this country, where they intended to make their future home. For nine years after their arrival in the United States, they lived in Dayton, Ohio, and then removed to Randolph county, Indiana, locating near Winchester, where the mother died and was laid to rest. Our subject remained with his parents in that county until fifteen years of age, when he ran away from home, and to avoid being intercepted by them he changed his name from Blum to Bloom. Going to Kentucky his sympathies were soon enlisted in the interest of the slaves. and he aided many of them in making their escape to Canada. This was in 1854, and shortly afterward he went to Missouri, where he took an active part in the opera- tions of the "underground railroad," by which means many a poor negro managed to gain his freedom by being transferred from place to place until he crossed the Ca- nadian border. About this time the " bor- der ruffians " were making themselves very obnoxious to the Kansas free state people, and Mr. Bloom soon joined the forces of the latter under the noted John Brown, who was later executed for his raid on Harper's Ferry. Having secured a horse from the border ruffians, our subject was soon a lead- ing spirit in the adventurous band who did excellent service in the cause of freedom during the early days of Kansas history. In 1858 he joined Albert Sydney Johnston on his trip to Salt Lake City against the In- dians after the Mountain Meadow massacre, and assisted in building Fort Douglas, west of Salt Lake, returning from this expedition to the Mississippi valley in the winter of 1859-60. Mr. Bloom then joined his brother An- drew in Stark county, Illinois, where he remained until the war of the Rebellion broke out. He at once enlisted for three months in Company B, Nineteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and afterward re-en- listed for three years, his regiment being assigned to General Tourchen's command. His previous training was well calculated to make him a valuable soldier, and in the events that followed he demonstrated that he had been an apt pupil. He participa- ted in the battles of Huntsville, Stone Riv- er, Chickamauga, as well as numerous other engagements, always being found in the midst of the fight, where shot and shell were falling thickest. Though twice wounded and his health shattered by hardships and exposure, he remained with his regi- ment until the expiration of his term of COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 323 enlistment, being honorably discharged at Chicago, July 9, 1864. His is a war record of which he may be justly proud. Return- ing to Stark county, Illinois, he made his home there until coming to this state in 1880, since which time he has owned and operated his present farm on section 30, Center township, Butler county. By all who know him, he is held in high regard, and his friends are many throughout his adopted county. On the 29th of September, 1864, Mr. Bloom was united in marriage with Miss Charlotte T. , daughter of Henry Curfman, a well-known farmer of Stark county, Illi- nois. They have become the parents of the following children, all born in Illinois with the exception of the youngest, Bertha P., who is a native of Butler county, Nebraska. In order of birth they are as follows: Laura Ann, now the wife of R. B. Cook, of Gar- rison, Butler county; Mary E., wife of Frank Howser, of David City; Josephine, wife of Ernest Cuplean, whose home is on section 30, Center township, Butler county; Nancy C, wife of Charles Kindler, of the same section; Henry Thomas, a resident of Garrison; and Charles Frederick, William M. and Bertha P., who are all at home. THOMAS ATKISON, deceased, was one of the honored pioneers and highly re- spected citizens of York county, his home farm being one hundred and twenty acres on sections 19 and 20, Lockridge township. He was born in Harrison county, Ohio, October 16, 1852, and was a son of Will- iam and Mary (Kyle) Atkison, farming people, who made their home in the Buck- eye state for many years. Later in life they removed to Iowa, but the father died in Illinois, in 1875, and the mother passed away at the home of our subject in Ne- braska, in 1S83.* Of their six children, five sons and one daughter, all are now deceased with the exception of one son and the daughter. Mr. Atkison, of this review, was prin- cipally reared and educated in Iowa, and he continued to aid his father in the opera- tion of the home farm until 1871, when he and a brother came to York county, Ne- braska, and homesteaded two quarter-sec- tions of laud on section 19 and 20, Lockridge township. These tracts were still in their primitive condition, but with characteristic energy our subject soon converted the raw prairie into highly cultivated fields and erected thereon a good set of farm build- ings. On the 8th of December, 1870, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Atkison and Miss Hannah Mosgrove, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Watson and Hannah Mosgrove, who at an early day emigrated to Iowa and later came to York county, Nebraska. To Mr. and Mrs. Atkison were born two children, Robert A. and Cordelia O., both living. The husband and father died in November, 1882, leaving many friends as well as his immediate family to mourn his loss. He was a Dem- ocrat in politics and most creditably served as road supervisor in his township for five years. Religiously he was identified with the United Brethren church, and his life was ever in harmony with his professions. He supported all feasible plans for the moral and intellectual advancement of his community, and was also an important factor in promoting the welfare of the township and county. A valued citizen, a kind father and affectionate husband, his memory is cherished and perpetuated by all. DAVID WARNER, an honored veteran of the Civil war, and an enterprising and progressive farmer residing on section 22, Chelsea township, Fillmore county, Ne- braska, was born on the 3d of December, 824 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 1828, in Broome county. New York, a son of S. S. and Eliza (Doolittle) Warner, the former of Welch and the latter of Irish descent. His paternal grandparents were David and Abigail (Hoyt) Warner, and his paternal grandparents were Isaac and (Hawley) Doolittle, all of whom were farm- ing people. Mr. Warner's educational advantages were limited to a few months' attendance at the district schools, but his business train- ing was not so limited, for he worked hard upon his father's farm until eighteen years of age and then learned the cooper's trade, spending a year in the shop of Ammi Palm- er. Afterward he worked at his trade and also spent some time in the woods, get- ting out cooper's supplies. On the 6th of February, 1850, he led to the marriage alter Miss Lavina A. Kark, who was born in Broome county. New York, March 27, 1828, a daughter of John and Melissa (Negas) Kark, natives of Holland and Massachu- setts, respectively. Her paternal grandpar- ents were John and Hester Kark. To our subject and his wife were born four children, of whom three are still living: Eliza M., Abbie P. and Walter D. All are now married and have homes of their own. After his marriage Mr. Warner pur- chased fifteen acres of land in his native county, erected a shop thereon, and eighteen months later embarked in the coopering business on his own account. At the end of two years he moved his shop to a little town near by, called New Ohio, but sold out eight months later and bought a few acres of land, which he commenced to operate. Thinking to better his condition, he soon disposed of that place and rented his father-in-law's farm for one year. Leav- ing his wife with her parents he made a trip to Illinois, and on his return home bought forty acres of land and embarked in farming on a more extensive scale. Two years later he again sold out and removed with his family to Ridgefield, McHenry county, Illinois, where he was in the employ of a farmer for one year. When the rebels opened fire on Fort Sumter, he with thousands of others in the north came forward as one man to the res- cue of the nation. He enlisted in Company B, Forty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was sworn into the United States service August 27, 1861. From Camp Douglas the regiment proceeded to St. Louis, and finally was sent in pursuit of General Price in Missouri. While the reg- iment was on guard duty, June 9, 1862, Mr. Warner was wounded by the accidental discharge of his gun and the fingers of his left hand were so badly lacerated that he was sent to the field hospital, later to Jefferson Barracks, and from there to the convalescent hospital at Louisville, Ken- tucky, where the examining physician de- clared him unfit for further service and he was discharged November 14, 1862. Re- turning home he embarked in the cooperage business at Ridgefield, Illinois, but in February, 1864, he again enlisted, this time in the Elgin Battery, Fifth Independ- ent Light Artillery, which he joined at Knoxville, Tennessee. From there they to Strawberry Plains, and on to Washing- ton, D. C, by way of Louisville, Kentucky, then down the Potomac to Morehead City, and from there to Kingston, North Carolina. They were in camp at Goldsboro, that state, until General Sherman came up, and with his army started in pursuit of John- ston. When the latter surrendered they were among those appointed by Sherman to secure the arms of the prisoners, and were afterward sent to preserve order among the citizens of Charlotte, remaining there until July 4, when Captain Wood was ordered to fire the national salute at twelve o'clock noon, which was done. The battery then went to Chicago, where it was mustered out the same month in 1865. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 325 Mr. Warner resumed work at his trade on his return to Ridgefield, where he made his home until 1868, and then moved to Iowa, but the 2nd of November, 1872, found him located on a farm in Fillmore county, Nebraska, where he has since re- sided. He has a good farm of eighty acres under excellent cultivation and well im- proved with good buildings, and as an agri- culturalist he has met with a well deserved success. He has taken quite an active and prominent part in local politics, and has most acceptably filled the offices of consta- ble and road overseer. Religiously he and his wife and two children are members of the Methodist church, two miles east of their farm, and he is now serving as trustee of the same. His career has ever been such as to commend him to the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact, and he has a host of warm friends in his adopted county. SAMUEL B. FLICIv.— One of the in- fluential members of the farming com- munity of Arborville township, York county, and one of its most highly esteemed citizens, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is entirely a self-made man in the truest sense of the term, having been the only architect of his own fortunes. On his ar- rival in the county his cash capital amounted to but five dollars, but he has steadily pros- pered, aided only by his own strong arms, indomitable energy and laudable ambition. Mr. Flick was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, February 29, 1844, and is a son of James and Margaret (Clinefilter) Flick, also natives of the Old Dominion. His paternal grandparents were David and Margaret (Van Pelt) Flick, who, like the parents of our subject, lived and died in Rockingham county. The father and grandfather were both shoemakers by trade, and followed that occupation as a life work. 19 Samuel B. Flick, who is the third in order of birth in a family of eleven children, was reared and educated in his native state, and at an early age began to engage in agricultural pursuits. In 1861 he joined the Confederate army as a member of Com- pany A, First Virginia Volunteer Infantry, and was in the service for two years and two months, participating in the battles of Brady Station, Upperville, \'irginia, and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Later he be- longed to the Eleventh Virginia Cavalry, and with that regiment took part in the bat- tle of Williamsport and many smaller en- gagements, but fortunately escaped without wounds. In 1863 he deserted the Con- federate army, and made his way to Peters- burg, West Virginia, where he took the oath of allegiance to the United States. For fifteen months Mr. Flick lived in West Virginia, the following three years were passed in Ohio, whence he went to Indiana, and for five years he made his home in Logan county, Illinois, following farming all this time. In the fall of 1871 he came to York county, Nebraska, and filed a claim on section 30, Arborville town- ship. He drove across the country from Logan county, Illinois, and back again, and in the spring of the following year brought his family to their new home. For nine- teen years they lived in a sod house, but now have a pleasant frame residence, which is surrounded by good barns and outbuild- ings, all models of convenience. In Huntington county, Indiana, Mr. Flick was married, in 1868, to Miss Eliza- beth Christian. Her parents, John and Nancy (Goodyear) Christian, had removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio at an early day, but for many years have made their home in Huntington county, Indiana, where they are still numbered among the highly re- spected and honored citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Flick have a family of si.x children: Arnett F., now Mrs. H. W. Hitchcock; 326 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. Verna B. ; Charles W. ; Samuel L. ; Bertha A. and Elizabeth C, all still living. The parents are consistent members of the Church of Christ, and socially Mr. Flick belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically he is a Populist, and he has been honored with the offices of justice of the peace and township super- visor, which he filled with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of all con- cerned. HON. THOMAS WOLFE, president of the First National Bank, of David City, Nebraska, was born in Germany near the Rhine, May i8, 1846, came with his parents to America in 1852 and located in Marquette, Wisconsin, from whence they removed to Marathon county, Wisconsin, in 1854. At the age of ten years he en- tered the force of the Central Wisconsin, a weekly newspaper, at Wausau, Wisconsin, serving his time as a printer, afterwards re- moving to Milwaukee, where he worked on the Daily News, and in job offices; from thence he went to Chicago, where he was on the staff of the Tribune and Journal. On g©ing to New York later he was employed by the Evening Post and Tribune. He then took a westward course to Omaha in 1864 where he worked on the Republican, Herald, Tribune, and Bee, being president of the Omaha Typographical Union for several years and was for some time superin- tendent of the Bee office. In 1874 during the printers' strike, al- though he was opposed to it, he went out with the union men to Seward, Nebraska, and bought out the Nebraska Reporter, which weekly he published for some eight years. After this time he removed to Butler county, where he was made president of the Butler County Bank, in David City, in 1877, and remained president of this bank until it was converted (1883) to the First National Bank, still being its president and holding the office ever since. Mr. Wolfe was connected with the Ne- braska Press Association for several years and was president of same from 1879 to 1880. He represented Seward county in the legislature during the years of 1887 and 1888, having been elected to this office by the Republican party, with which party he has ever been identified In 1893 he established the David City Public Library, which contains about four thousand volumes. He has been president and treasurer of the Butler County Agricult- ural Society and also of the Business Men's Association of that place. In 1896 he married Miss M. Madessa Guist, of Titusville, Pennsylvania. MYRON N. MYRICK, a worthy repre- sentative of the agricultural interests of Morton township, and one of the hon- ored pioneers of York county, was born on the 14th of September, 1841, in Williams- ton, Wayne county. New York, and is a son of Isaac N. and Mary (Gray) Myrick, na- tives of Vermont, where their respective parents spent their entire lives. The father of our subject, who was a stone cutter by trade, and also followed the vocation of farming, removed to New York in 1841, where he worked at his trade until going to Michigan in 1857. From Michigan he emigrated to Illinois in 1865, and settled in McDonough county, where his death oc- curred in 1879. The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed in the Empire state, where he attended school and also learned the stone cutter's trade. He engaged in clerking for some years, and later followed farming in Michigan and Illinois. In 1861 he re- sponded to his cotmtry's call for aid to as- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 327 sist in putting down the rebellion, enlisting in Company B, Sixteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and with that regiment served for ten months, principally in Missouri. In 1864, he re-enlisted, this time becoming a member of Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and serving for five months, during which time he participated in the battle of Mem- phis and many smaller engagements. Re- turning to Illinois, he made that state his home until the fall of 1872, when he came to York county, Nebraska, and took up a homestead on section 4, Morton township. The following year he located thereon, and in 1874 erected a frame house into which he moved his family. To the cultivation and improvement of his land he at once turned his attention, and in his farming operations has met with excellent success, now owning six hundred acres of rich and arable land under a high state of cultivation. He has erected thereon one of the best sets of farm buildings to be found in the township, and in fact the place is one of the model farms of the county. In connection with general farming he is also interested in stock raising and finds this branch of his business quite profitable. On November 20, 1864, in Illi- nois, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Myrick and Miss Celestia P. Dickey, a daughter of James and Laura (Russell) Dickey, natives of Ohio. Her father now makes his home in York county, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Myrick have a family of five daughters, namely: Mary L. , wife of S. Thomas; Myra G., wife of Ed Borden; Mora O., wife of J. Schultz; Meta D., wife of Clyde Stewart; and Mina I. Mr. Myrick takes quite an active interest in fraternal matters and is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Modern Brotherhood of America, the De- gree of Honor, and the Home Forum. In political sentiment he is an ardent Repub- lican, and has most capably filled the offices of justice of the peace, town clerk for three terms, and assessor for two terms. His en- ergy and industry are proverbial, and he is a man who has beeen instrumental in pro- moting the progress and prosperity of the county. WILLIAM O. BACKLUND.— Promi- nent among the early settlers of Polk county, who have witnessed the marvelous development of this section of the state during the past quarter of a century, and who have, by honest toil and industry, suc- ceeded in acquiring a competence, is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He owns and operates an excellent farm on section 4, township 13, range 2, His father, Andrew Backlund, was born in Ockelbo, Yestrikland, Sweden, in 1827, and in that country married Miss Margaretta Shostrom, who was born in Yestrikland, in 1830. In 1856 they emigrated to the United States and located in Knox county, Illinois, where the father worked as a farm hand for a few years. Purchasing a horse, he and another man, who also owned one horse, rented a farm and in partnership conducted it for a time. Afterward he rented a farm alone for five years, and then purchased a tract of eighty acres in Knox county, of a Mr. Rhodes, making his home upon that place for seven years. Selling his farm he came to Polk county, Nebraska, in 1 87 1, and bought the south half of sec- tion 5, township 13, range 2, but did not bring his family to their new home until the loth of April, 1873. They arrived just two days before the great snow storm of that year. The horses, which had been left out- side tied to the wagon were covered with sleet and snow, and were afterward crowded into George Matson's stable, three in a stall, with no hay. The family endured many 328 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. hardships and privations during those early pioneer days. On coming here they trav- eled from Columbus to Mr. Matson's home, a distance of thirty miles, after dark. Upon the north half of the northwest quarter of section 4, Andrew Backlund built a frame barn, which he divided into two rooms, keeping the horses in the east half, while he and his family occupied the west half and slept in the loft. In May they began the erection of a house, hauling all the lumber from Seward, a distance of forty miles. This dwelling is still the hqme of our subject, but the barn was destroyed by lightning in March 1884. The first year of his residence here the father broke twenty acres of his land and raised a small crop of oats and sod corn; the following year raised four hundred bushels of wheat, but the grasshoppers de- stroyed all his corn. Upon this place the father lived until 1889, and after making his home for one year with his children, he re- moved to Stromsburg, having traded some property in California for property in that place. He died there February 26, 1892, and his widow is still a resident of Stroms- burg. They were earnest and faithful mem- bers of the Baptist church, in which he served as deacon for many years. The subject of this sketch is the second in order of birth in the family of four chil- dren, the others being as follows: Carrie is the wife of John Holinquist, of Stroms- burg, and has four children; Nellie, wife of Emil Carlson; Lucinda; Ernest and Lulu. Helen is the wife of Joseph Carlson, of township 13, Polk county, and has six chil- dren — Lenora, William, Isadore, Ollie, Grant and Erma. Rebecca is the wife of Rev. Charles J. Almquist, of Arthur, Iowa, and they have an adopted daughter — Esther. William O. Backlund was born in Wet- more, Knox county, Illinois, January 20, 1859, and obtained the greater part ot his education in that state, though he pursued his studies for a short time in a dark and dismal sod school-house in Polk county after coming to this state. He was married, January 27, 1885, to Miss Ida C. Adamson, a native of Sweden, and they have become the parents of five children: Alvin L. , Leonard E., Theodore W. , Elvira C. and Victor F. For four years after his marriage Mr. Backlund rented his father's farm, on sec- tion 4, and then returned to the old home- stead where he still continued to reside. He now owns two hundred acres, all under cul- tivation with exception of forty acres, and im- proved with good and substantial buildings. For six years he has been interested in stock raising, and now has a fine herd of nineteen head of thoroughbred shorthorn cattle. He is a member of the Scandina- vian Mutual Insurance Company, of Polk county, and for a time was district mana- ger of the same society in Hamilton county. Originally he was a Republican in politics, but now gives his support to the principles of the Prohibition party, and he and his wife are leading members of and active workers in the Swedish Baptist Church at Stromsburg, of which he is now serving as trustee. For six years Mr. Backlund has been a member of the school-board in dis- trict No. 56, was treasurer of the same and has also been road overseer in his precinct. As a citizen, friend and neighbor he is true to every duty, and justly merits the esteem in which he is held. AUGUST C. JUNGE is one of the prom- inent agriculturists of Thaj'er town- ship, York county, Nebraska. The estate which he occupies is located on section 20, and consists of five hundred and forty acres of fine arable land. It presents a very fine appearance, being adorned with all the modern improvements, and is conducted strictly on modern and scientific principles COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 329 of agriculture. Mr. Junge came to Thayer township at a very early day, and has been actively engaged in furthering any project that would promote the growth of develop- ment of the resources of the county. Mr. Junge is a son of John H. and Christina (Kohlmyer) Junge, who were both natives of Germany. The father followed agricultural pursuits during life, though both he and his wife are now dead. Mr. Junge, the subject of this sketch, was born in Hanover, Germany in 1840. He received his education in the land of his birth, and worked at home with his father until 1866, when he served for a short time in the German Army, during the Franco-Prussian war. In 1867 he emigrated to America, landed at New York, and came direct to Cook county, Illinois, from whence he pro- ceeded to Rock Island county, where some of his relatives resided. He made that place his home for five years, following general farming as a means of livelihood, both as a laborer and a renter. In 1872 he I located in York county, Nebraska, and took up a homestead on section 20, of Thayer township. He is now the proprietor of one of the finest farms in the county, which contains five hundred and forty acres of fine land. When Mr. Junge took possession of his property he built a sod house, in which he lived for six years, when he erected a more commodious dwelling. Mr. Junge was wedded in 1868, to Miss Dorothea Conrad, who was a native of Prussia, Germany and a daughter of God- fred and Dorothy (Betcher) Conrad. She came to the United States in 1868 with her parents. They brought in all four children with them, two sons and two daughters, and they first located in Illnois, where they resided four years. In 1872 they removed to York county, Nebraska, where they took up a homestead, upon which they made their home until 1S84. In 1894 Mrs. Conrad removed to Bates county, Missouri, where she now lives in company with one son, her husband having died in 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Junge are the parents of ten children, of whom we have the follow- ing record: William, Louis, August W., Mary S., now Mrs. Hoffman, Henry G., Albert N., Anna P. A., Godfred J., John A. O., and Carl Edward, all of whom are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Junge are members in good standing of the German Lutheran church. He is a firm believer in the princi- ples of the Republican party, and served four years as road supervisor. He has been very successful in his life work, and is now enjoying the fruits of his labor, sur- rounded by his happy family, for whom he has provided a good home. He is well known and highly respected by all for his genial and pleasant manner. ROBERT N. McGINNIS, deceased, was one of the pioneer settlers of York county, and an honored veteran of the war of the Rebellion. In the hour of his coun- try's peril he went forth to do battle for the starry banner and the cause it represented, and in times of peace was alike faithful to his duties of citizenship. In business cir- cles he was esteemed for his honesty and in social life his genuine worth won him the high regard of all with whom he was asso- ciated. Mr. McGinnis was a native of Cham- paign county, Ohio, born on the 9th of Jan- uary, 1833, and was a son of Thomas and Lydia (Stevens) McGinnis, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, whence they re- moved to the Buckeye state. The father, however, spent his last days in York coun- ty, Nebraska. The subject of this memoir was reared and educated in the state of his nativity and throughout his entire life fol- lowed the occupation of farming. During the Civil war, prompted by a spirit of pat- 330 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. riotism, he offered his services to the govern- ment, enlisting in 1861 as a member of Company F, Twentieth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, with which command he served for three years. He participated in many im- portant engagements, including the battles of Fort Donelson, Shilo, Stone river, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, the siege of Atlanta and was v/ith Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. Although he saw much arduous service he escaped with- out wounds, and with an honorable military record returned to his Ohio home. In 1867 Mr. McGinnis removed to Logan county, Illinois, where he carried on agri- cultural pursuits until the spring of 1872, — the date of his arrival in York county. He was one of the first settlers of Arborville township and from that time until his death took a very active and important part in its development and advancement. He secured a homestead on section 20 and for several years resided in a sod house. Acre after acre of his farm was placed under the plow until his property became one of the most valuable and desirable farms in the entire country and gave evidence of the thrift and enterprise of the owner, who was numbered among the most progressive agriculturists of the region. His life was a busy and use- ful one and he belonged to that class of en- ergetic, wide-awake men to whom the ad- vancement of a community is always due. In 1856, in Ohio, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. McGinnis and Miss Caro- line Dorsey. They became the parents of seven children: Hannah C. , Cynthia A., Thomas S., Charles S., Martha N., Ira B. and Harley A. Mr. McGinnis was a con- sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his widow also belongs. He continued his association with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, and gave his political support to the Republican party, but never sought or desired the honors or emoluments of public office. His business interests were managed with care, and his industry, straightforward dealing and keen discrimination brought to him a very com- fortable competence. He passed away in 1893 and all who knew him mourned the loss of one whom they had learned to re- spect and esteem. HON. JOHN B. MITCHELL, a real estate and insurance agent of Milford, Nebraska, is one of the leaders of the Dem- ocratic party in his section, his large ac- quaintance and unbounded popularity giving him an influential following, while his shrewd judgment of men and affairs make his counsel of value in all important move- ments. In business circles he also takes a foremost rank. Mr. Mitchell was born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1827, a son of Robert and Louisa Mitchell, who were of Scotch and Irish descent, and soon after the war of 1812 re- moved from Virginia to Ohio. Our subject's early life was spent upon a farm, but he was provided with more than ordinary educa- tional advantages, attending first the public schools, and later a select school in Cam- bridge, Indiana. Subsequently he also took a course of lectures at Rush Medical Col- lege, Chicago. He was married in Ohio, in 1847, to Miss Alciania Hawley, of New York state, a daughter of John C. and Eliza- beth (Heath) Hawley. The mother was a descendant of Lord Heath, of England. Four children grace this union: Jeannette and Alice, both born in Ohio; and Albert R. and Emma, born in Illinois. The only son is now a prominent physician of Lincoln, Nebraska. In 1855, Mr. Mitchell removed to Henry county, Illinois, where he soon became widely and favorably known. There he en- listed, in 1862, in Company C, One Hun- dred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 331 and was mustered into service as second lieutenant, being promoted in May, 1863, to the rank of captain for meritorious serv- ice at Monticello, Kentucky, which was his first actual engagement. He demonstrated his worthiness in more than twenty-five hard- fought battles, including the following: Monticello, May i, 1863; Richmond, Ken- tucky, August 10; Calhoun, Tennessee, November 12; Campbell Station, Novem- ber 16; Knoxville, November 17 and 18; Bean Station, November 15; Kelley's Ford, Janunry 4, 1864; Massey Creek, January 15, (all in Tennessee); Resaca, Georgia, May 14 and 15; New Hope Church, June 17; Pine Mountain, Georgia, June 19; Lost Mountain, June 21; Kenesaw Mountain, June 27; East Point, Georgia, August 6; Utoy Creek, Georgia, August 8, Jonesboro, Georgia, August 31; Columbia, Tennessee, November 30; Franklin, Tennessee, Novem- ber 30; Nashville, December 14, 15, and 16; Fort Anderson, Old Town and Wilmington, North Carolina, all in February, 1865; and Goldsboro and Raleigh in March, 1865. He did gallant and effective service in the At- lanta campaign, and during a charge at Knoxville, Tennessee, was wounded while at the head of his company, against superior forces, receiving favorable comment for his bravery. He was again wounded at Frank- lin, Tennessee, and when the war was over he was mustered out at Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1865. being discharged at Chicago. Returning to his home in Henry county, Illinois, Mr. Mitchell continued to reside in that state until 1880, which year witnessed his arrival in Milford, Seward county, Ne- braska. Here he conducted a drug store for some time, but is now engaged in the in- surance and real estate business. He has taken an active and prominent part in polit- ical affairs, and in 1896 was elected as the Democratic candidate for the state legisla- ture, being elected by a large majority. He proved an able representative of his district, and was a popular and prominent member of the assembly. WESTON W. LA MUNYON has been a resident of Butler county, Nebras- ka, since February, 1871, and has a pleas- ing and remunerative farm on section 28, Summit township. He is a fit type of those strong and active men who have passed through the pioneer days, and live to enjoy the results of life in Nebraska. He is hon- est and upright, a man of integrity, and sure of the good opinion of all his neigh- bors. Mr. LaMunyon was born in Pennsyl- vania, and was taken by his parents to Michigan at the tender age of five years. There he remained under the parental roof tree until he had grown to early manhood. And there the outbreak of the Civil war found him ready to respond to his country's call for help. He was a member of Com- pany E, Twenty-ninth Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He was only sixteen years of age when he enlisted, but he was a brave soldier, and did good service for the Union. He returned to Shiawasse county, Michigan, when the war was over and after a number of years was the owner of considerable real estate. This he sold, and taking the pro- ceeds came into Nebraska, confident that such a move would greatly improve his con- ditions of success. Bringing his family with him he located in the Platte valley, where he spent his first winter. He found it de- lightful, and has never ceased to sound the praise of the Nebraska climate. Securing his land he built a frame house, and put up the most substantial improvements. And here he lives to-day in the enjoyment of the rewards of a well spent life. In his earlier life Mr. Munyon affiliated with the Republican party, but the reform movement of recent years found in him a COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. strong advocate. He was one of the lead- ing spirits in the organization of the Inde- pendent movement in this state, and was elected on the county board, where he has served for three years. He is now rounding out his second year in the responsible office of justice of the peace. Mrs. LaMunyon's maiden name was Mary J. Snedicker, and she is the mother of ten children, whose names are Nora, Hattie, Matie, Thomas H., Willard W. , Hawley, Bessie, Garrett Wyman, Orpha and Justis Howard. His father. Ace LaMunyon, was born in Rhode Island and is still living. CHARLES Y. WARREN is among the older men who have made a home in Hays township, and is a man of whom York county might well be proud. He lives on section 17, and has fought a good fight against all kinds of obstacles and discour- agements in the noble effort to win a home for his dear ones out of the wilderness. He has splendidly succeeded by dint of pa- tience, hard work and persistence. These three qualities are woven into the inner- most fibre of all successful pioneers, and the subject of this article shows them in large measure. Mr. Warren was born at Cold Springs, Putnam county. New York, January 23, 1835, and is a son of John N. and Rachel (Davenport) Warren, who were also native to that state. His great-grandfather was that General Warren who was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill, and a cousin of his. General G. K. Warren, won high rank and honorable mention in the American Civil war. Samuel Warren, a brother of our subject, entered West Point at the same time. Both were wild and little inclined to the monotony of school work, and finding a favorable opportunity, ran away. The fu- ture general listened to the entreaties of his parents and returned to his duty, but Samuel was not open to persuasion, and would not return. John N. Warren was a blacksmith and was injured by a falling tree so seriously that his death soon result- ed. His son, the subject of this writing, was only seven years old at the time of his father's untimely passing. He remained in his native state until he was twenty-one years old, and then came to Leland, Illinois, where he engaged in the grain trade with an older brother. In the meantime his mother had settled in the neighboring town of Earlville, where she died in 1868. When the war broke out, Mr. Warren, true to the soldierly instincts of his blood, promptly enlisted in the Federal army. He was a member of Company I, Fourth Illinois Vol- unteer Cavalry, and served some thirteen months, when he was discharged on ac- count of serious disabilities. The Friday night before the battle of Pittsburg Land- ing, while on scout duty, he was shot in the right knee, and had his horse killed under him. He recovered from the wound, but it left him lame for life. He had partici- pated in many important battles and skir- mishes, and knows the smell of gunpowder on the field of battle. After being discharged from the service, Mr. Warren returned to Illinois and en- tered into business at Earlville. He was married in 1867 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Miss Emma A. Fuller. She was born at DePeyster, New York, and is a daughter of John and Marietta (Wilson) Fuller. Her parents were native to New York, and settled in Michigan at an early day. They came to LaSalle county, Illinois, in 1862, and engaged in farming. At a later date they removed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where her father died June 7, 1881. Her mother passed away June 14, 1868. Two years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Warren established themselves on a farm in Champaign county, Illinois, which they bought and retained as their home for CHARLES Y. WARREN. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 335 several years. In 1878 they came into Ne- braska and established themselves in Fill- more county. There they only raised one crop, and not feeling thoroughly satisfied with the location, abandoned it and en- tered York county, buying eighty acres where they are still living. Mr. Warren soon added a second eighty to his original purchase, and now owns and operates a well-appointed farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He has in addition to this some very desirable real estate in the village of Lushton. Mr. Warren is an active member of the C. W. Hays Post, No. 306, Grand Army of the Republic, at Lushton, and is its first junior vice-commander, and one of its charter members. He took a prominent part in the organization of the post, and has always exhibited an unselfish interest in its success. He was on the building commit- tee and did much to secure funds for the erection of a hall at Lushton for post pur- poses. The hall was recently dedicated with imposing and interesting ceremonies. Mr. Warren was president of the day, and took a leading part in the exercises. Mr. Warren is now serving the post as senior vice-commander, and is president of the board of trustees. He is the father of seven children, six of whom are living. Millie M., Mrs. S. Shaner, born November 22, 1867, and Harry F. was born April 2, 1870, and died January 13, 1873. The names and birth of the other children: Charles S., September 15, 1874; Pearl E. (now Mrs. Ohmar Hager), November 13, 1876; Susie E,, July 21, 1879; Samuel J., October 23, 1881, and Alma J., August 12, 1884. Mr. Warren is a man who com- mands respect wherever he is known. He was an old soldier of the union, and can feel a noble delight in the service he ren- dered in defending the union. He stands well in the community, and is known as a friend to all enterprises that look to the up- building and improvement of the neighbor- hood and county in which his home is found. His many friends will be pleased to find a portrait of this valued citizen on another page of this volume. AMANDA M. EDWARDS, superintend- ent of the Nebraska Industrial Home at Milford, is a woman whose influence for good is pronounced and far-reaching. The home over which she so successfully pre- sides is the outgrowth of certain plans and purposes of Mrs. Dr. Dinsmore, Mrs. C. H. Gere, Mrs. O. N. Humphrey and others of Omaha, and was founded and sustained for some years by the Woman's Associate Charities of Nebraska. It is now a state institution, the Board of Public Lands and Buildings having assumed full control in 1897. The present officers of the home were appointed by the Governor, and rep- resent the most active redemptive agencies of the state. Mrs. Edwards is the superin- tendent, Dr. Alma L. Rowe is the Home physician and Miss Nellie Reed is the matron. Mrs. Clara E. Carscadden was the retiring superintendent, and did much to prepare the way for the recognition of the Home as worthy of the name and sup- port of the state. Mrs. Edwards was born in Montgomery county, New York, and is a daughter of Isaac and Sarah B. (Bingham) Mereness, of that county. Her mother was born in Montgomery county, New York, and both lines of ancestry run back to Connecticut. The ancestors on her father's side trace back to Holland and were among the oldest Dutch families in New York state. She re- ceived her literary education at Ames Academy and at the Whitestown Seminary, both celebrated New York schools, and she is deeply versed in many studies. She married DeWayne Palmer in 1870. He died at New Hartford, New York, in 1874, 336 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. and she maintained her widowed state for four years, when she became the wife of Ira Edwards. In 1885 she came to Fremont, Nebraska, and there she grew deeply inter- ested in stock raising, and under her care the East Grove Stock Farm grew into one of the famous institutions of the state. As its founder and superintendent she was widely known throughout the west, and her peculiar ability was recognized by her ap- pointment from this state as judge of awards at the World's Columbian Exhibi- tion, where she served with honor and distinction. She was the only lady serving on the board of agricultural products, farm buildings, etc. She is a prominent club woman, and is thoroughly advanced and progressive in all her ways. It is, however, as superintendent of the home that her very gifts of heart and brain are displayed. She has to deal with wayward dependent girls, who are repentant of their evil ways, but without resources. She is a fine disciplin- arian, and has great executive ability. Her sympathies are strong, and she gives her unfortunate wards a mother's care. Her only son, Everet S., has charge of the farm interests of the home, and is a stirring and energetic young man of good business qual- ities. WILLIAM MAPPS, one of York county's most successful agricultur- ists, was born in Cumberland county, Penn- sylvania, in the year 1827. His parents, William and Jane (High- lands) Mapps, were natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania respectively. The father was a cooper by trade and followed that occupation, together with farming, during the greater part of his life. He went from Pennsylvania to Ohio, but after a few years he removed to Will county, Illinois, where he died at the age of eighty-two years. William Mapps, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in Ohio, learned the cooper's trade, and pursued that calling for several years in Ohio, and after- wards in Illinois, to which state he removed in 1848. During a considerable portion of the time he followed farming in Will county, Illinois, until 1889, when he removed to York county, Nebraska, where he had pur- chased land as early as 1880. On his ar- rival in the county he purchased additional lands, and has been very successful, being one of the best known men in the county, not only on account of his enterprise and business ability, but for all those qualities which go to make a popular man and good citizen. September 26, 1850, our subject was united in the bonds of wedlock with Eliza- beth Kendrick. Mrs. Mapps is a native of Indiana. To this congenial couple have been born five children, named as follows: Samuel T., a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume, John T., James W. , Elizabeth and Cora. FRANK KOZA is a well-to-do farmer and stock raiser on section 8, Skull Creek township, Butler county. He is one of the earliest settlers of the town, and has taken a deep interest in its welfare from the be- ginning. He has had many difficulties to contend against, and the experiences of a poverty-stricken Bohemian lad trying to make his way in a strange land are not very apt to be rose-colored. It was hard enough for those who were born to the soil and familiar with its laws and customs to make their way in the pioneer times. But it certainly required a peculiar heroism to undertake and accomplish what the subject of this sketch did naturally and easily, as it seems in the retrospect. Mr. Koza was born in Moravia, Austria, in December, 1856, where he passed the first fifteen years of his life. He had two COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 337 younger brothers and five older sisters, and in 1 87 1, upon his father's death, these eight children accompanied their mother to Ne- braska. She saw an opportunity for them on this side of the ocean, and though it required the undergoing of every kind of privation it meant life and knowledge for all her children, and she was willing to face the dangers of the new world for the sake of what it meant in the future for those she loved. They were among the earliest set- tlers of Butler county, and endured all the privations and hardships that were incident to those pioneer days, but her action was justified in the very substantial prosperity and comfort which her boys and girls have attained. Mr. Koza is located on a fertile farm which he has won by his own exertions, and where he lives securely intrenched in the esteem of his neighbors. Miss Katie Flem- ing, a daughter of Frank Fleming, herself a pioneer, became his wife in 1885, and has borne him three children, Elizabeth, Annie and Louis. She is a good housewife and a kind neighbor. Mr. Koza has a farm of two hundred and eighty acres, which is pro- vided with all the modern appliances to lighten the labor of the husbandman arid increase the productiveness of the soil. He is a Republican in his political affiliations, and a member of the Catholic church in his religious associations. WILLIAM M. STRICKLER. —Mr. Strickler is a progressive and public spirited citizen of York county, and is gen- erally recognized as a representative farmer of the state. He is the proprietor of a farm containing one hundred and si.xty acres, which is a delight to the critical eye. He is still in the prime of life, and antici- pates many pleasant years to be spent by him and his family on his highly cultivated acres in section 16, Waco township. Mr. Strickler was born in Adams county, Illinois, January 25, 1852, and the house of his nativity was rudely constructed of logs with hickory puncheon floors. It was but a humble home, and yet it nourished a strong man who was able to make a home in the fertile regions of a state then given over to the Indian and the wild beast. His parents, Abraham and Lucinda (Wash- ington) Strickler, were both natives of Pennsylvania, and there they were mar- ried with no capital but trusting hearts and brave spirits with which to face the future. They loaded their simple outfit for house- keeping on a small boat, and pulled around to Quincy, Illinois, where they had selected a location about thirty miles northeast of the city. The young husband had no money to pay for cartage and he hoed corn at twenty-five cents a day, until he had ac- cumulated money enough for transporta- tion. He was industrious and persistent, and in a few years he became the owner of a small farm. In i859,however, he sold it, and removed to a stretch of raw prairie in the same county, where his money secured him a larger and better-located farm. Here he remained until his death in 1884, outliv- ing his wife twenty-four years. He was a man of a strong and positive character. He was a member of the Christian church, and participated in the Mormon war. He was an honest hardworking man all his days, and left his children the inheritance of a good man. He was the father of five chil- dren who lived to attain maturity. Sarah Hoyt was the first-born, and the subject of this writing was second. Harriet Kerr and Caroline Cram are younger daughters, while the youngest girl, Amanda, died after reaching womanhood. William M. Strickler grew to manhood under the parental roof and received such educational advantages as the rude society of the times afforded, which, as may be imagined, were neither very broad nor deep. 338 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. But he made such use of the privileges he could command as would fairly fit him for the duties of a broader life. He remained at home until he had reached his thirtieth year, when he came to this state, and mar- ried Miss Edna Lancaster, a daughter of E. Lancaster, of Waco township. Like his father, he was devoted to farming and securing a farm established himself where he now is. There was nothing on it then but about one hundred rods of wire fencing with 2x4 posts, and some thirty acres of broken ground. He put up a house 14 x 28 feet the following spring, and twelve years ago built his present residence. The farm buildings are commodious and sufficient to every requirement, and in these present sur- roundings he carries on a system of mixed farming that gives him the command of the market, and he is always ready to profit by an upward turn in prices. He has tried a specialty of shorthorn fine stock but likes general farming better. He is the father of two bright boys, Carleton A. and Harry Edward. His wife is a member of the Baptist church, while he is a loyal and de- voted member of the Masonic order at York, and of the Modern Woodman of America at Waco. He affiliates with the Republican party in national affairs, but inclines to broad views of home matters, and favors good men for town and county offices. He has himself served his community as a mem- ber of the county board of supervisors and as director of school district number 51. JOHN LINDQUIST, who is a thorough and systematic agriculturist and a man of more than ordinary business capacity, owns and successfully operates a fine farm on section 21, Stewart township, York coun- ty. Like many of the best citizens of this region, he is of Swedish birth, born Febru- ary 26, 1837, in Skarrborsland, Sweden, and is a son of Andrew and Anna (Ander- son) Siefried, also natives of that place. At one time the father owned a good farm in his native land, but on selling it purchased a smaller place. Both he and his wife were faithful members of the Augustana Luth- eran church, and are now deceased. Of their six children, Anika, Hannah and An- ders still reside in Sweden; John is the next of the family; Swan lives in Bureau county, Illinois; and Jonas in Stockholm, Sweden. On the home farm in his native land John Lindquist grew to manhood, and in the schools of that country obtained a good practical education. It was in 1864 that he crossed the broad Atlantic and took up his residence in Princeton, Illinois, where he worked at farming until coming to Nebraska in 1880. He secured his present farm, which at that time was all wild land, and the first year spent here he raised a crop on rented land and also broke forty acres of his own property. The following year his crops were doing nicely until destroyed by a hail storm, but since then he has met with suc- cess in his chosen calling, and now has eighty acres of the one-hundred-forty-acre tract under cultivation and well improved with good and substantial buildings. He began life in this state with five hundred dollars in money and a team of horses, and the success that has come to him is due en- tirely to his own well directed efforts, per- severance and industry. In 1887 Mr. Lindquist led to the mar- riage altar Miss Emma Anderson, a native of Sweden, and to them have been born five children, namely: Anna Josephine, Ida Christina, Harry Siefried, John Emil and Frank Arthur. In connection with general farming our subject is interested in stock raising, and has upon his place four horses, twelve head of cattle and seven hogs. He advocates the free coinage of silver and re- ligiously he and his wife are identified with the Swedish Methodist Episcopal church, of Gresham, in which he has. held office, and COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 339 is now serving as trustee. The children are being well educated in English, and the family is one of prominence in the social circles of the community. HON. DEWITT EAGER, whose home is at Beaver Crossing, Nebraska, has been a resident of Seward county for some- thing like eighteen years, and in that time has achieved a large success. He is not yet fifty years of age, but in that time he has run an extended and exciting career. He has tried different occupations, and has proved himself a versatile character. In him appears the typical American, who can do many things well, and is at a loss to know what he can do best. Mr. Eager was born in Oneida county, New York, in 1850, and was a child to William and Caroline (Northrup) Eager. His father came from Massachusetts, and his mother from New York. She died when he was less than a year old, and his lines fell in unpleasant places. He lived among strangers in his youth, and received but a limited education. He is a self-made man in every respect, and while he is not par- ticularly proud of his handiwork, yet he has a certain satisfaction in considering the ob- stacles that have hindered his progress and what he has been able to do in spite of them. He was brought to Wisconsin when only five years old, and when only eighteen he made the trip to Montana, where he spent five years in the mines. In 1873 he set foot for the first time on the soil of Nebraska, and filed a homestead claim in Polk county, where he secured a good farm. In 1880 he moved into Seward county, and here he owns a farm, and is engaged in several im- portant business enterprises. He went into business at Beaver Crossing, where he bought out a general store This store has grown under his hands, and has secured a wide patronage, making the venture very profitable. In 1888 he put up the large brick block, which he still occupies as a store building, and in which he carries one of the largest stock of goods in the county. He has recently broadened his interests, and is now carrying a large stock of lumber. He has gone into it very extensively, has put up new buildings, and has one of the most complete lumber yards to be found along the line of the Elkhorn road. Mr. Eager was a newspaper man for a number of years and edited and managed the Beaver Crossing Bugle for several years. He was formerly a Republican, and acted with the party until 1890, when he became interested in the Independent movement, and his recent political activities have been along the line that organization travels. He has always been a man of large caliber and broad views, and has the courage of his own convictions. He was elected to the state legislature in 1896 on the Fusion ticket. He took a leading part in its pro- ceedings, and was the author of a bill to secure the teaching of music in the public schools. He was married at Central City, Nebraska, in 1874 to Miss Ella Taylor. The fruits of this union are Edna, Elmer, Earl, Alta and Oliver. He is an ideal type of the western business men, open-hearted, brainy, an exhaustless friend and an open, candid foe. He has done much to promote the growth of the community in which he lives, and has the entire confidence of all who know him. JHONESS is one the representative cit- izens of Polk county who devotes his energies to agricultural pursuits, successfully carrying on operations on section 14, town- ship 13, range 4. He was born in County Kent, England, in 1831, a son of Robert Honess, who came to America in 1843, and located in New Jersey, where his death oc- curred. The mother died in England about 340 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 1839 or 1840. In native land our subject grew to manhood, and at the age of twelve years began earning his own livelihood as a stable boy, afterward helping the teamster to drive four horses. It was in 1852 that he crossed the broad Atlantic, and for six years he made his home with his father in New Jersey, but at the end of that time came west, and until the outbreak of the Civil war he worked at farming in Jackson county, Iowa. On the 2nd of December, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Harriet Maria Sealey, who was born in Hudson county. New Jer- sey, in 1841, and is a daughter of John Sealey, a native of Yorkshire, England, who in 1854 removed to Jackson county, Iowa, and in 1880 came to Polk county, Nebraska, where his death occurred in October, 1881. After his marriage our subject bought a few acres of land in Jackson county, Iowa, and erected a little house, in which the family made their home while he was away at the front. In August, 1862, Mr. Honess enlisted in Company I, Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, as a private, and with his regiment proceeded to Helena, Arkansas. He took part in the battles of Magnolia Church, Port Hudson, Champion Hill, Jackson, Missis- sippi, and from there went to New Orleans, where they spent the winter after having participated in the Opelusus raid. After the Red River expedition the regiment was sent to the Shenandoah Valley, and took part in the battles of Fisher Hill, Cedar Creek and Winchester. After driving Gen- eral Early from the valley, they were or- dered to Savannah, Georgia, and with Sher- man's army marched to Goldsboro, North Carolina, after which they returned to Sa- vannah, where Mr. Honess was discharged July 17, 1865, being mustered out after his return to Iowa, on the 3rd of August. He was never wounded nor captured, but at Champion Hill had his gun all shattered by a musket ball, and it was at this place he was promoted to the rank of sergeant for meritor- ious conduct and bravery on field of battle. Returning to his home in Jackson county, Iowa, Mr. Honess continued to live there until 1869, when he removed to Lynn county, that state, where he purchased a farm. There his barn and its entire con- tents were destroyed by fire. On selling that place he operated rented land in Gentry county, Missouri, for three years, and in 1872 came to Polk county, Nebraska, where he secured the homestead on which he still resides. His first home here was a rude sod house, which was replaced by a better one the following year, at which time he also broke some land; in 1874 he raised eighty bushels of wheat, but the grass- hoppers destroyed the rest of his crops; but in 1875 his harvests were good, and he has since steadily prospered, so that he is to- day one of the well-to-do farmers of the locality. His farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres of rich and arable land, and he has placed one hundred and twenty acres under a high state of cultivation, making many valuable and useful improvements thereon, including his present pleasant dwelling erected in 1888. He raises a good grade of stock and all the cereals adapted to this climate. Mr. and Mrs. Honess have a family of five children, namely: Hannah May, now the wife of John D. Brown, by whom she has two children, Irvin and Marietta; Mary Luella; Frank J.; Ettie J. and Robert William. The parents are active and promi- nent members of the Pleasant View Method- ist church, in which Mr. Honess serves as trustee, steward and Sunday school teacher, while his wife is president of the Ladies Aid Society, and is also a Sunday school teacher. They have provided their chil- dren with good educational privileges, and he is an efficient school director in district No. 26. He is a member of the Grand COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 341 Army Post of Stromsburg, is an ardent Re- publican in politics, and has served as clerk of elections. Through his own resources and by his own energy and ability, Mr. Honesshas prospered financially, and lias not only suc- ceeded in acquiring a comfortable home and competence, but has also gained the high regard of those whom he has come in contact either in business or social life. ALBERT A. PETERSON is the owner of a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres, pleasantly located in Arborville township, York county, and has made his home thereon for eighteen years. He is therefore accounted one of the pioneer settlers of the locality, having come to the state when York county was largely an unbroken wilderness, the prairies uncul- tivated and no improvements made. He has been especially active in developing the raw land and has ever borne his part in the work of progress and advancement. Mr. Peterson is a native of Walworth county, Wisconsin, born on the 5th of October, 1856, and is a son of Oliver H. and Mary (Holderson) Peterson, both of whom were natives of Norway, whence they came to the United States, in 1846 and 1848, respectively. The father located in Wisconsin and still resides there, devoting his time and energies to agricultural pur- suits. In his family are three sons and one daughter. In the public schools of his native state Albert Peterson acquired his education, and at an early age became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the farmer. He worked in the fields from the time of planting until harvesting was com- pleted, and with the exception of his expe- rience as a miner in the Black Hills, in 1882-3, he has always followed agricultural pursuits. He first came to York county in 1878 and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land in Arborville town- ship from the railroad company. Two years later he located thereon and has since made it his home, although he made several trips to Wisconsin after that. His first residence was a sod house in which he lived for a number of years. He has undergone the usual experiences of the pioneer farmer in developing wild land, but as the result of his industry is now the owner of a valuable property, his well tilled fields yielding to him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestows upon them. In 1 89 1 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Peterson and Miss Mary Stout, a daughter of J. M. Stout, a prominent resi- dent of the county. They have four chil- dren: Volma A., Aivin S. and Orma and Orville, twins. The parents hold member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Peterson exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, but has no desire for public office, preferring to de- vote his energies to his business interests in which he is meeting with excellent success. His reputation in business circles is unas- sailable and his many social qualities en- dear him to a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances. ELIJAH ARCHER, a prominent farmer in section 10, Chelsea township, was born August 20, 1835, in Delaware county, Ohio. He was a son of Ellison L. and Elizabeth (Street) Archer. His father was a native of Vermont, and came to Ohio when he was quitejyoung. He lived there until 1836, and then moved to Coles county, Illinois, and purchased a farm near Grand View. Our subject received what meager education the common schools of the dis- trict afforded, and with this and his own natural genius, together with the practical knowledge that he acquired]in after life, he 342 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. has made a successful fight with the battle of life. He remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age, helping his father on the farm, but finally the natural desire of youth to get away from home came over him, and in the autumn of 1859 he pur- chased a yoke of oxen and started for Mis- souri, where he secured work hauling iron ore and charcoal from the Iron Mountains to the smelting works at Valley Forge. He followed this work until 1862, when that part of the state became so thoroughly overrun with Confederates and guerrillas that a Union sympathizer was constantly in danger of his life, and he was compelled to abandon his work and go to Pilot Knob. Here he made a contract with the quarter- master of the Union army to haul supplies to the army, and made two trips, hauling sutler goods to the army in Arkansas, but as the work was so full of danger and hard- ship, he gave up the contract and came back to Pilot Knob, where he went out into the woods and turned his oxen loose, and came back and enlisted in Company C, Twenty-ninth Missouri Volunteers, which was being recruited in and around Pilot Knob. His regiment was immediately or- dered to Benton barracks, and after spend- ing a short time in drilling and preparing for active army life they were sent down the Mississippi river to Cape Girardeau. They were kept there for about a month do- ing guard duty, and having an occa- sional skirmish with the Confederates, and were then sent to Helena and from there to the vicinity of Vicksburg and placed under the command of General Sher- man. The regiment formed a part of the detachment that was sent up the Yazoo river and attempted to take the fort on that side of the city. The Twenty-ninth Missouri went into this battle with eight hundred and sixty-seven men, and in the charge which was made lost all but two hundred and fourteen men, three-fourths of their number being left on the field of battle, killed and wounded. In this charge Mr. Archer had several narrow escapes from death as one bullet passed entirely through his canteen which he was carrying in his haversack, and another struck his gun, and remained firmly imbedded in the stock. The army was then moved and a few days later took Arkansas Post. From there his company made several moves, be- ing sent to Young's Point, Deer's Creek and Milligan Bend, where they crossed the river and participated in quite a sharp battle at Jackson. From there they were sent to Vicksburg, crossing the Black river on a pontoon bridge. Vicksburg was at that time being besieged by the Union army and they remained there until that city surren- dered in July, 1863. While at Vicksburg his health began to succumb before the hardships and privations of army life, and he was sent to the general hospital at that place, and later sent to the hospital at Jefferson Barracks, and was there trans- ferred to the Second Battalion, Veteran Reserve, and did guard duty at St. Louis for about seven months, and were then sent to the Benton Barracks and remained there until June 29, .1865, when he received his discharge. He immediately went to his father's home in Illinois, and shortly after- ward commenced farming in Douglas county, where he was married on August 17, 1869, to Miss Martha Mourer, a daugh- ter of Isaac and Sarah (Scheilds) Mourer. After farming for two years in Douglas county, he determined to try his fortune in the west, and gethering together all of their goods they loaded them on a canvas-covered wagon and started for Nebraska. After a long and wearisome journey, accompanied by its usual dangers and hardships, he finally arrived in Fillmore county, and took a homestead in the southeast quarter of sec- tion 10, Chelsea township. After building a sod house and stable, he commenced the COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 343 task of converting the unbroken prairie into a cultivated farm, and by ttirift and industry they have got it into a high state of cultiva- tion, and is well improved, the sod house and stable giving way to large and com- modious buildings. He, has also an orchard that furnishes an abundance of fruit. To Mr. Archer's marriage have been born six children, five of whom are living; Laura A., who married Jasper Bortner; Rosetta, now married to Isaac Lightbody; John L., Annis and Frank, the last three living at home. He is a prominent mem- ber of the Wilson Post 22, G. A. R. Polictically he is an ardent Republican, and is an active worker in its ranks, and is greatly interested in the welfare of his county and state. HENRY A. SEAVER.— There is peculiar interest attached to the history of the pioneers of any portion of this great state, and particularly with that part of it with which we are closely connected. In this connection a brief sketch of Mr. Seaverwill be of special interest, for he came to Polk county in March, 1870, locating on the north one-half of the southeast quarter of section 30, when there were only about a half dozen other settlers in that region. At that time wolves, antelopes and deer were plentiful, and most of the land was still in its primitive condition. He has borne his part in the work of development and prog- ress which has transformed this section into one of the most highly cultivated and thriv- ing counties in the state. For over twenty- eight years he has now made his home on section 29, township 14, range i, where he owns three hundred and sixty acres, all im- proved, it being one of the best farms in the locality. His father, Welcome Seaver, was a na- tive of Rhode Island, and the son of a Revo- lutionary soldier, who valiantly aided the 20 colonies in their struggle for independence and spent his entire life in Rhode Island. The family is of English origin, and was founded in that state over one hundred and fifty years ago. Welcome Seaver married Miss Meloria A. Warren, a native of Wind- ham county, Connecticut, and a daughter of Artemus Warren, who was one of the defenders of his country in the war of 18 12 and died in the Nutmeg state. The mar- riage of this worthy couple was probably celebrated in Connecticut, but they made their home in Rhode Island, where Mrs. Seaver died about 1842, and her husband in January, 1859. By occupation he was a farmer and painter. Three of their four children reached manhood and womanhood, namely: Mrs. Sarah A. Chase, who died leaving one child, Delano E. ; Henry A., of this review, and Albert E. In Greenville, Rhode Island, Henry A. Seaver was born March i, 1837, and having lost his mother at the age of seven years, he went to live with his maternal grand- father in Windham county, Connecticut, remaining there until he attained his ma- jority. He received a good practical edu- cation in the common schools of that county, and early became familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agri- culturist. At the age of eighteen years he started out in life for himself, and came to Nebraska in March, 1870, as previously stated. In 1867 his brother Albert had emigrated to this state, and after spending one year with James M. Palmer at Ulysses, he came to Polk county, in 1868, locating on the south half of the southeast quarter of section 30, township 14, range i. Here our subject joined his brother, and together they kept batchelor's hall, first in a shanty and later in a frame house. The second year he raised a fair crop, and has since en- gaged in both farming and stock raising, making a specialty of Poland China hogs. On the 4th of December, 1888, Mr. 344 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. Seaver led to the marriage altar Mrs. Sallie E. Dennison, nee Blair, who was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, March 31, 1854. Her parents, John Milton and Eliza R. (McClure) Blair, were natives of Pennsyl- vania, the former born March 31, 1823, the latter November i, 1829, and their marriage was celebrated in Iowa, October I, 1851. The paternal grandfather, David Evans Blair, was from Maryland, and was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, while the maternal grandfather, William Mc- Clure, was from Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. John M. Blair continued to reside in Iowa until called from this life, and were the parents of eight children, of whom six reached years of maturity: Mrs. Fannie Newkirk; Mrs. Seaver; Bird L. ; Mrs. Susie K. Robertson; William and David E. Mrs. Seaver was reared and educated in Des Moines, and first married Winfield Scott Dennison, who died leaving one child — Birdie L., born January 26, 1882. By her second union she has no children. Mr. Seaver is independent in politics. HENRY STUHR is a prosperous farmer in Beaver township, York county, and belongs to the younger generation of German-American agriculturists, who have exhibited on the soil of the new world many of the best traits of industry and society in the land across the seas where they tell us truth, integrity and honor reign. He re- mained in the old country until he was a strong and sturdy young man', and then came into this country with but little capi- tal beyond a clear eye, a ready brain, and a strong arm, and now he is sole owner of a large estate which requires the labor of many men, and produces large results. It is a startling change from the penury and restriction of pioneer days, and shows over again what the career of thousands like him have made evident, that America has for a hundred years been the hope and re- lief of ambitious manhood the world over. It has opened the door of opportunity, and men like Henry Stuhr have dared to enter in and possess the richest treasures ever of- fered the poor and unfortunate of other lands. And now the closing years of the century tell the wonder of it. Mr. Stuhr was born in Oldenburg, Germany, July 7, 1850, and grew to manhood on German soil. He had such education as the private schools of his country afforded, and when he be- came a man applied himself to farming. But there was little hope of getting on and rising above the restrictions of his early life, and being a young man of spirit and resolu- tion, he determined to seek the new world for that success in business which he knew be- forehand was denied him on his native heath. He landed in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1873, and came immediately to York county, Nebraska, where he secured by homestead entry part of the large and de- sirable farm on which he now lives. The original application was made June i, 1873, and its retention through twenty-five years, many of them full of discouragements, shows the stuf? the man is made of and the value of the land to which he has clung with such tenacity. The year of his ar- rival in the United States was signalized by his' marriage to Miss Augusta Stoehr, a compatriot Oldenburger. They meant to succeed, and established themselves in a sod-house, which was their home for some- thing like a dozen years. It was then re- placed by their present comfortable and convenient residence, which is considered one of the most attractive and well appoint- ed farm houses in the county. Mr. Stuhr broke the wild prairie in 1873 and the next year harvested a very profit- able crop of wheat. He planted a large area of corn, but the grasshoppers attended to the harvesting of it. It was a tough time. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 345 but he pulled through it, and in the large success that has attended his twenty-five years in the state can afford to smile over the hardships of the early days. His mod- est holding at the beginning has increased to seven hundred and- twenty acres, all highly cultivated and very highly improved. He rents some land, but farms over four hundred acres himself. It is a magnificent farm which he has won by hard work and adventurous daring, and it puts him among the leading men of the county devoted to the soil. He is quite interested in blooded stock and has some very choice specimens of Durham cattle and Poland-China hogs. He believes in good blood and is farming for profit, and not simply for amusement. Mr. and Mrs. Stuhr are the parents of nine children, seven of whom are now liv- ing: Henry, John, Elbert, Lizzie, Charlie, Martha and Annie. They constitute a bright and charming family, and give promise of future usefulness. The parents are mem- bers of the Lutheran church, and the father is on the parochial school board. He is a trustee of the church, and was its cashier for three years. He takes a deep interest in the schooling of his children, and sends them to both English and German schools, desiring that they should have the best pos- sible fitting for the trials and responsibilities of the future. He acts with the Republican party in all matters of political importance. He is a man of general good repute, and claims many friends in every class of the community. The silver wedding of this in many respects model couple was celebrated May 9, 1898, and was attended by the whole German settlement, including at least si.xty families. HON. WILLIAM E. RITCHIE, who owns and operates a line farm on sec- tion 14, precinct D, Seward county, is a gentleman of high character and a wide knowledge of men and the world. His place among the leaders of thought and ac- tion in this part of Nebraska is unquestioned, and in the responsible positions to which he has been called he has served his constitu- ents with fidelity and success. Mr. Ritchie is a native of Waukegan, Lake county, Illinois, where he first inhaled the vital air October 21, 1847. He is the oldest of a family of five children born to A. D. and Harriet (Hoyt) Ritchie. His father was a native of Scotland, who came to Waukegan in 1846, and opened a black- smith shop. He was a farmer in later life, and came to this state in 1873 and bought section 11, of this township, and improved it so that it became a very desirable farm. Later still he moved to Seward, and died there April 25, 1892. His wife still sur- vives, and is much beloved and venerated by her children and grandchildren. She had three sons, William, Alonzo D.,and Richard, and two twin daughters, Jennie and Alice. It was in Lake county that William passed his boyhood and youth, and received a very good education in the Waukegan public schools. At the age of twenty-three he left home and undertook the work of carving a fortune for himself out of the varied inter- ests of life. He came to this state in 1870, and filed a homestead claim on the quarter- section where he now lives, and for nearly thirty years he has lived and labored in a neighborhood that has come to know and honor him for his sterling manhood and gen- uine character. He was the first settler in this region for a wide distance. Ulysses had a postoffice and one store, and there were only a few buildings in Seward. He lived in a sod house, and applied himself heart and soul to the making of a home. He was married in 1871 to Miss Hattie Radford, a native of England and a woman of many exxellent traits. They are the parents of seven children: John C. , who died in in- fancy! George, Charles, Mabel, Elizabeth, 846 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. Alice and Ruth. Mr. Ritchie had a not very e.xciting but valuable experience in the Civil war. He enlisted in September, 1864, in Company D, One Hundred and Forty- sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. His com- pany was on guard duty along the river, and was stationed the greater part of the time at Quincy, though he was on detached duty at Mt. Sterling. He was mustered out in August, 1865. As a Nebraska farmer the subject of this article has been remarkably successful. He owns to-day one thousand and forty acres of land, all highly improved and devoted to general farming and stock interests. He feeds every particle of grain and hay the land produces, and takes a justifiable pride in his herds of fat cattle. He has a num- ber of short horns that are registered, and twelve head of high grade that have not yet been entered on the stock books, He is now farming three hundred and fifty acres, and rents the remainder of his farm. He has three sets of farm buildings and con- templates farther improvements at an early day. His own family residence has shown the effect of his improvmg fortunes. His family lived in a sod house for five years, and nine years in a small frame dwelling, and in 1884 moved into the very substan- tial structure where he is found to-day. Mr. Ritchie approaches the questions of the day from the standpoint of Democracy, and has been a faithful member of the party for many years. He has attended several state conventions as a delegate, and is wide- ly known as a leading spirit in the party councils. He was a member of the lower house in the state legislature of 1891, and is now a member of the state senate, rep- resenting Butler and Seward counties. He was chairman of the committee on internal improvements, and on the committee on miscellaneous subjects. At the present time he is a member of the committee of agriculture, which reported the stock yards bill regulating charges. It passed both houses, and became a law, affecting favor- ably every stockman west of the Missouri. He has done well both for himself and for the public, and is one of the most popular men of the county at the present time. HENRY S. GERARD.— The farming in- terests of Alexis township, Butler county, have a worthy exponent in the person of the gentleman above named, who operates a farm in section 23. The entire tract is improved and tillable, and al- together makes up an estate whereon a remunerative business may well be done by a man who devotes himself closely and in- telligently to his work. In the way of buildings every arrangement has been made for the economical conduct of the farm, and for the comfort of the family a nice resi- dence has been constructed. Mr. Gerard was born near Maysville, Allen county, Indiana, May 12, 1858, a son of Abner and Hannah (Keys) Gerard. Abner Gerard was also a homesteader on section 22, Alexis township. Our subject moved to Butler county, Nebraska, with his par- ents in the spring of 1869, from Michigan and arriving March 26. Two years pre- vious to this they had moved to Quincy, Michigan, from Allen county, Indiana. Henry S. Gerard, the subject of this sketch, is the oldest of the family of which he is a member, and he has one sister, Mrs. Weitzel, of Bellwood, Butler county, Nebraska. Our subject was married in Butler county, Nebraska, in 1882, to Miss Nettie Curtis, daughter of Henry Curtis, al- so apioneer of Butler county, the date of his settlement being 1869. To this union have been born a family of three children, whose names in the order of their birth are, Daisy Harvey and Charles. He is a pleasant and courteous gentleman and makes friends wherever he goes. He is a man of highest COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 347 character, and is esteemed as awarm friend and loyal citizen by all who know him. In politics he uses his influence' and elective franchises in the support of the candidates of the Republican party. CHARLES W. PIPER, deceased, had been a resident of York county, Ne- braska, fifteen years at the time of his death, and in that time had become one of the most popular and highly respected charac- ters of the county. When children die we are consoled at the thought of their escape from the inevitable trials that are before all of us, and when the aged die it seems like the garnering of the ripened grain; but when a man like the subject of this sketch is sud- denly cut down in the prime of his powers and at the maturity of his manly vigor, we can only say "What a loss!" Charles W. Piper was born in Grundy county, Illinois, September 12, 1857. His parents were John and Susan (Sleezer) Piper. The father was born in England, and the mother in New York. He was a farmer, and brought his family into Illinois in 1856. In 1882 he removed to York county, where he is now living. His son, Charles, was educated in the public school? of Livingston county, where the family had located during his youth, and began farming for himself at a very early age on rented ground. He came into this county in com- pany with his parents, and bought one-quar- ter of section 12 in Morton township. He devoted himself to the improvement of this estate, and at the time of his death, which occurred August 18, 1897, it had become one of the choicest farms in the county. He was a bright and enterprising man, and studied his farm as a man would a profes- sion. He raised all the grains and had some choice stock on the place, and was planning the up-grading of his cattle when he was killed by the explosion of an engine oper- ated in connection with a threshing machine which he had managed for three seasons. Mr. Piper was married October 17, 1880, to Miss Lizzie Morehead, residing at that time in Gridley, McLean county, Illi- nois. She was born in Ohio, and is a daugh- ter of John and Elizabeth (Galbreath) More- head, both natives of Ohio. Her mother died in Ohio, but her father lived to spend some years in this county. She is the mother of four children, all of whom are living. Their names are Henry G., DeFor- est C. , Nellie P. and Nora B. The family are members of the Baptist church, and are greatly esteemed by their associates in that religious order. Mr. Piper was a Repub- lican, and took an active part in the general working of its various agencies. He took much interest in school matters, and in- sisted upon a good school in his home dis- trict. It should be said that he was a hard- working, an honorable and a successful man. He made a good home for his fam- ily, was a generous provider, and cared for his own. But his charity did not stop at his doorsteps. He felt himself a part of the community, and was ready for every good word and work. Long may his good name be remembered by those who loved and re- spected him. MRS. MARY E. BECHTEL, whose home is on section 34, Chelsea town- ship, Fillmore county, Nebraska, is a most estimable lady and a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer fami ies of this region. She was born in Ogle county, Illinois, December 29, 1846, a daughter of Daniel and Mercy L. (Chester) Taylor, who were born, reared and educated in New York state and throughout life were farming people. Of the five children born to them only two are now living, namely: Mary E. and James F. One son, Ulysses D. Taylor, enlisted at Columbus, Ohio, in the spring of 348 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY 1 86 1, for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company K, Eighteenth United States Regulars, and he participated in the battles of Bull Run and Chickamauga and all other engagements in which his regi- ment took part. He was taken prisoner in the fall of 1863, and first confined in Ander- sonville prison and later in Libby, at Rich- mond, Virginia. Here his family lost trace of him and it is supposed that he died in prison. In 1870 Mrs. Taylor and her two chil- dren removed from Illinois to Nebraska and all located on section 34, Chelsea township, Fillmore county, the mother taking the southeast quarter, James F. the southwest quarter, while Mrs. Bechtel selected the northeast quarter and an uncle took the re- maining quarter section. As Mary E. Tay- lor could not operate her land alone she hired Cyrus Bechtel to assist her, and on the 1st of January, 1879, they were united in marriage. He was born in March, 1848, and lived in Iowa until coming to this state in 1870. To them were born four children but only one is now living, Mary Carrie, who is now attending the district schools. Mr. Betchel died in March, 1886, since which time our subject's brother has lived with her. James F. Taylor lived alone upon his farm until he obtained a title from President Hayes, and then made his home with his mother until she was called from earth on the 25th of April, 1894, at the age ofijcighty-four years. When the family located upon their land their nearest neighbors were seven miles away, the country was all wild and unimproved and on the prairies roamed the yelping coy- ote, the antelope, deer and elk, but the buf- falo or bison had all disappeared two years before. Tribes of Otoes and Sioux Indians often passed through the county and stopped at their little home, but it was not long be- fore they sought other camping grounds, the wild animals soon disappeared before the rifle of the settlers, and the wild flowers and prairie grass were soon replaced by fields of waving grain as the country became more thickly populated. The Taylor fam- ily erected for themselves sod houses and barns, and in true frontier style began life in the west, laboring early and late to make for themselves homes, but all enjoyed good health, and it was not long before their lands were under excellent cultivation and and well improved. They still own their original farms. Mrs. Bechtel and her brother were reared in the Presbyterian church and she still adheres to that faith. In politics he was a Republican. BF. POINTER, a well-known farmer residing on the southeast quarter of section 8, township 14. range i west, Canada precinct, Polk county, was one of the brave boys in blue during the war of the Rebellion, rendering valuable service to his country upon the frontier. He is a na- tive of Ohio, born in Highland county, Au- gust 26, 1843, aiid is a son of B. F. and Susan (Euvard) Pointer, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of France. They were early settlers of Ohio, where they spent their last days. The children born to them were B. F., Peter, now deceased, and Will- iam, who was also a Union soldier. By a former marriage the father had two chil- dren who are now living: Noah and Mrs. Jane Barr. The paternal grandfather oi our subject was one of the defenders of his country in the war of 1812 and was killed in battle. Until eighteen years of age B. F. Pointer remained on the home farm in Highland county, Ohio, and there secured a common-school education. He then en- listed October 12, 1861, in Company B, Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, as a private, and with his regiment was sent to St. Louis, then to Fort Leavenworth, Kan- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 349 sas, from there to Fort Kearney, and on to Salt Lake City, guarding the over- land mail against the Indians. Our subject was one of, twenty-five men detailed to guard South Pass, where they built a picket fort and remained all winter. As the horses' feed had become very low part of the men were sent with some of the horses to the hills so the animals could graze, leav- ing only thirteen to guard the fort. On the 25th of November, it being very cold no picket guard was out, and in the night they were attacked by the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians, who besieged the fort for three days. The soldiers were then re-inforced and drove the red men away. They re- mained at that place until spring. Here Mr. Pointer took the scurvy and was sent to the hospital at Platte Bridge. On re- joining his company he went to Deer creek and Fort Laramie, and was on several ex- peditions against the Indians. On one of these while guarding an emigrant train to Rawhide creek, they discovered an Indian camp, took three ponies, buffalo robes and the camp outfit. In the winter of 1863-4 they built Fort Collins, Colorado. The following March Mr. Pointer re-enlisted as a veteran, and was granted a thirty days' furlough, which he^spent at home. With his company he returned to Omaha where they had left their horses, and at once started for Fort Laramie. After scouting for some time in the Yellowstone district they returned to Laramie. In the fall of 1864 our subject was attached to Company H, which was stationed at Chimney Rock, and was promoted to the rank of sergeant. At the close of the war he left his horses at Omaha, and returned to Columbus, Ohio, where he was finally mustered out July 14, 1866. While at South Pass the Indians once attacked his company and killed two herders who were guarding the mules while pasturing, taking the animals away. On learning of this the soldiers started in pur- suit, and after following the trail for three days caught sight of the red men near the head of the Missouri river. The Indians at length were forced to abandon the herd, which the soldiers brought back to camp. While on the frontier they lived principally on buffalo meat cooked on sage brush. After remaining at home for two months and a half, Mr. Pointer went to Iowa in October, 1866, and there spent one winter, but on the 14th of March, 1867, he went to Fort Kearney, where he secured a posi- tion with the government train bound for Fort Russell. He made several other trips the same summer between Laramie and Russell, and in November returned to Fort Kearney, Montana, where he engaged in freighting during the winter. He then went to Fort Russell, and in the summer took a hay claim and also engaged in gar- dening south of Cheyenne. There he and J. Dunn opened a ranch, which they finally sold, in March, 1869, and on the 28th of that month our subject returned to Iowa. On the 22nd of April, 1869, Mr. Pointer was united in marriage with Miss Abigail Farris, who was born in Highland county, Ohio, March 14, 1850, a daughter of Uriah and Sarah (Roush) Farris, also natives of Ohio. Her paternal grandfather, James Farris, was one of the first settlers of High- land county, that state, and the maternal grandfather, John Roush, was also a pioneer of Ohio. The father died in February, 1876, but the mother is still living and now finds a pleasant home with our subject. Her children are Mrs. Mary Ellen Phifer; Mrs. Pointer; Mrs. Becky Barr; James; Mrs. El- mira McDaniels, deceased; and John. Mr. and Mrs. Pointer have three children: Uriah F., Mrs. Sarah R. Zedicher, who has three children, Benjamin C, Susan Mabel and Pearl; and Mrs. Susan Dexter, who has one child, Charles. After his marriage, Mr. Pointer lived for five ylars in Marion county, Iowa, but since 350 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 1873 has made his home upon his present farm in Polk county, Nebraska, having se- cured his homestead April 18, 1872, when it was all raw land. He now has two hun- dred and thirty-one acres under excellent cultivation, and improved with good and substantial buildings which stand as monu- ments to his thrift and enterprise. For- merly he was a Republican in politics, but now supports the men and measures of the People's party, and takes an active interest in its success. He has been a member of the school board, and was a director in school district No. 21, for nine years. He is one of the leading and prominent mem- bers of the R. O. D. Cummings Post, No. 102, G. A. R. , of Shelby, and is the pres- ent commander of the same. He has al- ways been found true and faithful to every trust reposed in him, and for bravery re- ceived a bronze medal issued to him by the state of Ohio. EDWARD C. McDonald, one of But- ler county's prominent and substan- tial citizens and pioneer farmers, has a cozy home and profitable farm in section 22, Alexis township. He settled here in 1869 when he filed a homestead claim to eighty acres in section 22. Mr. McDonald was born in Oswego county. New York, July 19, 1836. His father, Jacob McDonald, was born in New York, in 1776, and died in i860, at the age of eighty-four years. He was a butcher by occupation, and our subject was reared in the city until twenty-one years of age. He then went to Michigan and located in Van Buren county, in 1857. He lived in Michi- gan until the breaking out of the Civil war, and in June, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Eleventh Michigan Infantry. He was discharged October 4, 1862, and reenlisted, during the following December, in Com- pany B, Eighth Michigan Cavalrj^ and served until November 11, 1864, and was mustered out after the Atlanta campaign. After the close of hostilities Mr. McDon- ald returned to his home in Branch county, Michigan, and was there married December 2, 1864, to Miss Mary Welch, daughter of H. S. Welch, of Branch county, Michigan, and this union has been blessed by the advent of a family of three children, Clara, Albert, and John. The oldest was born in Michi- igan, but Albert and John were both born in Butler county, Nebraska. In the winter of 1868-69, Smith Need- ham, who had been in Nebraska for a few years, returned to Michigan and gave such a favorable account of the country that he induced many of Branch county's citizens to migrate to that state, and our subject was one of the first to settle in But- ler county. He reached Columbus early in March, 1869, and, in company with Abner Gerard, forded the Platte river, and came afoot to section 22, Alexis township, and each located a homestead. Mr. McDonald had just seventy-five dollars in cash when he reached Columbus with his wife and one child, Clara, who was then three years of age. He now owns and occupies a pleasant and remunerative tract of land on which he is pursuing the even tenor of his way, gain- ing a good support and is incidentally lay- ing aside something for a rainy day. He has been a voter of this county ever since its organization and has invariably used his elective franchise in the support of the can- didates of the Democratic party. He has also held many of the offices of trust and responsibility in the township and school dis- trict. Our subject's grandfather, John McDon- ald, was a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and came to America about the year 1760, and settled in Schoharie county. New York, and later served in the Revolutionary war. His son, Jacob McDonald, was a soldier in the war of 18 12, serving in the United COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 351 States Light Dragoons, and our subject served in the Civil war, as before mentioned. Thus each generation of this family, since its settlement on this si^e of the Atlantic has furnished a soldier for his country's sup- port. VALENTINE GERLITSoccupies a prom- inent place as a well-to-do and pro- gressive member of the farming community of York county, Nebraska, where he has near Charleston as fine a farm of two hun- dred and forty acres as the state can show. He took it in the raw, has thoroughly im- proved it, and put upon it such valuable and permanent improvements that it ranks among the best farms in the state. And the beauty of it all is, that every particle of this good fortune has come out of his own brain and brawn. No one has given him a dollar, or been disposed to help in any way. He has simply toiled and struggled on and success has waited upon honesty and indus- try, economy and persistance. Mr. Gerlits was born in Bavaria, May 22, 1844, and had the usual education the German public schools afford. He was a son of John and Frances Kohn (Meyers) Gerlits. His father was a stone mason, and his parents were married in 1843, and came to this country when he was still a young child. They passed through New York and located in Wilksbarre, Pennsylva- nia, where they remained for nine years. The elder Gerlits was dissatisfied with ma- son work, and concluded to seek the com- forts of a farm life. He took his family into what was the far west, and settled on a farm near Iowa City, Iowa. He is still living on the Iowa home at the venerable age of eighty-one years. Mrs. Gerlits died in March, 1889. Valentine Gerlits spent his early life at home and when he was twenty-one began working for himself, sometimes with the neighboring farmers, and sometimes at other employments. He was careful and prudent, and when five years had passed in this manner felt warranted in proposing marriage to Miss Paulina Ahlbrecht. She accepted him and they were married at Iowa City, October 27, 1870. They began their career as husband and wife by renting a farm, on which they remained for nine years. But the west drew them, as it had thousands of other adventurous souls, and they came into York county by wagon road, September lO, 1879, and pushed out still further west to an eightyacre tract which he had purchased from the railroad land company the year before. It was the west half, southwest quarter of section 13, township 10, range 4 west. He built a frame house, and settled down to carve a home for his family out of the wilderness. It was indeed a wilderness. There was not a furrow turned, nor a tree planted, or the primeval wildness disturbed in any way when it became his by purchase at the age of thirty-five. He began turn- ing over the sod in the spring of 1880. He and his sons are caring for one hundred and sixty-five acres of grain and ninety-two acres of corn in the summer of 1898. They have done excellently well, and are proud of their twenty years in Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Gerlits are the parents of eleven children all but one of whom are now alive and healthy. Of these children. Clara L. is the oldest and is the wife of Charles Remington, of Smith county, Kansas. The oldest son, William H., still lives at home and gives his care and interest to the man- agement of the farm, and the welfare of his younger brothers and sisters. He has con- siderable skill with the brush and pencil, and his friends say that if he should devote his life to art he would not fall to medioc- rity. The other and younger children are Albert Francis, Edward Charles, Arthur John, Mary Francis, Leonie Amelia, 352 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. Gertrude Pauline, Valentine Francis and Louis Philip. Mr. Gerlits and his sons are members of the Catholic ehurch at York, while his wife and daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Council. He is a member of the fraternal order of the United Workmen. They stand well in the commmnity. M HEMENOVER, a worthy representa- tive of the agricultural interests of Precinct D, Seward county, was born in Sussex county, N. J., November i8, 1835, and his parents, Mathias and Margaret (Boyd) Hemenover, were also natives of that state, where they continued to make their home until 1844, when they removed to Fulton county, Illinois, spending their last days at that place. By occupation the father was a farmer, and he reared a family of nine children, three sons, of whom two now live in Nebraska, and six daughters. As our subject was quite small at the time of the removal of the family to Illinois, he passed the greater part of his early life in that state, attending school in the little log school-houses then so common in the west. As soon as large enough to handle the plow he began to assist in the labors of the field, and early became familiar with every department of farm work. He continued to follow agricultural pursuits in Illinois until 1883, which year witnessed his arrival in Seward county, Ne- braska. Buying a farm in precinct D, he has devoted his energies to its development and cultivation until he now has one of the best improved farms in the county, and it yields to him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he has bestowed upon it. With the very natural and laudable de- sire to surround himself with all the com- forts of a home, the most important thing was to seek a life companion, who would be a true helpmeet to him. Accordingly Mr. Hemenover was married in 1858 to Miss Annie E. Kerkhuff, also a native of New Jersey, and a daughter of Jesse and Car- oline (Kerkhuff) Kerkhuff, who were born in New Jersey and from that state removed to Illinois, where they continued to make their home until called from this life. Mr. and Mrs. Hemenover have two children: George M. and Ina. In his political affiliations our subject is a Republican and he always gives his support to all measures which he be- lieves calculated to prove of benefit to the community. ISAAC JAMES BEATTIE is a hardwork- 1 ing and successful farmer, whose home is not far from Bradshaw, York county, Nebraska, whose history is a highly cred- itable one. He has contended in pioneer days with every kind of discouragement and difficulty, but he never lost heart in the future of the state, and is to-day enjoying the fruit of an honorable and useful career. Mr. Beattie was born January 6, 1856, in Kendall county, Illinois, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Wright) Beattie. He belongs to an old and reputable Scotch family, who came into this country, by way of the north of Ireland, bringing with them the granite-like honesty and uprightness of character that belongs to Scotland, and in- fusing it with something of the readiness and wit that is associated with the " Emer- ald Island." The senior Beattie came into the United States in 1847, and located in Chicago, where he bought property and car- ried on a general store for about four years. But he soon became disgusted with a town founded on a marsh, where every few rods even in the more important streets could be seen sticks set up and bearing the legend, "no bottom here." He sold out his store, and went into Kendall county, where he bought land at a dollar and a quarter an acre, and engaged in farming, which he fol- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 853 lowed for many years. The young man Issac J., passed his boyhood and youth in the Illinois country, and lived with his father until he had attained his twenty-fifth year. He was then married to Miss Lizzie May Hopkins, a daughter of Cary Allen and Mary Jane (Cherry) Hopkins, and the young couple followed farming a year in that neighborhood, and then attracted by the stories of the remarkable fertility of Nebraska soil, determined to test it for themselves. They removed to this state and February 25, 1882, settled on the farm they now occupy which under their foster- ing care has become a model farm. On the books it is described as the south- east quarter of section 2, township 10, range 4 west, but is known far and wide as the Beattie farm. On it are ten acres of thrifty timber, principally hard wood, and an grchard of every kind of fruit the climate permits. Mr. and Mrs. Beattie are still young in years, and feel that the better part of life is still before them. They have four children, Carey H., Joseph F. , Murray B. and Stella M. These children are con- stant attendants upon the instruction of the public school, and contemplate special train- ing afterwards in literary and scientific di- rections as their varying natures may seem to demand. For it is deeply impressed upon the parental consciousness that these chil- dren will be superior farmers if they have a larger education than the neighborhood affords. No better avocation than farming is desired for them, but an educated farmer is to be the ruler of the new century ac- cording to the ideas that prevail on the Beattie farm. Its proprietor is a member of no church organization, but friendly to all, and looks upon the church and the school house as the two foundation stones of Amer- ican liberty. Mrs. Beattie is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Brad- shaw, and is a woman of popular traits. She commands the respect of the commu- nity, and is the center of a wide circle of friends. Her father and mother were born in 1837, he in Ohio, and she in New York. Her mother died in 1879, but her father is still living in Aurora, Illinois. Mr. Beattie has long affiliated with the Republican party, but in 1890, driven by a profound sense of the need of absolutely new ideas in the political world, he left the old party, and united with the People's Inde- pendent party, and is a strong supporter of its principles. He has never taken an active part in the working of the party machinery, but has been elected three times as the treasurer of his school district, for his heart is so much in the schools that he could not refuse to serve their interest. He comes of a long-lived race, and revisits his old home, where his father still lives. The family may well be proud of its Nebraska represent- ative. ELIAS FRANKLIN, a well-known farmer residing on section 24, Platte township, is a worthy representative of one of the prominent and highly-respected pioneer families of Butler county, and they have borne an active and important part in the building and development of this region. Our subject was born in Will county, Illi- nois, March 18, 1856, and was a lad of twelve years when brought by his parents, Lawson and Amy (Parks) Franklin, to But- ler county, in the fall of 1868. This re- gion was still in its primitive condition, very few settlement had been made, and the set- tlers were widely scattered. Our subject's father was born in Cayuga county. New York, in 18 16, at an early day emigrated to Will county, Illinois, from there removed to Webster county, Iowa, and on leaving that state came to Nebraska. He died in Butler county, February 22, 1876, but his widow is still living here. She, too, is a native of Cayuga county, New 354 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. York, and is a daughter of Ebenezer Parks, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and lived to the extreme old age of one hundred and five years. The first home of the Franklin family in Butler county was a sod house on the north side of Skull creek, just opposite to our subject's present residence, and one of the poles used in its construction is now a large willow tree eighteen inches in diameter. Elias Franklin was reared amist frontier scenes, and early in life became familiar with the arduous task of developing the wild land into highly cultivated fields. He has become a thorough and skillful agri- culturist, and now successfully operates the old homestead. On the 1 2th of October, 1876, in But- ler county, was consumated the marriage of Mr. Franklin and Miss Catherine Morish, who was of Bohemia parentage and died September 29, 1887, leaving four children: George Albert, William Henry, Edwin Walter and Charles Victor. Mr. Franklin is a consistent member of the Congrega- tional church, and is widely and favorably known in the locality. Politically he is identified with the Republican party, and socially affiliates with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. FRANKLIN L. CROWNOVER.— Penn- sylvania has contributed a large quota of the sturdy, energetic agriculturists of York county, and among them are to be found men of sterling worth and in- tegrity, who have succeeded in life through their own energy and perseverance, and not as the recipient of any legacy. Among this class of citizens is the subject of this notice, who by economy and diligence has accumu- lated a handsome property, owning and occupying a fine farm of two hundred acres on section 14, Morton township. Mr. Crownover was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, September i, 1842, and is a son of Peter and Ellen (Carmon) Crownover, who were also natives of that state and farming people. In 1859 they emigrated to Missouri, but in 1862 were compelled to leave their home there on ac- count of the bitter feeling against northern men in that region. They next lived in Mc- Donough county, Illinois, where the father died in 1 869. He was twice married, his see- on dunion being with Miss Catherine Frank- enbery, who died in the same county, in 1873. He had a family of twelve children, four sons and eight daughters. The education of our subject was all acquired in the schools of Pennsylvania pri- or to the emigration of the family to Mis- souri. In the latter state he assisted his father in the farm work until 1861, when he enlisted in Company G, Second Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, known as " Merrill's Horse." With that regiment he served for five months under General Fremont, and was then mustered out. In August, 1862, however, he again joined the boys in blue, this time as a member of Company H, One Hundred Nineteenth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, and remained in the service until hostilities ceased, being honorably dis- charged September 12, 1865. He was in the battles of Queen Hill and Meridian, Mississippi, Fort Derucy, Pleasant Hill, Grandy Corps, Cain River, Bayou Le Moore, Martsville Prairie, Yellow Bayou, Louisiana, Nashville, Tennessee, the siege of Mobile, and many engagements of lesser importance. He was never wounded, nor was he ever off duty for a single day. When mustered out he was holding the rank of corporal. After the war Mr. Crownover lived in Illinois for two years, and then returned to Missouri, where he made his home until 1875, when he located permanently in York county, Nebraska. The year previ- ous he had come to this state and secured COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 355 a homestead on section 14, Morton l^own- ship, where he still resides. Like most farmers of this region he is also interested in stock raising, and in both branches of business is meeting with good success. Mr. Crownover was married in Illinois in November, 1870, to Miss Mary L. Darr, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Green- berry and Martha Darr, who were also born in the Buckeye state. Our subject and wife have two children: Carrie E. ; and Charles E., now a civil engineer with the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad. The family are members of the Lutheran church, and Mr. Crownover also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Brotherhood of America. He al- ways votes the Republican ticket, but has never been an aspirant for office, though he takes a commendable interest in public affairs, and gives his support to all measures for the good of his township or county. WILLIAM MITCHELL, a wide-awake and intelligent citizen of York county, and one of the leading farmers of his com- munity, makes his home on section 2, town- ship 1 1 north, range 4 west. He is a na- tive of Indiana, born m Clay county, No- vember 6, 1848, and is a son of John Mitch- ell, who was born in Virginia, September 26, 1806, and when a young man removed to Kentucky. There he became acquainted with Miss Mary Adkins, who was born in that state, June 22, 181 1, and when he was twenty-one and she fifteen years of age, they were united in marriage. A few months later this young couple removed to Clay county, Indiana, and settled upon a heavily, timbered tract of land where they made their home for seventeen years. Pos- sessed of a large amount of energy and a strong determination to succeed they be- gan their life in a new state, and by industry and perseverance cleared away the forest and opened up a fine farm of the richest soil the western states could produce. Mrs. Mitchell was one of a family of eleven chil- dren, and by her marriage became the mother of thirteen, twelve of whom reached man and womanhood, and have reared families of their own, with the exception of James, who enlisted in the war of the re- bellion and died soon after the great battle of Shiloh before his term of enlistment had expired. In the fall of 1851, the father, with his wife and eleven children, left their Indiana home and removed to Boone county, Iowa, where the subject of this sketch grew to manhood. At the age of twenty-seven years he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Mitchell, who was then twenty-six. She was a native of Cadiz, Harrison county, Ohio, and when a few years old was taken to Mahaska county, Iowa, by her parents. William and Mary Ann (Atkison) Mitchell, who later removed to Jasper county, the same state, where the mother died at the age of forty-six years. Subsequently the family located in Boone county, where our subject's wife lived on her father's farm northeast of Boone City until her marriage. They now have seven children, three sons and four daughters, who in order of birth are as follows: Etta M., now the wife of Rev. Richard Richards; Clara N. ; Emery L. ; Chester H. ; Mary A. ; F. Guy; and Nellie P. With the exception of the oldest daugh- ter all are at home. Soon after his marriage William Mitch- ell, with his wife, started for the new state just west of the great river, but found that the greater part of Nebraska had been taken up by home-seekers who had preceded them. In York county he purchased eighty acres of his present farm and later bought another eighty-acre tract on section 35, the same township, from the railroad company. This lies directly north of his first purchase, and the whole place consists of as fine farm- 356 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. ing land as can be found in the state. Here Mr. Mitchell commenced life in earnest, breaking prairie, planting trees, and mak- ing many other excellent improvements, which add greatly to its value and attract- ive appearance. He now has a fine bearing orchard of cherry and apple trees, which give forth in abundance the richest fruits. Here Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have found a pleasant home since June, 1877, and are sur- rounded by a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances who appreciate their sterling worth and many excellencies of character. They are both earnest members of the Bap- tist church, and he is identified with the Democratic party. Since the erection of the gold standard by the Republican party, he is willing to affiliate with any party that will place the finances of the country back to the standard of Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln, giving us again the free and unlimited coinage of silver. JC. BENNETT, well known throughout Polk county as one of its most enter- prising and progressive agriculturists, owns and operates an excellent farm on section 23, Canada precinct, and also takes an act- ive and prominent part in promoting the welfare of his adopted county. He is a wor- thy representative of old New England stock, born in Tolland county, Connecticut, May 13, 1830, and is a son of William and Har- riet J. (Dunham) Bennett, who spent their entire lives in that state, the father dying there June 5, 1880, aged eighty-four years, the mother November 7, 1849, aged fifty. They were earnest and faithful members of the Baptist church. The paternal grand- father of our subject was William Bennett, a son of Nathaniel Bennett, and the ma- ternal grandfather, who also belonged to an old Connecticut family, was Seth Dunham, a son of Seth Dunham, Sr. Our subject is one of a family of eleven children, who in order of birth are as follows: Janes, de- ceased; Mary E. and George D., twins, both deceased; Theodore P., deceased; J. C; Austin, deceased; W. Henry and Aus- tania; and Amanda, Seth D. and Charles Edgar, all three deceased. Three of the sons were soldiers of the Civil war: Seth D. , who was a member of the Seventh Connect- icut Volunteer Infantry; and George D. and Theodore F. , who belonged to the Twenty-first Connecticut Regiment, and the latter was killed at the battle of Cold Har- bor, Virginia. William Traganza, the husband of Austania, also died in the service. During his boyhood and youth J. C. Ben- nett attended the common schools and aided in the work of the home farm, re- maining in his native state until he attained his majority. In 1852 he went to Dela- ware county, Ohio, where he engaged in teaching for a time, and then removed to Marshall county, Iowa, where he made his home for twenty-seven years and there reared his family. He purchased a tract of school land entirely unimproved, and also bought a little cabin, which he moved thereon in 1856, making that place his home from that time until coming to Ne- braska in April, 1883. At that time only twenty acres of his present farm had been cultivated, and there was not a bush or tree upon the place, but to-day the entire tract of four hundred acres is under fence, and one hundred and twenty acres is highly cultivated and well improved with good farm buildings, all of which have been erected by Mr. Bennett. The place is pleasantly located eight miles east of Osce- ola, and is one of the most attractive and desirable farms of the locality. In addition to general farming he is engaged in stock raising, making a specialty of shorthorn cattle. In April, 1856, was consummated the marriage of Mr. Bennett and Miss Eliza- beth Bockoven, who was born in Dela- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 357 ware county, Ohio, in November, 1833. Her parents, Jacob and Eliza (Dalrymple) Bockoven, were early settlers of that county, where their deaths occurred. In their family were eleven children who reached years of maturity, namely: William, Susan, deceased; Jinks; Maria; Mrs. Ben- nett; Martha; George, deceased; Mary; Is- rael; Emma and Lucretia, both deceased. Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bennett five are now living: Eliza A., wife of Jeremiah Reeder, by whom she has one son, Harry J.; George A., who mar- ried Laura Hayhurst and has four children, Frank R., Grace, Lester and Ruth Esther; Seth W. , who married Maud Hayhurst, and has two children, Nellie E. and John E. ; Hattie J., at home; and Frank, who mar- ried Addie Fish, and has one child, Wilbur F. The family are connected with the Presbyterian church and are widely and favorably known throughout the community. Politically Mr. Bennett has been a lifelong Republican, takes an active part in local political affairs, and has frequently been a delegate to the conventions of his party. While a resident of Marshall county, Iowa, he filled the offices of township trustee and president of the school board. He was also a member of the Union League of that state. He is one of the most popular and influential men of his community and justly merits the confidence which is so freely accorded him. Both of his grand- fathers, William Bennett and Seth Dun- ham, served in the Connecticut legislature at the same time, the latter serving two terms. MARTIN CADY, a farmer by occupation in section 28, Alexis township, Butler county, was born in Perinton, Monroe county. New York, August 10, 1837. He is the son of George W. Cady, a native of Montgomery county. New York, who was born there December 15, 1810, and grandson of David Cady, whose birthplace was the little Nut- meg state. He was a soldier of the Revo- lutionary war and drew a pension for being wounded in that struggle for independence. The father of David Cady was of English descent, Elizabeth Cady Stanton being a cousin of his. George W. Cady came west with his parents to Michigan in 1854 and settled in Branch county, where they bought four hundred and forty acres of land. He was married to Eliza Frederick in 1834 in Ontario county. New York. His wife was born in Duchess county. New York, and died in Butler county, Nebraska, at the age of sixty-nine years. Our subject has one brother, Henry C. Cady, an engineer on the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. and a resident of Buffalo county. His father, George W. Cady, enlisted in the Eighth Michigan Infantry in the Civil war. He died in the hospital at Nashville, Tennessee, July 4, 1865. Martin Cady left Michigan in March, 1 86 1, and went to California. Was en- gaged in mining for a time and later had a ranch in Nevada. Lost everything by fire and in 1866 returned without anything. He was married in Branch county, Michigan, December 21, 1857, to Ellen McDonald, a daughter of Edward McDonald, of Branch county, Michigan. He left Michigan in the spring of 1869 and came to the Platte Valley, took up eighty acres of land, in- creased now to two hundred, showing his acquisitive powers and ability to add to in- stead of decreasing his store from day to day. He is the father of two sons, Fred C, Geo. M., and one daughter, Mina E. (Houston), wife of Harry Houston. He is a grand Master Mason, a Democrat in poli- tics, a .ember of the Baptist church, one of the founders of the First Baptist church of Bellwood, a man of strict integrity, re- 358 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. spected for his efforts and success in lead- ing a good, conscientious life, and looked upon as one of the most thrifty far..iers of his section of the county. In the early days of this county he was a carpenter by trade, built the first building in David City and the first court house there; has made it the home of his adop- tion, and is one of the leading citizens of his community. HON. C. E. HOLLAND, attorney-at- law, Seward, Nebraska, holds a prom- inent place among the members of the legal fraternity in this portion of the west. His acquaintance extends far beyond the limits of Seward county, and he has clients from distant parts of the state. He is bright and aggressive in his tactics, and not only ex- cels in the presentation of his own cases, but in the analysis and defeat of hostile argument. A portrait of Mr. Holland ac- companies this biography. Attorney Holland was born in Fulton county, Illinois, May 19, 1859. His par- ents were Marion and Margaret A. (Wilson) Holland, and they were natives of Ohio and IlHnois. His paternal grandfather, Zachary T. , was a farmer in Virginia, and to this occupation he bred his children. The ma- ternal grandfather of the Seward attorney, Samuel Wilson, came from Glasgow, Scot- land, and was a man of great force of char- acter and strong convictions. Marion Hol- lajnd settled in Illinois in 1856, and is still lilting in that state. He spent seven years in Iowa, but returned to his home east of the Mississippi. He was the father of two sons, both of whom are now living in this county. Attorney Holland received his education from the public schools of Iowa, and in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, where he attended Howe's Academy, and the Wesleyan Universitj' of that place. He was graduated in 1880, and three years later received his Master's degree from the university. From 1880 to 1883 he was principal of the city schools at Greenfield, Iowa, and proved himself a ca- pable and successful teacher. In the fall of 1879 he began the study of law, under the supervision of Woolson & Babb, a well- known legal firm of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Judge Woolson is now on the United States district bench for Iowa, and sustains a rep- utation as a fearless and upright member of the judiciary. Mr. Holland attended the instruction of the law department of Yale, and was graduated from that famous insti- tution in 1885. He was immediately ad- mitted to the state and federal bars of Con- necticut, and was regarded with much ap- probation by his preceptors. He did not however establish himself in the East but at once sought a location in the newer re- gions beyond the Missouri where a yoimg man might be supposed to stand a better chance for business. He visited Seward, and was so pleased with the outlook that he hung out his shingle in this city, and here he remains to this day. In 1887 he was elected county judge, and served a term on the bench with much success. He has been mayor and city attorney of Seward, and has ever been ready to serve his com- munity in any way it might be demanded of him. Mr. Holland was married in 1881 to Miss Sarah L. Chenoweth. She was born in Indiana, and is an attractive and cult- ivated woman. They are parents of two chil- dren, Yale C. and Vivienne, who are both living. In a political way Mr. Holland votes and acts with the Republican party, and has served on its county committee four years. He has received many eviden- ces of its appreciation of his services, and when so many were swept off their feet by the Populistic tide, he stood steadfast, and is regarded to-day as one of the old and stur- dy Republicans of the county. HON. C. E. HOLLAND. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 361 JSANFORD GWALTNEY, M. D., is a popular and talented physician and surgeon, whose home is in Staplehurst, but whose field of practice covers a wide region of Seward county. He is now at the prime of his powers, and applies himself with singular zeal and enthusiasm to his profes- sional labors. He has won and holds a lucrative practice which is largely among the best people of the community. Dr. Gwaltney was born in Warrick county, Indiana, September 30, 1859, and is a son of William and Nancy Gwaltney, who are also natives of Indiana. His father was a farmer, and parents are living. His grandfather came from North Carolina and settled in Indiana at an early day. Dr. Gwaltney spent his youth and early man- hood in the state of his nativity. He at- tended the public school, and for two and a half years was a student in the Normal Col- lege at Danville. He was graduated from the teachers' and scientific course of that excel- lent institution in 1885-88, and following his graduation he taught for some years. In 1889 he undertook to accomplish the dream of years, and began the study of medicine, with Dr. Charles Park, of Boonville. He spent a year under his direction and then matriculated at College of Physicians and Surgeons, a famous Iowa school, complet- ing the course and receiving his diploma in 1 89 1, in the Keokuk Medical College. He came to this county at once and engaged in the profession at Bee, where he remained for six months. Staplehurst presented, however, a more inviting field and he re- moved to that town, and there he has es- tablished a very satisfactory business. The Doctor is a member of the Seward County Medical Society, and is widely recog- nized as a capable and progressive physician. He was married in 1891 to Miss Mary Forseman, who was born and reared in In- diana. This union has proved a fortunate and happy one, and from it have come two 21 children, Bernice and Alice F. They have a pleasant home, that is invested with the atmosphere of culture and refinement. WILTON K. WILLIAMS is a man of progressive, enlightened views, and his standing as an old settler of the county and a citizen of prominence of York is well known. There are few more energetic or wide-awake men to be found among the population of the state than this gentleman, and he is deservedly held in high esteem and respect by his fellowmen. Mr. Williams was born in Onondaga county. New York, July i, 1842, a son of Kinne and Nancy (Rice) Williams. The parents were born in New Hampshire but lived the greater part of their lives and died in New York. The father was a black- smith by trade and followed that vocation the most of his life. Wilton K. Williams, the subject of our sketch, was educated in the district schools of his native county, and his first position was that of boatman on the Erie canal and while there ac- quainted himself with some of the various experiences characteristic to "Life on a Canal." He was next employed as collec- tor on this canal, during which time he was stationed at Phoenix, New York, and after severing his connection with the canal com- pany he opened a grocery business which he operated two years. In 1S68 he went to Ro- chelle, Illinois, and took charge of a branch store at that place, but later bought the business and conducted it on his own ac- count for seven years. He next located in Chicago, and, after being engaged in busi- ness two years in that place, he moved to Maquoketa, Iowa, and opened a clothing house which he conducted five years and afterward enlarged into a general store. Two years later,, in 1885, he moved his stock of clothing to York and has since con- ducted a clothing business there. 362 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. In 1890 he was elected to the office of mayor of York on the Democratic ticket, and was again elected to that office by the Republicans, after joining that party. He was also vice-president of the York Na- tional Bank for four years. In the year 1870, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Wall, a resident of New York state and the family circle has been completed by the presence of two children, Bert J. and Earl W. Mr. Williams is a Mason and one of the organ- izers of the K. T. in York, and is the pres- ent deputy grand commander of the state. He is also a member of the A. O. U. W. and the I. O. O. F. In his business affairs his character has been beyond reproach and in whatever line his faculties have been directed he has met with eminent success. He is a man of strong character, broad ideas, and has a large circle of warm friends. CHARLES RHOADES, a worthy repre- sentative of the early pioneers of York county, who has been identified with agri- cultural interests of Thayer township since 1872, was born in Columbia county, Penn- sylvania, April 6, 1840, a son of Jesse and Annie (Hawk) Rhoades, also nativesof Penn- sylvania. The family have for generations made their home in the Keystone state and have been prominent farming people. Our subject's paternal grandfather was Casper Rhoades, whose brother was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Charles Rhoades was the only child born to his parents, and his educational advan- tages were such as the common schools of his nativestate afforded during his childhood. He began work on the home farm, early obtaining a thorough knowledge of every department of farm work, and he was also employed to some extent at carpentering until after the inauguration of the Civil war. In 1863 he enlisted in Company E, Thir- tieth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for si.x months, and assisted in driving Lee out of the state. The following year he joined Company M, of the Third Pennsylvania regiment, and remained in active service until the close of th§ war, taking part in the engagements in and around Petersburg and Richmond. He was wounded in front of the latter city. On receiving his discharge, Mr. Rhoades returned to Pennsylvania, and in that state was married December 25, 1870, to Miss Mary J. Hartley, a daughter of Sebastian and Margaret (Unger) Hartley, both natives of Pennsylvania. The children born of this union are Annie, now deceased; Luther; Emma; Samuel; Emanuel; Clara, deceased; George; William and Harry. In 1872 Mr. Rhoades emigrated to York county, Nebraska, and took up a homestead on section 2, Thayer township, on which he erected a sod house that continued to be the home of the family for eight years, when it was replaced by a comfortable frame residence. He began breaking and cultivat- ing his land with an ox team, and to the further development of his farm he has de- voted his energies until he now has one of the best places of the locality. In religious faith he and his family are Lutherans, and in political sentiment he is independent, always voting for the man whom he believes best qualified to fill the office. Although he has faithfully served as a member of the school board for many years, he has never cared for political preferment, and he enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him. JOHN CALVIN HAGER, the present ef- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 505 grind for coffee. They now own one thou- sand eight hundred and sixty acres of farm land that compares favorably with the best land in the county, and, from a distance, the buildings upon it have much the appearance of a small village, and the whole place shows evidence of thrift and prosperity. Mr. and Mrs. Rolfsmeier are the par- ents of a family of seven children, upon whom they have seen fit to bestow the fol- lowing names: Frederick. Wilhelm, Henry, Charlie, Christian, Minnie and Annie. Mr. Rolfsmeier's parents, Wilhelm and Char- lotte (Schloman) Rolfsmeier, lived and died in Germany. Mrs. Rolfsmeier is a daugh- ter of Christian and Angel (Hamsmeier) Dammerman. She was also educated in Germany and was confirmed in the Evan- gelical Lutheran church. JH. NABER, a farmer on section 34, Waco township, York county, holds a good position in a land where natives of every country on the face of the earth are free to bring their best gifts and engage in friendly competition for the honors and emoluments of life. In a strange land and surrounded by strange institutions, he did not lose heart, but pushed ahead, and is now in a position to enjoy the results of honor and integrity. Mr. Naber was born in Oldenburg, Ger- many, January 3, 1841, and was born and bred a farmer. His father died in Germany, but his mother lived to share his home in the far away new world and died in Nebraska. He came to America in 1872, and immedi- ately made his way to this county, where he located on the homestead which consti- tutes his home to-day. This same year he was married to Miss Geradina Schmidt. She was a native of the town where he was born, and they had been playmates from in- fancy. Their first home in this state was in a sod house. This they occupied for some fifteen years, when they moved out of it into their present handsome and satisfac- tory residence that was put up at a cost of over fifteen hundred dollars. In 1872 he raised a little sod corn, and the next year harvested a full yield of corn. In 1874 he had wheat but no corn, and thus life has gone on with them. He now owns four hun- dred and forty acres, which he has brought to a high state of fertility, and is still im- proving his land. He is a devotee of gen- eral farming, and has good graded stock on his place. Mr. and Mrs. Naber are people of the very best standing in the township. They are regarded as kind friends, good neighbors, and public-spirited citizens. They have had ten children, of whom all are now living but two, Carl and one not named. The others are Wilhelm, Emma, Bertha, Matie, Hen- rietta, Clara, Oscar and Hugo. They are members of the Lutheran church, of which he has been treasurer for three years and trustee for the same length of time. He is a Republican in his national politics, but holds to the theory of honest men for office in local affairs. GEORGES. GOULD, banker and dealer in grain, is one of the leading business men of Butler county, and is making his home and base of operations at Bellwood. He is a man of large means, liberal and public spirited, and has taken a leading part in all matters and moves calculated to bene- fit his town or county, and his name is in- dissolubly connected with the history of the growth and development of Butler county. Zebina Gould, our subject's father, was born at Charlton, Worcester county, Mas- sachusetts, in 1804, and was reared in his native county. Later he moved to New York and located at Watertown, and after- ward at Rochester, where he learned the milling trade. Early in the '30s he moved to Michigan City, Indiana, where he set up 506 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. an extensive milling plant, known as the "City Mills." In the early days of Michi- gan City, this plant was practically one of its suburbs. It later became a very popular and widely-known plant, and, for a time, supplied Chicago with flour. Mr. Gould made this his home until his death, which occurred in 1872. He was married in Michi- gan City, Indiana, to Miss Mary Rees, in 1848. She was a daughter of Henry J. Rees, of Ashtabula, Ohio, v/ho ran a stage between Cleveland and Ashtabula, in the early days. Our subject's grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Their ancestors came with the Puritans to this country. There is to-day in the possession of the family a commission signed by John Han- cock, Governor of Massachusetts, and two signed by Samuel Adams, Governor of Mas- sachusetts, authorizing our subject's grand- father to enlist and drill the militia, and ap- pointing him ensign, captain and colonel, successively. These antedate the Revolu- tion. Our subject's maternal grandmother was a Hubbard, of Holland. iPatent, New York. Her father and two brothers made the overland trip to Ashtabula, and one of the brothers being a surveyor, they laid out the town of Ashtabula. Of Zebina Gould's family, four sons, H. R. , A. H., George S. and R. C, have become quite prominent in the affairs of Butler county. H. R. Gould moved to Omaha in the fall of 1876, and for fifteen years was general agent for the McCormick Harvester Company in that place. He is now general agent of the Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company, for Nebraska, and is also president of the Platte Valley State Bank of Bellwood, Ne- braska. A. H. Gould is the cashier of this bank. George S. Gould, the subject of this sketch, became connected with Nebraska's interests in 1887, when he went to Omaha and took a position in the office of the McCormick Harvester Company, under his brother, H. R. Gould. In the spring of 1 888, he went to Chase county, Nebraska, and entered the Chase County Bank at Im- perial, where he received his first practical knowledge of the banking business. In the fall of 1888 he came to Bellwood and was connected with the Platte Valley Bank un- til April, 1889, when he returned to Omaha to take a position with the Connecticut Mu- tual Life Insurance Company, and was thus engaged until the spring of 189 1. At this time he returned to Bellwood and built the first steam elevator in the city, and operated same until March, 1896. During that year he became interested in a coffee plantation in Mexico, and has since spent much time in that country, although he still retains his interest in Bellwood, both in the grain business and in the Platte Valley State Bank. December 19, 1889, while in Omaha, in the employ of the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, Mr. Gould was united in marriage to Miss Ella Armstrong, a daughter of Maj. George Armstrong, of Omaha. To this union have been born two bright and interesting children, Roberta and Henrietta, both born in Bellwood. Mrs. Gould's father, George Armstrong, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, August i, 18 19, a son of George Armstrong, Sr. , a planter of Wheeling, West Virginia. He was of Scotch descent, and his ancestors partici- pated in the Revolutionary war. George Armstrong married Julia Ewing, of Chilli- cothe, Ohio, where he was engaged in the newspaper business prior to 1854. During that year, he moved to Omaha, Nebraska, then a mere village, and took a tract of land that is now in the heart of the city. He served in the Third and Fourth territorial legislatures, was mayor of Omaha in 1861 and 1862, was commissioned major of the Second Nebraska Cavalry, and later raised a company of which he was made captain COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 507 and later promoted to major and brevet lieutenant-colonel, and finally to the office of colonel. This company served in the Civil war. Since the war he has served for nine years as clerk of the district court and has also served as clerk of the supreme court of Nebraska. He was Past Grand Master Mason, thirty-third degree. He practiced law in Douglas county, Nebraska, for many years and was an author of ability and recognized merit. Ella (Armstrong) Gould is his voungest child. LEWIS C. KLINZMAN.— The name of this well-known resident of York coun- ty, has long been familiar to the people of this section of the state as that of one of their most valued citizens, resolute, energetic and enterprising, and one who has been emi- nently successful in business affairs. He now makes his home on section i8, McFad- den township. Mr. Klinzman was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, April 14, 1859, a son of Christian and Mena (Kratz) Klinz- man, natives of Germany, who emigrated to America about 1854 and located in Penn- sylvania, where the father bought a small tract of land. In 1864 they moved to Peoria, Illinois, but soon afterward located on a rented farm near that city. The fa- ther purchased a farm in Livingston county, that state, five years later, and there he and his wife made their home until 1893, since which time they have lived in Dallas coun- ty, Iowa. When he landed at Baltimore, Maryland, on coming to the United States, he was obliged to sell a couple of feather beds he had brought with him in order to get money enough to take his family to Pennsylvania. The characteristic thrift, the birth-right of every German, has cer- tainly asserted itself in Christian Klinzman, and after a long life of hard work and good management he is now enabled to pass the evening of life in comfort and ease. He still owns his farm of two hundred and forty acres in Illinois, besides four hundred and ninety-five acres of land in Dallas county, Iowa, where he makes his home. The subject of this sketch was about nine years old when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois, and amidst scenes incident to farm life he was reared there, receiving a fair public-school education. Leaving home at the age of twenty-one years, he bought a team of horses on time, rented some land and began life on his own account. He continued to rent land in Illinois until coming to York county, Nebraska, in the spring of 1885. The year previous he had visited this local- ity, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in McFadden township, upon which the village of McCool Junction is now located. In 1887, when the village was sur- veyed and platted, it included the entire farm, and Mr. Klinzman became half owner of the town site. A year later he bought the southeast quarter of section 18, McFad- den township, upon which he now makes his home, and also owns fifty-five acres in lots, streets and alleys belonging to the village. He purchased the company's interest in the same, and adding it to his farm makes a valuable place of two hundred and fifteen acres on section 18, all under a high state of cultivation and improved with good and substantial buildings. Besides this he still owns fifty lots in the village. In 1885 Mr. Klinzman was united in marriage with Miss Lena Hammersmith, a native of Germany, who came to America when twelve years old with her parents, Leonard and Henrietta Hammersmith, lo- cating in Monticello, Piatt county, Illinois. Her father was a miller by trade. She re- ceived an excellent education, completing the literary and musical courses in the high school at Monticello, from which she gradu- uated. By her marriage she has become 508 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. the mother of five children: Flora, Emma, Lena Pearl, Lewis Leonard, Mary Cather- ine and Henrietta Wilhelmina. The par- ents are both earnest and consistent mem- bers of the Dunkard church, and in politics Mr. Klinzman is a Republican. On attain- ing his majority he started out in life for himself empty-handed, but has steadily worked his way upward by the exercise of his native resolution and industry and is to- day one of the well-to-do and prosperous business men as well as one of the highly respected citizens of his community. HENRY PETER KLUMP is an honored resident of G precinct, Seward coun- ty, where he is living, retired from active business, and is now living in a cozy home, where he is surrounded with such home comforts as make life enjoyable. He is one of the oldest settlers of Seward county, formerly being one of its successful farmers, and is now passing the evening of his life enjoying the fruit of his labor. Our subject was born December 26, 1824, in Pfalzdorf Kreis Clave, Rheinvreus- sen, Germany, where his parents spent the greater part of their lives and are now buried. He was educated in the common schools of the land of his nativity, attend- ing from the age of si.x until he reached fourteen years. At the age of fourteen years, also, he was confirmed in the Evan- gelical Lutheran church, and spent the next six years of his life helping his parents on the farm. At the age of twenty he entered the German army, and after serving three years he received his honorable discharge, but was later recalled to serve six weeks longer. He then returned to the farm and continued the pursuit of agriculture until he was twenty-nine years of age, when, in 1854, he emigrated from thence to America. Leav- ing Antwerp, March i, he crossed the At- lantic in the "Jennie Lind," a sail vessel, which was managed by Captain Bunsen, and landed in New York April 20. Here he was not satisfied, as he was desirous of finding a home farther west where he could homestead, and he accordingly set out for Louisville, Kentucky. From here he went by steamer to St. Louis, Missouri, where he remained three weeks, and from thence went to Warsaw, Hancock county, Illinois. After making his home in Warsaw for eight- een years, he migrated, in 1862, to Seward county, Nebraska, took a claim of eighty acres, built a frame house and began to break and otherwise improve and subdue the tract of raw prairie that comprised his home- stead into an attractive home and profitable farm. In this undertaking our subject has met with eminent success, for he has man- aged to add to his original homestead by purchase, from time to time, until he now owns a fine farm of two hundred acres, and the entire tract is highly improved and till- able. This, however, was not brought about without its share of sacrifice and per- sistent effort. The lumber for the buildings was hauled from Lincoln, a distance of twenty-two miles, after being purchased at the rate of forty dollars per thousand feet. Trees and shrubbery were unknown in this part of the state, except along a few of the streams, and deer and other wild animals roamed over the prairie. Now Mr. Klump has his farm furnished with over one hun- dred apple trees, some of which are over twenty-five years old and are bearing abundantly, and also with grapes, cherries and peaches. Mr. Klump has now retired from active life and is enjoying the results of a life of economy, both of time and of money. He is an honored and valued citi- zen of the community in which he lives and is held in high esteem by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. Mr. Klump has two children, Henry, now living at Warsaw, Illinois, and Annie, now living in Seward, Nebraska. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 509 AUGUST KALIFF, a wide-awake and energetic citizen of York county, who owns and successfully operates a good farm on section 31, Leroy township, was born in Sweden, April 12, 1856, and is a son of John and Johanna (Johnson) Kaliff, also natives of that country. The father worked at his trade of carpenter and cabi- net-maker in his native land, and also served in the regular army of Sweden for several years. In 1869 he emigrated to America with his family and settled in Jeff- erson county, Iowa, where he rented land and engaged in farming until coming to York county, Nebraska, in 1872. Here he homesteaded eighty acres on section 6, Mc- Fadden township, being among the first set- tlers of that locality, but in 1880 sold that place and bought another eighty-acre tract four miles west of York, where he made his home until his death, which occurred in January, 1894. His wife is still living at the age of seventy-five years, and resides with her daughter in York township. In the family of this worthy couple were seven children. The subject of this sketch was about sixteen years of age when he came with his parents to York county, but two years later he returned to his former home in Iowa, where he worked as a farm hand for three years and a half. On again coming to York county, in 1878, he purchased eighty acres of railroad land on section 31, Leroy town- ship, which at that time was still in its primitive condition. For a few years, while working his land, he lived with his parents, but after his marriage he located upon the place, which by industry and perseverance he has transformed into one of the best farms of the locality. As his financial re- sources have increased, he has added to the original purchase until he now owns one hundred and seventy acres of valuable land, and in connection with its cultivation he also leases and operates eighty acres of school land. Upon his place he has erected a fine residence at a cost of seventeen hun- dred dollars, and made other valuable im- provements to exceed three thousand dol- lars. He has set out all of the trees upon his place and now has a large and thrifty orchard. In 1880 Mr. Kaliff led to the marriage altar Miss Ida L. Johnson, a native of Sweden, who came with her parents to America in 1875 and settled in Henry county, Iowa, but they took up their resi- dence in York county, Nebraska, three years later. Our subject and his wife now have eight children, namely: Florence H., Segrid E., Linda O., Augusta C. , Rudolph L., Charles A., John Franklin and Otto L. Mr. Kaliff is an energetic, enterprising citizen, keenly alive to the demands of a growing country, and ready to meet and aid any utilitarian scheme for its benefit. He has taken considerable interest in educa- tional matters and has served for nine years as treasurer of his school district. Politic- ally he is a supporter of the Republican party, and socially is identified with the Modern Woodmen Camp at McCool. WILLIAM M. MILLER.— Not on the plains of affluence did this gentleman start out on life's journey but in the valley of limited circumstances, with the rough and rugged path of hard undertaking before him. He is not only a self-made man but is self- educated as well, and for several years was one of the most successful and popular teachers in this section of the state. Mr. Miller was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, December i, 1863, a son of Moses Miller, also a native of that state, where he was educated in the public and high schools. At the age of twenty-three he married Miss Sybilla Miller, who was then twenty-one, and to them were born • seven children, four sons and three daugh- 510 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. ters, of whom Sarah died at the age of fif- teen years, ten months and three days, and was buried in Zion cemetery, Berks county, Pennsylvania. The other children besides our subject are Albert M. , who is married and lives in Reading, Pennsylvania; Louise Loy, a resident of Berks county; Walter M., married and lives in Jackson county, Iowa; Landes F., who is married and is superin- tendent of the Industrial Life Insurance Company at McKeesport, Pennsylvania; and Mary M., who is married and lives in Berks county, Pennsylvania. The family at one time removed to Iowa, but soon returned to Berks county, where the father died at the age of forty-five years. The mother has since married Nathan Stump and still lives in Berks county at the age of sixty-three years. At the age of six years the subject of this review entered school, and until eleven attended the local schools three or four months every winter. His father dying at that time, he was thrown upon his own re- sources and immediately hired out to a farmer for five dollars per month for about six months during a year. From his wages he clothed himself and saved fifteen dol- lars per year. During the winter season he was mainly employed in doing chores for his board and the privilege of attending school three months. He continued to work as a farm hand at from five dollars to seven dollars per month until seventeen years of age, when he began to long for a home of his own. He then came to Iowa, and in Jackson county worked for his uncle Gabrial Miller, for two hundred dollars per year for two years and a half. He also at- tended school about four months during this time. Having saved up several hundred dollars, he went to Nance county, Nebraska, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land at six dollars and twenty-five cents per acre, which amounted to one thousand and forty dollars, a part of which he paid. On his return to Iowa, in connec- tion with his cousin he rented a farm of one hundred and seventy acres for four hundred and fifty dollars cash, operating it for one year. As his cousin had married, our sub- ject and his brother-in-law carried it on for two years, but the latter returned to Penn- sylvania at the end of that time, and Mr, Miller concluded to abandon farming in Iowa, and accordingly sold his personal pos- sessions there. He then entered the North- ern Illinois College in Fulton, Whiteside county, Illinois, where he pursued his studies for eighteen weeks, during which time he graduated with high honors in the commer- cial course and received a diploma. He also completed a year's work in the scien- tific course. His funds being exhausted, he quit school and went to Nance county, Nebraska, where he had previously pur- chased property, and began to break and improve his land. The first fall he built a small barn for the accommodation of his horses and cattle, and a small frame house for his own use, living alone there for a year and a half. He devoted his energies to farm work during the summer months, and in the winter taught a district school for thirty dollars a month. On the 23d of August, 188S, Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Bell Harman, a daughter of David and Susanna Harman, who' are now living on a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres four and a half miles southeast of Silver Creek, Polk county, Nebraska. She had two brothers and one sister, who are also living in Polk county. She received a good practical education in the schools of Central City, Nebraska, and Avoca, Iowa. After a brief illness she died February 3, 1893, at the age of twenty-five years, and was laid to rest in Osceola cemetery, Polk county, Nebraska. She was a true and earnest Christian, a member of the Methodist Church, and was beloved by all who knew her for her many COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 511 excellencies of character. The loss to her husband was almost unbearable, but he takes great comfort in the little son, Burt D. Le Roy. who was born to them in Nance county, June 6, 1890. After the death of his wife Mr. Miller abandoned farming and devoted all his time to teaching, and later sold his property in Nance county. As a teacher he met with remarkable success, and during the twenty terms followed that profession he commaded the highest salaries paid. Later he was in- terested in the real estate business and was also agent for a fraternal life insurance company. He still owns considerable prop- erty, including value land and town prop- ety in Platte, Merrick, York and Polk counties. At the age of fourteen he was confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran church in Berks country, Pennsylvania, but subsequently joined the Methodist Episcopal church to which his wife be- longed. Upright and honorable in all things, he commands the respect and esteem of those with whom he comes in contact and has made a host of warm friends in his adopted state. JOHN DEDEN.— Many of the best citi- zens of Seward county have come from over the sea, particularly from the empire of Germany. They have transported into the wilds of Nebraska the industry, thrift and economy of their native land, and have been very important factors in the rapid de- velopment and almost miraculous growth of this section. Of this class of honest, hard-working, alien born citizens, there is none that occupies a more prominent place then John Deden, one of the pioneers of the county, who is now successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in precinct I. He was born in the province of Hanover, Germany, November 29, 1832, and attended the schools of his native land from the age of six to fourteen years. In the latter year he was confirmed in the Lutheran church. For seven years he was a member of the German army, and on being discharged he engaged in farming until his emigration to America. At the age of thirty-five years he was united in marriage with Miss Adelheid Bove and before leaving Germany one child was born to them; Annie, who is now the wife of John P. Stolz, of Seward county. The other children, Minnie M., Martha, Albert and Mary, were all born in this country and are at home with the exception of Martha, who is the wife of John Haganow, of Minnesota. The wife and mother de- parted this life in 1892 at the age of forty- nine years, leaving many friends as well as here immediate family to mourn her loss. In 1869, Mr. Deden with his little family crossed the Atlantic and a year later came to Seward county, Nebraska, taking a homestead of eighty acres in I precinct, where he now lives. He came on foot from Lincoln, passing no houses on the way and only a few dugouts. After constructing one of those rude dwellings on his own place the family moved in, and for several years underwent many hardships and privations such as are experienced by most pioneers. On foot Mr. Deden went to Nebraska City, a distance of sixty-five miles, where for two years he worked to earn the money to sup- port his family. As soon as he was able to purchase a yoke of oxen he began to break and cultivate his land, but his team was stolen and one ox butchered. As he was in limited circumstances it was a hard matter to replace the team, and he also lost much during the grasshopper plagues and dry seasons, but at length prosperity crowned his efforts and he now has a good farm, on which he has set out many fruit trees of different varieties and erected good and substantial buildings. He is a pleasant, genial gentleman, well liked by all who know him. His first presidential vote was cast 512 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. for General U. S. Grant, and he has since been an ardent supporter of the Republican party. WILLIAM DU BOIS POST, a promi- nent citizen of Fillmore county, Nebraska, now living in retirement in the city of Geneva, was born June 24, 1846, near the village of Ontario, in Richland county, Ohio. The parents of our subject were Johiel and Elizabeth fMoorhouse) Post. Little is known of Mr. Post's ancestors, except that his grandfather came from England before the Revolutionary war. For some time he maintained his coat-of-arms, but finally grew weary of what he called "aristocratic play- things," and discarded it entirely. He was among those who, disguising themselves in Indian costume, helped to solve the tea tax problem, by emptying three hundred and forty-two chests of British tea into Boston harbor. When the war broke out he be- came a soldier of the Revolution. William Du Bois Post spent his child- hood days on his father's little farm, near Ontario, Ohio. His mother died July 23, 1851, at the age of thirty-eight. His father died August 18, 1855, aged forty-six years. At this time William was but nine years old, and, having no relatives excepting his little brothers and sisters, he was placed by his guardian in care of William McBride until he should reach his majority. How- ever, in 1864, when he was but seventeen years old. President Lincoln having issued a call for " one hundred day men," William enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He went with his company first to Washington, District of Columbia, thence to the army near Petersburg, then to Fort Pocahontas, thence to Powhatan, and finally to Colum- bus, Ohio, where, after his regiment had re- ceived the thanks of President Lincoln, he was honorably discharged, December 15, 1864. On returning home, our subject re-en- tered school, concluding his education at the academy at Savannah, Ohio. By the time he had reached the age of twenty-one, the greater part of his patrimony had been spent, but, being of a practical turn of mind, soon put a portion of his education to good use. He accepted an appointment as station agent for the railroad company at Ontario, which position he held until 1868. During this time he renewed his ac- quaintance with Miss Marilla M. Story, whom he had previously met at the home of an uncle. They were united in marriage June 28, 1868, in the Methodist Episcopal church of Gallon, Crawford county, Ohio, by the pastor. Dr. Nelson. Mrs. Post was the daughter of John and Maria (Feiser) Story. Her father died at the early age of twenty-six years. The mother died six years later, leaving three young children in care of their grandmother, with whom Miss Ma- rilla lived until her marriage to Mr. Post. Her father had commanded a company of militia for several years prior to his death, and, though young, was active and promi- nent in the community. Mrs. Post has one brother. He went west early in life and was with Kit Carson in many Indian raids and excursions. He enlisted in a Nebraska regiment of volunteers in the war of the Re- bellion and is now a resident of southern Illinois. After their marriage Mrs. Post returned to her old home, while her husband vent- ured to try his fortunes in the west. He first located in Wyoming, but, having to live in a hut, he did not think it best to have his wife join him. He soon after returned to Eldora, Iowa, sent for Mrs. Post, and they made their home at that place for a period of six months, when he was appointed sta- tion agent at Steamboat Rock. Here they remained three months, when he was trans- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 51S ferred to Albion, Iowa. He discharged the duties of this position for eight years, when his business, outside his railroad duties, in- creased to such an extent, that he was com- pelled to resign, that he might devote his attention to the grain business, having pre- viously purchased the Farmers' Elevator. He conducted this business successfully un- til 1879. In November of that year, he re- moved, with his family, to the town of Bradshaw, eight miles west of York, Ne- braska. Here, he erected a store building and opened a general merchandise store, at the same time taking charge of the telegraph and railroad station. He added a line of drugs and further extended the scope of his business by establishing a lumber yard and coal office. One year later he purchased the elevator and began dealing in grain and live stock. His excessive labors finally be- gan to undermine his health and in 1885 he retired from active business. In order to have school advantages for his family, he removed to the city of York, but after five years again removed to Holyoke, Phillips county, Colorado, and opened a general merchandise business in 1892. Two years later, finding the high altitude unsuited to the health of his family, they returned to Nebraska, and located in Lincoln, where their children were given a literary and musical education. To Mr. and Mrs. Post four children have been born, named in the order of birth as follows: Leland V., Edna Zelda, Lillian Igurna, and Carl Mark. Leland V. died at the age of sixteen months. The others are at home, forming, with their parents, a most pleasant family circle. Miss Edna in- herits her father's business traits. In Au- gust, 1898, she invested her savings in a small stock of general merchandise and opened a store in Geneva. She is attentive to her business, and with her father's coun- sel is destined to succeed. Miss Lillian, while a student in the conservatory of the State University, developed a contralto voice of remarkable strength and compass. Carl has had some commercial training, but his education is as yet unfinished. The family are members of the Method- ist Episcopal church at Geneva. Mrs. Post is an earnest worker and advocate of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union prin- ciples. Mr. Post takes little interest in political matters, votingfor the best man, in- dependent of party. For many years he has been a sufferer from a nervous ailment, but the quiet of retirement has done much toward restoring his former good health. He is a member in good standing of the Masonic fraternity, with membership at Holyoke, Colorado, and is also a member of the Ancient Order United Workmen, at York, Nebraska. THOMAS HENAHAN, a well-known dealer in general merchandise at Mc- Cool Junction, Nebraska, is one of the old- est and most highly respected citizens of York county. In the spring of 1878 he came into this region from New York city, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 34, McFadden township, from an old soldier who had just "proved up " on it. There was a sod house and a well on the farm, and he "bached" it for eighteen months, and he "fried pork, boiled water and cooked slapjacks as good as any- body," according to his own report. Only fifteen acres were broken at the time of his purchase, and he set himself to the labor of improving and making a home on the wild prairie. Mr. Henahan was born in county Mayo, Ireland, December 25, 1845, ^^^ is a son of Thomas and Delia (Welsh) Henahan, who were also natives of the "Emerald Isle." There they lived and died. Thomas was reared on his father's farm, and had an education in the common schools. When 514 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. he was sixteen he took a position as a clerk in a dry-goods store. After working in the store for two years, he joined the Royal Irish constabulary, and served six years as a private, and received high recommenda- tions for honesty and abiUty at his discharge. He reached these shores in 1871, and three days after his arrival secured a position in New York with A. T. Stewart, the well- known merchant prince. This position he held seven years, when he gave it up to come to this state. He was a farmer until 1887 when he secured the establishment of a post office and was appointed its first post- master. In the fall of that year he opened a general store, which he has managed most successfully and profitably to the pres- ent time. In addition to the store and vil- lage property he owns two hundred and forty acres of land. He has served two terms as postmaster and has been a village officer most of the time. At present he is serving his third term as trustee. He is a stanch Democrat, and is active and in- fluential in the party councils. Mr. Henahan was married to Miss Han- nah Rea, November 3, 1880. She was born at Wapello, DeWitt county, Illinois, and is of Irish descent, her parents, Thomas and Margaret E. (Galvin) Rea, being born in the island. He is a member of the An- cient Order of the United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America at Mc- Cool Junction. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Catholic church at York. ERASMUS GRUBB, one of the promi- nent and influential citizens of Rising City, Butler county, is doing an extensive real-estate, loan and insurance business. He first went to Butler county in 1871, and at that time bought eighty acres of land, but did not locate permanently until 1876. He was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, August 4, 1850, a son of Charles Grubb, who was born in Lehigh county, Pennsyl- vania, and moved with his parents to Craw- ford county when he was but three years of age, or in 1826. His father's name was Daniel Grubb. Charles Grubb, our sub- ject's father, was married in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, in 1846, to Miss Dinah Davidson, a daughter of William Davidson, of New Jersey. Erasmus Grubb, the subject of this sketch, is the second in the order of birth of a family of eleven children, whose names in the order of their birth are as follows: Wayne, Susie, Erasmus, Garrett, Elizabeth, Ida M., Kate, George H., Charles, Louisa M. and Ella. Our subject was reared in Hancock county, Illinois, where his parents moved when he was nine years of age. He received his early education in the public school and supplemented it with a course in the Gem City Business College at Quincy, Illinois. In the fall of 1871 he went west on a prospecting tour, and upon reaching the vicinity of Rising City, which was then a wild prairie, he decided to make a small investment, and accordingly purchased eighty acres. He then returned to Illinois and remained until 1876. Upon his return to Butler county, Nebraska, in 187S, he entered the store of J. C. Paxton, the first, and at that time the only store in the city, in the capacity of bookkeeper and head clerk. He was thus engaged fifteen months and then resigned to accept the position of principal of the school at Rising City, the first school organized in that place. After severing his connection with the school work, Mr. Grubb embarked in the real-estate, loan and insurance busi- ness. Mr. Grubb is a man of good business qualifications and has met with eminent success in all the enterprises in which he has embarked, and especially in his present calling he has a large patronage and his business is one of the most extensive in that line in the county. He has also always in- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 515 terested himself in all matters of a public nature and he has added much to the nat- ural growth and prosperity of the com- munity. In 1879 Mr. Grubb returned to his former home in Hancock county, Illinois, and was united in marriage with Miss Lulu Howes, daughter of F. M. Howes, of that county. Our subject is a member of the Congregational church, and socially he is identified with the fraternity of the Knights of Pythias. Politically he is a free silver Republican. HARRISON MUNDHENKE, a repre- sentative and leading farmer of pre- cinct J, is a fair specimen of the sturdy agri- culturists who have so largely assisted in the development of Seward county, and who are drawing from the soil the important ele- ments of their future fortune. He was born in Stephenson county, Illinois, in 1855, and is a son of Frederick Mundhenke, a native of Germany, who when thirty years of age emigrated to this country with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Mundhenke, locating in Stephenson county, Illinois, where the grandmother of our subject died at the age of seventy years. The grandfather came with the family to this state and here passed away in 1S76, at the advanced age of nine- ty-five years. Frederick Mundhenke mar- ried Mrs. Margaretta (Wittel) Stabler, a young widow, by whom he had four sons: George, Edward, Jacob and Harrison. For five years after his marriage Mr. Mundhenke continued to engage in farming in Illinois, and then removed to Wisconsin, where he spent seven years, coming to Nebraska at the end of that time. Here his wife died in 1 88 1 and was buried in the Evangelical cemetery in Seward county. Three years later he went to Oregon, and after purchas- ing property in the state of Washington, he returned to Portland, where he is now living on a farm. Prior to leaving Nebraska he was again married, and his second wife is also still living. The subject of this review received his education in the common schools of Illinois and Wisconsin, and was eighteen years of age at the time of the emigration of the family to Nebraska. This region was then a wild, undulating prairie, very thinly set- tled, and among the other hardships with which the early settler had to contend were the grasshoppers, and the seasons of 1874, 1880, 1890, 1893, 1894 and 1895 were so dry that very little was raised by the farm- ers, but mainly through his own industry, economy and good management Mr. Mund- henke has become quite well-to-do, and is now able to enjoy the fruits of his former toil, surrounded by all the comforts that make life worth the living. The father pur- chased a tract of railroad land from the Bur- lington & Missouri River Railroad Company at eight dollars per acre, and when our sub- ject attained his majority he gave him one hundred and sixty acres of land in J pre- cinct, Seward county, upon which he started to make a home for himself, breaking the prairie and erecting thereon good and sub- stantial buildings. It is now one of the best farms and most beautiful and attractive homes in the locality. He now owns two hundred and forty acres of valuable land in J precinct, and four hundred and eighty acres in Kansas, making in all seven hun- dred and twenty acres, all free from indebt- edness. At the age of twenty-three years, Mr. Mundhenke was united in marriage with Miss Fredericka Fi.\, who died in 1891, leaving five children besides her husband to mourn her untimely death. The children are Henry, Edwin, Oliver, Cora and Pearlie. Mr. Mundhenke has since married Miss Christina Stick, by whom he has the fol- lowing children: Wallace, Abel, Ray and Clayton. Mrs. Mundhenke is a native of 516 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. Canada and a daughter of George and Christina Stick, who are still living in that country, the former at the age of seventy- three years, the latter at the age of seventy. By trade the father is a shoemaker. In their family are eight children, of whom Mrs. Mundhenke is the sixth in order of birth. The others are Conrad and Charles, who are also residents of Seward county, Nebraska, George, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Engle- hart, of Michigan, and Elizabeth and Cath- erine, of Canada. All are married and have families. In his political affiliations Mr. Mund- henke is a Democrat and he ever takes an active and commendable interest in public affairs. When quite young he joined the Evangelical church, with which his family is also connected, and his life has ever been in harmony with his professions. GEORGE SHEPHERD, who was one of the valiant defenders of the Union during the dark days of the Rebellion, and is now an honored and highly esteemed cit- izen of York, was born in Georgetown, Brown county, Ohio, February 14, 1834, and is a son of William and Jane (Blair) Shepherd. His paternal grandparents were both natives of Scotland, and on their emi- gration to this country settled in east Tenn- essee, whence they later removed to Brown county, Ohio. The grandfather died in that state and the grandmother subsequently removed with her son William to LaSalle county, Illinois. Our subject's maternal grandfather was born in the north of Ire- land, and when a young man came to the United States and after a short time spent in Pennsylvania, also became a resident of east Tennessee, where he married a young lady, who was a native of the Keystone state. At an early day they also removed to Ohio, as did the parents of our subject. On leaving that state William Shepherd and wife went to LaSalle county, Illinois, but three years later took up their residence in Morgan, county, the same state. It was in the latter county that George Shepherd grew to manhood, remaining with his parents until he attained the age of twenty-five years. He then married Miss Mary Stevenson, a daughter of John H. and Ann E. (Jones) Stevenson, the ceremony being performed June 8, 1858. They be- gan their domestic life upon a farm in Mor- gan county, and from there removed to a farm in Sangamon county, Illinois, and later be- came residents of Hillsboro, Illinois, where Mr. Shepherd opened a blacksmith shop and engaged in work at his trade until after the outbreak of the Civil war. On the night of the 13th of June, 1862, he dreamed that he was in battle with the forces in the field; he could see the Union lines; hear the cannon and small arms; and saw the flashes of fire from the cannon as they afterward appeared in reality on the battle field of Marksville Prairie, in what is known as the Red river expedition under General Banks. The following day he en- listed in Company B, One Hundred and Seven- teenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, at Camp Butler, and being a master mechanic he was soon appointed foreman in the post govern- ment shop at Memphis, Tennessee, where he often had more than forty men working under him in wood and iron. After nine months in that position he was promoted to regimental train master, later to brigade train master, and finally to division train master, and discharged his various duties to the entire satisfaction of every commander he served under during the remainder of his service. While stationed at New Or- leans he was recommended by his superior officers for promotion to the position of quartermaster sergeant, but the division commander refused to let him be transferred, as his services had proved so valuable. During the two years he was trainmaster he COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 5ir never lost his train nor even a wagon. At one time, while foraging for provisions, his Httle train was attacked by guerillas from behind bushes and trees, and while the bul- lets flew around him uncomfortably he fortunately escaped uninjured. He was never in the hospital but once — for about eight days — and then against his protests. On receiving an honorable discharge, Mr. Shepherd returned to Illinois, and in Jack- sonville opened a shop, where he engaged in jobbing and manufacturing until 1869, when he returned to Hillsboro, where he had worked before the war. Six months later, however, he removed with his family to Springfield, Illinois, where the following year was passed, and then went to Will- iamsville, where he opened a shop of his own, conducting the same quite success- fully for twelve years. He then came to Nebraska, arriving in York county in Feb- ruary, 1882, and has made his home here continuously since. Owing to ill health he has not actively engaged in business since 1883, and is now living retired in the city of York. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd four are still living: Alice J., the eldest, married A. T. Hiett, and has one child. Earl Vance, a fine, healthy boy of twelve years, who holds his own among the school children of his age. Frederick G. married Ida Hagar, and they have one child, Arlo Guy, now fourteen months old. Nellie S. is a teacher in the high school of York, which fact speaks well for her ability, as this school ranks second to none of its kind in the state. She graduated with honors from the State Normal. Sarah E. married Charles E. Tracy, a son of John and Eliza- beth Tracy. Mr. Shepherd cast his first presidential vote for Millard Fillmore, and since then has been a pronounced Republican, but be- lieves in voting for principles and not for party. He and his wife were both reared 30 in the Presbyterian church, and still cling to that faith, and their lives have ever been such as to merit the high regard in which they are uniformly held. Socially Mr. Shepherd is an honored member of Robert Anderson Post, No. 32, G. A, R. , of York. He entered the army a strong and healthy man, but after spending three years tramp- ing from north to south through intermin- able swamps, across great rivers, and in en- gaging in skirmishes and hard-fought battles, his health became shattered, and he is now unable to perform any manual labor. He receives a small pension of twelve dollars per month, which very feebly compensates him for the hardships and sufferings occa- sioned by his army service. However, he has never repented following the dictates of his dream on the 13th of June, 1862. OLIVER WESTBERG, a prominent representative of the agricultural in- terests of Polk county, has since 1889 suc- cessfully carried on operations upon his present farm of eighty acres on section 33, township 14, range 2. Like many of the most industrious, enterprising and honored citizens of the county, he is a native of Sweden, born in Skona, October 2, 1862, and is a son of Nels and Anna Westberg, also natives of the same place. In 1867, with their family, they sailed for the new world, and first located in Moline, Illinois, where the father worked in a plow factory for seven years. In 1874 he came to Polk county, Nebraska, and settled on the north- west quarter of section 7, township 14, range 2, which was railroad land and entirely unimproved. After building a small frame house and sod barn, he commenced to break and cultivate his land, the first year raising some wheat and oats, but the grasshoppers destroyed his corn. To the development and improvement of his land he devoted his time and attention until life's labors 518 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. were ended. One da}', while shelling corn, he slipped and fell, and catching his foot in the power, it had to be amputated. Gangrene afterward set in, from the effects of which he died November 5, 1887, at the age of fifty-one years. He was an upright, hon- orable man and a consistent member of the Baptist church, to which his widow also belongs. She now makes her home in Stromsburg. Their family consisted of seven children, namely: John N., Oliver, David, Ella, Bettie, Anna and Emma. John N. married Delia Freeman, of Indiana, and now lives in Omaha, Nebraska, where he is serving his second term as city comptroller. David, a farmer of Osceola precinct, Polk county, married Hannah Ecklund and has one child, Gordon. Bettie is the wife of Ed Johnson, of Osceola precinct, and has one child, Jessie. Oliver Westberg began his education in the public schools of Moline, Illinois, and attended school to some extent after the re- moval of the family to Polk county, Ne- braska. On attaining his majority he started out in life for himself, and owned and operated a farm, which he subsequently sold. In the spring of 1889 he located up- on his present place and has since carried it on with good success, the well-tilled fields yielding \ golden tribute in return for the care and labor bestowed upon them. He raises both grain and stock, and is also en- gaged in shelling corn. On the 30th of December, 188S, Mr. Westberg wa's united in marriage with Miss Emma Gunnison, a native of Sweden, who came to America during childhood. They now have a little daughter — Ethel Beatrice, born May 1 1, 1890. Mr. Westberg is a member of the Scan- dinavian Mutual Insurance Company, of Polk county, and also belongs to the Odd Fellows' Lodge, of Osceola, and the Mod- ern Woodman Camp, of Stromsburg. His political support is always given the men and measures of the Republican party, and he has frequently served as a delegate to county and state conventions of his party. For eight years Mrs. Westburg was one of the popular and successful teachers of Polk county, having acquired an excellent educa- tion in the schools of Lincoln, this state. She and her husband are widely and favor- ably known, and have a host of warm friends throughout the community in which they make their home. Ella Westberg has been a successful teacher, having taught the past eight years, and at present is teaching at Stromsburg. Miss Emma has taught three years, and at present teaches at Shelby, Nebraska. Miss Annie devotes her time to music, having taught music for a number of years. AUGUST JOHNSON came from Sweden when thirty years of age, bringing with him his wife and two children, and landed in New York with hardly enough money to pay his passage to Iowa. For the last twenty-six years he has been a resident of Bradshaw township, York count}', Nebraska, and to-day is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of fine farm land, and has about him everything that is necessary to comfort or the successful prosecution of his business. Such a career is an epitome of American history, and shows what a blessing this country has been to the poor and the ambi- tious of the old world. He has accomplished these great results by no help except his own industry and character, and as he looks back over the years he may well be proud of the record he has made. August Johnson was born in Sweden in T838, and in 1868 left his native country and emigrated to America. He landed in the city of New York in June of that year, in company with his. wife and their two children. They have had ten children born to them, of whom six are now living, the youngest being fourteen tOMPENDlUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 519 -years of age: John C. , Mary E. , Emma C. , Anna M. . Ida S. , and Carl A. Mr. Johnson left New York and took his family to Swedes- burg, Iowa, where they found a home, and where he was able to secure work with the neighboring farmers at good wages for several years. He rented a farm when he had become familiar with American ways, and gradually grew quite forehanded. In 1872 he heard of the possibilities of Ne- braska, and saw in the new state a home for himself and family. He put his effects into a wagon, and, taking his family, started for York county, which he reached late that year. He made a homestead entry of the south half of the northwest quarter of sec- tion 18. township II, range 4, west, and on It he put up a sod house, which served to shelter his family one winter. This was then succeeded by a log house, in which he lived seven years. In the coming spring he was to find his eighty acres a wilderness of wild grass and waving flowers, which, how- ever, fell beneath his breaking plow, and very soon was transformed into a highly cul- tivated farm. Here he remained for seven years, and then, receiving a good cash offer for his place, accepted it and purchased an- other farm, where he now resides, the south- east quarter of section 25, township 11, range 4 west. This new farm was also wild prairie, and he had thus to twice hew out his farm from the wilderness. He was strong hearted and active, and admirably succeeded in this larger undertaking. He now has a farm of two hundred and forty acres, thoroughly cultivated, and amply provided with all the necessities and con- veniences of modern farming. His family have a pleasant and commodious home, and it is surrounded by such farm buildings as give dignity and character to the place. He has raised two orchards of apples, cherries, peaches and other fruit trees that the cli- mate permits, as well as an abundance of small fruits. Mr. Johnson sees to it that his children attend the public schools, valuing highly the privileges of learning, which in his own boy- hood were not lightly and easily secured. He and his wife are loyal members of the Swedish Lutheran denomination, and highly prize its inspirations and instructions. He belongs to no secret society, and in political matters has always acted with the Repub- lican party. He has led an active career, and has endured many privations, but at sixty years of age is prosperous beyond the dream of his earlier life and commands the respect of a wide circle of friends and ac- quaintances. A BRAM COURTRIGHT, deceased, was r\ for several years one of the most promi- nent and highly esteemed citizens of Sew- ard county, within whose borders he lo- cated in 1866. Three years previous he had come to Nebraska, taking up his resi- dence at Mt. Pleasant, near Nebraska City in the fall of 1863, and remaining there un- til coming to Seward county, where he se- cured a homestead in precinct P. Mr. Courtright was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, February i, 18 19, and was a son of Elisha and Sarah Court- right, representatives of an old and hon- ored family of the Keystone state. For ten generations the names of Abram and Elisha have alternated between father and son in this family in the United States. Late in the 'forties, our subject, with his father and family, emigrated to Illinois and located at Di.xon on the Rock river, where he learned the carpenter's trade. There he was married on the 27th of August, 1849, to Miss Sally H. Gaunt, who was born in Muncy, Lycom- ing county, Pennsylvania, April 27, 1828, a daughter of Richard and Hannah (Cook) Gaunt, who died when she was quite young. At the age of nine years she removed to Illinois with a married sister and first lo- 520 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. cated at Peru, but two years later went to Dixon, where she was subsequently married. In 1859 Mr. Courtright went to Califor- nia, where he spent four years in quest of a fortune, and on his return east discovered the rich farm lands of Nebraska and decided to locate here. Reaching home, he loaded his effects into wagons, which were drawn by oxen, and with his wife and two children proceeded to Nebraska City. His first resi- dence in Seward county was a dugout, where Mrs. Courtright extended the hos- pitalities of the home to the wayfarer of high or low degree. He soon became one of the leading and influential citizens in the early days of the county, and was held in high regard by all who knew him. He was a veteran of the Mexican war, was a true and loyal citizen at all times and under all circumstances, and commanded the respect and esteem of the entire community. Po- litically he was identified with the Republic- an party, and socially affiliated with the Masonic fraternity. His death occurred Jan- uary 25, 1882. The children of the family, Elisha and Edith, received good educations, and were therefore well prepared to take a high place in the business and social world. The son now owns and successfully operates a large farm, where the family first located on com- ing to the county. He married Ella L. Cunningham, a daughter of James and Lu- cinda Cunningham, but she died in 1894, leaving two sons, Abram and James. Edith is the wife of George B. France, of York, Nebraska, and has two children, George W. and Era. MRS. MARY HANEY is a venerable lady who is passing her last days in peace and quiet in her rural home near the post-office of Bradshaw, York county. She has known many of the sadder experiences of life, and through her pioneer days tales and scenes of want and suffering have often drawn upon her kind heart and sympathetic spirit. She is now advanced in years, but bears herself with admirable strength and vigor. She is in many respects a remark- able character and has had a varied career. Mrs. Haney was born in Waterford, Ire- land, May 21, 1825, and her parents, Pat- rick and Mary (Buckley) Donnavan, were both born and married in that city. At her marriage with Peter Doyle, when she was about twenty years of age, they left her native country, and after some changeful years, brought up at Springfield, Illinois. Mr. Doyle came first to this country. His wife followed and found him at New Or- leans, where he was engaged in dredging the Mississippi. Her parents came on in about four years, and the entire family was settled on American soil. Mrs. Haney has been the mother of thirteen children, all but two of whom are dead. Her son John, who now lives with his mother, was born in New Orleans, and her other son, Peter, was born in Springfield. The parents of both Mr. and Mrs. Doyle lived on farms in Sangamon county, and were well acquainted with Abraham Lincoln. Mrs. Doyle was one of the ladies, who, being his intimate friends, bought the cloth and made him a pair of pantaloons, each taking a few stitches, and presenting him with the gar- ment as a token of personal esteem. She declares he was a good man and a friend of the poor, and her grey head shakes with emotion as she talks about the man the world has learned to love, and whom the people of central Illinois knevvso intimately and revered so profoundly. In 1858 Mr. Doyle died in Sangamon county, and in a short time her parents died in Logan county. The widow Doyle removed to DeWitt county, where she met William Haney and married him in 1865. He was a teamster in the Union army, and when his time was COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 521 out with the government came home to be married. Their made their home in De- Witt county, and led a rural life for seven- teen years. They finally made up their mind that a better field for farming was across the Missouri river, and they bought a farm in 1882 in Lockridge township, which presently grew to two hundred and forty acres. She lives on a forty-acre tract in section 21, Bradshaw township, retaining a life interest in the larger property. Mr. Haney died nearly ten years ago, and left his wife in good circumstances. She is liv- ing with her brother who, is blind, and her son, John Doyle. She is a woman seventy- four years of age, but does her own work, and with her brother and son seems to enjoy life and have a good time as the days slip by. GEORGE PETERSON, whose post- office address is Bradshaw, York county, Nebraska, is a Swedish-American and worthily sustains the good reputation which his compatriots have won in this land of opportunity. He has worked hard, been honest and fair dealing, and is to-day one of the reliable and solid men of the com- munity. George Peterson was born in the south part of Sweden, September 15, 1850, and is a son of Pear and Cecil Anderson, who lived in the district of Blocking. When he was twenty years old he emigrated to Am- erica, paying his passage with the money his brother Nels sent him from this coun- try. He had made the journey a year be- fore, and wanted his brother to share the larger life with him. George landed in New York, but went immediately to Du- luth, where he found employment as a stone and brick mason. He worked in that city for two seasons, and was on the Northern Pacific railroad for a third year at two dollars a day. In July, 1874, reported at Sweedburg, Iowa, where he spent the next five years working for the surrounding farm- ers at the usual wage of twenty dollars a month. With his brother Nels he came to this state and reached this county in March, 1878. He was married November 23, 1 88 1, to Miss Christina Johnson, and made his home on the northeast quarter of sec- tion 3, township north 10, range 4 west. Here they have lived up to the present time. They put up a little cottage which, with all the other farm buildings, was swept away by a cyclone June 3, 1890. They fled to the cellar and escaped with their lives, but everything they had in furniture or wearing apparel was blown away and never recov- ered. It was a thrilling experience. They lived in the granary until they could build a new house in the fall. They have now a fine farm dwelling, barns, corn cribs, gran- aries and other improvements. They have a young and thrifty orchard that affords the fruits that are common to this climate. Last year they harvested forty-five acres of small grain, forty acres of corn and ten acres of meadow. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are the parents of four children — Anna O., Elsie J., Esther A. and Ella W. Mrs. Peterson, the mother of this family of charming girls, is the daughter of Charley and Christina Johnson, who also came from Sweden in 1851, and settled on a farm in Jefferson county, Iowa, where they died in after years. Her father lived to be forty- three and the mother fifty-six. They are all of the Lutheran faith. Mr. Peterson is a Republican. JOSEPH M. MILLER is engaged in farm- ing operations on section 20, precinct E, Seward county, and has been a resident of Nebraska for many years. He is a man of more than ordinary ability, has a ready mind and a positive character, and is re- garded as one of the most reliable men in this part of the county. 522 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. Mr. Miller was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, December 21, 1841, and is a son of Lewis and Mary (Wilyard) Miller. His father was an engineer on the Pittsburg and Fort Wayne railroad, and was killed ina collision on that line in 1853, at Canton, Ohio. His mother is still liv- ing, and has had her home in Piper City, Illinois, since 1867. His maternal grand- father was a soldier in the war of 18 12, and a brother of his father served in the Mexican war. He had his schooling in Johnstown and Pittsburg, and was thrown upon his own resources at the early age of twelve years by the untimely death of his father. His first workiwas for his board. He was a ready lad, and willing to do any honest work, and by the time he reached early manhood was able to command good wages. The in- auguration of the Civil war found him quick to respond to the nation's call for troops, and he enlisted June 27, 1861, in Company H, Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry. The regiment was mustered in at Camp Wright, Pittsburg, and was sent to Washington, and on the way passed through the city of Baltimore, then a dangerous thoroughfare for Federal troops. It was the first regiment to pass through after the Sixth Massachusetts, and the way was a difficult one. It wrote a long and brilliant history, and participated in many of the most important engagements of the war. It was captured at Gaines' Mill, and the men were detained as prisoners of war forty- one days, when they were exchanged, and were almost immediately rushed on to the second battle of Bull Run. They fought at South Mountain, Antietam, Mine Run, Fredericksburg, and at Gettysburg. Mr. Miller re-enlisted in the same company, and in the battle of the Wilderness, May, 5, 1864, was taken prisoner. He was an in- mate of Andersonville for four months, and passed through all the bitter experiences of that modern inferno. He was transferred to Florence, North Carolina, where he was kept for five months, and from there he passed to Wilmington, and spent three weeks in the hospital. He was parolled at Goldsboro, and on his return to the Union lines received a prisoner's furlough to make a visit home. He returned to the One Hundred and Ninetieth Pennsylvania Vol- unteer Infantry, and served throughout the war, receiving his discharge July 3, 1865. He was never seriously wounded, and though he was much prostrated by his ex- periences in the rebel prisons, yet he measureably recovered his health, and takes much satisfaction in recalling those stormy days. The war-worn veteran returned to his Pennsylvania home, but soon set his face westward, and secured employment on a farm near Farmington, Illinois. This was in 1866, and the next year he bought a farm, which he operated until 1872. He spent some little time in making his next location, and though he came to this state in 1873, it was not until the November of the following year that he made a home- stead entry of the east half of the southeast quarter of section 20, in this township. Some slight improvements had been made upon this tract by a former claimant, such as the breaking up of twenty acres and the erection of a small frame house. He, how- ever, held to the claim, improved it thor- oughly and secured a final title. In 1880 he moved his family into Utica, and spent nine years in that thriving little burg. In 1889 he came back to the farm, and spent a year in its cultivation, when he returned to Utica, and in 1894 made his home on the farm for a third time, and there he is to be found to-day. He has eighty acres in a high state of cultivation, and though it is not so extensive an estate as some of his neighbors possess, yet it is very productive, and yields an ample support for those who depend upon it. COMPENDIU^r OF BIOGRAPHT. 523 Mr. Miller was married in November, 1868, to Miss Margery Cramer, who was born in Illinois, and is an estimable lady. They are the parents of one child. Royal C. The subject of this sketch is a member of the Grand Army post at Utica, and as might be expected is one of its most zealous and active members. He has been commander of the post, and his voice is always listened to with deference in its deliberations. He has also united with the Loyal Legion of Pennsylvania, though distance prevents a very active work in that organization. He is a Democrat, and has been township con- stable for many years. He was deputy sheriff for four terms, and has served one term on the county board. He is a man of energy and push, and is regarded as one of the solid men of this part of the county. CLIFF FRANK is the editor and pro- prietor of The Teller. He has ably conducted the various departments of his newspaper enterprise and has built up for himself an excellent reputation as an editor and a large patronage for his newspaper. The Teller is the Free Silver Republican organ of York county, Nebraska, and was founded August 19, 1897, by its present editor. Mr. Frank was born in Harrison county, Indiana, February 15, 1855, and received his preliminary training in the public schools of his native county. He began the study of law at the age of eighteen years, and was admitted to the bar in Indiana. At the age of twenty years he went west, and in 1879 was admitted to the bar in York county, Nebraska. During that year, also, he assumed the editorship of the York Tri- bune, and for three years he devoted the greater part of his attention to this publica- tion. During the following three years he practiced law, and then edited the York Republican for four years. Mr. Frank then spent some time in farming, but in 1897 he established The Teller. This paper is named in honor of Hon. Henry M. Teller, of Colorado, and is devoted to the interest of the Free Silver Republicans of York and adjoining counties. It is a seven-page sheet and is generally read throughout this section of Nebraska. It has a circulation of about nine hundred, which is steadily in- creasing. Mr. Frank was married, in 1880, to Miss Lizzie Keller, a native of Indiana, and their wedded life has been blessed by the pres- ence of two children, Charles Scott and Lena May, both of whom are living. Our subject is a member of the Masonic frater- nity; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In local politics he has performed the duties of justice of the peace. Mr. Frank had the misfortune to lose his right arm in a rail- road accident in 1889, and also to lose his left leg by a gun shot wound. AH. TROWBRIDGE.— Fortunate is he who has back of him an ancestry hon- orable and distinguished, and happy is he if his lines of life are cast in harmony there- with. Our subject, now a prominent farmer residing on section 8, Read town- ship, Butler county, is blessed in this re- spect, for he springs from a prominent fam- ily, which was early founded in this coun- try. On the paternal side he traces his ancestry back to Thomas Trowbridge, of Taunton, England, who came to the new world in 1636, and settled first in Dorches- ter, Massachusetts, removing two years later to New Haven, Connecticut. On the other hand, his mother is descended from William Packard, who was a participant in the fa- mous "Boston tea party," and was with the Colonial army on their expedition to Quebec during the Revolutionary war. 524 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. Dr. John Foote Trowbridge, our sub- ject's father, was born in Dutchess county, New York, July 21, 1791, and was a son of Seeley Trowbridge, a native of Connecticut. The doctor was married in, 1817, to Miss Rosamond Packard, daughter of John Pack- ard, of New Hartford, New York, and they became the parents of five children: A. H., of this review; R. F., late of Syracuse, New York, ; J. M., of Brooklyn, New York, ; Frances, who died in Milwaukee; and Mrs. Louisa Blanchard, who died in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The father of these children was widely known throughout central New York as a successful medical practitioner, having devoted over sixty years to his pro- fession. He died in Syracuse, honored and respected by all who knew him. Mr. Trowbridge, whose name introduces this sketch, was born at New Hartford, Oneida county. New York, October 18, 1818, and his childhood was spent on a farm near Bridgewater, that state, his edu- cation being obtained in the common schools of the locality and in Bridgewater academy. At the age of twenty-three he removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was en- gaged in business for seventeen years. In Walworth county, that state, he was mar- ried August 16, 1849, to Miss Harriet Bent- ley, who was born at Goshen, Litchfield county, Connecticut, August 16, 1831, and is a daughter of Robert Bentley, a native of Rhode Island. Having no children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Trowbridge have adopted two, namely: Nellie, now the wife of James Patterson, and Robert Henry Trowbridge, now twenty-seven years of age. He lakes an active interest in church and Sunday-school work, being a member of the Baptist denomination, and has also effi- ciently served his fellow citizens as town clerk. In the spring of i86g Mr. Trowbridge emigrated to Nebraska, making the journey in a wagon drawn by four horses, while two cows were attached behind. He has since made his home upon his present farm on section 8, Read township, Butler county, and for nine years after locating here he served as postmaster of Cottonwood, con- ducting the office in his own home. This was some time before the present town of Surprise was founded or even dreamed of. With the material prosperity and growth of the county Mr. Trowbridge has since been identified, and he is one of the most public- spirited and enterprising citizens of the com- munity. In the Trowbridge home the tra- ditions of the family are preserved and the cultured tastes of the inmates are clearly hereditary. LOUIS CRAIG REN, whose portrait is presented with this sketch, is the active and daring sheriff of Butler county, and has hesitated at no deed of daring and danger that the rules of justice and law might seem to require from him. The office which he so ably fills has never been a sinecure in the western country, and though the state of Nebraska has always had reason to be proud of the high character and law-abiding habits of its people, yet as in every other new coun- try there have been occasions when a pecu- liarly vigilant and ready public officer was demanded to administer the police strength of the county. Sheriff Ren has met every such requirement with readiness and deci- ion,andhasreceived much praise for his quick mastery of every complicated and delicate situation. Sheriff Ren was born in Jackson county, Indiana, May 30, 1854, and is of Scottish Irish descent. His father's name was Shadarach Wren, and his mother was Nancy Aley. His grandfather was born in Ireland, and came to this country about the year 1760. The early history of the family is obscure, but, in a general way, it may be noted as an honorable and working branch of the name, LOUIS C. REN. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 527 and during the early part of the century ap- peared in Indiana. Here Shadarach Wren was the owner of a woodland farm and a master mechanic in the Louisville foundry. Later on he was engaged on the river as a mate on an Ohio river boat. The fam- ily name was originally Wren, but Shadar- ach, at the instigation of some friends in scientific circles, and in deference to a move- ment that was quite popular at that time, dropped the " W ", and wrote it simply Ren. Louis Craig Ren grew up in the posses- sion of the privileges of a woodland farm, and all that means to a boy. He studied and worked and pushed along, and in 1876 felt himself sufficiently master of the situa- tion to take a wife. He was accordingly married that year to Miss Sarah E. Utter- back, who died October 12,1877, soon after the birth of a daughter, Maude Alma Ren, who is still living in Indiana. Mr. Ren re- moved to Butler county, Nebraska, and en- gaged in farming without any other capital than a strong arm and a resolute spirit. He has a genial and warm-hearted disposi- tion, makes friends readily and holds them steadily by virtue of a sound and manly character. So it is not to be wondered that he pushed rapidly to the front, and soon be- came a leading spirit in the county. He has done well in business, and commands a a wide influence in politics. He was for- merly a Republican, but in the various re- form movements in this county which have made recent years memorable he has taken an active part. He was president of the North Butler Farmers' Alliance, and a del- egate to the first Populist convention in the state, which was held in 1890. He was a member of the county board in 1890 when the court house was built. He was a nomi- nee for sheriff four years ago, but the ticket was snowed under. In 1897 he was again brought forward and elected by a hand- some majority. Sheriff Ren is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Home Forum, and is much esteemed in these va- rious fraternal relations. He was married a second time in life in 1884, Mrs. Rosa J. Lawrenze becoming his wife. Her father, Frederick Marti, was a native of Switzer- land, and a man of fine character and much ability. He graduated from the college at Berne, and was married to Miss Rosa Bruner, a lady of much intellectual power and wide attainments. She was an artist in the musical world, and a graduate of a musical college in her native country. To Mr. and Mrs. Ren have been born four chil- dren — Hattie Bell, Mary E., Walter E., and Helen R. They are a delightful family, and promise well for the future. His mother's people were of Scottish descent and came to America prior to the Revolutionary war and some of them were soldiers in the early wars of the country. Mr. Ren has always taken an active interest in educational mat- ters and for several years was president of the board of education at Bellwood, Ne- braska, of the high school. GUSTAV FAUSTMAN.— No better il- lustration of the characteristic energy and enterprise of the typical German- American citizen can be found than that afforded by the career of this gentleman, a well-known farmer of York county, whose home is on section 24, Brown township. Coming to this country with no capital ex- cept his abilities, he has made his way to success through well-directed effort, and can now look back with satisfaction upon past struggles. A native of Germany, Mr. Faustman was born in Landsberg, May 25, 1848, a son of Ludwig and Henrietta (Walter) Faust- man, and grandson of Martin Faustman. All were natives of the Fatherland, and fol- 528 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. lowed either gardening or farming. The grandfather was a soldier in the army against Napoleon in 1812 and 1815, the father was in the war of 1848, and our subject was in the Franco-Prussian war in 1870-71, taking part in fifteen important battles, including those at Metz, Sedan, Paris, and Orleans. He was only twenty years old when he en- tered the service, and fortunately was never wounded nor confined to the hospital, though he had three horses shot from under him and his lance broken by a bullet. After his return from the war, Mr. Faust- man married Miss Augusta Senff, daughter of Karl and Wilhelmina Senff. All of her ancestors were natives of Germany, and many of them were farmers, but her father was a school-teacher, being appointed by the government. With the hope of benefit- ting their financial condition, Mr. and Mrs. Faustman came to the United States, land- ing in New York city July 25, 1872, from a steamer, and by railway train they pro- ceeded to York county, Nebraska, where he filed a claim to the east half of the south- east quarter of section 24, Brown township. Upon his place he built a house entirely of sod — walls, roof aad floor — he having no money to buy even a nail. The floor of this primitive dwelling the wife swept with a broom of willows for a long time. Leaving her alone after the completion of their home, Mr. Faustman walked sixteen miles to the home of a farmer who passed for a rich man because he owned a team, and our subject employed him to break his prairie for him, paying him three dollars per acre by work at seventy-five cents per day. While her husband was thus employed, Mrs. Faustman spaded aliitle garden and planted the seed which she had brought from Ger- many, but was not very successful in her gardening. She was very lonesome at this time; wild animals were all around, and now and then a rattlesnake was found, which kept her on the lookout day and night. Saturday she would watch for her husband, who might be seen coming across the prairie bearing on his shoulder the pro- visions he had earned by his labor during the week, and which she was to live on the following week. Thus they lived until 1874, when he was able to buy a team of horses. He also pur- chased a wagon for fifty dollars, which he paid for by plowing with his new team at two dollars per day. That year he broke forty acres of his own land besides what he broke for other people, and also bought a cow. Instead of eating the butter, Mrs. Faustman traded it for corn at seventy-five cents per bushel. In spite of all their pri- vations they were healthy, and the years passed swiftly and happily by, for were they not working for a home which the)' never could have secured in the Fatherland .' At length a company of farmers purchased a header and afterward a threshing machine, and from that time life began to grow easier. Mr. Faustman planted shade and fruit trees, and as everything grew rapidly their farm of sunflower, golden rod and blue grass was soon transformed into cultivated fields of wheat, rye, oats, barley and corn. In 1878 he purchased from the railroad company another quarter section of land on ten years' time, but had it all paid for at the end of six years, and two years later had saved one thousand dollars, with which he erected a comfortable frame residence, the family being glad to get rid of the old crumbling sod dwelling. In 1894 he paid three thousand dollars cash for another one hundred and sixty acre tract, and in 1896 paid twenty-five hundred dollars for eighty acres, counting out the money when the deed was signed. He now owns four hun- dred and eighty acres of as fine farming land as can be found in York county, with- out a cent of indebtedness upon it; has two fine orchards and excellent buildings upon the place. He keeps twelve milch cows. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 529 selling the milk, or rather cream, for seventy dollars per month the year round. Thus we see that, by hard work, perseverance and good management, he has become one of the most substantial as well as one of the highly respected farmers of the county. Six children came to brighten the little home, three sons and three daughters, namely: Ida, now the wife of Charles Hahn, a son of Charles and Ida Hahn; and Otto, Reinhold, Emil, Alvina and Mary, who are all at home. The children are re- ceiving good public school educations, and with their parents attend the Lutheran church. Mr. and Mrs. Faustman were ed- ucated in the common schools of Germany, and he is also able to read and write the English language. Since becoming an American citizen, he has been an ardent supporter of the Republican party, casting his first vote for General Grant, and his last for William McKinley. PP. WALSH, who has lived and farmed for more than aquarter of a century on section 15, precinct D, Seward county, stands well among Nebraska farmers, and by his industry, thrift and economy has made himself independently well off. He has a farm consisting of three hundred and twenty acres of choice land, and the build- ings upon it are above the average in their substantial construction and the convenience of their arrangements. Mr. Walsh was born near Waukegan, Illinois, in 1845, and was reared and edu- cated in that community. He was bred a farmer, and assumed the responsibility of his own maintenance when only sixteen years of age. He crossed the lake and en- tered the lumber woods near Muskegon, Michigan, and spent a year or more, when he came back to Chicago, and was employed as a teamster for the next three years. By this time he had grown sufficiently fore- handed to buy a team for himself, and en- gaged in teaming in Waukegan. He came to this state in 1871, and filed a homestead claim on the east, half of the southeast quarter of section 10, precinct D, but pres- ently exchanged it for eighty acres, where he is now living. He and Lon Ritchie built a sod house and lived in it together for sometime. He earned some needed money about this time by working on the construc- tion of the Burlington & Missouri River railroad. He built a sod house on his own homestead, which was used for a time as a school-house, and where the first term was held in the district. Mr. Walsh was married January i, 1879, to Miss Mary Ann Reynolds, a native of New York, and a daughter of Christopher Reynolds, who came to this county as early as 1865. He was a man of energy, daring and integrity, and has been long dead. Mr. and Mrs. Walsh immediately settled on their homestead farm, and applied them- selves earnestly to its improvement. They put up a frame residence, sixteen by twenty- four feet, and have from time to time made very substantial additions to it until it has assumed its present comfortable and com- modious appearance. They began with wild land, and by persistent pluck and push are now the owners of a half section of land, one hundred and sixty acres of it on section 15, and the remainder on section 12. The farm is supplied with two sets of build- ings, and has all the conveniences required by a modern and up-to-date agriculture. He rents and operates an additional quarter section, making four hundred and eighty acres under his immediate and personal management. Mr. and Mrs. Walsh are the parents of six living children — Matthew, Thomas, Ed- ward, George, Leo and Ralph. They are members of the Catholic church at Ulysses, and are prominent people in the parish. He is a Populist, and an active worker for 530 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. the cause he cherishes. He is township treasurer and also treasurer of school dis- trict 43, and is generally regarded as an up- right and capable man. EDWARD LANCASTER is a public- spirited and enterprising farmer, who has a well improved homestead on section i6, Waco township, York county. He has devoted himself to the improvement of his farm, and is industrious, progressive in his methods, and quick to take advantage of every turn of the tide in his favor. He was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and has brought to the making of his home in the newer west the strength and solidity of character that forms so prominent a part in the character of the people of that land of morals and education. He stands very high in the estimation of his neighbors, and is regarded as a man to be trusted in any place of responsibility. Mr. Lancaster was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, December 19, 1836, and is a son of Edward and Elizabeth (Smith) Lancaster. He was a native of Virginia, but found his wife in Pennsylvania, where she was born and raised. For fifteen years after his marriage the senior Lancaster continued his residence in the state of his wife's nativity. They fancied a greater op- portunity west of the Ohio river, and moved to Medina county, Ohio, where they spent the next ten years on a farm. In 1849 they penetrated still farther into the western wilderness, and made a home in Houston township, Adams county, Illinois, where they passed the remainder of their lives. She died in 1871, and he outlived her three years. They reared a numerous family of eleven children to maturity. One child died in infancy, and four are still alive. Three of their sons, Nicholas, James and David, served in the Union army during the Civil war. David fell in battle; James was severely wounded, but lived through it, and, like all wounded veterans, is proud of his wounds and sufferings for the great cause. Edward Lancaster grew to manhood in Adams county, Illinois, attended its public schools, and when he became a man as- sumed the occupation of farming. He be- gan, as so many other successful American farmers have done, by working by the month, and carefully saving his money. He wedded Miss Miranda America Barlow, Sep- tember 8, 1858, an event which influenced his life by bringing into it the wisdom and character of a noble womanly soul. She was born in Adams county, Illinois, Novem- ber 29, 1 841, and is a daughter of Wesley and Mary (Lewis) Barlow, both of whom were children of old Virgiania. They settled in Adams county, Illinois, in 1838, and there they lived and died. Her father died in 1846, her mother, in 1874. Mrs. Lan- caster had nine brothers and sisters, and four of that family are now living. She is herself the mother of seven children. The oldest of these is Edna A., who became the wife of William M. Strickler, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Emma Amelia is Mrs. Benjamin Robertson, and her husband is a farmer in this township. Will- iam J. wedded Bertha K. Strickler, and lives in Gresham. They have two children, Jennie Irene and Zara Linn. John W. was married to Miss Anna Wellington, and lives in this township. He is the father of two children, Frankie Horace and Clyde Evans. Zara Edward wedded Gertrude Moore, and lives in this township. Lewis and Edith Bell are still at home, and add much to the life and enjoyment of their parents in the house that once echoed the music of so many childish voices. Mrs. Lancaster is associated with what is known as the Old- school Baptist church, and is very highly spoken of b)' her associates in the church. Mr. Lancaster is a Populist, and a man of COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 581 character and standing in his own community. He brought his family to Nebraska in 1882. He made his first location on section 10 of this township, but after six years transferred his residence to his present quarters. It was then an untouched wilderness, but in the presence of such civilizing forces as the early settlers marshaled, it soon became fit for the dwelling place of a race of culture and advancement. He has put in all im- provements, and made the place what it is. It cost hard work, but as we look over its broad acres we see that hard work pays. CHRIS C. WAMSLEY is a well known agriculturist of Polk county, whose home is on section 14, township 15, range 3. He evidences by the manner in which he carries on his business that he thoroughly understands the vocation in which he is en- gaged, and that success is attending his efforts toward acquiring a competence. Neatness and order prevail upon his place, which is managed, with regard to its culti- vation, in a manner which reflects great credit upon the owner. A native of New York state, Mr. Wams- ley was born February 24, 1837, between Lakes Seneca and Cayuga, and is a son of William C. and Mandana (Travis) Wams- ley, also natives of New York. His grand- fathers were Chris Wamsley and Cornelius L. Travis. In 1835 his parents removed to Hillsdale county, Michigan, locating upon the present site of the city of Hillsdale, and both the Wamsley and Travis families were pioneers of that region. Soon after the close of the Civil war William C. Wamsley and family located on a farm ten miles south of Battle Creek, later removed to Union City, and finally settled in Cedar Springs, Michigan, where he died in 1882. Hrs es- timable wife, who has now reached the age of eighty-four years, is still a resident of that place. Both were earnest and con- sistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Their children were Louisa, Chris, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Lorina, Edwin, de- ceased, Gilbert, Harriet, Ransom, Emma and Ella. Upon the home farm in Hillsdale county, Michigan, Chris Wamsley was reared to manhood and is indebted to the district schools of the neighborhood for his educa- tional privileges. On leaving home at the age of twenty-one, he learned the carpen- ter's trade, but in the fall of 1862 he laid aside all personal interests and, in response to his. country's call for aid, enlisted in Company G, Second Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, joining the regiment at Louisville, Kentucky. He took part in the battle of Perryville, under General Buell, assisted in driving Bragg out of Kentucky; and was in the engagements at Mossy Creek, Resaca, Georgia, and Lost Mountain, whence he was ordered with his regiment to Franklin, Tennessee. Under command of General Croxton they went to Florence, Alabama, to operate against Hood, and were in a skirmish at Shoal Creek Bridge, which was followed by the battles of Franklin and Nashville, where the Confederate forces were under the command of Hood. Mr. Wamsley was mustered out at Nashville, and was sent to Franklin, where he was detailed as post carpenter for two- months, being honorably discharged in June, 1865. Fortunately he was never wounded nor taken prisoner, but he was always found at his post of duty, gallantly defending the old flag and the cause it represented. Returning to Hillsdale county, Michi- gan, Mr. Wamsley operated the home farm until his father removed to a place near Battle Creek. He was married November 18, 1866, to Miss Mary Josephine Foster, who was born in Lorain county, Ohio, June 16, 1845, a daughter of J. C. and Julia Ann (Drake) Foster. Her maternal grandfather, Ziba Drake, entered the Con- 532 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. tinental army for service in the Revolution- ary war when only sixteen years old. Her parents were born, reared and married in New York, whence they emigrated to Lorain county, Ohio, in 1840, and in 1851 moved to Defiance county, that state, where they made their home for fifteen years. In March, 1865, they settled upon a farm in Calhoun county, Michigan, where the father died May 29. 1867, but the mother is still living at the age of eighty-five years — a resident of Branch county, Michigan. They held membership in the United Brethren church, and were the parents of ten children, seven of whom reached years of maturity, namely: Erwin, Lydia, Charles, Ralph, Mrs. Wamsley, Alice and Judson. The sons, Erwin and Charles, were gallant defenders of the Union in the Civil war. Two children were born to our subject and his wife, but only one is now living — Charles Edwin, who married Laura Comfort and has two children — Minnie Audrey and Lloyd Oral. In 1870, Mr. and Mrs. Wamsley re- moved to Battle Creek, Michigan, but the following year came to Nebraska and took up their residence upon their present farm in Polk county, when the country round about was still in its primitive conditions, the nearest improvements being seven or eight miles away. At Silver Creek there was a depot, sod store and saloon; there were no roads; and the Pawnee Indians far more numerous than the white settlers. They not only endured the usual hardships and privations of pioneer life, but also passed through the grasshopper scourge and the dreadful storm of April, 1873. For three years they lived in a sod house 11x15 f^et, which was then replaced by a little frame residence. The first year Mr. Wamsley raised two and a half acres of corn and broke twelve acres with oxen, but to-day has one hundred and forty acres of his two hundred- acre farm under the plow, has set out a grove of six acres, and has made many other improvements upon the place which add to its value and attractive ap- pearance. He has formerly a Democrat in politics, but is now a supporter of the Peo- ple's party, and takes quite an active inter- est in public affairs; has served as road su- pervisor; and assisted in organizing school district No. 54, in which he has served as a member of the board for ten years. He and his wife are leading members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church and Sunday School, give liberally toward their support, and he is now filling the office of trustee. JOHN B. ALLEN, one of the early set- tlers of Leroy township, York county, was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, March 15, 1838, a son of James and Mar- garet (Phillips) Allen. The father was a native of North Carolina and moved, when about five years of age, with his father, John Allen, to Indiana. James Allen was the oldest of a family of seven sons and three daughters. He died in Iowa, in 1884, and wife also died in the state of Iowa in the year 1869. They reared a fam- ily of ten children, seven sons and three daughters. Our subject was educated in Indiana, and began farming in that state when quite young. He moved with his parents to Iowa, and engaged in farming on his own respon- sibility in Madison county. In 1871 he moved to York county, Nebraska, and lo- cated a homestead claim in section 24, Le- roy township, being one of the earliest set- tlers of the township. His first habitation in this state was a sod house, as his capital at that time was very small, but, by his in- dustry and economy, he soon built for him- self and his family a comfortable home, and soon became one of the leading agricultur- ists of the community. In 1862 Mr. Allen was married in Kansas COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 533 to Miss Helen M. Howard, daughter of H. M. and Isabell Howard, and to this conge- iai union have been born twelve children, upon whom they have bestowed the follow- ing names: Clara B. , Edward S., Laura B., Arthur P., Ida M., Estella, Clark E., Albert H., Ernest H., Ethel, Leroy and Goldie I., all of whom are living. In poli- tics Mr. Allen was formerly a Democrat, but has since joined the ranks of the Popu- list party. He has served as a member of the school board and in some of the other minor offices. ROSS P. ANDERSON, a resident of Seward, Nebraska, and one of the older lawyers of the county, has a profes- sional standing not second to any attorney in this portion of the state. He is a master of legal tactics, and deeply versed in the most fundamental theories of the science and practice of law. He is a judicious coun- sellor, and a pleader of ability, and whether in the privacy of his office or before the court, he bears the interest of his client, and subordinates everything to that consid- eration. Mr. Anderson was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, May 4, 1854. His father, Andrew Anderson, was a native of Pennsyl- vania, and his mother, Mary Findley An- derson, of Ohio. The senior Anderson was a harness-maker, and moved to Ohio at an early day. He brought his family to Iowa in 1856, where his wife died the following year. He died in 1876. His father, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a miller, and died in Ohio. Ross An- derson obtained his education in Iowa, and was a graduate of Simpson college, of In- dianola, Iowa, in the class of 1877. He was a law student in the office of Bryan & Seevers at Indianola, Iowa, and under their instruction prepared for his admission to the bar. This occurred in 1879, and in the fol- lowing year he opened an office for the prac- tice of his profession in Seward. His suc- cess was immediate and pronounced, and he has never regretted his removal to this state. In the eighteen years in which he has practiced law in this county he has been associated with many important cases. Mr. Anderson was married September 6, 1883, to Miss Lydia A. Boyd, daughter of Rev. Joseph Boyd, of Washington, Iowa, She was born in Pennsylvania, and has long since taken her place in the society of Sew- ard as a lady of diversified talents and kind instincts. She is the mother of two chil- dren, Elizabeth M., and Russell B., both of whom are living. They are members of the Congregational church. He is a mem- ber of several fraternal circles, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Work- men and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a Republican, and was county attor- ney for eight years He has a good prac- tice, which is growing every year, and is widely known as a well read, experienced and reliable lawyer. He was re-elected as county attorney at the November election, in 1898, and is now serving as such. ALBERT B. TAYLOR is a member of the law firm of Harlan & Taylor and occupies quite a conspicuous position among the members of the bar in York county. He has become well-known, not only as a gentleman well vessed in law, but of fine education, mentally gifted and courteous, and who has been a potent factor in the political and legal life of York county. Mr. Taylor was born in Washington county, Iowa, April 14, 1856, a son of Thomas J. and Martha E. (Beard) Taylor, the father a native of Tennessee and the mother a native of Virginia. Thomas J. Taylor was a farmer by occupation, and came west in 1855 and settled in Iowa. In 534 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 1873 he moved from thence to Saline coun- ty, Nebraska, and later to York county. The mother died in 1890. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Washington county, Iowa, after which he learned telegraphy and followed that vocation for one year at Beatrice, Ne- braska. He then made his home for a time in Saline county and taught school and read law. He was admitted to the bar in Saline county, Nebraska, in 1886, and at once went to Imperial, Nebraska, and was en- gaged in the practice of his profession at that place for nine years, and during that time served as city and county attorney. January i, 1895, he moved to York, Ne- braska, formed a partnership with Mr. Har- lan and they have since practiced law in partnership in that city. In politics Mr. Taylor is a Republican and on that ticket was elected, in May, 1897, to the office of city attorney. Although he has been in York but a few years, he is fast becoming popular and is building up an e.xtensive law practice and is recognized as one of the leading members of the York county bar. Thoroughly learned in law, always a student as well as a practitioner; with not only a quick but comprehensive mind, earnest in his convictions and able in his assertion of them; devoted to the interests entrusted to his keeping, he has few superiors as a well equipped practitioner, an able advocate and a thorough lawyer. Mr. Taylor was married in 1877 to Miss Mary Kortright, of Nebraska, and their home has been blessed by the presence of two daughters, Nellie B., and Grace M. Socially our subject affiliates with the Ma- sonic fraternity and also the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a loyal citi- zen, and an earnest and enthusiastic sup- porter of everything which tends to develop and bring prosperity to the locality in which he lives. He has been especially inter- ested in all matters pertaining to education and has contributed much of his time to- ward the advancement of such interests. H-e has been a member of various boards of education for more than fifteen years, and since locating in York has been a trus- tee of York college for two years. M ORGAN PROBST, M. D., is one of the successful physicians of Fillmore county, and a prominent resident of Geneva. He has much natural abililty, but is withal a close student and believes thorougly in the maxim " there is no excellence without labor." His devotion to the duties of his profession, therefore, combined with a com- prehensive understanding of the principles of the science of medicine, has made him a most successful and able practitioner, whose prominence is well deserved. The Doctor was born in Pendleton coun- ty. West Virginia, on the first of May, 1850, his parents being Adam and Susan (Snyder) Probst, also natives of the same state. In 1853 the family removed to Scott county, Iowa, and in the spring of i860 went to Taylor county, where the parents spent their remaining days. The subject of this review was a lad of ten summers at the time of the removal to Taylor county, and there under the parental roof he grew to manhood, acquiring his education in the graded schools of Taylor and Scott counties. From his boyhood he was deeply interested in the science of medicine and spent much time in physicians' offices. Determining to make its practice his life work, he pursued his preliminary professional studies in the office and under the direction of Dr. King, of Taylor county, Iowa, and in 1882 entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Keokuk, Iowa, from which institution he was graduated in the spring of 1884. Soon aft- erward he located in Geneva, where he has succeeded in building up a large and lucra- tive practice. He is now one of the pen- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 535 sion examiners of the city, and a member of the Fillmore county Medical Society. The Doctor was married October 8, 1 87 1, to Miss Mary J. King, a native of Taylor county, Iowa, who was born, reared and married in the same house. Her par- ents are Isaac and Mary (Hawkins) King, the former a native of Delaware and the lat- ter of Ohio and both pioneers of southwest- ern Iowa. Dr. Probst and his wife have three children, — Waldo E., Clyde A. and Carl V. ; the last named now serving his country at Manila, as a member of Company G., First Nebraska Volunteers. The Doc- tor is a member of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias fraternities and his life exempli- fies the benevolent teachings of those orders. In politics he is unwavering in support of the Democracy, and on that ticket was elected a member of the city council of Geneva, in which capacity he is now serving. LYMAN MILLER, a prosperous farmer and old settler of Leroy township, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, March 16, 185 1, a son of Amos and Sarah (Thompson) Miller, a sketch of whom will appear on an- other page of this volume. When about three years of age, our sub- ject moved with his parents to LaPorte county, Indiana, and there attended school and helped his father on the farm. When about fifteen years of age he accompanied his parents to Marshall county, Iowa, and three years later moved to Iowa county, where the family lived one year. In 1870 the family settled in York county, Nebraska, and as soon as he attained his majority, our subject filed a homestead claim to eighty acres of land adjoining his father's claim, and has since made that his home. For two years after their settlement in Nebraska, the family was obliged to haul all their water, both for household use and also for their stock, from Blue river, three miles distant, and yet the first well in the entire community was sunk on the Miller home- stead. The family first lived in a dugout, upon their settlement in York county, but this habitation soon gave place to a sod house, and immediately after taking his claim, our subject erected a sod house for his new home. Lyman Miller was married October 5, 1873, to Miss Alice Babcock, who was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, January 18, 1854, daughter of John J. and Sarah (Mar- tin) Babcock, both natives of Vermont and early settlers of York county. Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Miller began house- keeping in his sod house. He had his full share of reverses, as the first year after his marriage his entire crop was destroyed by the grasshoppers, and he has often sus- tained loss from drouth, but he has perse- vered, and his large barn, furnished with good buildings, and the general appearance of his home bespeak the success that has attended his efforts. His farm now con- sists of two hundred and forty acres of land, and embraces his father's homestead, which he purchased from the heirs. Our subject has been a member of the county board of supervisors two terms, and in that capacity served on the building com- mittee for the new court-house. He has served as assessor and also as director of the school district. In politics he is a Bryan Democrat. Socially he affiliates with the Masonic and Modern Woodmen lodges at York. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of a family of three children — Clifford E., Bertha L., and Georgie R. 31 JOHN R. PIERSON.— "Earn thy re- U ward; the gods give. naught to sloth," said the sage, Epicharmus, and the truth of the admonition has been verified in human affairs in all the ages which have rolled their course since his day. The subject to 536 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. whose life history we now direct attention, has, by ceaseless toil and endeavor, attained a marked success in business affairs, has gained the respect and confidence of men, and is recognized as one of the distinctively representative citizens of York, Nebraska, where he is filling the responsible position of cashier in the City National Bank. He was born in Delaware county. New York, in 1858, and belongs to one of the old families of that state, where his people fol- lowed farming. To the public schools near his boyhood's home he is indebted for his educational privileges received in early life. Later he continued his studies in the Dela- ware Literary Institute, and on putting aside his text books he turned his attention to ag- ricultural pursuits, which he followed until he had attained his majority. Thinking to benefit by the superior advantages offered young men in the west, he removed to Iowa, in 1879, taking up his residence in Charles City, where he successfully engaged in school-teaching for three years. He then entered the private bank of Matthews & Lyon, of Rockford, with whom he remained three years, in which time he acquired a thorough understanding of the business, and became imbued with a desire to make it his life work. Subsequently he entered the First National Bank, at Watertown, South Dakota, in the position of bookkeeper, serv- ing in that capacity for three years, on the expiration of which period he came to Ne- braska. He has engaged in banking in Im- perial, Stanton and Sterling, and in 1893 he came to York, where he assisted in the or- ganization of the City National Bank, which had been a state bank, capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars. The capital stock was increased to fifty thousand dollars, and the following officers were chosen: E. E. Brown, of Lincoln, Nebraska, president; D. S. Zimmerman, vice-presi- dent; and J. R. Pierson, cashier. Our sub- ject has since held the office, and it is prac- tically due to his management that the en- terprise has been attended with success. This is the only national bank which was organized in Nebraska during the financial panic of 1893, but though it was established during "hard times," it has been attended with .prosperity, its business constantly in- creasing as it has demonstrated its right to the public confidence and trust. In November, 1886, Mr. Pierson was united in marriage to Miss Alice Childs, then a resident of Iowa, and in York their circle of friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of acquaintances. Mr. Pierson is a valued member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and of the Modern Woodmen of America. His political support is given the Democracy, but he has never held office, preferring to devote his time and energies to his business, in which he is meeting with signal success. All who know him esteem him for his inflexible integrity, his fidelity to duty and his sterling worth, and his name is engraved high on the roll of York's promi- nent and honored business men. NIELS BJERRUM, a well-known and prosperous farmer of Seward county, is one of the worthy citizens that Denmark has furnished to the new world, being born in that country, March 24, 1845. His par- ents, Jens and Johanna (Larson) Bjerrum, were farming people who spent their entire lives in Denmark. They had two sons, but our subject is the only one now living. Like most lads of his native land, Niels Bjerrum was reared and educated, and his training in farm work was not meager. It was in 1871 that he first came to the United States and took up his residence in La Salle county, Illinois, but subsequently removed to Grundy county, that state, and in 1879 we find him a resident of Seward county, Nebraska, where he bought a tract of railroad land south of Staplehurst. Upon his place he COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 537 erected a small house and began to break the land, but finally sold his farm and moved to Hamilton county, Nebraska, where he purchased property. Disposing of the latter farm in 1884, he returned to Den- mark and took charge of the old homestead, which he operated for five years. Feeling convinced that he could do much better in America, he returned to this country and again came to Seward county, Nebraska, where he bought his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, to the cultivation and improvement of which he has since de- voted his energies with marked success. He is engaged exclusively in general farming and now has one of the most attractive homes in his community. In 1S72, Mr. Bjerrum was united in marriage with Miss Mary Wedsted, also a native of Denmark, who came to America in 1 87 1 and settled in Illinois. To them have been born six children, who are living, namely: Johanna, now Mrs. Swanson; John B. ; Hannah; Louis; Annie and Leana, and one that is dead. They attend the English Lutheran church, are highly es- teemed by all who know them, and Mr. Bjerrum is a supporter of the Democracy. He has filled some minor office and has ever proved a loyal citizen of his adopted country. JUDGE GEORGE OSTERHOUT, now interested in the business of real estate and loans in David City, Nebraska, was born in Albany county. New York, May 5, 1828. His father, Nicholas Osterhout, also a na- tive of Albany county, New York, was by occupation a farmer, was in the war of 18 12 a colonel in the militia and ranked second in the state at the time of his resignation. He died at the age of eighty odd years. His grandfather, George Osterhout, was born in New York, supposed to be in Albany. He had two brothers in the Revolutionary war. He lived toijbe ninety-three years of age. All of his paternal ancestors were long-lived. He was of Holland descent. The two brothers came from Holland and settled in New York at an early day. The mother of the subject of our sketch, Anna Warner, was born in Albany county. New York, and was reared there. Her death occurred there in the year 1828, at the time our subject was born. Her father, Peter Warner, was also a native of Albany county. New York, where he died aged ninety-five. Nicholas Osterhout was the father of fourteen children, six of whom were by his first marriage. George Osterhout was the youngest and on account of the death of his mother at his birth was reared by his father's parents, with whom he lived until he had attained the age of eighteen years. At about that age he went to Thorndyke, Massachusetts, where he was a layer and cutter of stone. He made this point his home for about ten years and in 1856 he came to Stephenson county, Illinois, where he was engaged in the lumber and stone business, as well as being a contractor for bridge work for the railroad, etc. He first came to Butler county, Nebraska, in 1870, and in 1872 he moved his family and lo- cated on a farm that he still owns on sec- tion 7, Franklin township, one mile north of David City. He made great improve- ments on this farm of one hundred and sixty acres. In 1879 he was elected county judge, and in 1881 was re-elected to the same office and moved to David City, where he has resided ever since and rents his farm. Was supervisor in Stephenson county, and held the same office in Butler county for several years. He was married September 12, 1850, to Margaret Francis, who was of Scotch descent, coming to America when quite young, with her parents, and was reared in Newport, Rhode Island. In Hamp- 538 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. den county, Massachusetts, she was married to our subject. They were the parents of four children, one daughter and three sons: Agnes, wife of Geo. W. Becker, a lumber man of David City; Geo. W., a lumberman of David City; Frank M., also a lumberman of David City; and Earl H., a railroad man of Chicago, Illinois. The Judge is one of the earliest settlers of Butler county. In I884 he engaged in the business of real estate, loans and insur- ance, which business he still conducts. He is a stanch Republican, a member of the Masonic order, Fidelity Lodge No. 51, King David Chapter No. 31, is one of the trustees of the Congregational church and was a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church many years before coming to Ne- braska. He has been most successful in his career of whatever nature the undertak- ing may have been, is a most honored and highly esteemed member of the community in which he lives and a man who is destined to influence the lives of those with whom he comes in daily contact. GOTTLOB HOFER has through twenty- seven years been identified with the agricultural interest of York county, but now, after a long, active and honorable business career, he is living retired in the enjoyment of a rest which he has richly earned and truly deserves. He was born March 24, 1831, in Wurtemberg, Germany, and is a son of Ludwig and Catharine (VValtermut) Hofer, also natives of the same land, where the father carried on farming. He died during the early childhood of our subject, and the mother passed away in 1861. Reared to manhood in the land of his nativity, Gottlob Hofer acquired his educa- tion in the public schools and when four- teen years of age began learning the cabi- netmaker's trade, at which he served a three years' apprenticeship. In order to complete his trade and become thoroughly competent in that line, he traveled, accord- ing to custom, and worked at his chosen oc- cupation in Switzerland, France and Italy. In 1 861 he came to the United States, land- ing in New York, whence he went direct to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In that city, he secured work at his trade for a time, but as the war progressed business fell off and he could find nothing to do at cabinetmak- ing. Accordingly he purchased a small farm in Washington county, Wisconsin, which he operated successfully until, dis- posing of his land, he turned his attention to general merchandising in Wisconsin, carrying on business there until February, 1 87 1, when he sold out and came to York county, Nebraska. He was one of the first settlers of this county, and has since been an important factor in its development and progress. He first purchased one hundred and sixty acres of government land on section 2, township 10, and erected a frame residence, sixteen by twenty-eight feet, at that time the most pretentious and the only frame residence in the township. The rest were sod houses, and in the town of York there v/ere only two buildings. Upon the farm which Mr. Hofer purchased was a half-sod and half dug-out place and twenty acres of land had been broken by its previous owner, a Mr. Pick, who had homesteaded the land and lived there one season, selling his interests and right, in 187 1, to Mr. Hofer. The latter continued to live on the farm for seventeen years and brought it under a high state of cultivation. In 1881, he purchased the northwest quarter of section 2, Baker township, and in 1887 located on his new farm, since making it his home. Here, he has three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, pleasantly and conveniently located within a half mile of the city limits of York. The fields are well tilled and all modern accessories and conveniences are COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 539 found on the place. In 1887 he erected his present brick residence, one of the finest homes in the county. In addition, he owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Lockridge township, and another quarter section in Brown township, making six hun- dred and forty acres in all. This is now rented, while Mr. Hofer is living retired, in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He was married in Wisconsin, in 1865, to Catharine Klein, a native of Germany, who came to America in 1848, with her parents, Ben and Victoria (Beichler) Klein, who located first in New York, and two years later removed to Wisconsin, where they spent their remaining days. Mr. Hofer is a member of the Lutheran church, his wife of the Catholic church, and in politics he is a Democrat. His life has been a busy and useful one, and though he entered upon his business career with no capital save a strong determination to succeed, by reso- lute and unfaltering purpose, indefatigable labor, and great enterprise, he has over- come all obstacles and gained the prosperity which is the just reward of his efforts. FRANKLIN A. MARSH, M. D., enjoys the somewhat unique distinction of be- ing the only homeopathic physician of Seward county, and though he is without professional assistance, he worthily sustains the good name of his school, and conciliates both by his personal character and healing skill. He has his home in the city of Seward, and responds to calls from a wide distance around, doing his best to cover the field. Dr. Marsh was born in Quincy, Illinois, September 14, 1856, was a son to Augustus C. and Hannah (Alvord) Marsh. His father was a native of Massachusetts, and was engaged in banking. At the time of his ■death in 1865 he was president of the First National Bank of Quincy, Illinois. He was a man of considerable financial ability, and left what was a very fair fortune in those days. He was the father of two sons. Dr. Marsh spent his childhood and youth in Quincy, and passed through the very ex- cellent schools of that city. In 1881 he taught school in Mills county, Iowa, and was then engaged as a drug clerk for several years. About this time he began reading medicine, and in 1886 became a student in the homeopathic department of the Iowa State University. He took the full course and was graduated in 1889. He opened an office for the practice of his profession the year of his graduation, but in 1892 he came into this county and established him- self at Seward, where he has secured a very flattering and profitable practice. He was married in 1877 to Miss Martha J. Ward, who was born and bred in Illinois. They have one daughter, Mabel A. He is a mem- ber of several of the fraternities that are established at Seward, principally, the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, the An- cient Order of United Workmen, the Mod- ern Woodmen of America, and the Royal Highlanders. He is a member of the State Homeopathic Society, and for a time was secretary of the Seward county Medical So- ciety, and is now a member of the board of pension examiners. He is a Republican, but the only office he has ever been willing to accept was a membership of the board of education of the city of Seward. T HERON E. SEDGWICK, the well- known editor and proprietor of The York Times, was born in Bloomingdale, 111., September 2, 1852, and is a son of Parker and Hepsebah (Goodwin) Sedgwick, of whom further mention is made in the sketch of Judge S. H. Sedgwick, on another page of this volume. Our subject completed his 540 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. literarj' education at Wheaton college, Wheaton, 111., and later was a student for one year in the law department of the Uni- versity of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. During the years 1873 and 1874 he read law in Chicago, and on his admission to the bar at Oconto, Wisconsin, engaged in practice at DePere, that state, for some years. While a resident of that city he served as county superintendent of schools for Brown county, and filled other minor offices to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. On coming to York, Nebraska, he opened a law office here, but was soon forced to abandon his profession on account of losing the sight of his right eye. In the spring of 1880 he founded the Weekly Times, which is now the leading paper of the county, and in 1888 began the publication of the York Daily Times. In the same year he started the Nebraska Newspaper Union, which is one of the largest concerns of the kind in the west, supplying newspapers in seven differ- ent states, and handling a full line of printers' supplies. This plant is owned jointly by our subject and his brother, S. H. Sedgwick. In 1874 Theron E. Sedgwick was united in marriage with Miss Adalaide Thurston, of Dupage county, Illinois, and they have become the parents of three children, one son and two daughters. Mr. Sedgwick has been recently appointed postmaster of York by President McKinley. The family is one of prominence in social circles, their frfends and acquaintances being among the best people of the city. Since attaining his ma- jority Mr. Sedgwick has been a stanch sup- porter of the Republican party, and his paper is the recognized Republican organ of the county. In 1894 and 1895 he served as secretary of the Republican state central committee; was secretary of the state senate in 1894 and 1895, and has also been a pop- ular and efficient member of the city council of York. FRED GUBSER, who resides on sectiom 30, Union township, Butler county, owns and operates a valuable farm whose neat and thrifty appearance well indicates his careful supervision. Substantial im- provements are surrounded by well tilled' fields, and many of the accessories and con- veniences of a model farm are there found. Mr. Gubser is a native of Iowa, born in Davenport, May 19, 1856, and is a son of Anton Gubser, whose birth occurred in 1818, at Wallenstat, canton St. Gallen, Switzerland, whence he emigrated to America in 1843. In his native land he learned the stonemason's trade, which he continued to follow for a time after coming to this country and locating in Davenport, Iowa. In that city he was first married, but his wife being a consumptive, only lived a short time thereafter. His second union was with Catherine Rogge, a daugh- ter of Gottfriedt Rogge, a Prussian by birth, and to them were born the following chil- dren: Fred, John, Genovefa, George P., Henry, Nicholas J., Mary M., Joseph, Louisa, Benjamin and William. Of these, Nicholas J. is a graduate of the Highland Park Normal College, and is now professor of languages and economics at the Lincoln Normal School, Lincoln, Nebraska. John is a resident of Butler county. Early in life Fred Gubser removed with his parents to Atchinson county, Missouri, where he was reared upon a farm, early be- coming familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. On the 1st of October, 18S1, he led to the marriage altar Miss Rachael Woolsey, daughter of John and Amanda Woolsey, who removed to Missouri from Tennessee before the war, first settling in Caldwell county, where Mrs. Gubser was born, but removed to Atchinson county when she was a child. Our subject and his wife began their domestic life in that county, where they made their home for two years, and then came to their pres- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 541 ent farm in Union township, Butler county, Nebraska. On locating here they had one daughter, Maudie E., and since then three other children have been added to the family, namely: Lola M., Emma L. and Allen Woolsey, now in his second year. Though deprived of good school privi- leges during his youth, Mr. Gubser has made the most of his advantages, and through his own efforts in maturer years has obtained a liberal education. He has not only acquired a good practical store of knowledge by "burning the midnight oil," but has achieved much in a literary way. His political views have led him through various processes of evolution up to modern socialism, which has many supporters among the best and brightest minds of the age. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and re- ligiously he is a supporter of the Advent faith. The Gubser home is one of the most pleasant places of Union township and abounds in evidences of culture and refine- ment. Its inmates are both widely and favorably known throughout the community. JOHN ROMSDAL, widely known as one of the oldest settlers, and most thorough going and prosperous agriculturists of York county, Nebraska, has his homestead on section lo of Lockridge township. He is of Scandinavian parentage, and brought with him to this country the habits of thrift and economy, which are the chief characteristics of the children of Norway. He is a fine type of our self-made men, having begun for himself with absolutely nothing, except the tools which nature gave him, and an in- domitable will, which enabled him to sur- mount all obstacles. Mr. Romsdal was born at Alten Copper Works, Norway, June 13, 1845, and is a son of Ole and Joran Romsdal. They were both natives of Norway, and the father died on the ocean, during the voyage to America. Our subject received his educa- tion in the common schools of his native land, and at the age of nine he began to work in the copper mines, following in the footsteps of his father, who was also a miner. Mr. and Mrs. Romsdal were the parents of six children, two sons and four daughters, of whom three are in America, namely, our subject and two of his sisters. John Romsdal came to America in 1866; he landed at Quebec, but proceeded at once to the United States, where he se- cured employment in the copper mines of Michigan. He remained there one year, and then removed to Marquette, in the same state, where he found work in the iron mines for one year. In 1868 he moved his family to Chicago, Illinois, and proceeded to Montana to try his luck at gold mining. Upon his arrival there he secured employ- ment, and made that place his home for two years. In July of 1870, he came to York county, Nebraska, and homesteaded a claim on section 10 of Lockridge township. The land was all wild and unimproved, but by constant labor he has brought the same to a high state of cultivation, and is now reaping the reward for his many years of toil. He was married in Norway, in 1863, to Miss Mary Danielson, a native of the same, and to this union have been born nine chil- dren, eight of whom are still living, and of whom we have the following record: Jacob E., Lena A. , John, deceased, Rosa E. , Philip M., Eliza M., Frederick William, Charles O., Mary E. He and family are all mem- bers in good standing of the United Brethren church. Mr. Romsdal has been quite act- ively engaged in the local political matters of the township in which he resides, and has filled the office of supervisor of the same for two terms. He has also served as a central committeeman from the township. He affiliates with the Republican party on all questions, except that of the monetary 5i-2 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. standard of the government, which he be- lieves should be bi-metalism, silver and gold, and the paper currency issued by the na- tional government. In his business affairs he has followed general farming for many years, and has been very successful, having amassed a comfortable competency, which will enable him to enjoy the fruits of his labor in the retiring years of his eventful life. He is essentially a self-made man, as he started out in life with practically nothing to depend upon except his own re- sources, but by his perseverance, pluck, and energy, he has slowly mounted the ladder of fortune, until to-day he is accredited with being one of the most substantial men of the township. NP. MONSON. — Perhaps no man in all Polk county, Nebraska, is so well known for his intelligence, active public spirit and thorough appreciation of the wants of his locality, than the gentleman whose name heads this article. He came to the county at an early day, and has since been identified with all matters pertaining to the upbuilding of the better interests of the locality in which he lives. His active par- ticipation in the public affairs has not been confined to matters of interest to his own township, but he has thoroughly acquainted himself and been associated in all matters relating to the welfare of the entire county. He is one of the largest landowners in the county, and resides on section 24, township 14, range 3, where has a valuable farm. He was born in Sweden. October 26, 1845, and is a son of Mons Nelson, who was also a native of Sweden, where he was born in 1805. He died there in 1871, having been the parent of eight children, all of whom grew to maturity. They were named as fol- lows: Stena, deceased; Anna, in America; John, in Sweden; Carrie, deceased; Hannah and Mary, in Sweden; N. P., the subject of this sketch, and Andrew, deceased. Mr. Nelson was the son of a wealthy man, and followed agricultural pursuits during his life. He was subject to military duty in his native land, and was a prominent man in the district in which he lived, and refused several official positions. He gave all of his children the benefit of a liberal educa- tion and his death was lamented by all to whom he was known. Mr. Monson was reared and educated in Sweden, and spent his early life on his father's farm. He served in the army of his native land and was one of the landwehr. He emigrated to America in 1868, and made the voyage across the ocean on the steamer David, sixteen days from Liverpool to Quebec, by the way of Newfoundland. The weather was very cold and they en- countered a great many icebergs during their passage across the Atlantic. After landing at Quebec he proceeded at once to Altona, Knox county, Illinois, where he worked for farmers for one year and a half. He then secured employment in a store at Altona, which position he held for another year and a half. He then located at Stromsburg, Polk county, Nebraska, with the Headstrom colony, which was organized in the spring of 1871, in Knox county, Illi- nois. He took up his residence at Stroms- burg, and was one of the very first ones to locate there, and took up the homestead where he now lives. In the spring of 1872 he built a dugout on his homestead and then went to Lincoln, Nebraska, to work, for the railroad in the stone quarry. In the fall of 1872 he worked on the section where Kenesaw now stands. He continued to work for the railroad, until the winter of 1872-73, when he secured employment in a stone quarry in Iowa. He then went to Plattsmouth where he was engaged to work on a steamboat for three months. He then returned to his home and broke several acres of his land, after which he returned to N. P. MONSON. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 545 Lincoln, and worked on the section three months. In the following September he went to Omaha, and secured a position with Chas. Childs, with whom he remained until May 1874, when he again returned to his farm and broke a few more acres. He remained at home for two months, when he went into the store and postoffice at Stroms- burg for Lewis Headstrom, for whom he worked, from July, 1874, until March i, 1876. Mr. Monson then went to Lincoln, and entered the law office of J. M. Robison, an attorney there, as a partner to practice before the land department of the general land office at Washington, D. C. He continued in this line of business until March I, 1879, when he returned to his home, where he has resided continuously ever since. On April 9, 1879, Mr. Monson was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Matilda Anderson, who was a native of the same place in Sweden, from which our subject came. She was born December 27, 1849, and died December 10, 1886. They were the parents of one child, Andrew M., who was born February 9, 1880. He is a fine help to his father, and is gifted with sound common sense, and has been given the ad- vantage of a fairly good education. Mr. Monson has labored hard on his farm to make it one of the best in the coun- ty, and success has crowned his efforts in ever)' way. He is now the sole proprietor of five hundred and sixty acres of fine land, and has one-third interest in another eighty- acre tract, also two hundred and forty acres in section 35, township 15, range 3 west. The home farm consists of five hundred and sixty acres, all of which is subdivided into fields by well constructed fences, and is adorned with all modern improvements, which were put in by Mr. Monson himself. There are three sets of farm buildings on the estate, all of which belong to our sub- ject, in addition to which he has a one-third interest in the fourth set. The farm is well stocked, and he has one herd of a dozen head of the finest breed of short horn cat- tle in Nebraska. His farm is given over to general farming and stockraising which he carries on according to the most improved and scientific methods, and he gives his per- sonal attention to the management of his entire estate. The first house he lived in was a dug-out, which gaye place to a frame house fourteen by twenty-two feet, that he built in 1876, and resided in until 1885. In the last-mentioned year he built the handsome brick residence that now adorns his estate, at a cost of three thou- sand dollars, and now is the proud possessor of one of the finest homes in the county. Mr. Monson has taken advantage of every opportunity to increase his fund of general knowledge, and is undoubtedly one of the best posted men of the county. He has been a leader in political matters, as his natural tendencies lead him to occupy first place as a leader among his people. He has been a potent factor in all the political fights which have occurred here. He has a high ideal in politics, and has carried on successfully one of the bitterest fights polit- ically that has ever taken place in the state. He took a prominent and active part in politics while he resided in Lincoln, Ne- braska, prior to 1879. The poor corn crop of 1884 and the four preceding years had caused an agitation for the formation of a new political party, and some of his neighbors requested him to take the lead in the matter, which he did, hoping in this way to be instrumental in bringing out much needed reforms. A non- political organization was formed here which was called the "Farmers' Justice Union," and Mr. Monson drew up a set of by-laws, the first article of which was justice. The second article is as follows: " The by-laws of this Union shall be according to what justice from time to time shall demand." 546 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. Mr. Monson was the leader of the organiza- tion and the first meeting was held in dis- trict school number 49. Some outsiders attempted to defeat the object of the meet- ing, but it was a success notwithstanding their efforts to the contrary, and the people were thus encouraged. The party was made up of the best element of the settlers of the county, and the first reform instituted was to refuse to pay more than ten per cent, interest, where heretofore they had been compelled to pay twenty-four per cent. It was successfully carried out as far as the members of the union were concerned. Mr. Alonson studied out a plan to use the power of this organization politically for the good of the people at large, and the first cam- paign was fought in 1S87 upon the issue that only such banks as would loan money at ten per cent, could have county funds on deposit. They then joined the anti-monopo- lists, and made the campaign upon that one issue, and prohibited the county treasurer from accepting any interest from banks for the county funds. These farmers offered a candidate of their own in the person of A. O. Monson, whose bonds they also furnished. The battle was one of the bitterest kind, and was fought without regard to party lines. This organization adhered then to the Union Labor National party, and they carried it through in this county by one hun- dred and thirty majority, in the face of a most determined opposition, not only of their opponents, but also some of their erst- while friends. It was one of the greatest victories for the people at large, and the bene- fit was of the most pronounced type to those who had occasion to borrow money. Mr. Monson then got the new machinery in run- ning order, and experienced the keenest sat- isfaction in what they had accomplished. They then organized to fight against the railroads, and styled themselves the Far- mers Stock and Elevator Company, of Osceola. He then instituted a lawsuit against the Union Pacific Railroad company to compel them to give a site on theirtracks for an elevator. They won the case, but it was appealed before the state board, but they were again successful in gaining their point. After that temporary absence he became a member of the Republican party. He be- came a member of the '■ Farmers' Alliance" and advocated that the railroad rate on ship- ments should not be exorbitant, but was unsuccessful in accomplishing this much needed reform. He is a bimetallist, and is still a member of the Republican party. In 1887 Mr. Monson organized a local insurance company covering Polk and ad- joining counties. They confined their busi- ness exclusively to the Scandinavian set- tlers, and they now have three hundred thousand dollars in risks at present. They pay fifty cents per year on each one thou- sand dollars insurance, that is to defray run- ning expenses. It has so far paid all the expenses, besides paying all losses, and they have a five hundred dollars surplus on hand. Mr. Monson has a withdrawal card from the I. O. O. F. He is a man of firm convic- tions, and is bold in his assertion of them. He is a man of excellent business qualifica- tions, and a character of the highest order, for which he is justly respected by all who know him. His many friends will be pleased to find in this volume a portrait of this worthy citizen. JOHN F. FUSBY is successfully pursuing the occupation of a farmer on the fer- tile soil of section 30, township 13, range 2, in Stromsburg precinct, Polk county, Ne- braska. His skill and thorough practical knowledge of his calling have been potent factors in producing the present solid pros- perity of the locality. He is yet in the prime of life, but has already won a reputa- tion for business talent and sagacity that will be of great benefit to him in the future. COMPEXDIUM OF BIOGRAPHIC 547 He was born March lo, 1853, in Henry county, Iowa, and is a son of John Strong, who died before our subject was born. His mother married Fred. Fusby, in Henry county, Iowa, where they were early set- tlers. They took up raw land in the tim- ber, which they improved and cultivated, and in 1873 came to Nebraska. They took up as a homestead the farm on which they now reside, and have brought the same from wild unbroken prairie to highly cultivated land. They resided in a sod house for three years, and their first crop was destroyed by the grasshoppers, but in 1875 they succeeded in raising a good crop. The stepfather of our subject died January 6, 1893, and his mother now resides in Stromsburg. By her second marriage the mother of our subject had six children: Mrs. Tilda Baker, William, Emma, now Mrs. Rystrum, Alfred, Henry, and Mary Hughes. The parents were mem- bers in good standing of the church, and were devout Christians. John F. Fusby was reared and educated in Henry county, Iowa, and received the advantage of a course of study in the com- mon schools of the district in which he re- sided. He has followed the plow from the age of ten, and when he was twelve years of age he swung the cradle in the harvest field. He was married on November 14, 1876, to Miss Clara Johnson, a native of Sweden, and is the parent of four children, viz.: Elmer E., Emma C. , Leonard J., and Rebecca A. Mr. Fusby is now the owner and propri- tor of one of the finest estates in the county, which consists of two hundred and eighty acres, all of it being under cultivation. He carries on a general farming and stock rais- ing business, and has his land all adorned with the latest and most modern appliances in the way of improvements. He built his present residence in 1878, and now has one of the most desirable pieces of property in the county. He has been the architect of his own fortune, and has secured all he pos- sesses by his own untiring efforts. Politi- cally, he affiliates with the Republican party, and at present is moderator of school dis- trict No. 34. He is a thorough believer in the adage that knowledge is power, and is providing his children with a good educa- tion, with which they can carve their own way through this life. He has always been a hard worker, and the results of which can readily be perceived by glancing over his well regulated farm, which, when he took possession of it was all raw prairie. He is active, intelligent, and progressive, and is held in high esteem by all to whom he is known. gLWOOD C. GILLILAND, one of the leading newspaper men of York count}', is editor and proprietor of the Blue Valley Journal published at McCool Junction. He was born in Hancock county, Illinois, Feb- ruary 28, 1870, and is a son of George W. and Mary F. (Smith) Gilliland, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Illinois. George W. Gilliland was a farmer, and in 1 884, thinking to benefit his condition, he removed to Ellis count}', Kansas, locat- ing on a farm near Hays City, his family join- ninghim thefollowingyear. In i893heremov- ed to Davenport, Nebraska, where he still resides. Elwood C. Gilliland, our subject, was ed- ucated in the country schools of Hancock county, Illinois, and also at Carthage, in the same county, supplementing this with acourse in the high school at Hays City, Kansas, having removed to Kansas with the family when fifteen years of age. For six years he taught school in Ellis county, Kansas, and during vacations learned the printer's trade: In 1894 he went -to Davenport, Nebraska, and for about two years was connected with the People's Journal at that place. He then, April i, 1896, leased the plant and 548 COMPEA'DIUM OF BIOGRAPHY had full charge of it until May 15, 1897. He then established the Blue Valley Jour- nal at McCool Junction, which he has since successfully published. The Journal is an enterprising eight-page paper and is cir- culated extensively throughout this section. It is essentially a local paper, although broad and aggressive in defending the honest convictions of its editor. Mr. Gilliland was married at Daven- port, Nebraska, June 9, 1897, to Florence Berkey, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of David A. and Louisa (Phillippi) Berkey, both of whom were natives of the same state. Mr. Gilliland is a member of the M. W. A. at McCool Junction and takes an active interest in all moves calculated to advance the interests of his home town. Both he and his wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church at Davenport, Nebraska. WILLIAM H. SMITH, editor and pub- lisher of the Seward Independent Democrat, at Seward, Nebraska, was born in Henry county, Illinois, in 1873, and is a son of William L. and Maria E. (Edwards) Smith, natives of Maryland and Illinois, re- spectively. The father was a farmer by oc- cupation and removed to Illinois at the close of the Civil war, in which struggle he took part as a member of Company B, Second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving for four years. He participated in many battles and skirmishes, including the engagement at Shiloh, where he was wounded in the knee. He died in 1881. In the family were three sons, but our subject is the only one living in Nebraska. William H. Smith was educated in the common schools of Iowa, and at the age of seventeen entered the office of the Tipton Conservative, of Tipton, Iowa, as devil, and there learned the art of printing, re- maining in that office until March, 1897. Coming to Seward, Nebraska, he then pur- chased the Seward County Democrat, and in June of the same year bought the Inde- pendent, consolidating the two under the present name of the Seward Independent Democrat. The Democrat was established in 1S91 and the Independent in 1893, and both have often changed hands. The paper is now the organ of the Democratic and Populist parties of the county, and under the able management of our subject it has become a bright newsy sheet and very popu- lar with the reading public. Mr. Smith takes quite an active and prominent part in political work, and is meeting with good success in the publication of his paper. So- cially he belongs to the Knights of Pythias. THOMAS D. WIRT, deceased, was in life one of the best known and highly respected citizensof York county, Nebraska, where he was comfortably situated on a profitable and well improved farm. He was also widely and favorably known as one of the early settlers of the county, and his name is indissolubly connected with the growth and development of this section of the county. He was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, Julyi, 1832, and was a son of Daniel and Margaret Wirt. His parents were both natives of the "Key- stone State," from whence they moved in 1834, to Jackson county, Indiana, where the father followed his trade, which was that of a tanner, until his death in 185 i. Thomas D. Wirt was the youngest boy in a family of four sons born to his parents, and was but two years of age when he ac- companied his folks to Indiana in 1834. He received his education in the common schools of Jackson county, Indiana, where was living, until he had attained the age of seventeen. He then went west and located in Burlington, Iowa, but did not remain there very long, as he soon afterward made COMPENDIUM OE BIOGRAPIIT 549 his way to the pineries in Minnesota, where he worked for two years. Mr. Wirt then returned to Iowa, where he followed agri- cultural pursuits until 1873, when he came to Nebraska and located a homestead on section 14, of Morton township, York coun- ty. The land was all unimproved, and he erected a sod house on the same, in which he made his home until his death. Mr. Wirt was a veteran of the late war, inwhich he served forthree years. He enlisted in 1862 in Company E, Thirty-fourth Iowa, as a corporal, and participated in the fol- lowing battles Arkansas Post, siege of Vicks- burg, after which he took part in the Texas campaign, and the battle of Mobile Bay, and several other minor battles and skir- mishes. He served his entire term of en- listment, without receiving a wound of any kind, and after the close of hostilities he re- turned to his home in Iowa, where he re- sided until he moved to Nebraska in 1873. On April 12, 1857, Thomas D. Wirt and Miss Mary A. Holmes were united in the holy bonds of wedlock in Lucas county, Iowa. The bride was a native of Jackson county, Indiana, and a daughter of William S. and Elizabeth (Iseminger) Holmes, who were natives respectively of North Carolina and Ohio. They came to Iowa in 1854, and located in Lucas county, where they made their home until their deaths. Mr. and Mrs. Wirt were the parents of four children, as follows: Daniel H. ; Maria E. , now Mrs. Isaac Bagnell, of York; Kate, now Mrs. Jasper Kinyon; and Anna K., who is residing at home. He was a mem- ber of the Christian church, and a devout believer in its precepts. In his political be- lief, he was a stanch supporter of the princi- ples of the Republican party, and though he ably filled the office of township supervisor he never sought political preferment. Mr. Wirt departed this life on the 12th of Feb- ruary, 1885, and his demise occasioned many expressions of condolence to his bereaved family, as he was very well acquainted and known throughout the entire county. He was one of its representative citizens, and his death was a sad blow to both his family and the community at large, as the family mourned a husband and father, while the county lost one of her most prominent citi- zens. THOMAS ALEXANDER HUSTON, a thrifty and enterprising farmer residing on section 7, Chelsea township, Fillmore county, Nebraska, was born in Washington county, Indiana, September 22, 1827, a son of David Mitchell and Elizabeth (Thompson) Huston. His paternal grandparents were Alexander and Margaret (Mitchell) Huston, who were of Scotch-Irish descent, and his maternal grandparents were Thomas and Isabel (Baker) Thompson, who were of Irish extraction. Our subject was reared on the old home farm in Indiana, where he continued to reside until coming to Nebraska in February, 1882. He was educated in the public schools of his day, pursuing his stud- ies in a school house built of round logs, the cracks being filled with mortar. The seats were also of logs hewed off on one side, with pins for legs, and the desks were of rough boards placed on pins driven into the wall. One log extending across the room was cut out to admit the light, and the place was heated by a huge fireplace, six feet wide, in which were burned great logs of beech, oak, maple, and hickory. It was here that our subject learned to read and ' ' cipher to the single rule of three, " and since then his knowledge has been acquired by contact with the outside world. After the death of the mother on the i6th of July, 1846, the father and children kept house by themselves, until, becoming tired of this, our subject decided to secure, if possible, a wife, and at the same time some one to cook his meals for him. His choice 550 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. fell upon Miss Susan Jane Drain, with whom he had been acquainted a year, and on the 1 2th of December, 1848, they were united in marriage. She is a native of Kentucky, and in 1847 removed to Indiana with her parents, Stephen and Nancy (Pearce) Drain. Her paternal grandfather was Thomas Drain, and her maternal grandparents were Adam and Ona (Graves) Pearce. On leaving the old homestead in Febru- ary, 1882, Mr. Huston loaded his effects into a car, and with his wife and children, pro- ceeded to Fairmont, Fillmore county, Ne- braska. He located npon a farm which he had purchased two years previously, it con- sisting of the southwest quarter of section 7, Chelsea township, where he has since made his home. Upon the place is a fine bearing orchard of apples, plums, and cherry trees, and the wife, remembering the fruit trees of her native state, planted peach seeds, so that they now have thirty peach trees which are just beginning to bear fruit. Besides these they have an abundance of currants, gooseberries, strawberries, etc. The build- ings upon the place are in perfect harmony with the well-tilled fields, and the neat and thrifty appearance of the farm plainly indi- cates the supervision of a careful and pains- taking owner. In connection with general farming he is also interested in raising horses, cattle, and hogs. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Huston, five are still living, namely: (i) David B. married Flora Brownell, daughter of Benjamin Brownell, of Teka- mah, Burt county, Nebraska, where they now reside. To them were born seven children, six of whom are living, namely: Lela M., Claud B., Mabel, Alice, Walter L. and Clara B. (2) Leander is with his par- ents. (3) Lillie B. is the wife of Henry Muhlenber, who owns and operates a farm in Bennett township, Fillmore county, and they have one child, Jennie I. (4) Ellen N. is the wife of Albert Ewalt, also of Bennett township, and they have one daughter, Susan E. (5) Nannie L. is at home and oversees the housekeeping, while her brother, known as "Lee," hascharge of the farming operations, and whenever crops are raised in the county he can duplicate the best. Father and son are both identified with the Republican party, and have an abiding faith in its principles. Mr. Huston cast his first presidential vote for General Taylor, and has always taken an active and commendable interest in public affairs. Formerly he was a member of the Method- ist Episcopal church, but since coming to Nebraska has never united with any religious organization, though his wife and Miss Nan- nie are members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Geneva. EDWARD CHATTIN, one of the most prosperous agriculturists and highly re- spected citizens of York county, whose home is on section 18, Leroy township, was born in Essex county, England, June 27, 1834, a son of John and Mary (Fiske) Chat- tin, natives of Suffolk county. The pater- nal grandfather was also a native of Eng- land, but was of Scotch descent. John Chattin, who was a thatcher by trade, emi- grated with his family to the United States in 1848, but his wife died on the voyage when about mid-ocean and was buried at sea. They made the passage on an Ameri- can sailing vessel, which, owing to very rough weather, was six weeks in reaching the harbor of New York. By steamboat they proceeded up the Hudson to x'Vlbany, by the Erie canal to Buffalo, by steamer to Cleveland, then by an extension of the Erie canal to Beaver, on the Ohio river, whence they traveled by steamboat to St. Louis, and up the Mississippi to Canton, Missouri. Going ashore before breakfast, Mr. Chattin fortunately discovered a party of campers who were on their way to Schuy- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 551 ler county, Missouri, which was also his destination, and he soon made arrange- ments to accompany them. By eleven o'clock of that day, he and his children were on their way to their new home, and they were among the first settlers of that locality, their nearest market at that time being Canton, on the Mississippi river, a distance of about sixty-five miles. Mr. Chattin bought two hundred and forty acres of government land at one dollar and twenty- five cents per acre, and began life in true pioneer style. At that time a spinning wheel could be found in every cabin, and shoes, clothing, etc., were all made by hand. The father prospered in his new home, and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1863, was the owner of over six hundred acres of valuable land. In his family were eight children, four sons and four daughters, of whom John was a sailor and was lost at sea at the age of twenty- two years. The others were Mary A., Ed- ward, Sarah, deceased, Ann, Emma, Henry and William. The last two were soldiers of the Civil war, serving in Company C, Seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry until the close of the war, and being with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. They participated in many hard-fought battles, re-enlisted as veterans, and were finally mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky. Edward Chattin was about fourteen years old when he came to America, and he remained with his father until the latter's death, when he came into possession of the old homestead in Missouri. In the fall of 1882 he sold his property in that state and came to York county, Nebraska, where he purchased land on the northeast quarter of section 18 Leroy township, on which he still continues to reside. His fine farm is pleasantly located within two miles of the city of York, and its neat and thrift) ap- pearance testifies to the careful supervision and good business ability of the owner. On the 30th of November, 1868, Mr. Chattin was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Baker, a native of Taylor county. West Virginia. Her grandfather was a major in the war of 18 12. Her parents, David and Elvina (Means) Baker, were na- tives of the Old Dominion and were among the pioneer settlers of York county, Ne- braska, locating four miles west of York about the year 1870. The father died Feb- ruary 16, 1874, at the age of seventy-one years, the mother November 30, 1888, at the age of eighty-two years, honored and re- spected by all who knew them. Mr. and Mrs. Chattin have three children: JohnC. , William H. and Clarence C. While a resident of Missouri Mr. Chat- tin served as postmaster at Cherry Grove, and since coming to York county has filled the office of school treasurer to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He is a stanch Republican in politics, which party members of the family have always sup- ported. His public spirit and unques- tioned integrity have rendered him a de- sirable citizen of his adopted county, and he enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him. FRANK A. LAMDIN, a well-known busi- ness man of Tamora, Seward county, is a man whose sound common sense and vig- orous, able management of his affairs have been important factors in his success, and with his undoubted integrity of character have given him on honorable position among his fellow men. Although he is still interested in agricultural pursuits in precinct F. he makes his home -in Tamora and gives the greater part of his attention to the buy- ing of grain. Michigan claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Jackson county, that state, July 17, 1856. His parents are Arnold and Maria (Miller) Lamdin. The 552 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT father was a native of England, born near London, and when a child was brought to to this country by his parents who settled at Pontiac, Michigan, where they died. In that state Arnold Lamdin was reared and educated, and after attaining to man's es- tate engaged in farming and hotel keeping there, his death occurring in Jackson county. Our subject, who was the only child of the family, pursued his studies in the schools of his native county, acquiring a fair education. When young he went to Wisconsin and for some time he worked in a cheese factory in Milwaukee, after which he conducted a store and engaged in farm- ing in that state until November, 1888, when he came to Seward county, Nebraska. Lo- cating at Tamora, he operated a farm near there for three years, and then commenced buying grain in connection with his agricul- tural pursuits, meeting with good success in both lines of business. While in Wisconsin, Mr. Lamdin was married, in 1877,10 Miss Margaret Thomas, a native of that state and a daughter of Amos and Jane (McKay) Thomas, who were natives of Indiana and Scotland, respect- ively, and settled in Milwaukee county, Wis- consin, as early as 1838. Three children have been born of this union, all still living, namely: Joseph A., Frank A. and Marga- ret. In his social relations, Mr. Lamdin is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Mod- ern Woodmen of America, and the Wood- men of the World, and in political senti- ment is an ardent Republican. He has never cared for official honors and has only served in the office of school treasurer, fill- ing that position for seven years. JOSEPH E. HOOVER, a leading lawyer of Benedict, is now serving as justice of the peace of Morton township, York county, a position which he has filled for five years with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He is thoroughly impartial in meeting out justice, his opinions being unbiased by either fear or favor, and his fidelity to the trust reposed in him is above question. He is regarded as one of the leading and most highly respected citizens of Benedict, and it is, therefore, consistent that he be represented in a work whose province is the portrayal of the lives of the prominent men of this section of the state. Mr. Hoover was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, February i, 1851, a son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Everett) Hoover, the former a native of Maryland, the latter of Ohio. It was in 1829 that the father removed to Ohio, where he at first engaged in blacksmithing and shoemaking, but later in life learned civil engineering, and for twenty years most capably served as county surveyor of Tuscarawas county. His death occurred in New Philadelphia, Ohio, at the age of sixty-five years and his wife died in the . same state at the age of eighty-one. Their family consisted of four sons and one daughter. During his boyhood and youth Joseph E. Hoover obtained a good practical educa- tion in the schools of New Philadelphia, from which he graduated on the completion of the prescribed course. In 1870 he be- gan the study of law under Judge Hance, of that place, and also took up engineering un- der his father's direction, but owing to ill health he was obliged to give up both. In 1875 he came to York county, Nebraska, and took up a timber claim on section 22, Morton township, planted his trees and im- proved the same. While thus employed he also engaged in teaching school and again took up the study of law. In 1877, when conducting a school in Polk county, he walked to the city of York, a distance of twenty miles, for the purpose of securing admission to the bar, but as the judge was COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 553 not there he became so disgusted that for a time he gave up all thought of entering the legal profession. In 1894, however, he again took up his studies along that line, and the following year was admitted to the bar, since which time he has successfully engaged in practice in Benedict. Mr. Hoover was elected justice of the peace in 1893, and so acceptably did he fill the office that he has twice been re-elected. He has also served as assessor for six years and filled other minor offices. Politically, he is a Populist, and in 1894 at the conven- tion of his party held at Grand Island, this state, he was York county's candidate for the nomination to the position of secretary of state — a fact which indicates his g^eat popularity. Socially he affiliates with the Modern Woodmen -oi America. JOSIAH V. HOUSEL is one of the hon- ored pioneers of Butler county, who has borne an important part in developing its wild lands into rich and fertile fields and thus contributing to the general advance- ment and progress of the locality. His life has been an honorable and upright one, commanding the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been brought in contact. His residence is situated on sec- tion 26, Franklin township, and the many improvements on hise.xcellent farm indicate the enterprising and progressive spirit of the owner. Mr. Housel was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, April 20, 1839, and is of German lineage, the family having been founded in America by the great-grandfather of our subject, who emigrated from Germany in in the eighteenth century. His son, Peter Housel, was born in Pennsylvania, and at a very early day removed to Ohio. He served his country in the war of 1812, and was a worthy and highly respected citizen. An- thony Housel, father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, and was reared in Ohio. In his youth he learned the tailor's trade, but during the greater part of his life followed agricultural pursuits. Having at- tained his majority, he married Margaret Pansier, who was born and reared in Trum- bull county, Ohio, and was a daughter of David Pansier, who was born in Pennsyl- vania. By trade he was a carpenter, and in addition to that occupation he followed agricultural pursuits. His father was a na- tive of Germany. Josiah V. Housel is the eldest in a fam- ily of eight children, all of whom reached! years of maturity. The days of his boy- hood and youth were passed in the county of his nativity, and his elementary educa- tion, acquired in the common schools, was supplemented by an attendance for two terms at the seminary in West Farmington, Trumbull county. In the fall of 1859 he accompanied his parents on their removal to Washington county, Iowa, and after the inauguration of the Civil war, in 1861, he loyally responded to his country's call for troops, enlisting in the Union service as a member of Company I, Thirteenth Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry. He was pro- moted to the position of corporal, with which rank he served for two years. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, luka, second battle of Corinth, the siege of Vicks- burg, Holly Springs, the battle of Atlanta, and went with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. At the battle of Shiloh he was wounded, but after three weeks was again on active duty, and remained in the service until August, 1865, covering a period of almost four years. He received his dis- charge at Louisville, Kentucky, and with an honorable war record returned to his home in Washington county, Iowa. At the time when Mr. Housel re-enlisted as a veteran he received a thirty days' fur- lough, and during that time was married to Miss Harriet Romine, who was born in 554 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY Franklin county, Ohio, March lo, 1839, and is a daughter of Levi and Elizabeth (Taylor) Romine, who were natives of Bal- timore, Maryland. They have now five liv- ing children: Mary E., wife of Nelson AIl- ard, of Boone county, Nebraska; Newton A., of Valparaiso, Nebraska; Menzo O., of Lincoln, this state; Myrtie C. and Lillie B., at home. They also lost four children: Estella, who died at the age of seven years; Lewis F. , who died at the age of five j^ears; and two who died in infancy. After the war Mr. Housel carried on farming in Washington county, Iowa, until 1 87 1, when he removed with his family to Butler county, Nebraska, making a claim of one hundred and si.xty acres of land, which he entered from the government. He hast- ily constructed a little cabin, twelve by six- teen feet, and began the improvement of his land, which he has transformed into an ex- cellent farm. Upon the place he has five acres of timber planted by his own hand and an excellent orchard of one hundred and fifty trees, from which he gathered six hun- dred bushels of apples in 1897. He also raises the cereals best adapted to this cli- mate and the well-tilled fields and substan- tial buildings upon the place indicate the thrift and enterprise of the owner, who is accounted one of the leading agriculturists of the county. When he arrived here his township contained only twenty-three vot- ers, most of whom came at the time of his emigration. Mr. Housel is independent in his polit- ical views, supporting the men whom he thinks best qualified for office, regardless of party affiliations. His fellow citizens, ap- preciating his worth and ability, have called him to positions of public trust and for six years he was township assessor, was also census enumerator and for a long period was justice of the peace. He discharged his duties with marked impartiality and won the commendation of all fair-minded citi- zens. He holds membership in Abraham Lincoln Post, No. 10, G. A. R., of David City, and belongs to the Methodist Episco- pal church there. His life has been one marked by fidelity to principle and by earn- est support of all which he believes to be right, and in all business transactions his name is a s3-nonym of honor. WILLIAM ELLIS, a representative farmer of York county, is pleasantly located on section 25, Leroy township, where he is maintaining his place among the progressive and intelligent men around him. A native of Ohio, he was born in Clinton county. May 30, 1836, and is a son of Jos- eph and Eliza (Stillings) Ellis, also natives of that state, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years. Late in life he came to York county, Nebraska, and died at the home of his son soon after locating here. The mother died in Ohio about twenty years ago. William Ellis is indebted to the public schools of his native state for his educational advantages, and his business training was obtained upon his father's farm. As a life- work he chose the pursuit to which he had been reared, and for several years operated rented land in Ohio. On coming west he first located in Missouri, where he spent three years, later was a resident of Otoe county, Nebraska, and in 1879 came to York county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres, on which he stilU resides. Adding to the original purchase he at one time owned the north half of section twen- ty-five, Leroy township, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres, but he has since disposed of a portion of this and now owns only the tract first purchased. The well tilled fields and neat and thrifty appear- ance of the place, testifies to his skillful management, and shows conclusively that he thoroughly understands his chosen voca- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 555 tion. Politically he is an ardent Republi- can, and as a public-spirited, progressive citizen, he takes a commendable interest in public affairs. In i860 Mr. Ellis led to the marriage altar Miss Caroline Barlow, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, a daughter of Perry and Philena (Sherwood) Barlow, also natives of that state. The children born of this union are as follows: Frank L. , Dora L., Nettie H., Allen N., Clyde and Ray H. The youngest son is now pursuing a course at Lincoln Business college. JOHN R. LAWYER.— Among the ener- getic and enterprising citizens of Seward county who have selected agriculture as their vocation in life and are meeting with excel- lent success in their chosen calling, is the subject of this biographical notice, whose fine farm is pleasantly situated in precinct F. He is a native of Illinois, born in Mc- Donough county, December i, 1852. His parents, Thomas and Catherine (Comer) Lawyer, were both born near Columbus, Ohio, while his paternal grandparents, John and Massa Lawyer, were natives of North Carolina and Ohio, respectively. The Lawyer family were pioneers of the Buckeye state, and there the great-grandfather of our subject was killed by the Indians at an early day. In 1833, Thomas Lawyer, our sub- ject's father, accompanied his parents on their emigration from Ohio to Illinois and in the latter state he made his home until called from this life on the 14th of Decem- ber, 1 89 1, at the age of sixty-five years. The mother, however, is still living. In the family were seven children, five sons and two daughters. Reared in his native state, John R. Lawyer acquired his education in its district schools, and as soon as old enough to be of any assistance, he began to aid in the farm work, soon becoming a thorough and system- atic agriculturist. He continued his resi- dence in Illinois until 1883, which year wit- nessed his arrival in Seward county, Ne- braska, and in precinct F he has since suc- cessfully engaged in farming. Before leaving Illinois he was married on the 20th of April, 1876, to Miss Matilda E. Skiles, also a native of that state, and a daughter of Charles F. and Mary (Reno) Skiles, and two children bless this union: Leither and Otis L. Socially, Mr. Lawyer belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and politi- cally is a stanch Democrat. He has made many warm friends since coming to this state and has the confidence and respect of all with whom he comes in contact. DANIEL BROBST, deceased, was one of the leading farmers and stock rais- ers of Thayer township, York county. He was widely known and honored, and in his death the community, whose interests he had so much advanced by his enterprise, has lost a valuable citizen. His integrity of character, sterling worth, and never-fail- ing courtesy, made him beloved by all who had the honor of his acquaintance. Mr. Brobst was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, June 2, 1835, a son of Chris- tian C. and Catherine Brobst, who spent their entire lives in that county. By trade the father was a tailor, and made that oc- cupation his life work. Our_ subject was reared and educated in the Keystone state, and during his youth learned the black- smith's trade, which he continued to follow in Pennsylvania, until May, 187S. It was in that month that he I'came-west and took up his residence in York county, Nebraska, bu3'ing a quarter section of land in Thayer township, on which his]]widownow resides. The tract at that time was entirely unim- proved, and to its development and cultiva- tion he devoted his energies untiringly until 55G COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. it became one of the best farms in the lo- cality. On the 28th of October, 1858, in Penn- sylvania, was consummated the marriage of Mr. Brobst and Miss Elizabeth Miller, a daughter of John and Sarah Miller, natives of Pennsylvania, where they continued to make their home until called to the world beyond. The father followed the occupa- tion of blacksmithing. The children born of this union are as follows: Sarah C, William E. , Emma J., Andrew J., Samuel v., Lenora, George N. and Wesley H., all living, and Catherine C, deceased. Mr. Brobst used his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Re- publican party, and was for some time an efficient member of the school board in his district. As a business man he met with a well deserved success, and his upright, hon- orable methods gained for him the confi- dence and respect of all with whom he came in contact. In religious belief he was a Lutheran, and his life was ever in harmony with the teachings of that church. His death occurred June 6, 1891. JAMES GRAY is one of the enterprising and reliable citizens of Polk county who has borne his part in the upbuilding and development of this region by the im- provement of a fine farm on section 8, township 13, range i. He is one of Ohio's honored sons, his birth occurring in Butler county, that state, December 24, 1854. His father, Richard Gray, was born in the same county, in 181 5, and on reaching man's estate married Miss Mary Webb, who was born in Indiana, in 181 3, a daughter of Rev. William Webb, a pioneer Baptist minister of the Hoosier state. The paternal grandparents of our subject, William and Mary (Hanna) Gray, were early settlers of Ohio, where the former died in 1833. From Butler county, Ohio, our subject's parents removed to Louisa county, Iowa, at a very early day, and later to Jefferson county, the same state, where from the wild land the father developed a good farm, making it his home until called to his final rest in 1896. The mother passed away many years previous, dying in 1863. She was a consistent member of the Baptist, and he held membership in the United Presbyterian church from the age of eighteen years. Their children were Mary, deceased; Anna; and James. The boyhood and youth of James Gray was principally passed in Iowa, where he also acquired his literary education and ob- tained a good knowledge of farm work in its various departments. On attaining his majority he started out to make his own way in the world, and for some time engaged in farming in Jefferson county, Iowa. On the 1 6th of March, 1876, Mr. Gray was united in marriage with Miss Zaluma Spencer, who was born July 3, 1853, in Washington county, Iowa, to which locality her parents, William and Lizala (Wilco.x) Spencer, had removed from Vermont at an early day. Her mother died in 1888, and her father departed this life in 1895, Both were earnest and consistent members of the Methodist church. In their family were eleven children, namely: Mrs. Triphena De Hart, Jasper, Samantha, Elvira, Albert, Mrs. Rozelpha Gilson, William, and Mrs. Zaluma Gray, and three that died in infancy. Of these, Albert was a soldier of the Civil war. To Mr. and Mrs. Gray have been born four children: Maud, now deceased; Mabel L. , Guy and Robert. It was in 1876 that Mr. Gray and his bride located upon their present farm in Polk county, Nebraska, on which a sod house had previously been erected and a few acres broken. Ten years later their primitive dwelling was replaced by their present com- fortable home; and Mr. Gray has placed acre after acre of his land under the plow COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 557 until to-day he has one hundred acres under a high state of cultivation, leaving only twenty acres unimproved. Besides this valuable property, he owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Deuel county, Nebraska, which place he has also im- proved. He is engaged in both farming and stock raising, making a specialty of a fine grade of hogs. His political support is always given the men and measures of the Democratic party, and in his social relations he is an honored member of the blue lodge of the Masonic order, at Osceola. He has been a member of the school board in dis- trict No. 30, and his sister, who is now serving as county superintendent of schools in Keith county, Nebraska, held the same position in Polk county for two years. Public spirited and progressive, he takes a deep interest in all enterprises calculated to advance the intellectual, moral, or material welfare of his township and county. PARIvHURST SHURLOCK, who calls at Bradshaw post-office, York county, for his mail, is a man whose integrity, char- acter and industry reflect credit upon the state, for he is one of a vast number who have given their best life into the work of making it rich and great. He is a farmer, and in the tilling of the soil, the smell of the newly turned furrow, and the odor of the new made hay, the song of the birds, and the contact with nature, he has found the happiness and glory of life. He has done well, and in his old age holds a warm place in the hearts of many friends. Mr. Shurlock was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, December 16, 1836, and belongs to a family that has long been distinguished in English annals. The Rev. William Shurlock, an English bishop, was among his progenitors. His grandfather was a captain in the British army, and was under Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. He re- turned to England and died in that country. Samuel Shurlock, the father of the subject of this biographical history, was born in Devonshire, England, June 9, 1796, and was a well educated man. He taught school in the United States when he was a young man. He was with General William Henry Harrison in his celebrated expedi- tion into the northwest. After teaching some years he purchased a farm in what was then known as Beaver county, Penn- sylvania, and settled down to farming, and made his home there until his death in 1887. His wife was Elizabeth Stinson, who was born in Ireland, and died in 1840 on the Beaver county farm. Parkhurst Shurlock lived with his father until he was twenty-two years old, and then he penetrated into the wilderness of what was then called the west, and spent a year in the Scioto valley. He came to Pennsyl- vania, to work in the Wampum coal mines, where he was when the war broke out. He enlisted in Company D, One Hundredth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, known as the Roundhead regiment. He enlisted in 1 86 1, and in 1864 was made corporal, and then sergeant. He took part in the following battles with his regiment: Port Royal Ferry, Port Royal, James Island, Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, An- tietam, Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, Blue Springs, Campbell Station, siege of Knox- ville, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, North Anna river. Cold Harbor and Petersburg, the mine explosion before that city, Weldon Railroad, Poplar Grove, Hatcher's Run, Fort Stedman, and the final assault on Petersburg, and many other en- gagements that did not rise to the dignity of battles. He was wounded in the side while acting as a sharpshooter before Petersburg, but lost only two weeks in the hospital, and never was sent to a hospital again during his services. At Cold Harbor he had his Enfield rifle cut in two by a ball, which 558 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. drove it out of his hands. He served three years and eight months, and was honorably discharged at Harrisburg. When he had become somewhat wonted to the ways of peace he took a trip through Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska in the spring of 1866, and was married the following year to Miss Elizabeth Miller, a daughter of Aaron and Eliza Miller. They were residents of Beaver county, and immigrants from Ger- many. Her great uncle was in the Revolu- tionary army, and did his part in obtaining the freedom of the colonies. She had four brothers in the Union army, two of whom were killed. Samuel Miller was captain of Company I\, Pennsylvania Reserves, and was killed at Cold Harbor, and Robert Mil- ler was killed near Winchester in the Shen- andoah valley. A brother-in-law, William Graham, was in the army and died in the army from disease. Another brother-in- law, Richard L. Hudson, was honorably discharged, and died on the Puget Sound. Mr. and Mrs. Shurlock made their home for five years on their Pennsylvania farm, and came to this state April 6, 1872. They entered a claim to the southeast quarter of section 20, township 10, range 4 west, and commenced in earnest to open a raw prai- rie farm, which they have so well succeeded in doing. They lived and labored on this farm for eighteen years, when they sold the homestead and purchased other land at a less price. He now owns one hundred and sixty acres, clear of all encumbrances. He has a fine dwelling in the village of Brad- shaw, which has been his home for thirteen years, during that time. He has been a man of strict business habits, and no man has ever held his note. He is the father of two children, Carrie D., who is now mar- ried to Samuel Morrison, and William Charles, who was married to Miss Laura Miller. Mr. Shurlock is a supporter of bi-metal- lism in politics, and is a strong supporter of the Democratic party. He does not vote' for partisan considerations but for princi- ples and men. Neither he nor his wife is connected with any secret order, but she be- longs to the Presbyterian church. They keep up with the events of the times, enjoy friends and neighbors. JOHN A. DURLAND.one of the first set- tlers on the Blue river between Staple- hurst and Ulysses, resides on section thirty- five, precinct C, Seward county, where he is actively and prosperously engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits. The present flourishing condition of this section of the state, with its splendid farms, many comfortable dwell- ings, fine churches and substantial school- buildings, is a monument to the persever- ance and labors of the brave men who, like our subject, patiently endured the trials of pioneer life that they might develop the wonderful and varied resources of this re- gion, and make for themselves and their children a pleasant home in this fruitful and and goodly land. Mr. Durland was born in New Jersey, October 23, 1839, a son of John M. and Sarah (Wolf) Durland, also natives of New Jersey. The father, who was a miller by trade, moved to Illinois in 1841 and settled in Fulton county, where he followed milling until his death in 1855. He had three sons, our subject being the only one to locate in Nebraska. He was reared and educated in Illinois, and assisted his father in the mill until the latter died. He then turned his attention to farming and followed that pur- suit in Illinois until 1864. The ne.xt year we find him en route for Nebraska, and on his arrival in Seward county, he took up a homestead on section 35, precinct C, where he still resides. He was the first white set- tler in that locality, but Indians were num- erous, and wolves and other wild animals held full sway. The log house he erected COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 559 is still standing near his present fine home, and the wild, uncultivated land he soon trans- formed into a valuable and productive farm. He has successfully engaged in general farm- ing and stock raising, and now owns four hundred acres of good land, all improved. He has not only gained a good home and comfortable competence, but has secured the respect and confidence of all with whom he has come in contact by his honorable and blameless life. In 1859, in Fulton county, Illinois, Mr. Durland was united in marriage with Miss Lucy J. Roberts, a daughter of John Rob- erts, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Their family comprises five children: — three sons and two daughters living namely: George B., Samuel C. , Albert E., and Rosie B., now the wife of Philip Merritt,and Lillian E. — and two dead Susan A. and Charles A. The parents are earnest and consistent members of the Christian church and the family is promi- nent in social circles. Mr. Durland is a Dem- ocrat in politics but at local elections votes for the best man regardless of party ties, and has creditably filled the office of town- ship assessor. WILLIAM C. EMERY.— The deserved reward of a well-spent life is an hon- ored retirement from business, in which to enjoy the fruits of former toil. To-day, after a useful and beneficial career, Mr. Emery is quietly living at his pleasant home in Garrison, Butler county, surrounded by the comfort that earnest labor has brought to him. For many years he was identified with the agricultural and commercial inter- ests of the county, but has now laid aside all business cares. Like many of the best citizens of this state, Mr. Emery is a native of Pennsyl- vania, born in Butler county, March 12, 1832. His father, William Emery, Sr., was born in the eastern part of that state about 1792, and during his youth removed to Butler county, where he served as a minute man in the war of 1812. There, he met and married Miss Lydia Harlan, and of the eight children born to them, our sub- ject is the seventh in order of birth and the third son, the others being as follows: Anna, Mary, David, Silas, Rebecca, Lydia, and John B. The four oldest are now de- ceased, while Rebecca is now the wife of James B. Marshall, of Garrison, Nebraska; Mrs. Lydia Morrison is a resident of Indi- ana; and John B. makes his home in Ohio. In his native county, William C. Emery, of this sketch, grew to manhood and was married, January 22, 1857, to Miss Mahala Boston, daughter of George and Nancy Boston, of Butler county, Pennsylvania. There two children were born to our sub- ject and his wife: Mary E., now the wife of M. G. Haynes, of Union township, Butler county, Nebraska, by whom she has five children, Lillian, Charles, Georgie, Ethner and Leina;and John W., who married Miss Lizzie Ward, an English lady, and has four children. Ward Covert, Fannie, Mahala and William. After his marriage, Mr. Emery engaged in farming near Greenville, Pennsylvania, until he laid aside all personal interests to aid his country in defense of the Union dur- ing the dark days of the Civil war, enlisting in Company D, One Hundred and Sixty- ninth PennsylvaniaVolunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. When his term of service expired he was honorably discharged and returned home. In company with two of his old army com- rades — J. S. Marshall and A. H. Coon — Mr. Emery came to Nebraska in the spring of 1 87 1 and first located on a farm on section 24, Union township, Butler county. He continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until the fall of 1882 when he moved to the village of Garrison, and in company 5G0 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPBT. with J. S. Marshall embarked in general merchandising under the firm name of Mar- shall & Emery. Four years later the firm was changed to Emery & Howser by the retirement of Mr. Marshall, and in the fall of 1887 Mr. Emery purchased his partner's interest, making the firm Emery & Son. He has since sold his interest to the junior member, and now lives retired. His residence, which was the second erected in the town, has been enlarged and re- modeled by him, converting it into a most comfortable home. Besides this, he is still the owner of extensive and valuable farm- ing property. Politically, Mr. Emery has always been identified with the Republican party since its organization, and fraternally he affiliates with A. Lincoln post. No. 10, G. A. R. He has been a prominent factor in the growth and development of his adopted county, is invariably numbered among its valued citi- zens, and on the roll of its honored pioneers his name should be among the foremost. MRS. JULIA BICK, of Brown town- ship, York county, Nebraska, has been for twenty years or more a resident of the state, and in that period has made many friends by her womanly qualities. She has kept a good home, has proved a kind mother, and her door has been invit- ingly open. Mrs. Bick was born January 3, 1837, at Steubensville, Ohio, and is a daughter of Henry and Louisa Albrecht. Her parents moved to Iowa City, Iowa, not many years after her birth, and there she was very well educated, and there she was married when seventeen years old. She remained on the farm with her husband for a number of years, but concluded it best to remove to Missouri in the fall of 1865, where they bought a farm in Lewis county. They re- mained in that state si.x years, but the cli- mate did not prove congenial, and Mr. Bick sold out and returned to Iowa, where he rented a farm, which he tilled for seven years. About this time stories of the great possibilities of the Nebraska farming coun- try began to disturb the peace of renters and small farmers east of the Missouri. Mr. Bick listened, and was convinced. Nebraska was the haven of desire, and he made his way to York, arriving there in the fall of 1 877. He had a brother already established on a farm fourteen miles north of the city, and to him the home seeker repaired. Mr. Bick made a homestead entry on the north half of the northeast quarter of section 22, township 10, range 4 west, and immediate- ly proceeded to open up his new farm. He built a frame house, and made substantial improvements. He was disappointed, how- ever, in the hope that his removal west of the Missouri river would restore his health, which had been much impaired by his stay in Missouri. He continued, however, in spite of ill health, to till his little farm, and care for his family, and give his children such opportunities for education as the new country might afford. For many years somewhat frail and delicate, he yet attained a very considerable age, and died January 27, 1897, when he was in sight of his seventy-first birthday. He left all his property, both real and personal, to his life-long companion and helpmeet, Mrs. Julia Bick, who had indeed proved herself worthy of such trust and honor. He was a Republican, and with his wife was associat- ed with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which they most worthy and acceptable members. They have never been members of any secret society, feeling that home and church and school afforded a wide field for the exercise of the highest and finest emotions. He was born in Germany about 1824, and came to Ohio with his father's people when about the age of fourteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Bick have had nine chil- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 561 dren, six of whom are still alive. They are Amelia A., Sophia E. , Naomi L. , Adaline, Henry A. and LaVerna. Sophia was mar- ried while her parents lived in Iowa, Feb- ruary 24, 1876, and now lives with her hus- band at Miller, a railroad station in South Dakota. Naomi married George Eckerson, and resides in York. Adaline is the wife of Alanson Eberhart, and has her home in York. The other children are still under the maternal wing, and have not left the farm. Henry takes much of the responsi- bility of the work since his father's death, and practically carries on the farm. La Verna, the youngest daughter, is a teacher of approved skill and standing, having taught seven terms. At the present time she is not engaged in the school-room, but is devoting herself to the care of her mother, and trying to make what sunshine she can for her last days. ARTHUR M. ROBSON has been prom- inently and actively identified with the agricultural interests of Thayer township, York county, since pioneer days, 'and has borne an important part in its upbuilding and prosperity. He was born on the 27th of July, 1837, on the Isle of Bute, Scot- land while his parents, Thomas and Ann (Manning) Robson, were natives of Eng- land, but of Scotch lineage. Throughout his active business life the father was a government gauger. Both he and his wife died in Lincolnshire, England. In their family were seven sons and four daughters, of whom three sons came to America, two being residents of York county, Nebraska, the other a printer in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania. As soon as he had attained a sufficient age, Arthur M. Robson entered the public schools of England, where he pursued his studies until fourteen, when he accepted a position as clerk in a railroad office, being thus employed for sixteen years. He was married in that country, in 1859, to Miss Sarah Bell, a native of England, and a daughter of Robert and Amy Bell, residents of Peterboro, where the father engaged in contracting and building. The following children have been born of this union: Frank P., Horace, Annie, Charles S., Arthur, Rhoda M., Fannie S., Alfred E., all living, and two who died in infancy. In 1870 Mr. Robson emigrated to Amer- ica, and first located at Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he found employment on the Union Pacific bridge, which was then being constructed across the Missouri river at that point. In 187 1 he came to York county, Nebraska, and filed a homestead claim, but did not bring his family here until 1873. Their first home, which was a rude dugout, has been replaced by a good frame resi- dence, and all of the improvements upon the farm stand as monuments to the indus- try, enterprise and perseverance of the owner, who has labored untiringly in trans- forming the wild land into a highly cultivated tract. When he secured the land from the government his nearest neighbor was five miles away, and almost the entire county was still in its primitive condition. He has never regretted coming to the new world, for here he has gained a comfortable home and competence for himself and family, and is now the owner of a half section of land, on which he is extensively engaged in stock raising as well as farming. In politics he is independent, and has been called upon to serve his fellow citizens as school director, and as town clerk for six years. In the Church of England he and his family hold membership. HENRY H. WELLER, is widely known as one of the leading merchants of Staplehurst, Nebraska. He has won his present position by the display of qualities 562 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. that are seldom found combined in one tradesman, but when they are, they give command of the situation. He began very modestly in commerce, and by strict atten- tion to business, the careful study of the wants of his patrons, and catering to their comfort, has been remarkably successful for so young a man. Mr. Weller is of southern birth, and was born in the city of New Orleans February 14, 1862. His parents were George and Catherine (Meyer) Weller. His father was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and his mother in Hanover. They were both brought to this country when very young, and their parents settled in New Orleans. She came over the ocean in 1836, and her advent preceded his by eight years. They became acquainted in the southern city, and were married there about the year 1857. For many years their home continued there, and it was not until 1883 that they were seen in Seward county. The husband and father died in 1890, but the wife and mother is still living and has attained a very venerable age. They were the parents of two sons, both of whom are residents of this county. The gentleman whose name introduces this article is indebted to the scholastic in- stitutions of Fort Wayne, Indiana, for his more advanced education. On the com- pletion of his school days he came directly to this county. He entered mercantile pursuits, and became the manager of the large store of Herman Diers. He continued with him for three years, and went into business for himself in 1884. He opened a general store, which has quickly become an important center of trade and fashion for a wide circle. He holds his trade and com- mands an increasing patronage. He was married to Lissete Scheumann in 1886. She is an estimable lady and has many friends. She has presented her husband with six chil- dren, all of whom are living. Their names are Lissete, Henry W. , Clara M., George H., Fred C. , and Louisa S. Mr. and Mrs. Weller are members of the German Luth- eran church. He is a Republican, but has never sought an office. His home, his church, and his business are a world large enough for him, and beyond them his thoughts have never cared to stay. HI RAM Y. DIEMER, a public-spirited and enterprising farmer and stock- raiser of Butler county, stands among the foremost men of his calling. He has de- voted his life to agricultural pursuits almost exclusively, and is the proprietor of as good a farm as can be found in Olive township, his home being located there in section 10, where he settled in January, 1874. He was born in Northampton county, Pennsyl- vania, January 25, 1833. His father, Michael Diemer, was born in the same county and state and was a carpenter and shoemaker by trade, and his wife, our sub- ject's mother, Susan (Rasley) Diemer, was also a native of Pennsylvania. Both the father and mother were of German ances- tors. They moved to Stephenson county, Illinois, in 1847, and settled on a farm near Freeport. Our subject was married in Stephenson county, Illinois, January 13, 1859, to Miss Hester Clingman, daughter of Abner Cling- man, of Stephenson county, Illinois, and a sister of Judge Clingman, of Butler county. Their children were born in Stephenson county. The oldest, Arthur B., is now a resident of Butler county, Nebraska. He married Miss Rosa McKellips, daughter of Darwin, a sketch of whom will appear on another page of this volume, and one son, Arthur Wayne, has been born to them. Eda F. Baer, the oldest daughter, is the wife of William Baer, of Butler county, Nebraska; and Addie L. is the wife of David Miller, also a resident of Butler county. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 5G3 Mr. Diemer is a Republican in political views and has used his influence and elect- ive franchises in the support of the candi- dates of that party since its organization, and although he has never taken a very active part in political affairs, he is always ready to lend a helping hand in all matters which tend to the upbuilding or strengthen- ing of good government. He and his wife are both charter members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are zealous, devoted workers of that denomination. Mr. Diemer is also endowed with activity, persistence, and a good capacity for well-directed labor, which have placed him in the forefront among the farmers of his vicinity, and his labors have been rewarded by the acquisi- tion of a fine farm of one hundred and si.xty acres, well stocked and equipped with all modern conveniences, and his is one of the pleasant and attractive homes of the county. Arthur B. Diemer, our subject's oldest son, although he is still a young man, oc- cupies a place of considerable prominence in Butler county. At the early age of eighteen years he fitted himself for the pro- fession of a school-teacher, and, with the exception of one year spent in a drug store in David City, he has since been continu- ously engaged in teaching. He is at pres- ent also performing the duties of town clerk of Olive township. PETER NELSON.— The story of the wonderful physical resources of Amer- ica and of the opportunities offered to hon- est toil and industry to gain a footing in business and society, have attracted here many natives of kingdom of Sweden. And it affords us great pleasure to devote a few brief paragraphs to the record of the life of one of those sturdy poineers, who have been instrumental in the building of an em- pire. Mr. Nelson is one of the represent- ative agriculturists of Polk county, where, on section 19, of township 14, range 2, he has a fine farm of 160 acres. He was born January 25, 1846, in Sweden, and is a son of Nels Hanson, who was a farmer by oc- cupation and died in Sweden. Mr. Nelson passed his boyhood days, and grew to manhood, in his native land. He received the advantages of a good education, and followed the occupation of a farmer. He emigrated to the United States in 1868, and landed at New York city, from whence he proceeded to Moline, Illinois. He re- mained therefor a while engaging in various kinds of work. He next located in Warren county, of the same state, and secured work on a farm, where he remained four years. At the end of that time he rented a farm in the same county, on which he resided for a number of years. In 1882 he came to Osceola, where he has since resided, having purchased the farm which he now owns be- fore he settled permanently in the county. It was all raw and unbroken prairie when he took possession of it in 1883, but by dili- gent and unremitting toil he has succeeded in bringing the same to a high state of culti- vation. The farm consists of 160 acres of land, one hundred acres of which are under cultivation. He has put in all the present improvements, and in 1886, he built an ad- dition to his barn, and in 1897 he replaced the frame house which he first erected on his land by a modern and commodious dwell- ing. Mr. Nelson was joined in the holy bonds of matrimony in 1871 to Matilda Mary Danielson, a native of Sweden, born there June 25, 1854. There have been eleven children born to bless this union, of whom we have the following record; Albert, Ellen, Cecil, Annie, Amanda, Hilma, Gustave, Os- car, Esther, Myrtle. The family are mem- bers in good standing of the Swedish Lu- theran church at Swede Home. Mr. Nelson was one of the trustees of the above church, and is the present treasurer of the Polk 564 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. county Fair association, which position he has been holding for the last five years. In political matters he uses his elective fran- chise in support of the candidates of the Populist party, and is a regular attendant at all the conventions of that party of which he is one of the charter members. He was a member of the school board of district No. 6i. Before he came to America he served in the Swedish army. Mr. Nelson has, by thrift and economy, succeeded in amassing enough to enable him to pass the remainder of his days in idleness. He is a very pleasant neighbor, congenial com- panion, and has an agreeable family, and resides in one of the most hospitable homes in the township. He is well known and highly respected for his uprightness of character, and strict integrity. FREDERICK C. HARTMAN was born in Prussia, December 15, 1845. His parents, Frederick and Caroline (Oeting) Hartman, came to the United States in the same year, and in 1852 they came to Iowa. There they remained until 1868, when the family removed to Seward county. The father died in 1897. They were the parents of three children, all boys, two of whom are residing in Seward county at this time. The mother died in Iowa in 1862. Mr. Hartman was reared and educated in In- diana and Iowa, and began farming in the latter state, and followed that call- ing there until 1865, when he came to Nebraska, but did not locate here at that time, but two years later, in 1867, he came to Seward county, and took up a homestead. He erected a dug-out and lived in that for some time, and then built a log house, and then began breaking out a farm. He owned this farm until 1878, when he disposed of it and removed to Gates county, Nebraska, and took up land in that county, remaining there until 1895, when he disposed of that farm and again returned to Seward county, buying a quarter section, on which farm he has since made his home. In 1863, when the war clouds were floating so heavily over our land, he enlisted in Company B, Twenty-seventh Iowa Volunteers, but did not take part in any active service. Mr. Hartman was married in Seward county, in 1870, to Miss Dora Hornburg, who was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, and came to the United States in 1868, and they are the parents of seven children, six boys and one girl, as follows: James F., Alexander W. , Walter W., Harry H., Arthur J., Roy G., and Beatrice F., all of whom are living. In his political views, Mr. Hart- man is a stanch Republican, but has never sought nor filled any office. When Mr. Hartman first settled on Lincoln creek, it was a wild and unsettled region, there being but two other settlers there beside him, they living above and below him, and he can remember very distinctly when the Indians were around there, and had considerable trouble with them, as they used to steal every thing that was loose. He has been very successful and has a nice home, and a farm under a high state of cultivation. OSCAR SWANSON is a successful farmer of York county, Nebraska, and has his home near Bradshaw. He belongs to that coterie of Swedish American agriculturists, who have done so much to make this county blossom like a garden, and the history of the county could not be fairly written with- out his name. Mr. Swanson was born in Buffalo, New York, November 27, 1852, into which city his parents had come from Sweden a little more than a year before. The father did not keep his family long in New York, mak- ing the first stopping place of his westward journey in St. Charles, Illinois, and then not satisfied with his surroundings came to COMPENDIUM or BIOGRAPHT. 565 Jefferson county, Iowa. He afterward re- moved to Henry county, that state, where he bought eighty acres of land and went to farming. The young Oscar did not begrudge giving his time and labor to his father until he was twenty-one. The family were on the farm, and it had to be paid for, and the children labored gladly for the sake of the home it promised for the father and mother. He was married to Miss Charlotte Burke, February ii, 1874, in Swedsburg, Iowa. He bought a forty-acre tract near that town, and farmed it in that community for three or four years. But the opportunity was too small, and he sold out his little establish- ment and, putting his belongings into a cov- ered wagon, started for York county, Ne- braska, an overland journey of some four hundred miles. He made his first appear- ance in this county in the fall of 1878, and rented a farm which he operated for several years. In four years he saved money enough to pay for a farm of 160 acres, which under his faithful care has become a valuable place. Here his family remained for several years when his wife died, leaving him alone. December 12, 1889, he re- married. Miss Emma Norquist becoming his wife. She is a daughter of John P. Nor- quist, and is the mother of three children, Ephraim Eugene, Lilly Otilia and Violet Elnora. Mr. and Mrs. Swanson have a happy home and are well situated. They have a fine farm, which is well tilled and is thor- oughly improved. The various farm build- ings are commodious and kept in a clean and healthy condition. The farm abounds in orchard trees, including all best varieties, and an abundance of small fruits. He is only forty-six years of age and his wife is thirteen years younger. They are still in the morning of life, and command the hearty respect of all good people who know them. They believe in the church and the school and are members of the Lutheran order, and, following the tenets of the church, are not associated with any secret order. He is a wide-awake and interested member of the Republican organization of his township and has never voted any other ticket. He is actively engaged in its vari- ous organizations, and feels it still has a work to do for the good of the country. HN. LOGAN, who is now living on section 34, Stewart township, is recognized as one of the most intelligent and skillful farmers of York county. In connection with the raising of grain he gives considerable attention to stock, and is pur- suing the even tenor of his way as an honest man and good citizen, furthering the good of the community as he has opportunity and enjoying the respect of his neighbors. His early home was in Whiteside county, Illinois, where he was born October 24, 1845. John Smith and Elizabeth (Warren) Logan, our subject's parents, were both natives of New York state. His paternal grandfather, Robert Logan, was a native of county Monaghan, Ireland, and on com- ing to the United States in 1809, took up his residence in Steuben county. New York. His maternal grandfather, Russell Warren, was born in Marblehead, Massachusetts, and belonged to an old and distinguished family of that state, of which General Warren, who was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill, was also a representative. In 1836 the parents of our subject emigrated to Whiteside county, Illinois, upon govern- ment land, just after the Indians -left that region, and there the father improved a good farm, upon which he made his home for forty years. He then moved to the village of Prophetstown, Illinois. His death occurred in 1887 while visiting in York county, Nebraska, and his remains were interred in the United Brethern 566 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. cemetery here. His wife had died in 1863 and was buried in the Sharon cemetery, Whiteside county, IlHnois. In 1844 they reunited with the Presbyterian church and died in that faith, honored and respected by all who knew them. They reared a family of eight children, four of whom are still liv- ing: H. N., George E., Addis G. and Robert E. Of these our subject and his brother George were soldiers of the Civil war. In the county of his nativity, H. N. Logan was reared in much the usual man- ner of farmer boys. On the 3d of March, he enlisted in Company B, Thirty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and after join- ing his company at Dixon, Illinois, went into camp at Springfield. He then proceeded to New York city by way of Rochester, Buffalo and Albany, was then sent to Beau- fort and Goldsboro, N. C, where he joined the regiment, where thej' were engaged in skirmishing, and was in Raleigh at the time of Johnston's surrender. They then went to Richmond, Virginia, Fortress Monroe and Washington, District of Columbia, and after participating in the grand review, went to Louisville, Kentucky, where they were mustered out. At Chicago, Mr. Logan was paid off and returned home July 18, 1865. In 1 87 1 he came to York county, Ne- braska, and took up a claim, consisting of the southwest quarter of section 34, Stewart township. While breaking the wild land he engaged in teaching school during the winter months. The year of his arrival he raised some garden vegetables and planted about eight acres in sod corn, but the winter set in early and the deer ate every ear of his crop. In 1872 he raised a good crop of wheat, oats and corn. For six years his home was a sod house, and it was then replaced by his present comfortable and commodious residence. Of his two hundred and forty acre farm he has placed one hundred and fifty acres under plow, and has many improvements on the place which add to its value and attractive appearance. On the 29th of April, 1874, Mr. Logan was united in marriage with Miss Annie M. Runyan, a native of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Robinson) Runyan, who came to York county in 1870 and located on the northwest quarter of section 24, Waco township. There the father improved a farm, on which he and his wife died. Their children were Almira Allie, deceased, Thomas, a resident of Waco, Nebraska; Mrs. Almeda Olmstead; Mrs. Jennie Parsons; Samuel R. ; James B. ; Mrs. Annie M. Logan, and John W. Mr. and Mrs. Logan have eight children: Bertha M., Dora, Hannah, Nelson G. , John A., Samuel R., Almira A. and Herman E. In his social relations Mr. Logan is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Gresham, and Gresham Post, G. A. R. , while in politics he is identified with the Republican party. For ten years he has been assessor in his precinct, super- visor of Stewart township three terms, a member of the school board twenty-five years, and moderator of school district No. 35 at the present time. JOHN FOLEY is a not unworthy repre- sentative of the Irish race in America. He is a wealthy farmer in Bradshaw town- ship, York county, and has his children close about him. He is somewhat ad- vanced in years, has traveled over exten- sive regions, and declares he has not seen as fine a farming country as York county affords anywhere from Ireland to Illinois. John Foley was born in county Kil- kenny, Ireland, in 1836. His father was Patrick Foley, who left Ireland in 1849 for this country. He landed in New Orleans and went straight to St. Louis, where he COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 567 remained for about a year. His next stop- ping place was Peoria, Illinois, which was a small town at the time. He lived here about twelve years, when he died, and his remains now rest in the city cemetery. The mother of the subject of this writing died before the family left Ireland, and the son, as soon as he was able to shift for himself, went to work for the surrounding farmers, receiving at first fifteen dollars. He worked for five years for this rate and saved almost all his money. When he was a little older, he met Miss Donnevan, and made her his wife in 18157. He was in DeWitt county, Illinois, at that time, but after his marriage returned to Peoria, where he lived until 1861. The war broke out, and he was among the first to respond to the call for soldiers. He enlisted in Com- pany E, Forty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under the command of Captain Thomas Lynch. The regiment was in the battles of Spanish Fort, and Blakeley, where he was wounded. He served through- out the war, and was discharged January 21, 1866. He returned to Peoria, and made his home in that city until 1873, when the removed to this county. He filed a soldier's homestead claim on a fourth of section 20, township 11, range 4 west, and has added to it by purchase enough to con- stitute a farm of two hundred and eighty acres. His dwelling-house has cost him over fifteen hundred dollars, and his barn is worth four hundred. He has improved his farm with apple and cherry orchards, and is very pleasantly situated in his later life. He has done a good work for the county. He is not yet an old man, and is in splendid health. He is retired from active farm work, and is living in the village of Brad- shaw with his family. He has been twice married, and had, by his first wife, three boys and two girls, who are now in busi- ness for themselves with their own homes. Their names are Michael, James, Martin, Lizzie Nevils, Mollie Fusy, and Hattie Lay- ton. By his second wife he had two chil- dren, John and Agnes. She was a widow, and had one child before her marriage with Mr. Foley, Addie Piper. He has settled his children around him, having given to each of them a piece of land, and all are doing well. Mr. Foley has been a life-long Catholic and believes in the old apostolic way of worshiping God. He is a free silver Democrat, and, as he says, proposes to stand by that principle until the government re- turns to fundamental principles of justice and right. DARWIN McKELLIPS.— This gentle- man is the fortunate owner of one of the fine estates of Olive township, Butler county, where he settled in April, 1871. He was born in Erie count}'. New York, May 14, 1824, a son of Samuel McKellips. The father, who was of Irish descent, moved to Erie county. New York, from Bradford, Vermont. Of his family our subject is the fifth child in the order of birth, and the second son. The oldest brother, Dennis, died in Illinois, where the family was living at that time. One sister, Elizabeth Hecker, is now living in Adair county, Missouri, and another, Rosana Betts, is living in Umatilla, Oregon. The subject of our sketch lived in Erie county. New York, until he was seventeen years of age, and then moved with his par- ents to Adams county, Illinois, where the parents located on a farm. Here our sub- ject spent the remaining years of his boy- hood, and November 3, 1850, was united in marriage to Miss Martha Wittekiend, daughter of Thomas Wittekiend, a farmer of Adams county, Illinois. Their first child, a daughter, died in infancy, and of the rest we have the following record: Samuel T., born in Adams county, Illinois, now resides 568 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. in Butler county, Nebraska; James, was born in Hancock county, Illinois; Helen, wife of Oscar Fox, of Butler county; Carrie, wife of Stuart Lichliter, of Butler county, Nebraska; Millard F., now living in Lincoln county, Nebraska; Emery C. , of Butler county, Nebraska; Phylander D., Butler county, Nebraska; Rosa E. , wife of Arthur Diemer, of Butler county, Nebraska; Sadie and Jerusha, the latter of whom was born in Butler county, Nebraska; Our subject and Mrs. McKellips are still living on the farm on which they first settled in Nebraska and their large family are among the business and social leaders of the county. He is a very pleasant neigh- bor, genial, warm-hearted, and lives in one of the most hospitable homes of the town- ship. He has labored hard on his farm to make it one of the best stock and grain farms in the county, and has provided it with commodious and cozy home, and out- buildings that are convenient and substan- tial in their construction. It has been the great aim of his life to launch his children out upon the sea of life well equipped, and it is gratifying to see each one well estab- lished in business and recognized as useful and respected members of society. ANTHONY PROHASKA, whose por- trait is presented with this sketch, has for twenty years been a well-known farmer of York county and an important factor in its public life. He belongs to that class of representative citizens, who in the face of difficulties and obstacles have the deter- mination and will to work their way up- ward and gain that success which is de- sired of all. Industrious, energetic, pro- gressive and honorable, he has won a de- sirable property, and gained the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact. Mr. Prohaska was born near Vienna, Austria, May 7, 1848, a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Straka) Prohaska. The father was a Bohemian, and the place of his birth was in Austria, his natal day being Decem- ber 25, 181 5. He not only spoke his own language, but was also well educated in the German tongue, and after coming to Ameri- ca gained a fair knowledge of English. When our subject was ten years of age the father emigrated to the United States with his family. He had engaged passage in a steamer, but when he presented himself at Bremen he found that the vessel had al- ready sailed so he made the trip on a sail- ing vessel. The voyage consumed fifty- four days, and the family were somewhat impatient, for they had expected to com- plete the trip in a very few days, but when they learned that the steamer on which they had expected to embark had never reached port, they felt very thankful that Providence had interfered to save them from a watery grave. After five days spent in New York they proceeded to Johnson county, Iowa, where the father secured a farm. In addition to its cultivation he car- ried on carpentering, having learned that trade in his native land, and in Johnson county he made his home until within three years of his death, which occurred in his eighty-first year. He was a faithful Chris- tian and a life-long member of the Method- ist Episcopal church. At the age of fifteen Anthony Prohaska left his father's home and started out in life for himself. On the 12th of May, 1863, he left Iowa City to drive cattle across the plains to Denver. For nearly two years he remained in Colorado, leaving Fort Collins in February, 1865, for Montana, by way of Salt Lake City. He worked on a ranch in Montana for some time, becoming ac- quainted with the irrigation methods of that district and also with many of the hardships of western frontier life. He next visited Salt Lake City and Fort Benton and then went ANTHONY PROHASKA. co^[p.EXDIU^f or niocRAriir 571 to Helena, then returned to Fort Ben- ton, where, with a part}', he started down the Missouri river in a flatboat, for which they had to pay live hundred dollars in cash. On reaching the end of their journey Mr. Prohaska began to learn the tinner's trade, but not liking that work, he secured a posi- tion as a farm hand, being thus employed until his marriage. At the age of twenty-two he married Miss Matilda Ahlbrecht, daughter of Henry and Louisa Ahlbrecht, who, in 1835, left their home in Hanover, Germany, and by way of Wheeling, West Virginia, made their ' way to Iowa City, Iowa. The young couple began their domestic life upon a rented farm in Johnson county, Iowa, where they remained until 1878, when they came to i York county, Nebraska. Mr. Prohaska here purchased eighty acres of land and afterward bought another eighty-acre tract, ; so that he is now the owner of the north- [ east quarter of section 13, Brown township. Here he has a highly cultivated farm, and has planted an excellent orchard of apples, \ plums and cherries, which will soon be in splendid bearing condition. To Mr. and Mrs. Prohaska have been born nine children, all yet living: Ada E. , | who was married, October 20, 1S97, to John Waldron, a farmer residing near her father's home; Charlotta M., who was married December 5, 1S94, to Perry Dodd, '. a farmer living a mile west of the home- stead; P'lorence L., Cora B. , Grace L. , Henrietta M., Bessie R. , Robert A. and Anna A., all at home. The family is one of prominence in the community and the circle of their friends is very extensive. Mr. Prohaska has four times been elected to the county board of supervisors, serving six years. In 1S93 he was chair- man of the finance committee, and in 1894 j was elected chairman of the board. Upon the expiration of his last term of service the board presented him with a gold watch and i 33 chain in token of their high regard for him. Even his political enemies admit without hesitation that he discharged the duties of the office with marked abilit}- and fidelity and to the entire satisfaction of all con- cerned. He has always been rather inde- pendent in his political affiliations, but be- lieves strongly in the free and unlimited coinage of silver and is willing to vote with any party that will restore silver to its old place in the finances of the country. He and his wife, together with two of their children, are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Prohaska belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has not been disappointed in his hope of securing a good home in Nebraska. He has developed a quarter section of its rich land into a valuable farm and has found that Naturejs willing to reward earnest effort and indefatigable labor. He ranks high among the leading agriculturists of York county, is greatly esteemed for his genuine worth and is well deserving of mention in this volume. He also served as director of school district 27 for thirteen years and still had two years to serve when he resigned. ANDREW STEWARD MUIR.— This gentleman is well known throughout the vicinity of Goehner as one of Seward county's old settlers and well-to-do farmers. He has a three hundred and twenty acre farm, all of which is improved and tillable and furnished with such home comforts as make life enjoyable. Mr. Muir was born August 14, 1849, in Bartholomew county, Indiana, a son of James and Mary Muir, and his maternal grandparents bore the names of John and Mary Moffit. Our subject's father came from Scotland to America at the age of twenty-one years, first settled in New Jer- sey, where he was united in marriage to 572 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY Miss Mary Moffit, and soon after his mar- riage, he moved to Bartholomew county, Indiana, where the subject of our sketch was born. Here he spent the remaining years of his Hfe, and died at the age of sixty-five years. Andrew lived with his parents and helped them about the farm un- til he reached the age of twenty-one years, and then spent three years with his mother after his father's death. At the age of twenty-four he was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Garrison, and within a week thereafter he moved to Nebraska and set- tled on a tract of railroad land, the south half, south-east quarter of section 27, township K, Seward county, and is still making that his home. By his first marriage, our subject has one son, James, who is now twenty-four years of age, and is mak- ing his home in Minnesota. Two years after their marriage, Mrs. Muir died, leaving her husband and infant son. About a year later our subject remar- ried, his second wife being Miss Maggie Gibson, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Gibson, of Muskingum county, Ohio. This lady was visiting her sister. Mrs. Jennie Shuck, in Seward county, when she met Mr. Muir, and they were married September 24, 1876. Our subject then returned with his wile to his homestead, and they have since made that their home. To this con- genial union have been born two children, upon whom they have seen fit to bestow the following names: Lizzie M. and Addison L. Miss Lizzie was married October 11, 1896, to Mr. Howard Knurr, son of John Knurr, and they are living on a farm six miles west of our subject's home. They have one child whom, they have named elide. Addison is now seventeen years of age, and is still living on the old home place with his father. Mr. Muir's farm, which comprises three hundred and twenty acres of good farming land, although a raw, unbroken stretch of prairie when he first settled upon it, is now well improved, being furnished with build- ings, shade and fruit trees, and such things as make home pleasant and attractive. Politically, our subject has been a life-long Republican and his first presidental ballot was cast for Abraham Lincoln. Religiously, both he and his wife were reared in the Presbyterian faith, but are not now mem- bers of any denomination. They are both, however, in sympathy with the cause of the church and appreciate its value to civiliza- tion and the cause of education, and con- tribute to its support as their circumstances will allow. FRANK H. FENTON is one of the enter- prising, progressive citizens of York county, who has chosen agriculture as his life work, and is now successfully engaged in the operation of the old homestead on section 34, Stewart township, where his family located on coming to this state. His father, Dator Fenton, was born in Chau- tauqua county. New York, April 16, 1834, and was a son of Stanley Fenton, who also claimed New York as his birthplace. Dur- ing early life the former removed to Illinois, and there married Miss Amanda Warren, a native of Steuben county. New York, and a daughter of Russell Warren, of the Em- pire state. They began their domestic life upon a farm in Whiteside county, Illinois, and were residing there when the war of the Rebellion broke out. In August, 1861, Mr. Fenton enlisted as a private in Com- pany C, Seventy-fifth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, and the following winter was taken sick. He was transferred, July i, 1863, to Company H, Fifteenth Reserved Corps, and was engaged in guarding rebel prisoners atdifferent points until honorably discharged, July 15, 1865. Returning to his home in Whiteside county, Illinois, Mr. Fenton continued to COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY 573 reside there until 1871, when he came to York county, Nebrastca, and secured the homestead now occupied by his son, the subject of this sketch. He built one of the first two-story sod houses in this locality, and into it moved his family the following year. The year of his arrival he broke some prairie, and in 1872 raised a crop upon forty acres, but he was not long per- mitted to enjoy his new home, for death claimed him in 1874. His wife survived him many years, dying in December, 1896. Both were earnest and faithful members of the United Brethren church, and he took quite an active part in its work. In their family were four children, who are still liv- ing: Frank, Harriet, Lizzie, wife of George Goodwin, by whom she has five children — Lloyd, Clara, Ira, Ivy Rose and George — • and Fred, who completes the family. Since his father's death Frank Fenton has had charge of the home farm, and has met with a well deserved success in its man- agement. The place consists of one hun- dred and si.xty acres, of which one hundred and twenty acres are now under excellent cultivation, the result of his persistent effort and untiring industry. He is interested in stock raising as well as general farming, and thoroughly understands both branches of his business. He is one of the leading members of the United Brethren church, in which he has served as a class leader. He has held the office of school director in dis- trict No. 35, and is at present road over- seer of his township, the duties of which he is most satisfactorily discharging. GEORGE HAHN.— Mr. Hahn belongs to the sturdy farmer-folk who have gone through fire and flood to redeem the state from the wilderness, and make it the garden spot of the west. He possesses a fine farm of over four hundred acres in Linwood township, section 30, where he established himself under the homestead law in 1871, and where he still makes his home. George Hahn was born in Chambers- burg, Pennsylvania, in 1842. His parents, George and Elizabeth Hahn, were of German nativity, but their home had been in America since 1828, and they married in St. Louis, from which point they had gone east to Chambersburg. Previous to his marriage the senior Hahn had been em- ployed in a store, at Natchez, Mississippi. He led an adventurous career, and is still living in Louisa county, Iowa, where he re- moved his family and made his home in 1850. The subject of this writing was still a mere lad at the outbreak of the Civil war, but he did not long delay his response to the nation's call for aid, enlisting in Sep- tember, 1 86 1, and was enrolled in Company K, Eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The following spring he was wounded in his first fight, and sent to the hospital. He returned to duty the day before the evacua- tion of Corinth, and was on picket when the retreat of the Confederate army was discovered. Mr. Hahn participated in many of the most important engagements of the war. He was at luka, Mississippi, charged on Vicksburg, and fought at Raymond, Brandon, and at Memphis. He was at New Orleans, and assisted in the capture of the Spanish Fort. The declaration of peace found him at Montgomery, Alabama, but he continued in the army for nearly a year thereafter, as an agent of the Freedmen's Bureau, at Tuskego, in that state. Mr. Hahn was sent north and mustered out of the government service at Davenport, Iowa, May 9, 1866. The war-worn veteran betook himself to his paternal home in Louisa county, where he remained for a year, when he was mar- ried in February, 1867, to Miss Sarah Eliza- beth Krahl, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Peter and Susan Krahl. There they remained until 1871, when, at- 574 COMPENDUrM OF BIOGRAPI/r. tracted by the glowing reports of the possi- bilities of Nebraska, Mr. and Mrs. Hahn with all their effects came into this state. They reached Butler county in September of that year, bringing with them three horses and si.\ cows, and immediately pro- ceeded to the erection of the first frame house in that part of the country. It was but a modest structure, 14x24 feet, but it was regarded as a palace in that day. It is still standing, and is part of the present residence of the family. To show the fer- tility of the soil, it might be mentioned that there are trees on his farm which are now twenty-four inches in diameter, that were then set out as slips. His original home- stead entry of one hundred and sixty acres has been added to until he now own four hundred acres, a highly cultivated and re- markably fertile farm. Mr. and Mrs. Hahn have here a very pleasant home, with handsome buildings, and are greatly respected in every relation of life. They are the parents of an inter- esting family of seven children, of whom three, Harley S., Susan and Mary, were born in Iowa. The other four, William F. , Alta, Lewis and George, Jr. , are natives of this county. He takes an active part in all local affairs, and is a stanch Republican. He has served as a commissioner of the county, and was a candidate for the state legislature, but without election. The re- action was too strong to stem, though he made a gallant fight against odds. He be- longs to the Ancient Order of the United Workmen, and Lincoln post. No. 10, G. A. R. He is recognized as one of the leading farmers of this region, and is well known throughout the county. JAMES B. CARLISLE is one of the leading and representative citizens of York county who devote their energies to agricultural pursuits and are meeting with excellent success in their chosen calling. He is a native of Indiana, born in Noble county, in 1S57, and is a son of George W. and Rebecca (Richards) Carlisle, who were married in Ohio, November 24, 1846. The father's only brother went to Kansas at an early day and was one of the Indian trad- ers of that territory long before the state was admitted to the Union. He is now a resident of Toronto, Woodson county, Kan- sas. During the Mexcian war, George W. Carlisle manifested his patriotism by en- listing in one of the Ohio Volunteer regi- ments. When a young man he was often employed in driving cattle and hogs to east- ern markets, traveling on the great national pike which passed through Ohio and West Virginia, to Baltimore, Maryland. He was one of the poineers of Noble county, Indi- ana, and from a heavily timbered tract he developed a good farm, in the meantime living principally on wild game and corn bread. In 1S65 he removed to Marshall county, the same state, and again settled in the midst of the forest, where the same pro- cess was gone through with an ax and mat- tock hoe before planting the cereals was a possibility. He died upon that farm in 1881, at the age of sixty-one years, his wife in 1897, at the age of seventy-three. They were the parents of nine children, seven sons and two daughters, who in order of birth are as follows: John A., Mary J., Thomas R. , Galucia, M., James B., and Jahugh B., twins, George W., Rescadela P. and Hiram V. Our subject is the fifth child. On leaving his father's home James B. Carlisle went to Toulon, Illinois, where he lived for four years, during which time he became acquainted with Miss Laura B. Jackson, and they were married. Her father, John Jackson, was a native of Ohio, and a pioneer of Illinois, where he married Miss Ann Mahany, on the 14th of October, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAmr. 575 1857. The nationality of their ancestors is unknown, but it is supposed that the Mahanys were originally from Ireland. For many generations both families have been tillers of the soil. Mr. Jackson had two brothers, Jacob and William, who were members of an Illinois regiment during the Civil war, were honorably discharged and are now worth}' of pensions from the United States government. Mrs. Carlisle is second in order of birth in a family of five children, the others being as follows: Lydia Ellen, William A., Ursula A. and John M. She was born in 1S61, and by her marriage has become the mother of seven children, namely: William S., Watt, Cora, Flora J., Fred, Walter and Roy, twins. On the 1st of March, 1885, Mr. Carlisle and wife left their farm near Toulon, Illi- nois, and made their way across the "Big Muddy" at Plattsmouth, to York county, Nebraska, and settled upon the southwest quarter of section i, township 11, range 4 west, where he at once commenced break- ing prairie and planting trees. He now has one of the finest orchards in the county, containing si.\ hundred apple trees of the best modern grafts, which in the shape of luscious fruit is beginning to yield a return for the care and labor bestowed upon it. He also has a peach orchard of two hundred trees, and cherries and plums in abundance, having raised during the year 1897 about forty bushels of plums alone. In his social relations, Mr. Carlisle is identified with the Ancieni Order of United Workmen, and both he and his wife belong to the Degree of Honor. For the past decade they have been faithful members of the United Brethren church, and are alive to the best interests of humanity and of the neighborhood in which they reside. Mr. Carlisle is a representative of a family of Jeffersonian Democrats, but of late years he has cast his ballot with the People's party, which at present is the dominant party in Nebraska. Among his cherished possessions is an old gun with which his father used to hunt in Indiana during pioneer days. DANIEL AXLINE, one of the leading farmers of precinct N, Seward county, Nebraska, was born on the 22nd of June, 1856, in Putnam county, Illinois, and is a son of Aaron and Ann (Street) Axline, and a grandson of Jacob and Tracy Street. At an early day his father located in Putnam county, Illinois, and from there removed to Marshall county, that state, where he pur- chased four eighty-acre tracts of land and engaged in farming until within three years of his death, which occurred in the autumn of 1884, when in his seventy-fourth year. In his family were seven children, namely: JohnW., Kate, Theodore, Clara A., Mary E., Clarence A. and Daniel, all of whom are married and have homes of their own. The boyhood and youth of Daniel Ax- line were passed on his father's farm, where he remained until his marriage, on the 22d of February, 1877, Miss Mary Evangeline Horner becoming his wife. She was born in La Salle county, Illinois, and they had been acquainted for about si.x years. Her father, James Horner, was a native of the north of Ireland, and when a lad of eight years was brought to the new world by his parents, John and Jane (Spears) Horner, who settled in Illinois about twenty-four miles north of Chicago, which at that time was only a small village on a wet prairie. There James Horner grew to manhood and married Miss Almira Angeline Day, who was born near Rome, Oneida county, New York. He was one of a family of nine chil- dren, si.x sons and three daughters, in order of their birth being as follows: Mary, James, William, David, John, Amos, Loftus, Eliza and Laura Jane. Mr. and Mrs. Horner re- moved to La Salle county, Illinois, where Mrs. A.vline was born, June 10, 1853, and 576 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. attended the common schools, completing her education, however, in the high school of the city of Wenona, Illinois. She is the third in order of birth in a family of eight children, the others being as follows: Jo- sephine, Thomas, IdaF., Delbert J., Grant W., Eddie D. and Ira S. With the ex- ception of Grant W., who makes his home with Mr. and Mrs. Axline, all are married and have good homes of their own. For nine years after his marriage Mr. Axline engaged in agricultural pursuits upon one of his father's farms in Illinois, and then loading his effects into cars started for Seward county, Nebraska. Here, they lo- cated on a farm on section 25, precinct N, belonging to Mrs. Axline's father, and to its cultivation and improvement he has de- voted his energies with marked success. Five children have come to brighten the home, namely: James H., Ida L., Laura I., Ernest R. and Oral D., who are still un- der the parental roof and are able assistants of their parents in the work of the house and fields. Mr. and Mrs. Axline take an active interest in every enterprise calculated to advance the moral, educational and ma- terial welfare of the community, and are recognized as valued and useful citizens of sterling worth and strict integrity. JACOB L. HINER, the proprietor of a neat and well kept farm on section 20, West Blue township, York county, is one of the men in whose coming to the state all good people of Nebraska might well rejoice. He has devoted his life to agriculture, and his career should teach the boys to stand by the farm. When he came to the state he had a span of old horses, and five dollars in money. Three of these dollars went to pay the cost of preemption and the other two bought eight bushels of corn. And from this exceedingly unpromising condition he has won a modest fortune. Mr. Hiner was born in Ripley county, Indiana, January 31, 1845, and was a son of George and Margaret (Funkhouser) Hiner. His father was a native of Indiana, but his mother came from Pennsylvania. They moved to Appanoose county, Iowa, in 1849, and settled on prairie land. She died there, but he lived until 1887, when he died in Nebraska. Jacob Hiner was born and bred a farmer. He attained his majority on the Iowa farm, and began a career for himself by working out among the neighboring farmers. He wedded Miss Susan Ford in 1870. She was a native of Vermillion county, Indiana, where she was born October 2, 1849. Her parents were Jacob and Catherine (Jordan) Ford, and her father was a native of Ohio, and her mother of Kentucky. He brought the family to Iowa in 1853, and died in August, 1897, at Exeter, Nebraska. Her mother is still living, and is tenderly cher- ished by her children and grandchildren. In 1872 Mr. and Mrs. Hiner came into Ne- braska, and settled where they are now to be found. There beginnings were humble, and such as fitted in with the simple life of the community. For seven years they lived in a sod house, and in 1880 moved into their present comfortable and pleasing residence. In 1872 Mr. Hiner raised some sod corn, and the next year quite a crop of wheat. He rented a quarter section and raised corn on it. In 1874 he raised a large crop of wheat, and had the best intentions regard- ing corn, but the grasshoppers anticipated his purpose in that direction, and cleaned out the corn fields thoroughly. He now owns two hundred and forty acres, of which one hundred and eighty is under thorough cultivation. He carries on general farming, and is interested in Durham cattle and Poland-China hogs. Mr. and Mrs. Hiner have seven children now living. Mary Styer is the oldest daughter, is married, lives in Thurston county, and is the mother COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 577 of two children, Elsie and Willard. John W., the oldest son, is unmarried. Minerva Lafferty has her home in York county, and is the mother of one daughter, Zelma. The other younger children are Clerinda, Nevada, Amy and Vertie. One child, Florence, died in early life. He and his wife are members of the Christian church, of which he has been an official and a devoted member for many years. He advocates free silver, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at E.xeter. He has been road supervisor, and is a member of the school board of district No. 7. He is regarded as an honorable man, and is respected through- out the country. EDMUND SHREFFLER owns and operates a fine farm of one hundred and si.xty acres in Stanton precinct, Fillmore county, it being the northwest quarter of section 4, which he has transformed from a wild, unbroken, tract of prairie land into rich and fertile fields under excellent culti- vation. He is numbered among the self- made men of the county, having come here empty-handed, and his accumulations are the result of his own industry, enterprise and good management. He came to the county in the fall of 1870, and since that time this has been his field of operations and the center of his interests and hopes. Mr. Shreffler was born in Hicksburg, Perry county, Pennsylvania, July 23, 1824, a son of William and Mary Shreffler, who died in Illinois, the former in 1852, at the age of fifty-two years, the latter in 1875, ^t the age of seventy-five, and both were buried in Hinkle cemetery. Our subject re- ceived a limited common-school education, the greater part of his boyhood and youth being spent in making shingles and rails. At the age of twelve he removed with his parents to Juniata county, Pennsylvania, and on the 7th of June, 1846, the family started for Peoria, Illinois, where they ar- rived on the 23d"of that month. There our subject and his father worked in a cooper shop. On the 17th of January, 1850, Mr. Shreffler was united in marriage with Mary E. Gish, who was born in Pennsyl- vania, July 17, 1834, a daughter of Isaiah and Sarah (Mattox) Saylor, she being the oldest in their family of thirteen children. Both parents have been dead many )'ears. To our subject and his wife were born twelve children, but six died in infancy. The others are William, who is unmarried and lives in Colorado; Raphael K., who is mar- ried and lives in Fillmore county; Wesley, who is married and lives in Cheyenne, Wy- oming; Lydia, wife of F. Deal, the present superintendent of the poor farm of Fillmore county; Sarah, a resident of Oklahoma, and Minnie, a resident of Fillmore county, Nebraska. A grandson and granddaughter now live with our subject. After his marriage Mr. Shreffler contin- ued to work at his trade as a cooper until February 23, 1865, when he enlisted in Company B, Seventh Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, under Captain Cosgrove, and with his company proceeded at once to the front, by rail and foot, going from Peoria to Springfield, and on to Lafayette, Indiana; Toledo, Summerville and Cleveland, Ohio; Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester, Albany and New York City; then to Morehead City, Newbury, Goldsboro, Raleigh and Alex- andria, and from there back to Cincinnati, Parkersburg, and Louisville, Kentucky. From Louisville the regiment proceeded to Evansville, Ind., then to Camp Butler, In- dianapolis, from which place they were or- dered back to Washington, District of Co- lumbia, to participate in the grand review. Returning to Louisville, they were dis- charged July 9, 1865, and at Camp Butler were mustered out. After the war Mr. Shreffler continued to 578 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. make his home in Peoriac ounty, Illinois, un- til September 22, 1869, when he decided to try his fortune in Nebraska, and, by wagon, he and his family, then numbering nine per- sons, came to this state, landing in Saline county, November i. The following spring, however, he came to Fillmore county, and secured a homestead on the northwest quarter of section 4, Stanton precinct. In the fall the family located on his claim, making their home for three years in a dug- out. A sod house was then constructed, and in that they lived comfortably for the following three years, it being replaced at the end of that time by a good frame resi- dence. In his efforts to make for himself and his family a home, Mr. Shreffler had to contend with years of drought and grass- hoppers, besides other trials and difficulties incident to pioneer life, but at length pros- perity seemed to smile upon his efforts, and he now has a comfortable home and com- petence. Although seventy-five years of age, he is still hale and hearty and able to manage his fdrm, doing much of the work himself. Socially he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and religious- 1}' has been a faithful member of the Mis- sionary Baptist church for some years. He is not identified with any political party, but by his ballot endeavors to support the best man for the office. HENRY H. BRABHAM, deceased, was for a quarter of a century one of the prominent and representative farmers of York county. In his life span of almost si.xty years he accomplished much and left behind him an honorable record well worthy of perpetuation. He was a man of the highest respectability, and those who were most intimately associated with him speak in unqualified terms of his sterling integrit}', his honor in business and his fidelity to all the duties of public and private life. He was faithful to his church, to his country and to his friends, and in his home was a most exemplary husband and father. His death, which occurred January 21, 1897, occasioned the deepest regret throughout the community, and York county thereby lost one of its most valued citizens. His portrait appears on another page of this volume. Mr. Brabham was born in Morgan county, Ohio, March 14, 1838, a son of John and Elizabeth (Powers) Brabham, who had removed to that state from Penn- sylvania at an early day and there spent their remaining years. Our subject was reared and educated in Washington county, Ohio, and there followed farming and also worked some at the cooper's trade in early life. On the 28th of September, 1861, he manifested his patriotism by enlisting in Company H, Seventy-seventh Ohio Volun- teer Infantrj-, and was in the service for three years and three months, participating in the battle of Shiloh and many other en- gagements of less importance. While doing duty as a train guard in Arkansas, he was shot in the leg. He was honorably dis- charged December 22, 1864, with the rank of second sergeant. At the close of the war Mr. Brabham went to Moultrie count) , Illinois, where he made his home for seven 3ears, coming to York count}', Nebraska, in the fall of 1872, and taking up a homestead on section 32, Arborville township, on which he located the following spring. His first home here was a dugout, later he lived in a sod house for one year, and then erected a good frame house, in which the family still reside. He broke and improved his land, and at his death left a good farm of three hundred and twent}' acres, under a high state of cul- tivation and supplied with good and sub- stantial buildings. On July 30, 1863, Mr. Brabham wedded Miss Margaret J. Fisher, a daughter of John HENRY H. BRABHAM, Deceased. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr. 581 and Margaret (Short) Fisher, natives of Il- linois. Four children blessed this union, namely: Edward F. ; John H. ; George W., deceased; Elizabeth J. Mr. Brabham was an earnest Christian gentleman, and as a local preacher in the Methodist Episco- pal church he exercised a great influence for good in his community. His political support was always given the Republican part}-, but he never cared for the honor or emoluments of public office. Mrs. Brab- ham is an estimable lady, of many sterling qualities, and has a large circle of friends in York county. ALPHA DIVAN a prominent representa- ti\e of the agricultural interests of Seward county and also one of its honored pioneers, was born in Green county, Wis- consin, on the 15th of December, 1854. His father, Walter Divan, was born in Ohio, February 22, 1820, was educated in the public schools of his native state, and learned the carpenter's trade in connection with farming. At the age of twenty he re- moved to Wisconsin with his parents and there met and married Miss Mary Hack- worth. Seven children were born of this union, but only four are now living, two sons and two daughters, namely: Sarah, now the wife of G. W. Donley, a jeweler, of Seward, Nebraska; Ella, wife of Joseph Stall, of Milford, Nebraska, Charley, a resi- dent of Chicago, Illinois; and Alpha, our subject. The parents are now living re- tired in Seward, the father at the age of si.\ty-nine years, the mother at the age of seventy-one. It was in 1874 that they em- igrated from Wisconsin to Nebraska, arriv- ing in Seward county, July 2, and the father purchased a tract of land from the Burling- ton & Missouri River Railroad, at $8 per acres. To the cultivation and improve- ment of his place he devoted his energies with marked success until 1881, when he removed to Seward and has since rented the farmto different parties until si.\ years ago, when our subject took charge of the same. On the arrival of the family in this region the town of Seward had been started, but the homesteaders were living in dugouts and sod houses, while engaged in breaking their land, and the first home of the Divans was a log house. In the quarter of a century they have resided here, however, they have witnessed many changes; the deer no longer roam over the prairies and the rude homes of the pioneers have been replaced by sub- stantial frame residences, and the wild land has been converted into rich and produc- tive farms. Alpha Divan is indebted to the common schools of Wisconsin for his educational privileges, and early in life he also obtained an excellent knowledge of every depart- ment of agriculture. He was twenty years of age at the time of the removal of the family to this state, and four years later he purchased eighty acres of land at eight dollars per acre and began life for himself. In 1890 he bought a forty acre-tract for thirty dollars per acre, and is now the owner of an excellent farm, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and im- proved with good buildings. Politically, he is now a Populist, but c ast his first vote for U. S. Grant, the Republican presidential nominee. His father is a supporter of the Republican party. At the age of twenty-four years Mr. Divan was united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Neihardt, by whom he has six children; May, Walter, Grace, Bonnie, Fay and Roy, who are being well educated in the schools of Seward county. Mrs. Divan's father, Isaac Neihardt, was a na- tive of Ohio, and in early life married Miss Catherine Rogers, by whom he had three children, two daughters, Emma, a resident of Seward, and Mary C, and one son, who died at the age of three years. The par- 582 COMPEXDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. ents are now conducting a hotel in Seward, and the father is sixty-three years of age, the mother fifty-nine, and both enjoy good health. During his early manhood he lived in Arkansas and while there was nominated for congress and only lacked one vote of being elected. He is an ardent Re- publican in politics; and since coming to Ne- braska has served as sheriff of Seward county for two terms with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his con- stituents. He entered the service of his country during the Civil war as a private soldier, and for meritorious conduct on field of battle was promoted to the rank of cap- tain. EDWARD D. RUSSELL, a worthy rep- resentative of the agricultural interests of York county, has made his home on sec- tion 2, Hays township, since August, 1872, and is therefore numbered among its honor- ed pioneers as well as highly esteemed citizens. He was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, April 3, 1850, a son of Daniel and Har- riet (Eggleson) Russell, natives of Michigan, who removed to Jefferson county, Iowa, at an early day, locating near Glasgow. There the father followed his trade of wagon-mak- ing until coming to Nebraska. The family took up their residence here August 20, 1872, the father filing a homestead claim to eighty acres, on which our subject now lives. There he died in 1875, and his wife passed away in 1887. During the first summer here they lived in a dugout, but the follow- ing fall a large sod house, eighteen by twenty-two feet, was erected, in which the family lived for several years. Reared in the country of his nativity, Edward D. Russell had the advantages of a good common-school education. He ac- companied his parents on their removal to this state, and still occupies the old home- stead. On their arrival there were many Indians in this region, but were not trouble- some, only by their persistent begging. While the family endured many hardships incident to life on the frontier, they still had many enjoyable times, as all the settlers were very neighborly, shucking bees and dancing being quite common, though they usually danced on dirt floors, as the major- ity were of that kind. The nearest market was at Beaver Crossing, a distance of twenty miles, and our subject has often carried a sack or two of flour or meal from the mill at that place. In 1886 he erected a good frame house upon the farm, and in the fall of 1897 remodeled it, making a most com- fortable and attractive home. The farm now comprises one hundred and sixty acres of land under a high state of cultivation. In I 878, Mr. Russell led to the marriage altar Miss Mary Hutchinson, a native of Iowa, and a daughter of Jonathan and Abbie (Ableton) Hutchinson, who were also pioneers of York county, homesteading land in Hays township in 1871. To our subject and his wife were born three children: Archie and Frank, and one that is dead. Mr. Russell's first wife died in 1883. He was again married in 1886 to Bell Dulavy, a native of Jefferson county, Iowa. They both belong to the M. E. church at Mc- Cool, and Mr. Russell belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen at that place. ANDREW J. NEWMAN is the present clerk of the district court of York county, and one of the most popular and able public officials in that part of the state. Mr. Newman was born in Harrison county, Indiana, January 25, 1852, and is a son of John S. and Amanda (Wright) Newman, natives respectively of Virginia and Penn- sylvania, and of German descent. John Newman was a merchant and later a river pilot. He died in 1868, at Mauckport, In- diana. Amanda Newman died in Mauck- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 583 port five years later, leaving five children, of whom our subject was the fourth in point of birth. The latter was educated in his native county, and when a young man took up the insurance business at Mauckport, Indiana, where he also became a justice of the peace. He held this office four years, meanwhile accepting all manner of insur- ance risks in Indiana and Kentucky, and in 1876 removed to southern Kansas, where he remained about a year. In the fall of 1877 he settled in York, Nebraska, and traveled for a mercantile house two years, and then went into the farm machinery trade with Mr. J. H. Hamilton, the firm name being Newman & Hamilton. This partnership continued until 1883, when Mr. Newman was appointed clerk of the district court. The same fall he was elected to this office, and has since been returned to the same position no less than four times, a most gratifying testimonial to his popu- larity and excellent administration of affairs. Mr. Newman has also served as a justice of the peace and as deputy sheriff, and is politically a Republican. On the 6th of September, 1875, Mr. Newman married Miss Newell Gwartney, a resident of Harrison county, Indiana, and a daughter of Thomas and Mary Gwartney. Mr. and Mrs. Newman are the parents of four children — Otis M., Mary A., Anna L. , and Wright, all of whom are living. HOLLY M. MILLS, M. D., who was the first resident physician of Polk county, is now successfully and extensively engaged in the practice of his profession in Osceola. He has attained to distinction in the line of his profession, is an earnest and discrimi- nating student thereof, and holds a position of due relative precedence among the med- ical practitioners of this section of the state. His career has been one of signal usefulness and honor, and the success which has crowned his efforts is the merited reward of resolute purpose, untiring energy and laud- able ambition. Dr. Mills was born in Wayne county, New York, November 13, 1834, a son of Dr. Caleb and Betsey (Pearce) Mills, who were also natives of the Empire state, the father being a well known physician of Wayne county, a representative of the eclectic school. He served as a surgeon in the war of 1812, and his father. Colonel Peter Mills, a native of Scotland, who came to America in colonial days, fought for the independence of the nation in the war of the Revolution. About 1842 Dr. Caleb Mills removed with his family to Calhoun county, Michigan, locating ten miles south of Marshall on a farm which was operated by the sons, while the father engaged in the practice of his chosen profession. He died in Calhoun county, July 24, 1867, and his wife passed away February 21, 1871. They were the parents of eleven children, all of whom reached majority, namely: Ira, Matilda, Riley, George, Huldah, Caleb and Wesley, all now deceased; Holly M. ; Alluron; Roland, who was killed in the battle of the Wilderness in 1864; and Al- zina, deceased. Three sons loyally served their country in the war of the Rebellion — George, Holly M. and Roland. The Doctor was reared to manhood in Michigan and became imbued with the true western spirit of progress and enterprise. He was educated at Hillsdale College, and started out in life for himself at the age of fifteen years, working as a farm hand through the summer months. In the win- ter season he continued his education, and on the completion of his literary course he prepared for the practice of medicine as a student in the Cincinnati Eclectic College, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1861. In that year the coun- try became involved in civil war. Like his father and grandfather. Dr. Mills, with pa- 584 COMPENDIU.^r OF BIOGRAPHT. triotic ardor, offered his services to tlie gov- ernment, enlisting as a private in Company B, Eleventh Michigan Infantry. Soon, however, he was detailed as hospital stew- ard for the regiment, was promoted briga- dier hospital steward, and later general field hospital steward. He served with the army of the Cumberland, and in addition to his regular duties he often aided at the amputating table and in care of the sick. He remained at the front for more than three years, participated in all the battles of his regiment, and at Stone River re- ceived a wound in the left side from a spent musket ball, the field hospital being then between the two lines. At that engage- ment he was captured by General Lidell, of the First Arkansas brigade, but was recap- tured within an hour. Returning to Michigan at the close of the war, he began the practice of medicine in Branch county, where he remained until his emigration to Nebraska, in 1870. He located and improved a homestead north- east of Osceola, and in 1875 took up his residence in the town where he has since made his home. He was the first resident practicing physician of Polk county and still stands first in point of ability. He has al- ways been a close student of his profession and thereby keeps abreast with the advance- ment made in the science. Deep humani- tarian sympathies and a sincere love of his profession prompt him to respond to every call from the sick and suffering, whether it comes from humble or great, rich or poor, and thus he has won the respect and deep gratitude of many. The Doctor was married, October 2, 1895, to Mrs. Anna L. Lathrop, ucc Web- ster, a native of Lycoming county, Penn- sylvania, born October 22, 1861, and a daughter of Charle.s S. Webster, a resident of Polk county, Nebraska. By her former marriage Mrs. Mills had a daughter, Clara O. , born July 27, 1885, and the Doctor has an adopted son, Hawley H. Mills, who was born September 30, 1880, and is still pur- suing his education. Dr. and Mrs. Mills hold membership in the Methodist Episco- pal church, in which he is a very active worker. He is also an exemplary repre- sentative and charter member of the Ma- sonic lodge, of Osceola. His life has been one of signal usefulness and honor. Free from ostentation, he is kindly in manner, genial in disposition and very entertaining and companionable when among his close friends. His history is that of a man who has, step by step, advanced to a high posi- tion among the most honored and respected citizens of Polk county. WILLIAM BEATTY is one of the old settlers and representative farmers and stock raisers of New York township, York county, and has been quite a con- spicuous figure in the development and ex- tension of the agricultural interests of the community in which he has made his home for more than a quarter of a century. Mr. Beatty was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, June 6, 1826, a son of George and Mary Ann('Mahlon)Beatty,both of whom were natives of Ireland. The parents came to America in 1820 and settled first in Penn- sylvania, but later moved to Illinois and made their home in Marshall county. They afterward mo\ed to Marshall county, Iowa, where the}' both died. The father was a farmer and followed that occupation all his life. They reared a family of ten sons and one daughter, but only three sons are now li%'ing. William Beatty, the subject of this sketch, was educated in Illinois, and began working on the farm when quite young. He made his home with his parents until twent3'-five years of age, and then began life for himself. He lived in Iowa until 1872 and then moved to York county Nebraska, COMrEXDIUM OF BIOGRAPIir. 585 took a homestead in New York township and is still making his residence on that farm. Since living; here he has placed upon it all of the improvements which now add so much to its appearance and value. His first home, however, was a dug-out, but after a time, in order keep abreast of the advance of civilization, he supplanted this humble domicile with a sod house, and this likewise finally had to give place to a frame house. Although Mr. Beatty has claimed his residence in this township since his first settlement here, he went to the state of Washington in 1889 and spent three years there for the improvement of his health. In 1852 Mr. Beatty was married in Mar- shall county, Illinois, to Miss Lovina Brum- sey, a native of North Carolina and a daughter of John and Susanah Brumsey, both natives of North Carolina. The father was a ship builder by occupation, but after moving with his family to Illinois, in 1833, he followed the occupation of farming. Our subject and Mrs. Beatty are the parents of a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters, as follows: Carnie A.; Elmira A., now Mrs. L. Allcock; Benjamin, Mary F. , Andrew J., Francis C. and Joshua. The family are all members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. In political views Mr. Beatty is a Republican, and under that administration served as the second post- master at Thayer. He is one of the sub- stantial representative men of New York township, having been one of its early set- tlers, endured the hardships and privations of pioneer life, the devastations of the grass- hoppers, but in spite of all he has become one of its prosperous citizens, and has done much to aid in its growth and development. ROBERT LOCKWOOD is one of the leading farmers of Butler county, and has a fertile and thoroughly cultivated farm of three hundred and sixty acres in Bone Creek township, which takes in the better part of section 35. Like Cesar, he could tell the story of the making of the county, and say, " all of which I saw, and part of which I was." For more .than thirty years he has found his home in this county, and through all his ex- periences has never lost faith in its future. He is prominent and influential, and his neighbors repose much confidence in his good judgment. They elected him as a member of the first county board, and would have used his services for the public good had his own disposition harmonized with their desire. Mr. Lockwood is a Democrat, and takes his part of the common political responsibility, but he neither seeks nor desires office. He is content to follow his own work, and devote himself to his farm, and the honors and rewards of political life fall to those who seek the satisfaction their acquirement brings. Mr. Lockwood was born in Erie county, Ohio, in 1828, where his father, Eleazer Lockwood, had long been living. This gentleman was a native of New York, but had accompanied his parents to Canada, when only eight years old. He was mar- ried in Canada, and very soon after that interesting event came back to the United States and settled in Erie county, Ohio, where young Robert was born, and where he spent the years of his boyhood and early manhood. There he was married in 1849 to Miss Melinda Smith. The young couple sought a better opportunity in the farther west, and made a brief stop in Indiana. They pushed farther west, and when Mr. Lockwood was twenty-eight years old they found a home in Ogle county, Illinois, near Byron. It was on the Rock river, and was a charming and beautiful location. Mr. Lockwood was living on his river home when the Civil war broke out, and without hesitation responded to the call of 586 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. his imperilled country. He enlisted in Company B, Ninety-second Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, and gallantly served two years with the colors. He participated in a number of the fiercest battles of the west, and passed alive through the horrors of Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Franklin, and Resaca, Georgia. He was with Sherman on that glorious march through Georgia down to the sea, and was throughout the war a valiant and daring soldier. With the dawn of peace Mr. Lockwood came back to Ogle county, and promptly resumed peace- ful labors. The war-worn soldier concluded that land along the Rock river was too valuable for him to hold at this time, and in 1866 disposedof it at a good price. He left Illinois with a team and wagon and made the jour- nej' overland to Butler county bringing with him three cows. It was a weary but pleas- ant journey for the Lockwood family, and by the time Butler county was entered, they were ready to settle down upon the first in- viting tract that fell under their observation. He secured eighty acres under the home- stead law, and upon it erected one of the very first log dwellings, with a shingle roof, ever seen in this region. He hauled lumber for it from Plattsmouth and Nebraska City, which was unusually high in price. Cotton- wood lumber cost eighty dollars per thou- and feet, and the best grades of timber com- manded almost fabulous prices. The first year he planted sod corn and broke up much of the farm. The ne.xt year he raised and sold six hundred and fifty-one bushels of wheat, which brought him from one dollar to one dollar and twenty-five cents a bushel. To sell it to dealers in Columbus he had to swim his horses across the Platte river, the country was so lacking in roads and bridges at that time. Coming here in an early day, and before the organization of Butler county, Mr. Lockwood was present at the first begin- ning of the county's history. He served on the first election board, and from the first has taken an active part in every measure for the improvement of the county. Mrs. Lockwood died in March, 1892. They had five children, three of whom are now living Edwin S., Ezra B., and Frances R., now Mrs. W. J. Evans. JOSEPH RUNNALLS, who occupies a fine and well-improved farm on section II, McFadden township, York county, is numbered among the well-to-do farmers of the community, who from a small beginning has built up one of the best homesteads in the township. He is a self-educated as well as a self-made man, but has always made the most of his advantages, has avail- ed himself of the most approved methods of carrying on agriculture and stock-raising, and due success has not been denied him. Mr. Runnalls was born in Cornwall, Eng- land, in November, 1840, a son of William and Mary (Thomas) Runnalls, also natives of England, where they lived and died, the former being a blacksmith by trade. As his parents were in limited circumstances, our subject was obliged to earn his own live- lihood at an early age, and was unable to read or write when he left England at the age of eighteen years to seek his fortune in the new world, where he believed better op- portunities were afforded ambitious and in- dustrious young men. He first went to Canada, locating at Brockville, near Mon- treal, and afterward learned the miller's trade, which he followed in that country and the United States for nineteen years. In June, 1873, he settled in Seward county, Nebraska, and worked at his trade at Beaver Crossing, one of the first mills in that sec- tion of the state. Subsequently he worked at several other places in Nebraska and Kansas, and in the meantime purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on which COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 587 he now resides, but, not having money to improve it, he continued to engage in mill- ing until 1875, when he located upon the place, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his energies during the summer months for several years, while dur- ing the winter he continued to follow milling. He now has a fine farm under a high state of cultivation and improved with good build- ings. In 1866, Mr. Runnalls was married in Canada to Miss Elizabeth Pelfrey, a native of England, whose parents died in Canada when she was quite young. Mr. Runnalls is independent in politics, voting for the best man at local elections, but at national elec- tions generally supports the Democratic ticket. EMANUEL LINDEBLAD.— Among the influential and prominent agriculturists of Polk county, who are indebted for their present prosperous condition to their own industry and energy, and who have raised themselves in the world from a state of comparative penury to that of ease and com- fort, is the gentleman whose name intro- duces this article. He is engaged in farm- ing, with the attendant stock raising, and is meeting with a well deserved success. His farm is on section 10, township 14, range 3. Mr. Lindeblad was born July 16, 1840, in Guttenburg, Sweden, where he grew to manhood, acquiring during his youth a fair education in his native tongue, and also a knowledge of the tailor's trade, at which he worked from the age of eleven .years until coming to America in 1S61. Landing in New York, he remained in that city for si.\ months and then went to Buffalo, where he worked at his trade for about a year. The following three months were spent in Que- bec, Canada, and from there he removed to Henry, Marshall county, Illinois, where he was employed at his trade for two years. While living there Mr. Lindeblad was mar- ried, in 1 867, to Miss Hannah Jensen, a native of Stockholm, Sweden. In 1869 he came to Nebraska, and after working at his trade in Lincoln for two years, he took up his resi- dence in Polk county, upon land where he still continues to reside. His first home here was a little frame house, the lumber of which cost forty dollars per thousand, and had to be hauled a distance of forty miles with a yoke of cattle. In 1871 he broke forty acres of land and raised some sod corn; the following year raised sod corn and some wheat; in 1873, raised a fair crop; but in 1874 the grasshoppers took everything. During the heavy snow of April, 1873, he was in Lincoln, and his wife being alone on the farm had to take the cattle into the bed- room and kept them there for three days. During their early residence here she would attend to the cattle, and haul the water in a bucket, and help her husband in other ways upon the farm, while he would work by day in the fields, and at night would do tailoring in order to support the family. Prosperity at last crowned their united efforts, and to- day they are the owners of an excellent farm of three hundred and sixty acres, of which all but forty acres have been placed under the plow. Their pleasant residence was erected in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Lindeblad have an inter- esting family of eight children, namely: Alice Amelia, Minnie Constantine, Hilding Junata, Ellen Hannah, Etra Edwina, Jo- seph Ephraim, Arthur Oliver and Esther Oleda. They have attended both English and Swedish schools, are good scholars in both languages, and the family is one of social prominence. Parents and children hold membership in the Lutheran church at Swede Home, with which Mr. Lindeblad has been officially connected. He is a mem- ber of the Scandinavian Mutual Insurance Company, and is an ardent Republican in politics. He is one of the honored pioneers. 588 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr. of the county, his nearest neighbors being nine miles away when he located upon his present farm. With four others he made a trip in a wagon, viewing the country between Seward and Central City, when not a { house was to be seen for fifty or sixty miles. Those early days were filled with many hardships and privations, water had to be hauled a distance of seven miles, but, with the aid of his estimable wife, Mr. Lindeblad overcame all obstacles in his path to suc- cess, and is now one of the well-to-do and highly respected citizens of his community. HENRY SCHMIDT.— Many of the most enterprising and prosperous farmers of York county have come from the land be- yond the sea, and especially is this true of the many who have left their homes in the German empire and taken up their residence here, knowing that in this country better opportunities for advancement were fur- nished ambitious and industrious young men. Among these quite a prominent figure is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, and who makes his home on section 22, Le- roy township. Mr. Schmidt was born in Prussia, De- cember 9, 1834, a son of Gotfreid and Con- cortia (Schmidt) Schmidt, also natives of that country, where the mother died about 1838. The father afterward married a Mrs. Kernstein, and in June, 1857, the\- emigrated to America, with his family, locating on a farm in Lewis county. New York, where both he and his wife lived until their deaths. Our subject was but four years old when he lost his mother, and in his native land, at the age of fourteen years, he was bound out as a shoemaker's apprentice, serving four years in that capacity. At the end of that period he came to the United States, embarking at Liverpool, England, in a sail- ing vessel, and after five weeks upon the ocean, he landed in New York, July 16. 1853. Although alone among strangers and without money, he was not discouraged, for he possessed a great amount of energy and a determination to succeed. He had no trouble in securing work at his trade; in fact, he arrived in the afternoon of one day and was working the next morning. He re- mained in New York city until January, 1854, when he went to Watertown, Jeffer- son county, the same state, but shortly afterward removed to Lowville, Lewis coun- ty. New York, where he remained about four years working at his trade. In March, 1 857, he located in Chicago, but after a short time spent in the city he took up his residence at Blue Island, Cook count}', Illinois, where he worked as a journeyman for several years. On the 24th of April, 1862, in Chicago, Mr. Schmidt wedded Miss Mary Waniata, who was born in Bohemia, Austria, June 9, 1844. Her parents, Wenzel and Fannie (Critofield) Waniata, were also natives of Bo- hemia, whence they came to America in 1853, and settled near Blue Island, Cook county, Illinois. Both died in that county. By trade the father was a tanner. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt are the parents of eleven children; Henry J., who married Ida Apply, of Kansas, and now lives in Wash- ington county, that state; Albert G., who married Ida Kirkendahl and resides in Stockville, Frontier county, Nebraska; Wenzel J., who married Ida Allen and makes his home in Curtis, Nebraska; Tena E., wife of Frank Miller, of Valley Junction, Iowa; Anna B., who died at the age of thirteen years; Fannie R. , wife of John Whisler, of Sydney, Nebraska; Lillie M. , who lives with her sister in Iowa; Charley, who died at the age of six years; Minnie, wife of Thomas Hall, of Nuckolls county, Nebraska, and Carrie A. and Will- iam F., both at home. The first six were born in Illinois, and the others in York county, Nebaska. After his marriage Mr. Schmidt removed COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIir. 589 to Reading, Livingston county, Illinois, where he conducted a shoe shop until com- ing to Nebraska in the fall of 1872, and after pre-emting eighty acres of land in Leroy township, York county, he returned to Illi- nois for his family, who arrived on the i8th of February, 1873. The land was all raw prairie, on which he erected a board shanty 12x20 feet and 6 feet in height, and in this the family lived until the frost was out of the ground and a more commodious dwell- ing could be constructed from sod. A sod stable and granary were also built. Mr. Schmidt's live stock at this time consisted of fourteen chickens, five pigs and a faithful dog, which he brought with him from Illi- nois. By hard work, economy and good management, he has accumulated a com- petence, and now has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres under excellent cul- tivation and improved with a good residence and substantial outbuildings. Mr. Schmidt has been closely indentified with the best interests of his township, is public spirited and enterprising, and for many years has acceptably served as town- ship clerk, and also on the school board. His political support is always given the Republican party, and in his social relations he is a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge in York. He and his wife are also connect- ed with the Presbyterian church of that city, were among its first members, and have always taken an active and prominent part in all church work, giving their influence to all objects for the betterment of their fellow men. ISAIAH W. WATT, a leading agriculturist of Baker township, has his residence on section 8, and is surrounded with the com- forts of modern farm life. Mr. Watt was born December 18, 1846, in Perry county, Ohio, son of Isaac and Ann (Tracy), Watt, both natives of Maryland. Isaac Watt, our 34 subject's father, removed to Perry county, Ohio, with his parents, Joseph and Mary (Hitchcock) Watt, when he was but three years of age. Joseph Watt was of Welsh descent, and was a pioneer of Perry county, Ohio, where he was engaged in farming and where he died. He served as captain of a company in the war of 18 12. Isaac Watt, the father of our subject was reared in Perry county, Ohio, where he was engaged in farming until 1856. At that time he re- moved to Tazewell county, Illinois, where he died December 24, 1895. His wife survives him and still resides in Tazewell county. Isaiah W. Watt born ten years of age when his parents removed to Tazewell county, Illinois. He received his education in the public schools, and supplemented it with a two years' course in the State Nor- mal School at Normal, Illinois. He then followed teaching several years, and in the fall of 1872 removed to Nebraska. He spent the first winter in Pawnee county, and the following summer in Saunders county. In the fall of 1873 he went to York county and purchased 160 acres of railroad lands in section 9, Baker township. This land was all wild and unimproved, and he set vigorously to work to put it in a state of cultivation. He later homesteaded eighty acres in section 8, of the same township, and on this tract he now resides. He has since purchased an additional eighty-acre tract, and now owns three hundred and twenty acres of land in value second to none in York county. Mr. Watt was married July 4th, 1870, to Mary Boblett, who was born near Chilicothe, Ohio, in Ross county. She is a daughter of Noah and Mary (Whipple) Boblett. To Mr. and Mrs. Watt six children have been born, as follows: N. Perley, Agnes A., I. Wesley, John C, Isaiah H. and Ralph M. All the children are receiving the best educational advantages, Agnes having 590 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. graduated from the State Normal School at Peru in 1896, and the four youngest chil- dren are now attending that institution. In political faith Mr. Watt is a free-silver Republican. He is well-known throughout the county, and has served on the county board of supervisors, and as township assessor for several years. JOHN Q. OHLWILER, a public-spirited and enterprising member of the farming community of Seward county, has devoted the greater part of his life to agriculture, in the pursuit of which he has been very fortunate. He is the owner of one of the finest farms in H precinct and enjoys the comfort of a happy household and home. Mr. Ohiwiler was born November 5, 1843, in Erie county, Pennsylvania, and was educated in the common schools of that county. At the age of eighteen years, he entered the United States Navy under Commodore Porter and remained therein about one year. He then returned to his home in Pennsylvania and enlisted in the Si.xth Pennsylvania artillery and served un- til July, 1865. He then went to western Pennsylvania and worked for two years in the oil regions, and from thence migrated to Nebraska in the fall of 1867. In the fol- lowing July he filed a homestead claim to eighty acres in section 8, H precinct, erected a small frame shanty in which he lived the life of a bachelor during the first few years of his stay in Nebraska, or until he got his new farm cultivated and improved. After attaining the age of twenty-eight years, and developing his farm into a fine state of cultivation, and furnishing it with a cozy and attractive home, he invited Miss Margarette Luft to share it with him, and she became his wife March 31, 1872. To this congenial union have been born three children, two of whom, Edith E. and Nellie, are now living. Mr. Ohlwiler's farm now comprises one hundred and sixty acres and the improve- ments on it are above the average. He is a man of strong character and of good busi- ness ability which is the secret of his suc- cess in life. Politically he is a Republican, casting his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln, and socially he affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of America. Frederick and Maryanna (Kuhl) Ohiwi- ler, our subject's parents, were also both natives of the state of Pennsylvania, the former born in Lancaster and the latter in York county. Later they moved to Erie county, of the same state, where they spent the remaining years of their lives on a farm. Mrs. Ohlwiler's parents were born in Ger- many. Her father, John Luft, was four- teen years of age when he migrated to America and located in Ohio. He at once began the occupation of farming, and was thus engaged in that state for several years. While in Ohio, he made the acquaintance of Miss Lena Rasp, who afterward became his wife, and they subsequently moved to Seward county, Nebraska, where the even- ing of their life was passed. DAVID RUNS, one of the most pros- perous, enterprising and extensive farmers of York county, was born in Clin- ton county, Indiana, November 23, 1850. He was a son of Henry and Caroline (Spi- dle) Runs, who were born near Dayton, Ohio. Henry Runs removed to Indiana when he was very young, locating near Del- phi, on a farm. They were among the pio- neers in that region. They cleared a wood- land farm, sold it, moved to Clinton county, and still later to Piatt county, Illinois. Henry Runs became a prosperous farmer in that state, and in 1890 he removed to California, in the company of his brother David, and spent the remainder of his life in well-merited retirement in that state. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 591 dying in 1892. The two bought Lordsburg College for $30,000, which is now owned by David Kuns and the heirs of Henry, who, inherited an estate of $60,000, the re- sult of $1,500 received by Henry Kuns when he was a young man. David Kuns is still living in California, and is a wealthy man, having a property that exceeds $150,- 000. Mrs. Caroline Kuns died in Illinois in 1890. David Kuns was early instructed in hard work, and when a mere lad assisted in clear- ing up the Indiana land, and cultivating the Illinois farm. He had a common-school education, and was thoroughly grounded in the wisdom of farm life. He was indus- trious and proved himself a good manager. When he reached manhood he was put in charge of one of his father's Illinois farms, and made a good start in life. In 1877 he made a trip to this county, and purchased an entire section of railroad land. The Blue river crosses it, and the extensive farm consists of rich bottom land. He paid for it $4, 224 in cash, a transaction that called for all his resources. The following spring he made his home on it, and it was all raw prairie at that time. He built a small house of one room, and began breaking. As the years went by hard work and good manage- ment began to tell, and he now enjoys sat- isfaction in looking back upon a phenome- nally successful career. He has since added to his possessions and now has eight hundred acres in a body, making one of the finest farms in the county. The season of 1898 showed three hundred acres in wheat, two hundred and fifty in corn, and fifty in other small grains. The balance of the farm is devoted to pasture. He deals extensively in stock, and in past years has made a considerable feature of feeding cat- tle. He feeds and ships to eastern markets, some years sending out as many as two hun- dred head. He is now much interested in draft horses. Mr. Kuns was married in 1875 to Miss Catherine Klinzman, a native of Pennsyl- vania. She was brought by her parents to Livingston county, Illinois, when but a child. Her father and mother, Christian and Minnie (Kratz) Klinzman, were natives of Germany and came to this country in 1853. They now reside on a farm near Des Moines, and are both advanced in years. Mr. and Mrs. Kuns are the parents of nine children- Charley, Harvey, Jesse, John, Edith, Ray- mond, Roy, Esther, and Nellie W. Mr. Kuns gives his children every possible ad- vantage in education, and one son, Charley, has already been graduated from the busi- ness department of the Lincoln Normal School. He is a staunch Republican, and a man of the best reputation. He has become one of the most extensive real estate owners of the county, and has over eight hundred acres throughout the west in addition to his York county farm. JOHN H. ADEN, a well known and prosper- ous agriculturist, residing on section 32, Reading township, is one of the early set- tlers of Butler county. He was born in East Friesland, Germany, May 25, 1851, a son of Habbe L. and Tnpke Aden, subjects of the German empire. In. 1866, at the age of fifteen years, John H. Aden came to America. He located in Adams county, Illinois, but five years later determined to try his fortunes further west. Accordingly, in 1871, he moved to Ne- braska, and after careful examination as to the probable resources of the locality, filed a homestead claim to a tract of land in sec- tion 32, Reading township, where he has since made his home. In those pioneer days he had but little money, and it was difficult to 'get any in that portion of Ne- braska. He endured many hardships and privations in the early development and cul- tivation of his land, but he never wavered 592 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. in his determination, and by hard work, close attention to business, and clear judg- ment, he overcame all difficulties, and is to-day one of the most prosperous and prominent farmers in the county, his landed interests being large, his entire holdings comprising some four hundred and eighty acres of the finest lands in Butler county. His present residence was built in 1893 at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars, and the many improvements and conveniences with which he has enhanced his lands are the best evidence of thrift, enterprise, and good judgment that have made him prosperous. Our subject was married in 1881 to Ella Wiesemann, daughter of John Wiese- mann. They are the parents of seven children — four boys and three girls— viz: John, Jr., Frederic, Habbe, Dewey, Mary, Topke, and Paulina. In political sentiment Mr. Aden is a free-silver Democrat, and takes an active interest in the reform movement in politi- cal matters and especially in finances. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is one of strongest pillars of support in his community. MARTIN KULLMAN, a well-known farmer residing on section 21, I pre- cinct, Seward county, has made for himself a home leagues and leagues from his birth- place in the Fatherland. Like hundreds of that class to whose efforts Nebraska owes so much for its development and prosperity, the subject of this history came to this sec- tion of the country armed only with his strong hands and willing heart, and the elements of character which descended to him from a line of honorable ancestry, con- spicuous chiefly for its industry and thrift. Mr. Kullman was born in Germany, Feb- ruary 8, 1839, a son of Martin Luther and Mary (Paulsh) Kullman, who spent their entire lives in that country, the father dying there at the age of seventy-nine years, the mother at the age of seventy-eight years. Our subject was the older son in a family of four children, two sons and two daugh- ters. At the age of six years he entered the common schools of his native land and there pursued his studies until fifteen. He was twenty at the time he entered, for three years, the German army, and after his dis- charge engaged in farming until he was twenty-seven, when he was drafted and served for six months in the war with Austria, where he saw terrible fighting and the butchery of humanity. In 1869, at the age of thirty years, Mr. Kullman led to the marriage altar Miss Anna Shuppan, who was born in Germany, December 23, 1834, and was also educated in the public schools of that country be- tween the ages of six and fourteen years. She was one of the four children born to Martin and Anna (Kreuger) Shuppan, both of whom died and were buried in Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Kullman were born nine children, but only four are now living and make their home in Seward county, Ne- braska. Mary is the wife of Charles Kala; Anna is the wife of Ernst Juda; and Willie and Otto are at home. After his marriage Mr. Kullman con- tinued to engage in agricultural pursuits un- til 1 87 1, when he was again ordered out to fight for his country in the Franco-Prussian war, remaining in the service this time for six months. On his return to his family he renewed his farming operations, but in 1873 he and his family emigrated to America, leaving Bremen, and landing in New York on the 8th of May, after a voyage of four- teen days. He immediately proceeded to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he spent three years, and for five years he operated on a farm in Lancaster county, this state, for grain rent. At the end of that time he pur- chased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land in I precinct, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 593 Seward county, for six dollars and fifty cents per acre, and has since given his time and attention to its improvement and culti- vation with good success, making for him- self and family a very nice and comfortable home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kullman were con- firmed in the Lutheran church at the age of fourteen years and still adhere to that faith. He cast his first presidential ballot for James A. Garfield, but at the present time is a sup- porter of the Democracy. PETER WIENS, M. D., a prominent young physician of Bradshaw, York county, comes from distant Russia, and the fact that he has won so honorable a stand- ing, and is so influential a man in a strange country, shows a sterling manhood. In- deed, push and energy are characteristic of the man, and have done much to command success. Dr. Wiens was born September 3, 1867, in Russia, and is a son of Franz Wiens and Helena (Friesens) Wiens. They came to America when Peter was twelve years old, and settled in this county on the northwest quarter of section 5, township 10, range 4, west. Here he lived with his parents for eight years, and when he was twenty he be- came the head of a household, with Miss Elizabeth Regier as his matrimonial part)ier. She is a daughter of the Reverend John J. Regier, a preacher of the Mennonite Breth- ern church. In about a year from his mar- riage he purchased one hundred and twenty acres on section 34, in Bradshaw township, where he farmed for three years, when he decided to study theology. With this in view, he attended the German Baptist Theo- logical academy, from which he graduated in three years. Becoming interested in scientific study, he was drawn towards the practice of medicine as his life work. He read and studied under the direction of a Rochester physician, R. A. von Allen. He spent a year in the Pulte Medical college, and was in the Cincinnati hospitals two hours a day. He was graduated from the Kansas City Homeopathic college in 1896, after an attendance of two years. He had the privilege of the city hospital, which amounted to actual practice under the criti- cal eye of his instructors. He located in Jefferson county, where he spent a year in practice, but Bradshaw presented more at- tractions and he removed to this place, his old home, where his practice almost im- mediately assumed good proportions, and is steadily growing. Dr. Wiens and his wife have had six children, four of whom are now living. Their names are Maria, Peter Walter, Helena and Elizabeth. They are all at- tending the village public schools. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Mennonite Brethren, a division of the old church. He believes in every man decid- ing for himself the great political questions of the day, and thinks there is but little gained in excessive partisan excitement. NATHANIEL A. DEAN.— The world instinctively pays deference to the man who has risen above his early surroundings, overcome the obstacles in his path and reached a high position in the business world. Mr. Dean, by making the most of his opportunities, has met with due success in his business undertakings, and is now one of the leading real estate dealers of York, as well as one of the honored pioneers ot York county. He is a native of Maryland, born in Alle- ghany county, January 29, 1850, and is a son of Levi and Rachel (Wright) Dean, na- tives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respect- ively. From Maryland the father removed to Pennsylvania, and later to Ohio, where he enlisted, in 1863, in the Twenty-third 594 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but after one year of faithful service on southern battle fields, he was honorably discharged for disability. For some time he served as veterinary sur- geon. After the war he lived for a time in Illinois, but in 1867 became one of the pio- neer settlers of York county, and was prom- inently identified with the early development and prosperity of this region. Here he fol- lowed farming until his death, which oc- curred in 1875. He had a family of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, of whom six sons and three daughters are still living. The mother died in Pennsylvania, in 1897. Nathaniel A. Dean received his early school training in Pennsylvania, and at the age of sixteen entered the State Normal, of Iowa, where he completed his literary edu- cation. In 1868, he came to Nebraska, and after following farming in York county until 1886, he removed to the city of York, where for five years he engaged in merchandising, and has since been interested in the real estate business. Prosperity has crowned his efforts, and he is now one of the substantial citizens of that place. On the 25th of December, 1871, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Dean and Miss Belinda Heller, a resident of York county, and a native of Athens county, Ohio, and seven children have blessed the union, namely; William H., May I., Lula A., L. Eleanor, Richard, Annie and Earl. Mr. Dean and his family are active and prominent members of the United Brethern church, and since 1890 he has served as manager and treasurer of the United Breth- ren college. Socially he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Home Forum, and politically is identified with the Republican party. He is now serving his second term as a member of the city council of York, and he has always faithfully discharged all duties devolving upon him either in public or private life. LIBERTY CLARK.— Wherever there is pioneer work to be done, men of energy and ability are required, and success or failure depends upon the degree ot those qualities that is possessed. In wresting the land of Polk county from its native wilder- ness; in fitting it for the habitation of men; in developing the natural resources of the community in which they live, few if any have contributed more largely than Mr. Clark and the family to which he belongs, and it is meet and proper that for the ardu- ous and important labor he has performed he should receive due reward. He now owns and occupies the old homestead on section 2, township 13, range i, where the family located on first coming to the county. His father, James Clark, was a native of Gloucestershire, England, born in 1826, and when a boy was pressed into the British army, remaining in the service until nineteen years of age. With the army he came to Canada, and then deserted. He was married in that country, in 1850, to Miss Catharine Lezert, who was born near Toronto, in 1830, and in 1851 they came to the United Stats, locating in Baraboo, Wisconsin, where he worked as a mechanic until about i860, when he went to Missouri. After working at his trade in that state for a time, he crossed the plains to Pike's Peak, and during the five years he spent in the west, he built the first house in Cheyenne. He returned to Wisconsin, but in the spring of 1868 again started for the mountains with his family, having two wagons, one drawn by a yoke of oxen, the other by a single horse. They crossed from Iowa into Nebraska at Plattsmouth, thence to Ashland, where they struck the old freighter's trail, but leaving that proceeded to Lincoln, which at that time consisted of only a combination post office and general store, several small shanties and a number of tents. From there they went to the pres- ent site of Seward, intending to strike the COMPENDIUM OF BI0GRAPH2'. 595 old steam wagon route, but Mr. Clark changed his mind and proceeded up the Blue river, with the intention of taking the old freighter's trail at the head of that stream. At the present site of Ulysses he met David Reed, an old ranchman and an Englishman by birth, who persuaded him to stay in this state, and on the tenth day of May, 1868, he and his family located upon the present farm of our subject in Polk county — the first white family to make settlement in Polk county. While he went to Nebraska City to get his land entered, his wife and children lived in a wagon. A sod shed was then built, it being open on the south side and covered with poles and dirt, but it served as their home for six months, while a log house was being erected covered with split ash poles and dirt. Al- though it had no floor and but one window and door, it served as their residence for sev- eral years. Cutting some timber from the place, Mr. Clark hauled it to Ulysses, where it was sawed into lumber and used in the erection of their first frame residence, which still stands near the present home of our subject. The father's cash capital on locat- ing here amounted to only one hundred dollars, and the first season they raised nothing, though they broke some land. An Indian trail crossed the farm, and as the red men still inhabited this region, the boys of the family learned the Pawnee language and used to help the Indians trap beaver, otter, and mink on the Blue river. They also hunted buffalo, deer, antelope and wild turkeys, the buffaloes being old ones, who had been driven from the main herd by the younger ones. They annually went on buffalo hunts, but each year had to go farther and farther from home. They would bring nothing but the silken haired robes and the hind quarters, and by having the Indians do their tanning they saved $2.50 on each robe. The first years spent in Polk county were ones of hardships to the Clark family, the first year their food consisting principally of hominy made from sod corn. The father then left his wife and children on their new farm and again spent five years in the mountains. The second year they planted twenty acres of corn with a single shovel cultivator drawn by a single ox. Having no harness, they cut rawhide into strips for tugs, spliced two old horse collars together for their oxen, and made the rest of the harness out of wood. One boy led the ox while the other held the plow. Among other trials was the grasshopper plague. At the end of five years the father returned, and upon the home farm died February 21, 1875. The mother is still living and now makes her home in Shelby. He was a member of the first Methodist church organized in Polk connty. Their children were Emanuel, now deceased; Liberty; Mrs. Catharine Dunning; George, who was killed by light- ning in April, 1882; Mrs. Emma J. Ludden; and James. Liberty Clark was born May 11, 1855, at Mineral Point, Wisconsin, and was thir- teen years of age when he came to Polk county. He attended the first school here, which was conducted in a dugout by J. A. Giffin, and has been prominently identified with the entire growth and development of this section of the state. He owns the old home farm comprising two hundred acres, all now under a high state of cultivation and well improved, his present comfortable resi- dence having been erected in 1882. On the 23d of September, 1882, Mr. Clark married Miss Loma Kingsolver, who was born in Missouri, August 6, 1863, a daughter of Charles and Nancy (Holbrook) Kingsolver, also natives of that state, and the former of German descent. The father was a member of the Missouri Home Guards during the Civil war. Since 1881 he and his wife have made their home in 596 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. Polk county, Nebraska, and they are the parents of thirteen children, ten still living. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have six children: Ray Alpha, Charles Duane, Edwin Earl, Opal Myrtle, Ross L. and Verne. The parents are both members of the United Brethren church, of which Mr. Clark is now serving as trustee, and he also belongs to the Mod- ern Woodmen Camp at Shelby. In politics he is independent, and has acceptably served as assessor of Hackberry precinct and a member of the school board of dis- trict No. I. HB. CUMMINS, M. D., whose office and home are in Seward, Nebraska, is a physician and surgeon of wide repute. In a country where there is such scope for the play of professional ability, and where are to be found so many brainy and progressive practitioners, the naming of any one as first would be invidious. But it would not be unjust to say that Dr. Cummins stands among the very first of his profession. He is still a young man, but is thoroughly pre- pared for great work, and has established himself in the good opinion of the com- munity. Dr. Cummins was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, March 28, 1859, and was a son of Martin B and Clara C. (Park- inson) Cummins. His father was a farmer and engaged in the tilling of the soil in Pennsylvania and in West Virginia until i860, when he removed to Hardin county, Illinois. Four years later he came to Sew- ard county, and was thus one of the very earliest settlers of this portion of the state. He passed through all the pioneer times, and made his home here until the day of his death, which was in 1895. He was the father of five sons and four daughters, and three of his sons are living in this county to-day, and here his wife still resides. The doctor was the fifth child, and had his early education in the Seward schools. In 1879 he began reading medicine in the office of Dr. Woodward and Dr. Beachley, and re- mained with them five years. During that time he attained quite a knowledge of the practice and was able to attend minor cases. In 1883 he entered the medical department of the State University, and was graduated in 1885. In 1897 he took a post-graduate course in the Chicago Clinical School of Physicians and Surgeons, and has an ap- proved standing as a scientific and honor- able physician, whose aim is to bring the very best methods of medical practice to the relief of his patients. He filled the chair of physiology, histology, and hygiene in the Cotner Medical college, at Lincoln, for seven years, and brought to his lectures much reading and close observation. He does a general practice, but gives especial attention to diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, and is considered authority in these particular departments. Dr. Cummins was married, in 1886, to Miss Jennie Ritchie. She was born in Illinois, and presides over her household with grace and dignity. They have two children, bright and charming lads, Her- schel B. and Harry A. He is a member of the State Eclectic Medical society. He be- longs to the national and county associa- tions and was president of the state society in 1896. He is an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias, and a Modern Woodman. He attends the Home Forum, and belongs to the order of Ben Hur, and in these various fraternities he is active and efficient. He is a Populist, and takes a decided interest in the administration of the party. He has been a member of the State Central com- mittee, and has broad and enlightened views as to the future of his party. He has been a member of the board of education of the city of Seward, and has exerted a strong infinence for the improvement of the schools, and a general educational uplift through- H. B. CUMMINS, M. D. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 599 out the county. The Doctor was appointed a member of the state board of health in 1898 and is now serving as such. His por- trait is presented on another page. N ORMAN B. WILL, a successful and genial pioneer settler of Arborville township, York county, was born in Somer- set county, Pennsylvania, December 19, and grew to manhood in the peaceful surround- ings of that land of peace. It is also a land of rectitude and honor, and in his early days Mr. Will found enwrought in his dis- position notions of right and truth and jus- tice which he has never denied, and which have done much to make him the man of character and right he is. His parents were Hiram and Kisiah (Meese) Will. They were native to the state, and did their best to bring their children up to the level of the character the state somehow seemed to em- body. The Wills were a distinguished fam- ily in the state for many years back. The grandfather of our subject was John Will, who was born in Pennsylvania, and died there at the age of ninety-four years. His father was an officer in the American army during the Revolution and was a man of character and decision in those stormy days. Hiram Will moved to Illinois in 1865, and settled in Dixon, where his home is still to be found. He was a farmer, and for many years did an extensive business in lumber. Norman B. Will was reared in his fa- ther's Pennsylvania home, and when he be- came old enough to take up the work of life, entered his father's lumber yard. In 1864 he enlisted in Company F, Sixty-first Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served un- til the close of the war. He was at the siege and capture of Petersburg, and partici- pated in many smaller skirmishes in the Shenandoah Valley. He was present at the surrender of General Johnston's army, and witnessed the closing scenes in the great drama of the rebellion. When the war was over he went to Dixon, Illinois, and was there until 1869. At that time he re- moved to Iowa, and in 1873 came to this county, and took up a homestead on section 26, Arborville township, where we record him to-day. He built a sod house 14x16 feet, and made it his home for the next four years. He immediately began to improve the farm, and has it in fine condition. It is all under cultivation, and is devoted to a di- versified system of agriculture. Mr. Will was married September 10, 1868, to Miss Alice Ferguson, a native of Illinois. Her father, Henry Ferguson, was born in Indiana, and her mother, Mary (Allen) Ferguson, was a native of New York. She is the mother of four children, all of whom are living. They are Jennie M., Grace K. (now Mrs. Edwin Clark), Calvin W., and Florence M. The family are members of the United Brethren church, and regarded as faithful and efficient in their religious associations. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and takes a deep interest in the fortunes of that patriotic institution. He votes the Republican ticket, but has never sought or accepted an office, outside of the school dis- trict. He has been school director and moderator, and regards it a sacred duty to do what he can for the welfare of the schools. He has done well since his coming to the county. He only brought seventy-five dollars with him, and now has a good home and farm, and is highly respected by all who know him. JOHN WANKE, deceased, was for several years a leading agriculturist of precinct J, Seward county, and one of its most highly respected and honored citizens. He was born in December, 1849, in Mecklen- burg, Germany, and received a good prac- tical education in the common schools of 600 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. his native land. His parents were John and Mary (Gressman) Wanke, in whose family were only two children, the younger being Frederick, who is now living in Fillmore county, Nebraska. The mother died when John was quite young and the father after- ward married Miss Mary Boss, who is still living, but his death occurred in Fillmore county in 1895, when he was seventy-five years of age. The grandparents of our subject spent their entire lives in Germany. At an early day Mr. Wanke emigrated to America and took up his residence in Wisconsin, where he was married, on the 15th of September, 1868, to Miss Louisa Matzke, who was born in Prussia, Germany, May 8, 1849, ^"d was only four years old when brought to the new world by her par- ents, Frederick and Regina (Streig) Matzke, who also located in Wisconsin. In their family were eleven children, nine of whom are still living, namely: William, Amelia, Elizabeth, Ferdinand and Mrs. Wanke all make their home in Nebraska; Mary in Illinois; and Frank, Matilda and Augusta in Wisconsin. The father died October 4, 1 89 1, at the age of seventy-one years, but the mother is still living at the age of seventy-six years and makes her home in Wisconsin. Mrs. Wanke's grandparents died when she was very young, after having spent their entire lives in the Fatherland. For five years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wanke continued to reside in Wis- consin, and on leaving that state they came at once to Seward county, Nebraska, where they purchased one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land at seven dollars per acre. Later they bought an additional eighty acres, but have since sold the latter tract. To the cultivation and improvement of his farm Mr. Wanke devoted his energies with marked success until life's labors were ended, making a most comfortable home for his family and converting the wild land into highly productive fields. In his native land he was confirmed in the Lutheran church, but after coming to America, at the age of fourteen years, he united with the Evangelical Association, with which he was connected up to the time of his death, which occurred February 7, 1884, his remains be- ing interred in the Seward county cemetery. He was a true and earnest Christian gentle- man and had the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact either in business or private life. In politics he was a Republican. To Mr. and Mrs. Wanke were born seven children, as follows: C. Edward, George A., Edith, Julius, Dora, Laura and Daniel, all of whom still survive the father, and are still at home with the exception of Charles Edward, who is engaged in business in Milford, Nebraska; and Edith, who is now the wife of George Neff, of Lancaster county, this state. Mrs. Wanke was educated in the com- mon schools of this country and has pro- vided her children with good school privi- leges, so that they are now well fitted for life's responsible duties. Since her hus- band's death she has successfully managed the farm and has displayed remarkable busi- ness ability. She has watched with inter- est the development and progress of this section of the country during the last quar- ter of a century, and in connection with the other early settlers experienced all the hardships and privations of pioneer life. At the age of ten years she joined the Evangelical church, to which some of her children also belong, and she is an earnest Christian woman, beloved by all who know her. DANIEL GEORGE, who resides on sec- tion 28, Henderson township is one of the honored pioneers of York county, where he has made his home for almost a third of a century. He came here when the greater part COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPH7' 601 of the land was still in its primitive condition, when not a furrow had been turned upon acre after acre, and since that time has ever borne his part in the work of improve- ment and progress, withholding his support from no movement intended to enhance the general welfare. His life has been well spent and he is numbered among the lead- ing agriculturists of the community. He was born in 1835, probably in Hampshire, England, where his father, Henry George, owned a house and lot in a little town. He followed various occupations in that land and married Eve Marshall, daughter of Si Marshall. In 1839, when his son George was only four years old, he emigrated with his family to the United States, landing in New York city, whence he made his way westward to Wisconsin, where he entered a claim from the government. For this he paid a dollar and a quarter per acre, and continued its cultivation until 1876, when he sold his property there and started for Nebraska. He died in York county in 1882, at the age of eighty-six years, and his wife passed away in September, 1877. Daniel George was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads living on the fron- tier. He early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and continued to assist in the cultivation of his father's farm until twenty- four years of age, when he was married and began farming on his own account. He wedded Miss Mary Henderson, daughter of David and Helen Henderson, who had come from England to America about 1834. Mr. and Mrs. George began their domestic life upon a farm in Wisconsin, and the former was engaged in the cultivation of his land when, in 1865 he joined the Forty- sixth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers and was assigned to Company K. His command was principally engaged on guard duty. One night, when stepping from the cars in Ala- bama, carrying with him a heavy weight of over sixty pounds, Mr. George sustained an injury in his shoulder, which forced him to remain in the hospital in Nashville, Ten- nessee, for two months. He was honorably discharged in September, 1865, and after sufficiently recovering his health he returned to his Wisconsin home. In 1866, accompanied by his wife and father-in-law and his family, Mr. George came to Nebraska, and located in the south- western part of York county on the bank of the southwest branch of the Big Blue river. There he secured from the government a quarter section of land and has since made his home thereon. It was entirely desti- tute of improvement, but with characteris- tic energy he began its development and now has a finely cultivated farm. Mr. and Mrs. George have three living children: Rose Ellen, Eve H. and Ger- trude M. The first named was married May 19, 1887, to Gene D. Wright, son of E. O. and Emily (Seely) Wright. They reside in York and own the watermill in the outskirts of that city. They have three children — Ted George, Helen, and Daniel Alan. The second daughter is a graduate of the Sutton high school and the youngest is now a student in the high school of York. In his political affiliations Mr. George has been a stalwart Republican since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lin- coln in i860. He belongs to Hayes Post, G. A. R., of Lushton, and is a representa- tive citizen, esteemed for his sterling worth, and his fidelity to every interest entrusted to his care. HARVEY SMITH BURGESS presents a striking example of what can be ac- complished by persistent attention to busi- ness and unflagging industry. He has a home on section 5, Reading township, But- ler county, and under his fostering care it has become a model farm. It is carefully 602 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. tilled, made to produce abundantly and in the quality and value of the crops it yields compares favorably with any other tract in the county. Mr. Burgess is a native of the state of New York, and his childhood home was Greene county, among the Catskill mount- ains, where he first inhaled the vital air in 1819. He came of an old New York fam- ily, and by both paternal and maternal lines of ancestry is related to some of the prominent people of the early days of the country. His father, David Burgess, was born in New York in 1778, and his mother, Abigail Ayers, was born in the same state in 1783. She was a granddaughter of a prominent Quaker, Samuel Adams, and was herself a lady of much refinement and force of character. He spent his childhood and youth in his father's house and did not leave New York until he reached the mature age of forty-four years. He went to Michigan in 1863, and followed farming a num- ber of years. But he was not satis- fied with the outlook in that state, and de- cided to go further west. His first inten- tion was to settle in Kansas, but through the influence of a friend, S. W. Rising, he decided to change his destination and locate in Nebraska. He came into Butler county alone, but was soon joined by his family. He located on section 4, Reading township, in the month of March, 1 87 1 , and immediately put up a modest shel- ter — a house 12 x 16 feet, and only six feet high. At that time this was an exceedingly wild country. There was not a house in sight, nor as much as a tree to break the monot- ony of the prairie line. He built the first house in the township of Reading, and did not long lack for neighbors. Settlers rapidly followed his advent, and presently the county was quite fully populated. Mr. Burgess was married in Greene county. New York, January 30, 1844, to Harriet C. Brewer, a daughter of Samuel Brewer, and a grandaughter of James Whit- ney, who was an old Revolutionary soldier. The fruits of this union are eight children — • Minerva, Josephine, Eugene, George W. , Giles, DeWitt C., Anna and Ada Idell. Minerva Taylor lives in Missouri and Josephine Hill in Rising, Nebraska, which is also the home of her two brothers, George and DeWitt C. Anna Catlin is in Missouri and Ada Bowman is in Butler county. The Brewers were an old Holland family and exhibited many of the best traits that have made their blood vital to the progress and honor of the nation. His first wife died October 3, 1878, and he was again married May 12, 1880, to Mrs. Mary S. Dille, whose maiden name was Mary Paulus; she was a native of La- Grange county, Indiana. They have two children by this marriage — Harvey S. and Omer D. They belong to the Methodist Episcopal church of Rising City. In poli- tics Mr. Burgess is a stanch Republican. HIRAM P. WALKER is one of the sound and substantial contributions that Pennsylvania has made to the pros- perity of Nebraska, and his career has re- flected credit upon his native state. He is an honest and industrious man, strictly upright and straight foward in all his dealing, and wronging no man deliberately. The vocation of a farmer calls for the exercise of good judgment, broad views and single- qess of purpose. It developes neighbor- hood virtues, and makes for the noblest types of character. And the man whose name introduces this article may be regard- ed as representative of his calling. Hiram P. Walker was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, August i, 1854, and is a son of Eligha and Hannah (Frickey) Walker. They were both native Pennsyl- vanians, and were devoted to agricultural pursuits. They left their native state and COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 603 settled in Lee county, Illinois, in 1862. There the husband and father died in 1896, while his wife, the mother of our subject, still survives. They were the parents of one son and two daughters. Mr. Walker was educated in the com- mon schools of Pennsylvania and was very fairly prepared for the duties of life by their e.xcellent instruction. When he reached manly years he took up the vocation of farming, and followed it in Illinois until 1880. At that time he came to York county, and bought a homestead on section 34, Morton township. It was improved in a way at the time of his entrance upon it, having a sod house, which after a few years gave place to a very comfortable frame structure. He has given time and thought to his farm, and it may now be compared not unfavorably with the best in the county. He has followed an approved system of general farming and stock raising, and has accomplished very substantial and creditable results. He was married in 1878 to Miss Ella Troutman, a daughter of Mi- chael and Rachel (Winters) Troutman, a na- tive of Illinois. They are the parents of three living children, Claude C, Bessie A. and Era P. The family belong to the Lutheran church and parish. He belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and she to the Degree of Honor. In poli- tics he is a free-silver Democrat, but has never been an office seeker or wire puller in any sense of the word. He has attended to his farm, and now derives much pleasure and comfort from the beautiful home he has secured. He stands well in the community, and hardly knows what more to ask. A D. SPERRY, a public-spirited and en- - - terprising farmer of Seward county, has a good home on section 4, precinct D, and stands among the foremost men of his calling in this part of Nebraska. He has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits al- most exclusively, and his career is a striking illustration of the advantage of a single purpose, a resolute endeavor to ac- complish it. Mr. Sperry was born in Platteville, Wis- consin, November 15, 1846, and is a son of Alfred Wade and Sophronia A. (Palmer) Sperry, who were natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively. They were mar- ried in Ohio; but came to Wisconsin very soon afterwards, and settled near Platte- ville on government land, where they re- mained until 1857. That year they trans- ferred their interests to Lafayette county, where they improved a farm, and occupied it for thirteen years. In 1870 they entered Nebraska in search of a home, and found it on section 28, precinct C, Seward county. Here they spent the balance of their days. The husband and father died April 13,1 872, while his widow long survived him, living in Seward, where she passed away March 6, 1895. They were the parents of eight children, two of whom served in the Civil war. Enoch died in the service, but the subject of this article, though he saw stirring scenes, and passed through tremen- duous hardships, survives to see for himself the wonder of the work which was wrought in the saving of the Union. Mr. Sperry grew to manhood in Grant and LaFayette counties, Wisconsin, and was educated in the public school. He has been a close reader and a careful student of the world, and has very largely atoned for the deficiencies of his early school training. When not quite seventeen he enlisted in Company I, Second Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry. He was mustered in October 7, 1863, and immediately joined his regiment at Vicksburg. The regiment operated through Mississippi and Tennessee during the remaining years of the war, and took part in numerous engagements, notably the second fight at Champion Hill and at Yazoo 604 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. City. He was under the command of three noted cavalry officers, Generals Grierson, Slocum and Dana. After the surrender of General Lee the regiment was put under the command of General Custer, and marched up the Red river to Alexandria, Louisiana, and Austin, Texas, where its officers and members were mustered out, Mr. Sperry's discharge bearing date November 15, 1865. He was wounded in the left arm at Yazoo City, but soon recovered, and met with no other casualty worth recording. The wedding of A. D. Sperry and Miss Mary Louisa Kanouse occurred July 14, 1867. She was a native of Kendalltown, LaFayette county, Wisconsin, where she was born July 31, 185 1. Her parents, Benjamin and Martha (Fletcher) Kanouse, came to Wisconsin from Ohio in 1850. The young husband and wife lived in Wisconsin a number of years, but made their appear- ance in Seward county, with their three children, January 8, 1872, and ten days later located their homestead where they now live. There were a few sod houses in sight, and their first habitation was like their neighbors. Five years later they put up a frame, to which from time to time very substantial additions have been made until it is both comfortable and roomy. In 1872 Mr. Sperry had no crop, but broke ten acres, which he devoted to wheat the fol- lowing year. In 1874 he saved his wheat, but his corn went to the grasshoppers; but nothing discouraged him, and to-day he owns five hundred and twenty acres of highly cultivated land. Each of his boys has received a slice, and there are eight hundred and sixty acres held in the family. Mr. and Mrs. Sperry are the parents of six living children — Robert H., Alfred W., Benjamin K., Arthur D., Rhoda M. and Sabra A. He is a member of Ulysses post of the Grand Army, and of the Masonic lodge at Surprise. Politically he is a stanch Republican, and has held several minor offices, such as road overseer and township supervisor two terms. He has been treasurer of his school district for thirteen years, and of the Old Settlers' so- ciety for eight years. SENECA HUBBELL, a familiar figure in the vicinity of Bradshaw, Nebraska, and long known to the settlers of that part of York county, belongs to a family that was associated with the earliest history of south- ern Ohio. His grandfather with four brothers settled near Cincinnati, and owned the land on which the court house in that city now stands. He held it for some years, sold it at a good price, and went north to Miami county, where he owned a farm, on which he lived for some years. He died in Shelby county, where he had gone to make his home the last days of his life, and was within three years of the century mark when he died. His son, Foster Hubbell was also a man of length of years. He was born in Shelby county, January 12, i8ii, was a tailor by trade and died in Greene county, Indiana, February 28, 1897. Seneca Hubbell's maternal grandmother died when over ninety-nine years old. Her maiden name was Charlotte Anderson. Her daugh- ter, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, December 13, 1814, and died at Bloomfield, Indiana, October 31, 1892. Seneca Hubbell was born in Shelby county, Ohio, April 11, 1843, and from the above outline of a family history has what life insurance men would call a tendency to long life. He is a strong and rugged man, and bears the weight of years with ease, and may live to rival any of his ancestors. He was married at the age of twenty-two to Miss Martha Brown, at the home of her mother, Mrs. Catherine Brown, in Miami county, Ohio. The wedding occurred in June, 1865, and from it came three sons, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 605 Charles A., George Elmer and John Orville. She died in August, 1875, and in the spring of 1879 her bereaved husband went to Den- ver, Colorado, to work at the carpenter's trade in that city, at Cheyenne, and at Grand Island, Nebraska. In the spring of 1 88 1 he came to this county and located on the northeast quarter of section 21, town- ship 1 1 north, range 4 west, and began its improvement. He put up a dwelling about twelve feet square, and perhaps seven feet high at the eaves. He worked at his trade, while the boys carried on the farm. He went back to Ohio in 1881, and wedded Mrs. A. Fuller, who was living in the city of Piqua. She was a widow, and had two children, Gertrude and Albert E., both of whom are married and settled in homes of their own. He brought his wife home to York county, and in the years that have elapsed since their marriage they have converted wild and rugged prairie acres into a beautiful farm, fitted with modern appliances and adorned with fruit and shade trees. They have two chidren, Winfred R. and Allen C. These boys are respectively si.xteen and fourteen years old. They attend the district school, and are busy young men on the farm where their father and mother still reside. Their parents are not members of any religious order, but are counted among the best people of the neighborhood. They belong to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Degree of Honor, and are fond of neighborly associations. He has always been a Democrat, and feels that the path of national prosperity and honor is in the direction of the principles that party main- tains. He was township assessor two terms. WILLIAN M. SPRING, who has made his home in Butler county, Nebraska, since November, 1864, is not only one of the honored pioneers of this section of the state, but is also descended from good old Revo- lutionary stock, his ancestors having taken a prominent part in the early history of this country. He was born in New York city, in 1836, a son of Gardner and Susan (Barney) Spring, the former a native of Newbury- port, Massachusetts, the latter of Connecti- cut. The father was a noted man and one of the leading Presbyterian ministers of his day. Our subject's paternal grandfather, John Spring, went as chaplain in Arnold's expedition to Quebec during the Revolution- ary war, and his maternal grandfather was Commodore Barney, of the United States navy. Like his illustrious grandfather, our sub- ject followed the sea from the age of twelve to twenty-one, and as a sailor traveled all over the world. In 1857 he left the east and removed to Henry county, Illinois, where he subsequently married Miss Corinne Johnson, who died in Butler county in 1896, leaving two children, Louis, now a Method- ist minister stationed in California; and Alice, wife of Lofe Halstead. Since the death of his first wife Mr. Spring has married Harriet, daughter of Lanson Franklin. In 1864 Mr. Spring resolved to try his fortunes in the far west, and with ox teams drove across the country from his home in Illinois, arriving in Butler county in No- vember of that year, after being eight weeks upon the road. Here, he homesteaded eighty acres on section 26, Platte township, near the village of Linwood, and has con- verted the place into one of the finest fruit farms in this region. He is a keen, prac- tical man, well gifted with mental and physical vigor, and the success that he has achieved in life is due entirely to his own efforts. He was a charter member of the first Congregational church organized in Butler county and has always taken an active and promirent part in all church work. He possesses, to a full measure, all of the fine, ennobling qualities for which his ancestors were so noted, and his honesty, integrity, 606 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. gentleness and purity are a constant source of inspiration to iiis family and friends. GEORGE H. TERWILLIGER is one of the leading members of the Seward county bar. He has a clientele that includes many of the leading people and important corporations in this region, and his legal acumen and forensic ability entitle him to rank among the successful lawyers of this part of the state. Mr. Terwilliger is a native of Ringgold county, Iowa, where he was born November 15, i860. His parents, George W. and Clarissa (Himes) Terwilliger, were natives respectively of New York and Pennsylvania, and the husband and father came to Iowa when a boy and remained in that state until 1881. That year became to this county, spent a brief time, and moved on to Oklahoma territory, where he is still living. Young George attended the Iowa public schools and began life for him- self as a farmer. His ambitions, however, led him another direction, and he early be- gan to shape his intellectual development towards the legal profession as his life work. He accompanied his father when he came to this county and here he has re- mained. In 1886 he was a student in the Iowa State University, and in the following year began the study of law under the di- rection of a Mr. Anderson. He was ad- mitted to the bar in 1888, and at once be- gan the practice of his profession in Seward. Mr. Terwilliger was married in 1889 to Miss Emma Knight. She was born in Iowa, received her education in Nebraska, having come to Seward county, Nebraska, when three years of age. She is a woman of many gifts and graces. They have one child, Ethel. The husband and father is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is a Knight of the Maccabees, and is popular in fraternal circles. He is associated with the independent movement in politics, but does not seek office. As a leading lawyer of the county he finds his profession so exacting that he can give little time and attention to outside interests. His wife was a teacher in the public schools of Seward for a time. FRANCIS A. BAKER is one of Morton township's most reliable and progress- ive farmers, as well as one of the represent- ative pioneers of York county. He was born in Fulton county, Pennsylvania, in 1858, and is a son of Jacob and Maria (Bergstresser) Baker, also natives of the Keystone state, where the father engaged in farming and school teaching during early life. Coming west in 1873, he went to Minnesota, but the same year came to Ne- braska, and in 1874 took up his residence in York county, having purchased a tract of railroad land in Morton township. It is the farm now owned and occupied by our sub- ject, and upon it the father died in 1879, the mother in 1886. He was a supporter of the Republican party. She was a sin- cere and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Their children are D. W. and Francis A. During his boyhood and youth our sub- ject pursued his studies in the schools of Pennsylvania, and when his parents left that state he came with them to the west. He took charge of the home farm in Morton township, and since their deaths has contin- ued to operate the same with results which cannot fail to prove satisfactory. He thoroughly understands his chosen calling, and has succeeded in converting the wild land into highly cultivated and productive fields, which yield a golden tribute in return for the care and labor bestowed upon them. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Brotherhood of America, and politically is identified with the Republican party. For two years he most ably served as jus- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAriir. 607 tice of the peace and has also filled the office of school director in a most capable manner. Widely known, he has the confidence and esteem of the entire community, in which he has so long made his home. N ELS PETERSON belongs to that great number of Scandinavians who have done so much to redeem the west from the wilderness. He is a farmer, and his home is near Bradshaw, Nebraska, and during the years that have elapsed since his arrival on these shores he has thoroughly assimilated himself to American customs and fashions. He is a straightforward, honest man, and holds a good standing in the estimation of those who know him best. Nels Peterson was born in Sweden, January lO, 1846, and his father, according to local nomenclature, was called Pear Anderson. His mother was Cecil An- derson, and their home was in the district of Bloeking, Sweden. Nels came to this country at the age of twenty-three, and landed in Newark in the spring of 1869. He found employment on a railroad in Michigan. He went by water from Chicago to Duluth, and worked in a sawmill north of that Minnesota city for several months. In the fall of 1870 he made a journey to Bur- lington, Iowa, by a Mississippi steamboat, and from that point to Mt. Pleasant by rail. There he met an uncle, who had a farm near by, and accompanied him home, and worked upon neighboring farms four years at the rate of twenty-two dollars a month. Here he became acquainted with Mrs. Christine Peterson, and was married to her April 18, 1874. He rented a farm and began working for himself. By this time he had accumulated over five hundred dollars in money, and had property worth as much more. In March, 1878, he gath- ered up everything he owned and came to this county. He stopped .with John Sandal 35 about one month, and built a board house, a sod stable and chicken coop, and other necessary out buildings. When these were finished, he moved his wife and two sons, born in Iowa, into this new home on the southeast quarter of section 35, township II, range 4 west. He prospered, and in a few years was able to purchase an addi- tional eighty acres, which increases his farm to two hundred and forty acres of as good land as the county affords. He broke up at the beginning of his career eighty acres and planted trees, doing a thousand and one things that must be done in making a new home. He now has three hundred and twenty rods of osage hedge, and can show a fine orchard of all kinds of fruits. June 3, 1890, a terrible cyclone struck Bradshaw and vicinity, destroying nearly every building in that thriving little town. It swept across his farm, wrecking his barn, windmill, corncribs, granarj', and other adjacent buildings, narrowly missing his residence, from which it tore a few shingles. The damage which he suffered probably reached eight hundred dollars. He has a family of two sons and one daughter. She is now eighteen years old, and has assumed charge of the household, her mother having died about four years ago. Mr. Peterson believes his children should have a good education. With his family he belongs to the Lutheran church. He is a Republican, and is proud of his adopted state, which he holds presents the best opportunity in the world for a poor man to get ahead. DAVID HARMAN, a worthy representa- tive of the agricultural interests of Valley precinct, Polk county, is the owner of a good farm of one hundred and si.xty acres on section 14, township 15, range 3. A na- tive of Switzerland county, Indiana, he was born May 19, 1839, a son of John and Nancy (Myers) Harman, who were born 608 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. near Lexington, Kentucky. The Harmans were of Pennsylvania German stock. The maternal grandfather of our subject was killed by a wagon running over him while on his way to Kentucky. About 1830 John Harman, with his family, emigrated to Switz- erland county, Indiana, where they were numbered among the pioneer settlers, and after living there for several years, removed to Ripley county, that state. By occupation he was a farmer, and in religious belief both he and his wife were Baptist, regularly at- tending all church services and living up to their professions. He died in 1880, and she passed away ten years later, honored and esteemed by all who knew them. They were the parents of seven children, who reached years of maturity, namely: Lu- cinda; Jonathan ; Elizabeth, Mary Jane and Marion, all three deceased; David and Leonard. The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed upon the home farm in Switzer- land county, and his education was acquired in the subscription schools of the neigh- borhood, which he attended when his serv- ices were not needed at home. At the age of twenty he was given his time, and start- ed out in life for himself as a lumberman. Feeling that his country needed his services he put aside all personal interests to join the Union army, enlisting as a private Sep- tember iS, 1 86 1, in Company A, Thirty- seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was first sent to Louisville, later going into winter quarters at Green River, Ken- tucky. The following spring the regiment moved to Bowling Green, and on to Nash- ville, Tennessee, under command of Gen- eral Nelson, and subsequently' took part in the battle of Stone River under General Rose- crans, and also the engagement at Chicka- mauga. His right hand being injured, Mr. Harman was detailed as a guard at division headquarters, and remained with the army through the Atlanta campaign, after which the regiment was sent back to Indianapolis and mustered out in October, 1864, as their term of enlistment had expired. Fortu- nately our subject was never wounded, cap- tured, or confined in the hospital by sick- ness. Returning to his Indiana home, Mr. Harman was married February 2, 1865, to Miss Susannah M. Gilliland, who was born in Ripley county, that state, January 24, 1846. Her parents, William and Margaret (Conyers) Gilliland, were natives of Ohio and Kentucky, respectively, but were married in Indiana, where they made their home upon a farm throughout the remain- der of their lives, the mother dying April 19, 1868, aged fifty-four years, the father March 29, 1881;, aged seventy-seven. Their children were as follows: Samuel C., a soldier of the Civil war, now deceased; • Sarah Ann, deceased; James; Elizabeth Margaret, deceased; William F. , who was a first lieutenant in the Eighty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantary, during the Rebellion; Catherine J., Susannah M., America Olive, John T. , Mary Alice, Newton Scott, and Abram Albert. Mrs. Harman's paternal grandfather was Samuel Gilliland, and maternal grandfather William Conj'ers, who was a soldier of the war of 18 12, and a pioneer of Indiana. In the county of her nativity Mrs. Harman was reared and educated, and by her marriage to our sub- ject has become the mother of five children; Eva Viola, who married E. P. Westcott, a resident of Polk county^ Nebraska, and has one child, Lonnie; Carrie Belle, deceased wife of William Miller, by whom she had one child. Bird D. Leroy, now living with our subject; Newton Edgar, Albert R. ; and Eurania, deceased. After his marriage Mr. Harman located on a farm in Ripley county, Indiana, where he continued to reside until 1872, when he removed to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, and after improving a new farm there, he COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 609 came to Central City, Nebraska, in 1880, making that place his home for eighteen months. In April, 1882, he located upon his present farm, then partially improved, and to its further development and cultiva- tion he has since devoted his energies, placing sixty acres under the plow and fencing the entire half section, in 1884, at a cost of two thousand dollars. He has also erected all of the buildings upon the place, and now has one of the most highly im- proved farms of the township. He is en- gaged in mixed farming, raising both grain and stock. Socially Mr. Harman belongs to J. F. Reynolds Post, No. 26, G. A. R., and with the Baptist church he and his wife hold membership. He uses his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and her sympathies are also with that great political organiza ■ tion. They took an active part in the district reunion at Silver Creek, and Mrs. Harman furnished dinner for the speakers. She is known far and wide as one of the best housekeepers in Polk county, and her table is unsurpassed. She presides with gracious dignity over her lovely home, which is well furnished and shows the refinement and elegant taste of the mistress. DR. RICHARD CARSCADDEN, de- ceased. — In the death of Dr. Carscad- den, York county lost one of its most able and popular physicians as well as one of its earliest settlers. He was born at New Castle, in the Dominion of Canada, Febru- ary I, 1840, a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Freeborn) Carscadden. The father was of French and the mother of Scotch descent. The father was a farmer by occupation and reared a family of seven children, six sons and one daughter. The Doctor received his preliminary training in the common schools of Canada, and also attended the Bellevue college. He then taught school in Canada for several years, and at the same time devoted him- self to the study of medicine. In 1861 he entered the medical department of the Uni- versity of Michigan and attended there one year. He then entered the Rush Medical college, at Chicago, Illinois, and graduated from that institution in 1866. He began the practice of his profession at Blackberry, Kane county, Illinois, remaining there for three years. He then moved to Sharon, Walworth county, Wisconsin, and made that his home for a short time. In 1879 he moved to York, Nebraska, and continued his practice in that city until his death, which occurred July 21, 1890. May 24, 1870, Dr. Carscadden was united in marriage to Miss Clara Sedgwick, a sister of S. H. Sedgwick, a sketch of whom will appear on another page of this volume. To this union have been born three children, whose names in the order of their birth are as follows: Ernestine P., Edna B., and Richard S., all of whom are now living. Mrs. Carscadden was appointed by Governor Boyd, April 30, 1891, to the office of superintendent of State Industrial Training School for girls, and held that po- sition until July, 1897. The Doctor was also a graduate from the Chicago Homeopathic college, and was president of the Homeopathic State Med- ical Society for several years. He also filled the chair in the medical department of the State University of Nebraska, teach- ing the treatment of the diseases of the heart, lungs, etc., for two years. He was also a member of the York County Medical Society. He became widely known, during his life, as a physician of marked ability, and en- joyed a valuable and ever increasing patron- age. In politics he was a Prohibitionist and was an ardent and enthusiastic temper- ance worker, not only in his own city and county, but in many parts of the state. He 610 COMPEXDIL'M OF BIOGRAnir. was a member of the Kni,s;hts of Pythias and some of the insurance fraternities, and was also a member of the Methodist church. EZRA B. SHAFER, who is pleasantly located on section 28, precine G., has resided upon his present farm for thirty-two years and is therefore one of the pioneer settlers of Seward county. The improve- ments which we see to-day have been effected by his industry and good judgment, and he has brought the soil to a fine state of cultivation. The farm buildings are neat and substantial, and with their surroundings represent the pitcure of a complete country home, where peace and plenty abound. Mr. Shafer was born on the 3d of August, 1835, in Delaware county. New York, and is a son of Philip and Melvina (Benedict) Shafer, who were also natives of the Empire state, where the father followed farming throughout life. He reared a family of six sons and three daughters, but our subject is the only one to locate in Seward county. He attended the public schools of his native state and upon the home farm obtained an excellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits, so that he is now considered one of the thorough and skillful farmers of the com- munity. Leaving the parental roof at the age of seventeen years, Mr. Shafer went to Erie county, Pennsylvania, where the following three years were passed, and in 1854 re- moved to Illinois, in which state he made his home until coming to Nebraska in October, 1866. He secured a homestead on section 28, precinct G, Seward county, and upon that land still resides. He was among the first settlers on the Blue river, and in those early days the Indians often came round his log cabin. The wild land he has transformed into a good farm and he now has two hundred acres under a high state of cultivation and well improved. Mr. Shafer was married in 1861 to Miss Eliza M. Castle, a native of Mercer county, Illinois, a daughter of Luman H. and Catherine (Murray) Castle, who were natives of New York and Pennsylvania, re- spectively. Her father died in York county, Nebraska. Our subject and his wife have three children, one son and two daughters, namely: Estella Mae, Eva R. and Edward N. In politics Mr. Shafer is independent, casting his ballot for the man whom he considers best qualified to fill the office, re- gardless of party affiliations. He is held in high esteem for his sterling worth and many excellencies of character, and his friends in Seward county are many. WILLIAM TAYLOR, who is a num- bered among the early settlers of Thayer township, York county, has assisted materially in the development of its agri- cultural resources, and is justly regarded as one of its most enterprising business men. His childhood home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in county Down, Ireland, December 15, 1830, a son of Walter and Isabelle (Cochran) Taylor, who were also natives of the Emerald Isle, but of English and Scotch descent. They spent their entire lives in Ireland, where the father was employed as a gardener and farmer. The common schools of his native land afforded our subject his educational privi- leges, and he remained in that country until 1856, when he boarded a vessel bound for ths United States, landing at Castle Garden, New York. From there he proceeded to Orange county, New York, where he made his home for two years, and in 1858 went to Mercer county, Illinois, where he found employment at farming until i860. In September, 1861, he joined the boys in blue, going to the front as a member of Company H, Thirty-seventh Illinois Volun- COMPENDIUM OF BTOGRAPHT. 611 teer Infantry, under Colonel Black, ex- commissioner of pensions. For three years he was in active service in the south and took part in the battles of Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove, Arkansas, the siege of Vicks- burg, and numerous skirmishes. On the expiration of his term of enlistment, he was honorably discharged in 1S64 and re- turned to Illinois, where he made his home until coming to Nebraska in 1872. In York county, he secured a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres on section 18, Thayer township, erected a sod house thereon, and moved into it. Ten years later a good frame dwelling was built and in it the family still reside. On the 8th of December, 1864, occur- red the marriage of Mr. Taylor and Miss Jane Downey, daughter of John and Martha (Jamison) Downey, and a native of Ireland, whence she came to the United states in 1 86 1. To them have been born twelve children, as follows: Hettie I.; John J., deceased; Frank W. , deceased; Benjamin H. ; Willie, deceased; Mattie; Evana; Norman, deceased; Joseph; Jessie; Samuel; and \\'alter. The family hold member- ship in the Presbyterian church of Bene- ' diet, and in politics Mr. Taylor is identified with the Republican party. For six years he has most creditably served as justice of the peace, and has been an efficient mem- ber of the school board in his district for eleven years. He is held in high regard by the entire community in which he has so long made his home. HENRY WOOD is one of the honored pioneers of Butler county, having set- tled here in February, 1871, and has since engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 22, Platte township, with most excellent re- sults. His farm, with its tasteful and sub- stantial buildings, its neat fences and its general air of thrift and comfort, forms one of the most attractive spots in the land- scape of the township. Mr. Wood first opened his eyes to the light of day November 10, 1840, in York- shire, England, and is a son of Abraham and Mary Wood. At the early age of twelve years he entered the employ of a railroad company, and continued to follow that occupation until coming to America in 1 87 1. In his native land he married Miss Harriet Doughty, who died in Nebraska in 1875, leaving five children: Henry A., Samuel W. and Clara R. (now the wife of Fred Hereford), who are not residents of Butler county;. and Ernest A. and Alfred v., who have been reared by the second wife of our subject, and treated by her as her own children. In 1876 Mr. Wood married Araminta Swan, a native of Coles county, Illinois, who came to Nebraska in 1865. Her parents were William M. and Rhoda (Briscoe) Swan, and she traces her ancestry back to early colonial days. Her maternal grandfather was a soldier of the Revolution- ary war, and fought under General Wash- ington. He was of English descent, while his wife was of Scotch lineage. By his sec- ond union Mr. Wood has five children, namely: John James, Rhoda P. , Ethel S., Charles Henry and Marion I. Crossing the Atlantic to try his fortune in the new world, Mr. Wood landed in New York city, in January, 1S71, and at once proceeded to Nebraska, passing through Burlington, Iowa, and Ashland, this state, on his way to Butler county. Being thoroughly familiar with railroad work, it was at first his intention to engage in that occupation in this country, but seeing an opportunity of getting a home for himself and family, he came to this region and for eighty-six dollars purchased a claim of eighty acres in Platte township, Butler county. He prospered in his new under- taking, and is to-day the owner of a fine farm of two hundred acres, which is well 612 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. improved and under a high state of cultiva- tion. As a citizen and business man he stands high in the esteem of his neigh- bors. In the various enterprises inaugurat- ed for the advancement of the community he has been a cheerful and ready assistant, and takes a lively interest in the progress of the people around him. Both he and his wife are sincere and faithful members of the Methodist church, and are held in high regard by all who know them. JOHN W. STRAIGHT, M. D.— Among those who devote their energies to the practice of medicine and surgery and have gained a leading place in the ranks of the profession is Dr. Straight, who in a compar- atively short time has built up an excellent practice in Benedict and surrounding coun- try. He was born in Brown county, Ohio, February 22, j868, and is a son of Francis M. and Louise (Euans) Straight, highly re- spected farming people. In 1 88 1 the father re- moved to Omaha, Nebraska, but now makes his home in Wyoming. The Doctor's early education was secured in the common schools of his native state, and after the re- moval of the family to Omaha, he became a student in the schools of that city. On starting out in life for himself he was first employed as a stenographer and typewriter at Omaha in the state office of the Pheni.x Insurance Company of Brooklyn, and most acceptably filled that position for five years. In the meantime Dr. Straighthad begun the study of medicine, and in 1888 entered the Omaha Medical college, from which in- stitution he graduated with the class of 1 89 1. This was supplemented by a year spent in the Douglas County hospital, where he gained an excellent practical knowledge of the science of medicine and surgery. In 1892 he opened an office in Louisville, Nebraska, where he remained for a year and a half, then moved to Curtis, and in 1895 came to Benedict. He is a progressve member of his profession, who keeps abreast of the latest discoveries and' theories by his perusal of medical journals, and his skill and ability are attested by the liberal patronage he enjoys, and which rank him among the leading physicians of York county. At Curtis, Nebraska, Dr. Straight was married, in 1894, to Miss Elizabeth Bower, a native of Illinois, and they now have a little daughter, Ruth E. Both hold mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church,- and the Doctor is also identified with the State and York County Medical societies- the Masonic Order, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Home Forum, and the Modern Brotherhood association. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, but has no desire for office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his large and con- stantly growing practice. WW. HOOPS is a prominent citizen and pioneer of precinct C, Seward county, is his settlement here dating from 1866. He one of Ohio's honored sons, his birth occurr- ing in Columbiana county, that state, Novem- ber 10, 1843. His parents, Thomas W. and Elizabeth (Elliott) Hoops, were both na- tives of Pennsylvania, but in early life re- moved to Ohio, where the father followed farming until 1880. It was in that year that he removed to Gage county, Nebraska, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away October 8, 1894. ^'i his fam- ily were four sons, but our subject is the only one living in this state. The public schools of Ohio afforded Mr. Hoops his educational privileges, and when old enough he began to work on the home farm, thus acquiring an excellent knowl- edge of every branch of agriculture. Choos- ing the occupation to which he was reared as a life work, he followed farming in Ohio COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 613 until 1866, when he came to Nebraska and took up a homestead in C township, Sew- ard county, where he now resides. Upon his place he erected a sod house and at once commenced the improvement and cul- tivation of his land. He now owns a quar- ter section, comprising one of the most fertile and productive tracts in Seward county, and is successfully engaged in its operation. Although his early life here was filled with many hardships, he is to-day reaping the reward of his industry in the enjoyment of a comfortable competence and pleasant home. In April, 1871, was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Hoops and Miss Lydia J. Mc- Fadden, a native of Indiana, and they have become the parents of six children, as fol- lows: H. Harrison, Machus, Lyman H. , Cora J., George and Rosie, all living. Re- ligiously Mr. and Mrs. Hoops are members of the Presbyterian church, while socially he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America, and politically is a supporter of the Republican party. Wherever known they are held in high regard. DR. ROBERT McCONAUGHY, York's leading physician, was born in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County, Pennsyl- vania, April 6, 1852, a son of James and Harriett (Shallenberger) McConaughy, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania. James McConaughy was born at Ligon- ier, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in the year 18 10, a son of John and Mar- garet McConaughy, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. James McCon- aughy was educated in the common schools of Pennsylvania and the Washington and Jefferson College. He then spent some time at farming and at the carpenter trade, spending his leisure time reading medicine. In 1838 he entered the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, although he was compelled to work his way through college and practice some before completing his course. After graduating in 1845, he prac- ticed in Pleasant Unity two years. In 1840 he moved to Mount Pleasant and made that his home and base of operations until 1886, when he moved to York, Nebraska, where he still resides. Since moving toNebraska, he has not practiced medicine. He had four brothers who were physicians, only one of whom, David W., is now living. He is still practicing in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. James, our subject's father, was vice-president of the State Medical Society of Pennsylvania in 1865, and presi- dent of the Westmoreland County Medical Society in 1859. He was married in 1844, and five children, two sons and three daughters, blessed his home. Of this family, our subject is the oldest son and second child, and one son and one daughter are now dead. Dr. Robert McConaughy, the subject of our sketch, was educated at the academy of Mount Pleasant, and at Lafayette College at Easton, Pennsylvania. He began read- ing medicine under his father in 1S72, and in 1873 he entered the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, and in 1875 he graduated and began practice in partner- ship with his father. One year later he moved to Scottdale, and remained there four years. He then returned to Mount Pleasant, and in 1885, moved from thence to York, Nebraska, and has made that his home continuously since. He is a mem- ber of the York County Medical Society, and first vice-president of the State Medical Society, and for five years was railway sur- geon for the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley railroad, and is the present surgeon of the Burlington & Missouri River railroad. He has been a member of the United States pension board for the past eleven years. In 614 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. politics he is a Republican and is an ardent worker in that organization. Dr. McConaughy was married in 1892 to Miss Floy Lawrence, a native of Iowa. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and held the office of grand medical examiner for Nebraska, in the latter organization, two years. He and his wife are both members of the Presbyterian church. GEORGE W. SMITH, for many years a leading citizen of Geneva, Nebraska, and long identified with prominent commer- cial enterprises of Fillmore county, has had a somewhat varied career, and has won his present enviable standing in the financial world by the exercise of those primal in- stincts of honesty, enterprise and integrity that are common to human nature. But he has had a clearer business vision perhaps than most men, and has been a little quicker to take advantage of the drift of events. He has inherited a good name, and traces his descent from the Mayflower voyagers through his maternal ancestry. Mr. Smith was born in Hillsdale county, Michigan, December 10, 1846, and was a son in the family of Job A. and Hannah (Wiborn) Smith. His father was a native of New Jersey, and came from a Scotch family which traces its origin back to Ger- man sources. His mother's family was purely English in its earlier days, and es- tablished itself on the soil of Massachusetts with the heroic company of those who came to a then untrodden wilderness, seeking peace and libert}' of conscience. Job Smith was a farmer in New York, where he had come as a young man and where he had early married. He followed a westward tide of emigration at an early da}- and en- tered into the milling business near Adrian, Michigan, which he followed for many years. He died at the home of his son, the subject of this sketch, in Geneva, about a dozen years ago. His mother died hi or about 1S73 or '74. George was a child when his parents moved to Michigan, and was only nine years old when they went to Ionia county. They remained there two years, and then found a home in Branch county, where he remained until he had reached twenty-four years of age. He had good educational advantages, and for some time was a student in the high school at Cold- water. His father was a miller at Adrian, but was a farmer for the remainder of his life, and his children were mostly reared on the farm. The farm is a good place to grow men, and there deep draughts of vital energy have been taken by those who have swayed the affairs of the world. When Mr. Smith had passed his twenty- fourth birthday he left home and struck out for himself. He joined a brother in Owas- so, who was in the drug business and a practicing physician as well. He became interested in the study of medicine, and devoted much time to it. He sold out his interest in the store and went to Detroit to take a course of lectures in the Homeo- pathic college. He did not complete the full course, but returned to Owasso, and spent some time as assistant in his brother's office while pursuing his studies still further. He did not find medicine as attractive and profitable as he had supposed, and discover- ing business qualifications he took a position in a wholesale grocery establishment, which he held for two years. Then, in company with an intimate friend purchased a grocery store in Owasso, and carried it on verj' suc- cessfully for two years. The firm name was Smith & Lawrence, and the association continued until the spring of 1878, when it was terminated by the withdrawal of Mr. Smith, who had decided to come to Nebras- ka for a new business field. He looked the state over quite thoroughly and weighed ft r?^ GEOHGE W. SMITH. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 617 the ad\antages of several points, and se- lected Geneva as a very desirable location. He came here very soon after the closing; of his business in Michigan and engaged in a loan office, which grew into the Geneva Ex- change bank the following year. It was the first institution of the kind in the town, and proved of vast advantage to the business in- terests of the region. He was its first presi- dent, and retained its uninterrupted control until 1888, when it became the First Na- tional bank of Geneva. In 1886 he also established a private bank at Milligan, which remained under his control for some five years when he sold it. He disposed of his interest in the First National bank in 1894, when it was consolidated with the Geneva National bank, and still bears that name. Since his retirement from banking in- terests, Mr. Smith finds his attention fully occupied in caring for his large personal interests and real estate holdings. He owns one thousand and forty acres of im- proved land in this county, and has brought it up to a high state of cultivation. He has always been a Republican until 1896. In that year he felt his duty in another direc- tion, and strongly supported the free silver movement. He says he is properly classed in politics as a Free Silver Republican. In former years he has taken a deep interest in the party movements, and has contributed liberally to its funds, but he has never been an aspirant for office nor has he held one, otherwise than serving his fellow-townsmen as mayor. He belongs to the Masonic chapter and commandery, and while not a member of any church contributes liberally to all. He was married, June 9, 1881, to Miss Addie F. Dempster, a native of Dun- dee, Illinois, and a daughter of Alexander R. and Sarah (Johnson) Dempster. Her father was born in Scotland, and her mother in Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of four children, Warren J., Flor- ence (deceased). Hazel A. and George D. They occupy a fine home, thoroughly mod- ern in all its appointments and furnishing, which is a credit to the town its owner has done so much to build up and improve. Accompanying this sketch appears a portrait of Mr. Smith. THOMAS BIGGS, one of the most promi- nent and influential citizens of Stroms- burg precinct, Polk county, Nebraska, is successfully operating a large and well regu- lated farm, which he conducts according to the most modern and improved methods, on section 32, township 13, range 2. He was born October 22, 1844, in DeKalb county, Illinois, and is a son of John and Mary Jane (Gurney) Biggs. They were both natives of Northampton, near Welford, England, where they were married. The}' emigrated to America about 1832, and settled near Pontiac, Michigan. John Biggs took out his naturalization papers at Chicago, Illi- nois, in the year 1832. He entered new land in Michigan, and later he entered two hundred acres, on which part of the city of Chicago now stands. He next took up land in DeKalb county, Illinois, which he improved, and then removed to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, about 1840. His place of abode was near Lawrenceburg in Indiana, and from there they removed to Morgan county, Illinois. From the latter place they went to Christian county, in the same state, where he entered new land, which he improved and resided upon until his death, which occurred in 1852. His wife survived him ten years and then passed to the world beyond in June, 1862. John Biggs was the son of an English gentleman, and knew little about work, though he had an excel- lent education, which he put to good use in America, by teaching school. He was the father of nine children, two girls and seven boys, three of whom, William, Thomas, the subject of this article, and Charles 618 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHi: served in the United States army during the late Civil war. Thomas Biggs was reared and educated in the Common schools of Illinois. He was raised on a farm and at an early age he be- gan work on the same. He enlisted in 1862 in Company K, One Hundred and First Illinois Volunteers, as a private. The regi- ment was sent to Cairo, Illinois, from whence they were ordered to Columbus, Kentucky, and attached to the Fourteenth army corps. At the battle of Holly Springs six companies of his regiment were captured, but his company was not among them. They were then ordered to Vicksburg, un- der General Grant, and were detailed to guard prisoners at Milliken's Bend and Chickasaw Bayou. After the fall of Vicks- burg, the regiment went to Columbus, Ken- tucky, where it was assembled in full, as the other companies had been exchanged. They were then ordered to Bridgeport, Alabama, and became a part of the Third brigade, First division of the Twentieth army corps under the command of General Joseph Hooker, which went to Knoxville to relieve Burnside's army there. They took part in in the Chattanooga campaign, and on May 4, 1864, participated in the battle of Lookout Mountain, that far-famed battle above the clouds. The regiment was then deployed at skirmishing, and in the battles of Resaca and Dalton, Georgia, their division lost 1,800 men. This was during the Atlanta campaign, in which they were engaged in the battles of Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, and engaged in the siege of Atlanta, at the termination of which they started on the famous " march to the sea," under General Sherman. They were engaged in many battles and skir- mishes during that memorable campaign, among which were battle of Bentonville, through to Raleigh, North Carolina, and were present at the surrender of Johnston's army. The command to which he belonged then marched through Richmond to Wash- ington, District of Columbia, where they partisipated in the Grand Review. They were then sent to Springfield, where they were mustered out in June, 1865. Mr. Biggs fought during the entire term of his enlist- ment without missing a day of duty, nor was he ever captured or wounded during his term of service. After the cessation of hostilities he made his home in Morgan and Sangamon coun- ties, Illinois until about 1868. On Septem- ber, 27, 1865, Mr. Biggs was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Jane Noble, who was born May 16, 1850, at St. Margaret, Canada. Her parents, John and Maria (Patterson) Noble, were both natives of Ireland, were married in Canada, and set- tled in Cass county, Illinois, where her father was accidentally killed in 1856. Her mother still survives and resides in Polk county. They were the parents of fouir children, and the mother subsequently married a Mr. Gormley. After the marriage of our subject he removed to Logan county, where they made their home until February, 1873, when he located in Polk county, Ne- braska. He settled on his homestead in section 32 of township 13, range 2, on the 15th of March of that year, and built a small frame house with the lumber which he hauled from Lincoln. He raised corn on his farm in 1873, but the following year his crop was destroyed by grasshoppers. The next year, i 875, he succeeded in garner- ing a good crop, but in 1876 he was again visited by that terrible pest, the grasshoppers. The next misfortune that befell him was the destructive hail storm of 1881, which de- stroyed his entire crop, and also broke every pane of glass in his residence, which he had built in 1880, having lost his former home by fire in 1879. But notwithstanding the misfortunes and adversity through which he passed, he is now one of the most substan- tial farmers in the vicinity. He owns seven COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 619 hundred and twenty acres of fine land in this county, and also has forty acres of land at York, York county, all of which is under cultivation. The land' was all wild and unbroken when he secured it, but it is now in a very prosperous condition; he has an orchard consisting of four hundred apple trees, all bearing, and it is all the result of his own untiring energy. Mr. and Mrs. Biggs are the parents of sixteen children, eleven of whom are now living, viz: Jennie; Lulu, the wife of Berry McCart, and the mother of three children, as follows: Merle, Earle, and an infant; John, Kate, Daisy, Grace, Mabel, Edna, Dora, Frank and Roy. The family are all members in good standing of the Adventist church. Mr. and Mrs. Biggs are both members of the Forum at Benedict. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Benedict, the G. A. R., the Masonic fraternity and the A. O. U. W. at Stromsburg. Politically he is a free-silver Republican. The family are old settlers here and belong to one of the most promi- nent families now living in this vicinity. PHILIP PRIDAY is one of the honored pioneers and representative citizens of Thayer township, York county, where he has made his home since 1872 and has been closely identified with its agricultural inter- ests. On first coming here he homesteaded eighty acres on section 18, which he still oc- cupies, and where he has built up one of the most desirable farms in the locality. While struggling with the primitive soil and bring- ing about the improvements which he has reason to view with satisfaction, he has also watched with the deepest interest the growth and development of this section of the state, and, in the establishment of one of its most valuable farms, has contributed his quota to its progress and prosperity. He now owns three eighty-acre tracts under a high state of cultivation and improved with excellent farm buildings. Wilkeshire, England, was the early tramping ground of our subject, his birth occurring there July 29, 1836. His parents, Richard and Sophia (Fry) Priday, were natives of the same shire, born in the vil- lage of Brinkworth, and there they lived and died. They were farming people and were highly respected by all who knew them. The maternal grandfather of our subject was John Fry. In the family of ten children, Philip Priday was the ninth in order of birth, and in the common schools of his native land he acquired his literary education. At an early age he begon farming, and continued to follow that pursuit in England until 1872, when he crossed the broad Atlantic, land- ing in Portland, Maine, whence he proceed- ed at once to York county, Nebraska, and took up a claim, as previously stated. He has since been numbered among the most successful and enterprising farmers of his community. In 1859 Mr. Priday was united in mar- riage with Miss Ann Jones, a daughter of John and Sarah Jones, both natives of Eng- land. They have no family. Mr. Priday assisted in the organization of his township, and has always taken an active and promi- nent part in public affairs, but has never sought office. Politically he is a Republican, and religiously, he and his estimable wife are both devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church. ZIONS CONGREGATION OF THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHE- RAN CHURCH, situated on Lincoln creek, Seward county, Nebraska, was organized in 1870, with the following roll of members: Fred Hartmann,Fred Scheumann, John Schoepf, William, Meyer, F. Mayland, V. Hermann, John Leuthke, August Daeh- 620 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. ling, Henry Daehling, William Daehling, J. Bertiam, William Burgenger, C. Temp- lin, L. Niels, Echardt Haufmann, H. Neu- jahr, Henry Railing, John Maack and Charles Boehnen. The first pastor of Zion's congregation was the Rev. T. Gruber, who was installed in November, 1870, and who also had charge of another congregation on Middle creek, Nebraska. The Rev. Gruber ac- cepted the call of another congregation in 1873, and after this a student of theology, Mr. L. Huber, had charge of the congrega- tion for a time. In 1874, one of the mem- bers, Mr. Fred Hartmann, donated about three and a half acres of his estate to the congregation, and on this property a new church and parish house were erected, and the remainder of the tract was used for a cemeter}'. During the same year, the Rev. J. Seidel, of Quincy, Illinois, took charge of the congregation and served in that capacity for about two and a half years. During this time, the congregation added to its property by purchase three and a half acres. After the Rev. Seidel left, the Rev. T. Haessler, of Crete, Nebraska, accepted a call of the society and took charge of the work, and during the time that he was pastor, in 1877, a new and larger church- building was erected, and the old one was used by the parochial school that was or- ganized a short time previous in connectoin with the church. In 1879, when the congregation consisted of thirty-four members, it joined the Ger- man Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Mis- souri, Ohio and other states, which at present consists of about 1,500 pastors and and 2,000 congregations. After five years of service in this place, the Rev. Haessler took charge of another congregation, and in 1882, the Rev. J. Geo. Weller was chosen by this society as its pastor. In 1884, a new school was built, and in 1888, the present church, building was erected at the cost of about $4,000. In 1891, there were eighty pupils in the school, the work became too great for the pastor, and Mr. H. Hillmann was chosen as teacher. A fine large school- house, 26x40x12 feet, was also built dur- ing this year. After serving this society in the capacity of pastor for twelve years, the Rev. J. Geo. Weller accepted the position of professor of the Evangelical Lutheran Teachers Seminary, at Seward, Nebraska, and the Rev. J. Catenhusen, the present pastor, then took charge of the congrega- tion. At present, the congregation numbers sixt3^-two voting members, and an aggregate of about five hundred souls, and has eighty- seven scholars in the school, and the entire property is valued at about $6,000.00 Since the organization, about 600 have been baptized, 260 have been confirmed, ninety couples united in the bonds of holy matri- mony, 125 dead have been buried, and for benevolent purposes, about $5,000 have been collected. CHARLES C. WULLBRANDT.— It is perhaps early in its history to speak of York county's oldest families, as that term would generally imply the occupation of the same lands and locality by many successive generations of the same family. But if any famil}' in York county can lay claim to that distinction it is that of which our subject is a member. He accompanied his parents to that locality in 1869, he being but four- teen years of age at that time. He now owns a large tract of valuable land, and makes his residence on section 24, McFad- den township. The parents of our subject, Charles H. and Fredericka (Holloch) Wullbrandt, were natives of Germany. Charles H. Wullbrandt was born in 1828, and was reared and ed- ucated in Germany, and was a carpenter and cabinet maker by trade. When about twenty years of age he came to America, COMPENDIUM OF BI0GRAPH2'. 621 and took up his residence in Brooklyn, New York, where he worked at his trade. In Brooklyn he met and married Fredericka Holloch, also a native of Germany, born there in 1830. Her parents both died, and she came to America at the age of fourteen to join her brother Christian. After his marriage, Charles H. Wullbrandt removed to Lasalle county, Illinois, in 1856. For a couple of years he worked on a farm for wages, then rented land, and successfully conducted farming for himself. In the fall of 1869 he removed to York county, Ne- braska, where he homesteaded eighty acres of land and pre-empted another tract of like extent. This land comprised the south- west quarter of section 14, McFadden town- ship. He was among the earliest settlers and like many others, at that time, was poor, having only a team and household effects. At first their residence was a combination of log house and dug-out. Many years of hardships were endured, but by hard work and intelligent economy he finally overcame all obstacles and is now one of the wealth- iest farmers in York county. His holdings in land aggregate seven hundred and twenty acres, all in McFadden township. For many years he was one of the most promi- nent men in that section of the state. He assisted in the organization of the township, and of school district No. 2, the second district organized in the county, and helped to build its school-house, the second in the county. It was a log-cabin structure, which has long since disappeared, having been destroyed by fire many years ago. Mr. Wullbrandt also served as a member of the county board of supervisors three years, and held a number of township and local offices. He and his wife now live in retire- ment in the village of Exeter; and perhaps none in York county could give a better account of its early history. When our subject, Charles C. Wull- brandt, went with his parents to York county he was but fourteen years old. The family consisted of five sons and two daughters, of which our subject is the eldest. He attended the log-cabin school in district No. 2, and worked on the farm by the month, almost from the time of their first settlement in the county until he reached his majority. He then located on a farm of his own, comprising the southeast quarter of section 23, McFadden township. At the time it had only forty acres broken. He improved it and added to it until he now owns four hundred acres, all in a body, three hundred acres of which are under cultivation, and the balance devoted to pasture and meadow. His residence is now situated on section 24. Charles C. Wullbrandt was married February 2, 1882, to Laura Mann, a native of Illinois, and daughter of William and Mena (Dunker) Mann. Mrs. Wullbrandt's father was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother a native of Germany. They were among the earliest pioneers of York county, having located there in 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Wullbrandt are the par- ents of five children, named as follows: Eva L. ; Eddie A. and Harry A., twins; Henry C, and Ralph R. The family at- tend the Bethel United Brethren church, of which the parents are members. Mr. Wullbrandt also holds membership in the A. O. U. W. and the M. W. A. at McCool Junction. SAMUEL T. MAPPS holds an honorable place among the pioneers of Lockridge township, and has seen the settlement of York county almost from the beginning. He owns a productive and well kept farm, and sustains a high reputation for business honor and personal rectitude. Mr. Mapps was born September 29, 18151, in Will county, Illinois, and is the oldest son of William and Elizabeth (Ken- 622 COMPENDIUM OF BJOGRAPHT. drick) Mapps. His father was a cooper by trade, and followed that occupation through the greater part of his life. He settled in Illinois in 1845 and lived there until 1889, when he moved to this county. Samuel Mapps received his schooling in his native county, and became a farmer. He is a tiller of the soil by choice. He loves the heart of nature, and believes in coming close to mother earth. In 1882 he purchased a quarter section of Lockridge township, and immediately entered upon its cultivation. From that date he has been associated with all the affairs of this county. The land was unbroken prairie when it came into his possession, and by unflagging in- dustry he has brought it up to a great fertil- ity. He is a Populist, and has been town- ship assessor three years, and served one term as a member of the county board of supervisors. He was nominated for county treasurer in 1896, and though he made a gallant fight, fell short of election. As a testimonial of his ability and popularity as a citizen he was recently nominated by his party to represent York county in the state legislature. He has been twice married— the first time in 1872, to Miss Sarah Mills. She died, leaving him one child. He was again married in 1888 to Miss Flora Thamer, whose home was in this township. They have three children, Howard E. , Ralph E. and Hattie E. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is generally recognized as one of the leading men of the county. SAINT MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, Luxemburg Settlement. Butler county. Rev. Carl Stapf, priest. — Between July 3, 1869, and the year 1873, the following parties settled in the vicinity of the present site of the above-named church: P. N. Meysenburg, Mike Demuth, Jac Demuth, John Marx, John Sprung, John Meysenburg, M. M. Meysenburg, Bernard Schlentz, John Birkel, Peter Medinger, Nic Steiner, Frank Steiner, P. Birkel, Nic Reisdorf, P. De- muth, John Gills and John Frieden. On April 16, 1874, at the request of the above named settlers. Rev. Uhing, pastor of West Point, celebrated mass for the first time in the settlement, and almost the whole community received the sacrament of penance and holy communion, and six children were baptized. May 18, 1874, Father Bernard first visited the mission and for nearly three years he made regular visits, except during the winter months. Novem- ber 21, 1876, Father Bernard exhorted the people to build a church, as they had prior to that date held services at the residence of P. N. Meysenburg. In accordance with the wishes of Father Bernard the little society set to work and the following sub- scriptions were made: Nic Steiner, forty dollars; Frank Steiner, twenty-five dollars; M. Demuth, twenty-five dollars; P. Med- inger, twenty-five dollars; Nic Reisdorf, twenty-five dollars; John Frieden, twenty- five dollars; M. M. Meysenburg, twenty-five dollars; P. M. Meysenburg, fifty dollars; Jac Demuth, twenty-five dollars; John Mey- senburg, twenty-five dollars; P. Demuth, ten dollars; John Steiner, ten dollars; John Marx, twenty-six dollars and seventy-five cents; John Birkel, twenty-five dollars; B. Schlentz, thirty dollars; P. Birkel, twenty- five dollars; John Gills, two dollars; John Kosch, Sr. , five dollars; J. A. Reed and J. Richardson, twenty dollars; and S. W. Watson, five dollars. There was then a committee appointed for the purpose of collecting the money subscribed, viz: Mike Demuth, president; Nic Steiner, treasurer; and John Meysenburg, secretarj'. Also a building committee: John Bernard, Nic Meysenburg, Sr. ,Mike Demuth, B. Schlentz and Frank Steiner, of whom the first two named were president and vice-president, respectively. This committee selected for COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 623 a location for the new church building, a two-acre strip of land which was deeded by John Meysenburg to the Rt. Rev. James O'Conner, Ro .an Catholic Bishop of Omaha, and to his successors for the use of the Catholics of Savannah township, Platte Valley, and vicinity, on the condi- tions that if the church should ever be re- moved the property should revert to the grantor of the deed or his heirs. On No- vember I, 1877, a subscription was taken up to the amount of ninety-two dollars and fifty cents for plastering the church, and on November 25, 1878, the new church was dedicated under the tjtle: Presentation B. \. M., by the Rt. Rev. James O'Connor, Vicar Apostolic of Nebraska. The priests who have had charge of this mission are as follows; Religious — P. Ambrosius O. S. F. , P. Anselmus O. S. F. Sr., P. SebastanusO. S. F. Sr. , P. Johannes O. S. F. , all of whom were from the Fran- ciscan Convent, at Columbus, Nebraska. The resident pastors — P. Cyrillus O. S. F., P. Seraphin O. S. F. and P. Bonifacius O. S. F. After the last-named priest severed his connection with the society, the church was presided over for several months from David City, by Rev. Reindorff, until he was taken sick and was removed to Columbus hospital, and again the Franciscans from Columbus took charge, in 1S83, and P. Bonifacius O. S. F. presided. Secular Priests — In 1883, the church was given a resident pastor. Rev. Muller from 1883 to 1887, Rev. N. Stoltz from 1887 to 1888, and during the last-named year the Luxemburg had two more pastors. Revs. F. Schraffl and J. P. Bayer. In the beginning of the year 1889, J. H. Hansen was appointed and had charge until 1892, and was then succeeded by Rev. Felix Bronnenkant, who served from 1892 until 1895. Iri July. '895' J- T. Reinhard was appointed, but was succeeded in Novem- ber of the same year by Rev. Carl Stapf. Building of the New Saint Mary's church. — After his arrival at the Luxemburg Mission, February 14, 1891, Rev. J. H. Hansen made an effort to build a new church. The subscription was taken by himself and P. N. Meysenburg to the amount of four thousand one hundred and thirty dollars. On July 28, 1889, the corner-stone of the New Saint Mary's church was laid, and the collection taken on that occasion amounted to seventy-seven dollars fifty cents. The building committee con- sisted of the following members: Nic Steiner,Treas. ; John Frieden, Mike Demuth, P. Birkel, P. Medinger, John Kosch, P. N. Meysenburg and Nic Reisdorf. On Febru- ary 2, 1890, services were held for the first time in the new church, and on the evening of the same day the building was entirely destroyed by fire, and again the old church was used for holding services. Steps were taken to rebuild the destroyed church and a meeting was called on April 13, 1890, at the old church for that purpose. The con- gregation elected as members of this com- mittee: Nic Steiner, treasurer, John Mor- bach and Frank Steiner; and the pastor, J. H. Hanson, appointed, as the church trus- tees, P. N. Meysenburg and John Frieden. The contributions of the congregation were liberal and the pastor and committees were not only able to rebuild the church, but also to buy the sacred vessels and vestments for the sacred functions. The second new church was dedicated in 1891 by Rt. Rev. Thomas Bonacum, bishop of Lincoln. The present priest of Saint Mary's church, Rev. Carl Stapf, was born in Baden, Germany, in the year 1872. He was edu- cated in the University of Louvain, Bel- gium, where he was ordained in 1895. He still lacked thirteen months of the required age of twenty-four years, but gained permis- sion from Rome to take orders under age. He selected the diocese of Lincoln and came directly to Butler county, where he was 624 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. given charge of the Saint Mary's church of the Luxemburg settlement, in Savannah township. EDWARD C. BIGGS has been engaged in the practice of law for some years at Seward, Nebraska, and his career illustrates the value of clear and definite aims in life, and the concentration of energy upon their accomplishment. He is a lawyer, and to the law he has given all his power, and to say that he stands well before the court and the public as a reliable and well furnished practitioner, is to state the simple truth. He is still a young man, and his friends are certain that if he keeps his health large things are before him in the future. Mr. Biggs was born in Webster City, Iowa, July lO, 1863, and was a child of Clinton E. and Mary A. (Maxwell) Biggs. They came from Maryland and Virginia, and the husband and father was killed in the .Civil war, when he was only twenty- one years of age- He was in the Second Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, and his young life was but one of a vast number of the brave and true that were paid as the price of the safety of the Republic. The young and fatherless lad grew up in Webster City, where his education was begun in the pub- lic school. He attended an academy at Dixon, Illinois, and the State Agricultural college at Ames. He selected the law as his life work, and took a two years course in the law department of the State University at Iowa City, graduating with the class of 1888. He was a good student, and completed the required studies with credit. He made his way directly to this county, and immediate- ly began the practice of his profession at Seward. He formed a partnership with E. P. Smith, under the firm name of Smith & Biggs, which continued for two years. The firm of Biggs & Thomas then came into existence, which lasted until the election of Mr. Thomas to the county bench in 1898. At present Mr. Biggs is carrying on his practice alone. Edward C. Biggs and Miss Nellie S. Startsman were united in marriage in 1890, and though the union has proved a fortu- nate one, the home is as yet devoid of the presence of little children. He has pleasant social and fraternal relations, and his face is often seen in mystic regions. He is a Mason of approved standing, and is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the I^nignts of Pythias, and his is a welcome presence at any of these fra- ternal gatherings. He is a stanch Demo- crat, and was a delegate to the national convention of 1896. He is a leader of the part}' in this county, and his voice is often heard on the hustings. PHILIP B. HUFF.—The agricuhural community of Lockridge township, York county, Nebraska, has a worthy repre- sentative in the person of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He resides on section 23 of the above-named township, and is well known and popular throughout the entire count}'. He was born in Tusca- rawas county, Ohio, July 18, 1845. The grandfather of our subject, Charles Huff, served in the Napoleonic wars, during which the entire company of which he was a member was annihiliated, he being the only one to escape. The saber which he used is now a family relic and belongs to our subject. The parents of the gentleman.of whom this biography is writ- ten are Jacob and Catherine (Bamer) Huff, both natives of Germany, who emigrated to the United States in 1836. The father was born in 181 5, and came to the United States to avoid serving in the German army, which every subject of the kaiser is obliged to do. He was a farmer by occupation, and upon his arrival in this country he first COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 625 settled in Ohio. From there he removed to Marshall county, Indiana, where he died in the seventy-eighth year of his life. He was the father of ten children, three sons and seven daughters. Philip B. Huff was the fourth child in order of birth of a family of ten children. He was educated in the common schools, in both English and German branches of study. He followed the occupation of a farmer until he had attained the age of twenty-one. He then secured a position in a sawmill, where he remained for the ne.xt seven years, after which he resumed his oc- cupation of farming, which he followed or the following six 3'ears. In 1880 he came to York county, Nebraska, and purchased a farm which he now owns. The farm con- sists of three hundred and twenty acres of excellent land, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and is now the happy possessor of one of the best improved farms in the county. He has followed gen- eral farming exclusively since his arrival in the county, and has had unparalleled suc- cess in the pursuit of his chosen vocation. The marriage ceremony of our subject was celebrated January 3, 1868, in Mar- shall county, Indiana, the bride being Sophia Miller, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Gideon Miller. To this happy union have been born nine children, on whom they have bestowed the following names: Emma Matilda, Wilbur G., John H., Charles E., Jacob E., Frank H., Philip G., Claud W., and Verna C. all of whom are still living. The family are all members in good stand- ing of the United Brethren church, at which they are regular attendants. Mr. Huff is a Populist in his political life, but has never sought any office. Socially he is a member of the Ancient Order United Workman, and he is well known and highly respected throughout the entire county, where he has a host of friends and acquaint- ances. 3Q JOHN ROBBINS is a well-known and substantial citizen of York county, who is now directing his attention to the cultiva- tion of his fine farm on section 30, Stewart township. He is one of the prominent, self-made men of the community — a man honored, respected and esteemed wherever known, and most of all where he is best known. Mr. Robbins was born in Jay county, Indiana, February 12, 1844, a son of Ran- dolph and Mary Jane (Hewitt) Robbins, natives of New Jersey and Ohio, respect- ively. As early as 1S40 the father located in Jay county, Indiana, where he cleared and improved a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, but subsequently he returned to Springboro, Ohio, where he conducted a shoe-shop for four years. The following two years he spent in Putnam county, Illi- nois, then lived in Mason county, that state, for five years, and two years in Jacksonville, Illinois. His next home was in Butler county, Kansas, where his death occurred in April, 1897. Both in Indiana and Ohio he served as a member of a light horse com- pany in the militia. His wife died at the early age of thirty-three years, and three of their seven children are also deceased. Those living are Rhoda, John, Amos and Oella. Our subject spent the greater part of his boyhood and youth in Illinois, and he early became familiar with agricultural pursuits, but his literary training was verj' limited, as he only attended school about six months. He remained at home until twenty-two years of age, and was married, in 1866, to Miss L. J. Ragan, native of Ohio, and a daughter of C. C. Ragan, who died in Sew- ard, Nebraska. Eleven children bless this union, as follows: Herman B., Collin R., Voorheis B., Burkby A., Weldon R., Dot- tie E. and Lavilda B., and four who are dead. For two years after his marriage, Mr. 620 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. Robbins lived on his father's farm in Mason county, Illinois, but in 1869 came to York county, Nebraska, and located upon his present homestead. For three months he lived in his wagon box while putting up a pole house and breaking prairie. For his mail he had to go to Seward, a distance of twenty-four miles, while his nearest market was Nebraska City, where corn sold at one dollar per bushel. Bacon was worth thirty cents per pound at Lincoln. In 1870 he sowed seven acres of oats and alike amount of wheat and corn. While breaking his land he sowed the corn in every third furrow, and in this way raised a good crop. From his seven-acre patches he raised two hundred and eighty bushels of corn, sixteen bushels of wheat, and one hundred and forty bushels of oats, and also raised thirty bushels of potatoes along the creek. In the fall of 1 870 he replaced his pole house, daubed with mud, by a dug-out, in which he lived for one year and then built a double log house with a clay floor. Three years later a small frame house was built, and in 1896 his present comfortable and commodious residence was erected. He now owns eight hundred and eighty acres of valuable land, of which three hundred and sixty are under excellent cultivation, and upon his land are three sets of farm buildings. In January, 1892, he removed to the city of York, where he was engaged in the grain business until his return to the farm in 1895, since which time he has given special attention to the raising of wheat. Since coming to Nebraska, Mr. Robbins has been an important factor in the growth and upbuilding of this region, and is to-day numbered among its most honored and use- ful citizens. He assisted in organizing both his township and county, and has been a most efficient member of the school board since the district was organized with the exception of three years. He has also filled the offices of road overseer and treasurer of Stewart township to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. In his political sentiment he is a stanch Republican. PN. MEYSEN BURG, one of the earliest of the Luxemburg settlers, whose home is now in section 35, Savannah township, Butler county, first located on section 30, township 16, range 3, July 3, 1869. Mr. Meysenburg was born in Luxem- burg, Germany, December 11, 1838, a son of Nicholas Meysenburg, and the first twenty-five years of his life were spent in his native country. He left the old country April 29, 1863, and came to New York, and without stopping in that city moved directly to and settled in Cascade, Iowa, and made that his home until 1869. Here he was married, January 19, 1869, and shortly after started, with his wife, father, brother and sister, on a prospecting tour through Kansas and Nebraska. Upon reaching the Platte valley, July 3, 1869, he decided to locate there and lost no time in preparing a habitation and notifying his friends of the location of his new home, and- many of them joined him later. In the following August he was joined by Jacob and Michael De- muth, who also moved to this locality from Cascade. They met Mr. Meysenburg on the prairie not far from his claim. Our subject bought his first farm for two dollars and fifty cents per acre, but he is now the proprietor of one thousand and six hundred acres of land that will compare favorably in value and fertility to the best in Butler county. Mr. Meysenburg is one of the sub- stantial and leading members of the Catholic church in that community. He was one of the potent factors in the organization of a society in the township, first as a Francis- can mission and later as a charge of a secular priest, as will be seen in the sketch of Rev. Carl Stapf, on another page of this volume. His contributions, both for church COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 627 €rection and the support of the society, have always headed the Hst and he has always wielded a powerful influence throughout the valley. For several years before the church was built, mass was celebrated in Mr. Meysenburg's home. Mrs. Meysenburg, who bore the maiden name of Miss Mary B. Dehner, is a sister of John Dehner, now of Bone Creek township, Butler county. To this union have been born six children, now livmg, upon whom they have bestowed the following names: John, Annie, Margaret, Carrie, Henry and Stephen, and five died in infancy. JOHN N. ROBERTS is one of the worthy and highly respected citizens of Seward county whose identification with its history dates back to poineer days, for here he has made his home for a third of a cen- tury, and has watched with interest the wonderful changes that have here been made. He has taken a most active and prominent part in the work of transforma- tion, and on the rolls of Seward county's most honored pioneers his name should be found among the foremost. Our subject was born in Fulton county, Illinois, October 2, 1838, a son of John Roberts, now deceased, and there he con- tinued to make-his home until April, 1865, when he started for the west, driving over- land and arriving in Seward county on the 2nd of May, of that year. He took a homestead on section 19, precinct G, where he now resides, and his was the first farm- house west of the Blue river. It was a rail pen covered with boards, the lumber for which he hauled from Nebraska City, pay- ing eighty-five dollars per thousand for cot- ton wood. Later he built a log house, in which he lived for many years and which was often filled with Indians who were traveling along the Blue river. As years passed by the comforts of civilization were added to his pioneer home, and as he pros- pered in his farming operations he at length became the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, which now adjoins the city of Seward. On the 6th of August, 1863, Mr. Roberts was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Shreves, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Samuel and Abigail (Cook) Shreves, who were natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have a family of five children: Samuel O. ; Margaret L. , now the wife of A. Y. Williams; Vernice L. , and John F. and Julia R., twins. In politics, Mr. Rob- erts is a Populist, and he has been called upon to fill the offices of township treasurer and school director. In 1894 he was can- didate of his party for representative to the lower house of the legislature, but was de- feated. He is one of the most popular and influential citizens of his community, and by all who know him he is held in high regard. DJ. HYMAS. — Among the worthy citi- zens that England has furnished to Nebraska is this gentleman, now a well- known and influential farmer of Waco township, York county, residing on section 12. He was born in the county of Essex, England, January 29, 1841, and is a son of Edward and Mary (Sewall) Hymas, both of whom died in the mother country, where Mr. Hymas followed agricultural pursuits as a means of livelihood. The subject of this review was reared to manhood in the land of his birth, was edu- cated in the common schools and was trained to farm labor. In 1863 he chose as a com- panion and helpmeet Miss Harriet E. Gar- rard, and they were united in the holy bonds of matrimony. The lady is also a native of Essex county, England. In 1870 they crossed the briny deep to the new world and spent a short time in Canada, but the 628 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. same year removed to Lincoln, Nebraska. In 1871 Mr. Hymas secured the farm in York county upon which he now resides and has since made his home. There were few settlers in the county at the time and the greater part of the land was wild prairie, which had never been used for purposes of cultivation. Mr. Hymas had very little money and in those first years had to work on the railroad or at anything he could get to do in order to gain the means with which to purchase the necessaries of life. He built a small frame house and afterward made a sod addition to it, living in that home for about ten years, when it was re- placed by his present comfortable residence. In 1872 he began breaking his land and raised some sod corn, pumpkins, melons, etc. The next year he raised a fair crop, but in 1874 the grasshoppers destroyed nearly everything. All things come to him who will but wait, however, and after sev- eral years the labor and care which Mr. Hy- mas had placed upon his farm was manifest in its splendidly improved condition. His possessions now aggregate three hundred and forty acres, and in addition to his York county farm he has one hundred and si.xty acres in Keith county, Nebraska. On the home farm he has three hundred acres under a high state of cultivation, while the remain- ing forty acres is used for pasturage. The Keith county farm is also partially improved. He carries on general farming, raises a high grade of stock, and is recognized as one of the most progressive and enterpris- ing agriculturists of the community. To Mr. and Mrs. Hymas were born thirteen children, nine of whom are living, namely: Harriet Elizabeth, Albert Joseph, Ada May, Jane, Alice Maud, Bertha, Willie Edward, Lillie V. and Rose M. The par- ents are members of the Presbyterian church, at Utica, and are people of sterling worth, having the warm regard of all. Mr. Hymas also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of Utica. In politics he is a Re- publican, and is now treasurer of his school district. GEORGE W. KEIM, a representative and prominent agriculturist of Fillmore county, owns and operates a valuable and well improved farm on section 6, Chelsea township. He was born in Pennsylvania, June 27, 1842, and is a son of Daniel and Susan (Ulch) Keim, who removed from that state to Miami county, Indiana, when our subject was a lad of seven years. There the father purchased a farm, which he operated until well advanced in life. As his children had all left home and he was unable to care for so large a tract, he sold the place and bought fifteen acres in the same county, residing thereon until called from this life in 1880, when over eighty years of age. His wife survived him for some years, but they now sleep side by side in a little cemetery in Miami county. Mr. Keim, of this review, remained with his father until nearly twenty-one years of age, attending the commonschools and aiding in the work of the farm. A few days before he attained his majority he enlisted in Company I, Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, enrolling his name among the boys in blue March 27, 1864. He was soon transferred to Company E, and joined his regiment at Tunnell Hill, near the Tennes- see river, it being a part of General Sher- man's command. He participated in the battle of Resaca, followed by the engage- ments of Dallas, Kingston and New Hope Church. After crossing the Chattahoochee river the regiment went on the .\tlanta campaign, and were in many battles and skirmishes, including that of Jonesboro, where our subject leaped over the breast- works and received a bayonet wound. Although it was quite severe he could not be prevailed upon to leave the ranks and go COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 629 to the hospital. Later the regiment, with many others, was detailed to reinforce General Thomas, who had been ordered to check General Hood's army, which was following General Sherman's command. Then followed the battles of Franklin and Nashville, after which a part of General Thomas' army went into winter quarters at Huntsville, Alabama. From that place the Thirtieth Indiana was ordered to Butt's Gap, Tennessee, where they remained a week and then proceeded to Nashville. The command next went down the river to New Orleans, and from there to Victoria, Texas, and on to Goliad, that state, where they where mustered out November 25, 1S65. Mr. Keim then returned home and re- sumed farming. On the 24th of February, 1867, at the home of the bride in Miami county, Indiana, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Christiana Smith, whom he had known since she was a child of eight years. She was educated in that county. Her parents, Adam and Barbara (Shutz- baugh) Smith, were both natives of Ger- many, and when young came to the United States, their marriage being celebrated in New York. They lived for a time in Ohio, but finally located permanently in Indiana. Mr. Smith was a tailor by trade, but gave as much attention to farming as to that busi- ness. Our subject and his wife have two children: Eli and Ella, who have received good common-school educations and now assist their parents in the farm work and household duties. After his marriage Mr. Keim located on a small farm in Miami county, Indiana, given him by his father, but in 1872 sold his personal property and came west, first locating in Washington county, Nebraska, where he rented a farm and lived for four years. The following two years were spent in Sonoma county, California, where he engaged in farming and in the fruit busi- ness. On the return of the family to Ne- braska they stopped at Kearney, but find- ing no suitable location in that neighbor- hood, they came to Filmore county, landing in Geneva March 8, 1879. In Chelsea township Mr. Keim purchased a tract of railroad land on section 6, where he has since made his home. Although some of the land had been broken, no building had yet been erected, but he now has one hun- dred and sixty acres under a fine state of cnltivation and well improved with a good residence and substantial out-buildings. Upon the place he has planted apples, peaches, plums, cherries, currants, straw- berries, raspberries, grapes, etc. , and be- sides having enough for his own use, he has sold thousands of bushels of apples. Since casting his first presidential vote for Abra- ham Lincoln in 1864, Mr. Keim has been a stalwart supporter of the Republican party, and takes an active and commendable inter- est in public affairs. Both he and his wife were reared in the Luthuran church, but there being no church of that denomina- tion near their home, they generally attend the Christian church. They are widely and favorably known, and their friends are many throughout Fillmore county. CHARLES M. TURNER, an enterpris- ing and well-to-do agriculturist of Morton township, York county, is a native of Illinois, born at Freeport, Stephenson county, on the 27th of October, 1854, and is a son of John and Mary (Krutzfelt) Turner, who are both of German birth and in 1854 crossed the broad Atlantic and took up their residence in Illinois, where they still reside. In their family are four sons and one daughter who, are still living. Mr. Turner, whose name introduces this sketch, spent his boyhood and youth in Illi- nois, and on starting out in life for himself engaged in farming in that state, carrying on operations there until coming to Ne- 630 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. braska in 1883. In Morton township, York county, he purchased the farm on which he now resides, and to its cultivation and im- provement has since devoted his energies, converting it into one of the most desirable places of the locality. In 1883 Mr. Turner led to the marriage altar Miss Rebecca May, a native of Penn- sylvania, and to them has been born an in- teresting family of five children, namely: John W., Charles J., Alta M., Pearl E. and Minnie S. The parents are both earnest and consistent members of the United Brethren church and hold a high place in the estimation of their fellow citizens. In his political affiliations, Mr. Turner is a Populist, but has never held office, political honors having no attraction for him. He is public spirited, however, and an earnest promoter of the schemes to advance the material interests of his township and coun- ty, or elevate society. CLAYTON BURGESS is one of the pros- perous and substantial citizens of York county whose lives have been devoted to agricultural pursuits, and who show in their successful career that they thoroughly un- derstand their chosen calling and are likewise men of sound judgment and good business ability. Our subject's fine farm of three hundred and sixty acres is pleasantly lo- cated in Arborville township, and is to-day under a high state of cultivation and well improved with good buildings. Mr. Burgess was born in Kent county, Delaware, December 26, 1847, and is a son of William and Eliza (Burchard) Burgess, prominent farming people, who spent their entire lives in that state. The father was three time, married and had fourteen chil- dren, eight sons and six daughters. The subject of this sketch was reared and edu- cated in his native state, and since starting out in life for hmiself has devoted his entire time and attention to agricultural pursuits. With the tide of emigration he came west- ward in 1867 and first settled in Fremont county, Illinois, but in 1869 came to Omaha, Nebraska, and later in the same year located in Harrison county, Iowa, where he made his home until 1874, which year witnessed his arrival in York county. Here, he took up a homestead of eighty acres, and as he prospered in his new home, he has extended the boundaries of his farm from time to time as his financial resources permitted until he now owns three hundred and sixty acres of valuable and highly pro- ductive land. Upon his land he first built a sod house, in which he lived while break- ing his first tract, but to-day he has one of the best improved farms of the county, it being all under fence and equipped with a fine set of farm buildings. In Hamilton county, Nebraska, Mr. Bur- gess was married, in 1877, to Miss Harriett M. Millsapp, a native of Iowa, by whom he has had ten children: William B. ; Effie, deceased; Omar C. ; Charles C. ; Ethel; Roy; George W. ; Edna; Hattie B. and Annie. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, in which the parents hold membership. Although a stanch Democrat in politics, Mr. Burgess has never sought nor cared for official honors, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his ex- tensive business interests. He is, however, a public-spirited citizen, devoted to the best interests of his township and county, and as such has won the respect and esteem of all who have the pleasure of his acquaint- ance. JOSEPH K. WILLIAMS.— Few people remain long in Polk county without be- coming familiar with this name, which is borne by one of its earliest pioneers and most enterprising men. Here he has made his home since the 7th of December, 1870, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 631 and to-day has an excellent farm on section 4, township 13, range i, having converted the wild land on which he settled into rich and productive fields. Mr. Williams was born in Louisa county, Iowa, October 7, 1847, and is a son of Isaac and Mary (Story) Williams, who were mar- ried in that state, but were natives of Indiana, and Pennsylvania, respectively. His paternal grandfather, Philip Williams, was a pioneer of Indiana, and the ma- ternal grandfather, Kennedy Story, who emigrated from Ireland to Pennsylvania, was one of the early settlers of Iowa, where he spent his last days. The latter had two sons, Thomas and Joseph, who were among the boys in blue during the Civil war, the former being a member of the famous Graybeard Regiment of Iowa, and the latter of the Nineteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. Our subject's paternal uncle, Philip Williams, was a member of an In- diana regiment. Isaac Williams died in 185 1 in Louisa county, Iowa. Of his four children our subject is the only survivor. The mother is now the wife of E. P. Scull, a native of New Jersey. In 1870 they came from Iowa to Nebraska and located upon a homestead on section 4, township 13, range I, Polk county, but since 1892 have made their home in Custer county, this state. Of the three children born to them, two are living — William E. and Richard. Reared on a farm in Louisa county, Iowa, Joseph K. Williams early became fa- miliar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and his literary train- ing was much more meager than his busi- ness education. At the age of fifteen years he began the battle of life for himself, and until twenty-three he worked as a farm hand in Iowa for sixteeen dollars per month. Mr. Williams was married, October 23, 1870, to Miss Nancy A. Wykert, who was born in Louisa county, Iowa, November 29, 1854. Her father, Francis Wykert, was born in Virginia, in May, iSii, and was a son of Thomas Wykert, a pioneer of Iowa. In the latter state Francis Wykert married Miss Eliza J. Harnett, a native of Ohio, born May 6, 1821, and a daughter of Elijah Harnett, who at an early day settled in In- diana. Mrs. Williams' parents continued to reside upon a farm in Louisa county, Iowa, until the father's death, which occurred in 1872, but the mother died in Polk count}', Nebraska, in 1881. They had six children: Lydia; Nancy A.; Francis H., deceased; Thomas A.; Mrs. Ida Oesterreicher; and Florence V. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams are as follows: twins, who died in infancy; Melville W. ; Elijah H.; Robert Nelson, deceased; Oscar J.; Mary J. ; and Lemuel Franklin. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Williams came to Polk county, Nebraska, and as previously stated located upon their present farm December 7, 1870, at which time the country round about was still in its primitive condition, and their nearest neighbors lived along the Blue. In a little dug-out they lived with his step-father for ten months, and Mr. Williams broke the land on both claims. Upon his own place he built a dug-out in 1871, making it his home for four years, while he gave his at- tention to the improvement and cultivation of his land. In 1871 he raised no crops; the following year only a small crop of wheat; in 1873, his harvests were' very good; but in 1874 the grasshoppers de- stroyed his corn, though he raised two hun- dred and nineteen bushels of wheat. Dur- ing the great snow storm in April, 1873, the wooden latch of his little dug-out was broken, and the family had to crawl out of the east window and make their way to his step-father's home. They experienced all the hardships and difficulties of pioneer life, and in 1870 Mr. Williams had to go as far as Columbus, a distance of twenty-five miles, to market, but as time has advanced and 632 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr. the country become more thickly populated, the comforts of civilization have been added to their home, and he now has one of the best farms in his community, it being sup- plied with all the conveniences and acces- sories of a model farm of the nineteeenth centur3'. Ho owns one hundred and sixty acres, of which one hundred and ten have been placed under the plow, while the re- mainder is used for a pasture, orchard and hog pens. He raises both grain and stock, making a specialty of Poland China hogs. After four years the little dug-out was re- placed by a good sod house, and three years later, in 1878, a good frame residence was erected. Fraternally Mr. \\'illiams is a Master Mason, belonging to the lodge in Shelby, in which he has served as junior warden. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen at that place, and has held office in the same. As a Populist he takes considerable interest in political affairs, and has been called upon to serve as justice of the peace, a school officer in district No. 30? five years, a director in district No. 67 three years, and as moderator in the latter district. His children have been provided with good school priviledges, one daughter having been a student in Stromsburg col- lege. Mr. Williams has ever cheerfully given his support to those enterprises that tend to public development, he is always mentioned as one of the invaluable citizens of his community, and on the rolls of Polk county's most honored pioneers his name should be found among the foremost. JOHN G. MICKEY. — A prominent posi- tion among the stockraising element of Polk county, Nebraska, is held by the gen- tleman whose name heads this article and whose portrait appears on another page. He makes his home in the city of Osceola, where he has resided for some years. He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, April 3, 1829, and is a son of John R. and Elizabeth (Gearhart) Mickey. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, where he died in 1S30, and his mother was a native of Germany. In 1834 Mrs. Mickey moved with her family to Shelbyville, Shelby county, Indiana, where they made their home for two years. They next located on a farm in Henry county, Iowa, near where the town of Trenton now stands. Mrs. Mickey then married a Mr. Mosher and located six miles further north in the same county. She had four children by her first marriage, viz: Oliver P., the father of John H. Mickey, a sketch of whom will be found on another page of this volume; May, who died in 1886; Jane Harman, who resides in Riverside. Iowa; John G., the subject of this biography. Mrs. Mosher had one child by second husband, Elizabeth Farmer, now a widow and resides in Wayland, Iowa. John G. Mickey was raised on a farm, and obtained a very limited education. He began life as a farm hand, engaged in work- ing for others a part of the time, and finally started out to make his own way in the path- way of fortune at the age of twenty-one. He engaged in general farming and stock- raising, and finally gave his entire attention to the handling of stock. He resided in Iowa, and followed the occupation of his choice in Washington and Henry counties of that state. In 1873 he moved to Ne- braska, and located in what is now Canada precinct, on the east one-half of section 30, township 15, range i west, in Polk count}'. The land was all wild and unbroken with the exception of sixty acres, which some one had broke, and there was a small. sod shanty on the place. Mr. Mickey made his home in the sod house until the following fall when he erected a small frame house, adjoining it, where he resided about five or six years. He then put up a new frame house, in which he lived until the railroad ^'CL JOHN G. MICKEY. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. G35 was built to Osceola. He had by diligent labor cultivated and improved the estate, the north quarter of which was a filing and the south quarter was taken up as a tree claim. It was considered the best improved timber claim in the county, when he came to Osceola to live, and engaged in the grain and stock business. He purchased stock at Stromsburg, Osceola and Shelby. In 1S83 he made a visit to California, and on his re- turn he again took up his residence on the farm in Canada precinct, where he made his home for the next seven years. He then took up his residence in Osceola, where he has made his home ever since, after selling his other farm in Canada precinct. His present estate was partly improved, but he has since erected the residence, and put in all the modern improvements, as well as constructing the present well devised stock- yards. He has been engaged in hand- ling stock ever since he was twenty years of age, and is now considered the best judge of the same in the county. He now feeds from two to three hundred head every year. He has also dealt largely in fin e stock, having raised from forty to eighty head of short horn cattle every year for some time past, and the herd of them which he owned he considered the best he had ever seen. He has followed the occupation of a stock- man exclusively, and for years he held the reputation of being the best stock auctioneer west of Omaha, having followed that calling in Merrick, Polk and Butler counties. His present holdings consist of a three hundred and twenty acre farm in Osceola precinct, all of which is well improved, his home place consisting of ten acres, and he also owns several town lots in the city of Os- ceola. Mr. Mickey was married in 1852 to Miss Martha J. Kenton, who was one of the old Simon Kenton stock of Kentucky. She was born in Ohio in 1834, and died in 1866, having been the mother of five children: Lucy E., the wife of Henry Hughes, who resides in Polk county; they have no chil- dren. Emma, the wife of John Kinney, who resides in Merrick county, and is the moth- er of seven children, five boys and two girls. Henry L., who married Clara Hart- man; they are the parents of six children; they also reside in Polk county. Mary J., the wife of a Mr. Hindman; they have no children and reside in Merrick county, and Anna B., the wife of John Rathburn; they have three children and live in Shelby, Nebraska. Mr. Mickey married his second wife, who bore the maiden name of Nancy J. Marshall, April 3, 1867. They have no children, and are both members of the Meth- odist church. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity of Osceola, of which he he was the organizer and first master, and held that office for six years. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. He was at first a Douglas Democrat in politics, but has a stanch aderent to the principles of the Republican party since the first term of President Lincoln. He has taken quite an active part in the local affairs of the county, and for six years he was county com- missioner of Polk county, two years of which he served as chairman of the county board. He wields considerable power in the political organization of his county, and exerted his influence in having the railroad extended through Osceola. He has also been an active worker in the educational matters in his precinct, and when he resided in Canada precinct he was a member of the local school district board. He is one of the old settlers of the county, and has watched with interest the rapid growth and development of the same, in which he has performed no unimportant part. He is a man of the strictest integrity, honest and upright in all his dealings with his fellow men, and is justly entitled to the respect and esteem in which he is held by his fellow men. 636 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. JOHN L. DORSEY is very successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising on section 30, Arborville township, York county, where he owns a quarter sec- tion of choice land. He came here in the spring of 1872, homsteaded the land where he now resides and immediately commenced its improvement. He has worked untiring- ly and his labors have been well rewarded. Mr. Dorsey was born in Shelby county, Ohio, April 26, 1847, a son of Charles and Hannah (Wooley) Dorsey, who in 1869 removed from the Buckeye state to Logan county, Illinois, where the father died four years later. He was a farmer by occupa- tion and reared to man and womanhood a family of si.\ children, two sons and four daughters. The mother's death occured in York county, Nebraska. His early life being passed in his native state, John L. Dorsey, was educated it the public schools of Ohio, and upon the home farm acquired an excellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits before he had attained his majority. In 1864 he put aside his farm duties to enter the service of his country, enlisting in Company F, One Hundred Forty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and during his four months' service he helped repel the raid on Washington, District of Columbia, and also did garrison duty in that city. After being discharged he return- ed to Ohio, where he continued to make his home until 1865, when he removed to Logan county, Illinois. It was in the fall of 1871 that he came with his brother and S. B. Flick to York county, Nebraska, driving the entire distance. They located homesteads and returned to Illinois over- land, where they spent the winter. In the spring of 1872 Mr. Dorsey came to York county, and located permanently upon his land, being accompanied by his wife and his brother's family. He has since made his home upon his present farm, his first house being of sod, in which the family lived until 1877, when it was replaced by a good frame residence. He soon broke his land, and now the entire tract of one hundred and sixty acres is under a high state of cultivation and well improved. He is interested in both farming and stock raising. In Logan county, Illinois, in 1870, Mr. Dorsey wedded Miss Blanch A. Latham, a native of Covington, Kentucky, and a daugh- ter of Frederick and Mary (Johnston) La- tham, who removed to Illinois in 1864. Nine children bless this union, namely: Ernest L. , Maud G., Myrtie M., Harry E., Lois M., Grace E., Archie E., Elizabeth K., Knight L. The parents are faithful members of the Christian church, and fra- ternally Mr. Dorsey belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees and the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a stanch adherent of the Populist party and its principles, and has been called upon to fill several minor offices. He is recognized as one of the lead- ing citizens of his township, and his circle of friends and acquaintances is extensive. WILLARD P. STAFFORD.— The sub- ject of this sketch stands second to none among the worthy agriculturists of precinct F, Seward county. As a judicious tiller of the soil he has met with success, and as a man and citizen holds a good posi- tion among his neighbors. His life has been one of unabated industry, and his affairs have been so conducted as to win the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact. Mr. Stafford was born on the 4th of August, 1853, in the city of Providence, Rhode Island, but in 1855 he was taken to Illinois by his parents, Charles G. and Mary (Burrows) Stafford, also natives of Rhode Island. They settled in Fulton county and there spent their remaining days, the mother dying in 1878, the father in 1891. He was COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 631 a carpenter by trade, but also followed farming. In his family were four sons, all now deceased with the exception of our subject, and four daughters. In the common schools of Illinois Wil- lard P. Stafford pursued his studies during boyhood, and upon the home farm early be- came familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. On laying aside his text books he took up the occupa- tion to which he had been reared and fol- lowed farming in Illinois until 1S83, whenhe came to Seward county, Nebraska, and set- tled on land in precinct D. Two years later, however, he removed to his present farm in F precinct, to the improvement and cultivation of which he has since de- voted his attention with marked success. Asa companion and helpmeet on life's journey Mr. Stafford chose Miss Clarinda Hott, a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, and a daughter of Adam and Barbara Hott, and their marriage was celebrated in Illi- nois in 1874. Four children bless their union, namely: Walter E., Iva, Charles G. and Glenn C. Politically Mr. Stafford is a Republican, and socially is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America. CARSTON STAHR, the hard-working and highly respected owner of a farm on section 4 of Beaver township, York county, is one of the men who have helped make Nebraska great and powerful. He came here at an early day, applied himself assiduously to the making of a home out of the prairie wilderness, asked no favor of fate or fortune, but toiled and labored through sunshine and storm, and now as he enters the afternoon of his life finds himself, if not rich and great and powerful, at least com- fortable and independent. We honor such, and render the tribute of willing praise to their manly qualities, and it is a pleasure to inscribe their names in this book of remem- brance. Carston Stahr was born in Oldenburg, Germany, December 28, 1836, and spent the first part of his life in his native town, where he became a farmer. He was married, in 1862, to Margaretta Hopkin, a native of the same state with her husband. Her birthday was June 4, 1838, and ten years after her marriage she came into York county with her husband and settled on the homestead where they now live. At that time there were only a few settlers in the entire region. They lived remote from each other, and were full of cares and anxiety. And yet life on the prairie in those pioneer days was not without its social relaxa- tions and companionable pleasures. They thought nothing of driving fifteen or twenty miles to spend the day, and took more pleasure in neighborhood delights than those who came after them might imagine. Mr. and Mrs. Stahr had their first home in a dug-out, in which they lived for about six years. That gave way to a sod house, and that in turn to their present handsome and charming residence, which was put up in 1883, at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars. In 1872 Mr. Stahr rented a few acres and raised some corn. He also broke ground and made his place ready for farm- ing the coming year. He suffered from the flying pest of the air in 1874, and saw his corn vanish before clouds of grasshoppers. His wheat did not suffer, and from that time he has been able to gather crops and sell on a good market, and he has crowded his work to the utmost. He owns four hundred and eighty acres of ground, and has it all, with the exception of less than forty acres, under a high cultivation. In addition to this large estate he has given two hundred and sixty acres to his sons, and is proud and happy over the way his boys are doing. He is the father of eight children, all but one of whom are now living 638 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. Their names are William, John, Carston, Lillie, Charles, Frederick and Henry. Mary was the name of the one child who died early in life. Mr. Stahr and his kind- hearted wife are members of the Lutheran church, to which they are much devoted and liberal contributors. He has been an official in this religious organization, and has served as cashier of the parochial school board. He is a Republican in his political affilia- tions. He has been treasurer of the school district in which he lives for three years, and is regarded as an efficient and capable school officer. The success which has crowned a life of toil may be regarded as quite remarkable. Mr. Stahr brought less than two hundred dollars into York county, and all that he owns to-day has come through his hard work and close manage- ment. He could not speak a word of Eng- lish when his feet first rested on American soil, and in the face of all this, which to men of a weaker strain would have been in- vincible, he has become wealthy and influ- ential. JOHN F. VARNER, a leading and repre- sentative farmer of Seward county, re- siding on section 30, precint B, was born in Highland county, \'irginia, February II, 1838, and is a son of David and Sarah (Rexroad) Varner, who were also natives of the Old Dominion, where as a farmer the father carried on operations until called from this life. He had a fam- ily of six sons and one daughter, of whom Peter and our subject settled in Seward county Nebraska, the same year, and David A. is also a resident of this county. John F. Varner was reared and educated in much the usual manner of farmer boys of his day, pursuing his studies in the little log school-house so common in Virginia at that tmie. At an early age he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and con- tinued to follow the same until drafted for service in the Confederate army during the Civil war, becoming a member of Company H, Thirty-first Virginia Infantry. During the three years he was m the service he par- ticipated in the battles of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and Petersburg and Winches- ter, Virginia. At Cold Creek, he was cap- tured by the Union forces but managed to make his escape. Besides these engage- ments he was in many fights of less impor- tance in the valley, but fortunately escaped without wounds. After the close of the war Mr. Varner removed to West Virginia, but after living there a year he returned to the old home- stead and remained there until 1870, which year witnessed his arrival in Nebraska. He first settled in Plattsmouth, but the fol- lowing spring (1871) he came to Seward county and took a homestead on section 30, B township. Building a dugout, he lived in that primitive dwelling for seven 3'ears, and at once commenced to break and im- prove his land, but his team soon gave out and the first year he only broke twenty acres. Provisions ran very low in the Varner household and for four days they were without food, but after enduring all the hardships and privations incident to life on the frontier, success at length crowned their efforts, and Mr. Varner is now the owner of a vauable farm of two hundred and forty acres, all under a high state of cultivation and well improved with good buildings. He gives his attention exclusive- Ij' to general farming, and the comforable competence he has secured through his in- dustry, enterprise and good management is certainly well deserved. On the loth of June, 1867, in \'irginia, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Varner and Miss Mary A. Beverage, also a native of that state, and to them were born the following children: Howard A., Sarah A., John D., Thomas C. , Leroy, Arthur F.,and COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 639 Pearl F., deceased. The mother has also departed this life, dying in November, 1896. She was a consistent member of the United Brethren church, to which Mr. Varner also belongs. In politics he is a Populist, but has never cared for the honors or emolu- ments of public office. JOSEPH MATOUSEK.— It has been said that biography yields to no other subject in point of interest and profit, and it is especially interesting to note the progress that has been made along various lines of business by those of foreign birth who have , sought homes in America — the readiness with which they adapt themselves to the different methods and customs of America, recognize the advantages offered and utilize the opportunities which the new world af- fords. As a boy of fourteen years Mr. Ma- tousek came to the United States, and with no capital started out in a strange land to overcome the difficulties and obstacles in the path to prosperity. So succesful has he been that he is now one of the most sub- stantial business men of Brainard, Nebraska. Mr. Matousek was born in 1862, in Bohemia, where his father died when he was about three years old, and at a very early age he was thrown upon his own re- sources. When fourteen he came to this country with his future father-in-law, John Rak, and located near Lincoln, Nebraska, where he worked on a farm by the month. Subsequently he went to Saunders county, and in 1887 came to Butler county, where he was employed on a farm for one season. For the following four years he engaged in the saloon business, and then embarked in the lumber business at Brain- ard, where he has continued to carry on operations along that line under the firm name of Joseph Matousek & Company, dealing in lumber and and building material of all kinds. He is also interested in the elevator firm J. T. McElvain & Company, at Brainard and Bruno, and owns a good farm in Richardson township, Butler county, all of which property has been acquired through his own unaided efforts and excellent business ability. On the 1st of January, 1883, Mr. Ma- tousek was united in marriage with Miss Anna Rak, a daughter of John Rak, and they have become the parents of three sons, namely: Edward, Joseph, Jr., and Albin. Politically Mr. Matousek is a stanch adher- ent of Republican principles, and he is now efficiently serving as township treasurer and treasurer of the school district. Socially he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. For the success that he has achieved in life he deserves great credit; he not only began life in the new world empty- handed, but on landing here was unable to speak the English language. He is there- fore a brilliant example of a self-made man and a grand exemplification of the progress that an ambitious foreigner can make in this land of unbounded opportunities. CHRIST SPARLING is widely known as one of the most prominent and in- fluential citizens of Benedict, York county, Nebraska, where he is successfully operat- ing a large and well regulated store of general merchandise. He is also recognized as being one of the first' settlers of York county. Mr. Sparling s active, intelligent and progressive, and every enterprise that is calculated to be of benefit to his locality receives his earnest support and encourage- ment. He was born in the central part of Russia, on June 18, 1862, and is a son of Abraham and Catharine (Faourt) Sparling. They were both natives of Germany, but had settled in Russia some time previous to the birth of our subject. The father was a farmer, and followed that calling in Russia, 640 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. until 1874, when they started for the United States, but they had only proceeded as far as Berlin, Germany, when the father died. They carried the body with them to Ham- burg, for which they were compelled to pay a fine, as this was contrary to the laws of the country. The widow, however, came directly to the United States, and arrived at New York with her nine children, from whence she came to Lincoln, where they remained but a short time, and then located in York county, Nebraska. They purchased railroad land in West Blue township, upon which they built a dugout, and the widow and family began the onerous task of break- ing the land. When the family arrived in this county, they had but ten dollars in money, as the fine they had been forced to pay took nearly all of their hard-earned savings. But Mrs. Sparling was endowed with that persistency of purpose that is one of the chief characteristics of the natives of the " Fatherland " and went to work with the determination to succeed. There could be but one result to such untiring energy, and that is success, and when she died, in 1 89 1, it was a consolation for her to know that she had left her family of nine, which she had raised in the county, well provided for. Mr. Sparling, the subject of this sketch, was educated in his native land, and com- pleted his studies after he emigrated to this country. He worked on the home farm for three years, and then secured a position with J. S. Knott, of York, as a clerk in the general store, which place he retained for nine years. In 1887 he came to Benedict to take charge of a branch store, which he and Mr. Knott had established in this place under the firm name of Knott & Sparling. The partnership still exists, and they carry a general stock of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes. They built and now own the lar- gest store in the town, in which they do a large business. Mr. Sparling was married in April, 1888, to Miss Blanch Grievis, a resident of Polk county, and a daughter of James and Sarah Grievis, who came from Iowa. To this happy union were born two sons, Clifford E., and Lynn C., both of whom are still living. Socially he is a member of the A. O. U. W., and the M. W. A. and in his political views he uses his right as a citizen to support the Populist party, of which he is a stanch adherent, though he has never sought office. Mr. Sparling has achieved success in his life's work, and being a man of excellent business qualifications, gifted with a character of the highest order, he has been able to attain a position of promi- nence in both this and Polk counties. GUSTAF MALMQUIST, a well-known and highly respected citizen of Baker township, York county, whose home is on section 19, was born in Sweden, May 6, 1853, and is a son of Paul and Gustav (Malmgrin) Malmquist, now deceased, who spent their entire lives in that country. The father was for ten years a member of the regular Swedish army, but during that time there were no hostilities. Afterward he turned his attention to agricultural pur- suits and became the owner.of a good farm of about eighty acres. Upon that place Gustaf Malmquist spent his boyhood and his youth, receiving a good common-school education, which was sup- plemented by one year's attendance at col- lege. When his school-days were over he emigrated to America in 1871, in company with N. B. Swanson, who is now one of his neighbors, and on landing in New York, went immediately to Johnson county, Iowa, where he secured work on a farm. Two years later he went to Henderson county, Illinois, where he worked on a farm for four years, and was afterward employed on a cotton plantation nearVicksburg, Louisiana, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 641 for about nine months. In 1876 he paid a visit to his old home in Sweden, being ab- sent three years, and on his return to Amer- ica, in May, 1879, came direct to York county, Nebraska, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 27, Baker township. The following fall he sold that place, however, and went to Custer county, this state, but not being favorably impressed with that locality, he returned to York county and purchased his present farm of eighty acres adjoining the village of Charles- ton. It is now under a high state of cul- tivation and well improved as the result of his earnest persistent effort. In 188 1 Mr. Malmquist led to the mar- riage altar Miss Selma Peterson, also a na- tive of Sweden, and a daughter of John and Marie Peterson, who brought their family to America when she was six years old, and located in Burlington, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Malmquist have a family of four children: Gertie, Paul, Gail and Walter. The par- ents both hold membership in the Evangel- ical Lutheran church at York. Socially, Mr. Malmquist is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and in politics is independent, always voting for the man whom he thinks best qualified to fill the office, regardless of party affiliations. WILLIAM H. GOULD, who, after the labors of a long and busy life, is spending his later years in ease and retire- ment at his pleasant home on section i. Baker township, York county, adjoining the corporate limits of the city of York, was born in New York city, January 10, 1826, a son of David and Nancy (Monsell) Gould, both of whom were born in Suffolk county. Long Island, of English ancestry. For many years the father was engaged in the grocery business in New York city, but aft- erward removed to Fairhaven, Connecticut, where he died at the advanced age of ninety- two years. The death of his wife occurred in the same place. Reared in New York, William H. Gould acquired his education in the public schools of that city, and at the age of eighteen years commenced learning the wagonmak- er's trade, which he followed there for about ten years. He then moved to Suf- folk county, Long Island, where he con- tinued to work at his trade until he removed to Macomb, Illinois, in 1856. He con- ducted a shop there until coming to York county, Nebraska, in the spring of 1873, when he purchased forty acres of railroad land on section i. Baker township, upon which he has since lived. It was all wild prairie with hardly a tree or a shrub upon it, but to-day the place is under a high state of cultivation and some of the trees upon it measure seven feet in circumference. When he located thereon he built a sod house 20x35 feet, proposing to have a large, commodious home, but not being an adept at sod house construction, he only attained success in so far as the dimensions were con- cerned, for he afterward learned from ex- perience that it had not been built so well for warmth as for room. It was his first experience in sod-house building, however, and he could not be criticized too severely for his inefficiency, as he did the best he knew how. If it had been a wagon, how- ever, the finished product would have stood the test of an expert's most critical examin- ation. Mr. Gould was the first to engage in wagonmaking in the village of York, where he maintained a shop for many years. As there were no railroads in the place, he at first hauled material for his shop from Fairmont, a distance of twenty miles, and he constructed some of the first buggies used by the pioneers in York county. As years went by he also gave considerable at- tention to the improvement of his farm, and now has one of the most valuable pieces of property in the county. The land for 642 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. which he paid twelve dollars per acre he has been offered one hundred dollars for. At present he is living retired in a modern and comfortable residence upon his home- \ stead, surrounded by all the comforts and | many of the luxuries of life. On the 7th of December, 1S53, Mr. Gould was united in marriage to Jane E. Bounds, who was born in Bergen coun- ty, New Jersey, October 17, 1828, a daugh- ter of John and Agnes (Bross) Bounds, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Bergen county, New Jersey. To Mr. and Mrs. Gould have been born six children, as follows: Mrs. Ida Miller, a resident of Sedalia, Missouri; Lucy, who has been prin- cipal of the Lincoln school in York for eight years; David, a horseshoer of that place; Everett, a merchant of York; Mrs. Lizzie Boak, a resident of the village of New York; and Alfred B., who conducts a wagon shop in York. The parents ex- perienced many hardships in establishing a home in a new country, but now in the evening of life they not only enjoy a well deserved prosperity, but have the further satisfaction of having nearly all of their chil- dren comfortably established around them. In politics Mr. Gould is a stanch Repub- lican, and has always been an active worker in the party's ranks, wielding considerable influence, but he has never sought political preferment or held office of any kind. He is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows fraternities at York, and has passed all the chairs in the latter organization, while religiously he and his wife are both consistent members of the Congregational church. JT. POTTER, M. D., is a recent ad- dition to the professional population of Seward, having been a resident of this thriv- ing Nebraska town only about three years. In that time, however, he has attained a high place in the estimation of the people as a high-minded and scientific physician, anxious to bring to the sick and ailing the full provision of medical skill. He is a brother of D. D. Potter, M. D., to whose sketch that appears elswhere the reader is referred for an outline of the family history, and for other matters of interest that may not appear in this connection. Dr. Potter was born in Cortland county. New York, February 2, 1850, and com- pleted his literary and general education in the schools of his native county, and was graduated from the famous State Normal at Cortland. After this, he taught school four years, the last two of which were in Sanga- mon county, Illinois. He attended the medical department of the Methodist Uni- versity at Syracuse, New York, and received his graduating diploma in 1875. He prac- ticed medicine some years at Port Jervis, N. Y., and while a resident of that city acted as surgeon for the Erie railroad, and was as- sociated with the examining board for the pension department. In 1884 he moved to Sedgwick county, Kansas, and followed his professional labors there for eleven years. That section of the west did not prove en- tirely satisfactor}', and in December, 1895, he came to this city, and formed a profession- al partnership with his brother. Dr. D. D. Potter, which still exists. Dr. Potter was united in marriage, in 1888, to Miss Mary Topping, a resident of Sedgwick, Kansas. The union has been a very fortunate one, and has been blessed by the birth of one daughter, Helen Lucile. He is an ardent student of his profession, and neglects no opportunity of advance- ment. He is associated with the best minds of his great calling, and belongs to the American Medical association, the Kan- sas State Medical society, and the Seward County Medical society, and in these various gatherings his utterances are listened to with the respect that is due to a man sin- COMPENDIUM OF BlOGRAriir. 64;? cerely desirous of the truth. He is a wel- come contributor to leadinp; medical publi- cations, and has an acknowledged standing as an unusually skillful surgeon. He took a post-graduate course in New York in 1885, and reads the best books and papers of his calling. He is a Republican, but does not take a very great interest in politics. His interest lies along the line of his life work, and into the practice of medicine he puts all the enthusiasm and strength of his na- ture. He has been largely successful, and has won a flattering patronage in Seward and the surrounding country. HENRY GROBE.— Among the energetic citizens of York county, who are of alien birth, is the gentleman whose name in- troduces this narrative. Like others of his countrymen he has to the new world the habits of economy and frugality which are inherent characteristics of his native land, and the exercise of which, accompanied by industry and good management, has raised* him from poverty to comparative aifluence. For a number of years he successful!}' en- gaged in farming in Morton township, but is now living in the village of Benedict. In Saxony, Germany, Mr. Grobe was born August 23, 1844, a son of John H. and Lena (Harthouse) Grobe, natives of the same province. As a life work the father engaged in butchering and masonry, spend- ing his entire-life in Germany, where his death occurred in August, 1S45, when our subject was only a year old. In the family were five children, four sons and one daugh- ter. In 1859 the mother came to the United States and settled in Dixon, Illinois, where she passed away in 1888. In the schools of his native land, Henry Grobe began his education, which was completed in the public schools of Illinois. On starting out in life for himself, he worked as a farm laborer, remaining in the 37 Prairie state until 1869, when he moved to Iowa, where he resided for three years. In the spring of 1865, he had enlisted in the Union army as a member of Company I, Fifteenth Illinois Infantry, and was with that regiment until hostilities ceased, mainly doing guard duty, though they did a great deal of marching. It was in the fall of 1 87 1 that Mr. Grobe first came to Ne- braska, and after spending about a year in Ashland, Saunders county, he secured a homestead in York county — the northwest quarter of section 34, Morton township. With his own hands he built his little frame residence, the lumber for which he hauled from Lincoln. He wasted no time in be- ginning the improvement of his farm, plac- ing acre after acre under the plow until he had one of the best cultivated and most highly improved farms of the locality. He successfully engaged in both farming and stock raising, and is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of valuable land. He continued to reside upon his farm until 1893, when he removed to the village of Benedict, where he now makes his home. In December, 1864, Mr. Grobe led to the marriage altar Miss Angelina Cook, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Solomon G. and Mary A. (Ma}-) Cook, who are now living in York county, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Grobe ha\e a family of six children: Charles H., George E. , EnosE. , Milton E. , Lena T. and Nettie A., now Mrs. John Myers. The family is identified with the Lutheran church, and Mr. Grobe also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Home Forum. His political support is always given the Re- publican party, and he has n ost capably filled the offices of town clerk two years, assessor two years, school treasurer many years, and road commissioner four years. Thoroughly honest, upright and reliable, he is highly honored and respected by the en- tire community in which he lives. 644 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. SAMUEL WRIGHT RISING is an hon- ored resident of Rising City where he is living, retired from active business. He is one of the oldest settlers of Butler county, formerly being one of its successful farmers, and is now passing the evening of his life enjoying the fruits of his labor. Mr. Rising was born in Oneida county, New York, July i, 1820, a son of John Ris- ing, also a native of New York state. Our subject's grandfather, Josiah Rising, came from England to New York, before the Rev- olution, and participated in that war. He also participated in the war of 18 12, serv- ing in his son's stead. He married Miss Huldah Miller of Massachusetts. Our sub- ject's father, John Rising, was married in his native state to Miss Lucinda Wright, and they became the parents of a family of eight children, whose names in the order of their birth are as follows: Aschel M., Samuel Wright, Lucy(Morey), Jane(Morey) John, Elizabeth Warborton and Andrew J. Samuel Wright Rising, the subject of this sketch, moved frcn New York with his parents in 1837, or when he was si.xteen 3'ears of age, and settled in Michigan. His father bought a large tract of land in Hills- dale county, Michigan, at ten shillings per acre, and this farm afterwards became one of the finest in that section and has taken second prize in the county. Our subject was married in Hillsdale county, Michigan, December 20, 1841, to Miss Polly Rising, his first cousin. Her father, Jesse Rising, was a younger brother of John Rising, our subject's father. After their marriage they continued to live in Reading township, of that county, and their children were born there. The names of the children in the order of their birth are as follows: Albert Wright, Dennis William, Joseph Miller, and Jessie Hirman, all of whom are living. In the winter of 1870, at the suggestion of his son Albert Wright, who was then liv- ing in Iowa, our subject went west and joined him, and they together went to But- ler county, Nebraska, driving across the prairie. They located on a farm where Rising City now stands, December 13, 1870, and our subject built his home on section 10, the first house erected in Read- ing township. The township, also, was named, at the suggestion of Mr. Rising, after the township which was his former home in Hillsdale county, Michigan. He afterward assisted many of his friends in securing homes in that new country, and through his efforts there was quite a colony induced to try their fortunes on the prairie of Butler county, Nebraska. Many of the prominent farmers and business men of the community, also, migrated hither from Reading township, Hillsdale county, Mich- igan. In addition to his farm work Mr. Rising was for a number of years engaged in the farm implement business at Rising City in partnership with D. W. Rising, and he together with A. W. Rising and A. F. Turpening were the founders of that city. Socially our subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity. STATE BANK OF NEBRASKA.— This is one of the leading financial institu- tions of Seward county. The bank was originally organized in 1873. In 1881 the entire capital stock, fi.xtures, etc., were pur- chased by John Cattle, Sr. , and the bank was incorporated with the following officers: president, John Cattle, Sr. ; vice-presidents, John Cattle, Jr., and Walter Cattle; cashier, C. W. Barkley. The bank has a capital of sixty thousand dollars and does a general banking business. John Cattle, Sr., was born and reared in England. In 1 874 he came to the United States, but soon returned to his native land. In 1876 he again came to the United States and located in Seward county, Nebraska. He brought a large amount of wealth from COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 645 the old country and made extensive im- provements in Seward county. He was married in England in 1846 to Miss Alice Sarby. There were born to them three sons and three daughters, only two of whom are now living. The family on coming to Seward county immediately took rank among the most influential in the state, and have retained this position up to the present day. John Cattle, Jr., is the treasurer of the Seward cereal mills. The father, John Cat- tle, Sr., owns over two sections of farming land in Seward county and in connection with his sons jointly own eight business blocks in the city of Seward. They have been very successful in business and occupy a high position in this part of the state. GEORGE MOZEE, M. D.— In compar- ison of the relative value to mankind of the various professions and pursuits it is widely recognized that none is so important as the medical profession. From the cradle to the grave human destiny is largely in the hands of the physician. Dr. Mozee, of Geneva, is one of the ablest representatives of this noble calling in this section of the state, and he deservedly enjoys a large and lucrative practice. The Doctor was born in Henry county, Indiana, July 27, 1845, and is a son of Will- iam R. and Ruth J. (Brandon) Mozee, na- tives of Kentucky. The father, who was a carpenter by trade, removed to Henry coun- ty Indiana, but after spending a few years there returned to his native state, where he and his wife both died. Dr. Mozee was only about si.x or seven months old when his parents returned to Kentucky, and in Grant county, that state, he was reared to manhood, receiving his early educational training in the public schools of Williamstown, the county seat. Immedi- ately after leaving school he tookup the study of medicine with Dr. Daugherty, of Scott county, Kentucky, and subsequently en- tered the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, from which he was graduated with the class of 1866. About a year later he located at Caving Rock, Hardin county, Illinois, where he carried on a successful general practice for sixteen years. In 1883 he came to Nebraska and located in Geneva, where he soon succeeded in building up a good practice that he still enjoys. In February, 1867, Dr. Mozee was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Freis, a native of Hamilton county, Kentucky, and a daughter of Charles and Emily J. (Policy) Freis, the former a native of Germany, the latter of Kentucky. The Doctor and his wife have become the parents of six children, namely: Minnie, Charles C, Carrie A., Aggie E., Roscoe and Everett. Dr. Mozee occupies a prominent posi- tion among his brethren of the medical fra- ternity, and for several years has been a member of the insanity examining board. He has always taken a deep and commend- able interest in educational affairs and for a number of years has been a member of the school board, serving as its president at the present time. Socially he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Mod- ern Woodmen of America, and the Fraternal Aid, of which he is medical examiner, and is also a member and examiner for the Degree of Honor, and the Court of Honor. Politically he affiliates with the Democracy. He is a member of the county Medical society and has filled several offices in the same. ANSON B. CODDING, the well-known county surveyor of York count}', who has for twenty-five years been prominently identified with the growth andjdevelopment of this region, and as a public-spirited citizen has been thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the moral, and in- tellectual welfare of the community, was 646 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. born in Bloomfield, Ontario county, New York, January 19, 1835, and is a son of Robert F. and Charlotte E. (Beebe) Cod- ding, also natives of the Empire state and of English descent. The patenal grandfather of our subject was a native of England and bore the name of Coddington, which he had changed to Codding by the New York legislature, of which state he was a resi- dent. Robert F. Codding was both a farmer and civil engineer, following those vocations in New York until 1837, when he removed to Summit county, Ohio, and later to Morrow county, the same state, where his death occurred in 1882. He served as justice of the peace in Ohio, and also filled a number of other township offices, in a capable and satisfactory manner. In his family were twelve children, seven sons and five daughters. Reared in Ohio, Anson B. Codding ac- quired his elementary education in the common schools of that state, afterward supplementing the knowledge there obtained by a course in Oberlin college. On leaving that far-famed institution of learning, he commenced teaching school, and success- fully followed that profession during the winter months for some time. Having studied civil engineering, he went to Minn- esota in 1856, purchased a set of surveyor's tools, and sub-divided large tracts of land in that state for the early settlers. He was at St. Peter, Minnesota, during the Indian uprising in 1858, and did guard duty at Cordova. Later in the same year he went to La Salle county, Illinois, where he follow- ed farming for one year, and in that state was married, in April, 1858, to Miss Louisa W. Wirt, a resident of Lee county, Illinois, and a daughter of George and Mary (Kraft) Wirt, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. Of the four chil- dren born of^this union, two are now living: Minnie E. , wife of Charles E. Stratton, and Roy G. For two years after his marriage, Mr. Codding resided in Missouri, where he en- gaged in teaching school, and then returned to Illinois, making that state his home until the fall of 1872. when he came to York county, Nebraska. He located a claim on section 34, Morton township, erected a small frame house and at once began to break his land, devoting his time to agri- cultural pursuits for three years. He then removed to the city of York, having been elected county surveyor 1873, and continu- ously re-elected, beingthe present incumbent. A first class civil engineer, he has most ably performed the duties of that position, and his straightfoward, honorable course in life has gained for him the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has come in contact, either in business or social life. In his political views he is an ardent Republic- an, and as a popular and influential citizen, he has become a leader of the party in York county. In the Methodist Episcopal church, he and his family hold membership. WILLIAM DAYTON, whose pleasant home is on section 20, McFadden township, York county, is one of the early pioneers of this region, and has distin- guished himself' by his untiring industry, genial spirit, and neighborly instincts. He is upright and strightforward in all his deal- ings, and everybody knows him as a man whose word is as good as his bond. Mr. Dayton was born in Alleghany county. New York, December 4, 1835, and is a son of William and Susan (Longcore) Dayton. His father was probably born in Scotland, and his mother was of Dutch de- scent, and was probably born in New York. The senior Dayton was a farmer, and spent the greater part of his life in New York, where he died in 1842, when the subject of this sketch was only seven years old. Mrs. Dayton died in 1864. The subject of this COMPENB/i'M OF BIOGRAPHY 647 writing was thrown upon his own resources when only fourteen years of age, and found work in the lumber camps of New York. This was his business for a number of years, and in 1855 he removed to Pennsylvania to continue this occupation. He entered the Union army in March, 1864, enlisting in company G, Eighty-second Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served through the war. He was in the army of the Potomac, and participated in many of the desperate struggles that marked the closing months of the Rebellion He was in the battle of the Wilderness, and was shot through the right lung. He was treated at the Emergency hospital, at Washington, from May until October, 1864. He was transferred to the hospital at York, Pennsylvania, where he re- mained until the following March. When he was able to leave the hospital he was assign- ed to the Veteran Reserve Corps, Company A, Twenty-second Regiment, and served in this capacity until he was mustered out at Camp Dennison, Ohio, in .\ugust, 1865. Mr. Dayton returned to his home in Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, when the war was over, and resumed the cultivation of a small farm, which he owned in that community. In the spring of 1871 he filed a soldier's homestead claim to a quarter of section 20, of what is now known as Mc- Fadden township. At that time there was only one house where the city of York now stands, and there were only a few scattering settlers in the entire county outside of the river bottoms. There was only one house between him and Fairmont on the south, and the same was true of York on the north. He was of an extravagant disposition accord- ing to the opinion of a few settlers on the Blue, for he put up a frame house, fourteen by fourteen feet, which was among the very few frame houses to be found in the entire coun- try at that early day. And when he built a frame granary his neighbors were satisfied he would soon be bankrupt. He hauled the lumber from Lincoln, and some of it cost as much as fifty dollars a thousand feet. His house was but roughly completed, and one winter in it convinced him that some- thing more than appearance was necessary on the prairies, and he sodded the house to the roof before a second winter came upon him. He bought a farm team and wagon in Omaha, and paid for it four hundred and twenty-five dollars. He improved his land, and as the years went by his home increased in comfort, and he is to-day ranked among the solid and prosperous men of the county. Mr. Dayton was married July 7, 1856, to Miss Hannah P. Shoemaker. She is a native of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of John Shoemaker, who was born and bred in the same county. To this union have come four children, Elmer, John, George and Amanda. She died and he married again, August 15, 1879, Miss Annie Green becoming his wife. She is a daughter of John and Esther Green, who came to this country in 1872, and is the mother of one child, Katie M. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen at McCool Junction, and is a Republican. HENRY GOUDY.— Being a western man by birth and training this gentle- man is to-day one of the most progressive, enterprising and energetic agriculturists residing in Thayer township, York county, Nebraska, where he owns a fine and well, improved farm. In addition to general farming he feeds considerable stock, and in this branch of his business is also meeting with good success. Mr. Goudy was born on the 19th of February, 1841, in Des Moines county, Iowa, and is a son of Gilbert and Mary Goudy, the former a native of Scotland, the latter of New York state. They were pioneer settlers of Iowa, having located there in 1837, and with the agricultural 648 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. interests of the state were prominently identified until life's labors were ended. In the public schools of his native state our subject acquired his education, and was reared to habits of thrift and industry, which have been the means of bringing to him success in his subsequent business career. As soon as old enough to be of any assistance, he began to aid in the labors of the farm and soon acquired an excellent knowledge of farming in all its different branches. He continued to live in Iowa until 1883, when he came to York county, Nebraska, and purchased his present farm, to the cultivation and improvement of which he has since devoted his time and attention with most gratifying results. He is also one of the most successful stock raisers of the township. While still a resident of Iowa, Mr. Goudy was married in 1867, the lady of his choice being Miss Cynthia H. Clark, a native of Ohio, who with her father, William Clark, emigrated to Iowa at an early day. To Mr. and Mrs. Goudy were born two sons, namely: Gilbert W. and Emil N. The wife and mother, who was an earnest and faith- ful member of the Christian church, was called to her final rest in November, 1895. She had the love and respect of the entire community. In political sentiment Mr. Goudy is an ardent Republican. He is widely and favorably known throughout his adopted county, and as a public-spirited citizen takes an active interest in the welfare of the community. JOHN AUGUST FLOREN, one of Sew- ard county's homesteaders who, by thrift and perseverance, has become one of its well-to-do and influential farmers, has a fine tract of four hundred acres of land in precinct K, his home being situated in sec- tion 19. Mr. Floren was born Januarys, 1845, in- Skaraborg, Lan Sweden, where his parents spent their entire lives, the father reach-- ing the age of eighty-six, and the mother the age of seventy-five years. They were farmers by occupation, but were always renters, not being able to purchase a farm of their own. Our subject assisted his par- ents on the farm until he reached the age of twenty-six years. He then started for America, going by rail as far as Gottenburg,. from thence by ship to England', thence by rail to Liverpool and from there embarked for New York, landing June 21, 1871. He then proceeded to Council Bluffs, Iowa, and was there employed as a farm laborer at eighteen dollars per month until October of that year. About this time, he left the vicinity of Council Bluffs to go still farther west. He traveled by rail as far as Lincoln, Nebraska, and there found a farmer by the name of Johnson, who lived on the Blue River, and rode with him as far as Walnut Creek, in Seward county. He filed a home^ stead claim to eighty acres of land on Wal- nut Creek, built a sod shanty upon it and moved in his furnitue which comprised little else than his trunk which he brought from the old country. He soon provided himself with a small stove and settled in his new home, possessed of a property which, in Sweden, would make him a rich farmer. In this rude and poorly furnished shanty, our subject spent three years in bachelor quarters, but of this he became dissatisfied, and wished for a companion who should bear him company through the journey of life and who would also assume the man- agement of his household affairs, and on September 2, 1 874, he was married by Judge O. B. T. Williams, probate judge of Sew- ard county at that time, to Miss Anna Norin. Miss Norin was the only daughter of John Norin, who lived in the same county as the parents of our subject. She preceded Mr. Floren to America in company with her COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 649 brother, having left Sweden in August, 1870. They set sail from Gottenburg and landed at Hull, England. From thence they went by railroad to Liverpool, and there embarked on an Inman line steamer for New York city. From there they at once proceeded to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where Miss Anna's services were soon en- gaged in the Deaf and Dumb asylum, where she remained four years, during which time she made the acquaintance of Mr. Floren. After developing and improving the eighty acres that comprised his original homestead, Mr. Floren purchased an adjoin- ing eighty acres in 1873, and in 1877 he sold the entire tract because there was not other land adjoining that he could purchase, and the other quarter-section was much too small. He then went to precinct K, Sew- ard county, and purchased a tract of rail- road land. To this he has added from time to time as his circumstances would permit, until he is now the owner of a fine farm of four hundred acres, all in one body, three hundred and twenty acres of which are under cultivation, and the entire tract is well im- proved and furnished with such surround- ings as make life enjoyable. There are two orchards on the farm that furnish the family with apples, cherries, plums, peaches, etc., and the house and out-buildings are commo- dious, comfortable and convenient in their arrangement. Mr. and Mrs. Floren are the happy par- ents of a family of seven children, six of whom are now living, whose names, in the order of their birth, are as follows: Minnie E., Nettie, Carl F., Jessie, Arthur L. and Frank W. Miss Minnie E. received a high- school education in Seward, which she sup- plemented with a course in the Lincoln Nor- mal school, and is now teaching her fifth term and has gained a reputation that is second to none among the instructors of Seward county. Miss Nettie is also a teacher and is now serving her third term, and is meeting with marked success in the pursuit of her calling. She was educated in the same institutions as her older sister. Master Carl F., having completed the course given by the school of his district, is now attending the business college at Lincoln. The other children are still attending the district school. Politically, our subject was formerly a Republican, but becoming dissatisfied with the policy of that party, he forsook it, and for the past few years he has used his elect- ive franchises in the support of the candi- dates of the Populist party, considering it a duty to vote for the man best qualified for the office he seeks, regardless of party lines. Mr. and Mrs. Floren are members of the Presbyterian church at Tamora, but as this place is several miles from their home, the children attend the Methodist Sunday-school at Goehner. AARON ANDERSON has, since pioneer days, been identified with the agricul- tural interests of Polk county, and now has an excellent farm on section 27, township 14, range 2, which he has transformed from a wild, unbroken tract into well cultivated and productive fields. He thoroughly un- derstands his chosen vocation, and in his undertakings has met with well merited suc- cess. Mr. Anderson's early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Orebro, Sweden, September 25, 1843, ^ son of Andrew and Christina (Anderson) An- derson, both natives of Mosos, Torsjri, Sweden. The father was a land owner and successfully engaged in the operation of his farm until his death, which occurred in i860. Subsequently the mother came to America, and made her home with our sub- ject and another son until she, too, was called to the world beyond, in April, 1882, her remains being interred in the Stroms- 650 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY burg cemetery. In the family were twelve children, of whom seven reached years of maturity, namely: Caroline and Sophia, who still live near Stockholm, Sweden; Louisa, deceased; Charlotte, also a resi- dent of Sweden; Charles, deceased; Gus- tave, of Stromsburg, Nebraska; and Aaron, of this sketch. The family were all con- nected with the Swedish Lutheran church, and were highly respected people. Mr. Anderson remained on the home farm until si.xteen years of age and attended the local schools to a limited extent. At the age of sixteen he began learning the cabinetmaker's trade in Orebro, and after serving an apprenticeship of three and a half years, he worked at the trade in his na- tive land until 1867, when he crossed the briny deep, landing in New York city, on the 24th of June, after a voyage of three weeks. He proceeded to Janesville, Wis- consin, where he worked at his trade for one year, and then went to Chicago, Illi- nois, to meet his old sweetheart, who was coming from Sweden. They were married in that city, August 14, 1868. Her maiden name was Carolina Hernblom, and she was born in Hofoa, Sweden, Januarj' i, 1843. In Chicago Mr. Anderson worked at his trade until the spring of 1874, when he came to Polk county, Nebraska, and located upon his present homestead, build thereon a small frame house, which he enlarged eight years later, completing it in 1891. The first year he raised a small amount of wheat, but the grasshoppers took all his corn. In 1875 those insects also took a part of his crops, but since then he has steadily prospered and is now quite well-to-do, owning one hundred and eighty acres of land, of which one hun- dred and sixty acres are under[excellent cul- tivation and well improved. In the fall of 1874 he went to Des Moines, Iowa, where he worked at his trade during the winter, but since then has devoted his entire time and attention to general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of Poland China hogs. Mr. Anderson has been called upon to mourn the loss of his estimable wife, who died March 18, 1893, and was laid to rest in the Stromsburg cemetery. She was a consistent member of the Swedish Baptist church, to which he also belongs, and is now serving as deacon. Their children are Joseph, who married Selma Olson and lives in Omaha; Huldah; Albert Emanuel, of Omaha; Frank Theodore; Ida Caroline; Edwin Anton; Inez Edwina; and Julia Agnata. They have all been given good common-school educations, and the daugh- ters are now keeping house for their father in his pleasant home. He is a member of the Scandinavian Mutual Insurance com- pany, of Polk county, and for many years has been a member of the school board in district No. 64. He takes considerable in- terest in political affairs, but is not identified with any particular party, always endeavor- ing to support the man best qualified for the office. DR. THOMASJ. HATFIELD, a leading dentist and prominent citizen of York, Nebraska, was born in Owensburg, Greene county, Indiana, October 11, 1851, and is a sonof -Armistedand Mary (Richison) Hatfield. The grandfather. Ale Hatfield, was a native of England, and was descended from the Roundheads. During his boyhood he came to the new world with his parents and set- tled in Virginia, where he grew to manhood and subsequently married Miss Naocy Young. During early life they removed to East Tennessee and located in the midst of the Cumberland mountains on the east fork of the Cumberland river, where the inhabit- ants were very few indeed. This isolated spot had many attractions for Mr. Hatfield, who was a devotee to the chase, and while cultivating his little valley farm for bread DR. T. J. HATFIELD. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 653 he furnished his table with all the deer and bear meet the family could eat. There he and his wife spent the greater part of their lives. The farm on which they lived con- tained not more than thirty acres and had thirty-four corners marked with stone stakes and trees. During their early residence there the nearest cabin was fifteen miles from their home, and no wagon could be driven within twenty miles of this hunter's paradise. There they reared their children. Some of them reached man and womenhood unable to read and write; and in fact not one had ever seen a newspaper or book of any kind, or had been in a school- house until past middle life. The boys were experts with the rifle and also with the hoe, the only agricultural implement in use among those hills; while the girls were taught to grow and spin fla.\ and and weave all the cloth used in making the various garments worn by all. It was in this mountain home, and amidst these surroundings that Armisted Hatfield grew to manhood. He was born in Fentress county, Tennessee, March 9, 1809, and on reaching man's estate married Miss Mary Richison, a native of East Tennessee. After their marriage they left the mountain wilds and moved to south- eastern Indiana, settling on a farm in Greene county, in 1828, where h"e made his home for thirty-two years, while devoting his energies to the development and culti- vation of his land. Dr. Hatfield is the youngest of the fam- ily of twelve children, of whom ten reached years of maturity. In the county of his nativity he spent his boyhood and youth and attended the public schools. At the age of twenty he married Miss Martha Rush, a daughter of B. Rush, and they have become the parents of one son. Homer R., who has also chosen dentistry as a life- work, and is now a student at the North- western University at Chicago. The Doctor continued to work with and for his father until he attained the age of twenty-five years, when his father, who had accumulated considerable property, sold his farm and left our subject and his wife free to seek other employment. He then com- menced the study of dentistry in the office of Dr. Driscoll, with whom he remained for a year, and then entered the dental depart- ment of the University of Indiana, at In- dianapolis. On leaving college he returned to his old home, and among the people who had known him all his life he opened his office, remaining there four years. He then came to Nebraska and settled in the growing city of York, where he soon succeeded in estab- lishing a large and lucrative practice, which he still enjoys. In political affiliations he has been a life-long Republican, while so- cially he is a member in good standing of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his wife of the Daughters of Rebekah. For over a quarter of a century they have been faithful members of the Christian church, and are honored and highly respected citi- zens of York, where they have found a pleasant home. A portrait of Dr. Hatfield appears on another page. SOLOMON SHRADER, one of the rep- resentative and prominent agricultur- ists of Butler county, residing on section 6, Read township, has for almost a quarter of a century been identified with its interests, and has been an important factor in the growth and upbuilding of the community. Mr. Shrader was born July 18, 1829, in Union county, Pennsylvania, and is a worthy representative of an old Penns3'l- vania Dutch family, his paternal grand-fa- er being a resident Berks county, that state, while his father, Frederick Shrader, was for many years a well-known and highly respect- ed farmer of Union county. In the county of his nativity our subject was reared upon a 654 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. farm, early becoming familiar with every de- partment of farm work, and acquiring his literary education in the public schools of the neighborhood. He was married in Union county, in July, 1852, to Miss Cath- erine, daughther of Frederick Catherman,of that county, and there they began their do- mestic life. At the end of two years, how- ever, they removed to Centre county, Pennsylvania, where the following three years were passed. An older brother of Mr. Shrader had emigrated to Illinois and on his return to Pennsylvania induced our subject to sell his property there and re- move to the Prairie state, which he did in 1857, settling on a farm in Carroll county, where he experienced all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. To the cultivation and improvement of his land he devoted his energies for many years. Before leaving the east three children had come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Shrader, namely: George Rosa B. and William; and in Illinois the family cir- cle was increased by the following: Frances, Edwin, Fred, Kate, and Alberta. Of these George, is engaged in farming in Butler coun- ty, Nebraska, William is a resident of Osceola, Nebraska, Fred, a young man of especially bright prospects, was educated at Shenan- doah, Iowa, and died shortly after his gradua- tion in 1 89 1, his death proving a sad blow to his family and to his host of friends and ad- mirers among all classes. Rosa B. is the wife of George U. Warner, of Polk county, Ne- braska; and Kate and Alberta, at home,-are bright and facsinating young ladies of liberal education and superior talents. In the spring of 1874 Mr. Shrader came to Nebraska to visit his oldest daughter — Mrs. Warner — and before returning to Illinois purchased a quarter section of land in Butler county, on which he located March 15, of that year, after disposing of his property in Illinois. Here his expe- riences as a pioneer were duplicated, and from the wild unbroken land he has de- veloped a fine farm, whose well-tilled fields and neat and thrifty appearance plainly in- dicate the perseverance, industry and enter- prise of the the owner. Mr. Shrader and his family have taken a prominent and active part in the public affairs of the locality, and are justly numbered among the valued and useful citizens of the community. J AMES SHIPP.— The life of this gentle- man is a striking example of persever- ance and industry. He has had somewhat remarkable experience in his struggle with the world, but prosperity has at length crowned his efforts, and he is now the owner of a valuable farm on section 26, Baker township, York county. He was born in Cambridgeshire, England, March 2, 1846, a son of Thomas and Mary (Tubbs) Shipp, farming people of that country, who with their family emigrated to America in 1S58, and located in Warrick county, Indiana. For several years they made their home in that county, but finally sold their farm and removed to Gibson county, the same state, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The subject of this sketch was twelve years old when he accompanied his parents on their removal to the United States, and in Warrick and Gibson counties, Indiana, he grew to manhood. His summers were wholly devoted to farm work, and while at- tending school during the winter season, he worked nights, mornings and Saturdays for his board. In Gibson county, he was mar- ried February 24, 1870, to Miss Angeline Broadwell, a native of Warrick county, In- diana, and a daughter of David and Cath- arine (Welty) Broadwell, a sketch of whom will be found on another page of this vol- ume. Mr. and Mrs. Shipp have become the parents of nine children, namely: David, now deceased; Jonn; Charles; May; Will- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 655 iam; Richard; Nellie; Marcia, deceased; and Clyde. The first three years of his married life, Mr. Shipp passed in Warrick county, Indiana, but in the fall of 1873 came to York county, Nebraska, having bought the supposed right to eighty acres of land on section 26 Baker, townshisp, of Lee Matte- son, a young man from Iowa. He paid Mr. Matteson three hundred and fifty for his claim which he found out later did not exist but he never saw his friend (.') Matteson nor the three hundred and fifty dollars again. He afterward made up his mind that all men were not honest. Going to the land office, Mr. Shipp filed a homestead claim to the land and has lived upon the same ever since. The only improvement on the land was a dugout near its eastern border, and in this he, his wife and one child made their home during the winter-together with his broth- er-in-law, James White, with his wife and child — this rude habitation serving as a home for two families. Mr. White had homesteaded eighty acres adjoining that of our subject, and in 1874 they broke twenty acres of land spiece, having one team be- tween them. While Mr. White broke his land, Mr. Shipp planted sod corn, using an ax to make the neceassry excavation in the sod. The corn grew in fine style, and the prospects for a crop were good, but the grasshoppers came and destroyed it totally, together with all their vegetables. All they raised that year was a little wheat, and the hardships they were forced to endure can be little realized by the present generation. In the fall of 1874 Mr. Shipp built a comfort- able sod house on his land, and after living in it for seven years was enabled to build a frame house i6x 24 feet, which now serves as a kitchen to his present residence, which was erected in 1890, and is 16 x 26 feet, and two straies in height. He has placed his land under a high state of cultivation, and having rented two hundred and sixty acres of land, is now successfully carrying on farm- ing operations on an extensive scale. Mr. Shipp has always taken considerable interest in educational affairs, and for fif- teen years has been the efficient treasurer of his district. In 1895 he also served as assessor of Baker township. Politically he is a stanch Republican in politics, is an active party worker, while socially he affili- ates with the Ancient Order of United Workman at Charlston; and religiously both he and his wife are leading members of the Methodist Episcopal church at the same place, of which he is one of the trustees. WH. TAYLOR, a wealthy and pros- perous farmer of West Blue town- ship, York county, enjoys the distinction of being one of the very oldest settlers in this part of Nebraska. He has been here now a full third of a century, and has counted step by step all the slow and difficult pro- cess b-y which history has been made west of the Missouri. He knows all the story of the state by experience. He was part of it. He lives on section 8, and loves to dilate upon the story of the past. It is to him and to all who have come through it a his- tory of surpassing interest. Mr. Taylor was born December 20, 1837, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and was a son to William and Hester (Shaffer) Tay- lor, and by his paternal ancestry is of Ger- man extraction. His father and mother have always lived in Fayette county, and there he spent his life until he had reached full manhood. He was one of a family of five girls and four boys who reached matur- ity. Four are now living. His parents were members of the Methodist church, and were in every way excellent and worthy people. Our subject had one brother, John, who served in the Union army during the Civil war, and was taken prisoner and con- fined in Andersonville. 056 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. The subject of this writing began for himself in the great world of business soon after reaching his twenty-second year. He had been very fairly educated in the public schools, and felt quite prepared for the struggles and competitions of business. He left the overcrowded east, and found work as a farm hand in Livingston county, Illi- nois, in the year immediately preceding the firing on Fort Sumter. That direful event shook the country, and sent hosts of brave and ardent young men to the front. He was among the very first to enlist, and his record shows his enlistment April i8, 1861, as a member of Company D, Twentieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was attached to the drum corps as a fifer, and was with the regiment fourteen months. Its arena of operations was in Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri, and for the greater part of this time was under the immediate com- mand of General Grant. He was in the battles of Fredericktown, Missouri, and Fort Henry, and was taken sick at this latter point from exposure and hardship. He was in the hospital for more than a year, and was discharged in June, 1862. It was a blow to the ambitious soldier, but it could not be helped. He returned to his Illinois home, and began work selling coal out of a coal yard. He also worked in an elevator, and applied himself heartily to whatever op- portunity was offered him. In 1865 he came to Nebraska and took up a homestead where he now resides. His nearest neigh- bor was four miles away. Indians were plenty, and at times inclined so be danger- ous. His market town was Nebraska City, one hundred miles to the east. The town- ship, county and state were without or- ganization. In 1866 he broke the prairie and the next year raised his first crop. The first three years of his stay in the state he spent in Missouri, chopping wood, but after that his farm became important enough to demand all his time. He lived in a dug- out three years, and moved from that into a log cabin, and into his present residence in 1884. Mr. Taylor is the proprietor of a quarter section of as fine land as the sun shines on, one hundred acres of which are devoted to cultivation. His is a general farming, and he devotes all his energies to his farm. He was married in 1870 to Miss Sarah Ong, a native of Pennsylvania, where she was born in Fayette county, August 6, 1849. She is a daughter of Isaac Ong, who came to York county in 1868, and now re- sides at McCool. She is the mother of one child, and is a member of the Christian church. In politics Mr. Taylor is a stanch Republican. He was the first constable in West Blue township, and held that position ten years. He has been district treasurer and moderator of district No. 7. He helped to organize the first school district in York county, and walked thirty miles to engage the first teacher. He helped to organize the township, and had a hand in the organ- ization of the county and state. He was present at the first election in the county and state. He voted for the first governor of Nebraska, and has retained a lively interest public affairs. JULIUS C. BOYE, one of the most pro- gressive and enterprising agriculturists of Seward county, carries on operations on section 33, precinct N, where he has a fine farm. He is a native of Iowa, born in Linn county. May 19, 1848, and is a son of Har- man and Isabel (Patterson) Boye, the former of Danish, the latter of Scotch-Irish de- scent. The father was born in Denmark, but when a child was brought to this coun- try and grew to manhood in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he worked at the cabinet maker's trade until his removal to Iowa in about 1830. He con- tinued to follow his chosen occupation until COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRArHY 657 1850, when he was attacked with the "gold fever" and went to Cahfornia, spending four years on the Pacific slope, during which time he was fairly successful. On his re- turn to fowa he purchased a farm and . turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. It was in 1S47 that he married Mrs. Isabel (Patterson) Grafton, widow of Dr. Grafton. The subject of this sketch lived with his father on the home farm and attended the common schools until twenty years of age, when he entered the Agricultural col- lege in Story county, Iowa, where he pur- sued his studies for a year and a half, thus becoming well fitted for his life work. Re- turning home he aided his father in the work of the farm until twenty-three years of age, and during the following two years engaged in business on his own account as a farmer and railroad man. Collecting his hard-earned savings he crossed the Missouri river and landed in Seward county, Nebras- ka, March 14, 1874, with the intention of making his future home here. He pur- chased a farm on section 13, precinct M, built the usual sod-house and commenced to break and improve his land. On the 1st of October, 1874, Mr. Boye was united in marriage with Miss Esther Huffman, and took her as a bride to his new home, where they lived for three years. He then traded his farm for one hundred and sixty acres on section 33, precinct N, erected a frame house, and again commenced to develop a farm from wild land. Here his wife died in July, 1884, leaving him with three small children, the youngest , only two months old. Being unable to conduct his farm and care for his children, he moved to the city of Seward, where their grandmother could assist him in at- tending to their wants. In March, 1888, he returned to the farm, and on the iSth of January, 1889, he married Mrs. Myra Hazelwood, who lived south of Seward, and with whom he had been acquainted for a number of years. To them have been born three children, but all died in infancy. Two of the children of the first marriage are still living: Mable M. is now the wife of Harry Miller, son of Arthur J. and Melissa Miller, and they have one child, Vera. They live upon a part of the old homestead, not over a half mile from her father's house. Julius Roy is now fourteen years old, and when not attending the district schools of the lo- cality he assists his father in the labors of the farm. Mr. Boye is a firm believer in the advantages of a good education and proposes that his son shall attended higher institutes of learning and also prepare for a profession, if he so desires. Mr. and Mrs. Boye are the owners of four hundred and eighty acres of beautiful rolling prairie land, well watered and under a high state of cultivation. If good crops are an evidence of good farming as well as good land, the amount of wheat, corn, oats, barley and potatoes raised upon his farm will place our subject in the front rank of Seward county's best and most skillful farm- ers. He has always been a supporter of the Republican party, casting his first presidential vote for General Grant and his last for William McKinley. He and his wife are faithful members of the Evangeli- cal Association, both being regular in their attendance at church and Sunday-school. There is a neat little church only a mile east of their farm, where they can be found each Sunday listening to the preaching of Rev. Keefer, the present pastor. WILLIAM CRISP is one of the honored veterans of the Civil war whose de- votion to his country was tested not only by his service on the field of battle but in the the still more deadly dangers of the southern prison den. This gallant soldier is now a leading citizen of Osceola, Polk county, having retired from farm work. C58 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. Mr. Crisp was born January 9, 1834, in Cambridgeshire, England, but was brought to America in 1838 by his parents, Joseph and Martha (Webrow) Crisp, who Hved for six years in New Yorli state and then re- moved to Hillsdale county, Michigan, locat- ing on a new farm in the town of Cambria. There the mother died in January, 1867, the father in 1869. In their family were seven children who reached years of matur- ity, viz: Ann, now deceased; Elizabeth, a resident of New York; Charles, deceased; John and Joseph who live in Michigan; Will- iam, of this review; and George, deceased. Three of the sons were soldiers of the Civil war, Charles being a member of the Eighteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and dying from disease while in the service in Kentucky. George was a member of the Fourth United States Sharpshooters and was killed before Petersburg, Virginia. Thus two of the sons laid down their lives on the altar of their country. The father had been a member of the British army for seven years, first being under the command of Sir John Moore, and later under the Duke of Wellington. He was all through the Spanish peninsula campaign ending with the battle of Waterloo, where he was slightly wounded by a bullet just grazing his scalp. The subject of this sketch accompanied his parents on their emigration to America and on their removal to Michigan, and acquired his education in the public schools near his home. He was married, Septem- ber 9, 1855, to Miss Elizabeth Wamsley, who was born September 6, 1838, a sister of Christopher Wamsley, whose sketch ap- pears elsewhere in this work. Four chil- dren blessed this union: William, born November 11, 1856, died September 15, 1885. Cornelius Loca, born September 26, 1858, became a member of Company H, Fourth United States Infantry, regular army, and died October 5, 1883. Alice, born May 21, i860, married Joseph James, and died December 17, 1896, leaving six children, five still living — Earle, Tod, Rob- ert, Josiah and Ray. Mortimer R., born February 4, 1870, is now a Methodist min- ister. After his marriage Mr. Crisp located on a farm in Hillsdale county, Michigan, and to the cultivation and improvement of the wild land he devoted his energies until Au- gust, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Company D, Eighteenth Michigan Volun- teer Infantry. At that time excitement was very high, and while breaking land with a two-yoke team of cattle, he and his brother Charles got to talking about the war. They soon stopped work, unhitched the cattle and started off to enlist. His wife with a baby in her arms went to intercept him but missed him, and he soon afterward went to the front, leaving her with three small chil- dren. His command first went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and then under General Lew Wallace went in pursuit of Buckner in Kentucky. Mr. Crisp was in the engagement at Dan- ville, Kentucky, under Buell, and also in the siege of Cornith, and was on duty at Nashville, Tennessee, under General Mit- chell. He was one of the train guards on the railroad between Chattanooga and Louisville, then went to Murfreesboro after the battle in that at that place, and pro- ceeded with General Rosecrans to Chatta- nooga. Subsequently he was in the battles of Resaca, Decatur and Athens, and at the last-named place was taken prisoner Sep- tember 24, 1864. After spending one night in the stockades at Meridian, Mississippi, he was sent to Castle Morgan, Cahawba, Alabama, where he was confined until March 24, 1865, his food being a pint of corn meal every twenty-four hours, it being ground cob, husk and all. Everything was done by the captors to torment the prisoners. The prison was located in the flats of the Ala- bama river, which in the spring of 1865 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 659 overflowed its banks, and for twelve days this prison pen was covered with from one to six feet of water, there being not a dry spot on the entire grounds. The prisoners were almost naked; their sufferings were in- tense; vermin could be measured by the hundred bushels; and the death rate was about fifty per day. After the flood sub- sided there were about five hundred bodies ta|;en from the place. Vain efforts were made to break out, and they took their guards prisoners, but the next day two regi- ments of rebels and artillery were brought up and released the guards. As a punishment the prisoners were not given food for three days. During the raid of Wilson's cavalry in Alabama, the prisoners were taken across the Tombigby river to Gainesville, then to Meridian, and from there to Jackson, Mis- sissippi. At Big Black river they were re- captured by the Union cavalry and went into camp near Vicksburg for six weeks. On the 24th of April, 1865, two thou- sand five hundred prisoners from the rebel prison pens were put on board the steamer Sultana, at Vicksburg, bound for St. Louis, but when just above Memphis, Tennessee, the boiler exploded, causing a total wreck, which was followed in a few moments by a fire, which entirely destroyed the boat. Only about six hundred soldiers were saved, one thousand nine hundred being lost. At the time of the explosion, between two and three o'clock, a. m., Mr. Crisp was asleep on the boiler deck only about sixteen feet from the boiler, and was suddenly awakened, finding himself under the boiler. He had to remain there, being fastened down by a portion of the boiler, and the heat was al- most unbearable. After making a desper- ate effort he succeeded in crawling out and reached a crowd of men huddled together at the bow of the boat. Both arms, should- ers and a part of his body were scalded and. burned terribly, and the left arm was ren- dered useless by a part of the boiler falling on it. The boat had headed down the stream, and when the advancing flames be- gan to singe his hair, Mr. Crisp jumped into the river, but was immediately grasped by a drowning man and pulled under. Getting loose, he came to the surface and swam down stream and crossed to the Arkansas side, three and a half miles from the scene of the disaster. He landed on a tree stand- ing in the water, where he remained for about four hours, being rescued by a Con- federate soldier. He was taken to Memphis, where he remained in the hospital for two weeks and then sent to Cairo, Illinois, but could proceed no farther for twenty-four hours. By train he went to Indianapolis, and after resting another day proceeded to Columbus, Ohio, where he was in a hospital for two weeks. He was then ordered in the stockade on reaching Jackson, Michigan, but instead went home. He had suffered so much during his three years' absence and was so terribly changed by his horrible ex- periences, that his wife did not know him. At the end of two weeks he reported again at Jackson, and was again ordered into the stockades, but obtained a leave of absence. He was finally mustered out at Detroit, Michigan, June 25, 1865, but was unable to resume work for about a year. In July, 1873, Mr. Crisp came to Polk county, Nebraska, and secured a homestead — the northeast quarter of section 10, town- ship 15, range 3. For a few months the family lived in a tent, then in a sod house for four years, and at the end of that time removed to a comfortable frame residence. The land being all wild, they raised nothing the first year, and the following year their crops were destroyed by the grasshoppers. Thus they were forced to endure all the hardships and privations of frontier life, but Mr. Crisp was persevering and industrious, and now has eighty acres under a high state of cultivation and improved with good build- ings. In 1895 he laid aside business cares GOO COMPEXDIi'M OF BIOGRAPHY. and has since lived retired in Osceola, en- joying a well-earned rest. He is a leading and active member of the Methodist Epis- copal church of that place, and has been a local minister for that denomination since 1856, laboring untiringly for the betterment of his fellow men. He is an honored mem- ber of the Grand Army Post at Silver Creek, and is an ardent Republican in politics, tak- ing a very active part in the campaign of 1896, making a number of stump speeches throughout Polk county. He has efficiently served as school treasurer in district No. 57, and in days of peace is as true to his duties of citizenship as he was when he followed the old Hag to victory on southern battle fields. DIETRICH BRANDT was the first homesteader in H precinct, Seward county, Nebraska, and has known the west in every stage of development and been identified with its growth and prosperity. Mr. Brandt was born in Germany, Jan- uary 28, 1834, began school in that coun- try at the age of six years, and continued same until ten years of age. At this time he migrated to America with his father and older brother, his mother having died about four years previous to this time. They landed in New York in the fall of 1845, and from thence proceeded to Adam, county, Indiana, where they rented an eighty-acre farm for one-third of the crop it should produce, and made this their home for five years, and here the father, Conrad Brandt; died in the fall of 1850, at the age of fifty- two years. In the following spring, our subject and his brother went to Clayton county, Iowa, where, for a time. Master Dietrich made a living by working by the month. By the time he reached the age of twenty, however, he was able to purchase a fifty-acre farm at the rate of twenty dollars per acre. This farm, at the time Mr. Brandt purchased it, was entirely unimproved, but it soon yielded to the pluck and enterprise of its new owner and became quite a respectable habitation for our subject and the amiable lady who at that time became his wife. Mr. Brandt made his home on his Iowa farm for fifteen years, and then emigrated, with a covered wagon and team of oxen, for Nebraska. Arriving at Nebraska City, he left his wife and family of three children while he, together with Conrad Grotz and Louis Leibrock, went farther into the in- terior of the state on an exploring expedition. After locating his claim in H precinct, Seward county, our subject returned to Ne- braska City for his family. They then moved to their new home, but for three weeks they were obliged to live in their covered wagon until the dug-out could be completed. In this rude domicle, which was in size 16 x 18 feet, they spent two years, and from it every evening could be heard the sound of wolves, deer and ante- lope, mingled with the yells of the Indians. Later he built a log house in which he lived until 1890, and this structure is still stand- ing as a relic of pioneer life. He then moved into his present spacious, and, in- deed, very comfortable home. During the early part of his life in the west, Mr. Brandt had to drive to Nebraska City, a distance of seventy-five miles, to get his groceries, and, in fact, do all of his market- ing, and consequently the supply of pro- visions would sometimes run low, and the good wife was compelled to use the coffee mill to grind wheat and corn to supply the family with bread and " Johnniecake." This mode of living is now a thing of the past with Mr. Brandt, and he is now the fortu- nate owner of a farm of three hundred and twent}' acres that compares favorably with the best farms in the precinct and he is now enjoying the fruits of a life of industry and honest labor and the confidence COMPEXn/LM OF BIOGRAPHV 0(51 and esteem of his fellow citizens, the waj^es of an honorable and upright life. Politically our subject is a Democrat, having cast his first presidential ballot of James Buchanan, the Democratic candidate from Pennsyl- vania, and attends religious services at the Evangelical Lutheran church, in Middle Creek. Mr. Brandt was married while living in Iowa to Miss Catherine Leibuck, who was born in Germany, came to this country at the age of sixteen years and became his wife at the age of eighteen. Mrs. Brandt died in Iowa, and our subject subsequently married Mary Heidenreich in Wisconsin, who migrated with him to Nebraska, and who is still living and enjoying with him the results of their labors in doing their part to subdue and civilize the wild and barren west. Mrs. Brandt is a daughter of Charles and Sophia (Brinkboff) Heidenreich, and was born in 1846. Her parents came to this country from Germany about the year 1856 and made their Ihome for many years in Dane county, Wisconsin. The mother died in that state and the father afterward tnoved to Lancaster county, \\'isconsin. Mr. Brandt has a bright, interesting family of fifteen children, whose names in the order of their birth are as follows: Cardine, Eliza- beth, Lizzie, Charlie, William, Annie, Min- nie, Henry, Louis, Ida, Martha, Lena, Johnnie, August and Clara, all living but two Elizabeth and Lizzie. CHARRES H. STARK, who may be nearly always found on his homestead farm, section 24, Hays township, is one of the early pioneers of this county, and by example and teaching has contributed very substantiall}' to the onward movement of this region. He is a man of intelligence, entertains broad and enlightened views, and is an earnest advocate of sound morals and progressive education. 38 Mr. Stark was born in Allegany county, Maryland, April 4, 1838, and is well past the sixtieth milestone of his life journey. He is a son of Jervis Stark, who was born in Limerick. Ireland, and came to this country early in life, and settled in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, where he found and wooed his wife. Her maiden name was Sarah Dean, and she is still living in the Quaker commonwealth, and is over eighty years old. Jervis Stark was a contractor and builder of macadamized roads, and was employed in this line for many years. He constructed a fine road in Virginia, leading, to Cedar Creek, afterwards immortalized in the history of the Civil war as the scene of Sheridan's Ride. He became a hotel keeper later in life, and was a man of considerable attainment and character. He was married about 1830, and died in Vir- ginia in 185 I. Mr. Stark retnained in Virginia until he was fifteen years old, when he returned to Pennsylvania after the death of his father. He had more than an ordinary education, and was a faithful student both in the com- mon school and the academy. In 1S61 he journeyed westward and engaged in farming near Magnolia, Illinois. In the spring of 1864 he enlisted at Chicago in Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry. He served un- til November of the same year, and was mostly on garrison duty during that time. He returned to Illinois, and February 14, 1865, he was married to Miss Kate Stanton. She was a daughter of Jer- emiah and Sarah (Sutton) Stanton, and is also a Pennsylvanian born and bred. They settled on a rented farm where they spent the first four years of their wedded life. But they had dreams of a farm and a home of their own, and an old settled country like Illinois seemed to afford little counte- nance to that notion. They determined to seek their fortunes in Nebraska, and in 1869 GC)2 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. came to York county driving overland the entire distance. It was a wild country upon which they looked. Game abounded. Buffalo had not entirely disappeared, and Indians were still numerous. But they had stout hearts, and set to work bravely to make a home in the wilderness. They filed a homestead claim to eighty acres, and this modest beginning has grown into a handsome and well kept farm of two hun- dred acres in a high state of cultivation, with all the latest notions of enlightened agricul- ture. Mr. Stark is an old settler, and a highly respected member of the community. For two terms he served on the county board, and for many years he has been a member of the school board. He assisted in the organization of the first school district in the county, and from the first has taken a deep interest in the cause of popular educa- tion. He helped organize the United Breth- ren church, which now has its location in McCool Junction. Its first services were held in a dug-out on the banks of the Blue River, near the crossing of the Kansas City and Omaha Railroad. He is a charter member of the Modern Woodmen at Mc- Cool Junction, and is connected with the Hays Grand Army post at Lushton. He is the father of si.x living children, whose names are Sarah, Jrevis N., Stanton F. , Annie, Nettie, and Charles William, and and has buried three children, Florence, Walter L., and Thomas L. During early days he taught school, and was among the first teachers in York county. All his life he has been an earnest friend of learning and religion, and through his character and teaching this community has been substan- tially benefited. M RS. CAROLINE TOWNSEND BAR- RETT, residing on section 33, Hays township, York county, is a lady of large business capacity and marked intelligence, and is distinguished for her straightforward womanly course, no less than for the tact and energy she has employed in her busi- ness affairs. She bore the maiden name of Caroline Townsend, is a native of Delaware county, New York, and a daughter of More- house and Anny (Johnson) Townsend, na- tives of Connecticut and New York, respect- ively. For thirteen years during early life the father sailed the seas, but later engaged in farming for a number of years. After his children attained maturity and moved west, he finally joined them in Illinois, but died in Beatrice, Nebraska. The mother survived him for several years, and passed away at the home of Mrs. Barrett, at the age of ninety-three years, being at that time the oldest lady in York county. In 1854 Caroline Townsend gave her hand in marriage to William Barrett, and after living upon a farm in New York for nine years they removed to Ogle county, Illinois, whence they came to York county, Nebraska, in the fall of 1875, purchased one hundred and si.xty acres of railroad land on section 33, Hays township, en- tirely unimproved. The lumber for their home was shipped from Burlington, Iowa. Soon after coming here, Mrs. Barrett was left a widow with eight children to rear and educate, which she has done in a most commendable manner. She deserves great credit for the able manner in which she has for years successfully conducted her farm- ing operations and made a home for her children. Left alone in a new country, practically without money and the obliga- tions of a farm with scarcely any improve- ments and with few tools or machinery to work the same, she has succeeded in main- taining a home for her family under most distressing and discouraging circumstances, and the result has only been obtained after undergoing many hardships and years of hard work. Assisted by her children as COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 6G3 they grew up, she at length paid for her farm and now has one hundred and sixty acres under excellent cultivation and well improved. It is also well stocked and equipped with modern machinery. Mrs. Barrett is a faithful member of the Fair- view Methodist Episcopal church and a most estimable lady. The children, who have now all left the paternal roof, are as follows: Morehouse, a farmer of Frontier county, Nebraska; Martha, wife of Edward Hendricks, of Mc- Cook, Nebraska; Mary, wife of William Search, a farmer of York county; Ellen, wife of John Taylor, of Ida county, Iowa; Anderson, a farmer of York county; Anny, deceased; Jennie, wife of George Jenkins, a farmer of Fillmore county, Nebraska; and David, who is engaged in mining in Klon- dike, Alaska. GEORGE HAYWORTH, who owns a fine farm on section 26, McFadden township, is one of the leading men of York county, and is recognized as a representa- tive farmer in this section of Nebraska. He has passed through the hardships and priva- tions of pioneering, and has plucked a large success from trial and trouble. Mr. Hayworth was born in Davis county. North Carolina, April 14, 1846, and is a son of Riley and Percilla (Chambers) Hayworth. Riley Hayworth was a farmer in North Carolina, and coming of Quaker anteced- ents, held no slaves. He spent some years in Virginia after the birth of the son whose name introduces this article, and then feel- ing the need of the air of freedom, emigrated with his family to Iowa, where he settled in Appanoose county, where he spent the closing year of a long and honorable life. He died in 1895, out-living his wife thirty- two years. Mr. Hayworth was about eleven years old when his parents settled in Iowa. They had previously given five years to a trial of the possibilities of life in Indiana, and in that state he received. the most of his early education. In May, 1S64, he enlisted as a member of Company G, One Hundred and Thirth-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for one hundred days. Upon his discharge he re-enlisted in Company E, Thirty-ninth Illi- nois Veteran regiment, and served until the close of the war. The One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Indiana did post and guard duty at Bridgeport, Alabama, and the Illi- nois Veterans had a hand in the battles around Petersburg, and helped secure the surrender of General Lee. In one of these battles Mr. Hayworth fell into the hands of the rebels, and was subject to a brief cap- tivity at their hands. When the war was over, and white-winged peace had spread her wings abroad, he came back to Iowa, and resumed the occupation of farming in Appanoose county. Mr. Hayworth made a trip to York county, in August, 1871, and was so pleased with the promise of the land, that he brought his family back with him the fall of the same year. They passed the winter in a dug-out on Indian Creek; as it was one of the severest ever known in this section of the country, they suffered greatly from the snow and the cold. But all things come to an end, and the winter gave way to spring at last, and in the early spring he filed a soldier's homestead claim to section 26, McFadden township, and thus secured the home which has been his to the present day. His first residence conformed to the simple habits of the time. It was a sod house fourteen feet square, but it was a home, and gave promise of better things to come. The first year he broke about forty acres, and raised corn enough for his stock. And now, after a quarter of a century of the hardest work, he has a fine improved farm in a high state of cultivation, which contains two hundred and forty acres of choice land. 664 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. He is a Republican, and takes an active part in the management of the machinery of the party. He is a member of the Exeter post of the Grand Army of the Repubhc, and is a leading spirit in its councils. He was married December 17, 1867, to Miss Mary Ford, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Jordan) Ford, Her father was born in Pennsylvania, and her mother in Kentucky, and were much re- spected people in their day. Mr. and Mrs. Hayworth are the parents of twelve chil- dren, nine of whom are living. Their names are Lewis L. , Lucy E., Missouri E., Flora A., Frances P., Alice, Jacob E., Aurelia J. and Thomas. George W., Charles W., and Mary C. died in early life. Mr. Hayworth served his country well, has been an hon- orable and useful citizen, and now, as the evening shadows begin to slowly gather, he can look back upon a career of honor and usefulness. WILLIAM FRANKLIN SPROUT, who resides on section 4, Chelsea town- ship, is one of the leading farmers of Fill- more county. He was born August 24, 1846, in Dupage county, Illinois, and is the son of Alexander and Anna (Fry) Sprout. His grandparents on the maternal side were Jacob and Elizabeth Fry, who were Penn- sylvania Germans. They immigrated to Illinois in an early day and commenced farming. Jacob Fry was also a minister of the Gospel. Both of them died in Illinois, Elizabeth Fry living to be eighty years of age. Alexander Sprout lived on his farm in Illinois for about forty years, when he moved to Fillmore county, Nebraska, and in the fall of 1883 bought a farm and lived there until his death, which occurred Janu- ary 23, 1898, at the age of seventy-six years. The mother, who is seventy-six years of age, is still living on the old farm, which is man- aged by the youngest son. Our subject received his education in the common schools of his district, and acquired such an education as the district schools of that time afforded. He lived with his parents until he was twenty-four years of age, at which time he was united in marriage to Miss Frances E. Jayne, the daughter of Horace and Lucy Jayne, and to their mar- riage were born five children, Jessie M., who married George J. Babb, and is now living in Champaign county, Illinois. She is the mother of one child, Walter. The other children, Earnest W., Grace L. , Lee C. and Melvin R. are at home and engaged in farming. Earnest W. attended the Lincoln Normal for two years, and Lee C. will attend the Lincoln Business col- lege, in order that he may acquire a complete business education. After his marriage our subject purchased a small farm and commenced work for himself. His industry and perseverance were at- tended with success, for in three years he was able to purchase more land, his farm then consisting of ninety-five acres of good fertile land. He lived on this farm for ten years, and seeing the advantages which the west offered he gathered everything together and loaded them on the cars and started for Nebraska, reaching there in November, 1886, and immediately purchased a quarter section in Chelsea township, and where he is living at the present time. Mr. Sprout's first wife died on April i, 1894, and on September 14, 1898 he was married to Mrs. Ada Friend, who was a daughter of John and Charity Lott, and to whom by her previous marriage were born two children, Edna A., and John M., both of whom are living. Our subject has a well improved, nicely located farm of three hun- dred and twenty acres of fine farming land, all under a high state of cultivation. His buildings are modern and substantial, and all over his entire farm you can see eviden- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHl^. 665 ces of his thrift and industry, and he is con- sidered by all his neighbors as being a prosper- ous and successful farmer. In 1864 our subject, who was then but eighteen years of age, thought he was old enough to be a soldier, and on June 16 of that year, in re- sponse to the President's call for three months' volunteers, he went to Elgin Illinois, and enlisted in company H, One Hundred and Forty-first regiment, Illinois Volunteers. After drilling a short time his regiment was sent by rail to Cairo, Illinois, and from there to Paducah, Kentucky, and at that place made their headquarters during their entire stay in the army. From Paducah they were sent by boat up the Mississippi river, and landed in Missouri, and immediately started in chase of the Confederate General Forrest. They followed him for some ten or fifteen days, but at no time did they succeed in overtaking him, as at every point they thought they had succeeded in running him down the wily General managed to elude them and was always in some other place. While his regiment did not see much active fight- ing service, yet in holding the camps they released thousands of trained soldiers who were allowed to do active service, and to participate in the great final battles of the war, so that they really did serve their country just as much as though they had been allowed to do fighting service. He was of an active stirring disposition, healthy and rugged, and at no time during his en- tire term in the service was he in the hospital, and during some of their long and most arduous forced marches, he was never left behind. He looked upon the hardships of a soldier's life as something that could not be avoided, and as he was of a bright and jolly disposition his companionship was much sought by his fellow comrades. He was mustered out of the service at Camp Fry, Chicago, October 10, 1864, and at once re- turned home and began work on his father's farm as before. He has always enjoyed the best of health, and at the present time, at fifty two years of age, has never been sick in his life. Mr. Sprout is a member of the Method- ist Episcopal church of Geneva, and has always taken much interest in all matters pertaining to church work. His wife is a member of the Congregational church in the same place, and is also and active church worker. He also belongs to the A. O. U. W. fraternity. Politically he is with the Independent party and is an ardent be- liever in bi-metalism. He is also greatly interested in educational matters, and has always taken an active part in any move- ment that would benefit his community. He has taken great interest in township af- fairs, and at various times has served as assessor, school director and supervisor of roads. He is held in high regard by his neighbors and friends, and commands the respect of all who know him. PETER KELLER.— Among the substan- tial and prosperous agriculturists of Seward county may well be named the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. His home and farm, which is not lacking in evidence of thrift and enterprise, is situated on section 7, precinct H. Mr. Keller is a native of Germany, his natal day being March 21, 1852, and lived in that country until twenty-eight years of age. He received his preliminary educa- tion in the common schools of the Father- land, between the ages of six and fourteen years, after which he entered the surveyors, and the higher schools, and the training he received in these institutions proved valu- able to him in his mechanical work. At the age of twenty, he entered the German army, and, after serving three years, returned to his study, taking courses in the schools at Bensheim, Worms and Manheim. After completing his education at the age of 666 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. twenty-six, Mr. Keller spent two years in Germany and then started for the new world. He took transport in a steamer from Hamburg to New York and from thence proceeded to Johnson county, Iowa, where he was employed as a farm laborer for about eighteen months, ^^'hile in Iowa, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Kate Seibert, and soon after moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he was employed for one year by the B. & M. railroad com- pany as a mechanic and machinist in the roundhouse. While living in Iowa, Mr. Keller pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of rail- road land in Seward county, Nebraska, at eight dollars per acre. At the time of this purchase, he was possessed of only fifteen dollars, and after paying ten dollars down for his farm, it took his remaining five dollars to pay his fare home to Iowa. Upon severing his connection with the railroad company in Lincoln, in 1883, he moved, with his wife and child, to his farm in H precinct, Seward county, furnished it with a residence 14.x 20 feet, a team of mules, a cow, a hog and a wagon, and began to break and to otherwise prepare his new farm for crop-raising and fit habitation for himself and family. That Mr. Keller has suceeded in this venture can be easily proven by a few minutes' reconnoiter of his surround- ings. The original quarter section has been added to from time to time until it now comprises two hundred and forty acres, is well stocked and finely improved with build- ings, forest trees and fruit trees of every description. The barn, however, was struck by lightning during the past season, but is now being replaced by a new building. Mr. Keller attends religious services at the Con- gregational church. Mrs. Keller, who has been previously mentioned in this article, was also born in Germany, the date of her birth being No- vember 26, 1853. She was educated in Germany, and at the age of twenty-eight years, she left home and came alone to America, stopping for a time in Baltimore and from thence moved to Iowa, where she met our subject, and was united to him in marriage October 9, 1881. To this union have been born four children, upon whom they have bestowed the following names: Fred, Lizzy, Mary and John, all of whom are living and are still making their home with their parents. Our subject's father, John Keller, was born in Germany and spent his entire life in the land of his nativity, and the mother also lived and died in Germany. Mrs. Keller's father, Frederick Seibert, was also a native of the Fatherland, and her mother, who bore the maiden name of Kate Roth, is still living at the age of seventy- three years. RICHARD MATTHEWS, who saw the early days of McFadden township, and knowns of his own experience what pioneer- ing means, is now spending the last days of a busy life in the cultivation of his farm, and the enjoyment of a wide circle of friends in York county. Mr. Matthews was born in county Gal- way, Ireland, December 5, 1847, and was a son of David and Mary (Donahoe) Matthews. They were natives of the same county in which Richard was born. The husband and father was a farmer and became prosperous in his native land, where he died in the full- ness of years. His wife survives and still resides in Ireland. Richard was reared on his father's farm, and had a good education in the schools of that country. He learned the carpenter's trade and worked at it until he reached the United States in 1871, He crossed the ocean on the ' ' Java, " landing in New York, July 12, and for seven years he worked at his trade in that city. He spent some time in Troy, and later went to Washington, District of Columbia, and in COMrENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 0G7 March, 1878, was first seen within the borders of York county, Nebraska. The previous year he had entered into a partner- ship with a Mr. Henehan, who had come to the county and bought a considerable tract of land. The two were associated in farm- ing for several years, when they dissolved partnership, and divided everything equally. Since coming here he has increased his real estate holdings, and now owns a very com- plete farm of two hundred and forty acres, more than half of which is under a high state of cultivation. His first home was a sod-house, 14x24 feet. It had a lumber roof, and was regarded as one of the larg- est and most aristocratic in the county. Yet it is recalled that when a severe storm was raging it was sometimes necessary to hoist an umbrella in order to keep protected from the penetrating rain. But this was pioneer- ing, and everything was accepted with a hearty good nature. Mr. Matthews had his home on the northwest quarter of section 27, and he has improved it beyond the im- agination of anyone who could have looked at it on the occasion of his entrance upon the raw prairie. This place he exchanged in October, 1896, for his present home, on section 23. He was married in 1881 to Miss Nora Lally, a native of Ireland, who came to this county from the city of New York. They are the parents of two boys, William D. and Richard, Jr. He belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, at McCool Junction. He is independent in his political relations, and with his family belongs to the Catholic church at Exeter. WILLIAM F. KAPKE, a well-known farmer residing on section 20, I precinct, Seward county, is a man whose success in life shows what can be ac- complished by industry, perseverance and economy, especially if a sensible wife aids him in his efforts to secure a home and com- petence. He is a native of Germany, born in 1835, but when a child of seven years was brought to America by his parents, Martin and Louisa (Tank) Kapke, who were also born in that country. They became pioneer settlers of Wisconsin, locating there when that state was almost an unbroken forest, filled with Indians, wolves, bears and deer, and they had many things to contend with and many dangers to encounter in making for themselves a home in that wild country. The mother died in Wisconsin at the age of seventy-four years, and was buried in Sheboyagon county. Subsequently the father made his home with our subject and died in Nebraska at the age of eighty-three, being laid to rest in Middle Creek cemetery. In their family were four children, three sons and one daughter, all of whom reside in Wisconsin with the exception of our subject. At the age of six years William F. Kapke entered school and continued his studies in the common schools of this country until fourteen, after which he as- sisted his parents on the home farm until twenty-three. On the 3d of November, 1859, he was married by Rev. Adolph Schwamkoskie to Miss Wilhelmina Klug, who was born in Wisconsin, July 5, 1839, and attended the public schools of that state until twelve years of age. She was then confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran church, our subject being confirmed in the same church at the age of fourteen. Her parents, Charles and Christine (Knuth) Klug, were both natives of Germany and when young came to the United States, being married in Wisconsin, where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying at the age of seventy-six and the mother at the age of seventy-eight years. Their family consisted of three chil- dren, Mrs. Kapke and two sons, one of whom is now living in Milwaukee, Wiscon- sin, the other in Seward county, Nebraska. 668 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. Mr. and Mrs. Kapke are the parents of eleven children, namely: Frank, who mar- ried Minnie Thomas and lives on a farm in Seward county; Mary, wife of John Thomas, a contractor and builder; Matilda, wife of Henry Thomas, a farmer; Willie, deceased; Paul, who married Maud McGrew; Fred, who married Kate Wissel; Bertha, wife of Charles Miller, a broker of Lincoln, Ne- braska; and Minnie, now Mrs. Steiner; Willie, Ida and Clara, all at home. All have been provided with good common- school educations and ha\e been confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran church. For several jears after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Kapke continued to reside in Wisconsin, where they worked hard to sup- port their growing famih', and by close econom}' they saved enouf;h money to pur- chase a home of their own. Mrs. Ivapke had been inured to hard work while still under the parental roof and she has proved a true and faithful helpmeet to her husband, aiding him in every possible way. She never wasted a moment and every possible attention was given to her children. In the spring she would help her husband in mak- ing maple syrup, as there were many maple trees upon their farm. From the wild land they developed a little farm, cutting down the trees, burning the brush, andfinallj', with a yoke of oxen, breaking the earth, so that with a hoe or rake a little grain or vege- tables could be planted. One of their mis- fortunes, also, v/as that their house was burned. Generally the cultivated farms in that wild region were from ten to twenty acres in extent, and our subject and his wife improved about six acres, each year adding one or two more to the cleared tract. She could generally drive the ox team while breaking the land. Thus they continued to work until the spring of 1878, when they decided to try their fortune on the prairies of the west, and accordingly came to Ne- braska. For ten years they lived on a farm in Lancaster county, and they remo\ed to Lincoln, where Mr. Kapke worked at his trades as a carpenter and brick mason, and his wife successfully conducted a boarding house, thus carrying on operations for nine years. The spring of 1898, however, witnessed their arrival in Seward county, and they now live on a farm on section 20, I precinct, their energies being devoted to agricultural pursuits. Duritig the Civil war Mr. Kapke was drifted, and served for nine months as a member of Company F, Sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Childs. He was wounded at the battle of Hatchie's Run and sent to the hospital at Wilmington, Delaware. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged, but on ac- count of his wound was unable to be pres- ent at the grand review in Washington, District of Columbia. Mr. and Mrs. Kapke have the respect and esteem of all who know them and have made many friends during their short residence in Seward county. Their children have been well reared, re- ceiving a moral and religious training from a Christian mother, and in them the parents take a just pride. REV. JAMES F. McCOY, an earnest and efficient christian worker and a minister of the Christian church, is making his home on a farm in Ulysses township and in con- nection with his ministerial work is success- fully operating his farm. He settled on sec- tion 18, of the above-named township in March, 1878. He was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, January i, 1840, a son of Stephen McCoy, an early settler of Indiana, locating in that state in 1823. He was a native of North Carolina, where he was born in 1799, among the younger members of the family. Two of his older brothers partici- pated in the war of 18 12. Grandfather McCoy was a Revolutionary soldier. He COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 669 migrated from Ireland and located first in Pennsylvania and later in North Carolina. Our subject's mother bore the maiden name of Miss Sarah Lindsey. She was a native of Virginia and of Scotch descent. The subject of our sketch is one of a family of thirteen children, there being ten boys in the family, eight of whom grew to maturity. In his early life he had very limited educational advantages and barely passed the rudiments. He was married at the age of twenty years to Miss Margaret A. Cowan, a daughter of John N. Cowan, for- merly of Ohio, and to this union have been born four children, now living as follows: John S. , of Surprise, Nebraska, Ellen A., a teacher in the Surprise schools; Ida J., wife of A. F. Krause, of Philips county, Nebraska, and Charles F., now living on the home farm. Mr. McCoy enlisted in company B, Seventy-second Indiana volunteer infantry and was mustered into service in August, 1862, but owing the disability he was dis- charged before his time of enlistment ex- pired. The company to which he belonged was attached to the Army of the Cumber- land. Prior to his moving to Nebraska, in June, 1878, our subject was ordained a minister of the Christian church, and since locating in Butler county his ministerial work has covered a large field and he has become well and widely known throughout this part of the state. He is a man of earnest, practical nature. His heart and soul are in his work and he has infused new life into the societies in which he has labored, and is very popular with his people and greatly beloved by them. JAMES WHOLSTENHOLM, who re- sides on section 26, McFadden town- ship, came to York county with his parents, John and Hannah (Lonsdale) Wholsten- holm, in September, 1871. The family was among the first to be established in this part of the county, and has been associated with much of its early history. The gentleman, whose name introduces this article was born in Peoria county, Illi- nois, January 18, 1854. He was reared on the paternal homestead, and had such an education as the neighboring common schools afforded. When he became of age he pre-empted eighty acres in section 26, and as he has grown in years, his farm has increased in its acreage, until he now owns two hundred and forty acres. When he lo- cated here he lived in a dug-out, but after his marriage he put up a handsome frame residence. He has made many improve- ments on the farm, including a modern resi- dence, barns and a number of convenient out-buildings. Mr. Wholstenholm was married Septem- ber 28, 1878, to Miss Mary Wullbrandt, a native of LaSalle county, Illinois, and a daughter of Charles H. and Fredricka (Hol- loch) Wullbrandt, who were natives of Ger- many and were among the pioneers of this country. They are the parents of five chil- dren, C. Ernest, William, Elva M., Jessie J. and Richard E. He is a member of the Ancient Order of the United Workmen at McCool Junction and takes an active inter- est in the affairs of that fraternal society. He is a Republican, and has been assessor of the township, and a member of the school board. She is a member of the Pleasant Ridge United Brethren church. ELLIS LONSDALE is one of the earlier settlers of York county and among a generation of strong and sturdy men, who have endured privation and suffered want that they might win a home, he stands peer to any for simple straightforward manhood and rugged integrity. His home is on sec- tion 36, McFadden township, and it has be- come one of the best improved farms of 670 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. this end of the countj-. He came to York county in 1878, and for two years farmed land rented of John Runnals, about six miles northwest of his present farm. In 1S80 he leased one hundred and twenty acres of school land which now constitutes his home. He bought it after si.x years of rental. He built a frame house, 14x24, in the spring of 1880, and began the im- provement of the farm. He plowed the first land in section 36 and made the first improvements that were known on that tract. Now he has a fine property, which is highly cultivated. He has good buildings and a beautiful maple grove of three acres which, is the result of his own planting. Mr. Lonsdale was born in Oldham, England, June 26, 1849, and is a son of John and Alice (Crabtree) Lonsdale, who were natives of the same county. His father was a weaver, and followed that trade in England. In 1854 he emigrated to the United States, and locating his family near Philadelphia, found employment in the woolen mills for nearly ten years, when he removed to Peoria and went into the manufacture of lime, and was thus engaged when he died March 18, 1878. Hiswifesur- vived him for many years, and died in her Illinois home May 15, 1896. Ellis Lonsdale was about five years old when his family came to this country, and when he was about eight years old began working in wool. He worked in the various departments of the mills for many years, be- ing principally employed as a wool carder, however. In Peoria he was a teamster in the summer, and a coal miner in the winter, and in this manner he passed the fourteen years following 1864. By this time he had come to feel the desire of a country home and he found it in this county. Mr. Lonsdale was married to Miss Sarah E. Pritchard, in Peoria, Illinois, June 25, 1873. She married in her native city, and was of English descent, her parents John and Ann (Lonsdale) Pritchard, being na- tives of Oldham, England. Her father had an eventful history. He brought his family from England in 1843, and located on a farm near Peoria, which was then known as Fort Lafayette. He cleared a woodland farm, and hauled its produce to Chicago with ox teams. He is still living on the old homestead at an advanced age, and expects to soon pass the eighty-eighth milestone. His wife died in 1869. Mr. Lonsdale is a prominent farmer of McFadden township, and from his first ap- pearance here was known as a reliable and public-spirited citizen. He is a Populist, and in 1893 was elected to the county board. He has been justice of the peace. He is interested in secret work, and finds not a little satisfaction and pleasure in the three orders with which he is associated, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. and Mrs. Lonsdale are the parents of seven children: Chester E., Levina E., John I. (deceased), Hannah, Maria E. , Margaret, and Corbitt C. JAMES SMITH MARSHALL, a leading citizen of Garrison, Butler county, Ne- braska, is the possessor of a handsome property which now enables him to spend his years in the pleasurable enjoyment of his accumulations. The record of his life, previous to 1892, is that of an active, enter- prising, methodical and sagacious business man, who bent his energies to the honorable acquirement of a comfortable competence for himself and family. In advancing his own interests he also materially assisted in the growth and upbuilding of this section of the state, and has been an important factor in its prosperity. Mr. Marshall traces his ancestry in this country back to colonial days, being a direct COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY 671 descendant of Captain James Smith, better known as Indian Jim, for whom our subject is named. He was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, August 2, 1824. His father, William Marshall, a native of eastern Penn- sylvania and a mechanic by trade, removed to Mercer county in early life, and was there married to Miss Nancy Bolton, of Harmony, Pennsylvania, a daughter of William Bolton. Our subject was the only child born to this union, his mother dying when he was quite small, but his father mar- ried again and he holds in kindly remem- brance the affectionate care of his step- mother. In his native town he was reared to manhood, attending first the public schools, and later being a student in the Mercer academy. During his youth he drove canal boats and engaged in any occu- pation which he could secure, early gaining an enviable reputation for doing things well. In 1848, Mr. Marshall was married in Butler county, Pennsylvania, near the town of Harlansburg, to Miss Rebecca Emery, a daughter of William and Lydia (Harlan) Emery, who settled in northwestern Penn- sylvania at an early day. The children born of this union in Pennsylvania are Parker, Charles, Elmer, Anna May, Lewis and Frank, while Minnie, the youngest, was born after the removal of the family to Nebraska. Parker married Nellie Upson and has one son, Emery. Charles married Ella Stewart and has four children — How- ard, Vera, Edna and Leslie. Anna May is the wife of Robert Johnson and they have one daughter, Ella. Minnie is now the wife of Logan Rogers and has one child. Hazel. During his residence in his native state, Mr. Marshall entered the service of his coun- try during the war of the rebellion, as a member of Company D, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infan- try, and when his term of enlistment ex- pired was honorably discharged. In the spring of 1871 he emigrated to Butler coun- ty, Nebraska, and located on section 14, Union township, where he engaged in farm- ing with marked success for some time. Subsequently he gave his attention to the mercantile business in Garrison, as a member of the firm of Marshall & Emery, his partner being his brother-in-law, \\'ill- iam C. Emery, and they were among the pioneer business men of that thriving little village. Later he retired from the com- pany, but in 1888 again entered the old firm, this time under the name of Marshall & Son. At the present time, however, he is practically living retired, although he still looks after his extensive real estate interests. For many years he was the land agent for J. G. Dodge, and his operations and sales along this line were very great. He is a most energetic, enterprising and reliable business man, whose success has been the result of honest persistent effort in the line of honorable and manly dealing. His aims have always been to attain the best and he carried forward to successful completion whatever he has undertaken. Reared a Whig, he joined the Republican party on its organization and has since been one of its strongest supporters, and he always gives his support to all measures which he believes calculated to prove of public bene- fit. He is a member of the G. A. R. post at David City — A. Lincoln post. No. 10. JAMES J. GILMORE, who resides inside the corporate limits of McCool Junction, and is engaged in farming, is one of the pioneers of Nebraska, having located upon a farm in Saunders county, in 1869. He filed a claim to eighty acres of land at that time and saw the beginning of the career of the state as a great agricultural community. Lincoln at that early day was without rail- road facilities and was a mere village. He put up a small frame house of three rooms, •672 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. and just as it was completed, it was blown away by a tornado. It was nothing to dis- courage him, a small thing like that, and he replaced it by another on the same lines, and then went back after his family in Hancock county, Illinois. He brought wife and two children, together with modest household ■efiects, in a covered wagon across the coun- try, arriving on the Saunders county farm, Septembers, 1869. The two houses which he had built had cost him nearly five hun- dred dollars, as the lumber was very high, much of it having to be hauled from Platts- mouth, on the river. He had little money left for making a beginning in farming, but as he had learned the carpenter trade he worked at it for some months. Wages were good and his labor was in demand, and he was soon in a condition to make the needed improvements on his place. He put it in good shape, and sold it in 1883, for the purpose of securing a larger farm in this county, where land was much cheaper. He bought one hundred and si.xty acres on section 13, Hays township, and here he has since lived. A portion of this land is inside the limits of McCool Junction, and has been platted and put on the market. The village was laid out in 1887, and has rapidly grown in importance. Mr. Gilmore was born in New York, July 7, 1835, and is a son of Patrick and Nancy (Ellis) Gilmore, natives of Ireland, who came to this country when young, and were married in the metropolis of the west- ern world. His mother died in 1842, and his father moved to Hancock county, Illi- nois, and engaged in farming, where he died in 1863, being si.xty-four years old. He was among the first settlers of that county, and there it was that James received a common- school education in a log building, consist- ing largely of " the three R's, — reading, rit- ing and 'rithmetic." He was married to Miss Rose Dougherty, July 20, 1863. She was a daughter of John and Winnifred Frances (Clark) Dougherty, who were born in Ireland, and emigrated to this country in 1847. Her father was a machinist, and worked in New York for some ten years. During that time he was sent to St. Louis, New Orleans, and other places to assist in installing machinery in steamboats, and other labor requiring dexterity and skill. He moved his family to Hancock county, where he still lives. Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore went to California, where he had previously spent four years. They spent two years on the Pacific shore, and then returned to Illinois. They did not long remain there, but soon came to this state, where they have led a prosperous career. They have five children: Frank (recently enlisted in Com- pany H, Third Nebraska Volunteer In- fantry), Anna (the wife of Charles Fravell, of Colorado), Nellie (wife of Henry Kelly, of Fairfield), John and Nellie. The two younger children are still at home. Mr. Gilmore is a Populist, and takes much in- terest in reform movements. JOSHUA D. P. SMALL, a leading and influential farmer who makes his home on section 10, Leroy township, York county, was born in Provincetown, Barnstable coun- ty, Massachusetts, on the point of Cape Cod, October 28, 1835, and is a son of James and Betsy (Cook) Small. His pa- ternal grandfather, Abram Small, who re- moved from near Portland, Maine, to Prov- incetown at an early day, was a sea cap- tain, as was also the maternal grandfather, Samuel Cook. Our subject's father also followed a sea-faring life for many years, was master of a vessel, and about 1843 was drowned, together with his two eldest sons, Joshue (1st) and James, the ship on which they sailed being wrecked. The wife and mother died not long afterward from a broken heart. Thus at the early age of nine years our subject was left an orphan. CO.'lfPJ^.XniL'M OF BIOGRAPfir. 675 and when about fourteen he, too, went to sea, engaging in whaling and mackerel fish- ing for about six j'ears. Two of his younger brothers were also seamen and became cap- tains of vessels. In 1855 Mr. Small quit the sea and re- moved to Bureau county, Illinois., but at the end of a year located in La Salle coun- ty, that state, where he engaged in farming until the spring of 1865, when he went to Livingston county, Illinois. There he oper- ated rented land until the fall of 1872, when he started overland for Nebraskain a " prai- rie schooner," leaving Illinois October 28 and arriving in York county on November 23, driving a pair of three-year-old colts. He had shipped his household effects and his family also traveled by train. He im- mediately bought and located upon his pres- ent farm, which had been pre-empted by a Mr. Harris, and about twenty acres of the tract broken. To-day the entire farm, of one hundred and sixty acres, is under a high state of cultivation and well improved. In 1854 Mr. Small married Miss Aurelia F. Ryder, also a native of Provincetown, Massachusetts, and a daughter of Stephen .and Susan (Case) Ryder, who were also born in that state. Four children bless this union: Wallace F., Ida S., Samuel C. and James F. His fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently elected Mr. Small to public office, including the positions of township asseseor and justice of the peace, serving in the latter at the present time. In politics he is one of the leading Populists of York county, has been a member of the state executive com- mittee and state central committee for several years, has been a delegate to all county and state conventions of his party, and was a delegate to the first national con- vention, where he assisted in the organiza- tion of the party. He has been a Mason since 1864 and is a charter member of York Lodge, No. 56, A. F. & A. M. Provincetown, Massachusetts, the birth- place of both Mr. and Mrs. Small, is a his- toric place. The Mayflower first anchored in Cape Cod harbor and the Pilgrims first went ashore at Provincetown, although they afterward went to Plymouth Rock, about thirty miles west across the bay. Province- town is also the birthplace of N. M. Dyer, captain of the protected cruiser Baltimore, and our subject is well acquainted with him, being boys together. An account of the successful action of the Baltimore at the Phillpine Islands, where our troops won such a glorious victory over the Spanish, was read with more than ordinary interest by Mr. Small on account of knowing one of the commanders who bore so important a part in that conflict. CHARLES H. JOHNSON, who is one of the model farmers of Fillmore county, was born in Morgan county, Ohio, June 1 1, 1865. He was reared upon a farm and received his education in the common schools of McConnellsville Ohio. He lived in Ohio until 1888, when became to Indi- ana, but only stayed there a few years, and in 1 891 he determined to come to the west- ern states, as they offered a better opportun- ity for investing his money in farming land. With that object in view he came to Ne- braska, and, being favorably impressed with the land in Fillmore county, he purchased four hundred acres of fine farming land in Stanton precinct, just one mile from Ge- neva, paying in consideration the sum of fourteen thousand dollars. Under his care- ful and successful management, the farm has grown into a model of its kind. The improvements are all made in accordance with modern ideas. The buildings are large and spacious, and erected with a view to convenience and durability, and on all sides one sees the results of careful manage- ment combined with thrift and industry. 674 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. Charles H. Johnson was the son of William H. and Elizabeth (Newman) Johnson, who were married in Morgan county, Ohio, about 1857, and to whom were born five children: James, who died at the age of thirteen, Pearlie, Mary, Annie, and Charles H., the subject of this sketch. William H. Johnson was a prosperous and successful farmer, and during his life accu- mulated a considerable fortune. Both are dead, his death occurring December 29, 1878, and that of his wife in March, 1884. They were interred in Malta cemetery, in Morgan county, Ohio. At their death the estate passed into the hands of the four children. The grandparents of our subject, John Wesley Johnson and Elizabeth (Beck- with) Johnson, were natives of Connecticut, in which state they were married. They soon after came to Ohio, settling first in Muskingum county, but afterward locating on a farm near Malta, in Morgan county. They resided here until the time of their death. John Wesley Johnson died about the year 1828, and his wife the year follow- ing, each having attained the age of about fifty years. They were of English descent. The parents of Elizabeth (Newman) John- son, David and Mary (Petitt) Newman, were natives of New Jersey. David New- man was born about the year 1800 and Elizabeth about 1805. The removed to Morgan county, Ohio, soon after their marriage, located on a farm and erected a house. They continued to reside there during the remainder of their lives. David Newman died at the age of eighty-eight years, and his wife at the age of seventy- nine. They were interred in the Malta cemetery. Both were of German descent. At the age of twenty-five years, Charles H. Johnson was married at McCool, Porter county, Indiana, on January 13, 1891, to Miss Olive M. Robbins, who was then twenty years of age. She was the only child of Amos and Laura E. (Stauffer) Rob- bins, and was born November 20, 1870. Her parents lived principally in Indiana, and were very prominent people, as well as very wealthy, and of whom Mrs. Johnson is the only heir. Her father's death oc- curred at McCool, Indiana, September 11, 1879, at the age of forty-seven years. Her mother still resides at McCool, Indiana, and has considerable property. The grand- parents of Olive M. Johnson, were Samuel Putnam and Caroline C. Robbins, the for- mer born in Massachusetts about 1812, the latter born in Athens county, Ohio, in 181 5. They were married June 18, 1837, in Athens county, Ohio, and the same year emigrated to Porter county, Indiana, where they were among the earliest settlers. They lived on the farm on which they originally settled for fifty-two years and accumulated quite a fortune. Samuel Putnam Robbins died April 8, 1889, and his wife October 19. 1898. Abraham Stauffer was born in Penn- sylvania about 1825, and his wife, Emily Brombaugh Stauffer, was born near Balti- more, Maryland, about 1828. They were married in Maryland about 1849 and emi- grated to La Porte county, Indiana, the following year, and soon after to Porter county, Indiana, where they both died, Abraham's death occurring in March, 1887, and that of his wife on September 15, 1891. Both he and his wife rest in the Robbins cemetery near McCool, Indiana. He in- vented and built the first threshing machine used in Porter county, Indiana. Both Charles H. Johnson and his wife are very fortunate in that they came from representative families, who have always occupied a prominent position, and socially and financially ranked with the best. To their marriage have been born three chil- dren, Walter, Guy and Carlos, all of whom are living at home. Politically our subject is an ardent Republican. He cast his first ballot for Benjamin Harrison in 1888, and since that time has continued not only to COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 675 vote the Republican ticket but has taken an active part in Republican politics. While he has devoted his time in the interest of his chosen party, yet he has not allowed it to interfere with his business, and has had at all times his entire farm under his direct management. He occupies a prominent place in his community, and has won the respect of all. WALTER W. SENG has a wide reputa- tation as a real estate man and insur- ance agent at McCool Junction, Nebraska, where he handles farms and residences, does insurance and collections, and is prac- tically without competition. He came to this city in 1890, and since that time has built up an extensive business, which is now thought to be the largest in the county. He represents companies that insure against fire, lightning, tornado and hail, and he is also the local agent for three loan compa- nies beside carrying private accounts. Mr. Seng was born in Carroll county, Illinois, December 27, 1861, and is a son of Casper and Catherine (Fuchs) Seng, who first saw the light in Sellenrodt, Germany, and came to this country when young, and were married in Lanark, Illinois, July 4, 1857. They had married without resources, and went to work on a farm, caring for forty cows, and receiving the modest sum of eighteen dollars a month for their united labor. They worked four years in this manner and by that time had accumulated considerable savings. They bought a four- hundred dollar span of horses, and rented a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, and took their place among the independent farmers of the west. From this humble be- ginning, through the exercises of that char- ateristic thrift, energy and good management which are the birthright of every son of Germany, they have finally risen to affluence. They bought their first land in 1864, paying for it fifteen dollars an acre. A second pur- chase was made in 1870, and cost at the rate of forty-five dollars an acre. Part of this purchase money was borrowed at twenty-five per cent. , and nearly wrecked the family in the hard times of 1872 and the following years. But the senior Seng with the help of his older children weathered the storm, and in 1881 bought more land at sfxty dollars an acre, and when he died in 1883 he had a farm of two hunderd and fifty acres of land as highly improved and thoroughly cultivated as is to be found in all that region. His widow survives him and resides on the old homestead, which is un- der the management of her sons George and Henry. Walter Seng was reared on the farm in his native county, and was educated in the district school, and completed his student days by three terms in the Lanark high school under the admirable management of Prof. Oldt. He was married to Miss Kate Kness, December 27, 1882. She was a na- tive of Carroll county and was a daughter of George and Elizabeth Kness, who came from Schmidten, Germany, and reached this country in 1857. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Seng located on a rented farm near Brookville. His capital at that time consisted of a team, wagon, plough, and a few other farming implements, given him by his father, and a cow, which was a pres- ent to his wife from her parents. Two years later he moved to the farm where his brother now resides. In 1887 he made a trip to Nebraska, and bought the southwest quar- ter of section 26, township 9, range 2. He returned to Illinois and the following Octo- ber brought back with him his family and made his permanent home in York county, Nebraska. He farmed this successfully un- til 1890, when he moved to McCool Junc- tion, and engaged in a business which has greatly grown under his fostering care. His health had become impaired by excessive 676 COMPEXDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. labor, and before coming to the Junction he had been confined for six months to his bed. His ambitious nature would not tol- erate idleness, and he has been very busy since embarking on his present enterprise. He bought eighty acres of land August 14, 1895, and now owns two hundred and forty acres of good farming land. He has been active in promoting settlement in this coun- ty, and it is said that through his influence more than a dozen families have come into it from his old home in Illinois alone. He has done an extensive business in selling farms, and has brought a host of people here, none of whom have ever regretted their coming. He is the father of four children, Harry L., William C, Myrtle M. and Ver- nie V. He belongs to the McCool camp of the Modern Woodmen of America, and his wife is a member of the associated order of the Royal Neighbors. They are both mem- bers of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and he is non-partisan in politics. THOMAS A. HERDMAN.— Among the young and enterprising citizens of Sew- ard county, Nebraska, there is probably none more energetic or thoroughgoing than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. For some time he was actively identified with the business interests of Lincoln, but is now principally engaged in agricultural pursuits in H precinct, Seward county. Mr. Herdman was born in Ottawa, Can- ada, in 1865, a son of Charles E. Herdman, whose birth, occurred in the same place, June 29, 1833. While yet in his teens, the father began life on his own account in the lumber business, in which he was very suc- cessful, continuing to engage in the same until 1869, when he removed to Lincoln, Nebraska. There he became a prominent, successful and influential business man, carried on several profitable enterprises. such as milling, dairying and ice business, and since has sold all interests and moved to Worrigul, Victoria, Australia, and is large- ly interested in agricultural pursuits, such as fruit and wool business. He married Fanny Stephens, of Quebec. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a major commanding second field battery. New York, United States army, in the war of 1S12. Thomas A. Herdman was quite young when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Nebraska, and in the public schools of this state he acquired his literary education. Early in life he became inter- ested in the confectionery business, which he carried on quite extensively in Lincoln until 1894, when his health failed, and he was forced to retire. Since then he has followed farming, and until recently was employed as a traveling salesman, in Lan- caster and Seward counties, by the Ameri- can Woolen Mills Company, of Chicago, Illinois. He is energetic, wide-awake and progressive, and no doubt a brilliant future awaits him. He married Miss Etta M. Root, a native of Michigan, and to them have been born two children: Master Charles A. and Carrie A. WILLIAM E.McCLOUD is one of the public-spirited citizens of York coun- ty, to whose energy and foresight this local- ity is indebted for many improvements. He is a thorough and skillful agriculturist who has won success in his chosen calling and has materially advanced the interests of the community while promoting his individ- ual prosperity. Mr. McCloud was born August 26,1839, in Pocahontas county, Virginia, a son of George R. and Mary Jane (Warner) Mc- Cloud, the former also a native of Pocahon- tas county, the latter of Pendleton county, Virginia. As far back as both families can be traced, their representatives have all CCUfPEiXDIi'M or BIOGRAPlir. 677 been tillers of the soil. Our subject's grandfather, Nathaniel McCloud, was born in the Highlands of Scotland, a son of Will- iam P3. McCloud, and came to America be- fore the Revolutionarj- war, in which he aided the colonies in their struggles for independence, remaining in the service un- til hostilities ceased. Soon after the war he married Miss Margaret McMahon, a na- tive of Ireland, who had come with her par- ents to the new world. He died at the age of eighty-six years, while she lived to be over one hundred. Of their children two sons were in the Confederate army during the Civil war, and one was among the boys in blue. The numerous cousins of our subject were pretty equally divided between the two armies. George R. and Mary Jane McCloud reared a family of ten children, five sons and five daughters, all of whom married and reared families of their own. Of these George W., the third son, was in the artillery service with the army of the Potomac, first under General McClellan, and later under General Grant, who ended the unpleasant difficulty at Appomattox. On leaving home in 1857 William E. McCloud went to Appanoose county, Iowa, where he became accjuainted, and was mar- ried July 15, 1858, to Miss Ann M. Sears, who was born September r 3, 1838, in Muskingum county, Ohio, whence she removed to Iowa with her father, Pressly W. Sears. Her grandfather, Charles L. Sears, was a native of England and came to America in colonial days, being among the first settlers of Fair- fax count}', Virginia. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary war he joined the Patriot army, and never laid down his arms until independence was achieved. Mr. and Mrs. McCloud have become the parents of ten children, four sons and six daughters, who in order of birth are as follows: Charles A., Mary J., Hattie A., Rose L., Carrie C, William E., Jr, Frank A., Jessie B., Anna M., and James R., all born in Appanoose 39 county, Iowa, with the exception of the two youngest, who were born in York county, Nebraska. After his marriage Mr. McCloud con- tinued to engage in farming in Appanoose county, Iowa, until the spring of 187S, when he came to York county, Nebraska, where he has since made his home. For nearly forty years he has given his attention to fanning and dealing in live stock, and in his life work has met with a well deserved success. Socially he is a Knight Templar Mason, belonging to the blue i lodge, chapter and commandery in York county. At one time he was master of the Grange in Iowa, and was enthusiastic in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the farmer and laboring classes. Although not members of any religious denomination, he and his wife are firm in the belief that tem- perance, morality and education should be fostered in every state and community. In early life Mr. McCloud was a Democrat in political sentiment, but for the past eighteen years has given an unwavering sup- port to the Republican party. LH. WAI'iNER, the versatile newspaper man who succeeded H. A. Brainerd five years ago as editor and publisher of the " Nebraskan " at Milford. Seward county, Nebraska, was born in Medina county, Ohio, in 1849. He removed with his parents to Wisconsin at the age of seven years. There he received a liberal education, graduating from Ripon College in 1875. He taught about eight years, and it was his original in- tention to enter the ministry, and with that end in view he entered the Chicago Theo- logical Seminary. After one year in that institution, he went to preaching, and then returned to teaching in Wisconsin; he con- tinued teaching there eight years, receiving a life professional certificate from the state superintendent of public instruction. He 678 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. then decided that newspaper work promised a larger field for his labors and he abandoned teaching and went to Nebraska, and founded the Cedar Rapids Era. In 1887 he was ad- mitted to the bar. Four years later he re- moved to Craig, Nebraska, where he estab- lished the Burt County News, and was con- nected with that paper until the fall of 1893, when he went to Milford and took charge of the •' Nebraskan." He is also edilor of the Pleasant Dale "Quiz," which was es- tablished in 1890. Mr. Warner is an active supporter of Republican principles. For many years he has been prominent in musical circles, and has done much to promote the cause of good music in the communities that have been fortunate enough to claim him as a member. He has directed the rendering of the operetta " Oueen Esther" at various places, and has been active in organizing bands and musical bodies. L. H. Warner is a son of Herschell and Sallie A. Warner, of New York, and is a grandson of Noah Warner of Waterbury, Connecticut. L. H. Warner's family con- sists of a wife, Nellie J., and four daughters; Agnes G. married to L. O. Howard, who is editing the Burt County News in Nebras- ka; Fannie J., a widovv;her husband, W. D. Smith, was first sergeant of Troop K. Third United States Volunteer Cavalry, and spent the summer at Camp Thomas, near Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was dis- charged September 8, 1898, and died September 27, 1898, of typhoid fever; Ruth A. and Fern L., aged respectively eight and five at this date, December 22, 1898, complete L. H. Warner's family now living; he lost a daughter, Jean, in 1882, aged seven months. jETER J. JONES, who is classed 1 among the successful farmers of Polk county, is well worthy of notice in a work P' of this kind, and to be ranked among the men who have distinguished themselves as useful and enterprising citizens. He is pleasantly located on section 15, township 14, range 3, where he owns an excellent farm of three hundred and twenty acres. Mr. Jones was born on the 23d of De- cember, 1833, in Smoland, Sweden, where he grew to manhood and acquired his liter- ary education. Being reared upon a farm, he early became familiar with agricultural pursuits, and is now one of the most skill- ful and thorough farmers in community. On coming to the United States in 1864 he first located in Marshall county, Illinois, where he worked by the month for a few years, and then operated rented land. In 1869 he wedded Miss Mary Charlotte Hult, also a native of Sweden, and four children grace their union, namely: Helma Amelia, John Albert, Edwin Emanuel and Harmon Ale.xis. The children have all been provided with good school privileges, and the daughter is now the wife of Otto Branting, by whom she has two sons — Lawrence Fred and Edwin. In 1878 Mr. Jones emigrated to Ne- braska, and the following jear took up his residence upon his present farm, which at that time was all wild land. After erecting a small frame residence he moved into it in 1879, and at once turned his attention to the improvement and cultivation of his land. Acre after acre has been placed under the plow until now two hundred and fifiy of the three hundred and twenty acres are under a high state of cultivation and yield a ready return for the labor bestowed upon it. The commodious and pleasant residence, erected in 1888, is surrounded by good and substan- tial barns and out-buildings, and everything about the place betokens the thrift and en- terprise of the owner. In connection with general farming he raises an excellent grade of stock. Although attending strictly to his busi- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. ness affairs, Mr. Jones has never neglected the hoher duties of life, and is now serving as deacon of the Lutheran church, to which he and his family belong, taking an active and prominent part in its work. He is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, takes a commendable interest in political affairs, and has acceptably served as judge of elections. He is also a member of the Scandinavian Mutual Insurance Company. Although he commenced life for himself in limited circumstances, due success has not been denied him, and he is to-day one of the most substantial, as well as one of the most reliable and influential, citizens of his community. NORMAN FREDERICK TILDEN, a well-known blacksmith of York, has for several years been actively identified with the industrial interests of York county, and is numbered among its useful and honored citizens. He was born November 13, 1859, in Henry county, Illinois, and is a worthy representative of an old and highly respect- ed family of New England. The genealogy of the Tilden family is lengthy and forms interesting reading. His father, Orrin Tilden, was born in Windsor county, Vermont, and was a son of Josiah and Elizabeth (Tracey) Tilden, the former born in 1760, the latter January 14, 1790. They made their home on a farm near White River Junction, Windsor county. In his native state Orrin Tilden married Miss Orrill K. Moore, whose birth occurred July 14, 18 18, and they continued to reside with his parents until 1854, when they left the Green Mountain state and removed to Henry county, Illinois, locating on a farm near Woodhull. To the cultivation and improvement of his place the father devoted his energies until life's labors were ended, dying there in 1879, at the age of seventj- two years. His estimable wife is still living and in her eightieth year. In their family were six children, four sons and two daugh- ters, namely: Josiah H., Mary G., James F., Frances E. , Cyrus F. and Norman F. In company with his oldest brother, Norman F. Tilden left the old homestead in Illinois and made their way to Bradshaw, Nebraska, arriving there in the spring of 1879, which was then a thriving little rail- road town in York county. There they set up a shop and engaged in general black- smithing and repairing. Wishing to extend his business, our subject removed his shops to the city of York in 1888, and soon suc- ceeded in building up a large and profitable business which he still enjoys, and which is well merited, for he is a skilled and expert workman as well as a reliable business man. At the age of twenty-five years, Mr. Tilden was married, March 31, 1885, to Miss Mary U. Byrnes, who was then twenty- two. Her parents are Robert C. and Paulina I. (Miller) Byrnes. Mr. and Mrs. Tilden have three children: Robert B., Dwight M., and an infant. The parents both hold membership in the Presbyterian church, while socially he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workman and the Royal Highlanders, and Mrs. Tilden belongs to the ladies' auxiliary lodge of both societies. Both merit and receive the es- teem and confidence of all who know them. CHARLES HENRY CHALLIS. the well- known editor and proprietor of the Ulysses Dispatch, who has made his home in Butler county since the spring of 1880, was born in Ottawa, Illinois, September 7, 1853, and is a son of H. G. Challis, a native of Berkshire, England. His mother having died at his birth, he was reared b\' foster parents, and obtained his earl}' edu- cation in the public schools. At an early age Mr. Challis manifested a desire to learn the printer's trade and served 680 COMPENBUrM OF BIOGRAPHT. his apprenticeship with Cullen & Sapp, of Ottawa, Illinois. When about twenty-one years of age he went to Chicago, where he soon became an expert job printer, bnt close confinement and strict attention to business so impaired his health that, at the end of two years, he was forced to abandon the work for a time and came to Nebraska. Here he engaged in outdoor work on a farm while recuperating his health, and then again took up his chosen vocation, his first newspaper work in Nebraska being on the Exeter Enterprise. In 1880, after the railroad had been pro- jected to Ulysses, Mr. Challis came here and founded the Ulysses Dispatch — the first newspaper in town and the first in the county outside of David City, being now the second oldest in Butler county. The first number, a si.x-column folio, was printed on an old Washington hand-press and was issued on the 10th ol May, 1880. It was first published as a Republican paper, but its policy has always been anti-monopolistic, and at an early day it espoused the cause of populism, and is now one of the influential organs of the People's party in this region. It was the first Populist paper in the county and for a time the only one. Its influence in the community has been far-reaching and productive of great good. Mr. Challis is a member of the Free Silver Press organ- ization of Nebraska, having been promi- nently identified with its organization. In Ottawa, Illinois, in 1S78, Mr. Challis was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Baumgardner, a daughter of Isaac B. and Barbara Baumgardner, old and honored residents of that city, where the father was for many years engaged in the hardware busi- ness. The Baumgardners were formerly from York county, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Challis have one daughter, Blanch, now six- teen years old. Being a strong temperance man, our sub- ject does all within his power to advance the cause, and he is a consistent and active member of the Christian church, serving as superintendent of the Sunday-school for four years. Both individually and through his paper, he stands for all that is best socially and politically, and is recognized as an im- portant factor in the development of the county. WILLIAM WALTERS.— Among the successful and progressive farmers of York county, the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch holds a prominent place. For almost thirty years he has now made his home in this section of the state, and to-day owns and success- fully operates a fine farm on section 24, Henderson township. Mr. Walters was born in Fulton county, Illinois, September 26, 1832, a son of William and Elizabeth (Royer) Walters, the former of German and the later of Irish descent, though the Royers were originally from England. In the old country and in America, the family have principally follow- ed agricultural pursuits. During his minority and up to the time of his marriage our sub- ject lived upon his father's farm ten miles north of Vermont. At the age of twenty- one he decided to marry, and on the 22nd of December, 1853, led to the marriage altar Miss Marietta Shields, a daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth (Sivly) Shields, and granddaughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Harvey) Sivh', who were of German line- age and farming people, while the Shields were of Irish origin and merchants by occu- pation. Mr. and Mrs. Walters had known each other from early childhood, their homes being in the same neighborhood. For a year after his marriage he continued to work on his father's farm, and then pur- chased a small farm in McDonough county, Illinois, which he operated until 1864. C0MrENnn\}f or BioGRAriir. 681 Owing to the ill health of his wife, he rented his place, and, accompanied by her mother and stepfather, they started by wagons to the Pacific coast. After spend- ing the winter at Walla Walla, Washington, Mrs. ^^'alters and her four children started on a visit to her mother, who had located fifteen miles west of Portland, Oregon. By wagon they proceeded to a landing on the Columbia river, and then went down that stream by boat, while Mr. Walters returned to Walla W^alla and engaged in freighting between that point and Boise City, Idaho, with oxen. He remained in this mountain- ous region eighteen months and then joined his family in Oregon. With them he then started for the Grand Round valley in the Blue mountains, and on this trip made his way from peak to valley and from valley to peak across the Cascade mountains until he at last reached his destination, traveling and camping in the wilds where no foot of man had ever trod. In this way they passed months along the valley stream.=, which were filled with mountain trout and salmon, camping now on grassy mountains and now between great rocks, where the sough of the pines mingled with the murmur of the brooklets. At length Mrs. Walters began to creep back to health, her hand grew stronger, her eye grew brighter, the music of her voice returned, and the cool breeze fanned her pale cheeks back to the wonted glow of youth. In May, 1869, they started for their Illinois home by v\'agon, traveling by day and camping out by night, until they reached home in September, having been absent four years and four months. After spending seven years there, they decided to come to Nebraska and arrived in York county in March, 1876. After looking around for a time, Mr. Walters purchased the southwest quarter of section 24, Hen- derson township, to which he has since added until he now has an excellent farm of four hundred and sixtj' acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and im- proved with good buildings. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Walters, onlj' four reached years of maturitj', namely: Harvey L., who mar- ried Jane Davis, a daughter of George and Rebecca Davis; Clinton D., who married Alice Search, daughter of William and Sa- linda Search; Ezra P., who married Bina Hager, daughter of Oliver and Elizabeth Hager; and Frank E.,who has been a wan- derer for the past eight years, and when last heard from was in the gold fields of Klondike. In early life Mr. Walters was a Democrat, and now votes with the Populists, being an enthusiastic believer in the free and unlim- ited coinage of silver. His first vote was cast for James Buchanan in 1856, his last for W. J. Bryan in 1896. Though not members of any religious denominatian, he and his wife are believers in the Christian religion, and they enjoy the respect and es- teem of all who know them. STEPHEN R. PHILLIPS, a well know farmer of Seward count}-, lives on sec- tion 20, of Precinct D., and has established himself among the leading men of this part of Nebraska. He is active and industrious, believes in the gospel of hard work, and has a good mind. He takes broad views of the world, and is a man of business habits. Mr. Phillips was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, September 23, 1838, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Randolph) Phillips. Henry Phillips was born in Vir- ginia, married his wife in Pennsylvania, of which state she was a native, and lived there until 1852, when he moved to Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Three years later he journeyed still farther west, and located in Fulton county, Illinois, near Vermont. He made his final change in 1 880 when he came to this state, where he died February 6, 682 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 1896, at the adavanced age of eighty-six. His wife died December 17, 1888, when she was seventy-seven years old. They reared six children to maturity, Parmelia (Mrs. Crable), Stephen R., Elizabeth (Mrs. Smithers),Hattie (Mrs. Lovell), William and J. Albert. Stephen R. and William were soldiers in the Civil war, and served with honor. Mr. Phillips spent the first fourteen years of his life in his native county, where he at- tended school, and came to a very fair mas- tery of the blacksmith trade. He followed the star of the family fortunes west, and was married March 27, 1862, to Miss Mary E. Strickler. She was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, July 14, 1842, and is a daughter of George W. and Sarah (Gan- ders) Strickler. Her father was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and served in the state militia when a young man. Her father removed to Adams county, Illinois, in 1855, ten years after the death of her mother. He died there June 19, 1858. Mr. Phillips enlisted in the Union army, in February, 1865, as a member of Gompany D, One Hundred and Fifty-first Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry. He saw the last of the war under the command of General Thomas in Georgia, and was mustered out in 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips came into Seward county in 1871 by the overland route, driv- ing all the way. They made a location where they are now living, and though there were few settlers anywhere within reach they were not long in coming. The land was wild prairie, and their dwelling place a sod house, but their hopes were high, and their hearts unshaken. They raised their first crop the following year and sold it in Lincoln. They had reverses and disappoint- ments, but they kept on, and were soon in a very comfortable condition. In 1882 they moved to Seward, where they lived for five years, and then came back to the farm. In 1892 they built their present residence, which took the place of a frame structure, sixteen by twenty-two feet, erected six years after their entrance upon the place. He has well-improved the farm, and it presents a very different appearance to-day than could have been imagined so long ago. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are the parents of nine living children, who, with their chil- dren, constitute a numerous progeny. Hat- tie G., their eldest daughter, is the wife of J. M. Smiley, who lives in precinct K, of this county, and is the mother of two sons, Garl P. and Earl B. William H. is wedded to Miss May Kuby, lives in Sioux county, Nebraska, and has one child, Lelia Ruth. Wilmer W. is a member of Gompany H, Twenty-second United States regular infan- try, and was at Santiago de Guba. He enlisted in 1896, was in the battles of El Ganey, July i; night attack, July 2; San Juan Hill, July 3, and the bombardment of Santiago; was made corporal May 7, 1898, and sergeant September i, 1898. George F. belongs to Troop F, Eighth United States regular cavalry, and is now on his way to Guba. Thornton A. is in Montana, and Robert R. is at home. Joseph S. is a member of Battery B, Fourth United States light artillery, and was at Santiago, and at Porto Rico, and now at Savannah, Georgia. Harry G. and Louis G. are younger sons and still remain under the parental roof. In these times of peace and prosperity, it is unusual to find so small a war as that with Spain calling, at present writing, three sons from one family. But it serves to show the stock, and the state of Nebraska may well be proud of such a record. The subject of this writing is a man of social instincts, and finds a peculiar satisfac- tion in the intimacies and associations of the Grand Army, and has been senior vice- commander of the Seward post. He is a member, of the Seward lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workm.en, and devotes much care and thought to the problems of COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 683 fraternity. He has voted, in recent years, the Republican ticket, and has been as- sessor of the precinct, and justice of the peace. For more than twenty j'ears he has been a member of the school board, and takes the success of the district school very much at heart. For nine years he was postmaster of the Orton post-office, which was in his house, and created for the con- venience of the neighborhood. It is not now in existence, but it served to illustrate the kindly spirit of the man, who would do much to accommodate the neighborhood. CHRISTIAN ENDERLE.— Many of York county's most progressive and successful citizens are those whose early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, and who have achieved success through their own well-directed efforts. Among these may be numbered Mr. Enderle, who owns and operates a good farm on section 34, Brown township. He was born in Wittenburg, Germany, November ii, 1848, and was about five years old when with his parents, Christian and Joanna (Haak) Enderle, he left Ger- many and came to the United States. As the father owned only a few acres of land in the old country, he engaged in carpen- tering in connection with its operation, and thus supported his family. They arrived in New York city about the last of April, 1854, proceeded to Buffalo, New York, then crossed Lake Erie and landed in Detroit, Michigan, from there went to Chicago, and on to Milwaukee, where they spent two weeks, after which they located in Dodge county, Wisconsin, where the father took a claim of government land. The land was covered with a heavy growth of timber, including oak, walnut, and beech, which he at once began to clear, burning the trees and brush. Eighty acres were cleared in this way and transformed into most pro- ductive fields. The father died in 1881, but the mother is still living on the old home farm. Christian Enderle remained under the parental roof, working for his father, until he attained the age of twenty-three, when he came to York county, Nebraska, in 1871, and took up a claim in Brown township, but the same day returned to Wisconsin. The next year, however, he commenced the improvement and cultivation of his land and also worked for a few months for Mr. Hofer, of York. Returning to Wisconsin, January 12, 1873, he was there married, on the 4th of the following February, to Miss Johanna Maske, a daughter of Christian and Minnie (Tesch) Maske. Her father has been dead about nine years, and her mother, now seventy-six years of age, makes her home with her oldest son. The oldest brother of our subject, Jacob Enderle, was a member of Company A, Forty-fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil war, and when the struggle was over returned home as well as when he entered the serv- ice. Mr. and Mrs. Enderle have a family of twelve children, who in order of birth are as follows: Albert L., Louis A., Lydia A., George S., William F. , August C, Mary J. and Emma W., twins, Margaret K. , Arthur A., Frederick L. and Martin F. The children attend the public schools and aid in the work of the farm with the excep- tion of Lydia A., who is now the wife of Carl E. Hahle, whose farm is near that of our subject. On the 2d of March, 1S73, soon after his marriage, Mr. Enderle and his wife came to York county and began life in their new home. After living in the sod-house for ten years a more commodious and substan- tial frame dwelling was erected, it being en- larged and improved in 1892. Good barns, granaries and corncribs have also been built, and the farm, which comprises two hun- dred and forty acres, is now under a high G84 COMPENDIi'M OF BIOGRAPIir. state of cultivation. Mr. Enderle thor- oughly understands every department of farm work, and for the success that he has achieved in life he deserves great credit, for he started out with no capital. For the last five years he has been a supporter of the Republican party, and he and his fam- ily are identified with the Lutheran church. LARS JORGENSON, deceased, was iden- tified with the founding of Staplehurst, and it was largely due to his foresight that it exists. He was a man of affairs, and was intimately associated with se\eral important business enterprises. He was an honorable man of irreproachable habits and the utmost personal integrity. In his day he easily stood among the most influential men of Seward county. Of foreign extraction, he familiar- ized himself with the habits and speech of his adopted countr\', and was broad and pa- triotic in his views. He gave a willing as- sistance to education, morality and religion, and had an open ear for the appeals of charity. On another page will be found a portrait of Mr. Jorgenson. Mr. Jorgenson was born in Denmark, August 20, 1S42, and his parents were born and spent all their days in that country. He attended the Danish schools, and re- mained in his native land until he reached full manhood. But he did not seem to find around him kindly surroundings for his en- terprising spirit, and he came to the United States in the spring of 1868. - He made his home, on first coming to this country, in in Dwight, Illinois, and there he followed the occupation of farming for five \'ears. At the expiration of this time he returned to his native land and spent a year amid the scenes of his youth. It was a pleasant and protracted visit, but he did not find a fitting arena for his life and its labors, any more than he had seen it long before, and he once more sought American soil. He had learned of the rapid growth of Nebraska, and its amazing opportunities, and he determined to try it for himself. He came to Seward county in the spring of 1874, and purchased a tract of land from the railroad. This he converted into a farm, and devoted several \ears to its cultivation. Later on he pur- chased a half section of land, which became the site of the town of Staplehurst. He platted it, and disposed of it at good prices. It was largely due to his unceasing exertions that the town has attained its present com- mercial importance. In 1885 he purchased the Bank of Staplehurst in company with E. Jacobs, and was its president up to the time of his death, which occurred January 27, 1894. Aside from his banking enterprises he had extensive farming and real estate in- terests, owning at the time of his death eleven hundred and sixty-two acres of farm land and other property, and did much to help the general progress of the county. Mr. Jorgenson was married on November 19, 1875 to Miss Maren Sohnesen a native of Denmark. They had five children, all of whom are now living. Their oldest son, John L. , is now cashier of the Staplehurst bank. The other children are Hans, Louie, Annie and Mary. The parents were Danish Lutherans, and the husband and father was a Mason, and a Modern Woodman of America. He was a democrat, but had no hunger for public position and honor. DANIEL BEISHLINE, who lives near Bradshaw, York county, is one of the numerous company of industrious and upright people who have come from Penn- sylvania, to make the wilderness of Ne- braska blossom as a rose. They brought with them the habits of economy and thrift, were intlexibi}' just and honest, and to-day this state is very largely indebted to them for its present advanced position in agricul- ture, business, and intelligence. And in all LARS JORGENSON, Deceased. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 687 this the subject of this writinj:^ has been a not unworthy representati\e of the great state from which he came. Daniel Beishline was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, April 17, 1850, and was a child in the home of the family of Levi and Maria (Wenner) Beishline, who were both natives of the same state. , His paternal grandfather was Henry Beishline. His father is still living on the old home- stead in Columbia county. His maternal grandfather was a farmer in Luzerne coun- ty. He is of German ancestr\- by both lines of descent and has inherited the best traits of the blood. He grew to manhood in his native state, in which he remained until after his marriage to Miss Emma J. Coleman. This occurred November 27, 1 873, and five years later, with his wife and child, Verna Maud, he came by railroad to this county, where he bought a farm de- scribed as south-half of southeast quarter of section nine, township eleven, and east- half of north-east quarter of section sixteen, township eleven, both range four west, and on this they built a sod-house, which proved a comfortable and convenient home for over thirteen years. Its walls, two feet thick, made the house cool in summer and warm in winter. Curtains sej arated the bed rooms from the kitchen and the parlor. The breaking up of the prairie was begun, and by the ne.xt spring forty acres of wheat, fifteen acres of barley, and twenty-five of corn were planted, which yielded well. They worked hard, not only farming their own land, but renting other pieces as well, until they had attained a comfortable independ- ence. They lived through many hard ex- periences but they kept on, and at last have become comfortaby well-to-do. In 1892, Mr. Beishline had accumulat- ed enough to warrarnt the erection of a con- venient home of lumber. It has seemed all the more pleasant because of the long time it was waited for. They are now cultivat- ing one hundred and ten acres, and have fifty acres in grass and meadow. They have four children, Verna Maud, Warren Clark, Robert Ray, and Mearl Lee. Miss Maud is as helpful about the house as her older brother on the farm. The smaller children are attending school and are fast growing into stout lads. Mrs. Beishline has three brothers and four sisters. The sisters are all married and are the mothers of families. Two of them live in Pennsylvania, and the others in this state. Her brother William Henry lives on an adjoining farm. The other is still living in the old Pennsylvania home. Mr. Beishline has three sisters and one brother, none of whom have ever left the native state. He says he favors the gold standard, but frequently breaks over party lines to vote for better men on other tickets. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and his daugh- ter of the Degree of Honor. He has served on the school board and makes satisfactory reports each year. They are both mem- bers of the Bradshaw Methodist Episcopal church. As they look back over the years they feel well satisfied with their coming to this state. SAMUEL WHITNEY ALLEN.— The farming interests of Olive township, Butler county, have a worthy exponent in the person of the gentleman above-named, who operates a farm in section 18. The entire tract of one hundred and sixty acres is improved and tillable, and altogether makes up an estate whereon a remunerative business can well be done by a man who de- votes himself closely and intelligently to his work. In the way of buildings every ar- rangement has been made for the econom- ical conduct of the farm, and for the com- fort of the family a nice residence has been constructed. Mr. Allen was born in the southern part 688 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. of Wisconsin, in May, 1852, a son of Solo- mon Case Allen. The father was a native of Tioga county, New York, and was there reared and married. His wife, Annie C. (Whitney) Allen, was a daughter of Samuel Whitney, after whom our subject was named and with whom he first moved to Butler county, Nebraska, a year before the rest of the family settled there. Soon after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Case Allen moved to the southern part of Wisconsin, where our subject was born, but when he was still a child, the family moved to Ogle county, Illinois. Here our subject spent his early life and received a common-school education, which he supplemented with a course in the high school at Ashton, Illinois. After locating in Butler county, Nebraska, in 1874, he spent a few years in prospecting and in agricultural pursuits, and then pur- chased the farm on which he now resides and began to improve it and to make it an attractive home and profitable farm. In 1883 our subject was united in mar- riage to Miss Sarah J. McKellips, a daugh- ter of Phylander McKellips, and to this union have been born a bright interesting family of four children, upon whom they have bestowed the following names: Edith, Claude, Frank and Edward. Mr. Allen is a very pleasant neighbor, genial, warm- hearted, and has an agreeable family, and resides in one of the most hospitable homes in the township. He has labored hard on his farm to make it one of the best stock and grain farms in the county and has pro- vided it with excellent improvements and fine buildings. SAMUEL R. LICHTENBERGER. one of the many hard-working and honor- able men who have enwrought their very personality into the making of the west, and particularly of the great state of Nebraska, has his home in the township of Bradshaw, York county, and for many 3'ears has taken a prominent part in its develop- ment. Mr. Lichtenberger was born in Somer- set county, Pennsylvania, January 8, 1847. His father, Joshua Lichtenberger, was deputy sheriff at one time of his native county, and was born March 10, 18 10. He served for eight years and proved him- self a man of character and resolution. John Lichtenberger and some of his rela- tions came from England and settled in and around Philadelphia, and Reading, before the Revolutionary war. The Lichtenbergers are a numerous family in that state, and were largely represented in the Continental army under General Washington. John went to Ohio on business, but died on the way. The mother of the subject of this article was Mrs. Eliza A. (Scneyder) Lichtenberger. Her father, Jacob Scney- der, came from Germany when he was sixteen years old, and settled in Somerset county. After accumulating considerable property, he laid out the town that has become the city of Somerset. Here he lived to a venerable age, and was killed by a kick from a vicious horse. Samuel R. Lichtenberger enlisted in March, 1864, in Company D, Fifteenth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, and served through the last days of the war. He was mustered out September 16, 1865. His regiment had a part in the great march from Atlanta to the sea. He made the entire march without being wounded or in the hospital. He was mustered out at Springfield and went to Dixon, Lee county, Illinois, where he rented a farm and engaged in its cultiva- tion. After the war his father and his whole family had moved into that neighbor- hood. In 1873 they all came to this coun- ty, where his father, himself and one brother filed homestead claims. He lived on his claim for nearly eleven years alone, and then was married, January 16, 1883, to COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 689 Miss Sarah J. Dixon, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Mills) Dixon, who were mar- ried in 1863. Since their marriage they have lived on the homestead, which has increased to four hundred acres. When the subject of this article came to this county he had nothing that he could call his own except a sound body and an en- ergy that rose superior to every mishap. He owns in his own name a large farm, and has an equal interest with his brother in one thousand acres in the northwestern part of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Lichtenberger have a family of three children, Virginia M., Josiah and Cleon C. He belongs to the Masonic order and the Knights of Macca- bees. His wife is a member of the Ladies, and neither is connected at the present time with any church. He has been for twenty years treasurer of his school district, and for five years its moderator. WILLIAM H. COLEMAN, a resident of Bradshaw township, York county, Nebraska, was born May 2, 1844, in Colum- bia county, Pennsylvania, and is a son of David Coleman, who was born in North- ampton, of the same state. May 4, 1809. He was a farmer, and died in Asbury, Au- gust 16, 1874. His mother was Rebecca Hess, who was born July 19, 18 17, and died September 22, 1897. William was twenty years old when he enlisted in Company E, Two Hundred and Ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was enrolled August 31, 1864, and at the conclusion of the war was honorably dis- charged at Alexandria, Virginia, May 31, 1S65. He was engaged in the taking of Petersburg, Virginia, and the capture of Fort Stedman. Upon his return from the war he farmed his father's place one year, and then betook himself to Capron, Illinois, where he found employment as a farm hand. In the summer of 1870, in company with a friend, he made the voyage across Iowa in a "prairie schooner, " landing in York county in the early part of the follow- ing summer. He selected the southwest quarter of section 10, township 11, range 4 west, and being unmarried he built a little sod-house, and settled down to the business of making a home in a new country, and as all have done before, he broke and planted sod corn. He set out trees, and made his home attractive. He remained in this lonely condition until May 31, 1879, when he was married to Mrs. Charlotte Amelia McArthur, who had established on a neighboring farm the previous year. They began the earnest work of improving their new home, and now, at the end of nineteen years, their farm, which at first was a prairie wilderness, is now a beautiful home. She is the daughter of John E. Mason and Caroline Stryker. Her parents were married Jul\- 8, 1838, at Strykersville, W^'oming, county New York, wherethey lived for eleven years. They moved from there to DeKalb county, Illinois, where her mother died in 1857. Her father followed her to Nebraska, and died March 2, 18S9. She married Mr. McArthur in 1867, and lived with him se\en years at his home in the state of New York, and bore him two children, John W. and Eliza R. The}- are both married and ha\'e families. Her son was married to a Miss Sword in Pueblo, Colorado, and her daugh- ter is the wife of Joseph Shoefstall, and both are residents of Elwood, Nebraska. Their father was a brave and honored sol- dier in the late war for the Union. He en- tered as a private and through his own abil- ity rose from the ranks to the position of first lieutenant. He died April 2, 1875, and his ashes rest in Fairhaven cemetery. New York. Mr. and Mrs. Coleman have one daugh- ter, the sole fruit of their marriage, Edith May. She is now eighteen years old, and is employed obtaining an education, both 690 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. musical and literary, and seems to be the life of the rural home. Her father is a Populist, and does not fear reproach that word seems to carr\' to certain minds. He stands by the cause of free silver, and holds that the future welfare of the country re- quires its restoration to the coinage as an equal partner. He belongs to no religious organization, but his wife is a member of the Methodist church. JAMES CRAIG BORTNER, a prosper- ous and successful farmer of section 3, Stanton precinct, has made his home in Fill- more county since 1S74, and his name is inseparably connected with its agricultural interests. His thoroughly American spirit and great energy have enabled him to mount from a lowly position to one of affluence. One of his leading characteristics in business affairs is his fine sense of order and com- plete system and the habit of giving careful attention to details, without which success in any undertaking is never an assured fact. Mr. Bortner was born in Crawford coun- ty, Pennsj'lvania, October 13, 1847, a son of Thomas and Anna J. (Craig) Bortner. His paternal grandparents were Jacob and Beulah (Newbol.d) Bortner, and his mater- nal grandparents were James and Elizabeth (Hastings) Craig. Our subject remained under the parental roof until eighteen years of age and acquired his education in the public schools of Pennsylvania. He then married Miss Eliza Jane Mumford, a daugh- ter of William and Rachel (Scoudan) Mum- ford. As her mother died when she was two years old she was reared by a Mrs. Thatcher, with whom she remained imtil she gave her hand in marriage to our sub- ject, at the age of twenty. For about eight years Mr. Bortner op- erated his father-in-law's farm in Pennsyl- vania, but in 1S74 he disposed of his per- sonal property and by train moved to Fair- mont, Nebraska, where he arrived on the 30th of April. Securing a team at a livery stable, he drove to Stanton precinct May 27, and being pleased with the locality he bought one hundred and sixty acres, on which he erected one of the first frame houses in the precinct, moving into the same when it was minus a door and window. Heat once be- gan to break and improve his land, and the first year broke about thirty-five acres. He also planted some sod corn on land which he rented from a neighbor. He had to use o.xen in breaking his land for the first two years, and with the same team he hauled his fuel the first winter from the Little Blue, a distance of thirty-five miles, but the second winter was able to purchase a team of horses. In 1874 the grasshoppers destroyed everything, but notwithstanding these misfortunes, Mr. Bortner has pros- pered, and in 1881 finished paying for his first tract of one hundred and si.xty acres. The following year he bought eighty acres at eight dollars per acre, and as his finan- cial resources have increased he has bought additional land until he now has four hun- dred and eighty acres of as fine farming land as is to be found in the state. His comfortable and commodious residence is pleasantly located only a mile and a half from the city of Geneva, and everything about the place betokens the enterprising and progressive spirit of the owner, who is acknowledged to be one of the most syste- matic and skillful farmers of the commu- nity. In connection with general farming he is also engaged in stock raising. Since casting his first presidential vote for U. S. Grant he has been unwavering in his sup- port of the men and measures of the Re- publican party, while socially he affiliates with the Masonic fraternity at Geneva. Mr. Bortner has been called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, who died Ma}' 13, 1890, her remains being interred in the Geneva cemeterv. She was a true COMPENDIUM OF BlOGRAPin'. m\ JW. MATS ON, proprietor of a good farm on section 29, township 14, range 3, Polk county, is one of the most energetic and enterprising agriculturists of the community. He is a man of sound judgment and intelligence, and is well worthy representation in a work of this kind. His father, George Matson, was born in Ockelbo Yestrikland, Sweden, in 1826, and 1849 came to this country, first locating in Knox county, Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand, and also split rails in winter un- christian woman, loved and respected by all who knew her. Hy this union there was one son, Jasper, who married Laura Archer. Our subject was again married December 26, 1894, his second union being with Miss Mary Leonard, a daughter of Joseph and Adeline (Folger) Leonard. Her parental grandparents were Joseph and Sarah (Swain) Leonard, and her maternal grandparents were Judge Jethro and Mary (Barnard) Fol- ger, who were from Indiana. She is a descendant of Benjamin Franklin, and is of English and Irish e.xtraction. One of her ancestors was Walter Folger, of Nantucket Island, the inventor of the one hundred year clock. Secretary of the Treasurer Folger, one of President Arthur's cabinet officers, belonged to the same family. Mrs. Bortner ' was born in Shelby county, Indiana, April 25, 1853, attended first the district schools and later the Spice Land Academy, and then successfully engaged in teaching both in Indiana and Nebraska. For six years she had charge of a school in Aurora, this state, and it was there she became accjuainted with her future husband. She was reared in the Society of Friends, and Mr. Bortner was reared in the Freewill ' Baptist church. . Wherever known they are held in high regard and their friends are many in Fillmore county. til he acquired enough money so as to be able to buy some land, which he did soon after. He and his father bought forty acres of land together, which he farmed for a few years; then he sold his share of the forty acres, and in the early '50s he was married in Illinois to Miss Ellen Peterson, who was born in Skone, Sweden, in 1824, and they continued to reside in that state until 1853 when they removed to Carver county, Minnesota. There the father purchased one hundred acres of timber land, which he improved and resided upon for about eight years, and sold it in 1864, and then re- turned to Illinois in the same county where they formerly lived, where he again pur- chased eighty acres of prairie land which he improved and resided on until 1872. The same year he sold his eighty-acre farm and moved to Polk county, Nebraska, to improve his six hundred and forty acres of railroad land, which he bought the previous year. He took an eighty-acre homstead on the east half of the northeast quarter of section 32, township 14, range 2, being the first settler in that locality. In the spring he built a plank barn, 14 X 28 in which the family lived until fall, when he erected the first large frame house in the neighborhood. The same year he broke sixty acres of land and raised some good sod corn. The following year raised twenty-four bushels of spring wheat to the acre, and also some corn; in 1S74 raised wheat, but his corn was destroyed by the grasshoppers; and two years later those in- sects took half his corn crop. The first summer spent in Polk county he made fifty trips to Cokimbus, Nebraska, which was the nearest market, a distance of twenty-nine miles. In 1888 he sold his homestead and one hundred and sixty acres of the railroad land, and moved to Los Angeles county, California, and settled on a small farm, where he still resides, and, with the excep- tion of our subject, the other members of 692 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. the family still live in that state. The parents are members of the Swedish Bap- tist church at Los Angeles, and are highly respected, have always been honored by all, and he has always given his support to those who were in need, and helped to make the world better. The children are |. W., G. H., F. A., Mary A. and A. E., of whom all are still alive. George Matson has had various positions during his life. In Minnesota he held the office of assistant postmaster and a member of the town board, and also was school director in Illi- nois. In Nebraska he organized school dis- trict No. 29, and was the first director. He has had the office of church treasurer at various times. J. W. Matson, of this review, was born in Carver county, Minnesota, May 16, 1857, and at the age of six years accompanied his parents to Illinois and resided with them until 1872. When he was fifteen years of age he accompanied his parents to Nebraska in 1872. In the public schools of tho'se two states and also of Nebraska he acquired his education, and he remained with his parents until his marriage. On the 1 6th day of May, 1884, he wedded Miss Johanna Jonson, a native of Sweden, by whom he has three children, Alice H., Elmer E. and Harold R. After his mar- riage Mr. Matson rented some of his fa- ther's railroad land and farmed it for four years, and in 1888 he moved out to Los Angeles county, California, with his par- ents, but after spending four years there removed to a place seven hundred miles farther north at Red Bluff, Tehama county. A year later, however, he returned to Polk county, Nebraska, with only four hundred dollars in money, and rented again the place he formerly farmed, having lost on the Pacific coast about four thousand dol- lars and five years lost time. He now owns one hundred and twenty acres of land, well improved and under a high state of cultivation. In connection with general farming he is engaged in stock-raising, making a specialty of thoroughbred Guern- sey cattle. He is a member of the Scan- dinavian Mutual Insurance Company, of Polk county, and is also a member of the Stromsburg Co-operative Creamery Com- pany, of which he is a director. Mr. and Mrs. Matson are sincere and faithful mem- bers of the Swedish Baptist church, of Stromsburg, of which he is a trustee, and politically he is identified with the Republi- can party. He has served as clerk of elec- tions in Polk county and as school director in district No. 29, and at all times is de- voted to the best interests of the locality, giving his support to all measures for the public good. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, at Sew. ard, Nebraska, was founded about the year 1878, under the charge of Reverend Fr. O'Brien. He was at the head of its affairs for some years. The church began to show decided life under the ministrations Father A. P. Lysagt. He came to Seward about 1884, and remained for eight years. He was of Irish descent, and a man of much administrative ability. He was succeeded by Rev. Dennis A. Kelley, who put new life into the rising church. He did good work for it. Several changes were then made and the history of the church is brought up to 1897. In that year its present pastor, Rev. W. Murphy, took charge. He was born in Bennington county, Vermont, in 1847, and was educated in the public school of his native town. He entered H0I3' Cross college at Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1862, and spent six 3'ears in its scholastic shades. He devoted two years to theologi- cal study at Troy, New York, and two at Montreal, Canada. In the spring of 1873 he was ordained to the priesthood, and had a brief charge in \'ermont. He spent three COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 693 years in Europe in farther study, and in 1879 he was stationed at Peoria, Illinois, and was there engaged for five years. He was then transferred to the diocese of Omaha, and was under the episcopal direc- tion of Bishop O'Conner. He was assigned to Grafton, and held the pulpit there two years. He was again transferred, this time to Lancaster county, and did mission work for five years, which was followed by five years in Johnson county, Nebraska. In 1897 he came to this county, and began work as pastor of the Catholic church in Seward. The parish is gradually increas- ing in strength and numbers under his ministrations, and at the present moment has about seventy-five families. It sustains a mission in Ulysses, and maintains the various organizations which are intended to promote its strength and efficiency. SOLOMON A. MYERS.— Among the prominent agriculturists and poineer citizens, of York county, who have assisted materially in its development, is Mr. Myers, a resident on section 20, Thayer township. He was born in Clay county, Indiana, De- cember 16, 1850, a son of James and Sophia (West) Myers, natives of Ohio, and Indiana, respectively. The paternal grand- father, Solomon Myers, was born in Ohio, but at an early day removed to Indiana, where he spent the remainder of his life. His son James was reared to farm life, and on adopting a life-work he chose agriculture, which he has always followed. He now makes his home in Indian Territory. The subject of this sketch is the fourth in order of birth in a family of eight children — four sons and four daughters. He was reared to manhood in Illinois, and began life for himself as a farmer in that state. In 1 876 he came to York county, Nebraska, and secured a homestead claim on section 30, Thayer township, at that time all wild prairie land with only a sod house upon it. The place is now one of the best farms in the county, the land being under a high state of cultivation and improved with good and substantial buildings. For the past fourteen years, Mr. Myers has extensively engaged in buying, feeding and shipping stock, and has also given considerable at- tention to the breeding of a superior grade of road horses, owning two of the best stal- lions in the county. In 1870, Mr. Myers married Miss Eliza R. Kost, a native of Illinois, by whom he had four children: William E.,JohnW., Orin F., deceased, and James C. The wife and mother died in 1887 and two years later Mr. Myers was united in marriage with Miss Jessie R. Rose, a native of Iowa. To them has been born one son, Charles B. The family is connected with the Meth- odist church, and socially Mr. Myers affili- ates with the Masonic Order and the Mod- Woodmen of America. Politically he is a supporter of the men and measures of the Republican party, and he has been honored with election to a number of official posi- tions, being assessor of his township, and for some time a member of the county board of commissioners in tho early history of the county. WILLIAM M. WALROD is a farmer living near Bradshaw, Nebraska. He has made a home for himself and won a place in the honor and esteem of the world by the display of those qualities which are characteristically American. He is bold and enterprising, industrious and careful, and while his adventurous spirit displayed itself in settling in a new country, he has yet been careful and cautious, keeping close to shore, preferring safety and moderate re- sults to dash and danger in business. He has a good name, and is an active worker for the advancement of every movement of 694 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. morals and religion that interests the com- munity. Mr. \N'alrod was born June 30, 1843, in New York. His father, James, was born in Holland Purchase, in that state, September 18, 18 1 8, and was a farmer all his life. Peter A. Walrod was the grandfather of William, and of Holland birth. He was born Ma\' 17, 1781, and was a hotel keeper. Eliza B. Ho\ey, the mother of William Walrod, was born June 20, 1825, in Ohio. Our subject's paternal great-grandmother, Hannah Hoover, was born in Germany, in 1796. His grandfather came from Holland in 1827, and settled in Holland Purchase, and from that tract he moved to Wyoming county, where he died at the advanced age of eighty-two. His grandmother died at the age of seventy-six. She had a history quite out of the common run. During the war of 18 1 2 she was an ardent patriot, and with two of her brothers participated in a battle against the British. She carried powder to the gunners and rendered valuable service to the cause. James Walrod was married October 19, 1840, to Miss Hovey, daughter of John and Eliza Hovey, in the little New York village of Pike. They lived on a farm for four years, when they moved to De Kalb county, Illinois, and pur- chased a farm, on which they spent a second four years. From this place they moved to Kane county, where they remained but a brief time, moving to Sac county, Iowa, where he died November 7, 1886. The mother is still living on the Sac county farm, and is now seventy-three years old. William Walrod enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois \'olun- teer Infantry August 15, 1862, when he was only eighteen. He was in many of the most important battles of the west, among which were those at Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hill, Black River, Can- ton and the forty-seven days' siege of Vicks- burg. He was at the taking of Spanish Fort, and the defenses of Mobile. He passed through twenty skirmishes, many of which assumed the dignity of small battles. Although his place was in the front rank and his number No. i, yet he was not wounded in an\' of these engagements, and was in the hospital only twice during his period of service. He was mustered out of the army at Chicago August 16, 1S65, and immediately set out for his old home in Kane county. Mr. \\'alrod was married to Miss Calista A. Sheldon October 19, i86s. She was an old school-mate, and has made her husband a most helpful companion. The\' made their home on the farm until 1871, when the}' moved to this county and took a home- stead clami on the southeast quarter of sec- tion 10, township II, range 4 west. Here they have made their home to the present time. He says there was nothing on the land but grass, sunflowers and a govern- ment stake on one corner. He began with the inevitable dug-out on the side of a ra- vine, with the improved feature of a shingle roof instead of the ordinary sod. When he had paid for filing his papers he had one lone five-dollar bill in his hands, which soon disappeared, leaving them without money save for letter postage. He broke the prairie and planted trees. He now has a fine orchard of one hundred and twenty-five trees of the best fruits that can be raised in the state. His residence is set in the midst of most pleasant and attractive surround- ings. His lawn is rich with Kentucky blue grass, and is kept in perfect order. He is the father of five children, four of whom are living and married. S. Eugene and W. Homer are married and have families of their own. Albert A., Ellen and Effie M. Eugene is a farmer, and Homer is a miner in the gold fields of the Black Hills. Al- bert is twenty-five years old, and in the spring of 1898 became a member of Com- pany A, First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry, COMPENDIl^r OF BIOGRAPHT. G95 but at the time of mustering the regiment failed to pass the critical examination. He and his sister. Miss Effie, are the only chil- dren at home. Mr. Walrod has been a life-long Republican, and says he still votes in the same way he shot in the '60s. He is a member of the Ancient Order of the United Workmen, and is a man of char- acter, and with his wife is a member of the Bradshaw Methodist Episcopal church, and had been for many years its recording steward. JOHN C. MULFINGER is the manager of the Seward Cereal Mills, and at the head of this very important Nebraska insti- tution he has won an enviable reputation for business proficiency and personal pro- bity. The enterprise over which he pre- sides is an extensive affair, and very ma- terially enhances the profits of the farmers of the neighboring regions. It is owned by a corporation consisting of five well-known business men, of whom the manager is the leading spirit. George J. Harrison is the vice-president; John Zimmerer is the presi- dent; John Cattle, Jr., is the treasurer, and C. W. Barkley is the secretary. They are alert and shrewd, and their products are taken up in the best markets of the coun- try. Mr. Mulfinger was born in Monroe coun- ty, Ohio, April 11, 1852, and was the only son of Michael and Mary J. (Neff) Mulfinger. His father was born in Germany, and came to this country in 1821. He began life as a baker, but in later years became a clergy- man of the German Methodist Episcopal church. He was a man of much force of character, and did a good work as a clergy- man. He died in Illinois. Mrs. Mulfinger was a native of Pennsyl- vania, and died in Illinois also. Her son received a good education, partly in Illinois and partly in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. He 40 was also a student at Wallace University, and at Baldwin University, Berea, Ohio, where he spent two years. He became a miller, and learned his trade in Iowa, where he followed it for ten years in Iowa and central Illinois. In 1871 he went into a mill at Lincoln, Nebraska, and was there three years. In Fillmore he was engaged in the grain trade, and in the fall of 1879 came to Seward, and erected an elevator. He acted as its manager at first, but later secured an interest in it, and still contmues- in its operation. In 1893 he was elected county treasurer, and two years later re- ceived the honor of a re-election by an in- creased majority. In the city of Seward he has long been regarded as one of its most progressive and public-spirited citizens. He was mayor for two terms and has served in the city council for seven years. The very complete system of water works which the city possesses to-day was put in under his administration. He has been connected with the fire department for fifteen years, and was its chief for seven years. He was prominent in the erection of the Seward Cereal Mills, and has been conspicuous in its management from the first. Mr. Mulfinger was married in 1875 to Miss Mary J. Harrison, with whom he be- came acquainted at Lincoln, Nebraska, where she was born and reared, and was attending the State University. They are the parents of two children, Francis A. and Alta |. He is a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows and is a Knight of Pythias. He is a Republican, and is at the present moment chairman of the county central committee. SB. CLARK, an influential and popular citizen of Seward county, is a worthy representative of one of the oldest and most distinguished pioneer families. He is a na- tive of the far-off state of Vermont, his 696 COMTENDIi'M OF BIOGRAPH2' birth occurring at Luningburg, December 30, 1839, while his parents, Rev. Elijah L. and Nancy (Munger) Clark, were born in Whiting, Vermont. The father was a Bap- tist minister, and engaged in preaching in the Green Mountain state. Later moved to Franklin county, New York, and in Oc- tober, 1865, he became a resident of Sew- ard county, Nebraska, locating on the farm ■where our subject now lives. After com- pleting a dugout, in which the family lived, he turned his attention to the improvement and cultivation of his farm, which at that time was all wild. He organized the first Baptist church in the county, and served as its pastor until his death, which occurred in 1873. In early life he had given some at- tention to the study of law, and for a time •engaged in practice in the early courts of 'this state, meeting with fair success. He became one of the most prominent and in- fluential citizens of this section of the state, and was elected a member of the lower house of the legislature, where he ably rep- resented Seward county for one term. It was at this time that the state capital was ■moved from Omaha to Lincoln, and as he favored the removal, he was compelled to hide to escape mob violence. Besides this position, he filled some minor offices of hon- or and trust with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. His wife died in 1S74. In their family were eleven children, six sons and five daughters. Three of the sons became min- isters of the Gospel, one died from wounds received in the Civil war, and two others were also in the Union service. S. B. Clark received a good practical education in the public schools of his native state, and when quite young turned his at- tention to farming, following that pursuit in Vermont and New York states, coming to Seward county, Nebraska, in 1S66. He secured a homestead near Milford, which he operated until the death of his father, when he bought the old homestead and has since successful!}' engaged in its cultivation and improvement. While still a resident of Vermont, Mr. Clark was married in August, 1859, the lady of his choice being Miss Jennie Byrne, who was born in Ireland and came to the United States about 1853 or 1854. They have become the parents of four children, who all live in Seward county, namely: Ed- ward L. ; Effie C, now the wife of H. H. Furnald; Allison B. ; and Adelbert O. The parents both hold membership in the Con- gregational church and politically Mr. Clark affiliates with the Republican part}-, which he assisted in organizing in Seward county. For some years he served asdeputy sheriff, and his duties, whether public or pri- vate, are always discharged with the atmost fidelity and promptness, which wins the com- mendation and esteem of his fellow citi- zens. TAMES VARNUM WOOD, a widely J known and highly respected citizen of Olive township, Butler county, who is making his home and base of operations in section 14, was born in Newfield, York county, Maine, June 24, 1845. His father. Job P. Wood, was born at Acton, York county, Maine, June 5, 1S03. He was reared as a tanner, curner and shoemaker, but later in life engaged in farming in his native state. Our subject's grandfather set- tled in York county, Maine, late in the eighteenth century. His great-grandfather, Daniel Wood, better known as Major Wood, fought in the battle of Bunker Hill. The Wood family is of Scotch origin but came from England to America in the latter part of the seventeenth century and was one of the prominent colonial families. Our sub- ject's mother, Mercy Durgin, a daughter of Josiah Durgin, was born in York county, Maine, and was from Revolutionary stock. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 697 Mr. Wood's grandmother, Hannah Bean, was of Scotch descent. The mother of our subject's maternal grandfather, Josiah Dur- gin, was Rebecca Stuart, who came to America in 1746, and was supposed to have been a descendant of the reigning house of Stuarts, and our subject's paternal grand- mother bore the maiden name of Miss Grant, and was a distant relative of U. S. Grant. Our subject was reared in his native state, with the advantages of the common school, until he enlisted, August 6, 1862, in Company I, First Maine Cavalry, at the age of seventeen years. He was in active service in this capacity until he was wounded at Boydton Plank Road, Virginia, 1864. During this time he participated in the first and second battles of Fredericksburg, Chan- cellorsville and Gettysburg, where he acted in the capacity of orderly for General Wads- worth, who commanded the First Army Corps. After receiving his wound he was sent to the hospital and there remained until he was discharged May 20, 1865, at Augusta, Maine, on account of disability. He then returned to his home and resumed his studies in the public schools, and com- pleting his studies at the Wakefield x\cad- emy, at Wakefield, New Hampshire. After teaching two terms of school he went to Boston, and was engaged as bookkeeper in the Faneuil Hall Market. After severing his connection with this firm, he entered the employ of J. S. & E. Wright, Winthrop Square, Boston, and later was with J. T. Kelly & Co., 609 Washington street, Bos- ton. When he left the employ of the last- named firm, in September, 1869, he went to Chicago, Illinois, and from thence to Clinton county, Iowa, and made that his home until he moved to Butler county, Nebraska, his present home. He filed a homestead claim to the northeast quarter of section 14, township 15, range 2, having commuted same in February, 1872, and then returned to eastern Iowa, where he was engaged for two years in teaching and railroad work. Early in March, 1874, he returned to Butler county, Nebraska, and, on the 26th of that month, was married there to Miss Adah Vanderkolk. Miss Van- derkolk moved to Butler county in 1868 and taught the first school in the county. She was born at Pella, Iowa, in August, 1850, and died in Butler county, September 27, 1876. To this union were born two children, Merta M. V. and Viegar V., both of whom died in infancy. After the death of his first wife, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Tabitha Vanderkolk, a sister of his former wife. She was born in Friesland, Holland, January ti, 1846, and came to this country with her parents when two years of age. To this union were born five children, of whom we have the follow- ing record: Varnum P. W., born Novem- ber 5, 1879; Adah M., born December 11, 1 881; John S. and Katie C. , twins, born June 8, 1884, and John S. died at the age of nine months; Amelia T., born July 25, 1888. Mrs. Tabitha Wood died November 14, 1895, and April 3, 1897, our subject was united in marriage to Etta Papa, a na- tive of Friesland, Holland, born February 29, 1864. Our subject was united with the Park Street Congregational church of Boston, in June, 1869, and after moving to Butler county, he became a member of the First Congregational church of Butler county, Nebraska. He next joined the Summit church, of that county, and is now identified with the First Congregational church of David City. Mrs. Tabitha (Vanderkolk) Wood organized and superintended the first Sunday-school in Butler county, and both she and her sister, Adah, were charter mem- bers of the First Congregational church of Butler county. Mr. Wood is a member of the A. Lincoln post No. 10, Grand Army of the Republic. G98 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPBT. HON. DAVID E. SEDGWICK, M. D., one of the prominent physicians and surgeons of York, York county, was born in Bloomingdale, Illinois, November 12, 1850, and a brief history of his parents will ap- pear in the sketch of Judge S. H. Sedgwick, on another page of this volume. Our subject was educated in the Whea- ton College, of Illinois, attending there for five years. He then began to read medi- cine, and in 1873, entered the Rush Medical College, of Chicago, Illinois, from which he graduated in 1875. He began the practice of his profession in Wrights- town, Brown county, Wisconsin, remaining there until the fall of 1879. During that year he was elected to the legislature from Brown county. In 1880 Dr. Sedgwick came to York county, and has followed the practice of medicine here since that date. The Doctor is a stockholder and one of the directors of the York Water Company. He is a member of both the state and the coun- ty medical societies, and in politics he is identified with the Republican party. Dr. Sedgwick was married, in 1875, to Miss Jennie Treat, of Wisconsin, and their home has been blessed by the presence of a family of three children, all of whom are still living, and whose names, in the order of their birth, are as follows: Julius P., Allen E. and Frederick G. The Doctor affiliates, socially, with the Masonic fra- ternity, holding his membership in the commandery, Knights Templar, and is also a member of some of the insurance fraterni- ties. As a physician he has been very successful and enjoys a large and ever in- creasing patronage. JOHN J. LICHLITER, one of Butler county's enterprising and prosperous farmers, whose home is in section 31, Olive township, settled in this community in December, 1878. He was born in Hamp- shire county, Virginia, January 15, 1833, a son of George P. Lichliter. The father was a native of Maryland, a shoemaker by occupation, and died in Ohio in 1857, at an advanced age. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. His father migrated to the col- onies from Germany with his father in 1769, settled in Virginia and both participated in in the Revolutionary war. Our subject's mother, Rosa (Cook) Lichliter, was born in Maryland. The parents were married at Cumberland, Maryland, and eleven children were born to them, ten of whom grew to maturity, and of whom our subject is the seventh child and the third son. The eld- est brother went to Ohio and from there enlisted in the Mexican war. After the close of that struggle he returned to Ohio and later moved from thence to southern Illinois, from where he enlisted in the Civil war. He died in Illinois. The second brother, George W., enlisted in the Civil war from Ohio, and died in Kentucky, dur- ing his service. John J. Lichliter, the subject of this sketch, left his native county in Virginia in early youth, moved to Ohio with his parents and settled in Kno.x county. He later moved to Richland county, and located in the village of Newville. This was about the close of the Me.xican war. After living there four years he moved to Coshocton county and made that his home two years. From thence he went to Illinois, stopped in Livingston county for about a year, and then went to Ogle county and settled on a farm near Rochelle. He was married to Miss Ruth Slaughter, daughter of Joseph Slaugh- ter, an old settler of Ogle county, and orignally from Coshocton county, Ohio. The ceremony was performed September 20, 1856, and to this union two sons were born in Ogle county; Stuart Wilson and Joseph G., both of whom are now living in Butler county, Nebraska. Politically our subject was a Peter COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 699 Cooper Greenbacker when there was but three members of that party in Butler county, and when this party merged into the Labor Union party he was elected a mem- ber of the board of supervisors, and in that capacity superintended the construction of Butler county's new court house. Mr. Lichliter is interested in everything that has a tendency to promote the public good, and his farm and pleasant surroundings testify clearly to the success he has made in life. JESSE IvNIGHT, one of the earliest set- tlers of Bee township, Seward county, has had a varied and eventful career. He is a grizzled veteran of the great war for the Union; he made his way through countless dangers to Pike's Peak, and began pioneer- ing in Nebraska more than a quarter of a century ago. He has looked into the face of want and danger, and did not shrink, for the prize was great. Out of turmoil, stife, suffering and privation he has won an honor- able name, and at sixty years of age finds himself in the possession of a comfortable competence and securely intrenched in the good opinion of his friends and neighbors. Jesse Knight was born in Randolph county, Indiana, September 6, 1838, and was a son in the family of George and Armilla (Hiatt) Knight. His parents came from North Carolina. His grandfather, Andrew Knight, moved from North Carolina, his native state, to Indiana at an early day, and there spent his remaining days. George Knight was a farmer, and devoted all his years to agriculture. He came into Indiana in 181 5, remained there for thirty- five years, and moved into Dallas county, Iowa, in 1850. This was his home until 1896, when he appeared in Seward county, and made his home with his son William until his death, which occurred November 5, 1898, being nearl}- ninet\' five years of age. Jesse Knight received a very limited ed- ucation in Indiana and in Iowa, where he began farming. The great gold excitement in Colorado carried him to the Rocky Mountains in i860. He enlisted in Com- pany K, 2nd Colorado Volunteer Infantry, and served throughout the war. He partic- ipated in several severe engagements, the most important of which were the battles at Independence and Newtonia, Missouri. He was a faithful and efficient soldier, and was mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. When the war had closed he came back to Iowa, and engaged in farming in that state until 1870. That year he sought a home in the unbroken wilderness of Ne- braska, and entered a homestead claim upon the land where he is now living. His first residence was the familiar and omnipresent dug-out, and after that his first work was the turning back of the rich prairie sward, that should smile and break forth in count- less harvests. He has made a fertile and attractive farm, and has it all under a high cultivation. He was married in Iowa, in 1868, to Miss Martha J. Sheely. She is a native of Vermillion county, Indiana, and is a lady of warm heart and hospitable spirit. They have two children, Zelpha M. and Lula A., both of whom are living. The mother and daughters are members of the Christian church, and Mr. Knight is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a Republican, and has filled the office of assessor, but has never been an office seeker. He attends to his own business, has a good farm, and enjoys the respect and confidence of his friends and neighbors. THOMAS SIMPSON, one of the oldest settlers of Morton township, was born in Delaware, in 18 14, a son of Clements and Mintie (Dutton) Simpson, both of whom were natives of Delaware. The father was 700 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. a farmer and shoemaker by occupation. In 1818, he moved to Zanesville, Ohio, and spent the remaining years of his life in that state. He was twice married, and our sub- ject is the oldest child by the second mar- riage. Thomas Simpson, the subject of this sketch, was educated in Ohio and began farming when quite young, and followed that occupation in that state for several years. He then moved to Indiana and was engaged in the pursuit of agriculture in that state for fifteen years. He then moved to Illinois, and settled on a farm near Peoria and made that his home until 1872, when he moved to York county, Nebraska, took a homestead claim on section 6, Morton township. Here he erected a small farm house and began to improve his farm, and from time to time has enlarged his residence and farm until he now has a cozy home and a well-improved and well-cultivated farm, and he is recognized as one of the leading farmers of the township. Mr. Simpson was married to Miss Re- becca A. Clark, of the state of Ohio. To this union have been born six children, four of whom are now living, and of whom we have the following record: Ellen, now Mrs. Parker; William M. ; Caroline, now Mrs. Calhoun; and Thomas C, who is still living at home. Mrs. Simpson died in Tazewell county, Illinois. In politics Mr. Simpson is a stanch advocate of the policy of the Populist party, but has never sought a public office. He was one of the earliest settlers of the county, chose for himself a fine farm, built a pleasant home, and during his residence here has made many warm friends throughout the entire communit}'. DR. B. F. LANG, physician and surgeon at York, York county, was born in Somerset county, Maine, December 12, 1856, and was educated at the Friends' Classical School at Providence, Rhode Isl- and, graduating in 1880. He then took up the study of medicine, entering the Pulte Medical College, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated from that institution in March, 1883. Doctor Lang began his practice at Cam- bridge, Ohio, where he remained until 1887. He then moved to Cass county, Nebraska, and from thence, in 1891, he moved to York. He is a member of the State Homeo- pathic Medical Society. Socially he affili- ates with the Highlanders and the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics Dr. Lang has always taken a wholesome interest and stanchly advocates the Free Silver doctrine. The Doctor is the only homeopathist in York county, and enjoys a very large and grow- ing patronage. J OSEPH C. DIETRICK.— Among those who supported the timid steps of civil- ization in its early progress westward we mention the gentleman whose name heads this brief chronicle. He has witnessed the rapid changes that have occurred in York county, and the state of Nebraska, during the past twenty-five or thirty years, and none is more familiar with its history than he. His pleasant homestead is located in section 5, Baker township. Joseph C. Dietrick was born in Monroe county, Pennsylvania, March 7, 1S41, the son of Henry and Catherine (Smith) Die- trick, who were also natives of Monroe county, Pennsylvania. Henry Dietrick was a carpenter by trade, but in later years he adopted the more domestic life of a farmer. He died in Monroe county, Pennsylvania, as did also his beloved wife. Reared on the farm, our subject grew to manhood with the sturdy qualities of coun- try youth. His education was obtained in the public schools of his native county. At the age of twenty-one he found employment COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 701 in the lumbering districts of Pennsylvania, securing a place after a time in the sawmills and lath and shingle mills of that region. However, he abandoned this line of work, and went to Bureau county, Illinois, where a few years were spent at farm work. While on a visit to his liome in Pennsylvania he decided to join his father in a trip to Iowa, where a brother of the latter was living, in Henry county. While there he secured a position as attendant in the hospital for the insane at Mt. Pleasant. After about four years of service in that capacity, he went to Nebraska, arriving in York county in Sep- tember, 1870. He filed a homestead claim to eighty acres of land in section 4, Baker township, a tract adjoining his present farm on the east. On the site of the present city of York there were then but two frame houses, each, about 14 x 18 feet, they having been erected by the parties who held pre- emption claims to the surrounding lands. Between the site of this future city and the homestead of our subject there were but four houses. These were built of sod, and stood in the bottom lands along Beaver Creek, no houses at that time having been erected on the "divide." Mr. Dietrick hauled lumber from Nebraska City and Columbus during the winter, and in the spring of 1871, constructed a small house about 12x14 feet, said to be the first frame structure west of the city of York. By hard work he broke about thirty-five acres of his land that season and planted it to sod corn, which yielded him a good crop. Having pre-empted his land, he returned to Iowa in December, 1871, and resumed his old position in the hospital at Mt. Pleasant. February 26, 1874, Mr. Dietrick was married to Laura Simpson, a young lady employe in the above named institution at Mt. Pleasant, whose society he had enjoyed and whose favor he had won during his last term of service there. She was the daugh- ter of William and Nancy (Range) Simpson, natives of Pennsylvania. The young couple in July, 1874, left the hospital and lis'ed about one year on a farm which he rented in Iowa. In the fall of 1875 they drove overland to their new home in York county, Nebraska. After partially improving his homestead, he traded it for a portion of his present farm. He now owns one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land, all under a high state of cultivation, and enhanced by many and valuable improvements, including a modern residence and commodious out- buildings for the protection of his stock and machinery. He is one of the substantial farmers of York county. Mr. and Mrs. Dietrick are the parents of six children, named as follows: Ethel, Paul, Attie, Walter, Arthur and Mabel. Ethel is now the wife of William Towle. They reside in York county. In political sentiment Mr. Dietrick is independent, sup- porting with his vote and influence the men and the measures he deems best calculated to subserve the interests of the community, state and nation. HENRY H. MARTIN is a prominent contractor and builder of Geneva, Nebraska, of whose skill many notable ex- amples are to be seen throughout the city. Thoroughly reliable in all things, the qual- ity of his work is a convincing test of his own personal worth. He is a native of New York, born June iS, 1836, and is a son of Charles and Hannah (Kent) Martin, who died in that state, the former when our subject was only thirteen months old. There were only two children in the family, and the older, Charles J., died at the age of sixty years. Henry H. Martin is indebted to the common schools of New York for his edu- cational advantages. At the age of eighteen he went to Iowa, and in that state and Illi- nois he learned the carpenter's trade, which 702 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. he has made his life work. During the Rebelhon, he enlisted as a private in the Seventh Illinois Cavalry, under Captain McDonald, but when discharged at Nash- ville, Tennesssee, was holding the rank of first lieutenant of Company F. Since 1893 he has received a pension of twelve dollars per month from the government. On coming to Geneva in November, 1875, the place consisted of about seven buildings, and as its leading contractor and builder he has since erected three-quarters of the buildings now standing. Specimens of his skill and handiwork are also seen in surrounding towns and counties, and among the most notable buildings he has erected are the largest business houses at Gene\'a, which are ornaments to the citj'. As a designer and architect he is one of the best in this section of the state and he always conscientiously discharges his part of every contract. Since first coming to Geneva, he has made his home here continuously with the exception of one year spent in Cali- fornia, and he has the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens to a high degree. He cast his first presidential vote for James Buchanan, but since that time has been a stalwart supporter of the Republican party. Mr. Martin has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Corinne Denio, who died in Illinois, leaving five children, all of whom are now married with the exception of Wilber. They are as follows: Louis, a resident of Utah; Clara, of Nebraska; Wil- ber, of California; Harvey, of Missouri; and Edward, of Oregon. In Illinois Mr. Martin was married, in 1892, to Miss Alice Street, who was born in that state, July 4, 185S, and was educated in its common schools. Immediately after their marriage she came with her husband to Geneva, and their home has been blessed by the birth of three sons, namely: Burt, Seymour and Frank. Mrs. Martin's father, Seymour Street, died at the age of forty-three years and was buried in Fairmont, Illinois, but her mother is still living and finds a pleasant home with our subject. She bore the maiden name of Abbie Gubtil. In her family were five chil- dren: Luella; Frank; Dwight; Allison, who died in Illinois during infancy; and Alice, wife of our subject. SEDGWICK W. PETTIS, deceased.— It is an important public duty to honor and perpetuate, as far as is possible, the memory of an eminent citizen — one who by his blameless and honorable life reflects credit, not only upon his community, but also upon the county and state. In Mr. Pettis, who is now deceased, we find not only one of the highly respected citizens of York county, and one of its honored pio- neers, but also a veteran of the Civil war, who devoted the opening years of his man- hood to the defense of his country from the internal foes, and whose death resulted from his arduous service. His portrait is shown on another page. He was born July 3, 1844, in Wyoming count}'. New York, a son of Zina H. and Amanda (Sedgwick) Pettis, also natives of the Empire state, where the mother passed away. In the latter part of the fifties the father removed to Shebo3gan county, Wis- consin, and passed his lastdaj's upon a farm there. Our subject was about fourteen years of age when he accompanied his fa- ther to Wisconsin, having previously ac- quired the greater part of his education in the public schools of New York. In Sep- tember, 1862, at the early age of eighteen years, he joined the boys in blue as a mem- ber of Company F, Twenty-seventh Wiscon- sin \'olunteer Infantry. His company was the second of the regiment to arrive at Camp Washburn, Milwaukee, where they were afterward mustered into the United States service, but were not ordered south until the 30th of the following March, going first MR. AND MRS. S. W. PETTIS AND DAUGHTER. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 705 to Columbus, Kentucky. From that time on Mr. Pettis was in active service until the close of the war, and while on the Camden e.xpedition in Arkansas, April lo, 1864, he received a wound in the left leg, which at the time was not considered serious, but it so affected his nerves as to give him almost constant pain and finall) caused his death December 27, 1894. After the war Mr. Pettis returned to Wisconsin, and in that state married Miss Amanda Townsend, who was born in Mon- roe county. New York, January 29, 1845. In the spring of 1871 they came to York county, Nebraska, and for their homestead secured the northeast quarter of section 22, Leroy township, at which time the present city of York contained but two frame houses and one sod shanty. They had one child at that time — Martin, then ten months old. Their first year here was spent in a dug-out and the}' experienced all the hardships and privations of pioneer life, their stock con- sisting of only one team, a cow and a pig, and their cash capital fifty cents on their arrival at their new home. Their neighbors were few and far between, but quite a num- ber of other settlers arrived during the fol- lowing summer and fall. Aided by his good wife, Mr. Pettis succeeded in making a good home and finally was able to surround his family with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. After coming to York count)' the wound he had received during the war began to give him a great deal of trouble, and for many years he suffered with the same. Hoping to get relief he underwent three surgical operations, first cutting out some of the nerves and then amputating the leg above the knee, but these only afforded temporary relief. About two years before his death it was thought best to amputate the leg the second time, and from that time on he was confined to his bed, a constant sufferer until relieved b\- death. Ever\- thing that kind friends and a loving, devot- ed wife could do to relieve his suffering was done. He was a prominent member of the Grand Army Post at York, and he and his wife assisted in organizing the Methodist Episcopal church at that place, of which he was ever afterward a consistent and active member. Mrs. Pettis, who is a most estimable lady, honored and respected by all who know her, still resides on the old home- stead in Lero}' township. She has two children — Eliza Hart, now a resident of Co- lumbus, Nebraska, and Ruth, at home. Her parents were Hiram and Eliza (Baldwin) Townsend. The father died August 6, 1898, aged eighty-two 3'ears. The mother, now seventy-five years old, is a highly es- teemed citizen of Sheboygan count}'. Wis- consin. The father was a native of Ver- mont, where his mother died, and later dur- ing his boyhood he removed to Monroe county. New York, where he was reared and educated. In 1841 he married Eliza Baldwin, a native of that county. JEREMIAH STANTON, who keeps a small confectionery, tobacco and cigar store in the village of McCool Junction, is one of the first settlers of York county, and with the exception of John Smith, of McCool Junction, probably no other person has re- sided in York county for so long a period as has Mr. Stanton. He located on the site of the present village of McCool Junc- tion in May, 1866. , The subject of this sketch was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, June 26, 1 8 1 7. His parents were Thomas and Catherine (Leichliter) Stanton, the former a native of Maryland, of English descent, and the lat- ter a native of Virginia of German parent- age. They both died in Pennsylvania. He was a farmer by occupation, and our subject was reared on a farm, and received his 706 COMPENDIUM OF BJOGRAPHT. schooling in the lop; cabin subscription schools of Pennsylvania. Mr. Stanton says the course was confined to the three R's — Readin', 'Ritin', Rithmetic. He grew to maturity in his native state, and in 1839, while working in Virginia, he was married to Sarah Sutton, at Woodstock, Virginia. She was a native of Fayette county, Penn- sylvania, and daughter of William Sutton. They became the parents of five children, named as follows: Catherine, Eliza J., Francis, Dennis F. and Thomas. Francis and Dennis F. served in the Civil war, the former dying in the hospital at Vicksburg, and the latter a short time after his return home. Mrs. Stanton died in 1848. In 1855 Mr. Stanton went to Marshall county, Illinois, where he farmed about four years, and then, in 1859, went to Cali- fornia, crossing the "plains" by wagon train. The wagon broke down in the Rocky Mountains, and they had to pack through the rest of the way. They arrived in California with one horse, having left the other on the Humbolt river. The trip was one of severe trials, especially in crossing the "plains," food and water being very scarce, and Mr. Stanton in fact walking most of the distance. In California he worked on the farm, receiving high wages. He left San Francisco on New Year's day, 1863 for Illinois, going by water, by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and arriving in New York January 25th. In the spring of 1866 Mr. Stanton left Marshall county, Illinois, and settled in York county, Nebraska, filing a claim to a quarter of section 18, township 9, range 2, on which the present village of McCool Junction is situated. He immediately set to work and constructed a "dug-out" and a stable on the bank of the west fork of the Big Blue river. He was accompanied to his new home by Fernando McFadden and family, who located on section 8. The first season Mr. Stanton broke and cleared about fifteen acres with the team he had driven from Illinois. He planted about four acres of corn, and the grasshop- pers destroyed it. The first winter was a severe one, and Mr. Stanton says it was "dig out" most of the time during that winter, as his means of exit were repeated- ly closed up by heavy snows. Mr. Stanton had fortunately brought an old scoop-shovel with him from Illinois, and with this weapon he says he spent at least half his time that winter battling with snow-drifts. When spring came the river overflowed, and he was forced to abandon his "dug out," first however, piling his seed-corn and wheat on bo.xes and tables to keep it out of the water. He was not able to return to his home for about ten days, during which time he visited several settlers along the river. Indians were numerous but not troublesome except for their begging and petty thieving. On one occasion Mr. Stanton made a bargain with an Indian to tan a beaver skin for seventy- five cents. The Indian improved the ac- quaintance by begging and carrying off al- most everything that came under his view, so that the tanning of the beaver skin cost Mr. Stanton at least ten dollars before the job was completed. The first winter Mr. Stanton had only his horses and dogs for company, but the monotony was varied by the howl of wolves and the whoop of In- dians. He had brought his provisions from Nebraska City, one hundred miles distant, paying fabulous prices for everything. Flour sold for nine dollars per hundred pounds, and corn at one dollar per bushel. He says that the few deer he shot during the winter were so poor that he could not get enough tallow to grease a bullet patch. He found it necessary to go to Nebraska City again after getting in his crops in 1867, as his larder had exhausted, and he was accompanied on this trip by a son of Fer- nando McFadden. Prices had not dimin- ished in the meantime. Corn, wheat, po- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY 707 tatoes and vegetables gave a heavy yield in 1867, and from time on Mr. Stanton was not dependent upon Nebraska City markets. He was able to sell his farm products to the new settlers coming in, who took all his surplus at good prices. He improved his farm, and built a log cabin, in which he lived until it was destroyed by fire. He then erected a frame residence. The vil- lage of McCool Junction now stands upon the land homesteaded by Mr. Stanton. Mr. Stanton, growing tired of living alone, and wishing also to shift the arduous duties of looking after his own mending and baking, prevailed upon Mfs. Rhoda A. Cus- ter to share his home. They were united in marriage in 1871. Mr. Stanton is an original member of the West Blue Baptist church, which he assisted in organizing in 1873, and of which he has been an officer for many years. His estimable wife died in 1883. Our subject is now conducting a small business in McCool Junction, and is well known throughout the county. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, although he has never been active in part}' affairs. MRS. TILLIE C. (ROSS) BUCKLEY, who is the present postmistress of Stromsburg, Polk county, is one of the prominent personages of that county, and because of her prominence along education- al lines and the public position which she holds, a work of this character would be in- complete without a review of her life. Mrs. Buckley is a daughter of Mary (Walker) Ross, who was born in England. She was married in Des Moines, Iowa, and was the mother of two children. The maternal grandfather was Thomas D. Walker, a na- tive of England, who came to America in about 1848, and settled first in Canada, near Quebec, and soon came to the United States, settling at Des Moines, Iowa. He later came to Nebraska City, Nebraska, and erected the first brick house in that place, and still later moved farther west, settling in Denver, where he erected the first brick residence, and burned the first kiln of brick in that city. He traveled over the entire country, and died at Des Moines, Iowa, aged eighty-four years. He was married in England to Miss Mary Keagy, and they be- came the parents of two children, a son and a daughter, both of whom are now living. The son, John D. Walker, now resides at Des Moines, Iowa, and lives retired. The daughter and the mother of our sub- ject is now Mrs. E. Dunn, having married Mr. Dunn at Omaha, Nebraska, about 1869. Mr. Dunn for the past thirty years has been in the employ of the Union Pa- cific Railway at that point. They have one son, Lovell E. Our subject was born at Nebraska Cit\', Nebraska, August 3, 1861. She was reared and educated at Omaha, Nebraska, attend- ing the schools of that city. In the fall of 1877 she came to Polk county, Nebraska, and began teaching school two miles west of Stromsburg, and followed that calling successfully until her marriage, December 2, 1880, to Mr. P. T. Buckley (a sketch of whom appears elsewhere). She has two children, Newton E. and Beulah I. Mrs. Buckley enjoys the distinction of being the first lady to serve on the school board of Stromsburg, having been elected to that position in the spring of 1896. She has taken an active interest in educational af- fairs, and is especially interested in the young, having educated two young girls be- sides her own children. On February 8, 1898, Mrs. Buckley was appointed postmistress of Stromsburg by President McKinley, being the first lady to fill that position in that place, and at the present time is the only lady filling a presi- dential office in Nebraska. She was a charter member of the Stromsburg Womens Club, which in turn became one of the 708 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY charter clubs of the state federation. She is now a member of the executive board of the Francis M. Ford Club of Stromsburg, of which she assisted in the organization, and named the same. Mrs. Buckley was among the pioneer school-teachers of Polk county, and did much to help bring about the present condition of the schools of Ne- braska. Her son Newton is now attending school at Omaha, and has carried off honors each year, and is now captain of the Omaha High School Cadets. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Buckley are shown elsewhere in this volume. LEWIS TIMM, a well-known farmer residing on section 26, township 15, range 3, Valley precinct, Polk county, is of foreign birth, but his duties of citizenship have ever been performed with a loyalty equal to that of any native son of America, and when the nation was imperiled by re- bellion, he went to the defense of the Union and protected the cause of his adopted country on many a southern battle field. Mr. Tim was born October 3, 1844, in Mecklenburg, Germany, of which place his parents, Christopher and Mary (Timm) Timm, were also natives. There the father supported his family by day labor, but the mother's family were well-to-do farming people, owning land. In 1857 the family started for the United States on the sailing vessel Howarth, which left Hamburg, bound for New York. The ship having lost her way, they drifted up among the ice- bergs, their food almost gave out, and they were obliged to condense the steam from salt water to drink. Ship cholera also broke out, and both parents and a sister of our subject died from the disease and were buried at sea. The other children finally landed at New York city after being sixteen weeks upon the water. Here the}' were met by their brother John, he and another brother, Joachim, having previously come to this country and settled at Wolcottsville, New York. The younger children were taken to St. Joseph county, Michigan, and distributed among stringers. The family numbered eight children, of whom five are still living: Joachim, who now makes his home in Polk county, Nebraska; John, who died in 1873; Helmuth, a resident of St. Joseph county, Michigan; Frederick, of Polk county, Nebraska; Lewis, of this sketch; Christopher, of Polk county; Minna, who died on shipboard; and Rega, deceased. The parents were devout members of the Lutheran church. Four of the sons were Union soldiers during the Civil war, Hel- muth being a member of the Eighty-eighth Illinois Volunteer infantry; Frederick and Lewis, members of Company A, Eleventh Michigan Infantry; and Christopher, a mem- ber of Company K, Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteers. On reaching St. Joseph count}-, Michi- gan, Lewis Timm was placed with a Ger- man farmer, who at one time gave him a terrible whipping, and when about to re- ceive another he left. He then worked for a nurseryman until the Civil war broke out. To a limited extent he attended a very poor school in the old country, and the education he has acquired in America has all been ob- tained through his own unaided efforts. On the 22nd of August, 1861, Mr. Timm enlisted as a private in Company A, Elev- enth Michigan \'olunteer Infantry, and was first sent to Bardstown, Kentucky, and later to Elizabethtown, where he was engaged in guarding bridges. After guarding railroads and wagon trains at Nashville, he partici- pated in the engagements at Gallatin, Fort Riley and Stone River, Tennessee, also the second battle of Stone river January 2 and 3, 1863, and the battles of Elk River, Davis Cross Roads, Chickamauga and Missionarj' Ridge, November 25, 1863. In tr}ing to jump a ditch when his regiment started to COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 709 charge at Missionary Ridge, he missed his footing and fell back into the water, wetting his ammunition. He soon got out, ran on and overtook his regiment half way up the hill. He secured a new supply of car- tridges from a comrade, and during the en- gagement was stationed near the color bearer of the state Bag, who had his thumb shot off. Seeing the colors trailing in the dust, Mr. Timm grasped the flag pole, but on raising it the color tore loose, and he dropped the pole and grasped the flag, which he carried to the top of the ridge. As he stood there wa\ing the flag above his head and watching the rebels retreat, Cap- tain Patrick H. Keegan, of Company I, who temporarily had command of the regiment, came up and took the colors from our sub- ject's hands, ordering him to get a gun and begin firing, which he did. After the bat- tle this incident was reported to Col. W. L. Stoughton, commanding the brigade, who directed that Mr. Timm be given any office in his company which happened to be va- cant, and the captain offered him the posi- tion of corporal, but he declined. With his regiment he assisted in the capture of Ferguson's battery with all its equipments, was in the engagements at Graysville, Geor- gia, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Rough Station, Peach Tree Creek, and the siege and cap- ture of Atlanta, where he was wounded August 7, 1864, a musket ball passing through his right hand at the base of the thumb. From the field hospital he was sent to the general hospital, and later to Nashville, where he remained until his time e.xpired. At Chickamauga, while busily en- gaged in loading and firing, a canister shot struck his cartridge box, spoiling it and two of his cartridges, but he was not injured, and while returning from picket duty at Chattanooga, he stooped to pick up two poles lying on the ground, and in doing so the enemy fired three shells at him, but fortunately missed their aim. On the 30th of September, 1864, he was honorably dis- charged and returned to Michigan. Soon afterward, however, Mr. Timm lo- cated in Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming until 1866, when he purchased one hundred and twenty acres, and later eighty acres more in Calu- met count}', that state, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his time until coming to Polk county, Nebraska, in 1873. He has since lived upon his present farm, his first home here being a board shanty si.xteen by sixteen feet, which has since been replaced by a more comfortable residence twenty-two by sixteen feet with a kitchen twelve by twelve. Here he owns two hundred and forty acres, one hundred and sixty of which are under a high state of cultivation and well- improved. In 1874 his crops were destroyad by the grasshoppers, the following year his home was burned, and again in October, 1878, his residence was destroyed by fire, his present dwelling having been erected in 1888, but notwith- standing these discouragements, he has per- severed in his attempt to secure a home and competence, and success has at length crowned his efforts. In May, 1867, Mr. Timm was imited in marriage with Mrs. Hannah (Persohn) Rich- ards, who was born in Prussia, Germany, October 26, 1846, and came to America in 1857 with her parents, Joachim and Caro- lena (Lange) Persohn, who settled near Waukesha, Wisconsin. The father died in 1891, but the mother is still living. Their children were Carl, Minna, Etta, William, Mrs. Timm, Carolina, deceased, and Tina. By her first marriage Mrs. Timm has one daughter — Mrs. Emma Sautter, who has five children. Twelve children bless her second union, all still living, namely: Fred, who married Anna Miller and has three children; Lena, who married Frank Klink- man and has three children; Eddie, who 710 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. married Pollie Keisel; George; Christ, who married Rega Heuftle; Maggie, who mar- ried Philip Wiesemann and has one child; Charlie; John; Ernest; Hattie; Hannah and Laura. The parents are devout members of the German Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as trustee, treasurer of the board, and teacher in the Sunday- school. He is an honored member of the Grand Army Post at Osceola, and is inde- pendent in politics. He has acceptably served his fellow citizens in the capacity of road overseer for six years, and as a mem- ber of the school board for ten years, and he always gives his support to any measures which he believes calculated to advance the moral, intellectual or material welfare of his township or county. JOHN WALKUP has been a resident of Lockridge township, York county, Ne- braska, since 1870. He lives on section 12 of the above-mentioned township, where he has a well improved and highly cultivated farm. He has been a conspicuous figure in the development of the resources of this part of the county, and ranks among the leading agriculturist, of the county. He was born in Union county, Ohio, November 14, 1845, s^nd is a son David and Elizabeth (Brewer) Walkup, both natives of Pennsyl- vania, sketches of whom will appear on an- other page of this volume. Our subject was reared in Jefferson coun- ty, Iowa, where he resided until 1870, when he removed to York county, Nebraska. He took up one hundred and si.xty acres of land on section 12 of Lockridge township, where- on he has made his home ever since. He came by team from Lincoln to his present home when coming to the county, and upon his arrival he built a frame house, which he sodded up. He has cultivated and improved his farm, until he now has one of the most desirable pieces of farming property in the county. He is considered authority on all subjects pertaining to agriculture, as he has followed farming all his life. In 1862 Mr. Walkup enlisted in Com- pany D, Nineteenth Iowa Volunteer In- fantry, in Jefferson county, Iowa, and served three years in the War of the Rebel- lion. He participated in the following bat- tles: Prairie Grove, siege of Vicksburg, where he was slightly wounded, and the siege of Mobile. During the three years of active service he participated in all of the battles and skirmishes in which his regi- ment partook. Mr. Walkup was united in marriage in 1867 to Miss Sarah Stanesbery, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of John and Esther Stanesbery, who were natives of New Jer- sey and Indiana respectively. They re- moved to Iowa in 1857, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Walkup are the parents of si.x children, three of whom, Edward A., Wilbur and Arthur W. , are now living, and two daugh- ters and one son who are dead. Mr. Walk- up takes an active interest in the political welfare of the community in which he lives, though he has never sought any office. He is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party. Socially he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is also a member of Ben Hur. Mr. Walkup is a prosperous and well-to-do farmer, and has a large circle of friends and acquaint- ances. GUSTA F. BURKE, one of the first set- tlers of Lockridge township, York county, was born in Sweden, June 14, 1844, a son of John P. and Mary C. (John- son) Burke, both natives of Sweden. They were farmers by occupation and followed that calling in their native country until 1857, when they migrated to the United States and settled in Knox county, Illinois. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 711 In 1859 they moved to Jefferson county, Iowa, and in 1880 moved to York county, Nebraska. They died at the home of our subject, the father in the year 1894, and the mother in 1883. The mother was born Augfust 2, 1813. They were the parents of a family of four children, two sons and two dauyht^rs, three of whom are now living and are making their home in York county, Nebraska. Our subject was educated in Sweden, and came with his parents to the United States in 1857. He lived with his parents in Illinois and Iowa, and assisted them on the farm. In 1873 he came to York county, Nebraska, making the trip overland with a team and wagon, and arrived March 20. A few days later he bought a quarter sec- tion of land in section 29, Lockridge town- ship, which was then raw, unbroken prairie, and at once began to make improvements. He first constructed a dugout, iOxi2 feet, in which he made his home for one year. He then hauled lumber from Seward, Ne- braska, and built a small frame house. In :886, however, this little frame shanty had to give place to a handsome, modernly con- structed and finished home, which is con- ceded one of the most elegant farm resi- dences in York county. Mr. Burke was married March 16, 1869, to Miss Charlotte Linstrom, also a native of Sweden. Her parents, Charles G. and Christina, came to the United States in 1857 and settled in Jefferson county, Iowa, and later moved to York county, Nebraska, where they both died. Our subject and Mrs. Burke have become the parents of one daughter, Mary E., who was born in Henry county, Iowa. She is now the wife of Charles A. Morgan and resides in York county. They have a family of five chil- dren. In political matters Mr. Burke in- variably uses his influence and elective fran- chises in the support of the candidates of the Republican party, but has never sought public office. He and his wife are both members of the Swedish Lutheran church, and assisted in the erection of the first church building in the count}*. Mr. Burke is in every respect a self-made man. He started in life with nothing, and, in fact, had no capital when he arrived in Nebraska, and throughout his life has depended upon his own resources and his own energy; busi- ness prudence and sagacity have won him a comfortable fortune. He has not been without his share of reverses, and among other things he lived through the grasshop- per scourge, but in the face of all he has persevered, made the most of his advan- tages, and always looking on the bright side of life and he has been rewarded by the acquisition of a good property and a high reputation. ANDREW J. SHAMBAUGH.— -Promi- nent among the successful and enter- prising farmers of Arborville township, York county, may be found the subject of this biographical sketch, who is considered one of the most industrious and worthy citizens of this part of the county. He was born near New Rumley, in Harrison county, Ohio, June 16, 1855, and is a son of George and Matilda (Hazelette) Shambaugh, natives of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in Harrison county, Ohio, July 25, 1894, at the ripe old age of eighty-one years. In his family were si.\ sons and three daugh- ters, and of these our subject and one brother came to York county, Nebraska. During his boyhood and j-outh Andrew J. Shambaugh attended the public schools of his native state and also obtained a thor- ough knowledge of agricultural pursuits upon the home farm. On starting out in life for himself he chose the occupation to which he had been reared and successfully operated the old homestead until coming 712 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. west in 1886. In that year he took up his residence in York county, Nebraska, pur- chased a half section of land in Arborville township, to the cultivation and improve- ment of which he has since devoted his en- ergies with most gratifying results. The entire tract is now under a high state of cultivation, and in connection with general farming he is engaged in the raising of hogs. In 1880, in Carroll county, Ohio, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Shanibaugh and IVIiss Mary C. Vorhes, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Scottj Vorhes, who were both natives of Ohio, and died in Car- roll county, that state. Mr. and Mrs. Sham- baugh have one daughter, Maggie P. The family is identified with the Methodist Epis- copal church, and socially Mr. Shambaugh affiliates with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, the Knights of the Maccabees and the Royal Highlanders. In political sentiment he is a Populist, and at one time he was the candidate of his party for county treasurer. He is a man of recognized ability, and, with his amiable wife, stands high in the commu- nity where they make their home. Those who know them best are numbered among their warmest friends, and no citizens in Arborville township are more honored or highly respected. PEDER C. NELSON buys grain at Staplehurst in Seward county and thereby renders service to the farming com- munity that centers upon that thrifty Ne- braska town. He studies the conditions of the markets, keeps in touch with the great commercial centers, and gives his patrons the benefit of his experience and observa- tion. He is a good and honest man, and fills a valuable place in Staplehurst. He is one of the oldest settlers of this county, and saw its beginnings. Mr. Nelson was born in Denmark, No- vember 16, 1S44. His parents were Nelson and Marin Rasmusen. They lived and died in Denmark, which has been the home of the Rasmusen family for unnumbered gen- erations. In their home Mr. Nelson grew to manhood, and was educated in the Dan- ish schools. He was bred a farmer, and at the age of twenty-four set out for the United States. Landing in New York, he made no stop until he reached the little city of Dwight, Illinois. There he spent the en- suing five years. In 1874 he entered Ne- braska, and bought a tract of railroad land, two and one half miles west of Staplehurst. He built a small house and immediately un- dertook the conversion of the unbroken prairie into a cultivated farm. It was a serious undertaking, but in eight years it was accomplished. In 1882 he left it, came into the thriving young town, and en- tered into the grain business with Mr. Jacobs, and is now engaged in that very important enterprise. They are the pro- prietors of a well-appointed elevator, and the volume of trade for the last si.xteen years aggregates an immense total. Mr. Nelson entered into matrimonial relations with Miss Mary Fo.x, February 28, 1874. She was a native of Illinois, and an accomplished lady. From this union came seven children, whose names are Leana, Nelson, Jr., Sophia, Ida, Hans, Mamie, and Erick. She died in 1892, and he was married two years later to Miss Jebina \'edster. She was born in Denmark, and is the mother of two children, Robert and Peder \'. They are members of the Danish Lutheran church. He is associated with the Modern Woodmen of America. He usually votes the Democratic ticket, but has never sought office, and has held no public position. His business has com- manded his entire attention, and it has well rewarded his close devotion. He came to Staplehurst practically without means, and to-day he owns two fine farms, and two COMTEK' DIUM OF BlOGRAPlir 7ia large elevators. He may well look back upon his career with satisfaction, for it has been an unusually creditable and successful one. The church organization of which he is a member is now erectins; a new Danish Lutheran church and Mr. Nelson is a mem- ber of the buildinir comraitt'ee. HORACE GARFIELD, deceased, came came to Butler county in 1S58. He was then a boy of twelve years of age, and had come into the state in company with his parents from Venango county, Pennsyl- vania. His father, Solonnon Garfield, had left Pennsylvania with the intention of locating in Kansas, but passing through Missouri, he was prevented from crossing the river on account of his political con- victions. He turned his feet north, and settled in the Platte valley, on the present site of r^inwood, in the spring of 1858, and spent the ne.xt four jears in this vicinity. The Gartields and the Blairs during this period had many thrilling experiences with the Indians, who were very numerous and were determined to drive the white settlers away. After repeated attempts to dislodge the Garfields they apparently abandoned their purpose, and eventually became quite friendly. In the year 1863 the Garfields moved up Silver creek and there established a ranch known as Garfield's Ranch, and there Solomon Garfield died in 1865. As narrated elsewhere, the mother, Margaret Garfield, returned to Butler county, and secured a home for her fatherless brood by homesteading a tract of land on section 4 of Bone Creek township. Here the four brothers grew up to a strong and sturdy manhood, and furnished the world rare illusirations of the character that might be nurtured under extreme danger and privation. Horace Garfield had learned to read be- fore his parents had left the east, but during the earlv years of his history in this state 41 there was little opportunitx' for schoc;litig, and his education was utterly neglected. He found himself at tlie age of eighteen with scarcely the rudiments of an education. His determination to advance was woi to be overcome. With what books he could j secure he studied by the firelight, and when 1 he could afford it the light of a candle, and j prepared himself for the practice of law. i It was a rough road to enter a great pro- fession, and only a great soul could travel it. He became a lawyer, and was recog- nized as the first on the bar of his own county, and very quickly acquired a reputa- tion throughout the state as a practitioner, and a master of his own profession. He was a member of the legislature, and a man of wide reputation. He won his high standing not less by his strong and steady character, his thorough knowledge of his profession, than by his upright character and intle.\ible honesty. Mr. Garfield was married in 1874 to Miss Elizabeth Morgan. This happy matri- monial partnership was broken all to soon by the death of his wife in i88r. The be- reaved husband did not long sur\'i\e her, passing away in 1884. They left only one child, a son, Horace F. Garfield, who was born in Butler county in 1875. The young orphan spent the ne.xt nine years of his life with his grandmother, and at fifteen years of age struck out for himself. He went to Superior City, Nebraska, where he remained one year. He spent a year in northern Michigan and ?vIinnesota, and in 1883 re- appeared in Butler county. In 1895 the young man secured an engagement with the Northern Pacific Railroad as a fireman on a locomotive. He held the position for some months, but tiring of the excitement and nervous strain threw it up and came back again to Nebraska and established himself in the blacksmithing business at Edholm, where this history finds him. He is as yet unmarried, is a bright and genial 714 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. character, and has many friends. He re- members the good name he bears, and well sustains its dignity and honor. GEORGE W. BOWERS.— In time to come this volume will acquire added value as a repository of records whose his- torical significance will then be fully appre- ciated, but readers will doubtless peruse with special interest the stories of gallant service in that great struggle which settled once for all that this nation is, in truth, "one and indivisible." It has often been said that the letters sent home during the war by the soldiers of all grades would make, if published, a better history of the war than that yet given, and the suggestive views of the conflict in the individual experiences contained in this book certainly give new color to many historic scenes. 'Mr. Bowers was one of the boys in blue who served throughout the entire struggle and made for himself a war record both honorable and glorious. He is now a leading farmer of York county, Nebraska, residing on section 8, Lockridge township. Born in Summit county, Ohio, July 29, 1S40, our subject is a son of Jacob and Lydia (Rowe) Bowers, natives of Pennsyl- vania, who removed to Ohio in an early day, and in 1848 became residents of Joliet, Will county, Illinois, where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1893, aged eighty-one years, the mother in 1898, aged eightj'-six. They were farming people and were highly respected by all who knew them. All of their eight children are still living. George W. Bowers, who is the third in order of birth in his family, was reared and educated in Illinois, and for fourteen years engaged in boating on the Erie canal and Mississippi river, being thus employed until the outbreak of the Civil war. Prompted by a spirit of patriotism he en- listed in McAllister's battery of light artil- lery, and with that command served for three months and twenty days. Returning to Chicago, he joined the Chicago Board of Trade Battery, light artillery, for three years or until the close of the war, and partic- ipated in the following battles: Stone River, Elk River, Chickamauga, Peach Tree Creek, Big Shanty, Farmington, Dal- las, Jonesboro, Stone Mountain, Pulaski, At- lanta, Decatur, Chattahoochee River, Love- joy Station, Nashville, Selma and a number of engagements of minor importance, forty- two in all, including thirteen hard-fought battles. Fortunately he escaped without wounds, and when mustered out was serv- ing with the rank of sergeant. He assisted in the capture of Jeff Davis. After the war Mr. Bowers returned to Illinois, where he made his home until 1 871, which year witnessed his arrival in York county, Nebraska. He homesteaded his present farm on section 8, Lockridge town- ship, and has since devoted his entire time and attention to its cultivation and improvement. In connection with general farming he is also interested in stockraising, and in both branches of business is meeting with excellent success. On the loth of December, 1868, Mr. Bowers wedded Miss Helena Hess, a native of New York state, whence her parents, Riley and Cornelia Hess, removed to Illi- nois when she was a child of twelve years. Three children grace this union: Fred E., Edison E., and Minnie M., now Mrs. John Canfield. For many years Mr. Bowers affiliated with the Republican party, but is now a Populist. He has filled the office of justice of the peace and other minor offices with credit to himself and to the entire sat- isfaction of all concerned. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and he and his wife are consistent members of the Congregational church. They are honest, respectable people, who have walked in the COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 715 paths of virtue and honor throughout lives of usefulness, and are deserving of the high regard in which they are held by the entire community. GEORGE A. MERRIAM, for many years the popular and efficient clerk of the district court of Seward county, is one of the most popular men in this part of Ne- braska. He is a stanch Republican, but the fervor and consistency of political con- victions have never seemed to alienate the good will of his neighbors, however much they might antagonize his party. He has carried on extensive enterprises, and has reaped a rich reward for his mingled daring and caution. Mr. Merriam was born in Burlington, Vermont, November 12, 1850, and was a child in the family of Stedman and Lucretia (Packard) Merriam. His father was from New York, and his mother from Ver- mont. The husband and father was a merchant for many years at Millford, one of the more important towns of this county. George was educated at the Upper Iowa University, a well-known institution of learning at Fayette, Iowa. When he had finished his school days he he came to Milford, and for some months assisted his father in the store. He felt well prepared for the school-room, and he spent four years in teaching, one year of which was spent at Milford and three years in the Brokaw district. In 187S the city of Seward became the scene of his labors, and here he was engaged in a mercantile enter- prise. In 1882 he was deputy county clerk under J. W. Dupin, and in 1883 was elect- ed district clerk. This position he has held by repeated re-election to the present time. He has been mayor of Seward, and is at this time a member of the school board. He was married in 1872 to Miss Sarah Mar- tin, who was born in Pennsylvania, and is the mother of two daughters and one son. There have been no deaths in the family, or in his father's family. The names of the grow- ing children are Eva E., Jessie L. and Fay M. He is associated with several of the leading fraternal societies, and is frequently met with in the assemblies of the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of the United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a stanch Republican, and has served on both the state central and the county committees. He own and controls the the only abstract records of the county, and gives it his personal attention. He has been more than ordinarily successful in his business and political enterprises. He has many strong friends in the county, and twice he has been the only Republican of- ficial left in the court house. PETER S. HULL is one of the first set- tlers of New York township, York county, and has been prominently identified with its agricultural interests for twenty- seven years. He has been a champion of every movement designed to promote the general welfare, a supporter of every en- terprise for the public good, and has materi- ally aided in the advancement of all social, industrial, educational and moral interests. A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Hull was born in Adams county, April 25, 1838, and is a son of William and Mary (Wonder) Hull, also natives of that state, where they spent their entire lives. The paternal grandfather, Peter Hull, was a German by birth, and about 1806 or 1808, came to the United States in company with five broth- ers, spending his remaining years in Penn- sylvania. By occupation he was a farmer. The father of our subject, who followed blacksmithing as a life-work, died in the Keystone State about 1878. In his family were four sons and two 710 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY daughters, of wliom Peter S. Hull, of this review, was the third son and the third in order of birth. He was reared and edu- cated in his native state, and with his father learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for some years. He also engaged in teaching school for a time in early life. In 1863 he donned the blue and went to the front, as a member of Company B, Twenty-first Pennsylvania \'olunteer Cav- alry. During the nine months he was in the service of his country, he was stationed most of the time in Pennsj'lvania and Mar}-- land. After his discharge from the army Mr. Hull continued to live in his native state until 1866, when he removed to Stephenson county, Illinois, and subsequently lived in Lee county, that state, until coming to Nebraska in 1871. Here he took up a homestead on section 20, New York town- ship, York county, and has since trans- formed the raw land into highly cultivated and productive fields, which yield a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he has bestowed upon them. For four years he lived in a sod house, and then removed to the city of York, where he worked at the carpenter's trade until 1887, when he re- turned to his farm, on which he has erected good and substantial buildings and made many other excellent improvements; which add greatly to its value and attractive appearance. Mr. Hull was married in Pennsylvania, in 1866, to Miss Hannah M. Kellogg, a daughter of Enos S. and Sarah (Thompson) Kellogg, also natives of that state, where the father died, but the mother's death ac- curred in York county, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Hull have a family of eight children, all living, namely: Alton; Edward T. , Nellie E., now Mrs. James Campbell; Harry L. , who is first sergeant in Company A, First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry, and is in Manila, Philipine Islands; Bridie M. wife of O. Davis; Warren \V, ; Wray C. ; and Gracie B. Mr. Hull and his wife are consistent members of the Congregational church, of York, and he is also identified with the Grand Army Post at that place. He is a Populist in politics, and has been called upon to serve his fellow citizens as road overseer three years, and township treasurer one year. Financially he has met with a fair degree of success since coming to York county, and he has gained the confidence and esteem of all with who he has come in contact. LEONARD M. JOHNSON.— Among the earnest men whose depth of character and strict adherence to principle excite the admiration of his contemporaries, Mr. John- son is prominent. For a quarter of a cen- tury he has been identified with the agricul- tural interests of York county and is the owner of a valuable farm on section 28, Arborville township, the improvements of which stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. His has been a busy, useful and honorable life and he well deserves rep- resentation in this volume. A native of Ontario county. New York, he was born January 12, 1836, and is de- scended from good old Revolutionary stock. His grandfather, John Johnson, was a na- tive of England, and emigrated to America about 1776, served as a colonel in the American army. The parents of our sub- ject, John and Matilda (Read) Johnson, were both natives of the Empire state, and the father was a tanner and currier by trade, a pursuit which he followed for many years. In i 849 he removed to Van Buren county, Michigan, and died in that county in 1894, while his wife passed away in 1896. Mr. Johnson, of this review, was the second in a family of six sons and one daughter. He was educated in the Empire state and accompanied his parents on their COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 717 removal to Michigan, where he remained until 185S, when he became a resident of Edgar county, Illinois. There, he carried on farming; until April, 1861, when at the first call of his country he offered his serv- ices to the government and joined Company E, Twelfth Illinois Infantry, in which he served for four years and three months, en- listing three times during that period, as his terms of service expired. He was a brave and loyal soldier and participated in a num- ber of important battles, including the en- gagements at Belmont, Kentucky; Fort Higginson, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, the first and second battles of Corinth, luka, Jones- boro, Altoona Pass, and at Shiloh, and again at Corinth was slightly wounded. After the war Mr. Johnson returned to Illinois, where he carried on farming until 1873, when he emigrated to York county and secured a homestead on section 28, Arborville township. He built there a sod house, which was his home for twelve years when it was replaced by a more modern residence. Other improvements have been added from time to time, and year by year additional acres have been placed under the plow until the whole tract has become a highly cultivated field, returning a golden tribute to the owner. In 1865 Mr. Johnson wedded Miss An- gie Fightmaster, a native of Illinois, and they have five children, nameh': John N., Minnie L., Phebe A., Leonard H. and Emma A., all yet under the parental roof. The parents are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. John- son belongs to the Grand Army of the Re- public. In politics he is a Republican and for a number of years has served as school officer, being treasurer for nine years. Suc- cess has crowned his well directed and enterprising efforts and to-da\' he is worth- ily accounted one of the substantial and highly respected citizens and pioneers of York county. N ICHOLAS ISIILLER has been for a quarter of a century or more a familiar figure in the streets of David City, and the various centers of life and activity in Butler county. He came into Nebraska in the spring of 1872, and locating where we now find him has applied himself with all the sturdy strength of his Teutonic character to the making of a home and the winning of a competence. He has gone about his busi- ness quietly, and sticking to it faithfully, it has made him comfortably wealthy. He has won the confidence of his neighbors, and is known as an upright and honorable man. He began life with nothing to help him but his own arm and heart and brain, and now as the evening shadows begin to lengthen he sits under the shadow of his own vine and fig tree, and there are none to molest him. Mr. Miller was born in Prussia, March 17, 1843, and is a son of Anton and Ann Miller, who were the descendants of a long line of Prussian ancestors. He came to America at the age of thirteen, and was the first of the family to emigrate. It required courage for a lad of that tender age to leave the scenes of home, and seek his fortunes in a strange land. But courage is a quality that has never been lacking in Nic Miller. He came to this country by way of Quebec, and passed through Dunkirk, New York, and Chicago for St. Paul. But at that moment the far northwest was suffering from a grass- hopper visitation, and young Miller came back to Freeport, Illinois, where he secured work among the neighboring farmers. The Civil war found him in DeKalb county, and he ver}' promptly enlisted in Company E, Thirteenth Illinois \'olunteer Infantry. He was but a lad of seventeen, but he served throughout the war. and bore himself in all its strange e.xperiences with the steadiness and courage of his German ancestry. He participated in manj' battles, saw defeats and victories, was taken prisoner by the 718 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. Confederates, and emerged from its deadly scenes sound in body and limb. The Thir- teenth was organized at Dixon, Illinois, and was despatched to St. Louis. It was sent to Rolla, and Springfield, Missouri, and broke over the border into Arkansas, where it fought at Pea Ridge, Batesville, and Helena. It had a hand in the first fighting at Vicks- burg, and'bore itself right valiantly at Chick- asaw Bayou. It was engaged around Vicks- burg until the fall of that rebel stronghold gave command of the river, and then it moved on into Mississippi and Alabama. Upon its banners are written Lookout Mount- ain and Missionary[ Ridge, along with such other noted names- as'Deer Creek, Jackson, Brandon, and 'Ringgold, Georgia. Mr. Mil- ler was taken prisoner at Madison Station May 17, 1864, and was confined in Castle Morgan, at Cahawba,an Alabama prison pen. for ten months, .but"was paroled from re- straint when the evident approach of the end made it unwise and foolish to longer retain Union prisoners. He was mustered out of the United States service June 8, 1865, and came back to Illinois to engage in farming in Stephenson county. At this time he was twenty-two 3ears of age, and though bronzed with the southern sun, was a strong and hearty man. He had saved his money to a very considerable extent, and began life for himself under very favor- able conditions. Mr. Miller was married in 1866 to Miss Gertrude Weisen, who also claimed Prussia as her home land. She was a daughter of John and Anna Weisen, and was the mother of si.x children. The first four of these claim Illinois as their native state, and the last two belong to Butler count}'. Their names are Mary, John, Clara, Agnes, Anton William and Nicholas. She died in Jan- uary, 1885, and her remains rest in the cemetery at David City. Her children are widely scattered. Mary is the wife of A. H. Lang, whose home is in Kossuth county. Iowa, and Clara is Mrs. Thomas Bowen. of Chicago. Agnes is the wife of Bert Hall, and the boys are engaged in farming. Mr. Miller was married a second time to Miss Anna Catherine Eiting, a resident of Butler county and a daughter of Bernard and Patronella Eiting. She is a devoted wife and helpmeet and is much respected by her many friends. When Mr. Miller entered Butler county county he brought but little money with him, enough, however, to secure the posses- sion of a quarter section, on which he lived until January, 1893. kt that time he re- moved to David City, leaving a farm that had increased to four hundred acres, and was in a high state of fertility. In political affiliations he is a stanch Democrat, and strongly supports the party. In religion he is a member of the Catholic church, of David City, and has alwaj-s taken a lively interest in its prosperity. He was on its building committee, and was treasurer of its first organization. He has subscribed liberally to its funds, and raised much money for its construction. He is a man of affairs, and is honored by his community in many ways. He has twice been elected to the county board, and is regarded as one of the leading citizens of the count}-. JOHN McGOWEN is one of the self- made men of Seward county, who came to this state in limited circumstances, but have succeeded through their own industry, perseverance and good management in se- curing a good home and comfortable com- petence for themselves and families. His early home was on the other side of the At- lantic, for he is a native of the Emerald Isle, born in County Clare, April 13, 1820. His parents, Thomas and Bridget (O'Day) McGowen, were also natives of the same county, were farming people and spent their entire lives in the parish of Killmikle. Their COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. ri9 family consisted of eight children, four sons and four daughters, of whom two sons are now deceased, and our subject is the only one living in this country. In the public schools of Ireland John McGowen acquired a limited education, but his training in farm work was not so meager and he soon became a thorough and skill- ful agriculturist. In 1848 he sailed for America, and on reaching this country located in New York state, where he spent five years. The following twelve years he lived in Muskingum county, Ohio, and from there removed to McLean county, Illinois, where he followed farming until coming to Nebraska in 1874. He then purchased the farm in Seward county, upon which he still lives, and after erecting a small house upon his place he commenced to break and im- prove his land. Soon acre after acre were placed under the plow and to-day he has a fine farm of two hundred acres under a high state of cultivation. His family arrived here in 1875. In 1846 Mr. McGowen was united in marriage with Miss Susan Coughlan, and they became the parents of the following children, namely: Thomas, Susan, Maiy, John (deceased) and Anna, twins, George, Ellen and James. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1888, and two years later Mr. McGowen wedded Mary (Considine; Mungovan, who was born in Ireland and came to the United States in January, 1850. They are communicants of the Catholic church at Ulysses and are held in high regard by all who know them. Po- litically Mr. McGowen is a stalwart Demo- crat, and he has most creditably filled some minor offices of honor and trust. GEORGE U. WARNER.— Among the well-to-do and successful farmers of Polk county, who have accumulated a competency through their own e.xertions and economy, and who are carrying on the business of farming and stock raising in a manner which draws forth praise from everyone, is the subject of this biographi- cal notice, who resides on section 33, town- ship 13, range 2. He was born June 9, 1849, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, of of which state his parents, William and Hannah (Miles) Warner, were also natives. The paternal grandfather, Isaac N. Warner, was of German descent. The father of our subject was a member of a Pennsylvania regiment during the Civil war, and in 1S63 removed to Illinois, locating in Carroll count}-, where he made his home until com- ing to Polk county, Nebraska, in 1874. After one year spent in Falls City, he settled on a homestead on section 28, township 13, range 2, where he is still living at the ripe old age of eighty years, honored and re- spected by all who know him. His esti- mable wife died in 1894. Their children were Jacob; Martin; George U.; C. G. ; a resident of California; W. R. ; and C. H. The first fifteen years of his life George U. Warner spent in his native state and there acquired a good practical education in the public schools. He accompanied his parents on their removal to Carroll county, Illinois, and remained with them until he attained his majority, being reared upon a farm. Coming to Polk count}', Nebraska, he took up a homestead on section 34, town- ship 13, range 2, and after erecting a dwell- ing turned his attention to the cultivation and improvement of his land, raising a small crop of wheat and oats in 1874. In the summer of 1892 he erected his present elegant residence, which is one of the best country homes for miles around. All of the improvements upon the place are in keeping with his residence and stand as monuments to his thrift and industry. He owns three hundred and twenty acres of rich and valuable land, two hundred and forty of which are devoted to the raising of 720 COMPEXDIIM OF BIOGRAPIir. grain, while the remainder is used for pas- turage. In November, 1872, Mr. Warner was joined in wedlock with Miss Rosabel Shra- der, who was born in Union county, Penn- sylvania, April 29, 1854, a daughter of Sol- omon and Catharine (Katherman) Shrader, also natives of the Keystone state, and farming people. About 1850 her parents removed to Carroll county, Illinois, and in the spring of 1874 emigrated to Butler county, Nebraska, where they still reside. They reared a family of eight children: George; Mrs. Warner; Mrs. Ann McCray; William; E. H. ; Fred, deceased; Kate; and Alberta. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Warner are as follows: Bertha L., Frank W., Eva B., Hattie M., Curtis Ray, Glenn S., Hazel V. and Lee M. The par- ents are worthy members of the Lutheran church, of Bethel, York county, in which Mr. Warner is now ser\ing as deacon, and he is also serving as a member of the school board of his district. Socially he is identi- fied with the Modern Woodmen Camp at Stromsburg, and politically he formerly af- filiated with the Republican party, but he is now a Populist. His sterling integrity, in- fie.xible honesty, and general high principles, have won him the respect of the entire community, and he is to-day one of the most esteemed and valued citizens of his section of the county. P T. BUCKLEY, of Stromsburg, has been prominently identified with the history of Polk county since early pioneer da\s, when the land was wild, improvements few, and many of the now flourishing towns and villages of this part of the state had not yet sprung into existence. He has been an important factor in the development of the agricultural resources of the count}-, and in the promotion of its commercial activity, and it is to such enterprising and progressive citizens as Mr. Buckley that the county ows its present prosperity- and advanced po- sition. Widely and favorably known, his life record cannot fail to prove of interest to many of our readers. Born on the 21st of July, 1847, Mr. Buckley is a native of Yestricland, Sweden, which was also the birth place of his par- ents, John and Martha (Headstrom) Buck- le}-, who came to America in 1855, locating on a farm in Kno.x county, Illinois. The father was then in quite limited circum- stances and for a time w-orked on a gravel train on the Chicago, Burlington & Ouincy railroad. In 1868 he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits in Illinois, and about 1876 came to Nebraska, making his home in Stromsburg until his death. The mother still resides in that cit\. They were the parents of five sons who reached mature years: Peter T. , John, Andrew, Frank and Lewis, who has now passed away. The parents were members of the Baptist church. The subject of this sketch attended the schools of his native land in early boyhood, and when nine 3ears of age accompanied his parents on their emigration, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel. They were nine weeks and a half on the water, and fourteen weeks had elapsed before they reached Kno.x county, Illinois, where P. T. Buckley was reared to manhood. He did not attend school again until after he had attained the age of fifteen years, and then for only two winter terms, being four and one-half miles from a school. His services were needed in support of the family and his wages went to his father until he reached his majority, when his father gave him a team and a wagon and he began farming on rented land in Knox county. There, he remained for two years, and in 1871 came to Nebraska with his brother, Andrew. Mr. Buckley secured a homestead on the east half of the northwest quarter of sec- p. T. BUCKLEY, MRS. TILLIE C. BUCKLEY. COMrENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. riQ tion 6, township 13, range 2, Polk county, and he and his brother kept bachelor's hall, their nearest neighbor being three miles distant. They built a shanty 14x18 feet, cheaply constructed, and in the sum- mer Mr. Buckley went down to the creek and made some mortar with which he plastered their cabin. He worked hard through the week, and on Sundays enjoyed excellent fishing in the Blue. Antelope fur- nished the table with meat and in the first fall after fiis arrival he joined a hunting part}' of nineteen white people that went out for buffaloes, which were very numer- ous on the prairies. Borrowing an excellent rifle from a Norwegian — brought from the old country — he brought down the first buffalo on which he fired. He then loaned the rifle to his partner, who put in the ball but forgot to put in the powder and in con- sequence the ball could not be extracted from the rifle until they returned home. The hunting, however, was carried on in a systematic manner, each man having some special work to perform, and Mr. Buckley succeeded in getting enough meat to keep him through the winter. During his first season, 1871, he planted twenty acres of sod corn, and in 1872 raised wheat, oats and corn. He remained on the homestead until 1874, and during the last year was all alone. In the spring of 1875 Mr. Buckley went to Camp Robinson, Nebraska, where he was employed for .two years by the sutler. The Indians at that time threatened upris- ings, but he continued at his post of duty until 1877, when he returned to Polk county and formed a partnership with Fred Peter- son and A. G. Jones in the carpentering business. The}- also established a furniture store at Stromsburg, but after a time Mr. Buckley sold out and embarked in the grain and live stock business, which he carried on for about ten years. About 1885 he be- came interested in banking and is now at the head of the Stromsburg bank, his part- ners in the enterprise being John Buckley and Charles A. Morrill. In connection with his brother he also conducts a hardware store, and is still the owner of his old homestead. In the fall of 1880 Mr. Buckley was united in marriage to Miss Tillie C. Ross, a native of Nebraska City, Nebraska. They have two children, Newton Earl and Beulah B., the former a student in the high school of Omaha. The family is one of promi- nence in the community, and Mr. Buckley is a valued member of several civic socie- ties. He belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen ; has been Master of Stromsburg Lodge, No. 126, A. F. & A. M. and is a member of the Royal Arch Chap- ter, at York, Nebraska; Joppa Command- ery. No. 17, K. T. , of York; the Omaha Consistory, and, since November, 1889, has been identified with Sesostris Temple of the Mystic Shrine, of Lincoln, Nebraska. In politics he and his brothers have always been Republicans and he has taken an act- ive interest in the success of his party. His wife was appointed postmistress of Stroms- burg by President McKinley. Honorable in business, Mr. Buckley has won a success which results from straightforward dealing, unabating energy and close application, and has gained the confidence and respect of all by his upright life and genuine worth. In connection with this sketch portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Buckley are presented. WILLIAM F. MORRISON is one whose life record plainly demon- strates the opportunities which are open to young men of perseverance, energy, deter- mination and ambition, for these qualities have brought to him substantial success, enabling him to overcome many obstacles and difficulties and work his way steadily upward to a position of affluence and of 726 COMPBNBIL'M OF BIOGRAPHT. prominence in the community in which he now makes his home. He is the owner of a fine farm on section 24, Bradshaw town- ship, where for more than a quarter of a century he has made his home. Born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, April 23, 1835, he is a son of \\'ilHam and Jane (Cunningham) Morrison, also natives of the Keystone state, and a grandson of Joshua and Mary Morrison. The father was a tanner by trade and also followed farming. His entire life was passed in the state of his nativity. In his family were si.x sons and five daughters. Our sub- ject was reared under the parental roof, acquired his education in the public schools, and under his father's direc- tion learned the tanner's trade, which he followed for some years. In 1862 he removed to Lee county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming, and in 1870 he came to York county, Nebraska. Here he pre-empted one hundred and si.xty acres of wild land on section 24 Bradshaw town- ship, and at once began to break and im- prove the same. He built a sod house, in which he lived for twelve years, and in 1883 erected a good frame residence, which was afterward destroyed by a cyclone, the inmates narrowly escaping death. The present residence was erected in 1S90 and is a comfortable dwelling of modern style. Other good buildings add to the value and attractive appearance of the place and well tilled fields yield abundant harvests. Grasshoppers and dry seasons have brought discouraging times, but, never disheartened, Mr. Morrison has worked on and is to-day the owner of a finely improved farm, whose neat and thrifty appearance well indicates his careful supervision and progressive spirit. In Pennsylvania, in April, 1S57, Mr. Morrison married Miss Virginia L. Lichten- berger, a daughter of Josiah and Eliza Lichtenberger, who came to York county in 1873, and secured a homestead on section 24, Bradshaw township, there residing until the mother's death in 1875. The father passed away in 1883. To our subject and his wife have been born ten children, eight of whom are living, as follows: Edwin W., Charles O., Samuel A., Josiah E., Fred W. , Alfred E., Lee H.and George A. The deceased are Harry L. and Anna B. The parents be- long to the Christian church and Mr. Morrison is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In politics he is a zealous and active Republican who has served as supervisor for six j'ears, and for four years as township assessor, dis- charging his duties with marked promptness and fidelity. JOSEPH JACKSON, one of the promi- nent agriculturists and highly respected citizens of Arborville township, York county, was born in Frederick county, Maryland, January 28, 1820, and is a son of Joseph and Rebecca Jackson, natives of Germany, who came to this country at an earl}' day. In his native state our subject was reared and educated in much the usual manner of boys of that day, and there he continued to make his home until thirty-five years of age. In 1856 he emigrated to Logan county, Illinois, where he worked at the shoe- maker's trade, which he had previously learned and followed in Maryland, that occupation occupying the greater part of his attention for thirty-five years. In In coming to York county, Nebraska, in 1 88 1, however, he purchased a farm and has since successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, owning at the present time a valuable farm of four hundred acres in Arborville township, which is under excel- lent cultivation and improved with good and substantial buildings. On the 27th of February, 1847, Mr. Jackson was united in marriage with Miss Jane Debilbiss a native of Frederick county, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. -ill Maryland, and a daughter of John and Maria Debilbiss, also natives of that state. The father's birth occurred January 19, 1800. Mr. and Jackson have a family of nine chil- dren, namely: William H., Joseph A.. John W., George L., Sylvia N., Minerva C, EliD., Oliver C, Robert P., deceased, and Jennie E. For many years Mr. Jackson was an earnest supporter of the Democracy, but at present is independent in politics, casting his vote for the men and measures that he believes will best advance the public welfare regardless of party ties. He has already passed the Psalmist's span of life, of three score years and ten, but nature deals kindly with the man who abuses not her laws, and though his business cares have been exten- sive, age rests lightly upon him. All who know him esteem him highly for his genuine worth. CLEMENT E. MERCHANT, an indus- trious and thrifty farmer, has been prominently identified with the develop- ment and prosperity of Arborville township, York county, since poineer days, and while advancing his own interests has also mate- rially promoted the welfare of his community by building up one of its best homesteads. He was born on the 6th of April, 1850, in Pottawattamie county, Iowa, a son of Lucius and Hortentia (Patrick) Merchant, both natives of Massachusetts. The father was born in that state in 1S17, and in 1842 removed to Hancock county, Illinois. In I851 he took up his residence in Harri- son county, Iowa, and there his death oc- curred in 1895. He was married April 15, 1844, to Hortentia Patrick, and they became the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters, of whom our subject was the second in order of birth. The boyhood and youth of Clement E. Merchant were passed in Iowa, where he acquired a fair common-school education, and after reaching man's estate he engaged in farming in his native county until 1872, which year witnessed his arrival in York county, Nebraska. In February, 1873, he located upon his claim on section 18, Arbor- ville township, on which he first built a rude frame shanty, but that has long since given place to a more pretentious and modern dwelling, in which he now lives. He placed acre after acre of his land under the plow and has added to the original tract until to-day he has an e.xcellent and well-improved farm of 320 acres. In 1 87 1 Mr. Merchant led to the mar- riage altar Miss Kate Alter, who was born in Germany, of which country her parents, John and Martha (Geltz) Alter, were also natives. About 1852 the family crossed the Atlantic and settled in Pennsylvania, but in 1869 they removed to Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Merchant have an interesting fam- ily of four children: Frank E., Rollin E., Alice C. and Agnes I. The family hold membership in the Congregational church, and occupy a high position in the social cir- cles of their community. The Republican party always finds in Mr. Merchant a stanch supporter of its principles. He is a self- made man in the fullest sense of that oft- misused term, his prosperity in life being due to his industry and integrity, and his life is a living illustration of what ability, energy, and force of character can accom- plish. J OSEPH HOEPPNER, who is one of the representative farmers of Fillmore county, residing in section 4, Stanton pre- cinct, was born in Germany, January 28, 1839. He was a son of Peter and Cath- erine (Bronsweick) Hoeppner, and was the first of five children born to their marriage. He received his education in the German schools, and served his time in the German 728 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. army. At the age of twenty-seven he came with his parents to America, and they set- tled at Peoria, Illinois, where they lived un- til their death. He got a position in the city, and worked there for two years, but having a taste for farming, he farmed on rented land for eight years. In 1882, see- ing the advantages which were offered in the west as an agricultural section, he de- termined to go there. He came to Fillmore county and purchased one'hundred and sixty acres of land, paying two thousand dollars for it. While this was slightly cultivated, yet it was not very well improved. The house was made of logs and its dimensions were fourteen by eighteen feet. He lived in that house for twelve years, and then re- placed it by an elegant frame structure at a cost of one thousand eight hundred dollars. He has by hard and constant work improved the farm, and it is now a model of its class, having large and substantial buildings, and surrounded by a fine hedge fence which was planted by him the first year he bought it. While our subject accumulated a great deal of his wealth while farming in Illinois, yet he has added considerablj' to it since com- ing to Nebraska. On March 29, 1868, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Schonwolf, who was born in Frankfort, Germany,, and died June 25, 1894. To their marriage were born seven children, si.x of whom are now living, as follows: Maria, who married Jacob Walter; Eva, who is in Lincoln; Carrie, who mar- ried Bruno Schneever; Amelia, now Mrs. E. Eaton; Anna and Clara, the last two named now living at home. He was mar- ried October 26, 189S, to Mrs. Kate (Ohle- miller) Hoeppner, a daughter of Sebastian and Margaret (Crane) Ohlemiller, to whom were born eight children, Mrs. Hoeppner being the fourth child, and was first married to Chas. Hoeppner, who died in 1881 and is buried in St. Joseph. She was born Jan- uary 15, 1855, and was educated in the common schools of Peoria, Illinois. To her previous marriage were born three children, Maggie, Emma and Francis. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hoeppner are mem- bers of the Catholic church. Politicall}-, he is a close adherent to the Independent party, and has done much to place that party in its present position in Fillmore county. He takes an active interest in all matters that are connected with educational lines, and has filled the school offices at various times much to his credit. JOHN DAHLGREEN is a living illu = tra- tion of the success that can be won in this country by the sons of far-away Sweden. They have gone everywhere in the United States, and have risen to very high positions or come into the possession of great power and influence. But it is to be doubted if any of them have exhibited more genuine manhood and real worth than the modest and unassuming proprietor of the farm on section 6, in the township of Morton, where Mr. Dahlgreen has delved and dug for so many years. John Dahlgreen is a native of Sweden, where he was born December 15, 1834, and was a son of Adam and Lena (Sanderson) Dahlgreen. To them Sweden was the cen- ter of the world, and in it they "were born, lived, married and died. They had three sons, of whom John is the oldest. He was very fairly educated in the Swedish schools, and when he was old enough, he began farming. In 1S6S he came to the United States, and found a stopping place in Mar- shall county, Illinois. He was for several years in the employment of the Chicago, Burlington & Ouincy Railroad. In 1872 he entered this county for the purpose of securing a home, and he made a home- stead entry on section 6, Morton township. His first work was to build a sod-house, which was his home for eight years. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 729 It gave way in 1880 to a modest frame structure, and in 1892 the present hand- some and elei;ant structure arose from the ashes of his former home, which had been destroyed by tire. It is cjuite generally pronounced one of the very best in the count}'. He has followed general farming, and seeks the steady improvement of stock and land. Mr. Dahlgreen has been twice married. His first marriage was in Sweden to Miss Clara Anderson. She presented him with three children, Charles, Albert and I^eda, and died in 1871. The next }ear he was married to Miss Annie Johnson. They have a family of six children, three sons and three daughters. Thej- are Fred, Harry, Mabel, Lelia, Ethel and Floyd, and are all alive at the present writing. In politics he is a Populist, but he has never sought or filled an\' other office than school trustee. He has simply devoted himself to his farm and his family, and his neighbors have come to know and esteem him as an honorable and upright man. JM. CALDER is the junior member of the well-known hardware firm of Calder & Calder, who are now conducting a large and profitable business in Tamora, Seward county, Nebraska. As a business man he is enterprising, energetic and always abreast of the times, and is also upright and hon- orable in all his dealings. Mr. Calder was born in Clinton county, Iowa, May 26, 1863, and is a son of Lyman and Mary J. (Williams) Calder, natives of Ohio and Illinois respectively. His pater- nal grandfather, James M. Calder, was a native of Washington county, Ohio, his father having been one of the pioneers of that county, where he took up land from the government and developed a farm. Both died in the Buckeye state. Eyman Calder was born in Meigs county, Ohio, June 14, 1833, and there was reared and educated in much the usual manner of boys of his day. In early life he engaged in boating on the river for a number of years, but in 1856 came west, first locating in Scott county, Iowa, where he resided until 1862. He then made his home in Clinton county, the same state, where he followed agricultural pursuits until 1879, when he came to Seward county, Nebraska, and in precinct E bought eighty acres of land, for which he paid five dollars and fifty cents per acre. To this he added the following year one hundred and sixty acres at eleven dollars and fifty cents, and in 1882 purchas- ed another eighty-acre tract at twenty dollars. He continued to reside upon his farm and give his attention to agriculture until 1893, when he removed to Tamora, where he now makes his home and is inter- ested in the hardware business with his son. In Scott county, Iowa, he was married in i860 to Miss Mary J. Williams, a daughter of David and Susan (Thompson) Williams. Her father was born in Ireland in 1809 and came to the United States about 1822. Mr. and Mrs. Calder became the parents of two children: J. M., of this sketch; and Nettie, now the wife of E. S. McWhinney, of Alliance, Nebraska. J. M. Calder received his education in the schools of Iowa and Seward, Nebraska, having come to this state with his parents. He also followed farming until 1890, when he embarked in the hardware and general merchandise business in Tamora, under the firm style of McWhinney & Calder, but the following year his partner sold his interest and the firm has since been Calder & Calder. By fair and honorable dealing they have built up an excellent trade and won an enviable reputation in business circles. They are still interested in farming to some extent. On the 7th of July, 1897, was celebrated the marriage of J. M. Calder and Miss r.so COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. Mamie G. Evans, a native of Illinois and a daughter of John and Louise Evans. They have one son, James M. , born August 26, 1898. Mr. Calder holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America, and in politics is a stalwart Democrat, taking an active interest in political affairs and effi- ciently serving as chairman of the central committee. PATRICK LARKIN.— A striking exam- ple of what can be accomplished by persistent industry and strict attention to business is afforded in the life of Patrick Larkin, one of the representative farmers and stock raisers of Morton township, York county, Nebraska. He is widely known as one of the pioneers of the county, and his name is a synonym for good fellowship. He was born in county Limerick, Ireland, in March, 1833, and is a son of John and Margaret (Nugent) Larkin. They were born in the same county as our subject, where they spent their entire lives. The father was a son of David Larkin, and he followed agricultural pursuits in his native land. Patrick Larkin was the youngest of a family of three children and is the only sur- vivor, as one brother died in St. Louis, Missouri, and his sister died in Ireland. He was reared and educated in Ireland, where he resided until he was twenty years of age. In 1853 he came to Toronto, Canada, and made that place his home for eight years, engaged in railroading and farming. In 1 86 1 he came to the United States, settling first at Port Huron, Michigan, where he resided for two years, and then took up his residence in Kalamazoo, of the same state. In 1874 he came west and landed at Fair- mont, from whence he drove over to York county, Nebraska, where he purchased a piece of railroad land, upon which he erected a sod house. He later built a very fine frame residence, which is one of the best in the county. He has followed gen- eral farming and stock raising, in which by careful and economical management he succeeded in amassing a comfortable fortune. He was married in 1855 to Miss Catha- rine McCarthy, who was a native of coun- ty Cork, Ireland. They are the parents of eight children, seven of whom are now liv- ing, four sons and three daughters, viz: John, deceased, Michael, Daniel, Margaret, now Mrs. White, Richard, Ellen and Mary. Mrs. Larkin died in this county in 1893. The family are all members of the Catholic church. Politically our subject is a stanch adherent to the principles of the Democratic party. He possesses many estimable traits of character, is endowed with activity, persist- ency and a capacity for well directed labor, which have placed him in the vanguard of the prosperous farmers of the vicinity. WILLIAM ALEXANDER HAGUE, who occupies an influential and prominent position among the agricultural population of Butler county, has his home- stead on section 5. Linwood township. He has not only been identified with the farm- ing interests of the community, but was also for several years one of the leading educa- tors of the county. Mr. Hague was born in Holmes county, Ohio, but at an early age was taken to Wayne county, that state, by his parents, Aaron and Ruth (Culbertson) Hague. His grandfather, William Hague, with his fam- ily, had removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio at an early day, and the Culbertsons were also Ohio people. By occupation the ma- ternal grandfather of our subject was a blacksmith. When about seven or eight years of age, William A. Hague, who was the oldest child of the family, was taken by his parents to DeKalb county, Indiana, where the mother still continued to make COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 731 her home. The father, who was a native of Fayette county, Pennsj'lvania, died when our subject was sixteen years of age. WilHam A. Hague began his education in the common schools of northeastern In- diana, an"d later attended the Literary In- stitute in Steuben county, that state. After his removal to Branch county, Michigan, in April, 1857, he became a student in Hills- dale College, that state, and after leaving school he engaged in farming and teaching in that locality until the fall of 1865. In that year he married Miss Lida B. Rollins, a native of Portland, Maine, and a daughter of Sylvanus Rollins. Three children were born of this union: William Emerson, now a residentof Brainard, Nebraska; Susan R. , now Mrs. Theodore C. Figge, of Chadron, this state; and Charles, who was adopted by F. C. and Sarah Johnson. The wife and mother died December 9, 1876, at the birth of her younger son. Mr. Hague was again married, March 20, 1878, his second union being with Mrs. Caddie McFarland, ;/(■(■ Baldwin, by whom he has one daughter. Bertha L. The winter after his first marriage, Mr. Hague continued to engage in teachiug school in Branch county, Michigan, but the following spring removed to Oceana county, that state, where he made his home from 1866 until 1872, while he devoted his ener- gies to farming, teaching and clerking in a store. Through Rev. Amos Dresser, he came to Nebraska in April, 1872, with the hopes of securing a home for himself and family, and while looking up a location he engaged in bridge building. In the spring of 1873 he was joined by his wife and chil- dren, and they settled on section 5, Lin- wood township (township 16, range 4). Dur- ing his early residence here he was employed as principal of the David City schools and his name was prominently mentioned as candidate for the office of count \' superintend- ent of schools in Butler county. He has been prominently identified with public affairs, and is a recognized leader in the ranks of the local Republican organization. Frater- nally he belongs to the Masonic Order, and religiously he is a charter member of the Linwood Congregational church, with which he is still connected. His life is ex- emplary in all respects and he has ever sup- ported those interests calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of the highest commenda- tion. bINCOLN CHESNUT, an energetic, enterprising and successful farmer re- siding on section 20, Geneva township, Fillmore county, was born in Logan coun- ty, Illinois, September 10, 1864, and is a son of Thomas J. and Margaret H. (Cald- well) Chesnut, the former born near Chili- cothe, Ohio, the latter in Macoupin count}', Illinois. They are still honored residents of Logan county. The father is a prosper- ous farmer and stock raiser of that county and is one of its leading and influential citi- zens, taking an active part in political affairs as a prominent member of the Republican party. Upon the home farm the subject of this sketch was reared to manhood, acquiring a good practical education in the common schools of the neighborhood. On attaining his majority he began life on his own ac- count, and soon afterward, in the spring of 1886, came to Fillmore county, Nebraska, in company with his brother, Charles A. They located upon a farm in Geneva town- ship, belonging to their father, and there our subject remained for two years. The following year he operated rented land, and then bought eighty acres, the nucleus of his present farm. To the original purchase he has added from time to time until he now owns two hundred and forty acres of excellent land, which he has placed under a 732 COMPENDIUM OF BJOGRAPHT. high state of cultivation. At the time of locating here the only buildings upon the place were a small house, 16x24 feet, and a corn crib, but he now has a more com- modious and modern residence, good barns and substantial out-buildings, which add greatly to the value and attractive appear- ance of the place. On the 27th of June, 1889, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Chesnut and MissEdwinaArrowsmith, who was born near Quincy, Illinois, and is a daughter of Thomas and Lucia (Williams Arrowsmith, the former a native of New York, the latter of Ohio. Both parents are now deceased. Two children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Chesnut — Harry A. and Wallace L. The parents hold membership in the Meth- odist Episcopal church at Geneva and Mr. Chesnut belongs to the Camp of Modern Woodmen of America at the same place. In his political affiliations he is a stanch Republican. JAMES LOGHRY, a well-known and honored citizen of Fillmore county, residing near the city of Geneva, has rounded the psalmist's span of three score years and ten, and although the snows of several winters have whitened his hair, he has the vigor of a much younger man, and in spirit and interests seems yet in his prime. Old age is not necessarily the synonym of weakness or inactivity, and Mr. Loghry is still identiiied with the agricultural and industrial interests of the county. He was born in Steuben county, New York, February i, 1827, a son of John and Electa (Foster) Loghry. His paternal grandfather was William Loghry, and his great-garndfather bore the same name. The former, a native of Ireland, came to this country when a young man and located in the state of New York, where he mar- ried a lady of Irish birth, and there they continued to make their home throughout the remainder of their lives, the grandfather dj'ing at the extreme age of one hundred and four years. He vyas a farmer by occu- pation, as were also his ancestors form any generations. The family was respresented in the war of 181 2. James Loghry, of this review, remained on the home farm with his father until twenty years of age, and in the meantime attended the district schools as he found opportunit}-, but on account of the pressing work of the farm was unable to attend more than a few days each year. Later his father found him a place to learn the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked as a journeyman for two years. At the age of twenty-two years he became acquainted with Miss Lucy A. Cutler, who was teaching a district school in the neighborhood, and their friendship ripened into love. They were married January 10, 1850. She was born in Rutland, Vt., October 6, 1S29, but when less than a year old was taken by her father to Worcester, Mass., and when she was seven the family removed to Orland. Ind., where the father died August 30, 1887, when in his eighty-fourth year. The Cutler family is of English origin and was founded in America by John Ciitler, from whom Mrs. Loghry traces her ancestry through the fol- lowing: Nathaniel, Nathaniel, Nathaniel, Simeon, Rev. Samuel, and John H., her father. After his marriage Mr. Loghry opened a blacksmith shop of his own in Branch coun- ty, Michigan, where he carried on business for three years, but later engaged in the operation of forty acres of land in connec- tion with work at his trade. Removing to the village of Orland, Indiana, he engaged in the blacksmith business in partnership with a Mr. Carpenter, and then returned to farming, which he followed for four years. It was in 1865, during his residence in Or- land, that he responded to the government's COMrENDIUM or JUOGRArin\ 783 call for more troops to help in putting down the Rebellion, enlisting for one }'ear or dur- the war in Conapany K, One Hundred and Fifty-seconid Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and being inustered in March 16,1865, but ^s the war soon afterward closed, he was discharg- ed at Charleston, West Virginia, August 30, 1865, with the rank of corporal. Upon the return of peace, Mr. Loghry pro- ceeded to his home in Indiana, and five days later had secured another shop and resumed business. A few months later he traded his entire property in the village for eighty acres of land, to which the family removed, but not succeeding in his farming operations, he built a shop upon his farm, and while the oats and corn were growing, kept the old anvil ringing. Four years later he again disposed of his property and started westward, landing in Fillmore county, Ne- braska, March 12, 1871. Selecting a farm, he built a sod forge, covered his bellows with a canvas, and resumed work in the open air, pounding out the drill plowshares for the farmers who came from far and near to have work done. Here the honest blacksmith, with his hammer, sledge and strong right arm, has succeeded in making for himself and familj' a comfortable home, almost within sight of the place where he first unloaded his household goods on com- ing to this state. Many changes have since taken place, however, and the deer, elk, bison and nimble antelope have long since disappeared as the country became more thickly populated. To Mr. and Mrs. Loghry were born five children, namely. Helen N. is the wife of Adarn Huston, who lives three miles north of the old homestead, and they have seven children: James; Hugh, who married Viola Roylls; Ella and A. D., twins; Hat- tie; Pearl and Frank. (2) Leroy P. married Ida Piatt and they live on a farm two miles from the old home. (3) Louisa A. is the wife of William H. Garret, who owns and 42 operates a farm in Fillmore county, and they have seven children: Julia, Dora, Harry, Ida, Nellie, Amy and Hazel, who are all at home and are attending the dis- trict schools. ("4) Jay, a resident of Wy- oming, married Anna, McPherson and they have one son, Frank. (5) The other child of our subject is deceased. Mr. Loghry cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont, and has since been an ardent supporter of the Republican party. He comes of a very patriotic and loyal family, in which four of the si.\ sons were among the boys in blue during the Civil war and all lived to return to their homes. He was reared in the Methodist church, but is not connected with an}^ relig- ious denomination, while his wife is a mem- ber of the Congregational church of Geneva. They are widely and favorabl}- known and have many friends throughout Fillmore county. RICHARD B. BRABHAM.— In the busy community located in the thriving vil- lage of Benedict, York county, we find sev- eral energetic and thorough-going business men, who ha\e attained success through their own tact, good judgment and perse- verance. Among the number is the gentle- man whose name heads this biographical notice, and who is one of the leading grocers of the place. He is a native of Ohio, born in ^^'ashington county, October 30, 1845, and is a son of Enos and Catherine (Hum- phreys) Brabham, both nati\es of Virginia. The grandfather, John Brabham, was a prominent planter of the Old Dominion, and from that state removed to Ohio, spending his last days in Washington county. The parents of our subject, who were well- known farming people, also died in that state. They reared a family of ten chil- dren, four sons and si.\ daughters. In his native state Richard B. Brabham r34 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. spent his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of farmer boys of his day, assisting in the labors of the fields and at- tending the country schools when his serv- ices were not needed at home. In Sep- tember, 1 86 1, he donned the blue and went to the defense of his country as a member of Company H, Seventy-seventh Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, and among the engage- ments in which he participated was the famous battle of Shiloh. After two years of service, however, he was discharged on account of physical disability and returned to his home in Washington county, Ohio, where he remained until 1867. In that year he made a trip to Illinois, and subse- quently visited other western and southern states, finally deciding to locate in York county. Nebraska. In 1871 he took up a homestead on section 28, Morton township, which he improved and cultivated until 1887, when he sold the place and moved to the village of Benedict. He was appointed its first postmaster, and most capably dis- charged the duties of that office for six years. He also opened a grocery store, and soon succeeded in building up a good trade, which he still enjoys, his patronage extend- ing over a wide range of territory. On September 28th, 1872, Mr. Brab- ham led to the marriage altar Miss Martha Tapp, of Ohio, a daughter of Nathaniel and Harriet (Deacon) Tapp. To Mr. and Mrs. Brabham have been born two daughters, namely: Olie M. and KittieC. Fraternally Mr. Brabham affiliates with the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workman; and politically is identified with the Democratic party, but has never been an aspirant for office, pre- ferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. In all transactions he has proved straightforward and reliable, and wins the confidence and respect of those with whom he comes in contact, either in business or in social life. HIRAM RODMAN is one of the well-to- do and substantial citizens of precinct K, of Seward county, and having commenced life with but small means, his financial posi- tion is ample evidence of the manner in which he has employed his time, and the good judgement of which he is the fortunate possessor. He has one of the best appoint- ed homesteads in the township, and on ac- count of his strict integrity and high charac- ter, is numbered among its most valued citizens. A native of Schoharie county. New York, Mr. Rodman was born July i, 1827, and is a son of Asa and Olive (Culver) Rodman, who were born in Connecticut, but spent the greater part of their lives in the Empire state, where the father followed the occu- pation of farming until called to the world beyond. They reared a familj- of fourteen children-ten sons and four daugh- ters. Our subject spent his boyhood and youth upon the home farm in New York, his education being obtained in the public schools of the neighborhood. He followed farming in his native state until the spring of 1865, when he removed to Jackson coun- ty, Iowa, where he made his home until coming to Nebraska in 1872. He secured a homestead in K township, Seward county, adjoining his present farm, and erected thereon a sod house, in which the family lived for seven years, when it was replaced by a good frame residence. When he lo- cated here the Indians had not yet left this region and he saw many of them. He has steadily prospered in his new home, and is now the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good buildings. On the 9th of November, 1851, in Dela- ware county, N. Y. , Mr. Rodman was united in marriage with Miss Ethelinda A. Lyon, who was born in that state and is a daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Griggs) COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT rss Lyon, natives of Massachusetts. They are now the parents of three children: Ellen M., wife of W. B. Downs; Alonzo T. and Smith. The wife and mother is a sincere member of the United Brethren church and a most estimable lady. In his political views Mr. Rodman is a Democrat, and he has been honored with a number of town- ship offices, and has also served as a mem- ber of the central committee of his party and in school offices. ROBERT W. READ.— Prominentamong the representative citizens and respect- ed and influential men of Morton township, York county, is found the subject of this biographical notice, who owns a fine farm of 240 acres. It is well improved and highly cultivated, and shows conclusively that the owner has not mistaken his calling in adopting agriculture. Mr. Read was born March 4, 1843, in Clearfield county, Pa., in which state his parents, Josiah and Mary (Wrigley) Read, spent their entire lives, engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. The grandfather, Thomas Read, was of Scotch descent, and was also a resident of Pennsylvania. In that state our subject grew to manhood and attended school when his services were not needed at home. At an early age he became quite familiar with the occupations of lumbering and farming, which he continued to follow in the east until 1879, which year witnessed his arrival in York county. Neb. Of the railroad company he purchased his present farm, which was then a tract of wild prairie land, entirely unimproved. He commenced at once to break the land, and soon acre after acre had been placed under the plow. To general farming and stock raising he still devotes his time and attention, and in his operations has met with a well-merited success. Before leaving Pennsylvania, Mr. Read was married, in 1871, to Miss Eliza Lytle, a sister of Mrs. Robert Lytle, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. To them have been born seven children, as follows: Verne R., Vergie E., Hugh L. , Kate M., Mary, Josiah R. and Idilla. In the ex- ercise of his elective franchise Mr. Read is not bound by party lines, but votes inde- pendently. He has been an active and efficient member of the school board for nineteen years, but aside from this he has never accepted office, his entire time being given to his farming interests. Socially he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. HENRY W. NIPPERT, a leading and representative farmer of Fillmore county, Nebraska, is successfully engaged in the prosecution of his chosen calling on section 27, Bell Prairie township. He was born in Baraboo, Wisconsin, April 15, 185 i, and is a son of George and Sarah (Hussin- ger) Nippert, natives of Germany, who emigrated to the new world when young and were married in Ohio, where they commenced life in limited circumstances upon a farm. Later they removed to Wis- consin, and as they had prospered to some extent they were able to purchase a farm, on which they reared their family of nine children, six of whom are still living, namely: Michael, Henry W. , Jacob, Charles, Elizabeth and Emma. Finally, after the children were able to provide for themselves, the parents sold their farm in Wisconsin and moved to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, where in retirement from active labor they spent their remaining years upon a farm, enjoying a well-earned rest, the father died at the age of seventy-seven years, the mother at the age of seventy-five, and they now sleep side by side in a cem- etery in Shelby county, Iowa. By all who knew them they were held in high regard, 736 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. and their friends were many. Their chil- dren, with the exception of our subject and Michael, who is a resident of Wisconsin, all make their home in Iowa. In the common schools of Wisconsin Henry W. Nippert obtained his education; when twenty-three years old he moved with his parents to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, where he was married five years later, Feb- ruary 1 8, 1880, to Miss Augustina Grone, who was born in Honey Creek, Sauk county, Wisconsin, September 22, 1856. Her parents, John F. and Wilhelmina (Al- bertus) Grone, were also natives of the fatherland, and emigrated with their re- spective parents to America, the former at the age of fourteen, the latter at the age of nine. The}' were united in marriage in Wisconsin and to them were born fourteen children, of whom eight. Tare still living, namely: Augustina, Frederick, Paulina, Arthur, William, George, Joseph and Ma- tilda, all of whom are now living in Ne- braska. Several years ago three of the children removed to Furnas county, Ne- braska, but, preferring this section of the state, they returned thither, where they are now comfortably situated. Mr. and Mrs. Grone are now living retired in Bruning, Nebraska, at the ages of seventy-five and sixty-four years, respectively, and enjoy good health. Here they are surrounded by loving children and a host of warm friends. Mr. and Mrs. Nippert have an interesting family of five children: John, Oscar, Warde, Jo- seph and Pearl. Our subject and his wife began their do- mestic life upon a rented farm forone3'ear, when he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of raw land for nine dollars per acre, and to the improvement and cultivation of that place he devoted his time and attention until the spring of 1887, when he sold it for twentyeight dollars peracre. Hethenbrought his family to Fillmore county, Nebraska, and in Belle Prairie township he purchased one hundred and sixty acres at sixteen dol- lars and fifty cents. It was only partially improved, and the only buildings standing thereon were a ver\' small house and a smaller straw stable, but the place is now under a high state of cultivation and im- proved with good and substantial buildings, which stand as monuments to his thrift and industry, for he has worked hard to make it one of the best farms of the locality. It is all convenient!}' arranged in modern style and testifies to the enterprising and pro- gressive spirit of the owner, who is recog- nized as one of the most thorough and skill- ful farmers of the community. Both he and his wife are held in high regard by all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance. CLARENCE H. POST.— Perhaps no man in all York county is so well known for his intelligence, active public spirit and thorough appreciation of the wants of his locality as the gentleman whose name heads this article. He came to the count}' at an early day, and has since been identified with all matters pertaining to the improvement and upbuilding of the better interests of Thayer township, in which he makes his home. His active participation in the public affairs has not been confined to his own township, but he has thoroughly acquainted himself and has been associated in all matters relating to the affairs of the entire county. Mr. Post is a son of John T. and Eliza- beth A. (Chapin) Post, who were both na- tives of New York, and they settled in Illi- nois in 1853. The father followed the oc- cupation of farming in Illinois until 1883, at which time he removed to Stromsburg, Ne- braska, where they remained for awhile, and then removed to California, where Mr. Post now makes his home, his wife having died August 14, 1898. John T. Post was a son of Daniel Post, a native of New York, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 737 who later removed to Illinois in 1856, and from there he moved to Kansas. He died in Spring Hill county, of the above named state in, 1885, having been the father of three sons. John T. Post is a veteran of the late war, he having served three years and nine months. He was a member of company D. One Hundred and Fourth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, and held the rank of lieutenant. He was wounded in the head at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, and fought with great gallantry at Missionary Ridge " That far-famed battle above the clouds;" Chickamauga.and Lookout Mount- ain. He also accompanied Sherman on his famous march to the sea. He was the father of three sons, now living, our subject being the only one who resides in York county. Clarence H. Post was born in La Salle county, Illinois, on February 2, 1S57. He was reared and received his education in his native state, and began farming at an early age. He followed agricultural pursuits in Illinois until 1880, when he settled in York county, Nebraska, where he purchased a farm in Thayer township, and has resided continuously ever since. He has given special attention to stock raising, and has had unparalleled success, as he feeds from three hundred to five hundred head every year. Mr. Post was united in marriage to Miss Carrie E. Carr, a daughter of Nathan S. and Adelia (Hodgaboom) Carr, who were natives of New Hampshire and New York, respectively. The mother came to Illinois when an infant and still resides there, but the father, who came to that state in an early day, died there in 1891. The mar- riage ceremony of our subject was per- formed in 1S80, and to this union have been born three children, two of whom, Edith P. and Margie, are now living, and one son, Elmer P., who is dead. Mr. Post is a member of the Modern Woodmen, and in his political belief he is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party. Being a man of excel- lent business qualifications and a character of the highest order, he has frequently been called upon to occupy various official posi- tions. He has served for several years as district and township supervisor, and in every instance he has proven his efficiency by the able manner in which he adminis- tered the affairs of his office. He is now the chairman of the Republican county central committee, and is rapidly winning popularit}' for his rare fidelity and great executive ability. He has been very suc- cessful in all of his undertakings and enjoys the respect and confidence of all to whom he is known. ERICK JACOBS, one of the well-known residents and business men of Staple- hurst, was born in northern Germany, May 15, 1856. His parents, Peter C. and Gar- dina (Peters) Jacobs, were both natives of Germany, and came to this country in 1855. They journeyed straight to this count}', to spend the balance of their days in Staplehurst. The father died in 1893, and the mother is still living. They had two sons and four daughters. Erick and two of his sisters have their home in Seward county. The subject of this article was reared and educated in Germany, atterfding the common and navigation schools. He was also a student at an English school for three years, and was very well prepared for the practical duties of life. In 1872 became to this country, landing in New York, and making his way immediately to Chicago. There he worked as a painter for four years, but, wearying of the noise and confusion of the great cit\', he sought a more peaceful scene, and found it in farming. To this occupation the rest of his life has been de- 788 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. voted. In iS8o he came to Seward county and purchased a farm and dwelt on it for two years. In 1882, in company with Peder Nelson, he engaged in the business of operating a grain elevator. This yielded such profitable returns that he was able, in 1886, with Mr. Jorgenson as his partner, to purchase the Bank of Staplehurst. He took the place of cashier until the death of his associate. That unfortunate event made necessary a re-arrangement of the bank offi- cials, and he is now its president. In 1880 he entered into marriage rela- tions with Miss Maria Fuchs, a native of Il- linois, and a sister of Mrs. Nelson, who is now deceased. They have two sons and two daughters, William C, Anna E., Peter D. and Margaret, and have had no deaths in their family. He is a German Lutheran, and is an Independent in his politics. He has been township treasurer, and is a citizen who is highly thought of, not only for his shrewd business abilities, but greatly liked for his personal character. JOHN FITZSIMONS. — "Excellence en- courages all life in general," says that thoughtful observer, George Eliot. This saying is true even in'^the case of that care- ful discharge of duty which leads to well- doing in worldly enterprises, but the life which reveals religious ardor and suggests the uplifting force of consecrated purpose does indeed demonstrate to humanity new and lofty possibilities. The life of Mr. Fitzsimons is a constant source of inspira- tion to those who see his zealous work in advancing the cause of religion as a local minister of the Methodist church. Since the spring of 1 86g he has made his home on section 24, Bone Creek township, Butler county, and has since been prominently identified with the material as well as the moral development of this region. Mr. Fitzsimons was born on the 14th of August, 1825, in county Longford, Ireland, and is the oldest child in the family of Thomas and Elizabeth (Pope) Fitzsimons. In his native land he was reared and ed- ucated, remaining there until he attained his majority. It was in 1847 that he accom- panied his parents on their emigration to the United States, and took up his residence in Muscatine, Iowa, where he was engaged in merchandising for several years. Owing to failing health he was forced to abandon that business and decided to turn his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits. Through a friend, James McBride, who had come to Nebraska, two years before Mr. Fitzsimons learned of Butler county, and being favora- bly impressed with the account he had re- ceived, he removed here in the spring of 1869. The Indians at that time were quite troublesome, but they took kindly to the family of our subject. His first home in Butler county was a rude dug-out, where he lived in true pioneer style, e.xperiencing all the hardships incident to life on the frontier. On the 3d of May, 1859, Mr. Fitzsi- mons was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Moss, a native of Dearborn county, Indiana, and a daughter of Harvey and Elizabeth (Stevens) Moss. The father was born in Massachusetts, of German ancestry, while the mother was born in Nova Scotia, of Scotch-Irish parentage. He was a wealthy farmer and also a local preacher, who was widely and favorably known in Muscatine, Iowa, and vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzsimons have a family of six chil- dren: Thomas Emmet; Dr. Albert Pope, now assistant surgeon of Third Nebraska Volunteer Infantry; Dr. Samuel V., now acting hospital steward in regular United States service at Jacksonville, Florida; Or- lando; Jessie M. and George A. The par- ents were members of the first Methodist church established in Butler county, it being organized by S. V. Van Duser in the winter of 1869, and have always taken a COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY 739 leading and active part in all church and benevolent work, Mr. Fitzsimons having served as a local preacher for several years. Their lives have been characterized by deeds of kindness, and their sterling worth and many excellencies of character have been justly appreciated by their many friends. SAMUEL G. PHEASANT.— Polk county has no more popular or honored citizen than Mr. Pheasant, the well-known grain dealer of Osceola. There are in every com- munity men of great force of character and exceptional ability who, by reason of their capacity for leadership, become recognized as foremost citizens and bear a most import- ant part in the development and progress of that locality with which they are connected. Such a man is our subject, who was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, July 17, 1846, a son of John and Margaret (Garrett) Pheasant, the former a native of Hagerstown, Mary- land, the latter of Pennsylvania. The pa- ternal grandfather, John Pheasant, Sr. , was born in this country, of English ancestry. The parents of our subject were married in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, but as early as 1839 emigrated to Jefferson count}', Iowa, being numbered among its first set- tlers. By trade the father was a black- smith, but after coming west improved a farm and devoted his energies principally to agricultural pursuits. He died in April, 1864, and his wife, who was an earnest member of the Methodist church, passed away in June, 1857. In the family of this worthy couple were nine children, of whom eight reached man and womanhood, name- ly: Harrison, who was a member of the Second California cavalry in the Civil war, and died in 1873; Alexander, deceased; Mrs. Louisa Montgomery, a resident of Jefferson county, Iowa; Alwilda, deceased; Charles, who was a soldier of Company K, Seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry; Samuel G., of this sketch; Mrs. Luella Courtney, of Os- ceola, Nebraska, and William. On the old homestead in Iowa, Samuel G. Phesant grew to manhood amidst pioneer scenes, and is indebted to the schools of that locality for his educational privileges. On leaving home, in the spring of 1S66, he went to Colorado, where he worked in a mill, engaged in teaming, and followed other occupations until the fall of 1868, when he returned to Iowa. The spring of 1872 found him a resident of Polk county, Ne- braska, having taken up the southeast quar- ter of section 14, township 13, range 2 west, all wild prairie land, with no improvements. He had come with a party to this section, and lived in a little sod-house upon his place while he turned his attention to its improvement and cultivation. The second year his crops were destroyed by the grass- hoppers, and in 1874 he removed to the town of Osceola, where he has since made his home, with the exception of two years spent in California. In 1883 he embarked in the grain business as a member of the firm of Blowers & Pheasant; two years later they built a mill, and carried on operations together until 1886, when our subject sold out and bought grain for others until 18S7. The following two years were spent in Cali- fornia, returning to Osceola at the end of that time and resuming the grain business in the fall of 1892. He is an enterprising, reliable business man, who has the confi- dence and respect of all with whom he comes in contact, either in business or social life. Mr. Pheasant was married in November, 1875, to Mrs. Sarah J. (Stewart) Boatright, who was born in Highland county, Ohio, February 26, 1849. He parents were James and Louisa (Carr) Stewart, the former of Scotch and the latter of English extraction. From Ohio they moved to Macon county, Missouri, later to Jasper county, Iowa, and in 1871 came to Polk 740 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. county, Nebraska, settling in Stromsburg precinct. The mother is now deceased, but the father is still living and now makes his home in Osceola, He is an honored veter- an of the Civil war. To Mr. and Mrs. Pheasant were born six children: Harrison Dale, deceased; Leon Ray; Nellie Gray; Grade Ellen; Charles, deceased; and Louisa Luella. The wife and mother is a devoted member of the Methodiest church, and a most estimable lady. Mr. Pheasant takes quite an active inter- est in civic societies and is an honored member of the Masonic fraternit}-, the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ivnights of the Maccabees, the Home Forum, and the Business Men"s Fraternity. The Republican party has always found in him a stanch supporter of its principles, and he has rendered effective service in its interest. In 1873 he was elected sheriff of Polk coun- ty, and so ably and satisfactorily did he per- form the duties of that office, that he was four times re-elected, serving in all ten years. At one of these elections he receiv- ed every vote cast in the county with the exception of one, a fact which plainlj' in- dicates his popularity, and the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellow citi- zens. Subsequent!}- he was the candidate of his parti' for county treasurer, but was de- feated. He has been a member of the town board of Osceola for two terms, and his public, as well as his private life, is alike above reproach. As a citizen he meets every requirement and manifests a com- mendable interest in everything that is cal- culated to promote the city's welfare in any line. JOHN J. WALKER was one of the early settlers of Union to\\'nship, Butler county, the date of his settlement being the fall of 1869, and has been one of the con- spicuous men in the development and growth of the community and the organiza- tion and establishment of the business in- terests of the town of Garrison. He was born in Highland county, Ohio, February 9, 1845, a son of Alexander Walker, also a native of the state of Ohio and a farmer by occupation. Our subject's grandfather, John Walker, migrated from Rockbridge county, Virginia, and located the home- stead in Ohio, where our subject was born. Alexander Walker was married in Ohio to Miss Louisa Johnston, daughter of Abner Johnston, a relative of General Joseph E. Johnston. John J. Walker, the subject of this sketch, is the oldest son in his father's fam- ily. He was reared in Highland county, and from there he answered the call of the government for volunteers to aid in its de- fense at the time of the Rebellion in 1861. He was a mere boy of seventeen years when he enlisted in Company F, Sixtieth Ohio Infantry, in November, 1861. He served under General Fremont in the Shenandoah Valley, driving Stonewall Jackson out of that valley and following him to Harrison- burg and Cross Keys, Virginia, and then re- turned to Winchester, Virginia. From there the army retreated to Harper's Ferry, and there our subject was taken prisoner, paroled and sent to Camp Douglas, Chica- go, Illinois, and was there discharged at the expiration of the term of his enlistment. He then returned to his home in Ohio and remained until Januarj- i, 1866, and then enlisted in the Third Battalion, Eighteenth United States Infantr}' and was sent to Saint Louis, Missouri, where the regiment was organized. In the spring of 1866 the regiment, consisting of three battalions of nine companies each, was sent to Leaven- worth, I'iansas, and from thence marched across the plains, the company- to which our subject belonged stopping at Fort Sedg- wick, now Julesburg. Mr. Walker was a corporal and also served as acting conimis- JOHN J. WALKER. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 743 sary sergeant until the spring of 1867, when he was placed on detached service as an es- cort to the surveying corps of the Union Pacific Railroad company. Later in the fall of 1867 he was sent to Fort Sanders, where he did garrison duty until the following spring and then went to Fort Bridges, Wy- oming, until January, i860, the expiration of his term of enlistment. During his service in the United States army, Mr. Walker saw much of the western country and was favorably enough impresed with it that, after his return to his home in Ohio, he was easily persuaded to move to and settle in the state of Nebraska by his broth- er, Thomas A. Walker, who, with several of his neighbors, had sold his interest in the native state and gone to Nebraska. Thomas Walker, having located a few years previ- ously, had taken one hundred and sixty acres between the Union Pacific and the Burlington & Missouri River grants, but when our subject arrived, this was all taken and he had to go inside of the railroad grant and file a homestead claim to the north half of the northeast quarter of section 22, township 14, range 2. After he had lived on this claim for two years, Congress passed a law allowing discharged soldiers to add to their original claims enough to aggregate one hundred and sixty acres. Under this law he secured an additional eighty acres, the north half of the southeast quarter of section 8, township 14, range 2. Ijeing unmarried, he lived on his claim in a sod house until 1875. Fie then moved to Garrison, which had just been located, and began to buy grain and later engaged in the mercantile business in partnership with Mr. C. H. Sargent, under the firm name of Sargent & Walker, and they built and con- ducted the first store in Garrison. Our sub- ject later sold out his interest in the store and entered into the lumber business in partnership with Charles A. Harvey & Company, and was thus engaged until 1890. He then severed his connection with this firm to accept the office of county treasurer of Butler county, which the citizens of that county had seen fit to bestow upon him. After the -expiration of his term of four years, he returned to his farm on section 20, Union township, where he now resides. Since then he has been engaged in farming and grain and stock buying, and is now buy- ing grain for the Trans-Mississippi Grain Company, at Millerton. In 1 88 1, while in partnership with Mr. C. H. Sargent in the mercantile business at Garrison, our subject was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary Schafer, of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, whom he met while she was visiting her sister, Mrs. Meacham, of Butler county, living near Garrison. To this union have been born a bright, interesting family of five children, upon whom they have seen fit to bestow the following names: Louisa, Ida, John Matthias, Helena and Olive. Mr. Walker is a Royal Arch Mason, his mem- bership being with the Chapter. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and of the A. Lincoln post, No. 10, Grand Army of the Republic. In politics he is a Democrat. His many friends will be gratified to find a portrait of Mr. Walker in connection with this sketch. PETER EHLERS.— The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch is one of the pioneers of Thayer township, York county, who, by developing a good farm from the wild prairie land, has materially aided in its growth. He is meet- ing with a well-deserved success in his call- ing, and his fine, well-ordered farm, which is pleasantly situated on section 23, with its carefully cultured fields, its neat buildings, and all their surroundings, denote the skill- ful management, industry and well-directed labors of the owner. Mr. Ehlers is a native of Germany, born 744 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. in the province of Hanover, December i, 1849, and is a son of Liietje and Margaret (Fisfier) Ehlers, who were natives of the same province. The family emigrated to the United States in 1868 and first settled in Wisconsin, where our subject found em- ployment in the pine woods for ten years. In 1878 he came to York county, Nebraska, and bought a quarter section of railroad land on section 23, Thayer township, to the cultivation and improvement of which he at once turned his attention and upon which he built the first house on the section. The following year he was joined by his father and mother. Here the former made his home until called to his final rest in 1 886. The mother is still living. In 1868, in Wisconsin, was celebrated the marriage of Peter Ehlers and Emma Cornell, also, native of the Fatherland, and they have become the parents of ten chil- dren, all still living, namely: Margaret, Louie, Hannah, Peter, Frederick, William, Emma, George, Mary O. and Elfie V. Mr. and Mrs. Ehlers and theis family are com- municants of the Lutheran church, and are widely and favorably known throughout the county. His political support is always given the Democracy, and in 1891 and in 1892 he filled the office of supervisor of his township, with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He is justly numbered among the self-made men of the county, for he has been the architect of his own fortunes and has builded wisely and well. JOSEPH P. MOOR owns and occupies a farm of one hundred and si.xty acres on section 13, Belle Prairie township, Fillmore county, Nebraska. As an honest man and a good citizen, pursuing the even tenor of his way and giving his strict attention to his own concerns, he is contributing in an un- obtrusive manner to the development of his township, and augmenting its attractions as a desirable place of residence for an enter- prising and intelligent class of people. He has effected all of the improvements which we see to-day upon his place, and which in their character speak in a forcible manner of his industry and perservance. Mr. Moor was born in Cedar county, Iowa, February 14, 1857, and is a son of J. W. Moor, who was born in Ohio, July 5, 1826, and was educated in that state. In early life the latter married Miss Mary Ann Humphrey, also a native of Ohio, born in Columbiana county, December 25, 1830. During pioneer days the}' removed to Cedar count}', Iowa, where at the outbreak of the Civil war the father enlisted in Company C, Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and after three years of arduous and faith- ful service on southern battle fields he was honorably discharged. He then returned to his family. He was called from this life June 13, 1886, at the age of sixty years, his remains being interred in the cemetery at Buckley, Iroquois county, Illinois. He was a true and earnest Christian, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. The wife and mother is also a devout and faithful member of that church. Her chil- dren-Francis L. died in infancy; William M. resides in Colorado, John H., Joseph P., Mary L. in Illinois; James W., Marion W., George W., Harry F. and America A., all of whom are now residents of Nebraska. Marion W. and George W. are soldiers in the volunteer service of the United States at Manila. — Marion W. in Company F, First Idaho Infantry, George W. in Company F, First Colorado Infantry. The early education of Joseph P. Moor was acquired in the common schools, but that was supplemented by seven months at Grand Prairie Seminary, and at the age of nineteen years commenced teaching school, a profession which he successfully followed COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY r45 for two years. He then went to Colorado and worked in the mining regions for about eight years. On the 1 2th of October, 1881, he was united in marriage with Miss Rachel W. Perry, a native of Logan county, Illi- nois, who died in Colorado, December 21, 1 88 1, after a brief married life of fourteen months, and her remains were taken, by our subject, back to Pike county, Illinois, and interred beside her mother. He re- turned to Colorado, and in 1886 was called to Illinois by the serious illness of his father, who died shortly after his arrival. In the spring of 1887, Mr. Moor came to Nebraska and rented a farm, which he operated for some time, his mother acting as his housekeeper. Subsequentl}" he again spent a short time in Colorado, but since then has made his home uninterruptedly in this state. On section 13, Belle Prairie township, Fillmore county, Nebraska, he purchased his present farm, consisting of one hundred and si.xty acres of fine prairie land, pleasantly located only a short distance from Ohiowa. He has placed the land under a high state of culti- vation and made many improvements there- on, so that it is now one of the best farms in the locality. Mr. Moor was again married, March 25, 1891, his second union being with Miss Pauline Grone, who was then living in Belle Prairie township, whither her parents had moved from Iowa. She was born in Wisconsin, November 10, 1859, and was educated in the common schools of that state and Iowa. She learned the trade of dressmaking and followed that occupation for several years. Her father, John F. Grone, was born in Bremen, Germany, Oc- tober 14, 1823. Mrs. Moor's father began his education in the schools of his native city, and after coming to the United States, in 1837, he attended the Duquesne street school, New York city, where he became familiar with the English language. After leaving school he learned the tailor's trade and followed that occupation while he re- mained in New York. From the east he removed to Wisconsin at an early day and there followed farming. He was a success- ful farmer and stock raiser and for twenty- five consecutive years held office in his township. On the 26th of December, 1849, he wedded Miss Wilhelmina Albertus, a daughter of Carl H. and Christina (Becker) Albertus, also natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Grone are now living retired in Bruning, Nebraska, and are highly esteemed by a large circle of friends and acquaint- ances, who appreciate their sterling worth and many excellencies of character. Re- ligiously they are members of the German Evangelical Association. Their children are Johanna Carolina, Christina Augustine, John F., Paulina A., wife of our subject; Mary M., Arthur U., Wilhelm H., George W. and Franz J. Mr. and Mrs. Moor have three very bright, loving children, namely: Wilson Frederick, Russell Albertus and Mary Hazel. The parents are both faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which they have been connected for several years. Socially, Mr. Moor is a member of the An- cient Order of United Workmen, and politi- cally is identified with the Republican party. He served as supervisor of Belle Prairie township in 1894 and 1895, and his duties, both public and private, have always been most faithfully and conscientiously per- formed. He and his wife are both widely and favorably known, and are very popular and influential in the circle in which they move. CHARLES P. STEPHENSON, a repre- sentative and prominent agriculturist of precinct F, Seward county, is a veteran of the Civil war and bears an honorable record for brave service in the cause of freedom 746 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. and union, and in the paths of peace he has also won an enviable reputation through the sterling qualities which go to the mak- ing of a good citizen. Mr. Stephenson is a native of Illinois, his birth occurring in Madison county, August 2, 1842. His parents, Preston B. and Nancy (Ready) Stephenson, were born in Kentucky and Virginia respectively. They removed to Illinois at an early day, and there spent the remaining years of their lives. They reared a family of six children, four sons and two daughters. The paternal grandfather, Robert Stephenson, was a native of Kentucky. The father died De- cember 24, 1 88 1, and the mother passed away July 2Sth, 1883. The subject of this sketch, who was the only one of the family to come to Nebraska, grew to manhood in Illinois, his education being obtained in a primitive log school- house. At an early age he began to assist in the labors of the home farm, and contin- ued to engage in agricultural pursuits until he attained the age of twenty years. In August, 1862, however, he donned the blue and offered his services to his country, be- coming a member of Company D, One Hundred and Seventeenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He took part in the battles of Queen's Hill, Fort Dursia, Pleasant Hill, Clouterville, Lousiana, Marksville Plains, Yellow Bayou, Lake Chicot, Arkansas, Tupelo, Mississippi, Old Town Creek and Hurricane Creek, Mississippi, Franklin, Mis- souri, Nashville, Tennessee, and the siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. Though in many hotly contested battles he was never wounded, and when hostilities ceased he was honorably discharged August 5, 1865, with the rank of sergeant, which he had won by meritorious conduct on field of battle. Returning to his Illinois home, Mr. Stephenson remained there until the fall of 1868, when he removed to Logan county, the same state. He lived there until 1883, which year witnessed his arrival in Seward county, Nebraska, where he bought the farm on which he has since resided. It now consists of four hundred acres under a high state of cultivation and improved with good buildings, which stand as monu- ments to his thrift and enterprise. He has never regretted his removal to this state and has an abiding faith in its future wel- fare. In his political affiliations he is a Re- publican, and fraternally he is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic. On the 24th of October, 1867, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Stephenson and Miss Susan S. Sisson, who was born in Illi- nois, and is a daughter of John W. and Martha J. (Eaton) Sisson, the former a na- tive of \'irginia, the latter of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson have become the parents of four sons, namely: Charles I., Oscar H., Thomas B. and Ralph W., all living. Mrs. Stephenson's great-grand- father, was Henry Eaton, a native of Wales, born in 1750; was a soldier in the Revo- lutionary war and settled in Philadelphia in 1773, and died in 1782. The grandfather of our subject was Robert Stephenson, a native of Kentucky, who removed to Waynesville, Illinois, and died at that place. He was a farmer and stock raiser. He married Miss Harrison, a cousin of Will- iam Henry Harrison. He raised thirteen children and gave the most of them a college education, and some of them entered the ministry and others practiced medicine and law. His maternal grandfather was Charles Ready, who was a son of Charles and Mary (Robinson) Ready. They were natives of Virginia. His wife was Sarah Mason and her parents were Gilbert and Sarah (Dale) Mason. Gilbert Mason died about 1776, aged fifty years. Mrs. Stephenson's paternal great-great- grandfather was Bryant Sisson, a native of England, and died in 1771. His son, Ca- leb Sisson, came to the United States and COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHK 747 settled in Botetourt county, Virginia. He in turn had five sons, thi'ee of whom were in the American Revolution. His son Abner was the grandfather of Mrs. Stephenson. He had two sons; one of these, John \\'., moved to Kentucky with his mother in about 1825, but died in Illinois, December 27, 18S6. Mrs. Stephenson's maternal grandfather was Thomas Eaton, a native of Pennsyl- vania; he was born in 1780, and died in Madison county, Illinois, in 1849. He married Sarah King. They had three sons and three daughter that grew to man and womanhood. ANDREW KING, one of the most pros- perous and wealthy citizens of Belle Prairie township, his home being on section 14, has through his own exertions attained an honorable position and marked prestige among the representative agriculturists of Fillmore county, and with signal consistency it may be said that he is the architect of his own fortunes and one whose success amply justifies the application of the somewhat hackneyed but most expressive title, ' 'a self-made man." Mr. King was born in Bloomfield, Picka- way county, Ohio, in 1838, and is a son of Andrew King, Sr. , a native of France, who when a young man emigrated to America and here married Miss Magdalena Hook. To them were born five children, but only three are now living: Elizabeth, Augustus and An- drew. Our subject received only a limited common-school education, as his father died when he was young and he was early thrown upon his own resources for a liveli- hood. He went to Illinois and there en- listed in the Union service for ninety days, subject to a three years' call, and when hostilities ceased he received an honorable discharge. At the close of the Civil war, Mr. King returned to Illinois, and there married Miss Amanda E. Gray, who died in the prime of life and was laid to rest in the Monticello cemetery, in that state. She was a devoted wife and affectionate mother, and left a fam- ily of five children, besides her husband, to mourn her loss. They are as follows: James E. married Louisa Davison and lives at Decatur, Illinois; Susan A. S. is the wife of William Coberlej', of Sturges, Missouri; William E. is a successful teacher; Richard I. also taught school for some time, but is now a skilled dentist and artist, residing in Chicago; he married Daisy Means; and Shel- don C. , a farmer. In Missouri, Mr. King was again mar- ried, March 21, 1887, his second union be- ing with Miss Mary Josephine Regnold, a teacher of instrumental music, who was born in New Jersey, October 27, 1850, and was educated in Illinois. Her parents, Am- brose and Rosina (Cook) Regnold, the for- mer a native of France and the latter a na- tive of Germany, came to the United States and were married in New Jersey, where they purchased a small farm. Of the ten children born to them eight are still living, namely: Charles A.; William H. ; Mary J., wife of our subject; Carolina; Mary Anna; Joseph A. ; John M. and Ella B. From the east the parents removed to Piatt county, Illinois, where the father purchased 160 acres of land and engaged in farming and working at the mason's trade. He died at at the age of fifty-eight years, but the mo- ther is still living on the old homestead in that county at the age of seventy-four. Both were devoted Christians and were highly respected by all who knew them. Immediately after his second marriage, Mr. King came to Fillmore county, Ne- braska, and on section 14, Belle Prairie township, he purchased a quarter section of land for $3,800. It was then only partially improved, but to its further development and cultivation he has since devoted his energies with most gratifying results. As 748 COMPENDIUM OF BJOGRAPHl' his financial resources have increased, he has extended the boundaries of his farm, until now he has 400 acres of the finest land in Belle Prairie township, ail acquired through his own labor, economy and good management. He has made many excel- lent improvements upon his home farm — the first quarter-section purchased — so that it is now valued at $8,000. Although am- ply able to lay aside all business cares and live retired, he is too energetic for so idle an existence and still continues to success- fully manage his magnificent farm. Politi- cally he is a stanch Democrat. He has won the admiration and esteem of all who know him by the success that he has achieved and by his upright, honorable life. FLETCHER DEAL, manager of the Fillmore County Poor Farm, was born December 7, 1855, in Jackson county, Ohio. He was reared in that county, and received his education in the common schools, and acquired such an education as the meager advantages of the schools af- forded, but as he was of a practical turn, he managed to fit himself in a fair way for the struggle with the world. He remained in Ohio until 1876, when he went to Peoria, Illinois, and after a two-years' stay in that place came to Fillmore county, in Novem- ber, 1878. On his arrival here he at first started working by the month on a farm, but later rented a farm and started farming on his own account. He remained here for some time, but finally removed to Illinois, but on December 7, 1882, he again returned to Fillmore county, and after a stay of a few years, in 1885 moved, with his family, to Sheridan county, Kansas, and there pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land, paying $1,000 for it. He soon became dis- satisfied with life in Kansas, and came back to Fillmore county and was elected as over- seer of the poor farm in 1889 and also in 1890. He held this position until 1892, when he was retired. He removed to Gos- per county, Nebraska, and there bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of raw land and paid $1,600 for it. After living on this farm for three years, by request of the board of supervisors of Fillmore county, he again came back and took charge of the institution, and since that time has had the same position. Under his successful management, the county farm, which consists of one hundred and sixty acres of land, has been well stocked and placed in a high state of cultivation. This institution, while under the supervision of Mr. Deal, is under direct control of the county board of supervisors. The home was started in 1878, and at different times has been under the management of the fol- lowing people: Cyrus Macey, two years; A. D. Stephens, six years; J. C. Coburn, eighteen months; Elmer Vincent, eighteen months; O. D. Southerland, three years, and Fletcher Deal has held the office for eight years at different periods. On December 9, 1890, the main house was entirely de- stroyed by fire, but soon after was replaced by a more modern building. Our subject was the son of James and Nellie Ann (Wat- son) Deal, who were married in Ohio. To their union were born eight children, of which number Fletcher was the third. James Deal is still living, and is now resid- ing in Peoria, now seventy years old, but the mother is dead, having lived to be forty-five years of age. On December 12, 1882., Mr. Deal was united in marriage to Miss Liddie L. Shreffler, who was a daugh- ter of Edmund J. and Mary E. (Saylor) Shreffler, who were native of Pennsylvania, but who removed to Illinois, and later in 1870, removed to Fillmore county, and took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, three miles west of Geneva, and upon which they have continued to live since that time. To them were born twelve COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 749 children, of whom Liddie L. was the sixth, and was born October ii, 1864. To the marriage of our subject there have been born five children: James, who is now fifteen years of age; William Anson, thirteen years of age; Aaron W. , eight years of age; Mary Luella. who died at the age of three years; and Minnie Manilla Fayetta, six months of age. By his strict adherence to duty, by the careful management of the office entrusted to his care, Mr. Deal has won the respect of all who know him. WILLIAM PRICE.— It is quite interest- ing to observe, in noting the various members of a community, how they are gathered together from different countries, states and localities, and how well usually they combine to form an intelligent and prosperous community. The subject of this sketch is a native of Wales, born June 9, 1 86 1, aud is to-day one of the leading and prosperous agriculturists of New York township, York county. A sketch of his father, Benjamin Price, appears elsewhere in this volume. At the age of seven years William Price was brought by his parents to the United States, and for three years they made their home in Green county, Wisconsin, where he pursued his studies in the public schools. In the spring of 1872 the family came to York county, Nebraska, and the father took up a homestead in New York township, where our subject was reared to manhood amid pioneer scenes. When quite young he began herding cattle for his father, which occupation he continued to follow for four years, and then worked on the home farm until he attained the age of twenty-three years. The following four years he rented the place and continued to operate rented land for about ten years. In 1S92 he pur- chased an eighty-acre farm in New York township, which he sold in the fall of 1897. He now lives on section 33, and is success- fully engaged in general farming and stock raising. In York county, in 1885, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Price and Miss Sarah J. George, a daughter of Edward and Jane George, both natives of Wales, who, on coming to America, settled in Wisconsin, and in 1881 came to Nebraska. The chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Price are as fol- lows: Annie O. ; Minnie O., deceased; Charles William; Ray B. ; Harold M., and Bessie J. The parents and children are all consistent members of the Church of God, and in his social relations Mr. Price is a member of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. His political support is always given the men and measures of the Republican party, but he has never cared for the hon- ors or emoluments of public office, prefer- ring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. He has prospered in his business ventures and has also gained the good will and friendship of all with whom he has had business relations by his honor- able dealing and courteous manner. WILLIAM WALLACE COX.— The subject of this sketch was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, November 12, 1832, and was named for the great Scot- tish chief. In 1835 his father and mother, Mordeci and Catherine Cox, removed to what was then the wilderness of Sangamon county, Illinois, and after a couple of months the father died, and the widowed mother soon moved with her children to Green county, Wisconsin, near Monroe, where she died in 1838 On her dying bed gave young William to the care of James Hawthorn, a wealthy and respected neighbor, with whom he lived until he was eleven years of age, when he went to live with some relatives. Mr. Cox is a well educated man, having attended Monroe seminary of r50 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. Wisconsin, and from there became a student in Oberlin College of Ohio, and later at Knox college of Galesburg, Illinois. From 1850 to 1855 he was prominently connected with the public school system of Illinois, occupying a high rank as an educator. He came west in 1858, and, after several moves, finally settled in Seward county, where he took up a homestead. For many years he was engaged in business in Seward, and al- ways occupied a high position in the minds of the people of his city and county. Po- litically he has always been an ardent Re- publican, but has never aspired to any office, but has always taken an active part in any matters pertaining to the welfare of his county and state. RICHARD B. PRICE is associated with the early history of Thayer township, and has a wide acquaintance throughout York county, where he sustains the charac- ter of a hard working and upright man. He came to this country in 1871 with twenty- five cents in his pockets, which represented his entire cash capital, and by industry, thrift and business sagacity, has gained his present enviable standing. Mr. Price was born in Radnorshire, Wales, February 21, 1842, and was a son of Benjamin and Ann Price, mention of whom appears in this volume in connection with the name of Thomas Price. He re- ceived his education in his native land, and at an early age undertook his own support. He was bred to farming, and in 1866 cross- ed the ocean to continue that industrj- in this country. He found employment in Green county, Wisconsin. After a stay of four years in that state, he located on the York county farm which he now owns and occupies. It is on section 26, and it was a homestead entry of eighty acres. His first home was a dug-out overlooking the creek. This gave way to a log house, and he now dwells in an elegant frame mansion. His original modest holding of real estate has been increased to five hundred and si.xty acres of good land, the greater part of which is under cultivation. He gives his personal attention to all the details of farm- ing and stock raising. He yearly markets from three to five cars of stock and at least one car of hogs. Mr. Price was married in Wisconsin to Miss Susan Edmunds. She is a daughter of John and Ellen Edmunds, who were Welsh compatriots with her husband. They em- igrated to the United States in 1855, and make their home in the state in which their daughter was married. The mother died there, but the father came to Nebraska, and died in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Price are the parents of seven children, John R., Abraham A., Benjamin T., Elner N., David William, Susan M., and Elfie B. They are all living, and, with their parents, are closely identified with the York' Baptist church. He is a stanch Republican, and has served as justice of the peace for many years. For twenty-five years he was a member of the school board, and chairman of the town. He is a Mason and Modern Woodman, and holds the esteem of his neighbors much beyond the common aver- age. FREDERICK C. JOHNSON and his wife, Sarah Johnson, are justly entitled to prominent mention in the history of this section of the state, for no couple have taken a more active part in its development and prosperity. It has been said that only those lives are worthy of record that have been potential factors in the public progress in promoting the general welfare, or ad- vancing the educational or moral interests of the community. During the thirty-six years that Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been residents of Butler county they have ac- CGMPESDILM OF BIOGRA/'J/ 1: Fol ■complishecl much a?ons these Jines, and have made an honorable record, which is well worthy of perpetuation. Their home is now on section 29, Platte township. Mr. Johnson was born March 21, 1833, in Hartford, Coisnecticut, a son of Cariiii and Urana Johnson, and in that state re- mained until he attained his majority, when he removed to Winnebago county, Illinois. There he was married, in 1856, to Miss Sarah Hobart, a native of \'erniont, born in Essex, Chittenden county. May 30, 1S36, and a daughter of Jehiel and Mandana Ho- bart, and a granddaughter of David Ho- bart. Her father was a native of Canada. In 1847 Mrs. Johnson removed with her parents to Winnebago county, Illinois, and there she made her home until coming to Nebraska. In the spring of 1859, Mr. Johnson started on a trip to Pike's Peak, but on reach- ing a point on the old military road opposite Linwood, on the Platte river, he decided to abandon the journey, for so many people were returning with unfavorable reports of the milling operation at that place. Being favorably impressed with the Platte Valley, he remained here and sent for his family, who arrived in the fall of i860. They lived on the north side of the river until Xovem- ber, 1862, when they located in what is now Butler county, but before it was organized. Thus it will be seen that Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were among the \ery first white settlers of this region. In 1868 the first post-office in the county was established at Linwood and he was appointed postmaster and his wife deputy. It was she who named the post-office Linwood, and it was through her efforts that a mail route was established between Ashland and this point, the service thus rendered being of inestima- ble benefit to the early settlers. In 1865 she taught the first school in Butler county, in her own home near the present village of Linwood. and in the fall of 18G7, when 43 the school districts Nos. i and 3 were organ- i.zed, she became the iirst teacher in dis- trict No. I, and Tabitha \'anderkolk, after- ward Mrs. James \'. Wood, was given charge of the other. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have no children of their own, but have an adopted son, — Charles H. Johnson, now twenty-one years of age, who recently enlisted in Company C, Second Nebraska V'olunteer Infantr\', for service in the war with Spain. He was taken to their home during infancy and 1 knows no other parents. The first church [ in Butler county was a Congregational «church organized in Savannah precinct in j 1869, with thirteen members, among whom were Mr. and Mrs. lohnson, who have always taken an active and prominent part in all church work. They also give their ] support to every worthy enterprise calculat- ed to prove of public benefit, or that will in any way advance the general welfare. They are widely and favorably known, and it is safe to say that no couple in Butler county have more friends or are more deserving of the high regard in which they are held. In politics Mr. Johnson is a Republican, and was present at the first election held in the county. FRANCIS M. DENMAN, a well-known citizen of Belle Prairie township. Eill- more county, Nebraska, residing on section 32, eminently deserves classification among those purely self-made men who have dis- tinguished themselves for their abilitv to master the opposing forces of life and to wrest from fate a large measure of success and an honorable name. He had his na- tivity encompassed by those environments which have ever fostered the spirit of per- sonal independence and self-reliance which have furnished the bulwarks of our national prosperity. Mr. Denman was born on a farm in 752 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. Miami county, Ohio, February 12, 1839, and is a son of Abraham and Margaret (Stickels) Denman, who were born, reared and married in Hamihon county, Ohio. They died at the ages of eighty and fifty years, respectively, and were laid to rest in the cemetery at Fletcher, Miami county, Ohio. They were devoted Christians, highly esteemed by all who knew them, and had many friends. To them were born eight children, but only two are now living, namely: Hiram, who is living retired in Miami county, Ohio; and Francis M., our subject. During his boyhood, Francis M. Den- man received only a limited common-school education, and to agricultural pursuits he devoted his attention uninterruptedly until twenty-two years of age. At Camp Doug- las, Chicago, on the fifth of October, 1861, he enrolled his name among the boys in blue of Company I, of the Fifty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Jnfantry, under Captian J. C. Crooker and Colonel David Stewart. With the army of the Tennessee he took an active part in the following engagements: Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Chickasaw Bayou, Russell House. Arkansas Post, Haines Bluffs, Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg, the re- lief of Knoxville, siege of Jackson, the bat- tle of Kenesaw Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Fort McAllister, Savannah and Clin- ton. He participated in the siege of Atlanta, where he was wounded in the left leg on July 22, 1864, the battles of Jonesboro, Colum- bia and Bentonville, and was with Sherman on his march through Georgia and the Caro- linas. On the first of November, 1864, he was made fourth sergeant of Company I, Fifty-fifth Illinois regiment, and served in that capacity until mustered out at Little Rock, Arkansas, August 14, 1S65. He was present at the grand review in Washing- ton, D. C, and while there visited the tombs of George and Martha Washington at Mount Vernon, Virginia. After his discharge from the service, Mr. Denman returned to his home in Miami county, Ohio, where he resumed farming. On the 2d of September, 1867, at Havana, Illinois, he led to the marriage altar Miss Julia A. McKnight, who was born November 2, 1846, and was educated in the common schools. Her parents, John and Martha (Giffin) McKnight, were natives of Ohio, where their marriage was celebrated. To them were born nine children, of whom Sarah and an infant son died in Illinois. Those still living are Nancy M., Mary E., Julia, Martha, Eliza, Harriet and Josiah. The father died in Mason county, Illinois, at the age of sixty-five years, but the mother is still living on the home farm there at the ripe old age of eighty-five. The four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Den- man are as follows: Albert J., a young man of rare ability and sterling qualities, graduated from the Fremont Business Col- lege at the time T. R. Hamlin was presi- dent of that institution, and is now success- fully managing the home farm for his par- ents. Ella is the wife of Erwin Cook and they now reside in Lincoln, Nebraska. Mattie is the wife of Samuel Wells, a farmer of Thayer county, this state. John F. , the youngest of the family, received his education at the Bruning high-school, and the Lincoln Business College, and is now successfully engaged in teaching school in Thayer county. On the 15th of February, 1866, Mr. Denman removed from Ohio to Mason coun- ty, Illinois, where he engaged in farming for fourteen years. He came to Fillmore county, Nebraska, February 20, 18S0, and in Belle Prairie precinct has since improved a homestead which stands as a monument to his thrift and industry. Although on his arrival here he was in rather limited circum- stances, he is now the owner of two hun- dred and forty acres of the finest farming land in the township. As to improvements, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. r53 it is also equal to any, and is stocked with the finest and best breeds of horses, cattle and hogs. Besides this property, Mr. Den- man owns some valuable town lots in Gene- va, the county seat of Fillmore county. He is now practically retired, surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxu- ries of life, all of which have been acquired through his own good management and ex- cellent business ability. Politically he is independent, voting for the men and meas- ures that he believes will best advance the interests of the public. He cast his first presidential ballot for Stephen A. Douglas in i860. In manner he is pleasant and genial, and all who know him esteem him highly for his genuine worth. Mr. Denman has preserved as a war relic, a genuine hardtack of i860 fame, and this he now has nicely framed. JAMES D. THOMPSON.— In the great and fertile west are some prosperous farmers who bring to their calling rare busi- ness skill and excellent judgment, and some of the most enterprising of these may be found in York county, Nebraska. Among them is Mr. Thompson, who to-day is one of the leading agriculturists of Stewart township, his home being on section 23. He was born in Huron county, Ohio, March 25, 1852, a son of John W. and Rosanna (Davis) Thompson, the former a native of Stark county, Ohio, the latter of Pennsyl- vania. They were married in the Buckeye state, and in Huron county the father cleared and improved a farm. He died in 1 86 1, but his wife is still a resident of that county. To them were born eleven chil- dren, namely: Frederick; Elizabeth; Sarah, deceased; David, a resident of Antelope county, Nebraska; Aaron, of Chicago Junc- tion, Ohio; John, of Michigan, Jane, of Wisconsin; Hannah, of Clearwater, Ne- braska; Martha and Eliza, both deceased; and James D. The parents were both earnest members of the Church of God. Reared on a farm in his native county, James D. Thompson obtained his education in the district schools of the neigh- borhood. After the death of his father, he staid largely with his brothers and sisters, and in order to earn a livelihood worked as a farm hand. In 1872 he was united in marriage with Miss Ida Estella Decker, of Huron county. Her parents, Simeon and Jane (Devinney) Decker, were early settlers of that county, where the father cleared and developed a farm. He now makes his home in Seneca county, Ohio, but his wife is de- ceased. Their children were George, Ida Estella, Peter, and Melvin, deceased. Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, five are still living: Nettie R. , now the wife of George Lanphere, by whom he has one child, Leonard; Simeon J.; Floyd J.; Clarence; Tillie, and Owen J., dead. After his marriage Mr. Thompson lived in Henry county, Ohio, for six years, and then emigrated to Nebraska, taking up his residence November 19, 1877, on section 26, Stewart township, York county, on Lin- coln creek. The farm was nearly all wild land, on which a sod house, 14JX16, feet had been erected, but in the spring of 1878 a frame house, 9x 16 feet and six feet high, was built, and in the fall another sod house was constructed on eighty acres of railroad land in Seward county, where the family lived for a year and a half. In 1880, Mr. Thompson purchased^ his present farm, of which thirty acres had been broken, and a rough frame house erected thereon. He now has two hundred and eighty acres, of which two hundred and fifty are under cul- tivation and improved, with an excellent set of farm buildings, good fences, trees, etc., which stand as monuments to his thrift and industry. The first winter spent in York county he had-but five dollars with 754 COMPEXDIC.U OF BlOGRArilV which to pay all expenses, but by industr\', perseverance and a determination to suc- ceed, he has steadily prospered, until to-day he is one of the well-to-do and substantial citizens of his community. Socially he is a member of the A. O. U. W. , Xo. 152, of Greshani, and both he and his wife are members of the Degree of Honor, while po- litically he is identified with the Republican party, and has most capably filled the offices of treasurer of the school district for three years, and has been a member of the school board for eighteen years. TE. DOAN, whose home is on section 22, Stewart township York county, is a worthy representative of one of the promi- nent and highly respected pioneer families of the county. They were among the first to locate, here and in the development and prosperity of this region they have been im- portant factors. Our subject's father, David Doan, was born in Indiana, Novem- 24, 1832, and when a young man removed to Lee county, Iowa. In that state he mar- ried Nancy Hiatt, who was born in Ohio, in 183 1, and on coming west located in Henry county, Iowa, .\fter their marriage they resided in Henry and Lee counties, Iowa, until 1858, when they removed to Linn county, Kansas, where the father broke and improved about si.xty acres of wild land. Upon his farm was also some timber. After the Civil war broke out he was obliged to leave Kansas, and after spending some time in Iowa, he came to York county, Nebraska, in 1868, locating on the east half of the southeast quarter of section 26, Stewart township. On coming to the county he was accompanied by James Stewart, who settled on the west half of the southeast quarter of section 22 — the farm on which our subject now resides. They were the only white settlers in the township at that time, but Indians were still (juite numerous, and wild animals, such as elk, antelope, deer and buffalo, were plentiful. After building a log house upon his place, Mr. Doan broke twelve acres of land and raised some sod corn; in iSGghe raised a small crop of wheat, and broke more land for sod corn. His nearest neigh- bor at that time was two miles and a half distant in Seward county; his market was Nebraska City, ninety miles away; no rail- roads had been constructed, and the base- ment of the capitol at Lincoln had just been commenced. He continued the improve- ment and cultivation of his homestead until 1893, when he sold the place and removed to Nuckolls county, Nebraska, where he purchased an improved farm, and still con- tinues to make his home. He was a mem- ber of the Home Guards in Kansas, and by birthright both he and his wife are members of the Society of Friends. Their children are T. E., Mrs. Margaret J. Moore; Edgar; Mrs. Ollie Donovan, and Francis. Mr. Doan, whose name introduces this review, was born in Henry county, Iowa, June 19, 1853, and was fifteen years old when brought by his parents to York coun- ty. He attended the first district school conducted in Stewart township, and was early inured to the arduous labors of trans- forming wild land into productive and well cultivated fields. On attaining his major- ity he started out to fight life's battles for himself, and after one year spent in Iowa, located permanently in York county, .\fter his marriage he rented land on section 26, Stewart township, and later moved to the east half of the northeast quarter of the same section, where he made his home until 1887. He then purchased his present farm, and now has one hundred and si.xty acres under a high slate of cultivation, with the exception of eighteen acres, and is suc- cessfully engaged in general farniing and stock raising. In April, 1879, was celebrated the mar- COMPEiVD/rM OF BIOGRArin: r55 riage of Mr. Doan and Miss Ella May Hen- drickson, who was born in Illinois, in 1862. Her parents, Henry and Margaret Hen- drickson, came to York county, Nebraska, about 1871 or 1872, and settled near Waco, but later removed to Custer county, Ne- braska, where their deaths occurred. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Doan, but the eldest, Arthur, died at the age of twelve years. Those living are Nancy Alice, Mabel, Ellen, Elmer, Maude, Clarkson and Rhuie. Socially, Mr. Doan affiliates with the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Gresham, and the Masonic order at York; politically, he is independent, preferring not to be bound by party ties. He is now efSciently serving as treasurer of school district No. 35, and his duties of citizen- ship are always most faithfully and con- scientiously discharged. WILLIAM ARMSTRONG COLLIER, one of Nebraska's old settlers, and the owner of one of the finest farms in N township, Seward county, was born Sep- tember 1 6, 1836, in Licking county, Ohio, a son of Josephus and Nancy (Sells) Col- lier. His maternal grandparents were Samuel and Helen Sells. The Colliers are of Scotch-Irish descent and the Sells are German. Our subject lived with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age and then began the battle of life on his own respon- sibilit}'. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Thirtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for a term of three years. The captain of this company was Elijah War- ner, and Colonel Hugh Ewing commanded the regiment. For eighteen months his regiment guarded the Kanawha Valley, which contained the great salt works of the state and were of great value to the Union armies. He then joined the army of the Potomac, which was under the command of General Pope, and took part in the second battle of Bull Run. From there he went with the command to Washington and was stationed at Upton Hill for the purpose of defending the capital. Here the army was reorgan- ized and General McClellan was again placed at the head, and soon after the reg- iment to which our subject belonged and several others were ordered to Frederick City, Maryland, which up to this time was in the possession of the enemy. From there the}' were ordered to South Mountain, and after this place was taken, they were sent in pursuit of General Lee and encoun- tered and defeated his army at Antietam. From this point they were sent to guard the Baltimore and Ohio railroad for a time, and from there they returned to Kanawha Valley. The command ne.xt went to Vicks- burg, and there our subject was engaged in the construction of the cut-off canal that was dug with a view to making Vicksburg an inland town. After the surrender of this city, Sherman was ordered by Grant to pursue Johnston's army, and at camp at Black River Bridge, during this pursuit, our subject was taken with the measles and was sent to Young's Point hospital. As this dis- ease proved to be of long standing, he was sent home on a furlough and did not return for sixty days. At the end of his furlough he was about to re-enter the ranks, but as he had not yet fully recovered, he was de- tailed by order of General Grant to assist in the camp known as the Soldiers' Home, at Cairo, Illinois, and at this place he served the remainder of his term of enlist- ment. Upon recei\lng his discharge he im- mediately returned to his home in Ohio and found his wife engaged in teaching school. They were married May 15, 1864. March 22, 1865, Mr. and Mrs. Collier left Columbus, Ohio, for what was then known as the "Wild and wool}' West", and reached Nebraska City March 28. They 756 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHl". located on a ranch about sixteen miles west of that cit}', which was then a small village, remained there until September of the same year and then moved to a farm that was located where Milford now stands. While there he selected his homestead, dug a house in the side of the ravine, and in that he sheltered his family until he could cut and haul logs to build a log cabin. About four years later he traded this land for one hundred and sixty acres in sections 7 and 18, in N township, which is still his home and to which he later added by purchase twenty- five acres. When they first located in Ne- braska, they had plenty of everything ex- cept money, for they had brought with them a supply of provisions and clothing, but it was not long until this supply was exhaust- ed and cold and hunger were added to hard- ships to which settlers in a new country are subject. Mrs. Collier finally cut up the fine cloak which she brought from Ohio to make her husband a pair of pants. Their sur- roundings now are very different. Their farm is one of the best and the improve- ments upon it are quite extensive and are comfortable and convenient in their arrange- ment. It is supplied with a large orchard, and an artesian well from which water can be conveyed to all parts of the farm, and they are surrounded with such home com- forts as make life enjoyable. To Mr. and Mrs. Collier have been born six children, five of whom are now living, and their names in the order of their birth are as follows: Lilly M., the first girl baby born in the town of Milford; Harry W., Charles P., Charlotte A. and Myrtle W. The oldest two are married and are living near the old homestead, and the rest are still living with their parents. None of the family are mem- bers of any religious denomination but are firm supporters of the Christian religion and usually attend the Methodist church. Mr. Collier has always used his elective fran- chises in the support of the candidates of the Democratic party until the last election, in which he supported the candidate of the Republican party. Mrs. Collier's maiden name was Char- lotte Laune, a native of Ohio. Her parents, Rufus and Sarah Laune, came from Long Island and Connecticut. LOUIS KOSCH.— This gentleman is the fortunate owner of one of the fine es- tates of Savannah township, Butler county, and is well known as an agriculturist who is doing an extensive business. His farm consists of four hundred and twenty acres of choice land, and the buildings upon it are above the average in their substantial construction and the convenience of their arrangements. Mr. Kosch was born in Austria, June 24, 1849, the oldest son of John Kosch. Our subject was the first of the family to migrate to America. His brother, John, followed him the same year, and the next year the rest of the family decided to try their for- tunes in the New World. Our subject first came from Hamburg to the United States and stopped in Philadelphia in 1876. In the same year he moved to Saint Paul, thence to Columbus, Nebraska, where he first worked on a farm by the month, and before the close of the year 1876, he located in Butler county. He first bought a farm of eighty acres in section 32, but has added to it from time to time as he became able until he now has a fine farm of four hundred and twenty acres, and the improvements upon it compare favorably with the best farm buildings in this section. The resi- dence was built in 1893 at a cost of two thousand dollars. Mr. Kosch was married in February, 1880, to Miss Eloise Janieck, daughter of Frank Janieck, of Columbus, Nebraska, and their wedded life has been blessed by the advent of a family of eight children, upon COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. Ihl whom they have bestowed the following names: Hermann, Anna, William, Louis, Rudolph, Henry, Eloise and Lottie. Mr. Kosch is a very pleasant neighbor, genial, warm-hearted, and has an agreeble family, and resides in one of the most hospitable homes of the township. He has labored hard on his farm to make it one of the best stock and grain farms in his part of the county, and has provided it with all modern equipments and conveniences, and his home is a place of social and mental refreshment. He and family are members of the Catholic church. WILLL\M M. PREUIT, whose well appointed farm on section 8, Waco township, York county, pleases the critical eye, belongs to the younger generation of Nebraska's capable and energetic farmers. He has been a resident of the state for nearly thirty years, and knows its history almost from the beginning. He has a quar- ter section of good land, and upon it he has erected a commodious and substantial dwell- ing, barn and outhouses, together with such other surroundings as make it a fit habita- tion. He is up to date in all his methods, and farms for profit. Mr. Preuit first saw the light in Wash- ington county, Indiana, August 8, 1851, and is a son of Warren and Mildred A. (Hogg) Preuit. His father was a native of Indiana, and there died while still a young man. His mother was from Virginia, and after the death of her first husband married Joseph Brinson, by whom she had one child, Joseph. The subject of this sketch is the only surviving child of his father, who died in his infancy, and he was brought up under the tender care of his grandfather, and at his home in Madison count}', Iowa. He had but little opportunity for schooling, and from the age of nineteen has entirely supported himself. He has a wide range of in- formation, but his knowledge has been mostly self-acquired. In 1868 he began to shift for himself, and the next year he came into Ne- braska in company with his stepfather, and spent some months in Nuckolls county. He was also in Kansas about this time, and was in that state some two years. He worked part of the time for a farmer and part of the time was in the employment of a trans- fer company in Kansas City. In 1871 he returned to this state and worked in several counties, came into York as a tracklayer for the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad. In November, 1878, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary L. Carpenter. She was a daughter of George W. and Martha E. (Middleton) Carpenter. She was born in Michigan, March 17, i860, and came into York county in 1S74. After their marriage they went on a rented farm, which they finally bought, and which constitutes their home at the present time. It is the north half of the southeast quarter of section 8. He has, at the present moment, a quarter section under cultivation, and has greatly improved his holding in recent years. He built the residence in which he lives, the farm barn and all other out-buildings. Years ago he suffered the destruction of almost all improvements by a severe fire. But he did not lose heart, and is farther along to- day, perhaps, than he would have been had not the fire cleared the way for reconstruc- tion. He has extensive orchards and fine young trees on the place. He follows mixed farming, and for the last twenty-one years has run a threshing machine in the fall of the year, and in that time has owned three different machines. Mr. and Mrs. Preuit are the parents of seven living children, whose names are Will- iam H., Amos A., Oral S., Grover C, Flor- ence May, Lola Ellen, and Elmer L. They ha\e buried one child. They are as- sociated with the Christian church, of which he is a member. He also belongs to the Waco Modern Woodmen and the 758 COMPEXDIUM OF BIOGRAPIIT. Thayer Home Forum. He is a Populist, and is a worker for his part\-. He has been township committeeman for five years and cherishes the utmost confidence in the future of the free silver cause. He has been clerk and assessor of his own township, and takes a deep interest in school matters. FRED SCHNERINGER is known far and wide as one of the leading farmers and business men of York county, Nebraska, and is easily peer of the most enterprising characters of that enlightened and progress- ive region. His home is in Bradshaw, and he has a large and productive farm near that pleasant little railroad village, on which he had his home until a recent date. He knows both the theory and practice of farm- ing, and it will broaden the average view of a man to spend a half hour with him in social conversation. Mr. Schneringer was born on a farm near Lockridge, Jefferson county, Iowa, and is a son of Frederick and Rachel Schnerin- ger. The father came into Iowa in 1835, and spent the remainder of his life there, dying in 1S73 at the advanced age of eighty- two. He was a native of Strasburg, and in early life served in the armies of Napoleon. Falling into the hands of the English as a prisoner of war, he was offered release from confinement if he would join an English expedition just setting out for the invasion of America. He accepted the proposition, and came to this country in the English army, and valiantly played the part of a soldier. But on the establishment of peace in 181 5 he refused to accompany the Eng- lish forces back across the ocean, and, es- caping to the American lines, was warmly received, and devoted his remaining years to the arts of peace. He lived a long and useful life, and died at last at a venerable age, bearing the esteem and respect of his neighbors to the last. Fred Schneringer was the second child of his father by his second wife, and upon the death of his father began farming for himself. He was only nineteen years of age at that time, but he had a prompt and resolute character, and the following year he removed to Nebraska, where he pur- chased land ill York county, and began a systematic and successful farming. He se- cured also an old homestead right, and under it secured the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 30, town- ship II, range 3 west. He is the propri- etor at the present writing of a half section of as good land as York county can show. With the enthusiasm of youth he applied himself to the arduous labor of making a home out of the i^ower-loaded prairies. He put up a house, broke the sod, planted trees, and in 1876, feeling it was not good for man to live alone, he went back to Iowa, and was married to a Miss \^eburg, who at one time had been a pupil in his school. Thej'came back to Nebraska and applied themselves to the work of life with a resistless deter- mination that was sure to command success. In these years he was recognized as the most successful wheat grower in the countr_v. He commanded the respect of his commu- nity at once, and though very young was chosen as a justice of peace in 1878, and has since been re-elected several times to that important office. In 18S3 the county adopted by a vote of the people what was known as the township organization, Mr. Schneringer was elected supervisor of his district, a tract of land eight miles square. He was made chairman of the board, though the youngest man upon it. He proved him- self an active and efficient official, and his name is associated with some of the most important events of York county. He secured its redistricting, and the adoption of a uniform area for all townships, making them six miles square. He named his home township Lockridge, after his birthplace in FRED SCHNERINGER. CARL B. SCHNERINGER Member Co. A, 1st Nebraska Yolunteer Infantry. (Bradshaw's first soldier.) C0MPEXDlu^^ of biographt. 7G3 Iowa. The business interests of the county had been poorly managed, and it was pay- ing ten per cent, interest on its obHgations. This rate was lowered to six per cent, through the interposition of Mr. Schner- inger. He also proposed the sale of the lots in the town of York which belonged to the county, and which would prove the be- ginning of a fund for the erection of a court house. This proposition was adopted, and returned such satisfactory results, that only a small tax was necessary to secure the erection of a building, which was greatly needed. In many other ways our subject has left the stamp of his personality on the history of the county, and has proved him- self a public-spirited and helpful citizen of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Schneringer are the par- ents of eight children, of whom six are now living: Carl Blaine, Emma Alice, Fred N., Blanch M., Claude and Clyde W. Carl Blaine, the oldest son, is now in the United States army, and is in service at the present time in the Philipine Islands. He is only eighteen years old, and was the first to en- list from the township of Bradshaw. He belongs to Company A, First Regiment, Ne- braska Volunteer Infantry, and, as might be expected, his parents are very proud of their "soldier laddie." Portraits of father and son are presented in connection with this sketch. Mr. Schneringer votes and acts with the People's Independent party, and. is a strong supporter of its principles. He believes, as he puts it, in a free country, freedom in voting, honesty in politics and in the free and unlimited coinage of silver. He is a member af the Masonic order, and belongs to the York Lodge. He is also a member of the Royal Highlanders. His wife does not belong to any secret order, but was an active and devoted member of the Congre- gational church in Bradshaw. When that church was destroyed by the cyclone of 1890 the congregation scattered, and the old organization was lost. Many of the members united with other organiza- tions, but Mrs. Schneringer kept her name there, and preferred to be known as a Con- gregationalist still. With their children, both husband and wife are attendants upon religious services and contribute both time and money to the support of the gospel. In 1892 Mr. Schneringer removed to Brad- shaw, and has made his home in that place for the past six years. OLIVER C. WELLS, one of the vali- ant defenders of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war, and a representa- tive farmer of Fillmore county, residing on section 31, Belle Prairie precinct, was born in Jefferson county, Indiana, July 22, 1839, a son of John B. and Jane (Winchester) Wells, who were natives of Maryland, and soon after their marriage located in Indiana. The father, who was born in 181 3, is now living retired in Rock Island, Illinois, but the mother, who was born in 18 17, died about thirty-five years ago and was laid to rest in the Rock Island cemetery. The children born to them were Frank S., the present postmaster of Bruning, Nebraska. ; Calvin R., who was killed by a horse at the age of nine years; and Oliver C. Our sub- ject had a half brother, Howard Wells, who was at the time of his death serving as post- master of Rock Island, Illinois, under President Harrison's administration. Our subject was reared on a farm and received a fair country school education. Prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he en- listed in 1 86 1, at the age of twenty-two years, in Company H, Forty-tifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served for three years and nine months with the army of the Tennessee under Generals Grant and Sher- man. In the fall of 1861, the regiment went 764 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. into camp at Milan, Illinois, and from there went to Camp Douglas. Later they spent two weeks at Cairo and then embarked on the City of Memphis, going up the Tennes- see river to Fort Henry and Fort Donel- son. They participated in the three days' siege at the latter place, meeting with heavy losses, and then embarked on a steamboat at Metal Landing and went to Savannah, Tennessee. Later they took a boat for Shiloh, and during the battle at that place, April 6, 1862, our subject served as color guard. Here both sides suffered a heavy loss, but the Union army was finally rein- forced and the Confederates fell back. After a few days' rest the regiment was ordered to Corinth, where the rebels were finally over- powered after their water supply had be- come very low, and later evacuated. Our subject's company was then ordered to Jackson, Tennessee, and were engaged in guarding the railroad there, and in that vicinity through the summer of 1862; took part in Grant's raid down the Mobile and Ohio Railroad to and beyond Holly Springs, during the latter part of 1862. After that place was destroyed they fell back to Memphis by way of LaGrange. After a few weeks' rest in Memphis they embarked on a steamer, February 22, 1863, for Vista Planta, on the Mississippi river, and, after spending two weeks at that place, proceeded to Lake Providence, where they assisted Grant in cutting the levee. They next went by boat to Milligan, where a two months' furlough was granted to secure volunteers to run the blockade at 'Vicksburg. They then marched down the Louisiana side of the river to Hard Times' Landing, crossed the river on transports which ran the blockade in the night of April 30, and then went into camp on the east side. Soon afterward they began their march toward Vicksburg, and at 10 o'clock. May i, over- took the rebels, and a bloody battle was fought, resulting in severe losses to both sides. The rebels, however, were repulsed, and on the 12th of the same month were again overtaken at Raymond and at Jack- son on the 14th of May. Battles were fought on the i6th and 17th of that month, and from Black river to Vicksburg, a dis- tance of twelve miles, there was continuous fighting It was General Grant's intention to take the fort by assault, but his first at- tempt was a failure, though the second was a success. Mr. Wells was in this siege for forty-seven days, and with his regiment was then detailed by Grant to undermine Fort Hill, which they successfully accom- plished. The city surrendered July 4, 1863, and our subject's regiment was selected to lead the troops into the place and raise the flag on the court house. As provost guard they remained there that summer. Mr. Wells took part in the battle of Black river and the Meridian raid, and after spend- ing his thirty days' furlough in Freeport, Illinois, went to Cairo and later to Clifton, Tennessee, taking with him two thousand two hundred head of beef cattle for Sher- man's army. On the 22d of July, 1864, he was detailed as sergeant to guard the armory, and when the regiment moved toward the front was detailed as caterer. He was soon afterward relieved, however, then proceeded to Savannah, and was with Sherman on his celebrated march from At- lanta to the sea. This march is vividly pictured by our subject, as a continuous fight through swamps and in pouring rain. He was present at the surrender of General Lee, and participated in the grand review at Washington, District of Columbia, where the soldiers marched forty abreast and were seven hours in passing down Pennsylvania avenue. At Louisville, Kentucky, he was honorably discharged, was given his full pay at Chicago, and returned to his home iu Rock Island, Illinois, with a war record of which he may be justly proud, for he was a brave soldier, always found at his post of COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 765 duty, valiantly fighting for the old flag and the cause it represented. In Rock Island, Mr. Wells married Miss Maggie Little, who was born in Mer- cer county, Illinois,, August 31, 1844. Her parents, William and Elizabeth (Ray) Lit- tle, were born, reared and married in Ire- land, and on coming to America settled in Mer- cer county, Illinois, where both died, the former at the age of seventy-four, the lat- ter at the age of sixty-eight, and their re- mains were interred there. They were well-to-do and highly respected citizens of the community in which they lived. Their children were Anna, Lucinda, Francis, William, David, Robert, Eveline and Mag- gie. Our subject and his wife have four children, namely: Ida, now the wife of John Oldham, a successful young farmer of Fillmore county; Lucy J., wife of Sherman Edwards, also a prosperous farmer of the same county; William J., who married Rosa Mitchell and is engaged in farming in Fill- more county; and Ernest E., at home. After his marriage, Mr. Wells continued to engage in farming on rented land in Illi- nois for about seven years, and then spent three years in Linn county, Iowa, but on the eighteenth of February, 1S79, came to Fillmore county, Nebraska, where he has since made his home. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw land at five dollars per acre, and has since devoted his energies to its improvement and cultivation. Through days of adversity and discourage- ment he did not give up, and is now able to enjoy with more pleasure the comfortable home and competence he has secured by years of arduous toil. His children have been provided with good educations in the schools of this state and have become use- ful and respected members of society. Mr. Wells cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1 864, and has since been unswerving in his support of the men and measures of the Republican party. His loyalty as a citizen and his devotion to his country's interests have ever been among his marked characteristics, and the com- munity is fortunate that numbers him among its citizens. M ARTIN MADSON.— This well-known resident of precinct K, Seward county, is a native of Denmark, and in his success- ful business career he has shown the char- acteristic thrift and enterprise of his race. Beginning with no capital except that ac- quired by his own industry, he has succeed- ed in gaining a handsome property, and is to-day one of the most prosperous citizens of his community. Born in Roland, Denmark, September 29. 1837. Mr. Madson is a son of Hans and Bertha Madson. The father owned a small piece of land which the family cultivated, but his principal occupation was weaving. He died at the age of forty years, when our subject was a child of three, leaving his widow with four small children to support, the eldest only eight years old. She ac- complished this by cultivating the few acres of land left her by her husband, and also by spinning. She died at the old home- stead in 1S82, at the ripe old age of eighty- one years. As soon as he was old enough, Martin Madson began caring for his good mother, who had so tenderly cared for him in early life, and worked at any occupation which he could find to do, but principally at farm work. Having often heard of the remark- able advantages afforded young men in Amer- ica, he decided to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic, and one foggy morn- ing, at the age of twenty-eight years, he left home with all of his earthly possessions in the little sachel which he carried in his hand. Owing to the great fog which had settled over everything, the steamer was afraid to leave the port of Nysted, on the 766 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT East sea, for a few days, but finally weighed anchor April i, 1S67, with Mr. Madson on board, bound for the new world. After touching at German and English ports, the passengers were landed at Liverpool, where he embarked on the great steamship Minne- sota, and after a passage of seventeen days landed in New York, April 30. By rail he proceeded to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he worked as a farm hand until the following fall, and then went to the Lake Superior i^e- gion, where he worked in the iron mines until 1870. Having saved some mone}', he started for Nebraska, where he understood any man could get a farm by living upon it and improving the same. He landed in Seward when that city contained only two or three houses, but plenty of land around on which to build others. Selecting the east half of the northeast quarter of section 32, township 10, range 2 east, Seward county, he constructed a dugout in the banks of a ravine, in which he lived for two years. Having no team of his own, he worked for others, that they might break the sod upon his new farm. The second year, however, he was able to purchase a team and wagon, and went to work in ear- nest to make a home for himself and another, he knew not whom at that time. Aban- doning his dugout the third year, he erected a sod house 14x24 feet, in which he lived with his brother-in-law and sister quite com- fortably for two years. His brother-in-law then secured a farm of his own, and with him our subject boarded for a year. Ha\ing had some one to keep his home neat and comfortable, he was loath to go back to his old mode of life, and cook his own meals. Therefore, with some money he had saved he bought a draft and sent it in a letter to a bright-eyed, laughing girl he had known in the old country when a 3'oung man, and in\ited her to come to America and share his new home, name and proper- ty. This was Miss Carrie Peterson, and on the 1 2th of November, 1S77, they were united in marriage. To them have been born four children, of whom three are now living: Martin, Bertha and Christina B. , the oldest now nineteen, the youngest eleven jears of age. They are being provided with the best educational ad\'antages the schools of the communit\- afford. After his marriage Mr. Madson took his bride to the farm on which they have since resided, it being a well cultivated tract of one hundred and sixt\- acres adjoining the village of Goehner, and improved with a good residence and substantial outbuildings. Besides this property he owns some other land, in all six hundred and forty acres, all of which has been acquired through his own labors. He is an ardent Republican in pol- tics, having cast his first vote for General Grant, his last for Major McKinley, and both he and his wife are earnest and faith- ful members of the Presbyterian church. A UAM E\'ERTS, an energetic and pro- gressive agriculturist living on section 6, Waco township, York county, is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth occurring in Ful- ton county, February 5, 1818. His parents, Adam and Catharine (Fonner) Everts, were also natives of the Keystone state, while his maternal grandfather was of German birth, an early settler of Pennsylvania, and a sol- dier of the Revolutionary war, fighting un- der General Washington. Throughout his entire life our subject's father follov^-ed the occupation of farming in his native state, and there his death occurred when he had reached the age of eighty-three years. His estimable wife also died in Pennsylvania. They reared a family of twelve children, namel}': George, Elizabeth, Barba, Cath- arine and Anna, all four deceased; Adam; Isabel, deceased; Maria; Sarah and Susan, both deceased; Polly and Rebecca. Of these George and four of his sons were COMPENDIUM or UJOGRAPIir. 767 faithful defenders of the Union during the Ci\'il war. Mr. Everts, of this review, was reared on the old home farm in Pennsylvania, and continued to remain under the parental roof until he attained the age of twenty-seven years. In August, 1855, he was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Cline, who was also born in Fulton county, Pennsylvania, January 19, 1S27. Her parents, Conrad and Elizabeth (Dishong) Cline, spent their entire lives in that state, and reared a fam- ily of eight children: Abratn; Mary and John, both deceased; Eliza; Susan, deceased; Mrs. Everts; Peter and Uriah. One son, John, was a soldier of the Civil war. Mrs. Everts grew to womanhood upon a farm in her native township, and there acquired a fair literar}' education. By her marriage she has become the mother of eight chil- dren, who in order of birth are as follows: Calvin U., a resident of Missouri; John, at home; Mrs. Katie Reed; Joseph C. , of York county, Nebraska; Mrs. Mar}' Schloniger; George, of York county; Grafton, of Lin- coln, Nebraska; and Mrs. Roxy Bushard. After his marriage, Mr. Everts contin- ued to live in Pennsylvania until 1864, when he moved by wagon to Richland county, Ohio, where the following five years were passed. He then made his home in Peoria, Illinois, and the year 1872 witnessed his ar- rival in York county, Nebraska. His first homestead was on section 4, New York township, on which he built a little frame house, but after proving up his claim he removed to his present fine farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres on section 6, Waco township. He spent one year in Chase county, Nebraska, where he pre-empted three hundred and twenty acres of land, and on selling that tract returned to York county, where he has since resided uninter- ruptedly. With the exception of two years, when engaged in milling, his entire life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, and the neat and thrifty appearance of his farm testifies to his skill and ability in his chosen calling. The place is adorned with beau- tiful shade trees and shrubs, the fields are well-tilled, and the buildings are models of convenience and comfort.- The year of the grasshopper scourge he raised one thousand five hundred bushels of wheat, but those in- sects destroyed his corn. He has been officially connected with the Christian church at Waco, of which he and his wife are lead- ing members, and has filled the office of road overseer to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. Politically he is a Populist. JOSIAHJEROME JUDEVINE, a "home- steader" on section 22, Savannah town- ship, Butler county, was born in Charleston No. 4, Sullivan county, New Hampshire, June 19, 1823. He is the son of Josiah Judevine, born in 1787, a manufacturer of cloth at Barnett, \'ermont. His grand- father, Calvin Jude\ine, came from Eng- land before the Re\-olutionary war, and set- tled in Sulli\'an county. New Hampshire. The Judevines were acti\e in the fight for the independence of America. Our subject is the youngest of four chil- dren, his father having died in his youth; he was raised by his mother's sister, Sallie Field Simms, at Lemington, Essex count}', Vermont. His mother, Zerua Field Judevine, was born at Brockton, Massachusetts, and died there about the year 1870. He was edu- cated in a log house ilistrict school. When twenty years old he left Essex county and went to Kentucky and worked on the Ohio river. Returned to Charleston, going from thence to Brockton, Massachusetts, where he worked for six years at the shoe bench. During this time, April 17, 1849, he was married in Providence, Rhode Island, to Mary Ellen Hamilton, daughter of William Hamilton, who was born in Burlington, 768 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. Vermont, of English ancestry and formerly an officer in the English army, later served in the United States army during the war of 1812. Was stationed at Erie, Pennsyl- vania, during the operations of Commodore Perry. His wife's mother having died when Mary was born, she was adopted by Dr. Samuel Shaw, and reared by him. In November, 1849, our subject came, with his wife, to Columbia county, Wiscon- sin, took land at West Point, Wisconsin, and carried on the occupation of farming for a period of fifteen years. Here a son. F. C. Judevine, was born, in 1852, the only child. In 1859, our subject went overland to Pike's Peak, and on his return passed through Butler county, Nebraska, saw the beautiful Platte valley, and this eventually led to his locating here. In 1864 he moved to Chickasaw county, Iowa, farmed five years, and in October, 1869, he settled in Butler county, Nebraska. He has always held advanced ideas on political and social matters, and has the courage to express his convictions. He has been a large contribu- tor to the newspapers, a prominent man in the advancement of the interests of his com- munity. His son, F. C. Judevine, was mar- ried to Mollie Page, and they are the parents of five children: Royal, Frank, Clifford, Ethel and Ettie. He is now one of the prominent farmers of Butler county, and has himself been a factor in the develop- ment of the country. WILLIAM ZWIEG, who resides on section 8, Beaver township, York count)', Nebraska, is a native of Prussia, where he was born August 22, 1843. He was brought to this country when only five years of age, and bears himself with true American vigor and determination. For almost thirty years he has been a resident of the state, and has slowly won his way to comfort and independence. His farm manifests a thorough husbandman, and it has proved highly renumerative under his practical management. William Zwieg is a son of William and Mena (Charlie) Zwieg, who were natives of Prussia, and came of a long line of German ancestry. They belonged to the agricultur- al class, and feeling that America offered them far better inducements than their own fatherland they crossed the Atlantic in 1848, and established themselves the same year on a wild timber farm near Williams- town, Dodge count}', Wisconsin. By unre- mitting toil it soon became a pleasant home, and there they spent the remainder of their days. She died in 1855 and he passed away July 4, 1876. They had eight chil- dren, of whom the subject of this sketch was the first born, and the second child, Louisa, is dead. The others were Mena, Augusta, Harmon, August, Anna and Ber- tha. On this Wisconsin farm young William passed his early days, and grew to a strong and sturdy manhood. He was educated in both English and German, and was thus doubly armed for life's conflicts. He was needed at home, but the serious situation of the Union cause in the summer of 1864 inspired him to enlist in the Federal army. He was assigned to Company E, First Wis- consin Volunteer Cavalry, and joined his regiment at Louisville. He saw some severe fighting, particularly at Hopkinsville, Ken- tucky. The regiment was under the com- mand of General Wilson, and was actively engaged on patrol and guard duty, with severe skirmishing thrown in whenever possible. He was mustered out at Nash- ville July 19, 1865, and returned home without a scratch, though he had passed through many dangerous experiences. On the conclusion of peace our soldier lad was swallowed up in the great home tide, and soon resumed peaceful pursuits. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 769 He remained on the farm assisting his father and caring for younger brothers and sisters, until he had passed his twenty-fifth birth- day, when he decided to set up for himself. He was united in marriage in the month of September, 1867, to Miss Augusta Schnurs- tin, a native of Dodge county, Wisconsin, and in the spring of 1869 the newly wedded couple came to York county, Nebraska, and settled upon the homestead, which under their careful management has grown into a farm of four hundred acres, thoroughly im- proved, well provided with buildings and machinery, and presenting satisfaction to the farming vision. They brought with them some seven hundred dollars, but thought it best to begin in a "dug-out" home, until the return from the land should warrant it. The first year on the place he raised good sod corn, twenty-five bushels to the acre, and the following year he had a large yield of wheat, oats, potatoes and corn. Twenty acres of natural timber form a valuable por- tion of his real estate. The farm has im- proved in value and attractiveness every year. He completed a handsome residence in 1884 that cost him $1,500, and from time to time he has added other improvements and conveniences that make this one of the most attractive homes in the county. He is an advocate of mixed farming, and shows with the pride of an enthusiast as fine a herd of short-horns as ma}' be found in the county. Mrs. Zwieg died May 8, 1896, and her death was a great blow to her devoted husband. She was a member of the Lu- theran church, and was the mother of nine children, whose names were Ida M., Frank W. , Emma, Charles, Willie, Henry, Anna, Malinda, and Mary. She was an active and energetic housewife, a good wife, and faith- ful mother, and was highly respected by her friends and neighbors. Mr. Zwieg is a member of the Grand Army post at Waco, and enjoys the liveliest satisfaction in meeting with the companions of the tented field of long ago. In politics he is a Populist, but attends first of ail to his own duties, and is not very active in party affairs. He is interested in all mat- ters that relate to the good of the schools and has served on the school board of the district in which he lives for the last twenty- five years. MI F. GARRISON is one of the wealth- iest and most prominent citizens of Ohiowa, Fillmore county, Nebraska. Mr. Garrison makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Mary A. Quinlan, and was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, April 24, 1820, a son of Mathias and Susannah (Seeley) Garrison, who moved from New Jersey to that county. His parents both died in Pennsylvania, the mother when he was only eight years old. Their children were Elizabeth, Elsie, John, William, Nathan, Susannah, Rachel and M. F., the subject of this article. A romantic story connected with the early history of this family is as follows: The great-grandmother of Mr. Garrison was Lady Charlotte Doug- las, who belonged to a prominent and aristo- cratic family of Scotland. On account of her high station, great beauty and many admirable qualities, she was stolen by a captain who had determined to win and marry her. Failing in this, however, he sold her to an American planter, George Fortner, who soon fell in love with and married this virtuous and lovely woman. To them were born three children, one son and two daughters, and Mr. Garri- son's grandfather, a farmer of New Jersey, married one of the daughters. M. F. Garrison received only a limited education in the subscription schools of his native state, but his business training was not meager, as he obtained an e.xcellent knowledge of farm work and also of the 10 COMPEXDIi'M OF BIOGRAPIir mason's and bricklayer's trades. Determin- ed to try his fortune in the west, in 1845 he left Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, and started for Illinois by team. On his arrival in Lee county, which was then a new country, he turned his attention to the pur- suits with which he was familiar, and there purchased eighty acres of land. By his economy', industry and good management he was soon on the highway to prosperity, and became one of the wealthiest and most substantial farmers of that county, where in 1870 he owned a valuable farm of two hundred acres under a high state of cultiva- tion and improved in modern style. In Dixon, Illinois, Mr. Garrison was mar- ried, October i, 1848, to Miss Mary E. Girton, who was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, May 9, 181 7. Her mother, Elizabeth (Runion) Girton, died in Penn- sylvania. The father and family later migrated to Illinois, where he died at the age of ninety-two and was buried at Dixon, Il- linois. Mr. M. F. Garrison continued his farming operations in Illinois very success- fully until 1878, when he sold his property and went to Fillmore county, Nebraska, where he purchased nine hundred and sixty acres of the finest prairie land in Franklin j township. With the exception of about a half section the entire tract was raw land, and to its improvement and cultivation he devoted his energies with marked success and continued his farm operations until 1890. Soon after the death of his wife, however, he moved to his present home in Ohiowa, and has since lived retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He has been called upon to mourn the loss of his estimable wife, who died in Ohiowa, in 1890, at the age of seventy-three years. She was a devoted wife and mother, and a sincere Christian, and her death was deeply mourned by all who knew her. She was laid to rest in the Ohiowa cemetery. She left two daughters. Martha J., the older, is the wife of E. F. Medler, of Ohiowa, and has the following children Warren F. , marrie- settled at that time. He subsequently went back to Kentucky, but in 1872 returned to his first homestead, where he lived until his removal to Osceola, Octo- ber 18, 1894. The sod house which he built in 1873 was used as a residence by the fam- ily for four years, and was then replaced by a frame dwelling, 16x24 feet, to which an addition, 22 x 24 feet, was afterward made. The same year a frame barn, 41 x 22 feet, was also erected. Mr. Hughes broke one hundred and fift\- acres of wild prairie land, set out two rows of willows, and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres in this state, all under a high state of cult va- tion. He owns the Joseph Miller home- stead, which he has occupied since April 2, 1895. In 1867 Mr. Hughes wedded Miss Mary Jane Butts, who was born in Boone county, Kentucky, in 1845, a daughter of Samuel and Polly (Cooper) Butts, also natives of that state and representatives of old Virginia families. In the Butts family were five children: William T., who was a first lieu- COMPENDUrM OF BIOGRAniT 829 tenant in the Fifty-second Kentucky Vol- unteer Infantry during the war, and was killed while on provost duty at Lexington; Perry A., deceased, who was a member of Company A, Twenty-third Kentucky regi- ment, and at the battle of Resaca, while in the act of firing his rifle, was struck by a musket ball, which passed through his right wrist and took off his left arm below the elbow; Mary J.; Edward J., a resident of Missouri; and Lizzie, deceased. Mrs. Hughes died August 15, 1869, leaving one child — E. Lizzie. Our subject was again married, February 25, 1877, his second union being with Miss Lucy L. , daughter of John G. Mickey, of Polk county. She is a devoted member of the Methodist church, and Mr. Hughes is identified with the Grand Army post at Osceola. At all times he votes the straight Republican ticket, and being one of the influential and popular citizens of his community, he has been proffered county offices, but has steadily re- fused, preferring to give his undivided at- tention to his business interests. JOSEPH BROCHTRUP, who owns and occupies a good farm on section 23, Center township, and has distinguished him- self as one of the most active and enterpris- ing agriculturists of Butler county, came from Wisconsin to Nebraska, in 1878. Since that time he has given close attention to the improvement of his land, upon which he has erected good buildings, and the soil of which he has brought to a high state of cul- tivation. Mr. Brochtnip was born in Washington county, Wisconsin, September 20, 1854, a son of Barnard and Annie Brochtrup, who were natives of Germany, and early settlers of the Badger state. Our subject is the oldest son in their family of ten children, nine sons and one daughter. Those in Ne- braska are Joseph, Charles, Theodore, Frank, and Annie, now the wife of Henry Eiting, of Butler county, Nebraska. The rest live in Wisconsin. Upon the home farm in Wisconsin Jo- seph Brochtrup spent his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of farmer lads, and on reaching man's estate he was united in marriage with Miss Frances Eiting, the second daughter of Barnard and Nellie (Greisbers) Eiting. Her father was born in Germany in 1822, and on coming to the new world located in Brown county, Wis- consin, where he married Nellie Greisbers, the ceremony being performed at Holland- town, that state, in 1850. To them were born the following children: William, Hannah, Francis, Mary, Kate, John, Lizzie, Hattie, Henry, Deanie, Barnard and Frank. In 1878 Mr. Eiting brought his family to Butler county, Nebraska, and was accom- panied by our subject, his wife and infant son, Barnard. After coming to this state Mr. Brochtrup's family was increased by the birth of two other children, both born in Butler county — John and Josie. The wife and mother died here in 1884, and subsequentlj' our subject married her sister, Lizzie Eiting, by whom he has two chil- dren: Frances and Nellie. The family stand deservedly high in the estimation of their fellow-citizens and have many friends throughout this section of Butler county. CHRISTIAN SCHAAL, one of the ener- getic and progressive agriculturists of Seward count}-, resides upon a farm of two hundred and forty acres of well-improved land, which he owns in precinct C. He set- tled upon this place in 1880, and has made it his residence ever since, devoting his at- tention to its improvement and cultivation with most excellent results. He is honored and respected by the entire community, who look upon him as one of their most wide- awake farmers and model citizens. 830 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. Mr. Schaal was born in southern Ger- many, December 23, 1851, and is a son of Christian and Christiana (Ketelleberger) Schaal, who, as farming people, spent their entire lives in that country, and of their family of six sons our subject is the only one who crossed the Atlantic and took up his residence in the United States. In the schools of his native land he received a good practical education, which has well fitted him for the responsible duties of life. After leaving school he served for three years in the German army. Coining to the new world in 1880, he proceeded at once to Sew- ard county, Nebraska, and bought the farm on which he now resides, and which he has brought to its present high state of cultiva- tion by persistent industry and good man- agement. In 18S0 Mr. Schaal was united in mar- riage with Miss Lydia Steinestel, also a na- tive of the Fatherland, and to them have been born the following children: Charles, Ernest, Frederick, Mattie and Albert, all of whom are living. The family hold mem- bership in Zion German Lutheran church, and are highly respected by all who know them. In his political affiliations Mr. Schaal is a Populist, and he has been called upon to fill the office of supervisor for two years, and has been a member of the school board for nine years. REV. DAVID BROADWELL, one of the pioneers of York county, resides upon his pleasantly situated farm in section 23, Baker township. The subject of this biography was born September 2, 1822, in Orange county, In- diana. His parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Poison) Broadwell, were natives of North Carolina and Virginia respectively. Henry Broadwell was one of the earliest pioneers of Orange county, Indiana, having settled there about the year 181 2, before Indiana became a state. He served in the war of 1 8 12, and also in Tecumseh's Indian wars. His father moved from North Carolina to Kentucky in the early days of the latter state, and died there. Henry Broadwell married Elizabeth Poison in Washington county, Indiana, and after several years' residence in Orange county, removed to Warrick county, and later to Gibson county of the same state, where he died. David Broadwell, the subject of this sketch, was about five j'ears of age when his parents went to Warrick county, Indi- ana, and there he was reared on a farm. At the time the family settled there no pub- lic schools had been organized, and David's i education was procured in subscription schools, which he attended about three months in the year. Until he was twenty- one years old he assisted his father on the farm, but after that he started out for him- self, and cleared two farms of his own in Warrick and Gibson counties respectiveh% and his experience in the wooded regions of Indiana has enabled him to make a fair comparison of clearing and developing lands in the east, with the same work on the prairies of Nebraska. March 28, 1850, David Broadwell was married to Catherine W^elty. Mrs. Broad- well is a native of W' arrick county, Indiana, where she was born May 25, 1829. Her parents were John and Frances fEby) Welty, natives of Pennsylvania, and early settlers in Warrick county, Indiana, where they died. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Broadwell made their home in Warrick county on a farm consisting of one hundred and twelve acres, only twelve of which where under cultivation. They began housekeeping in a log house, 18x20 feet, built of unhewn logs. However, it was one of the best community boasted. Mr. Broadwell taught school and raised tobacco, in which latter labor his wife did her share. By hard labor and intelligent economy COMPEJVDJi'M or BIOGRAPHY 881 they got a start in life, and have from the first owned their own home and lived in it. About eight j'ears after their marriage they sold the farm and moved to Gibson county, Indiana, where they purchased another tract of land, cleared and improved it, and it was in such schools as this they learned the true value of a dollar. In the fall of 1872 Mr. Broadwfell made a trip to Nebraska, and purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres of railroad lands in York county, in section 23, township 10, range 3 (now Baker township), upon which tract he now lives. The next spring he re- turned to Indiana, sold the farm there, and took his family to Nebraska. For a couple of weeks they lived in the village of York, while he was erecting for themselves a frame house on the land. This house was 16x26, and theirs was one of the first frame residences built in the neighborhood. There was no lumber yard at York, and lumber was not only very expensive, but hard to get at any price. Most of the resi- dences in those days were built of sod. He has transformed his wild prairie land into a farm of great value, improved and enhanced by all the conveniences incident to farm life. To Mr. and Mrs. Broadwell seven chil- dren have been been born, named as follows: Sirena, wife of J. D. White, of York; An- geline, wife of James Shipp, of Baker town- ship; Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of John Butler, of Kansas; Fannie, deceased, who was the wife of Henry Baker, of Wy- oming; John, at home; Lizzie, wife of James Ingrey, of York; David F., of Baker township. Although so much of his life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits and duties, \et Mr. Broadwell has found time to per- form much work for the church, in which he has been engaged for the past fifty years. He is an ordained minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has done valuable work in the local pulpits, though he has never served as pastor. At present, owing to age and ill-health, he does no preach- ing, but is frequently called upon to con- duct funeral services and to perform mar- riage ceremonies. In political views he has been a Republican since the organization of the party. He has been called to serve in man}' local offices, such as supervisor, school director, etc. To an unusual degree he re- tains the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. JOHN ZIMMERMANN.— It is astonish- ing to witness the success of men who have emigrated to America without capital and from a position of comparative obscur- ity worked their way upward until they ha\e become wealthy and prominent citizens of the community in which they locate. The readiness with which they adapt them- selves to circumstances and take advantage of opportunities offered brings to them suc- cess and wins them a place among the lead- ing men of their locality. Such a man is Mr. Zimmermann, who is now one of the most prosperous farmers of Fillmore county, owning a valuable place of six hundred and forty acres in Moinence precinct. Mr. Zimmermann was born in Bind- suchsen Kreis, Biidingen, Hessen Darm- stadt, Germany, December 7, 1829, a son of John C. and Margaret (Schwab) Zim- mermann, who died when our subject was quite young, the former at the age of sixty- five and the latter at the age of sixty-six years. He is the youngest in their fam- ily of eleven children, of whom only three are now living, the others being Margaret and Mary. Being left an orphan at an early age, Mr. Zimmermann was forced to earn his own liv- ing when (juite young, and at the age of fourteen commenced learning the shoemak- er's trade, which he followed for eighteen years. He was educated in the public 832 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr. schools ot his native land, and was con- firmed in the Reformed church. At the age of twenty-nine, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Mary Eifirt, who was born in Germany, May 13, 1834, a daughter of Conrad and Margaret (Couck) Eifirt, who spent their entire lives in the Fatherland. She was one of a famil}' of eleven children, all of whom remained in Germany with the exception of one sister and one brother, the latter being John Eifirt, now living in Clay county, Nebraska. Borrowing money to pay his passage, Mr. Zimmermann came alone to America, leaving his native land March 27, i860, on the sailing vessel Francisco, which was thirty-one days in crossing the Atlantic. He landed in New York May 6, and the lOth of that month found him in Mendota, Illi- nois, where he secured work on a farm at si.xteen dollars per month. He operated rented land in i86r, and made enough money to send for his wife and two children, who joined him in Illinois, where they continued to reside upon rented farms for thirteen }-ears. In 1872 he came to Exeter, Ne- braska, where he purchased a few lots, but soon returned to lUinos, and did not locate permanently in this state until the following year. On the arrival of the family in Fair- mont, they lived for two weeks in the car, in which their goods had been shipped and then came to Momence precinct, where Mr. Zimmermann located his homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres, for which he paid two hundred dollars. For thirteen years the family lived in a sod house, while he broke and improved his land, in the meantime doing his trading at Fairmont, the nearest railroad station. His crops were almost totally destroyed by the grasshoppers in 1874, leaving the family in almost a starving condition, and at different times hailstorms have ruined his crops, but taking all things into consid- eration he has prospered in his new home and is now the owner of a valuable prop- erty. In 1883 he erected upon his place a large stock barn, and two years later built a good two-story residence, 30 x 24 feet. His place is also improved with good fences, sheds, corncribs, etc. , and is to-day one of the most desirable farms in Momence precinct. Mrs. Zimmermann died July 19, 1892, at the age of fifty-nine years, two months and six days, and was laid to rest in a cemetery on the corner of the home farm. The children born to our subject by this wife were as follows: Elizabeth, a resident of Illinois; John, a native of Illinois, who married Emma Laura Krusher and lives in Fillmore county, Nebraska; Henry, who married Racy Ohrbauer and lives in the same county; Emma, wife of Carl Becher, of Clay county, Nebraska; Samuel, who married Caroline Koenig and lives in Saline county, Nebraska; Mary, wife of James El- wood, of Clay county; Simon Philip, a resi- dent of this state; Sarah Eliza, at home; Clara Caroline, wife of John Klink, of Fill- more county; Conrad, who died in Fillmore county; and Emma and an infant unnamed, who died in Illinois. TSAIAH HASBROUCK.— The natural ad- 1 vantages of this section attracted at an early day a superior class of settlers, thrifty, industrious, progressive and law- abiding, whose influence has given perma- nent direction to the development of the localit}'. Among the worthy pioneers of York county Mr. Hasbrouck holds a promi- nent place, and has succeeded in building up a fine homestead. He was born in Ulster county. New York, May 8, 1823, and is a son of Josiah and Anna \'iela Hasbrouck, both natives of Paultz, that county. The paternal grand- father, Isaiah Hasbrouck, was a French- man by birth, and was one of the volunteer COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHl'. 833 soldiers who came in the same ship with the Marquis of La Fayette to aid the colonies in their struggle for independence. The legends of the family say he held the rank of captain. On the west bank of the Hud- son river he purchased a tract of land one hundred and forty-foursquare miles in e.xtent, by giving a fat o.x to the chief of the Pough- keepsie tribe of Indians. Upon his land he built a stone house, in which he lived after his marriage until his death. The village in which this home is situated has for many years been known as Paultz. Some of the descendants of Captain Hasbrouck still own and occupy the old stone house. When the subject of this sketch was three years old his parents removed to Sullivan county, New York, and in the town of Fallsburg the father made his home until called to his final rest at the extreme old age of ninty-nine years. Isaiah Hasbrouck, of this review, also continued to reside in that town until after his marriage, which was celebrated in Newburg, New York, in 1850, Miss Mary C. Yeomans, a daughter of Will- iam and Ruth (Barber) Yeomans, becoming his wife. For five years they lived in the town of Forestburg, Sullivan county, New York, and for the following six years made their home in Fallsburg, the same county. In the fall of 1861 they removed to Albion, Noble county, Indiana, but a few months later proceeded westward and took up their residence in Del\alb county, Illinois, where they remained until coming to York county, Nebraska, on the 6th of August, 1869. They have since lived upon their present farm, where Mr. Hasbrouck now has three hundred and twenty acres of land under a high state of cultivation and well improved, being worth ten thousand dollars. In their family are two children: Mrs. Henry Rhoads and William S. Hasbrouck, who have been married several years, and have children grown. They live in the same neighbor- hood as their parents. Since voting for Abraham Lincoln, Mr. Hasbrouck has been an ardent Republican, and gives his support to all measures which he believes calculated to advance the gen- eral welfare. Both he and his wife are leading members of the Christian church, of Bradshaw, where they earnestly work for the good of humanity. Their lives have ever been in harmony with their professions, and their genuine worth and many excel- lencies of character have won for them the esteem and confidence of the entire com- munity. JAMES F. BUNTING.— No state in the Union can boast of a more heroic band of pioneers than Nebraska. In their intel- ligence, capability and genius they were far above the pioneers of the eastern states, and by their earnest labors they have es- tablished a commonwealth, which within a comparatively few years has won a place among the foremost states of the Union. Mr. Bunting is a representative of the early settlers who have been active factors in opening up Butler county to civilization and has manifested a public-spirited loyalty in support of all enterprises for the general good. After many years have passed away he will be honored by future generations as one of the founders of the county and the promoters of its progress. He now resides on section 27, Franklin township, where he owns and operates a valuable farm. A native of Richmond, Wayne county, Indiana, Mr. Bunting was born May 14, 1844, and is the fourth in a family of nine children. When six years of age he accom- panied his parents on their removal to Mercer county, Illinois, where he was reared, his attention being given to farm work, to the duties of the school-room and to the pleasures of youth. In 1872 he came to Butler county, Nebraska, and was one of the first to settle on the tableland in what is now Franklin township. At that time 834 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. there were only about ten families in the en- tire township, and the work of development and improvement seemed scarcely begun. With characteristic energy Mr. Bunting be- gan the cultivation of his land, upon which he resided for about five years, when he re- moved to David City, and engaged in busi- ness as a painter, glazier and paper hanger, devoting his energies to that pui'suit until 1893. Since that time, with the exception of a year and a half spent in Missouri, he has resided continuously upon the farm which is now his home, and the many ex- cellent improvements thereon are monu- ments to his thrift and industry. Mr. Bunting was married December 25, 1872, to Sylvia C. Brown, who was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, January 11, 1846, a daughter of Rev. Samuel L. and Cynthia C. (Billings) Brown, who were na- tives of the Iveystone state. The father was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and when she was four years of age he removed with his family to I^ock county, Wisconsin. He afterward engaged in preaching for seven years in Minnesota, for one year in Iowa, and in 1871 came to But- ler county, Nebraska. His death occurred in 1895, but his widow is still living, and makes her home in David City. Mrs. Bunt- ing is therefore one of the earlist settlers of the count}'. She is a lady of culture and re- finement, and for sixteen terms engaged in teaching school, being employed for three terms in this county. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bunting has been blessed with five living children, namely: Lulu, Ada, Herbert, Alfarata and Ruth, and they also lost one son, Ray, who died at the age of three years. Mr. Bunting has taken some part in po- litical affairs and has served as township assessor, collector of delinquent taxes, cen- sus enumerator and road master. The fam- ily are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are highly esteemed people, whose circle of friends is extensive. HON. J. HENRY BICK.— Rising above the head of the mass are many men of sterling worth and value, who by sheer perseverance and pluck have conquered for- tune, and by their own unaided efforts have arisen from the ranks of the commonplace to eminence and positions of respect and trust. It was to his perseverance and in- domitable energy that Mr. Bick owed his success in life, and he not only prospered in business affairs but attained to a high posi- tion in political circles. For twenty }'ears he was one of the most wide-awake and popular citizens of Seward county, and by his death, which occurred February i, 1890, the community realized that it had lost one of its most valued and useful citizens. Mr. Bick was born in Waldeck, Ger- many, in 1842, a son of Frederick Bick, and was one of seven sons, three of whom are now residents of Seward county. On coming to the United States in 1852 our subject located in Wisconsin, and when the Civil war broke out he offered his services to his adopted country to assist in putting down the Rebellion, enlisting for three years in Company K, Ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. When his term had expired he re-enlisted in Company B, of the same regi- ment, and was in the service for three years and nine months, being honorably discharged when hostilities ceased. Returning to his home in Wisconsin, Mr. Bick was there married, in 1867, to Miss- Amelia Schumecker, a native of Berlin, Germany, who came to the United States in 1854, and they became the parents of five children, namely: Albert, Henry, Vina, Louis and Emma. The mother was called to her final rest October 4, 1897. Coming to Seward county, Nebraska, in 1870, Mr. Bick homesteaded a tract of land adjoining the farm where his family now live, and built thereon a sod house, in which they lived while he improved the land. He prospered in his undertakings, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY 835 and at the time of his death owned three hundred and sixty acres of vahiable land. He became a recognized leader in local pol- itics, though he was independent, and was called upon to fill many of the township offices. In 1880 he was elected to the lower house of the state legislature, and so ably did he represent his district that he was re-elected in 1886. Religiously he held membership in the German Evangelical church, and as an officer in the same he took an active part in its work. His fam- ily is quite prominent in the best social cir- cles of the communit}'. JOHN T. MAPPS, one of the pioneer farmers of Lockridge township, York county, Nebraska, was born in Will county, Illinois, November jo, 1S53, a son of Will- iam Mapps, a sketch of whom will appear on another page of this volume. Our subject was educated in Will coun- ty, Illinois, and as soon as he was able to do manual labor he began working on a farm. He followed this vocation in Illinois until 1882, when he moved to York county, Nebraska. He bought eighty acres of land in Lockridge township, of that county, im- proved it and has since made that his home. In 1892 Mr. Mapps added to his already neat and quite extensive line of improve- ments one of the finest farm residences in York county. Mr. Mapps was married in i888 to Miss Hattie Frey, a native of the state of Illi- nois, and a daughter of Jacob H. and Mar- garet (Hartung) Frey, natives of Pennsyl- vania and Ohio, respectively. Mr. Frey moved to Illinois in 1854 and settled in Will county, and made that his home until 1897, and since that time he has resided with our subject in York county, Nebraska. Mrs. Mapp's mother died in Illinois in 1893. The subject of our sketch is a stanch Populist in political views, but has never sought public office. Socially he is identi- fied with the Ancient Order of United Work- men. He has an elegant home, a fine farm, and enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him. Mr. and Mrs. Mapps have no children. DD. POTTER., M. D., holds high rank in the medical profession, and is regarded as one of the ablest physicians and surgeons of Seward county. He re- sides in Seward, but the field of labors ex- tends over a wide section of the adjoining country. He is an earnest student of his profession, and is scientific in all his meth- ods. He cares little for tradition, has no school, and only asks what will heal the sick. Dr. Potter was born in Cortland county. New York, February 14, 1855. His par- ents, John V. and Adelle (Brooks) Potter, where natives of the same state, and were devoted to rural pursuits. They are now living at Salem, South Dakota. They were the parents of four sons and three daugh- ters. Two of the sons are physicians. The grand father of the Doctor was Paris Potter. He was born in New York, and in that state he lived and died. He was a brother of Dr. Vernon Potter, a pioneer surgeon of central New York, and who was widely known through that section of New York, and adjoining states. He lived and died at Rome, New York. Dr. D. D. Potter attended the public school, an acad- emy at Cincinnatus, and the state normal at Cortland. He taught school and read medicine for some years following the ter- mination of his student days. In 1878 he went to Minnesota and taught school in Noble county with much success. In i88i he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, and was grad- uated from that institution in 1883. He located at Seward, and has continued the 836 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. practice of his profession with much success to the present moment. In 1890 he took a post-graduate course of lectures in New York, and the next year accepted the chair of Physical Diagnosis and Disease of the Respiratory and Circulatory Systems in the Medical Department of Cotner University at Lincoln, and held it for four years. He de- livered the address to the first graduating class from that department. He was ad- mitted to the State Medical society in 1888, and in 1896 assisted in the organization of the Seward County Medical Society, of which he was the first president. Dr. Potter was married, in 1876, to Miss Ella Kidney. She was born in Cleveland, and died in Minnesota in 1880. Four years later he led Miss Ida McPheely to the altar of matrimony. She was born in Pennsyl- vania, and is a lady of social qualities. Her father was a foreman in the Fort Pitt Foundry during the late war. She is the mother of two sons. Brooks R. and Her- bert M. They are members of the Con- gregational church, and are quick to identify themselves with every uplifting and broad- ening movement that reaches the commun- ity. He takes a lively interest in fraternal affairs, and is a member of th Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias. He votes the Republican ticket in the main, and for four years has been a member of the school board. He is earnest in his professional ambitions, and keeps abreast of his voca- tion. He is reaping the reward of his de- votion, and enjoys a large practice. EDWARD A. TOMLIN, an energetic and prosperous farmer residing on sec- tion 21, Stanton precinct, Fillmore county, was born in Mason county, Illinois, January 6, 1859, and is a son of Hathorn and Sarah A. (Preston) Tomlin, who are now living re- tired in Mason City, Illinois, the former at the age of seventy, the latter at the age of sixt}' years. Our subject's ancestors came from New Jersey, and his grandfather Tom- lin was a seaman while living in the east and became quite wealthy. He spent his last days in Illinois, where he died at the age of seventy and his wife at the age of sixty-five years, the remains of both being interred in the Mason City cemetery. Our subject is one of a family of twelve children, but only two besides himself are now living, the others being Emma, wife of Louis Wat- kins, a farmer of Mason county, Illinois, and Bell, wife of Felix Summers, a farmer of the same state. In the county of his nativity Edward A. Tomlin grew to manhood, and in its com- mon schools he obtained his elementary education, which was supplemented by a course in the high school of Mason City. Being thus well qualified to engage in teach- ing, he embarked in that profession, and successfully taught school both in Illinois and Kansas. On the 25th of December, 1884, he was united in marriage with Miss Maggie Cruse, of Mason county, Illinois, who was born there in May, 1865, and was educated in the common schools of that state. Her parents were David and Han- nah (Tomlin) Cruse, natives of Pennsyl- vania and New Jersey, respectively. They are now living in Adams county, Nebraska, and are faithful and earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church. To them were born eleven children, six sons and five daughters, all still living, namely: Walker C. and Matthew M., who are both married and living in Adams county, Nebraska; Elizabeth E., a resident of Logan county, Illinois; Maggie M., wife of our subject; Roxanna B., who is married and lives in Adams county, Nebraska; Sidney D., who is married and lives in Pennsylvania; John S., a resident of Hall county, Nebraska; Ora E., who is married and lives in Mason count}', Illinois; and George I., Charles R. and Josephine, all at home. Mr. and Mrs. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 837 Tomlin have a family of four daughters: Sarah Gertrude, aged thirteen years; Jessie May, aged eleven; Ora Alta, aged five; and Golda, aged one. From Illinois Mr. and Mrs. Tomlin re- moved to Kansas, where he bought a lease to a quarter section of school land, and on selling that place came to Fillmore county, Nebraska, in March, 1890. After renting for a year he bought one hundred and si.xty acres near Shickley, for which he paid four thousand dollars, but eighteen months later he sold that place for five thousand dollars and purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Stanton precinct for three thousand seven hundred dollars. A few acres had been placed under the plow, but no other im- provements had been made up on the place, which he had since transformed into one of the best farms of the locality, it being un- der a high state of cultivation and equipped with good and substantial buildings. While living on his first Nebraska farm, in Mo- mence precinct, he raised one thousand seven hundred dollars worth of wheat, be- sides three thousand bushels of corn and a large quanity of oats, all inside of two years. A part of the farm was also pasture and meadow lands. In his new home he has prospered and has never yet had occasion to regret his coming to this state. He is a shrewd business man and enterprising farm- er, and the success that has come to him is certainly well deserved. In his political affiliations he is a Prohibitionist, and in re- ligious faith is a United Brethren. LA. RUTAN is one of the enterprising, energetic and industrious citizens of Seward county, engaged in general farming in township C. His birth occurred in Plain- field, Will county, Illinois, June 5, 1859, his parents being Daniel D. and Keziah (Zabriskie) Rutan, both natives of New Jersey. The father followed farming the greater part of his life and resided at different times in New York, Michigan and Illinois, coming to Seward county, Nebras- ka, in 1884. Here he continued to make his home until his death, which occurred in 1 889, and his widow is now a resident of Staplehurst. Of their children only two are now living, the daughter being now the wife of C. W. Dey, of Seward count}'. One son, Howard, died in infancy in Illinois. L. A. Rutan, of this review, was reared and educated in Livingston county, Illinois, and after attaining to man's estate, engaged in farming there until his removal to Ne- braska in 1884. He has since made his home in Seward county, and has success- fully engaged in agricultural pursuits. On the 5th of September, 1883, Mr. Rutan led to the marriage altar Miss Hattie Canham, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Henry and Mary (Daniels) Canham. To them have been born eight children, who are still living, namely: Lavina, Charles, Ollie, Myrtle, Herbert, Lilly, Mildred and Hattie. The parents hold membership in the Presbyterian church and are widely and favorably known throughout their adopted county. Socially, Mr. Rutan affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and politically is identified with the Republican party. FATHER ROCHE, whose portrait is presented with this sketch, was born in Canada in 1865, and educated in Ottawa University and St. Mary's Seminary, Balti- more. He was ordained in 1892, and has labored in Nebraska since his ordination. Since coming to David City he has written several books on religious subjects that have already made a name for him in the literary world. St. Mary's church has a bright future before it. Its history is the history of the 838 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. county — of humble beginnings and gradual but sure growth, in which it has more than kept pace with the advancement and pros- perity of the county. The pioneer Catho- lics who played so important a part in the foundation and progress of the church can- not be omitted from a work of this charac- ter. Prominent among them were Nicholas Miller, Mr. Fenlon, Hon. M. C. Delaney, Nic Hastert, Richard Kinsella, Thomas Boston, Thomas Dowling and Dominick McGuire. The families of almost all the aforesaid are still members of St. Mary's parish. Prominent amongst the present members are Frank Ege, John Litty, Hon. I. I. Graham, John I\nott, John Steiner, Frank Litty, Thomas Fox, P. Garhan, P. Doran, John Reisdorf, Peter Reisdorf, Will- iam Van Den Berg, Joseph Axmaker, Mich. Holland, August Miller, Peter Fenlon, Dan Holland and Adolph Nitche. At the present time Father Roche is en- gaged in the erection of a school, which will be opened for the children of St. Mary's Parish September i, 1899. It has been the aim of the Catholic church in every part of the United States to provide religious in- struction for the children from their earliest years. To this end she has endeavored, wherever it is possible, to erect schools of her own, holding firmly to the belief that separate schools are no greater an anamoly than separate churches. WA. TAYLOR, cashier of the Bank of Benedict. — This bank was founded in 1890, by Ex-Judge G. W. Post, B. B. Crownover and others, with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars. The officers at that time were. Judge Post, president; and Mr. Crownover, cashier; and Lee Mar- tin, vice-president. The Judge is still the president of the institution, but the cashier is W. A. Taylor, who is also the acting manager of the affairs of the bank. Mr. Taylor was born in Washington county, Iowa, in 1S69, and is a brother of A. B. Taylor, whose sketch will appear on another page of this volume. Our subject was four years of age when he moved with his parents to Saline count}^ Nebraska, where he was reared and educated. He attended the public schools of the comunity in which he lived, and subsequently attended the Lincoln Business college, and graduated from the shorthand department of that in- stitution in 1887. His early life was spent on a farm in Saline county, and he also re- sided for a time in Chase county. He then studied law and was admitted to the bar, but has never practiced that profession. In 1890, he was made cashier of the Bank of Henderson, Nebraska, and was thus em- ployed until 1S94. In that year he pur- chased an interest in the Bank of Benedict, moved to that city and took charge of that institution. In 1 S90 Mr. Ta3'lor was united in marriage to Miss Alice E. Barton, a resident of Salme county, Nebraska, and their wedded life has been blessed to them by the presence of a little daughter, upon whom they have seen fit to bestow the name of Eunice. Mr. Taylor is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In politics he is a Republican. He has held the office of village treasurer for four suc- cessive terms. He is a man of good ex- ecutive ability, both in the management of his own affairs and the more intricate affairs of the banking institution with which he is connected. NILS ANDERSON, one of the most dis- tinguished and honored citizens of Fillmore county, finds an appropriate place in the history of those men of business and enterprise in the state of Nebraska, whose force of character, whose fortitude amid discouragements, whose good sense in the COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHy 839 management of complicated affairs and marked success in establishing large busi- ness enterprises and bringing to completion great schemes of trade and profit, have con- tributed in an eminent degree to the de- velopment of the vast resources of this noble commonwealth. His career has not been helped by accident or luck, or wealth, or powerful friends. He is in the broadest sense a self-made man, being both the architect and builder of his own fortune. At present he makes his home on section 6, Brj'ant precinct, and is the owner of large tracts of land in Fillmore county. Mr. Anderson was born in Sweden, De- cember 19, 1840, and was provided with ex- cellent educational advantages, being a student in a college at Christianstad. Throughout life he has made farming his occupation, and continued to follow that pursuit for some years in his native land. There, he was married, in 1863, to Miss Annie Nelson, who died a year later, and in 1 866 he led to the marriage altar Nellie Nelson. Three years later thej' sailed for the new world, and first located in Moline, Illinois, where they made their home until coming to Fillmore county, Nebraska, in 1872. His wife died in this county, Sep- tember 13, 1888, leaving one son, August, who is now thirty-one years of age. He is a graduate of Rush Medical college, of Chi- cago, has also taken a post-graduate course at the Medical College of Lincoln, Nebras- ka, and is now a successful physician, en- joying an e.xtensive practice at Belvidere, Thayer county, Nebraska. Their adopted daughter. Miss Gertie Anderson, a niece of Mrs. Anderson, joined the family circle be- fore Mrs. Anderson's death. She is now twenty-four years of age. On reaching Fillmore county, Mr. An- derson's property consisted of one yoke of cattle and twenty-five dollars in money. In Bryant precinct he secured a homestead of one hundred and si.xty acres, but being a man of good business ability, enterprising, industrious and persevering, he has pros- pered in his new home, and is now the owner of two thousand and eight}' acres of the finest farming land in Fillmore, Nuck- olls and Clay counties. His home place is under e.xcellent cultivation, and is improved with commodious and substantial builnings. In connection with general farming he is also extensive!}' engaged in stock raising, and now has one hundred and fifty-nine head of cattle, besides twenty head of fine bred horses, hogs, etc. He was also at one time stockholder and cashier of the Peoples Bank of Davenport, Thayer county, Ne- braska. Twice Mr. Anderson and his family vis- ited Sweden, first in 1885 and again in 1895, and he was honored with a letter of intro- duction from H. A. Herbert, secretary of the United States navy to Rear Admiral W. A. Kirkland, commanding United States fleet, European squadron at, the opening of the canal between the North and the Baltic seas at the ceremonies at Kiel, Germany, in June, 1895. In 1881 he was elected to the state legislature to represent Clay and Fill- more counties, and in 1S98 was re-elected on the Populist ticket, to represent the thir- ty-seventh district, which is Fillmore coun- ty. He was also appointed by Governor Holcomb, of Nebraska, as a member of the Trans-Mississippi Gulf and Interstate Trans- portation committee, which met at Omaha, June 22, 1898, and has served as a school director and justice of the peace for ten years. At the age of fourteen he was con- firmed in the Swedish Lutheran church, and organized the first Swede Lutheran church in Fillmore county. He is a Mason in high standing, being a Knight Templar and a Shriner. He is always courteous, kindly and affable, and those who know him personally have for him warm regard. His life is exemplary in many respects, and he has ever supported those interests which 840 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr. are calculated to uplift and benefit human- ity, and his own hif:;h moral worth is de- serving of the highest commendation. ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH OF DAVID CITY— ITS HISTORY.— The history of the Catholic church of David City had its beginning in pioneers who came from other states and settled on the unbroken prairies lying immediately to the south of the Platte river. About the year 1869 a colony from Lu.xemburg settled in the place now known as the Valley. They formed the nucleus of a thriving set- tlement, and as they were all Catholics they strove to keep alive the faith they had brought with them from far-off Lu.xemburg. Father Kelly, still living in Omaha, was the first priest to say mass in Butler county in June, 1871. It was said at the home of Thomas Dowling, in the place now occupied by Nic Heldjeth, of Center township. He returned a few times in the following years to minister to the spiritual needs of the scattered Catholics. Another priest from West Point said mass for the first time in the Mysenburg home in 1873. The history of the church in David City properly dates from the year 1S77 when the fathers of the Franciscan Monastery at Columbus assumed charge of the place and took immediate steps for the erection of a church. The following entries are to be found in the records of St. Mary's church: "In the year 1877, on the nineteenth day of September, Rev. Ambrose Jansen, O. S. F., of the Monastery of Columbus, Nebraska, said mass in the court house, David City. After services that day the Catholics of David City and vicinity unanimously took the res- olution of building a church. Messrs. Thomas Dowling, Dr. T. J. Murphy and Nicholas Miller were appointed trustees. Right Reverend Bishop O'Connor gladly gave his consent, and the people, under the direction of their newly appointed pas- tor. Rev. John Gaffron, O. S. F. , imme- diately began the work. Mr. Magnus Litty and his wife, Anna, of Richardson county, Nebraska, gave by way of a donation a block of land for the building ground. The building, 28A x 45 feet, was so far advanced by the third Sunday of January, 187S, that on that day the first mass could be cele- brated, although it was not yet plastered, partly because the weather was too cold, and partly because the means to finish the building were lacking." The other Fran- ciscan fathers, who successively had charge of the David City mission were Rev. Cyp- rian Banscherd, Rev. Cyril Augustinsky, Rev. Seraphim Lampe and Rev. Boniface. The last of the Franciscans was suc- ceeded by Fr. Rheindorff, who, according to the records, took charge of the church Janu- ary 6, 1883, and remained until about May I of the same year. The last entry in the church books made by Fr. Rheindorff is for pew rent received by him April i 5, 18S3. Rev. John Miller, now pastor of Petersburg in the Omaha diocese, succeeded him Sep- tember 4 of the same year. He remained until May i, 1886. On May 16 of the same year. Rev. H. Bex, now of Falls City in this diocese, assumed charge and remained in charge of St. Mary's church up to Septem- ber I, 1894. During his incumbency many improvements were made. The church was enlarged to double its former size, a new parochial residence was erected, and the congregation was established on a firm and enduring basis. Fr. Bex left the church in excellent financial condition. Both he and Fr. Miller much endeared them- selves to the people of St. Mary's. Fr. English, now of St. Peter's church in Oma- ha, succeeded Fr. Bex and remained from September i, 1894, to January i, 1895. On his leaving, the parish had no perman- ent pastor until May i of the same year, when Rev. J. T. Roche was transferred from the HEY. FATHER J. T. ROCHE. CO.\JPB\D/i'M 02^ BiOGRAl'I/r 843 rectorship of the cathedral at Lincoln to that of David City, where he remains the present incumbent. During his incumbency Ne- braska has passed through the darkest days of its history, but notwithstanding these facts raany improvements have been made, thanks to the ;;eal and good will of the people form St. Mary's congregation. St. Mary's still grows and prospers, and being situated at the county seat, in the midst of a thriving populatioim, it bids fair to become one of the leading churches in Nebraska. ROBERT J. OVERSTREET, one of the well-to-do farmers of Arborville town- ship, York county, was born in Galesburg, Knox county, Illinois, January 15, 1843. The parents of our subject were Milton and Catherine (^^artin') Overstreet. Milton Overstreet was bom near Lexington, Ken- tucky, January- 16, 18 19, and lived there until 1 84 1, when he moved to (ialesburg, Illinois, where he still lives. He was married in Kentucky, in 1838, to Catherine Martin, who was born in Connecticut. She is still living. They are the parents of a family of six sons and three daughters. Three of the sons now live in Nebraska, and two in Illinois. Our subject's grand- fathers were Robert Overstreet, of Irish lineage, and Joel Martin, a native of Con- necticut, who went to Kentucky, and later to Illinois, where he died in 1875. Robert J. Overstreet was reared in Illi- nois, and has always followed the calling of a farmer. He owned a farm in Illinois, but in 1884 he removed to Nebraska, and pur- chased a farm in Arborville township, York count}', where he now lives. He owns a quarter section of fertile land, under a high state of culti\-ation. Mr. Overstreet was married in Illinois, January 24, 1866, to Charlotte Treat Bull, a daughter of William H. Bull, who was a native of Connecticut, and who moved to 48 Knox county, Illinois, in 1858, where he died the following year. Mrs. Overstreet "s mother bore the maiden name of Phcebe Stowe, a relative of Harriet Beecher Stowe. She still lives in Knox county, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Overstreet three children have been born: William M., a farmer in York county; Luther M., a graduate of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Mary- land, and now ensign on board the battle- ship Oregon; and Lillian A., now at home. The family are members of the Congrega- tional church of Arborville. Mr. Overstreet holds membership in the A. O. U. W. In political views he is a Republican, thougb he has never sought political preferment. He has been successful in his chosen pur- suit, has a good home, and the respect of all who know him. LA. GUSHEE. — The splendid farm owned by this gentleman on section 32, township 15, range 2, Osceola precinct, Polk county, is a standing monument to his industry, perseverance and good manage- ment. He comes under the category of self-made men, having been thrown upon his own resources early in life, and succeed- ed only by the exercise of his steady, plod- ding labors, both mental and physical. He was born in Appleton, Maine, February 18, 1836, a son of Almond and Elvira (Drake) Gushee. The father was born in the same town in 1805, when the place was known as Hoke, and was a son of Almond Gushee, Sr. , a native of Mass.achusetts, and grand- son of Abram Gushee, of French descent. The mother of our subject was born in. Union, Maine, in 1807, a daughter of Jesse Drake, and after the death of her first hus- band, which occured in Appleton, in 1847, she married Henry Meserby, now deceased, who was a soldier of the war of 1S12, and by whom she had one child — Mrs. Martha Keller. There were live children born of 844 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. the first union, namely: Mrs. Vestine Pease, now deceased; L. A., of this sketch; Albert and Cordana, deceased; and Frank, a phy- sician, also deceased, who was a soldier in the Fifth Massachusetts regiment during the Civil war, later was made captain of artillery, and was wounded in the head at Baton Rogue, by the bursting of a shell. Reared in Appleton, Maine, L. A. Gushee began his education in the schools of that place, and later took a commercial course at Boston, Massachusetts. For ten years during his youth he was employed in a shoe factory at Natick, Massachusetts, andinjune, 1861, enlisted as corporal in Company H, Thirteenth Massachusetts Vol- unteer Infantry. From Fort Independence, in Boston Harbor, the troops went to Hagerstown, Maryland, and from there went on a forced march to Harper's Ferry, being two days without food. They were assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and for a time were engaged in guarding the Chesapeake & Ohio canal. Mr. Gushee took an active part in many skirmishes and was under the command of General Banks when he drove the rebels from Winchester, Virginia. After a great many marches and counter-marches he was placed in Mc- Dowell's corps in front of Washington, on the Rappahannock river. Being taken ill, he was taken to the hospital at Alexandria and on his recovery was detailed as clerk, but was soon afterward again taken sick and honorably discharged on a surgeon's certifi- cate in December, 1862. Returning to his home in Maine, he afterward tried to re-en- list, but was rejected. From Natick, Massachusetts, Mr. Gushee went to West Virginia, in 1867, and after teaching school in that state was similarly employed in Ohio for about six years. Coming to Polk county, Nebraska, he homesteaded his present farm in 1873, and erected thereon a little board shanty, 14x12 feet. The first year he raised a small crop of sod corn, but the next year the grasshop- pers destroyed everything. He had no other neighbors, and on his return home at night from market was guided only by the buffalo bones which he had stuck up to mark the path. In connection with his farming operations, he engaged in school- teaching for some time, and prospering in his undertakings he is now the owner of a good farm of two hundred acres, sixty of which are under excellent cultivation and well improved. In 1867 Mr. Gushee was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary L. Phillips, a native of Marietta, Ohio, and a daughter of Joseph M. Phillips, and to them was born one child, Helen E., now the wife of Dr. Harvey Gregg. They are widely and favorably known and have a host of warm friends. Politically Mr. Gushee is now independent, and is an advocate of the free coinage of silver, but previous to the Republican con- vention held at St. Louis in 1896, had always supported that party. He has acceptably served as assessor of Osceola precinct, and was also elected justice of the peace, but refused to qualify. HON. RODERICK E. DUNPHY, was born in Lafayette count}', Wisconsin, in 1848. He learned the blacksmith trade in his native country, and lived there until 1872, when he went to Rockford, Illinois. In 1873 he returned to his old home, and married Miss Elizabeth A. Gregory. He remained there until 1879, when he came to Seward and opened a wagon and carriage shop, and has conducted a successful busi- ness ever since. He served for four years on the city council, and in 1882 was elect- ed to the state senate from his county. In 1886, his wife died, leaving him the care of their two children. Miss Gabriel B., and Homer G. He has always occupied a high position in his community, and has COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 845 always been ready to assist in any public enterprise that would tend to develope in any way his city and county. He is now serving on the school board. WARREN J. POST, a leading and in- fluential citizen of Momence precinct, Fillmore county, and a representative of one of its prominent pioneer families, is success- fully engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 20. He was born in Vermont, March 14, 1853, but was educated in the schools of Illinois, in which state the family then made their home. His parents, An- drew J. and Mary Louisa (Barnes) Post, were also natives of the Green Mountain state, and to them were born four children, two sons and two daughters, namely: Sa- villa Hannah, who married Ira Goodsell, and died in Illinois at the age of thirty-four years, leaving five children, three sons and two daughters: Etta, wife of E. C. Jackman and a resident of Kansas, and Harvey J. and Warren J., who are both living in Momence precinct, Fillmore county. After their marriage the parents of our subject remained in Vermont for several years, the father being engaged in agricult- ural pursnits, and then removed to Illinois, where he continued his farming operations until the migration of the family to Ne- braska in 1874. He took up a homestead of eighty acres in Momence precinct, Fill- more county, and the son also took up a similar amount. For about nine years the family lived in a sod house and underwent all the hardships and privations incident to to life on the frontier. They had their crops destroyed by the grasshoppers and also by drought and hail, which caused hard times, but by careful management, strict economy and untiring labors, they over- came all obstacles in the path to prosperity and success at length crowned their efforts. The father died in 1881, at the age of fifty- one years, and was buried in Momence cemetery. The mother survived him a number of years, dying in 1897, at the age of seventy, and she was laid to rest by the side of her husband. Both were faithful and earnest members of the Congregational church, and enjoyed the respect and esteem of all who knew them. Warren J. Post and his brother now live on the old homestead, and with them reside their niece, Savilla Etta Post, now fifteen years of age, who brightens their home by her presence. In common with the early settlers they had much to contend with in pioneer days, their nearest market being Sutton, a distance of thirteen miles, for Geneva was just starting and Shickley had not yet been thought of. They are enterprising, wide-awake and progressive business men, to whom due success has not been denied, for they are now the own- ers of three hundred and twenty acres of valuable and highly cultivated land. In religious faith they are Congregationalists, and in politics are Populists, but at local elections support the man whom they be- lieve best qualified for office, regardless of party ties. In all the relations of life they have been found true to every trust reposed in them and their circle of friends seems only limited by their circle of acquaintances. REMINISCENCES OF NEBRASKA PIO- NEER DAYS By Warren J. Post. My parents were born in Vermont. Af- ter they were married they moved to Green county, Illinois, 1S56. They went on a farm that was nearly all timber. They cleared the ground in order to raise a crop. The second year the Army worm destroyed all the small grain. They had a hard time those years. They staid four years there. Then they moved to Woodford county, Illi- nois, and bought a farm that was all prairie. The estate of my grand-father was not settled until the war broke out. Then the administrator enlisted and was killed, his 846 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. bond was worthless, and everything was then lost. There were six children in my grand-father's family. Each one was to have two thousand two hundred dollars So that put father in such bad circumstances that he lost the farm that he had bought. Then he rented a place until rent got so high they could not make a living at it. So in September, 1873, ^^^ emigrated to Ne- braska. It took us five long weeks. We landed in Beatrice; it was then a small town, but lively all the same. When we came on our land, father and I had four dollars and sixty cents between us. Then we traded one team for oxen, then we began breaking prairie. We put in ten acres of wheat and twenty-five acres of corn; the grasshoppers ate the corn up and I heard at the time that some of the neighbors lost their plow shears and grindstones. Let that be as it may, we had ours covered up, so if they ate theirs up, we were in luck. We got our fuel to burn from the South Blue river. We had twenty miles to haul it. It was green cotton- wood; it made a good fire after you had burnt all the water out. But then there was no cotton-wood left. But what was the stuff then was a good sod-house. I believe if we had a sod-house for this winter (1899) it would have been more comfortable. In the autumn of 1874, L. D. Phillips, P. L. Lancaster and myself went buffalo hunting. As neither we nor any of the neighbors had any meat of any kind and no money to buy any. we started from home with two wagons and eight large barrels for the meat. We went by the way of Hast- ings; it only contained about twenty houses at that time, and from there to Kearney; it contained about one hundred houses and it was a pretty tough place then. There were Mexicans and cow-boys. They ran the town almost as they pleased. We stayed there two da\s and bought our sup- plies. There was a man killed while we were there. Next we went to North Platte City. It was a ver}' lively town — too much so for us tenderfeet from the east. We got two antelope while crossing the Platte valley. We went south to the Re- publican river. In crossing the river we got mired down in quicksand. We had to unload and carry overything out. The water was three and one-half feet deep. While a Nebraska gentle breeze was blow- ing from the north, then it was to build a fire and dry our clothes. Next we started across to the Red Willow. Then our eyes began to get larger, for we could see herds of buffalo in all directions. We camped on Red Willow at noon. We were very anx- ious for some buffalo meat, so after dinner we started to see what we could do with them. They looked like sod houses moving to us, so we agreed to kill only animals one and two years old, so we would have nice tender meat. We got two that after- noon. While we were going to camp we got one wolf and one wild cat. To make a long stor}' short, we got our barrels filled with nice tender meat. I killed my first buffalo with my first shot. I have some very nice buffalo horns now, and think a great deal of them as old relics. We were with the buffaloes two weeks. Just one mile from our camp there was an Indian buried in a tree. It was wrapped in a blanket, such as beads and wristlets were also with it. It was laid on poles and they were laid across the limbs of the tree. All the rivers and small streams were full of beaver and otter. There were many elk, deer, antelope and wolves. We saw herds of buffalo that were three miles long and from one-half to two miles wide. We thought at the time there were thirty thou- sand head in some herds. This may seem large, but it is all true. We killed forty buffaloes, four elk, several deer and ante- lope. We saw where the Indians had killed from twenty-five to one hundred buf- falo in one place that did not cover fifteen acres of ground. We got arrows that laid where the remains were left. Remember, we spent all our money at Kearney to buy our supplies. So when we started back we didn't have any flour or tobacco when we reached Kearney. We had to hunt ante- lope and sell them to get money to buy pro- visions. It was straight meat three times a day for one week. We thought it pretty tough at that time. I believe I could get along now for a day or two on some good tender buffalo meat. As I stated before, we started hunting antelope and selling to Kearney people. Next we concluded to ship our barrels of meat home from Kearney to Edgar. Father and the neighbors went COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY 847 and got it. Then they were very much pleased. Each barrel weighed over four hundred pounds. We stayed at Kearney for two weeks and sold forty dollars worth of antelope and deer. While we were hunt- ing in the sand hills we saw where there had been a buggy burned, and by it was a man's skull and some other bones. I sup- pose it was the work of the Indians. We came home when winter had com- menced. I remember that winter was a very hard one. My brother, Harvey J. Post, and myself killed eighty jack-rabbits that winter. We shipped them to Omaha. We got as high as fifty cents apiece for them. That kept us till spring. Then I went to Illinois and worked till it was time for me to be back on my homestead. Be- fore I forget a little incident I will tell you what happened when we were hunting. Mr. Phillips, our partner in hunting, was a great hand to tell us stories of what happened while he was in the army. We have list- ened to him for hours at a time. What I am about to tell, he will remember well. Each time he would tell us a story he would wind up with " Right about face." I sup- pose that was in the drill he had to perform for Uncle Sam. We had been out from early morn till about four o'clock p. m. We had been hunting on foot. We made our shoes out of buffalo rawhide. They were very nice to wear because they were very soft and pliable. But when they got dry, they were very slippery, so much so you had to be very careful or you would sit down very sudden. We had a very steep hill to go down and our slippery shoes were not very comfortable. The hill was about sixty yards to the level. There were several bunches of cactus, a kind of a flower plant. But had some very sharp thorns. We started down the hill, Mr. Phillips in the lead as usual. All at once his slippery shoes flew up and down the hill he went straight for a large bunch of those prairie roses, stickers and all. He inclined one shoe for the north pole and one for the south pole. When he struck those prairie roses he turned a complete somersault and alighted on his feet squarel)'. And I hallooed to him, " Right about face." I will never forget once, when Mr. Phil- lips and myself, had been hunting, and was crossing a large cafion that led from the di- vide to the Red Willow. The canon was about forty rods across from bluff to bluff. At some time there had been a very large rain, tor in the center of the canon it had washed out several places that would run from one foot to four feet deep. We were crossing this when we saw several buffalo coming down the the canon. So we got in one of the places and sat down, and wait- ed for the buffalo to come. We probably waited twenty minutes, when Mr. Phillips says, " I guess it is going to rain, did 30U not hear it thunder." And I raised up to look, and see how near the game was. I no sooner looked over the bank than I said, " look at the buffaloes." The canon was full of them. If we had let them come any nearer it would probably have been bad for us. Mr. Phillips and I were coming into camp. There was a buffalo run out from under a bank. I shot at him, he went a few yards and laid down. Mr. Phillips says " by smut," I will have a chance to show Lancaster that I can kill a buffalo by shooting them in the head, Mr. Phillips was hunting with a small muzzle-loading rifle, so now I will tell my story. We walked down within thirty feet of the buffalo; Mr. Phillips says " now I'll fix him," so he fired at his head. Mr. Buffalo shook his head. So Mr. Phillips loaded his gun again, putting two charges of powder in this time, and fired again. This time the buffalo shook his head a little more than common. The old gun was loaded again with three charges of powder, and it spoke again. Mr. Phillips and the old gun dis- solved partnership, but the buffalo was his. As I have no more time to write, I will have to stop on my Wild West stories. I AMES FROM. — The subject of this k-J sketch is one of the leading farmers of Olive township, Butler county. He located on the southwest quarter of section 30, of that township, in April, 1871, and has since made that his home, and in the prosecution of his farm work he has been very indus- trious, progressive in his ideas, and ready to take advantage of every turn of the tide to improve his circumstances. 848 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. In tracing the life of our subject we find that he is a native of Center county, Penn- sylvania, and was born in 1S40, a son of Daniel From, also a Pennsylvanian by birth and a farmer by occupation. Mr. From was reared on a farmland attended the pub- lic schools during the winters, but each sum- mer he entered a private educational insti- tution. At the age of fifteen years he moved with his parents to Stephenson county, Illinois, and made that his home until the breaking out of the Civil war. He then enlisted in company B, Forty-sixth Illinois Infantry, being enrolled at Camp Butler, September 10, 1861, and was in the service continuously from that date until the close of the war, and his experience was one of unusual activity. He reached Fort Donelson with the regiment of which he was a member a day and a half before its surrender, participated in its capture and his regiment was the first to occupy the cap- tured fortress. After an overland march to Fort Henry he was included in the fleet which was reorganized to go to Pittsburg Landing, or Shiloh. During the battle at this place our subject escaped the jaws of death with the loss of a portion of his clothing by the explosion of a shell. From there he went to the siege of Corinth, Mis- sissippi, and after its evacuation, to Mem- phis, Tennessee, where he went into camp in July. After breaking camp in the fol- lowing September the regiment moved to Bolivar, Tennessee, and here Mr. From was overcome with heat and sickness and was sent to convalescent camp at LaGrange, Tennessee. He was next engaged in and around Vicksburg, and from there went to Camp Cowan, where he re-enlisted and then went home on his veteran furlough. Re- turning to service in March, 1864, he was sent to New Orleans, and from thence to Mobile and Spanish Fort. He next partici- pated in the charge on Blakely, and then returned to Mobile, which had surrendered, and was there detailed to guard the govern- ment stores in Mississippi. At the close of the war, Mr. From was mustered out of service at Baton Rouge and went to Cairo by the river, and from thence by rail to Camp Butler, where he received his discharge February 2, 1866. From war to peace was but a little step for Mr. From and he resumed the more tran- quil vocation of a farmer as readily as he had turned from farming to war. He next moved to Marshall county, Iowa, and shortly after, April 21, 1867, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Emeline Pifer, daughter of John Pifer, of Marshall county Iowa, and to this union were born nine children, of whom we have the following record: Mary E., now the wife of J. G. Lichliter, of Butler county, Nebraska; William H., who died in Iowa; Francis and John H., who were both born in Marshall county, Iowa; and Edward, James W., Myrtie May, Uriah and Harvey, born in Butler county, Nebraska. Mr. From is a member of A. Lincoln post. No. 10, Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. From is a potent factor in the prosperity enjoyed by Butler county and has been of great assistance in devel- oping and extending its agriculture. He has an extensive farm, well stocked and equipped with fine buildings, and his sur- roundings testify clearly of the success he has made in life. GEORGE WATTS, one of Seward coun- ty's wealthy farmers and prominent citizens, is making his home on a fine tract of two hundred and forty acres of land in precinct N, Seward county, his residence being situated in section 4, near the village of Goehner. Mr. Watts is an old settler of this locality, and as a result of his thrifty and economical habits and his shrewd busi- ness management, he has acquired consid- erable means and is possessed of several COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 849 tracts of farm land in adjoining counties, and also of property in the town of Goehner. The subject of our sketch is a native of Somersetshire, England, his natal day being May 28, 1 84 1. He is a son of William and Sallie Watts, and the names of his maternal grandparents were Joseph and Mary. Mr. Watts came to America in company with his mother when he was thirteen years of age. His father had migrated to the new world three years previous, settled in Wis- consin, and had worked the most of the time at day labor. W'hen his wife and George arrived, they moved to Spring Grove, Illinois, where they made their home until George attained the age of twenty-six years. Mr. Watts engaged in farming near Spring Grove for five years and then went to Minnesota, where he remained one year. After this he returned to Wisconsin, and was there engaged in farming and hauling cranberries for about five years, and during the winters of that period he worked in the lumber regions. Upon his return to Wis- consin he met Miss Jennet A. Zalzell, and was united to her in marriage in Juneau county on the iith day of October, 1867. Upon leaving Wisconsin, our subject moved with his wife and two children, to Seward county, Nebraska, the year before the grasshoppers made their ravages in that state. Here he settled on the east half of the northeast quarter of section 4, in pre- cinct N, for which he had previously traded Wisconsin property, giving the deed to his wife as a present. He at once built a sod house, fourteen by eighteen feet, with an addition ten by fourteen feet. This struct- ure he furnished with a shingle roof and a board floor, which gave him the name of "The aristocrat" among the early settlers. He then went to work in earnest for him- self, having heretofore worked only for others. During the first year he broke eighty acres and planted it in corn, wheat, oats and cottonwood cuttings, the latter with the view to cultivating shade trees. A few years later, he was able to add to the original farm by purchasing an adjoining eighty acres, and still later he purchased the third eighty from the railroad company. Mr. Watts then turned his attention to im- proving his farm and set out trees, not only for shade, but from year to year put out fruit trees, including apples, peaches, pears, plums, cherries and grapes, which have now been bearing for several years, enough for his own family and for many of his neigh- bors. Besides his home place of two hun- dred and forty acres, our subject has one hundred and sixty acres of farm land in Valley county, and also one hundred and sixty acres in Cheyenne county, one hun- dred and sixty acres in Frontier county, and also has a two-story brick business building in the village of Goehner, and he and his wife have other houses and property in this village. As evidence of the diligence and skillful management exercised by Mr. and Mrs. Watts, we will add right here that with the exception of four hundred dollars, which Mr. Watts received from his father's estate, and the sum of one hundred and two dollars, which Mrs. Watts received from her father's estate, their entire possessions have come through the ordinary channels of agricultural profits. They have twice suffered loss by fire, amounting, in all, to not less than one thousand dollars. The family consists of the following named children, viz: John, Nettie, Will- iam L. , Georgianna, Richard A., Albert J., Frank D. and Agnes E. ANDREW J. SWANSON is one of the most prosperous and successful of Polk county, his home being on section 26, town- ship 14, range 3. As a young man of twenty-two years he came to America, and with no capital started out in a strange land to overcome the difficulties ;ind 850 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. obstacles in the path to prosperity. His youthful dreams of success have been more than realized, and in their happy fulfillment he sees the fitting reward of his earnest toil. Mr. Swanson's early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, his birth occurr- ing August 26, 1845, in Smoland. Sweden. There his father, Swan Swanson, a well-to- do farmer, spent his entire life, dying about 1 891. Our subject grew to manhood in his native land, and received a good prac- tical education, which has well fitted him for life's responsible duties. In 1868 he emigrated to America and settled in Ivno.x county, Illinois, where he worked for farmers until coming to Nebraska in 1871. After purchasing one hundred and si.xty acres of railroad land in Polk county, he returned to Illinois and did not locate upon his homestead until the following year, having built theron a little frame house 12 X 18 feet. In August, 1872, Mr. Swanson married Miss Anna M. Olson, a native of Galesburg, Illinois, and a daughter of Peter Olson, now a resident of Saunders county, Nebraska. They began their domestic life in the little house he had erected and carried on house- keeping in true pioneer style, while he broke ten acres the first year, planted it in corn and also raised some sod corn. They were living here during the great snow storm in April, 1873, and also passed through the grasshopper plague the following year, those insects destroying his entire crop of corn. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, Mr. Swan- son has prospered and is now the owner of eight hundred acres of the best farming land to be found in the county, all of which he has placed under cultivation with the ex- ception of twenty acres. He rents the greater portion of his land, but operates a tract of three hundred and twenty acres, upon which is a fine orchard of about sixty bearing trees set out by him, besides many shade and ornamental trees. He has an ex- cellent brick residence, built in 1885, at a cost of three thousand dollars, and upon his home farm are other improvements, which have cost a similar amount. Mr. Swanson has been called upon to mourn the loss of his estimable wife, who died very suddenly April 29, 1896, and was laid to rest in the Swede Home cemetery. She was a true helpmeet to him in their early pioneer life, and to her encourage- ment and aid he attributes much of his suc- cess. Of the twelve children born to them only six are now living: Hilda C, Anna M., Emma J., John Albert, Carl August and Allen Bernard, who have received good ed- ucations in both English and Swedish. The daughters now keep house for their father. Mr. Swanson is a consistent member of the Lutheran church at Swede Home, of which his wife was also a member, and he has been officially connected with the same, and has assisted in building two churches in Polk county. He holds the highest policy in the Scandinavian Mutual Insurance Com- pany, and has been a member of its board of directors. Lately he has given his polit- ical support to the People's party, and his influence is never withheld from any enter- prise which he believes will prove of public benefit or will in any way promote the gen- eral welfare. Although an adopted son of America, his loyalty is above question, and his labors in the interests of his county have been most effective and beneficial. L H. ROGERS.— A gentleman of the highest character and strictest integrity, combined with a wide knowledge of men and the world, is always sure to cause a man to become well known. The above attri- butes are possessed by the subject of this sketch, who is illustrating them by his life of usefulness in Lockridge township, York county. He was born in Cumberland couli- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 851 ty, Maine, January 15, 1841, and is a son of David and Susan (Harmon) Rogers, who were both natives of Maine. They removed to Illinois in 1853, and settled in LaSalle county, where Mr. Rogers died at the age of seventy-five. He was a sailor by trade, but the greater part of his life was spent in following agricultural pursuits. L. H. Rogers was the youngest child in a family of si.x children and received his education in the public schools of LaSalle county. He assisted his father on the home farm until he attained the age of twenty, when he started out to farm for himself in LaSalle county. He remained there until 1885, when he came to York county, Ne- braska, and purchased a farm in section 5, of Lockridge township, which he now owns and operates. His estate is given over to general farming and stock raising, which Mr. Rogers carries on according to the most modern and improved methods of agriculture. In 1865 he was united in marriage to Miss Sophia B. Knight, who is a native of Maine. To this congenial union si.x chil- dren have been born, upon whom they have bestowed the following names: Hattie R. , Arthur B., Curtis A., CyrenusD., Willis S. and Blanche V. , and all of whom are now living. In the local political affairs Mr. Rogers has been quite prominent, and was elected to the office of township treasurer by his fellow Republicans, but dfd not ac- cept the same. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for a number of years. He has been very successful in his career, and is a firm believer in and pre- dicts a brilliant future for the state of Ne- braska. He is one of the most widely-known and highly respected of the citizens of the county. JONATHAN F. MARTIN belongs to that large class of intelligent and enterpris- ing farmers whose homes are places of so- cial and mental comfort and refreshment, and whose work as developers of the coun- try is a credit alike to themselves and the community. His estate is located on sec- tion II, Olive township, Butler county. The farm is adorned by a commodious and substantial dwelling, barn and out-buildings, together with such other surroundings which make it a fit habitation. Modern machinery is used in its cultivation, and the latest im- provements are to be seen in the method of its operation. Mr. Martin went west with his parents and settled in Butler county, November 6, 1 87 1. He was born in Pecatonica, Illi- nois, November 2, 1856, a son of Hugh Martin, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, who settled in Illinois in an early day, and engaged in farming there until moving to Butler county, Nebraska, in 1871, and located on section 18, township 15, range 2. His wife bore the maiden name of Miss Ann Jane Smith, and was a native of Pennsylva- nia, where she was married. To this union were born six children, five of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Robert T. ; Will- iam, who died in infancy; Jonathan F., the subject of this sketch; Sarah Ann Gear, who is living in Wisconson; Arabelle; and George W., living in Butler county, Nebraska. Jonathan F. Martin, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm, and Decem- ber 29, 1881, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza M. Zeilinger, daughter of John Zeilinger, of Butler county, Nebraska. Of the three children born to this union, two are now living, namely: Clarence Leroy, born in June, 1883, and Paul Phillips Henry, born September 5, 1892. Our subject is a man who commands respect wherever he is known, is pleasant, warmhearted, and has a good capacity for well-directed labor, which have placed him in the forefront among the farmers of his vicinity. He is keenly active to the interests of the coinmunit}', and does all in his power to push all schemes forward 852 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. that will in any way enhance its growth or elevate its status. He takes special interest in the cause of education and is at present serving on the board of school directors. Politically he is a Republican. EARNEST KRUHM.— This name will be recognized by the citizens of Goehner and vicinity as that of one of its leading business men who is doing an extensive hardware business. He started in life with no capital outside of his physical and mental abilities, and is to day one of the solid men of Seward county. Mr. Kruhm was born in central Germany, October 2, 1863, a son of William and Eliz- abeth (Beck) Kruhm, the former born Jan- uary 13, 1S31, and the latter born January 21, 1830. His paternal grandfather, Cas- par Kruhm, was a public surveyor, and no settlement of land could be made in his jurisdiction without his testimony. In ad- dition to his duties as surveyor, he was a millwright and taught this trade to his son William, and he in turn taught his oldest son, Gustav, brother of our subject; so, for several generations, mill-building has been an occupation of the family. The family also owned a small tract of land, and among these varied occupations they have been well-to-do. As a family they have been very thrifty and industrious, and almost without exception they have been faithful and consistent members of the Lutheran church. The parents of our subject are yet living in the old country, and before coming to this country, Mr. Ivruhm had the unusual pleasure of attending his grand- father's golden wedding in 1880, and the silver wedding of his parents in the follow- ing year. Mr. Kruhm entered the employ of a hardware firm in Nordhausen, Germany, in 1878, and from there he went to the city of Eisleben, where Martin Luther was born and died, and the building in which our sub- ject was a clerk, joined the historical build- ing in which Luther died, and he was also present at the unveiling of a monument to the memory of this great reformer. Mr. Kruhm crossed the Atlantic in 1886 in the "Sorrento," landing at New York city, and from there he soon made his way to Lincoln, Nebraska. From thence he went to Waco, in York county, and spent about ten days with an old friend, and from there he went to Bennett, where he was emploj'ed as a farm laborer. From Bennett he returned to Lin- coln, and about three month, later he came to Goehner, Seward county, and became a clerk for a lumber and hardware firm. In the course of a few months this firm sold out to Walker & Co., and this company la- ter sold to S. K. Martin Lumber Company, but our subject still remained business man- ager and conducted the whole business for the firm for nearly four years. He then bought out the hardware stock and went into business for himself and has now been thus engaged for over five years, making an aggregate of eleven years in this line of work since settling in Goehner. To his stock of hardware, he has since added a line of furniture, harnesses, paints and oils, all of which he carries in his own name and is- free from all incumbrance. Mr. Kruhm is still in the prime of life and has attained an assured position among the substantial men of his calling in this county, as he is possessed of an indomitable will, untiring perseverance, and an energetic character. He speaks and writes two languages with accuracy, and is somewhat acquainted with French. LEVI H. MAPPS.— The agricultural element that has been so largely in- strumental in the upbuilding of York coun- ty is finely represented in this gentleman,, who was one of its earliest settlers, and who COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 853; has a valuable farm in Lockridge township, of which he is a leading farmer and one of the most prominent citizens. Our subject was born in Will county, Illinois, June i6, 1852, a son of Robert H. and Susana (Shoffner) Mapps. The parents were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, re- spectively, and moved to Illinois in 1845 and settled in Will county, and made that their home during the remaining years of their lives. By occupation the father was a cooper and auctioneer. Our subject's grandfather, William Mapps, was a native of New Jersey, and moved west to Illinois in about 1846 and died in that state. Our subject is the second in the order of birth of a family of six children, four sons and two daughters. His father died in 1886, but his mother is still living and is making her home in Will county, Illinois. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Will county, Illinois, and as soon as he became old enough he began working on a farm. He followed this occupation in Illinois until 1880, and then moved to York county, Nebraska, arriving February 20. He bought a farm in section 14, Lockridge township, and still owns this tract, and, although it was then bleak, unbroken prairie, it is now one of the finest farms of the county. March 3, 1878, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Magdalene Zimmer, a native of Germany, who came to America with her parents when but six months of age. Her parents first located in Indiana, but died soon after arriving in this country. Mr. and Mrs. Mapps are the parents of a family of three children, Susan A., Robert H. and Ethel I. all of whom are living. In politics Mr. Mapps is a Populist and has taken considerable interest in the local affairs of that organization. He has served the citizens of his adopted district and town- ship in the capacity of school director and township assessor. Socially he affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal High- landers. Mr. Mapps is ambitious and en- terprising, and although he started in Ne- braska with a cash capital of but twenty- five dollars and faced the difficulties and privations of settlement in a new and very sparcely settled territory, he has met with marked success and is now possessed of a comfortable fortune. JOHN WESLEY ARRASMITH, a pros- perous and influential citizen residing in precinct N, Seward county, was the first white child born in Henry county, Illinois, his birth occurring November 23, 1835, and the greater part of his life has been passed amidst scenes of frontier life. His parents were Alvin and Emily (Stowers) Arrasmith,, and his paternal grandparents Wesley and Elizabeth (Reed) Arrasmith. They were all originally from England, and were devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The father died June 9, 1863, at the age of fifty-seven years. Our subject was his only- son, but in the family were seven daugh- ters, six of whom are still living, namely: Sarah H. , Mary J., Nancy G., Martha R., Margaret A. and Julia A. All are married and have homes of their own. The subject of this review received his education in the common schools of Henry county, Illinois, and early obtained a thor- ough practical knowledge of farm work upon the old homestead, which was pre- sented to him by his father prior to his mar- riage. It was on the 25th of June, 1862, that he led to the marriage altar Miss Rosilla Maria Derby. She is one of a fam- ily of six children, the others being Hattie, Charles W., J. Fletcher, H. Willie and Jos- eph H., all of whom are married and have homes of their own. The oldest brother, Charles Wesley Derby, has served two terms as sheriff of Butler county, Nebraska, 854 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. and is quite popular as a public official and citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Arrasmith began housekeeping in a new residence which he had erected on the old farm, and there con- tinued to make their home until March, 1883, when he sold the place, consisting of three hundred acres, at sixty dollars per acre, and started for Nebraska. At Bell- wood he purchased land at seven dollars per acre and there engaged in agricultural pursuits for nine years. His next home was in Beaver Crossing, where he lived un- til October, 1893, when he sold his prop- erty in town and moved to his present farm in precinct N, Seward county, where he has four hundred acres of valuable and well im- proved land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, making it one of the most productive, as well as one of the most attractive farms in the locality. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Arrasmith, of whom nine are still liv- ing, as follows: (i) Alvin Joseph married Clara Herder, daughter of Peter Herder, and they have five children, Benjamin, who is now fourteen years old, but being born on the 29th of February, he only has a birth- day every four years; Fred Alvin; AltaMay; Edward Parsons and Lillie. {2) Ida May is the wife of George McMullen, and they have six children: George William, Arthur, Otis, Lydia Jane, Paul A. and an infant. (3) Minnie Melvina is the wife of Arthur French, son of Henry and Mary French, of Hartford, Connecticut, and they have three children: Mary Willard, John Wesley and Olive Arrasmith. (4) Hattie Opal is the wife of Edmond Johnson, of Girard, Mich- igan, and they have two children: Earl G. and Clark Willard. (5) Lillie Parthenia is the wife of Hugh McMullen, and they have three children: John Harvey, Paul Ver- ninum and Grace Belle. (6) Fred Arthur married Mamie Seavey, daughter of Josiah and Abbie Seavey. Her father died from disease contracted in the army during the Rebellion. To Fred and Mamie Arrasmith have been born two children: Howard Ar- thur and Ruth Seavey. (7) Fannie Amelia is the wife of David Stall and they have three children: Florence May, Bessie Opal and Fern Amelia. (8) Bessie Pearl and (9) John Wesley are still at home. The chil- dren are not only the joy and pride of their parents but also of their grandparents as well, and often make the home of the latter ring with their merriment. Since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, Mr. Arrasmith has been a pronounced Republican in politics, a firm believer in a high protective tariff and the gold standard, and he supported \^'illiam McKinley at the last election. Mrs. Arrasmith is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Beaver Cross- ing, and though not a member of any de- nomination her husband is also a believer in the Christian religion. They are widely and favorably known and have made many warm friends since coming to Seward coun- ty, in whose future prosperity they take a deep interest. MICHAEL W. MAHONEY is engaged in the banking business at Bruno, Ne- braska, and is widely known both for his enterprising spirit and his sound judgment. His integrity is beyond question, and busi- ness methods have invariably proved wise and timely. His broad and progressive na- ture has led him to take a lively interest in all plans and schemes that had in view the public welfare, in every sense of the word he is one of the leading men of Butler county. Mr. Mahoney is of Irish nativity, and was ushered into the world in the famous county Cork, Ireland, in i860, and is there- fore still a young man, and in the very prime of his manly power. His parents, James and Margaret (Flynn) Mahone}', COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 855 were boni and married in that county. Thej' had their home in the old town of Mitchelltown, where there the famous John Mitchell originated, and there they remained until 1866, when they followed a great tide of emigration, and came to America. Janies Mahoney brought his wife and little ones to Adams county, Illinois, but soon re- moved to Hancock county, in the same state, where he served the Wabash railroad for many years as yard master at Hamilton. He threw up his work with the railroad company in 1 870, appeared in Butler county, bringing with him his wife and five children, Michael W., Thomas F., Nellie, W. J., and Maggie, and located them on a homestead entry of eighty acres in Section 12, Skull Creek township. In addition to this he bought a half section of land, for which he paid two dollars and seventy cents an acre in cash. He was thus well situated to care for a growing famil}-. He gave his children good advantages in schooling and they are well and prosperous to-day. Mr. Mahoney profited by the opportu- ities for education that the times provided, and was a well informed man by the time he had attained his majority. He helped his father put the paternal homestead in or- der, and then engaged in farming for him- self. He was married in 1882 to Miss Car- rie Coufal, a daughter of Ferdinand Coufal, a Bohemian who came to Butler county in 1S72, and made a homestead entry in one of its most delightful valleys. She was a child when her parents came to this coun- try, and has grown up in Butler county into a charming and graceful womanhood. She is the mother of eight children, Nellie, Mag- gie, James, Frank, George, Leonard, Grace and Michael, Jr. The young banker is a leader in the councils of the Republican party in this quarter of the state, and his influence is felt as a positive force far be- yond the limits of the county, He is at the head of the Bruno State Bank, and has ex- tensive real estate interests in both this and adjoining counties. He is a master of the difficult speech of the Bohemians, and is re- garded as an unquestioned authority among them. He is a Catholic, and his father was one of the early promoters of the faith in this county. His career has been inter- esting and successful, and might well form an object lesson to the discontented and discouraged, who rail against the times and claim that the doors of opportunity only open to the touch of a golden key. He began life with no great advantages, but by courage and enterprise, wit and persistence, he has already accumulated a very substantial for- tune, which bids fair to assume large pro- portions before his death. JOSEPH SWEARINGEN.— The world instinctively pays deference to the man whose success has been worthily achieved, who has acquired a high reputation in his chosen calling, and whose social prominence is not less the result of an upright life than of recognized natural gifts. It is a pleasing indulgence to write the biography of a man of this character, such as Mr. Swearingen is known to be. This eminent and honored citize-i of Seward county, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, September 20, 1840, and traces his ancestry back to Gerret von Swearingen, who was born in Beemsterdam, Holland, in 1636, and was a younger son in a family belonging to the nobility. He re- ceived a liberal education, and when a young man performed responsible duties in the maritime service of the Dutch West India Company, which, in 1656, fitted out the ship Prince Maurice with emigrants and supplies, appointing him its supercargo. This vessel sailed from the port of Amster- dam, December 21, 1656, and was stranded off Fire Island, near the southern coast of Long Island, but they succeeded in saving 856 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. part of the cargo during the following five days. After the wreck Gerret von Swear- ingen asked to be relieved from the com- pany's service, as he intended to locate here, and as there was nothing for him to do his request was granted. He was married in New York, about 1659, to Barbarah de Barrette, a native of Valenciennes, France. He was sheriff, commissary and a member of the council, and was interested in the cultivation of some low lands, and also in a duck poud and in trade. In 1660, he went to Holland, taking his wife with him, and there remained a year in behalf of the colony. Returning to New York the fol- lowing year, he resumed his former duties. It is said that after the surrender of the colony to the English he publicly broke his sword across his knee, and throwing the pieces to right and left, renounced all allegiance to the Dutch authorities. Shortly after the surrender, in April, 1669, he, with his wife and two children, removed to Maryland, and on their petition to Lord Baltimore, were naturalized by act of the general as- sembly held at St. Mary's, that province. This important act will be understood when it is stated that the ownership of land was restricted to British subjects. He conducted an inn at St. Mary's and owned land in St. Mary's and Talbott counties, Maryland. In 1668 he was appointed alderman of the city; in 1674 built the city's stocks and whipping post, and was appointed sheriff, first in 1686 and again in 1687. His first wife died in 1670, and he afterward married Mary Smith, of St. Mary's, the ante-nuptial mar- riage settlement being executed October 5, 1676. His death occurred in 1698, and hers some years later. She was a member of the Church of England. The parents of our subject were Jackson and Nancy Ann (Laughlin) Swearingen. The father was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1815, was a farmer by oc- cupation, and immediately after the Civil war removed to Hookstown, that county, where he died February 10, 1887. His wife died at the same place in 1897, and both were buried in Mill Creek cemetery, near the oldest church in that section of the country. In their family were six children, as follows: Basil, who married Anna Boyd and died in Hookstown at the age of fifty. Anna died in infancy. Joseph, our subject, is the next of the family. Samuel married Mary Cloud, who died about eight years ago, but he is still living in Hookstown. Sarah married James E. Brandon and died leaving two children, Samuel and Maude, who live near New Cumberland, Virginia. Elizabeth is the wife of A. J. Scott and lives in Texas. Their only child, Viva, is now being educated for a trained nurse. Joseph Swearingen attended the com- mon schools of Pennsylvania for about three months during the year until sixteen years of age, but he has greatly supplemented his early education by extensive reading and observation in later years. At the age of seventeen he commenced learing the black- smith's trade, which he followed in connec- tion with other occupation until about twelve years ago. He was first married at the age of twenty to Miss Mary Laughlin, of Beaver county, Pennsylvania. Two years later he left his young wife and went to the front in response to his country's call for aid, enlisting August 14, 1862, in Com- pany H, One Hundred and Fortieth Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Samuel Campbell. After two years and nine months of arduous and faithful service on southern battle fields, he was honorably discharged as hostilities had ceased. The principal engagements in which he partici- pated were the battles of Chancellorsville, in May, 1863, and Gettysburg in the follow- ing July. On his return home he contin- ued to work at his trade in his native coun- ty for some years, and there his wife died in 1869, leaving three children, (i) Maril- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 857 da is now the wife of Lee R. Atwood, a farmer of Milford, Seward county, Nebras- ka, and they have two children: Carl, aged sixteen years; and Chester, aged five. (2) Joetta is the wife of George Lyon, of Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, and they have three sons. (3) Jackson married Lyulian McDon- ald and has three sons. In 1 87 1 Mr. Swearingen came to Ne- braska and the following year took a home- stead of one hundred and sixtj' acres in Clay county, being entitled to a soldier's claim. Returning to Pennsylvania, in 1873, he married Miss Agnes Kirk, and on again com- ing to this state located permanently in Milford, Seward county, where in connec- tion with farming he worked at his trade until 1885, since which time he has devoted most of his attention to agricultural pursuits. He now owns a fine farm of one hundred and twenty-eight acres two miles north of Milford in the valley of the Blue, which contains the richest and most productive soil in the state. Mr. Swearingen's second wife died in Milford in 1879, and was buried in Blue Mount cemetery. See left one child, Paul Vane, who is now twenty-three years of age and is at home. In 1885 our subject mar- ried Miss L. M. Terrell, of Milford, and to them has been born a son, Thomas Laugh- lin, who is nine years old and is attending the public schools of Milford. Mr. Swearingen cast his first vote, while in the service of his country, for Abraham Lincoln, and has since been a stanch suppor- ter of the Republican party and a recognized leader in its ranks in his community. In 1872 he was elected to the state legislature from the twenty-sixth district, and most ably represented Seward county in that au- gust assembly for one term of two years. He has held many minor offices since com- ing to this state, has been a member of the county board of supervisors two terms, and has been re-elected for a third term. Socially he is a member of the Odd Fellows Society, the Masonic fraternity and the Grand Army of the Republic. He is widely and favorably known, and few men in the county have more or warmer friends. GEORGE BINGHAM, who is properly ranked as one of the self-made men of York county, began his career at the foot of the ladder of life, without other resources than his own indomitable will and steady, plodding industry. From a humble position he has risen to that of one of the represent- ative men of a more than ordinarily intelli- gent community. The greater part of his life has been spent in the agricultural dis- tricts, and when but a boy he became thor- oughly familiar with the various employ- ments of the farm. To-day he is therefore one of the most successful farmers of Arbor- ville township. Born in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, October 12, 1854, Mr. Bingham is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Griffin) Bingham, both natives of England. The father was born in 18 19, and came to the United States in 1844, locating at once in Wiscon- sin, where he followed farming throughout the remainder of his life. He died in 1884, and the mother of our subject in 1865. Four sons and three daughters constituted their family, and of these, one daughter and our subject are now residents of York coun- ty, Nebraska. Reared in his native state, George Bing- ham received his literary education in the public schools. For several years he was employed as a laborer in Wisconsin, and with the hopes of benefiting his financial condition he emigrated to Nebraska in No- vember, 1878, traveling all the way to York county by team. He purchased one hun- dred and twenty acres of railroad land on section 2 1 , Arborville township, which at that time was all raw prairie land, and at 858 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY, once commenced to break and improve his land. The Httle sod house which he first erected he used for ten years, and then built a good frame residence. To general farming and stock raising he still devotes his attention with most excellent results. Mr. Bingham was married, in Nebraska, in 1882, to Miss Sybil A. Smith, a daughter of Ephraim and Elizabeth (Baker) Smith, who were natives of Massachusetts and New York, respectively, and were early set- tlers of York county. Our subject and his wife have one child, Elizabeth. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is Populist in political sentiment. For three years he has served as town clerk and assessor for two years, discharging the du- ties of both positions in a most capable and satisfactory manner. JW. SHERBONDY.— There are few men more worthy of representation in a work of this kind than the subject of this bio- graphy, who is passing the later years of his life in retirement from active labor upon his fine farm in section 34, Bryant township, Fillmore county, Nebraska. His has been a long and busy career, rich with experience, and in which he has established himself inthe esteem and confidence of all who know him. Mr. Sherbondy was born in Westmore- land county, Pennsylvania, November 11, 1832, and is a son of George and Elizabeth (Smith) Sherbondy, also natives of the Key- stone state. The father died there at the age of fifty-five years and was laid to rest in the Greensburg cemetery, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. The mother later removed to Freeport, Illinois, where she passed away at the age of fifty-si.x, and rests in the cemetery at Freeport, Stephenson county, Illinois. To them were born nine children, eight daughters and one son, but four of whom are now living. namely: J. W. , the subject of this article; Elizabeth, Susanna, and Elmira; the three latter all are residents of Freeport, Illinois. The daughters that are dead are: Mary D. Greenwalt, who died in St. Louis, Missouri, and is buried there; Anna J. Austin, died in Kansas City, Missouri, and is buried there; Hetty T. Stuart, died in Charlottetown, Prince Edwards Island, British America; Charlotte Armstrong, died in Indianap- olis, Indiana, and was buried there; Louisa R. Shellenberger, died at Mount Carmel, Illinois, and was buried in the cemetery at Freeport, Illinois. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject was a soldier of the Revolutionary war in 1775. He was a Frenchman and his wife was an English woman. They located in Pennsylvania, in which state our subject's grandparents were both born. Reared on the home farm, Mr. Sher- bondy acquired his literary education in the public schools of the neighborhood, and during his youth he was confirmed in the Lutheran church. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which was celebrated November 10, 1856, Miss Cath- erine Shirey becoming his wife. She is also a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsyl- vania, born November 10, 1835, and a daughter of Joseph and Eliza (Blank) Shirey, in whose family were three children, One of her brothers, George L. Shirey is living in Greensburgh, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, but the other died in Penn- sylvania. The mother died at the early age of twenty-eight years, when Mrs. Sher- bondy was only eight years old, and was laid to rest in Fayette county, Pennsylvania. Subsequenty the father married again and by his second union had seven children, Anna, Aaron, Rebecca, Joseph, Mary, Frank and Howard, all of whom are still living in Pennsylvania. He was a native of that state and there died in 1884, at the age of seventy-six years, and was buried in the COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr. 859 Youngstovvn cemetery. The remains of his second wife were also interred there. She died at the age of seventy-eight years. Mrs. Sherbondy's paternal great- grandfath- er came from Germany, and was killed when her father was but ten years old, leaving his wife with seven children to battle against the world. She lived to be eighty-seven years old. Mr. and Mrs. Sherbondy are the parents of five children, four sons and one daugh- ter, as follows: George W., who is still single and resides at Port Orchard, Kitsap county, in the state of Washington; Anna E. , now the wife of J. A. Gorman, a resi- dent of Oak, Nuckolls county, Nebraska; J. Wallace, who married Laura Kline and lives in Orangeviile, in Stephenson county, Illinois; Richard A., who married Lizzie Kline and lives at Carlisle, in Bryant pre- cinct, Fillmore count}', Nebraska; and Bert D., who married Daisy Kitch and lives in the same precinct. Mr. Sherbondy began life for himself amid the rough and rugged hills of his na- tive state, but soon after his marriage he migrated to Stephenson county, Illinois, and there made his home for thirty-three years, during which time he purchased a farm. On selling his property there, he re- moved to Kansas, where the following year was passed, and then came to Fillmore county, Nebraska, where in 1891 he bought one hundred and si.\ty acres on section 34, Bryant precinct, paying for the same four thousand six hundred and twenty-five dol- lars. Two years later he purchased one hundred and five acres for three thousand one hundred dollars, making a fine farm of two hundred and sixty-five acres, all in one body, which is well improved with good and substantial buildings. Our subject manages the place, but it is operated by his sons, one of whom (Bert D.) also owns a tract of eighty acres. Mr. Sherbondy and his wife have severa 49 times visited their native state, but are con- tent to make Nebraska their home, for here they have prospered, having acquired a com- fortable competence. .Ml that they possess is the result of their own efforts, as they started out in life for themselves in limited circumstances, but now in their declining days they are enjoying the wealth that has been accumulated by years of toil. In his farming operations he has met with more than ordinary success, and since locating upon his present place has raised as high as fifty-two and three-quarters bushels of wheat to the acre, and other grains in proportion. In politics he is a stanch adherent of the Democratic-Populist part}', in which he sees the best guarantees for the preservation of our national liberty. He and his family are prominent members of the Lutheran church, and are highly respected by all who know them. SIPKE VANDERKOLK.— Butler county has been the home and scene of labor of many men who have not only led lives that should serve as an example to those who have come after them, but have also been of important service to their county and state through various avenues of use- fulness. Among them must be named j\Ir. Vanderkolk, a prominent and well-known farmer residing on section 10, Bone Creek township. For man\- years he has labored with all the strength of a great nature and all the earnestness of a true heart for the bettering of the world about him, and he has gained the lo\-e and respect of all who know him. Mr. \'anderkolk was born ui Holland, May 21, 1843, and at the age of six years was brought to America by his parents, William and Margaret (De Hann) Vander- kolk, who settled in Pella, Iowa. Of their five children, three were born in Holland: Sipke, Viger and Tabitha; and the others, 860 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. Addie and Katie, in Iowa. The motiier's death occurred in Pella, and later, in 1867, the family came to Butler county, Nebraska. By trade the father was a carpenter. When the Civil war broke out our subject and his brother, Viger, enlisted, but the former was rejected, and the latter was killed at the battle of Shiloh. Through the efforts of our subject, his sisters were given liberal educations in Iowa, which well fitted them for the work they afterward accomplished in their Ne- braska home. When the family reached this state, Butler county had not yet been organized, and there were no schools, churches or Sunday schools in this region. They set to work to establish these, and the first Sunday-school was organized in June, 1867, with Sipke Vanderkolk as superintendent and his sister Tabitha as assistant superintendent. On the 28th of April, 1869, the Rev. Chase came from Schuyler and organized the first Con- gregational church in Butler county. Among the thirteen charter members appeared the names of Sipke, Tabitha and Katie Vender- kolk, and the old records of this church are now in the possession of our subject, who served as its clerk. The Christian character of this gentleman and his family, has left its impress on the events of those early days and upon the many young men and women who have since become the leading spirits of the county. The people owe to the Vanderkolk family a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid. On his arrival in Butler county, Mr. Vanderkolk took up a homestead on sec- tion 10, Bone Creek township, and the same year erected thereon a house 16x26 feet, it being at that time the largest and best house in the county. Part of the lumber for its construction was hauled from Platts- mouth. In 1868 it became evident to the settlers of this locality that a county organi- zation was necessary, and among the lead- ing men who took an active and prominent part in this work was Mr. Vanderkolk. They met in a log school house, later known as the Hartford school, and effected an or- ganization. Thus we see that our subject has been prominently identified with the entire development and improvement of his county, and has materially aided in the advance- ment of all social, industrial, educational, and moral interests. In 1878 Mr. Vanderkolk married Miss Amelia Parnell, a daughter of Thomas and Catharine (Best) Parnell. The children born to them are as follows: William E., Viger S., Katie E. and George E. In po- litical sentiment Mr. \'anderkolk is a Prohi- bitionist and has successfully opposed the saloon in his vicinity. He has never cared for political preferment, desiring rather to give his entire time and attention to his family and to those enterprises calcu- lated to prove of public good. The county has no more honored or highly respected citizen, and he is certainly deserving of prominent mention in a work of this charac- ter. In connection with the above sketch, we would also like to say something of the life of the sister, Tabitha. She was born in Friesland, Holland, in 1846, and died in her home near David City, November 14, 1895, being nearly fifty years of age. She was but eleven years of age, when her mother died, and the entire responsibility of caring for the household, and the rearing of her two younger sisters, soon rested on her youthful shoulders. When she was nineteen years of age, she united with the Baptist church, and through her entire life to the time of her death she always lived a devoted christian life. She was married to J. V. Wood, in 1878. She always filled a prom- inent place in religious and educational circles, and her influence for good was wide- ly felt. She was ever ready to lend a help- ing hand to those in need, and all who knew COMPENDIUM OF BIOGjRAPHI'. 861 her loved and respected her. Beside her husband, she left four children to mourn the loss of a loving and devoted mother. CHARLES DUNN, as a pioneer of Polk county, has watched with interest the entire growth and development of this re- gion, yet has not been an idle looker-on, but has contributed his share to the wonder- ful transformation that has taken place here in the last quarter of a century. Since April, 1 87 1, he has been identified with the agricultural interests of the county, and has made his home on section 20, township 15, range 2, Valley precinct. A son of Robert and Mary Ann (Bell) Dunn, our subject was born June 4, 1850, in county Cavan, Ireland, upon the old homestead which has been handed down from father to son in this family since 1688, when it came into possession of William Dunn, a native of Scotland, who was a sol- dier in the army of William of Orange, and removed to the Emerald Isle from England with that famous leader. The place con- tains thirty acres and was successfully oper- ated by the father of our subject until his death, which occurred in 1886. There the mother still continued to reside. In their family were four sons and one daughter, of whom three sons are now living, namely: Charles, Francis and James. Francis Dunn, an uncle of our subject, was a soldier in the English army and was killed at the taking of Sebastopol. Charles Dunn was reared on the old homestead and received a fair common- school education. In 1871, on leaving the parental roof, he crossed the ocean in a steamship, and landed at Castle Garden, New York, whence he proceeded at once to Nebraska, arriving in Columbus, in March of that year. He first made his home with a maternal uncle, Mr. Bell, and in April, 1 87 1, they took up adjoining claims in Polk county when there were no other settlers between their homes and Clear creek, a distance of twelve miles. No other settle- ments were made for some time, and their only visitors were the Pawnee Indians, who still inhabited this section of the state. Their nearest market was Columbus twenty miles away, and wolves, deer and antelope were still quite plentiful. Upon his place Mr. Dunn erected a sod house, and the first year broke twenty acres of prairie land and raised some sod corn. He well remem- bers the terrible snow-storm of April, 1873, and with the other early settlers passed through the grasshopper plague of 1874. His first team was a yoke of oxen. In 1878 he built a frame house I2x 18 feet, but the main part of his present comfortable home was erected in 1890. He has a good orchard covering one acre of land, and has also set out two acres in forest and shade trees, which add greatly to the beauty of his place. Having prospered in his new home, he is now the owner of two hundred and ninety-three acres of good land, of which one hundred and three acres have been placed under the plow, and he is still successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. Returning to Ireland, in 1879, Mr. Dunn was married there on the i ith of December, of that year, to Miss Lizzie Beatty, who was born in county Cavan, September 7, 1855, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Blair) Beatty, both now deceased. She was the second in order of birth in their family of four children, the others being Thomas; Willie, a merchant of county Cavan; and Margery, who now lives in Can- ada. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn have five chil- dren: William F. , Robert C, Eva M., Maud E. and Calmer J. They have spent their entire married life upon their present farm, and are educating their children in the schools of this locality. Politically, Mr. Dunn is a Democrat but 862 COMPENDIUM or BIOGRAPin: has never cared for official honors. He and his wife are members oi the Church of Eng- land, and belongs to the blue lodge, F. and A. M., at Osceola, holding a demit from Orange Lodge, No. 606, District of Beltur- bet, county Cavan, Ireland, forwarded to him February 4, 1880. Mr. Dunn has al- ways been in hearty sympathy with every movement that will in any way add to the prosperity of his adopted county. He helped to organize his township and pre- cinct, and assisted in building the school- house of district No. 5. WILLIAM P. TROUTMAN, although still on the sunny side of fifty, is spoken of as one of the older settlers of York county, and from his pleasant rural home in the vicinity of Benedict, Morton township, he can look out upon a prairie that he has seen transformed from original wildness to high cultivation, and rich pro- ductiveness. He has done well in the past years, and can well hope for peace and comfort in the home he has won by hard work, for years to come. Mr. Troutman was born in Fayette coun- ty, Pennsylvania, in 1852, and is a son of Charles and Mary (Hardin) Troutman. They were both natives of Pennsylvania. They came west in 1S58, and located in Grundy county, Iowa, where he followed farming un- til the day of his death in 1 862. The grand- father of the gentlman who forms the theme of this article was George Troutman, and he died in Pennsylvania at the age of eighty- three years. William P. Troutman was the 3'oungest son of his parents, and remained with them until the death of his father, when at the tender age of eleven years he began life on his own account. He was reared to a farmer's life, and when he became a man embraced it as his own calling. He fol- lowed it in Iowa until 1878, when he came to York county, and bought two hundred and forty acres of railroad land on section 33, Morton township. It was all raw prai- rie, and while it offered neither rocks nor woods to hinder his toil, yet the labor of improving it was immense. He put up a good house, and began at once the labor of putting his farm in order. The first year of his residence here he broke one hundred acres, and now has the entire place under cultivation. Mr. Troutman was married, in 1880, to Miss Mary Miller, a daughter of Daniel and Leah Miller, residents of Lee county, Illi- nois. She has presented her husband with five children, whose names are Charles A., Leah M., May, Ralph D., and Lydia V. They are all living, and parental partiality seems warranted in painting a bright future for them. The father and mother are members of the Lutheran church at Bene- dict, and are active and devoted supporters of that noble organization. He is a mem- ber of the fraternal order of United Work- men, and also of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a Republican, but has never sought or accepted an office. He has had many difficulties in the past years, but has been quite successful. He has a good home, which is out of debt, and he is surrounded by friends, who testify of his good character. What more can a man justly ask.' WILLIAM C. DARNELL was born in Coles county, Illinois, November 24, 1833, a son of Dr. Amos E. and Elizabeth (Maryan) Darnell. The parents were natives respectively of Kentucky and Tennessee, but later moved to Coles county, Illinois, and from thence to Clark county, of the same state, where they both died, the mother on July 1 8, 1848, at the age of forty-seven, and the father on the 20th of the same month and year, at the age of fifty-two years. To COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 863 them were born eleven children, nine of whom survived them, and of whom the sub^ ject of this sketch is the fourth in the order of their birth. The 3'oungest brother is one of the leading attorneys of Lincoln, Ne- braska. Our subject's schooling consisted of only thirteen days. He was five years of age when his parents moved to Clark county, Illinois, and was thirteen years of age when his parents died, and during his father's ill- ness he was sent twenty-three times for the doctor. After the death of his parents he was not only obliged to work for his own living, but also support a younger brother and one sister. He began life as a farm la- borer at five dollars per month, and not un- til he was nineteen years of age did he re- ceive a larger salary. At this age he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Smith, who was but sixteen years of age, the date of their marriage being July 7, 1852. After his marriage, Mr. Darnell decided to start farming on his own account. He took a life lease of his father-in-law's farm , which consisted of forty acres of prairie, most of which was swampy, ditched it and hauled lumber seventy-five miles with which he built a house and barn. While on this farm, he devoted most of his attention to raising hogs and was doing quite an exten- sive and profitable business when his entire drove was swept away by the cholera just as they were about ready for market. He afterward left his father-in-law's farm, and in the spring of i860 he was elected con- stable and was also appointed deputy sheriff of the county, and the two positions involved considerable hard work. Although our subject has been unfortunate several times during his life in the loss of property and sickness and death in his family, and also himself receiving injury while operating a threshing machine that crippled him for the remainder of his life, he has made a marked success in life and he will be long remem- bered in the communities in which he has lived for his example. His whole-souled generosity has found expression in the do- nation of large sums to various worthy causes and his integrity in the example of an honest and upright life. In 1863 he made the largest donation to the United States soldiers that was made by any one man in Edgar count}', Illinois. In 1867, Mr. Darnell moved with his wife and family of six children to Nebraska City, camped there for a time, and then moved on to Oak Creek and filed a home- stead claim to eighty acres in A precinct, Seward county. When first reaching Ne- braska he had an opportunity to locate a homestead on the present site of the state capitol, but as he was entirely without means, he was obliged to move to where he could earn money to start farming. In 1 880, our subject purchased a quarter sec- tion of land, and two years later he pur- chased another quarter in the northeastern part of A precinct. In 1S85 he bought eighty acres in the western part of the same precinct, and at different times during the same year he purchased two other eighty- acre tracts in the vicinity. In 1891 he bought the sixty-five acre tract that he now makes his home. His first domicile after locating in Nebraska was a dug-out covered with poles and earth, and in this he lived three years, and by this time the family of children had increased to nine. He then erected a log house, and by the time he was able to move from this to a frame house his own family numbered twelve and he was caring for six adopted children. Mr. Darnell has served the citizens of A precinct in the capacity of a school offi- cer for twenty years. He has also served as justice of the peace continuously for fourteen years, and during that time not one of his decisions has been changed by the higher courts. He is public spirited and enterprising, and every project that tends to 864 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. the growth and prosperity of the commu- nity in which he hves receives his support in influence, time and means. Mr. Darnell's children, except the youngest daughter, are all married and own the homes in which they live and are all located in or near A precinct. Mrs. Darnell's father, David Smith, lived in Tennessee. At the age of twenty-one he was united in marriage to Miss Cynthia Edwards, and three sons and two daughters blessed their wedded life. About five years after the death of his wife, he married Sarah W. Martin, and to them were born nine chil- dren. Mr. Smith died at the age of sixty- two years, and his wife survived him only two years. OLIVER C. JACKSON. —Prominent among the leading farmers of Morton township, York county, may be found the name of the gentleman of whom this sketch is written. He is also quoted as one of the influential citizens of his community and a first-class agriculturist. Mr. Jackson was born in Lincoln, Logan county, Illinois, on the 29th of December, 1857, and is a son of Joseph and Jane (Develbiss) Jackson, natives of Maryland, who removed to Illinois in 1856, and since 1 88 1 have made their home in York county, Nebraska, being numbered among its hon- ored and highly esteemed citizens. By oc- cupation the father is a shoemaker and farmer. His family consists of nine chil- dren, six sons and three daughters, six of whom are now living in York county. In much the usual manner of farmers' sons, Oliver C. Jackson passed his boyhood and youth, acquiring a fair district school education and early becoming familiar with the duties which fall to the lot of the agri- culturist. He wisely chose that for his future calling, to which he was best adapted both by nature and experience, an as a farmer occupies an enviable position among the progressive men of his community. On first coming to York county, in 1881, he settled in Arborville township, but later moved to Morton township, where he now resides. He has converted the raw land in- to highl}- cultivated fields and now has one of the best farms of the locality. In Illinois, Mr. Jackson was married, in 1878, to Miss Permelia, a daughter of Charles and Mary Jackson, who were from Ohio and Indiana, respectively. Seven children bless this union: Clarence C, Elmer W., Jennie E., Mary M., George H., Harvey E. and Ray C, all living. In religious belief the parents are Lutherans, and in political sentiment Mr. Jackson is a Democrat. Socially, he affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. DIETRICH DANKERS, a well-known and prosperous citizen of I precinct, Seward county, was born in Germany, December 21, 1843, a son of Hans and Maggie (Schmidt) Dankers, in whose family were eleven children, our subject being the third child. After the father's death, which occurred in Germany, the mother came to America at the age of fifty-six years and made her home with her children. She died in the spring of 1898, at the age of seventy-nine, years and was laid to rest in Middle Creek church cemetery. As is customary in his native land Mr. Dankers was sent to school between the ages of six and fourteen years, and during his sixteenth and seventeenth years learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked until attaining his majority. During the following three years he was a soldier in the German army. In the spring of 1867 he took passage on a vessel at Hanover, bound for New York, which he finally reached in safety. Two years were then spent in COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 865 Fond du Lac count}', Wisconsin, and the year 1869 witnessed his arrival in Seward county, Nebraska, where he has since made his home. On his arrival here most of the land was still in its primitive condition and there were no railroads through this section of the state, though roads were being built from Nebraska City and also from Platts- mouth to Lincoln, and the latter was com- pleted in 1870, and the former about a year later. The capital city at that time was only a small town but was very rapidly being populated and to-day numbers 60,000 souls, being the second largest city in the state. Mr. Bankers secured a homestead of eighty acres in I precinct, and commenced at once to transform the land into rich and productive fields. At the age of twenty-six he was married in Nebraska City to Miss Anna Moyer, then twenty-five years old, and they began their domestic life upon the farm in a little house, partly dugout and parti}' logs. Being a skilled workman, he found employment at the carpenter's trade, and in this way added not a little to his in- come while engaged in the development and cultivation of his land. He has met with remarkable success in his undertakings and is to-day the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of valuable land in I pre- cinct, Seward county, upon which he erect- ed a comfortable residence in 1874 and a large barn in 1S88. In fact, the place is supplied with all of the conveniences and accessories found on a model farm of the nineteenth century. Mr. Bankers is also a stockholder in the Pleasant Bale creamery, which was built in 1896 at a cost of about twenty-five hundred dollars, and has a capacity of seven thousand pounds of milk per day. This has been of great benefit to the farmers of the surrounding country. Mr. and Mrs. Bankers are the happy parents of eight children, namely: Mary, Anna, Chris, Minnie, John, Lizzie and Car- rie, all at home with their parents; and Maggie, now the wife of John Clindworth, of I precinct, Seward county. In his po- litical affiliations Mr. Bankers is a Repub- lican, having cast his first vote for U. S. Grant. His fellow citizens recognizing his worth and ability have called upon him to fill a number of local ofSces of honor and trust, including the school offices and that of supervisor of his township, the duties of which he has discharged in a most credit- able and acceptable manner. GEORGE E. RICHARBSON, the pio- neer merchant of Linwood, estab- lished a general store in that village in 1 87 1, and has since been prominently iden- tified with its commercial interests. From the beginning his trade has steadily in- creased, and he now has one of the largest mercantile houses in Butler county, occu- pying a large double brick building. Self-re- liance, conscientiousness, energy, honesty — are the traits of character that insure these the highest emoluments and greatest success, and to these may be attributed the success that has crowned the efforts of Mr. Rich- ardson. He was born inRockford, Illinois, March 30, 1840, and is a son of Charles W. Rich- ardson, who was a native of Maine, and of Scotch extraction. In early life the father removed to Michigan, where he married Miss Edna Penhollow, whose ancestors were of old colonial stock, and prominently iden- tified with the early struggles for liberty, having taken an active part in the Boston Tea Party. About 1839 or 1840 Mr. and Mrs. Richardson removed to Rockford, Illi- nois, where they made their home until our subject was about nine years old, when they went to Clayton county, Iowa. Having at- tained to man's estate, and feeling that his country needed his services, the son en- listed, in 1 86 1, in Company F, Fourteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, for three yeitrs. S66 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPH7\ and took part in the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Corinth, and in the Red River expedition. He has never recovered from the effects of his arduous service, being crippled, the result of an at- tack of typhoid fever during the war. On receiving his discharge Mr. Richard- son returned to Clayton county, Iowa, which continued to be his place of residence until 1868. He was married in that county, in 1867, to Miss Lizzie Husenetter, and they now have one son, Ira F., born in Linwood, Nebraska. It was in 186S that Mr. Rich- ardson came to Nebraska, and took up a homestead about three miles from Linwood, across the county line in Saunders county. To the cultivation and improvement of his farm he devoted his energies until coming to Linwood in 1871, when he was obliged to lay aside the arduous duties of farm life on account of the infirmities brought on by his army experience. As a merchant he has met with excellent success, and to-day occupies a position of prominence in busi- ness, social, and religious circles. He was one of the first trustees of the Linwood Con- gregational church, organized June 4, 1873, has ever been a liberal contributor to all objects tending to advance the welfare of the church, and in his daily walk has shown himself to be consistent with the beliefs which he professes, being generous and charitable in answering the appeals of the distressed. LAURENCE C. VAN ALEN (or Van Allen). — Men of marked ability, force- ful character and culture, leave their impress upon the world, written in such indelible characters that time is powerless to obliter- ate their memory or sweep it from the minds of men. Their commendable acts live long after they have passed from the scene of their early careers. Mr. Van Alen, who portrait appears on another page, is one of the strong characters who have be- come an intregal part in the life of York county, and by the exercise of his powers has not only advanced his individual pros- perity, but has contributed to the welfare of his adopted county. Since coming to this locality in pioneer days he has made his home on section 4, Stewart township, and has there developed an excellent farm. Mr. Van Alen was born December 5, 1828, in the town of Perth, Fulton county. New York, and is a son of Cornelius and and Margaret (Taylor) Van Alen, who spent their entire lives in that state. Both fam- ilies were originally from Holland and were founded in New York at and early day, Johannes, being the first of the Van Alens to come to the new world, settling at Kinder- hook, New York. Laurence E. Van Alen, our subject's grandfather, was a very promi- nent man of his community, was a well known squire, and also held office under King George, prior to the Revolution- ary war. During his business career, our subject's father was interested in farming, merchandising and hotel-keeping, and met with fair success in his undertakings. Both he and his wife held membership in the Dutch Reformed church. In the family of this worthy couple were three children: Mrs. Christina Traver; L. C. ; and Mrs. Mary Ann Brown. Losing his own father when quite young, L. C. Van Alen was reared by a stepfather, and grew to manhood in Fulton county. New York. He obtained an excellent edu- cation for those days, supplementing the knowledge acquired in the common schools by a course in a high school and also in the Johnstown Academy. At the early age of twenty-two years he was elected county superintendent of schools of Fulton county, but a year later resigned his position to go to California, traveling by way of Nicarau- gua. He successfully engaged in teaching school in Stockton, that state, for three L. C. VAN ALLEN. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 869 years, and then engaged in the book and stationery business for five years. During this time he was elected superintendent of schools in San Joaquin county, and credit- ably filled that office for four years. Re- turning to New York, he took charge of the old home farm, which he operated in con- nection with merchandising for two years. He then removed to New York City, but afterward returned to the old homestead and resumed farming. On the 13th of July, 1866, Mr. Van Men married Miss Teresa F. Harris, of New York city, who was born in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, June 26, 1839, but was reared in the former city and was educated at Ply- mouth, New Hampshire. She successfully engaged in teaching school and also music, in New York city, prior to her marriage. Her parents, James and Mary (Chapman) Harris, were natives of Maine and Mary- land, respectively, and made their perma- nent home in Baltimore, Maryland, where he served as cashier in the Susquehanna bank for some time. He was educated for the law, but at the time of his death, which occurred in 1844, was engaged in survey- ing. Mrs. Harris still survives her husband, at the age of eighty-seven years, and now resides with her daughter in Nebraska. She has only two children, the younger being S. V. Harris, proprietor of the Hotel Ryan, of St. Paul, Minnesota. He was a soldier of the Civil war. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Alen were born eight children, of whom seven are still living: Russell, Mrs. Maud Campbell, Ardell, Olive, Lowell, Una and Ethel. Until 1872 Mr. Van Alen continued to reside in New York and then came to York county, Nebraska, locating upon his present farm, where in June of that year he built a shanty and in the fall banked it with sod. At the end of a year he had it raised and put in a floor, making it what was then called a big frame house, 24X 12 feet. The first year he raised some sod corn and melons; in 1873 raised good crops, but the following year the grasshoppers destroyed all his corn. However, he has generally prospered and now has a fine farm of three hundred and thirty-two acres under e.xcel- lent cultivation and well improved. His comfortable residence was built in 1885, and enlarged in 1894. For four winters after coming to this state he taught school in Polk county, and has been prominently identified with the early educational and religious welfare of this region. He helped to organize the first Congregational church in the county, served as one of its deacons, and the first Sunday-school in four counties of this section of the state was organized in his house, and he was chosen superintend- ent of the same. He and his wife are now prominent and active members of the Presbyterian church at Gresham, in which he has served as elder for several years, and also trustee. Mrs. Van Alen has con- tributed her share to the music of these organizations. Our subject has served as master of the Masonic lodge at Gresham, and is also a charter member of the Odd Fellows lodge of that place, having become identified with both orders while a resident of Stockton, California. Politically, he is a Democrat, has served as local school director and township treasurer, and has been the candidate of his party for the state senate twice, and also for county superintendent of schools. On the 17th of April. 1 89 1, he was obliged to have his left leg amputated, after eighteen years of trouble from a felon on his finger, which had been badly treated by an over- dose of strong lye, and the poison settled in his leg. Laurence E. Van Alen, the grandfather, had three sons and two daughters. Of the descendants of Evert Van Alen, one of these sons, three were ministers and two were physicians. A sister of Laurence E. became Mrs. H. L. Van Dyke. Of her sons, one 870 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. was the Hon. H. H. Van Dyke, who filled the office of state superintendent of public instruction, also state bank examiner, and also superintendent of United States sub- treasury, of New York city. OSCAR D. KEELER is a prominent and representative citizen of York county whose name is inseparably connected with its agricultural and commercial inter- est. He is one of the pioneer settlers of the county and has borne an active part in its development and upbuilding. He now resides upon a farm in Morton township and is devoting his time and attention to agricultural pursuits with most gratifying results. Mr. Keeler was born on the 17th of April, 1 84 1, in Madison county, New York, of which state his parents, Oscar and Parnel Keeler, were also natives. There our sub- ject was reared and educated until seven- teen years of age, when he came west and located in Will county, Illinois, where he found employment on a farm. He con- tinued to engage in farming in that state until 1862, when he responded to the Presi- dent's call for troops, and enlisted for three years in Company D, One Hundreth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which command he participated in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, the Atlanta campaign, and the battles of Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee. In the engagement at Kenesaw Mountain he was wounded and still carries a ball in his right hip. He also received several other slight wounds at dif- ferent times. The war having ended, he was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant and returned to Illinois to resume the more quiet pursuits of farm life. After spending four years in that state Mr. Keeler came to York count)-, Nebraska, in 1 87 1, and took up a homestead in Brad- shaw township, to the cultivation and improvement of which he devoted his energies for some years. His first home here was a sod house, which was subse- ently replaced by a more comforta- ble and substantial dwelling, and many other improvements were made upon the place, which added greatly to its value and attractive appearance. On selling his farm in 1S90 he removed to Benedict, where he successfully engaged in the coal trade for eight years, and then purchased a farm adjoining the village. Upon that place he now makes his home and is success- fully engaged in its operation. While a resident of Illinois, Mr. Keeler was married, in 1867, to Miss Martha Hess, by whom he had seven children, four still living, namely: Walter G., Gracie P., Clyde S. and Rhena H. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1893, and in 1896 Mr. Keeler wedded Mrs. Retta A. Green, a native of Ohio. The family holds membership in the Presbyterian church, and in his social relations Mr. Kee- ler is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Grand Army of the Republic. Politically he is a stal- wart supporter of the Republican party and its principles, and most acceptably served as a member of the town board for si.x years. Financially he has met with success since becoming a resident of York county, and his career has ever been such as to command the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact. ALICE A. AND ALONZO ANDREWS are the fortunate owners of one of the productive and well equipped farms of Savannah township, Butler county. Alice A. Andrews was born in Foster, Rhode Island, March 20, 1833. Her maiden name was Miss Alice A. Walker, and she is a sister of Captain Henry A. Walker, of Stewart, Holt county, Nebraska. She is a COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 871 daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Whit- man) Walker. Her mother's parents were of Puritan stock, whose ancestors came from England about the time of the Mayflower company. Alice A. moved from Rhode Island to Sterling, Connecticut, where she received her education in the public and select schools. During the four years next preceding the year in which she went west, she was in Providence, Rhode Island, where she was engaged in teaching and dress-mak- ing. She went west with her uncle and aunt and located in Nebraska in 1870. In the fall of that year she was united in mar- riage to Mr. Frederick Irwin, a homesteader in that locality. Mr. Irwin died in 1880, and is buried in the David City cemetery. In the fall of 1883, she was again united in marriage to her present husband, Mr. Alonzo Andrews. Alonzo Andrews was born in Upping- ham Center, Fulton county, New York, November 15, 1833, a son of Subina An- drews. His father was a native of Maine and moved to Saratoga county. New York, when a boy and was reared on a farm in that county. He was a soldier in the war of 18 12 and his ancestors participated in the Revolutionary war. He reared a family of seven children, of whom our sub- ject is the youngest son. One sister, Eliza- beth Wheeler, is now living at Fort Atkin- son, Holt county, Nebraska. Mr. Andrews worked on the Erie canal from the time he was ten years of age until he was eight- een. He then, in 1857, went to Illinois and located in Kendall county. Two years later he went to Missouri, but, owing to his sup- port of the Union cause, he was forced to leave there upon the breaking out of the Civil war. He then went back to Oswego, Illinois, and enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois In- fantry, in the spring of 1862, and served three years. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg, the charge of Kenesaw Mount- ain, battles of Dallas and Resaca, was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and par- ticipated in the Grand Review at Washing- ton, District of Columbia. After being dis- charged from the service of the government he returned to his home in Illinois and was there married to Miss Alice Severance, July 6, 1866. Two children were born to this union, Mary Elizabeth and Van D. Mrs. Andrews died in Oswego, and four years later our subject was married to Martha A. Colgon, of Plainfield, Illinois. To this union were born three children, Lorana, William S. and-Lettie A. His second wife died when the last-named child was about twenty months of age. In 1 88 1, Mr. Andrews moved from Illi- nois to Holt county, Nebraska, and two years later he moved to Butler county, Ne- braska. Mr. Andrews and his present wife have no children, but they adopted and reared a daughter, Sarah, who was married November 16, 1893, to Mr. Bernard H. Mais. They have two children, Daisy E. and Henry B. KARL J. G. HOFMANN, one of Seward county's representative citizens, and one of the leading instructors of Malcolm, was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 25, 1866. the second and youngest son of G. Christian and Elizabeth (Bom Horn) Hof- mann. The older brother is still living in Germany. The father died prior to our subject's birth, and the mother subsequently moved to the city of Neustadt Aisch to give her two sons an education in the city schools. Mrs. Hofmann is still living in Germany and has reached the age of sixty- six years. Mr. Hofmann attended the city schools, as stated in the preceding paragraph, from 1872 until 1875. From the year last named until 1880, he attended the Latin school, preparatory to entering college, and from 872 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 1880 until 1884, he prepared for the semi- nary in college. Also from 1876 until 1884, he served as chorister of the Evangelical Lutheran church. In 1884 he entered the seminary at Altdorf and two years later he graduated with honors and began teaching. After following the practice of his profession in Germany for two years, in 1888 he migrated to America, leaving Bremen March 12, and landing in New York on the 26th of the same month. From New York he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and for a time made his home with a friend in that city. He then secured a position from the St. Paul congregation, of Lincoln, Nebraska, as teacher, and began his work in that city January 12, 1890. While here he culti- vated the acquaintance of Miss Louisa Greiner, to whom he was married in May of of the same year, Mr. Hofmann's success in this school was something remarkable, for he entered upon his duties with but two scholars, and left the institution with an enrollment of seventy-five. In April, 1S91, he moved to Mississippi and continued the continued the practice of his profession for two years in the town of Merrell. In Angust, 1892, he returned to Seward coun- ty, Nebraska, and began teaching in the Trinity of the Evangelical Lutheran Con- gregation, which has about eighty-two chil- dren enrolled, and has now been employed continuously for five years in this place. Mr. Hofmann is a man of marked ability as an instructor, and wherever he has been he has made many friends by his push and energy. Mrs. Hofmann, wife of our subject, is a daughter of Godfred and Louisa (Wiedner) Greiner. She was born in Shormdorf, Ger- many, and emigrated from thence to Amer- ica at the age of eighteen jears, having re- ceived her education in the land of her na- tivity, and was confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran church at the age of fourteen years. Upon arriving on the American side of the Atlantic, she landed in New York, went from there to Philadelphia, and from thence to Nebraska, where she met Mr. Hofmann, to whom she was married at the age of twenty-six years. She was called to mourn the death of her father before leav- ing Germany, but her mother came to Amer- ica and located in Seward county, Nebraska, near Staplehurst, where she died at the age of about eighty years. She was a faithful and devoted member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, having joined that denom- ination in Germany at the age of fourteen years, and to the day .of her death she was true to its principles and was known by all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance, to be one of its earnest and valued members. Mrs. Hofmann is the second in the order of birth of a family of thirteen children, only three of whom are now living. One brother married Miss Anna Fisher and is now living near Staplehurst, and the other is making his home in Omaha, Nebraska. Our sub- ject has an adopted child, Lydia B. HENRY C. MOUNTS.— While it is true many people are seeking to accumu- late vast fortunes by selfish and unscrupulous means, there is nothing more worthy of praise than the quiet and steady pursuit of some honest calling and the determined e.xercise of industry, economy and sagacity which enables a man to acquire a home and competence. The subject of this biography, now a prosperous farmer residing on sec- tion 36, Ham.ilton precinct, Fillmore coun- ty, is a man whose brave struggle with early adversity has brought him a com- petence without sacrifice of principle. Mr. Mounts was born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, August 27, 1844, a son of Joseph and Susan (McFault) Mounts, na- tives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky, respect- ively. The father died in 1867, at the age of sixty-four years, the mother in 1888, at COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 873- the advanced age of eighty-nine. In their family were seven children, of whom four are still living. Reared in his native state, our subject early acquired an excellent knowl- edge of farm work, but his literary educa- tion was limited to a short attendance at the common schools. Leaving Indiana, in 1878, Mr. Mounts came to Fillmore county, Nebraska, and in Bryant precinct purchased a quarter section of school land, for which he paid one thou- sand dollars. To the cultivation and im- provement of this place he has since de- voted his energies with marked success, has set out fruit and ornamental trees, has erected good and substantial buildings, and has made the place one of the best and most attractive in the localit}'. He is a shrewd business man and able financier, as well as one of the most skillful farmers in Fillmore county, and always carries forward to successful completion whatever he under- takes. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Republican part)-. In manner he is very pleasant, and he has made many warm friends during his residence in this state. ROBERT M. LYTLE, an honored pioneer of York county, is the owner of one of the most valuable homesteads of Morton township, and has distinguished himself as one of its most active and enter- prising citizens. He is a native of Penn- sylvania, born in Center county, Septem- ber 6, 1840, and is a son of William and Catharine (Smith) Lytle, also natives of that state. By trade the father is a miller and iron worker. In 1854 he emigrated to Scott county, Iowa, and now makes his home in Des Moines, that state. Our sub- ject is the eldest in his family of five children — four sons and one daughter. Robert M. Lytle is indebted to the pub- he schools of Pennsylvania for his early education, his home being in that state until fourteen years of age, when in 1854, he accompanied his father on his renoval to Iowa. There he engaged in farming until the fall of Fort Sumter. He was among the first to respond to his country's call for aid, enlisting in April, 1861, in Company B, Second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and with his regiment partici- pated in the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh. After one year of service he was discharged on account of wounds recei\ed at Donelson, but in September, 1862, again enlisted, this time being mustered in as sec- ond lieutenant of Company C, Twentieth Iowa Volunteer infantry, with which he served for three years. During the engage- ment at Prairie Grove, Arkansas, he was wounded by a shot passing through his thigh. He was in the siege of Vicksburg and Es- peranza, Texas, and the battles of Fort Morgan, Mobile and Fort Blakely, Ala- bama, — the last engagement of the war. When finally discharged Mr. Lytle was holding the rank of first lieutenant and was a most popular and efficient officer. Returning to his home in Iowa, he en- gaged in farming there for five years, but in 1 87 1 we find him numbered among the pioneer settlers of York county, Nebraska, having taken up a homestead claim on sec- tion 32, Morton township, and erected a sod houses, 18x22 feet. Three years later that little pioneer home was replaced by a more commodious and comfortable frame resi- dence. Mr. Lytle has given his close at- tention to the improvement and cultivation of his land, and now has one of the best farms in the locality. In 1866, in Iowa, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Lytle and Miss Caroline, daughter of James Lytle, of Clearfield county, Pennsylvania. They have a family of eight children, as follows: Roland J.; Annie M., now Mrs. Dickey; Nellie M., now Mrs. Isaac White; Dudley B. ; How- 874 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. ard R. ; Stanley W. ; Charles C. and Kate O. Fraternally Mr. Lytle is an honored member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Repub- lic. He is an unswerving supporter of Re- publican principles, and takes quite an act- ive interest in the success of his party. He has efficiently served as school director in his district, and has done much to elevate the standard of schools in his township. JOSIAH LOCKE is one of the best known and most prominent citizens of Osceola, Polk county, Nebraska, where he is living in peace and retirement. He was born in Falmouth, Maine, April 5, 1841, and is the sixth child in order of birth of a family of ten children born to Abijah and Mary (Hall) Locke. The editors take pleasure in presenting a brief history of the Locke family in Amer- ica, of which there are two distinct branches, one in Massachusetts and one in New Hampshire. It was supposed that the heads of the two families were brothers. Our subject is a direct descendant of the New Hampshire branch, his immediate an- cestor was John Locke, who lived in New Hampshire about 1640. His son, Nathaniel Locke, the great-grandfather of our subject, died April 18, 1780, at the age of eighty years and six months. His wife, Mary Locke, died March 21, 1802, at the age of eighty-three years and eight months, having been the mother of the following children: Jonathan, John, Mary, Rebecca, Abijah, Dorothy and Josiah. Josiah Locke was the youngest member of the family and the grandfather of our subject. He was born May 12, 1757, and died April 12, 1841. He married Miss Elizabeth Gilpatrick, a member of the family of that name, who subsequently left off the " Gil," and the family are now known as the Patricks. Josiah and Elizabeth (Gilpatrick) Locke were the parents of eleven children, of whom we have the following: Mary, Eliza, Deborah, Johanna, Nathaniel, Abi- jah and Dorothy. Abijah, the first, died in infancy; John, Mary, the second, and Ma- tilda. Grandfather Josiah Locke was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and the command to which he belonged marched to what was then know as Bajaduce, but is now called Castine, Maine. When the con- tinental soldiers arrived there the English had decamped, so the Americans then re- turned to their home. Mr. Locke, in com- pany with three other men, built and equipped a vessel for service in the war of 181 2, but two of them were unable to carry out their part of the bargain, so the entire cost was shouldered by him and one of the others. His son, Nathaniel, went as mate of the vessel, which was captured by the English. Nathaniel was kept a prisoner on board one of the English prison ships for six months, and was then transferred to the Dartmore prison, where he was detained for another six months, in company with others who were captured at the same time. At the end of their year of captivity they were released and sent home, and Nathaniel settled in New Brunswick, where he mar- ried. Two of his daughters still survive, and were married, one to a Mr. Foster and the other to a Mr. Pulsifer. The father of our subject, Abijah Locke, was born at Falmouth, Cumberland county, Maine, on September 8, 1801. He grew to maturity in his native place and in his early manhood he was a coaster. He was married on December 31, 1828, to Miss Mary Hall Morse, who was born February 13, 1810, in Freeport, Cumberland county, Maine. The bride was a daughter of Leonard and Sarah (Porter) Morse. The former was a student at Harvard College, from which he graduated and took up the practice of law. He died at Freeport, Maine, in 1818, but his widow subsequently COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 875 married a James Simonton, and died at Camden, Maine, in October, 1885, at the age of seventy-four. After his marriage, Abijah Locke followed agriculture pursuits in the summer, and in the winters he hauled ship timbers. He was engaged in the above mentioned occupations during the time he was a resident of Falmouth, Maine, which was thirty-one years. In 1841 he moved to Camden, Maine, where he made his home for one year, and in 1842 he removed to Charleston, in the same state, where he lived until 1858, and then removed to Milo, also in Maine. He made his home in the last-mentioned place until 1869, and then went to Iowa, settled at Clarence, Cedar county, where he resided for three years. On the loth of April, 1872, he located a timber claim on section 30, of township 13, range i west, in Polk county, Nebraska, and resided on the same until he sold out, October 24, 1883, and removed to Areata, California, where he died, October 11, 1 887. His wife died at Wayland, on May 2, 1883, after having borne her husband ten children, of whom we give the following: John M. now a resident of Winnebago county, Illinois; Elizabeth Morse Herrick, of Charleston, Maine; Sarah P. Locke, now a resident of Areata, California, who proposed the name Wayland for the post- office which was located at the place where her mother died, was a homesteader on sec- tion 30, of township 13, range i west, in Polk county, Nebraska, on which she erected a sod shanty in 1872; she complied with all of the requirements, proved up on the tract, improved the same and then sold out. She accompanied her father to Cali- fornia, and was with him at the time of his death, this being her second trip to the coast, as she had previously made a trip from Nebraska to California and return, without any companions. She is unmarried and an active worker in the Methodist church; Stephen D., a resident of Cal- ifornia since 1849; Susannah M. Hardy, who resides in Mt. Vernon, Washington; Josiah, the subject of this biography; De- borah, deceased; Eleanor H. Lord, of Ar- eata, California; Leonard M., of^Garfield, Washington, and William F., deceased. The parents were members in good stand- ing of the Congregational church, ]^and two of their sons, John M. and our subject, served in the great Civil war. The names of the descendants of Abijah Locke and their children are as follows: John M. be- came the father of two children, Richard F. and Sarah E. Elizabeth M.'s children were John L., Mary J., Rodney I., Lincoln, Susie H., and Daniel A. Stephen D. has eight children; the names of two of them were Walter P. and Mary G. , (deceased). Susannah M. 's children were George F. , Susie (deceased), and Louis M. Josiah, our shbject, has no children. Eleanor H. be- came the mother of Oscar W., Lewis M., Charles W., S. Bessie, Benjamin H., Frank D. and Edward Locke. Leonard M.'s children were Janet B., Susie H., Walter P., T. Chester, Sarah C. and Mary. Josiah Lock, the subject of this sketch, was educated in Charleston, Maine. He attended the common schools of the dis- trict, and during his early life he followed agricultural pursuits. On November 4, 1864, he enlisted in Company H, Eleventh Maine Volunteer Infantry, as a private. He served three years and with his regiment participated in the following engagememts: Lee's Mill, Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, Seven days battle in Virginia, Glendale, and others of the same day, Malvern Hill, Siege of Fort Wagner, Drury's Bluff, Bermuda Hundred, Petersburg, Second Bermuda Hundred, Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plain, Weldon Railroad, Walthal Junction, Ches- ter Station, Richmond Pike, Warebottom Church, Deep Bottom, Fazzell's Mill, New- market Road, Darbytown Road, Charles City Road and Johnson's Plantation. Dur- 876 COMPEXDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr. ing the campaign of 1864 in General Ter- ry's division of the Tenth Army Corps, in the Army of the James, the regiment was known as the "fighting regiment" and never was beaten by the enemy- They they took part in engagements on fifty-nine different days, and marched thousands of miles in discharging their duty as soldiers. Mr. Locke was a first-class soldier, and re- ceived his honorable discharge at Augusta, Maine, on November t8, 1864. In the spring of 1865, he went to Oil Creek, Pennsylvania, where he remained for a short time and then located at Pit Hole City, where he operated a meat market for eighteen months. When Mr. Locke arrived at the last-mentioned town it had only one log house, but in the space of six months there were seven thousand inhabit- ants in the town. He next started over- land to Delaware county, Iowa, where he arrived in September, 1866, and in the same year he purchased eighty acres of land in Cedar county, of the same state. In the following December he went to Mille Lacs, Minnesota, where he worked in the pineries, until the next spring, when he returned to his farm and opened it. The next winter he worked in Jones county, Iowa, in the timber, and in the spring again returned to his farm. Josiah Locke was united in marriage on March 4, 1869, in Delaware county, Iowa, to Miss Louisa Anna Bond, who was born in Farmersville, Cattaraugus county. New York, February 8, 1S45. The bride was a daughter of Henry F. and Martha (Ingalls) Bond, a brief sketch of whom will be found in the biography of O. M. Bond on another page of this volume. She was reared in her native town until she was twelve years of age, when she ac- companied her parents to Iowa in the fall of 1856. She received her education in the schools of New York and Iowa, and later taught school for six terms, while living in the last mentioned state. Mr. and Mrs. Locke have never had any children. They made their home in Cedar county, Iowa, until the fall of 1872, when they sold their farm, which was then fully improved, and then settled on a homestead which he had taken in May of that year, which was locat- ed on the southeast quarter of section 30 of township 13, range i west, in Polk county, Nebraska. The land was all wild and un- broken, and it was necessary to go to Co- lumbus for lumber, with which he built a frame house into which he moved just before the great snow-storm of 1873. The house was the second one on the road from Seward to Osceola, a distance of for- ty-five miles, and. it is still to be seen on the farm. At this time the county was very sparsely settled, and they had many visits from wandering bands of Indians. Mr. Locke started at once to break his land, and he now has a fine estate of two hundred and forty acres of land, all of which is un- der cultivation. The place has a full line of improvements, and is adorned with a fine orchard containing one hundred trees, and also a grove containing fifteen acres of shade trees. He carried on a general farm- ing and stock-raising business, dealing large- ly in fine and blooded stock, one of which is an imported English shire horse, named " Sampson X," which weighs nineteen hun- dred pounds. It took the first premium and sweepstakes at the Polk County Agri- cultural Fair, and also took a prize at the Omaha Horse Fair. He also owned a fine roadster, " Phil M," with a record of 2:32.!, but who had trotted in 2:24. He fattened seventy-eight head of cattle and one hun- dred hogs of his own raising in one season, and also raised on his own farm all of the cord that was necessary to fatten them, with the exception of one hundred bushels. He was a model farmer and had the best kept farm in his locality, when he resided upon it. In March, 1896, they moved from their farm and took up their residence in Osce- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT 87r ■ola, where they have a neat and cozy little home. Mr. and Mrs. Locke have membership in the Christian church at Wayland, Ne- braska, and are earnest workers in the cause of Christianity. Mrs. Locke was president of the W. C. T. U. at Wayland. Nebraska, four years, and was also a delegate to the state convention of the same, which was held at York, Nebraska, in 1S94. She is also a member of the J. F. Reynolds Relief Corps, No. 69, of Osceola, and attended the National encampment of the G. A. R. which was held at Portland, Maine, in 1885. Mr. Locke is a leader of the G. A. R., in this part of the state, and was a charter member of the J. F. Reynolds Post, No. 69, of Osceola, Nebraska, and was also a char- ter member of the B. F. Stephenson Post, No. 132 of Gresham, Nebraska, of which he was first adjutant of the same, and also served as commander of the same. He also served for two terms, or six years, as com- missioner for soldiers relief in Polk count)-. In 1883 he was a delegate to the National encampment at Denver, Colorado, also delegate to the same which was held at Portland, Maine, in iSS^j. He also attend- ed the state encampment at Lincoln, Ne- braska, in February, 18S3, in the capacity of a delegate, and in 1892 he was an attendant at the National encampment held at Wash- ington, D. C. Mr. Locke is also very prominent in the Masonic order, of which he became a member in the fall of 1864, at Milo, Maine. He was a charter member of. the Blue Lodge, Osceola Lodge, No. 65, of which he has been Junior Warden, and is also a charter member of the Blue Lodge, Morning Star I^odge, No. 197, of which he has also been Junior Warden, and of which he has been Past Master. Both Mr. and Mrs. Locke have been members of the Or- der of the Eastern Star, of which he was a delegate to the Grand Lodge at Omaha. Politically he affiliates with the Republican 50 party, which he has always stanchly suppor- ted at the polls. He has held numerous local offices, and was moderator of school district No. 33. Mr. Locke has also been a member of the Polk County Agricultural Society, president of the Farmers Club, and has also been superintendent of the horse department at the county fair, at the same time he also held the offices of judge of the speed ring, and time judge. In 1883 he put in si.x weeks in traveling, and made a trip to California and return, in that time. Mr. and Mrs. Locke retain the entire con- fidence and esteem of all who know them- and they are highly respected for their up- rightness of character and integrity. MRS. ISABELL JOHNSON.— Nebraska owes its high standing among the states of the Union to the high character, dauntless spirit and perseverance of her pioneers. To them is due her wonderful progress along all lines of endeavor, having transformed the wild prairies into fine farms thriving villages and magnificent cities. Among these brave, far-sighted and hardy pioneers is the West famil}', of which Mrs. Johnson is a worthy representative. She was born in Maryland in 1836, and is the oldest daughter of Thomas and Catherine (Hufmaster) West, who with their family settled on the W^est Blue, in Seward county, at a point now known as West's Mills, in 1859. The party consisted of the parents and six children, Isabel, Cornelius, Thomas, Jr., John, James and Charles, besides a young man by the name of Orion Johnson, who afterward became the husband of Isabell West. The family was founded in the United State.= over a century ago by her great-grandfather, Cornelius West, who came from the north of Ireland and first located in Pennsylvania, but late's removed to New Jersey. For some years the grand- father, James West, lived on a large plan- 878 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. tation near Pittsburg on the Mono gahela river; and there the father, Thomas West, was born. When seven years old he was taken by his parents to Maryland, where he grew to manhood and married Miss Cather- ine Hufmaster. Leaving Maryland, in 1845, they removed to Ogle county, Illinois, and settled on the Rock river, but from 1852 until 1859 they made their home on the Maquoketa river in Iowa, coming to Ne- braska in the latter year. They have thus been pioneers of three states, always going ahead of the railroads. In 1859 the West family started from Jackson county, Iowa, for the gold fields, traveling by way of Plattsmouth, where they crossed the river. There they met a party of surveyors returning from the Blue river valley, and as they gave such glowing accounts of its fertility, Mr. West decided to locate here and make for himself and family a home. Leaving the beaten trail, they came to the locality where Mrs. John- son now lives, in Seward connty, which sec- tion at that time had no white settlers. The only people on the river were the Vif- quains, who had a place near the junction of the West and Big Blue rivers. The West family went up the river until they found a suitable spot, and there stopped and built a log house late in the summer of 1859. They had with them five cows, four o.\en, one horse, four wagons, and plenty of provi- sions, and the first winter they lived com- fortably, but in March of the following year the Indians burned their home and nearly everything they possessed. This was the beginning of a long series of depredations intended to drive the white men away, but in this they were unsuccessful, for the sturdy pioneers possessed plenty of perseverance and determination. The Indians stole their cattle, destroyed their crops and threatened their lives, but to no purpose. The second winter the family nearly starved, having nothing to eat but hominy for si.xteen days, but they stuck to their home, having re- built the cabin. In 1864 Mr. West built a sawmill and later erected a gristmill, which brought people to their place from many miles around, and was an important factor in the upbuilding and development of this region. The family has always been widely and favorably known, standing deservedly high in the esteem of their fellow citizens. It was in 1861 that Miss Isabell West gave her hand in marriage to Orion John- son, and they have become the parents of two children, Thomas, and Ida, now the wife of William Hayes. DM. LEFEVER is one of the most prominent and substantial citizens of Hamilton precinct, Fillmore county, Ne- braska, and is the owner of an elegant farm on section i, one and one-half miles from Strang. The spirit of self-help is the source of all genuine worth in the individual and is the means of bringing to man success when he has no advantages of wealth or influence to aid him. It illustrates in no uncertain manner what it is possible to accomplish when perseverance and determination form the keynote to a man's life. Depending upon his own resources, looking for no out- side aid or support, Mr. Lefever, with the assistance of his estimable wife, has become one of the most prosperous and wealthy citi- zens of his community. He was born in Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, in 1850, and is a son of Daniel and Frances (Martin) Lefever, who were also natives of Lancaster county, as were the grandparents on both sides. The fa- ther died on the old homestead in the Key- stone state, at the age of seventy si.x years, the mother at the age of si.xty-four, and both were laid to rest in the cemetery of Landis Valley, Lancaster county. In their family were fourteen children, of whom ten are still living. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 879 During his boyhood and youth, D. M. Lefever attended the common schools of his native county, and continued to reside there until twenty-four years of age. In 1874 he removed to Illinois, where the fol- lowing six years were passed, and in Jan- uary, 1880, took up his residence in Ham- ilton precinct, Fillmore county, Nebraska, where he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of railroad land, paying for the same one thousand five hundred dollars. To the cultivation and improvement of his land he at once turned his attention, and soon acre after acre was placed under the plow until the place was converted into one of the most productive and valuable farms of the township. Returning to his native county, in 1S89, Mr. Lefever was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie Rohrer, who was born there in 1862, and who attended the public schools of the county for some time. She is a very accomplished lady and a most amiable and happy wife. Her parents were Henry and Eliza (Harnish) Rohrer. Her father died in Lancaster county at the age of sixty-one years, and her mother is still residing on the old homestead there at the age of sev- enty. Of the seven children in the family, four are still living and all make their home in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, with the exception of Mrs. Lefever. Our subject and his wife have an interesting family of three children: Paul, Maude and Nora, who are all attending school. Immediately after their marriage Mr. Lefever brought his bride to the beautiful home he had prepared for her in Fillmore county, Nebraska, where they at once be- gan housekeeping, and by their united ef- forts they have prospered in their adopted state, being now the owners of seven hun- dred and twenty acres of some of the finest and best improved land in the county. On coming to Nebraska, Mr. Lefever's capital consisted of but one thousand dollars in cash, but he has continually prospered; his land is all free from incumbrance; he has money out on interest; his farms are well stocked; and his granaries and corn cribs are full of grain, which at the present time would bring five thousand dollars in cash. This property has all been acquired through the industry, perseverance, economy and good management of himself and wife. Wheat has been his principal product, and with the exception of a very few years, he has always harvested an excellent crop. Politically Mr. Lefever is a stanch Re- publican, of the Abraham Lincoln type, and he is one of the most prominent and influen- tial men of his locality. They move in the best social circles of the community in which they live, and occupy an enviable position. Those who know them best are numbered among their warmest friends, and no citizens of the county are more honored or highly respected. WILLIAM H. NEWCOMER is one of the representative and general farm- ers of York county, Nebraska, in Thayer township of which he has a very fine farm. He has been a conspicuous figure in the de- velopment and extension of the great agri- cultural and stockraising interests of the county. He is one of the early settlers of the township in which he resides, and has done much toward bringing it to its present prosperous condition. William H. Newcomer is a son of Daniel and Abigail (Leckrone) Newcomer, who were both natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer by occupation, and followed that profession in his native state until his death, which occurred in 1869. His wife still survives, and at present re- sides in Pennsylvania. They were the par- ents of seven children, fine sons and two daughters. William H. Newcomer, of whom this sketch is written, was born in Fayette 880 COMPEXDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. county, Pennsylvania, July 36, 1846, and is the only one of the family who resides in the west. He received his rudimentary education in the common schools of the na- tive state, and at an early age he began following agricultural pursuits. He con- tinued in this line of work in Pennsylvania, until 1875, when he located in Knox county, Illinois. He remained in the last named place for two 3'ears, and then removed to Henry count}-, where he remained until he took up his permanent residence in York county, Nebraska, in 1879. He purchased a farm in Thayer township, which at the time he purchased had nothing on it but a sod house, and there were but eighty acres of it under cultivation. Nothing daunted by the almost herculean task before him, Mr. Newcomer set to work to develop his farm, and today it has been brought to a state of cultivation that is well nigh im- possible to excel. It is given over to gen- eral farming, which our subject carries on according to the most improved methods, thereby winning reward for toil and fore- thought. The farm is provided with ex- cellent improvements, and the dwelling is one of the best homes in the country. The farm now consists of six hundred and forty acres of fine arable land, all of which is un- der cultivation. Mr. Newcomer was married in Pennsyl- vania, on December 24, 1868, to Miss Catharine Henderson, a daughter of Stewart and Eliza A. Henderson, who were both na- tives of Pennsylvania, though they after- wards removed to Illinois, where the father died, and the mother still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Newcomer are the parents of eight children, six of whom are now living, viz: Mary A., Dora A., William H., Edith P., Carrie M. and Blanche \'. ; Eliza N. and Elizabeth are deceased. The family are all members in good standing of the Lutheran church. Socially, Mr. Newcomer is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. In his political life he is a firm believer in the principles of the Republican part}', and stands well in the community, though he has never sought political prefer- ment. Mr. Newcomer has followed general farming and stock raising, and has enjoyed well-merited success as a crown to his per- sistent and untiring energy, with which he labored to overcome all difficulties. He is considered one of the most substantial and highly esteemed citizens of the county, and is respected by ail who know him for his many sterling traits of character. DAVID BELSLEY, who is now success- fully engaged in the grain business at Bellwood, Butler county, as a member of the firm of Belsley, Allen & Co., has led a life of honest effort. Throughout his career of continued and far-reaching usefulness his duties have been performed with the great- est care, and business interests have been managed as to win him the confidence of the public and the prosperity which should always attend honorable effort. Mr. Belsley was born in Woodford coun- ty, Illinois, November 26, 1855, and is a son of Joseph Belsley, a native of France, born in Alsace-Lorain, in i8i3. As a young man he came to this country in 1832 and settled in Woodford county, Illinois, near Spring Bay, before the Indians had left that region. At that time he was poor, but being industrious, energetic and perse- vering, due success was not denied him, and at his death was quite wealthy. In Peoria county, Illinois, he married Miss Barbara Engle, daughter of Peter Engle, and they became the parents of seven sons, of whom our subject is the fourth in order of birth. In the county of his nativity David Bel- sley was reared to agricultural pursuits, and there engaged in farming on his own ac- count for some time after reaching man- hood. He was married in Woodford coun- ' COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 881 ty, in 1880, to Miss Annie Nicklos, whose stepfather, Peter Ecker, came to Butler county, Nebraska, the year prior to our sub- ject's removal. Here her parents made their home for about ten years. Mr. and Mrs. Belsley have five children, two sons and three daughters, namely: Barbara E., Jesse Joseph, Irvine Cleveland, Evaline Frances and May Bessie. In 1879 Mr. Belsley made a trip to Ne- braska, but did not locate permanently in Butler county until 1882, when he pur- chased three eighty-acre tracts of land, in- cluding the northwest quarter of section 28, Savannah township, and the north half of the northeast quarter of the same section. In June, 1884, he established the Platte Valley Bank at Bellwood, of which he was president and H. I. Converse cashier until he sold out in the fall of 1886. He then bought one hundred and aixty acres on sec- tion 15, Savannah township, and has since been largely interested in real estate, doing an extensive business along that line in con- nection with the grain trade at Bellwood. He is an upright, reliable business man, and has the confidence and respect of all who know him. Although a stanch Demo- crat in politics and an active worker for the success of his party, Mr. Belsley has always declined to become a candidate for office. DANIEL BROWN, a leading and repre- sentative farmer of Seward county, Nebraska, residing on section 10, precinct L, was born in Monroe county, Ohio, De- cember 19, 185 1, a son of Alexander and Margaret (Brady) Brown, the former a na- tive of \'irginia, the latter of Pennsylvania. They were early settlers of Monroe county, Ohio, whence they removed to Iowa in the fall of 1866, locating in Lucas county, where the father died in 1867. In 1871 the mother with her children came to Nebraska and settled on section 10, precinct L, Sew- ard county, but after the marriage of our subject she lived with him and a daughter in Seward until her death, which occurred February 21, 1898. In the family were three children, namely: Mrs. Mary Ann John, a resident of Seward; Daniel, the subject of this review; and Ebenezer, who lives at University Place, Nebraska. By a former marriage the father had two daugh- ters, Margaret and Jane, and three sons, John, James and Benaga. The two latter were soldiers of the Civil war, in Company K, Sixty-second Ohio Infantry, and the last named was one of the pioneers of Sew- ard county, having located in precinct L in 1871. Daniel Brown, of this review, spent his boyhood and youth in Ohio and Iowa, ac- quiring his education in the public schools near his home. He remained with his mother until his marriage, which was cele- brated March 6, 1878, Miss Margaret E. Cross becoming his wife. She is a native of Jones county, Iowa, and a daughter of Henry and Catharine (Hedges) Cross, early settlers of Seward county, having taken up their residence on section 12. precinct L, in the fall of 1870. Our subject and his wife have become the parents of seven chil- dren, but only three are now living: Clar- ence Leroy, Willis Irving and Laurence Vernon. Mr. Brown commenced life in Nebraska in true pioneer style, his first home being a little sod shanty with a car roof. The first year he raised only sod corn and a few garden vegetables, and in 1872 raised a crop of small grain. The family pre-empted the land first, but later homesteaded it, and Mr. Brown today has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, all under a high state of cultivation, well improved with good buildings, and has an orchard and cedar grove. Here he has made his home since coming to Nebraska, with the exception of a year and a half, and is successfully en- 882 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. gaged in general farming, raising both grain and stock. For the past fifteen years he has also engaged in well digging. Politic- ally he is a Populist, and he has been honored with a number of local offices of trust, being township assessor three terms; director of school district No. 42 for twelve years; and the present township clerk, an office he has most acceptably filled for several terms. Socially he and wife are members of the Royal Oaks, at Utica, Ne- braska, and religiously his wife is an active worker in the Methodist Protestant church. EL. MARTIN, the present mayor of Fairmont and one of its most energetic and enterprising business men, has been a resident of that place for over thirty-two years and has therefore witnessed the great- er part of the growth and development of this region. In its progress he has mani- fested a deep interest and has ever taken his part in support of those measures cal- culated to prove of public good. A native of New York, Mr. Martin was born in Allegany county, August 22, 1828, and is a son of Jeremiah and Polly (^Little- field) Martin, natives of Vermont. During the war of 1812, the father entered the American army and served one year. When hostilities ceased, he returned to his home in Vermont and later removed from there to Allegany county. New York, where he studied medicine and engaged in practice until 1844. From New York, he went to Dodge county, Wisconsin, where, in con- nection with the practice of his chosen pro- fession, he served as a local Methodist Epis- copal minister. He never took any inter- est in politics or sought office. Both he and his wife died in Wisconsin, the former in 1854, the latter in 1858. In their family were six children, five sons and one daugh- ter, but all are now deceased with the ex- ception of our subject. Reared in New York, Mr. Martin, of this review, acquired a limited education in the schools of that state. When very young he began the battle of life for himself, his first employment being as cook in a logging camp. He accompanied his parents on their removal to Wisconsin, and assisted in clear- ing and cultivating the home farm, on which he worked until reaching his major- ity. On the 8th of August, 1849, he led to the marriage altar Miss Delight A. Nichols, also a native of Allegany county. New York, and to them were born six children, namely: Horace L., Melvin E. , Effie L. ; Lucretia A. and Mary, both deceased; and Edwin. For some years Mr. Martin remained a resident of Wisconsin, following various oc- cupations, being engaged for three years in the manufacture of looking glasses, and for eleven years in the making of butter bowls. In November, 1868, we find him en route for Nebraska, and on reaching Plattsmouth he proceeded by stage to Lincolm. The same year he homesteaded a tract of land near Fillmore Mills, and laid out and plat- ted the village of Fillmore, continuing to re- side there until coming to Fairmont in 1874. Here he has since engaged in business as a dealer in coal, grain, stock and farm ma- chinery, and has succeeded in building up an excellent trade. Mr. Martin took an active and promi- nent part in the organization of the county and townships and was appointed a mem- ber of the first board of county commission- ers. Later he was elected to that office and served in all seven terms, receiving all the votes in the county at the first election. He was the first postmaster in the county, filling that office at Fillmore by appoint- ment from President Grant. At one time he was the Republican nominee for repre- sentative, and although defeated, he re- duced the majority of the opposition from one thousand to twenty-two. He tried hard to have the county seat established at COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 883 Fairmont, but failed; was a member of the board of supervisors when the first court house was built and also when the poor farm was bought. It will thus be seen that he has been prominently identified with the development and prosperity of the county from the very beginning. Since coming to Fairmont, he has served seven terms as mayor and is still filling that responsible position. Never were the reins of city government in more capable hands, for he is a progressive man, pre-eminently public spirited, and all that pertains to the public welfare receives his hearty endorsment. He has also served as a member of the city council for several years and has ever dis- charged his official duties with promptness and fidelity, worthy of all commendation. Socially he has been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for forty-five years, is a charter member of the lodge in Fairmont, and has filled all its chairs. CHRISTIAN HOLOCH, one of the first settlers of York county, Nebraska, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, November 29, 1828. His parents, Jacob and Anna Holoch, were both natives of the same province, and lived and died there. They were farmers by occupation, and reared a family of nine children. Our subject and one sister came to the United States. Christian Holoch, the subject of our sketch, was educated in Germany, and held the position of overseer of a Geological University for ten years. This institution was supported by the government. In 1853 Mr. Holoch came to America, landing at Mew York, and first found employment in a cabinet maker's shop in that city. Here he remained for two years and then moved to Wayne county, New York, and was there engaged in farming for two years. In 1857 he moved to LaSalle county, Illinois, and worked at farming in that county for nine years. In June, 1866, he went to York county, Nebraska, and filed a homestead claim in McFadden township, near Red Lion Mills. This land he still owns and has added to it from time to by purchase until he has a fine farm of 560 acres, all well improved and in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Holoch devoted his attention to the operation of this farm until 1893, and then rented it and has since lived in the city of York, retired from active life. Being one of the oldest settlers of the county, and lo- cating there before the townships were or- ganized, our subject at once became actively interested in the organization of the town- ship in which he had made his home, and his name is indissolubly connected with the history of its growth and development. Mr. Holloch was married in 1855 to Miss Anna Kemmele, also a native of Ger- many. They were married in Wayne coun- ty. New York, and their wedded life has been blessed by the advent of a famil}- of nine children, whose names and the dates of their births are as follows: Frederika, born September 12, 1857; Henry, January 21, 1859; George, November 4, i860; Caro- line, July 17, 1862; Charles, March 14, 1864; Christian W., September 29, 1865; Ella and Emma, twins, born February 11, 1870; and Mary, January 28, 1872. Emma died in May, 1886, and Mrs. Holoch died in York, Nebraska, in 1893. In politics Mr. Holoch is identified with the Repub- lican party, but has never sought public office. He has for many years been a mem- ber of the United Brethren church and one of the leaders in the society of that de- nomination in this county. Mr. Holoch came to this county with practically no cap- ital, but by industry, prudence and econ- omy he has won a handsome fortune, a powerful influence in the community and the respect and esteem of all who know him. 884 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY WILLIAM LONG, of whom a portrait appears on another page, is a promi- nent farmer and stock raiser residing on sec- tion 34, Franklin township, Butler county. He was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, July 9, 1854, and on the paternal side is of Irish descent, his grandfather, William Long, having been a native of Ireland, whence he came to the United States at the age of twenty-four years, and took up his residence in Virginia. Our subject's father, John Long, was a native of the Old Domin- ion, and after reaching manhood removed from that state to Ohio, where he was num- bered among the pioneer settlers. He was in the ninety days' service during the Civil war, and as a means of livelihood he fol- lowed the occupations of carpentering and farming throughout life. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary J. Crawford, was a native of Ohio, and a daughter of John Crawford, who was also born on the Emer- ald Isle, and emigrated to America at about the age of twentj' years. Our subject is the oldest in the family of si.\ children born to John and Mary J. (Crawford) Long- -three sons and three daughters, all of whom reached 3'ears of maturity, with the excep- tion of one daughter, who died at the age of eight years. William Long removed to Mercer coun- ty, Illinois, with his parents at the age of eight years, and was there reared and edu- cated in much the usual manner of farmer boys. The year 1880 witnessed his ar- rival in Butler county, Nebraska, and he purchased a tract of eighty acres on section 34, Franklin township, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his energies until 1897, when he sold the place and purchased his present farm of similar size on the same section. In connection with general farming he is interested in the raising of sheep, and is accounted one of the most industrious, energetic and enter- prising business men of his community. On the 2d of January, 1890, Mr. Long was united in marriage with Miss Josie Beckner, who was born in Kosciusko coun- ty, Indiana, January 2, 1869, a daughter of Jacob and Sallie (Chivington) Beckner, na- tives of Ohio and Indiana, respectively. She is the youngest in their family of eight children, and by her marriage has become the mother of three children: Arthur, Lena and John B. Although Mr. Long is a stanch Republi- can in politics he has never cared for politic- al preferment, his time and attention being fully occupied with his business interests. Socially he affiliates with the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of David City, while his wife be- longs to the Daughters of Rebecca, and both are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church. SF. ASHBY, M. D., of Fairmont, is one of the most successful and prominent representatives of the medical fraternity in this section of the state. One of the most exacting of all the higher lines of occupa- tion to which a man may lend his energies is that of the physician. A most scrupu- lous preliminary training is demanded and a nicety of judgment little understood by the laity. Then again the profession brings its devotees into almost constant associa- tion with the sadder side of life — that of pain and suffering — so that a mind capable of great self control and a heart responsive and sympathetic are essential attributes of him who would essay the practice of the healing art. Thus when a professional suc- cess is attained in any instance it may be taken as certain that such measure of suc- cess has been thoroughly merited. Dr. Ashby was born in Carroll county, Illinois, September 10, 1864, a son of John S. and Catherine E. (Bancroft) Ashby, na- tives of Canada and Ohio, respectively. WILLIAM LONG AND FAMILY COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 887 The Ashby family came to the United States about 1840 and settled in Carroll county, Illinois, where the doctor's father was reared and continues to make his home. By occupation he is a farmer and stock raiser. His wife is still living, also their seven children. Dr. Ashby was reared on the home farm and commenced his education in the com- mon schools of the neighborhood, but was later a student for two years in Jennings Seminary, Aurora, Illinois, and for three years in the high school of Thomson, Car- roll county. During that time he began the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. A. Van Patten, of Mt. Carroll, Illi- nois, and in 1883 entered Hahnemann Med- ical College, Chicago, where he was gradu- ated in 1885. As a homeopathic physician he then engaged in practice in Mt. Carroll for si.\ months, but in the fall of 1885 we find him established at Fairmont, where he was not long in building up the extensive practice which he still enjoys. He is a pro- gressive physician and a close student of his profession, and since locating here has taken a post-graduate course at Hahnemann College, another at the Post-Graduate school of Chicago, and spent some time in study at the Cook County Hospital in that city. He now has a large general practice; in July, 1897, was elected head physician for the Modern Woodmen of America for Nebraska and Wyoming; was appointed railroad physician for the Burlington & Mis- souri River Railroad, February 7, 1894, and is still filling that position to the entire satis- faction of the company. He is an honored member of the American Institute, and also of the Nebraska State Homeopathic Med- ical Society. In 1890 was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Ashby and Miss Nellie R. Cowdry, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Will- iam Cowdry, and they now have one child, Ruth C. Socially the Doctor is quite prom- inent, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Modern Woodmen of America. He joined the Woodmen's Camp at Thomson, Illinois, July 16, 1883, becom- ing the one hundred and fifty-sixth member of that order, and has since been prominent- ly connected with it. He was one of the founders of the camp at Fairmont, in which he has filled all the chairs; has represented the state of Nebraska in the National Camp three times; and for two years served as state physician for the order. In politics he is an ardent Republican, and has most effi- ciently and satisfactorily served as city physician of Fairmont for several years. He has met with success, financially, as well as professionally in his adopted state and is now the owner of some valuable property in his town and county. As a pleasant, genial gentleman, he is widely and favor- ably known, and has many friends. BENJAMIN F. FARLEY, M. D., has re- sided in York county thirteen years. He was born in Crawford county, Pennsyl- vania, June 9, 1843, a son of Samuel C. and Jane A. (Walker) Farley, who were natives of New York and Pennsylvania, re- spectively. The father was a carpenter and builder by occupation. In 1845 he moved to Illinois, settled in DeKalb county and there engaged in farming. He died in Ford county, Illinois, in July, 1877, and his wife died two years later. They were the par- ents of eight children, one of whom died in infancy. Doctor Farley was educated in the com- mon schools of Illinois, the Fowler Institute at Newark and the Wesleyen University at Bloomington, and then engaged for a time in teaching school. He be began the study of medicine in 1866, and in 1867 he en- tered the medical department of the Uni- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr. versityof Michigan, and remained there one year, and spent the following summer in the chemical laboratory of that institution. In 1869 he entered the Rush Medical College, of Chicago, Illinois, and graduated from the same in 1870. Dr. Farley also took a post- graduate course in the Rush Medical College in 1 878- 1 879, and also a practitioner's course in the same college and a special course in 1881. In 1889-90 he took a course at the Post-Graduate School and Hospital of New York, and also a course in surgery and gynecology at the New York Polyclinic. In the spring of 1890 he attended the Chi- cago Polyclinique, and in the spring of 1894 he took a course in the Chicago Post- Graduate School and Hospital. After graduating from the Rush Medical College, in 1870, Dr. Farley began the practice of his profession at Braceville, Illinois, and one year later he went to Buckingham, Kankakee county, Illinois, and was stationed at that place for fifteen years. In 1885 he went to York, Nebraska, and has since made that city his base of operations. February 8, 1865, Dr. Farley was united in marriage to Miss Emly A. Smith, daughter of Dr. S. T. Smith, of Grundy county, Illinois. Doctor Smith is still living, is now eighty-one years of age but is practicing medicine in Florida. Our subject and Mrs. Farley are the parents of a family of three children: Rosie E., wife of O. L. Linch of Denver, Colorado; Edna I. and Bessie M. The Doctor is a member of the State Medical Society, the Nebraska District Medical Society for which he has performed the duties of president for two years, and the York County Medical Society of which he has been president one term. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, K. of M., and other insurance lodges. He is a man of superior ability, has an enviable reputation for integrity of character and uprightness in business methods, and has been very successful and built up for him- self a large and lucrative patronage. In politics he is a Prohibitionist and is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. GROVE DISNEY, whose home has been on section 30, Oak Creek town- ship, Butler county, since the 9th of June, 1868, is one of the most thorough and skillful farmers of his community. In common with the other early settlers he en- dured all the hardships and privations of pioneer life, but in his efforts to secure a good home for himself and family, he labor- ed steadily until this was accomplished, be- ing now in the enjoyment of a comfortable competence. Mr. Disney was born near Baltimore, Maryland, December 15, 1832, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Leshar) Disney, the former of Scotch-Irish descent, the latter of German origin. His paternal grandfather, James Disney, was a native of Scotland, but came to this country prior to the Revolutionary war and settled in Mary- land. As a soldier in the Continental army, he aided the colonies in their successful struggle for independence. The parents of our subject, who are farming people, were married in Maryland, whence they emi- grated to Ohio in 1836, settling in Licking county, where they made their home for ten years. About 1846 the father traded his property in that locality for three hundred and seventy-five acres of land in La Grange county, Indiana, which at that time was covered with a heavy growth of timber. In their forest home. Grove Disney, who was the fifth son in the family, early be- came familiar with the use of the ax, as- sisting in clearing and improving the farm. Of this work there was plenty to keep the boy busy, leaving little time for idleness. Until he attained his majority he remained under the parental roof, and on leaving home in 1852 he started across the plains COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. SS* to the gold fields of California, via Fort Larimie and Salt Lake Cit}', to Hangtown, being five months and twenty-six days en route. At first he followed mining, but later engaged in teaming and in various other occupations until he had cleared two thousand when he decided to return to the east. Leaving San Francisco on the 7th of April, 1856, he proceeded to New York by way of the Isthmus of Panama and the Island of Jamaica, arriving in the eastern metropolis about a month later. Prior to his going to the Pacific slope Mr. Disney was married to Hannah N. Os- borne, who died during his absence, leaving one son, Albert. Six months after his re- turn to the east he located in Rock Island, Illinois, where he remained until August, 1862, when he entered the Union service, as a member of Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infan- try. He served with the army of the Mis- sissippi and Tennessee until taken sick at Ball's Bluff and sent to the hospital, where he was finally discharged. He did not re- cover his health for a year after his return home, and then the war was over. In Mercer county, Illinois, Mr. Disney was again married, March 29, 1865, his sec- ond union being with Mrs. Margrett J. Rog- ers, whose maiden name was Wellever, by whom he has eight children, namely: Ed- ward; Thomas; John; James, who married Delia Scott and has one child; May, who married Charles Fleek and has two chil- dren ; Elsie ; Grove ; and Rebecca (deceased). With the exception of the first two all were born in Nebraska. After his marriage, Mr. Disney engaged in farming in Rock Island county, Illinois, and in Iowa until 1868, when he decided to come to Nebraska, and with his family, two wagons, two cows and two calves, he start- ed across the country, passing through Plattsmouth and Lincoln. "One had to look close to see the latter city," which at that time consisted of two or three houses and and a sawmill. Securing a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres on Oak creek, in Butler county, Mr. Disney and his family lived in their wagons until a log house, fourteen by eighteen feet, could be erected. The surrounding country was then unbroken prairie, and in the wonderful changes that have since taken place, our sub- ject has been an important factor. Since attaining his majority he has always been identified with the Democratic party, which had but three supporters in Butler county when he took up his residence here. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. FRANK DURHAM.— Among the promi- nent and progressive young men of Fillmore county, who are turning their at- tention to agricultural pursuits, is Mr. Dur- ham, whose home is on section 26, Belle Prairie township. Although young in years, still, having excellent business ability, he has already placed himself in a position with the prosperous and well-to-do farmers of this portion of the county, and is ranked among the best citizens of the township. For a quarter of a century Mr. Durham has been a resident of Fillmore county, be- ing only four years old when he came here with his parents, George and Anna B. (Stowell) Durham, who were among its honored pioneers. The father was born in England, July 26, 1830, and at the age of twenty-three crossed the Atlantic and took up his residence in Canada, where he was married in May, 1859, to Miss Anna B. Stowell. She was born in New York state, September 27, 1841, and obtained only a common-school education. Her parents were Oliver and Mary (Church) Stowell, who were married in this country. Mrs. Stowell was a native of England and died in New York at the early age of twenty- 890 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPH7'. seven years, leaving a husband and three daughters -to mourn her untimely death, Mrs. Durham being at that time only five years old. The other children were Martha and Mary, of whom the latter died at the age of two, soon after the mother's death. Subsequently the father married Miss Mary Sipes, and to them was born a son, Ralph Stovvell, who lives on a farm in Belle Prairie township adjoining that of Mrs. Durham. The father died in New York state at the age of thirty-eight years, but his second wife is still living and a resident of Nebraska. In the spring of 1872, Mr. and Mrs. Durham, the parents of our subject, came to Fillmore county, Nebraska, and in Belle Prairie township took up a farm of eighty acres, on which the mother and son still re- side. At that time the family had only one team and a small amout of personal proper- ty, but by industry, perseverance and econ- omy, they have accumulated a good prop- erty and now have two hundred and forty acres in Fillmore county. Their first home here was a sod house, in which they lived for ten years, but it has since been replaced by a comfortable and attractive residence, surrounded by good out-buildings, a beautiful grove and orchard. At one time they re- moved to Frontier county, this state, where they owned a quarter section of land, but three years ago returned to the old home- stead in Fillmore county, where the father died January 14, 1896, at the age of sixty- five years, leaving a widow and three sons to mourn his loss. His remains were in- terred in Harmony cemetery, Fillmore coun- ty. He was a devoted husband and loving father. He was a true Christian, being a life-long member of the Methodist Episco- pal church, and was greatly beloved and re- spected for his many qualities and noble character. George Durham, the oldest son, married Miss Ida Randolph, a native of Illinois, who came to this state with her parents. She died on the Durham homestead at the age of twenty-three years and was laid to rest in Harmony cemetery. She left one son, Merton R., now twelve years of age, who lives with our subject and his grandmother. For his second wife George Durham mar- ried Miss Lillian Brown, and they now live in Frontier county. John Durham, the sec- ond son, married Miss Neola Crawford and resides in Frontier county. Frank Durham, who completes thefamily, continues to reside upon the old homestead with his mother and nephew. He can re- late many interesting incidents of pioneer life and has watched with interest this region change from a wild, unsettled prairie to a thickly populated and well improved coun- try. In this transformation he has borne an important part by aiding in the develop- ment and cultivation of a fine farm. The early settlers experienced many hardships and privations but they also had many pleasures, and their little log cabins, sod houses were the scenes of great merry- making and keen enjoyment. At times they also displayed great heroism, and Mr. Dur- ham can vividly picture and relate heroic acts of many of the noted homesteaders in Fillmore county. His family has ever been one of the most prominent and highly re- spected in this region and have always given their support to all enterprises calculated to advance the moral, social or material wel- fare of the community. They all hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically Mr. Durham is a Re- publican. LEVI HAFER, an industrious and thrifty farmer, has been an important factor in the upbuilding and development of Seward county, where he has now made his home for thirty years. The difference between past and the present can scarcely be real- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRArHT. 891 ized, even by those who were active par- ticipants in the transformation that has ' taken place. When our subject located here nearly all the land was still in its primitive condition, the few settlers were widely scattered and the Indians were far more numerous than the white men. Mr. Hafer was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, January 31, 1844, and is a son of Andrew and Susan Foust) Hafer, highly respected farming people, who spent their entire lives in the Iveystone state. The mother died in Nebraska while here on a visit. Their family consisted of ten children, six sons and four daughters, and of these our subject and a sister now make their home in Seward county, Ne- braska. During his boyhood and youth Levi Hafer attended school in his native state, and when his education was completed he engaged in farming there until 1868, when he decided to try his fortune in the west and came to Seward county, driving across the country from Illinois. He took up a homestead where he now lives, erected thereon a sod house, and at once turned his attention to the improvement and culti- vation of his land, which he soon converted into a fine farm. He now owns four hun- dred acres of land, all under a high state of cultivation and equipped with all the acces- sories and conveniences of a model farm of the nineteenth century. In Pennsylvania, in 1866, Mr. Hafer was united in marriage with Miss Sarah L. Huffman, a native of that state and a daugh- ter of Daniel and Mary (Frymire) Huffman, and to this worthy couple have been born the following children: Martin A., Ervin R. , John S., Susie M. and Charles E., all living; and the following now deceased: Lewis F., Ida M., William T. , Ernest R. and Daniel B. The family hold mem- bership in the United Brethren church of Seward, of which Mr. Hafer is one of the officers, and he assisted in building the first church ever erected in the county, having always taken an active interest in every movement calculated to benefit his fellow men. Being a strong temperance man, he casts his ballot for the men and measures of the Prohibition party and does all in his power to advance its interests. The success that he has achieved in life is due entirely to his own unaided efforts, and he has not only gained a handsome competence, but has won the esteem of all who know him. Mr. Hafer has given special attention to the breeding of pure Poland China hogs and now owns one of the finest herds in the county. THE FAIRMONT TRIBUNE, one of the leading and most popular journals of Fillmore county, was founded January I 5, 1897, by C. J. Resler and Norman Jack- son, who conducted it until April of that year, when E. T. Child became interested in the plant, the firm becoming Resler & Child. On the ist of March, 1898, Mr. Resler retired, and since then Mr. and Mrs. Child have conducted the paper quite suc- cessfully and have displayed marked skill and ability in its management. The cir- culation has been increased from eighty- eight to over three hundred. Mr. Child is a native of Iowa, born in Dunlap, Harrison county, in 1873, and was reared and educated in that state, attending first the common schools and later the Woodbine Normal School at Woodbine, Iowa. For four years he successfully en- gaged in teaching school in Iowa and at the same time was also employed by the pub- lishers of the " W'allace Farmer and Dairy- man," and " The Iowa Homestead." In April, 1897, he came to Fairmont, Ne- braska, and became connected with "The Tribune," since which time he ha? devoted his entire attention to journalism. In his political proclivities Mr. Child is a stalwart 892 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. supporter of the Populist party and its prin- ciples, and both personally and in his edi- torial utterances he wields a potent influ- ence in furthering the interest of its cause. He has served as a delegate to the different conventions of his party, and is a member of the Sons and Daughters of Protection. He is an enterprising and progressive young man, and has succeeded in building up a good business in his chosen profession. In Iowa, Mr. Child was married, in April, 1897, to Miss Mamie B. Hall, of Ames, that state, and to them has been born a daughter, Frances H. Mrs. Child is a most estimable lady and has been of great assistance to her husband in the pub- lication of the "Tribune." WW. MAXWELL.— Among the active and enterprising farmers and stock raisers of Hackberry precinct, Polk county, the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch holds a prominent place. His home is on the southeast quarter of section 14, township 13, range i, and he has one hundred and sixty acres, all but ten of which are under excellent cultivation, and well improved with good and substantial buildings, which stand as monuments to his thrift and industry. Mr. Maxwell was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, February 10, 1834, and is a son of Benjamin and Jane (McCormick) Maxwell, natives of Virginia and Pennsylva- nia, respectively. The paternal grandfather, Henry Maxwell, was a native of Ireland, and settled in Pennsylvania on coming to the new world with his father, who took up arms against the mother country in the Revolutionary war. Our subject's mater- nal grandfather, William McCormick, was born in Scotland, and at an early age crossed the Atlantic and took up his resi- dence in Virginia. The parents of our sub- ject were married in Montgomery county, Ohio, and in 1S34 emigrated to Indiana, becoming pioneer settlers of Carroll coun- ty, where the father cleared and improved a farm, but in 1850 moved to Jefferson county, Iowa, and again opened up a new farm on what was then the frontier. There he died in 1884 and his wife in 1882, hon- ored and respected by all who knew them. Prompted by a love of country he enlisted in October, 1861, at the age of sixty years, in Company F, Third Iowa Cavalry, and served for one year. By his horse falling one of his wrists was broken, and he was honorably discharged at the end of that time. In his family were fourteen children, nine of whom reached years of maturity, namely: John, now deceased; George, who went to Oregon in 1850, and was a major in an Indian war, and also governor of Washington territory; W. W., the subject of this sketch; Abner, now dead, who was also a member of the Third Iowa Cavalry during the Civil war; Mrs. Elizabeth Root, a resident of Jefferson county, Iowa; Mrs. Isabel Frazee, who lives near Thayer, Ne- braska; Harvey, a resident of Jefferson county, Iowa, who was a soldier in the Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was never off duty except six days during his entire service; Isaac, who also lives in Jefferson county, Iowa; and James, who was drowned in Iowa. During his infancy W. W. Maxwell was taken by his parents to their new home in Carroll county, Indiana, and was fifteen years of age when he accompanied them on their removal to Jefferson county, Iowa. He received a common-school education and began life for himself at the age of eight- een years, working out by the month for four years. He then engaged in farming on his own account in Iowa until August, 1861, when he laid aside all personal interests and enlisted in Company F, Third Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, as wagoner. He was sent to St. Louis on a scouting expedition COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 893 of ten days, but never got back to his regi- ment for over two years. By way of Jeffer- son City, he went to Mexico, Booneviile and Fulton, Mo., where he arrived Decem- ber 25, 1 86 1. Later he was again at Mex- ico and Paris, Missouri, and then back again to Mexico, where he responded to a call for one hundred men to go to Camp Jackson, St. Louis. From there he went to Rolla, Missouri, and then to Lebanon, and was sent to Houston, where General Warren was stationed. He was in the en- gagement's against Price and Marmaduke at Hartsville, and in December started for Little Rock, Arkansas, but on reaching Pleasant Plains was ordered back to Pilot Knob, where he remained until going to Helena, Arkansas. After the rebels were driven from that place he returned to Pilot Knob, and July I, 1863, started for Little Rock with General Davidson's command, which met General's Steele's forces near Brownsville, where an engagement was brought on. The Third Iowa Cavalry were the first Union soldiers to enter Little Rock, and after a short time spent there were ordered to Lebanon, Arkansas, where they were engaged in scouting, etc. There Mr. Maxwell re-enlisted with seven hundred and seven of the regiment, and was granted a thirty days' furlough. He was sent to Memphis, Tennessee, was in the fight at Guntown, and also at Memphis during For- rest's raid. The regiment was re-united at Benton, Arkansas. Our subject remained at Memphis until December, 1864, when he was ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, and was later sent to the hospital at Keokuk, Iowa. He was mustered out with his regi- ment and paid off at Davenport, Iowa, in August, 1865, returning home with an hon- orable war record, of which he may be justly proud. After farming for one year in Jefferson county, Mr. Maxwell removed to Keokuk ■county, Iowa, where he was similarly em- ployed for four years, and then came to Polk county, Nebraska, taking up his resi- dence upon his present homestead May i, 1870. While he and his wife were erecting their sod house they spent the nights in a dug-out belonging to Colonel Roberts. They had no neighbors; there had been no roads laid out, and they had to go to Lin- coln to do their marketing, but notwithstand- ing the inconveniences and hardships, their pioneer life was a happy one. With the ex- ception of two years spent in the hotel busi- ness in Rising City, Mr. Maxwell has given his entire time and attention to the improve- ment and cultivation of his farm, which is now one of the best in the locality. While home on a veteran furlough, Mr. Maxwell was married February 18, 1864, to Miss Rebecca Sunderland, who was born in Washington county, Penn- sylvania, a daughter of William and Matilda (Klechner) Sunderland, natives of Maryland and Ohio, respectively. In 1851 her parents emigrated to Iowa, where the father died in 1 85 1, but the mother is still living. Their children were Mrs. Maxwell; John, who died in the service of his country during the Rebellion, being a member of the Forty- fifth Iowa Infantry; Alvin; Mrs. Martha Abraham; Joseph; Harry; and William. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Max- well, six are living: Pearl, now the wife of Richard Marsden, by whom she has three children, Ruby, Verne, Willie and an infant; Ida, wife of Perry Pogue, by whom she has three children, Ethel, Fay and Harry; Hayes; Ellsworth; and Alvin. The parents are both faithful members of the United Brethren church of their township, in which Mr. Maxwell is serving as trustee and treas- urer of the board. He is one of the most prominent members of B. F. Stephenson Post, No. 132, G. A. R. , of Gresham, in which he has filled all the offices, being the present commander. He has always been an ardent supporter of the Republican party, 894 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. takes an active and influential part in local political affairs, and has frequently served as a delegate to the conventions of his party. For three years he was an efficient county commissioner of Polk county, and for many years has been a member of the school board, being the present moderator in school dis- trict No. 3. Together with \V. F. McClean and Levi Fuller, he organized the Old Set- tlers' Society of Polk county, calling the first meeting August 18, 1885, at which time there were between five and six thousand people in attendance. I GEORGE W. GRIBBLE is one of the most popular and influential agricul- turists of precinct F, Seward county, and is a true type of western progress and en- terprise, taking a deep and commendable interest in public affairs, and giving his sup- port to all undertakings which he believes calculated to advance the interests of his township and county along any line. Mr. Gribble is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth occurring in Fayette county, Oc- tober 30, 1855. His parents, John and Malinda (McCormick) Gribble, were also born in Fayette county, where the father still continues to follow the occupation of farming, which he has made his life-work. In the family were five sons, but our sub- ject is the only one in the west. He is in- debted to the public schools of his native county for his educational advantages, and his business training was obtained upon the home farm, where he remained until attain- ing his majority. In 1876 he went to Ful- ton county, Illinois, where the following four years were passed, and in 1880 be- came a resident of Seward county, Ne- braska, his home being in precinct F' since that time. That year he was united in marriage with Miss Edith Henderson, a daughter of Samuel Henderson, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. Seven children grace this union: Blanch, Lawrence, Iva, Nellie, Grace, Elsie Z. and John S., all living. Socially Mr. Gribble affiliates with the Woodmen of the World, and the Modern Woodmen of America, and politically is identified with the People's party. His fellow citizens recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to public office, and he most acceptably served as supervisor of F township from 1886 to 1893, chairman of the county board of supervisors three years, assessor two terms, and has also filled some school offices. In 1891 he was the candi- date of his party for sheriff of the county, and was defeated by only forty-one votes, his popularity being plainly indicated by the large vote he received. E DOUGLAS BENNETT, an ambitious and wide-awake farmer, with business habits and proclivities, has his home on sec- tion 17, Waco township, and is one of the most prominent characters of York county. He is still in the prime of life, and made a record for himself of which any man could be proud. Mr. Bennett was born in Clarke county, Indiana, March 20, 1856, and was only five and a half years old when his parents brought him to Adams county, Illinois. There he lived until he attained manhood. He was a student in the common schools, and made of their opportunities. He was born and bred a farmer, and though he has tried other occupations, yet the habits and methods of early life were not easily broken, and the farm has always wooed him back from any other work to which he might have set his hand. When twenty-one years old he struck out for himself, and imme- diately contracted a marriage with Miss Harriet E. Robertson, a native of Adams county, Illinois, where she was born March 20, 1856. She is a daughter of Joseph COMPENDIUM 01^ BIOGRAPIIV 895 Robertson, who is now a resident of Seward county, Nebraska. The young hus- band engaged in farming in Illinois until 1880, when he came into this county, and settled where we find him today. He bought a place that was partially improved, and putting up a little frame residence, six- teen feet square, and a sod stable, was ready for work. He built his present residence in 1892, and is most comfortably and con- veniently located. He holds an uncontest- ed title to two hundred and forty acres of as good land as the state presents, and prac- tically has it all under cultivation. He is engaged in general farming, has a good grade of stock on his place, and is constant- ly improving it. In 1884 he moved into the city of Waco, and engaged in the insur- ance business for a year, and was in a store for a year, but went back to the farm. After two years in the country he located at Gresham, where he was in the livery busi- ness for three years, but the farm was too attractive, and he came back to it once more. This time he staid. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are the parents of seven children, all of whom are still living. The oldest daughter, Mary Ethel, is the wife of Warren Moore. The other and younger children are all at home. Their names are Jephtha L., Lola, Nellie Myrtle, Jennie E., I^ulu A. and Ezra T. J. He is a member of the Ancient Order Order of United Workmen, at Gresham, aud votes and works with the People's party in all matters of political importance. He has been treasurer of the township, and is the present moderator of school district, No. 51. Mr. Bennett traces his descent from an old and respectable family of North Caro- lina. His father and mother were both natives of that state. Thomas Bennett was born in 1808 and Rachel (Prather) Bennett in 181 1. He was a farmer, and when he married in North Carolina, it was with the resolution that his home should be 51 in the west. They emigrated to Indi ma nearly si.xty \earsago, and in 1858, removed to Adams count}-, Illinois, where he settled on a prairie farm. He lived there all the rest of his days and died there October 4, 1877. She still survives, and keeps her home on the Adams county homestead. They were the parents of ten children: Al- vin, Chloe, Emma, Benton, Nancy, Sarah, Jefferson, Kate, Missouri, and the subject of this article. The}' were members of the Methodist church south, and were much esteemed b\' those who knew them best. THE FILLMORE CHRONICLE, of Fairmont, is the Pioneer paper of Fill- more county, and is one of the best edited and most popular journals in this section of the state. It was founded May i, 1872, as the Fairmont " Bulletin " and retained that name until 1886, when it was changed to the Fillmore "Chronicle." It changed ownership from time to time until 1885, when it was purchased by Joseph Frazier and his son, Lou \\'. , who then took charge of the same. Joseph Frazier was a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, born June 11, 1828, and grew to manhood in that state, where he followed the millwright's trade and engaged in merchandising up to the time of the breaking out of the Civil war. In 1861, he responded to his country's call for aid, en- listing in Company G, Fifteenth Ohio \'ol- unteer Infantry, for ninety days. At the end of that time he was mustered out with the rank of second lieutenant, but soon afterward re-enlisted as a private in Com- pany B, of the same regiuient, and was in many of the important battles of the war until wounded at Kenesaw Mountain, June 24, 1863, being shot by a sharp-shooter through the left arm and shoulder. Being unfit for further service, he was honorably discharged and returned home. He re- 890 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPH7'. mained in Ohio until November, 1 870, when he came to Fillmore county, Nebraska, and took up a homestead on section 12, Grafton township, where the Fillmore Mills are now located. There he engaged in milling for a short time, but in the spring of 1875 came to Fairmont and for some years ran a hack line from that place to York. He then fol- lowed different occupations until he became interested in what is now the Fillmore " Chronicle " of which he wa's editor and manager until 1889, when he was com- pelled to relinquish the work on account of failing health and lived retired until his death on the 13th of August, 1892, after eighteen months' illness. In 1857, in Ohio, Joseph Fra2ier was 'united in marriage with Miss Talitha Spence, Avho was born in Harrison county, Ohio, and is still living in Fairmont, Nebraska. Of the five children born to this union, one son and one daughter, also survive, namely; Lou W. and Anna M. Mr. Frazier affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic and was a charter member of Fairmont Post. Politically he was an ardent Republican, and took an active and prominent part in the councils of his party. He also assisted in the organization of the county, and was recognized as one of the most valuable and useful citizens of his community. He had many warm friends, and his death was deeply regretted by all who new him. Lou W. Frazier was born in Belmont county, Ohio, December 2, 1869. He was reared in this state and educated in the schools of Fairmont. At the age of fourteen he began learning the printer's trade in the office of which he has control, and in 1885 assisted in establishing a paper at Kimball, then known as Antelopeville, but remained there only a few months. On his return to Fairmont, the same year, he and his father purchased the present Fillmore Chronicle, with the publication of which he has since been prominently identified. Since 1889, he has had entire control of the paper, and prior to that time had charge of the me- chanical department. It is published in the interest of the Republican party and now has a circulation of seven hundred and fifty. Mr. Frazer is assisted by his sister in reporting for the paper. He was married, April 7, 1892, to Miss Anna Shoff, a native of Iowa, and a daughter of John Shoff, one of the pioneers of Fillmore county, and they now have one son, Donald W. Socially Mr. Frazier is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern \\'ookmen of America, the Royal Highland- ers, the Sons of Veterans, and the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben. As a Republican, he takes' quite an influential part in local politics, and has served as a delegate to a number of state and county conventions. He is a member of the State Press Association and also the Nebraska Federation of Republican Newspapers. HENRYC. LANPHERE, whose home is on section 14, Stewart township, is a prominent representative of the agricultural interests of York county, and since coming to the county, in 1872, he has borne an im- portant part in its development and pros- perity. He was born in Booneville, Oneida county. New York, June 30, 1842, and is a son of Caleb P. and Lucinda (Martin) Lan- phere, also natives of the Empire state. His grandfathers were George Lanphere and James M. Martin, the latter a captain in the war of 1812. The Lanphere family is of French and Welsh origin, and was found- ed in the United States at an early day by three brothers, who all settled in New Eng- land. Dr. Caleb P. Lanphere, our subject's father, was born May 11, 1799, and though still in his teens he took up arms against England in the war of 181 2. In 1842 he removed, with his family, to Whiteside COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 897 county, Illinois, where he made his perma- nent home, and successfully engaged in the practice of medicine. He died there in May, 1875, and his wife, who was born April 19, 1803, passed to her reward De- cember 9, 1864. Both were consistent members of the Methodist church, and most estimable people. In their family were nine children, namely: Almira, still a resident of Whiteside county, Illinois; James M., deceased; Clark C, deceased, who was a soldier of the Mexican war; George J., also a soldier of the Mexican war, and now a resident of Utica, Nebraska; Albert P., a soldier of the Civil war, and a resident of Chicago, Illinois; Mary, de- ceased; Harriet, a resident of Sioux City, Iowa; Henry C, of this sketch; and J. C, a soldier of the Civil war, and a resident of Whiteside county, Illinois. Henry C. Lanphere was six years old when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Whiteside county, Illinois, where he was educated in the district schools. Coming of a patriotic family, he could not remain quietly at home when he believed that his services was needed by his country, and on August 6, 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany I, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as a member of the regimental band. From Illinois they pro- ceeded to Covington, Kentucky, and went into winter quarters at Lexington, that state. They were then mounted and did guard duty in Kentucky and Tennessee un- til the campaign through Georgia, when they formed a part of Sherman's army, go- ing with him to Atlanta. They were under General Thomas in engagements against Hood, and after the battle of Nashville were transferred to Major General Scholield's army in North Carolina, remaining there until the arrival of General Sherman, which was followed by the battle of Goldsboro. Mr. Lanphere was taken ill with typhoid fever, January 5, 1865, and sent to the hospital at Alexandria, Virginia, and later to Philadelphia, where he was finally dis- charged on the 3rd of July, following. Returning to Whiteside county, Illinois, he engaged in farming there until 1872. In the meantime he was married, March 26, 1866, to Miss Elvira Marvel, a native of that county, of which her father. Rev. John Marvel, a United Brethren minister, was an early settler. In 1872 they came to York county, Nebraska, and Mr. Lanphere se- cured his present homestead, which, at that time, was all wild and unimproved, and not a single house could be seen from his little dug-out. The following year a sod-house was erected and it remained the home of the family until 1880, when the present com- fortable residence was erected. Our sub- ject raised nothing the first year, but raised a fair crop in 1873, and in 1874 the grass- hoppers destroyed his corn. Prosperity at length crowned his efforts, however, and he now has a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres under a high state of cultiva- tion and improved with good buildings. During the winter he feeds cattle quite ex- tensively. Mr. Lanphere's first wife died in 1878, leaving six children, namely: Lulu, now the wife of Dr. Hylton, of Gresham, Ne- braska; Newton A., Dora, wife of Lot Richards, of Lincoln, Illinois; George, Dol- lie and Ralph. In 1882, Mr. Lanphere married Amanda Hoddinott, a native of Illinois, by whom he has six children: Alice, Thomas, Grant, Alpha, Hattie and Sherman. The wife and mother holds membership in the Presbyterian church. Mr. Lanphere is a charter member of Gresham post. No. 132, G. A. R. , of which he has been commander for two terms, and has also held office in the blue lodge of the Masonic order at Gresham, to which he be- longs. He is prominently identified with the Republican party in his locality, and has been called upon to serve as supervisor 898 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHy. of Stewart township two terms, township clerk, and a member of the school board. In all the relations of life he has been found true and faithful to every trust reposed in him, and has the confidence and esteem of the entire community. AUGUST STOLLDORF.— Among the most energetic and thrifty farmers of Momence precinct, Fillmore county, are those who have come from beyond the .^ea and have brought into this fertile and pro- ductive countrj'the industrious and econom- ical habits of the old world. An able rep- resentative of this class is Mr. Stolldorf, whose home is on section 8, and the success that he has achieved in life is due entirely to his own perseverance, industry and good management. He was born in Germany, September 23, 1856, and in the spring of 1865, was brought to America by his par- ents, Louis and Mary (Weisenbauch) Stoll- dorf, also natives of the Fatherland, who first located in Toledo, Ohio, and later re- moved to fllinois, where they made their home upon a farm. The father died a quar- ter of a century ago, at the age of 'forty- three years, the mother twenty years ago, at the age of forty-one, and both were laid to rest in l^ed Oak Grove cemetery, Bureau county, Illinois. Our subject is the second in order of birth in their family of eight chil- dren, seven sons and one daughter, all of whom are still living. August Stolldorf is a self-educated as well as a self-made man, for he had no school privileges during his boyhood and youth. He adopted the occupation of farming, to which he had been reared, and continued to engage in that pursuit in Illinois for some years. There he was married on the i8th of December, 1879, to Miss Minnie Goesch, also a native of Germany, born May 28, 1859, and a daughter of Charles and Sophia (Klafersa) Goesch, who on their emigration to the United States located in Illinois, but are now leading and prominent citizens of Bennett precinct, Fillmore county, Ne- braska. In their family were seven chil- dren. Mrs. Stolldorf was reared and edu- cated in her native land, and was there confirmed in the Lutheran church at the age of fourteen years. Our subject was con- firmed in the same church, in this country, and in it he and his family now hold mem- bership. They have six children, namely: Annie, Will, Emma, Lena, Louis and Mary, all at home. In 1884 Mr. Stolldorf, with his family, came to Fillmore county, Nebraska, and after renting land for some time in Bennett precinct, he purchased eighty acres, in 1886, for one thousand si.x hundred and fifty dol- lars. He and his wife started out in life empty-handed, but being industrious, eco- nomical and enterprising, they have succeed- ed in accumulating a comfortable compe- tence, and now have a well improved and highly productive farm in Momence pre- cinct as the result of their combined efforts and good management. In political senti- ment, Mr. Stolldorf is a Populist, but al- ways votes for the man whom he believes best qualified to fill the office, regardless of party affiliations, and cast his first presiden- tial ballot for Grover Cleveland. Upright and honorable in all things, he commands the respect and confidence of all who know him, and has been called upon to serve in several school offices and also as trustee of his church. B MILLER, whose home is on section 8, of Beaver township, York county, Nebraska, is a worthy representative of that great host of straightforward and up- right men and women that Germany has contributed to the making of this country. They have taken away brawn and muscle, and have identified themselves with the COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 899 free institutions in the new world, and ab- solutists like Count Bismarck bewail the loss to Germany. But we, who are close at hand and see how much they have gained for the little they have left behind, con- gratulate them on the choice they have made. They are free and independent citi- zens of a modern republic, the peer of any, and protected in the least of their rights, and not condemned to trail along in the pro- cession of mediaeval imperialism. Their lot is a happier one by far than it could pos- sibly be, had there been no way of escape from old-world tyrannies and oppressions. Mr. Miller was born in Hesse Cassel, Germany, December ii, 1847, and was a son of John and Annie Miller, both of whom died in their Hessian home. Four of their children came to America, and are still liv- ing. They were the subject of this sketch and his three sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Hern- miller, who lives in Chicago, Mrs. Martha Appel, whose home is in Jo Daviss county, Illinois, and Mrs. Anna Thomas, who lives in this same township with her brother. Mr. Miller remained in Germany until he had attained his majority. He was a waiter for several years in a hotel in a native town, but when he reached this country he en- gaged in farming in Jo Daviess county. This was in the spring of 1870, and he con- tinued in that region for the next six years or more. In 1876 he wedded Dora A. Moore, who was a Hessian compatriot, 'and had emigrated to this country in 1872. The young couple came into this county the next year, and located where they are now living. On the place which they secured twenty-three acres had gone under the plough, and he immediately put half of this into corn. He had a team, and worked in harvesting and threshing for his neigh- bors. He rented a house for a j'ear, and the next moved in a sod house on his own place. This was their home for seven years. In 1878 he had wheat to sell, and entered upon a career of prosperity that warranted the erection of a twelve hundred dollar family residence in 1885. In these years he has improved and increased his original plantation. He. has to-day a hand- some and well equipped farm of two hundred and forty acres, of which one hundred and eighty acres are under thorough cultivation. Part of the untilled sixty is used as pasture, and part is meadow land. He carries on a mixed farming, and has some very present- able stock on his place. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of six children, Mary, Lizzie, Matilda Augusta, Minnie Christiana, Oswald Louis, and Al- bert Edwin. He is a member of the Ger- man Methodist church, in which he is an important and active worker. He is trustee, steward and class leader, and has acted as superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a Republican, but has never been a candi- date for any office. MH. MITCHELL, one of the represent- ative citizens and honored pioneers of precinct C, Seward county, is a native of Pike county, Ohio, born December 20, 1834, and is a son of Henry and Sarah (Vince) Mitchell, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, became a resident of Pike county, Ohio, during childhood, and there spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1837. Five children constituted his fam- ily, two sons and three daughters. Left fatherless at the early age of three years, M. H. Mitchell was denied the privi- lege of attending school, and when a mere child began working for other people, spending his boyhood and youth in his na- tive county. In 1858 he went to Delaware county, Indiana, but after living there six years removed to Winneshiek county, Iowa, and later to Mills county, that state. De- ciding to try his fortune still farther west. 900 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. he came to Seward county, Nebraska, in 1866, settling on the farm where he now lives, April 30 of that year, and securing his homestead the same month. At that time there were only two other settlers in precinct C, the country for miles around was all wild and unimproved, and the few inhabitants were troubled by the Indians stealing their corn and other things. The nearest post-office was then at Lincoln, and, in common with the other early settlers, Mr. Mitchell endured all the hardships and privations incident to life on the frontier. After erecting a small log cabin upon his place, he commenced to break the prairie with two yoke of cattle, and soon acre after acre was placed under the plow until to-day he has a fine farm of one hundred acres un- der a high state of cultivation and well im- proved. In April, i860, Mr. Mitchell wedded Miss Mary Shidler, also a native of the Buckeye state, and a daughter of Peter and Julia A. (Blake) Shidler, who removed to Indiana when she was only three years old. There the mother died, but the father's death occurred in Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have three children: Thomas C, James H.. and Sarah E., now Mrs. John Hatra. Socially Mr. Mitchell belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, and politically he is identified with the Populists. JAMES H. SISTY, whose home is on section 24, Read township, Butler county, has resided here since April 1868. He came to Nebraska, however, in the fall of 1867, before the county was or- ganized. The difference between the past and the present can scarcely be realized, even by those who have been active partic- ipants in the development of the county. Those arriving in later years can have no conception of what was required by the early settlers in transforming the wild land into productive farms and thriving cities and villages. In this work of transforma- tion our subject has borne an important part, and has secured for himself a com- fortable home and competence. Mr. Sisty was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, November 16, 1820. His grandfather, John Sisty, who was of French descent, was born in 1760, and died in 1801, being laid to rest in the First Baptist cem- etery, on Second street, between Market and Arch streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylva- nia. He was a Revolutionary hero, having aided the colonies in their struggle for inde- pendence. He married a lady of German extraction, and the third son born to them was Curtis Sisty, our subject's father, whose birth occurred in Delaware. On reaching manhood he was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Jane McEwen, by whom he had the following children: James H., John, Will- iam, Milton, Margaret and Susan. In 1 83 1, when James H. Sisty was eleven years old, the family emigrated to Seneca county, Ohio, where he was reared. In 1848, in Henry county, that state, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Crockett, and in Ohio were born to them the following children: Hannah J., Arthur C, John, Ezra B., Warren, Ellen, Mabel, Curtis and Erwin G. The mother died after the removal of the family to Ne- braska, and Mr. Sisty was again married in September, 1883, his second union being with Mary Thomas, who was born in Penn- sylvania, in 1845, a daughter of Thomas Thomas, a native of Wales. She came to Nebraska from Wisconsin in 1882, and by her marriage to our subject she became the mother of one son. Nelson J. By a former marriage she has a daughter, who is now the wife of Arthur C. Sisty, a son of our subject by his first wife. Mr. Sisty manifested his loyalty and pa- riotism during the war of the Rebellion, by COMPENDIUM- OF BIOGRAPHY. 901 enlisting in Company C, Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and faithfully serving until the close of the war. After the fall of Atlanta his regiment joined Sherman's army on the celebrated march to the sea. Mr. Sisty was always found at his place of duty, valiantly defending the old flag and the cause it represented, and in days of peace has proved a valuable citizen of the com- munity, winning the confidence and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact either in business or social life. Politically he is an ardent Republican, and never fails to cast his ballot for the candidates of that party. SAMUEL BAIR, a leading and represent- ative citizen of Fairmont township, Fillmore county, Nebraska, rs successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 2, where he has made his home since 1870. A gentleman of integrity and sterling worth, he has pursued the even tenor of his way as an honest man and good citizen, and commands the respect of all who know him. Mr. Bair was born in Bedford county, Pennsylavania, May 4, 1837, and is a son of Samuel and Nancy (Anderson) Bair, also natives of Pennsylvanaia, where the father died, but the mother's death occurred at the home of our subject in this county. The paternal grandfather, Zacharias Bair, was a native of Maryland and was a farmer by occupation, as have been most of the an- cestors of our subject. Mr. Bair, of this review, was reared in his native stale and is indebted to its public schools for his educational advantages. There he commenced life for himself as a farmer, and also engaged in blacksmithing to some extent. In the spring of 1867, he removed to Fulton county, Illinois, and the following three years were passed in that county and in Knox county, the same state. The year 1870 witnessed his arrival in Nebraska, and he immediately took up the homestead he now occupies, his papers being the first made out for any land in his township or range. In the first sod-house he constructed he lived for one year, and then replaced it by a larger and better one, which served as his home for eight years, it then giving place to his present comfortable and pleasant frame residence. He soon transformed the wild land into highly culti- vated fields, and the farm now ranks sec- ond to none in the county. Although his crops were destroyed by the grasshoppers in 1874, he has prospered in his adopted state and is now quite well to do. On the 29th of April, 1858, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Bair and Miss Eleanor French, also a native of Pennsyl- vania, of which state her parents, Israel and Mary (Edwards) French, were life-long residents. Her paternal grandfather came to this country from England. Of the twelve children born to our subject and his wife, eight are still living, as follows: George W. , now a resident of York county, Nebras- ka, married Sarah Kaohn and has five chil- dren, two sons and three daughters; Isabel is the wife of L. R. King, of Nuckolls coun- ty, Nebraska, and has six children, two sons and four daughters; Anna E. is the wife of L. Fraizer, of Buffalo county, Nebraska, and they have five children, three sons and two daughters; William H., who lives near the home farm, wedded Mary Jordan and they have four children, one son and three daughters; Edwin S., also a resident of Fair- mont township, married Lizzie Drumond and they have one daughter; Samuel W., who lives three miles east of the old home- stead, married Lucy Drumond and has one son; Ernest N. resides at home and is suc- cessfully engaged in teaching school; and Clara F. is also at home. Mr. and Mrs. Bair are earnest and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and merit 902 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHV and receive the respect and esteem of all who know them. In his political views, he is a stalwart Republican, but has never cared for the honors or emoluments of public office. SUMNER DARNELL, one of the most persevering, energetic and progressive agriculturists of Butler county, as well as one of the most popular and influential citizens, resides on section 4, Ulysses town- ship, where he made his home since the first of May, 1S96. He is an old settler in the county and has taken an active and prominent part in the early development of this region. Mr. Darnell was born Knox county, Illi- nois, April 16, 1839, and is of remote Scotch-Irish descent. His father, \\'illiam Darnell, was a native of North Carolina, born about 1806, but when a child was taken by his parents to Ohio, where iie grew to manhood and married Priscilla Thurman, daughter of Thomas Thurman, and niece of Allen G. Thurman, the prom- inent statesman. Prior to the Black Hawk war, Mr. and Mrs. Darnell .left their Ohio home and removed to Knox county, Illinois, being among the first settlers of that region. The father was reared upon a farm, and throughout life continued to follow agricul- tural pursuits. In earl}' life Sumner Darnell displayed a love of adventure and this led him, in 1859, to join a party, in which were five older brothers, bound for the gold fields of the west. The project, however, was abandoned after the party reached Nebras- ka, much to the disgust of our subject, but being a mere boy at that time and unsup- ported in his desire to continue, he was forced to submit to the decision of the ma- jority. It was on this occasion that he first gazed on the prairies of Butler county, the party having reached a point in this countywhen they determined to retrace their steps. After his return to Illinois, Mr. Darnell was married in 1861 to Rachel Zim- merman, a daughter of Thomas Zimmer- man, formerly a resident of Ohio, and later a homesteader in Butler county, Ne- braska, where he died in January, 1885. Prompted by a spirit of patriotism, Mr. Darnell enlisted in August, 1862, in Com- pany F, Eighty-sixth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, but owing to a severe attack of rheumatism he was honorably discharged before the expiration of a year. Not, how- ever, before he had a taste of real war at Perryville, Tennessee. After his discharge he returned to his home and famil)-, his oldest daughter having been born before he enlisted. Besides our subject he had five brothers in the service, the famil}- hav- ing valiantly aided their country in her suc- cessful efforts to preserve the Union. In the early spring of 1867 Mr. Darnell started with a complete outfit and a fine team of horses for Nebraska, with the in- tention of making for himself and family a home on the unbroken prairies, reaching Butler county about the first of May. After erecting a cabin he returned to Illinois for his family, then consisting of his wife and three children — Martha, Sumner J. and Charles. In addition to his outfit, Mr. Darnell had three hundred dollars in cash on locating in this county, but before the first winter had passed this was all gone and he found himself in debt for ten dollars' worth of supplies to start the next second season. This season proved a failure, and probably the darkest period in his life was the second winter of his residence in Butler county. In fact, it was only by the most herculean efforts that he managed to stick to his claim, where a less determined spirit would have abandoned all and returned to civilization. Though the " wolf was often at his door," Mr. Darnell's courage never waned, and with the coming of spring came COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 903 more settlers and brighter prospects. But few of this generation can realize the hard- ships of those early pioneer days. Since coming to Nebraska the family circle has been increased by the birth of four other children, namely: Fred, Judd, Myrtle and Maud. Mr. Darnell is a recognized leader in the ranks of the Republican party in his com- munity, and in 1S87 was honored by his party by the nomination for sheriff of the county. Being duly elected by a handsome majority, he served for one term with credit to himself and to the entire satisfac- tion of the general public. He is a Royal Arch Mason, being the second oldest in the county, and he is also an honored member of Lincoln Post, No. 10, G. A. R. He is widely and favorably known and is held in high regard by all with whom he comes in contact. ERASTUS M. HICKMAN.— No state in the Union can boast of a more wide- awake, energetic and enterprising class of agriculturists than Nebraska, and of these Seward county has its share, including the subject of this biographical sketch, who was also a faithful defender of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. He was born in Randolph county, Indiana, January 6, 1840, and is a son of Samuel and Mar- garie (Moffett) Hickman, the former a na- tive of North Carolina, the latter of Indiana. The paternal grandfather, John Hickman, was also born in North Carolina, but at an early day in its history removed to the Hoosier state, where he and his family fol- lowed agricultural pursuits for several years. The father of our subject passed his last days in Iowa, where his death occurred in November, 1896. Erastus M. Hickman spent his boyhood and youth in Indiana and Iowa, and as soon as old enough assisted in the work of the farm, in this way acquiring an excellent knowledge of the occupation he has made his life-work. Laying aside all personal considerations, he joined the Union army in 1S62, becoming a member of Company C, Twenty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and he was in active service for three years, taking part in the engagements at Cham- pion Hill, Black river, Vicksburg, Port Gib- son and Grand Gulf. Fortunately he es- caped without wounds, and at the close of the war returned to his home in Iowa with an honorable war record. He continued a resident of that state until May, 1869, when he came to Seward county and homesteaded the tract on which he now resides, his first dwelling here being a sod house. He has pros- pered in his new home, and now owns three quarter-sections of good land, all under cul- tivation and improved with good and sub- stantial buildings. On the 1st of January, 1866, Mr. Hick- man led to the marriage altar Miss Lizzie Thomas, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of George W. and Elizabeth (Reed) Thomas, who at an early day removed to Iowa and subsequently came to Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Hickman have become the parents of seven children, as follows: Walter E., Helen G., Jennie F., E. Perry, Edna F. Ethan E. and Effie L., all living. In poli- tics Mr. Hickman is independent, and has been honored with the office of justice of the peace and assessor, which he most ac- ceptably tilled. ABRAHAM SMITH, whose attractive and well-kept acres on section 29, Hays township, York county, attest the hand of a master farmer, has been a resident there for about twelve years, and in that time has proved himself a good neighbor, an hon- est man and a patriotic citizen. He is in- terested in public affairs, keeps the run of current events, and is not afraid of meeting 904 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. his duty in any social or business relation in which he may be involved. Mr. Smith was born in Rock Island coun- ty, Illinois, October 31, 1846, and is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Fuhlmer) Smith. His parents were natives of Westmoreland count}-, Pennsylvania, and surrounded their children with the most wholesome influences of the Quaker commonwealth. They came west in 1838, and were drawn to the vicin- ity of Rock Island by the marvelous possi- bilities that it presented for the establish- ment and growth of a great industrial cen- ter. His father, who was born in 1812, lived to see Rock Island, Davenport and Moline assume importance as commercial cities. He died in 1863, and his name is remembered as that of an honorable and upright man, a tiller of the soil all his days, and throughout his career industrious and hard working. His wife, the mother of the subject of this writing, survives him, and is still living on the Rock Island homestead at the advanced age of eighty-one. Abraham Smith grew to manhood un- der the parental roof, and when he reached maturity took up his father's occupation, and, like him, has pursued an agricultual career, and derived his living from the fields. He was educated in the common schools of his county, and was married there in 1872 to Miss Eliza Bailey, a lady of character and attainments. She is a na- tive of Rock Island county, and is a daughter of Charles and Carlissa (Calahan) Bailey. Her father was born in Delaware and her mother in Virginia, and after their marriage settled in Ohio. They came still further west, and were numbered among the pioneers of Rock Island county. The wife and mother died when Eliza was a little girl, but her father lived for many years after, and died in Crawford county, Iowa, in 1880. Mr. Smith tilled a rented farm in Illinois for two years, and met with very fair success. At the end of that time he bought a farm in Crawford county, Iowa, which he conducted very successfully for several years. In 1876 he came to this county, and bought a farm which became his family residence, and where he is found to- day very comfortably situated. It consists of one hundred and fifty-four acres, and was practically all under cultivation at its pur- chase. Under his able management it has greatly increased in value, and is to-day one of the most attractive farms in this part of the county. They are the parents of one son, Glenn, a bright and hopeful lad, who was born in their Iowa home. NJ. V E N E L L. — The representatives of the farming interests of Fillmore county acknowlege this gentleman to be one of the important factors who have aided in bringing this section of the state to its pres- ent enviable condition. He is a man of more than ordinary business capacity, in- telligent and well-informed, and at once upon becoming a resident here identified himself with the progress and best interests of the people. He now owns and operates a fine farm of two hundred acres in Bryant precinct, and is meeting with a well-de- served success. Mr. Venell was born in Sweden, in 1842, and was there reared and educated. His parents never came to America, both dying in Sweden, the father at the age of eighty-three years, the mother at the age of eighty. In their family were eleven chil- dren, seven sons and four daughters, all of whom emigrated to the new world with the e.xception of three sons. Those still living are Aaron, Emma, Ida, Oscar, and N. J., of this review. For two years our subject served as a soldier in the Swedish army, and later en- gaged in farming in his native land until twenty-five years of age, when he decided to try his fortune on this side of the At- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 905 lantic, believing that better opportunities were afforded ambitious young men in the United States. After taking up his resi- dence here he first worked at the carpen- ter's trade, which he had learned in Swe- den. In 1873, he was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Walstrom, of Chicago, Il- linois, who was born in Sweden, in 1854. Her father died at the age of seventy years, while living in Burlington, Iowa, leaving a widow and three children, two daughters and one son. The mother now finds a pleasant home with our subject, while one daughter lives in Edgar, Nebraska, and the son in Sweden. Mr. and Mrs. Venell have a family of nine children, namely: Clara, Lydia, Esther, Amelia, Ellen, Arthur, George, Ervin and Julia, all at home with the exception of the two oldest. Coming to Fillmore county, Nebraska, in 1879, Mr. Venell bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Bryant precinct, at four dollars and fifty cents per acre, and in 1889 purchased forty acres more at twenty-five dollars per acre, and the raw land he has since converted into well-culti- vated fields. He has made manj' improve- ments upon the place which add to its value and attractive appearance and now has one of the best farms of its size in the precinct. Politically he has always been a stanch sup- porter of the men and measures of the Re- publican party. Both he and his wife were confirmed in the Swedish Lutheran church before leaving their native land, but now belong to the Free Mission church. They are also influential and highly respected people of the community in which they re- side. HENRY C. MAYLAND, a succcessful and enterprising farmer and early set- tler of Seward county, has been prominently identified with the agricultural and business interests of this section of the state for thirty years. His first home was in Allen county, Indiana, where he was born May 29, 1857, a son of Ferdinand and Lezetta (Beaming) Mayland. The father was a na- tive of Germany, but during childhood was brought to the United States by his parents, who located in Allen county, Indiana, and there he grew up and followed farming and stock raising until 1868. It was in that year that he came to Seward county. Ne- braska, and settled in F. township, where he erected a log cabin and then turned his attention to the development and cultiva- tion of his land. He still resides upon that farm and is held in high regard by the en- tire community. Of the six sons and three daughters born to him three now living and all make their home in Seward county. The daughters are as follows: Elizabeth S., Mary and Sophia, all of whom reside in the city of Seward. In a little log school-house in Indiana, Henry C. Mayland obtained his early edu- cation, which has been greatly supplemented by reading, study and observation in later years. Coming with his parents to Ne- braska, he assisted in herding cattle and in making a home in the wild west. He re- mained under the parental roof until nearly twenty-one years of age, and then started out in life for himself without means, but with a determination to succeed. He worked as a farm laborer for some years, and then rented land which he successfully operated until able to buy a farm of his own. He is now the possessor of a fine farm of two hundred acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, but he has not confined his attention alone to agricultural pursuits, but has branched out into other lines of business, making a specialty of the raising and shipping of stock. From 1884 until 1894 he also con- ducted a butcher shop in Staplehurst, and since then has devoted his time almost ex- clusively to shipping stock. He is an enter- 906 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. prising, wide-awake business man, and the success that he has already achieved in life is certainly well merited. Mr. Mayland was married in 1885 to Mrs. Jennie Smith, a native of New York state, and to them has been born one son, Charles H. The parents are both members of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. May- land also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically he is an ardent Republican, but has never sought or desired office. HIRAM S. CRAIG.— Many of the pio- neers of Butler county served their country during the dark daj's of the Rebel- lion, making a record honorable and glorious. Among the brave boys in blue was Mr. Craig, now a leading citizen and enterpris- ing business man of Ulysses, having been prominently identified with the interests of that village for over a quarter of a century. A native of Ohio, Mr. Craig was born in Highland county, April 18, 1847, and is a son of Joseph Craig, whose birth occurred in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 181 1. When a young man the father re- moved to Ohio and settled in Brown county, where he subsequently married Miss Telitha Runion, a daughter of Henry Runion. For twenty-seven years they continued to make their home in the Buckeye state, where were born to them a family of twelve chil- dren, of whom our subject was the seventh in order of birth. On leaving Ohio they went to Illinois, and in that state and Ne- braska the father successfully engaged in the practice of medicine for many years. The first twelve years of his life Hiram S. Craig passed in his native state, and in its common schools he began his education. He then accompanied his parents on their removal to Mercer county, Illinois, and re- mained with them until after the outbreak of the Civil war. Responding to the Presi- dent's call for aid in 1863, he entered the United States Marine service, where he re- mained but a short time, and then enlisted in the Thirtieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving with that regiment until hostilities ceased, and participating in many of the fiercest battles of the war. He took part in the engagements at Buzzard's Roost, Kingston, Bush Mountain, Kenesaw M©unt- ain, and at the battle of Peach Tree Creek was wounded, but remained with his command until after the fall of Atlanta. He was with Sherman on the march to the sea, and in the battles of Marietta and Jones- boro, and was present at the surrender of General Johnston at Raleigh, North Caro- lina. After this he went to Washington, where he took part in the grand review. He was mustered out at Louisville, Ken- tucky, and was discharged at Springfield, Illinois. His war record is one to which he may point with pride. While in the service, his father's family .had moved to Kno.x county, Illinois, and there Mr. Craig joined them after his dis- charge. He then learned the wheelwright's trade, which he followed for a time. In Knox county, he was married in August, 1869, to Miss Lucinda Mick, a daughter of George A. Mick, formerly of Ohio, who emigrated to Illinois in the ' 50s, and in 1870 came to Butler county, Nebraska, where he secured a homested on section 28, Union township. After his marriage, Mr. Craig continued to live in Illinois until 1 87 1, and there his oldest child — Joseph — was born. Since coming to Nebraska seven other children have beea added to the family, five sons and two daughters, namely: Homer, Eva, Claude, Cora, Bert, Hiram H. and George. On the 15th of May, 1871, Mr. Craig arrived in Butler county, and at one secured a homestead on section 26, Read township, but has lived most of the time in Ulysses, where for some time he was engaged in COMPEXD/CM OF BIOGRAPHT 907 contracting and building, erecting many of the best buildings in the village. He was also interested in the furniture and under- taking business for two years. For the past several years he has been engaged in the real estate and loan business, with an office in the State Bank building, and is also interested in western land and is serving as notary public. His strict integrity and honorable dealing in business commend him to the confidence of all; his pleasant manner wins him friends; and he is one of the popular and honored citizens of his adopted county. Socially he affiliates with the Masonic Order and the Grand Army of the Republic, and religiously is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. JONATHAN A. HORTON, an honored pioneer and worthy citizen of Fair- mont township, Fillmore county, Nebraska, has for almost thirty years been promi- nently identified with its agricultural inter- ests and is justly numbered among its most enterprising and progressive farmers. Like many of our best citizens, he is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Bedford county, July II, 1843. His parents, Ezekiel and Nancy (Anderson) Horton, were also born in that state, and the paternal grandfather, Ab- ner Horton, a native of England, spent the greater part of his life in Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming until called from this life. The father of our subject, also a farmer by occupation, was born in 18 19, and in 1866 removed from his native state to Fulton county, Illinois, where he made his home until coming to Fillmore county, Nebraska, m the fall of 1879. Here he took up a homestead of eight)' acres ad- joining the tract where our subject now lives, and to the cultivation and improve- ■ ment of his land devoted his attention until his death, which occurred March 22, 1891. His wife, who was born April 8, 1809, de- parted this life June 13, 1886. To this worthy couple were born two sons: James \V. , who is now living in Colorado; and Jonathan A. The parents were widely and favorably known in this region and left many friends to mourn their loss. Jonathan A. Horton was reared on a farm in his native state and assisted in its operation during the summer months, while through the winter season he attended the local schools, pursuing his studies in a log school-house of primitive style, with slab seats and heated by an immense fire-place at one end. At an early age he commenced the battle of life for himself as a farm hand and followed that calling in Pennsylvania until after the breaking out of the Civil war. In 1862, he offered his services to his coun- try, enlisting in Company C, One Hundred Thirty-third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infan- try, under Colonel Spegman, but after serving for nearly a year he was discharged from the service on account of disability. He took part in the battle of Antietam and was in numerous skirmishes, seeing much hard service in Virginia and Maryland. After his discharge, Mr Horton returned to his home in Pennsylvania, but in 1865 went to Fulton county, Illinois, where he worked for others for about a year, and then rented land which he operated on his own account until 1S70, when he came to Fillmore county, Nebraska, traveling the entire distance in a covered wagon. He selected the homestead on section 2, Fair- mont township, where he now resides, and in the sod house he erected thereon, he made his home for eleven years, replacing in at the end of that time by a good frame residence. He has placed the land under a high state of cultivation and has made many e.xcellent improvements upon the farm, which add greatly to its value and attract- ive appearance. In 1874 his crops were destroyed by the grasshoppers, but he has gradually overcome all difficulties in the SOS COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. path to prosperity and is now in com- fortable circumstances. Mr. Horton was married, January 4, 1866, to Miss Hannah Figard, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of James and Rachel (Evans) Figard, who removed from that place to Illinois in 1856, and are still residents of Fulton county. Nine children have been born to our subject and his es- timable wife, but only four are now living, namely: George H., who wedded Mary Price, of Fillmore county, but formerly of Pennsylvania; Minerva J., wife of R. I. Bivens, who lives on a farm adjoining the Horton homestead; Minnie I., wife of J. Armstrong, of Fairmont; and Oca W. , at home. Religiously Mr. Horton is a member of the Church of God, which was established at Indian Creek in February, 1874, and he was elected the first elder. He was offi- crally connected svith the organization at that place for many years, or as long as the church there existed, and he now holds the original records of the same. He gave land to the church for a cemetery and leased land where school No. 78 is located. So- cially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Grand Army Post at Exeter, Nebraska. His po- litical support is always given the men and measures of the Republican party, and he has most creditably and satisfactorily served as school director for many years, and as road overseer for fourteen years. In the estimation of his fellow citizens he is one of the representative men of his community, and his circle of friends and acquaintances in Fillmore county is extensive. CHARLES W. TALBOT, a skillful and practical agriculturist whose home is on section 10, township 13, range 3, Polk county, is a native of Ohio, born in Wash- ington county, March i, 1850, and is a son of A. O. and Elmus (Biddle) Talbot, the former born in Ohio, in 1818, the latter in Maryland in 1820. The great-grandfather was a native of Scotland. The paternal grandfather. Rev. Charles W. Talbot, was one of the early settlers of the Buckeye state. He was a member of an Ohio regi- ment in the Mexican war, and was a life- long minister of the Methodist church, serv- ing at one time as presiding elder, and always a faithful laborer in the Master's vineyard. His life was filled with good deeds, and he died at the ripe old age of ninety years, honored and respected by all who knew him. In 1853 the parents of our subject left Ohio and removed to Mercer county, Illinois, where the father developed a fine farm. He was a quiet, unassuming man, but commanded the confidence and esteem of all the entire community. Both he and his wife held membership in the Baptist church, and she took an active part in its work. Their children were Charles W. , A. O. , J. M., Spencer B., Eliza, de- ceased, and J. R. The subject of this sketch obtained his education in the public schools of Mercer county, Illinois, and acquired an excellent knowledge of farm work on the old home- stead there. On leaving the parental roof at the age of twenty-one, he began life for himself as a farmer in that county, but in 1872 came to Polk county, Nebraska, and secured the land on which he located the following year, and on which he still con- tinues to reside. His first home was a sod house, which in 1879 was replaced by a good frame residence. He broke prairie the first year, and in 1874 raised some wheat, but the grasshoppers destroyed his corn. For the following two years he clerked in the store of L. Headstrom, at Stromsburg, but since that time has devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, and now has an ex- cellent farm of 160 acres, all under culti- vation and well improved with good build- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 909 ings. He located here when this part of the county was very sparsely settled, and is one of the few remaining pioneers, who bore so important a part in the development and prosperity of this region. In October, 1882, Mr. Talbott led to the marriage altar Miss Lottie Knerr, who was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, June 8, 1854, and was educated in that state. Her father, Frederick Knerr, is now a resident of Pleasant Home precinct, Polk county, Nebraska. Four children bless this union: Richard, Ida Pearl, Mabel May and Ed- ward. Fraternally, Mr. Talbott is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights of the Maccabees, both of Stromsburg; and politically is prominently identified with the local Republican organ- ization, being the candidate of his party for county commissioner in the fall of 1897. For nine years he has faithfully served on the school board in district No. 41, and always gives his support to all measures for the public good. JACOB M. WITTER.— The subject of this notice is certainly entitled to promi- nent mention among the leading and enter- prising citizens of Fairmont township, Fill- more county, as well as among its honored pioneers. He has been an important factor in the development and prosperity of the county for almost thirty years, and has made for himself a fine farm on the north- east quarter of section 12, Fairmont town- ship, having transformed the wild, yet fertile land, into highly cultivated fields. Mr. Witter claims Pennsylvania as his native state, his birth occurring in Bedford county, June 4, 1840. His parents, Abra- ham and Catherine (Piper) Witter, were natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, re- spectively. The paternal grandfather, John Witter, who was a miller by trade, settled in the Old Dominion at an early day and latter removed from there to Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where his death oc- curred. The father of our subject was a millwright, and followed that occupation in connection with farming throughout life. He was a soldier of the war of 1812. He died in 1888, his wife in 1892, honored and respected by all who knew them. In their family were six sons, but our subject is the only one residing in Fillmore county, Ne- braska. His maternal grandparents came to this country from Holland. Jacob M. Witter was reared and educat- ed in Pennsylvania, conning his lessons in the log school-houses so common during his boyhood. In 1863. he enlisted for ninety days in Company B, Forty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infanty, and spent most of the time in drilling and guard- ing prisoners. At the end of that time he returned home, but in 1864 was drafted, and this time went to the front as a member of Company F, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Vol- teer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war. He participated in the battle of Hatcher's Run, October 4, 1864; was in an engagement the same place the following year; was in the battles of Five Forks, Virginia, 'and Boydtown Plankroad; and was present at the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox. He took part in the grand review at Washington, District Col- umbia was mustered out in that city. Returning to his home in the Keystone state, Mr. Witter engaged in farming there until 1868, when he removed to Knox coun- ty, Illinois, but after living there two years continued his westward journey, landing in Fillmore county, Nebraska, in 1870. He made the entire trip by wagon. Upon his claim he erected a sod house, in which he lived for ten years, while breaking and im- proving his land. He traded his horses for oxen, and with them cultivated his land for some years. His first crops were very sue- 910 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. cessful.but in 1874 everything was destroyed by the grasshoppers. His entire quarter section is now under e.xceilent cultivation and improved with good and sustantial buildings, which stand as monuments to his thrift and industry. In 1862, Mr. Witter led to the marriage altar Miss Susan French, also a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Israel and Mary (Edwards) French, who spent their entire lives in that state. The five chil- dren born to our subject and his wife are as follows: Etta W., now the wife of Henry Vance, of Newcastle, Wyoming; Ida M., wife of B. Gleason, also of Wyoming; John A., who is now a member of Company G, First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry, and is with the army at Manila, as one of the protectors of our newly acquired posses- sions in the Philippines; William M., who is in the employ of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad; and Marcus W., at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Witter are active and prominent members of the Indian Creek United Brethren church, with which de- nomination they have been connected for many years. In politics he is a Democrat. He is enterprising, industrious, upright, and, in fact, possesses in an eminent degree all the qualifications that go to make up a good citizen and a honorable man. HENRY WELLMAN, long identified with the farming and stock-raising in- terests of Beaver township, York county, is an enterprising and successful exponent of modern agricultural ideas as they are ap- plied to conditions presented by life and labor in Nebraska. He is the proprietor of two very valuable farms, both highly im- proved and provided with ample and com- modious farm buildings of every sort re- quired to do business at the present time. He seeks comfort and profit, and makes use of everything that helps along the busi- ness in which he is engaged. He puts into it his heart and soul, and it has well reward- ed his unshared devotion, as this sketch will hereafter show. Henry Wellman comes of a Teutonic ancestr)', and was born on German soil February 2, 1852. He was a son of George and Louise Wellman, who were natives of Hanover. They emigrated to America after they had reached mature years, and settled in Nebraska. They are still living and make their home with their children, of whom there were originally eight. Six children are now living: Mrs. Sophia Plum, Mrs. Minnie Piper, Herman, Mrs. Zena Kellerman, Louise, who is still in the old country, and the subject of this article. Mr. Wellman remained in the old coun- try until he had attained the age of eighteen years. He received good schooling, and was indoctrinated with German ideas of thrift, honor and industry. It may be said, in passing that his career in this country illustrates the value of this early training. He first set foot on the American shore in 1870, and passing directly through the city of New York, hastened on to this county. He was still too young to avail himself of the provisions of the homestead law, and he worked out on neighboring farms until he had reached the time limit. He went out into the unclaimed prairie, and located a claim on section 22, in Beaver township. At that time this tract was remote from settlement, and long isolation was prophe- sied the adventurous pioneer. He went on, however, built himself a sod house in which he lived for the ne.xt three years. By that time he had grown sufficiently prosperous to undertake a frame dwelling. It was a two-story building, a very substantial building, 16.X32. Grasshoppers took his corn in 1874, and other plagues and troubles befell him from time to time, but he kept on, and stuck to the soil, and is a wealthy man. In 1875 he was married to ■jfv I'-^^^^W^^^^^ 5s> .*»# HEHHY WELLMAN. COMPENDIUM OF UTOGRAPHT. 9 m Augusta Bellgrin. She was a native of Germany, where she was born in 1853 but has Hved iw this country since her child- hood. They lived ora the homestead farm until i8go, when they removed to th'eir present home on section 28 of the same town- ship. Mr. Wellman has erected a handsome residence, and is making many other im- provements in barns and out-buildings, which will, when fully completed, put this farm among the list of the best in the county. On the old place he has good buildings, fences, orchards, vineyards, and altogether he has about three hundred and fifty acres under an intensified cultivation. In all he owns over five hundred acres, with an ample equipment of live stock and machinery. He is exclusivly a farmer and stock raiser, and aims to carry on what might be called a system of general farming as opposed to specializing methods that would tie a man up to one line. He shows a fine herd of Durham cattle, and has good stock about him. Mr. and Mrs. Wellman are the parents of seven boys and one girl: Arthur, Rein- hart, Laura, Arnold, George, Robert, Henry and Walter. They are members of the German Lutheran church, where he has been a trustee for many years. He is a Democrat, and takes a lively interest in the fortunes of the party. He has been super- visor of the 4th district since 1894, and was for two years chairman of the committee on roads and bridges. He is anxious that the neighborhood in which he lives should have a good school, and is willing to give time and attention to the school which his chil- dren attend. He has been a member of the school board of the sixth district for eight- een years and much of the excellence of that well known country school is due to his careful supervision. He assisted in the organization of the York county German Mutual Fire Insurance company in 1892. He was elected its first 52 president and has served as such ever since, and also on the board of directors. A portrait of this worthy citizen is pre- sented on another page of this volume. ROBERT J. EVANS, deceased.— In the death of the late R. J. Evans, of Frank- lin township, Butler county lost a worthy citizen and an excellent farmer. The estate upon which he lived for several years con- sists of one hundred and sixty acres, andl bears a full line of improvements, including every convenient arrangement in the way of buildings and the adornments with which people of good taste surround themselves. The land was carefully and thoroughly tilled, made to produce abundantly, and in the quality of the crops raised compared favorably with others in the township. Mr. Evans was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, August 5, 1836, and was there reared and educated in the public schools. In 1 861, he enlisted in Company F, First Pennsylvania Cavalry, served three years, and was in many of the principal battles. After leaving the army, he re- turned to Greene county, Pennsylvania, and turned his attention to the oil business. In 1866 he was married, in Pennsylvania, and soon after moved to Iowa and located in Washington county, on a farm. Here he remained until 1883, and then moved to Butler county, Nebraska, and settled on a farm in section 28, Franklin township, where Mrs. Evans now lives. This he made his home until his death, which oc- curred August 13, 1890. He was a mem- ber of the Baptist church, a man who en- joyed the respect and esteem of all and was well-known throughout the county. In politics he was a Republican. Mr. Evans' widow, Mrs. Eunice A. (Mi- nor) Evans, was also born in Greene coun- ty, Perinsylania, August i, 1844. Her fa- ther, Otho Minor, was born in Greene 914 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. county, Pennsylvania, and was a farmer by occupation. He died in his native county at the age of forty-one years. His father, Noah Minor, was supposed to be of English descent. Mrs. Evans' mother. Pleasant Myers, was also a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania, and died at the age of thirty- five years, leaving a family of seven chil- dren, of whom Mrs. Evans was the fifth in the order of birth. She was but three years of age when her mother died, and was reared by her uncle and aunt in her native county. She was married to Mr. Evans in 1866, and their wedded life was blessed by the advent of a family of five children, as follows: Jesse R. , is living at home; Wiliam M., is a clerk at David City, Ne- braska; Pleasant J., a teacher in Butler county; Afary L. , a teacher in the David Citj' school; and MerlieM., at home. Mrs. Evans has a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and with the assistance of her son is carrying on a successful general farming business. WILLIAM C. FORSTER, the well- known manager of one of the leading general mercantile houses of Staplehurst, Seward county, was born in Bremen, Ger- many. January 11, 1875, a son of Henry and Betha Forster, also natives of Bremen. The father was a soldier in the German army during the Franco-Prussian war. He was a carpenter by trade, and followed that occupation in his native land until his death, which occurred in 1883. His wife only sur- vived him about four years, dying in 1887. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Germany, attending the Dome school, which corresponds to the high schools of this country, and from that institution he graduated. On leaving school he came direct to the United States, and proceeded at once to Seward county, Ne- braska, where he had an uncle living, who was in the employ of H. Diers, of Seward. Mr. Forster also found employment with that gentleman, as clerk in a branch store at Staplehurst, and remained with him un- til May, 1890, when he changed to the store of H. H. Weller, being with him for one year. He then entered the employ of Fritz Meyer, in a general store, and had charge of the books, etc., for one year, leaving in July, 1892, when he returned to Mr. Diers. On the ist of March, 1893, he was given full control of the business, though only eighteen yeass of age, and has continued as general manager of the store up to the present time. Being a courteous, genial gentleman, he easily wins friends, and also the patronage of the community, and is a business man of more than ordi- nary ability. Although he came to the new world without means, working to pay his passage after his arrival, he has already succeeded in accumulating some property, being the owner of two business buildings and a pleasant home in Staplehurst. On the 23d of January, 1896, Mr. Forster was united in marriage with Miss Emilie Schultze, a daughter of Henry Schultze, of Staplehurst. They attend the German Lutheran church and occupy an enviable position in social circles. In his political affiliations Mr. Forster is a Demo- crat,' but has never sought or cared for of- ficial preferment. J AMES M. HILL. — Among the men who have been instrumental in the develop- ment of the rich resources of Fillmore coun- ty, the subject of this sketch holds no un- important position. Since 1871 he had been a resident of the county, and has been prominently identified with its agricultural interests, carrying on operations as a gener- al farmer on the northeast quarter of section 34, Fairmont township. Mr. Hill is a native of Ohio, born in COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 915 Highland county, February lo. 1843, and is a son of Joseph H. and Ellen E. (Lloyd) Hill. The birth of the father occurred in Carroll county, Virginia, in 1814, and there he continued to reside until 1831, when he removed to Kentucky, and later to High- land county, Ohio, where he followed his trade, that of a blacksmith, until 1847. He then went to Jasper county, Iowa, where he also worked at his trade in connection with farming until called from this life in 1889. He was the father of nine children, six sons and three daughters, of whom three sons served in the Union army during the war of the Rebellion, these being William F., John H. and James M. The wife and mother passed away in 1896. James M. Hill was but a child when the family removed to Iowa, and he was there reared amid pioneer scenes. He well re- members when the white settlers were com- pelled to ilee to the blockhouses to escape from the treacherous Indians, and he assist- ed, when yet a lad, in repelling those raids. He was denied the advantages of a good ed- ucation, and was only permitted to attend school but a few months in his life. His education has all been acquired since reach- ing manhood by reading and observation, and he is to-day a well-informed man. In response to President Lincoln's call for vol- unteers, he offered his services to the coun- try to assist in putting down the Rebellion, and became a member of Company G, Twenty-Third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the western army. He was engaged in many skirmishes with with Price and Marmaduke, but after one year of arduous service was discharged for disabilities and returned home. He was twice hit by spent balls, but fortunately was never seriously wounded. Mr. Hill continued to reside in Jasper count}', Iowa, until 1871, when he came to Fillmore county, Nebraska, and took up the homestead where he yet lives, it being at that time all wild and unimproved. His first home here was a small frame residence, 14x20 feet, the lumber for which he paid sixty dollars per thousand. This served as the family dwelling until 1887, when he erected his present fine house. The farm is now under a high state of cultivation, and is one of the best-improved places of the county. The family endured all of the privations of frontier life, their crops were destroyed by drouth and grasshoppers, but as the years have passed they have steadily prospered, notwithstanding these misfor- tunes, and are to-day quite well to do. In 1869, Mr. Hill was united in mar- riage with Miss Lydia A. Barber, a native of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and a daugh- ter of John S. Barber, who was born in the same state. The children of this union are as follows: Joseph F.; James A.; Frances E., now the wife of E. Houchin; Nora S. ; Eulalie N.; and Jessie I. Mr. and Mrs. Hill are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the support of which they give liberally and cheerfully. In his social relations he is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, and in poli- tics has always been a steadfast Republican, having assisted in organizing the party in Fillmore county. As a man and citizen he contributes his full share towards enhancing the intellectual and moral welfare of the community in which he has so long made his home, and where he is so widely and favorably known. KIRKMAN TUTTY is a skillful and en- ergetic farmer, who is engaged in his chosen calling on section 27, Fairmont township, Fillmore county, Nebraska, and has prospered in his labors. He is a man of excellent business ability, and his habits of thought and observation have tended to provide him with a good fund of general in- 916 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. formation, which has proved valuable in every respect. England is his native land, his birth oc- curring in Lincolnshire, February 14, 1847. His parents, Daniel and Rebecca (Black- burn) Tutty, were natives of the same shire and they spent their entire lives in England. The father, who made farming his principal occupation, died June 30, 1880, at the age of sixty-eight years, and the mother de- parted this life in 1859. To them were born eight children, five sons and three daughters, and three of the sons are now living in the United States. James, the eldest, settled in York county, Nebraska, in 1873 or 1874, but in 1876 removed to the Black Hills, where he still resides. In connection with the operation of his large ranch, he also engages in preaching for the Baptist church. John is engaged in mining near Keystone, South Dakota. In the common schools of his native land, Kirman Tutty acquired his literary education, and during his youth he also be- came familiar with every department of farm work. In April, 1872, he emigrated to America, landing in New York city, and proceeded at once to Chicago, Illinois. From there he went to Davenport, Iowa, where he remained one year, and later en- gaged in farming in Gentry county, Mis- souri, for a little over a year. Coming to York county, Nebraska, in 1875, he pur- chased a homestead right in McFadden township, and upon the raw land he con- structed a dugout, which was the first home of the family in this state, but later re- placed by a more comfortable frame resi- dence. To the cultivation and improve- ment of that farm, Mr. Tutty devoted his attention for five years, and on selling that place bought a quarter section adjoining it on the south. There he lived until 1883, when he came to Fillmore county, and bought the farm where he now resides, it being the southwest quarter of section 27, Fairmont township, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and im- proved in an excellent manner. In September, 1866, Mr. Tutty led to the marriage altar Miss Matilda Caster, a native of London, England, and a daughter of Richard and Anna (Vasey) Caster, who were born in Berkshire and Yorkshire, England, respectively, and were representa- tives of some of the oldest families in that country. Mr. and Mrs. Tutty have three children: Agnes, now the wife of L. B. Neihaus, who lives one mile from the Tutty homestead; Daniel, a resident of Fairmont, who is married and has three children; and John W. , at home with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Tutty are both devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he also belongs to the Sons and Daughters of Protection. In political senti- ment he is a Republican, but has never sought Hor desired office. He is one of the prominent and representative men of his township, and wherever known is held in high regard. CHARLES M. SMITH, who is residing on section 29, McFadden township, came to York county in February, 1874, and bought the northwest quarter of section 29, township 9, range 2. It was railroad land, and cost him seven dollars an acre. It was raw prairie, and he was one of the first settlers in his neighborhood. He made his home for a time with his brother-in-law, Benjamin Johnson, for a year, and then rented a farm on the.>Blue river, where he •a! ' spent a second year, and then he built a house on his own land. During these two years he had done some work on his own farm, and had a sod house. He traded a team, harness and wagon for the homestead right to eighty acres in section 28, and that he might hold this he put up a house and secured his title by a residence of five years. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 917 He bought the southwest quarter of section 29, and put a frame house on his purchase, and there he has his present home. He has improved his property and now has a fine farm. He owns in all six hundred acres in McFadden township, a very satisfactory statement, when it is considered that Mr. Smith arrived in this county with less than a thousand dollars in money, and he will never forget the year of the grasshopper visitation that swept his place bare of corn. Mr. Smith was born in Wapello county, Iowa, March i, 1851, and was a son of Charles and Sarah (Dubenhier) Smith. They were among the early pioneers of that region. His father died when he was but ten years old, but his mother lived to an ad- vanced age. He was reared on the Hawk- eye homestead, and received a common- school education. He was the youngest in a family of four boys, aad when he attained maturity he had charge of the Iowa home- stead for several years. He was married November 11, 1870, to Miss Mary J. How- ell, a native of England, who came to this country when a child under the care of her parents, Matthew and Jane (Watkins) How- ell. After the marriage the young couple rented a farm for several years before com- ing to this county. They are the parents of seven children. George, Bertha, Frank, John, Sadie, Maggie and Jennie. Mr. Smith is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and is a Republican. SOLOMON CASE ALLEN is an honored resident of David City, where he is liv- ing, retired from active business, in a com- fortable home that is the center of true and generous hospitality. He is one of the old settlers of Butler county, formerly being one of its successful farmers, and is now passing the evening of his life enjoying the fruit of his labor. Our subject was born in Tioga county. New York, in May 22, 1822. The family formerly lived in Connecticut. Our subject was the older of a family of two sons, his brother, Orrin D., is now living in New York and is engaged in the mer- cantile business. In his early life our subject learned the shoemaker's trade, but on the account of poor health was obliged to discontinue this work and turn his atten- tion to some less confining employment, and farming seemed to him the most desir- able outdoor work. While yet living in New York, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna C. Whitney, a daughter of Sam- uel Whitney, who died in Butler county, Ne- braska, in 1887, at the advanced age of eighty-seven 3'ears. Shortly after his marriage to Miss Anna C. Whitney, our subject and his wife moved to southern Wisconsin, where their oldest son, Samuel Whitney Allen, was born. They soon after moved to Ogle county, Illi- nois, and settled on Rock River for a short time and then moved to the southern part of the county and settled on a farm near Rochelle. In Ogle county, the other chil- dren were born, viz.: Emily E., who mar- ried Mr. Wetzel, and is now living at Curtis, Nebraska; Charles D., is living in Summit township, Butler county, Nebraska; Fred A., for some time one of the officials of the institute for the feeble minded, at Beatrice, Nebraska, but now living with his parents at David City; Evaline, married Mr. Leui, and is a resident of Polk county, Nebraska, and Annie L. , wife of Mr. Miller, died at McPherson, Kansas, in 1897. Upon mov- ing to Butler county, Nebraska, in 1875, our subject settled on section 31, Olive township, where he now owns three hun- dred and twenty acres of fine farming land, furnished with choice improvements. This he made his home until a few years ago, when he decided to rent his farm and move to David City and spend his declining years in comfort and retirement. The city resi- 918 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. dence in which he and the estimable lady, who for nearly fifty years has shared alike his griefs and joys, losses and gains, are now making their home is -among the most beautiful and attractive in the city, and they enjoy the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of friends. In politics, Mr. Allen is a Populist, but has never sought or filled office. HERMAN MEYER, the present popular and accommodating postmaster of Staplehurst, is widely known as an enter- prising merchant whose constant aim is to keep in the front rank of the procession. He has been a resident of Seward county since 1875, and was the first merchant of this village to offer the people the advan- tage of a large and well selected stock of goods. His enterprise in this direction was quickly rewarded by a large and increasing patronage. Mr. Meyer was born in Hanover, Ger- many, August II, 1849, and is a son of Deterick and Margurette Meyer. They were natives of Germany, and came of a long line of Hanoverian ancestry. They died when Herman was only four years old. He was taken into the home of a sister, and grew to manhood under her fostering care. She gave him such education as her circum- stances permitted, and prepared him for an honorable and useful life. He left Han- over in 1874 in company with an older brother, and sought the American shore, which had been a haven of desire to mill- ions of ambitious sons of his native land. They made their way to Randolph county, Illinois, where they spent one year, but Herman was not satisfied with the outlook, and pushed farther west. In the spring of 1875 he entered this county, and purchased a farm near Seward. He improved it, and held it for several years. As the county filled up it became desirable, and he sold it for a good price. He moved nearer the vil- lage, and taking another farm operated it for several years. He saw an opening for a good store in town, and took advantage of it. He established a general mercantile business, and while he was not the first merchant of the place, he was the first to carry any large line of goods. He was the original implement and hardware dealer of this section of the county, and this interest has assumed large proportions in his hands. He is still at the old stand, and caters as successfully as ever to the wants of the com- munity. He was appointed postmaster un- der President Harrison; President Cleveland displaced him, and he was reappointed by present administration in 1897. Mr. Meyer and Miss Fredrika Von der Ohe were united in marriage November i, 1877. She is of German birth, and is an accomplished and popular lady, and pre- sides with grace and dignity over her house- hold. They are the parents of three girls and two boys, John, Henry, Emma, Fredia, and Dora. They belong to the German Lutheran church, and make their faith a practical power. He is a Republic- an, and has considerable influence in town and county affairs. He has served on the county committee, and his opinion has weight in its deliberations. He is one of the leading citizens of the town. PM. ALDRICH. — Among the prominent agriculturists who have assisted materi- ally in the development of Fillmore county is the subject of this sketch, who is residing on section 33, Fairmont township. He was born in Cumberland county, Rhode Island, July 25, 1830, and is a worthy rep- resentative of one of the honored old fami- lies of that state. There his paternal grandfather, Nathan Aldrich, spent his en- tire life as a farmer and owned an extensive tract of land. He was very fond of hunt- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 919 ing and during his younger years was an ex- pert marksman. His old iiome is still standing, and during his life there was never a stove inside of it, the cooking and heat- ing being done by fire-places. He was born in 1762 and died February 28, 185 1.* He was twice married, his first wife, and the grandmother of our subject, being Phebe Appleby, who was born September 30, 1765, and died March 26, 1824. His second union was with a Connecticut lady. He was the father of seven children, five sons and two daughters, all of whom are now deceased. The sons all grew to manhood in Rhode Island, but later two removed to New York State and one daughter became a resident of Oregon. Simeon Aldrich, our subject's father, was born in Rhode Island, February 20, 1794, and was reared and educated in that state, attending its public schools. He followed farming until 1840, when he sold his place and commenced working in ma- chine shops, but his last years were spent in retirement from active labor. He was married, October 6, 1825, to Miss Mary Daniels, also a native of Rhode Island, and they become the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters, all of whom are still living with the exception of one, but our subject is the only representative of the family in Fillmore county, Nebraska. The mother, who was a faithful member of the Friends' church, departed this life in 1875, and the father passed away August 12, 1877. He was a stanch supporter of the Republican party and its principles, and most acceptably served as tax collector of his district. Our subject spent the first sixteen years of his life in his native state and piirsued his studies in its public schools. He then went to Connecticut, where he worked in a woolen factory for some time, and from there re- moved to Manville, Massachusetts, where he had charge of a similar factory for a short time. Returning to Connecticut, he learned the trade of a cigar maker, which he followed there for eighteen years, and then moved to Cortland, New York, where he engaged in the manufacture of cigars for two years. In 1865 he came farther west and took up his residence in Bureau county, Illinois, where he worked at his trade until his factory and his entire possessions were destroyed by fire. Later he followed farm- ing, conducted a brickyard and engaged in other callings in Illinois until coming to Fill- more county, Nebraska, in 1874. Here he purchased a tract of railroad land on sec- tion 33, Fairmont township, for twelve dol- lars and fifty cents per acre, and from the wild land developed the fine farm on which he now resides, it being to-day one of the most desirable places in the township. On his arrival here he erected a good frame house which he still occupies. The country at this time was mostly in its primitive con- dition, and in the spring and fall large num- bers of Indians passed through this region on their excursions north. On taking up his abode here, Mr. Aldrich had but thirty- four dollars in money and a team of horses, and the first year his entire crops were de- stroyed by the grasshoppers, with the excep- tion of his wheat, but by industry, perse- verance and economy he has overcome all ob- stacles and is to-day a well-to-do man, own- ing a good farm under a high state of culti- vation. In Connecticut, Mr. Aldrich was mar- ried, in 185 1, to Miss Celesta Johnson, a native of Cortland, New York, and a daugh- ter of Joseph and Harriet (Sisson) Johnson. Her father was born in Connecticut. Of the seven children born to our subject and his wife only two are now living. They are as follows: Inez married Isaac Eastwood, and died, leaving one child, Sadie; Murtis married G. W. Wellman, and died, leaving two sons, Glenn and Winn; Rhena, Orman and Rosalia, are all deceased; Ivan is stdl 920 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. living; he has three children, Imelda, Ira and Mar)-; and Hattie is now the wife of F. C. Chapin, of Fairmont, by whom she has four children, Pliny, OUie, Ray and Charles. Mr. Aldrich has been called upon to mourn the loss of his estimable wife, who died in 1883. He is a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows in all its branches, and is a supporter of the Repub- lican party, but has never sought official honors, being convinced that he can serve the interests of the public fully as well by sustaining the principles of the party, and allowing other men to enjoy the offices. HENRY O. ERB.— Among the young men of York county who have selected agriculture as their vocation in life, and who, judging from present indications, are bound to realize their most sanguine antici- pations, is the subject of this biographical notice, who is residing on section 28, Baker township. He was born on that farm June 9. 1877, a son of David and Gertrude (Quering) Erb, both of whom are now de- ceased. The father was a native of Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, born January 12, 1836, of German descent, and was one of the pioneers of York county, Nebraska, locating in Baker township, in 1873. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of wild prairie, which he soon transformed into a fine farm. Being industrious, thrifty, and a good manager, he prospered in his undertakings, and became one of the most substantial farmers of the county, owning at the time of his death which occurred De- cember II, 1893, si.x hundred and forty acres of valuable land in York county. He was honored and respected by all who knew him. His wife had died when our subject was only two years old, leaving two chil- dren, the younger being Sarah Q., now the wife of Frank Broadwell, a farmer of Baker township. With the exception of when visiting relatives in Pennsylvania, the subject of this sketch has spent his entire life upon the home farm in Nebraska, and in the district schools near his home he obtained a good practical education, which has well fitted him for life's responsible duties. At the death of his father he came into control of the farm, and being a systematic and skilled agriculturist he is now successfully operating three hundred and twenty acres, nearly all of which is under a high state of cultivation. In connection with general farming he is quite extensively engaged in stock raising, and is also prosperous in that line of busi- ness. On the 5th of January, 1898, Mr. Erb was united in marriage with Miss Esther Peck, also a native of York county, and a daughter of John H. and Hattie E. (Carr) Peck, who were old settlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Erb are members of the Christian church at Charleston, and in social circles occupy an enviable position. Politically he is identified with the Repub- lican party. MILLER VALENTINE is one of the prosperous and substantial farmers of Fillmore county, his home being on section 22, Belle Prairie township. His career proves that the only true success in life is that which is accomplished by personal effort and consecutive industry. It proves that the road to success is open to all young men who have the courage to tread its pathway, and the life-record of such a man should serve as an inspiration to the young of this and future generations, and teach by incontrovertible facts that success is ambi- tion's answer. Mr. Valentine was born in Monmouth county. New Jersey, January 16, 1838, a son of W'illiam and Julia (Valentine) Valen- tine, who spent their last years in Illinois, where both died in 1856, the mother sur- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 921 viving her husband only three days. Their remains were interred in Havana cemetery, Mason county, Illinois. Of their ten chil- dren only four are now living, namely: Emeline, aged seventy-five years; Henry, sixty-six; Miller, sixty-one; and Anna, forty- seven. Miller Valentine was educated in the common schools of his native state. His education was very limited, as they had no free schools in the state at that time, but he has acquired a wide range of information by reading the public press, and few to-day have any better knowledge of events than he has. In 1855 he accompanied his par- ents on their removal to Illinois, where he engaged in the butcher business until the fall of 1862. In response to his country's call for troops to help put down the Re- bellion, he then enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Third Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, and served for three years, during which time he participated in many import- ant battles and skirmishes, such as the battle of Missionary Ridge. He was mus- tered out at Louisville, Kentucky, and was then sent to Chicago, Illinois, where he re- ceived his full pay. Returning to his home in Mason county, Illinois, he resumed the butcher business for nine years and later turned his attention to farming. On the 8th of March, 1866, Mr. Valen- tine married Mrs. Catherine Heater, widow of Corporal Heater, who was killed in the battle of Shiloh. She was born in Colum- biana county, Ohio, in 1833, a daughter of Philip and Louise Bayler, who died in Ma- son county Illinois, and were also buried in Havana cemetery. In their family were twelve children, of whom seven are still liv- ing. In order of birth they are as follows: Eliza, Fannie, Rebecca, Jessie, Mary, Catharine, Sarah, Sophia and four who died in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Valentine began married life in limited circumstances and at first had many hardships with which to contend, but before leaving Illinois he had managed to save two thousand dollars. Coming to Fillmore county, Nebraska, in 1886, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Belle Prairie precinct, for three thousand nine hundred and fifty dollars, and in 1891 bought an eighty acre tract in the same precinct for one thousand two hundred dollars. This was raw land, but he soon converted it into well-cultivated fields, and now owns and controls five hun- dred acres of well, improved and tillable land. His home farm ranks second to none in this locality, being under excellent culti- vation, nicely arranged and improved with good and substantial buildings. The lawn is adorned with beautiful shade trees, and a good orchard yields its fruit in season. This attractive home has become a place of rest, contentment and ease for oursubject and his worthy wife. In connection with general farming he is also engaged in stock raising, and by his own good management, enter- prise and industry, he has become a weal- thy citizen. Socially Mr. Valentine affiliates with the Grand Army of the Republic and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln, and has since been an ardent sup- porter of the Republican party. He and his wife are highly respected by all who know them on account of their genuine worth and many excellencies of character, it being .their constant aim to do good to their fellow citizens. WILLIAM HAYNES.— There is no class of biography which is more in- teresting to the reader than that of the in- dustrious, enterprising farmer's boy who has risen unaided from humble circumstances in life to a position of affluence and com- fort. Prominent among the men of Butler 922 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. county who have thus laboriously toiled onward and upward is the subject of this sketch, now successfully carrying on opera- tions as a general farmer on section 28, Olive township, where he owns a highly cultivated and well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which has been acquired by industry, frugality and excellent management on his part. Born in Greene county, Indiana, Octo- ber 20, 1842, Mr. Haynes is a son of Berry and Nancy (Bingham) Haynes, natives of Virginia and North Carolina, respectively. His maternal grandfather and uncle, Fred Bingham, were both soldiers of the war of 18 12. The parents of our subject were married in the Old Dominion, and at an early day emigrated to Indiana, where our subject, who was the eighth child and second son in the family, was reared upon a farm until eleven years of age, when they removed to Illinois, settling in Tazewell county, about three miles from Pekin. There both parents died, honored and re- spected by all who knew them. The father died in 1865 and the mother in 1878. After two years spent in Illinois, Will- iam Haynes went to Iowa, where he re- mained a year, and then returned to Illi- nois, this time locating in Mason county, where the following three years were passed At the end of that time, when about seven- teen years of age, he returned to Indiana, there engaging in farm work until the fall of i860, when he went to Logan county, Illinois, and made his home near Lincoln until after the outbreak of the Civil war. Prompted by a spirit of patriotism, Mr. Haynes enlisted in July, 1861, in Company D, Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry — the first regiment raised in that state for the war of the Rebellion — and joined his com- mand at Cairo. His first engagement was at Springfield, Missouri, which was followed by the battle at Belmont, that state. Hav- ing been rendered unfit for service by sick- ness, he was discharged in April, 1862, and returned home, where he soon recovered under the careful nursing of his mother. In August of that year he re-enlisted, this time becoming a member of Company C, One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and about the ist of December was ordered south with his regiment to Jackson, Tennessee, taking part in the raid from that place to Columbus, Kentucky, under Colonel Lawler. During this expe- dition most of his company was lost, and the remainder returned to Jackson, and thence proceeded to Bolivar, Tennessee. In April, 1S63, Mr. Haynes went with his command to Vicksburg, later to Helena and Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was de- tailed on the Red river expediton, and on re- turning from Galveston, Texas, marched overland to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where he was mustered out. On reaching Springfield, Illinois, he was honorably discharged Au- gust 2, 1865, and gladly returned to the pursuits of peace, finding farming more congenial to his tastes than fighting. For some time Mr. Haynes made his home in Tazewell county, Illinois, and he was married August 12, 1866, in Clinton county, that state, to Miss Sarah Sheets, a daughter of Adam Sheets, of Dewitt county, Illinois. They began their domestic life in Tazewell county, where three children were born to them: Harriett, Thomas and Will- iam, and since coming to Butler county, Nebraska, in September, 1871, five others have been added to the family: Charles, Nancy, Arthur, Walter and Laura. In his political views Mr. Haynes has always been a Republican, and still holds to the princi- ples of that party, although at the presi- dential election of 1896 he supported the free-silver platform. In days of peace he has ever been as true to the interests of his country as he was when fighting on south- ern battle fields for the old flag and the cause it represented. Butler county has no COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 923 more honored or highly esteemed citizen than William Haynes. JOHN DALTON, the present chairman of the county board of supervisors of Seward county, needs no special introduc- tion to the readers of this volume, but the work would be incomplete without the rec- ord of his life. No man in the community has been more prominently identified with its agricultural and political history or has taken a more active part in its upbuilding and progress. He cheerfully gives his sup- port to those enterprises that tend to public development, and, with hardly an exception, he has been connected with every interest that has promoted general welfare. Like many of our most progressive and public-spirited citizens, Mr. Dalton was born on the other side of the Atlantic, his birth occurring in county Longford, Ireland, June 24, 1853. His parents, John and Nancy (Heslin) Dalton, were also natives of the Emerald Isle. The father, who was a blacksmith by trade, came to the United States when a young man and located at Cold Springs, New York, where he worked at his trade for some years, but finally re- turned to Ireland, where both he and his wife died. They had only two children, our subject and a sister, Mrs. Ella Reb- holtz, who died July 11, 1886, at La Porte, Indiana. Mr. Dalton, whose name introduces this sketch, was reared and educated in La Porte county, Indiana, where he also learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed in connection with carriage making in that county until 1878. It was in that year that he became a resident of Seward county, Nebraska, where he purchased a tract of railroad land adjoining his present farm and erected thereon a small house. He at once began to break and improve his land, and as his financial resources have increased he has added to the original purchase until he now has three hundred and twenty acres of valuable and productive land in A and B townships, on which he is still successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. On the 9th of February, 1880, Mr. Dal- ton led to the marriage altar Miss Nora A. Condon, a daughter of David and Catherine (Regan) Condon, who emigrated from Ire- land to the new world in early life and were among the first settlers of La Porte county, Indiana, where they still reside. To Mr. and Mrs. Dalton have been born five chil- dren, as follows: Bernard V., Thomas \V., Erma R. , Ella M. and Nona C, all living. The parents are communicants of the Cath- olic church. Mr. Dalton is a recognized leader in the ranks of the local Democratic organization, and has done much to advance the interests of his party in Seward county. His fellow citizens, recognizing his fitness for office, have elected him to a number of important positions of honor and trust. For one term he served as assessor of A township, which he also represented on the board of super- visors, and he has also filled the office of assessor of B township for two terms. In 1896 he was appointed live stock commis- sioner by the governor of Nebraska for one year, and is now serving his third term as supervisor from the first district, and his second term as chairman of the board. In 1885, 1886 and 1887 he was a member of the county board of agriculture and is also a member of the board of directors of the Home Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Seward. M ARTIN VAN VLEET is a substantial and well-to-do farmer and stock raiser of York county, and his career is a brilliant illustration of what is possible for energy and persistence in a new country. His business operations, which have been varied and extensive, have been characterized by ^24 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. sound sense and have invariably justified his judgment. Mr. Van Vleet was born in Saint Joseph county, Michigan, March 27, 1852, and is a son of Philo and Helen (McDonald) Van Vleet. His father drew his first vital breath in the state of New York and his mother in Ireland. They married and settled in Saint Joseph county at an early day, but after- wards removed to Clinton county, where they both died, the wife and mother in 1 863, and the husband and father surviving until 1897. Martin was only two years old when this removal was made, and in that county he lived until his early manhood. He found an opportunity to begin life for himself un- der advantageous circumstances, and located near Pittsford, Hillsdale county. There he became a husband and the head of a family in 1875, leading to the matrimonial altar Miss Ida Lake. She was also Michigan born and bred, and claims the town of Ovid as her native place. She is a daughter of Otho and Charity (Lovejoy) Lake. They were born in New York, and came into Branch county in 1832, where they lived and died, the former in 1889, and the latter in 1856. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Van Vleet lived in Pittsford three years and then came west to Saunders county, Nebraska, where they settled on a farm. Here Mr. Van Vleet made several changes to good advantage, buying and selling with a profit at every transaction. In 1892 he came to York county and bought a quarter section of land near Waco. This became valuable, and he sold it to buy again three eighties, where he now resides. This farm shows the handiwork of an experienced farmer, and is under a high state of cultivation. To-day he is one of the most prosperous and independent farmers in the county, and a very sharp contrast might be drawn with his financial condition when he came to this state twenty years ago, when he was prac- tically without resources. Industry, enter- prise and push have lifted him in that time to an ample competency. He is independ- ent in politics, and refuses to let any man do his thinking for him, either in that or religion. He is the father of a numerous and interesting family of seven children, all of whom are living. Their names are Charles, Frank, George, Barbara, Edna, Clara and Philo. EMIL SCHOTT.— No country has af- forded greater opportunity to the poor man than our own; it is indeed the poor man's country. Here an industrious, fru- gal man has a chance to secure a fortune. Many fail to do so, but the best of our pop- ulation lay by some of their earnings, and soon find themselves in the possession of a handsome property. Among them is the gentleman whose name heads this article, being the owner of a fine farm of two hun- dred and forty acres on section 26, town- ship 15, range 2 west. Valley precinct, Polk county. Mr. Schott was born December 14, 1850, in Alsace, now a province of Germany, but at that time formed a part of France, and there his parents, Joseph and Lena (Mier) Schott, spent their entire lives, the former dying in 1886, the latter in 1884. The fa- ther was a farmer, and served for seven long years in the French army. The chil- dren of the family are Emil, of this sketch; Catharina, still a resident of Alsace; Martin and Mary, twins, who also maiie their home in Alsace; and Anthony, who is now living in Polk county, Nebraska. Upon the home farm in his native prov- ince Emil Schott remained until nineteen years of age, but in August, 1870, volun- teered to join the French army, and was assigned to the Chasseurs. He participat- ed in eight important battles, including the engagements at Amiens and Arras, and at COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 925- the last one, in the department of Bartkallis, January iS and 19, 1871, he was taken prisoner by Prince Charles' army. With his fellow prisoners he was kept in a barn over night, and then marched to Arras, where they were confined in the National prison until they could be placed on a train and shipped to Germany, being three nights and two days without food. On reaching Metz they were given some rice and meat, and then marched back to the cars and sent on to Peniprich , where they obtained sup- per. Proceeding to Coblentz, Mr. Schott was under guard at that place from Jan- uary 28, 1 87 1, until the 2d of April, and then worked for a time in a restaurant, after which he returned home. At one time, while in active service, a bullet passed through the overcoat strapped to his shoul- ders, making seven holes in it, but he was fortunately uninjured. On the 9th of June, 1871, Mr. Schott bade good-by to friends, home and native land, and sailed for America, locating first in Canton, Ohio, where he worked on a farm for nine years. In 1880 he wedded Miss Mary Friedman, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, in i860, a daughter of Joseph Friedman, a native of the United States, but of German parentage. They began their domestic life upon a rented farm in Stark county, Ohio, where they re- mained for five years, coming to Polk coun- ty, Nebraska, in 1885, and locating upon their present farm of two hundred and forty acres. With the exception of four acres the entire tract is under excellent cultiva- tion, and their comfortable residence was erected in 1893, and barn in 1888. Mr. Schott gives his entire time and attention to general farming and stock raising, and has prospered in his undertakings, being to- day one of the most substantial citizens of his community. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Scott, the eldest died in infancy. The others are as follows: Cora and Clara, twins; Rosa, Annie, Joseph, Eva and John. The parents are devout members of St. An- drew's Catholic church, with which Mr. Schott has been officially connected, and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp at Osceola. He is entirely independent of party lines in his politics, considering, in the exercise of his elective franchise, rather the fitness of the man for the office than the party who placed him in nomination. HON. W. R. DAVIS, of Seward, was born in Yadkin county. North Caro- lina, November 26, 1824. He was married to Miss Margaret A. Bohannon, and to them were born eight children, two of whom died in infancy; Rebecca, Annice, Mattie, Abner Y. , Major A. V., and Joseph- ine. They moved to Iowa in the year of 1852, and in 1857 came and settled in Cass county. He was elected to three sessions of the Territorial Legislature, and in 1862 was appointed assistant assessor of internal revenue. In 1864 he enlisted in the army, and on December 10, 1864, while he was yet in the army, his wife died. He was discharged by his own request, and upon his return home from the army, he was im- mediately appointed assistant assessor of internal revenue. In August, 1866, he married Miss Hannah C. Coleman, and to them were born two children, Nellie R. , and Frank R. Mr. Davis has always been an active business man, and has done much to build up Seward, always taking an active part in any enterprise that would lead to the development of his county. JOHN HOKOM, a prosperous and repre- sentative agriculturist of Momence precinct, Fillmore county, Nebraska, living on section 19, was born in Sweden, in 1839, and in that country bis parents spent their 926 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. entire lives, the mother dying only a few years ago. The meager education he ac- quired during his boyhood and youth was obtained by three months' attendance at the common schools of his native land. At the age of fifteen years he was confirmed in the Lutheran church of Sweden, and for two years he served as a soldier in the Swedish army. With the hope of bettering his financial condition, Mr. Hokom emigrated to Amer- ica at the age of twenty-nine years, and on landing in New York proceeded at once to Knox county, Illinois. Later he spent a short time in Wisconsin, but returned to Knox county, Illinois, where he spent six years in farming, at first working for others by the month. While residing there Mr. Hokom was married, in 1872, to Oliva Anderson, also a native of Sweden, born April 23, 1846. She was reared and edu- cated in her native land and came alone to the new world. She is the third in order of birth in a family of five children, three sons and two daughters, the parents of whom were Andrew and Lena (Monson) Bangston. To our subject and his wife have also been born five children, as fol- lows: Martin, Henry, Hattie, John and Ida, all residents of Nebraska. On leaving Galesburg, Knox county, Illinois, Mr. Hokom came direct to Fillmore county, Nebraska, and in Bryant precinct purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land south of Shickley for six dollars per acre, but the family was forced to endure many hardships during their early residence here, and he at one time offered to trade the entire tract for a horse, as he become very discouraged. He remained, however, and a year later sold the place for one thousand eight hundred dollars. In 1883, he bought his present farm of two hundred and forty acres in Momence township, for which he paid three thousand and two hundred dol- lars, and which is now one of the best places in this locality, but all of the im- provements found thereon have been placed there by himself and family. The land is under a high state of cultivation, the build- ings are of a good substantial character, and everything about the place betokens thrift and prosperity. Left fatherless at an early age, Mr. Hokom began the struggle of life for himself when quite young, and on coming to Fillmore county had but five hundred dollars in money and a team of horses, but he has gradually worked his way upward, overcoming the obstacles in his path, until he is now the possessor of a comfortable competence and is one of the well-to-do citizens of his community. In his political affiliations he is a Populist, but was originally a Republican, and he gives his support to all measures which he be- lieves calculated to prove of public benefit or will in any way advance the interests of the people around him. ERWIN E. LINCOLN, a prosperous and enterprising business man of McCool Junction, Nebraska, holds a prominent po- sition among the mercantile workers of York county. He opened up a hardware store in 1889, and in 1897 added furniture and farm machinery, and each department carried a very complete stock. In furniture and hard- ware he is the first and only dealer in the Junction, and by the observance of business habits and strict integrity he has won a wide circle of friends. Mr. Lincoln was born in Canton, New York, April 27, 1857, ^^d is now at the very prime of his powers. He is a son of Myron and Sylvia A. (Page) Lincoln. His father was born in New Hampshire, and his mother in Vermont. They both re- moved to New York at an early age, and in that state they married. They came to Illinois, and settled on a farm in Grundy county in 1857, and continued its tillage COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 927 many years. Myron Lincoln died in Strea- tor, Illinois, in 1874, and his widow is still living, and has her home in McCool Junc- tion. She has attained the venerable age of seventy-five, and still keeps her mental vision clear and unimpaired. Erwin grew to manhood in Illinois, remaining on the farm and attending the district school after the fashion of farm lads until he was sixteen years old. At that time his parents removed to Streator. He followed them, and was a teamster for some years, when he bought a farm in company with a brother-in-law, and engaged in its cultivation. He made a trip to this state in 1877, and spent two years in farming some leased school lands in York county. In January, 1888, he brought his young wife from Streator, and locating at the Junction began that business career which has in a few brief years yielded such sub- stantial results. He worked in an elevator for some six months, and then conducted a butcher business for himself a year or more. He laid the foundation of his pres- ent large and extensive business by buy- ing a half interest in a small stock of hard- ware, and opening a store under the firm name of Lincoln & Grier. In less than three months, he not only bought his partner out, but also bought the goods of another and rival firm, and consolidated the two stores and has managed a large and growing business without assistance other than that of hired labor. He has one of the leading establishments of the county, and draws patronage from a long distance away. His success is due to his own energy and honest character. He brought but little money into the county, and has conquered a place in the business world by strict at- tention to his work, a desire to please, and honesty in the simplest transactions. He is looked upon as one of the leading citizens of the town, and has served on the village board several years, and is now acting in that capacity. He is a Democrat, though not an earnest politician. He prefers rather to give his time and attention to his busi- ness, which is richly repaying a close devo- tion. He is a charter member of the Lackens camp of Modern Woodmen, and was its clerk for some four years after its organization. He has filled nearly every official station in that order since his con- nection with it. He was married September 18, 1 88 1, to Miss Catherine Teters. She was born in Grundy county, Illinois, and is a daughter of John and Susan (McAllister) Teters, who formerly lived in Ohio. She has presented her husband with three chil- dren, Cora, Lewis and Emmet, and has contributed materially to his success in life by her housewifely genius and social in- stincts. JOHN HILGER. — Among some of the most enterprising citizens of Butler county are those who were born in Ger- many, and who have brought into this fer- tile and productive country the thrift and economy of the old world. Among these there is no figure that stands out more prominently in the history of the county than John Hilger, a well-known farmer, re- siding on section 10, Olive township. Mr. Hilger was born April 2, 1841, in Luxemburg, Germany, of which place his father, Dominick Hilger, was also a native. Our subject obtained his early education in the public schools of his native land, and remained in that country until 1855, when he sailed for the United States, livmg on a farm in Jackson county, Iowa, until after the Civil war broke out. In 1862 he en- listed in the Fifth Iowa Cavalry for three years or until the close of the war, and with the Army of the Cumberland participated in the battles of Murfreesboro, Chattanooga and Atlanta, being honorably discharged from the service in 1865. Returning to his home in Iowa, he en- 928 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. gaged in farming there for three years. In the meantime he was married, in Jackson county, on the 30th of December, 1867, to Miss Florence Grier. Her father, Peter Grier, of Jackson county, was also a native of Luxemburg, Germany, and having crossed the Atlantic became a resident of Iowa early in the '50s. Mr. and Mrs. Hilger be- came the parents of six children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Julia, 1868; George, 1870; Louisa, 1872; Christian, 1874; Emma, 1876; and Agnes, 1880. The wife and mother was called to her final rest October 15, 1882. On leaving Jackson county, Iowa, Mr. Hilger came to Butler county, Nebraska, and has since been prominently identified with its agricultural interests, making for himself a comfortable home and fine farm. Politically he is a free silver Democrat, and has served his fellow citizens in the capacity of township treasurer and collector, filling the latter office for five years, his last term just expiring. In religious belief he is a Catholic. CYRUS B. THOMPSON is one of the early settlers and representative farm- ers of Fillmore county, having since the spring of 1871 successfully engaged in agri- cultural pursuits in Fairmont township. As a man of more than ordinary intelligence and enterprise, he has materially assisted in the building up of the township and at- tracting to it a thrifty and industrious class of people. Mr. Thompson was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, November 8, 1837, a son of John S. and Nancy (Osborn) Thompson, also natives of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather, William M. Thompson, was born in the same state of Scotch-Irish parentage, his ancestors hav- ing come to the United States from county Armagh, Ireland, prior to the war of 18 12. He was a farmer by occupation and spent his entire life in Pennsylvania. He had three sons, who grew to manhood, and of these John S., our subject's father, was the eldest. In early life he learned the car- penter's trade, which he followed in his native state until 1867, and then removed to Iowa. Later he made his home with our subject in Nebraska, and his youngest son in Kansas, and died at the home of the lat- ter in 1898. His wife had passed away in Fairmont, Nebraska, in 1886, and the re- mains of both were interred there. To them were born nine children, seven sons and two daughters, but only three sons are now living, and our subject is the only one living in Fillmore county. During early life Cyrus B. Thompson pursued his studies in the common schools of Pennsylvania, and later engaged in teach- ing school and farming in that state until after the Civil war broke out. In 1862 he went to the front as a member of Company A, One Hundred and Forty-second Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry, and remained in the service until honorably discharged May 29, 1865. He participated in the battle of Fredericksburg, in Burnsides' muddy march, and the engagements at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Franktown, Thoroughfare Gap, Rappahannock Station, the Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania, Tolopotomy creek. North Anna river, Bethesda church, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. In front of Petersburg he was wounded, July 14, 1864, by a shot in the right hand, and for some time was unfit for duty. Later he took part in the battles of Hatcher's Run, Dob- ney's Mills, the second battle of Hatcher's Run, Fort Stedman, Boydton Plank Road, Five Forks and Appomattox Court House, where Lee surrendered. He was several times slightly wounded, but never seriously, and was only off duty a short time. When mustered out he was holding the rank of first sergeant. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 929 Returning to his home iii, Pennsylvania, Mr. Thompson remained there until the fall of 1866, when he went to Jackson county, Iowa, and rented land for a short time, but the folio wimg year moved to Jasper county, the same state, where he made his home until coming to Fillmore county, Nebraska, in the spring of 1 87 1 . On the 27th of Feb- ruary, of that year, he located his home- stead on the northwest quarter of section 14, Fairanont township, and it was not long before he transformed the wild land into highly ciaJtivated fields. He hauled the lumber for his first home from Lincoln, and ■erected a little house, 14 x 16 feet, in which the family lived for some years. A few In- dians were still to be seen in this region, and wild game was plentiful. His third ■crop wasdestroyed by the grasshoppers, and be has encountered many other trials, but in the main he has prospered in his adopt- ■ed state, and is now the owner of three qaiarter sections of land, all under excellent cultivation and improved with good build- ings. On the 4th of March, 1869, Mr. Thomp- son was united in marriage with Miss Sarah M. Sterrett, a native of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Robert and Martha (EJrod) Sterrett, who were also born in that state. Of the seven children born of this union, four are still living, namely: John S., Stella L. , Charles D. and Fred H., all residing at home, and the daughter is successfully engaged in teaching school. The parents and children hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and receive and merit the respect and esteem of all who know them. Fra- ternally Mr. Thompson belongs to the Ma- sonic fraternity, the Ancient Order of Unit- ed Workmen and the Grand Army of the Republic, and politically he affiliates with the Republican party. He has served as assessor of his township, but has never sought office, preferring to give his time and 53 attention to his business interests. He is a man honored and esteemed wherever known and most of all where he is best known. OWAN LARSON is one of the enterpris- er ing, energetic and industrious citizens of Bryant precinct, Fillmore county, his home being on section 13, where he has a fine farm of eighty acres pleasantly located only a mile and a half from Shickley. By his industrious application to his work and good management, he has succeeded in ac- quiring this valuable property, for he start- ed out in life for himself in limited circum- stances. Mr. Larson was born in Sweden in 1837, and is a son of Lars and Mary Bengston, in whose family were twelve children, but only three sons and one daughter came to Ameri- ca. The parents both died in Sweden, the father at the age of eighty-two years, the mother at the age of eighty-nine. They had the respect and esteem of all who knew them. Our subject was educated in his native land and was there confirmed in the Swedish Lutheran church at the age of four- teen years. For two years he was a soldier in the Swedish army, and during his resi- dence in that country followed the occupa- tion of farming. Before leaving Sweden, Mr. Larson was married, in 1874, to Miss Ingrid Stahl, who was born there in 1847, and was confirmed in the Lutheran church at the age of fifteen. Her parents were Swan and Stina Stahl, who spent their entire lives in Sweden, the former dying at the age of seventy, the latter at the age of seventy-two. For forty three years the father was a soldier in the regular army. Mrs. Larson is the fourth in order of birth in a family of eight chil- dren, and of these she had three brothers who also became residents of the United States. Three children have been born to our subject and his wife, namely: Nels, 930 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. Olof and Hilda. The younger son and daughter are still at home. Nels, who is now twenty-three years of age, has been in the employ of business men of Shickley for the past nine years and has won the con- fidence of all by his honesty and manly bearing. He is conversant with several languages, is an energetic and shrewd busi- ness man of sterling qualities, is highly re- spected by all who know him, and undoubt- edly the future has in store for him success and honor. In 1883 Mr. Larson and his family came to the new world, and on reaching the shores of this country proceeded at once to Bry- ant precinct, Fillmore county, Nebraska, where he rented land until 1892. He then purchased eighty acres of raw land, which he began to break and improve, but subse- quently sold that place at a good profit and purchased his present farm of eighty acres at a cost of $2,200. This beautiful tract is well improved and under a high state of cultivation and yields to the owner a golden tribute in return for the care and labor be- stowed upon it. The first home he owned here was a sod house, but prosperity has crowned his well-directed efforts and he now has a comfortable residence, surrounded by good out-buildings. Mr. and Mr. Larson united with the Lutheran church in Sweden, to which they still adhere, and they and their children now hold membership in the Stockholm church, Bryant precinct. REV. JOHN AMSDEN CHAPIN. —Only the history of the good and great comes down to us through the ages. The true religion has been the strongest influ- ence known to man through all time, while the many false doctrines that have sprung up have flourished only for a day and then vanished. More potent at the present time than at and period in the world's history are the work and influence of Christianity, and among those who are devoting their lives to its inculcation among men is Rev. Chapin, of Seward county. He was born in Calais, Washington county, Vermont, April 2, 1833, and is the fifth child in the family of John Amsden and Diadama (Merrill) Chapin. He at- tended the Calais common and private schools and aided his father in the work of the home farm until twenty years of age, when he went to Springfield, Massachusetts, where he worked in a lumber-yard for eight- een months. He then entered the old Ames machine shops at Chicopee, Massa- chusetts, as an apppentice, remaining there two years and a half, or until the autumn of 1857. Living on the sea coast, he often made trips as a sailor on the fishing boats along the coast and in the gulf of the St. Lawrence, but he finally became satisfied that this was not a very paying business, and accordingly he returned home in the fall of 1858 and entered the academy at Westfield, Massachusetts, where he pur- sued his studies for two years. While employed as a sailor Mr. Chapin became acquainted with Miss Sarah Perkins and upon the completion of his academic course they were married in May, 1S61, after which he worked in the government machine shop, manufacturing Springfield rifles until December, 1863. In company with two of his brothers he then enlisted in Company I, Third Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, the company being afterward detailed by order of General Butler to serve as an engineering corps, in which capacity they served until hostilities ceased. They were finally discharged at Galloup's Island with honors for faithfulness and promptness in the discharge of their duties in making pontoon bridges and doing other work in the engineering line. After their return home. Governor Andrews of Mas- sachuetts issued a circular complimentary to Company I, giving them full praise for COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 931 efficiency in their department of the service. In the last of September, 1865, Mr. Chapin rejoined his family at Gloucester, Massachusetts, where he made his home until 1872, being engaged in the manufac- ture of yawl boats, now used by all vessels putting to sea. With his wife and two chil- dren he started westward and landed at Lincoln, Nebraska, April 5, 1872. He im- mediately found work at his trade in the B. & M. R. R. machine shops at Plattsmouth, where he remained for three years. In the meantime, believing he could do much more good in the world, he applied for a license from the Methodist Episcopal church to preach the Gospel and received his first charge at Wilber, Nebraska. He has since labored untiring in the Master's vineyard, and has had charge of the churches of his denomination at Geneva, Valparaiso and Peru, where his first wife died. He after- ward located at Osceola, where he became acquainted with and married Mrs. Louisa Jane Austin. Her parents were Luther H. and Eleanor (O'Brien) Nutting, both of Tonawanda, New York. Her maternal grandfather, Daniel O'Brien, was a native of the Emerald Isle, but her other ancestors were all born in this country and all were tillers of the soil. Daniel O'Brien was a soldier in the Revolutionary war under Gen- eral Washington, and her father served in what is often called the second war for in- dependence, or the war of 1812. Her first husband, James Austin, was a member of the Union navy during the Civil war, and, as previously stated, her last husband, our subject, was also a defender of the Union in that struggle. By his first marriage Mr. Chapin had three children: (i) Nellie P. is now the wife of Herbert Mackie a farmer and stock- raiser, and they have three children: Har- old C, Winifred E. and Lloyd E. (2) Ed- ward P. married Minnie Hilton, and they have two children: Maggie and Saida. (3) Edith M. makes her home with her sister in Lapeer, Nebraska. By her first husband, Mrs. Chapin had six children, of whom five are living, (i) John W. married Sarah Jeffrey and they have one child, Law- rence. (2) George C. is single and inter- ested in mining operations in Montana. ('3) Millie J. is the wife of A. M. Sheets, of An- aconda, Montana. (4) Emogene L. is the wife of William Hilbert, and they have three children: James L. , Hazel E. and Ruble. (5) Willard J. married Maude Mil- ler and they have two children: Lloyd and Clarence. All live in the far west and are interested in the rich mines of Montana. Like her husband, Mrs. Chapin is a faith- ful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and their lives are such as command for them the respect and esteem of all with whom they come in contact. He keeps well posted on the leading questions and is- sues of the day, and is a believer in bimet- alism. For several years he has cast his ballot with the Prohibition party and is a supporter of all measures which he believes will in any way benefit his fellow men or make the world better. JOHN WHOLSTENHOLM, who is now spending the closing years of a long and active life in peaceful retirement in the vil- lage of McCool Junction, is one of the earlier settlers of York county. He made a permanent settlement on section 26, McFad- den township, in the fall of 1871, where he secured a quarter section of land under the law relating to soldiers' claims under the homestead act. He had made a trip into this county the previous year, and had filed his first claim upon the land and constructed a dug-out, which became the first home of his family after their arrival in the county. In 1874 he erected a two-story frame residence at a cost of one thousand dollars. At that m-2 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. day it was one of the most imposing country residences in the count3\ The new settlers found no water except in the "basins," but they came prepared with tools, and immed- diately drilled a well. As neighbors congre- gated, he found well-drilling quite a paying occupation, and many of the best farm wells of the region are the result of his labors. Lincoln was the nearest trading point for the people of this section at that time, and, as it was over fifty miles away, going to market was an inconvenient undertaking. There were no roads on the prairie, and on one occasion, when the neighbors were all out of flour, Mr. Wholstenholm started for a mill some eight miles away. The sun was hid by clouds, he lost his way, and spent the afternoon in aimless wanderings. He spent the night in his wagon, and meeting a man the next morning discovered he was far away from his destination. The trip consumed three days, and in his absence everybody had to live on crushed corn. His return with four sacks of corn was the occasion of a jo3ful demonstration. Mr. Wholstenholm continued to live upon his homestead and develop and im- prove it in every way. He added one hun- dred and sixty acres to the place, which he afterward divided among his two sons. He still holds the original homestead, which he rents to good advantage. He relates that at the time settlers were coming in rapidly, and the land was being taken correspond- ingly fast, he started for Fairmont early one morning to do some trading. He took the usual path, and before he saw where he was going had driven across an elevation in the way, of which he had known nothing. He had scarcely passed over it, when he was surprised to hear a man's voice, and learn that he had driven entirely over the habitation of a new settler. The man had dug a hole in the ground, and had covered it over with dirt and sod and had lived there some two weeks. Mr. Wholstenholm was born in Haywood, Lancastershire, England, April 17, 1823, and is a son of William and Martha (Aspinall) Wholstenholm, who were also of English nativity. They lived and died in England. He was reared in his native town, and, his parents being poor, he was obliged to go to work in the cotton mills when only eight years old for the magnificent salary of a shilling a week. He worked in the mills until he was twenty-five years old and be- came a capable carder. At this time he tired of the old world and set out to seek his fortune in America. In 1850 he crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel, and landed at New Orleans. He made his way up the river, and reached Peoria, Illinois, when nine weeks out from England. He worked for a farmer at thirteen dollars a month, and felt he was earning large wages. Three years after his arrival he was married in Peoria county, to Miss Hannah Lonsdale, who was born in his native town in England. She was a daughter of Thomas and Helen (Halsted) Lonsdale, and bore her husband six children, James, Miles, John, Martha A., Ellen and Alice. She died in 1875, leaving behind her the saintly memories of a good woman, and a true wife and mother. Mr. Wholstenholm subsequently married again, and Anna Perrins became his wife in Feb- ruary, 1878. She was also a native of Hay- wood, England. Her parents were John and Margaret (Norris) Perrins, and they lived and died in their English home. Mr. Wholstenholm enlisted August 15, 1862, in Company K, seventy-seventh Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, and served through- out the Civil war. He participated in many important engagements, and the roll of the battles in which he was engaged would con- tain the greater part of the more important events of the war in the west. He was at Chickasaw Bluffs, Arkansas Post, Magnolia Hills, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, Vicksburg, Jackson, Mansfield, Kane River, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 933 Marksville, Yellow Bayou, Fort Gaines, Spanish Fort, Blakely and Whistler Station, and many unimportant skirmishes not here mentioned. Throughout this long and active career he was not wounded, nor taken priso- ner, though he was in many dangerous situations, and on more than one occasion would have sold out his chances for a small consideration. On one occasion he was struck by a spent rifle ball. It pierced through two thicknesses of his leather belt, and was stopped by his cartridge box. He was discharged at Mobile, Alabama, July lo, 1865, and was mustered out at Spring- field, Illinois. He is, as might be expected, a prominent member of the Lushton post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and takes much interest in its prosperity. He is a social member of the Ancient Order of the United Workmen, and gives much care to the welfare of that splendid institution. In politics he takes an independent position, and holds that the best men should go into office to carry out the best measures that can be devised for the welfare and pros- perity of the people. DR. WILLIAM G. HARRIGER is a well known resident of Brainard, Butler county, Nebraska, and has been intimately identified with the history of this entire re- gion almost from its beginning. He has seen it grow from a prairie wilderness to its present populous and prosperous condition, and in many ways he has rendered its peo- ple valuable service. The history of the county demands his name. Dr. Harriger was born in Canada in 1 848, while his parents were temporarily residing in that country. He is of German descent, as his name might indicate, his grandfather; George Harriger, having been born m the German empire in 1781, coming to this country with his parents fourteen years la- ter. They located on the banks of the Susquehanna river in Pennsylvania, where they lived and died. George Harriger re- moved to Jefferson county in that state in later life, where he married, and where Cyrus Harriger, the father of our subject, was born. He was married in Pennsylva- nia to Lavinia J. Haraga, whose parents were natives of Holland. Our subject is their oldest son, and enjoyed good educa- tional advantages. He was educated in the public schools, and studied medicine with Dr. Barber, of Strattinsville, Pennsyl- vania. He remained with his preceptor, and engaged in medical studies until the breaking out of the Civil war in 1861. He enlisted in the army of the Union, and was a member of Company H, One Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry. He was presently appointed an assistant surgeon, and served two years in that capacity. He was severely wounded at Dallas, Georgia, but quickly recovered and returned to his regiment, and com- pleted his term of enlistment. After the war he engaged in the practice of medicine, and was also a local preacher of the Method- ist church. He finished his medical stud- ies under the instruction of that Canadian institution known as Bishops' College. In 1876 he decided to remove to Nebraska, and coming into this state made his home for the first three months in Columbus, and then took charge of the North Bend Circuit. When he came to Brainard the following year, the town was in its infancy, only two or three houses having been erected, and the rest of the town being in the magnifi- cent future. He has been in the closest touch with all its growth, and is widely known as a pioneer, who has cared for the souls and bodies of the early settlers. With all these demands upon his time and strength. Dr. Harriger has kept up with professional progress, and among men of medicine is recognized as a worthy peer and congenial associate. To him and his 934 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. estimable wife have been born five children, May, Charles H., Kittie B. , Lewanron C, and Harrold. They form a bright and in- teresting family. The Doctor and his good wife are much respected and greatly beloved for their many good qualities by a wide circle of admiring friends, who have occa- sion to remember years of devoted sacrifice to the best interests of a new country. He was married June 4, 1866, to Miss Martha I. Harigan, a native of Pennsylvania. The Doctor is a member of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a charter member of the Woodmen of the World, Ben Hur and Cruft Post, No. 121, Grand Army of the Republic. PATRICK REA, one of the active, prom- inent and most enterprising citizens of Leroy township, York county, is at pres- ent engaged in farming on section 23. He is an honored son of the Emerald Isle, his birth occurring in county Limerick, Ireland, March 10, 1838, and is a son of Thomas and Bridget (Ryan) Rea, also natives of county Limerick, where they spent their lives. The father, who was a common laborer, died at the age of forty years, and the mother passed away at the age of seventy-seven. In their family were six children, four sons and two daughters, all of whom, with the exception of one daughter, eventually came to America. Our subject was the youngest son and upon the home farm he was reared, having no educational advantages to speak of. For a few terms during the winter he attended a subscription school, walking five miles, and carrying on his back turf which was used as fuel to keep up the fire in the school- house. As his parents were very poor he was not able to attend school any length of time, as he had no money to pay his tuition. Finally times became very hard, rents were very high, and he was obliged to leave Ire- land. In the fall of 1850 he came to America with one of his sisters on a sailing vessel, which was a little over three weeks in crossing the ocean. He landed in Boston and soon afterward located in Lockport, Massachusetts, where he secured work on a farm, remaining there five years. The fol- lowing seven years he was employed in a stone quarry, and in 1862 removed to Illi- nois, locating in Clinton, Dewitt county, where he worked in the round house for a railroad company for about ten years. He then rented a farm in that county and suc- cessfully operated the same for ten years. In the spring of 188^, Mr. Rea came to York county, Nebraska, and rented land in Leroy township, on which very few im- provements had been made. He was finally able to buy eighty acres, and as he has steadily prospered he has extended the boundaries of his farm from time to time, as his financial resources would permit, until he now has a valuable place of two hundred and forty acres, under excellent cultivation, with the exception of that used for pasture and meadow lands. A fine mod- ern residence has been erected, and many other improvements made, representing many years of hard labor and good man- agement on the part of the owner. He is to-day one of the well-to-do farmers of the township, and the prosperity that has crowned his efforts is certainly well merited, for he is one of the most industrious, en- terprising and reliable citizens of the com- munity. While a resident of Massachusetts, Mr. Rea was married in 1855, the lady of his choice being Miss Kate Donlon, a native of county Roscommon, Ireland, and a daugh- ter of Thomas Donlon. They have become the parents of ten children, namely: Thomas, John, Michael, James, Mary, Bridget, Dennis, Kate and Nellie. Dennis, John, the first of the name, and Bridget are all deceased, and the others are still under COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 935 the parental roof with the exception of John and Mary, who are married in York county. Parents and children are all communicants of the Catholic church, and the family is widely and favorably known. CHARLES N. PHILLIPS, the well- known and popular postmaster of E.xe- ter and an honored veteran of the Civil war, was born in Potter county, Pennsylvania, July 25, 1843, and belongs to one of our most loyal and patriotic American families, one that has been well represented in the wars of this country and in days of peace has been devoted to its interests. His par- ents were John and Mary (Richardson) Phillips, natives of New York and New Hampshire, respectively. At an early day the father removed with his parents, Nathan and Sarah Phillips, to Pennsylvania. Na- than Phillips was a soldier in the war of 18 12, and his father, Isaac Phillips, the great-grandfather of our subject, was one of the heroes of the Revolution, having valiantly aided the colonies in their struggle for independence. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, entered the Union service during the dark days of the Rebel- lion, soon after the breaking out of the war, as a member of Company G, Forty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and par- ticipated in several engagements around Chattanooga, Tennessee, and went with Sher- man as far as Atlanta, Georgia, where he was taken ill with fever. He died at Chat- tanooga, in August, 1864, being one of the men who so willingly sacrificed their lives on the altar of their country that the Union might be spared. In his family were two sons and two daughters, and the former both entered the Federal service during the Civil war. Moses R. was also a member of the Forty-si^th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, took part in many a hard-fought battle during his three years' service, and died from the effects of a sunstroke at the battle of Antietam. In his native state, Charles N. Phillips was reared to manhood, and in its public schools he acquired a good practical educa- tion, which has well fitted him for life's re- sponsible duties. In August, 1862, he donned the blue and went to the front as a member of Company K, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infan- try. He participated in the battles of Fred- ericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and during the last-named engagement, in July, 1863, he suffered the loss of his right hand and was also shot in the face and shoulder. For three days he lay on the battle field uncared for, and then had his wounds dressed by a rebel surgeon. The following October, he was honorably dis- charged and returned home, but it was some time before he was able to engage in active labor. Mr. Phillips continued his residence in Pennsylvania until 1871, when he started for Nebraska in a covered wagon, driving the entire distance from Potter count}', Pennsylvania, to Fillmore county, Nebraska, where he arrived after two months spent upon the road. He homesteaded the south- west quarter of section 24, Fairmont town- ship, erected a sod house thereon, and be- gan to break and improve his farm. There he successfully engaged in agricultural pur- suits for several years and still owns the place. Before leaving his native state, Mr. Phil- lips was married, in 1870, to Miss Rosina Whitney, a native of New York, and they have become the parents of four children: Fred J., Otto C, Elva A. and Ethel, all liv- iving but the last named, who died when but two years old. Socially Mr. Phillips is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and politically is an ardent sup- porter of the men and measures of the Republican party. In July, 1897, he was. 936 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. appointed postmaster of Exeter, and the prompt and able manner in which he has discharged the duties of the office has won the commendation of its many patrons. He takes a deep interest in everything per- taining to the pubHc welfare of the town, and withholds his support from no enterprise calculated to prove of public benefit. As a citizen, friend and neighbor, he is true to every duty and justly merits the esteem in which he is held. JOSEPH McFADDEN, deceased.— Among the honored pioneers of Fillmore county who opened up the way to civiliza- tion was this gentleman, whose name is inseparably connected with the history of the locality. He was an enterprising, energetic man, and helped to transform the wild prairies of the west into rich and highly cultivated farms. A portrait of this worthy man is presented in connection with this sketch. Born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, June 13, 1S28, he removed with his parents to Illinois during his childhood, and later went with them to Iowa, where he was reared to manhood. During the gold ex- citement in California he went to that state to seek his fortune, and spent several years in the mines of the Pacific slope. After his return Mr. McFadden engaged in farming in Iowa for a time, and in May, 1 87 1, came to Fillmore county, Nebraska, where he secured a pre-emption claim of one hundred and sixty acres on section 10, Geneva township. He then constructed a dug-out in which he lived and kept bache- lor's hall until his marriage, in the mean- time developing and improving his farm. On the 28th of September, 1873, he married Miss Louisa H. Chaplin, who is also num- bered among the pioneers of the county. She was born in Highland county, Ohio, a daughter of Reuben and Mary (Barr) Chap- lin. Her parents were also natives of the Buckeye state, and in 1857 removed to Iowa, locating in Marion county, where Mr. Chaplin died more than thirty years ago. His widow is still living at an advanced age and resides in Jasper county, Iowa. Mrs. McFadden has been a resident of Fillmore county since 1871, having removed to this place in March of that year, in company with her uncle, James A. Barr. They pre- empted adjoining claims of one hundred and sixty acres each in West Blue township, and on the division line they exected a small frame house of two rooms, the lumber be- ing hauled in wagons from Lincoln, fifty miles away. This was the second frame house built upon the prairie. Mrs. McFad- den lived upon her claim until her marriage, and in the meantime made a number of im- provements on it. She afterward traded it for one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 4, Geneva township, adjoining the farm on which she now resides. She ex- perienced many of the hardships and trials of pioneer life, but also retains many pleas- ant memories of the friendly relations and genuine hospitality which prevailed among the early settlers. Mr. McFadden continued to devote his energies to agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred July 22, 1895. He wrought a great change in the appearance of the farm, the raw prairie being trans- formed into rich and fertile fields, giving promise of abundant harvests. Substan- tial buildings were erected, and all the ac- cessories of the model farm were added. He was energetic and progressive, and his well directed efforts brought to him a comfort- ble competence. He was a public-spirited citizen, interested in all that pertained to the general welfare, and in his death the community mourned the loss of one whom they had learned to respect and honor. Mrs. McFadden still resides on the homestead and oversees the operation of her fine farm of three hundred and sixty MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH McFADDEN AND SON. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 939 acres. In this she is ably assisted by her only son, Charles, who was born August 19, 1878, and is active in the operation of the fields, largely filling his father's place in the care of the property. Both Mr. and Mrs. McFadden were among the early members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Fairmont, and Mrs. McFadden still retains her connection therewith. JACOB LABART.— The sturdy German element in our national commonwealth has been one of the most important in furthering the substantial and normal ad- vancement of the country, for this is an ele- ment signally appreciative of practical val- ues and also of the higher intellectuality which transcends all provincial confines. Well may any person take pride in tracing his lineage to such a source and, our subject can do this. He is himself a native of the fatherland, where he was born March 7, 1847, his parents being Conrad and Eliza- beth Labart, the latter a daughter of George West. The father emigrated from Germany to America in 1853, and on the 1st of January, 18 54, arrived in Portsmouth, Ohio, where for ten years he followed vari- ous occupations that would yield him an honest living. Having in that time acquired some capital, he then purchased a farm on the Ohio river in Sciota county, Ohio, there carrying on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1886, at the age of sixty-three years. His wife is still living on the old homestead at the age of eighty- four. Jacob Labart was seven years of age when he came with his parents to the new world. In the fall of 1S67 he left his fa- ther's home and went to Illinois, securing work as a farm hand four miles from Lin- coln, that state. He worked for two years, receiving twenty-three dollars per mouth the first year, and twenty-five dollars the second. At the age of twentj-two he mar- ried Eliza Jane Willis, daughter of William and Mary Willis, the wedding being cele- brated October 9, 1869. Mr. Labart then rented a farm and met with fair success in its operation, but hear- ing of the new state beyond the Missouri river, he sold everything that he could not load in a two-horse wagon and started for Nebraska. After traveling four weeks he reached Walnut Creek, in Seward county, and there left his wife and one child, while he continued on his way to Fillmore coun- ty, where he took a homestead and erected a sod house. He then returned for his family, who were ensconsed in the new home October 15, 1871, and he at once began breaking prairie and transforming the wild land into richly cultivated fields. When his house was finished and his family in- stalled therein, he had only a five-dollar bill remaining. This he loaned to a man more needy than himself, it being returned to him after twelve months, having been passed from man to man until it finally came back to him in the condition of Franklin's rolling stone, " having gathered no moss." Mr. Labart remained on his farm in Fillmore county until February, 1878, when he sold and came to York coun- ty, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 28, Henderson township. He paid half down, the remainder being due in five years. He still owns that land, which has been converted into a valuable farm. In March, 1881, Mr. Labart was called upon to mourn the death of his wife, who died leaving three children. After a year he married Adell Scovell, who was born December 10, 1852, daughter of A. E. and Avilla Scovell. This marriage occurred March 12, 1882. By the first marriage there were five children, two yet living: John Lewis, who operates the home farm and who married Rosa Davis, by whom he 940 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. has one child, Floyd; and Mary, wife of Arthur Dixon, by whom she has two chil- dren. By the second marriage of Mr. La- bart there were also five children: Iva J., Jacob R., Harry E. , Otis and Avilla. Our subject continued his farming oper- ations until 1892, when he traded one of his farms for a hotel in Lushton. Becoming weary of the hotel business, however, he afterward traded that property for a dwell- ing, and about the year 1897 established a lumber-yard, which he has since conducted with good success. He is very energetic and industrious, and his persevering and well directed efforts have brought to him a gratifying competence. In politics he has been a stalwart Republican since casting his first presidential vote for General Grant. His last vote was cast for Major McKinley. His wife belongs to the United Brethren church, and both Mr. and Mrs. Labart are people of the highest respectability, having the warm regard of many friends. SMITH RODMAN, one of the most reli- able and highly respected business men of Goehner, Seward county, Nebraska, was born in the state of New York, June 16, i860, and is a son of Hiram and Ethalinda A. Rodman, also natives of New York. As far back as the family can be traced its members have followed agricultural pur- suits. When our subject was fourteen years old his parents removed to eastern Iowa, where they lived for several years, and then bought a farm on Goose Lake, Clinton county, that state. In 1872 they came to Nebraska, and in Seward county the father selected the east half of the northeast quarter of section 6, precinct K, which he still owns. Our subject assisted his father in the improvement and cultivation of his land until his marriage, which was celebrated in the city of Seward, October 2, 1884, Miss Charlotte Griffin becoming his wife. Her father, Joshua Griffin, was born in Maryland, of Welsh parentage, while her mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary Ann Long, was born in New Bruns- wick, of Irish parentage. They became residents of Seward county, Nebraska, in March, 1881. To our subject and his wife have been born two children: Smith Earl, now thirteen years of age, and Irving, five. They are bright, intelligent boys, in which the parents take a just pride, and are being provided with good educations, Mr. Rod- man believing in giving them the best oppor- tunities, within his means, of improving themselves both mentally an physically. The spring after his marriage Mr. Rod- man rented an eighty-acre farm south of the present town of Goehner, but after operating it one year he removed to the city of Seward in March, 1886. Here he began work at the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a few months, but finally becoming weary of town life he removed to his father-in-law's farm, which he conducted for the remainder of the year. In 1S87 he commenced farming on land belonging to his father, and successfully engaged in its cul- tivation for four years. He then moved to the northwest quarter of section 9, precinct K, where he also followed agricul- tural pursuits with marked success from 1 89 1 until August, 1898. Desiring to change his occupation and having been warmly recommended by a business friend, one of the elevators at Goehner was entrusted to his care. His services here command a fair salary, for faithfulness, honesty and industry are the cardinal points in all his dealings with the public. He is a strictly temperance man, having never drank a dram of whisky or brandy, or emptied a glass of beer, and his course through life has ever been such as to com- mend him to the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 941 Although not a member of any religious de- nomination, he and his wife frequently at- tend services at the Methodist Episcopal church, and their children regularly attend Sunday-school. In politics he has always been a stanch Democrat, and in his social connections is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and Prudence Lodge, 'No. 179, F. and A. M., of Beaver Crossing, Seward county, with which he is officially connected, while both he and his wife hold membership in the Degree of Honor. WILLIAM EDWARD LEMMON, an honored and worthy citizen of pre- cinct N, Seward county, was born Novem- ber 17, 1828, in Sangamon county, Illinois, a son of Ulick and Susan (Pierce Backus) Lemmon. His paternal grandfather was Lemuel Lemmon and his maternal grand- father was George Pierce. He obtained a limited education in the old subscription schools of Sangamon county, but his train- ing at farm work was not so meagre, and he continued to assist his father in the labors of the home farm until he attained his ma- jority. He had a severe attack of the gold fever in the early part of November, 185 i, and one fine day started for California by way of New Orleans and the Isthmus of Panama, but at the latter place he was taken ill with Panama fever and was forced to return to New Orleans. When he ar- rived home, March 27, 1852, he found his father very low with consumption, and on the 6th of January, 1853, he died. Our subject then remained with his mother until his marriage, which was celebrated February 28, 1856, Miss Elizabeth Martin becoming his wife. Her parents, Jonathan and Annie (Cook) Martin, lived in the little village of Salisbury, Sangamon county, Illinois. For eight years after his marriage, Mr. Lemmon remained on the old homestead in his native county and then removed to Athens, Menard county, Illinois, where he operated a steam sawmill for two years and for the same length of time engaged in farm- ing on rented land. The following three years were spent in Logan county, Illinois, and in 1874 he moved by railway to Ne- braska, landing in the town of Seward in March of that year. He selected a quarter section of land in precinct N, and took up his residence in a sod house already erected thereon, but which he enlarged, making it his home for eight years. To the joy of his wife it was then replaced by a frame dwelling, to which additions have been made, so that it is now a commodious and comfortable country home. To Mr. and Mrs. Lemmon were born nine children, eight of whom are still living, (i) Oran A. married Lucretia, daughter of James W. and Frank (Summers) Houser, and they have five children: Clarence, Neva, Frankie, Byron and Gay. They have re- cently sold their farm in Seward county with the intention of moving to Saline coun- ty, Nebraska. (2) Opha A. is now the wife of George Walker, a son of Benjamin and Mary Walker, and they have two children: Earl and Zeva. They live in York county, west of Gresham. (3) John L. , a resident of Indiana, married Anna Watts and has one child, Florence. (4) Ernest O., who is engaged in the commercial business at St. Joseph, Missouri, married Jessie Clayton and they have one child. (5) Ida B. is the wife of George Crofton, of Omaha, and they have three children, Luma, Beulah and Merrill. (6) Orville. (7) Maggie J. and (8) Arthur are still with their father, and since the mother's death, which occurred March 29, 1876, the daughters have filled her place as best they could, and Miss Maggie is now her father's housekeeper. Mr. Lemmon un- derstands the advantages of a good educa- tion and has provided his children with good school privileges. He is now practically 942 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. living retired, leaving the active manage- ment and arduous labors of the farm to his two sons. He cast his first presidential vote for General Scott, and since the forma- tion of the party has been an ardent Re- publican, casting his last vote for William McKinley. He is a sincere and faithful member of the Christian church, and does all in his power to advance Christ's king- dom on earth. CHARLES S. MILLER is the well- known and popular cashier of the Farmers State Bank of Fairmont, Nebraska, one of the most solid and reliable financial institutions in Fillmonre county. The bank was first organized in 1882, with Charles S. Miller as president and general manager, and associated with him was Henry Mussel- man. It was then a private bank and did business as such until 1886, when it was re- organized a sa state bank with Charles Aldrich as its first president, George E. Aldrich vice-president; and Charles S. Miller, cashier. The capital stock at that time was $40,700, but as that large amount was not needed it was reduced to $25,000 in 1898. They do a large banking business, having from $100,000 to $150,000 in deposits and handle domestic and foreign exchange. The present board of directors consits of George C. Aldrich, Charles S. Miller, B. E. Aldrich, O. E. Miller and George W.Jackson. Charles S. Miller was born in Lowell, Wisconsin, in 1856, a son of Henry and Delia (Weed) Miller, natives of New York state, who in 1840 removed to Wisconsin, where the father engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery, being a graduate of the Berkshire Medical College of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He had practiced some in the east and continued to follow the pro- fession throughout the remainder of his life, ■dj'ing in 1887. He was an active supporter of the Republican party, was an honored member of the state and county medical as- sociations, and was highly respected by all who knew him. The mother died when our subject was about sixteen years of age, leaving two sons, both now living in Fair- mont, Nebraska. Our subject's paternal grandfather was Elias Miller, a native of New Jersey and a contractor and builder by occupation. He died in New York state. He married Miss Hannah Southard, also a native of New Jersey, and a representative of one of the old and honored families of that state. In his native state, Charles S. Miller was reared and educated, attending the Wayland Academy at Beaver Dam and the Albion College, in Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1879. Later he entered the law department of the University of Wisconsin and was graduated from that in- stitution in 1 88 1, being admitted to prac- tice the same year in both the federal and state courts. Coming to Fairmont the same year, he opened an office and continued to en- gage in the practice of his chosen profession for some time, after becoming interested in the banking business. He assisted in or- ganizing the state bank at Lebanon, Ne- braska, of which he is president, and be- sides his banking interests there and in Fairmont, he owns real estate in Fillmore county and elsewhere in the state. In his business undertakings, he has been remark- ably successful and is now one of the most prosperous and substantial citizens of Fair- mont. In 1883, Mr. Miller was united in mar- riage with Miss Minnie F. Divine, a native of Lexington, Michigan, and also a graduate of Albion college, in the class of 1881. They now have two children: John D. and Mildred A. Politically Mr. Miller is an ar- dent Republican and has been a most active and influential worker for the interests of the party, but has never sought public office. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 943 He has served as a member of the state cen- tral committee, and held the same position on the congressional committee. Frater- nally he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is now serving as vice-president of the American Bankers Association, a national organization, in which he now represents Nebraska. He enjoys a wide acquaintance throughout the state, and in business, political and social circles stands deservedly high. CHARLES M. SHELDON, proprietor of one of the fine farms of Savannah township, Butler county, is one of the men in whose coming to this county all who honor honest industry and good citizenship can rejoice. His career has been marked throughout with persistent and faithful ef- forts to advance his own interests, and he has been rewarded by the acquisition of a good property and a high reputation. He settled on section 29, Savannah township, in the fall of 1877. Mr. Sheldon was born in Sullivan coun- ty, New York, in 1830, the oldest son of Ira and Abigail Sheldon. Ira Sheldon was born in Massachusetts, was a descendant of one of two brothers who came from Eng- land and settled in Massachusetts. He afterward moved to New York with his par- ents and was there married. About the year 1836, he moved with his family from New York to Michigan and became one of the earliest settlers of Branch county, of that state. Our subject grew to manhood in Branch county, Michigan, and was there married, in 1852, to Miss Sarah Jane Parsons, daugh- ter of Barney Parsons, and their wedded life has been blessed by the presence of a family of four children, whose names are as follows: Cora Lindsle}', Barney Sheldon, Eva Mc- Cauley and Bert Sheldon. In politics our subject is a free-silver Republican. He was one of the founders of the Republican party in Michigan, and was also a delegate to the first Free Silver convention in Butler count}', Nebraska. He is public-spirited and progressive and stanchly supports any feasible plan that will tend to advance the public welfare. He is a valued and re- spected citizen and a representative man in the community in which he makes his home. JOHN HAGER, an honored veteran of the Civil war, and a representative farmer of York county, owns and success- fully operates a fine farm on section 12, Henderson township. He was born in Fay- ette county, Pennsylvania, November 28, 1840, and is a son of Peter H. and Cath- erine (Romesburgh) Hager, also natives of the Keystone state. His maternal grand- father was George Romesburgh, and on both sides of the family his ancestors were of German origin and farmers by occupa- tion. Reared upon the home farm in Penn- sylvania, John Hager obtained his educa- tion in the public schools of the neighbor- hood, and also fitted himself to enter higher institutions of learning, but as the Civil war broke out at that time he laid aside all per- sonal interests to aid in the defense of the Union. In July, 1863, at the age of twenty- two, he enlisted for three years in Company C, Sixty-third Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, and first went into camp at White Sulphur Springs, Virginia. Later he par- ticipated in the following engagements in that state: Auburn, October 13, 1863; Kelly's Ford, November 7; Brandy Station, November 8; Locust Grove, November 27; Mine Run, November 29 and 30; Wilderness, May 5, 6 and 7, 1864; Todd's Tavern, May 9, Po River, May 10 and II, and Spottsylvania, May 12. At the last-named battle General Hancock made his famous charge at the break of day. 944 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. breaking into the lines of the enemy. For the privilege of taking part in this charge Mr. Hager had to sleep with his gun beside him all night, and from the 13th to the 15th of the same month was engaged in skirmish- ing at the same place. He took part in the battle of North Anna River on May 23, and in skirmishing at that place from the 24th to the 26th of May; at Tolopotomy creek, on May 30 and 31; at Cold Harbor, June 4 and 5, followed by the battle of Cold Harbor, June 6, and skirmishing from the 7th to the 12th of the same month. His next engagement was the battle of Petersburg, June 16, and skirmishing there from the 17th to 20th, Weldon Railroad, June 21 and 22; skirmishing at Petersburg, June 23; at Deep Bottom, July 22 and Au- gust 17; the capture of the rebel picket line September 9; the skirmish at Poplar Grove church, October 7; Boydton plank road, October 27; raid on the Weldon Railroad, December 7. During the campaign of 1865 Mr. Hager was in the skirmish at Hatchie's Run, February 5, March 25 and 29, mak- ing two charges on the enemy's line and capturing the whole train April 6, 1865. He was in the skirmish near Farmville, Vir- ginia, April 7, and was present at the sur- render of Lee's army at Clover Hill, or Appomattox, April 9. He was several times struck by spent balls, which drew no blood, and was never confined in the hospital. When the war was over he returned to his father's home, July 17, 1865, having been honorably discharged on the iithof that month. For some time Mr. Hager remained on the home farm, and in Pennsylvania was married, September 6, 1866, to Miss Mary E. Crutchman, a daughter of Timothy and Maria (Leighty) Crutchman, who were na- tives of Pennsylvania and of German de- scent. In May, 1867, our subject's father died in his eighty-first year, and he and his brother Samuel purchased the old home- stead, where he remained for sixteen years. Loading his possessions on a railroad train, he then started for Nebraska, landing in York, December i, 1882, and after looking about for a suitable location for a new home, in February he purchased the northeast quarter of section 12, Henderson township, York county. He was joined by his family, March i, 1883, and has since made his home upon that place, devoting his entire time and attention to its improvement and cultivation with most gratifying success. To Mr. and Mrs. Hager were born four children, two of whom are still living: Henry N.; and Homer M., who married Miss Pearl E. Warren. Formerly the par- ents held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Charleston, but are un- able to attend services often, owing to the distance and ill health. Politically Mr. Hager is a pronounced Republican, and socially is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic. ANDREW O. SHOSTROM is the pro- prietor of one of the most attractive homesteads in Polk county, it being pleas- antly located on section 5, township 13, range 3. His comfortable residence is flanked by a good barn and the various other out-buildings required by the progress- ive agriculturist. As a tiller of the soil he is thorough and skillful, and has been uni- formly fortunate in his investments. Like many of the best citizens of this section of the state, Mr. Shostrom is a na- tive of Sweden, born at Hogobruk, June 6, 1846, and is a son of Olof and Anna Shostrom, both natives of Gestleborgslan, Sweden. The mother died in that country when our subject was only four years old, and a sister also departed this life there. There were only three children in the family, and the other son died in Illinois. Olof Shostrom was born January 11, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 945 1819, and in 1857 emigrated to America, settling at Oneida, Knox county, Illinois, on the 20th of October, that year. He was an iron worker in his native land, and that occupation he continued to follow for twenty-one years, working at the same in both Wataga and Altona, Illinois. Later he engaged in the manufacture of wagons at Kewanee, that state, and after coming to Nebraska, in 1872, gave his attention to farming and blacksmithing. His home- stead was the east half of the southwest quarter of section 32, township 14, range 3, Polk county, which he secured on first coming to the county, but in the fall of 1872 he returned to Illinois, and did not locate permanently here until the following spring. He was a member of the Lutheran church in that state, and wherever known was held in high regard. He died August II, 1887, while on a visit to Burlington, Iowa, but his remains w€re brought back and interred in the Swede Home cemetery. Prior to leaving Sweden, he was a second time married, and this wife died in 1865. The two children born of this union are also deceased. Andrew O. Shostrom was eleven years old when he came with the family to the new world. His education, which was be- gun in Sweden, was completed in the schools of Knox county, Illinois, and he grew to manhood in that state, devoting his time while not in school to assisting his father in the shop. Together they worked until the latter's death. When they came to Polk county, Nebraska, in 1872, our sub- ject secured the west half of the southwest quarter of the same section on which his father located, and to his homestead he brought his family in the spring of 1873. They were living in their little sod shanty during the frightful snow storm of April, that year, and the first season raised only a little sod corn. In 1874 they raised some wheat, but the grasshoppers destroyed the corn. Prosperity at length crowned their efforts, and Mr. Shostrom is now the owner of four hundred acres of valuable land, all under excellent cultivation with the excep- tion of one hundred and forty acres, it be- ing the work of his own hands. He raises a good grade of stock, and all the cereals adapted to this climate. In 1867 Mr. Shostrom married Miss Christina Ericson, also a native of Sweden, who came to America in 1854. Her father, Eric Ericson, also came to this country and lived for a time in Henry county, Illinois, but finally returned to Sweden, where his death occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Shostrom have a family of eight children: Eleanora C. , Louisa D., Estella C, Minnie J., Lillie A., Helen R. , Albin L. and Edwin A., all of whom have been educated in English schools, and Mr. Shostrom is now efficiently serving as treasurer of school district No. 51. He is identified with the Republican party. To the enterprises calculated for the general welfare of the people around him, he has ever been a cheerful and liberal contributor, and the community has no more public-spirited or enterprising citizen than he. RALPH W. STOWELL is a well-to-do and prominent agriculturist residing on section 26, Belle Prairie precinct, Fillmore county, Nebraska, one whose success has been by no means the result of fortunate circumstances. It has come through energy, labor and perseverance, directed by an evenly balanced mind and by honorable business principles. From early life he has made his own way in the world unaided. Mr. Stowell was born in New York, September 3, 1846, a son of Oliver and Mary (Sipes) Stowell. His father died in that state at the age of thirty-two, when our subject was but two years old, and later his mother married again. When seven 946 COMPENDIUM OF BTOGRAPHT. years old he removed with the family to Illinois, and in that state he was reared and educated. In 1862, although only sixteen years, of age, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, and was in the service for almost three years, or until the close of the war, being mustered out at Memphis. Tennessee, in June, 1865. He served in the western di- vision and participated in the siege of Vicks- burg and in many hotly contested engage- ments besides numerous skirmishes. Return- ing to his home in Illinois, he worked as a farm hand by the month for about three years, and then rented land, which he suc- cessfully operated for the same length of time. In February, 1872, Mr. Stowell was united in marriage with Miss Frances Wag- ner, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of Daniel and Lydia (Parmely) Wagner, who were both born in New York and at an early day migrated to Illinois, where they died, the former at the age of fifty-one the later at the age of seventy-six years, their remains being interred in the cemetery at Union Corners, near Momence, Illinois. Mrs. Stowell has one brother and two sis- ters still living, namely. Mary, Celestia and Albert. The children born to our subject and his wife are Mary L. , Albert C. and Clyde O. This is a happy family and a model home. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stowell came to^Fillmore county, Nebraska, and settled upon-their present homestead, being among the pioneers of this region. At first their nearest trading place was at Crete, about forty miles northeast of their farm, and they have watched with interest the changes that have taken place here and have been important factors in the develop- ment and progress. For some time they lived in a little frame house and their stock was sheltered in straw sheds, but as the years have passed they have continually prospered in their adopted state and are now the owners of a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres of the best land to be found in the county. Mr. Stowell has made a specialty of stock raising, though he began on a very limited scale, and is now extensively interested in the business. Mr. Stowell cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He was not of legal age for voting, but on ac- count of being in the Uunited States service and carrying a musket in the defense of his country, he was allowed to cast his ballot for "Honest Old Abe." He has since been true to the Republican party, and has most efficiently and satisfactorily filled a number of minor offices. He is a public- spirited, enterprising citizen, who com- mands the confidence and respect of all with whom he comes in contact either in business or social life, and he and his wife are held in high regard by their neighbors and many friends. DENNIS McCarthy is one of the worthy citizens that the Emerald Isle has furnished to York county. He is truly a self-made man and his career has been one of earnest, indefatigable labor, but his efforts have not been without their reward, which is seen in his fine farm of four hun- dred acres of the rich land of York county. He was born in Bantry, county Cork, Ire- land, February i, 1844, his parents being Dennis and Catharine (Collins) McCarthy. His father and mother could neither read nor write and spoke the old Irish tongue. Their son Dennis was four years old when the awful famine occurred in that land, and he remembers seeing a relative of his mother's come to their home. While crossing the yard he fell every few steps. The mother gave him a slice of oatmeal cake and he went away eating this, but was found a few days later in an old building ■COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 947 with a number of otlver dead bodies. Deaths were so frequent that coffins could not be procured and ihe poor were buried in sacks. After he had reached thfe age of ten years our sutoject attended school for two or three years during the summer months, but could not go in the winter on account of having insufficient clothing. He worked on their rented farm until after his father's death, when on6 morning the police and •the landlord came and turned the mother, with her seven children, out of doors be- cause she could not pay the rent. A friend however, gave her shelter in a poor little shanty, where she lived, supported by Dennis, who worked for the man who had befriended them. In the meantime two of his sisters had gone to America, and believ- ing that there was no chance for him in Ire- land, one foggy night Dennis left his home quietly, for he could not bear to say good- bye. He walked forty miles the first day to Cork, where he worked for nearly a month and then with his wages which had just been given him secured passage to Cardiff, Wales. He immediately went to Mertha Twidwell, where he was employed by a coal company for about si.x weeks; he then secured employment in a blast furnace and received better pay. After having worked two weeks he sent all the money he could spare to his mother, who was thus relieved of her anxiety as to his whereabouts, and of some of her financial troubles. An odd circumstance occurred in Cardiff. McCarthy had secured board there with a man who years before had borrowed money from his mother and never repaid it. This debt he was able to collect, and it proved of great assistance to his mother, who was very needy. On leaving Mertha Twidwell, Mr. McCar- thy went to Aberdare, where he worked in a stone quarry for si.x weeks, and then se- cured employment as a laborer in the coal 54 mines, being thus engaged for fifteen months- During that time he boarded with Mrs. Don- ovan and formed the acquaintance of hfer daughter, -by her first marriage, -Miss Phillis Gibbs. Six months later they were married by Rev. Father Marshall, on the 2ist of November, 1865, after which the young hus- band returned to visit his mother, and then- accompanied by his brother and sister sailed- from Queenstown for America, February i, 1866. They landed in New York after a- voyage of seventeen days, and in January following Mr. McCarthy sent for' and was joined by his bride. His brother; sister and himself worked for farmers near New York for eight months, and then the brothers se- cured work on the railroad, working for twenty-two years, in which time our subject only lost twenty days. After he had been in this country thirteen months, the children sent for their mother and the two sisters who had been left behind, and who arrived in this country- in'March, 1867. In May, 187.8, Mr. McCarthy, of this review, gave his money to a'friend to invest for him in Nebraska land, and -the northeast quarter of section 23, Brown tbwnship, was purchased, but hfe continued to -work on the railroad for three years longer. He then received a telegram from an old friend in Lincoln, Nebraska, to come west at once, as there was work awaiting him. This he did and on viewing his farm for the first time was so pleased with it that he sent word to his wife to sell their property in the east and come to York county. He built a house and other buildings with the money he had saved, and soon his family was estab- lished in their new home. He, however, continued his labors on the railroad, and as he was enabled to save part of his earnings- he invested the money in improvements on the farm, but it was not until 1890 that he put aside other cares in order to give his entire attention to the development and cul- tivation of his land. The same industry •948 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. which had marked his previous career char- acterized his agricultural pursuits. He now owns four hundred acres of land, much of which is under a high state of cultivation and the growing crops indicate his thrift and enterprise. This is now a valuable and de- sirable property and is the merited reward of his labors. To Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy were born ten children, all yet living, as follows: Den- nis}., Catharine A., Daniel D., Cornelius, Mary, John, Joseph, Michael T. , George E., Leo J. and Nora E. The eldest son was married April 28, 1897, to lola Taylor, daughter of Jesse P. Stevens, of Aspen, Colorado. Cornelius is now a member of 'Company I, First Regiment of Nebraska Volunteers in the war with Spain, and is loy- ally serving his country in the Phillipines. The parents and all their children are mem- bers of the Catholic church and Mr. Mc- Carthy belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is well content with his western home, and in his hope of bet- tering his financial condition in America he has not been disappointed. JEFFERSON COX, a prominent farmer of Seward county, Nebraska, living near Ruby, was born June 6, 1849, in the state oi Ohio. Our subject was the seventh in a family of ten children born to David and Rachel (Brown) Cox. Of these our subject and three brothers are living. David Cox was born in New Jersey and removed to Ohio at the age of eighteen years, and in the latter state his marriage occurred. Both parents died in Illinois about twenty-four years ago, the father at the age of seventy-four and the mother at the age of sixty years. They spent their lives on the farm. Jefferson was educated in Illinois, where his parents had removed when he was but one year old. He followed farming for sev- eral years in Illinois and in 1878 re- moved to Nebraska, arriving there October 8. He purchased a homestead in Seward county comprising eighty acres, for which he paid fifteen dollars per acre. He has since added one hundred and twenty acres, paying thirty dollars per acre. The first tract was entirely uncultivated when he purchased it. At the age of twenty-three Jefferson Cox married Miss Eliza B. Reeves in Illi- nois. To them were born two children, Mary Albina and Lydia E. Mrs. Cox lived but a few years. After her death he was subsequentl}' married to Miss M. E. Reeves. The children of this marriage were Charles W. and Lily May, both deceased. The family was again called to mourn a mother's death and her remains rest in Mount Pleas- ant cemetery, Seward county, Nebraska. Mr. Cox has since married a most es- timable lady, whose maiden name was Emma E. Hill. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Hill. Her father died in Pittsfield, Illinois, January 25, 1896, at the age of sixty-three years, leaving a widow and six children. Mrs. C. H. Hill, who was born in North Carolina, June 20, 1842, and was married at the age of eighteen, is now a resident of Seward county, having located there about one 3'ear ago, and pur- chased property in the city of Seward, where she makes her home. She is the mother of six children, of whom five are living. Mr. and Mrs. Cox are members of the United Brethren church. In political views he is a Republican, having cast his first vote for President Grant. On his arrival in Nebraska his worldly goods consisted of three horses and thirty dollars in money. He is now the owner of two hundred acres of fine land with sub- stantial improvements, besides a large amount of personal property. He is one of the substantial farmers of Seward coun- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 949 ty, and his accumulations have been made by honest toil. They have four children by his last mar- riage, Pearl E., Doras D., Earl C. and Altha J., all living. WILLIAM A. BIVENS.— Among the sturdy, energetic and successful farm- ers of Fillmore county, who thoroughly un- derstand the vocation which they follow, and consequenty are enabled to carry on that calling with profit to themselves, is the subject of this notice, who is actively en- gaged in agricultural pursuits on section i, Fairmont township. Mr. Bivens was born on the 30th of Oc- tober, 1836, near Mercersburg, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Jo- seph and Elizabeth (McKune) Bivens, also natives of that county, where the father after reaching man's estate engaged in busi- ness as a wagon maker until 1S60, when he removed to Warren county, Illinois. There he turned his attention to farming and con- tinued to make his home until called from this life, February 21, 1890, at the age of seventy-nine years. The mother died on the same farm October 23, 1895. Both were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and were held in high regard by all who had the pleasure of their acquaintance. In their family were nine children, three sons and six daughters, and of these two sons and one daughter are now residents of Fillmore county. Our subject's paternal grandfather, William Bivens, spent his entire life in Pennsylvania, as did also the maternal grandfather, Alexander Mc- Kune. During his early boyhood, William A. Bivens, of this review, pursued his studies in the public schools of his native state, and at the age of thirteen he learned the printer's trade, which he followed there for five years. In 1855 he went to Fulton county, Illinois, where he engaged in farm- ing for five years, and then removed to Warren county, the same state, where he continued to make his home until coming to Nebraska, in May, 1870. In the mean- time, however, he served for nearly three years in the Union army during the Civil war, enlisting in August, 1862, in Company K, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, which was as- signed to the Army of the Cumberland. He participated in the second battle at Corinth, Mississippi, in the fall of that year; was in the engagement at Hudson's Lane, in 1863; Coffeeville, Mississippi; Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee. The remainder of his service was devoted to skirmishing and hunting bushwhackers. Al- though he fortunately was never wounded, he once narrowly escaped death at Red- land, Tennessee, as a ball clipped the hair from his head and he was unconscious for some time afterward. He was honorably discharged at Decatur, Alabama, in July, 1865, and after being mustered out returned to his home in Illinois. As previously stated, Mr. Bivens came to Nebraska in May, 1870, at which time he took up a homestead on section 2, K pre- cinct, Seward county, which was all raw prairie, and after erecting a sod house, he commenced to break and improve his land. He continued to make his home in that county until the spring of 1883, when he sold his place and came to Fillmore county, and located in Fairmont township, which he has since successfully operated. In 1864, Mr. Bivens was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary Snyder, a native of Ohio, and a daughterof Hiram and Catherine (Doty) Snyder, who both died in Brown county, that state. Ten children have been born of this union, all of whom are still liv- ing, namely: Rony I.; Charles A.; Frank; Lewis; Fannie, wife of William V. Frazier; Josephine, wife of M. Witter; Edward; Frederick; Harry and Chester. In his so- 950 COMPEXDJUM OF BJOGRAPHT. cial relations, Mr. Bivens is a member of a member of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, and in poHtical sentiment is ah ardent Republican. He is well-known and highly respected by his neighbors and friends, who appreciate his sterling worth and many ex- cellencies of character. ALLEN VINCENT is classed among the most energetic and capable farmers of Savannah township, Butler county. His career has been marked throughout with persistent and faithful effort to advance his own interests and those for whom he worked, and he has been rewarded by the acquisi- tion of a good property and a high reputa- tion. His farm, on which he settled in 1872, is located on section 8, of the above named township. Mr. Vincent was born in Bedfordshire, England, March 18, 1834. the oldest son of James and Elizabeth Vincent, both of Bed- fordshire. The mother is still living and is eighty-five years of age. Our subject mi- grated from his native country to Onondaga county, New York, in 1856. and worked there for ten years. He was married in Syracuse, New York, in 1S60, to Miss Eliza Moore. She was born in county Cork, Ireland, in 1836, and her parents both were bom and died in Ireland. Upon migrating to America, she first located in Canada and lived there three years, and then moved to New York state, where she met Mr. Vincent. In 1863 Mr. Vincent moved from New York to Michigan, and settled on a farm in Hillsdale county. In the spring of 1872, the}' disposed of their interests in Michigan, and, with their eleven year old daughter, Delia, set out with a wagon and outfit for Nebraska, where they had heard of the ad- vantages which this state ofiered to enter- prising and thrifty agriculturists through friends who had returned to Michigan from that state and they decided to avail them- selves of these advantages. They crossed the river at Omaha, and camped over night in the bed of the river. When they arrived in Butler county, they found it a vast stretch of raw, unsettled prairie, and his first home there was a sod house, which, although it had a broad roof, its walls were four feet in thickness and was plastered on the inside, and was quite comfortable. This structure, however, soon gave place to a much more cosy and attractive home, in fact, one of the most comfortable and modernly con- structed in the neighborhood. The original homestead, which was a little less than eighty acres, has been increased to about two hunered acres. Mr. and Mrs. Vincent both came to America with no capital whatever, and hav- ing no one to lean upon, the success which has crowned their efforts has been brought about as the direct result of their own inde- pendent endeavor. Their lines have not always fallen in pleasant places and they have often met with discouragements suffi- cient to daunt the spirit of almost any young couple, but courage and fortitude were dominant traits in their characters and they always arose equal to every emergency. Mr. and Mrs. Vincent are both members of the Episcopal church. Although taking no active part in political affairs, our subject is a stanch supporter of the free-silver doctrine. Mr. Vincent has one brother living in Col- fax county, Nebraska. JOHN S. DILLENBECK, one of the most enterprising, progressive and reli- able citizens of P precinct, Seward county, was born on the 19th of January, 1841, in Jefferson county. New York, and is a son of John and Maria (Lintner) Dillenbeck, also natives of the Empire state, where they spent "their entire lives, the former dying at the age of eighty-four years, the latter at the age of forty-three. Our subject is the COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 951 fourth in order of birth in their familj' of eight children, of whom only four are now living. His maternal grandfather, John Lintner, had a narrow escape from the In- dians when a babe of two years, and his great-grandfather, George Lintner, shoul- dered a musket and fought for the independ- ence of the colonies as a soldier of the Revolutionary war. The ancestors of our subject were from Germany, and he is able to understand their language but cannot speak it. During his boyhood and youth Mr. Dil- lenbeck attended the common schools of New York, and at the age of twenty years entered the service of his country, enlisting as a private in Company C, Twentieth New York Volunteer Cavalry, under Col. X. B. Lord. He took an active part in the en- gagements at Spring Hill, Virginia, Black- water and Suffolk, and was in the service for one year, nine months and twenty-one days, being honorably discharged at the close of the war with the rank of captain, won by meritorious conduct on field of bat- tle. Soon after his return home he decided to seek his fortune in the gold fields of California, and taking the Nicaragua route passed through Yucatan, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, New Granada and Mexico, and on his return to New York gained by investi- gation a thorough knowledge of the West Indies. At the age of twenty-six Mr. Dillenbeck %vas united in marriage with Miss Lizzie Gates, a native of Massachusetts, who was then nineteen, the ceremony being per- formed at Easton, New York. She is a lady of culture and refinement, who was educa- ted in the high schools of Charleston, Massachusetts, and successfully engaged in teaching in \'ermont and New York. , Her ancestors were passengers on the famous Mayflower which landed the Pilgrims on Plymouth Rock in 1620. Her parents were Winthrop and Lydia N. (\\'jman) Gates, na- tives of Maine and Massachusetts, respect- ivel}'. They were married in the old Bay state, where they continued to reside for some years and then removed to New York, where the father died at the age of seventy- two years, leaving five children besides the widow, who is still living in New York at the ripe old age of eighty-two years. In the family were originally eight children, of whom Mrs. Dillenbeck is the fourth in order of birth. B\' her marriage to our subject she has become the mother of seven chil- dren, of whom four are now living: John Winthrop, who married Alice Sanders and lives on a farm in Seward county, Nebras- ka; Lydia M., who was principally educated in the Milford high school, and has been a most popular and successful teacher since fourteen years of age; and Wilford and Maude E., who are at home and are still at- tending school. For four years Mr. Dillenbeck engaged in the general mercantile business in New York state, and at the age of thirty-two was elected sheriff of Saratoga county, for a term of four years, and most creditably filled that office. At the age of thirty-eight he emigrated to Seward county, Nebraska, with his family, consisting of wife and two children, and located a homestead of eighty acres in P precinct, it being the last to be had in the county. He at once began its improve- ment and development. The land was very rough for this section, but he had had experi- ence in mining in California, and believed his land contained mineral ore of value, which has proved to be the case, as gold, silver, iron and copper have been found. The first assays were made September 5, 1895, at which time a company was formed, known as the Middle Creek Mining Com- pany, but owing to a disagreement among the members it was soon disbanded and nothing was accomplished. A friend and Mr. Dillenbeck then advanced six hundred dollars each but made little progress 952 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. toward the erection of a plant. Finally a syndicate was formed, a sluice made and a smelter put in operation, but this proved only partially successful. The vein of ore is only four feet below the surface and ex- tends down to the depth of fifty feet all over Mr. Dillenbeck's eighty-acre farm, and contains an average of eight dollars to the ton of gold, silver, iron and copper. As soon as he is able to get the proper machin- ery, for he has had to work alone and al- most empty-handed, he believes he will be able to make a fortune from his land. One difficulty has been to get a smelter that will properly extract the different minerals from the soil without wasting too much of the precious metals, but he now thinks that he has completed the proper process and plan for operation. Mrs. Dillenbeck has ever taken an active interest in these prepara- tions, is herself a geologist, and with her husband owns several rich mines in Arkan- sas, where he is now working in connection with four companions, who have formed a corporation representing five hundred thou- sand dollars. Besides this valuable prop- erty, Mr. and Mrs. Dillenbeck own four hundred acres of land in this state, much of which is underlaid with rich mineral de- posits, and the prosperity that has crowned their efforts has been due entirely to their own enterprise, perseverance and good management. They are pleasant, genial people, who make many friends, and their hospitable home is ever open to their large circle of acquaintances. GEORGE COON.— The man who was content to go through the Civil war as a "high" private, doing his duty nobly and unflinchingly on the field of battle or in the camp, is to-day one of the leading citizens of Belle Prairie township, Fillmore county, Nebraska, being successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 6. He was born in Lee county, Illinois, in 1844, a-nd is a son of John and Louisa (Shaw) Coon, na- tives of Indiana. The father died in Clinton county, Iowa, at the age of forty-one years, leaving a widow and eight children. Seven children are still living, namely: George, our subject; Henry, a professor in the Na- tional Business college of Kansas City; John, a cook employed in Kansas City; Levi; Ellen; Sarah and Emily. The subject of this review received only a common-school education. At the early age at seventeen years he offered his services to the government to fight for the preser- vation of the Union, enlisting in 1861, in Company F, Sixteenth Iowa Volunteer In- fantry. He was sworn into the United States service at St. Louis in 1862, and participated in a number of important en- gagements, including the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, luka, Champion Hill, Vicksburg and Black River Bridge. Dur- the last-named engagement he helped to burn the bridge. At Atlanta, Georgia, he was captured after he and his comrades had used up sixty rounds of cartridges and made three empty charges. They were at length overpowered and taken pfisoners. The battle ground was so strewn with dead and wounded that it was almost impossible to pass along. This was during the siege of At- lanta, July 22, 1864, and Mr. Coon was not released until April i, 1865, when he was exchanged. He was incarcerated in Ander- sonville prison, where he suffered untold hardships, being almost starved to death. His weight was reduced from one hundred and fifty to ninety pounds. After his ex- change he returned home on a furlough as soon as his health would permit, and at the close of the war was honorably discharged. For some years Mr. Coon made his home in Wheatland, Iowa, where he was married in 1868, to Miss Madora Barber, a daughter of Luman and Susan (Alford) Barber. The mother died at the age of twenty-five years. COMPENBICrM OF BIOGRAPHT. 953 leaving a husband and four children to mourn her untimely death. The father subsequently married Miss Anna Shiffer, by whom he had ten children. He is still liv- ing in Custer county, Nebraska, at the age of seventy-five years, and enjoys good health. Mr. and Mrs. Coon have a family of ten children, all living, namely: Will- iam, John, Bessie, Samuel, Eugene, Marion, Raymond, Charles, Arthur and Mabel. The youngest three and daughter are still at home. In iS/t, Mr. Coon brought his family to Fillmore county, Nebraska, and in Belle Prairie precinct he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he has since continued to reside, devoting his time and attention to its improvement and cultivation. On his arrival here he had but twelve dollars in money and a team of horses, and for the first five or six years the family lived principally on corn and the vegetables grown in their own garden, and they experienced all the other hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. Their nearest mill was at Pleasant Hill and they went to Beatrice for their groceries. The sod house, which was their home for eleven years, has since given place to a comfort- able frame residence, supplied with all the comforts of life, and the wild land has been converted into well cultivated fields by the industry, perseverance and good manage- ment of our subject. He now receives a pension from the government, to which he is justly entitled, as his health is greatly im- paired, the result of his army life and his imprisonment at Andersonville. Since cast- ing his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln, he has been unswerving in his sup- port of the men and measures of the Re- publican party, and he always faithfully and conscientiously discharges his duties of citi- zenship. He is highly respected by all who know him and has many friends in his adopted county. PETER DOYLE has been a resident of Bradshaw township, York county, for some sixteen years, and in that time he has proved himself a bright and progressive farmer, reaping substantial results from hard work and capable management. He is now about forty years old and is among the leading citizens of the county. He be- longs to an old Irish family, which has con- tributed strong men to Ireland in former generations, and he himself is not an un- worthy representative of a virile race. Peter Doyle was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, December 15, 1857. His father, Peter Doyle, was born in county Westford, Ireland, and was a contractor and employer of labor in the old country. He left Ireland and came to America about 1850, and landed in New York. For a year or more he was alone in this country, but his wife came over and then life resumed its wonted comfort. He spent several years in boating on the Mississippi river, part of the time in charge of a dredging boat at New Orleans. He went from the southern city to Sangamon county, Illinois, and en- gaged in farming in that and Logan county, where he died in 1856, at the age of forty- two. A sketch of his wife appears else- where under the name of Mrs. Mary Haney. Peter Doyle, the subject of this article, when he was eighteen years old, left the parental roof, and started out to fight the battle of life for himself. His step-father gave him a mule, and with this as his en- tire capital he rented land, and by hard labor and good management forced the soil to yield him a generous award each year. He took his money that he saved during six years of this arduous labor, and came to this county in the fall of 1881, and found eighty acres in Bradshaw township that pleased his critical eye. He bought the tract, taking a bond for a deed. He re- turned to Illinois, and was married to Miss Anne Kelly, February 8, 1882. She is a 954 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. daughter of John and Alice ('Fagan) Kelly. Her parents were married in Hancock coun- ty, Illinois, in 1857. Her father and grand- father came from Limerick, Ireland. In this country they were tillers of the soil, which was probably their occupation in the old Irish home. The young couple came directly to their Nebraska home, and arrived on the new farm March 3, 1882, where they have re- sided to the present time. They had only thirty acres broken, and not a tree growing. In the fall of 1889 they had finished paying for their land, and felt free to purchase a second eighty acres, which has rounded out their place into a quarter section of fine farming land. They are the parents of six chil- dren: Mary, William, Patrick, James, Katie, and John. They are in full connection with the Catholic church at York, and are de- vout believers in the apostolic way of salva- tion. He is a member of the Ancient Or- der of United Workmen. He is a silver Democrat, and is a man of character and standing at home. PHILIP SMITH, the efficient and popu- lar postmaster of Bellwood, has since the spring of 1872 been prominently iden- tified with the agricultural interests of But- ler county, locating at that time on section 4, Savannah township. From his old home in Wisconsin he made the journey by team, and as one of the pioneers of this region he took an active part in the development and prosperity of the county. Mr. Smith is a native of Cook county, Illinois, born January 11, 1845, where Bar- ington Station is now located, and there he made his home until ten years of age. The Smiths were of Pennsylvania Dutch stock, and the grandfather of our subject was a farmer by occupation. Martin Smith, our subject's father, settled in Cook county, Illi- nois, about 1842, having removed to that state from New York, where he was born and reared. He married Adaline Drake, a daughter of Otis Drake, who belonged to an old "Yankee" family. About 1852 our subject's parents, with their children, re- moved to Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, locating upon a farm, where Philip grew to manhood. Desirous of striking a blow in defense of his country, he enlisted in 1864, at the age of nineteen years, in Company D, Forty-fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and with his regiment participated in the battle of Nashville. The war having ended he returned to Prairie du Chien, Wiscon- sin, where he was honorably discharged in 1865. From that time until 1871 he spent in traveling over Missouri, Illinois and Wis- consin, in search of a desirable location. In the spring of 1S71, in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Smith and Miss Sarah Gardner, a daughter of Benjamin Gardner. One son blessed this union: Benjamin, who was born in Wisconsin and is now living in Bell- wood, Nebraska. The wife and mother de- parted this life in Butler county, in 1877. Mr. Smith was again married, in July, 1882, his second union being with Miss Mary E. Buffalo, formerly of Indiana, and a daugh- ter of Bryant Buffalo. To them have been born seven children, three sons and four daughters, namely: Etta May, Mabel Eliz- abeth, Philip, Dayton J., Anna Marie, Charles and Mary Evaline. Until appointed postmaster of Bellwood, Mr. Smith gave his entire time and atten- tion to farming and stock-raising after com- ing to Butler county, and in the latter branch of his business has been remarkably successfully. He is a wide-awake, pro- gressive business man of known reliabillity, and is therefore justly deserving the pros- perity that has come to him through honest toil. Since attaining his majority he has given an unwavering support to the Repub- lican party, has taken quite an active inter- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 955 est in its welfare and done all in his- power to insure its success. For five terms he served as assessor of his township, and has also creditably filled tne offices of justice of the peace and constable. He has also taken an active part in county and state conventions, being the nominating delegate to the last state convention of his party. In December, 1S97, he was appointed post- master of Bellwood and the prompt and able manner in which he is discharging the duties of that position wins the commenda- tion of all concerned. Socially he is connect- ed with the Ancient Order of United Work- men, and religiously is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Also a mem- ber of C. R. Lowell Post, G. A. R.,No. 83. LEANDER S. CALLAGHAN. — This name will be readily recognized by the citizens of the vicinity of Germantown, Seward county, as one of the most popular and influantial citizens of H precinct, which has been his home for many years. Mr. Callaghan is of Irish descent, Dublin, Ire- land, being the birthplace of his grand- father, Patrick. Callaghan. The latter was reared in the land of his nativity and was there married. He subsequently migrated to America, locating in Schenectedy, New York, with his family which consisted of two sons and three daughters, of whom our subject's father, James Callaghan, was the second son. James Callaghan, being desir- ous to try the life of a seaman, determined to do so in spite of his father's objections, and the father afterward bound him on a man-of-war and he was there educated and there he reached the age of thirty-five years. He then returned to Schenectady and was there married to Miss Lucy Jen- nings, and followed the vocation of farm- ing during the greater part of the remaining years of his life. Later in life he moved to Allegany county, and for eight years he filled the position of foreman. He died at the age of eighty-nine years, after a sick- ness of only two hours, but his wife attained the age of ninety-eight years. Our subject was born in Tompkins county, New York, October 7, 1838, and was educated in the common schools of ■Wellsville, of that county, and in the even- ing select schools, which he attended while learning the trade of a millwright. After serving an apprenticeship of eight and a half years in this line of work, he took charge of the machinery at Wellsville. Dur- ing this time, or on September 24, i860, he was united in marriage to. Miss Annie M. Smith. In the following September he en- listed and an outline of that part of his life that was spent in the Civil war will appear later in this article. After the close of hostilities, the state of Mr. Callaghan's health was such that he was unable to en- gage in any kind of labor for about three years. He next moved to Laporte, Indiana, and ;on January 13, 1867, he entered the employ of the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana Railroad Company in that city, as a carver in their wood-shop. Here he worked until the fall of 1871, when he was employed by the Hannibal & St. Joe Company, in their shops and also as engin- eer of a locomotive. Owing to the sickness of his wife, he resigned this position in the spring of 1872 and moved to Plattsmouth at the time the B. h, M. railroad started in Nebraska, and was employed by that com- pany both as a carver of wood in the engine department and as engineer on the road. In 1873, when the road was completed as far as Kearney, he was sent to Lincoln and there served as master mechanic until 1875. Mr. Callaghan then moved with his family to Seward county, Nebraska, and located on a homestead in H precinct and made that his home for. nine years, or until he secured' a clear title to the property. He next moved to the town of Germantown and 956 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. has since devoted his attention to contract- ing and building. He has performed the duties of the office of justice of the peace for nine years in succession, that of notary public for six years, and in March, 1898, he became postmaster at Germantown. In politics he is a stanch Republican, having cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln. Mrs. Callaghan is of Irish descent, her great-grandparents having been natives of that country. Tfiey moved from thence to Newburg, New York, where Mrs. Calla- ghan's grandfather, Leonard Smith, was born. The latter married Miss Emma Trimmer and to them were born seven sons and one daughter. Of this family, Henry Smith was born March 7, 1S13, and died March 30, 1870. He was united in mar- riage on November 6, 1834, to Miss Mary Smith, and of their family of nine children, four are still living, of whom Mrs. Calla- ghan is the youngest. Mr. and Mrs. Calla- ghan have one daughter, Mary, wife of Ly- man Smith. Leander S. Callaghan enlisted early in 1861, in response to the first call for volun- teers, and was sent to Virginia in April of the same year. At the completion of the three months, for which he first enlisted, he re-enlisted for nine months. After this term expired, he enlisted in the renowned One Hundred and Thirtieth New York Volun- teers. This regiment arrived on the thir- teenth of September at Suffolk, Virginia, where a large number of newly organized regiments were sent. Here they camped in the immediate vicinity of a swamp, which caused a great deal of sickness and consid- erable death from malaria. They were nevertheless rapidly perfected in military dicipline, made several reconnoissances and earthworks were thrown up around Su- folk that that city might be made a base of supplies for future operations. While still at this city, on August 14, 1862, our subject was appointed first sergeant of Com- pany E, of the One Hundred and Thirtieth New York, which was but a beginning of the line of promotions he received during the war. On December 4, 1862, he became second lieutenant, and first lieutenant June 15, 1863. September 15, of that year, he was transferred to the first New York Dra- goons, and finally received a captain's com- mission February 9, 1865, and was dis- charged July 18, 1865. It chanced to be Mr. Callaghan's lot to participate in an unusually large number of hotly contested engagements of the war. The principals ones with which he was con- nected are as follows: Deserted House, Virginia, January 30, 1863; Siege of Suf- folk, Virginia, April 11 to May 3, 1863; South Quay, Virginia, June 12, 1863; Franklin, Virginia, June 13, 1863; Balti- more Cross Roads, Virginia, July 4, 1863; Manassas Plains, Virginia, October 17,1863; Culpeper Court House, Virginia, November 20, 1S63; Stannardville, Virginia, Febru- ary 23, 1864; Todds Tavern, Virginia, May 7, 1864; Spottsylvania, Virginia, May 8, 1864; Andersons Ridge, Virginia, May 10, 1864; Yellow Tavern, Virginia, May 11, 1864; Meadow Bridge, Virginia, May 12, 1864; Mechanicsville, Virginia, May 12, 1864; Howes Shop, Virginia, May 28, 1864; Old Church, Virginia, May 30, 1864; Cold Harbor, Virginia, May 31 and June i, 1864; Trevillian Station, Virginia, June 11 and 12, 1864; Darby Town, Virginia, July 27 and 28, 1864; White Post, Virginia, August 10, 1864; Newtown, Virginia, August 11, 1864; Kearneysville, Virginia, August 25, 1864; Shepardstown, Virginia, August 25, 1864; Smithfield, Virginia, August 28-29, 1864: Opequan Mills, Virginia, September 19, 1864; Winchester, Virginia, September 19, 1864; Mount Jackson, Virginia, September 23, 1864; New Market, Virginia, September 25, 1864; Port Republic, Virginia, Septem- ber 26, 1864; Cross Keyes, Virginia, Sep- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 957 tember 28, 1864; Tomms Brook, Virginia, October 8, 1864; Woodstock Races, Vir- ginia, October 9, 1864; Strasburg, Virginia, October 14, 1864; Cedar Creek, Virginia, October 19, 1864; Newtown, Virginia, No- vember 12, 1864; Bloomfield, Virginia, No- vember 29, 1864; Liberty Mills, Virginia, December 22, 1864; Gordonsville, Virginia, December 23, 1864; Dinwiddie Court House, Virginia, March 21, 1865; Five Forks, Virginia, April i, 1865; Souther- land Station, Virginia, April 2, 1865; Amelia Court House, Virginia, April 4, 1865; Sail- ors Creek, Virginia, April 6, 1865; Appo- mattox Station, Virginia, April 8, 1865; Appomattox Court House (Lee's Surren- der), April 9, 1865. Mr. Callaghan was also at the head of his regiment on de- tached service in the battle of Gettysburg, and participated in all of the Bull Run en- gagements. Mr. Callaghan can look back over an honorable military career spent in trying to defend the Union. Both as a private sol- dier and as an officer he was always true to his country and to the cause it was strug- gling to maintain. During those times he was a brave and true soldier and served his country well and faithfully, so to-day he is a true and faithful citizen and one of the most influential and exemplary men in the community in which he lives. Mr. Cal- laghan can still vividly picture and accur- ately describe many of his experiences while in the service. WILLIAM McCURDY.— Nebraska and its destinies are in the hands of young men, and among the young men of Fillmore county few possess that high de- gree of business ability and genuine integ- rity that are the leading characteristics of the gentleman whose name heads this arti- cle. His home is on section 24, Franklin township, near the village of Tobias. Mr. McCurdy was born in Iowa, Novem- ber 12, 1 87 1. His parents were Lewis Cass and Mary Wilson McCurdy. His father purchased for one thousand and three hundred dollars, one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved lands in Frank- lin township, Fillmore county, Nebraska and in October, 1880, moved with his family to the new home. They over- came the disadvantages of early Nebraska life, and soon changed the unimproved land into one of the best improved farms in that portion of the country. Their industry and skillful management placed them in a posi- tion to purchase additional land, and they were soon in possession of three hundred and sixty acres, comprising one of the finest tracts to be found in the locality. They had an attractive home, surrounded by all the conveniences that go to make farm life agreeable. Here the father, Lewis Cass McCurdy, died December 24, 1894. His remains rest in Pleasant Ridge cemetery, Franklin township, together with the re- mains of his son Henry, who died at the age of nineteen. Mr. McCurdy was a devoted and loving husband and father, a loyal citi- zen and highly respected by the entire com- munity. The daughter, Mrs. Effie Ains- worth, is now living in Tobias, Nebraska. The mother also lives in retirement in the same town with her daughter. William McCurdy grew to manhood in his Nebraska home. In 1893 he was mar- ried to Miss Lottie L. Stainbrook, daughter of Marcus and Julia Stainbrook, natives of Pennsylvania. Her parents moved to Illi- nois, and later removed to Jefferson county, Nebraska, where they entered a homestead claim, and where they are still living. They have a comfortable home, and have pros- pered in their adopted state. Mrs. Mc- Curdy was born in Jefferson, Nebraska, October 21, 1874. She received a liberal education in her native state, and is a lady of high attainments. She has one brother. ^58 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. Clarence, and one sister, Myrtle. To Mr. and Mrs. McCurdy three children have been born: Bessie, Eva, and Clarence Guy. Mr. and Mrs. McCurdy are living on their highly improved farm, surrounded by conveniences rarely found in rural homes, and with their interesting children, form a pleasant family circle. Mrs. McCurdy's pleasing manner has gained her many friends. Mr. McCurdy is a man of great natural ability, energy, and genuine integ- rity. He is an influential citizen, and destined to become a leader. In political views he is a Democrat. HENRY RHOADS.— Among the sub- stantial and enterprising agriculturists of York county, whose names are scattered through the pages of this volume none are more worthy of mention than the gentle- man whose name heads this brief biograph- ical notice. A native of New York, he was born in Chenango county, August 29, 1840, and is a son of Andrew and Almira (Coats) Rhoads, also natives of the Empire state, the former born in 181 5, the latter in 181 1. The paternal grandparents of our subject were of German birth and at an early day came to this country, while the maternal grandparents were pioneer settlers of Maine, from which state they afterward moved to New York. Our subject's parents were married in 1837, and when he was about six years old they removed, with the, pater- nal grandfather, to De Kalb county, Illinois, where the father engaged in farming until his death, which occurred April 14, 1,880. In De Kalb county, Henry Rhoads grew to manhood, and at the age of twenty-one years, he enlisted on the 15th of September, 1 86 1, in Company C, Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was honorably dis- charged December 25, 1863, and with the whole regiment re-enlisted at Pulaski, Ten- nessee, as a veteran volunteer, being finally discharged July 5, 1865, as hostilities had ceased and his services were no longer needed. He participated in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth and others; was with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea, and was in all the engagements on the way. Although his service was ar- duous, he was fortunately never wounded, nor was ever confined in the hospital on ac- count of sickness. Returning to his home in De Kalb coun- ty, Illinois, Mr. Rhoads was there married, July 3, 1869, to Miss Hilah Hasbrouck, by whom he has thirteen children, all still liv- ing: Mary A., Albert and Alfred (twins), Lorena H., Anna G., Ada S., Garfield H., OrenE., Irvin L., LeeO., Stella O., Delia A. and Ernest A. In the fall of 1870 Mr. Rhoads brought his family to York county, Nebraska, where he secured a homestead claim, and at once set to work to improve his farm which, to- day is one of the most highly cultivated and desirable places of .the locality. Since at- taining his majority he has been a pro- nounced Republican in politics, but aside from voting he takes no active part in politi- cal affairs, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business interests. His farm consists of two hundred and forty acres of rich and arable land, on which is a good bearing orchard and a' substantial residence and barn. Socially he is a member of No- ble Grave Post, G. A. R. , of Bradshaw, while his wife is identified with tlie Home Forum, and is consistent member of the United Brethren church. They have found a pleasant home in York county, and are surrounded by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. WILLIAM H. GARRISON, one of the early pioneers and self-made men of Fillmore county, Nebraska, located on sec- tion 28, Franklin township, where he now COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY 959 resides, in 1871. He came to this state in limited circumstances, aud by the exercise of his resolute will and persevering industry, has built up one the most creditable home- steads in his township. He took up one hundred and sixty acres of land over which the plowshare had never passed, and in due time effected the improvements necessary to complete the country home, and which now forms one of the pleasing features in the landscape of that section. His straightfor- ward methods of doing business and his value as a member of the community, have gained for him a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, who have watched his career with interest and are not slow to acknowl- edge that he is deserving of all the good that has fallen to him. Mr. Garrison was born in Lee county, Illinois, Janiiary 20, 1847, a son of William and Amelia (Omen) Garrison, who were born, reared and married in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, whence they emigrated to Lee county, Illinois. There the father fol- lowed farming for some years, but spent his last days in retirement from active labor, near Dixon, Illinois, where both he and his wife died and were buried. In their family were nine children, seven of whom are still living: George L., a Methodist Episcopal minister of Iowa; Mrs. Hannah Girton, a resident of Carthage, Missouri; Mrs. Martha J. Cooper, who lives near Carthage; Mrs. E. E. Riddelsbarger, of near Bellville, Kan- sas; Peter, of Azusa, California; Harriet E. , a physician of Dixon, Illinois, and William H., our subject. William H. Garrison was educated in the common schools and the Mt. Morris Seminary, of Mt. Morris, Illinois. In Sep- tember, 1864, when only seventeen years of age, he enlisted in Company F, First Illinois Light Artillery, and his battery was engaged in several hotly contested battles, including that of Nashville, Tennessee. The war being over and his services no longer needed, he was mustered out July 26, 1865, and returned to his home in Illi- nois. Later he was married in that state to Miss Emmogene V. Simmons, a resident of Franklin Grove, Illinois, and in 1871 they came to Fillmore county, Nebraska, taking up the horriestead previously men- tioned. Their first home here was a dug- out and for two years they lived in a sod house, but it has since been replaced by a good frame residence. Mr. Garrison had to go to Crfete for his lumber and groceries, and he was 'the first to raise a crop of grain west of Little Sandy creek, so thinly settled was this region at that time. His educa- tion was here put to practical use, as for a number of terms he successfully engaged in teaching school in his district and has since served almost contmuously as a school di- rector. He was one of the first teachers in the township. Mrs. Garrison died December 24, 1S74, leaving a husband and two children, Emmo- gene V. and William L. , to mourn her loss^ and her remains were interred in Franklin Union cemetery, which is located on the southwest corner of our subject's homestead and is known as the Franklin Union ceme- tery. It is the first" known cemetery in the township. Mr. Garrison was again mar- ried, in 1877, his second union being with Miss Sarah E. Appleford, who was born in Ontario, Canada, Jul} 13, 1856, a daughter of John G. and Mary (Colver) Appleford. The mother died in that country and the father later came to Nebraska, locating near Bruning, where he is now living retired at the age of seventy years. To them were born five children, two of whom are still living, George S. and Sarah E. Mr. and Mrs. Garrison have become the parents of the following children: Jennie E., Frank- lin F., Florence A., Clara J., Mary A., El- mer R. , and John G. Mr. Garrison has made farming and stock raising his principal occupation «60 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. throughout life, and has prospered in his undertakings, being now the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred and eighty acres under a high state of cultivation and well improved. He has thirty head of cat- tle and one hundred head of hogs and twelve horses. He is a member of the Farmers Elevator & Creamery Association, and gives his support to all enterprises which he believes calculated to prove of public benefit. His political support is al- ways given the Republican party, and he cast his first presidential vote for U. S. Grant. His fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability have often called upon him to serve in public positions of honor and trust. He has served as a member of the board of supervisors of the county for three years, and as assessor for two terms. Socially he is quite prominent, and is an honored member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern Woodmen of America, and of the Grand Army of the Re- public. One of his first political efforts in Fillmore county was in the election held to organize the township and select its name, Mr. Garrison suggested Franklin, others in the meeting suggested Germantown. The vote was running so close that Mr. Garri- son took his team and went and brought other voters not present at the meeting, thus winning for the name of Franklin by one majority. JOHN SCHMIDT, a prosperous and suc- cessful farmer residing on section 5, Stanton township, Fillmore county, was born in Germany, November 15, 1840. He was the only son of Philip and Susan (Grebs) Schmidt, and when he was only nineteen months old, his mother died. He was reared and educated in Germany, at- tending the German schools until he was sixteen years of age, and then learned the cooper trade. He worked at this trade in his mother country until he was twenty- three years of age, when he determined that he could better his condition in the new world, and accordingly, in June of his twenty-third year, he sailed from Weinoll- sheim, in the Liberty, a vessel fitted with sails, and after a rough and stormy voyage lasting for thirty-three days, he finally landed in New York harbor. Immediately after his arrival in New York he started for Buf- falo, where he secured a position at his trade, and after a short stay in that city he went to Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and from there he went to Pittsburg, and then to Chicago, where he worked one year. From there he went to Milwaukee, and after working there for seven months, went to visit his father who was living in Canada. He only remained at home two months, however, when the roving desire came upon him, and he went to Titusville, Pennsylva- nia, and to various other eastern cities, working in Pittsburg two years, Cleveland, Ohio, three years, but on account of the low wages and lack of employment he went to Sterling, Illinois, and secured a position in the distillery, working in that one place for nine years. While he was living in Sterling he was married, on January 3, 1871, to Miss Bar- bara Meon, who was the daughter of Law- rence and Elizabeth (Vock) Meon. Her parents were born in Germany and have always lived there. To their marriage were born five children, of which number Bar- bara was the eldest, and she and her sister Mary were the only ones who ever came to America. Our subject and his wife lived in Sterling for about fifteen years, and see- ing the advantages offered in the west, came to Nebraska and purchased eighty acres of land, paying seven dollars per acre for it. This farm is still their home, but it has been wonderfully improved, all accomplished by the industry and perseverance of Mr. Schmidt and his family. To their marriage have COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 961 been born eleven children, nine of whom are still living: Barbara, John, Anna, Lena, who died at eight years of age and was buried in the Catholic cemetery at Sterling, Lizzie, Emma, Caroline, Carl, Al- bert, who died at the age of eight months and is buried in Turkey Creek cemetery, May and Lula. All the children are living in Nebraska with the exception of one daughter, Anna. Mr. Schmidt is a mem- ber of the Catholic church, and he is hon- ored and respected by all who know him. MILTON M. WILDMAN, county judge of York county, Nebraska, was born in Piatt county, Illinois, October 25, 1856, a son of Thomas and Mary J. (Longnecker) Wildman, the former a native of New York and the latter of Kentucky. The father was a farmer and carpenter by occupation, and died in Illinois. Mr. Wildman received his preliminary education in the common schools of Illinois and afterward engaged in teaching in that state until 1882, when he went to York, Nebraska, and there taught school and worked at farming for a time. In 1885 he began the study of law and was admitted to the bar as a practitioner in 1 887. The same year he entered the law school at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and graduated from same in 1888. He then located at York, and began the practice of his profession which he continued with increasing popularity until 1893, when he was elected county judge, which office he still holds, being re-elected in 1897. He has also performed the duties of the offices of city clerk and justice of the peace. March 20, 1 88 1 , Mr. Wildman was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. Valentine, a native of Ohio, and to this union have been born four children, all of whom are living and upon whom they have bestowed the following names: Holland R., Blaine C, Ethel L. and Pearl E. The Judge is a member of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica and also of the Royal Highlanders. Po- litically, he affiliates with the Republican party, and in all public matters he is, and has always been, one of the leaders, and his name is indissoluby associated with the his- tory of the growth and development, and also the political history, of York county. He is interested in everything that has a tendency to promote the public good, and has contributed liberally of his means to all worthy enterprises. He is thoroughly Amer- ican in his views, being in close sympathy with American methods and institutions. He possesses keen perceptions and is a close observer of all that is going on. THOMAS NELSON HOLDERNESS, one of the present county commission- ers of Butler county, and a representative business man of Rising City, is distinctively a man of affairs and one who has wielded a wide influence. A strong mentality and in- vincible courage, a most determined individ- uality have so entered into his make-up as to render him a natural leader of men and a director of opinion. Since the fall of 1875 he has been a resident of the county, and is now serving his fourth term as a commissioner, a fact which plainly indicates his popularity and the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellow citizens. Mr. Holderness was born in Canada West, April 8, 1849, a son of Joseph Hol- derness, a native of England, whence he emigrated to Canada when a young man. There he married Elizabeth Drew, a daugh- ter of Elisha Drew, who was of Scotch descent. Our subject is the youngest of the six sons born of this union, of whom three came to Nebraska, the others being Elisha and Isaiah. In 1850 during the in- fancy of T. N. Holderness, the family re- moved from Canada to De Kalb county, Illinois, where he grew to manhood upon a 962 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHV. farm, early becoming familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agricultur- ist, while his education was obtained in the common schools. In 1875 Mr. Holderness came to Butler county, Nebraska, to visit a brcJther and decided to locate here. He engaged in buying and shipping horses until 1882, since which time he has been interested in a number of business enterprises, principally in farming and real estate dealing. He is still the owner of a large and valuable farm in Reading township, Butler county, and his home in the south part of Rising City is one of the pleasantest places in the village. There hospitality reigns supreme, the many friends of the family always being sure of a hearty welcome, Mr. Holderness was mar- ried on the 3 1st of December, 1885, to Miss Ida Doty, a daughter of Gillis Doty, of But- ler county. Two daughters graced this union: Nellie May and Winnie Bell, who died September 14, 1898. As a member of the board of county commissioners, Mr. Holderness has taken a most active part in the development and prosperity of this section of the state. While serving in this office fifty thousand dollars was voted by the board for the erec- tion of a new court house at David City, and he continued a member during its con- struction. This elegant building now stands as a monument to the enterprise, honesty and fidelity of this board, of which Mr. Holderness is one of the most prominent members. WILLIAM P. MILLER, deceased, made his first appearance in Butler county, Nebraska, in 1870, in company with his uncle, Henry Miller. They had come on a prospecting trip, to determine for themselves the possibilities of this new section df the world, and were so pleased with what they heard and saw, that William P. Miller re- turned the following year and bought two sections of land. This land subsequently became the source of a large profit to him. He was living at that time in Lena, Ste- phenson county, Illinois, and wasengaged in very extensive farming. He did not break away from his Illinois interests and remove his family to this state for several years. Mr. Miller was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, August 21, 1831, and spent his early days amid the quiet and seclusion of farm life. He was a son of George and Mary Miller, and accompanied them when they came west and located in Stephenson county, Illinois, after he was a man grown. It was in that county that he found and lost his first wife. Her name was Mary A. Bobb, and she became the mother of four children: John M., Joseph H., Alice E., and Mary A. Mr. Miller entered into matrimonial engagements a second time, April 6, 1876, Miss Kate Clock bestowing upon him the gift of her heart and hand. She was a daughter of Fred- erick Clock, and is a woman of many charm- ing traits. She is still living and makes her home on the farm near Millerton, which is pronounced by competent critics to be one of the finest places in the county. In 1878 Mr. Miller removed his family to Nebraska, and made his home on his Butler county property until the day of his death, at which time he was the owner of fourteen hundred acres of farm land. He had other investments and was known as a prompt and reliable business man. The town of Millerton bears his name, and the impress of his strong character is on the community. He was a strong temperance man and a devoted member of the Lutheran church, and took a deep interest in every enterprise that looked to the morals and ed- ucation of the community. He has entered into his rest, but his name is still green in many hearts. In politics he was a Demo- crat first and later a Prohibitionist. He WM. P. MILLER, Deceased. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY 9G& always took an acti%'e interest in all matters that affected the public welfare. His portrait appears on another page of this volume. REV. FREDERICK SCHWARZ, pas- tor of the Lutheran church of Frank- lin township, Fillmore county, Nebraska, has for three years ministered faithfully to the spiritual needs of his people and given powerful and effective aid to all influences which work for the advancement of the community. Revered and loved by his own flock, he has also won the honor and es- teem of ail others who have seen his devo- tion to his noble calling. Mr. Schwarz was born in Germany, November 12, 1863, a son of Frederick and Caroline (Siol) Schwarz, who spent their en- tire lives in that country. In their family were only two children, the daughter being Caroline, still a resident of Germany. Our subject went through the schools of his na- tive land, and partly paid his own way through school by teaching and literary labors. In 1887 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, his destination being Ne- braska, where he at once entered upon the work of the ministry as pastor of a congre- gation in Dawson county. He tilled this charge in this state, winning the love and respect of all with whom he came in con- tact, and for seven years he had charge of a congregation at Greenleaf, Kansas, doing missionary work in other places besides. It was during his ministerial work there that he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza- beth Woeltje, who was born August 18, 1873, a daughter of Eide and Kate (Riel) Woeltje, who are prominent farming peo- ple living near Greenleaf. To Mr. and Mrs. Schwarz have been born two children: Evangeline and Benedict. Our subject has done missionary work in Kansas, Colorado, South Dakota and 55 Nebraska, and in May, 1S96, accepted his present charge in Franklin township, Fill- more county, and has succeeded in cancel- ing a debt of two thousand dollars on the new church there. He is a true and earn- est Christian who has devoted his life to the saving of souls, has been secretary and presiding officer of his conference and has lately been elected' traveling representative of his synod. It is his intention to devote his time to the states of Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Oklahoma, or any west of Ohio. His wife has been a true helpmeet to him in his work, and together they have labored for the good of those around them! with most gratifying results. CHARLES MINNEY, residing on sec- tion 26, Belle Prairie precinct, Fillmore county, Nebraska, presents in his life what may be accomplished by perseverance, in- dustry and close application to business. He commenced life at the foot of the ladder, but blessed with a prudent and sensible wife as a helpmate, he is now able to take life easily and comfortably, and is the owner of a fine farm, which he still successfully oper- ates. Mr. Minney was born June 2, 1834, and is a son of John and Mary Minney, natives of Scotland, who died in the prime of life while living in New Jersey, and were buried there. In their family were only two chil- dren, the daughter being Mary, who wedded a Mr. Huffman and now lives in Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania. His father dying when our subject was only eleven j'ears of age, he was early thrown upon his own resources for a livelihood and his educational privileges therefore were limited. He attended private schools in New Jersey for a short time, pay- ing his own tuition. He began work as a farm hand at two dollars per month, and was employed as such until he was twenty- five years of age. 966 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. On the 3d of December, 1858, Mr. Minney was united in marriage with Miss Lovinah Tompkins, who was born in Tiskil- wa. Bureau county, Illinois, August 24, 1840, a daughter of Alfred and Mary Tomp- kins. The mother died in Illinois, after which the father went to Texas, where he passed away after a brief illness. Of their ten children, only three survive: Margaretta, Louisa and Mary. Fourteen children were born to our subject and his wife, all of whom are still living, namely: John Charles Fremont, William T., Alexander H., Mar- tin, David F. , Earnest, George W., Arthur, Mary E., Loella, Rosa, Fanny, May and Grace. Five of the daughters are married and three of the boys. Twelve grandchil- dren have been born. Mr. and Mrs. Minney began their do- mestic life in Illinois, where he engaged in farming upon rented land for fifteen years. In February, 1865, he enlisted in Company H, Ninth Illinois Cavalry, but was soon afterward taken ill and was not able to go to the front for some time. On the first of June, however, he joined his regiment at Pittsburg Landing, and remained in the service until long after hostilities ceased, being mustered out at Selma, Alabama, No- vember I, 1865. Returning to his home in Illinois, Mr. Minney continued his farming operations there until 1871, when, with his wife and six children, he started for Nebraska with an emigrant wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen, and when he landed in Belle Prairie precinct, Fillmore county. May 25, his en- tire earthly possessions consisted of two yoke of oxen and his wagon. The family lived in the wagon for several weeks until a little lumber could be secured for a rude cabin. Mr. Minney raised a crop of wheat before he was able to pay the cost of filing and entering a homestead claim, and he ex- perienced many hardships and privations in his attempt to secure for himself and family a good\gme. He had to go to Pleasant Hill or other points equally distant to do his trading. The district schools, however, were started in 1872, and in his district was a sod schoolhouse and there was a state fund to maintain the same. His children have been . provided with good, practical educations and are well fitted for life's re- sponsible duties. After an illness of a few weeks' duration, Mrs. Minney died, Feb- ruary 25, 1890, and was laid to rest in Harmony cemetery. Belle Prairie precinct. Mr. Minney has been quite a wanderer, and has either visited or lived in the follow- ing states: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and Missis- sippi. He is a good citizen and one of the influential and highly respected men of his community. He cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has since supported the men and measures of the Re- publican party. JOHN F. RANN. — This gentleman worthily illustrates the commonly ac- cepted view of the character of the enter- prising German citizen, who made his way into the western country at a time when strong hands and stout hearts were needed, and putting his shoulder to the wheel gave a decided impetus to the car of progress and assisted in opening up the country to civil- ization. He is a native of Schleiswig-Hol- stein, Germany, born May 28, 1819, and is a son of John and Catherine (Maltzen) Rann, in whose family were nine children, but all remained in the fatherland with the excep- tion of our subject. He was educated in the common schools of that country and confirmed in the Lutheran church at the age of fifteen years. At the age of sixteen he commenced learning the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for some years. When twenty-two he was drafted in the COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 967 German army, participating iqpPne war with Denmark, in 1848, and remained in the service for two years and a half. In 1850 he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Deishler, and to them were born six chil- dren, one son, who died in infancy, and five daughters, namely: Christina, Anna, Abbie, Minnie and Amelia. The wife and mother died while living in Nebraska, at the age of sixty-five years, and was laid to rest in Yankee Hill cemetery, Seward county. In 1854, Mr. Rann with his family left Hamburg and by way of Liverpool came to the United States, arriving in New York city in October of that year. He proceeded almost immediately to Davenport, Iowa, and from there went to Hennepin county, Minnesota, where he engaged in farming from 1855 to 1864. With the intention of moving with his family to Montana in the latter year, he started west, but was driven back by the Indians, the company of emi- grants losing twelve able bodied men in two days' skirmishing and fighting. The white men then took refuge in the Black Hills near the Little Missouri river, where they lay in camp for seventeen days, being in constant danger all the time. Finally the Indians showed signs of friendliness and presented the white men with a letter from the noted chief Sitting Bull to the effect that for a favorable consideration of prop- erty he would deliver up to them a Mrs. Keller who had been captured from a Minne- sota emigrant train under Captain Fisk in 1846, the rest of the company being slain and wounded. Her husband was among the wounded, but managed to escape to Missouri, where she joined him after her re- lease. It was finally agreed that they should give three horses, one wagon and a load of provisions in exchange for the pris- oner, but as the Indians failed to keep their part of the contract, a fight ensued. By strategy another chief and twelve of his braves entered the camp of Sitting Bull, located Mrs. Keller and at a preconcerted moment bore her off and safely delivered her to the commander of Fort Sully. While the skirmishing was going on between the white men and the Indians, this band treated the red men to some food which caused many to become ill and some died. Mr. Rann and his family finally retired to Omaha, where he spent the following winter, and in the spring moved to Crescent City, Pottawattomie county, Iowa, where he purchased ten lots and a house, making his home there from 1865 until 1880. He then again started westward, his destination this time being Montana, where for three years and a half he successfully engaged in gold mining. While in that state he also had many exciting adventures with the In- dians and endured many hardships and privations. At Fort Stephenson after fight- ing for his own life with a grizzly bear, he finally succeeded in killing the animal, and he killed many buffaloes, which furnished him with meat most of the time. He had made considerable money and on his re- turn to Crescent City, Iowa, in 1868, he re- sumed farming and invested some of his capital in a large herd of cattle, continuing to prosper in his undertakings. In 1875 he went to Oregon, where he purchased a farm and made his home until 1890. Since then he has practically lived retired, spending his summers on his farm in Pottawattomie county, Iowa, and the winter season in Pleasant Dale, Seward county, Nebraska, having invested largely in real estate in both the town and this county. Now at the age of eighty years, he is still hale and hearty and is very active, devoting a great deal of time to travel. He cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln, and since that time has generally supported the men and measures of the Republican party. For the success he has achieved in life he de- serves much credit, for it is all due to his own industry, enterprise and good manage- 968 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. ment, and his course in life has been such as to win for him the confidence and esteem of all with- whom he has come in contact. JOHN MANSFIELD, an old and hon- ored'citizen of Fillmore county, residing on section 19, Momence precinct, is now re- tired from the labors of a long and active life, and is spending his declining days in the midst of ease and plenty. He is a native of Sweden, born February 4, 1829, and in that country was educated in the public schools and confirmed in the Lutheran church. For twenty-si.\ years he served in the Swed- ish army, and continued a resident of his native land until he attained the age of fifty. When twenty-three, Mr. Mansfield was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Johnson, who was born in Sweden, January 4, 1831, and is one of a family of nine children, whose parents were John and Nellie (Lind- bom) Johnson. Our subject and his wife became the parents of ten children, all born in Sweden, but only five are now living, namely: William, Annie, Elsie, Julius and Emil, who were young when brought by their parents to America, and were educated in the schools of this country. All make their homes in Nebraska, and the daughters are married and living on farms. Julius is a graduate of a business college of Omaha, and is now a conductor on a street railway in that city, while the other sons are prom- inent farmers of Fillmore county, and Will- iam has served as assessor of his township for two years. In 1879, Mr. Mansfield with his family crossed the broad Atlantic, landing in New York, whence they went to Portland, Connect- icut. After a short stay in that place, they removed to Omaha where they lived for two years and a half, coming to Fillmore county in the spring of 1 883. The year previous Mr. Mansfield had purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Momence precinct, for one thousand and two hundred dollars, but it was entirely unimproved, not a building hav- ing been erected thereon. The land was soon- placed under excellent cultivation, a com- fortable house and good barns and out- buildings erected, and it is now one of the best farms in the locality. Although our subject had but one dollar and fifty cents- when he located upon the place, he has prospered from year to year, and is now able to lay aside business cares and enjoy the fruits of his former unremitting toil. He and his sons are strong advocates of the principles of the Populist party, and for ten years he efficiently served as school treasurer in his district. With his wife and children he holds membership in the Swedish Lu- theran church, and the family is one of the most prominent and highly respected in the community in which they live. SAMUEL I. BITTINGER, one of the pioneers of Morton township, York county, was born in Franklin county, Penn- sylvania, August 20, 1852, a son of John Bittinger, whose name appears in the sketch of Fred Bittinger on another page of this volume. Our subject moved west with his parents when quite young, settled in Iowa, was edu- cated in that state, and made his home there until 1872. He then moved with his parents and brothers to York county, Ne- braska, and there engaged in operating the homestead farm for ten years. In 1873, he bought a piece of railroad land on section 5, Morton township, and has since farmed and improved tha tract and has developed it into one of the finest farms in the county. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres of farm land on section 14, of the same township. In March, 1884, Mr. Bittinger was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Heaton, a daughter of Henry and Harriet (Church) COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 969 Heaton. Mr. and Mrs. Heaton came to York county with their family in 1880. Mrs. Heaton died in this county, but her hus- band is still living and is making his home with Mr. and Mrs. Bittinger. Our subject and Mrs. Bittinger are the parents of a fam- ily of three children, whose names, in the order of their birth, are as follows: Albert N., Verna M. and Roy R., all of whom are living. In politics our subject is independ- ent of parties. As a farmer he has been quite successful and is well-known through- out the community as a man of influence, and one whose character is beyond re- proach. FRANCIS \V. NORTON, one of the leading and influential farmers of Fill- more county, Nebraska, whose home is on section 32, Hamilton township, was born in Massachusetts, in 1834, and is a worthy representative of one of the old and promi- nent families of that state, where his par- ents, John W. and Esther (Naramore) Nor- ton, spent their entire lives, as did also his grandparents on both sides. His father died at the age of sixty-seven years, and both were laid to rest in the cemetery at Cummington, Massachusetts. They were numbered among the most highly respected and honored citizens of their community. Their children now living are Elizabeth, Edward, Charles and F. W. In the common schools of his native state our subject acquired a good practical education, and at the age of twenty-two years he removed to Illinois. He manifest- ed his patriotism and love of country by enlisting in August, 1862, in Company K, Ninety-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to General McPherson's command, and participated in the battles of Jackson, Champion Hill, Black River Bridge and the siege of Vicksburg. His first captain, David Lloyd, was killed at the hotly contested battle of Champion Hill. After the siege of Vicksburg, Mr. Norton was placed in General Logan's command and went to Chattanooga, Tenn. He was with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea, and with that general proceeded to Washington, District of Columbia, where he took part in the grand review. He also saw the signals given by Sherman to General Corse to hold the fort for he was coming. After being mustered out of the service at Louisville, Kentucky, Mr. Norton re- turned to his home in Princeton, Illinois. It was there that he became acquainted with Miss Julia Bryant, a daughter of Cyrus and Julia (Everett) Bryant, and at Princeton their marriage was celebrated November 22, 1866. They have two children: Bessie E. and Charles B., who are at home. Mrs. Norton was born February 3, 1845, '" Princeton, Illinois, where she was reared and educated, and she too belongs to a most distinguished and prominent family of Mass- achusetts. There her father was born in 1798, and he died at his beautiful home in Princeton, Illinois, in 1865. He was a son of Dr. Peter Bryant, who was born in Massachusettes in 1767, and died in that state, in 1820. The other sons of the fam- ily were: Austin, who was born in 1793 and died in 1866; William Cullen Bryant, the noted poet, who was born in 1794 and died in 1878; Arthur, who was born in 1803 and died in 1883; and John H., who was born in 1807 and is still living. Mrs. Nor- ton's parents removed to Princeton, Illinois, in 1834, and with the exception of the poet, her uncles also became residents of that place. She has a sister, Mrs. Charity B. Robinson, of Princeton, Illinois, and three brothers, of whom Everett and Peter are now living retired in Holton, Kansas. Cul- len was in the United States military serv- ice for over thirty years and was holding the rank of major when he resigned on ac- count of advanced age. He is now living in 970 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. elegant style in Alameda, California. Mrs. Norton's mother was born in Massachusetts in 1808, a daughter of James and Phcebe Everett, and died in Princeton, Illinois, in 1875. She and her husband now sleep side by side in the cemetery at that place. In April, 1884, Mr. and Mrs. Norton re- moved from Illinois to Fillmore county, Ne- braska, and took up their residence in Ham- ilton precinct, where he had previously pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of raw land for five dollars and fifty cents. This he has converted into his present delightful home. Convenient buildingsof modern archi- tecture have been erected, and the place is adorned with beautiful shade trees. The family receive and merit the high regard of the entire communit}' and those who know them best are numbered among their warm- est friends. WILLIAM K. LOUGHRIDGE, M. D., of Pleasant Dale, Seward county, Nebraska, is one of the most prominent and successful physicians in this section of the state. He is one of the younger members of the profession but his popularity is by no means measured by his years; on the con- trary he has won a reputation which many an older practitioner might well envy. The Doctor was born in Wllkesbarre, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1873, and is a son of William Loughridge, a native of Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland, who emigrated to America when twenty-one years of age and first located in New York, where he found employment in a railroad machine shop, having previously worked at that occupation in England. Subsequently he went to Georgia, where he continued to work at his trade until the yellow fever broke out and he returned north, settling this time in Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania. Here he be- came acquainted with Miss Agnes M. Kess- ler, and on the 14th of September, 1868, they were united in marriage. Two chil- dren blessed this union: James and William K. The former, who is a blacksmith and wheelright by trade, married Miss Luella Brown, of Murray, Nebraska, and now lives in Wyoming, this state. When our subject was only si.x years old the family removed to Plattsmouth, Nebraska, where the father worked in the B. & M. machine shops, but the parents now make their home in Murray, where he continued to follow his chosen occupation, blacksmithing and wagonmaking. As a public-spirited and en- terprising citizen, he is quite prominent in the community, and also stands high in Ma- sonic circles. Politically, he is a Republi- can, and both he and his estimable wife are devout members of the Presbyterian church. They have a very pleasant home in Murray, where they delight to entertain their many friends. On the paternal side the Doctor's ancestors were mostly mechanics and min- isters, and on the maternal side they were merchants. Dr. Loughridge obtained his literary education in the common schools of this state, and at the age of sixteen entered the high school of Plattsmouth, where he pur- sued his studies for two years. In the meantime he devoted his leisure hours to helping his father in the blacksmith's shop and on the farm. On leaving the high school he commenced the study of medi- cine, and later entered the medical depart- ment of Cotner University, Lincoln, Ne- braska, where he was graduated with high honors on the 13th of March, 1894. He began the practice of his chosen profession in Lincoln with Dr. J. S. Eaton, and re- mained there one month and came to Pleas- ant Dale the nth of May, 1894. Soon af- ter his graduation he was elected lecturer of neurology in the medical department of Cotner University, which he held until the year of 1895, when he was elected professor of diseases of children, which position he COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 971 now holds, and is also a member of its board of directors. He has taken a post- graduate course in the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College, and one in the Chicago Polyclinic Medical College. Talent and culture have gained for him a most prominent position among his profession- al brethern, and he is today an hon- ored member of the Seward County Med- ical Society, the Nebraska State Eclec- tic Society and the National Eclectic Med- ical Association. Although his residence in Pleasant Dale has been of short duration, he has already built up a large and lucrative practice, and he receives many calls to treat difficult cases in the city of Lincoln as well as neighboring towns, for his reputation ex- tends throughout this section of the state. Socially, the Doctor is a leading mem- ber of the Blue Lodge, F. & A. M., of Mil- ford, in which he has passed all the chairs and is now past master. He also belongs to Lincoln Chapter, No. 6, R. A. M., and Mt. Moria Commandery, No. 4, K. T., also Sesostros Temple of the Mystic Shrine, and Delta Lodge of Perfection, Scottish Rite Masons, Lincoln, Nebraska, and will receive his thirty-second degree in Scottish Rite Masonry in March, 1S99. He is also con- nected with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- America and the Knights of the Maccabees. Religiously, he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church of Pleasant Dale and is a member of its choir. He received the nom- ination for county coroner in 1897, but with the other Republican candidates, was de- feated, as the party was in the minority. MORRIS C. STULL. In this enlight- ened age when men of energy, industry and merit are rapidly pushing their way to the front, those, who, by their own individ- ual efforts, have won favor and fortune may properly claim recognition. During pioneer days, when Nebraska was entering upon its era of growth and development and Polk county was laying its foundation for future prosperity, there came thither from all parts of the country poor men but honest, and with a sturdy independence and determina- tion to succeed that justly entitle them to representation in the history of this region. Among this class is numbered Mr. Stull, who was for many years actively identified with the agricultural interests of Polk coun- ty, carrying on operations on section 14, township 15, range 2, Valley precinct, but he is now living a retired life in Lincoln. A native of McKean county, Pennsyl- vania, he was born February 20, 1837, and is a son of Andrew and Eliza J. (Corwin) Stull. The paternal grandfather was a resident of the Keystone state, but the maternal grandfather, who was one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war, made his home in New York. The parents of our subject were married in Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Illinois in 1840, settling at Marengo, McHenry county, where the father and his brother purchased a claim, which they later improved. In 1870, having retired from farming, the former removed to Columbus, Nebraska, where his wife, who was a consistent mem- ber of the Baptist church, died in 1880. Later he went to Atlantic City, Iowa, where his death occurred. In the family of this worthy couple were six children: Dr. Theodore, now deceased, who was assistant surgeon of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry in the Civil war; Morris C, of this sketch; Ghordis, a resident of McHenry county, Illinois; Mrs. Olive C. Peeler, of Atlantic, Iowa; Charles, deceased; and Mrs. Char- lotte Bonesteel, of Great Falls, Montana. Morris C. Stull was reared in McHenry county, Illinois, and his early education ac- quired in the district schools, was supple- mented by a course in the college at Maren- go, that state. On leaving home at the age of twenty-one, he began life for him- 972 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. self by working at farm labor by the month during the summer and teaching school in the winter in Livingston county, Illinois. He manifested his love of country by enlist- ing September i8, 1871, in Company G, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, which was organ- ized at St. Charles, Illinois, and first sent to Washington, District of Columbia. Cross- ing the Potomac they went into winter quar- ters near Alexandria, and after the engage- ment at Williamsburg, Virginia, and the seven days battle, Mr. Stull was detailed to help nurse his brother, thr Doctor, who had typhoid fever. On re-joining his regiment he took part in the battles of South Moun- tain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, under Gen- eral Burnsides; Chancellorsville, under Gen- eral Joe Hooker, and as a member of the Army of the Potomac was under the com- mand of McClellan, Burnsides, Hooker, Meade and Grant, respectively. His term of enlist- ment having expired, he was mustered out at Chicago in the fall of 1864. During a cavalry charge at Upperville, Virginia, a ball had passed through his right ear, and the next morning after the battle of South Mountain, while in a hand-to-hand engage- ment, he received a slight sabre wound in the left shoulder, but fortunately he was never taken prisoner, though when on his way with his brother to the hospital at Sav- age Station, Virginia, he came very nearly being captured. On his return home, Mr. Stull worked on his father's farm two years, the follow- ing two years were passed in Livingston county, Illinois, and for the same length of time he lived at Forest, that state. On the 1st of March, 1865, he married Miss Martha Maria Huntoon, who was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, June 19, 1840, a daughter of Alonzo and Marcia Evelyn (French) Huntoon, natives of Vermont. They were married in Vermont, emigrated to Tazewell county, Illinois, in 1837, and in 187S removed to Crawford county, Kansas, where the father died in 1887, but the mother is still living. Their children were Mrs. Minerva Arnold, a resident of Girard, Kansas; Mrs. Martha M. Stull; Mrs. Jeanette Munroe; Dr. Alonzo F. , of Duluth, Minnesota; and Mary, deceased. Coming to Polk county, Nebraska, in 1870, Mr. Stull secured a homestead and broke twenty acres of land, after which he returned to Illinois for his family, who arrived in 1871 and some time lived in a little shanty 16x22 feet, and one story in height. At first their nearest neighbor lived two miles east of them. On coming to this state Mr. Stull had to borrow money of his father, giving his note at ten per cent interest. To the cultivation and im- provement of his land he devoted his ener- gies untiringly, setting out a grove of sixty trees, planting a thirty acre orchard, and making many other improvements, includ- ing the erection of a commodious residence in 1886. He has met with excellent suc- cess financially and is now the owner of twelve hundred acres of valuable land mostly improved. To Mr. and Mrs. Stull have been born five children: Charles Clifford, born in Feb- ruary, 1866, completed his education at Doane college, Crete, Nebraska, and mar- ried Jennie Snodgrass, by whom he had two children — Marcia Evelyn and Helen Mar- garet; Bertha Bianca and Arthur Alonzo graduated from the same institution, the for- mer in 1893, the latter in 1895; Dell Der- onda is a member of the junior class in the high school at Lincoln; and the youngest of the family died in infancy. Bertha B. and Arthur A. are now students in the law de- partment of the State University of Nebras- ka. Mr. Stull is a prominent and honored member of J. F. Reynolds Post, G. A. R. , of Osceola, and both he and his wife belong to the Ladies of G. A. R. , Circle Custer, No. 26, of Lincoln. She was an honored department president in 1897, has also been COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 973 president of the local circle, and is a promi- nent member of the Woman's Club, of Lin- coln. They removed to that city in 1897, and have already become the center of a cultured society circle there. Politically Mr. Stull has always been an ardent sup- porter of the Republican party, was an in- fluental member of the Polk county board of commissioners from 1884 to 1887, was once the candidate of his party for the state legislature, but was unable to overcome the large Populist majority. His ambition has been to acquit himself of life's duties honor- ably before all men, to improve his capabili- ties and opportunities and to become of use in the world; and it is this spirit mainly that has been the means of securing his success in life. JOHN PIPER, a prosperous farmer of Arborville township, is one of the early settlers of York county, Nebraska. He was born in Yorkshire, England, February 26, 1833- His parents, John and Elizabeth Piper, were natives of England. The father was a farmer, and died in England at the age of eighty-eight years. He had a family of five sons and four daughters. Two of the sons came to America, and have since died. John Piper was reared and educated in England, where he followed farming until he was twenty-three years old. He then, in 1856, came to America, and located in Ivendall county, Illinois. Later he went to Grundy county, and then to Livingston county in the same state, where he remain- ed until the spring of 1882. That year he went to Nebraska and purchased a quarter section of railroad lands in York county. He has since added to his holdings until he now owns five hundred and eighty acres, which he has converted from a wild, uncul- tivated condition to a high state of tillage and improvement. He has been a success- ful general farmer and stock raiser, and has made stock feeding a feature of his business. Mr. Piper was married October 26, 1 8 56, to Susannah Sleezer, whose parents are of German extraction, but natives of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Piper are the parents of the following children: Charles W. , now deceased; Sarah A.; Henry J.; Wilbur B. ; Richard D. ; and Eliza A. In political faith Mr. Piper is a Republican. He has never sought political honors, though he has been called upon to fill some of the local offices. WILLIAM F. DOMEIER, a prominent and representative farmer of Frank- lin township, Fillmore county, residing on section 9, was born in Illinois, in 1865, and is a son of Anton Domeier, who, at the age of sixty-eight years, is now living retired with our subject, enjoying a well earned rest. He is a native of Germany, and in that country received a limited education, was confirmed in the Lutheran church, and served for three years in the German army. In August, 1854, he emigrated to the United States and first located in Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand for a time. There he was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Mathias, also a native of Germany, whose parents also came to the new world and took up their residence in Illinois, forty miles northwest of Chicago, where they died at a ripe old age. Anton Domeier is the only one of his family to cross the Atlantic and locate in America. To him and his wife were born eight children, namely: Anton, Frederick, Henry, Lewis, Anna, Ida, Louisa and William. The wife and mother was called to her final rest Oc- tober 2, 1889, at the age of forty-eight years, and was laid to rest in the Lutheran ceme- tery of Franklin township. In girlhood she united with the Lutheran church, and was always a faithful and consistent member of the same. The children of the family have 974 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr nearly all adopted Nebraska as their home and have been quite successful during their residence here. The boyhood and youth of our subject was passed in Illinois and Iowa, where he attended the common schools, and in 1879 he came with his parents to Franklin town- ship, Fillmore county, Nebraska, where the family purchased a half section of wild land, to the cultivation and improvement of which they at once turned their attention. Good buildings of a modern style of archi- tecture and conveniently arranged have been erected upon the place, and land has been placed under a high state of cultiva- tion, so that it is now one of the best im- proved places of the township. In addition to its other charms, there is a beautiful grove upon the place. On coming to the county the father had in his possession only about a thousand dollars, but here he has prospered and besides the farm already mentioned he owns other valuable land in Fillmore county. Our subject now carries on the old homestead with most e.xcellent success, as he is one of the most skillful and thorough agriculturists of the localit}', and in connection with general farming he is also successfully engaged in stock raising. In 1892 was celebrated the marriage of William F. Domeier and Emma Heideman, who was born in Indiana, in 1866, a daugh- ter of William and Mary (Dittmer) Heide- man. Her father died in Indiana at the age of forty-five years. Her mother was first married to Mr. Dittmer, by whom she had three children: Henry, Dora and Au- gust. By her marriage to William Heideman, she became the mother of four children: William, Mary, Dena and Emma, the last named and youngest being the wife of our subject. Mrs. Heideman died in Indiana in 1892. To Mr. and Mrs. Domeier have been born four children, namely: Bertha, William and Josie, who are still living; and Amanda, who died December 14, 1898, at the age of fourteen months and was interred in the Lutheran cemetery, Franklin town- ship. Our subject and his wife are indus- trious, enterprising and highly respected citizens of their community, and hold mem- bership in the Lutheran church. Politically Mr. Domeier is identified with the Demo- cratic party, and in all the relations of life he has been found true and faithful to every trust reposed in him. ALBERT WRIGHT RISING is one of the earliest settlers of Butler county, Nebraska, the date of his settlement being April 29, 1 87 1. He located on a farm which is the present town site of the city which now bears his name. There are few more enterprising and progressive men in Butler county, and his name is closely iden- tified with the history of its growth and development. Our subject was born in Hillsdale coun- ty, Michigan, October 24, 1844, a son of Samuel W. Rising, a sketch of whom ap- pears on another page of this work. He was reared on a farm in his native county and was there married, in 1867, to Miss Nellie Wright, daughter of Jay Wright. Mrs. Rising is a native of Pennsylvania and moved from there with her parents to Branch count}', Michigan. She was a suc- cessful teacher and was thus engaged when she met Mr. Rising, and they were married in Sturgess, Michigan, May 11, 1867. Two years later they went to Iowa, and engaged in farming there for two years. It was at this time that he prevailed on his father to move west, join him to Iowa, and the two then drove together across the prairie to Butler county, Nebraska. Here they homesteaded and purchased a large farm and became the first settlers in Read- ing township. Mr. Rising is public-spirited, broad- minded, and has been the leader in the COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 975 work of bringing about the present state of growth and prosperity to which Reading township has attained. When the Union Pacific railroad was first proposed he imme- diately interested himself in the matter and his intiuence was largely instrumental in securing its present location. Upon the establishment of the town of Rising City, he donated to the new town site, each al- ternate lot in forty acres and in many ways promoted its best interests, and when the time came to name the new village in Read- ing township the honor was given to him who had been so untiring in his devotion to its interest. Rising City has always been noted for the purity of its social atmosphere, and it is due to the influence exerted by our subject and men of the same caliber that no saloons have found permanent lodgment in the village. During Cleveland's second ad- ministration our subject was appointed post- master at the village of Rising City, and although he operates a large farm also, he has added to these interests an agricultural implement business which he has conducted for several 3-ears. He is also a charter member of the Methodist church and as- sisted largely in erecting a fine church build- ing. Mr. and Mrs. Rising are the parents of one son, Uorr Rising, a bright boy of seventeen years. JOHN BRADY HERRINGTON, a farm- er of Butler county, Nebraska, was the fortunate owner of a fine tract of farming and grazing land, upon which he erected a commodious home for himself and his com- panion, and this home is conceded the center of true and generous hospitality. Mr. Her- rington settled on section lo, Reading town- ship, on the 7th of May, 1871. He was born in Saint Joseph county, Michigan, February 16, 1837, a son of Lester and Rosa (Brady) Herrington, the former a native of Ontario county, New York, and the latter a native of Ireland. The father moved from New York to Saint Joseph county, Michigan, in 1835, and located on a farm near Colon. He was a son of Thomas Herrington, who was also a native of New York state, and was a soldier in the war of 181 2, under General Hull. Our subject spent his boyhood in Michi- gan. September 16, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Second Regiment of Michigan Cavalry, and served in that capacity until May, 1863, when he was discharged on ac- count of disability. After recovering his health he re-enlisted, August 7, 1864, and served until the close of the war. He par- ticipated in many of the hard fought bat- tles, but throughout the war did not re- ceive a wound. After the close of hostili- ties he returned to his home in Michigan and devoted his time to farming there until the year 1871. He then, in company with A. F. Terpening, went to Butler coun- ty, Nebraska, where he homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 10, township 14, range i, and still owns a part of this quarter section and lives in Rising City vil- lage. In 1884 Mr. Herrington met at the altar of Hymen, Miss Elizabath Barker, who was also an early settler and a homesteader in Butler county. She was born at Acton, Middlesex county, Massachusetts, a daugh- ter of Ebenezer Barker, of that town. Her grandfather, also Ebenezer Barker, was of English parentage. The family located in Massachusetts in colonial days. Mrs. Her- rington had four brothers in the civil war. Three died in the army, one coming the same spring to Nebraska and homesteading together, but he has since died. After leav- ing her home in Massachusetts, she hrst went to Hancock county, Illinois, hoping to improve her health, and in the spring of 1 87 1 she moved from there to Butler coun- t}-, Nebraska, and, like her husband, be- came one of the pioneers of that county. 976 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY They have a pleasant and comfortable home and are valued and respected citizens in the community in which they reside. ERNST RIPPE. — Among the pioneer settlers of Fillmore county no one is more worthy of representation in a work of this character than the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He came to the county in 1873, and from the unculti- vated soil opened up a good farm, and is to-day in the enjoyment of a comfortable competence. His worthy ambition of build- ing up a creditable homestead resulted in the thorough cultivation of the soil, the erection of substantial buildings, and the gathering together of those little conven- iences and comforts upon which the happi- ness of a household in so great a measure depends. As a man and citizen he has been honest and upright, and enjoys in a marked degree the esteem and confidence of his neighbors. His home is on section 35, Belle Prairie precinct. Mr. Rippe was born in Germany De- cember 17, 1847, a son of George and Car- oline (Pipenbrink) Rippe, also natives of that country. The father came to America in 1851, and in 1855, when a lad of eight years, our subject crossed the Atlantic in company with his mother. After a short time spent in New York City, the family proceeded to Chicago and located on a farm in Will county, Illinois, where the father had previously purchased two hundred and forty acres at seven dollars per acre, it be- ing at that time railroad land and entirely unimproved. He finally sold the place for eighty dollars per acre and came to Belle Prairie precinct, Fillmore county, Nebraska, where he purchasod a half section for two thousand dollars, which he later divided and sold to his sons, one quarter for two thousand dollars, the other for one thousand two hundred dollars. During the last few years of his life he lived practically re- tired in Ohiowa, but operated a forty-acre tract adjoining that village which he pur- chased for one thousand si.x hundred dollars. George Rippe died March 13, 1899. He was remarkably successful in life and became worth about twenty thou- sand dollars, most of which he acquired after coming to this state. His wife, who was a devoted Christian woman, died March 7, 1886, at the age of sixty years, and was laid to rest in the Ohiowa cemetery. They left seven children, namely: Ernest, Henry, Lena, Emma, Luie, Mary and Sophia. Ernest Rippe was reared to manhood in Illinois, and was married at Monee, Will county, that state, October i, 1870, to Miss Louisa Gewecka, also a native of Germany, born July 19, 1852, and a daughter of Fred- erick and Sophia (Butterman) Gewecka, who emigrated from that country to America in 1858, and established a beautiful home in Kankakee county, Illinois. Mrs. Gewecka died March 13, 1892, and Mr. Gewecka on August 13, 1895. Their children are all grown and areas follows: Frederick, Henry, Chris, August, William, Adolph, Ernst, Ed- ward, Charles, Conrad, Sophie, Herman and Louisa. Mr. and Mrs. Rippe have eight children, namely: Adolph, Minnie, William, Anna, Louis, Edward, Louisa and Frieda, all at home with the exception of Minnie, wife of W'illiam Bauman, who lives on a farm in Belle Prairie precinct, Fillmore county. About two years after his marriage, Mr. Rippe came to Fillmore county, Nebraska, and in Belle Prairie precinct secured a home- stead of eighty acres, on which he and his family began life in true pioneer style in a little dugout that was later replaced by a sod house and finally by a good frame resi- dence. His stock was also sheltered in an- other dugout. At that time he had to go to either Fairmont, Lincoln or Crete for his lumber and groceries, and as early settlers COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 977 the family had many difficulties with which to contend. Although Mr. Rippe landed here with only eighty dollars in his possess- ion, he is now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and si.xty acres, which he has improved in a manner second to none in the locality. His amiable and happy wife has been of great assistance to him in the ac- cumulation of their property and in the beautifying of their pleasant home. Both have been life-long members of the Lutheran church, and they and their family are now connected with the church at Bruning. Since casting his first presidential ballot for U. S. Grant, Mr. Rippe has been an ardent Republican in politics. DELOS A. HASTINGS, a prominent representative of the agricultural inter- ests' of Arborville township, York county, and an honored veteran of the Civil war, was born in Defiance county, Ohio, June lo, 1847, and is a worthy representative of old Revolutionary stock, his great-grand- father having aided the colonies in their suc- cessful struggle for independence. His fa- ther, Harvey Hastings, was a native of Ver- mont, while his mother, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Conkey, was a na- tive of New York. At an early day they became residents of Ohio, and in that state they continued to make their home until called to the world beyond. The subject of this sketch is the fourth in order of birth in the family of six sons, and during his boyhood and youth attended school and aided in the work of the home farm. He continued to engage in agricult- ural pursuits in Ohio until 1863, when he joined the boys in blue, going to the front as a member of Company F, One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and serving until the close of the war. He par- ticipated in the Atlanta campaign, and the battles of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Nashville, Tennessee, but was fortunate)}' never wounded. Returning to his home in Ohio, he remained in that state until 1S72, which year witnessed his arrival in York county, Nebraska, where he took up a homestead on section 22, Arborville town- ship. Upon his place he built a sod house, in which he lived for ten years, but now has a comfortable and more commodious resi- dence, surrounded by good barns and out- buildings. Stock raising as well as general farming claims his attention, and he has met with a fair degree of success in his un- dertakings. In 1888, Mr. Hastings was united in marriage with Miss Laura Fightmaster, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of Alex and Minerva Fightmaster, who now reside in York county, Neb. In his social rela- tions, Mr. Hastings is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic, and in poli- tics affiliates with the People's party. He has filled the office of road overseer, but has never sought political preferment. Land- ing in York county with only five dollars in money and a team of horses, the success that he has achieved is due entirely to his own efforts, and his career has been such as to command the respect and admiration of all. TESSE R. JOHNSON, whose home is on S o pj S. Q •P U O S g Q 0) COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 991 killed by the Indians, at Hatfield, Massa- chusetts, in 1677, while defending his home. The next in direct line was also named John. He was born in 1652 and died in 1750. His son, John, was born in 1682 and died in 1 7 16. Nathan, a son of the latter John, was born in March, 1716 and died in 1786. The next was Daniel Graves, our subject's grandfather, who was born either in Massa- chusetts or Vermont, September 26, 1769, and died October 11, 1833. He was cap- tain of a company of militia during the war of 1 812; conducted a hotel and tannery for some time, and also engaged in the manu- facture of potash. Our subject's father was a hatter by trade but most of his life fol- lowed farming. When a boy about four- teen years old, in company with a younger brother, he helped to furnish the music dur- ing the enlistment and mustering of a regi- ment, of which his father was a captain of a company. He played the fife, his brother the tenor drum. As boys and musicians they followed the regiment as far as Crown Point, when a battle occurred and they were sent to the rear and soon after re- turned home against their will, not being allowed to enlist on account of their youth- ful age. In 1847, the father of our subject left the Green Mountain state and removed to McHenry county, Illinois, where he en- gaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred July 2, 1869. His wife was the daughter of Jedediah Rogers, who was also of the ninth generation in America. The present representatives of the family are of the thirteenth generation and are de- scendants of John Rogers, the well-known historical character, who was burned at the stake. Our subject is the youngest of a family of six children, four sons and two daughters. The mother departed this life in 1 87 1. One of her sons is Bishop Graves, of Nebraska, whose official jurisdiction in- cludes the west half of this state and the northern half of California. In Illinois Daniel Graves, of this sketch, was reared, and in the common schools of that state obtained his education. At an early age he began work upon the farm, and throughout life has continued to follow ag- ricultural pursuits. Although he started out for himself at the age of twenty-one empty-handed, he soon became the owner of a small farm of fifty-six acres in Illinois. On selling that place in 1877 he came to York county, Nebraska, and purchased four hundred acres of railroad land on section 1 1, Arborville township, and as his financial resources increased, he has added to his possessions until he now owns one thousand and forty acres, which he has transfomred from wild prairie into highly cultivated fields. His elegant home is one of the best in the county; the other buildings are all in keeping with the residence, and upon his place is fourteen miles of fence. He feeds more stock than any other man in the coun- ty, having upon his place from two hundred and fifty to two hundred and seventy-five head of cattle and nearly the same number of hogs. In 1872 Mr. Graves was united in mar- riage with Miss Martha Loomer, a daughter of Timothy and Almira Loomer, the for- mer a native of Nova Scotia, and the latter of Vermont. At an early day her parents removed to Illinois. Two of th? children born to Mr. and Mrs. Graves are deceased, while the living are Almira, Nora M., Dan- iel, Jr., Mabel P. and Henry C. The fam- ily hold membership in the Episcopal church, and in social circles occupy an en- viable position. Fraternally Mr. Graves belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America, and politically is identified with the Democracy. At one time he was elected a member of the board of county commis- sioners, and while filling that position was a member of the building committee that erected the court house, but he never again 992 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. consented to become a candidate for office, preferring to give his entire time and atten- tion to his extensive business interests. CHARLES A. McCLOUD, senior mem- ber of the firm of McCloud & Shreck, one of the leading real estate and loan firms of York, is an old settler in that locality, and has for many years been identified with the business interests of that region. He has also taken an active interest in all mat- ters of a public nature, and has filled vari- ous official positions. Mr. McCloud was born in Appanoose county, Iowa, May 14, 1859, a son of William E. and Anna M. (Sears) McCloud, natives of West Virginia and Ohio. They were married in Iowa, and the father was a stock raiser by occu- pation. Oar subject received his preliminary training in the public schools of Iowa, and later attended the Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and then took a full course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College of Cincinnati. In 1877 the family moved to York county, Nebraska, and tor two years our subject was engaged in the lumber business at Waco. In 18S1 he was appointed deputy county treasurer of York county, under J. W. Bennett, serving four years. In 18S6 he assumed the position of assistant cashier of the Citizens State Bank. He served as a member of the county board from 1889 until 1894, and served as right- of-way agent for the Elkhorn railroad dur- ing the years 1887-88, his territory being from Omaha to Hastings and from Linwood to Superior. During this time he also con- tinued the real estate business. In 1893 he entered into partnership with Mr. Shreck, and has since done business under the firm name of McCloud & Shreck. From 1893 until 1896 he was traveling state auditor and expert accountant. Politically Mr. Mc- Cloud is a Republican, and was a delegate to the national convention in 1888. He also served on the county central committee for seventeen years, and at different times has served on the state central committee. He is also the vice-president and one of the directors, and the largest stock holder of the Mutual Building & Loan Association. Socially Mr. McCloud is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also the Masonic fra- ternity, holding his membership in the commandery and consistory degrees. Mr. McCloud has not only been successful in his political career, but he has also gained an enviable position among the business men of York county. Besides his extensive general loan and real estate business, in which he handles considerable eastern capi- tal, he is engaged in buying grain at York, Nebraska, and also owns and operates a farm of two thousand acres of land. In 1883 Mr. McCloud was united in marriage to Miss Flora S. Bowman, of Mount Pleas- ant, Iowa. OLIVER PERRY HAGER, one of the representative and prominent farmers of York county, Nebraska, was born in Fay- ette county, Pennsylvania, October 18, 1831, a son of Peter and Katie (Romesburg) Ha- ger. His paternal grandparents were natives of Germany. Reared on the home farm, he obtained an excellent knowledge of every department of farm work, and remamed with his father until he reached the age of twenty-four. About this time Mr. Hager became ac- quainted with Miss Elizabeth A. Show, a daughter of William and Juliann (Clement) Show, also natives of Pennsylvania, and on the 19th of June, 1856, they were married. They began housekeeping upon a farm in the midst of a forest and before crops could be planted the great trees and underbrush had to be cleared away, sawed up, rolled into COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 993 great heaps and burned. The labor of open- ing up a farm in the wooded portions of the older states is exceedingly laborious, and a man is often worn out physically and be- comes old and gray before his farm is in a good condition for raising the necessaries of life. But Mr. Hager and his wife were young and full of hope and not easily discouraged by the labors which lay before them as both had been reared in the arduous duties of farm life, and having gone to work with a will they soon made their fields to blossom with the various products of the soil, after building a log house and the usual Pennsyl- vania barn. There our subject successfully carried on his farming operations for eight years or until 1 864. There being great need for more troops in the field, he left, as thou- sands of others had done, his farm, wife and children, to help swell the Union ranks in the great war of the Rebellion, enlisting in August, 1864, in Company K, Sixth Penn- sylvania Heavy Artillery. He remained in the service until the war ended by the sur- render of Lee at Appomattox, and for seven months his regiment guarded the chain bridge across the Potomac about seven miles from Washington, D. C, at which point Fort Ethan Allen was located. He remembers being awakened by a great clamor of the soldiers on the night of Pres- ident Lincolin's assassination, and for a time all was confusion until the guards were sta- tioned around the sleeping city, but before this could be done the murderer had made his escape. When the war was over, Mr. Hager returned with his regiment to Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, where they were dis- charged June 22, 1865. He then returned to his home and fam- ily in that state, but in November, 1866, removed to La Salle county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm and engaged in agri- cultural pursuits for six years. Being some- what dissatisfied with the prairies of Illinois, he decided to seek a home in the new state beyond the Missouri river, and again start- ed toward the setting sun, landing in York county, Nebraska, in October, 1872. Se- curing one hundred and sixty acres of Hayes township which had never felt a plow and- was entirely destitute of a tree, he unload- ed his wagons and immediately commenced the erection of a house out of "Nebraska brick." This sod dwelling, sixteen by thirty feet, with its sod roof and board floor, was the home of the family for four years, when it was replaced by a more commo- dious and substantial frame residence. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hager; six are still living and all are married with the exception of the young- est. In order of birth they are as follows: (i) Sadie M. is the wife of W. D. Clark, and they have five children: Blanch G., now the wife of Thomas Merica, by whom she had one son, Glenn; Maud, wife of Dr. Gordon, a prominent and successful physi- cian of Stockham, Nebraska; Oliver P.; Calvin C. ; and Netia F. (2) Calvin C. married Mary Pursel and died leaving two children: Leila and Mary. (3) William P., a farmer of Hayes township, York coun- ty, married Hattie Morse and has three liv- ing children: John O., Claud C. and Roy, while his youngest child, Chauncy B. died at the age of thirteen months. (4) Julia S. is the wife of Ezra Walters, of Lushton, York county, and they have two children: Pena Pearl and Denzil B. (5) Albert E., a resident of Lincoln, Nebraska, graduated from a business college of that city August 9, 1898, and is a successful teacher. He married Effie Parsons and has one son, Dar- win. (6) Ida M. married Fred Shepherd, by whom she has one child, Arlo Guy, and they live on the old Hager homestead. (7) Katie M. is a graduate of the State Normal school at Peru, and since the early age of sixteen years has been a very successful and popular teacher. In 1852 Mr. Hager cast his first presi- 994 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. dential vote for Winfield Scott, four years later supported John C. Fremont, and has never failed to cast his ballot for each suc- ceeding Republican candidate for the presi- dency. He is an honored member of the Grand Army Post of York, and his wife be- longs to the Woman's Relief Corps. In religious faith they are Methodists, and have been identified with that church for the past thirty-five years, while most of their children are also connected with that denomination. The parents are spending their declining years in retirement in the city of York, where they are surrounded by a large circle of friends and acquaintances who esteem them highly for their sterling worth and many excellencies of character. JW. OCKEN is one of the capable and enterprising young men who has done so much to build up Staplehurst, and make secure the future of Seward county. He is not yet forty years of age, but has de- veloped a grasp of the situation in a busi- ness way that shows a mind naturally fitted to the intricacies of modern commerce. He is the proprietor of a boot and shoe store in Staplehurst, and by his tact and skill as well as by the quality of his goods and the honesty of his methods, has won a wide pat- ronage from the best people of the county. Mr. Ocken is a native of Germany, where he was born January iS, 1859, and is a son of Lawrence W. and Alena (Ernsten) Ocken. They belonged to fam- ilies that had been native to the soil of Germany for many centuries, and are endued with the best spirit of Teutonic civilization. The senior Ocken is a painter by trade, and emigrated to the United States in 1S89, and is now living in this county. His wife died in October, 1885. J. W. Ocken spent his youth in his na- tive land, and was educated in the schools of his neighborhood. He learned the shoe- maker's trade in the old country, and fol- lowed it until 1883. That year he came to this country with the laudable ambition of improving his condition. He made his way directly to Chicago, where he spent one year. The following summer he appeared for the first time in this county, and opened a shoe store in Staplehurst. He has pros- pered in his business, and was very soon able to put up a business building, and fill it with a well-selected stock of footwear. On September 9, 1898, Mr. Ocken's store was destroyed by fire, causing an entire loss of all his stock and household goods. He, however, resumed operations again and is now doing a good business with an entire new stock. He is a popular merchant and by his accommodating spirit and honest deal- ing has won and holds many friends. Mr. Ocken was married in 1891 to Miss Wilhelmina Bieberick, whose birthplace was in Indiana. She is a lady of genial and hospitable characteristics, and is highly re- spected throughout the community. They have three children: Lenhart, Otto, and William. They are all living, and are fine bright lads. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ocken be- long to the German Lutheran church, and are active workers in its behalf. He is a Democrat, though in no sense an active politician, or office-seeker. He devotes himself to his business, and has achieved a very considerable success. He reached Staplehurst in 1884 without means, and to- day owns a fine stock of goods complete in every department, and without a dollar of encumbrance. It is a creditable record. ERASMUS KRUMBACH, a well-known farmer residing on the southeast quarter of section 4, township 1 3, range i west. Hack- berry precinct, Polk county, is one of the most prosperous and energetic men of the community, who from an humble beginning in life has accumulated a handsome property. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 995 He not only commenced without means, but was obliged to battle with the elements of a foreign soil and the customs of a strange country, as he is a German by birth and parentage. He was born December 6, 1855, m Prussia, where he grew to man- hood, securing a good high school education. In 1875 he crossed the broad Atlantic, reach- ing Polk county, Nebraska, on the 8th of March of that year, and for a couple of years he made his home with his brother John. Mr. Krumbach then purchased the northeast quarter of section 24, township 13, range 2, which at that time was very slightly improved, but to the further de- velopment and cultivation of his land he at once turned his attention, though he con- tinued to live with his brother until 1881. In September of that year he wedded Miss Mary Benda, who was born in Austria, December 4, i860, a daughter of Reinhard Benda, also a native of Austria, where he followed the trade of a weaver until coming to America in 1879, when he settled in Clear Creek precinct, Polk county, on wild land, and has since devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. Mrs. Krumbach is the oldest of the family of five children still living, the others being Joseph, Theodore, Reinhard and Emma. The union of our subject and his wife has been blessed with two daughters, namely; Anna Elizabeth and Mary Helen. Mr. and Mrs. Krumbach began their do- mestic life upon the farm which he had previously purchased, and he soon had two hundred acres under a high state of cultiva- tion, all fenced, an orchard planted, and a good frame residence, barns and other buildings erected thereon. In 18S9 he re- moved to his present farm, which is also improved with substantial buildings, includ- ing a pleasant home, which he built with the e.xception of the kitchen. Here he owns four hundred acres of rich and arable land, three hundred and forty of which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, and is successfully engaged in general farm- ing and stock raising, making a specialty of Poland-China hogs. In religious faith he is a Catholic, holding membership with the congregation at Shelby, and in his political views is independent, preferring to cast his ballot for the man whom he considers best qualified to fill the office, regardless of party ties. He has served as judge of election and a member of the school board of district No. 67, being moderator and treasurer of the latter. He is a warm friend of the cause of education, and has provided his children with good school privileges, one daughter having attended school at York, Nebraska. EDWARD A. ARMSTRONG, a popular and respected farmer residing in Stan- ton precinct, Fillm>ore county, was born in Illinois, November 10, 1863. He attended the common schools of his district until he was fourteen years of age, and that complet- ed his education so far as school was con- cerned. At thirteen years of age his father died, and the responsibility of the family cares devolved in a measure on his youthful shoulders. In 1881, the widowed mother with her children moved to Clay, and took a farm there, and after remaining there one year, again made a move, and came to Stanton precinct, Fillmore county. Here they bought a farm of three hundred and twenty acres at seven dollars and seven dol- lars and a half per acre, paying one-tenth of the purchase price in cash, and the balance in annual payments. When they first took up their abode on the farm they had pur- chased, their only buildings were a sod house and a sod stable. They lived for seven years in this way, when at last they were able to afford nice frame buildings. Under their careful and industrious manage- 996 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. ment, they have gotten their farm under a high state of cultivation. Our subject was the son of Edwin and Mrs. Susan (Corey) Armstrong. Edwin Armstrong, Sr. , was born in one of the New England states, and after his marriage to Miss Susan Corey, who was a native of Ver- mont, he came west and settled in Illinois, where he died in 1S76. The mother came west with her son, and lived with him un- til her death, which occurred November 14, 1898. She lived to be sixty-seven years of age, and was a devoted Christian mother. Her remains were interred in the Geneva cemetery. To their marriage were born five children: Mrs. Annete Elwell, now living in California; Albert E., who married Miss Minnie Talkington, and who is living in Fillmore county; Mrs. Flora Eugene Walker, now living in Denver, Colorado; Fannie A. Innman, also living in Colorado; and Edwin A. In 1890, at the age of twenty-seven, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda Brown, who was born in England, March i, 1871, and was the daughter of Benjamin and Ann (Land) Brown, who were natives of England. When she was two years of age, she came to America with her parents. On their ar- rival in this country, they came at once to Lincoln, Nebraska, and after living there awhile, the}' came to Fillmore county, and purchased eighty acres of land, on which lived until 1890, when they bought land in York county, and upon which they are now residing. They were the parents of five children: Mrs. Julia Nahrgany, now living in McCool; Walter C, Earnest E. and Rhoda, the wife of our subject. To the marriage of Mr. Armstrong have been born four children: Earl E., who is seven years of age; Claud C, five years of age; Hazel M., three years of age; and Leone M., nine months of age, all of whom are living and staying at home. Both he and his wife are active Christians, and are greatly interested in religious work. Politically he is a strong Republican, and is an active worker in any measure that will benefit his community, and his fidelity to all duties imposed upon him has made every one his friend. TOHN SHAPLAND, the well-known pro- <) prietor of one of the most desirable farms of Morton township, York county, comes from across the sea, his birth occur- ring in Devonshire, England, March 4, 1832. His parents, John and Mary (How- ard) Shapland, natives of the same country, emigrated to the United States in 185 1 and took up their residence in Genesee county, New York. Subsequently they removed to Illinois and settled in La Salle county, where the mother died, but the father is still liv- ing there at the extreme old age of ninety- five years, honored and respected by all who know him. By occupation he is a farmer. In the family of ten children, John Shap- land is the third in order of birth, and upon a farm in his native land he grew to man- hood, acquiring an excellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits under the able guidance of his father. Leaving home in 1849 he crossed the Atlantic and first set foot on American soil at Quebec, Canada. He lived at Batavia and Lockport, New York, for two years and then went to Chicago, where he entered the employ of the Illinois Central railroad, Viforking for that and other roads for the following eight years. He then removed to La Salle county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming until after the inauguration of the Civil war. In 1862 he manifested his love for his adopted country by enlisting in Company D, One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was in the service until the ist of March, 1865, during which time he participated in nearly all the engagements in which his regiment took part. At Elk River he was COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 997 one of ten to storm the stockade, and for this gallant service was awarded a medal by the government. He was in all the engage- ments of the Atlanta campaign, and at the battle of Peach Tree Creek was severely wounded July 20, 1864, a shot passing through his neck and coming out of his mouth. He was discharged March i, 1865, at Mound City, Illinois, and returned home with the rank of corporal. In Illinois, Mr. Shapland was married, in 1865, to Miss Martha A. Kendall, a native of Maine, and a daughter of Thomas and Mary Kendall, who were also born in the Pine Tree state. Three children bless this union: John K., who married Carrie Dickey; Mary A., wife of E. O. Jenkins; and Edwin S., who married Leota Donaldson. The family remained in Illinois until 1884, when they came to York county, Nebraska, and Mr. Shapland purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Morton township, which he has converted into a fine farm. He has since added to his possessions and now owns two hundred and twenty acres. His political support is always given the men and measures of the Prohibition party, and religiously he and his family are devoted members of the United Brethren church, in the work of which they take an active part. ISAAC EASTWOOD, a worthy representa- tive of one of the prominent and highly respected pioneer families of West Blue township, Fillmore county, whose home is on section 12, was born in Yorkshire, Eng- land, December 21, 1855, and is a son of Thomas and Fannie (Thorp) Eastwood, also natives of Yorkshire. The paternal grandfather, • Joseph Eastwood, spent his* entire life in England. About 1863, the father visited the United States, but did not remain long, however, and it was not until 1 87 1 that he brought his family to the new world to make their future home. On land- ing in this country they proceeded at once to Fillmore county, Nebraska, where the father still resides, an honored and highly esteemed citizen of his county. Here the mother died in 1895. Of the six children born to them, four sons and two daughters, four died in England, the only survivors be- ing our subject and his brother John, both residents of Fillmore county. Isaac Eastwood was reared and educat- ed in his native land and there started to learn the machinist's trade, but was forced to abandon it on account of failing health. In 1 87 1, he accompanied his parents on their emigration to America and took up his residence in Fillmore county during the fall of that year, making his home here con- tinuously since. The father homesteaded the place where our subject now resides, it being the west half of the northwest quarter of section 12, West Blue township, which at that time was all raw land, and the first home of of the family in the new world was a sod house, in which they began life in true pioneer style. Some years later it was re- placed by a good frame residence. After living here for about eleven years our sub- ject took charge of the home farm, and also of an adjoining quarter section, on which he lived for some time. He is a skillful farmer and has met with most ex- cellent success in the operation of his land. In 1882, Mr. Eastwood married Miss Inez Aldrich, a daughter of P. M. Aldrich, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. She died in February, 1884, and Mr. Eastwood was again married, March 11, 1886, his second union being with Miss Nancy F. Chambers, a native of Felicity, Ohio. Her parents, John and Mary Chambers, were both natives of Ger- many, and for some years made their home in Cincinnati, Ohio, but are now deceased. Mrs. Eastwood is a most estimable lady and a consistent member of the Presbyte- rian church. 998 COMPEXDICM or BIOGRAPIir. Our subject gives special attention to stock raising, and feeds from three to four car loads of cattle annually and two car loads of hogs. He is essentialy a self-made man, who has accumulated a comfortable competence through his own efforts, pa- tiently enduring the hardships of a pioneer life that he might profit thereby, and the result has amply justified the shrewd and intelligent foresight of this clear-headed, energetic man. Socially he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and politically is identified with the Republican party. He has most acceptably served as treasurer of West Blue township for two terms. FERDINAND ADOLPH OEHME, de- ceased. — In the death of the late Fer- dinand A. Oehme, Center township, Butler county, lost a worthy citizen and excellent farmer, as well as one of the early settlers of the county. He settled on section 2, of this township in September, 1879, and from that time until his death, although he had formerly been a civil engineer, he devoted his time almost e.xclusively to agricultural pursuits and left his widow and family an excellent, well-improved farm and a cozy and commodious home. Our subject was born in Chemnitz, Saxony, Germany, June 12, 1836. His father was a cotton merchant and manufact- urer of that city, and Ferdinand, being the oldest son, was given the advantage of a liberal education, and was well versed in engineering and an expert accountant. After finishing his education he was placed in charge of the manufacturing interests of his father and held that position until he embarked for America in 1868. He stopped for a time in New York but soon went west and accepted a position with the Rock Island & Peoria Railroad Company as min- ing engineer and made his headquarters at Moline, Illinois. His wife and family- joined him about a year later. After the change in the management of the railroad our subject resigned his position and accept- ed one with the company that was then constructing the Rock Island bridge. From here he moved to Plattsmouth, Nebraska, where he was engaged in the office of the Burlington & Missouri River railroad in Nebraska, and, with the exception of one j'ear spent in railroad construction in Texas, he was engaged in Plattsmouth and in Omaha, Nebraska, as an accountant and compiling statistics for the Burlington & Missouri River railroad in Nebraska until 1879. Owing to failing health, caused by the confinement of his office work, Mr. Oehme was then forced to resign his position with the railroad and adopt a more active line of work. He accordingly moved to Butler county and settled on the quarter section now occupied by the family, as be- fore stated. In September, 1862, while in charge of his father's business in Chemnitz, Germany, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Anna Louise Richter, a daughter of Frede- rick Richter, a forester. Mr. and Mrs. Oehme reared a family of five children, three of whom were born in Saxony, one in Plattsmouth and one in Omaha, Nebraska, and their names in the order of their birth are as follows: John D., is living at home; Johanna, also at home; Paul is married and living at Wichita, Texas; Florence and Per- ceval, both living at home. Since the death of Mr. Oehme, the farm has been carried on by his widow and those of the children that are still living at home. Our subject was a man of excellent business ability and met with success in every line ot work in which he engaged, both in his father's factory in Germany and the various enterprises in which he embarked after migrating to America. Although he never aspired a COMPEXDnwr of BIOC.RAPJfr. oogi prominent position in the political world, Mr. Oehme was interested in ever3'thing that had a tendency to promote the public good, and contributed liberally of his time and means to all worthy enterprises, and represented his precinct in the capacity of supervisor, and also held some of the minor offices. WILLIAM B. FRANCIS is a wide- awake, progressive farmer of Seward county, Nebraska, who has achieved success through his own individual efforts, and is now one of its well-to-do as well as high!)' esteemed citizens. He was born in Oquawka, Henderson count}-, Illinois, No- vember 9, 1859, and is a son of James F. and Lizzie (Ankrom) Francis, who were originally from Loudoun county, Virginia, and were pioneers of Illinois. For some years the father followed boating on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, then engaged in the lumber business until 1S71, when his entire lumber yard and sawmill were de- stroyed by tire, causing a loss of some twenty thousand dollars, after which he was en- gaged in the dry-goods business until 1880. He then went to Colorado and tried mining for a year without success and then he came to Seward county, Nebraska, and made his home here until his death, which occurred three years later. In his family were five sons, of whom three are now residents of Nebraska. The wife and mother departed this life on the ist of January, 1890. During his boyhood and youth William B. Francis pursued his studies in the schools of his native state, and when his education was completed assisted his father in business for some years. He also came to Seward county in 1 880 and five years later purchased his present farm, comprising a quarter sec- tion of rich and fertile land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good and substantial build- 57 ings, so that it is now one of the most de- sirable farms of the neighborhood. Al- though he came to the state in limited cir- cumstances he has steadil\- overcome the difficulties and obstacles in his path to suc- cess and now has a comfortable competence. In 1885 Mr. Francis married Miss Etta Ankrom, a native of Hancock county, Illi- nois, and a daughter of Jamison Ankrom. To them have been born four children, namely: Addie M., Minnie A., Cora E. and Rhoda G., all living. Although he has never aspired to office, Mr. Francis takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs, and in his political views is a Popu- list. Socially he is an honored member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern \\'oodmen of .America. REUBEN H. CONANT.— One of the most attractive rural homes in Thayer township, York county, Nebraska, is that 06 the gentleman above mentioned. The es- tate which he occupies is located on section- 14, and it is conducted upon modern scien- tific principles of agriculture, besides which it is adorned with all modern impro\'ements. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is a veteran of the late war, and is one of the pioneers of Thayer township. He is one of the representative farmers of York county, and has been a conspicuous figure in the extension and development of the agricultural interests of the same. He was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, Octo- ber 15, 1844, and is a son of Richard R. and Sallie (McKenziei Conant, who were both natives of New York state. Richard R. Conant, the father of our subject, was a son of John Conant, a shoe- maker by occupation. He was a farmer and lumber dealer, and followed these oc- cupations in Ohio, until 1856, when he lo- cated in Warren county, Illinois, where his death occurred in 1876. His good wife is 1000 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. still living near Hopkins, Missouri, being nearly one hundred years of age. They were the parents of nine children, seven sons and two daughters. Reuben H. Conant received his educa- tion in the schools of Ohio and Illinois. As soon as he was old enough he began to work on a farm, which occupation he has followed ever since, with the exception of twelve years, during which time he followed the carpenter's trade. He followed the trade of a carpenter for three years after he set- tled in Nebraska. He took up his residence in York county in 1S79, when he purchased a farm in Thayer township, on section 14. It was railroad land and none of it was im- proved, but with the characteristic energy that predominates in his life, he set to work and erected a small frame house upon the land and commenced his task of cultivating it. To-day he has as fine appearing a farm that one could find anywhere, and he is reaping the benefit of his well directed la- bors. He has followed general farming and stock raising ever since his residence in the county, with well-merited success, for the many hours of toil he spent on his farm. Reuben H. Conant was not slow to re- spond to the call for volunteers, during that trying period prior to the actual com- mencement of hostilities, and accordingly on June 12, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Thirty-third Illinois Infantry at Gales- burg, Illinois, and served with distinction until December, 1865. He was engaged in the following battles during his service: Pea Ridge and Fredrickstown, Missouri; Fort Gibson, Jackson, Bakers Creek, Big Black river, Siege of \'icksburg, in Mississippi; Posscoville, Te.xas, and Mobile, Alabama. He held the rank of sergeant, and in all fought in about thirty-six battles and skir- mishes through which he passed, and re- ceived but one wound, which occurred while campaigning in Arkansas. Mr. Conant was united in marriage in June, 1867, to Miss Orilla Churchill, who was a daughter of Calvin and Sallie (Bug- bee) Churchill, who came from Ohio and settled in Illinois in 1S47. Mr. and Mrs. Conant are the parents of two children upon whom they have bestowed the follow- ing names: Fred S. and Phillip F. Socially Mr. Conant is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Degree of Honor Modern Woodmen of America, and the Home Forum. In his political life he is a stanch upholder of the Republican party, and a firm believer in its principles, though he has never sought any office. He has achieved his well earned success solely through his own efforts, and enjoys the respect and esteem which is accorded to him by all who know him, either in business or social life. JOHN B. KAUFFMAN, an honored pioneer and influential citizen of West Blue township, Fillimore county, Nebraska, was born in Lancaster, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, April 28, 1825, a son of John and Eliza (Brubaker) Kauffman, also natives of that county. The paternal grandfather, Christian Kauffman, was born in Pennsylvania, of Dutch parentage, and the father died in that state. Our subject's mother afterward married a Mr. Bengman, Widaman, and removed to Ohio, in 1829, settling near Dayton in Montgomery county. Her last days, however, were passed in Ne- braska, and she died in Boone count}-, this state, April i i, 1890, at the ripe old age of eighty-three years. Our subject accompanied the familj- on their removal to Ohio, in 1837, where he was reared, his education being acquired in the common schools of that state. At the age of sixteen he commenced learning the blacksmith's trade, which continued to follow in Ohio until April, 1870, when he came to COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 1001 Fillmore county, Nebraska, and home- steaded the land where he now lives. He erected a log house upon his land and opened the first blacksmith shop in the county. In exchange for work in the shop his neigh- bors broke his land the first year of his re- sidence here, and he has followed black- smithing and farming continuously since, meeting with marked success. There were still some Indians in this region at the time of his arrival, but none were hostile. He can relate many interesting incidents con- nected with his pioneer life, and he has not only watched with interest almost the entire growth and development of the county but has materially aided in the same. In Ohio, Mr. Kauff.Tian was married, December 31, 1854, to Miss Melissa Whit- aker, a native of Middletown, Warren county, that state, and of English descent. Her parents, William B. and Eliza Whit- aker, were natives of Pennsylvania and New York, respectively. Four children were born to our subject and his wife, all still living, namely: Dora F. , now the wife of Charles W. Park; Martha I.; Nellie E., wife of Clarence Selah; and Lon S. The wife and mother, who was a faithful mem- ber of the Lutheran church and a most es- timable lady, was called to her final rest March 8, 1895. Religiously Mr. Kauffman is also a Lu- theran, and socially was a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Improved Order of Red Men. In early life he was a Whig and cast his first presidential vote for Zach- arj' Taylor, but since the organization of the Republican party he has been one of its stanch supporters and cast his last vote for William McKinley. He has not only won a substantial success in life but has always gained the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens, and is held in high regard by all who know him on account of his many sterling traits of character. WILLIAM EWING, whose home is on section 27, Center township, has been a resident of Butler county since New Years day, 1S83, and was for several years actively identified with its agricultural inter- ests, but is now practically living retired. Of excellent business ability and broad re- sources, he has attained a prominent place among the substantial citizens of his part of the county, and his success has been won by his own well-directed and energetic ef- forts. Mr. Ewing was born November 9, 1838, in Wayne county, Illinois. His father, James Ewing, was a native of the same county, and was there reared and married about 1835 to Miss Jane Corder, by whom he had five children, viz. : Emily, William, Robert, Abigail and James. In Wayne county the father died in 1844 and the mother subsequently wedded William Ed- dings. Her death occurred in the same county at the age of fifty-six years. In the county of his nativity William Ewing was reared and educated, continuing to make it his home until twenty-two years of age, when he went to Logan county, Illinois. While there he enlisted in the spring of 1864 in Company D, One Hun- dred and Forty-fifth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, and served until the close of the war. Returning to Logan county, he was married there in the fall of 1865 to Miss Margaret A. Buraison, a daughter of Will- iam Burnison, of that county. Her father was a native of England, but came to this country with his parents when about five years old and lived for many years in or near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. There Mrs. Ewing was born in 1842 and was the eldest daughter of the family, the other children being Robert, Samuel, David, William, Thomas, Eliza and Lydia. From Logan county, Mr. and Mrs. Ew- ing removed to Piatt county, Illinois, but after residing there four years went to Iro- 1002 COMPEXDILWr OF BWGRAPIir. quois county, that state, where they made their home until coming to Butler county, Nebraska, in 1883. Here our subject owns one of the finest half sections of land in this region, and also has a city residence in Lin- coln, Nebraska. Owing to failing eyesight he has not been actively engaged in farming for several years, his labors of early life having secured for him a comfortable com- petence which enables him to lay aside business cares. He and his wife are active and prominent members of the Methodist church, have made many warm friends and acquaintances in this community, and are deserving the high regard in which they are uniformly held. ' To this worthy couple were born four children, as follows: Mary, born in Logan county, Illinois, is now the wife of Ellis Gelwig, and lives in Oklahoma; James, born in Piatt county, Illinois, is a resident of Col- orado, where he is largely interested in stock raising in the San Luis valley; Eliza, also born in Piatt county, married M. M. Fenderson, and lives in Oklahoma; Emma, born in Iroquois county, Illinois, died in Butler county, Nebraska, in 1897. PROF. J. E. OWEN, who, under ad- verse circumstances during his early life, gained for himself an education, which has placed him in an enviable position in his present home, was born in Kansas, April 10, 1876. He is now prominent in the educational circles of Fillmore county, Nebraska. Mr. Owen's parents were W. J. and Rebecca Ann Slagley Owen, both natives of Indiana. Our subject's grandfather served in the Mexican and also the Civil wars and is now living near Kearney, Nebraska. Mr. Owen's parents moved to Nebraska in 1882 and located at Davenport where W. J. Owen was employed in the lumber trade. In 1886 they removed to Shickley, Ne- braska, where j'oung Owen assisted his father in the lumber business for about si.x years. It was while living at Shickley that his father began preaching. In 1892 the family returned to Davenport and the year following they moved to Kearney, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Owen were the parents of four children: J. E., Alpha, Audra and Creath. The mother died in August, 1887, in Shickley, Nebraska, at the age of thirty- one years. She was laid to rest in Daven- port cemetery, leaving a husband and four children to mourn for her. She was a lov- ing wife and mother, and a devoted Chris- tian, a member of the Church of Christ. Our subject was then but eleven years of age. W. J. Owen later married Miss Minnie Johnson and they are now living in Richardson county, where Mr. Owen follows farming in addition to his church work. For about three years the subject oi our sketch worked on a farm in Buffalo county, and here devoted his spare time to study, and when but eighteen years of age had acquired an education which entitled him to a first grade teacher's certificate. He taught one year in Buffalo county for thirty dollars per month and the salary thus earned helped support the family during the failure of har- vest occasioned by the drouth. He taught the following year in the ungraded school at Pleasantown, Nebraska. In 1896 he moved to Martland, Nebraska, and taught there two years. During the summer of i 897 he grad- uated from Salina Normal University at Salina, Kansas. In 1898 he accepted the position of principal of the Strang High School. He has proven himself capable in every detail and is at present filling the same responsible position. August 6, 1898, J. E. Owen was married to Miss Bertha Boyle, a daughter of Peter Boyle and Catherine Mitchell Boyle, natives of Fayette county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Owen's parents are living in Denver, Colo- rado, and although her father is seventy- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIir. 1003 ihree years of age and hermother sixty-five, their zeal in the education and the moral training of the joung is unabated. Mrs. Owen has three brothers and three sisters: Mitchell, a traveling salesman; Guy, a teleg- rapher: Charles, a lawyer in McCook, Ne- braska; Sadie, a teacher; Minnie, a stenog- rapher in Denver, and Lillian, a widowed sister. Mrs. Owen received a liberal liter- ary and musical education, and studied music for some time at Central Music Hall, Chicago, and in 1898 she graduated from the collegiate department of the Academy of Music, of Denver. She is an accomplished violinist and pianist, and is now an in- structor in music. Mr. and Mrs. Owen have overcome obstacles that would have de- terred many, and have won a high position in educational and social circles, numbering among their friends and acquaintances those eminent in all avocations. They also lend their influence to the religious interests of the community and are exemplary members of the Church of Christ. Mr. Owen is an advocate of Republican principles. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World. JASPER ROBERTS was born March 24, vJ 1849, in Fulton county, Illinois. In the spring of 1866 his parents moved to Ne- braska, and our subject, who was then a lad of seventeen, came with them. He continued to reside with his parents until he became of age, when he took a home- stead near the present town of Staplehurst. He was married to Miss Mattie E. Davis, daughter of Hon. W. R. Davis, in June, 1 87 1, and five children were born to them, two of whom, Claudius and Ralph, are still living. In 1880, Mr. Roberts moved to Ulysses, and engaged in various business pursuits, but devoting his time principally to the stock and grain business, and later engaged in the grocery business, and in which he was engaged at the time of his death, which occurred October 15, 1884, resulting from a wound which was received by the accidental discharge of a re\olver which he was examining. He was a suc- cessful and popular business man, and his less was sorely felt by the community in which he lived. He was a prominent mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity. JACOB M. LLOYD is one of the repre- sentative farmers and stockraisers of Lockridge township, York county, Nebras- ka, where he has a fine farm on section 10 of the above named township. He is one of the early settlers of the county, and has taken an active part in the growth and de- velopment of the same. He was born in Logan county, Illinois, September 30, 1848. His parents, Belfield C. and Elizabeth (Meeker) Lloyd, were natives of Virginia and New York, respectively. His father settled in Logan county, Illinois, in 1835, where he resided until 1856, when he re- moved to Iowa county, Iowa. He was a farmer and stockraiser by occupation, and both he and his wife died in Iowa county. Jacob M. Lloyd received his education in the common schools of Iowa county, Iowa, and took up farming when quite young. At the age of twenty-two he began farming for himself, and in 1876 he located in York county. He purchased a home- stead in Lockridge township, upon which he now resides. He has improved the farm himself, and does a general farming and stockraising business. In 1S69 he was united in marriage to Miss Ruth J. Pool, a native of Sciota coun- ty, Ohio, whose parents moved to Iowa and later to York county, Nebraska. Her fa- ther was a physician and practiced some in York. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd are the parents of six children, of whom we have the fol- lowing record: Minnie, born in 1871; Ritta M., born in 1873; Bessie, born in 1875; 1004 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. Herman, born in 1880; Ezra, born in 1885, and Wallace born in 1890. They are all living and the daughters are married and re- side in the county. Mr. Lloyd is a member of the A. O. U. W. and in his politics he is a firm believer in the principles of the Democratic party. He has never sought any office, but has held some of the minor township offices. He is a man of strictest integrity, and re- tains the confidence and esteem of all who know him for his many sterling traits of character. HARMON JOHNSON.— Mr. Johnson is one of the successful farmers of Butler county, and has won his honorable standing in Nebraska solely by brain and muscle. He has never been afraid of hard work, and has tried to put intelligence into his every labor. He has lived in this county since May 5, 1872, at which time he settled upon section 4, of Skull Creek township, under the homestead laws. Previous to that date, however, he had spent a year in Saunders county, so that he feels he knows the state quite thoroughly. Mr. Johnson is a native of Hanover, Germany, where he was born in 1838. His father died before he was two years old, and when he had reached the age of eighteen years he decided to emigrate to America. He came to this country alone, and made his home near Alton, Illinois. He was here at the breaking out of the rebellion, and responded to the first call for troops, enlisting in Company M, First Mis- souri Volunteer Cavalry, and completed a full three years' term with the flag. His army record is a good one, of which any man might well be proud. He participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Helena, Arkan- sas, the siege of Vicksburg, Holly Springs and Little Rock, and had part in many other less important skirmishes and battles. He was wounded in the ankle at Pea Ridge, and in the arm at Holly Springs, but enjoys the distinction of being one of the few wounded men who have never applied for a pension. Mr. Johnson comeback to Illinois at the return of peace, and spent several years working in the coal mines, where he was hurt by the caving in of the mine. He then betook himself to St. Louis, where he was engaged in the livery business for three years. In 1869 he found his wife near Alton. She was a daughter of William Miners, and a native of Hanover, but came to America when twenty-five years old. She is the mother of five children, of whom two, Hermann and John G., were born in Illinois, and the others, William, Annie and Henry, are natives of this state. In 1871 Mr. Johnson met with a serious disaster, from which a less determined man would have scarcely rallied. In August of that year, while crossing Salt Creek with team and effects, the water was very high, and the bridge was carried away by the roaring flood, and everything he possessed in the world was lost. He escaped himself with difficulty, but managed to save his wagon. He was left without money and no means of earning any except by day's work among the farmers. He was not discouraged, but presently found his footing again, and now owns a fine farm. In the meantime he has made his impression on the community as a man of sterling integrity and sound judg- ment, and for many years he has taken a prominent part in local affairs. He has served as justice of the peace, and is a stalwart Republican in politics. He is a member of the German Lutheran church, with which his wife is also associated. It is a pleasure to the historian to sketch the career of a man like Mr. Johnson. He belongs to a vast body of clear-eyed and strong-hearted men who have landed upon these shores with no reliance save upon their own strength and courage, have carved COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 1005 out homes and honor and fame from the strange and unpromising materia! the new world offered them. As a boy of eighteen walking the unfamiliar streets of Alton the heart of Mr. Johnson might well have been dismayed. The Missouri cavalry might have been a rough school to nurture a Ger- man lad in American patriotism, but it found a ready pupil. Fie has worked, and waited, and struggled and persevered, and now he is reaping the reward of a well spent life. Let the new generation ponder the story of such a man, and the country will be the better for it. CALVIN S. STOVER, one of the sub- stantial business men of Ohiowa, Fill- more county, Nebraska, and one who has taken an active part in the advancement of the town and county, was born in Iowa, August, 1866, the son of Henderson and Mary E. Bodenaut Stover. His parents vvere natives of Iowa, and were married in that state. During the Civil war his father enlisted in Company B, Twenty-third Iowa Infantry, and served his country till the close of the war. He was well known for his bravery and patriot- ism. Upon receiving his honorable dis- charge, he returned to his home state and learned the miller's trade and engineering. From Iowa he moved to Washington and is now employed as engineer and manager of a sawmill in that state. Our subject resided with his parents un- til seventeen years of age and then, decid- ing to seek a competence farther west, went to Franklin township, Fillmore county, Nebraska. Here he was employed by a prominent farmer, Mr. Ralph W. Stowell, for three years. At the end of that time he engaged in the draying business in the town of Ohiowa. In 1891 he changed his bus- iness for that of butcher and stock-buyer. He has been successful in this undertaking and continues in the same business. He has accumulated a nice fortune and is owner of valuable business and residence property in Ohiowa. Mr. Stover has three brothers and three sisters: William, in west- ern Nebraska; Frank and James, in Spo- kane, Washington; Susannah, also in ^^'ash- ington; Anna, married Mr. Laplant, a ranchman in Montana; and Addie, now Mrs. Stephen Beck, living in Huntington, Oregon. August 16, 1888, Mr. Stover was mar- ried to Miss Anna Einhause, a native of Germany. Mrs. Stover was born in 1870 and her parents died while she was still a young girl. She emigrated to America and settled in Nebraska. She received a good education in the public schools of her na- tive land and also in Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Stover are the parents of one child, a bright, interesting daughter. Hazel. Mrs. Stover is a member of the Degree of Honor of Ohiowa, and a member of the Baptist church. She is an accomplished lady and commands the respect of all. Mr. Stover is a young man of remarkable busi- ness ability, and known in his community for his honorable dealings. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity and also the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In politics Mr. Stover is an advocate of dem- ocratic principles. THOMAS PERDUE.— Among the men who are gaining a good support by till- ing the soil of Seward county and incidental- ly laying aside something for a rainy day, there is no better representative than the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He owns a fine farm near the vil- lage of Beaver Crossing, which has been his home for many years, and has it well im- proved and in a high state of cultivation and he is surrounded with such home comforts as make life enjoyable. 1006 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. Thomas Perdue was born in West Vir- ginia, in I S3 1, and his wife, Sarah Perdue, was born in about 1840. They were mar- ried March 6, 1856, in Franklin county, Iowa, and about six years later he enlisted in Company F, Thirty-second Iowa Infantry, in Eldora, Hardin county, Iowa. After or- ganizing, the regiment went to Benton Bar- racks, and from thence to Cape Girardeau. During the war he participated in thirteen battles and skirmishes, but throughout his three years service he was never Wounded nor was in a hospital. He was in the skirmish with Marmaduke's forces at Cape Girardeau, and was also in the battle on the banks of the Red river, which was known by some as the battle of De Russe, having marched forty miles the day and night previous for the purpose of surprising the fort and were successful in capturing it. The ne.xt battle in which Mr. Perdue j ar- ticipated was Pleasant Hill, where Banks' force was worsted and the army commenced to retreat from there to the mouth of the Red river, and there was almost continuous skirmishing all the way. From there the command, under General A. J. Smith, went to Vicksburg, and from there they started for Marmaduke, who had been interfering with the northern army's transports. Then they made their way to Memphis, and from thence the\- started for Pontiac, Mississippi. Mr. Perdue also participated in the battle of Tupelo, on Old Town creek, the two days fight at Nashville, Tennessee, and from there the\- went into winter quarters at Eastport, Mississippi. In the spring they made their way down the great river to New Orleans, and from there took ship around by the gulf to Mobile bay, from whence they made their way to Fort Blakels', and to Spanish Fort. This ended the battles in which Mr. Perdue engaged, but from thence he marched with the command to Montgomery, Alabama, and soon after re- turned to his home in Hardin county, Iowa, having been mustered out at Clinton, Iowa, August 23, 1865. Upon reaching his home, our subject purchased a house in Eldora and his family lived there while he cultivated a farm near that place for six years. He then moved with his wife and family of four children, conveying their household goods in the popular conveyance at that time, a covered wagon, to Nebraska, and located a home- stead claim two miles east and one and a half miles south of Beaver Crossing, in Seward county. He at once set about to make a home for himself and family by constructing a dugout in the side of a ra- vine, and then began to cultivate his farm. The first season he succeeded in breaking twenty-five acres and raised a crop of corn, potatoes, onions and other garden \'ege- tables. This was the beginning of their work of developing a tract of raw, unculti- vated prairie into a home, and it has re- sulted in the attainment of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, supplied with a cozy residence and such barns and out- buildings as go to make up an estate on which a remunerati\'e agricultural business can be conducted. To Mr. and Mrs. Perdue have been born thirteen children, six of whom are now liv- ing, and of whom we have the following record: Thomas E. ; Clara, wife of George P. King; May, wife of Nelson Froman, who is living on his farm near Kingfisher, Okla- homa; Lula, who is now teaching school in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. Curtis, the fifth child in the order of their birth, has recently been discharged from the ser\ice of the Union, having enlisted May to, 1898, in Troop K, Third Regiment of United States Cavalry, for the war in Cuba, and was dis- charged September 8, 1898, at Camp Thomas. He is now stopping at home, but is making preparations to take a five year course in the schools at Fremont, Nebraska, and Ann Arbor, Michigan. The COMPENDIi'^f OF BIOGRAl'fir. 1007 youngest child, Alice, is still making her home with her parents and is attending the public schools. The entire family are mem- bers of the Christian church at Beaver Crossing. In politics, our subject is an old-fashioned Republican, but his two sons indorse the policy of free and unlimited coinage of silver. SWAN LINDSTROM.— Scandinavia, like many other parts of Europe, has furn- ished many of the most prosperous and in- dustrious citizens of York county, and none are more prominently identified with its agricultural interests than Mr. Lindstrom, whose home is on section 21, Stewart town- ship. He was born in Jem Koping, Sweden, July 23, 1849, a son of Swan and Josepha (Johnson) Lindstrom, who spent their en- tire lives in that country and are now de- ceased. They were consistent members of Augustana Lutheran church, and the father -was a farmer by occupation. In their fam- ily were three children, of whom our sub- ject is the youngest, the others being Joseph and Mrs. Emma Johnson, who still reside in Sweden. Mr. Lindstrom, of this review, was reared on a farm amid the wild and rugged scenery of his native land, and received in that country the elements of a fair education. With the hopes of improving his condition in life, he came to America in 1869, at the age of eighteen years, and located at Prince- ton, Illinois, where he made his home for eleven years, at first working as a farm hand, and later operating rented land. He also follow^ed the carpenter's trade to some e.\tent. In 1S72 he married Miss Hannah Swanson, whose birthplace was the same as our subject, and they have become the par- ents of four children: Swan A., who mar- ried Anna Olson, and now resides in Evans- ton, Illinois; and John M., Frank W. and Albert C. , all at home. In 1880, Mr. Lindstrom came to Ne- braska, and located upon his present farm in Stewart township, York county, which at that time was all wild land. He built a small frame house, i4.\2ofeet, and broke prairie all summer for himself and others. He planted a crop in 1881, but it was de- stroyed by the hail. After that he pros- pered, raising good crops until the drouth of 1893 ^nd has become quite well-to-do, although his property on his arrival here consisted of only a team of horses, a wagon, a cow and ninety dollars in money. His home place, which is now well improved with good and substantial buildings, com- prises two hundred acres, of which he has placed one hundred and forty-five acres un- der the plow, and he also owns a tract of eighty acres on section 16, Stewart town- ship, all the result of his earnest, persistent effort along the line of his chosen calling. In religious affiliations Mr. and Mrs. Lindstrom adhere to the doctrines of the Swedish Methodist church, holding mem- bership with that denomination in Gresham, and he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Wood- men of America, at the same place. He is an advocate of the free coinage of silver, and his fellow citizens recognizing his worth and abilit}' made him supervisor of Stewart township one term, road overseer during his entire residence here, director of school district No. 35 and treasurer of the same. WARREN W'OODARD.— We are now permitted to touch briefly upon the life history of one who has retained a per- sonal association with the affairs of F"ill- more county since pioneer days, even before its organization, and he has ever bore an important part in promoting the public wel- fare. He was one of the brave defenders of the Union during the Civil war, and is thoroughly identified with the growth and 1008 COMPENDIUAI OF BIOGRAPHT. prosperity of his adopted county and state. His life has been one of honest and earnest endeavor and due success has not been de- nied. He is now a leading attorney of E.xeter. This honored pioneer was born in Onon- daga county, New York, February ii, 1833, a son of Jonathan and Deborah (Davids) Woodard, also natives of the Empire state. The paternal grandfather, Abijah \\'oodard, spent his entire life there as a farmer, and during the Revolutionary war he aided the colonies in achieving their independence as a soldier of the Continental army. The father was one of the defenders of the country in the war of 1812. In 1847 he and his family removed to Lapeer county, Michigan, where the mother died in 1859. Later he went to Illinois, where his last days were spent, dying there in 1 881, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. In his family were eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom our subject is the only one living in Fillmore county, Ne- braska. Warren Woodard was reared and edu- cated in New York, attending first the com- mon schools and later the Onondaga Insti- tute. He began his business career as a boatman on the Erie canal and Hudson river, running from Buffalo to New York city for three years, and having command 1 of a boat for a part of the time. In 1S54 he went to Marengo, Illinois, where he en- gaged in clerking in a store for three years, and then went to Michigan, where he fol- lowed farming until after the opening of the Rebellion. In 1S61 he enlisted in Company F, Tenth Michigan Infantry, and for four long years remained in the service, valiantly fighting for the old flag and the cause it rep- resented. He took part in the battles of Stone River, Resaca, Tunnel Hill, Big Shanty, Rome, Kenesaw Mountain, Chatta- hoochee River, Ringgold, Chattanooga, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, was with Sherman on his memorable march to the sea, and in the engagements around Atlanta, and also took an active part in the Carolina campaign. He participated in the grand review at W'ashington, District of Co- lumbia, and in August, 1865, was honorably discharged. He was a brave soldier, always found at his post of duty, and has a war record of which he may be justly proud. Returning to his home in Michigan, Mr. Woodard remained there until the spring of 1869, and then went to Illinois, but during the following year we find him 01 route for Nebraska. As a homestead he secured the northeast quarter of section 28, Exeter town- ship, Fillmore county, and he erected thereon the first frame house and bored the first well in the township. This wild tract he has converted into one of the best im- proved farms of the county. For some time he continued to engage in agricultural pursuits, but in 1876 built a hotel in E.xeter and successful!}' conducted the same until 1S82. He established the old Woodard postoffice in 1871, and served as its post- master for one year, and for several terms most efficiently filled the office of justice of the peace. In 1890 he commenced the study of law, was admitted to the bar in 1894, and has since engaged in active prac- tice in Exeter. Mr. W^oodard was married, in 1859, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah M. White, and to them were born four children, namely: Eugene W. , May E., Leon E. and Arthur W. , all living. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1882, and he was again married, in 1884, his second union being with Miss LennieR. Adams, a native of New York state. Mr. Woodard was one of the first set- tlers in this region and was clerk of the meeting called to organize Fillmore county. He has ever cheerfully given his support to those enterprises that tend to public develop- ment, and on the rolls of the county's most COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 1009 honored pioneers his name should be among the foremost. Socially he affiliates with the Grand Army of the Republic, and politically is identified with the Republican party, of whose principles he is a most ar- dent supporter. THOMAS C. BRADLEY.— Mr. Bradley is a forehanded and enterprising farm- er, who has a fine establishment on section i6, Waco township, which here claimed from the wilderness in 1877. It consists of two hundred and forty acres, of which all but twenty acres is under a high state of culti- vation. With his farming he combines a stock business that has proved very lucra- tive. Mr. Bradley is a son of Robert and E. A. (McClellan) Bradley, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, where they mar- ried, removing at a later date to Iowa, where they made a home in Appanoose county. He was a capable physician and practiced his profession in that county until the time of his death, in 1861. His widow with three children came into Nebraska seventeen years later, and made a home for themselves on section 17, Waco township, which was secured from the railroad com- pany. On this tract they erected a little frame house, 16x18 feet, and here the widowed mother made her home as long as she lived. She died full of years and honor, June 12, 1893. She was the mother of two children that died in infancy, besides three other children: Josie, Thomas C. and Will- iam H., who remember her as a tender and devoted mother, a wise counsellor and a saintly soul. Mr. Bradley was born in Appanoose county, Iowa, May 3, i860, and here the earlier years of his life were spent in at- tendance upon the public school, and such other means of instruction as pioneer times afforded. When seventeen years of age he visited this section of the state, and picked out the tract on which his mother and fam- ily located the following spring. He was quick and active in the making of the new home, and was presently ready for a home himself, which he secured upon his marriage with Miss Ida Evans, in 1889. The fruits of this union were two girls, Lizzie and Ruth. Their mother died January 12, 1895, and on November 25, 1897, Mr. Bradley became a husband for the second time, ex- changing matrimonial vows with Miss Lena L. Meredith, a daughter of William M. Meredith, of Leroy township, in this coun- ty. She is a member of the Presbyterian church at York, and is highly respected for her many good qualities. Mr. Bradley is a man of character and standing in the community. He is a mem- ber of the Protestant Methodist church at Waco, and renders it efficient service as a member of its board of trustees. In fratern- al matters he has a lively interest, and his Masonic relations are far reaching. He belongs to the blue lodge and chapter at York, where he also holds his Knight Temp- lar connection. At Lincoln he attends the Mystic Shrine, and wherever Masons are assembled in the state he would not be un- known and unwelcome. He is also asso- ciated with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, and devotes much thought to its philanthopical propositions. In politics he trains with the Democratic party, and takes an active interest in its fortunes. JAMES HENRY WRIGHT was born March 7, I'^jg, in Newark, Licking county, Ohio, a son of Samuel and Sarah Wright. The latter was a daughter of James and Sarah Beeny. All the above named ancestors were of English birth, and as far back as the family can be traced, they all followed the occupation of farming. Our subject was reared on a farm in 1010 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. Licking count}-, Ohio, but in 1854, the father sold his Ohio property and moved his fam- ily to Iowa and settled first in Scott county, but soon after moved to Keokuk county, bought a farm six miles north of Sigourney, and made that his home until his death, which occurred in 1857, in his fifty-eighth jear. James becoming dissatisfied with his home surroundings, as do many boys of his age, left the parental roof at the age of six- teen, joined a party of emigrants and went to Texas. Locating in the cit_\- of Sher- man, in the north-eastern part of the state, he began business on his own account, buy- ing ponies from the Indians, and selling them on the market in the city. However, this wild life did not prove to be altogether pleasant, and in September, 1857, he re- turned to his home in Iowa, and remained there until his father's death, which oc- curred December, of the following year. After the death of his father, James helped his mother in the management of the farm for about a jear and then, at the age of eighteen years, he went to Mahaska county, rented a tract of land and began fanning on his own responsibilit}'. Three years later, in response to the call for troops, our subject went to Washington, in the ad- joining county, to volunteer his service but, as he was suffering from a protracted cold, he was rejected, so he returned home and helped his mother until the following Au- gust. He then volunteered in Company H, Thirty-third Iowa Infantr}-, under Col. Samuel A. Rice. Mr. Wright enlisted August 5, 1S62, and was mustered in at Oskaloosa, and from thence was moved with the command by means of marches, railroad, and Mississippi steamers to Eddyville; Keokuk, St. Louis, Missouri; Columbus, Kentucky; Union City, Tennessee; back to Columbus, and from thence to Helena, where they remained in camp until March, 1863, when the Thirty- third regiment was ordered to clear the fallen timber from the Yazoo Pass. Thej' then returned to Helena to receive their salary from the government, and then went, by the way of the same pass, to Fort Pem- berton and, after threatening the fort for several weeks, they were ordered to return to Helena, where they remained, doing gar- rison duty, nearly all summer. On July 4, 1863, the garrison was attacked by a force of twelve thousand Confederates and, al- though they made a fierce attack, they were not equal to the Union forces behind the breastworks. On the loth of the following September, the\- were ordered to Little Rock and were stationed at that place until the winter of 1S64, scouting and gathering provisions from the surrounding country. While at Little Rock, the commanding of- ficer ordered that two men from each com- pany be detailed to guard some boats up the Arkansas river to Fort Smith and it fell the lot of our subject to be one of the two men from company H. As the river was lined with Confederate squads intent on stopping navigation, the trip was a very dangerous one. The boats were finally landed safely, however, and their contents were unloaded at Fort Smith, but the return trip was not so easily made. A cannon had been placed at a narrow bend of the river and it played great havoc with the boats, destroying some of them, and one boat was burned. On the 7th of December, 1864, the entire company of which Mr. Wright was a member, was detailed to go about six miles out of Little Rock to guard an old tannery. While here, the younger of the soldiers, who had no wives at home, discovered that that section was inhabited by a more fascinating element than Rebel scouts, namelj', pretty Rebel girls. They also discovered that these young ladies, since there were no men of their own commonwealth at home, had no conscientious scruples about a visitor a social dance with the Union soldier boys. On one occasion, while our subject and two of his COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIir 1011 comrades were taking dinner at the home of three young ladies, they were surprised by the sudden arrival of a Rebel squad which claimed them as prisoners of war. They were marched down the road but a little way, however, until they discovered that they had been made the subject of a practi- cal joke by a number of their comrades in Confederate uniform. About the 23d of March, 1864, the regiment was ordered to Camden and they had several sharp skirm- ishes along the route, among them the one at Prairie du Ann. After remaining about four weeks at Camden, General Banks, hav- ing been defeated, our forces fell back after a sharp conflict at Jenkins Ferry, to Little Rock. There they remained until the spring of 1865, when they were ordered, by boat, to New Orleans, Louisiana. From here they were sent, by the way of Lake Pon- chartrain, to Fort Morgan. On this trip, our subject was detailed with a number of his comrades to take charge of a boat-load of mules. A storm arose and the boat became unmanageable so that the captain ordered the. mules driven overboard. Before this order could be executed the storm changed so that the sailors could control the boat, and the mules, as well as the crew, were saved from a grave in the Gulf of Mexico, upon arriving at Fort Morgan, Mr. Wright joined his company and started for Spanish Fort, which, after a siege of about fourteen days, surrendered and the Union forces took complete possession of the city of Mo- bile. The army was then sent up the Tombigbee river after the Rebel General Taylor, who surrendered after a few weeks. They were next ordered to Texas to take charge of the army of the Rebel General Morgan, and from there they returned to New Orleans to be mustered out, which was done July 17, 1S65. Mr. Wright then started for his home in Iowa, which he reached August 11, 1865. Upon reaching home, our subject began again to help his mother about the farm. About this time, also, he renewed the acquaintance of Miss Elnora Fishback, with whom he had corresponded for three years during the war, and they were married in October, 1865. They rented a farm in Iveokuk county, Iowa, and made that their home until January, 1868, when the wife died at the birth of her daughter, Elnora. Mr. Wright then left his two children, Theodore Parker and Elnora, with his mother, who, although far advanced in years to be troubled with the care of chil- dren, went a long way toward taking the place of their mother until October 8, 186S, when our subject had enthralled a help- mate and again took his children to his own home. Mr. Wright's second wife, who bore the maiden name of Miss Elizabeth Ann Kiester, moved to the neighborhood of Mr. Wright's old home in March, 1868, and lived on a farm with her father until the time of her wedding. In 1870 our subject moved with his famih' to Seward county, Nebraska, and located near Goehner, where they are now living on a fine, well-improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and are surrounded with such home comforts as make life enjoyable. To Mr. Wright's second marriage have been born eleven children, eight of whom are living, and their names in the order of their birth is as follows; Lillie May, Charles L. , Maud M., George C, Ida B. , James F., Joseph H. and Jessie E. Elnora, the second child of the first wife, is married to Mr. F. Price and is living in Shenandoah, Iowa. Lillie May is the wife of Lewis Cromwell. They are li\ing on a farm of their own and have a bright, interesting little family of three children. Earl, Effie and Oliver. Mr. Wright's oldest son is not married, but is living in Brainard, Nebraska, and has charge of the grain elevator at that place. Politically our subject has been a life-long, stanch Republican, casting his 1012 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln. He is not a member of any religious denom- ination, but his wife and son, Parker, are connected with the Methodist church. PETER WEISER, a representative farmer of Polk county residing on sec- tion 26, township 14, range i, Hackberry precinct, was born in Sunbury, Pennsyl- vania, August 10, 1833, and is a son of George and Barbara Ann (Oswald) Weiser, who spent their entire lives in that state. They reared a family of eleven children, of whom seven are still living. The father was a soldier of the war of 1S12, and two of his sons, Peter and Jacob, went to the defense of their country in the Civil war. Peter Weiser remained in his native state until twenty-two years of age, and there acquired his literary education and also learned the molder's trade, at which he worked until his emigration to Iowa in 1856. In Louisa county he worked as a farm hand until after the inauguration of the Civil war. There he enlisted in August, 1861, as a pri- vate in Company K, Second Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, and after the regiment was organ- ized at Davenport they were ordered to St. Louis. Later they were at Bird's Point, New Madrid, Fort Pillow, Pittsburg Landing, and were in the advance of Pope's division on Corinth, participating in the siege at that place. After assisting in cut- ting the railroad at Booneville, our subject was captured May 30, 1862, was first taken to Black Land, then to Mobile, Alabama, where he was confined until July 4, 1862, and after a few days at Selma, Alabama, was held at Macon, Georgia, until October, when he was taken to Libby prison, and quartered on the second floor of that build- ing until about the middle of the month, He was then taken to Aiken's Landing and paroled, and after a month or six weeks spent at Annapolis was ordered to Saint Louis, where he was exchanged. At the time of his capture he weighed one hundred and eighty-five pounds, but on being released from those loathsome prison pens of the south he weighed less than one hundred pounds. On rejoining his regiment at La Grange, Tennessee, they operated along the Memphis & Charleston railroad, and took part in the Grierson raid. At White Station, Tennessee, Mr. Weiser was discharged, after three years and three months spent in the service, and returned to his home with an honorable war record. Mr. Weiser continued to reside in Louisa county, Iowa, until 1871, when he came to Nebraska and took up his residence upon his present homestead in Polk county. He was accompanied by William Fosbender, and they made the first claims upon the table land in this section of the county. They were army comrades, having enlisted together, were captured at the same time, and were confined in the same prisons. Subsequently they married sisters. On lo- cating upon his claim, wolves and antelope were still quite plentiful in this region, and for miles around nothing could be seen but rolling prairie, with the exception of one tree and a hay stack. The first season he built a sod house and raised a small crop of sod corn, but acre after acre has been placed under the plow until he now has one hun- dred and thirty acres of his two hundred acre farm under a high state of cultivation and well improved with substantial build- ings. In 1872 Mr. Weiser was united in mar- riage with Miss Eveline Metts, a native of Indiana, and to them have been born four children: George E. ; Minnie Bockoven; ^lary Catharine; and Eva Maud, deceased. The wife and mother is a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist church, and Mr. Weiser belongs to the Grand Army Post, No. 102, of Shelby, in which he has served as com- mander and also as quartermaster for two COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 1013 terms, and is now senior-vice. In political sentiment he is a pronounced Republican, and has always attended the caucuses and conventions of his party, taking an active interest in its success. In 1875 ^^ was a candidate for the office of county clerk of Polk county, and has been elected assessor and also justice of the peace, but refused to qualify. He has, however, been an effi- cient school officer since the organization of his district, and most faithfully discharges his duties of citizenship. As an old soldier, honored pioneer and highly respected citi- zen of Polk count}', he is certainly deserv- ing of representation in a work of this character. WILLIAM DEREMER belongs to that class of honest and hard-working farmers who have made the western re- gion blossom like a garden. Their story is the epic of the nineteenth century, and will live in history as the most marvelous achievement of this wonder-working age. A few years ago, and there was a great " American desert " that extended from the Missouri river to the Rocky mountains, and in the early days a journey from New York to Buffalo was fraught with more dangers and attended with more excitement than a trip round the globe would be to-day. From his pleasant home in Beaver township, York count}', the gentleman whose name introduces this article, can look back over half a century, and contemplate a rough and rugged way by which he has come up to his present ease and comfort. William Deremer was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, January 6, 1S45, and is a son of Peter and Rosana (Wentling) Deremer. In this county they were born, and there she died in 1878. He still sur- vives, and resides in Bedford county at a verj' great age. He contracted a second mar- riage, the fruit of which was one son. Harry. By his first wife he was the father of a numerous family, ten of whom are now living. Their names are Joseph, William, Henry, Mary, George, John V., Martha, Ida, Terista and Samuel G. The two oldest sons, Joseph and William, bore arms in the Civil war, and on more than one field of danger evinced their loyalty and de- votion to the Union. It was upon the Bedford county farm that the subject of this article grew to man- hood. Pennsylvania had good schools and he profited by them. In the spring of 1S65 he also enlisted in the Federal army, and was enrolled in Company C, Fifth Maryland Volunteer Infantry. The hour was late, but he was in time to help in the overthrow of the army of Virginia at Appomattox, and to see the trailing of the rebel banners in the dust. After the fall of the Confederacy he was on provost guard duty for several months at Richmond, Newport News, Fredericksburg, and Centerville, Virginia. It was while on duty at Newport News that he received a sunstroke. The regiment was discharged at Baltimore in September of the year of his enlistment. His career as a soldier was not prolonged, but covered the last days of the war, and is full of valuable and instructive memories. Mr. Deremer was married in December, 1866, to Miss Amanda Hardinger, a native of Bedford county, Pennsylvania. The old Keystone state seemed somewhat overpopu- lated for a young farmer to have a fair chance, and so our subject and his wife crossed the line into Mineral county, ^^"est Virginia, in 1876, where he engaged in farm- ing, and spent three years in that manner with not very satisfactory results. They determined to make a far stride, and in 1879 came into York county, Nebraska. It seemed like going to the other side of the world to those who had been accustomed to the crowded regions of the east. But as the eyes of Mr. Deremer and his family 1014 COMPENDll'.\r OF BIOGRAPin: swept over these flower loaded prairies they had a vision of coming towns and factories and farms, and were well content to be in at the first. He put up a little frame build- ing 14 X 16 feet, and raised a crop on the newly broken sod. And here he has lived to the present day. He owns one hundred and sixty acres, and operates eighty acres beside. He is a believer in mixed farming, has an interest in blooded stock, and makes a specialty of Poland China swine. Mr. and Mrs. Deremer are the parents of seven children; Nora. Lucy, Levi, Rose, William, Carrie and Daily D. They are members of the Methodist Protestant church, and in this religious organization he has held official station. He is an enthusi- astic Grand Army man, and belongs to Winchester Post, No. 139, at Utica, Ne- braska. In this body he is a senior vice commander. He belongs to Utica organiza- tions of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a Republican, and has served on the election board, and has been a member of the school board in district 33. He is a man who well deserves the good esteem of his neighbors, and this is ungrudgingly given him. A 11 riLLIAM JOHN BLAIR.— There is V V particular satisfaction in reverting to the life history of the honored gentleman whose name initiates this review, since his mind bears impress of the historical annals of the state of Nebraska from the earliest pioneer days, and from the fact that he has attained to a position of prominence in the thriving little city of Linwood, Butler coun- ty, where he has made his home almost constantly since he was two years of age. Mr. Blair was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, August 8, 1856, and is a son of James and Mary A. (Brown) Blair, the former also a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of county Tj'rone, Ireland, where she grew to womanhood. The paternal grandfather, John Blair, was one of three brothers who came to this country from Ire- land at an early day, and one located in New York, another in New Jersey, and John in Pennsylvania. The last named reared three sons — Robert, now a ranchman and mine owner in Arizona; James, the father of our subject; and William who was killed in the Civil war. In 1857 James Blair, with his family, left Pennsylvania intending to go to Kan- sas, but on reaching Liberty Landing; Mis- souri, he found that the border ruffians were making things a little too unpleasant in Kansas for peaceably inclined people. After staying for a time at Liberty Landing, he came up the river to Nebraska City, and from there proceeded to the site of the present village of Linwood, where he locat- ed in 1858, being the oldest settler of But- ler county. The family lived in a dug-out on the bank of Skull creek, and raised their first crop on the squaw patches along that stream. The first year of their residence here there were five thousand Pawnee In- dians camped in the neighborhood, and the father had many thrilling experiences with the red men. At one time he hired two squaws to gather pumpkins, agreeing to pay them each four pumpkins They disputed among themselves about the division of the pay, and when Mr. Blair insisted on a fair division this angered the Indians and they determined to kill him that night. He heard of their intention, however, through a friendly Indian, "Little Billy", and so was prepared. When they arrived that night the big Indian chief told the braves that if they killed the white man there would be trouble as there were many other white men who would come and revenge his death. Of a brave and fearless disposition, nothing could frighten him, and he finally persuaded them to abandon their purpose. MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM J. BLAIR AND SON. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRArilV ini They afterwards became very friendly and greatly admired his shooting qualities. For a year Mr. Blair conducted a ranch north of Kearney, on the old Mormon trail, but at the end of that time returned to this sec- tion of the state and in i S6S leased the Shinn ferry, which he operated for two years while he made his home on Shnn's island. Reared in this wild, unsettled region, William J. Blair had no opportunity of at- tending school until after he was thirteen years old. The first school here was taught by Mrs. S. D. Shinn, who was a well edu- cated woman, whom the settlers hired to teach a term of ten weeks in her own home. Although his educational advantages were very meager, Mr. Blair made the most of them and improved every opportunity. Soon after he attained his majority he entered Doane College, at Crete, Nebraska, and for many years afterward successfully engaged in teaching during the winter months, while he followed farming through the summer season. In July, 1887, he was appointed manager of the Platte Valley Grain & Lumber Co., at Linwood, which position he held for two years, when Blair & Co. succeeded to the interests of that firm, and later sold to the Trans-Mississippi Grain Co. He is also manager of the Ed- holm elevator and owns a fine farm in Bone Creek township. As a business man he is notably prompt and reliable, and commands the confidence of all with whom he has dealings. Mr. Blair was married, March 16, 1884, to Miss Rhoda M. Perkins, a daughter of E. M. Perkins. Prior to her marriage she suc- cessfully engaged . in teaching, having ac- quired an excellent education in Doane Col- lege and the Baptist Seminary at Gibbon. One son has been born to this union: Rob- ert R. Blair. A group portrait of this in- teresting family is presented in connection with this sketch. 68 Mr. Blair has alwa3'S been prominent in political circles, is an ardent Republican, and has been a delegate to all of the county and district conventions of his party since attaining his majority. At one t^me he was candidate for county clerk on the Republic- an ticket, but was defeated. Fraternally he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Woodmen of the World, and the Tribe of Ben Hur, while religiously he is a member of the Congrega- tional church. He was appointed post-- master at Linwood, June 16, 1898. PROF. CHARLES WILLIAM TAY- LOR, one of the most able educators in this section of the state, is now principal of schools at Ohiovva, and is filling the po- sition in a most creditable and satisfactory manner. He is devoting his life to labors wherein wealth and influence availeth little or naught, the measure of success depend- ing upon the mentality, intellectual ac- quirements and broad culture of the indi- vidual. Prof. Taylor was born in Red Oak, Montgomery county, Iowa, June 3, 1874, and is the only child of James Henry and Tamar Ann (Ratliff) Taylor, early settlers of that county. The father was born in JefTerson county, Iowa, November 8, 1839, and was provided with good school priv- ileges. While attending the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, he enlist- ed in Company M, Fourth Iowa Cavalr\-, for service in the Civil war, and was under the command of Colonel Winslow. He par- ticipated in a great number of hotly contest- ed battles and remained in the service for three years and eleven months. On being mustered out in 1865, he returned to his na- tive state and entered the employ of the hospital and asylum at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, as an attendant. It was there that he met Miss Tamar Ann Ratliff, who was employed 1018 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. in the same institution, and on the 8th of November, 1870, they were united in mar- riage. She is also a native of Iowa, born in Henry county, March 4, 1849, is a graduate of the Salem high school, and was for two years emplo3'ed in the hospital. In 1872, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor moved to Montgomery county, Iowa, where they purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, and to its cultivation and improvement he devoted his energies until 1893, when they removed to Red Oak and are now living retired, enjoy- ing the fruits of their former toil. The pa- ternal grandparents of our subject were na- tives of Virginia, but all of the family with the exception of one uncle were supporters of the Union cause during the Rebellion. They are all Republicans in politics. The Ratliffs were from North Carolina and were imembers of the Society of Friends. As soon as he had reached a sufficient age. Professor Taylor began his education in the common schools of Montgomery county, Iowa, where he pursued his studies until fifteen. He then entered the Red Oak high school, where he graduated with hon- ors June 2, 1893, completing a four years' course of study in three years. As his par- ents were living in the country he drove eight miles each night and morning while .attending school there. The following year he successfully engaged in teaching school in his home district. In the fall of 1894, he became a student in the State University of Nebraska, where he pursued a four years' course, graduating in June, 1898. He also took a special military course and received a certificate and life commission signed by Governor Holcomb, of Nebraska, as retired first lieutenant in the state militia. In ad- dition to this, he successfully completed the requirements of the university teacher's course, consisting of two years of profes- sional study; is honored with a life certifi- cate granted by the chancellor and the fac- ulty of the State University of Nebraska, and on his graduation received the degree of A. B. He holds a diploma from the Everett High School Society, of the Red Oak high school, which was obtained dur- ing his youth for oratorical ability and forceful arguments in debates. For these same qualities he was honored by being chosen to participate in the Iowa state de- clamatory contest, April 19, 1893, and he won fourth place. In the university he was a member of the Palladian Literary Society. H^was also vice-president of the State Ora- torical Association; secretary of the Local Oratorical Association; secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association; and was one of the representatives of the university in the Nebraska-Missouri debates, held at Columbia, Missouri, in May, 1898. For the past year Professor Taylor has been princi- pal of schools at Ohiowa, Fillmore county, Nebraska, and fills the position with credit to himself, and to the entire satisfaction of the trustees, patrons and students of the school. Though young in years, he is a most able and thorough educator, and is ad- mired by all who know him for his frank- ness, honorable traits and noble character. He worked part of his way through college. He is a devoted Christian, and an active and prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. THOMAS MORTON HOWIE.— The ag- ricultural element that has been so largely instrumental in the upbuilding of Butler county is finely represented by this gentleman, one of its earliest settlers, who has a valuable farm in Bone Creek town- ship, of which he is a leading farmer and one of the most prominent citizens. Mr. Howie was born in Waukesha coun- ty, Wisconsin, December 19, 1852, the 3'oungest of a family of five children born to John and Marion Howie. The family can trace their lineage back to the Howies of COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 1019 Lock Goin, in the time of the persecution of the Protestant church in Scotland. The following is an extract from the records in the parish of Loudon, Scotland: "This certificate, given in the parish of Loudon, Scotland, April 2, 1841, attests that John Howie and Marion Miller, in the parish of Loudon, have had their purpose of marriage regularly proclaimed, and that no objections have been lodged to prevent their marriage, is attested by "John T. Campbell. "Per And. Campbell." The foregoing certificate has the follow- ing endorsement, in Mickle Byre, parish of Loudon, April 2, 1841: " The parties here specified were married by me, Jno. Bruce, Minister." Six weeks after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. John Howie emigrated to America and settled in Livingston county, New York, for two years, and then moved to Waukesha county, Wisconsin, and located on a farm. Their first child, John Howie, was born in New York. He died during the Civil war, in Memphis, Tennessee. The next son, William, is a minister in the United Pres- byterian church, at Seattle, Washington. James Andrew moved to Butler county, Ne- braska, with our subject, Thomas Morton, but about the year 1890 he moved to Smithville, South Dakota, and engaged in the stock business. A sister, Jane, was married to George Robinson, of Butler county. She died in 1890. Thomas Morton Howie, the subject of this sketch, was married April 12, 1877, to Miss Janet Allen, a daughter of James and Janet Allen, both of whom were born in Scotland, and the mother emigrated to this country in 1840. About two weeks after his marriage, our subject started from Wis- consin, overland, to Butler county, Ne- braska. In 1877 he bought eighty acres of land in section i. Bone Creek township, which is still his home, and which he has increased from time to time by purchase until he has an excellent farm of four hun- dred acres of well cultivated and well im- proved farming land. Mr. and Mrs. Howie are both membersof the United Presbyterian church, and are the parents of a family of four children, upon whom they have bestowed the following names: James Allen, May, William Morton and Ida Jane. In political affairs Mr. Howie affiliates with the Prohi- bitionists. LYMAN BEACH, a systematic farmer, and a business man of more than or- dinary capacity, is a prominent representa- tive of the agricultural interests of Fair- mont township, Fillmore county. By building up a fine homestead on section 13, he is recognized as an important factor in preserving the reputation of the township as one of the best and most highly developed sections of the county. Mr. Beach was born in 1825, in Warren county. New York, where he grew to man- hood. His father, Henry Beach, was a native of Connecticut, as was also his grand- father, Benjamin Beach. About the close of the Revolutionary war, the latter re- moved with his family to eastern New York, where he followed farming until called from this life. Henry Beach, the father, con- tinued his residence in Warren county. New York, where he died at the advanced age of ninety years. He had a family of seven sons who reached years of maturity, but our subject is the only one living in Fillmore county, Nebraska. In 1846, L}man Beach migrated to Wisconsin and first located in Walworth county, but later removed to Columbia county, where he took up a tract of govern- ment land engaged in farming there until 1870. That year he moved to Whiteside county, Illinois, and in 1879 came to Fill- more county, Nebraska, where he bought 1020 COMPENDIUM op BIOGRAPHY railroad land on section 13, Fairmont town- ship, and to its cultivation and improve- ment has since devoted his energies with most gratifying results, having converted the wild land into a well improved farm. Mr. Beach was married, in 1851, to Miss Clarissa D. Green, who was born in Orleans county. New York, in 1831, a daughter of David and Ruth (Southwick) Green, who were natives of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, respective, and removed to Wisconsin in 1847. There her father died, but the mother's death occurred later in Illinois. Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Beach, only one son, Edward D., is now living. Edward D. Beach, just mentioned, was born in Columbia county, Wisconsin, December 8, 1865, and in childhood ac- companied his parents on their removal to Illinois, and later to Nebraska. He ac- quired a good practical education in the common schools, and upon the home farm early gained an excellent knowledge of every department of farm work, following that pursuit continuously since reaching man's estate. In 1883 when eighteen years of age, he enlisted and served three years in Company G, Nebraska National Guards. In 1886 was celebrated his marriage with Miss Minnie Fisher, a native of Whiteside county, Illinois, and a daughter of Frank and Maggie (Fowler) Fisher, who were from Michigan. The children born of this union are Bessie C. , Verna L., Rena R. and Ruey B., all living. In their political views, both father and son are Republicans, and the latter takes quite an active and prominent part in polit- ical affairs, having served as a delegate to all county and state conventions for several years. From 1888 until 1893, he most creditably and satisfactorily served as county supervisor, and his public and private life have been alike above reproach. When elected a member of the county board he was but twenty-three years old — the youngest on a board of nineteen members. After serving one year he was elected chairman over considerable opposition and retired after serving four years, — still the youngest member. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past grand, and he is at pres- ent venerable consul of Exeter Camp No. 887, Modern Woodmen of America. He is also a member and one of the board of di- rectors of the Fillmore County Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. Religiously, the family are all connected with the Meth- odist Episcopal church. Wherever known they are held in high regard, and their ster- ling worth has won for them the respect of the entire community in which they live. Both father and son have pleasant homes which are ever open for the reception of their many friends. JH. RUSHTON.— Prominent among the business men of this section of Nebraska is the gentleman whose name initiates this- review, and who, as president, is now the head of the Fairmont Creamery Company. He is a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment, and his executive ability and excellent management have brought to the concern with which he is connected a high degree of success. Coming to Fairmont in moderate circumstances, he has made his way to the front rank in business affairs, and his success is made more emphatic by the broad and generous interest he shows in all that concerns good citizenship. The Fairmont Creamery was organized as a stock company in 1884, but Mr. Rush- ton is the only one of the original members now connected with it. It was re-organized in 1887, with the following officers: Wal- lace Wheeler, president; J. H. Rushton, secretary and treasurer; N. A. Stuart, vice- president, and J. O. and I. V. Chase,. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 1021 directors. The original plant was at Fair- mont, and this was operated alone until 18S9, when the Crete Creamery was pur- chased. Later were added the Tobias plant, in 1890; the Friend and Geneva plants in 1891; the Fairbury, Dewitt and Milford plants in 1892, and the Hebron in 1898. All are equipped with the most modern appliances, and besides these, they have thirty skimming stations. Mr. Wheeler, who was a charter member of the company, served as its president until his death, which occurred in 1897. Mr. Rushton was then elected to that position, while E. F. Howe, of Crete, was chosen secretary and treasurer, and Mrs. Wallace Wheeler vice-president. The product of these plants finds a ready sale at the highest market price, and is sold all over the United States and also exported in large quantities. Besides manufacturing about a million and a half pounds of butter annually, the company handles one hundred and fifty car loads of eggs, and their busi- ness has proved of inestimable value to the farmers and other citizens of this section of the state, as annually they pay out about $165,000 for butter, $50,000 for labor, and $150,000 for eggs. They have about $100,- 000 invested in plants, and under the able management of our subject and the other officials, they do a profitable and highly satisfactory business. Mr. Rushton was born in Manchester, England, in 1849, a son of George and Isa- bella (Hoyle) Rushton, also natives of that country. The father came to the United States in 1849, and settled in Illinois, where he followed farming until called from this life in 1897. In 1851 he was joined by his wife and child, and in Illinois our subject was reared and educated. For eight years he successfully engaged in teaching school in that state, being superintendent of the Piano, Illinois, schools six years of the time. While teaching, he began the study of law, and in 1879 was admitted to the bar in Chicago, after which he engaged in practice in Aurora, Illinois, for two years. On com- ing to Fairmont, Nebraska, in 1881, he opened an office here, and in connection with the practice of his profession, he was for four years engaged in the land and insur- ance business, but since then has devoted his entire time and attention to the affairs of the Fairmont Creamery. In Illinois, Mr. Rushton was married, in 1875, to Miss Minnie Putt, a native of that state, and to them have been born five chil- dren, namely: Grace, who is now attend- ing Nebraska Sta'te University; George H. ; Raymond W. ; Arthur L. ; and Alice. Fra- ternally Mr. Rushton affiliates with the An- cient Order of United Workmen, and politic- ally is identified with the Republican party. He has never sought official preferment, but in 1888 most creditably and satisfactorily served as chairman of the county board of supervisors of Fillmore county. As a busi- ness man and citizen he stands high in the community where he makes his home, and wherever known is held in high regard. GEORGE ENGLEHAUPT is one of the prominent agriculturists of precinct N, Seward county, who arrived here in time to assist in its upbuilding. He has been one of the most interested witnesses of its progress and development and has been no unimportant factor in bringing it to its present proud position. As a man. of in- fluence, public-spirited and liberal, this brief record of his life will be of more than ordinary interest to his many friends and acquaintances. Mr. Englehaupt was born September 2 i, 1855, in Marshall county, lUfnois, and is a son of Samuel and Amanda (Marshall) Englehaupt, the former born January 15, 1827, the latter September 29, 1827. In July, 1865, when our subject was only nine years old, the family emigrated to Nebraska, 1022 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. the father securing a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 22, precinct N, Seward county, to the culti- vation and improvement of which he de- voted his energies until called to his final rest on the i6th of September, 1885. Be- fore his death he willed the place to our subject on the condition that he care for his mother and pay to the other heirs a certain amount. This he has done and upon the old homestead still makes his home. He grew to manhood amid frontier scenes and early became familiar with the arduous task of converting wild land into rich and pro- puctive fields. He attended the common schools of Iowa and Nebraska, but his liter- ary education was far more limited than his business training. On the 8th of April, 1897, Mr. Engle- haupt was united in marriage with Miss Etta M. Brown, a daughter of Edgar L. and Abigail C. (Marshall) Brown, of Chi- cago. Her paternal grandparents were Miner and Mary Brown, and her maternal grand- parents were Nathaniel and Rebecca Mar- shall. She was educated in the common schools of Will county, Illinois, and for two terms successfully engaged in teaching, but on the removal of her family to Chicago she retired from that profession. She became acquainted with her future husband while on a visit to her aunt. Mr. and Mrs. Englehaupt occupy the farm on which almost his entire life has been passed, and it is one of the most beau- tiful homes in the valley of the West Blue, reminding one of the scenes so graphically described by Dr. Johnson in "The Happy Valley." There are the grassy banks of the little river, the white painted walls of the cottage, and the great red barn over- flowing with wheat, corn, oats and other products of the past harvest; the whole sur- rounded and shaded by great oak, elm, ash, hickory, boxelder, maple and walnut trees, some seemingly a century old. When the writer visited the place the frost had already touched the leaves and they came fluttering down like wounded birds, by ones, tens and hundreds, red, yellow and brown in color, scenting the air and covering the ground with a carpet of softened colors. No wonder the little woman seemed contented with the exchange of a home in the great city for this cottage on bonny West Blue. She has held membership in the Baptist church, takes an active interest in church work, and is contemplating joining the Evangelical church, which is situated about two and a half miles southwest of the farm. Polit- ically Mr. Englehaupt is a Republican, cast- ing his first vote for Rutherford B. Hayes, and his last for William McKinley. PHILANDER B. ROYCE, one of Butler county's thrifty and well-to-do farmers, whose home is situated on section 32, Sa- vannah township, was one of the early set- tlers of that community. He first located on section 22, of that township, April 6, 1870, homesteading the southwest quarter of this section. Mr. Royce was born in New Haven county, Connecticut, December 23, 1843, a son of Bennett B. and Julia Ann (Ben- ham) Royce. Bennett B. was a son of Welcome Roys, and the name was spelled "Roys" until our subject's father changed it to " Royce." The record of the family can be traced back man}' generations, to Nathaniel Roys, who settled in Wallingford, Connecticut, in 1692, and some of the mem- bers of the family participated in the Revo- lutionary war and also in the war of 1812. Our subject left Connecticut when sev- enteen years of age, went to New York and enlisted in Company I, Sixty-first New York Infantry, and served nearly four years in Companies I, F and D, respectively. He participated in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Bristow COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 1023 Station, Wilderness, Poe River, Spottsyl- vania. Cold Harbor, Petersburg; and many other engagements. In fact, he was in all of the battles in which the Second Army Corps, of the army of the Potomac, partic- ipated, except three, and was mustered out July 14, 1865, at Arlington Heights. Gen. Nelson A. Miles was colonel of his regi- ment. After the close of the war, Mr. Royce served one year on a whaling ship, in the Arctic regions. He returned to New York in 1868, and was married in Wayne county, of that state, to Miss Ellen A. Royce, a distant relative. After his marriage he lived in New York state and worked on a vessel on the lakes. He went to Nebraska to visit friends, and although he went with no thought of staying, he was so much pleased with the country and the advantages it offered that he decided to make that his home. He is industrious, progressive and is endowed with a good capacity for well directed labor, and he soon had a productive and well improved farm and a commodious and comfortable home. In politics he was formerly a Democrat but is now identified with the Populist party, and on that ticket has been elected county commissioner. Mr. and Mrs. Royce are the happy parents of a family of four bright, interesting chil- dren, upon whom they have bestowed the following names: Charles B., Alice L., Edward W. E. and Winnifred E. JOHN M. REEL. — As an enterprising and wide-awake citizen of York county, and one who, through his own efforts, has established himself among the prominent, influential and successful men of the com- munity, we take pleasure in giving a brief biography of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Throughout his active business life his energies have been princi- pally devoted to agricultural pursuits, and he now owns and successfully operates a fine farm on section 7, Baker township. Mr. Reel was born in Hardy county. West Virginia, August 10, 1843, a son of Jacob and Ann (Hogbin) Reel, also natives of the Old Dominion, where they were reared and married. The father still re- sides upon a farm in that state at the ad- vanced age of eighty-two years. Amid rural scenes our subject grew to manhood, acquiring and excellent knowledge of farm work but a rather limited district school education. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Eighteenth Virginia Con- federate Volunteer Cavalry, and served un- til the close of the war, carrying the flag of truce when his company surrendered at Lynchburg. He participated in the battle a that place and at Gettysburg, Beverly, West Virginia, Williamsport, Maryland, Bunker Hill, Piedmont and many skirmishes and at the battle of Newmarket was wounded by a minie ball in the left shoulder. When the war was over, Mr. Reel re- turned home and worked on the farm by the month for a couple of years. In May, 1867, he removed to Logan county, Illinois, where he was similarly employed, and later operated rented land on his own ac- count for several years. Having saved some money he came to York county, Nebraska, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Baker township, where he now lives. Although he bought his farm in 1880, he did not locate thereon until 18S4, in the meantime making a few improve- ments, including the erection of a residence in 1883. The land is now under a high state of cultivation, and the buildings thereon are models of convenience and comfort, all of which show conclusively that he understands his chosen calling most thoroughly, and is meeting with well-de- served success. While a resident of Illinois, Mr. Reel 1024 coM^ENDIU^^ of b/oghapht. was married April 21, 1870, the lady of his choice bein_i; Miss Anna Br3'an, a native of Logan county, that state, and a daughter of John T. and Phoebe (Huffman) Bryan, who were born in Virginia. In his political affiliations -Mr. Reel is a Populist; is an advocate the of free coinage of silver; and is a firm believer in. equal rights to all and special privileges to none. He takes an active interest in political affairs, is a recognized leader in the ranks of his party in York county, and has been a dele- gate to many county and state conventions. He served on the school board for six years in the capacity of treasurer, and in all the relations of life has been found true and faithful to every trust reposed in him, thus gaining the confidence and esteem of all ■with whom he has been brought in contact. GEORGE E. TINDALL.— Among the leading and influential farmers of Sew- ard county who thoroughly understand their business and pursue the vocation of their chosen calling in a methodical and work- manlike manner is the subject of this biog- raphy. He now owns and operates a fine farm on section 34, I precinct, and the grain he raises upon his place he feeds to his own stock, being quite extensively engaged in raising cattle and hogs. Mr. Tindall was born in Bloomington, Indiana, July 21, 1847, a son of Easton and Elizabeth (Launs) Tindall, who, during the childhood of our subject, removed to Illi- nois, where both died, the father in 1S82, the mother in 1854, and the remains of both were interred in Glassford cemetery. In their family were ten children, of whom George E. is the eighth in order of birth, and seven are living at the present writing, in 1S98. George E. Tindall pursued his studies in the common schools of Illinois, and at the age of sixteen years offered his services to his country during her hour of peril, becom- ing a member of Company D, Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry, under Captain Jones. He saw much hard fighting, was in many bloody battles, and when the war closed he was honorably discharged, after two 3'ears and a half of arduous service. At the age of eighteen years he learned the blacksmith's trade and followed it for some time, both in Illinois and Colorado, but on coming to Seward county, in 18S2, he turned his at- tention to agricultural pursuits, in which he is still interested. He purchased two hun- dred and forty acres of land at twenty dol- lars per acre and has successfully engaged in its cultivation and improvement ever since. He has set out many fruit trees upon his place and to-day has one of the best farms of the locality. Politically, he is an ardent Republican, having cast his first ballot for President Lincoln while in the army, and socially he affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic. He also carries a policy in the Bankers' Life Insurance Company, of Lin- coln, Nebraska. On the 1 6th of February, 1876, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Tindall and Miss Lydia Cunningham, and to them have been born four sons, namely: George E., James, Elisha and Vernie, all at home as- sisting their parents. The wife and mother was born November 22, 1853, and was ed- ucated in Wisconsin and Nebraska, having come to this state when a girl of fourteen years with her parents, James and Lucinda (Jones) Cunningham. Her father is a native of Pennsylvania and in early life went to Wisconsin, where he was married at the age of twenty-one to Miss Lucinda Jones, who was then sixteen. On the 27th of June, 1895, they celebrated their golden wedding and are now living retired in Milford, enjoy- ing life to its fullest extent in the midst of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPJIY 1025 who appreciate their sterling worth and many excellencies of character. They are honored pioneers of Seward county, having located here thirty years ago when the country was all wild and unimproved. The father took up a homestead of eighty acres and also bought an adjoining eighty-acre tract, upon which he lived for fourteen years, but since then has made his home in Milford, where he owns some valuable real estate, including ten nice residences. He is now eighty-two years of age and draws a pension in recognition of his services in the Black Hawk war. Mrs. Tindall is the fifth in order of birth in a family of eight chil- dren, of whom four are still living. Mr. Cunningham is one of the most promi- nent and influential men of his community, and has always been a stanch supporter of the Republican party since its organization. WILLIAM E. SMITH, the present supervisor of district 2, Fillmore county, is a prominent farmer residing on section lo. West Blue township. His op- erations here have been marked with uni- form success, and, in addition to being a thorough and skillful agriculturist, he is a business man of more than ordinary ca- pacity, wise and judicious in his invest- ments, and taking advantage of the facil- ities afforded at this day and age by im- proved machinery and all other appliances required by the modern tiller of the soil. Mr. Smith is a native of the far-off state of Massachusetts, born in Berkshire county, October lo, 1853, and is a son of Eli and Mary E. (Chapin) Smith, na- tives of Connecticut and Massachusetts, respectively. The paternal grandfather, who was also born in Connecticut, was a farmer and preacher, and died in Massa- chusetts. The father also followed agri- cultural pursuits as a life work and made his home in the old Bay state, where he passed away in 1884, honored and respect- ed by all who knew him. The mother is still living on the old homestead at the age of eighty years. To this worthy couple were born eight children, six sons and two daughters, of whom five sons and one daughter are now living. Two sons are successful physicians; one has been a deputy sheriff in Massachusetts for twenty years, and another was a member of the lower house of the Massachusetts legislature in 1895. In the county of his nativity, \\'illiam E. Smith was reared and educated, attending both the district and high schools. During his youth he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed during the summer sea- son, while the winter months were devoted to school teaching in Massachusetts until 1878. That year witnessed his arrival in Fillmore county, Nebraska, and he has since resided upon his present farm, where he now owns two hundred and forty acres of valua- ble land, which he has fenced and placed under a high state of cultivation. In con- nection with general farming and stock raising, he is interested in bee culture and has the largest apiary in the county. In 1880 Mr. Smith led to the marriage altar Miss Carrie Bennett, who was born in Windham county, Connecticut. Her pa- rents, Frederick C. and Phebe A. (Hadsell) Bennett, were natives of Massachusetts and Connecticut, respectively, and came to Ne- braska in 1875, their home being now in Fairmont. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have a family of three children: Harry W. , born February i, 1882; Leah M., March 30, 1884; and Ethel M., December 28, 1S92. The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church in Fairmont, and socially Mr. Smith is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Modern Woodmen of America. In his political affiliations he is a life-long Republican, casting his first presi- dential vote for R. B. Hayes, his last for 1026 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. William McKinley. He most acceptably filled the office of justice of the peace for seven years, and in 1895 was appointed to fill the unexpired term of J. M. Perkins as township supervisor, to which position he was elected in 1S97, being the present in- cumbent. He is chairman of the committee on roads and bridges, and is;proving a most popular and capable official, one who com- mands the respect and confidence of all by his straightforwaid and honorable course. In 1879 he served one year as township assessor. Mrs. Smith, who is a most estima- ble lady, is a member of the Ro\al Neigh- bors of Fairmont. EDWARD C. OPITZ, one of the suc- cessful and enterprising farmers of York county, residing on section 8, Baker township, is numbered among the worthy citizens that the fatherland has furnished to this state. His life stands in evidence of the opportunities which are furnished in the new world to young men of energy and ambition, for by his own labors he has arisen from a humble position to one of affluence. He was born in Germany, July 24, 1844, and is a son of Hans M. and Hannah (Franke) Opitz, also natives of that coun- try. The father was a farmer and spent his entire life in the land of his nativity, but the mother is now living with our sub- ject, and has passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey. Iveared on the family homestead, Edward C. Opitz is indebted to the public schools for the educational privi- leges which he enjoyed. At an early age he took charge of his father's farm for he was the oldest and only son in a family of five children. In 1868, in response to the urgent solicitation of his uncle he came to the United States and made his way from New York, where he landed, to Prairie City, Illinois, where his uncle was living and where Mr. Opitz arrived June 14, 1868. He worked for his uncle as a stone cutter until he had mastered the English language, and afterward followed that pursuit in the employ of others forseveral years. He finally rented a farm in McDonough county, Illi- nois, of James Hamilton, and operated that land until his removal to York county, in the spring of 1880. Although he had reached Prairie City with only twenty-eight dollars, he had by his industry and econ- omy acquired some capital and in 1875 went on an excursion to Nebraska, where he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of York county land of James Moore, an old soldier, who had proved up the homestead. It was on this farm that Mr. Opitz settled in 1880, and it is still his place of residence. A sod house and fifteen acres of broken land con- stituted the improvements on it at the time; the rest of the land was wild prairie and there were no trees or well. He lived in the sod house for three months 'until he could build a frame house, and with char- acteristic energy began the development of his farm. It is now a valuable place with well tilled fields, a modern frame residence, fine orchard and all the necessary outbuild- ings. By additional purchase the bounda- ries of the place were extended and he now owns two hundred and fort}- acres, and has given eighty acres to his son Otto. Mr. Opitz has been twice married. He wedded Amelia Rust, a native of Germany, and four children were born to them — Otto, Ella, Minnie and Setta. The mother died in August, 1882, and in 1886 Mr. Opitz was again married, his second union being with Fredericka Scheela, a native of Germany, by whom he has six children — Ida, Charley, Emma, Albert, Harry and Nellie, all yet at home. In his political views Mr. Opitz is a free-silver Republican. He belongs to the Lutheran church and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is esteemed by all COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 1027 who know him for his sterling worth. He has never had occasion to regret his emigra- tion to America, for in "the land of the free" he has found a pleasant home, se- cured a comfortable competence and gained many warm friends. ALBERT A. BOUTON is one of the representative farmers and stock rais- ers of Butler county, and has been a con- spicious figure in the development and ex- tension of its great agricultural interests. He was one of the earliest settlers of the county, locating in section 12, Alexis town- ship, in the fall of 1868. He came to Nebraska two years prior to this and lo- cated in Platte county, in 1866. Mr. Bouton was born in Schoharie county, New York, in 1837 — October 28 — and made that his home until twenty-one years of age. His father, Seth Bouton, lived and died in the state of New York, and his mother, Bettie (Lawton) Bouton, is still living in Fulton county, New York. Her father served in the war of 1812, and her ancestors also participated in the Revo- lutionary war. The Bouton family is of French descent. Mr. and Mrs. Seth Bouton were married in Schoharie county. New York. Our subject was reared on a farm, and in 1858 he moved from the state of his nativity and located in Berrien county, Michigan, where he made his home until he joined the army in 1862, with the ex- ception of one season which he spent in a trip to Pike's Peak, in 1858. On his return from his trip to Pike's Peak, he located a Mexican war land warrant for one hundred and sixty acres, which he had purchased, in Platte county, Nebraska, and this after- ward led to the settlement in that state. In 1862, Mr. Bouton enlisted in Company B, Twelfth Michigan Infantry, and served in that capacity for two years, participating in the battles of Shiloh, Hatchee River and many others. After the close of the war Mr. Bouton went to Harrington, Cook county, Illinois, where he met Miss Alice Stowell Strong, who was reared by her uncle, William N. Stowell. They were married at Junction Citj', Wisconsin, September 16, 1865. In 1866 they started with a team and emi- grant wagon to Nebraska to locate on their farm in Platte county, with a cash capital of about fifty dollars. Two years later they moved to Butler county and settled on a claim of one hundred and sixty acres in section 12, Alexis township. Eighty acres of this farm was afterward homesteaded to- gether with an adjoining eighty, and he has since added to this by purchase until he now has a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres, furnished with a commodious and comfortable home and a neat set of farm buildings. To Mr. and Mrs. Bouton have been born the following family, whose names and the places of their birth are as follows: William A., born in Platte county, Nebraska; Ina J. and Guy A., born in But- ler county, Nebraska, and two others, Gil- bert A. and James A., both dead. James A. was killed b}- a runaway team October 4, 1889. Mr. Bouton is a Republican in politics but never sought or filled office. He is also interested in the grain firm of Belsle}', Allen & Co., of Bellwood, Nebraska. JAMES P. SEELEY, a well known and prosperous farmer, whose farm is locat- ed near Milford, Seward county, Nebraska, is a native of Monroe county. New York, and was born February 21, 1845. His father, Thadeus O. Seeley, was born on May 21, 1808, and died in Delaware county, Ohio, at the age of seventy-nine years. He had been a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity for fifty years. The 1028 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY grandfather of our subject, Thadeus O. See- ley, was born in Orange county, New York, November 4, 1772, and was married to Miss Susanah Bailey, a native of the same place, born May 19, 1769. They were the par- ents of the following children: Eliza Ann, born January 20, 1799; Theron, born March 8, 1800; John D., born July 25, 1801; Thena, born March 13, 1803; Eugene L., born October 4, 1804; Laura, born October 22, 1806; Thadeus O., father of our subject, born May 21, 1808; Saline G., born Febru- ary 17, 1810; Cleophus R., born June 9, 181 1 ; Eliphalet, born March 27, 1813. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Caroline Bromley. She was the daughter of Herrick Bromley, who was born in Orange county. New York, March 16, 1783, and married Miss Mary Roe, who was born March 16, 1795, to whom were born the following children: Caroline, born January 28, 18 14; Jane I\. , born April 14, 1816; Albert, born July 4, 1818; Will- iam, born March 5, 1823; Emily E., born June 14, 1825; Herrick, born June 28, 1827; Majy, born March 20, 1830; Oriil, born No- vember 26, 1832; Harriet, born July 15, 1835; Martin Van Buren, born July 13, 1837; Margaret, born April 29, 1840. Her- rick Bromley, Sr. , served in the war of 1812. Thadeus O. Seeley, our subject's father, was married to Miss Caroline Bromley, Au- gust 29, 1833, in Orange county. New York. To this union the following children were born: Herrick B., born December 18, 1835; Mary E., September 24, 1837; Josiah J., September 23, 1839; Albert T. , Septem- ber 3, 1842; James P. (our subject), Feb- ruary 21, 1S45; Charles C, January 29, 1847; Susan J., May 5, 1849; Antoinette, July 15, 1852; Thadeus O., August 5, 1857. The subject of this sketch was mar ied to Miss Margaretta J. Edwards, in Dela- ware county, Ohio, December 17, 1865. Mrs. Seeley is a daughter of James J. and Margarette (Rich) Edwards, to whom were born the following children: Margaretta J., born February i, 1845, at East Ellington, England; Susan A., born December 23, 1853, in Genesee county. New York; Har- riet J., born September 6, 1855, in Genesee county. New York; William J., born March 24, 1857, in Delaware county, Ohio; Carrie E., born November 12, 1862, in Franklin county, Ohio. Mrs. Seeley came to Amer- ica with her parents when she was six years old. They made the voyage in a sailing vessel which occupied about a month in the passage, having lost its course, and, after touching at Portuguese and Faroe Islands, finally landed at New York city. ■ Mrs. Seeley's father died at the age of forty-three years. Her mother died No- vember 25, 1898, at the advanced age of eighty years. Mr. and Mrs. Seeley have one son, W'illiam )., who was born January 27, 1875, at Milford, Seward county, Nebraska. He was educated at the university at Lincoln, the Western Normal, and also graduated from the Fremont Commercial and Business College, where he afterwards taught. He is now principal of the schools at North Loup, Nebraska. He married Miss Carrie Collins, January 12, 1897. She is a gradu- ate of the Fremont Normal and is a teacher in the same school with her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Seeley tor three years after their marriage lived in Ohio, then re- moved to Nebraska. Lincoln was but a village and most of the trip was made in a stage coach. They took up a homestead claim of eighty acres in I precinct, Seward county, and have made it their home to the present time. The first seven years they lived in a sod house and here their son was born. (His wife also was born in a dugout in Valley county.) The settlers for many miles around traded at Milford, where there was a mill and a store, and where the county-seat was first located. A Congrega- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIir. 102(> tional church and soon after an M. E. church were estabHshed. Mr. Seeley is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of fine farm lands thoroughly improved. Although his father was a Democrat, our subject is a Republican in political faith. He is a member of the M. E. church. HON. J. M. PERKINS.— The history of Fillmore county would be very in- complete and unsatisfactory' without a per- sonal and somewhat ejitended mention of those whose lives are interwoven so closely with its agricultural development. Mr. Perkins is a prominent representative of this class and during his residence here he has been a leader in local politics. He is one of the older settlers of West Blue township, and there he continues to make his home, his time and attention being de- voted to agricultural pursuits on section lO. Mr. Perkins was born October 3, 1828, in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, near the town of Everett or Bloody Run, and is a son of Joshua and Rebecca (Knowlen) Per- kins, the former a native of New Jersej', the latter of Pennsylvania, born near Pitts- burg. The maternal grand-father, James Knowlen, came to this country from Ire- land. The paternal grandfather, Abraham Perkins, was also born the other side of the Atlantic, being a native of England, and came to America prior to the Revolutionary war, in which struggle he lost a leg while helping the colonies to achieve their inde- pendence. He lived for some years in Pennsylvania, but spent his last days in Columbiana county, Ohio. He was a farm- er by occupation, as have also been most of his descendants. The father of our subject remained in the Keystone state, where his death occurred. In his family were two sons and two daughters, and the brother of of our subject was a member of the Eight- eenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry dur- ing the war of the Rebellion. The father was twice married; his first wife was Millie Siegler, who bore him two sons and two daughters, the two sons serving in Pennsyl- vania regiments during the Rebellion. In his native state J. M. Perkins was reared and educated in much the usual man- ner of farmer boys of his day, and at the age of twenty began learning engineering, which he successfully followed for many years in Pennsylvania. On coming west in 1873 he located in Grundy count}-, Illinois, where he purchased a farm and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He made his home there until 1882, in which year he became a resident of Fillmore county, Ne- braska, and bought the farm in West Blue township where he still lives, it comprising a half section of valuable land under a high state of cultivation and well improved with good buildings. Here he follows general farming and stock raising and is meeting with well-merited success. On the 26th of December, Mr. Perkins was united in marriage with Miss Mary Blake, a native of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of James and Jane (Kluck) Blake, who were born in York county, Pennsylvania, and spent their en- tire lives in that state. To Mr. and Mrs. Perkins were born eleven children, namely: George A.; Harvey G., deceased; Charles W.; John A.; Edward D. ; Alexander R. ; Frank B., and four daughters deceased. For over half a century our subject and his wife have been consistent and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, being converted November 20, 1852, and now belong to the church in Fairmont, in which he has filled all of the offices. He has served as an exhorter and local preacher and has always taken an active and prom- inent part in church work. His parents were connected with the same denomina- tion. For forty years Mr. Perkins has also been a member of the Masonic fraternity 1080 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. and is now a trustee of the lodge in Fair- mont. He has been an ardent supporter of the Republican party ever since its or- ganization in Grundy county, Illinois, and as one of the influential citizens of his com- munity he has been called upon to fill a number of official positions of honor and trust, being county commissioner three years, justice of the peace three years and supervisor two years, resigning the latter office on coming west. In 1888 he was elected supervisor of West Blue township, Fillmore county, and served as such for seven years. He was elected to the lower house of the state legislature in 1895, and filled that position for one term with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents, during which time he was a member of the committee on agriculture, cities and villages. It will be of interest to state that Mr. Perkins had three uncles in the war of 18 12, two serving five years and one seven years. WILLIAM BELL, deceased, was for many years one of the most promi- nent, enterprising and reliable citizens of Butler county, his home being in Oak creek township from the spring of 1870 until called to the world beyond. He was a na- tive of Indiana, born in Greene county, on the 30th of March, 1833, and was a son of John Bell, who at an early day removed from his old home in Virginia to the Hoosier state. In the county of his nativity William Bell was reared and educated in much the same manner of boys of that period in frontier settlements. At the age of seven- teen he accompanied the family on their re- moval to Henderson county, Illinois, where he grew to manhood. There he was mar- ried in 1863 to Miss Elizabeth Farrell, a native of Ogle county, Illinois, and a daughter of William Farrell, v/ho had also removed to that state from Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Bell became the parents of the following children: William and Edgar, who were both born in Wapello county, Iowa; Lakey, who was born in Fremont county, the same state; and Mary G., Thomas, Rosa, David and Eva J., who were all born in Butler county, Nebraska. As early as 1863 Mr. Bell came to Ne- braska, and for some time was connected with the Pacific railroad, but before coming to Butler county, he made his home for a time in Fremont county, Iowa. In the spring of 1870, however, we find him lo- cated on a farm on section 6. Oak Creek township, Butler county, and, until life's labors were ended, he devoted his energies to the cultivation and improvement of his place, transforming the wild land into well tilled fields. He died on the loth of May, 1897, and his remains were interred in the cemetery at Brainard. He always took quite a prominent part in local affairs, was one of the most influential and popular citi- zens of his community, and for two terms ably represented his township on the board of supervisors. It is but just and merited praise to say of him, that as a citizen he was honorable, prompt and true to every engagement, and as a man he held the honor and esteem of all classes of people. Mrs. Bell, who still survives her husband, was a true helpmeet to him, sharing his joys and sorrows, his successes and his trials. JOHN TOWLE, a well known farmer of Baker township, York county, is one of the honored veterans of the Civil war, who through three long years of that sanguinary struggle faithfully defended the old flag and the cause it represented, and only left the front when his wounds, received on the field of battle, rendered him unfit for further duty. He has always been loyal and true to his duties of citizenship and to every COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 1031 trust reposed in him, and enjoys the regard of all. Mr. Towle was born in Leeds, England, April 7, 1838, and is a son of Andrew and Mary Ann (Chapman) Towle, the former a native of Dublin, Ireland, and the latter of Yorkshire, England. The father engaged in woolen manufacturing throughout his en- tire life and was thoroughly conversant with the business in its various departments. In England he was superintendent of a large woolen factory. About 1838 he came with his family to America, locating in Lowell, Massachusetts, where he worked at his trade for several j'ears, after which he was sim- ilarly employed in Troy, New York, and Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Later he owned and operated a woolen mill in Mena- sha, Wisconsin, and in 1868 he removed to Cass county, Nebraska, where he made his home until his death, which, how- ever, occurred August 16, 1894, while he was visiting his son in Cohoes, New York. His wife had previously passed away, on the farm in Cass county. During the days of his infancy our sub- ject was brought by his parents to America, and when only seven years old he began work in the woolen mills. He was em- ployed in all the various departments of such an establishment, in Massachusetts, New York and Wisconsin, and became an e.xpert workman, receiving as high as five dollars per day for his services. When the war broke out he was among the first to re- spond to the country's call for aid, enlisting May 17, 1 86 1, for three-months service as a member of Company D, Third Wisconsin Infantry. He was mustered in at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, on the 29th of June, for three-years service. The regiment went immediately to the south, arriving at Har- per's Ferry, July 18, 1861, and Mr. Towle served in the campaigns in Virginia, Mary- land and Pennsylvania for two years, two months and sixteen daj's in the Army of the Shenandoah under General Banks, the Army of Virginia under General Pope, the Army of the Potomac under Generals Mc- Clellan,Burnsides, Hooker and Meade, and was in New York city on military duty dur- ing the draft riots of August, 1863, under General Colby. He left Bealton Station, Virginia, with his regiment October 3, 1863, to join the Army of the Cumberland, at Chattanooga, Tennessee, and was mustered out at the latter place, July 5, 1S64, on ac- count of disability. He participated in the following engagements: Bolivar Heights, Winchester, Cedar Mountain, Pope's cam- paign, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Beverly Ford, Gettysburg and the draft riots, and was mustered out with the rank of corporal. He was shot through the leg at Antietam and had both ear drums bursted, which has destroyed his hearing. He was also wounded at Beverly Ford, an exploded shell strik- ing him in the leg. On account of his wounds and loss of hearing, he has ex- perienced ill health for years, and is one of the honorable pensioners of the govern- ment. Mr. Towle is numbered among the pio- neers of York county, having taken up a soldier's homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres on section 30, township 10, range 3, in the fall of 1871. He afterward went to Cass county, Nebraska, spending the winter with his parents, who lived on a farm near Weeping Water, and in the early spring of 1872, he went to Plattsmouth, where he bought some lumber. At Weep- ing Water he constructed the frames for a house, and with the assistance of his neigh- bors, hauled them with ox teams to York county, where he erected a frame house 18x20 feet, with a fourteen foot ceiling. This was the first frame structure in all the country round about, the other settlers liv- ing in sod houses and dugouts. Mr. Towle at once began to break his land, and the first year planted twelve acres of sod corn. 1082 COMPJSNjDIi/M OF BIOGRAPIIT. raising a good crop. This was his first ex- perience at farming. In 1873 he sowed five acres of wheat, and from it sold one hun- dred and five bushels, at ninet_v-three and a half cents per bushel. In the fall he also sold his yoke of cattle, with which he had cultivated the farm, for ninety-five dollars. Owing to ill health he then went to Wis- consin, where he was employed as boss spinner and carder in woolen mills for a number of years, and in July, 1884, he re- turned to his homestead, which he had rented in the interim. Previous to his de- parture he had sold his house and now builded a new one. He has today one of the best improved and most valuable farms in Baker township, which represents years of hard toil, and is a merited reward of his labor. Mr. Towle was married December 25, 1866, to Sarah Barlow, who was born in Staffordshire, England September 4, 1847, and is a daughter of John \V. and Eliza (Downs) Barlow, also natives of the same country. They came to America during the infancy of Mrs. Towle, locating in Wiscon- sin, making the journey with a colony of one hundred English families. Mr. Barlow purchased a farm, upon which a portion of the city of Portage, Wisconsin, is now lo- cated, but after a short time sold out and went to Menasha; Wisconsin, where he now resides, at the age of eighty-two. His wife died December 2, 1883. To Mr. and Mrs. Towle have bean born nine children: Arthur J., William C, Sadie E., Samuel D., Effie E. , Howard G., Gordon P. B. and Ralph R. , at home; and Gilbert G., now deceased. Mr. Towle is one of the honored citizens of York county, for his life has been a useful and upright one, in which loyalty to duty has ever been a marked character- istic. The same fidelity which he manifest- ed when following the stars and stripes on southern battle fields, has been shown in business and social life, and his earnest effort, great energy and keen discrimination have brought deserved success. The following interesting story is told of Mr. Towle's childhood. When he was eight years of age he was living with his parents in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, while that region was yet a territory, the country heavily timbered, and infested with wolves and other wild animals. One day our subject, accompanied by his baby sister, then but one year old, went out in search for wild plums. The boy lost his bearings, and they wandered farther and farther into the forest. The little girl, who was sickly and weak, became tired and hungry, and cried for her parents and home. The boy held out bravely and took the little one up and carried her, but he at last grew discouraged and weary and began to cry also. He found some wild blackber- ries and gave most of them to his sister to keep her from crying. It was early morn- ing when they left home. Noon came, and the parents grew uneasy at their long ab- sence. In the meantime our subject's grand- parents and two uncles had come to visit the family. They became alarmed at the continued absence of the children, and all turned out to search for them. There were no roads, so that the task was a difficult one. After several hours of unsuccessful wanderings, as the shadows of evening be- gan to deepen, knowing that the children would be devoured by wolves if not found before the morning, the neighbors were called out to join in the hunt. Each man carried a gun, and the understanding was that the one finding the children should fire a gun, and each one hearing the report should fire in turn, and this to be the signal for all to return home. No report came, and when the darkness had made travel in the forest impossible, they all returned to the house with discour- agement and alarm for the fate of the help- less children. The father and two uncles CO^/PENDIU^f OF BIOGRAPIir. 103;^ determined to return to the quest, while the others insisted that they should not risk their lives also in a vain endeavor to save the lives of the children, who were, they be- lieved, already the victims of wild beasts. At that moment one of the searching!; party was returning home, and a few roJs from the house encountered a party of five In- dians, mounted on ponies, coming along an old trail, and he enquired of them if they had seen or heard of the "two white pa- pooses." They said yes, and that it was a long (big, big) way back in the forest. He tried to persuade them to go back and get the children, but they refused, saying "Big dark, big dark." But the sight and clink of two silver dollars overcame their disinclina- tion, and two of the Indians turned back into the depths of the forest, and after some time had elapsed, during which hope and fear struggled for mastery in the parents' hearts, brought the children safely to their home. Our subject remembers the details of that experience with great vividness, but did not realize as he does now the great danger he and his baby sister were in. FRED C. PATTERSON, who occupies an influential and prominent position among the agricultural population of Fair- mont township, Fillmore county, Nebraska, has his homestead on section 17, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres of fine farming land. Upon this place he has made many excellent improvements which add greatly to its value and attractive appear- ance, and here he lives, surrounded by a fair share of the comforts of life. Mr. Patterson was born in Stark county, Illinois, February 15, i860, a son of Robert and Mariah (Frazier) Patterson, natives of Pennsylvania, who removed to Illinois in 1S55, and there the father engaged in farm- ing, which he made his life work. In 1883 he came ttj Fillmore co nt}', Nebraska, 59 where he died two years later. The mother had passed away in 1877. In their family were three children who reached years of maturity, one son and two daughters, but one daughter is now deceased. The other is still a resident of Illinois. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Charles and Hannah (Townsend) Patterson, also natives of Pennsylvania, the latter's birth- place being near Pittsburg. In the county of his nativity, Fred C. Patterson was reared and educated in much' the usual manner of farmer boys, and he engaged in agricultural pursuits there until he and his father came to Fillmore county, Nebraska, in 1883. Here he purchased eighty acres of unimproved land, to the development and cultivation of which he has since devoted his attention with marked success, and to the original purchase he has added another eighty-acre tract. In con- nection with general farming he is also engaged in stock raising, and has met with more than ordinary success in both enter- prises. In 1890, Mr. Patterson led to the mar- riage altar Miss N'aleria Baldwin, a native of Iowa and a daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Emery) Baldwin, natives of Indiana and New Jersey, respectively. In 1848 her father removed to Iowa and two years later crossed the plains with an ox team to Cali- fornia, where he spent three years. Re- turning east, he again located in Iowa, and he and his wife are still living in Jasper county, that state. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson have two sons: George R. , born in 1892; and Carroll V., born in 1895. The parents are both members of the Methodist Episco- pal church of Fairmont, and Mr. Patterson is also connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically he is an ar- dent Republican and is one of the leaders of the party in his community. Coming to the state in rather limited circumstances, he has gained for himself a comfortable compe- 1034 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. tence, and also won the confidence and es- teem of all with whom he has come in con- tact by his upright, honorable life. ELISHA KINNEY, one of the most pro- gressive and successful agriculturists of Seward county, is the owner of a beautiful farm on section 29, precinct P. His meth- ods of farm management show deep scien- tific knowledge combined with sound prac- tical judgment and the results show that "high class" farming, as an occupation, can be made profitable as well as pleasant. Mr. Kinney was born in Belmont coun- ty, Ohio, February 24, 1840, and is a son of William E. Kinney, who came to this country from County Armagh, Ireland, about 1826, when a lad of eight years. Soon after, about 1830, his great-grandparents, Thomas and Margaret (Carr) Kinney, from whom many of the Kinneys in America are descended, also came to this country. Thomas had a brother, Henry M., who settled at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In the family of Thomas and Margaret Kinney were five sons and two daughters, namely: William, John, James, Thomas, Henry, Deborah, and Jane. The fourth son, John Kinney, was the grandfather of our subject, and was married to Miss Erwin, and two sons were born to them: Thomas Erwin and William E., the father of Elisha. William Erwin Kinney grew to manhood in Belmont county, Ohio, and there his marriage was celebrated in 1838, Miss Sarah Kinney (a second cousin) becoming his wife. Seven of the children born to them reached years of maturity and three were married, our subject being the eldest of the family. The names of the seven were: Elisha, Erwin C, John, Robert E., Ira, Mary Jane, and Me- lissa D. Melissa D. married George Gregg, and died in 1883, leaving three children: Roy, Frederick and Clara. Upon a farm in the county of his nativity, Elisha Kinney spent his boyhood and youth, and, although provided with limited educational advantages, he made good use of his time and prepared himself for teaching, a profession which he success- fully followed for ten terms, two of these in Nebraska. Early in the spring of 1872 he decided to come west, and proceeded to Lincoln. He finally decided to locate in Seward count}', on the Big Blue river, where he now lives — a decision he has never had occasion to regret, for here he has pros- pered, securing a good home and comfort- able competence for himself and family. He now has one of the best and most high- ly cultivated farms of the locality. At Barnesville, Ohio, in 1866, Mr. Kin- ' ney was united in marriage with Miss Nar- ' cissa McKirahan, and to them have been I born five children: Emma O. , now the wife of T. F. Tompson; William S., who married Flora Bromwell, has two children, 1 Neal H. and Beulah Grace, and was first lieutenant in Troop K, Third United States Cavalr}', with Captain Culver; Alva R. , who married Grace C. Barrager, daughter of the late Captain Barrager, of Crete, Nebraska; and Melissa D., married J. E. Brong; and Alice Pearl, who is teaching school at Cam- den. The children have been provided with liberal educations, Alva Raymond being a graduate of Doane College; his wife being also a graduate of Doane. In early life Mr. Kinney was a supporter of the Democratic party, but at present is an ardent Populist. His fellow citizens recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to public positions of honor and trust, and for twenty 3'ears he has been justice of the peace of his district, notary public now, and a member of the county board from precinct P. He was also ap- pointed postmaster at Camden under Presi- dent Arthur, and still retains that position. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 1035 GEORGE W. DAVIS, a well known resident of Lushton aud an early set- tler in York county, Nebraska, was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, March 13, 1833. The parents of our subject were Samuel Nurse and Abigail (Pettis) Davis. His grandfather Davis settled in New York in a very early day, and located on the lands where the city of Cuyahoga now stands. Here Samuel Nurse Davis, the father of our subject was born April 4, 1796. The family moved to Ohio near Cleveland when he was a child and he there met Abigail Pettis, to whom he was married June 12, 1823. He had two brothers and a sister, all of whom lived in Ohio and were married there. Abigail (Pettis) Davis was the daughter of Benjamin Pettis, a veteran of the Revolu- tionary war. He was among the first to volunteer in Connecticut, leaving a wife and three children at home. He was transferred to the Carolinas, and at the end of the war, after an absence of seven years, upon re- ceiving his discharge he made his was back to Connecticut, only to find, at the end of many weary months of travel, that his fam- ily had disappeared and could not be found. After many years search he way compelled to abandon the quest, and it is not known what became of his wife and children. After several years he remarried, and the subject of this sketch is the grandson of this second marriage. Samuel Nurse and Abigail (Pettis) Davis were the parents of three children, namely: Emily Ann, Rosella, and George W. Emily Ann married John Allen, and Rosella married George Shafer. The mother died in Ohio, and the family removed to Illinois, in 1846, where the father died on his farm near Bernadotte in 1851. George W. Davis grew to manhood in Illi- nois, working on his father's farm and at- tending the public schools. He remained at home until his father died, in 185 1, when he was left alone in the world, the mother having died in February, 1846, in Ohio. In 1856 he was married and in 1858 he removed to Missouri. The war broke out a few years later, and he returned to Illinois, and enlisted in the Twenty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Ritter, and later Colonel Rhodes, his com- pany being Company K, under Captain John W. Stokes. His first actual military duty was at Mobile, April 6, 1865. He was at Mobile at the time of the great ex- plosion, when half the city was destroved by the igniting of thirty tons of gunpowder. He remained at Mobile until July 2, 1865, when his regiment was sent to Brazos island on the coast of Texas, and after camping about Clarkesville until August i, 1865, they went to Brownsville, where his regiment was mustered out March 16, 1866. They reached Camp Butler, Springfield, Illinois, on the fourth day of the following month. For twelve years after the close of the war George W. Davis conducted a farm near Bernadotte, Illinois. In 1878 he sold his farm and went to York county, Nebras- ka, and purchased the southwest quarter of section 23, in Henderson township, having first arrived in that township October 22, 1878. This land was unimproved, and it required much hard work and patience to make it 3ield the first crops. He contin- ued to live upon that farm, putting many improvements and conveniences upon it un- til 1890, when feeling himself unable to longer continue such arduous labors, he erected a residence in Lushton, where he has since lived in practical retirement. On August 14, 1856, George W. Davis and Miss Rebecca Greathouse were united in marriage in Illinois. Mrs. Davis remem- bers her grandfather Greathouse, and her grandmother. May (Ryan) Greathouse, whose marriage occurred in what is now West Virginia, their residence being near the line between Virginia and Ohio. The 103G COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIIT. grandfather served through the Black Hawk Indian war. The family removed to Ohio, and finally to White county, Indiana, where the grandfather and mother died. Mrs. Davis' father and mother were married in Licking county, Ohio, where they lived about five years. From White county, Indiana, they removed to southwest Missouri. After about two years they went to Fulton county, Illinois, and it was there that Mr. and Mrs. Davis were married. They are the parents of seven children, four of whom are now living, named as follows: Eliza Jane, Akira F. , EJza E., and Teressa Rosella. Eliza Jane married Harvey L. Walters; Alzira F. married Sherman L. Knox; Elza E. married Emma Runnels, and Teressa Rossella married Louis Labart. All the children are engaged in farming ex- cept Sherman L. Knox, who is a miller. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members of the Christian church at Lushton, and were among its first active organizers. Mr. Davis is a member of C. W\ Hayes Post, G. A. R., No. 306. The parents of Mrs. Davis died in Ful- ton county, Illinois, — the father in 1868 aged sixty-four and the mother in 1870 aged sixty-six years. SHELLY STINES.— Prominent among the progressive, enterprising and suc- cessful agriculturists of Fillmore county, is the subject of this sketch, whose home is on section 15, West Blue township. His life history happily illustrates what may be attained by faithful and continued effort in carrying out an honest purpose. Integrity, activity and energy have been the crowning points of his success, and the enterprises with which he has been connected have been of decided advantage to the communi- ty, promoting its material welfare in no uncertain manner. Mr. Stines was born in Niagara county. New York, August 8, 1855, and is a son of Henry and Pyra (Harris) Stines, natives of Vermont and New York, respectively. The paternal grand father, Stines, was born in No- va Scotia, and died in the Empire state. The maternal grand father, Benjamin Harris was a native of Vermont, and on coming west in 1864, located in Leavenworth county, Kan- sas, where he died about 1876. He was a farmer by occupation. The father of our subject was quite a prominent and influential man in his community, and while a resident of Niagara county served as postmaster of Youngstown and as sheriff of the county, filling the former office for many years. At one time he edited a paper in Albanj', New York, and filled the position of assistant librarian in the state library at that place for some little time. He also worked at the mason's trade in New York for some years, and was a man honored and respect- ed by all who knew him. He died in 1864, and his wife passed away January i, 1899. In their family were three sons and three daughters who are still living, namely: Hal P., a farmer of Fillmore county, Nebraska; Fletcher, a resident of Fairmont, the same county; Shelly, our subject; Mrs. D. Billick, of Boyd county, Nebraska; Mrs. I. G. Heckman, of York county, this state; and Mrs. J. Foster, of Fairmont. Reared in New York, Shelly Stines was educated in the common schools of that state and later engaged in farming there for two years as a renter. In 1866 he went to Poweshiek county, Iowa, where he followed the same occupation until 1880, and then came to Nebraska. After spending one year in York county, he came to Fillmore county, in 1 88 1, and has since resided upon his present farm in West Blue township, where he now owns four hundred and eighty acres of valuable land, three hundred and fifty of which have been placed under the plow. He has given special attention to stock rais- ing and feeding, and each year ships from COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT 1037 •eight to ten car loads of stock which ha^'e been cared for on his home farm, besides large numbers which he buys and sells. In 1898, he erected upon his place, at a cost of two thousand five hundred dollars, one of the best homes in the county, and the other buildings upon the farm are in perfect har- mony therewith, so that he has one of the most attractive and desirable places in the township. In 1884, Mr. Stines married Miss Sarah A. Bennett, a daughter of Frederick C. Bennett, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. The children born of this union are Le Roy, Archie, Amie and Helen, all living. Socially, Mr. Stines affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of America, and politically is identified with the Republican party, but has never sought official honors, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. On his arrival in the count}' he had but two teams and four hun- dred dollars in money, and the valuable property he has since accumulated has beeh acquired through his own well-directed ef- forts. His spacious home is the abode of hospitality, for there the many friends of the family are always sure of a hearty wel- ccme. In 1896 Mr. Stines met with a serious accident while shelling corn, by which he lost his left hand. He neverthe- less accomplishes much work, notwith- standing that loss. SA. AND J. A. REICHENBACH, com- prising the well-known firm of Reichen- bach Brothers, are among the most success- ful business ' men of Rising City. Their^ career illustrates most forcibly the possibil- ities that are open to young men who possess sterling business qualifications. It proves that neither wealth nor social posi- tion, nor the assistance of influential friends at the outset of one's career are necessary to place him on the road to success. It also proves that ambition, perseverance and steadfast purpose and indefatigable industry, combined with sound business principles will be rewarded, and that true success fol- lows individual effort only. The Reichenbach family was originally from Germany, but during the Thirty Years' war they were driven from that country and took refuge in Switzerland. They were Protestants in religious faith. The father of our subject, Benedict Reichen- bach, was born in Switzerland, October 15, 1809, and is still living, hale and hearty, at the age of eighty-nine years. In early life he was an artilleryman in the Swiss army and was a messmate of Louis Napoleon during the latter's exile. By trade Bene- dict Reichenbach was a tanner, and oper- ated extensive tanneries in both France and Russia, but lost his property in the latter country during Kossuth's revolution, which led him to come to America in 1852. He located in Ashland county, Ohio, where he continued to engage in the tanning business until the panic of 1873 closed operations. His eldest son. Major E. C. Reichenbach, was major of the Twenty-third Ohio Volun- teer Infantry during the Civil war — the same regiment of which William McKinley was afterward brevet major. Subsequently Major Reichenbach was quartermaster of the Army of the Potomac, with headquarters at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, resigning that position in 1867. He died in Texas in 1871. S. A. Reichenbach, of this review, was born in Switzerland, February 15, 1850, but was only two years old when the family crossed the Atlantic and became residents of Ohio, in which state J. A. Reichenbach first opened his eyes to the light February 18, 1854. The brothers were reared and educated in Ohio, where they remained until 1877, which year witnessed their arrival in Nebraska. Locating first in Saunders count}', they engaged in farming there for two years, and for the following 1038 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. three years were interested in the lumber business, but since September, 18S2, they have made their home in Rising City, But- ler county, where they established the Rising City Bank. In 1888 they opened the Bank of Pittsburg at Pittsburg, Boone county, Nebraska, and in i S97 also organiz- ed the Reichenbach Land & Trust Company, with a paid up capital of $50,000. This company owns large tracts of land in Butler and Polk counties and is one of the most reliable concerns of the kind in the state. The brothers are both enterprisng, energetic and progressive business men, as well as able financiers, and their success in life is worthily achieved. S. A. Reichenbach was married in But- ler county, in 1889, to Miss Carrie Horton, while J. A. Reichenbach was married, in 1890,10 Miss Mabel Newcomb, and now has a little daughter — Marie. In social as well as business circles the family rank high. PROF. J. ELLIS MAXWELL, vice- president of York College and professor of natural science of that institution, was born January i, 1867, at Lexington, Illi- nois. His parents were Harrison A. and Lavinia R. (Fleming) Maxwell, the former born in Fulton county, Illinois, March 2, 1829, and the latter born in Mercer county, Kentucky, April 9, 1833. His grandpar- ents, Alexander and Mary (Ellis) Maxwell, settled in Fulton county, Illinois, at a very early day, and died there in 1892. To trace the ancestry of our subject, however, it will be necessary to go back into some of the most interesting periods of history. After the death of the famous Oliver Cromwell, Richard Fleming, Earl of Wigton in Scotland, having no hope of re- conciliation with Charles II of England, abandoned his title of Earl of Wigton, and emigrated to the then young but vigor- ous colony of Virginia. Here as a mer- chant he acquired a large fortune. His second son, Tarleton Fleming, was equally successful in the same calling and locality. Tartleton Fleming married Mary Randolph, daughter of Colonel Thomas M. Randolph, of Virginia. Her sister, Elizabeth, was the wife of Peter Jefferson, and mother of Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States. William Randolph Fleming, first son of Tarleton and Mary Randolph Fleming, , inherited a large plantation and two hundred slaves, but preferring the law, he early turned his attention to that profes- sion. He practiced successfully in the courts of Virginia, served fifteen years as a member of the state legislature, one term as member of congress from Virginia, and was a candidate lor senator when his death occurred at Richmond, October 5, 1S14, in the forty-third year of his age. His death resulted from a gun-shot wound accident- ally inflicted by his cousin, Archibald Ran- dolph, while they were out hunting. Will- iam R. Fleming was married to Anna Webb, daughter of John Seymore Webb, a de- scendant of the Seymore house of England, his great-great-grandmother, being one of the wives of Henry VIII, of England. John Tarleton Fleming, first son of Will- iam R. and Anna Webb Fleming, was born on the 14th day of December, 1794, at the country-seat of his parents in Goochland county, Virginia. Although heir to the Wigton estate in Scotland and a large for- tune in Virginia, he placed his life upon the altar of his country, and enlisted at the age of nineteen years as a soldier in the war of 18 1 2. Through the great hardships and exposures of the war he contracted neural- gia of the optic nerves, which rendered him almost blind for the rest of his long life. After the war he removed to Mercer coun- ty, Kentucky, where on the 25th day of February, 1830, he was married to Miss Sarah Turner, daughter of Starling Turner, of Mercer county. In 1834 he removed to COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY 1039 Fulton county, Illinois. Here until the freedom of the slaves was accomplished he continued to agitate the slavery question, and to vote the Abolitionist ticket. Al- though the son of a slave-holder, and inher- iting a large number of slaves, he had re- fused to receive them as property, declar- ing that he was born an abolitionist. After the war he removed to Page county, Iowa, and a few years later to San Francisco, California, where he died February 9, 1883, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. His wife, Sarah, survived him ten years, dying December 24, 1893, at the age of eighty-two years. Lavinia R. Fleming, daughter of John Tarleton and Sarah (Turner) Fleming, and mother of our sub- ject, was married to Harrison A. Maxwell September 13, 1855, in Fulton county, Illi- nois. His parents were Alexander and Mary (Ellis) Maxwell, the former born in Tennessee in 1804. He died at Canton, Illinois, in March, 1892. Mary (Ellis) Maxwell was born near Vandalia, Illinois, in the year 1808, and died at Canton, Illi- nois, December 17, 1892, in the eighty- fourth year of her age. The subject of this sketch, J. Ellis Max- well, from the age of five to the age of sev- enteen 3'ears, lived on a farm in Page county, Iowa, to which state his parents had moved from Illinois. He attended the public schools of Page county, and worked on the farm, and his opportunities for an education during that time were limited. At the age of seventeen years he accom- panied his father to Jefferson county, Ne- braska, where his father purchased a farm, and young Maxwell worked for him until the age of twenty-three years had been at- tained. He then left the parental roof and struck out for himself. He attended the Nebraska Wesleyan University at Lincoln, from which institution he graduated in 1894; but his thirst for learning was not by any means satisfied, and he decided to take the post-praduate course, and at the end of the year the University conferred upon him the master's degree. (1895.) Before the completion of his post-gradu- ate year the board of trustees of York Col- lege tendered to him the chair of natural sciences, the full board concurring in the invitation. He has performed the duties of that position for three consecutive years, with great honor and satisfaction, and has again been chosen to the same position for the fourth year, and to show their apprecia- tion of his valuable services and his marked ability, the board of trustees in 1897 elected him vice-president of the college, re-elect- ing him to the same important place in 1898. The most important step in his career, however, was taken in August, 1898. On the 24th day of that month, he was united in the bonds of wedlock with Miss Ella M. Smith, daughter of Herman C. and Jennie (Willis) Smith, of York, Nebraska. With deep acquirements in knowledge and cult- ure, an enviable position, sincere esteem of his fellow men, and a happy domestic life, it would appear that none of the comple- ments of a successful career are wantin , and surely the star of Prof. Maxwell is in the ascendant. CHARLES ALDRICH, deceased, was president of the Farmers State Bank of Fairmont at the time of his death and was one of the most successful agriculturists of Fillmore county. He had a wide reputa- tion as a most capable financier, and occu- pied a position of no little prominence in business circles. His life demonstrated what may be accomplished through energy, careful management, keen foresight and the utilization of powers with which nature has endowed one, and the opportunities with which the times surround him. Mr. Aldrich was a native of Rhode I-I- 1040 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. and, born in Cumberland, August 27, 1823, and was a son of Thomas A. and Mariah (Gaskill) Aldrich, also natives of that state, where they spent their entire lives with the exception of twelve years when residents of Worcester, Massachusetts. The father was a farmer and followed that occupation throughout life, but besides his farming land he owned bank stock and other property and was quite well-to-do. After a long and happy married life of sixty-five years, both he and his wife died in 1 886, within three days of each other. He was born in 1796 — she in 1801. To this worthy couple were born eleven children, four sons and seven daughters, but all are now deceased with the exception of Sarah, who is now living in East Northfield, Massachusetts. Our subject's grandfather, Thomas Aldrich, was born in Rhode Island of English parentage. The family was founded in this country early in the seventeenth century, and the old homestead in Rhode Island is still in the possession of the family. Reared on the home farm, Charles Al- drich acquired his literary education in the schools of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and when quite young began farming in his native state, where he remained until 1852. He spent one year in Michigan and then went to Bureau county, Illinois, where he followed the same occupation with a brother until the latter died in 1S56. He continued to make his home there, however, until 1864, when he removed to Missouri, but not being pleased with that state he returned to Illi- nois a few months later. In 1SS2 he came to Fillmore count}', Nebraska, and located at Fairmont, purchasing a farm adjoining the town site. He gave his attention to agricult- ural pursuits until his death, and in 1 886 also became interested in the Farmers State Bank of Fairmont, of which he was chosen president. In his business enterprises he had met with remarkable success and at the time of his death owned a large amount of valuable land. He never took an active part in political affairs nor sought office, though he twice served as township assessor and always faithfully discharged his duties of citizenship. Although not a member of any religious denomination, he was a believ- er in Christianity and led an honorable, upright life, which gained for him the con- fidence and esteem of all with whom he came in contact. He passed away October 14, 1892, and his death was mourned by many friends as well as his immediate family. On the 19th of September, 1861, Mr. Aldrich was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Buterbaugh, a native of Pennsj'l- \ania. Her great-grandfather came to this country as a Hessian soldier during the Re- volutionarj- war, but he soon deserted the British forces and assisted the colonies in achieving their independence as a member of the Continental army. Her parents, Jacob and Susanna (Young) Buterbaugh, were also natives of the Keystone state, and in 1853 removed to Illinois, where they died in 1893 and 1890, respectively. To Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich were born four chil- dren, of which three reached years of ma- turity and are still living, namely: Emeline A., now Mrs. Berson, of Maywood, Nebras- ka; George E., president of the Farmers State Bank of Fairmont; Bertise E., who is vice-president of the same institution and resides at home. Willie is deceased. M ORACE F. SMITH, whose home is on section 25, township 13, range 4, is one of the most extensive stock dealers of Polk county. Greater fortunes have been accumulated in this section of the state, but few lives furnish so striking an example of the wise application of sound principles and safe conservatism as does his. The stor\' of his success is short and simple, containing no exciting chapters, but in it lies one of the most valuable secrets MR. AND MRS. M. F. SMITH. COMPENDIU^^ OF BIOGRAPHY. 1043 of the prosperity which it records, and his business and private life are pregnant with interest and incentive, no matter how lack- ing in dramatic action, — the record of a noble life, consistent with itself and its possibilities in every particular. Mr. Smith was born in the town of Groton, Tompkins county. New York, June 4, 1854, and of that county, his parents, Theodore and Adelia Ann (Francis) Smith, were also natives. His grandfathers, Anson Smith and Patterson Francis, were also born in New York, and were farmers by oc- cupation. The mother of our subject died in the county of her birth, in 1857, but the father, who was born December 25, 1834, still resides there. Throughout his active business life he has been interested in agricultural pursuits. Our subject is one of a famil\- of three children and is the only survivor, his brother having died at the age of five years and his sister at the age of three months. Mr. Smith, of this review, completed his literary studies in the State Normal School of Cortland, New York, where he graduated with the class of 1883, and he later engaged in teaching and also studied law for a time. Since 1S87, however, he has been interested in the stock business. Coming west in the winter of 1883, he locat- ed in Glendive, Montana, where he worked on a stock range for two years. In the fall of 1885 he came to Polk county, Nebraska, and purchased his present farm, on which he located in the following spring, and which at that time was practically in a wild state. The same year he built his present comfortable dwelling and later erected good barns and other outbuildings as they were needed. Although he was very successful both in the practice of law and in teaching, he could not resist the inherited taste for agricultural pursuits, his ancestors having all been farmers and drovers. For two years he engaged in teaching in Polk county, but the second year he began dealing in cat- tle upon a small scale. Since 1894 it has been his aim to keep between three and four hundred head of cattle upon his place and at the present time has three hundred and eighty-five head. In connection with two other parties, he is also engaged in shipping cattle from the Montana ranges to the Nebraska corn belt. He owns four hundred acres of land in Polk county, of which one hundred and forty acres is de- voted to clover, one hundred and eighty to grass and forty to wild grass. In 1883 Mr. Smith was united in mar- riage with Miss Libbie Leonard, who was born in Delaware county, New York, Sep- tember 12, 1862, and was also educated in the Cortland State Normal and Training School, graduating in the same class with her husband. She successfully engaged in teaching for a time in the high school of Clyde, New York. Her parents, Asa D. and Adeline (Mackey) Leonard, were both natives of Delaware county. New York, and were prominent farming people. During his youth her father attended school with Jay Gould. He is still a resident of Broome county, New York, but the mother is now deceased. They had only two children — Mrs. Smith, and Wilson V., of New York. Mrs. Smith's paternal grandfather was Henry Leonard, a native of New York, who had three sons who served with distinction as surgeons in the Civil war. Her mater- nal grandfather, Levi Mackey, was also born in the Empire state. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have four children: Leonard, born in 1884; Delia, in 1887; Ruth, in 1895; and Mildred in 1897. The parents are consistent members of the Christian church. Socially Mr. Smith be- longs to Arborville Camp, No. 1499, Modern Woodmen of America, and politically is connected with the Republican party, though he is rather conservative in politics. He has been a delegate to the state Repub- 1044 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY lican convention, at Lincoln, and long served as a member ot the local school board. Although quiet and unassuming in manner, he makes many warm friends, and has the confidence and respect of all with whom he comes in contact, either in busi- ness or private life. In connection with this sketch is shown a portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. GEORGE ROSITER, a pioneer of York county, whose home is situated near the city of York, was born in Herkimer county. New York, March i8, 1843, a son of Thomas and Mary (Duress) Rositer, the former a native of Vermont and of French descent, and the latter a native of Virginia, but also of French descent. Thomas Rosi- ter moved to Virginia when a young man, and from there to Herkimer county. New York, and thence to Oneida county. New York, where he spent the remainder of his life. His father, John Rositer, was also a native of Vermont, and a soldier in the Re- volutionary war. Our subject was but about one year of age when the family moved to Oneida coun- ty. New York, where he was reared and educated. During the early part of his life he was a molder by trade, and followed that vocation until the breaking out of the Civil war. He enlisted, in April, 1861, in Company H, Seventh Illinois Infantry, from Logan county, Illinois, whence he had moved in 1S60. He was mustered in at Springfield, April 22, 1861, and was then sent to Saint Louis. From there he went into camp and drilled for three months. He then participated in the engagements at Fort Holt, Tennessee, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and Shiloh. At the last named battle he was wounded in the right foot and was discharged for disability in June, 1862. He then returned to his home in Illinois, but his patriotism soon asserted itself, and August 22, 1862, he became a member of Company C, One Hundred and Si.xth Illinois regiment. With this command he went to Columbus, Kentucky, Jackson, Tennessee, and then the company was stationed along the Mobile & Ohio railroad, guarding trestle work and bridges. In June, 1863, he par- ticipated in the siege of Vicksburg, after which he did scout duty until the close of the war. While in the detached service, near Meridian, Mississippi, he was taken prisoner by Forrest's cavalry, but escaped within four weeks, and returned to the Union lines. After the close of hostilities, he returned to Logan county, Illinois, and worked for several years on a farm. In 1869 he paid a visit of several months to his New York home. In 1870 he moved from Illinois to York county, Nebraska, and made his home for a short time with Peter Heller, who had settled on the Blue river, near the Seward county line. Mr. Rositer then pre-empted an entire section of land for eastern parties, and in the spring of 1871, returned to Illinois to accompany the settlers to their new homes. Upon arrival, however, they decided not to locate in Fillmore county and the company scattered and went to different parts of the state. Being unmarried, Mr. Rositer made his home for a time with James A. Taylor. In September, 1S74, he filed a soldier's homestead claim to the northwest quarter of section 30, Leroy township, and then went to Illinois to file a claim to the lady who has since presided over his household. Her name at that time was Miss Colista Rinehart. She was born in McLean county, Illinois, January 19, 1849, a daughter of Peter and Comfort (Hammitt) Rinehart, the formier a native of Germany, who came to America with his parents in 1832. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Rositer came to York county, Nebraska, in the spring of 1875, and began housekeeping in a sod house, on their homestead, in COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY 1045 Leroy township. Although they experienced many of the hardships to which the Ne- braska pioneers were subject, they have persevered and prospered, and are one of the prominent and well-to-do families of the township. The farm is not only supplied with all necessary improvements, but is supplied with some of the lu.xuries of life, such as an orchard of two acres of bearing apple trees, and also a two-acre orchard of young peach trees. In politics, our subject is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, but has never sought or held a public office. He takes an active interest in educational matters and has been a member of the school board for five or six years. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Robert Anderson post. No. 32, at York, and has served that post in the capacity of senior vice commander. Mrs. Rositer is a member of the Methodist church. To Mr. and Mrs. Rositer have been born a famil)' of five children, viz. : Row- land, Mary, Fannie, Warren and Vernon. TAMES D. CUNNINGHAM.— Among the ears old at the time of her death. At the age of fifteen 3 ears Philip Cline, Jr., accompanied his parents on their removal from West Vir- ginia to Ohio, and on reaching man's estate was married there, on the 31st of Januar3% 1828, to Miss Rebecca Murphy, a native of Hampshire county, Virginia, born Decem- ber 4, 1805. In 1829, with his wife and one child, he emigrated to McLean county, Illinois, where he made his home on a farm until 1844, which year witnessed their ar- rival in Jones county, Iowa. After our sub- ject came to York county, Nebraska, the parents also moved here in the fall of 1872, making this county their home until called to the world beyond, the mother dying in 1 89 1, when past the age of eighty-five years, and the father in 1892, at the age of eighty-five. They enjoyed the respect and esteem of all who knew them. Until he was twenty-four years of age Samuel Cline remained under the parental roof, and on leaving home went to Lancas- ter county, Nebraska, but in 1871 we find him a resident of York county, where he made a selection of an eighty-acre tract of land in the northwest part of the county. On the 2nd of April, 1873, he was united in marriage with Miss Adelaide Manchester, a daughter of Thomas W. and Rachel G. (Flandreau) Manchester. Her lather was born about 1825, at Barnett. Caledonia county, Vermont, and was twice married, having by his first union four children, of whom she is the oldest, the others being Ella, Frank and Rachel G., the latter dying COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 1053 in infancy. The mother died in California at the age of thirty-one years. Mr. Man- chester was later married in New York state, in 1867, to Mrs. F. E. VanDusen, and they removed to Hamilton county, Ne- braska, in the spring of 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Cline have a family of six children, who ac- cording to age are as follows: Minnie R., Frances R. , Philip Jay, Jr., Wilmer S., La- fayette F. and Mary G. Only three of the number are now living and are attending the public schools of York county. After his marriage Mr. Cline resided on his homestead until 1872, when, becoming restless, he sold his farm and moved to South Dakota, where the following five years were passed. At the end of that time, however, he returned to York county, where he is now engaged in agricultural pursuits. In his younger years he was a Democrat in politics, but now votes with the Populist party, and is a firm and un- compromising advocate of the free and un- limited coinage of silver. For over thirty years he has affiliated with the Masonic fra- ternity, is also a member of tne Ancient Or- der of United Workmen, and with his wife and son Wilmer, belongs to the Degree of Honor. Mr. and Mrs. Cline are both earn- est and consistent members of the Method- ist Episcopal church, take an active part in its work, and are held in high regard by all who have the pleasure of their acquaint- ance. JOSEPH W. TALMAGE, ex-county treas- urer of Fillmore county, and one of the leading and prominent business men of Fair- mont, is to-day enjoying the reward of his painstaking and conscientious work, having by his energy, perseverance and fine busi- ness ability, secured a comfortably compe- tence. Systematic and methodical, his sa- gacity, keen discrimination and sound judg- ment have made him one of the prosperous merchants of the place, as a dealer in farm machinery. Mr. Talmage was born in La Grange county, Indiana, January 20, 1841, and is a son of Elisha and Lucy (Williams) Tal- mage, both natives of New York. The paternal grandfather, Enos Talmage, was also a native of the Empire state, who entered land in La Grange county, Indiana, at an early day, but lived and died in On- ondago county. New York. He was a farmer by occupation. In his family were eight children, six sons and two daughters, of whom one son and the two daughters are still living. Elisha Talmage, our subject's father, was born near Albany, New York, in 181 3, and in that state was reared and educated. Learning the carpenter's trade during his youth, he followed it in New York until 1836, when he moved to La Grange county, Indiana, and took up a farm in Springfield township, to the cultiva- tion and improvement of which he devoted his energies until called from this life in 1 89 1. He was married in 1840, to Miss Lucy Williams, a daughter of Joseph and Lucy Williams, who spent their entire lives in New York. Five children were born to this union, two sons and three daughters. The mother died in April, 1849, after which the father was again married, his second union being with Miss Jane A. Griffin, by whom he had ten children, and who is still living in La Grange county, Indiana. In the county of his nativity, Joseph W. Talmage was reared and educated, and by assisting his father in the labors of the home farm he acquired an excellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits. In 1861 he laid aside all personal interests to aid his country in her struggle to perserve the Union, enlisting in the first company to start from La Grange county, it being Company A, Twenty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, u-nder command of Captain William Roy. He participated in the battle of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1054 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. August, 1862, and at the engagement at Port Hudson, in May, 1863, was under fire for over thirty days. In 1863 he was transfered to the artillery service. Prior to being trans- ferred he saw much hard fighting with the bushwhackers in Mississippi, Louisiana and other southern states, but fortunately es- caped being wounded. For almost five years he was in the service, being honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant in Jan- uary, 1866. After being mustered out, Mr. Talmage returned to Indiana, but in 1868 went to New York state, and the following year went by way of the Soo canal to the Lake Superior region, where he remained until 1 87 1. He then returned to La Grange county, Indiana, but in 1872 we find him en route for Nebraska. Arriving in Butler county, he homesteaded a claim near Sur- prise, but did not locate thereon until in 1875, the intervening time being spent in Minneapolis and St. Paul. He successfully engaged in farming in Butler county until 1883, when he came to Fairmont and em- barked in business as a dealer in agricultural implements, in which he is still interested. In the fall of 1885 he was elected county treasurer of Fillmore county, and on retir- ing from office at the end of one term, he resumed business in Fairmont. In 1875, Mr. Talmage was united in marriage with Miss Alice Nichols, a daugh- ter of Philo Nichols, a pioneer of La Grange county, Indiana, and to them has been born one child, Mary N. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Talmage hold membership in the Congregational church, and socially he is connected with the Masonic fraternity and the Grand Army of the Republic. In poli- tics he is prominently identified with the Republican party, and has been an active fac- tor in insuring its success in his community. Besides the office of county treasurer, he has filled other official positions of honor and trust, serving as a member of the town board and as city treasurer to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He enjoys a large acquaintance in this section of the state and is held in universal respect. CARL KOCH is the fortunate owner of one of Seward county's finest farms, and it is situated in section 24, H precinct, near the village of Malcom. Mr. Koch is a son of Carl and Caroline (Kulke) Koch, both of whom are natives of Germany and spent their lives in the vicinity of their birth. The subject of our sketch was born in Germany, February 7, 1842, the third of a family of seven children, six of whom are still living, and is the only one of the family who came to America. He was educated in the common schools of Germany be- tween the ages of si.\ and fourteen, and at fourteen years of age was also confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran church. Subse- quently he served three months in the Ger- man army. He began to learn the trade of manufacturing cigars at the age of fourteen and served three years and soon became very skilled in this line of work. At the age of twenty-seven he migrated to America, landed at New York, and from there he went to Missouri where he started a cigar factory. March 4, 1868, Mr. Koch was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmina Schaberg, and in the spring of the following year they came to Seward county, Nebraska, and took a homestead claim of eighty acres. On this farm their first residence was a dug- out, but later they built a sod house, which was their home for several years. He then built a frame house, but unfortunately a fire soon after swept everything and left Mr. Koch and his family without shelter, cloth- ing or food. Subsequently he built another sod house into which he moved his family, but in 1886 he built the beautiful residence which is still his home. Mr. and Mrs. Koch. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 1055 are parents of seven children, six of whom are now living, and their names in the order of their birth are as follows: Charles E., Edward H., Margaretta, Adolph A. H., Arthur and Minnie. Edward H. is a very successful teacher, as are also Arthur and Margaretta. These obtained their prelim- inary training in the public schools of Sew- ard county, where only the best teachers are employed. Mr. Ivoch always took a great interest in the education of his chil- dren, and when they completed the course in the common school, he sent them to the high schools of Lincoln, and finally to the university, which stands second to none in the state. The rest of the children men- tioned are still living with their parents. Mrs. Koch is a daughter of Adolph and Catherine (Rethwilm) Schaberg. Her fa- ther was but eighteen years of age when he came to America and settled in Missouri, where he was married. To this union were born five daughters, three of whom are liv- ing, and of whom Mrs. Koch is the oldest. The names of her sisters are Lizzie and Sophia. The first is married to Larken • Boehmer and lives in Montgomery county, Missouri, and the latter is the wife of Ernest Fenewald, and lives in St. Joseph, Missouri. Their father died in Missouri at the age of forty-five years and their mother at the age of twenty-six years. They were earnest Christians and devoted much time to the moral training of theirdaughters while they lived; but both passed away in the prime of life. To this early training is due much of Mrs. Koch's firmness of character and strict Christian integrity. She is a model house- wife, wrapped up in the affairs of her house- hold, and the kindest of mothers. Mr. Koch also is a man of the verj' best character, thorough and systematic as a farmer, pleas- ant to meet, and is held in high esteem by all with whom he comes in contact. He has served his fellowmen in the capacity of several of the local public offices and also some of the county offices; and in every in- stance he faithfully discharged every duty that came in his way to the satisfaction of his constituents and with credit and honor to himself. GEORGE DOUBLEDAY is one of the older citizens of Bradshaw township, and brought to the work of pioneering in York county a wealth of experience that has made it all the easier for him to take a front place in the workers of the county. He is upright and fair, and means to do what is right and honest, and it is the work of such men as he has proved himself to be, that has made Nebraska the garden and the pride of the west. Mr. Doubleday was born April 24, 1838, in Onondaga county. New York. His father was Harvey Doubleday, and all his life was comprised within the limits of the state of New York. His grandfather was Daniel Doubleday, who died in the northern part of the state when he was about seventy- five years old. His mother was Marcia Loomis, who was born in Connecticut, near Hartford, in November, 18 13. She is still alive, and lives on the same farm that her father opened out of a heavily timbered country long ago. She is a lady of venera- ble appearance and has attained the age of eighty-five. She is a daughter of Aaron and Lydia (Pierce) Loomis, who were mar- ried in Connecticut, and moved to Broome county. New York, about the year 1825. George Doubleday was the second child in the family. His father died when he was not two years old, and he made his home with his mother until he reached the age of sixteen. He struck out at that early age and began working for himself. When he was twenty-five he was married to a daugh- ter of John and Sarah Meeker, whose ancestors had come to the American colonies before the Revolution. They were of 1056 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. Scottish birth, and possessed many of the best traits of their native land. His mar- riage occurred November 17, 1863, and he re- mained in his wife's native county for two years, when he came to Dekalb county, Illinois, where he bought a farm of eighty acres. His wife died in 1875, and he still continued to work the farm, and keep his family together. He was married Septem- ber 17, 1876, to Miss Emma Smith, a daughter of Charles and Polly Smith. They lived on the Illinois farm for ten years, when they sold it and re-located in Bradshaw township on the southwest quarter of sec- tion 27, township II, range 4 west. He built a frame house, and proceeded to im- prove the land and set out trees. He has over one hundred apple trees and his orchard shows apricots, cherries and small fruits in abundance. Mr. Doubleday's daughters. May and Delia, are both married. May is the wife of Eugene Walrod, and has her home on one of her father's farms. Delia is Mrs. Garner, and lives in Bradshaw. Her father is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. When they came to this state and selected their farm three-fourths of a mile from the laid-out site of Bradshaw, they saw nothing before them but what seemed an interminable sea of unbroken prairie. The tall blue-stemmed sunflower and the golden rod waved in the breeze, but now there are great fields of ripening grain and the acres upon acres of corn are waving and flashing in the sunlight. OLIVER P. FISHER, one of the hon- ored pioneers and prosperous citizens of Fillmore county, is now retired from the active labors of life and occupies a comfort- able home in the town of Fairmont. His has been a long and busy career, with little time for idleness along the thoroughfare of life, where he has left his mark and may truly feel that he has not lived in vain. The object of respect by young and old, his familiar figure is greeted with affection and esteem, and in his declining years he is en- joying the reward of a well-ordered life and one in which he has exerted himself to do good to those around him. Mr. Fisher was born June 14, 1823, in the town of Orwell, Rutland county, Ver- mont, now Addison county, and is a worthy representative of an old and honored New England family which is of English descent. His great-grandfather was William Fisher, a native of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, in whose family were the following children: Ephraim, born January 27, 1751; James, January 26, 1754; Jemima, September 12, 1755; William, February 28, 1758; Abra- ham, May 22, 1760; Isaac, May 10, 1761; and Phebe, August 11, 1765. Of this fam- ly, Ephraim Fisher, the eldest, was the grandfather of our subject. He was born at Dartmouth, near Bedford, Massachusetts, and was the father of five sons, whose names and dates of birth were as follows: James, December i, 1780; Gardner, October 23, 1782; Freeman, November 21, 1784; Will- iam, June 4, 1788; and Isaac, January 15, 1798. In the family were also six daugh- ters: Esther, Huldah, Abigail, Phebe, Betsy and Matilda. The family removed from Massachusetts to Vermont about 1786 or 1787, and were among the earliest settlers of Orwell, Addison county. Ephraim Fisher, who was a farmer by occupation, acquired a good property and died there. Jsaac Fisher, the father of our subject, was born after the removal of the family to the Green Mountain state, and on his father's death inherited the old homestead, on which he engaged in agricultural pur- suits throughout life, dying there in 1865. In early manhood he married Miss Mehit- able Persons, a native of Massachusetts, who died several years prior to his death. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPIir. 1057 Their children were Ira, born December 1 1, 1820; Oliver P., our subject; Mason I., born October 10, 1825; William H., born December 25, 1827; and Phebe E., born August 17, 1 83 1. Ira was the only one of the sons who remained at Orwell, Vermont. Oliver P. Fisher pursued his studies in the district schools near his boyhood home, and assisted his father in the operation of the farm until 1844, when he removed to Kendall count}', Illinois, and purchased land in Little Rock township, where he de- veloped and improved a fine farm, making his home thereon for twenty-three years. He then removed to the town of Piano, the same county, and resided there until com- ing to Fillmore county, Nebraska, in 1876. The year previous he had visited this region and selected a location, and after locating here devoted his attention to general farm- ing for some years, but is now living re- tired in the town of Fairmont, though he still owns a section of valuable farming land which he rents. Before leaving Vermont Mr. Fisher was married in 1843, to Miss Marietta Royce, also a native of Addison county, and a daughter of Levi and Philomela (Bascom) Royce, who were among the pioneer fami- lies of that state. They had removed from Massachusetts on horseback, taking with them all of their effects on one horse. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher became the parents of three children, all born in Illi- nois. George R., the oldest, married Louise A. Hibbard and they have three children: Maude A., now Mrs. Neesley, lives at Grand Rapids, Michigan; Alice and Earle. They still reside in Kendall county, Illinois. May A. is the wife of I. \V. Al- len, of Sandwich, DeKalb county, Illinois. Carrie E. is the wife of F. M. Chapin, of Fairmont, Nebraska. They have three children, Harriett, Mason J., and Guy. The parents both hold membership in the Baptist church, and have the respect and esteem of all who know them. In politics Mr. Fisher is a Prohibitionist, and while a resident of Illinois capably filled a number of local offices, but has taken no active part in public affairs since coming to this state. MR. HENRY RUNYON CRAIG, a pop- ular and highly respected citizen of Ulysses township, Butler county, was one of the early settlers of that community, lo- cating on section 34 of the above-named township January 28, 1876. He was born in Warren county, Ohio, August 30, 1839, a son of Joseph Craig, who was also born in Ohio. Our subject's grandfather, Eli Craig, migrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio early in this century. His great-grand- father was an Irish boy and was kidnapped by British soldiers and brought to this country. Our subject's mother bore the maiden name of Felitha Runyon, and her father was a soldier in the war of 18 12. Henry R. Craig, the subject of this sketch, was the second son in the order of birth of his father's family. He was reared on a farm and when about eighteen years of age he started the battle of life on his own responsibility. When the family moved from Ohio to Illinois he remained in Ohio and worked at farming, railroading and stationary engineering. In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, Seventh Ohio Cav- alry, and served in that capacity until the close of the war. At the time of his enlist- ment he was in Georgetown, General Grant's native home, and was acquainted with the Grant family, and had leather tanned at Jesse Grant's tannery at Georgetown. Mr. Craig's war record is a very eventful one, as he participated in over thirty engagements, many of them the historic events of the war. The following is a list of the most of the important battles and skirmishes in which he participated: Brookville, Ken- 1058 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHl' tucky, September 20, 1862; Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, February 22 and 23, 1863; Hazel Green, Kentucky, March 5; Monticello, Kentucky, April 30 and May i. In the Tennessee raid, Wadsburg, June 18, 1863; Crossing Clinch River, June 19, 1863; Kingston, June 20; Knoxville, June 21; Strawberry Plains, June 22; and the cap- ture of General Frazer at Cumberland Gap, September 19; Jonesboro, September 28; Blue Springs, October 10, and at this place he had a gun shot from his hands; Rhea- town, October 11; Blountville, October 14; Rogersville, November 6; Morristown, De- cember 12; Russelville, December 14; Rut- ledge, December 18. Dandridge, December 24; Mossy Creek, December 27-28; second Dandridge, January 17-18, 1864; Fair Gar- den, February i. During this time our subject was engaged most of the time in irregular service, in the independent cav- alry. July 4, 1864, he started to Atlanta, and at Franklin, Tennessee, November 30, he took part in one of the hottest battles of the war, in which General Cleybourn and all his staff were killed. He also partici- pated in the Saunders raid in eastern Ten- nessee and Wilson's raid through Alabama and Georgia, and it was during this time that he first heard of Lee's surrender. The most severe fighting in which Mr. Craig took part was at Nashville, where his com- pany made five charges. At Rogersville he was injured by the falling of his horse and was wounded in battle at Monticello and at Blue Springs. At Monticello he was wound- ed by a machete in the hands of a stalwart Texan. After the close of the war, Mr. Craig returned to his home, and afcer following the occupation of a farmer for a time, he engaged in the clothing and furnishing goods business at Georgetown, Ohio. When he discontinued this business he intended to go to Tennessee, but he first went to But- ler county, Nebraska, to visit his brother. took a fancy to the country and decided to locate there. In Nebraska he began the occupation of farming and now has a fine farm and pleasant home just outside of the limits of the village of Ulysses and is one of the substantial and leading men of the vicinity. He has served the people of But- ler county in the capacity of county com- missioner, has been township assessor and justice of the peace. Politically he was formerly a Democrat but is now a supporter of the cause of free silver. Mr. Craig was married in 1859 to Miss Mary Stump, daughter of John B. Stump, of Virginia, and before he enlisted in the army his only son, John B. Craig, was born. HON. JOHN D. JENKINS, deceased, of whom a portrait appears on the opposite page, was for many years one of the most highly esteemed and valued citi- zens of Fillmore county. In his life span of fifty years he accomplished much, and left behind him an honorable record well worthy of perpetuation. He was born in Worcestershire, England, November 15, 1846, and was a son of George and Sarah (Gibson) Jenkins, also natives of that coun- try. The grandfather, John Jenkins, was a large land owner and spent his entire life in England. The father, as a surgeon in the English army, passed the greater part of his life in India, but died in his native land. In his family were eleven children, two sons and nine daughters, of whom our subject was the second son; five daughters are still living, being residents of England. John D. Jenkins, of this review, was educated in some of the best schools of his native land, among which were those in Danby, Sedgeley Park, Staffordshire, Rad- cliffe Downside and Somersetshire, the oldest Benedictine school in England. At the age of sixteen he went to Australia, landing on the west coast, where he en- HON. JOHN D. JENKINS, Deceased, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY 1061 gaged in mining in the employ of the gov- ernment as civil engineer. He was also with General Cameron as a member of the colonial forces in the Maori campaign for some months and remained in that country and in New Zealand for seven years, being one of the first prospectors on the west coast of New Zealand. Returning to Eng- land he made his home in London while engaged in settling up his father's estate. In December, 1872, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and first located in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he remained for one year. The following three years were spent at Seward, this state, and in 1876 he came to Fairmont, Fillmore county, and purchased a farm in Blue Valley township, which he broke and improved, but later sold. Later he bought and improved sev- eral places until 1879, when he purchased the home in Fairmont township, where his widow still resides. It was all wild prairie land, but under his able management and by his untiring labor he soon converted it into one of the best and most desirable farms of the county. In 1874 he visited California and Oregon, but soon returned to Nebraska, and here successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising, giving special attention to the breeding of Cotts- wold sheep. He also bought and sold county paper, and in business affairs met with excellent success. In 1878 Mr. Jenkins was united in mar- riage with Miss Lottie Bock, a native of Michigan and a daughter of William H. and Catherine (Cavanaugh) Bock, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Ireland, respect- ively. The father died in Michigan in 1866, and in 1872 the mother, with her family, came to Fairmont, Nebraska. Prior to her marriage, Mrs. Jenkins successfully engaged in teaching school for some years. To our subject and his wife were born four children, all of whom are still living, namely: George S., John D., William G. and Charlotte L. Mr. Jenkins was a recognized leader in the Republican party in his community, taking a very active and prominent part in political affairs, and in 1879 was elected to the lower house of the state legislature, where he most capably and satisfactorily represented his district for two years. In religious faith he was a Catholic, and in his social relations was a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He was noted for his sterling integrity, his honor in busi- ness and his fidelity to all the duties of pub- lic and private life. He was widely and favorably known and had many friends throughout the state. His death, which occurred May 14, 1897, was deeply regretted by all who knew him, and Fillmore county thereby lost one of its most valued and useful citizens. WILLIAM CRISTOPH KASTNER is not a man to whine about hard times or the good luck that waits on other men. He has been altogether too busy in making a fortune for himself out of hard fate and unfavorable conditions. He has a produc- tive farm near Bradshaw, Nebraska, which he has converted from the wild prairie, where he lives with all the peace and free- dom of a king. Such men as he are the pride of the American republic, men who rise from the abysmal depths of poverty and destitution, and rear numerous families to honor, intelligence and industry. Mr. Kastner was born in Sa.xe-Weimar, Germany, July 18, 1848, and was a son of Henry A. and Anstena C. (Shict) Kastner. They were Saxon farmers, but when young William was only three years old they emi- grated to America, coming via New York to Milwaukee. They remained in the Cream City of Wisconsin for about a year, when the senior Kastner moved out into the country and bought a farm in Dodge county. It was entirely unimproved and was covered 1062 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT with timber. A vast amount of surface stone was in tfie way of profitable cultiva- tion and the labor of removing stone and timber was immense. Fences were con- structed that apparently will last until the crack of doom, and the trees were burned and the ashes sold to asheries not far away. By this slow and painful process ten to twenty acres would be cleared and secured for cultivation each year, and gradually the farm would take shape and character. When William was about si.xteen years of age his father lost his eyesight, and hence- forth much of the labor of the place fell on his young shoulders. In 1864 he volunteered, and entered the Union army as a member of Company D, Seventh Wisconsin Vol- unteer Infantry. It was late in the war, but he was in time to participate in some severe fighting. At Hatcher's Run he received a ball in his shoulder which has never been extracted, and was taken prisoner, and thrown into the rebel hospital at Peters- burg. The wound which he received early in the morning, was not dressed until ten o'clock at night. He spent some time in Libby prison at Richmond, and was finally discharged from the military service at the general hospital in Milwaukee. When he entered the army he received a bounty of three hundred dollars, which he immediate- ly paid over to his father, and his accumu- lation of pay which amounted to a very re- spectable sum at the close of the war went to the same destination. He lived with his father until the day of his wedding, Decem- ber 10, 1868. At that time Miss Fredereka Bower became his wife, and in every possi- ble way has proved herself a most helpful companion and wife to her honorable and industrious husband. They rented the home farm for a year, when they determined to come to Nebraska for the sake of the larger opportunity it offered for themselves and their children, and in March, 1872 they made their first appearajTce in the state. Mr. Kastner made a homestead entry on the southeast quarter of section 34, township 10, range 4 west, where he still resides. He has a good frame barn, and other buildings belonging to a well ap- pointed farm. He began with the raw prairie, and now has over one hundred acres under cultivation. The antelope and the bison have vanished forever, and their ranges are white for the harvest. He has always been a hard-working man, and is seldom found idle. He has earned every dollar he ever had, and is the maker as well as the owner of a well improved and at- tractive farm of two hundred acres of as fine land as may be found in the state. It may be said of him, " that he looks the whole world in the face, and owes no man a dollar." Mr. and Mrs. Kastner are the parents of ten children, all of whom with one ex- ception are still living. They are Anna Mary, Lydia Annie, Lena, Frederick, Hen- ry, William, Minnie, Ella and Selma. The oldest daughter is married to Louis Snyder, who owns a farm a mile and a half from the orphan's home at Jamestown, North Dako- ta. The other children are all at home, and are doing their part in the farm and house work. The father, mother and the three oldest children are members of the Evangelical church, and are people of stand- ing and character in the community. He is a Republican and cast his first vote for General Grant. GEORGE F. MARSH, whose home is on section 20, West Blue township, is not only one of the useful and valuable citi- zens of Fillmore county in days of peace, but, when the nation was in peril during the dark days of the Rebellion, he was one of the men who fought most valiantly for the old flag and the cause it represented. His paternal grandparents were David COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 1068 and Susan Marsh, natives of Pennsylvania, but removed to Oiiio with their parents at an early day. The grandfather served his country in the war of 1812 under General Harrison. The grandmother was left a widow with three small children, two daughters and one son, John. Being a re- markably energetic woman, she reared her children to manhood and womanhood, and in 1840 accompanied them to Illinois, riding the entire distance on horseback. Later she made a visit to Ohio and returned also on horseback. Upon the death of one of her daughters she took the care of her three grandchildren whom she raised to near man's and woman's estate. She was then called to Iowa by the death of her second daugh- ter, who left a family of motherless children whom she cared for until 1857, when she returned to Illinois, and made her home with one of her granddaughters, whom she accompanied to Miami county, Kansas, where she died March 13. 1883, at the ripe old age of eighty-eight years. His parents were John and Ann E. Marsh. The latter was born in Pennsyl- vania, August 10, 1 81 3, and emigrated to Ohio in an early day. Her maiden name was Foresman. The former a native of Ohio was born in Pickaway county, August 23, 1814, and grew to manhood in his native state. In 1 840 he migrated to Illinois, and in DeWitt county entered a tract of wild land, which he converted into one of the most desirable farms in that locality. His entire life being devoted to agricultural pursuits. He was one of the prominent and influential citizens of his community, and was elected to the office of supervisor. He remained and oper- ated his farm in DeWitt county until 1881, when he sold his farm and removed to Franklin county, Kansas, where he bought and operated a farm until his death, which occurred January 16, 1892. In his native state he was married to Mrs. Ann E. Kagan, ncc Foresman, and they became the par- ents of sixteen children, ten of whom reached the age of maturity, five sons and five daughters. Three daughters and the sub- ject of this sketch are now living in Ne- braska. The mother died in DeWitt coun- ty, Illinois, November 9, 1872. Like her husband, she was respected and esteemed by all who knew her. George F. Marsh was born in DeWitt county, Illinois, October 19, 1840, and obtained his education in the public schools of the same county. He early became familiar with every department of farm work, which he continued to follow there until the opening of the Civil war. Responding to his country's call for aid, he enlisted July 10, 1861, in Company E, Twentieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for three years, and on the expiration of that time veteranized, remaining in the service until hostilities ceased, and being honorably discharged July 16, 1865. He took part in the battles of Frederickstown, Missouri, Oc- tober 21, 1861; Britten's Lane, Tennessee, September i, 1862; Port Gibson, Mississippi, May I, 1863; Raymond, May 12; Jackson, May 13; Champion Hills, May 16; and Vicksburg, from May 19 to 22, 1863. At the last-named engagement he was wounded in the right elbow and a few minutes later in the right leg, and was sent to the hos- pital, first at Memphis, Tennessee, and later by hospital boat to Quincy, Illinois. The following December he re-joined his regiment at Black River, Mississippi, and his next engagement was at Chunkey Sta- tioh, Mississippi, February 19, 1864, fol- lowed by the battles of Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 27, 1864, and Atlanta, July 2 r and 22, 1864. Here he was again wounded in the right arm and was confined in the hospital until the loth of November, when he reported for duty at Chattanooga, Ten- nessee. Although he was not a commis- sioned officer, he was given command of a 10G4 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. company of recruits at Chattanooga, Ten- nessee, and as such took part in the battles of Nashville, December 15 and 16, 1864, and at Decatur, Alabama, December 27, 1864. With his company, he then pro- ceeded by rail and water to North Carolina, and after participating in the battle of I\ingston, March 10, 1865, rejoined his regiment at Goldsboro, North Carolina. With his regiment, he then went to Raleigh and on to Washington, District of Columbia, where he took part in the grand review. May 22 and 23, 1865. Soon afterward he was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, and returned to his Illinois home. In the fall of 1865 Mr. Marsh went to Ivansas and returned in 1866, when he re- sumed his occupation as a farmer. In 1873 he came to Nebraska and became a resident of Fillmore county, locating on the farm where he now resides. The wild, unculti- vated tract he has transformed into one of the best and most attractive farms in the county, having placed it under a high state of cultivation and improved it with good and substantial buildings. On coming to this state, he drove across the country with a four-horse team, being twenty-si.x days in making the trip. In McLean county, Illinois, December 30, 1868, Mr. Marsh married Miss Eleanor C. Bosserman, a native of Ohio, born April 13, 1845, s sister of W. H. Bosserman, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. To them have been born nine children, namelv: Charlie; John, deceased; Mary E. ; Georgiana; Samuel B.; Edward D. ; May B.; Julia M. ; and Eleanor B. Fraternally Mr. Marsh is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and has been connected with the Masonic order for thirty- seven years. Politically he is identified with the Republican party and has most creditably and acceptably filled several township offices, including those of treas- urer, collector and justice of the peace. As an agriculturist, he has been fairly success- ful and his upright, honorable course in life commends him to the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact. Samuel B. Marsh, son of the subject of this sketch, was a member of the First Nebraska National Guards, and when the call was made for volunteers for the Spanish- American war, he enlisted in Company G, First Nebraska United States Volunteers, May 8, 1898. He participated in the cap- ture of Manila, Philippine Islands, and all subsequent battles up to date. JOHN BECKMAN, an old settler of H U precinct, Seward county, is one of the men whose names are connected with the history of the growth and development of the community in which he lives. He owns a large and well improved farm, is influential in matter of local politics and a consistent member of the Evangelical Lutheran church. Mr. Beckman was born in the province of Hanover, Germany, May 6, 185 i, a son of John Beckman. The father was also a native of the Fatherland and migrated from thence to America in 1871, where he died about four years later. His companion, who in her girlhood bore the name of Miss Elizabeth Goecke, died in Germany. They were the parents of a family of six children, five sons and one daughter. One of these sons died in H precinct, Seward county, Nebraska, at the age of fifty-five years, and one son and the daughter are now living in this precinct, besides the subject of our sketch. Our subject was educated in the com- mon schools of Gertnany and also in Ameri- ca, and was confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran church at the age of fourteen years. He left the land of his birth in 1868, em- barking at Bremen, May 6, and landed in New York on the 23d of the same month. From there he proceeded to Clayton county, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 106^ Iowa, where he worked on a farm for two years and a half. He then moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, and for two years followed the mason's trade. In the fall of 1S72, he came to H precinct and filed a homestead claim to an eighty-acre tract of land which now forms a part of his present estate. He began im- proving his new farm by constructing a dug- out which housed him during the first year of his life in the far west. During this time he boarded with his brother. In the spring of 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Hanich, a resident of Lancas- ter county, Nebraska, about a mile and a half east of Mr. Beckman's homestead. They at once began housekeeping on the farm which is still their home. The origi- nal eighty acres, however, is now only a part of a fine large farm of four hundred acres, all of which is improved and tillable. Mrs. Beckman was born in Germany, December 29, 1852, was educated and con- firmed in the vicinity of her birthplace, and came to America with her parents in 1872. They then proceeded to Lancaster county, Nebraska, and at the age of twenty-one years, she became the wife of our subject. To this congenial union have been born a family of nine children, upon whom they have seen fit to bestow the following names: Minnie, Emma, August, Robert, Adolph, Ru- dolph, Bertha, Aberthena and Anna. Minnie and Emma are married, and August is em- ployed in a general merchandise store at Ger- mantown. All of the children were baptized, and all who have arrived at the age of four- teen years have been confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran church. Our subject has become one of the best known and most widely rtty art ed citizens of H precinct. He is thrifty, industrious and at once generous and economical in his financial affairs. He has accumulated considerable means and is now enjoying the results of an active and successful career. Politically he is a stanch Republican. MARTIN V. SAMPLE, M. D.— Butler county has lew more energetic or wide-awake men among the younger mem- bers of its population than this gentleman. His name will be readily recognized by the citizens of Bellwood and vicinity as one of its most popular and efficient physicians. Dr. Sample first came to Nebraska in 1885, locating at that time in Milford, Sew- ard county, and did not locate in Bellwood until October, 1897. He was born in Mor- gan county, Illinois, and his father, John Sample, was a brick and tile manufacturer, of Jacksonville, Illinois. Our subject was educated at the Lincoln Medical College, from which he graduated with the class of 1894. He was married in 1896 to Miss Dora Schaaf, of Milford, Nebraska, and in October of the following year he moved to Bellwood, Butler county, and began the practice of his profession in that city. A man of progressive ideas, studious and pains- taking in all his professional work, although he is still a young man and the latest acces- sion to the medical profession in Bellwood, the subject of this sketch has already built up a large and lucrative practice and has established himself firmly in the good-will and esteem of his medical brethren. As a citizen he is loyal in his adherence -to the principles of right government, and as a friend and benefactor he has gained an en- viable reputation. He is a member of the State Eclectic Medical Society, also the Modern Woodmen of America, Home Forum Benefits, Tribe of Ben Hur, Royal Neighbors, and is med- ical examiner for all of these. In politics he is a free-silver Democrat. FF. ROBBINS, one of the brave defend- ers of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war, and a prominent repre- sentative of the agricultural interests of Fillmore county, has his homestead on sec- 1066 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. tion 34, West Blue township. His record is that of a man who by his own unaided ef- forts has worked his way upward to a posi- tion of affluence. His Hfe has been one of industry and perseverance, and the sys- tematic and honorable business methods he has pursued have won him the support and confidence of many. Mr. Robbins is a native of New York, his birth occurring in Genesee county, Octo- ber 2", 1840, and is a son of Frederick and Louisa (Logan) Robbins, also natives of that state, and the latter a representative of the same family to which General John A- Logan belonged. The paternal grand- father, Levi A. Robbins, was born in Mas- sachusetts, and about 1792 removed to'New York, his death occurring in Genesee coun- ty, that state. He engaged in farming and also followed blacksmithing and wagon making. The maternal grandfather Logan was a native of New York. The parents of our subject continued to reside in the Em- pire state throughout life, the father, a farm- er and butcher by occupation, dying in 1842, the mother in 1861. Their only daughter is also deceased. F. F. Robbins, the only son of this worth}' couple, was educated in the com- mon schools of his native state, and later followed farming there after the outbreak of the Rebellion. In response to the presi- dent's call for more volunteers, he enlisted in 1862, in Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth New York Volunteer Infantry, and the following year re-enlisted and was transferred to the Eighth New York Heavy Artillery. He was first engaged in skirmish- ing throughout West Virginia, and later took part in the seven days' fight in the Wilderness, and the battles of Spottsylva- nia; Cold Harbor, Virginia, where the regi- ment lost 639 in killed, wounded and miss- ing; North Ann river; Monkey river; and Turkey Bend on the James river. There were two engagements at the last named place. Mr. Robbins also took part in the engagements in front of Petersburg, assisted in tearing up the Weldon railroad, and was in the battle of Ream's Station. At that place he was captured while serving as act- ing sergeant, and for si.x months was held a prisoner. During his captivity he was changed from one prison to another several times, being confined in Libby prison, Rich- mond, Virginia, Belle Isle, Salisbury, North Carolina, and other places. Shortly after his exchange in 1865 he was mustered out. He was slightly wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, and was hit by a piece of shell at North Ann river, but was never seriously wounded, and only once was he confined in the hospital for a short time. After the war, Mr. Robbins remained in New York until 1868, when he removed to Shiawassee county, Michigan, and engaged in farming there for six years. In 1873 he came to Fillmore county, Nebraska, and homesteaded the farm where he now lives. The same spring the family located on the farm, where a small dugout, 10x12 feet, had been made, and twenty-five acres of the land broken. Although his crops have been at times destroyed by grasshoppers and droughts, he has prospered in his adopted state, and is now the owner of one of the best improved farms in the county. His lawn is one of the most beautiful in this region, it being ornamented with evergreen trees trimmed in an artistic manner. The home is a model of neatness and comfort, and everything about the place indicates the supervision of a careful and painstaking owner. In March, 1867, Mr. Robbins wedded Miss Mary A. Taber, who was also born in Genesee county. New York. Her parents, Clark and Rebecca (Peck) Taber, were natives of New York, and for many years lived upon the place in that state, where the mother died, but the father's death occurred in Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins have COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 1067 two children: Ora A., and Carrie E.,- wife of S. W. Avery, of Fillmore county. Mr. Robbins is a member of the Regula- tors, an organization formed in 1890 to pro- tect the farmers from horse thieves and criminals, and he has served as secretary from the start. He was also one of the organizers of the Republican party in the county and state, and he filled the office of town clerk in Michigan for six years and here for two years in a most creditable and satisfactory manner. He has also served seventeen years on the school board of the district he now lives in. EDGAR FOX, an honored veteran of the Civil war and a thorough and skillful farmer residing on section 6, Union town- ship, Butler count}', was born in Genesee county, New York, January 21, 1839. His father, Elisha Fox, was also a native of New York, and of English descent. Upon a farm in Genesee county he was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys, and on attaining to man's estate he married Miss Eveline Kelsey. Of the children born of this union there are now living: Ed- win, a resident of Minnesota; Eleanor, of Iowa; Ezra, of Floyd county, Iowa; Eve- line, of Henry county, Illinois; and E. O., who makes his home near Bellwood, Butler county, Nebraska; and Edgar, of this sketch. Egbert, who died in this county, in 1897, was one of the early set- tlers of this region. When the family left Genesee county. New York, in the spring of 1844, they moved to McHenry county, Illi- nois, settling on a farm near Crystal lake, where our subject grew to manhood and learned the carpenter's trade. In 1859 Edgar Fox emigrated to Saline county, Missouri, where he was married to Miss Mary Amelia Berrey, whose father, John Berrey, had moved with his family to that county from AfcHenry county, Mrs. Fox being reared in the same neighborhood as her husband. When the Civil war broke out Saline county, Missouri, proved a very uncomfortable home for Union men, and Mr. Fox and his wife returned to McHenry county, Illinois, where he enlisted in August, 1862, in Company F, Ninety-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was first in McCarty's Division, Seventh Army Corps, and his first engagement was at Tal,lhosse, Mississippi. Returning to Memphis, the regiment went by boat to Milliken's Bend and Lake Provi- dence, after which they went into winter quarters. In the spring of 1863 they start- ed for Vicksburg, Mississippi, where they arrived on the 19th of May, and Mr. Fox participated in the first and second charge on that stronghold, his command being the first of the troops to enter the fort on its evacuation on that memorable Fdurth of July. He took part in the Red River ex- pedition under A. J. Smith, and was also in the Guntown expedition, where his brother Ezra was captured and sent to Anderson- ville prison. During his three years service, our subject was in many engagements throughout different sections of the south, assisting in the capture of General Price in Missouri, and also took part in the battle of Nashville, in 1864, and Mobile and Spanish Fort in 1865. At the end of his term of enlistment he was honorably discharged. Returning to McHenry county, Illinois, he remained there until the spring of 1866, when he and his oldest brother went to Bremer county, Iowa, living there until coming to Butler county, Nebraska, in June, 1 87 1. With the agricultural interests of Union township he has since been identi- fied and from the unbroken prairie has developed a fine farm, which stands as a monument to his thrift and industry. To Mr. and Mrs. Fox have been born four daughters: Olive, Cora, Armina and Susan, and they also have an adopted son, Lester. A public-spirited, progressive citi- 1068 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRArHT. zen, Mr. Fox has always taken an active part in local political affairs, and he has been called upon to serve as justice of the peace seven years and school treasurer for the long period of twenty years. His fidel- ity to duty is among his chief character- istics and has been manifested in both public and private life. The success that has crowned his efforts is due entirely to his enterprise, industry and good management, and he may be justly numbered among the self-made men of the community. PETER KRON, deceased, was for many years one of the leading and highly re- spected citizens of West Blue township, Fillmore county, Nebraska, where he suc- cessfully carried on operations as a general farmer. He was born in Sweden, about 182:, and was there reared to agricultural pursuits. About 1848 he crossed the broad Atlantic and took up his residence in Brook- lyn, New York, where he worked in the navy j^ard until after the opening of the Rebellion. He manifested his love for his adopted country by enlisting in Company A, Forty-eighth New York Volunteer In- fantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. During his three years' serv- ice, he participated in many battles and skirtnishes, and though he fortunately es- caped unwounded, his health was badly shattered by his arduous service. After the war, Mr. Kron continued his residence in Brooklyn until 1870, when he came to Lincoln, Nebraska. In the spring of that year he took up a homestead of one hundred and si.xty acres of wild land in West Blue township, Fillmore county, where his family still continue to reside. He constructed a dugout upon his place, in which the family lived until their present comfortable residence was erected. They began life here empty-handed and by work- ing for others, he and his wife managed to buy an ox team, with which he broke and began the cultivation of his land. As years passed by, many comforts were added to their home, and he continued to success- fully engage in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in January, 1S86. In Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Kron was married, in i860, to Miss Sophia Moody, also a native of Sweden, who came to America when twenty-six years of age and worked in that city until her marriage. To them were born four children, namely: Victoria and Frank, both deceased: Joseph- ine, wife of Elof Lindgrem, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; and Charles A. In political sentiment Mr. Kron was a Republican. With his family, he attended the Methodist Episcopal church, and by his upright, honorable life, he gained the con- fidence and respect of all who knew them. JOHN LINDGREM, deceased, was one of the honored early settlers of Fillmore county, and was prominently identified with its agricultural interests for many years, owning and operating a good farm in West Blue township. He was one of the worthy citizens that Sweden has furnished to the new world, and he possessed many of the admirable qualities of the people of his native land, being honest, industrious, en- terprising and energetic. Mr. Lindgrem was born in Sweden, in I 81 5, a son of Carl Johnson, who spent his entire life in that country. There our sub- ject was reared, and on reaching manhood married Miss Christina Swanson, by whom he had five children, but only two are now living: Elof, who is now living on the home farm in West Blue township; and a daugh- ter who still resides in Sweden. In his native land Mr. Lindgrem continued to carry on farming until 1868, when with his family he sailed for the United States, land- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 1069 ing in New York city. After about six months spent in Harlem, New Yori<, he re- moved to Princeton, Illinois, where he lived until 1870, and then came to Fillmore coun- ty, Nebraska, taking up a homestead on sec- tion 4, West Blue township. After con- structing a dugout for the accommodation of his family, he began to break and improve his farm, but at the end of seven years traded it for one hundred and twenty acres in the same township, upon which he made his home until called from this life in Janu- ary 26, 1893. He placed the land under cultivation and made many excellent im- provements thereon in the way of good and substantial buildings. His wife departed this life February 26, 1898. Both were faithful members of the Lutheran church, and were revered and honored by all who had the pleasure of their acquaintance. In politics Mr. Lindgrem was first a Repub- lican, but later voted independent of party ties. Elof Lindgrem, the only son, now owns and operates the homestead. He was born in Sweden, November 23, 1854, was reared and educated there, and accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States in 1868, remaining with them during life. While in Princeton, Illinois, he at- tended school, and also pursued his studies for a short time in a log school-house after coming to Fillmore county. On the 24th of November, 1887, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Josephine A. Kron, a sketch of whose parents appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. Lindgrem early began to assist his father in the labors of the farm, and throughout life has successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, now owning a valuable farm of a half section, all improved and under cultivation. It is his intention to soon retire from active labor as he has al- ready secured a comfortable competence which will enable him to spend the remain- der of his life in ease. He will probably 61 visit his native land and then make his home in Grafton, Fillmore county. He, too, is independent in politics, and socially affili- ates with the Masonic fraternity and the Modern Woodmen of America, being a charter member of the Woodmen camp at Grafton. He is one of the highly esteemed citizens of his community, and has a host of warm friends. NOAH M. THOMPSON, deceased, was one of the honored early settlers of Fairmont township, Fillmore county, Ne- braska, and during his residence here as- sisted greatly in its development and pros- perity. He was by nature liberal and public spirited, and wherever he took up his abode maintained an interest in the people round him, and contributed of his means and abil- ity to their improvement socially, morally and financially. No man is more worthy of representation in a work of this kind, and there is none whose name is held in more grateful remembrance. Mr. Thompson was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1839, a son of John S. and Nancy (Osburn) Thompson, and a brother of Cyrus Thomp- son, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. In his native county our subject was reared and educated, and re- mained on the home farm until after the breaking out of the Civil war. On the 8th of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-second Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry. He partici- pated in several battles, and was with Burnsides on the famous march in the mud through \'irginia. Bemg taken ill he was sent to Carver Hospital, Washington, Dis- trict of Columbia, where he remained until honorably discharged, June 20, 1862. Re- turning to his home in Pennsylvania, Mr. Thompson remained there for some time, and then went with his brother Cyrus to 1070 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHy-. Iowa, where he Hved until coming to Fill- more county, Nebraska, in iS/r. He homesteaded the southwest quarter of sec- tion 14, Fairmont township, and after erecting a small frame house thereon, began to break and cultivate his land. He experienced all the hardships and privations of frontier life having his crops destroyed by grasshoppers and drouth; but he steadily overcame all difficulties in the path to pros- perity, and at his death was quite well-to-do. He continued the operation of his farm here until 1885, when, on account of failing health, he removed to Thomas county, I\an- sas, where he pre-empted a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres and also a timber claim, which his widow has since disposed of. There he made his home until called from this life September 9, 1892, leaving many friends as well as his family to mourn his loss. On the 1st of May, 1873, Mr. Thomp- son married Miss Elda L. Gleason, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Alonzo and Betsy (Lewis) Gleason, who were both born in Ashtabula county. Ohio, and representa- tives of old Connecticut families. Her parents came to Fillmore county, Nebraska, August 5, 1 87 1, and pre-empted a quarter section of land in Madison township, to the cultivation and improvement of which the father devoted his energies for some years. He is still a resident of the county, but the mother is now deceased. Two children were born to our subject and his estimable wife, namely: Frank M., a native of Fill- more county, married Ella Reel, a daughter of Henry H. Reel, and now operates the home farm in Fairmont township; and Anna L. lives at home with her mother in the same township. The family is quite promi- nent socially. Mr. Thompson was a faithful and ear- nest member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and also held membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. Although he never aspired to office, he took a lively interest in political affairs, and was a stanch supporter of the Republican party. He was a man universally respected, and one whose word was considered as good as his bond, and in his death the community lost one of its most honored and useful citizens. LAFAYETTE SOWERS.— Among the leading and representative agriculturists of Butler county, there is none who stands a more prominent figure than the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. Since the fall of 1S72 he has been a resident of the county, making his home on section 10, Center township, where he first purchased eighty acres. As his financial resources have increased, however, he has extended the boundaries of his land from time to time until he is now the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of some of the finest farming land to be found in this section of the state. Being a thorough and systematie farmer, prosperity has crowned his efforts, and the success that he has achieved is certainly well deserved. Mr. Sowers was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, January 19. 1824, and is a grandson of a Hessian soldier who was hired by the British during the lievolu- tionary war. At the end of that struggle he located in this country, where his descend- ants have since made their home. Our subject's father, George Sowers, a farmer and trader by occupation, was born in Win- chester county, Virginia, about 1783, and died in Greene county, Pennsylvania, at the age of eighty-two years. When seventeen years old he removed to Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he subsequently mar- ried Miss Anna Home, a daughter of John Home, and they became the parents of eleven children, of whom our subject is the sixth child and third son. His oldest brother, John, lives in Douglas county, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 1071 Illinois, at the age of eighty-five years; George W. emigrated to Marion county, Missouri, and died there; A. J. makes his home in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, and William Henry Harrison lives in Clark county, Missouri. The subject of this sketch passed his boyhood and youth in the county of his na- tivity, and in Greene county, Pennsylvania, he was married, February 17, 1849, to Miss Nancy Chess, daughter of Peter Chess. In that state three children were born to them, namely: Sarah, now the wife of John Buck- ler, of Douglas county, Illinois; George, a resident of St. Louis, Missouri; and Peter. After the removal of the family to Illinois four others came to bless their union: John, of Butler county, Nebraska; Rosa, wife ot William Fenderson, of David City; Lemuel E., of Omaha; and Delia, wife of Charles Evans, of Greene county, Pennsylvania. From Pennsylvania, Mr. Sowers emi- grated to Illinois in the fall of President Buchanan's election, crossing the Ohio river twelve miles below Wheeling, West Vir- ginia, on election day. For seventeen years he resided in Douglas county, Illinois, and then come to Butler county, Nebraska, where he has since found a pleasant home, being now surrounded by a large circle of friends and acquaintances who appreciate his sterling worth and many excellencies of character. Politically Mr. Sowers was for- merly a Whig, and is now an ardent Re- publican. The father, George Sowers, was twice married, his first wife being Christina Gard- ner. She had one son, but died giving birth to him. Our subject's wife died January 28, 1898. She was a member of the Mission- ary Baptist church for over forty years, and for many years belonged at David City. She died of heart disease, and was found dead in her bed. She was an excellent Christian woman and highly respected. WILLIAM M. BABCOCK.— Deeds of valor and of heroism have been the theme of song and story since the earliest ages, yet no more inspiring stories are told than of the American heroes, who in every war in which the country has been engaged have shown their loyalty and bravery to be equal to that of any race that the world has known. Mr. Babcock, of this review, is one of the faithful boys in blue who went forth to the defense of the Union in the Civil war and of his army record he has every reason to be proud. He is alike true to his country in days of peace, and now is numbered among the valued resi- dents of York county, Nebraska. A native of Ohio, he was born in New- burg, November 18, 1837, a son of John M. and Catharine (Miller) Babcock, and a grandson of George and Margaret (Baker) Babcock, farming people and all natives of America. The Miller family is of Irish origin, but little is known concerning the early history of the Babcocks. William Babcock lost his father when he was only eleven years of age. The family re- moved to Wisconsin in 1845, locating on a farm fourteen miles northwest of Madison. That was in the territorial days of the Badger state, and the father was elected to the first constitutional convention, where he acceptably served, being regarded as one of the leading orators of that assemblage. He died in 1848 and his wife died about eleven years later, of consumption. William M. Babcock having (received deeds from the entire family for the land comprising the old homestead, sold the prop- erty in 1860, and the following year, when twenty-three \'ears of age, joined the Union army as a member of Company G, First Regiment of United States Volunteer Sharp- shooters. The following winter they were stationed in Washington, D. C, and in March, 1862, went to Fortress Monroe, par- ticipating in the battle of Yorktown, April 1072 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 5, 1862. This was followed by the siege of Yorktown, his regiment being one of the first to enter the city after its surrender. With his cominand Mr. Babcock then took part in the pursuit of McGreider toward Richmond, and on the 27th of May, with the Fifth Army Corps, was sent to that city to destroy the railroad communications, which was accomplished after the battle known as Hanover Courthouse. Mr. Bab- cock was also in the battle of Mechanics- ville, and the Fifth Army Corps, under Fitz John Porter, held the field until almost dark when the forces were withdrawn to Gaines Mill, where another stand was made June 27, 1862. In this battle Companies C and G,of the First, rested on rising ground near the bridge and in the afternoon took a posi- tion one-half mile in front, crossing the bridge at night and camping on the other side of Bottam's bridge. On the 20th of June the sharpshooters were in the battle of Glen Dale, where they were twice exposed to a hot cross-fire of the enemy, and lost sixteen of their number, which was a heavy loss owing to the already depleted ranks. Next came the battle of Malvern Hill where Mr. Babcock's company was held in reserve, followed by the second battle of Bull Run, where he was struck on the leg by a broken shell but did not go the hospital. At the battle of Antietam his regiment was held in reserve but was brought to the front when Lee's army crossed the Potomac. Then came Chancellorsville, where our subject was struck on the hip by a spent ball, laming him for about two weeks, but he did not go to the hospital. Then came the battles of Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, the sharp- shooters arriving on the second day of the battle, and on the 23d of July, 1863, the en- gagement at Waping Heights, where Mr. Babcock had his left eye knocked out, the ball sinking in the bones of the face. Un- able to rise, he was carried from the field on a blanket, taken to the hospital at Washing- ton and when he had sufficiently recovered was transferred to Company One Hundred and Thirteen, of the Second Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps, with which he continued until the expiration of his term of enlist- ment brought him an honorable discharge, at Elmira, New York, November 3, 1864. Mr. Babcock then returned to his Wis- consin home, and on the i8th of January, 1865, married Agnes Clark. They began their domestic life on a farm there, making it their home until the autumn of 1870, when they started by wagon for York county, Nebraska, arriving at their destination Oc- tober 13, 1870. Here he secured a home- stead of one hundred and sixty acres on sec- tion 26, Henderson township, York county, and has since devoted his time and energies to farming. Much of his land is now under a high state of cultivation and he has made many excellent improvements on the place which are as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. Mr. and Mrs. Babcock have eight chil- dren: Mary May, who was married Octo- ber 14, 1883, to George, son of O. P. and Catharine Stoninger, and now has four chil- dren: — lona M., Alton G., Vertie and Vic- tor H. ; Myrtle C. ; Maud Ida, who was mar- ried April 27, 1888, to E. L. Wagner, son of S. J. and Mollie Wagner, and now has four children: Leota Mable, Inez M., Attie M. and Erby; Mable A., who is the wife of Garret Thomas, son of W. A. and Margaret Thomas, and has three children, Guy W., Fay G. and Eunice I.; William A., Norma A., Clark O. and Eva I., all at home. The married children all reside near the parents. Mr. Babcock was formerly a Democrat, but says he will now vote for any party which pledges itself to the free and unlim- ited coinage of silver and will restore it to its old place as one of basic metals. The parents and five of their children are mem- bers of the United Brethren church of Lush- ton. All have high musical ability and can. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 1073 play on some instrument, so that the home is often brightened by the popular, classic and sacred music. Mr. Babcock is a mem- ber of C. W. Hays Post, No. 336, G. A. R., and through this connection renews his relationship with his old army comrades with whom he aided in the defense of the starry banner that now floats so proudly over the united nation and has recently been unfurled in victory above some of the islands of the sea. WILLIAM G. HAINEY.one of the best known citizens of Fillmore county, is one of the earliest settlers of this state and the pioneer merchant of Grafton. A country has but one chief ruler, be he king, emperor or president. Comparatively few men can attain to the highest offices in civil and military life, but commerce offers a broad and almost limitless field in which one may exercise his powers unrestrained and gain a leadership in business affairs. Drawing the lessons which we do from the life of Mr. Hainey, we learn that the quali- ties necessary for success are a high ambi- tion and a resolute, honorable purpose to reach the exalted standard that has been set up. From an early age he has been dependent upon his own resources and through his own efforts he has become one of the most prosperous and substantial citi- zens of Fillmore county. A native of Ohio, Mr. Hainey was born March 15, 1840, on the site of the present city of Cleveland. His parents, Robert and Margaret (Higgins) Hainey, were born, reared and married in County Longford, Ireland, and in 1839 they emigrated to America. After a short time spent in New York city they went to Cleveland, Ohio, where the father engaged in farming and stock raising for some years, and in 1848 re- moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was in the employ of the American Fur Com- pany for three years, being engaged in as- sorting hides and furs. Later he engaged in business in that city for himself until called from this life in 1865. The wife and mother had passed away in 1854. In their family were five children, three sons and two daughters, of whom Walter was a member of the Twelfth Missouri Volunteer Infantry during theCivil war, and died from the effect of wounds received at the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi; Major died in in- fancy; and the one daughter now living, Mrs. Sarah Ellis, is a resident of Detroit, Michigan. The paternal grandfather of our subject, James Hainey, was a farmer in Ireland, and was quite extensively engaged in stock buying and shipping. The boyhood and youth of our subject was passed in St. Louis, Missouri, where he attended schools and received a good busi- ness training by clerking in a store for some years. In 1859 he went to Pikes Peak, where he spent some time in mining, and later was given a position in the quarter- master's department of the regular army stationed on the frontier, in which capacity he served until 1863, traveling over Colo- rado and New Mexico. He then entered the employ of the Overland Mail Company, and on the south line drove a stage from Fort Lyon to Santa Fe, then to Fort Union and Fort Craig, and from there to Parajo, New Mexico, and made one trip over Death's Valley. Although the Indians were very troublesome at that time, he fortunately es- caped an attack. In December, 1864, he resigned his position and came to Nebraska City, and the follpwing spring began freight- ing across the plains to Denver, being thus engaged for three years, during which time he had three narrow escapes from the In- dians. Mr. Hainey next located at Green River City where he made his home for a short time, but in 1869 returned to Ne- braska City, where he remained until 1873, finding employment as a clerk for different 1074 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. people. In 1873 he opened a general store in Dunbar, Nebraska, which he operated for two years, and on the ist of October, 1875, came to Grafton, where he opened the first stock of general merchandise in the place. He is now the oldest merchant in years of continuous business in Fillmore county, and from the beginning his trade has constantly increased until it has assumed extensive proportions. He has not confined his attention wholly to mercantile pursuits, however, but has become interested in other lines of business, and served as president of the bank of Grafton for a short time. He owns an interest in the creamery at that place, and also owns and operates over one thousand acres of land in the county. In 1870, in Nebraska City, Mr. Hainey wedded Miss Mary B. Condon, a native of St. Louis and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Condon. Six children blessed this union, namely: Walter, now a resident of Brooklyn, New York; Blanche, wife of F. E. Hand, of Hoboken, New Jersey; and Margaret, William R. and Lloyd, all at home. Forrest is deceased. The family are members of the Episcopal church, and socially Mr. Hainey is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd fellows. Politically he is identified with the Democracy, and he has * filled some minor offices, but cares nothing for political honors, preferring to devote his time to his business affairs. Thorough- ness and persistency have characterized his entire business career, and have been supplemented by careful attention to details and by honorable, straightforward effort, that has gained him a most excellent and enviable reputation. GEORGE E. DIMICK.— The subject of this notice is certainly entitled to be considered not only one of the enterprising farmers of Polk county, but one of its re- spected and honored citizens, and a man of more than ordinary ability. His residence is pleasantly situated on section 35, towns- ship 15, range 4. He is a native of Henry county, Illinois, born September 26, i860, and a son of Chauncey S. and Sarah A. (Lambert) Dimick. The birth of the father occurred in Ohio, August 26, 1836, and he was a son of Lucius Dimick, who had one son — Leurtis Dimick — who was captain of a company in an Illinois regiment during the Civil war. In Scott county, Iowa, Chauncey S. Dimick was married, October 29, 1857, to Miss Sarah A. Lambert, who was born in New Jersey, March 12, 1835, and they be- gan their domestic life upon a farm near Orion, in Henry county, Illinois. About ten or twelve years later they removed to Cambridge, the same state, and later they came to Polk county, Nebraska, where the father broke three hundred and twenty acres of land the first year. He then re- turned to Illinois, and brought to this state two car loads of horses and one of lumber. He erected his residence and the next year raised a crop of wheat. He made all the improvements upon his place, set out eight acres in walnut trees and fenced four hun- dred acres. Dealing extensively in real estate, he became the owner of eight hundred acres of valuable and well improved land, and continued to make his home in Polk county until his death, which occurred at Osceola, August 21, 1889. His wife passed away July 16, 1897, while on a visit to her daughter in Fargo, North Dakota. They were widely and favorably known throughout the county, attended church, and she contributed to the erection of the Methodist Episcopal church in Osceola. Politically the father was a straight Re- publican. The children of the family were Lucius D., who was born August 19, 1858, and died February 21, i860; George E., of this sketch; and Alice T. , who was born COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 1075 October 7, 1862, and is now the wife of William C. Resser, an attorney at Fargo, North Dakota, by whom she has three children — Duane C. , Helen and Willie. Reared in Henry county, Illinois, George E. Dimick obtained a good practical educa- tion in the schools of Cambridge, that state, and of Scott county, Iowa, and he also gained an excellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits upon the home farm. On starting out in life for himself he located upon a farm on section 3, township 15, range 4, Polk county, Nebraska, and is now the owner of a valuable tract of four hundred and eighty acres, a half of which is under cultivation and well improved. In addition to general farming he is interested in stock raising, making a specialty of Hereford cattle. On the 14th of November, 1882, Mr. Dimick led to the marriage altar Miss Mary L. Rose, who was born in Mercer county, Illinois, December 20, i860. Her parents John and Anna C. (Johnson) Rose, were both natives of Sweden, the former born September 30, 1821, the latter October 26, 1 83 1, but in early life they emigrated to the New World, and have now made their home in Mercer county, Illinois, for the past forty years. By trade the father is a tailor, but is now living retired. He is a stanch Re- publican in politics, and he and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist church. Of their twelve children, six reached man and womanhood, namely: Theodore, now a resident of Hamilton, Montana; Matilda, wife of David Mace; Mrs. Dimick; Emma, wife of John Shank; Laura, wife of Ernest Stroburg, of Worth county, Missouri; and Emil. Socially Mr. Dimick belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 1220, both of Clarks, Nebraska. The Republican party has al- ways found in him a stanch supporter, and during the campaign of 1896 he rendered effective service in its interest as secretary of the McKinley Club, while his wife was president of the Woman's McKinley Club. She is an earnest member of the Methodist church at Fairview, and presides with gra- cious dignity over their pleasant home, which is the center of a cultured society circle. JOHN MARTIN, Jr., a systematic and progressive farmer successfully carry- ing on operations on section 22, West Blue township, Fillmore county, Nebraska, was born on the 24th of September, 1855, in Dane county, W'isconsin. His parents, John A. and Mary J. (Larmer) Martin, were both natives of Ireland and on their emigration to America, in 1848, located in Dane county, Wisconsin, where they continued to make their home until 1873. The year previous the father, who was also a farmer by occupation, came to Fillmore county, Nebraska, and took up a home- stead of one hundred and sixty acres, it being the southeast quarter of section 20, ^^'est Blue township. To the improvement and cultivation of his land he devoted his time and attention for many years, but is now living retired in Grafton, enjoying a well- earned rest surrounded by many comforts secured by his former toil. During the Civil war he served for ten months, in 1S65, as a member of Company I, Fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and under all circum- stances has ever been found loyal to the interests of his adopted country. His es- timable wife died in 1892. To them were born nine children, six sons and three daughters. The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed in Wisconsin, where he attend- ed the common schools, and upon the home farm acquired an excellent knowledge of all the duties which fall to the lot of the agri- culturist. He accompanied the famils' on their removal to Nebraska, and assi-t^d in 1076 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. opening up and cultivating the home farm. Later he engaged in the meat business in Grafton for a time, and then returned to the farm, which for the past twenty years he has so successfully operated. Prosperity has come to him in his undertakings, and he is now the owner of a quarter section of as fine farming land as is to be found in the county. On the 19th of May, 1878, Mr. Martin led to the marriage altar Miss Missouri Johnson, a daughter of Abraham and Sarah (Eckley) Johnson, natives of Ohio, where the father died. Later the mother came to Nebraska. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Martin, as follows: Mabel E. ; Thomas L., deceased; Clara B. ; Dora A. ; Clarence L. ; Hattie E. ; Allen E. ; James H. ; and one who died in infancy. Mr. Martin is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and is an ardent supporter of the Populist party. He has been called upon to fill the offices of justice of the peace and road overseer, and his duties, both public and private, have always been most faithfully and conscientiously dis- charged. REVEREND ALOIS J. KLEIN.— This is the name of the pious and scholarly pastor of Holy Trinity church at Brainard, who is widely known and much revered throughout this part of the state, not only for his learning and eloquence, but for his devout spirit and broad sympathies. His linguistic acquirements — besides the knowledge of Latin and Greek he speaks English, Bohemian, German and some French — make him an efficient worker in the arduous field of missionary life. He is still a young man, but his experience has given him the gravity of years, and there is a power in his speech that comes not only from the study of books, but also from a knowledge of men. A native of Bohemia, and devoted to the faith of the Roman Catholic church, he has chosen the life of a missionary priest among his people in the new world, and upon their hearts his name is ineffaceably written. His main work has thus far been found in the upbuilding of the Bohemian church of the Holy Trinity at Brainard, but he has rendered valuable serv- ice in other and minor mission movements. The Brainard church deserves careful treat- ment as illustrating not only the wisdom and solicitude of this pastor, but the loyal spirit of its people. The first Bohemian settlers, Matthias Slavik and F. Maixner located in the vicin- ity of Brainard in 1875. During the next two grasshopper years they were followed by Matthias Kabourek, Frank Novacek, Joseph Semin, Sr. , Joseph Jakub and F. Dvorak. A more vigorous tide of immigration ensued in and after the year 1878, when the Stromsburg branch of the Union Pacific railroad was built through these parts. In 1883 there had already been a talk of a church in Brainard, and the first meeting was held at the Rejda public school-house, district No. 8, February 2, 1884, to con- sider its possibilities, which was attended by eighteen friends of the proposition. There could have been little thought of the pre- sent commodious structure devoted to their faith in later years. They were a feeble folk, but the spirit was strong, and the eighteen resolved to build. An organization was effected with Frank Dvorak, Mr. Kabourek and Louis J. Kavalec as trustees. Meanwhile F. Novacek offered ten acres of land on section 10 in Oak creek for that purpose, but it was decided in the meeting, held on October 12, 1884, to build in the village. On November 18, 1884, two lots were purchased by the new trustees, Mr. Kabourek, \'aclav Polivka and Frank Bures, in order to secure a place for the proposed church. Father Vaclav Kocarnik, O. S. B., now REY. ALOIS J, KLEIN. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 1079 prior at Chicago, came from Plasi, Saunders county, to tiie house of Michael Flynn, two miles north and two miles east of Brainard, in November, 1884, to celebrate mass at his request, and this was the first time this holy service was held in this district belonging to the Holy Trinity parish. The land where the church now stands was deeded January 15, 1885, and consists of lots 11 and 12, block 7, first addition to Brainard, costing the modest sum of sixty-two dollars and fifty cents. In 1885, Ign. Dvorak, M. Kabourek and J.J. Smrz being trustees, two acres of land were purchased for a cemetery on April 25. The absence of a leading head in the person of a priest caused the necessity of very fre- quent meetings, and M. I\abourek was dep- utized to issue circular letters which were passed from family to family, inviting them to these meetings. In 1886, Vaclav Hlavac, Thomas Rehovsky and Joseph Coufal were chosen trustees. They succeeded in having a suitable fence erected around the ceme- tery, and on December 28, 1886, was or- ganized a branch of the Bohemian Catholic Central Union, a benefit association. No. 130, which proved to be an important fac- tor in the various financial, social and re- ligious functions of the congregation. Services were held for the first time among the Catholics in the town of Brain- ard on Sunday, May i, 1887, by the Rev. Jordan Stutz, who came over from Plasi to say mass in the public schoolhouse and baptized several children. He was called by the trustees, L. J. Lavalec, John Hot- ovy and Philip Novak, and later on visited Brainard, August 7 and November 6, in the same year. In the meeting of Novem- ber 1, 1877, a congregation of thirty-two assembled and finally decided to erect a church. The building was begun Novem- ber 6, 1887. From various causes, how- ever, the original congregation of thirty- two who had determined to build, had dwindled to eighteen, but they went ahead and success crowned their labors. Joseph Semin, Sr. , Th. Rehovsky and Anton Kucera, the building committee in 1888, exerted every possible effort to bring the matter to a successful conclusion. The church was completed in the spring of 1888 and was a tasty frame structure, 60 x 36 feet, and eighteen feet in height. It was constructed by the members of the church and is a lasting monument to their zeal and loyalty. The plans were drawn by Ign. Dvorak; he and F. Fiala, Sr. , had charge of the carpenter work, while Charles Suchy was superintending the masonry. One year later from his first appearance Father Stutz said the first mass in the new church on Sunday, June 10, 1888. The worship thus begun has been maintained with regularity to the present time, and the large results of the formerly humble begin- ning attests its sincerity. The congre- gation received the services of Father M. Bor, of Wahoo, in March, 1889, who vis- ited Brainard once a month for eight months. He then retired and on Novem- ber 3, 1889, gave place to the present pas- tor, under whose administration the church had been greatly blessed. The zeal and generosity of the members did not stop at the moment the new church building was finished. Many benefactors arose who, besides the regular payments, furnished necessary church articles individ- ually at their own expense. The mission of Brainard prospering greatly. Father Klein then located at Crete, determined to make a parish of it, and on February 21, 1893, he secured a handsome building for a new parsonage, which has been elaborately furnished and the grounds beautified. The original investment was one thousand six hundred dollars for two lots and building, but much more has since been expended, making it one of the most complete homes of the priesthood in Ne- 1080 COMPENDIUM OF BTOGRAPHT. braska. The church had richly been orna- mented and is now pronounced one of the pleasantest and most attractive, though not the largest in Butler county, and is free from debts. Its ecclesiastical precincts in- clude the mission at Weston, where since September 5, 1893, regular services are held twice a month. Within the membership of the church are organized the following societies: (i) The Ladies' Rosary Society, founded in 1889, with eighteen members. (2) A branch of the Bohemian Catholic Central Union, No. 130, with a membership of twenty-four; it now bears the name The Western Bo- hemian Catholic Union, branch No. 11, and (3) St. Ivan's branch of the Catholic Workman, No. 16, organized January 6, 1896; it has a membership of thirty-five. The Western Union and the Catholic Work- man societies have now resolved to erect a special hall for the purpose of holding their meetings and locating a library there. The church organization has greatly grown in the past few years and enrolls sixty-five families and its average congrega- tion exceeds one hundred. Its financial standing being excellent. Father Klein is now planning the establishment of a paro- chial school. Father Alois J. Klein is a native of the village of Frauenthal, near the famous town of Prachatic, Bohemia, where he was born February 6, 1866. He was a son of Bohemian parents, his father being the pro- prietor of a linseed oil factor}', flour mill and shingle mill. They gave him a good education in the German public school of his birthplace and in the German school at Prachatic, where he was thoroughly trained in the German language and common branches, and then manifesting marked ability, he was sent to the Bohemian Gym- nasium at Budweis. He entered this famous school in September, 1878, and for eight years attended its instruction, holding first place in his class during nearly all that time. In 1 886 he became a student at the clerical seminary in the same place, where he spent one year in the special study of theology. From here he passed to the German University at Prague, where he devoted leisure hours to the study of French and English. And it was at Prague that he formed the determination to devote his life to missionary work among his com- patriots in the new world, where his parents had emigrated alre'ady in 1881. With the consent of Bishop Bonacum, of Lincoln, Nebraska, he left in 188S for Klagenfurt, Carinthia, where he finished his studies for the ministry and was promoted to the priesthood June 15, 1889, a special dispen- sation being necessary on account of his youth. The young priest spent three months in the village of Vitejic, Bohemia, and then came to America, first touching these shores October 31, 18S9. He immediately report- ed for dut}- in Nebraska, and was at once appointed rector of St. Wenceslaus' church, in Wahoo, where in two years he paid off the last farthing of indebtedness on the parsonage and erected an elegant new church building. He had charge of mis- sions at Weston and Brainard, visiting each once a month. December 10, 1891, he was transferred to the St. Ludmila parish, of Crete, but he retained the charge of Holy Trinity and of the Weston mission, and oc- casionally attended the mission of Wilber. He extricated the Crete congregation from its embarrassing situation by paying off a considerable portion of its outstanding debts. September 5, 1893, he came to Brainard as its first resident pastor. His labors at Weston may briefly be enumerated thus: In 1891 he enlarged the church building, at the same time furnishing and adorning the inside of it; two years later secured valuable additions to the church property there, started COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 1081 St. Mark's branch of the Catholic Workman in 1896. and completed the organization of the congregation. After five years' stay in America he undertook a trip across the ocean to visit the Bohemian Ethnological exposition, which was held at Prague, Bohemia, in 1895. Upon his return he organized four branches of the Catholic Workman, viz.: At Brainard, Weston, Dwight and Touhy, and in 1898 was elected state chaplain to this fraternal and benevolent association. His ecclesiastical standing is illustrated by the fact that, in the Diocesan Synod, held at Lincoln, Nebraska, February 17, 1898, from names proposed b}' election of the clergy he was selected by the bishop as a member of the bishop's council and as synodal e.xaminer of the junior clergy. Father Klein is a hardworking and faith- ful clergyman, but he has found time to de- vote to the muses, and is favorably known in literary circles, both in this country and in Europe, by the contribution of poems and prose articles to the leading periodicals of the day, which have been recognized as full of artistic feeling, melting melody and classical language. He has translated a number of the works of Washington Irving and Charles Lamb into Bohemian, and also from the German of Dr. Carl May. He is a welcome contributor to the " Ottuv Slov- nik Naucny. " This work is the largest Bo- hemian encyclopedia and is published at Prague, Bohemia, since 1887. The work, when completed, will consist of about thirty volumes. His friends anticipate a brilliant future for him. JOHN STOLLAR, one of York county's earliest settlers, and an old soldier with an enviable war record, has his home on section 22, Henderson township. John Stollar was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, May 17, 1840. His father was William Stollar, and his grand- father was Andrew Stollar, who came of Pennsylvania-Dutch parentage, and his oc- cupation was that of a farmer. William Stollar, the father of our subject, was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and re- moved to Washington county, of that state, about the year 1826. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Ann Rockefeller, daughterof Nathan Rockefeller, who came of Irish lineage, and of a family who were millers and fullers by trade. John Stollar worked on his father's farm in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and grew to manhood with but little opportunity for education, .as the farm on which they lived had been little less than s forest, which had to be cleared and put in condi- tion for cultivation. This required all the time and attention of every member of the family during his boyhood, so that his train- ing was in the line of hard work and patient and untiring effort to overcome the most stubborn obstacles, and this training un- doubtedly influenced his after life. When he was twenty-one years of age, John Stol- lar went to work for his grandfather Rocke- feller, continuing thus employed until 1861, when on the 16th of August, of that year, at his country's call, he enlisted in Com- pany B, First West \'irginia Volunteer Cavalry. They were stationed near Wheel- ing, on an island in the Ohio river, but were shortly after sent to Clarksburg, Vir- ginia, where many weeks were occupied in drilhng and military discipline. His regi- ment was employed in scouting and picket duty until the second battle of Bull Run, which was the first great battle in which his regiment participated. In this engage- ment his horse was shot under him, and he was left on foot amid the awful confusion, until chance gave him another horse which had lost its rider. At one time he was with a portion of his regiment on picket duty at Washington Junction, when they were at- 1082 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGBAPHT. tacked b}- a squad of Mosby's men, and after a sharp fight were captured, but their captors being in turn attacked b}' the Sixth New York, were driven off and the prisoners released. At another time while his regi- ment were doing rear-guard duty near Brandy Station, they were cut off from the main army by a body of Confederates. General Custer, who was with the regiment at the time, seeing the state of affairs, quickly formed the regiment, and placing himself at its head, cut through the enemy's lines, e.xtricating themselves without the loss of a man. With the exception of the battle of Cedar Creek, which was fought while he was on a thirty-day sick leave, John Stollar was with his regiment in every raid and march and battle in which it was engaged from the time of his enlistment till the close of the war — at Appomattox. Mr. Stollar still has an officer's sword, taken by him from a Confederate officer a few days before the surrender of General Lee. About one year after his return to his home in Pennsylvania, John Stollar removed to Iowa, locating in Appanoose county, near Centerville. There he remained about four years, when he sold his farm, and in March, 1871, located in York county, Ne- braska, filing a homestead claim to the southeast quarter of section 22, in Hender- son township. At that time there were but few families scattered along the banks of the West Blue, while to the north and the south for many miles there was only un- broken prairie. The lumber of their build- ings they hauled over sixty miles in wagons, bringing it from Lincoln. But our subject was young, and trained to arduous toil, and he found his farm duties, clearing and plow- ing the prairie lands and planting trees and crops more pleasant than playing hide and seek with death on southern battlefields and the lonely watch of the picket. His cheerful industry and patient labor have born rich fruit. He is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of fine and fer- tile lands, well improved and stocked, and his well-filled bins and granaries, his stacks of yellow grain, and his waving fields tell to the evening winds a tale of peace and satis- faction grateful to the ear of him to whose toils this homestead owes existence. Through all his trials and hardships, his difficulties and triumphs, one has been by his side who has ever been his faithful help- meet and counsellor. On November 2, 1865, John Stollar was married to Miss Rachel Riggs, daughter of James and Su- sanna (Earnest) Riggs. They were mar- ried in Penns3'lvania about one year before they began their western journeyings. Mrs. Stollar's parents are still living and reside in Greene county, Pennsylvania, the father at the age of eighty-six and the mother se\- enty-nine years of age. They were the parents of sixteen children, fifteen of whom grew to maturit}-. Eleven of these children were boys and four of these sons enlisted in the Union army. Two of them, twins, en- listed in the Eighth Pennsylvania \'olunteer Infantry, one of them being killed at the battle of Fredericksburg. Two of the sons enlisted in the Eighty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. One of them came home on account of sickness, but the other two sons served to the end of the war and returned home at its close. Mr. and Mrs. Stollar are the parents of nine children, seven of whom are now living. Their names are as follows in the order of their birth: J. William, H. Sheridan, Ida May, Alethia Delia, C. Herbert, Bertha Maud and Zelma Fern. Alethia Delia is now the wife of Henr}' F. Hecht, the son of William and Mary Hecht, their wedding day being March i, 1893. They have one daughter, Freda Carrol, now nearly four years old. They are farmers and live in York count}-, not far from the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Stollar are both consistent Christians and hold membership in the United Breth- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 1083-. ren church at Lushton. Mr. Stollar is a member of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, Hayes Post, No. 306, at Lushton, where his long and heroic services are commemo- rated. He is a RepubHcan, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has stood faithfully by that party ever since, casting his last presidential vote for William McKinley. Mr. and Mrs. Stollar firmly be- lieve in the future of the great state of Ne- braska, and their e.xperience and knowledge of that state make a solid foundation on which to base hopes for coming generations- ANTON BRECHTEL, a well-known and successful farmer residing on section 22, Leroy township, York county, was born in Germany, February 3, 1836, and is a son of Mathias and Helen (Sauer) Brechtel, also natives of Germany, where they spent their entire lives. The father was a successful farmer of that country and our subject soon became quite famil- iar with all the labors and duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. At the age of twenty years he became a mem- ber of the regular German army, in which he served for two years, and later worked on a farm for several years in his native land. In February, 1861, Mr. Brechtel was united in marriage with Miss Theresa Hauser, also a native of the fatherland, born April 15, 1841. This union has been blessed with twelve children, namely: Christina; Caroline; Charley; Frank, de- ceased; Helen; Anna; Theresa; William W. ; Emma; George, Maud and Susie. After the death of his father, Mr. Brech- tel came into possession of the old home- stead, which he operated for a time. Being dissatisfied with the old country and hear- ing of the wonderful opportunities afforded in the United States, he decided to emigrate to America, and in the fall of 1872, with his wife and si.x children, he crossed the At- lantic, having first sold his farm in Ger- many. He located in Stephenson county, Illinois, where he bought si.xty acres of land, and upon that place engaged in agricultural pursuits for seventeen years. In the spring of 1889 he sold his Illinois farm and came to York county, Nebraska, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres in Leroy township, where he has since lived. He has made many excellent improvements upon the place which add greatly to its value and at- tractive appearance, and now has a fine farm under a high state of cultivation and equipped with good buildings. In political sentiment he is a Democrat. His honor and integrity are unimpeachable, and he merits and receives the esteem and respect of the entire community. GEORGE THEOBALD, one of the most prosperous and successful farm- ers of Franklin township, Fillmore county, Nebraska, has made his home upon his present fine farm on section 32 since 1887. He is a man of great energy and persever- ance and has effected many improvements upon the place since taking possession. He was at once recognized as a valued addition to the community, a man possessing excel- lent judgment, and giving his support and encouragement to those enterprises calcu- lated for the general we fare. Mr. Theobald was born in Ohio, Octo- ber 30, 1859, a son of William and Elizabeth (Hauser) Theobald, natives of Germany, who in early life emigrated to Pike county, Ohio. They were married in Germany. They came to this country with the hope of securing a competence and were very suc- cessful in carving out a fortune for them- selves and family. They died not only rich in this world's goods, but also in the honor and high regard in which they were uniform- ly held. The father passed away at the age 1084 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. of sixty-one, the mother at the age of fifty- nine, leaving a host of friends as well as their immediate family to mourn their loss. Their remains were interred in the cemetery at St. Joseph, Illinois. They were faithful members of the German Methodist church, with which they united in their youth. In their family were the following children: Conrad, George, Henry, Philip, William, Isaac, John, Kate, Maggie and Barbara. During his boyhood and youth George Theobald pursued his studies in the common schools, and when his education was com- pleted he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits which he has made his life work. On the 1 0th of February, 1889, he was united in marriage with Miss Dora Walter, who was born in Germany, December 19, 1 86 1, and was educated in the public schools of Illinois. Her parents, Henry and Eliza- beth (Tidka) Walter, were also natives of Germany and after their marriage emigrated to the new world, locating in Mason county, Illinois, where the father engaged in farm- ing throughout the greater part of his life. Later he removed to Havana, Illinois, and spent his last days in retirement from active labor. Like our best German-American citizens, he was thrifty, industrious and honorable in all his dealings and was ever true to his duties of citizenship. Both he and his wife were life-long members of the Lutheran church, and had the respect of all who knew them. Their children were William, Frederick, Minnie, Louisa and Dora. The father died in Illinois at the age of fifiy-nine years, the mother at the age of thirty-eight. Mr. and Mrs. Theo- bald have two children: Pearl, now ten years old; and Goldey, five years. Soon after their marriage our subject and his wife came to Fillmore county, Ne- braska, and in Franklin township pur- chased an improved farm of two hundred and forty acres, upon which they have since resided, his time and attention being de- voted to its cultivation and further improve- ment. Prosperity has crowned his efforts, and although still a comparatively young man, he has already gained a comfortable competence as well as the confidence and respect of all who know him. FOSTER MARTIN REYNOLDS, de- ceased. — In the death of Mr. Reynolds, of Center township, Butler county lost a worthy citizen and excellent farmer, as well as one of the early settlers of the county. The estate upon which he had been living since 1868 is situated in section 35, of the above named township, and bears a full line of improvements, including every con- venient arrangement in the way of buildings and adornments with which persons of good taste surround themselves. Mr. Reynolds was born in Pennsylvania, in November, 1847, and was reared there. He first moved to Butler county, Nebras- ka, a single man, but in 1868 he returned to Pennsylvania and was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte E. Reed, a native of that state and a daughter of John Reed. Re- turning to Nebraska, he lived for one year in Otoe county, where Edgar C. Rey- nolds, their first son, was born. Edgar C. was reared in Butler county and there re- ceived a common-school education which he supplemented with a course at the David City High School, and finished at the Wes- leyan University, at Lincoln, Nebraska. He was married, in 1896, to Miss Minnie I. Mc- Gee, who moved to that county from West Virginia, as a teacher. She is a daughter of William McGee, of West Virginia. To this union has been born one son, upon whom they have bestowed the name of Fos- ter, after his grandfather. Edgar C. Rey- nolds is following his father's plan of life and is quite extensively engaged in farming and stock raising. He is a man of good education and a practical knowledge of COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 1085 farming and will doubtless soon be recog- nized as one of the substantial and leading agriculturists of Butler county. Three children were born to our sub- ject's first marriage, viz.: Edgar C. , Bur- dette M. and Scott. Burdette M. was pre- pared for a teacher at the Wesleyan Univer- sity and the Lincoln Normal School, and is now engaged in teaching. Scott is living on the old homestead. Mrs. Charlotte E. Reynolds, our subject's first wife, died in 1876, and he was subsequently married to Mary E. Crumley, of Nebraska City, who, with the six children born to this union, Roy, Winnie, Mabel, Izetta, Carl and Sarah, survive him. Throughout his ca- reer in Butler county, Foster Reynolds, the subject of this sketch, was loyal to the principles of Christianity, and showed him- self to be a man in whom all might place the highest confidence. In business mat- ters he was quite successful and accumu- lated considerable means and made a pleas- ant and comfortable home. He was a loyal citizen and an earnest and enthusiastic sup- porter of everything which tends to develop and bring prosperity to the locality in which he lived. In addition to his farming inter- ests he was a leader in the Prohibition party and was a member of the state central com- mittee. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and also of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mr. Reynolds died in Butler county, Nebraska, and is buried in the Ware cemetery. WILLIAM S. McCOY. — Among the prominent men now living in David City who have won an honorable name as citizens of that thriving town, none is bet- ter deserving of representation in a volume of this nature than William S. McCoy. He is still in the prime of vigorous manhood, but has already risen to a position of con- siderable prominence, and has done so by dint of his own efforts, backed by the in- domitable will and powers of mind which ha\'e come to him as a heritage from indus- trious and thrifty ancestors. Mr. McCoy was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, November 6, 1856, a son of Rev. Lindsey McCoy. The father was also born in Indiana, and by occupation was a farmer and a minister of the gospel. He died January i, 1888. His father, Stephen McCoy, was a native of Kentucky and moved from thence to Indiana in about the year 1820, located on a farm and there spent the remaining years of his life. He was of Scotch and Irish descent. Our sub- ject's mother, Sarah J. Cowan, was also a native of Indiana and died in her native state in July, 1896. Her father, William H. Cowan, was a native of the state of Ohio, and moved to Indiana in an early day. He was also a farmer by occupation. Rev. and Mrs. Lindsey McCoy were the parents of a family of six children, all of whom grew to maturity, and of whom our subject is the oldest. He was reared in the county of his nativity, and attended the public school of the district in which his boyhood was spent. He afterward took a course in the Valparaiso State Normal School, leaving there in 1876. Two years later he went to Butler county, Nebraska, and spent two years on a farm with his uncle, J. F. McCoy. He then went to Rising City, Butler county, Nebraska, and was there engaged in the general merchan- dise business until 1888. During that year he began the practice of law in that city and followed the practice of that profession at that place until March, 1894. He then moved to David City and opened a law office there, and has since made that his base of operations. He was appointed city attorney in 1896, and the following year he was elected city clerk. November 4, 1880, Mr. McCoy was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda C. 1086 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHr. Jones, a native of the state of Illinois and a daughter of A. H. and Elizabeth (Ritchey) Jones, and to this union have been born two children: May, and one who died in infancy. Mr. McCoy has been a lifelong stanch Republican, and cast his first presi- dential vote for James A. Garfield in 1880. He was the nominee on the Republican ticket for county judge, but was defeated by a small majority. He and his wife are both members of the Christian church. WILLIAM P. HAGER is a prosperous representative of the agricultural in- terests of Nebraska, and has a well kept farm on section 7, Hays township. He is still a young man, counts his age still in the thirties, and is brimful of ambition and en- ergy. He came to York county with his parents, Oliver P. and Elizabeth A. (Show) Hager, who were among the earlier settlers of this region. His father filed a soldier's homestead claim to the southwest quarter of section 8, Hays township, in spring of 1871, and located his wife and family there in the fall of the following year. He and his wife were natives of Pennsylvania, and came from that state into Illinois, where they spent six years in LaSalle and Marshall counties be- fore their appearance in this state. They are now living in retirement in the city of York. Mr. Hager was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, June '5, 1861, and was four years old when his parents went to Illinois to live, and about ten when they entered York county to spend the balance of their days. He grew to manhood on their York county homestead, receiving such schooling as the neighborhood afforded, and taking a practical common sense view of life. In 1880 he went to farming on his own ac- count, and for three years tilled a rented farm. He then bought eighty acres, which constituted the nucleus of his present farm. He has added to this first tract enough from sections 17 and 7 to increase his acreage to a half section, which has become under his unflagging industry a highly improved and finely cultivated farm. He has a reservoir near his residence which is stocked with edible fish. From this he draws water to irrigate his garden securing an abundance of summer vegetables. He has an extensive ice house, putting up every winter crystal comfort for the the summer. He is enter- prising, pushing, and unusually successful. Mr. Hager was married in November, 1883, to Miss H. E. Morss. She was born in Ripley county, Indiana, and is a daughter of John M. and Ann (Purdue) Morss. Her father now lives in York county. She came to this county with her mother in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Hager are the parents of four children, three of whom are now living. Their names are John, Claude, Roy and Chauncey B., who died April 7, 1898, aged thirteen months. Mr. Hager is a member of the Ancient Order of the United Workmen, and takes a thoroughly independent course in all political and other affairs. He believes in honesty, independence and truth, and is not willing that any convention or party should dictate his vote to him. He stands well among his neighbors, and is regarded as a man whose future is promising. He has since purchased the old homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. THOMAS A. MOORE, one of the most extensive and successful stock raisers and feeders of Polk county, his home being on section 4, township 15, range 3, Platte precinct, was born on the 10th of June, 1842, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, a son of Andrew and Hannah (Whitson) Moore, also natives of Pennsylvania, and members of the Society of Friends. In the family were four children, three sons and one daughter, and the former were all COMPEXDIL.U OF BlOGRAPHr. 1087 numbered among the boys in blue during the Civil war. Joseph was a member of the Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, and was in battles of the Army of the Potomac for four years; Jeremiah, now a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was an orderly sergeant in the same regiment. The sister. Dr. Rebecca Moore, is a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, and is a well-known physician of that city. As his parents died when he was very young, Thomas A. Moore was reared by a maternal uncle, who was a farmer and mill- er of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and our subject, before he attained his majority, had acquired an excellent knowledge of both lines of business, while his literary education was obtained in the schools of Maple Grove. On the iith of June, 1863, he enlisted in Company C, Fiftieth Penn- sylvania Militia, as corporal, and after do- ing guard duty on the Susquehanna river for a time, he proceeded with his company to the state capital and later to the Poto- mac. About a week after the battle of Get- tysburg he assisted in capturing seventeen notorious guerillas at Peach Bottom, surpris- ing them while at supper, and all surren- dered at once although their captors were mere boys. Later the regiment operated along the Potomac, was in a three hours' fight under General Couch at Hagerstown, did guard duty at Williamsport, Falling Waters and Clear Springs. On the expira- tion of his term of enlistment, Mr. Moore was honorably discharged at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and returned home. In Feb- ruary, 1864, he wentto Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he engaged in farming for a time, but subsequently enlisted as a private in Company A, Twenty-fourth Michigan Vol- unteer Infantry, which was ordered to Springfield, Illinois, to guard prisoners. They also acted as military escort at the burial of President Lincoln. The war hav- ing ended and his services being no longer needed, Mr. Moore was mustered out July 3, 1865, and returned to Ypsilanti, Michi- gan, where he engaged in farming, dairying and stock raising. On the 1 2th of March, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza A. Kel- ley, a native of Ypsilanti, and a daughter of Christian and Sarah Ann (Steers) Kelley, who were honored pioneer settlers of Michi- gan. Her grandfather Steers was a pilot for Commodore Perry on Lake Erie, and was drowned about a year after the memor- able naval conflict at that place. Mrs. Moore was born September 28, 1846, and was educated at Ypsilanti. By her mar- riage to our subject she has become the mother of four children: Arthur K., who married Ella Gardner; Ella Gertrude, wife of A. B. Campbell, by whom she has two children, Mary M. and Lillian; Clinton T. , at home; and Charles Starr, deceased. Mr. Moore came to Polk county, Ne- braska, October 13, 1887, and has since resided upon his present fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, giving his entire time and attention to the stock business. He owns a fine gasoline engine which oper- ates a pump, supplying water through a two- thousand foot pipe to a large number of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. It is also used in grinding cornmeal, etc. Mr. Moore is thoroughly up to date in his methods of carrying on his ranch, being one of the most enterprising and progressive business men of his community, and the success that has crowned his efforts is certainly well deserved. By birthright he is a member of the Society of Friends. Fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and Ellsworth Post, No. 29, G. A. R., of Silver Creek, in which he served as commander for two years, and for the same length of time he was also commander of the district, now known as the Platte Valley District Reunion. Since casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, he has been unswerving 1088 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. in his allegiance to the Republican party, but has never cared for the honors or emol- uments of public office, only serving as a member of the school board of his district. As a citizen, friend and neighbor, he is true to every duty and justly merits the esteem in which he is held. GEORGE W. SWARTS, an agricultur- ist of energy and ability, who is resid- ing on section 6, West Blue township, Fillmore county, Nebraska, is a native of Canada, his birth occurring in Brant county, November 9, 1842. His parents, William and Sarah (Edmunds) Swarts, were natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respective- ly, but the greater part of their lives was passed in Canada, where their deaths oc- curred. Reared in his native land, George W. Swarts was educated in its public schools, and there received his business training upon the home farm. In 1864, he re- moved to Livingston county, Illinois, where he bought land and made his home for nine- teen years, during which time he met with excellent success in his farming operations. The year 1883 witnessed his arrival in Fill- more county, Nebraska, and here he pur- chased two hundred and twenty-five acres of rich and fertile land, besides a tract of •one hundred and sixty acres in York county. This property was practically unimproved, but with characteristic energy he set to work to make it one of the best farms in this region, and his efforts have been crowned with success, for the land is now under excellent cultivation and supplied with all conveniences and accessories found upon a model farm of the nineteenth cen- tury. On the 27th of March, 1872, in Living- ston county, Illinois, Mr. Swarts was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Rook, a native of Delaware and a daughter of Will- iam and Mary (Beckett) Rook, who in an early day removed to Illinois, where his father is still living. The children born of this union are as follows: Emma S., now the wife of L. A. Frederick, who lives near the Swarts homestead; William, Harvey J., Clara B., and Olive L., allat home. In his social relations Mr. Swarts is a member of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, and in political sentiment is a stalwart Republican, being one of the leaders of the party in his community. He has served as a delegate to county conventions, but has never sought nor desired official honors. As a business man he has been remarkably successful and his course in life has ever been such as to commend him to the con- fidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact either in business or pri- vate life. He is a public-spirited and enter- prising citizen, who is thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of his com- munity, and gives a liberal support to all objects for the public good. BENJAMIN A. JOHNSON, deceased, was one of the honored pioneers of York county, and was highly respected by all who knew him. He was born in Wa- pello county, Iowa, May 25, 1849, a son of Nicholas Johnson, a native of Indiana, who removed with his family to Iowa at an early day, being among the first settlers of Wa- pello county. As his mother died when he was only two years old, our subject was reared by an elder sister, and grew to man- hood upon a farm in his native state. He then operated his father's farm until the latter's death, when he decided to try his fortune in Nebraska. In July, 1872, accompanied by his wife and daughter, Emma J., Mr. Johnson came to York county, and bought a homestead right to eighty acres of land on section 20, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 1089 McFadden township. He immediately built a sod-house, 14 x 22 feet on the inside, with two foot walls, a dirt floor and dirt roof, into which he moved his family. While to the present generation it might appear to be a very crude abode, it nevertheless proved to be a comfortable home and was expremely warm in winter and correspond- ing cool in summer. The following year a pine floor was added to the dwelling which was many times referred to by the house- wife with a pardonable degree of pride, as it was one of the first in the neighborhood. Mr. Johnson was fortunate in having bought a homestead right to a place on which had already been planted wheat and corn, as he arrived late in the season and had some- thing to live on the first winter. He went to work with a will to establish a home for his family, but before he was able to make many improvements, he was taken ill with lung fever and after a brief illness died June 15, 1876. His death was deeply mourned by the early settlers, for wherever known he was held in high regard and had already made many friends in this community. In Iowa Mr. Johnson was married, Au- gust 3, 1870, to Miss Ann Howell, who was born in England, March 18, 1847, and came to America in the fall of i860, with her parents, Matthew and Jane (Watkins) Howell, mention of whom will be made on another page of this volume in connection with the sketch of Matthew Howell. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, namely: Emma J., now the wife of Joseph Cudaback, a farmer of Hays township, York county; William H., who died Septem- ber 24, 1874, at the age of ten months; and Frank D., who was born May 31, 1875, and resides with his mother, having charge of the farming operations. Considering the fact that Mrs. Johnson was left a widow with two children to care for at a time when the country was prac- tically unsettled and undeveloped, and with no other improvements upon the homestead than a sod house, she deserves much credit for the manner in which she has conducted her business affairs by herself, as well as rearing and educating her children. The farm is now under a high state of cultiva- tion and supplied with modern improve- ments. America's youth owe their success- ful traits of character to mothers of such mettle. In addition to the original home- stead and its many improvements, Mrs. Johnson has bought and paid for forty acres, and she still continues to personally super- vise and successfully manage her own busi- ness affairs. She is one of the original members of the Pleasant Ridge United Brethren church, and contributed liberally to the fund for the construction of the pres- ent house of worship. In an early day meetings were held in the sod houses of the settlers, later in school houses and finally in their own church edifice. ORRICK BUNTING.— Among the pros- perous farmers and extensive stock- raisers of Butler county, Nebraska, the record of whose lives fills an important place in this volume, it gives us pleasure to commemorate the name of this gentleman, whose home is on section 34, Franklin township. He was born in Mercer county, Illinois, May 17, 1855, and is the youngest in a family of nine children. A sketch of his parents is given on another page of this work in connection with that of his brother, William M. Bunting. The first seventeen years of his life Orrick Bunting spent in the county of his nativity, aiding in the labors of the home farm and attending the district schools of the locality. On coming to Butler county, Nebraska, in 1873, he took up his residence upon the farm where he still continues to reside, and at once turned his attention to the improvement and cultivation of his land. 1090 COMPEXDUrM or BIOGRAPHY. He was married, December 19, 1874, to Miss Susan Wolfe, a native of Hancock county, Illinois, who, when a girl of fourteen years, came to Butler county with her parents, Henry and Mary (Fielder) Wolfe. Mr. and Mrs. Bunting began housekeeping upon the farm which he had previously secured, and there they have made their home continuously since, with the exception of one year spent in Missouri. All the im- provements made upon the place has been the work of his hands, the fields are well tilled, and the place, comprising one hun- dred and sixty acres, is one of the most desirable farms of its size in the county. Mr. Bunting has given special attention to stock-raising, and now has a fine herd of two hundred and five head of cattle upon the place. He does all his own shipping, thus saving the commission usually required, and in this branch of his business has met with marked success, being to-day one of the well-to-do citizens of his community. Mr. and Mrs. Bunting have the follow- ing living children, all born in Butler county, namely: Ora, now the wife of Ed. Won- derlech, a resident of David City; Walter, Arthur, Ernest, Vera and Leona, all at home. Mr. Bunting is one of the most energetic and progressive citizens of Frank- lin township, and is actively identified with all its interests. In politics, he is a stanch Populist, and is a warm supporter of the principles and beliefs of that party. SAMUEL BARLEAN.— The subject of this personal history is a well-known resident of Olive township, Butler county, living on section 34, and is highly esteemed as a man of industry and enterprise, besides being a worthy citizen and having to his credit an unblemished war record. Mr. Barlean was born September 24, 1838, in Ashland county, Ohio, which at that time formed a part of Richland county. His father, Michael Barlean, had settled in that state at an early day, having removed there from Pennsylvania, where his ances- tors had made their home for four or five generations. Reared on a farm in his native state our subject acquired his educa- tion in the public schools of the neighbor- hood, and early became familiar with farm work in its various departments. At the age of nineteen years he removed to Knox county, Illinois, where he remained for one year, going overland to Mahaska county, Iowa, in 1858, and making his home there until coming to Butler county, Nebraska, on the 3rd of April, 1871, when he took pos- session of his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 34, Olive town- ship. The place is now under excellent cultivation and well improved with good farm buildings, which stand as monuments to his thrift and industry. The farm is also well stocked. Feeling that his country needed his serv- ices during the dark days of the Civil war, Mr. Barlean enlisted in 1862 in Company C, Thirty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The following year he was with the com- mand that met Kirby Smith and his forces at Helena, Arkansas, and after the engage- ment at that place proceeded to Little Rock, thence to New Orleans and Mobile Point, Alabama, where the army was re-organized. When the war was over and his services were no longer needed Mr. Barlean was honorably discharged and returned to his home in Mahaska county, Iowa, to resume farming, quite willing that the sword should be be beaten into ploughshares. In 1868, Mr. Barlean was married in Mahaska county, to Miss Sarah Cecil, a daughter of Andrew Cecil, a native of Ken- tucky, and they have become the parents of nine children who are still living, namely; Cora Abby, who was born in Iowa, and is now the wife of George McLaughlin; Clara- belle, now Mrs. John Pinney, of Butler COMPENDir.^r OF niOGRAPHT. 1091 county, Nebraska; Edward C. ; James Otis; Eva May; George A. ; Effie E. ; Elva A. and Ella. The entire family are now residents of Butler county and are widely and favor- ably known. Politically, Mr. Barlean is identified with the Republican party; social- ly belongs to A. Lincoln Post, No. lo, G. A. R., and religiously is a faithful member of the Methodist church. JOE TALBOTT, who spent his early *J manhood in active business, and mainly in agricultural pursuits, is now practically living retired at his pleasant home in Bene- dict surrounded by all the comforts of life. By the exercise of industry, perseverance and good management, he has secured a competence, which enables him to lay aside business cares and enjoy a well earned rest. A native of Jefferson county, Ohio, Mr. Talbott was born June 24, 1840, and is a son of Richard and Margaret (Humphreys) Talbott, who were also born in that county, where they spent the greater part of their lives engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1 87 1, however, the father emigrated to Ne- braska and took up a homestead in York county, on which he made his home until his death, which occurred in 18S0. In his family were ten children, four sons and six daughters. In the county of his nativity, Joe Tal- bott grew to manhood and acquired his literary education there, as well as a thor- ough knowledge of farming. In 1858 he went to Des Moines county, Iowa, where he continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until after the Civil war broke out. In 1862 he enlisted in Company K, Twenty- fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years, participating in the sieges of Vicksburg and Atlanta, the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, and many engagements of lesser impor- tance. During the battle of Atlanta he had a finger broken by a ball striking his gun, but aside from this he was never wounded. At the close of the war Mr. Talbott went to Fulton county, Illinois, where he made his home until 1871, which year witnessed his arrival in York county, Nebraska. Secur- ing a homestead on section 26, Morton township, he erected a story and a half sod- house upon it by building a frame and cover- ing it with sod, and on the completion of his residence he turned his attention to the improvement and cultivation of his land, which he successfully operated until his re- moval to Benedict, in 1893. In 1880 Mr. Talbott led to the marriage altar Miss Allie Gregory, a native of Jeffer- son county, Iowa, and a daughter of Abra- ham G. and Elizabeth Gregory, who came to York county in 1874. One child graces this union — Richard G. Mr. and Mrs. Tal- bott both hold membership in the Episcopal church, and he is also identified with the Knights of the Maccabees. In politics he is a Populist, and he has served his fellow- citizens as a member of the school board for fifteen years, and as treasurer of his township since January, 1898. He is widely and favorably known, and has a host of warm personal friends throughout York county. SWAN A. JOHNSON, an industrious, energetic and progressive farmer resid- ing on section 15, Bryant precinct. Fill-- more county, Nebraska, was born in Swe- den, December 10, 1863, and is the youngest son of John and Mary (Johnson) Johnson. In the family were six children, all of whom remained in Sweden with the exception of our subject and his sister, Mrs. A. W. Peter- son, now a resident of Bryant precinct. During his boyhood and youth, Mr. Johnson pursued his studies in the public schools of his native land, and was there 1092 COMPENDIUM OF, BIOGRAPHT. confirmed in the Swedish Lutheran church. With the hope of bettering his financial condition, he came to America at the age of twenty years, and immediately after land- ing proceeded to Fillmore county, Nebraska, where he purchased eighty acres of wild prairie land for seven hundred and twenty dollars. This he subsequently sold for a good price and bought the eighty-acre tract in Bryant township on which he still re- sides. It is now a well-improved and highly cultivated farm, and is conveniently located two miles and a half from Shickley. At the age of twenty-five years, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Miss Mary Larson, also a native of Sweden, who was born December i, 1864, was educated there, and confirmed in the Swedish Luth- eran church. Her parents were Lars and Magareta Johnson. She lost her mother during her infancy and her father when she was seventeen years old. There were five children in the family, but she is the only one that came to the United States. She crossed the Atlantic at the age of nine- teen and earned her own living in Nebraska until her marriage. Neither she nor her husband have had occasion to regret their emigration to this country, for here they have prospered, and are now the owners of a cozy little home and a well improved farm. Thus their thrift, frugality and in- dustry have been well rewarded, and by their upright, honorable lives they have gained the confidence and respect of all with whom they have come in contact. In his political affiliations Mr. Johnson is a pronounced Republican. In 1896 they made an extended visit in Sweden and other eastern countries, spending two years in a most enjoyable manner. JUDGE DAVID TRUAX MOORE.— Among the old settlers and worthy citi- zens of York county none is more deserving mention in its history than the subject of this biography. His influence has extended beyond the county limits, and he has been a factor in shaping the destiny and funda- mental policy of the state. He was York county's first attorney, first probate judge, and was a member of the second constitu- tional convention of the state. Judge Moore is of Scotch extraction. John McMoore came from Scotland before the Revolutionary war, and having had some military training, joined the American army at the beginning of the war, and served until its close. On enlisting he dropped the "Mc" from his name as a use- less appendage. He married a Miss Mc- Nair, also from Scotland, by whom he had two daughters and also a posthumous son, who was given the name of John Moore. He was a volunteer in the American army in the war of 181 2. The father of our sub- ject was twice married, his second wife be- ing Miss Sarah Snowden, of Virginia. Her parents were from New Jersey, and prob- ably of Scotch origin. By this marriage eleven children were born, two of whom were with Sherman on his march to the sea. David Truax Moore was the eighth child, and was born in Waynesburg, Ohio, Sep- tember 23, 1 83 1. When about six years old he was left fatherless, and was sent to the home of a cousin, John Miller, in Holmes county, Ohio, where he attended the district schools and worked on the farm until he was sixteen years old, when he taught his first school. He then entered Hayesville Institute, at Hayesville, Ohio, and later a college at Athens, Ohio, con- ducted by the Associated Presbyterians. Here he pursued his studies until the mid- dle of the senior year, when he went to St. Clairsville, Ohio, to teach. At that place he was superintendent of the union schools for several years, and studied law under Judge Peck. He was alternate delegate to the Philadelphia convention which nominated COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 1093 John C. Fremont for the presidency, and in the fall of the same year made a tour of the southern states on account of ill health. He finally located at Taylorville, Illinois, completed his law studies, and was admitted to practice by Judge David Davis, and opened a law office in Taylorville. His health required a more active life, however, and he took a position as traveling agent for an insurance company. In Pike's Peak in i860 he learned of the nomination of Lin- coln by the Republicans, and returned home to aid in his election, and cast his first presidential vote. He opened a law office, but ill health compelled him to give it up, and selling his law library, he again took up the insurance business. On January 19, 1864, our subject mar- ried Miss Sarah Shumway, daughter of Judge Shumway, and a graduate of the Illi- nois College for Females. They set out for the west, and landed in Nebraska, in the unorganized county of York. He took up a homestead and pre-emption claim, opened a law office on his farm, but after seven years moved to York, the county seat, where he still resides. They have three children, two sons and one daughter. The older son graduated from the medical department of the State University at Lin- coln, and took a post-graduate lecture course in New York city, and is now super- intendent of the hospital for the insane at Jamestown, North Dakota. The younger son took a course in a medical school at Toronto, Canada, and a year's course in scientific nursing in the asylum, and is now a member of the hospital corps of the regu- lar army and is acting as steward at Camp Barrat, at Guanajay, Cuba. The daughter is bookkeeper for the "Times" office, York, Nebraska. Judge Moore was the first attorney to locate in York county. He was unanimously elected as its first probate judge, and he represented several of the western counties in the second constitutional convention. Since that time he has never sought polit- ical honors. He was a Republican from the organization of the party, and assisted to perfect the party organization in York county. Since its adoption of the "gold standard " he has abandoned the organiza- tion, though still an old-time Republican. Judge and Mrs. Moore are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church, at York, and Mrs. Moore is an active worker in the cause of foreign missions and of the W. C. T. U. The Judge belongs to the A. F. & A. M. fraternity, being admitted as a mem- ber of the Chapter and Council, in Iowa. His membership is now at York. NJ. DIXON, a worthy representative of the agricultural interests of West Blue township, Fillmore county, was the first man to locate in this section of the state, and has since been prominently identified with its interests. He was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, March 27, 1841, and is a son of James and Lucy (Springer) Dixon, the former a native of New Jersey, the latter of Pennsylvania. The mother died during the infancy of our subject and the father subsequently married again. He had eight children, two sons and six daugh- ters. He was a country merchant and farmer of Fayette county, where he contin- ued to make his home until called from this life in 1876. The paternal grandfather of our subject was James Dixon, a native of Ireland, v,'ho came to the United States when a young man, and in this country fol- lowed agricultural pursuits. His death also occurred in Pennsylvania. In his family were three sons. Mr. Dixon, of this review, is indebted to the common schools of Pennsylvania for his educational advantages. At the age of six- teen he started out to make his own way in the world by working at farm labor, and on 1094 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY, attaining his majority went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In 1864 lie removed to Putnam county, Illinois, but two years later sought a home still farther west and landed in York county, Nebraska, in 1866. From a map he located his present homestead and the following spring took up his residence thereon, his nearest neighbor at that time being five miles away. Upon his land he constructed a dugout, later lived in a log house, and in 1884 erected his present com- fortable and commodious home. He at once turned his attention to the improve- ment and cultivation of his land and turned the first sod in this section. Indians were still quite numerous in this region, but the\' never molested him, although two thousand seven hundred of them were at one time encamped near his claim. In February, 1867, Mr. Dixon was united in marriage with Miss Lydia Gill- more, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Elias and Hulda (Rush) Gill- more, who were also born in that state, and in 1859 removed to Livingston county, Illi- nois. In 1866 they also migrated to York, Nebraska, and both died in York count}-. Our subject and his wife have eight children living and one deceased, namely: Arthur J., now a resident of York county; Olvin A., of Iowa; Walter, of North Dakota; Emma M. and Calvin H., both at home; Minnie L., who is now teaching in York county; and John and Lloyd, both at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dixon are members of the United Brethren church of Lushton, and their lives have ever been in harmony with their professions. Politically, he is identified with the Republican part}', and has served as treasurer of school district No. I since its organization. Though elected to other positions, he has refused to qualify, preferring to give his entire time and atten- tion to his farming interests. As a repre- sentative man of the county and an honored pioneer, he stands pre-eminent, and is num- bered among the valued citizens who have been devoted to the public welfare. His sterling qualities command the respect and confidence of all, and have secured for him the high regard of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. WALLACE WHEELER, deceased, was for several years one of the leading and representative citizens of Fair- mont, Nebraska, and did much to promote the commercial activity, advance the gen- eral welfare and secure the material devel- opment of the town and county. As a business man he was enterprising, energetic and always abreast of the times, and his well directed labors were rewarded with a comfortable competence. A portrait of Mr. Wheeler is presented on another page of this volume. Mr. Wheeler was born in Brandon, Vermont, March 4, 1840, and was a son of William P. and Mary A. (Ambler) Wheeler, the former also a native of the Green Mountain state, the latter of New York. The father was a carpenter and wheel- wright by trade, and for some time operated a sash, door and blind factory and also a sawmill in the east. In 1852, he removed to Illinois, where he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in March, 1895. His wife passed away December 6, 1897. They had a family of five children, three sons and two daughters, of whom two sons and one daughter are still living. Wallace Wheeler, the second son, was educated in the schools of Illinois. Reared upon the home farm, he continued to en- gage in agricultural pursuits in that state until 1868, when he accepted a position as salesman for farm machinery. The follow- ing year he came to Nebraska City, Ne- braska, where he organized the firm of W^heeler & Tucker, which existed for three years, and later located in L ncoln. For WALLACK WHEELER, Deceased. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 1097 some years he was the western agent of the Marsh Harvester Company, remaining with that firm until their failure in 1884. In that year he came to Fairmont and assisted in organizing the Fairmont Creamery Com- pany, of which he was made president. On the re-organization of the company, he was again chosen president and continued to fill that position most creditably and acceptably until his death, which occurred February 7, 1897. He was also interested in other business enterprises, including the farm im- plement trade, and was a business man of more than ordinary ability, being possessed of keen perception, of great sagacity and unbounded enterprise. On the 1st of January, 1863, Mr. Wheeler was united in marriage with Miss Elmira Rogers, a native of Canada and a daughter of Joel and Mary (Richardson) Rogers, who were also born in Canada of English parentage. Her paternal grand- father was a large land owner, and a farmer by occupation, as were most of her ances- tors. Her maternal grandfather was a cap- tain in the English army. To our subject and his wife were born two children, name- ly: Stella A., who died in Illinois in 1865; and Susie E., who died in Nebraska City in 1872. Mrs. Wheeler is an estimable lady of many sterling qualities, and has a large circle of friends in this community. While a resident of Illinois, Mr. Wheeler held membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a leading and in- fluential member of the Republican party in his community and twice filled the office of mayor in Fairmont. As the founder of what has become one of the most important lines of business in this section of the state, he deserves special credit. His success was the result of honest, persistent effort in the line of honorable and manly dealing. His aims were always to attain the best, and he carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. ELIZABETH WILLIAMS SENFF. — The West has alwaj's shown greater favor to women than has been granted her by the more conservative East, and Nebras- ka stands well to the front in the number and prominence of its business and profes- sional women. Among them may well be mentioned her whose name heads this article. She has made a pronounced suc- cess of the business of agriculture, a follow- ing, perhaps, least inviting to the gentle se.x. Her home, on section 26, township 10, range 4 west, near Bradshaw, presents a picture of rural comfort, thrift and pros- perity not surpassed by any in York county. Mrs. Senff is a native of Wales, born January 22, 1863. Her parents died in Wales, while she was yet but a young girl, and she determined to venture across the broad Atlantic, and seek a home and com- petence in the new world, where her uncle and aunt had preceded her. Our subject was married in York coun- ty, Nebraska, February 22, 1881, to August Senff. Mr. Senff had previously home- steaded the west half of the northwest quar- ter of section 27, township 10, range 4 west, which they still hold and at present also own the east half of the northeast quarter of section 27, same township and range. Their first home was a sod-house and in it they lived seven years. They then erected a comfortable house and substantial barn, cribs, and necessary buildings for enjoying the comforts of farm life. In the winter of 1893 Mr. Senff was taken ill with lagrippe, which affected his mind. As he did not re- cover he was placed in the hospital, but has shown little evidence of regaining his health. Still Mrs. Senff is hopeful and is keeping the farm free from any incumbrance and purchasing additional land, waiting her hus- band's return. Mr. and Mrs. Senff are the parents of five children: Frederick, Will- iam, Bertha, Louisa, August and Fernam. Three of the children are living. The son, 109S CO.\fjP£JCDIL'.lf OJF BIOGRAPB2-. fonrteen years of age, and the daaghter, ihirteen, are doing much to liit tbe heavy bnrden from their mother, who alone has the management of the farm, comprising one hnndred and sixtj acres. Although, on acconnt of her edacation having been neglected in her native country, Mrs. Senfi did not learn to read or write, s.be speaks finently three langaages and is well posted on tbe topics of the day. Mis. Senfi was a C-ongregationalist in her native conntrv, b«t there being no church of her faith near her new home she worships with the Lntherans Mrs. Senfi is strictly hon- est in all her dealings and has never found it necessary to sign a note or mortgage. She says her motto is • ■ Pay as yon go " — asd she is at present contemplating the pra-- chase of an additional eighty acres of land, but is waiting tiD her savings are enough to purchase for cash. Mrs. Senffs earnest application to her duties and her honestx^ have won her financial success and her kindly interest for those aronnd her has won her the esteem of all who are f ortTinite enDugh to be among her acquaintances. Mr. SenS was a soldier in the Germ=n army, before coming to America, but was naturalized in this country and has since voted the Republican ticket. HZXRY I_ BADGER, a worthy ir,c honored representative of the pioneers of Fillmore county, Nebraska, is a true type of the energetic, hard}" and courageous men who actively assisted in the development of this wonderful region. For many years he eSciently served as surveyor of the coanty, 'r:3t is now living in Fairmont.^ Mr. Badger was bom in East Granby, Connecticut, May 26, 1 829, a son of Lewis and Mary L. . Carter 1 Badger, also natives of that state. The father was a prominent physician and surgeon, who successfully fol- I'wed his profession for many years in Con- necticut, and held the position of physician at the Xew Gate Prison in that state. In iS54he removed to Delaware county, Ohio, where he engaged in practice until 1S65, and then went to Odell, Livingston county, HHnois, where he continued to reside until called from this life in 1S72. He had a family of four sons, of whom our subject was the only one to come to Fillmore coun- ty, Nebraska. Heruy L. Badger was reared and edu- cated in Ohio, attending the university at Westerville, that state, and after laying aside his tesrt books he engaged in farming in that state until 1S5S, when he went to Ston- county, Iowa, and resided there for ; two years. He next made his home upon a farm in Livin^oo connty, Illinois, until 1S6S, which year witnessed his arrival in Nebraska. In Fillmore connty, he pre- empted a claim on section 2, West Bine township, and the foUowing year took up an adjoining homestead, which he improved and cultivated for some time. He was the eighth settler in the connty and assisted in its organization, at which time he was ap>- pointed county clerk and also county sur- veyor, having previously done some work along that line. He held both positions nntil the foDowing year, when he was elect- ed connty surveyor at the first election ever held in the county. -After serving in that office for sevei^ years, he went to Front- ier county, Nebraska, in 1SS4, being en- gaged in surveying and locating settlers there until the following year, when he re- moved to Weld connty, Colorado. On the organization of Washington county, that state, he was appointed connty snrve3or, and remained there until 1S90, when he re- turned to Fillmore connty, where he has j since made his home uninterruptedly. He is a jJTononnced Republican in politics, and has tbe respect and esteem of all who know him. At Fort Wayne, Indiana, in December, COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 1099 1854, Mr. Badger was united in with Miss Mary A. Phelps, a native of Ohio and a daughter of William Phelps, and to them were born two children: Lewis H., a leading farmer of West Blue township, who is represented on another page of this work; and Jeanie, wife of E. M. Forbes, of Fair- mont, Nebraska. The wife and mother, who was a most estimable lady, departed this life January 11, 1894. WILLIAM BENJAMIN ROCHAN, a prominent and substantial fanner of Butler county, Nebraska, has contributed much to the prosperity and advancement of his adopted county. His home is located on section 20, Savannah township, in the outskirts of the village of Bellwood. Mr. Rochan was born in Montreal, Can- ada, July 25, 1848. His grandfather, John Rochan, was a native of Bulong, France, came with his parents to America, and took part in the Rebellion in Canada in 1836. He was a farmer by occupation. Our sub- ject's father, Eli Rochan, was a lawyer in Montreal. He was married January, 1841, to Sophia Ouimett. Our subject was the fourth child and third son. He received his education in Canada in the common schools and at Goodland College, Montreal. At fifteen years of age he went to Bay City, Michigan, and engaged in the saw mill and lumber busi- ness. At the age of twenty-one he accom- panied his cousin, John Ouimett, to North Platte, Nebraska. Here he engaged in gov- ernment work and later was engineer on the Union Pacific railroad. He selected section 20, Savannah township, in Butler county, for his home and entered his homestead claim July 4, 1871. After perfecting his claim, in 1875, he went to Columbus, Ne- braska, and engaged in the grain business in company with J. C. Morrisey. After eight years, partnership, Mr. Rochan pur- chased Mr. Morrisey's interest and contin- ued the business for three years. In 1836 he moved to Bellwood and ran an elevator. At the end of two years he purchased an elevator and lumber yard at Octavia. re- maining there until, in 1893. he returned to Bellwood and was appointed postmaster during Cleveland's second administration. Mr. Rochan married Miss Ahce Smith in Platte county, Nebraska, in 1869. Mrs. Rochan died in Bellwood in 1894. To this union were born five children as fol- lows: Frank, Oscar, Daniel, Clarence and William. Mr. Rochan and Carrie McCulley were married in 1895. They have a fine resi- dence and live in comfort, surrounded by conveniences found only in the best rural homes. Mr. Rochan has always been prominent in political circles, both county and state, standing stanchly for the Democratic ticket. He is an honored member of several secret orders, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Degree of Honor. LEWIS H. BADGER, a progressive and prominent agriculturist residing on sec- tion 2, West Blue township, is a worthy representative of one of the oldest and most highly respected families of Fillmore coun- ty, — one that has borne an important part in its upbuilding and development. He was born in Miami county, Ohio, October 5, 1856, asonof Henry L. and Mar}- A. (Phelps) Badger, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. When quite small our subject accom- panied his parents on their removal to Iowa and later to Illinois, and in 1868 came with them to Fillmore county, Nebraska, where he grew to manhood amid scenes quite familiar to frontier life. During his youth he assisted his father in breaking prairie 1100 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. and transforming the wild land into highly cultivated fields, and at an early age was given the entire management of the place. He now owns the old homestead on section 2, West Blue township, where he has lived continuously since coming to Nebraska, and is successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising. In 1885 Mr. Badger married Miss Minnie E. Wies, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Charles and Mary (Scott) Wies, who now reside in McLean county, Illinois. One child graces this union: Mary B., born in June, 1889. Socially, Mr. Badger is a mem- ber of the Ancient Order of United Work- men and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and both he and his wife belong to the Degree of Honor. He uses his right of franchise in support of the Republican party and its principles, but has never cared for political preferment, the only public office he has filled being that of school director. He is a leading and representative man of his township and merits and receives the warmest confidence and esteem of his fel- low-citizens. HAL P. STINES, a leading and influen- tial member of the agricultural com- munity, of West Blue township, Fillmore county, resides on section 16, where he owns two hundred and forty acres of fine farming land under a high state of cultivation. All of the improvements are the work of his own hands, and reflect great credit upon him. A native of New York, Mr. Stines was born in Esse.x county, July 2, 1848, and is a son of Henry and Pyra (Harris) Stines, also natives of that state, the former born in Orange county, November 3, 1824, the latter in Essex county, July 9, 1824. They were married December 25, 1846, and be- came the parents of three sons, all of whom are now residents of Fillmore county, Ne- braska. The father followed various occu- pations throughout life and died in New York in 1 864. More extended mention is made of him in connection with the sketch of Shelby Stines on another page of this vol- ume. In 1866, the mother removed with her family to Iowa, and in 1882 came to Nebraska, where she departed this life on the 1st of January, 1899. She was quite well known and had a host of friends in Fillmore county. Our subject's paternal grandfather, John Stines, was a native of Nova Scotia, and about 1817 or 18 18 emi- grated to the United States, locating first in New York state. His last days were passed in Iowa, and in Poweshiek county, that state, he died. On the loth of May, 1823. he married Elizabeth Swaney. Hal P. Stines grew to manhood in his native state and pursued his studies in its public schools. At the age of sixteen he began the battle of life for himself and has followed farming continuously since. He accompanied his mother on her removal to Iowa, and remained with her in that state until 1878, assisting in the operation of the home farm. He then came to Fillmore county, Nebraska, and secured one hundred and sixty acres of school land on section 16, West Blue township, which at that time was all raw and unimproved. After building thereon a small frame residence, he began to break his land and now has it all under a high state of cultivation and im- proved with good and substantial buildings. He has also extended the boundaries of his farm until they now contain two hundred and forty acres of rich and fertile land. In 1879, Mr. Stines was united in mar- riage with Miss Clara Rose, a native of Illi- nois, where the marriage was celebrated. Her parents, Josiah and Malinda (Bly) Rose, were both native of New York state, and in 1857 moved to Carroll county, Illinois, where the father died in 1881, but the mother is still living and now makes her COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAmT. 1101 home in North Dakota. In their family were six children, four sons and two daugh- ters, of whom one son is now a resident of Fairmont, Fillmore county, but none of the others are living in the county with the ex- ception of Mrs. Stines. Her maternal grandfather, Reuben Bly, a native of Wales, came to America at the age of sixteen years and settled in New York, but later in life removed to Grundy county, Iowa, where his death occurred in 1893. The children born to our subject and his wife are Clara R. , Fletcher H., Hilda A., Ruth A. and Hal P., Jr., all still living. In his social rela- tions Mr. Stines is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and in politics is a stalwart Republican, but has never sought nor desired political honors. In business affairs he has been very successful, and in all the relations of life his career has been such as to win for him the con- fidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact. BENJAMIN HUNKINS.— Nebraska may well count among her influential citi- zens the gentleman whose name heads these few paragraphs. He has been a man of untiring energy and since the early days has helped in upbuilding the better interests of the western states. He is now living in retirement in his home on section 6, M pre- cinct, near Beaver Crossing. Mr. Hunkins' birthplace was Charleston, Vermont, and the date of his nativity, 1810. His grand- father, Robert Hunkins, was born in Con- necticut in 1730. He settled at Newbury, Vermont, and during the Revolution formed a company of minute men and went with General Stark to join General Gates at Bennington. He was with Stark on the occasion of his memorable speech to his men: " There are the Red Coats. To-day we whip them or to-night Mollie Stark is a widow." Robert Hunkins died about 1820. He left six sons, of whom our subject's fa- ther, Robert H. Hunkins, was the third. He was born in Newbury, Orange county, Vermont, in 1774. He was a fanner and followed his occupation in his native state, afterward going to Hampstead, New Hamp- shire, where he married Hannah Emerson, a relative of Ralph Waldo Emerson. To this union were born five sons: Sargeant, Robert, Benjamin, James and Hazen. In 1840 our subject moved with his fa- ther's family to Wisconsin and settled in what is now Waukesha county. He was then thirty years of age and he took a farm in the heavily timbered country for himself and worked earnestly to clear it for cultiva- tion. His intellectual abilities gained him an enviable reputation and he was twice called upon to serve in the territorial leg- islature of Wisconsin. He was also a mem- ber of the first constitutional convention of Wisconsin and served in the state legisla- ture in i860, with A. W. Randall, who was afterward governor of that state. Mr. Ran- dall and Mr. Hunkins were personal friends. After settling in Nebraska, Mr. Hunkins closely identified himself with the growth and development of Seward county. He was active in directing the course of the Elkhorn railroad through this county, at the time of its projection, and in recogni- tion of his service the town of Hunkins was. named for him. It has since been changed to Cordova on account of the postoffice name. Mr. Hunkins, at the age of eighty- eight, retains his mental vigor and occupies a high place in the estimation of his large circle of friends in Seward county. J A. SWARTS, whose home is in West Blue township, is one of the most suc- cessful agriculturists of Fillmore county. Tireless energy, keen perception, honesty of purpose, genius for devising and execu- ting the right thing at the right time, joined 1102 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. to every-day common sense, guided by re- sistless will power, are the chief character- istics of the man and have been the means of bringing to him his prosperity. Mr. Swarts was born in Ontario, Brant county, Canada, May 3, 185 i, and is a son of William and Lucretia (Crary) Swarts, the former born in Pennsylvania, of Pennsyl- vania-Dutch stock, the latter born in New York state. They were married in Canada, and there their children were born. Their father was reared in that country and there followed farming for many years, being called to his final rest in 1883. He had eight children, live sons and three daugh- ters. The mother of our subject, who was his second wife, is still living in Canada. Our subject is indebted to the public schools of the Dominion for his educational advantages, and his business training was obtained upon the home farm. In 1868 he came to the United States and first settled in Livingston county, Illinois, near Chats- worth, where he worked as a farm hand for three years. He then rented land there and engaged in farming on his own account until the spring of 1878, when he came to Fairmont, Fillmore county, Nebraska. After renting land here for a year, he pur- chased a farm on section 5, West Blue township, for six dollars per acre. It was all under cultivation and the first year he raised two thousand dollars' worth of wheat, which more than paid for his farm, but the following year he was forced to spend in travel on account of his health, and at the end of that time had to begin again. He raised a good crop worth over two thousand dollars, and in 1882 purchased the farm where he now lives, it being at that time all wild and unimproved land, but he has since placed it under a high state of cultivation and erected good and substantial buildings thereon. He raised excellent crops up to 1890. That year he increased his farm by the purchase of two hundred and forty acres for six thousand dollars, and the following year raised ten thousand bushels of oats and ten thousand bushels of corn on two hun- dred acres devoted to each. In 1892 he planted one hundred and sixty acres of wheat and raised forty-five bushels to the acre, but the following year his crops were poor, and in 1894 and 1895 they were also light. In 1896, two hundred acres devoted to wheat yielded thirty-five bushels to the acre; the following year the same amount yielded thirty bushels; and in 1898 he har- vested nearly eight thousand bushels from two hundred and fifty acres. He has also given considerable attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of cattle and hogs, and in 1883 sold three thousand seven hundred dollars worth of hogs. Although he has met with some losses, he has mainly prospered and now owns five hundred and sixty acres in his home farm, and has four hundred and fifty acres elsewhere in this state and in Colorado, all under a high state of cultiva- tion. In Illinois, in December, 1875, was cel- ebrated the marriage of Mr. Swarts and Miss Sarah A. Pearson, a native of Peoria county, Illinois, born in 1855, and a daugh- ter of Hattie and Bennett Pearson, who came from England to this country in 1850 and settled in Illinois, where the father died. Our subject and his wife have a fam- ily of seven children as follows: Carrie L., Ernest, Nellie, Lillie, Carl, Roy and Jessie. Socially Mr. Swarts belongs to the Ma- sonic fraternity, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America; and politically he has been identi- fied with the Republican party since casting his first vote, and assisted in organizing the party in Fillmore county, but has never sought office. His upright, honorable life commends him to the confidence and respect of the entire community in which he lives, and he is widely and favorably known throughout the county. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 1103 VICTOR E. VIFQUAIN, Jr., one of the prosperous farmers of Seward county, Nebraska, who has added to his possessions by his hard work and honest deaHngs, was born in Saline county, Nebraska, October 21, 1859. His present home is near Crete, on section 31, of P precinct. Mr. Vifquain's father. Colonel Victor Vifquain, was a native of Brussels, and came to America at the age of eighteen years. He was married in Tipton, Missouri, in 1857, to Caroline Veulmans, a native of Louisana. Mrs. Vifquain traces her ancestry to Bel- gium. In September, 1857, they settled near Camden, Nebraska, at the confluence of the Big Blue and the West Blue rivers. They were the first white settlers in that portion of the state, and during the early days of Nebraska's history Colonel Vifquain was one of the leaders and did much to fur- ther the interests of the state. At the out- break of the Civil war he enlisted, and, hav- ing had previous military training, he rapidly rose in rank, gaining the title of colonel. He is again serving his adopted country, and is at present lieuteannt-colonel of the Third Regiment of Nebraska Volunteers. Victor E. Vifquain, Jr., is the oldest child, and has four brothers and one sister. The Nebraska frontier at the time of his early life afforded little opportunity for ed- ucation, and he was nine years of age be- fore any schooling was offered him. He had instruction under private tutors, and afterward entered the public school. His desire for further knowledge led him to se- lect Doane College, and it was here he com- pleted his education. Our subject was married in California, Missouri, to Jennie McFadden, a daughter of George McFadden. Four children have come to bless their home: George Victor, Charles Fordyke, Sylvester E. and William Jennings. They are an interesting group of boys, and with their parents form a pleas- ant family circle. Mr. Vifquain moved to his present home in 1885. He owns the one hundred and sixty acres on which the home is situated, and his surroundings indicate his thrift and the attention he is giving to his pursuits. ROBERT J. DOBSON, deceased, a pio- neer of Seward county, Nebraska, and a gentleman who labored for the interests of his adopted land with more than usual zeal, was born in county Lathrom, Ireland, October 4, 1848. Mr. Dobson's parents, Parke and Ellen (Dobson) Dobson, were natives of Ireland and emigrated to the United States in 1861, settling in Rock Bluffs, Nebraska. They later moved to Ulysses, Nebraska, and en- gaged in farming. Their death occurred in the latter place. They were the parents of five sons and seven daughters. One son is now living at Ulysses, Nebraska; one at Thayer, Nebraska, and one in Cherry county, Nebraska. Our subject received his education in his native country and emigrated to the new world with his parents. He filled the posi- tion of fireman on the Union Pacific R. R. for three years and it was the wages thus earned which helped the family in their new western home. He was always ready to lend his influence toward the upbuildingof the western states. He assisted in driving the last spike in the great Union Pacific railroad system. He settled in Seward county, near the present village of Staplehurst, taking a preemption on the farm where he resided until his death and where the family are now living. Their first home on the claim was a dugout. In those early days when he began breaking the land, they were con- stantly on the watch for Indians and many^ times were forced to go into hiding to avoid them. During the first year ten acres were put under cultivation. Hard work doubled this the second year and thus the work was 1104 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. started toward the three hundred and twenty acres which he was operating^ at the time of his death. Mr. Dobson's marriage to Miss Anna Dowers occurred March 9, 1872. Mrs. Dobson was a native of Vermilion county, Ilhnois, and a daughter of Jacob and Kes- zar Dowers. Her father was a native of Ohio and her mother of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Dobson were the parents of five chil- dren; Victor E. ; Helena, now Mrs. Charles Feary; Robert L., Elmer and Ira. Mr. Dobson died October 2, 1897. He started life with limited resources, but hard work and honesty brought him rich reward. He had a pleasant home and many friends among the prominent citizens of the com- munity. Although he never took an active part in politics Mr. Dobson cast his vote with the Republicans. WILLIAM FIELD, whose home is in section 34, precinct D, Seward coun- ty, belongs to that large and growing class of intelligent and enterprising farmers who have written their names deep on the face of the fertile soil of Nebraska. Their homes are centers of social and mental com- fort and development, and their work in improving and redeeming the wilderness is a credit to themselves and to the commun- ity. His estate is adorned by a substantial residence, ample farm buildings and is thickest with trees and other adornments that make it a beautiful prairie home. Mr. Field was born in Scott county, Illinois, September 14, 1S44, 3-nd is a son of John L. and Ellen (Nelson) Field. They were both of English origin, and were early settlers of Pike count)'. Later on they moved to Scott county, and still later to Lo- gan county, where the husband and father died. The widow is still living, and is an inmate of the home of the subject of this article. She has reached her seventy-eighth 3'ear and is still active and interested in the world around her. She was the mother of two children, William and a daughter, Sophia Jane, the wife of J. J. Hubbell, of Glenwood, Iowa. William grew up in Illi- nois, and as his father died when he was quite young, there was but little opportunity for schooling. There was much work to be done, and he early bent his shoulders to the burden. He was reared a farmer, and when he was fourteen years old worked as a hired hand on an Illinois farm. When he was twenty he rented land, and managed a farm for himself. He was married Septem- ber 3, 1865. to Miss Eliza Jackman, a daughter of William and Sarah (Wilson) Jackman, and settled in Illinois until locat- ing on his present farm April 14, 1869. It was then all wild, and there were but a few settlers along Lincoln creek. The nearest railroad station was Nebraska City, and Seward was only a foreshadow of what it has since become. It had a store, a postoffice, and a blacksmith shop. Indians passed through the country freely, and it was open wilderness abounding in every sort of wild game ever found in the range. The Fields lived in a log house with a dirt roof, and shared in the delights and discomforts of pioneer life. Mr. Field broke eighty acres and put in a little over half of it the first year to sod corn. He had twenty-five bushels to the acre, and sold what he could spare at a dollar a bushel. The same year he put up a hewed-log house, i6.\20, fin- ished like a frame building. In 1870 he had a wheat harvest, but secured only seven bushels to the acres. He has lived on this place to the present time, and while he has known all the ups and downs of a settler's career, taking all things together he has made a steady progress. He brought two good teams with him and about seven hundred dollars in money, and to-day owns seven hundred and twenty acres, highly im- proved and fitted with, all the modern ma- > d 5 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 11U7 chinery for doing the best work at the least expense. He also owns two hundred acres in LaMar county, Texas, half of which is in cultivation, and the other half in timber. He regards farming as a profession, and de- votes all his thought and energy to it. He has made all the improvements on his home farm, and, takes a justifiable pride in its fine appearance. Mr. and Mrs. Field are the parents of five children, of whom the oldest, Sarah Ellen, is the wife of Albert Campbell, of Tamora, Nebraska, and is herself the mother of three children. Myrtle, Myron and George. Their second daughter, Annie E., Mrs. J. E. Larkin, lives at Long Branch, Washing- ton, and is the mother of three children, William, Roscoe and Olive. A son, Will- iam T., was married to Miss Flora Miner, and lives in Gilroy, California. George N. and Charlie, the two younger sons, are still at home. Mr. Fields is not very actively interested in politics, taking mostly an in- dependent position. He was treasurer of district 44 for seven years, and is a popular man at home. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Field will be found on another page of this work. CHARLES SMRHA, the present efficient postmaster of Milligan, Fillmore coun- ty, Nebraska, has been a resident of the county for the past sixteen years, having located in the village of Exeter immediately upon his arrival in this country. Mr. Smrha is a native of Bohemia, and was born November 19, 1849. His par- ents, Albert and Barbara (Vorisek) Smrha, were natives of Bohemia, as were also their twelve children, eight of whom are now liv- ing. The subject of this sketch is the only one of this family that ventured to the new world. Charles Smrha was reared and educated in his native land, where he learned the 63 trade of harness making. He was united in the bonds of wedlock with Miss Cath- erine Stulik, in November, 1873. Mrs. Smrha is a Bohemian by birth, and to this marriage six children have been born, as follows: Paulina, Charles, Jr., Benjamin, Anna, Mary, and Albert. Paulina graduated from the Geneva high school and has since been teaching in the Milligan public school. Charles, Jr., attended the schools in Exeter and Geneva and also the Lincoln Normal. He taught school two terms, and in 1898 was appointed deputy of County Judge Skepton, which office he held three months, then enlisted in the First Nebraska Volun- teer Infantry, now in Manila, where he is at the present time (April, 1899) working at the headquarters of General McArthur. Benjamin attended school in Exeter and Geneva and has taught school two terms. Anna graduated from the Milligan high school and has also taught two terms. Mary has attended the Institute for the Deaf and Dumb at Omaha for eight years. Four children in this intelligent family are teachers by profession. When our subject first came to America in 1883, he located in Exeter, Nebraska, and established an extensive harness, mak- ing business, which he conducted with profit. He succeeded in educating his children to a high degree, and placing then;i in position to provide for themselves should it be necessary at any time in life to rely upon it. Mr. Smrha has always taken a great interest in the advancement of higher education in his adopted county, and has always given his support by word and act to enterprises and undertakings of this nature. In 1899 he was appointed postmaster of Milligan, which position he fills with effi- ciency and satisfaction to the people. He is a member in good standing of the A. O. U. W. and Z. C. B. J., also a member of the order of Turners of Milligan. No man in 1108 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. Fillmore county, is more highly respected, nor more deserving of the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. CAPTAIN FREDERICK C. BENNETT, a well-known and highly respected citi- zen of Fairmont, Fillmore county, Ne- braska, was born in Windham county, Connecticut, May 23, 1832, a son of Ephraim and Artil M. (Morgan) Bennett, also natives of the Nutmeg state. The paternal grandfather, Stephen Bennett, a native of England, came to America about 1775 and located at Stonington, Connecti- cut. During the Revolutionary war he en- tered the Colonial army, and was in the service for seven years. He was with the troops during the memorable winter at Val- ley Forge, and participated in many of the important battles of the war, but fortu- . nately escaped with only a slight flesh wound across the breast. He married Louisa Johnson, a native of Connecticut, and to them were born five sons, namely: Grafton, Stephen, John, Ephraim and Dan- iel, all of whom lived and died in Con- necticut, and were agriculturists by occupa- tion, as was also their father. Ephraim, the father of our subject, died in 185 1, the mother in 1873. In their family were five children, three sons and two daughters. Frederick C. Bennett was reared and educated in his native state and for some years followed various occupations, princi- pally manufacturing and farming. On leav- ing Connecticut in 1875, he came to Fill- more county, Nebraska, and bought a tract of railroad land in West Blue township, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his energies for some years with marked success. Later he followed thresh- ing throughout the county for some years. In Berkshire county, Massachusetts, Mr. Bennett was married, in 1852, to Miss Phebe A. Hadsell, a native of that state and a daughter of Moses and Elvira (Taft) Hadsell. Her father was born in Con- necticut in 1 801, her mother in Massachu- setts in 1802, and their entire married life was passed as farming people in Massachu- setts. To Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have been born eleven children, namely: Carrie A., wife of W. E. Smith; Moses H. ; Frank J.; Fannie M., wife of E. Curtiss; Sarah A., wife of S. Stines; Frederick A.; Ella L. , wife of J. H. Waring; Vira L. , at home; May T., wife of E. L. Brewer; Robert L. ; and Lottie E. All of the daughters have been teachers in the schools of this state, and were very successful. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are earnest and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and so- cially he is a Mason. In politics he is in- dependent, voting for the men whom he believes are best qualified to fill the office regardless of party ties. JC. KINGSLEY, deceased, who, dur- ing all of his residence in York county, contributed much to its financial interests, was born in Indiana in 1839, the son of a farmer. His parents settled in that state during the pioneer days, when agricultural success was attained only through struggles of which the present generation knows little. They made for themselves a com- fortable home and remained in Indiana dur- ing their life. Mr. Kingsley was reared a farmer and while yet a young man moved to Illinois and engaged in that pursuit in Marshall county. He soon became prominent in his com- munity and was elected clerk of the county. He successfully filled this office and was continued in the same capacity for nine suc- cessive years. From Marshall county he moved to Peoria, Illinois, and for a short time engaged in the marble trade. Having decided to again turn his attention to farm- ing, he purchased a large tract of land in COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. 1109 York county, Nebraska, and in 1883 estab- lished his home. He became interested in the First National Bank of York and was its vice-president at the time of his death. He extended his financial interests and en- gaged to some extent in the real estate and loan business. At the outbreak of the Civil war Mr. Kingsley responded to his country's call and in 1 861 enlisted in a company of Illinois Volunteers. He was in many battles dur- ing his four years' service and accompanied Sherman on his famous march to the sea. During his army life he received a sunstroke. Although he enlisted a private soldier his faithful attention to his military duties raised him in rank, and when mustered out of the service he was captain of his com- pany. Mr. Kingsley was united in marriage in i860, with Mary Bell, a resident of Illinois, To this union were born seven children, four of whom are now living. Mr. Kingsley's second marriage was in 1885 to Fannie Leavett, a daughter of Anthony Leavett, a native of Massachusetts. Mrs. Kingsley, at the time of her marriage, was a resident of Henry county, Illinois. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Kings- ley, a daughter, upon whom they bestowed the name of Helen L. Mr. Kingsley was an honored member of the Masonic fraternity, also the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, and an exemp- lary member of the Presbyterian church. He was a prominent political worker and ad- vocated Republican principles. His success was due to his energy, his natural ability and his integrity. HON. JOHN B. STEWARD, a citizen of York county, Nebraska, and one closely identified with the interests of his communit} from its early days, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, April 14, 1850. His present home is in Morton township, near Benedict. Mr. Steward's parents were Isaac and Hannah (Urey) Steward, natives of Penn- sylvania. His grandfather Steward was English by birth. His grandfather Urey emigrated from Germany. Isaac Steward is a carpenter and cabinetmaker and fol- lowed this occupation in Pennsylvania until 1870, when he moved to Iowa. In 1873 he located in York county, Nebraska, and in 1896 removed to California, where, at the age of eighty-three, he follows his trade. He is an ex-soldier of the Civil war, enlist- ing in Pennsylvania in 1864. Hannah Steward, the mother, died in California. Our subject was one of five children and has one brother and two sisters still living. He received his education in Pennsylvania, and for a short time followed farming in that state. In 1869 he started west, intend- ing to homestead land in Iowa, but upon reaching there was employed on a farm. In the spring of 1873 he again started west- ward, and, March 8; entered a homestead claim on section 2, Morton township, in York county, Nebraska. He went over- land from Iowa to his new home, crossing the Missouri river on the ice. His first house was a sod house, which afterward burned and was replaced by a model frame dwelling. Mr. Steward followed general farming and stock raising and is now the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of highly improved land. He was awarded a medal at the Columbian Exposition for the best wheat raised in Nebraska, one of six medals awarded in the state. Our subject is a free-silver Republican and a prominent man in political circles. He represented his district in the general assembly of 1891 and was a member of the world's fair commission from Nebraska. He has been elected to several county offices and is at present town clerk. Mr. Steward is one of the public-spirited men of his adopted state 1110 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. and has great faith in the future of Nebraska and York county. In 1869 our subject was married to Miss Mary Meads. Mrs. Steward died in 1877. She was the mother of three children: Eva, Clyde and Laura. The son is the only one now living. Mr. Steward's second marriage was in 1878, to Mrs. Maggie Call Babo, a resident of Iowa, although Indiana was her native home. Four children have blessed this union: Bertha E., now Mrs. Henry Segmore; Dora P.; Etta; and Mor- ris E. They family are members of the United Brethren church. Mr. Steward is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity and also the Ancient Order of United Workmen. WILLIAM H. BOSSERMAN, the well- known and efficient postmaster of Grafton, and an honored veteran of the Civil war, has been an important factor in the business affairs of the place for several years and since 1886 has conducted a fur- niture store. He has made good use of his opportunities in life, has conducted all busi- ness matters carefully and systematically, and in all his acts displays an aptitude for successful management. Mr. Bosserman was born in Licking county, Ohio, November 19, 1842, a son of Samuel and Paulina (Ewing) Bosserman, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Michael Bosserman, a Pennsylvania Dun- kard, removed to Ohio at an early day, and died in Perry county, that state. The father continued a resident of Ohio until 1852, when he removed to De Witt county, Illi- nois, and there spent the remainder of his life. He was a tanner by trade, and fol- lowed that occupation in connection with farming, and he also served as postmaster at De Witt, Illinois, for some time. In his family were eight children, four sons and four daughters, of whom our subject and one sister are living in Fillmore county, Nebraska. The father died in 18 — , the mother in 1863, honored and respected by all who knew them. The education of our subject was mostly acquired in the public schools of Illinois, in which state he grew to manhood. He was about to enter the Normal University at Bloomington, Illinois, when the Civil war broke out, but feeling that his country needed his services he laid aside all personal interests and enlisted, August 15, 1862, in Company B, One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, at Clinton, De- witt county, Illinois. The first engagement in which he participated was with Morgan in Kentucky, and after some time spent in- that state, crossed the line into Tennessee. After taking part in the siege of Knoxville, his command joined Sherman's army, and were later in the fights at Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Burnt Hickory, Big Shanty, Kene- saw Mountain and Peach Tree Creek. Then followed a number of engagements around Atlanta, the siege of that city, and the battle of Jonesboro, after which the army returned to Tennessee and participated in the battles of Columbia, Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee. They were then sent via Cincinnati to Washington, District of Columbia, and on to Fort Fisher, North Carolina. They took part in the engage- ment at Fort Saunders, assisted in the cap^ ture of Wilmington, North Carolina, Kings- ton, and then marched across the state,' meeting Sherman's army at Goldsboro, where the armies of Sherman and Schofield passed in review before General Grant. After almost three years of arduous service, Mr. Bosserman was mustered out at Salis- bury, North Carolina, June 22, 1865, and returned to his home in De Witt county, Illinois, where he remained until 1868. That year Mr. Bosserman removed to- McLean county, Illinois, where the follow- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. nil ing two years were passed, and for the same length of time he made his home in Taze- well county, that state. It was in 1871 that he came to Fillmore county, Nebraska, and homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 20, West Blue township. Upon this wild tract he erected a' small frame house, the lumber for which he bought in Crete, and then turned his attention to breaking and cultivating the land, which he soon transformed into productive and fertile fields. After six years spent upon his farm, he removed to Grafton, which was just starting, and for about four years he worked at th6 carpenter's trade. During the fol- lowing ten years he was principally en- gaged in buying and shipping grain, and was later interested in the lumber trade un- til 1897, when he was appointed postmaster by President McKinley, and that office he still continues to fill to the entire satisfac- tion of all concerned. Since 1886 he has also conducted a furniture and undertaking store, and by fair and honorable dealing has built up an excellent trade in that line. On the 20th of February, 1868, Mr. Bosserman married Miss Lettie M. Marsh, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Forseman) Marsh. Four sons have been born of this union: Charles C, who is now engaged in teaching school in Fillmore county; John A., who is engaged in the undertaking business with his father; William E., a druggist of Grafton; and Harry E., who is still attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Bosserman both hold mem- bership in the Congregational church, and he is also a member of the Masonic fra- ternity and James Shields Post, No. 33, Grand Army of the Republic. His political support is always given the men and meas- ures of the Republican party, and he as- sisted in its organization in the county. He has filled the office of justice of the peace for four years, has been township treasurer two terms, and his public and private life are alike above reproach. His various offi- cial duties have been discharged with a promptness and fidelity worthy of all com- mendation. He is emphatically a man of enterprise, positive character, indomitable energy, strict integrity and liberal views, and is thoroughly identified in feeling with the growth and prosperity of the county. ISAAC J. FARLEY, deceased, a man of man of whom it might well be said "He prospered, because of his industry, supple- mented by his genuine integrity," was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, August 14, 1847. His home was in Thayer town- ship, in York county, near the village of Thayer, Nebraska. Our subject's parents, John and Emily (Reader) Farley, were natives of Pennsyl- vania. They contented themselves in their rural home in that state and never moved to any other portion of the country. They were the parents of eight children, six daughters and two sons. Our subject was the youngest child. Mr. Farley received a liberal education in Pennsylvania and for some years followed school-teaching. He also turned his atten- tion to agriculture and finding his inclina- tions favored the latter pursuit, decided to move westward and settle on a farm. He purchased eighty acres of unimproved rail- road land in York county and on it erected a small frame house. A larger residence has taken the place of the original house and is a comfortable home in every particu- lar. Mr. Farley added a quarter-section to his first purchase and the entire tract was under cultivation and highly improved at the time of his death. Our subject was united in marriage Oc- tober, 1875, with Miss Anna C. Sidler, a daughter of John and Catherine Sidler, na- tives of Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Farley were born six children: Catherine 1112 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. L. ; Samuel J., deceased; Christian C. ; Hattie E. ; Edgar and Isaac W. The family united with the Lutheran church, and Mr. Farley died February, 1895, an exemplary member of that denom- ination. He was a man of honor and com- manded the respect of the community in which he lived. Mr. Farley's political views were Democratic. JB. CORY, an enterprising and prosper- ous agriculturist, residing on section 18, West Blue township, has been promi- nently identified with the farming interests of Fillmore county since pioneer days, and is one of those men who, while promoting his own individual interests, has not been unmindful of those round about him and has done all in his power to advance the public welfare. Mr. Cory was born in Wyoming county. New York, August 11, 1839, and is a son of Sanford and Ruth (Butler) Cory, also natives of the Empire state. The former, who was left fatherless during his child- hood, was reared in New York, and there followed farming until accidentally killed by a falling tree when about forty years of age. The mother's death occurred in Crete, Ne- braska. To this worthy couple were born four sons and five daughters. Two of the family are now residents of this state. J. B. Cory is indebted to the public schools of New York state for his educational privileges, and early in life he became fa- miliar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist, so that he is now one of the most thorough and competent farmers of his community. In his native state he followed his chosen calling until the fall of 1 86 1, when he offered his services to the government to assist in put- ting down the rebellion, enlisting in Com- pany G, Ninth New York Cavalry. He was in the service for three years and nine j months and participated in the battles of Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Cedar Creek, Sperryville, Second Bull Run, Cedar Mount- ain, Brandy Station, Five Forks, Appo- mattox Court House, besides a number of other engagements and skirmishes in the Shenandoah valley. Near Old Church, Vir- ginia, he was wounded in the side, and also received a slight wound on the head. At the close of the war he was mustered out at Alexandria, Virginia, and returned to his home in New York with a war record in which he may take a just pride. On leaving the east in 1866, Mr. Cory removed to Benton county, Iowa, where he made his home for six years, and in 1872 came to Fillmore county, Nebraska, and took up a homestead and also a timber claim. After the erection of a small frame house, into which he moved, he turned his attention to the cultivation of his land. Soon acre after acre was placed under the plow, and he now has an excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres, improved with good and substantial buildings. In 1874 the grasshoppers destroyed all his crops with the exception of the wheat, and al- though he has had other hardships with which to contend, he has, through his in- dustry, perseverance and good management, become quite well-to-do. In York county, Nebraska, in 1881, Mr. Cory wedded Miss Nancy Sloniger, who was born in Ohio, and is one of a family of eleven children born to Oliver and Cather- ine (Norton) Sloniger, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. Two children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cory, viz: Clara, born April 30, 1882, died in 1893; and Perry N., born August 13, 1884. Mrs. Cory is a member of the Congregational church of Grafton, and our subject is connected with the Grand Army post at that place. He casts his bal- lot with the Republican party, but has nev- er sought nor desired the honors or emolu- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 1113 ments of public office. He is a man of strong and earnest convictions, is honorable and upright in the daily walks of life, and fully deserves the reputation he has won of being in every respect a good citizen. JOSEPH SMITH CHAMBERLAIN, a prominent farmer and early settler of Butler county, Nebraska, was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, July 30, 1849. His home is located on section 24, Union township, near the village of Gar- rison, Nebraska. Christopher K. Chamberlain, the father of our subject, was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, December, 18 16. Dur- ing his early life he was engaged in the wire mills in South Easton, Pennsylvania, where he helped make the first Atlantic cable. Christopher K.'s father, Samuel Chamber- lain, came from Scotland in the early days with his two brothers, and settled in New Jersey. Our subject's mother, Jemima Smith, was a daughter of Joseph and Eliza- beth Smith, of New Jersey. Christopher K. Chamberlain and Jemima Smith were mar- ried in New Jersey in 1837. They have three sons and five daughters now living: Samuel and Daniel in South Easton, Penn- sylvania; Joseph, in Butler county, Ne- braska; Emeline in Hayes Center, Nebraska; and Sarah, Anna, Alice and Irene, in El Reno, Oklahoma Territory. Our subject's father moved with his family in March, 1869, to Muscatine, Iowa, where they re- mained fourteen months. They then re- moved to Butler county, Nebraska, reaching Schuyler by rail, thence overland to their new home. Their first residence was the sod house of O. J. Hillman, Emeline's hus- band, who had located there the spring be- fore. Our subject homesteaded the north half of the northeast quarter of section 24 and on it, in conformity with the homestead laws, soon after built him a house. It was a sod house and was afterwards used for a school house and in it the first school in this district was taught. Our subject's father homesteaded the south half of the same quarter-section. In October, 1880, Mr. Chamberlain was married to Nancy R. Spurgin, of Iowa, a daughter of Abraham and Hannah (Hobson) Spurgin. Abraham Spurgin was a native of Tennessee and his father was a merchant, formerly from North Carolina. Hannah Hobson was born in Indiana and married Abraham Spurgin in Henry county, Iowa. Her husband engaged in farming in Henry county, and later in Hardin county, and it was in the latter county Mrs. Chamberlain was born. She received her education in her native state, afterward going to Ne- braska as a teacher in the district of which Mr. Chamberlain's father was one of the school directors. Her sister, Minerva E. Spurgin, is also a teacher and i^ at present engaged in Schuyler, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain are the parents of two children, Winifred H. and Lawrence S. Their present home, built on the site of the original sod house, is one of comfort and refinement. Both our subject and his wife are prominent in educational and liter- ary circles and are members of the Garrifon High School Library Board. They are con- stant readers of the best literature of the day and earnest workers in the interest of social reforms. They are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Chamberlain was one of the organizers of the Garrison Cemetery Association and is its treasurer. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. JOSEPH CARNEY is a prosperous and honored citizen of Fillmore county, Ne- braska, who has for over a quarter of a century successfully engaged in agricultural 1114 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. pursuits on section 32, West Blue township. He commenced life for himself in limited circumstances, but being a man of sound judgment and good business ability, he has met with well-deserved success, and is now the possessor of a fine farm and comfortable competence. Mr. Carney was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, November 7, 1832, and is a son of Samuel and Susan (Stuckey) Carney, also natives of that state. The paternal grandfather, Joseph Carney, was also born in Pennsylvania, where he spent his entire life, but the maternal grandfather, Simon Stuckey, was a native of Virginia, though he became a resident of the Keystone state and there died. The parents of our subject also departed this life in Pennsylvania, the father dying in 1885, the mother in 1882. The former was a blacksmith by trade but during the greater part of his life engaged in farm- ing. He had eight children, seven sons and one daughter, of whom four sons are now living in Nebraska, and all are following farming with the exception of one, who is engaged in the hardware business in Sutton. During his boyhood and youth, Joseph Carney obtained an excellent knowledge of all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist and also received a fair public- school education. On starting out in life for himself, he chose the occupation to which he had been reared. During the Civil war, he enlisted in July, 1863, in the Penn- sylvania State Militia, for three months, but saw no active service. In December of that year he removed to Knox county, Illi- nois, where he made his home for nine years, and in March, 1872, came to Fillmore coun- ty, Nebraska, taking up a homestead on section 32, West Blue township. His first home here was a small frame house, in which he and his family lived while he con- verted the wild land into highly cultivated fields. By subsequent purchase he has add- ed to his farm until now he has four hun- dred acres of valuable land, making it one of the best and most desirable places of the township. In connection with general farm- ing he is also engaged in stock raising, and so successful has he been that he has never had occasion to regret his removal to this state. In Knox county, Illinois, Mr. Carney was married, in 1869, to Miss Mary Mills, a native of Maryland, and a daughter of William and Mary Mills, and of this this union four children have born, namely: William L. , Margaret V., Mary A. and Susie M., all li\ing. Mr. Carney and his family hold membership in the Congrega- tional church in Grafton and occupy an enviable position in the best social cir- cles of their community. Socially he affiliates with the Knights of Pythias and politically is identified with the Populist party. Upright, reliable and honorable, his strict adherence to principle commands the respect of all. FERDINAND FREDERICK FRANZ PLAMBECK, one of Milligan, Ne- braska's, prominent business men, is a na- tive of Germany, having been born in Eck- ernfoerde, Schleswig, Holstein, Germany, December 5, 1865. He was the son of Claus Joachim and Christina (Couscherung) Plambeck. His father is a man of wealth living in retirement in Germany, aged eighty-two years. Mr. Plambeck's brother, Chris, is a very wealthy dry-goods merchant of Germany and his sister married a very prominent business man, who belongs to one of the aristocratic German families. Our subject's mother died many years ago in her native land. Our subject is the only one of the family who ventured to America. Mr. Plambeck was educated in the pub- lic schools of his native land and also com- pleted a gymnasium course at the age of sixteen years. He made a tour of the COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 1115 European countries and held high positions in his own land, working part of the time for his father. In 1890 he emigrated to America and landed May ist. He came to this country in company with a family whom he aided financially, and immediately upon his arrival he was compelled to seek em- ployment. He proceeded to Iowa and from Crawford county he removed to West Point, Nebraska, and was employed as a helper in a butcher shop. Later a friend from his native country used his influence in estab- lishing him with a wholesale house in Om- aha, Nebraska, and he was their repre- sentative for some time. His honest deal- ings won him the respect of business men and he is now established in a hotel in Mil- ligan and is one of the substantial business men of his county. In 1888 Mr. Plambeck was married to Miss Anna Vurhring, who was born in Freidrichstadt in 1869. She died in 1889 and it was on account of his bereavement that Mr. Plambeck decided to come to the United States. Mr. Plambeck was married a second time, October 24, 1894, this time to Miss Mamie Chase, a daughter of Welch and Sarah (McLaughlin) Chase, who moved from Ohio and took a homestead in Saline county, upon which they are now living. Mrs. Plambeck is an ardent worker for the cause of temperance. She has two sisters living in Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Plam- beck are the parents of two children, Ev- erett and Frank. Mr. Plambeck is a stanch Republican and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. RICHARD J. COOK, one of the early settlers and a widely known and hon- ored citizen of Butler county, Nebraska, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, Novem- ber 18, 1827. His present home is on sec- tion 32, in Center township, near Garrison. Our subject's grandfather was a native of Maryland, but in an early day settled in Ohio, where John Cook, the father of our subject, was born. The son followed his father's occupation, that of farming, and was married to Hattie Halloway, a daugh- ter of Armel Showell Halloway, of Mary- land. Richard J. Cook was the oldest child and had three brothers and four sisters. One brother, Armel Cook, lived and died in Knox county, Illinois; one brother is now living at Hillsdale, Illinois; of the sisters, Ann Meredith married Jefferson Wright and settled in Oregon; Sarah Ellen married Harvey Onderkirk and lives in Knox coun- ty, Illinois, as does also the sister, Nancy J. Potts; Derinda E. Elwell lives near Ottawa, Kansas. Our subject was reared in his native state and county, and during his twenty-first year moved with his parents to Illinois, settling in Knox county, about fifteen miles southeast of Galesburg. Here Mr. Cook was married in 1852, to Nancy Godfrey, a daughter of Enoch Godfrey, a native of Maryland, who emigrated to Ohio when a young boy, afterward going to Knox county, Illinois, in 1833. Mrs. Cook has two sisters and one brother, all of whom are living in Nebraska; John W. Godfrey, living in Syra- cuse; Caroline Sharp, in Boyd county, and Elizabeth Simpkins, in Butler county. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are the parents of nine chil- dren, born in Illinois, and are named as fol- lows: Benjamin A., Mary Elizabeth, RufusB., Charles M., Hattie M., Rhoda B., Owen D., Thomas M. and Hettie. Benjamin A. Cook lives in Illinois and has a son, Fred A., and a daughter, Kittie. Mary Elizabeth Henderson lives in Polk county, Nebraska, and has four children, Lula, Frank, Albert and Elsie. Rufus B. Cook is in Garrison, Nebraska, and has five children, Effie, Myrl, Clyde, Nina and Laura. Charles M. Cook is in David City, 1116 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHT. Nebraska, and has two children, Clem K. and Fay. Hattie M. Roberts is living in Butler county, and is the mother of three children, Charles A., Katie and Jackson G. Rhoda B. Beeson has settled m Indian Ter- ritory and is the mother of six children, Florence, Francis, Rufus, Arnold, Frank and Katie. Three children remain with their parents at home, Owen D., Thomas M. and Hettie. Mr. Cook is a man of sterling qualities and highly esteemed in the county in which he lives. He is well informed and strong in his political convictions, and, although formerly a Democrat, he now affiliates with the Populists. HENRY C. LANGHORST, a pioneer settler of Fillmore county, Nebraska, and a representative citizen of his state and county, from the early days, was a German by birth. He was born March 30, 1845, i" Furstentown, Scharmer of Libba, Germany. His present home is on section i, of Frank- lin township, near Ohiowa, Fillmore county, Nebraska. Mr. Langhorst's parents were Christo- pher and Mary (Wilkoenig) Langhorst, both of Germany and died in their native coun- try. They were the parents of four chil- dred: Hans, Cindleman, Marie and Henry C. Mr. Langhorst received his education in the public schools in Germany. He en- gaged in farming for a time in his native land. August 3, 1861, he started to seek his fortune and the New World was his choice. He arrived in New York city, Oc- tober 12, 1 86 1. He started west, stopping in Chicago, where he was employed as a laborer and machinist. In February, 1870, he started for Nebraska and entered his homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres, in Franklin township, Fillmore coun- ty, March 17, 1870. His first home on the Nebraska frontier was a sod-house, and a yoke of oxen served him in cultivating his. land. He was employed most of three years in the railroad shops in Nebraska City, and thus provided for his family, who re- mained on the farm, during the perfecting of the homestead claim. He now owns three hundred and twenty acres in Franklin township and his home is nicely located on the half-section in the northeast corner of the township. His finely improved farm of the present day shows little evidence of the struggles of those early days and affords un- usual comforts for a country home. It is attractive in every particular and Mr. Lang- horst has given his personal attention to the arrangement of its groves, orchards, vine- yards and all improvements. In the early days their trading post was at Beatrice, Nebraska, forty miles from his homestead, and Lincoln was the nearest railroad sta- tion. Mr. Langhorst has always been a strong advocate of Republican principles and has held several responsible public offices in the state and county. In 1895 he was elected to represent the thirty-seventh district of Nebraska in the twenty-fourth general assembly. His creditable public record won him the esteem of the entire community. Mr. Langhorst was married in Chicaga to Miss Angel Marie Sassan, a native of Germany, and a daughter of Fred and An- gel Marie Sassan. Mrs. Langhorst was edu- cated in her native land and emigrated to America with her parents and located in Chicago. She was confirmed in the Lu- theran church in Germany, as was also Mr. Langhorst. To them have been born seven children: Henry, Minnie, Caroline, John, William, Albert and Martha, all of whom are living in Fillmore county, Nebraska. Mrs. Langhorst died after a brief illness, July 12, 1884. Her remains rest in the Franklin county Lutheran cemetery. She is missed by all as a loving, devoted wife and mother, and a Christian lady. COMPENDIUM OF BJOGRAPHT. 1117 Mr. Langhorst is a highly esteemed citi- zen of his county and state and is contented with his home in the west. He came to the new world a poor boy, but his integrity and business capabilities have won him suc- cess, as a financier and a public-spirited citizen. THOMAS STEWARD, the first white settler in Thayer county, Nebraska, and an ex-soldier, was born in Ireland in 1822. His present home is on section i, in township 4, range 3, near Bruning, Ne- braska. Our subject's father, Robert Steward, died in Ireland, aged ninety-nine years. Thomas emigrated to America in 1840 and landed at New York, and soon afterward located in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, and worked on a farm for twelve dollars per month. Mr. Brown was his employer, and he afterward became Mr. Steward's father- in-law. He continued in his employ for six years, and after his marriage, in 1852, moved to Iowa. He purchased eighty acres of land and engaged in farming, until, in 1 86 1, he enlisted in Company A, Second Iowa Cavalry, under Captain Roberts. He immediately went to the front, and was en- gaged in many hotly contested battles, among them Nashville and luka, and in the latter made a bavonet charge. He was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea, and at the close of the war was in the grand review. He received his army pay and an honorable discharge, and was mus- tered out of the service at Davenport, Iowa. Soon after his return to his Iowa home, he sold his property and located in Nebraska. In 1871 he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres in Thayer county, and as they were the first white settlers in the county, they had many hardships to endure. They were many miles from a trading post, and Nebraska City wa^ the nearest railroad sta- tion. Fairmont, Lincoln and Beatrice were but villages. Mr. Steward went to the Blue river and chopped and hewed logs for a 12x12 house. This was their home for several years, but a frame dwelling now marks the spot where the white camp wagon stood, which sheltered the family for many months, until the small house could be built. Buffalo, elk and deer were fre- quenters of the locality, and Indians made life anything but pleasant. The home of to-day has little trace of those early strug- gles, and Mr. and Mrs. Steward are now living in retirement in their comfortable home. Their resources on arriving in Thayer county consisted of two teams, three cows and some household furniture, and to-day they own two hundred and forty acres of highly improved land, well stocked and under cultivation. Mr. Steward was married to Miss Lizzie Brown in 1852. Mrs. Steward was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, in 1824, where her parents died, her father at the age of sixty-four and mother at the age of fifty-five. To Mr. and Mrs. Steward were born seven children, three of whom are liv- ing: Robert, unmarried, who has traveled extensively; William, married and residing in Thayer county, Nebraska; and Mrs. Eliz- abeth Sutton. Her husband died several years ago and his remains rest in Burrows cemetery, Thayer county. Mrs. Sutton owns a fine farm in Thayer county. Mr. Steward is a Republican and cast his first presidential ballot for Fremont. The family are devoted Christians and highly es- teemed. JW. CHRISTIE, a rising attorney and business man of Exeter, Nebraska, was born in Ontario, Canada, June 4, 1855. His parents, Robert and Mariah (Boyd) Christie, were natives of Scotland and em- igrated to Canada in 1815, locating in. 1118 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. Ontario. His father was a merchant and also followed farming to some extent. He died in 1891 and the mother died in 1898. They were the parents of ten children. Our subject is the only one residing in Fill- more county. Mr. Christie received his education in the public schools of Ontario and engaged in farming there until 1882, when became to the United States and located in Fill- more county, Nebraska, seven miles south of E.xeter. He now has extensive farm lands in the county and engages in farmin to some extent, although his law practice claims the greater part of his time. In 1883 Mr. Christie began reading law under Attorney John P. Maube, of Lincoln, Ne- braska, and in 1895 was admitted to prac- tice in both the supreme and federal courts. The same year he began his prac- tice in Exeter and has prospered in his chosen profession. He is well known in his county and his name stands for equity and justice. For four years he was justice of the peace, having been elected to that office in 1892. Mr. Christie was married in 1880 to Miss Mary M. Kelly, of DeWitt, Iowa. Five ■ children have blessed their home, namely: Laura, Louise, Robert, Thomas, and Marie. Mr. Christie is a gold Democrat. LF. PARDUE, a very proficient archi- tect and building contractor of Geneva, Nebraska, who has planned and constructed some of the finest buildings in Fillmore county, was born in Lawrenceburgh, Indi- ana, January 13, 1847. Our subject is the son of Anthony and Rhoda (Greenham) Pardue. His father was a native of Cayuga county. New York. His mother emigrated to America when ■eleven years of age. She was the mother of thirteen children: Elizabeth; Myron died two years ago; Alice, living in Chicago; Mary; Albert died three years ago; Har- riett; L. F. , our subject; Wesley died in infancy; Hattie; Jennie; Carrie; Ida; Isa- bella died when one year of age. The fam- ily have exceptional musical talent. The father was a musician and Myron was cornet player in the war. Albert also served in the Civil war. The father died in Geneva, Nebraska, in 1889, aged eighty-two years, and the mother died in Bureau county, Illi- nois, in 1869, aged fifty-eight years. Mr. Pardue's brothers and sisters have pleasant family surroundings and are comfortably lo- cated. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Indiana and in 1872, graduated from the Chicago Conservatory of Music. He followed music teaching until 1877, when he began the study of architecture. He soon put his profession to practical use and, after spending one winter in Iowa, went to Nebraska in 1879, to engage in con- tracting and building. He had but fifty cents when he located in Nebraska, in July, 1879, but within a year was able to pur- chase one hundred and sixty acres of land, paying for the same nine hundred dollars. He cultivated his land and also spent part of his time at his trade, and in 188 1, he added eighty acres to his possession at a cost of four hundred and seventy-five dol- lars. On the land of his second purchase he erected his residence. In 1883 he added another one hundred and sixty acres, pay- ing for the same one thousand five hundred dollars, and later purchased one hundred and sixt> acres north of his present home. His interests have become varied since lo- cating in Nebraska and he has prospered. In Geneva he has a large livery barn and owns eighty acres near Strang, Nebraska. He has spared no little time on his resi- dence property in Geneva and has a model home in every particular. Public buildings as well as private resi- COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 1119 dences have claimed Mr. Pardue's finest work. He has planned and supervised the construction of the court house in Geneva, the hotel and the Geneva high school. He is now giving his attention to the building of elevators and averages ten per year. He has constructed eight for one owner and during the past winter has built two. December 12, 1878, our subject was mar- ried to Miss Mattie Bradley. Mrs. Pardue was born in 1864, the daughter of John M. and E. E. (Thompson) Bradley. Her fa- ther died in 1890, aged seventy-two years, and his remains rest in the Geneva ceme- tery. He was a native of Vermont. Her mother, at the age of sixty-nine, has her home with Mr. and Mrs. Pardue. She was born in Montgomery county, New York, and was the mother of three children, all living: Fred E., Burt, and Mattie F. , wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Pardue have been blessed with three children, two of whom are living. Ralph, nineteen years of age, has the management of his father's livery business in Geneva. He is an industrious young man of exceptional ability and is destined to become one of Nebraska's influ- ential men. Fay, aged seventeen, is a highly accomplished young lady. Both she and her brother Ralph are graduates of the Geneva high school. The family have a host of friends in Fillmore county and their cultured manners and upright dealings have won them the respect of all. Mr. Pardue is a Republican and stands stanchly for the- principles of his party. .'^ -■>^-. (0 ^V Hi U/ \\S ^V( T itf >^v. 1 >.'^ 1904 B D 14 ^f-