panying this sketch these works, and has also given a peek of the interior of some of the workrooms, besides a few samples of the tiling, but it is impossible to give any idea of the delicate tracery and beautiful finish that lend their charm to these articles as sent from the works.
   The subject of this history is a native of Lake County, Ohio, and was born on the 29th of August, 1848. He is a son of Nathaniel C. and Luthera A. (Ricardson) Stockwell, both of whom are natives of Massachusetts, but for many years they have been residents of Lake County, Ohio, and were found among the very early settlers there. They have always wielded an influence for good in the community where they have made their home, and as the years have added number after number, this influence has only extended, broadened and deepened; they have been honored and esteemed by all for their strict integrity, firmness in the interests of right and truth, and beautiful character.
   The parents of Mr. Stockwell gave him every opportunity in their power to attend the district schools of his native place until he obtained a good, practical, English education, and he had by constant and careful reading kept himself posted upon all general topics and is worthy to compare with the most intelligent citizens. He grew to manhood upon his father's farm, taking his whole share of the various duties and responsibilities thereof. Shortly after he attained his majority, with his characteristic energy and good judgment, he had accumulated sufficient to enable him to establish a home of his own, and on the 15th of December, 1869, he was united in marriage to the lady of his choice, Miss Lavilla J. Henderson. She is a native of Lake County, Ill., and is a daughter of Gideon and Alice (Law) Henderson. Their union has been blessed by the birth of two children, Nathan and Lela A., whom it has been their pleasure to watch, as they have developed and manifested personal traits and dispositions that promise much for their future happiness and prosperity.
   In the matter of enterprise and decision of character the subject of our sketch has few equals. He is a man of wonderful resource and large mental grasp, just such a one who can both think, attempt and execute great things when occasion requires.
   To such a one the unprecedented development of the Western States held out many attractions, and in the year 1881 he removed with his family to Doniphan County, Kan., and there cast in his lot with the men whose ability to promote the advancement of the agricultural, commercial and manufacturing interests of that and the surrounding States has been fully verified, and the happy results of whose foresight and enterprise are being enjoyed by thousands to-day.
   The following year, 1882, Mr. Stockwell came with his family to this State and decided to locate in the neighborhood of Lancaster County, not simply because there is contained therein one of the most beautiful belts of country, but also on account of the salubrious atmosphere, that has gained for the district no little renown because of its healthfulness. Another and important reason for his settling in it was that he found here most excellent material for his business, such as would enable him to do even finer work than previously, and add to rather than detract from his reputation. He finally decided for these reasons to make his home and establish the works connected with his business at Yankee Hill.
   In 1881 our subject had commenced the manufacture of brick, and even within the first year the demands of his business were such as to keep constantly employed from fifteen to twenty men. This continued to increase, and he has now constant employment for over fifty skilled workmen. This will give some conception of the large amount of work turned out from his yards every week. Not only does he supply by far the greater part of the local trade, but ships also to all parts of the State, although perhaps his trade chiefly concentrates itself in the various towns and cities within a radius of 100 miles. The material employed in the manufactory is a peculiar kind of clay most admirably adapted for his purpose, and indeed it was this property that decided largely in the question of his settlement in the district. In his works will be found some of the finest machinery made for use in such establishments, and is made by J. W. Penfield, of Willoughby, Ohio, a name that at once stamps it as among the very best obtainable.
   Mr. Stockwell is pre-eminently a man of public

spirit and generous beneficence. He is always found contributing liberally to such projects and enterprises as are for the benefit of the precinct or county, and also such as may have for their object a more limited sphere, such as the extension of some religious work, or even private charity. His pleasant and comfortable home is admirably presided over by his most estimable wife, who enjoys the reputation of being an unparalleled hostess, and makes her home the center of a generous and hearty hospitality. In politics our subject heartily supports the Republican party, and has for many years been in ardent and deeply interested member of that party.

ERMAN J. TE SELLE is a prominent farmer residing on section 22, South Pass Precinct, Lancaster County. His father, John Albert, and mother, Dela (Van Ten Damme) Te Selle, were natives of Holland. The father was engaged in farming in that country, and remained there until his death at the age of forty-three years. The mother died in 1885, at the age of eighty-two years, having been the mother of seven sons, their names being as follows: Derrick W., Tobias, Henry J., John A., John H., Garret J., and Herman J., our subject. The gentleman of whom we write was born on the 4th of December, 1844, in Holland, and having begun attending school at the age of six years, he secured a very good common-school education in the Dutch language. At the age of twenty years he determined to come to America, and, in company with his brother John Henry, he sailed from Rotterdam, via Hull and Liverpool, by ocean steamer to New York, at which place they arrived safely after a journey of seventeen days, landing in November, 1865.
   The destination of our subject being Sheboygan County, Wis., he went at once to that place, and for five mouths he worked out at general work. At the age of twenty-one he was married, in 1866, to Miss Berendina A. Buesink, who was also a native of Holland, having come to Sheboygan County when she was thirteen years old. Mr. and Mrs. Te Selle and family came to Nebraska in 1871, where the husband homesteaded a claim of eighty acres, then bought eighty acres additional the following year, and again in 1881 he bought his third eighty acres, having now a farm of 240 acres. He also owns a dwelling in Lincoln.
   Our subject is the father of eight children, the names of those by his first wife being: Dela, who was born in Wisconsin; and Willie, born in Nebraska. The children by the second wife are: Dena, Evert J., Albert, Helena, Minnie and Bertha. The daughter Dela married Mr. Dick Abbink, residing in Panama Precinct. Mr. Te Selle's first wife died in the year 1874, and he married Miss Johana Brethower, a daughter of Dr. Brethower, of Holland. Our subject and his wife and family are devout members of the Reformed Church of America, and lead active and consistent lives. The father coincides with the opinions of the Republican political organization, and takes an active interest in the educational affairs of his precinct, having for twelve years held the office of School Treasurer.
   While Mr. Te Selle experienced some disadvantages on his arrival in this county, his own industry, self-reliance and energy have enabled him successfully to surmount the difficulties presented, and he has continued upward in the path of success until he has reached a state of independence and prosperity. Although his schooling in the English language was somewhat limited, he compensated for that lack by a course of general reading, and has become well informed on all matters relating to his adopted country. He has a pleasant, cheerful disposition, is not averse to enjoying a good joke occasionally, and is one of the real live businessmen of South Pass Precinct.

NTON DIERKS. The Great West has been peopled largely by those who came from over the sea, and among this class none have proved more valuable citizens than those coming from Germany. A representative of this people in Lancaster County, as well as truly representative American citizen, for he claims to-day citizenship in this great country, is Mr.