THE EXCELSIOR STABLES, E. B. Smith, Proprietor.--These premises consist of a handsome, two-story brick building, 60x100 feet, containing stabling for eighty horses. The upper floor, where the carriages are stored, is connected with the ground floor by an elevator. These stables are most admirably equipped with all that could be required by the most exacting. Mr. Smith, who owns the building and is also part owner of the Cornland Hotel building, was born in New York State, enlisted in 1861, in the Union army, settled in Nebraska in 1879, engaged in farming until 1885, and established the present business in 1890. He is one of the leading citizens of Lexington, an ex-county commissioner, and has been president of the Dawson County Fair Association for seven years.

     H. S. WHITE, County Treasurer--Mr. White was born and raised on the farm in Illinois, and on the outbreak of the war he volunteered and served in the 8th Illinois Cavalry until the termination of hostilities, in 1865. He went to Wyoming in 1879, and engaged in raising cattle on a large scale until 1885, when he selected Dawson County as his home, and again commenced farming and stock raising, and now owns a 3,500-acre farm in this county, and a smaller farm near Chicago, in Illinois. While thus engaged, Mr. White's good qualities, both as a man of business and a neighbor, attracted the attention of his fellow citizens, and in the fall of 1891 he was elected county treasurer, and entered upon the duties on the first of this year, when he became a resident of Lexington.

     R. B. PEIRCE, County Judge.--A public office is a public trust, and when we find a gentleman who has been re-elected to the same office ten times consecutively, we have strong evidence of the confidence his fellow citizens entertain toward him. Such a man is R. B. Peirce. Born in Cecil County, Maryland, he came to Lexington in 1873, and in the fall of that year was elected to the probate judgeship, an office he continues to hold, with this difference, that in 1875 the office was enlarged and changed to that of county judge, involving still the duties of probate judge. To Judge Peirce belongs the distinction of having issued the first license and married the first couple in Dawson County. This couple is still residing here. He also built the first dwelling house erected in the City of Lexington. He owns a 160-acre farm in Custer County. Judge Peirce is one of the oldest Masons in the State of Nebraska, having been a Master Mason since 1852.

     T. B. LANTZ, County Clerk--Mr. Lantz was born and raised in Illinois, where he passed his early years in farming and teaching school; he moved to Missouri and later to Iowa where he resided for three years. In 1879 he came to Nebraska and took up a homestead in this county, and engaged in farming and stockraising until December, 1889, when he was appointed deputy county clerk and made this city his home. So admirably did Mr. Lantz fill the position and discharge the duties as deputy county clerk that in the fall of 1891 he was elected county clerk and entered upon his term of office January, 1892. He is still interested in agriculture and stockraising, and owns two farms in Dawson County. He is an A. O. U. W.

     W. H. HAMILTON, Sheriff of Dawson County--Was born in the north of Ireland and crossed the Atlantic in 1872, residing in New Jersey and Illinois before selecting Nebraska as his home. He came to Lexington first in 1880, but did not remain here long. Returning in 1883 he engaged in the hardware business until 1885, when he commenced pressing and shipping hay. In the fall of 1889 he was elected sheriff, and in 1891 was re-elected. Mr. Hamilton is a gentleman of force of character and energy. and has made a popular and efficient sheriff. He is a member of several orders: K. P., Masons, Odd Fellows, etc.

     J. M. ELLINGSWORTH, Clerk of the District Court.--Mr. Ellingsworth is a native of Illinois, and came to Nebraska in 1879. At an early age he devoted his time and abilities to the scholastic profession, while at the same time studying law. On May 1st, of this year, he came to Lexington and was admitted to the bar on the 19th of the same month. On June 6th he was appointed clerk of the district court. Mr. Ellingsworth is a young man of pleasant address, well-educated and energetic.

     J. M. NEFF & CO., Coal, Lumber, Lath and Shingles.--This firm purchased this business of E. M. F. Leflang in the fall of 1891, and have had a most satisfactory trade. Their premises, located between the U. P. R. R. and Front Street, consist of an office, yards and three store houses, 120x16, 100x14 and 60xl8 feet. They carry a stock worth $10.000, and the annual sales foot up from $35,000 to $40,000. J. M. Neff, who manages the business, was born in Pennsylvania and came to Nebraska in 1887 and to Lexington in the following year. He was engaged in the confectionery business until 1891. He is an A. O. U. W., and a K. of P. Uniformed Rank, and has lately been appointed receiver of the first named order. J. D Eggers, his partner, is from the same State, and came to Lexington in 1889. He is a tinner by trade and a member of the Oddfellows.

     LEXINGTON GAZETTE, Frank Wickizer Publisher.--In this thriving weekly Lexington has a worthy representative in the newspaper world. Established in 1883, staunchly Republican in politics, the Gazette has a circulation of 600, and is brimful of interesting matter. Frank Wickizer, proprietor and editor, was born in Illinois, and came to Nebraska in 1880, when he attended school in Clay County and later worked at type setting until 1889, when he came to Lexington. Since October. 1891, he has owned and edited the Gazette. It has been his aim to publish a bright, clean, newsy paper, which would be a welcome visitor in the homes of Dawson County. He is a young man of ability and perseverance; is making a great success of his paper.

     MRS. MARGARET CRAWFORD, Watches Jewelry. Silverware, Clocks, Musical Instruments, Plush Goods, Toys, Etc.--To Mrs. Margaret Crawford belongs the honor of owning and managing the pioneer jewelry business of Lexington. A native of Wisconsin, Mrs. Crawford came to Nebraska in 1878, and one year later to Lexington. Since the death of her husband in 1889, she has ably conducted the business and has an attractive stock of jewelry, worth fully $3 000. She has recently added a sideline of notions.

NORTH PLATTE.

     North Platte, Lincoln County, Nebraska, is situated in the fork of the Platte Rivers, is a town of some 3,500 inhabitants and is one of the principal stations on the Union Pacific Railroad. This road, having its car shops in North Platte, is the means of distributing a great deal of money in the town every month. There are two national banks, the First, with a capital and surplus of $72,500 and the North Platte, with a capital of $75,000 and surplus of about $1.500; also the banking house of Charles McDonald, with a paid up capital of $30,000 and individual responsibility of 100,000.
     North Platte, being the county seat, has a fine court house and also contains many fine public buildings, such as the jail, school houses, etc., and it is a station of the United States Signal Service, There are three first-class hotels and a number of good boarding houses.
     The principal features of industry in the county are agriculture and stockraising, and, owing to the close proximity to water, the land is very fertile.
     The climate is acknowledged the best in the country, and the elevation being some 2,700 feet above the sea level the air is pure and dry and devoid of the death-dealing dampness and malaria of sea coast towns, North Platte being midway between Omaha and Denver, and consequently in direct communication with the East and West, affords ample accommodation to its merchants and business men.
     The city is a typical western town, but the many fine private residences give it a somewhat eastern appearance.
      The following religious bodies own fine church buildings and property: The Episcopal, Roman, Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, Unitarian and Presbyterian, and the Union Pacific Railroad. Young Men's Christian Association rooms opposite the depot.
     The town supports an electric light station and city water works, and has an electric fire alarm system with boxes on the principal street corners. Its fire department is very good.
     The prospects of North Platte, for being a large city. are growing daily and it is predicted, by its prominent business men, that in the near future, North Platte will be one of the largest and best cities west of the Mississippi River.

REPRESENTATIVE BUSINESS FIRMS AND MEN OF NORTH PLATTE.

     NORTH PLATTE NATIONAL BANK.--This widely known financial institution bought out in May, 1889, the State Bank of North Platte (which had been founded in 1886 with a capital of $25.000, and organized under the national banking laws with a capital of $75,000, which is fully paid up. The surplus and undivided profits now amount to $7.000 and the officers are: A. D. Buckworth, president: C. F. Iddings, vice president; S. Goozee, Cashier; E. C. Baker, assistant cashier. Dr. Buckworth was horn in Ohio in 1835. and chose the medical profession as his avocation. He was selected as the most capable person to lead a colony from Douglas County, Illinois, to Nebraska, and was one of the early settlers in Hastings, where he built the third house. He came to North Platte in 1875 as register of the United States land office, which position he filled until 1886, when he became president of the State bank, and in 1889, president of the North Platte National Bank. To his management is greatly due the present flourishing condition of the bank. Dr. Buckworth is one of the oldest Masons in this country, having been raised to the degree of Master Mason thirty-six years ago. The vice president, C. F. Iddings is a native of Ohio and came to North Platte in 1882. Mr. Goozee first saw the light of day in England, whence he came to the United States in 1857 and settled in Illinois; at the first signal sound of strife he offered his services to his adopted country, and fought faithfully through the war. He came to Nebraska in 1874, and in 1878 to North Platte.

     WM. NEVILLE, Judge Thirteenth Judicial District--Was born in Washington County, Illinois; he was educated at McKendree College and early conceived the idea of studying law. When of sufficient age he entered the northern army and served during 1864 and 1865 in the 142nd Illinois Infantry. At the cessation of hostilities he worked on the Mississippi, as a steamboat engineer, and finally became a captain. He studied law under J. Perry Johnston, of Chester, Illinois. and was elected in 1872 to the Illinois Legislature. In 1874, he moved to Omaha, and was a member of the Nebraska Legislature in 1876. In April, 1877, Judge Neville came to North Platte, and

was registrar of the United States land office from 1885 to 1890. In April, 1891 he was chosen mayor of North Platte and in November. 1891, his fellow citizens showed their appreciation of his many fine qualities an judicial talent by electing him judge of the thirteenth judicial district. Judge Neville is physically and intellectually in the very prime of life and the future has. no doubt many high honors in store for him. He has been twice married; first in 1882 to Miss Mollie A. Keith, daughter of M. C. Keith, one of our oldest and wealthiest citizens, the result of this union being one child, a boy: and in 1886 to Miss Irene R. Rector, daughter of Major Thomas Rector and grand-daughter of Gen. Pitcairn Morrison; the second marriage has yielded on boy and one girl. Judge Neville is of course a member of the G. A. R.; he is also a Red Man.

     NORTH PLATTE PHARMACY.--Born in County South, Ireland, Dr. N. McCabe crossed the Atlantic in 1880, and graduated in medicine from the university of Buffalo. After practising in Niagara Falls for some time, he came to North Platte in 1886, and in 1891 he bought out the long established drug business of J. Q. Thacker on Spruce Street, refitted the store, and enlarged the stock until now he has an attractive line of goods valued at $4,000 and increased the sales. Mr. J. E. Bush, skillful prescriptionist and registered pharmacist has charge of the drugstore. Dr. McCabe is a credit to the land of his birth and an honor to his profession.

     FRANKLIN PEALE, Wall Paper. Paint and Oil Depot.--This business was established in July, 1868, by Mr. Peale. who is one of our oldest citizens. He occupies a building 22x100 feet, which contains a very complete stock of wall paper, paints, oils, window glass and artists' materials. and the sales are large, as the good people of North Platte and Lincoln County know that they can find just what they want, and at reasonable prices at Franklin Peale's, 310 Spruce Street. Mr. Peale was born in Philadelphia, came to Nebraska in 1867, and North Platte in 1868; consequently he is one of our earliest settlers He has at various times. been honored with office by his fellow citizens having been elected tax assessor twice. He has also been treasurer of the school board. and took United States census in 1880. He is a Mason and an Oddfellow and G. A. R. a genial, pleasant gentleman. well posted in the history of North Platte and Lincoln County.

     THOMAS C. PATTERSON, Attorney at Law, Real Estate. Loans and Insurance.--Mr. Patterson is a native of Ireland and crossed the Atlantic in 1854, settling in Patterson. New Jersey, and later, in Illinois. Though a mere youth, he took an active part in the war. on the Union side, and three years after the cessation of hostilities came to North Platte. He first worked for the Union Pacific Railroad, then engaged in teaching for one year. He was postmaster twelve years. The insurance branch of his business was established in 1872, and in 1882 the land agency was added, this being the first land office in North Platte. In addition to representing the leading insurance companies and transacting an important and growing real estate business, Mr. Patterson makes and negotiates loans on reasonable terms, and is engaged in the practice of law. He is also vice president of the First National Bank, part owner of the North Platte Roller Mill, and one of our most influential citizens.
     He is a member of the G. A. R. and has identified himself with every movement tending to promote the welfare of our city.

     HERSHEY & CO., Dealers in Farm Implements, Windmills. Wagons, Buggies Etc.--The largest and most complete stock of farm implements, wagons, windmills, etc. in this county is carried by Hershey & Co., on Locust and Fifth Streets. They commenced business in 1886, succeeding John Otterstadt and have fully $7,500 worth of goods in their store, 4 x60 feet. They are also interested in blacksmith and carpenter repairing shop which stands within their yards. Joseph Hershey was born and raised in Pennsylvania, he came to Nebraska in 1881 and engaged in the stock business before forming the present partnership. He is a K. of P. John Holman is a native of Germany, who came to the United States in 1865 and to North Platte in 1869. He is an A. O. U. W. These gentlemen have very largely increased their business. and are daily adding to the number of their customers by square dealing, reasonable prices and courteous manners.

     N. F. DONALDSON. M. D.--Was born in Ohio, brought up in Pennsylvania. where he practised some years and is a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Baltimore. Md. Upon his arrival at North Platte in 1880. his professional skill was at once recognized by his appointment as surgeon of the Union Pacific Railway which position he still continues to hold. Polished and skillful, Dr. Donaldson has, socially and professionally, impressed most favorably all with whom he has come in contact and to-day there is none as popular a practitioner in Lincoln County. He is a member of the American Medical Association. Nebraska Medical Society, Nebraska Society of Railway Surgeons, and was surgeon general of the Nebraska National Guards in 1891. He is also a Knight Templar.

     VICTOR E. MEYER.--A most complete line of hardware and tinware is carried by Victor E. Meyer in his premises, Nos. 103 and 10.5 Locust Street. The store, 22x100 feet, contains $3,000 worth of these useful articles; and a blacksmith shop and tin shop each 18x25, are attached. Mr. Meyer is agent for the "Aermotor" Wind Mill, Davis Vertical Feed Sowing Machine, and pays special attention to putting down hydraulic and deep well pumps. He is also prepared to do repairing on all kinds of machines, Mr. Meyer is a native of Germany, and came to the United States in 1877 and to Nebraska in 1882. He is an expert machinist, with a thorough practical knowledge of his business, and with every facility for perform-

ing any work in his line. He is ably assisted by his wife, who daily graces the store with her presence.

     FIRST NATIONAL BANK--Nebraska is fortunate in possessing a class of very able bankers. In this connection the First National Bank of North Platte and its officers call for prominent notice. This institution was organized on May 10th, 1886. With a capital of $50,000, the surplus and undivided profits already amount to $24,000. The present officers are: E. M. F. Leflang, president; T, C. Patterson. vice president; A McNamara, cashier; M. C. Harrington, assistant cashier. Mr. Leflang is a native of Denmark; he came to the United States when a boy and settled in Nebraska in 1872. He is also president of the Dawson County Bank at Lexington. Mr. Patterson is a lawyer of our city. The efficient cashier, A. McNamara, was born in Whitewater, Wisconsin; he came to Nebraska in 1871 and to North Platte in 1885. Mr. Harrington, the assistant cashier, comes from New York and is the senior partner of the grocery firm of Harrington & Gobin. All of these gentlemen stand high socially and are men of excellent judgment and integrity, who enjoy the confidence of the people. The following statement shows the prosperity of the institution:

     E. J. NEWTON, Books, Stationery, Wall Paper, Musical Instruments, Notions.--That the reading public of North Platte knows how to show their appreciation of a good store, where the latest news of the day, magazines, periodicals and books of all kinds can be obtained, is evidenced by the large and constantly growing business of E. J. Newton, on Spruce Street. He is also agent for the celebrated Columbia Bicycle. Mr. Newton is a native of New York State. He came to Nebraska in 1886 and to North Platte in 1889. He bought out E. W. Hammond in May, 1891, and engaged in this business, in which he has been most successful.

     A, F. STREITZ, Druggist.--The subject of our sketch was born in Michigan, in 1860, and at an early age was brought to Omaha and raised there. Coming to North Platte in 1881, he clerked for James Le Fils in the drug business, until 1885, when he purchased the business from that gentleman, and has conducted it most successfully, and greatly enlarged both his trade and his capacity to supply the same. Mr. Streitz is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. He is a director of the North Platte National Bank, a member of the State Board of Pharmacy, and is a Knight Templar and a Shriner.

     H. S. KEITH, Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Hardware and Furniture,--This prosperous business was established by Conway & Wiggins, who were succeeded in 1885 by Conway & Keith, who were in turn succeeded by H. S. Keith. A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Keith came to North Platte in 1873. In 1885 he engaged in the present enterprise, of which he is now, by his energy, perseverance, and ability, sole proprietor. The premises, a handsome two-story brick structure, on Spruce Street, 44x100 feet, contain a complete line of hardware and furniture, valued at from $10,000 to $12,000. The annual sales are large and steadily increasing, as Mr. Keith enjoys in marked degree the confidence of his fellow citizens. He is a young man, and has a long and brilliant career before him.
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