when he became the possessor of it. He now has it under a high state of cultivation, and his patient labors are rewarded by abundant harvests. A part of his farm is devoted to pasturage and mowing land, as he pays much attention to raising stock.

ILPATRICK BROS. As a firm of railroad contractors, that of Kilpatrick Bros. is one of the largest in the country, and has an unsullied reputation for business integrity, honor, efficiency and promptness. These qualities have brought them after eighteen years of business life to the front rank in their line. The firm consists of four brothers, sons of Samuel and Rachael Kilpatrick, who came originally from Ohio, and settled in the western part of Gage County in June, 1859. Here they resided upon the home farm purchased at the time of settlement until February, 1873, when Samuel Kilpatrick died; since that time his widow has continued to make her home there. They were the parents of six sons, viz: John D., Henry C., William H., Robert J., Samuel D. and Joseph M. The first four sons were born in Jasper County, Mo.; Samuel in Iowa, and the youngest in this county. They have followed continuously, and with splendid success, stock farming and railroad construction.

The originator of the firm was the eldest son, who began his life as a railroad contractor in 1867, by working on the Union Pacific Railroad for two years. This was followed in 1869 by a contract to build part of the Texas & El Paso Pacific, thence he went to work on the New Orleans, Mobile & Chattanooga. The following year found him at work under contract on the International & Great Northern Railroad, and after two years he began to build sixty-three miles of the Galveston, Colorado & Santa Fe, and 1879 found him back in Nebraska laying the steel bands from Maysville to Beatrice. Thus the business grew continuously with the widening circle of its influence, and enriching its circulation.

 The partnership was arranged, and work begun under its provisions in 1881, and without doubt there is not a more united and mutually loyal firm in the country. From April, 1882, to the close of 1883, the finn was engaged in constructing the railroad in Idaho and Oregon; in 1883 they began to work on what is known as the High Line of the Denver & South Park Railroad, between Frisco and Leadville. During 1884 and 1885 contracts were filled in the States of Wisconsin, Dakota and Kansas, and from that on they have been constantly and fully employed in Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington Territory and Oregon. The commercial standing of this firm with the chief railroad corporations of the country is the very highest, and they are now at work upon contracts for some of the largest and wealthiest of these. Since the firm was established they have constructed not less than 3,000 miles of railway, beside erecting a large number of buildings, and carrying on their extensive real-estate interests. They are the owners of a farm in Gage County, consisting of over 3,000 acres in pasture and under cultivation. This property is a veritable model farm, complete in all points of its equipment. One corn field is of the modest extent of 1,200 acres. Upon their farm they fatten from 300 to 500 head of steers for the Eastern market every year, and during the winter months take care of from 200 to 300 mules; these and some 300 horses are at other seasons kept fully employed in their railroad work. The brothers also own an extensive horse and cattle ranch in Chase County, Neb., known as "the quarter circle W." It comprises a large tract of land, and much of it has been cultivated, and crops of millet, cane and corn, successfully raised. Upon the ranch are between 3,000 and 4,000 head of cattle, and about 350 head of well-bred horses. They are breeding largely of the Norman stock. In this respect they are pioneers in the western part of the State, in that they are opening up and developing a new country, thereby encouraging emigration to that part of the State.

Several years ago the brothers erected a very comfortable modern residence, pleasant in situation and convenient in arrangement, which was designed for the especial use of their mother, who is held in most affectionate veneration by her sons, who consider nothing too good or too beautiful for her use. Although aged, she is still a bright, active and

healthful lady, retaining possession of all her powers and faculties, and justly proud of her sons, to whose interests she is entirely devoted, and whose confidant she has been for so many years. John D., Henry and Robert are each married, and have families of their own; Joseph makes his home upon the farm, which is under his care and supervision.

The homes of John and Robert Kilpatrick are among the finest in the city of Beatrice, and their architectural elegance is well set off by the extensive well-kept lawns that surround them. The firm is at present erecting a three-story brick building in one of the best business localities of the city, their own offices being situated in a fine stone building on the corner of Court and Fifth streets. These are splendidly arranged and well fitted, no convenience or healthful arrangement seemingly having been omitted. The Kilpatrick brothers are Republicans in politics.

We invite the reader's attention to the splendid double-page engraving of the fine stock farm belonging to these gentlemen. Some specimens of the fine stock they own are also shown.

AMUEL D. WRIGHT, A. M, LL. B., one of the most cultured men of Gage County, endowed with more than ordinary capabilities and a fine intellect, has been identified with the business interests of Blue Springs since the winter of 1887-88. He is engaged in the grocery trade, having a large and fine store building, and carrying a full assortment of everything pertaining to this line of merchandise, including queensware and the other articles most extensively used, both in the farm and village household. In addition to his store and stock he has a neat and tasteful farm residence situated on a fine tract of land three miles northeast of Blue Springs, and comprising eighty acres under a thorough state of cultivation. Here he lives with his family, driving to and from the city morning and evening.

 Mr. Wright is a native of Van Buren County, Iowa, where he was born Jan. 9, 1847, and where he lived until 1865. Then, a youth of eighteen years, and his father having sold the farm, he repaired to Mt. Pleasant, and entering the Iowa Wesleyan University, was a student of that institution for a period of five years, at the expiration of which he was graduated with the degree of A. B. Soon afterward he was tendered the position of teacher in the high school of that place and was thus occupied one year; then, entering the Iowa State University at Iowa City, he was graduated a year later with the title of LL. B.

The year following, 1872, Mr. Wright left his native place and repaired to Osage County, Kan., locating in Burlingaine, where he commenced the practice of his profession, and was thus occupied there for a period of eight years. In the meantime he was made Prosecuting Attorney for that county a number of terms and held various city offices. In 1880 he came to this State, sojourning two years in the city of Lincoln, and in the meantime looking about for a different location. He finally drifted into the stock business, having his headquarters in Richardson County. At the time of the sale of the Indian Reservation he purchased a quarter-section of laud in Barneston Township, and since that time he has been a resident of this county. He has brought his land to a fine state of cultivation, erected neat and substantial buildings, and has a residence which, with its surroundings, forms one of the finest homes in this region. At present his stock consists mostly of draft horses, to which he pays particular attention, and has some of the choicest animals in Southern Nebraska.

In January, 1888, Mr. Wright invested a portion of his capital in a stock of groceries, from which he has built up a profitable and extensive trade. His promptness in meeting his obligations and his straightforward methods of doing business have secured him the esteem and confidence of the best people of the county, who are his warm friends as well as being his generous patrons. Amid the multiplicity of his business cares he has always found time to keep himself posted upon current events, and has followed a thorough and instructive course of reading, and as a conversationalist is more than ordinarily intelligent and interesting. In 1882 he was chosen as a candidate of the Republican party to represent Richardson County in time Nebraska Legislature, but was defeated on account of his

strong Prohibition principles, principally by the German element.

At the age of twenty-seven years Mr. Wright established domestic ties of his own by his marriage, Sept. 10, 1873, with Miss Ella Johnson, of Henry County, Iowa. Of this union there were born four children, three living, viz: Carrie B., Dillon E. and Joseph G.  Lewis, a bright boy nine years of age, died March 12, 1883. The other children still remain under the home roof, receiving the advantages of a good education and careful parental training. Mrs. Wright was born in Pennsylvania, June 9, 1850, and when quite young removed with her parents to Iowa, where she was reared to womanhood, acquiring a fair education in the common schools. Her father, Lewis Johnson, was also a native of the Keystone State, and a farmer by occupation. He is now retired. The mother, Mrs. Mary A. (Patterson) Johnson, is still living. The parental household included five children, two only of whom are living.

The father of our subject, William S. Wright, was born in Washington County, Pa., Feb. 8, 1809, where he was reared and educated in the common schools. Upon approaching manhood he served an apprenticeship as a brick mason and later operated as a contractor. Finally abandoning his trade he engaged in mercantile business at Bloomington, Ind., of which he became a resident at an early day. He sold out in 1840, and crossing the Mississippi cast his lot among the pioneers of Van Buren County, Iowa, during its Territorial days. Taking up a tract of land he superintended the cultivation of the soil, from which was built up an extensive farm, the latter being managed mostly by his sons. He became interested in stock-raising, and also bought and shipped large numbers of cattle to the Eastern market. This latter business he followed until his death, which occurred in Iowa in June, 1865. His last illness, was contracted while on his journey to Garden Grove, Iowa, for the purpose of looking after an extra large herd of cattle.

 The mother of our subject, who in her girlhood was Miss Margaret S. Hite, was born in Kentucky, April 14, 1814, and removed with her parents to Indiana about 1824. Of her marriage with William S. Wright there were born thirteen children, seven sons and six daughters, and twelve of them lived to mature years. The mother is now deceased. The subject of this sketch, always a thoughtful and serious lad, at the age of eighteen years identified himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and transferred his membership to the Blue Springs Society in 1884. He is now accounted one of its most prominent and useful members, serving as Steward, and ever laboring earnestly in the building up of its best interests. Near his residence he has established a Sunday-school, in which he officiates as Superintendent, and is a general favorite with both young and old. Socially, he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and was formerly a Knight of Honor.

The maternal grandfather of our subject spent the last years of his life with the latter, dying at the advanced age of ninety-three years. He had served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and possessed many excellent qualities. Grandmother Hite was a lineal descendant of Chancellor Kent, whose name is familiar to all readers of history and theology. Joseph A. Wright, a paternal uncle of our subject, was during the late Civil War Governor of Indiana, and did efficient service in promoting the principles of union and freedom throughout that State, probably more than any other man in the State at that time, although during his early manhood he had been a supporter of the Democratic party. He was at one time appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to the court of Russia, by President Buchanan, and re-appointed by President. Lincoln. George G. Wright, another uncle, was a Judge for a long period of the Supreme Court of Iowa, and United States Senator. He is now a resident of Des Moines, Iowa, where he is often visited by his nephew, Samuel D., of this sketch.

AMES E. POWELL. In the present biographical sketch it will be the endeavor succinctly to present an outline of the life of the genial and popular Clerk of Nemaha Township. who is also the owner of a fine farm on section 11, where in general farming and stock raising he is rapidly becoming one of the leading

farmers. He is the son of Henry and Margaret (Austin) Powell, natives of Virginia and Maryland respectively. Horatio Powell, the grandfather of our subject, was likewise a Virginian. The parents of our subject were married at Moline, Ill., in the year 1854, where Mr. Powell was interested in the lumber trade, being part owner of one of the sawmills on the banks of the Mississippi, and was also engaged as a sawyer. His death was the result of an unfortunate, and to his family terrible, accident, and occurred as the result of a severe blow upon the thigh, received from a bounding scantling. He only lingered two or three days, and then died, being at the age of about thirty-four years. This sad event occurred in 1858, leaving his widow with three children, who were named as follows: James E., Mary E. and Sarah B. His widow, the mother of our subject, still lives at Grand Island, Neb., and is aged fifty-five years.

Our subject was born at Moline, and his early recollections gather round that place, although, being but four years of age when his father met his death, his memory supplies no entableture of him. After the death of his father our subject lived for a short time with his grandparents, and when his mother married again he returned home. From the age of eighteen he resided with his grandparents until 1880. During this time he had received a practical, common-school education. Upon leaving them he went to Bedford, Iowa, and farmed for one year, and from there went to Conway, where his mother came to keep house for him, her second husband having died. She was accompanied by the four children born of her second marriage, whose names are as here recorded: Anna H. Goldsberry, Romance, John and Flora.

 At Conway, Iowa. Mr. Powell purchased a farm, which was afterward sold and another purchased. This process was repeated two or three times during his residence in that place. In September, 1883, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Chiles, a daughter of Henry and Dica (Kennedy) Chiles, both of whom were natives of the Eastern States. Mr. Chiles was assassinated in Texas by political opponents, he being a strong Republican and anti-slavery man, neither of which would serve as favorable credentials there at that time. His widow is still living at Conway, and is aged sixty years. She became the mother of eight children, five of whom are living, Mrs. Powell being the youngest. She was born Sept. 14, 1862, at Paris, Tex.; her father's death occurring so soon after, she has no recollection of him whatever. Shortly after the death of her husband Mrs. Chiles returned with her children to Illinois, and settled in Knox and Mercer Counties, and in 1881 removed to Iowa. Mrs. Powell, who received a good education in the Illinois schools, made the acquaintance of our subject there; this friendship was renewed subsequently in Illinois, and under such circumstances that its rapid growth demanded satisfaction in the more complete union of wedded life. They have one son, Claude, born in the year 1884.

Shortly after his marriage our subject came with his wife to this county, and took up 120 acres of land on section 11 of Nemaha Township. This removal has been shown by the results to have been the right step, for success has smiled upon them from the first. Additional purchases have been made from time to time, of 200 acres. The attention of our subject is chiefly given to stockraising, and besides his regular stock and herds he has a half-interest in the well-known stallion, "Westland Chief," of English shire strain.

In 1887 our subject was elected Road Supervisor, and the following year Clerk of the township and School Director; at the same time he is by no means an office-seeker. In his political tendencies our subject is a decided Democrat, but always gives his vote to the candidate in his judgment best qualified to fill the office, without, regard to party lines. Socially, he is connected with the I. O. O. F., and is regarded as one of its most faithful and praiseworthy members.

Our subject is an illustration of American Western life and success. Owing, perhaps, to the enthusiasm and far-sight of certain lecturers who are interested in schemes of immigration, the idea seems to have got abroad that in the West nothing is required excepting to take up land and supervise the work of Nature, who almost supplies the capital and raises the crop; the actual facts in the matter are diametrically opposite; Western farming requires just as much or more intelligence, energy, irre-

pressible courage and patient enthusiasm, as any other place on earth, and wherever there is success these qualities must be possessed. Whether our subject would have been as successful. or in any such measure prosperous, without the companionship of his estimable wife, is questionable. He who said "It is not good for man to be alone," knew the creature He had formed better than the creature could possibly know himself, and He had so arranged His plans and effected His work as to make the wife the complement of her husband, and those lives are the most beautifully complete and happily successful that are in harmony with this law of being, as in the case before us.

AMUEL KIESS is a son of Leonard and Elizabeth Kiess, both natives of Williamsport, Pa., at which place they were reared, married, and gathered about them a family, and at which place they died. The father was engaged in farming, and he died in the year 1858, at the age of fifty-one years. The mother died in June, 1863, she and her husband having been members of the Allbright Church. There were nine children in their family, seven of whom are still living, our subject being the third child. The grandparents of our subject were natives of Germany, his paternal grandparents having come to America in about the year 1790, and located in Lycoming County, Pa., when that country was an unbroken forest. They remained in Pennsylvania until their death, and at the death of the grandfather there was a posterity of sixty-three grandchildren living, six others being deceased.

The maternal grandparents of our subject were also natives of Germany, who came to America about the year 1790, and located in Lycoming County, Pa. They were among the earliest settlers, and took an active part in developing that country, Williamsport at that time consisting of only a few log houses, a little log house doing duty for a court-house. Almost a century of years has passed since that time, and could the former inhabitants of that section of the country be permitted to visit their old home, they would doubtless be astonished beyond all measure at the appearance which it now presents

 On the 17th of November, 1863, the subject of our sketch was married to Miss Sallie Burkard, of Crawford County, Ohio, a daughter of Tobias and Christina (Kiess) Burkard. The parents came from Pennsylvania in 1848, and lived in Ohio until their death, that of the father occurring in August, 1876, at the age of eighty-one years, and that of the mother taking place on the 11th of January, 1887, at the age of eighty-three years. They had a family of seven children, of whom six survive, Mrs. Kiess being the fourth child. To our subject and wife have been given a family of six children, namely: Daniel W.; Jacob, who died on the 3d of August, 1869, at the age of two years; David T., Edward T., Thomas S. and Elizabeth R.

Mr. Kiess came to Nebraska on the 1st of May, 1833, and located in Richardson County, where he remained about twenty months, and then came to the farm on which he now lives. His farm consists of 160 acres of well-improved land on section 27, Sicily Township, on which there is a good house, barn and other buildings. The farm is well fenced into fields and is in a high state of cultivation, and on it is a nice fish pond and plenty of running water for the stock. Our subject has a beautiful home and is in every way admirably situated. He is a member of no political party, but invariably votes for the man whom he thinks to be best qualified for office. regardless of the party to which he belongs. Mrs. Kiess is an esteemed member of the Evangelical Church.

Our subject has quite a rare collection of bric-a-brac, which is of very great value to a lover of relics as he is. He has a Bible, the former property of a German in New York, that was printed in the year 1668, and for which he has been offered $3,000, refusing to take that amount. It is about seventeen inches long, ten and a half inches wide, and six inches thick, and is bound in what is supposed to the leather made from the skin of a hog, with heavy brass corners and clasps, and was printed in Frankfort, Germany. Our subject also has a fine collection of ancient coins and currency, among which is a three cent piece issued by the West Branch Bank of Williamsport, Pa., on the 1st of January. 1863;