Richardson County, Nebraska - Biographical sketches, 1917 (part 12 of 19)

Lewis F. Marburger

By industry and fair dealing Lewis F. Marburger has built up a good business as a merchant in Humboldt. He was born, July 23, 1873, at Dubuque, Iowa, and is a son of George F. Marburger, born in 185 1 at Canal Dover, Ohio, and whose death occurred in 1904. The father of George Marburger was a native of Germany, from which country he came to America in the early sixties and served in the Civil War as a Union soldier. After the war he located in Iowa. He bought leather from U. S. Grant at Galena, Illinois, before the war, the future General and President having been engaged in the tanning business there for some time. Five generations of the Marburger family have been engaged in the leather and shoe business. George F. Marburger, father of the subject of this sketch, learned the shoemaker's trade at Bellevue, Iowa. He came to Nebraska in 1878 and located a shoe shop at Humboldt, his son Lewis being then only live years old. George F. Marburger was married, while living in Iowa, to Sarah Chase Scoville, who was born in the state of New York in 1855. Her father served in the Civil War. Three children were born to George F. Marburger and wife, namely; George, deceased; Frank, deceased, and Lewis F., the subject of this sketch.

Lewis F. M-arburger was educated in the public schools and was graduated from the Humboldt high school in 1891. He learned the shoemaker's trade under his father, whom he succeeded in business, conducting a wellequipped repair shop, and he is now proprietor of the oldest established business in Humboldt. He built a new store in the fall of 191 3 and in it installed modern fixtures. He still does a large shoe-repairing business, but his main business is his store, in which he carries a large stock of shoes, rubber goods and hosiery. The business was originally established in 1879. Shoes and boots were made from the raw material for many years in this shop. In 1889 a stock of footwear was added to the business, father and son working together until the former's death in 1904. since wliicli time the subject of this sketch has conducted the establishment alone. He lias increased the business in various ways and his fine new brick building, whicli now stands on the old site, would be a credit to any town in this section of the state, being one of the most substantial and attractive buildings in Humboldt.

In 1887, Mr. Marburger was married to Bertha Borland, whose death occurred in 191 1, leaving three children, namely: Willard, now (1917J seventeen years of age, who is attending high school; Lee, fifteen years of age, and Harold, nine. In August, 1914, Mr. Marburger married Nellie Snoke, a daughter of C. M. Snoke, of Humboldt, and to this union one child has been born, a son, Charles, whose birth occurred on March 3, 1916.

Mr. Marburger is a Republican, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a member of the Presbyterian church. During his long business career in Humboldt he has done much in the way of promoting the general upbuilding of the town.

George Bowker

The late George Bowker, who at the time of his death in 1904 was the president of the Bank of Rulo, at Rulo, this county, and for many years had been one of the leading factors in the development of that part of the county, was a native of England, but had been a resident of this count\- since pioneer days, having come here in the fall of 1857. He was born at Buckworth Lodge, Huntingdonshire, England, May 13, 1835, son of Thomas and Rebecca (Burnham) Bowker, and was reared in his native country, after completing his schooling becoming employed in a grocer}- store, and remained there until he was twenty-two years of age, when, in 1857, he came to this country and after a short stay in Bradford county, New York, and at Elmira, diat state, came out to the then Territory of Nebraska and in the fall of that year bought a tract of land in the vicinity of the landing where the village of Rulo later arose and Ijefore long became recognized as one of the leading landowners and cattletnen in that section. During the Civil War Mr. Bowker ser\-ed in ^863-64 as commissary clerk in the (|uartermaster's department of the United States army at Ft. Kearney. When the First National Bank of Rulo was organized he was one of the active factors in that organization and when that institution was re-organized as the Bank of Rulo in 1890 he was made vice-president of the same and was later raised to the position of president of the bank, a position he held until his death. In a biographical sketch relating to his nephew. Thomas

G. Bowker. now vice-president of the bank, there is set out a liistory of this bank, further mention of which also is made in the historical section of this work. George Bowker was for some years during the early part of his residence here interested with Stephen B. Miles in government mail contracts, his operations including lines in Missouri and Texas. In i8q6 he was united in marriage to Addie Woodford, of Rulo, who survives him. Mr. Bowker was a membei of Orient Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Rulo, and after his death on December 31, 1904, his body was accorded full Masonic honors.

The Shildneck Family

The Shildneck family has long been well established in Richardson county, throughout which they are well and favorably known, and they are among the leading citizens of Salem and vicinity.

Hiram S. Shildneck, now living in retirement at Salem, was born in Frederick county, Maryland, June 23, 1841. He is a son of William and Massa (Guidan) Shildneck, whose family consisted of nine children, six sons and three daughters, only two of whom are now living - Hiram S., who was seventh in order of birth, and Mrs. Mary E. Moser, a widow, who lives in Washington county, Maryland. William Shildneck was a tanner by trade, and lived all his life in Maryland, dying there at the age of eighty-three years. His wife was also a native of that state, where she lived and died.

Hiram S. Shildneck grew to manhood in Maryland and there attended the public schools, remaining at home until 1862, when he moved to Illinois and settled in Ogle county. At Polo, that state, he enlisted, in January, 1865, in Company F, Eighteenth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but the war being nearly over he did not see much active service. He was mustered out and honorably discharged at Ft. Steele, Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was stationed several months. After the war he returned to Illinois and bought a farm, which he improved and operated until 1886, in which year he came to Nebraska, buying a farm in Liberty precinct, Richardson county, which was -well improved, and there he farmed until 1903, when he sold out. His place consisted of two hundred and forty acres of valuable and productive land, and the price he received was one hundred dollars an acre. In connection with general farming he was a breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. He was one of the successful farmers and stockmen of the county. Having accumulated a competency and old age coming on he retired from active life in 1903, moved to Salem, where he built a commodious residence and has there continued to reside to the present time.

On February 16, 1866, Hiram S. Shildneck was married to Mary F. Hammond, who was born in Virginia, in 1844, a daughter of Philip and Lydia (Kretzsinger) Hammond, both natives of Virginia, where they grew up and married, later moving to Illinois. They had only the one child, Mary F., who married Mr. Shildneck. Four children w^ere born to Hiram and Mary F. Shildneck, namely : Flora, who is the wife of Charles Frederick, of Almena, Kansas; William P., who is engaged in the hardware business at Salem; Mrs. Bertha E. Schrader, who lives in Richardson county and who is mentioned in a separate sketch in this work, and Charles, who is engaged in the hardware business in Salem. Hiram S. Shildneck is a Prohibitionist, a member ol the Ancient Order of United Workmen and a member of the Congregational church.

William and Charles Shildneck, mentioned above, started in the hardware business in Salem in 1903 and they have built up a large and growing business. They carry a complete line of hardware, implements and furniture. Their first store was destroyed by fire in 1910, and they then erected their present substantial and modern brick building, forty-five by ninety feet.

William Shildneck was l)orn on September 29. 1869, in Ogle countv. Illinois, and there he spent his boyhood and attended the public schools, later attending the high school at Holton, Kansas. He grew up on the home farm, where he worked during the crop seasons. When a young man he worked for the Burlington Railroad Company as agent at Salem and in various places in the West for about twelve years. For the past fourteen years he has devoted his attention to the hardware business.

On August 5, 1895. William Shildneck was married to Nellie M. Long, a daughter of William P. and Hettie J. (Eshelman) Long, natives of Pennsylvania, where they grew up and were married. In the fifties thev removed to Illinois, becoming early settlers in Ogle county, where they remained until 1872, when they came to Nebraska and located on a farm in Richardson county. Mr. Long died here in 1912 at the age of sixty-nine vears. His widow is now living in Brown county, Kansas, at the age of seventy years. Four children have been born to A\'illiam Shildneck and wife, nanielv : Carl H., Lloyd P., Jesse W.. and Paul R.

and he received a common-school education. He engaged in farming until he entered the hardware business with his brother in Salem, in 1903. In 1907 he married Josie Hinton, a daughter of John Hinton and wife, early settlers of Richardson county. To this union two children have been born, Cleo and John.

Frank E. Church

One of the farmers of Franklin precinct, Richardson county who follows twentieth century methods is Frank E. Church, who owns a wellimproved and productive farm of two hundred and seventy acres on which he carries on general farming and raises large numbers of cattle and hogs, forging to the front rank in his locality during his residence there of twentyfive years on the same farm.

Mr. Church was born on February 26, 1870, in Wisconsin, a son of Joseph and Sarah (Rood) Church. The father was born in 1844 and died on March 25, 191 1. The mother, who was of English descent, was born in Canada in 1851 and died on February 4, 1904. In 1880 Joseph Church and family emigrated to Nebraska and settled on a farm east of Dubois, Pawnee county, and in the spring of 1889 settled in Franklin precinct, Richardson county, on land a part of which is now owned by Frank E. Church. The family of Joseph Church numbered six, only two of the children now surviving, Frank E., and Mrs. Mary Standerford, who also lives in Franklin precinct, Richardson county.

Frank E. Church grew up on his father's farm, where he worked when a boy during the summer months, in the winter time attending the district schools, and when but a boy turned his attention to farming. He rented the farm he now owns for a while, then purchased it in 1894. He has added many improvements, including the erection of a large modern residence, also good barns and other buildings. He has managed well and has succeeded.

On November 10, 1892, Mr. Church was married to Mary ^"a^ie^, who was born in Richardson county, October 5, 1871, and was reared in her native locality and attended the public schools. She is a daughter of John and Martha (Alott) Vanier. The father was born June 17, 1833, in Pennsylvania, from which state he removed to Ohio with his parents when young and there he grew to manhood and married. In November, 1858, he removed to Nebraska, locating in the southwestern corner of Richard- son county, being one of the pioneers there. He developed a good iarm from the wild prairie and continued to reside there for a period of fortytwo years or until 1900, when he moved to Dubois, Pawnee county, where he lived for nine years. He now lives with his daughter, Mrs. Church, being now (1917) eighty-four years of age. His wife, Martha Alott, was born in 1834 and died on November 9, 1905. To John Vanier and wife the following children were born : George, who lives in Dubois, Nebraska ; Oscar, who lives in Fairbury, this state; Mrs. Susan Brinker, who lives in Colorado Springs; Mary, wife of Mr. Church, and Jacob, who lives in Kansas City, Missouri.

Four children have been born to Frank E. Church and wife, namelv : John, who lives on the farm east of his father's, married Leona Rue, and has one child, Virgil Leonard; Earl, who is teaching school near Lincoln, in Seward county, and who was married, June 11, 1917, to Anna Heacock: Vernon, who lives at home, and George, who is attending school at Franklin Center. Mr. Church votes independently, preferring to cast his ballot for the best man rather than for the party.

Charles Smith

The late Hon. Charles Smith, former representative from this district to the Nebraska General Assembly, an honored veteran of the Civil W'ar, and during his life one of the best-known and most substantial farmers in Richardson county, the proprietor of a fine farm in the precinct of Nemaha and for years actively identified with the interests of this section of the state, was of European birth, but had been a resident of this country since he was fifteen years of age and of this county since he was eighteen. Born in Germany on March 19, 1840, he remained there until 1855, in which year he came to this country with a married sister and settled in Missouri, coming thence in 1858 to Nebraska and settling on a farm on Honey creek, in the precinct of Nemaha, this county, he and his brother, Julius Smith, farming the place in partnership for some years, at the end of which time be bought his brother's interest in the farm and thereafter developed it alone. During the progress of the Civil War Mr. Smith enlisted for service in Company (}, Fifth Missouri Cavalry, and with that command rendered valiant ser\ice in behalf of the presen'ation of the Union, he having from the day of his anival in this country given himself wholeheartedly to his adopted country.

After his marriage in the spring of 1869 Charles Smith established liis liome on his farm in Nemaha precinct and it was not long until he came to be regarded as one of the leading farmers in that part of the county. .\s he prospered he added to his land holdings until he became the owner of a fine farm of five hundred acres, which he had improved and developed in admirable shape, and there he spent his last daj's. his death occurring on January 15, 1916, and his widow is still living there, retaining her interest in three hundred and ninety acres of the estate. Mr. Smith was an ardent Republican and ever gave his earnest attention to local civic affairs, one of the recognized leaders of his party in this county. In 1898 he was elected to represent Richardson county in the Legislature and during the session of 1899 rendered admirable service in behalf of his constituents and of the state at large in the House. He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, was one of the active workers in the ranks of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Sabetha, Kansas, and was afifiliated with the lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at that place, in the affairs of all of these organizations taking a warm interest.

On March 11, 1869, Charles Smith was united in marriaige to Lucinda Lockwood, who was born in Allegany county, New York, January 16, 1850, daughter of Joseph and Theda ( Martindale) Lockwood, natives of that same state and members of old Colonial families, the latter of whom was a granddaughter of Sheldon Holbrook, a soldier of the Revolution and a large landowner in New York. The Lockwoods left New York in 1853 and moved to Michigan, settling at Chasaning, in Saginaw county, where they lived for eleven years, or until -1864, when they moved to Minnesota and settled on a farm in the neighborhood of Alma City, where they remained two years, at the end of wiiich time, in 1866, they came down into Nebraska and settled on a farm in the precinct of Nemaha, in this county, becoming' substantial pioneers of that community. Later, Joseph Lockwood and his wife moved to Mitchell. Kansas, where their last days were spent.

To Charles and Lucinda (Lockwood) Smith were born nine children, of whom five are still living, as follow : Nellie, wife of George F. Funk, a farmer, living three miles southwest of Dawson, this county; Olive, wife of Oliver C. Ayers, of Nemalia precinct, a biographical sketch of whom is presented elsewhere in this volume: Helen, wife of Benjamin Stalder. of Salem precinct; Ardie, wife of C. Foy French, of the city of Lincoln, and Fred, living on the old home place, which he is successfully farming, who married Carrie Brougher and has four children, Gertrude, wife of Lloyd Keim; Charles, Zuella and Villas. All of the Smith children received excel- lent schooling and in their younger days all were for a time engaged in teaching school in this county, the family ever having taken an active and useful part in the general social and cultural activities of the communitv. Mrs. Smith is a member of the United Brethren church and has for years been among the leaders in all good works in the community in which she has lived since pioneer days and the development of which she has witnessed and aided since the days of her girlhood.

Leonard R. Aiann

Leonard R. Mann, farmer and live-stock Ijuyer, living, in Humboldt, is one of the native sons of Richardson county who has appreciated home opportunities and has been content to stay her-e. He was born in Humboldt, November 12, 1877, a son of Lewis C. and Mary (Cox) Mann, the former of whom was born in Randolph county, Indiana, June 6, 1848. Lewis C. Mann devoted his life to the live-stock and butcher business. He spent his early life in the East, coming to Nebraska in 1870 and locating at Humboldt, where he bought and shipped cattle and hogs to the markets, spending the ])alance of his life there, dying on May 17, 1910. He was one of the bestknown stockmen in the northwestern portion of the county, and took an active interest in local public affairs, serving as a member of the city council at Humboldt at different times, and did all he could toward the general upbuilding of his community. He became o^\^er of considerable property in Humboldt. He was a member of the Christian church there and leader in the same for many years. He belonged to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His wife also was born in Randolph county, Indiana, in 185 1, and is now living at Humboldt, Nebraska. To these parents nine children were born, five of whom are living at this writing.

Leonard R. Mann was reared at Humboldt, where he attended the pulilic schools. He worked in the butcher business with his father until igo2, when he liegan buying live stock on his own account; in fact, he has been buying stock since he was thirteen years old. Through long years of practice and also a ])ronounced natural ability in that line, he has become one of the best judges of live stock in the county. In 1910 he bought, in l)artnership with Walter Legg, a farm of one hundred acres, which partnership existed until 1913. when Mr. Mann bought eighty acres of the place in Franklin precinct, since which time he has devoted his attention to general

Mr. Mann was married on November 17, 1909, to Frances M. Little, a daughter of Oliver T. and Elizabeth (Pollock) Little, natives of Connersville, Indiana, and of Red Oak, Iowa, respectively. They were early settlers in Pawnee county, Nebraska, where they engaged successfully in agricultural pursuits until retiring from active life. They now live in Humboldt. ^ Mrs. Mann was born at Pawnee City, Nebraska, and there she grew to maturity and received a good education in the public schools, graduating from the high school, and later was a student in the State University of Nebraska. After coming to Humboldt she became associate editor of the Standard, the duties of which position she discharged with abihty and credit for a period of three years. She was with that newspaper six years in all. She is a woman of high educational attainments and a writer of much natural ability. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Mann has been blessed by the birth of one child, Frances Marjorie, lx)rn on October 26, 1913.

Newton C. Campbell

The enterprising merchant, Newton C. Campbell, of Humboldt, has succeeded because he has had courage and perseverance and has been willing to follow the Golden Rule in dealing with his fellow men. He was born on OctolDer 15, 1855, in Lasalle county, Illinois, a son of Abel and Eliza (Woodward) Campbell, who were parents of fourteen children, five sons and two daughters of whom are still living, Newton C. having been the tenth in order of birth. Abel Campbell was born on November 28. 1809, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, where he spent his earlier years. He moved to Illinois about 1852, presently locating at Streator, that state, and in 1872 took up his residence at Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he made his home with one of his sons for five or six years, at the end of which time he went to Templeton, Iowa, where his death occurred in 1894. He spent his active life as a farmer. He was reared a Quaker, but gave up that faith when he married. He was a man of deep religious convictions and an active church worker. The mother of the subject of this sketch also was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1813, and. died in 1897. She worked hard assisting her husband rear their large family, often sewing until far into the night, making clothes for them.

Xeutiiii C. Campbell was reared on the farm and received his education in the district schools and at Streator. Illinois, .\fter leaving school he clerked in a clothing store there for two years. He came to Nebraska in 1876 and worked as a farm hand in the vicinity of Table Rock for four years, receiving sixteen dollars a month, later two hundred dollars a year. He began farming for himself in 1880, and in 1891 bought a farm of one hiindred and twenty acres in Franklin precinct. Richardson county. Selling out there in 1894, he moved to Huniljoldt precinct and bought eighty acres, which he operated until 1900, in which year he sold out and moved to the town of Humboldt, where he bought a partnership in the Watts grocery and queensware store. Four j-ears later he bought his partner out and has since been conducting the business alone. He has been very successful and has built up a large and growing trade. He carries an extensive and carefully selected stock of staple and fancy groceries and a fine line of queensware, about a six-thousand-dollar stock. His store is modern in its appointments, neat and well arranged.

On February 26, 1880, Mr. Campbell was married to Parmelia Fellers, who was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Philip and Katherine Cortlelia (Puever) Fellers, both natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Nebraska in 1878 and located on a farm two and one-half miles from Table Rock. There the death of the father occurred in 1879, at the age of fifty-five years, and his widow is now making her home with the subject of this sketch. She has reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years, ]\Irs. Campbell is a member of the Methodist church and an active worker in the same. She is a member of the local lodge of the Daughters of Rebekali and of the Degree of Honor. The union of ]\Ir. and Mrs. Campljell nas been without issue.

Mr. Campbell is a Republican, He was elected a member of the Humboldt city council in 1904, serving for two years, and in 1909 he was again elected to the council, serving until 191 1, when he was elected county supervisor, the duties of which office he discharged in an able and faithful manner until 1917. when the office was discontinued. In 191 1 he was appointed chairman of the county board, which position he held for six years. Tn all these offices of trust he has been painstaking and worked for the general good of the public, making a record that was satisfactory to all concerned. J-'raternally. he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order "i (Jdd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a member of tlie Methodist church, of which he is a trustee, and is an active worker in the same.

Christ Wuster

Another foreign-born citizen of western Richardson county who has been successful in our land of man}' opportunities and has been enabled to retire from active life is Christ Wuster, of Dawson, Grant township, this county. He was born in Germany, May 13, 1848, a son of Christ and Rosanna (Likes) Wuster, natives of Germany. The father was born on December 14, 1821, and died on February i, 1885. The mother w-as born on February 19, 1823, and died in January, 1888. They were parents of nme children, eight of whom are living.

The Wuster family remained in their native land until 1851, when they immigrated to America, locating in Pennsylvania, in which state the parents spent the rest of their lives, and there their son Christ, Jr., grew to manhood, attending the common schools, and for several years worked on a farm in Lycoming county. After his marriage he came to Nebraska in 1890. and located on a farm four miles north of Dawson, in Porter precinct, paying ten dollars an acre for his land, which he improved and tilled with success until 1904, becoming one of the leading general farmers and stock raisers of Porter precinct. He then retired from active life and moved to the village of Dawson, where he bought a home and there he has since resided. While on the farm he made a specialty of breeding Shorthorn cattle.

On September 25, 1873, Mr. Wuster was married to Martha Marquardt. who was born on January 31, 1850, in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. She is a daughter of Fred and Rosanna (Keiss) Marquardt, both natives of Germany, from which country they came to America with their respective parents and located in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, the father being only ten years old when they crossed the Atlantic. They grew to maturity in the old Keystone state and were married there. Mrs. Martha Wuster was reared and educated in her native state. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wuster: Anna, who is the wife of Walter Kirk and they live on the Wuster home farm in Porter precinct; Charles, who is also living on the home place; Clara, wife of Charles Perry, now living in California: Henry, who lives in California ; Thomas Frederick, who lives on a farm one mile north and one-half mile east of Dawson; David E., deceased; John .\.. who lives in California, and Mrs. Mary Dillon, also of California.

Christ Wuster, Jr., deserves a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished since coming to Nebraska, for he then had but si.x hundred dollars. He went in debt for his farm of three hundred and twent\- acres.

I I 50 Richardson County, Nebraska

but worked hartl and managed well and success eventually crowned his efforts. Fcjr several years he hauled his wheat to Salem Mills and exchanged it for flour. He lived in the old log cabin on his land for some time, or until he was able financially to build a better residence. There was considerable native timber on his land, and he got from his own woods most of the lumber with which to build his barn and other buildings. There was an apple orchard on his place, which for some time was the only one in Richardson county. This orchard brought him large returns, his apples being in great demand at fancy prices. Politically, he is a Democrat. He and Mrs. W'uster belong to the Evangelical church.

Joseph O. Horton

Joseph O. Horton, well-known farmer and live-stock breeder of Salem precinct, is one of the representative citizens of Richardson county. Like many of our enterprising men he hails from the Hoosier state, having been born at Bedford, Indiana, March 7, 1854, a son of John and Cynthia Ann (Peters) Horton. The father was also born in Bedford, Indiana. October 6, 1817, and died on March 11, 1885. He devoted his life to farming and in 1857 moved to Iowa county, Iowa, where he remained until 1873. when he went to Van Buren county, that state, and his death occurred near Birmingham. Iowa. He was married four times. Three children were born to his first union, one to his second and two to his third, the fourth union being without is.sue. The subject of this sketch was born to the second wife, Cynthia Ann Peters, who was born in Indiana and who died in 1854. The other children were as follow : George, a Union soldier during the Civil War. who was killed in the battle of Corinth, Mississippi, October 4, 1864, while serving as a member of the Seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry; John M., who lives in California; Henry, deceased, and Mrs. Sarah Gilbert, who was killed ))y being run over by an automobile in Kansas City, Missouri.

Joseph O. Horton was reared on the home farm and attended the district schools in Iowa. He left there when a young man and went to Illinois, where he worked on different farms; also worked as a farm hand in Iowa, receixing eighteen dollars and later twenty dollars a month, and worked two \ears on one farm. Saving his earnings, he bought a team and went ti) Mahaska county, Iowa, where he began farming for himself on rented land. He also lived a while in Guthrie county, Iowa. In 18S3 he moved to Hutchins county, South Dakota, where he took up a homestead, on which he hved until 1887, wheii he sold out and moved to Mills county, Iowa, where he hought one hundred and sixty acres. In 1896 he came to Nebraska and bought his present farm in Richardson county, on which he has made extensive improvements. It contains three hundred and forty acres in section 5 of Salem precinct and section t,2 of Liberty precinct. In connection with general farming he is a breeder of Percheron horses and pure-bred Poland China hogs. At this writing he has a fine tsandard-bred Percheron stallion and an excellent jack.

On September 24, 1884, Mr. Horton was married to Bessie \\"allace, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Jarnes Wallace and wife, natives of Ohio, where they grew up and were married. They resided in that state until about 1867, when they moved to Ola the, Kansas. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Horton, namely: James W. and Benjamin F., both of whom live in Salem township and are there engaged in farming; Robert A., John O. and Dean, all at home; Harriet, who is teaching school in Salem, and two daughters who died in infancy. Mrs. Horton has been twice married, her first husband having been George Woodward, by whom she had one child, a son, the Rev. George W. Woodward, who is a minister in the Presb\-terian church at Broadwater, Nebraska. Mr. Horton is a Republican. He is a member of the local lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

Father Francis A. O'Brien

I-'ather l'"rancis A. O'Brien, the genial and earnest priest of St. Mary's church, Dawson, Grant precinct, is doing a good work in the western part of Richardson county. He was born on April 30, 1879, in Watertown, M.issachusetts, a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Geraughty) O'Brien. Peter O'Brien was liorn in Ireland in 1852, and there also occurred the birth ot his wife. They grew up in their native land, attended school and were married there, later immigrating to New England, when Peter O'Brien was twenty-five \ears old, locating in ^^'atertown, Massachusetts, and there he has since maintained his home. His wife passed away in 1892. when about forty years old. To these parents seven children were born as follow: William, deceased ; Mary, keeping house for the subject of this sketch : Joseph, engaged in mercantile pursuits near Boston, Massachusetts: Elizabeth, at home with her father in Watertown, that state: ^^'i!liam. also at h'ather O'Brien grew to manhood in \Vatertown, Massachusetts, where he attended St. Patrick's school up to the ninth grade; he then eiitered the Watertown high school, from which he was graduated with the class 1898, later entering Boston College, from which institution he was graduated in philosophy and the classics with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in 1902. In September, 1902, he entered St. Meinrad Seminary, at St. Meinrad, Indiana, and was ordained to the priesthood there on June 17, 1905. Soon thereafter, in July of that year, he was assigned as assistant priest to the St. Theresa Pro-Cathedral, in the city of Lincoln, diocese of I-incoln. After remaining in this latter charge four years and nine months he was transferred to St. Vincent church at Seward, Nebraska, after which he took charge of the Mission at Utica, this state. On October I, 191 1, he took charge of the Dawson parish, where he has since remained. He has fifty families in the church at Dawson, and there is also a parochial school, good work being done in each.

Joseph Steele Edwin F. Steele. Robert Edwin Steele

Joseph Steele was one of the pioneer settlers of Richardson count)', -who came to this locality in 1857 and invested in a tract of land in the vicinity of Falls City, which is still owned by his descendants. He was a man of fine character and was widely known for his sterling qualities and attainments. He was born at Hanover, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, on February 9, 1809, and was a son of Joseph Steele, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, whose father, Peter Steele, settled with his family in the Wyoming valley in 1778. Peter Steele was a younger son of the Steele family of Scotland, which was prominent in the early wars for Scotch liberation, loyal to their country and their religion, and suffering the persecution which the Covenanters received under Charles II.

The mother of Joseph Steele, pioneer of Nebraska, was Sarah Ransom, who was a daughter of George Palmer Ransom, son of Capt. Samuel Ransom, a member of Washington's staff, killed at the battle of Wyoming. George Palmer Ransom was a member of his father's company, and though but fourteen \ears of age, fought so bravely in this battle that he was recommended lay General Washington for promotion as a reward "for braver}' on the field of battle." He was afterward made colonel of a regiment under Washington.

Joseph Steele's early education was obtained in the country schools of the period, supplemented by instruction from private teachers. His early ambition was to become a lawyer and he studied for this profession under his brother, Judge Steele, at Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania. During the course of his law studies he joined a surveying party which had secured a contract to survey Susquehanna, Lackawanna and Luzerne counties, in uhich counties he afterward acquired large and valuable holdings. He bought and sold this land to such good advantage that he decided to continue in this business, making a practice of placing much of this land under culti- Aation before disposing of it. It was thus he began his successful farming career.

In 1852 Joseph Steele came West with the intention of investing in land, and visited a brother, then living in Missouri. Although he was a Democrat and loyal to the principles of that party, he was a pronounced "anti-slavery" advocate and could not reconcile himself to the idea of settling in a slave state such as Missouri was at that time. He decided to come farther West into Kansas and Nebraska and joined a party of Eastern men, who were making a tour of those territories. They traveled by horse over eastern Kansas and Nebraska, their guide taking them to the new settlements of Archer, Table Rock, and onward to the present site of Omaha. His next trip to Nebraska was made in 1855, after Richardson county was organized, with Archer as its coimty seat. While on this trip he located land in Richardson and Nemaha counties, bought land in Kansas and ^lissouri, and then returned East, where he married Margaret Fisher, at Beloit, \\'isconsin. In 1857 he came again to Nebraska and bought eight hundred acres of land, the northeast quarter of section 14 and the northwest <|uarter of section 13. being part of this purchase. He decided definitely to take up farming as a permanent vocation and to cast his lot with the new territory of Nebraska; and, accordingly, sent his brother, Charles Steele, to this county to superintend the erection of a dwelling" on the land in section [4 of I^'alls Cit\' precinct. The lumber for this home was transported by lioat from St. Joseph to Rulo and from there hauled to Falls City. This house is still standing, in a good state of preservation, and is owned by his \oungest son. Joseph C. Steele. To this home Joseph Steele brought (7.0 his family in April, 1865. At the end of six years Joseph Steele erected the residence on the northwest quarter of section 13, where he lived, and was engaged in farming and stock raising on a large scale until his death. November 27, 1887. This farm was inherited by his son, Edwin Ferris Steele, and is now owned by his grandson, Robert Edwin Steele.

Joseph Steele was a man of fine public spirit, but being of a very retiring disposition he vyould never permit his name to be put up for public office, preferring to lend his stanch support to the candidate he personally favored than to fill the office himself. He and his devoted wife worked hard for every good thing that would advance the interest of their home, city and community, and he contributed liberally to the building of all churches erected in Falls City during his life time, and was especially interested in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Steele was a member. He experienced all of the hardships of pioneer life, including drouth periods and grasshopper scourges. He contributed generously to funds raisett to defray the expense of the destruction of these insects and for the support of his less fortunate neighbors, who suffered because of drouth and loss of crops destroyed by grasshoppers. His heart and purse were ever open tothe cry of the needy and his giving was as unostentatious as were all the good deeds of his life. He was "a' broadminded, generous-natured man. His donation of Steele Cemetery, a tract of thirty acres of land to be used as a public cemetery, stands as a splendid monument to his idea of public spirit and liberality. In all of the affairs of his life he maintained a very high sense of honor and integrity of purjxise, and it was said of him that his word was as good as his bond.

Joseph Steele was married to Margaret Fisher at Beloit, Wisconsin. January 15, 1855. To this union were born the following children: JMlwin Ferris Steele, Joseph Charles Steele, Hannah F. Samuelson, Sarah Steele, and Margaret Steele, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood on the home place. At this date there are seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild among his descendants.

Mrs. Joseph Steele was a daughter of Jacob I'isher, whose family were early settlers of New Jersey and among the first settlers to enter the Wyoming valley after the Revolutionary War. Her mother. Hannah .\dams, was of New England birdi and a member of the famous .\dams family to which John Adams, President of the United States, belonged. Mrs. Steele was born on December 23, 1821, and departed this life on December 14, 1901. She was a woman of strong character, devoted to her family and her home and loval to her church. She endured the hardships of pioneer days with strength and fortitude, doing much kindly missionary wurk, and was well-known to the various tribes of Indians, who traveled the highway which led past the Steele home as, "White-Mother Good to Indian." Her heart was ever warm to those in need, whom she served with Christian love and tenderness.

Edwin Ferris Steele, eldest son of Joseph Steele, was born near VVilkesbarre, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, on September 5, 1857. He accompanied his parents to Richardson county in 1865, residing with them in the first home, in section 14, and in the second home, in section 13. He attended the schools in Falls City until he entered the University of Nebraska, in 1875. His earnest desire was to Ijecome a lawyer and he pursued his studies to that end, but through force of circumstances was compelled to abandon his idea of entering the legal profession and devote his attention to farming. He inherited the homestead from his father and embarked upon a successful fanning and stock-raising career. He maintained a keen interest in the political affairs of his day, and enlarged his intellectual horizon by continued wide reading, which made him a well-educated man. Edwin Ferris Steele was married in May, 1888, to Mary E. Abbey, daughter of W. W. Abbey, a prominent farmer and business man of Richardson county. Their children are Robert Edwin and Mary Elizabeth Steele. Edwin F. Steele died at his home on October 17, 1903, honored and respected by all who knew him. Mrs. Mary E. Steele died on November 9. 1895. Following the death of his wife, E. F. Steele was married on April 14, 1896, to Katharine Diven, of Casey, Iowa, this union being without issue.

Robert Edwin Steele, third in line of the Steele family in Nebraska, was born on August 12, 1889, at the Steele homestead, where he now resides. He grew to manhood on the homestead, and after graduating from the Falls City high school he entered the University of Nebraska, in 191 1, and there pursued the full agricultural course, graduating with honors in 191 5. Immediately after the completion of his college course he engaged in culti\'ating the home farm and has followed faithfully in the footste])s of his forliears in this respect. The appearance of the Steele homestead is evidence of the thorough care which is bestowed upon it by the owner, who is engaged in general farming and stock raising, on a large scale, on the f(jur hundred acres comprising this tract. Mr. Steele has turned his attention to the breeding and raising of dioroughbred stock, with unfjualified success, and has become witlely known as a breeder of Duroc-Jersey swine, holding semi-annual ])ul)lic sales of his tine stock at Iiis farm. He also

Mr. Steele is a Republican in his political views. Init is inclined to vote independently. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Henry Stitzer

Henry Stitzer, former member of the board of county commissioners for Richardson county and one of the best-known and most substantial farmers in the precinct of Salem, where he has a fine home, is a native of the old Keystone state, from which so many of the sterhng pioneer citizens of Richardson county came, but has been a resident of this county since 1886, he and his wife having come here immediately after their marriage in that year. He was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, Jnly 12, 1858, son of Augustus and Catherine (Bridechum) Stitzer, both of Dutch stock and members of old families in the Pennsylvania-Dutch settlement, who spent all their lives in their native state, substantial and well-to-do farming people in Berks county. Augustus Stitzer and his wife were the parents of fourteen children, of whom ten grew to maturity and of whom nine are still living, four having died in infancy, those besides the subject of this sketch being as follow : Augustus, who still lives in Pennsylvania ., Mrs. Catherine Nunemocher, also of Pennsylvania; John, who is engaged in the retail meat business at Falls City, this county: Mrs. Rachel Conrad, of Pennsylvania; Emmet, who died in 1916; James, of Pennsylvania; Mrs. Sarah Diehl, of Pennsylvania, and Charles and Mary, of that same state.

Reared on the home farm in Berks county, Pennsylvania, Henry Stitzer received his schooling in the neighborhood schools and remained at iiome until he was twenty-one years of age. when, in 1879, he went to Illinois and was for seven or eight years thereafter engaged in farming in Ogle county, that state. There he was married in the spring of 1885 and he and his wife straightway came to Nebraska, in 1886, and settled in Richardson county, the first winter of their residence here being spent on the Conkliu place. They then spent a year on the Dowell place and were afterward located on the Miles ranch for eleven years, at the end of which time Mr. Stitzer sold his farming equipment and moved to Salem, where lor four years he was engaged in the hardware business. He then bought a (|uarter of a section of land in the precinct of Salem and moved onto the same, resuming the life of a farmer, and there made his home for a year, at the end of which time he bought his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in that same precinct and has ever since made his home there, with the exception of three years spent in the automobile business at Salem, returning to his home farm on February i, 1914. In addition to his wellimproved farm in Salem precinct Mr. Stitzer is the owner of a quarter of a section of land in Texas and a tract of five acres in California. He has an excellent farm plant and one of the pleasantest home places in his neighborhood, the house being surrounded by a fine grove and ornamented with numerous evergreens of old growth. Mr. Stitzer is a Democrat, though inclined to independence of party on local issues, and has served the county as a member of the board of county commissioners from his district for two terms, 1908-10 and 1912-14. He also served for ten years as school director in his district and has served as town clerk and in other local public capacities.

On March 5, 1886, in Ogle county, Illinois, Henry Stitzer was united in marriage to Martha Snyder, who was born in Pennsylvania, April 10, 1861, a daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Kesselring) Snyder, natives of that same state, who moved to Illinois in 1864 and in April, 1893, moved from that state to Nebraska and settled on the farm now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Stitzer, in Salem precinct, this county, where they spent the remainder of their lives, Mr. Snyder dying there in October, 1903, he then being eighty-two years of age, and his widow surviving until in February, 1910, she being eighty-five years of age at the time of her death. In her younger days Mrs. Snyder had been accustomed to ride iw ox-wagons, but in her latter years found a much better mode of transportation in the automobile of her son-in-law, Mr. Stitzer, enjoying greatly the swift and comfortable motion of the modern car as in contrast with the lumbering and comfortless ox-wagons of her earlier days. Jacob Snyder and his wife were the parents of ten children, of whom : Mrs. Stitzer was the eighth in order of birth, the others being as follow : George, who is now livingin Caldwell, Idaho; John, of Kansas City, Missouri; Mary, now deceased, who was the wife of E. R. Crush; Fannie, who died at the age of twenty years; Edward, now a resident of California: Mrs. Sarali Crush, of Falls City, this county; Charles, now a resident of Texas; James, of Edgar, this state, and G. Lee, of Texas. Both the Snyders and the Kesselrings are of Swiss stock, both of Mrs. Stitzer's grandfathers having been born in Switzerland.

To Henry and Martha (Snyder) Stitzer three children have been born, Maynard, assistant cashier of the bank at Salem, who married Ethel Thompson, daughter of Amos Thompson and wife, and has one child, a son. Glen : Clarence, a farmer of Salem precinct, who married Hazel McDowell, daughter of George McDowell and wife, and has one child, a daughter, Dorman Lee, and Vincent, born on October 7, 1899, who is at home. The Stitzers are members of the Congregational church at Salem and take a proper part in church work, as well as in the general good works and social activities of the communitv in which tliev live.

Hon. Augustus H. Fellers

One of the best-known business firms of the western part of Richardson county is the furniture and undertaking establishment in the town of Humboldt, of which the Hon. Augustus H. Fellers, former mayor of that city and former representative from this district to the state Legislature, is a member. Mr. Fellers was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, June 27, 1 85 1, and is a son of Philip and Catherine (Plulver) Fellers, who were the parents of nine children, only two of whom are now living, Augustus A. Fellers having a sister, Mrs. Parmelia Campbell.

Philip Fellers was born at LTpper Red Hood, Dutchess county, Xew York and was a son of Philip Fellers, also a native of the state of Xew York. In an early day the family moved to Pennsylvania, and in 1877 part of the family came to Nebraska, the parents of the subject of this Veview settling on a farm in Pawnee county. Before leaving Pennsylvania Philip Fellers had followed teaming, but he devoted the latter part of his life to general farming, becoming the owner of one hundred and sixty acres in Pawnee county. His death occurred in 1879, at the age of fifty-one years. His wife, Catherine Plulver, was Ixjrn in Poughkeepsie, New York. Deceml)er 25, 1829. She is still living, in her eighty-eighth year, making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Parmelia Campbell, at Humboldt.

Augustus H. Fellers was reared on a farm and when a boy worked hard during the crop seasons, attending the public schools during the winter months, in Pennsylvania. Remaining in his native state until 1877. he came with the rest of the family to Nebraska and purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres two miles west of the town of Humboldt, in this county. The place was slightly improved and a log cabin had been erected on it.

Mr. Fellers began improving at once in a general way and the cabin gave way to a comfortable five-room, story and one-half frame dwelling; outbuildings and fences were also put up and he soon had the land under an e.xcellent state of cultivation. He dealt in live stock to some extent and in those days bought hogs as low as two cents a pound. Mr. Fellers continued farming with success until 1882, when he sold out and moved to the town of Humboldt, where he bought out a furniture store and has since been in partnership with J. C. Segrist, their partnership continuing with mutual pleasure and success for a period of thirty-five years and is, therefore, not only well-established, but widely known in the southeastern part of the state. They have built up a large trade with the surrounding country and carry a stock of general furniture that would do credit to a town much larger than Humboldt. The fact that they have dealt with their scores of customers in a uniformly honest and courteous manner is indicated from the fact that many of their present customers have been trading with them for a quarter of a century or more.

Mr. Fellers is a skilled embalmer, having been graduated from the Lincoln Embalming School at Lincoln, and the firm has for years been doing an extensive undertaking business. Mr. Fellers is owner of forty acres of good land one mile north of Humboldt. Credit is due him for promoting the present excellent telephone system of Humboldt. It was he who called the first meeting for the purpose of organizing a telephone company and he remained a leader in the some, becoming one of the largest shareholders of the company, and very ably and satisfactorify filled the offices of manager, treasurer and director until the organizers and first stockholders sold out to the present owners.

On July 4, 1874, Mr. Fellers was married to Mary J. Banks, of Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where she was born, reared and attended school, a daughter of James Banks and wife, the former of whom was born in Ireland, from which country he emigrated to the United States in early life, and located in Pennsylvania, where he married a native of that state. To Mr. and Mrs. Fellers three children have been born, namely : John, who lives in Elk Creek, Nebraska; Miss Jennie, at home, and Mae, the wife of C. K. Cooper, of El Centro, California.

Mr. Fellers is a Democrat and has long been regarded as one of the leaders in his party in southeastern Nebraska, where his influence for the good of his party has been potent. He has been elected to the city council of Humboldt three times, serving six years in all, and was mayor for two terms. He has done much for the general good of his home town, both in a business and civic way, ever being alert to its best interests and general welfare. In 1901 he was his party's choice for representative to the state Legislature and was easily elected. Serving as a member of the twentyseventh General Assembly, he made a most commendable record, winning alike the plaudits of his constituents and members of other political parties, for he labored toward the general good of his countv and vicinity. One of his more conspicuous acts was to introduce a "contest bill" for the benefit of the Legislature, the provisions of which have discouraged defeated candidates from contesting elections. Fraternally, Mr. Fellers is a memlier of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a member of the Methodist church and a liberal supporter of the same. He is a well informed man on current topics and keeps well abreast of the times.

John H.Vrrisox Richardson

One of the old settlers of Barada precinct, Richardson county, is John Harrison Richardson, now living in retirement. He was born on Octoljer 24, 1840, in Yorkshire, England. He is a son of ^\'illiam Richardson, who was a miller by profession, and who left England in 1842, immigrating with his family to Toronto, Canada, where he operated a wind-mill, the only one in Toronto at that time, and there he spent the rest of his life, dying there in 1859. His wife was Mary Morly, a Scotch lady, who.se death occurred' at the home of the subject of this sketch in 1903.

John H. Richardson went to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1854. and worked at die carpenter's trade for nine months, then returned to Toronto, Canada, where he continued his trade, following the same there until the spring of 1861 ; then located in Chicago, where he continued at carpenter work until 1870. During the Civil War he worked for the United States government at Mound City. Illinois, as a ship builder. In 1870 he came to Xebraska and bought a farm. After the great fire in Chicago in die fall of 1871 he returned to that city and resimied his trade, obtaining eight dollars per day as foreman for a contractor. He is a highly skilled mechanic, one of the best carpenters ever known in this county. Besides a carpenter, he is a millwright and machinist, and built his own home and barns. He has invented a steam engine, which provides for a cylinder twenty-eight inches in diameter by thirty-two inches in length, which can be cut in half and yet give the same power, the friction thus being reduced. He has had his engine patented and is getting his appliances under way at this writing, confidently expecting to revolutionize steam power. He is building an engine along these lines, which he will use on his own farm. It is a fifty-horsepower machine and will weigh about three hundred pounds. Mr. Richardson is owner of two hundred and sixty-three and one-third acres in Barada precinct and has lived on this place continuously since coming to Richardson county in 1870, with the exception of nearly three years spent in Chicago, which city lie left on account of his health. He has brought his farm place up to a high state of improvement and cultivation. He first lived in a ca1)in there, hut later Ijuilt his present commodious ant! attractixe home. Only twenty acres of his land had been broken when he took pi)ssession. Two-thirds of the land is now in grass and hay land. Owing to his advanced years he does not raise as large grain crops as formerly. Mr. Richardson was married on November 12, 1864, to Lucy A. Howe, wh(i was born on March 18, 1841, in New York. She is a daughter of John L. and Cynthia (Delano) Howe, natives of New York, where they grew up and married, arid from there they moved to Illinois in 1855, living on a farm near Chicago for two years. They came to Nebraska in 1870, locating on a farm in this count)-, where they remained until 1894, when the\- UKjxed t(i California, and there ^Ir. Howe died in 1899. His wife died there in 1896. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Richardson: Herbert, who is at home: Goldie, the wife of John M. Evans, a banker, of Shuljert: ]\Irs. Nellie Gibson, who now lives at home, and has one daughter. Gladys, and Blanche, who died when fourteen years of age. l\^!itically. 'Sh. Ricliardson is a Republican. He belongs to the CongregatVinal church.

Contented to remain in his own locality, Benjamin b'ranklin Revelle. of Humboldt precinct, this county, has succeeded as a general farmer and stockman because he has understood local conditions from the first and therebx- has not been delayed in adjusting himself to his surroundings, like a man is who takes up farming in a new country.

Mr. Revelle was born on the old Revelle homestead, three miles west of his present farm, April 2, 1869, son of John E. and Mary E. (.Vrendell) Revelle, early residents of Humboldt precinct. The father -was born on December 23. 1830, at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He devoted his earlv life to farming and later engaged in mercantile pursuits in St. Louis. He went to Christian county. Illinois, about 1862. and in 1865 came to Brownsville, Nebraska. In the spring of 1866 he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. During the Civil \\'ar he enlisted in the Union army, but never saw service. The homestead which he selected in section 17. Humboldt precinct, is now owned by Jacob Schultz. John E. Revelle l)egan life here in typical pioneer fashion. His first house was built of cottonwood timjjer, hauled from Brownsville. He had made the trip here from Illinois in a covered wagon. In due course of time he had good crofjs growing on what was wild prairie .sod when he came here, and he remained on the place the rest of his life, dying in 1904. He became one of the influential men of his neighborhood and played well his part of the early drama of civilization here. He helped organize the Methodist church in his vicinity.

On May 8, 1856, John E. Revelle was married to ^lary E. .\rendell. who was born in Alabama, February 12, 1838. Her death occurred in 1894. To this union twelve children were born, namely: Henry T., deceased; John A., who lives at Webber, Kansas; Mary J., deceased; James ^[.. who lives in Canada ; Mrs. Pearle E. Albin, who lives on a farm near Dawson ; Benjamin P., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Sarah E. Trimble, a widow, who lives at Humboldt and has one child, J. Mildred; Mrs. Lucinda E. Carsh, who lives at Humboldt: Elijah, deceased; Mrs. Susan I. Nelson, who lives at Mankato, Kansas; Celia B., who lives in Los Angeles, California, and Lewis W., deceased.

Benjamin F. Revelle was reared on the home farm and lie attended the rural schools, later the Humboldt high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1891, after which he was a student in an Omaha business college. He taught in the district schools in southeastern Nebraska for a period of eight years. In 1899 he abandoned the school room and turned his attention to farming, having previously purchased forty acres, to which he later added more land, all of which he operated until 1903. when he sold out. In 1907 he Ixnight his present farm' of one hundred and sixty acres in section 24, Humlx)ldt precinct. He has made manv important improvements on the place, which was first homesteaded in 1867 bv Thomas S. Lynch, who built a good stone house, utilizing for that purpose the rocks on the place, and also built a barn of the native timljer in 1870. The Lvnchburg gchool house was first built on this farm, and formerly a postoflicc stood on the place. One acre was set aside for the community cemetery. Mr. Revelle raises a large number of live stock, specializing on high-grade Short- horn cattle and Poland China hogs. He is unmarried. He votes the Repubhcan ticket, but has never been active in public affairs. He is a member of the Farmers Union and of tlie Moflern Woodmen of America.

John Ogle

One of the painstaking farmers of Richardson count\- is John Ogle, of Nemaha township. He was born in Grant township, this county, October 3, 1875, on a farm west of the village of Dawson. He is a son of Joseph Ogle, who was born, in 1852, in Illinois, where he spent his earlier years, removing with his family to Nebraska in 1873 and locating on a farm in Grant township, this county, where he has since resided, making a success as a general farmer. He purchased his present farm north of Dawson in 1877. Joseph Ogle was married to Luretta Swisegood, who was born in Illinois in 1853. Her death occurred in Novemljer, 1906. To Joseph Ogle and wife seven children were born, namely : John, the subject of this sketch; Anna, wife of Walter Cross, living in southern Kansas; Susie, deceased; Lena, wife of A. N. Rusco, of Clay Center, Kansas: Stella, deceased; Ray, who lives in Kimball county, Nebraska, and Mary, deceased.

John Ogle was reared on the home farm, where he worked hard when a boy, and received his education in the district schools of Grant precinct. He remained with his parents on the farm until he was twenty-three years old, when he began farming for himself, renting a farm from his father from 1898 to 1905, in which latter year he lx)ught eighty acres, which lie improved. He purchased another eighty in the fall of T916. and now nwns the old home place and another place just south of the road. He is a successful general farmer and stock raiser, and his land is all well improved and under a high state of cultivation. He has a pleasant home, which is located on a high knoll overlooking the beautiful Nemaha valley. A good orchard adjoins the home on the north. He has two large barns, one of them a large, modern structure, built in 191 5. Mr. Ogle is a breeder of Shorthorn cattle and has a fine herd. He also operates a dairy and milks on an average of ten cows, shipping his cream to St. Joseph. He also handles on an average of two hundred and fifty head of Duroc-Jersey hogs, and ships two carloads of hogs to market each year.

Mr. Ogle was marrie<l in 190 to Fredericka Bruhn. who was born in Germany, .\ugust i. 1879. a daughter of Frederick and Sophia ( Scharjiies )

Bruhn, also natives of Germany, where they grew up and were married. They emigrated to America from Mecklenburg-Schwerin in 1883, locating in Chicago, Illinois, where they resided five years. In 1888 they came to Nebraska, locating on a farm five miles northeast of Verdon, in this county, but moved to Xemaha precinct in 1905. Mr. Bruhn was born in 185 1 and his wife was born in 1855. To Mr. and Mrs. Ogle four children have been born, namely : \\'ilma, born on January 2, 1902 ; Edmund, .\ugust 9, 1903 : Forrest, Marcli 9, 1912, and Joseph, December 25, 1916.

;\Ir. Ogle is a Republican. He belongs to the United Brethren church. He has worked hard, managed well and has succeeded, now ranking among the leading farmers of his locality.

Henry H. Kuper

It would be hard to find within the borders of Richardson county a more progressive farmer and stockman than Henry H. Kuper, of Humboldt. He was born, November 21, 1862, in Illinois, a son of Herman and Catherine (Gerdes) Kuper. The father was born in Germany, from which country be came to America when about fifteen years old, accompanied by his brother John, and settled in Illinois. He was born about 1834 and died about 1909, after devoting his active life to general farming. It was in the summer of 1865 that he came to Nebraska, driving overland from Illinois in a covered wagon, bringing his family, having only two children at that time. He settled in the northwestern part of this county, buying one hundred and sixty acres, on which he built a log cabin, later a house of cottonwood lumber. He broke up the sod with o.xen, fought prairie fires and underwent- the privations and hardships incident to such a life on the western frontier. He later in life was heard to remark that the only things of interest to see when he settled there were Indians and long-horned cattle. But he worked hard and succeeded, notwithstanding the dry years and the grasshopper plagues. It was quite a different cmintry to that he had left in Illinois and he wanted to return there, l)ut liis ciiildren helped him develop the new farm, plant trees and otherwise make the place a comfortable spot on whicli to reside. There were no cliurches to attenti and towns were far away. They hauled their hogs twenty-eight miles to market, after butchering them, the nearest meat market being Brownville. His wife was also disheartened, having no associates, nothing but plenty of hard work. But they stayed and later neighbors came and they helped organize the Lutheran church in Xemaha county, just across the Hue from their farm. Finally, with better surroundings and good crops they became reconciled to the new country. The mother of the subject of this sketch was a native of Holland, born near the German border, in 1837. There she grew up, leaving her native land when eighteen years old, coming to America with a brother, and settling in Springfield, Illinois, where she met and married Mr. Kuper. Their union resulted in tlie birth of seven children, named as follow: Mrs. Mary Cordes, deceased: Henry H., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Margaret .Sasse, of Diller, Nebraska; Ilert. who lives in Orban, this state ; Hiram H., who makes his home in Thomas, Oklahoma; Mrs. Anna Grief, who lives in Kansas, and John, who lives in Diller, Xebraska.

Henry H. Kuper was three years old when his parents brought him to Richardson county and he grew up on the farm here, working hard when a boy, as did all boys in pioneer days. He attended the early-day schools, about two and one-half miles southeast of the old home place, at one of the first school houses built in this county. Later he was a student in the German Lutlieran school. When twenty-three years old he rented land from William Preston, and in 1878 his father bought one hundred and sixty acres in Franklin precinct, the place being unimproved. To this place Henry H. Kuper removed, making extensive improvements, building an excellent dwelling and a good barn. It was one of the best houses in the locality, for he intended to remain there indefinitely, but in 1906 he sold out and bought his present farm at Humboldt, on which he has made all the improvements now to be .^^een there, including a modern eight-room house. The place contains one hundred and fiftv-one acres, seventy-one acres of which are within the city limits of Humboldt. He also owns three hundred and fifty-six acres in Hitchcock county, Nebraska. He also formerly owned three hundred and twenty acres in Franklin precinct and considerable land in Pawnee county, this state. He has not only carried on general farming successfully, but for the past twenty-one years has been a breeder of Shorthorn cattle, and has made exhibits at state fairs at Lincoln, also at county fairs. He received second prize on his fine stock at the state fair in 1907, and took first prize at all county exliibits wherever he showed his stock that year. His herd leader is an imported animal, "Scottish Sentinel No. 353283,'' bred by T. B. Earle, at ,\berdeenshire, Scotland, and was purchased by Mr. Kuper from Ex- Gov. A. C. Shellenl^erger, of Elma, Nebraska. At one time Mr. Kuper owned two fine imported bulls and four high-grade imported cows and at that time was the only breeder in the state to own so many head of imported live stock of that kind. He was also for some time a breeder of Poland China hogs. He is regarded as one of the best judges of cattle in southeastern Nebraska and his fine stock always find a ready market at fancy prices, owing to their exceptionally high quality. He is now buying and raising stock for sales, and holds public sales about twice a year. He has large antl up-to-date barns, silos and other necessary equipment for properly caring for his stock.

On October 30, 1895. Mr. Kuper was married to Olive A. Keiser, a daughter of Ximrod and Mary E. (Martin) Keiser, natives of Pennsylvania and Illinois, respectively. Nimrod Keiser was a carpenter by trade, but also devoted much of his life to farming. He came to Nebraska in an early day with his family, locating in Pawnee county, where Mrs. Kuper was born. She grew up on the farm and received a common-school education. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kuper namely: Elsie, who was graduated from the Humboldt high school with the class of 191 7, and Ila, Mvron and Loren, all at home.

^Ir. Kuper is a Democrat, and served as assessor of his township at one time. Fraternally," he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. He was reared in the Lutheran faith but now attends the Christian church.

Henry Brecht

.\ widelv-known farmer and stockman of this county is Henry Brecht, of Falls Citv precinct. He was born on July 24, 1866, at Waterloo, Ontario. Canada, and is a son of Carl J. and Susan (Herdle) Brecht. The father was born in Baden, Germany, in 1826, and there spent his boyhood and attended school. When about twenty years of age he came to America, locating in Bufifalo, New York, where he worked at the wagon-maker's trade and was married. Later he moved to the province of Ontario, Canada, where he followed his trade and also engaged in farming for ten years. On November 14. 1867, he came to Nebraska, locating on a farm in Jefferson precinct. Richardson county. His brother Bernard had previously homesteaded a farm in the northwest corner of that precinct and upon the death of the brother. Carl J. Brecht bought the farm and there became well established, although he was a poor man when he reached this county and for some time lived in a log cabin, which he built himself. He continued to farm until his death, which occurred in 1877. His wife, Susan Her'dle, was born in Germany in 1835, and her death occurred on January 9. 1903. She was about twelve years old when her parents brought her to America, locating in Buffalo, New York. Nine children were born to Carl J. and Susan Brecht, namely: Charles J-, deceased; Conrad, a retired farmer, of Falls City, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Mrs. Caroline Fenske, who lives in Hoskins, Wayne county. Nebraska; Fred, Mrs. Matherine Kruse and Peter M., all of Falls City ; Mrs. Elizabeth Schmechel, a widow, who lives at Hoskins, Nebraska, and Henry, the subject of this sketch, who was the fourth in order of birth.

Henry Brecht was reared on the home farm, where he worked hartl during the summer months, in the winter time attending the district schools in Jefferson precinct. He assisted his brother in conducting the old home place until 1894, when he liought sixty acres near there, where he farmed on his own account. In 1902 he bought two hundred acres near Rulo, built a barn and made other improvements there and farmed there until 1910, when he sold out and bought his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section 13. of Falls City precinct, southwest of the old homestead. He also owns eighty acres in Jeiiferson precinct, making two hundred and forty acres in all. The former place had no improvements when he came here, but he now has one of the best improved farms in the locality. He has built a modern eight-room house, with basement, and also has a number of large and convenient outbuildings. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising and breeding, specializing for the past five years in Ijreeding Poland China hogs and Shorthorn cattle, and finds a ver}- ready market for his fine stock, owing to their superior quality. He has applied himself assiduously to his work and has managed well, being recognized as one of the leading general farmers of his precinct.

On Decemljer 20, 1894, Henry Brecht was married to Amelia Ruegge. who was born in this county on July 27, 1872, a daughter of Henry and Margaret (Thomas) Ruegge, both natives of Germany, from which country they came to America, proceeding on out to Nebraska and settling many \'ears ago in Richardson county, where they liecame well established through their industry. Mrs. Ruegge is deceased and Mr. Ruegge lives in Falls City, aged seventy-two years. Mrs. Brecht was reared in her native locality and there attended the common schools. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brecht, namely: William J., now (1917) twenty years old, who is assisting his father on the home farm, and Anna Margaret, miw twelve veal's old.

Mn Brecht is a Democrat and has served as a member of the local hoard. Fraternally, he belongs to the Royal Highlanders and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He holds membership in the First Presliyterian church at Falls City. He is well and favorably known throughout his locality and supports all movements having for their object the general good of the precinct and county.

Edward E. Auxier

Edward E. Auxier, president of the Farmers and [Merchants Bank of \'erdon, a well-to-do farmer and stockman, owner of eighty acres of land forming the home place in section 7 of Liberty precinct, this county, and also holding land in the precinct of Grant, making three hundred and eighty acres in all, is a native of the old Blue Grass state, born in Johnson county, Kentucky, April 28, 1864. He is a son of Nathaniel and Hester (Mayo) Auxier, who were the parents of thirteen children, as follow : Samuel, deceased; George W., deceased; Julia, wife of James Cooley, of Prestonburg, Kentucky; Mrs. Martha Hager, of Missouri; Mrs. Minta Friend, deceased; Andrew J., deceased; Louise, who died in infancy; Edward E., the subject of this biographical sketch; Nathaniel, a biographical sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume, and John David, who was killed in the battle of Salt Works, Virginia, during the Civil \\'ar. George W. Auxier also served as a soldier during the Civil ^^'ar and was wounded during the course of an engagement in Tennessee. Andrew J. Auxier became a prominent attorney and served two terms (until 1882), as commonwealth's attorney in his home district in Kentucky. He was appointed marshal of that district by President Arthur and held that position until 1884. in which year he was nominated by the Republicans of that district for Congress, but was unable to overcome the strong Democratic majoritx'. In 1886 he was elected district judge and was occupying the bench at liie time of his death in 1892. Nathaniel .\uxier, father of these children, was a farmer. He was born in Johnson countw Kentuck\-, in 1812, and died in 1866, when PMward E. Auxier, the subject of this sketch was but two years of age; tlie latter thus Ijeing left orphaned indeed, for his mother had died at the time of his birth in 1864, she then being forty-eight years of age. It should be ntited that the children above enumerated are not set out in tlie respecti\e order of their birth. Hester (Mayo) Auxier was born in Jackson county, Kentucky, a daughter of Lewis Mayo, a man of broad education and a school teacher. Lewis Mayo was a son of Jacob Mayo, who was appointed clerk of the Floyd county (Kentucky) court in 1800. The Mayos had emigrated from Fluvanna county, Virginia.

The Auxiers are an old Colonial family, the first of the name in this country, Samuel Auxerre, a Frenchman, having come here with his family in 1755 and established his home in the then colony of Pennsylvania. His descendants now are numerously represented in various parts of the country. The original name, Auxerre, in some cases has been corrupted to Oxer, but the greater part of the large connection in this country now spell it as it is seen at the head of this sketdi. Sometime between 1755 and 1775 Samuel Auxerre (Auxier) moved with his family from Pennsylvania to the colony of Virginia and was living th^e at the time of the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. His five sons, Simon, Michael, George, Abrani and Samuel enlisted their services in behalf of the patriot cause and rendered valuable service during the long struggle for the independence of the colonies. The last-named of these sons, Samuel Auxier, was too young to enlist at the beginning of the hostilities, but when fifteen years of age took his place in the fighting line and served until the end of the war, later moving to Kent".cky, where he spent the rest of his hfe. His eldest brother, Simon, also established his home in Kentucky. Michael Auxier pushed on into the western part of Kentucky, where he died at the advanced age of one hundred and four years. George Auxier settled on the Kanawha river, in what is now West Virginia, and Abram Auxier pushed on into what then was known as the great Northwest Territory and settled in the Wabash country. Michael Auxier, the centenarian, had been scalped by an Indian in \'irginia in the days of his young manhood and is said to have been "the only bald-headed Auxier ever heard of."

Samuel Auxier, the youngest son of the French immigrant, married in Virginia, July 15. 1779, Sarah Brown, a daughter of Nathaniel and Ann Brown, and in 1791 moved with his family to the Kentucky country, settling at Blockhouse Bottom, in what is now Johnson county, on the Big Sandy, where he established his home and where he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring there about 1802 as the result of injuries received by falling ofif a horse. It was he who erected the blockhouse which gave the name to Blockhouse Bottom and some of his descendants are still living on the land granted him there in payment for his services during the Revolution. He was a man of the true pioneer tvpe and was an Indian (74) fighter of renown, it having been he who restored to her family Jennie Miley, the white woman who had been held for years as a captive by the Indians, who had taken her from Virginia into the Kentucky countr)'. Samuel and Sarah (Brown) Auxier were the parents of the following children: Nathaniel, born in June, 1780; Nancy, July 20, 1782; May Barbara, Feljruary 7, 1784; John; Daniel; Samuel, August 7, 1791; Enoch, February 22, 1795, and Frances Amelia, March, 1800. After the death of her husband about the year 1802, Sarah Auxier married Jesse Kelly, who died in service during the War of 1812. She then married John Phillips, who died in 1835. In 1843 Sarah applied for a pension as die widow of Samuel Auxier, basing her application on his services as a soldier of the Revolution. She was torn on January 16, 1765, and lived to be ninety-one years of age. -

Samuel Auxier, 3rd, sixth son of Samuel and Sarah Auxier, grew up on the home farm in Kentucky and in 181 3 married Rebecca Phillips, by whom he had eleven children, Nathaniel, John B. (major in a Kentucky regiment during the Civil War), Jemima, George W., Sarah, Joseph, Samuel, Rebecca, Martha, Arminta and Henry J. The first-born of these children, Nathaniel Auxier, married Hester Ann Mayo, as noted in the introduction to this, and was the father of the subject of this sketcli.

Deprived of both his parents while still an infant, Edward E. Auxier was reared by his elder brothers and sisters until he was sixteen years of age. He received his schooling in the district schools and also in local "subscription" schools and for four years after leaving school was engaged in teaching in his native state. In 1885 he came to Richardson county and located in Ohio precinct with a brother, Nathaniel, further reference to whom is made in another part of this work. Edward E. Auxier taught school for two years in the Deerfield and Schuyler districts, -this connt\-. and also taught near Rulo. In the fall of 1887 he bought his present farm of eighty acres and in 1888 he moved on to same. .\t different times he purchased other tracts and now owns three hundred and eighty acres. Tliere were no improvements on the place at the time he took it over and he was compelled to live in a small house. In 1895 he erected a substantial house, which he later had remodeled and converted into a comfortable modern home and here he and his wife reside.

On February 13, 1887, Edward E. Auxier was united in marriage to Lucy A. Prichard, daughter of Joseph and Caroline (Compton) Prichard. natives of Kentucky, who. in 1865, came to Richardson county and settled in Arago township. Joseph Prichard died in 1914. at the age of seventy- seven years. His widow is now living in Falls City and has reached the good round age of seventy-eight years. They were the parents of eight children.

To Mr. and Mrs. Edward E. Auxier six children have been born, namely: Mabel, who married G. H. Rice and lives in Paintsville, Kentucky; Homer J., who lives in this county and married Ethel Wilkinson, daughter of Thomas Wilkinson and wife, of Dawson; Grace, who lives at home with her parents, was graduated from the Verdon high school and is now a teacher of the Harris district school; Ethel E., at home, who teaches school in Ohio precinct; Edward J., in high school at Dawson, and Ray, also in high school at Dawson.

In addition to his farming activities, Mr. Auxier has been breeding Poland China hogs for the past twenty years and has been very successful in this line. In 1906, when the farmers and Merchants Bank was organr ized at Verdon, Mr. Auxier became a stockholder and in the same 3'ear was elected president of the bank, which position he still retains.

Mr. Auxier is an ardent Democrat and gives close attention to the public interests of his precinct and the county generally. In 1897 ^^^ was elected county supervisor and was re-elected in 1899, holding office until 1901. During this period of service he was chairman of the board for three years, giving thorough satisfaction to his colleagues. Mr. and Mrs. Auxier and family are members of the Congregational church and generous supporters of its upkeep. Mr. Auxier is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Verdon, and to each of these organizations he gives much attention.

James R. Page

One of the best-remembered citizens of a past generation of Nemaha township, this county, whose name is deserving perpetuation on the pages of local history, was James R. Page, who passed from earthly scenes nearly a score of years ago, but whose influence is still operative for good in the locality whose interests he labored to promote in every legitimate way.

Mr. Page, who devoted his active life to agricultural pursuits, was born on September 8, 1862. and died on May 28, 1898, while still in the prime of life and usefulness. He came from Missouri to Nebraska with his parents when young in years, locating in Richardson county. In 1888 he was married to Nancy Ellen Amos, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of John B. and Amanda T. Amos, also natives of the old Keystone state, where they grew up, were married and established their home. Remaining in Pennsyl- " vania until 1869 they migrated to Nebraska and settled on the place where Mrs. Page now resides, ^Ir. Amos developing it from a wild state to one of the best farms in Nemaha township, and there he and his wife spent the rest of their lives. The father died in 1890, but the mother survived until 1907, reaching an advanced age. To Mr. and Mrs. Amos eleven children were boi'n, five of whom survive at this writing, namely : Mrs. Laura Hedrick, of Idaho: Mrs. Emma Taylor, a resident of Seneca, Kansas; John T., living near Seneca, Kansas; Mrs. Florence Frey, of near Derby, Kansas, and Mrs. Nancy E. Page.

Four children were born to James R. Page and wife, namely: W'ittie. who married Mamie Lugenbill, and lives in Speiser township: Rilla. wife of Earl Simmonds; Burt, deceased, and James R., deceased.

James R. Page and wife lived on the Amos homestead for three years after their marriage, and in 1891 they moved to a farm in Speiser township, where they lived fifteen years, at the end of which time they returned to the the old Amos farm. Mrs. Page is now owner of both these fine farms. They each contain one hundred and sixty acres and are well improved and productive. She has shown herself to be a capable business woman and is overseeing a general farm and live stock business in a successful manner. An excellent grade of stock of all kinds common to the locality is kept and her acres are well tilled. The Amos homestead, although now one of the oldest farms in the county, has been so carefully managed that it is just as productive as it was four decades ago. Mrs. Page attends the United Brethren church, which her Inisbatid also attended during his lifetime.

Theodore G. Atw Ood

Among those who came from the Atlantic coast country to the rolling prairies of Nebraska to establish a home and have succeeded in the newer land is Theodore G. Atwood, of Franklin precinct, Richardson county. He was born at Trenton, New Jersey, February 3, 1865. He is a son of James and Mary (Cole) Atwood. The father was born in Birmingham, England, in 183 1, and there he grew to manhood and attended school. In 1855 he set sail for our shores, locating in the state of New Jersey, where he worked out as a farm hand. In 1869 he came to Richardson county, Nebraska, setthng on a farm east of the town of Humboldt, remaining there until he could erect a dwelling on his own land, having purchased a tract of virgin soil in section 11, Franklin precinct. His first house was sixteen by twentyfour feet. He also built a .«mall stable, dug a well and broke up the sod, improving the land as he could. He set out a number of trees, having the oi>ly grove of cottonwoods between his farm and Brownsville, Nebraska. While he worked on the farm his wife would often walk to Humboldt for provisions, a distance of six miles. She also was a native of England and came to America a short time after Mr. Atwood came to the United States. She was seven weeks crossing the Atlantic, in an old-fashioned sailing vessel. Her death occurred in September, 191 5, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. James Atwood followed her to the grave a few weeks later, dying in October, 191 5. also at a ripe old age. They were a highly esteemed pioneer couple of this county, where they worked hard and endured many hardships to get a start, but spent their declining years in comfort as a result of their earlier efforts. Nine children were born to them, namely : William, who lives in Brqokfield, Missouri ; Charles, who lives in Humboldt precinct, this county; Ellsworth, deceased; Theodore G., the subject of this sketch ; David, deceased ; Mrs. Anna Wilkinson, who lives at Auburn, Nebraska; Emma, deceased; George, deceased, and Benjamin, who lives in Franklin precinct, this county.

Theodore G. Atwood was reared on the home farm and attended the district schools at Hazel Dell school house. Like all pioneer boys he worked hard. He herded cattle on the un fenced prairies when only nine years old, both winter and summer - on the wild grass of the prairies in summer and in the cornfields in winter, usually remaining at his post with the cattle from sunrise to dark. He herded cattle about six years, and when twentythree years old began farming for himself, renting the place he now owns, his father buying the farm later. Young Atwood became heir to one hundred and sixty acres, and later bought two hundred acres. He also, in his earlier career, worked in the coal mines and smelters in Colorado, spending three years in that state. Returning to Richardson county he has since devoted himself to general fanning and stock raising in which he has reaped gratifying results, owning now three hundred and twenty acres in sections 12 and 13, Franklin precinct. His place is well improved and he has a comfortable home and such outbuildings as his needs re(|uire. He handles large numbers of live stock.

at Falls Mills, south of Falls City, Nebraska, where she grew to womanhood and attended school. She is a daughter of William and Parmelia (Brown) Stringfield, natives of Kentucky and Illinois, respectively, and early settlers in Nebraska, who established their home in Richardson county. The}^ maintained their home on a farm south of Falls City for many years, but are now living in Holt county, this state. The father is a veteran of the Civil War. L. H. Stringfield, grandfather of Mrs. Atwood, operated the Falls Mills in early pioneer days. He was a local preacher of the Methodist church in the early days of Iowa and Nebraska. He was born near Mammoth Cave, in Kentucky, and was married to Malinda Moore in 1827. He moved to Pettis county, Missouri, in 1843 when Georgetown was the county seat. In 1853 he removed to Sidney, Iowa. After residing in Sidney for one year he moved to a farm near Glenwood, Iowa, and there entered land costing one dollar and twenty-five cents an acre. Born with the restless spirit that ever characterized the people of the western country, he once more moved westward, this time to the falls of the Nemaha river, in Nebraska, in March of 1863. There he built a mill rigged to saw lumber and grind corn and received in payment a half interest in fifteen acres of land which included the mill site. This mill was afterward turned into a flouring-mill and was operated by Stringfield & Stumbo successfully for several years. Stumbo passed away and Mr. Stringfield died near the falls in 1869, being then fifty-nine years of age. His wife died near Stella in 1896, at the age of eighty-five years. L. H. Stringfield was the father of fifteen children, six of whom are still living, namely: C. C. Stringfield, the eldest, lives on a ranch in western Kansas, and is eighty-nine years old; C. W., the youngest of the family is cashier of a bank in Idaho and is si.xtythree years of age; Mrs. Mary Phipps lives in Nebraska City and is aged seventy-three years : Sarah, wife of Rev. L. F. Britt, lives in Chicago and is aged seventy-one years ; John W. lives in Los Angeles and is sixtv-one years old.

\Y. H. Stringfield was born on September 30, 1840, in Edmondson county, Kentucky, and moved with his parents to Missouri in 1843, and thence to Iowa in 1853. He drove a team of six yoke of oxen for the freighting firm of White & Marshall, of Leavenworth, in 1859, to Denver, Colorado, returning to Iowa in i860. H. W. Stringfield enlisted in Company A, Fourth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, on September 4, 1861, and served for a period of four years and twenty-eight days. He was engaged in many battles and skirmishes in which his company participated in ]\Iissouri and Arkansas and around to Jackson, Mississippi, and from

Jackson to Birdsong Ferry on Black river. His company was a part of the Fifteenth Corps under Sherman. He fought during the siege of Vicksburg and was then engaged in continuous fighting between Vicksburg and Black river. After the war Mr. Stringfield came home to the Nemaha Falls, in October, 1865, and was married to Parmelia Brown on July 4, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Stringfield now live at Ewing, Nebraska.

To Mr. and Mrs. Atwood three children have been born, namely : Loren, Forrest and ]\Iargaret, all of whom are at home. Mr. Atwood is a Democrat, but has not been an aspirant for political office.