Dakota County, Nebraska - Chapter 17, 1893 (part 2 of 3)

CoL. John Plyel arrived in Dakota county in 1856, and founded the town of "Plyburg," afterwards called Blyburg. The town was named after its founder, and located in the southern part of the county. Some claim that this man's name was John Bly, but this is a mistake. He afterwards operated a drug store in the town of Omadi, went to Odell, Iowa.

Benjamin Trusdale, Buckwalter Bros., John Tulo, Wrn. Burnett, Thomas Prior and others came to Dakota county in 1856, forming a coal company, and went to prospecting for coal along the high bluffs in Blyburg. This was the first "coal excitement" the county ever had, but as they did not iind anything but a ten inch vein they soon abandoned the project,

Uriah Nickerson came here in 1856, and was engineer in the Omadi steam saw mill; owned a large tract of timber in Blybui-g, where his wife died and was buried. Went to Woonsocket, R. I., and died there.

John Hommell came to Dakota county in 185C, worked at the carpenter trade, owned a farm in Blyburg where his wife's father, John Fisher, died and was nearly eaten up by hogs before any one knew of his death. Moved to (Jmaha.

William Silence came to Dukota couiity in 1856; was six feet and two inches in liei^bt and bnilt for a tii>:hting man, bnt one of onr leading pioneers who is still living in the county gave liim about all the tight he wanted one summer day in 1858. Silence lived on the AVm. Taylor land and liis opponent lived in Omadi. They were to meet half way, each one to be accompanied by his seconds, judges and friends. Tliey met somewhere on the bottom noi-th of where the Oaks n)ill was built, and it was not long before a great t-rowd assembled to witness the exciting conflict. People could be seen coming across the prairies from all directions - from the hills and vallejs - from Omadi. Logan and Dakota City. Silence married Ziber Millage's daughter and afterwards moved to Missouri and then to Nebraska City, A^eb.

JosEt»n Imhoff came to Dakota county in 1S5G; v.ent into partnership with C. 0. Bliven in the carpentering business at Omadi. Afterwards went to Nebraska City, and then to Lincoln, where he became proprietor of the Commercial House.

John W. Hazlegrove was l)orn in Kentucky, in 1842 and began pioneer life in I)ak(jta county March 10, 1857. Was married to Margia Officer near Dakota City, November 30, 1862. Has three sons and four daughters, William I., Cliaries E., John L.. Mrs. '/anny Gray, Rose M., M*ary IL E. and (jporgia B. lives on a farm west of Dakota City. Mr. Hazlegrove says: "the flrst year I was in the connty 1 mowed my hay with a scythe and cut my wheat with a ci-adie. Thei-e was not a ujowini2: machine nor a reaper in the county. I operated the hrst reaper ever used on Elk Creek Valley. I cut grain for Ilogans, Beaconi, Jones, liyans, McCormick and for several others on the bottom.

William Armour, in March, 1857, crossed over the river to Dakota county and camped on the present site of Ponca. When he returned the following day he found the buttom all covered with water from the melting snow and the ground still being frozen prevented the water from escaping. He supposed the whole bottom was one vast swamp and at that time had no use for it. But during that year when the water had subsided he again ventured to the county, and has lived thirty-seven years on this supposed "swamp," five miles southwest ol Dakota City. Married in 1864 to Jennie Garner. Has five sons and three daughters, Leander, William, Henry, George, Marvin, Lucy G., Jeannette and Nellie.

Dennis Armour was born March 29, 1838, in Delaware county, N . Y., and landed in Dakota county at Omadi, on the steamboat, "Asa Wilgus." That summer raised a crop on the John Braunt farm, and took a claim in 1858, where he now resides, four miles southwest of Dakota City. Went to Colorado in 1860 and engaged in freighting. Enlisted in Co. I, 2nd Nebraska Cavalry, in the war of the liebellion. Was niar- I'ied' to Miss Mary E. Hileman on Christmas day, 1872, Ilev. J. Zimmerman officiating. Has six children, three sous and three daughters.

James O. Fisher stepped upon Dakota county soil from a flat boat at Covington, April 4, 1857, and gazed upuu the wild country around him, wondering what the future had in store fur him. He went to Logan where he lived al)out live years engaged in farming; took a claim of 160 acres about five miles west of Dakota City, where he is now residing. Was married to Mary Dutton [a sister of Horace Dutton,)on the 25th day of No- vemher, 1858. Mr, Fislier was elected county coiiuuissioner on the democratic ticket in 1859, serving three years, and represented Dakota county in the 9tli territorial legislature, which convened at OniMlia, January 7th, 1864. Has been connected with the school board in his district for more than twenty years, and has, always taken an active part in the promotion of public schools, as well as all other projects looking to the advancement and stability ot the general welfare of Dakota county, and has lived to see the wide Missouri valley giadnally transformed from wild prairies to a thickly settled community teeming with life and activity. Has been a witness to every movement and every step of progress in the county, from tiie building of fences to the erection of the court house; from the b'-eakin^ up of the prairie to the rise and flourish of towns and villages, and from the old time "fords" to the building of costly bridges, grading of highways, and the trinmpiiant march of lines of railways across the country. On the 26th of August, 1882, was appointed by the Pioneers and Old Settlers' Association to represent Dakota precinct on the Committee of Arratigements. Hon. E. K. Valentine attended their first meeting in Baird's grove, September 23, 1882, and some of the politicians w^anted him to make a speech. The matter was referred to Mr, Fisher, who then and there barred out the introduction of politics into the society, and no one since has dared to broach the subject of politics in public at their annual reunions. "No, gentlemen, said Mr. Fisher, "we want one society, at least, in the county free from politics." Many censured hi in at the time for this remark, bnt as the years pass on, all will admit tliat he was right His wife died November 19, 1889^ leaving seven children - -three sons and four daughters, Irving, Henry, Oliver, Mrs. Etta Vosburg, Mrs. Myi-a Taylor, Currence and Mary. Ja'.ues O. Fisher was born in Blackstone, Mass., and raised in Connecticut. He went to California in 1852, returned to Coimecticut in

CoL. Barnauas Batp:s drove up to Luther Woodford's residence in Sergeant Bluffs on the 16th day of April, 1857. Leaving liis team there he proceeded to cross the Missouri river to Dakota City in a skiff". About this time preparations were beinoj made by the ''Town Company'" for tlie building of the large hotel "Bates House," which for so many years stood in the northeast portion of Dakota City, and he was employed to go to St. Louis to purchase the necessary material, returning July 12th. He invested |1,000 of his own money in the enterprise. In the fall of 1857 went to get a load of lime to be used in the buildinsj, at the lime kiln up the ravine west of Col. Baird's house. Slept on the ground and killed a night hawk and cooked it over a tire for breakfast. The hotel was finished in June, 1858, at a cost of ^16,000. In the fall of 1859 was elected to the territorial legislature on the democratic ticket and went to Omaha and served during the winter of '59 and '60. Was appointed by President Buchanan as postmaster at Dakota City and served seven years. In 1858, in company with Elbridge Lampson, - a brother of Amos Lampson, - E. F. Mason and Stephen Ullery went on a twenty days' hunting expedition along the Elkhorn river. Camped right where Norfolk is now located. They saw thousands of elk and soon loaded a four horse team with elk meat. In those days, this was, indeed, a wild barren looking country. The last house on the Elkhorn was eight miles up the river from West Point. Was married a .second time in 1860 to Mrs. Hannah Nevell, at Et. Caliioun, Washington county, Nebraska; soon after rented the Bates House and kept hotel there for two years. In the summer of 1862 moved to his residence in Dakota C'ity where he has since resided. Here his daughter Helen kept the posroffice for a number of years. About this time huiU ;i Uvick scliciol house in Sergenut BliiUs wliifh is still in use. In the fall of 1861 vvas re-elected to the lower house of the territorial legislature. In

1865 built the Dakota City brick school house; 1868 A. H. Baker's residence; 1871 the Charley Eckhart store - afterwards owned and used by M. ( xVyers as a drug store, and helped to build the court liouse and the iMethodist church - all in Dakota City. Has served as notary public and coroner of Dakota county for a number of years; was also deputy clerk of the district court for the northern district of Nebraska. In the fall of

1866 was elected on the democratic ticket as member of the" territorial council against Col. H. Baird. In those days there was a society called '-Sons of Malta,'' which was not overburdened with religious and moral teachings. To illustrate the tendency of its workings the initiation of Col. Bates into the society is here given: It was while he was serving as member of the territoriid council at Cmaha that liis friends induced him to join the society. After taking him through all kinds of ridiculous performances they gave him a papeito sign which purported to be the constitution of the society. Then a grand rush was n.ade lor the neai'est restaurant where all partook of a hearty supper. Loud Was their laughter and jolly indeed was the crowd as if some good joke ^^-as about to he pei-petrattd on some one, and sure enough this was the case. Just as rhey had finished their supper the proprietor stepped up to Col. Bates and prc!sented to him the paper lie had signed supposed to be the constitution, but instead it was an order on the restaurant for anything the members miglit wish. It cost him just !$40. The "Sons of Malta" organized a society in the Bates liouse and had '^oceans of fun" out of it, as many of the pioneers well ren)ember, as well as a numhei- (,f the leading men of Sioux City. E^^ery man that signed the "constitution" had a restaurant bill to pay. His wife died February 15, 1879, leaving two daughters and one step

(l.ui^-hter. On the 6th of July, 1881, started from Sioiix City for Ft. Assinnboine, Montana, to work on the fort, afterwards went to Ft. Peck, J\t. T., and built sevei'al l)uihlings for school purposes, also bnilt a saw mill. Returned to Dakota City, October, 1883. Has been chief marshal of the Old Settlers' Association for tlie years '83, '84, '85,' '86, and '87. In the early days teams were very scarce and people often wanted to oo to Omaha and do their shopping. He had about the only team to be had in all this section and ujany we)-e the trips he took to Omaha and back. There was a spring on the old military road near the line between the Omaha and Winnebago lands. Here the travelers in those times would stop to feed and get dinner. On one occasion he noticed a large number of bees on some cobs and watching them take their flight soon fo\ind ^heir home in a large leaning burr-oak tree, just over the brow of the hill to the north. He expected to cut it that fall but when he went down he found that some one hrid been ahead of him and taken the honey away, after hiving the bees in a box where they were busily at work. It was Henry Ream and his son Marcel who liad cheated him out of his honey, but this fact he did not know until the lapse of neariy thirty years, and, of course, it was not worth while quarrelling about it then. Henry Ream now has a large number of stands of bees and could easily return the borrowed honey with thirty years interest thereon. Col. Bates has always taken an active part in politics, ever casting his weight and influence with the democratic party. He was employed to assist in the gathering in of color-ed corn for the gi-ent Corn Palace inaugurated in Sioux City on the 3rd of October, 1887, find continued until the 8th of the same month. Col. Barnabas Bates was born December 15, 1817, in Chautauqua county, New York, received his education in the district school of Sheridan, New Yoi-k, lived on a farm until eighteen years ot ;ige. Ivcarned the mason's trade and carried on business in Canandagua, Ontario county, New York, for fourteen years. Was married to Lizzie Stacy in 184:6 at Canandagua. She died in June, 1848, leaving one daughter, Helen. Came west to DesMoine?, Iowa, m June, 1855, and remained there and worked at his trade until April. 1857, when summoned by the unseen power that guides the minds of men, he started on the wisest journey of his life - that journey to Dakota county in April, 1857.

John Snyder was born Der.eniber 2, 1831. in Pennsylvania, and landed in Omadi, April 26, 1857. He was the first constable in that precinct. Married to Em.ily Pilgrim. They have three sons and two daughters, and live in Blyburg.

James McKenna crossed over the river from Sioux- City to Coving-ton, on Sunday Api-il 28, 1857, and found the pioneers all at work, sawing luml)er, i-olling logs and chopping down trees. There were some pious people among them, but the April showers were coming on and they must have lumber for shelter. Settled in the town, afterwards lived in Sioux City nine years when he again located in Covington where he remained until his death. May 22, 1891. Mr. McKenna was born in Tyrone Co. Ireland in 1819, and married in his native land. His wife died in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1870. Was married a second time June 1873 to Mrs. William Leach.

James Ashley was born in England and came to New York in 1852. In the spring of 1857 located in Dakota county, in the town of Logan, where he engaged in the blacksmithing business. Moved to Dakota City in the fall of 1858 where he carried on the same trade until 1860, when he removed to the Omaha Reservation, and is at present living in Decatur, Burt county, Nebraska. Is a brother to Robert T. Asnley, who was appointed U. S. Indian Agent for the Omahas and Winnebagoes, in 1889. Has four child-

Michael Kennelly packed his family and all his earthly effects into a wagon at Omaha, in 1857, and on the 7th of May - what a beautiful day it was, when he halted upuii the sumniit of old Pilgrim Hill, in the southern part of the county, and gazed out upon the hroad Missouri valley. He beheld Omadi in all its glory, "and then" says Mr. Kennelly, ''I thought I had indeed, found the laud of 'milk and honey' of which I had heard so much, but later on 1 learned that it was ojily whisky and molasses, and that soon played out - and t!ie people on the verge of starvation climbed to the top of the highest hills to see if there were any boats coming with supplies." He then proceeded down the old Military road from Pilgrim Hill, and landed in Omadi, where he engaged in blacksmithing until 1800 when he established the first blacksmith sliop in Jackson. Was elected county commissioner in October, 1865; served as justice of the peace for St. Johns pi-ecinct for many years, which office he liolds at the present time, was also assessor for Omadi precinct in 1802. Mr. KenneJIy was born in Ireland, September 10th, 1820, and came to America m February, 1849, settlitig in Hartford, Connecticut, where he remained until his journey Uj the land of ''milk and honej." Was married a second time to Mrs. Finnell, September 6th, 1852. They have eight children living.

Jamks Wescott M'as born in 1819, and came to Dakota county in 1857. settling on a tract of land abont five miles west of Dakota City which to this day is known as the old Wescott place. He w^as an honest, hard working man and built for himself and family a good comfortable liome. Planted one of the first oi-ch;irds in the countv. Died at his residence west of D^kotM Citv. June 14th, 1877, and his remains were mtencd in the Sioux City cenieteiY. His wife and two

John Blessing began his career in Dakota county in the spring of 1857 and by hard labor and living au honest and upright life has furnished us with another example ot what plurk will do. lie was willing to work and wait - '-Home was not built in one day"- - and lived on corn bread with the hope that a better day was coming and as the years went l)y it came, just as it always does to those endowed with courage anvl energy. The young man who bits on a dry goods box today wondering why he is not better fixed in the world should study the lives of our pioneei-s. litlocated in Oniadi pi-ecinct. in 18(52 enlisted in Company I, Second INebraska Cavalry, served tliirteen months, then returned and located in Dakot;i, precinct, settled on liis present farm in Brushy Bend i-.i 18(54. Mr. Blessing was born April l-l, 1832, in Wurtembei-g. Germany. In 1850 came to Erie county. New Yu:k, there learned the carpenter trade where he worked about five years and then came west. \V;is married in 185(5 to Mary Willyuung, of Elsace, New York. They have ten children -tour sons and six daughters. Has a good farm - over 80U acres of laud and (juite u large amount of stock.

John FiNNERTY was bom in Irelaud July 11. ISKx Came to America in 1851. Went to ('inciuiintti where he married Katie Smith, June 27. 1851. On the 12th day of May, 1857, crossed the Missouri i-iver into Dakota county aud located on a piece of land along the south bank of Cryst d Lake, .ibout two miles northwest of Dakota City. Here he lived for many years farming his land, building a sui)stantial dwelling and otuer houses fur stock and grain. Planted a good orchard aud was an eye witness to every stroke of improvement for miles around him. Has three children - Dennis ])., mari'ied to Hattie McKinney, Mrs.

Patuick Monahan was born in Ireland in 182(j and crossed the ocean to Aniei-ica in 1849, landing at iN'ew York City. Moved t(. Ohio and lived seven yeari? in Sandnsky and Dayton. Was fireman on a railroad. Was married at Dayton in 1854, to Miss Bridge: Smith, lias six children, two of whom ai'e dead. Three daughters, Katie, Mary aiid Biidie, and one i-on, Thomas, are living. Ml'. JMonahan had lieard wonderful stories about tlie ricli and fertile prairies of the west and determined to seek a home there. Jn May 1857 he bid farewell to his Ohio home and turned his face toward the western land, ana the 21.~t day of May found him on board of a steamer, with all liis woildly possessions, winding along up the Big Muddy ihiough what is to-day Crysral lake. He informed the captain of the boat tlint his destinatioii was St. Johns. But the captain said the landing was unsafe at that place and he would hri\e to eitliei' get off" at Logan or E*onca and he chose the i'ormei-,and so he was left at Logan among strangers in a strange lami, except John Kinnerty und family who had cctme with him. Alfred Elam agreed to take him to St. Johns for $7.50. His hired hand, J. O. Fisher, was Called in and told to hitch up the driving team (a good steady yoke of oxen) and the outfit was soon winding their way toward their long looked for home. They had m>t proceeded far until they ran into a mud hole and the oxen ''got stuck" and all hands had to climb out into the mud smd water and wade to the shore. Mi's. Finnerty had to carry her son Dennis and get to the shore with him the iiest she could. Mr. Monahan took a claim on Pigeon creek, joining John Howard on the southwest. He got some breaking done at tlie rate of SIO.OO per acre and raised a small crop that yvar. Moved down to C'ovington that fall, and lie and John Finnerty bought two lots of John Feenan and built a lioui-e to live in. In the fpiiug of 1S58 lie l)Ouglit the place where he is now living and when South Sioux City t<»ok its boom sold all his i'ai'ni except five acres to be laid out in town lots. How vast are the changin*; scenes which Mr. Monahaii lias wi; - nessed since his advent to the wild primeval lands of Dakota county. He has lived to see towns and \i!- laoes rise up and flourish and crunil)le and decay unril they are known today only in history. He has lived to see a once wild and nninhal)ited land transformed into a rich and prosperous community. He saw the rise and fall of Pacific City, which was situated on tlie present site of South Sioux City, in township 20. range 9 east.

AViLLTAM Cr>'NrNunAM came to Daktjta county. May 12, 1857, find took a claim which is now a portion of South Sioux City, where he was drowned in 1881, in the high water of that year. His wife and one daughter survive liim. The daughter is nuu-ried to Tim Shanahan. Mr. and Mrs. Shanalnui have six children.

Peter ]\Iyers joined the great army of emigrants, and iound his way into Dakota county May 12, 1857. Took a claim on the bluffs near TVilliam Taylor's farm. His wife died in 1859 leaving three children-two sons and one daughter, John E., Geo. W. and Mrs. Emma Kice. Lives in Sioux City, Iowa, was a Union Soldier in the Rebellion,

CoL. Jesse F. Wakner, piloting a "prairie schooner" over the wild and desolate prairies of the west, found a landing place - named Dakota county - -]\I ay 17, 1857, and probably no pilot while sailing upon the deep, or along the inland rivers was ever more pleased with a landing than he was with the place that was henceforth to be his home. He located on what is now known as the George Leamer farm, lived in a house which he moved from the town of Logan, situated one half mile north of his hiiuL Opened up a farm and made other substantial improvements. Tn company with pioneers took many hunts beyond the settlement for deer, elk, etc., and therefore had an opportunity of seeing North Nebraska in its wildest state. Passed over tiie country wliere Emerson, Wakefield, Wyyne. Norfolk, Madison, Wisner and Coleridge are situated, years before there was a single settler in all that region. In fall of '57 went to eastern lov.a and l)i'oug]it back a herd of cows and in summer of '58 drove 200 hogs from centralIowa,f rom which cows atid hogs originated a large portion of the stock of early days of Dakota county. Was admitted to the bar before Judge Eieazer Wakly at the District Court held in Dakota City in 1857. From early manJiood he took an active interest in politics and when the break up in parties came and the old Whig party was dissolved he threw all his talents and energies into the struggle over the slavery question out of -which the Republican party was i)orn. In '54 and '50 was quite prominent on the stunij) which grew into more than local prominence. In 1800 was a delegate from Nebraska to the ever memorjible convention at Chicago which nominated Abraham Lincoln. He leaves to the family his certificate signed by "John M. Thayer, chairman Republican Territorial Committee," which he preserved as one of his choicest treasures. When the great war cloud burst with all its fury over our land he started on tlie day the news of the falloF Sumpter reached him for his oM home in Iowa to i-aise irjen for thesei-vice, entei-ing ihe army at once MS 2nd lieutenent, 7th Iowa Infantry, without waitingtor an offer of a bettei' position, was promoted to the (-aptaincy and aft(>r more than three long years of fierce battles and weary mai-ches was compelled to i-esign on account of injuries and broken health. Soon after his return to Iowa was chosen colonel of one of the "Border State Regiments'' for home defense !)ut as the enemy was driven so far from the Iowa border the regiment was not called on for duty. Col. AVurner was witli Grant, Logan, McClernaid and others who )"Oge to prominence afterwards, in their first baptism of fire at Belmont. Commanded his company in the cliarge tliat carried the works at Donaldson where he received severe injury which caused him many ye^rs of suffering and finally caiT'ied him away to his eternal home,Wednesday, March 20, 1890, at Dakota City, Nebraska, leaving' a wife and six children - Nellie, wife of Dr. E. J . De Bell, who died at Lyons, Nebraska, September 8th 1892; Lee M., Homer, Nebraska; Cle)na, wife of R. C. Bauer; Mary M., wife of D. W. Parmelee; Ernest J., Rosebud Agency S. D., and Moses M., Lyons, Nebraska. Located in Dakota City in 1867 and established a land office lor the purpose of surveying land and locating homesteaders. Selected claims for many of the old settlers of Dakota, Dixon, ('edar, Wayne, Madison and Stanton counties. Lfis familiarity with this country from hunting over it in its wild state enabled him to carry on this business with much success. Practiced law in Dakota City most of the time from 1868 to 1878. In 1869 purchased the old Pilgrim place known as "Pilgrim Hill," eight miles south of Dakota City, and in connection with the farm raised fruit and bnrned lime- - furnished the lime for nearly all the houses that were built in the county at that time, including the court house, Methodist churches at Dakota City and Covington and the industrial school building at the Winnebago Agency, also furnished the rock for the foundation for the hitter. Was a presidential elector in 1868 and cast Nebraska's maiden vote for Gen. Grant; represented Dakota county in the state legislature in 1879 - '80. Took charge as U. S. Indian Agent of the Omaha and Winnebago agencies November 1st, 1886, which position he held until September l6th, 1889. The Indians under his administration did remarkably well with their farming and general behavior. August 80, 1889, was presented with a gold headed cane by the emph)yes of the Omaha and Winnebago agencies. Cob J. F. Warner was born at Wooster, Ohio, September '^6, 1826- In 1842 his parents moved to Keokuk county, Iowa, and lived on a farm. Was married to Hannah M. Woodward, Septemuei- 7th, 1849, at Richland, Town, by Rev, Frederick Lyons, a Methodist minister. The spirit of energy turned his face to the great west where he could '\grow up with the country." So ends the story <»f another of our pioneers, who being considered an able orator, was olten called upon to appeal* before the people at important public gatherings.

James Connor was born in Ireland in 1823, in Wicklow county and came to Dakota county, May 18, 1857- He took a claim in St. Johns precinct. At present living at Jackson.

Cai't. Cornelius O'Connor was born September 17, 1821 ill the county of Cork, Ireland, and came with liis parents to America in 1829- Lived in Bostun until he was twenty-eight years of age. Went to New York where he remained live years. Was Tuarried to Catharine Duggan, April 3, 1852. In 1857 came west and took a steamer at Omaha for Dakota county, landing at St. Johns May 18th. Took a claim on Elk Creek where he lived several years, when he moved to where he lives at the present time two miles east of Homer. Here he and his noble wife lived to experience the hardships and trials of frontier life. He represented Dakota county in the 8tli and lltli sessions of the Territorial le<>islature, and has been Director in his school district for more than twenty years. Enlisted in the Mexican War. Has four '-hildreu living - two sons and two daughters, Cornelius J., County Treasurer, and Timothy, Mrs. Helena Green and Charlottie G. His daughter Mary died in 1887, find in 1889 Daniel and Julia followed her to eternal rest. His youngest son Frank died July 5,

1890, and within two years Katie and Maggie dieii. Jn 1851 Governor Richardson coinniissioned Air. O'Connor as Captain of a Company, which was formed to resist attacks from the Indians.

John C. Gribble crossed the river at Dakota City. May 18, 1857, with all his earthly possessions - a set of carpenter tools. Took a claim in Brushy Bend, and was married in 1860 to Mary Couroy. Has six children - three sons, Barney, John and Thomas: three daughters. Mrs. Lizzie Ilerwig, Mrs. Josephine Stinson and Olive. Settled on a fai'm four miles and a half west of Dakota City in 1870, wliere he has ]-esided to the present time. Was county comnnissioner six years.

Easton Rush was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and came to Dakota county in the spring of 1857. Took a claim two miles west of Dakota City where he lived many years. Built the first house covered with shingles in Dakot.i precinct. Mai-ried March 17, 1844 to Mary Ann Wirsini,^ lias six childrenone son William, and five daut>;hters. He is living at Wakefield, Nebraska.

Albert H. Bliven was born June 8, 1883, in Pennsylvania, and came to Dakota county, Jane 1st. 1857, on a steamboat, landing at the old town of Omadi. Went down to Missouri in 1867 and was !nan-ie<l to Adella Playes. Took a Injmestead in 1868 on rhc site where Wm. C. Orr afterwards operated a sawmilL in the southern part of the county. Afterwards moved to where he now lives seven miles southwest of Dakota City. AVas a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisted at Omaha, August, 1863, in Co. I., 1st Neb. Cavalry, and served two years. Has eight children.

Edward Aknoi d was born in Hvland May 1,1822. and settled in Ponca, which was then a ])art of Dakota county, in the spring of 1857- Elected County Su- periiiteiideiit A Ui>ust 2, 1858, was also appointed Justice <.r the Peace for St. Johns precitict, October 20, 1857. a!id served in the 2nd. Ne\>, Cavalry. Was Di.xon county's first clerk, and resides tliere at present time.

JouN TwoniG was born in the county of Coi'k. Ireland, and came to America in 1853. Located in Dakota County in 1857, having traveled by boat from St. Jost^ph. Took a chiim on Elk Creek, adjoining his brother Patrick, on the s(.uth. Died in 1889-

C. D. Ryan was born in 1854 in New York, and came with his parents to Dakota county, on a steamboat in MMy 1&57. Located in St. Johns and then moved to Jackson where he opened up a general stoi-e i!\ 1873, which he is conducting at tlie present time. Married to Mary E. Brannan at Jackson in 1876. lias three daughters.

John Heffern.^x was born in 1821, and came to Dakota county in June 1857. Was well known throughout the county asa shrewd businessman, a good <'itizen and a tirm friend. Died at his liome in Jack- .-on September 8, 1880. There are ten children living - s'x sons, Daniel C, John C, Geo. A., Maurice P., Cornelius K., Michael E.; four daughters. Mrs. Mary McConigal, Mrs. Agnes McCormick, Norali and Liz zie. His son, John tleffernan, died June 28, 1881.

James Hakvey Bliven was born May 10, 1846, in Tiogue county. Pennsylvania, Went to Wisconsin in 1854, tlien to Iowa, Minnesota and came to Dakota countv, Nebraska, June 1, 1857. Came up the river on a steam Ijoat. Entered the war of the rebellion in 1^)61, enlisting in the Ninth Hancock Veteran Reserve corps, and fought in tlie terrible battles of Fredericksburg, A ntietam, Gettysburg, Golden Farm and many others. Was mustered out February 5, 1865, and married to Flizabeth Hayes, of Indianapolis, Indiana, in 18(>5. Afterwards came back to Dakota county,

M'here lie has lived a quiet and peaceful life. Moved t<> IIoDiei- in 1885, and built a substantial residence. l^)uilt two tenement bouses in South Sioux City in 1887 where he now resides. He is a son of Charles C. Bliven.

Nois E. Bliven was l)orn June 26, 1844, in Pennsylvania, and crune to Dakota county, June 1, 1857. Was married to Mary Corwin in BIyburg in 1864. lias five sons, Frederif'.k V., Wm. Henry, Arthur, Birdie and BeTijamin; two danghteis, Katie and Rosa. P. (). Homer.

W1LLIA.M Leach was Ijorn in Hadnuni, England and came to America, settling in Illinois, and located in Dakota county June 7, 1857. Took a claim on the present site of South Sioux (-ity. Run feri-y boat two years, ar-d carried the mail between Covington ai d Sioux City. Married in England in 1848 to Susan Edwards. He died in 1870, leaving a wife and three children, Joseph, William and Mrs. Mary Cave, of Chicago, Illinois. Seven children have died. Mrs Leaci> «as married a second time to James McKenna,in 1S74.

Henry^ Youno was born in Washington county, Indiana, March 15, 1827. Was married at Columbus in October, 1850 and nine years later crossed the western plains to Oregan, Washington and Montana. He embarked on the steatner ''Uncle Sam" at San Eranciscofor the Isthmus of Panama where he went a distance of twenty three miles and paid twenty four dollars to go that distance, and took the "North Star" for the United States. He went to St. Louis and came 'oy steamboat to Omaha and from there he came on to Dakota county on the old time buckboard, arriving here June 11, 1857. He took a homestead where he has resided to the present time, about live miles northwest of Homer. Here he has spent a quiet unassuming life, honored and respected by all who has ever had any dealings with him. This year he visited his old home in Indiana for the first time since he settled here.

13. (Ti-ibble traversed the soil of Dakota county fur the tirst, June 12. 1857, and aitliough he was not a tra'nip, he had very much the appearance of one, witii a knapsack on his back containing all his earthly possessions except a rifle, watch and !^15.00 in njuney, Er.t he was enei'getic and ambitious and after the enduring hardships of pioneer life accumulated considerable property, lie was married to ]S'ellie Walden March 29th 1864. Has si.\ children. Emniett, John W., George, Emma, Maggie and iS'ettie. His wife and two children are dead. Post office address, Dakota City.

MicuAEL oEACOM was Lorii in Ireland in 18-lC and came to Dakota county June 13th 1857. Bought the Edward C. Jones faim four niilesand a half northwest of Jackson, where he still resides. Enlisted in 2nd Colorado Cavalry, Co. B. and served three years. Was married in 18(39 to Mary Goodfellow. Das five sons and four rianghteis. Was elected county commissioner November 5tli 1889.

TnoM.\s Beacom came to Dakota county June 13. 1857 and settled four miles and a half north-west of Jackson. He died in 1888 leaving live sons and one daughter - Michael. John, Dennis, Timothy, Martin and Ellen.

MicuAKi. Delououerv was born in Ii-eland in 1824. Came to America and settled in Dakota county in 1857, on a claim in Dixon county. Located in St. John's presinct in 18()0 whei-e he has resided to the present time. Mai-ried in Ohio to Julia McMarra, lias six childi-en live sons and one daughter - Joseph, James, Michael, Patrick, Cornelius and Mary.

Damkl ('. Hkffeknan was boi-n in Jamestown Pennsylvania in 1851, and came with his parents to Dakota county June, 1857. Married May 16, 1883 to Katie Kelly. Have thi-ee children - two sons and three da\ighter&. JJves in Jackson, and is postmaster i\t that place.

D. F. McDonald was boi-ii in 1885, and came to Dakota county, July 10, 1857. Married in 1858 to Catharine Dillon. Has three children livin*;- - Alexander, Dillon and Saiah. Two children have died. Has lived twenty-Jive years on his farm south of Jackson.

Brixton Willis was born in Kentucky, and married in Clark county, Missouri, in 1854. Came to Dakota county, August 28, 1857, and settled on a farm five miles north-west of Dakota City, wliere he remained until the war of the Rebellion broke ont,when he enlisted and served in the Union army one year, after which he lived in Dakota City. His wife oied October 24, 1874 and seven years later he moved :o Caldwell, Kansas, where he now resides. Has four children living, James, William B., Charles M. and Mona, wife of L. M. Warner.

Asa Ratiiblin was born June 14, 182S, in Washington county, Ohio. Moved to Henry county, Illinois in ]843 where he farmed two years and went to Peoi'ia. He was married to Caroline A. Wright, March 15, 1854, and three years later took a trip to the great west to look up a home for himself and family, landing in Sergeant Bluffs, Iowa, October 15, 1857. Crossing the rivei" to Dakota county he soon made up his mind tliat lie had f(jund the land of his choice, and purchased a tract of land north of the Capt. O'Connor farm. On the 14th day of May 1858 he airived in Dakota county with his family and all his earthly possessions in two wagons, each drawn by two yokes of oxen. He lived in Omadi until September 29th, when he moved to his farm on Omaha Creek near old Omadi where he resided until April IS, 1886, then moving to the old Josiah Davis farm two miles south of Homer, where he now resides. Has three sons and four daughters, William Pitt, John A., Charley W., Anmi, wife of Thomas Baird, Mary E., Fi-ancis O. and Irene L. Mr Rnthbun in company with Col. II. Baird owned the first thresh-

John Habtnett was i:)orn in the county of Limerick, Irehiiid, in 1823 and caine to Aniei-ica at the a^^e of twenty iive years, locating in Dakota county in the spring of 1857. He settled on E^igeon creek wiiere he i-esided until his death, caused i)y the cars running oveihim. October 5th 1893. He left four sons and one (laughter to mourn his departure, Daniel, James, John, William and Mrs. T. W. McGee. He was married to Margaret Fitzpatrick, at Alta, Illinois, in 1853, but she (lied^February 10th, 1804. In the winter of 18(32-3 he Was caught out in a blizzard and froze his hands so badly that It was necessary to amputate all of his fingers. He was a '-pioneer among pioneers"-]ovial and wholesoul.

M. M. Boi'LE came to Dakota county in the fall 1857. Married to Maggie Connors March 5. 1878- She died September 27, 1887- Tliere is one son tind two daughters livincr. Lives three iniles north of Jackson. His brother, P. H. Boyle, also came at the same time. He was born at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania in 1855. Has been a justice of the peace at Jackson, where he also taught sciiool. Post office address, Emerson.

Simon DeWitt came to Dakota county in 1857, and settled in Brushy Bend. Was justice of the peace in 18()l). Died in 1874 at his home in Brushy Bend.

Samuel Grim son of Andrew Grim, came to Dakota ct)unty in 1857, and settled in Brushy Bend. Married a second time to Mrs. Simon DeWitt, she having come to the county March 29th, 18(54. He died in 1872. Mrs. Grim lives at Dakota City. Has three childr-n living.

Dr. G. W. Wilkinson, in the spring-time of iiis life sought a home in tise great west, and hearing glowing accounts of the Monderful beauty and fertility of Dakota county, thitherward he bent his steps, landing iiere in the spring of 1858, in old (^madi, whei'e he pi'acticed medicine and taught school. When the waiclouds hovered over our land he joined the First Nebraska Cavalry, and was commissioned surgeon. After serving to the close of the war he again chose Dakota county as his home. Was appointed physician for the Winnebago Indians, which position he held two years. Was appointed Kegister of the United States Land Office at Dakota City, in 1870, and held the office five years. In the fall of 1881, was appointed United States Indian Agent for the Omaha and Winnebago Agencies and served four years. Was county Treasurer eight years. Married to Hattie Matthewson in Norfolk at the residence of her father, Col. Matthewson, on Thursday, October 15th, 1874, by Rev. Mr. Kidder. Has two cbildren Lyle and Ned. In the spring of 1890 was appointed by Govei-nor Thayer as Superintendent of the Norfolk Itisane Asylum. He was boi-n in Parke county, Indiana, and attended the Indiana Asbury Univei'sity, After finishing a course there entered Rush Medical College, of Chicago, where he gi-aduated in 1857. His career in Dakota county has indeed been marked with a spirit of enterprise. In all the years since pioneei- times he has ever taken an active interest in tlie welfnie of Dakdtji connty. Looking l)ack\v;ird ovei- the yeai-s that have passed away we see liis liandiwork stamped npon the eiforts of every public movement. Hand in hand down through tlie years lie l)as marched with the progress and pi'tjsperity of our county. Is at pi-esent ]i\iiig at Norfcdk.

IIknkv W. AVooi) was horn March 8, 1834. in Dehiware county, Is'ew York, and came to Dakota cjiunry in 1858, where lie purchased a one third interest in the Dakota City pottery. Afterwards went to Pikes' Peak, and returned and took a pre-emption south-west of Dakota ^'ity, which he sold to D. C. Dibide, and hoiight the old Matthewbon place, situated exactly midway between Dakota City and Jackson, four miles ;ir.d a half from each town, where he has resided to tlie [)i-es(Mittime. Was married to Sarah J. Abell in Franklin. Delaware county, New York, in 1855- Has two children living - one son, Frederick, and one daughter, Mrs. L. AV. White. Three children have died. His family is now living in New York.

CnAKLES GooDFKLLOAv was borii in Ireland and came to America in 1852. Settled in Dakota county in 1858- Lived to accuundate and build up a fine estate. Died at his liome in Jackson. January 13, 1884. leaving a wife and five children to mourn his departui-e.

CoNKAi) Akmubiocht began life in Dakota county on the 18th day of April, 1858, away down at the bottom of the financial ladder, but gradually he climbed up round by I'ound until to-day he has a very respectable standing on tiiat identical ladder. In early times he did all hi^i farming with a yoke of oxen. Took a pre-e;n[)tion about five miles due west of Dakota City where hv iias ever since resided, and by his skill and hard labor to-day has accumulated some wealth in the v>'orld; ha.-^ consideral)le stock and 200 acres of land. Mi\ Armbreclit was born at Kor Ilassen , Germany, Auiiust 0, 1818: canje to Wheeling, West Virginia,

August 6, 1850; worked at different kinds of labor until lie came to Dakota county in 1858- Was married in 185C to Malesene Haase at Hanovei-; she died in the fall of 1877. He has lived a quiet, unassuming life - has many friends and few enemies and deserves the richest rewards. He has four children - two sons, William and Louis H.; two daughters, Mrs. Fred P)eei'- man and Mary.

John Gaughkan was born in Ireland in 1838 and came to Dakota county April 25, 1858. Settled on Elk Ci'eekc Afterwai'ds lived in Covington and taught two terms of school there. Married to Catharine Brady in Sioux City, Iowa, October 13, 1868. She died and he was married a second time February 11, 1871. Has three children - two sons, Patrick and John C, and one daughter, Catharine. His brother, Hugh, canie to the county in 1856; served four years and a half in th.e war, under Capt. Tripp. Died at Jackson, March 15, 1888.

Anthony J. Mykks "packed up" all his earthly possessions and started west, landing in Nebraska in the spring of 1858; located on a piece of land above the Col. Baird farm, afterwards moved to a tract of land north of where Mr. Taylor lives, eight miles south-west of Dakota City. He built the lirst brick house ever erected in Sioux City. Has been prominent in all political affairs of the county from the earliest times and can tell as big stories about the exciting elections of ''ye olden times" as any man living. Was elected county commissioner on the republican ticket ]N'oveml)er 3, 1885, which position he still holds, receiving a total of 666 votes and a majority of 168 over his opponent. Thomas C. Clapp. Mr. Myers was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. In 1855 came to Dubuque, Iowa; followed plastering and brick laying during the summer and was on ihe police force in the winter, for two years. Was. married in 1852 to Catharine McGiidey, of JLaiiC'Uster county, Peiiiisylvaiiia. ll:i,> an excellent fain) and a pleasant liuine at the foot of the high i)lnft" in the vvestein pai't of the county. Great changes have taken place since lie settled in the county, when tliere was not a single house on the road from Dakota City to his place. A person could di'ive across the hottom in any diivction without coining in contact with barhed wire fences or any other kind of fences; tiie wild geese went sailing along without hearing the crack of a musket every now and then, and he did not have to l)other his head about goint;- to old settlers' reunions and the <lays of base ball clul)s were yet to come. Has nine children - four sons and five daugjiters, John F., William. Richard, George, Mrs.. Charles Ford. Mary, Mrs. J. P. 'I'wohig, Grace and Helen. His son Hugli died in 1S'J2.

Gideon Warner rode up to the banks ot the Missouri river at Sioux City in the spring of 1858 at the liead of a herd ot cows that he had brought from eastern Lowa. He crossed over to Dakota county June 20, 1858 and sold the cows to the settlers. In company with a nninber of friends took an elk hunt on the then wild and unsettled valleys of the Logan and Elklu)rn. there was not a solitary white man to l)e seen in ail that country. They hunted north of where Norfolk now stands. A far different view now presents its self t(» the traveler t()-day. On the hi oh rocks near Col. liaircTs home is enuiaved -'G. Warner. July 22, 1858.'' On the 4th of July of that year he joined an excursion parry on the steam leiry "Dakota,"" commanded by Capt. Robinson, which steamed up through what is lunv known as Crystal lake. They passed on up the river far bey«>ud the line of civilization and had a picnic, expecting at any moment to be tired upon by the red cliildren of the woods. He moved his family to Dakota ccuinty on the :2;h-d day of April, 1867, and settled on a farm purchased <jf Wm. Cheney, situated on Omaha Creek, five miles ojirectly sou:lw)f Dakota City. In 1877 he started on a two years"' joiiriie}' into tlio ''far west," stopping to take a glance at the Black Hills country, crossed over the Big Horn mountains and through Pryor's Pass. visited the Xational Park, Custer's battle ground, wintered at'Ft. Custer, prospected lor gold, passed on down the Yellowstone river to Ft. Keogh and Miles City, made lots of money, saw lots of sights and came home November 2, 1879, to rest from his long journey and tell wonderful tales about the far away golden land of Montana. Built a new and comfortable residence in 18(S6- Gideon Warner was l)orn July 13, 1823, in VVooster. Wayne county, Ohio, and njoved with his parents to Richland, Iowa, in October, L842. The ti'eaty with the Blackhawk and Sax and Fox was completed the next May at Agency City and the country settled up very rapidly. Was married in 1848, but in iiijout a year his wife M^as bitten by a rattlesnake and died, leaving a child, which also soon after died. Was married again in October, 1851^ to Matilda Brubaker, of Eddyville, Iowa. In 1859 went to Colorado, in the great gold excitement, located on a mine where Georgetown is now situated. Has nine children living - four sons and five daughters, Daniel Webster, William P., George, Elmer, Mrs. Jane Ward, Mrs. Alice Bevins, Mrs. Ella Cobnrn, Mrs. Emnia Pathbun and Lizzie. ilis daughter, Mrs. Julia Clapp, died in 1893.

Augustus T. Haase was boi-n May 5, 1835, in Hanover, Germany. Started for Amei-ica May 5, 1848. landing at New York City, June 26th, msdving a journey of 49 days on the ocean. Went to Virginia and soon after turned his face to the great west to see wiiat it had in store for hinj. Guided by some unseen power he found his way to Dakota City, Neb., on the 2r)th day of June, 1858 - -jnst ten years to a day from the time he landed in America - where he has resided ever since. Has worked at the carpenter trade' since 1850. and some of the oldest houses of the county were built

1>Y liini. TjoiiDlit a farm four miles west of Dakota City in 1858 and it was there lie built his first house in ]N'ehraska. Afterwards built a substantial residence and carpenter shop for himself, in Dakota City. Was contractor for the building of the court liouse. Previous to this time he had entered into auothei- kind of a contract with Miss Louisa Eckhart, sister of J. P. and C. F. Eckhart, M'hereiu it was stipulated that on and after the 8th day of December, 1864, they would tiieuceforward be equal partners in the proceeds which might be de- I'ived from the framing of houses as well as additions from other sources, and the building of hopes and plans and ''castles in the air."' The yeai-s passed on and fortune "smiled upon them.''' They have three children - two sons and one daughter, George H., Frank and Lizzie. Mr, Haase was city treasurer for twelve years and has been a member of tlie school board for moi'e than fifteen years. Was chosen as chairman of a comujittee appointed to take charge of the Dakota county exhibit.- at the great Corn Palace held in Sioux City, Iowa, from September 20th to October 5th, 1889. * December 8, 1889, one hundred and sixty friends of Mr. and Mrs. Llaase njet at theii- i-esidence in Dakota City to <'elebrate the twenty-tifth annivei'saiy of their marriage. amon<>; whom were four persons who witnessed the ceremony twenty-five years before - Mi', and Mrs. VVm. Adair, Col. B. Bates and Conrad Armbrecht.

Kai.ph C4oot)W]n was born May 27, 1837, in Dai-bysviiie, Eng]an<i. Crossed the ocean with his parents in 1847; landed at New York. Went to Dane county, Wisconsin, wliei-e he was engaged in farnjing. Crossed the Missouri river at Sioux City, Jnly, 1858. and tooiv a claim in Cedar county. Kebraska. Moved to Dakota county in 18(51 ano there enlisted in compatiy I, 2nd Nebraska Cavalry. Marched up tiie river with the army. Petnrned to Dakota City and was engaged jji teaming and ) mining a butcher shop. Mar- ried to Mary Wbitehorn, dan^litei- of Samuel Wliiteliorn, March 21, 1864, have one child. Bought a piece of land north of Dakota City of Philip Eckliart and began to improve it; broke prairie with a home made breaking plow manufactured by John 11. Sprague in ids blacksmith shop at Dakota City. Hei'e he lived to see the wild land all around him settled up with a thrifty class of farmers, built a substantial dwelling, l)arn and other buildings for liis stock, planted a line grove of black walnut trees which will be a ci'edit an I an ornament to Dakota county long after the hands that planted them shall hav-e mouldered to dust.

James S. Teller came to Dakota county, August, 1858, and took a home>?tead in "Todd's Point" north of Jackson. Married to Elizabeth Ford. Has eleven children - ^live sons and six daughters. Is living in Jefferson, S. D. Three of his cliildren - George W., Mj's. Margaret Edwards and Mrs. Dora Reninger are living in the county.

E. F. Mason came to Dakota county in 1858, and was the first proprietor of the "Bates House." One day he was riding a fast horse, which stumbled and fell upon him, causing injuries from which he died in seven days afterwards.

A. F. Berger was born in Germany and landed in New York September 24, 1852. Settled in Dakota county July 15, 1858. and took a claim in the southern part of the county. Married to Lucy Murdick in 1857. Has two sons and iive daughters - Mrs. Ed. Norris., Mrs. Sam Stewart, Mary J., Anna L.. Margaret Ellen and Emma Kehecca. Enlisted in Company I. 2n(l: JVebraska cavalry in 1862. Farnier - si.x miles southwest of Dakota City.

Juj>GE Kelly W. Frazer pitched his tent and lighted his camp fire on the west bank of Perry creek, neur its mouth, on Sunday. November 2, 1885, which is the selfsame ground upon which Sioux City is now built. He shot three squirrels in some large elm trees then standing on the creek bank. Grossed over the Missouri river the next morning on the ferry "Rob- . ert Burns," and stood for the first time upon the soil of Dakota county, JS^ovember 3, 1858. Started for Knox county, November 7th and took squatter's claim, as the government had not yet surveyed this portion of tlie country. Opened up a farm and started a blacksmith shop. At the general election of 1859 was chosen probate judge of Knox county. Appointed to the position of blacksmith on the Ponca reservation, twentytwo miles up the Niobrara river, February 1, 1861. Returned to Niobrara in 1865 and in 1866 was elected a member of the house of representatives of Nebraska's first state legislature from Dixon, Cedar and L'Eau Qui Court counties, which assembled at Omaha, July 4, 1866. Moved to Dakota county, arriving at Dakota City, August 10, 1867. Bought a blacksmith shop of Jacob V^an Aukin, where he worked until 1869. His wife died May 20th of that year. Completed a course of reading law and was admitted to tlie bar. Married a second time to Miss Anna E. Gulbertson in Henry county. Grand Rapids, Ohio, August 25, 1870. Was elected county judge on the democratic ticket five times - in 1869, 1871; 1873, 1879 and 1881; was defeated in the nomination in the convention of 1877 and 1883 and the office went into the hands of tlie republicans. Appointed September 1, 1885, by Indian Agent Chas. H. Potter to the position of superintendent of the industrial boarding school at the Winnebago agency, Nebraska, and held the office until Octobei- 18, 1886. Was nominated on the democratic ticket for the office of county attorney October 23rd, of the same year and elected by a large majority November 2nd. Was the hrst person to fill tliis office in the cuunty, tlie same having been established by the state legislature tlie previous year. Is the father of three sons:

Gustaviis Allen, born June 15, 1856. in Iowa; William Kelly, born December 14-. 1860, at Niobrara, Nebraska: and Douiijlas yt)nncr, born on Ponca Indian reservation, I). T.. March 17, 1865- Kelly W. Frazer was born of Scottisli and Irish parents, near Millersbiirg, Holmes county, Ohio, May 30, 1832; lived on a farm until eighteen years of age, when he learned the blacksmith ti-ade in his native town with li. W. and John Cott'ey; was niarried to Miss Hettie Louise Beam, February "29. 1855, in Millersburg; started for Iowa April 1. 1S56; traveled by rail to Mississippi river and crossed at Bnrlin>/ton; took stage for Wintersett, arliving there at midnight April 5th. On the last days of October, 1858 an emigrant might have l)een seen wending his way over the primeval prairies of the west toward Nebraska witli a yoke of oxen - it was a forlorn looking outfit, but the daring pioneer was full of ambition and enthusiasm which nerved liim to the task of liidding farewell to old home and friends and plunging far beyond the line of civilization to lend his mite in opening up new roads and subjugating a new counti-y. This emigrant was Kelly W. Frazer, - who was aftei'wards destined to play such an important part in the general history of Dakota county and who little di'eamed as he camped upon the banics of the Perry November 2, 1858, that after the lapse of just twentyeiglit years to a day. he would be elected county attorney for one of the l)rightest counties of the west.

Stephen G. Hale was born in Tennessee in 1812, and came to Dakota county June 15th, 1859. Settled in Blyburg where he lived until his death. May 15th, 1876. Was married twice before coming to the county. His second wife's maiden name was Mary D. Wright. who still survives him. There are two children living by his first wife, and eight by his second wife of whoui six are at pi'esent living.

William lIiGGiNiiOTiioM was horn October 2nd., ls;iS. in Wyota Lafayette county, Wis., and came to Dakota county. June iSth. 1859. Located in Blyburs^ tlmt fall, which was, indeed, a wild looking country at tiuit lime. Was married in Colorado, June, 1860. to Miss Lane, sister of Dutton and Caleb Lane. Went to (xraL'd Ishmd in 18()5, and back to Dakota county, 187(3. Have eight children. He is at present living in South Sioux City, Nebraska.

I'lus Neff was boi'ii in Baden, Germany, in 1848, and came with his parents to America when he was - 'ighr. years of age. He learned the pottery trade in New York, and in the spring of 1859 came to Dakota county, makiny the journey from (3maha to Dakota ('ity afoot. He had been engaged to work in the pottery at Dakota City, and at once began work. After years of careful management and hard work he has accumulated considerable property, and is held in the highest esteem by the people of this county. Llis, noble wife died December 28, 1891, leaving one daughter, Mary.

Isaac ILazleorove was born in 1838, in Indiana, and came to Dakota county, in 1859. Afterwards went to the Rocky mountains and is now living at Salt Lake City. Was married to Sarah Wilson and they have five cliildren, all sons.

JosiAU W. Davi>, long before Horace Greeley ev<n' told the young men to "go west," bid his friends ndicii nnd crossed over the Missouri river to Dakota county <»ii the I8tli <lay <.f April, 1860, with a deterluinatioM to settle (l.,\vn on the primeval prairies of Nebraskii and -grow up with the country," - the tii^etiiig y^'ars pis-^ed on ami sure enough he kept pace with our comity's mar -h to prosperity. Leaving his fnwiWy on ijje L)e Borde place he pushed on to the

Rocky Mountains in quest of wealth. Returning in tlie fall went to Wisconsin, sold propert}' there and wintered in the old town of Omadi. Bought a piece of land some two miles south of the pres^eut town of Homer, of Jeremiah Braunt, father of John and Horatio Braunt, and moved his family there. In 18()2 was elected to the legislature; was county commissioner three years, and run on the democratic ticket for state senator in ihe fall of 1892. Built the Sam Combs mill in 1868. His wife died in 1872, leaving six j children. Was married to Mary O'Chander in 1873; j have six children by this marriage. In 1886 sold his | farm to Asa Rathbun and purchased a piece of land j adjoining the Wm. Nixon farm and built a substantial resi(ience. He was born June 2, 1826, in Guilford. Maine; went to Grant cou-nty, Wisconsin via Albany, Bulfalo and Chicago; worked in the lead mines until 1850 when he went to California. This was indeed a wild journey as there were no settlements west of the Missouri river. Went back to Wisconsin in 1854 and on the 31st day of August of that year was married to Margaret A. DeBorde. Kept hotel until he started for Nebraska in 1860. Mr. Davis has always taken an active part in the politics of Dakota county, is consid- j ered a good debator on all subjects that have from time to time agitated tlie minds of the people and has \v(»n the reputation of being an honest upright citizen.

Goodwin Tayxor was born 1806, in Virginia. Settled in Cedar county, Iowa, 1836, and came to Dakota county, in 1870. Located on the old William Silence place at the bluffs eight miles south- west of Dakota City, where he lived an honest upright life, honored and respected by all who knew him. Died at his home, July 11, 1881, his wife luiving pi'ecteded him to the realms of eternity, January 8, 1871*.

Iowa, and settled in Dakota county, April 29, 1860. Lived seven years on Elk Creek, when he located one mile and a half east of Hubbard, where he still resides. Married to Lizzie Mclnlyre in IBTi, and has seven childi'en living, five sons - James E., Michael T., John P., George T. and David P.; two daughters, Mary N. and Alice M, "Was the lai-t county assessor.

Michael Beacom, Sk., came to Dakota county April 20, 1860, where he and his wife died, leaving three children, Mrs. A llice Sullivan and Michael M.; and Mrs. Susan JVlitchell, the latter now dead.

DuTTON Lane came to Dakota county May U, 1860. Was married to Adaline DeBorde March 22, 1875. She died, leaving two daughters. Had made himself famous hy killing a mountain lion, an aligator and an enormous fish, all in Dakota county. He died in 1893, on Walker's Island.

Joseph Smith was horn June 1, 1845, in Erie county, Ohio, and came to Dakota county May 10, 1860, settling in Blyburg where he helped his father in the saw nnll, which was established in 1864. Was married to Margaret J. DeBorde in 1868. Was one of the founders of H( inei-, where he lived until 1875 when he went to Oregon. Afterwards returned and is nowengaged in the mercantile business in Emerson. Has eight children living - >'even sons and one daughter. One child is dead.

Joseph IJakeis Avas lorn February 15, 1831, in Stalliridge, England, and came to Dakota county May 10. I860, settling on a farm two miles south-east of Homer, Mhere he still lives. ]\Ia]ii(d in the fall of 1860 to Doiothy S'mitli. Has ten children - four sons. George, John, Joseph and Eobert; six daughters, Mrs. Thomas McMahoii. Mrs. Wm. Maney, Mrs. Joseph Johns, Amelia, Joanna and lio^e.

second time to Elva Endsby. Has four sons, Joliii Edward, Tildeii, Leonard and Daniel ; three daughters, JMary E., Lydia and Dora A. Was a member of the lirist band of Dakota county, where he played the B claroner. Postoffice, Homer.

IcOBERT Smith was lorn in E)-ie county, Ohio. March 25, 1857, «nd came to Dakota county June 15. 1860. Was married to Eliza Ketherford June 18,1874. Has two sons, liohert Miltim and Jefrey K.\ two daughters, Lillie Mand and Goldie Dott. One so)i Mud one daughter have died. Lives one-halfmile south of Homer. "Dui'inu tny first years here" says llobert, -'I saw some hard times, but still I thiifR there is no place like home, in Dakota county."

GusTAVK Bkkoek was horn March 12. 1840, in Germany, and came to America, arriving in Dakota county December 5, 1860. His father, mother, brother Gotleib, aiul sister, Mrs. Niggernian, came with him. Stopped a few days in Omadi, wliich he says: "Was at that time a dead town," Enlisted in Company I, 2nd Nebraska cavali-y. Settled where he now resides, five miles south-west of Dakota City, in 1867. Was married to Miss Minerva Taylor, October 20, 187'J, and she died Febi-uai-y 4, 1893, leavii^^g a little daughter. His fathei', Frederif.k Bergei', died Jan nary 26, 18(51.

GoTLKiB Berqkr was born in Germany, and came to Dakota county Decemi)er 5, 1860. Took a claim south-east of Dakota City, where he lived to accumulate considerable amount of property. Died in. Sioux CitVt Iowa. February 3, 1890, from effects of

C. C. Ork was l)orn March 17, 1817, and came to Dakota county in May, 18(j1. Lived in Dakota City live years. Had one son, William C He o\vned large tracts of land in Dakota county. Died at his home in Sii.ux City, Iowa, February 12. 1893.

.I(MiN B. MvKus inin;lit liavc Ihcii seen i<'<j,<iiiii4- aldiior (.11 the --l)ii('kl)<>;ir(r' frciii Oiiialia to Dako;;; (-(luiiry ill AuLi;nst, 1S»)1. It was a'uont noon on a hot. sultry August dav when his journey terminated hy iialtiiig- in front of A. II. Baker's hotel, in Omadi. and inaiiv <»f the western jxiople know what an enorni..us apperite it irives a person to ride a hundred miles i>n ;i ' l)uekl)i>a!-d." The landlord stood off m the CDrner <if tlic room tiiid as he watche<l him devour everythin^^ in I'each. he wondered liow much more that man could hold. Jle proceeded to his hrother's place, A. J. JMyei-s. wiio tiien lived a short distance up the ravine west of Col. BiinlV farm. Worked at plastering and nearly all of the older houses of the county are witnesses to the handiwoi'k of his trowel. Went to Omalia and Xehraska City and worked a while at his trade in those places. Ahont this time he concluded to take unto himself a wife. His first step was to go out and fall in love with a pretty school ma'm and on the Ot)i of Jan-' nary. 1867, was married to Mary Ann Boyle, daughter oi" Chas. Boyle, in the Catholic church, at Jackson, hy Ilev. Father Eriach. He at once settled on a farm five miles southwest of Dakota City wliere he resided many years, an I has always been a respected and law ahidinii; citizen. Has lost a number of horses with what is known as the -bottom disease" but in later years did his farming v.-ith mules. John K. Myers was born ApVil 18, 1832, in Cambria county, Pennsylvania. In 1854 went to Chicago and from there to DubuqueJowa. "Went down to New Orleans and then back to Dubuque and remained there seven or eight years, after which he went to St. Joe, Missoui-i, in 1859, then to Pennsylvania. Came west again to Keokuk the followinor year. When the great civil war broke out he enlisted in Company A, 2lst Missouri Infantry, commanded by Col. Moore. Participated in the battle of Shiloli. After leaving the army came north to Dakota county, wdiich closes the story (»f another pioneer. He is at present living iji Homer, Nehi'aska.

Settlers Of 1862, 1863 And 1864

John Myers was born in Ireland, in 1837 'And came to Dakota county in 1862. Located on a farm and afterwards kept store in Jackson, wliere he was married in 1869, Has two' sons, Matthew and John; one daughter, Mary. Is at present living in Sioux City, Iowa.

John and LIenry' Johns, two brothers, came to Dakota county in the fall of 1862. Settled in Blyburg. John married Cynthia A. Pilcrrim - has five children. Henry m.arried Eliza Bailey - has six children,

John Eooney, Sr. was born in Scotland in 1828, and landed in America November 17, 1851. Settled in Dakota county in 1863, where he has resided to the present time. Was married in Sioux City, Iowa, to Bridget Long. Has five sons and six daughters - John, Thomas, Peter, Hugh, Henry, Ellen, Mary Ann, Katie, Maggie, Agnes and Anna. P. O. address, Hubbard.

Nicolas R. Bkasfield was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, April 28, 1850. Enlisted in Company B, 8th Iowa Infantry in 1861. Came to Sergeant Bluffs April 11, 1863, and hunted wild turkeys in the timber south of Dakota City, that year. Was married in Madison county, Iowa. His wife died and he married Miss Katy J. Hileman, at Dakota City, July 26, 18S3, Rev. D. Marquett officiating. Was elected sheriff of Dakota county November 8, 1887.

Samuel Curtis came to Dakota county in July, 1864, and settled in Blylairg, where he died. There are three sons - Calvin, Tunis and Samuel; one daughter, Mrs. Ida Lane. Mrs. Curtis married John Tryon and they live at Blencoe, Iowa.

John A. Williams came with his parents to Dakota county, February 9, 1864. Lived in Dakota City, while his father was in the ai-my, three years. Then located in Covington, where he has since resided.

Thomas Christophekson was boi'n in JS'orway. 1835, and came to Dakota county in 1864. Settled along the bluffs in the soutliern part of the county wirh his brother Peter and was killed near Covington Noveniber 9, 1878, by his team running away, upsetting the wagon which fell upon him. His wife had previously died, leaving four children - Christopher, Todli, Mrs. Miron Sutton and Anna.

John Wjlltams was ])orn 1821 and came to Dakota county, February 9, 1864 locating in Covington, where he ccntinued to reside until his death, at the residence of his son John A. Williams, on the 16th of May, 1889. His remains were interred in tlie Dakota City burying ground. His wife and three daughters had previously gone to their eternal rest. Three grown sons survived him - John A., Charles F. and James M.

John Duggan was born in 1832, in Ireland, and canie to Dakota county in the spring of 1864. Took a homestead near Jackson. Lives one-half mile east of Hubbard. Married to Cathaiine Hogan; they have five sous - Patrick. Thoujas, Eobert. John and "William; two daughters - Mrs. Tliomas Long and Johannah.

Prof. Samuel Atghey was born in Juniatta county, Pennsylvania, February 8, 1831, and settled in Dakota City in the fall of 1864. Graduated from the Pennsylvania college in 1856. In the autumn of 1857 entered the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he re:nained four years. P'rom boyhood days took great interest in geology, and is to-day f)ne of the eminent geologists of oui- countiy. Married to Elizabeth C. Welty, in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, October 14"^, 1858. ILis one daughter, Helen B. After »rriving in Dakota City was the Lutheran minister there tliree years, aleo County Surveyor and Superin- tendent of Public Schools. Has liekl many responsible positions in scientiiic and geological departments since moving away from Dakota county.

Benjajviin Corwin came to Dakota county in iSlJ-i and settled in Blyburg where he died, leaving one son - George; six daughters - Mrs. Wm. Pilgiini. Mrs. T^ois Bliven, Mrs. Alfred Pilgrim, Mrs. Eldred Shook, Mrs, Taylor Osburn and Mrs. Frank Hale. His wid(.w was married to Andrew Johns in 1881.

Dr. Joseph Bradbrary was married in 111., and came to Dakota county, 1864. Located in Dakota City, where he died in 1868. His wife was married a second time to John Smith, Sr., in 1870. and died at Dakota City. July 11, 1880, leaving one daughter. Josephine, wife of Theodore D. Curtis.

Peter Christopherson was born in Norway. in 1S38. Came to America 1859 and settled in Dane county. Wisconsin, where he was married. Came to Dakota county, in the summer of 18()4 and camped ou tlie banks of Blyburg lake and soon after purchased a tract of land of Col. Orr, adjoining Capt. 0'Ct)nnei-''s farm, also tiled on a homestead, joining this land on the east, and proved up on tbe same. His wife died June 30tli, 1882. Has seven children living and four dead.

William Barnett was i)orn in 1837, in Pen-y county, Pennsylvania. Was .married in 1859 to Agnes Bell, and came to Dakota county in thespi-ing of 1865. flas four sons - Geoi'ge, Joseph, William and James; five daughtei-s - Mai-y J., Belle, T^ el lie, Florence and Hattie. His bi'othcr Joseph li\ed here onii year, now resides in Pennsylviinia.

William Taylok was born in 1839, in L)wa, and on the 11th of March 1865, made his first ap[)earanc(,' in Dakota county. He at once, !)y his integrity and fair dealings among his fellowmen, became a prominent citizen, and was elected county commissioner October 8, 1867. Was again elected to the same office twenty-one years later, which position he held until the commissioner system was discontinued. Settled on a farm eight miles south west of Dakota City, where he still resides, lias lost three wives, and has eight children living - four sons, R. Lee, Goodwin P. William and John L; four daughters, Mrs. Olive Shull, Mrs. Viola Xixon, Sylvia and Mable C, wife of M. M. Warner. Three children have died. His daughter Eltna J. died September 4, 1888. She was loved and respected by a large circle of friends.

Steven M. Rockwell came to Dakota county, August 28, 1865, and operated a carpenter shop at Dakota City and in Omadi precinct. His two sons Ephraim and Henry live in Homer. He and two (laughters- - Eliza C. and Rodema live in Indiana. Tliree children are dead.

Settlers Of Isc.C.

(teorge Leamer was boi-n in lilair coiiiit^y, Ph., and came to Dakota county, April 2, 1866. Boiiglit J. F. Warner's farm, two miles west of iJakota City, where he has lived to the present time. l]nilt a fine brick j'esidence on his farm in 1872, at a cost of ^4,- 000. Married i?i 1852 to Mai-garet Geesey or" Blair county, Pa., She died ApvU 1. 1885, leaving eitrht sons.

C. B. Howard was born Febi-nary 24, 18-17 in Pennsylvania, and came to Dakota county April 10, 1866. In the spring of 1870 took a claim on Fiddlers Creek. Married to Mary Piiillips. lias one son aTid three daughters. Postoiiice Homer.

Albert M. Harrington was born March 23, 1838, in Connecticut. Was married to Jennie S. Kimball in Massachnsetts. September 27, 1862, and came to Dakota county, April 26, four years later. Was employed as carpenter at the Winnebago Agency two years and a half. Afterwards took a homestead on Fiddlers Creek wliich he stills owns. Postoffice Homer.

Enos Keel was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania in 1822, and came to Dakota county in July 1866- Was Treasurer of Dakota county, and died when holding the ofhce at: 10:30 a. m. October 2, 1873, at his residence five miles west of Dakota City. There are six children living - one son, Enos; and live daughters - J\Irs. Emma Myres, Duarte, California; Mrs. Mary Culver, Monte Vista, California; Mrs. Ella Brown and Mrs. Jennie Page, Lyons, Nebraska; and Miss Lizzie, Los Aiigeloi:, California.

Charles H. Potter was born in Woodstock, Windham county, Connecticut, and spent his earlier years in the place of his birth, receiving his education from the common school of the county. Enlisted in the war for the L^nion as a private, in company D.

18tli Connecticut Inf. Vol. Soon after entering the service was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and placed in coiiiniand of company H. 24tii United States Colored Ti'oops. Was actin<j: Adjutant of the reginier.t and actin o- assistant Adjutant General on the staff of Major (ireneral Barnes and when the regiment was mustered out was chosen Provost Marshall of Halifax county. Virginia. Was three years head elei'k at the Winnel);ig(» Agency undei' Agent Matthewson's administration. Was married in 18(38, to Maria Norton, at Dakota City by H. II. Wilson. Located on a farm on Omaha creek near Comb's mill where he diligently la!)ored fur many years until he had reared for himself and wife one of the neatest and most comiortable honies to be found in the county. Was appointed Superintendent and his wife Matron of Industrial School at the Winnebago Agency, under Agent G. W. Wilkinson's administration, which position he held until he was appointed United States Indian Agetit for the (Jinaha and Winnebago Agencies, to succeed Wilkinson, August 7, 1885, which position he held until November 1, of the next year. Moved to Wakefield and thence to Alabama, where he has an interest in some oyster beds. Mr. Potter is a good scholar, an able debator, and taught school for a number of years in Dakota county.

Geo. C. Granger was born September 12tli, 1S20. in Saratoga county, JN. Y. Came to Dakota county, September 1866. Located in the timl)er si.\ miles northwest of Jackson, where he opened up a woodyard and sold wood to passing steamboats. Was twice a widower before mari-ying his present wife, Miss Eliza E. McKenzie, Septeiul)er 8rd, 1867. Has three children living. Has served a number of years as county commissioner and surveyor. Was elected to the hitter othce November 3, 1889, and is now filling that office. Was also elected as surveyor for Dixon

Jacob A. Sides vvas born December 31, 1844, in Indiana county, Pennsylvania. Enlisted in the late war when but 16 years of age, in Company D 4tli Regiment i'ennsylvania Vol. Mounted Inf. lie settled in Dakota county May 5, 18(35, on a piece of land two miles and a half south-east of Dakota City. His wife died in 1867, and was married a second time to Miss Alice E. Wrieht, Aneu^t 15, 1872. He vvas accidentally shot Friday, J lily 11, ISUU, a short distance south of the two Lutheran churcbes west of Dakota City, leaving a wife and six children, one by bis tirst wife and live by second.

Adam Wenzel was bom January 20, 1820, in Germany and came to Dakota county in April, 1866. Served thi-ee years as a Union soldier in the Rebellion. Was married in Peora, Illinois. He has a step-son - Wm. Ganunet, and lives on the Island northwest of Dakota City. He invented acorn planter and received a patent for it.

Milton Foeeshoe was born November 2*^, 1844, in Pennsylvania. Married to Emaline Sides April 24. 1866, in his native state. Came to Dakota county. May 5, 1866, and took a homestead near "Wm. Taylor's place. Afterwards moved to where he now lives five miles southwest of Dakota City. Has one son, Milton. an<l two daughters, Altaand Pessie.

S. P. MiKESELL was born in Indiana county. Pennsylvania, and came to Dakota county in 1866 settling in Dakota (b'ty. Afterwards moved to Ponca in 1869 where he still lesides, ami is engaged in the mercantile business

Michael Keel ^vas !)()rn Novemljer 5, 1815, in Perry county, Pennsylvania, crossed the I'iver into Dakota'county, July 5, 1866. Lived on the bottom west:

M. W. Beardshear made his iirst journey to Dakota connty on a sled in January 1867. Was married to Josiah" W. Davis' eldest daughter, Elien S.. Decemher 25, 1868. Has four sons, the names of the three eldest being Frank, William and Edward; three d;iiiuhters, Lille, i3ertha and Roselin. Lives on a farm three miles south of Homer. Mr. Beardshear was born in Knox countv, Ohio, April 18, 1842. Has served as assessor for dniadi precinct.

Taylor Osburn was born in 1848 in Indiana, and came to Dakota county, June 1867. Was married to Rosa Carwin in 1873, and has seven children living ^three sons and four daughters. One child died. He is at present living in lilyburg.

Charles D. Bayliss was bom in West Virginia in 18o7. When the war of the rebellion broke out he enliste<l in the Third West Virginia Infantry, and at the close of the war received a certiticate of thanks from the governor for his gallantry and bravery. Oame to Dakota county, Nebraska, in the spring of 18()7, located in Covington, and with Wm, Hedges, started a meat market at that place. Afterwards moved to the Omaha Indian reservation, where he married .Mrs. Moneravie, in 1880, and died at his home on Omaha creek, August 8, six years later. His wife and two children survive bin).

Martin S. Mansfield was born about 1830, in Marion, Grant county, Indiana. In 1840 went, to t'haiupaign county. 111., where he was engaged atfarming and learning the carpenter's ti-ade. Enlisted in the Avar for the Union June'l, 1861, in Company C. 25th .Illinois Infantry, under Col. W. N. Coller. Afterwards sci'/ed in >[issonri under Gen. Siegel and fought h} that great battle of the southwest - Pea liidge.

March 6, 7 and 8, 1862. Was detached to the 8th Wisconsin battalion, liglit avtilieiy, August 18, 1862. Was at the evacuation of Corinth, Mississippi. marclied from there to Perry ville and participated in the engagement of (Jctober 8, 1862; was captui-ed near Nashville. Tennessee, November 7, 1882 by John Morgan, and was taken to Lebanon, Tennessee, was paroled but not released. Escaped by running across some ditches where he could not be followed by horsemen. Was sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, where he remained until March 8, 1863, when he returned to the command at Murfreesborough, Tennessee. Afteiparticipating in the battles of Chickamauga, Lookout Mt. and Missouri Ridge, returned to Murfreesborough. Fought in the i)attles of Kennesaw Mt. and Peach creek; was released at Atlanta, August 3, 1864, and sent to Springfield, Illinois. Came to Decatur, Nebraska, June, 1865, and worked at tiie carpenter's trade. Went to the Winnebago Agency, Neb)-aska, October 1, 1866, to do some carpenter work and spent the following winter in Decatur. On the 7th day of March, 1867, he stood for the first time in his life upon Dakota county soil. Llelped to bnild the Sam Condjs mill. Was married October 20, of that year to Sarah C. De- Borde, fifth daughter of J. F. DeBorde - one of the pioneers of Dakota county, Covington. Nebrask;?. October 1, of the following yeai-, crossed over thy bridge on Omaha creek where Homer was soon after located, with a load of lumber and his tools. F>y night of the same day he had e.ompleted the first house ever erected in the town of Homer, which Mas occupied l)efore dark by John and Joseph Smith with a stock of general merchandise. The following spring he built several other houses in the new town, wliieh had in the meantime been staked off into lots. Smithville was suggested as the name for the town in honor of its founders, whereupon Mr. Mansfield replied: "Gentlemen, I want a name with one mouthful, the new town will he called Horner." Was commissioned a notary public in 1885 and appointed by President Cleveland as postmaster at Homer, which office he took charge of on tlie 12tli day of February of the next year. The Homer postoffice was raised to a money order offi(.'e July 1, 1887. Has six children living. He has ever taken a deep interest in all enterprises looking to the welfare of the county, is considered a good public speaker and has always identified himself with the democratic party in Dakota county politics and no history of the county can ever be impartially written without the name of M. S. Mansfield.

William Hedges was born April lOth 1887, in Beverly. Washington county, Ohio; moved with parents to Athens county, and then to Morgan county, where he lived on a farm until the begiiming of the war; enlisted in April, 1861, in Company H. 17th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Was promoted to orderly sergeant, after being wounded in the charge at Fort Wagner. Gen. B. F. Butler recommended to the governor of Ohio that ''William Hedges be promoted to the rank and pay of 1st. Lieutenant, for meritorious conduct in front of the enemy at Richmond." In ten days afterwards was again promoted as captain of his company, which position he held until after the close of the war. Was mustered out of service November 7th, 1865, and i-eturned to his home in C)hio. In the spring of 1867 started west and crossed the Missouri river at Decatur, took passage on the stage going north to Dakota county, arriving at Isaac Moni'oe's place mow owned by Geoi'ge Peterson) March 15th. He began the next day to drive the stage, which car-ried the mail between Moni'oe's place and Sioux City. Was niaiTied to Miss Sarah Dorsey, at Dakota City, September 23rd, 1868. by Judge Samuel Whitehorn. Was appointed farmer at the Winnebago Agency, by Agent Col. Arthur Edwai-ds, in 1880. In 1881 moved to Dakota City, and retui-iicd to Jacksop. in tlie spi'ino of 1882, wLere he again opened up ;i meat market. Was again appointed as farmer at tiie Winnebago Agency, by Charles H. Potter, wliicii position he lield until he received a ficeiise as Indian trader at the same agency, under Agent J. F. Warner. Mr. Hedges ha^ always been considered, by those who have had dealings with him, to be an honest, upright citizen. lla> two children, ijhinche and Tlionias.

William Lapsley was born August 5, 1805, in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, and came to I);d<:ot;i county, March 19. 1867. Settled on a farm southwest of Dakota City. Married to- Isabella Matthews in 1885. He died at his residence September 17, 1887- leaving a wife and eight children - four sons, James J.. William, of Pennsylvania, Robert L. and John A.: four daughters, Mrs. J. N. Hamilton, Eliza J., Rebecca and Matilda B.

David Y. Hileman was born in Pennsylvania in 1828, and landed upon Dakota county soil Marcdi 22. 1867. Purchased a tract of land of Geo. T. W^oods. six miles southwest of Dakota City, where he has resided to the present time. His wife died leaving two sons - Woods M. and Robert O.; two daugliters, Mrs. Dennis Armour and Mrs. Albert Heikes. Mr. Hileman is one of the prominent men of the county and he always has been considered hs an honest and upright citizen.

Daniel Sullivan came to Dakota county, March 22, 18(n. Was married the same year. Has out' son and four daughtei's; one child died. Lives eight miles northwest of Jackson.

in H(i]lidaysbui-g, Pennsylvania. January 2(j. 1843. Was a soldier in the late war and ''with the seldierss -tood/" Enlisted in ('onipany F. 55tli Pennsylvania \'et. Inft., February 13, 1864. '"Marched down to Washington" and was disf'Jinrged in 1865. In the spring of 1867 he heeame convinced that the great west was the place for hini and began preparations for a journey to Nebraska, crossing the Missouri river at Sioux City, April 1(). Moved his family to the old Charley Flckhart place, two miles directly south of Dakota City. December 1869, moved down and took charge of the Oaks mill, where he remained until April 1870, when he went to Jackson and took charge of the grist mill at that place. Here he remained until JNovember 1870, when lie purchased a ti-act of land of Anthony J. AJyies, six miles southwest of Dakota City, where he has resided to the present time. His wife died Deceujber 29, 1891, leaving eight children - six sons, Phillip W., John, Benjamin N., Samuel A., Williau' H. and Ulysses dr.; two daughters. Rebecca and Mrs. Mary Fair of Pennsylvania. Four children have died.

M. J. Hermann looked out upon what was after wards tv> !)e known as Dakota county, in May, 1855. From the Blyburg hills to the l)luffs at St. John's, he beheld one vast expanse of wild praii-ies and almost unpenetrable jungles. He was on his way to the Yellowstone i-iver (111 the steamer "Genora," with Thogmartin as captain and Garnian. clei'k. Saw great herds of buffalo, and the Indians showed such a war-like disposition that the boat was anchored in mid-river to keep them from attacking it. They killed their own meat and clKjpped their own wood. ^Vs they passed along by the beautiful laiuls of northeastern Nebraska. Capt. Thogmartin s;iid : '-Mr. Hermann, I do not exp'^ct to live to see it myself, but should you live to be tifty years old. you will see this one of the grandest comities in the world." Lived in Sioux City in 18(59 and uftervvards was engaged in business in Oinahn. ]\Ioved with his family to Dakota county, Marcli 187'.' and went into business in Homer, under tlie tirm nai^e of iSash & Hermann, dealers in general merchandise, which was afterwards dissolved and Mr. H. established a store of his own. The store with all gocnls was Inii-ned in 1893. M. J. Hermann was born December 16, 1839, in St. Charles Parish, Louisana. VVorked on boat Itetweeii New Orleans and St. Paul and also on the Ohio and Missouri rivers. Remembers the time vvhen there was not a single house between St. Joe and Council Bluffs. Was employed on the boat that bi'ought Capt. O'Connor to the county.

Chris Mikesell was born in 1839 Jind came to Dakota county in the spring of 1867. Bought John Nafizigger's farm. Was married in 1869 in Pennsylvania, to Julia F. Fair and returned to Nebraska, arriving here '-wdth the girl he had left behind him" March 20. Settled on a farm where he now j-esides, three milep west of Dakota City. Has one son - Willian F.; four daughters - Nellie, Mary, Gertie and Lizzie.

Luther Harden was born December 27, 1833, and came with his parents to Iowa in 1837. Was married to Snrah Jane Underwood Mai-ch 6, 1857, i" Jeflferson county, Iowa. Moved to Dakota county May 9, 1867- and camped near C. D. Martin's old pre-emptitJii c;d)in that night. Afterwards lived in Dakota City, where he was engaged in butciierin>i: business. Located on a farm one-half mile north of Dakota City whei-e he srill resides. Has two children -Mrs. John Orr an<l Burt G.

John R. Sprague spent his first night in Dakota county at Joslah W. Davis' old plnce south of Homer, June 1, 1867, fi^^id the next morning as he looked around lie little dreamed that he whs viewing a country destined to be rich and prosperous, over which he would be called upon to preside as justice of the peace and be hailed as

--*LS(|nire Spragne," twenty years later. During that suinnier helped to build tiie Gideon Warner bridge across ( )niaha creek. Built a blacksmith shop near the old (diaries Bliven place and after working at his ti-ade there for a while removed his shop to Dakota City. Aiidut this time Ivalph (Troodwin wanted to break up a piece of land northeast of Dakota City, but there was udt a. breaking plow to l)e had at any of the stores in the county, whereupon Mr. Spragne made a breaking jdow complete for him. Has been proprietor of general stoi-es in Dakota City and Homer. Was democratic candidate for county commissioner fur Omadi precinct in 1882 and was defeated by a majority of tliree votes. Has six childi'en living and two dead. Builtagood substantial residence in Homer in 1887 and has at different times owned some of the best farms in the county. John R. Sprague was born March 30, 1842, in Milton, Rock county, Wisconsin. Learned blacksmithing while a \oung man and worked at that trade until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he "shouldered his muskec" and marched to the scene of conflict. Enlisted in Company E, 22nd Wisconsin Infantry, August 11, 1862. AVent to Cincinnatti and thence to Kentucky and participated in the battle of Brent Wood, March 5, 1863, where he was captured by the rebels and taken to Columbia and from there to Libbie prison. Was released June Gth and went to City Point, Virginia, and fi'om there to Annapolis, Indiana. Went to St. Louis wliere he joined a re-oi-ganized regiment under General llosencrans and afterwards ''marched with Sherman down to the sea," which is a little incident of wliich his children may well feel proud. At the close of the war went to Milwaukee and was married to Sarah J, Simerson at Edgerton, Wisconsin, September 2, 1805.

-fouN Nixon was born in Scotland, 1820, and married at an early age. Ilis wife died in her native land, and Mr. Nixon with his five children soucrht a home in

America, his brother William having preceeded liim. Arrived in Dakota eonnty, June 27, 18(J7 and lived with his brotlier. Died January 15, 1882, leaving five children - two sons, Alex M. and John J^.; and three daugliters, Lizzie, Mrs. Jean Waite and Martha L., the latter was the wife of Wm. Taylor - died in May 1889.