dwelling, with convenient buildings adjacent, all indicative of prosperity and comfort.
   The subject of this notice was born on the 12th of October, 1860, in Clayton County, Iowa, where his parents, John J. and Elizabeth Severin, settled among its earliest pioneers, and of whom honorable mention is made elsewhere in this ALBUM. August F. from there came with his parents to this county in the year 1869, and here has since made his home. He received his early education in the district schools, afterward taking a course of instruction in a German private school.
   Mr. Severin before reaching the twenty-third year of his age was married, May 24, 1883, to Miss Elizabeth Geselman, who was born in Germany, and at a tender age crossed the Atlantic with her parents, Laurens and Susan Geselman. Soon after reaching America they proceeded westward across the Mississippi and located in this county. Of this marriage there are three children, who brighten with their infant prattle and charming ways the home that holds them dear. Robert R. was born June 18, 1884; Clara, July 9, 1886, and Arthur F., Aug. 24, 1887.
   Although Mr. Severin received some financial aid from his parents, it may be said that in the main he is the architect of his own fortune. He has carved out by his industry and self-reliance a place in society for the honorable mention of his name. He is the owner of 240 acres of good land, on which he is constantly making improvements, and besides grain and all kinds of farm produce, he gives considerable attention to the raising of cattle and other live stock. He is introducing the celebrated Tamworth stock of swine in this State. He has not only devoted himself attentively to his farm work, but has taken an active interest in the affairs of his community, serving as School Director three years, and otherwise identifying himself with its best interests. He at one time held the honorable office of Vice President of the German Family Club, which has its headquarters at Cortland, also for one year served as Treasurer of the same. He is also Vice President and an active member of the German Agricultural Society, of Buda Precinct. The principles of the Republican party most nearly meet his ideas of political economy, and to these he gives his uniform support. Both socially and in business life Mr. Severin ranks high among the citizens of his precinct, who consider his word is good as his bond.
   Those who are interested in the surroundings of the progressive and self-made man, will notice with gratification the view of the homestead of Mr. Severin, which stands as the worthy monument of his persevering labor.

AVID LATTURE. In the Southern States, prior to the publishing of the Emancipation Act, there were not wanting men, who, although doubtless not heartily approving of everything that was done at Washington, felt strongly that one flag and one eagle were sufficient for the land that lies north of the Gulf, and south of the Dominion line and Great Lakes. The men of the South had proved themselves in the old days and memories which encircle around the "Boston Tea. Party," and Fourth of July, '76, as truly heroic and self-sacrificing as their brethren of the more northern parallels, and to-day the South still has an increasingly large place to fill in the history of the Republic. The subject of our present sketch is one of those born south of Mason and Dixon's line, who suffered imprisonment and deprivation for what we call the Union cause, and in spite of the arguments of friends, and the more forceful urgings of authorities, was nobly true to himself and country.
   Among the sons of the Solid South who have yielded their children for the development and opening up of their native country was Samuel Latture, the father of the subject of this writing. He was born in Tennessee, and in that State he spent his whole life. By occupation he was a farmer, in which he was very prosperous. He was married to Miss Catherine Davault. To them were born five children, two sons and three daughters, all of whom lived to years of maturity. They were named as follows: Martha, Jacob, Eliza, Elizabeth, and David, our subject. Miss Davault, like her husband, was a native of Tennessee. Her husband was one of the heroes of 1812, with the rank of Lieutenant.
   From such stock and such a family came our

subject, David Latture, who was born in Sullivan County, Tenn., May 17, 1840. He received a practical common-school education to assist him, at least in some measure, in the fashioning of his experience in after days. The curriculum of school being completed, he continued his residence at home, and went to work upon the farm. Our subject did not escape the fortune, or more correctly speaking, the misfortune of war. During the late unpleasantness he was twice a prisoner in the Southern army, first in the fall of 1861, at which time he was compelled either to take the oath of allegiance, or be sent a war prisoner to Tuscaloosa, Ala. Upon taking the oath he was released as a citizen. In the following year he was conscripted for the rebel ranks, but, with eighty-four others, he endeavored to evade this, and attempted to cross the mountains between the rebel pickets and Union forces, but was captured and placed in the hands of the conscripting officers, and put in jail it Bluntsville, his native place. Thence he was sent by railroad to a more secure prison. viz: Zollicoffer or Union. After some time he was released by Gen. Carter, of the Union forces. He then left Tennessee with the boys in blue, and came North to recruit his health. As soon as he was strong enough to justify the act, he returned to Nashville, and enlisted in Company A, 9th Tennessee Cavalry, under command of Col. Parsons. Our subject enlisted as a private, but was at once appointed Duty Sergeant, and served in that capacity the close of the war, when he came North, and settled in Clinton County, Ind.
   Metaphorically speaking, our subject's sword has become the pruning-hook and the vocation of war has been exchanged for the employments of peace. For five years he is found working as a farm hand in Clinton County. During this time he became acquainted with a charming and most estimable lady, Miss Martha Kingsolver, a native of the same county, with the result that in due course of time they were united in the closest of all earthly relationships, in October, 1869. Mr. Latture now purchased a farm in Boone County, and for two years was prosperous on that place. It was at that homestead that their only daughter was born, Dora. In the autumn of 1871 he removed with his family, and purchased a farm in the southern part of this county. After a residence of about two years another removal was made, this time to Little Salt Creek. For four years he continued to make this his home. and was quite prosperous upon the farm. Having a good opportunity he sold out, and purchased his present property in the year 1879. Since that time he has built a large two-story frame house., and in addition, for stock purposes, a comfortable barn and the usual farm buildings. Nearly the whole of his splendid farm is under the plow or in plain grass. The view is very commanding from his residence over a vast expanse of fertile farms.
   The family circle of our subject has grown to include four sons and one daughter, viz: Dora, Samuel, Robert, James Lewis and Oliver, all of whom are living. His wife is the daughter of James and Mary Kingsolver, and was born in Sullivan County, Tenn., March 5, 1848, but with her parents removed to Indiana while very young. Her education was received in Indiana, which was to all intents and purposes, if not in actual fact, her native State, for her earliest recollections were supplied by its scenes, and she continued to make it her home until some years after her marriage. Her parents at present reside in Smith County, Kan,, and although quite aged preserve good health and the enjoyment of every faculty.
   Mr. Latture and family are honored members of the Presbyterian Church, and among its most hearty supporters. Mr. Latture dates his membership in this communion from about his eighteenth birthday. The family is now connected with the church at Raymond. In politics he is somewhat inclined to be radical rather than conservative, and is a strong supporter of the Prohibition cause.
   Our subject is very particularly careful in regard to his stock, and has expended much thought, capital and labor in this department, and is the owner of good blooded stock in the county. He owns a very fine herd of Short-horn Durhams of super-excellent grade, and with Mr. Batten is the owner of a registered Durham bull. He is the possessor of a Norman stallion, a magnificent creature, which weighed 1,110 pounds the day he was two years old. Mr. Latture is exceedingly exact in all things that appertain to stock, and especially in the selec-

tion and the maintenance of Short-horns. He was among the first to enter into high-grade stock raising in this county. Now the best part of his beautiful farm of 160 acres is devoted to this enterprise. The property is most admirably situated on section 8.
   Mr. Latture necessarily ranks among the prominent farmers, not so much on account of his general farming as in his stock interests, in which he has invested considerable capital. Although there is little to be observed in reference to his position in political affairs. too much cannot be said regarding him as a man in any of his relations in life, whether domestic, social or otherwise. He is eminently worthy to be called a typical man and citizen, as he represents a high type of manly character, and illustrates the fact that intelligent, well-directed effort, sustained with persistent perseverance, will meet with due reward and prosperity in life.

HARLES L. GUMAER. The farming community of Yankee Hill Precinct numbers among her best men the subject of this biography. He is now approaching his threescore years and ten, having been born Dec. 3, 1820, in Onondaga County, N. Y., and was one of the earliest pioneers of this county, coming within its borders in 1870. He has watched the face of the country during its transformation from an uncultivated tract to productive farms and beautiful homesteads, and as far as in him lay has performed his part worthily as a useful member of the community.
   Elias and Mary (Lewis) Gumaer, the parents of our subject, were also natives of the Empire State, and, like their son, born in Onondaga County. The paternal ancestors were direct descendants of the French Huguenots who fled from their native country to escape religious persecution. Elias Gumaer settled with his family in Onondaga County about 1799, and there spent the remainder of his life, passing away about 1838. The mother later, with her family, migrated to Wisconsin, and died in Oshkosh, in 1863. Of the ten children comprising the household circle but three are now living, namely: Jane, Mrs. Holdsworth, a widow, of Penn Yan, N. Y.; Elizabeth, the wife of Jerome Crocker, of Weyauwega, Wis., and Charles L., our subject.
   The elder Gumaer was a contractor on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canals, between Harper's Ferry and Washington, for a number of years, and during which time his family resided in the latter city probably a period of twenty years. Charles L. pursued his early studies in the schools of the National capital until about thirteen years of age, and was then made a page of the Senate Chamber during the times of Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, Tom Bluton, Lewis Cass and other eminent men, with whom he became familiarly acquainted. The old hero, Gen. Jackson, often had a kindly word for the boy, and was an intimate friend of his father.
   Upon approaching manhood our subject employed himself at book-keeping, and when ready to establish a home and domestic ties of his own, was united in marriage, Sept. 15, 1848, with Miss Martha H. McAlister, whose father, John McAlister, was then a resident of Waterloo, N. Y. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gumaer located in Wisconsin, where our subject carried on various kinds of business until 1861, then went eastward as far as Chicago with a Mr. Pollard, and from there came to this county in 1870. Two years later he secured eighty acres of land in Yankee Hill Precinct, where he has since lived and labored to good advantage, building up his comfortable home and securing a competency for his declining years. He is a stanch defender of Democratic principles. He has been quite prominent in local affairs, and served as Clerk of the United States Land Office at Lincoln for a period of five years.
   Mrs. Martha E. Gumaer was born Sept. 28, 1829, in Seneca County, N. Y. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and of Scotch descent. Her mother, Eunice D. (Tousley) McAlister, was born in Vermont. The parents spent their last years in New York, the father passing away about 1853, and the mother in 1884. Her paternal grandfather, Roswell Tousley, did good service in the Revolutionary War, and was the close friend of Gen. LaFayette. The family of her parents included seven children, five of whom are living, namely: Laura, the wife

of James N. Eckman, of Pawnee City, this State, and President of the First National Bank there; Elizabeth, the wife of C. C. Waldo, of Lincoln; Jessie, Mrs. B. Q. Safford, of Yankee Hill Precinct; Helen B. and Fanny; Ella B. and John M. died in Wisconsin and Chicago respectively.
   The father of our subject was a Colonel in the War of 1812, and he had a paternal uncle, Peter E. Gumaer, in the Revolutionary War.

HAUNCEY DEAHL, one of the youngest representatives of the agricultural community of Lancaster County, is regarded as a farmer of more than ordinary promise, as he is already well established in life, owing a valuable farm on section 16, Saltillo Precinct, and a beautiful home. He is a son of the late Andrew and Matilda (Schultz) Deahl, and was born July 22, 1864, in Alleghany County, Md. He did not, however, remain in his native State a great while, as in 1865, when he was but a year old, his parents removed with their children to Illinois, and there his boyhood was passed until he was sixteen years old, when his parents made another move and came to Nebraska, to spend the remaining years of their lives. He was a bright, studious lad, and having fine opportunities for attending school in Illinois, he received in excellent education, and, besides, a good training in agriculture under the experienced eye of his father. He early displayed an ambitious, self-reliant spirit, and a desire to be independent. He purchased his present farm in 1885, and immediately entered upon the task of improving it. The land is under good tillage, and he has erected suitable and conveniently arranged farm buildings. His neat and commodious two-story dwelling is tastily fitted up within, and is surrounded by a beautiful lawn, ornamented by shade trees and a great variety of shrubbery, as well as a thrifty orchard of apples, cherries and plums. He has besides plenty of strawberries of the choicest kinds, in their season.
   Mr.. Deahl remained in the home of his parents until his marriage, Sept. 29, 1885, to Miss Flora Bitinger, daughter of Simeon and Sarah (Wiland) Bitinger. She is, like himself, a native of Alleghany County, Md., her birth occurring there Jan. 11, 1867. When she was twelve years old she came to Illinois with her parents. She received the rudiments of her education in the common schools of Maryland and Illinois, and later completed it by a course at the High School of Shipman, in the latter State. She possesses many charms both of person and of mind, and presides with. grace over the lovely home provided for her by her husband's care. Before inviting her to leave her parent sheltering roof, to share life's responsibilities, pleasures and sorrows with him, he had his house all ready for occupancy, believing in getting the cage before capturing the bird. Their marriage has been blessed by the birth of two children--Allen A. and Winne E.
   This brief record of the life of our subject will show that he is gifted with great enterprise, perseverance, and a keen, resolute nature that will in the end accomplish. everything that in reason he may desire. His strict integrity of character and high sense of honor tend to keep him in the path of right. Religiously, he is a member of the Lutheran Church; politically, he is, like his brothers, an enthusiastic Democrat. In the homestead which he brought to its present state by his enterprise and industry, is illustrated his innate force of character, and it speaks for him in a more impressive manner than words can. The fine lithographic view of this, which we present on an accompanying page of this work, will be regarded with interest by others than the immediate friends of Mr. Deahl.

OHN A. DEAHL is a young man whose untiring industry and shrewd management have already made him successful in his career as an agriculturist of no mean skill, as is attested by the fine condition of his farm, which is beautifully located on Sections 16 and 21, of Saltillo Precinct, in a region noted for the fertility and productiveness of its soil, and for its numerous highly cultivated and valuable farms. He is a son of the late Andrew and Matilda (Schultz) Deahl, and was born Aug. 9, 1855, in Alleghany County, Md., where he passed the opening years of his