Custer County, Nebraska - Founders and Builders, 1919 (part 1 of 32)

Founders and Builders

AUGUSTIN R. HUMPHREY. - There is no man more widely known and no man who has been more closely concerned with public affairs and county developments than the man whose name is announced by this title line. In a wide circle of the county he is known to everybody as "Judge Humphrey," but in the near circle of closer friends the title is omitted, and the name abbreviated to "Gus." For the purpose of this review, however, we shall refer to him as Judge, a title honorably won and richly deserved.

Judge Humphrey was born in 'Madison, Indiana, in February, 1859, and is a son of Augustin R. Humphrey, Sr., and Hanna (Hicks) Humphrey. The father descended from a fine old Kentucky family, and the date of his birth is recorded as July 12, 1816. The mother was born in Wales, and in her veins coursed the blood of that staunch, patriotic people who have made always a valuable contribution to the world, and who have furnished some of the best citizens America has ever possessed. She came to this country with her parents when a mere child, and here received her training and lived her life. The Judge's parents were married in the county of his nativity, March 26, 1846, and both lived until the last week in August, 1904, at which time, by a striking and appropriate coincidence, both died in the same week.

The Judge ran the gamut of the common schools in Iowa, to which state his father's family emigrated when the Judge was but five years old. It was in the public schools that the Judge imbibed the principles of Ray's Third Part Arithmetic, and committed to memory McGuffey's Reader and Speller, together with most of the principles of Pinneo's Grammar. At the close of this public-school career he could repeat the contents of these schoolbooks verbatim, and in all probability he can come nearer repeating the contents of these volumes to-dav than any other Custer countv man or woman in whose school curriculum they had place. He quit the common school at the age of fifteen, and entered the Normal College at Bloomfield, Iowa, in the fall of 1878. There he continued the studies until 1881. He taught school in the winter to get money to go to school the rest of the year: From this institution he was graduated in 1881, and he then went to the Iowa State University, where he took his law course, graduating from the law department in June, 1882. This makes up the educational equipment of this useful citizen, whose life record it is a pleasure to relate.

His domestic life began June 28, 1883, when he led to the altar Miss Nellie N. Nightingale, as the result of a college romance - owing to the fact that the bride was a member of the same class in college and graduated in the same class with her husband. In the fall of the same year the young couple turned their faces toward the west, following the star of empire until they reached Nebraska, where the ludge began by teaching school at Unadilla. There they remained almost one year. In the fall of 1884 they came to Broken Bow and selected this place for their future home ; and as soon as possible established a residence which has been the Humphrey home ever since. Here he commenced the practice of law : here he won his first legal victories ; here he shied for the first time his castor into the political ring, and received his first public recognition. Here he first won his successes, and here he has reached to-day the years of his retirement from the hard and strenuous duties of active practice.

Into the family circle, as the years went by, three sons were born, all of whom are grown to manhood, a credit to the father and mother and entered upon what will undoubtedly be successful careers, Paul N. is now living at Pawhuska, Oklahoma : Donald R. operates a farm owned by the Judge on the South Loup;

Fred A. is a medical student in the State L'niversity. The two former are married and have established homes of their own. In the home of Donald is to be found the only grandchild, a bright boy who occupies a large place in the grandsire's affections.

The shadow fell across the Humphrey household on :\Iay 30, 1914, when the wife and mother passed from life into that unknown and mysterious realm to which the great majority of mankind has journeyed. Her death occurred in the Bailey Sanitarium at Lincoln, to which place she had gone in the brave struggle to regain health. Mrs. Humphrey was an excellent, cultured lady, prominent in many lodges and social circles, loved and respected by friends and neighbors.

Concerning the political career of the Judge, and it has been an enviable one, it is to be recorded that in 1889 he attended the state convention as a delegate. The convention was looking for a man from the middle part of the state to fill an important post on the ticket, and accordingly the Judge was drafted. He says there was no reason - it was purely accidental that he should be nominated at that time for commissioner of public lands and buildings, but he received the nomination, was elected in the fall of 1890. and filled the office with credit. He was re-elected in the fall of 1892 and served until the end of that second term, at which time he returned to Broken Bow and resumed the practice of law. He was elected county attorney in the fall of 1902. and elected county judge in the fall of 1905. being re-elected in 1907. In the spring of 1916. over his earnest protest, the citizens of Broken Bow made him mayor, which position he filled one year, and then absolutely refused to be a candidate for re-election. The Tt'dge has always taken a keen interest in educational affairs. The ]iublic school was a favorite realm for his activities. From the spring of 1890 until the end of the school year of 1914, he was a member of the board of education of his home city, and for the most of the time was chairman of the board. It can be truthfully said that he made more president addresses to graduating classes than any other man in Custer county, and it is quite likely that this is true of the entire state.

The Judge has ceased the active practice of law. and spends a great deal of his time at his country home, \vhere he delights in the quiet hour and the healthful exercises of gardening and other productive recreation. No man in Custer county has responded more liberally to all calls of the public : no man has contributed more cheerfully to the promotion of every public enterprise, or has lent a greater service to the development of Custer county. These lines are written by a personal friend who has known him long and intimately, and who delights to pay the homage he feels is due to such a character as the judge has been. - W. L. G.\sTox.

MACK C. WARRINGTON. - When he located at Broken Bow, in May. 1916, to assume the duties of register of the United States Land Office. Mack C. Warrington left behind him at Mason City, this county, numerous business interests and a reputation for honorable dealing as a business man, integrity in public office, and probity in private life. In his new community and in his new official capacity, he has not only maintained the reputation noted, but has also extended and strengthened it, so that there are few men in public life in Custer county to-day who stand higher in public favor, esteem, and confidence.

Mr. Warrington was born at Guthrie Center, the county seat of Guthrie county, Iowa, October 29, 1864, and is a son of William and Julia (Cooper) Warrington. His father was born in England, in 1820, and was a young man when he came to the United States. He was a blacksmith by trade. In 1854 he located in Illinois, where he began to work at his trade, and shortly thereafter he met and married Julia Cooper, who was born in Ireland and who had come to the United States in 1848 and located in Illinois. Not long after their marriage Mr. and .Mrs. Warrington removed to Guthrie Center, Iowa, where, in 1856. the father founded a blacksmith shop that is still in existence and is being conducted by one of his sons. He became one of the highly esteemed men of his community, was an influential Democrat and a ?kIason, and died in 1905, aged eighty-five years, in the faith of the Baptist church, of' which Mrs. Warrington, who died in 1901, also was a member. They became the parents of six children, of whom four are living - Mrs. T- F. Holster, a widow, residing at Guthrie Center, Iowa; Mack C, of this notice; Mrs. T. JCampbell, the wife of a ranchman of Pafisades, Colorado ; and Bert, of Guthrie Center, who conducts the blacksmith business which was founded by his father sixty-two vears ago.

After attending the public schools' of Guthrie Center, Iowa, Mack C. \A'arrington completed a course at Cornell College. Mount Vernon, that state, and began his career as a printer, a vocation which he learned in his home community. He was variously employed until .Vugust, 1886. when he came to Nebraska, and, locating at Mason City, secured a position on the local newspaper, the Transcript, of which he became proprietor through purchase in the following year. During the thirty years that followed he continued to act as publisher and editor of this paper, which he developed into one of the strong and influential journals of the Democratic party in this part of the state, and which had a large following and a subscription list which extended over several counties adjoining Custer. In addition, he built up a large and profitable job-printing business and had interests in several other directions, being accounted one of the substantial men of Mason City.

For a number of years Mr. Warrington has been prominent and influential in Democratic politics in Custer county, both personally and through his newspaper ownership, and while a resident of Mason City he served in a number of capacities, including that of member of the school board, justice of the peace, and postmaster, of which last named office he was the incumbent for five years. In May, 1916, he received the appointment, from President Wilson, as register of the United States land ofSce at Broken Bow, and moved to this city to take charge of his duties, which embrace the responsibilities for a district that covers twenty-four counties. He disposed of his newspaper interests in 1917 and has devoted his entire attention to his office, in which he has already established an excellent record for capable, expeditious, and conscientious service. Mr. Warrington was a charter member of Mason City Lodge, No. 170, Ancient, Free & Accepted Masons, of which he is a past master, and he still belongs to the Masons and to the Modern Woodmen of America.

In 1893 Mr. Warrington married Miss Mena iNIengel, who was born in Illinois, a daughter of Frederick Mengel. Mrs. Warrington is a member of the Catholic church.

CHARLES H. HOLCOMB. - A resident of Custer county since 1883, when he came to this locality as a homesteader. Charles H. Holcomb has Ijeen engaged in the practice of law at Broken Bow for a period of thirty-two years, within which time he has risen to a position of eminence among the attorneys of central Nebraska. Judge Holcomb is a native of Gibson county, Indiana, born January 21, 1856, and is a son of John C. and Rebecca (Skelton) Holcomb.

church, who came from the south at an early date and settled in Gibson county, where, in 1821, was born John C. Holcomb. The latter passed the greater part of his life in farming, although he was also prominent in Democratic politics and at various times held official positions, being for eight years deputy county auditor, and serving also as county auditor for a number of years. His death occurred in 1879, and his first wife, also a native of Gibson county, passed away in 1856. They were members of the Baptist church and were the parents of three children, of whom two are living: J. B., who is a ranchman of Broken Bow ; and Charles H. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Holcomb married her sister, Lucinda Skelton, and they became the parents of seven children, of whom three are living: S. A., of Lincoln, is at present a member of the board of control, he being a former governor of Nebraska and former member of the supreme court of the state ; S. H. is engaged in farming in. Gibson county, Indiana ; and Estella is the wife of L. E. Kirkpatrick, of Seattle, Washington, a former attorney of Broken Bow.

The early education of Charles H. Holcomb was secured in the public school at Fort Branch, Indiana, and, having decided upon a professional career, he started the stud}' of law in the office of an attorney at that place. He practiced in Indiana until 1881. when he came to Nebraska and first settled in Hamilton county, which was his place of residence for two years. In 1883 he changed his center of activity to Custer county, locating on a homestead, but after three years he moved to Broken Bow, which has since bfeen his home. Here he established himself in practice, subsequently becoming associated with the law firm of Kirkpatrick & Holcomb, an alliance which lasted until 1891. In that year he formed a partnership with his younger brother, W. W. Holcomb, and the fimi of Holyears - until the death of the younger member. He then continued alone until 1909, when he was elected judge of the county comb Brothers continued in existence for eight court, and he remained on the bench for five years, during which time he established a record for dignity, for judicial bearing, and for the wisdom and fairness of decisions that won him uniform commendation, ^\'hen he retired from the bench. Judge Holcomb formed a partnership with Judge Humphrey, and this now forms one of the strongest law firms in central Nebraska. Judge Holcomb is one of the men who have risen from the ranks, and

Judge Holcomb was married in 1879, in Gibson county, Indiana, to Miss Alice Finch, who was bom in that county, and to this union there have been born five children : A. Wilbur, engaged in the automobile business at Hastings, Nebraska ; Vessa, the wife of C. O. O'Banion, a cigar manufacturer of Aurora, Nebraska ; Mabel, formerly her father's deputy and always his assistant in his office work, now the wife of William Darnell, a contractor of Broken Bow ; Edna, the wife of S. S. Parkison, a railroad man ; and Roy, a member of the United States Coast Artiller}'. is in service in France at the time of this writing. ^Irs. Holcomb is a member of the Christian church. The Judge is a Democrat in his political allegiance, and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which fraternity he has passed all the official chairs.

HARVARD LOMAX. - Two occupations, ranching and banking, have attracted the interests and energies of Han-ard Lomax, and in both fields of endeavor he has won standing and prosperity, being at this time the owner of much valuable land in Custer county and president of the Custer State Bank, of Broken Bow. Also he has been a prominent figure in public life and in several positions of marked responsibility has demonstrated his worthiness for such honors and his capacity for discharging the duties of his high position.

-Mr. Lomax was born at Stockport, England. September 15, 1859, a son of James and Mary (Hobson) Lomax, natives of England, who passed their entire lives there, the father dying in 1905, aged eighty-three years, and the mother in 1900, aged seventy-eight. James Lomax was a wholesale paper merchant and was a successful business man. He and his wife were members respectively of the Church of England and the Wesleyan Methodist church. They were the parents of seven children, of whom five are living: Henry Hobson, in the British government service at West Kirby. England : Harvard, of this review : Mrs. Robert Hamilton, a widow who lives in England: Maude, of New Quay. Cornwall. England : and Sarah Lloyd, of the same place.

Harvard Lomax was given excellent educational advantages in his youth and completed his studies when he was graduated in Weslev College, Sheffield, England, in 1878. He then spent one year as a fruit fanner on the Isle of

Jersey, but in ISSO he immigrated to the United States and in -March of that year located in Custer county. He pre-empted a tract in the South Loup valley and held it for three years, but subsequently he removed to \\ ood river, where he homesteaded and in addition bought railroad land. For a time he was associated with his brother, Henry H., but the latter went back to England. Mr. Lomax eventually became one of the well-to-do men of his locality and won general public confidence by his straightforward handling of business matters. He interested himself in public matters and in 1890 was elected to the state legislature, in which body he served one term, making a good record for constructive work. For several years thereafter he served as county supervisor, and in 1895 he was elected county treasurer, an office which he retained four years. In 1901 Mr. Lomax assisted in the organization of the Custer National Bank, of which institution he was the first cashier, remaining as such until 1917, when, he was made president. This institution, now the Custer State Bank, is sound and conservative, with an e.xcellent- reputation in banking circles, and it has a capital of $35,000, with surplus and undivided profits of $5,000, and average deposits of $415,000. Mr. Lomax still retains his holdings in farm property and gives some attention to the operation of the same, but the major portion of his time is taken up with banking affairs. In jwlitics Mr. Lomax is a Democrat, with independent inclinations. He is a Mason in high standing, a Knight Templar and a member of the Mystic Shrine and has served his Blue Lodge as master. He is a member also of the Woodmen and the Highlanders. With his family, he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. In February, 1884, Mr. Lomax was united in marriage to ^liss Laura White, who was born at Clifton. Illinois, a daughter of Thomas and Man' \Miite. early settlers of that state. The parents of Mrs. Lomax came to Nebraska in 1882. and Mr. White purchased a section of land near Lexington, where he followed farming until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Lomax are the parents of six children : Edith is the wife of H. A. Stephenson, M. D., a graduate in medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, where Miss Lomax was a trained nurse, and Dr. Stephenson is now in the United States service as a surgeon at Fort Riley; James is cashier of the Custer State Bank at Broken Bow : Clift'ord, the manager of a cattle ranch in Cherr)- county, is a soldier in France at the time of this writing; Marian

JOHN M. KIMBERLING. - Among the prominent citizens of Broken Bow, one who affords an encouraging example of success gained through the proper use of every-day abilities and opportunities, is John M. Kimberling, president of the Broken Bow State Bank. His life work has been a response both to his early teaching and the needs of his environment, and he has laboriously climbed every round in the financial ladder, having risen to the presidency from the humble position of bookkeeper. He was born in Marion county, Iowa, March 25, 1859, and is a son of Rev. Lawrence and Elizabeth (Reynolds) Kimberling.

The paternal grandfather of Mr. Kimberling was Elijah Kimberling, a native of West Virginia, who spent his entire career in that state, which was also the birthplace of the maternal grandfather, John Reynolds, who moved to Iowa in 1852 and passed the rest of his life there, engaged in farming. Rev. Lawrence Kimberling was born in West Virginia, and as a young man moved to Marion county, Iowa, in 1852, being there married to Miss Reynolds, who also was born in West Virginia. They settled down to an agricultural life in their new community and there spent the remainder of their days. Mr. Kimberling was an ordained minister of the Baptist church and for many years labored faithfully in the service of his blaster, filling numerous pulpits in the country surrounding his home. He was a self-made man in all that the term implies, and was greatly esteemed in his community. His political belief made him a Republican. There were five children in the family, of whom four are living: Frank, who is proprietor of a meat market at Franklin, Nebraska; John M., who is the subject of this review ; C. V., who is engaged in the laundry business at Des Moines, Iowa : and Minnie, who is the wife of J. Dickey, a printer at Franklin.

The district schools of INIarion county, Iowa, furnished John M. Kimberling with his early education, and this he supplemented with a course in a commercial college at Des Moines. His first vocation was farming, but this did not prove congenial, and for a time he was occupied in teaching school. Two years as an instructor convinced him that such aiT_ occupation was not his forte, and in 1887 he came to Broken Bow. Nebraska, where he entered upon his real career, obtaining a position as bookkeeper in the Broken Bow State Bank. His advance with this institution was steady and continuous, for he rose consecutively to cashier and then to vice-president, and in 1917 was made president of this institution, which is accounted one of the strong and stable banking houses of the county, with a capital of $30,000, surplus and profits of $10,900. and average deposits of $600,000. Mr. Kimberling is known as a man of rare sagacity and judgment, keen foresight, and inherent ability as a banker, with a proper blend of progressiveness and conservatism. He is held in the greatest confidence not only by his associates but also by the general public, and his fellow citizens have demonstrated their faith in him by making him city treasurer for nineteen years and a member of the city council for a like period. He is a Republican. Fraternally, be is affiliated with the blue lodge and chapter of York Rite Masonrj' and was formerly secretary of the lodge, and he and Mrs. Kimberling are members of the Baptist church.

In 1890 Mr. Kimberling married Miss Cora Reyner, who was born in Iowa, and who died in 1894, leaving one child : Florence, who is now the wife of Edward Scott, a farmer near Broken Bow. In 1898 Mr. Kimberling was again married, being united with Miss Rosa Hemphill, also a native of Iowa, and to this union there have been born two children : Thelma and Rodgers, both attending the Broken Bow public schools.

WILLIAM A. HOUSEL, D. M. D. - As in medicine and surgerv', the science of dentistry is constantly developing new phases of usefulness, and in order to insure success, the dentist of to-day must keep fully abreast of the achievements of his profession. He must add skill to thorough research and combine close application to his task with the ability gained through experience. Such a practitioner is William A. Housel, D. M. D., who has been engaged in the practice of his profession at Ansley since 1905, with constantly increasing success.

Doctor Housel was born at Stockham, Hamilton county, Nebraska, July 15, 1875, a son of Gardner and Jennie (Cook) Housel. His father, who was born in New Jersey, in 1848, was four years of age when he was taken by his parents to Madison, Wi.sconsin, where he grew to manhood and was educated in the public schools. In Wisconsin he was engaged in farming for a short time, but in

1870 he came to Nebraska and settled on a homestead in the vicinity of Stockham, Hamilton county, and in that community he married Miss Jennie Cook, who was born in New York city, in 1854, and who was brought to Nebraska as a child. They continued to live in that community until 1879, when they settled on a tree claim in Custer county. This claim Mr. Housel duly developed and improved, and to the same he has since added, by various purchases, until he now has 800 acres of valuable land. A man of splendid energy and business ability, he has been very prosperous in his undertaking, and is now justly accounted one of the well-to-do, as well as prominent, men of his locality. He is a Democrat in politics, a leader in civic movements and enterprises and a consistent member of the Christian church, to which Mrs. Housel also belongs. They are the parents of four children, as follows : Frank, engaged in farming near Ansley; Dr. William A., of this notice; Dr. C. L., a specialist in diseases of the eye, ear, nose, and throat, and now in the service of the United States Army, at Austin, Texas: and Margaret, the wife of Ben Sheldon, who is carrying on agricultural operations on his father's farm.

Dr. William A. Housel attended the public schools of Ansley. and after his graduation in the high school lie spent three years at Cotner University, in Lincoln. He then pursued his professional studies at the Lincoln Dental school, from which he was duly grduated with the class of 1905, and he at once began practice at Ansley, where he has maintained his office ever since. A courteous and genial manner, splendid skill in his vocation, and a natural love for his calling, have combined to attract to Doctor Housel a large and representative practice, and as the holder of the largest clientele in this part of the county he has been compelled to employ an assistant. He devotes his entire time to his professional business and has had little leisure for outside matters, but he is a stanch Democrat and gives his support to good civic movements.

In 1900 Dr. Housel married Miss Florence L. Ford, who was born at Blue Hill, Nebraska, and who is a daughter of Fred Ford, a successful carpenter contractor at Bethany, X^ebraska. Of this union have been born five children. namely: Alice, Robert, Dorothy. Lucille, and Raymond F. Dr. and Mrs. Housel are members of the Christian church.

reputation, or build up or tear down a cause worthy of public support. Xot only the city of Broken Bow but Custer county at large has reason for congratulation that the Custer County Republican is in such safe, sagacious and thoroughly clean hands. It is considered one of the best general newspapers published in the county, as well as an outspoken, fairplay exponent of the best element of the Republican party : in fact it is in all respects well worthy of the care and sound judgment displayed in its columns, and reflects credit on both the editor and publisher, James K. Hewett.

Mr. Hewett was born at Bloomington, Franklin county, Nebraska, January- 9, 1890, a son of James H. H. Hewett and Maude (Kelly) Hewett. His paternal grandfather, Obediah B. Hewett, a prominent and leading attorney, came to Nebraska in 1857 and assisted in laying out the city of Beatrice. In 1859 he married Miss Mary Turner. He fought as captain of Company M, Second Xebraska Cavaln-, during the Civil war. At the close of the war he settled in Brownville. where he remained until 1876, when he moved on to a farm near that city. In 1880 he went to Hastings, and he practiced law there until 1892, when he went to California and practiced law at Riverside, California, later moving to Chino, California, where he died in 1898. The maternal grandfather, of Mr. Hewett was James E. Kelly, who was born at Latrobe, Pennsylvania. At the age of nineteen vears he enlisted in the Thirty-fourth Regiment of Indiana \^olunteers and rose to the rank of captain. Returning to Indiana, he was married, December 31, 1863, to Margaret J. Lawrence, who accompanied him to Texas, where he saw six months' service on the border, during the days immediately following the struggle between the north and south. When honorably discharged he and his wife went to Roanoke, Indiana, where ^Ir. Kelly engaged in the mercantile business. Later the\' moved to South Carolina, engaging in cotton raising. They then moved to Fond du Lac, where again Mr. Kelly engaged in the mercantile business. In 1879 he came to X^ebraska as a pioneer, taking a homestead in Harlan county. In 1880 he moved to Bloomington, engaging in the mercantile business until appointed receiver of the United States land office at Bloomington, under President Harrison.

James H. H. Hewett was born in Brownville, Nebraska, and received excellent educational advantages, being graduated from the Peru State Xormal. class of 1883, and having the distinction of being the first graduate of

Hastings College, class of 1885. He studied law 'with his father and, after being admitted to the bar, entered the land otifice at Bloomington, Nebraska, and later at McCook, Nebraska. He was married to Miss Claude h- Kelh-, in 1888, at Bloomington, Nebraska. They then moved to Box Butte county, Nebraska, where Mr. Hewett engaged in the practice of law, at Hemingford and Alliance, for a number of years.

Mr. Hewett has always been prominent in Republican politics and for two terms was county judge of Box Butte county. He is now connected with the United States land office at Alliance, Nebraska. Mr. Hewett is prominent in Masonic circles, having been master of the Alliance blue lodge for seven years and eminent commander of the Knights Templars. Mr. and Mrs. Hewett have been the parents of three children, two of whom are living - James K. Hewett and Helen Bernice Hewett, who is a senior at the University of Nebraska.

James K. Hewett was graduated from the Alliance high school in 1908, following which he entered the Nebraska State University, and, after pursuing an extended course in electrical engineering, was graudated with his degree of Bachelor of Science, in 1913. Going to Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania, he took a special course of two years with the Westinghouse Compan)', and in 1914 returned to Nebraska. As a young man he had learned the trade of printing, more as a recreation than with the thought of using it as a business. However, there is the saying that once a man's blood be tainted with printer's ink he is never able to disassociate himself from it. This may have been true in Mr. Hewett's case, for when he came back to Nebraska in 1914 he joined the force of the Alliance Times. Two years of experience there bound him firmly to newspaper work, and in 1916 he came to Broken Bow and purchased the Ctister County Rcpiihliean, of which he has since been the editor and publisher. At the present time he has a circulation extending through Custer county and is producing a well printed, well edited sheet, with clean, live, authentic news, timely editorials and interesting locals. His efforts to give the people a good, readable newspaper have evidently been appreciated, and he is well supported in an advertising way bv the merchants and professional men of Broken Bow. In connection with his newspaper, Mr. Hewett has a well equipped job department, and turns out all manner of high-class job printing.

Mr. Hewett was married at Lincoln, on November 20, 1916, to Miss Anna Margaret Veith, who v^'as born at Lincoln, Nebraska, September 8, 1890. Mrs. Hewett is the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Veith, of Lincoln, Nebraska. Mr. Veith was born at (Jber-Ramstadt. Germany, in 1846. His father, Conrad \"eith, was librarian of the court documents at Schloss Lichtenberg while preparing himself for office in the probate courts of that city. Henry Veith left Germany when a young man, going first to London, where he lived a year before coming to the United States. In the '60s he decided to make Lincoln, Nebraska, his home and soon after took out his naturalization papers. He was married to Catherine Goetz, of Darmstadt, Germany, on February 24, 1872, at Lincoln, Nebraska. During all these years he has been successfully engaged in the mercantile business.

]\Irs. Hewett graduated from the Lincoln high school in 1909. In 1913 she received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the Arts and Science College of the University of Nebraska, and her diploma from the Teacher's College of that institution. She taught in the Grand Island high school for three years, spending the summers taking post-graduate work at the LTniversities of Wisconsin and Nebraska. She is now engaged as the social editor of the Custer County Rcf^ublican. She is a member of the Woman's Public Service Club, The Woman's Club, and the Browning Club. Mrs. Hewett is a member of the Presbyterian church of Broken Bow.

REV. JAMES H. HERMES, the esteemed pastor of the Broken Bow Catholic church, is filling his second pastorate, having come to this city from Douglas, Wyoming, in 1917. While he is thus, more or less comparatively, a newcomer, he has already found a place in the affection and confidence of the people here, into whose lives and daily activities he has brought a moral influence that is contributing to their spiritual and material welfare. Father Hermes was born at Louisville, Kentucky, April 14, 1887, and is a son of Frederick August and Regina (Lubbers) Hermes.

The parents of Father Hennes, natives of the dukedom of Oldenburg, immigrated to the United States in 1882 and were married at Louisville, Kentucky, where they still reside and where the father is engaged successfully in the grocery business and in farming. There were thirteen children in the familv, of whom

Rev. James H. Hermes received his early education in the parochial schools of Louisville, and completed a collegiate course at St. Francis College. Trenton, New Jersey. He then went to Rome, Italy, to pursue his theological studies and he was ordained September 19, 1909, immediately following which he returned to the United States. His first charge was at Douglas, Wyoming, where he remained from 1910 until 1916, and in October, 1917, he came to Broken Bow, where he now has thirty-eight families in his congregation. Both in a material and spiritual sense the work of Father Hermes has been very successful. Since he commenced his ministerial labors at Broken Bow he has done much to improve the church and add to the welfare of the parish. He is a genial and warm-hearted man and not only commands the respect and confidence of his own parishioners but also enjoys the cordial esteem of a large circle of Protestant friends He extends hearty hospitality to all guests who visit his church or home, and greets all with a pleasant word and a cheery smile. He invariably exerts his great influence on the side of right, and lends liberal aid to all movements tending to promote the public welfare. All who listen to his pulpit utterances are impressed by his strong intellectual resources and the energy which characterizes his work. The life of Father Hennes has been a beneficent one, and its results have been abundantly manifest wherever he has labored.

Father Hermes joined Casper Council, Knights of Columbus, at Casper, Wyoming, and has now reached the fourth degree in that well known fraternal order, having the distinction of being the only man in the state who has taken the four degrees within the period of as many months.

MILO F. YOUNG, pioneer, frontiersman, miner, scout, Indian fighter, freighter and early settler, is probably the oldest man now living within the confines of Custer county, having passed his ninety-second year. His career has been one in which he has had varied and interesting experiences, from hunting buffalo on the western plains to the civilized existence of modem days, and few men, even of twenty less years, bear so few of the scars of life. Mr. Young was born June 18, 1826, ai St. Johnsbury, Caledonia county, \'ermont, a son of Benjamin and Alary (Jackson) Young. His paternal grandfather. Rev. Winthrop Young, was a minister of the Baptist church, and his maternal grandfather. Samuel Jackson, was a

Revolutionary soldier who fought in the battle of Bunker Hill. Benjamin Young, "who was born in New Hampshire, moved in young manhood to \ ermont, where he passed the rest of his life in farming. He and his wife had thirteen children, of whom Milo F. is the only survivor, the others being: Deborah, Loren, Obediah, Elijah and Abigail (twins). Alary, Benjamin. Harrison, Winthrop, Jackson, John and Alaria.

Alilo F. Young was educated in the public schools and as a youth worked for his father, his first twenty-five cents being earned by spreading hay for a neighbor. Captain Aliles. He remained at home until his marriage, at the age of twenty-five years, and then purchased his father's farm, which he conducted for one year. The quiet pursuits of agriculture, however, did not appeal to Air. Young's nature, and he accordingly went to the city of Calais. Maine, where for four years he was engaged in the butcher business and for three years conducted a livery. Selling his interests in New England, he went to St. Anthony, Alinnesota, where he fanned for three years, and then, after a visit to his old home, he came to St. Louis, Alissouri, and up the Alissoun river, arriving at Omaha in 1858. At that time he took a claim twenty-four miles northwest of Omaha, in Washington county, but after three years he sold out and went to Pike's Peak, where he was engaged in mining one year. Mr. Young next became a freighter from Omaha to Cherrj' Creek and Denver, the latter then known as Aurora, and from Denver he carried the first printing press, for John Gibson, forty miles northwest to Blackhawk, better known as Central City. About twenty-four days were required to make his trips in the winter months, when, at night, he would scrape the snow off the ground under his wagon in order to make his bed. His family at this time were living at Central City, but in 1860 they went out to join Air. Young, with whom they remained two years, then going to Elkhorn City, in Douglas county. During this period Air. Young frequently killed bufifalo and freighted the meat and robes to Omaha, where he found a ready market. His experiences with the Indians were numerous, and when the red men went out on the Platte river to hunt, he would pass through their villages. One of the incidents of his life at this time, which is illustrative of the early days, had to do with the desire of Colonel Bent, government agent and Indian trader, to trade with a large party of Sioux, Cheyennes and Arapahoes. The Colonel had seven large loads of Indian goods and sent out a call for the Indians to come and trade, but the latter encountered a band of wild horses and forgot all about the errand upon which they were despatched. JMr. Young was camping on the river, when he was approached by one of the big chiefs of the Sioux, who rode up on a fat little Indian pony with its tail dragging the ground and motioned Mr. Young and his three companions, Henry Benjamin, Rube Hyatt and George Benjamin, to come to the Indian camp, where there were about 2,000 redskins. The plainsmen were informed by the chief : "Much buzz-buzz," evidently meaning that where they were camped were too many mosquitoes. Producing a longstemmed pipe and some killikinick from a mink-skin pouch, the chief lined the men up on a wagon-tongue, lighted the pipe, took a few whiffs, and then passed it to the others, who followed suit, the chief then finishing the ceremony by gravely puffing once or twice. He then said: "White man safe, no steal here," and true to his word the chief would not allow his tribesmen to disturb them.

Not so peaceable were Mr. Young's later experiences with the Indians. When the Second Nebraska Cavalry was called out, in 1862, to put down the uprising at New Ulm, Minnesota, and Spirit Lake, Iowa, Mr. Young served eleven months, helping to chase the Indians up to Sioux City, under General Sully and Colonel R. Furnis. At Sioux City the soldiers were joined by the Sixth Iowa Cavalry, and at White Stone Hill the command surprised a large party of the hostiles, gave them battle, routed them completely, and burned their tepees. In 1873 ^Ir. Young loaded twentytwo hogs, which he took to Denver for Christmas and sold at a good profit. Leaving, with his four magnificent horses, on the day before New Year's, the coldest day on record in the United States, he traveled back to Elkhorn City, bringing with him a family, and he himself walked the entire distance, to keep from freezing.

In 1876 Mr. Young came to Custer county and located at the mouth of Spring creek, and the property, on which his son, Frank H. Young, carried on operations for many years, is still known as the Young ranch. Mr. Young built the old log house depicted on another page of this work, and the same is of much historical interest, as it was used as the first court house of Custer county. The Young ranch is still operated by the heirs of Benjamin Young, to whom it was sold. There, for several years, Milo F. Young served in the capacity of postmaster of Custer, and later he acted as deputy under his son. Frank H., who was county clerk. He is a Republican, and a member of the Masons. That his intellect is still unclouded, even at his advanced age, is shown in the fact that he personally, supplied the material for the foregoing sketch, in addition to relating numerous other interesting incidents of early life in this region. When he left the ranch, with a well earned competency, Mr. Young removed to his home at Broken Bow, where he is now residing, surrounded by every comfort and enjoying the affection and warm regard of a wide circle of friends.

In March, 1851, at St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Mr. Young married Mary Ann Woods, a daughter of Eben Woods, and they became the parents of four children, all of whom are deceased.

ELBERT P. GAINES, cashier of the Security State Bank of Ansley, is one of Custer county's young and progressive citizens who have created a favorable impression in banking circles and established themselves in positions formerly held by men many years their seniors. He is essentially a product of Custer county, as he was brought here in infancy, was educated in this community's ptiblic schools and has received his business training in its institutions, while his career thus far has reflected credit upon the county's influences and upon his own ability and character.

Mr. Gaines was born at Cambridge, the county seat of Henry county, Illinois, February 21, 1886, and is a son of E. H. and Fannie B. (Page) Gaines, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Iowa. E. H. Gaines was reared and educated in his native state, and for a number of years was identified with the wholesale lumber trade, a field in which he met with marked success. In 1886 he came to Custer county and established himself in the hardware and implement business, in which he continued until his death. He was a man of excellent business ability, strict integrity, 'personal probity and sound citizenship, and he well merited his success and the respect in which he was uniformly held. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, was a Republican in politics, and, with his family, belonged to the Christian church. Mrs. Gaines, who survives her husband, resides at Bethany, Nebraska. They were married at Menlo, Iowa, and became the jjarents of three children : Elbert P., to whom this sketch is dedicated; Fred B., who is identified with the automobile business at Chicago. Illinois ; and Loine, who resides with her mother and is engaged in teaching school at Bethany.

and implement Imsiness with his father, under whose able preceptorship he gained his initial commercial training. He remained in the store until he was appointed postmaster of Ansley. during the administration of President Taft, when he gave up other interests to attend to the duties of that office, When his term of four years expired, he identified himself with the Security State Bank, in the capacity of assistant cashier. This institution had been organized February 5. 1915, by local capitalists, who recognized Air. Gaines' devotion, fidelity, and general ability, by advancing him, in 1918, to the post of cashier, which he holds at this time. The bank is capitalized at $20,000, and at this time has surplus and undivided profits of $3,000, while its deposits approximate $215,000. It is accounted a strong institution, bearing an excellent reputation in the banking circles of the state, and. guided by a conservative policy, has made constant advancement since its organization. Mr. Gaines has made many friends for the bank as well as for himself, among the patrons and depositors, and has done much to inspire public confidence.

On June 18, 1907, Mr. Gaines married Aliss Clara Varney, who was born at Westerville, Nebraska, a daughter of Edgar Varney, one of the early settlers and merchants of Westerville, and later a representative merchant at Ansley. Mr. and Mrs. Gaines have two children : Edgar V., born December 10, 1909 : and Helen L., born May 25, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Gaines are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Gaines is a stanch Republican. He is prominent in fraternal circles, being a thirty-second degree ]\Iason and a Shriner, and being at present worshipful master of his Masonic lodge. He is also a member of the Independent Order of C)dd Fellows, and is past chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias.

PUN L. METCALF. - To the old and distinguished state of New York the county of Custer is in no small degree indebted for some of its most prominent citizens, eminent professional men, successful farmers and capable and well-to-do merchants - and in the van of the last mentioned class, although he is at present retired, is Plin Metcalf, a resident of Sargent and a member of the town council. Mr. Metcalf was born in Wyoming county. New York, September 3, 1863, > and is a son of Augustus and Lucia (Crittenden) Metcalf.

county. New York, where he followed farming throughout the rest of his life. In that county were born his children, of whom three sons, Judson. George and Plin, served in the Union army during the Civil war, the last named meeting a soldier's death on the field of battle. Augustus Metcalf was reared on the home farm in New Y'ork and for a time followed the pursuits of the soil as a vocation. He was married in New York state, his wife also being a native thereof, but in 1872 he went to Putnam county, (Jhio, and engaged in the mercantile business at Belmore, where he was also postmaster for several years, and where he carried on a successful business until his death. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and was a Republican in his political views. After his demise Mrs. Metcalf carried on the business for several years, and also acted for four years as postmistress. Ijut in 1883 she disposed of her holdings and came to Custer county, Nebraska, where, like her sons, she settled on a homestead. Aftei coming to Nebraska she joined the ]\Iethodist Episcopal church. She is the mother of four sons : Walter, who still lives on his original homestead in Custer comity ; Plin, whose name initiates this review ; Perry, who also is on his original homestead here ; and Clarence, who is engaged in the implement business at Sargent.

After attending the district schools of Putnam county, Ohio, Plin Metcalf took a course at the Ohio State Normal School at Ada, and then commenced his career in the role of a school teacher. His experience as an educator, however, lasted only one year, for in 1883, when he was twenty years of age, he came to Custer county and took up a homestead, as did also his mother and three brothers, all of the farms adjoining. He continued to follow farming and stock-raising with a full measure of success until 1899. when he turned his attention to mercantile lines, investing in a business at West Union, where he was located as a merchant until 1909. His ten years of e.xperience there had been beneficial, and when he came to Sargent he was better equipped in knowledge of merchandising, so that his success here was immediate. He w-as in partnership with James Haggerty in a general store for a time, but he eventually bought his ])artner's interest, and he continued as the sole ])ro])rietor of the business until January- 1, 1918, since which time he has lived in retirement. During the active years of his career Mr. Metcalf displayed excellent judgment, fine liusiness, capacity and shrewd knowledge of affairs, so that his operations were prosperous, and he is to-day considered one of his community's well-to-do men. He has a good farm in Dawson county and holds other interests, all accumulated in an honorable and legitimate manner. Mr. Metcalf is a Republican and for some time has been actively interested in public aiTairs. For several years he was a member of the board of school directors, and he is now serving efficiently as a member of the town council of Sargent. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masons and Odd Fellows, in which latter order he has passed the official chairs. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.

In 1<S82 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. ]\Ietcalf to Miss Emma Slentz, who was born in Ohio, and to this union have come two children : Clyde, who is employed in the implement business with his uncle, Clarence Metcalf, and Grace, the wife of William Bruce, who at the time of this writing is serving in the United States Navy, his preliminary training having been received at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Illinois, and at Hampton Roads, Virginia.

J. HARRY BRYAN. - One of the young farmers who is a native of Custer county, who was here reared and educated, and who here began farming and has already achieved an immense success is J. Harry Bryan, who resides in the vicinity of Huxley postoffice.

J. Harry Bryan was born July 5, 1883, and is a son of Joseph and Mary E. ( Baker) Bryan. Joseph Bryan was born in Missouri, in 1844, and his wife, who was born in southern Illinois, September 25, 1844, is still living. The parents were married in southern Illinois, and came to Custer county in the early '70s. As sterling pioneers they located a homestead nine miles northeast of Mason City, and upon this place Mr. Bryan lived until the time of his death, in 1892. His widow, now venerable in years, still lives on the old homestead. In their immediate family were eight children, seven of whom are still living. W. B. is a farmer in southeastern Kansas ; Mrs. John T. Wood resides at Mason City ; Mrs. G. L. Stevens lives in Custer county ; Mrs. L. F. Wilcox has her home on a farm at Glendive, Montana : F. G. lives at Burwell, Nebraska, where he is in the employ of the railroad company ; J. Harry, the subject of this sketch, was the sixth born ; and Robert L. lives on the old homestead. The family belong to the Christian church. The father was a Republican in politics, and in his early life he entered the service of his country, from southern Illinois. \Miile thus serving in defense of the

Union in the Civil war he contracted consumption. He was in Sherman's historic march to the sea, and his father, W. J. Bryan, was killed at the battle of Pittsburg Landing.

The fair education which J. Harry Br_\an enjoys, was gleaned from the public schools ot his native county. He took up farming at an early age, and he now owns 120 acres of land, well improved, with a nice residence and all required outbuildings ; and the farm equipment, which is to be rated as first class, meets the requirements of all the operations that can be conducted upon a place of its size.

In March, 1905, was recorded the marriage of Mr. Bryan to Mrs. Eva (Corey) Mitchell, who was born in Clay county, Nebraska, a daughter of William Corey, who was a pioneer of that county. The first husband of Mrs. Bryan was G. Mitchell. Mr. and Mrs. Brvan have three children - Guy, Leona, and Mildred - all bright and happy children, pursuing the foundation course of their education and contributing joy and satisfaction to their parents.

Mr. Bryan is a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he takes a prominent and active part. He affiliates with the Republican party, and is rated as one of the leaders and dependable spirits in all partisan affairs. He is a progressive farmer, a good judge of live stock, and a citizen whose home and premises denote thrift and enterprise.

CHARLES W. BOWMAN. - For a number of years the name of Charles W. Bowman has been inseparably connected with the agricultural and real-estate interests of Custer county, where he has been located since 1885. His career here has been one of constant advancement since his arrival, and both as a farmer and realty operator he has won success and maintained a high reputation for ability and integrity.

Mr. Bowman was born December 27, 1863. at Plattsmouth, Cass county, Nebraska, a son of Albert G. and Mary .\nn (Covalt) Bowman, natives of Ohio and West Virginia respectively, and is a grandson of Abraham Covalt. The family has been identified with the Christian church for many generations and its members have always been supporters of progressive movements along moral, educational and religious lines. Albert G. Bowman was a cabinetmaker by trade, a vocation which he followed first in Ohio and later at Plattsmouth, Nebraska, but eventually he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits in the western part of Cass county, where he rounded out a long, useful and honorable career. He and his wife were the parents of the following children : Sarah A. and Samuel H. died in infancy. Elizabeth, by her first marriage, had two children, Charles and Albert W'achter, who are farmers in Custer county. In her second marriage she became the wife of William H. Russell, a fanner, they leaving two children when they died. - John H. and Anna D. Abraham D. married Ella M. Bethel, and both are deceased. They had one son, - Carl E., who is a member of the firm of Bowman & Bowman, Broken Bow. Marj' A., who married John Keefer, a farmer near Anselmo, Custer county, is deceased. Ida D., who died in 1890, married James M. Russell, and her son is farming with his father in Custer county. Rhoda H. is the wife of Joseph V. Carnes, a retired farmer of Lincoln, this state, and they have seven children, - Nellie, Myrtle, Lillie, Mar)^ Rhoda, Lulla and Ollie. Charles W., of this review, was the next in order of birth. Jennie V.. who makes her home with her brother Charles W., at Broken Bow, is the widow of the late Jacob L. Phillips, banker and broker, who died in 1890.

Charles W. Bowman was given his education in the public schools of Cass county, and when still a youth he showed his industry and capacity for hard work by assuming the responsibility of contributing materially to his own support. When he was a lad it was his custom to arise at daylight, gather several gallons of strawberries, and carry them on foot to Greenwood, Nebraska, a distance of three and one-quarter miles, where he would peddle them to the villagers. In addition, he at times herded cattle for the neighbors, and in this way managed to secure enough monev to keep himself in clothes. When he was but seventeen years of age he had saved monev enough to buy a team of ponies, which he traded for an acre of land at Greenwood, but this he sold after coming to Custer county. 'Sir. Bowman continued his thrifty habits and about the time he reached his majority he had accumulated enough fann machinery to carry on operations, a team, a wagon and harness, and decided to try his fortune further to the west. Accordingly. March 20, 1885. he loaded his worldly possessions on his wagon and made preparations to bid his parents goodbye. Just as he was leaving, his father inquired as to the state of his finances. When he was infonned that the young man had just $3 cash capital, he brought forth a S20 gold piece, and. with tears streaming down his sunburned cheeks, presented it to his son. saving: "Son. you are going into a wild, unsettled countr>' : take this and may God bless you." Charles

W. Bowman arrived in Custer county about ten days later and proceeded to take a homestead and a timber claim about four miles north of New Helena. The first few years were hard ones for the ambitious young man, and, with the other pioneers who were rapidly settling the country, he experienced many hardships and was called upon to use numerous expedients in order that he might carry himself over the bad years. Among other things he spent many wear)- hours in digging up cedar stumps in the cedar canyons, from which the cedar trees had been cut and hauled to Grand Island and other points at an earlier day. These stumps were dug up and split into fence posts and then hauled 100 mile' to Grand Island and sold, or exchanged for the necessities of life. By 1902 Air. Bowman found himself well on the road to prosperity and the possessor of a good property which had been developed solely through his own efforts. But while his agricultural operations had proved verj- successful, he had become attracted to the real-estate business, and finallv, in 1902, he disposed of his ranch and farm and applied himself to realty and loans. His business ability, his expert knowledge of land values, and his general qualifications have enabled him to become a leading factor in his line of work. His fonner farm, situated on what is known throughout Custer county as the Bowman Table, is to-day worth $100 per acre.

Air. Bowman was married November 20, 1897, near Anselmo. Nebraska, to Ida D. Dare, a daughter of James and Mary J. (Jackson) Dare, and four children have been bom to this union : Lloyd D., Alan,' N., Alaude E. and Deerce H. The family belongs to the Christian church. Air. Bowman is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in the Alasonic fraternity he has received the thirty-second degree of the Ancient Accented Scottish Rite. Both he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, in which Airs. Bowman has filled all the official chairs of her chapter.

AIARTIN F. BLANKEKSHIP. a substantial farmer now living in comfortable retirement at Broken Bow, came first to Custer county in 1882. and with the exception of three years he has lived here ever since, the while he is well and favorably known all through this section. Air. Blankenship was boni at Indianola. Vermilion countv. Illinois, September 7. 1856. His parents were Alartin C. and (jeraldine (Scott) Blankenship, the former of whom was bom in Kentucky but reared in Indiana, and the latter of whom was boni and died in Vermihon county, Illinois. His grandparents were well known people in their day, their names being William and Mary (Whitesett) Blankenship and William and Elizabeth (Goliday) Scott. The parents of J\lr. Blankenship both died when he was an infant less than a year old, and of their seven children he and a sister, Mrs. Martha S. Nutterfield, who lives in Illinois, are the only survivors. The father was a preacher in the Missionary' Baptist church.

Left an orphan when so young, Martin T. Blankenship necessarily was reared by strangers, and John T. Phillips and wife, farming people in Vermilion county, Illinois, became good foster-parents, teaching him habits of industry and giving him an opportunity to go to school in the winter time. In those days money was not very plentiful and boys had few chances to earn pocket-money. For that reason the first dime Mr. Blankenship ever earned and the use he made of it remain in his memory as the basis of an amusing story. He was about twelve years old when a neighbor paid him the ten cents for planting a field of corn, covering with a hoe, and the coin was treasured until he added ten cents more, about Christmas time, by turning a grindstone for a man. He gained permission to go to Danville and there he invested his capital in a bunch of fire-crackers, with which he anticipated making considerable of a celebration on Christmas day. He remembers remaining awake almost the entire night, until four o'clock on Christmas morning, and then of mischievously crawling on his hands and knees to the big old fireplace, where he inserted a fire-cracker in the smouldering embers. The explosion probably created enough excitement to satisfy a boy's love of adventure, but probably he was forgiven when his foster-mother found out that the noise was not occasioned by the breaking of her cream jar from the frost, as she had feared. It was just an innocent boyish prank, and since that time Mr. Blankenship has often stated that he had never subsequentlv gained as much fun out of a like expenditure, \\1ien he was eighteen years old his foster-father died and his fostermother went to Indiana, but he had been earning his own living after he was fourteen years of age.

Mr. Blankenship married. September 18. 1879, at Potomac. Illinois, Miss Delilah E. Peterson, who died December 26, 1910. Her parents were Cornelius and Mary (Roderick) Peterson. In 1882 Mr. Blankenship brought his family to Nebraska and located in Custer county, five miles northwest of Broken Bow.

and he remained on that place until 1886, when he returned to Illinois, where- he remained three years. Farming and stock-raising have always engaged his attention, and he has been very successful. To his first marriage four children were bom, namely : William D., Rosa B., Zona V. and Edward A., the last named being deceased. The first three were reared and schooled in Custer county. William D., who is a farmer near Kingfisher, Oklahoma, married IMatie Hussey, a daughter of Charles Hussey, and they have one child. Flossy E. Rosa B. is the wife of Frank De- Moss, who is a resident of Danville, Illinois, a Democrat, a member of the order of \\'oodmen and of the Free Methodist church. Mr. and Mrs. DeMoss have four children, Hallie A., Flo3'd, Annis, and Gerald. Zona V. is the wife of John Downing, who was a farmer near Oakwood, and who is in the national army at the time of this writing; he and his wife belong to the Free Methodist church and they have no children. Politically Mr. Downing is a Democrat. Mr. Blankenship's second marriage took place at Alliance, Nebraska, August 2, 1913, when he wedded Mrs. Susannah Canter, a daughter of Hiram and Lydia (Smith) Donohue, who were members of the Baptist church. Mr. Blankenship has been for years a very prominent man in the United Brethren church and the church record shows that he has been an earnest worker. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party.

CHARLES F. ELLERSICK. - The milling interests of the community of Comstock and the surrounding country have a capable representative in the person of Charles F. Ellersick, who has been the proprietor of a flour mill in this locality for a period of twenty-three years, and who for the last eleven years of that time has been located at Comstock. He -has developed an excellent business through good management and natural ability, and at the same time has been able to serve his community efficiently in official capacities.

Mr. Ellersick was born in Hanover, Germany, September 1, 1857, and cftme to the L'nited States at the age of twenty-four years. .\ millwright by trade, he was employed by a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, concern, for which he worked for about twelve years, during which time he had charge of the installing of the machinery for the Broken Bow flour mill, erected by his house. Mr. Ellersick was not emploved at his trade from 1888 to 1895, but in the latter year he bought a flour mill from Mrs. Jenkins and Mr. Mickle. located at Wescott. He operated that mill until the railroad, passing on the east side of the river, brought into prominence the town of Comstock and practically eliminated the town of ^^'escott, so Mr. Ellersick wisely changed the location of his mill, in 1907, to Comstock, where it has since flourished, with a constantly increasing business. This mill has a daily capacity of sixty-five barrels, and the demand for its product at present is such that it is operating practically all the time.

Mr. Ellersick is a business man of no mean ability, and one who is thoroughly familiar with every angle of his particular line, the while he is well known to the milling trade. with an excellent reputation for integrity and fidelity in business engagements. As a citizen he has contributed generously of time, means and energy to movements for the betterment of Comstock and its people, and for several years jjast he has rendered valuable ser\'ice as a member of the town board, his business judgment and general acumen being held in high regard by his associates. Mr. Ellersick is a Democrat in his political allegiance, and fraternally he is affiliated with the local organizations of the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen of America, in both of which he has many friends, as he has also in business life.

At Grand Island, Nebraska, in 1885, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Ellersick to Miss Lena Stoeppelman, and they are the parents of five children, namely : Katie, the wife of George Young, engaged in agricultural pursuits near the city of Sargent: Lena, the wife of Henry Hein, the owner and operator of a farm near Westerville ; ]\Iiss Emma, residing at home but engaged in teaching in the public schools at Scottsbluft'; Charles, a flour miller associated with his father in business at Comstock, the maiden name of his wife having been Bernice Fretz ; and Flora, who remains with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Ellersick and their children are consistent members of the Lutheran church, which they attend at Comstock, and they liberally support all religious movements.

HAMILTON B. GLAZIER. - Nearly forty years have passed since the late Isaac Glazier drove into Custer county in true pioneer style and settled on a homestead amidst a veritable wilderness where habitations were few and where civilization was still in its primitive form. For twenty years he lived and labored, slowly and arduously developing a farm and establishing a home for his familv.

and watching and assisting in the advancement and progress which were making the countryside to flourish and thrive. This honored pioneer has passed from earthly scenes, but the reputation for industry and integrity which he established is being perpetuated by his children, among whom Hamilton B. Glazier and his sister are the owners of the old homestead which they operate, near Comstock.

Hamilton B. Glazier was born in Winona county, Minnesota, November 9, 1862, and is a son of Isaac and Emily (Bolen) Glazier, natives of New York state. The parents grew to maturity in the Empire state, and they were married in Illinois. Shortly after that event they moved to Winona county, Minnesota, where they settled on a new farm and carried on operations for a number of years. Not satisfied with' their surroundings, and desiring a home on the newly opened frontier of Nebraska, in 1879 they drove overland in a wagon to Custer county and located in the \icinity of the site of the present village of Comstock. Like all new settlers, they were forced to meet and to overcome many obstacles and to endure numerous hardships, but they were persons of hardihood and courage anti cheerfully faced all difficulties. Mrs. Glazier passed to her final rest in 1886, but her husband survived until 1898, by which time he had become the owner of a valuable property, on which were improvements of a splendid character. During his residence here Mr. Glazier set out about thirty acres of timber, one-half of which is now owned by his son. Mr. Glazier was a Republican in politics, but was active therein only as a voter, never caring for public office. He and his wife were the parents of five children, of whom three are living: Miss Lois, who makes her home with her brothers, for whom she keeps house ; Hamilton B., who is the subject of this notice; and .\lbert, also a bachelor, who is associated with his brother in his agricultural enterprises.

' Hamilton B. Glazier received his education in the common schools of Minnesota, where he was reared as are most farmers' sons, and he was about seventeen years of age when he accompanied his parents in their overland journey to Custer county. He assisted in the early and later development of the homestead, in section 4, and since the death of his father he has added a number of improvements, including buildings, machinery, equipment and stock. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and has been unifonnlv successful in his ventures, so that he is accounted one of the substantial men of his community. \\ bile a good citizen and a supporter of worthwhile and progressive movements, he has been

JOSEPH BRYAN. - The subject of this memoir was formerly a prominent farmer of Custer county and was specially well known for the part he took in the advancement of education, religion and material progress in the part of the county in which he was located. The people in the vicinity of Ansley owe to him a debt of gratitude that will be hard to pay- Mr. Bryan was born in Missouri, ^larch 29. 1846. and was the first-born son of William and Caroline ( Brim ) Bryan, who were the parents of six children. William Bryan was of English descent and served in the Civil war until he met his death, on the battle-field of Shiloh. His wife, who also was of English descent, died in Illinois. The parents of Joseph Bryan moved to Clay county, Illinois, when he was a small boy, and there, when seventeen years of age. he enlisted in Company K, Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantn,'. He served three years as a valiant young soldier of the Union, and after the close of the war he returned to Illinois and engaged in farming.

On September 16, 1869, ^Ir. Bn,an was united in marriage, at Taylorville, Illinois, to Miss Mary E. Baker, who was born in Richmond county, that state, and who is a daughter of \\'illiam and Caroline- (Uterback) Baker, prominent and honored citizens of this community. Mr. Baker died in Illinois and his widow was a resident of Custer county, Nebraska, at the time of her death.

Mr. and Mrs. Bryan became the parents of seven children : William B. resides in Kansas ; Isabel is the wife of J. T. Wood, of Mason City, Custer county: Nettie is the wife of (irant Stevens and they live in Kansas; Alice is the wife of Luther \\'ilcox. and they are now living in Montana : Frank G. resides in the city of Lincoln ; J. Harry, who lives on the home farm, is individually mentioned on other pages of this volume ; and Robert L., who is living with his mother on the old place, and who is the owner of three shares of the home farm, having bought shares from two (if the other heirs, was born July 19, 1887.

Joseph Bryan organized school district number 132 and served as a member of the school board for a number of years. He and his wife were largely instrvunental in the organization of the first Sunday school in the county Since the death of Mr. Bryan his widow has continued to reside on the old homestead and she has devoted much of her time to the improvement of the place, the development of the farm and the paying off of the mortgage, as well as caring for the members of the family who are at home. She and her son Robert have been frequent exhibitors at the county fair. In 1911 they secured twelve first and six second premiums on exhibitions of fruits, vegetables, jellies and honey. These premiums included one sweepstake.

Mr. and Mrs. Bryan came to Custer county in 1879 and lived through the hard and strenuous days marked by pioneer privations. Their first home was a dugout, and this was later supplanted by a sod house, which seemed a palace compared with the former abode. They commenced with nothing and at one time were completely destitute of anything to eat. They succeeded in borrowing ten dollars from a more favored neighbor and made the trip to Grand Island for foodstuffs. All had the measles at the same time and many other hardships fell to their lot. They had to go to Lincoln to secure household goods, but all these difficulties were eventually overcome and they pressed forward to the goal of independence and prosperity. This is a fine family and the living children to-day are a credit to the parents who reared them, besides being a valuable asset to the community in which they have their homes. Mr. Bryan died in 1892, and his good wife still survives, the while she is an honor to the motherhood of Custer county.

The son Robert, whose farming operations on the home place are mentioned above, is a very excellent young man, is a splendid farmer and has perfomied an admirable service for his mother. He received his early education in the district school and in all respects is qualified for excellent citizenship and for the useful service he is rendering in his home community. Upon him falls the responsibility of maintaining the old homestead.

LEWIS R. DOWSE. - Though he has not advanced far beyond the psalmist's span of three score years and ten and still possesses a full amount of physical and mental vigor, Mr. Dowse has the enviable distinction of being the first permanent settler of Custer county, arriving here in August, 1873. It can thus be realized that the memory of this honored pioneer compasses the entire gamut that lias been run in the devlopment of this section of Nebraska from a prairie wilderness to a populous and opulent district of a great commonwealth, and it is gratifying to him that he has been able to play a part in the civic and

Lewis R. Dowse is descended from staunch New England ancestors and is a native of Middlesex county, Massachusetts, where he was lx)rn in the town of S'herborn, October 20, 1845. His parents, William and Caroline ( Ware ) Dowse, were natives of the same town, the father born September 3, 1815, and the date of the mother's birth having been September 3, 1820. William Dowse learned the trade of whip-making under the direction of his father, who conducted an establishment for the manufacture of whips, where a large number of people were employed. After the death of his father William Dowse turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and he was thus occupied the remainder of his life. He died in September. 1901, at the age of eightysix years, having long survived his wife, who passed away December 27, 1847. William Dowse was a Republican in politics and he and his wife were members of the Congregational church.

Edmond Dowse, a brother of William, held the office of chaplain of the Massachusetts state senate for twenty years and was re-elected at the age of ninety, but refused to serve anv longer. He spent his entire life in his native town, passing away at the age of ninety-two, and for sixty years he held the pastorate of the local church.

The subject of this record spent his boyhood days in his native village, acquiring his earlv education in the public schools and also attending an academy at Sherborn. As a young man he secured employment in a factory where cards were made to be used in the manufacture of cotton and woolen cloth, his intention being to learn the business. The Civil war being in progress, his patriotic spirit was aroused and he offered his services to his countrv. Failing to pass the physical examination the first time, he again sought to enlist when, in 1864, the last call came, and this time lie was successful. He faithfully ser\-ed four months - until the conflict was brought to a close. Returning to his home he began learning the trade of shoe manufacturing, following that occupation until the spring of 1868, when he decided to follow the advice of Horace Greeley, and "go west." Arriving in Iowa in the month of March, 1868, he took up the occupation of farming, and he resided in Iowa until June, 1873, when he decided to go farther west and started for Nebraska. His arrival in Custer county was in the month of 1873, and it has been conceded by those who have interested themselves in historical records that he thus became the first permanent settler of the county. In 1903 the Old Settlers Association awarded Mr. and Mrs. Dowse each a medal as the first settlers. Their daughter, Mrs. Alice Sims, also was given a medal, as being the first white child born in the county.

At ]\Iontezuma, Poweshiek county, Iowa, December 21, 1869, was solemnized the marriage of Lewis R. Dowse to Miss Sarah Wagner, a native of Auglaize county, Ohio, where she was lx)rn February 23, 1854, a daughter of Samuel and Caroline (Kats) Wagner, natives of Ohio and New Jersey respectively. The parents of Mrs. Dowse accompanied their daughter and their husband to Nebraska, as far as Loup City, where they remained until the spring of 1874, when they took up their abode in Custer county.

From the standpoint of material possessions, Mr. and Mrs. Dowse were in very moderate circumstances. They had several head of cattle, a limited supply of household goods and farming implements, no money, but an abundance of energy and a determination to succeed and establish a home. Those early years were fraught with innumerable hardships and privations. The first years their crops were destroyed by grasshoppers, and only those who had the experience can realize what the grasshopper scourge amounted to.

]\ir. Dowse held squatter sovereignty until he pre-empted the piece of land which has been his home to the present time. From a humble beginning this pioneer couple have labored unceasingly, and that their et¥orts have been crowned with success is attested by the fact that to-day Mr. Dowse holds title to 400 acres of land, well improved and under a good state of cultivation.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Dowse has been l)lessed with the birth of eight children and the presence of an adopted daughter: William married Florence Murphy and is a farmer near the old home : Eliza is a graduate nurse ; .Alice, who was the first white child born in Custer county, is the wife of Charles Sims, residing at Newkirk, Oklahoma : Lewis S', married Marie Pickel and resides in the state of ^^'ashington : Lawrence married Mabel Miner and lives near Comstock ; Elmer married Elsie Day and resides on the home place ; Ethel is the wife of Frank Steeple, residing at Comstock : Nellie is deceased and Faye, unmarried, is a stenographer at Seattle. Washington.

.A. recital of some of the experiences and incidents that have come to this pioneer couple may helj) the readers of this volume- to realize that forty-five years have come and gone since they took up their abode here. This was unorganized territory at that time and taxes were paid to \'alley county, this being considered a loan, and the money being refunded after the organization of the new county. This was known as Kountz county at first, named after a firm of pioneer bankers in Omaha. Later it was called Garber county, after Governor Garber. The present name was adopted in honor of that gallant Indian fighter. General Custer. At the time of the Custer massacre the settler^ in this neighborhood became much alarmed and some of them left here and went to Fort Kearney. Those who remained built a fort of sod and oak and cedar logs, and petitioned the government to equip the "Organized Rangers" with guns to protect the fort. But as they were never molested by the Indians the fort, which had been erected in section 15 of this township, never had to be used. The Indians caused the greatest alarm to the early settlers. JNIrs. Dowse recalls that about the time of the Indian troubles in Montana, four Pawnees walked up to the house one evening while her husband was away. They claimed four ponies had been stolen by another tribe and they were in search of them. These four stayed all night at the home of a neighbor and the next morning the Indians asked for a writing of some kind to prove to other settlers that they were friendly. The neighbor gave them this note. "These are friendly Indians ; grease them and let them slide." The spot where Mr. Dowse established his homestead had been the camping ground of Indians, and here numerous relics have been found. They have also discovered many holes in the ground in the shape of jugs, probably used by the Indians in curing meat.

]3ut times have changed and what was a wild, rolling prairie is now dotted with innumerable farms, with here and there thriving villages; schools and churches have been built and Custer county is a much better place in which to live than when Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Dowse came here more than forty-five years years ago, while in the work of transformation they have contributed their full share. They are members of the Congregational church and Mr. Dowse is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, thus maintaining pleasant relations with the few remaining veterans of the Civil war. In politics he has always given allegiance to the Republican party - the party which stood for a united country and has' always been the party for progress and reform. When the history of Custer county is completed and the life record of its people written, no record will be foimd more worthy of a place in its pages, and none will be of greater inspiration to future generations, than that of the first family who made permanent location in Custer countv.

LILBURN F. OXFORD, local manager of the business of the Dierks Lumber & Coal Company at Comstock, has the distinction of having been the second male white child born within the borders of Custer county, where he was reared to manhood, so that it is evident few citizens of the county at the present time have more fully witnessed the transitions, the splendid development and progress, in this now favored and opulent section of the state of Nebraska. As a child and youth he gained his share of experience in connection with the hardships and other unpropitious conditions marking the pioneer epoch in the history of Custer covmty, and he has kept pace with the march of progres in his native county, where he has been actively and successfully identified with both agricultural and commercial enterprise. As manager for the Dierks Lumber & Coal Company's business at Comstock, he is essentially one of the representative and influential business men of this thriving village.

Mr. Oxford was born in Douglas Grove, Custer county, on the 22d of July, 1876, and is a son of James L. and Laura B. (Henderson) Oxford, the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Eagleville. Harrison county, Missouri. In the spring of 1874 James L. Oxford came from Missouri to Custer county, where he took up a preemption claim immediately west of the present side of the village of Comstock. In the autumn of the same year he returned to his old home in Missouri, and in the following spring he came with his family to Custer county, where he took a homestead near Walworth. He improved this property and there continued his farming and ranching operations until 1883, when he established his residence at Broken Bow and engaged in the liver>' business. There his wife died, in the spring of 1884, and he then returned to his farm, upon which he continued to reside until 1895, when he divided his Custer county landed interests among his children. He then removed to Oregon, where he purchased 640 acres of lanr! and where he engaged in the raising of Angora goats and a good grade of cattle and where he still maintains his home. A Republican in politics, Mr. Oxford has taken a lively interest in jHiblic affairs, and while he has never had any ;imbition for public office he served two vears as countv commissioner of Custer

James h. and Laura B. (Henderson) ( ).xford became the parents of seven children, all of whom are living except one : Myrtle is the wife of Leonard R. Hersh, a farmer near Broken Bow; ALary E. is the wife of Albert Blessing, a farmer near Walworth, this county ; Daisy met an accidental and tragic death by the overturning of a container of scalding water, about 1879, when she was a child : Lilburn F., of this review, was the next in order of birth ; Charles, who is still a bachelor, is a farmer and sheep-raiser in South Dakota : Fred is married and is a prosperous ranchman in that stat6; and Albert N., who married Alay Waters, is likewise an exponent of agricultural and live-stock enterprise in South Dakota.

For his second wife James L. Oxford married Ella R. Ballinger, and they became the parents of five children, all of who are livmg: Clay is proprietor of a meat market at Brownsville, Oregon ; Edward and Earl are farmers in that locality ; Sylvia remains at the parental home; and Flossie is the wife of an Oregon ranchman.

.Vfter having duly profited by the advantages of the public schools of Custer county, Lilburn F. Oxford was for one year a student in the Broken Bow Business College. It is interesting to record that the tirst school which he attended was that of district No. 13, and the little sod schoolhouse, constructed in 1883, was located on land belonging to his father, the first teacher in this school having been Airs. Thomas Lampman. The first schoolteacher in that vicinity, however, was Mr. A. N. Peale, who conducted a select school in fall of 1880. In 1889 the log schoolhouse mentioned was replaced by a frame structure, and this latter building was destroyed by a cyclone, in 1898, while school was in session. One pupil, Eva Fowler, was blown through a door of the building and against the school flag-pole, the injury causing her death. Other pupils were severely injured hut this one was the only fatality.

After completing his youthful education Mr. Oxford was engaged in farming during one year, but at this time the inception of the Spanish-American war led him to subordinate all personal interests to the call of patriotism, and he enlisted for service in that conflict. He became a member of the First Nebraska Volunteer Infantr^^ with which he served eighteen months. In an engagement in Marilao he received a flesh wound, and he proved a loval and efficient soldier. After having been granted his honorable discharge from militarj' service Mr. Oxford returned to the farm, where he continued operations for the ensuing two years. He then accepted the position of manager of the business of the Dierks Lumber & Coal Company at Benvyn, and he has since continued his association with this representative concern, with which he has made an admirable record, his transfer to the management of the company's business at Comstock having occurred in 1915. He has done much to further the success of the company's business and is known as one of the reliable, energetic and progressive business men of his native county, as well as a loyal and public-spirited citizen. He gives his political allegiance to the Republican party but has never manifested any office-seeking proclivities.

June 25. 1903, recorded the marriage of Mr. Oxford to Miss Madge Hersh, at St. Joseph Missouri. Mrs. Oxford is a daughter of George and Minnie ( AlcWilliams) Hersh, who came to Custer county in 1886 and purchased land four miles east of Broken Bow. Mr. and -Mrs. (Jxford have two children - lola. born .\ugust 19, 1908, and Lilburn N., born April 14,^1912.

ROBERT E. WATERS, who retired from the office of county clerk of Custer county in January, 1919, was, until his election to this office, a successful farmer and stock-raiser in the vicinity of Broken Bow. He still retains his holdings, but after assuming his official duties he gave more attention to the latter than to his agricultural work, the while he showed just as marked capability as an executive as he did as a tiller of the soil. Mr. ^^'aters was born in Clark county, Alissouri, March 12. 1878. a son of George O. and Elvira ( Ston- ) \\ aters. the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Missouri.

Isom Waters, the paternal grandfather of Mr. Waters, was born in Kentucky and at an early day became a pioneer of Alissouri, later moving to Custer county, Nebraska, where he pa.^sed his last years. The maternal grandfather, Gieenberry Story, also was a Kentuckian and an early settler of Missouri, \vhere he passed away after a career passed in farming. George O. AX'aters was bom and educated in Ohio, where he was reared as a farmer, and as a young man he went to Missouri, where he married. In Alay. 1879, he came to Nebraska and homesteaded land in Custer county, continuing to be engaged in agricultural pursuits until his retirement, when he was the owner of a half-section of land. all of which had l>een self-gained through in- dustrious labor and good business methods and judgment. He took a somewhat prominent part in pubHc affairs, having served as deputy clerk of the district court for four and onehalf years, as well as town assessor and supervisor, and having established a good record. He was known as a leader in the local ranks of the Republican party, while fraternally he became affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. He and his wife are now residents of Bakersfield, California, and they are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They became the parents of nine children, of whom six survive : W. W., who is an agricultural implement dealer at Broken Bow ; C. P., who is engaged in dealing in stock-food at Des Moines, Iowa; Robert E., subject of this review; G. H., a farmer of Bakersfield, Califoniia ; C. S., assistant chief of police at Bakersfield; and Elvira Mae, the wife of Albert Oxford, a stockman and farmer of Oxford, South Dakota.

A child when brought to Custer county. Robert E. Waters secured his education in the public schools of Broken Bow, and when ready to enter upon his independent career he chose farming and stock-raising as the medium for his sttccess in the business of life. He was thus engaged when the Spanish-American war broke out, and he enlisted in Company M, First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry, which command was sent to the Philippine Islands, where he took part in three battles. Upon his return to this countrj- he received an honorable discharge and resumed his labors as a farmer and stockman, continuing to be so engaged until 1915, the year of his first election to the office of clerk of Custer county. His first tenu was decidedly satisfactory to the voters of this county, who gave him the re-election in 1917, and he continued to be known as one of his county's most capable and popular officials until normal political exigencies compassed his defeat for re-election in the autumn of 1918.

In March, 1905, Mr. Waters married Miss Clara Daniel, who was born in Custer county. South Dakota, a daughter of J. M. and Belle (\Miite) Daniel, the latter now deceased, and the former a retired resident of Riverton, Wvoming. Mr. and IVIrs. Waters have six children - George, ^Mildred, Lena. Elvira, Mary, and Riley. The first four children are attending school.

Mr. Waters is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern \\'oodmen of America, in the former of which he has passed the various official chairs. He is a Democrat in politics, in wliich he has always taken an active part, and his influence is counted upon, and not in vain, during elections. He continues to cultivate his land near Broken Bow, but rather in an advisory than in an active way, his official duties having received his chief attention.

CEAY HARRY, manager of the Broken Bow branch of the Nebraska Telephone Company, became identified with this line of business in 1917, after several years of journalistic labor. During his college days he had shown a talent for matters pertaining to the newspaper field, and when he entered upon his career it was in this line of endeavor; but business life in another direction claimed him eventually, and he is making a decided success of his present activities. Mr. Harry is a Nebraskan by nativity, having been born on a farm in Hayes county, February 28, 1888, a son of Thomas ]Milton and Flora (Wright) Harry.