Custer County, Nebraska - Founders and Builders, 1919 (part 13 of 32)

;\Ir. Burrow was married July 15, 1880, at Osceola, Iowa, to Helen Thomas, a daughter of Henry and Johanna ( De Marse) Thomas, and they became the parents of three daughters and two sons, as follows : Cora is the wife of Kearney G. Kellenbarger ; Dorris is the wife of William Hannah: Eum'ce became the wife of Claude James, who died November 20, 1918, and she passed to eternal rest only a few days later, her death having ocrurred on the 29th of November, 1918; and Henry and Homer, conduct their father's farming operations. The surviving daughters all have comfortable homes of their own. Mrs. Burrow is an excellent housekeeper and not only looks after her domestic af¥airs but also takes a great deal of interest in her poultrj' yard. The family attend the Methodist Epicopal and Lutheran churches. Mr. Burrow has always given his political support to the Democratic party, and he is affiliated with the Alodern Woodmen of America.

WILBER M. SPEER, was possessed of two teams and the sum of seven dollars and fifty cents at the time of his arrival in Custer county, in 1889 ; to-day he is one of the wellto-do men of his community and a citizen who at various times has been called upon to fill public offices. His rise has not been spectacular, but has been steady and consistent, for his success has been gained through hard and persistent industry and not through any sudden, lucky chance or circumstance.

Mr. Speer was born at Rutland, Dane county, Wisconsin, December 20, 1861, and is a son of John D. and Sarah J. (Lockwood) Speer, the fonner a native of Michigan and the latter of Vermont. The father, who was a blacksmith by trade, enlisted in the Union army in 1862, and not long after his entrance into the war he was wounded in battle, and after being captured by the enemy he contracted black measles, his death having occurred on the boat that was carrying him to a southern prison camp. He was but twentytwo years of age at this time, and Wilber M. was his only child. Mrs. Speer later married Amasa J. Parker, who was a farmer of the Rutland community, and there Mrs. Parker passed away. Mr. Parker now lives at Onaway, Iowa. They became the parents of six children, of whom four are living: Ida May, who married George Hook and lives at Whiting, Iowa ; Mary A., who married James Hook, of the same place; Evelyn, who married Charles Waterman and resides at Onawa, Iowa ; and Jay M., who is also residing at Whiting, and who is married and has a family.

Wilber M. Speer was educated in the public schools at Rutland, where he passed through the eighth grade, and at the age of sixteen years he started to learn the blacksmith trade, a predilection for which he had probably inherited from his father. He spent two years and three months as an apprentice, following which he worked at his trade about one year and he then engaged in railroad work, following that vocation for three years, during a part of which time he was employed on farms during the summer months. In 1889 he came to Custer county, with the small capital noted above, and shortly after his ai;- rival he traded one of his teams for a treeclaim right. His experiences during the early days were full of excitement, and he also had his full share of difficulties and discomforts, but eventually he got a start and began to make money. He continued to be engaged in farming until 1894, when he moved to the town of Wescott and engaged in the blacksmith business in an independent way. He continued the business until 1899, at which time his health failed and he was compelled to give up his trade. For one year he was in the livery business at Sargent, and then he moved to the Douglas Grove district, where he resided until 1911, having served in all the township and school offices within the intervening period. In 1911 he located at Comstock, where he has since been engaged in the blacksmith business, and he now has two large and well equipped establishments, in addition to which he is contemplating the erection in the near future of a garage and blacksmith shop, 50 by 100 feet, to be modern in every feature and department. He enjoys at present a large and prosperous trade, all of which has been attracted by his expert, expeditious, and reliable work.

Since coming to Comstock Mr. Speer has been prominently identified with civic matters, having served in the capacities of member of the village board and justice of the peace, and his public record is an honorable and creditable one. He is a member of the local lodge of Odd Fellows, and Mrs. Speer belongs to the Christian church. Mr. Speer is the owner of a farm of 176 acres, near Comstock, on which his son is now carrying on extensive and profitable agricultural and stock-raising operations. On this farm Mr. Speer, several years ago, was in the business of raising race horses, but he finally retired from that line of enterprise.

In 1879 Mr. Speer was united in marriage to Miss Edna C. Warner, at Paoli, Wisconsin, and they became the parents of one son : Joseph A., who graduated in all branches from the public schools at the age of seventeen years, and is now a traveling salesman with headquarters at Butte, Montana, and he is married. Mr. Speer's first wife died, and in May, 1883, he married Miss Katie M. Owens, at Rutland, Wisconsin. Her parents, natives of Wales, were early settlers of Wisconsin, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Speer have had six children : Cora, who died in November, 1916, was the wife of Clifford I. Roth, a farmer; Percy W., who is a farmer and blacksmith of Comstock, married Eva Wood ; Elza, who is a drayman at Comstock, married Leona (loodner; John E.. who is a farmer of Douglas Grove, married Alice Squier ; Frank E., who is a farmer near Comstock. married Sylvia Ohme : and Zella L. is the wife of Ira Rickett, a garage proprietor at Comstock.

CHARLES L. SMITH, of Broken Bow. has more than a local reputation as a shrewd stock-buyer, and has been a farmer and dealer in stock in this county for the last thirty years. Mr. Smith was bom at Covington, Virginia, June 11, 1866. His parents, who were also bom and who still live at Covington, are Josiah and Mary J. (Andrews) Smith. Of their nine children the following survive : Charles L., of this review ; Wright, a resident of Hot Springs, \'irginia ; and Elizabeth, the wife of George Smith.

Charles L. Smith lived at home with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, the while he worked on the farm in the summer and went to school in the winter until he was sixteen years old, when he went to vork in a saw mill, in connection with which he continued his labors two yeai's. He taught school during the winter of 1886 and in the spring of 1887, he came to Custer county and went to work for his uncle, Harvey B. Andrews, near New Helena. There he learned the cattle business, in which he has met with a large measure of success. Mr. Smith is credited with the possession of an almost uncanny amount of correct conjecture when he judges a load of cattle or hogs, and this wisdom has not only been helpful in his business but has also caused his friends to lielieve that it is a natural gift. In support of this theory, Mr. Smith tells the story of his earliest trading exploit. He was only a boy when he earned his first money, twenty-five cents a day for four days of plowing with an ox-team. In place of cash he consented to take oats at fifty cents a bushel, and he then traded the oats for a ])air of shoes worth twice as much. Without doubt the trading instinct is a gift that every dealer does not have.

Mr. Smith was married July 15, 1891, at Burwell, Nebraska, to Miss Rosa McGraw, a daughter of James and Frances (Walker) McGraw, and the following children have been born to them: \'^elma is the wife of W. E. Heaps, a farmer in Custer county, and they have three children ; Zelma, who resides at home, is pL teacher; Henrietta is the wife of Leroy Snyder, a railroad man, and they have one child; John is a Custer county farmer; and U'illiam E., Louanna, and Aubrey remain at the parental home. The family belong to the Episcopal church. Mr. Smith ii a Democrat in politics and is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Modern Woodmen of America.

LEWIS NEVE. - Tlie agricultural interests of Custer county have a worthy representative in the subject of this record, who owns and operates a valuable farm of 200 acres, on West Table.

Lewis Neve was bom in Juneau county, Wisconsin, September 3, 1873. His father, Samuel Neve, was a native of England and came to America when a boy of fourteen years. He became a farmer, and resided in \\'isconsin until 1883, when he came to Custer county and took a homestead on West Table, where he spent the remainder of his days, and where he passed away at the age of seventy-five years. In Wisconsin he married Roxy Ackers, a native of that state, and there she passed away. For his second wife Samuel Neve chose Miss Jane Drew, who is still a resident of Custer county.

Lewis Neve was a son by the first marriage and was reared in Wisconsin until the family came to Custer county, where he joined them in the fall of 1883. He remained in his father's home until he reached vears of maturity, when he became a fanner, renting land for a few years. He v.-as successful and acquired sufficient capital to justify the purchase of a farm of his own. His holdings consist of 200 acres, in section 27, township 18. range 23. and his land is in a high state of cultivation.

For a companion and helpmeet Mr. Neve chose Miss Laura Butler, who was born in Illinois, a daughter of Marion and Millarin Butler, who came to Custer county in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Neve have one child. Clarence, a young man who is assisting in the operation of the farm. Both Mr. and Mrs. Neve represent carlv families of Custer county and they are held in high esteem bv all who know them.

FRED C. WARNEMUNDE, who is manager of the Gilcrist Lumber Company, at Oconto. Nebraska, was born at Plau. Germany. March 13. 1891. a son of Fred C. and Ida (Sellman) Wamemunde. the father being a representative farmer near Winside,

Wayne county, Nebraska. Of the other children in the family the following brief record is consistently entered : William is thirtytwo years of age at the time of this writing, in the autumn of 1918 ; Ema, aged twenty-nine years, is the wife of O. Roland, of Hoskins, Wayne county; Antonie, aged twenty-tive years, is the wife of Fred Rathman, of Dalton, Cheyenne county ; Henry is nineteen years old ; and Erwin is a lad of fourteen years.

Fred C. Warnemunde is a somewhat recent acquisition to Custer county, coming here in 1915. He was reared in Wayne county and remained on his father's farm until he was nineteen years of age. Thus he understands all the industries connected with ranch life in Nebraska and he earned his first money by herding cattle. He has had excellent educational training and was graduated in the Fremont Business College, June 10, 1912, having earned the money to pay his tuition. After completing his business course he plowed corn for one week for his brother and then accepted work with the Nye, Schneider, Fowler Lumber & Grain Company, at Emmet, Nebraska. He continued with that concern until September 13, 1915, when he came to Oconto and became foreman for the F. H. Gilcnst Lumber Company. This is a large business concern that has lumber yards in fifteen towns in Nebraska and not only handles lumber but also machinery, and implements. Mr. Warnemunde is manager of the company's business at Oconto.

December 2, 191't, at Rushville. Nebraska, Mr. Warnemunde wedded Miss Olga M. Rohwer, a daughter of Claus Rohwer, and they have one son, Fred E.

JOSEPH D. KENNEDY, who is cashier of the Oconto State Bank, at Oconto, this county, has been identified with this financial institution since coming here, in 1910, and is held in high esteem in banking circles over the state. Mr. Kennedy was born at Osceola, Iowa, October 15, 1867, and is a son of Edwin R. Kennedy.

The Oconto State Bank was founded in 1903, with a capital of $5,000, the first officers being: M. F. Paul, of St. Paul, Nebraska, president : George Mary, vice-president ; and S. A. Robinson, cashier. Banking was carried on at first in a building which was the only available one at the time and the dimensions of which were sixteen by twenty-four feet. The banking company leased quarters here, but as it was also the court room of T. B. Buckner, justice of the peace, it was sometimes necessary for the bank to suspend business while the judge held court. In the following year, however, a bank building was erected, with dimensions of twenty- four by forty-two feet. As the bank became a flourishing institution, changes came about and greater expansion ensued, and on June 15, 1910, the bank was reorganized and the capital stock increased to $25,000, a paid in capital, with surplus of $5,000. The present bank ofiicials are: G. E. Stuckey, president; George Mary, vice-president ; Joseph D. Kennedy, cashier; and George Mary, Jr., assistant cashier. All deposits in this bank are protected by the depositors' guaranty fund of the state of Nebraska, there being a law which provides that deposits in the state banks of Nebraska shall be protected by the depositors' guaranty fund of the state of Nebraska, which fund the state of Nebraska shall levy and collect from the state banks of the state. This is called the Nebraska guaranty law. The bank at present is housed in a spacious new building that was erected in 1913. . It is of brick construction, with dimensions of twenty-four and one-half by fifty-eight feet, and with every modern comfort, convenience and bank appliance, its cost haying been $7,200. The old frame building, which was moved to the north side of the lot, was for a time used as a postoiifice building, and it is now utilized as the township hall.

EVENS BARRETT. - Among the successful farmers of Custer county is Evens Barrett, who was bom in Montgomery county, Iowa, September 14, 1872. Hi's father, Hercules Barrett, was born in England and when a young man came to the United States. In Jackson county, Iowa, Hercules Barrett married Miss Julia Kinsey, a native of that county. They later moved to Montgomery county, Iowa, where they resided until 1891, when they came to Custer county, Nebraska, and purchased the farm on which they spent their remaining days, the father having been one of Custer county's successful agriculturists and at his death having been the owner of 320 acres of land. They had a family of seven children: The eldest, Frank, is deceased ; John resides in Custer county; Evens is the subject of this record ; Hulda is the wife of James Butler, of Montana; Henry and Sylvester remain in Custer county ; and Susan is the wife of Carl Fitz, of this county.

and was nineteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to Custer county. When twenty-two years old he began an independent career. After working for others for three years he engaged in farming on his own account. Fourteen years ago he purchased his present farm, which at that time was but slightly improved, having a sod house, etc. To-day the place is improved with good buildings, and the air of neatness which per\'ades the premises bespeaks the progressive spirit of the owner.

Mr. Barrett chose for a wife and helpmeet Miss Anna Butler, who was bom in Illinois, a daughter of Martin and Anna (Huffman) Butler, early settlers of Custer county. Mr. and Mrs. Barrett have one child, a son named Lloyd, who assists in the operation of the farm, and who was registered for military service at the time when the great world war came to a close.

The family are members of the Christian church and in politics Mr. Barrett is a Republican. By diligence and progressive methods Mr. Barrett has made a success of agriculture and is one of the substantial men of his community.

JOHN T. BRIDGES, who is postmaster at Oconto, is a leading business man of this place and is one of Custer county's dependable and patriotic citizens. Mr. Bridges was born at Ramsey, Illinois, April 16, 1863. His parents were James I. and Sarah J. (Sturgeon) Bridges, and his maternal grandfather was Simpson Sturgeon. James I. Bridges was born near Louisville, Kentucky, and in later life removed to Illinois. Here he married Sarah J. Sturgeon and the following children were born to them: Mrs. Ellen Wear, William T., John T., Edward F., Mrs. Minnie Van Schick, Isaac T., Eugene H., and Mrs. Ida Smith.

John T. Bridges may justly be called a selfmade man. He left the parental roof when he was about twelve years old. and from that time on he provided for his own necessities and showed good judgment in making bargains with his employers, mostly farmers in his earlier career, as he was able to attend school in winter and even secured high-school training. He also learned the art of telegraphy, and in 1884 he worked as a telegrapher for the Clover Leaf Railroad, in Illinois. From 1888 to 1890 he was in the service of the Rock Island Railroad, in Kansas, and after telegraphic work at different points on the Black Hills branch of the Union Pacific Railroad, he was agent at Lodi, Nebraska, from

1892 to 1904, at the same time being postmaster for six years and also having charge of the local business of the Omaha Elevator & Grain Company. When he came to Custer county, in 1890, he bought 400 acres of land at Lodi. In 1904 he moved to Oconto and established his present hardware and furniture business, and since April, 1917, he has been postmaster. Mr. Bridges, although thrown upon his own resources in early boyhood, has proved a good business man, possessing perhaps a natural faculty in that direction, as is indicated by a little story he tells of the way he "turned over" his first earnings, when a little boy on the home farm. He worked at planting corn, for twenty-five cents a day, and when he had accumulated enough he bought a pocket knife, later trading the same for a goat, and he then traded the goat for two pigs, which he proudly, no doubt, carried in his arms a distance of three miles to his home. This amusing story illustrates the principle by which many a man has won affluence.

Mr. Bridges was married November 5, 1893, at Mexico, Missouri, to Miss Lena A. Farrah, who was bom at Rush Hill, that state, a daughter of William and Jane (Mofifit) Farrah, whose children were: Everett, William, Charles. Cora. Alice, Lena, and Lulu. Mr. and Mrs. Bridges have two children : Marie O., who is in school at Le Mars, Iowa : and John A., who has attended the St. James School at Kearney, Nebraska. Mr. Bridges has been shown many marks of public confidence in relation to the citizenship responsibilities occasioned by the world war, and at the time of writing (1918) he is serving Oconto as federal food commissioner, as recruiting officer for the army and navy and as chairman of the four-minute speakers on patriotic subjects.

THOMAS CHRISTEN SEN was born in Saunders countv, Nebraska, July 22. 1875. His father, Christ Christensen, was born in Schleswig-Holstein, which was then a province of Denmark. He came to America when a young man and secured a homestead in Saunders county, Nebraska, where he became a successful farmer. His last days were spent at the home of his son Thomas, in Greeley county, where he passed away at the age of seventy-two years. The mother of our subject was Maria (Thompson) Christensen, who was born in Jutland, a province of Denmark, and, who came to America when a young woman. She, too, resides at Merna, Custer county.

Thomas Christensen spent his boyhood days on a farm in Saunders county and when a young man of twenty-one years, he began fanning for himself, operating his father's farm a couple of years. He then went to Greeley county and purchased 240 acres, which he improved and on which he carried on agricultural pursuits until eight years ago, when he came to Custer county, where he is to-day the owner of 800 acres, well improved, and devoted to diversified agriculture and stockraising.

Mr. Christensen married Miss Anna Jensen, who was born in Custer county, a daughter of M. C. Jensen, an early settler whose record appears on other pages of this volume. Two children have come to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Christensen, and their names are Eleanor and Thomas Pershing. The parents are members of the Lutheran church and in politics Mr. Christensen casts an independent vote. Though a resident of the county only eight years, he is fast making a place for himself as a progressive and substantial citizen.

JOSEPH P. McCORMICK. - Custer county has a wealth of young farmers upon whom it can depend to maintain its well earned reputation as a county of progress and great production. This story concerns one of them.

Joseph P. McCormick was born in Pocahontas county, Iowa, in 1873, and is a son of James and Nora (Flynn) McCormick. The father was a Canadian by birth and the mother a native of Ireland. James McCormick was a prominent member of the community in which he lived, occupied a position as road overseer, and was prominent in the afifairs of the Catholic church. Concerning his children the following brief data are available: Rosa, Anna, and Mary are deceased ; Mrs. Nora Harlow resides on a fruit farm in the state of Washington ; Michael and James are deceased ; Frank is a farmer in McPherson county, Nebraska ; and Joseph P., is the subject of this sketch.

On the 5th of February, 1908, was solemnized the marriage of Joseph P. McCormick to Miss Anna Nolan, a native of Kansas, who comes of splendid family and who has been a very dependable helpmeet in her husband's fortunes, sharing the trials and hardships incidental to establishing a home on a Nebraska ranch. Mr. and Mrs. McCormick became the parents of three children : Joseph died at the age of three years ; Theresa is six years old ; and Violet is four years of age (1919), both

The McConnick ranch consists of 760 acres, of which 158 acres are in cultivation, the rest being pasture land. The foundation of this ranch consisted of an original 160- acre homestead, to which were added 240 when the Kinkaid homestead act became effective. The rest of the tract was acquired by purchase. The improvements are of first order. A new farm home has just been erected and makes a creditable showing, as well as affording convenience and comfort to the family. In his stock-raising operations Mr. McCormick inclines to the best blood obtainable and maintains always a high grade in his cattle production. He claims the best are the most profitable ; likewise, his taste, as well as his judgment, runs to good horses, with the result that the horses found on his ranch are blocky specimens of the best types.

He owns his own farming machinery and is well equipped for extensive operations. He and his wife are highly respected in their home community, where they have a host of friends. They are faithful devotees of the Catholic church and are counted among the supporting constituency of that denomination. In political affairs Mr. McCormick generally trains with the Democratic party, but he reserves the right to exercise his own judgment.

OREL JONES, who has just completed a term of five years as a member of the Nebraska state board of pharmacy, is the proprietor of a drug store at Oconto, which he has been conducting since 1910. Mr. Jones was bom at Malvern, Iowa, February 6, 1877, and is a son of Norvel Jones, a Civil war veteran who now resides on the old fami which was his home, near Galesburg, Illinois, when he entered the Union army, in 1864.

Orel Jones was reared on his father's farm and attended the country schools until he was twelve years old. In 1887 he came to Madison county, Nebraska, and in 1893 he was graduated in the Madison high school. During the next five years he taught school during the winters and worked on the fann in the summers, besides which he was, for a season, a clerk in a dry goods and clothing store. In 1899 he entered Highland Park College of Pharmacy, Des Moines, Iowa, and in this institution he was graduated in 1900. Subsequently, in company with his brother, Newell Jones, he bought a drug store at Madison. Nebraska, his brother having been employed in this store for four years previously. The brothers conducted this store in partnership for two years and then sold, Newell Jones entering a medical school in the city of Chicago, and Orel Jones becoming a clerk in a drug store at Sheridan, Wyoming. In 1910 Mr. Jones established himself at Oconto, as above stated.

At Little Sioux, Iowa, on the 6th of June. 1904, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Jones to Miss Eva P. Hope, who is a daughter of William Hope. Mrs. Jones was graduated in the Highland Park College of Pharmacy, as a member of the same class in which her husband was graduated, that of 1900.

WALTER M. HENDERSON. - Fortyone years ago a traveler could journey many miles over Custer county without finding even a settler's hospitable "dugout" or seeing evidences of fami activities, and ^^^alter M. Henderson, an early pioneer here, mentions that when his parents came and located on Lillian creek, there were no houses between the home of Captain Comstock and J. L. Oxford's place - a distance of twenty miles. As habitations were few and far apart, social intercourse was not general, and with no schools and no churches, and with a natural cessation for a time of political agitation and ambitions, the very early settlers were largely thrown upon their own resources. Fortunately the country settled rapidly and civilizing conditions were brought about that have continued in increasing volume to the present day, when Custer county takes a front rank in steady progress with all other counties in the state.

Walter M. Henderson was born in Harrison county, Missouri, January 21, 1861. His parents were John F. and Mary J. (Williams) Henderson, the former of whom was born at Paterson, New Jersey, and the latter in Muskingum county, Ohio. John F. Henderson was a cooper by trade but turned his thoughts toward farming when it became possible to secure a homestead in so desirable a section of the country as Custer county, Nebraska. He came here with his family in the fall of 1877 and homesteaded on Lillian creek, but in the spring of 1879 he received an injury that crippled him. In 1882 he sold his interests, and afterward, until the time of his death. May 9, 1914, he lived with his son Walter M. He was widely known in the community and was highly respected. In religious faith he was a Universalist, while his wife belonged to the Presbyterian church. They had five children, two of whom survive : Walter M. and Frank E., the latter of whom conducts a produce market at Comstock,

Walter M. Henderson was seventeen years old when he accompanied his parents to Custer county. He had been well educated in the public schools of Harrison county, Missouri, and had determined to make fanning his vocation. Four years later he secured his present homestead, which is situated in section 32, township 19, range 17, Custer county. Here he has resided ever since, becoming financially independent through well advised methods of farming and stock-raising and being now numbered with the county's substantial citizens. In his early political life he was a Republican and for a time he was interested in the doctrines of the Populist party, but for a number of years he has been identified, as was his father, with the Democratic party. He has never been anxious to serve in political ofifice. although just such intelligent and trustworthy men as Mr. Henderson might well be chosen when public interests are at stake.

Mr. Henderson was married December 22, 1881. at New Helena. Nebraska, by Justice C. R. Mathews, to Miss Emma G. Greenwood, a daughter of G. B. Greenwood, of Weissert. this county. Mrs. Henderson passed away May 3, 1912. They became the parents of three children : Walter L., who is a farmer on the homestead, married Myrtle Henderson : Elmer F.. who was formerly a farmer, and who is now traveling representative of the Williams-Murphy Mercantile Company, of Omaha, married Katie Applegarth : and Ethel B. is the wife of G. H. Todd, who is a blacksmith and engaged in business at Westerville, Custer county.

ROLLAND T. BAKER. - Among the men whose long and industrious careers have been devoted to agricultural pursuits and whose labors have been so well directed and ably prosecuted that they are now able to pass their declining years in the peace and comfort of retirement, one who was for thirtyseven years a farmer of Custer county and who is now a highly respected citizen of Broken P>ow is Rolland T. Baker. Mr. Baker was born Feliruary 15, 1849, in Jackson county. Indiana, a son of Martin and Margaret (Spall) Baker and a grandson of Samuel Raker.

The boyhood of Rolland T. Baker was one in which lie ac(]uired a thorough education in tlie school of hard work and experience, for his father died wlien he was but nine vears of age and it was necessarv that he contribute to the family support. When he was cwelve years of age he was earning his first money in the harvest fields of a neighboring farmer, and during such time as he could be spared from his duties he attended the district schools. He remained at home until he was twenty years of age and March 6, 1869. in Jennings county, Indiana, he married Margaret J. Mc- Clain, daughter of John and Elizabeth Mc- Clain. Mrs. Baker has two sisters living: Mary, the wife of George King, a Minnesota farmer, with a son and daughter ; and Anna, the wife of John Irwin, a fanner of Iroquois county, Illinois.

For several years after his marriage, Mr. Baker continued to work on the farm during the summer months and in the winter seasons entered the timber and made staves for a barrel factory. Tiuis he acquired some small capital, and in 1877 he removed to Iroquois county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming. Not securing the measure of success that he felt should reward his efforts, he decided to try his fortunes still further west, and in 1888 he came to Nebraska, settled in Custer county, and acquired a farm about ten miles west of Anselmo, on which he resided about five years. Subsequently he removed to Clear creek, north of Broken Bow. and during a long period was engaged in successful operations there, being for nine years a resident of the Brenizer ranch. He retired from active labors in March. 1917, and came to Broken Bow, where he has since lived quietly, in the enjoyment of the comforts that have rewarded his long career of industrious labor. During his life, through his honorable conduct and integrity, Mr. Baker has established and retained an excellent reputation, and his good citizenship has been exemplified in many ways. He belongs to tha Modern Brotherhood of America, a fraternal organization in which he has numerous friends. .'\s a voter he staunchly supports the ])riiiciples and candidates of the Democratic party, although he has not been an officeseeker. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are consistent members of the Broken Bow Baptist church. To them have been born seven children, as follows : William .\lbert, a carpenter in Broken Bow: Syrenus M., a farmer seven miles west of this city: Bessie, the wife of Dr. J. D. Wilson, who is, at the time of this writing, in the medical service of the national army ; Ernest, a farmer in Custer county; Lillie, the wife of E. L. Tooley, a farmer of this county: Ruby, the wife of Floyd Holcomb, a farmer and garage man who is individually mentioned on another page of this work : and Edward, who is at Camp Funston, as a member of the

VENCEL KRIKAC. - The beautiful land of Bohemia, famed for its picturesque valleys, silvery streams, romantic mountain scenes, and its handsome, gay and music-loving people, has sent to the United States, some of its most industrious, loyal and constructive citizens, among whom, in no small degree of prominence, stands Vencel Krikac, of Comstock. When he arrived in this country Mr. Krikac was a youth with an ordinary education, unlearned in our language or customs, in modest circumstances, and with only his own ambitions to aid him. It speaks much for his determination, ability and industry that today he is one of the leading citizens of his community, president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank, a prominent and successful operator in real estate, and the owner of much valuable Custer county land.

Mr. Krikac was born in Bohemia, December 29, 1865, a son of Bartholomew and Mary (Fiala) Krikac, natives of Bohemia. The family immigrated to the United States in 1883 and located in Valley county, Nebraska, on a homestead, where the father continued to be engaged in farming op)erations until his death, about the year 1896. He was a carpenter by trade, and in his native land had served two years in the army, during which service he had contracted an illness from which he never fully recovered. While carpentry was his trade, he became a skilled farmer and raiser of stock, and if his life had been spared he would no doubt have made a success of his career. In politics he was a Democrat, and his religious faith was that of the Catholic church, to which his widow, who resides on the homestead, also belongs. They were the parents of eight children, of whom five are living: Andrew, who is engaged in the confectionery business at Butte, Boyd county, Nebraska ; Joseph T., who follows the real-estate business at Chico, California; Frank T., who is a farmer in V'alley county, on the old family homestead: Vencel, whose name initiates this review : and Catherine, who is the wife of J. J. Waldmann. living in Valley county. Of the other children it may be recorded that Thomas died in Valley county, at the age of thirtv years : Mary died in childhood; and one child died in infancy.

Vencel Krikac received his early education in the public schools of Bohemia, and was variously employed until accompanying his parents and the other children to the United States, in 1883. Here he was taught the rudi- ments and principles of farming, which he adopted as a vocation, but the work was slow and hard, for he also had to learn a strange tongue and assimilate methods and customs entirely foreign to what he had known. However, he proved that he was possessed of the ability to overcome these obstacles, and he steadily rose in fortune until he became the owner of a large and valuable property of his own and had a comfortable income from his operations. In 1909 he was made president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Cornstock, in recognition of the abilities he had shown as a financier and business man, and two years later he ceased active labor as a farmer and moved to Comstock, to engage in a general real-estate, loan and insurance business, with which he has since continued to be identified. In this direction he has been unusually successful in building up a large and important business in all departments, and his many connections with big deals have brought him to a position where he is justly accounted one of the leading men in his line in this part of the county. He has interested himself in matters of a civic character, and at all times has given his support to publicspirited measures, movements and enterprises. In 1891 Mr. Krikac was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Klima, and they became the parents of five children, of whom one died in infancy: Vencel, Jr., is assistant cashier in the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Comstock ; Miss Emma is bookkeeper in that institution : Miss Rosie is a teacher in the public schools ; and Edward is attending school. 'The members of the family belong to the Catholic church.

DANIEL THOMAS. - Representing the vouneer element of Custer county farmers, Daniel Thomas has already demonstrated the possession of qualities which should gain him success, and is further adding to the reputation for solidity, worth and integrity established by his pioneer father. He was born October 13, 1893, three miles from Berwyn, Custer county, and is a son of Henry J. and Catherine (McMackin) Thomas.

Mr. Thomas is one of a familv of eieht children, the others being: Samuel A.; John T. ; Tames P. : Mrs. Anna Schamow ; Mrs. Marv Brownell ; Elizabeth, who is single and resides with her parents ; and Ellen, who is single and taking a nurse's course at the General Hospital at North Platte, Nebraska.

Daniel Thomas, or "Dan" as he is familiarlv known, was educated in the schools of Broken Bow, and was reared amid agricultural surroundings. When still a lad he was given the opportunity of earning some extra money, driving a stacker team for Judge Sullivan. The Judge had promised him a wage of fifty cents a day, but was so pleased with the lad's work that he added twenty-five cents a day to the sum, and young Thomas thus earned eight dollars - sufficient to buy a new suit of clothes. Mr. Thomas has always followed fanning, and there are few among the younger generation who have been more progressive and enterprising. At the present time he is not only the owner of 160 acres of his own but also has the management of the 160 acres owned by his father, and on both of these properties he is achieving splendid results.

CLAY D. READ. - For many years the late Clay D. Read was held in high esteem in Custer county. He came here when a youth of nineteen years and until his death, February 27, 1915, was identified with the agricultural development of this section, the while he was recognized as a man of sterling character and of useful and loyal citizenship. Mr. Read was born at Oxford, Johnson county, Iowa, and his parents were Charles J. and Charlotte Brown Read.

Charles J. Read, who was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, left home when he was fifteen years of age and entered the British army, in which he served as a soldier for three years, and subsequently he was in the Crimean war. After coming to the United States he served as a soldier in the Civil war, until it closed, and during three years of this time he was in the United States navy. For eleven years after the war he was a railroad man. He married Mrs. Charlotte Brown, who, by her first marriage had one son, Albert Brown, who is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Read had but one child, the late Clay D. Read, the subject of this memoir.

Clay D. Read remained with his parents in Oxford, Iowa, and attended the public schools. He was born August 3, 1874, and in 1893 he came to Custer county, Nebraska, where he made his home during the rest of his life. He followed farm pursuits and eventually acquired a large prooerty, which he developed and improved. He was industrious and enterprising, and was very practical withal, so that in carrying on his agricultural industries he knew how to make them profitable.

O. Narragon. She is a daughter of Lyman J. and Mary E. (WilHson) Narragon. Her father was born in the state of New York and his occupation was lumbering. Her mother was born in Ohio. They were early settlers in Custer county, where they became well known and were highly respected. Mrs. Read has four brothers and two sisters, namely : Austin A., William S., Elisha L., Charles C., Mrs. Rosa A. Miller, and Mrs. Eula F. Toby. Mr. and Mrs. Read became the parents of six children - Ralph V., Leota M. (deceased), Mary O., Charles L., Florence E., and Lawrence L. The Read homestead, consisting of 265 acres and situated two and one-half miles north of Oconto, is the family home, and its industrial activities are carried on under the supervision of Mrs. Read.

ARVID GUSTAFSON, who is one of the enterprising farmers and dependable citizens of Custer county, owns an extensive, well developed property in the vicinity of Broken Bow. He was born in Sweden, March H, 1860. In Sweden his father's name was Gustaf Bearstrom and the maiden name of his mother was Eva Samuelson. On both sides, the family is notable for marked longevity, the father, born in 1809, living to the age of ninety- four years, and the mother, born in 1823, dying at the age of ninety-two years. The father had seven children by his first marriage and three by his second. Eight of his children came to America, but all do not live in the same section. Arvid Gustafson is the only one living in Custer county. Nebraska, but Charles and Andrew live in Lancaster county : Carolina ]\Iadsen lives in Kearney county and Clara Smith lives in Dawson county. .Anna Johnson lives in Kansas, and Theda Jacobson lives in Illinois. The children were all reared in the Lutheran faith.

.-\rvid Gustafson was thirteen vears o'd when he accompanied his half-brother to the L^nitcd States. He had attended school in his native Irn^d and afterward had school opportunities in both Illinois and Nebraska. In 1877. when he came first to Nebraska, he found a home at Lincoln, and in that vicinitv, he at first worked on farms, but event'ia'b- he boueht land, on which he resided until 1884. when he decided he could better his prosjiects bv moving to Custer county. He came into this county with a was^on load of household goods, a span of mules and $200 in cash as the sum of his worldly wealth, and while that was a fortune when coiu|)are<l with the property of many other early settlers, it by no means satisfied Mr. Gustafson. He secured a homestead of 160 acres, and through hard work and good judgment he has added to the original tarm until he now has 320 acres of fine land, together with more than merely comfortable home surroundings.

At Lincoln, Nebraska, August 4, 1884. .Mr. Gustafson married Miss Matilda Bowman, who was ten years old when she came with her parents from Sweden to the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Gustafson have one daughter, Minnie, who is the wife of Herbert Hall, of Broken Bow. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have two sons : -Arvid Victor, and Vernon Kichard. In politics Mr. Gustafson is a Democrat and fraternally he belongs to the Woodmen and the Odd Fellows. He is a member of the United Brethren church.

FRANCIS X. MOHATT. - As a follower of one of the oldest occupations known to the human race, Francis X. Mohatt has achieved that success which comes to a man who finds his work congenial and who invests it with determination, enthusiasm and natural ability. The agriculturist has ever before him the chance of making himself an enormously useful factor in a community, and a realization of this fact has come to Mr. Mohatt in Custer county, where he has maintained his home since his fourteenth year.

Mr. Mohatt was born on a farm in Douglas county, Nebraska, November 29, 1870, a son of Peter and Anna (Nason) Mohatt. natives of New York state. As young people, the parents of Mr. Mohatt went to Iowa, where their acquaintanceship was formed and thev were married at Council Bluffs, that state, after which they located on land owned by the young husband. Peter Mohatt served for a short time as a soldier in the Civil war, in 1865, and at its close he returned to Iowa, but subsequently he came to Nebraska and located on a farm in Douglas county. In later years he made a short stay in Iowa, but in 1884 he came again to Nebraska - this time to make a permanent home. He honiesteaded a tract in Custer county, in addition to which he purchased other land. He was successful in his operations and at the time of his death, in 1895, was the owner of an entire section, ui)on which had been made numeorus improvements of a valuable character. He was a Democrat in politics, and he and his wife were earnest communicants of the Catholic church. Mrs. Mohatt was a woman of sujicrior intellectual attainments, was widely read, had been a teacher prior to her marriage, and at her death, in 1912, she left many friends to mourn her loss. There were six children in the family, and of the number five are living: John B. and lames P., of Council Bluflfs, Iowa;

Francis X. Mohatt was educated in the public schools of Pottawattamie county, Iowa, and came to Custer county, Nebraska, when he was fourteen years of age. He was reared as a farmer, and when he reached man's estate he adopted as his vocation the basic industry in which he had been trained and in which he has since met with substantial success. He is now the owner of one-half section of land, of which he farms 200 acres, and he has also succeeded well with his cattle. His property is well improved with good buildings and reflects the progressive nature and good business ability of its owner.

Mr. Mohatt was married in February, 1899, to Miss Cecelia AlcLean, daughter of Hugh McLean, a pioneer of Custer county, an Irishman by birth and a former sailor. To this union there have been bom four children : Ella, Esther J., Reta, and Francis. Mr. Mohatt is a Democrat but not a jxylitican. He and Mrs. Mohatt are members of St. Joseph's Catholic church at Broken Bow, in the work which they have been very active.

FRED W. BECKLER. - The Hfe record of Fred W. Beckler illustrates what can be accomplished by untiring industry when coupled with good judgment. Mr. Beckler was born in Germany, October 31, 1855. He was reared and educated in his native land and when a young man of twenty years he came to the United States. After living in New York for a time he made his way to Milwaukee, and he resided in Wisconsin until 1882, when he came to Custer county, Nebraska, and secured a homestead on section 32, township 18, range 23, becoming one of the first settlers on West Table. His first home was a sod house, and in this he lived until fifteen years ago. when the present house was erected, the same being a very comfortable building that is made of cement blocks. The place is equipped with good barns and outbuildings and for many years Mr. Beckler successfully carried on general farming. His holdings now embrace a half-section of valuable land, all in one body and in a high state of cultivation.

In Clay county, Nebraska, Mr. Beckler was united in marriage to Miss Mary Herzog, a native of the same province of Germany as her husband, and they have four children : Ella is the wife of G. L. Luce; Rosa is the wife of Frank Holuska ; William married Emma Schmidt; and Benjamin B., a bachelor, is still at home. The father of this family is

The family are members of the Christian church and in politics Mr. Beckler is a Republican. He has seen Custer county grow and develop from a wilderness to a country dotted with innumerable farms and thriving towns and villages, and to the work of progress such men as Mr. Beckler were the main contributors.

In recording the lives of the men and women who have made Custer county what it is to-day, the historian would be remiss in his duties if he failed to give a prominent place to Mr. and Mrs. Fred W. Beckler.

ROY L. LONGMORE. - The subject of this narrative was bom October 12, 1884, in Henry county, Iowa, and is the sixth son of a family of nine children. His father, William B. Longmore, is a native of the Buckeye state, and his mother, whose maiden name was Martha Runyan, was born in the state of Iowa. The children in this estimable family are: Mrs. Hallie Shaffer, Ray R., Alva J., Henry B. and Louis C. (twins), Roy L., Mrs. Grace Cudaback, William, and Mrs. Minnie M. Hanes. The father, who was a farmer, came to Custer county in 1884, and located on a claim six miles northvvest of Mason City.

When Roy L. Longmore was a small boy he ran away from home and helped Ben Morris load hay, for which service he received eleven cents. This tangible recompense he carried proudly home, and asked his father's counsel as to what could be done with so much money. Mr. Longmore does not state what final disposition was made of the eleven cents, but it is safe to say that it was properly invested and, for all we know, may have become the comerstone of Mr. Longmore's present-day possessions. He has always been a farmer and, it might be added, a very successful one.

On October 3, 1906, Mr. Longmore married Miss Jennie M. Miller, whose father, William L. Miller, is a resident of Brown valley, this county. In 1899 Mr. Longmore moved to Callaway, where for eight years he was a renter. He proved himself a hard worker and frugal manager, and by virtue of these characteristics he was enabled to buy the Thomas Goodyear farm, one mile west of Callaway.

In the community where Mr. Longmore resides he is regarded as. a "live wire" - an active, progressive, enterprising citizen, as well as a successful farmer and stock-raiser. He is still young; the years of a successful career are still before him. The past makes this statement more of a declaration than of a prophecy. The family is connected with the Evangelical church, to which they are liberal contributors. Politically, Mr. Longmore is affiliated with the Democratic party, but he is neither hide-bound nor partisan, as he carefully selects the man, and votes according to his convictions.

JAMES DAVIDSON. - Incomplete would be any list of the leading citizens and successful farmers of Custer county which did not contain the name of James Davidson, whose splendid farm and place of residence is located in the vicinity of Berwyn. A resident of this county since liS82, in which year he came here to take up a homestead and blaze the way for those who came after, his success has been marked, and his position as a prominent figure in the agricultural fraternity here is generally recognized and acknowledged.

Mr. Davidson was born in Waukesha countv, Wisconsin, November 14, 1855, a son of Nathaniel and Margaret (Otto) Davidson, nati\es of Scotland, who emigrated to the United States separately when young people. Nathaniel Davidson was born in 1828 and in his youth learned the trade of stone-mason, which he followed in his native land. On locating in .America he settled in Wisconsin, where, in Waukesha county, he met and, in 1854, married Margaret Otto, who was born in Scotland, December 7, 1831. Mr. Davidson continued to follow his trade at odd times in \\'isconsin but engaged more and more in farming, and in 1882 he came to Custer county, Nebraska, wliere he secured a homestead. He thereafter resided on his farm until his death, in 1892. He possessed the sturdy and reliable traits of character peculiar to his race, and was a man of marked industry and thrift - one who worked hard for what he had and who at all times maintained an integrity and probity that gave him standing and reputation. He was a supporter of the candidates of the Republican party, was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in his religious faith was affiliated with the Presbvterian church. Mrs. Davidson, who survives him, belongs to this church, and she now resides at the home of a daughter, at Anamosa. Iowa, being nearly eightv-seven years of age (1918). Mr. and Mrs. Davidson were the parents of ten children, of whom sevcTi are living: James, of this review; Jennie, the wife of J. M. Elwood, of Custer county ; Maggie, the wife of J. C. Hunnicutt, a stonemason of Anamosa, Iowa ; Henrj', engaged in farming at Conway, Missouri ; Minnie, the wife of A. D. Johnson, a farmer of Alema, Nebraska: Aggie, the wife of J. D. Anderson, a farmer and banker of High River, Canada ; and Charles, employed in a mercantile establishment at Broken Bow, Nebraska. James Davidson received his education in the public schools of Iowa, where he was taken as a child, and there he began his career as an indejiendent farmer. In 1879 he there married ^liss Mary A. \\'obeter, who was 1xirn in Bohemia and who was brought to the United States as a child. They became the parents of five children, of whom three are living; Nathan is residing at home and is his father's assistant in the operation of the broad acres ; James, of Berwyn, is working on a farm; and Arthur lives at home and assists his father and brother. ]\Ir. Davidson was gradually making a success of his efforts in Iowa, but in 1882 he decided to come to Nebraska and trj* his fortunes as an agriculturist of Custer county. He accordingly secured a homestead, not far from Berwyn, and from that time forward his progress was rapid and consistent and he began accumulating land in large tracts. At the present time he has 1,120 acres, the greater part under cultivation, upon which he has a fine home and many improvements. For the greater part he does mixed farming, but he has also met with success in his efforts as a stock-raiser and has a herd of full-blood Hereford cattle. Mr. Davidson is a Democrat in politics, but has not sought public office.

CHARLES E. BLAKEMAN. - The gentleman whose name introduces this paragraph is one of the well known fanners and stockmen of Custer county - one who from a humble beginning has become one of the large land-owners and successful men of this part of the state.

Charles E. Blakeman was born in Lake county, Indiana. November 28. 1836, and is a son of John and Lucinda ( Williams) Blakeman. l)oth of whom were natives of the Buckeye state. They were married in Ohio and became pioneer settlers of Lake county, Indiana, where they purchased land at seven dollars an acre. John Blakeman hauled freight to old Fort Dearborn and saw the city of Chicago grow from a small village. He was the owner of a farm in Lake county, Indiana, devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, and there passed away at the age of eightv-seven vears. He ser\'ed in the Civil

Charles E. Blakeman was one of a family of five children and has a sister living in Custer county, Mrs. Charles Hepsley, of Broken Bow. He was reared on a farm, attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education, and when a young man went to Chicago and found employment with a railroad company.

In 1884 he came to Nebraska and foimd employment in Saunders county. Early in 1885 he married and came to Custer county, where he secured as a homestead the northwest quarter of section 6, township 17, range 22. His first home was a sod house, and all the experiences of those early days are quite familiar to him. Water had to be hauled from a considerable distance, until a well could be provided. His second house was likewise built of sod, and was located on land he purchased in section 36, township 18, range 23. Here he later erected the present commodious frame dwelling, and the improvements to-day are among the best to be found in the county. Mr. Blakeman dealt extensively in cattle and has become one of the large land-owners of the county, where he has 2,700 acres at the present time.

February 3, 1885, Mr. Blakeman was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Teeple, a native of the same county in Indiana as her husband. Her parents, Philip and Margaret ( Pringle) Teeple, were natives of Canada and both are now deceased.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Blakeman has been blessed with six children : John married Julia Smith and owns a ranch in Custer county ; Howard is assisting in operating the home farm ; Homer C. also is engaged in farming ; Wallace is married and is operating one of his father's farms ; Otto C. is in the national army at the time of this writing ; and Bessie is still at home.

When working at railroad work in Chicago, an old foreman who did not own a home and was probably too old a man ever to expect to own one, advised young Blakeman to go west and get a home of his own. Mr. Blakeman often thinks that the words of the old foreman were not bad advice. While those early years meant hardships, yet by hard work and good management he is to-day one of the prominent men of the county, and his success is the due reward for patient industry and judicious investment. In politics he is independent and has never aspired to public office. He remembers the first election of his precinct, when there were but twenty-three voters. He has taken commendable interest in those movements which promote progress and development and is a member of the board of directors of the Security State Bank of Broken Bow. He has contributed his full share to make his adopted coimty what it is to-day and he and his family are held in the highest of esteem wherever they are known.

LEVI W^ HUFFMAN, a man who contributed the best years of his life to this county and who was an industrious, hardworking pioneer, departed this life on August 4, 1907, leaving behind a record of which anyone might well be proud, and a family that does honor to his name.

Mr. Huffman was born June 24, 1856, in Vermilion county, Illinois, and was a son of Jacob and Mary (Rudlidge) Huffman, a splendid couple of native-born Americans. They had six children, all of whom grew to maturity - John C, William, Levi W., Alice Neth, George W., and Charles W.

When Levi W. Huffman was but nine years of age his father died and left the mother with the care of the family. The mother still lives on the same farm in Vermilion county. It was here that she reared her six children, and it is recorded to the credit of Levi that he stayed at home and rendered his mother valuable assistance until he was twenty-one years of age. He did all kinds of work and earned his first money when a mere lad, by riding a horse on the threshing floor where they were tramping out wheat in the old-fashioned way.

Early in the spring of 1882 Mr. Huffman found his way into Custer county, where he located a claim in section 9, township 15, range 22. He worked on the Brighton ranch, breaking sod and building fences, at the time when Virgil Allen was the foreman. In this way he made the money which paid for the improvements on his place. He often walked to Broken Bow, a distance of twenty miles, for provisions, and when he was lucky enough to get them he sent them to his home with some ranchman. He helped to haul lumber for some of the buildings in the county seat and in so doing made the trips to Lexington, time and again. Gradually "bachelor's hall" began to lose its attractions. Six years was all that he could stand. When 1888 brought the June time, he claimed a June bride. Miss Emma Dixon became the partner of his life and fortune and during the remainder of his life was a faithful companion and helpmeet. Mrs. Huffman is a daughter of James and Catherine (Cook) Dixon, very excellent

The Huffmans made a pleasant home, and. with all the courage and heroism of young people, girded themselves for the enterprise of farm develo]iment. The years brought them four children : Jesse A., who married Miss Ollie Sipes, a daughter of Edward Sipes, faniis a part of his mother's place, and he and his wife have three children. Leona is the wife of Joseph John, who also is farming part of the mother's farm, on the South Loup. They have two children. Hazel B. is a high school graduate of Callaway, and after teaching school three years she accepted a position as cashier in a bank at Tyron, Nebraska, where she now makes her home. Opal M. is at home with her mother and in the eleventh grade of her high-school course.

Levi W. Huffman departed this life August 4, 1907. During his life he had been a kind and loving husband and an affectionate father who counted nothing a sacrifice that was done for the family. After his death Mrs. Huffman resided on the farm for nine years, and by her native pluck and energy she added to the farm improvements until to-day they have a valualjle, well improved ranch of 4S0 acres. This makes a beautiful home and as she looks back over the years of trials and hardships, endured for the sake of the family, the pioneer days seem like a dream and the experiences often come back in the reveries of the present day.

Mrs. Huffman remarried July 26, 1915, and is now the wife of Joseph Van Emans, a railroad man of good standing and excellent repute. In order to finish the education of her younger children, Mrs. Huffman-VanEmans makes her home in Callaway, where she runs an up-to-date millinery store, but she expects some day to move back on the farm.

NORMAN DWIGHT FORD has been a resident of Custer county since VK)7 and has not only gained distinct prestige as one of the representative members of the bar of the county but has also given thorough proof of his professional ability and judicial acumen by his able and timely service as county judge. He was first elected to ])rcside on the bench of the county court in the autumn of 1014. and re-elections to this office have since testified to the estimate placed upon him by the citizens of the county. He is retained on the bench of this tribunal at the present time, through re-election in Novemlier. 1918. It is needless to say that Judge Ford is a man of prominence and wide influence in Custer county, and his unequivocal personal popularity is based on worthy characteristics and worthy achievement. It has consistently been said that "His list of personal acquaintances will equal that of any man w^ho has resided in the county from the time of its organization, and that the number of his friends is limited only by that of his acquaintances."

Norman Dwight Ford was born at Oak Hill, Greene county, New York, on the 21st day of February, 1878, and is a son of Emerson and Addie L. (Carpenter) Ford, both likewise natives of the old Empire state, where the mother stood as a representative of a patrician family long established in that commonwealth. Emerson Ford was a prominent and successful merchant in New York, and was a sterling citizen who commanded unqualified popular confidence and esteem. Both he and his wife are now deceased. Judge Ford is the elder of the two children and the younger, Ernest Emerson Ford, is now a resident of New York.

After having duly availed himself of the advantages of the public schools of his native place. Judge Ford completed a course in the Albany Business College, in the capital city of New York. In this institution he was graduated in 1896, and thereafter he was graduated in Greenville Academy, at Greenville. New York. In the meanw-hile he had formulated definite plans for his future career and in consonance with these plans he began the work of preparing himself for the legal profession. In 1904 he passed the technical examination of the regents of the state of New York, and was thus enabled to enter the celebrated Albany Law School, wdiich is the law department of L^nion l^niversity. In this institution ho was graduated in May, 1906. with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, his admission to the bar of his native state having been recorded in the following September. Thereafter he served his jirofessional novitiate by opening an offi.'e in the citv of Albany, where he continued in practice about one year. In February. 1907. Judge Ford came to Nebraska and established himself in practice at Ansley, Custer county, his admission to the Nebraska bar having occurred in March of the year just mentioned. His ambition and thorough technical preparation gave the future jurist excellent reinforcement for the successful work of his chosen profession, and within a short time he had gained a substantial and representative clientage. That he made a most favorable personal and professional impress needs no further voucher than the statement that in November. 1914. he was elected to the bench of the county court. In assuming his judicial functions Judge Ford, as a matter of course, removed to Broken Bow, the county seat, and his administration on the bench was such that he proved the logical candidate for rerclection. He was thus re-elected for a second term, and that without opposition, and in November, 1918. he was again elected, this being an additional testimonial to his ability and personal popularity. On the bench his rulings have been marked by the true judicial attitude and by an accurate knowledge of the law. so that few of his decisions have been reversed by courts of higher jurisdiction. The Judge had no opposing candidate when he was re-elected for his third successive term.

Admirably fortified in his political convictions. Judge Ford is a strong and loyal advocate of the principles and policies for which the RepubHcan party stands sponsor, but he has not consented to become a candidate for any office save in line with his profession. In the time-honored ^lasonic fraternity he has received the thirty-second degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, the while he is likewise active in the York Rite bodies and the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is past master of his lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, is a valued member of the commandery of Knights Templars at Broken Bow, and is past grand patron of the Nebraska grand chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. In the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he is past noble grand ; he is past grand chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, is past venerable consul of the Modern \\"oodmen of America, and past high priest of Horeb chapter. Royal Arch IMasons. at Broken Bow. In patriotic service in connection with the great world war. Judge Ford has been specially earnest and zealous and has been in constant demand as. a platform speaker and as committee adviser. Under his direction was organized the Custer county legal board to render service to men of the draft age, in connection with the filling out of their questionaires. and this board gave most effective service until the signing of the historic armistice brought a close to the war.

In the suburbs of Broken Bow Judge and Mrs. Ford maintain a beautiful home, and the same is known for its gracious hospitality, with Mrs. Ford as its popular chatelaine. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.

September. 1899. was solemnized the marriage of Judge Ford to Miss Millie B. Mackey, who was born and reared in that state and who is a daughter of Omar and Nora (Bear) ^lackey, both likewise natives of the Empire state. Mrs. Ford is the elder of two children, and her brother. Perry Richard Mackey. is a resident of .Albany. New York. Judge and Mrs. Ford have two children : Theodore Lionel, who was born on the 13th of May. 1902. is. in 1918. a student in the Broken Bow high school, and the younger child, Kathleen Elizabeth, was born on the 9th of Februarv, 1918.

L. NOLAN STEEL. - One of the active citizens upon whom rests heavily the responsibility of food production in these days of wars and armies and who is responding to the demands made upon him in a very creditable way is L. Nolan Steel. Mr. Steel is essentially a Nebraska product. It was in this best state of the central west that he made his debut into life and present-day activity.

He was bom at Western. Saline county, Nebraska. ]\lay 26, 1879. His father. Samuel Steel, was then a substantial farmer of that vicinity and is to-day a resident of the same place. Samuel Steel was born in Pilot Grove, Iowa, and in 1872 he came to Saline county, Nebraska, and took a homestead near Western. There he was united in marriage to Abbie Chamberlain, a native of Illinois. They became the parents of six children. L. Nolan was the firstborn. His brothers and sisters are Edward O., Blanche H. .\kins, Zola (a teacher, who makes her home with her parents ) , Fred, and Everett.

Young Nolan Steel grew up under the family roof and had the advantages of the common schools and the Western high school. It was on his father's farm that he learned the first principles of agriculture by practical application. In February, 1902. at Daykin. Jefferson county, he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Marsh, an attractive young lady, who was bom in Nebraska and who is a daughter of Henrj' and Catherine (Mj-ers) Marsh. The story^ now turns to Mrs. Steel's family. Two children were bom into the Marsh home. Mrs. Ellen Steel and Mrs. Jennie Backes. September 1. 1883. Airs. Marsh died, and a few years later the father was again married, this time to Caroline Carl. Of this second marriage three children were born - Frank, George H., and Leola M. The last mentioned is living at home with her parents, at Callaway.

home in Custer county, and in the fall of the same year they landed in Merna and moved on to land that Mr. Steel's father had bought the year before, and here they have resided continuously until the present time. As an indication of the thrift and prosperity that have attended their labors in Custer county, it might be stated that they own a half interest in 480 acres of land, which brings in a tine income, as it rarely fails to produce good crops. They have seventy-five head of cattle, forty head of horses, and a splendid complement of the high-prized porkers which in these days contribute so materially to profitable fanning.

Nolan Steel tells us that when a boy he used to feed stock and grease a windmill once a week for an old gentleman and that for this service he received twenty-five cents a week. This was the initial money earned by Mr. Steel and was, perhaps, the foundation of his present accumulation.

Mr. and Mrs. Steel have but one child, Cecil F., a son, who is fifteen years of age, in 1918, and who is in his first year of the highschool course, while he is ambitiously looking forward to an agricultural course at Lincoln and also a business-college course.

Mr. and Mrs. Steel are fine people, highly respected in the community, and members of the Methodist church. Mr. Steel is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America, and in connection with political aft'airs he generally votes the Democratic ticket.

CHARLES H. SANDERSON. - In the famous Powell canyon of Custer county there resides, near Arnold, a sterling and popular citizen who has the distinction of having been born in Sweden but who is not of Scandinavian lineage, as a glance at the family record clearly indicates. On the contrary Mr. Sanderson is a scion of a fine line of staunch New England ancestry. It may thus be conjectured that the shrewdness and thrift of the subject of this review come to him as a heritage from this worthy New England stock. When it is stated that Mr. Sanderson was born in Sweden, the significance of the notation, from a pure American standpoint, is enforced by the fact that the Sweden which he thus claims as the place of his nativity is a thriving town of that name in the countv of Oxford, Maine. At that place in the old Pine Tree state he was born on the 10th of May, 1857, and he is a son of Edwin and Betsey (Warren) Sanderson, both of whom were likewise born in Maine. The respective families were earlv founded in New Eneland. that gracious cradle of much of our national history, and the paternal grandfather of Charles H. Sanderson was Stephen Sanderson, his maternal grandfather having been Daniel Warren. Edwin and Betsey (Warren) Sanderson became the parents of six children - Marion (deceased), Mrs. Marilla Kneeland, Eugene E., Stephen F., Charles H., and John B. Edwin Sanderson was a sturdy New England farmer and was true and loyal in all of the relations of life. His political support was given to the Republican party, he was affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, and he and his wife were earnest members of the Congregational church.

Charles H. Sanderson was but four years old at the time of his mother's death, and as a boy he began to learn the dignity and value of honest toil and endeavor. He duly availed himself of the advantages of the common schools and supplemented this discipline by attending Bridgeton Academy, at Bridgeton, Maine, and later Dover Academy, in the state of New Hampshire. In pursuing his studies in Dover Academy Mr. Sanderson defrayed his expenses through funds which he earned by working Saturdays and during vacation periods. In this connection it may be noted that he earned three dollars a week by caring for the horses of a local jeweler in the town where he was attending school.

After leaving school Mr. Sanderson was for several years in the employ of the Berlin Lumber Company, of Berlin, New Hampshire, and at intervals his services for this company were required in the Dominion of Canada. The major part of the monev which he earned while he was thus engaged, was sent home to his father, to aid in the support of the family. Later Mr. Sanderson was employed three years in the drug store of his brother Stephen, at Rochester, New Hampshire, and finally he made his way to Chicago, Illinois, where he was for three years in the employ of the Deering Harvester Comjianv. At that time the late L. H. Jevvett, who later became well known in Custer county, Nebraska, was cashier for the Deering Company, and a close friendship was fonned by Mr. Jewett and Mr. Sanderson - a friendship severed only bv the death of Mr. Jewett. In 1884 the two' friends came to Nebraska and numbered themselves among the pioneer settlers of Custer county. Mr. Sanderson succeeded in acquiring a homestead claim, a timber claim and a pre-emption claim in the Powell canyon, these claims being adjacent and being situated six miles northeast of the present village of Arnold. Mr. Sanderson vigorously set himself to the task of reclaiming and improving his land, and he continued to reside on the pre-emption claim for thirty vears, the while success attended his earnest and well directed efforts. At the present time he is giving special attention to the improving of his original timber claim, with the intention of developing the same as his model farm home. The Sanderson ranch comprises 560 acres, and Mr. Sanderson owns also a valuable tract, of forty acres, adjoining the town of Arnold. His accumulations and substantial prosperity represent the direct results of his successful enterprise along the lines of fanning and stock-raising, and while he has made a success of raising both cattle and hogs, he has given a greater preference to the latter branch of animal industry. He has contributed his quota to the civic and industrial development of Custer county and is one of the well known and highly esteemed pioneer citizens of this favored sectioiT of the state. He has been definitely progressive and public-spirited and has been influential in community affairs, as shown by the fact that he has been a member of the school board of his district for nearly thirty years. He gives his allegiance to the Republican party and he and his family are affiliated with the Christian church.

At Morganville, Clay county, Kansas, on the 5th day of April, 18S9, was recorded the marriage of Mr. Sanderson and Miss Mary C. Conkright, of Jacksonville, Illinois. Her father, James C. Conkright, was a native of Kentucky, and was two years of age at the time of his parents' removal to New Salem, Illinois, where he remained until his early manhood. He married Miss Clarinda Mace, who was born at Bowdoinham, Maine, and their two children were Hannah and Mary C. For several years Mr. Conkright operated an iron foundry in Illinois, and thereafter he became one of the early pioneer settlers of Wilson county, Kansas. In the Sunflower state he had his full share of the hardships entailed by the scourge of grasshoppers, for during those memorable years he was there engaged in farm enterprise. Finally he established liis residence at Morganville, Kansas, where for many years he was a prominent figure in both private and public life. He served many years in ofiices of public trust, including those of judge, and assessor, and he was one of the honored and influential men of his community.

The genealog>' of Mrs. Sanderson, on both the i)aternal and maternal sides, traces back to sturdy New England origin. Edwin, the only child born to Air. and Mrs. Sanderson, died at the age of fifteen months, but in their home they have reared an adopted son, Valentine P. Sanderson, who remains with them and accords to them true filial solicitude.

J. M. BATES. - Few families of Custer county are better or more favorably known than that which bears the name of Bates. Its members have been prominently identified with the various interests of central Nebraska ever since the general early settlement of this locality - as fanners, stock-raisers, large landholders, merchants, and public officials - and men bearing the name are listed among some of the wealthiest in the state. A worthy representative of the family is J. M. Bates, of Berwyn, for a long period identified with large aft'air.s, particularly in the line of agriculture, but now living in retirement.

Mr. Bates was bom in Windsor county, \'ermont, August 19, 1850, and he is a son of James O. and Louisa Amanda (Martin) Bates, natives of the same county, where the former was born September 4, 1825, and the latter August 24, 1831. The parents were married in Vermont, in 1849. James O. Bates in early life was a school-teacher, but he subsequently turned his attention to merchandising, and finally became a farmer and stockraiser. In 1866 he removed to New Hampshire, where he made his home until 1879, in which year he turned his face toward the west, with C)maha, Nebraska, as his destination. In the vicinity of that city he farmed for four years, but in 1883 he disposed of his interests there and came to Custer county, where his death occurred in 1895, his widow sur\-iving until 1904. Three daughters also died on the homestead, and only the two sons now remain: J. M., of this review, and Claude E., of Lillian, Nebraska, a bachelor, who is reputed to be the third wealthiest man in Custer county. The parents were originally members of the Baptist church, but in later years joined the Congregational church. A Republican in his political views. James O. Bates was postmaster at Lillian for a number of years, and at his death he was succeeded by his widow, who served as postmistress until her death. The ofifice was later held by a daughter of J. 'SI. Bates, and when she died it was taken over by her brother, who now acts in that official capacity.

J. AI. Bates attended the public schools of Vennont and New Hampshire and went to college for two or three terms, graduating in bookkeeping and also studying commercial law. As a youth he was variously employed, principally on his father's farms, but after coming to Nebraska he became a collector for a wholesale house of C)maha, a position which he held for several years. Later he entered mercantile pursuits at Clarks, in Merrick county, where he was thus engaged for eight years, and he was engaged also in the grain- buying business for four years. As his interests grew and succeeded, he began investing his capital in land and gradually accumulated a good farm property in Custer county, on which he carried on operations both as farmer and breeder of stock for a number of years. This land, consisting of 800 acres, he now rents, his home being located at Berwyn, where he also has large, important and valuable interests, including real estate to the value of $40,000. All that he owns to-day he has accumlated through the medium of his own efforts. He has been the pioneer in a number of movements that have demonstrated his progressive spirit, and has ever been one to foster and promote beneficial enterprises. When he rode a mule into the newly formed town of Broken Bow, this animal was the first that was ever "put up" as a transient in that community, where it was housed in an old sod blacksmith shop. Mr. Bates it was who hauled the first lumber to erect a house at Sargent. As a citizen he has been publicspirited and as a business man his reputation is of the best. He is a Republican in politics and he and his family belong to the Christian church.

In 1875 Mr. Bates married Miss Elizabeth Page, who was born at Orford, New Hampshire. She is a daughter of Albert Page, who was a resident of Nebraska for five years, but later went to New Jersey, where he died. Mrs. Bates died in 1884, having been the mother of two children : Fred, postmaster at Lillian, and a prominent business man, whose interests approximate $100,000 ; and Helen, former postmistress at that place, now deceased. Mr. Bates was married again in 1884, to Miss Frances Simpson, who w'as born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Jotham Simpson, whose death occurred in the state of California. Six children were born to this imion : Clyde, who is engaged in farming on his father's property nine miles north of Broken Bow ; Clemens, who is engaged in farming and raising stock in the vicinity of Lillian ; Amy, who is the wife of George Howell, who carries on agricultural operations on one of her father's farms in Custer county : Zelma, who is the wife of George Raymond, farming on a property six miles southwest of Broken Bow ; Jessie, who is unmarried and resides with her parents at Berwyn ; and Verne, who is fanning five miles southwest of Broken Bow.

ELMER V. WILKERSON. - One of the substantial men who are conducting successful operations in the Callaway vicinity is Elmer V. Wilkerson, who was born March 31, 1878, in Lvnn countv, Missouri. He is a son of Aaron J. and Mary (Gooch) Wilkerson, the former a native of Missouri and the latter a native of the Blue Grass state, famous for good horses and beautiful women. In the family of Aaron J. Wilkerson were five children, all of whom grew to maturity, namely: John F., Florence Fore, Katherine Salee. Harvey (deceased), and the subject of this sketch. The parents by religious faith were Presbyterians and were counted as substantial people in the community of their residence.

Young Elmer V. Wilkerson worked at home, attended school, improved his opportunities and by being unusually studious, became so far advanced in his studies that he was able to teach school during the winter time from the time he was sixteen years old. Farming became the order of the day, w^ork during the summer, teaching school during the winter. He recalls that one summer he pitched hay for fifty cents a day, but he has always believed that the work was worth more money. By this means he secured enough money to attend the Missouri Nonnal School at Chillicothe, for a year and one-half. He continued to reside at home, working and teaching, until he reached his majority.

October 22, 1899, at Meadville, Missouri, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Wilkerson to Miss Esther W. Sidebottom, who was born and reared in that town and who is a daughter of William W. and Mary (Ogan) Sidebottom. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkerson then established a home of their own, and they have maintained it in comfort and plenty during the years that have followed. They have three sons : Lawrence W'ayne is a graduate of the high school at Wheeling, Missouri ; Dayton W.. eleven years of age ; and Raymond Earl, six years of age, are both in school and are candidates for higher education.

During the first part of his independent career. Air. Wilkerson made his home on a farm. He farmed during the summer, handled some stock and taught school in the winter time. This was the program until the winter of 1917, when he gave up the last part of an unexpired term of school and came to Custer county and purchased part of the old Penn ranch, on Spring creek. This he has recently sold, making a splendid profit on his investment. He is well pleased with the county and expects to reinvest his monev in other land in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkerson are fine people, and the citizens of Custer countv will be glad to have them remain and here make their future home. They are members of the Methodist church and Mr. Wilkerson is affiliated with the Knights of the Maccabees.

WESLEY MILLER, uho is numbered among the prominent representatives of the farming and stock-raising interests of Custer county, and who is now the owner of the homestead secured by his father in 1885, has made his entire career within the borders of the county. He is a native of Linn county, Iowa, and was bom August 10, 1869, being i son of William and Loretta (Hagey) Miller, both natives of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. His paternal grandfather was Michael Miller, a blacksmith by trade, who died in Linn county, Iowa, while his maternal grandfather was Adam Hagey, who was born in Pennsylvania and who moved to Iowa and spent his last years in farming.

William Miller was born in 1830 and was educated in the public schools of the Keystone state, where, in Westmoreland county, he learned the trade of blacksmith. About the year 1861 he moved to Iowa, where he followed his trade, as he did also after coming to Nebraska, in connection with carrying on farming- on his homestead, in Custer county. on which he settled in 1885. Later he tumed his entire attention to farming and the raising of live stock, and he was so engaged at the time of his death, in 1902, although at that time he was a resident of Oklahoma. Originally a Republican, in his later years he transferred his allegiance to the Populist party, and he held several local public offices. Mrs. Miller, who was bom in 1833, died in Greene county. Iowa. September 10, 1887. Thev were members of the old line Presbyterian church, and had eight children, of whom seven are now living, Wesley having been the seventh in order of birth. Only one other child lives in Nebraska : John C, who is engaged in farming in the vicinity of Anslev.

Wesley Miller was educated in the public schools of Greene county. Iowa, and Custer county, Nebraska, and from his vouth has been engaged in famiing. He remained on the homestead, which he secured by purchase from the heirs of the estate after his father's death, in 1902. and at the present time he is the owner of 440 acers of good land, all accumulated through his own efforts. From time to time he has made modern improvements on his property, which now has a set of good buildings, including his pleasant home, erected by him in 1909, and a large bam. built in 1911, as well as substantial outbuildings. In addition to general famiing. he has always carried on stock-raising, and in each direction he has met with well desened success. Fraternally Mr. Miller is well known, being a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modem Woodmen of America, and he is now serving his third term as master of the local Grange. He is an independent Democrat in politics. As a citizen he has been a staunch and generous supporter of public-spirited movements, and has fulfilled his responsibilities in an efficient manner in the offices of constable for several years and justice of the peace one term.

In September, 1892, Mr. Miller w^as united in marriage to Miss Anna L. Littler, who was bom at Lincoln, Nebraska, a daughter of Oliver Littler, who conducted a transfer business in Lincoln for a numljer of years and who died in that city. Two children have been bom to Mr. and Mrs. Miller - Myron W., who is, at the time of this writing, with the .\merican E.xpeditionar}' Forces in France; and Elnora, who is residing with her parents and is one of Custer county's successful school-teachers.

CHRIST HELMUTH. who is a prosperous and well contented farmer living in Custer county, Nebraska, where he owns several valuable properties and has a fine home, has lived here for thirty- four years and is highly respected in his neighborhood. Mr. Helmuth was born in Germany, February 10, 1860, a son of John and Mary Helmuth, whose children were : William, John, Christ, and Carrie.

Christ Helmuth was fourteen years old when he accompanied his mother, his sister Carrie, and August Wirshing, who was a halfbrother, to the United States. His people belonged to the working class and, as the law provided, he was given three hours of schooling in the forenoon of each day. Thus, although not acquainted with any language except that of his native land, he was a well inlonned youth when he came to .America. Agricultural conditions, however, were not encouraging at that time in Germany, and thus the family sought a new home in a land where their industry would be certain to be rewarded by a chance to secure farm land. When Mr. Helmuth and his mother, sister and half-brother reached Illinois, they stopped in Jo Daviess county, and all went to work on farms. In February, 1884, the Helmuths came to Lexington. Dawson county, Nebraska, and immediately afterward located claims on the Buffalo Table, eight miles west of Oconto, Custer county. At that time it was a somewhat arid region and there was considerable hardship endured for a period, because of lack of water. John Helmuth secured the first well on the Buffalo Table, in 1890, and in the same year Ernest Snyder also found water. Other settlers also sunk wells, and the critical situation of those early years passed away. Mr. Helmuth remembers hauling water for drinking purposes a distance of about five miles during a period of six years, securing water for other purposes from Buffalo wallows and lagoons. This lack of water interfered with farming and stock-raising industries for a time, but the Helmuths were not discouraged. They held on to their land and the old homestead now belongs to Christ Helmuth, who still lives on the place, and is prosperous and satisfied. He has always been a hard and steady worker, and through his industry has secured a second farm, of 160 acres, besides which he has everything comfortable around him. He earned his first money when he was ten years old, by working on a farm in Germany, his wages being five cents for a half-day.

Mr. Helmuth was married May 4, 1889, to Miss Barbara Snyder, a daughter of Ernest and Johanna (Kape) Snyder, natives of Germany, who had the following children : Ernest, Mrs. Lillie Helmuth, Mrs. Barbara Helmuth, George, John, Lawrence, Mrs. Maggie German, Mrs. Susie Helmuth, Mrs. Anna Helsel, and Mrs. Louisa Lewis. Mr. and Mrs. Helmuth have five children, as follows : Mary L. is the wife of Robert Robison, of Mathersville, Illinois, and they have one daughter ; George C, who has been his father's helper, was looking forward to service in the national army, in the world war at the time when the great conflict came to a close ; Matilda D. is the wife of Raymond Badgley, a farmer living three miles west of Oconto, and they have one son ; and Carrie G. and Daisy R. are attending school. Mr. Helmuth and his family belong to the Lutheran church. He is an independent voter and is affiliated with the Modem Woodmen of America.