Hall County, Nebraska - Chapter 28, 1920 (part 13 of 16)

John H. Bitter was born in Germany, February 17, 1866. His parents were Deidrick and Margaret Bitter, both of whom were born in Germany, where the mother died- at the age of forty-five years. After that the father and his children came to the United States and later settled in Whiteside County, Illinois, where he lived to be seventy-two years old. John Henry Bitter was sixteen years old when he accompanied his father to the United States and he had already had school training. He remained in Whiteside County, Illinois, until 1889, when he came to Nebraska, and in 1896 settled on the farm he has operated since. He has one hundred and twenty acres here which he rents, and carries on general fanning and raises a good grade of cattle, hogs and chickens. He is careful and systematic, makes use

In Hall County, on September 18, 1895, Mr. Bitter married Miss Mina Olthoff, who was born in Hall County, and they have had three children : an infant that died ; Bertha, a popular teacher in the public schools ; and Mary, attending the high school at Doniphan. Mr. Bitter and his family are members of the Lutheran church. For a number of years he has been a school director. In fraternal matters he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and Mrs. Bitter is a member of the Royal Neighbors.

JAMES A. HARDING is living in honorable retirement in a comfortable home in Hastings, Nebraska, surrounded by all the necessities and many of the luxuries of hfe, a condition made possible by the success attained in former years of activities as an agriculturist. He was a resident of Hall County for thirty-three years and contributed )iis full share towards the agricultural development of the community in which he lived.

James A. Harding is a native of Maine and was bom in the Pine Tree State, January 6, 1844. His parents, Thomas and Lydia Harding, were natives of Maine and in 1853 became residents of Crawford County, Wisconsin, taking up their abode there in pioneer days and there the father passed away at the age of eighty-four years, while the death of the mother occurred in California at the age of eighty years.

James A. was a lad of nine summers when the family home was established in Wisconsin and here he spent the days of his boyhood and youth, going into the lumber camps of the northern pine woods, at sixteen he did a full man's work while yet a boy in years, and becoming ambitious, in 1880 went to Kansas and secured a homestead in Lincoln County, proving up on the same and residing there five years. He then moved to Saline County, Nebraska, living at Pleasant Hill for five years, when his next move took him to Hall County. In Doniphan township he purchased eighty acres of land and devoted himself industriously to farming pursuits, making a success of his undertakings which is attested by the fact that today he is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres, improved with three sets of buildings, the land now being operated by his sons. He also owns an eighty acre tract near Leeton, Missouri. The success that has come to Mr. Harding has been justly earned through industry and good management and

Mr. Harding married Miss Bettie Dykeman, who bore him one child, a son, George Harding, who is engaged in operating one of his father's farms in Hall County. For his second wife Mr. Harding married Miss Orra Thompson, whose death occurred when fifty years of age, being killed in a cyclone at Leeton, Missouri. She was the mother of two children : Jay A., who resides on one of his father's farms in Hall County; and Anna May, a young lady of fifteen who lives with her father.

Mr. Harding has the honor of being one of the surviving soldiers of the Civil War, having served in the Eighth Wisconsin Light Artillery. He was a member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic as long as there were members enough in this locality to keep it up.

He can truly be called a self made man for the success that has come to him is the result of his own efforts, and before he took up the occupation of farming he followed the trade of carpenter, and though he has reached the age of seventy-five appears a man much younger. The years that mark the span of his life have been years of wonderful developm:ent and he has been not only an eye-witness of this wonderful transformation but has been a pioneer in three states, and assisted in bringing about present day conditions.

Mr. Harding is a Republican in politics and while living on the farm in Kansas served several years as a member of the school board of his district, the cause of education finding in him a starlwart champion.

JOHN GALLAGHER. - The recollections of some of the old settlers of Hall County extend far back, taking in interesting details of events that are a part of the county's history. Not many there are whose remembrances are equally authentic with those of John Gallacher who, as a public official during important years, had a part in the political as well as material development here. Mr. Gallacher is now living comfortably retired at Doniphan.

The birth of Mr. Gallacher took place in the historic city of Glasgow, Scotland, May 29, 1852, the third son in a family of nine children bom to Christopher and Anna (Wilson) Gallacher, bo'th of whom were bom in Scotland and reared there, the former at Johnstone and the latter at Mauchline. Beside John, ^wo other children of the family survive, these being: James, superintendent of the

Southern Pacific coal mines at Paris, Alabama, and Mrs. Anna Thornton, whose husband is a retired miner of El Paso, Texas. Christopher Gallacher was a bridge contractor and stone dresser and his accidental death was caused in 1883 by a railroad train while he was engaged in bridge building. There are few Scotch youths who do not have a chance to get the foundation of an education and John Gallacher had his opportunity in Glasgow. He was twenty years old when he left his native land for Canada, landing at Quebec, May 14, 1872, and shortly afterward came to the United States, which countrj' has since been his home. He first went to Braidwood, Illinois, where he worked as a miner until 1875, then came to Hall County. He was a witness of tlie Great Diamond mine disaster in Illinois.

In 1875 Mr. Gallacher married Miss Alice Spellman, whose brother, Allen Spellman, resides at Coal City, Illinois. The parents of Mrs. Gallacher, John and Sally Spellman, were pioneer settlers in Adams County, Indiana, where both died, the father at the age of sixty-four and the mother at the age of fifty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Gallacher have six children : Mrs. Sarah Kissinger, whose husband operates a garage at Hastings. Nebraska ; Mrs. Anna Marsh, whose husband is superintendent of the public schools of Hooper, Nebraska; Charles, who died at the age of twenty-eight years ; Mrs. Alice Gideon, who lives at Doniphan, and John and Mrs. Mary Kindig, twins, both of whom live at Doniphan. Sir. Kindig, Mary's husband, enlisted in the service of the United States as a marine, June 17, 1917, at Omaha, Nebraska, a member of the Fifth Regiment which won undying honor for its unparalleled bravery on the battle-fields of France. This gallant young hero was killed in action on November 1, 1918.

When Mr. and Mrs. Gallacher first came to Hall County they settled on a tract of wild prairie not far from Doniphan. He was so ignorant of farm surroundings and equipments that he had to have his wife, who had been reared on a farm, teach him how to harness a team. There were many difficult things he could do but he had never been trained to farm pursuits. At first he broke up the prairie in order to quickly get in a crop with a team made up of a horse and cow. Actual money was scarce in those days and Mr. Gallacher gladly took opportunity of the chance to work for John Agers for seventy-five cents a day even when it meant making the long trip back and forth each day between Doniphan and Grand Island. His industry and enterprise met with a generous reward and through all their changes in fortune, Mr. and Mrs. Gallacher continued to live on their pioneer farm until 1906, when they moved into Doniphan. They attended the Congregational church, of which Mrs. Gallacher is a member. Mr. Gallacher is a staunch Republican. For four years he was on the board of county commissioners of Hall County and instrumental in bringing the St. Joseph and Grand Island railroad through Doniphan. He has faithfully and honestly served in a number of other public capacities and was chairman of the building committee that erected the present handsome Hall County courthouse. For twenty-four years he has been a school director, accepting this responsibility as a public duty. Mr. Gallacher has long' been considered one of the county's representative men. Since he was twenty-one years old he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity.

ALEXANDER GRAHAM, a resident of Hall County for many years, followed agricultural pursuits here and at the time of his death, September 21, 1919, owned many acres of valuable land. Mr. Graham was considered one of the county's representative citizens.

He was born in Scotland in 1852, and was only fourteen years old when he accompanied his father to Hall County, where he spent the rest of his life. The fami which is now the property of his widow, he bought when twenty-one years old, and afterward expended time and money in improving it. During his most active years he was an extensive feeder of cattle. He was a member of the Baptist church.

At Grand Island, April 28, 1891, Mr. Graham married Miss Otillie Richter, who was born at Chicago, Illinois, October 28, 1870. Her parents were August and Matilda Richter, the father was born in Germany, being fourteen years old when he came to the United States, living three years in Hastings. Afterward he homesteaded in Hall County, in 1881. securing one hundred and sixty acres of land. He was a carpenter by trade and followed that in addition to farming. Before coming to Nebraska he had served as a soldier in the Civil War. Mrs Graham was educated in the public schools. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Graham : Agnes, who died in infancy; Amelia E., who resides at home; August Alexander, who enlisted May 4, 1917, in the coast artillery, United States army, is stationed in the Phillipine Islands ; and George

D. and John, both of whom reside with their mother on the home farm on section eleven. South Platte township. Mrs. Graham is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Graham was never very active in political matters but he was well informed as a citizen and he voted with the Republican party.

JAMES EDWARD ORNDOFF, a prosperous general fanner in Cameron township, Hall County, is one of the old settlers of this section, having come to the county in 1885. Mr. Orndotif was born in the historic Shenandoah valley in West Virginia, in 1852, the eldest of nine children in the family of Robert and Anna (Thompson) Orndotf, the others being: Benjamin and Harvey, both of whom are deceased ; Orlando, who lives at Cairo, Nebraska ; John, Lewis and Virginia, all of whom are deceased ; Porter, a farmer in the state of Washington, and Albert, who lives in New York. The parents were born and reared in West Virginia and from that state moved to Christian County, Illinois, where the father engaged in farming. He was a Democrat in politics and both he and the mother belonged to the Christian church. Both died. in Illinois.

James Edward Orndoff obtained a common school education and has always devoted himself to agricultural purusits. In 1885 he set out, with his family, from Springfield, Illionis, for Nebraska, the long journey to the new home in Hall County being made in a prairie schooner. Since first coming here he has owned different properties, but for some years has resided on his present one hundred and sixty acre farm situated in section 1, Cameron, township, where he has made substantial improvements, has a fine orchard and judging by his accumulation of modern farm machinery, is an intelligent and progressive farmer. He keeps standard livestock and a few milch cows but makes no special feature of dairying.

Mr. Orndoff' married Mar}^ C. Carr, whowas born in 1860, in Dewitt County, Illinois. Her parents were Dr. Clark H. and Catherine (Johnson) Carr,- the former of whom was born in Kanawha County, West Virginia, in 1834, and the latter in Ross County, Ohio, in 1833. Mrs. Orndoff was the first born of their six children, the others being: Mrs. Laura E. Gross, who lives in Deadwood, South Dakota ; Samuel C, located in Illinois ; Margaret E., the wife of William G. Banning, of Shelby County, Illinois; Ida F., the wife of William Reed, lives in Illinois, and Cath- erine J., the vife of John Nichols, hves in IlHnois. By a former marriage Dr. Carr had one son, Millard F., who lives in Illinois, where Dr. Carr practiced medicine during the greater part of his life. He was a Republican in his political views, and he belonged to the Masonic fraternity. He died in 1913 aged seventy-eight years. The mother passed away six months prior to the death of her husband. To Mr. and Mrs. Orndoff the following children have been born: Anna, the wife of Milburn Brundage, of Cairo, Nebraska; Robert and James, both of whom are deceased ; Goldie, who is the wife of Frank Irvin, of Cairo ; John, who is a farmer and stockman living near Cairo, married Emma Vlock, and has one child, Edward ; Gilbert, who is deceased, was married to Delia Rodocker, who had one child, Goldie Catherine; Eward, who lives at Cairo, married Belle Omer, and they have one child, Wilmer ; Opal, the wife of Jack Irvin, has two children, Lorene and Duard ; she is postmistress at St. Michael, Buffalo County, Nebraska; Bryan, who has recently returned home with his honorable discharge, for nineteen months was a member of the Fourth Engineers, United States army, was married July 30, 1918, to Vashti Leverich, a native of Linn County, Oregon.

RALPH B. MILLER, a progressive and successful farmir of Hall County, is operating the old family homestead which is situated in sections 16-21, Cameron township. He was born in this township, August 23, 1891, the oldest of a family of three children born to his parents, who were August George and Selnia (Powers) Miller. His father, August George Miller, was born in Fayette County, Iowa, November 4, 1868. His father Jacob, was a native of Germany who came to Hall County in the early seventies. August George inherited eighty acres of land to which he added another eighty. He was married in Hall County in 1889 to Selma Powers, and died September 10, 1912, the mother having passed away at the age of thirty-two. He belonged to no church, was a Democrat and served as school director. Of his two brothers, Floyd W. was killed in a runaway accident, and Frank J. is a student of law in the Sate University in Lincoln.

Ralph Bernard Miller obtained his education in the public schools and has always made his home in Hall County. Embracing an agricultural life when he reached manhood, he determined to dq well what he undertook and in the cutivation of his land and in his livestock interests, he has followed modern methods. While the farm was fairly well improved before he took charge, he has found much to do and has developed his father's old homestead into a very valuable property. He owns one hundred and sixty acres, ninety acres of which are under cultivation. His cattle and stock are equal in grade to any in the county and his average is twenty-eight head of cattle and fifty head of hogs yearly. In 1912 Mr. Miller married Miss Margaret Siek, a daughter of Hans Siek, a prominent Hall County farmer. They have two sons: August George and Roy Floyd, aged respectively four years and one month. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are quiet, home-loving people and they have many friends in this neighborhood. Mr. Miller has never been active in poltics and is an independent voter.

JAMES WYLEY SMITH. - To know first hand of early conditions in Hall County, which is now one of the garden spots of the great state of Nebraska, the interested student should question Mr. and Mrs. James W. Smith of Doniphan. They came here in 1873 and had ample opportunity within the succeeding ten years to exercise every bit of patience they possessed in weathering hail storms, snow, blizzards, floods, drouths and grasshopper invasions.

James Wylie Smith was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, February 1, 1834. His parents were Andrew and Jane (Barr) Smith, both of whom were born, reared and died in Pennsylvania. James W. was the first of their four children, the others being: Robert, who is deceased; Caroline, who is deceased, and Joseph, a farmer near Marysville, Ohio. James W. Smith attended the district schools and afterward followed farming. When the Civil War came on he joined the home guards when the enemy threatened Pennsylvania and Ohio, later serving on guard duty in the southern part of the state.

On December 24, 1860, James W. Smith married Miss Nancy Carpenter, who was born in 1843 in Union County, Ohio. Her parents were John and Susie (Cole) Carpenter, the latter of whom was born in New York and died in California at the age of eighty-three years. The father died when Mrs. Smith, the youngest of his six children, was very young. Her brothers were: James and Andrew, both of whom are deceased; John, a farmer living in California; Hiram, who lives retired in California, and Henry, who died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith lived on their farm in Union County, Ohio, for ten years and then removed to CaHfornia, but their efforts there did not meet with the success they had expected and three years later they came to Hall County. Mr. Smith homesteaded five miles southeast of Doniphan. It was a lonely section at that time and the roads were so poor that with the means of transportation that they had, Mrs. Smith says that it took an entire day of travel to cover the thirteen miles between Hastings and their farm. There were so few settlers in this part of the county that no schools could be organized at any one point, and while proving up on his land, for four years Mr. Smith taught the children in their own homes. He became well known and very highly esteemed, passing away ten years ago.

The following children were bom to Mr. and Mrs. Smith: Mrs. Emma Jane Snarley, is a widow living in Doniphan ; Orvil, a farmer in this county ; Charles, also a fanner in Hall County; George, who is employed at Detroit, Michigan ; Mary, who died at the age of two years ; Lucy, who died when seven years old ; Lora, a teacher in Garden County ; Albert, a farmer in Minnesota; Mrs. Clara Bond, whose husband is a farmer in Hall County on the old homestead of J. W. Smith, and John and an unnamed infant, both of whom died when babes. Mr. and Mrs. Smith ape members of the Presbyterian church.

ALMOND WILLIAM BENTON, a representative citizen of Hall County, at one time a justice of the peace, and owner of highly improved farm land in Cameron tov/nship, came to Nebraska almost forty years ago and has been helpful in the various developing agencies that have changed a wilderness into one of the most productive and one of the most intelligent sections of this great commonwealth.

Mr. Benton was born in Lewis County, New York, December 13, 1850. His parents, Loren D. and Sarah (Seward) Benton, belonged to notable families of the Empire State. His father, born in Otsego County, July 14, 1798, was a farmer and also a carpenter, and lived to be eighty-five years old. His mother was also a native of Otsego County, born November 10, 1804, and she survived to the same advanced age. They never came to Nebraska, the old settled ways of the east pleasing them best, and they lived and died in New York highly esteemed by all who knew them.

home farm and obtained his education in the local schools. In 1880 he came to Hall County, having a small amount of capital, which he invested in railroad land, and he now owns three hundred and twenty acres that he has very substantially improved. In addition to engaging in general farming he early became interested in the stock industry and until recently was an extensive raiser of hogs, but has been mainly concerned in raising thoroughbred Percheron horses and has marketed fine animals. He has had his share of pioneer hardships but he never became discouraged as to the final outcome and in times of deep despondency, his attitude was often very helpful in encouraging others.

By his first wife Mr. Benton had two children: Lila, who is the wife of R. B. Randolph, a farmer in Mayfield tov/nship, and Myron A., who is a farmer in South Loup township. In 1890 Mr. Benton married Miss Emogene Reed, a native of Iowa, who was reared in Hall County. Her father, Emerson Reed, was born in Vermont and her mother Mary E. Garrison, was born in Pennsylvania. They came to Iowa when cliildren and married there, where the father was a farmer. They came to Hall County, Nebraska, in 1878, living here until fourteen years ago when they removed to Washington, both passing away in that state. Of this marriage there are three children: Ina, the wife of George D. x\llen, a farmer in Cameron township; Hazel D., the wife of Rupert W. Sill, a farmer in Cameron township, and Almon W., attending school at Cairo. Mr. Benton has always been active in the Democratic party and has loyally supported its fundamental policies. His sterling character has frequently been recognized by his fellow citizens by his election to office and his intelligent attitude in regard to the public schools in his township, with which he has been connected for twenty years, has had much to do with their notable excellence. He has acceptably filled many local positions in which good judgment and public spirit have been essential, and for twelve years he was a justice of the peace.

QUINTES D. OMEY, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Hall County, resides on his substantially improved farm situated in section 35, South Loup township. He is one of the solid, reliable citizens, a man of practical ideas and one who consistently attends to his own business, having spent the greater part of his life in Nebraska.

in Ringgold County, Iowa. His parents were Edward and Isabell (Wibble) Omey, natives of New York, who were married in Illinois and from there came to Iowa and in 1884 to Hall County, Nebraska, settling on a farm in Cameron township. The father of Mr. Omey died at the age of seventy-seven years and the mother in her seventy-third year. Of the six children, Q. D. was the youngest, the others being: Edward, a farmer, died at the age of forty-seven years ; Lewis, a fanner in Holt County, Nebraska; John, also a farmer in Holt County; Nora, the widow of R. M. Graves, lives in Pueblo, Colorado, and Lillie, the wife of Henry Waddington, lives on a farm in Buffalo County, Nebraska.

The parents of Mr. Omey brought him to Hall County when he was about three years old and he grew to the age of twenty-one years on his father's farm, attending school in the meanvvhile as opportunity offered. His business life has been along agricultural lines. In addition to his farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he has placed excellent improvement, Mr. Omey has other land situated west of his home place. He has been very successful in his farm undertakings and attributes his prosperity mainly to the fact that he has given such a large measure of attention to the best of stock. He has on his farm a good grade of cattle and Plymouth Rock poultry and he is the owner of registered Duroc Jersey hogs, having thirty-five head of the same at the present time. His enterprise has paid him well and his efforts to raise stock standards in the county is very commendable.

On October 30, 1902, Mr. Omey married Miss Genevieve Paul, v^^ho was bom in 1881, in Cameron township. Hall County, Nebraska. Both parents of Mrs. Omey, James and Flora (Green), are deceased, the father dying at the age of fifty-seven and the mother when thirty years of age. They had the following children, six in number, Mrs. Omey being the youngest: J. E., a dentist, lives at Santa Ana, California; Frank, a farmer near Broadwater, Nebraska; Dora, the wife of Leslie Boodry, a farmer near Angora, Nebraska ; Edith, the wife of Fred Goodrich, a merchant at Cairo, and Gladys, the wife of William Lee, a farmer near Bridgeport, Nebraska.

Mr. and Mrs. Omey have the following children : Virginia, who attends school at Cairo; Marcia, Maxwell and Mildred, all of whom are at home, the older two attending the neighborhood school. Mrs. Omey is a member of the Church of the Latter Day Saints. In politics Mr. Omey votes as his judgment dictates.

JAMES W. LONGSTRETH. - One of Hall County's pioneers and permanent settlers is found in J. W. Longstreth, who has lived on his farm, in South Loup township since he bought it thirty-four years ago. He found little here except the unbroken prairie and for some years conditions were not as comfortable as those enjoyed today. Mr. Longstreth always maintained that this section of the state would become exceedingly valuable and he has lived to see his judgment proved true.

James W. Longstreth was born February 5, 1856, in Muscatine County, Iowa. His father was born in Dayton, Ohio, and died in Iowa at the age of seventy years. The family name of his mother was Deweese and she was born in Ohio and died when aged seventy-two years. They had nine children: J. R., who lives in Iowa ; J. W., of South Loup township. Hall County, Nebraska; N. W., who lives in Canada; F. E., resides at Letts, Iowa; Ada, whose home is in Wyoming; Eleanora, who died in Iowa; Oliver J., who lives in Iowa ; D. Cochran, who lives at Letts, Iowa, and Cora, deceased.

Mr. Longstreth attended school in Iowa and engaged in farming in that state until 1885, when he came to Hall County, with the intention of making this section his home and bought a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land that suited his purpose. He has greatly improved this property in the years he has lived here and now has one hundred and fifty acres under a high state of cultivation. He has made the raising of good stock a feature of his work and has many fine cattle, horses and hogs. He has been a useful citizen also, taking an interest in all that has promised to be of permanent benefit, especially in the public schools, serving as school trustee for many years. He married Miss Mattie J. Reed, who was bom in Muscatine County, Iowa, and was thirty-seven years old at time of death. They had three children: Marietta, the wife of F. G. Shoopman. a farmer near Litchfield ; Dayton Oliver, who conducts the home farm, and James H., who entered Camp Grant for military training in an infantry regiment, September 5, 1918, recently returning home. The family is one held in high esteem throughout the county.

JAMES C. BULLOCK. - One of the well known and highly respected residents of South Loup township, Hall County, is J. C. Bullock, who came to Nebraska in early days and has assisted in the development of dif- ferent sections. Mr. Bullock has always been an observing man and his recollections of people and events connected with his long life in the state, give a very vivid idea of conditions here a half century ago.

Mr. Bullock was born in Hawkins County, Tennessee, October 1, 1842. His father was born in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, grew up there and acquired land which he sold and moved first to Jay County, Indiana, then to Randolph County, and from there, in 1856 to Polk County, Iowa. He was twice married and had three sons : J. C, who lives in Hall County; Isaac, who died in Hall County at the age of fifty years, and Moses, who was a carpenter, died in Kalawa County, Washington, at the age of sixty years. In 1889 Mr. Bullock removed from Iowa to Nebraska and homesteaded near Antioch, in Sheridan County, where he remained five years before coming to Hall County in 1894.

In Polk County, Iowa, Mr. Bullock was united, in marriage with Nancy Anna Cox, who died at Antioch, Nebraska, in 1890. They had five children: Newton Clark, who was bom July 9, 1865, served four years in the United States navy, then returned home, but is now on the United States cruiser California; Sarah, born January 30, 1868, in Jay County, Indiana, is the wife of Adam Stoeger ; Alice Louise, bom Nevember 4, 1870, is the wife of Henry Stoeger, a substantial farmer and dairyman of Hall County ; Maria Celesta, born January 5, 1875, lived but three years, and Otto M., born November 5, 1877, and died at the aee of thirteen months.

LESLIE BOODRY, Jr., one of the enterprising and industrious farmers of Hall County, conducts his agricultural operations very successfully. He is listed with the intelligent and progressive citizens of South Loup township.

Mr. Broody was born in Cameron township, Hall County, October 29, 1888, the son of Leslie and Dora (Paul) Boodry, the former of whom was born in the state of New York in 1866 and the latter in 1869. They now live near Aurora, Nebraska, where Mr. Broody conducts a ranch. Of their family of eleven children, Leslie Boodry, Jr., was the second born, the others being: James, who lives at Angora ; David, a mechanic in a government aviation field in Texas ; Frank, a ranchman near Angora; Warren, who served one year and five months in a training camp at Jacksonville, Florida, during the World War; Theodore and Ila, both of whom reside at home;

Leslie Boodry, Jr., obtained his education in the public schools. He has made farming and stockraising his business ever since he reached manhood and has taken so much interest in the work that he has been unusually successful. In 1907 he located in Morrill County, Nebraska, where he continued to live until 1914 when he came to Hall County, locating one mile west of his present farm and then came to the one he is yet operating, which he rents from Phoebe A. Fuller. He keeps everything in good repair and an air of plenty and appearance of thrift, indicate Mr. Boodry's thoroughness and industry. On an average he keeps fifteen head of cattle, thirty head of hogs and six horses.

Mr. Boodry married Miss Rachel Clugy, who was bom in 1891, in Iowa, and they have one son, Leslie William, who is now four years old, a bright engaging child. Mr. Boodry is an independent voter. While living in Morrill County he served one year on the school board, but has accepted no public office since coming to Hall County.

HENRY STOEGER, whose reputation for excellence in farming and success in dairying is so well founded that he is placed with the representative agriculturists of Hall County, is not a native of Nebraska but has spent the greater part of his life in this state. Mr. Stoeger entertains a high opinion of this great commonwealth, its business possibilities and its people, and says that he never encountered unusual hardships during his whole period of residence. He is a heavy landowner and a prominent factor in the dairy interests of South Loup township. Mr. Stoeger was born in Lawrence County, Illinois, September 25, 1865, the son of John Stoeger.

H. Stoeger attended the public schools in his native county and assisted his father on the home farm until he was thirteen years old, when he accompanied his parents to Hall County, where his father homesteaded. He later went to Chase County and took a homestead for himself and proved up, but twentythree years ago, after selling his Chase County land, he returned to the homestead in South Loup township. Hall County, and has lived here since. In 1890 he had a record corn crop, raising thirty bushels to the acre on his land one mile west of Cairo, when other farmers found their crop an entire failure. In his subsequent large agricultural operations he com- bined farming and cattle raising and found it profitable. He now devotes the most of his attention to dairying, keeping a large herd of cows for the purpose, but he also raises horses and hogs. Mr. Stoeger owns five hundred and forty acres and has three hundred and twenty in pasture land.

Mr. Stoeger married Miss Alice Louise Bullock, who was born November 4, 1870, and is a daughter of J. C. and Nancy Anna (Cox) Bullock. They have three children: Edward Byran, who assists his father; Eugenia Maud, born Nevember_9, 1905 ; and Clifford Henry, born June 27, 1911. Mrs. Stoeger is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics Mr. Stoeger is a Democrat but he has never had any political ambition, being satisfied with the quiet life of a farmer and the ample returns that his vocation brings him. The family is a large one in this section and its members ' are all men of property and of honorable standing in their communities.

WILLIAM LINDSAY, whose well improved farm and fine stock proclaim him one who takes an understanding interest in his agricultural operations, has been a resident of Hall County since 1903 and of Nebraska since 1884. He owns a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres which is situated in section eight, Harrison township.

William Lindsay was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, December 24, 1860. His parents were E. C. and Julia Ann Lindsay, who spent their entire lives in that state. The father was a retired farmer at the time of his death. Of their family of twelve children, William Lindsay was the third in order of birth, the others being : Charles, a farmer near Vickery, Ohio; Byron, a farmer near his brother in Ohio ; Herman, a merchant at Vickery; Clara Jeanette, the wife of W. J. Barr, a farmer near Vickery ; Frank, a farmer near Fremont, Ohio; Ida the wife of WiUiam Grave, a farmer near Vickery ; Jessie, with her brother Herman in his store at Vickery; Florence, the wife of Roy Story, a mail carrier ; Elmer, who died at the age of ten years ; and two who died in infancy.

Mr. Lindsay obtained his education in the public schools of his native state and afterward taught school for three years at Reily Center, in Buft'alo County. In 1884 he came to Nebraska and bought land in Howard County, near Alba, and while operating his farm found time to teach school at a small place called Coachfield, which he conducted there for three years. When he eame to his present farm in Hall County he found it practically unimproved. Mr. Lindsay has put time and money into making this one of the fine farms of Harrison township. He is interested in producing good stock and turns ofif twenty head of cattle and at least fifty head of Poland China hogs a year. His farm operations are unusually successful because he directs his work carefully and systematically.

At Coachfield, Nebraska, Mr. Lindsay married Miss Nora B. Lindsay, who was bom in Illinois, in 1870. They have two children: Claude, who is employed in a garage and lives at Cairo, Nebraska, and Lenora, the widow of J. W. Zook, who was in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad as an electrician at the time of his death which resulted from an attack of influenza in December, 1918. Mr. Lindsay and family are members of the Evangelical church. Like his father before him he is a strong Republican in his political opinions. He has served in public office both in Howard and in Hall County, being county assessor for one year in the former and school treasurer here for three years. He is highly respected by his neighbors and is looked upon as one of the township's representative men.

ORION BRYAN, who owns one of the best regulated farms in South Loup township. Hall County, has made a success of his agricultural operations in this as well as in other sections. He was brought up on his father's farm in Fulton County, Indiana, where he was born November 6, 1868, being the son of Henry Bryan, who died many years ago. His wife survived him many years passing away in 1910.

Mr. Bryan obtained his education in the public schools in Indiana. He came to Nebraska in March, 1882 to engage in farming in Buffalo County, where he rented land for a time. Later he bought land near Bluff Center, in Hall County, situated one and a half miles east of Cairo, where he lived for two years. In 1S90 he moved three miles further east, buying eighty acres from a Mr. Hooper, but later sold that property to Edward Wilcox and bought another eighty, two miles to the south and one mile to the east, paying a fair price to Michael Dunlap. When he sold that place he removed to Cameron township on a farm owned by Mr. Dodd and when he left Hall County in the fall of_ 1888. he had sufficient capital to establish himself well in Box Elder County, Utah, where he followed farming for seven years, and then removed to a location near Gridley, California, where he carried on fruit growing for three j'ears. In the meanwhile a favorite sister had married John T. Coons, a prominent farmer and stockman of Hall County, and that, perhaps, had something to do with Mr. Bryan once more turning his steps to this section.

In 1910 Mr. Bryan came back to Hall County and lived three years on a farm located one mile east and two south of Cairo and subsequently purchased this valuable property from Patrid'C Swan and has one hundred and seventeen of his two hundred and seventeen acres under cultivation. He has greatly improved his surroundings, his barns and outbuildings are substantial, his residence comfortable and he has one of the most upto-date silos in the county. He keeps high grade stock and raises cattle, horses and hogs.

Mr. Bryan married Miss Lillie Porter, who was born in Illinois. They have the following children, their ages ranging from twenty-four to six years : Lena, Belle, Gertrude, Gilford, Ruth, Lawrence M., and Helen, all of whom live at home, and the older children have been given good educational opportunities. Mr. Bryan and his family are members of the Baptist church, and one of his brothers is a Baptist minister. He has never been very active in politics but his fellow citizens know that he has sound judgment and on important questions has decided opinions. He is a member of the M. W. A. lodge in Cairo.

HANS ADAM DIBBERN, called one of Hall County's best farmers, is operating four hundred and twenty acres of land in South Loup township and gives much attention to stockraising. He is an industrious, frugal man, always paying close attention to his own business, and has such sound, practical ideas of what farmers need in order to make their industries profitable, this his advice is often asked by his neighbors.

Hans Adam Dibbern was born in Schleswig- Holstein, Germany, one of a family of fifteen children born to Joachim and Margaret Dibbern. They were born in Germany and came with their children to the United States in 1871. The father homesteaded five miles east and one mile south of Wood River, Hall County, and that fann remained the family home as long as he and his wife lived. They died when aged about seventy-four years and were interred in the Wood River cemetery. Three of their children died in infancy, the others being: Mrs. K. Weise, who died at the age of forty-eight years ; Mrs. J. Hermann, who died when aged fifty years; Henry D., a clerk, lives in Grand Island ; Mrs. L. Schmidt, who lives on a farm in Hooker County ; Peter D. and Hans A., twins, who live in Hall County ; Mrs. P. Hermann, who lives on a farm south of Grand Island; Mrs. Jolin Schlieker, who lives on a farm in Garden County ; Ernest D., a farmer south of Wood River; Mrs. Richard Runge, who lives in Custer County ; Otto D., who works in the sugar factory at Grand Island ; and August O., who lives on the old homestead near Wood River.

Hans A. Dibbern was but six months old when brought to America, he obtained his education after coming to the United States. He assisted his father on the homestead as long as he was needed there and then farmed for himself. At present he is renting the Hans Siek's farm and follows careful methods that result profitably. He believes it good policy to raise a good grade of stock.

Mr. Dibbern married Miss Maggie Engel, who was born in Germany, where her parents were also born. Her mother died in Germany but her father came to the United States. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dibbern: Herman H., a fanner in Hall County; Mrs. Peter Siek, whose husband is a farmer in Hall County; Harry J., Celia M., Lulu K., all of whom are at home; a babe that died unnamed ; and Walter J., Miles F., and Bessie A., all of whom are at home and all attending school. Mr. Dibbern and his family are well known and highly respected.

JOHN TAYLOR COONS, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Hall County, is also one of South Loup township's active and useful citizens. He came to Nebraska in 1885 and bought his first land in Valley County, on which he lived for four years then sold and bought his present fine farm in South Loup township. Hall County.

Mr. Coons was bom in 1856, in Fulton County, Indiana. His father died many years ago but his mother survived until 1918, although she had been an invalid for the last twelve years. Of the family of eight children, J. T. Coons was the second born, the others being: Mary Jane, who was bom in 1854, married a Baptist minister; Martha Jane, the wife of George Carter, a retired farmer of Indianapolis, Indiana ; Emma, the wife of Schuyler Keyes, connected with the Standard Oil Company at Albion, Indiana ; Dora, who died at the age of thirty years ; an infant that died unnamed ; Myra, who was the wife of Ed Tracy, a teacher at Eden, Idaho, died at

In boyhood Mr. Coons had common school advantages. He grew up on a farm and agricultural industries have mainly engaged his attention since he reached man's estate. For ten years he was in the employ of George Wingate in the butchering business. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in South Loup township and has eighty acres under a high state of cultivation. He feeds the bulk of his own grain and each year has twelve head of cattle and the same of horses to sell. He has found the raising of high grade poultry profitable and annually markets a flock of Rliode Island Reds. Mr. Coons is very systematic in carrying on his farm operations. He is well informed on all subjects pertaining to his business but is too sensible a man to be led into making any great changes in methods that have proved satis factorv' in his past experience, and in his own neighborhood his judgment is accepted as valuable.

Mr. Coons married Miss Amy Bryan, of Fulton County, Indiana. Her father died at the age of fifty-nine years while her mother passed away in 1910, aged eighty-three years. Mrs. Coons was the seventh born of eight children, the others being: Mrs. Samantha King, who lives in Rochester, Indiana; Lafayette, who died at the age of sixty-three years ; Malinda, who died in infancy ; Mrs. Ella Powers, who lives on a farm in Hall County; J. L., a minister of the Baptist church, in Franklin, Indiana; J. N., who was a farmer in Hall County, died at the age of thirty-three; and Orion, a resident of Hall County.

Mr. and Mrs. Coons had six children in their family: D. L., who was born in 1883, lives on a fami in Howard County, Nebraska, west of St. Paul; Ottis, who died in infancy; Edith and Ernest, twins, the former of whom is the wife of Arthur Lowry, living at Cairo, Nebraska, and the latter living at home ; Ethel, a competent teacher in the public schools ; and Lloyd, a student in the high school at Cairo. Mrs. Coons is a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Coons is active in politics to some extent in South Loup township and as a man of sound judgment in most matters, has much influence. For a number of years he has carefully watched over the welfare of the public schools as a member of the school board, and for two years he served very satisfactorily to his fellow citizens as township clerk.

visit and occasionally pause and perhaps accept hearty hospitality in Hall County, is much impressed by the evidences on all sides of peace, plenty and a high state of civilization. It almost requires credulity therefore, to accept the fact that history proves, that but fifty years ago this entire section of the state was yet the home of savage Indians who pillaged and murdered at will. Attesting this hideous truth, so abhorrent to present American ideals, are persons still living who passed through this condition with other haidships of pioneering, and among those none are better known than the Martin family, a prominent representative of which is William E. Martin, who resides on his farm near Doniphan.

William E. Martin was born in McHenry County, Illinois, not far from the city of Elgin, January 20, 1856. His parents were George and Ann (Owers) (Weaver) Martin, both of whom were born in the same village of Soahm, in England, the father in March, 1819, and the mother, September 5, 1818. The mother, by a previous marriage, had two children: George Weaver, a minister of the Holiness faith, died in the church parsonage at Tabor, Iowa, April 18, 1914, and Eliza Weaver who died in Hall County, in 1885. To her marriage with George Martin, the following children were born : Hephzibah, the wife of George Masterson, a farmer near Little River, Kansas; Henry N., a retired farmer living in Hastings, Nebraska; Robert O., who was a retired farmer living at Ellsworth, Kansas, at the time of his death, in 1902; Annie, the wife of George Huffman, a banker at Little River, Kansas ; and William Edward, who lives in Hall County.

George Martin, the father of William E. Martin, was a man of good standing in Illinois before coming to the west. He came to the United States in 1850 and located as a farmer in McHenry County, Illinois, where he rented land near the present Elgin watch factory. In 1857 he removed to Sidney, Iowa, and from 1858 to 1862 engaged in freighting across the plains between Nebraska City and Denver. In 1862 he brought his family to Hall County, securing a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, lying about eight miles west of Doniphan. The family lived at first in a sod house built by the father, but later he built a log house, using cottonwood logs which he cut on the bank of the Platte river. George Martin was industrious, enterprising and reliable. He raised about two hundred head of cattle on his own ranch and operates ranches for others. He was the first postmaster at Martin, through which ran the Ben Holliday stage line between Nebraska City and Denver. He re-

While the Indians were a constant menace to the early settlers, the first definite trouble that the Martins encountered was on September 10, 1864, when George Martin was wounded by an Indian arrow, and two of his sons, Henrj' N. and Robert O., who were riding the same horse, were struck by an arrow that pinned them together, H. N. being shot through the body. As soon as possible Mr. Martin and his wife started with them for Nebraska City for surgical treatment, but the boys were too badly wounded to be able to stand the rough trip, so at Beaver Crossing, the family took possession of an abandoned ranch house and within thirty days the parents had nursed the youths to a state of health that enabled them all to return home. Henry N. Martin still survives but Robert O. never fully recovered and his death twenty years afterward from spinal meningitis, was primarily, due to the Indian injury. On June 6, 1868, Indians raided a bunch of staked out horses belonging to the Martins, and although given a warm reception, managed to make oft' with three animals, going on then to a neighbor's place and carrying oft the Greggs' furniture and clothing. The Martins pursued the robbers and wounded one of them. In 1869 the Martins went to the help of other neighbors. The Indians killed a Mrs. Warren and carried off two girls by the name of Campbell, who were kept prisoners three months when an exchange was made for Indian prisoners held by whites, through the authority of the government.

William E. Martin was six years old when the family came to Hall County. He says that in the summers the antelope and buft'alo appeared in countless numbers. One of his earliest sports was trapping beaver, mink and otter on the Platte river and as he grew older and became more adept, he provided much of the warm clothing needed by the family, his resourceful mother contriving all kinds of garments from the skins. At an early day he bought a quarter section of cottonwood trees and watched them grow, and when large enough for saw logs, bought a power saw and from his little grove sawed about 70,000 feet of lumber. A cottonwood sapling he planted in 1869, today has a diameter of over six feet.

Mr. Martin is a very intelligent, well informed man, and is a graduate of the Grand Island Business College. He owns three hundred and sixty acres of well improved land and has an excellent orchard. He is a Republican, as was his father, but votes independently in local matters. During the World

War he was a liberal supporter of patriotic causes. Mr. Martin is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. On December 28, 1904, Mr. Martin married Nettie M. Hummell, who was born in Nebraska, the daughter of George and Lottie (White) Hummell, natives of New York and New Jersey, who settled with their parents, when young people, in Louisa County, Iowa. Here they were married and after a residence of one year came to Nebraska in 1871, locating in Webster County where they passed their lives. The mother died there in her forty-fourth year, the father passed away in July, 1917. He was a Methodist minister, one of the first in Red Cloud vicinity. A short time before his death at a pioneer picnic he rode a horse at the head of a procession, carrying a bible, just as he had done in the early days as a circuit rider.

(;;ARL STOEGER, successfully operating three hundred and twenty acres of well improved land situated in section twenty-two. South Loup township, is a native of Hall County, born at Cairo, March 18, 1893. He is a son of Adam and Sarah Stoeger, the father a native of Buffalo County, Nebraska, and the mother of Iowa.

Carl Stoeger obtained his education in the public schools. He remained at home until fourteen years of age and then went to work on farms and after renting land for a time which belonged to his father he purchased his present property which he has successfully operated the past three years. He has given careful attention to cattle and stock, keeping standard breeds only. At the present time Mr. Stoeger has twenty head of fine cattle and seventeen head of hogs, his sows being pure bred Poland-China, a large herd of good horses and mules and first class poultry. His farm and stock show the effect of careful management and probably his farm is one of the most profitable in South Loup township.

On August 15, 1913, Carl Stoeger was united in marriage with Miss Lulu Pry. Her parents are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Stoeger have four children : Laurence, Mildred, Raymond and Leonard. The family is highly respected in their neighborhood and Mr. Stoeger is considered a competent farmer and dependable citizen. He is an independent voter.

HANS SIEK, one of Hall County's good farmers and highly respected citizens, owns a fine body of land in South Loup township, five hundred and eighty acres in all and has

Mr. Siek was born in Germany, November 26, 1856. His parents were Claus and Elizabeth Siek, neither of whom came to the United States. The father died at the age of fifty- four years and the mother when fiftythree years. When twenty-one years old, April 1, 1878, Mr. Siek came to Nebraska and secured farm work in Hall County, subseuently he pre-empted land near Elder, but never lived on it. In 1886 he married Margaret Holtdorf, and they have had children as follows: a babe that died; Mrs. Anna Runge, who lives in Cameron township ; Mrs. Ella Schuett, who lives in Cameron township ; John, a physician ; Peter, a farmer in Cameron township; Mrs. Rosa Peters, whose husband is a farmer and dairyman in Bufifalo County ; Ernest, who assists his father ; Mrs. Margaret Miller, who lives in Cameron township ; August, who lives at home ; and three others who died in infancy.

Mr. Siek can tell many interesting stories of early days in the county, Cairo being a little village when he first came here. He says that on many occasions he has shot rabbits in what is now north Grand Island. Mr. Siek is not only a careful farmer and stockman, but a progressive one and he has alwayi made a study of his business just as he would have done had he engaged in any other. He has improved his property and all his buildings are substantial. He believes it good policy to give attention only to good grade of stock and at present he has ten head of fine horses, fifty head of cattle, fifty head of hogs and standard poultry. He is an independent voter and he is a Spiritualist in religious belief.

HERMAN WIESE, whose large and well cultivated farm is situated in sections twentyeight and thirty-four, Center township, is well known in Hall County where he has spent almost his entire life. He was only six years old when he accompanied his parents, Joachim and Catherine Wiese, from Germany, where he was born August 24, 1875. His recollections are vague in regard to the long voyage and wearying journey from the Atlantic coast to Nebraska, but he can easily recall many interesting events of early times in Hall County.

enjoy. He very early began to assist his father and take responsibility, but in 1909 he began farming on his own account and has done exceedingly well. Mr. Wiese owns two hundred acres of some of the finest land to be found in Hall County. He has it well stocked and cultivates it with modern farm machinery, and has taken his place with the foremost farmers of this section.

In 1902 Mr. Wiese married Miss Anne Hennings, whose people were early settlers in Hall County, and they have the following children: Helen, Hulda, Clarence, Linda, Arnold and Walter, all of whom live at home except Helen, employed in Grand Island. Mr. Wiese and his family are members of the Lutheran church. He has never interested himself to any extent in general politics but feels a little differently where Hall County is concerned, and when matters of local importance come to the front. He casts his vote for the man he deems best quahfied for the office he seeks. He belongs to some of the low German organizations which meet at Grand Island.

KLAUS HENRY KRUSE, identified with the interests of Hall County, Nebraska, for almost fifty years, has taken an active part in its agricultural development. By improving the tracts of land that he gradually acquired, he has not only added to their value, but set an example that many another careful landowner followed. Mr. Kruse was born in Holstein, Germany, October 2, 1841, the eldest of ten children born to Frederick and Catherine (Miller) Kruse._

It was in 1871 that Klaus Henry Kruse came to the United States and immediately made his way to Iowa, where many Germans had already settled. He remained in that state for one year, then came to Nebraska and secured a homestead of eighty acres in Prairie Creek township, Hall County. He immediately applied himself to the development of this 'land and years of hard labor followed. In the course of time Mr. Kruse acquired other farms, and these also, during his active years, he developed into profitable properties. He now owns two hundred and eighty acres, a larger territory than was comprised in some of the provinces in his native land in his boyhood. He has always believed a general farmline more satisfactory for the Nebraska farmer than special features, and has raised grain, potatoes and other crops and has had cattle and stock that always commanded a good price.

first wife, died in 1880, was Dora Kruse. They had four children : August, employed on the Reid Alton ranch; Adolph, who lives in Center township ; Rosa, the wife of H. Smith, of Hall County ; and Dora, the wife of George Hoagland, of Hall County. Mr. Kruse married second, in 1883, Mary Cyndia Wale. Pour children were born to this union : Mary and Henry, who are at home; and Fred and Katie, who are deceased. Early in 1917 Fred Kruse, was called into military service by the government. After a season of training he went to France with the American Expeditionary Force and alas, he can never come back, for he fell in battle, July 25, 1918. He was a very popular young man and the whole community grieve with his family. Mr. Kruse is a member of the Lutheran church. He and family are very highly esteemed in their neighborhood.

GUY M. DEAN, one of Hall County's, successful farmersi and representative citizens, operating his father's farm in Prairie Creek township, was born in Shiawassee County, Michigan, February 14, 1872. His parents were George P. and Emily (Firster) Dean, both of whom were born in Michigan.

Following the close of the Civil War, many of the returning soldiers found their old home surroundings offered too little opportunity to men broadened by travel and experience, and they took need when the chance was given to secure government land in the yet unsettled sections of the western country. The certainty of pioneer hardships did not alarm men who had fought through four years of carnage and had faced death on many a battlefield. Thus it was that Hall County secured such worthy settlers as George P. Dean, who came with wife and infant son in the summer of 1872. He had served as a member of the Twelfth Michigan Cavalry during three years of his service, participating in many battles including the campaign around Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. He still owns his farm of eighty acres situated in section thirty-five, Prairie Creek township. Hall County, but no longer is actively concerned in its operation, having turned his farm responsibilities over to his only son when he retired. In order to occupy his time, however, without unduly taxing his strength, he is serving as caretaker of a cemetery at Pittsburg Landing. Mr. Dean in telling of early days says that they hauled their fire wood from the Loup river, a distance of fifty or sixty miles, and cedar wood for the railroad for a living during the winter time and were caught in many a blizzard on the prairies. His family consists of two children : Guy M. and Edna. The latter is the wife of B. X. Harvey, of Adamsville, Tennessee.

Guy M. Dean has practically spent his entire life in Hall County. After finishing his period of school attendance, he became his father's right hand man on the farm and now rents the entire property from his father. It has been greatly improved and Mr. Dean keeps it well stocked. In 1881 he married Miss Cora

C, who lives in Grand Island. Mr. Dean's second marriage was to Miss Mabel M. Eaton. Mrs. Dean is a member of the First Congregational church at Grand Island.

GEORGE GRAHAM, who conducts his large farm situated in section two. South Platte township. Hall County, very profitably, has lived amid farm surroundings all his life. The Graham family came early to Hall County, and the grandfather of George Graham took part with other pioneer settlers, in many struggles with the Indians, who at that time were very hostile.

George Graham was born November 24, 1862, in Wisconsin, and was young when brought to Nebraska by his people. His parents were Alexander and Elizabeth (Campbell) Graham, natives of Scotland. Accompanied by other members of their family, they came to the United States and located first in Wisconsin. From there they came to Hall County, where Alexander Graham secured a homestead. On that place George Graham grew to manhood. Later he went to Kansas and took up a homestead for himself, on which he carried on farming for a time and then returned to Hall County. He owns two hundred acres, has his farm well stocked, carries on a general line of agriculture, raising a large amount of prairie hay, and makes a feature of doing his own blacksmithing, having a smithy on his place.

Mr. Graham is a quiet, thoughtful, busy man, who makes no display of political opinions at any time, but he always casts his vote according to his convictions of right. He is a member of the Congregational church.

JACOB C. NEUHALFEN. - The sturdy developed farms that meet the eye in Hall County, give the impression that men of agricultural experiences are operating here to their own and the county's profit. An instance is presented in the well kept farm of Jacob C. Neuhalfen, situated in section 26, Doniphan township, for he was reared on a farm and has devoted his hfe to farm industries.

Jacob Charles Neuhalfen was born in Hamilton County, Nebraska, July 2, 1886. His parents were Michael and Marie (Trost) Neuhalfen, the latter of whom was born in Germany in 1849, and the former in 1838. He died in Nebraska in 1915. Both parents came to the United States in 1858, lived at first in Illinois, and later came to Nebraska locating in Hamilton County. The father bought land that he later improved. The parents of Jacob C. Neuhalfen had eight children. He attended the country schools in the neighborhood of his father's farm and grew to manhood in Hamilton County. Farming and raising stock have been familiar labors since boyhood, and the practical methods he uses so successfully on his own farm, are more or less the results of experience. He is a man who stands well in his neighborhood in every way.

In Grand Island in 1910, Mr. Neuhalfen married Miss Bertha Happold, a daughter of Karl and Lena (Gmelich) Happold, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Neuhalfen have three children: Wilbur, Charles and Elaine. Mrs. Neuhalfen is a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Neuhalfen has never been very active in politics as far as party is concerned, but he has opinions on public affairs and votes according to his own judgment. This is a family of very pleasant, hospitable people.

CHARLES JOHN HEITZ, an enterprising and successful farmer of Hall County, belongs to one of the old pioneer families of this section that has been favorably known here for almost a half century. The old homestead that Mr. Heitz's father secured in those early days when Indians still wandered through this section and permanent white settlers were few, is yet in possession of the family.

Charles J. Heitz was born in Hall County, September 10, 1894. His parents were Theobald and Amelia (Walther) Heitz. His mother was bom in Switzerland, September 5, 1859. His father was born July 1, 1839, in Alsace-Lorraine, France, and died in Hall County May 22, 1909, being survived by the mother who still lives on the old farm. He was a well educated man, having attended school in his native land. He took a course in a high school after coming to the United States. In 1871 he came to Nebraska to become a permanent settler, selecting a homestead of eighty acres lying in section 34, Doniphan tov.-nship, Hall County. He continued to live on this property during the rest of his life, in the course of years placing substantial improvements thereon. When he came first to Grand Island one small store represented the present busy commercial houses of that city, and bands of Indians were not unusual sights. It is not on record that he ever had any difficulty with them. The family home was at first a sod house but later comfortable farm buildings were erected. The following children of the family survive : Charles J. ; George, in Montana; William, of Hastings, Nebraska; Frank and Edison on the farm with the mother; Mrs. Louise Spiehs, of Doniphan township, and Mrs. Lee Richmond, also of Doniphan township.

Charles J. Heitz obtained his education in the public schools. From boyhood he has been interested in farm pursuits and for some years has been numbered with the extensive farmers and cattle feeders of the county. He operates three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land situated in section 34, Doniphan township, to which he gives close attention. He is financially interested additionally in the Farmers Elevator and Milling Company at Doniphan, and is considered a capable and upright business man.

In Grand Island in 1913, Mr. Heitz married Miss Byrd Nelson, a daughter of Edward and Mary Belle (Drake) Nelson, the latter of whom was born in Greensburg, Indiana, in 1861. The father of Mrs. Heitz was born in Kentucky in 1846. He served four years in the Civil "War, enlisting when fifteen years old and was a prisoner at Andersonville, Georgia, for six months. He died two years ago, the mother in November, 1918.

^ RICHARD LEO McMULLIN, whose business enterprise in fann and stock activities has made his name well known in Hall County, belongs to a pioneer family of Nebraska that settled pennanently in this county in 1883. Like others of that date, it was called on to bear many unexpected hardships and face many discouragements, but a certain steady family strength of character brought endurance that finally won success in spite of misfortune. Richard L. McMuUin was born in Harlan County, Nebraska, in 1880 the youngest_ of three children and the only son born to Richard and Jane (Joynt) McMulIin. Their two daughters survive : Anna, a resident of Council Bluff's, Iowa, and Bessie, the wife of I. J. Doan, of Doniphan, Nebraska. The father was born in New York, in 1841, and died in Hall County in 1911. The mother was a native of County Mayo, Ireland. Prior to coming to Nebraska in 1878, Richard Mc- Mullin was a farmer in Illinois. He settled in this state in Harlan County in 1878, where he homesteaded and the family lived for five years in a sod house on his three hundred and twenty acre farm. After selling his homestead advantageously, he brought his family in 1883 to Hall County where he bought four hundred and eighty acres, which he developed with the assistance of his son. When he died this land, by that time grown very valuable, was divided among his three children. He was a man of sterling character, upright in all his dealings with others, and was a faithful member of the Roman Catholic church.

Richard L. McMullin attended the country schools, had Christian training at home and remained with his father until 1896 when he embarked in farming on his own account. He invested in land in dififerent parts of Hall County, now owning six hundred acres, some of which is well improved. He is an extensive feeder of hogs, cattle and mules for market, an important feature of his business being the handling of mules. In some of his business enterprises he is associated with Frederick O. Harrell, also a prominent stockman of Hall County.

Mr. Mf Mullin married iNIiss Emma Gregg, who was born in 1885, in Hall County, also a member of one of the pioneer families here. They have one daughter, Nona, attending school at Doniphan.

In politics Mr. McMulHn is an independent voter. He has never been very active in politics, his business affairs largely absorbing his time and interest, but he has served in village offices and as school director. He belongs to the Roman Catholic church and is a liberal contributor to many of its benevolent agencies.

JOHN W. RATHBUN, one of Hall County's progressive agriculturists, is successfully conducting farm industries on the old Rathbun homestead, on section fourteen, Center township. Believing that agriculture calls for a man's best thought and effort, Mr. Rathbun kept his chosen vocation in mind during school years both in Hall County and in Michigan, and has turned his education to good account. Mr. Rathbun was born December 13, 1888, in Hall County.

and the state of New York, the father in 1844 and the mother in 1848. Her death occurred July 28, 1918. The paternal grandparents, Daniel and Ruth (Ryder) Rathbun, were Canadians, the former bom in 1812 and the latter in 1815. Of his parents' family of seven children, C. P. Ratlibun was the fourth in order of birth, the others being: William, a farmer in Iowa; Eliza, a resident of Michigan, is the widow of William Long, who was killed in the Civil War; Lyman, who died in Michigan ; Elizabeth, the wife of Major Conkwright, formerly of Michigan ; Rebecca, the wife of Wilbur McCombs, of Grand Island; and Gideon, a farmer in IMichigan. In 1871 Cyrus P. Rathbun came to Hall County, where he took up a homestead of eighty acres, living in a primitive way at first but gradually making improvements which included the setting out of trees. Later he rented a sawmill and prepared the lumber for his subsequent building operations. For thirty-three years he served in the office of school moderator in Center township and yet serves as a school director of his district. He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Grand Island.

John Wilbur Rathbun has always made hishome with his father, and since the latter retired has had sole responsibility in carrying on the various farm industries. In this he has shown much enterprise. In connection with general crop raising, he has given considerable attention to his fine Duroc-Jersey hogs and Holstein herds and does some dairying. His surroundings are just those one might expect on a well kept farm where modern methods prevail and intelligence and interest mark all undertakings.

Mr. Rathbun married Miss Georgiana Bailey, who was boni in Cass County, Nebraska, in 1891, and is a daughter of George- Bailey, a farmer in Hall County. They have two sons : Donald L. and Ralph W. Having no desire for public office and being well able to do his own political thinking, Mr. Rathbun has never identified himself with any political party, although his father is a Democrat. As a good citizen he is interested in the public schools of his district and is serving as a school director. He belongs to no fraternal organization but carries insurance in the old line Bankers Life Company. Mr. Rathbun is looked upon as one of the solid, dependable men of Hall Countv.

South Platte township, has devoted the most of his Hfe to agricultural pursuits. Through industry and good management he has made them profitable.

John L. McNamara was born in the great city of Montreal, Dominion of Canada, June I, 1870. His parents were Daniel and Anna (Small) McNamara, the former of whom was a corporal in the Canadian army. John L. obtained his education in the public schools, first in Montreal and later Alma, Nebraska. While working on a farm he learned the blacksmith trade and prior to coming to Hall County worked as a blacksmith in South Dakota, for the Homestead gold mine. He now operates one hundred and sixty acres of land that belong to Mrs. E. A. Filch, his mother in law. He has made the property very valuable by careful tillage and substantial improvements, carrying on a general farming line, diversifying his crops and raising excellent stock.

At Doniphan, Nebraska, in 1884, Mr. Mc- Namara married Miss Jennie Britt, a daughter of John Britt. When Mr. Britt came to the county he took a pre-emption claim and also a tree claim, subsequently making improvements on all his property. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Namara have three children : William, a member of the aero squadron with the American Expeditionary Force in France, and Daniel and Millie, both of whom are attending school. Mr. McNamara and family are members of the Roman Catholic church, and in church and neighborhood are held in high esteem. In his poHtical views Mr. McNamara is a Republican.

WALTER F. AUGUSTIN, a representative business man of Doniphan, became a resident of this city in 1915. For a number of years he was exclusively interested in farming, for others and himself, but since coming to Doniphan he has embarked in the farm implement business and is agent for leading manufacturers.

Mr. Augustin was born January 16, 1887, in Adams County, Nebraska, a son of Henry and Mary (Ruater) Augustin, whose record will be found elsewhere in this volume in a sketch written for W. R. Augustin.

Walter F. Augustin attended the country schools in boyhood and with his brothers assisted on the home farm near Juniata. Later he engaged in farming for himself, then conducted an implement business for a short time at Hayland, Adams County, coming from there in 1915 to Doniphan. Here he bought an implement business and has greatly enlarged its scope. In farm implements he represents the John Deere Company, and the J. I. Case tractors and threshing machines. He also handles oils, and additionally does plumbing and well work. He has built up a solid reputation along the lines of reliability and efficiency.

Mr. Augustin married Miss Sena Uden, who was born in Adams County, Nebraska, and they have one daughter, Irene, who attends school. Mr. and Mrs. Augustin are members of the Lutheran church. For some years while residing near Prosser, Nebraska, he served as a school director but otherwise has never accepted public office. He is not identified with any political party but votes accordin to his own judgment.

HENRY OLTHOFF, one of Doniphan's good citizens and honest business men, celebrated his forty-second birthday in 1919. He was born near Doniphan, Hall County, and has spent his life in the same neighborhood. He has been an industrious man all of his life and in younger years worked as a farmer. Through the exercise of prudence, he accumulated capital and this he invested in a stock of general merchandise and in 1915 opened his store at Doniphan. A feature of his business is the purchase and sale of produce. Believed to be trustworthy in every way, Mr. Olthoff has hearty patronage from his fellow citizens and is a prosperous merchant of the town.

Mr. Olthoff married Miss Edith Stevenson, now deceased. She was a faithful member of the Roman Catholic church. They had one daughter, Edith Henrietta, who died in 1918, at the age of seven years.

FREDERICK O. HARRELL. - Grain and stock represent great wealth in Nebraska. To be sufficiently interested in these necessary factors of food supply, with a thousand acres of rich land to utilize profitably, may well demand close attention and unusual business sagacity of any one so fortunately situated. These requisites for success are possessed by Frederick O. Harrell, a prominent and representative grain fanner and stockman of Hall County, who has made the foregoing proposition possible. Mr. Harrell has spent almost his entire life in Hall County and is devoted to its every worthy interest.

(James) Harrell. His father was born in 1838, near Indianapolis, Indiana, and died at Hansen, Nebraska, in 1912. His mother was also born in Indiana and now resides at Hansen, having reached her seventy-eighth year. They had the following children: Wilbur and Laura, both of whom are deceased ; James, who lives at Hansen, Nebraska ; Frederick O., who resides near Doniphan ; Ollie May, the wife of William Meyer, of Portland, Oregon ; and Georgie, the wife of Joseph Sleuman, who owns a fruit ranch in California. The father of the above family followed agricultural pursuits throughout life. In 1877 he came to Hall County where he bought two hundred and eighty acres of railroad land, and to the cultivation and improvement of this land practically devoted his entire time as long as he was active. He was a man of industn,', good judgment, of high moral character and a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Although never very active in politics, he had the best interests of his section at heart and in voting the Democratic ticket believed he best protected them. He left a fine property which is yet owned by his heirs.

Frederick O. Harrell was brought to Hall County in boyhood and was educated in the public schools. He was long associated with his father in carrying on general farming. At the present time he owns, with partners, 1000 acres of Nebraska land, divided into farms. He feeds cattle and hogs for market, keeping only first class grades; is a large dealer in mules and horses for market purposes, and also is in the grain business, in connection with which he owns an elevator at Doniphan. Mr. Harrell has other property here, owning a half interest in buildings in the business section of the town.

Mr. Harrell first married Miss Etta May Sides, who was born in 1870, in Illinois, and the following children were born to them : Charlotte, the wife of Fred Adams, residing on one of Mr. Harrell's farms near Doniphan; Edward, deceased; Georgia, the wife of John Bowden, a farmer near Doniphan ; Minnie, the wife of Donald Brewer, of Doniphan ; Thomas, a farmer; and Floyd, who lives at Hansen. Mr. Harrell's second marriage was to Miss Rose Farabee, who was born in Illinois, in 1873. Mrs. Harrell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Harrell does his own political thinking, hence is an independent voter.

has rnade it one of the best known and most valuable advertising mediums of the many well conducted newspapers in this section of the state. Mr. Bierbower is a practical printer, having served his apprenticeship at the case and is familiar with every detail of newspaper work and printing house industry.

Charles W. Bierbower was born in 1889, in Hamilton County, Nebraska, a son of Jonathan and Margare't (Cavett) Bierbower, the former of whom was born in Ohio in 1846. and the latter in Indiana in 1850. Of their twelve children, Charles W.was the ninth in order of birth, the others being as follows : Jacob, who is deceased ; John, connected with the Giltner Lumber Company, Giltner, Nebraska ; Martin, a farmer on the old homestead ; Leslie, also a farmer on the old homestead in Hamilton County ; William, a contractor at Giltner ; Frank, who conducts a fruit farm in California; J. D., who lives in Giltner; James C, editor of the Gazette, at Giltner; Mary, the wife of E. O. McKibben, who operates an elevator at Geneva, Nebraska ; Ruth, bookkeeper in the Giltner State bank, and ]Margaret, the wife of Hubert Cox, a farmer near Giltner. The father of the above family, Jonathan Bierbower, removed from Ohio to Iowa when a boy, from there to McLean County, Illinois, where he worked on a farm until he enlisted for service in the Civil War. He was only seventeen years old at the time but was accepted in the Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantry, in which he served under General Grant in Virginia. After the war was over he returned to Illinois and engaged in fanning there until 1889, when he came to Nebraska and subsequently bought two hundred and forty acres of land in Hamilton County, which he still owns although he retired from active farm work in 1906 and moved to Giltner. He placed many substantial improvements on his land and made his farm industries profitable. He is a member of the Presbyterian church as was his wife. In politics he is a Republican and he belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic.

Charles W. Bierbower attended the country school near his father's farm and later in the high school in Giltner. When seventeen years old he started to learn the printing business under C. H. Stall. Those who have followed Mr. Bierbower's career with interest will not be slow in asserting that his choice of a vocation was a wise one. In 1912 in association with his next older brother, James C. Bierbower, he bought the Giltner Gazette, and retained his interest for six years, in the meanwhile making it a first class newspaper.

He then came to Doniphan where he bought the Enterprise, and as before immediately brought to bear the business capacity that has resulted in the expansion of every department of the Enterprise plant, doubling the subscription list, increasing the advertising, and turning out the finest kind of job work. From a small town paper he has made this journal influential all through this part of the state, not, however in the interest of any political party, for Mr. Bierbower is an independent voter.

Mr. Bierbower married Miss Llewellyn Talbert, who was born at Trumbull, Clay County, Nebraska, and they have one child, Charlotte, who resides at home. Mr. Bierbower belongs to the Masonic fraternity, also to the Modern Woodmen and Woodmen of the World orders. His father's honorable military record has always been a source of pride to him as also that of his eldest brother, Jacob Bierbower, now deceased, who served in the Spanish-American war and took part in the capture of Manilla.

WILLL\M RUDOLPH AUGUSTIN, mayor of Doniphan, is also an enterprising business man here as well as a substantial farmer and stockman of Hall County. Although not a native of Nebraska, he has lived in the state since he was ten years old and since 1912 has been a resident of Hall County.

Mayor Augustin was bom in 1873, at Red Wing, Minnesota. His parents were Henry and Mary (Ruhter) Augustin, natives of Ger- JTiany, who came to the United States when about twenty years of age. The mother died in 1916, aged sixty-seven years. They had the following children : William Rudolph, Mayor of Doniphan ; Henry a farmer near Kenesaw, Nebraska ; Peter, a farmer in Adams County Nebraska; George, a farmer near Kenesaw; Jacob, a farmer northeast of Kenesaw; Fred, .a farmer near Juniata, Nebraska ; Walter, who -deals in agricultural implements at Doniphan ; Herbert, who resides on a farm with his father near Juniata, Adams County, Nebraska ; Mata, the wife of John Saurmann, a farmer west of Juniata ; Anna, the wife of John Uhden, a farmer near Prosser, Nebraska ; and Emma and Lena, both of whom reside with their father, now in his seventy-first year. He is a well educated man who taught school in the country near Red Wing, Minnesota, for some time after coming to the United States. In 1883 he located in Nebraska and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land situated northwest of Kenesaw, in Adams County, where he made improvements and set out three orchards. He lost one of them by storm but for many years the others yielded fine fruit. During his active years he carried on general farming and raised stock. He is not identified with any political party, casting his vote according to his own judgment. He is a member of the German Lutheran church.

W. Rudolph Augustin had public school advantages and gave his father assistance in the earlier years but later engaged in farming for himself in Adams County, where he had five hundred and sixty acres. Subsequently he sold all his land near Kenesaw, Adams County, buying two hundred and ninety acres in Hall County. Here he has carried on general farming and makes a specialty of feeding cattle for market. Since 1912 he has been a resident of Doniphan. Here he embarked first in the implement business which he continued until 1916, since which time he has been in the garage and general automobile repair business, and is agent for the Overland cars, holding the sales privilege over all of Hall County south of the Platte river, and two miles across Adams County, taking in several townships. He carries a complete line of accessories for the Overland and the Ford cars, and has expert mechanicians to attend to the repair work.

Mayor Augustin married Miss Minnie Winter, who was born in 1875, near Roseland, Nebraska, and they have three sons : A. H. and Irwin, both of whom assist their father in the work pertaining to the garage; and La- Verne, who attends school. The family belongs to the Lutheran church. In politics, although a Democrat, Mayor Augustine in the administration of his office is not partisan. He has brought about many reforms in public matters and has given encouragement to many worthy enterprises that promise to be of great benefit to the city. He was a liberal contributor to the various causes presented to the country during the continuance of the World War.

WALLACE D. BEERS, one of the honored pioneer settlers of Hall County who has exerted benignant influence during more than a quarter of century of residence in this section is a man of high ideals and keen interest in civic and ecomomic questions regarding the welfare and uplifting of his community which is attested by the fact of his having held public offices in his district for over twenty years. His energies have been entirely devoted to agricultural pursuits ; for as a boy he broke the prairie sod to make it available. for cultivation. Mr. Beers was born in Logan County, Illinois, January 10, 1869, the son of Hendrick and Lucinda (Foley) Beers: the former a New Englander, born in Connecticut, while the mother was a native of Illinois. There were seven children in the family : Sarah, who became the wife of a man named :\IcDowell: Wallace D. ; William H., .who entered the ministry ; Charles F. ; Mary, who married Mr. Cleal ; Florence, now Mrs. Kesel, and Nellie, deceased. Wallace acquired the rudimentary education afforded in the public schools of Illinois in the winter time, and as all farm boys of that period did, worked on the home farm. When he was seventeen years of age the family came to Nebraska, locating in Hall County in 1886, eight miles north of Doniphan. Having already completed the elementary schools Wallace entered the Grand Island Business College to prepare himself for business life. Coming here at a day when settlement was still being made in this locality the boy shared to an extent the hardships of earlier settlers and in recounting the early days remembers when he earned the first money that was not given him, by hauling hay shocks with a horse and rope, for his aunt; obtaining the magnificent sum of tweny-five cents a day for the work.

February 12, 1896, Mr. Beers married Miss Nellie Denman at the home of her parents south of Schimmer's Lake in Hall County. She was born in Nemaha County.

.Mr. Beers is the owner of one hundred and si.xty acres of land bought by his father in Hall County in 1886 and an additional eighty acre tract lies across the line in Hamilton County, all under a high state of cultivation and there is no more valuable fann in Hall County for today Mr. Beers would not be willing to part with an acre for $200.

There is a beautiful home on the place, modern in every manner; good barns and numerous outbuildings for the stock. Having been energetic and having used proper methods in his business Mr. Beers and his family are today enjoying the fruits of unqualified success in the various departments of farm industry and he is today regarded as one of the substantial and influential citizens of his community. Mrs. Beers has also contributed to the raising and welfare of the family as she has done her full part, raising poultry, making butter and selling eggs and cream to augment the family bank account, while Mr. Beers and the two sons are engaged in the heavy work of the farm. During the terrible years of drought Mr. Beers obtained work for small wages on the belt railroad when a track was being laid to the sugar factory, and did not, as other men, return east to his wife and family but in the parlance of that day "stuck it out." For over twenty years he has served on the school board of his district and it is not necessary to say that the position has been well filled as the service speaks for itself. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Doniphan ; they are well and favorably known throughout the community in which they have spent so many years and whenever duty calls are ready to help others with time or money or for any laudable enterprise in the upbuilding of the community.

DAVID CLARK GIDEON. - In 1877, when the Gideon family came to Hall County and settled as permanent residents near what is now the flourishing town of Doniphan, the country roundabout was but sparsely settled and comparatively few farms had yet been much improved. Like their neighbors, the Gideons lived for a time in a sod house. A well known representative of this family is David Clark Gideon, who owns one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land, carrying on general farming and stock raising.

Mr. Gideon was born in 1859, at Winterset, Iowa. His parents were Jacob M. and Orelia A. (Stump) Gideon, the former of whom was born in Champaign County, Ohio, May 26, 1824, and the latter near Circleville, Ohio, May 12, 1822. She died April 8, 1916, when nearly ninety-four years old. They had four children, two of whom are still living: Charles L. and David C. The eldest, William H. Gideon, died at Doniphan, in 1915, having been born January 12, 1850. He was prominent in township affairs, for many years being an officeholder and postmaster, and was a very religious man. He was known all over the state as a poultry fancier, having exhibited and won prizes at many exhibitions, specializing as a breeder of dark Cornish chickens, a beautiful variety. James S. passed away March 7, 1919. Jacob M. Gideon, father of this family, was a farmer and a blacksmith. He removed from Ohio to Illinois and from there to Madison County, Iowa, where he lived for more than twenty years. In 1877 he came to Nebraska, making a trade for his land near Doniphan, which later was made more valuable because of the improvements made on it, including the setting out of an orchard. Although the Indians gave the Gideons little trouble, there were many pioneer hardships to face. Mr. Gideon remembers when his father killed a deer on his farm, and when it was necessary to drive wild geese off the fields iii order to be sure of a yield of grain,

David C. Gideon was eighteen years old when the family came to Hall County. He attended school in Iowa and always assisted his father on the home farm. He remembers the first house the family lived in and recalls that when the railroad was being put through here, the family in some way managed to board a part of the gang of workers. All these little details are interesting in a history of the county, showing as they do, the sensible, resourceful character of the early settlers, from whom, have come the intelligent, practical, sturdy men of today. They also did some construction work on the railroad themselves as contractors. Mr. Gideon, like his father, has always voted with the Democratic party, although the latter at one time might have been somewhat influenced in favor of the Republican party because of his acquaintance and friendship of Abrham Lincoln. In old days, back in Illinois, he bought his groceries from j\Ir. Lincoln in his little store not far from Springfield.

Mr. Gideon married Miss Mary A. Smith, who was born in 1873 in Delaware County, Iowa. The only child in the Gideon family, A. C. Gideon, a nephew, is a sailor in the United States service, who was trained at Great Lakes, Chicago. Mrs. Gideon is a member of the Christian church and Mr. Gideon was reared by a good mother in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at Doniphan.