braska, in 1900 to Edgar and in 1904 came to Clay Center. He received his education in Western Normal, Shenandoah, Iowa, the Nebraska State Normal and Drake University, Iowa. He is connected with the Democratic party and was elected County Superintendent of Schools by a large majority.

      H. C. PALMER was born in Baraboo, Wisconsin, April 27, 1854. He came to Nebraska March 14, 1874, where he studied law with E. E. Hairgrave of Sutton, after completing his high school work. He is a member of the People's Independent party and is now serving his fourth term as County Judge of Clay County.

      W. W. CAMPBELL was born in Woodstock, Illinois, September 11, 1868, of American ancestry. In 1879 he came to Harvard, Nebraska and in 1902 settled near Clay Center, where he engaged in farming. He was educated in Milton College, Wisconsin, and took a commercial course in Burlington, Iowa, at the Elliott Business College. He is a member of the Republican party and has served as County Clerk two terms.

      F. T. SWANSON was born in Clay County, Nebraska, thirty-one years ago and has resided there ever since. His parents were of Swedish descent and had farmed in Clay County for a number of years. Mr. Swanson occupied himself with the farm and clerking after he had completed a course in the Lincoln Business College. He was Deputy County Treasurer for four years and at the end of that time was elected County Treasurer, receiving the largest majority of any one on the county ticket. He is a member of the Democratic party.

      CHARLES M. PRICKETT was born in Ringwood, McHenry County, Illinois, May 22, 1851. Attending the University of Illinois for three years, he took up the profession of civil engineering. From 1877 to 1884 he was engaged in the survey of United States Public Lands in Dakota Territory, coming to Fairfield the next year. He is a member of the Republican party and has held several offices. Has been United States Deputy Surveyor, Clerk, Member of the Board of Education and Surveyor of Clay County.

      N. W. JOHNSON was born in Switzerland County, Indiana, November 4, 1863. In 1880 he removed to Harlan County, Nebraska, and two years later came to Clay County, where he engaged in farming. There was no railroad between Harlan and Clay Counties at that time, so Mr. Johnson walked the distance in search of work. He is connected with the Republican party and in 1903 was elected County Assessor.

      LESLIE G. HURD was born in Stark County, Illinois, January 22, 1851, and in 1874 removed to Clay County where he has since resided. He was educated in Wheaton College, remaining there through the junior year. He was elected State Senator in 1889 by the Republican party and is now District Judge of the Seventh District.

 

COLFAX COUNTY.

      In 1856 a company was formed in Omaha for the express purpose of founding a city at some point on the Platte. At length a town site was platted on Shell Creek, a few miles east of Schuyler. The town was christened Buchanan, and a few buildings were erected, but North Bend and other flourishing towns lured away its few inhabitants and Buchanan became a thing of the past. Colfax is one of the prosperous eastern counties situated in the valley of the Platte. It has been estimated that it occupies almost the exact geographical center of the United States. It has a population of 11,211 and an area of 410 sq. miles. The Union Pacific R. R. was the first road to be laid. Before its advent there were not more than twelve families in the county. The trains were at first very irregular, passing through usually at night. The mail bag was thrown off in the darkness anywhere in the vicinity of the post-office which placed heavy responsibilities on the Buchanan post-master. At one time a band of Indians carried off the bag and were caught trying to sell the letters to some workmen. Colfax County was originally a part of Platte County, but in 1869 it was established as a separate county. Its county seat is Schuyler. One of the first improvements in the county was a bridge built across the Platte near Schuyler. This bridge was 1,350 feet long and was an expense of $65,000. It was an important agent in establishing communication between Colfax and Butler Counties. This county is a good hay region. Corn seems to grow here better than wheat. The rich grasses in the Platte Valley

and the springs and streams make stock-raising profitable.

      GEORGE W. WERTZ was born in Greene County, Illinois, April 3, 1868. He left Illinois in 1880 and came to Nebraska, having resided here since. He is a graduate of the High School at Kearney, Nebraska, and studied law in the University of Iowa. He was married June 29, 1896 to Lottie V. Guernsey of Dawson County, Nebraska. Mr. Wertz is an attorney at law and has served his first term as Attorney of Colfax County. He is a member of the Republican party.

      JOHN CHLEBOUN, Jr., is a native of Nebraska, having been born in Saunders County, December 7, 1878. He has always lived in Nebraska and settled in Colfax County in 1892. He was educated in the common schools at Clarkson, Nebraska, and at the Fremont Normal College, graduating from the Teacher's course in 1898, from the Scientific in 1901 and from the Didactic in 1903. Mr. Chleboun has taught three and one-half years, part of the time in the high school. Politically he is a Democrat and is serving his first term as Superintendent of Colfax County. He was married to Miss Bessie Winchel in 1903.

     F. A. SUCHA was born June 14, 1875, in Shelby County, Illinois, and in his fifth year came to Nebraska, receiving his education in

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