vigorous in his presentation of what he believed to he the truth.
   Mr. Hickman took a great liking to the country, and intended to make his home at Nebraska City, and with this in view purchased a lot and erected a house which cost $4,000, intending to make it his home, but the difficulties with his sight being about that time inclined to grow worse he was induced by former residents in Nebraska City to remove to Centerville. He was delighted with the surroundings, and purchased 320 acres of land, and removed to the same in the year 1866 with his family, and afterward added 160 acres more. He now retired from ministerial labors and devoted himself to agriculture.
   It there is one man more than another who needs a good pure, true, cultured companion in life, it is the minister of the Gospel, and our subject found in his wife just the one who could enter into his labor with him, giving it due weight and appreciation, one able to cheer, encourage, aid or divert from labor, as might be needed. He has been twice married, the first time in Germany, and to this union one child was born in 1838, and is named Henry. Mr. Hickman was bereaved by the death of his wife, and in 1849 he was again married, to Miss Mary Dearking, in Missouri. This union has been blessed by the birth of four little ones, by name: Henry, Louisa, George and Sophia. It has been the privilege of our subject to see them grow up and enter upon honorable and useful careers. Henry owns two farms in this State, is the husband of a very excellent lady, Louisa Phillipson, the daughter of Mold Phillipson. Louisa and George reside at Cortland, and are engaged together in mercantile pursuits; Sophia is the wife of the Rev. Summelad, and resides at Garnerville, Iowa.
   Before concluding this sketch it would be, perhaps, well to add one or two statements in general concerning the work of our subject in this State. He has always felt a very deep interest in the preparation of the youth for active life, and has devoted a large portion of his energies to that end in the earlier days of his residence here he had many difficulties of a special nature to contend with, as, for instance, that of the famine, which caused so much suffering and was the occasion of very, bitter experiences. Then, in the late tin pleasantness there was the difficulty, the result of political feeling between Secessionists and Unionists; but it is just to state that to-day many of his warmest friends, defenders and supporters are found among those who were then his worst enemies. Our subject has been the instrument of building nine different churches in the State, beside organizing many more. He has himself been exceedingly generous, not only in regard to the poor, the sick and suffering, but in the matter of church extension. He gave two lots for the Presbyterian Church at Hickman, and also supplied the bell.
   "A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country." This may possibly be true in our subject's case if he were to return to his native land, but is hardly correctly descriptive of the feeling with which he is regarded in his adopted country and State, for so highly is he esteemed and so well beloved for his work's sake, and for his high Christian character, that, although he entered a protest, and did not desire any such action, the town of Hickman received its name by the unanimous election of the people in his honor; and while the town remains it will be a monument to this faithful soldier of the Cross. The political sentiments of our subject are those presented by the Republican party, of which he is in old and tried friend and supporter, and by his compatriots he is held in highest estimation as a true and loyal citizen of the Republic.

ENRY K. KEMPER. Among the prominent and intelligent German citizens of Lancaster County, who took up their abode here during its early settlement, the subject of this sketch occupies no unimportant position. He has contributed to the building up of Stockton Precinct and vicinity, yielding to it his labors and his capital, and has thus proved an important factor among the men who have given it standing and position. He is now the proprietor of a fine estate on section 17, of which he is the owner of 320 acres, and in addition to general farming makes a specialty of

stock-raising, in which he has been uniformly successful, and besides surrounding himself and his family with all the comforts of life, has a snug bank account and sufficient of this world's possessions to keep himself comfortably in his old age.
   The Great West owes no small amount of its development and prosperity to the class of men who crossed the Atlantic from the German Empire. The subject of this biography was born in the Kingdom of Prussia, Dec. 24, 1840, and came to America when a youth of twenty years. In accordance with the laws and customs of his native Empire he had acquired a thorough common-school education, and when landing upon American soil was well fitted, both by habits and training, to "get on" in the world.
   Young Kemper, upon bidding adieu to his friends, embarked on a sailing-vessel at Bremen, and three weeks later landed safely in New York City. Thence he at once proceeded to Lancaster County, Pa., where he was for a year employed is a farm laborer, and thereafter traveled about considerably, living first in Pittsburgh, Pa., and thence migrating to St. Louis, Mo. Here he was variously employed, and in 1863, during the progress of the Rebellion, was an employe of the Government in Tennessee. We next find him at Belleville, Ill., and from there, in May, 1868, he came to Nebraska, taking up his residence temporarily in the city of Lincoln. Notwithstanding his meanderings he had with true German thrift and prudence saved up a little sum of money, and now invested in ninety-two acres of land in Otoe County, this State, upon which he settled with his family and lived for a period of fifteen years. In the spring of 1883 he sold out and came to Stockton Precinct, where he now purposes to remain.
   Our subject, while a resident of Belleville, Ill., was captured by one of his country women, Miss Mary Yaeger, to whom he was married Aug. 7, 1868. Of this union there have been born nine children, one of whom, a son, Victor, died when eighteen months old. The survivors are Ida, Vina, Spencer, Devan, Henry, Mary A., Amanda and Bertie. The eldest of these is nineteen years of age and the youngest two. They are living at home.
   Mr. Kemper after becoming a naturalized American citizen identified himself with the Democratic party, in which he is prominent in this section of the country. In the fall of 1886 he was made the candidate of his party for the Lower House of the Legislature, but his ticket being in the minority he was defeated with the balance of it. This incident is indicative of the progress which he has made as an American citizen, and one who has become thoroughly identified with the interests of his adopted country. He has held all of the school offices of his district, and with his estimable wife is a member of the German Lutheran Church, at Stockton, of which he was one of the moving spirits at the time of its organization. He built the first hotel in Bennet, and which is familiarly known as the Kemper House.

HARLES W. GILLHAM, who has been a resident of this county nearly twenty years, settled upon his present farm on section 13, in Waverly Precinct, in 1869. He was born in Greene County, Ill., Oct. 11, 1827, and is the son of Charles and Clarinda (Lusk) Gillham, who were natives respectively of South Carolina and Georgia.
   The parents of our subject, in 1833, left Illinois and migrated to Grant County, Wis., settling on a farm, where they spent the remainder of their days, the father dying about 1864, and the mother is 1878. Of the twelve children comprising the parental family seven are now living, namely: Jane, the wife of John Kennedy, of Wisconsin; Thomas C.; John G.; Sarah, Mrs. James Mitchell; Charles W.; Elizabeth, the wife of James Lytle, of Nebraska; and Margaret, Mrs. William Joslin, who lives in Wisconsin. Mary, who died about 1858, was the wife of James Blundell, of Colorado. The others died in childhood.
   The subject of this biography was reared to manhood on the farm in Wisconsin, residing there until 1850. In the summer of that year he crossed the plains to California, and followed mining on the Pacific Slope until about 1855. In the spring of that year he returned to Wisconsin, via the Nicaragua route and New York City, and resumed farming in La Fayette County, Wis., until starting

for Nebraska in the spring of 1869. His first purchase of land in this county was 160 acres, to which he subsequently added until he now has a fine tract, 320 acres in extent, most of which he has brought to a good state of cultivation, and has put up substantial and convenient buildings.
   Mr. Gillham, after laying the foundations for a future home, was united in marriage, Oct. 12, 1870, to Miss Jane Hart, who was born in Grant County, Wis., Aug. 15, 1849, and is the daughter of Ebenezer and Eveline (Gilson) Hart, who were natives of Scotland, and died in Wisconsin when their daughter Jane was quite young. Besides herself there were two more girls in the parental family: Sarah, now the wife of John Clevenstine, and Mary, Mrs. John Vaughn, of Minnesota.
   Our subject and his wife began the journey of life together at their pleasant home, and in due time became the parents of two sons and two daughters, namely: Charles D., Carl E., Ida May and Ina Belle. Mr. Gillham has very little to do with public matters, but uniformly votes the Republican ticket. With the exception of the time spent in California, he has mostly been employed in agricultural pursuits, although for a time he worked in the lead mines of Grant County, Wis.

EDAD OSBORN. As an old settler of Yankee Hill Precinct, and one who has from its earliest years been prominently identified with its agricultural interests, it gives us great pleasure to give a place in this work to a sketch of the life of the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biography. He is a native of Orleans County, N. Y., born Oct. 17, 1823, to Orrin and Naomi (Woolcott) Osborn. They were Eastern people. His parents were married in Greene County, N. Y., and removed thence to Orleans County before the birth of our subject, and there his father was actively engaged in agriculture, and there he and his good wife spent the remainder of their lives, being honored and respected for the many good qualities and sound principles that made them desirable neighbors and true friends to those about them. They were the parents of seven children, who are named as follows: Norman, of Orleans County; Lyman, of Jones County, Iowa; Lorenzo, of Orleans County; Orrin, of Green County, Wis.; our subject; Mercy, now Mrs. Faxon, of Michigan; Dolly, of Orleans County.
   Medad Osborn was reared to manhood in his native State, his early years being spent on a farm, and he received an education in the common schools. In the year 1847 he began to work in a saw and grist mill, and followed that business some three years, in company with Henry and James Osborn, in Washtenaw County, Mich. In about 1850 he built a mill for the purpose of manufacturing woolen goods, and managed it under the firm name of H. Osborn & Co. for some twenty years. They were engaged mostly in custom work, were quite successful in their business, secured a fair trade and accumulated considerable property. In 1872 our subject settled up his affairs in the State of Michigan, as he desired to turn his attention to the pursuit to which he had been reared, and on the beautiful prairies of Nebraska upbuild a new home for himself and family. On his arrival here he settled in Yankee Hill, which was then a new town with but few inhabitants. He bought a tract of 160 acres of land in this precinct, and by hard labor and shrewd management has improved it into one of the finest farms in Lancaster County. The original owner of the farm was one John Q. Adams, who had taken the land from the government under the provisions of the Homestead Act, and he had then sold it to Erastus Brown, from whom our subject had purchased it. While laboring thus in his own interests our subject has been an important factor in developing Lancaster County into a splendid agricultural country, unsurpassed in the variety and fineness of its products.
   In 1877, on the 13th of September, our subject took unto himself a wife, who has made his home pleasant and comfortable, and as a true helpmate has cheerfully aided him in all his undertakings. Mrs. Osborn's maiden name was Ellen Bowers, and her native place was the great manufacturing city of Lowell, Mass., where she was born Aug. 12, 1831. Her parents, Joseph and Almaria (Stevens) Bowers, were both of good old New England ancestry and birth, and finally died in Lancaster

County, Neb., where they had made their home for a few years, the father departing this life in 1881 and the mother in February, 1887. The father had been twice married, and of a large family of children the following survive: Josiah is a physician in Yankee Hill; Anne is now Mrs. Marshall; Ellen, Arthur, Dudley W., William E., Herbert S. and George.
   Mr. and Mrs. Osborn are among the leading members. of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in their quiet and unostentatious manner of performing kind and neighborly deeds, and by the example of their daily lives, they do much to strengthen the belief in Christianity. They occupy a high social position, and do what lies in their power to elevate society, and to promote the best interests of the township and county. Politically, Mr. Osborn affiliates with the Prohibition party.

LIVER S. BAIRD, of the firm of Baird Bros., dealers in hardware and tinware at No. 1242 O street, is an intelligent, wide-awake man, whose fine business talents are gaining him an assured place among the leading merchants of Lincoln. He was born in Clinton County, Pa., Nov. 22, 1840, and is a son of James H. and Catherine (Stout) Baird, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, his father born in 1804, and his mother in 1814. His father was early in life a lumberman in Pennsylvania. In 1841 he migrated to Knox County, Ill., and purchased 320 acres of land, and was extensively engaged in farming there until his death in 1866, when a valuable citizen was lost to the community where he resided. He was not a member of the church, but, his life was characterized by strict honesty and uprightness, his word always being regarded as good as a bond, and by industrious labor he had accumulated a comfortable property. In politics he was a strong Republican. His good wife survived him several years, dying on the old homestead in Knox County, in 1882. She was a woman of singularly pure and good character, and, although a member of no church, was, nevertheless, a sincere Christian.
   Our subject was reared on his father's farm in Elba Township, Knox Co., Ill., and received the preliminaries of his education in the common schools. He had not attained his majority when the war broke out, but on the 22d of September, 1861, he enlisted in the service as a private in Company B, 8th Missouri Infantry, being mustered in at St. Louis. Thence his regiment was ordered to Paducah, Ky., and took an active part in the capture of Fts. Henry and Donelson. Our subject served under both Grant and Sherman; he was in the battle of Corinth, and in the first attempt to take Vicksburg. He was at Arkansas Post, and also assisted his comrades in the victorious battle at Champion Hills. He was present at the siege of Vicksburg, which commenced May 19, and ended on the 4th of July, 1863. Our subject was sick after that and went home on a furlough of six weeks, and at the expiration of that time rejoined his regiment at Iuka, Miss., his fine constitution having quickly recuperated from the effects of the wound that he received at Vicksburg. After his return to the South, Mr. Baird participated in the battle of Chattanooga, and when the order was. given to take the rifle-pits at the foot of Missionary Ridge, he was one of that company of brave and daring men who, carrying the works at the base, and entirely forgetful of previous orders to halt and re-form, dashed on up the ascent, surmounted every obstacle, unheeding the bullets of the enemy, advanced over the crest, and an instant later turned the captured rebel guns on the retreating foe, and the battle of Chattanooga was won. He was subsequently detailed to do duty in the commissary department, where he was employed until his honorable discharge, Sept. 22, 1864, at East Point, Ga.
   After his retirement from the army Mr. Baird returned to his old home in Knox County, Ill., and for six months he worked out by the month. But being ambitious to finish his education, he entered a commercial college at Chicago, where for two years, 1866 and 1867, he pursued a thorough coursed study, which well qualified him, for any business that he might adopt in after life. After leaving school he opened a grocery store in Yates City, but he afterward sold out and established himself in the dry-goods business at Gilson. He next entered

into the grain and stock business there, and later carried on the same in Knoxville very successfully until 1879, when he went to Maquon, Knox County, and became a hardware merchant. In 1883 Mr. Baird left the Prairie State to make his home in Lincoln, being attracted hither by the enterprise and push of the citizens of this city, who were making it a great commercial center and providing innumerable chances for a live man to establish himself in a good business, and, at least, make a competency, if he did not become wealthy. The success that has followed his efforts since he came has proved the wisdom of his choice of location. He and his brother, who is also a man of much ability, have leased the present building that they occupy for seven years; they carry about $8,000 worth of stock, have a fine assortment of first-class hardware, and have built up a large trade.
   Mr. Baird was married, May 25, 1872, to Miss Sarah A. Pickerel. who was born in Knox County, in 1850, coming of an old pioneer family of Illinois, who went there from Virginia in 1838. She was a woman of many graces of mind and heart, that made her beloved by all who came under her influence, and in her death, June 10, 1883, many friends mourned their loss. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was active in all its good works.
   Mr. Baird has ever proved a good citizen, from the time when, as a mere youth, he went forth to fight his country's battles, and on Southern battlefields gained a good record as a brave and fearless soldier, to the present time, when he is doing all that he can to promote the material welfare of his adopted State. In politics he is a sound Republican; socially, he is a prominent member of the G. A. R., as represented in this city by Farragut Post No. 25.

ERHARD RIPPEN. In Oldenburg. Germany, was born Dec. 4, 1844, the gentleman whose biographical sketch is herein presented, and who has since become one of the most flourishing farmers of Buda Precinct. He has for some years resided upon his property on section 28 of this precinct. He is a son of Herman and Lena Rippen, both natives of Germany. Our subject was their eldest son and received the best education his parents could afford to give him, and was thoroughly versed in the various subjects it was thought necessary at that time to teach; but the difficulty which presented upon coming to this country was to apply his knowledge in our language.
   About the year 1867, when our subject was about twenty-three years of age, he emigrated to the United States, taking passage at Bremen in a sailing-vessel that for fifty-nine days gave him an experience that is even now vividly inscribed on the pages of memory. Upon landing at Baltimore he went to Clayton County, Iowa, and obtained work as a farm hand, and so continued for about two years. At the end of that period he came to this county; this was in the year 1869. He then took up a homestead claim of eighty acres of excellent arable land, and began farming on his own account. That he has been prosperous is shown in the fact that he today possesses 320 acres of land, having added from time to time to the original number.
   At the time of Mr. Rippen's entry there was not a furrow turned in the entire district. The land was in all its original wilderness, and has only been brought to its present condition by dint of much hard work day after day. He has spared neither thought, energy nor money in the endeavor to make his farm the ideal property he had designed.
   Upon the 21st of February, 1873, our subject was married to Maggie Meyer, a sister of Henry Meyer, of the same precinct. His wedded life has been happy from the first, and the characteristics which have been exhibited by our subject are very largely the result of this companionship. Mrs. Rippen was born on the 5th of January, 1853, in Hanover, Germany, to William and Catherine Meyer, with whom she came to this country when she was fifteen years of age. Her parents settled in Clayton County, Iowa, and in 1869 they removed to this county and began the pioneer life. Her parents had nine children, of whom six are living. Their names are recorded as follows: Henry, John, Maggie Katie (wife of Dietrich Rippen), Peter and Mary. To Mr. and Mrs. Rippen have been born six children, whose names are recorded as subjoined: John H.,

born Oct. 28,1877; Henry, Aug. 20,1879; Lena E., Sept. 21, 1881, and William, April 12, 1885. The deceased are as follows: Herman, born Feb. 28, 1874, died in the month of July, the same year; William, born Feb. 28, 1876, died Aug. 7, 1876.
   Our subject served for two years as Supervisor for this precinct, also School Treasurer for about eleven years. Both himself and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and are held in highest estimation. He has been elected President of an agricultural society. and is also a member of the German Family Club, at Cortland. In political matters our subject is connected with the Democratic party. The success which he to-day enjoys is largely the result of his own labor, but he has been most warmly supported and his efforts supplemented by his wife, who has done much the past years that has helped to make the life of our subject what he is to-day, and it is impossible that it should be otherwise where the adjuncts of ability and affection are not lacking.

AY A. SPENCER. This energetic and enterprising young farmer of Grant Precinct owns 160 acres of good land on section 30, together with a neat and comfortable residence, and the out-buildings required for the shelter of stock and the storing of grain. A native of Jefferson County, N. Y., he was born Jan. 5, 1858, the son of Oscar F. and Mary (Daniels) Spencer, also natives of the Empire State, and who lived there a number of years after their marriage. After the birth of all their children except the youngest, they changed their residence to Jo Daviess County, Ill., where the father carried on farming until the spring of 1878, and then resolved to cross the Mississippi. He first took up his abode in Humboldt, this State, and from there, in 1881, the family came to Lincoln, this county, where they still reside. Besides our subject, who was the eldest son, there were three other children--Edson R., Evlin O. and Alven D.
   Our subject remained with his parents during their different removals, assisting his father in the labors of the farm until after their arrival in Humboldt, this State. He now began to make arrangements for the establishment of a home of his own, and was married, on the 22d of December, 1881, Miss Cora L. Burns, who was born in Georgetown, Ohio, Nov. 26, 1863. Her parents, John T. Burns and his wife, formerly Miss Pauline Cline, were natives of Ohio, and came to the West in 1865, taking up their residence in Jo Daviess County, Ill.
   There the mother died about 1865, and there the father still resides. Their family consisted of six children, who are still at home with the father, except the two eldest, who reside in Nebraska. To our subject and his wife there have been born two children, both sons, the elder of whom, Claud died in infancy. Hugh was born Jan. 8, 1888, and is now an interesting child ten months old. Mr. Spencer votes the straight Republican ticket, and has held the office of Constable in Grant Precinct for the last year. His chief business has been farming, although for two years he was engaged in buying grain at Jamaica and Yankee Hill Point, There is every indication that he will in time have one of the most desirable farms in this part of the county, as he possesses the industry and good judgement for the proper development of his land, and effecting those improvements which will add to its value and attractiveness. He gives his close attention to his own affairs, is a man prompt to meet his obligations, and is thus held in general respect by his neighbors. Mrs. Spencer, a very estimable lady, is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

HARLES SEVERIN is well known among the prominent farmers and stock-raisers of Buda Precinct. His parents, John C. and Elizabeth Severin, are natives of Germany, who emigrated to America almost a third of a century ago. They lived until 1869 in Clayton County, Iowa, and then came to Lancaster County and settled in Buda Precinct, which is still their home. They have reared a family of seven children, all of whom are living not far from the old homestead. Their names are: John C.; Henry; V. Charles; Mary, wife of Frederick Lucke; August F.; Amelia, wife of Henry Cramer, all of whom reside in Buda Pre-

cinct, and Wilhelmina, the wife of Christian Rausch, living in South Pass Precinct. The parents are both well advanced in years, and make their home with their son-in-law, Mr. Frederick Lucke.
   Our subject was born on the 2d of August, 1848, in Prussia, Germany, and having made the long journey across the ocean he came with his parents to Iowa in 1856. He also made the removal with them to Lancaster County in 1869, and may be classed among the early settlers of this county. The greater part of his education was acquired in the district schools of Iowa during his residence in that State, to which he added a fair amount of business knowledge acquired in an evening school, which he attended during a short stay in Chicago, Ill. He went to Chicago when he was eighteen years old, and was for a time engaged as clerk in the mercantile business, but after three months' residence in that city he became ill and was obliged to return to his home in Iowa.
   Having obtained eighty acres of land from the Government under the homestead provision, our subject pre-empted an additional eighty acres, making 160 acres of land in the home farm. He also owns another eighty acres in the same precinct, and 160 acres in Chase County. Since his return from Chicago he has devoted his time exclusively to farming, and has secured excellent results on his own land. He has a very fine grove, containing about five acres planted with soft maple trees, averaging perhaps thirty-five feet in height, thus showing that even in a prairie country trees will grow well under favorable conditions, which consist firstly in the planting of them.
   In the past three years Mr. Severin has added improvements to the amount of over $2,500 on his already fine home farm, and now has one of the best in the county, in appearance as well as utility. He was married, on the 16th of March, 1872, to Miss Gesine Albert, and they are the parents of eight children, to whom they have given the names: William, Minnie, Mary, Richard, Carlo, Albert, Hubert and Frederick, all of whom are yet living at home with their parents.
   Not only has our subject distinguished himself as a thorough and scientific farmer, but he has taken a prominent part in the public affairs of this county, and is well known in political circles, as well as educational and judiciary. For a period of ten years he has served as School Director, and for a time has been the Assessor of his precinct, besides in the tribunals of justice having served for six terms, and at present being the honorable incumbent of the office of Justice of the Peace. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.
   Since the above was written our subject has been nominated for the State Legislature on the first ballot, by a unanimous vote of the delegates of the Republican Convention field in Lincoln on the 16th of August, 1888, which is almost equivalent to an election.

LEXIS HALTER. Among the various trades and occupations represented in a large city, none is of more importance than a well-conducted meat market, an institution which necessarily has more or less effect upon the health and well-being of the people. An establishment of this kind, presided over by the subject of this sketch, located at No. 216 North Tenth street, is quite a model in its way, being conveniently arranged, cleanly, and offering for sale the most wholesome viands in its department which it is common for men to use. Mr. Halter has served a thorough apprenticeship at this business and has a proper understanding of its details. He is a man who commenced in life dependent upon his own resources, and has attained to a good position, socially and financially, by pursuing the straightforward course of an upright citizen, always aiming to maintain his self-respect, and thus furnishing the surest guarantee to the respect of others.
   The Province of Ontario, Canada, was the early home of our subject, where his birth took place July 17, 1858. His father, Edward Halter, was born in France, while the mother, Mary A. (Sharbach) Halter, was a native of the Dominion. Both are of German extraction, and are still living in Canada, where the father carries on farming. They are devoted members of the Catholic Church, honest and upright people, who trained their children carefully and maintained a good position in their