Esq., afterward Attorney General of the State, who was at that time practicing his profession in Mineral Point. After remaining there nearly a year, he formed a law partnership with the County Attorney, under the firm name of Reed & Watkins. Being finally obliged to abandon the practice of law on account of poor health, Mr. Watkins, having a natural taste for literary work, bought an interest in the Mineral Point Democrat in 1874, and became its editor, conducting the paper for nearly three years in partnership with George Crawford. He was appointed County Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1874, to which office he was subsequently elected for the full term on the Democratic ticket, in the fall of 1875. In the fall of 1877, his term of office expiring, Mr. Watkins sold out his interest in the Mineral Point Democrat, and went to Sioux City, bought an interest in the Sioux City Tribune, and was its editor for three years. He then sold out and bought an interest in the Daily State Democrat, of Lincoln, Neb., of which he was one of the editors until he received his appointment in November, 1885, as Postmaster of Lincoln, the onerous duties of which office he has since discharged with great satisfaction to the citizens of the city.
   Mr. Watkins was married, Dec. 31, 1875, to Miss Margaret Anna Baker, daughter of John U. and Elizabeth (Dale) Baker, who was born near Mineral Point, Iowa Co., Wis., Aug. 6, 1851, being the fourth in a family of twelve children. The names of these children, all of whom are living but one, are as follows: Edward Dale, John Turner; Elizabeth Ann, wife of John Osborne, of Scranton, Iowa; Margaret Anna, wife of our subject; Clarkson, who died in infancy; Joseph Uglow, Nicholas Date, Osmon Cleander; Alma Louisa, wife of Rev. Samuel Trousdale, of Eau Claire, Wis.; Clara D., wife of W. H. Flett, of Merrill, Wis.; Carrie, Lillie Dale.
   Mrs. Watkins' father was a native of England, born Feb. 6, 1815, in Devonshire, which had been the home of his ancestors for many generations. In 1837 he emigrated to this country in company with five brothers, and settled in Wisconsin in 1838. They were early pioneers of Iowa County, where they all purchased large adjoining tracts of land, and improved fine farms. Mr. Baker remained a resident of that county, extensively and prosperously engaged in farming, until 1877, when he moved with his family to Madison, where he now lives, that he might educate his children in the State University. He affiliates with the Democratic party, and is a stanch supporter of its principles. He was in his early days a member of the Church of England, but since coming to the United States has, for nearly fifty years, been a leading member and local minister of the Methodist Episcopal Clinch. Socially, he is identified with the A. F. & A. M. He is a man honored and respected wherever known, and has been successful in all his business career. His wife, who is a native of Cornwall, England, also belongs to the Methodist Church, and is a true Christian. She is a woman of remarkable personal energy and great executive ability. While her husband is, and always has been, a Democrat, she was, in ante-bellum times, an outspoken Abolitionist, but is now an ardent Prohibitionist. To our subject and his wife three children have been born: Clara Anna, born Nov. 12, 1876; Albert Vilas, March 23, 1879; and Margaret, Jan. 10, 1887. Mrs. Watkins is a woman of culture, having been educated in the State Normal School, at Platteville, Wis. She is a member of the Congregational Chnrch, of Lincoln. She occupies, with her husband, a prominent social position, and her rare gift as a singer often brings her before the public, where her rich contralto voice is heard with pleasure by lovers of music.

OHN L. HERMANCE is another of those who rightly deserve the name representative, as applied either to their position as citizens or referring to their occupation. Our subject is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, devoting his special attention to the higher orders of pedigree and blooded stock. His extensive and well-ordered farm is situated on section 20, Oak Precinct.
   The father of our subject, John S. Hermance, was born about the year 1806, in New York State, and in due time received his education in the common schools of his native town, after which he was engaged in farming and in the lumber trade and gen-

eral traffic. New York State was always his home. About the year 1825 he was married to Miss Marion Bristol, of Columbia County, N. Y. Of their family five are still living, the remaining two having died in early years. The eldest daughter was named Elizabeth; the next child James, and then John L. (our subject), Robert and Catherine. Elizabeth married Edwin Annis, of Cattaraugus County, N. Y.; her brother James lives in Allegany County, N. Y.; Robert is a resident of Pittsfield, Mass.; and Catharine is the wife of Lewis Stanley, and is a resident of Wellsville, N. Y.
   The father died in December, 1885, at Cuba, N. Y., at the ripe age of seventy-nine years. His wife, Marion Bristol, was the daughter of John Bristol, a clergyman of the Baptist denomination in Columbia County, N. Y. She was about the same age as her husband, and died in the year 1862.
   Our subject, John L., was born in 1832, on the 16th day of January, in Rensselaer County, N. Y. In the schools of Columbia County he received his education, spending some time latterly in those of Canaan. After finishing his schooling our subject went to work upon his father's farm, in which occupation he remained until his marriage. This important event transpired March 28, 1852; the lady of his choice was Miss Esther Hawkins, a most amiable and excellent lady. To them have been born three children, two of whom are living--a son, Ernest, and Helen, now the wife of Mr. Luther Batten, of Oak Precinct. (See sketch.) After marriage our subject continued farming, and extended is connection in the lumber business until the year 1861, when the bugle note of war's alarm sounded throughout the country, and in response he enlisted in Company C, 67th New York Volunteers, as a private, May 9, 1861. He continued service in the ranks until 1862, when he was detached and sent to Douglas Hospital, Washington, D. C. Upon recovery he became Ward Master in the same instituiion until July of the same year, when he was mustered out on account of ill-health. Nothing daunted, with the return to health he again enlisted, this time in Company A, 188th New York Volunteers, and was appointed color-bearer for the regiment. He remained in this position until the surrender of Lee to Grant. At this deeply impressive scene our subject was present in charge of the colors of his regiment, which was then in the 5th Army Corps. He was engaged in quite a number or battles and minor fights. At the close of the struggle he returned with his regiment to Washington, and was mustered out after the grand review from thence returning to his home in Allegany County, N. Y.
   Nebraska was visited in the year 1872, and upon April 4 of that year Mr. Hermance took up a homestead nine miles north of Lincoln, which he proceeded to improve, and subsequently obtained the title. Shortly after this he was appointed Superintendent of the Poor Farm, and so satisfactory was the manner in which the duties of this office were discharged that he retained it for six consecutive years. He then purchased a farm of 160 acres somewhat nearer to Lincoln, and this he has brought into a very perfect state of cultivation. The buildings for farm use are commodious and well arranged, with a view to the uses to which they are required to be put. The residence is a substantially built house, pleasantly situated, and although not pretentious in its architecture, offers the more satisfactory features of a home. The care and expenditure which have been put into the orchard are apparent, and it is a most profitable investment, being quite large, and the various trees of high grade and well selected. The yield, other things being equal, is unusually good, both in point of quality and quantity.
   This farm and residence were after a few years sold it a high price, which was commanded by their merits, and a removal was effected to his present home, which was then purchased. The new residence is most pleasantly situated on the Oak Creek Valley road, upon 100 acres of exceptionally fine land, on which he has expended much time and labor, and has been rewarded, as in the previous case, by Dame Nature, who seems to differ from her sister, Fortune, in that she is less capricious, and will reward only the earnest and diligent, whereas Dame Fortune scatters her smiles and favors apparently without method or reason, letting them fall to whoever may happen to please this coquettish damsel at the moment.
   Our subject could not do without his fruit trees, which were much missed upon leaving the old farm.

He therefore set to work to supply this lack, and in as short time as possible he had an orchard containing upward of 250 well-bearing and carefully selected apple trees, besides an abundance of other trees and bushes, bearing fruits large and small. Those who have experienced a Nebraska summer will know well how to appreciate the grateful and cooling shade, and will not be surprised that our subject should, in addition to the orchard, be careful to provide this desideratum. He is now provided with a very fine collection of forest trees, numbering several hundred of black walnut, besides other varieties in proportion. At different times and in different places, Mr. Hermance has owned considerable real estate in this county, and has done very much for the improvement of the district. He was the owner also of a large tract of land at Hastings, Neb., which he recently sold at an advance, also property adjoining West Lincoln, which he sold at an advance. Our subject has always been held in the highest repute, and the many laudable qualities of his character and conduct are fully appreciated by his fellow-citizens. He has usually been one of the Election Board of his precinct, also School Director of the district in which he lives.
   Miss Esther Hawkins, who became the wife of Mr. Hermance, was born Dec. 22, 1831, in Cattaraugus County, N. Y. She received her early education in the common schools of her native place, and after she had done with the benches, desks and school books as a scholar, she presented herself for examination, and was adjudged worthy to return and take charge as a teacher, in which capacity she continued to give satisfaction to all concerned until she resigned her position to take her place at the hymeneal altar. The father of this lady was born in Oswego County, N. Y., about the beginning of the present century, and when a young man was married to Miss Betsey Morris. Their family comprises some eight children. They resided in Cattaraugus County for over thirty years, Mr. Hawkins following the occupation of farming. His death occurred about the year 1854, and after two or three years his widow entered into a second matrimonial alliance. The record of births in the family bears the names of his children as follows: Harriet, Orson, Euphemia, William, Esther (now Mrs. Hermance), Duty, Oscar and Rodna. Orson, William and Oscar are deceased, and with the exception of Esther, the others still reside in their native county.
   Ernest Hermance, son of J. L. and Esther (Hawkins) Hermance, was united in marriage, in April, 1872, at Scio, Allegany Co., N. Y., to Miss Electa Black, of New York, and to them were born three children--William Leroy, James and Rodna. They were divorced, and after a time he was again married, and now to Miss Jennie Ward, of Lancaster County, who has presented him with two children. Mr. Hermance is a farmer in the county, and, like his father, enjoys the heartiest confidence and highest esteem of his follow-citizens.
   In politics Mr. Hermance is a stanch Republican, and he and his wife have for many years been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

HEODORE R. CHITTENDEN, a gentleman in the prime of life and ranking among the leading farmers of Yankee Hill Precinct, has for the last four years been laboring to good advantage, cultivating 160 acres of land on section 18. He is a man held in respect by his neighbors, being a thorough and skillful farmer, meeting his obligations promptly, and acquitting himself in all respects as a useful member of the community.
   Mr. Chittenden was born in Hillsdale County, Mich., Oct. 6, 1844. Nelson Chittenden, his father, was born and reared in Onondaga County, N. Y., where, upon reaching manhood, he led to the altar one of the most estimable young ladies of his township, Miss Elizabeth Nelson. They continued residents of the Empire State a short time, and then the father determined to cast his lot among the pioneers of Southern Michigan. He chose his location in Cambria Township, Hillsdale County, and spent his first night there in a hollow log. With his estimable wife he subsequently endured all the privations and hardships incident to life in a new country, and after building up a good homestead departed hence, in 1850. The mother survived her husband a period of thirty-six years, remaining a

widow, and spent her last days in Hillsdale County Mich., passing away in 1886.
   Our subject was a little lad six years of age at the time of his father's death, and began early in life to paddle his own canoe. He lived with his mother on the farm until fourteen years old, working around among the neighbors by the month, and spending a portion of the winter season in school. He realized the advantages of book learning and, by improving his opportunities, became fairly well posted upon matters of general interest in the world, and still keeps up the course of reading which assisted him to an intelligent manhood. When twenty-six years of age, believing that he would be justified in taking upon himself the responsibilities of a family, he was united in marriage, Dec. 24, 1870, with Miss Catherine Van Ness, a sister of Mrs. John F. Hay, of Yankee Hill Precinct, and of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this ALBUM. Shortly after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Chittenden took up their residence in Calhoun County, Mich., where they lived until coming to Yankee Hill Precinct, in 1884. To our subject and his wife there have been born six children, two of whom, Charles and Nelson, died at the ages of twelve years and two and one-half months. The four surviving are named respectively: Willie, Cornelia, Clarence and Lena.
   The farm of our subject includes 160 acres of good land, which he has redeemed from the indifferent condition in which he found it, making a highly productive tract which is now the source of a comfortable income. He has earned his possessions by the sweat of his brow, and now, sitting under his own vine and fig tree, is enjoying that to which he is amply entitled. He is liberal-minded and public-spirited, a stanch Republican, politically, and has served as Moderator in his school district since becoming a resident here.

UDSON E. VANDERLIP, President of the Citizens' Bank, of Bennet, and a leading merchant of the town, is widely and favorably known throughout the eastern part of this county as one of its most energetic and capable men. He represents a fine estate, being the owner of about 400 acres of land on section 3 in Nemaha Precinct, all under a high state of cultivation, and valuable property in the village.
   The farm of Mr. Vanderlip is stocked with thoroughbred Short-horn cattle, besides a goodly assortment of the common grades, and he is also considerably interested in the breeding of high grade horses, having an interest in the celebrated English stallions, Brigadier and Favora, who are owned by the Bennet Horse Company, in which Mr. V. is a stockholder. These animals took the first premium at the Nebraska State Fair in 1887.
   The Citizens' Bank, of Bennet, was organized in October, 1886, Mr. Vanderlip being one of the leading men of the enterprise. Its capital stock is $25,000, and our subject has been President since the start. He is comparatively a young man, having been born Aug. 14, 1844, and first opened his eyes to the light in Upper Canada, where he was reared on a farm and completed his education in the High Schools. His parents, Robert and Caroline (Beebe) Vanderlip, were natives respectively of New York State and Canada. They came to Kent County, this State, about 1852, locating on a tract of land, where the father carried on farming, and was called from his earthly labors in 1888. The mother is still living at the old homestead. The parental household included ten children, of whom nine are living and residents mostly of Michigan and Nebraska. Of these, Judson E. was the second born.
   Our subject continued with his parents until twenty-five years of age, then resided in Ionia County, and engaged in farming and teaching until May, 1869, when he changed his residence to Stockton Precinct, this county. Homesteading eighty acres of land, he operated as a tiller of the soil for a period of five years, then coming to Bennet engaged in general merchandising, and this he still follows in connection with his other interests. He has the largest establishment in the place, and keeps a full stock of everything required in the village or country household. For two years he has been President of the Village Board, and takes a lively interest in every enterprise calculated to advance the interests of his community.

   Politically, he is independent, aiming to support the men whom he considers best qualified for office. He became identified with the Masonic fraternity in 1869, and is the Secretary of Bennet Lodge No. 94.
   The marriage of our subject with Miss Marietta Robinson was celebrated at the home of the bride, in Ionia County, this State, Feb. 17, 1870. Of this union there is but one child, Edwin A., who was born in April, 1873, in Stockton Precinct. They occupy a handsome and comfortable home, and enjoy the esteem and confidence of hosts of friends. The Citizens' Bank occupies offices in the handsomest block in the village, and has become one of the indispensable institutions of this part of the county. The name of its President carries with it a guarantee which establishes it firmly among the other business interests in this region, and is ample security that its affairs will be conducted upon a safe basis. Mr. Vanderlip has assisted materially in the building up of the town of Bennet, has here invested a large proportion of his capital, and here centered his most valued interests. He esteems no effort too great that shall result in the, general good of the people around him in advancing their social and financial welfare, and in giving to the rising generation the advantages which shall make of them a race of honest men and good citizens, prepared to take up the mantle of those who shall have gone before.
   It is eminently proper that the portrait of this representative citizen should grace the ALBUM of Lancaster County, and we accordingly place it herein with pleasure.

AVID E. PREY. Among the old settlers of Lancaster County, and its worthy citizens, must be mentioned the gentleman whose biography is here briefly sketched. He is a native of New York State, where he was born on the 5th of June, 1842. He is the son of John B. and Margaret Prey, of whom further mention is made in the sketch of J. W. Prey, whose biographical sketch will be found upon another page of this volume. Our subject came to Lancaster County in 1856, and has since resided here continuously. The educational possibilities of his early surroundings were exceedingly limited, such, however, as were offered he took every advantage of and has since by general reading greatly improved his education.
   The chosen occupation of our subject has been that of farming, into which he was initiated when he was quite small, receiving, as he grew in strength and intelligence, more complete instruction, and performing more perfectly the duties assigned. At the time of his coming to Nebraska it was practically an unknown territory, and had not had the first roughness of its original condition removed; Indians and wild game of different kinds were far more plentiful than settlers, and the land for mile after mile stretched away without a sign of civilization. From this primitive condition he has watched with pride its phenomenal development.
   In 1863 our subject entered a homestead claim for 160 acres of land, which he has brought to a well-nigh perfect state of cultivation. Since that time he has purchased other sixty acres, giving him it total of 220, which includes the farm as at present operated. The chief productions are those which would he included by the phrase general farming, and our subject has always been successful in his harvests, excepting where, as it the time of the grasshopper plague, circumstances beyond his control absolutely prevented.
   On the 25th of February, 1872, Mr. Prey was united in marriage with Sarah X. Davis, a native of Ohio, who has presented him with three children, who bear the following names: Nina, Daisy and David. Mrs. Prey was born on the 14th of March, 1852, in Morgan County of the above State, and is a daughter of Reuben and Elizabeth Davis, the former of whom is deceased. Her father was born in New England and later removed to Ohio, where he met and married his wife, a native of that State and of English ancestry. This lady is still living, and resides in Whiteside County, Ill., where her husband died in October, 1887.
   Our subject has served the important office of School Director for several terms, and also that of Road Overseer. He has been prosperous in the various business undertakings of his life, and has

been enabled to lay aside a fair competence against the proverbial rainy day. As a man and a citizen he is simple in his habits, industrious and energetic, honorable in every transaction, and consequently much esteemed. In politics he has always been a supporter of the Republican party.

A. STOCKING. It being generally believed that heredity and environment have much to do with the formation of character, and that our lives are stimulated by the immediate or indirect influence of our ancestors, a short resume of the lives of Mr. Stocking's parents may serve as the index to the liberal impulses which mark his daily life, and which have won for him the esteem of those who know him. He is descended from those Puritan Fathers of our Republic who exerted in so signal a manner their wisdom and energy in planting the seeds of freedom, piety and learning, the fruits of which are so richly enjoyed from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It is a trite remark, because so obvious and just, that no people on earth owe more to their ancestors than the descendants of the early New England families.
   The courage and devotion manifested by these zealous and freedom seeking people generally throughout all the American colonies during the opening scenes of the Revolution and the long-continued trials of the war, are entitled to the profound respect and admiration of all. Against pressure of social influence in the large Colonial town where bribes and offers were freely made by the emissaries of the Crown, and where predictions of anarchy and ruin were constantly poured forth by the timid and mercenary; against the temptations held out by the wealthy and ruling classes and threats hurled at them by the most powerful of the Royalists; those New England men and those noble women were proof.
   To such noble ancestry do our subject and his wife trace their birth, the forefathers of Mrs. Stocking having been numbered among the crew of the always-to-be-remembered "Mayflower," and those of Mr. Stocking having come to America in Colonial times. The parents of our subject, Abner and Gratia (Porter) Stocking, were born in Massachusetts, and afterward settled in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where the husband carried on the occupation of farming. He died in the year 1854, at the age of forty-five, and his wife died in the year 1885, at the age of sixty-five years. They were the parents of four children--William, R., David A., Joseph and Mary M.
   David, our subject, was born on the 31st of March, 1846, in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and was eight years old when his father died. He had the advantages to be obtained from attending the public schools, and at the age of fifteen he entered a seminary at Dover, Ohio, and attended there in the winter time. He continued living with his mother until he went to Illinois, where he worked out by the month for the first two years of his residence in that State. In 1869, our subject, in company with E. Hoisington, came to Nebraska and took up a homestead of eighty acres.
   In the year 1874 Mr. Stocking was married to Miss Polly Giddings, a daughter of Alfred and Fannie (Van Orden) Giddings. The father of Mrs. Stocking was born in New York, and the mother was born in Greene County of the same state, and after their marriage they resided in their native state for five years, after which they went to Stephenson County, Ill., where they lived a number of years. Then, coming West with their children in 1869, they settled in South Pass Precinct, in Lancaster County. The father died in 1871, aged fifty-eight years, and the mother took up a homestead in 1873, now, however, residing with her daughter, Mrs. Stocking. She is seventy-three years old, and is the mother of ten children, seven of whom are living--Francis, Wallace, William, Nancy, Patti, Polly and Van Orden.
   Mrs. Stocking, wife of our subject, was born July 2, 1852, in Kent Township, Stephenson Co., Ill. She received the educational advantages of the common schools, and was eighteen years old when she came to Nebraska. She is the mother of five children--Wallace, Burd, Abner, John W. and Almond Burrell. The latter is deceased. She is a member of the United Brethren Church, and is distinguished for her womanly qualities and zealous industry. Our subject is the owner of 120 acres of land, having made all the improvements by his own