Gage County, Nebraska - Chapter 31: People Who Have Done Their Part in Making Gage County, 1918 (part 19 of 29)

In politics Mr. Jewell is unfaltering in his allegience to the Republican party, and in a fraternal way he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Royal Highlanders, and the Royal Neighbors, his wife likewise being identified with the two last mentioned organizations, and they are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

IRA BOYD. - The cost of production of those commodities raised on a farm, due to the price of land, cost of labor and machinery, etc., requires that the successful farmer of today must possess business ability as definitely as must the merchant or banker. The farmer who makes use of the best methods of tilling the soil or who seeks to improve the grade of live stock raised on his farm, not only assures himself better returns for his own time and investment but becomes a public benefactor in his community.

One of the younger farmers and stockmen of Gage county who is demonstrating his ability as a business man is Ira Boyd, owning and operating a tract of one hundred acres in section 21, Sherman township.

He is a native of Iowa, born in Linn county, October 19, 1880, a son of Otho Boyd, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Remaining on the home farm, he assisted in its operation, and was assisted by his father in purchasing the one hundred and twenty acres which he has operated for several years. He has erected a splendid set of buildings on the place, making it one of the best in the township. Aside from the cultivation of those crops best adapted to the soil and climate he makes a specialty of raising pure-blooded Red Polled cattle, Percheron horses and Duroc- Jersey hogs, from the sale of which he adds materially to his income. He is deserving of much credit for the effort displayed to raise the standard of live stock in his county.

the; parents of five cliildren: Ruth, Delmar, Walter, Elva and Allen. The family are members of the Dunkard church and in politics Mr. Boyd is a Republican.

JOHN E. REMMERS. - There have beeii many who have achieved substantial success in connection with farm industry in Gage county, but few have won more noteworthy success through this basic medium than has John E. Remmers, who is still the owner of nine hundred acres of well improved and valuable land in the county, though he is now living practically retired and in the enjoyment of the gracious rewards that have attended his earnest and well directed endeavors in the past. Since the spring of 1918 he has maintained his residence in Eincoln, the beautiful capital city of Nebraska, where his home is at No. 2054 South Seventeenth street.

Mr. Remmers was born in the province of Hanover, Germany, on the 6th of November, 1850, and is a son of John and Katherine Remmers, of whom specific mention is made on other pages of this work, in the sketch dedicated to Thomas Remmers, of Beatrice. John E. Remmers acquired his early education in his native land and was about seventeen years of age when, in 1868, he accompanied his parents on their immigration to America. After remaining a few months in Illinois the family came to Nebraska, before the close of the year 1868, and in the new state John Remmers established himself as a pioneer of Gage county. He became one of the representative farmers of Hanover township, and on the old home farm John E. Remmers gave vigorous aid- in the work of reclamation and development, besides which he attended for a time a pioneer school conducted in a rude dug-out structure in Logan township. He remained at the parental home until the autumn of 1871, when he filed chim to a homestead of eighty acres in Nemaha township. On this property he made the best of improvements and after developing the place 'nto a productive farm he finally exchanged the property for a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Section 12 of the same township.

In 1890 he remove^ to section ,11, of that township, where he erected a commodious ; and modern house, a good barn and other farm buildings. Here he continued to give his personal attention to his extensive farm enterprise until 1911, when he laid aside to a large degree the labors that has long been his portion, and shifted the responsibilities upon younger shoulders. ,He was distinctly successful in his activities as a vital exponent of agricultural and live-stock industry and, as previously noted, he is to-day the owner of a valuable landed estate of nine hundred acres in the county which claims him as one of its steriing pioneers. He was loyal and progressive as a citizen during the entire period of his residence in Gage county, served three years as assessor of Nemaha township, and was always ready to give his support to measures and enterprises tending to advance the communal welfare. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party and he and his family are earnest communicants of the Lutheran church.

September 18, 1878, recorded the marriage of Mr. Remmers to Miss Rena Steinmann, who was born in the state of IlHnois, on tfie 10th of February, 1859. Her parents, Henry and Rachel (Yelken) Steinmann, were natives of Germany but their marriage was. solemnized in the state of Ilhnois. Henry Steinmann immigrated to America about the year 1845 and established his residence in Illinois. There he remained until 1864, when he came with his family to Nebraska Territory and became one of the early settlers of Nemaha county. He was a man of superior education and marked progressiveness, so that he became influential in civic affairs in the pioneer period of Nebraska history. He assisted in the organization and initial development of the city of Lincoln, and there aided in selecting the site of the state's capitol building. He and his wife became the parents oi nine children, of whom seven are Hving, and by a previous marriage Mrs. Steinmann was the mother of three children. Mr. Steinmann died in the year 1890, at the age of seventytwo years, and his venerable widow, who celebrated in 1917 the eighty-fifth anniversary of her birth, now resides in the home of her daughter Rena, wife of the subject of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Remmers are the parents of three children : Catherine remains at the parental home; Henry is a prosperous farmer in Section 12, Nemaha township. Gage county ; and Mary L. is the wife of Frank F. Pape, a farmer in Section 7, Nemaha township, this county.

GEORGE T. MITCHELL. - A resident of Gage county for thirty-nine years, George T. Mitchell now lives retired in a comfortable home in Wymore. He was born at Leslie, Michigan, June 30, 1855. His parents, Elisha and Elizabeth (Roberts) Mitchell, were natives of New York and England respectively. They were married in Michigan, where the father had gone when a young man, and to that state the mother was brought by her parents when she was a little girl. In the Wolverine state they made their home until 1876, when they became residents of Adair county, Iowa, and there they both passed away, he having reached the age of eighty-two years and his wife having been ninety-five years of age when she was called to her final rest.

In the common schools of Michigan and Iowa George T. Mitchell received his youthful education and he was reared to the sturdy discipline of the farm. When he reached manhood he became a farmer on his own account, in Adams county, Iowa. In 1881 he came, in a "prairie schooner," to Nebraska, with Gage county as his destination. He purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Section 33, Barneston township, this tract being in the Otoe Indian reservation, which had been opened up for settlement only a few years before. His first home was a sod house; in which he lived for two years, and during the first year he kept "bachelor's hall." He later added forty acres to his holdings, and for fourteen years he was successfully engaged in developing and cultivating this farm. He then sold the property and purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Section 1 of the same township. Here for twenty years he devoted his time and energies to general farming and stock-raising. For the past nine years he has lived retired, although he states that he would like to be back on the farrn and be "one of the boys."

In Gage county was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Mitchell and Miss Martha With, a native of Maryland and a daughter of John and Sarah (Clark) With. The parents of Mrs. Mitchell were natives of Maryland and became early settlers of Bureau county, Illinois. In the fall of 1880 they came to Gage county, Nebraska,, and settled in Paddock township, where they passed the remainder of theit lives.

Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell became the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living, as follows : Bert, who married Mabel Conover, is a farmer in Barneston township; George, who married Maggie Noe, likewise is a farmer in Barneston township; Ora, who married Ida Yaney, is farming in the state of Kansas ; Lizzie is the wife of Elza Hollingsworth, of Wymore, Nebraska; Walter, who married Zula Yaney, is a farmer in Kansas; Maude, is the wife of Will Jones, a merchant of Wymore; and Miss Myrtle is still at the parental home.

Mr. Mitchell exercises his right of franchise in support of men and measures of the Republican party. While on the farm he rendered efficient service as a member of the school board and also as treasurer of his township. Fraternally he is affiliated with Barneston Lodge No. 165, A. F. & A. M. As an early settler and one who has contributed his full share to the development and progress of Gage county, Mr. Mitchell is entitled to much credit, the while he deserves the success that has come to him.

DANIEL GOODMAN. - On the rolls of noble citizens of Gage county, Nebraska, and honored veterans of the Civil war, mention must be made of Daniel Goodman.

A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Goodman was born in Northumberland county, on the 1st of April, 1847. His parents, Daniel and Catherine (Wagner) Goodman, likewise were natives of Pennsylvania, and they spent their entire lives in the old Keystone state. They reared a family of fourteen children - ten sons and four daughters. Daniel Goodman spent his boyhood days on a farm in his native county, and though he was only a boy when the storm of civil war burst upon the nation, his patriotism was aroused and he displayed his loyalty by enlisting, in February, 1863, in Company I, Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. His regiment participated in the battles of Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania Court House, Winchester, and other engagements, the last days of his service being around Petersburg. When success crowned the Union arms he was one of those who marched in the Grand Review at Washington, the greatest military pageant ever witnessed on the western hemisphere. When his nation no longer needed his services, Mr. Goodman went to Stephenson county, Illinois, and turned his energies to the more peaceful occupation of farming. Seeking better opportunities, he came to Nebraska in 1874, and settled in Otoe county. Here the grasshoppers took his crop, and he returned to Illinois, where he lived for several years. In; 1891, Mr. Goodman again came to Nebraska, and at this time he settled in Adams townshib, Gage county. Five years later he moved to 'another farm, in Section 3, that township, and! here he successfully carried on farm enterprise until his death, which occurred February 22, 1911.

On February 1, 1881, at Freeport, Illinois, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Goodman to Miss Emma Reed, who was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Henry) Reed, likewise natives of Pennsylvania. ' Mrs. Goodman's parents spent their last days in Otoe county, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Goodman became the parents of one daughter, Essie, wife of O. W. Vanderpool, who resides on the Goodman farm. They are the parents of four children: Emma Goldie, Maude Annette, Nada Irene, and Russell Oyd.

Mr. Goodman was always a staunch Republican, and he was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to Sergeant Cox Post, No. 100, at Adams, this county.

He was a good citizen, a loving husband and father, and was always as faithful in the days of peace as when he loyally served his country on the battlefields of the South.

RAYMOND WEINER. - Among the many Bohemian farmers who have settled in Gage county and have become successful farmers, Raymond Weiner must be mentioned. Bohemia, the land of his birth, is one of the prominent Slavonic countries of Europe, and had a university, at Prague, as early as 1348. While its civilization is old and mature, its internal and external strife for liberty has kept the common people from enjoying the advantages which are given to the people of the United States. It is, perhaps, because of these reasons that so many of Bohemia's sons, have immigrated to this country. Raymond Weiner was born in 1857, a son of William and Frances (Bartershesky) Weiner, whowere well-to-do farmers of their native Bohemia. Their three sturdy sons were born in Bohemia and received their education there. William Weiner immigrated with his family to this country in 1875, and they settled at Wilber, Saline county, Nebraska. Two years later they came to Sicily township. Gage county, and their earnings which they brought with them they invested in four hundred and! eighty acres of land. After the death of William Weiner, in 1907, this land was divided between his three sons, - William, Jr., wh& died in December, 1917, was at the time a retired farmer; Raymond is the subject of this sketch; and Edward died in 1915.

Raymond Weiner, with his original one hundred and sixty acres of land as a nucleus around which to acquire more land, has added to his holdings until he now owns six hundred! and forty acres of land. His three oldest sons each has one hundred and twenty acres and isfarming the same.

In 1885 Raymond Weiner and Anna Cack were joined in holy wedlock. Mrs. Weiner was born in Michigan, and is a daughter oi Bohemian parents, Joseph and Anna (Jepla) Cack. Joseph Cack was a native of Bohemian and was farming in Michigan before his ar- rival in Gage county, in 1873. In his early manhood he served in the Bohemian navy and in after years, when prosperity had smiled upon him, the longing to visit to his old home was so insistent that he returned to Bohemia. There he was called to his last home, never returning to the land of his adoption. He was ninety-one years of age.

Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Weiner: Raymond, Jr., Joe and John are each farming one hundred and twenty acres of land in Sicily township, these farms having been received from their father ; and Frank, Willie, Mary, Anna, Bessie and Francis are still under the parental roof and enjoying educational privileges that shall fit them for their future work.

For forty years Mr. Weiner has dealt extensively in cattle, feeding and raising them in great lots, and he has been very successful in his farm enterprise. His home and the buildings that adorn his land, radiate the prosperity and taste of their owner, not alone in an ornamental but also in a useful way. All this shows the long years of hard labor expended in accumulating this property, which is a monument to Mr. Weiner's thorough devotion to his work.

FRANCIS M. CHAMP. - The late Francis Marion Champ, who became one of the substantial framers and highly esteemed citizens Gage county, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, on the 26th of August, 1849, and was -one of the seven children of John and Sarah Ann (Hobbs) Champ. He was seven years age at the time of his parents' removal to Champaign county, Illinois, where his father engaged in farm enterprise. In that county Francis M. Champ was reared and educated -and there he continued to be associated in the "work of the home farm until the time of his marriage, in 1873. It was during the '80s that Nebraska lands were fast being settled by men coming from Illinois and other states, and a most valuable contribution to the settlement of the state in that period was that given by Illinois. In 1885 Mr. Champ came with his family to Gage county and rented land in Paddock township, where the passing years brought prosperity to him in connection with his well ordered farm enterprise. In 1901 he purchased eighty-three acres of land in that township, and here he continued to reside until his death, which occurred March 27, 1917. At the time when Mr. Champ purchased this farm only a portion of the same was available for cultivation and no definite improvements had been made in the matter of buildings. With characteristic energy and good judgment he brought every acre under effective cultivation and productiveness, besides which he made all requisite improvements on the place, the same continuing as the residence of his widow.

In politics Mr. Champ customarily supported the candidates of the Republican party, and for some time he served as assessor of his township. He was a man of sterling character and commanded the unquaHfited esteem of all who knew him. Mr. Champ maintained active affiliation with the Knights & Ladies of Security, and of this organization his widow also is a member.

In the year 1873 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Champ to Miss Ruth Ann Duvall, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on the 2d of March, 1852, and who was the third in order of birth of the eight children of Isaac and Sarah Ann (Long) Duvall. In 1858, when Mrs. Champ was six years of age, her parents removed to Illinois, where the father became a prosperous farmer. In the concluding paragraph of this memoir is entered brief record concerning the children ol Mr. and Mrs. Champ.

Cora B., who became the wife of George F. Wierman, is deceased and her daughter Eva now resides in the home of her maternal grandmother, Mrs. Champ; Annaretta became the wife of Charles Bell and she likewise has passed to the life eternal; William N. remains with his widowed mother and has active management of the farm; George resides near Diller, this state ; Lewis is a farmer in Paddock township; Grace is the wife of Burrell M. Ellis, of Paddock township ; Logan is a resident of the state of Wyoming; and

JOHN D. S'CHOCK. - One of the finest homes in Blue Springs is that of John D. Schock, who is now living in honorable retirement. Mr. Schock was born in Seneca county, Ohio, September 25, 1849. His father, George Schock, was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, in 1819, and when a young man he learned the carpenter's trade. He became an early settler of Seneca county, Ohio, near the town of Bellevue. There he bought land and became a successful farmer. He continued his residence in S'ene:a county until 1872, when he sold his property there and bought a farm in St. Joseph county, Michigan, near Three Rivers. This latter farm was the stage of his endeavors until he retired from active life. In 1900 he became a resident of Blue Springs, Nebraska, where his last days were spent and where he had often visited his sons, the latter having lived in Gage county for a number of years. The grandfather of our subject was John Schock, a native of Union county, Pennsylvania, born about 1778. In 1815 John Schock became one of the pioneer settlers of Seneca county, Ohio. The maiden name of the mother of the subject of this review was Lucy A. Ware. She was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and in 1814, when ten years of age, accompanied her parents to Seneca county, Ohio. There she was reared to adult age and there she met and married George Schock. She accompanied her husband on the removal to Michigan and later to Gage county, her death occurring at Blue Springs.

John D. Schock was reared on a farm in Seneca county, Ohio, and when a boy of nineteen he came to Nebraska for the benefit of his health. He here employed himself at anything he could find to do, and one of the first jobs he found was helping to dig the mill race for the first dam built on the Blue river at Blue Springs. He thereafter secured three yokes of open and engaged in breaking prairie. Though only a poor boy, working by day and month, he donated twenty-five dollars toward building the first Methodist church at Beatrice, besides which he secured the' contract for hauling material used in the erecting of that church. He was not old enough to take a homestead but he purchased a land warrant held by a soldier of the war of 1812. On this land he erected a one-story frame house fourteen by twenty-two feet in dimensions, and there he engaged in farming. When the town of Wymore was founded he gave the undivided one-half of forty acres to start the town, and some of the finest residences as well as some of the business blocks of Wymore are on the land where he once carried on farming pursuits. In 1881 he sold the remainder of his one hundred and sirty acres to the Lincoln Land Company. In the same year he purchased a farm in Blue Springs township, and here he continued to be successfully engaged in farming until 1901, when he sold the property. After a year spent in traveling he erected his present residence in Blue Springs, where he now lives in the enjoyment of well earned rest and comfort.

In 1873 Mr. Schock returned to Ohio and was united in marriage to Miss Susan B. Suavely, a native of Lebanon county, Pennsylvania. They have become the parents of six children, two of whom are living : Charles W., who as a young man manifested unusual mechanical talent and who is now engaged in the manufacture of special machinery, electrical instruments, etc., is married and resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota ; Hettie Maude is the widow of Frank Rieff, residing in Beatrice.

In point of continuous residence few men in the south-central part of the county have been here longer than Mr. Schock. Blue Springs contained three log cabins when he arrived. His first home in the county is still doing service as a residence and the cellar hebricked up more than forty-five years ago is still in service.

Mr. Schock was a Republican for many years, but he voted for Woodrow Wilson twice and hopes to do so again. He has never aspired to nor held public office. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers' Elevator- Company of Blue Springs, served as its treas- urer ten years, and was the main factor in organizing the Gage County Insurance Company, several years ago. Coming to Gage county when pioneer conditions were to be seen on every hand, he has contributed his full share toward bringing about present-day conditions, and in his ventures he has been successful, justly deserving to spend his declining years in the enjoyment of a well earned rest.

CHRISTIANAS E. HUTCHINSON. - Industry and intelligently directed effort in past years make it possible for the subject of this record to live retired, surrounded by all the necessities and many of the comforts and luxuries of life. A native of Pennsylvania, Christianas Lupardus Hutchinson was born in Berks county, June 5, 1854, a son of John S. and Sarah (Van Hart) Hutchinson. John S. Hutchinson, who was a native of New York state and of English parentage, was left an orphan when a child. He grew to manhood in his native state and as a young man he married Miss Sarah Van Hart, who was born in New Jersey of Holland Dutch descent. In 1856 Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson immigrated to Illinois and settled in Champaign county, where he became a successful farmer and where both he and his wife both passed the remainder of their lives.

Christianas L- Hutchinson grew to manhood in Illinois, attended district school and under the instructions of his father learned the best methods of agriculture. In his native county Mr. Hutchinson married Miss Anna Johnston, who was born in Illinois and who is a daughter of Hale and Lucy Johnston, the former born in New Hampshire and the latter a native of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston were early settlers in Champaign county, Illinois, and both have passed to the life eternal. Mr. Hutchinson was engaged in farming in Illinois until 1888, when he came with his family to Gage county, Nebraska. Here, in 1885, he had purchased two hundred and forty acres of land, in Paddock township. This land was partially improved and he went to building, plowing and planting, - a sturdy exponent of civic and industrial progress. He devoted his time and energy to making his one of the finely improved farms of the township, and there remained until his removal to the village of Odell. For the past twelve years Mr. Hutchinson has lived a retired life, but had his "girls been boys" he would probably still be on the farm. The family occupy a comfortable home in Odell. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson have two daughters - Ella May, at home, and Anna Belle, wife of Howard Drake, a farmer in Paddock township.

Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson attend the Methodist church, though their religious beliefs coincide with the teachings of the Presbyterian church. In politics Mr. Hutchinson is a Republican and he has served efficiently as a member of the town council and the school board.

With no special advantages except ambition and a desire to succeed, and coming to this county when his possessions consisted of a team of horses and four hundred dollars in money, the passing years have brought success to Mr. Hutchinson and for thirty years he has been a valuable and valued member of his community.

EON W. EPARD has been a resident of Gage county since he was a youth of twenty years and for the past twenty-two years he has resided on his present fine homestead farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in Section 9, Eogan township. He was born in Clark county, Ohio, December 9, 1861, and is a son of Simon and Thurzy Jane (Anderson) Epard, both of whom were born and reared in the old Buckeye state, whence they came to Gage county in 1880, the father having for years thereafter been engaged in farming in Logan township, and having finally removed to the state of Kansas, both he and his wife being now venerable residents of Colby, that state, - the former having attained to the age of eighty-five years (1918) and his wife being about one year his junior.

Lon W. Epard was reared on the old home farm in Ohio, where he acquired his early education in the public schools, and after coming with his parents to Gage county he assisted his father in the work and management of the latter's farm until he initiated his independent career as a farmer. He follows the even tenor of his way as a substantial farmer in Logan township and he and his wife are held in high esteem in the community. In addition to his home farm he is the owner of a recently acquired farm of one hundred and twenty acres, Logan township. Mr. Epard is aligned with the Democratic party and he served ten years as a member of the school board of his district.

In 1888 Mr. Epard married Miss Ida N. Mumford, who was born and reared in Logan township and who is a daughter of John B. Mumford, of whom personal mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Epard have one son, J. B., who was named in honor of his maternal grandfather and who lacked but four days of being eligible for the second draft made in the recruiting of American soldiers for the great European war in which the nation has become involved.

IRA N. PICKETT, M. D., is a pioneer physician of Gage county, and one who is possessed of those reliable qualities and faithful devotion to duty that make for benignant service to humanity. He has endeared himself to the people of his community and he has also established an enviable reputation among his professional confreres in the state.

Dr. Pickett's ancestors were natives of France and the name was originally spelled Piquette. Because of religious persecutions, the family immigrated to England and in the early part of the seventeenth century representatives of the name came to America and settled in North Carolina. WilHam Pickett, father of Dr. Ira N. Pickett, was born in North Carolina and there married Miss Cyrene Cook, also a native of that state. They later became residents of Hamilton county, Indiana, where Mr. Pickett engaged in farming.

Dr. Ira N. Pickett was bom in Indiana, June 20, 1852, and when he was but three years of age his father and mother both passed away, their deaths occurring only three months apart. One of the Doctor's earliest recollections was that of his father holding him to the window to show him something in an apple tree. The dogs had treed a coon and his father was calling his attention to it. On a recent visit to the old home place the Doctor ate apples from this same tree, which had been bearing for more than sixty years.

Dr. Pickett received a common-school education in Indiana and attended Whittier Academy, at Salem, Henry county, Iowa. He began the study of medicine at Red Oak, Iowa, and later returned to Indiana and entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Thorntown, that state, from which institution he was graduated. Dr. Pickett went with the early immigration into Stafford county, Kansas, and established himself for the practice of medicine on that western frontier, in what was afterward called Stafford county, his advent there being before county organization was efitected. In the fall of 1880 Dr. Pickett returned to Red Oak, Iowa, where he remained until, the spring of 1883, when he sought a location in Nebraska. He went as far as Grand Island on the Union Pacific Railroad, but finding no suitable location he turned his course toward southeastern Nebraska. At Lincoln, while waiting for a train, the Doctor was accosted by a man who inquired his business, and upon being told he was a pihysician' looking for a location, he was advised by the gentleman to come to Gage county and open an office in the new town of Filley. This gentleman was Elijah Filley, who had that day made the trip to Lincoln for the purpose of filing papers for the establishment of the town which bears his name. The young physician accompanied his newly found friend home and for three years practiced medicine at Filley, the while he boarded at the home of the founder of the town. In the spring of 1886 Dr. Pickett established himself at Odell, Nebraska, where he has devoted himself to the practice of his profession, through the medium of which he has endeared himself to the people of the community. Here the Doctor has for the past thirty years served his people with ability, loyalty and untiring devotion to duty.

Pr. Pickett was reared in the faith of the Society of Friends, and while no organization of that faith exists at Odell, he has never seen, fit to change his affiliations. In politics the principles of the "Bull Moose" wing of the Republican party have his endorsement. Since its organization, ten years ago. Dr. Pickett has been a member of the Gage County Board of Health. Various business enterprises have profited by Dr. Pickett's co-operation and support, and they have had to do with the Upbuilding of the town. Among these are the Odell Vinegar Company, of which he was president for several years. He was one of the promoters and has been a director in the Odell Dumber Company. In strictly professional lines the Doctor is affiliated with the American Medical Association, the Missouri Valley Medical Society, the Nebraska State Medical Society, of which he was president in 1913, and at the present time (1918) he is serving as president of the Gage County Medical Society. Fraternally Dr. Pickett is a Mason and at one time he was worshipful master of the Odell Lodge of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons.

In all things that have had to do with the moral, educational and material uplift and advancement of Gage county, Dr. Pickett has given hearty support. Only three men are now in business in the town of Odell who were here at the time Dr. Pickett arrived, more than thirty-two years ago. All these years he has been popular with his townsmen, both as a physician and as a citizen.

PAUD F. MOSELEY is one who can claim Gage county as the place of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Paddock township, March IS, 1888. He is a son of Frank Moseley, of whom a memoir appears elsewhere in this volume. Reared on his father's farm, Paul F. Moseley spent his boyhood days between his studies in the district school and his father's home, where as a boy he assisted in the lighter duties connected with the operation of a large farm. As his strength increased he assumed more largely the heavier duties,, and thus when he reached young manhood he was so well ve,rsed in the best methods of tilling the soil and planting and harvesting crops that he was admirably fortified when he became a farmer on his own account. He is to-day operating a farm of four hundred acres belonging to his father-in-law, and is the owner of eighty acres adjoining this tract. Aside from planting those cereals best adapted to the soil and climate he also raises stock of all kinds, making a specialty of breeding and raising pure-bred Short-horn cattle, and having at the time of this writing thirty head of registered animals on the place. Both branches of his business are bringing him good returns.

Mr. Mosely married Miss Martha Taylor, who was born in Gage county, and who is a daughter of Sherman Taylor, her father being individually represented on other pages of this history. Mr. and Mrs. Moseley belong to the younger generation of Gage county's citizens, both are natives of the county and both belong to pioneer families which have done much to bring about the county's development along every line of industry. Mrs. Moseley is a member of the Methodist church at Wymore and her husband is serving the third year as a member of the school board of his. district.

TOBE PABEN was born in Hanover, Germany, November 13, 1853. His parents were Henry and Mary (Gerdes) Paben. When he was but ten years old his father died, and the lad was thrown on his own resources. Eater his mother remarried ; and after the death of her second husband, Wert Buss, she and her son came alone to this country, settHng in Adams county, Illinois. Here the mother died.

Mr. Paben was only fourteen years of age at the time of his arrival in America, but he at once started to work on a farm, in which employment he continued until 1873, when he joined the United States Regular Army, serving until .1878, in Texas and New Mexico, and fighting in the Indian wars. He completed his enlistment with credit and was given an honorable discharge. Having thus given his service to his country, he returned to his home in Illinois, where he operated a rented farm for two years. Then, feeling that urge which has prompted men to leave old countries for new and which is the moving cause of emigration from older settlements to newer, he came to Nebraska, and took up a homestead in Cheyenne county. He first lived, as nearly all of the other settlers did, in a sod house, and this was later replaced by one of stone, showing clearly how the new country changed quickly from a group of crude settlements into a well ordered farming district. Ten years later, in 1890, he drove with a team to Lawrence, Missouri, where he remained for three years. From there he drove t& Bates county, Missouri, and after remaining there for three years he went to Lyons, Kansas. He lived there for seven years, and then returned to Nebraska, settling this time in Logan township, Gage county. Here he owns, in Section 15, a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres of well cultivated land, improved with the good buildings typical of our best farms. He has served since residing here as a member of the school board, and for the past seven years has been township treasurer.

Mr. Paben married Marie Flessner, a native of Hanover, Germany, and she is now deceased. Four children were born of this marriage, three of whom are living in Gage county, Nebraska : Henry, who is not married; Maria, who is married; Frank, who is married and resides in Beatrice. The place of abode of Menne, the other child, is not at present known by his father. For his second wife Mr. Paben married Engel (Flessner) Johnson, who although bearing the same name as his former wife was in no Vv'ay related to her. She is a native of Germany and came to this country when nine years of age, with her parents, Gerhard and Hannah Flessner. They too settled in Adams county, Illinois : her father is still living, aged eighty-seven years. By a former marriage, with Benjamin Johnson, Mrs. Paben became the mother of three children, two of whom are living: Wert, who is married and resides in Gage county, and Lena, who is married and resides in

Lyons, Kansas; Hannah, is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Paben have a family of six children, all but one of whom reside in Gage county: Misses Anna and Tena, are at home; Ekie, who is married, is also at the parental home; George, who is married, and Bertha, who is married, both reside in Gage county; and Sena, who is married, resides in Lancaster county. The family are members of the Lutheran church.

It can appropriately be said of Mr. Paben that he is one of the great "world's vanguard," for he has been in many parts of the country when in their frontier stage, has shared with other pioneers the hardships which beset the settlers of western Nebraska in the early '80s, and has done his part in making Nebraska a better country for those who will come aftei him.

CHRISTIAN HAVERLAND. - The life record of Christian Haverland exemplifies what may be accomplished by industry and perseverance and will serve as an inspiration for those who are willing to work, to apply themselves industriously and to improve their opportunities.

The subject of this memoir was born in Germany, June 22, 1836, and there made his home until 1869, when he decided to seek a home in America. December 26, 1855, he married Miss Dora Brower, and, after a voyage of fourteen days on the steamship "Germany" they landed in New York city on the 10th of June. They immediately started foi Illinois, arriving in Woodford county on the 15th of the same month. During the first year he worked on the railroad by the month and engaged in such other work as would secure him an honest livelihood. He then rented land and engaged in farming. He remained in that county until 1881, when he came to Gage county, Nebraska, and rented land in Riverside township, where he lived five years. He then removed to Sicily township where he had bought land three years previously aftd where he spent the remainder of his days, his death having occurred October 31, 1916. The wife he married in Germany and who accompanied him to America passed away in Woodford county, Illinois, in December, 1874, and in December, 1875, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Sherling. Of the first marriage two children, Emma and William, were born in Germany and Louis was bom in Illinois. These three children still make their home on the farm in Sicily township. To the second marriage were born three children: Herman resides in Burbank, California ; Minnie is a resident of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Frederick died at the age of twenty-six years. When Mr. Haverland arrived in America his possessions in worldly goods consisted of one hundred and fifty dollars in money, but he was possessed of sterling integrity and a determination to win, with the result that he made a success of life. He was a good Christian man and loyal citizen. Pioneer conditions still existed in Gage county when he came here and he did his full share to help make it a better place in which to live. Three -children, unmarried, still continue to make their home on the farm where the father spent so many years and they are not only appreciative of the fact that he left them a splendid property and home, but also cherish his memory and hold in loving remembrance the name of one who commanded the respect and unqualified esteem of all who knew him. His sons and daughters to-day occupy an enviable place in the community. The two sons in Gage county carry on their agricultural pursuits and continue in the noble line of productive endeavor followed so earnestly and eflfectively by their honored father.

HENRY KRUEGER belongs to that sterling and industrious class of citizens which Germany has furnished to the United States, his birth having occurred in the Province of Hanover, Germany, March 10, 1853, and his parents, Christ and Margaret Krueger, having spent their entire lives in their native land. When a young man of eighteen years Henry Krueger came to the L^nited States, and his first American experience Vvas gained during sixteen months passed on a farm at Downer's Grove, near Chicago, Illinois. He then came to Kansas and worked on a farm near Hanover, in Washington county. . Carefully saving his earnings, he finally was able to purchase one hundred and seventy-five acres in Glenwood township. Gage county, Nebraska, just outside the corporate limits of Odell. Here he was successfully engaged in farming for several years. Six years ago he purchased two. hundred and forty acres in the same township, and here he now makes his home. He is the owner of four hundred and fifteen acres of land, and this statement indicates the prosperity that has come to him, and that entirely through the earnest efforts and careful management of himself and his good wife.

Mr. Krueger married Miss Caroline Shatta, who is a native of Marshall county, Kansas, and of German descent. Concerning their children the following record is given : Katie is the wife of Henry Bachhouse, of Horton, Kansas ; Lena,-is the wife of Howard Avey, of Beatrice, Nebraska ; Henry is a farmer in Glenwood township ; Lizzie, is the wife of Fay Phillips, a farmer in Paddock township; and Dora, Fred, John, Tracy, Frank, and Jesse are all at home. The family attend the Christian church. In politics Mr. Krueger is a Democrat. He has no reason to regret coming to America, for heie he has found an opportunity the old world could not offer, and has been a very successful man.

HERBERT R. RUYLE, whose pleasant home is at 1518 Elk street in the city of Beatrice, is a representative of one of the well known families of Gage county and on other pages of this publication is given adequate record concerning the family history, these data appearing in the memoir dedicated to his father, the late William H. Ruyle.

He whose name initiates this sketch has won high reputation through his service as a public auctioneer, and has conducted innumerable auction sales throughout this section of the state. He was born in Logan township, this county, on the 23d of March, 1885, and was reared to manhood on his father's farm in Gage county, Nebraska, his common school education having been supplemented by a course in a business college in Beatrice, and a course in agriculture at the University of Nebraska. His independent activities as a farmer were initiated in this county and were continued four years, at the expiration of which he went to Franklin county, where he engaged in the buying and shipping of live stock and also in farm auctioneering. His facility as an expert auctioneer has substantial basis, for in 1907 he was graduated in the Jones Auctioneering College, in the city of Chicago. Mr. Ruyle continued his residence in Franklin county until October, 1915, when he established his residence in the city of Beatrice.

February 16, 1907, recorded the marriage of Mr. Ruyle to Miss Ina A. Jeffries, who was born at Springfield, Illinois, on the 4th of June, 1886, a daughter of William B. and Martha (I/ester) Jeffries, natives respectively of Tennessee and Illinois, in which latter state their marriage was solemnized, and whence they came to Nebraska and settled in Gage county in 1886, their home at the present time being on a farm a few miles east of Beatrice. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffries the eldest is Edith, who is the wife of Earl Wright, of Peru, this state; Mrs. Ruyle was the next in order of birth; William E. is a farmer in Rockford township; Lillie E. is the wife of Thomas Dunn, of the same township; and Frances remains at the parental home. Mr. and Mrs. Ruyle have four children: Edna E., Everett H., Jeanette I. and Martha L.

In politics Mr. Ruyle is numbered among the loyal supporters of the cause of the Democratic party and he and his wife are members of the Centenary Methodist Epicopal church in Beatrice. In addition to his substantial auctioneering business Mr. Ruyle is the owner of a well improved farm, in Rockford township.

OLIVER C. MUMFORD, whose homestead farm, an integral part of the undivided family estate, is situated in Section 4, Logan township, is one of the vigorous and popular young representatives of farm enterprise in his native county, adequate record concerning the

Oliver C. Mumford was born in Logan township, on the 26th of August, 1887, and was reared to the benignant discipline of the farm, the while he made proper use of the advantages of the public schools of his home township. His entire adult career has been marked by consecutive association with farm enterprise on land comprising a part of the estate of his father, and in his progressive operations as an agriculturist and stock-grower he now utilizes an adequate area of land. Mr. Mumford is a fancier of fine horses and is the owner of a standard-bred horse to which he has given the name of "Fred Hill," this animal having made a turf record of 19^4 ; the horse was sired by "Milton Cook," and its dam was "Alice Hill." Mr. Mumford takes deep interest in all things touching the wellbeing of the county in which he was bom and reared and with the history of which the family name has been worthily linked since the early pioneer days. In politics he gives his allegiance to the Democratic party.

January 22, 1913, recorded the marriage of Mr. Mumford to Miss Ginevra Nietman, who was born in the city of Beatrice, this county, a daughter of Henry and Minnie (Jens) Nietman, both of whom were born in Germany and both of whom were children at the time of the immigration of the respective families to the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Neitman came to Gage county in the '80s and she is now deceased, Mr. Nietman being now retired from active business and still retaining his residence at Beatrice. Mr. and Mrs. Mumford have a winsome little daughter, Kathryn Loraine, who was born December 23, 1914. Mr. Mumford is affiliated with the Fraternal Order of Eagles and his wife is a member of the Lutheran church.

STEPHEN A. SMITH, - Since the pioneer days the subject of this review has been a resident of Gage county and not only has he been witness of the changes that have taken place but has also, for forty-eight years, been

Stephen Allen Smith was born in McMinn county, Tennessee, March 17, 1845, and is the son of Elijah S. and Mary J. (Winton) Smith, the former a native of North Carolina and of English descent, the latter born in Tennessee, in which state they were married April 4, 1844. In 1849 they moved to Illinois and became pioneer settlers of McDonough county, where Elijah S. Smith achieved substantial success as a farmer. They spent the remainder of their lives in this county, living retired in later years at Goodhope, Illinois, where they both passed away.

The boyhood days of Stephen A. Smith were spent on the Illinois farm and his early education was gained in the public schools of the neighborhood, this discipline being supplemented by his attending a college at Burlington, Iowa. When a young man of twenty-one years he began his independent career, - working on a farm by the month, and in those days one dollar a day was considered large wages for the service which he thus rendered.

In 1870 Mr. Smith came to Nebraska in true pioneer style. He drove overland with team and covered wagon and crossed the Missouri river at Nebraska City. After reaching the Nebraska side he started west, and the wind was blowing such a gale that he saw plows and harrows left in the fields and nearly covered with sand. This could not have proved a very encouraging sight, but he pressed on and arrived at Beatrice, Gage county on the 19th of April. He found lodging at Blythe's bakery and hotel and the next morning started for Sicily township, intending to follow the ridge south from Beatrice. It was snowing and blowing so badly that he could hardly see, and after many hours he came to a road. This he followed, and toward evening he could see ahead of him, signs of a settlement. As he drew near he found he had returned to Beatrice, from the west, as he had traveled in a circle during the storm. Again he stayed all night in the same place as the night before. The next day, under more favorable circumstances, he reached his destination in Sicily township, where he and his brothers had bought three hundred and twenty acres of wild, unbroken prairie. Mr. Smith set resolutely to work to make a. home. After ten years he sold his one hundred and sixty acres there and moved to Blue Springs township, where his wife had inherited a tract of land. For many years Mr. Smith conducted a nursery on his farm, and thus he aided and encouraged in no small degree the planting of trees, both fruit and ornamental. His landed possessions in Gage county were three hundred and twenty acres, in Blue Springs township, and he also owns land in Kansas and Canada.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith have for several years past made visits to Canada during the successive summers and have there spent several weeks in recreation and looking after their investments.

On November 11, 1874, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Smith to Miss Henrietta Tobyne, who was born in Ogle county, Illinois, July 19, 1855. She is a daughter oi James N. and Caroline (Zeitz) Tobyne, the former born in Canada, the latter in Germany. Mrs. Smith's parents became residents of Gage county. May 19, 1868 : they settled in Blue Springs township, where the father became an extensive land owner, and in this township they both passed the remainder of their lives. Mr. Tobyne died at the age of sixty-one years, and his wife was sixty-two years of age at the time of her death.

Three children came to make the home happy for Mr. and Mrs. Smith : Leslie Allen died at the age of twenty -two years; Lenley Elton married Miss Lizzie McMichaels and he is a farmer in Blue Springs township; and Miss Estelle A. remains with her parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Methodist church, in which they have been active workers for many years. In politics Mr. Smith was a Democrat for many years, but he is now inclined to vote for men and measures, regardless of party. In recent years he has given his support to the prohibition movement, the cause of temperance finding in him a stalwart champion. He served as treasurer of his school district while residing in Sicily township, as did he also after removing to Blue Springs township and while here living on his farm. When the Fanners' Grain Company of Blue Springs was organized, sixteen years ago, Mr. Smith was one of its founders, and he has served as its president since that time.

Mr. Smith and his wife and daughter occupy a beautiful home in Blue Springs, surrounded with all the necessities and many of the luxuries of life, and though retired from the active labors of former years Mr. Smith still keeps in touch with affairs connected with the Grain Company and otherwise gives his supervision to his investments. He is one of Gage county's most, respected citizens, and the success and honor that have come to him are justly deserved.

FRED N. CRANGEE, an active and representative business man at Blue Springs, was born in Henry county, Illinois, January 2, 1874. He is a son of William F. Crangle, of Beatrice, (a sketch of whom appears on other pages of this history.)

Fred N. Crangle came to Nebraska with his parents when a child, and received his early education in the country schools of Gage county, after which he took a course in the , Northwestern Business College of Beatrice. He followed farming in Gage county for a number of years. In 1910 Mr. Crangle moved to Butler county, Kansas, where he bought a ranch of nine hundred and sixty acres, which he still owns, besides being the owner of land in Sedgwick county,, that state. For four years Mr. Crangle was traveling salesman for the International Harvester Company, and at one time he was assistant state manager in Kansas for that company. In 1915 he returned to Beatrice, but soon afterward he moved to Blue Springs and began work for Black Brothers' Mill Company, in charge of their grain elevator. By this company he is stiir employed.

was born in Illinois and came to Gage county with her parents in 1882. Mr. Cavett now makes his home with the Crangle family in Blue Springs. Mr. and Mrs. Crangle are the parents of four children : Paul, Beulah, Bessie, and Abbie.

In politics Mr. Crangle is a Republican. He is a member of the Royal Highlanders at Beatrice, and he and his family are members of the Methodist church.

Mr. Crangle has been a very successful man and now owns several hundred acres of land in Kansas, besides a nice home in the town of Blue Springs.

THEODORE BOHNSTEDT maintains representative status as one of the prominent and influential exponents of farm industry in Hanover township, where his attractive homestead place is situated in Section 10, and as a substantial and honored citizen of the county he merits specific recognition in this publication.

Mr. Bohnstedt was born in Richland county, Illinois, August 10, 1862, and is a son of Charles and Mary E. (Capel) Bohnstedt, the former a native of Germany and the latter of the state of Pennsylvania. The rnarriage of the parents was solemnized in Zanesville, Ohio, and within a short time thereafter they removed to Richland county, Illinois, where Charles Bohnstedt purchased a farm of eighty acres. He became one of the successful farmers and representative citizens of Richland county and there continued his residence until his death, which occurred June 9, 191S, his widow being still a resident of the county in which they established their home many years ago. Mr. Bohnstedt was a Democrat prior to the Civil war and thereafter transferred his allegiance to the Republican party. His religious faith was that of the Evangelical church, his widow now being a member of the United Brethren church. He finally traded his farm for property in the village of Olney, Illinois, where he passed the residue of his life. He was a son of Charles Bohnstedt, who established the family home in Pennsylvania upon coming to America, but who later removed to Ohio and finally to Illinois, in which state his death occurred. David Capel, maternal grandfather of the subject of this review, was a native of France and after coming to the United States he established his home in Pennsylvania, whence he later removed to Ohio, where he passed the rest of his Hfe.

Theodore Bohnstedt was reared and educated in Illinois and was twenty-three years of age when, in 1885, he came to Nebraska and established his home in Gage county. For two years he was here employed by William Townsend, one of whose daughters he eventually wedded, and after thus taking to himself a wife he resided one year in the city of Beatrice. He then turned his attention to farm industry, and since 1909 he has rented and conducted progressive farm enterprise on the half section of land which he rents of Robert Littlejohn. He follows a vigorous course in his operations as an agriculturist and stock-grower and makes his business enterprise one of definitely successful order.

In May, 1887, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Bohnstedt to Miss Mary Townsend, a daughter of the late William Townsend, to whom a memoir is dedicated on other pages of this volume. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bohnstedt eight are living: Harry L. is a skilled mechanic and is employed in an electric-light plant at Oak, Nebraska; and the other children remain at the parental home, - Hazel, V^elma, Duane, Maude, Mabel, Marjorie and Preston.

In politics Mr. Bohnstedt is' found aligned as a staunch supporter of the cause of the Democratic party and though he has had no ambition for official preferment of any kind he has shown his civic loyalty by effective service as road supervisor and as a member of the school board of his district.

GEORGE N. PENCE was twenty-four years of age when he came from the old Buckeye state to Gage county, in 1885; and his activities since that time have shown significantly that a generous measure of prosperity has been here possible of achievement on the part of the man of industry and integrity who will apply himself diligently along the line of agricultural and live-stock enterprise. He owns and has made excellent improvements upon his farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in Section 18, Logan township, where he is now living practically retired, the farm being rented to a good tenant.

George Newton Pence was bom in Adams county, Ohio, on the 13th of August, 1861, and is a son of Louis and Harriet (Mowry) Pence, who passed their entire lives in that fine old commonwealth. Mr. Pence was reared and educated in Ohio and there continued his association with agricultural pursuits until 1885, when he came to Gage county and , found employment at farm work, at a compesation of eighteen dollars a month. He carefully conserved his earnings during the eight years he was thus engaged and then turned his attention to independent activities on a rented farm. Finally he purchased his present homestead, in 1902, and he has developed the same into one of the excellent farms of Logan township, all of the buildings on the place having been erected by him and unequivocal success having attended his efforts during his active career as a progressive and substantial exponent of farm enterprise in Gage county. He is aligned in the ranks of the Democratic party, has been liberal in support of measures and enterprises projected for the general good of the community but has had no ambition for political activity or official preferement.

In 1889 Mr. Pence married Miss Clara B. Mumford, who was born and reared in this county and who is a daughter of the late John B. Mumford, an early settler and honored pioneer of the county. Mrs. Pence passed to the life eternal in 1901 and is survived by one son, Albert, who is a successful farmer in Logan township.

WALTER V. LANCASTER, who is now living retired in the city of Beatrice, his pleasant home being at 625 North Eighth street, held for a quarter of a century a place of prominence as one of the representative farm-

Walter Vivian Lancaster was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, August IS, 1863, and is a son of William Lancaster, whose father, Frank Lancaster, was a pioneer settler in the state of Illinois, adequate record concerning the family history being given on other pages of this publication, in the sketch dedicated to Raymond Lancaster, a brother of him whose name introduces this article. Walter V. Lancaster was reared and educated in his native county, where he attended the district schools and later the village schools of Girard. He assisted his father in farm operations and upon attaining to his legal majority he" came to Gage county, Nebraska, and purchased his present landed estate of two hundred and forty acres, in Holt township, the farm having been reclaimed and measureably improved. He made this one of the model farms of the township and there developed a most prosperous enterprise along the lines of diversified agriculture, stockgrowing and dairying, special success having attended his activities as a feeder and shipper of cattle, in which field of enterprise his operations were conducted oh a somewhat extensive scale. After remaining on his farm for twenty-five years he removed to Beatrice and his younger son now has the active management of the farm.

Mr. Lancaster has shown lively interest in the things that touch the communal welfare, is a staunch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and in addition to having served three years as clerk of Holt township he served many years as school director of his district while still residing on his farm.

In Illinois, in 1884, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Lancaster to Miss Alice Barnes, who was bom in Masdti county, that state, a daughter of George and Clarissa (Hovey) Barnes, natives respectively of Vermont and Massachusetts and both young at the time of the removal of the respective families to Macoupin county, Illinois. In that county was recorded the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Barnes and eventually they removed to Mason county, that state, where he engaged in farming. In that county Mrs. Barnes remained until her death and her husband passed the closing years of his life with his daughter, in Gage county, Nebraska. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Lancaster was Nathaniel Barnes and her maternal grandfather, Daniel Gilbert Hovey, was a minuteman who gave patriotic service as a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church and they have a wide circle of friends in their home city and county. They have two children: Clark is a skilled mechanic and he and his wife, whose maiden name was May Evans, reside with his parents, their children being Mabel and Eunice; Oscar W., who has charge of his father's farm, married Miss Maude Ford and they have three children, - Eliza, Beatrice and William Walter.

ROBERT C. HEMPHILL. - The late Robert C. Hemphill was one of the gallant patriots who fought to save our country from dissolution when its integrity was menaced by armed rebellion, and who fought equally well in the great nature-conflict necessary to redeem the prairies and make them blossom as the rose. Mr. Hemphill served in the Civil war for three years, in the Army of the Potomac, as a member of Company F, Thirteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. He served his country faithfully. There were no brilliant attacks or high-handed captures to his credit, but he knew all of the hardships and privations the soldier had to undergo to be at hand when his country needed him. But with all of the hardships came the glory at the end, when his country was united in body and spirit. He was honorably discharged May 2, 1865.

Robert Hemphill was born April 24, 1841, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. On the 13th of February, 1868, he married Margaret J. Brown and to this union were born nine children, eight of whom are living: Robert B. is a resident of Riverside township. Gage county; Ella O. is the wife of W. P. Carrithers, of Beatrice; William J. resides at

Lincoln, Nebraska; Bessie died November 30, 1899; Walter C. resides in Lincoln township, this county; Helen M. is the wife of C. H. Lunbeck, living at Blue Springs, Nebraska; Carrie B. is the wife of Lewis Sears, of Ball- Spa, New York ; Charles V. lives in Lincoln township. Gage county; and Agnes 0. is the wife of Ralph Clark, of Riverside township.

In 1883 Robert C. Hemphill came with his family to Beatrice, Nebraska, and purchased land southwest of the city, in what is now Elm township. He came in the days when the pioneer front guards had opened the way but when there was need for men of determined spirit and a willingness to make sacrifices for the upbuilding of a great agricultural community. He continued his successful farm enterprise until 1908, when he retired and established his home in the city of Beatrice, where he remained until his death, January 24, 1918. He was an honored of Rawlins Post, No. 35, Grand Army of the Republic, at Beatrice, and just before his demise he was elected commander of the post, though he officiated at only one meeting after his election.

When Mr. Hemphill and his wife came to this county, in 1883, they allied themselves with the Presbyterian church. In 1888 he was elected ruling elder, and for thirty years he filled this place with true Christian faithfulness. In its support this church received liberally of his time and money at all times. He was interested also in his township and county, and when they needed a man to be a servant of the people he gave of his time and ability to such service. He was a member of the Gage county board of supervisors and was county assessor for five years. In this latter capacity he became specially well known to many of the residents of the county.

Mr. Hemphill's devoted wife was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1846, and she passed to her reward September 17, 1909. Two sons, Walter C, and Charles V., purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Section 28, Lincoln township, in 1911. These two brothers are farming these acres jointly. They were just lads when they arrived in Gage county and have spent the greater part of their lives here. Walter C. was born Februarj'^ 20, 1875, and Charles V. was bom March 1, 1881, both being natives of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. They received their education in the district schools and have devoted their time to the tilling of the soil. They are successful farmers, having improved their farm with not only utility in view but beauty as well. The commodious house and barn well attest to their ability and progressiveness. On their farm they feed a good many cattle for the market each year and this business is done on a somewhat extensive scale.

Charles V. Hemphill married Miss Maude Wells, of Jefferson county, Nebraska, and they have four children, Neva, Ruby, Dorothy, and Clark - all at home with their parents.

Walter C. Hemphill is still a bachelor and shares the home with his brother and family. These two young men are valued members of their community, conduct their farming operations in a strictly businesslike manner and they are keeping abreast of the time along agricultural lines. They are Republicans in politics.

ANTON DVORAK. - The subject of this record is a prosperous farmer residing in Glenwood township. He was born in Bohemia, Germany, February 1, 1866. His parents, Frank and Frances Dvorak, also natives of Bohemia, came to the United States in 1876 and settled in Richardson county, Nebraska, where the father became a prosperous farmer and extensive land owner. Both passed away in Richardson county, the father at the age of seventy years and the mother at seventy-five. They were the parents of four sons, all of whom are living: Frank, resides in Pawnee county, Nebraska, and Adolph in Missouri; Anton is the subject of this sketch; and John lives in Chicago.

Anton Dvorak was ten years old when the home was transferred to the New World, and until the age of twenty-two he remained on his father's farm in Richardson county. He than began his independent career as a farmer on land given him by his father. He had a team of horses, a few tools, and with this equipment he went to work. He was the owner of two hundred acres in Pawnee county when, twenty-two years ago, he came to Gage county and purchased his present farm of three hundred and twenty acres. He also helped his son buy a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He is engaged in general farming and has one of the well improved' properties of the township.

- In Richardson county, he was married to Miss rAntonia Svarckop. She was born in Bohemia, in August, 1868, a daughter of Hynek and Barbara Svarckop, who, came from their native land many years ago and were farming people of Richardson C0unty, where both passed the rest of their lives.

Mr. and Mrp. Dvorak are the parents af six children.; Mary, is the wife of Frank Cariek ; Frank, a farmer of Gl^nwood township; Anna, Charles, Amos and Blanche are still un.der the parental ,roof. The family are Presbyterians in religious belief,. and Mr., Dvorak votes with the Democratic party in national affairs, while ^t local 'eilectipns he is independent 'of partisan lines. He is a good farmer, a first-class citizen and has a host of friends.

BRUNE C. MEINTS has been a resident of Nebraska since he was fourteen years of age and due record concerning the family history appears on other pages, in the sketch dedicated to his father, Christ J. Meints. He whose name initiates this paragraph acquired his youthful education in the district schools of Nebraska and was reared under the conditions and influences of the pioneer days. He was, born in Adams. county, Illinois, October 21, 1867, and he has been coiisecutively associated with farm industry, in Nebraska from his youth to the present time. Definite success has crowned his activities as an agriculturist and stock-grower and he is now the owner of a well improved farm estate of two hundred and forty acres, in Logan township, where his attractive, home is located in Section 16. On his homestead he has erected excellent buildings, including a commodious f ann residence, and he has long been known as one of the progressive farmers and substantial and public-spirited citizens of Logan township. He is staunchly arrayed as a supporter of the cause of the Republican party and while he has not sought political preferment his insistent interest in local affairs has been shown in the effective service he has given as road supervisor, of which position he is the incumbent at the time of this writing. Both he and his wife are active communicants of the Hanover Lutheran church, as was also his first wife. ;

In 1891 Mr. Meints wedded Miss Grace Ihnen, who likewise was born in Adams county, Illinois, and who wa« a daughter of Onke Ihnen, who was a successful merchant in Illinois and who died in Butler county, Nebraska, where/ he had become a successful farmer: To this marriage were bom eight children : Christ is married, and resides on a farm northwest of the village: of Pickrell, this county ; Onie is . married and is engaged . in farm enterprise- in Logan township ; and Henry, Jennie, ., Grace, William, John, and Brune remain as members of the home circle: The mother of these, children passed away in 1909. Mr. ;Meints latermarried Missy.Mary Hattesohl, a native oi Wisconsin, and' -she is the popular head of the domesttic affairs of the pleasant hopie. i

JOSEPH CACEK. - Born in Bohemia,' in 1832, a:rid rtered to manhood in his native land, the late Joseph Cacek married Miss Aflha Tepla, who was born in Bohemia in 1840. Mr. Cacek's patriotism is shown by the fact that he served eight years in the military organization of his country, - foiir years on land and four in the navy. In' 1867 he came with his family to America and they' resided in the city of Detroit, Michigan until 1874, when he became a pioneer settler of Gage county, Nebraska, locating af Clatonia. Five years later he bought land in Paddock township, and etsablished a home on the northeast quarter of Section 8. Here he built a frame house, and, with the help of his family, began the development of a farm. As the years passed he succeeded, and he made 'additional invfestments in land, becoming one of the wellto-do men of the county.' Mr. Cacek made three trips to the old country and on one of these journeys he passed away, in 1912, his wife having died in 1896. ' Mr. Cacek's success was due to his own and his family's efforts, as he landed in America with but twenty-five Cents. He lived to be seventy years old and had the pleasure of seeing the members of his family all well established in homes of their own.

To this worthy couple was bom four children, as follows : Joseph and John, farmers in Paddock township; Mrs. Rimund Weiner, of Sicily township, and Mrs. Joseph Bures, of Glenwood township. The parents were communicants of the Catholic church, and in the upbuilding of Gage county they did their full share.

CHARLES H. HOEUNGWORTH is a member of a representative Gage county family concerning which adequate record is given on other pages of this work, and he was bom on the fine old homestead farm which is now his place of Residence, in Section 32 Rockford township, the date of his nativity having been March 12, 1865, which signifies emphatically that his parents were numbered among the territorial pioneers of the county. He remained with his parents on the old home place until their death and then came into possession of ninety-two acres of the property, his fine home being the substantial stone house that was erected more than forty years ago, by his brother Alfred C, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. This house is one of the veritable landmarks of this section of the state and Mr. Hollingworth takes much satisfaction in the fact that he is able tO' uphold the prestige of the family name in connection with loyal citizenship and constructive farm industry in Gage county, where he was reared under the influences of the pioneer days and where he gained his early education in the common schools of the period. His political allegiance is given to the Democratic ^ party and

In 1892 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Hollingworth to Miss Anna L. DeWitt, who was born in Montgomery county, Illinois, and they have but one child, Jessie L,., who' attended the Wesleyan University at Lincoln, this state, and who is now a successful and popular teacher in the public schools at Holmesville, not far distant from the old homestead.

Mr. Hollingworth's first school teacher was Hugh J. Dobbs, the author of this history of Gage county, and he recalls with humorous appreciation that on one occasion Mr. Dobbs disciplined him for some youthful prank or remissness by making him stand at a knot hole in a log and hold his toe in the aperture, as a matter of punishment.

CHARLES N. HINDS, cashier of the Hinds State Bank of Odell, is a native of Iowa, bom near Postville, November 2, 1871, a son of Edwin B. Hinds, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this volume.

Charles Norton Elinds was a lad of nine years when the family home was transferred to Odell, Nebraska, where he attended the public schools and was a member of the first graduating class of Odell high school, in 1891. In 1895 he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nebraska, at Lincoln, and in 1896 the degree of Master of Arts - was conferred upon him by the same institution. Thereafter he was professor of history at York College, York, Nebraska, for one year. Then, for five years, he was in the office of the register of deeds at Beatrice, after which he organized the Commercial State Bank at Bameston and became cashier. In 1903 he returned to Odell and became cashier of the Hinds State Bank, of which his father is president and principal owner.

He was united in marriage to Miss Jessie A. Walker, a native of Wisconsin and they are the parents of these children: Clarence E., Lulu A., Hazel D., William Walker, Edwin Shaw and James Pershing.

Hinds is well qualified for the executive position of which he is the incumbent in the Hinds State Bank. He has a genial disposition, which begets friendship and good will, and at the same time possesses that dignity and bearing which inspire confidence. He is a personal friend of General John J. Pershing, who was commander of the Nebraska University Battalion for four years while he was a lieutenant in the United States army, and Mr. Hinds passed through the grades of service and attained the rank of first lieutenant of Company B. He has been solicited to enter the service of Uncle Sam and been tendered prominent positions in the army by his old friend, who now commands the United States forces on the battlefields of Europe.

Mr. Hinds is a Republican in politics and fraternally is a member in good standing of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America lodges of Odell.

NOAH WRIGHTSMAN, a substantial retired farmer residing in the attractive village of Holmesville, has been a resident of Gage county since 1888 and has here won independence through his active alliance with farm industry. He was born in one of the eastern counties of Virginia, January 23, 1848, and is a son of Samuel and Annie (Wirtz) Wrightsman, who likewise were natives of the historic Old Dominion state.

Noah Wrightsman acquired his youthful education in his native state and was seventeen years old when he accompanied his parents to Macoupin county, Illinois, where his father engaged in farming, the parents having passed the remainder of their lives in that county. When Noah attained to the age of twenty years his father "gave him his time," and for the ensuing six years he was employed by the month at farm work. He then engaged in farming for himself, in Macoupin county, Illinois, where he continued his activities until 1888, when he came to Gage county, Nebraska, and bought eighty acres of land in Rockford township. He improved the buildings on the place, erected new buildings and eventually developed one of the fine farm properties of the township, where he still retains ownership of the farm of one hundred and sixty acres, besides which he owns two residence properties at Holmesville and a tract of land in Thomas county, Kansas. He retired from his farm in 1908 and has since maintained his residence in Holmesville.

In the year 1875 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Wrightsman to Miss Susan Brubaker, of Tennessee, in which state she was born and reared, and she is a sister of Benjamin A. Brubaker, a well known farmer of Rockford township. Mr. and Mrs. Wrightsman have three children: Harvey P., of Holmesville, is married and has two children ; Elmer C, who is married and has six children, is associated with his bachelor brother, Otis F., in the operation of their father's farm. Mr. Wrightsman is a Republican in politics and he and his family are members of the Church of the Brethren, commonly designated as the Dunkard church.

JOHN APPLEBEE was a youth of fourteen years when he came with his parents to Nebraska Territory and during the long intervening years he has maintained his residence in Gage county, where he has been an appreciative witness of the splendid march of development and progress, in which he himself has played a sturdy and worthy part. In Section 16, Hanover township, he is the owner of the farm of eighty acres upon which he resides, and which is a part of the old home place of his father. This he utilizes in his farm operations.

Mr. Applebee was born in La Salle county, IlHnois, July 20, 1851, and is a son of John and Ella (Denton) Applebee, both natives of the state of New York, their marriage having been solemnized in Illinois. In the latter state John Applebee, Sr., continued his association with farm industry until 1865, when he came with his family to Nebraska Territory and became a pioneer settler of Gage county. His household effects were shipped by rail and river to Nebraska City, from which point he transported them to Gage county by team and wagon. He settled on the farm now owned by his son John, girded himself vigorously for the arduous work in hand, and eventually reclaimed and improved his land. This honored pioneer passed the closing period of his life in the home of his son William, of Filley, this county, and attained to the patriarchal age of ninety-two years, his wife having passed away on the old homestead place, at the age of eighty-four years. Concerning their children the following brief data are available: William is deceased; Edward is a farmer in Hanover township; John, subject of this review, was the next in order of birth; Jennie is the wife of Alfred Boyer, of Virginia, this county; Hannah became the wife of Frank Boyer and her death occurred several years ago; James is a resident of Nemaha township ; and Jesse maintains his home in the city of Beatrice.

He whose name initiates this article acquired his early education in the schools of Illinois and Gage county and was reared to manhood on the farm which he now owns and occupies. He was still a young man when he relieved his father to a large extent of the management of the farm and since the property came into his possession he has made numerous improvements on the same, '^e has borne his share of the heavy labors involved in the developing of a farm fr&m the primitive wilds, encountered his measure of half-dships and reverses, but has reasoa to. take just pride in the materiaK prosperity that' has crowned his efforts. In the early days he witnessed the ravages of many prairie fires and was often called upon to pilow around his stacks of grain to save therp from such conflagrations. As a youth he worked "at times for other pioneers of the county, as did ailso his father, and at times they would go to points twelve or more miles distant in the morning hours, apply themselves to work during the day and return to the home at night. He recalls the depredations and havoc in the historic grasshopper scourge of 1872-1873, when the insects were so thick in the harvest fields as to obscure the bundles of grain. He followed in many a harvest the old-time reaper and bound the grain by hand, and for three years the family home was provided with water from what was ironically termed a dry-land well - three barrels on a wagon, by means of which water was hauled from a spring two miles distant. The com raised on the Applebee farm in the pioneer era was frequently sold for ten cents a bushel, and the great change in conditions is shown in the fact that in the summer of 1917 Mr. Applebee sold a load of corn, at Pickrell, for one hundred and thirteen dollars and forty cents, to realize which return in the early days it would have been necessary to sell fully a thousand bushels. Under primitive conditions Mr. Applebee applied himself earnestly and vigorously; and his attitude' under the present conditions of opulent prosperity in the county has not changed, as he continued to have the deepest appreciation of the dignity and value of honest toil and endeavor. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, but he has never been diverted from the even tenor of his way by any ambition for political activity or public office.; ;- . Mr.^ Applebee was twenty-one years of age at the time of his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Griffin, and her death occurred in 1887. Of

'same township; Walter resides in the village of Pickrdl; and Viola is^the wife of Pearl Stanley, of Beatrice. The*^^second marriage of Mr. Applebee was with Miss Ida Post, who was born in Illinois, . and she presides most graciously over their pleasant and hospitable home. Of their children < two died in infancy; and those surviving are Pearl (the wife of Jesse Green, of Haxton, Colorado), Mary, Edna, Annie, Clyde, Esther, Ruby, Hazel, Erma, and Myrtle.

LEWIS C. McCLUNG is consistently to be designated as one of the representative exponents of farm industry in Sherman township, where he is carrying forward his progressive operations as an agriculturist and stock-grower with a well improved estate of four hundred acres, owned by himself and his wife, their pleasant home being in Section 8 of the township mentioned, and .the same being known for its generous hospitality and good cheer.

Mr. McClung was born in Johnson county, this state, on the 30th of January, 1878, and on other ^ages of this volume is given adequate record concerning the family, he being a son of the late Justin O. McGlung, to whom a memoir is thus given.

Mr. McClung was reared on his father's farm in Filley township, this county, and attended schools in the village of Filley. At the age of twenty-six years he married and engaged in independent farm operations in Sherman township, where he has since continued his successful activities and won for himself secure vantage-place as an energetic and progressive farmer and public-spirited citizen. His 'wife received three hundred and twenty acres of land as a heritage from the estate of her father and Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Clung have since added to its area until they have one of the best farm properties in Sherman township. They are active members of the Methodist Epis'copal church and in politics he gives a 'basic allegiance to the' Republican party.

In the year 1904 Mr. McGlung wedded Miss Cora Chichester, who was born in Filley township, this county, a daughter of Samuel and Martha (Forbes) Chichester, who. were natives of Illinois and who became pioneer settlers in Gage county, where both died when Mrs. McGlung was a child, she having been reared in the home of William Reed, another pioneer of the county. Mr. and Mrs. McGlung have no children.

JOSEPH SHALLA: - Born on 'his father's farm in Glenwood township; where his boyhood days were spent in attending the public schools and receiving instruction in the best ihethods of agriculture under the direction of his father, the subject of this review wisely ehose the occupation to which he had been reared and for the past three years has been operating a farm of one-hundred and sixty acres in Section 16, Glenwood township.

Mr. Shalla, though still a young man, is making a success of his farming venture and is becoming one of the substantial citizens of Glenwood township, where his entire life thus far has been passed.

AUGUST ADAM. - A native son of Gage county and a representative of one of its early pioneer families is August Adam, who owns and operates an excellent farm of two hundred acres in Glenwood township. He was born on his father's farm in this township,' December 4, 1887, a son of Ernst Adam, of whom individual record is made on other pages. His boyhood days were spent on the home farm, where he learned the best methods of agriculture under the direction of his father and he attended the public schools to acquire his education. He inherited his 'farm from the estate of his parents and- has been operating this for the 'past six yeiars. An excellent sef of buildirtgs has been put on the place since it came into his possession and he is one of the successful young farmers of the county.

Mr. Adam married Miss Minnie Duis, who likewise was born in this county and who is a daughter of Ralph A. Duis. Of her father personal record is given elsewhere in this volume. Two children, Martha and Walter, have. come to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Adam. The family are members of the Lutheran church and are among the highly respected people of the cornmuhity.

HENRY MENKE. - This publication' exercises one of its most important functions when it accords tribute to those worthy pioneers who, after having contributed their full quota to the civic and industrial development and progress of Gage county,' have passed from the stage of life's mortal endeavors and rest from their labors after having proved stewardship that well merits the commendation of "Well done, good and faithful servant."

the representative agriculturists and stockgrowers of Gage county, was bom in Wurtemberg, Germany, December 4, 1832, and he was a youth at the time of the family immigration to America, his father having previously taken part in the revolutionary movement in Germany. The family home was established in Ohio, where the parents passed the remainder of their lives, as sterling pioneers of the old Buckeye state. Henry Menke was given the advantages of the schools of his native land until the time of the family removal to the United States. About the year 1880, he came to Nebraska and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Section 33 Clatonia township. He .developed this into one of the productive and well improved farms of the county, there passed the residue of his life, and there his widow still maintains her home. He erected good buildings on the farm, set out trees and in time, by his thrift and enterprise, made it one of the model farms of Clatonia township. Here his death occurred September 20, 1915, and his name and memory are revered in the community that so long represented his home. He was a man of strong intellectuality, well fortified in his convictions concerning public policies, was a Republican in politics, and while he had no desire for official preferment he consented to serve for a number of years in the position of road overseer in his township. He was a most earnest and devout member of the German Methodist church, as is also his venerable widow, and he gave zealous and effective service as a local preacher of this denomination. Ordering his life upon the highest plane of integrity and honor, he was essentially one of the world's productive workers diiring the course of a long and vigorous career.

As a young man Mr. Menke wedded Miss Mary Neimeyer, of Ohio, she having been born in Germany and her death having occurred in Ohio, in 1861. Of the four children ot this union the following brief data are available: Frederick is a merchant in the city of Portsmouth, Ohio; Mrs. Lizzie Schmidt resides at Friend, Saline county, Nebraska ; Henry, Jr., is deceased, he having been a

On the 1st of January, 1865, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Menke to Miss Eliza Knapp, who was bom in Germany, May 15, 1843, a daughter of Henry and Caroline (Schocke) Knapp. She was but a small child when her parents came from Germany to America on a sailing vessel, and eleven elapsed ere the family disembarked in the port of New York city, whence removal was made to Ohio, the family home having been established in Lawrence county, that state, when Mrs. Menke was a child of four years and her parents having there passed the remainder of their lives, her father having been for many years employed in connection with the operation of the iron furnaces in that section of the state. Of the ten children of Mr. and Mrs Menke two died in infancy, and of those who attained to adult age the following record is given in conclusion of this brief memoir: Caroline is the wife of Lewis Klopper, of Caltonia township; Matilda is the wife oi William Daubendick, of South Bend, Iowa; Catherine is the wife of John H. Wayman, of Clatonia township, and he is individually mentioned on other pages of this work; Eliza is the wife of R. H. Kane, a merchant at Deshler, Thayer county, Nebraska ; Rosa is the wife of Lewis Wayman, of Holt county, this state; Edward is a resident of Hebron, Nebraska; Nettie is the wife of Frank Steinmeyer, of Grant township ; and Albert rernains with his widowed mother, as manager of the old home farm.

GERHARD L. FRERICHS was born on the farm which is now the stage of his independent activities as one of the representative young exponents of agricultural and livestock industry, in Section 22, Logan township, the date of his nativity having been October 8, 1889, and he being a son of L. W. Frerichs, concerning whom individual mention is made on other pages of this volume. The early educational discipline of Mr. Gerhard L. Frerichs was acquired in the district and German schools, and his judgment has caused him to pay unfaltering allegiance to farm enterprise. In 1910 he married and then became a partner of his father in conducting the operations of the well improved farm estate. In the spring of 1917 his father retired and removed to the city of Beatrice, and the subject of this review has since continued his successful and progressive activities in the control and management of the finely improved farm of three hundred and twenty acres, upon which his father settled more than thirty-five years ago.