Illinois. he was educated in the University of Nebraska and received the degree of Sc. B. and has followed teaching as a vocation. He is a member of the Republican party and is now serving as Superintendent of Public Instruction of Lancaster County, having been elected in 1903.

      W. S. SCOTT is a native of New York State, having been born in Fortsville, August 13, 1865. Five years later he came to Nebraska and was educated in the Lincoln High School and the University of Nebraska. By profession he is a civil engineer. Mr. Scott was elected County Surveyor on the Republican ticket and is an assistant in the city Engineer's office. His parents are N. S. and Emily R. Scott.

     WILLIAM C. PHILLIPS was born in Cadiz, Ohio, November 10, 1868. From Ohio he came to Nebraska in 1871 and graduated from the Lincoln High School in 1887. January 4, 1900 he entered upon his duties as Clerk of the District Court of Lancaster County, having been elected on the Republican ticket. His parents are William P. and Mary E. Phillips.

      FRANK R. WATERS was born November 20, 1860 in Chillocothe, Ross County, Ohio. His father, Asa B. Waters, was a banker. Judge Waters came to Nebraska in 1885 and in 1886 located at Lincoln, where he engaged in the practice of law. He has also taught school in the county. In 1892 he was elected Police Judge and served for three terms in that capacity. In January, 1900 he entered upon his duties as Judge of Lancaster County.

 

      Lincoln County is a plain which rolls from a height of 2,600 feet in the eastern part to an elevation of nearly 3,000 feet in the west. The soil is dark and sandy, being underlaid in most places with clay. North and South Platte Rivers cross the country, and many smaller streams supply water for the stock. In 1900 live stock was valued at $1,929,551, 18,060 hogs making a part of this valuation. The rearing of cattle, horses and sheep on large ranges is the most general occupation. Land has risen in price to the amount of one-fourth since 1897, and there is at present a large demand for farms and ranges. There are 1,458 farms, almost all of which are improved. Corn and hay are the principal crops, and the acreage of corn is 53,178. Wheat, oats, rye, barley, sorghum, cane and alfalfa are also profitably grown. Hay land sells for $12 to $18 per acre. Beginning with the year 1762 parties of explorers kept passing through this region at intervals for a period of about 100 years. Most of these parties were sent out in behalf of St. Louis fur companies for the purpose of trading with the Indians. Mr. Brady, who, came to the county in 1852, was the earliest resident. He built his log house on the south side of the island formed by the North and South Platte Rivers. Brady Island, as it is now called, is about fifteen miles long by two miles wide. The first permanent settlement in the county was in the shape of a trading ranch, which was established at Cottonwood Springs in 1858, with I. P. Boyer in charge. A great many such ranches were formed along the popular emigrant route. These ranches were collected in groups, a distance of ten to twelve miles lying between the stations. Mill and stage lines were established and in 1861 Ed Creighton of Omaha completed his telegraph line. Mrs. Orra McDonald was the first white woman to reside in the county. The rush of emigrants was so great that from 700 to 1,000 wagons passed a ranch daily. The first white native of the county was William H. McDonald. In 1864 commenced the war with the Sioux and Cheyennes, which was caused mostly by the injustice of white men. In 1872 the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia came to North Platte for a buffalo hunt. The hunt was arranged by General Sheridan and guided by Buffalo Bill, or W. F. Cody. During this hunt of one week the Duke secured two buffalo skins. This large county was organized in 1866 with an area of 2,502 square miles. The capital, North Platte, contains 3,640 people and the county population is 11,416. There are 105.35 miles of railway. There are over 22,508 acres of land under irrigation; 1,187 acres are devoted to the sugar beet industry.

     A. H. DAVIS was born in Poplar Plains, Kentucky, December 1, 1856. He came to North Platte, Nebraska, in 1874 and com-