of travel in those days. Life in the new home was by no means easy, and the pioneers experienced all the difficulties incidental to new settlers in the sale of their produce, being far from market; and, in spite of struggle and toil. At the time of his death, in 1822, Lathrop Converse was still in debt for his place, and his widow was compelled to sell the farm. After that liability was settled there remained $40. The doctor's bill of $100, consequent upon the long sickness of her husband, was paid with twelve head of cows and one horse. Thus was she left without means to fight for herself and four little ones, whose ages ranged from six months to six years.
   The year following the death of her husband Mrs. Converse was married to Heman Wheeler, a native of Vermont, a farmer by occupalion, and the owner of forty acres of land in the same township. Both Mr. Wheeler and wife were at this time devout members of the Methodist Church, and, although during the last six years of his life Mr. W. was not connected with any church, his Christian life and character were the same. He departed hence in 1842, his widow continuing upon the homestead many years. She finally took up her residence with her eldest son, with whom she remained until her death, in 1873.
   Incidents innumerable might be noted, full of interest regarding pioneer life, but one must suffice. Of course it was the custom of the mother of our subject to do all her own work. Cooking was performed by the open fireplace, and instead of a journey to the dry-goods store, the spinning and weaving were performed by the mother's hands, and the cloth or linen produced was the result of her own industry and ingenuity. Joel N., our subject, was once sent to the settlement with a fleece of lamb's wool, which was to be manufactured into a hat, and in payment carried twelve bushels of potatoes instead of our more convenient but then seldom used coin. What "store clothing" was used was paid for at a price which to us now would seem enormous.
   At the time of his father's death our subject, having been born Dec. 13, 1820, was two years of age, and was reared by his stepfather. Whatever opportunities there were for giving him an education were seized and made the most of. The school-house was the usual primeval log cabin with its puncheon or mud floor, rough benches and open fireplace, and yet we question whether our more refined modern institutions have turned out nobler and better men than have graduated from some of these old-fashioned school-houses. As soon as large enough Joel began to assist in the farm work, and continued thus employed until he was nineteen years of age, combining, however, with this during the winter, from his sixteenth birthday, the profession of teaching. In his nineteenth year he commenced the study of medicine, and was graduated, in 1845, from the Starling Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio. He continued to follow his chosen profession in Union and Madison until the year 1852, when he turned his attention to farming and. railroad construction, in Randolph County, Ind. Upon the organization of the Union & Logansport Railroad Company he was first made Vice President, and shortly afterward President, and superintended the construction and operation of the road for a period of eight years; then in 1869 he came to Nebraska, and built and operated the railroad extending from Nemaha to York, via Nebraska City and Lincoln. In 1877 he leased the road and retired from active service. He had in the meantime made his headquarters at Nebraska City and Lincoln.
   The first sojourn of Mr. Converse in this State was at Nebraska City, whence he removed to Lincoln, which remained his home until 1884; thence he removed to his farm in Elk Precinct in the fall of 1886. This farm comprises 1,280 acres of land, splendidly situated and very fertile, where a large area is devoted to general agriculture, and where Dr. Converse has ample facilities for his extensive operations as a stock-raiser. He now stands in the front rank of this industry in the county, having accommodation for over 300 head of cattle, and seldom having less than this number there. He is also a lover of fine horses, and has over 100 choice specimens of the equine race in his stables and pastures, including the Hambletonian and Norman breeds. In addition to this farm he owns large tracts of land in other parts of the State.
   The residence of Dr. Converse is fully in keeping

with the extent and magnificent appointments of his farm in general. It is a very large and handsome gray stone building, noble in style of architecture and standing upon an elevation which commands a fine view of the surrounding country, including the greater part of his own property. The attractiveness of the dwelling is increased by the stately forest trees in its vicinity, and the ornamenta shrubs around it. The interior shows in every apartment the work of the modern artist and decorator, as do also the furnishings and general appointments. It is a home worthy of the man who has fought his way upward from the log cabin and pioneer school-house, depending solely upon his own resolution, and undaunted through difficulties and discouragements. The chief enjoyments of his home are largely due to the exquisite taste of his estimable and cultured wife, who possesses rare good judgment in the selection of those decorations suggestive of refinement and cultivation, and looked after with due care and attention. The grandson of Dr. Converse, Harry G. Reeder, a member of the family, is a young man of most excellent qualities, besides possessing rare abilities as an artist, his tastes largely turning to animal painting. Mrs. Converse, like her husband, is a descendant of English ancestry who crossed the Atlantic during the Colonial days. As a maiden she was Margaret F. Gaskell, and in education, culture and innate womanly qualities, is well fitted to be the companion of her husband. They were united in that closest relationship on earth Jan. 31, 1884, Mrs. Converse was born in 1848, in Quincy, Ill., and is the daughter of John P. Odom, who was born in Waldo County, Me., in 1813, and was the son of Capt. John Odom, also of the Pine Tree State. One of his ancestors was Sir John Oldham (as the patronymic was then written), a pioneer settler of the Province of Maine, who lost his life in a combat with the Indians.
   W. Converse during his early manhood was a Whig, politically, and cast his first Presidential vote for"Tippecanoe and Tyler too." Upon the abandonment of the old party he placed himself fully in accord with the principles of Republicanism, to which he has strongly adhered. In the various campaigns since 1856 he has been an outspoken and eloquent advocate of Republican principles, making himself master of the great questions of the day. Although in no sense a third-party man, he has always maintained the strictest temperance principles. He stands before the community as a man worthy of the confidence and esteem so heartily accorded him and his estimable wife, and which they both appreciate to the fullest possible extent.
   The principles of the I. O. O. F. fraternity have for a period of over forty years found in Mr. Coverse an able defender and exponent, he having become identified with the order as early as six years later, in 1852, he also became a member of the Masonic fraternity, and some time since attained to the Royal Arch degree. In his religious views he is broad and catholic, believing in the final redemption of the human race. Using his own language, "this has been a beacon light to guide his footsteps for these many years." He is one of those men who believe that the richest results are obtained by a generous and liberal treatment of his fellowmen. His whole course of life has been actuated by the principles of the Golden Rule, while at the same time it has been distinguished by a persistent and indefatigable industry.
   Considering the career of Mr. Converse it is not astonishing that success should have crowned his efforts. In his declining years it is meet he should be surrounded by those substantial and elegant comforts which he has so amply earned. The richest legacy, however, which he can leave to his friends and to posterity, will be that of his untarnished name. By those who know him best he is held in the warmest regard. It is with pleasure that we present to our numerous readers the portraits of Dr. Converse and his high-minded wife, together with the view of their beautiful home and its environments.

EV. JOHN BERK. The mightiest factor in civilization in the world, the power back of the institutions which distinguish civilization of the Christian era from that of any of its predecessors, the inspiration which has given to the wives, mothers and sisters of to-day, their