nephew. He was the son of John and Eva (Newman) Jackson. His parents settled in Loudoun County, Va., where his father farmed a large tract of land for several years, and afterward removed to Hardin County, Ohio, and continued in the same occupation, and in this latter home died, in 1832, aged fifty-four years. His death was the result of a ferocious attack by a mad dog, in which he sustained several severe wounds from the teeth of the animal. His widow continued to make her home upon the Ohio farm until her death, in 1859, aged eighty-three. They were the parents of ten children, of whom four were boys. Our subject was the youngest, his natal day being Feb. 2, 1819, and the place of his birth Hillsboro, Va. At the time of the removal to Ohio he was five years of age, and about two years later he entered the common school, continuing in the same until he had gone the round of its classes.
   As a boy Mr. Jackson was unusually industrious, and had his full share of the high spirit and independence of the true American boy, and like the illustrious Garfield and others, he early began to labor. The work he undertook was that of wood cutting in the forests near his home, and farm work. He was fifteen years of age when the accident which removed his father occurred; he then the more manfully labored on, with the view of helping his mother, which he was enabled to do to no inconsiderable extent.
   The great step of our subject's life was taken in 1840, when he became the husband of Miss Mary McAllister, a lady of character, culture, refinement and womanly grace. She was the daughter of John and Mary (Graton) McAllister. Her father was a native of Ireland; her mother, of New England. They had made their home in Ohio among the earliest of its pioneers, and their experience and life was in common with their neighbors. Shortly after his marriage our subject removed to Henry County, and settled there. He purchased a piece of woodland, and was busily occupied in clearing and improving the same. He very shortly had a comfortable, if not elegant, home, and was enabled to reap large harvests, and prospered well.
   There were eight children born to our subject, whom it was his pleasure to see develop those qualities which point to a successful, life. Their names are recorded as follows: William, Martha, John, Mary, Isaac, Ella, Wilbert and Rebecca. Beside these a son was adopted into the family, and bears the name David Howard Jackson.
   About the year 1850 our subject made the acquaintance of James A. Garfield, who was a member of the same church, and had also met him on several public occasions. A firm and ardent friendship sprang up between them, which continued until the martyrdom of the beloved Garfield. Thus he continued with his family during the formative period of Ohio's history, working, suffering hardship, enduring reverses, and yet, withal prosperous and happy. In the midst of this beautiful, although perhaps somewhat quiet life, the family was suddenly disturbed and the quiet dispelled by the echo and reverberation of the guns which sent forth the shells to the walls of Sumter. This aroused all his patriotism, and stirred every instinct of manhood; immediately, although past forty-four years of age, being unable to restrain himself and satisfy his feelings with the excuse that there were younger men, he left his home and farm, and took his place in the first regiment of Ohio Sharpshooters, enlisting in Company A. He was a man always fond of his gun, and was an excellent marksman; at the target trial, which was given each man before enlisting in this regiment, he was the second upon the record of the entire regiment, and accounted a most perfect shot. From the report of the trial is given the following: "Three shots, averaging one and a half inches; five shots, five and a quarter inches." The record of our subject would have been the best of all, had not Lieut. Pickard, after Mr. Jackson's third shot, requested to be allowed to shoot the remainder for him, which was done in order to save his own record, as at first.
   Our subject in connection with his company engaged the rebels at Ft. Donelson, Nashville, Stone River, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Chattanooga. At the latter place he was seriously injured by the falling of a timber, disabled, and sent back to Nashville. He was also severely wounded in the same battle by a ball which took effect in his left arm. Finding that it would be impossible for him to serve again he was honorably

discharged at Nashville. After coming home to Ohio he remained upon the farm about two years, when he sold his property, put his belongings in his wagon, hitched up the team and started West. Their journey was continued until they arrived at Plattsmouth. The first winter was spent in Nebraska City, but early in the following year (1869) he came to Lincoln, purchasing his present property on section 4, Saltillo, which comprised eighty acres of what was then virgin prairie. He now began the second chapter of his pioneer experience, diverse in many ways from that obtained in Ohio. There he had the forest trees to remove before anything could be done. Here he had nothing but the level prairie to tame, but several times did he nearly lose everything, including life, by experience harder and more terrible than anything in his former home. The danger which threatened here was that which came from that element which, the proverb informs us, is a good servant, but a terrible master.
   A fire is bad enough when it is found in a city, even though it be surrounded by the darkness of the midnight hour, and mingled with the roaring flames is the shriek of some heavy sleeper just wakened to his or her hour of peril; but, linked with the mitigating circumstances of the powerful engines, the hook and ladder companies, the ready help of stalwart and heroic firemen, it is as nothing compared with the awfulness of the prairie fire, as, roaring, leaping, flashing, burning, as far as the eye can reach on either hand, it travels rapidly toward the home-stead with the grain ripening in the field and the stock in stall or pasture. Only one other experience can be named with it--that of the fires at sea.
   Several times our subject was roused from sleep or labor to fight such a fire. There was also another element of bitterness in the Nebraska pioneer experience, in the shape of the plague of flies, or grasshoppers. There were, however, diversions and pleasures as well as hardships, and our subject enjoyed many thrilling and exciting hours while hunting the various game found upon the prairie, and often the results added materially to the comforts and welfare of those who were left at home on such occasions, and enjoyed the pleasures of the hunt by way of the larder and kitchen fire.
   Not far from the house which our subject erected, a comfortable and convenient dwelling, beautiful for situation and not inelegant in its interior, was set out an extensive orchard, which contained besides a large number of cherry, plum and other fruit trees, 150 choice apple trees of different kinds. Abundant provision was also made for a liberal supply of various small fruits, as berries and currants, while the better qualities of grapes were also provided in profusion. The various farm and out houses are fully in keeping with the other appointments, both in regard to the solidity of their structure, convenient arrangements and general detail, and are doubtless an element in the large measure of success which attended the operations of this pioneer settler.
   The family of our subject demands some further reference in these pages. The eldest son, William, and David Howard enlisted together in the 100th Ohio Regiment, and the vacancies in the family circle to-day testify to a scar in the family which will never be effaced. At the battle of Atlanta William fell, shot through the heart, and his adopted brother was taken prisoner, sent to Libby Prison, the "black hole" of the South, and there succumbed to the terrible privations heaped upon the unfortunate occupants. The second child, Martha, became the wife of Thomas Peters, a prosperous farmer, and has become the happy mother of seven children; John, who resided at Mitchell and afterward at Lincoln, was married, and died in 1881, leaving three children; his wife is now Mrs. Obrion, of Lincoln. Mary was married to James Antill, resided at Lincoln, and died in the year 1882, leaving four children; Isaac is a successful contractor and builder at Lincoln, he is married, and is the parent of four children. Ella is the wife of John Swartz, one of Lincoln's prominent and prosperous merchants; they have one son, named Clarence; and lastly, Wilbert, who has charge of the homestead and farm, and is the husband of Miss Jane Dove.
   Mr. Jackson was a prominent member of the Christian Church, and among the number who adorn their profession by an every-day life of most perfect consistency. His widow is also a consistent member, and their membership extended over a

period of forty years, and until the weight of years began to be felt few surpassed them in the activities of Christian work. In the various offices connected with the church Mr. Jackson held important positions, was deeply interested in the establishment and prosperity of Sunday-schools, and for many years taught a Bible class, and acted as Sunday-school Superintendent. He died Aug. 28, 1888. He had, however, given the data from which this sketch is prepared.
   The first vote of our subject was cast for W. H. Harrison, of National, political and military renown. He always continued to be one of the warmest friends and supporters of the Republican party, actively engaging whenever advisable or necessary in the interests of the same. Without any attempt at fulsome eulogy it is only right and safe to say that no more honored, loyal or patriotic citizen, no truer or braver man, nobler or devout Christian, can be found, and that what he was as a man the companion of his life is as a woman possessing all those qualities which make the words wife and mother the noblest in our language.

RANK S. SPELLMAN, a farmer and stock raiser of Centerville Precinct, residing on section 22, is a son of Hon. Henry and Eleanore Spellman. His parents are natives of Hanover, Germany, having emigrated to America perhaps a half-century ago, and now residing in Cortland, Gage Co., Neb. They had a family of eleven children, of whom the following are now living: Harmon, in Centerville Precinct; John, in Gage County, Neb.; Sarah, wife of Nicholas Bohl, in Highland Precinct; Lena, wife of William Stutheit, of Centerville precinct; Henry in Highland Precinct; Frank our subject; and Elizabeth, wife of William Schramm, of Gage County, Neb. The parents of this family of children came to Nebraska some twenty-one years ago, and were among the early settlers of Centerville Precinct, residing here until the year 1885, when they moved to Gage County, Neb., their present home.
   Hon. Henry Spellman, the father of our subject, has served as a member of the legislature for one term, and as County Commissioner of Lancaster County. He is a man who is highly respected by all who know him, and enjoys the good-will of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. He keeps abreast of the times in all matters of general information, and heartily approves of any methods by which the future welfare of his community can be secured. For several years he was a land agent for the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company, and he has been successful in whatever business he has been engaged. He is an ardent Republican, and being now in his declining years he spends his days among his friends and relatives, enjoying the fruits of a life spent in usefulness and well-doing.
   When our subject was quite young he came with his parents to Lancaster County, where he has since lived, having seen the country improved from its primitive condition to the fine and well-kept farms of to-day. He has received it good education and has served as Assessor of Centerville Precinct for one year, and has united his fortunes with those of the Republican party. On the 25th of December, 1880, he led to the altar Miss Lena Krull, a daughter of Frank and Adaline Krull, of the same precinct in which our subject resides. Three children have been granted to them: John was born on the 24th of July, 1883; Emma, on the 10th of January, 1885, and William, on the 24th of August, 1887.
   Mr. Spellman is the owner of a good farm containing 120 acres of well-improved land, which has resulted from his own labor and close attention to his business. Few men who have arrived at success and distinction have wrought with more than one thought in mind. It is better to know one business or profession, and know it thoroughly, than to be partially acquainted with several different kinds of business and yet unable to make a success of any of them. Concentration of purpose on one thing is the great key to success in business life. When a man has carefully chosen a profession or a business in which he prefers to engage, he should direct all his energies and attention in that one channel to secure a success. This does not mean that he shall be narrow-minded and be entirely oblivious to all other affairs than those that immediately concern his business, but that he shall have a certain goal in view and that goal shall be pros-

perity, and it is easily to be seen that it can be reached by a straight path much sooner than by a deviating course which leads off to this side or that side, and perhaps finally loses the way. Such concentration of purpose, united with the admirable manly qualities of our subject, have won for him his successful career.

ARL LEMKE, the proprietor of 520 broad acres of valuable land, comprising the greater part of section 8, in Stockton Precinct, has by his thrift and industry risen to no unimportant position among the enterprising men of Lancaster County. A man of more than ordinary intelligence and excellent business capacity, he has proved himself one of those most needed in the development and settlement of a now tract of country. The most of his life has been spent in agricultural pursuits, and coming to this county during the period of its earliest settlement, there was ample room for the exercise of his natural industry and perseverance. He has been generously rewarded for his labors, being now in possession of a property which yields him a fine income, and by means of which he has been enabled to surround himself and his family with all the comforts of life.
   The enterprising German citizen has been largely instrumental in the building up and development of the Great West. Mr. Lemke was born in the Kingdom of Prussia, April 8, 1844, and when a lad of fourteen years, filled with ambition and plans for the future, crossed the Atlantic with his uncle, Frederick Pritzman, joining his two brothers and two sisters, who had preceded him to the land of promise. From New York City he at once made his way westward to Racine County, Wis., living there with his brothers for one year, and then, in 1859, coming to Nebraska and settling in Stockton Precinct, where he has since made his home. The face of the country at that time presented a widely different appearance from that of the present, and Mr. Lemke can have the satisfaction of knowing that he has effected in no small degree the transformation of the county.
   During the years 1860 and 1861 young Lemke worked in Otoe County on a farm, and in the summer of 1862 sought the Platte River region, where he remained a year. The summer of 1863 found him at Omaha, Neb., where he remained three years engaged in teaming, and in the summer of 1866 returned to Stockton, this county, and was employed by his brother-in-law until the fall of that year. At this time, being ready to establish a home of his own, he was married, in December, 1867, to Mrs. Marie (Shultz) Lemke, who was the widow of John Lemke, who died in Stockton Precinct in 1865. The birthplace of Mrs. L. was not far from that of her husband, in Prussia, and the date thereof Feb. 20, 1830. Of her first marriage, which took place in Germany, there were born five children, the eldest of whom, a daughter Minnie, died when fifteen years old. The others, John, Agnes, Willie and Emma, are living in Lancaster County. Of her marriage with our subject there are no children.
   Mr. Lemke is a strong adherent of the Republican party, and, with his estimable wife, prominently connected with the German Lutheran Church.

OHN F. HAYDEN, who for four years was engaged in the hardware trade in the city of Lincoln, is a native of Iowa County, Iowa, was born Nov. 30, 1856, and is a son of Joseph and Sarah T. (Tufts) Hayden, natives of Ohio and Maine respectively, the father born in Warren County, Ohio, in 1818. Joseph Hayden was reared to farm life, which he still follows, having now a fine estate of 560 acres in Kearney County, Neb. A part of this he secured from the Government and added to it by degrees, bringing the whole to a good state of cultivation, and which is now principally devoted to the raising of cattle and sheep.
   The parental household consisted of eight children, and John F., at the age of fourteen years, commenced learning the tinner's trade and hardware business, at which he was occupied mostly until reaching his majority; then, desirous of a change, he went into Western Nebraska and operated a sheep ranch three years, meeting with fine success. At the expiration of that time, in 1885, he came to the

city of Lincoln and established himself in the hardware business, operating alone the first year, and then associated himself with Mr. Flanigan. They sold out in August, 1888.
   Our subject has a pleasant home in the Driving Park Addition, presided over by a very pleasant and intelligent lady, who became his wife on the 20th of August, 1882. She was formerly Miss Malinda Dowe, and was born in the State of Indiana, in March, 1859. She received more than an ordinary education, being the child of intelligent and estimable parents. Her father's name was C. H. Dowe, who was a native of Indiana, as was also her mother. The little household of our subject comprises two bright children, a son and daughter. Homer G. and Mary E.
   Mr. Hayden, aside from giving due attention to the details of an extensive business, takes a lively interest in political affairs and is a stanch supporter of Republican principles. While a resident of Kearney County he was Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners and was elected for a second term, but resigned on account of the pressure of business. He identified himself with the Masonic fraternity in 1883, joining at that time Robert Morris Lodge No. 54, at Kearney, and was subsequently transferred to Lincoln Lodge No. 19. He became a K. of P. in 1885, and since that time has been Master of the Exchequer.
   The home of our subject is a tasteful frame residence, pleasantly located at the corner of Twentieth and V streets, and is the resort of hosts of friends. For a young man who commenced without a cent in his pocket, his record is eminently praiseworthy.

HOMAS G. HAWKINS, proprietor of a fine tract of land, 320 acres in extent, embracing the east half of section 35, in Grant Precinct, came to Nebraska in 1879. During the late Rebellion he served as a Union soldier, enlisting the first year of the war, Dec. 12, 1861, in Company I, 78th Ohio Infantry, the regular service, after having been three months with Company E, in the 19th Regiment. After entering the three years service he particpated (sic) in many of the important battles of the war, including the siege of Atlanta, where he was wounded in the left arm, July 22, 1864. He was mustered out at the expiration of his term of service.
   After the war Mr. Hawkins returned to his native township, Elk Run, in Columbiana County, Ohio, where he remained until coming to Nebraska. He was born Aug. 24, 1841, and lived with his father on the farm until a youth of nineteen years, at which time he enlisted in the army. In 1872 he was married, in Mahoning County, Ohio, on the 9th of February, to Miss Kate O. Oglevie, who was a native of his own county, and born Sept. 5, 1851. After his marriage Mr. Hawkins engaged in mercantile business at Elkton, Ohio, and was thus occupied until coming to the West. This move was made chiefly on account of his health. Before leaving the Buckeye State he was stationed at Wellsville for a period of six months, engaged in the drug trade.
   To our subject and his wife there were born six children, namely: Howard, Halsey L., Blanche O., Eva B., Frank O. and John B. Howard died when eight months old. The mother departed this life at her home in Grant Precinct, Feb. 18, 1884. She. was a most estimable lady and a member in good standing of the Methodist Church.
   Mr. Hawkins is a stanch supporter of Republican principles, and has held the various local offices, officiating as Clerk of Grant Precinct for a number of years. He has effected many improvements upon his farm since taking possession, having good buildings, a fair assortment of live stock, and everything about him conducive to the comfort of himself and his family. He is considered one of the solid men of his neighborhood, and in the building up of one of the best farms of Grant Precinct has been no unimportant factor in maintaining its reputation and standing as a desirable place of residence.
   The parents of our subject, John and Almira C. (Kemble) Hawkins, were also natives of Columbiana County, Ohio, where they still reside. Their family consisted of six sons and three daughters, who are residents of Ohio and Nebraska. The family is of English ancestry, and has been represented in this country for many generations. The

first to come to this country was Sir John Hawkins with his family, in 1665, and settled in Virginia, and from him has descended this branch of the Hawkins family in America. They were patriots in the Revolutionary War and contributed large sums to the support of the cause. They mostly pursued agriculture, and although making no great stir in the world, perhaps, have been composed of that solid and reliable class of the community without which society can have no permanent or reliable foundation.

ON. CHARLES H. GERE, editor of the Nebraska State Journal, is an honored resident of Lincoln, and a man highly esteemed throughout the State for his ability, integrity, keen perceptive faculties and business enterprise. He is a native of New York, and was born in Wyoming County, Feb. 18, 1838, being the eldest living child of Horatio N. and Julia D. (Grant) Gere. The early life of our subject was passed in Wyoming and Chenango Counties, N. Y., where he attended the district schools, receiving a substantial foundation for his future education. He afterward became a student at Oxford Academy, and from there went to Dickinson College, from which he was graduated with honor in 1861. Mr. Gere then made practical use of his educational attainments by becoming an instructor in an academic school of Pennsylvania. and subsequently teaching for a period of one year in Baltimore, Md., achieving much success in that profession. Being a loyal and true-hearted citizen of this grand Republic, the patriotism of our subject no longer allowed him to remain a spectator of the carnage and bloodshed being carried on around him, and he accordingly enlisted in the 10th Maryland Infantry, and afterward in the 11th Regiment, serving for several months on detached duty. At the close of the war he received an honorable discharge, and was mustered out of service in June, 1865. In the same year Mr. Gere was admitted to the bar in the city of Baltimore, and immediately after his admission started West, having decided to locate in Nebraska, which was then under Territorial government.
   Pawnee City was the objective point of his destination, and there he commenced the practice of law. He was energetic, progressive and public-spirited, and soon became prominently identified with the various interests of the city, and was a potential factor in advancing the prosperity of the county and State as well as of the city. In 1866 Mr. Gere was elected to the State Legislature, and the following year, when Nebraska was admitted to the Union as a State, he was appointed private secretary by Gov. Butler, a position which he ably filled until his removal to Lincoln in 1868. In the meantime our subject had established a newspaper at the latter place, called the Commonwealth, which he published under that name for two years, when the paper was changed to the State Journal.
   In the fall of 1868 Mr. Gere was elected State Senator, and served acceptably to his constitutents for two years, and during that time served on several important committees. He was chosen Chairman of the committee on education, and reported the bill for the organization of the university at Lincoln, and framed and introduced the bill for the erection of the first University building. He also framed and had charge of the bills for the erection of the first asylum for the insane, and for the first penitentiary of the State. He was a member of the railway committee, and drafted the bill which was afterward passed to distribute and appropriate hands to the first railways that should pass through the State. Subsequently our subject was Chairman of the Republican State Central Committee for four consecutive terms, performing its arduous duties satisfactorily to all concerned. In 1880 Mr. Gere was again elected State Senator, and, as before, took an active interest in all important measures brought before the Senate. He served as Chairman of the committee on ways and means, and one of the bills introduced by him was a bill for the revision of the school law of the State. In educational affairs Mr. Gere is an acknowledged leader, his education and natural abilities eminently fitting, him for such a position, and in 1882 he was appointed Regent of the State University, to fill a vacancy caused by resignation, being in September of the same year elected to fill the unexpired term, and in 1885 was re-elected to the same position for