York County, Nebraska - Biographical sketches, 1921 (part 5 of 13)

Axel Eenquist was reared in his father's home in Sweden and in the schools of that country received such education as the family circumstances permitted him to secure. In 1870, being then seventeen years old, he and other members of the Eenquist family immigrated to America and he went to Illinois, shortly after arriving in that state securing work on farms, tliereby acquiring knowledge of American agricultural methods and continuing in this line for three years. He then went to California, spending one year in that state and going thence to Sweden to visit relatives and friends to whom he recounted his experiences in America and the possibilities which this country offered to industrious people. In 1875 Mr. Eenquist returned to Illinois, re-engaged in farming and kindred pursuits, spent about five years in that state and then in 1S80 moved to Nebraska in quest of that fortune which all new territory is expected to yield.

On coming to Nebraska in 1880 Mr. Renquist was one of a number who came by immigrant train to Stromburg, and it is stated that it was the first car of its kind to touch that town. He bought land in Morton township and erected a sod house. With characteristic Swedish application he proceeded to develop and cultivate his land, gradually adding to the original tract as his efforts proved successful and he is now the owner of four hundred acres of valuable, well improved land, the etfual of any in Morton township. His main energies were directed to the supervision of general farming and stock raising and in the latter line his produce always found ready markets. Having acquired sufficient of the world's goods to justify him in handing over his agricultural responsibilities to others Mr. Renquist retired from the farm in 1903 and moved to Benedict, where he is in enjoyment of that rest to wliich his early energy and industry fully entitle him. Apart form his work in connection with the farm he was for eleven years a stockholder and director

In 1876, while living in Illinois, Mr Eenquist was united in marriage to Bettie Johnson, a native of Sweden, and to their union four children have been born: Hennie, wife of John P. Seymour, of Arborville townsliip; J. A., of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; Alice Maud, wife of A. E. Marshall, of Omaha, and Henry E., who operates the old home farm. Mr. Eenquist and the members of his immediate family have religious affiliations with the Methodist Episcopal church at Benedict. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and has practically passed all the chairs in the organization. He gives his political support to the democratic party but prefers at all times to devote his energies to the demands of his farm rather than to the seeking of public office. He is held in high esteem as a citizen and as a man, and his success as a farmer entitles him to rank among the leaders in the agricultural dcvelo]iment of York county.

Albeet Heine

Albert Heine is a resident and a well-to-do farmer of York county, owning and cultivating two hundred and forty acres of land, eighty acres of which lie in York township and one hundred and sixty acres in Thayer township. He was born in Germany, February 7, 18(53, and was reared on a farm where he ac(juired a sound knowledge of agricultural operations. In 1882, when he was nineteen years old, he accompanied his parents and six other children to America, the family coming to Nebraska and settling in York county, residing here for one year. At the end of that time the family went to North Dakota and there the father entered a homestead, while the son Albert went to Dickey county in North Dakota and there preempted a tract of one hundred and sixty acres. He put up a sod house, proved up on the land, broke the sod and began to get in some crops, at the same time working at the carpenter trade, and he continued to live on that holding for about seven years.

In 1889 Albert Heine returned to Nebraska and located in Buffalo where he bought a quarter section of land and resumed his trade of carpenter. He remained in Buffalo until 1900 and then moved to York county, settling on section 3.5, Thayer township, buying one hundred and sixty acres of land for which he paid fifty dollars an acre. At that time there was one old shack on the farm doing duty for a house, but as he progressed with his farming operations he effected many valuable improvements and by degrees, giving unremitting effort and attention to the place, he brought the holding up to a standard which ranks it as a valuable property. He later bought eighty acres in York township on which some excellent improvements were made and he is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres well fenced with substantial buildings and good farming machinery and everything about his place indicates his careful supervision and his practical and progressive methods. The results from his general farming and stock rai.sing have heen commensurate with the uniform enei-gy and'industry put into the work.

In 1889 Mr. Heine was united in marriage to Miss Helen Eeetz, born in the state of Minnesota. She came to York county in 1868, being then a mere child, and her father took a homestead of eighty acres where his son John Eeetz now lives. Their first house was a dugout which was later replaced by a log cabin. Mrs. Heine recalls that when she was a little girl wild deer, buffalo and antelopes were plentiful on the surrounding prairie and all the trading was done at Nebraska City. To Mr. and Mrs. Heine four children were born : Otto, a farmer, of Thyer township; Ernest, who lives on his father's farm in York township; Martha, the widow of William Schoeneck ; and John, who farms the home place. The Heine family are members of the Lutheran church and its teachings have been the guiding force in their lives. In his efforts to advance the welfare of the community he has displayed the same spirit of enterprise and recognition of opportunity that has marked his business career and York county has reason to be proud of him as a citizen.

Dr. Benjamin A. Eoot, who is engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in York, has by reason of broad study and wide experience gained distinction as one of the eminent physicians of his connnunity. He was born in Cass county, in the month of August, 1875, his parents being Byron A. and Eliza A. (Alton) Eoot, both natives of Ohio. Byron A. Eoot settled in Cass county in 1874 and has resided there the greater part of his life. Before engaging in farming in that county, however, he had lived in Deuel county for a period of five or six years owning and operating a farm there. He is now residing in Murray where for a number of years he conducted a drug business, but is now retired. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is also a member of the Christian church. The grandfather of Dr. Benjamin Eoot, Anson L. Eoot, was born in Ohio. The Eoot family originally came from England in the sixteenth century, three brothers of that name settling in Connecticut. The great-grandfather on the paternal side was a surgeon in the Eevolutionary war. Benjamin Alton, the maternal grandfather, was born in Indiana and later removed to Newaygo county, Michigan. He served in the Civil war for a period of three years.

In the acquirement of his education Dr. Benjamin A. Eoot attended the rural schools of Cass county and graduated from the high school at Elmwood. He then entered the State Normal school at Peru, and in 1898 entered the service of the United States in the Spanish-American war. He served in Cuba and was discharged on the 11th day of May, 1899. He returned to Cass county in 1901, entered a medical college, and in 1905 was graduated from the Lincoln Medical College. He commenced the practice of his profession in Phillips where he remained until November 8, 1908, when he came to York. He has since resided in York and has built up a large general practice, and in addition to his professional duties takes a good deal of interest in his real estate.

In 1901 Dr. Boot was married to Miss Liicy Duncan, a native of Michigan, whose death occurred in 1916. She was the mother of one son, Carl E., who is seventeen years of age. Dr. Eoot is a member of the Christian church of which his wife was also a member. Politically he is an independent republican and fraternally he is a memher of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the

Encampment of Odd Fellows. He is also a Mason, a Woodmen of the World, and a member of the Spanish Veterans. He is the present commander of the Walter Poor Post, Camp No. 13, York, and has passed throusrh all the chairs of the Odd Fellows and the Woodmen.

Dr. Root makes no specialty in his ])rofession and is active in the county, state and American medical societies. From the age of fourteen years he has made his own way in the w'orld and his is therefore the notable record of a self-made man who by the sheer force of his determination and ability has gained prominence and success.

William B. Malcolm

William B. Malcolm, a real estate dealer of York, is in every sense of the word a self-made man. Starting out in the business world early in life and working at various occupations he has gradually advanced until he now has one of the largest and most lucrative real estate businesses in York county.

William B. Malcolm was born at High Prairie, near Lodi, Wisconsin, on the 22nd day of July, 1867. He was a son of Daniel and Martha (Burt) Malcolm, the former born in Edinburgh, Scotland, while the latter was born near Cincinnati, Ohio. The father lived to the advanced age of eighty-two years and the mother died when sixty-five years of age. In their early youth, coming to Wisconsin they had met and married and in 1869 removed to Iowa. The journey was made with their children by wagon. Mr. Malcolm purchased some railroad laud, the section being located in Poweshiek county, Iowa. This land he improved and built a fine home on it where he resided until he retired to Belle Plaine where his death occurred in 1904. Five children were born to this union, only one of whom is living. Mrs. Malcolm was formerly married to a Mr. Clarke and to them two children were born, one of whom, David H. Clarke, is still living. David H. Clarke is residing in Boulder, Wyoming, and was one of the early pioneers of that state. He has a large horse ranch one hundred miles northwest of Green River. During their entire wedded lives Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and every year he gave a settled amount to the church. He had always given his allegiance to the republican party and was very active in its interests.

In the acquirement of his education William B. Malcolm attended the district school and high school at Belle Plaine, Iowa, and after putting his te.xt-books aside made his initial step in the business world as a brakeman on the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. He served at this occupation until September 10, 1887, when he came to Grand Island, Nebraska, and entered a business college for six months. At the termination of that period he entered into the employ of W. F. Cody at North Platte, remaining there until 1889, when he removed to Merrick county and farmed for one year. For three years he farmed in Polk county and then on the 1st of March, 1896, moved to York. On first removing to York county he had engaged as a salesman in an implement house for two years and then became connected with the Deering Harvester Company, for which concern he traveled five years. He also traveled for the International Harvester Company for one year. On the 1st of March, 1905, he again moved onto a farm because of his wife's health, but her death oceiirred on the 10th of November, 1907, aud the following spring he moved to York, where he engaged in the real estate business in which he has since continued. Mr. Malcolm has made a specialty of emigration liusiness and has land in Texas, Colorado, and Wyoming. He also has local land for sale and trade and owns land in Kimball county. The oflfices of Mr. Malcolm in the City iSTational Bank building are handsomely appointed.

On March 1, 1896, in Polk county, Mr. Malcolm was united in marriage to Nancy A. Rystrom, a widow. She had five children by her first marriage and by her second marriage two children : Martha, the wife of J. H. LaMunyon, a farmer in Butler county ; and Daniel Dewey, who is in Denver, Colorado. Daniel D. Malcolm was too young for active service during the World war, but after the armistice was signed he enlisted at Des Moines, serving less than a year when he was honorably discharged because of a disabled hand. Mrs. Malcolm died in 1907 and on the 6th of September, 1911, Mr. Malcolm was again married, this time to Mrs. Grace Roby, a widow.

Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm are members of the Methodist Episcopal church aud he is a Mason and an Elk. He has always been ijidgijendent in politics, voting for the man rather than the party, but 'he has slightly favored the democratic faction. Hard work is the keynote of Mr. Malcolm's sitccess and every minute of his time is devoted to his business which is always on the increase.

Among the prominent and successful men of York lounty it is fitting to mention D. J. Ivroeker, a progressive farmer, stock raiser and grain dealer. He is a native of southern Russia, born there August 20, 1873, a son of Jacob and Agnes (Jensen) Ivroeker, also natives of that country wdiere they spent their early lives and immigrated to America in 1875. Jacob I. Ivroeker located in Brown township, York county, and bought a farm which he operated successfully for many years and here spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring 1911. His widow survives and is now in her sixty-eighth year. They were the parents of eleven children, six of whom are living. When Mr. Ivroeker settled in Y'ork county a process of development and expansion was in progress to which he rendered material assistance and practical effort.

D. J. Ivroeker was but two years old when he was taken by his parents to York county and was here reared and educated in the common schools, later taking a course at the Fremont Nonnal School. When he was twenty-three years old Mr. Ivroeker became identified with the grain business at Henderson, in this line of activity proving himself equal to the most exacting demands w^hich the successful handling of that business entails. He rapidly gained a reputation as an expert in the buying and selling of grain, together with a keen knowledge of what constituted quality, and he realized corresponding financial results as a reward for his sagacity. He also engaged in farming, proving himself an adept from the very beginning in stock raising and general agricultural pursuits, controlling a business of large volume that brings him a good financial return. He is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of excellent land, located in Brown township, all of which is splendidly improved with fine buildings, and it? neat and attractive appearance indicates his intelligently directed activity. He has other business connections in Henderson and is a stockholder and one of the directors of the Farmers State Bank of Henderson, this prosperous concern deriving considerable advantage from his association with its affairs.

Mr. Kroeker has been twice married. His first marriage was to Miss Anna Friesen and to this union was born one daughter, Anna, now the wife of Jacob H. Eampel, who lives in California. Mrs. Anna Kroeker passed away in 1896 and two years later he was married to Miss Anna Wolff, a daughter of Peter Wolff, a resident of this county. To his second marriage eight children have been born : John D., Era, Henry D., Peter, Agnes, Jacob, Mary and Daniel. ]\Ir. Kroeker and his wife are members of the Bethesda church and their lives have been guided by high moral standards. He supports the democratic party and has served as assessor for five years, handling the duties of that office with strict impartiality. For thirty years he has been identified with the life and business of York county and has witnessed many favorable changes during this period, having by his own labors in no small measure contributed to the general development and progress which are in evidence on all sides.

William Henry Davis

Prominent among the energetic, farsighted, and successful business men of York is William Henry Davis, who has contributed much to the public progress and improvement of this section of the state. He is one of the prominent insurance men of the state, being district manager of the Northwest Life Insurance Company of Milwaukee, in York. He was born in Parke county, Indiana, July 15, 1855, the son of Alonzo and Maranda (Applegate) Davis. The father was born in New York in 1824 and passed away in March, 1919, while the mother was born in Kentucky in 1834, and died in 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Davis were married in Indiana where they came at an early day, and lived there until 1877, Mr. Davis being successfully engaged in the manufacture of lumber and shingles. Disposing of this business Mr. Davis removed to Howard county, Nebraska, where he bought land and homesteaded, remaining there for eighteen years, at the end of this time returning to Indiana where he bought a farm in Vigo county and resided until the death of his wife. After her death he lived with his children and died ih Oklahoma at the home of his eldest daughter. Mr. Davis and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he was a republican in politics. He was a man of importance in his community and did much to aid in the growth and upbuilding of Parke county, Indiana. The paternal grandfather, Leland Davis, was born in New York but was among the early settlers of Parke county, while the maternal grandfather, Nicholas Applegate, was born in Kentucky and later removed to Indiana where he died. William H. Davis, the subject of this review, is one of the four living children out 'of a family of seven born to Alonzo and Maranda Davis. The three other children are: Ella, the widow of William Irvin, who resides in Oklahoma; Ada, the wife of C. H. Patterson of Chevenne,

In the acquirement of an education William Henry Davis attended the jjublic schools of Indiana and was employed in the woods during the summer months, earning the money with which to take a course in telegraphy. His first occupation was that of telegraph operator, and he served in that capacity and as station agent for a period of twenty-nine years. He was engaged at several stations in Indiana, and in November, 1879, removed to Nebraska, settling in Sutton. The Burlington was building west and he was sent to Hampton and then to York as station agent in 1889. For five years he remained in this position and then became interested in the insurance business. He became connected with the Northwest Life Insurance Company of Milwaukee and has built up a very extensive business. He is district supervisor and has twelve district agents under his direction. He has an average yearly business of five hundred thousand dollars and the year of 1920 promises to be much larger.

In 1877 Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Cheney, whose death occurred on the 12th of September, 1894. She was the mother of two children: Dora May, the wife of I. M. Rice, postmaster at Valentine; and Glenn C, a physician and surgeon of California. On the first of January, 1896, he was again married, this time to Miss Clara Clift of Sutton. No children have been born to this union. Mr. and Mrs. Davis' are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and she is very active in the affairs of the organization.

Politically Mr. Davis is a stanch supporter of the republican party. He is a Eoyal Arch Mason and lias always been active in Masonic work. He is past master and past high priest, and exemplified the master masons degree before one of the largest bodies of Masons ever gathered, the event taking place in the Chicago Masonic Temple in 1893. For many years he has been an officer and trustee of the York lodge. The success which Mr. Davis now enjoys is the result of his own individuality and merit, for he determined to allow no obstacles to bar his path if they could be overcome by persistent, earnest and honorable effort, and gradually as the result of his determination and enterprise he has advanced until he is classed with the representative business men of York.

Solomon Swanson

Solomon Swanson, who is living retired in Gresham, York county, is now enjoying a period of well merited leisure made possible by his former successful labors as a farmer and stock raiser, in which lines of labor he was actively engaged in the county for about thirty years. He was born in Sweden, September 35, 18.39, a son of Swan Swanson and Mattie Lawson, both of whom spent their entire lives in that country where they passed away many years ago.

Solomon Swanson was a farmer in Sweden and when he had reached his thirtysecond year he decided to try his fortune in the United States. Accordingly, in 1871, he inmiigrated to this counti-y landing at New York, the passage being made by steamboat. He went to Branston, Illinois, and worked on farms by the month, remaining in one employment for nine years, which easily established a record in that connection. Later lie worked on a railroad in Indiana, following which he came to Stewart townsliip and bought eighty acres of railroad land for which he paid seven dollars an acre. This was in 1880 but he did not occupy his holding until 1882, when he arrived on the place and ])ut up a frame house, fourteen feet by twenty feet and also a frame barn. He broke the sod and commenced the cultivation of crops, but during the dry seasons failed to ])roduce anything of value. He gave persistent attention tn the iiiiprcivenu'iit and care of his farm, planted many rows of trees and set out a tine orchard, while the management of his general farming and stock raising was tjie equal of any in the district. During the great blizzard of 1887 he was fortunate enough to have all his stock in the liarns and so escaped much loss. In 1910 Mr. Swanson retired from the farm and moved to Gresham, where he is comfortably situated.

Mr. Swanson was married in Princeton, Illinois, to Ida Carlson, a native of Sweden, and they are ths i)arents of one son, C. Henry, who now operates the old farm. The family are members of the Methodist church at Gresham and he gives his political support to the republican ])arty. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator, in the Telephone Company and in the Farmers Co-operative Store, and in other ways has helped to promote the business interests of Gresham.

John J. Goossen

A successful career has lieen that of John J. Goossen, who now follows farming and stock raising on section 27. Brown township, York county. He has lived in this county for nearly forty years and is concentrating his efforts and attention upon the development and improvement of a farm of two hundred and forty acres. He is a native of southern Eussia. itorn in that country January 16, 1868, a son of Johann and Hellen (Peters) Goossen, also natives of Kussia and who immigrated to America in 187!). The parents located in York county and became engaged in farming, operating with much success a holding which they acquired. On this farm the mother died in liJ06 and in that year the father returned to Russia, where he survived until 1914, passing away at an advanced age. They were the parents of eleven childi'en, fnur of whom are living. During their residence in York county they won the esteem and friendship of a large percentage of the citizenship, Ijecause of their sterling worth and uprightness of character.

AVhen his parents left Russia John J. Goossen was but a lad of eleven years and he was reared on his father's farm in York county, attending the public schools for a few years. He helped on the home farm until he reached his majority when he started farming on his own account and has ever since been successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Goossen is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of excellent land, located on section 87, Brown township, where he carries on general farming and stock raising, his efforts and industry from the beginning having been well rewarded. Upon this ]dace many modern improvements have lieen nuulc, the buildings are substantial and commodious, the fences well kejit and everything about the place indicates the progressive spirit of the owner. In addition tn looking after his business on the farm he finds time to take an interest in the affairs of the Farmers State Bank of Henderson, serving that institution as a member of the board of directors. He has learned much in life through observation and experience and has become a well informed business man.

In 1891 Mr. Goossen was united in marriage to Miss Agnetha Kroeker, a native of southern Russia and a daughter of Jacob and Agnetha (Jensen) Kroeker, mentioned elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Goossen eleven children have been born, three of whom died in infancy, the others being as follows : Jacob K. married Grace Fisher, and is a farmer in York county ; Helen, the wife of J. H. Friesen of York county; Agnes, who married P. L. Wiens of York county; Mary, who is training as a nurse in the Lutheran Hospital in York; J. M., who is now in the United States Army; Kathrine ; Daniel, and William. They are members of the Bethesda church at Henderson and cheerfully give moral and financial support to its work. Mr. Goossen's political endorsement is given to the democratic party and he has served very acceptably as a member of the local school board, his interest in educational matters being very pronounced. He has readily adapted himself to changing conditions in the business world and as he has progressed step by step has gained a broader outlook and wider opportunities.

Sedgwick W. Pettis

Sedgwick W. Pettis, deceased, was one of the pioneers of York county, having come here in 1870, and there were few experiences of pioneer life with which he was not familiar. He was-born in Wyoming, New York, July 3, 1844, a son of Zina H. and Amanda (Sedgwick) Pettis, natives of New York. In tlie later 50's^ the father removed to Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, and there engaged in general farming.

Sedgwick W. Pettis received his education in the schools of New York and at the age of fourteen years removed with his parents to Wisconsin. At the age of eighteen years he commenced farming on his own account, but on the outbreak of the Civil war put aside his agricultural pursuits and entered the service. He Joined Co. F, Twenty-Seventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, his company being second of the regiment to arrive at Camp Washburn, Milwaukee, where they were mustered into the United States service. They were not ordered south, however, until the 30th of the following March, when they went to Columbus, Kentucky. From this time on Mr. Pettis was in active service and while in the Camden expedition in Arkansas, April 10, 1864, received a wound in the left leg which was not considered serious at the time. However, the wound caused him constant pain and later in life it was necessary to have the leg amputated above the knee. His death, which occurred on the 27th of December, 1894, was attributed to the effects of the wound. After the war he returned to Wisconsin, farming his forty acres of land which he had acquired at the age of eighteen years. This land was thickly studded with timber, mostly maple trees which were the source of a plentiful supply of sugar. In 1870 he came to York county where he acquired a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in Leroy township. He drove from Wisconsin to York county in a prairie schooner, it taking him four weeks to make the trip, crossing the Missouri river at Plattsmouth, Nebraska, on a ferry boat. There were only two small buildings in this county when Mr. Pettis first settled here, and his land was in a wild and uncultivated state. His first home was part sod and part dugout, having a dirt floor and roof, and two half windows which aided in lighting the otherwise dark interior. The liarn was also a primitive structure of sod with a straw roof. The first year he broke thirty acres which he planted in sod corn, this crop yielding three hundred, bushels. He also put out an orchard and a grove, the first venture proving unsuccessful. He took his grain to the grist-mill at Milford, thirty miles away, and his buckwheat for flour had to he ground in a coffee mill. Mr. Pettis had a cash capital of but fifty cents when he came to York and one team, a cow and a pig. He sold his wheat for twenty-five cents a bushel and used his cornstalks for fuel. Mrs. Pettis remembers many meals which she prepared over the cornstalks. During "93 and '94 he was burned out by the hot winds. Mr. Pettis worked under difficulties which would have overpowered most men but he was of the brave, red-blooded pioneer stock that allowed no obstacle to remain in his way. His wounded leg caused him much trouble and he underwent three operations, finally having the leg amputated above the knee. His farm, however, soon reached a high state of cultivation, and he later purchased one hundred and sixty acres of well improved railroad land which he disposed of, realizing a substantial sum on the sale.

In Wisconsin Mr. Pettis was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Townsend, a native of Jlonroe county, New York, and to them si.x children were born ; the two oldest, Lewis and Harry, are deceased ; Eliza, the wife of J. P. Hart, of Caldwell, Idaho; Alice, who died at the age of two years; Martin, who is deceased; and Euth, who is the wife of George Page. Mr. and Mrs. Page are the parents of two children, May and Effie, who are now attending grade school, and they all make their home with Mrs. Pettis. Mrs. Pettis is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church in the activities of which organization she takes an active part.

Politically Mr. Pettis gave his allegiance to the republican party, and for some time served as justice of the peace of Leroy township. He was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was for many years a trustee in the church. He was likewi.se a member of the G. A. R. of York. Mr. Pettis saw the work of progress and development carried steadily forward and at all times bore his jsart, especially along the line of agricultural improvement. He never hesitated to take a forward step and he gradually advanced until he was ranked among the most successful farmers in York county. The sterling traits of his character were many and all who knew him speak of him in terms of high regard.

Herbert E. Blum

Herbert R. Blum is one of the native sons of York county who is successfully engaged in the occupation of farming. He was born on the farm which he now owns and operates, January 5, 1892, a son of Julius Blum, a record of whom appears on another page of this work.

Reared under the parental roof, acquiring an education in the pulilic schools and learning the best methods of planting and harvesting under the guidance of hie father, he wisely chose tlie occupation with which he was familiar. He assisted in the conduct of the home farm and later became a farmer on his own account. He has come into possession of the old homestead by purchase from his father and owns a well improved tract of one hundred and sixty acres devoted to general farming.

Herbert E. Blum was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Burhoop, a native of York county and they have become the parents of four childreen : Eoy, Verna, Erwin and Clarence.

Chaeles N. Caepentee

Charles X. Carpenter, who is engaged in the retail coal business, is one of the prominent citizens of York. His birth occurred on the 14th of October, 1862, in Wisconsin, the son of Horatio Nelson and Sarah Elizabeth (White) Carpenter, the former born in Onondaga county, New York, in 1833 and died in 1912, and the latter born in Missouri in 1839, and now residing in Chicago. Their marriage took place in Wisconsin where they resided for a number of years. On the first of March, 1878, Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter removed to Nebraska and settled in Syracuse where Mr. Carpenter conducted a lumber-yard for a number of years, and about four years prior to his death retired to Wymore, at which place his death occurred. In the conduct of his lumber business he was very successful and in addition to his yard at Syracuse he had purchased two yards in York which he consolidated and put in charge of his son, Charles N. Carpenter. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war Mr. Carpenter immediately volunteered his services and served for some time in a Wisconsin regiment. His father was a native of New York state and a shoemaker by trade. He followed his trade in Wisconsin for some years and his death occurred while at work on the bench. Mr. and Mrs. Horatio N. Carpenter were the parents of five children, four of whom are still living, namely : Charles N., the subject of this review; Berdina, who is employed with the Burlington Eailway at Wymore and has been with them for years; Dr. Alden Carpenter; and Eubie, who is the wife of Leon Murdock, one of the prominent men connected with the Burlington Railroad. Dr. Alden Carpenter was the first dental surgeon in government service from Nebraska. He has been in service since the Spanish- American war, when he was the first to be sent from the state of Nebraska. During the World war he was chief surgeon at Fort Sam Houston, and he is now located at Washington, D. C.

In the acquirement of an education Charles N. Carpenter attended the high school at Darlington, Wisconsin, and later entered the University of Nebraska where he remained for a short time. He then went to Jacksonville, Illinois, where he took a course in a business college, at the completion of which he entered into the employ of his father for a year. At the termination of this time his father placed him in charge of the yard, which he conducted from 1882 until 1893. He met with much competition in this business, but by his fair and honorable methods built up a large trade and made many friends. In 1893 he sold his lumber-yard and for twenty years traveled on the road in the capacity of general eastern agent for the Wyoming Coal Company. He traveled throughout the state selling coal and handled all of the coal shipments to the east. During this time he made his home in York. In 1910 he quit the road and started into the retail coal business in which he is still successfully engaged. Although most of his time has been spent furthering the development of his coal business he served York as city clerk for three terms and has always been interested in the growth and improvement of his community.

In 1884 Mr. Carpenter was married to Miss Eva I. Bray, a native of Michigan, and to them two daughters were born, namely : Pearl, wiio was first married to Gray Bemis, who was on the staff of the World-Herald for a number of years to the time of his death; she later became the wife of a Mr. Leonard, a wholesale druggist, and makes her home in Omaha; and Cecile, who is the wife of Orson Sovereign, an employe of the Burlington Railroad at Lincoln. Mrs. Carpenter's death occurred in 1887, and in March, 1888, Mr. Carpenter was again wedded, this time to Miss Elaine Barnes, a native of Nebraska. To this last union two children have been born: Elaine, who is married and resides in Newcastle, Wyoming; and Charles, who resides on a claim in Medicine Bow. Charles Carpenter is an expert horseman. He entered the World war in 1917 and went to France where he was engaged in active service for one and one-half years. The death of the second Mrs. Carpenter occurred in 1916. She was an active member of the Episcopal church.

Politically Mr. Carpenter is a republican and fraternally he belongs to the Masons and to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Not only has Mr. Carpenter aided in the development and growth of York but he was also influential in the development of the oil business in Wyoming at an early day. He is still actively engaged in the coal business and is recognized by his fellowmen as one of the most successful business men in York county.

William Hohnbaum

William Hohnbauni, formerly connected with the agricultural development of York County and in more recent years associated \ritii the business life of Waco where lie lived up to the time of his death, December 39, 1919, was a native of Germany, born March 15, 1847, a son of Conrad Hohnbauni and wife. The parents immigrated to America about 1853, the voyage being made on an old sailing vessel and about six weeks were occupied in crossing the Atlantic. Following his arrival in New York harbor the father went on to Pennsylvania, where he worked for some years and in that state his last days were sjient.

William HdJnibauni, when a little lad of five years, accompanied his father to this country in 1833 and received a limited education in the common schools of Pennsylvania. He was reared in his father's home and when he had reached his seventeenth year volunteered for service in the Civil war, liccoming a member of Battery L, Third Pennsylvania Artillery, serving for a time as a colonel's orderly. Later he was appointed one of the guard placed over Jefferson Davis, president of the Southern Confederacy, when Davis was captured at Ft. Monroe. His war service extended over a period of one year and eight months and at the end of hostilities he was honorably discharged and returned to Pennsylvania where he began the life of a farmer, in which line he continued for about six years in that state.

On December 26, 1867, Mr. Hohnbaum %yas united in nmniage to Catherine Girton and to this union one child was born : Mrs. Sadie Stroup, now residing in Burke, South Dakota. About four years after his marriage, or in October, 1871, Mr. Hohnbaum came to Nebraska, making the journey to Lincoln by train, and took a homestead within one-half mile of Waco. His place consisted of one hundred and sixty acres of land on which he put up a small shanty built of lumber which he hauled from Lincoln and a barn constructed of sods. He proved up on the holding and commenced to prepare the ground for cultivation, breaking the sod with a team composed of a cow and an ox and in a short time had a large part of the open prairie under control and in productive condition. As things progressed with him he improved and developed the farm on which he planted large numbers of trees, but in bad seasons he was compelled to burn corn-stalks for fuel and also chopped wood along the banks of the Blue river, which he hauled home for the same purpose. Finally Mr. Hohnbaum succeeded in getting his entire holding into a condition of profitable agricultural operation and continued to reside on the place for several years, when he sold the homestead and bought a home in Waco. On taking up his residence in Waco he bought and sold grain and handled live stock, in addition to these activities " managing a general mercantile store and at the same time gave attention to farming. His business energy was practically without bounds and his indefatigable efforts produced splendid results. He was exceedingly popular and his death on December 39, 1919, was the occasion for widespread expressions of regret and sympathy to his widow and family.

Sometime after the death of his first wife Mr. Hohnbaum married Elizabeth Knorr, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of John and Miranda (Skaden) Knorr, who settled in York county and bought a tract of railroad land which they operated for many years, finally moving to Waco, where their last days were spent. To Mr. Hohnbaum's second marriage the following children were born: Dora, who was married and subsequently died, after which her father reared her family; John W., a farmer of York county; Carrie Ellen, the wife of Gene Roland of Havelock; Harry S., living at Friend, Nebraska; and William C, deceased. For years Mr. Hohnbaum was active in the affairs of the Grand Army of the Republic and also held membership in the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His religious affiliation was with the Methodist Episcopal church, to the teachings of which he was ever loyal, modeling his life Ijy the Golden Rule. In political matters he supported the republican party but had never been a seeker after public office, preferring to devote his time and efforts to his business interests.

Dr. Warren F. Eckles, eye, ear, nose and throat specialist of York, has by reason of broad study and wide experience gained distinction as one of the most eminent physicians west of Omaha in the state of Nebraska. He performs most of the surgical operations of the kind in York and is one of the most successful physicians in the state.

In the acquirement of his education Dr. Eckles attended the Carthage College, at Carthage, Illinois, for a period of four years, at the termination of which time, deciding upon a professional career, lie entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, now the University of Iowa. In 1898 he was graduated from this college and commenced practice at Carthage, Illinois, remaining there for two years. In 1900 he removed to York where he engaged in a general practice for thirteen years, when he decided to specialize. As a result of this decision Dr. Eckles discontinued his general practice and devotes his time and practice exclusively to the diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He has Iniilt up a practice and does most of the surgical work of this kind in the county. In keeping ahreast with the advances being made in his profession Dr. Eckles has taken a number of post-graduate course-^, attending the Eye, Ear, Xose and Throat College of Chicago, taking a course under A. H. Andrews of Cliieago, and under Dr. Ketcham of Los Angeles. California. He has made a study of the eye alone under J. E. Yallee of Xew York, and alsci in Cliieago and Kansas City, and at the Knapp Memorial Hospital in New York.

In 1898 Dr. Eckles was united in marriage to Miss Dora Bower, who was a native of Kansas. One son, Eobert, has been born to this union, and is now a .sturdy lad of ten years. Mrs. Eckles was also educated in medicine and while attending the College of Physicians and Surgeons she met her husband. For ten years following their marriage she practiced with Dr. Eckles, but has now given up her profession. Dr. and Mrs. Eckles attend the Congregational church.

Politically Dr. Eckles is a republican, well versed on the questions and issues of the day but without ambition in the line of office holding. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias, and professionally he is a member of the York County, Nebraska State and the American Medical x\ssociations. Dr. Eckles stands very high in professional circles and has one of the largest practices west of Omaha in the state of Nebraska.

F. 0. Price

Among the native sons of York county who have elected to continue residents thereof is F. 0. Price, who is engaged in farming on section 2, New York township. He was born in 1882, a son of Thomas Price and wife, well known residents of this part of Nebraska and further and extended reference to whom is made elsewhere in this work.

F. 0. Price was reared in his father's home and received his early education in the public schools of the county, later entering the York Business College at York, from which institution he emerged well equipped with a business education, the advantages of which have been apparent in the results of his farming ojjerations. Believing that a farming career offered inducements the equal of any other that a man starting in life may select, Mr. Price commenced the operation of a farm on his own account in 1906, and his well directed efforts have brought him a substantial competence, enabling him and his family to enjoy some of the solid comforts of life. His sphere of farm activities covers general farming and stock raising, at the same time feeding a choice strain of live stock which find ready markets at good prices. The farm is maintained in good condition and a substantial and well-built residence houses the family.

In 1907 Mr. Price was united in marriage to Xora Bowesock, a native of Tiiaj'er, daughter of S. H. Bowesock, a sketch of whose life is given elsewhere in tliis work. Mr. and Mrs. Price are the parents of two children: Sheldon and Reginald, both attending school. The Price family are earnest members of the Presbyterian church, in all the good works of which they take a deejj interest. He gives political allegiance to the republican party and in local affairs stands for progressiveness and clean public life. For years he has been serving as a member of the county board, to the duties of which he brings a sound intelligence and practical common sense. Men who know him speak of him in terms of the highest regard both as to relationship with business affairs and in matters of citizenship.

For forty years Dr. Thomas J. Hatfield has practiced dentistry in York and he is now the oldest representative of his profession in that place and one of the oldest in eastern Nebraska. He was born in Greene county, Indiana, on the 11th of October, 1851, the son of Armisted and Mary (Richison) Hatfield, both of whom were natives of Tennessee and removed to Indiana in 1830. The grandfather of Dr. Hatfield, Ale Hatfield was a native of Virginia and was descended from the Hatfields of England who were among the Roundheads. When he grew to manhood he was married to Miss Xancy Young. During early life they removed to eastern Tennessee, and located in the midst of the beauty and grandeur of the Cumberland mountains, on the last fork of the Cumberland river where the inhabitants were very few. Here nature was found in her wildest forms, and this isolated spot held a great attraction for Mr. Hatfield. Bear, deer and other game were in abundance and he was a strong devotee of the chase. His little valley farm he cultivated with great care and pride, and the products of this little farm together with the deer and bear meat kept his table plentifully supplied. The greater part of their lives was passed on this farm wliich contained not more than thirty acres. During their early residence here the nearest cabin was a distance of fifteen miles and no wagon could be driven within twenty miles of this "hunter's paradise." It was amid these beautiful natural surroundings that Mr. and Mrs. Hatfield reared their family. Some of them reached manhood and womanhood imable to read or write, and none of them had ever seen a newspaper or book until they reached middle life. The boys became experts in the use of the rifle, and also with the hoe, the only agricultural implement in use at that time. The girls of the family were taught to grow and spin flax and they wove all of the cloth used in making the garments worn by the family. It was in this mountain home that Armisted Hatfield grew to manhood. His birth occurred in Fentress county, March 9, 1809, and on reaching man's estate he was married to Mary Richison, who was a native of eastern Tennessee. After their marriage they left the mountains and removed to southern Indiana settling on a farm in Greene county, in 1828. Here they resided for thirty-two years and cultivated and developed their land. Dr. Thomas J. Hatfield, whose name heads this review, was the youngest of a family of twelve children born to this union, ten of whom grew to maturity.

Dr. 'J'humas J. Hatfield is indebted to the public schools of Greene county, Indiana, for his education, and at the age of twenty years he was married. He continued to work with and for his father until he reached the age of twenty-five years, when having aided his father in securing considerable property he felt that he was free to seek another means of livelihood. He then commenced the study of dentistry in the office of Dr. Driscoll where he remained for one year, at the termination of which time he entered the dental department of the Indiana University. On completing his dental education he returned to his old home in Owensburg and opened an office where he practiced successfully for a period of four years. In 1882 he decided to remove to Nebraska and as a re.sult located in York. He opened an office here and immediately estaldished a very large practice, which he still enjoys at the age of sixty-nine years.

In 1871 Dr. Hatfield was united in marriage to Miss ]\Iartha Ensh and they have become parents of one son. Homer R. Homer R. has followed in the footsteps of his father and is now a successful dentist at. Grand Island. He was prepared for his professional career at the Xorthwestern Dental School of Chicago and later was graduated from the Omaha Dental College.

Since age conferred upon Dr. Hatfield the right of franchise he has been a stanch supporter of the republican party, and fraternally he is a Mason and a Knight of Pythias.

C. Mason Albin

C. Mason Albin, a prominent and well-to-do farmer living on section 33, Lockridge township, is generally regarded as one of the representative agriculturists of York county. Mr. Albin is a native of West Virginia, born in that state January 26, 1867, a son of John A. and Betty (Allison) Albin, also natives of West Virginia, where for many years John A. Albin was in the milling business, conducting a flour mill at Kabletown and carrying on others under lease. Mr. Albin was one of the prominent millers in the section of West Virginia in which he resided and in that place his family was reared. Mr. Albin and his wife were earnest members of the Methodist church, in the good works of which they were active participants, and he was a member of the Masonic order. His political affiliation was with the democratic party but he had never been a seeker after public office, and at all times gave a good citizen's attention to development and progress along sane lines. Mr. and Mrs. John Albin became the parents of twelve children, those besides the subject of this sketch being: Alice, wife of Horace Hoffmaster of Benedict; John A., of Osceola, Nebraska, in former years living at Washington, D. C. ; Mary, deceased, who married Joe Jackson of Osceola; Nanny, wife of William Lewis of Springfield, Missouri; Maggie, widow of James Langdon of Charlestown, West Virginia; Ida, wife of Edgar Konklin, also of Charlestown; Bessie, living in Charlestown; James, living in Charlestown ; Abner, an M. I), of Charlestown ; Lewis, cashier in the Farmers and Merchants Bank, Charlestown; and William, deceased. The members of the family are all well circumstanced and owe their success in large degree to the worthy example set by their parents.

C. Mason Albiii, the subject of this sketch", was reared in his father's home in West Virginia where he received liis edneation in the pulilic schools, continuLiig to live in liis native state until 1891 in which year he took up residence in Benedict. On settling in this part of Nebraska he commenced working out by the month engaged on neighborhood farms and after the lapse of some time he rented land which he continued to operate for some years. He then moved to Harlan county where he purchased a farm and worked that place along agricultural lines, ultimately selling to advantage and returning to York county in 1914. In the latter year he acquired his present place and has since been closely identified with the agricultural life of the district, being extensively engaged in general farming and stock raising, success attending his well-directed efforts from the very commencement. Mr. Albin has effected extensive improvements on his holding and has now one of the best kept and most valuable farms in his section of the county. He operates his place on the most scientific plans and in consequence his labors are rewarded with maximum results.

In 1895 Mr. Albin was united in marriage to Emma Sidwell, a daughter of Levi Sidwell, a well known citizen of York county. Mr. and Mrs. Albin are faithful attendants on the services of the Methodist church, in the practical affairs of which they are active participants as they are in all community good works. He gives his political support to the democratic party but has never been a seeker after public office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his agricultural interests. He is genial in manner and social in disposition. These qualities have won Mm personal popularity, while his enterprise and diligence have gained him prominence in business circles.

John A. Merkel

John A. Merkel after long years of connection with agricultural interests in York county is now living retired in York, enjoying the fruits of his own diligence and industry. He was born in Wayne county, Ohio, October 3, 1856, a son of Jacob and Mary (Emig) Merkel. both natives of Germany, but their marriage occurred in Ohio. The father was a brick maker and plasterer by trade and emigrated to the United States in the late '50s. He located in New York and later in Wayne county, Ohio, where he followed his trade for some time. In 1858 he removed to Iowa where he bought some land which he farmed in connection with his other trades. In 1871 he decided to come to Nebraska, with the result that he set out from Iowa in that year with an ox team. He left Boone, Iowa, on the 18th of April and arrived in York on the 6th of May, driving up what is now Lincoln avenue. At the time he came to that town it consisted of but two frame buildings and a sod shanty. He pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres in Bradshaw township which he later bought, and his first home on this land was a dugout with dirt floor and two small windows. The next house he built of frame which was sixteen by twenty-four feet, hauling the lumber from Lincoln and Columbus. All supplies were also hauled from these places. His land he broke with an ox team and he also planted a grove and orchard, but the latter mostly died out. He hauled his coal from Central City and got his wood from the Platte river. Mr. Merkel remem- bers having seen many antelopes an'd stray herds of buffalo. In 1873 the grasshoppers destroyed all of the corn and in the same year at Easter time a blizzard kept the members of the family in the house for a period of three days. For a number of years he lived on the land and then sold it, removing to another place which he had bought and resided there until he retired. He spent the remaining years of his life with his son, Jolin A. Merkel, the subject of this review, and died in 1908 at the age of seventy-six years. He was married in Ohio to Mary Emig who preceded him in death. The following children were born to them : John A., the subject of this review; Katie, who is deceased; Fannie, deceased; Emma, deceased; Maggie, who is the wife of John Glasser, a farmer in York county; Xora, who is the wife of W. A. Miller of York, engaged in the real estate business; Charle.s, residing in Marion, Ohio, where he is engaged in the implement business; and one child who died in infancy in Iowa. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jlerkel were stanch supporters of the United Brethren church, and lie gave his allegiance to the democratic party.

In the acquirement of an education John A. Merkel attended the public schools of York county, the first school he attended being built of sod and containing homemade benches. At an early age he started farming and liomesteaded eighty acres in Bradshaw- township. He also bought forty acres in Arborville township. His first house was built of sod and was fourteen by twenty feet, consisted of one room and had a dirt roof. Here he made his home for a number of years wlien he sold the homestead in 1910, purchasing a quarter section in South Dakota and a half section in Canada. He engaged in general farming and stock raising and had a fine grade of cattle. In 1910 he retired and moved to York as a result of impaired health and here he is now residing.

In 1878 Mr. Merkel was united in marriage to Miss Hattie ]\Iosgrove, a native of Iowa, and they have become parents of two children: Arthur, who is a graduate of the State University and is now practicing medicine in Aukeny, Iowa ; and Blanche, who is the wife of W. E. Findall who is engaged in farming in Canada.

Mr. Merkel gives his allegiance to the democratic party, having firm belief in the efficacy of the principles of the party as factors in good government. He is likewise a consistent member of the United Brethren church. Mr. and Mrs. Merkel are now residing in York, where they enjoy all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life as the result of his well directed thrift and energy in former years. His labors have brought about settlement and development in various districts and he is now enjoying tlje well earned rewards of former toil.

Heney H. Johxsox

Henry H. Johnson is one of the younger farmers of York county who is carrying on farming operations very successfully. He was born in Tacoma, Washington, November 7, 1893, a son of John H. and Sophia (Jemson) Johnson, both natives of Sweden who came to America as young people. In 1898 the Johnson family left Washington and came to York county, the father purchasing a farm which he operated for several years and on which the subject of this sketch is now residing. John H. Johnson gave careful attention to the development of his place, added land to the original holding as he prospered and finally succeeded in getting under his control one hundred and eighty acres of the best of land. From the very commencement his efforts were rewarded with success and when he retired from active control of his farm he had the satisfaction of turning over to his son a well improved and highly valuable holding. He and his wife are constant attendants on the services of the Methodist church, in the good works of which they actively participate. In politics he takes an independent attitude.

Henry H. Johnson was the only child born to his parents and was iive years old when he accompanied them from Washington to Y^ork county, in the public schools of the county receiving his education and helping his father in the labors of the farm. He now resides on the home farm which he is successfully operating, using modern methods and latest machinery in the carrying out of the work. Yet young in years he has before him a great prospect for agricultural development and present indications are that he will measure up to all demands in that connection.

On June 29, 1920, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Miriam Bent, a native of Buffalo county, Nebraska. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and in all affairs designed for the welfare of the community they take an active and practical part. They have a wide acquaintance and a large number of warm personal friends.

William H. Fothergill

For the past fifteen years William H. Fothergill has been living retired at Gresham, York county, and there he is in the enjoyment of the many comforts to which his early industry and self-denial justly entitle him. For many years he was prominently and actively identified with farming, taking up that work when the county was in its formative stages and encountering all the hardships and privations incident to the conditions of life at that time. He was born in London, England, July 31, 1848, a son of George and Freike Fothergill, also natives of that country and there they passed away, having reached advanced ages. For many years of his active life the father operated a steam hammer in the old country.

William H. Fothergill, in 18(59, left England and immigrated to America, the ocean voyage being made on a steamship which arrived at Portland, Maine. He went directly to Omaha, Nebraska, and the first money he made on American soil was in payment for his distribution of handbills in Omaha. Later he found employment on the Union Pacific Bridge across the Missouri at Omaha and continued in that line for two years. It was in 1871 that Mr. Fothergill came to York county, took a homestead of eighty acres in Thayer township and immediately began to get the place into shape. He started by putting up a half sod and half dugout house in which he took up his residence, and also put up a temporary liarn which was superseded in time by proper buildings. He broke every foot of his land and commenced the planting of crops and for the better carrying out of the work he bought a team of horses in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and hauled lumber for the construction of his buildings, both horses and lumber having to be ferried over the river, the entire journey occupying about two weeks. Provisions and other commodities had to be hauled from Lincoln and Columlnis in like manner. In 1876 he built a frame house fourteen feet by twenty feet and this structure is still standing. He set out

Mr. Fothergill is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of prime land, which is in an excellent state of improvement, and up to the date of his retirement in 100.5 he had been carrying on general farniiiij;- and stock raising with sustained success, except during the period that the grasshoppers visited York county when he lost everything with the exception of some wheat, and the seasons l!^0;5-!)J: proved so bad that he was unalile to raise any crops. In hard times lie had to burn InilTalo chips and brush from the creek for fuel, at another time burning corn and cornstalks for the same purpose. When the blizzard of l.ST-t came he was lucky enough to have all his stuff housed and consequently escaped destruction.. He asserts that while Indian scares were plentiful in the early years he never suffered any inconvenience.

Since Mr. Fothergill retired to Gresham in 1905 he has continued to retain ownership of his place, which he rents. For fifteen' years he has resided in Gresham where he has become widely and favorably known and he has never had occasion to regret his determination to try his fortune in the new world, for here he found good business opportunities and in their utilization has worked his way steadily upward. He supports the policies and principles of the republican party and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in the work of wliich he has ever taken a warm interest.

Jacob Smith

Jacob Smith, a retired farmer, is one of York's most prosperous and revered citizens, having been a gallant soldier in the Civil war where his record was as splendid as it has since been in his years of civilian life in York county. He was born in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, July 2, 1S34. the son of Peter and Elizaljeth (Cecher) Schmidt, who have since died. When Mr. Smith took out his naturalization papers the German way of spelling the name was droiiped. and since that time it has been spelled Smith. His grandfather on his mother's side was a well-to-do farmer in their province when the war between Germany and France was in progress, having on his farm twenty-eight milch cows and several teams when Napoleon's army invaded that country and took possession of his stock. Their owner being a loyal Gennan at once crossed to the other side of the mountain and reported to the Prussian general the location of Napoleon's men and the information that they intended to nuike a raid the following day. The news bearer was held under guard until his story was investigated and verified, and the Germans made a night attack and completely routed the French. For his loyalty to his country Jacob Smith's grandfather was made a Prussian count, was given the land he rented from the king free from rent or taxes, and was exempted from military service.

The mother of Jacob Smith was born in ISOO and immigrated to America in 1848 with her three sons, her husband having passed away. It took a great deal of courage to make this venture and the trip was. an expensive one, as she had to pay one hundred dollars for each child's transportation charges on the ocean sailing vessel. After landing in this eountiT they settled in Fort Wayne, Indiana, when but a few houses were to be seen in that town. Jacob Smith was then not yet fourteen years old but it was necessary for all the children to go to work in order to make a living, and so it was that he never saw the interior of a schoolhouse in this country. However, he learned to read though he never did much writing. In 1855 his mother passed away at the home of her daughter in Fort Wayne where she lived since she came to America.

Jacob Smith's first trade was learning to chop wood as there was much heavy timber in Indiana then. At that time there ,was not a railroad in the state and in 1856 he made a trip to Minnesota driving a team. For thirty-five miles of the journey there was not a house to be seen and his only companions on this lonely ride were two revolvers.

When the Civil war broke out he went back to Indiana and enlisted. The following is a copy of the record of Jacob Smith's life as a soldier :

"This certifies that Jacob Smith enlisted October 18, 1861, from Fort Wayne, Indiana, to serve five years, afterward changed to three years, and was mustered into the service of the United States at Fort Wayne, Indiana, as a private of Captain William's, Company D, Nineteenth Unitfid States Infantry, First Battalion, Major Carpenter commanding the battalion.'

"The United States Infantry was organized; in conformity with the president's proclamation of May 4, 1861. Company A was organized August 24, Company B in September, and in October companies A and B were ordered to report to General Sherman in Kentucky and were attached temporarily to the first liattalion of the Fifteenth Infantry. Company C was organized' in November, 1861. In February, 1862, orders were issued designating companies A, B, C, D, and E, F, G, and H as the first battalion of the regiment. Companies C and D, under Major Campbell, were ordered to proceed to Louisville, Kentucky, and report to General Buell. Company E was organized March 15, 1862, and with companies A, B, C, and D participated in the battle of Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862. Major Carpenter was complimented for his gallant conduct in this engagement by his brigade commander, General Eosseau. The first battalion participated in the battle of Corinth, Mississippi. Company F was organized in April and sent to Pittsburg Landing and companies G and H were organized in May and were ordered to Washington, D. C, joining the Brmy of the Potomac, and Company G was present at the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. In September Company H was detailed as a body-guard to General McClcUan. Colonel Canby was made brigadier general. During the battle of Murfreesljoro, on Stone Elver, Tennessee, the gallant commander. Major Carpenter, gave up his life, falling from his horse with six mortal wounds. The loss to the regiment was heavy. It was eighteen months in the field, including a march of over a thousand miles, in two battles and a number of skirmishes. Early in 1863 the regiment was united, the battalion having been reduced from five hundred to less than a hundred and fifty men, and on September 19 the first battalion was engaged in the battle of Chickamauga, suffering heavily in killed and wounded. Lieutenant King being killed during the battle September 20th. During tlie Chattanooga-Einggold campaign and at the battle of Missionary Eidge, the Nineteenth Infantry was a mere detachment and was reconsolidated with the Sixteenth Infantry and designated as a detachment of the Sixteenth and Nineteenth liifuiitry. Fort Wiliard, a redoubt in the Piitnmac, was named after General Willard, major of the Nineteenth Infantry. In the spring of 1864 the regiment was on the march toward Einggold, Georgia, and was in many skirmislies and engaged in tlie battles of Eesaea, Georgia, New Hope Church, near Dallas, Georgia, and on June 1, 1864, the battalion was at Kenesaw Mountain and took part in the battle there. It was also in action at Neal Dow Station, Peach Tree Creek, and finally on July 22d took a position on the railroad within two miles of the Atlantic and built breastworks. September 1st it took part in the battle of Jonesboro and on October 1st went into camp at Lookout Mountain, where it remained during the winter. The said Jacob Smith was mustered into service of the United States and remained a few days at Fort Wayne, Indiana, then moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, remaining there in drill and military discipline until February 14, 1862, then ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, and later marched with the army on the campaign. He was always to be found with his army at his post of duty with his comrades, and he bore a loyal and faithful part in all its campaigns and battles as above outlined until August, 1864, when on account of having contracted rheumatism and heart disease from exposure and hardships, he was ordered to Fort Wayne, Detroit, Michigan, where he remained until October, 1864, when he received a certificate of honorable discharge at Fort Wayne, Detroit, Michigan, by reason of expiration of term of enlistment, having achieved a gallant record for meritorious service and soldierly conduct at all times."

During his life as a civilian Mr. Smith worked at many occupations, driving a team on a towpath, working in a paint shop which injured his health so that he had to give it up, clerking in a store and working in a saloon. However he did not remain at any of these very long, always returning to the farm after each new venture lost its allurement. On March 22, 1871, he came to Nebraska and filed on one hundred and sixty acres of what is now Baker township. He left his wife and three children and his mother-in-law in Lincoln three weeks while he came on and looked for a location. He rode on the first train to come from Lincoln to Fairmont, a conveyance which ran on a track laid in grass with the low places filled with dirt. His first home was a fourteen by sixteen frame house, but the following year he built a sod house, thirteen by nineteen feet inside and walls three feet thick. Because of the thickness of the walls Mr. Smith called his home his "fort." A ridgepole from the roof was covered with willow brush which reached to the eaves and this was covered with thatch and sod shingles. This was the home of the family for eleven years during which time they endured the privations and hardships that were the lot of the early settler. There were many dry seasons and then came the grasshopper plague that devastated the fields and laid waste the much needed grain. However, he did not lose heart and after eleven years during which time he was prosperous he sold and rebought tracts of land until 1903 when he moved to York. Since then Mr. Smith has lived retired, engaging in no business enterprise other than looking after residence properties.

Jacob Smith was married at Fort Wayne, Indiana, July 24, 1868, to Miss Katherine Brick, a native of Hessen-Darmstadt, daughter of Theodore and Marie Brick. The former died in Germany, the latter died in York county, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have six living children : A daughter, Annie Maria, is the wife of Frank Cunningham, a farmer of York, and they have eleven children; G. H. Cornelius, who is also married, is engaged in farming in York; Matilda, the wife of Dan Eoutt, lives in Perkins county, Nebraska, where her liusband is engaged in farming; William, who was a farmer in Montana, is now an engineer at Antioch, Nebraska, is married and has one child; Katherine is the wife of Edward M. Johnson, a carpenter at Pawnee City, Nebraska, and the mother of ten children; a son, Edward D. Smith, died in childhood; and Minnie is the wife of Charles Southworth, living in Montana. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps and Mr. Smith is a member of the Robert Anderson Post and the G. A. R. Post No. 32 at York. They attend the Lutheran church. In politics Mr. Smith is a republican. He is now past eighty-six years of age and quite as keen and interested in the affairs of today as many of the younger generation. He is in splendid health, and his wife, who is seventy-three years of age, is very active and well able to do all her own housework. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have braved the storms of the years and now live comfortably and happily with many memories of the past to recall, now that they have earned a well deserved rest.

Andrew Pinneo

Andrew Pinneo, who is residing on the southeastern edge of York, has reached the advanced age of eighty years and is living retired, enjoying the fruits of his former well directed labor. He was born in Clark county, Ohio, January 3, 1840, a son of Andrew Pinneo, who was born in Vermont in 1768. The father was reared in that state from which he enlisted in the war of 1812, taking an active part. He was but a little lad at the time of the Revolutionary war but often told his family of the cannonading during that period. He married in Vermont and later moved to Ohio where his wife died, and at the age of seventy years he married again, this time Mrs. Sarah Mead, nee Oliver, who was a widow. Of the last marriage there were three children: Thomas, living in Dlinois; Mary, died in 1865; and Andrew, of this review. The father's death occurred on his farm in Clark county, Ohio, at the age of eighty-seven years. Previous to his death he made application for a land warrant which his widow received, but as it was for land in Iowa or Nebraska and she did not care to come west she sold it. She brought her family to Illinois after the death of her husband and died in Logan county. Mr. Pinneo was in politics a whig.

Andrew Pinneo was but sixteen years of age when the family came to Illinois. His education was very limited and at an early age he engaged in farming. He later purchased some land in Champaign county, Illinois, and there resided for ten years, at the end of which time he returned to Logan county. In 1891 he came to Nebraska and bought two hundred and forty acres in Leroy township, York county, which land was but slightly improved. Mr. Pinneo experienced hard times after coming to this county and during those Cleveland years when Nebraska suffered from drought and money was scarce he had a hard time to make ends meet. As it was he was thirty-three hundred dollars in debt. It was not long, however, until time readjusted affairs and he became a very successful farmer. He was ever diligent and persistent and difficulties and obstacles seemed only to stimulate him to further effort. A number of years ago he decided to retire from active life and is now living in a comfortable home on the southeastern edge of York. He was at

While residing in Illinois, Mr. Pinneo was united in marriage to Miss Leah Shaw, a native of Cleveland, Ohio. They have spent fifty-four happy years together and Mrs. Pinneo says of this union : "We have raised ten children and God has spared the lives of all of them. The family is still unbroken." The five sons and five daughters are: Jennie, who is the widow of Henry Alecock, and with her three children resides in York; William, who resides on his father's farm in LeEoy township and is the father of six children; Sarah, who is the widow of Albert Woodruff, and has two children; Joseph, who is engaged in farming in McFadden township and is the father of eight children ; Elizabeth, who is the widow of Jasper Hall, and is residing in Fairmont with her eight children ; Andrew, who is residing in Washington state; Laura, who is the wife of Peter Walbright of Buffalo county and has ten children ; Edward, who is farming in LeRoy township and has one child; Alice, who is the wife of Charles A. Briley, of Colorado, and has two children ; and Albert, who is farming in McFadden township and has become the father of three children. Mr. and Mrs. Pinneo are devoted to their large family and to their forty-three grandchildren and one great grandson.

The first vote cast by Mr. Pinneo was for Abraham Lincoln for his first term, and he was not then quite twenty-one years of age, but was allowed to vote. Had his father lived a few months and voted in the election of 1856 the Pinneo family, father and son, would have voted at every election from that of Washington to the present day. Mr. Pinneo has led a very busy life, being dependent upon his own resources from an early age. The success he has achieved has come to him as the direct reward of his persistent and earnest labor and he is indeed a self-made man, deserving much credit for what he has accomplished.

John J. Davis, a real estate dealer of York, was born in Earlvillo, LaSalle county, Illinois, October 14, 1856, a son of David Jenkins, and Dorcas (Folsom) Davis, the former was born in Wales, while the latter was born in Maine. Their marriage took place in Illinois, where they both came in their youth, and the father engaged in farming until his death. To this union six children were born: May and Samuel J., deceased; Eachael, who lives in Illinois; John J., the subject of this review; Arthur, who manages a store in Wichita, Kansas; and Theron, who resides in Earlville, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Davis were faithful attendants of the LTniversalist church, and he was a stanch republican.

In the acquirement of his education John J. Davis attended the public schools of Illinois. He then engaged in farming and in 1879 removed to York county, where he resided on a farm which he i)urchased there, until 1907. At that time he sold his farm and removed to York. In his farnung enterprise he had been very successful and this was due entirely to his own labor and determination. The hardships endured in his early struggles were many, but he determined that no obstacles, however great, should obstruct his path. Three different times his crops were ruined by hail and he liad hardly enough to live on, but he again immediately set about to cultivate his land, and as a result of this indomitable courage he made of his farming a success. When he removed to Y"ork he retired from active farm life, but purchased some land in Brown county, South Dakota, which he still owns and visits at various times. In 1909 he engaged in the real estate business, confining himself mostly to local deals. In addition he also does some insurance business.

In August, 1878, in Illinois, Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Louise E. Bean, of Polk City, Iowa, whose father Steven S. Bean, of the state of Maine, was killed in action in the Civil war. Her mother's maiden name was Ellen L. Halladay, born in Earlville, Illinois. To this union three children have been born: David Earl, who homesteaded in Cherry county and later removed to the state of Washington where he now resides ; Mable, deceased ; and LeEoy, who is a bookkeeper in Arlington, Colorado. Both sons are .stanch supporters of the republican party. Mr. Davis has two grandsons namely: Glen Leroy Davis and John Albert Davis.

Mr. Davis is of a retiring dispositinn and has never lieen active in politics as regards the holding of public office, however, he is a member of the republican party, as was his father before him. He is in every sense of the word a self-made man and one of whom York lias a right to be jDroud.

Egbert F. Lged

Eobert F. Lord, cashier of the Blue Eiver Bank of McCool Junction, is one of the successful and prosperovis men of the community. He was born in McFadden township Xovembcr 20, 1890. His father, Eobert Felsted Lord, was Ijorn in London, England, June 10, 18.50, and when a child five 3'ears of age was brought by his parents to America, the family home being established at Bloomington, Illinois. Here he attended the public schools and also the Illinois State Xormal at Xormal, Illinois. Uf)on reaching manhood he became a farmer and resided there until 1884 when he came to York county, Nebraska, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land in McFadden township. This he improved and resided there three years when he engaged in mercantile pursuits at Eed Lyon, one of the early day trading points in this neighborhood. When the town of Mc- Cool Junction was etsablished he became one of the early merchants there continuing in business several years. He then became a teacher and preacher and his last days were spent as a farmer and gardener. He was an active member of the United Brethren church and will long be remembered as one of the men who was anxious to promote the welfare of the community along educational and religious lines. He died October 4, 1908. In J884 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Wilcox, who was born in Illinois, a daughter of William and Saraphina Wilcox who came to Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1870 where they both passed away. After the death of her husband Mrs. Lord became the wife of Charles M. Turner and resides in York.

Mr. and Mrs. Lord were the parents of six children : Frank E., a resident of Pasadena, California; Telfor C, superintendent of schools for York county;

Charles S., a re.^^ident of Idaho Falls, Idaho: Rolwrt F., of McCool Junction; Xellie, the wife of Lawrence Valentine, of York county; and Mabel, the wife of Clarence Cndaback, of McCool Junction.

Robert F. Lord attended the jjublic schools of McCool Junction and his boyhood days were spent in his native place. At the age of sixteen he entered the employ of the Blue River Bank as bookkeeper and two years later became assistant cashier of that institution. Ability and worthiness were demonstrated when after five years he was made cashier, a position he has held for nine years.

Mr. Lord was married to Miss Gladys M. Bellows of McCool Junction and they have become the parents of four children : Dwight, Roland and Kenneth are members of the family household. Forrest died May 8, li)20. from an attack (if doui)le pneumonia, aged seven months and eighteen days.

Mr. and Mrs. Lord are members of the United Brethren church ami in politics Mr. Lord gives his allegiance to the republican party. He is serving the community in many positions of trust and is township treasurer, village treasurer, school treasurer and treasurer of the Sunday school. He has membership with the Modern Woodmen of America and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He stands loyally for what he believes to he for the i)est interests of the communitv and has cooperated with all those enterprises which are of the greatest value to the public.

Dr. William C. Peterson, living in Henderson, is a well known and prominent member of the medical profession in York county wliere he has been engaged in practice for several years. He was born in Platte county, Nebraska, April 7, 18S6, a son of Nels C. and Elsie (Sorensen) Peterson, natives of Denmark, who immigrated to America about the year 187:?. Shortly after arriving in this country the parents came to Nebraska and settled in Platte county, residing there for a time and later moved to Hoone county, where they are now living, hoiored citizens whose probity and sterling characters command the respect of all who know them. To their marriage si.x children were born, the of whom are living.

Or. Peterson sjient his early days in Platte and Boone counties. He pursued his education in the ]iublic schools and later entered high school, going thence to Creighton College, from which institution he was graduated in ]!t09, receiving his medical degree. Following his graduation he located at Ilendei'son and there began the practice of his profession, adding to his medical and scientific knowledge in the intervering years, and he is now regarded by his brethren in the profession and the ])ublic at large as an eminently skilled and jminstaking doctor. His ever i;rowing clientele embraces some of the most inlluential citizens of the ilistrict in which he resides. Dr. Peterson keeps well informed on all the latest ])hases pertaining to the development of his ])rofession and misses no opportunitv to liroaden the sco])e of his knowledge ti> the eml that he nuiy be the better able to alleviate jiain and suffering. His present status indicates that he has many years of usefulness before him, with every prospect that he will reach the position to which his establisi ed ability entitles him.

born in Boone county and a daughter of E. E. Case and wife, both of whom are still living in that county. To this union one son, Wendell Peterson, has been born, his birth occurring on April 7, 1912. The Doctor and his wife are popular in social circles, their aid and influence are always given on the side of progress and improvement and they advocate as well those high standards which work for civic betterment. His political influence is extended to the repulilican party and for eight years he was a member of the local council, during this period serving the people with ability. His interest in education is pronounced and he lias served on the board of school directors for three terms, thus demonstrating the hold which cultural advancement has on his time and attention.

Charles G. Pfeffer

Charles G.' Pfeffer, president of the York Water Company, was born in Wiirttemburg, Germany, January 30, 1858, the son of Jacob and Eva Marie (Bentzlar) Pfeffer, both natives of Wiirttemburg. The father was born in 1810 and died in 18.58 and the mother was born in 1820 and passed away at the age of fifty-four years. They were married in Germany and spent their lives there, Mr. Pfeffer being a successful and well-to-do farmer. Seven children were born to this union, four boys and three girls, five of whom are living: Frederick, who resides in Germany; Fredericka, a widow who resides in Kankakee, Illinois; Christiana, a widow who resides in Otis, Colorado; Gottlob, a retired farmer of York; and Charles G., the subject of this review. The family were members of the Lutheran church. '

Charles G. Pfeffer received his education in the schools of Germany and when tales reached him concerning the opportunities of the United States he determined to try his fortune in America, with the result that he and his brother set out on their voyage alone. Financial conditions rendered it necessary for him to start to work immediately, and his first venture into the business life of this country was as a baker, which trade he had learned in Germany. He settled in Springfield, Illinois, and there successfully conducted a bakery from 1884 until 1900. At that time he removed to York and lived practically retired for about four years on an acre and half of land on which he raised a garden and did a little truck farming. He again entered into active business life, however, when on the 1st of July, 1905, he became connected with the York Water Company which was incorporated at sixty thousand dollars. He was secretary and treasurer of this company until 1912 when he succeeded to the presidency and is still serving the city in that capacity. This company supplies water for the entire city. In addition to his interests in this company he became connected with the York Gas and Electric Company, but sold his interest in this business in December, 1912.

In 1887 Mr. Pfeffer was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Killius, who was a native of Springfield, Illinois, and to them four children have been born: Clara, Helena, Angela, and Frederick Charles, all of whom are attending school. The family are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Pfeffer gives his allegiance to the republican party and served his community as a member of the city council from 1902-1904. His fraternal affiliation is with the Kniglits of Pythias. Hi? career is that of a self-made mau and York recognizes him as one of its public-spirited citizens, devoted to the general welfare, honorable and straightforward in every relation of life and at all times a man whom to know is to esteem and honor.

John A. Boox

In the passing of Julin A. Boon. York county lost an honored pioneer who had contributed in sulistantial measure to the agricultural development and progress of the community in which he made his home for more than a quarter of a century. During the last twelve years of his life he lived retired in Utica, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. His birth occurred at Selinsgrovc, in Union county, Pennsylvania, on the 17th of Xovember, 1839, his parents being Thomas and Harriett (Robinson) Boon, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state. They removed westward to Illinois at an early period in the settlement of that state and there the father followed farming and also worked at the carpenter's trade. The mother passed away at Weeping Water, Nebraska.

John A. Boon accompanied his parents on their renujval from Pennsylvania to Illinois, continuing a resident of the latter state until he came to York county. At the time of the Civil war he joined the Union army aiul served for two years and ten months as a member of the Eighty-fifth Illinois Infantry, with which command he ])articipated in the battle of Lookout ilouutain and also went with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. Though spared to celebrate the victory of the Union arhis he saw his brother fall in battle by his side. He was a young man of about thirty-three years when he decided to establish his home in Nebraska and traveled to Lincoln by train. After reaching his destination he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Waco To\niship, York county. This was in 1872 and the district was still largely unsettled and undeveloped. He erected a shack with lumber whicii he hauled from Lincoln, that fall, Ijuilt a sod house, covering the dirt floor with hay. He broke his land with a team of horses which he had brought from Illinois and set out an orchard, but most of the trees died and he was obliged to plant others. All of the obstacles and difficulties of life in a frontier region had to be overcome before he could carry on the work of farming with any degree of success. All supplies had to be hauled from Lincoln and wood was so scarce that he burned corn-stalk and corn for fuel. During the memorable Easter blizzard of 187.3 he and his family were shut in the house for three .days, when they shoveled their way out. During the period of the grasshopper scourge his farm produced nothing. However, as the years passed success rewarded his well directed industry and untiring labors until at length the property yielded him a gratifying annual income. He had put a hedge around his quarter section and made many other improvements which enhanced its value and attractiveness. He came to the west in limited financial circum-stances and through his own efforts worked his w^ay steadily upward to a place among the prosperous and resi>ected citizens of his community. It was in 1887 that he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in Utica, where he spent the remainder of his life in honorable retirement.