Gage County, Nebraska - Chapter 31: People Who Have Done Their Part in Making Gage County, 1918 (part 13 of 29)

Mr. Mayborn continued his residence in Illinois until 1875, when he removed to Page county, Iowa, where he was engaged in farming for the ensuing six years. In the spring of 1881 he came with his family to Gage county, Nebraska, whe;re he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in Glenwood township, and instituted its improvement and cultivation. He developed the place into one of the valuable farm properties of the county and still owns the farm, his attention having been given largely to the raising of live stock, but diversified agriculture having not been neglected by him during the period of his residence on the farm. He erected good buildings on the farm and he now rents the place to good effect. In 1903 he and his wife removed to the city of Beatrice, where they have an attractive home and where he has since lived practically retired, in the enjoyment of the rewards of former years of earnest and worthy endeavor.

In Stark county, Illinois, on the 9th of April, 1865, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Mayborn to Miss Rebecca Jerrems, who was born in Oneida county. New York, a daughter of James and Ann (Carter) Jerrems, natives of England, whence they came to the United States in the early '30s. Mrs. Mayborn was born April 5, 1845, and her death occurred August 1, 1890, she having been a devout member of the Christian church- She is survived by four children: William resides in Beatrice and is a traveling salesman of agricultural implements and machinery ; James A. is a successful farmer in Ogle county, Illinois ; George is associated with William Lyndes in the meatmarket business at Beatrice; and C. H. is cashier in a banking institution at Brush, Colorado.

Frances Jane (Black) Hill became his wife. She is the widow of John E. Hill and has three children by her first marriage: Raymond is a carpenter by trade and is a successful contractor and builder at National City, California; Bessie is the wife of Lloyd Willi.", of Beatrice, her husband having recently been called to enter service with the national army being prepared for service in the great European war; and Laura, who remains with her mother, is assistant librarian of the Beatrice public library. Mrs. Mayborn is an earnest and zealous communicant of Christ church, and is the popular chatelaine of one of the pleasant homes of the Gage county metropolis and judicial center.

Mr. Mayborn is. a staunch advocate of the principles of the Republican party and while residing on his farm he served several years as treasurer of the school board, in Glenwood township.

ISAAC B. MITTAN. - The frontier line has been pushed farther and farther west until to-day we have no frontier line, and this progress of civilization has been accomplished so slowly and imperceptibly by the pioneer men and women who braved the hardships of their crude surroundings to make homes for themselves and to win the wild wastes of fertility that ere we knew it there was no frontier line. For fifty years Isaac B. Mittan has lived on Gage county soil and has experienced the revelation of wild unbroken prairies being replaced by fertile farms and modem cities and industries. Instead of the slow, deliberate oxen wending their way across the plains, there now dashes through the night the fast midnight express, and it has all come so imperceptibly that it seems to be a revelation.

Isaac B. Mittan was born in Lee county, Illinois, March 4, 1851, a son of Daniel C. and Martha (Fuller) Mittan, who were married in Pennsylvania and were among the earliest settlers of Lee county, Illinois, where they were active in farm enterprise from 1849 to 1868, in which latter year they started across the prairies with slow driven horse teams for the land of Nebraska. They crossed the Mis- souri river May 1st, at Brownville, and reached their destination in Gage county May 3d. For two weeks they camped on Cedar creek, while the father and sons walked over the plains to select the best homestead. Their selection was one hundred and sixty acres in Section 28, Rockford township - the present fine home farm of the subject of this review. A small frame building was erected and this was the home of the parents until their death. Daniel C. Mittan was seventy-eight years old at the time of his demise and his wi'dow passed away at the venerable age of eighty-seven years. Mr. Mittan was a Civil war veteran, enlisting for the one hundred days' service, but he followed the flag and continued in active service for one year. He was a staunch Republican and both he and his good wife were devoted members of the Methodist church. The following children were born to them: Elvira^ deceased, was the wife of Harvey Howard, who was a homesteader oi Gage county ; Phoebe, deceased, was the wife of James S. Pease and lived in Rockford township; Isaac B. is the immediate subject of this sketch; Horace was a resident of Cedar county, Nebraska, at the time of his death ; William, unmarried, resides in Sherman township; Jacob is deceased; Asa lives in Dawes county, Nebraska; and Samuel died in childhood.

Isaac B. Mittan attended the schools of Illinois and also of Gage county. Among his schoolmates in this county was Hugh J. Dobbs, the author of this history of the county.

Mr. Mittan has farmed in Gage county all of the years of his residence with the exception of four years spent in Missouri. By purchasing the interests of the other members of the family he has become in possession of the original homestead. He has improved the first frame house and has erected on the place the attractive house which is now the place of his abode.

Mr. Mittan was married, in Gage county, to Miss Elizabeth Meyers, born in Wisconsin March 24, 1854. She is a daughter of Valentine and Roxana Meyers, who settled in Rockford township. Gage county, in 1870, and both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Mittan passed away in 1911, there being only ten days' lapse between the death of the wife and the mother of Mr. Mittan. Following is brief record concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Mittan: Elmer resides in Loup county, Nebraska ; Nelson resides in Virginia, Gage county ; Chartes married Bertha McKinney and they have five children; Clyde, unmarried, lives in Virginia, this county; Ada is the wife of L,e- Roy Ayre, living in Dickinson county, Kansas ; Adra and Lester died in infancy.

Isaac B. Mittan has retired from active farming and makes his home with his son Chartes, who is operating the farm. Mr. Mittan is a Repubhcan in politics, and is one of the well known pioneer settlers of Gage county.

GEORGE L. MUMFORD. - The family of which this successful and popular citizen of Beatrice is a scion is one that has in its various generations gained marked pioneer distinction in connection with the march of development and progress in the great American republic- He whose name initiates this review has been a resident of Gage county from the time of his birth, is a representative of an influential pioneer faniily that was founded in the county in the early territorial period, and the name which he bears has been one of significant prominence in connection with the annals of advancement in Gage county. Further data attesting to this fact may be found not only in the department of this work specifically devoted to the history of the county but also in connection with the personal mention of other contemporary representatives of the family, three brothers of the name having established homes in this favored section of the state within the decade of the '60s.

On the old homestead farm of his father, in Logan township, this county, George L. Mumford was born April 19, 1878, and he is a son of Jacob and Annie (Newton) Mumford, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Pennsylvania. The first wife of Jacob Mumford bore the family name of Lin- sey, and of the children of this union two are living, - William B., a resident of Pickrell, Gage county, and Mrs. Emma Dearborn, of Los Angeles, California. To Jacob and Annie (Newton) Mumford were born four children, and of the three surviving the subject of this review is the eldest; John is one of the prosperous farmers of this county ; Estella died at the age of twelve years; and Oliver likewise is numbered among the representative farmers of Gage county.

Jacob Mumford was a son of William Mumford and was a youth at the time of the family immigration from Maryland to Ohio, his father having died while en route to the new home and his remains having been laid to rest in the state of Pennsylvania. In Ohio Jacob Mumford continued his association with agricultural industry until he numbered himself among the pioneer farmers of Lafayette county, Wisconsin, and in that state was solemnized his marriage to Miss Annie Newton, a daughter of John Newton, who was born in England and who became one of the early settlers of Wisconsin, where he passed the remainder of his life. Jacob Mumford continued his residence in the Badger state until 1865, when he came with his family to Nebraska and established his residence on a pioneer farm in Gage county, his eldest brother, Ismay Mumford, having settled here in 1860, and having been elected the first treasurer of Gage county, his son Dawson having been the first white child born in the county. Jacob Mumford entered claim to government land and eventually became the owner of a fine landed estate of six hundred acres. He reclaimed and developed one of the fine farm properties of the county, was a citizen of worth and influence, did much to further civic and industrial advancement and served in various local positions of public trust, includ'ng that of member of the board of county commissioners, an office of which he was the incumbent for several terms. His political allegiance was given to the Democratic party, his religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church and his second wife was a devoted member of the Christian church.

George L. Mumford passed the period of his childhood and early youth on the home farm, and in this connection gained lasting appreciation of the dignity and value of honest toil and endeavor. In the public schools he continued his studies until he had been graduated in the high school in the city; of Beatrice, as a member of the class of 1897, and that he made good use of the advantages thus afforded is demonstrated by the effective service which he gave as a popular teacher in the district schools, his pedagogic endeavors having continued for two years. Thereafter he was actively concerned in farm enterprise in his native county for six years, at the expiration of which he was associated for eight years in the conducting of a general store at Pickrell, Nebraska. In 1915 Mr. Mumford engaged in the retail grocery business in the city of Beatrice, where he has a well equipped and thoroughly modern establishment and has developed a substantial and representative enterprise, so that he has status as one of the progressive merchants of the city and as one of the vigorously loyal and public-spirited citizens of his native county, where his circle of friends is limited only by that of his acquaintances. His political proclivities are indicated in the staunch support which he gives the cause of the Republican party, he and his wife hold membership in the Christian church, and he is affiliated with the local lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks.

The year 1900 recorded the niarriage of Mr. Mumford to Miss Alice Smith, who likewise was born and reared in this county, and they have three children, - Hermina, Gertrude and Helen. The eldest daughter was a member of the class of 1918 in the Beatrice h'gh school and the younger daughters are still students in the public schools of their home city.

GEORGE B. HILTON, who is now living retired in the city of Beatrice, his attractive home being at 923 Grant street, has been a resident of Nebraska for more than thirty years and of Gage county since 1890. Until his removal to the county seat he was a progressive farmer in Riverside township, and in the city of Beatrice he served about two years as street commissioner, from which office he retired in 1911.

Mr. Hilton claims the old Buckeye state as the place of his nativity and is a scion of one of the early pioneer families of that commonwealth. He was born at Brunersburg, Defiance county, Ohio, on the 20th of November, 1847, and is a son of Benjamin and Catherine (Bruner) Hilton. Benjamin Hilton was born in Adams county, Ohio, September 20, 1820, his parents having immigrated to Ohio from Somerset county, Maine, and having first settled in Hamilton county. They made the greater part of the journey from New England to the pioneer west by water route, passed down the Ohio river and up the St. Mary's river in boats hewed out of logs, - primative vehicles of transporation commonly designated as pirogues. Later removal was made to the vicinity of Defiance, Ohio, and here the family occupied a little shanty for the first year, the meals having been cooked out of doors, over a fire set burning near a large log. Benjamin Hilton utilized the primitive shanty only till such time as he could complete the manufacturing of sufficient brick to erect a more pretentious domicile, both he and his wife having been sterling and resourceful pioneers of Ohio, as were also the maternal grandparents of the subject of this sketch - Daniel and Catherine Bruner, who established their residence in Defiance county, where the village of Brunersburg was named in honor of the family and where the mother of George B. Hilton was born and reared. Benjamin Hilton received the advantages of the common schools of the pioneer days in Ohio and as a lad he assisted in the general store conducted by one of his older brothers. Later he engaged in the general merchandise business at Brunersburg, besides being identified with farm enterprise, and he continued thus engaged until the time of his death, which occurred November S, 1865, his widow having survived him by about seven years- The eldest of their eight children was Thomas, who was a resident of Beatrice at the time of his death, in March, 1916; George, of this review, was the second son ; Ora died in childhood ; Mary Etta was a resident of Brunersburg, Ohio, at the time of her death; Clara is the widow of Dr. A. L. Elder and resides at Hebron, Thayer county, Nebraska; Dora is the wife of Ira Payne, of Reynolds, Jefferson county; Florence died when about eight years of age ; and Alice is the wife of Wiley D. Fisher, of Litchfield, Sherman county, Nebraska.

George B. Hilton is indebted to the common schools of the old Buckeye state for his early educational discipline and from his boyhood until he became a young man he assisted in the work of a farm of forty-seven acres that was owned by his father. He then went to the city of Defiance, Ohio, where he was employed in a flour mill until 1867, the ensuing period of about two years having found him engaged as clerk in a mercantile establishment in that place. He then returned to the farm previously mentioned and he there continued his activities as an agriculturist until 1885, when he came to Nebraska and purchased a tract of railroad land in Thayer county. There he continued his farm operations until 1890, when he sold the property, upon which he had made good improvements, and came to Gage county. Here he purchased one . hundred and sixty acres of land in Section 26, Riverside township, and this property he developed into one of the fine farms of that part of the county. On the homestead he continued his successful enterprise as an agriculturist and stock-raiser until 1907, since which time he has lived retired in the city of Beatrice, save that, as before stated, he gave about two years to effective service in the office of street commissioner. He is found arrayed as a loyal supporter of the cause of the Republican party and he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.

At Defiance, Ohio, on the 18th of November, 1867, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Hilton to Miss Elizabeth Lorah, who was born and reared in Noble county, that state, a daughter of Samuel and Charlotte Lorah.

In conclusion is given brief record concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Hilton : Ella M. died at the age of thirty-eight years and Curtis at the age of nineteen years; Lottie is at home; LeRoy died in early childhood; Mildred is the widow of the late Hugo H. Lueblen: she resides at Beatrice and she has one son, Elwood, eight years of age in 1918. The eldest daughter, Ella, became the wife of Frederick A. Riddell, of Columbus, Platte county, and she is survived by three children, - John and Frederick (Ted), who were students in the University of Nebraska, the latter having been one of the star members of the university football team, known as the "Cornhuskers," and both he and his brother, John, are now serving loyally in the United States Navy department, in connection with the nation's participation in the great European war.

ANTON BERAN. - Among the first settlers on what was formerly the Otoe Indian reservation was Anton Beran, who has resided on his present farm, in Glenwood township, since the spring of 1878.

Anton Beran is a native of the province of Bohemia, in the dual monarchy of Austria- Hungary, where he was born March 14, 1843. His parents, John and Anna Beran passed their entire lives in Bohemia and both died prior to the time when their son Anton started for America.

In 1868 Anton Beran came to the United States and settled in Washington county, Iowa, where he continued to reside until the Otoe Indian reservation was opened for settlement in Gage county, Nebraska, and in the spring of 1878 he here purchased eighty acres of government land, in section 35, Glenwood township. Not a tree or a wagon track in sight, nothing but prairie grass as far as the eye could see. Here he built a little frame house, and some years later his brother-inlaw, who was also an early settler, wanted to sell out, so Mr. Beran bought eighty acres from him, in section 36, so that to-day he owns a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres. His success has come to him

Mr. Beran owned some small lots in the old town of Richmond, Washington county, Iowa, and when he decided to locate in Nebraska he sold these. The modest sum of money he thus obtained was all he had when he located in Gage county. After locating his land here he was making the trip back to Iowa, and as he had no money he was obliged to set forth on foot. However, through the kindness of a trainman running east out of Omaha, he was given a free ride. Mr. Beran has always felt grateful for that kindness and delights in telling^ of it when talking about the experiences of those early days, when he was pwor.

Mr- Beran has been twice married. His first wife was Pauline Shalla, who died in Gage county the year after he located here. His present wife was Josephine Beran. Of the first union were born three children, Joseph, Frank, and a baby girl who died in Iowa. Of the second union were born three children. Van, Tony and Margaret.

Mr. Beran is a Republican in politics and has served as school director, but he has held no other public office. Though he has passed his seventy-fifth birthday he is still hale and hearty and can be found any day doing work about the farm. This place has been his home for forty years and he well deserves this recognition in the history of Gage county.

WIELIAM F. ROSZELL, who now lives retired in the city of Beatrice, came to Gage county nearly forty years ago and his career has been marked by productive activity during the intervening period, the while he is known and honored as a man of sterling character and as a loyal and progressive citizen.

William Franklin Roszell was born in Miami county, Ohio, in the year 1857, and is a son of David and Sarah (Howell) Roszell, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Ohio, the closing years of their lives having been passed at Fletcher, Ohio. David Roszell was a son of David and Elizabeth (Brown) Roszell, and his wife was a daughter of Stephen B. and Polly (Hopkins) Howell. The subject of this review was reared and educated in the old Buckeye state and there learned in his youth the trade of harnessmaker. As a skilled artisan at his trade he continued to follow the same in Ohio until 1882, when he came to Nebraska and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land, in Paddock township. Gage county. He initiated the reclamation and improvement of this farm and there continued his activities four years, at the expiration of which he sold the property and established himself in the harness and saddlery business in the village Lanham, this county. I^ater he conducted for a number of years a hotel in that village, besides which he served as postmaster at Lanham during the four years of President Cleveland's second term. Finally he disposed of his property and business at Lanham and purchased improved realty in the city of Lincoln, but within a short time thereafter he returned to Gage county and established his residence in Beatrice, where he has since maintained his home, the family residence being at 1510 Ella street. In politics Mr. Roszell is a staunch supporter of the cause of the Democratic party and for many years he and his wife have been active members of the Christian church.

In Shelby county, Ohio, the year 1873 recorded the marriage of Mr- Roszell to Miss Olive Hageman, who was born and reared in that county, and of the six children of this union only two are living, - Ralph R., who owns and conducts a leading photographic art store and studio in the city of Beatrice, and Hazel B., who is the wife of Harry Irvine, of this city.

SAMUEL F. NICHOLS, a prosperous farmer and stock-grower of Riverside township, was born at Osage, Iowa, November 9, 1874, and is a son of Martin Van Buren Nichols, of whom individual mention is made on other pages. In the prosecution of his extensive operations as a farmer and stock raiser Mr. Nichols utilizes one thousand acres of land, an appreciable proportion of which is owned by him. He is one of the leading breeders of Holstein cattle in Gage county and now ships an average of eight carloads of cattle and swine each year, his activities in previous years having involved the shipment of an average of forty carloads of cattle.

Mr. Nichols was reared and educated in his native place and in the public schools of San Diego, California, where the family home was maintained for some time. In 1891 his parents established their home at Beatrice, Nebraska, and here Samuel F. was graduated in the high school, in 1895, after which he completed a preparatory course in Columbia University, in New York city. In 1896. he was matriculated in the law department of the great Uhiversity of Michigan, in which instftution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1898 and with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In the same year he manifested his patriotism by enlisting for service in the Spanish-American war, in which he served six month, as a member of Company A, Thirty-first Michigan Volunteer Infantry. In 1900 Mr. Nichols associated himself with the Albany Linen Mills, at Albany, Wisconsin, and for two years he held the position of manager of the business. In 1902 he returned to Gage county, Nebraska, where he has s'nce been actively identified with farm enterprise. In 1906 he purchased his present fine homestead ranch, and upon the place he has made the best of modern improvements, including the erection of an attractive bungalow, which is lighted by electricity and provided with hot and cold water system.

On the 12th of November, 1907, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Nichols to Miss Marie Roe, who was born at Odell, this county, and is a daughter of Dr. George L- and Ida L. (Thompson) Roe, natives respectively of Kentucky and Wisconsin, Dr. Roe having for many years been one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Beatrice and having tendered, in May, 1918, his professional service to the government in connection with war activities. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols have four children, whose names and dates of nativity are here indicated: Ruth, October 20, 1908;

Though he has found his technical training of great vahie in connection with his business activities Mr. Nichols has never engaged in the practice of law. He is a Republican in his political allegiance and is essentially vital and public-spirited in his civic attitude. He is actively affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, including Beatrice Commandery of Knights Templars, and he and his wife are communicants of the Protestant Episcopal church.

ABIJAH S. SHERWOOD, who is now living retired in the city of Beatrice, with a pleasant home at 1522 High street, is the owner of a well improved farm estate of two hundred acres, in Section 19, Filley township, and has been a successful exponent of agricultural and live-stock enterprise in Gage county, his removal from the farm to Beatrice having taken place in October, 1910.

Mr. Sherwood was bom in Marshall county, IlHnois, March 17, 1856, and is the fourth in a family of five sons and two daughters born to Abijah S. and Elizabeth (McCune) Sherwood. For his second wife the father married Margaret McCord, and they became the parents of three daughters. After the death of his second wife he married Mary Correll, and of this union was born one son.

Abijah S. Sherwood, Sr., was born in the state of New York, April 23, 1822, and his death occurred June 30, 1894- He became a substantial farmer and extensive landholder, and it is to be noted that in 1876 he purchased land in Gage county, Nebraska, besides which he accumulated land also in Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois, the closing years of his life having been passed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm and acquired his early education in the pubHc schools of Illinois and the city of Topeka, Kansas, the family home having been maintained at intervals in various communities and Mr. Sherwood thus having attended school in several different localities. At the opening of Oklahoma to settlement Mr. Sherwood's father was one of those who made the historic "run," and he aided in the initial development of Oklahoma City, where he assisted also in the organization of the first Presbyterian church. In 1876 he whose name introduces this review returned to Illinois, where he continued to operate one of his father's farms until the autumn of 1883, when he came to Gage county, Nebraska. In the following year he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, and this constituted the nucleus around which he has developed his present valuable landed estate in this county.

In politics Mr. Sherwood is a staunch RepubUcan and while on his farm he represented for one term Filley township on the board of county supervisors. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as a trustee. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with the Royal Highlanders.

October 16, 1879, recorded the marriage of Mr. Sherwood to Miss Esther Dixon, who was born in La Salle county, Illinois, December 21, 1858, a daughter of Hampton S. and Jane (TuUis) Dixon. Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood have had two children : Edna, who is the wife of Merrill Ramsey, of Petersburg, Texas, their marriage having been solemnized in January, 1903, and their three children being Merryl, Blanche and Sherwood. Mrs. Ramsey was -graduated in the Filley high school and is a skilled musician, she having been a successful teacher of music prior to her marriage. Ralph H. Sherwood was a fine young man of twenty-nine years when he met a tragic death, in 1914, he having been killed by lightning- He was for two years a student in the law department of the University of Nebraska, and in June, 1910, he married Miss Cicely May Fenton, who survives him and who is now assistant librarian of the library of the law department of the University of Colorado, at Boulder.

sentative in the subject of this record, and he is successfully engaged in farming and stockraising in Section 8, Midland township, both departments of his farm enterprise bringing him gratifying returns.

Mr. La Forge claims the fine old Bluegrass state as the place of his nativity, as he was born in the city of Louisville, Kentucky, on the 20th of December, 1876. He is a son of Nathan P. and Demaris (Dooley) La Forge, both likewise natives of Kentucky, where they were reared and educated. The conditions and influences that compassed Nathan P. La Forge during the period of his youth were such that when the Civil war was precipitated on a divided nation his sympathies were naturally with the cause of the south. Consequently he showed his loyalty by enlisting in the Confederate ranks, and he served as captain of cavalry in the command of the famous General Morgan. He fought faithfully and valiantly in defense of what he believed to be a righteous cause, survived the shock and storm of conflict and lived to rejoice finally in the fact that the integrity of the nation had been preserved. He became a successful contractor after the war and continued his activities along this line until his death, which occurred April 24, 1899, at Kansas City, Missouri, where he had built up a substantial business as a contractor. He was sixty-three years of age at the time of his death and his widow now resides in Kansas City. Five of the brothers of Mrs. LaForge were soldiers of the Confederacy in the Civil war.

Curtis C. LaForge acquired his preliminary education in the schools of his native city and after the family removal to Kansa-s City, Missouri, he there continued his studies in the public schools, besides which he supplemented this training by a course in the Kansas City Business College. Thereafter he associated himself with a wholesale drug house in Kansas City, and he continued to be thus employed for fifteen years.

In 1911 Mr. La Forge came to Nebraska and located at Beatrice. Here, on the 21st of June of that year, was solemnized his marriage ot Miss Daisie G. VanBoskirk, a daughter of Lincoln and Celia (Freer) Van Boskirk, a record concerning whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. La Forge received as a heritage from her father a quarter-section of land and soon after their marriage she and her husband established their home on this place. On the same they have erected a commodious modern residence, besides good barns and other farm buildings. Here Mr. LaForge is successfully carrying forward his operations in diversified agriculture and stockgrowing, and he is recognized as one of the enterprising and wideawake farmers of Midland township. He and his wife have a fine little son, Curtis C, Jr., who was born July 12, 1914. The family home is known for its generous hospitality and good cheer and Mr. and Mrs. La Forge have a host of friends, both being held in high esteem by all who know them. In politics Mr. LaForge retains the ancestral laith and gives his support to the cause of the Democratic party.

RALPH R. ROSZELL exemplifies in his finely appointed studio in the city of Beatrice the highest types of photographic art, and he has long held secure prestige as one of the leading photographists of the west. He is a representative of one of the early pioneer families of Nebraska and was born on the old Otoe Indian reservation, the place of his nativity having been near the present village of Odell, Gage county. He was but two years of age when his parents removed to what is now Lanham, Washington county, Kansas, a locality at that time included in Nebraska. There he acquired his preliminary educational discipline and when he was twelve years old the family removed to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he attended the public schools and where he learned the art of photography while a mere boy. He was but sixteen years old when he opened his first photographic studio, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to which place his parents had removed, and this little studio was located at the corner of Fourteenth and O streets. Later he established a larger and better equipped studio at 1238 O street, and in connection with the same he conducted also studios at Ashland and Trenton. In 1905 a chemical explosion which occurred while he was working in his photographic laboratory so injured him as to necessitate the amputation of his left hand, but this injury in no degree curbed his professional enthusiasm or his self-reliance. After remaining at the parental home for twelve days he resumed work, by opening a new studio in Beatrice, at S09-J4 Court street, this being known as the Roszell Elite Studio and being equipped with the most approved of modern facilities for the issuing of high-grade photographic work of all kinds, - portrait, commercial, view, landscape, etc. Mr. Roszell has nearly a dozen handsome gold and silver medals that have been awarded to him for his exhibits at state and national photographic conventions, and when but seventeen years of age he had gained high national rating as a professional photographist, his record for exceptional ability having been one of cumulative prestige since that time.

In 1915 Mr. Roszell amplified his field of enterprise by engaging in the handling of photographic supplies of all kinds, as well as artists' materials, and he has developed a prosperous business which extends through Nebraska and Kansas and to a certain extent outside of this territory. He continues to give, however, his close personal suj>ervision to his studio in Beatrice, and the same is now located at 616 Court street. His patronage in all departments of his well organized business is of representative order and he is one of the best known photographists in Nebraska. He has served three terms as secretary of the Nebraska Professional Photographers' Association, and he perfected himself in his profession by a course of instruction in Washington University, in the city of St. Louis, besides having gained technical experience in a number of the foremost photographic studios in Lincoln and other cities- Mr. Roszell is the son of William F. and Olive Roszell, pioneers of Gage county, who first settled on the old Otoe reservation land east of Odell, this county. A sketch of the

" In 1912 Mr. Roszell married Miss Leah A. Sonderegger, daughter of Carl Sonderegger, a well known pioneer of Gage county. They have two children. Richard Ralph and Kathryn Eulula.

C. M. SMITH is another of the sterling citizens who has achieved definite prosperity through connection with agricultural and livestock industry in Gage county, and after having borne the trials and responsibilities of pioneer life in Nebraska and making his way through his own efforts to the goal of success, he is now living in well earned retirement, in the city of Beatrice.

Mr. Smith is a. scion of a family that was founded in New England in the colonial era of our national history, and is a descendant of Joshua Smith who came from England in company with his brother Edward and established a home in Connecticut, prior to the war of the Revolution. He whose name initiates this sketch was born in Orleans county, New York, on the 18th of November, 1846, and is a son of Beriah H. and Philena (Morton) Smith, the former having been born near Hartford, Connecticut, June 11, 1803, and the latter having been born in South Deerfield, Massachusetts, in 1811. The parents were wedded in Massachusetts, in January, 1829, and thereafter removed to the state of New York, where the father for many years operated a boat on the historic old Erie canal- In the autumn of 1847 Beriah H. Smith removed with his family to Illinois and became a pioneer farmer in Putnam county, where he took up government land and developed a productive farm, both he and his wife having passed the remainder of their lives in that state, where he died November 2, 1889, his wife having passed away in the preceding year and having been a devoted member of the Congregational church, his religious views having been in harmony with the tenents of the Universalist church and his political support having been given to the Whig party until the organization of the Republican party, when he transferred his allegiance to the latter. He was affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, was a man of superior mental endowments: He was called to serve in various township offices in Illinois and was one of the honored pioneer citizens of that state at the time of his death. Of the nine children of Beriah H. and Philena (Morton) Smith only three are now living, - Edward, who is engaged in the blacksmith busitiess at " Cortland, Gage county ; C. M ., who is the immediate subject of this- sketch; and Augusta, who resides at Pickrell, this county.

C. M. Srriith was reared on his father's pioneer farm iii Illinois and in his youth made good use of the advantages afforded in tho common schools of the locality and period. He continued his alliance with farm industry in Illinois until 1870, in March of which year he came to Nebraska and took up a hpmestead of one hjindred apd sixty acres, in Ijluckolls county. There he remained , imtil he fifsd perfected his title to- the property, and he then established his home in Gage county. He developed a fine farm of oriie hundred and sixty acre^; in Blakely township, made the best of Wip'i'oveftients on the - place and there contin- Vgd his residence until 1877 when he moved tp'a farm in Logan township. This he improved and here he resided until 1912, when teiipurchased another farm in Logan township, - a. property which he still owns. In October, ,1915, he retired arid with his wife Wtablished his home in Beatrice, where they are .enjoying, the rewards of former j'ears of earnest endeavor. They are zealous members of the Christian church and in politics he gives unswerving allegiance to the Republican party. While on his farm he served as township trustee and clerk for a number of terms each, and was for many years a member of the school' board of his district. " March 16,' 1873, recorded the marriage of Mr. Smith to Miss Sarah Pethoud, of Gage county, she being a daughter of Thomas and

Maria Pethoud, natives of Ohio and territorial pioneers in Nebraska. Mr. Pethoud came with his family to Gage county in 1857, nearly a decade prior to the admission of Nebraska to statehood, and he settled on his pioneer farm six miles north of Beatrice, where both he and his wife passed the residue of their lives. In conclusion is given brief record concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Smith: Clara is' the wife of Gardner Berry, a prosperous farmer in Riverside township; Helen remains at the parental home; Alice is the wife of G. L. Mumford, of whom individual mention is made on other pages ; Elsie became the wife of William Barnard, of Beatrice, and her death occurred in 1914; Sarah Antoinette remains with her parents ; Eleanor is the wife of C. E. Thornburg, a farmer in Midland township ; and Howard has the active 'management of his father's farm.

WIEBE. - There are many interesting JDoints in the career of this representative citizen of Beatrice, where he developed a substantial dry-goods business and where he still retains his interest in the same; though- he has given its active management over to his sons and is living virtually retired, his attractive home being at 715 North Sixth street. '

"- Mr. Wiebe Was bom in the district of Danzig,' Prussia, in May, 1844, and is a son of John and Margaret (Hamm) Wiebe, who, as devout members of the Mennonite church, were religiously opposed to warfare, so that, at the time of the Franco-Prussian war, "they severed the ties that bound them to their native land, made many sacrifices and, in 1872, removed to Russia, thus avoiding militairy service on the part of their sons. They passed the remainder of their lives in Russia - exiles from their home land on account of conscientious scruples. John Wiebe had accumulated a valuable farm estate of two hundred acres near the Prussian city of Dantzig, and he was well advanced in years when he left this fine home to exile himself in Russia. Of his eight children only three are now living and the eldest of the number, John, still resides in Russia,

In his native land Gerhard Wiebe received good educational advantages in his youth and he there gained valuable experience in the mercantile business, as clerk in a store in the city of Berlin. He was preparing to engage in business for himself at the time when his venerable parents manifested their earnest desire to immigrate to Russia. He promptly subordinated his personal plans and ambition and went, in 1869, to Russia, to prepare a home for his parents. At Samara he found employm.ent as clerk in a mercantile establishment, and at the beginning he received as compensation only his room and board- Within six weeks he had sufficiently mastered the Russian language to be able to do effective service as a salesman, and finally he learned to speak the language with fluency. Thus fortified, he engaged in business on a modest scale, in the colony where his parents resided, and he continued his residence in Russia for more than a score of years and eventually built up a prosperous mercantile business, though he was compelled to bring in his merchandise by wagons from the nearest city, ninety miles distant.

In 1894 Mr. Wiebe came to America and in that year he established his permanent residence at Beatrice, where he engaged in the general merchandise business and soon familiarized himself with the English language. He finally coniSned his mercantile enterprise to the handling of dry goods and the various supplemental lines customarily found in similar establishments. Fair and honorable dealing and efficient service enabled him to develop a substantial and properous business, and he still retains his interest in the well equipped store, which is now under the active management of his sons. He is the owner of good business buildings in Beatrice and also of his pleasant home. He is a liberal and public-spirited citizen, loyal in all things to the land of his adoption and is a substantial citizen who commands unqualified popular esteem. He is independent in politics and he holds membership in the Mennonite church.

In 1873 Mr. Wiebe married Miss Margaret Claassen, who was born in Germany and whose parents thence removed to Russia, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Wiebe died at the old home in Russia, in 1890, and there also died four of her ten children, all of the other children being now residents of Gage county : G. C. is engaged in the clothing business at Beatrice; William is associated with the dry-goods business here established by his father ; Magdalene is a deaconess of the Mennonite Home and Hospital in Beatrice; Agatha is the wife of H. A. Penner, who is connected with the Peters Trust & Loan Company, at Omaha; Elizabeth presides over her father's home; and Justina is the wife of P. Daniel Schultz, teacher of science in the Beatrice high school. It will thus be noted that the family is one of prominence and influence in the business and social life of the Gage county metropolis.

JAMES PACKER. - The seafaring life is vital and adventurous and it has lured the youth of all ages, because of its hazards and the opportunities it affords to see the world. James Packer, a retired farmer living in Elm township, spent the early years of his life as a sailor, and as such he sailed into nearly every port of the world. He went to the South Sea Islands, where the savages brought their spices to load on the ship; he went to the northern countries, where the furs were loaded on his ship ; he traded with white men, black men, and yellow men - ^ men of every clime and condition. He was only eight years old when he made his first voyage, on his father's ship, and from that time onward he spent the greater part of his time in close association with his father's maritime activities. In the cold winter months they kept to the southern waters, away from the treacherous ice-floes. In the summer months they went to the northern waters and carried the freight they were anxious to send to other shores. Mr. Packfer has an interesting collection of sea shells and deep-sea fauna Which he had collected on these voyages, and he loves to recount his adventures.

Mr. Packer was born on famed old Broadway, New York city, the date of his nativity having been May 10, 1841. He is the eldest son of James and Mary (Appleman) Packer. James Packer was born in New York, in 1812, and died July 7, 1892, in a sailors' home at Key West, Florida. James Packer, Sr., spent the greater part of his life on the sea, sailing all over the world. The latter years of his life were spent in the hotel business in New York, where he and a brother conducted a hotel. In 1858 he purchased land in Clayton county, Iowa, where he farmed for a few years. His wife, Mary Ann (Appleman) Packer, was born in 1813, in Connecticut and was laid to rest in Decatur, Iowa, in 1898. Her parents were of Swedish birth, and upon coming to America they settled in Connecticut. James Packer, of this review, was the firstborn in a family of six children.

In the public schools of Mystic, Connecticut, Mr. Packer received his early education. He had as a classmate, the well known Judge Holmes, of Lincoln, Nebraska. During the Civil war Mr. Packer was exempted from actual service, as he was engaged in farming and the farmers were needed to feed the fighting men. His brother Gustavus responded and was accepted, serving his country on the firing line.

The marriage of James Packer and Julia F. Goodrich was solemnized October 9, 1864. Mrs. Packer was born in Chautauqua county, New York, in 1844, and she passed to the life eternal on the 9th day of July, 1897. Her ancestry was of the sturdy New England type characteristic of that historic section, where it is said that they do not raise crops but raise men. Her paternal grandfather was a physician and fought in the war of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Packer became the parents of nine children, concerning whom brief record is here given: Charles J. resides in Riverside township ; Hiram A. lives at Culbertson, Hitchcock county, Nebraska; James G. resides at Diller, Jefferson county; William H. and Julius F. reside at Woodriver, Hall county ; Caroline C. is the wife of A. Frisbie, of Elm township, Gage county; Eda F. died in 1880; Walter C.

Mr. Packer has lived on his present farm in Elm township since 1881, when he came from Iowa to Nebraska. His land was wild and uncultivated, and he has won it to a high state of productivity, planting an orchard and other shade trees to beautify the former barren prairie. In 1903 Mr. Packer married Nannie Shaflf, who was born February 22, 1867, in Marion county, Iowa, and who was a child at the time of the death of her parents. Mrs. Packer came to Gage county in 1901. One child has been bom of this marriage, and their son, Dewey E., was named in honor of the late Admiral Dewey, of Spanish-American war fame, who was a personal friend of Mr. Packer. This son is a great comfort to his parents in their pleasant home. Mr. Packer is a Republican in politics, and he has served as road overseer and as a member of the school board. Mrs. Packer holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.

JOHN M. SHALEA was born in Washington county, Iowa, December 25, 1879, a son of Frank Shalla, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. John M- Shalla was a child of eighteen nionths at the time of the family removal of Gage county. He can remember the building of his parents' first home in Gage county, where the family were among the first to settle on the Otoe Indian reservation. He was reared on the farm, attended the public schools and for the past fourteen years he has been engaged in farming for himself. He was assisted by his father in purchasing a farm in Glenwood ' township, biit later he sold this property to his brother William, and for the past six years he has owned and operated the present place, a well improved tract of two hundred and forty acres, in Paddock township.

He married Miss Mary Sikyta, who is a native of Johnson county, Nebraska, and a daughter of Frank and Christian Sikyta, early settlers of that county. Mr- and Mrs. Shalla have two children, - Harold and Stanley.

Mr. Shalla is a Democrat and is serving as clerk of Paddock township. While living in Glenwood township he was clerk of that township for several years.

JOHN J. GRONEWOED has gained through his insistent energy and ability a secure vantage-ground as one of the substantial exponents of farm enterprise in Hanover township, where he is the owner of a well improved farm property of two hundred acres, his attractive homestead being situated in Section 31. Mr. Gronewold was born in East Friesland, Germany, on the 9th of October, 1873, a son of John and Anna (Hieinrichs) Gronewold, the father having been bom in 1847 and his death having occurred in 1891, his entire life having been passed in his native land, where his M'idow still resides, she having been born in 18^14. Of their six children four are living : Soaka remains in Germany; John J., of this review, is the next younger ; William is engaged in farming in Gage county ; and Galscha remains at the old home in Germany. The other two children, Dick and Weaka, sacrificed their lives in the great European war of the present day. The religious faith of the family is that of the Lutheran church and the father gave his entire active career to farm industry, in which his success was unequivocal, his old homestead farm in East Friesland comprising seventy acres.

John J. Gronewold gained his youthful education in the excellent schools of his native province and was but sixteen years old when, in 1889, he came to the United States and established his residence in Gage county. Here for ten years thereafter he was employed as a farm hand, and though he never received large wages he carefully saved his earnings, as he was ambitious to establish himself independently as a farmer. After his marriage he continued in the employ of others until 1900, when his financial resources had become such as to enable him to make partial payment on a farm of eighty acres, in Hanover township. With characteristic energy he gave himself to the improving and general operations of the farm, which he eventually sold advantageously, and he has not only become an independent and successful agriculturist and stock-grower of the county but has also accumulated a fine landed estate of two hundred acres. He keeps the farm in the best of condition throughout, has erected good buildings to supplement those that were already on the property, and he orders with much circumspection and attendant success all branches of his farm enterprise, which includes diversified agriculture and the raising of cattle, swine and chickens of the best type- He gives special attention also to the raising of beans and has made this enterprise notable successful. A hard worker and a man of good judgment, he has achieved prosperity through his own endeavors and is one of the highly esteemed citizens of Hanover township. In politics he is independent of strict partisan lines, he has served as road overseer and as a member of the school board, and he and his wife are active communicants of the German Lutheran church.

In 1897 Mr. Gronewold wedded Miss Anna Gerdes, who was born in Germany, where her parents, John and Freda Gerdes, passed their entire lives. Mrs. Gronewold was fourteen years of age when she came to the United States in company with an uncle and her sister Tena. Mr. and Mrs. Gronewold have four children, all of whom remain at the parental home: Anna, Jennie, John, and Freda.

JAMES B. ZUVER, manager of the Farmers' Elevator Company at Adams, Gage county, is a native of this county, his birth having occurred in Hooker township, on March 11, 1871. His father, George W. Zuver, was born at Wooster, Ohio, December 6, 1846. When ten years of age George W. Zuver accompanied his parents, Solomon and Julia Zuver, to Iowa, and the home was established at Mason City, where Solomon Zuver conducted a hotel. George W. Zuver crossed the plains in 1864 and successfully engaged in mining in Idaho Territory. Returning to Iowa, Mr. Zuver was in business with his father until 1867, when he came to Nebraska and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land, on Section IS, Hooker township, Gage county. He was a successful farmer and one of the early settlers of Gage county, where he experienced the grasshopper scourge and other pioneer conditions. Mr. Zuver invested in land in Kansas and Missouri and for a time lived in each of these states. Returning to Gage county, he farmed until 1894, when he sold out and went to Louisiana. Ten months later he settled in Hall county, Nebraska. In 1909 Mr. Zuver moved to St. Paul, Nebraska, and after remaining there a short time he located at Geneva, Nebraska, where he now makes his home. In the year 1915 he lived at Beatrice.

The maiden name of the mother of James B. Zuver was Martha J- Hillman. She was born in Pennsylvania, January 5, 1850, a daughter of John and Eliza Jane Hillman, who came to Nebraska Territory in 1855 and established their home in Gage county. Here Mrs. Zuver was reared and educated under the condition of the early pioneer era. On June 5, 1870, in Hooker township, was solemnized her marriage to George W. Zuver and they now maintain their home at Geneva, Fillmore county, this state.

James B. Zuver is the oldest in a family of five children: Julia Bryson lives at Grand Island, Nebraska; Mrs. L. Dye resides at Le- Mars, Missouri, and Sarah and Clarence are with their parents at Geneva, Nebraska.

The subject of this record was reared on a farm in Gage county. He attended district school and supplemented this with a course in the Beatrice Business College, and the Lincoln Normal School. He graduated in the last named institution and taught school and farmed in Gage county until 1908, when he helped to organize the Farmers' Elevator Company at Adams, becoming president of that institution, and later being made manager, which position he now holds.

On October 18, 1894, Mr. Zuver was united in marriage to Miss Laura E. Jewell, a native of monmouth, Illinois, and a daughter of William and Emma (Wonderly) Jewell, who settled in Gage county, Nebraska, in 1877. The mother now makes her home at Adams. Mr. and Mrs. Zuver became the parents of nine children : Floyd S. is in the national army and is now located at Camp Cody, New Mexico, in the spring of 1918; Fern is deceased; Violet, Daisy, George, Orvil, and Myrtle remain at the parental home; and Pansy is deceased.

Mr. Zuver takes an active interest in the civic aiifairs of Adams, is chairman of the town council, and a member of the school board, and he is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Modern Woodmen of America.

THOMAS R. CALLAN is a well known hardware and implement dealer of Odell, Nebraska. Perhaps no other man coming to Odell in the early days has kept in such close personal touch with the farmers and the farming development of his community as has Thomas R. Callan. He came to Odell in the early '80s, when farming implements were of a different character and of less help to the farmer than the modern labor-saving machinery of to-day. The life story of a self-made man is always interesting, being ever an inspiration to the younger generation, who are by his example prompted to greater efforts and sacrifice to make good in their chosen work. It is fitting we should have the life story of this pioneer merchant, who has conducted a thriving and ever expanding hardware and implement business at Odell for the past thirty-five years.

Mr. Callan was born August 21, 1856, in Garrett county, Maryland, and is a son of John and Ellen (Hoflfman) Callan. John Callan was born in Ireland, received the education which his time and country afforded, and upon coming to the United States he settled in Maryland. He was employed as a collector and also became the editor of a local newspaper. When only thirty-two years of age he was taken away from his wife and family, his death having occurred in 1860. The maiden name of his wife was Ellen Hoffman. Five children came to bless their union. Ellen (Hoffman) Callan was born in 1838, in Maryland; after her husband's death she, with her family of small children, removed to Illinois, where in 1867, she became the wife of Samuel Stan- ton. He was a farmer and was born in Maryland. Four children were born to this union. Mrs. Ellen Stanton lived to a good old age, going to her reward in 1898- She was a faithful member of the Methodist church. Two sons, David Callan, living at Chicago, Illinois, and Thomas R., with whom this sketch directly deals, are the only children of the first marriage who survive her.

Thomas Callan was eleven years old, when he went with his mother to Illinois and located on his step-father's farm. He attended the rural schools of his district. In 1878 he entered the Northwestern College at Fulton, Illinois, and afterward he taught school for one term. He then worked as a farm hand for William Uhl, a hardware merchant. Mr. Uhl soon realized the aptitude of his young farm employe and soon had him back of his counter, selling hardware. This incident happened in 1880, in Dixon, Illinois, and was the turning point in Mr. Callan's life. He grasped opportunity to so great an extent that in 1883 he came to Odell, Nebraska, and opened a hardware business for himself. For virtually thirty-five years he has remained in the present location and successfully conducted his business.

Mr. Callan was married January 1, 1884, to Lillian Stitzel. Two sons and two daughters have come to bless this happy marriage. They have given their two sons, in the present national crisis, to aid in "making the world safe for democracy." The first born is John S., who was postmaster at Odell when he entered the nation's military service. He was located at Jackson, Florida, in the quartermaster's department of the United States Army, until he went with his command to France- Ruth is the wife of Vern Benson, of Sioux City, Iowa, her husband being a railroad mail clerk. Madge is a teacher at Tobias. Nebraska. Richard was at the Jackson (Florida) cantonment until he went with his regiment to France. These children all name Odell as their birthplace and have all received the advantages of the public schools of their native place. The mother of this interesting family. Lillian (Stitzel) Callan, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1858, and is a

In Paddock township Thomas Callan has a well improved farm of eighty acres, which he purchased in 1901. He has made various improvements on his farm setting out trees, etc.

In 1917 Mr. Callan erected at Odell a thoroughly modern automobile garage, in which he is able to meet the needs of his patrons. This electric-lighted, steam-heated building is fifty by one hundred feet in dimensions, and in the same are all the conveniences which modern science can give for the efficiency of motor-car service. Mr. Callan is the local agent for the well known Ford automobile. He has taken a more or less active interest in Democratic politics, and has served in municipal offices at Odell, as well as a member of the school board. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and his wife is an active member of the Christian church.

MARTIN E. KORS first came to the state of Nebraska in 1883, and for more than twenty years he has been one of the leading merchants and representative citizens of the Gage county metropolis- He has built up a large and prosperous grocery business, with an establishment of modern equipment and facilities, and the substantial and important business is now conducted under the firm title of M. L. Kors & Son.

Mr. Kors was born in Cass county, Illinois, November 11, 1848, and is a son of Henry F. and Margaret (Filiner) Kors, both natives of Germany. Henry F. Kors was born in the province of Hanover, Germany, December 31, 1804, his death having occurred in 1869. In 1836 he came to America and established his home in Illinois, and he invested in property in the now prosperous and vital little city of Beardstown, where his marriage was solemnized. He was a skilled workman at the trade of plasterer and followed the same in Illinois until his death. His first wife became the mother of four children, all of whom are now deceased, and of the seven children of his second marriage only two are now living, Martin L., of this review, and George E., a

Henry F. Kors aligned himself as a loyal supporter of the cause of the Republican party, was a man of strong- convictions and sterling character, and both he and his wife were earnest communicants of the Lutheran church.

Martin L,. Kors acquired his early education in the graded schools of Illinois, and as a youth he there served a thorough apprenticeship to the trade of tinsmith. As a skilled artisan he continued to follow his trade until 1877, and 1883 engag-ed in the tinner's business at Beatrice, in which city he had established his home that year. He has shown marked discrimination and progressiveness as a merchant. Efficiency of service and personal popularity having been the principal factors in insuring his success. His first store in Beatrice was established on the west side of the city, but he soon removed to the central retail district and since February 10, 1898, he has conducted his business at the present location, on Thirteenth and Court streets- In 1909 he admitted to partnership his son, Walter H., and since that time the enterprise has been conducted under the firm name of M. L. Kors & Son.

November 28, 1883, recorded the marriage of Mr. Kors to Miss Sophia M. Hackman, who was born and reared in Cass county, Illinois, a daughter of John F. Hackman, who was a native of Germany and became an early settler and prosperous farmer in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Kors have two children : Ethel M., who was graduated in the Beatrice high school in 1904, remains at the parental home and is a popular factor in the representative social activities of her home city, and Walter H., who is associated with his father in business, is more specifically mentioned in the following paragraph :

Walter H. Kors, junior member of the firm of M. L. Kors & Son, was born at Beatrice, February 14, 1887, and here received his early education in the public schools. As a youth he began to assist in the work of his father's store, in which he continued his activities as an efficient and popular salesman until he was admitted to partnership in the business, in 1909, since which time he has continued as his father's valued coadjutor in the management of the large and prosperous business. He is one of the progressive and public-spirited business men of the younger generation in Beatrice, has been a member of the city's volunteer fire department for fully fifteen years, is a Republican in politics, is affiliated with the Tribe of Ben Hur and he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1911 Mr. Kors wedded Miss Mamie Wolf, who was born in Blakely township, this county, where her parents, Marion F. and Lydia V. (Graves) Wolf, settled in the pioneer days. Mr. and Mrs. Kors have two children - Robert Walter, born December 12, 1912, and Lois Ethel, born November 7, 1913.

Martin L. Kors has not confined his sentiment and action to mere personal advancement but has at all times stood sponsor for civic loyalty and progressiveness. He has served three terms as a member of the county board of supervisors and for a long period of years as a valued member of the Beatrice board of education, of which he was president three terms. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, he is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and he and his family hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1905 Mr. Kors erected his beautiful and modern residence, on East Court street, and the same is a home known for its gracious hospitality and good cheer. The son, Walter H., likewise erected an attractive home, in 1911, and upon his marriage he and his wife there established their residence.

FRANK R. SHELLEY, who is now president and general manager of the Northwestern Business College, in the city of Beatrice, and whose vigorous and well ordered policies are greatly enhancing the usefulness of this excedent institution, is a scion, in the third generation, of one of the honored pioneer families of Gage county, where the paternal grandfather settled about five years prior to the admission of Nebraska to statehood. On other pages adequate review of the family history is given in the sketch dedicated to the late James W. Shelley, father of the subject of this article, and thus a repetition of the data is not here demanded.

Frank R. Shelley was born in Rockford township, this county, March 7, 1891, and is a son of James W. and Mary (Bailey) Shelley. His preliminary education was acquired in the district schools and thereafter, depending largely on himself to provide the necessary incidental expenses, he completed a course in the Beatrice high school, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1912. Ambitious and indefatigable as a student, Mr. Shelley later applied himself with characteristic diligence to regular courses of study in a leading correspondence school and he has carried his studies forward to the point where he is entitled to the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In this connection he studied both law and salesmanship, besides taking specific efficiency courses that have tended to mature his powers along constructive and executive lines. Mr. Shelley devoted one year to teaching district school and then became clerk in a grocery store. Finally he was made manager of a mercantile establishment at Tecumseh, Johnson county, and after his retirement from this position he became a salesman of memberships in the Northwestern Business College. After eighteen months of successful work in this capacity he purchased, in February, 1916, an interest in this excellent institution, which is incorporated under the laws of Nebraska and of which he has been president and general manager since April 1, 1917. The school had fallen somewhat below standard in its work and management when he assumed the management of its affairs and he has successfully applied his energies in bringing maximum efficiency into all departments of the school work, in making the institution a valuable adjunct to practical and effective educational work in this section of the state and in so exploiting the school as to gain to it a substantial and appreciative supporting patronage. In the college is retained a corps of well qualified instructors, the material facilities and general accessories are of the best standard, and Mr. Shelley has formulated and carried forward an advertising campaign that is resulting in greatly increasing the enrollment of students - of which department of the executive service he has had personal charge. An enthusiast in his work and in making his school a medium for practical education, the development of efficiency and the upbuilding of character, he has been instrumental in making the Northwestern Business College a prosperous and worthy institution. He is president also of Fairbury Business College, at Fairbury, Nebraska. A young man of vital energy and ambition, he recognizes no such word as failure, and in his present field of endeavor he has found ample scope for achievement of high value. In politics he is aligned in the ranks of the Republican party, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Shelley is now (spring of 1918) in the government employ at Waco, Texas, where he is serving as a clerk in the aviation corps.

January 31, 1917, recorded the marriage of Mr. Shelley to Miss Eva L. Knox, daughter of C. D. Knox, of this county, and they are popular figures in the representative social life of the Gage county metropolis.

PETER E. BENSON. - In Greek mythology the Fates are three goddesses who are supposed to influence the destinies of men. One goddess draws out the threads of life, the second weaves the dark and light threads, and the third takes her shears and clips off the ends. There would seem to be a grain of truth in this superstitution as we look at the warp and woof in the lives of men. It looks as though fate rather than self had made us the individuals we are. But, nevertheless, we are confronted by the fact that we are the creatures of chance, in that other individual lives have influenced our own. Their actions have had much to do with ours and Mr. Peter F. Benson is confronted with the fact that his living in this land of opportunity is an attendant result of his brother, Fred Benson, having immigrated to this country some years previously. To speak in a chronological manner, Peter E. Benson was born in Denmark, April 10, 1848, and is the son of Neils and Mary Benson. Neils Benson was born January 21, 1804, and taught school in his native land; his death occurred in March, 1888- His wife was born February 24, 1819, and died in 1904. They were the parents of twelve children, four of whom make their home in their native land, the others are deceased with the exception of Peter E. Benson, of this sketch.

In 1868 Fred Benson, the brother of Peter, left his native land and came to the United States. He worked as a laborer for some time and in 1878 he came to Gage county, Nebraska, and purchased land. Here he remained until his death, in 1892. As stated above, the coming of Mr. Benson's brother to the United States had much to do with his decision to come also. When he came, in 1872, he landed in New Jersey, where he was employed in a brickyard; from 1874 to 1875 he worked in the South Manchester silk mills, in Connecticut, and he then went to Ohio, where he worked as a farm hand.

September 25, 1875, in Cleveland, Ohio, Peter Benson married Anna Peterson. This marriage was the culmination of a romance started while Mr. Benson was working in New Jersey. His wife is a native of Dfenmark, born November 3, ,1852, and upon coming to this country she settled in New Jersey, her mother joining her after a few years.

After the marriage of these young people they moved to Clinton county, Iowa, where Mr. Benson was employed in a saw mill. After ten years of residence there he came to Gage county and rented the present farm from his brother Fred. After his brother's death, the property became his own and he has continued to do a general farming business. Nine ' children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Benson, five of whom are living: Anna M., is a school teacher at Columbus, Nebraska ; she was educated in the high school of Odell and the Peru Normal- Charles E., sociological examiner in the service of United States, is located at Camp Greenleaf, Georgia. He was at one time professor of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, schools and of the high school of Kearney, Nebraska. His education was received at the Nebraska State University and the Nebraska State Normal School at Peru. He is married to Miss Lulu Linder, of Upland, Nebraska. The next child is Rosa C, wife of John E. Hayworth, living at Omaha, Nebraska. Amelia is the wife of Fisher Musser, living at Fairbury, Nebraska. Fred C, a teacher, remains at the parental home. Mr. Benson has given his children the best of educational advantages and they are taking their places in the world's work in a highly satisfactory manner.

Mr. Benson in politics is an independent Republican. He has never sought any political honors, being content to devote his time to his home and family.

ALDEN C. BRADLEY. - In the city of Beatrice, the attractive metropolis and judicial center of Gage county, a portion of which municipality occupies land once owned by his father, Mr. Bradley is giving efficient service as a mail carrier, and he is one of the well known and distinctly popular citizens of the county that has represented his home since he was a lad of twelve years.

Mr. Bradley was born in LaPorte county, Indiana, on the 6th of January, 1860, and is a son of Taylor and Emily C. Bradley, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Indiana, where her parents settled in the pioneer period of the history of the fine old Hoosier commonwealth. In Indiana, Taylor Bradley continued to be associated with agricultural industry until 1864, when he came with his family to the west and became one of the early pioneer settlers of Nebraska Territory. He established his home in the village of Fort Calhoun, Washington county, where he continued his activities as a miller until 1873. He then removed to Gage county, where he obtained a tract of land and instituted the reclamation and development of a farm. He was successful in his activities during the passing years and a portion of the land once owned by him is now included within the corporate limits of the city of Beatrice, as previously stated in this context. Both he and his wife continued their residence in Gage county until their death, and their names merit place ori the

Alden C. Bradley was but four years of age at the time of the family removal to Nebraska Territory, and thus he early gained experience in connection with the conditions and influences of the pioneer days. His youthful education was acquired in the schools of Washington and Gage counties, and he continued his allegiance to the great fundamental industry of agriculture until 1895, when he assumed a clerical position in the postoflfice at Beatrice. His service in connection with the - local postoffice administration has continued during the long intervening period of nearly a quarter of a century and since 1895 he has been one of the most popular members of the force of city mail carriers, his circle of friends in Gage county being coincident with that of his acquaintances.

Mr. Bradley gives his political allegiance to the Republican party, he and his wife hold membership in the Congregational churchy and he maintains active affiliation with the Royal Highlanders, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Fraternal Aid Union. Mr. Bradley has seen Beatrice develop from a mere frontier village into a progressive and attractive city with metropolitan facilities and beautiful homes. He and his wife have no children but their pleasant home is known for its gracious hospitality, which is generously extended to friends both old and young.

In the year 1887 Mr. Bradley wedded Miss Alice Herron, who was born in Iowa, and who was a girl when she came with her parents to Oage county, where her marriage was solemnized and where she is popular in the social circles of her home city.

CHARLES O. GUDTNER- - The vigorous and productive industry that is the normal forerunner of worthy success has been significantly exemplified in the career of this sterling citizen of Beatrice, where he conducts the largest and most effectively equipped blacksmith and repair shop in the city and where he has brought its efficiency of service up to such a high standard that he receives a most substantial and representative supporting patronage, his establishment having the best of facilities for the handling of general repair work on wagons, carriages, and automobiles, as well as those requisite to the other phases of expert blacksmith work.

Mr- Gudtner was born at Elmwood, Peoria county, Illinois, on the 6th of July, 1863, and is a son of David and Sarah (Robey) Gudtner, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and the latter at Hagerstown, Wayne county, Indiana, in which state their marriage was solemnized. David Gudtner, a skilled blacksmith and wagonmaker by trade, came with his family to Nebraska in 1870 and became one of the pioneer exponents of his sturdy vocation at Beatrice, which was then a small village. On his arrival in the future metropolis of Gage county he made provision for the temporary domiciling of the family by establishing a camp on the present site of the Union Pacific Railroad station, and this continued to be the family abiding place until he could provide a house. For a time Mr. Gudtner was here employed at his trade in the shop of a man named Snow, and as soon as it became expedient he established a shop of his own. He developed a substantial business as a pioneer blacksmith and wagonmaker in this section of the state, his skill insuring at aHl times the best type of workmanship and his policies being such as to gain to him unqualified popular confidence and esteem. He was earnest and liberal as a citizen and his abiding human sympathy caused him to aid in charitable and benevolent movements, as well as to assist in an individual way those who were less fortunate in life. He was a stalwart advocate of the principles of the Republican party, was long and actively affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and both he and his wife were zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a member of a family that was founded in America many generations ago and was a scion of sturdy Holland Dutch stock. He and his devoted wife continued their residence in Beatrice until their death, he having passed away about the year 1905 and she in 1908, their names meriting a place of honor on the roll of the sterling pioneers of Gage county, where they lived and labored to goodly ends. Of their nine children five are now living, namely : Mary, who is the widow of George Metzger and maintains her home at Beatrice ; Jennie, who is the wife of Albert Sponsler, of San Francisco, California; Charles O., who is the immediate subject of this sketch ; Nellie, who is the wife of James McMahill, of San Fancisco, California; and George, who resides at Long Beach, that state.

Charles O. Gudtner was a boy of about seven years at the time of the family removal to Gage county, and he is indebted to the pioneer schools of Beatrice for his early educational training. Here as a youth he learned the blacksmith trade by serving a through apprenticeship in the shop conducted by George Metzger, at the corner of Sixth and Court streets. In 1887 he went to Sheridan county, Kansas, where he took up a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres, established a modest bachelor's home on the place and instituted its reclamation and improvement. He remained on his Kansas claim until he had perfected his title thereto, and later he sold the property in an advantageous way. In 1892 Mr. Gudtner returned to Beatrice and resumed the work of his trade. His capitalistic investment in opening his shop was only eightyfive dollars and though the city had at the time thirteen other blacksmith shops he had gained reputation for skill in his vocation and was so well and favorably known in the county that he soon developed a prosperous business. He now has the largest blacksmithing establishment in the city and in the same gives employment to a corps of seven efficient assistants - a condition that indicates the broad scope and relative importance of his well ordered industrial enterprise-

As a man of indefatigable industry and progressive ideas, Mr. Gudtner has achieved substantial success in business, the while he has exemplified the civic loyalty that denotes the ideal citizen, his political allegiance being given to the Republican party.

born and reared in Kansas, a representative of one of the pioneer families of the Sunflower state, and they have one son, Frederick, who is now actively associated with his father's business enterprise and who is well upholding the family prestige for skill in the work of the blacksmith trade.

SAMUEL S. PHEASANT, who is the owner of a valuable landed estate of four hundred acres in Gage county, as well as the old homestead farm upon which he was reared and on which he now resides, in Section 1, Jefferson township, Jefferson county, is a representative of one of the well known territorial pioneer families of southeastern Nebraska, and his association with Gage county is such as fully to justify his recognition in this history, his home farm being nine miles distant from Beatrice, from which city he receives service on rural mail route No. 1. Mr. Pheasant was bom in Benton county, Iowa, September 15, 1859, and was about seven years old when, in 1866, his parents came to Nebraska territory and established their home on the farm which is his present place of residence. He is a son of Edwin and Isabel (Garton) Pheasant, the former of whom was born in New York city, January 10, 1820, and the latter of whom was born in Indiana, their marriage having been solemnized in the state of Illinois, in 1845. As a boy Edwin Pheasant found employment in the factory of his uncle, James Watson, who was engaged in manufacturing wooden pumps in the state of New York, and in 1835 he accompanied his uncle to Illinois, where he became associated with the latter in farm enterprise and where he was reared to manhood under the conditions marking the pioneer period of the history of that state. After his marriage he there engaged in farming in an independent way, but a few years later he removed with his family to Iowa and became one of the pioneers of Benton county. There he continued his active association with farm enterprise for fourteen years, and on the 14th of June, 1866, he and his family arrived at Beatrice, Nebraska Territory. In the . following September the f am- ily removed to the tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land which he. had secured in Section 1, Jefferson township, Jefferson county, just over the line from Gage county. Later he added to this estate by the purchasing of eighty acres in Section 5, Lincoln township, Gage county, and with the passing years his well ordered industry was crowned with substantial success, involving the development of one of the valuable farm properties of this section of the state. Edwin Pheasant remained on his old homestead until his death, which occurred October 14, 1898, his wife having passed away in June, 1896, and both having been earnest members of the Primitive Church of Christ. They were charter members of the Christian church at Beatrice. Of their children the subject of this review is the youngest, and concerning the others the following brief data are available : Ellen, who became the wife of A. R. Francis, is deceased, as are also James and John ; Mary is the wife of James McNeen, of La Junta, Colorado; Laura became the wife of J. G. Lawrence and was a resident of Beatrice, Nebraska, at the time of her death, which occurred October 27, 1917.

Samuel S. Pheasant was seven years old when he gained his initial experience in connection with pioneer farm enterprise on the homestead which is now his place of abode, and his early education was acquired in the pioneer schools of Jefferson county. He has had no inclination to sever his allegiance to the fundamental industries of agriculture and stdck-growing in his mature years and through the medium thereof has achieved large and worthy success. The homestead on which he lives and which is modern in all of its improvements, comprises one hundred and sixty acres, and the remainder of his large landed estate, of about four hundred and sixty acres, is in Lincoln township. Gage county. Mr. Pheasant has exemplified the utmost progressiveness as a citizen and man of affairs and while he has had no desire for political preferment he gives staunch allegiance to the Republican party, both he and his wife being

In January, 1884, Mr. Pheasant wedded Miss Eugenia Pittinger, daughter of Benjamin F. and Amanda (Holeman) Pittinger, who established their home in Gage county in 1874 and who here passed the residue of their lives. Mrs. Pheasant was summoned to the life eternal on the 30th of October, 1895, and is survived by three children : Guy L. is one of the progressive young farmers of Lincoln township. Gage county, and on the 19th of October, 1910, he wedded Miss Mary E. Mc- Clure, daughter of James L. and Lucy (Mc- Michael) McClure, of Gage county, the one child of this union being Harold E. ; Mary is the wife of Floyd L. Marco, of Beatrice; and Samuel E. remains at the paternal home.

June 18, 1897, recorded the marriage of Mr. Pheasant to Miss Rhoda Potts, daughter of Jonathan J. and Elizabeth Potts, who settled in Jefferson county, Nebraska, in 1866, Mr. Potts having previously served as a valiant soldier of the Union in the Civil war. Of the second marriage of Mr. Pheasant no children have been bom.

ALBERT KUHLMANN. - The melting pot of America has been receiving immigrants from every country in the world and is turning out a new nationality - the American He is endowed with the industry of the German, the stolidness of the Scotch, the wit of the Irishman, the idealism of the Italian, the orientalism of the Jap and the stubborness and frankness of the English. Such a combination will conquer the world through love and justice. Albert Kuhlmann is a native of Germany - the great empire that has poured so many of its sons into the great melting pot of America to form a new nation. His father and mother, Ernest and Sophia (Jordan) Kuhlmann were born in Germany and immigrated to this country in their early married life, when Albert Kuhlmann, who was born January 15, 1874, was just a tiny baby in arms. Ernest Kulhmann was born August 25, 1846, in Hanover, Germany, and upon his arrival in America he settled in Illinois. Later he moved to Missouri, and in 1881 he came to Richardson county, Nebraska, where he purchased land in Barada township and where he is still continuing his farming operations. His wife, Mrs. Sophia Kuhlmann, was born May 19, 1849, and passed away Diecember 26, 1893. They were the parents of the following children, all of whom were born in this country with the exception of the oldest, Albert, with whom this sketch deals ; Emma, is the wife of Otto Scharinghausen of Jansen, Nebraska ; and Henry resides in Richardson county, Nebraska- Three more children were born, but are deceased.

Albert Kuhlmann was educated in the rural schools of Barada township, Richardson county and after choosing his life vocation and working for himself, he continued his allegiance to farm industry. He married Sophia Hartman, February 3, 1898. Mrs. Kuhlmann was born in Barada township, Richardson county, December 20, 1877. Her parents, Leopold and Sophia (Gretchmann) Hartman were of German birth and lineage. They came to Nebraska and the father became a prosperous farmer in Richardson county. Both are now deceased. They were the parents of eleven children.

Six children have come to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Kuhlmann - Edward, Minnie, Emma, Amanda, Alvin, and Elsie. All are at the parental home and are receiving proper education to fit them to take their share in the world's work and enrich the civic and social life by their good works.

The poHtics of Mr. Kuhlmann are of the independent Republican order. He has served on the school board of District No. 130, for eleven years.

In 1904 Mr. Kuhlmann, his wife and family came to Gage county, where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, in Glenwood township. He has made improvements on the farm buildings for the better conducting of his farming work. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church-

PERCY J. SMETHERS, a representative retired farmer now residing in the city of Beatrice, established his home in Gage county forty years ago and through his energy and progressiveness he developed and improved one of the fine farm estates of Glenwood township. He was born in Lee county, Illinois, on the 30th of September, 1856, and is a son of Josiah and Mary (Hill) Smethers, who were born and reared in Pennsylvania and who came to Gage county, Nebiraska, in 1878, the father taking up a tract of land on the Otoe Indian reservation and having reclaimed the same into a productive farm. Upon his retirement from the farm he established his home in the village of Lanham, this county, and there he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives, honored as sterling pioneer citizens of the county. Of their eight children five are living: Cinderella is the wife of B. C. Burkett, a retired farmer residing in the village of Odell, this county; Percy J-, of this review, is the next younger; Harvey M. is, prominently indentified with mercantile enterprise in the city of Beatrice ; James is employed as .a skilled iron worker in the same city; and Oscar Leon resides in Wyoming. The father was a Democrat in politics and he and his wife were consistent members of the English Lutheran church. Their marriage was solemnized in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, and in 1853 they immigrated to Lee county, Illinois, where they continued to reside until their removal to Nebraska, as already noted.

Percy J. Smethers acquired his early education in the public schools of his native county and was twenty-two years of age when he accompanied his parents to Nebraska, in 1878, On the Otoe Indian reservation, in what is now Glenwood township, Gage county, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, and here he reclaimed and developed the fine farm on which he continued to reside for thirty-one years. His original house was little more than a hut, and was built at a cost of forty-five dollars, and this constituted the family home for seven years. He then erected a substantial and commodious farm house, and he also erected other good buildings on his homestead. In buying his original farm Mr. Smethers paid for the same at the rate of three and one-half dollars an acre. In 1909 he sold the property for one hundred dollars an acre. As a farmer l:e gave his attention to diversified agriculture and the raising of good live stock, besides developing a prosperous dairying business. Upon selling his old homestead he purchased forty acres of land lying adjacent to the city of Beatrice, and in the spring of 1917 he sold this property for two hundred and fifty dollars an acre- He still owns a well improved farm of eighty acres in Glenwood township.

In 1877 Mr. Smethers wedded Miss Mary Uhl, who was born in Lee county, Illinois, June 17, 1857, a daughter of the late Hiram and Margaret (Wilhelm) Uhl, the latter of whom died in 1858, and two of her four children are still living. Mr. Uhl ultimately contracted a second marriage, when Nancy Hughes became his wife, and of this union were born four children. Concerning the children of Mr. and Mrs. Smethers the following brief record is given : Nettie is the wife of W. A. Seitz and they reside in the state of Montana ; Elroy resides in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska; Maevi became the wife of Horace Loeber, who passed away November 26, 1917.

Mr. and Mrs. Smethers are earnest and zealous members of the Christian church and he is a valued member of the church choir. In politics he gives his support to the cause of the Democratic party and while residing on his farm he served for several years as township clerk.