Custer County, Nebraska - Founders and Builders, 1919 (part 18 of 32)

"In October. 1888. horse thieves stole two of my finest horses - four and five years old respectively and weighing 2.-t00 pounds. I called on Sheriff Penn and told him my story. He assigned to my case his deputy, who was Jesse Flora. We were both green in the matter of detective skill. \\'e trailed the horse thieves to a i>oint ten miles northwest of North Platte. The thieves stayed all night at the home of Joseph \\'olfor. and thence we followed them into Colorado, where we lost all trace of them. I never saw my team again. Penn ran for sheriff again and he looked well to his political fences. His deputy was as green as I - and greener yet. His activities in connection with the attempt to recover my team clearly justify this statement."

WILLIAM SMITH. - Among the well known fanners of Custer county whose industry, energy, and good management have placed them in comfortable circumstances and gained for them a reputable standing among their townsmen, is \V'illiam Smith. Air. Smith is one of the early settlers of the Ansley district, where he filed on a homestead in 1884, and during his career here he has been known as a constructive and public-spirited citizen and a supporter of movements which have led to advancement and resulted in development.

William Smith was born on a farm in Washington county, Iowa, May 24, 1863, a son of John and Nancy ( Alorris) Smith. His father was born in Pennsylvania, in 1826, and was married in that state, where the mother was born in 1836. Not long after their marriage they went to Iowa and in 1870 they came to Saline county, Nebraska. In 1884 they came to Custer county, where they passed the remainder of their lives, the father dying four years after their arrival, and the mother having survived him until 1911 and having been seventy-five years old at the time of her demise. Mr. Smith was a Republican, and he and his wife, who were industrious and honorable farming people, were consistent members of the Presbyterian church. They were the parents of eight children, of whom seven are living : Henderson, who resides in Oregon ; O. F., who is a nurseryman of Blackfoot, Idaho ; Emma, who is the wife of Arel Real, a retired farmer of Ansley ; William, whose name initiates this .sketch ; Florence, who is the wife of S. A. Gardner, of Salem. Washington; Mrs. Seth Gibson, who resides at Forest Grove, Oregon; and Mrs. Charles Daniel, who is a resident of Spanaway, Washington.

William Smith gained his early education in the common schools of Nebraska and as a youth learned the trade of butcher, which he followed for several years. This vocation, however, did not prove congenial, and he subsequently turned his attention to farming and stock-feeding, in which he met with success. This encouraged him, in 1884, to come to Custer county and secure a homestead near Ansley, and, although he was but twenty-one years old at the time, he immediately displayed abilities that gave him an even opportunity for success with the older and more experienced men of the community. His advancement has been continuous and consistent, and from the time that he dug the first well at Ansley and duplicated that accomplishment at Mason City, he has continued to show himself a man of advanced views and progressive ideas. He has had his share of success and his share of reverses, but successes have been in the majority, and as a result he is to-day accounted one of his community's well-to-do men. His first house, built to succeed the small habitation of pioneer days, was destroyed by a tornado which visited these parts, but this he subsequently replaced with a more modern structure, commodious in size, attractive in appearance, and with all modern conveniences. His other buildings are proportionately substantial and handsome, and his machinery and appurtenances are of the latest manufacture. He is a Republican and a public-spirited citizen, but has not been a candidate for office. He and Mrs. Smith were charter members of the local organization of the Royal Neighbors, to which order they still belong, and Mr. Smith is also a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mrs. Smith holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Ansley.

In April, 1888, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Alice Kestner, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Howard) Kestner. Mr. Kestner was born in Germany, and was fourteen years of age when he came to the United States, settling in Ohio, from which state he moved to Iowa. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted in an Iowa regiment of volunteer infantry and served bravely for the Union for three years, establishing a splendid record. In 1881 lie removed to Seward county, Nebraska, where both he and his wife were residing at the time of their death. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith; Glenn is engaged in farming in Custer county ; Ralph is a member of the United States navy; Ray is farming in Custer county; Kathryn resides with her parents : Walter is with the American Expeditionary Forces in France at the time of this writing; and Edith, Dean, and Dale remain with their parents.

MISS ELIZA DOWSE. - Both personally and professionally is Miss Dowse to be designated as one of the most highly esteemed women of Custer county, which has represented her home in a generic sense since the year of her birth, when she was brought here by her parents, who became sterling pioneers of this now favored section of Nebraska. While she has thus looked upon Custer county as her homo, Miss Dowse is known in other sections of Nebraska and also in other states of the Union, her mature life having been one marked by earnest service and distinctive- usefulness.

Miss Eliza I>)wse, educator and trained nurse, was born at Grinnell, Iowa, on the 13th of March, 1873. and she is a daughter of Lewis R. and Sarah M. (Wagner) Dowse, who now have the distinction of being the oldest living pioneers of Custer county, Samuel Wagner, father of Mrs. Dowse, having been one of the very first settlers in Custer county. The parents of Miss Dowse came to this county in 1873, long before the great rush of homeseekers to this part of the state, and the government land which they then obtained constitutes the fine homestead on which they have lived during the long intervening years. The hardships which they endured in their isolated frontier home were serious enough at the time and called for great courage and resourcefulness, but all of these tribulations are virtually forgotten by the venerable couple save in a retrospective glance from the vantage point of their present-day comfort, ease, and pros{>erity - the due rewards for years of earnest toil and endeavor. They have a wide acquaintanceship, and in their charitable and kindly attitude and their interest in others is still displayed that sympathetic friendliness that was so strong a tie among the early settlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Dowse, of whom further mention is made on other pages of this publication, thus have a circle of friends that is limited only by that of their acqaintances. They are earnest members of the Congregational church. In politics Lewis R. Dowse gives unfaltering allegiance to the Republican party, and while he has never sought or desired the honors or emoluments of public office, he has at all times been loyal and public-spirited as a citizen and has lent his influence and co-oi>eration in the furtherance of the civic and material development and advancement of the county. Concerning their children the following brief data are consistently entered : William R. is a farmer near Comstock, this county and the maiden name of his wife was Florence Murphy: Eliza, the immediate subject of this review, was the next in order of birth ; Alice is the wife of Charles R. Sims, a farmer near Newkirk, ( )kl:ihoma ; Levi'is S., who married Miss Marie Pickel, operates a saw mill at Lake Stevens, Washington ; Lawrence E., who married Miss Mabel Miner, is a farmer near Comstock. Custer county; Elmer E. married Miss Elsie Day and thev reside on the old and historic Dowse homestead, near Comstock. the same being under his active management; Ethel M. is the wife of Frank S. Steele, a shoe manufacturer at Comstock ; and Nellie died at the age of seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Dowse liave also an adopted daughter, Faye, who is at the [jresent time in the service of the government, as a skilled stenographer and bookkeeper, in the city of Seattle, \Vashington.

As previously stated. Miss Eliza Dowse was not yet one year old when the family home was established in Custer county, and here she was reared on the old pioneer homestead of her parents, under the conditions and influences that marked the early period in the history of the county. Her initial educational advantages were those aflforded in the primitive rural school in the vicinity of her home, and later she attended the high school at Arcadia, as well as summer sessions of the normal school at Broken Bow. That she made good use of the scholastic opportunities thus afforded her. is shown in the marked success and popularity which she gained as a representative of the pedagogic profession. For a period of fourteen years she was continuously engaged in teaching in the public schools, and her services were thus given not only in Nebraska but also in Idaho and Massachusetts. She proved very successful as an instructor and gained the atTectionate regard of the many pupils who thus came within the sphere of her influence. With her fine intellectual attainments and executive ability, Aliss Dowse has the dominating sympathy and kindliness that ever beget confidence and love in the schoolroom, and the same qualities have also inured greatly to her success in the field of endeavor in which she is now working with characteristic earnestness and ability and with a high sense of personal stewardship. Upon her retirement from the pedagogic profession Miss Dowse began a thorough course of training in hospital work, and on the 16th of October, U'15, she was graduated as a trained nurse, in the celebrated training school maintained in connection with the Massachusetts General Hospital in the city of Boston. Since that time she has followed the work of her profession in Custer county, and her ministrations have done much in the alleviation of human ^nlTering and distress. She finds satisfaction in being a member of a professional sisterhood whose heroism has met the highest test during the climacteric period of the great world war, for greater heroism than that of the devoted nurses who have ministered with all of self-abnegation and zeal to the wounded soldiers in France and Belgium has never been recorded in the annals of humanity. Miss Dowse remains on the old homestead at such times as her professional duties do not require her presence elsewhere, and she is known and loved as one of the noble women of the county in which virtually her entire life has been passed.

who have contributed materially to the growth and development of Custer county sinces the pioneer settlement of this part of the state, one who has been an eye-witness of and participant in this great growth and progress is Richard E. Allen, who is now living in retirement at Arnold. Mr. Allen was a homesteader, was one of the early postmasters of the county, and was one of the first merchants of his section, but the greater part of his active career was passed as a farmer and st<x'kman. In whatever capacity he found himself, he always carried on his transactions and conducted himself personally in a manner that won and held for him the respect and esteem of his fellows, and his life record has been unmarked by stain or other blemish.

Mr. Allen was born .\pril 21, 1857, at Mount Morris. New York, and he is a son of Silas E. and Evaline ( Blakeley) Allen, natives of the Empire state. There were six children in the family, of whom four are living: Eugene F., Marion S., Richard E., and Mrs. May Gunnison. Richard E. Allen was but one year old when the family moved to Clinton county, Iowa, and in 1863 removal was made to Linn county, that state, where Mr. Allen's father purchased 160 acres of land in the prairie country. There his boyhood and youth were passed, his education being secure<l in the public schools of the country, and he having been reared under the vital discipline of the home farm. Mr. .Mien earned his first money by sliocking wheat, having been promised fifty cents a day, but through some misunderstanding he failed to get his money, and the bitter disappointment made such an impression on his youthful mind that he remembers it to this day and has always been careful in making promises to his own children. Mr. Allen remained on the home farm until he was nearly twenty-two years of age, and he then married. December 8, 1878, in Linn county, Iowa, he wedded Miss Lovira L. Parks, who was born in that county, a daughter of Morgan S. and Lydia (Harris) Parks, natives of Indiana. Three children were born to this union: Gertie E., Mertie M., and I'llanche R. Gertie E. is the wife of Andrew J. McCants, a farmer one-half mile west of Arnold, and they have no children. They are members of the Christian church. Mr. McCants is a blue-lodge Mason, is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen, and in political faith is a Democrat. Mertie M. is the wife of William Chadima, an ice and coal dealer of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and they have no children. They are me.nbers of the Christian church and Mr. Chadima is a Democrat in politics. Blanche R. Allen married Charles F. McGuire, a farmer who operates his eighty-acre farm one mile southwest of Arnold, and leases 600 acres in Powell canyon. They are the parents of two sons and one daughter - Edgar and Willie, and Genevieve. Mr. and Mrs. McGuire are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, he is a Republican in politics and is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, in which he is past master of his lodge, besides which he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Allen has a brother. David R. Parks, two sisters, Mrs. Josephine Gross and Mrs. Jane Weatherwax, and lOne half-brother on Her mother's side, George Clark.

In June, 1880, Mr. and Mrs. Allen came to Custer county and settled on the land on which the village of Arnold is now located. After the hard winter of 1880, the cattlemen here prevailed on Mr. Allen to take the postoffice, which at that time was being conducted by George Arnold, for whom the town of Arnold was afterward named. Mr. Allen decided to start a store at the same time, and he accordingly went to Kearney, where he bought one hundred dollars' worth of merchandise such as he knew would fill the needs of of the men in his locality, and he hauled this merchantlise overland 100 miles, with a pony team. The cowboys were not long in finding nut that a store had been established and they soon cleaned out the little stock, which Mr. Allen replenished by another trip, this time to Cozad, fifty miles distant. This oix^ration was repeated a number of times, Mr. Allen remaining in the mercantile business about seven years. In 1889 he gave up his business and resigned the postmastership. When he had started as postmaster, the stamps cancelled at his office averaged $2 per month, but when he gave up his position they had reached the apl)roximate sum of $35, which gives an i<lea of the settlement of the country during the period of seven years. In 1889 Mr. Allen settled down in earnest to farming and raising stock, and soon he became one of the important men in these lines in his community. He ran stock and farmed, carried on his operations in a well ordered, progressive, and energetic way. and through the exercise of good judgment and natural ability he worked out a splendid success. He is now the owner of 351 acres of fine land, in addition to his modern home adjoining Arnold, and is living in retirement, in the enjoyment of the rewards that have come to him as a result of a well spent and honorable life.

Mr. Alien is affiliated with both the York Rite and the Scottish Rite bodies of the Masonic fraternity, as well as the Mystic Shrine, his son-in-law, Charles F. McGuire, being also similarly identified with the time-honored fraternity. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are consistent members and generous supporters of the Methodist Episcopal church and in politics he supports the principles of the Democratic party.

D. J. JOXES. - These lines concern one of the younger generation - a young man just rounding the mile post of his majority ; one who comes of sturdy stock and possesses those indomitable characteristics that insure a high degree of success.

Mr. Jones was born at Omaha, Xebraska, May 13. 1898. and is a son of J. B. Jones, whose life record is known to nearly all of Custer county and who is the subject of an extended sketch in these pages.

D. J. Jones received his early education in the district schools and from very early years worked on the farm and planned to follow farming as an occupation. His initial efforts indicate plainly that he will succeed in the occupation he has selected, and that he will be a credit to the community and county in which he is located. He rents from his father one-half section of land, on which are splendid improvements and everything that goes to make a good farm equipment. He makes excellent use of these facilities and is doing a general farming and stock business that is more than commendable for a man of his age and experience. He has good stock in the foundation of his herds, both in the cow lot and the hog pen. This will mean fine specimens of cattle and hogs in the near future. He has been for fifteen years on this place, which belongs to his father, who operated it before the marriage of D. J.

In April, 1917. Mr. Jones married Miss Emma Harmon, daughter of Ray Harmon, who lives near Ansley. One child blesses this union and makes happy the home of the young parents. Mvian being the name of this bright little daughter.

^Ir. and Mrs. Jones are a highly respected young couple who have many friends in the vicinity of their home and as far as their acquaintance extends. Young, active, and gracious in social circles, it is not surprising that they have a host of friends. They are members of the Baptist church and give to it a valuable support and able assistance in many ways aside from their financial help, which has always been generous.

JOSEPH H, LIXDER. - The rich possibilities of the farming country of Custer county have attracted men not alone from various other states of the Union and even from other countries, but have also enlisted the services of numerous agriculturists who formerlv had centered their activities in other parts of Xebraska. In this class is found Joseph H. Linder who, prior to coming to Custer county, in 1906, was interested in farming in Saunders county. He is now one of the leading farmers of the Bervvyn community, where he is carrying on extensive and successful operations on a tract of 400 acres, all acquired through his own efforts.

Mr. Linder was born in Clarke county. Iowa, September 7, 1858, a son of H. B. and Sarah (Davis) Linder. His father, born in 1824, was a native of \^irginia and as a young man traveled overland to Illinois, where he was married and settled down to life as an agriculturist. His father having moved to Clarke county, as an early settler, and having found that part of the country promising, H. B. Linder followed him to the Hawkeye state and secured land. He was an industrious and progressive man and made a success of his activities, and about the year 1884 changed his residence to Wahoo, Xebraska, where he lived in retirement until his death, in 1890. .\t that time his widow, who is a native of Illinois, went to live with her son J. D. Linder, and in March, 1918, she came to live with her son Joseph H. Linder, at whose home she still resides, aged eighty-three years. There were nine children in the family, of whom six are living, and of these Joseph H. is the only one living in Custer county. Mrs. Linder is a devout meml>er of the Baptist church, to which her husband belonged. He was an adherent of the Republican party.

Joseph IT. Linder was educated in the public schools of Clarke county, Iowa, where he grew to manhood, and about the time of his father's removal to Wahoo, he likewise took up his own residence in Xebraska, where he secured a farm in Saunders countv, near the citv of

Wahoo, the county seat. There he secured a start, as an independent farmer in a small way, and he had the usual struggles in gaining his foothold, although in his case these were made somewhat lighter by reason of inherent ability and thorough information regarding the art of agriculture. In 1906 he disposed of his interests in that locality and came to Custer county, where he purchased his present farm of 400 acres, on which he has since done mixed farming. This compares favorably with other properties of the locality, and Mr. Linder has been unsparing in his labors in making improvements and generally raising the standard of buildings and equipment. ' His success as a farmer rests upon his many years of faithful and well directed work, and his prosperity is all the more gratifying because of the fact that everything that he has has been self-gained, and in an honorable and straightforward manner.

While still living in Iowa, in 1882, Mr. Linder was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Louden, who was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of John Louden, an early settler and farmer of Iowa. They have had seven children, as follows : Marshall Boyd, who is the owner of some good Custer county agricultural land; M. Melville, who operates a rented farm in Custer county ; Genevieve, who is the wife of W. D. Pratt, a farmer of this county ; W. G., who farms in this county ; Harry, w'ho operates a rented farm ; and Anna Belle and Laura Belle, twins, who are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Linder have been members of the Presbyterian church for thirty years. He :s a memiber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Daughters of Rebekah, and the Modern Woodmen of America, and is a Republican in pKDlitics. He is a supporter of all public-spirited movements and his belief in and friendship for the cause of education has led him to give his services for ton years as a member of the school board.

FRANK E. NEEDHAM is a substantial citizen of Custer county, where he owns valuable farm lands and also a business building and a cream station in the town of Arnold. He has spent almost his entire life thus far in Nebraska and hence considers himself almost in the light of a native son. He was born at Princeton, Iowa, August 3. 1866, one of the four children of Arthur H. and Cameli.i (Porter) Needham, the others being: Leroy, who married Grace Chappie : Bertha, who is the wife of Grant Alills : and Mattie M., who is the wife of Keith Walker. The mother of

Mr. Needham died February 20, 1900, but his father survives and makes his home with his daughter Bertha (Mrs. Mills), at Forest Grove, Oregon.

Frank E. Needham was two years old when his parents brought him to Nebraska and settled twelve miles east of Lincoln. In 1882 removal was made to Custer county and a preemption claim was secured, situated five miles south of Arnold. There Frank E. Needham grew up, having as many advantages as the ordinary farmer boy at that time, as to schooling and recreation. He remembers that the Fourth of July was about the greatest day in the year's calendar, and to celebrate it seemed almost a patriotic duty. He found, one year, that he would have to earn the money in order to enjoy celebrating, and therefore he engaged to plow a neighbor's corn field. He was only ten years old at the time, the task was pretty heavy, and along toward noon he mentioned to his employer that he thought it was a very long forenoon. All the satisfaction he received was a benevolent look from the old farmer and the consoling remark: "Son, don't you know while man makes the forenoon, God makes the afternoon?"

Mr. Needham was united in marriage August 7, 1893, at Broken Bow, to Miss Hattie Burk, a daughter of James and Martha ( Crabb) Burk. He and Mrs. Needham have one daughter, Ruth, who has prepared herself to be a teacher and was graduated in 1918 from the Nebraska Wesleyan University, at L'niversity Place, near Lincoln. Mrs. Needham has three brothers and two sisters, namely: John, William, Albert, Mrs. Laura Rodgers, and Mrs. Emma Beltz. Mr. Needham owns several properties that he has under rental, and he is also the owner of twentytwo acres of land and a substantial business building in the town of Arnold, where also, as mentioned above, he conducts a cream station, in which town he is an influential citizen in many ways.

LEWIS L. PRESTON, a general farmer and well known citizen of Custer county, resides on his valuable landed estate in the neighborhood of Oconto. Mr. Preston is one of the county's pioneers, and he has been a resident of Nebraska since he was seventeen years of age. He has lived through a wonderful period of state development and, as opportunity has been afforded, he has done his full share in assisting to bring about the prosperous conditions of the present day. Mr. Preston was born in Freeborn county, Minna- sola, December 21. 1860. His parents were Smith and ^largaret E. (Ivillmer) Preston, who had six children, the five survivors being: Lewis L., Elmer, Mrs. Agnes A. Fedderson, Mrs. Alice M. Mcjunkins, and Henry - all well known people in Custer county.

Lewis L. Preston assisted his father on the home farm in Minnesota and went to school during his boyhood. He was seventeen years old when his father moved to Beaver City, Furnas county, Nebraska, and took up a preemption claim, on which he lived for six years, with pioneer courage and determination holding on to his land even though discouraging periods of drouth that not only ruined the crops but imperiled the live stock and also made hardships out of the most ordinary of domestic tasks.

In April, 1888, Lewis L. Preston came to Custer county, and he has lived here ever since. The section in which he finally secured a homestead, after working several seasons with the owners of the Kennebec ranch, was almost unsettled at that time, his nearest neighbor, two miles to the southwest, being Mr. Christensen, and Hans Knudsen being the nearest neighbor to the west. His claim was a piece of rough land, but Mr. Preston finally perfected his title and then traded the property for his present fine place, paying a substantial difference in cash. He has one of the best wells in this part of the county, its depth being 200 feet, and none can appreciate such a blessing better than the old settlers who, like Mr. Preston, had to haul all the water for domestic purposes for eight years and also all for the live stock. For eight years Mr. Preston was compelled to obtain water in this way. except what he could catch in the canyons. There were other hardshi])s that early settlers in this county bravely faced and overcame, but the greatest was the lack of water, which disadvantage has long since disappeared, Custer county now being a rich agricultural section.

At Beaver City, Nebraska, December 26, 1882, Lewis L. Preston married Miss Catherine Hancock, who was born in Wisconsin, a daughter of Robert and Louisa ( Bowman ) Preston, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Preston have three sons: Clarence M., Harry S.. and Chester A. Clarence M. Preston, who is engaged in farming two miles northwest of HufFalo, Dawson county, married Lizzie Hilnuith. a daughter of SX'illiam ITilmuth, and they have four sons and one daughter. Harry S. Preston, who is operating his land in PiutTalo vallev, one mile north of his father's farm, married Daisy Smock, a daughter of Anton Smock, and they have one son and one daughter, Harry S. Preston being a patriotic young man who held himself ready to fulfill any demands his country might make upon him in connection with the world war. Chester A. Preston, like his next older brother, held himself in readiness for military call. He is a farmer near Buffalo, Dawson county. . He married Verna, a daughter of Nathan Province, and they have no children. Lewis L. Preston and his sons are all staunch Republicans and the religious faith of the entire family is that of the Evangelical church.

JOSHUA WOOD. - This is one of the historic names of Custer county - a name that harks back to the pioneer days when the South Loup river ran as wet as it does to-day but when skirting its banks were not so many well improved farms and when the valley through which it flowed was not dotted with so many elegant farm homes. The possessor of the name lives in Kearney but, nevertheless, he belongs to Custer county, and into the history of this county his life and years are so interwoven that they cannot well be separated.

Joshua Wood is a native of the state of Iowa, where he was born October 8, 1851. His parents were Thomas K. and Deme (Mann) Wood. The father was a farmer and stockraiser whose operations were attended with fair success. The parents moved to Buffalo county. Nebraska, in 1868, and in 1873 they located a homestead west of Sumner. The father died in 1897 and the mother in 1905. In their family were ten children, eight of whom are still living: Sarah F. Berry is now widowed and lives in Missouri X'alley. Iowa; William B. is a carpenter and he likewise resides in Missouri \"alley : Rhoda Hammer is the widow of Lewis Hammer and lives in Council Bluff's; Joshua is the subject of this sketch ; Perry C. who lives in Sumner, is a farmer and stock-raiser; Delia Drake lives at Steamboat. Colorado, her husband being a farmer and stock-raiser ; Nora Keen lives in Sumner ; Lee is a barber and resides at Laurel. Nebraska ; Mary Butts is deceased ; F.dward was killetl at Meeteetse. Wyoming, while liauling lumber down a mountain side.

Joshua Wood moved to Nebraska when his father did and here he filed liis first pre-emption in 1874, on the South Loup river, this being the iK'ginning of his career in Custer county. lie lived on the jilace three years, operatiii"' for himself, and he then became con- nected witli the Loup \'aUey Live Stock Comjiany as vice-president and superintendent. In ISfiS there was no Kearney, no B. & M. Railroad. He killed a buf¥alo south of Gibbon, when the Gibbon colony came to this county in 187 L This was the last buffalo killed in this section. Prior to this time, when he first came to the west, buffaloes were killed by the vvliolesale. The hunters took only the hind quarters, and often four or five wagons were loaded down with the meat and hides. This gives an idea of the plentifulness of game in the early days. Mr. Wood has been married twice. His first marriage was to Etta Kilgore, daughter of Coe Kilgore, who was one of the early pioneers of the South Loup and whose history is given elsewhere. To this union three chiFdren were born : Of Walter and Frank, both of whom are prominent South Loup stock men, extended mention is made under their own respective names, on other pages of this book; Ada Overmire is on the home ranch. The second marriage of Mr. Wood was to Mrs. Barbara (Byers) Davis.

During the early years Mr. Wood had much to do with the organization of the county. He attended the early political conventions and was the first sheriff of Custer county. Although there was little business in those days for sheriff or any other officer, his name is recorded at the head of the ofiicial roster of Custer county sheriff's. In those days he rendered the county valuable service and, along with such kindred spirits as Kilgore, Douglass, Wise, Young, Boblits, George, Allen, and many others, he assumed his share of responsibilities.

He has always stuck to the farming business but has made it always conserve the interests of stock-raising. He and his boys are in partnership now and they have on hand splendid herds of fine cattle. Their fancy has always been for the white-faced Herefords. They have never failed to keep on hand registered bulls, and by this means they have proved the worth of their fine stock and made their ranch famous for the cattle they produce. Mr. Wood is a member of the Woodman lodge, is a Democrat in politics, and, withal, is a highly respected and influential citizen. Mr. Wood was interested with the Loup Valley Live Stock Company up to 1887. In 1885 the company established a ranch near Fort Buford, Montana, and drove surplus ranch cattle, in the years 188.^ and 1886, to the Montana ranch. Air. Wood and Mr. Lewis Hammer, of Council Bluff's, Iowa, bought out the Loup Valley Livei Stock Company in 1904, Mr. Wood acting as president and general manager up to 1916, when he and his two sons bought Mr. Hammer's interest. They still own and operate this ranch together.

WILLIAAI T. JONES, who has contributer to the development and upbuilding of Custer county through his connection with agricultural affairs, is known as one of the aggressive and skilled farmers of the Berwyn locality. When he began his career in this county he was possessed of only a little live stock and a small amount of equipment, but within six years he had placed himself in a position where he was aWe to purchase a farm, and from that time to the present his career has been one of continued and uninterrupted success.

Mr. Jones was born on a farm in Saunders county, Nebraska, February 17, 1870, and is a son of James and Louisa (Joslin) Jones, His father, a native of Indiana, was there reared and educated. He took up fanning as a vocation, and when he started operations on a property of his own he established himself as a family man by his marriage with Miss Louisa Joslin, who was born in Kentucky and who had been taken to Indiana as a child. After farming in Indiana with indifferent success for a number of years, in 1869 Mr. Jones came to Saunders county, in the new state of Nebraska, where he settled on a homestead and continued operations for fifteen years. He next disposed of his interests there and took up his residence in Butler county, where he passed the last years of his life, and where his death occurred in 1898. Mr. Jones was one of the men whose abilities were allowed to develop through the opportunities offered in this state, and who, in their new environment, worked their own way to prosperity. He was never a public man, preferring the atmosphere of his farm to the honors of political place, but he w^as a staunch supporter of Democratic principles and an adherent of all movements making for advancement in any way. His widow survived him until 1916, when she passed away, having been the mother of ten cliildren. of whom seven are living.

William T. Jones commenced his education in the district schools of Saunders county, Nebraska, and completed them in Butler county, where his i>arents established their home when he was still a lad. He was reared to sturdy manhood and was taught the complete curriculum of farming in Butler county, and there, in 1903, was married to Miss Mary Kockrow, who was born at Lincoln, Nebraska, a daughter of Martin Kockrow, who was both a farm- er and stone-mason. Mr. Kockrow homesteaded in Clay county, Nebraska, where he carried on operations for a number of years, and as a stone-mason he followed his vocation for a long period at Lincoln, during which time he had the honor of doing the mechanical work in the laying of the cornerstone in the old postoffice at the state capital. Mr. and ]\Irs. Jones became the parents of two children - Martin and Pauline.

After following farming in Butler county for several years, Mr. Jones temix)rarily gave up that occupation and moved to Broken Bow. where for four years he was engaged in teaming, one of his contracts being the delivering of the materials of which the court house was built. When he again decided to follow farming, his equipment consisted of a team of horses, two cows, and a little household furniture ; but his energy was still unbounded and his ambition and spirit still unbroken, he having had a full amount of these desirable qualities at the outset of life. He settled down to a determined effort to win success, and in 1912 purchased eighty acres of land. To the development of this he has since applied himself with excellent results, and he now has his land well broken and planted to grain, of which he is raising large crops. He is rapidly attaining success, and no man is more worthy of achieving success. As a citizen Mr. Jones has done all within his power to assist in good movements, civic and educational. He is a .staunch Republican in politics, although his interest therein lies principally as a voter. His fraternal membership connects him with the local lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America.

LOGAN W. CHILES is consistently to be designated as one of the well-to-do and prominent citizens of Callaway ; a citizen who has contributed heavily to public improvemeaits and county development, and a man whose past experience savors of the wild days when laws were lax and ill-starred characters took advantage of the law-abiding better class.

Mr. Chiles was born July 19, 1864. in Davis county, Missouri, and is a son of Richard E. and Permelia ( Enyeard ) Chiles, lx)tii of whom were horn in Kentucky, their children having been four in number, and all are living - Mrs. Emma Sicloff, Richard E., Elieu Thompson, and Logan W. The father was a colonel in the Confederate army, under General Lee. After serving with distinguished valor; he died from the effects of a gunshot wound which he received in battle. .\t the time of his death, his son Logan was but four years of age, and as the mother had passed away two years previously, Logan W. was doubly orphaned at a verj^ tender age. He came to live with his grandfather. Captain Enyeard, of Otoe county, Nebraska. Later Captain Enyeard invested a good deal of money in Custer county land, and he is well remembered by the old settlers in the southwestern part of the county.

Logan W. Chiles was given good educational advantages and finished his equipment with a two years' course in the Nebraska City College. Connected with the early days in the state he relates the following experience :

When about twenty years of age he contracted to break prairie for a Holt county farmer. The place where the prairie was to be broken was in a sparsely settled district, two or three miles from the nearest neighbor. These were in the palmy days of Doc Middleton and Kid Wade, when horse-flesh changed hands easily - and sometimes suddenly and without much ceremony. Logan had a fine span of black mares, very valuable. Their handsome appearance attracted the attention of the sheriff of the county, who warned the boy to keep his eyes open or he woukl find himself, some morning, afoot and alone on the prairie, as there was a gang of horse-thieves operating in the vicinity that would not stop at murder if necessary to secure such a prize as those black mares would be. Logan thanked him for the advice and decided that be would l>etter follow it. He stuck to his work, picketed the mares on the grass near his wagon, under which he slept, and he did his best to keep watch of what was going on. He had been there but a short time when, one evening just before dark, he noticed a man following the main road on foot, with a bridle in his hands. Supposing it was some of the settlers looking for a stray horse, he gave the matter small thought until later in the evening, when the man passed by again. This aroused his suspicions, and he resolved to take precautions. He fastened the mares to the wagon wheel with a log chain locked round their necks. A little later, when the last rays of the day were almost gone, he saw the man standing on a nearby hill, with his form clearly silhouetted against the western sky. He took his Winchester and sat down in a place from which he had unobstructed view and could watch the operations of the man. After a while, when it had grown darker, the man began to move down toward the camp. The boy kept his eve on the marauder as best he could, all the while concealing himself in the tall bluestem grass. He waited until the man was nearly up to the horses, then he raised up out of the grass, within ten feet of the fellow, covered him with his Winchester and warned him that if he valued his life not to move. He added, "I know what you are here for, and you have struck the wrong fellow." The man. who was heavily armed, turned deliberately around and walked off without a word. Young Logan, kept his Winchester pointed directly. on the man as long as he could see him. That was not a good night for sleep, and the next morning dawned bright and fair, inviting Logan to resume his work, which he did, but it might be said that the next night he pulled out for town and did not camp alone on the prairie again.

At Lorton, Nebraska, on March 12, 1886, Mr. Chiles was united in marriage to Miss Mattie M. Rexer, who was born in Otoe county, Nebraska, and who is a daughter of John J. and Mary (Wright) Rexer, the former a native of Germany. Mrs. Chiles has always been popular in social circles and has been a splendid companion and helpmeet to her husband. To them have been born eight daughters and one son : Mrs. Bessie Burk, Mrs. Pearl Campbell, Mrs. Stella Tidd, Mrs. Grace Brega, and Mrs. Mary Ross are happily married and have homes of their own. Hazel, Mary, and Edith are at home, and the youngest child and only son is Joyce E., who is said to be the home dictator. That the last child is a boy, seems to have been a special dispensation by which each of the eight girls could have a brother. The Chiles family are very interesting, and Mr. and Mrs. Chiles maintain a hospitable home.

Mr. Chiles came to Custer county in 1911 and owns 160 acres one mile south of Callaway, as well as the old Bannister and Finch- Hatton ranch, eight miles west of town, and 160 acres two miles south of Arnold, making in all 1,200 acres. Before settling in Custer county Mr. Chiles made extensive trips through Oklahoma; Kansas, and p>ortions of Nebraska, hunting a location, but he found that he could get more for his money in Custer county than in any other place he visited. He has unbounded faith in the future of the county. The family home, in Callaway, is a beautiful residence, well equipped with all modern conveniences and comforts, and this home is not only enjoyed to the fullest extent by Mr. and Mrs. Chiles, but is also known for its generous hospitality. Mr. and Mrs. Chiles are connected with the Methodist Episcopal

GRANT HENDRICKS. - Down six miles northwest of Oconto, on a splendid tract of land, in a comfortable home, surrounded by valuable property of various kinds, lives the man who bears the two historic names of Grant and Hendricks. He is a representative farmer and is a Custer county citizen who might be used for exhibition purposes almost any time.

Grant Hendricks discovered America in Indiana, where he was born at South Whiteley, March 28, 1864. He is a son of Henry and Rebekah ( Wagner) Hendricks, very estimable ]3eople, the father being a native of Germany and the mother of the state of Pennsylvania. The parents were devout Christian people, being members of the Baptist church. They reared a large family of children, and of the twelve children eight still survive - Katherine Clapp, Peter W., May Winn, Samuel, W. Scott, Esther Hart, Alice Hittle, and Grant, whose life history these lines epitomize. Mr. Hendricks says the first money he earned was some that he didn't get. He worked for an old gentleman, paddling dirt from the drill with which they were putting in wheat. As his employer had no money, young Grant's step-father took a calf for the wages. Grant took good care of the calf, but when it was sold, his dreams of wealth vanished with the calf, for he saw none of the money. He remained on the home farm vmtil he was seventeen years of age and received a commonschool education. After he was seventeen he worked out by the month until he was twenty years old. By common consent he and his future wife fixed their wedding day on Christmas eve, 1882, when at Angus, Indiana, he and Florence Kay were wedded. The bride was likewise born in Indiana, and she is a daughter of Isaac and Anna (Gordon) Kay, in whose family were five children - Mrs. Ida McDaniels, Mrs. Florence Hendricks, Orrin (deceased), Elsworth, and Mrs. Anna Cummins. The parents were members of the Baptist church.

From the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks have maintained a home in which comfort and plenty have been apparent. They have a large family of children, of whom they can be justly proud: Tressie is the wife of Milton Williams, a farmer living in the vicinity of Broken Bow. and they are the parents of five children. Milton was in the last national draft for service in the world war. but the war closed ere he was jj'iven assignment. James J., who married Daisy Bryner, a daughter of Z. K. Bryner. lives on a farm of 240 acres near Sterling, Colorado, and they have one child. Addie is the widow of Charles \Mlliams, who died in April, 1916. Mrs. Williams lives near Callaway and has four children. Letha is the wife of Harrison Alaxson, an inspector and grader in a hide and fur establishment in S't. Joseph, ^lissouri, and they have two children. Ethel is the wife of Theotlore Lange. a farmer near Callaway, and they have one child. Rollie volunteered for military service and was sent to Camp Grant, Rockford, Illinois, as a member of the One Hundred and Si.xty-first Depot Brigade. Edith is the wife of Chris Rookstool and they reside on a farm of their own, near Oconto. Mr. Rookstool has one child by former marriage. Glenn J. Hendricks works on the home farm with his father. Mabel I. is at home and is attending high school. William K. also is at home and in the high school. Cecil, the youngest, but treads the lower rungs of the educational ladder, with very bright prospect of advancement.

Mr. Hendricks came to Custer county in 1886, and homesteaded south of Berwyn, on part of what was then known as the old Pancake ranch. He lived there twenty-two years, and then moved to his present farm site, six miles from Oconto. He operates (540 acres of land, and is seemingly well fixed, so that he can take life easy and spend his days in comfortable retirement. The present home of the family stands out in striking contrast with their sod house of early days. The inside dimensions of that pioneer dwelling were twelve by thirteen feet, and it had a dirt floor and a straw roof. When it rained, more water fell in the house than on the same territory outside.

Mr. llenilricks relates that after he had his "soddy" built and had sent for his wife, he had fifty cents in his pocket. He went to Kearney to meet the train, and while he was waiting at a livery stable a stranger approached him, and explained that he had a sick horse and begged the fifty cents with which to purchase medicine. To save a poor man's horse, Mr. Hendricks parted with his half dollar, but down at the depot, an hour or two later, he saw the man with a pint of whiskey which he was using for himself instead of the horse. Mr. Hendricks has no doubt but that the bottle was rubbed on the horse and probably had the desired effect.

ALOIS ZIMMER. who is one of the highly esteemed representatives of agricultural industry in Custer county, is known as a substantial citizen and an experienced and skilled farmer and stockman. More than thirty years of connection with his vocation- in Custer county has given him a thorough intimacy with conditions in his community, near Mason City, and has also served to establish hitji in the good will and high regard of his fellow citizens.

Mr. Zimmer was born in Silesia, .Austria, July 1. 1868. a son of Julius and Helen I Koelerj Zimmer. His parents, natives of Germany, where they were small farming people, immigrated to the United States in 1887 and at once came to Custer county, where they took up a homestead and continued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits during the rest of their lives. Through industry and perseverance they succeeded in building up a comfortable home for their children and in developing a productive farm, and they were highly esteemed for their many sterling qualities of mind and heart and as devout memliers of the Catholic church. They were the parents of seven children : Julius, a well-to-do farmer of Custer county; Helen, the wife of Andrew Bower, a carpenter of Ravenna, Nebraska ; Louisa, the wife of Peter Streeder. a Custer county farmer; .Alois, of this notice; Steven, engaged in farming in Custer county ; Frank, a farmer in the vicinity of North Platte, Nebraska ; and Othelia, the wife of Tom Frame, an engineer at Buena \'ista, California.

-Mois Zimmer received his early education in the i)ublic schools of Germany, and in that country began his career as a farmer. He was nineteen years of age when the family settled in Nebraska, and here, the year after their arrival, he began to work out, continuing thus for the next fifteen years. During that time he carefully .saved his earnings, with which he bought 160 acres of land, an tmcultivated tract without improvements of any kind. He at once set to work, made his land productive, and began installing improvements as rapidlv as his finances would admit. -As a result of his hard and persistent work, he is now the owner of a handsome tract of fertile and productive land, which is made more attractive by the presence of a large and comfortable modern residence, with commodious and substantial barns and attractive and well built outbuilding's, all erected by him. He does a general farming business, in which he has been very successful, and also has raised a considerable number of hogs, as well as Hereford cattle. In his operations he has used modern methods, and in his business transactions his integrity has been such that he bears an excellent reputation among his associates.

In 1903 Mr. Zimmer married Kate Kramer, a daughter of Frank Kramer who was born in Germany and died in Custer county. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmer are the parents of one daughter, Catherine, living at home and attending school. They are members of the Catholic church, and Mr. Zimmer is a Democrat in politics, although inclined to be independent in local elections.

GUY P. MILLS. - Custer county has many "Mills" of different varieties, but among all the "Mills" of every description there is none more prominent or generally useful than the Mills family at Arnold. The name dates back to pioneer times and it is always connected, so far as this family is concerned, with everything that is helpful or progressive. Guy P. Mills, whose name introduces this sketch, is a native of Custer county. Here he was born in 1885, the son of William Mills, a prominent pioneer whose life sketch is given elsewhere in these columns. It was in this county that Guy P. Mills received a commonschool education and then, that he might be better qualified to conduct the business incident to modern-day farming, he took a commercial course in a business college. With this equipment he began operations on a Custer county farm. To-day he has 360 acres of land, 11.5 acres under cultivation, and has the place well equipped with improvements, machinery, and a good grade of live stock. He breeds Duroc hogs and has made their propagation very profitable. In the cattle line his fancy runs to polled Durhams. These are of a splendid grade, all bred for double registry. His horses show good breeding and carefid selection of type.

The domestic life of Mr. Mills dates from February 16. 1910, at which time he led to the marriage altar ]\Iiss Daisy V. Phifer, who presides over his home and makes it a comfortable, hospitable domicile. Two children reign in this home - Sylvan Parris, born Alarch 17, 1913; and Merrill Guv. born March 19, 1916. Air. and Mrs. Mills 'belong to the Methodist church. He is treasurer of the school district, in which office he is serving his third term. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen and in politics is an independent voter. Just in the prime of life, with a good start and located in the land of opporunity, there is no doubt but that the future years will reward his toil and provide handsomely for the proverbial "rainy day" or the retirement of after vears.

Custer county who, after years of toil and labor to help make Custer a better place in which to live, have been called from the scene of earthly activities, the subject of this memoir well deserves a place in the records of the county.

Henry Hellery Myers was lx)rn in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, August 17 , 1847. His father, John G. Myers, was a native of Pennsylvania, of German parentage, and died in Custer county, Nebraska, November 26, 1900. The mother of our subject was Charlotta Hellery, a native of Wfirtemburg, Germany, who came to the United States with her parents when a girl of nine years, and she too passed away in Custer county, where her death occurred November 15, 1907.

Henry H. Myers was the eldest of eight children and accompanied his parents when the home was established at Elsah, Illinois, in 1857. Here he was reared and grew to manhood, acquiring his early education in the public schools. In February, 1864, he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Illinois \'olunteer Infantry, and he served until the close of the war, being discharged at Camp Piutler, Illino's, in September, 1865. For two years after the war he was a pilot on the Mississippi river.

On December 13. 1868, at Elsah. Illinois, Mr. Myers was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Hartley, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. The young couple made their home on a farm in Illinois until October, 1882, when they came to Nebraska and settled in Boone county, where they resided until the spring of 1885, when they came to Custer county and secured a homestead in section 15, township 17, range 12). He became a successful farmer and purchased 320 acres adjoining the old homestead, where he carried on agricultural pursuits imtil he retired and moved to Broken Bow, in March, l'>10. Here his death occurred, in December. 1917.

Mr. Myers was one of the early settlers on West Table and helped to organize the school flistrict as well as the first Methodist church of Cliff townshij:). to which he contributed lib- erally in support. He held various offices of trust and honor and in every relation of life measured up to the highest standard of manhood. He and his wife reared a family of six children who have grown to maturity and become useful members of society. O. L. is a resident of Sidney, Iowa ; J. A. and Ed and Earl are farmers of Custer county ; Clara is the wife of Frank Barrett, of Broken Bow ; and Mrs. Ethel Jones resides in Denver.

JULIUS ZIMMER. - Included among the substantial farmers and stock-raisers of Custer county, Julius Zimmer is also known as a helpful, useful, and energetic citizen whose publicspirited services have contributed to the advancement and development of his community's interests. For thirty-three years he has been a resident of the Mason City locality, and there has been identified with many of the movements that have served to aid progress in both agricultural and civic lines. He was born in Silesia, Prussia, August 18, 1859, and is a son of Julius and Helen (Koeler) Zimmer.

In their native land the parents of Julius Zimmer were small farming people who were industrious and energetic but whose eflforts did not gain them satisfactory progress. They accordingly decided to try their fortunes in the United States, to which country they came in 1887, locating in Custer county, to which they had been jjreceded by their son Julius several years previously. Homesteading a property, they followed farming here during the rest of their lives, the father passing away in 1888 and the mother a number of years later, both having held the faith of the Catholic church. They were highly esteemed people, industrious, honest, and God-fearing, and they well merited the high esteem in which they were held by their neighbors. They were the parents of seven children, as follows : Julius, of this notice ; Helen, the wife of Andrew Bower, a carpenter of Ravenna, Nebraska : Louisa, the wife of Peter Streeder, a Custer county farmer; .Mois, engaged in agricultural operations in Custer county; Steven, also engaged in farming in Custer countv ; Frank, a fanner in the vicinity of North Platte, Nebraska ; and Othelia, the wife of T<ini Frame, an engineer of I'luena \'ista, California.

Julius Zimmer, the younger, received his education in the public schools of Germany, in which country he received his introduction to farming. He came to the United States in 1884, in which vear he located at Kearney, Nebraska, but in 1885 he came to Custer county, where he took up a homestead, a tract which he still owns. During the early days he experienced many hardships and had to overcome numerous obstacles, but he perseveringly kept at his task, proving himself ready for every emergency. He is a general farmer, with a knowledge of his vocation's various departments, and has met with much success also in the raising of a gocnl grade of livestock, modern methods always having been given a preference by him. The little sod house which was his first home here has long since disappeared, having been replaced by a commodious residence, around which are to be found a full set of farm buildings of the most modern type. Mr. Zimmer's reputation for business integrity has been built upon more than thirty years of honest transactions. As a citizen he has performed his share of the duties of office, including ser\'ice as overseer of roads, and a quarter of a century of service on the school board, his public record being an open book. Independent in politics, he belongs to the Non-Partisan League.

In 1894 Mr. Zimmer was united in marriage to Miss Mary Reimer, who was born in Austria, and to this union there were born twelve children, all living and at home: Anna. Helena, Leo, Mary, Joseph, Barbara, Gregor, Hattie. Gertrude, Clement, Louisa, and Margaret. The family belongs to the Catholic church.

DIAH WOODRUFF - The Dominion of Canada gave to Custer county a splemlid citizen when Diah \\'oodruff left his native province and made his way eventually to Nebraska, where he gained pioneer distinction and where he wielded a powerful influence in connection with the civic and material development and upbuilding of Custer county. He became one of the extensive landholders of this part of the state, conducted agricultural and live-stock enterprise on a very extensive scale, and he was one of the honored and influential pioneer citizens of Custer county at the time of his death, which here occurred on the 15th day of October, 1918. Recognition of his worthy character and achievement is most consistently made in this history, which likewise exercises a legitimate function when it pays a tribute to his menior}'.

Diah Woodruff was lx)rn in the province of Ontario, Canada, on the 7th of May. 1849. and is a son of Hawkins and May ( Tool) Woodruf?, of whose ten children the following named are now living: Mrs. Elizabeth Pauly, of Hannibal. ^lissouri; Catherine, a resident of Toronto, Canada ; Emmett, a resi-

Diah Woodruff was reared to adult age in his native province, where his early educational advantages were those afforded by the public schools, and he continued his residence in Canada until 1866, when he went to Lockport, New York, where for a time he was employed in a nursery establishment, he having been an ambitious youth of about seventeen years when he came to the United States. Before the close of the year 1866 Mr. Woodruff proceeded westward as far as Illinois, where he obtained work by the month, his wages being merely nominal, as gauged by the standards of the present day. From Illinois he finally came to Nebraska, determined to find ways and means for the winning of independence and a due measure of prosperity. He was dependent entirely upon his own ability and efforts, and within a short time after his arrival in the state he obtained a homestead claim in Hamilton count)'. There he instituted development work and there he continued his activities until 1875. In that year he and his wife numbered themselves among the pioneers of Custer county, and that he made good use of the splendid opportunities afforded in connection with the development of the great natural resources of the county, needs no further voucher than the statement that here he eventually accumulated and developed a magnificent landed estate of 3.600 acres, the nucleus of which was a pioneer tract of 160 acres which he obtained at the time of his removal to the county and which is still a part of his estate. On this original homestead he erected good buildings, including the attractive farm residence, which was built about thirty years ago and which has been remodeled and otherwise modernized since that time. Vigorous and self-reliant, indomitable in energy, and possessed of mature judgment. Mr. Woodruff made steady and substantial progress toward the goal of prosperity, and eventually he gained secure status as one of the extensive and representative agriculturists and stock-growers of the county. He was liberal and loyal in the support of those measures and enterprises that conserved the social and material advancement and welfare of the community, and his sterling integrity gained and retained to him the unqualified confidence and esteem of those with whom he came in contact in the varied relations of life. Though never desirous of public office, he gave a staunch support to the cause of the Democratic party. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church, of which his wife likewise was

The year 1871 recorded the marriage of Mr. Woodruff to Mrs. Louisa (Montgomery) Woodruff, the widow of his brother Henry. Of the children of this union the following data are available : Harry, who is one of the representative farmers of Custer county, married Miss Frances Judge, and their home is on land formerly owned by the subject of this memoir, who gave a splendid farm to each of hi's children ; Florence is the wife of Oscar Thompson, another of the substantial farmers of Custer county ; Thomas married Miss Lena Wood and they reside at Hastings, Nebraska ; and Frances is the wife of Lora E. Mohler, of Eddyville, Dawson county. In 1896 Mrs. Woodruff passed to the life eternal, and two years later Mr. Woodruff wedded Mrs. Lizzie J. (Barratt) McSherry, a daughter of Joseph and Susan (Squires) Barratt, who came to Nebraska from Tama City. Iowa. Diah and Lizzie J. Woodruff had no children. By her first marriage Mrs. Woodruff' has two daughters, both of whom reside in Nebraska, Fern being the wife of Earl Myers, of , Eddyville. Dawson covmty, and Ruth being the wife of William Spurgin, of Custer county.

MARSHALL B. LINDER, who belongs to the progressive younger element of the agricultural fraternity of Custer county, has had experience both here and in Saunders county, and out of his labors he has worked the start of a successful career and the establishment of himself in a position where the outlook for his future is renrarkably bright. His present property, consisting of 320 acres, in the Berwyn community, is under a high state of cultivation and is devoted exclusively to general farming, although in the future he expects to make the raising of hogs and cattle a feature of his farm enterprise.

Mr. Linder was born in Page county. Iowa. April 24. 1883. and is a son of J. H. and Rebecca ( Louden ) Linder. H. B. Linder. the paternal grandfather of Mr. Linder. was born in 1824. in Virginia, and as a young man went to Illinois, where he married Sarah Davis. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits there for a time and then followed his father to Clarke county. Iowa, where he successfully followed his vocation until 1884. He then removed to Wahoo, Nebraska, where his death occurred in 1890. His widow then moved to the home of her son Joseph H.. with whom' she still lives, at the age of eighty-three years (1918).

There were nine children in the family, of whom six are living, but Joseph H. is the only resident of Custer county. .\Irs. Linder is a devout meniljer of the l!ap/tist church, to which her husband also belonged, and he was a Republican in politics.

Joseph H. Linder, father of Marshall B., was born in Clarke county. Iowa. September 7. 18.^8. and there he grew to manhood and received his education in the public schools. About the time of his father's removal to W'ahoo, Nebraska, he also took up his residence there and secured land, farming this until 1906, in which year he came to Custer county and bought 400 acres of land. This lies in the Bervvyn community, and Mr. Linder still follows successfully the pursuits of farming and stock-raising. He is one of his community's public-spirited men and for ten years has served as a member of the school board. He is a Republican in politics, and he is affiliated with the Indepedent C)rder of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Daughters of Rebekah. He and his wife have for thirty years been identified with the Presbyterian church.

In Iowa, in 1882, Joseph H. Linder wedd-ed Miss Rebecca Louden, who was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of John Louden, an early settler and farmer of Iowa. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Linder: Marshall B., who is the subject of this sketch; M. Melville, who operates a rented farm in Custer county; Genevieve, who is the wife of W. D. Pratt, a farmer of this county ; W. G.. who also is- a farmer of Custer county ; Harry, who operates a rented farm ; and Anna Belle and Laura Belle, twins, residing with their parents.

Marshall B. Linder received his education in the public schools of Wahoo. Nebraska, and after he had passed through the ninth grade, he began his career as a follower of the same vocation as that of his forbears. \\'hen he came to Custer countv. in 1907. he rented a farm, on which he resided for five years. an<l he then moved back to Wahoo. and for six years farmed in Saunders county. In the fall of 1917 he purchased 320 acres of land in Custer county, and in March. 1918. he returned to this county, where he has since successfully engaged in general farming, although he intends in the near future to take uo catt!e and hog raising on an extensive scale. He has a pleasant and commodious modern home and other un-to-date huildines, fullv equippeil. and through his progressive and energetic work he is attainino- a creditable success. Mr. Linder is a Republican in his political views, and his fraternal connection is with the Independent Order of ( )dd Fellows, in which he has numerous warm friends in the local lodge. In September. 1904, at Wahoo, Nebraska, Mr. Linder married Miss Elizabeth Peterson, a daughter of C. J. Peterson, a stone and brick mason of that city. They are the parents of two children, Wilmer and Ruth, both of whom are attending the Berwvn schools.

JA:\IES DINWIDDIE. - Originally a Custer county settler and pioneer of the year 1880. James Dinwiddle returned to this community in 1915, after twenty years spent in another part of the country. Success had rewarded his eflforts elsewhere, but the lure of his old homestead was still strong, and he is now settled permanently on the property to which he came thirty-eight years ago with the high hopes of youth.

Mr. Dinwiddle was born in Genesee countv. New York. July 14, 1855, a son of Robert and Elizabeth ( Anderson ) Dinwiddie. His father, who was born at Penpont, Scotland, in 1812, as a young man immigrated to the L'nited States and settled in New York, where he married Elizabeth Anderson, who was born at Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1817. Mr. Dinwiddie was primarily a farmer by vocation, but for a number of years operated a tannerv in Genesee county, and when he disjx)sed oi his property there it was to move to Michigan, where the death of Mrs. Dinwiddie CKCurred in 1879. He continued to make his home in that state for three years, but in 1882 he came to Custer county, Nebraska, and settled on a homestead, which, however, he had the misfortune to lose. His death occurred here in 18''2. He was a Republican in politics, and he and his wife were devout and uncompromising members of the Scotch Presbyterian church, it being Mr. Dinwiddle's custom for some years to walk twenty miles through the backwoods of Michigan in order to lead the clioir.

James Dinwiddie was still a lad when his ]>arents moved to Michigan, and his education was secured in the public scliools of the 'own of Ho])e. For his first occu])ation he took n\i farming for his father, and in 187*) he came to Custer county, where, in the following year, he secured a homestead. This at the time of his taking possessirn was an absolutely barren tract, with no imnrovements of any kind, but within the following fifteen years great changes took place - the land was put unfler cultivation, buildings were erected, and equipment and improvements made their appearance, so that the ])roperty became valuable and one of the handsome and productive farms of the locaHty. In 1895 Mr., Dinwiddie returned to the east, and at Woodford, Vermont, identified himself with the knnber business. He remained in New England for twenty years, Ijut in 1915 he came back to Custer county and again settled on the old homestead, where he carries on general farming and the raising of stock, on his 152 acres. He has continued to make improvements and to develop his property in a modern way. and his manner of doing business and managing his affairs has given him an established reputation as a man of general worth, reliability, and progressive ideas. Every dollar that he possesses to-day has been gained by hard work. He helped to set up all the timber that is located in the vicinity of his home and in various other ways has assisted, in a public-spirited manner, in developing the communitv.

In 1883, at Loup City, Nebraska, Mr. Dinwiddie was united in marriage with ]\liss Mary F. Gleason, who was born at Woodford, Vermont, and to this union there have been born six children : Robert A., who is deceased : Elizabeth, who is the wife of Arthur J. Dewey, of Bennington, \'ermont ; Richard D., who is engaged in the cultivation of his father's farm ; E. H., who is employed in a hardwars establishment at Bennington, Vermont ; Ray, who is a member. of Company F, Twentieth Infantry, at Camp Douglas, Utah ; and Edna, who is the wife of Clarion Rogers, of Custer county. Mr. Dinwiddie is a member of the Union church of Woodford, \'"ermont.

LOUIS E. PERRIN. - The lumber trade in Custer county is well represented bv a sound and sub.stantial organization doing business as the Dierks Lumber Company, with yards located throughout this section, an organization that for years has demonstrated progressiveness and sound knowledge of business conditions. To be a representatiye of this concern is to have proved one's self worthy of confidence and the possessor of marked capacity, and for this reason Louis E. Perrin's position as manager of the yards of this business at Arnold stamps him as a business man entitled to mention among the constructive citizens of his community.

^Ir. Perrin is a native son of Custer countw and was born at Sargent. July 16, 1889. a son of Similien L. and Sophia (Tobias) Perrin. His father, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, came to Custer county in young manhood, settled on a homestead, and throtigh industry and perseverance succeeded in the develo])- ment of a good property and the accumulation of a competence. In 18W he moved to Sargent, to take charge of the Beatrice cream station, which he conducted nine years, subsequently going into the postoffice, where he administered affairs as postmaster for seven years and established a good reputation as a public official. He is now living in retirement at Sargent, where he is one of his community's reliable and greatly respected citizens. Mr. Perrin married Miss Sophia To'bias, daughter of Isaac C. Tobias, and they became the parents of three children: Harold I., Louis E.. and Watt W. Harold I. Perrin, who is successfully engaged in the jewelry business at Sargent, is a member of the Masonic fraternity, a Republican,, and he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Miss Allona Wood, and they have two children. He was assigned to class 4-A in the draft for the national army, as was also his brother Louis E. Watt W. Perrin, who is engaged'in farming near Sargent, married Gladys Ruse. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and is a Republican in politics.

Louis E. Perrin was educated in the public schools and was ten years of age when taken by his parents to S'argent, where he was a student for several years. While living at that place he entered the employ of the Dierks Lumber Company, as "second man" in the yard, and he continued in that capacity until he' was given the promotion, in June, 1912, to the position of manager of the yard at Mason Citv. Mr. Perrin continued to demonstrate his fidelity and business ability, and June 4, 1916, he was made manager of the Arnold yard, a much more important post, where he still directs the policies of the business and has charge of its working force. During the eleven years Mr. Perrin has been identified with this company he has made his career one of steady advancement, not alone in position but also In the confidence and esteem of his employers and in the friendship and respect of the peonle with whom he has had business dealings. He is a young man of pronounced ability, and, judging by what he has accomplished thus far, he is destined to make further advancement in winning success and prestige. He is a Democrat in politics, but has been too busy to take part in public matters, save as good citizens do. He is promiently affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained to the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is a member of the Mystic Shrine.

Miss Lorene Rusmise'.l, daughter of William C. and Victoria (Reissner) Rusmisell, and they are parents of one daughter: Pauline L. Mrs. Perrin is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Dauii'hters of Rcbekah, her membership being in the organizations at Arnold, this county.

CHARLES B. MATHAUSER, who is one of the successful general farmers of the Comstock region of Custer county, and who makes a specialty of raising O. I. C. hogs and short-horn cattle, is one of the agriculturists of the younger generation who are native Nebraskans and who are recording creditable achievement in the state of their birth. He has been a resident of Custer county since 1898. and during the intervening years he has witnessed a number of changes, all making toward progress and advancement in his vocation.

Mr. Mathauser was born in the city of Omaha. February (>. 188,^, and is a son of Charles and Maggie (Hvezda) Mathauser, natives of Bohemia. The parents immigrated to the United vStates and at once took up their residence at Omaha, where resided a colony of their countn.'-people, the father securing employment as the fireman of a furnace in a smelter. He held that position many years, but was energetic, ambitious, and industrious, carefully saved his money, and in 1898 came to Custer county and settled on a farm. He continued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his energetic and useful career, and achieved a modest competence to reward him for his years of hard labor. He was a staunch Democrat in his political allegiance but never cared for office or took an active part in cami)aigiis, being satisfied to exercise his right of franchise in behalf of the men he deemed best fitted for office, lie was a faithful member of the Catholic church, as was also his wife, who died in that faith in December, 1917. There were eight childixn in the family : Charles B. is the subject of this sketch; John is a resident of Omaha: James, who married Sadie Klat. is a farmer in N'allev county: William, who married Emma Rousek. is a farmer in the same county: Emil, who married .^nnie Rousek, is engaged in farming in Custer county, near Comstock: Edward, who is a bachelor, resides at Comstock : and Misses Annie and Alary reside at hnnie.

The public schools of Omaha furnished Charles B. Mathauser with his early educational training, and when he came to Custer countv with the family, in 1898, he began working on the farm for his father, continuing to be thus employed until he embarked upon proceedings on his own account. He was twenty-two years old when he took this step, and at the present time he is the owner of 160 acres of finely cultivated land, on which he carries on general farming, and also makes a specialty of breeding O. I. C. hogs, of which he always keeps a large supply on hand, and short-horn cattle, of which he now has a herd of about twenty-five head. He has the reputation of being a skilled and progressive member of both of his vocations, while in business circles his rating is that of a man of honorable principles and upright dealing. He is a Democrat in politics, but has found no time to seek office, being too busily engaged with his own affairs to take other than a good citizen's interest in jniblic afifairs.

Air. Alathauser was married September 22. 1909, to Miss Hazel L. Fees, daughter of Louis and Lydia (Cain) Fees, who came to Custer county in 1902, but are now residents of Holt county. To this union there have come three children : ' Margaret, born Tune 18, 1910: Clara E.. born February 8, 1912; and Charles E., born August 3. 1914.

CHARLES ZACHRY was one of the early settlers of West Table and from a humble beginning has become one of the well-to-do men of Custer county. A native of St. Clair county, Illinois, he was born July 14. 1859. His father, Henry Zachry, was a native of Germany and when a young man came to the United States, locating in St. Clair county, Illinois. In 1908 he came to Custer county, Nebraska, and here he passed away at his home in Merna, May 15, 1918. The mother of our subject was Alartha ( Robinson ) Zachry. a native of Illinois, and she passed away when her son Charles was a lad six years old. Henry Zachrv contracted a second marriage, with Sarah Siter, who resides at Alerna.

Charles Zachrv was the eldest of four chilrlren, three of whom are living, the other two being Mrs. Frank Sharp, of Custer county, and Airs. Joseph Alills, of Illinois.

When a boy of sixteen years Charles Zachry was thrown upon his own resources and began working on a f-^rm as a hired man, at the munificent wages of eight dollars a month. October 2r>. 187*', he left Illinois and came to Saunders county. Nebraska, where he found employment feeding cattle for a stockman at .Ashland. In the spring of 1884 he came with his wife and their infant child to Custer countv, his possessions consisting of a team of horses.

a wagon and two dozen chickens. He possessed also an ambition and determination to> have a home, and he secured as a homestead the southwest quarter of section 6, township 17, range 11. Not an improvement had been made, and a sod house served as the home of the family for twelve years. They shared in all the trials and hardships that fell to the lot of the early settlers of Custer county, obstacles were met and overcome, and by persistent effort and a display of good judgment the goal of success has been attained.

January 1, 1884, was solemnized the marriage of Charles Zachr}' and Aliss Lillie Bachelor, a (laughter of Kelander and Adeline Bachelor. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Zachry has been blessed with seven children : Lulu is the wife of A. C. McGuire, of Arnold, Nebraska : William is married and operating one of his father's farms ; Edward is married and engaged in farming ; Nido is married and is farming in Custer county ; Lewis is at home ; Bertha is the wife of C. R. Woods, of Custer county ; and Myrtle is at home.

Aside from general farming Mr. Zachry has engaged in raising thoroughbred short-horn cattle and registered Percheron and Shire horses, of which he owns some very fine specimens. He helped to organize the school district and has been interested in all those enterprises that have aided in making Custer county a better place in which to live.

Air. Zachry can truthfully be called a selfmad.? man. as all that he liHs accomplished has been through his and his family's untiring efforts, and they are held in high esteem wherever known.

JAMES A. HOWELL. - A careful reader of the biographies of this volume will not the fact that Roten Table is the home of an unusual number of substantial, prosperous farmers, and it is to this class and to this locality that Mr. Howell belongs.

Mr. Howell hails from the southern part of the country. He was born in Ashe county. North Carolina, in April, 1861, and is a son of Calvin and Rachel (Roten) Howell, a splendid couple whose children were John, Henry, James, -Amanda, Patrick, Barbara Riddle, and Martricia (Jwens. The father's occupation was farming, which operations were conducted in North Carolina, while James A. was a growing lad. He worked at home on the North Carolina farm and received an education in the schools of the vicinity. Here his first work was performed, and here he learned soil culture and the fundamental principles of farming under vastly different conditions than exist in the middle west. It was in this south country that he performed his first work, and there he hoed corn for twenty-five cents a day, which was the first money he earned.

The marriage of Mr, 'Howell occurred December 8, 1887, at Lexington, Nebraska, when Sarah J, Benckeser became his wife. Mrs. Howell is a native of Illinois, and is a daughter of John and I\Iary E. (Chard) Benckeser. The father of Mrs. Howell was a native of Germany, but her mother belonged to the Hoosier state. In the family of Mrs. Howell's father and mother were eleven children, of whom Sarah J. (Mrs. Howell), was the first born. The others are Olive E., Nora Rowens, Laura Copas, Gertrude Barnes, Minnie, May Gage, Daisy Copas, Charles E., Henry, and William. The family are all members of the Lutheran church.

The Howell home, presided over by Mr. and Mrs. James A. Howell, has afforded' domicile and shelter to nine children: Bertha M. married Robert Bryant. Her husband is in the national military service, and at the time of this writing is "somewhere in France." They have five children, who are living with their grandparents, Mr. land Mrs. Howell. John H., who is a bachelor, owns 160 acres adjoining his father's place, in Roten valley. He was in the draft, under Class 2. Olive is the wife of Bryan E. Paxton, an employe of the Standard (Dil Company, located at Cozad, and they have three children. Walter E. is farming with his brother Henry H., in Roten vallev. The draft placed him in Class 1, Division A. Wily E., Orpha M., Rachel M., Calvin H., and Violet I. are all at home under the parental roof, the older ones pursuing their studies either in the district school at home or the high school at Cozad.

-Mr. Howell's arrival in Custer county occurred in 1884, and here he worked by the month, helped build sod houses for pioneer settlers, and became an expert sod layer - one whose services were in great demand among the early settlers. He complains that when he came to the country he had to drink water from the lagoons where the cattle and wild horses watered. The settlers had to let the water settle and then strain it before using it.

Air. Howell bought the old William Ashley claim in 1892. Ashley will be remembered as the man killed by Hauenstein. To his original purchase Mr. Howell has added an adjoining 160 acres. His son Henry owns the Hiram Roten place, Mr. Roten having been the other settler killed by Hauenstein.

Mr. Howell and his good wife are well and favorably known in Roten valley. They have made their money farming and' stock-raising. They have a host of friends who rate them among the first citizens of the community. Anent the early experiences of former days, Mr. Howell says that he w^orked for Harve Andrews, who sent him into Cedar canyon to split cedar posts. Harve watched him for awhile and then said, "Where are you from?" Hcwell replied that he was from North Carolina. Andrews replied that he himself was from \ irginia, saying, "I see now that I need not watch you nor tell you how to use an axe." Harve went back to his dugout and left youno- James alone with his cedars. ' ^

ROBERT AI. SEEVERS.-Thirtv-five years have come and gone since the subject of this record cast in his lot with the early settlers of Custer county, and during all those years he has been closely identified with the development and progress of this part of the state.

Robert Milton Seevers was born in Mahaska county, Iowa, July 18, 1862. His father, Benjamin F. S'eevers, was born in \'irgiiiia, December 1, 1802, and when a young^nan was united in marriage to Elizabeth Forney, on the historic bridge at Harpers Ferry, she also having been a native of Virginia, where she was born July 10, 1827. In the early 'SOs they came west and settled in Mahaska county, Iowa, where they engaged in farming. It was here the father passed away, at the age of eighty-four years and the mother's death occurred in Custer county. Nebraska, at the age of sixty-five years. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Robert M. and Mrs. J. D. Ream are the onlv ones residing in Custer county. ' '''

Robert M. Seevers was reared on a farm in his native county and acquired his education in the public schools. When a young man he was employed for a time as a civirengineer, and also engaged in farming. In May. 1883,' he came to Custer county, Nebraska, and secured a homestead in section 26. township 18. range 23. He also took a tree claim adjoining. His first home was the usual sod house and he shared in all the hardships and trials in:ident to those pioneer days. As the years passed and his prosperity increased, he added to his holdings, and to-day he is the owner of 800 acres, with as fine a set of improvements as can be found in Custer county. The beautiful frame house was erected in 1907 and is equipped with steam heat, electric lights, and air-pressure hot and cold water system, providing for. the family every convenience to be found in the finest homes of a city. Large barns and outbuildings provide ample shelter for grain and stock and the housing of farm machinery. Mr. Seevers possesses unusual mechanical skill, and any work requiring a plumber or blacksmith he is able to attend to himself.

For a companion and helpmeet Mr. Seevers chose Miss Rosa Butler, who was born in Hancock county, Illinoiis, a daughter of Marion and Milliann (Huffman) BiUler who came to Custer county in 1882 and were among the early settlers of Ortello valley, where both passed away. Eleven children have come to brighten the home of ]VIr. and Mrs. Seevers : Franklin, Lewis, Bly. Guy. Ina Xa. Tava. Ada, Cecil, Robert M. Jr. and Kenneth. The mother of this family is a member of the United Brethren church

Mr. Seevers is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, at Merna, and in politics is a Republican. He has always taken an active part in all lines of progress 'in his communit)', helped organize the school district, has held various township offices, and he can always be depended upon to give his support to any worthy cause. Coming to the county when the work of development had just begun, he not only witnessed the vast changes that liave taken place but has also been a factor in helping to make Custer county what it is to-day. The success that has attended his efiforts is well deserved, and the family are held in unequivocal esteem by all who know them.

LLOYD HINES. - When you note the age of this young man and understand the fewyears that he has been farming, it is not hard to believe the statement that has been made concerning him. that he has succeeded because he was equipped with a "self-starter." Certainly his energy has had its effect, and he has to-day the foundations of what will be be a modest Custer county fortune.

Lloyd Hines was born January 12, 1893. in Randolph county. Missouri. Hi's parents. H. Mitchell Hines and Susan (Adams) Hines, both natives of the Bluegrass state, and both fine people, transmitted to their progeny the fundamental characteristics of thrift and energy. In the father's family were six children - Homer H., Aubrev C, Llovd, Reta Waterfield, Ralph H., and Arnold. The father was a carpenter and contractor by occupation, although he owned a farm about o'ne mile from' Darkville, Missouri. This farm served as the family home and there young Lloyd began his career. There he lived until he was sixteen years of age, when he came into Dawson county, Nebraska, with his brother Homer. They arrived at Gothenberg, and here young Lloyd worked for two years. He then went to Washington, one of the great and attractive regions of the west at that time, and there he worked in a logging camp for two years. He then returned to Nebraska and worked on the Callaway branch of the L'nion Pacific Railroad, from Callaway to Stapleton.

December 22. 1913. at Broken Bow, Nebraska, Mr. Hines wedded Miss Mabel Gordon, who was reared in the district west of Callaway. Custer county, and who is a daughter of Robert and Mattie L. (Stapelman) Gordon. Mr. Gordon, a splendid gentleman of Scotch descent, came from Ohio to Custer county with Edward Smith, in an early day. and he located a homestead five miles west of Callaway. At the time of his death he owned about 1,040 acres, which descended to his three children - Mrs. Mabel C. Hines, Mrs. Sadie L. Fosno, and Archie R. Gordon. Mr. Hines was fortunate enough to buy the interest of one of the heirs, Mrs. Sadie Fosno, and as a consequence of his transaction he and his wife own two-thirds of the fine property. At the present time Mr. Hines is farming 280 acres, raises hogs and cattle, is counted on the of the "live wires" in the community, and is bound to make his mark in the county as a fanner and stock-raiser. He is a Democrat in politics and is one of the counselors of the public in his local communitv.