Richardson County, Nebraska - Biographical sketches, 1917 (part 10 of 19)

John \\'. Wixon was about twenty years of age when he went with his fatlier to Minnesota from Illinois and was living there when the Civil War iM-oke out. Upon President Lincoln's first call for volunteers on that fateful (lav in Ajiril, 1861, he responded to the call to the colors and on April 19 was enrolled as a member of the First Regiment. Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and on May 22 re-enlisted for the term of three years, going to the front as a meml)er of Company H of that regiment, and with that command served until his discharge on a physician's certificate of disability, following his participation in the battle of Gettysburg, in which the First ^linnesota immortalized itself in the great charge, an attack of fever succeeding that engagement incapacitating him from further immediate active service; but in September, 1864, he re-enlisted as a member of the Fourth Illinois Cavalry and with that command served for some months after the close of the war, receiving his final discharge at Houston. Texas, October 13, 1865. During all this long period of service and participation in some of the bloodiest and most stirringbattles and engagements of the war, Mr. Wixon was wounded but twice, receiving a l)ulk't wound in the hip at the first battle of Bull Run and later a bayonet thrust in the foot during a cavalry charge. Among the other battles besides Bull Run and the great battle of Gettysburg, above mentioned, ill which Mr. Wixon participated may I)e mentioned Balls Bluff, the second battle of \\'inchester, the Peninsular campaign, Yorktown, Williamsburg, White Oak, Seven Pines, Fair Oaks, Gaines' Mill, the seven-days fight to Malvern Hill, Harrison's Landing, along the Chickahominy, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Mary's Heights. During the later period of his service, while engaged with the Fourth Illinois Cavalry, he served mainly in Arkansas and in Te.xas and was in the battles at Shreveport and Brownsville and on the expedition up the Rio Grande to Eagle Point.

Upon the completion of his military service, John W. Wixon went to his old home in Bureau county, Illinois, but presently went from there to Henry county, same state, where in the spring of 1867 he was married. The next year, in 1868, he moved from Illinois to Iowa and a y.ear later came to Nebraska, arriving at Brownville on June 7, 1869. He bought a farm in Nemaha county and established his home, remaining there until 1891, when he retired from the active labors of the farm and moved down into this county, locating at Stella, where he ever since has made his home and where he is very plea.santly situated. Mr. Wixon's farming operations prospered and he has become an extensive landowner, the possessor of two hundred and forty acres of fine land in the precinct of Porter, this county; a quarter section of excellent land near Geneva, in Fillmore county, this state, and another quarter section in Chase county, this state, and is very well circumstanced. Air. AVixon is a Republican and has ever given a good citizen's attention to local political affairs. During his residence in Illinois he served for a term as township assessor. He served for one term as constable in Nemaha county and for three terms as a member of the town teard of Stella. Mr. Wixon is an active member of McKinley Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Stella, in the affairs of which patriotic organization he has long taken an earnest interest, and is a member of the local lodge (No. 105) of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in the affairs of which organization he also has taken a warm interest.

Mr. Wixon has been twice married. On April 27, 1867, in Henry county, Illinois, he was united in marriage to Elmira Benson, who was born in that county on August 4, 1850, daughter of Frederick Benson and wife, who later came to Nebraska and became pioneers of Nemaha county, and to that union were born seven children, namely : Alvin J., now a resident of Colorado; George E., a veteran of the Spanish-American War, having served as a member of the First Nebraska Regiment during that struggle, and who is now farming two miles north of Stella; William L., who is farming his father's old home farm; Frederick G., now a resident of Omaha: Airs. Ida Sayres, of Stella: Samuel D., a farmer at Ashland, this state, and Daisy May, deceased. The mother of these children died in 1905 and in 1907 Mr. Wixon married Mrs. I.aura A. Keyes. a widow, who died in December, 191 5.

Charles Felt

Charles Felt, a well-known building contractor at Shubert, this county, and the owner of a half section of land in Colorado, one hundred acres of which he personally placed under cultivation some years ago, w^as born on a farm in Allen county, Indiana, June 2, 1852, son of Peter and Alma (Cline) Felt, natives of Germany, who were married in their native land and then came to this country, settling on a farm in Indiana, where their children were born and reared. There were seven of these children, of whom four are still living, the subject of this sketch having three sisters still living. Peter Felt, who spent his last days on his farm in Indiana, was married twice, and by his second marriage was the father of four children. His second wife, Mrs. Weber, had three children by her first marriage.

Reared on a farm Charles Felt remained at home until he had attained his majority, when he went to the neighboring city of Ft. Wayne and there engaged at work at the carpenter's trade, continuing thus engaged at that place until 1879, when he went to Illinois, there married and in 1881 he came to Nebraska and settled on a farm in the precinct of Muddy, in this county, he and his brother, Peter, renting a farm there. When the town of Shubert was started the next year he moved to that place and there resumed work as a builder, acting as foreman on the erection of three of the largest business buildings in the town, besides other work there. In 1888 he returned to Ft. AVayne, Indiana, but in 1891 came back to this county and resumed his building operations at Shubert. In 1909 he went to Colorado and hoiiiesteaded a half section of land in Yuma county, that state, and proceeded to improve and develop the same, remaining there until 19 14, by which time he had one hundred acres of the place under cultivation. He then returned to Shubert, where he again resumed building operations and has since Ijeen thus engaged, one of the best-known building contractors in that part of the county. Mr.

(3n August 4, 187Q, Charles Felt was united in marriage to Lucetta Shubert, who was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, April 5, 1864, daughter of James and Lucy (Stanley) Shuljert, who became pioneers of Richardson county and further and fitting mention of which family is made elsewhere in this volume, and to this union three children have Ijeen born, .Sophia C, who died at the age of fourteen years; Mary E., wife of L. Sayres, of North McAlester, Oklahoma, and Eliza E., wife of Louis Brisby, a farmer living in the precinct of Muddy, southwest of Shubert. Mr. Felt is a member of St. John's Lutheran church and Mrs. Felt belongs to the Christian church, and both take an interested, part in church work, as well as in the general good works of their home town and the community in general. Mr. Felt is a member of the local lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America and takes a warm interest in the affairs of the same.

Emanuel Ulmer

Emanuel Ulmer, one of Richardson county's well-know'n and progressive farmers and the proprietor of a fine farm in the vicinity of Dawson, in the precinct of Grant, is a native of the old Keystone state, but has lived in this county since 1881 and has therefore watched the wonderful development that has been made in this region since pioneer days. He was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1856, son of Martin and Catherine ( Shaefer) LHmer, Ixjth of whom were born in that same county, of German parentage, and the former of whom died there in 1870, leaving his widow with a considerable family of children. In 1884 she came to Nebraska with her \-ounger children and established her home on a farm in Grant precinct, this county, in the neighborhood of the home her elder son, the subject of this sketch, had established there two or three years previously, and there she spent tiie remainder of her life, her death occurring in 1903. Elsewhere in this volume there is set out somewhat more at length something of the history of this pioneer widow and her family, together with some details of the genealogy of the Ulmer family, and to that reference the attention of the reader is resjiect fully invited in this connection.

Having been Init fourteen years of age when his father died, Emanuel Ulmer earlv began to "hustle" for himself and grew up earnest, sober and self-reliant. He was trained as a farmer and in the fall of 1881 canie to Xebraska with a view to establishing his home on a farm out here in the ]:)eautiful valley of the Nemaha, of which he had heard much from other Peniisylvanians who had settled here earlier. He bought a tract of land from Jacob Heim, a Lycoming. county (Pennsylvania) man, who had settled here in 1874 and had made heavy investments in farm lands, and after his marriage a few months later to one of Mr. Heim's daughters, established his home ot: that farm and has ever since made his residence there. For the unimproved quarter section he originally bought he paid three thousand dollars and as he developed that place and prospered in his affairs he gradually added to his holdings until he became the owner of four hundred acres of line land, but has since sold a quarter section to his sons and now holds but two hundred and forty acres, his original home quarter section and an "eighty" to the south. He has two houses on his home fann and excellent farm buildings, the entire farm plant being operated along modern and up-todate lines. In addition to his general farming Mr. Ulmer has given considerable attention to the raising of live stock, with particular reference to Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs, and has done very well, long ha\-ing been regarded as one of the most substantial farmers in his neighborhood.

On December 29, 1881, just a few months after coming to this county, Emanuel Ulmer was united in marriage to Sarah Heim, who also was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, July i, 1858, daughter of Jacob and Regina (Gross) Heim, natives of that same county, who came to Nebraska in 1874 and became early recognized as among the most influential and useful pioneers of the Dawson neighborhood. Elsewhere in this volume there is set out at considerable length something of the history of the Heim family in this county, together with biographical sketches of several members of the family. Jacob Heim, the pioneer, died at his home in Grant precinct in April, 1914, at the age of eighty-two years, and his widow is now making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Ulmer.

To Emanuel and Sarah (Heim) Ulmer six children have been born, namely: Mary, who married Charles E. Wuster, of Porter precinct, this county, and has two children, Orville and Miriam; Norman, who married Merdeth Miller and lives on the farm adjoining that of his father: Edna, who is at home; Walter, who is attending the Evangelical College at Le Mars, Towa, and Reuben, who is farming with his brother, Norman, and who married True Stratton and has one child, a daughter, Evelyn, and Nelson, at home. Mrs. LHmer antl the children are members of the L^nited Evangelical church and iNJr. Uhiier, who was reared a Baptist, attends the same, the family taking a proper part in all neighborhood good works, as well as in the general social activities of the community in which they live. Air. Ulmer is a Democrat, but on local issues is inclined to cast his vote independent of party lines, preferring to recognize personal fitness rather than party allegiance as a qualification for office. Mr. Ulmer is a contributing member of the local chapter of the Ked Cross Society.

Daniel Higgins

Daniel Higgins, one of Richardson county's well-known and substantial retired farmers and the proprietor of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres two and a half miles northwest of Shubert, who has been making his home in Shubert since 1910, is a native of the great Empire state, but has lieen a resident of the West since he was five years of age and of Nebraska since he was eleven, and has thus seen this region develop from pioneer days. He was born on a farm in Cattaraugus county, New York, July 16, 1848, son of Thomas and Catherine ( Davis ) Higgins, natives of Wales, who became pioneers of Nebraska and here spent their last days.

Thomas Higgins was born in 1818 and when twenty years of age, in 1838, came to the United States from his native Wales and settled in New York state. In Oneida county, that state, he married Catherine Davis, who was born in 1816 and who was but three years of age when her parents came to this country from Wales. After their marriage Thomas Higgins and his wife made their home in Cattaraugus county, New York, where they remained until 1854, in which year they came West and located in Wisconsin. Five years later, in 1859, they came over into the then Territory of Nebraska and settled in Nemaha county, not far from the Richardson county line, where they estaljlished their home, among the early settlers of that section, and there they spent the remainder of their active lives, Thomas Higgins dying at Stella in 1885 and his widow surviving until 1892. They were the parents of eight children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth, the others being as follow: Mrs. Anne Richey, deceased; ]\Irs. Elizabeth Hart, who died at Cleveland, Oklahoma; Mrs. Mary ^^'ilkinson, who died in Oregon ; David, John and ^\'illiam, also deceased, and Mrs. Margaret Edwards, of Shubert.

to Nebraska and he grew up on the farm, sturdy and strong, herding cattle, driving oxen to the plow, breaking prairie sod, hauling rails, building fence and engaging in the numerous other tasks incident to the development of a pioneer farm, and remained at home until his marriage in 1873, after which he established his home on a part of his father's farm in Nemaha county, where he lived for two years, at the end of which time he moved onto the old home place and was there engaged with his father in farming until the latter's retirement and removal to Stella five years later, after which he continued to farm the home place until the distribution of the estate in 1892, when he moved onto his own farm of one hundred and sixty acres two and a half miles northwest of Shubert, to which he added eighty acres of the old home place which he purchased, where he continued actively engaged in general farming and stock raising until 1910, when he retired from the active labors of the farm and moved to Shubert, where he and his wife have since lived and where they have a beautiful modern bungalow in the southern part of the town.

On January 23, 1873, Daniel Higgins was united in marriage to Lucy A. Christy, who was torn in Greene county, Illinois, August 11, 1850, daughter of Henry C. and Electa (Corey) Christy, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of \'ermont, who became pioneers of Nebraska in 1870 and here spent their last days. Henry C. Christy was born on December 5, 1825, and was but a child when he moved with his parents from Kentucky to southern Illinois, where he grew to manhood. There he married Electa Corey, who was born on May 3, 1825, and who was but nine years of age when her parents moved from Vermont to Greene county, Illinois. After his marriage Henry C. Christy continued to make his home in Illinois until 1870, when he came with his family to Nebraska and .settled on a farm one mile north of Shubert, in this county, a few years later moving to a farm four miles northeast of the village, over the line in Nemaha county, and there he and Ills wife spent the remainder of their lives, the latter dying on February 4, 1912, and the former, twenty-one days later, February 25, 1912. They were the parents of eight children of whom Mrs. Higgins was the second in order of birth, the others being as follow : Mary Elizabeth, of Barada precinct ; John, of Shubert ; Joel, of Guide Rock, this .state ; Ervin, also of Guide Rock; Mr.s. Martha Crozier, also of Guide Rock; Mrs. Anna Fish, of Barada precinct, and Leonard, of Shubert.

To Daniel and Lucy A. (Christy) Higgins nine children have been bom. namely: Cora, a trained nurse, who is now taking a post-graduate course in

New York City; Jennie, also a nurse, who is in New York with her sister; Mrs. Lydia Callison, who died in 1912; Mrs. Maude Haskins, who Hves on a farm north of Stella and has one child, a son, George, born on November 9, 1913; Carey T., who married Myrtle Williams and is farming the old home place; Grace, a stenographer, now employed in Chicago; Mabel, who died at the age of twelve years; Joseph, an automobile salesman at Lincoln, this state, and Blanche, who is now a student in the Nebraska State University at Lincoln. The Higginses are members of the Baptist church and have ever taken an interested part in church work and in the general good works and social activities of the community. Mr. Higgins is a Republican by traditional affiliation, but is a warm supporter of the Prohibition movement and has done much to advance the cause of temperance in the comnumity in which he has Hved since his boyhood days, back in pioneer times.

Joseph Ogle

Among the prosperous farmers and stockmen of Grant township may be reckoned Joseph Ogle, owner of tlu"ee hundred and twenty acres of prime land on his home place in section 2, and also owner of one hundred and sixty acres in Kimball county, this state. In addition to his farming activities he is also an extensive breeder of Hereford cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs. He was born on March 31, 1849, in Fulton county, Illinois, the son of John and Keziah (Burgess) Ogle.

John Ogle was born in Cumberland, Ohio, and in 1873 came to this state and bought land in Franklin precinct, five miles north of Humboldt, where he was engaged in farming up to the time of his death in 1878 at tlie age of fifty-seven years. His wife, Keziah (Burgess) Ogle, was born in the state of Pennsylvania. She died in 1870 at the early age of thirty-six years. They were members of the United Brethren church. To John Ogle and wife ten children were born, two of whom are deceased, the others being Mrs. Hattie Davenport, a widow, living at Augusta, Hancock county. Illinois; Noah and Mrs. Anna Marble, also Hving at Augusta, Hancock county, Illinois; Jolin M., who resides near Harwood, Missouri; William O., in Colorado ; James, wlio lives near Humboldt, this county, on the old home place, and Mrs. Mary Brown, a widow, living at south Sioux City, this state.

when he came to the state of Nebraska, wliere lie farmed witli liis brotherin-law for one year, at the end of which period he returned to Illinois and was first married in that state in 1874. He returned to Richardson county in the spring of 1874 and purchased the farm on which he now resides, paying for the same six dollars and fifty cents per acre. The land was all raw prairie and wholly unimproved. Many friends of Mr. Ogle declared that lie was "crazy," and informed him that failure would follow his venture. Nothing daunted, however, he set to work to clear the land and plant crops, and success attended his efforts from the very beginning, his industry enabling him to pay outright for the land in the short space of three years and then had a proiit from his labors. Since becoming the owner of his present holdings, Mr. Ogle has made many extensive improvements and is generally regarded as one of the most substantial farmers in Grant precinct. In addition to his work on the farm he is also engaged in breeding high-grade Hereford cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs, and has I^een equally successful in these lines. He also owns ten acres of valuable land near Titus, Florida.

Joseph Ogle has been twice married. In January, 1874, he was united in marriage to Luretta Swisegood, who was born in Hancock county, Illinois, and died in 1906 at the age of forty-nine years. To this union seven children were born, namely: John, who lives south of Dawson, this county; Mrs. Anna Cross, who lives in Healy, Lane county, Kansas; Marcellus, deceased; Mrs. Lena Roscoe, of Clay Center, Kansas; Susan, deceased; Ray, who lives in Kimball county, this state, owner of an entire section of land, and Pearl, who died when Hiree years old. On May 5, 1908, Mr. Ogle was married to Hattie May Grady, who was born in Beardstown, Cass county, Illinois, a daughter of William Alonzo and Harriette (Hickle) Grady, natives of Ohio. Mrs. Grady is deceased and is buried at Huml)oldt. She was born near Chillicothe, Ross county, Ohio. Mr. Grady was born near Zanesville, Ohio, and now resides at Vermont, Fulton county, Illinois.

Mr. Ogle is a Republican and throughout his long residence in Richardson county has always taken an active interest in all matters appertaining t(j the public welfare. In all that concerns educational affairs he has been especially active. In that connection he has served on school district board No. 34 for fifteen years and in other ways has given of his time and energies for the advancement of all movements designed to advance the public good. His wife is a member of the Methodist church at Humboldt, becoming affiliated with this denomination when thirteen years old. Mr. and Mrs. Ogle are memliers of the Humboldt Chapter of the Red Cross. (68)

Thomas H. Lynch, automobile salesman, of Humboldt, where he is also owner of eighty acres of good land, which he formerly operated, was born on January 4, 1871, on the farm which he now owns, and he has spent his life in Richardson county. He is a son of John M. and Harriet (Brandow) Lynch. To these parents nine children were born, named as follows : Freeman lives in Sioux City, Iowa; Thomas H. of this sketch; Burton is deceased; Mrs. Daisy Smith lives in Custer county, Nebraska; Samuel lives at Yellowstone, Montana; Carl is deceased; Claude is living in Oregon; he is a twin of Carl; Clyde lives in Nemaha county. Kansas; and Edward lives in Du Bois. Nebraska.

John M. Lynch, the father, was born in 1844 near Indianapolis, Indiana. He was a son of Thomas S. and Lavina (Frazier) Lynch, natives of Ohio and Tennessee, respectively, the former born on November 26, 1818, and the latter, December 14. 1817. They spent their lives on a farm and came to Richardson county. Nebraska, in 1868, settling on the farm now owned by B. Frank RcA-elle in Humboldt precinct, where they endured the hardships incident to life on the western plains at that period. Thomas S. Lynch donated an acre of land for the purpose of establishing a cemetery, in which he and his children and relatives have been buried. The postoffice in this part of the county was also conducted on the Lynch farm for about five years or more, the place being known as Lynchburg. The stage that made the long trips into the West stopped there four times a week. Thomas S. Lynch was one of the first county commissioners in Richardson county. He was active and influential in early-day afi:"airs here and did much toward the general upbuilding of the locality. He was not only a man of industry, but of sound judgment, public spirit and intelligence. His death occurred on July 24. 1902. His wife died on December 10, 1905. His family consisted of seven children, named as follows: John M., father of the subject of this sketch, was the eldest, and was born on September 24, 1839. and died on April 7, 1895 ; !^Irs. Sarah Allen is deceased ; Joseph is deceased ; Mrs. Minnie Unkefer is deceased; William lives in Oregon; Alice, wife of Chester Powers, lives in Humboldt precinct. Richardson county, and Mrs. Emma Grinsted lives in Lincoln. Nebraska.

John M. Lynch, father of the subject of this sketch, was a soldier in the Civil War, having enlisted in Company H. Seventy-sixth Indiana V'olunteer Infantry, at Indianapolis ,and served three and one-half years, seeing iinich hard service in the South. He was an excellent soldier and received an honorable discharge. His wife, Harriet Brandow, was born in Rockford, Illinois, May 6, 1848, and she died on November i, 1891. She was a daughter of Moses and Phoebe (Woods) Brandow. Further mention of her family may be found in the sketch of William Brandow, appearing on another page of this work.

Thomas H. Lynch of this sketch, was born and reared on the home farm where he worked when a boy, and he received his education in the public schools at Lynchburg, where his father taught seven years. When eighteen years old Thomas H. Lynch began farming by renting land. He finally bought out the other heirs to the home place and became owner of the old homfestead which he kept well improved and farmed for six years, then, in 1905 moved to Canada and took up a homestead, remaining there until 1913, when he returned to Humboldt, Nebraska, and has since been engaged in the automobile business. By his industry and honest dealings he has built up a large and growing business, handling standard makes of machines.

Mr. Lynch was married on Jiine 22.', 1892; to Gertrude McCormick, who was Ixirn in Whiteside county, Illinois. She is a daughter Of George McCormick and wife, natives- of Illinois, where they grew up, married and established their home. Mrs. Lynch came to Humboldt, Nebraska, about 1890, her sister, ]Mrs. Nettie Schlotterback, having located here previously. To Thomas H. Lynch and wife one child has been born, Mrs. Fay Carsch, whose birth occurred in 1896.

Politically, ]\Ir. Lynch is an independent voter. Fraternally, he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights of Pythias at Humboldt.

J. Edward Gilbert

J. Edward Gilbert, one of the well-to-do retired farmers of Porter precinct and the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in that precinct, now living at Stella, is a native of the state of Illinois, but has been a resident of Nebraska since he was twenty years of age. He was born, jn Henry county, Illinois, January i, 1858, son. of Osborn and Elizabeth (Bartlett) (iilbert, the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Illinois, whose last days were spent in the latter state.

0.sborn Gilbert was born in 1827 and was. but a boy when, his par^lits, Joseph and Nancy Gilbert, left New York and settled in Henry county^i HU- nois, tlius having been among the pioneers of that county. There he grew tt^ manhood and married EHzabeth Bartlett, who was born in that state in 1830, daughter of pioneer parents, and who died in 1864. To that tinion were born five children, one of whom died in infancy, the others besides the subject of this sketch being as follow : Mrs. Marian Stafford, now deceased ; Mortimer, a well-known farmer of Porter precinct, this county, and Mrs.. Addie Allen, of Iowa. Following the death of the mother of these children O^born Gilbert married Fannie Grant, who was born in Henry county, Illinois, and who died in that county in 1902, she then being past fifty-one years oi age. To that union were born five children, namely : Bert, of Oklahoma ; Mrs. Mary Wickwire, of Colorado ; Mrs. Lizzie Moore, of Missouri ; Charles, of Oklahoma, and Claude, whose present address is unknown to his kinsmen in this county. Osborn Gilbert died at his home in Illinois in 1897, at the age of seventy years. -,

:- J. Edward Gilbert was reared on the hotiie farm in Henry county, Illinois, and received his schooling in the neighborhood schools. He early began working for himself and when twenty years of age, in 1878, started out with a party of government surveyors and was engaged for some time in helphig tp rim the lines in western Nebraska. During this experience he became so greiatly taken with the possibilities of development in this state that in 1880 he bought a quarter of a section of land in section 14 of the precinct of Porter, in this county, and after his marriage in i§82 established his home there, having previously boarded with the famil}- of Fr.ancis Withee. Between the time of taking -possession of the place and his marriage Mr. Gilbert had done much to develop his place, had built a comfortable home, planted trees and broke the ground and it was not long after becoming established there until he had one of the )>est-improved farms in that section and was doing right well in his operations. Some years ago Mr. Gilbert retired from the active labors of the farm and he and his wife are now living at Stella, where they are very comfortably situated. Mr. Gilbert is a Republican and for some time served his local district as a member of the school board.

On December 25, 1882, about two years after settling in this county, J. Edward Gilbert was united in marriage to Carrie M. Timerman, who was born on January 7, 1865, daughter of Jacob and Rozina (Helligus) Timerman, pioneers of Riciiardson county and further and fitting mention of which family is made elsewhere in this volume, and to this union four children have been born, namely: Earl, a farmer in the precinct of Porter, who married Sarah West and has one child, a daughter, Erma, born on May 16, 1916; Bertha, who married Take Hinkle, of Stella, and has two children, Zelma and Darrel: Ray, who married Mona Ankrom, and Dorothy, who married Herbert Morris, of the precinct of Porter. Mr. Gilbert is a member of the local lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America and Mrs. Gilbert is a member of the Royal Neighbors. They have a pleasant home at Stella and take a proper interest in the general .social activities of their home community.

George F. Funk

George F. Funk, a substantial and well-known farmer of Grant township, where he owns two hundred and forty acres of prime land in sections 28, 29, 32 and 33, was born .on February 17, 1862, in Hancock county, Illinois. He is the son of Isaac and Mary (Fuhrer) Funk, the former of whom was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1831, the son of Isaac and Anna ( Schrauger) Funk, natives of Pennsylvania, who were of the farming class; they settled in the state of Illinois in an early day and continued to reside there up to the time of their deaths.

Isaac Funk, father of the subject of this sketch, came to Richardson c(junt}- in 1888 and bought the farm now owned by his son, George F., effecting many valuable improvements and setting out a grove of trees. Here he carried on general farming with considerable success up to the time of his death in 1892. His wife. Mary (Fuhrer) Funk, was born in Hessenstradt, Germany ; she is the daughter of John and Margaret Fuhrer, also natives of Germany, who immigrated to the United States and settled in Hancock county, Illinois, where they lived and died. Mrs. Mary Funk was torn about the year 1839; she is now living with a daughter. To Isaac Funk and wife the following children were born : Mrs. Ella Strunk, who lives at Humboldt, this county; Mrs. Emma Strunk, living at Hiawatha, Kansas; George F., the subject of this sketch; Henry, who lives in Clyde, Kansas; Mrs. Mary Cornstock, of Ft. Scott, Kansas; Joseph, living in New Mexico; Mrs. Katherine Triggs, who resides in Grant township and is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land, and Montgomery, of Enid, Oklahoma.

George F. Funk was reared on the farm and attended the district schools in Illinois. Some time following his arrival in Richardson county, he started for himself, working as a farm hand and continued so engaged up to the time of bis father's death, when he acquired his present holding of two hundred and forty acres, buying out the interests of the other heirs. He is now engaged in general farming and has met with considerable success.

On October 20, 1898, George F. Funk was united in marriage to Nellie Smith, daughter of Charles and Lucinda (Lockwood) Smith, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this v,olume. Mr. and Mrs. Funk are parents of two children namely : George a.nd Charlie, who are living at home with their parents. Mrs. Funk, who was born in Nemaha township, is the mother of two children by a former marriage to Jacob Triggs. These children are Joseph and Lee, the former in Lincoln, this state, and the latter with Mr. Funk.

In politics, Mr. Funk is a Democrat, but has never been a seeker after public office. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancieiit Order of United Workmen and of the Knig-hts and Ladies of Security, and in the affairs of these two organizations he takes a warm interest. Mrs. Funk is a member of the United Brethren church.

Samuel Wahl

Samuel Wahl, one of the best-known and most energetic business men in Falls City and the proprietor of a well-stocked department store there, dealer in general merchandise, dry goods and clothing, is a native of the old Keystone state, but has been a resident of Nebraska since 1870 and has consequently seen this county develop from pioneer days. He was born at Salisbury, in Somerset county. Pennsylvania, June 25, 1848, son of Christopher and Barbara (Smith) Wahl, well-known residents of that community. who were the parents of six children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth, the others being as follow : Casper, who is still living at Salisbury; Mrs. Margaret Rumiser, who is also living in her old home county ; Henry, who served for three years as a soldier of the Union during the Civil War, a private in the Fifty-fourth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry; John, deceased, and Franklin, deceased. Christopher Wahl, the father, was born in Germany. He came to this country about 1830 and settled in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the milling business and where he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring in the eighty-third year of his age. He was twice married. After the death of the mother of the children above mentioned he married Mary Home, also a native of Germany, and to that union were born four sons, Albert, of Myersdale, Pennsylvania ; Harvey, who is engaged in the cloth-

Reared at Salislmry, Samuel W'ahl received his schooling in the little red school house there, going to school about four months a year during his boyhood, and earl}' began working on his owm account, working at farm labor, cutting wood and the like and presently learned the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked for about three years, or until December, 1868, when he came West and stopped in Lee county, Illinois, where he began working as a farm laborer and where he remained until in January, 1870, when he came to Nebraska and stopped at Falls City. During the first years of his residence in this county Mr. Wahl worked as a farm hand and in the second year he took a contract to break prairie sod, receiving for that strenuous task three dollars and twenty-five cents an acre. He spent the year 1873 with a government surveyor's outfit in western Nebraska and in 1874 returned to Falls City, where he began clerking in the shoe store of D. H. Ballard. The next year that store was bought by Miller & Moore and its business was extended to include clothing and men's furnishings. Mr. Wahl continued as a clerk in that store until 1882, when he formed a partnership with F. J. Allen and bought out the store of Crook & Towle, which was operated under the firm name of Samuel .Wahl & Company until the death of Mr. Allen in 1886, since which time Mr. Wahl has conducted the business alone, the oldest merchant in continuous business in the city of Falls City. He has a well-stocked store and has an extensive and constantly growing business, long having been regarded as one of the leadingbusiness men of southeastern Nebraska. In 1902 he moved his store to its present location, having built the splendid store building there the year before, and has since occupied that building, three stories and a basement, fifty-two by one hundred and fourteen feet in dimensions, where he carried a well-selected stock of groceries, clothing, women's ready-to-wear garments and dry goods, arranged on the departmental plan, the best-equipped store in this part of the state. In addition to his store Mr. Wahl is the owner of a fine brick residence in Falls City and is very well circumstanced. He is a member of the local lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted [Masons and has for years taken an active interest in the affairs of that order.

On June 2^. 1886, Samuel Wahl was united in marriage at Falls City to Emma Murray, who was born at Wittenburg, Pennsylvania, in 1859, and who had located at Falls City in 1884, and who died in May, 1903, leaving four children, George, an electrician, now residing at Kansas City;

Clifford, wlio was farming near Ovala, Colorado, and is now a member of Troop C, First Colorado Cavalry, United States Army; Roy, at home with his father, and Lloyd, also at home.

George Wahl married Celia Quiet, of Kansas City, and has two children, Samuel and Julian. Clifford Wahl married Fern Kessler, of Hiawatha. Kansas, and has one son, Keith Rodney.

Alfred G. Bacon

One of the most progressive farmers and upriglit citizens of a past generation in Nemaha precinct, Richardson county, was the late Alfred G. Bacon, a man whose name is worthy of perpetuation on the pages of local history. He was born on December 23, 1844, at Dayton, Cattaraugus count)-. New York. He was a son of Leander and Sarah Ann (Hilibert) Bacon, also natives of the last named county and state, each a representative of old colonial families, members of which were active in the pioneer affairs of their locality. Alfred G. Bacon grew to manhood in his native state and there attended the public schools. He was married in his native state on June 12, 1866, at Clear Creek, Cattaraugus county, to Ann Augusta Frisbie, who was born on September 30, 1847, in the above named county and there she grew up and attended the common schools. She was a daughter of Charles and Mandana (Bailey) Frisbie, both of whom were born and reared in the state of New York. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Bacon moved to A\'isconsin and in partnership with his brother, Frank, operated a grist-mill during the year 1867; he then moved to Pennsylvania, where he was employed in the oil fields. In 1871 he came West, locating on a farm in Nemaha township, Richardson county, Nebraska, purchasing three liundred and sixty acres of land. He started here in a small way, living for some time in a small two-roomed house, which was destroyed by fire on August 11, 1881. He then built the substantial Bacon homestead, a large and attractive dwelling. He added to his original holdings from time to time and became one of the prosperous farmers and stockmen of the county. He devoted his attention exclusively to liis large agricultural interests until his death, which occurred on August 12, 1896.

Constant Bacon settled in the same neighborhood as did the subject of this memoir, but later moved back to his old neighborhood. Mrs. Betsy Nims and Mrs. Calista Blakely. sisters of Mr. Bacon, also came to Richardson countv at the same time as did the Bacons.

The following cliilflren were born to Alfred G. Bacon and wife: Etta Belle, now deceased, was the wife of William Clark, and she left five children, Dora, Jessie, Percy, Roy and Dorothy; Roy has enlisted in the United States regular army at Corrallis, Oregon ; Estella is the wife of Charles Eaton, a farmer of Nemaha precinct; Sadie M. is the wife of Austin Ewer and they live in Summit, Idaho; they have two children, Floyd M. and Glen. Mrs. Ina M. Sims, deceased wife of Otis Sims ; Uno G., deceased ; Archie B., at home; Grace A., the widow of Robert Butler, deceased, and she has three children, Ina, Wenneth, and Harry, deceased.

Politically, Mr. Bacon, of this .sketch, was a Republican, and fraternally, he belonged to the Indq^endent Order of Odd Fellows at Humboldt. He took an active interest in the affairs of his community and was regarded as a good citizen in every respect.

William M. Rife

A careful and energetic farmer of Franklin precinct. Richardson county.. is William M. Rife, who was born in Madison county, Iowa, September 18, 1877. He is a son of Jackson and Mary C. (Rosenberger) Rife, nativtts of Ohio and Illinois, respectively. The mother was born in 1851 and died in 1886. She was twice married. Her second husl^and was J. S. Mann, of Stella, Nebraska, who was a harness maker by trade. To their union one child was born. Sibyl, who lives at home. To the union of Jackson and Mary C. Rife two children were born, namely: Charles, who died when seven years old, and William M., the subject of this sketch. Jackson Rife was also twice married. The mother of the sul)ject of this sketch came to Nebraska in 1884.

William M. Rife was seven \ears old when his mother died. His guardian was John H. Coons, who lived near .\uhurn and now resides in Porter precinct, and with whom he made his home until he was twenty-one years old. He had received a common-school education. Upon attaining his majority Mr. Rife went to Kansas City, Missouri, where he worked for three months in a brass foundry, then came to Richardson Nel)raska. and engaged in farm work for two years. He then traveled by buggy and horse to Iowa where his uncle. L. D. Miller, resided, and there he engaged in farming two years, and during that period was married. .\ ^ear later he returned to Richardson county and bought a farm of one hundred and ten acres in Franklin precinct which he still owns. He has carried on general farming successfully and kept his place well improved. He has a pleasant home and everything about his place denotes thrift and good management. ]\Ir. Rife erected an attractive modem- home in 1908. He is at this writing running a transportation route, an auto truck for the purpose of taking the children in his district to the consolidated schools of his precinct, which was one of the first to organize consolidated schools in Nebraska.

Mr. Rife was married on September 3, 1902, in Iowa, to May Frances McDonald, who was born in Ohio. She is a daughter of Frank McDonald. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rife, namely: Enid, now (1917) thirteen years old; Lois, nine years old; and Hazel, six years old.

Politically, Mr. Rife is a Democrat, but is inclined to vote independently. He attends the IMethodist Episcopal church. He is always on the right side of movements having for their object the betterment of conditions in his localitv.

Edgar R.Wdolph Mathers. D. D. S.

Dr. Edgar Randolph Alathers, of Falls City, one of the best-known and most successful dentists in southeastern Nebraska and late president of the Richardson County Sunday School Association, is a native of the old Buckeye state, but has been a resident of Falls City since beginning the practice of his profession in 1899. He was born at Bucyriis, in Crawford county, Ohio. June 23, 1863, son of the Rev. William and Charlotte F. (Randolph) Mathers, the latter of whom is still living, now a resident of Tiffin, Ohio.

The Re\'. William Mathers was born in Pennsylvania in 1822, of Scotch- Irish ancestry, and early turned his attention to the ministry of the United Brethren church, becoming an "old-time" circuit-riding- preacher in the towns and cities of northeastern Ohio, for sixty years remaining actively engaged in the calling that was ever dear to his heart. His first sermon was preached at Osceola, Ohio, and he celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of his entrance into the ministry at that place, the occasion being one of much congratulation on the part of his hosts of friends throughout that part of the state. P'or fifty years he had maintained his home on a farm eight miles northwest of Bucyrus and there his last days were spent, his death occurring there in September. 1915. His widow, who was horn in 1830 in Morrow county. Ohio, is now living at Tiffin. Ohio. She is a member of the old American

Edgar Randolph Mathers was reared on the home farm and from the days of his boyhood was a close student, his schooling in the local schools being supplemented by the prudent instruction of his scholarly parents. He was prepared for college and then entered Otterbein University at Westerville, Ohio, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in 1889. He then taught school for one year, at the end of which time he took up the work of the Young Men's Christian Association, with which in the meantime he had become quite familiar, and was made general secretary of the local branch of that association at Hamilton. Ohio. Three years later he was made secretary of the college department of the Young Men's Christian Association at Cincinnati and for three years looked after the college men of that city, resigning his position there in 1896 to take up the systematic study of dental surgery, to which he had been giving some attention. In pursuance of this design he entered the Kansas City Dental College, from which institution he was graduated in 1899, with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery, and on April i of that year opened an office for the practice of his profession in Falls City, where he ever since has been located. From the very beginning of his practice in Falls City Doctor Mathers has done well and he has made some valuable investments in lands in Texas and in the state of Washington. He is an active member of the Nebraska Dental Society and for years has taken a warm interest in the affairs of that organization.

Doctor Mathers is a member of the Brethren church and has for years taken a leading part in the affairs of the local congregation of that church, for seventeen years acting as superintendent of the Sunday school. For three years he was secretary and treasurer of the Richardson County Sunday School Association and then for three years served as president of that association, resigning that position in the fall of 19 16. During tliese six vears of Doctor Mathers' incumbency the Richardson county association grew from "zero" in the estimation of Sunday School workers to a place as one of the foremost county organizations in Nebraska and in recognition of the Doctor's valuable service in that connection he was elected recording secretary of the Nebraska Sunday School Association in June, 1916. 'A'ision and inspiration are allied terms, and both come only when there is a true purpose to do the will of the Master," is the declaration of Doctor Alathers. and this is the keynote to the wonderful success he attained as leader of the Sundav school forces of this county during his incumbency as executive of the local organization. In this connection, it is but fitting to present here the following "Impressions of the Richardson County Convention,'' written by George G. Wallace, of Omaha, chairman of the state executive committee, for the Nebraska Sunday School Record in June, 191 5:

The Ru-lijiwlson comity .Sunday school convention, I was privilegevl to attend, impressed lue inunensely. These impressions were made deeper l)ecause of my louj; acquaintance with the conditions in ttiat- county and knowledge of- the rather indifferent attitude of the people toward religious activities and the seeming difficulty In the past of getting them together. But there wjis an evidence of a great revolution in religious sentiment and of the keenest kind of interest in not only Sunday school work, hilt in all deiwrtments of the work of the Kingdom, and a delightful fellowship that 1 have seldom seen equaled in a long experience. There was a "keeping step" and systematic action that is seldom equaled.

This remarkable success in organizing the Siniday school forces of Richardson county is largely due to the capable officers who have been serving the past two or three years. There are few presidents like Doctor Mathers, and he is ably assisted by the other officers. They all seem to have caught the vision of the possibilities of organizing Sunday school forces.

I wish other counties, either nciirbj' or farther away, might send reprsentatives to Falls City to study their methods, and if possible, get some of these Richardson county workers to go to their convention and tell them of their success and how it was attained. As for myself. I shall never forget the impressions made upon me by this splendid convention and the tine organization it represented.

Doctor Mathers is a member of the executive board of the State Sunday School Association and on account of the prestige attained by this county in the work of the Sunday schools of the state, the state convention of the association was held in Falls City in 191 6, a meeting that will long be memorable among the Sunday school workers of this county. In its issue of January, 191 5, the Nebraska Sunday School Record carried a biographical sketch of Doctor Mathers, together with a personal appreciation of his services in the Sunday school work of tlie state, from which the present l)iogra]iher takes the libert\- to ()uote the following excerpts:

For nearly sixteen years he has engage<l diligently in the practice of dentistry in Falls City, meeting with signal success. Doctor Mathers has more than he can do. His skill, honesty, and above all, his absolutely clean character, are characteristics that have made possible his success.

In the midst of his rapidly growing business he never forgot his duty to the church of his choice, and was and is still ready to do anything for the extension of the Kingdom. He is gifted in leading in song. He has been in county Sunday school work for four years - one year as treasurer, two years as secretary-treasurer, and one year ago he was prevailed upon to become the county president.

The condition of the work was anything but bright, but with his wonderful vision of the Sunday school work, and with his ability, he was able to make it what it is today. Throughout the year .iu.st pa.st he kept in touch with every phase of the work, ofttinies at the sacritice of his business and home life. But he has the satisfiietiou of kiiowini; that the county of which he is president stiinils at the very top in organization. He displayed a wonderful ability to perform the vast amount of work connected with his program of the office. He was made to see that there was no one in the county that could do the work as well as he through the coming year, and in spite of the sjicrifiee that it will mean to him, he consented to remain at the helm for another year. Under his able direction there is every evidence that the work will continue to be more and more efBcient.

Ill Ma)-, 1893, Dr. Edgar R. Mathers was united in marriage to Ella A. Savior, of Falls. City, a daughter of Simon and Lydia (Alyers) Savior, natives of Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and early settlers of Richardson county, the former of whom is now deceased and the latter of whom is still making her home in Falls City, and to this union two children have been born, Lydia Gertrude, born in 1898, and Edgar Saylor, 1902. Doctor and Mrs. Mathers have a very pleasant home at Falls City and have ever given proper attention to the general social, religious and cultural activities of their home town. The Doctor was reared a Republican, but of late years has been inclined to be independent in his political views, with a strong leaning toward the Prohibitionists, and is an active worker in the temperance cause in this county and throughout the state. He has a well-appointed office in the Falls City State Bank building and keeps fully abreast of modern advances in dental surgery, his office being equipped with the most up-to-date appliances for the successful practice of his difficult profession. Upotr the declaration of war in April, 191 7, the Young Men's Christian Association of this country assumed new burdens and responsibilities and Doctor Mathers became at once one of the foremost figures in the prosecution of this work in Nebraska. He is a member of the executive committee on war work for the Young Men's Christian Association's efforts on behalf of the American soldiers enlisted for service in the war with Germany and is giving his most intelligent attention to the important duties thus entailed upon him.

Jonathan- W. Heini is another of those Richardson county farmers who have come to this part of Nebraska from the old Keystone state and who have Ijecome owners of land on extensive scale. He lives on a farm on which his father settled in July, 1874, containing eighty acres of land in sectimi 15, Grant precinct, and is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres in .section 10 and another tract of eighty acres west of Henry Helm's iilace.

I086 Richardsox County, Nebraska

He was born on August ii. 1861, in Lycoming county, I'ennsylvania, a son of Jacol) G. and Regina (Gross) Heim. natives of the same county and state, who settled in Richardson count}- in 1874.

When Jacob G. Heim settled here he bought eight}- acres of land on which his son. Jonathan W., now resides. He proceeded at once to prepare the ground for crops and was in a fair way to make a success of his work, when in common with the other settlers he suffered from the plague of grasshoppers which visited Nebraska in 1874. The first year spent on his new holding was a hard one; in addition to the grasshopper pests, it turned out to be a dr}- year and vegetation did not thrive. He also suffered the loss of two children. His courage, however, did not desert him and by perseverance and industry he prospered, later buying another half section of land.

Jonathan W. Heim was about twelve years of age when he came with his parents from Pennsylvania to the state of Nebraska. He was educated in the district schools and in Dawson, this county. He helped his father on the farm and later bought one hundred and sixty acres of land from his father. On this tract he commenced farming operations on his own account and meeting with a fair measure of success, he added to his holdings liy the further purchase of eighty acres. Some time before his father's death he bought out the home place, the father having gone to reside in Dawson, and here ever since he has continued to make his home. The house in which he resides is nicely situated back from the road on a hillside, with a nice grove of walnut trees in the rear. The house and outbuildings are all in excellent condition. By his thrift and industry Mr. Heim has been in a position to pay cash for all his land.

On December 26, 1894, Jonathan W. Heim was united in marriage to Louisa Shafer. who was born on October 20, 1872, in Lycoming county. Pennsylvania, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Heim) Shafer, who now reside in Canada, just across the border eight miles west of Buffalo. They formerly lived in Nebraska and later went to the western portion of this state. Some time later they went to Dickerson county, Kansas, and remained there for a number of years and in the late nineties moved to Iowa, going from there to the old home place in Pennsylvania. bVom the latter place thev moved to Canada, across from Buft'alo. about three miles from Lake Erie and now reside in a settlement among his church people, the Brethren in Christ. ^Ir. and Mrs. Heim are the parents of seven children, namelv : Mattie M.. Howard John. Pearl Mary, Wesley Laurence, all at home; Clarence Walter, who died at the age of three years: Arthur \\^illiam and Edith

Viola, botli at home. Mr. and Airs. Heim and family are members of the United Evangelical church and take a proper interest in all church matters. Mr. Heim is a supporter of the Republican party, but has never been a seeker after office.

John Heim

The late John Heim, who for more than a generation was a well-known and well-to-do farmer of Dawson, Richardson county, was a native of the old Keystone state, which he left and came to Nebraska in 1881 and farmed in this county for the remainder of his life, or up to the time of his death in 1 91 6. He was born on July 18, 1836, in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, the son of Christian and Rosina (Wagner) Heim, natives of Germany, who came to the United States in an early day.

John Heim left Pennsylvania in 1881 and on coming to Richardson county settled on a farm north of Dawson. His first investment in land was one hundred and sixty acres, on which he carried out many necessary improvements and planted to crops. Later, he added a further tract of one hundred and sixty acres and still later he bought eighty acres of prime land, all lying in Dawson. He met with considerable success on these different parcels of land and was regarded as an enterprising and modern farmer in his methods, and at the time of his death on April 14, 1916, his passing was a source of much sorrow to his many relatives and friends throughout this and neighboring counties. Mrs. Heim's son-in-law, Henry W. Heim, is now the owner of the old home place on which John Heim- originally settled; the eldest son, Jonas A. Heim, owns the other one hundred and sixty acres and Mrs. Heim is in occupation of the eighty acres on the site of which the United h-vangelical church and cemetery are located.

John Heim was united in marriage on April 2~, 1861, to Alargaret Heim, wlio was l)orn on Deceml)er 31, 1843. '" Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Jacob and Regina ( Steiger ) Heim, natives of Germany and Pennsylvania, respectively. To John and Margaret Heim, eight children were born as follow: Rosa; Regina, Jonas A., Christian F.. Martha, who died in infancy; MaHnda, Bertha, whodied in infancy, and Alma. Of these children, Ro.sa became the wife of Joseph G. Heim, of Dawson; Regina married Henry W. Heim and has seven children, Lottie, Charles, Martha, Paul. Harlan. Jessie and John, and Lottie married Clyde Iliff and has two children, Harlan and Enid; Charles married Pearl Klima and lias two chil- dreii. Anna Martha and nene\ieve: Alartha is the wife of Artlmr KHmar and has one child, \'irginia. Jonas .\., a fanner near Dawson, married Ida Emerson and has four children. Linden, Edna, Waldo and Marie. Christian [-'.. of Eddyville, this state, married Ada Barlow and has two children, Margaret Ruth and Ellen; Malinda, who married Bert Judd. of Dawson, and has two sons, John H. and Delbert, and Alma, who was the wife of William James and was the mother of one child. Alma. Mrs. Heim has seventeen great grandchildren.

The late John Heim was a member of the Dunkard church while living in Pennsylvania, and was a consistent supporter of th.at orgauization. Tn politics he was a Republican, but had never been a seeker after public office. His death was the occasion of general regret in this and neighboring counties, where he was well known and esteemed.

George E. Kors

A farmer of Franklin precinct, Richardson county, who is deserving of his success, is George E. Kors, who was born on April 7, 1863, at Beardstown, Illinois. He is a son of Henry Frederick and Margaret (Feihl) Kors, both natives of Hanover, Germany, from \\hich country they immigrated to America when young and spent the rest of their lives in Illinois. To them the following children were born: Lydia, deceased; Theodore, deceased; Carohne, deceased; Mary, the wife of C. C. Unland, of Humboldt, Nebraska, (died March 15, 1917 ) : Amelia was the wife of L. C, Hackman and died on February 20, 191 2; Luther L., making his liome in Beatrice, Nebraska, and George E. of this sketch, who is the youngest. By a second marriage Henry F, Kors had two children, Mrs. Kate Boyd, deceased, and Henry Frederick, deceased.

George E. Kors was reared in Illinois and there received a limited education in the public schools. He moved to Nebraska in September, 1885, and rented land in Richardson county until 1894 or for a period of nearly ten years, then bought a farm and has since made a comfortable living. It was hard for him to get a start. He was only eighteen months old when his father died. His mother later remarried and he left home to work his own way in the world. When he married he was in debt for his eighty acres which he had previously purchased. The first money he earned after coming to Nebraska was twenty dollars in gold, which James .\twood paid him for one month's work. He now owns a well-improved and producti\-e farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he has resided since. In March, 1908, he remodeled the dwelling, making it modern in every respect, including the installation of a Delco lighting system. He has also erected a new barn, fifty by fifty-six feet, and has one of the most attractive farmsteads in Nebraska. He engages in general farming and stock raising, always handling a good grade of live stock. Mr. Kors' place is named "Highland Farm," because of its excellent location on a high plain ; near his homestead being one of the highest points in Richard.son county. A magnificent view overlooking many square miles of rich and fertile territory, may be obtained from the farm home.

Mr. Kors was married on November 29, 1894, to Mary Ellen Hinners, who was born, November 21, 1863, in Cass county, Illinois. She is a daughter of Henry and Matilda (Benidt) Hinners, both natives of Germany. They spent their earlier years in the providence of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, finally immigrating to the United States, and established their home in Illinois, where the father died in 1876, while still a young man. ]\Irs. Hinners married Henry Hinners, who died in 191 5, and she makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Kors, of this sketch. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hinners: Peter, living in Beardstown; William, also living at Beardstown, Illinois ; Rose, the wife of R. T. Wilson and they live at Rising City, Butler county, Nebraska ; Mary Ellen, wife of Mr. Kors, subject of this review : Henry, who resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota : Albert, ' who lives in Illinois, and Edward, in Beardstown, Illinois, and is farming the Hinners home place.

Mrs. Kors came to Richardson county in 1894 and Mr. and Mrs. Kors lived for some time on the farm of Mr. Kors' brother-in-law, a three hundred and twenty acre farm located two miles east of where their own farm is now located, and moved to their home place in 1908. Since that time Mr. Kors has made many improvements on the farm, which now ranks among the most desirable in the precinct. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres in Scott county, Kansas, and one hundred and sixty acres in Hitchcock count}', Nebraska. He has worked hard, managed well and is eminently entitled to the success he has attained. His wife, who is a woman of sound judgment, has been of much help to him ; in fact, he attributes the major portion of his success in a financial way to her. as he has always followed her counsel and advice in important matters.

Hinners, born September 22. 1895: Ralph Dewey, May 19, 1897; Veda M., September 27, 1899, and Mabel Margaret, May i, 1901. The two sons are assisting their father on the farm and the two daughters are attending Humboldt high school, (1917).

Politically, Mr. Ivors is a Democrat. He is a director in school district No. 93, serving his third term. Fraternally, he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Bankers Life of Lincoln and also carries accident insurance in the Travelers' Insurance Company. He and Mrs. Kors are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Humboldt, of which denomination he has served as trustee and treasurer of the building committee.

Henry Frederick Kors, a half-brother of George E. Kors, was a son of H. Frederick and Marie (Henninghouse) Kors (the latter having been the first wife of the father of the subject of this review). He was born at Beardstown, Illinois, December 2, 1846, and died on February 21, 191 7. He was prominent in Cass county, Illinois, where he served as circuit clerk and recorder.

Charles E. Nims

There is much of interest and incentive in the life history of a man like late Charles E. Nims, former mayor of Humboldt, Richardson county, for he had been successful in his chosen field of endeavor and always .ranked with the best citizens of his community. He was born, September 27. 1841. in Burlington, Wisconsin. He was a son of Luther and Hannah (Yost) Xims, lx)th natives of Pennsylvania, where they grey up and were married, but moved from that state to Wisconsin in pioneer days, remaining in the Badger state until 1867, when they came to Nebraska, locating at Humboldt, buying land which now forms a part of the townsite on the east side.

Luther Nims was born at Middlesex, Ontario county. New York, October 24, 1809. He was a son of Ruel Nims. who was Ijorn on December 6, 1786, and who died in 1881, at the age of ninety-five years. Tlie death of Luther Nims occurred on June 13, T893. His wife. Hannah \'ost, was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, April 3. 1810. and died on .\ugust 14, 1894. These parents were married on January 14, 1833, and to them the following children were Ixirn : Alexander. l)orn on October 14, 1833, who lives in Kansas City, Missouri: John Henry, born in Ohio on April 4, 1835. who died in Wisconsin during the Civil War: I,uther Bingham, born in

Pennsylvania on March 8, 1837, who lives in Cosmopolis, Washington; Ruel, born in Pennsylvania on January 10, 1839, now deceased; Charles E., the subject of this sketch; William Nelson, born on May 6, 1843, at Waupon, Wisconsin, where the Nims family settled in 1844; Mary, who married a Afr. Hilibert and whose death occurred on February 23. 1880; Julia Alvira, born in Waupon, Wisconsin, July 17, 1847, who married a Mr. Sweeney and is now deceased; Marilla Aurelia, born in Waupon, Wisconsin, April 26, 1849, who died while living in the state of Washington, and Emma, who died when ten years old.

Charles E. Nims, of this memorial review, grew to manhood on the farm and attended the early-day schools during the brief winter sessions for a few years. Toward the latter part of the Civil War he enlisted, October 10, 1864, in Company G, First Regiment, Wisconsin Heavy Artillery. He was on duty in the forts near Alexandria, Virginia, and was one of the extra guards at the time of Lincoln's assassination. He was honorably discharged on June 26, 1865.

Mr. Nims was married at Waupon, Wisconsin, February 4, 1864, to Isaljelle Landon, who was born on May 14, 1846, at Margaretville, New York, a daughter of Luther and Deborah (Carpenter) Landon, both of old New York families, who moved to Wisconsin in pioneer days, arriving there in October, 1841, and took up a homestead. The family lived in that State until in the seventies, when they removed to Kansas, but later returned to the state of New York, where Mrs. Nims's parents died, the father passing away about the year 1892.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Nims lived in Wisconsin two years, then went to Minnesota and bought a farm in the German settlement in Steele county, in 1867. There they prospered, principally by raising bigwheat crops. They came to Nebraska in 1871 and Mr. Nims bought forty acres from his father, adjoining the town of Humboldt, in Richardson county, for which he paid the sum of ten dollars an acre. Later Mr. Nims bought eighty acres more there and operated that farm until 1909; then built two beautiful dwellings in the eastern part of the town. He has also bought eighty acres in another part of this locality, which he sold for a profit. He owned at one time two hundred acres. He sold his home farm in 1908 for one hundred and ten dollars an acre, and later sold forty acres for one hundred dollars an acre. Mr. Nims died on April 30, 1917.

Politically, Mr. Nims was a Republican. He served as county supervisor three terms of two years each, giving eminent satisfaction to all concerned. He also served as a member of the Humboldt school board for sev- eral years, also tliree terms as mayor of Humboldt, being regartled as one of the best mayors the town ever had. During his administrations he did much for the general public improvement of the vicinity. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he served as steward for a number of years, and also as trustee. Fraternally, he belonged to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and was a Mason for more than forty years and was a past master of the local lodge. He belonged to William Mix Post No. 66, Grand Army of the Republic and had served as commander of that post.

.,.,, To Charles E. Nims and wife the following children were liorn : Mrs. Delia I. Saunders, who lives in Kansas City, Missouri; Elosia Mabel, who died in infancy; Newton L., who died in infancy; Elton L., now a realestate agent, in San Antonio, Te.xas ; Alabel Zoe, who was graduated from the State University at Lincoln with the degree of Master of Arts and is now teaching in the high school at Billings. Montana, and Mrs. Anna Fav Holman, who lives on a farm north of Humboldt and has two children. John Charles and Helen Elizabeth.

Jairus S. Davis

Before giving in detail the life record of the subject of tiiis sketch, it is the desire of the biographer to trace his interesting genealogy, which goes back to illustrious personages in Great Britain many centuries ago.

The Davis family traces descent from Alfred the Great and the King of Wales. Prominent in America during colonial wars and the Revolution, were some of the Davis ancestors. One of the founders of the state of Ohio was Daniel Davis, who felled the first tree cut by a settler west of the Ohio river. There have been many distinguished members of the family in various walks of life. Though of ancient standing in Wales, the name of Davis, originally David, scarcely appears in English annals before tlic Norman conquest. Modified in various forms it has produced many family names, some of which are among the commonest in use, but Davies or Davis are perhaps the best known today. The lineage goes back to the year A. D. 843, to Rodhori Wawr, King of Wales. Owen Davis, at present a prominent representative of the family in England, is seventeenth in direct descent from King Edward TT, and thirty-second from Alfred the Great. The

The first American progenitor of the family was Capt. Delor Davis, who came to our shores from England in 1634. Soon thereafter he married Margery Willard, who came over with her brother Simon on the same ship with Captain Davis. After their marriage they located first in Scituate, in the old colony. Some portion of his life Delor Davis lived in Concord, where he had lands granted him in 1659. He was a carpenter and surveyor and held the office of constable for a long time. He was one of the grand inquest of the Plymouth colony, in 1645, ^""i ""^ of the petitioners for Groton, but probably never lived there, spending most of his life in Barnstable. His daughter Ruth married Stephen Hall, and among their descendants were Capt. Stephen Hall, a distinguished citizen of Boston ; Chief Justice Eustis, of Louisiana, and Chief Justice Isaac Parker, oi Massachusetts.

Another early settler was Samuel Davis, whose son Asa married Lady Jane Moreby, who was related to the family of George IH. Another emigrant was Meredith Davis, who was born in Wales about 1690, and was a descendant of the royal Welsh line of Meredith David. He landed in Maryland in 1720. Descendants of Isaac Davis, a great grandson of Delor Davis, may claim membership in the societies of Colonial Dames or the Sons of the Revolution, for Isaac Davis was a lieutenant in a Massachusetts regiment in that war. Members of the family also served in the early colonial wars. Edward Davis was captain of a militia company in, the French War, taking part in the relief of Ft. William Henry. The patriotism of Capt. Daniel Davis induced him to sacrifice his own property for the public good during the Revolutionary War, in which he served as captain. After the war he joined the company of Ohio Associates, which made a settlement in Ohio in 1788. Being desirous of doing something of which his posterity could speak with pride he cut the first tree felled by a settler west of the Ohio river, as stated in a preceding paragraph. This being a buckeye or horse-chestnut tree the incident gave to the state the name which it still retains - the Buckeye state. With his son he participated in the perils of Indian warfare until the coming of Gen. Anthony Wayne in 1784, when he settled down to the peaceful pursuits of life and helped found the institutions of the .state. Among the many men of this old family who distinguished themselves in public affairs in America was John Davis, who was four times governor of Massachusetts and United States senator several terms. George Bancroft, the well-known historian, had Davis blood in his veins, as did also Leon Gardner, the builder of Ft. Saybrook, which he held through the Pequod troubles. In 1639 he purchased from the friendly Indians the island now known as Gardner's Island, just east of Long Island. His grandson, John Gardner, in 1609, was intrusted with much treasure by the notorious Captain Kidd, who remained some time in the vicinity of Gardner's Island, and when he departed he left Mr. Gardner a large amount of gold and silver and jewels. Gardner was ignorant of the character of his visitor, and when the great pirate was arrested he surrendered the property to the governor of Massachusetts Bay. Among heirlooms still in the Davis family is a Bible printed in 1606, which was brought to America in the same vessel with William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania. The family has an attractive coat-of-arms.

Jairus S. Davis, the immediate subject of this sketch and proprietor of the J. S. Davis Land Company, of Humboldt, this county, was born on November 19, 1858, in Shelby county, Ohio. He is a son of Jacob M. and Mary Jane (Furrow) Davis. The father, who was a native of Ohio, was a son of Calvin Davis, a native of Virginia. The family is of Welsh and Irish descent. Grandfather Davis was of Scotch-Irish blood.

Jairus S. Davis was reared on the home farm northeast of Humboldt, where his parents settled on a farm in pioneer days. He was educated in the common schools and remained on the farm until 1881, when he began working at the trade of blacksmith and wagon-maker, working five years for the firm of Anderson & Company, at Humboldt, for which firm his brothers, Alonzo and. James B., also worked, both being blacksmiths Intrade. In 1886 Jairus S. began operating a wagon shop of his own. In 1888 he went to Hodgeman county, Kansas, where he proved up on a homestead, in 1 89 1. After a protracted spell of illness he returned to Humboldt and in the spring of 1892 moved to Chase county. Nebraska, and took up a pre-emption claim, remaining there two years, selling out his holdings in 1894 and returning to Humboldt. He here engaged in the land business two years. From 1896 to 1901 he was in business in this line in Humlxjldt with James B. Davis, his brother. He went to Elk Creek, Nebraska, where he engaged in business for four years, then operated a hotel at Virginia, in Gage county. Nebra.ska. for two years. He then moved to Lincoln, this state, where he was employed by the Lincoln Transfer Company for three and one-half years. In 1908 he engaged again in the real-estate business, establishing an office at Hum1x>ldt, but for two years dealt principally in farm lands, handling annually thousands of acres in Nebraska. Texas, South

Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas and Canada. In 1909 he established the J. S. Davis Land Company, which has grown rapidly under his able management until now a very large business is conducted. The firm makes a specialty of farm loans. Mr. Davis owns valuable property in Humboldt and residence property in Lincoln.

Mr. Davis was married in September, 1883, to Alice C. Snyder, a native of Missouri, and a daughter of Philip and Mary Snyder, early settlers of Missouri, who later established their home at Humboldt, this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Davis three children have been born, namely : Lula R., who is at home; Mamie, the wife of Dan M. Haney, manager of Mayer Brothers shoe department, Lincoln, Nebraska, and Mrs. Bertha Hodges, of North Platte, this state. Politically, Mr. Davis is an independent voter. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and to the Knights and Ladies of Security.

George W. Lewis

The late George W. Lewis, a well-kncywn retired farmer, of this county, who died at his home in Shubert early in 19 14, was a native of Illinois and had been a resident of this state since 1877. He was born on a farm in Menard county, Illinois, January 5, 1835, son of William and Elizabeth Lewis, natives of Kentucky, who had settled in Menard county, Illinois, in 1833 or earlier and who had later moved to Mason county, same state, where George W. Lewis grew to manhood and became a practical farmer, and where, in the spring of 1861, he married Elizabeth E. Mowder and established his home on a farm there, remaining there until the spring of 1877, when he came with his family to Nebraska and bought a half section of land five miles northeast of Shubert, half of the tract lying in Richardson county and half in Nemaha county. He built his house on the Nemaha side of the line and early became recognized as one of the leading farmers of that .section, developing there a fine farm. He also bought a quarter of a section of land near Aspinwall, in Nemaha county, and at the time of his retirement fnom the active laljors of the farm in 1894 was regarded as one of the substantial farmers of this region. Upon retiring he moved to Shubert, where he had a very comfortable home, and there he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring on January 18, 1914. He was a member of the Baptist church, as is his widow, and was a Democrat in

It was on March i6, 1861, in Illinois, that George W. Lewis was united in marriage to Ehzabeth E. Mowder, who was born in that state on July 12, 1841, daughter of Joseph and Judith (Stroup) Mowder. natives of Pennsylvania, who became pioneers of Illinois, and to that union five children were born, Hiram Allen, Florence May, Fannie B., Albert M. and George Walter, three of whom are still living. Hiram Allen Lewis died in 1896. Florence May Lewis married Ernest C. Riggs, a substantial farmer living one mile east of Shubert, in the precinct of Barada, and has three sons, George Burton, Howard, who recently enlisted in the L'^nited States army, and Louis. Fannie B. Lewis married Ethelbert L. Berry, also of Barada precinct, aixl has four children, Cloyd Bryan, Roy Wayne, Beulah and Albert. Albert M. Lewis, who was born in 1868, died in 1904, leaving a widow and three sons, Lawrence Glenn, Ralph Allen and Carl Nelson. The mother of these sons, who before her marriage was Mary A. Weddle, daughter of L. M. Weddle, is now living in Nemaha county. Her youngest son, Carl Nelson Lewis, recently enlisted in the L^nited States army for service in the war against Germany. George Walter Lewis, who is living on a farm two and one-half miles northeast of Shubert, married Mamie McCumber and has eight children, Corrine, Marvel, ^'elma. Edna, Alberta, Dorothy, Georgia and Guy Walton. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Lewis has continued to make her home at Shubert, where she is very pleasantlv and verv comfortablv situated.

Charles B. Gridley

General farming and sheep raising have claimed the attention of Ciiarles B. Gridley for many years in Franklin precinct, where he has become well established through his industry and good management, like many other Easterners who have cast their lot with the people of Richardson county. He was born in Richfield, Connecticut, March 26, 1842. He is a son of Lyman and Lois (Alfred) Gridley. Lyman Gridley was born in Connecticut, in May, 1800. and there devoted his life to farming, dying there at a ripe old age in 1877. He was a son of Silas and Elizabeth (Benton) Gridley. Silas Gridley was born about 1 758, and..died about 1838; he was -a. soldier of the Revolutionary War. He had four sons. Lois Alfred, mother of the subject of this sketch, was Ijorn in Connecticut in 1803 and died in 1901. thus lacking only two years of attaining the century mark. To Lyman and Lois Gridley eight children were born, Charles B., of this sketch, being the youngest reared.

Charles B. Gridley was reared on the home farm in his native state and there he attended the district schools, also spent three months at Wilberham Academy. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age; he then began life for himself by buying a farm, but later sold out and came West, making the trip as far as Illinois by railway ; he then bought a team and drove overland to Richardson county. He began life here in typical pioneer fashion, built a small house of cottonwood and worked hard transforming the wild prairie sod into a productive farm. His nearest market was Bi-o'wnville. He procured his present farm in 1866, and he has thus spent a half century on this place and in this respect perhaps his record is not surpassed by many in this section of the state. He took an active interest in the upbuilding of his community where he has been well known and influential since the days of the first settlers. This country was still tlie domain of the red man when he came here and the Indians had a well-beaten trail across the northern end of his farm, but they never molested him in any way. He has a well-improved and productive farm of three hundred and twenty acres in section 9, Franklin precinct. He has been very successful as a grower of general crops and live stock, specializing in sheep raising, keeping large herds from year to year. His place is located six miles northwest of Humboldt. He helped organize school district No. 10. Politically, he is a Democrat, and he has been active in local public affairs ever since coming here. He has served as assessor of his precinct and was one of the first members to be elected on the county board of supervisors. He has also served as township treasurer and justice of the iieace, discharging his duties in each in a most commendable and satisfactory manner. He has long been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church here and is a trustee in the same.

;\Ir. Ciridley is of the ninth generation since the Gridleys settled in America. His grandfather, Silas Gridley, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. enlisting in 1776. The Gridley family came from England to ihe New World in Colonial days.

Charles B. Gridley was married on December 19, 1875, to Ada H. Sowle, who was born in Pennsylvania. She is a daughter of D. W. and Elizabeth (Hosford) Sowle, natives of the state of New York. The family tiiially came west and located at Oketo, Kansas, and there tlie fatlier of Mrs. Gridley followed the carpenter's trade, also practiced medicine.

Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gridley, namely : Corydon, who lives in Jefferson county, Nebraska; Elizabeth, who was the eldest child, is deceased; Nellie is at home; William is at home; Mrs. Millicent Sollenburger lives in Belleville, Kansas : and Lois is the youngest child.

^Ir. Gridley has lived to see and take part in the great changes that ha\e been noted in southeastern Nebraska during the past fifty years and he talks interestingly of the early times here and of the later transformations.

Edward D. Morris

One of the best known farmers and live stock breeders in Nemaha township, this county, is Edw'ard D. Morris, who was born on September 2~. 1865, in Wales, a son of Evan and Elizalxth (Davis) Morris. Evan Morris was born on December 25, 1844, in Wales, and there spent his boyhood. He emigrated to x\merica in 1868, locating on a farm just east of \'erdon. in this count}-, buying eighty acres, which he improved and farmed for nine years, then sold out and bought his present' farm. When he first came West to look for a location he deposited his money in a bank in Falls City. The bank failed and he lost nearly all he had, but he had paid enough down on his land to hold it. He i^ersevered and worked hard, finally paying it out. He became a successful farmer, always keeping a good grade of cattle and sheep, hogs and horses, and made a specialty of raising sheep. He was an influential man in his precinct and was familiarly known as "Uncle Evan." He is now making his home in Wyoming among his children. His wife was born in Wales on Septemlier .26, 1844, and her death occurred March 25. 191 7. These parents were members of the Congregational church. Ten children were born to them, all in Nebraska, with the" exception of the eldest, the subject of this sketch, six of these survive at this writing, tho^e besides Edward D., being as follow: Anna, who lives near Gillette. Wyoming; Elizabeth, who also lives there; Thomas, who is farming in Nemaha precinct, this county; John, who lives at Gillette, Wyoming, and I'-vert. who lives near Billings, Montana.

Edward D. Morris was three years old when his parents brought him to the United States. He grew to manhood in Richardson county, worked hard on the home farm when a Ixiy during the .summer months, and in the winter time he attended the district schools. The lirst schoul he attended was taught in a residence near the village of Verdon. Later lie was a student in the rural schools of Salem township. He remained on the home place until he was twenty years old, when he began working out as a farm hand and laborer. He farmed for Stephen B. and Joseph Miles for a period of eighteen years, operating one of their farms near Bern. Kansas. In 1912 he took charge of his father's farm, which he purchased and here he still resides. The place consists of one hundred and sixty acres in section I. Nemaha precinct. He has made many improvements on the place and is carrying on general farming and stock raising successfulU'. He built an attractive modern home in the spring of 191 7, his old residence having been destroyed by fire. He is a breeder of Poland China hogs, having engaged in this business since 1897. His fine hogs find a very ready market whenever offered for sale, owing to their superior quality and he has customers all over this section of the country. He holds sales at his home twice a year, in the spring and fall.

Mr. Morris was married on February 18, 1885, to Martha B. Harvey, who was born, reared and educated in Richardson county. She is a daughter of Oliver J. and Martha (Lorton) Harvey, natives of Jackson county, Missouri, and early settlers of Richardson county, where they became very comfortably established on a farm through their hard efiforts.

Two children have been Iwrn to Mr. and Mrs. Morris, namely : Edward, Jr., assistant cashier of the Citizens Bank at Sabetha, Kansas, and Anna, who is the wife of Earl C. O'Roke. professor in the University of Wyoming at Laramie. Mr. and Mrs. Morris have also taken three children to rear from the New York Children's Home: Pearl, now ( 1917) thirteen years of age; Arleen, twelve, and Oran, eleven.

Mr. Morris is a Republican, but is inclined to vote independently. He was a member of the school board during his residence in Kansas and has served in a like capacity in his home district in Nemaha precinct during the past nineteen years. He is a memljer of the Presbyterian church at Bern, Kansas. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America at Salem, and formerly belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has always been known as a good law-abiding citizen. When twenty-one years old he took out naturalization papers. He has lived in Richardson county nearly fifty years, during which period he has seen "wondrous changes come over the face of the land" ; has lived to see the wild prairies transformed into a superb farming country, dotted with churches, school houses, thriving towns and the happy homes of men. He talks interestingly of the days when he helped to break the virgin prairie sod with oxen, when he bound grain after the old-fashioned reaper and lived the simple life of a pioneer.

The splendid success which has come to Michael L. Hays, for many years one of the progressive men of affairs of Richardson county, but now a leading lumljernian of the city of Lincoln, is directly traceable to the salient points in his character, for lie started in life practically at the bottom of the ladder, which he has mounted with but little aid from any source, although meeting with the usual obstacles that confront most men of affairs who have ambition.

Air. Hays was born on November 17, 1850, in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He is a son of George L. and Julia (Ambrose) Hays. George L. Hays was born in Pennsylvania and there grew up and devoted his activities to farming. He remained in his native state until 1855, when he moved to Taylor county, Iowa. After remaining there two years he moved, in 1857, to Nebraska, and became a pioneer in Richardson county, enduring the usual hardships and privations incident to life on the western frontier. He developed a good farm from the raw prairie, breaking up the sod with oxen, the team with which he drove his prairie schooner overland from Iowa. He settled in W^est Muddy precinct. Only fifteen acres of the place ha<l Ijeen -brokfrn arxt a rude -dwelling had been built. Its former owner had taken up the land as a homestead and proved up on it. The nearest market at that time was Brownsville, a distance of twenty miles. George L. Hays and his wife became owners of three hundred and twentv acres. By hard work and perseverance he prospered with ad- \ancing vears and became very comfortably established, ranking among the leailing farmers oi his precinct. He brought liis land up to a high state of imprwement and cultivation, erecting thereon a splendid group of buildings and there he engaged in general agricultural pursuits and stock raising on an extensive scale until his death, which occurred in 1864. His widow >ur\ived until about 1871. To these parents nine children were born, as follow: George, Jr.. Mrs. Mary McDonald, Louis, John, Jesse. David. all now deceased: Susan, the wife of Barney Alullen, a sketch of whom