In the spring of 1871 pre-emptions were made on the land which is now called Boone County, and actual settlement resulted soon after on the bank of the Beaver east of Albion. The blizzard of 1871 helped to keep back immigration, and the two following summers were equally bad, the crops being entirely ruined by grasshoppers. The county was organized in 1871. Its area is 692 square miles, over half of which fell to the railroads in accordance with their grant of land. The growth of the county was at first greatly retarded because the railroads withheld land, but when these lands were opened up for sale, rapid progress was made. Previous to the organization of the county, this had been the common fighting ground for the Sioux and Pawnees, yet the settlers had little cause to complain of the Indians. After much contention, Albion was chosen as county seat, and in the spring of 1872 the first postoffice came into existence, known as the Hammond Post Office. The mail was carried on horseback in the coat pockets of the rider since the amount of county correspondence was so small. The first school was taught in 1872 by Miss Sarah Rice, and her salary for teaching the six scholars was $20. The lack of railroads for some years caused especial attention to be paid to the building of roads and bridges. The financial

resources of the new county were greatly depleted by the expense of bridges. A spring flood carried away several big bridges, and the cost of rebuilding brought a heavy debt upon the county. The principal rivers are Beaver Creek, Fox Creek and Cedar River. These waters, together with innumerable smaller creeks, afford valleys which are very profitable for farming.

      C. M. PENNY was born in Tabor, Iowa, March 14, 1877. In 1888 he came to Newman Grove with his parents, and has lived in Boone County since that time, engaging in teaching after his graduation from the Boone County Normal and the Peru State Normal. He was elected on the People's Independent ticket to the office of County Superintendent.

      C. E. SPEAR was born in Alton, Illinois, April 12, 1851, in which state he lived until his nineteenth year, when he removed to Iowa, and then locating in Boone County, Nebraska, in 1866, where he has since resided. During that year he married Miss Addie Hoch and one year later was admitted to the bar. He is a Republican and has held various city positions. He has served as County Superintendent for two terms, and also two terms as County Attorney.

      LORAN CLARK was born in Dane County, Wisconsin, July 23, 1864. In 1878 he came to Boone County. He obtained his education in the public schools of Wisconsin and Nebraska and took out his license as engineer at Cleveland, Ohio. In 1888 he married Miss Myra Chappell. Mr. Clark is Republican in politics and has held various offices, having been Chief of Police in Albion three years, Water Commissioner and is now serving his second term as Sheriff of Boone County.

      L. G. BRIAN was brought up in Blairstown, Iowa, where he was born December 1, 1861. Soon after his graduation from high school he began farming, which occupation he continued after his location in Boone County, in 1887. In 1885 he married Miss Nellie Kelly. He is a member of the Republican party, having served his constituents in the capacity of County Commissioner from 1898 to 1901 and he has been elected to a second term as County Treasurer.

      G. H. BABBITT is a native of Illinois, having been born in Farmington, April 2, 1849. In his early manhood he removed to Iowa, and in 1880 located in Cass County, Nebraska, returning to Illinois the next year. Two years later he came again to Cass County, where he resided until 1895, when he came to Albion. He is identified with the Democratic party and has been elected County Clerk. In 1870 he was married to Miss Hattie Gentle.

      F. J. MACK is a native of Ohio, having been born in Akron, March 26, 1865. His parents removed to New York and later to Erie, Pennsylvania. When a young man he came to Nebraska, becoming a resident of Albion in 1890. There he studied law and six years later was admitted to the bar. He has been City Clerk, Treasurer and Mayor of Albion, as well as Clerk of the District Court. In 1897 he was married to Miss Etta Roberts.

      CHARLES RILEY was born in Henderson, Illinois, February 10, 1848, and when but fifteen years of age joined Company G, 112th Illinois, and served with them until he was wounded at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain. After the war he prepared for the Illinois Soldiers' College from which he graduated in 1871, teaching during the next seventeen years. in 1888 he came to Albion, Nebraska, where he was admitted to the bar. He married Miss Harriet Dickinson in 1873. Mr. Riley is a Republican and has held the office of County judge for two terms.

      H. I. BERG was born in Norway, April 9, 1857. In 1873 he came to Stanton County and two years later to Boone County, where he took a homestead. He was educated in the schools of Norway and Santon (sic) County. After he finished his schooling, he took up farming. In 1878 he married Miss Knutson. He is a member of the Republican party and has been School Director, Precinct Assessor, Census Enumerator and County Commissioner, which office he now holds.

     O. E. WALTERS was born in Brooklyn. New York, February 9, 1857. In 1875 he removed to Waterloo, Iowa, and four years later settled in Boone County, Nebraska, He was in the real estate business for ten years, later engaging in newspaper work, being now proprietor of the "Index" of Petersburg, Boone County. He is a graduate of the Brooklyn High School. In 1885 he married Miss Cora E. Martin. He is connected with the People's Independent party and is now serving as Deputy Clerk.