management he has become the owner of a fine, well-improved farm of 160 acres, on which he has a very nice home, and is otherwise situated to enjoy in comparative ease his possessions. But while he has been successful in this county, and has accumulated quite a fine property, he is not so well pleased with the climate, and therefore thinks of removing to Oregon at some future time.

The lady whom our subject married in Germany departed this life in the month of November. 1874, while they were living in Illinois, and on the 22d of December, 1875, he was married to Elizabeth Scherling. Besides the children Emma and William, born to their parents in Germany, there was a son Louis by the first marriage born in Illinois. There are three children of the second marriage--Herman, Minnie and Frederick.

Mr. and Mrs. Haferland are active and esteemed members of the Lutheran Church, of which church our subject's first wife was also a member. Mr. Haferland is interested in the political government and welfare of the country, but he is not sufficiently partisan to join himself to any of the organizations, and generally casts his vote for the man whom he thinks is the best qualified for the position, regardless of the party to which he belongs. As a man who has worked his way upward to success from a small beginning, our subject has proved himself to be the possessor of those sterling qualities of manhood which never fail to bring distinction to the owner.

OHN C. BOYD. Among the citizens of Cortland, few are more worthy of the name  representative citizen, or are more enterprising, progressive or successful than our subject, who was born upon the 9th of April, 1820, in County Tyrone, in the North of Ireland. He is a son of Robert and Elizabeth Boyd, natives of the same district. Their ancestors were Scottish, but the family had been settled in Ulster for many years. When about two years of age our subject was taken by his parents to Ayrshire, Scotland, and was a resident there till he reached his seventeenth year. Scotland has always been remarkable for the attention given to the education of the young, and our subject received a good education, which he has since found occasion to utilize continuously.

In the fall of 1843 our subject emigrated to America, taking passage in the Glasgow sailing-ship “New York." For five weeks following he was "rocked in the cradle of the deep," but in no very gentle manner. Dame Atlantic seemed to he in no pleasant mood, and gave the good ship and those aboard her quite a rough handling. but the discomforts of the voyage were speedily forgotten upon landing in New York. Having learned the business of painter and glazier in the old country, he in New York found work as a painter, and continued in the city, for some time. Subsequently he for three years followed his trade in Haverstraw on the Hudson; thence he removed to Astoria, L. I., and went to work in a woolen factory. This he followed for about three or four years from that time. He subsequently removed to Little Falls, N. J., and for a number of years worked at both these trades.

From New Jersey our subject went to Ogle County, Ill., and there resumed his painting, remaining there for twenty-five years, doing both city and country work. His family resided on his farm, which was situated six miles north of Dixon. All these years he has been gradually progressing, becoming more and more prosperous, until he was quite fairly well-to-do.

Upon the 13th of August, 1862, Mr. Boyd enlisted in Company K, 92d Illinois Mounted Infantry, which became a part of the Army of the Cumberland, and took active part in the battles at Chickamauga. Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, siege of Atlanta, and also in Sherman's march to the sea. They then went to Savannah, through the Carolinas, and finished their active service at Greensboro, where Johnson surrendered. He received an honorable discharge in June, 1865, and returned to his Illinois home. He has been in many hard battles and close conflicts, and has had many narrow escapes, but has not been wounded at all seriously.

While residing in Haverstraw our subject was united in marriage, on the 11th of October, 1849, with Ann J. Hawthorne, a native of North Ireland, where she was born on the 27th of August, 1828.

This lady is the daughter of Robert and Mary Hawthorne, likewise natives of the same place, but of English family. She was brought to this country by her parents when but nine months old. The family landed in Montreal, and then came on to New York City, and there resided for about three years. They next removed to Thompsonville, Conn., which was their home for seven years. From Connecticut they went to Chenango County. N. Y., which was their home for ten years, and from there removed to Haverstraw. Here she met and married our subject as above noted. Her father was an ingrain carpet weaver, but later in life followed farming in preference. He was the father of eight children, five of whom are living, whose names are as follows: Ann J., the wife of our subject; James R., David, Thomas and Samuel.

One of the most strong of home's welding forces, and at the same time its perennial source of happiness, is the children who grace it, filling its halls and rooms with merry chatter and mirthful glee. Our subject has what the wise man calls “his quiverful," and is happy in such possession. There have been seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Boyd, six of whom are still living, viz: Mary E., the wife of Joseph Stevens, of Ogle County, Ill.; Robert, a prosperous farmer in Hitchcock County, Neb.; Isabella, the wife of Samuel Gull, of the same county; David, whose home is in the same neighborhood; the two youngest, Ella and Mattie, are still at home with their parents.

 In the spring of 1879 our subject came to Gage County, and purchased 160 acres of railroad land in Clatonia Township, from the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company, for which he paid $7.50 per acre. Subsequently he purchased eighty acres of adjoining land, and having improved it to his liking he made it one of the finest farms in the entire township. Besides this 240 acres he owns 160 in Hitchcock County. Ever since coming to this State he has followed farming and stock-raising exclusively, and the large measure of success he has enjoyed is due to his arduous labor, the result of his irrepressible will power. This was inspired by his self-respecting ambition, which was born of the unselfish desire to do the best possible good for and bring the largest amount of happiness into the lives of those near and dear to him. In all the period of their companionship he has been assisted and enthused by the most excellent management and wise counsels of his estimable wife, who has continuously, and with unflagging zeal, been to him all she promised when their mutual nuptial vows were made. In this it is positively certain our subject most heartily concurs, and would he the first to admit its truth, if not indeed to suggest it, after a happy companionship of about forty years. Although not members of any particular church denomination, Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are not without serious religious convictions, and are most highly respected because of the irreproachableness of their lives. They are always prepared to do their part either by contribution or actual effort, to aid in behalf of any enterprise connected with the churches or otherwise, if only it be worthy. They are active members of society, and move in its best circles. They are still in the prime of life, and in their home at Cortland, whither they removed in the fall of 1887, enjoying as is their right and privilege the fruit of previous years of toil and labor. While resident in Illinois our subject held several of the minor offices in the gift of the people with much satisfaction to all concerned. In his political principles and sympathies he is entirely with the Republican party, and has so continued for many years.

NOS BARKEY, SR. On section 32 in Highland Township lies one of the best appointed  farms in this county, the property of the subject of this sketch, who was born in Montgomery County, Pa., Oct. 20, 1815. H is consequently quite well advanced in years, and has made for himself a good record as a man and citizen.

Abraham and Catherine (Bornaman) Barkey, the parents of our subject, were natives of Pennsylvania, and traced their ancestry back to an excellent old German family which stood well among the noted families of Switzerland. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject crossed the Atlantic prior to the Revolutionary War, and his father was a Mennonite in religion and transmitted his religious faith in a marked degree to his offspring. The

maternal great-grandfather, Daniel Bornaman by name, was also of German birth and parentage, and emigrated to America at a still earlier date than the first representative of the Barkeys, the date being 1721. He established himself in Montgomery County, Pa., about thirty-five miles west of the present city of Philadelphia, and his descendants are still in possession of the property which he there accumulated.

The subject of this sketch was the fourth of ten children born to his parents, and when a lad of sixteen years removed with them from Montgomery to Butler County, where he was reared to man's estate. His early education was exceedingly limited, but being a bright and observant lad he made the most of his opportunities, and at an early age gave evidence of the strength of character which has marked his later years. A year after the removal to Butler County the mother passed away, and the father followed in less than two years thereafter. Enos commenced working on a farm at the age of ten years, and when fourteen began learning the trade of shoemaker, which, however, he followed but a short time. At the age of twenty years he was married, Aug. 23, 1835, to Miss Eve Ziegler, also a native of the Keystone State. Of this union there were born seven children, five of whom are living, namely: Susan, Mrs. Benjamin Bookwalter, of Grundy County, Ill.; Judy, the wife of Francis McGirr, of Holt Township, this county; Ziegler, of Highland Township; John, a minister of the Church of God, and a resident of Cortland, and Enos, who resides with his father on the homestead. Those deceased are Daniel and Mary, who died when three months and three years old respectively.

 Mr. and Mrs. Barkey, after their marriage, continued residents of their native State for a period of ten years, our subject engaging in general farming. In the spring of 1845 they migrated to Ohio, settling in Defiance County, whence they removed three years later to Elkhart County, Ind. We next find them in Grundy County, Ill., where Mr. Barkey purchased land, and with his family took up his abode among its pioneer settlers. He occupied the same farm there for a period of nearly twenty-five years, and in 1873 once more changed his residence, this time to Gage County, Neb. The land of Highland Township appeared to meet his requirements, and he pre-empted eighty acres on section 32, where he built a good homestead and has since remained. In addition to the cultivation of the soil he added to his possessions as his capital justified, and is now the owner of 1,440 broad acres, which are devoted largely to farming and stock-raising.

Mr. Barkey entered Illinois a poor man, being able to purchase only sixty acres of land at $3 per acre. There as here he was very successful, and before leaving the State was the owner of 750 acres. During the Civil War he was engaged largely in stock-raising, supplying the army with calves and grown cattle. He has met with his reverses in common with most men, but his indomitable will enabled him to rise above misfortune and discouragement, and his fine property to-day is the best evidence of his strength of character and resolute spirit. He is known far and wide as a man of sterling integrity, is a member of the Church of God, and a stanch supporter of Republican principles.

Mrs. Eve Barkey departed this life at her home in Highland Township, March 18, 1885, greatly mourned by her husband and family and all who knew her. She was a most devoted wife and mother, and the encourager and supporter of her husband in all his worthy efforts. It is hardly necessary to say that the name Barkey was given to the post-office at that place in honor of our subject, as he is one of time representative pioneers of Highland Township, and has been no unimportant factor in bringing about its prosperity.

HOMAS GRACE is an energetic farmer and aspiring politician of Rockford Township, where he resides in very comfortable circumstances, with surroundings of wealth arid refinement. His father, Martin Grace, was born in the county of Tipperary, Ireland, and his mother, Dolly (Eddy) Grace, in Canada, near St. Rays, not far from Montreal. The father came to Canada when he was a young man, where he made the acquaintance of the mother of our subject, and after

their marriage they remained in Canada until 1853, when they removed to Dubuque County, Iowa. There were twelve children in the family, named Thomas, John, Mary A., Elizabeth, Minnie, Agnes, Sarah, Joseph, Frank, Teressa and Bridget, the last-named of whom died when young, and one named Bridget living.

Our subject was born on the 2d of February, 1845, near St. Rays, Canada, and his mother died when he was but three years old. His father was married a second time, to Elizabeth McNalley, who is the mother of the above-named children, with the exception of our subject. He attended school in his native country, and was eight years old when he came with his parents to Iowa, continuing the pursuit of his education in the common schools of the new locality. He then began to work on the farm, and remained at home until the 3d of October, 1867, when he was married to Miss Anna M. Kurt, a daughter of Michael and Mary Kurt, who were natives of Germany. Mrs. Grace was born on the 20th of August, 1847, in Luxemburg, Germany, and was one year old when she came with her family to America. She had three brothers and sisters, and after the death of her father her mother married a second time, and had five children by the last union. She was educated in both the German and English tongues, and is as well acquainted with one as with the other.

Our subject and his wife have seven children, on whom they have bestowed the names of William H., Mary P., Clara F., John B., Thomas P., Anna A and Emil L. They came to Nebraska on the 10th of May, 1868, and from that year until 1874 they resided in Holt Township, in the fall of the latter year removing to their present farm of 160 acres. Our subject has made a great many improvements, having built a one and a half story house in 1880, and a good horse barn in 1883, the other buildings also being in a good condition. He has a fine orchard of 150 trees, and has planted groves of maple, ash, box-elder and catalpa trees, which add much to the appearance and value of the place. He has also taken an active interest in public affairs, having been elected Moderator of his school district, and sent three or four times as a delegate to the Democratic County Conventions, where he represented his constituents in an able manner. He is a member of the Catholic Church, of Beatrice, and bears a very excellent reputation among his fellowmen.

ORACE M. WICKHAM. The life of this gentleman, whose history is herein sketched, has been spent largely amid the scenes of frontier life, in the double experience of frontier soldier and pioneer settler. He is one of the most successful of the older residents, and is not unknown in the annals of the history of the district in which he resides. He continues to operate along the line of general farming 160 acres of excellent agricultural land, situated on section 3 of Blakely Township.

The residence of our subject in this county dates from the year 1859, and having been in the militia service several years, he took advantage of the Homestead Act and settled as above. During his time of service he was stationed at Pawnee, Little Blue and Ft. Kearney, and engaged in a number of skirmishes and more serious battles with the Indians that have given him quite an experience in this line, and furnish one of the most thrilling chapters of his history. Upon leaving military service and settling upon his farm, he brought with him all the enterprise, determination and spirit that have made him successful as a soldier, and in due time reaped his reward in the success that crowns his efforts.

The father of our subject, Thomas Wickham, was a farmer by occupation, and a native of New Jersey. He was born on Long Island in the year 1797, but spent his boyish days in the above-named State, removing thence to Ohio and settling in Muskegon County. He became the husband of Miss Clarissa Zane in the year 1824. This lady was a native of Ohio, and daughter of Isaac Zane, the gentleman who first settled on the site and platted the town of Zanesville. Mr. Wickhamn, Sr., and family continued to live as above until the year 1845, when they journeyed overland by wagon and team to Missouri, making their home first in Andrew and later in Holt County. Mr. Wickham

was removed from his family by death at the age of fifty-six years, while living in Andrew County, in the year 1853. Mrs. Wickham is still living, and makes her home with her children in Nebraska. Although she has reached the advanced age of eighty-four years, she still enjoys a large measure of health and strength.

The native State of our subject is Ohio, there he was born Sept. 2, 1832, in Licking County. He was thirteen years of age when his parents removed to Missouri, where he finished his education and began to work upon the farm, continuing this until he arrived at man's estate; thence he went to Iowa in 1856, and for two years lived at Glenwood, and at the end of that time came to this State, although he did not finally settle down to farming until 1865, after the military experience noted above.

Upon the 8th of May, 1859, our subject was married, at Bear Creek, three miles northeast of Beatrice, to Miss Lavinia Young, by Nathan Blakeley, then acting as Probate Judge. This was the first marriage celebrated in the county. The lady of his choice was a native of Kentucky, although educated and brought up in Iowa. At the age of twenty-four years she came to Nebraska, and after a time formed the acquaintance that resulted in her marriage. The same year of her marriage she went with her husband to the State of Colorado, and was taken sick near South Park, in the mountain district, and died on the 7th of August, 1860, while apparently in the prime and strength of her life and womanhood; she left no children.

Mr. Wickham contracted a second alliance while at St. Joseph, Mo., the name of the lady being Mrs. Isabel Bebee, nee Alexander, a native of Ohio, where she lived until her marriage with Mr. Perry Bebee. After her marriage she came to Gage County, Neb., with her husband and only son. They, while traveling en route to Santa Fe, were attacked by Indians in the Smoky Hills, who stopped the train, and massacred the crew and passengers, among them the husband and son of Mrs. Bebee. After this tragic event Mrs. Bebee removed to Illinois, and shortly before her marriage to St. Joseph. She died at the Blakely Township farm in 1873, leaving two children, who were named Clarissa and Frank; the former is keeping house for her father, and the latter, also at home, assists upon the farm. By her former husband Mrs. Wickham gave birth to a daughter, who is the wife of William Connoly, a prosperous farmer in Grant Township.

 Quite naturally, from his long residence and extensive experience, our subject has figured quite prominently in the history of the county during its development, and, besides township offices, was County Commissioner for three years. With his wife he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and they enjoyed, as he continues to do, the very hearty esteem of the church and community at large. In matters of civic import and State Government, as in general political affairs, he is ever a stanch Republican, and has always devoted his best energies to the success of his party.

DWARD HELLER. one of the oldest pioneers of Highland Township, settled on his present farm on section 7 in the spring of 1874. His birthplace and early home were on the other side of the Atlantic, in the little Province of Hanover, Germany, where he first opened his eyes to the light Sept. 19, 1836. His parents, William and Catherine (Kuhl) Heller, were of German birth and parentage, and he was their elder child. Their family included a boy and girl; the latter is now residing in Philadelphia, Pa.

The laws and customs of the Fatherland required the children of all citizens, both rich and poor, to enter school at an early age, where they prosecute their studies usually until fourteen years old. Young Edward was no exception to this rule, and consequently acquired a good education in his mother tongue. He continued in Germany until a man of thirty years, and then, not being satisfied with his condition or his prospects, resolved to emigrate to a country which held out better inducements to the enterprising and industrious citizen. In the fall of 1866 he took passage at the port of Bremen on a sailing-vessel, and after a tedious ocean voyage of fifty-three days set foot first upon American soil in the city of New York.

Mr. Heller, leaving the Empire State shortly after-

ward migrated to Philadelphia, Pa., and prosecuted his trade of bricklayer in that city for a period of five years. The young and growing State of Nebraska was now coming into prominence as a desirable place for the man of limited means, and our subject concluded to seek the farther West. First locating in Lincoln, he followed his trade for a time, in the meantime saving what he could of his earnings, which he purposed to invest in land. About 1875 he purchased 160 acres at $6 per acre, of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company, this land lying on section 7, in Highland Township. He took up his abode in a shanty on the raw prairie when a furrow had not been turned as far as he could see around him, and commenced in earnest the improvement of his property. By the exercise of the most rigid economy, and the industry which is one of the characteristics of his excellent German ancestry, he in time began to realize those results which are ever attendant upon him who is willing to labor and to wait. The splendid homestead which the admiring traveler views to-day is a standing monument to his resolution and perseverance, and is numbered among the valuable estates of this region. As a business man and a citizen Mr. Heller has acquitted himself most admirably, having been prompt to meet his obligations and conducting his business affairs in that straightforward manner which has won him the confidence and esteem of all who know him.

Our subject while a resident of Philadelphia was united in marriage with Miss Lina Busman, the wedding taking place Dec. 12, 1869. Mrs. Heller was born not far from the early home of her husband, in Hanover, Germany, on the 23d of April, 1844, and is the daughter of George and Lena Busman, who were of German birth and ancestry; the father spent his last years in Germany. The mother is with our subject; she was born in 1800. Mr. H. is a member in good standing of the Lutheran Church, and after becoming a naturalized citizen identified himself with the Democratic party, which he still supports. He was present at the organization of Highland Township, and was elected its first Supervisor. He is at present a Director in his school district, is serving his third term, and acquitting himself with satisfaction to those concerned. Although not the hero, perhaps, of any very thrilling event, he has distingushed himself as a peaceable and law-abiding citizen, and in the establishment of one of the finest farms in his township, has thus added to its advancement and prosperity.

EORGE F. COLLINS. The stranger to Western life is frequently surprised in taking his initial journey in such districts to observe the advanced state of "civilization," as they usually persist in calling it, so apparent in the metropolitan, suburban, and even remote rural districts, when, upon journeying to some farm far removed from the bustling, noisy city, they are greatly surprised to be introduced into homes as handsome architecturally, and evincing in their interior decoration, furnishing and embellishment the presence of some mind trained to high perfection of artistic discernment, and naturally possessed of every instinct of refinement and culture. Into such a home it is our pleasure to introduce the reader, also to present some of the more salient features in the life of its owner, the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch.

Mr. Collins comes of an ancestry successful in life, honorable in career, and heroic in national loyalty. The father of our subject was Moses F. Collins, and was born at Windsor, Vt., of English ancestry, his immediate progenitors having settled in Vermont in the Colonial days, when the English standard floated from the flagstaff, before the stars and stripes were devised. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Mary Wade, a native of Connecticut, and a cousin of Benjamin Wade of historic memory. She was the mother of seven children, three of whom were girls, and after a happy wedded life of sixty-three years died, in 1879, at the ripe age of eighty years.

The father of our subject removed with his parents to Wayne County, N. Y., while still young, and was there educated. He received all the advantages of a good and thorough education, and one that in after years greatly enhanced his success. One of his schoolmates was he who afterward became Gov. Dewitt Clinton, who, while in that office,