York County, Nebraska - Biographical sketches, 1921 (part 3 of 13)

Thomas Kirby began to make his mvu way in the worhl at the age of fourteen when he was employed on a farm, later securing work on a railroad. In 1869 he came to Nebraska, taking up a liomestead in Beaver township, Y^ork county, where he lived in a dugout, the primitive home of the pioneer. Later he lived in a log hoiise and in 1890 built the frame house that has been his home since. Mr. Kirby's success is due entirely to his own untiring zeal, perseverance and determination, as he had no other capital with which to begin his life work.

He was married in 1882 to Miss Millie Nichols, who died leaving one child who has since passed away. His second marriage occurred in 1893 when he was married to Miss Lizzie L. Hoffman. He was at one time a director in the First National Bank of York. Mr. Kirby's political endorsement is given to the republican party, and he keeps well informed upon the questions and issues of the day. He has membership with the Independent Tlrder of Odd Fellows at York, Neltraska. His progress is shown by the fact that he owns seven hundred and twenty acres of valuable farm land and at one time had in his possession more than eight hundred acres. Mr. Kirby is now in a position to enjoy life, receiving from his property a substantial income sufficient to keep him in comfort the remainder of his life. He has always been honorable, upright and straightforward in his dealings, and is a stanch advocate of all those forces which make for the moral welfare and progress of the community and country.

Dr. George A. Morrison, a prominent member of the medical profession in York county who has been actively engaged in the practice for more than si.xteen years, is a native son of the county, born near where Bradshaw stands, April 23, 1877, a son of William F. and Virginia (Lichtenberger) Morrison, the former born and reared in Pennsylvania, continuing to reside in that state for several years and later going to Illinois, where he lived for some years before moving to Nebraska.

In 1870 William F. Morrison came to York county and took a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, located one mile east and one and one-half miles north of Bradshaw. He made the journey from Illinois by team, driving across the country accompanied by his family. They first lived in a dugout and later built a sod house which in time was replaced by a newer building and in these circumstances made the most of life. The ground was broken and cultivation commenced with as little delay as possible after they had settled on the homestead, improvements were effected and prosperity attended their industry and consistent efforts. In 1880 Mr. Morrison moved to another farm of three hundred and twenty acres, situated a cjuarter of a mile east of Bradshaw and lived on that place for several years, bringing the land to a very high state of cultivation and conducting the work along the most progressive lines. Later he moved to Bradshaw and there passed away in May, 1901, and in his death the community mourned the loss of an honored pioneer settler and most respected citizen. Mr. Morrison took an active part in public affairs. He was the first assessor of the west half of York county, served as county commissioner and chairman of the board and was a member of the board committee to whose care was committed the building of the courthouse. His ijolitical allegiance was given to the republican party. His marriage to Virginia Liehtenberger resulted in the birth of ten children: Harry L., who died in 1882, and was the owner of the first livery stable at Bradshaw; Annie, who died in infancy; Edmund W., who lives at Bayard, Nebraska; Charles 0., also living at Bayard; Samuel A., of Bradshaw; Joseph E., living retired at Callaway, Nebraska; Frederick W., also of Callaway; Alfred E., a farmer, of York county ; Lee, a farmer and stockman, of Callaway ; and George A., the youngest of the family.

George A. Morrison secured his preliminary education in the common schools of the county and later entered York College, going from that institution to the Nebraska State University. He had been reading medicine before entering the medical college and in 1901 entered the medical department of Nebraska University, from which he was graduated in 190.3 with the degree of M. D. Following his graduation Dr. Morrison returned to Bradshaw and opened an office for the practice of his profession, at which he has during the intervening years been very successfully engaged and is now recognized as one of the foremost members of the medical faculty in the county. He gives close study to all literature and standard works as well as to the latest phases of scientific research calculated to advance his professional attainments. Dr. Morrison is a member of the County Medical Association, the Nebraska State Medical Association and the American Medical Association, in the affairs of which he takes a practical interest. He is a Scottish Rite Mason, thirty-second degree, and a Shriner, also holding membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has filled many of the chairs in these lodges. He is affiliated with the Phi Rho Sigma Honorary Medical fraternity, holding this connection since his college days.

In June, 1907, Dr. Morrison was united in marriage to Nellie King, who was born in Collins, Iowa, and they have become the parents of two children : William Howard Morrison and Frank Andrew Morrison. Mrs. Morrison is an active member of the Eastern Star and in the social and cultural movements of her neighborhood she is a zealous participant. Dr. Morrison's life has been an active and useful one and lie has made steady progress in the field of his chosen profession, and his ability, industry and thoroughness have lirought him a substantial measure of success.

Arthur Av. Thompson

Arthur \V. Thompson of York is readily conceded to be the best auctioneer in the state of Nebraska and one of the best in the United States. He was born in Bradshaw, York county, on the 21st of August, 1886, the son of Elwood and Sarah (Wiemer) Thompson, the former liorn in Morgan county, Ohio, in 1849, while the latter was i)orn in Germany. They were married in Clark county, Ohio, and for a number of years engaged in farming in that state. In 1881 they removed to York county, where Mr. Thompson purchased a farm west of Bradshaw and they resided thereon for a number of years, bringing up their family of three children. Mrs. Thompson passed away in 1902 and shortly after that Mr. Thompson sold the farm and made his home with his children. His last days were spent at the home of his son, Arthur W. His death occurred in March, 1917. In their youth Mr. and Mrs. Thompson had been members of the Quaker church and the former was an ardent republican. Four children were born to them, three of whom are living: Abbie L., who is the wife of C. M. Anderson and resides on a farm near York; Edgar, who is residing in York and is a large ranch owner in both York and Cherry counties; and Arthur W., the subject of this review. The grandfather of Arthur W. Thompson, William Thompson, was born and reared in Ohio, but came to Nebraska in later life, passing his last years at the home of his son, Elwood. The maternal grandfather was born in Germany and served some time in the German army. He later removed to the United States and settled at New Orleans, where his death occurred.

Arthur W. Thompson attended the country schools of York county and the York high school, receiving honors in his school work and a scholarship in the Lincoln Business College. Besides the course which he completed in this college he has taken several correspondence school courses with the result that he is excellently fitted for his life's work. His first occupation on leaving school was on the farm and it was here that he laid the foundation for the work in which he is now engaged. He frequently attended salgs with T. W. Smith, who was one of the best auctioneers in that part of the countryVAnd,.aft(jr Mr. Smith was appointed warden of the state penitentiary Mr. Thompson succeeded to his place. He has studied every phase of the business and there is no paft of it with which he is not familiar. His success in this line has been rernarkable and he is considered the best auctioneer in the state of Nebraska and one-of the best in the United States. Mr. Thompson makes a specialty of selling reaF^'j^te and full blooded stock and has conducted large sales in Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, and Oregon. He has broken several records in his live stock sales because of his expert knowledge. In the conduct of his business he comes in contact with some of the most prominent breeders of blooded stock in the county, and by his honorable and fair business methods has won the respect and regard of all of them. He owns some land in the county and is also well known in the financial circles of his community, being director of the York Milling Company and of the First National Bank of York. Mr. Thompson wrote life insurance for some time for the Northwestern Life Insurance Company and was also successful in this line.

On the 15th of December, 1909, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Viola N. Swanson, a daugliter of N. B. Swanson, who is a native of Sweden. Mr. Swanson came to this country in an early da^ and homesteaded in York county, where he reared his family. He was financially successful and is now residing retired in York. Mrs. Thompson is a graduate of York College. After having finished her education she became one of York county's most successful teachers. She also was assistant county superintendent for some time. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson one child, Elwood N., has been born. He is now a sturdy lad of seven years. The Thompson family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and prominent in the activities and charities of that organization.

Since age conferred upon Mr. Thompson the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the republican party. Fraternally he is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. Both Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. In the business career of Mr. Thompson his achievements have been the direct result of enterprise, determination and persistency of purpose. He is a well known and popular citizen and as a business man has made for himself a creditable place in the regard of his fellow townsmen in York.

Thomas William Smith

Thomas William Smith now a retired resident of York, has been a prominent figure in business circles in York county for a period of forty-six years and is thoroughly familiar with the history of business advancement here. He was born in Ormstown, Province of Quebec, Canada, on the 12th of Xovember, 18.53, a son of Patrick and Catherine (Caughlin) Smith, both natives of Ireland. At the age of fifteen years Patrick Smith came to Canada with his parents, while his wife came with her parents at the age of three years. Their marriage took place in Canada and there they resided throughout their lives. His death occurred in 1863, and Mrs. Smith died in 1904. Patrick Smith was a successful farmer and lumberman and active in politics, being a member of the liberal party. He was a faithful member of the Eoman Catholic church. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Smith eight children were born, but the only one now living is the subject of this review, Thomas W. Smith. The paternal grandfather. Francis Smith, was a native of Ireland but later removed to Canada where his death occurred.

Thomas W. Smith acquired his education in the common .schools of Canada and learned the harness maker's trade. In April of the year 1869 he removed to Illinois and settled on a farm in Grundy county where he remained for five years, during which time his marriage took place. On the 18th of April, 1874, he removed to York county where he purchased some laud from the B. & M. Eailroad Company and l)ecame one of the pioneers of that country. He built a house on this land whicli he cultivated with the aid of a yoke of oxen and today he not only owns this original farm but five hundred acres of improved land in the county, besides one of the most beautiful residences in York. In 1887 Mr. Smith, in company with G. W. Post and Lee Love, bought the Blue River Bank at McCool. becoming vice president, in which position he is still serving. He has also been a director of the First National Bank of York for the past fourteen years. In 1887 he was engaged by the Kansas City & Omaha Eailroad to purchase the right of way through York county and it was through his influence that the road was built from Henderson, east to McCool, it having been first surveyed from Henderson to York. He also secured the hication of the village known as McCool Junction. For some time he was engaged in this work, settling claims and other disputes, and he was the first to place town lots on the market. He then removed his family to McCool and was for seventeen years engaged in the grain business, managing the T. W. Smith Grain Company, which had thirteen elevators situated along the line of the railroad. This Inisiness venture proved to be very prosperous and in addition he acted as live stock auctioneer for twenty-two years. In 1885 and 1886 he had served as county supervisor, and was chairman of the board in the latter year. In 1905 Mr. Smith and his family removed to York and in that same year he was elected a member of the city council, serving for a term of two years. In 1906 he was influential in obtaining for York its first pavement. Mr. Smith was appointed to his next office of importance by Governor Shallenberger. This office was that of warden of the state penitentiary in which position he was so efficient and successful that at the end of his administration he was warmly commended by both parties. For the first time in the history of the institution it was put on a paying basis and when Mr. Smith made his final report tlie successful management of the institution was so manifest that it awakened an interest in other states and a second issue of the report was made to supply the demand. He served York as mayor in 1917-1918, and in addition to his other financial connections is a director of the First Trust Company and vice president of the First Savings Bank at York.

. In 1873 Mr. Smith was united in marriage at Morris, Illinois, to Miss Francila Lincoln, a native of Canton, Illinois, and a daughter of Myron Lincoln who was a farmer and stock dealer of that state. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Smith nine children have been Itoru, six boys and three girls: Gertrude, who resides at home; Myron, of Crawford, who is a prominent horse dealer; 0. M., the manager of the TJpdyke Grain Company of Omaha; T. L., a rancher in Arthur county; Leo, a ranchman ; Mary, who is manager of a large department store in Long Beach, California; Clifford, who runs the Updyke Grain Elevator at Council Bluffs, Iowa; 0. A., who is a veterinary surgeon residing in York county, and during the World war served as instructor at Camp Lee, Virginia, with the rank of captain; and Louise, the wife of Howard Mansfield.

In politics Mr. Smith is a democrat and on coming to this county when a young man organized the party here. He is active in his party and is well versed on the questions apd issues of the day. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, a charter member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and was one of the first trustees of the lodge. During the World war Mr. Smith was chairman of the council of defense and government agent.

John Doran

ThroiTgh the steps of an orderly progression John Doran has reached a conspicuous and enviable position as one of the most prominent business men of York county. He has been identified with various lines of activity, became one of the extensive landowners of this section of the state and for a number of years has been the president of the Farmers' State Bank of York. He was born in New York, his parents being Patrick and Kathryu (Keeley) Doran, both of whom were natives of County Carlow, Ireland. The father who was born in 1811, passed away in 1865. The parents came to the United States about 1848, settling in New York and afterward they removed to Illinois, the father devoting his remaining days to the development and improvement of a farm in LaSalle county, although his death occurred in Livingston county. They were members of the Catholic church and in politics Mr. Doran was a Douglas democrat. To him and his wife were born six children, of whom three are living: T. H., who for the past thirty years has resided at Burwell, Nebraska; Justin R., a resident farmer of Beaver, Boone county, Iowa, wlio has figured prominently in connection with puldic affairs of that state, serving as a member of the house of representatives and of the state senate for fifteen years ; and John, of this review.

The last named acquired a common school education in Illinois and took np the occupation of farming, to which he had been reared. He had early become familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops and he concentrated his efforts and attention upon agricultural pursuits until 1889. He was also engaged in the grain business at Grand Junction and at Beaver, Iowa, for a time and later removed to Burwell, Nebraska, where he established the first bank of Burwell in partnership with his brother, T. H. This association was maintained for ten years. They also purchased the Garfield County Bank while living at Burwell and consolidated the two institutions. On account of poor health, John Doran disposed of his bank there in 1899 and removed to Bradshaw, taking up his abode on a farm. He became the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of land in that locality and concentrated his efforts and attention upon its development and improvement for nine years. He is still the owner of this tract of land, which is now very valuable. In 1908 he took up his abode in Y'ork and for some time gave his supervision to his extensive landed interests, for he has owned property in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Kansas. He inherited very little from his father and his possessions have all been acquired through his own labors. His life has been crowned with a notable and gratifying measure of success. In all things he has manifested sound judgment and keen enterprise and his sagacity and determination have been salient features in winning his present prosperity. He has never allowed anything to discourage or dishearten him and he has ever realized the fact that when one avenue of opportunity has seemed closed he could carve out other paths whereby to reach the desired goal. In May, 1916, he became president of the Farmers State Bank of York, which was capitalized for fifty thousand dollars and which has a surplus and undivided profits of five thousand dollars, while its average deposits now amount to two hundred and forty thousand dollars. This is the youngest bank in York and is growing rapidly. It has back of it as its ofiicers and stockholders men of well known reliability and of the most substantial business qualities, and the spirit of enterprise back of the institution is leading to its rapid expansion.

In 1879 Mr. Doran was married to Miss Mamie E. Lafferty, who was liorn in Monroe, Wisconsin, a daughter of George Lafferty, one of the early settlers of Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Doran have been born four sons and two daughters: George M., who is a ranchman of Pierre, South Dakota ; John T. M., a banker and stockman of Erieson, Nebraska, who has won substantial success; Bert, a farmer and stockman of Platte, South Dakota; Mabel, the wife of ('. P. Hildebrand, a druggist of York; Justin Roland, a stock feeder of Platte, South Dakota; and Kathryn, the wife of H. C. Van Decar, who is connected with the State Journal of Lincoln. All of the family with the exception of Mr. Doran are members of the Congregational church. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the degrees of the York Rite, and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise belongs to the Knights of Pythias. His service in behalf of Masonry has been far-reaching and effective. He assisted in organizing two Masonic lodges in the state, one at Hampton and one at Bradshaw, and he has ever been a most faithful follower of the craft.

In his political views Mr. Doran has always been an earnest repiablican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He was a candidate for the state senate in 1908 but was defeated, for the party had endorsed the local option issue. He carried his own county, where he is most widely and favorably known, but was defeated in Fillmore county by reason of the fact that the fourteen saloons worked against him and used their influence in favor of his opponent. Mr. Doran, however, would never sacrifice principle to place or power. He has always been a stanch prohibitionist, doing everything possible to promote the cause of temperance, and he rejoices that he has lived to see a prohibition statute placed among the laws of the nation. He is now devoting most of his time and attention to the bank but also has large landed interests and is half owner of an extensive cattle ranch near Ericson, in Garfield county, Nebraska. His success is the direct outcome of his labors, his perseverance and his capable management. He is indeed a self-made man and the most envious cannot grudge liim his jjrosperity, for it has been most lionorably won and worthily used.

Charles R. Deffenbaugh

Charles R. Deffenbaugh, one of the prosperous farmers of York county was born in Illinois in 1870, a son of S. S. and Arminda (Rush) Deffenbaugh, a record of whom will be found elsewhere in this work. Their son was four years old when the liome was established in York county and here among the pioneer conditions which existed at the time he grew to manhood and no man in tlie county is more familiar with the early events and the location of the historical spots than he. He attended the first school established in York county and later was a pupil in the village school at McCool Junction. At the age of twenty he went to Alliance, Nebraska, and after spending one year there, went to Denver, Colorado, where he was employed by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, working the last six years as air brakeman for that company at Tennessee Pass, the highest point of the road over the Rocky Mountains. In 1906 he returned to York county and took up farming. His splendid farm of two hundred and forty acres is in the neighborhood of his boyhood home.

In October, 1900, Mr. Deffenbaugh was married to Miss Minnie E. Fouse, a native of Nebraska, who formerly taught school in York county and in Colorado. Her father, John Fouse, was a native of Pennsylvania and located in Seward county in 1865, one mile east of the York county line. He was on his way to Denver or Fort Laramie with three wagons loaded with lard, when he learned that the Indians west of here were on the warpath. He traded his cargo of lard for the ranch, and the former owner of the ranch went on west with the lard. From that time the place was always known as "Fouse's Ranch." It was a stage station on the Nebraska City cut-off, a part of the famous Oregon Trail, joining the main line west of here near the Platte river. John Fouse was married in Penn.sylvania to Miss Isabelle McMichael, a native of Ireland. She had been advised to go west for her health. She is now living in Wyoming, and at the age of eighty-seven is keeping house for two of her grandsons, her husband having died in 1898. She came to America on the sailing vessel "Tonawanda," and arrived in this country after a voyage of six weeks. During the early days of the "Ranch" in Seward county she worked very hard, helping to run the store, prepare food for the travelers and cook meals for the men employed by the stage company. This company of the early days was the origin of Wells Fargo Express Company of today. The quarter section of land where Beaver Crossing now stands she owned at one time, inheriting it from a rela-

A brother of John Fouse, Nerva Fouse, was the fourth man to take a homestead in York county where he resided the rest of liis life. The history of York county would be incomplete without mention of these people, who from the early settlements in this community played an important part in its development and improvement.

Mr. and Mrs. Deffenbaugh are the parents of two children : Isabel, aged thirteen, and Helen, nine year.* old. Mr. Deffenbaugh is one of the prosperous and influential men of the county and takes a keen interest in the affairs of the community. In politics he is a democrat and has served as township clerk, treasurer and has held other offices.

Henry Eeetz is a resident and representative farmer of York county, his home being on section 31, Stewart township. He was horn in Sterns county, Minnesota, October 24, 1859, a son of Martin Reetz, a native of Germany who immigrated to America in 1855 and following his arrival went to Illinois. He spent the first summer at work in the City of Chicago and found employment in the lumber yards of Michigan and Wisconsin during the winter months, continuing in that line for two years. In 1857 he went to Minnesota and bought forty acres of government land near Sauk Center and there carried on agricultural operations for several years. In the fall of 1868 Mr. Reetz set out for Nebraska from Minnesota, making the journey by ox team through Iowa and Kansas, driving a yoke of oxen and two cows and accompanied by his wife and five children. On coming to York county he took a homestead of eighty acres on .section 30, Stewart township, and for two years lived in a dugout, but later built a log house containing two rooms below and two above. In the spring of 1869 he succeeded in breaking a few acres of his ground and iilauted sod corn and potatoes, in the next few years increasing the tillalile area and as he opened the land he put it into cultivation without delay. In common with all his neighbors he felt the effects of the grasshopper plague, but by a stroke of good luck fifteen acres of corn that was surrounded by timber escaped. Martin Reetz was married to Mary Mueller, who is still living on the old lujuiestead, being now in her eighty-second year. He passed away in 1904, when he was eighty-three years old. He is numbered among the honored pioneer settlers of this part of Nebraska and during his thirty-six years of residence did his full share in the development and progress of York county.

Henry Reetz was a lad of nine j'ears when he accompanied his parents to York county. He relates that while ou the journey from Minnesota they were forced to ford a stream in Iowa and the water went over the wagon-box and practically everything in the wagon was lost. The first school he attended was more than two miles distant from his home and was built of sod, the school term being only for three months of the winter. He spent his youth and yonng manhood working on his father's farm and hauled grain to Lincoln for marketing, returning with necessary supplies. He bought the first cookstove used in his district at Nebraska City.

Mr. Eeetz remained in his father's home up to the time of his marriage in 1884, when he wed Miss Otilia Bulgrin, a native of Germany who was brought by hgr parents to America when she was six weeks old. Her parents settled in Wisconsin, where she lived for several years and came to York county two years before lier marriage. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Eeetz: Martha, who married J. L. Meixel and passed away on November 1, 1918, her parents taking her boy Donald to rear ; Helen, who became the wife of J. P. Cambridge, of California, November 28, 1920; George, at home with his parents; and Martin, who attends college at Winfield, Kansas, and is studying for the ministry.

Some time after his marriage Mr. Eeetz moved to the farm where he now lives, located on section 31, Stewart township, across the road from the old homestead. He is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of prime land, all in a state of excellent improvement, in which work he was assisted by his wife who planted all the trees on the place. He devotes a large part of his ground to grain farming and also gives special attention to the feeding of hogs, these two branches of his agricultural pursuits bringing him most satisfactory results. He has one of the best kept places in the county and is acknowledged on all hands to be a progressive and capable farmer, his success being largely attributable to his business-like methods of handling his affairs. The Eeetz family are members of the Lutheran church at Thayer, in which he has been serving as a trustee for a number of 3'ears. In politics he generally takes an independent attitude and has always placed the public welfare before all other considerations. His interest in the cause of education is very pronounced and for thirty-three years he served as a member of the local school board, resigning at the end of that long period of public service which was well and faithfully rendered.

John W. Myees

Since 1910 John W. Myers has engaged in the real estate and live stock business in York and in these connections is enjoying a large amount of success. His birth occurred on the 8th of October, 1873, in McDonough county, Illinois, a son of S. A. and Eliza (Kost) Myers, the father a native of Indiana and the mother born in Illinois. Mr. S. A. Myers was married in Illinois and removed to York at the time when there were no railroads and when the village consisted of but three stores and a sprinkling of houses. This move was made in the spring of 1875, and he settled on a homestead ten miles north of York where he resided until 1901, wdien he came into town. He then engaged in the real estate business in which he still continues, dealing mostly in local estates although he has done some immigration land business. He is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Kniglits of Pythias. In politics he has always stanchly supported the republican party and is chairman of the York county republican central committee. He is a prominent man in his community and has many friends, having won them by his honesty and upright dealings. Four children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Myers: William A., a physician and surgeon of Caspar; John W., the subject of this review; Frank, who died at the age of seventeen years ; and James Clarence. After the death of his first wife, Mr. S. A.

Myers married again, tliis time to Miss Jessie Eose, and he has two children by this marriage : Charles B., a farmer of Lexington ; and Harold, who is conducting a repair auto service in York.

In the acquirement of an education John W. Myers attended the schools of York county and studied for one year in York College - the year the college was first opened. Having always been interested in farming and live stock raising he then engaged in that business making a specialty of shorthorn cattle. For twenty years he followed this line of work successfully in Benedict. In 1910 Mr. Myers and his family removed to York and he entered into the real estate business there in connection with his father, and in addition conducts a feed yard near the town. He has always taken much pride in full blooded shorthorn cattle and is considered one of the best informed men in the county on live stock.

Mr. Myers was united in marriage in 1895 to Nettie A. Grobe, a native of York county, and a daughter of Henry Grobe who came to York county in 1872, secured a homestead and lived there for many years. He is now retired and residing in Benedict with his wife, and they are prominent citizens of the community. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Myers : Lena, who is in her senior year at York College; Dean W., who is attending York College and is a football player of note, having been chosen as end on the all state team; Alice, who is attending school and specializing in expression : and Dwight, who is attending business college. Dean W. Myers enlisted in the navy July 27, 1918, and was stationed at San Francisco, never getting out of the United States. He was in line for the promotion when the armistice was signed and was well recommended when he was discharged. Mrs. Myers is a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Myers is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is a republican in politics. Although he is active in the interests of his party he has never aspired to political office. Both John W. Myers and his father are on the board of directors of the Farmers State Bank of York. Mr. Myers has worked his way upward almost entirely unaided and stands high not only as a real estate and live stock dealer but as a citizen of York.

August C. Junge

August C. Junge, one of the most prominent agriculturists in York county where for nearly fifty years he has been engaged in farming, has in his own name four hundred acres of prime land all in Thayer township. He is a native of Gernuniy, born in that country September 15, 1840, and was reared on a farm operated liy his parents and there he laid the foundations of the agricultural knowledge which proved so valuable to him when he ac(iuired land in this county.

In 1867 'Sh-. .Tunge immigrated to America, the voyage to New York being made by steamer and he went thence to Illinois, remaining in Cook county for a brief period. He next visited Eock Island and worked on farms by the month, so continuing for three years, receiving two hundred dollars per year for his services, a large part of which he managed to save for the purpose of acquiring a holding of his own. In 1878 he came to York county and took up a homestead of eighty acres in Thayer township, of which he is still the owner. He first built a sod house of two rooms and this served as a habitation for several years. He made no delay in planting crops and in effecting improvements on the holding, success eventually attending his efforts, so much so that he was enabled to add more land to his original homestead and is now the owner of four hundred acres of excellent land "on which he has made valuable improvements in the shape of substantial buildings, as well as setting out trees which add immensely to the appearance and value of the entire property. He has employed progressive methods and utilized modern machinery in the care and cultivation of his land and these factors have contributed largely to his success.

In 1868 Mr. Junge was united in marriage to Miss Dora Conrad and their union was blessed with eleven children: William, deceased; Louie, who lives in Thayer township ; one, unnamed, who died in infancy ; August W., who lives in Thayer township; Mary, who resides at Gresham; Henry, living in Holt county; Albert, who resides in Thayer township; Elvina; Godfred, living in Thayer township; Otto, who lives on the home farm, and Edward, who passed away when fifteen years old. To the sincere regret of her relatives and a wide circle of friends Mrs. Junge's death occurred September 13, 1912. She and the members of her family held religious affiliation with the Lutheran church, in whose teachings she was reared. Mr. Junge votes with the republican party, but has never sought public office. He is interested in all that pertains~t«sj;he welfare and upbuilding of the community in which he has been a resident for n-^arly fifty years, and he has been a factor in advancing its material, social and moral progress.

Dick Wessels, Se

Dick Wessels, Sr., who is now practically living retired on a farm located on section 1, New York township, York county, is now enjoying a period of well merited leisure made possible by his former successful labors along agricultural lines, and he has turned over to his. sons the work of conducting the place. He was born in Germany, October 11, 1857, a son of John and Marie (Gerkin) Wessels, also natives of that country, where the former followed the occupation of a linen weaver and where they spent all their lives. One other child besides the subject of this sketch, Catherine Wessels, came to the United States from the old country.

Dick Wessels spent his early boyhood and youth in his father's home and was educated in the schools of Germany, where he remained until his twenty-fourth year, engaged at such work as his hands could find to do, but mainly following his father's trade of linen weaver. In August, 1881, he immigrated to America, went to Peoria, Illinois, and there worked in lumber yards for a time. He then started farming in that state and rapidly acquired a sound working knowledge of agricultural operations. Desiring to see more of the country and believing from reports that there were vast farming possibilities in Nebraska, he came to York county in 1903, having sold the interest in his Illinois land. Success attended Mr. Wessels' efforts from the beginning of his farming career and he was enabled from time to time to remit money to his relatives in Germany to help them. On settling in York county in 1903 he purchased a tract of valuable land, the area of which is two hun- dred and forty acres, and immediately proceeded to operate tlie place, adding improvements as time passed, finally Itringing the holding up to the level of the best in the district. For years he followed general farming and stock raising and finally decided to retire from active participation in the work of the farm, which is now rented to his sons in suitable divisions. Much credit is due Mr. Wessels for his success on the farm, more especially in view of the fact that when he came to this country he was almost without funds, but by the exercise of industry and frugality he surmounted all obstacles and now enjoys a comfortable competence.

Before leaving Germany Mr. Wessels was united in marriage to Fannie Goudschaal and they became the parents of ten children as follows: Mary, widow of Louis Simon, living in Illinois ; John and Dick, farmers in York county ; Carrie, wife of Richard Conrad, a farmer; George, a farmer in York county; Maggie, wife of William Conrad, a York county farmer; Katie, wife of Emil Moggeusan, a farmer of Hamilton county ; Anna, wife of Mr. Robert Marcpiardt, a York county farmer; Albert, who operates the home place, and Freddie, living at home. George Wessels entered the military service of the United States, September G, 1918, and went into training at Camp Grant and later at Camp Hancock. He was not, however, called for overseas service as the armistice was declared some two months later.

Mr. Wessels and mendjers of his family have religious affiliation with the Lutheran church at^Thayer and are active participants in all its good works. Politically he is aligned with the republican party and has served as road overseer and as game warden for six years, bringing to the duties of these offices a sound common sense and good judgment. Tho.se who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, esteem him as a man of genuine worth who well merits the success that has crowned his efforts.

Prominent in the financial circles of York and York county is James R. McCloud, cashier of the First National Bank at York. He was born on the 12th of December, 1881, in Y^ork county, a son of William and Ann (Sears) McCloud, the former a native of West Virginia, while the latter was bom in Ohio. Further reference to the mother and father is made in the sketch of Charles A. McCloud, a brother of the subject of this review, on another page of this work.

James R. McCloud received his education in the country schools and in the grade and high schools of York and graduated from the latter institution in 1901. His initial step into the business world was made on the 16th of July, 1901, when he entered the employ of the First National Bank of York as helper and bookkee])er. He was not content to stand still, however, and through his individual effort worked his way steadily upward through the different departments, with the result that in 1903 he was made assistant cashier. He retained this position until the spring of 1909 when he removed to Idaho where he stayed two years. At the expiration of this period Mr. McCloud returned to York and resumed his bank connections, as cashier of the Farmers National Bank. This was in 1911 and in November, 1913, when this bank was consolidated with the First National Bank, he retained his position as cashier and is still serving in that capacity. There is no feature of the banking business that is not thoroughly understood by Mr. McCloud and he devotes his entire time to the interests of the institution. Besides the interest he manifests in the bank at Y^ork he owns stock in seven banks in the county and is president of the First National Bank at Benedict.

On the 10th of August, 1909, Mr. McCloud was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Belle Nobes, whose birth occurred in the penitentiary at Lincoln, where her father was warden. Mr. Nobes came to York at an early day and was a prominent factor in the development of the town. In 1882 he built a large business block and became in time one of the wealthiest men in that section of the country. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. McCloud two children have been born : Mildred, ten years of age; and x\nn, nine years of age. Mrs. McCloud is one of the prominent women of her community, taking part in all civic organizations and woman's club activities of York. She is a consistent member of the Christian Science Church.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. McCloud has been a stanch supporter of the repul)lican party, and fraternally he is a member of the Masons, belonging to the Mystic Shrine. He is a charter member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, No. 1024, and also of the Knights of Pythias, No. 1.3. In the conduct of his banking affairs Mr. McCloud has won a host of friends, for in the execution of his duties he treats all with marked courtesy and respect. His success is the result of his own diligence and labor, his determination and strength of character allowing no obstacle to bar his path.

Irving S. Harden

Irving S. Harden, who is devoting his time and energies to the operation of a good farm on section 3, Lockridge township, York county, has been identified with the agricultural life of the county for many years. Mr. Harden was born in Y^ork county in 1889, a son of Pierce and Christina (Troutraan) Harden, both natives of the Keystone State, but who came to York county in 1878 from Illinois. Pierce Harden was engaged during his active years in the profitable operation of a farm, from which he retired in 1910 and is now residing at Benedict, Nebraska.

Irving S. Harden was reared on the home farm and his boyhood and youth were spent in the acquirement of a public school education and in helping his father on the farm. When his father retired from active participation in the work of the holding Mr. Harden began an agricultural career on his own account in 1910 and has since been steadily devoting himself to the development of the farm, finally bringing the place to a condition not excelled by any in the district in which it is located. He is engaged in general farming and raises a good grade of live stock, the produce in the latter line always finding a ready market. He also raises feed which is disposed of in the neighboring markets.

In 1912 Mr. Harden was united in marriage to Adeline .Johnson, a daughter of William Johnson of Benedict, a native of Lee county, Illinois, where his parents settled in 1863; further reference to Mr. Johnson will be found elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Harden are the parents of three children, namely : Margaret, Jocelyn and Boyd, all of whom are living with their parents. The family are members of the Lutheran church at Benedict and Mr Harden is an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In i^olitical atl'airs he takes an independent attitude and casts his vote for worthy men and measures rather than for parties and party emblems, and it is generally known that he supports all movements seeking the material, moi-al or civic advancement of his conimunitv.

Dr. Eobert McConaughy an able physician and surgeon who since 1885 has engaged in practice in York, was born in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania, in 18.52, a son of James and Harriett (Shallenberger) McConaughy. Both were natives of Pennsylvania and in 1.S86 they removed to York county, Nebraska. The father was a physician well known in the east in his professional capacity for forty-five years. He attended Washington College, at Washington, Pennsylvania, and was afterward graduated from the Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, with the class of 1845. Following his removal to the west he retired from active practice spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest, and he and his wife were consistent niemljers of the Presbyterian church and in ]iolitics he was a republican. In their family were five children, four of whom are living : Mrs. George W. Post, who was one of the pioneer residents of Y'ork but is now living in California ; Mrs. Idak'tte Woods, a widow living in Y'ork ; and Dr. Eobert McConaughy of this review.

The last named obtained his preliminary education in the schools of his native city and afterward attended Lafayette College, at Ea.ston, Pennsylvania, there pursuing a specifically literary course. He was afterward a student in Jefferson Medical College, of which his father was an alumnus and there he was graduated in 1875. He located for practice in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1885 and then sought the opportunities of the growing west. Coming to York he has since remained here and through all the intervening years has enjoyed an extensive practice. Moreover, he has kept in touch at all times with the trend of professional thought and progress and is thoroughly informed concerning the most advanced ideas in relation to the practice of both medicine and surgery.

On September 26, 1888, Dr. McConaughy was married to Miss Mary Miriam Eice, of Osceola, Iowa, who [lassed away in September, 1889. On October 5, 1892, the Doctor wedded Mary Floy Lawrence, who was born in Gladbrook, Iowa. He was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian church and has long been a faithful member thereof. He is also a Knight Templar, and a past grand commander of the grand commandery of Nebraska. He is a jiast president of the State Medical Association and is president for the year of 1!)2() of the American Association of Eailway Surgeons. He likewise belongs to the York County Medical Society and to the American Medical Associaticm. He has ever discharged his professional duties with a sense of conscientious obligation and has put forth every power to broaden his knowledge and promote his etficiency. Accordingly he has taken post-graduate work in Chicago and in London, England, and has often visited different hospitals td ac([uaint himself with methods therein followed. For twentv-tive years he has been the surgeon fur the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy

Railroad Company and lias also at different times been surgeon for the Northwestern and for the Pennsylvania Railway Systems, representing the latter during his residence in Pennsylvania. He is now the oldest practicing phj'sician of York and for about twenty years served as city physician. In politics he is a republican and for several years was a member of the school board, Ijut otherwise has never sought nor desired political honor. The cause of education, however, has always found in him a stanch friend and he has given his support to every project and plan for the city's betterment and improvement, and for its development along material, intellectual, social and moral lines.

Elmer Beaver

Among the prosperous and well known farmers of Y'ork county is Elmer Beaver who resides in York. He was born in Logan county, Illinois, on October 7, 1870, the son of Michael H. and Sarah (Pence) Beaver. The father was a native of Ohio and the mother of Illinois. They were married in the latter state and made their home there. The death of Michael Beaver occurred in 1895 and the mother still lives, residing in Lincoln, Illinois. Mr. Beaver was a stockman and a farmer of note and was an active supporter of the democratic party. Seven children were born to this union of which the sul^ject and two brothers, C. N. and W. R., are the only ones living. C. N. Beaver's review a];>pears on another page of this volume, and W. R. Beaver is a retired farmer of Lincoln, Illinois.

In the accjuirement of an education, Elmer Beaver attended the schools of Lincoln, Illinois. He was reared on a farm and after putting his textbooks aside he engaged in farming until he was thirty years of age. His father left him some land in York county, so in 1899 he removed to this county where he bought an additional farm. For fo.ur years he remained on this land and then removed to Y''ork in 1902 and bought a house on Burlington avenue which he later sold, and subsequently jjurchased a beautiful residence on Lincoln avenue where he now resides. He is a musician of some ability and played in the town band for a number of years. Most of his time is spent in caring for his five hundred and eleven acres of well improved land and in addition he supervises the care of the land in York county belonging to his brother W. E. Beaver, of Lincoln, Illinois.

In the spring of 1895 Mr. Beaver was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Maltby, a native of Logan county, Illinois, a daughter of John Maltby who was a farmer in that state. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Beaver seven children have been born, namely : Clyde who is a musician of some ability and plays in a theatre at Lincoln ; Conaway, who is director of an orchestra in Lincoln; W. R., a musician in a theatre at Grand Island; Fred, who is employed in a freight office at York; and Eugene and Ruth at school. One child, Jessie, who was a member of the band, died at the age of eighteen years. Mrs. Beaver is prominent in social circles in York and is a member of the Christian church.

Mr. Beaver is independent in politics, supporting the man rather than the party and though he takes an active part in any movement promoting growth and improvement of his community, he has never sought nor desired public office. During the World war he took part in all the various activities and his son Clyde entered tliu ai'iiiy in 11)17 in the Dunwootley Naval Reserve Band at Miiineajjulis. He was stationed at tlie Great I^akes until tlie signing of the armistiee after which time he made five trips to Eurojje on the W. S. Henderson. Mr. and Mrs. Beaver are Ijopidar residents of York and Mr. Beaver's genial dispo.sitiou has won for him iunumerahle friends and the high regard of all those with wliom he comes in contact.

Eobert Beckord

Robert Beckord, a prominent and progressive business man of Waco, York county, where he has been residing for near forty years, is a native of Germany, born November 9, 1864, a son of Henry and Anna (Shieltment) Beckord, also natives of Germany, the father being a carjjenter in that country during his active years and there he and his wife passed their entire lives. Fritz Beckord, a brother of the subject of this sketch, immigrated to the United States and for a time lived in Kansas. Later he became identified with the furniture business at Seward, Nebraska, and then moved to Utica, where he engaged in the lumber business. He remained there until the last few years, which were spent in California, where his death took place.

Robert Beckord was educated in the public schools of his native country and when he was thirteen years old, in 1879, he came to the United States, landing in Philadelphia, the ocean voyage being made on a steamship. He went to Nebraska and settled in Utica, where he worked for his brotlier in a lumber-yard, remaining in that line for about one year. He then turned his attention to farm labor for about a year and a half and worked on farms by the month, his remuneration being at the rate of twelve and one-half dollars per month, during this time acquiring a good knowledge of agricultural operations. His stay in this connection covered about eighteen months. In 1882 Mr. Beckord moved to Waco and renewed his connection with the lumber business, becoming manager of the yard known as the Fritz Beckord Lumber Company, later transferring his services to the S. K. Martin Lumber Company, here also holding the responsible position of manager and remaining in that capacity for several years. His next venture in a business direction was to purchase the elevator owned by T. C. Tagg, which he managed and operated for four years, and then bought a drug store, managing the store and the elevator for a considerable time. He now devotes much of his time to the drug store to which is attached a paint and wall-paper department, the entire business being under his immediate control and yielding satisfactory financial results. He also owns farm lands in York county, in western Nebraska and in Kansas. He is a progressive, energetic business man of sound judgment and keen discrimination. He is a stockholder and director in the Farmers & Traders Bank of Waco and also is a director in the American State Bank of York, and in other ways has given of his time and ability to the development of the commercial interests of the community in which he is well and favorably known.

In 1887 Mr. Beckord was united in iiiarriage at Waco to Adolphena Ziegenhagen, who was born in Germany, and to this union the following children have been born : Henry, associated in the drug business with his father, is a graduate of the Nebraska State School of Pharmacy; Ella, the wife of F. L. Propst, county treasurer of York county ; Leo, a farmer in Y^ork county ; Edward, who is attending the engineering school of the State University at Lincoln ; Esther, who is attending the State University at Lincoln; and Donald, who attends the Waco high school. Mr. Beckord has been prominent in public affairs for many years and his efforts fiave ever been directed to the welfare of his city and district. He is a stanch republican and under the auspices of that party has filled several local offices, including that of mayor, giving faithful and intelligent service to the people. His fraternal affiliation is with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is not only progressive in all that he undertakes, but is tlioroughly reliable and his business integrity stands as an unquestioned fact in his career.

Solomon S. Deffenbaugh

As a representative of the class of substantial builders of the great commonwealth who served faithfully and long in the enterprising west Solomon S. Deffenbaugh stands in the front rank of pioneers. He was born in Ohio, March 25, 1838, and when he had grown to manhood and married he decided to try his fortune in the west, so in May, 187-1, he left Wyoming, Stark county, Illinois, with a team and wagon which held all his worldly possessions and set out for his new home. In June of the same year he reached York county, Nebraska, and spent the fall and winter at the homestead of his father-in-law, John Rush, who lived in West Blue township.

Mr. Deffenbaugh established his first home on section eight of this township, where he bought railroad land. In 1889 he sold this property and engaged in the cattle business in Box Butte county, Nebraska, remaining there a few years, after which he returned to York county and purchased the farm where he now resides on section five, West Blue township.

He was married at Ancona, Livingston county, Illinois, to Arminda Rush, the daughter of John and Susan (Stanton) Rush. John Rush was one of the first settlers to take a homestead in the county where he lived until he had passed the ninetieth milestone. Mr. and Mrs. Deffenbaugh have become the parents of seven cliildren, six of whom are living: Charles R., who is engaged in farming in York county, and is mentioned elsewhere in this work; Louie, the wife of Smith Hutchins, who resides in Philipsburg, Montana ; J. C, who is at home ; Ella, the wife of John Hiner, of York ; Maude, who is married to Louis Cook, a resident of York ; and Marie, who is married to Sam Williams, of Omaha, Nebraska.

Years have passed since Mr. Deffenbaugh cast in his lot with the pioneers of York county. People of the present day can hardly realize the struggles and dangers which attended the early settlers, the heroism and self-sacrifice of lives passed on the borders of civilization, the hardships endured and the difficulties which had to be overcome. He ex2)erienced all of the privations and hardships of the times and recalls the terrible grasshopper pestilence which sorely tried the courage and patience of so many of the farmers at that time. He has eighty acres of well cultivated land and splendid buildings on his farm which stand forth as proof of his victory over the storms and trials of the years.

In politics Mr. Deffciibaugh gives his political allegiance to the democratic party but does not seek nor desire office, his attention being concentrated upon his business affairs. Mrs. Deffenbaugh is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Deffenbaugh has brought his farm under a high state of cultivation and the many improvements which he has added thereto make it one of the valuable properties of the district.

George S. Cook

George S. Cook, engaged in the abstract business in York, is one of the substantial residents of the city who yet remains active in business, although he has passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey. He was born in Provincetown, Massachusetts, June 4, 1843, a son of Ephraim and Rebecca (Wiley) Cook. The father was born in Massachusetts Novemljer 4, 1806, and passed away February 22, 1891, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. The mother was born in Xew England in 1816, and her death occurred December 27, 1850. Their marriage was celebrated in Massachusetts. The father was on a fisliing and whaling vessel for a number of years, after which he took up his abode at Ptovincetown, where he engaged in fitting out vessels, conducting his business very successfully. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and his early political support was given to the whig party, but upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new republican party. He represented one of the old New England families, his father Ephraim Cook having also been a native of Massachusetts and a fisherman of that state. The maternal grandfather of George S. Copk, however, was a Methodist minister, devoting his entire life to the work of preaching the gospel. George S. Cook was one of a family of four children, of whom three are living: Phoebe, the wife of W. E. Morgan, of Vienna, Virginia, who is doorkeeper in the United States senate ; E. Parker, who is living retired in Boston, Massachusetts ; and George S.

The last named obtained his education in the schools of his native city and then entered his father's store as soon as he had put aside his textbooks. He acted as bookkeeper and did other work in the store and there remained until 1871, save for the period of his service in the Civil war. He enlisted in 1862 as a member of Company I, Forty-seventh Massachusetts Infantry, with which he served for nine months, taking part in the Red river expedition. He was an orderly at General Banks'' headquarters, and had not yet reached his twenties when he enlisted and saw active service in defense of the Union.

In April, 1871, Mr. Cook removed to York county, where he homesteaded. There was not a dwelling in the city of York at the time of his arrival. All around was the broad open prairie starred with a million wild flowers in June, and in the winter covered with a dazzling, unbroken sheet of snow. He at once began the development of his land and resided thereon until 1878, when he built a nice home in the village of York and afterward sold his farm property. When he erected his dwelling he regarded it as a long distance from the business street. He paid fifty dollars-for the lot and twenty-five dollars down and with a year's time to make the remaining payments. The home is just three blocks from the public scjuare, so that today it is in the very heart of the city and is a comfortable, modern residence in whieli he lias enjoj'ed many of the best things that life has to offer. Durino- most of the intervening period he has been engaged in the abstract business to which he still gives his attention.

On the 5th of December, 1866, Mr. Cook was married to Miss Julia M. Smith, who was born in Massachusetts, and passed away June 12, 1896, leaving one child, Lydia Smith, who is now the wife of F. E. Clarke, a miner of Spokane, Washington. Mr. Cook was again married November 21, lS!)i), his second union being with Martha Ellen Hitchcock, who was burn in Indiana.

Mr. Cook is a member of the Congregational church and has ever guided his life according to its teachings. Fraternally he is a Mason and was secretary of his lodge for a number of years. He also served for a considerable period as secretary for the Knights of Pythias, and has discharged the secretarial duties in the Grand Army Post, to which he belongs. In politics he has always been a republican and has served as city treasurer for thirty years, deputy county treasurer under two administrations and deputy county clerk for three years.

He has served as secretary of the cemetery for a number of years and at all times has been interested in every project and plan for the city's benefit and improvement. He passed throiTgh all of tilie harrdshJfis and privations incident to the pioneer development of this section of 'the G9untry, and is now largely enjoying rest from business, the fruits of his former toil supplying him with all of the comforts and some of the lu.xuries of life.

H. Blum, Sr., one of the prosperous residents of York county, was born in Posen, Germany, in 1855, the son of Michael and Augusta (Warnek) Blum, natives of the province of Posen, who passed away when their son was a child. His boyhood was spent in Germany, and at the age of seventeen he came to America, and made his way to York county where he had a brother Julius, who had settled on a homestead there a year before. He worked on his brother's farm for more than a year and at the end of that time found employment on a railroad south of Lincoln, where he worked in 1873 and 1871, later working on a railroad in Iowa.

He then came to York county and bought out a homestead from a man who had occupied it but a short time. He paid for the improvements on it and lived the required five years on the eighty acres, that it might become his property. This has been his home ever since and he is now the owner of six liundred and eighty acres of valuable land, with four sets of farm buildings. When Mr. Blum came to York county he was without capital and was two hundred dollars in debt, so it is easily seen to what success he has attained.

He was married to Miss Otillia Suckschewsky who came from the same province in Germany as did her husband, when she was twenty-one years of age. They are the parents of seven children : Ludwig, who is married to Tillie Schleuter, is a farmer in York county, and has four children; Gustav lives at home; Herman, Jr., who is married to Anna Fuss, is engaged in agricultural pursuits in York county, and has two children; Julius, who is the husband of Esther Wightman, is a banker in California; Otto, who is married to Alta Gradosky, is a farmer in York county; Walter lives at home; and Mary is the wife of Dick Wessel, Jr., of York county.

Mr. Blum is a member of St. John's Lutheran church in Beaver towiisliip. lu politics he is independent, preferring to use his judgment in casting his vote. He displays a keen interest in the affairs of the community and has been assessor of the township for many years and a member of the school board. His life has been one of continuous activity in which has been accorded due recognition of labor and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of the county. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of farming and he is always ready to lend his aid and co-ojieration to advance the development of his county and community.

Dr. George P. Shidler, of York, ranks among the progressive and successful physicians and surgeons of the city and is held in high esteem by both the general public and his professional brethren. He was born in York, February 3, 1883, the son of Dr. George W. and Alice J. (Shirey) Shidler. The mother was a native of Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, her birth having occurred in that state in 1855. She was married to Dr. George W. Shidler in 1880, and of this union two children were born, namely : the subject of this review ; and Bertha who is the wife of George H. Edwards. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards reside in San Franci.sco, California, where Mr. Edwards is engaged in the wholesale hat business. Dr. George W. Shidler was born in Pennsylvania in 1849 and received his medical education at Ann Arbor and Keokuk, Iowa, graduating in 1875. He commenced the practice of his profession at Swedesburg, Iowa, and in 1879 removed to York where he formed a partnership with Dr. Porter, under the name of Porter & Shidler. For ten years this partnership continued, at the termination of which time the doctor practiced alone until 1897 when he entered practice in connection with Dr. 0. M. Moore. In 1909 the son of Dr. George W. Shidler, Dr. George P. Shidler, joined the partnership and the firm name became Shidler, Moore & Shidler. After the death of the elder Dr. Shidler, Dr. King became a member of the firm hut in 1917 entered the service of the United States in the World war. Upon his return to York in 1919 he immediately resumed his connection with the firm, and it is now known as Moore, Shidler & King, or the York Clinic. Dr. George W. Shidler and his wife attended the Presbyterian churcli and he was a democrat in politics. He was one of the first surgeons west of the Mississippi river and was also among the first to use a local anaesthetic. The first appendix operation in York county was performed by Dr. Shidler, and in order to keep up with the advance in knowledge of the profession he took a post-graduate course every year. In fact so widely known did Dr. Shidler become that he received a request from Germany for a picture of himself to be placed with the noted physicians and surgeons of their own country. Mrs. Shidler was a typical Ariierican woman. She was a leader in social affairs and an excellent housewife. She was also quite talented, and painted a number of charming pictures. After a life of usefulness and unselfish devotion to her family she passed away in 1908.

In the acquirement of his education Dr. George P. Shidler attended the public schools of York and was graduated from the high school in 1899. He then entered the State University and was graduated therefrom, A. B., in 1903. For two years he pursued a course in the Ann Arbor jMedical College and was graduated from Xorthwestern University in 1907. He conimeaced his professional career as interne in the Cook County Institution where he remained for six months, and then spent one year and three months in St. Luke's Hospital, both institutions being located in Chicago. In 1908 he returned to York and entered into practice with his father and Dr. Moore and he is now connected with Drs. Moore and King. These three men are known as the York Clinic and have established a private hospital, the Clinic Hospital, which they have conducted since June 20, 1910, where all of their operations are performed. In addition to his duties at the hospital and his general practice Dr. Shidler is an attendant at the York convent and at the Odd Fellows home. He is thoroughly conscientious in the performance of his duties as a physician and surgeon and his skill is generally recognized. He performed, and with great success, the first Caesarean operation in York county.

Dr. Shidler was married in 1909 in Michigan City, Indiana, to Miss Mina Ashton of that place, whose father was a wholesale grocer there for fifty years. To the union of Dr. and Mrs. Shidler four boys have been born : George, ten years of age ; John, aged nine years ; Fred, six years of age ; and James, aged three years. Dr. Shidler and family are members of the Presbyterian church and are active in the work of that organization. Fraternally he is a Scottish Kite Mason, a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and a Knight of Pythias. Dr. Shidler and his wife are well known in the social circles of the town being members of the York Country Club of which Dr. Shidler is director, and his interest in the public progress and welfare of his community is manifest in his membership in the Kotary Club.

Chables J. Busler

A pioneer farmer of York county is Charles J. Busier, who was born in Germany on the 10th of August, 1849, a son of Joseph and Mary Busier, both natives of that country. In 1830 Joseph Busier came to the United States, locating at Oregon, Illinois. He worked out on farms, being with one man for a period of four years, and later rented land which he fanned successfully. Joseph Busier managed to save enough money to purchase some land on wliich he built a log house and soon after he sent to Germany for his wife and family. For some time they resided on the farm and then retired to the town of Oregon, Illinois, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Busier was married twice, three children being born to the first union, namely : Michael, whose death occurred in Custer county, Nebraska; Sophia, who died in Illinois; and Charles J., whose name initiates this review. The second wife of Mr. Busier was Elizabeth Busier, and to them four children were born, namely : Susan, who is deceased ; Anna, residing in Chicago ; Daniel, wlio lives in Canada ; and George, a resident of Oklahoma. Joseph Busier was a stanch supporter of the democratic party and a consistent member of the Catholic church.

Charles J. Busier came to the United States from his native land in 1852, the journey taking a period of three months. He settled with his parents in Oregon, Illinois, and was educated in the country schools in the vicinity of his home. After putting his textbooks aside he assisted his father on the farm until he was twenty-two years of age, when lie liired out to otlier farmers, breaking land and running threshing machines. On the Gth of April, 1874, Mr. Rusler came to Nebraska, settling in York county where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land for which he paid seven dollars an acre. He purchased the fir,st threshing machine ever used in the county and set about to cultivate his land. He built a one room sod house with a dirt floor and roof and there he resided, breaking his own land, sixty acres the first year, which he ]n)t out in sod corn. He also set out an orchard but this later mostly died out. The hardships passed through by Mr. Rusler were many and in the year 1874 the grasshoppers destroyed every one of his crops. Supplies had to be hauled from Fairmont, and wood from the Blue River. During the winter he often had to burn cornstalks. Game was plentiful in that section of the county and he remembers seeing many antelopes. The Indians on their season hunts would pa,ss his place and often stop for food and warmth. Mr. Rusler allowed no obstacle, however great, to obstruct his path, and his determination and energy have been rewarded with a substantial amount of success. He is now in possession of eight hundred and forty acres, the land all adjoining, on whit-h he has three sets of fine improvements.

It was while residing in Illinois that Mr. Rusler was united in marriage to Miss Diana Calkins, a native of that state. A niece of Mr. Rusler's, Minnie Burton, makes her home with them.

Mr. Rusler has always maintained an independent course in politics, voting for the man rather than for any particular party. He has taken an active interest in the development and improvement of the community in which he makes his home and has served both as road overseer and assessor. The greater part of his time, however, he has devoted to his agricultural interests. The religious faith of Mr. Rusler is that of the Catholic church. Mr. Rusler is in every sense of the word a self-made man, having reached his present day success only as the result of his own efforts. He is recognized as such a man by his fellow-citizens, and is conceded the confidence, goodwill and respect of all with whom he comes in contact.

George W. Rossiter, one of the early settlers in York county, was born near Utica, New York, March 7, 1845. When he was very young his mother passed away and he went to live with an uncle in Illinois, where he spent his boyhood and received his education.

When Lincoln called for troops George Rossiter was among the first of the gallant young men who responded, enlisting in an Illinois Infantry, Seventh Regiment. He received a gunshot wound in his left foot but nothing daunted and determined to do not less than his utmost for his country, he reenlisted in the One Hundred and Sixth Regiment where he was detailed on .secret service work until the close of the^war. He then returned to Lincoln, Illinois, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1870 he came to York county where he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, in LeRoy township. For the ten following years he lived in a sod house, consisting of two little rooms, which was improved as the years jiassod until it became a very comfortable dwelling.

George Eossiter was married to Colista Rinehart in 1875, and they liave become the parents of five children : Roland R., who lives in Montana ; Mary, the wife of D. W. Smith, who lives with her mother; Fanny G., the wife of E. E. Bird, who resides in Grand Island; Warren L., of York, Nebraska; and Virna E., who is married to P. J. Hessler, of York, and resides with her mother.

Mr. Eossiter was always deeply interested in the Grand Army of the Republic, and belonged to the Robert Anderson Post No. 32. He gave his political endorsement to the republican party and always kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. On March 7, 1909, Mr. Rossiter passed away, leaving his sorrowing wife and children, who feel that their loss is irreparable, and many friends and relatives. Mr. Rossiter is justly accorded a place among the prominent and representative citizens of York county, for he belonged to that class of men whose enterprising spirit is used not alone for their own benefit ; he also advanced the general good and promoted public prosperity by his ably managed individual interests, thus placing this section of the county on a par with the older east.

George W. Feiesen

Among the representative residents of York county is George W. Friesen, for many years identified with banking and farming and at present serving as president of the Bank of Henderson. He was born in Southern Eussia, August 21:, 1870, a son of John and Mary (Klassen) Friesen, also natives of that part of Eussia. These parents immigrated to America in 1875 and in that year came out to Nebraska, locating in Hamilton count}', where John Friesen took up a homestead on which he erected a sod house in which he lived for a considerable time. Later he improved the holding with a frame building and carried out other useful projects, all of which served to increase the value of the place. He broke the ground, planted crops and as he prospered in liis agricultural operations built fences and effected other worth-while improvements, gradually bringing his holding to the front rank among the best kept farms of the county. He and his wife became the parents of six children, five of whom are living. His wife passed away in 1911 to the deep regret of her relatives and numerous friends, and he survived until 1919 being then in his seventy-ninth year. Coming to this part of Nebraska when it was virtually in the pioneer stage he experienced many of the hardships and disadvantages of that time but lived to see a wonderful transformation and the face of the country changed from a prairie state to one of well cultivated fields and established government prevailing throughout, and in the bringing about of these results he played a conspicuous part.

George W. Friesen was a lad of five years when he accompanied his parents to the new world and he was educated in the public schools of the county, later attending the Fremont Normal School, finishing his educational course in that institution. Upon the completion of his school work he served for four years as deputy county clerk of Hamilton county, giving much satisfaction. Mr. Friesen then turned his attention to banking and entered the Bank of Henderson, of which he later became cashier, filling that responsible position with fidelity and distinction for ten years, meriting alike the warm approval and esteem of the bank officers iiml the pviblic. Later Mr. Friesen became president of the bank anil under his guidance the bank's business is in a prosperous and tiourishing cundition, carrying a substantial surplus to its credit, keen business acumen and sagacity being resjionsible for its present sound financial position. Apart from his banking interests Mr. Friesen is giving close attention to the management of a quarter section of land which he owns in Hamilton county, all of which is in an excellent state of improvement, operated along modern agricultural lines and yielding annually most gratifying returns.

Mr. Friesen has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Hannah Stark, a daughter of William L. and Gertrude (Elworth) Stark, both of whom are still living in Aurora, Nebraska. Mrs. Frie.sen pas.sed away in 1901, some six months after her marriage. In lOlT Mr. Fi'iesen took for his second wife Miss Marie A. Koss, a native of Lee county, Iowa, and a daughter of Anthony and Anna (Ketterer) Koss, also natives of Iowa and still living in Lee county, that state. To this second union a son was born, George A., who.se birth occurred on March 27, 1918.

In his political affiliation Mr. Friesen gives undivided support to the progressive party and in local affairs has given of his time and ability to the public interest. He served on the city council for a time, taking a prominent part in the shaping and formulating of conditions necessary to the well-being of the community. His interest in the advancement of educational affairs has been not less practical and he served as a member of the school board for several years. His life has been a busy and useful one, divided between his banking and farming interests and by unfaltering industry and determination he has advanced steadily on the high road to success. He is one of the leading men of the county in which he resides and is enjoying a prosperity which is the merited reward of his labor.?, being in the highest sense of the term a self-made man.

Samuel E. Lichtenbeeger

Samuel R. Lichtenberger, proprietor of the Cottonwood Stock Farm and a prosperous and well known resident of York county, having come to this part of Nebraska in 1873, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Somerset county, January 8, 1847, a son of Josiah and Eliza (Schneider) Lichtenberger, both of whom were born in that same county. Josiah was a son of John J. Lichtenberger, and the latter with one of his brothers assisted their grandfather in laying out the town of Somerset in the Keystone state. When that town was being organized the Schneider family Just mentioned presented the first courthouse building, the jail, seminary and Lutheran church buildings to the people of Somerset, and in many other directions they were l^enefactors to the well-being of the town and their names are gratefully remembered to this day in the locality.

Samuel R. Lichtenberger was one of nine ciiildren born to his parents and was educated in the puljlic schools of his native county. He learned his father's trade, that of a tanner, and continued to work at that business during his boyhood years. In 186.3 he migrated to Dixon, Illinois, and there continued to reside until March, 1864, w'hen he enlisted as a corporal in Company D, Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer

Infantry, for service with the Federal troops in the Civil war. He was mustered ill at Chicago and from that point was sent to Tennessee with Sherman's army, where his company became part of the Seventeenth Corps under General Blair who accompanied Sherman on his famous march to the sea. He was in several engagements and continued to serve until the close of the war when he was mustered out at Springfield in September, 1865.

At the close of his military service Mr. Lichteiiberger returned to Dixon, Illinois, and there rented land which he operated until the spring of 1872. In that year he made the overland Journey to York county by horse team and took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres located on section 8, Bradshaw township. His first house was built of sod with a sod roof and a dirt floor and here he "bached" for eleven years. The holding was all raw prairie land and he began to break it with ox teams in 1873 and in that year started to put out his first crops. In the following year he had broken fifty acres of the ground and put it to wheat when the grasshoppers came in myriads, being so thick that he could shovel them up with a scoop shovel. In the morning of the following day they rose in a cloud and disappeared as mysteriously as they had come, leaving the wheat practically uninjured. Mr. Lichtenberger has many interesting stories to tell of those early days in the county. He was in the big storm of April 2, 1873, when on the afternoon of that date a drizzling rain started, which later turned into big soft snowflakes which fell to a thickness of about flve inches on the ground. It froze hard all that night and the following morning a snow blizzard was raging which lasted for three days, during that time numbers of cattle, hogs and horses being frozen to death. Some time after he settled here he hunted antelopes on the spot where Bradshaw now stands, but buffaloes were not very plentiful. He did most of his trading at Lincoln and hauled his grain to market at Fairmont and Sutton, the latter being twenty-five miles distant.

In January, 1883, Mr. Lichtenberger was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Dickson, a native of Danville, Illinois, a daughter of Eobert M. Dickson, who came to Nebraska and homesteaded in Custer county. Five cliildren were born to this union: Mae, the wife of C. W. Will, of Litchfield, Nebraska; Josiah, who works on a farm in Bradshaw township; Cleon, who lives on his father's old homestead; Alice, who died in infancy, and Lula, now attending high school. Mr. Lichtenberger is a democrat and served as school director and treasurer of his school district for thirty years. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Eepublic, affiliated with Noble Groves Post, and in the affairs of that organization continues to take a warm interest. Since 1878 he has held membership in the Masonic order and for many years has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife and daughter are earnest members of the Christian church and all community movements intended to promote the public welfare have their practical support. They are people of genuine personal worth, enjoying in large measure tlie friendship and kindly regard of those with whom they have been brought into contact. Their own home is noted for its warmhearted hospitality and is the scene of many delightful social gatherings.

for forty years. He was the first farmer to ship a load of grain out of Brarlshaw. After the first few years of his residence on the homestead he began to see greater possibilities ahead and added to his land holdings from time to time until he had accumulated fi%-e hundred and sixty acres of prime land of which he is still the owner. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to try his fortune in this part of Xebraska. Here he found conditions favorable to the man who is willing to work, for the land is rich in its natural resources and Mr. Lichtenberger accordingly brought his diligence to play with the result that he is today the possessor of a handsome competence which surrounds him with all the necessities and cofnforts of life and some of its luxuries.

William S. Jeffery

Willirtin S. Jeffery, a prominent and prosperous citizen of York county of which he has lieen a resident for more than forty-six years, now living practically retired from active participation in farm life, has in his time played many parts in business affairs. He was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, January 24, 1844, a son of Robert and Mary (Scott) Jeffery, the former a native of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1819 and died in 1906,. having then reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years. Mrs. Mary (Scott) Jeffery, his wife, was a native of Hancock county, Virginia, where she was born in 1837 and passed away in 1884, being then in her fifty-seventh year.

Robert Jeffery had a somewhat varied career. He had lieen a school teacher in the Keystone state and in 1853 moved into Illinois. He became deputy clerk of McDouough count}' and filled this responsible position for eleven years, enjoying the confidence of his brother officials and the public, and serving with fidelity and ability. For six years he was deputy postmaster at Macomb, Illinois, and brought to ijcar on the duties of that public department a keen administrative capacity. Later he became express messenger on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. In 1878 he moved into Xebraska, living near Red Cloud with a brother and began farming. He started for Kansas and purchased a tract of land on which he resumed agricultural operations, and there spent the remainder of his life, his death taking place in 1906, in his eighty-seventh year. To Robert Jeffery and wife six children were born: William S., subject of this sketch; Mary Ann, deceased; Jennie, wife of Mike Ryan, of Lincoln; Austin X., deceased; Anna, widow of Cade Holcomb, of Illinois; and Sarah, deceased in infancy. He and his wife were members of the Pi'esby terian church and in its work took an - active and helpful interest, doing all in their power to extend its growth and promote its purpose. His political support was given to sustain the policies and principles of the republican party.

William S. Jefiery was reared in the home of his parents and .secured his education in the common schools of Virginia and Illinois. One of his earliest forms of employment was as a clerk in a grocery store at Macomb, Illinois, being engaged for two years in this line. Later he worked in the office of the Macomb Enterprise, a newspaper of that place, and remained there for twelve months following which he found employment as a clerk in a clothing store. While living in Illinois

Mr. Jeffcry started out as a fanner, bought land and carried on general fanning. About that time he married Laura Louisa Dickey, a native of Ohio, and they moved to Iowa in 1869, going out to the prairie country where he purchased a tract of land on time payments, and on this place he carried on general farming and operated a threshing machine. He remained in the prairie country fof about five years and in March, 187-1, came to York county and bought railroad land, experiencing in common with others the effects of the grasshopper visitation of that period. Mr. Jeffery diligently applied himself to the development of his agric-idtural interests and finally acquired over one thousand acres at one time of well improved land, some of which he divided among his children, giving each a farm, and he is now living practically retired, having reached his seventy-seventh year, enjoying the repose to which liis active years of energy and industry fully entitle him.

In 1906 Mr. Jeffery's wife passed to her reward, and was buried near Benedict. She became the mother of five children: Orman S., in charge of the home place; W. Earl, living in Loveland, Colorado; Idella, the wife of Charles Wallace, of Hastings, Nebraska ; Elmer 0., of Stromsburg, Nebraska ; and Basil, who died at the age of twenty-two, at that time being a medical student. Mr. Jeffery and his wife have been prominently identified with the services of the Methodist church, in which she always took a deep interest. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and served one term oli. the county board, discharging the duties thereof with fidelity and ability. In ffafeT-oal circles he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Ribdern Woodmen of America. His memory practically compasses the period of pioneer development and later progress here, and he has ever borne his share in the work of upbuilding and improvement, and as a citizen he occupies a foremost place in the hearts and confidence of his numerous friends and neighbors.

Geoege H. Dickson

The potential possibilities of farming and stock raising in York county have no more able exponent than George H. Dickson, who is operating a fine farm on section 5, Thayer township, and in the management of which he has demonstrated his fitness for agricultural life. He was born in the county, February 18, 1890, a son of William and Mary (Troutman) Dickson, both natives of Iowa who were reared in that state.